Warning: mentions of abuse and depression.

Ashton woke up at the bottom of the basement stairs Friday morning. He had slept on a large piece of cardboard as a desperate attempt to stay somewhat off of the cold concrete ground. He wasn't tired, after all, all he did the past two nights was sleep, but he was hungry, and felt even sicker than before. The cool damp environment probably didn't help that fact.

He heard the sound of locks unlocking and stood up, making his way up the stairs slowly. He stopped a little over halfway up as his father opened the door and looked down at him.

He didn't show any emotion towards the teen in front of him, his hair was combed, and he was in somewhat decent clothes now, but Ashton could still see the tired angry drunk behind it all. "Go to school if you want..." he grunted in irritation. "I'm going to work." He then walked away with nothing else said.

Once Ashton heard his father open and leave through the front door, he ventured the rest of the way upstairs. He b-lined for the kitchen and opened the fridge. He took out the carton of orange juice first and drank the rest without bothering to put it in a glass. The liquid burned his throat slightly, but satisfied his thirst. He then threw the empty container away and went back to search for food. He grabbed a small takeout box with Chinese noodles in it, closed the fridge, got a fork and started eating it. It was gone within seconds, but he already felt slightly better to just have food in him. He then went to the medicine cabinet, and opened it. Nothing but liquor.... perfect. He thought sarcastically before closing the doors and walking out of the room, grabbing his phone on the way out.

3 missed calls: Jaxon

Along with an assortment of messages. He shook his head and ignored them. He wouldn't care so much if he knew what happened. If he knew how horrible I really was... Ashton then went upstairs and into his room. He checked the time. There's no way I'll have time to shower... He thought. He really didn't want to go to school, but he'd already missed the last three days, and he'd rather be there in case his dad came back.

He thought back to the time Patton freaked out over him not showing up to school for four days in a row, and wondered if anyone had even noticed he was missing this time... last time he lied and said he was sick, but really the same thing with his dad locking him in the basement had happened. Now Both excuses were legitimate. He was sick. And his dad was a dick.

He couldn't help but think about how his life was only getting worse. I know I fucked up, but why do bad things keep happening? Do I really deserve it all. He sighed. Maybe I do... maybe I always have.

He pulled in some new clothes and concealed his hair within a beanie to hide its slight grubbiness. He grabbed his bag, slipped his phone and charger in, and headed back downstairs. He then put On his jacket and boots before heading to the front door. His hand hit the handle and he froze.

Why am I doing this? I don't want to go to school... but I don't want to stay here... I want to be left alone, and yet... I really don't. What do I want? Really. What is it I want? I don't know anymore. Maybe... He thought back to standing on the edge of the bridge, before shaking his head. He opened the door continuing his plan to go to school. Why am I doing this..? Why am I doing any of this?

He walked next door and was relieved when he saw his neighbor already in the garage. "Hey Mr. Richards."

"Ah good morning Ashton." The elderly man greeted warmly.

"Do you think I can maybe borrow your car again to get to school. It's a bit cold for my bike." He figured it best not to ride a motor cycle anyways when he didn't feel great.

Mr. Richards smiled at him, but there was a bit of hurt in his eyes. He didn't know the extent of what was happening to Ashton but, being their neighbor, he wasn't a stranger to witnessing his father come home drunk most nights. In turn he took pity on the teen, but not the kind that was deemed undesirable because it did come from genuine worry. "Of course you can," he replied. "I'll get the keys for you. Is there anything else you need?"

"Actually..." Ashton trailed off. "Do you have any cold medicine?"

"I think I do." The man smiled again. "I'll be right out."

True to his word he came back a few minutes later handing Ashton the car keys and bottle. "There's not much over a dose or two in there, but I hope it'll do okay for now."

"It will, thank you." Ashton flashed him a bittersweet smile before getting in the car and heading to school.

-&-

It was mid-school-day and Logan was walking casually to his study hall period.

A group of boys ran by laughing and messing around before disappearing around the opposite corner.

He suddenly was stopped in much confusion by an arm being wrapped around his shoulders.

"Hey Logan buddy." Roman smiled at him.

Logan blinked at him for a second, before stating blankly, "what do you want?"

"Oh nothing, I just heard that you have a date with my friend Patton tonight." Roman spoke innocently.

"And what is the matter to you? We are together after all, so I don't see why it would be a problem for me to do so," Logan stated.

"There's not." Roman shrugged. "All I'm here for is to tell you to make sure it goes well."

"I do not have intentions of it going badly." Logan stared at him in slight confusion.

