Ashton's managed to evade the public eye for the most part after his turbulent exit from Hollywood years ago, only to be dragged back into the spotlight all for a long owed favour, that favour?
Playing boyfriend to a singer taking a nosedive into a...
One final chapter + and epilogue after this, thank you for being on this journey with me <3
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Life without Ashton was odd.
He'd been so used to him being just a phone call away, ready to drop whatever he was doing, he realised now he took that for granted.
It'd been a few weeks into the two month long inpatient program Ashton had signed himself up for, both a suicide prevention and drug detox detailed program.
Luke had adopted Petunia on the third week he'd been gone, a sweet middle aged dog that had already snuggled her way into his heart.
She became a great comfort for Luke through these weeks and even more so when he was continuously denied visitation to see Ashton. At first he'd believed it was to do with the mans progress but he quickly found out it was at Ashtons own request.
He couldn't help but be hurt by it, he knew he'd said he would respect his wishes but he so desperately wanted to just see Ashtons face again, simply be in his presence.
His feeling of dejection settled within him so when he got the call he couldn't help but be shocked.
Ashton wanted to see him.
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lukehemmings: my sweet girl <3
michaelclifford: piggy
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His progress had been slow in the beginning.
He may have agreed to the program but he hadn't agreed to be willing to change. Everything was murky in his mind, he felt like there was no way out.
He'd constantly deny any call with Luke and Michael from the day they were offered, though he did request contact with one person, Calum.
Perhaps it was the slight detachment that was between them but speaking with Calum was easy, there were no loaded emotions and it gave Ashton a connection to the outside world - a connection that came with no bullshittery.
The first time he'd visited he'd looked like a lost little puppy, eyes wide and confused as he sat in front of Ashton. The first conversation had been stilted at best, neither really knowing how to navigate it but with persistence the pair soon found themselves in a comfortable rhythm.
They would talk about anything and everything, Ashton usually asked after Michael and Luke and how the album was progressing. He also inquired about the situation online, Calum had been hesitant but after a lot of nagging he spilled that the hateful tags were still raging and the articles hadn't stopped.
