Fan Fic; Facebook Series - It's A Party
title: it's a party
rating: g
summary: katie has a surprise for ashton
notes: ashton-centric. but there are more pieces focusing on everyone else at the party.
“Shush!”
Ashton paused outside Katie’s front door, hand reaching halfway to the knob but frozen in mid air as a curious grin graced his lips. Katie’s loud demand for silence echoed even through the door. Ashton heard a little bit of scuffling, shook his head, and finally reached for the handle.
Honestly, he should have known that something was up. Everyone had insisted that they were busy tonight but couldn’t give him a concrete excuse as to why. Katie had mysteriously asked that he come over to “help with something” but refused to say what that ‘something’ was. So when Ashton opened the door and was greeted by a dark room, his mind instantly grasped what was happening.
He still jumped a little when the lights flicked on and everyone shouted “Surprise!”
Ashton laughed, looking for Katie and spying her right up front.
“What is this about?” he asked, trying to ignore the laughter and big smiles from the small group that had gathered.
“Luke!” she said excitedly, pointing toward the kitchen. Ashton’s eyes followed her finger to a banner hanging over some of the cupboards.
“Congratulations Ashton!” it said in large bold font. Beneath it read, “on getting your internship!”
His eyes widened. “I got the internship?”
Katie laughed. Kim, who had been standing off to the side with her husband, came up and put a hand on his arm. “Of course you did, darling,” she said pleasantly. Ashton and Katie laughed. He ran a hand through his hair, looking around at his friends.
“Wow, that’s… that’s awesome, thank you so much.”
“Don’t think me just yet, you start on Wednesday and we have plenty for you to do,” said Katie, hugging him tightly.
“Have fun sorting tapes,” said Luke. Ashton looked up to find Luke, along with who he knew from the pictures to be Reid, standing just beyond Katie. Reid had a plate in one hand covered with chips and cookies. The sight made Ashton grin. He pulled away and Katie stepped over toward Bob and Chris. Ashton moved to Luke and Reid.
“Oh, yeah, I’m sure it’ll be a blast,” grinned Ashton.
“Congrats, man,” Luke said with a wide smile, reaching for Ashton’s hand. “And I’m sure it won’t be nearly as bad as when I was an intern there. Katie said you’ll be doing a lot more hands on with this internship, helping with taping and running the equipment.”
“Yeah, that’s what they tell me,” Ashton smiled. “Though I’m sure they’ll still find a way to work me like a pack mule anyway.”
Luke beamed. “Oh! By the way, Ashton, I’d like you to officially meet my boyfriend, Reid.”
Reid rolled his eyes and let out a soft groan at the word boyfriend. Luke grinned and nudged him. He managed to smile, offering his hand.
“Congrats,” he said simply. Ashton shook his head, still grinning.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, the infamous Dr. Reid Oliver.”
“Oh, don’t bother trying to suck up. I saw your comment earlier,” Reid said with an evil smirk. Most people would be worried if Reid looked at them that way, as though he were planning revenge. Ashton simply smiled brighter.
“Oh, don’t be bitter. Reidykins is a charming name,” he said with a wink.
“This from a boy named Ashton. Intriguing,” Reid said, sounding bored as he took a chunk out of another cookie. Ashton’s eyebrows shifted and his grin widened.
“Perhaps Cookie Monster would be a better name,” he suggested. “Or maybe just Cookies. Catchy, no?”
“Guys, c’mon,” said Luke semi-seriously. He was smiling but it was obvious that he was slowly tensing up as he lightly took Reid’s elbow.
“Or maybe ‘Hoover’. You are a bit like a vacuum, I’ve never seen a plate disappear so fast.”
“Ashton!”
“What, we’re only playing,” smiled Ashton, hands finding his pockets.
“Yes, playing. Can’t you see how much fun I’m having?” said Reid. He looked thoroughly uncaring. Ashton laughed.
“Surely the great Dr. Oliver knows how to have a little fun.”
“I suppose that depends on your definition of fun. Playing chess, watching a decent movie, eating cookies your roommate made for another one of her silly parties, that could possibly be considered fun.”
