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First off, I'm on a role. 5K words after updating 3 times yesterday? Damn!

Secondly, this chapter may be triggering to some or make others uncomfortable, so if you don't want to read it but you want a summary of the chapter then you can message me or something. (Slight spoiler: contains scene of non-consent).

I'm sorry this turned out so dramatic, I don't know what happened or where this came from but I promise the next chapter will be seriously fluffy and happy to make up for this because wow, this went from 0-100 real quick.

Also, someone said that they thought the story may be going a little too fast in terms of Luke and Ashton's relationship so I thought I'd just clarify in case some of you feel the same way.

Because Ashton and Luke have been emotionally bonded their entire lives, they're already in love with each other to some degree. Maybe they're not completely 100% in love but they do already love each other a lot. Like a lot a lot.

They live in a world where this is completely natural because everyone loves their soulmate to some degree (despite not physically and mentally knowing them) because of the bond they've shared their whole lives. They almost feel like they know them because of the emotions they've shared.

Hope that makes sense and if you have any questions please ask.

Sorry for the long ass author's note!

Please let me know if you notice any spelling or grammatical errors.

Don't forget to comment and vote if you enjoyed the chapter because it makes me happy and motivates me to keep on updating. :)

***

Despite it only being his second day at university, Ashton found that waking up the next morning and getting ready for his first day of lectures went by a lot faster than he thought it would.

He was able to find the bathrooms again relatively easy and because he was always one to wake up early and he didn't have to sort his dorm or pack, the bathrooms were empty and he had the place to himself.

Soon Ashton was back in his room and reading through his textbooks. He wanted to be ready for the day ahead but Brad's snoring was getting a little annoying. He didn't understand why he was sleeping considering he had a lecture this morning. Ashton knew this because he'd had to listen to Brad complain for a solid hour last night before Brad went to another party.

Ashton was always a bit of a heavy sleeper so he was grateful when he didn't hear Brad arrive at God knows what time. All he knew was that when his alarm went at six thirty this morning, Brad almost killed him for waking him up then went back to snoring obnoxiously loud.

A loud knock on the door had Brad grumbling in annoyance and Ashton heard the sheets rustling and assumed he was probably covering his face to block out the sound.

Ashton was glad that Brad was being annoyed and hoped he had a terrible hangover this morning. He wasn't one to be so mean but Brad was really starting to irk him.

Ashton let the person knock one more time on the door just to annoy Brad further before he got up to answer it. He really hoped it was Michael coming for his lecture because he was starting to get a little bored and he also didn't want anyone else seeing him without glasses.

"Hey Ashy," Michael said a little too loudly but Ashton smiled because Michael was always happy and also because he knew Michael's loudness was annoying Brad.

"Hi Mikey, are we going now?" Ashton asked, smiling because he was in a good mood today and was excited to start lectures.

"Yup."

"Okay, let me just get my things."

Ashton left the door open so that Michael could come in if he wanted and went to get his bag that was placed in his cupboard. He made sure everything he needed was in there along with the necessary books.

He grabbed his cane and cell phone and was about to start looking for his glasses before realising he didn't have them anymore. He shifted uncomfortably at the thought but knew there was nothing he could do about it for now and he'd just have to go another day and buy new ones.

"Ready?" Michael asked. Ashton nodded before heading towards the door.

Michael offered to guide Ashton but in the end agreed to let him use his cane because Ashton was stubborn and insisted that he had to do certain things on his own. Maybe it did take them a little longer to get to the lecture than it otherwise would've but the two had left early enough that it wasn't a problem.

When getting to the lecture hall, Michael led Ashton to the back of the classroom as he didn't like sitting in the front and hoped to avoid the stares of the other students because even if he couldn't see the stares he could definitely still feel them. He honestly thought that feeling the stares was worse than seeing them because it made you fidgety when not knowing exactly who was looking at you and why and it always made him terribly uncomfortable.

