Fortunately, Luke got permission to get out of the castle on the next day. He was planning to go over the field where he met Ashton and maybe they could hang out if Ashton had the same idea. He liked the boy and felt a bit insecure, why would a 16 year old hang out with a 14 year old? He doesn't see a reason since he's kind of lame but he hopes Ashton is there.

Andrew is once again at the gate waiting for him. He gives Luke the usual speech before he leaves and Luke lives after Christopher shows up like usual. He just hopes his father trusts him and doesn't send Michael and Calum to follow him. Luke wants freedom instead of having someone watching over him constantly. He has always been told he should be independant yet people don't let him be.

It's stressful.

The small blond knew he was in the right path when he saw the rock and chocolates on the floor. They were Calum's and probably were the ones Michael had spit out before they started arguing and Luke got away. He walked through the open field where he had been the way before and sighed when he didn't see anyone in the border of the Pride Lands and the Outlands.

Luke heard humming and shuffling in the tall dry grass. He looked around but didn't see anyone so he decided to follow the sound. As he walked he could see the familiar curls that belonged to his almost-friend Ashton. He smiled and ran to the spot, seeing Ashton playing with wood and sitting on a rock. He seemed to be so lost in his own world that he didn't acknowledge Luke's presence, he even felt bad for interrupting the dirty-blond's imagination.

"Hey." Luke said, his voice cracking due to his nerves. He blushed when Ashton chuckled and cleared his throat "How are you?"

"Hey, I'm fine." Ashton replied "What about you?"

"I'm good. May I sit next to you?"

"Sure, why not."

Luke smiled and sat next to Ashton on the rock. He looked at how the boy was drawing with the wooden stick on the sand, not figuring out what was happening in there. It looked like mountains but at the same time like nothing but curved lines? He doesn't get it and feels unpolite to ask. Maybe Ashton was thinking, he seemed to be like it.

"Something going on in your mind?" Luke asked, staring at the boy's rosy cheek.

"Just a few stuff." Ashton said, sighing.

"Want to talk about it? I don't mind."

"It's just that everyone expects so much from me." Ashton said "It's like I'm supposed to run a kingdom someday or just be something when I'm not even sure of what I want to be."

"Well... now you could just be yourself?" Luke said, trying to help "You still have time to figure out who you are and what you want to do. Don't rush it, just stick to being yourself."

Ashton turned his head to Luke and smiled at him, nodding. "Thank you Luke, it means a lot to me."

"I-It's fine." Luke stuttered, seeing Ashton had dimples and a beautiful smile.

"Come on," Ashton got up "Let's do something."

Luke nodded and got up as well. They just looked around without knowing what to do. What would you even do in the middle of an empty field? Play hide and seek? Probably not. Luke smiled as he got an idea, touching Ashton's shoulder and taking a few steps back as he spoke.

"Tag, you're it!" he said, Ashton still stayed on his spot. Luke ran to him and slapped his shoulder again, giggling "Tag, you're it! You're it!"

Ashton raised his eyebrow and gave Luke a questioning look. Did he not understand what Luke was doing? It was pretty simple, everyone had played it when they were kids.

"You don't know how to play?" Luke asked "I'll tag, you run."

Ashton shrugs and keeps staring at Luke. His face is rather confused and Luke is afraid he might be annoyed or uncomfortable because he doesn't know how to do it. He runs to Ashton with a smile but trips, only to be caught by the older boy's arms. Their eyes lock and Luke blushes at how close their faces are.

"Luke!" a familiar voice yells behind him.

He was taken away from Ashton's grip and when he looked up he saw his mother holding him , his dad in front of them. Luke frowned at Ashton's reaction, he seemed sad when the woman appeared behind him. She was rather skinny, it's like she hasn't showered for days too. She was glaring at Luke's father with such anger that it scared him.

"Caroline." Luke's father said, in anger.

"Andrew." The woman said with a smirk, looking behind the man "Liz."

"Caroline."

"Michael, Calum!" Calum said, arriving with other guards "Now that we know each other, get out of our lands!"

"Your lands?!" Caroline yelled, scaring Luke. The small blond cuddled more into his mom's chest, locking his eyes with Ashton who was scared as well "This lands belong to Hayden!"

"I banished you from the Pride Lands! Now you and your son, get out. You don't belong here." Andrew spoke in a firm ton of voice, it was still intimidating though.

"Oh, you met met my son, Ashton?" she says, her voice becoming threatening and raspy "He was the one chosen by Hayden, to follow his foot-prints and be King."

"King?!" Calum exclaims "He looks as soft as a poodle!"'

"He was the last baby before you banished us to the Outlands! Where there is no food, nor water..."

"You know the penalty for returning into my lands! Get out of here before I decide to take higher risks."

"But he doesn't!" she yells "Poor baby. Do you really want to take those risks? Right in front of your son?"

"Don't you dare to talk about my son!" Liz yells, the guards keeping her behind Andrew.

Caroline chuckled, pushing her son closer to Andrew "But if you want your portion of flesh, here."

Luke saw Ashton was shaking, looking terrified as his father looked down at him. Andrew looked at the small nervous teen, knowing he didn't have the courage to hurt him even if he was related to Hayden.

"Get out of here and take him. We're finished."

"Oh, Andrew." She said, chuckling and pulling her son to her "We have barely started."

Everyone started leaving to their lands. Luke looked behind, his eyes locking with Ashton's hazel ones again. He whispered goodbye and Ashton did the same, sending a small wave and a sad smile.

Luke just hoped he could see him again in the future.

_________________________

meh it wasn't that trashy

opinions?

-ana rita (moony)