“Attending a party for a guy you’d never even met and exchanging what you both know to be half-assed insults, not so much?” offered Ashton, cutting Reid off. Normally this would annoy Reid, but much to Luke’s shock, he found his boyfriend smiling. Genuinely smiling.
“Sounds about right.”
Ashton grinned.
“Hey, congrats, my man!” said Casey loudly, coming up behind Ashton and firmly patting him on the shoulder.
“Thanks, Case,” Ashton said brightly. “I’ll talk to you guys later. Nice meeting you Cookies,” said Ashton with another wink before walking away with Casey. Reid glared, but there was still a hint of a smile on his lips.
“I don’t like that guy,” he said. Luke smirked.
“Oh really? I think you like him just fine.”
“Nope. Not at all,” Reid smiled, kissing Luke on the cheek before abandoning him to refill his plate.
Casey led Ashton over to Chris, Katie, Bob and Kim, who all congratulated him again and he shook the men’s hands, hugging both women and thanking them sincerely for the opportunity.
“I hope you realize you’ve given Katie an excuse to meddle more than she already does,” said Chris with a grin. Katie was standing beside him and nudged him hard in the ribs. “What? It’s true!” he laughed. Katie just smiled.
“I’m not meddling,” she insisted. “I’m simply… nudging.”
Ashton, who normally would have some sort of witty reply, simply gave a weak smile and shook his head. Katie noticed, of course she noticed, but before she could say anything Luke was tapping him on the shoulder.
“Here,” Luke said, handing Ashton a glass of what looked like champagne but Ashton already knew was probably sparkling cider. He also had one in his hand and Reid, again at his side, had one as well. Everyone else grabbed one up and raised them while Luke spoke.
“Congratulations again to a awesome film maker and an awesome friend. I know that WOAK is just one small step on your way to a great career. So enjoy yourself now! If Katie and Kim have their way, you won’t have time for us after you get started.” Everyone laughed appreciatively. Ashton was shaking his head with a smile. “So! To Ashton,” said Luke.
Everyone raised their glasses. “To Ashton!” they said in unison before clinging their glasses together.
“Thanks, Luke,” Ashton smiled. Luke nodded, clinging his glass with Ashton’s.
It was a simple party, but Ashton was glad for that. He knew how Katie could be and had already informed her countless times that a surprise party hadn’t been necessary, a simple phone call would have been fine. She insisted that it was no trouble, she enjoyed organizing these kinds of things. Ashton knew it was the truth, so he’d kissed her cheek and told her she was crazy before laughing and wandering to chat idly with Casey and Chris.
Shortly after eight there was a knock at the door. Ashton only vaguely registered the sound, opening a can of Coke while talking with Luke and Reid in the kitchen. They were discussing Reid’s time at the Cleveland Clinic and how Ashton’s dad worked there. Reid didn’t know him, his father worked in pediatrics, but it was still an interesting conversation. So interesting in fact that none of them noticed at first when a certain brunette entered through the front door, hugging Katie pleasantly but overall looking rather uncomfortable. Perhaps it was good that they didn’t notice him right away. They had another few moments to themselves, laughing a little at a rather pathetic joke on Luke’s end. Luke rolled his eyes and turned away while the other two laughed at him. He was the first to spy Noah talking with Bob and Kim, his body tensing awkwardly and his shoulders slumping as though he were trying to hide. Reid noticed immediately, moving closer without thinking and looking up, spotting Noah quickly and frowning. Ashton was still smiling and watched them curiously, turning mid laugh to see what had them down. Then it was his turn to see Noah.
“Shit,” he said suddenly under his breath, turning his back to the rest of the room and gripping the counter.
“You alright? I thought you and Noah were friends?” asked Luke. Reid cocked a brow.
“Well yes, we are, were, I don’t know,” he stammered, sighing again. He looked up and this time Noah caught his eye. He pursed his lips, turning for a moment to cast Luke and Reid a look before slowly moving across the room with tight shoulders.
“What was that about?” asked Reid as they watched Ashton walk away.
