Clay Calloway - Tumblr Posts
Ash gets confronted by a disgruntled fan, and her arm gets grabbed. Clay doesn't take this well, and once they reach the safety of indoors, he and Ash have a heartfelt talk.
TW: cancer, mentions of death, mentions of miscarriage/unborn child death, sadness, panic attack
Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Story under the cut if you don’t want to click the link.
Ash smiled wide as she left the stage of her and her friend's most recent show. Business had been great ever since Out of This World had gone on tour. Today would also be a rarity, as Buster had discussed it with them, and they had all agreed to sign autographs.
Ash was glad that everything was going so well, especially since she was making more money on this tour than she had while doing solo performances. Once the show was completely over, they all went out to take a bow, and they proceeded to greet the crowd and explain where the autograph signings would take place.
The meetings with the fans started out quite well. It had made Ash smile widely when she had seen Clay joyfully interact with some of his younger fans. She was proud of him, and she was glad that he was joyful again.
Ash smiled warmly as a tall gazelle walked up to her. She kindly greeted them.
“Hi, would you like an autograph?” she questioned.
She watched and furrowed her brow as the guy huffed and rolled his eyes and said “No. I’d just like to say that you’re not that great. Your performance drags down Clay Calloway’s greatness. It was pretty stupid of Buster Moon to cast anyone alongside Clay Calloway.”
Ash grimaced and sighed. She hated when things like this happened. Normally she would tell people like this off, but it wouldn’t be worth it to cause a scene, especially since all of her friends were here along with some of the press.
She calmed herself as she reluctantly replied “Well, I am sorry, but I am not going to change the show. If you would like Mr. Calloway's autograph, he is standing about twelve feet away. Thank you for voicing your concerns.”
The guy grimaced again and gripped her arm as he said “Seriously, lady! I’ve already gotten his autograph from years ago. I’ll get it in a little bit again. You’ll never be as great as he is. It’s not just a concern, it’s a fact.”
Ash sputtered and scowled as she tried to rip her arm out of the guy’s grip.
“Hey! Let go of my arm!” she said as she went to withdraw a canister of pepper spray from her pocket.
Before she could do anything, she heard a growl and saw a shadow looming over her.
She soon heard the furious voice of Clay Calloway say “Let go of her arm and get out of here.”
They guy quickly dropped Ash’s arm and started stuttering as a crowd took notice and gathered around. Ash could hear the clicking of cameras as Clay gently ushered her to stand behind him as he stared the guy down.
The guy said “C-C-C-Clay Calloway! I-I-I…uh, m-may I h-have an a-autograph? I-I d-didn’t mean any h-harm.”
Ash could hear security coming closer as Clay growled again.
Clay angrily said “Get out of here now! I won’t ask again. Not even security will help you if you don’t heed my warning right now.”
The guy’s eyes widened as he said “Y-you’re th-threatening me?”
Clay growled as he said “Yeah. LEAVE!”
The guy squeaked as the crowd parted and he ran away. Security had finally arrived and had started to push the crowd of fans back. The autograph signing was clearly over. Ash could practically feel the worried looks of her friends as they followed behind where Clay was protectively leading her back inside.
Ash sits in one of the audience seats while everyone else follows. Clay sits close to her and reassuringly pats her shoulder as he looks at her with worry.
That hadn’t been the first time she had been talked down to, but it had been the first time someone had dared to grab her arm or turn physical. It had been slightly alarming. She hadn’t even realized that she had started to zone out until Clay knelt down in front of her and tried to get her attention while the others watched.
She eventually focused on his voice after closing her eyes and exhaling.
She could hear his soothing tone “Ash, you’re alright. The guy’s gone. You need to breathe, kiddo.”
Ash smiled and sighed. She loved it when he called her kiddo. He had started doing it after their second show, and the nickname had stuck. She was still freaked out, but she was calmer. Clay had helped her through a panic attack. She hadn’t had one that bad since before she started doing her solo shows.
Ash opened her eyes again and smiled at her friends.
She quickly said “I’m okay. I was just a little surprised and aggravated.”
Rosita was the first to speak “I’m going to go grab you something to drink. Clay, stay with her. Everyone else, come with me. Let’s give them some space.”
Ash was grateful as she said “Thanks, Rosita. I’ll be fine soon.”
