Adopted by Ash Costello (1)

SpooOoOooOOoooky

SpooOoOooOOoooky -

While a sleeping Chloe remained softly snoring in her bed, Ash and Chris lingered in the hallway, wanting to have the discussion alone. They spoke in hushed tones.

"She's been through some serious shit" Chris commented, pointing at Chloe's bedroom door.

"I know. Her parents, her anxiety, her home life" Ash looked pained, wishing she could help Chloe somehow.

"You know about the home life then? The incident?" Chris asked, glad that someone had known because he didn't want to be solely responsible in making sure Chloe was dealing with it. It wasn't out of laziness, he simply wasn't sure he would say the right things and give the right advice to Chloe but he knew Ash could.

"The incident?" She looked confused, completely unaware of what Chris was talking about. He immediately regretted saying anything. Even if Chloe didn't expressly tell him to not tell anyone, it still felt like a betrayal.

"Fuck" Chris cursed "She's going to be so pissed off at me"

"About what? Chris you better tell me. I'm her legal guardian now and if she's upset about anything I want to help her" Ash warned, putting on a scowling face

"I know alright? I just don't think she wanted people to know. I figured she would have told you anyway. You can't tell anyone else though" Chris said, knowing that at some point he would have had to tell Ash. 1) because he told Ash everything and anything and 2) because it was concerning Chloe's wellbeing and Ash needed to know.

"We're not kids on a fucking playground Motionless. I'm not going to run around spreading rumours" Ash spat out, getting very concerned.

"Calm down Costello. I'll tell you. Remind me never to get on your bad side" Chris said and then looked over at Ash who had her hands on her hips and a facial expression that told Chris he better hurry up. He quickly did "Some dude from school that she hated put his hand down her pants but told him to fuck off and he left. She's pretty shaken up about it and that's why she's especially nervous about strangers and them touching her. She hugged me after I calmed her down a bit so I don't think she can't touch others but she would rather not"

"Oh my god that's horrible. That fucking sick piece of shit! We should go to the police" Ash raged, her whisper involuntarily getting a bit louder. Chris motioned for Ash to be quiet before grabbing Ash and moving the pair away from the stairs (therefore everyone else).

"She went pale when I told her about getting the police involved. I might sound like a dick here but it'll be a miracle if that dude was found guilty because there's no evidence and, even if there was, he's a young boy so they would try their hardest to not have him found guilty" Chris explained.

"Yeah but we're not talking about going to prison. I'm talking about maybe him taking a mandatory consent class or something! Anything!" Ash desperately pleaded, as if it were Chris making the decision.

"I know but then it would be on his record and people are hesitant about giving a young boy a record even if the prick deserves it. I didn't push her because I didn't want her to think she couldn't come to me about things but if she says she wants to go to the police then I'll take her to the station myself. It's completely up to her" Chris said and, no matter how much Ash hated to admit it, he was speaking logically and calmly despite how angry and protective he felt. They were silent for a moment before Ash went to open her mouth as if she were about to say something but then closed it "What were you going to say?"

"No it makes me sound egotistical"

"You know me Costello. No judgement" Chris shrugged and Ash certainly knew this kind man in front of her. They had met a couple times before recording Angel Eyes but it was then that they had started to talk properly with the late night phone calls that usually turned into therapy sessions for both of them. They knew how to comfort each other and they both knew that they could tell each other anything and there would not even be the slightest hint of judgement "Unless of course you tell me you're into pop or something. Then I would judge you A LOT" Chris smirked and Ash laughed.

"Do you think I'll be a good mum? I know I'm not her actual mum but I want to be a motherly figure for her. Someone she can rely on you know?" Ash queried, looking very concerned as she returned back to being serious.

"Of course. You're so loving and kind. Why would you even ask that?" Chris was rubbing her arm, reassuring her.

"Because she came to you and not me. Does that mean she thinks she can't trust me?"

"No! Not at all! You just haven't been able to have a proper chat with her is all. I think, despite her being very guarded, she wants someone to care for her and tell her that everything is going to be okay. She needed to tell someone and I happened to be there. It might take her some time but I reckon she'll warm up to everyone here - especially you" Chris commented

"How come you're so smart?" Ash asked, smiling and feeling a bit better.

"That's nearly a compliment there. Someone must be feeling generous" He grinned

"Shut up" Ash grimaced mockingly and the pair went silent once more "I just really love Chloe already you know?" Ash spoke after a few seconds

"I know you do. We all do. She'll make an excellent member of our weird spooky family" Chris nodded

"We aren't that spooky. For starters, you're a big softie" Ash rolled her eyes

"I am SpooOoOooOOoooky" He adopted a 'spookier' voice, waved his fingers out in front of him and then widened his eyes in an attempt to scare the queen of darkness herself. Ash burst out in laughter and then her eyes widened just as Chris' had while she clamped her hand over her mouth in an attempt to keep quiet but this had made Chris laugh as well. Things certainly were funnier when you couldn't laugh and so the pair had to take a few moments before they regained control. "Was that not spooky enough for you? Did I not convince you?" Chris finally asked

"No. Not at all" Ash grinned, taking extra caution in being quiet. Chris pouted dramatically and Ash stuck a middle finger up at him while sticking her tongue out.

"Real mature there Costello" Chris crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes.

"I'll try to be mature and not too SpooOoOooOOoooky. Wouldn't want to scare you" Ash grinned and giggled and Chris couldn't help but join in. "Come on, we better go downstairs before we wake Chloe up with our laughing" Ash commented and Chris agreed so the pair of them walked downstairs bantering with one another.