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❤️

And a weights been lifted off Luke's shoulders once he confesses his feelings. He feels better, and now, just had to tell Ashton. He had a couple ideas, but his first priority was taking care of Ashton, because the violent coughs from upstairs, and Michael's colourful curses indicated he wasn't feeling too well.

Just as Luke reaches the stairs, he turns back, a small smile on his lips.

"Calum, he's just so...radiant"

"No shit Luke, you stare at him like he's the freaking sun"

*****

Things had worked out well for Luke and Ashton. Luke had told Michael and Calum to fuck off and took care of Ashton, till he was better. Once he was, Luke spent the day outside with him to apologize for the wrist wrist, and Luke wasn't 100% surprised when they ended up at a Walmart.

What happened next, well, was a lot better than his dream. For one, it was real. And secondly, it ended with Luke asking Ashton to maybe consider him as a boyfriend, rather than the two having secrets.

It was a bit overwhelming, but since Luke wasn't the biggest Crystal fan, he was hoping for Michael and Calum to get together eventually. And with Ashton? Luke was so much happier, now that he'd accepted it and himself. And it happened really fast, if Luke was being honest, but looking back, he wouldn't have had it any other way. He finally had Ashton, and he wasn't letting him go this time.

*****

Ashton let an amused smile dance on his lips as he listened to his younger brother excitedly retell a story from school. Harry continued on, but Ashton heard Luke's wheezing laughter from the kitchen and found himself laughing as well. He stares longingly at the door, till he feels a sharp smack to the back of his head. He heard Michael complain about Ashton not listening, but he doesn't respond. Instead, Ashton shrieks out a string of curses, which results in two more hits.

"No swearing! Keep it PG"

Michael screams this directly in Ashton's face, and delivers one more smack to his head. Michael had been very keen on family friendly content after Ashtons siblings nearly walked in on him and Calum. Michael and Ashton continue to argue, until Luke comes to Ashton's rescue, slipping beside him and wrapping his arms around him. Luke tells off Michael, and then buried his head into Ashton's hair, murmuring sweet nothings.

The pair had been dating for weeks now, and the fact that they'd known each other for years made it feel like they'd been dating forever. This Christmas, to celebrate their success, Luke invited everyone over to his place in New York, that he'd bought a couple of years ago. Everyone's parents and siblings were welcome, and since they were all a huge family, there were no tensions.

Luke and Ashton really liked each other, and they wanted their families to know, so they didn't have to be secretive.

They learned that Michael and Calum had came out ages ago to their families, and had been accepted. The positive reaction to Malum, made Luke and Ashton feel better. But while they planned on coming out, in reality the two were scared shitless and 100% content with keeping everything under wraps.

Of course, they still cuddled, as all 4 families were fully aware of the platonic friendship amongst the boys. But either way, Ashton had Luke. It didn't bother Ashton that he was two years older. Hell, he acted a lot younger than Luke at times. He loved being cuddled into Luke, and Luke loved holding Ashton, because he was the taller of the two and whenever he held Ashton tight enough he could feel his warmth and it was really all he needed.

They shared sweet little kisses whenever they were alone, but they hadn't gone too far just yet. They most sexual thing they'd done thus far, consisted of blowjobs, kissing and Luke marking up Ashton's neck, like the leech he was.

*****

Everyone gathered in the living room, and for the sole purpose of his amusement, Calum snatched the mistletoe off of the tree and holds it above Lukes older brother and his wife.

The two laugh and swat him away and he bounces around the room. The closest thing to a kiss is when Michael pecks his cheek, all in good fun. So, when he finally holds it above Luke and Ashton's heads, no one, not even Ashton, expects Luke to pull him into his lap and kiss him hard.

Ashton lets out a squeak of surprise, but Luke feels him smile. So there they are, under the sparkling lights, roughly kissing, and Luke's so close to just picking Ashton up and walking away, but he feels the assortment of cushions being thrown his way, before he can do anything. He protests and reluctantly pulls away from Ashton.

He's got his lower lip jutted out and he's glaring at the others. He feels Ashton shift slightly and stifle his laughter unsuccessfully. Ashton's quiet laughter melts his heart and he leans over and pecks his nose. And if Luke's mom hadn't cleared her throat, then they could've just sat there forever. Luke protectively pulls Ashton closer and waits for the judgment.

