#bustash

~𝑙𝑖𝑓𝑒 𝑖𝑠 𝑠𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒, 𝑖𝑡'𝑠 𝑒𝑖𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑟 𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑟𝑦 𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑑𝑛𝑖𝑔ℎ𝑡 𝑏𝑙𝑢𝑒

(A/N: This is a one-sided BustAsh fanfic. Now, I know my other fanfics have had Ash and Buster acting like father and daughter, but I thought I would experiment and also give the BustAsh shippers some juice since it seems like this ship has kinda started to die. This is also kind of a songfic, so please tell me how I did!)

Ash loved working at the New Moon Theater, she didn’t think that she would like being an actress alongside being a musician, but thanks to being involved with the right people, the young porcupine found that it was actually quite the positive experience.

Ash loved her co-workers, or as she liked to call them, her theater family.

Rosita, the mother pig with a heart of gold and spectacular voice, was like Ashs 2nd Mom. Rosita had been the first one to comfort Ash after she had caught Lance (that dinkelshplat) cheating on her with Becky. Not only that, but she had been like a Mom to her in other ways, too. Rosita had always made sure that Ash got home safe, always made sure that she had eaten that day, always made sure that she was feeling alright, and always made sure that she felt loved. 

Johnny, the ex-criminal gorilla with a soft heart, was like Ashs protective big brother.  Johnny was quite possibly the sweetest boy Ash had ever met, not only that, but she also felt like he was destined to protect her from harm, whether it be from Lance, other boys etc. Johnny even had the ability to protect from the theater itself, as he had shielded Ash from harms way when the old theater collapsed and came very close to coming down on top of her. Johnny was her savior in quite a few situations, and she would always be close to him for that.

Meena, the shy elephant with the voice of an angel, was like Ashs sister. Although she and Meena may not have had the same taste in music, they had hit it off on pretty much everything else. When their was girl talk to be had, Ash would always go to Meena and vice versa.

To Ash, Gunter was like the fun uncle who would get wasted at family gatherings and told stories that would make you laugh until you cried.  Gunter was the kind of person who took life by the horns no matter what, and Ash respected that.

Mike, was well... Mike. The mouse was a jerk, but Ash had figured out that he did have a heart down there somewhere.

And the leader of the theater troop, and the owner of the New Moon Theater, Buster Moon, was like Ashs lov- DAD! Buster was like Ashs 2nd dad, and that’s all he was. Buster was protective of Ash, cared about her well-being and mental health, always made sure she was in a positive mood. Buster was like the best 2nd dad to her, and that’s all he was to her...right?

I don’t want to, I don’t want to

Okay, Ash may have had a little crush on the older koala, but there’s no way he would reciprocate her affection, right? Ash couldn’t tell Buster how she felt, it just wouldn’t be right.

I don’t want to let you know how much I want you

Besides, Ash was 19, and Buster was at least almost old enough to be her father, it’d be weird, it’s be strange, it’d be romantic-NO, IT WOULD BE WRONG... wouldn’t it?

Don't come near me, I don't trust you

There had been many times where Buster had protected Ash from harm, whether it had been Lance or a some creep trying to steal her purse, Buster had always protected her, and during those times Ash felt... grateful. Yeah, that’s what that feeling was, right? Being grateful? Surely it couldn’t have been love, no it couldn’t have been.

I don't trust the way you thrill me when I touch you

Why? Ashs feelings weren't this conflicted when she had fallen for Lance, so why were they now? Duh, it's because Buster wasn't at all like Lance. No, that can't just be it. Was it the age difference? Age is just a number... and so is 911. Damn, this was confusing!

Ash knew that she had been a lot happier when she wasn't dating soneone or even when she liked someone. She liked being single, it meant being free.

I was happy, free and easy

I could go around do the things that pleased me

And this was honestly ridiculous. How could Ash fall in love with someone, who up until recently, she had loved like a father, and just a father? This crush Ash had on Buster had to be unhealthy. It had to just be her feelings running wild, right? Ash didn't really love Buster that way, did she? Even if she did, she knew their relationship wouldn't work, so why keep pining?

I don't want to get tied down with someone like you

And yet, her heart was telling her that her feelings toward Buster were true.

I don't want to love you, but I do.

Damn her heart, damn it to hell.

I don't want to love you, but I do.

Cover:

Drawn by the baffling Asestrada157 from deviantART.

Original: Story Not Told cover

Summary: My take at what happened between Buster and Ash during the movie, starting at when she broke up with Lance. Eventual BusterxAsh, Bustash, Ashter, whatever floats your boat. No hate please. MAJOR SPOILERS! CHAPTER 9 IS MATURE!

Rating: T (minus chapter 9, which is M)

Fun fact: Every chapter is named after a song, which relates in some way to the events in that chapter. So, if you want to listen to them while you read, be my guest! (Also, if you click on the song name below, it'll direct you to a YouTube page where you can listen to it ;)) (Oh, and if you're wondering my personal favorite, I got two. Freedom is a Voice and Then She Appeared.) (Yeah, I love Johnny Cash and the Bee Gees.)

