feelings are fatal

-3-

The car ride was silent.

Ashton stared out of the window, unsure of what to talk about.

Luke, meanwhile, kept looking at Ashton worriedly. "Ash.. are you okay?" he asked softly. Ashton looked at him, a faint smile on his lips.

"Of course I am," he said, reaching his hand to hold Luke's. "Why wouldn't I be?"

Luke smiled, leaning over and kissing him softly while at a stoplight. It was a long kiss and he only remembered to go when someone honked at him.

Ashton giggled, squeezing Luke's hand amusedly. He looked back at the landscape, still smiling.

Eventually they arrived at Luke's house. Ashton walked in ahead of Luke, almost skipping inside. He gasped as soon as the giant doors opened.

He had been inside his house before, yet the gigantic white house made him gasp every time.

The house was absolutely beautiful. It was gigantic, clean, and spacious. They owned one of the biggest houses in Sydney.

"Luke! You're home!"

Luke's oldest brother, Ben, came running to them. "Finally! Oh, hey Ashton! How are you?" he asked.

Ashton smiled. "I'm good, thanks. What about you?" he asked. Ben smirked, looking at Luke. "Finally, you bring one of your polite friends."

Luke rolled his eyes and pulled Ashton away. "Cmon Ash, lets go.." he said, glaring playfully at his brother.

Ashton nodded and followed, wiggling his toes in the soft carpet and giggling.

Luke smiled amusedly at his boyfriend's reaction. "Okay, Cmon baby, to my room," he said, resting a hand on Ashton's waist and pulling him upstairs. He led him into his room and locked the door.

Ashton looked around the room, plopping down on the bed. "So, Luke-"

Luke shook his head quickly, slapping his arm gently. "No, Ashy. Don't change the subject on me, okay? I want you to tell me what's been happening at home and I want you to tell me now," he said, giving him a look.

Ashton nodded, sighing and wrapping his arms around himself.

"Fine. About a year and a half ago, my mom started dating someone else. His names Tyler and i thought he was nice at first. But.. a year ago, he hit me for the first time. He started hitting me and hurting me everyday and I just-I didn't know what to do. He never did it while my mom was around, though.. but about 6 months ago, I cane out as gay... my mom's okay with it but Tyler.. he didn't like it. He hit me worse than ever and.. and he did other things to me that I don't want to talk about. This kept happening for a month after that so I just left. I've been living on the streets ever since and I try my best to save up for an apartment. But I can't do this if my stepfather keeps taking my checks and using them for.."

Ashton looked down as a couple tears slipped from his golden eyes. "On top of all of this, my Mum's a drug addict and an alcoholic. Tyler uses my money to pay for drugs and alcohol.." he finished. He sniffled and wiped the couple tears that had slipped away.

Luke was left speechless.

There was silence for a bit before Luke wrapped his strong arms around his little body. He let the boy cry into his chest, patting his back.

"I'm so sorry baby.." he whispered into his ear. "I'm so sorry that I keep complaining about my stupid problems while you're going through all of this. I'm so so incredibly sorry."

Ashton nodded, hugging him tighter. "It's okay Luke.. I just, i don't have anywhere to stay."

Luke sighed, pulling away and looking into his eyes. "It's okay.. you can stay with me for a while.." he whispered.