the hammock (lashton au) hiatus

Chapter 16

Dedicated to LiamReedus because make it last

When Luke wakes up at 3 am to what he can only perceive as sandpaper licking his cheek, in a bed that is not his own, his initial reaction is to freak the fuck out.

"What the fuck?" he yells, bringing up an arm to swipe whatever is on him off. When the suspected sandpaper monster lets out a broken meow Luke instantly shots straight up on the bed. A sleeping Ashton who was clinging to his side is roused from his sleep. He groans, sleepy reaching out for Luke. "What're you doin'? Go back to sleep." He huffs still mostly asleep.

"Ashton." Luke whispers calmly, "Not to alarm you but I think there's a stray cat dying on your floor."

That seems to catch the disgruntled boys attention as all the sleepiness leaves him, replaced by the frantic need to make sure his new pet is okay.

"Kylie?" He shouts, stumbling out of the bed to turn on a light. When the room is enveloped in the dull light of Ashton's desk lamp Ashton's eyes dart around before landing on the injured animal as Luke stares in shock from his place on the bed. Ashton drops to his knees and gently picks up the small kitten from it's spot on the floor. As the curly haired boy inspects the kitten, the animal releases a mewl of pain when he grabs her left front paw.

"Aw bubby. Did the mean man hit you? I'm sorry baby. It's okay." He soothes in a voice one would use when talking to a baby. He turns to glare at Luke as he continues shushing the pet. "Don't worry, Kylie. When we wake up in the morning mean old Mr.Luke is going to drive you all the way to the pet hospital in Erkensville. He's even going to pay for it like the saint he is, aren't you Lukey?"

The blonde in question groans falling back into the mattress. "Erkensville is like 2 hours away. And since when do you have a cat? Don't you think that the kind of thing you tell somebody before you invite them into your room. "The way I got a new cat so dont freak out if something is standing on your chest licking your face at 3 am in the goddamn morning." How hard is that?"

The scowl on Ashton's face deepens. "First of all, I'm not the one who probably broke her paw. Secondly, I was tired and distracted by us making up. There's no need to be a major asshole right now or you can sleep on the couch. Besides, I'm sure Kylie doesn't want to be assaulted anymore."

Luke rolls his eyes at his friends standoffish behavior. "Why are we even arguing again? It's just a cat."

"Just a cat--!" Ashton exclaims, preparing to go off on a tangent again.

"Ashton."

"Sorry. Just apologize and we'll be fine. We just made up, I don't want to fight again." The boy says. He stands up with the sad kitten in his arms and walks back to the bed, stopping on the edge to over the animal to Luke. The blonde pats the cat on the head shortly. "I'm sorry I may or may not have broken your paw. You scared me, mate." The kitten purrs at the contact, nudging its head into the boys palm causing a chuckle to escape his lips. "Don't go gettin all cuddly on me, I still don't like cats."

Ashton scoffs at that. "Yeah okay pal. You keep telling yourself that. In the meantime can we please go to back to bed. A certain someone I know has to drive two hours in the morning and I dont want to die because they fall asleep behind the wheel."

"Shut up, Ashton." A small meow comes from the end of the bed. "You too, Pipsqueak."

********

"Turn it down! She has sensitive ears!"

"Sorry! I can't hear you over all this good music!"

Ashton's glare burns into the side of Luke's face as the blonde dangerously fist pumps to a song while driving. "This is a terrible song anyways. Why do you even have this? I expect better from your music taste."

Luke's head snaps to gape at Ashton so fast Ashton thinks he might get whiplash. "Did you just dis Florence Welch?" Ashton crosses his arms and stares out of the front window. "Well I didn't compliment her."

Luke shakes his head in disapproval at Ashton. He ignores the sad little mewls coming from the carrier in the backseat as he turns the music up. "Florence is amazing. You should be disgusted with yourself."

Ashton's mouth twitched. A bitter smile fought to spread across his face.

I am. He thought to himself but let out a half assed huff at Luke's words.

**********

"So that should be about it boys. Just make sure she doesn't get wet for the time that it's on and you'll be fine. Im going to set up a check up appointment for next week today. The receptionist will give you a paper with all the details on it as you leave. Is there any other questions concerns?"

Ashton shakes his head. The vet stands up. "Well in that case, have a nice day and thank you for choosing us." The vet nods and exits the room as Ashton stands to follow him, carrying a spent Kylie with him.

When he arrives in the waiting room Luke is hunched over his phone. He doesn't even notice Ashton walk in. When the shorter boy covers the blondes eyes from behind and lowers his voice comically to say "Come with me. Don't say a word and no one gets hurt.", the boy leaps into the air whipping around with wide eyes and a raised fist. Ashton barely has enough time to get a hold of Kylie before she falls to the floor.

"Woah. Easy tiger. I was just kidding. You were buried in your phone. What's so important?" He chuckles. Luke calm's down and rolls his eyes at the boy. "No one." he mumbles. "So how'd it go with Furball?"

"Oh so it's a someone? Ooo Lukey, you dog." Ashton laughs. "I don't know how it was why don't we ask Kylie?" He lifts the kitten up by his face. "How do you think it was Kylie?"he asks the kitten. He moves her tiny body infront of his face and heightens his voice. "Well Wuke. I think it went pwetty alwight. They gave me this cast but I'll wive" "Kylie" says.

"Im so done with you." Luke sighs but theres a fond look in his eyes and a smile on his lips. "C'mon I have plans tonight so I'm dropping you off at your house. We can hang tomorrow alright?"

Ashton deflates a little but nods despite the fake smile on his face. He'd assumed that Luke would be staying again since they just made up but apparently not.

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sorry for how short it is.

iM SO HAPPY MY AUNT BASICALLY JUST GAVE ME HER ACOUSTIC THAT SHE NEVER USES AND ITS IN GREAT CONDITION AND SHE SAID I CAN BORROW IT FOR AS LONG AS I WANT BECAUSE SHE FORGOT HOW TO PLAY.

what do you want to happen next chapter? i already have a n idea but thats just one thing.

KYLIE IS ON THE SIDE.