His father didn't have his engineers or scientists take apart the shuttle they found, instead they supposedly lifted it with heavy machinery and are working to transport it as a whole to their underground facility for research. It was in transit as they spoke, and would be heavily guarded with only the most trustworthy military personnel his money could get him. Considering the amount of zero's behind his name, Luke concluded that would be only the best.

Luke pretended to be shocked and surprised at the discovery when it first came out, unlocking the look of amazement and starry eyes as his parent explained the aircraft and the theories on why it was found empty. He asked dumb questions, childish in a way he realized but scientific nonetheless about extraterrestrial life and other planets known around their solar system that were theorized to be capable of holding life.

"Admiral Charles believes he saw tracks in the sand that lead toward the city whilst investigating, meaning someone may have found it before us, but yesterday morning they have all blown over." He sighed as Luke felt his bones chill. "There's no viable evidence to support his claim, so for now we believe the pilot may have ejected himself out."

Luke nodded awkwardly, taking a drink of his iced coffee as his father sighed. "I hope he is wrong. If someone had gotten it before us, who knows what kind of danger they could put the world in. We have no idea the capabilities of this unknown specimen."

"Why Earth?" Luke tried steering the conversation away from otherworldly beings and the inevitable danger he could have singlehandedly put himself in. "Why crash land on Earth?"

"We have an abundance of materials and not to mention water, which is the root of all life. Why not Earth?" His father intercepted, and the younger blond sighed as he looked at his plate. "The aircraft is like nothing we've ever seen before, but it seems to have shut down completely in the crash. No amount of power can get it running."

Luke chuckled at his father's defeated look as he stared at a wall. "Maybe it needs alien power instead of out electricity." He taunted, but it immediately perked the man up.

"Perhaps..." he trailed off as he furrowed his greying eyebrows. "Luke, perhaps you're right. Maybe the pod is connected to it's pilot. It's a possibility."

Luke widened his eyes as his father sat up straighter and used his fingers to count whatever was running around in his head. He looked mad. If anyone else was looking, they'd probably call him crazy.

"The shuttle is missing a piece that looks almost like a wishbone, perhaps it's a key that activates it. Or maybe it does need a sort of life force connection." He ran the possibilities into the air. "It's almost... crown shaped. Perhaps a member of royalty! With exquisite machinery... it's only fitting for the best! Thank you for helping me, Lucas."

He ruffled Luke's hair, making the blond laugh lightly and scrunch his nose up in faux annoyance, before he stood up and grabbed his cost. "I must get going now. I have to pitch this idea to the scientists. They'll need me."

"Can I go?" Luke wondered hopefully, and his father sighed as he tossed a couple of crisp bills on the table. "I can help you."

"I'm afraid not. Your brain is still developing, and you have much to learn still. Enjoy your Sunday, Luke." He brushed him off before walking towards the door with a hop in his step. "My discovery will open so many new doors!"

Luke sighed, resting his chin in his hand as he stared at the empty seat in front of him. He could hear the car taking off, and he looked down at his fries before pushing it away from him.

What a fool he was to think his father actually wanted to spend time with him. He only used him for his own input, to make himself seem greater than he was. It's what he's always done. It's what he should be accustomed to by now.

He wasn't Luke, he was Mr' Hemmings' son, his shadow, his pet.

Knuckles tapped on his tabletop and he looked up. "Is this seat taken?" A familiar smile filled his gaze as the man sat. "I see you're still a nerd."

Luke was dazed, blond hair bouncing in the sunlight and hazel eyes staring at him in adoration and kindness. He had the same dimples as when he was a teenager, the same charismatic grin and clearly the same sense of style, one Luke personally enjoyed enough to incorporate it with his own. The same danger too, judging by the blood beneath his nails as he picked at one of his fries with leather clad fingers.

"I see you haven't changed either, Ashton." Luke mumbled as he pushed his fries to the man. "How'd your whole... band thing turn out?"

