broken kitten

If Walls Could Talk

Ashton had been with Youngblood for a nearly a month at this point, he was shocked how quickly time felt like it was passing, despite not having left that basement since he got there. He knew he wasn't meant to feel comfortable, with the people who were holding him hostage, but he couldn't help but start growing fond of the people around him. He had gotten into a bit of a routine of waking up to Zayn's alarm... well more like groaning to Zayn's alarm waking him up. Ashton has never had a good history of getting a restful sleep. Once Ariana convinces Ashton to wake up, they get ready for the day together. Ashton was really growing to appreciate these subtle guidance of getting him up, and reminding him to eat, there was something soft and comfortable with the thought of being cared for. Once the three of them were ready for the morning, Luke would have some breakfast with Ashton, he found himself looking forward to their morning chats. Who stayed with Ashton throughout the day would alter day to day, but it normally was Niall, who would help Ashton with online GED modules. Harry and Louis had been a little distant since the first day but Ashton had been getting closer with Micheal, Callum and Selena in the evenings when they would do game nights or watch shows. Ashton always spent the last half of the evening with Luke, they would play video games, and talk before he'd tuck him in, in Ariana and Zayn's room.
The only thing Ashton had been noticing is feeling more and more exhausted as his nightmares seemed to be intensifying with each night.
He didn't realize he was talking and thrashing in his sleep. He uttered out the words he was saying to his father in his dream. "I am a worthless nothing, father.
I'm sorry I have failed you. I'll do better, I promise.. No.. no no no " He said shaking his head repeatedly.
"Ashton, breath. It's okay. You need to wake up." Ashton could feel two arms wrapped around him tightly. He began to slowly open his eyes and saw that it was Luke, his heart was racing, and he was covered in sweat, he didn't even registered that it would be odd for Luke to be in his room.
"Ashton.. are you okay?" Luke questioned peering down with a look of only care, no judgement. It was only then that he looked down to see Ari and Zayn holding his legs at the foot of the bed. He relaxed his body, and everyone let go, but stayed close. He guessed he must have been kicking in his sleep too. Ashton responded in form of nodding, despite knowing he wasn't.
"Buddy.. you said some really concerning things.." Zayn pressed a little further.
"I'm sorry... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to wake you guys up.." Ash's eyes filled with tears as all his emotions hit him at once. He wasn't used to being cared about before.

"Shh, do not apologize. Ashton, do you want to tell us what is going on?" Luke questioned softly, putting a gentle hand on his arm.
Ashton took pause before deciding if he should tell them, he guessed that they were probably already guessing what happened, as he wasn't even sure what he had said. "My father, is a very bad guy. He's been hurting me.. in a few ways for a long time." He admitted, feeling embarrassed to say it out-loud, but also felt a little freeing in a way.
He nodded, ashamed. "I'm sorry Ashton." Zayn spoke looking at him sympathetically, there was something in his eyes that Ashton recognized as an understanding.
"Oh baby.. that's so fucked up." Ari looked like she could cry right there.
"You never have to worry about anyone hurting you like that ever again." Luke said sternly in a way that made Ashton feel safe. He could see the rage that Luke felt for Ashton having been hurt, but Ashton couldn't understand why he would feel angry for Ashton.
Luke took a deep breath and looked over at Ariana and Zayn. "We are going to protect you. Okay? Especially Ari, Zayn and I. Okay?"
This took Ash aback. Why would his kidnappers want to protect him. "T-thank you.. but why? Why do you want to help me?"
"We all come from broken homes. My dad treated me like a punching bag. I found Luke once I ran away from home and Youngblood has been my family ever since. You are safe here." Zayn spoke. Ashton was saddened that Zayn had the same experience as him.. he didn't wish that on anyone. He watched as Zayn unlocked his ankle cuff.
"I'm sorry.. I'm sorry you had to go through that." Ashton spoke softly.
Luke helped Ashton to his feet. "Let's go get you some water, and maybe a walk might help." He suggested, as he led Ashton out of the room. "You two go back to sleep, I've got him now." He suggested to Zayn and Ari who both looked equally worried at Ashton.
"I'm okay. I promise. Get some sleep." Ashton assured with a smile. He had gotten close with Ariana and Zayn over the last little bit and understood their concern. Ashton realized in that moment that they sometimes acted like Ashton was their responsibility.. which he thought was interesting.
Luke and Ash were alone in the living room as Ashton was sipping on his water bottle. They sat in silence as Luke waited for Ashton to begin talking.
THIS IS WHERE I LEFT OFF EDITTING
"So.." Ashton spoke trailing off.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Luke questioned.
"Not really.. I don't know. I've never had to talk about it. I've never told anyone. Expect the police once, but they didn't believe me so... " Ashton admitted. Who was he going to tell? His friends? They wouldn't believe him.. no one did.. expect for Zayn and Ari and Luke.
"Oh. That's why you don't have a good track records with the cops. Fuck them. They probably got paid off by your dad." Luke was suddenly very angry at the fact that the police just ignored this kid

