My Understandings (Austlan Cashby)

Chapter 17

*Austin’s POV*

 

“You, Austin Robert Carlile, helped save my life.” He said, looking up at me with tear stained cheeks. Only then did I realise that tears were also pouring out of my eyes.

I wrapped my arms around him and hugged him as tight as I could without hurting him. “Alan, I’m so proud of you for staying strong. If you ever have depressing or suicidal thoughts, come talk to me, okay? I love you so much and I never want to lose you.” I kissed the top of his head, and held him as he cried into my chest.

“I promise, Austin. I love you.”

He cried for a few more minutes before pulling away to look at me. “You promise you won’t leave?”

“Alan, I promise you, I won’t.” I pulled out the ring Gielle threw at me last night, and the gold chain I bought earlier, when I went to get some modifications done to the ring. I put the ring with the tiny inscription on the chain and put it around his neck. “Read it.” I whispered.

His voice cracked a little when he spoke, “Forever & Always, my love. -ARC. Austin, this is beautiful, but…are you sure?”

I nodded, “one hundred percent, Alan. It’s a symbol of me finally letting go of her.”

He leaned in and pecked my lips before grabbing my hand and standing up. He walked us over to the door before opening it, and Tino, Phil, and Aaron all fell into the room.

“What the fuck? Were you guys eavesdropping?” I asked, as they all stood up quickly and attempted, yet failed miserably, to act casual.

“I told them not to!” Aaron insisted.

“mhm sure.” Alan said, which caused us to all burst out laughing.

“Well, if you guys are done being all lovey dovey, care to join us for dinner?” Tino asked.

“If by dinner you mean either McDonalds or some sort of bar, no thanks; I’m sick of McDonalds, and I’d rather not play a show hungover.” Alan replied.

“No, it’s a special occasion” Phil smiled.

“What’s the special occasion then?” Alan pushed.

“We’ll be there. Come on, Alan, I’ll help you get ready.” I pulled him out of the back room, toward the bunk area to Alan’s suitcase. “Pick out something nice. Preferably no ripped skinny jeans.” I told him.

“Are you going to tell me what this is about?”

“After you pick out something nice.”

“Like what? I have nothing but ripped jeans and tank tops!” he complained.

I rolled my eyes and dug through his suitcase. I decided on black jeans with not rips (his only pair), and a grey V-neck t-shirt.

“Here, pair it with your black Vans.”

“But what if I get cold?” He whined.

“Alan, you’re acting like a baby” I joked, pulling off my camo print jacket. “Wear this. Now go change in the bathroom, since I’m changing here, and I’ll be there to help you with your hair when you’re done.”

“Austin, I can do it myself! You don’t need to baby me.”

“Maybe I like babying you.”

“In that case, I like you babying me.”

“Good, now go get ready.” I playfully slapped his ass as he turned to head into the bathroom.

I dug through my own suitcase and found a black t-shirt, my red and black flannel shirt, and a pair of dark blue skinny jeans. I put my converse on and went to check on Alan.

*Alan’s POV*

 

I opened the bathroom door to see Austin standing there, his fist raised.

“I was just about to knock” he laughed.

“So are you helping me with my hair?” I giggled.

“Of course.” He pecked my lips quickly, and walked into the bathroom. “Where’s your brush?” He asked.

I opened one of the drawers and handed him my brush.

“So what’s the-ow -special occasion, and why do we have to-ow-look nice?” I asked, as he ran the brush through my hair.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to hurt you. And it’s Phil and Tino’s three month anniversary. I suggested we all go out and celebrate.”

“So this was all your idea?”

“Mhm. Phil was smiling more than ever this morning when I got up, and I asked him what was up. He told me that three months ago today, Tino asked him out, so I thought why not go out and celebrate?” Austin confessed.

I turned around and pressed my lips to his, “You’re perfect.” I mumbled.

“I know” he winked, and set the hairbrush down, “Now let’s go, we have to be there in ten minutes.”