It's Not Me, It's You [Ashton]

[Ashton Laurent]

Of course Ash had noticed the way the older boys hands trembled. He wasn't blind you know. However, out of courtesy he decided not to comment. Instead, he watched Markus read the paper again. He seemed to really be struggling with the decision to write her or not.


Ash shrugged slightly. "Well, I can't tell you what to do. You have to do what you think is right. That's all you can do." he knew his advice was vague, but what else was he supposed to say? "Fuck your dad. He has no right to dictate who you contact"? Yeah, that'd go over real well... not! If Markus' dad was anything like his own, and it sounded like he was, he could probably make Markus' life a whole lot more miserable than the brunette had planned it to be.

He watched as Markus put the paper back in the envelope. Since they were sharing secrets here, he might as well be upfront. He sighed and lowered his head. "There's something I need to tell you too. About my dad." he trailed off, not sure how to say it. Of course just saying it without stopping would be good. Not give himself a chance to think. "You already know that he beats and rapes me. But what you don't know is.. when I was twelve he forced me into an Erastes contract. An Erastes is a sexual contract between two people, usually an older man and a young boy. The boy signs a contract agreeing to give up his body for the man's use in exchange for the man being his teacher and mentor. Of course my dad has made up his own twisted version and basically ignores the rules."

Ash paused to wipe away the tears that were quickly pooling in his eyes. "So my body is pretty much his to do what he wants with, and all I get out of it is pain and nightmares." He sighed, he was amazed he'd been able to keep his composure for this long.. but now it was starting to crumble as well.

"The contract was supposed to expire when I came of age, which was a few weeks ago, but my dad of course is ignoring the rules and is extending it for another two years. He sent me a note." Ash reached in his bag and pulled out the note and handed it to Markus


Ashton,

I know how anxious you are to hear if our little contract will be renewed. Don't worry Little One, it shall be. I have no intentions of giving up that beautiful little body of yours. I quite enjoy it you know. And your screams as well. Don't you know they only make me want more of you? Ashton... oh Ashton, you will never be free of me my sweet little boy. Daddy's going to see to that

Love,
Your Father

Clearly, Christophe Laurent was a sadistic, twisted individual. Ash slowly shook his head as if that would make the note disappear. He looked up at Markus, the tears finally rolling down his face. "I can't go back there Markus. I can't!" he cried in fear.

[Markus O'Keefe]

His first response was "why the fuck did you sign that thing" but of course it wasn't as simple as that. Ashton didn't want to sign a piece of paper that said his father had every right to abuse his body. No one would agree to something this disgusting and humiliating, and for the longest time, Markus just sat there in silence, trying to fight off this wave of nausea and anger. As much as he wanted to go find the man straight away - find him and kill him, preferably SLOWLY though he wasn't sure he'd manage to hold back - he knew that it wasn't what his friend needed right now.

"This is good" He said softly, pulling the brunette into his lap and wrapping protective arms around him. "The note, I mean. It's really good, because it means we've got proof of what he's doing. We could probably get him in jail with just this, though I can imagine that's not high on your wish list right now. You'd probably want something a bit more like what he used to do to you." His fingers had absently begun stroking the boys back, knowing how it always used to soothe him he was trying to find ways to comfort and soothe the trembling Ravenclaw.

"You don't have to go back there, I promise. I won't let you." He didn't much care what he'd have to do to achieve this, but he sure as hell wouldn't let the smaller and younger male go back to a house where such torture awaited him. Oh what he wouldn't give for a chance to be alone with the man, a little one on one time where he could show him exactly how much he'd hurt his son and how much he was owed for that. By the time Markus O'Keefe was through with him, the man would be begging for sweet death to come..

[Ashton Laurent]

Ash was instantly comforted as the older boy pulled the Ravenclaw into his lap. The silence however, was making him a bit uncomfortable. Of course he wasn't surprised. Markus was probably in shock. Ash knew he would be, had the situation been reversed. For some reason though, he had a feeling he knew exactly what Markus was thinking. And he said so. "You're probably thinking why the fuck I signed that thing. Right?" he asked, as he leaned back so he could look up at the Gryffindor. "Well here's why. I really didn't have a choice. Not if I wanted to live anyway. Daddy dearest threatened to kill me if I didn't sign." the brunette laughed, but it was bitter and humorless. "Not that that's a surprise of course. The bastard is always looking for a way to off me." he snuggled against Markus again, enjoying the comforting warmth of the older boys arms.

He had to smile when Markus said that he wouldn't let him go back to his dad's. "You'd really do that for me?" he asked, voice muffled as his head was currently tucked under the older boys chin. "But.. what about Charlie and Ilya? I can't leave them there. They need me. If I leave, he'll just start beating on them. Or... he'll start beating on Charlie anyway." his voice grew hard and cold as he thought of his beloved sisters going through the hell he went through. "I don't care what it takes, I don't care if it's the last thing I do, I am not going to let that jackass beat up on my sisters."

