Ashton

The beast was in the bathtub, one of his servants (a coatrack) was washing him and rubbing his back on places he couldn't reach, while that two brooms were 'talking on a corner - maybe figuring out how they would fix Ashton's fur, hair?

''Tonight is the night!'' Calum said, walking in the room with Michael and a bright smile on his face ''We're not going to be human again, at least tonight, but other good thing is about to happen!''

''I-I don't think I can do this.'' he said, watching Michael climbing next to Ashton's face ''It will be weird and I'll mess up, probably he w-''

He was interrupted when Michael slapped him. It didn't even hurt actually, his tiny hand felt like a kitten hitting you with their paw to get your attention. Michael had a frustrated look on his face while Calum just laughed.

''Listen here, Ashton.'' he started and held up his left hand ''Everything is going to be fine and you are going to make his night, you're not going to mess up and you are going to be polite, a gentleman and a fucking prince for him. Are you listening to me?''

Ashton stared at him wide eyed, Michael never spoke that way to him. The clock sighed deeply and closed his eyes, rubbing his right hands where is temples are supposed to be. He looked at Ashton and then Calum blushing.

''I-I'm sorry, I never act like this. I just want them to be together so hard...''

Calum let out a chuckle, being followed by Ashton. The beast got out of the tub and sat in front of the mirror, the brooms behind him grabbing brushes and scissors to cut his hair. One of them grabbed part of it and cut it multiple times while the other took out some acessories and saw a book with images. Ashton thought it was useless, obvisouly there are no hairstyles for a beast.

''Everything will be okay!'' Calum spoke in a high voice ''There will be slow, romantic music to set the mood. Romantic candlelight, provided by me, myself. Adn when the time comes you tell him you love him! Simple as that!''

''It's not that simple! I can't just go up to him and- and- I just- I can't do it. I'm skipping.''

''No you're not.'' Michael said, climbing onto the furninture ''Everything will be fine as long and you are polite and a gentleman. After all, you love him don't you?''

Ashton sighed ''I do.''

The broom finished the hairstyle, Ashton's hair was covered in bows and pig-tails. There were rolls where his bird was supposed to be and a pink bow with a butterfly in there. He was shocked, he looked so...

''Stupid.'' he spoke, Calum tried to contain his laughter but it was obivous he couldn't handle it.

''You don't look stupid you look... hum... I can't find the word. Janette, cut more in uh everywhere!'' said Michael.

The broom kept cutting while they talked. Some hairstyles just got worse than the first one - maybe there were too much pony tails with sparkly bows.

***

Luke

The blonde was walking around in panic, the only suit the wardrobe had didn't fit him, it was too big. The jacket was okay, it fit him well but the pants were too large.

"Here it is!" the wardrobe said, Luke turned around and smiled when he saw pants that probably fit him "This used to belong to Ashton, I'm sure it will fit you.''

Luke walked to the wardrobe and grabbed the pants. He dressed them and walked to the large mirror on the left side of the room. The boy adjusted his jacket and looked at himself in the mirror, smiling slightly when liking his appearence. He was never one to be cocky or confident - or looking at himself on the mirror for a good time like some people do, but he actually liked it this time.

''Do you think he will think I look good?'' Luke asked the wardrobe who was watching with a fond look. Luke turned around and cleaned a bit of powder out of his jacket ''Do I look like an asshole?''

The wardrobe chuckled and shook it's 'head', Luke laughed quietly and someone knocked on the door making the two turn their heads to it. The door opened and Michael put his head out before showing his whole body- The clock cleared his throat, putting an arm behind his back and took a bow.

''Ashton is ready.''

Luke gulps, his mouth dry due to being nervous. He walked to the door and waved at the wardrobe before closing it. He followed on a different way than he was used to, they were going to the East side of the castle where Luke isn't, apparently, allowed. When he saw the familiar staircase memories came to his head, Ashton's screams and roars for him to go away - the panic and the fear of dying. They walked to the door and turned to the left, where there was light coming out of a room.

