Souvenir [Complete]

Thirty-nine. Metamorphosis

"No! It's not the fact that you gave them something to do, Luke, it's the fact that you left them." Ashton rubbed his face with a sigh.

"They're fifteen and twelve in a small town, Ashton. Where can they go? What's gonna happen to them?" Luke retorted gesturing to the two.

Lauren and Harry were sitting on the hotel bed flipping through the tv channels. "Two christmases," Harry whispered to Lauren, who giggled a little.

"You're not scared of how freaky everything is here? It's like stepping into The Twilight Zone. I don't want them anywhere by themselves. Especially since they're minors."

"But it's alright leaving them in New York all alone?"

"That's different," Ashton huffed. "Calum or you are always there to watch them. They're only ever alone for a few hours, tops."

"Well what's the difference here?" Luke challenged. "I was alone all the time when I was a kid and I was a faggot. No one did anything to me."

"In New York there were locks on the apartment, here people burn you at the stake if you're in public and they don't recognize you."

"That's bullshit, and you know it," Luke huffed. Then he rolled his eyes, cause he was losing the urge to fight. "Look, if it means so much to you, I won't leave them alone again. I just...I had to ask Michael something."

"Well, I hope whatever it was was important," Ashton gave up just as quickly.

"It was stupid. And I'm sorry," Luke bit his lip looking at Ashton.

"Me too," Ashton rubbed his eyes. "I shouldn't have yelled at you."

"You're stressed," Luke hummed.

"And jealous. I'm not really mad at you. If I'd have been there then it wouldn't have even been an issue."

"I know," Luke nodded and in the silent moments, Luke remembered the times when he would have reached out for Ashton and kissed him better.

He craved the little touch. "I'm sorry, I'm so fucking complicated," Ashton whispered.

Luke cast a sideward glance over at the kids. If they were listening—which they probably were—they made no sign of it.

"I know. You don't have to worry. I told you I'd stick around and help you."

Ashton sighed. "No I can't just drop them off with you. I'm such an asshole. I should be handling it myself. I'm a grown man, I can do it."

"But you're accepting offered help. That's not a bad thing..." Luke whined.

Ashton shook his head. "Well, maybe my issue is that I need so much help in the first place..." Ashton sighed.

"You're not any less of a 'man' for needing help taking care of kids," Luke whimpered sitting Ashton down on the bed. He sat beside him holding his hand.

Ashton smiled wanly. "That's true, but maybe I should pull some more weight, and see what I can handle before I call in a friend."

Luke looked at him. "You're trying to tell me to leave, aren't you?"

Ashton nodded softly. "Go home, Luke. Go see your family. Spend time with Michael. I took away your summer. I'm not taking your autumn away, too." He offered Luke a sweet smile.