SO BAD [MXM] [MAFIA] ✓

29: REVELATIONS

Skylar feels Ashton tense underneath him, and he watches the guy's expression harden. The entire atmosphere has changed, and Skylar can hear his heartbeat in his ears. He can't think of any other reason, though, and the woman on the phone said...

To be willing to go through this with somebody, you would have to value that person over just about everything, because you could lose just about fucking everything.

"I'm not in love with you," Ashton replies, but he's not making eye contact. This is very unlike him, so Skylar frowns.

"Then why the hell am I still in your house? I'm not just addicted to cyto, Ashton. I'm dependent on it."

Ashton finally meets Skylar's eyes, and his jaw is clenched. He doesn't really look mad, just incredibly reserved. More closed off than Skylar has ever seen, since the guy has always seemed so outgoing.

"I'm not telling Jessie I kicked you out. For any reason."

"Tell him why, and I think he'll understand."

"Skylar," Ashton sits up straighter, which closes the distance way too much. Enough for Skylar to feel momentarily distracted, glancing down at Ashton's mouth, then back up to the dark abyss that has a tendency to consume him. "It's not that big of a deal."

Ashton has to be downplaying this on purpose, because even Skylar can tell he doesn't believe this shit. People get their basic drug education towards the end of elementary school. A ten year old would know how fucking bad this is, Ash is not fooling anybody.

"Not that big of a deal? It's cyto, Ashton. If you're not throwing me out for this then you're either stupid or you want to get fucking married."

Or both, actually. Being stupid is one thing, but desiring a lasting relationship with Skylar Hall is just setting yourself up for failure. Unless there's an angle to this that Skylar's not seeing, something is up. This is horrible, and the fact that Ash isn't acknowledging that is starting to irritate him. There's no way he's in denial, either. Again, a ten year old would know.

Ashton stands up abruptly at that, which results in Skylar having to grab onto the guy much tighter. At least Ash isn't as sweaty as before, but he's still shirtless, and wow this is inconvenient for the conversation. Skylar is supposed to be focusing.

"Let it go. We're gonna get you help."

That's it. Skylar's done. He carefully untangles himself from Ashton and gets his footing, before taking a step back. Ash stares down at him, looking pissed off and shirtless and semi-sweaty and fucking distracting. This has to be on purpose—how is Skylar supposed to maintain a conversation like this?

Oh, that's right, he won't.

"Whatever. No thanks, I'm not ruining your life," Skylar says, turning around and gathering his two bags again. He throws them over his shoulder like before, grabs his hoodie, and starts to walk towards the front door. He does not need this shit on his conscience. Ruining his own life is one thing, but someone else's? Ashton's? No way in hell.

Unfortunately, as Skylar makes his escape, Ashton decides to talk.

"Skylar," he says, and his voice is demanding. Skylar is about to ignore it, bracing himself for Ash to start giving him orders he won't listen to. However, then he continues. "What are we?"

No fucking way.

No way Ash just pulled the 'what are we' card. No way he said that in a serious situation. Skylar can't help it, that's one way to halt him in his fucking steps. He spins around and gives Ashton an incredulous look, wondering if he's hearing shit. Ash is standing in the middle of the living room with his arms crossed, giving him an expectantly irritated look.