A week after Michael's latest freak out, he was acting strange again.

Not a bad strange, but he hardly got mad about things at the bar that would have upset him before, he was super cheerful, and very sweet to Luke. One afternoon, Michael kept Luke company while he finished up more receipts. He wasn't even bothered by the huge line of people that had formed every night in front of Ashton's bar. It was out of character for him.

Luke was really happy for the first time in a while. With the renovations of the bar, a lot of Michaels time had been taken up with planning and he didn't have much time for Luke. But now that it was all over, he was finally back to himself again and Luke was very relieved.

The only thing bothering him was Ashton's lack of appearance. He would have thought now that he was back in town for good, he'd come over to bother Michael more, since that appeared to be the kind of person he was.

But Luke hadn't seen him since the night before his bar opened.

It seemed odd.

One night while Luke was filling out the food delivery order forms, he got an idea.

He was rather curious about this Ashton guy. He wanted to know why people were lined up outside the bar all night with little chance of getting in. He wanted to know why the media briefly mentioned his bar, but couldn't stop talking about him.

He needed a plan. If he was to go over there and check it out, he'd need a way in.

He could wait in line for hours and hope they'd allow him inside. But there was no guarantee he would, and that would take too long. Michael would know he'd been out somewhere if it took that long.

Maybe it was time to put his acting skills to use...

    Before he could figure anything out about actually getting there, he had to get out of this bar first. Michael was outside with his friends, he couldn't just walk past them, Michael would see him and ask questions. He could just sneak out of the office, there was a person sized window he could climb through that led to a fire escape. Michael hardly ever left his friends when they were here, but Luke didn't want to take the chance. It would be his luck that Michael needed him for something tonight. He could pretend to be sick and go back home, but that was a blatant lie.

    It wasn't that he wanted to lie to Michael, but he knew his boyfriend wouldn't like him going over there. But Luke really wanted to check it out. He didn't think there should really be a problem with it, but it was better to just not let him know. Just in case he'd get angry.

    Luke was lost in thought when Michael poked his head inside the room.

    "Hey, we're all going out to Rue 21." Michael informed him.

    Luke was shocked. They never left the bar, usually favoring staying here where they got discounted drinks and could just relax. But this was perfect! He could get out of here if Michael wasn't sitting in the next room over.

    "Oh, okay."

    The door widened and the man he met the other day, Liam stepped through. Today he was wearing a red hoodie with a bunch of patches. Luke saw a pride flag on the sleeve and smiled.

    "Luke, will you be coming with us?" Liam asked. Luke glanced at the patch on his sleeve then at Michael, finally looking back to Liam questioningly. He smiled. "My boyfriend Zayn will be joining us there, I thought it would be nice if you could meet him. I think you two would get along well."

    Luke opened his mouth to answer, but Michael cut him off.

    "Clubs aren't really Luke's thing, I don't think he'd like it much. You'd rather stay here, right Lu?"

    Luke nodded, it was true. He wasn't a fan of overly crowded, loud clubs.

    "Oh, okay. Maybe another time then?"

    Before Luke could answer, Michael called a quick goodbye and shut the door.

    Luke sat there, stunned for a minute. It almost seemed like Michael didn't want him to go...

    He quickly brushed the thought off and focused on his task at hand.

    The biggest challenge sorted itself out. Michael was gone, so he didn't really have to worry about that. Now he just needed to convince Harry he needed to stay in the office all night and he wasn't to be disturbed. It was kind of risky, because if there was an emergency Harry would go to the office to get him but he wouldn't be there. He could easily explain to Harry what he was doing if necessary. He just didn't want to if he didn't have to.

    Luke walked out of the office and to the bar where Harry was polishing glasses.

    "Hey Luke!"

    "Hi Harry, how's it going tonight?"

    "Not too bad," Harry shrugged. "It's a bit quieter now that Michael and his buddies aren't here," Harry smiled.

    Luke chuckled. It did seem to be a bit more peaceful around without them.

    "So I wanted to tell you, I'm going to be--"

    "Luke, why don't you take the night off?" Harry interrupted. Luke thought about it. That might be an even better excuse. Then Harry wouldn't accidentally walk in on an empty room.

