Banned Pt. 02

Please enjoy the second installment of this dystopian sorrowful love story. In a world where being gay is a criminal offence, can two young love sick boys find a way to be together?

Brief recap: Daniel is gay, and has kept it a secret all his life. He has to, in a world where even hanging a pride flag is a finable

offense, being gay is not open to discussion. But when the handsome new boy joins his school he can't help himself from thinking... what if? To his surprise he wants to be friends... but he's straight, right?

That's what the new boy, Luke, had always thought, but after meeting Daniel he can't seem to stop thinking about him. But being gay is wrong, his father works for the government, he can't be gay. Luke decides to distance himself from Daniel, leaving him feeling hurt and betrayed. Luke can't stand seeing him hurt and ends up kissing him in a cupboard, revealing that he was not so straight after all... but after a warning from Luke's father to keep away from Daniel, will they be able to keep their secret in the woodland meadow forever? Or is there danger on the horizon...

***

Daniel

Finally, it was winter break. No schoolwork, no teachers, just freedom and Luke. Luke. Who lay next to him dozing under the blankets they had brought to the meadow.

He couldn't help but gaze at him as he slept, his mouth slightly ajar, his eyelashes spread over his cheeks that he realised only now, has the slightest hint of freckles. He wondered absently if they would darken in the summer. As if he couldn't look anymore perfect?

Daniel's fingers itched to intwine with his limp hand that lay in the grass, relaxed in sleep.

He didn't understand why a guy like Luke would be interested in him. He had been sure Luke would end up with one of the hottest girls in school. But he chose him instead, despite all the difficulties that it would bring.

Luke had grabbed him before their last day of school yesterday and explained in a hurried voice that he had to distance himself at school. Although initially it stung, he listened as Luke explained that the teachers were in communication with his father. That his father had told him to keep away from Danny.

"If they hear us say the wrong thing, or we do something that they think is suspicious, it'll be immediately passed on to my dad and then we will never see each other and-"

"Luke, I get it. You don't need to explain. Meadow only, otherwise we are just... classmates."

Luke had nodded, the fear in his eyes making Daniel's own stomach twist uncomfortably. He desperately wanted to hug him, but knew he couldn't.

"Later?" Luke asked, not needing to explain.

"Straight from school, I'll be there."

He nodded, again and began to walk away before turning back, "oh and, be careful around Clara."

The school day had been tough. He had got so used to Luke's company, that being on his own again was jarring. He saw Luke, sat with some guys from their year and smiled to himself. Knowing that later, they would be alone together in the meadow.

When the day finally ended, he walked straight from school and out of the gates. He followed the same route as yesterday, scaled the cliff face and waited by the lake.

He heard his footsteps before he saw him, and turned to see Luke striding towards him. He stood and Luke grinned, wrapping his arms around him and spinning him around like he was a child. He laughed and cried out and Luke eventually set him down on his feet, only to take his breath away with a long and fervent kiss. When he finally came up for air he smiled and stroked his cheek gently.

"I missed you so much today," he murmured.

"I missed you too."

They spent the rest of the daylight hours in the meadow, and by the time the dark drew in they were both shivering, despite being wrapped up tightly together. That was when Daniel had suggested bringing blankets and rugs for their next visit.

"And snacks," Luke added. "we can be here all day then."

Now here they lay. On the ground were the remnants of the lunch they had shared, before cosying back up under the blankets together. Luke's eyelashes fluttered and he awoke, stretching slightly in Daniel's arms.

"Sorry, didn't mean to fall asleep," he mumbled.

"Don't say sorry, it's cute," Daniel grinned and Luke smiled sleepily.

"Mmm, checking me out whilst I'm sleeping are you Hughes?"

"Absolutely," he grinned and Luke chuckled, closing his eyes and shuffling in close again.

"I sleep better with you. At home I'm always getting these anxiety dreams."

Later, when Luke had finished his nap, and had sat up, scratching his head sleepily, Daniel asked, "I meant to ask yesterday, you said I should be careful around Clara... what was that about?"

Luke sighed, turning to him with a slight frown, "you know how I told you about my father quizzing me, and about Mr Lowe?"

Daniel nodded, and Luke gave a grim smile.