Ashton was nervous for his first lecture and it made him even more so when realising Michael, or anyone he knew for that matter (even if the list was incredibly short), was in his first lecture. Michael promised to meet him outside when he was done so Michael could then take Ashton to the library. He could do his work in his room but he wanted to avoid Brad as much as he could.

The lecture started soon enough and Ashton was glad he was voice recording the lectures on his phone because the moment he tried to take down notes and listen at the same time, he realised he wasn't paying attention as well as he thought he was and he'd often miss out a lot of the information.

He didn't hear anyone whisper about him and he didn't feel anyone staring so he hoped that the students were focusing more on the lecture than him because he didn't like attention.

The lecture ended soon enough and Ashton sighed in relief because if all his lectures were like this then he thinks University might not be as bad as he initially thought.

Ashton made his way out the class to where he remembered the door being and although a few people bumped into him, they apologised and Ashton was glad it was at least a little different from High School. If this were High School, they probably would've knocked him down and snickered if they were alone or perhaps if everyone was there they'd laugh. It varied really.

What made it worse was that the teachers eventually gave up. It wasn't like they could suspend majority of the school for being rude. They never beat him up anyways (except for one time and at least then the guy had been suspended), everyone just laughed or 'accidentally' pushed him over so there wasn't much they could do.

Michael, true to his word, arrived five minutes later but seemed a little stressed considering he had another lecture right afterwards. Ashton allowed Michael to guide him this time so that they could get to the library faster, however, Ashton did ask for directions back to his dorm because he wanted to start learning his way around and since his dorm was relatively close it didn't seem like a bad idea.

Michael made Ashton promise to text him when he left the library and when he arrived back at the dorm. He also insisted that he call if anything went wrong or if he got lost and Ashton smiled because it was sweet that Michael was so concerned about him.

Ashton settled down at the back of the library and plugged in his earphones, playing back the lecture and taking down notes. He didn't have any work to complete just yet so he made sure to go over all the work they'd covered and had the necessary parts that weren't in his textbook taken down. It took him a little over an hour to complete but he didn't want to go back to his dorm and listen to Brad go on about how he should try putting on contact lenses so that he'd look normal.

Ashton would be lying if he said he wasn't considering it but that was a thought for another day. He just wanted time to relax because Brad talked too much and Ashton was almost certain that Brad was walking around naked and it made him uncomfortable even if he couldn't be certain of it.

Ashton remembered Michael saying they were passing a café on the way to the library and if he thinks closely, he thinks he can remember the way. It's risky of course, but Michael's lecture is probably ending now so if he's completely lost he could always call him.

As much as he doesn't like relying on people, he loves being able to do things on his own even more so even if in the end he'll have to call Michael, at least he tried to do something independently. He wants to be like everyone else, walking to lectures and going out for coffee and even attending parties. He just wants to be normal like everyone else so he'll be damned if he doesn't try.

To say Ashton was surprised when he found the café was an understatement. Sure he just ended up following a girl who was leaving the library talking on her phone, telling her friend to meet her at the café, but he did get there in the end and that's all that mattered. It was easy enough that he could remember how to get there to and from the library so he knew for sure he'd be going there often.

The guy who worked there also offered to help Ashton get to a table and since he didn't know the layout of the café, he agreed to it. Maybe he should've told Michael, however, because he called panicking when he couldn't find Ashton in the library but he never texted saying he'd gotten to the dorm fine.

He declined Michael's offer for him to join, however, because he knew Michael had planned to spend time with Calum and he didn't want Michael to cancel his plans with his soulmate or be a third wheel. He didn't mind being a third wheel with Michael and Calum because they never made him feel left out, but he just thought they deserved time alone so he didn't mind.

Eventually Ashton decided it was time to go back. He couldn't avoid Brad forever and he knew he was probably going to another party again tonight so hopefully he wouldn't stay in the dorm too long.

***

"Hey Blindy!"

