Punks Meet Flower Crowns >> Lashton AU ✔️

64. ~ Empathy

Note: Updating cuz it's 12:48 am and the Future Hearts album has me ready to sell my soul just see All Time Low live in concert.

Also, I drew a dragon and I happy now.

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Time: 1:07 pm.
Setting: Ashton's Room. Room 151.

Calum: (enters, sees Ashton curled up on the couch) You're missing work. (gentle) Simon's going to throw a hissy.

Ashton: (blank) Is he mad?

Calum: (clicks tongue, not too concerned) Sorta. But not really at you. More at me.

Ashton: (weak smile) Did you go all caveman on him? Defend my honor? (small) Like with Niall?

Calum: (snorts, plops down next to him) Something like that. (hands Ashton white paper bag) I got your meds. You forgot to get a refill. (cheeky, playful) And you say you never forget a pill.

Ashton: (frowns) I don't. I just...(pauses) I thought I wouldn't need them. (sad) I hate being sick, Cal.

Calum: (pulls Ashton so that he's half draped across his lap, pats his arm) You're not sick, babe. You're just a little messed up. (gentle) We all are. Just because you have one flaw doesn't mean you're beyond repair. A few pills don't mean you're sick. You just have more to deal with more stuff than others, yeah?

Ashton: (quiet, sighs, nods) Gimme that damn bottle. (sits up, takes bag from Calum, opens bottle, swallows pill dry) Ugh. (scrunches face) Hate those.

Calum: (smiles, pulls Ashton against his side) I know, baby.

Ashton: (pouts) Why couldn't I have fallen for you?

Calum: Cuz, apparently, men with flat arses do it for you. (laughs at Ashton's glare) I'm kidding, babe. I don't know why. Honestly, he's a dickhead.

Ashton: (sighs) He's not. He's a sweetie. Hugs me and stuff. Doesn't treat me like a baby.

Calum: (eyebrows furrowed) Do you not like being treated like one?

Ashton: (looks up at Calum) I know you're just trying to protect me, Cal. And I love you for that. (settled back against Calum's side) I'm just...I'm never gonna get better if I don't try. I can't control my issues but I shouldn't let them take over. (bites lip) Luke deserves better.

Calum: (rolls eyes, comforting) He's a high school drop out and works two minimum wage jobs. He drives a beat up black sedan. Not exactly "balling", Ash.

Ashton: He's had to deal with a lot, too. He had it really hard, Cal. Don't judge him for the choices he was forced to make.

Calum: (huffs) Ugh. If you're already defending him when you two aren't even dating, I'd hate to see you two in the honeymoon stage.

Ashton: (chuckles, despondent) He'd never want me like that.

Calum: (scoffs) Please. That boy's so thirsty, it's making me feel parched. (smirks) Just run up to him and kiss him. I guarantee that he'll get a boner if you tug on his lip ring. (wiggles eyebrows) Blondie's ready to jump some Irwin bone.

Ashton: (blushes, squeaks) I hate you.

QOTD: Can you guess what's Ashton's condition?