"Well, Clara started getting involved, adding to it. I don't know, maybe it was nothing but... before we've always had each other's backs, whereas the other night..." he paused, pressing a finger into his temple, "I want to ask her about it, but I feel like it might make things worse. Besides, being here, and at school, with her at the girls school, I haven't really seen her without my parents lurking around."

"You should talk to her, I'm sure she didn't mean to do any harm. She's your twin, you guys are really close."

Luke nodded, "anyway, this is depressing. Let's talk about something else."

Daniel smiled, as Luke pulled at the grass beneath him.

"What were you thinking?"

"I want to talk about you," he said lifting his head and grinning.

Daniel rolled his eyes, "Can we kiss instead?" he suggested and Luke pulled a face.

"Darn, you know how to distract me too well," he grinned, falling back into the blankets as Daniel pulled him close.

Luke's arms wrapped around him, pulling the blanket up and around them, their legs tangling, their breaths hot and heavy as they sunk into bliss.

*

Days passed this way, a happy blur in the meadow with Luke. They spent the majority of their time kissing, and touching each other's bodies. On occasions they had rubbed each other more intimately, but only ever through their clothes. With Luke only just getting to terms with his newly discovered sexuality, Daniel wanted him to be the one to make that step.

They would bring flasks of hot drinks to keep warm, and walk around in the surrounding wild woodland together, keeping clear of the public footpaths. It felt truly magical, and Daniel wished with all his heart that they could live like this forever. But of course, they couldn't.

They didn't visit the meadow over Christmas, each spending it, however awkwardly, with their families, but they did see each other at the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day church services. They both played a convincing act of not being interested in each other, but when no one was looking Luke winked at him and Danny smiled. Both feeling the giddy excitement of having a secret that was only theirs to share.

On Boxing Day, they had agreed to meet at the meadow for lunch. Luke arrived with a box of leftovers and a game of monopoly tucked under one arm, wearing a red and white Santa hat.

"Oh wow," Daniel laughed and Luke grinned, placing the monopoly down on the blankets Daniel had laid on the grass.

"Oh don't worry, I brought you one too," Luke said mischievously, pulling another hat from his bag. He spun cheerfully on one finger, as Daniel shook his head and groaned through his laughter.

He knelt before him, and gently placed the hat on his head, leaning back to take in his handwork.

"There," he said, his fingers sliding from the hat, to Daniel's cheeks, stroking them affectionately as he gazed at him. Daniel gazed back, unable to quite believe that he was real. Luke pulled his face gently upwards, and they exchanged a long kiss. The bobble of Luke's Santa hat, tickling his cheek.

"Merry Christmas Danny," Luke whispered and Daniel smiled.

"Merry Christmas," he replied. "Now, I want to thrash you at monopoly."

They sat and played together on the blanket, eating leftovers and laughing. To Daniel's delight, he was winning. Luke scowled as he landed on his property again.

"Pay up bud," he teased and Luke groaned.

"I don't even have enough money to pay you," he mumbled, and then suddenly looked up with a sly smile, "maybe I can find another way to pay my debts."

"Oh?" Daniel said raising his eyebrow, "how's that?"

"With this body," Luke said in a mock sexy voice, unzipping his coat with a smirk.

"Oh, oh wow you're really going for this," Daniel said between bursts of incredulous laughter as Luke threw his coat on the floor, and followed it up with his jumper before he began unbuttoning his shirt.

Daniel watched in amusement, but also with hungry excitement as his bare chest appeared. His toned abs were exactly what he had imagined as he stood, pretending to flex his arms, his shirt unbuttoned, still wearing that ridiculous Santa hat. It was perfect. He was perfect.

"Oh yeah, is this enough payment for you?" He laughed, throwing the shirt to the blanket and standing topless before him.

Daniel gazed at him. He really was like a Greek god. His muscles were perfectly toned, his body somehow as beautiful as his face. The sun shone around him, making him glow,

his hair alighting into flaming gold just like it had the first time he had seen him in the church.

If there really was a god, he felt like was getting the message loud and clear.

"Mmm almost," Daniel replied, leaning back as he enjoyed the view.