[Markus O'Keefe]

To be honest, Markus had been thinking that, but he knew it was unfair the moment the younger brunette admitted why he had signed the contract. As much as Ash believed it, Markus couldn't believe that the boys father would actually kill him. He was having way too much fun doing what he was doing now, after all. He'd probably hurt him to the point of death, only to torment him much more later.

"Think you can get your hands on the contract? Or maybe a copy of it? I think it'd help us" Not that he was planning to use legal means to get the guy out of Ashtons life. Why bother, when he knew exactly what to do? Despite having been brought up as a killer, Markus wasn't much of one, but he knew one. His own daddy dearest. Sure, it'd be uncomfortable, having to admit why he wanted him dead, but if the man had the least bit of love for him, he'd do it.

Pressing a kiss to the top of the Ravenclaws head, he held him gently, mind racing through murderous thoughts that he had to keep hidden as much as he could. The last thing he wanted to do was freak the boy out. "Trust me, he won't bother you again when I'm through with him. He won't have a chance to."

[Ashton Laurent]

Ash shrugged. Could he get a hold of the contract? Maybe... if he timed things right. "I don't know... I can certainly try though." He wanted to ask what Markus was going to do with the contract as he had a feeling that it wouldn't be anything legal. However, he also had a feeling that he really didn't want to know. And that was the feeling he paid attention to. So, he didn't ask. He figured Markus would tell him when he was ready anyway.


He didn't know what it was about Markus... especially seeing as they'd only known each other a few weeks, but something about the older boy made Ash trust him. Made him feel that as long as Markus was on his side that everything would be alright. That things might even be great. And it was all because of this one boy...

This one boy who made him feel safe. Who made him feel special. Who made him feel as if nothing else mattered. Who thought he was beautiful no matter what his dad had done to him. No one had ever made him feel this good about himself before. He liked it. A lot.

[Markus O'Keefe]

Holding him close, Markus smiled a little. "Don't get yourself in trouble though. It's not that important. But I promise you, he won't bother you again. By this time next week, you're free of him. And so are your sisters." He spoke with confidence, his mind trying to find the right way to propose this idea to his father. It'd leave him with a weakness, one his father would undoubtedly try to exploit, but it was worth it. Nothing was worse than what was happening to the boy in his arms.

Staying silent for a moment, he squeezed the younger male, before stretching his legs and gently setting the other next to him, his arm still wrapped around his waist. "This isn't helping much with my homework, but I'll figure something out. I'm not really in the mood for anything right now." Anything that didn't involve being close to the Ravenclaw, that was.

And that was a dangerous thought, because he was still sure of being right when he claimed it was better that they were just friends. Didn't this whole ordeal just prove that? He was here, being his friend, and it made Ash feel better. Wouldn't do him a whole lot of good if he'd jumped on him, that much he was sure of.

[Ashton Laurent]

Ash had to laugh at that one. "If only it were that easy... I manage to get myself in trouble just by being in the same room as that bastard." he shrugged again. "Oh well. It's not as if I'll have to worry about dealing with him for much longer."

He laughed again and shook his head when Markus said he didn't feel like doing homework. "You never feel like doing homework. Are you sure you're not just flirting with me so that I'll forget about it and you won't have to do it?" he teased, poking playfully at the Gryffindor.


He pouted a little as Markus sat him down beside him. He had enjoyed being in the older boys lap. And no not for that reason you pervs! He liked being close to the Gryffindor. It made him feel safe and secure. Of course Markus' arm around him gave him the same feeling.

The young Ravenclaw had a sudden urge to kiss the older boy but didn't want to freak him out... although why he was worried about this was a little confusing... they'd already kissed after all. Hell, they'd had sex just a few days ago! But still, anytime he thought about kissing the older boy... or even just being near him, he got butterflies in his stomach. If you will excuse the horrible cliche.

[Markus O'Keefe]

Brushing fingers through his friends hair, Markus looked at him inquiringly. "You sure you don't mind me taking action? You know what I'm like." It was a hinted warning. If he had to say it outright he would, but he was hoping that Ash understood that he was going to get the man killed. Simple as that. By this time next week, the man would be dead. And he knew his father, there wasn't going to be a trace of evidence that either of the boys were involved in the case.

"Flirting with you?" He was honestly a little surprised, and it sounded through in his voice. "All this talk about me getting rid of your dad is flirting to you?" Markus sounded a little amused, shaking his head as he gently patted the boys hair for a moment. He could be so adorable. But the point was, no, he wasn't flirting with him. Wouldn't do that. It wasn't right to. Wasn't his right to. Of course that didn't mean he'd happily watch someone else flirt with him. No, he'd most likely smack a bitch if that happened.

[Ashton Laurent]

Ash smiled as Markus ran his fingers through the smaller boys hair. The gesture was comforting and Ash subconsciously leaned closer to the Gryffindor. Sometimes he was amazed at how easily he seemed to be breaking through the Gryffindor's walls. But maybe Markus wasn't as aloof as Ash had firs suspected him to be? Maybe he did have a soft spot for the Ravenclaw? He wouldn't be helping Ash like this if he didn't at least trust the younger boy. Right?