''Have a good dinner.'' Michael whispered to Luke and hugged his leg before walking away.

He walked in and Ashton had his back turned to him, probably didn't hear Luke coming. The beast had a braid on his back, with a red bow on it. the jacket covering his was red as well, golden in the end with a white shirt sticking out of the glove part. Luke chuckled, it reminded him of a Gryffindor, but it's not time for Harry Potter reminders.

Ashton turned around when hearing the small laugh, a gigantic smile growing on his face as he looked at Luke. The blonde had his hair flat against his forehead, the tie was a little messed up but God, he just looked so good.

''Y-You look perfect.'' Ashton breathed out ''Really, really beautiful.''

Luke smiled shyly and looked down blushing ''Thank you, you look very handsome too, Ashton.''

Ashton smiled and grabbed Luke's hand ''Let's eat?''

Luke nodded his head and let Ashton walk him to his seat. The beast pushed the chair back and let Luke sit on it before pushing it to the front again. He walked to his seat and sat down at the end of the table. The fireplace was lit up so it was quite warm on the room, plus, Calum was at the center of the table with his face turned to Ashton (maybe he would warn him when Ashton was being too harsh, or saying too much).

The candle opened its eyes and moved its head slightly. Calum whispered to Ashton to talk to him, the silence was too weird.

''So... what's your favourite cartoon?''

If Calum wasn't cringing before he surely was now.

''My... my favourite cartoon?'' Luke repeated.

''Y-Yeah?'' the beast said awkwardly ''I'm sorry, I'm not good at this... You probably want to-''

''Stay here and have a nice and wonderful dinner with you? Yes I would, I'd love to.'' Luke said ''Why are you scared?''

Ashton looked down and suddenly there were tears in his eyes. No, he couldn't do that, he couldn't just start crying in the middle of a dinner date with the boy of his dreams. He sighed deeply, shaking away the memories, pretending it never happened.

''I don't want to talk about it.''

Luke nodded ''Okay, I understand. Tell me whenever you're ready, I'm not going to force you.''

Just perfect.

''What's your favourite colour?'' Ashton asked, after a few seconds of awkward silence.

''I personally don't have one but I'd go with... red or orange?'' Luke said ''Not those ugly ones, the Autumn red and orange.''

''I suppose that's your favourite season.''

''Yeah, kinda. Everything is the same to me, but you're just hotter or colder. What's your favourite colour?''

''Ocean blue.''

The conversation flew from that point. They talked about everything and anything through the dinner, Ashton even forgot Calum was there and started telling embarassing stories about him. One of the coatracks arrived the room with a violing and started playing some music that Luke seemed to enjoy, it was soft and beautiful. Just like Ashton would describe him.

It's not a possessive-obssessive love, of course not. He just finds Luke so perfect, he's a piece of art, everything Ashton dreamed of. He was in love with the boy and everything he was and if he could be human again then he would cuddle Luke and give him many kisses to show his love. He would say those three words evverytime Luke wanted to hear them and hug him when he wanted - and when he didn't too. But no one would ever love a beast, and that's the main problem.

But all of Ashton's problems went away when he saw Luke dancing by himself and humming to the melody, his eyes were closed and he had a big smile on his face. And that's all Ashton needs right now.

***

Both boys laughed as they walked to the small garden outside. There were orange on the way to the bench where you could see the river and the forest. The maids took care of the garden, but only some fo them could do it now since, well, the curse happened. Ashton still blamed himself because, after all, it was his fault but he tried not to think about it too much.

They sat down on the bench, the 'dog' following behind them wanting Luke to pet it. After doing so, the 'dog' walked awayand left them both alone. Luke grabbed Ashton's big hands an looked at the moon reflection on the river. Ashton did the same thing, the silence between them was comforting and familiar, not a bad thing.

''Luke, can I ask you something?'' Ashton hesitantly asked, Luke looked at him in the eyes and nodded with a sweet smile ''Are you happy here with me?''

Luke hesitated before replying ''Yes, yes I am. But I just...''

