Based off of Fall Out Boy's song, "Just One Yesterday"

dedicated to 5sosandfood for making the adorable cover!

-----------------------------------------------------------

"Luke, we're out of milk!" Ashton called, shutting the fridge in dissapointment.

"So we'll go shopping tomorrow!" Luke called back.

Ashton frowned. He had just poured a bowl of cereal, he was not going to wait for tomorrow because that day always took forever to come.

"But Luke, we need to go now!" Ashton whined. "I'm hungry!"

"It's almost midnight Ash," Luke sighed and got up from the couch to walk to the kitchen. He leaned against the doorframe. "Ask a neighbor."

"No I hate doing that." Ashton said grumpily. "Please can we just go shopping? We need some other things as well."

Luke finally gave in. "Fine, but you're paying."

Ashton giggled and ran to the car. "Last one there has to pay!"

Luke climbed in beside him. "Your face has to pay!" Ashton frowned. "That was uncalled for."

"Your face was uncalled for."

"How old are you and why didn't you let me join?" Ashton pouted as he drove to the 24/7 grocery store.

"Because someone had to drive."

They pulled into the lot of the store and climbed out.

Luke shivered at the cold night winds and Ashton let him share his coat.

"Okay, what do we need besides milk?" Luke asked as they walked down the aisles.

"I lied, milk was the only thing we needed." Ashton giggled.

Luke gasped. "Pure. Evil."

Ashton got the milk and they checked out.

The temperature had dropped and they both ran to the car to avoid frostbite.

Luke tugged on the handle. "Unlock it Ash!"

On the other side, Ashton peered through the window to see the car keys sitting on the drivers seat.

"Shit."

"What?" Luke came over to investigate. "Why the hell did you lock the keys in the car?" Luke exclaimed.

"I didn't! You did!" Ashton said, hugging himself to keep warm.

"You were the one driving!" Luke argued.

As they were fighting, a man in black ran up to them.

"Can you help me please?" The man gasped out. I need some help."

"Oh my God, of course." Luke said in concern. "What's wrong?"

Ashton frowned at the man and put his hand on Lukes arm to keep him from walking up to the stranger.

"My cars back there and my daughter, she's just turned two, is in the backseat. I was running into the store quick and I locked my keys in the car. Do you have a phone on you I can use?"

"We literally did the same thing." Luke said, pulling out his phone. "Here, you can use my phone. Let me unlock it for you."

"Luke..." Ashton had been watching the man, who didn't look panicked at all, and noticed his hand had been hidden behind his back the whole time.

"Here." Luke handed his phone to the man.

"Luke no!" Ashton grabbed at Luke, but the man was quicker.

The man grabbed Luke's outstretched arm and yanked the smaller boy to him.

Luke gasped and the phone fell to the pavement, skidding under the car.

The man turned Luke around and held the shaking boy to his chest. His other hand came into view, and it was holding a knife.

"Don't move." The man warned Ashton, holding the knife to Luke's neck.

Luke whimpered and tried to pull the mans arm off him.

Ashton stared at Luke, his shaky breaths visible in the cold night. "Please don't. I'll give you whatever you want."

"Give me your money." The man demanded. "All of it."

Ashton carefully set the milk down and reached into his pocket slowly to pull out his wallet. "Here, you can have it."

He handed it over and the man snatched it, nearly cutting Ashton's hand.

He dug through it and cursed. "This isn't enough! I need three hundred dollars by tomorrow!"

Luke cried out as the knife dug into his skin slightly. "Ashton..."

"Stop! I'm sorry, that's all I have." Ashton pleaded. "Don't hurt him, he's all I have."

"Well I have nothing." The man snapped.

"I can get you some money." Ashton said, his eyes brimming with tears when he saw a small trickle of blood run down Luke's neck, dripping into a stain on his shirt.

"It's almost midnight, you can't me enough by then." The man growled. His grip on Luke tightened, the knife cutting deeper into Luke's skin. "No one can save me, and no one can save him."