    He started to tell him that he was going to do it, but Harry stopped him again.

    "It's a good idea, Luke. I don't think there's been a day I've been here that you haven't. Michael's not going to be back for the whole night, he told me, so there's no reason for you to be here, either." Harry set his rag and glass down and looked at him. "You deserve to go out and have fun, too."

    "I think that sounds okay." Luke agreed.

    "I just wish you'd—wait, really?" Harry seemed surprised, like he expected more arguments or for Luke say no.

    "Yeah, I don't see why I can't have a relaxing night for myself every once in a while. Maybe I'll go home and take a bubble bath and catch up on the Bachelor."

    Harry shook his head, fond smile on his face.

    "You do whatever you want, man. Just get out of here." He grabbed the rag and started swatting Luke with it. Luke laughed and started towards the door.

    "Text me if you need anything, and if there's any problems, I'll come back, don't—"

    "Luke! I think I can handle it, now go!"

    "You're the best, Harry."

    "I know," he grinned. "Now shoo. I don't wanna look at you anymore."

    Luke waved before exiting the bar. He quickly stopped by the apartment to change his clothes and get ready, then snuck down the back staircase and out onto the street.

    He adopted an aloof attitude, ignoring the curious stares he got from people passing by.

    Before he turned the corner, Luke took a deep breath to calm his nerves. This plan wouldn't work if someone managed to see through his façade.

    Luke turned the corner and strutted down the street, not making eye contact with anyone. He was wearing big sunglasses over his eyes, even though it was getting dark, but it added to his self-important image. He had styled his blonde hair so it was spiky at the top in a small quiff. He wore black leather pants and a pink silk shirt. He'd also done his makeup, subtle pink eyeshadow on his eyes and little flowers glued to the crease in the corner, just barely visible around his glasses. Pink shimmery lip gloss covered his lips, giving them a pretty shine. His boots were covered in silver sparkles. Naturally he attracted attention, which wasn't something he always enjoyed, but in this scenario, he needed it.

    He got to the front door and his palms were sweaty and his hands were shaking, but he held his head up high and moved forward. He walked on the red carpet and bypassed everyone in the regular line, not stopping to take in their stares.

    He got to the front where the bouncer was guarding the door. He tried to just walk around him, but the bouncer put his hand up, stopping him short.

    "Name please?"

    Luke gave him a bored look.

    "Funny. Let me in now." He was hoping he could pretend to be famous enough that they'd just let him through. It wasn't the best plan, but it was all he had.

    The bouncer gave him a curious stare.

    "What's your name?"

    "Oh my god, you don't know me?" Luke shrilled. He lowered his glasses and looked at the bouncer and gestured to himself. "Come on,"

    "Uhm, no sir. I don't. I really just need your name...then I can see if you're on the list."

    "Well you should just know my name. That's the beauty of the VIP line." Luke was losing him. He sounded like a petulant child, whining because he didn't get a cookie. The bouncer started to look suspicious.

    "Sir, unless you give me your name I'm going to have to ask you to leave,"

    "Well Ashton is certainly going to hear about this. Can't believe this keeps happening." Luke mumbled in a last ditch effort.

    The bouncer paled.

    "Y-you know Mr Irwin?"

    Luke rolled with it.

    "Of course I do. It seems everyone except you knows who I am. He's going to be furious that every time I come here I almost get turned away at the door."

    He removed the rope from the front of the door.

    "I'm very sorry, sir, I didn't mean to cause any problems. P-please..."

    "I won't mention it, no worries. Just don't let it happen again." Luke gave him a sweet smile as the man nodded emphatically and he walked inside.

    That was actually kind of fun. Luke grinned giddily. He did it! Maybe he wasn't such a terrible actor after all.

    Once inside, he looked around.

    It looked like the typical club/bar scene. There were bright lights, loud music, people dancing everywhere or groups talking and drinking. It wasn't Luke's favorite venue, he much preferred Michael's quieter bar with the dim lights and wood tables and the regulars who knew him. Luke wondered how anyone was able to talk in here, or how you'd find someone if you were trying to meet them. It was chaotic.

