Heart of Gold // Lashton

0.8.1.

ღ Ashton ღ

Ashton had been enjoying his time in his new home. Sure, he missed his family (which still includes Michael) and everything around that, but he was okay. And okay was enough.

He had made a friend or two that lived near him, and everyone was really friendly towards each other. It really was heaven.

"Ashton! Wake up!"

And of course he had Calum. The dark haired immortal that loved to visit him and talk about Michael.

The first time Calum had started about Michael, Ashton already knew. It wasn't hard to guess and it made Calum all flustered, so he confessed. Yeah, he had a huge crush on Michael.

It made Ashton really happy and he loved to help plan Calum things, as he knew Michael better than anyone. And of course in turn, Calum appreciated that very much.

Calum also kept Ashton updated on the rest of his family and on Luke. Because believe it or not, the blonde hadn't come to visit Ashton just yet. And it made Ashton somewhat sad. But Calum assured him Luke would visit soon, since he was just a bit shaken up from the Never. And Calum knew all too well how that felt.

Of course, Ashton then felt guilty because he knew Luke had been sent there because of him. Though Calum assured him that was not the case, Ashton didn't listen.

So after some time, a day of changes was finally here. Not that anyone knew that yet.

"What?" Ashton groaned, pouting as he rubbed at his eyes and then sat up in his bed, looking at Calum.

"Remember I was going to kiss Michael?" Calum asked excitedly, grinning widely at the curly haired boy in front of him. Ashton nodded, running a hand through his hair as he waited for Calum to continue. "It was amazing! And the best thing, I was going to take the lead, as in, kiss him, but apparently he was thinking the same because he kissed me!"

Ashton chuckled at the dark haired boy, shaking his head a little. "Well, at least the feeling is mutual."

Calum hummed, before sighing dreamily. He was still smiling, making Ashton smile as well. "You're adorable."

Calum huffed, trying to look serious. "I'm an immortal, I'm not adorable."

Ashton raised an eyebrow, smiling in amusement. "Right."

"Ashton." The dark haired boy whined, pushing the curly haired boy. Ashton simply laughed, pushing the covers off and getting up.

"You're adorable, Calum. You can't deny that." Ashton shrugged, moving around his room to get some clothes.

"Whatever." Calum grumbled, flinging himself on the bed and lying on it as a starfish. "At least Michael likes me."

"That sounds as if you're saying Michael doesn't like me." Ashton said, sounding more amused than offended. He took his clothes to the bathroom and went to take a quick shower, before reemerging into the room. "Which I doubt is the case."

"He won't shut up about you." Calum admitted. "He always asks how you're doing. Then he feels bad, because he feels like I will feel sad or something, but really, I find it endearing. He loves you so much, I love that."

Ashton smiles sadly, sitting down beside Calum. "I miss him."

"I guessed." Calum mumbled, scooting closer to the curly haired boy and pulling him closer in a warm embrace. "But he misses you just as much. And if I could, I'd take you to the simulator, but honestly, I don't want to go back to the Never. Not ever again."

"Is it really that bad?" Ashton asked, frowning. Calum seemed truly afraid of it and maybe only now he understood why Luke hadn't visited him before. He must be really shaken up.

"It is." Calum mumbled, shaking his head. "But on to a happier note, I'm really sure Luke's doing better now and will come by soon. He hasn't even been there long, he got only a few minutes. I don't know why they suddenly reversed his punishment, but he got lucky."

Ashton nodded, putting his head on the other's shoulder with a small smile. "I just want him to be okay."

"He will be." Calum said quietly, running his hand through the other's hair, holding him close.

"Ashton Fletcher Irwin."

Both boys sat up, Calum automatically as he recognised the voice. He'd recognise it anywhere.

Clouds appeared slowly in front of the two, twirling and expanding. They kept moving, until they slowly evaporated, revealing a large man.

"Sir." Calum greeted him, while Ashton watched everything in confusion.

"Hello, Calum." The man greeted, before turning to Ashton. "And hello, Ashton."

"U-um, hello." Ashton looked at the man with widened eyes, feeling slightly nervous.

"Don't be scared, my boy. I come with good news." The man said slowly, his deep voice more scary than soothing, yet his words the other way around. "I have come regarding to your heart."

Ashton raised his eyebrows. "What?"

The man smiled lightly at the boy's confusion, before looking Calum's way. Calum immediately sat up straighter, awaiting the man's words, but the man turned back to Ashton. "Do you want Calum to stay here?"

Ashton blinked a few times, before looking at Calum. The dark haired boy was looking back at him and shrugged once Ashton looked his way. "It's your choice, Ash."

The curly haired boy turned back to the man, nodding. "He can stay."

"Okay." The man nodded as well, clasping his hands together. "The thing about your heart, is that it is gold. A heart of gold, as Luke may have called it before."

Ashton nodded, remembering those words. Though funnily enough, Michael had been the very first to say those words, without even knowing how true they were.

"Such a strong heart, a golden one, we haven't had that in quite a while, since they're rare." The man continued. "And this means, that you, Ashton, are getting a choice."

Ashton looked at Calum for a moment, but the dark haired boy had a blank face. So, he turned back to the man in hopes to get an explanation soon.

"You, my dear boy, can choose to get a second life or choose to become an immortal, working alongside the others."