little love

46

ashton was awake, and knew they were coming. while on the way, luke had texted just to see if he was up, and he was. ashton had also told luke that he tried to call calum back but no one answered. so, luke had basically sent a gist of what happened, and why they were coming.

at the same time, ashton felt bad. maybe he should've never sent calum away for a couple days. yet, he didn't want calum to stay with him at the hospital the whole time - calum needed to eat and needed to shower, and calum wouldn't do that in the hospital and his friends have done so much for him. ashton didnt want to ask them to come here everyday to bring calum food, or to take him to shower.

michael and luke have done so much and ashton didnt want to put even more on their plates.

ashton was lost in his thoughts, but was ripped out of them when he heard calums voice echo into his room from down the hall. it sounded like he was crying, which makes more guilt swim in ashtons veins. all he wanted was for calum to rest and not have to be stressed about him, and about being in a hospital.

michael comes into the room first, and stands at the end of the bed that can barely be seen from the doorway.

"see, calum," michael says, "ashton is not dead, he's sitting up watching the telly."

then, calum rushes into the room with luke right behind him.

"daddy!" calum sobs, running over to ashtons side. ashton just pouts, and raises his hand up to lay on calums cheek.

"oh, sweetheart," ashton says, wiping calums tears away. calum doesn't say anything - he just sits close to the side of ashtons bed, with his small shaky hand on top of ashtons.

"lukey and i are gonna go get some coffee and food," michael says softly, "we'll be back soon."

ashton nods, and turns back to calum, "sweetheart, everything's okay. why are you crying so much? can you tell daddy what happened?"

calum nods, and does his best to stop crying. after a couple moment, stray tears fell and quiet hiccups were the only echo in the room besides the quiet buzz of the tv.

"'ou died, daddy," calum says sadly. ashton frowns, and keeps running his thumb back and forth over calums cheek bone.

"you worry so much, baby," ashton says softly, "you know daddy isn't going anywhere, yeah? im right here, and i'll always be here for you. dont stress yourself out, or give yourself night terrors like that."

"m-m sowwy," calum chokes out, and ashton knows he's gotta stop those tears before they start up again.

"there's no need to be sorry," ashton says, "its okay. everything's okay. now, why dont you try to go back to sleep? its early and you need to rest."

"i stay?" calum asks softly, looking at ashton with eyes full of hope.

"of course you're staying, my little man," ashton smiles, "daddy isn't letting you go anywhere."

calum smiles, "otay, daddy."

calum lays his head on ashtons waist, and lays his hand on ashtons thigh.

"daddys good boy," ashton says softly, and runs his hand through calums hair slowly. he continues to play with calums hair, and he hums softly until calum is asleep.

ashton decides to close his eyes and try to get some rest - which never goes well. ashton could never really sleep in a hospital bed. that, plus the nurses coming every couple hours to check his levels didnt help either.

fortunately, ashton was able to sleep until luke and michael came back with coffee, and breakfast. they weren't loud or anything, ashton could just smell the coffee and that woke him up.

"here you go," michael says, handing a small cup of coffee to ashton, "don't worry. we already asked the doctor if you could have a small cup."

"even if he said no, i don't think i could ever give up coffee," ashton says, taking the warm cup into his hand, "thank you."

luke and michael sit on the other side of him, and quietly eat some breakfast and drink their coffee.

"so, we're leaving him with you," michael says after he's done, "its just gonna be better for everyone if calum stays with you."

"i know," ashton says, still running a hand through calums hair, "but, he needs to eat and shower too. he can't just....he won't take care of himself here."

"thats why lukey and i are gonna come here everyday, and we'll take him out for a couple hours when we can," michael says reassuringly, "so don't worry. lukey and i are here for you. now, get some rest. lukey and i are gonna go back home and try to go back to sleep."

ashton smiles softly, "thank you. for everything."

"no problem, mate. we love you."

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poor baby
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