hai, we are kinda back to the script at the end of the chapter but next chapter won't be on the script but the one after that will be

do you understand what i'm saying?

Anyway, have a good read xx

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Today Luke felt particularly weird. His mood had been kind of low for a few days but it's normal since he had been closed in the castle area without talking to anybody but today it's special: it's Christmas and he usually celebrates it with Ben – and he is actually the only person Luke has.

They used to go out for dinner and then come back home to open the presents. He missed seeing Ben's face and hopeful smile everyday, reassuring him that everything would be okay and soon they can get out of there to new places. It won't be like that anymore but at least Luke has the memories of those happy times.

He got up and put his shoes on, he walked to the large window on his room and stared outside. Everything was covered in snow, he could see the wolves walking around the forest outside the wall, they were certainly looking for food. Luke walked to the wardrobe and woke it up. The wardrobe opened its eyes slowly and looked down to Luke, it smiled.

''I'm sorry to wake you up, but I didn't want to open it because it's basically your body and um... yeah...'' he said awkwardly and the wardrobe chuckled.

''It's okay, I'm glad you were respectful. Looking for some warm clothes?'' it said and Luke nodded.

It quickly gave Luke some warm clothes and fell asleep within seconds. Luke dressed up in the sweater and jeans and walked downstairs. He thought it was pretty early so no one would be working or doing something, but 1 PM wasn't that early and maybe they were awake already.

''You're awake already?'' a voice said behind him, he turned around and saw it was Ashton. He was wearing a dark red shirt, maybe he was being festive? ''I thought you would wait for someone to get you at your room.''

''Yeah, I decided that maybe being autonomous wouldn't hurt.'' He replied ''Besides, I don't need people escorting me from my room to other places – I can very well walk on my own, it's not like I'm going anywhere.''

Ashton only smiled and nodded ''Want to have lunch?''

Luke nodded and walked behind him to the large staircase. He didn't know if the objects noticed his discomfort but the castle was more clean now. Maybe they wanted to do it because they had a guest – or a new person living there – but Luke was just glad they did it.

They entered the dining room and Ashton pushed Luke's chair back (at least he used to sit there). The boy was surprised, Ashton was never this sweet to him or acted like a gentleman. Luke blushed, and sat down whispering 'thank you'. Ashton went to the other side of the table and sat down as well. The food started coming and various dishes were set on the table.

Ashton was cutting the meat, or trying since the knife and fork were too tiny for his large hands. Michael appeared and offered to cut the meat for him, he hesitantly agreed – Luke was there, he didn't want to seem like a guy who couldn't do a thing. He might be a beast, and maybe he stuck to the thought that no one will fall in love with a beast but it still doesn't stop him from wanting to look good on Luke's eyes.

Calum was on a table behind Luke, motioning for Ashton to compliment him. The beast/boy was sweating right in front of his crush and he could not do that. He opens his mouth to say something but it's like the words are stuck and he can't just say it. Ashton shuts his eyes and sighs heavily.

''Hey, are you okay?'' Luke asked and Ashton opened his eyes to stare at the boy's blue ones ''Do you want help cutting it? It must be hard.''

Ashton couldn't say anything, he shook his head in disapproval and Luke went back to his food. He couldn't say anything or tear his eyes off of the boy because he was just so perfect. Luke was wearing a dark green knitted sweater that belonged to Ashton so it was kind of big on him. His blonde hair had the fringe down to the side like usual and his pale skin looked like porcelain at the sunlight. Ashton held a breath, God he just looks so perfect.

You can't love him, stop it!, Ashton thought.

''That sweater is mine.'' The beast said, it came out quite harsh.

''Really?'' Luke answered with a pout ''I can change if you want, I won't mind.''

''N-No you can wear it. It looks perfect on you, you look perfect.'' Ashton said, he was vulnerable at the sight of the boy blushing and timidly smiling.

''Thank you Ashton. That's really sweet of you.''

Calum motioned him to go on and an eager Michael was beside him. Ashton cleared his throat and put on a confident voice ''It's fine, feel free to use anything you want. I recognize that you don't have clothes.''

Luke smiled again and ate. His cheeks were red and he just looked like a little bunny and he is so cute. Ashton went back to eating and tried to focus on what to do for Luke since it's Christmas. They boy is away from his only family and now lives in a big castle with tons of things to do. There has to be something.

''So... I was thinking that maybe you wanted to see your gift this afternoon? Right after you are done eating?''

''You-you have a gift for me?'' the blonde said, confused.

''Yeah um- do you want to see it now?''

''I would like to. But I feel bad that I don't have anything to give you.''

Ashton let out a laugh ''Don't, it's okay.'' Your company is enough.

Ashton did as before and pushed Luke's chair back before he had a chance to get up on his own. They walked out of the dining room and went to another corridor on the direction of the East Wing. Luke was surprised when they passed the staircase that led to that area and went to a corridor with gigantic windows on the right side, it had a view to the gardens. There was a big wooden door at the end of it and Ashton walked to it before turning around again with a big smile.

''Close your eyes.''

Luke narrowed his eyes and pressed his lips together on a thin line but closed them, smiling slightly. Ashton went back to him and waved his hand in front of Luke's eyes to check if he was still seeing something. He walked back to the door and picked up the rusty old key.

''You can come now, but keep your eyes closed.'' Ashton said, only remembering there was a door on the way when Luke crashed with it. He walked to the small boy and grabbed his hand ''Maybe I should have guided you. Keep your eyes closed.''

''Yeah I know, you told me that tons of times already. And yes, Irwie, I am okay, thank you for asking.'' Luke chuckled and Ashton laughed at the nickname even though he was fond of it.

The beast walked to the big dark blue curtains and started helping it. Luke shut his eyes even more, not getting used to so much light. Ashton opened every curtain until all the windows were shown and the sun light was coming in. He ran to Luke and grabbed his hand.

''You can open now.''

Luke opened his eyes and saw they were in a library. His mouth was open, it was enourmous. The shelves went to the ceiling and every bit of it had books. There was a secretary, and acoustic guitar and piano on a side of the room and there were sofas all around – even a big table at the middle.

''This is- I just... how did you-''

''Shelby told me.'' Ashton cut him off ''The wardrobe, her name is Shelby and she told me you loved books and music. I just thought it was the perfect gift to make you feel more at... home? At least it was better than the scented candle I was going to give you.''

''It's perfect.'' Luke hugged Ashton who stood in shock for a few seconds but ended up hugging back ''Thank you so much, I have no words to describe it. What can I do in return?''

Ashton smiled and felt butterflies on his stomach when Luke pulled away and smiled.

''Just keep being yourself.'' He said.

Luke smiled. Yeah, he could do that.