Listen ➶ m.c & a.i

0.2

   It was possibly the second worst night of Ashton's life. He was plagued with terrible nightmares and couldn't sleep after them. It always ended up with him getting mugged in the same alley the man sneering over him before pressing the cold metal of the gun to his head before 'bang' and that's when he awoke in a cold sweat. It seemed silly to be afraid of a person you've never met but somehow this all felt too familiar and he instantly blocked his train of thought, he did not want to think about that tonight, not ever.

        Knowing he wasn't going to preform well for work, hell he could hardly make it to his kitchen, he had texted Josh saying that he was sick. He knew Josh would question this since he seemed fine yesterday, but Ashton would tell him what really happened, his friend would probably come to check up on him later that day anyways. Too afraid to sleep, he rested on the sofa quietly watching TV while snacking on some crackers he found in his cupboards.

        Ashton always refused to remember his past, but on some days it seemed to creep up on him. He could feel the hands ghosting on his body and he felt repulsed to the point that he took a hot shower. No amount of scrubbing could rid him of the disgust he always felt. Ashton wished he had moved to New York earlier, but circumstances weren't in his favor, therefore he had stayed longer than he intended. Actually, he was still paying hospital bills that he could barely keep enough money for food it was frustrating considering he never asked for it.

        Ashton laid on his bed wondering what he was going to do when Josh came over he couldn't tell him his past he knew how that always worked out. Josh would probably fire him and then Ashton wouldn't be able to keep up and would probably end up homeless and in debt.

'Maybe it will be different this time' he kept repeating to himself, but life didn't work that way it was always making you second guess yourself. He would just tell Josh that he was nearly killed in that alley yesterday and almost assaulted. That had Ashton shivering in disgust he curled up into a ball and force himself to not think about it.

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Josh came around 6 pm after work. The older boy knew where the spare key to Ashton's apartment was so he just let himself in. Josh was worried of course, when he spotted Ashton curled up in a ball eyes shut tight whimpering. He knew he was having a nightmare and that he couldn't wake him up, it's what his mom had taught him. So he just curled around the younger boy and caressed his hair. This was normal, which Josh felt it shouldn't have been, Ashton always had rough nights consisting of nightmares and that's when he would call Josh over. The eldest didn't mind helping him since he was his friend.

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When Ashton awoke, he found Josh snuggled into him and he felt somewhat better being next to him. Josh was snoring quietly, he had probably covered Ashton's shift that day and the curly haired boy felt bad. Trying not to wake him, he got out of bed and headed to the kitchen. Ashton decided  to prepare some tea since that was the easiest thing to do at the moment.

        When he returned Josh was still sleeping peacefully  and Ashton almost didn't want to wake him but the tea would get cold soon.

"Josh.." Ashton whispered prodding his side.

Josh let out a grumbling huff which probably meant 'fuck off' in sleep language.

"Awe c'mon mate I didn't make this tea for nothing" ashton replied frowning.

Josh slowly opened his eyes revealing his blue eyes " Alright then give it here" he said making grabby hands at the cup on the side table. Ashton snorted and brought the cup to his friends awaiting grasp.

Once the cup was in Josh's grasp he was starting to come out of his sleep haze "So Ash doesn't seem to me that your sick is there something wrong or did you just want me to work today?" Josh said quickly adding "if so that was a real dick move."

Ashton  shook his head sitting cross legged on the bed holding his mug to his chest "Look yesterday I was coming home from work taking the path like a usually do, yeah?" Josh nodded furrowing his eyebrows.

"Well as I was passing by the alley someone creep dragged me into it and nearly shot my head off, luckily he didn't seem interested enough to pursue any other activities.." the boy said swallowing.

Josh looked shocked " 'M so sorry Ash I had no idea" he replied bringing the smaller boy to his chest.

        They sat like that for a couple of minutes, Josh whispering soothing words to Ashton as he sobbed into his shirt. It was rare for him to cry in front of people he was more likely to cry by himself and Josh knew this so it had him worried.

"Ash did he say anything else? Or did you see how he looked?"

Ashton sniffled quietly and replied " He told me he would find me and finish what he started and no I didn't it was too dark."

Josh nodded and let out a sigh "Well do you think you find another route home? Preferably one with more people that way that man can't find you."

Ashton let out a small quiet sigh " Yeah that seems doable it might make me a little late to work though."

Josh just nodded in understanding " "S fine Ash the other boys might be a little pissed but I just want to make sure you stay safe as well. "

        With that said in done Josh told Ashton if he had any problems to call him and that he would see him tomorrow. When Josh left the curly haired boy lay on his bed hugging his pillow, staring at the white wall. He didn't know how he was going to handle tomorrow at work he was counting on that Calum and Jaime would be pretty mad at him and he didn't want that. With another day lost, he just went to sleep trying to forget about everything.

Each chapter is around 1k to 2k words so I hope that is a decent amount. I know this isn't as popular but I feel like updating a lot so keep an eye out I guess? I hope everyone who is reading this is enjoying it so far I mean I've been putting a lot of my time into this story and I would appreciate some feedback or maybe even a vote would be fine(:  I'm not posting a chapter after a certain amount of votes and whatnot so don't be worried or anything so there's that.

Have a lovely day xX CaptainAsh