And he ripped the blade across Luke's throat before stabbing himself.

"No!" Ashton cried, falling to his knees as Luke's body crumpled to the ground in front of him.

"Luke!" Ashton sobbed crawling over and pulling Luke to him. "No no no, not my Lukey..."

He held Luke's head in his hands, staring down into Luke's lifeless eyes. They were normally blue, but now were just a dull gray.

Ashton cried as he carefully closed them, unable to look anymore. He cradled Luke close, sobbing into the stained red shirt.

"This is all my fault." Ashton whispered. "He's dead because of me...this...this is all my fault." His tears dripped onto Luke's face and Ashton kissed them away. "I'm so sorry Luke, I'm so so sorry. I'd trade all my tomorrow's for just one yesterday."

He hugged Luke close and the blood dripped onto his clothes as well.

He didn't know how long he sat there, just crying into Luke's hair. His clock on his phone beeped, letting him know it was midnight.

Then it was silent again.

Ashton sniffed and pulled back. He was numb and not from the cold.

"Did you mean that?" A voice asked and Ashton jumped.

He twisted around, holding Luke closer. "Who are you?"

Fog gathered at the feet of a figure that was walking up to him. Leaves skittered across the pavement, and the figures feet crunched over to them. He stopped in front Ashton.

"Someone who can help." Figure said. He looked down at Luke from under his cloak.

Ashton wrinkled his nose at the smell of sulfur in the air.

Figure knelt down and traced his finger across Luke's face. Ashton watched him. His tears had frozen on his face but he still didn't bother wiping them away. "You can help me?" Ashton questioned.

Figure nodded. He smiled at the slim cut around Luke's neck. "Your friend, was he murdered?"

Ashton nodded, a fresh wave of tears spilling over.

"Did you mean what you said? About giving up all your tomorrow's to go back to yesterday?" Figure asked and Ashton shivered as the temperature dropped yet again.

"I did. It was my fault Luke's gone. I just want him back." Ashton buried his face in Lukes chest and hugged the cold body tighter.

"I can bring him back for you."

Ashton snapped his head up. "W-what?"

Figure pulled his hood back, revealing nothing. Not a face or a skeleton.

Ashton recoiled a little. "What the hell?!"

"I can bring your friend back to life, for a price of course." This time, his voice sounded like a whisper in the wind.

"How?" Ashton's heart pounded.

The cloak dropped to the ground. A black cloud floated there for a moment, before shooting up into the air and plummeting straight down into the body of the man who had killed himself and Luke.

Ashton watched with wide eyes as the man slowly sat up. His eyes were all black.

The man stood up and looked down at his chest, where blood was still leaking out. He touched the hole with his finger and Ashton gasped as the hole closed over.

"That's better." The man said. He smiled. "Its chilly out here! Where I'm from, it's always scorching." He laughed.

"You...you can help Luke?" Ashton asked. "How?"

"His soul is still alive." The man reached into the man's coat and pulled out a necklace. A small orb hung at the end of it and Ashton could see a silver cloud form bouncing around in it.

"I can return his soul to his body, and he will live again."

Ashton jumped up and reached for the necklace, but the man pushed him back and held the necklace out of reach. "All things have a price, especially this."

"What? I'll pay anything!" Ashton cried.

The man smiled. "I'll take you up on what you said. Give up all your tomorrow's, for one more yesterday."

Ashton watched as the man swung the necklace back and forth. "In other words, I'll bring your friend back to life if you give me your soul in his place."

Ashton's first reaction was to say no, but he looked down to Luke, laying on the cold ground. He was the reason his best friend was dead.

Ashton hung his head. "Okay."

"Excellent!" The man grinned wildly. "You have 24 hours. At midnight tomorrow, I'll be at your door for your soul."

He snapped the orb off the necklace and cracked it on the floor.

