Lance left once his handiwork on Ashton was done. Aisha saw him leave Ashton's room; his stony expression had an almost pleased grin. Aisha was confused; he passed her without a word and just left through the front door. She went to Ashton's room since it was silent inside. Inside, she found her brother sitting on the floor, his neck and shoulders marked up with dark marks and bites in his skin. His face was bright red. Seeing him in this state shocked Aisha: his hair and shirt were a mess, and the collar had a rip. His hair was a mess from something that wasn't bedhead.
"What happened in here?" Aisha asked him. Ashton could only pull his knees in and thunk his forehead against his knees, making a flustered wheezing noise. "Okay, Lance is very forward; this complicates things."
Ashton was a babbling mess, too flustered to speak, and too overwhelmed to show his face. Aisha felt she had more work to do with Ashton to get him out and do something today. But Aisha did grow up with him in high school, so getting him up would take a little more effort since he is an adult now. Aisha got to work, first by dragging Ashton off to get changed, then by covering up his neck. She kept working with him until her brother was presentable and was set to go out today. Aisha had to work hard with Ashton. Ashton was trying to think of a way to avoid getting stuck with Lance in that situation again, but only time would tell.
"Let's go, Ashton," Aisha said as she basically shoved Ashton out the door. "Your friends are waiting for you."
"I'm aware of that," Ashton said as he made his way out of his apartment. Aisha left as well, and he locked his apartment before leaving. Ashton made plans with his friend group to hang out today. Lance had work, so Ashton could avoid messy conflict after Lance's forward actions. Ashton was still in a daze after leaving the apartment and heading for the meeting place. Ashton's head was a loud mess inside. He thought back to how Lance acted. He was possessive, not quite demanding, but he acted like he needed everything that made Ashton the dragon he is to belong to Lance himself. The situation overwhelmed Ashton. Before Ashton knew it, someone yanked him back, snapping him out of his thoughts. He had almost wanted out into traffic without noticing. He looked back, and there was Lance, holding onto him. Lance's presence there surprised Ashton.
"What is going on, Ashton?" Lance demanded, holding Ashton to the side for the conversation, out of the walking traffic of people.
"It's nothing, just a little too in my head," Ashton responded, rubbing the back of his neck, looking away from Lance.
"Is this about your memory loss?" Lance asked. Ashton was going to say he didn't, but the words didn't come out. He knew saying it would mean he remembered being with Trevor instead of Lance. He couldn't say anything to Lance about it. Lance took it as Ashton's response. "I know it's hard not to remember anyone outside your family. But we can go slow, so you remember bit by bit."
Ashton looked into Lance's eyes. He saw something off in them, almost calculating. Ashton shook his head, thinking he was just seeing things. He walked with Lance to the meeting place for the friend group today. Ashton was silent along the way. The guilt from keeping it secret was eating him alive. He knew he had to come clean at some point, but just now with Lance made him unable to say anything. He knew he had to tell Lance and the others what was going on, but he was terrified to lose what he had now with Lance. It scared him. What if he never has the choice of having this with Lance anymore? What if the better partner moments will disappear forever? It scared the hell out of him. But he knew lying would only make everything worse for him and for Lance. His friends would all think he was joking and would just be relieved he remembered them again. But what would Lance say? What would he do? On top of that, what about Trevor? What if he hears and realizes that Ashton remembered their relationship and tries something?
"Ashton?" Lance's voice cut through his thoughts; his stony expression cracked, showing concern.
"Uh, what?" Ashton felt his neck heat up with embarrassment. "I got too in my head again."
"Do you want to cancel plans today and head back?" Lance questioned. Ashton wasn't even sure if he wanted even that.
"I um," Ashton struggled to think of what to do and what to say. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to tell Lance about this ever. His friends deserved to know, but didn't Lance deserve the same? "No, I think I'm okay for now."
Lance didn't look convinced, but didn't ask for any further confirmation on the matter. Ashton was grateful, but he wanted to scream the truth to Lance as well. But he didn't know what to say or how to say it. So he just walked with Lance in silence. He knew the truth would need to come out soon, but not now.