Masterpieces {Book 2}

Something to prove*

Credit; velvethood

Let's start putting summaries again, Des.

Summary:

"Ashton, he showed you his new song." And okay, Calum doesn't need to explain it any further for Ashton to know what that means. Michael is always so reluctant to show the words in his head, because they're a little darker and deeper and colder than the other boys' writing, but Michael came to Ashton without a second thought. He knows what that means.

okiE PEOPLE ARE WRiTiNG MASHTON LiKE cRAZY THESE DAYS, i LOVE iT

this may be going off on a limb but... ThiS iS THE BEST MASHTON iVE EVER READ BAi

((Also: cake aren't even together in this but everytime they're alone together i find them suspicious that's how cake af i am, hA))

Enjoy :D
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February, 2015

They're in Japan and Ashton hasn't seen Michael this happy in, well ever. It's nice, endearing even, the constant smile that's on his face and it's even better that Ashton doesn't have to beg to get Michael out of the hotel. In fact he leads the way, clad in a denim jacket, into the car as they drive to a nearby restaurant. None of them have a clue about it, only that it's been recommended to John and that's gospel enough for them to try. Dave and their crew are in the car behind as per usual, and the four of them settle into a quiet silence that's been common every time they drive down the brightly lit Tokyo roads.

"It's still so fucking amazing." Michael breathes, leg knocking against Ashton's as if he needs to get his attention somehow, like he doesn't have it a good 100 percent of the time. Ashton doesn't say anything, hums in agreement and knocks his leg back. Michael turns briefly, gives him a shy smile in realisation before looking back out of the window. Ashton's grateful to have got a split second of Michael's stare when he knows how much Tokyo means to him.

Instead, Ashton leans to look at the other two boys sat in the seats in front. Calum and Luke are sharing headphones, but Luke's playing around on his phone while Calum follows Michael's suit, forehead pressed against the window as he stares at the twinkling embers that blur with the car's speed, painting the night. Ashton can imagine the way Calum's eyes flick back and forth as he tries to take everything in, nothing like anything he's seen before. Because it is amazing, Japan of all the places in the world, and playing a gig of their own for that matter. It doesn't seem real.

He falls against the back of Calum's seat after deciding not to disturb the two. Michael though, he's still looking out of the window, but from this angle Ashton can see the way the neon signs reflect in his eyes and it looks like shattering glass. It's beautiful. Ashton doesn't think he's ever seen Michael look so beautiful than in Japan, so in his element, and he lets his hands sink into Michael's purple hair, pale from countless washes. Ashton thinks it's pretty, like Michael and his eyes, and loves the way Michael sinks into his hand before turning to kiss his palm.

It's normal, Ashton will say, because it is. They've been doing this for so long. The other boy doesn't even look at him when he sinks his head even further into Ashton palm, burying his face and nuzzling gently. Ashton doesn't think anything of it because they do things like this, he and Michael; the feeling in his stomach leaves him content and so does Michael's smile. That's all he cares about.

It's no surprise that once they get to the restaurant Luke picks the first free booth he sees, because Luke doesn't really care for details and he's laidback enough to not get hung up on the minor things. It's also no surprise that Michael kicks up a fuss.