Ashton jumped in fright when he heard the door to the dorm room bang open. The book he'd been reading flew to the floor and he clutched his chest and tried to steady his breathing.

"Jesus Brad!" Ashton sighed, his heart racing in his chest. He ignored the stupid nickname that Brad took to calling him. It wasn't exactly offensive and maybe Brad did say it a little mockingly but he knew Brad was a naturally uncaring guy and didn't get when people were hurt by something. If he did, then he clearly didn't care but that's just who Brad is.

"We're going to a party at my friend Olli's tonight," Brad announced proudly. Ashton heard the door close and Brad's footsteps walking further into the room. Ashton leaned over the bed to retrieve the fallen book and had to feel around a bit because apparently he'd thrown it a little further away in his fright.

"You mean you're going to a party," Ashton stated as he sat back up and tried to find the page he was previously on. Ashton could hear the clothing hangers scraping and knew Brad was looking for an outfit for whatever party he was talking about.

"No, me and you are going."

"That's wrong," Ashton said as he paged through the book.

"Huh?"

"It's not 'me and you' it's 'you and I'. You're supposed to say 'you and I are going to the party'." Ashton grinned when he finally found his page, ignoring Brad who decided to mock him.

"Whatever, you should start getting ready," he said, clearly annoyed.

"I'm not going, Brad. I'm pretty sure you didn't forget because you like to keep reminding me, but I'm blind. A blind person going to a crazy party when they've never even been to a party before is bound to end up in disaster." Ashton wasn't in the mood to deal with Brad at the moment. He just wanted to continue reading because even though he's read Harry Potter a million and one times, it never gets old and sometimes it's like he's reading it for the first time again.

"This is why no one will ever treat you like you're normal, because you don't act like it."

Ashton froze mid-reading, Brad's words sinking in. He'd said it so nonchalantly but it hurt because it was true. Ashton had just earlier today been thinking about how he wanted to be like everyone else, but he was always telling himself what he could and couldn't do and listened when others told him that as well.

Yet, here was Brad, giving him the chance to be like everyone else. That's all he's ever wanted. Maybe if he acted and did what others did, maybe Luke would like him more and they could be together.

Maybe he actually would've had friends in High School if he

acted more confident and more like everyone else.

"O-okay, I'll come," Ashton stuttered out nervously. He knew this could potentially be bad but he needed to be normal for once in his life.

"There we go, Blindy! Knew you'd come around in the end." Ashton could almost hear the smirk in his voice and it made him a little more nervous but he decided to ignore it.

Ashton got up and made his way to his cupboard. He knew he had a pair of black skinnies that his mom always said were his best pants. He remembered what the tear and rips in them felt like. They were tighter than the jeans he wore when he arrived at University and even if they were a little uncomfortable, he wanted to look okay for his first party.

He then decided to pick a random tank top and hope Brad thought it was suitable for a party because he wasn't exactly sure how these things worked. He couldn't always feel the designs because sometimes the design on the shirt felt exactly the same as the shirt itself so he had no way of telling.

He changed as fast as he could as he heard Brad changing. He didn't like changing in the room with him because he was insecure about his body and didn't like the thought of people seeing him when he hadn't even seen himself.

"You picked good, Blindy," Brad said, probably smiling (it always sounded like he was smiling), as Ashton tied on his shoelaces.

"Thanks," Ashton mumbled. Brad often had harsh opinions so complimenting Ashton was a huge achievement.

"Dude, you should straighten your hair! It'd look so much better!" Brad yelled as though he'd discovered the solution to world peace. Ashton reached up, tugging at his hair insecurely. He had received compliments on his curly hair but apparently it wasn't as nice as people made it out to be.

"Um, okay then." Ashton had never straightened his hair before because it's not like he'd be able to see it anyways and it always felt like it'd be a waste of time.

Turns out Brad was extremely good at straightening hair, perhaps he did it himself, because soon enough they were done and Brad went on about how Ashton actually looked good for a change. He didn't know whether to take that as a compliment or not so he just shrugged, face a little flushed.

