#lost in queue

“I swear if you two don’t kiss at midnight I might have to intervene.” Crystal explained as she sipped her drink.

“We’ve got a plan if you don’t.” Kay Kay commented as you sighed, as much as you wanted to kiss him you knew he only saw you as a friend.

“Like what?” You asked curiously as you watched him leave the kitchen after finishing his drink.

“A friendly game of spin the bottle or truth or dare.” Crystal smirked as Calum drunkenly walked up to the both of you.

“I heard spin the bottle, if this is a plan for them to kiss I’m in.” He said with a wink as he nodded to Michael who joined in.

“Did I just hear you talking about Luke kissing someone, it better be you and not me.” Michael teased as he looked at you.

“Like Luke’s that bad of a kisser Mike,” Calum commented as he finished his drink.

You all laughed as Michaels’s cheeks turned bright pink, “You know what I mean, they need to kiss already.”

You shook your head as your focus was drawn to Luke who was talking to Ashton across the room. Both of them had their eyes on you and everyone surrounding you.

Luke cleared his throat as you caught him staring at you, “Fuck, they caught me again.”

“Then stop staring and do something.” Ashton expressed as he waved to you.

“Like what Ash? It’s almost midnight there isn’t much time.” Luke sighed as he shoved his hands in his pockets.

“Take a shot of liquid courage and take them outside and talk to them without everyone else.” Ashton suggested and Luke thought about it and realized it wasn’t a bad idea. He left Ashton without a word and walked into the kitchen and found the whiskey, poured a shot of it before checking the time.

11:53pm.

He threw back the whiskey before looking at you and walking back into the living room, you walked up to him, “Hey you.”

“Hey can we talk outside?” He asked and you nodded and followed him to the front door of Calum’s house.

He opened the door for you and you stepped outside and looked at your watch and it read 11;55pm.

Luke stood in front of you as he took a deep breath before stepping closer to you making the space between you no longer present. “I know I’ve had all year to tell you but I can’t live another moment not telling you how I feel.”

“I’ve always had a ‘thing’ for you as the boys would say but it’s so much more than that. You are the only person who makes me smile the way you do, you always know how to make me laugh and you’re always there no matter what. Every time I look at you I feel loved beyond measure.”

You hung on every word as you looked in his eyes, his soft blues. Everything he said was exactly how you felt about him. He meant everything to you and more.

You held his face in your hands and smiled, “Luke, you are my world. I don’t know what I’d do without you. You make me feel so safe. It’s you, Luke, it’s always been you.”

Within seconds his lips were on yours in a heart-stopping and world turning kiss, his hands resting on your waist as your chest pressed against his. His lips softer than you could’ve ever imagined as you tasted whiskey mixed with mint, inhaling his scent you breathed on his lips before he softly pecked yours. “Oh Luke.”

He hummed before pressing a soft kiss to your forehead, “Yes?”

“You truly waited until the last 5 minutes of the year to tell me.” You giggled running your fingers through his golden curls.

“I didn’t know how else to do it, Ash convinced me to take liquid courage” He chuckled as he gazed into your eyes.

“So that’s what I tasted on your lips.” You slowly swiped his lower lip, his soft lips kissed your fingertips.

“Mixed with my love, darling.” He winked as you felt your heart skip a beat. “Wanna get out of here?”

“I thought you’d never ask.” You smiled as your fingers intertwined with his as you left Calum’s house and walked together towards his car.

"I'll pass, thank you." You smile looking over the array of drink selections in front of you.

"Awh no eggnog?" You heard a familiar voice as his hand rested on the small of your back; your body tensed as your eyes met his ocean blues.

"I don't like eggnog, sue me." You shrugged as you giggled at Michael and Calum trying to figure out who spiked the drink.

His hand still on your back as he looked for something to drink, "Michael where is the tequila?"

You giggled at his desperation for his favorite drink, "Luke, I think you'll have to drink something else."

He says in frustration, the smile across his face makes it obvious he's just teasing. "But!"

All you could think about was his perfect butt. The bubble butt you found yourself staring at when he wasn't looking.

"You can't always get what you want Luke, how about peppermint schnapps?" You asked as you grabbed a cup and filled it halfway.

