do you need more?

Jess smiled as she poured a glass of wine each for the girls, grabbing a bottle of beer for Calum and Ashton before Michael and Luke arrived, watching in amusement as Calum and Ashton both picked at the party food. "Oi," she scolded, shaking her head as she handed Lisa, Riley and Emma their glasses, holding her own. "Can you two not control yourself for two minutes?" She rolled her eyes playfully.

Ashton pouted, looking to Emma. "Baby, help me, Jess is bullying me." Although, despite his words, he moved away from the food table to approach Emma instead, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and leaning to press a kiss to her temple, grinning over at Lisa and Riley. "I'm so excited for you two to meet Luke and Michael." He looked to Emma. "Emma's been conspiring to set you all up for weeks." His grin grew broader, reaching for his bottle of beer.

Lisa shot a look at Emma, sipping her wine with Ashton's words, knowing that if she was being introduced to someone new with the intention of an undeniable connection, she was going to need some dutch courage. "Typical of you and Ashton to be that couple." She laughed, ducking her head slightly with the thought, toying with her lower lip. "What if it backfires in your face and we all hate each other?"

Luke parked his car outside Ashton's house, taking a deep breath. It had been a month now, since Luke became single for the first time in two years, and to say he was beginning to feel lonely was an understatement. 5 Seconds of Summer had just finished recording for their third album, so Luke's days had become quiet, and the silence was beginning to affect him. Petunia was a good distraction, but Luke was missing phyiscal touch and feeling something for someone again. Climbing out of his car with that thought, Luke ran a hand through his hair anxiously, knocking the door of Ashton's house.

Calum pouted slightly at his girlfriend. "Oh, come on, Mikey and Luke are taking forever and I'm starving," he complained jokingly, though he grinned as he watched Jess adoringly. "If you're allowed to drink wine before the party starts, I'm allowed to eat before the party starts." Winking teasingly, he leaned to kiss the side of her head when she'd handed him the beer and, moving behind her, he grinned as he slid his arms around her, just wanting to hold her close. "Besides, you worked hard cooking it all, I'd hate to see all that hard work go to waste."

Emma grinned up at Ashton before she shot a playful look at Jess. "No bullying the birthday boy," she chimed jokingly before smirking teasingly up at Ashton, "That happens to be my job." Grinning proudly, she leaned into Ashton's hold, relishing being in his arms, sliding her free arm around him to curl her fingers into his shirt while she sipped at her wine. "Oi, don't tell them that!" She pouted slightly. "It wasn't just me." She stuck her tongue out at Ashton before grinning at Lisa. "I don't think it's possible for anybody to hate any of you, so I think it'll be fine."

Riley listened to the others with amusement, shaking her head as she sipped at her own drink. "We should have known this was all a set up," she joked lightly to Lisa, shooting her friend a look as she grinned. "And we stepped right in it." Shaking her head, she couldn't help but to be amused, though she'd been wondering about Luke and Michael for a while now - more so Luke, because Emma seemed to really hype him up to Riley, and Riley wondered if she hyped up Michael for Lisa.

Michael had pulled up to the house not too long after Luke had arrived. Really, he'd been looking forward to some relaxation after all the recording they'd done, but he couldn't pass up on one of his best friend's birthdays. Besides, maybe a party was what they all really needed after how crazy everything had been. Spotting Luke heading up to the house, he climbed out of his car and jogged up to join his friend, reaching him just in time to see Luke knocking on the door. "Hey," he greeted, offering a small, concerned grin, aware his friend was going through problems himself. "You okay for this party?"

"Oh, door! I'll get it," Calum declared with a grin when he heard the knock, kissing Jess's head again before he pulled away. Heading to the door, he opened it quickly, blinking when he saw both Michael and Luke there, and grinning. "Hey, great, you're both here, come on in, we've all been waiting, you took forever."

Jess rolled her eyes in amusement to Calum's words, trying her hardest to pretend to be angry, but unable to go through with it when Calum placed a kiss to the side of her head. "That's not a fair deal, honey." she told him with a small smile, leaning into his embrace as he held around her, finding comfort in Calum's arms, scoffing at Emma. "I get to bully the birthday boy as much as I like!" She grinned, tipping Ashton's bottle as he took a sip of his beer, smirking as he choked. "See?"

Ashton coughed slightly, glaring at Jess, looking to Emma with her words in a false disbelief. "Great, yeah, I'm getting bullied. C'mon, I'm twenty four now, you guys think today's easy on me?" He pouted. "All of you lot are twenty two, I'm here being an old man." His pout worsened, burying his face into Emma's hair, wanting her comfort more than anything, unable to believe how lucky he'd gotten with having her all to himself, although feeling her fingers curling into his shirt, Ashton's hold around her tightened happily.

Lisa returned Riley's look, shaking her head. "You four are impossible." She complained, looking to Riley once more. "We should've known that this was a set up. Ashton's whole thing about turning twenty four is just something for us to fall further into this trap." She told Riley with a nod, unable to help the laugh that escaped her as she shook her head - although she couldn't lie, she was curious about Michael and Luke, having heard so much about them, Michael especially, having heard a lot about him, how he was kind, sweet. "Oh god."