“No idea,” frowned Luke. They watched as Ashton approached the small group. Noah hold his coat on his arms, shifting nervously as he congratulated Ashton, who mumbled a thank you while avoiding actually looking at Noah. Suddenly it hit Luke and he gasped.
“What?” demanded Reid, worried for a moment as Luke covered his mouth, staring across the room.
“It’s Noah,” he whispered.
“Brilliant deduction,” said Reid, rolling his eyes.
“No, I mean, it’s Noah. The guy Ashton was talking about yesterday!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Luke grabbed Reid by the elbow and steered him away and around the corner into the hall just outside Reid’s room.
“Yesterday after the movie, Ashton told Casey and I about how the guy he liked had shot him down. Well, sort of. He said he asked him out and the guy froze. He wouldn’t give us a name, but I mean, c’mon, Reid, look at them!” Luke pointed a bit obviously toward the two men, who were still standing uncomfortably across from each other while Kim gushed about Noah’s time at WOAK and her hopes for Ashton.
Reid frowned, already bored with this game, but he watched them. He was oblivious when it came to his own interactions but he could read others fairly well when he actually gave it a serious effort. He noticed how their eyes lingered when the other wasn’t looking, how they naturally leaned toward each other but would shift away the moment they noticed it themselves, how the cocky kid he’d just met suddenly reminded him of how he was whenever he was with Luke.
“Shit,” breathed Reid. Luke nodded, crossing his arms and watching with worry. Reid frowned. This would be a long night.
“You really should consider applying to work at the station, Noah,” Kim was saying. “We’d love to have you around and I’m sure it would be fun for you two boys to work together.”
Ashton and Noah glanced at each other but the moment their eyes met it was like repelling magnets. Suddenly they were looking anywhere but at each other. Katie stood at Kim’s side and crossed her arms, looking quite displeased. She opened her mouth to talk but Ashton immediately grabbed her gaze with a stern stare of his own. She got the message quickly and decided against speaking. For now.
“I need a drink,” Ashton suddenly said, not bothering to properly excuse himself before moving briskly across the room to the fridge. He pulled open the door and crouched down to find a beer, but paused as he hand lingered on the bottle.
“Can I talk to you?”
Ashton jumped, hand falling away from the bottle as he spun around to see Noah standing behind him.
“Noah,” he said with a shaky breath. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.”
Silence.
Ashton sighed and slowly stood up, pushing the door closed and turning to face Noah. He slipped his hands into his back pockets and frowned.
“Um, thanks for coming,” he managed weakly.
“Of course. I’m sorry I got here late.”
“It’s fine, really,” began Ashton.
“No, it’s not. To be honest, I almost didn’t come,” Noah admitted.
“I wouldn’t have blamed you. Honestly, I’m surprised you showed up at all.”
“Why?”
Ashton sighed, turning red. “You’re really going to make me say it, aren’t you?” Noah didn’t answer so Ashton sighed again. “Yesterday, with asking you out and the, arm thing,” he went on. Noah blushed, too. “I know it made you feel awkward, and I’m sorry, that was out of line of me.”
“No, it wasn’t,” interjected Noah sternly, stepping closer and making Ashton’s breath catch. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that. It wasn’t fair of me.”
“You’re the one dealing with all this crap,” said Ashton a little loudly, gesturing around the room though obviously meaning Luke and Reid, “and you’re the one apologizing. Really, I don’t get you sometimes, Noah.”
Noah sighed and then glanced around the room. “Can we go outside and talk?” he asked. Ashton looked over his shoulder. Everyone else seemed busy with conversation. He nodded.
“Let me just tell Katie,” he said. Noah nodded and began to pull on his coat. He walked behind Ashton as they moved into the main room, Ashton turning off to talk to Katie and Noah slipping through the door.
“I’ll be outside,” he began, putting his hand on the small of her back to get her attention. “If I don’t come back in or get to say it later, this was really great of you. Thank you.” He kissed her cheek and she smiled at him, turning and pulling him into a hug.
“Any time, Ash,” she smiled. He laughed and rolled his eyes at his childhood nickname. “Have fun,” she winked.