The silver cloud immediately burst out and shot to Luke's body.

Ashton watched in horror and hope as the cloud disappeared into Luke's heart. Slowly, the cut across Luke's neck faded.

"Remember, you can't hide from the Devil." The man whispered, before disappearing into a cloud of black smoke.

Ashton dropped to Luke's side. "Luke? Lukey?" He shook his arm.

Luke groaned and blinked his eyes open. "Ashy?"

Ashton burst into tears and pulled Luke into him, hugging the weak boy tighter than he ever had before. "Oh Luke..."

"What happened? Why am I on the ground?" Luke asked. He shivered. "Its freezing out here! Lets get out of this parking lot."

Ashton sniffed and helped Luke stand. "Im sorry I locked the keys in the car. You're right, it's my fault."

"Told ya." Luke teased, wrapping his hand around Ashton's. "Lets just run home." He patted his pockets. "Hey, where's my phone?"

"I got it babe." Ashton kissed Luke's cheek before dropping to the ground and reaching under the car for Luke's phone.

He gasped when he felt a cold, slimey hand grab his.

The man held Luke's phone out and placed it in Ashton's hand. "24 hours." He whispered, and he was gone again.

Ashton shivered and stood up. "Here baby." He handed the phone over. He noticed Luke shivering and he shrugged off his coat, pulling it over Luke's shoulders.

Luke frowned. "You're going to freeze!"

Ashton grabbed his hand and they started walking home. "Your life is more important than mine."

Luke gasped and stopped. "No! No it's not! You are way more important than me!"

Ashton kissed Luke's cheek. "You have no idea how important you are to me. Please just wear the coat."

Luke sighed but zipped it up. "Fine. But I'm taking care of you when we get home."

-

By the time they arrived home, Ashton's lips were blue and he was leaning heavily on Luke, shivering uncontrollably.

Luke quickly shut the door behind him and guided him to the bath. "Im going to make you some hot chocolate and soup. You take a hot bath and then we can cuddle in front of the fire, okay?"

Ashton nodded best he could and sat in the bath, too cold to even think about taking off his clothes.

Luke turned the water on to the hottest temperature and kissed Ashton long and hard before running down to the kitchen to prepare the food.

Upstairs, Ashton shivered as the hot water filled up the tub. The water was scorching but all Ashton felt was numb.

He wondered if he would ever be warm again.

Someone knocked on the door before opening it and Luke stepped in. "Here you go." He set a tray of soup and hot chocolate down on the side of the tub.

"T-t-thanks." Ashton reached for the hot chocolate and drank it with shaky hands.

Luke looked at the ground. "I'm sorry."

Ashton looked up at him. "For what?"

"I was selfish. I took your jacket when you clearly needed it." Luke bit his lip.

Ashton sighed and set the cup down. "I gave it to you dumbass. But if you want to make it up to me, I'm really looking forward to cuddling by the fire." He smiled.

Luke sat on the ground in front of Ashton and held the other boys hands, keeping them under the water. He watched as his pale skin turned red from the heat of the water. "Still. You mean so much to me, and I feel like a douche for making you so cold."

Ashton looked at their hands and swished them in the water. "I love you."

He kept looking down although he wanted too look up and see Lukes face. The boy hadn't responded and Ashton was cursing himself for being so stupid.

Luke let go of Ashton's hands and pulled out of the tub.

Ashton bit his lip and blinked quickly, trying to hold back the tears.

And then Luke was in the tub beside him. "You idiot, I love you more."

Ashton looked over at him and smiled. "Rea-" Luke pressed their lips together and heat shot through Ashton's body.

Steam fogged the mirror and Luke grabbed Ashton's hands again. Ashton blushed as they kissed.

His best friend loved him back

His life was a cliche love story and he wouldn't have it any other way.

Luke pulled back a moment later. "Eat your soup babe." He grabbed the bowl and spooned some of the hot liquid. "Or better yet..." He poked Ashton's lips with the spoon. "Open."

