Chapter Text
Matthew’s death had been particularly difficult to handle. He’d lost his father when they were kids, his mother when he was in highschool, and a few years later, followed by his brother.
He’d been able to go to college, at least. His brother had walked him through everything, and lived just long enough to see him graduate. A week after, once Ash had finished unpacking everything he’d had in his dorm, they finally decided to go out and celebrate. If it could be called that.
They didn’t have a lot of money, but they usually made things work. That night consisted of getting cheap ramen from a hole-in-the-wall downton. Matthew even invited his friend Cameron, one of the few people he’d managed to stay in touch with.
When Cameron had to leave, they decided to call it a night and go home.
Matthew made it home. He just didn’t last into the morning. Dying at some point in the night for some reason that Ashley still doesn’t know.
His brother had been so smart. He’d managed to gain custody of Ashley when they were younger, so why hadn’t he made a will? What little money they’d managed to save was largely taken up by funeral expenses. Matthew had never wanted anything special, but even then, it was still a lot.
It was easy to fall behind. Having to balance work along with the developing host of issues was too much, and eventually it took its toll. He’d missed too many payments, and the few he hadn’t had been extremely late.
Ash didn’t have his own support system. Few friends during college led to none after graduation. His brother had managed to stay in contact with a few, but he immediately thought of the last one he’d seen.
Cameron had told him to come by the clinic, since he wouldn’t be able to get home until later, and Ash didn’t have a ride or keys to the house.
One of the people at the front desk leads him into a room off to the side, a sort of in-between of the office and the waiting room. He has a backpack and a small suitcase with him, so he and his belongings won’t take up much space. It will only be a couple hours until Walsh finishes at work, so he doesn’t mind too much. He’d been on a bus or in a car almost as long.
Luckily, Ash doesn’t have to wait long before the man clocks out for the day. Sensing the tension, they skip the pleasantries and small talk. They can have deeper conversations once they get home.
Friday seemed like the best day for Ash to come over. That way, his host would have time to help him settle in, and maybe show him around. If there was anything to show him.
The sun has already dipped far below the horizon by the time they make it home.
A Queen Anne style house sits off at the end of a dirt driveway. A new garage has been built next to it, trying very well to match the facade of the original structure, a small corridor connecting it to the house.
It looks nice, at least from the outside. Plenty of room.
Cameron cleans off any blood or residue from his skin, carefully wrapping the area in a thick layer of gauze. It’s a satisfying process, and amazing to look at. He did well, the area smooth and even.
He moves him from the surgical table to the bed, laying him flat before he starts working on the straps. It’s a 5-point restraint system, so it’s very thorough, and not terribly uncomfortable as far as restraints are concerned. The cuffs and straps are all padded. He tightens the straps, stationing the lower ones around the top of Ash’s thighs, avoiding the surgical site.
He does all the right trials, and determines it’s safe to extubate him, recognizing that he’s only minutes away from waking up.
He tidies everything up, closing the curtain around his bed. From inside, it’s a pretty convincing set-up. If he were fully lucid, it would still take him a little while to figure it out.
He changes into a new set of scrubs, tossing the soiled ones into a hamper to burn later. He needed to get a few new sets anyway.
He gathers a few items. A pitcher of water just in case either of them got thirsty. Not that Ash would be able to make use of any of it by himself.
Now that he’s gotten everything ready, he steps back into the curtained area, setting it all down on a table a short ways away from the bed, within Walsh’s reach.
Ashley groans softly as he starts to wake, stretching his back out of some sort of habit. Cameron can’t help but smile to himself. He looks so cute like this, watching as he slowly opens his eyes.
It takes a few moments for him to realize that something isn’t right. He watches him try to move his hands, frowning weakly when he can’t. He looks down, head lolling against his chest. He tries again before he finally gives up. He hasn’t even noticed the other man sitting next to him.
“Good morning, Ashley.” He coos softly, gently tilting his head back with his hand so it rests on the pillow again.
He looks confused, and so adorable. He mumbles something, trying to repeat himself with a bit more success. “Wha’…?” he mumbles.
“I had to perform a surgery, baby.” He keeps his voice even, his tone sweet.
“W…” His head lolls as he tries to stay awake. “W… where… ” He finally forces the words out.
“It’s alright.” He coos, gently cupping his jaw.
His eyes roll, unable to stay focused. His words slur as he tries to speak again, likely attempting to ask why , but sedative from the needle in his arm keeps him from lucidity.
Cameron has to stop himself from grinning, biting his tongue to prevent the expression from showing. Ash’s eyes are barely open, he probably wouldn’t notice anyway.
“I amputated your legs.”
His eyes widen, struggling to stay awake. His jaw drops, not looking away from the doctor. He’s silent. The look on his face is priceless. He looks shocked and confused. It’s such an extreme thing to do, he knows that, but he had to.
He just stares , and honestly, Cameron loves it.
Then he starts crying, which ruins it in a way, but Ash is such a pretty crier. It really doesn’t make him want to fuck him any less, and actually does the opposite.
“I couldn’t just let you leave me.”
He sobs the words out, eyes blurred through tears. “I didn’t want to. ” He’s still high as a kite, none of the drugs having worn off entirely by now.
“Well, I made sure of that.” He smiles.
Ash doesn’t know how to respond. He can’t. His captor takes the silence as a close to the conversation.
“You’ll stay down here for a little while, and I’ll take you upstairs when you feel better.”
He nods slowly, knowing that fighting him is pointless.
Walsh stands, kissing him gently on the forehead before he leaves, the curtain swinging shut behind him.