"Hey man," Luke offered Michael a smile that he hoped was reassuring, not giving anything away to how miserable he was, although he was excited to be in the company of his best friends. "I'll be fine." He promised, although he wasn't so sure himself. Luke had spent so long indoors that communication seemed so foreign to him. Running a hand through his hair, Luke looked to the door as Calum answered. "Hi, Cal." He greeted. "You haven't been waiting that long, don't lie." He joked. "Where's birthday boy?"

Emma laughed, unable to help it, and she lifted her hand to cover her mouth to hide it, though she grinned broadly up at Ashton, dropping her hand. "I'm sorry, babe," she teased lightly, leaning up to kiss his cheek, though she mock-gasped, placing her hand over her mouth again. "Oh, my God, do I see gray hairs? You really are getting old!" She laughed teasingly, though she smiled when she felt Ashton's face bury into her hair and she relaxed, enjoying the contact. "You'll see, you two - and you'll thank all of us later."

"So sure of yourself," Riley joked lightly, grinning broadly as she shook her head. She chewed on her lip, though, when she heard the knock and, quietly, she listened to what she could of the conversation going on. "Question - is it really even Ashton's birthday, or is that all part of the set up, too?"

Michael watched his friend, not really convinced; he knew Luke probably didn't want to talk about it, but he wanted his friend to at least know that he'd be there either way. "I'm here if you need to talk," he assured, offering his friend a smile before he patted Luke's shoulder, though he looked to Calum. "I'm sure you snuck food either way, knowing you." He grinned slightly, shifting to head inside when Calum moved aside to let them in.

"Jess cut us off from the food," Calum joked lightly, grinning as he shrugged. Despite his joking, his tone clearly reflected how fond he was of Jess, how much he truly loved her. Shifting, he turned to lead the way further into the house. "Ash is in the dining room with the girls. Come on, let's go enjoy the party." He didn't wait on Michael and Luke, though, just wanting to get back to Jess. Grinning when he spotted her, he moved back over, sneaking up behind her to wrap his arms back around her as he kissed her head. "Back, babe," he chimed happily, squeezing around her gently, "Miss me?"

Ashton laughed into Emma's hair, kissing the top of her head before pulling away. "Everyone apart from Emma sucks." He pointed an accusing finger at Riley and Lisa, but hearing Emma's comment about grey hair, Ashton sighed in an over exaggerated manner. "Nevermind, Emma sucks too." He looked to Emma fondly, leaning to press a kiss to her lips. "You're getting old with me babe, remember, till death do us part." Ashton winked, pressing another kiss to Emma's lips, just so happy to have her there for his birthday, knowing his twenty third birthday was spent with him on tour and Emma working.

Lisa grinned with Riley's question. "Ashton lied about his birthday to make this elaborate, his true age is thirty four." She laughed, shaking her head as she took another sip of wine before setting her glass down. "As shown by those grey hairs." She winked at Emma, biting her lip in amusement, although she tried to tune her hearing to the conversation Calum was having at the door.

Luke nodded at Michael, appreciating his best friend's concern. "Thanks, man." He murmured, but he smirked at Calum. "Jess is a smart cookie." He commented, although hearing the fondness in Calum's voice just made Luke's heart bitter, but he didn't want to be miserable, not today, and decided to push the feeling to the back of his mind, hoping that a drink would loosen him up. Following Michael and Calum's lead, Luke shut the front door behind himself and followed them to the dining room, pausing when he saw two girls, and he tried to rack his memories for any mention of them. Still, he couldn't deny, when he saw the smile of one girl in particular, his heart almost burst in his chest, and he could of sworn that his world turned in slow motion and every red light in his mind turned to green simultaneously. "Hi." He greeted with a smile. "Happy Birthday, Ash." But even with those words, his eyes didn't drift from Riley.

Jess jumped slightly as Calum snuck up behind her. "Dammit, Cal!" She complained, leaning into his embrace once more, despite herself. "I wish you wouldn't do that." She pouted, but smiled as he kissed her head. "Of course I missed you, I hate it when you're not here." She told him gently, placing a hand over one of his own, happy to have him near her, always.

Emma laughed to Ashton's words, unable to help it, just loving teasing Ashton. "Of course, you're stuck with me," she hummed out happily, grinning with the kiss before she leaned her forehead against his shoulder happily, just taking in his scent, the feeling of being near him. "But you're gonna be the one with all the grey hairs." Grinning, she lifted her gaze a bit to watch him before she looked to the others when the guys came in. "Hey, guys," she greeted happily, waving.

Calum grinned with Luke's words. "Jess is a genius," he declared happily, breathing out happily once he had Jess in his arms, grinning as he squeezed around her gently. "You love when I do this, don't even pretend otherwise." Winking jokingly, he kissed the back of her head, loving the way she leaned into him, finding himself relaxing with her being there. "I missed you, too." Feeling her hand over his, he shifted to turn his hand a bit, taking her hand to place it under his, squeezing gently. He looked to Lisa and Riley, then to Michael and Luke, grinning. "By the way, Michael, Luke, these two are Lisa and Riley," he motioned as he talked, "And, Lisa, Riley, meet Michael and Luke."