"Okay so we're almost done. Just one more thing." Ashton could hear Brad rustling around the desk for something and he sat nervously on the edge of the bed, wondering what it could be.

"Ah, found it! Okay, so these are mine but I'm doing you a huge favour by lending them to you so you'd better be grateful." A small box was thrust in Ashton's hand and he didn't understand what he was supposed to do with this.

"Um..."

"Oh right! They're contact lenses. They're blue so it should look okay on you. Don't want you scaring the party guests with those eyes, now do we?" Brad chuckled. Ashton gulped nervously, not knowing how to put them on so he told Brad that. Turns out Brad didn't want to help him but after Ashton pointed out that he'd just go without them, Brad reluctantly agreed.

"Dude, you look so good right now! If I was gay, I'd totally do you."

Ashton grimaced but thanked him anyways. He reached out to grab the cane from the headboard when his hand got slapped away.

"Ow! What was that for?" Ashton asked, rubbing the top of his hand that stung more than he wanted to admit.

"You can't take your cane! People will know you're blind and the point of this is so people don't know. You're meant to be normal, remember?" Ashton's nerves picked up and this was really starting to feel like a bad idea but he couldn't back out now. Brad would never let him forget it and if he wanted to be normal for at least one night, then he had to make sacrifices.

"Okay," Ashton nodded, trying to make his voice sound firm and confident despite feeling like he could throw up from nerves at any moment.

Ashton, despite being a patient person, almost strangled Brad when he refused to help him walk to the car. He reminded the guy that since he didn't have his cane, he'd need some sort of guidance since he's blind.

Despite Brad calling him Blindy, it seemed he often forgot that Ashton's blind. He couldn't walk to the parking lot on his own and after telling Brad that he'd just not go at all, he finally agreed.

"I'm not gay, so we're not linking arms," he grunted as he gripped Ashton's upper arm and all but dragged him out the room. Ashton almost fell more than once and Brad finally slowed down when he got tired of steadying Ashton.

Ashton wiped his palms on his jeans and blinked repeatedly at the odd feeling of the contact lenses on his eyes. He wanted to take them out but he wanted to look normal more than anything else so he decided to just deal with it.

"You need to look around more," Brad said from the drivers seat.

"What?" Ashton asked, turning his head to face the direction of Brad's voice.

"You're staring creepily. You need to move your eyes more or it'll just look weird and people will think you're staring. For all you know you could be in the party and staring at some chick's boobs and her boyfriend might beat you up."

Ashton frowned but nodded anyways. He hoped he wouldn't forget because it was relatively easy to sometimes and he started getting scared that he'd be beaten up at his first party.

Ashton started fidgeting when he thought about how he'd get around a house he's never been to before. He didn't know anyone there and he had nothing to get around with. He was one hundred percent certain that Brad wouldn't make sure he got around okay because he didn't even want to help Ashton walk to the car.

"M-maybe this isn't such a good idea..." Ashton mumbled, already regretting this decision. Sure he wanted to be normal, but he didn't know if throwing himself into a crazy party was the way of doing that.

"Don't be such pussy, Ashton. We're almost there so it's too late to back out now. And you're not staying in my car," he said firmly. "I'll get you a few drinks and in no time you'll be having the time of your life."

Ashton had never drunk before and his stomach twisted nervously at the thought. He wanted to slap himself repeatedly in the face for making such a stupid mistake in coming. Sure there was a chance that he might actually enjoy himself but if he was being perfectly honest, the chances were fairly slim.

When the car stopped and Brad announced they were there, Ashton thought he was going to be sick. He could hear the loud thumping of music that made him confused because he couldn't hear people talking or walking or any other signs that indicated his surroundings. It was overwhelming and too much.

He heard Brad get out his side of the car and Ashton hesitantly reached out for the door handle and opened it. He barely had time to close the car door before Brad had gripped his arm and was dragging him towards the party.