Ashton smiled but did as told and Luke fed him the soup.

They giggled and if anyone walked into the bathroom, they would see two fully clothed boys eating soup in the bathtub together, looking happier than life.

Ashton could see sweat on Lukes face and he realized Luke must be dying in the heat. "Want to get out and sit by the fire?" He asked.

"Are you warmer?" Luke asked. Ashton nodded.

Luke helped him out and they left the dishes in the tub as they ran to the bedroom to change into dry sweats.

Luke grabbed Ashton's hand and led him to the fireplace. He had turned it on and laid a blanket in front of it to heat up while Ashton was in the tub.

He now grabbed that blanket and wrapped it around Ashton.

Ashton snuggled down into it, wrapping it tight against him and leaning against Luke.

Luke pulled him down and they laid in front of the fireplace, sharing the blanket. Ashton wrapped his arms around Luke as Luke held the blanket around them.

"You're freezing." Luke said as he pressed kisses to Ashton's face and hair.

"You're hot." Ashton murmured, burying his face against Luke's chest. He closed his eyes and felt the weight of the night crush down on him. He was asleep in seconds.

Luke watched him sleep, a small smile on his face.

He brought his fingers to his neck, tracing an invisible line across his throat. For some reason, he felt sore there.

-

When Ashton woke up a few hours, Luke was gone.

He frowned and struggled up, wrapping the blanket around him tighter. "Lukey?"

He checked the time, 9.

He had fifteen hours until midnight.

He walked to the kitchen. "Lu?"

Luke was in front of the stove, making pancakes. "Ashton! You're up." He smiled and put the spatula down. "Morning baby."

Ashton blushed as Luke put his hands on his cheeks and kissed his forehead. "I made you coffee and pancakes."

"Thank you." Ashton smiled.

They sat down at the table to eat and Luke fussed over Ashton, making sure the blanket was still warm, asking him if he needed another one.

"I'm not cold anymore Lukey." Ashton giggled.

"You could be." Luke argued, pulling the blanket back around Ashton when Ashton shrugged it off.

"I think I know how I feel." Ashton smiled. "Please Luke, you're going to kill me with all this heat."

"Promise you're okay? Because I swear, if I see you shiver, I'm gunna-" Ashton cut Luke off. "I'm sure."

Luke sighed but relented. "Fine."

After dinner, they went to the living room to cuddle on the couch. Ashton pulled out his phone to check the time.

Luke pulled a blanket over them, despite Ashton's protests. "What should we do today baby?" Luke asked, grabbing Ashton's hand.

"I dunno. You pick something." Ashton said, admiring Luke.

"But it's your day to pick." Luke whined.

"I want you to pick." Ashton said, glancing down at his cell again.

Luke frowned. "But I can't cut on your turn!"

Ashton sighed and smiled. "You're like a preschooler it's so cute."

Luke beamed and cocked his head. "Aren't I adorable?"

Ashton giggled. "You are very adorable."

Luke stood up and pulled Ashton up with him. "Fine. I'm going to surprise you."

He slid Ashton's bandana down so it covered his hazel eyes. "No peeking."

He tugged on Ashton's hand and guided him to the car. "Promise you won't peek?"

"Promise Lukey." Ashton giggled again.

Luke helped him into the car and quickly climbed into the drivers seat.

"Do you know where we're going?" Ashton asked fifteen minutes later. "I feel like you got us lost."

"We're not lost." Luke huffed. "Trust me."

"Luke?"

"What?"

"We're lost."

"Shut up Ashton, we're not lost, we're here."

Luke stopped the car. "Don't take the blindfold off yet."

Ashton sighed but waited for Luke to come over and help him out of the car.

Luke ran to Ashton and guided him down. "Okay, you can take it off now."

Ashton giggled and slid the bandana off. He gasped. "I didn't know the carnival was in town!"