"What else do you want?" he argued with a laugh, "is this not shameful enough for you? And it's fucking cold I might add!"

"How about you come over here and kiss me, with that shirt off. I promise I'll warm you up," he smiled, innocently.

"Deal," he groaned, knocking over the monopoly board as he practically leapt on top of Daniel.

Daniel yelped in surprise, but it was stifled by Luke's mouth on his. He moaned as he felt Luke's bare skin under his fingers, their hips grinding against each other as their bodies tangled. He felt Luke's hands in his hair, on his face, as his lips began to kiss down his neck. He moaned in delighted pleasure. Maybe this was the moment they would take it to the next level. He felt Luke's hand slip below his shirt, exploring his bare skin with icy cold fingers that made him shudder in cold and delight. He opened his eyes, words forming on his tongue, perhaps to check that Luke wanted to carry on, but the moment he opened them, his mind went blank. His eyes flew past Luke to the entrance of the clearing, panic flooding him with white hot fear.

He froze.

"Luke. Luke! Stop!" He hissed hastily, untangling himself from him and getting to his feet in a rush. Luke turned, and momentarily froze, before scurrying to retrieve his abandoned clothes.

"Dad," Daniel said weakly, unsure what to say.

His father did not speak. He only stared, unmoving, the knuckles on his clenched fists white.

He just stood there, stiffly, his eyes following Luke as he finally stood, fully clothed once more, looking sheepish. He pulled off the hat.

"Sir," he said politely, with an awkward apprehensive smile.

His father smirked, shaking his head as he walked further into the meadow and settled himself on a rock, lighting a cigarette from his back pocket, before looking back at them both.

"Totally straight huh?" He said to Daniel, glancing briefly at Luke and then back again. Daniel reddened, remembering the words and how much had changed since them.

"I was... wrong," he said weakly.

His Dad laughed darkly. "Clearly," he muttered.

They both stood in fearful silence as Daniel's dad took another long drag, running a hand over his face before looking at them both with heavy, tired eyes.

"Fucking relax boys, I'm not going to report you. You're my kid for Christ's sake. Who do you think I am? Jesus."

Daniel felt rather than saw Luke relax slightly where he stood, and he too breathed a shaky breath.

"Thank you," Luke said breathlessly, "I... we appreciate that so much."

"Well you probably won't appreciate what I'm going to say next," he said grimly. Luke and Daniel looked at one another, as his dad slowly stuck his cigarette in his mouth for one final puff, before stubbing it on the side of the boulder.

"You need to end this," he said, his voice firm. "Now."

"No," Daniel said shaking his head, curling his fist. He couldn't. He couldn't bare even the thought of it, not now he had experienced true happiness. He couldn't go back to a world of self-hatred and aching emptiness.

"Stop acting like a child and think for a second. Luke..." his father turned to Luke with a narrowed gaze, "it is Luke isn't it?"

Luke swallowed and nodded, "yes sir."

"Luke, do you care for my son's wellbeing?"

"Absolutely," he said firmly.

"Daniel, do you care about him?" His father asked, cocking his head towards Luke, his eyes icy and fierce.

"Yes," Daniel replied, glancing at Luke who stood looking genuinely frightened beside him. He desperately wanted to reach out and hold his trembling fingers, but he swallowed and looked back at his father with a sad shrug, "obviously."

"Right. So how will you feel when you're both caught? Think. You may be prepared to face jail yourself, but Luke have you thought about Daniel alone in a jail cell because of you?"

Luke paled, his mouth opening for a second, but unable to argue back. His father moved to face him.

"Daniel, have you thought about Luke never being able to hold a job down because of the criminal record you gave him? What about if they torture you or worse?" His voice raised, getting angry, "There are some nasty fucks out there who really hate people like you. And I'm sorry, I don't want to be the bad guy here, but if I have to be to save your fucking necks then goddammit I will be."

He stood, walking towards Luke, "your own father is in the government boy. He isn't going to take his kid being a fag lightly, is he?"

Luke winced at the slur but said nothing, his eyes lowering.

"We're not a children, we're old enough to make our own decisions, whatever the consequences," Daniel said quietly, his fists still clenched as he gazed at the floor.