He could feel the bass and flinched at how loud it was. He bumped into people repeatedly and tripped when he reached the porch only to be roughly stood up again by Brad. Brad didn't say anything, but it was perfectly clear how annoyed he was by Ashton and he knew that Brad already regretted bringing him over.

Ashton could feel sweaty bodies bump into him and he cringed. The smell of alcohol and sweat was pungent. The air was thick with smoke that smelt odd and he couldn't identify what it was.

Before long, Brad had dragged Ashton into a room far less chaotic. Despite the heavy bass and loud beat of a song Ashton didn't know and honestly didn't care to, the room didn't seem to have much, if any, people. It was hard to tell since the music drowned out a lot of the other sounds so he could only assume.

"I'll fix you up a drink. Any preferences?" Brad asked. Ashton had to strain his ears to hear but when he did he just shook his head and hoped Brad could see because he was too nervous to talk. He actually wanted the drink at this point because he assumed it was the only way he'd get through the night.

"Who's your cute friend?" A female voice asked. She sounded a lot like she was trying to be seductive and it made Ashton cringe.

"Oh that's Ashton," Brad said and Ashton furrowed his eyebrows in confusion because was she talking about him? It made him blush a little to know that she found him attractive but he also didn't like it.

A drink was suddenly thrust into Ashton's hand and he felt some of it spill over the edge. He knew his hands would probably end up sticky and it made him cringe because he knew he probably wouldn't be able to wash them for a long time.

"Go on Blindy, drink up while I go find Claudia," Brad said cheerfully, however Ashton flinched when Brad's hot breath was in his ear as he whispered, "Jessica here will keep you company."

Ashton assumed Jessica was the girl talking to Brad earlier and he honestly wanted nothing to do with her. Brad left, however, before he could voice his concern and suddenly there were small, feminine hands rubbing his arms. He tried not to cringe because he didn't want to be mean so he just lowered his eyes because he didn't know where her face was and knew if he tried to 'look' at her it would just be embarrassing when he was off.

"You going to drink that?" She purred in his ear and he wanted to run away and hide but he couldn't. He didn't know where the exit to the house was due to how overwhelmed he was when they'd arrived which meant he hadn't been paying attention to the direction they were going in.

Ashton sighed before bringing the cup to his lips and taking a gulp. It burned his throat and honestly tasted horrendous, so much so that he felt like he could throw up. He cringed, face scrunching up in disgust and he honestly didn't understand why people bothered to drink in the first place.

He heard Jessica's giggle in his ear so he took another gulp because he just wanted to get through the night without crying and knew if he drunk enough maybe he could forget how he'd rather be anywhere else but here.

Jessica's hands were getting a little too touchy as they ran up and down his torso and it made him feel sick because it wasn't right. He brought the cup to his mouth taking an even larger gulp than before. There was a lot in the cup and by the time he was almost done his head felt a little fuzzy.

Ashton stumbled a bit and he didn't understand why because he was sure three quarters of a drink wasn't nearly enough to get him drunk, even if it was his first time drinking.

"You alright there, babe?" Jessica giggled. She gently tugged on his arm and he dizzily let her. He was so confused and his senses felt dimmed and without his eyesight he felt so lost. He didn't understand anything. He didn't understand the press of bodies and their sweaty limbs. He felt hot and lost and he wanted to go home.

"Jess-ssica?" Ashton slurred out. He didn't feel right and he needed her to get him away from wherever he was.

"We're almost there, babe. Calm down."

Ashton didn't know where 'there' was but he thinks Jessica or someone else's hands were around his waist because he wasn't on the floor but he felt as though he were falling.

Ashton was confused when he felt soft bedding beneath him. He didn't understand when he got to the bed but he was there.

"You okay, babe?" Ashton recognised Jessica's voice above him and he felt her smaller frame press against his. He tried telling her to get off but his voice sounded slurred and incoherent and he was almost certain she couldn't hear him.