Michael nodded to Luke as he followed Calum inside, peering around as they walked. When they got to the dining room, though, he swore his breath left his body when he caught sight of the gorgeous blonde inside. She'd been biting her lip when he'd walked in, and, if that wasn't the most damn attractive thing in the world, he didn't know what was. "Hi there," he greeted, breaking out of his trance just to be able to talk, though he couldn't tear his gaze away from her - he didn't even want to, she was a vision, a dream come true. "Happy Birthday, Ash." But, hearing Calum introducing the pair, Michael's focus didn't leave the woman he'd called Lisa. "It's wonderful to meet you, Lisa." And, he'd only realized that even his words were focused on the woman after he'd spoken them, but he didn't bother adding anything to them or correcting himself, because he genuinely meant what he said.

"That would explain the grey hairs!" Riley agreed to Lisa's words, grinning broadly with the mention of it, finding it hilarious. "Ash is a total cradle robber." Shaking her head, she looked over when Calum came in, only for two others to follow suit. Her gaze landed on one in particular - taller, the brightest blue eyes to exist, and his smile was the most dazzling thing in the world, but there was a sadness behind his eyes that Riley knew well. Heartbreak. She offered a smile regardless, not wanting to make things awkward by asking, and she waved slightly. "Hi," she greeted them, though her greeting was definitely more focused to the one who had caught her attention - Luke, Calum had introduced him as.

"If one more person mentions anything about grey hair, I'm out of here!" Ashton warned jokingly, pointing an accusing finger at Riley and then at Emma. "Bullied. On my birthday. The nerve of it all is shocking." He pouted, but smiled with Emma's show of affection, pressing a kiss to the tip of her nose. "I love you so much." He told her quietly, although he didn't care if the whole damn world knew - Emma had taken his heart and kept it, and there was no one else Ashton would trust with it. Hearing Michael and Luke though, Ashton kissed Emma's forehead before turning to his friends. "Thanks guys." He grinned. "Help yourselves to a beer."

Jess laughed with Calum's words. "I like being cuddled, I hate it when you sneak up on me." She pouted, just staying against his chest for a long moment, happy to be surrounded by the smell of Calum's cologne and the sound of his voice, smiling as she felt his hand over hers, always loving the feeling of Calum's protection, but she grinned when she heard Calum introduce Lisa and Riley to Calum and Luke, watching the situation carefully as she grabbed her glass of wine and took a sip, paying attention to how she could feel Calum's chest rise and fall with each breath he took, clearly relaxed.

As Calum spoke, Luke continued to focus on the girl that he'd introduced as Riley, almost awestruck by her presence. "It's nice to meet you, Riley." He smiled, biting his lip as he walked past her to grab himself a beer, but for a moment, he caught scent of her perfume, and Luke had never known anything to smell as wonderful, almost to the point of intoxication. Sitting on the countertop, Luke couldn't tear his gaze from Riley, just taking her in, her smile, her eyes, how she seemed to study him too. Luke wasn't sure if he was just being hopeful, if there was genuinely a curiosity to Riley's gaze. "Hope we didn't keep you waiting too long, had to fix up my hair." He winked, trying to keep his tone light hearted, happy even.

"Cradle robber." Lisa snorted with laughter, covering her hand with her mouth to hide it, shaking her head in amusement to Riley's words, but as Calum introduced the pair, her focus completely taken by Michael. Lisa offered him a smile, resisting the urge to bite her lip as she took in the almost ethereal sight - he was truly something to behold, and his arms looked like a place Lisa wouldn't mind calling home. Still, taking herself out of her thoughts, Lisa's smile broadened. "Hiya," she greeted, breathing out happily as she watched him. "It's really lovely to meet you, Michael. I've heard great things." She told him.

Emma laughed with the mention of it. "You're gonna leave your own house instead of just kicking all of us out?" she asked with amusement, shaking her head. Her heart swelled, though, with Ashton's affection, with his words, and she smiled softly as she eyes him. Ever since she'd first met him, she couldn't imagine her life without him. "I love you, too, Ash." Leaning up, she pecked his lips before she grinned over at the others, watching them, curious, though she nudged Ashton gently when she saw the way the guys couldn't take their eyes off the girls or vice versa.

Calum grinned happily as he held Jess close to himself, leaning around her to kiss her cheek lovingly as he squeezed at her hand, running his thumb over the back of her hand. "Don't the cuddles make up for sneaking up on you, though?" he teased lightly as he watched her, just loving the fact that he could have her with him, that she was his. He loved her with everything inside of him and he genuinely couldn't believe that he'd lucked out with her, that she loved him as much as he loved her. "Because, really, I think I wouldn't be able to stop myself from sneaking up on you. I love the way you ease into my touch after the initial shock." Grinning teasingly, he kissed the side of her head happily.

Riley smiled slightly as she watched Luke, unable to tear her gaze away from the man, surprised that he was as attractive as he was. "It's nice to meet you, too, Luke," she told him with a nod, running through everything Emma had said about him, wondering if he'd live up to all of the hype, but she wasn't sure it mattered, because she was amazed by him anyways. Swirling the wine in her glass, she took a sip of it before she offered a small grin. "That's why you should wake up bright and early to do your hair. Trust me. On the bright side, at least you didn't straighten yours, it takes forever." And, seeing him wink, she tried to ignore the way her heart jumped in her throat.