"I'm sure you don't." Roman chuckled. "But listen, and don't tell him I told you this, Patton's kind of freaking out. He's excited don't get me wrong, but he was on the phone with me all night last night arguing with himself over what he should wear. He kept asking me what he though you'd like best, not that I would ever know, but I don't think he was really looking for my answer."

Logan bit back a smile as he imagined his boyfriend excitably going through his clothing.

"This is Patton's first real date." Roman got slightly more serious. "I want things to go well for you guys."

Logan nodded. "I do as well. I desire for his time as well as mine to be joyous."

Roman seemed satisfied with the answer, and smiled widely. "Great! Then hopefully I'll have nothing to worry about."

-&-

Ashton walked down the hall to his next class slowly. He was probably going to end up late, but he honestly didn't care at that point. If he was caught and given a detention then so be it. Right now he hardly had the motivation to keep walking let alone engage in any class.

"Hey, if it isn't Ashton." A classmate he recognized, but didn't know the name off, smiled confidently walking in front of him causing Ashton to have to stop in his tracks. "Long time no see, where've you been?"

Ashton sighed in annoyance, going to step back, but realizing two more of the guys friends were already behind him. These guys had been taunting him since he had moved to the school. He was really more just annoyed with them. They would mess with him daily, but mostly were all bark and no bite. If he wasn't so threatened by the thought of getting kicked out of school he would have actually fought them sooner.

"Jesus, What's with the clothes, and a beanie really? You gonna go write some poems and cry? That outfit practically screams I slit my own wrists." The guy chuckled.

The comment stuck Ashton on a deeper level, but he wasn't going to show it. "Whatever shit-head get out of my way." He tried to walk past him, but an arm stopped him so roughly the air caught in his throat for a second.

Damn... Ashton though. This stupid sickness is making me feel so weak.

The other student seemed just as surprised that he had stopped him with such an impact, but then he smirked, grabbing Ashton's shoulders and shoving him against a locker. "Hold him for a second." He referred to the other boys.

They did, exchanging laughs.

"You assholes! Let me go!" Ashton shouted, trying to squirm free, but his fever had taken away most of his strength.

Their leader opened the boiler room door, happy to find it was unlocked, across the hall. "Alright throw him in."

"What, you fucking psychos! Let me go!" Ashton debated as he was dragged over.

They shoved him into the room and the heavy metal door shut, causing the room to go pitch black.

Ashton felt his eyes widen and his breath catch in his throat. "This isn't funny!" He shouted running over to the door. The handle wouldn't turn, and panic sparked in him. He was brought back to the cold nights in the basement, alone and unwanted. Fear washed over him entirely. "Open the door!" His voice cracked desperately, he could feel his whole body start to tremble.

He could hardly hear the boys outside as they laughed with each other.

"Come one we're gonna be late!" One stated, and then silence.

Ashton felt like he couldn't breath. He tried to hold back tears, but failed and an overwhelming sense of dizziness came over him. He almost felt like he'd lost complete control of himself. He slammed his palms against the metal door. "Let me out!" He pounded. "Open the door please!" He couldn't take it anymore felt like he was going insane. He began punching the hard metal surface, hardly feeling the pain. He screamed. "Open the door please! PLEASE! OPEN THE DOOR! let me out! let me out! LET ME OUT!"

There was a voice. "Hold on!"

He heard a click and froze, the door opened and out of desperation he fell into the open lit hallway. He sat on the ground, catching his breath and once again trying to process the world around him normally.

"Ashton??" A voice exclaimed in surprise.

He looked up to see who his savior was. It was Logan And Roman.

Oh my God! Why them?? Ashton's thought, his breathing speeding up again.

"Are you okay?" Roman asked in shock, kneeling down to him.

Logan stood there too in confusion, but seeming concerned.

"I'm fine." Ashton replied quickly getting up and wiping his face. He turned away from them and started walking quickly down the hallway.

"Ashton?!" Logan called out.

"I said I'm fine!" He snapped back at them, rounding the corned to get away from them as fast as possible. His hands ached unimaginably and they were shaking. He tried to hold his breath as some desperate attempt to normalize it. Why them?? Why Patton's brother?! They don't want to help me! No one does!

-&-

"What drinks would you like to order?" A nicely dressed, young waiter asked politely.

Logan looked across the table at Patton allowing him to go first.

"Oh, um... just Sprite please." Patton answered shifting in his seat slightly. He was nervous, he didn't know why, he and Logan had been out together before, but now they were in a relationship. Everything felt... different, but at the same time it was still familiar. His confusion only added to his nervousness.

