~ "Don't you see, Ashton? If you want me, you'll have to stay. You'll have to wait. You'll have to live." "I'm not sure I can." {Luke is an angel and Ashton needs saving.} ~ Special thanks to cxddlingashtxn.

Ashton Fletcher Irwin, son of duke Tomas Irwin, is supposed to marry this year. Suitors are lining up, coming from the farthest corners of the country. He does not want to marry though, and when in a fit of rage he catches sight of a kitchen boy, he thinks he might know why. But the middle ages are hard and Ashton finds himself having to protect the reticent boy from lips that lack chasteness, religion, revenge and sometimes even himself.

What happens when one boy shatters everything you thought you knew about yourself? "I don't like boys. But I like you. Does that make sense?" "No." "Good."

In which two boys that are eight thousand miles apart fall in love through social media.

"You have a problem with falling, don't you?" "You have no idea." Cover by LilacLucas

Ashton is okay right now. He's always like this after a bad bout. He starts off saying that the world is his oyster and he loves everyone, but when the energy and fresh success fades, so does he. Luke knows. He knows about all of Ashton's problems. He knows about the time Ashton was bullied nearly to the brink, the family deaths and friend losses, and the ups and downs, the latter of which seem to be more common lately. It's been so easy lately for Ashton to slip after a joke gone wrong, or a jab on Twitter. Ashton always says he's sorry, repeating it again and again if only to convince himself. Luke knows he's sorry, knows that he can't help it. And he'll sit by the bathtub for hours, holding Ashton, to make sure that he knows someone loves him. None of the other boys know. Ashton couldn't bring himself to tell them and face their disapproving stares too, and he wouldn't let Luke tell them, so he's stuck in this half state of secrecy and confession to Luke. Ashton hasn't gone too far yet, not far enough that Luke can't patch him up with gauze, antibiotics, and a long hug. But someday, someday, Luke knows Ashton won't be able to take it anymore, and Ashton will die. And Luke will be all alone.