Michael felt his heart rate pick up, his heart pounding in his chest when he heard Lisa's laughter, entranced by the sound, wanting to hear more of it, wanting to even be the reason she laughed. And, seeing her smile at him, he felt so truly, genuinely honored to know that he had her attention at all, hopeful he could maintain it, that something could build between them, because he was curious about her, amazed by her. Grinning, he moved to grab a beer for himself, his gaze only leaving Lisa to grab the beer, though his attention was immediately back on her. "Really?" he asked with a small grin, "Like what?" He arched a brow, curious. "Although, truthfully, I'd love to hear something, anything, about you."

Ashton bit his lip in amusement as Emma pointed out a flaw in his master plan. "Well, I can't kick you out, you live here too." Ashton teased, putting his beer bottle down to wrap his arms around Emma's waist, tugging her to himself gently, just wanting her closer, everything about her bringing him comfort. Ashton had never believed in soulmates until he met Emma, and thinking back to the summer day, stuck on a backed up highway, Ashton couldn't believe that fate had been on his side - he shared a house with Emma now, he shared his whole life with her, and Ashton loved every moment. Feeling Emma nudging him, Ashton watched the situation with a grin, kissing the top of Emma's head as he did.

Jess shifted, taking Calum's hand so she could turn to face him instead, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "No, they don't." She teased, resting her forehead to his shoulder. "I know you find it amusing, but that's because you're evil." She looked at him after a moment of being cuddled into him, shaking her head as she bit her lip, unable to stop herself from smiling as she took him in, knowing she'd met her perfect match in the handsome man. "I mean, I do love your cuddles, Cal, but c'mon, babe. Twice in five minutes is cruel." She pressed a kiss to his lips, always at her happiest, at her best, when she was with Calum.

Luke laughed with Riley's words, biting his lip in amusement, amazed at how comforted just having Riley around him made him feel as he took a sip of his beer. "But I can't wake up bright and early." Luke pouted slightly. "But you look beautiful with straight hair, so it's worth it." His grin broadened with his own words, just wanting Riley to feel amazing about herself, because she certaily deserved it. She deserved so much happiness, Luke wanted her to feel every ounce of it with him, her whole existence giving him some meaning again. "But if you want, you can straighten my hair." He ran a hand through his hair with a smile. "It's pretty messy, I bet you could make me look like a model." He watched as she swirled the wine in her glass, just taking in the sight of her, just so amazed that she was real.

Lisa smiled as Michael moved to grab his beer, watching closely, carefully, how he carried himself, and Lisa couldn't deny her interest was peaked by him. Still, even in a room full of her closest friends, Lisa's attention was fully on Michael, and she never wanted to focus anywhere else when a little piece of Heaven was this close to her. "That you're handsome, they were certainly right about that." She told him, having no shyness, feeling the need to tell him, wanting him to know that she already thought that of him. "Charismatic. Funny. All the good things." She winked, wondering if Michael lived up to anything the girls had said, but he already seemed to be so incredible that she didn't care if he did or if he didn't.

Emma gave a noise of surprise but she giggled, sliding her arms around his neck as she peered up at him, grinning. "Well, that's true," she hummed out quietly as she watched him, "Lucky me, in that case." She winked teasingly but relaxed in his hold, just enjoying knowing that he was hers and he was here with her, her life being perfect with Ashton in it. Shifting, she rested her head against his chest before watching the others, grinning, feeling proud that things seemed to be working out.

Calum grinned when Jess turned to face him and he lifted his hand, brushing her hair gently out of her face before he kissed her forehead gently. "I'm not evil, babe," he told her with a grin when she rested her forehead against his shoulder, his fingers running through her hair gently as he held her close, rubbing her back gently. It felt surreal, knowing that he'd met her all because her cousin was such a big fan, and he swore to himself he'd never thank that cousin enough for giving him the opportunity to meet the woman who meant the world to him. Kissing the top of her head with the thought, he laughed gently. "I'm sorry, babe. I can't help it." He grinned, though, returning her kiss happily, holding her as close as he could.

Riley laughed with the mention of it, loving the sight of his pout, because he was adorable. "I'm sure you could if you tried," she told him with a grin, though she chewed on her lip and ducked her head, her cheeks warming a bit with his words, though she mentally decided she'd blame it on the alcohol. "Well... Thank you." After the blush passed, she lifted her gaze to watch him, just memorizing him in all his glory. "I don't know. I think your messy hair is pretty cute, it suits you. If you want your hair straightened, though, I will gladly be at your service." She grinned, though. "You already look like a model, by the way."

Michael couldn't help the way his grin spread across his face when he heard Lisa's words and he found himself just truly stunned by her. "Handsome, huh? And they were right?" he asked with a broad grin as he examined her, taking in absolutely everything he could about her, almost afraid that he would miss something or that she'd disappear, that he'd never see her again. "Well, I'm honored to hear such a compliment from somebody as stunning as you. Truly." He grinned, though, as he watched her. "I'm hoping I can manage to live up to the high opinions they've told you. I wouldn't want to disappoint you."

