Punks Meet Flower Crowns >> Lashton AU ✔️

59. ~ Tantrum

PLEASE READ BECAUSE THIS IS IMPORTANT:

We're only just hitting the midpoint, I'm probably going to end this story around 100+ chapters - mainly because the chapters are so short and there's so much plot. Most of the story revolves around Ashton and Luke and they're progression from friends to more, specifically Ashton's struggle. So the next few chapters will mostly focus on Ashton as opposed to the beginning when they mainly focused on Luke. You'll notice a change in his attitude and bodily reactions, this is because you're seeing the real Ashton. You're seeing his real struggles and hardships and the amount of difficulty he has with dealing with them. After that, we'll be focusing on Luke's struggles and the effects of his relationship with Troye.

I considered splitting this chapter because it's particularly long for a short chapter story (630 words!) but you guys have waited quite a bit so I'm just posting the whole thing. You're welcome.

Also, I'm sick, allergic to dust and this house is fucking filthy and my sinuses are like fucking demons trying to jab their pointy fucking tails into my nose canal and it's irritating as fuck. I'm on a diet and I start my job as a summer intern (full-time) on Monday which means no Monster, chocolate, soda or sleep for me so I'm gonna try and churn out as many chapters as possible before the inevitable crash of spiraling stress and depression. Cheers.

If you actually read this thing, comment "tutu".

>>>

Time: 7:36 pm.
Setting: Ashton's Room. Room 151.

Calum: (standing in the doorway, arms crossed) Ashton. (Ashton doesn't respond, sits in front of the coffee table, making flower crowns) Darling, look at me. (Ashton stays quiet, finishes flower crown, starts working on another) What's going on? You're not like this unless something's wrong. (pauses, thinking) Is this about Gem and Niall staying for the summer.

Ashton: (still weaving, subdued) I can avoid them all summer. Did it during Christmas, I can do it again. (breaks a stem by accident) Crap. (gets a new flower, weaves again)

Calum: (frowning) Then, what's with the attitude? (walks over, sits across from Ashton, on the floor) Sweetheart, please talk to me.

Ashton: (monotonous) Nothing to talk about.

Calum: (sighs, pinches the bridge of his nose with two fingers) Babe, we've been friends since forever. I know when something's bothering you.

Ashton: (snaps another stem, huffs) I'm fine.

Calum: (raises eyebrow) I find that hard to believe when you have, like, ten crowns on your table and it's only been two hours since you got off of work.

Ashton: (clipped) Eight crowns and I've only been off for an hour and a half.

Calum: Exactly. Something's wrong and you're not telling me anything. (pauses, cautious) Have you been off of your me-

Ashton: (cuts him off, angry) That has nothing to do with any of this.

Calum: (hands up, palms forward in surrender) Okay, okay. I'm just checking. You haven't been this snappy since that trip to Toronto.

Ashton: (frowns) I forgot to put them in my carry-on then and I haven't forgotten a single pill, since. Lay off. I'm allowed to have bad days.

Calum: (eyebrows furrowed, slow) Is it...because of Luke? I mean, you two have been hanging out quite a lot. (slightly worried) He hasn't hurt you or anything, has he?

Ashton: (irritated) Stop assuming that he's some barbaric caveman who can't even use a spoon properly. He's a nice guy, once you dig through that horrible thing he calls a personality. (clipped chuckle)

Calum: If not him, then what?

Ashton: (giving in) No, no. It is him. It's most definitely him.

Calum: (intrigued) What about him?

Ashton: (sighs) That's where it gets complicated. (groans, throws flower crown to the side, buries his face in his hands) I don't understand what's going on, Cal. I don't get it. (huffs) He's so confusing. He's sweet and cute and hot and those are not things you're supposed to notice about a guy you've known less than six months.

Calum: (interjecting) I've been more graphic with women I've know for less than six seconds.

Ashton: (glares) That's not the point.

Calum: (slightly amused) What is it, then?

Ashton: I'm not gay.

Calum: (raising an eyebrow) So?

Ashton: I don't know! (exasperated) That's the friggin' problem! I'm straight and he's a guy and I shouldn't be waking up beside him, let alone with an awkward boner because he made quite the exotic appearance in my late night dreams.

Calum: (scrunches face) Okay. Ew. Don't need to picture Hemmings in any sort of sexual context, thank you. (catches Ashton's glare, sighs) Darling, it's fine. It doesn't mean you're gay. You can be straight and like Luke. It shouldn't matter.

Ashton: But that's the confusing part. I'm. Straight.

Calum: So what? So am I but I've jerked one off to the thought of Mikey, like, twice. Doesn't mean anything.

Ashton: (eyes wide) What?

Calum: (blushing, avoids the question) What I mean to say is that, it's perfectly fine to be attracted to Luke. (smirks, teasing) Though, I would've pictured you going after the good boy type. Guess the bad boy really is quite hard to resist. (laughs)

Ashton: (squaks, throws Calum a flower crown) Asshat!

QOTD: Is it possible to be 'straight' and still like boys/girls?

AOTD: You should be able to like whoever the hell you want, regardless of gender or orientation. As long as you're happy.