Instead, he watches every single person pull out two tens, handing one to Liz and another to Anne. Luke lets out an amused snort, which sends Ashton into another fit of giggles. While the two mothers count their bills, the others just sort of stand there, the initial shock slowly wearing off.

After bragging to others about how they were correct or assume that Luke and Ashton were...snoodling.....both mums usher the rest into the dining room. Everyone leaves till it's just Luke and Ashton, the two staring into each other's eyes. Luke's leaned in again, when he hears his mom and he's reluctant to remove himself.

"Cockblocks"

He's murmuring more profanities, as they enter the room, and he barely notices Ashton slip out of his grip and sit with Calum. Luke's mum sits on Ashton's opposite side, and before Luke can whine she warns him, claiming there would be no handjobs under the table.

Underneath his crimson cheeks, he partially regrets his decision and lack of self control, but somewhere in his heart, he knows he's grateful. (He also knows all the hand jobs would be happening either way so he can't be too upset)

***

The next few hours are the most embarrassing of Luke's life, yet somehow the best. They're filled with teases and jokes about him and Ash, and more often than not end with Ashton's flustered face buried in his chest. Luke's not complaining though, because he doesn't find many things more adorable than Ashton blushing.

Not long after, they all somehow end up on the floor, playing a lazy game of charades, with an overly enthusiastic Calum, who eventually just gives up and plays a movie instead. About 30 minutes in, Luke feels a nudge to his arm and he glances down at Ashton who has a playful smirk plastered on his face.

"It's snowing"

The observation causes Luke to snort, and he arches a brow down at Ashton. It was evident that Ashton wanted to have fun, outside, and escape whatever awkwardness they were trapped in.

So he laced his fingers with Ashton's and the two somehow managed to make it outside.

The snow fall was light, and Luke watched as Ashton excitedly flopped down. They always loved white Christmases because in Australia they never got any. It was only the 20th, but it seemed as if it would be just as wonderful in the 25th as well.

Luke joins him, lying down beside him, before he pulls him on top, kissing him gently.

They lay like that for a moment, kissing, before Ashton shoots up, and makes misshaped snowballs, to throw at Luke. Luke does the same, and within minutes they're chasing each other, tossing snow in all directions.

They're in nothing but their hoodies and sweats, so the cold soon begins to seep into their bones. Luke grabs Ashton in an attempt to warm him, pulling them both down.

The feels Ashton's reddened nose rub against his own, and feels the smaller boy start to shiver. Luke pulls them both up, before he picks up Ashton, carrying him bridal style. Ashton pouts up at him in dismay.

"Luuuu we only just came outside"

"And you're gonna get sick baby, come on"

Ashton huffs and frowns, burying his face in Luke's chest, clearly upset, but Luke finds it adorable. When they walk back inside, the snow on them melts, and they end up slipping, landing in a awkward tangle of limbs.

So much for being quiet.

After a stern word from Liz, about being immature and risking his boyfriends health, Luke escapes to the kitchen and makes a warm cup of cocoa for Ashton, and one for himself. He dumps half a bag of marshmallows into Ashton's, cheering him up as he eagerly grabs the cup.

The movie was still running, although Luke was more focused on Ashton, who was curled up in his arms. No one seemed to pay attention to them, which Luke was grateful for, because he could admire his boyfriend with no judgment.

It hurt him, really, whenever Ashton thought he wasn't cared for or good enough, because he really was. Ashton was a gift to the world and to Luke, in all his precious quirkiness.

It wasn't long before Ashton was asleep in his arms, so Luke placed both their cups on the side, and snuggled further into him, kissing his head.

*****

It's around 3 in the morning when it occurs to Luke, that he never got Ashton a Christmas present.

He'd shopped for everyone else already, but delayed Ashton's present as he didn't know what to get. He was panicking now, because it had to be absolutely perfect.

His first instinct was to call Chrys, who was his makeup artist. Having known her for years now, he knew she'd help him out.

He didn't have much time, only a couple days, but he promised he would make Ashton's Christmas a special one.

*****