“Meddling!” he whispered with a smile. She laughed and shooed him out, looking far too pleased with herself when she returned to the rest of the group.
rating: g
summary: katie has a surprise for ashton
notes: ashton-centric. but there are more pieces focusing on everyone else at the party.
“Shush!”
Ashton paused outside Katie’s front door, hand reaching halfway to the knob but frozen in mid air as a curious grin graced his lips. Katie’s loud demand for silence echoed even through the door. Ashton heard a little bit of scuffling, shook his head, and finally reached for the handle.
Honestly, he should have known that something was up. Everyone had insisted that they were busy tonight but couldn’t give him a concrete excuse as to why. Katie had mysteriously asked that he come over to “help with something” but refused to say what that ‘something’ was. So when Ashton opened the door and was greeted by a dark room, his mind instantly grasped what was happening.
He still jumped a little when the lights flicked on and everyone shouted “Surprise!”
Ashton laughed, looking for Katie and spying her right up front.
“What is this about?” he asked, trying to ignore the laughter and big smiles from the small group that had gathered.
“Luke!” she said excitedly, pointing toward the kitchen. Ashton’s eyes followed her finger to a banner hanging over some of the cupboards.
“Congratulations Ashton!” it said in large bold font. Beneath it read, “on getting your internship!”
His eyes widened. “I got the internship?”
Katie laughed. Kim, who had been standing off to the side with her husband, came up and put a hand on his arm. “Of course you did, darling,” she said pleasantly. Ashton and Katie laughed. He ran a hand through his hair, looking around at his friends.
“Wow, that’s… that’s awesome, thank you so much.”
“Don’t think me just yet, you start on Wednesday and we have plenty for you to do,” said Katie, hugging him tightly.
“Have fun sorting tapes,” said Luke. Ashton looked up to find Luke, along with who he knew from the pictures to be Reid, standing just beyond Katie. Reid had a plate in one hand covered with chips and cookies. The sight made Ashton grin. He pulled away and Katie stepped over toward Bob and Chris. Ashton moved to Luke and Reid.
“Oh, yeah, I’m sure it’ll be a blast,” grinned Ashton.
“Congrats, man,” Luke said with a wide smile, reaching for Ashton’s hand. “And I’m sure it won’t be nearly as bad as when I was an intern there. Katie said you’ll be doing a lot more hands on with this internship, helping with taping and running the equipment.”
“Yeah, that’s what they tell me,” Ashton smiled. “Though I’m sure they’ll still find a way to work me like a pack mule anyway.”
Luke beamed. “Oh! By the way, Ashton, I’d like you to officially meet my boyfriend, Reid.”
Reid rolled his eyes and let out a soft groan at the word boyfriend. Luke grinned and nudged him. He managed to smile, offering his hand.
“Congrats,” he said simply. Ashton shook his head, still grinning.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, the infamous Dr. Reid Oliver.”
“Oh, don’t bother trying to suck up. I saw your comment earlier,” Reid said with an evil smirk. Most people would be worried if Reid looked at them that way, as though he were planning revenge. Ashton simply smiled brighter.
“Oh, don’t be bitter. Reidykins is a charming name,” he said with a wink.
“This from a boy named Ashton. Intriguing,” Reid said, sounding bored as he took a chunk out of another cookie. Ashton’s eyebrows shifted and his grin widened.
“Perhaps Cookie Monster would be a better name,” he suggested. “Or maybe just Cookies. Catchy, no?”
“Guys, c’mon,” said Luke semi-seriously. He was smiling but it was obvious that he was slowly tensing up as he lightly took Reid’s elbow.
“Or maybe ‘Hoover’. You are a bit like a vacuum, I’ve never seen a plate disappear so fast.”
“Ashton!”
“What, we’re only playing,” smiled Ashton, hands finding his pockets.
“Yes, playing. Can’t you see how much fun I’m having?” said Reid. He looked thoroughly uncaring. Ashton laughed.
“Surely the great Dr. Oliver knows how to have a little fun.”
“I suppose that depends on your definition of fun. Playing chess, watching a decent movie, eating cookies your roommate made for another one of her silly parties, that could possibly be considered fun.”