"Peppermint Schnapps? Love, have you ever seen me drink anything like it?" He asked as his eyes scanned the table.

"Try mine, see if you like it." You smiled handing him the cup to drink out of.

He took a sip and you looked to see his reaction, "Not so bad little one, I'll try it."

Little one, one of his pet names for you. Ever since you met he'd call you that.

"For the last time I am not little! Your just a giant and compared to you everything is small."

"Not everything," He winked as he poured a cup of schnapps.

You playfully hit his arm, "Luke!"

He chuckled as he walked with you towards an open spot on the couch. You sat next to him as you sipped your drink, he leaned toward you so only you'd hear him "Okay time to spill, who did you have?"

You giggled at his antics, you leaned closer to him to whisper, "Luke its Secret Santa for a reason!"

"Love, I'm dying to know who you have! You've been so secretive ever since we drew names." He looked around the room and then back at you.

"That's the whole point you dork! Be patient like everyone else." You teased getting off the couch as Crystal motioned you over.

"Where are you going?" He asked as his eyes never left you.

"Crystal is motioning me over, I'll be right back!" You giggled with your drinking hand as you walked towards her.

"You two are something else, I've been trying to get your attention for 5 minutes!" Crystal expressed. 

"Sorry, he's been hounding me about who I have for Secret Santa."

"Still? Him and Michael are the same! He kept bothering me!"

"Why am I not surprised? I'm gonna bring some cookies over, he's stuck drinking Peppermint Schnapps."  You joked playfully as you grabbed a plate and filled it with cookies.

"He'll never let Michael live down not buying any tequila."  She giggled as you walked toward Luke who was on his phone, you sat down and he put his phone away.

"Ouh cookies!" He smiled as he grabbed one and began eating it. You grabbed one of the iced cookies and took a bite.

"I thought you could use a snack." You smiled as you ate your cookie.

"Thank you love," He flashed his smile as you ate your cookie, "Oh you've got some. Uh-"

"I've got what?" You asked confused as he licked his thumb and swiped the pad of his thumb on the edges of your mouth.

"Icing darlin, you had some icing on your mouth." He winked as he finished his cookie and reached for another.

"Thank you, when do you think Cal and Michael will stop playing chess?" You giggled looking over at them in their own world as Ashton strummed the guitar while Kay Kay and Crystal talked.

"If one of us doesn't step in soon I reckon we'll be here past 1am with those two playing." He smiled sitting closer to you, "Now’s the time to tell me darlin, I won't tell anyone I promise.'

"Oh my god Luke!" You turned your head realizing how close his face was in proximity to yours. His pink lips agonizingly close to yours.

"Love, I'm just messing with you. When do you go home for the holidays?"

Your mind went completely blank, you suddenly couldn't remember if your family was coming to L.A or if you were going to them. Your eyes locked on his, "I'm not sure I'll be right back."  You shook your head before standing up straight and giving Ashton a knowing look. You made a run for the bathroom to take some deep breaths. You leaned against the door as you closed your eyes trying to calm down. You heard a knock at the door causing you to jump . Your eyes open as Ashton says your name.  “Yes?”

“We’re about to open presents!” He informs as you open the door to meet him.

Finally.

“Oh thank god, let’s go before they start without us.”

Ashton giggled as you walked with him towards the living room where everyone was waiting,  Matt Pauling had finally showed up which explained the wait. You sat next to the free space on the edge of the couch next to Crystal.

Ashton decided to open his first; everyone laughing at Calum’s facial expression which easily gave him away. He went next opening his gift as Crystal looked at you and then at Michael giving her tell away. Luke’s eyes met yours as you could feel your cheeks flush.

Ashton decided to switch things up as he handed Luke his gift, “Here ya go mate, you’ve been anxious all night.”

“Thanks Ash.” He smiled as he opened the gift, your heart rate increasing as you watched him open the gift from you. He looked at you, already knowing it was from you.

“Thank you love, I knew you had me.” He giggled as his cheeks turned a familiar shade of pink.

“Is that why you wouldn’t stop bothering me?” You teased as Ashton gave you your gift; you removed the tissue paper as you could cry from the contents. Everything in the bag were all of your favorite things you didn’t think anyone would pay attention to. Your favorite brand of lip balm, type of socks you loved and snacks always craved down to a gift card to your favorite store. It meant everything to you that someone paid that attention to what you loved so much.  Narrowing down who was left, Michael looked at Luke followed by you looking at him and you knew from the smile he was giving you that he gave you all of your favorites.