    He walked towards the crowded bar and looked for a seat. Two people got up from the stools that lined the wooden counter as Luke walked that way, so he quickly grabbed one. He looked at the drinks they had on the shelves, wondering if they'd have his favorite.

The bartender, a tall, skinny guy with wavy brown hair, came over to him.

"What can I get you, sir?"

"What kind of whiskey do you have?"

The man, whose name tag read "Louis", listed a couple kinds off. Luke didn't really like any of them too much, but he ordered something anyway.

A couple minutes later the seat next to him was taken. Luke glanced at the guy, he was all dark; his hair was black, his trench coat was dark and all his clothes were dark too. He glanced at Luke and smiled. Luke nodded and took a sip of his drink, trying not to cringe at the taste.

He wasn't quite sure what he was doing here. This was sort of a stupid plan. He didn't see Ashton anywhere when he scoped the place out. He was probably off somewhere private, doing whatever it is Ashton's do. Maybe he should just go home.

By the time he'd finished these thoughts, his drink was gone and he sighed. He was about to get up when the guy on his left turned to him.

"You're not leaving already, are you?"

"Oh yeah, I am. I think coming here was a mistake."

The stranger took a glance at his outfit and smirked.

"I don't think so, you fit in just fine."

Luke rolled his eyes.

"That's not what I—"

"Do you want another drink?" He asked, raising his hand to call the bartender over.

"No, I think I'm gonna go—"

"He'll have another and I'll take one of what he's got." The man told one of the bartenders down the counter a bit. He nodded and set out to get them.

"Sir, I don't need another drink. I want-"

"Names JD." He said. "What's yours?"

"Not interested." Luke said, gritting his teeth. This guy was getting old.

"Well then Mr Interested, today's your lucky day. I'm interested as well." He winked and grabbed his drink, shoving Luke's into his hand and grabbing his arm, pulling him onto the dance floor.

"Dance with me."

"I really don't want to dance. I want to leave."

"Oh, already?" JD laughed. "Eager, aren't you?" Luke tried to protest but JD put his finger on Luke's lips to quiet him. "That's fine, I don't mind that either. We can go whenever you're ready." JD set both of their cups on a random table as they walked to the edge of the dance floor.

Luke didn't realize that the man had practically dragged him to some back door already, down a long hallway. There were no people around, but Luke could still faintly hear the music. He hoped someone would walk around the corner and see him.

"No, I really don't want to. I have a boyfriend." Luke tried to wiggle his out of the strangers ironclad grip to no avail.

"That's fine, it's never bothered me before. He doesn't have to know, we'll go to mine."

"Quit it, get your hands off of me!" Luke raised his voice, hoping someone around them would hear him as help, but there wasn't anyone around. They were alone.

"My car is out here. Come on."

"No! I don't want to-"

"I said come on." JD's eyes narrowed and he leaned in real close to Luke who tried to back up, but his back was pressed against a wall and he had nowhere to go. JD reached into his pocket and pulled a gun out, quickly flashing it at Luke then shoving it back inside, looking Luke in the eyes. "If you just listen, this'll go a lot easier."

Luke gulped and nodded slightly. JD took his arm again and started pulling him towards the door.

"Help!" Luke yelled. JD put his hand over Luke's mouth and kept moving, but someone quickly blocked them. Quick as lightning, the other person punched JD in the face and shoved him to the ground. He pulled his phone out and spoke urgently into it, but Luke couldn't hear what he was saying over the roaring in his ears. He was shaking really badly and leaned against a table to avoid falling to the floor. He missed and toppled the table over. The crash brought him back a moment and he looked up at his savior.

"Ashton," he whispered before promptly passing out.

***

God, dramatic much, Lucas?

(Also, yes, that's supposed to be JD from Heathers. this was meant to be a musical fic, but I like it better this way. Kept the creep in here tho.)

Me: i won't update for a while, I have no time
Me, not even 24 hours later: here's an update ✨😎 lol hope you enjoyed

~ashtonfortherwin