His father laughed darkly and Daniel looked up at him tentatively, as he turned slowly to face him, but his eyes weren't angry. They were sad as he sighed, squeezing the bridge of his nose between finger and thumb.

"Shit. I've always known this day would come," he said looking at Daniel with a look that seemed to have a greater meaning to it, a desperate pain. He realised how much pain and worry he had brought him over the years, just by being himself. "I promised your mother I'd keep you safe, but how can I if you..." he trailed off, putting a hand over his face.

"We... we'll just leave the country, or something," Daniel said weakly and his father laughed.

"Ah yes, and how do you plan on doing that exactly?"

"I, well, we have to..." he stammered and his father laughed.

"God, you have no idea do you?" He laughed incredulously.

Daniel and Luke both hung their heads.

"Look, fine, as much as I may regret this... I'm not going to make you end... whatever this is, and I'm definitely not going to report you. But you need to know what you're getting into here, you need a plan and you need to be careful," he said, putting a hand on Daniel's shoulder. "Really fucking careful. I love you kid... so much. And I know I've been a shitty father to you," he paused and Daniel saw his eyes sparkling with what could be tears, "but you're right, you're an adult now. I can't tell you what to do. And I see how happy you are, happier than I've ever seen you. Just please. Think about what I said," he looked to Luke, walking back slowly, "both of you."

He stood back, surveying the clearing with a wistful expression, before smiling sadly. "Your mother was always happiest here too."

Then without another word, he retreated back into the woodland, and disappeared from sight.

***

Luke

Danny was visibly shaken by seeing his Dad, and the moment he was gone, he sagged, his face contorting with pain.

Luke instantly pulled him into a tight hug. A fierce hug, filled with fear and desperate longing for a life they couldn't have.

He buried his face in Danny's hair and let the tears flow freely. The gravity of Danny's father's words were heavy on both their shoulders. He had been right about one thing, they had been naive, childish frankly, to think that things could go on like this, a secret romance. This was the beginning of something much bigger. It was a terrifying prospect, but less terrifying than the idea of losing him.

With every minute, every glance, every touch, his need for Danny grew. He was addicted to the feel of him, the sound, the taste, a drug that only became more potent with every use. And yet he couldn't see a way out. They were doomed to suffer in one way or another, but he'd rather suffer with Danny than alone.

They held each other as they both cried, and at some point Danny lifted his head, and they went from crying to kissing. The salty flavour of his tears were still on his lips as they kissed. His mouth was hot against his, and he felt the hunger raise in him. 'More!' it seemed to growl, 'More!'

Without needing to speak, they moved to the blankets. Silent need consumed them, egged on by a strange fear that if they pulled apart now, that they wouldn't come together again, that their time together was more precious than ever.

Luke began stripping his clothes, and then Danny followed suit until they were only in their jeans. The cold air made him shiver as he knelt over Danny, undoing his jeans silently. They didn't need words, it was almost as if to speak would break the fragile magic of the moment.

Neither had noticed that it had begun to grow dark in the clearing, and Luke saw that Danny's eyes shone in the twilight, gazing up at him, wide and beautiful.

Their eyes did all the speaking for them, as they bore into each others souls, every flaw, every weakness, laid bare.

He needed Danny, and Danny's eyes reflected that need right back at him.

Luke's hands found Danny's warm hard cock with ease, and despite what he had thought, it didn't feel strange. He had been so nervous about taking the next step, and yet, it felt so right, so easy to take his cock in his hands and stroke it gently.

He heard Danny gasp and saw his head loll back onto the blanket and smiled. He knew what to do, he knew what felt good. Without a word, he drew his mouth to his cock and licked it. It tasted good, slightly salty, but most of all he liked the sound it drew from Danny, the soft gasp he made. He wanted him to make more noises like that, to feel good. He licked it again, longer this time. Then he began to suck.

He could hear Danny's breathing quicken, and he whimpered.

"Luke," he moaned. Hearing him moan his name like that only stirred him on as he sucked more fervently.

"Fuck," he whimpered, "I want you to fuck me so bad."

Luke paused in his ministrations at that. He wanted to do that too, but he didn't know how. He knew that doing it wrong might hurt him.