“Thank you Lu.” Was all you could get out as Crystal opened her gift from Matt before Michael opened his gift from Kay Kay.

Crystal leaned in, “You two had each other, no one else had each other.” She looked at Luke, “It’s almost as if-”

“Crystal don’t start with your fate nonsense.” You teased playfully shaking your head.

Michael joined in, “Crystal has a point.”

“Oh not you too, both of you need to stop watching Romcoms.”

As much as you wanted to deny that it was a coincidence, part of you wondered if it was.

Luke got off the couch and walked up to you and bent down so he was eye level with you, “Did you like your gift?”

You nodded as you smiled holding the bag in your arms, “I love it Luke, thank you.”

“Of course darlin, come with me.” He said with a smile as you followed him into the bathroom as the party continued on.

“Wanna help me put on the choker you got me?” He asked softly as he handed it to you.

“You wanna wear it?”

He nodded as you stepped closer to him as you looped his choker around his neck, his soft skin against yours as you nervously clasped the hook while Luke intently watched you.

Your eyes locked with his as you stepped backwards as your back met the door behind you. The tension between you thick as you cleared your throat hoping it would help the dryness. “Lu?”

“Yes?” He said as he ran his fingers through his curls.

“I know the timing of what I’m about to say isn’t perfect  but I can’t take it anymore.” You started as he tilted his head as he listened to the words spewing from your lips.

“I just- Uh.”

“Hey, talk to me what’s going on are you okay?” He asked, concerned as he stepped closer to you, “You know you can tell me anything.”

“Anything?”

“Anything.”

“Okay, I’m not saying this to ruin our relationship, that is the last thing I want. I’ve loved you from the moment we met and I know it’s the oldest story in the history of books,” You rambled, “But I do.”

“Is it safe to assume you're not talking about loving me as a friend but more?” You nodded as he took a deep breath, “It is the oldest story in the history of books but did you ever think  I felt the same?”

“I did but-”

“But what? I do. I always have, always will.”

You stepped closer to him as you cupped your face in his hands, “Say the words Luke.”

“I love you.”

Relieved the pad of your thumb touched his lips as he softly kissed your thumb, “I love you.”

“Oh just kiss me already will you?” He winked as he leaned forward to kiss you, his lips softer than you imagine.

You giggled as he continuously pecked your lips as your hands rested on the nape of his neck, “I had no idea the night would end like this.”

“Who said anything about it ending?”

“Morning,” He smiled as he pressed a soft kiss to your forehead as he moved closer to you. "How'd you sleep?" 

"Pretty amazing." You smiled at him while you ran your fingers through his black curls. 

"So did I." He smiled as he felt you shiver from the cold breeze. “Are you cold? Let’s cuddle, it’ll make you warmer.” 

"That sounds perfect." You agreed as his warm hands wrapped around your waist as you rested your head on his chest. His soft skin warm against yours as his hand ran up and down your back soothingly. 

You could feel your cheeks flush from the warmth, you looked at him and heard his infamous giggle. “What’s so funny?”

“Your cheeks are so red; it’s so cute!” 

You felt your cheeks flush, knowing they turned a darker shade of pink after his comment. “Ash!” 

“What? You’re adorable when you blush.” He kissed your cheeks. 

“You should talk.” You winked as you switched positions and laid on top of him. 

“Still cold?” He asked softly, his arms holding you tightly against his body. 

You nodded, "Mhmm, we did leave the window open." You smiled pulling the  blanket over the two of you. 

"That's right," He smiled kissing your forehead, "Maybe if I kiss you, you’ll feel warmer.” He winked as his lips captured yours in a sweet kiss; you wrapped your arms around his neck while his tightened around your waist. 

You opened your mouth to deepen the kiss as his tongue traced every part of your mouth, you hummed against his lips before your lips parted. You traced his lips with your fingertip slowly, tracing each curve, "I love you." 

"I love you." He smiled as he loosened his arms around you, he kissed your lips softly moments before you nuzzled your head in his neck. You looked out the window and saw glittery snow falling from the sky.