Part 34

                                    

                                          

Ashton slowly blinked awake, his eyes straining against the harsh lights. There was a subtle synchronized beeping sound coming from somewhere in the room. Eventually the blurriness of his vision went away and he could see the white tiled ceiling. His body felt numb, his mind was foggy, and he was confused as to where he was. The last thing he remembered was hearing someone's voice, and then... nothing. He slowly turned his head to look around, and saw none other than Jaxon half asleep in a chair next to the bed he was laying on. Next to him was a hanging bag of blood with an iv that was connected to his own arm. I'm in the hospital..? He tried to shift, but hissed as a burning sensation went through his muscles. 
                          
Jaxon's eyes flicked open at the sound. "You're awake." He stated standing up and moving closer to him. 
                          
"It was your voice..." Ashton thought aloud. His eyelids still felt heavy, but he began to remember what happened. He went to speak again, but found himself coughing.
                          
"Yeah, it was me." Jaxon stated calmly. "Idiot...What the hell were you thinking? I told you once before how something like this can affect people. Do you know how stupid that was? You're lucky I got there in time..." 
                          
"I wasn't..." Ashton trialed off, not finishing the sentence, before coughing again. 
                          
Jaxon gently pushed Ashton's hair back, feeling his forehead with the back of his hand. "You still have a fever. Are you in pain?" 
                          
Ashton nodded. "My body burns."  
                          
"That's what happened earlier, they had to sedate you. I'll tell the nurse." Jaxon replied pressing the button next to his bed. 
                          
"I was awake earlier?" He asked. 
                          
Jaxon frowned. "Barely..." 
                          
"Hm..." Ashton felt like he was being drawn back into sleep. 
                          
"Get some more rest. You're not going anywhere anytime soon..." Jaxon pulled the thin white blanket up over him. 
                          
Ashton hardly nodded in response before closing his eyes again and sleeping. 
                          
-&- 
                          
When Ashton opened his eyes again he was met with a tear filled stare. He was surprised by who was standing at the edge of his bed. "Peppy?" 
                          
Patton sniffled sucking in a breath. When he heard the familiar nickname he seemed to fight off more tears. "Ashton... why?" 
                          
Ashton still felt weak, but less numb, so he slowly managed to sit up on his own. The pain was gone, except for in his wrists. "I'm sorry Peppy..." he apologized, not able to look at him. "I didn't mean to hurt you, now or ever. I honestly don't deserve your tears or forgiveness... I don't deserve much of anything actually... You're the one who deserves happiness." 
                          
Patton let out a small sob before suddenly leaning forward and pulling Ashton into his arms desperately. "I forgive you. I forgive you, okay? I forgave you a long time ago, so please... please don't do anything like this ever again! I may have fallen in love with Logan, but you still mean so much to me, don't you understand that? How could you ever possibly think I could be happier if you were gone?" 
                          
Ashton blinked a few times in surprise, but smiled as the crying boy hugged him. "I was right... you really are too nice for your own good."
                          
"Shut up." Patton sniffled. "My brother was the one who was right... you really are a godamn Idiot."
                          
Ashton just chuckled lightly returning the others embrace.
                          
Patton eventually pulled away, sniffling a few more time and wiping his face. "Ashton... you said you really liked me, that wasn't a lie right?"