Romeo and Juliet: Modified , Lashton

The Final Act: Premiere Night

People. That was the first thing Ashton saw when he briefly poked his head through the velvet curtains. They were everywhere. They filled the seats, lined the walls, crowded the balconies, they covered every inch of the auditorium. To say it was terrifying was an understatement. It was the literal definition of fear for Ashton.

His stomach churned with a ferocious anxiety that clawed at his insides. Ashton felt like throwing up his internal organs and then dying because, honestly, he had no idea that the play would be this big of a deal. They were an unknown school in the middle of lower class Sydney, Australia, and yet there were, at least, a good three hundred people here. Some didn't even have seats, they were just pressed up against the wall awaiting for a wonderful performance Ashton was unsure he could give.

He felt his breathing cease and his chest get tight. Ashton leant against the wall, clutching the fabric of his blouse as he closed his eyes and let his head hit the stone behind him. He concentrated on his breathing.

In and out. In and out.

Such simple commands his body was failing to complete.

Ashton was doubting his acting ability now, thinking himself inept. A feeling of abhor for this damned play grew inside him as he scrubbed a hand over his face. He couldn't do this.

What if he messed up his lines?

What if they think he's too ugly?

What if they all hate the mere idea of the play once they see Ashton act?

He was too consumed in his own patronising world of what if's to notice someone coming up beside him.

"Ashton," they whispered, carefully engulfing him in a warm embrace.

Ashton knew who it was from the deep voice to the cinnamon scent to the broad shoulders and calloused hands.

He nuzzled into Luke's chest, his arms wrapping tight around Luke's waist. Ashton inhaled the scent of his boyfriend, a wave of reassurance overcoming him. Just Luke's presence was enough to calm Ashton. It was like all his worried had been squeezed out of him by Luke's tightening hold, as he whispered sweet nothings into Ashton's hair and kissed his head. Ashton felt at peace with the world standing there. Nothing was wrong because Luke was always right.

"Babe, are you okay?" Luke asked in Ashton's ear.

Ashton nodded.

"I...I was scared," He confessed, "Still kinda am."

Luke pulled back. He looked down at Ashton. Luke swept his thumbs underneath Ashton's wide eyes, wiping away the forming tears before they could fully fall down his cheeks. Ashton closed his eyes and leaned into Luke's sweet touch.

"You'll be amazing. Like you always are."

"What if I'm not? What if I mess up?" Ashton questioned, growing worried again.

"You won't." Luke promised as he smiled warmly at his boyfriend.

"H-How do you know? I could ruin the play because I-"

"Ashton," Luke interrupted, giving him a serious face, "Stop. You won't mess up. I know you, okay? I know that you'll be the best part of their week and they'll be so fucking amazed at how stupendous you are. You're great, baby, so don't worry so much."

Ashton bit his lip but nodded, feeling his anxiety somewhat subside.

"Plus, they'll be jealous that I get to kiss such a hot guy tonight." He winked.

Ashton rolled his eyes. He playfully shoved Luke and swung at his arm. Luke caught his wrist and pulled him back in for a kiss. Ashton kissed back but broke it off when Mrs. Hardedge announced they had two minutes till show time.

"You're up first," Ashton said.

"That I am."

Ashton smiled, giving Luke one last kiss.

"Go be great."

***

"What's here? a cup, closed in my true love's hand?
Poison, I see, hath been his timeless end." Ashton spoke his lines, kneeling by Luke's supposedly dead body and gripping the golden cup he had pretended to drink from.

"O churl! Drunk all, and left no friendly drop to help me after? I will kiss thy lips; haply some poison yet doth hang on them, to make die with a restorative."

Ashton ghosted his lips over Luke's and mumbled, "I love you," before kissing him with a caring passion. He could feel Luke smile slightly as his lips pressed themselves onto his, but he ignored it and stayed in character. Ashton them got up and continued his role.

"Thy lips are warm." He muttered, broken hearted.

Ashton heard the other actor speak their lines from off stage and knew it was his cue.

"Yeah, noise? Then I'll be brief."

"O happy dagger!," Ashton took the fake dagger from Luke's belt, "This is thy sheath,"-he unsheathed the plastic covering then pretended to stab himself in the gut, crying out in false agony and pain- " there rust, and let me die."

Ashton fell beside Luke as gracefully yet realistically as possible, slowly pretending to die. He could hear the gasps and sounds of remorse from the audience and relished in them. Then he heard Luke softly whisper to him.

"I love you, too."

***
The audience were astounded with the boy's impeccable acting. They even gave Luke and Ashton a standing ovation. The cumulative applause seemed to appease Ashton. He had acquired a certain alacrity after the eloquent performance they had given. Ashton felt ready to take on the world tonight.

He snaked his arm around Luke's middle, pressing himself into his side right before they took their final bow of the night. Ashton went backstage with an elated smile gracing his features and Luke holding him tightly. It was perfect. Tonight was perfect.

Everything was perfect.

***
So this is the last official chapter of Romeo and Juliet: Modified. (there's going to be a epilogue and smut, thank me later).

I am and have been literally crying over this book because I'm truly amazed at the amount of support and success it had made. Sure, 11K seems like nothing to most writers but, to me, it is something I had never even dreamed to reach. I cannot express my gratitude enough. There's no amount of words in any language in any world or universe that could express the love I have for you all and this book. So I will simplify it all by saying:

Thank you. I will love you until I am no longer here, and then some.

Don't forget to Stay Lovely. XXX- Hayley