"Tell me what you want me to do," he whispered and Danny sighed again.

"Keep doing that, and put your finger in my ass. But wet it first."

He did as he asked, pushing his finger slowly into his asshole whilst he continued to suck. His hole was tight on his finger, and he wondered how it would ever feel pleasurable to be stretched wide by a cock. But as he continued to finger him softly, he felt the hole loosen slightly. Soon he was able to add a second finger, and then a third.

He wondered what it would feel like on his own dick and shivered in anticipation, feeling himself throb in the confines of his boxers.

By this point, Danny was moaning loudly in pleasure, and his dick was quivering in his mouth. It was becoming harder to do both jobs, and he lifted his head panting.

"What now?" He asked.

"I return the favour," Danny whispered, sitting up and guiding him to lie down. He unbuttoned his trousers, and slowly slipped them off, then followed them with his boxers. Even in the dark, Luke could see his cock standing straight upwards.

Danny leaned forward and took it gently in his hands. Luke felt the shiver across his body again at his touch and sighed. He watched as Danny lowered his head, his jet black hair blending with the night around him. Then Luke moaned.

It was heavenly, not only to feel his warm mouth pleasuring him, but to watch it. It was the most beautiful sight he had ever seen, and every now and then he would look up at him with those bright blue eyes, that seemed to shine even brighter in the dimming light.

After a while he stopped sucking, his hand working his cock instead as his mouth slowly moved up Luke's body with kisses. When he got to his upper chest, Luke growled, grabbing his face and kissing him passionately. Their naked bodies pressed against each other, and in a swift manoeuvre, Luke rolled so that Danny was on his back.

He lifted Danny's legs around his hips, and looked down at Danny again giving him a reassuring smile.

"Are you ready?"

"So ready," he whispered.

They looked deeply into each others eyes, as Luke pushed forward. He felt incredibly warm and tight, and Luke had to concentrate not to let himself cum right there. He watched as Danny's eyebrows furrowed slightly, his mouth forming an o shape as he pushed in. He looked beautiful like that, and he felt himself fall harder than he thought possible as he gazed at him. His. He was his.

He rocked forward again, gently, listening to Danny's noises as a guide, watching his face. He desperately didn't want to hurt him. Slowly, the rocks became greater, and with each thrust he pushed deeper and deeper until he finally felt his balls nestle against his skin.

Danny let out a strange delirious laugh and Luke couldn't help but echo it.

"Okay?" He asked and Danny nodded.

"I'm so okay. Fuck me, Luke. Please," he mumbled, his voice slurred in pleasure.

Luke didn't need telling twice.

***

Daniel

They lay in the blankets, naked and panting. They had had sex. They had committed a serious crime by law of the new world. And it had been incredible.

Luke's fingers traced patters on his arm where it lay over the blanket, goosebumps out in full force from the chilly early evening air.

"So we're not ending things then?" Daniel asked tentatively. Luke's fingers paused, and he lifted his head up on one arm, giving him a bemused expression.

"Did you just black out and forget about the last half an hour or so?" He asked, a smirk forming at the corner of his mouth.

Daniel felt his cheeks redden as he looked down at his twisting fingers, "I don't know, I wanted to check it wasn't like some goodbye sex or something."

Luke smiled softly, "no, it wasn't. It was, what I hope, is the first of many, amazing, magical," he said accenting each word with a prod of his finger up his arm, "nights."

He smiled, but it did little to ease the fear in his gut. His father had discovered them not once, but twice. How long would it be until someone else found out their secret? Perhaps someone not so understanding.

Luke

"Shit," Luke whispered, sitting up and checking his watch. It was 9:45. "Shit, shit!"

He scrambled to his feet, gathering his things hastily, Danny sitting up blinking at him blearily.

They had fallen asleep, and not only had he missed dinner, but he was going to be late for his curfew.

"I'm sorry, I'm so late," he said and Danny checked his own watch.

"Oh god," he whispered. "Yeah, go."

He hesitated, looking down at him where he was sat in the blankets. He looked so cosy, his hair rumpled, his face scrunched with sleep. He desperately wanted to crawl back under the blankets. But staying out all night? That was a sure fire way of raising his parent's suspicion. As was breaking curfew.

