Te Amo

17~Safety Pin

We'll safety pin the pieces of our broken hearts back together
Patching up all the holes until we both feel much better

“I need to see the chief of police, now!” Ashton yelled once the three of them had arrived at the station. Four, technically as Anne had been trudging slowly behind without any of them noticing.

“Excuse me, what are your names?” The lady at the front desk asked.

“Ashton Irwin. Luke did this to me! You have the wrong guy!” Ashton yelled, having no patience.

“Okay. I’ll bring Sergeant Hemmings out to see you.”

Ashton sighed and leaned back in his chair.

“Wait, Hemmings?” Ashton shot up in realisation. “Shit.”

“Language.” Joy scolded.

“But it's-”

Before Ashton could finish his sentence, the familiar face of Luke’s father walked into the room.

“Ashton Irwin,” he spoke in a monotone yet stern voice.

Joy wheeled Ashton into the room Sergeant Hemmings was gesturing to while the nurse sat outside. Anne tried to follow but she was stopped by the front desk lady whom received many curse words in return.

“You have the wrong guy!” Ashton yelled.

“Ma’am, can you give us some privacy?” Sergeant Hemmings asked Joy who quickly obliged. But not before she could sneak in a little flip off be had thankfully missed.

“No, you see, we have hard evidence showing he was the one who did this to you. We also have theories as to why.”

“Michael’s my boyfriend! He wouldn’t do this! It was Luke!”

“Do you have proof it was Luke?”

“I saw him! I heard him! He texted my phone!”

“Doctor’s said you were legally dead for three minutes so clearly these injuries were at a high extent, yes?”

“Yeah I-I guess, but-”

“So you were distraught. It could’ve been Michael. You don’t have any proof it was Luke.”

“You don’t have any proof it was Michael!”

“His fingerprints were found on the weapon and he was the only other person on the scene of the crime.”

“I’m telling you! It wasn’t Michael!”

“Look, I’m commissioner of the NSW Police. Even if it wasn’t Michael, no son of mine is going to jail.” Sergeant Hemmings sneered coldly.

“Wha- That’s conflict of interest!” Ashton shouts.

“I’ll see you in court.”

“You can’t do this!”

“Have a good day.”

Weeks rolled by and soon, the day of the hearing was upon them. To say Michael was terrified was a huge understatement. He had false evidence against him that could lead him to a life sentence. The commissioner was also Luke’s father, according to Ashton so even if Michael was proved not guilty, Luke would still roam the streets a free man. That thought really scared him. He’d go after Ashton again. Luke was dangerous- how couldn’t the Sergeant see that?

Michael sighed and tried adjusting his tie in the mirror, giving up when his shaky fingers couldn’t even get a proper grip.

“No, I’ll be fine. You can’t come in anyway, mum.”

Michael jumped when he heard the familiar voice and a nervous smile spread across his face. Ashton walked in, hobbling on one crutch.

“Michael!” Ashton grinned.

“Ashy,” Michael sighed in relief, some of his nerves washing away from him.

“How’s your ankle?” Ashton asked softly.

Michael chuckled slightly. “It’s much better. I can walk on it now. What about you? How’s your… everything?”

Ashton smiles softly. “Had my surgery on my knee a while ago so it’s a bit better but not great. I’m supposed to get my stitches out today but I’m here.”

Michael sighed and looked at the older boy. His navy blue jeans were rolled up on one leg to leave ventilation for his bandaged knee. One of the buttons in the middle of his shirt was unbuttoned leaving his stark white bandage slightly exposed. The arm that wasn’t draped over a crutch was loosely hanging in a sling. The bruises on his face had cleared up but he still looked exhausted. He couldn’t even imagine what pain Ashton must’ve went through. Michael began to tear up at the sight of all his boyfriend’s injuries.

“Mikey, don’t cry. You’re not guilty. You have nothing to worry about. It’s gonna be alright.” Ashton whispered.

“No it’s not-” Michael sighed. “I know. But I don’t wanna lose you.”

“You won’t lose me,” Ashton replied, tearing up slightly. “But if things do go south, I’ll come and visit you whenever I can. I promise. I won’t leave you.”

Michael smiled and rested a shakily rebuttoned Ashton's shirt, Ashton smiling weakly in reply. Ashton stood up straighter and dropped his crutch, Michael watching in confusion and concern as he did so. Ashton took a small step closer to Michael, trying to hide his wince. Ashton grabbed Michael’s hand and pulled him closer.

Ashton stood up straighter and dropped his crutch, Michael watching in confusion and concern as he did so. Ashton took a small step closer to Michael, trying to hide his wince. Ashton grabbed Michael’s hand and pulled him closer. Michael draped his arm around Ashton’s waist and leaned in slowly, their faces millimetres apart. Ashton smiled softly, his eyes fluttering shut when Michael’s lips smashed onto his, kissing him deeply. Michael closed his eyes and softly placed his hand on Ashton’s cheek, leaning more into the kiss. Ashton’s chest rested softly on Michael’s, his arm awkwardly trapped in between, even though neither of them cared. Ashton grunted softly into the kiss before pulling away.

Ashton giggled. “Sorry. I just really need to pee.”

Michael giggled and picks up the crutch that was lying on the floor. “Need any help?”

“No, I think I’ll be alright.”

“I’ll wait for you here. Call if you need anything.” Michael whispered.

Ashton smiles and nods and hobbles to an empty cubicle.

Before long, Ashton was done and the two were ready to leave.

“I love you,” Michael whispered.

“I love you more,” Ashton smiled.

“I’ll miss you.”

“You’re not going to jail.”

“I might-”

“You’re not going to jail.”

Michael leaned in and kissed Ashton once more. It wasn’t a long kiss but long enough to show proper emotion. Once they pulled away, Ashton adjusted Michael’s tie slightly.

“You look handsome,” Ashton sighed, his voice cracking slightly in the middle.

“Do I?” Michael smiled nervously, “I could say the same about you.”

Ashton giggled before the two slowly left the bathroom, a police officer standing in front of Michael and softly talked to him. Ashton tried to eavesdrop but couldn’t quite understand it before Michael was escorted away and into the court.

Anne slowly walked up behind Ashton and hugged him from behind.

“It’s all gonna be alright. He’s not guilty.” Anne whispered.

“I know,” Ashton replied, wiping a stray tear from his eye. “I know.”