"That's the surprise." Luke smiled. "Come on! I wanna ride all the rides!"

"But not the roller coasters!" Ashton cried as Luke tugged him along.

They went on one roller coaster though, since Luke was practically begging and Ashton felt bad.

He checked the time throughout the day,  trying to be discreet about it, but Luke had noticed and frowned.

"Hey, are you not having a good time?" Luke asked.

Ashton stuffed his phone in his pocket quickly and smiled. "I'm having a great time Luke. This was an amazing surprise and I'm sorry for ruining it. I'd just really like to go home though. It's getting late."

"Right, okay." Luke held Ashton's hand and they started walking back to the car.

Three hours until midnight.

-

When they arrived home, it was ten o'clock.

Ashton pulled out his phone, this time just to look at his pictures. He had been thinking about his family all day, because he knew he couldn't call them.

If he did, he would start to cry. Then Luke would ask what's wrong. And Ashton would tell him and Luke couldn't know.

So Ashton just scrolled past all his pictures, smiling and missing them.

At Ashton's request, they finished the night on the couch, watching Pursuit of Happiness.

Luke fallen asleep around eleven, curled around Ashton like a cat.

It was quiet again and Ashton stopped the movie. He thought about bringing Luke to the bedroom but he didn't want to risk waking the boy up.

The clock above him chimed, signalling 11:30.

Ashton sighed and held Luke closer, taking comfort in the familiar feel of the boy. He thought about today, and every other time he had spent with Luke.

Ashton moved out as soon as he was eighteen and was living on the streets when Luke came by and, being the ridiculously kind guy he is, offered his home to Ashton. And at first, Ashton was planning on taking advantage of the boy's hospitality but when Luke showed him kindness, real kindness, Ashton knew he would never be able to.

Eventually they became best friends and have been living together ever since. 

Ashton shuffled his fingers through Luke's hair, messing it up in the way he knew would have Luke mad at him in the morning.

But he wouldn't be here in the morning.

He attempted a smile but sighed and shook his head instead. 

He jumped when the clock above him chimed again. 

It was midnight.

Luke woke up when Ashton jumped, and sleepily rubbed his eye. "Movie over?"

There was a knock on the door. Luke looked at it. "Who could that be so late at night?" He got up to answer it but Ashton stopped him. 

"No Luke, let me get it." He stood up. "How about you go upstairs? I'll meet you up there-" Ashton choked on the last part of his sentence. He could only imagine Luke sitting on their bed upstairs, waiting and waiting for Ashton to come up and join him. Eventually Luke would come back downstairs to see where Ashton was but Ashton would be long gone by then.

The thought of Luke calling Ashton's name over and over in the empty house broke Ashton's heart. He kissed Luke's forehead. "I haven't been entirely honest with you Luke.

Another knock, this one much harder than before.

"What do you mean?" Luke cocked his head.

"I-" 

The door was knocked down and the man from the parking lot, the one with black eyes, came in. "Time's up Ashton."

Ashton's grip on Luke tightened. Luke was confused. "Ash, who is that?"

"I'll explain later." Ashton said, pushing Luke towards the staircase. "But this is...personal. So can you wait upstairs for me?"

But Luke stood firm. "What does he mean by your time is up?"

"He didn't tell you?" The man laughed. "Oh man, this is awkward."

"Ashton?" Luke sounded hurt. "I thought we promised not to keep secrets from each other."

"We did!" Ashton gripped his hair. "Luke, please, just, ugh." Ashton slid to the floor. He needed to think.

The man pulled out a necklace, similar to the one that held Luke's soul. "Well, it's getting late, and I have a job to do, so if you don't mind..." 

"No." Ashton backed away from the necklace. "Please, I need more time. I'm not ready."

"You could always send your friends's soul back to me." The man said, grinning.

"Never." The sound ripped itself from Ashton's throat. "Just take mine then. I don't care anymore." He stood up, standing in between the man and Luke. "Just take my soul and never come near Luke again."

