It all started when Skylar, predictably, got into some shit.

It was a different stunt, this time involving an abandoned building and two skateboards. Skylar and Wes were going to skate across all the gaps in the floor, jumping when needed, going opposite ways, and land on decently constructed ramps at each side. Wes barely made it, but not before crashing into Skylar.

Wes was able to right himself, though he did get a nasty scrape on his arm from his poor landing. Skylar was not so lucky, as he tumbled off the board and rolled into one of the gaps in the floor, right off the edge. He hit his head on the ramp and landed wrong on his ankle, resulting in a sprain that he did nothing about. That's not even counting the bruises and other injuries he acquired from the seven foot fall.

The head injury is his excuse for the rest of the night, despite it not being all that severe.

Anyway, he called Jessie almost immediately after. Unfortunately, Jessie was babysitting one of their neighbor's kids. Said kids were too young to be left alone even for a minute, so the guy was unable to come pick his brother up.

Skylar couldn't drive on his own, though, and Jessie was aware of this. That's why he called Ashton to come do it instead.

Skylar was less than thrilled, especially because of his fucked up appearance. Covered in injuries and mud, hair a train wreck, clothes all torn. He looked horrible, and don't ask him why, but he's always tried to look his best around Ashton.

Again, he doesn't know why.

Ashton got there quickly, though. Quicker than he should have. As soon as he spotted Skylar, he helped the teenager to the vehicle. He helped Skylar inside of the truck too, made even worse by how high up it was. Skylar needed all the assistance he could get, though, so he barely protested.

It was as they were driving to Skylar's house, that he had a realization.

See, Vince has never approved of Skylar's complete lack of self preservation. So, if he sees Skylar like this...

He will have questions, and will not like the answers to the questions, and he will be mad and Skylar will face punishment. Vince isn't strict on much, but stuff that costs him money-hospital bills, doctor visits-will never fail to be the exception.

"Wait." Skylar says, "we can't go to my house."

Ashton glances at him from the driver's seat, curious. Skylar actually can't believe this guy is letting him in his car right now. Skylar is filthy, a bloody sweaty disgusting mess, there's no way he isn't getting blood and dirt everywhere. Actually, yeah. It's difficult to tell in the dark, but there is definitely mud on the floor of the truck. He doesn't see blood, but if he were to guess it would be on the seat. He refuses to check, though.

"Why?"

"My dad will be pissed." Skylar notifies him. He doesn't know where else he could go, though.

"Where are we going, then?" Ashton asks, and he's being surprisingly friendly and patient right now. Maybe he feels bad for Skylar. The thought irritates him.

"Uhhh," Skylar says, because he has no idea. "Just go downtown, I'll figure something out."

Skylar has multiple friends in that area. He's sure one of them won't care if he just takes a shower at their house real quick. Maybe stays the night. Wait, it's a school night. Shit.

There's a silence, before Ashton takes a turn that does lead downtown, but not the direction Skylar needs to go. "Wait, I meant the other way-"

"Having me drop you off in the middle of nowhere does not sound safe."

"Okay, it's not the middle of nowhere," Skylar argues, glaring at the guy. "I told you I'd figure it out."

"I'm not telling Jessie that I dropped you off in downtown Bayton with no ride after you just got in a serious skateboarding accident."

Skylar just narrows his eyes further, beginning to feel irritated. Skylar is an eighteen year old man, he can take care of himself. He's a legal adult. He does not need this guy looking after him. "I don't give a fuck what you tell Jessie, just do what I say."

"Jessie told me to get you home safe. Why would I listen to you over him?"

"Are you actually taking me home right now?" Skylar asks, because he is so not in the mood for this. His entire body hurts, and he feels like hell.

"No."

"Then where-"

"Mine."

Skylar pauses. His? Ashton's? Like, Ashton's house? Skylar has never been there before. Not once. He tries to avoid this guy whenever possible, he honestly never put much thought into where he lived.

"Yours? Like your house?"

"My apartment."

"Why?" Skylar asks, beginning to feel confused. He supposes that it would solve basically all of their problems, Skylar would be safe and able to recover and Ashton wouldn't have to deal with the Jessie fallout of basically abandoning him in the heart of Bayton. Still, he's on the fence about this. Ashton's apartment?

That's a lot. Ashton lives alone, he doesn't have a roommate and he moved out of his parent's house when he was seventeen. Skylar doesn't really feel comfortable being in an entire apartment, alone, with the guy he's hated basically his whole life.