Ashton smiled down at Emma, pressing a kiss to her lips. "Look at how damn beautiful you are," he murmured into her lips. "Lucky me." He smiled into the kiss, unable to stop himself, unable to ever hold back when it came to Emma. Ashton rubbed Emma's back gently, pulling her as close as he could get her, wanting to, because when she was apart from him, even at arms length, it made him feel this incredibly large absence that he hated, because Emma was Ashton's whole universe, his world just revolved around her, and he smiled with the thought because even when things were difficult, Ashton always had Emma to ground him. Kissing the top of her head, Ashton took in the scent of her shampoo. "Our plan is working." He murmured happily into her hair.

Jess smiled with Calum's affection, biting her lip. "You are evil. Your stupidly cute face lets you get away with it." She told him with a laugh, relaxing even further when she felt Calum's fingers run through her hair. Calum's touch always had the most wonderful effect on her, and Jess would never deny it, because in the chaos of it all, he was her calm. "You can help it, Cal, you can just, you know, not sneak up on me." She looked up at him with a disapproving look, but she smiled as Calum kissed her, wrapping her arms around his neck. "You're so cute, stop it." She told him gently, her lips hovering over his as she spoke.

Luke laughed with Riley's words. "But Riley," he debated. "Mornings suck." He told her with a grin, smiling softly as he caught sight of her cheeks tinting pink, watching as she ducked her head. He never wanted her to hold back, never wanting her to hide, because she never should have to. Luke noticed everyone else was preoccupied, so he knew that the chance of anyone hearing his next words would be slim. "You're beautiful when you blush. You're beautiful anyway." He smiled, memorising the shape of her lips, the colour of her eyes, just absolutely enthralled by her. Still, Luke laughed. "I like it being messy, but if you wanna straighten it, I promise to sit absolutely still." He promised, meaning it, too. Hearing her words, Luke felt his own cheeks heat up. "Thank you." He told her. "But you are just so incredibly gorgeous."

Lisa giggled as Michael grinned, nodding her head in confirmation. "They were definitely right." She promised, studying him, although her cheeks heat up into a blush when their eyes met, but Lisa couldn't tear her gaze away - she didn't want to. Smiling, Lisa bit her lip. "I'm sure you won't disappoint me, you're already living up to all that hype." She promised Michael with a soft smile, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, glad she had met him, glad that he was as sweet as she was told, and when Jess and Emma said Michael was her perfect match, well, they certainly weren't wrong. Still, when he called her stunning, Lisa ducked her head with a laugh, biting her lip. "Certainly charming, too." She teased.

Emma grinned with the feeling, enjoying every moment of the kiss, every word murmured against her lips, and she swore Ashton was meant for her in every way. "Mm, no, nope, pretty sure I'm the lucky one," she murmured in return, her words murmured against his lips just as his words had been murmured against hers, just loving how nice it felt to be like this with him. "Happy birthday, babe." She grinned, nipping at his lip for a moment, glad that she could be like this with him, that he was her one. Shifting, she buried her face against him, closing her eyes, just loving the comfort her brought her, though she laughed. "Shh, I don't think the guys have figured out it's a set up yet."

Calum couldn't help but to laugh at her words. "I'm not evil! And I clearly do not have a stupidly cute face. You love this face," he teased, winking playfully, just absolutely loving the fact that she was all his, that everything about her brought this comforting peace to him, helped his heart to settle every single day. "And I love your face." Smiling with his words, he kissed the top of her head, breathing out happily, because she was the most amazing thing in his life, perfect in every way. "There'd be no fun in it if I just stopped sneaking up on you." Grinning, though, he leaned into the kiss, holding her close, and he laughed, ghosting his lips over hers. "I'll stop when you stop, how's that?"

"That's just because you haven't found a reason to enjoy mornings," Riley joked lightly, grinning over at him, despite herself. "Once you have something to look forward to every morning, they won't suck as bad, promise." She paused, though, to his compliment, her cheeks warming again, but she grinned, offering a joking face. "You're one to talk, look at you." She motioned, watching him, wondering how in the world somebody as gorgeous as him existed, because it seemed impossible. "You're gorgeous. And I'm sure you'd be gorgeous with your messy hair or with straight hair. I don't think there's anything in this world that could make you not gorgeous, honestly."

Michael could feel his heart pick up in his chest when he heard Lisa's words, even more so when their eyes met, and he swore he'd never gotten lost in somebody's eyes before that moment. But, seeing her, knowing her attention was on him, his gaze locked on hers, he just knew that there was something there that he wanted to explore further. "I'll have to make sure to thank them for hyping me up, in that case," he decided with a small grin, chewing on his lip as he watched her, never wanting to tear his gaze away, never wanting to break the eye contact. His grin broadened, though, his heart swelling when she ducked her head, though all he wanted was to see her face. "I'm only telling the truth." He shrugged, watching her, never wanting to lose sight of her. "Honest. I mean every word."