"Why so much hatred towards me?" The man asked, walking closer. "I brought your friend back to life for you. I thought we were friends."

"You're killing me!" Ashton shouted. "What kind of friend does that?"

"Alright fine." The man sounded bored and he swung the necklace around. "We're not friends. Can we get this over with now?"

"Ashton? I need you to be completely honest with me." Luke said softly. "What the hell is going on here?"

Ashton sighed and faced Luke. "Remember the night we went shopping and a man came up to us?"

"You mean last night?"

"Yeah." Ashton ran his hand through his hair. "Well...that man kinda, killed you."

Luke just stared at him. "And now I sound like a nut case." Ashton sighed. "But I'm telling you the truth! He k-killed you and that man," Ashton pointed to the man in the doorway, "Is actually Satan. He brought you back to life by returning your soul to you. But the cost of that was my soul in your place. He gave me twenty four hours to be with you again before he c-came, and now, I have to go Luke. I have to go away for a long time now." Ashton's voice cracked.

"Can we please go now?" The man stomped his foot. "I have people to kill, lives to ruin, come on men!"

Ashton sighed and kissed Luke one last time before backing up. The man smiled. "Finally!" He wrapped the necklace around Ashton's neck and Ashton gasped at a strange pulling sensation. And suddenly, he was inside the orb.

He looked out at the living room through the mirror-colored glass. The man tied the necklace around his neck.

Luke frowned. "You can't take Ashton."

The man laughed. "I just did. You're a little late buddy."

"No." Luke said stubbornly. "You cant take him."

Ashton looked up at the man, wondering what he would do. Surely he wouldn't hurt Luke, he just gave him his soul back!

"I'm curious as to why you believe that." The man smiled. "You seem very certain that you are right."

"Because I love him." 

Ashton was astonished to see the man freeze. It was only for less than a second, but Ashton saw it. The man laughed and spun the necklace around his finger. Ashton squeezed his eyes shut and tried not to get sick. 

"You can't possibly love him, you don't know what love is." The man smiled. "You're too young to love."

"Babies love their mothers from the moment they are born." Luke glared. "That's about as young as it gets."

The man began to look uncomfortable. "I'm sorry to tell you this, but Ashton doesn't love you back. He's using you. From the moment you offered him to live with you, he's been planning to rob you."

"He must be planning a very elaborate scheme then." Luke crossed his arms. "He's been living with me for nearly six years now. Don't you think he would have robbed me by then if he was planning on doing that?"

Satan glared. "You know nothing! I know all!"

"Then you should know the power of love is stronger than any force you have." Luke glared back. "Give Ashton back, or else."

"Or else what?" The man laughed.

"I'll pray." Luke said seriously.

The man stopped laughing. "You wouldn't dare."

"See that's where you're wrong." Luke smiled. "I'm actually a very daring person."

"Alright kid. Let's cut a deal." Satan smiled.

"No deals." Luke crossed his arms. "Give Ashton back and leave."

"You can't talk to me like th-" Luke sighed loudly, cutting the man off.

"Who are you trying to impress here? Just give me Ashton and leave."

Satan glared. "Fine. But I won't forget this when it's Your Time."

He ripped the necklace off and it smashed on the ground.

Ashton gasped and stumbled forward. Luke caught him before he fell.

"Luke." Ashton sobbed. "I-you, the man-" Luke held Ashton close. "Shh, it's okay baby, he's gone now. It's just us."

Luke shut the door and led Ashton to their bedroom, where they hid under the blankets.

"I can't believe you were going to sacrifice yourself for me." Luke murmured, trailing his finger across Ashton's collarbone.

Ashton smiled. "It's like you said, I love you."

Luke smiled back. "I love you too."

Ashton sighed suddenly and Luke frowned. "What's wrong?"

"I just realized; we never got the milk." Ashton giggled.