"Are you going to be okay? Getting home?" He asked and Danny nodded.

"Yes, just go before you get in even more shit."

He leaned down, and gave him one last kiss, lingering, a fear nestling inside him. He didn't want to go. His gut was screaming at him that this was wrong. He wanted to beg Danny to run away with him, right here, right now. But he couldn't. The words wouldn't come out. Strangled by fear of the unknown. They had been young and foolish. They should have made a plan, he wouldn't even know where to go first if they did decide to run.

"I..." he hesitated, his chest bursting with fierce burning. "I'll see you soon."

Then before he could be tempted to stay, to make their situation even more risky, he ran from the clearing. Little did he know then, that it would be the last time he would ever return.

*

He made it back to his house, five minutes after his curfew. He crept into the garden, looking up at his bedroom window. He could get up there.

As quietly as he could, he abandoned the monopoly set on a deck chair by the back door under a blanket. Then with free hands, he clambered onto the awning, and towards his window, feeling the fabric give slightly beneath his knees, praying desperately it wouldn't rip itself from the wall.

He reached for his window, trying to pry it open with his fingertips, but it wouldn't budge.

"Fuck," he whispered, his fingers scrabbling at the wood hopelessly.

He glanced towards the next window. Clara's window. Her bedroom light was on, and he heard soft music playing. He shuffled along towards it and tapped lightly on the glass.

The music stopped. He tapped again.

The curtain whipped from the window, and he saw Clara gaze at him through the glass. Her eyes narrowed, and she opened the window.

"Where the fuck have you been now?!" She hissed.

"Let me in, I'll explain."

She pursed her lips, glaring at him, but eventually she nodded, standing aside to let him climb through the window. He lay on the floor panting for a moment, before sitting up and looking at his sister.

"What is going on with you Luke?!" She hissed as she shut her window firmly and locked it before sitting on her bed, her arms and legs crossed, her face stony. "You better explain right now or I'm telling mother and father."

He sighed, "Clara please. I was just with friends, it was a laugh and we lost track of-"

"Bullshit. You're lying. You're my twin brother, don't you think I know when you're lying? Who were you hanging with? James Reeves? Because I know for a fact he has been dating Sophie and spending all his time with her over winter break."

He winced, "okay. I- I wasn't with them. I was with... Danny."

Clara nodded slowly, "I thought it must be him. But why, Luke? Father told you to keep away!"

"I just," he said, putting a hand through his hair glancing around the room, unable to meet her eye. "He's my best mate."

"You're still lying to me," Clara said, and he watched as she began to cry. "You're my brother. My twin. It used to be just us against everything, and now I never see you! You leave me here with Mother and Father, you keep secrets from me, you, you..."

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry," he said, leaping up to hold her. "I shouldn't have left you alone. I love you Clara, I'm sorry."

When her crying turned to sniffles, she quietly cried, "I'm sorry, I just... I have no one Luke. You're my person. At least I thought you were."

His heart clenched at that. Clara was his twin. They had bounced from school to school, never making friends for long. Their only comfort had been each other. She was, other than Danny, the person who knew him best in the world. It felt unkind to keep lying to her about who he really was. He was gay, or bi at the very least. He knew that now. Could he keep that buried down forever, only Danny knowing the true him?

But what if she betrayed him. A knife of fear slid into his chest, but he pushed it away. This was Clara. He trusted her, he had to trust her.

He eased himself onto the bed beside her with a sigh.

"I'll tell you the truth," he said heavily, "the reason I spend so much time with Danny..." he hesitated, looking at her, searching desperately for a sign of how she may react. But this was Clara, his twin, he told himself. They had protected each other thick and thin.

If he couldn't trust Clara, he couldn't trust anyone.

He took a deep shuddering breath, "I'm... gay Clara. Danny and I are... together, I guess. I've been keeping it a secret from everyone, to keep him, to keep us both safe. I'm sorry I didn't tell you, I didn't want you to be burdened with the truth."

He watched Clara, whose eyes were wide, staring at him in silence. He tried to give her a sad smile, but she didn't return it. She just sat there. It was agonising, not knowing what she was thinking. He desperately wanted her to break into a smile, to ask questions, to laugh even. But she didn't, she just sat in silence.