He felt pressure against his lower area and he tried to squirm away but his limbs felt too heavy. He didn't want to be touched there, it wasn't right and he didn't like it. He felt his eyes well up with tears because despite his confusion and dizziness he knew without a doubt that he didn't like her touching him there.

"S-sstop," Ashton pleaded. He tried to push her off but he couldn't make his arms work like he wanted them to.

"You'll like it, I promise," she whispered in his ear. He shook his head, the movement making him dizzy but he needed her to stop. He felt his tears brim over the edge and his breathing turn ragged. He didn't know where he was and he couldn't remember getting here but needed to leave.

"Sh, don't cry. Come on, I know you'll like it." Ashton continued to cry, shaking his head despite it making him nauseous. His body was heavy and he needed to move. He needed her to stop.

"Let me get you another drink from downstairs, maybe you'll like it then," Jessica muttered as she stood up. He heard the bedroom door close and cried harder because even if she did stop touching him for now, she'd probably be back soon and she'd do even worse.

Ashton's heart leapt in his chest when he felt his phone in his back pocket. He struggled to bring the phone to his ear as it felt overly heavy in his hand but eventually he was able to.

Ashton struggled to pronounce Michael's name and he almost thought Siri would never understand him because of how slurred he was but when he heard his phone ringing he cried harder in both relief and fear.

"Hello?" Ashton didn't know who answered but he was just so relieved but scared that Jessica would be back soon.

"Mi-k-key," Ashton slurred out, the phone seemed to weigh more than before and he almost felt like he couldn't hold it any longer.

"Ashton? Is that you?" The voice sounded panicked and terrified.

"Hel-p pl-ea-sse." Ashton could barely understand himself but he needed help right now and couldn't say what he needed to.

"Where are you, baby? Tell me where you are so I can help you." Luke. It was Luke and it made Ashton cry harder because Luke sounded so scared.

"Br-aa-dd's p-par-tyy," Ashton mumbled.

"Did you say Brad's party? Do you mean you went to a party with Brad?" Luke asked, voice hurried. Ashton could hear commotion and frantic talking in the background.

"Y-ye-ah, pl-ea-sse hel-p."

"I'm coming, baby. Do you hear me? Just stay on the line. We're getting in the car now. Michael, Calum and I are coming for you," Luke said, his voice thick like he was trying to remain calm. Ashton couldn't feel Luke's emotions and it made him feel empty. He didn't understand why he couldn't feel the bond.

"Do you know where you are, Ash? Tell me where you are, baby," Luke pleaded.

"Br-aa-dd's fr-iee-nd, O-lli-i." Ashton was getting more and more tired, his arm aching with the strain of holding his phone.

"Brad's friend, Olli? Is that what you said?" Ashton mumbled something resembling a yes and hoped Luke somehow understood because he didn't think he could say much anymore.

He heard a voice in the background saying something about knowing Olli and he'd never felt more relieved. Before Luke could say anything else, Ashton heard the bedroom door open and then slam shut.

"Are you on the fucking phone?" Jessica screamed. Her voice sounded distant and he heard Luke saying something through the phone but it was ripped from his grasp and he heard it drop on the bed next to him.

"I couldn't find you another drink so you're just going to have to enjoy it like this," she whispered, leaning her body on top of Ashton's again. Her hand trailed lower and lower until she was touching him again but he almost couldn't feel it. It was like he wasn't in his own body anymore and he tried to imagine being somewhere else.

He tried to ignore the wet kisses Jessica placed on his neck and her continued hand movements on his lower area. He tried to ignore when she started to lift his shirt up.

She clearly struggled to remove the shirt and Ashton assumed it took a while but he couldn't tell because everything felt muddled. He lifted his arms again and placed them on her shoulders, trying to push her away but she easily lowered his arms again.

His eyes welled up with tears again when he felt her undoing his zip and he felt so pathetic and embarrassed because he couldn't do anything to stop her.