God, he can't stand this fucking guy. Skylar hates him. He HATES him.

Yet minutes later, here they are, pulling into an apartment complex. They're called the Hillside Suites, at least, Skylar is pretty sure that's what the sign said. They look pretty nice, and Skylar knows that Ashton does something on the side, in addition to bartending. He's never asked what, though.

It's got to be decent work, if he's able to afford this.

They spend the next few minutes in complete silence, as Ashton parks. Skylar moves to get out of the vehicle as well, but before he knows it the door is opening and Ashton is helping him out.

"I'm not in that much pain," Skylar says, because he's really not. Like, sure, his leg and his head hurt, as well as the few small injuries all over his body, but that's really it. He's also a bit tired as well, but other than that he's fine. As of right now his only issue is keeping his balance, and keeping his weight off his bad ankle, though obviously Ashton is helping quite a bit with that. Still, it feels like the guy is doing too much.

"Then you must look a lot worse than you feel." Ashton replies once Skylar is out of the vehicle. He leans against Ashton as they make their way towards the stairs.

Shit. Stairs.

Skylar isn't looking forward to that. Oh, this is gonna suck-

Before Skylar can begin to dread it too much, though, he's being scooped up bridal style. Ashton is careful of his injuries so it doesn't really hurt, and before he knows it he's being cradled like a princess and Ashton is carrying him up two flights of stairs.

"This is unnecessary," Skylar says, voice unsteady for some reason. Ashton is so close to him, Skylar can't help but to stare at the guy in wonder. This is rare, being so close to Ashton's face. Skylar can't remember a single other time it's happened, though it probably has in passing and he just doesn't remember it. Still, it's making him... feel something. "You're going to get all dirty."

"I'd rather that than risk you getting more injured."

Skylar frowns. Why does this guy care about his health anyway? Isn't the only reason he's doing this for Jessie? Skylar has never given a shit about Ashton. Definitely not. No way in hell, and it goes both ways.

"Why does it matter?"

Ashton finally reaches an elevator, and Skylar feels shocked when the man supports his entire body weight with one arm, though he lifts his leg against the wall a bit to help. He uses his other arm to reach forward to press a button. Skylar would be squirming right now, wanting to minimize contact with this guy and get out of his arms, but he's too shocked by Ashton's strength.

Skylar is about 5'8, give or take, and he has some muscle on him from being so active all the time. He's not exactly light, and sure, Ashton is at least 6'3 and fucking built so it's expected for him to be strong... still, Skylar gets this feeling in his chest. One that makes his heart race.

Ashton lets him stand for the elevator ride, and he lets Skylar do the leaning walk limp thing all the way down the hallway, but he goes back to carrying Skylar once they reach his front door.

Skylar realizes why when they enter, and he sees stairs. Ashton has stairs. In his 'apartment'.

This is not an apartment. This is a borderline penthouse. There is no way he could afford this off a bartender salary. At least, not at Brandy's Bistro. He barely works!

Skylar feels shock as they walk up said stairs, entering a bedroom.

"This is the guest room." Ashton says. "You can just... clean up in here."

Ashton sets Skylar on the bed, who is still in shock. He doesn't get his wits about him until the guy is almost to the door.

"Wait! Do you... you live here?"

Ashton turns to look at him, dim lighting of the hallway casting strange shadows. "Yes?"

"Off a bartender salary."

"Among other things."

Skylar is curious what the other things are, but he doesn't care enough to ask. Instead he glances around the barren room and asks;

"Do you have clothes I can use?"

Ashton nods, notifying Skylar that he will be back. Skylar doesn't pay much attention, instead limping his way to the shower. This is going to be a pain in the ass. He should probably take a bath, to be honest, but that sounds like way too much work.

Skylar is about to turn the shower on, when he notices something. There isn't any body wash or shampoo or anything in here. No products he can use, and when Ashton returns he notifies him of this.

So, they decide that Skylar will be using Ashton' shower. They're both a little unsure about it, but it's the most convenient way to get through this. It's when they enter said bathroom and Skylar needs assistance with almost everything, that it all goes wrong.

He can't move his legs super well, so Ashton has to help him pull his pants down. He doesn't touch his underwear, thankfully, but he also helps Skylar with his shirt. Then, he turns the shower on.

When it comes down to it, it's Skylar's fault. Again, he blames the head injury.

"Okay, I'm gonna go make grilled cheese or something. Want some?"