“Attending a party for a guy you’d never even met and exchanging what you both know to be half-assed insults, not so much?” offered Ashton, cutting Reid off. Normally this would annoy Reid, but much to Luke’s shock, he found his boyfriend smiling. Genuinely smiling.
“Sounds about right.”
Ashton grinned.
“Hey, congrats, my man!” said Casey loudly, coming up behind Ashton and firmly patting him on the shoulder.
“Thanks, Case,” Ashton said brightly. “I’ll talk to you guys later. Nice meeting you Cookies,” said Ashton with another wink before walking away with Casey. Reid glared, but there was still a hint of a smile on his lips.
“I don’t like that guy,” he said. Luke smirked.
“Oh really? I think you like him just fine.”
“Nope. Not at all,” Reid smiled, kissing Luke on the cheek before abandoning him to refill his plate.
Casey led Ashton over to Chris, Katie, Bob and Kim, who all congratulated him again and he shook the men’s hands, hugging both women and thanking them sincerely for the opportunity.
“I hope you realize you’ve given Katie an excuse to meddle more than she already does,” said Chris with a grin. Katie was standing beside him and nudged him hard in the ribs. “What? It’s true!” he laughed. Katie just smiled.
“I’m not meddling,” she insisted. “I’m simply… nudging.”
Ashton, who normally would have some sort of witty reply, simply gave a weak smile and shook his head. Katie noticed, of course she noticed, but before she could say anything Luke was tapping him on the shoulder.
“Here,” Luke said, handing Ashton a glass of what looked like champagne but Ashton already knew was probably sparkling cider. He also had one in his hand and Reid, again at his side, had one as well. Everyone else grabbed one up and raised them while Luke spoke.
“Congratulations again to a awesome film maker and an awesome friend. I know that WOAK is just one small step on your way to a great career. So enjoy yourself now! If Katie and Kim have their way, you won’t have time for us after you get started.” Everyone laughed appreciatively. Ashton was shaking his head with a smile. “So! To Ashton,” said Luke.
Everyone raised their glasses. “To Ashton!” they said in unison before clinging their glasses together.
“Thanks, Luke,” Ashton smiled. Luke nodded, clinging his glass with Ashton’s.
It was a simple party, but Ashton was glad for that. He knew how Katie could be and had already informed her countless times that a surprise party hadn’t been necessary, a simple phone call would have been fine. She insisted that it was no trouble, she enjoyed organizing these kinds of things. Ashton knew it was the truth, so he’d kissed her cheek and told her she was crazy before laughing and wandering to chat idly with Casey and Chris.
Shortly after eight there was a knock at the door. Ashton only vaguely registered the sound, opening a can of Coke while talking with Luke and Reid in the kitchen. They were discussing Reid’s time at the Cleveland Clinic and how Ashton’s dad worked there. Reid didn’t know him, his father worked in pediatrics, but it was still an interesting conversation. So interesting in fact that none of them noticed at first when a certain brunette entered through the front door, hugging Katie pleasantly but overall looking rather uncomfortable. Perhaps it was good that they didn’t notice him right away. They had another few moments to themselves, laughing a little at a rather pathetic joke on Luke’s end. Luke rolled his eyes and turned away while the other two laughed at him. He was the first to spy Noah talking with Bob and Kim, his body tensing awkwardly and his shoulders slumping as though he were trying to hide. Reid noticed immediately, moving closer without thinking and looking up, spotting Noah quickly and frowning. Ashton was still smiling and watched them curiously, turning mid laugh to see what had them down. Then it was his turn to see Noah.
“Shit,” he said suddenly under his breath, turning his back to the rest of the room and gripping the counter.
“You alright? I thought you and Noah were friends?” asked Luke. Reid cocked a brow.
“Well yes, we are, were, I don’t know,” he stammered, sighing again. He looked up and this time Noah caught his eye. He pursed his lips, turning for a moment to cast Luke and Reid a look before slowly moving across the room with tight shoulders.
“What was that about?” asked Reid as they watched Ashton walk away.
“No idea,” frowned Luke. They watched as Ashton approached the small group. Noah hold his coat on his arms, shifting nervously as he congratulated Ashton, who mumbled a thank you while avoiding actually looking at Noah. Suddenly it hit Luke and he gasped.
