Lance let out a breath and took a seat next to Ashton.
"I said that because I refuse to wait any longer to make you mine," Lance said as he looked Ashton in the eye. Ashton was silent. He wasn't expecting that kind of response.
"Then how long have you felt this way?" Ashton retorted.
"Since I saw you in freshman year of college," Lance told him, honestly, compared to before. "Since I saw you for the first time. You had your dragon features out fully for non-human sports and competitions. I honestly thought I was seeing things that day. Then I saw you again with flying gymnastics for the theatre club back then."
"..." Ashton sat there in silence; he wasn't able to say anything right away. Then he took a deep breath. "Then why didn't you talk to me before that?"
"Because I didn't know how you would react," Lance reasoned. "You had girls all over campus confessing to you. I almost chased you down the day I learned of your attraction to men."
"You what?" Ashton's eyes widened in shock.
"It's the truth," Lance told him, getting up from his chair and kneeling before Ashton, making him blush badly. "When I found out that you also had a boyfriend, I used my connections to look into him. He was a player back then, too. constantly cheating on you, and talking shit when you weren't around."
"..." Ashton sat in silence, struggling to come up with a response.
"Despite that," Lace continued. "You could have broken up at any time at that point, and I would have had my chance to have you finally. So when you said you couldn't remember any of us, I took the chance I was given and said I was your partner."
"Then, when you said it was a prank, I was terrified you would leave me, and confront that piece of shit ex," Lance said. Ashton had never seen him like this or heard him talk so much with this level of heartache. "I was determined to keep you however I could. So yes, I lied. Then, when I had you in my bed, I didn't want it to be over. So when you flew off, I chased you out of instinct."
"As much as it would make sense to apologize, I can't say I wouldn't do the same thing again if I had the chance to do so," Lance said, taking Ashton's hands in his.
"..." Ashton didn't know what to say at first, and could only stare in silence. "And you're telling me this now, because..?"
"Because I want you here with me as a real partner, not just as a result of a prank you wanted to pull." Lance brought one of Ashton's hands to his mouth and pressed a kiss to Ashton's palm. "Only if you choose to do so. I refuse to force you into it like that. And, I want your own thoughts on having a relationship with me, knowing what I just told you."
"I..." Ashton couldn't say anything at first. Lance stood up, Ashton's hands still in his. Ashton looked between their hands together and Lance's eyes. "Lance?"
"Tell me that you don't want me here if you really don't like me the way I do you," Lance leaned down, close to Ashton's face. "Tell me now, or tell me to go. I won't go near you again if that is what you want from me."
"I... I just..." Ashton struggled to say anything. Even just trying to answer him was driving Ashton insane. "I don't know what to say, um..."
"Just say something," Lance leaned closer, his face within inches of Ashton's. "If that's still too much, then do something. Push me away if you don't want me here."
"..." Ashton could only look between Lance's eyes and his lips. Lance moved closer, until just their noses touched. Ashton didn't move away. Ashton could feel Lance's breath fan over his cheeks. Lance pressed his forehead against Ashton's. Ashton didn't move away from Lance or push him away. Lance began to press his face against Ashton's, like he was scenting Ashton's skin.
"L-Lance?" Ashton stuttered. Lance dragged his teeth along Ashton's neck. Not to hurt, but to memorize. Ashton shuddered, letting out a whimper. Lance began to lick and nip slowly at Ashton's neck. Ashton didn't stop him. Lance began to tease his hands under Ashton's clothes when a knock came to the door. Ashton let out a shaky but somewhat disappointed breath. Lance let out a growl and stood up straight, glaring at the door.
"Who the hell is here?" Lance's voice distorted—a common sign of territorial aggression in gargoyles.
"I-I don't know," Ashton said, still flustered from Lance.
"I'll deal with them," Lance said as he began to make his way to the door. Ashton watched him go, a little sad to see Lance walk away from him after the advances moments ago. Lance opened the door, and there stood Tyler.
"Oh-" Ashton barely had time to register that Tyler was there. He saw Ashton past Lance, with marks on his neck and all. Tyler's expression changed in a flash. From barely interested to absolutely furious. Like the angel just caught his partner cheating.
"Ashton!" Tyler shouted, trying to get in, but Lance stood in the way. Lance let out a growl, baring his fangs.
"Back off!" Lance snapped at him. His Lance's skin began to crackle, becoming stone. "You left him for that woman, whatever her name is, because Ashton didn't remember your foul ass!"
"Excuse you?!" Tyler yelled. "You weren't even his partner! You just lied about it to get him to sleep with you!"
"Just shut up and leave Tyler!" Ashton snapped from inside the apartment. His voice carried a growl often taken as a threat among dragons in the heritage. "He has treated me better as a partner compared to you! And I never lost my memory! I was saying I did it as a prank, and it just showed me you were never a real partner! You were a fake!"