Skylar has never found this man attractive before. Well, okay, that's a lie. Ashton Rivera is very obviously attractive, you'd have to be blind to not agree. However, Skylar had never paid all that much attention to it before.

Until this very moment, of course.

"What if I get hurt?" Skylar asks. Ashton raises an eyebrow at him.

"I mean, I'll probably hear you. Otherwise just call me-where's your phone? Do you have my number?"

"No." Skylar replies, studying Ashton's face more than he has in the entire half decade they've known each other. "But what if it's too late?"

Ashton tilts his head a bit, studying Skylar's face. He seems curious, and slightly confused. With good reason, too, since what the hell is Skylar implying here? What is he trying to do, what result is he expecting?

Ashton is two years older than him, and to be quite frank, out of his league. What is he expecting, here? Skylar has never succeeded at a single thing in his life, Ashton lives in a fucking penthouse. They're so different, why would-

"Okay. I can wait in the other room."

"Or in here," Skylar blurts out, before frowning at himself. Seriously, what is he doing?

Skylar, you are covered in mud and dirt and blood, your hair is a mess, and you look like a raccoon. You are a mess, all the time, and Ashton is trying to be nice. He's trying to appease Jessie. So what the fuck?

"In here?"

Skylar is looking at Ashton's mouth now. Then his shoulders. "In here."

"Okay," he says, tone of voice lower than usual. Skylar's face feels warm for some fucking reason, so he turns around and steps in the shower without sparing the man another glance. He takes his underwear off when he's sure Ashton can't see him.

The water feels amazing, and Skylar refuses to look at the floor of the shower. He doesn't want to see all the stuff coming off of him right now.

To be honest, he takes a while. He knows the bathroom door is open and Ashton is sitting by the doorway, mostly outside the room. He appears to be on his phone, but he glances up when the water stops.

Skylar grabs a towel and wraps himself up before exiting the shower. He is avoiding eye contact as he searches around for the clothes Ashton brought him. He eventually finds the pajama pants, deciding to wear the underwear he had on before. It's in relatively decent condition, considering he's been wearing it all day.

Ashton looks away when he drops the towel, unfortunately.

Unfortunately?

Skylar puts the pajama pants on right after, and these clothes are huge on him. He begins looking around for the shirt, but is unable to find it. He's about to ask Ashton about this, but the man talks first. He's standing now.

"Why do you get yourself into situations like that, anyway? What are you trying to prove?"

Skylar walks closer to him. He wants to exit, but he can't due to this guy blocking it.

"Nothing." Skylar says, because he doesn't like it when people question his life decisions. Ashton knows this. "It looks cool."

"Well there are people who care about you." Ashton replies. "They don't like to see you like this."

Skylar glares at him. He knows that there are people that care for him and shit like this matters to them. He's aware of that. Still, what does this guy fucking know?

"Like who? You? How about you mind your fucking business?"

"You don't think I care about you?"

Skylar frowns at him. How is that even a question? "No? You hate me. Just like I hate you. Even."

"You hate me." Ashton states, and he takes a step towards Skylar. Skylar, who is now having a difficult time breathing. He looks up at the guy, feeling nervous right now. They're close like this.

"Y-Yeah."

"Not a lot of conviction, there." Ashton observes. He leans down, face only a few inches from Skylar's own. "Try again."

Skylar purses his lips, irritated with himself for finding this... for finding Ashton hot right now. He needs to get a handle on this, because it could spiral out of control real fast. "I-I hate... you..."

Ashton raises an eyebrow. "Yeah?"

He's getting closer.

"Yeah."

"Show me," he says, and Skylar's heart is beating out of his fucking chest right now. "Show me how much you hate me."

That's when Skylar's hands found the button of Ashton' pants. This is all the guy needed before picking Skylar up and turning around, walking his way to the bed and tossing him on there. Somehow, this doesn't cause Skylar any pain. Perhaps it's how focused he is on... other things.

Ashton stays standing, but Skylar is already basically sitting right in front of him. He is undoing Ashton' pants within a second, pulling them down and, well, it all goes downhill from there.

Of course, it turned out to be one of the biggest mistakes of Skylar's life. Which is saying a lot, by the way.

Skylar doesn't like to talk about it, or think about it, and he hates it when Ashton randomly brings it up. It's the whole reason the memories are in his head right now, as he's sleeping. Dreaming about the night he wishes he could forget.

Sadly, that's easier said than done.