Ashton smiled, biting his lip happily as he held Emma, ghosting his lips over hers happily. "I'm much more luckier than you, because god damn, look at you." Ashton grinned broadly, squeezing around Emma gently to prove his point. "Thank you, baby." He murmured, kissing her once she let go of his lip. "Here's to the rest of my birthdays with you by my side." He smiled with the thought, unable to imagine his life without a life changing, positive force like Emma beside him, knowing that, in so many ways, she made him such a better man, everyone had noticed how happier Ashton was with Emma in his life. Laughing with Emma's words though, Ashton kissed the top of her head, rubbing her back as she buried her face against him. "Shh, don't tell them." He murmured into her hair with a smile.

Jess laughed, her fingers curling gently into Calum's t-shirt. "That's the problem, you nerd, I do love your face." She confirmed, pressing a sweet kiss to his cheek, unable to stop herself, because Calum was everything she had ever wanted, everything she had ever needed, everything she prayed for in love. Shaking her head as Calum winked, Jess bit her lip. "What did I do to ever deserve you, Calum?" She asked gently, running her fingers through his hair, smiling with the feeling, just loving their little displays of affection. "Wait, when I stop?" She raised an eyebrow. "Stop doing what?!"

Luke paused with Riley's words, having struck a chord somewhere with him. She was right. Somewhere in the past month, Luke had lost his passion for everything, and he was wondering if Riley would be the one to restore that within him. Still, Luke wouldn't mind waking up beside her every morning, certain she would be the best sight he'd ever seen. The only thing keeping him with his routine was that Petunia whined unless she went for a walk, every day, at 9:30 in the morning. Seeing her joking face though, Luke laughed, ducking his head slightly. "Trust me, you're much more gorgeous than I can ever hope to be." He promised, taking a long swig of his beer for dutch courage. "But hey, that invitation is always open. I'd look better than Beyonce." He teased.

Lisa paused, just taking in the moment of being completely lost in Michael's eyes, but god dammit, the saying was true: eyes truly were the windows to the soul. Biting her lip, Lisa shifted a little closer - not too much to be obvious, but enough to ease her heart a little, because the urge to be next to Michael was so strong, she couldn't ignore it. "You don't have to thank them if they were telling the truth." She pointed out playfully, folding her arms across her chest. "But thank you, Michael, really." She smiled, lifting her head once her blush had subsided, just so in awe of him that she couldn't stop herself, still studying him, her gaze falling on his lips. Still, Lisa grinned with an idea. "Fancy a game of Mario Kart? Ten bucks says I'd kick your ass."

Emma grinned, rolling her eyes playfully to his words. "I don't believe that for a moment. I'm definitely the luckier one," she murmured happily, breathing out a sigh of content with the thought. Even after all this time, it was still so hard to believe that he was hers. "Always. Every single birthday, I'm gonna be right here by your side. Usually teasing you. But still loving every second near you, loving you every second." And, sliding her arms around him to prove her point, she stuck close to him, but she laughed to his words. "Okay, okay, I won't tell them."

"I don't think that's a problem at all! I think it's the most amazing thing ever, knowing that you love my face, that you love me," Calum teased in response, his heart swelling in the most amazing way when she kissed his cheek, swearing that the simple gesture was one of his favorites. Still, he smiled as he ran his fingers through her hair gently. "I ask myself that every day, babe." And, he did. The fact that she was in his life at all was truly astounding, but the fact that she was his? He couldn't ask for anything better, other than for her to marry him. Grinning with the thought, he kissed her forehead and laughed. "I'll stop being cute when you stop being cute."

Riley smiled as she watched Luke, genuinely curious about him, wanting to learn about him, wanting to figure out whether this connection she felt towards him was just a passing thing or whether it was something far more real. Still, she grinned. "I think you're selling yourself short," she told him honestly, though she chewed on her lip, trying not to be too forward, because she'd seen the pain in his eyes when he'd first walked in and she didn't want to overstep any boundaries or make anything awkward. "Unfortunately, I didn't bring my hair straightener with me. Rain check, though?" She grinned with the thought.

"Oh, no, I certainly have to thank them. I mean, if they hyped me up and I'm living up to all of that, at least them hyping me up meant that they tried to get your attention on me in the first place - and, it may sound like I'm coming on strong, but the fact that I got your attention at all means I'm pretty damn lucky," Michael told her easily in response, grinning, trying to let his confidence outweigh the way his heart raced nervously in his chest, almost worried he could have offended her in some way, but hoping more than anything that he hadn't. Still, he laughed to her suggestion. "Yeah? You really think so? You're on." His grin broadened. "I'm not so easily beaten at Mario Kart."

Ashton pouted playfully with Emma's words. "Baby, we both know I'm the luckiest person on this planet." He reassured with a cheeky grin, pressing a kiss to her lips once more, just completely relaxing with her in his arms. Ashton rarely let his guard down, unless he was around the ones closest to him, but with Emma, God, it was so incredibly easy to relax, to be himself, because she loved him for who he was, and he was so grateful for that, because Ashton knew he had his flaws, and Emma always overlooked them and loved him anyway. Laughing with her words though, Ashton smiled. "I'll accept the teasing, only because it's you." He rested his forehead against hers.

