Heart of Gold // Lashton

0.6.1

ღ Ashton ღ

It was hard for Ashton to wake up. Not necessarily because he liked the dream, with Luke, nor was it because he was sleeping well, he just... it was hard.

He didn't know how to explain it, except for maybe blaming death. But he couldn't do that out loud, because his family would think he was crazy or that it was his medicine. And if anything, he wanted them to remember him happy and well.

"Ashton? Are you okay?"

Ashton blinked a few times, his vision staying a bit fuzzy. "I think so."

"Are you sure?" Michael frowned, sitting down on the bed and taking in his best friend. He didn't look that okay and that definitely worried him. "You look a bit pale."

"Must've been a weird dream." Ashton mumbled, waving it off. He reached out for his glasses, putting them on and then reaching for the beanie, putting that on as well.

"Oh." Michael nodded, simply watching his friend sit up and wince. He opened his mouth to ask, before staying silent. He knew Ashton wouldn't mind him asking, because that was just how he was, but he also knew he wouldn't get a true answer. Ashton would say he was fine, still a bit sleepy at most.

"I'm fine, Mikey." Ashton said, looking straight at his still galaxy haired friend as if he knew what he was thinking.

"If you say so." Michael said, nodding. He then watched Ashton move himself into his wheelchair, sighing deeply once he was sat in it properly. "Want me to push you?"

Ashton was about to protest, when he stopped himself. He might as well. Who knows, it could be the last time. "Sure."

Michael smiled, getting up and getting behind the wheelchair, before wheeling it out of the bedroom. He easily pushed Ashton towards the dining room, where there was an open spot at the head of the table, as always. "Your mum made breakfast earlier, but you were hard to wake up. It's still warm though and your family is out in the backyard. The weather is pretty nice."

Ashton nodded, giving his best friend a smile (as wide as he could manage) and watching him move around the kitchen effortlessly. Michael had been here so many times, it was almost as if he owned the house. Not that Ashton's mum would mind. She loved seeing Ashton happy with his friend and the other way around. Even if that meant having a fourth child.

"Crispy bacon and perfectly scrambled eggs. Your mum deserves a big smooch." Michael said happily, putting down a plate in front of Ashton and one next to him, before putting down some cutlery and lastly two glasses with juice. "Bon appetit!"

"Thanks, Mikey." Ashton smiled, until he looked down at the food. Normally he would die (okay, maybe not the right words regarding to the current situation, but hey, how else to say it?) for bacon and scrambled eggs, but now his stomach was only twisting. But, he had to eat and he didn't want to let his mum's good cooking go to waste. So, he scooped up some egg and forced himself to eat at least a few bites as well as a few bites of bacon.

Michael was too busy eating his own breakfast to notice Ashton pushing away his plate, his face even paler than before. Until he was about to sip his juice and let his eyes move to his friend, making him put down his glass immediately. "Are you really okay, Ash?"

"No." Ashton squeaked out, before groaning and clutching his stomach. "Bathroom, please."

Michael caught on, quickly getting up and pushing the wheelchair to the bathroom, helping Ashton down just in time for the boy to empty his stomach into the toilet bowl. "Shit, Ash."

"Sorry."

"No, no, hey. Don't say sorry. It's okay." Michael pulled the beanie from the boy's head, running his fingers through his now exposed hair. "You'll be fine. Just throw it all out if you have to. I mean, it's not good, but if it's not good inside you know-"

"Mike-" Ashton cut himself off by throwing up again, groaning as he coughed and gagged. "Gross."

"I'm sorry, buddy." Michael sighed sympathetically, frowning. He had thought his best friend was doing so well, but apparently, he wasn't. And he hated it.

After a minute or five without Ashton throwing up again, Michael got up carefully, flushing the toilet and putting Ashton back into his wheelchair. He gave the boy a wet washcloth to clean his face, before pushing him to his room. "How about you rest some more. I got a bucket right here if you need it and I'll just inform your mum, yeah?"

"No, please. I don't want to worry her."

"Ash, are you kidding me? You just got out of the hospital after having been diagnosed with fucking cancer and they said you were fine, but this is not okay. Maybe it's just a stomach ache or whatever simple it could be, but it worries me. And your mum has the right to know, okay? Just for once, let us take care of you. You're not alone in this." Michael argued, crossing his arms.

Ashton slumped his shoulders, frowning as well. It was kind of like Luke said. He should be selfish for once, in this case meaning letting others care for him. Even if they had to worry. "Even if I say no, you'll tell her anyway, right?"

"Sorry, Ash. But you know it's best for you."

The boy sighed, but nodded. "Okay. But you gotta promise me one thing, Mikey."

Michael raised an eyebrow, a little surprised Ashton had given in so easily, but not complaining. After all, he only wanted to help him. "Which is?"

"Can we spend tomorrow together? Just go somewhere and do whatever? The two of us?" Ashton looked at Michael hopefully. He had planned to say 'do whatever you like', but then he remembered Luke's words about doing what he liked. And maybe for once, he could try. It felt wrong and he felt guilty, but he wanted to try. And after all, if Michael liked what he wanted to do, then it wasn't that selfish, right?

"If you feel better, we could. Why not with your family?" Michael sat down at the end of the bed, tilting his head to the side a little.

"I've spend every moment since I came back with them and believe me, I love it. I love them. But I also want to do what you've been so excited for. Watching movies, bake cookies for all I care. But just the two of us."

"You sure?"

"A hundred percent, Mikey. Let's make tomorrow about you and me. A whole day out, just fun."

AN: yesss, the ending is nearing. Sort of. I've been writing quite a bit today, since I finally had some time and inspiration, so hence the updates. I'll try and update again somewhere this week, but for now I hope you enjoyed these two!
Ps, prepare yourself for the next one cause that one might hurt your heart.
HAVE A NICE DAY XX