''What's wrong?''

''I-I just wanted to see Ben. He is all alone and has no one besides, I wanted to see him. Just once. I miss him so much.''

Ashton looked down, sad that he couldn't help. But then he remembered he had a thign that could help. ''Come with me.''

The boys walked through the silent castle until reaching the East Wing. Luke was confused when Ashton brought himt here, he thought it was a private section that he could not get in, like the Algebra club in school.

Everything still looked the same, the roses were there and everything was out of place, even the paint was still there with human Ashton. He was beautiful, handsome - every compliment in the world wouldn't be enough to describe it. The picture didn't have colour but Luke suspects his hair used to be sandy blonde since that's the colour fo his fur. He looked to his right and saw Ashton coming with something in his hand, it was wrapped up in rags. Ashton took off the rags and it was a white mirror.

''This is a nice mirror.'' Luke said awkwardly, still not understanding why Ashton showed him that. Maybe it was a childhood memory?

''No no, it's not a regular mirror.'' He hands Luke the mirror, who hans a tight grip on it so it doesn't fall easily ''This mirror shows you everything you want, everything your heart desires to see, you can. I want you to see your brother and be with him even if it's not physically.''

Luke nodded and stared at his reflection in the mirror ''I want to see my brother.''

The mirror let out a yellow light and Luke turned his head away to avoid getting blind. Ashton covered his eyes with his arm, it was too suddenly. He kneeled down next to Luke and looked at the mirror, the image was starting to show.

''Arrgh, my eyes.'' Luke opened his eyes and looked at the white mirror.

He wasn't seeing his reflection anymore Now, instead of him in the mirror there was Ben in the middle of the woods, he was probably lost and coughing. The clothes were glued to his body from how wet they were, the carried a bag and a hat. It was an horrible vision, especially for Luke.

''He-he's going to die.'' the blonde breathed out, he started shaking and crying ''He's going to die and I can't do anything about it!''

''L-Luke It's fine I-''

He couldn't bear it, he couldn't bear seeing Luke in tears and shaking like there was no tomorrow. Ashton switched his look between the white roses and Luke. If he wanted to be human again he had to keep Luke here, and Luke would be safe here instead of outside.

''You can go.'' he spoke on a dry voice.

''W-What? What do you mean?'' Ashton looked at him with a knowing look ''I'm free? You're going to let me go?''

Ashton nodded, his expression turning to a frown. Luke walked to him and hugged him tight. Ashton felt tears threatening to fall from his eyes, but he couldn't show himself weak, not now.

''Thank you'' Luke's muffled voice said ''Thank you so much.'' He pulled away and Ashton looked at him one last time.

Luke was going to give the mirror to Ashton but the beast pushed it back to him.

''Take it'' he said ''I want you to keep it as a memory, a way of remembering me. Whenever you want to see something you can take it. I don't need it, I don't have anything to see.'' Ashton put his finger on Luke's cheek and caressed it, looking at him in the eyes and speaking with a broke voice ''Tell me you're going to be okay.''

Luke nodded various times, tears falling from his eyes ''I promise, Irwie.''

Ashton motioned for him to go and Luke walked away running. Calum and Michael walked in with big smiles on their faces. The objects noticed soemthing was off, Ashton wasn't okay an neither was Luke, they could see it now.

''Ash... why did you let him go?'' Michael asked, almost on a whisper.

Ashton sighed and cleaned his tears. He walked to the rose and stared at it for a few seconds before looking at his friends sadly.

''Because I'm in love with him.''

__________

SUCH A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS TELL ME WHAT YOU THINK  

2340 words NOT COUNTING the author's note, I've been writing this for almost 3 hours omfg (it's currently 4.AM here)

i'm sorry there was no update last week, my anxiety has been hitting me harder than Ashton's hits his drums lately and I needed a break from everything. But I tried to not disappoint you with this chapter, hopefully

Ana's life tips: if those people on movies can start singing out of nowhere then so can I

-ana rita