Chapters:

Chapter 1 – Heartbreaker

Chapter 2 – How Can You Mend a Broken Heart

Chapter 3 – Hot'n'Cold

Chapter 4 – You've Got a Friend in Me

Chapter 5 – I Walk the Line

Chapter 6 – Freedom is a Voice

Chapter 7 – Set it All Free while I do it My Way

Chapter 8 – Jailhouse Rock & Kiss From a Rose

Chapter 9 (MATURE) – Californication

Chapter 10 – Guess Things Happen That Way

Chapter 11 – Then She Appeared

Chapter 12 – Tears in Heaven

Chapter 13 – Let's Face the Music and Dance

Chapter 14 – I'm Still Standing

Chapter 15 – Road to Acceptance

Chapter 16 – I Don't Wanna

Life is not easy, much less at 37 years old and when you’re the director of a theater that has recently returned to its glory of yesteryear.

Since the re-opening, Buster was busier than ever, of course now he did not have to evade the bank collectors or deal with the furious staff who packed his office months ago for lack of money. But now he had to manage his new team and set up a new musical.

And because the koala has never been able to sit still, it was that he was involved in each and every preparation of the play, even though he had his best friend, Eddie, as the boss of the stagehands and the Cast of the act that managed to save the theater, supporting it.

Moon worked to the point of exhaustion and that worried all his friends.

A rumble was heard in the backstage area and bewildered those who were rehearsing around.

Ash, who had just arrived, rushed over to the gray—haired man, who was instantly stunned on the floor.

— Moon Are you all right? — The porcupine asked with concern, seeing that the male had practically rolled half the stairs from the second floor.

—      Y-Yeah, — he said with a nervous laugh, rubbing his head. —I'm an awkward one; I've slipped on the edge of the step.

—You must be careful, you're no longer a child, another fall like that and you could end up in the hospital, — she scolded, helping him to his feet, and then noticed huge dark circles beneath his sapphire eyes.

—I know. I was just distracted. — Of course she did not believe him — well I have to fix the lights panel, Zack spilled paint on it, by accident...

He tried to downplay his accident, taking another topic.

The truth is that he not had been sleeping well for some days, since the release date was just around the corner and he was busy fixing even the smallest detail even although this does not concern.

— I don’t think you should get up there; you should just call a technician.

— If I know how to do it, I don’t see the point of bothering anyone else. — He grinned.

— Do you bother saying? Moon. It is their job.

—Well, it's my practice to fix everything here, so I'll just ...— he tried to walk but she grabbed him by the sleeve of his jacket.

Ash frowned and started to tow Buster into one of the empty dressing rooms.

He was surprised by the strength that the girl had, to be able to drag him so easily but perhaps the one who could not resist was due to the lack of strength that suffered from fatigue.

The rocker kicked the wooden door and threw Buster on a soft couch that was inside, he looked her, perplexed.

— I will not let you leave here until you sleep at least three hours, — she said firmly as she put the lock on the door and folded her arms.

— Ash, I'm fine, I don’t need sleep. — He tried to get up but she rushed toward him and pushed him.

It was ridiculous that she being so young and could controlling it him so easily.

— That story tells you to Gunter, I do not believe you, just look at you, you have huge dark circles that make you look like a raccoon, you’re thinner and you wear the same shirt yesterday. It's obvious you have not slept in days.

The surprise struck Buster Moon's face.

How was it possible that she, having just over half his years, was lecturing him?

—Okay. — He gave up and leaned back on the couch.

The barbed one sat next to him.

—The theater will not come down just because you sleep a few hours. — Her voice softened.

It was amazing to see how much Ash had matured in those months, although her personality remained intact, she could speak with rationality if the occasion deserved it.

Moon smiled and turned to look at her.

—I know. But how did you realize that I suffer from fatigue? Neither Eddie nor Rosita with their maternal instinct noticed it this morning, and you, who scarcely arrive, send me to sleep.

—Because I know you, Moon. And don’t think they did not notice, especially Eddie, who has known you for a long time, they probably let you be, as always.

At that time and since the open—air concert, both had been spending a lot of time together, so each time they knew more about each other and therefore the distance was decreasing with notoriety, so it is that now they could speak with such familiarity.

— Why did not you?

— I always do, but you almost killed you, I was not going to sit idly by.

— You exaggerate, I just fell.

— A second floor of stairs.

— Only half...

—Whatever. — She looked back. —You must take care of yourself.—

— Since when do you care so much for me? Although I remember you considered me an old-fashioned old man.

— I never said that ... loudly, — she whispered the last, but even so the older man listened and gave a slight laugh as she turned her eyes away and turned her back so that he could not see her face with what she was about to say — But I probably worry more, because… I like you...

Had he heard right?

Was not fatigue playing a joke?

— What?

— What you heard.

— Why me?

— Why not you?

— I'm a Koala.

— My aunt married a crocodile.

— It took you almost 20 years.

— Only 18 really.

— We've been getting to know each other for less than a year.

— Others fall in love in a couple of hours.

— I am very old and outdated.

— That again? — At last she turned to look at him. She cursed under her, she did not plan to confess yet — if you're going to reject me, just say it, do not try to convince me that we cannot be together.

— I'm not trying to convince you, if not me.—

Two hearts were pounding.

— What do you mean?

—That it's useless, every reason I thought we could not be together, you found another to say yes.— He straightened up to face her, only separated them a few inches.

— Moon sees to the point.

— ...

He kisses her.

The contact was warm and although it was only a touch and lasted a few seconds, for both was the best kiss of their lives, no other was compared.

— And why was that? — Ash asked, drunk with her own feelings.

And it was that Buster did not know since when, but of a time here, in his heart had flourished certain feelings towards the smaller one and that for obvious reasons could no longer deny.

— Because, I like you, Rock Star.

She smiled at that nickname he used to tell her often and kissed him again, only this time with a little more audacity.

— It's time to sleep Fool-Moon.

END