“What?” demanded Reid, worried for a moment as Luke covered his mouth, staring across the room.
“It’s Noah,” he whispered.
“Brilliant deduction,” said Reid, rolling his eyes.
“No, I mean, it’s Noah. The guy Ashton was talking about yesterday!”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Luke grabbed Reid by the elbow and steered him away and around the corner into the hall just outside Reid’s room.
“Yesterday after the movie, Ashton told Casey and I about how the guy he liked had shot him down. Well, sort of. He said he asked him out and the guy froze. He wouldn’t give us a name, but I mean, c’mon, Reid, look at them!” Luke pointed a bit obviously toward the two men, who were still standing uncomfortably across from each other while Kim gushed about Noah’s time at WOAK and her hopes for Ashton.
Reid frowned, already bored with this game, but he watched them. He was oblivious when it came to his own interactions but he could read others fairly well when he actually gave it a serious effort. He noticed how their eyes lingered when the other wasn’t looking, how they naturally leaned toward each other but would shift away the moment they noticed it themselves, how the cocky kid he’d just met suddenly reminded him of how he was whenever he was with Luke.
“Shit,” breathed Reid. Luke nodded, crossing his arms and watching with worry. Reid frowned. This would be a long night.
“You really should consider applying to work at the station, Noah,” Kim was saying. “We’d love to have you around and I’m sure it would be fun for you two boys to work together.”
Ashton and Noah glanced at each other but the moment their eyes met it was like repelling magnets. Suddenly they were looking anywhere but at each other. Katie stood at Kim’s side and crossed her arms, looking quite displeased. She opened her mouth to talk but Ashton immediately grabbed her gaze with a stern stare of his own. She got the message quickly and decided against speaking. For now.
“I need a drink,” Ashton suddenly said, not bothering to properly excuse himself before moving briskly across the room to the fridge. He pulled open the door and crouched down to find a beer, but paused as he hand lingered on the bottle.
“Can I talk to you?”
Ashton jumped, hand falling away from the bottle as he spun around to see Noah standing behind him.
“Noah,” he said with a shaky breath. “You scared me.”
“Sorry.”
Silence.
Ashton sighed and slowly stood up, pushing the door closed and turning to face Noah. He slipped his hands into his back pockets and frowned.
“Um, thanks for coming,” he managed weakly.
“Of course. I’m sorry I got here late.”
“It’s fine, really,” began Ashton.
“No, it’s not. To be honest, I almost didn’t come,” Noah admitted.
“I wouldn’t have blamed you. Honestly, I’m surprised you showed up at all.”
“Why?”
Ashton sighed, turning red. “You’re really going to make me say it, aren’t you?” Noah didn’t answer so Ashton sighed again. “Yesterday, with asking you out and the, arm thing,” he went on. Noah blushed, too. “I know it made you feel awkward, and I’m sorry, that was out of line of me.”
“No, it wasn’t,” interjected Noah sternly, stepping closer and making Ashton’s breath catch. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that. It wasn’t fair of me.”
“You’re the one dealing with all this crap,” said Ashton a little loudly, gesturing around the room though obviously meaning Luke and Reid, “and you’re the one apologizing. Really, I don’t get you sometimes, Noah.”
Noah sighed and then glanced around the room. “Can we go outside and talk?” he asked. Ashton looked over his shoulder. Everyone else seemed busy with conversation. He nodded.
“Let me just tell Katie,” he said. Noah nodded and began to pull on his coat. He walked behind Ashton as they moved into the main room, Ashton turning off to talk to Katie and Noah slipping through the door.
“I’ll be outside,” he began, putting his hand on the small of her back to get her attention. “If I don’t come back in or get to say it later, this was really great of you. Thank you.” He kissed her cheek and she smiled at him, turning and pulling him into a hug.
“Any time, Ash,” she smiled. He laughed and rolled his eyes at his childhood nickname. “Have fun,” she winked.
“Meddling!” he whispered with a smile. She laughed and shooed him out, looking far too pleased with herself when she returned to the rest of the group.