"Band? That silly thing?" He snickered as he crossed his arms on the table and leaned forward. "I'm only touring all of Europe come summer."

Luke smiled briefly. "What are you doing here then?"

"I thought I'd see a friendly face before I leave." He hummed simply before drinking the water his father was previously sipping. "You don't mind do you, daddy's boy? Have some time for me?"

"What happened?" Luke asked. "You walked out on me and left me, and now I'm a friendly face?"

Ashton's smiled fell, and he leaned forward after looking around. "Your father threatened me to stay away from you."

"You say that, but are you sure it wasn't because you wanted to runaway but I wanted to stay?" Luke recalled their teenage selves, high on adrenaline and the thrill of being caught by officials. "You never handled rejection well."

"You and I both know your dad is the reason why you were transferred from my classes and I couldn't see you. He's phobic." Ashton accused and Luke narrowed his eyes at him as he leaned forward to face him with a mirrored expression of spit and fire.

"He loves me."

Ashton smirked. "Does he love all of you or just the parts that reflect him?"

"How dare you?" Luke asked as he stood up, immediately grabbing his leather jacket and pulling it on. "You have some nerve."

Ashton grabbed his arm as he pushed himself off the chair, nearly causing the wooden seat to fall. "I wanted to ask you something."

"What? To sit around and wait for you how you waited for me to finish school?" Luke bit as he yanked his arm from his grasp and walked away. "I was a child."

"Three years, and your birthday was just months away!" He defended himself and Luke could hear his boots against the tiled floor as he jogged to keep up with his long strides. "Hear me out, -"

"- I haven't seen you in six years and you think you can just come here and ask me for something?" Luke asked as he stopped walking.

"You're telling me you don't remember your father literally yanking us apart and yelling at you until you were red faced and choking on your tears?" Ashton scoffed and Luke swallowed the lump in his throat. 

"I don't, but I probably deserved it. I was fifteen messing around with an eighteen year old!" He shouted and Ashton rolled his eyes. "Did you come back because I'm finally legal?"

"I saw how your father just left you hanging in that diner and I realized nothing's changed. You're still just his doormat, Luke." The older ma stated as he handed him a helmet. "You wanted to leave, to see the world, and I promised you all those years ago that I would do everything and more for you."

Luke paused as he looked at the black bike beside him. The weight of the situation was hitting him, and he felt his palms sweat as he struggled to breathe. "What are you asking from me, Ashton?"

"Let's see Europe." He proposed and Luke stared at his reflection in the helmet. "Let's see the world: Japan, France, India, Hawaii, all of it. We were happy."

"We were kids -"

"- we're still just a couple of kids." Ashton reminded him and Luke sighed. "I know I made a mistake, but you can't honestly blame me for being afraid of Andrew."

"My dad didn't like you for a reason." Luke decided as he pushed the helmet against his chest. "You were a discipline case who passed because you were my only friend and I tutored you."

The musician rolled his eyes. "Still stuck up his ass, I see. Can't you make your own decisions?"

The younger blind sighed. "Six years is a long time to fall apart, Ashton. You have fun in Europe. I'm happy here. My whole life is here."

"What life? The Academy?" He pressed the logo on his shirt with his hand. "The Academy we snuck away from on your say? The Academy you wanted to burn when your dad said you were next in line for it?"

"People change. Their desires change. Drive safe, Ash." Luke smiled as he set a hand on his shoulder. "I'm rooting for you and your band. I wish you greatness."

"I leave in a few weeks. We have time to catch up." Ashton suggested and Luke thought about it.

"I have enough on my plate as is between work and school." Luke chewed on his lip as he took a deep breath. "Catch you later."

"Yeah, whatever." Ashton muttered. "Let me drive you home. Your dad ditched you."

There is no denying the obvious, so he agreed reluctantly. "Point the way, doll." He chuckled as he handed him back the helmet.

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