Heart of Gold // Lashton

0.1.1.

ღ Ashton ღ

"Hey Ash," a colourful haired boy greeted his friend, as he entered the hospital room.

"Mikey!" Ashton greeted back happily, despite his situation.

The room was immediately filled with energy, most of it radiating off of Ashton. It was funny, because normally a hospital is all but that. But that was just how it was with Ashton.

"How're you today?" Michael asked, sitting down on the chair next to the bed. He looked at his friend, taking him in and getting a happy feeling when seeing he looked slightly better than the last time he visited. Which might have been yesterday, but who's paying attention?

"Really good! Look at my hair, it's finally at a reasonable length again to see the curls. I miss them so much," Ashton pouted as he ran a hand through his now revealed, short hair. Michael smiled, watching his friend put his usual grey beanie back on to hide his short hairs. "That's good. Did the doctor come back with any news yet?"

"No. She said she'll come by tomorrow, because that's when they'll have the last results."

It was silent for a moment, both boys thinking. Many thoughts consisted of 'what if', but of course there were also the 'hopefully' and 'that'd be great' thoughts. And those last two were of course the ones that both wanted most to come true.

"'Kay." Michael nodded, leaning his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. "So, yeah."

Ashton giggled softly, looking his friend up and down. "How are you?"

Michael waved him off, scrunching up his nose a little, "I'm fine, nothing to worry about. It's all about you."

"Michael," Ashton said sternly, narrowing his eyes through his glasses a little at his best friend, "how many times do I have to repeat-"

"You just want me to feel good and be happy and blah blah." Michael sighed. "I know. But I can't help but worry, okay? Just like your family."

Ashton sighed sadly, "I know."

The once curly haired boy then perked up again, smiling a little, "anyway, let's talk about your life. Anything interesting happened? Maybe something like, a date? Someone? Something?"

Michael groaned jokingly at Ashton, but he couldn't hide the small blush. "Not really."

"Clifford, you are blushing. Why are you blushing?" Ashton's eyes widened, a big smile overtaking his face. "What happened. Spill."

Michael looked down, fiddling with his fingers. He mumbled, "it's nothing."

"C'mon! Please?"

"It's nothing." Michael emphasised, looking away. He was suddenly feeling a little insecure, because what would Ashton even think of it?

"Mikey?" Ashton furrowed his eyebrows, pouting subconsciously as he saw his friend look away like that. "Whatever it is, you can tell me, yeah?"

Michael was chewing on his lower lip, opening his mouth to speak before closing it again. He went back to chewing on his lip, to keep it from quivering.

"Mikey?" Ashton reached out to his friend, wanting to take his hand, but Michael was just too far away. It hurt Ashton to see him like this. He only wanted for his friend to be happy.

"I think I'm bi." Michael whispered out, clenching his eyes shut and preparing himself for the worst.

Ashton had to really focus to listen, because Michael's whisper had been barely audible, but he caught it. He tilted his head to the side and smiled, "was that it?"

Michael frowned, looking up at his best friend quickly. "W-what?"

"Oh silly, were you afraid I'd hate you? Mikey, I could never hate you. And it'd be a bit hypocritical if I'd hate you for this. Gosh, come here," Ashton held his arms open for Michael to hug him, but the galaxy haired boy stared at him in surprise.

"Wait, you don't care?" He knows he should have expected this, because Ashton was too nice of a boy to hate anyone and especially his best friend. But with such things, one couldn't help but be insecure.

"Of course not, silly. C'mon, hug me!" Ashton grinned widely, still holding his arms out. Michael finally complied, almost jumping into the other's arms and hugging him tightly. "I'm so happy you don't care."

"I'm happy you're happy," Ashton mumbled, smiling as he buried his face in Michael's hair.

They hugged for a while, before Michael pulled back with slightly narrowed eyes. "Wait a sec. Didn't you say hypocritical?"

Ashton raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I did."

"What do you -- are you..." Michael furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, looking at his friend. "Are you telling me you're bi as well?"

"Yes." Ashton simply answered, his smile still present as he looked at his friend.

"Why did you never tell me?!" Michael exclaimed, gaping at him and playfully (and softly to not hurt his friend) hit Ashton's arm.

Ashton shrugged, pouting a little, "I just never really thought of it. And who cares that I like girls and boys? It's just a label."

Michael thought of it. "I guess."

"So, that's also why you shouldn't have been afraid to tell me. But it's okay." Ashton smiled at his friend, finally able to take his hand in comfort.

"It is." Michael smiled back, squeezing his friend's hand. "Thank you, Ash."

"Don't thank me," Ashton waved his hand in the air, "it's nothing. You're my friend, best friend, and nothing will change that. I like you for you, whatever you bring into my life."

Michael's lower lip started quivering, making him bite on it as he sniffed. "God, what'd I ever do without you?"

"You'd still be you. Just, without me?" Ashton shrugged, not sure what to say to it. But he wanted his friend to be happy, so he'd say anything. "And wherever I'll be, I want you to stay you and be happy. Do you understand me?"

Michael sniffled, trying to blink away tears. "I do."

"Good. Now cuddle me, I'm a bit tired but I don't want you to leave." Ashton pouted, squeezing Michael.

"Fine, fine," Michael said in mock annoyance. "I'll cuddle you."

"That's the spirit," Ashton joked, humming as he closed his eyes. He smiled, burying his face in Michael's chest and sighing contently.

"You really have a heart of gold, Ash. You really do."

AN: Hello! Welcome to this newest story. I'm sorry it took so long, but I first wanted to finish another one, before really posting this one. If anything's confusing, just ask. I'll update every Sunday and Wednesday (: I hope you enjoyed and don't be afraid to leave a vote and/or comment if you liked it ^^