Jess laughed with Calum's words, tugging him closer by the front of his t-shirt. "I do love you." She told him quietly, looking up at him with a smile. "To the moon and back." She murmured, nuzzling into him happily, ehxaling happily as he ran his fingers through her hair. "I guess we both just lucked out." She smiled with the thought, remembering the first time she laid eyes on Calum, how her whole world had slowed down to an almost complete stop, how everything just fell so into place. Calum had always completed Jess' world, the missing piece to the puzzle. Laughing with his words, Jess shook her head. "Shush."

Luke offered Riley a smile, the first genuine smile he'd given anyone in the longest time. "You're too kind to me." He teased, studying her for a long moment, feeling so damn lucky that Riley's attention was on him at all. "A rain check sounds good, because that's my excuse to see you again." Luke winked, finishing his beer, already feeling the alcohol affect his head. Luke rarely drunk, unless it was a special occassion. Feeling his head spin slightly, he cleared his throat to get rid of the feeling, but still, Luke knew he was sober, because the dull ache was still present, but just look at Riley, hearing her voice, eased it. "I look forward to it."

Lisa bit her lip. "Well, the fact that I have your attention makes me the luckiest girl in the world, because have you seen how gorgeous you are?" She asked, figuring that if he could be so outward with his feelings, then so could she. Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, Lisa grinned, taking Michael's hand to lead him to the living room. "C'mon," she laughed, dragging him away from the group. "But uh, just so you know, I'm the master of Mario Kart and you're gonna be sorry for ever testing me." She teased, sitting on the sofa cross legged as she set up the console with the remote, knowing Ashton's house quite well.

Emma grinned up at him, rolling her eyes playfully. "I beg to differ," she teased lightly, her heart almost bursting with the happiness when she felt Ashton's lips against hers, returning the kiss happily for the time it lasted, her thumbs stroking the skin at the back of his neck. "Mm, smart choice. Better to accept the teasing, because it's not gonna stop." She grinned, relaxing as his forehead pressed to hers, relieved with the contact, enjoying every moment of it.

Calum grinned, loving hearing the words coming from her lips. "I love you, too," he whispered quietly, allowing her to pull him close, following obediently despite his own amusement, "Around the universe and back again." And he knew he always would. Jess was everything he'd always wanted; nobody in the world could compare to her. "I guess so. Lucky us." His grin broadened as he held her close to himself, loving the way she fit so perfectly in his arms, always. "Come now, babe, we both know there's only one way to get me to shush."

Riley smiled to his words and shrugged slightly. "Everybody deserves a little kindness," she chimed easily in response, though she felt like Luke could use some kindness. He seemed like such a genuine person, amazing and fun and interesting, she couldn't imagine who in the world would hurt him. "Oh? Well, I'm all for that excuse. We'll pretend that was the plan all along." She grinned jokingly as she watched him, but she nodded. "I look forward to it, too."

Michael grinned, watching Lisa. "I guess that makes me the luckiest man, because you definitely beat me in the gorgeous department," he chimed, winking to her as he watched her. Something about her so easily captured his attention, caused his heart to race in a way he was unfamiliar with, and he never wanted to let that feeling go. Feeling her hand take his, he swore she was made for him, the way her hand fit so perfectly in his, and his chest ignited with the contact but he laughed as he followed her. "You're on. I'm not gonna go easy on you." Winking teasingly, he sat down by her, near to her, and took a sip of his beer before he set it down and grabbed a controller to play.

Ashton chuckled as Emma rolled her eyes playfully, although he couldn't push back the broad grin that made it's way to his face when Emma returned his kiss, just so hopelessly in love with her. Since the day they met, Ashton had always been enthralled by Emma, and that love, that adoration, that curiosity never went away, even years into their relationship. Ashton's smile softened with the thought, relaxing as she stroked the skin at the back of his neck, squeezing around Emma gently. "I'm a smart man." He teased back. "After all, I made you mine before any other guy could have you, my smartest move." He winked, pressing a sweet kiss to her lips. "But I know I'm stuck with your teasing, baby, but you wanna know a secret? I kinda love it." He admitted.

Jess smiled as Calum told her he loved her, and she swore, there and then, she would never tire of listening to him, his voice, any words that came from his mouth. Wrapping her arms around Calum's neck, Jess smiled up at him, studying him for a long moment. "The universe? You trying to outdo me there, babe?" She teased, but listening to his words, Jess laughed, biting her lip. "Only one way? I could think of a few." She teased, reaching to press a kiss to his lips, her hands moving to cup his face within her hands, her thumbs running across the apples of his cheeks as she closed the very small gap between them, deepening the kiss.

Luke's smile broadened with Riley's words, ducking his head, unsure if he deserved the kindness she was showing him, biting his lip with the thought. "Everyone deserves kindness." He nodded, although his words were almost quiet, and he tried to push back the tears that caused his eyes to sting. Hearing Riley confirm that she was looking forward to possibly spending more time with Luke set Luke over the edge in the best way, and he cleared his throat, climbing off the counter. "I'm uh, gonna get some air." He kept his head down; not wanting to show Riley his tears, not wanting her to think he was weak. Walking to Ashton's spacious back garden, Luke sat at the bench, his head in his hands.