who was clearly asking for their help.
"Yeah... Probably. I wouldn't put it past him.." Ashton sat foreword and pulled up his shirt, showing Luke a very large long scar on his back. "That's what I got for talking to the police. A whipping so bad I had to get stitches. Never told anyone ever again." He frowned. Luke's hand reached up and gently rang his fingers along it.
"I'm sorry.. Oh Ashton.. I'm so sorry." Was all Luke could think of to say. Ashton pulled his shirt back down and looked at Luke.
"He was a very controlling man. I couldn't say or do anything he didn't approve of. I've had my clothes picked out every day of my life. I've had my classes, my meals, my hobbies controlled since I can remember. I couldn't even talk to people he didn't approve of first. Even when he wasn't around, he had a personal assistant just follow me around the house, and a counsellor at the school report to him. The only time I didn't have someone was on my way home from school when I was on the bus. But I missed it the day you kidnapped me.. My dad is weird about me spending any money that wasn't approved first and I didn't want to talk to him to ask him for a taxi, so I walked home instead and saw Luna hurt... and knew I had to help. It's funny how things just happen like that. I'm more free here than I ever have been." Ashton rambled on, looking down at his water bottle.
"You never have to worry about that man ever again. It sounds like you never got the chance to grow up, he kept you in this sadistic little world so you'd have to depend on him. " Luke spoke looking at Ashton and put a hand on his leg, trying to comfort him. "That's probably why we all just want to protect you here. You just have this innocence to you that we want to keep precious. You even have this child like wonder still, probably cause you never had a real childhood." Luke began, and Ashton blushed. It was true, he knew he acted like a child at times, though it wasn't on purpose. "I think Ariana and Zayn have kind of stepped into this role of wanting to be your caregivers." Luke chuckled softly.
"But I'm almost eighteen, I don't need caregivers." Even as he said the words he knew he still kind of did.
"You just had to be restrained from hurting yourself from a nightmare. We have to remind you to eat and drink water, you probably wouldn't even get out of bed or go to bed without being prompted.. I think you still need some help." Luke spoke, with a smile. "It's nothing to be ashamed of, especially considering how traumatic your past has been." Luke spoke softly. "But don't worry, we are going to take care of you and don't ever have to see anyone in your past again." He assured and Ashton nodded with a smile.
"Thank you... You know for a gang leader, you are a big softie." Ashton smiled softly.
"You take that back. I am mean and scary." Luke said, in a tone that Ashton knew he was joking. "Right, right. Mean and scary Luke the leader of 5sos." Ashton chuckled, and then yawned. "Alright kid lets get you back to sleep." Luke said getting up off the couch. Ashton followed him and they began walking back to Ari and Zayn's room.
"Wait.. I really don't want to sleep by myself.. What if the nightmares start again when I shut my eyes.. Can I sleep with you? I promise I'll sleep on the side of the bed and won't bother you. And then I can sleep with Ari and Zayn tomorrow, I just don't want to wake them up again.." Ashton spoke.
Luke thought about it for a moment. "Okay, fine.. But I don't have any security measures installed in my room yet. I will have to do that tomorrow, so.. for tonight I will have to think of something else." They walked towards Luke's room. He punched in a code to unlock the door and then lead Ashton inside. It was about the size of Ari and Zayn's room, if not a little smaller. But the bed was just as big. He lead Ashton over to the bed and told him to get in.

Luke disappeared for a moment and returned with a pair of wrist cuffs. They were the kind that was a leathery material, with soft black faux fur on the inside, they secured with a belt latch, and then locked in place with a small little lock-n-key. He began to fasten one side on Ashton's wrist and then the other on his own wrist. "I have things I don't want you going through so this will have to do until I install something else tomorrow." Luke explained.
"Okay. I wouldn't have tried to go through your things.. But I get it. Why do you just have these? These your girlfriends?" Ashton asked with a chuckle, they were pink on the outside so he thought they could have belonged to a girlfriend since pink didn't really seem to be Luke's colour based on his wardrobe and room colour.
"It's always good to have a pair of cuffs around, you never know what kind of fun you are going to have." Luke chuckled. "Girlfriend? No. I'm not really the settle down type... besides if anything, it would be boyfriend.. for sure." Luke stated, as he climbed into the bed beside Ashton. "What about you? Any love interests back home?"
"Ha! Yeah as if my dad let me talk to anyone. I'm bisexual though, so I guess I could have had a chance with any gender but no.. no love interests." Ashton stated.
Luke raised his eye brow as if to have peeked his interest. "Bi, eh. Hhm." Was all he said. "What?" Ashton questioned him further.
"Nothing. Alright, go to sleep kid. If you need me wake me up. I'm clearly not going anywhere so seriously. If you need me wake me up." Luke explained, gesturing the hand cuffs.
"Okay. Thank you sir. Goodnight."
"And Ashton.. You can call me Luke, you know that right?" Luke spoke softly. "Okay. Goodnight Luke."
"Goodnight Ashton."