Somewhere in Neverland (Lashton)

Ch. 21: When Our Heart are Heavy Burdens

"Cause I've been trying way too long

To try and be the perfect song

When our hearts are heavy burdens

We shouldn't have to bear alone"

Go Radio(Goodnight Moon)

Ashton threw his bag on the floor of the kitchen. He was done with school for two weeks and he couldn't be more ready for a break from that hell hole. He noticed suitcases in the hallway. His brother and sister ran down the stairs carrying mini suitcases with smiles spiraled across their faces.

"Where do you two think you're going?" Ashton asked them as he knelt down to their level.

"Daddy said we're going on a family vacation to New York," Harry stated with an excited look in his eyes. Their dad entered the room just then with his briefcase in hand.

"Dad, are we going somewhere for break?" Ashton asked as he stood up. His dad gave him a stern look.

"You aren't, but the rest of the family is going to spend the holidays in the states," his dad uttered as if he wasn't breaking his son's heart.

"What do you mean?" Ashton asked.

"We need some time to think about everything that's been going on and we can't do that with you with us." Ashton got the feeling that by everything he meant Ashton's sexuality.

"So where am I supposed to stay?"

"Don't really care. We'll see you after the holidays. Don't bother calling or texting us," his dad said as the rest of the family grabbed their bags then headed out the door. Ashton stood there in the silence knowing there was no way he would be able to stay in an empty house for two weeks over the holidays. So, he packed his bags and drove to Luke's.

Luke's dad opened the door when Ashton knocked. He showed no facial expression when he saw him, if Ashton hadn't known better he would have thought that his face was incapable of movement. He didn't say a single word to him, just stepped aside. Luke was sitting at the island talking to his grandpa and brothers. Luke's eyes found Ashton's, he could see the pain hidden beneath his front and ran over to him, hugging him as tight as possible. Luke's whole family just stopped and stared at the two boys. They could tell they loved each other just how they clung to each other like magnets.

"What are you doing here?" Luke asked as he pulled back. Everyone else disappeared and it was just the two of them.

"My whole family went on vacation without me. I was wondering if I could stay here for the holidays," Ashton said in an unsure voice.

"Of course you can stay here, Ash," Luke said managing to pull a smile on his face. Luke turned around to the peering judgemental eyes of his family.

"Grandpa, you remember Ashton right? We go to school together and are on the football team together." His grandpa nodded pulling Ashton in for a hug.

"Of course I remember Ashton, you haven't stopped talking about the boy since I've arrived," he said making Luke blush. Luke had always loved his grandpa more than his parents and got along with him better than any other family member. Unlike the rest of his family, he understood him as well as cared about him. Ashton and Luke sent glances back and forth, beaming from head to toe.

"Are going to tell him or can I?" Ben asked with a smile.

"Tell me what?" his grandpa asked confused. Meanwhile, Luke's parents slipped out of the room.

"Ashton and I are dating," Luke said easy as taking candy from a baby. His grandpa didn't frown nor keep a straight face nor laugh, instead he smiled wide.