The sound of the door bursting open stopped Jessica just as she began to slip her hand down the front of Ashton's pants but he just felt too tired to even form a relieved emotion anymore.

"What the fuck are you doing? Get the fuck off of him you little bitch." The voice was laced with loathing and fury and perhaps if Ashton weren't so incoherent it would've frightened him a little.

Jessica's body weight quickly disappeared and he heard commotion but it wasn't clear what was happening.

"You're going to be okay. I'm so, so sorry baby." Ashton knew it was Luke by his comforting voice and the familiar feeling of his calloused hands against Ashton's bare upper body as he lifted him up.

Luke lifted Ashton's arms up as he slid his shirt back on. He pulled Ashton's jeans up more and zipped them back up and apologised repeatedly as he did so because Ashton was trying to squirm away from his touch but he was too exhausted to do much.

"Is he okay, Luke?" Someone asked. Ashton couldn't tell if it was Michael or Calum, all he knew was that he was in Luke's arms as he carried him out the door and he felt comforted despite everything that had happened.

Ashton didn't remember falling asleep but he was suddenly on a bed and the scene felt too familiar so he began to squirm again. His limbs still felt heavy and he wasn't able to do much to defend himself.

He felt his pants being tugged off and he started to cry because he was certain he'd finally gotten away but he clearly hadn't.

"Baby, don't cry! It's me, Luke. I'm just getting you ready for bed I swear I'm not doing anything," Luke desperately assured. Ashton nodded because it was Luke but he still felt uncomfortable because he vaguely remembered Jessica and that made him unable to stop crying.

Luke quickly pulled Ashton's pants off but left his shirt on. Ashton assumed it was to make him more comfortable and he was relieved that his shirt and boxers would remain on.

"We just got back so you should go to sleep, Ash," Luke mumbled as he lifted Ashton up. Ashton heard the rustling of sheets as he was placed down, soft blankets covering his body and he shuddered into the warmth.

"I'll sleep on the floor," Luke mumbled but Ashton shook his head because he needed Luke to feel safe.

"P-plea-sse ss-st-ay with-hh m-me," Ashton begged despite struggling to form the sentence correctly.

"Are you sure, baby? I don't want to make you uncomfortable..." Ashton just nodded because he still felt dizzy, like he was floating but somehow Luke made him feel grounded and safe and that's what he needed.

A minute later Ashton felt the blankets rustling and the bed dip as Luke got in, his body heat radiating out and his presence making Ashton's heart flutter. Luke kept his distance, however, but Ashton needed Luke so that he didn't feel cold and alone. Luke was the only person who could make him feel safe.

Ashton struggled to move his limbs but eventually he was able to reach out for Luke. His fingers lightly grasped his arm and he flushed a little when realising he was shirtless.

"C-cud-dle?" Ashton whispered, too tired to move his body closer to Luke.

He heard a soft chuckle but it sounded slightly strained.

He felt an arm snake around his waist, pulling him closer. He lightly lifted Ashton's head up so that his head was resting on Luke's bare chest and he flushed a little more at the feeling of having Luke so close when he was half naked.

Luke's arms secured around Ashton, caging him in safety and comfort as he pressed light kisses to the top of his head. Despite how violated Ashton had felt earlier, with Luke he could forget all about Jessica and how afraid he'd been because Luke would never let anything happen to him.

As Ashton slowly drifted off feeling Luke's lips against his head as though trying to reassure himself that Ashton was okay, he heard and felt Luke whispering soft words. He strained his hearing a little despite almost falling asleep to realise Luke was singing.

"When we both fall asleep underneath the same sky, to the beat of our hearts at the same time. So close but so far away. Can you hear me?

He sleeps alone; my heart wants to come home. I wish I was, I wish I was beside you. He lies awake; I'm trying to find the words to say. I wish I was, I wish I was beside you."

Luke's gentle, gravelly voice that caressed each word made Ashton's heart flutter. He fell asleep in Luke's arms to the comforting melody of his voice and the tight embrace of his arms.

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