Lisa tutted jokingly, rolling her eyes as Michael winked at her. "Such a charmer." She teased, finding a new found confidence within her that she never even knew she had, Michael bringing out the best in her. Offering his hand a gentle squeeze, Lisa turned to look at Michael, her heart beating rapidly in her chest with his contact, because she could of sworn he was made for her, like his form was sculpted to fit hers, and she couldn't ignore that, she really couldn't. "I wouldn't want you to, sweetheart, cause I know I'm gonna win." She smiled as he sat next to her, shifting a little closer as she picked her character. "Ready?"

Emma couldn’t help the way her heart swelled in the best way when Ashton squeezed around her, always feeling the safest when she was in his arms, close to him. “The smartest man,” she teased lightly in return, grinning up at him, always so amazed by him, “And I love that smart man very much.” Humming happily, she enjoyed the brief kiss, though she laughed to his words, drawing herself as close to him as she could manage, just needing the contact, always wanting him to know that he was loved, even despite her teasing. “Yeah? Good, because the teasing’s never gonna stop babe.”

Calum chuckled quietly at the fact that Jess had figured him out; she knew him so damn well that it sometimes blew his mind. “Oh, I was definitely trying to outdo you there,” he confirmed with a broad grin, loving the feeling of her arms around his neck, the sound of her laughter, the sight of her biting her lip, and he couldn’t understand how in the world he, of all people, got so damn lucky. “Oh? Yeah? A few, huh?” he teased lightly, though he grinned happily against her lips when she kissed him, drawing her closer, relaxing under her touch and swearing nothing in the world felt better, deepening the kiss all the more with the thought, just wanting to relish in the feeling.

Riley could feel her heart lift happily when she’d seen the way Luke’s smile had broadened, but her heart twisted in concern not long after when Luke had climbed off the counter and excused himself. He’d kept his head down and Riley knew from experience that his excuse to leave and the way he kept his head down as he escaped really only meant a few things. While she didn’t want to overstep any boundaries, her concern got the best of her and she set her wine glass down, following after him quietly, soon finding him in the garden, on the bench, his head in his hands, and her heart ached. “Luke?” she called quietly as she moved over, “Are you okay?”

Michael grinned, amused with the way Lisa rolled her eyes, loving the way she teased him, loving the feeling of her squeezing his hand even more, and he couldn’t help but to return the squeeze, just loving every moment of contact between them that he could get, wanting to enjoy it for all it was worth. “Oh? You think so?” he asked with amusement as he picked out a character of his own, grinning with amusement. “I wouldn’t be so sure there. That kind of confidence usually brings on bets.” He winked teasingly at her, just wanting to let her know, in any and every way that he could, that he was interested in her, beyond so. “Definitely ready. The better question is: Are you ready?”

Ashton laughed with Emma's teasing, pressing a kiss to the top of her head as he engulfed her completely in his embrace, noticing the way she shifted forward to be closer to him, and Ashton wanted to be closer to Emma too. "Good, because this smart man would be nothing without the love of his life by his side." He murmured into her hair, his hand resting at the back of her head to ensure she was as close as could be allowed, wanting her to know that within him, Emma had a place she could always find solace. "Because I love you so damn much." He murmured, closing his eyes in content, but he still grinned with Emma's words. "I look forward to the teasing."

Jess laughed in amusement at Calum's words, smiling into their kiss. "Dammit, Cal." She murmured jokingly. "Can't you just accept that I love you more?" She teased, pressing one, two, three kisses to his lips, completely addicted to the feeling of his lips against hers, unable to stop herself from smiling at the thought. "A few," she confirmed with a laugh, kissing his cheek, but she smiled as Calum drew her closer, following his lead, because she couldn't imagine anywhere else in the world she'd rather be than his arms. When he kissed her deeply though, Jess welcomed the kiss, feeling the adoration he had for her, and the show of affection almost took her breath away.

Luke wiped his eyes quickly as he heard Riley call his name, and even in his moment of sadness, Luke sworn that his name had never sounded better. Still, he cleared his throat to rid his voice of the strain of tears, but he still couldn't bring himself to look at Riley, but he nodded with her question, not ever wanting her to worry, or feel anything other than happiness. "Yeah, yeah." He reassured, although he knew it wasn't the complete truth. "I'm sorry, I just uh." He blinked, wondering if he should tell Riley the truth or if he should lie, but how the hell could he ever lie to a beauty like her? "I had my heartbroken last month, and I guess it catches up to me sometimes." He murmured, scrubbing a hand over his face.

Lisa laughed, biting her lip. "Alright, place your bet, Michael." She grinned, looking at him as she went through the courses, choosing Rainbow Road. Still, seeing the smile on Michael's face lit a fire within her chest, and she couldn't help but relish in the sight of how damn handsome he was. "I can't back down from a challenge." She teased, seeing his wink and shaking her head in amusement. "So name it." She nudged him gently, hoping, more than anything, that Michael saw her signs, because she was already so into him that it was crazy to her. "I'm ready." She winked.