"I'll have an iced-tea please, unsweetened." Logan replied.

"I'll have that right out for you." The waited replied before walking off.

Patton continued to scan the menus even thought he pretty much knew what he wanted already.

"You look very handsome tonight." Logan complimented his boyfriend, scanning over the clothes he had picked.

Oh my God Logan just blatantly scanned my body and complimented me! Patton thought gripping his menu in nerves. What the hell is going on? He smiled and blushed. "Thank you, you do too, although I always think you look handsome."

Logan smiled at the compliment, and before they knew it the waiter was back with their drinks and ready to take their order.

-&-

Logan walked Patton up to his front door after dinner, and they stopped on the front step.

"Do you... um wanna come in for a few minutes?" Patton asked pulling at his jacket sleeve.

"Sure." Logan replied a smile residing on his face.

Oh god... Patton thought. That smile is gonna be the death of me.

They both walked into the house.

Patton took off his shoes and jacket, hanging it up right away. "Would you like something to drink?" He asked as he and his boyfriend walked into the warm living room. The familiar place made some of his nerves diminish, but there was still an underlining slight feeling of anxiety that he still didn't quite understand.

"I would, anything will be fine." Logan responded.

"Okay!" Patton chirped  heading into the kitchen quickly. He got two glasses of water before joining his boyfriend in the living room.

"What are you doing?" He asked setting the glasses on the coffee table.

Logan stepped away from the stereo and slow music started playing. "We never actually did get a proper dance." He replied offering his hand to Patton.

Patton felt his heart skip a beat and a warm feeling to spread throughout his body. He couldn't help but let a big smile spread across his face as he placed his hand in Logan's

Said boy pulled him closer right away, looping an arm around his waist.

Patton placed a hand on Logan's shoulder and began to follow his steps.

Logan extended an arm and spun Patton beneath it before returning him to the proper position.

"What was that?" Patton asked teasingly.

"Just adding a bit of flavor." Logan replied giving the boy a smirk that made him blush.

"Logan." Patton looked away shyly. "What's with you tonight?"

"I'm on a date with my boyfriend correct?" Logan questioned leaning in closer to Patton's ear and speaking softly. "There are still many things you will learn about me."

Patton felt the other's breath brush against his ear and felt like he was going to explode.

Logan then spun him again slowly.

Patton could almost sense what he was gonna do and gave him a warning glance. "Don't dip me. I swear to god Logan if you drop me." He was fighting back a smile and squealed in laughter as his boyfriend ignored his request and quickly leaned him back securely into his arm.

"Do you really think I would drop you?" Logan asked leaning in to hover his face above Patton's.

Patton was still giggling. "No, no, but you still could, pull me back up."

Logan did as he was told that time and pulled Patton back properly on his feet, to stand in front of him. He held his partner's arms gently and looked down at him as he suppressed his laughter, and placed his hands on Logan's chest.

Patton met his eyes after he caught his breath, noticing how close they were. He then smiled teasingly and pushed Logan away gently, running in the opposite direction.

"Where are you going?" Logan asked, catching him from behind the waist, causing Patton to erupt in laughter again. Logan then trapped him in his arms, pulling him close. "Why do you always try to run away when we dance?"

Patton continued to laugh. "Logan don't, that tickles!"

"What does?" Logan asked gently squeezing Patton's waist again.

Patton laughed louder. In fact, he couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed so much. "That does! Stop!" He squirmed to get away from his merciless boyfriend, but ended up just facing him again.

Logan stopped his antics, keeping one arm securely around his waist, and used the other to brush Patton's bangs from his face. "You're so adorable when you laugh."

Patton let his eyes scan over Logan's face, his gaze falling to his lips.

Logan let his freehand slide behind Patton's ear and gently pulled his head closer so their lips met.

Patton closed his eyes and kissed back, letting his hands slide up his partner's shoulders and around his neck, so he could feel a bit of his hair between his fingers.

It didn't matter how many times Logan kissed him, it left Patton completely entranced.

They both broke the kiss after a while, feeling a need for air, but continued to lean their foreheads together.

Patton watched his boyfriend as they remained pressed against one another, slightly swaying to the music still playing in the background.

He couldn't remember a time when he had been so unimaginably happy.

Hey guys, wow I'm cheesy as all hell XD. I hope you liked the new part. Poor little Ashton is having a horrible time in every way. What are you thoughts on his situation? What about Jaxon? Do you think he'll give up on his venture to help Ashton? And how about Logan becoming more confident in his relationship with Patton? Did you expect that? Vote and comment, bye!
~Hannah😋