Cliffhanger (Lashton Au)

5

After what I said to Ashton, my phone starts buzzing in my back pocket. Taking it out, I mentally groan seeing Michael's contact across the screen. Answering I say, "Hey Mikey, what's up?" He instantly begins talking. "We were supposed to hang out today remember? Then you just disappear what the fuck man." He jokes, "hey yeah sorry, something came up. Can we just try for a different day? I'm dealing with something right now." I ask him. "Yeah sure man, I get it. Shit comes up, just do whatever you need to do. We can hang another time." He says before we exchange our goodbyes and hang up. I sigh looking up at the boy in front of me as he mindlessly plays with his fingers in his lap. His eyes meet mine for only a second before he looks away, pink appearing in his cheeks. "So are you hungry?" I ask him, earning a small nod in response. "Yeah I haven't eaten today, just didn't feel like it." He says shrugging his shoulders. "Well lets go get you something to eat then, yeah? I'm not sure what all we have here but I know we have something." I say pushing myself up and over to the door. He stands and slowly follows.

Once we've made our journey into the kitchen I fling open the pantry and fridge. "Take anything you like" I tell him, grinning like an idiot. "Well I-I don't know, we could share something?" He suggests, his eyes wide as he takes in the amount of food in front of him. "Sure, well what do you like? Because I'll eat anything and everything." I laugh, causing a small smile to creep onto his face. "I'm not picky, you choose something and I'll eat it." He giggles, it's such a beautiful sound and I mentally make a note to make it happen more often. "Mac n Cheese it is," I grab the box from the cabinet and close both the fridge and pantry. After getting everything together, we wait for the water to boil making mindless jokes and messing around.

"You know Ash, I'm sorry about everything today." I tell him as he jumps up to sit on the counter. "Luke don't you dare apologize for anything. I should be the one saying sorry, you shouldn't have had to witness any of that." he lays his hand over one of his sleeve covered wrists. I walk over to him, standing in between his legs, I gently grab his left arm slowly pulling up the sleeve. "Luke please don't," he whispers as I slowly uncover earlier's events. My eyes rake over the fresh red lines up and down his forearm. "I want to help you Ashton." I look up to meet his glossy eyes. "I really want to help you" I tell him, reaching up with my other hand to brush the curls out of his face. "I'm not someone you can just help Luke, its not that easy." His voice cracks. I hate seeing him like this, I barely know this boy but yet I feel like I've known him forever. "Let me try." I say, just as the water starts to over boil causing me to pull away from Ashton and rush over to the stove to pull the pan off the burner. "Shit, shit, shit!" I curse as the hot pan burns my fingers. "Well, shit. I manage to fuck up Macaroni." I sigh, proceeding to pour in the noodles before running my burnt hand under cold water.

"Okay." I hear Ashton whisper from behind me. I turn around, shutting the water off to look at the broken boy still sat on the counter. He glances up, his eyes meeting mine "I want you to help me" he says, his voice barely a whisper. I walk over to him pulling him into a hug as he wraps his legs around my waist. We stay like this for what feels like forever, just in the comfort of each other. I pull away slowly and place my hands on his knees. "I'm going to, even if you said no I'd still try." I tell him, a slight giggle escaping his lips. "I kinda figured you'd say that." He tells me. "Really? I'm that predictable? Damn I gotta step up my game" I chuckle, stepping away to finish up the macaroni. I split it up into two bowls and hand one to him before putting the pan in the sink. Remember to wash that later I mentally tell myself, even though I'll probably forget.

"Here lets take this upstairs so we can watch movies or something while we eat," I say before grabbing his free hand and dragging him up the stairs. "Luke holy shit you're going to make me drop it" he laughs, My cheeks redden as I realize my mistake. "Shit I'm sorry I just got excited" I sheepishly smile. I let go of his hand and take a seat on the bed. "It's okay I thought it was cute." He tells me, his eyes cast down to the floor. A small smile plays on his lips as I grab his hand pulling him down onto the bed with me. "Alright, YouTube or Netflix?" I ask, setting up my PlayStation and pulling up the apps. "Um Netflix, we could have Friends playing and so if we get sidetracked talking or whatever we wont miss much." He giggles, taking a bite of his macaroni. "You make a valid point" I tell him, starting up Netflix and quickly searching Friends. We sit there silently watching and eating, but its not awkward only; comfortable. The only sounds that fill the room are that of the show and the low giggles escaping Ashton's lips, I can't help but take in every detail of this beautiful boy. The dimples on his cheeks are more prominent now that he's laughing and I can't help but gape at his beauty. "Luuuuuuke," his voice cuts me out of my thoughts as he waves his hand in front of my face. "Earth to Luke," I shake my head clearing my thoughts. "What?" I try to play it off, knowing full well that I'm failing miserably. "You zoned out man," he laughs "I feel like you're staring straight into my soul." He tells me, humor blazes in his eyes. "I uh- I'm sorry-" he cuts me off, "you weren't checking me out were you?" He playfully gasps.