The Therapist's Son // Ashton Irwin [AU] ✔

19.

Maybe it was the location, maybe it was because I was walking side by side with Michael, but something didn't feel right. I convinced myself I was being paranoid and kept walking, answering Michael's questions with one or two words before I requested that we turn around and start walking back.

"Why? What are you afraid of?" He paused and smirked at me.

"I want to go back to Luke's." I demanded firmly as his hand reached out for my arm. I pulled away and took a step back.

"Take it easy, Princess. I'm not gonna hurt you. Why are you in such a rush to ditch all the sudden? Let's keep walking." He said, taking a few steps forward without me. My feet seemed to stay glued to the pavement, and I don't think I would have gone with him either way.

"What do you want from me?" I asked, throwing my arms up in exasperation. Michael let out a laugh turning back to face me.

"From you? I don't want anything from you. I don't want anything from anyone. I don't need anything. I don't know what you've heard about me, and frankly, I don't give a shit," He shrugged. I suddenly found my feet interesting as I stared at the ground. "I could really care less. However, I do get lonely sometimes."

"Lonely? You just said you don't need anyone or anything."

"Oh, I don't. But sometimes I think it would be nice, you know? No one likes being alone." I shuddered when his hand reached out for me again, but I didn't pull away this time. A chill ran through my spine, and Michael must have thought I was cold because he pulled me into his embrace, wrapping his arms around me. I really wasn't sure what to do or think. I didn't know this guy, and now he's got he's hugging me like we've known each other forever.

"Let go." I heard a voice, but it wasn't Michael's. My eyes closed as I let out a sigh, recognizing the voice almost instantly.

"If I don't?" Michael said, not really seeming to care as he only tightened his hold on me.

"You're in for a world of hurt, pal. Let go of Natalie."

"Ashton, calm down-" I tried to cut in. Michael was bringing no harm to me, what was his deal?

"You stay out of this!" He barked at me, seeming angrier at me than Michael. "You...I told you to stay away from him, don't you listen? And even worse, do you know who called to tell me you were out roaming the streets with this bastard?! Luke fucking Hemmings, that's who! You left your phone with him? Are you stupid, Nat?"

"You shouldn't talk to your girl that way, Ashton." Michael defended me, knowing Ashton's words were cutting deep.

"My girl," Ashton basically spat. "If you know that she's my girl, why do you have your filthy hands on her, huh?"

"She was cold! I'm not gonna let her freeze out here!"

"She wouldn't be out here if it wasn't for you! God only knows what you'd be doing to her right now if I didn't find you two!" Ashton was basically in Michael's face now, and I had broken away from Michael's embrace, backing up, knowing I could do nothing but watch.

"You asshole, I wasn't going to hurt her! I just wanted to talk!" Michael defended.

"Oh yeah, and then what?" Ashton's hands were balled into fists, waiting for a confession of some sort from Michael that he clearly wasn't going to get.

"Ashton, please, don't do anything stupid," I cut in, eyes glossing. I didn't exactly like Michael, but I didn't hate him either. I didn't want to see either one of them hurt. "Let's just go." He looked over to me and then back to Michael, realizing he really wasn't worth getting hurt over, thank God.

"Listen to me you son of a bitch" He growled, grabbing the collar of Michael's shirt. I closed my eyes, not wanting to see anything terrible.

"Natalie, get your crazy boyfriend off of me!" Michael demanded, as if I could snap my fingers and Ashton would come running to my side like some sort of trained puppy.

"If you ever," Ashton ignored Michael's struggles to escape. "Ever. Come near my girl again, I will end you. I will crush you. Beat you until there's nothing left, do you understand me?"

"Oh God," Michael muttered before letting out some sort of demented ironic chuckle. "You'll end me, huh? I could end you with the use of two little words."

Ashton raised his eyebrows in a 'you have to be kidding me' kind of way as Michael whispered something to him.

I'm not sure what it was, but it was certainly enough to push Ashton over the edge. In a second it was over. Ashton's fist had connected to Michael's jaw hard and Michael was on the ground groaning. Ashton grabbed him and hit him a second time. This time his nose began to bleed.

"Ashton!" I cried, eyes wide.

"We're leaving." He said, taking my hand as we walked down the street, leaving Michael on the ground. I turned around to make sure he was up. He stood, rubbed his jaw and lifted the fabric of his plaid shirt to his nose in an attempt to stop the bleeding. I didn't say anything more to Ashton or struggle to go with him. I didn't know what Michael said to Ashton, but whatever it was, and knowing Michael, it must have been bad.

*****

A/N: My first update since November 23. Very action packed, sorry for anyone who's Mashton AF, they hate each other from here on out. Deal with it, I guess.

So, I love you guys a lot, if there are any of you who still want to read this. I'm thinking of doing a double update since I wrote this in like..An hour.

Please be sure to vote, comment, share, recommend, I don't know. It's much appreciated, lovelies.

You're all very nice.

x Callie