The brunette frowned a bit and shrugged. "I know. Doesn't really bother me The sooner he's out of my life, the better." Of course he knew what Markus was planning. Maybe not all the little details, but he knew the gist of it. And surprisingly, or...maybe not surprisingly; it didn't bother him one bit. In fact, if anything death was too merciful for his father. The bastard deserved to suffer just as he'd made his own son suffer.


But truth be told, Ash's thoughts scared him. He didn't want to turn out like his dad. Bitter and angry. Full of hatred. What had made his father like that anyway? Was it the fact that his wife left him? But why would he target Ash? Was it because the boy looked just like his mother? Was Ash a painful reminder of the woman Christophe Laurent had fallen in love with? If so, why would he treat Ash this way? You'd think he'd cherish the boy. Not beat and rape him. Life just made no sense at all.


Ash smiled and shook his head. "I'm not necessarily talking about right now. I know you're doing this to help me. I'm talking about any other time you might try to flirt with me to get out of doing work." he smirked at the Gryffindor. "Not that I'm completely opposed to it of course."

[Markus O'Keefe]

Markus pressed another kiss to the boys head, dark eyes unseeing for the moment. He was right on board with Ash's thoughts however, muttering out a dark "He'll suffer, trust me". Although Markus usually wasn't the boy who enjoyed hurting people, he might just have to ask for a bit of the fun. He could just imagine it now, the man on his knees pleading that he didn't understand, and for him to say "this is because of your son, asshole". A smirk appeared on his features, distorting them and taking away some of the beauty he held.

No, he didn't like killing, but he'd fucking relish this. If that freaked Ashton out, he was sorry for it, but he couldn't deny feeling that murderous rage coursing through his veins. Hoping to get distracted, he cuddled the brunette, holding him close and listening to him speak, his hand on the boys chest where he could feel his breathing.

"Ahh, you know me too well. I'll never want to do homework. But since it's you, and we're friends, I'll concede and be a good boy." He chuckled, knowing that it wasn't what Ash wanted to hear. He wanted to hear that they could flirt and probably do even more. "So unless you desperately want me to flirt with you, we'll do work next time." Pausing, he bit lightly at the boys earlobe, unable to help him. "And if there's something else you want, well, I'm sure you've heard of taking initiative."

[Ashton Laurent]

Ash nodded at Markus' words. He knew daddy dearest would suffer. And scary as it was to admit, Ash was glad. His father deserved to suffer. Suffer for all the fear and pain he'd put his son through. Ash just hoped he didn't end up like his dead beat dad. If he ever had kids, they would be the most loved, spoiled kids in the world. But of course that didn't mean that he'd let them get away with everything.

The young brunette laughed as they started joking about Markus and his schoolwork. "Markus, you and 'good boy' should never ever ever be in the same sentence. Because they just do not belong together." Of course Ash was only half-teasing about this. Markus didn't exactly embody the idea of a good, hardworking student. Okay, maybe that was a little harsh. He'd gotten better about doing his work, but he still needed a little push from time to time.

But if there was one thing he didn't need a push on, that was teasing Ash and driving him insane. As he proved right at that moment when he lightly bit the younger boy's ear. Ash let out a small sound of approval, turning towards Markus and leaning in to kiss him, hands tangling in the other boy's hair.

[Markus O'Keefe]

Markus chuckled lightly at that. He was far from the proper student Ash wanted him to be, but that was part of his appeal. His bad boy attitude, his I-couldn't-care-less when it came to grades. Of couse part of it was a big fat lie, because he knew how his dad would respond when his grades suffered. If he didn't have a strict dad like this though, he would probably have flunked out of Hogwarts ages ago. He just didn't feel that need to study, that drive to make something of himself. Maybe it would happen someday, but for now he enjoyed being young.

That included making out with someone as cute as Ash. For a few seconds or so, at least, the taller boy allowed himself to kiss back, but then he pulled back. Slowly, as not to upset the younger male. "I'll have you know that I'm perfectly capable of being good." Because he was being good. By not taking the next step and sweeping Ash off his feet. By sticking to the conviction that they were better off as friends, because he knew he'd be breaking the boys heart. No one could protest that statement really, because he knew he'd be doing exactly that. Break his heart. Hurt him. And Ash had been hurt too much in his life already. He'd promised not to add to that and he'd keep his promise.

[Ashton Laurent]

Ash frowned a little when Markus pulled back but knew it was probably for the best. They really needed to keep their hands off each other. If only it was that easy.

He laughed when Markus said he was capable of being a good boy. "Markus please, the day you start being a good boy will be the day Malfoy starts dancing through a field of flowers and starts singing about peace, and love and all that crap. And we both know that will never happen." he gave the older boy a small smirk. Honestly, the very idea of a Malfoy singing and dancing was just absurd. It would not happen.

Of course he knew what the hidden meaning was. Markus didn't want to hurt him, so he was keeping his distance. Ash understood that, but what if he did end up falling in love with the Gryffindor? Then Markus would be hurting him when he pulled away.

In all honesty, it was better if they were just friends and kept their hands off each other. But on the one hand, Ash knew that no matter how much they tried, neither of them could deny the attraction for each other. They could ignore it, but they couldn't deny it.