Rosita smiled and nodded. Soon it was only Clay and Ash that remained in the area. Clay had taken a seat beside her as he continued to gaze at Ash with worry as she rubbed her hands over her face.
Clay spoke “Are you okay, Ash?”
Ash sniffed and said “Yeah, I was just a little overwhelmed. I wanted to punch the guy, or use my pepper spray, but I tried to stay calm until he grabbed my arm. I’m glad that you showed up, or else that guy would have gotten a face full of pepper spray, and that would not really bode well for eventually restarting my solo career.”
Clay let out a low growl as he said “I wouldn't have blamed you for doing that, but as soon as I saw that you were in trouble, I acted. I couldn’t let anything happen to you.”
Ash furrowed her brow as she looked up at him and said “You did get to me pretty quickly. Were you watching to make sure that I was safe?”
Clay sighed and said “Yeah, kiddo. I’ve got an admission to make.”
Ash watched Clay with curiosity as he hunched over slightly and looked up to the roof.
She watched as he closed his eyes and said “I was watching you, and I have been since the first time we all went on tour. You brought me out of my shell, and showed me how to live again, and I admired you for that.
The more I got to know you, the more I smiled. You remind me of my wife. You remind me of the daughter that she and I were never able to have. Your personality is similar to hers. She would have liked you.
I know that it’s probably awkward for you, but I have to say it. I love you like a daughter, kiddo. This past year on tour has only solidified that feeling.
My wife and I found out about her illness the first time we tried to have children. Complications with the pregnancy arose during the second trimester after we figured out that we were going to have a daughter, and we went to see a specialist. My wife had started spotting, and she couldn't feel the baby moving anymore.
The doctors gave us some of the most startling news. My wife had cancer, and it had caused the death of our unborn child. We wept as the news was delivered, and eventually, we had to bury the child that never had the chance to breathe.
Not even a month after that, my wife’s treatment for the cancer stopped working. Her cancer had turned too aggressive. Initially, we were told that she had a great chance of a complete recovery and being cancer free.
We knew that either way, the damage would be too much fro her to ever carry another child, but we had hoped that she would recover. We had even talked about adopting a child after her cancer was gone, but we never had the chance.
She had gotten really sick over the course of a few days, and we had gone back to the doctor. There wasn’t much they could do for her, as the cancer had spread to multiple places and had reached the end stage.
She was already in her wheelchair at that point, and we had just celebrated her birthday and my newest album and award with friends and family, only to find out that she had less than a month to live. We spent all of it together. She didn’t want to die in a hospital, so I honored her wishes.
She died in my arms not even a week after the medications stopped working. I buried her and that’s when I became a recluse. Everything I wrote, I wrote for her. She was my muse, and I had lost my way when she died.
When you came to me and ragged on me, I was so stubborn. Eventually, I came to see that she would have wanted my music to live on. Now I can write things in honor of her, and even in honor of you. You inspired me to write again, and I couldn’t be more grateful for that.
I had thought that my life had practically ended when she died, but you and her both showed me that I couldn’t have been more wrong.
I hope that I haven’t distressed you too much by saying all of this, Ash, but I wanted you to know how much you mean to me. I wanted you to know that you’re a talented woman, and that the things that guy said are completely inaccurate.
I wanted you to know that I love you, and I will always protect you.”
Ash stared at Clay with tears in her eyes as she absorbed every word. She was at a loss for words. She sniffled as she stood up and gently hugged him. Clay was extremely tearful, and he hugged her back.
Ash sniffled and withdrew as she wiped her eyes and said "I love you too."
She and Clay both smiled as she spoke again “Thanks for telling me that. I’m just glad that I’m not the only one to feel that way. I just didn’t want to say anything in case you felt I was crossing the line or anything.”
Clay snickered and said “There’s not much of a line for you to cross, kiddo."
They both laughed as they once again hugged.
Clay withdrew from the hug and groaned slightly as he stood and stretched as he said “Now. Let’s go join the rest of the gang. I can practically hear them eavesdropping outside of the door.”
They both snickered as they headed towards the door. It had been a heartfelt talk, and once outside, they could see that many of their friends were tearing up. They had both started laughing.
It was great to be a part of the crazy theater gang, and both of them were happy as they were engulfed in a massive group hug.
Thank you for reading. Please let me know if I missed any tags or triggers.