"Clara," he pleaded quietly, "say something."

"I... I'm..." she hesitated, and then stood with a start. "We should make sure mother and father know you're here."

She walked to her speaker, putting her music back on and opened her door. She glanced at him once, with a look he couldn't place, before forcing a bright smile onto her face.

"Oh my god Luke," she said in a fake humorous voice, "you're such a pain in my ass!"

Luke heard movement from downstairs, and then his father's voice.

"Luke, are you up there?"

Luke cleared his throat, walking to the stairs and looking down at his father, whose jaw clenched at the sight of him. "Yeah, I'm here father."

"When did you get in?" He asked coolly.

"Um... about an hour ago? Did you not hear me?" He said and his father smiled, the smile didn't make it to his eyes.

"No, I didn't. I'm glad you're home safe."

He blinked. His father was being strangely understanding.

"Thank you father," he said, trying to keep the surprise from his voice.

"Oh, and you're grounded for the next two days, for missing dinner without telling your mother."

He grimaced, but nodded. He had expected worse.

"Fair enough, I'm sorry."

His father walked back into the living room, and Luke turned to Clara.

"Thanks," he whispered, "I seriously owe you."

She just nodded once, her face pale, before walking to her room and shutting the door without another word. Leaving Luke stood in the corridor, staring at a blank door.

***

Daniel

Daniel waited at the meadow the next day for Luke, and the next. But there was no sign of him. He had no phone to text him, and even if he did, they weren't supposed to be in communication at all. He couldn't even go past his house to check on him, in case his father saw him.

He missed him terribly. The meadow felt much colder alone, the wind swaying the trees in the vast woods made it sound like the trees were whispering to one another.

His father hadn't been home either, and he wondered if he was avoiding him. Or drowning himself in the local bar.

Two whole days. It felt like a lifetime.

As night fell, he gathered his things with a heavy heart, looking back at the meadow one last time before beginning his journey home. He stepped off the track and began trudging his way back along the streets towards home.

When he reached his street, he noticed a car driving towards him. Thinking nothing of it at first, he continued walking, until the car stopped and the window rolled down.

"Daniel, I'd hoped I might catch you," Mr Weston said from the drivers seat. Daniel noticed that in the dim light his grey hair almost looked the same light blonde as Luke's. Otherwise that was where the similarities ended. The harsh lines of his face, matched with those cold dark eyes were nothing like the easy, handsome, cheerfulness of his son.

"Good evening Mr Weston, I don't usually see you around here," he said politely and Mr Weston smiled a cool smile that made him feel uneasy.

"No? Ah well, I do come this way from time to time. But in fact, today I was here to see you."

"You... were?" Daniel asked, skeptically and Mr Weston nodded.

"Yes indeed. I wanted to apologise for my, hastiness in telling Luke to distance himself as your friend. I realise now how impolite that was. We barely know each other after all. As a gesture of goodwill, I was hoping to invite you to dinner."

"To dinner?" He repeated and Mr Weston's eyes flashed slightly in irritation.

"Yes. That's what I said."

"Tonight?"

"Yes, you may come with me now if you prefer," he offered.

Daniel couldn't think of anything worse than being stuck in a car with Luke's dad. The man scared the bejesus out of him.

"Um, no I need to go home, but I could come over in about half an hour or so, is that okay?" he suggested nervously.

"Perfect," Mr Weston said checking his watch. "7pm it is. See you soon."

He drove away, and Daniel watched him round the corner out of sight feeling slightly bemused. What on earth was that? And why the sudden change of heart?

He went inside, dropping off his things, his mind whirring. Perhaps his father really did feel bad about what he had done? Or perhaps he had found out about Luke seeing Danny and was going to confront him about it.

Either way, he would be able to see Luke. His heart leapt just at the thought. He was worried about him, the two days with no contact was making him desperate, and possibly reckless.

He had to see him. He had to go. For better or for worse, he wouldn't let Luke face whatever this was alone.

Before he could persuade himself otherwise, he stepped back out into the cold December night.

***

Luke

Luke headed down the stairs, trying to keep down his excitement. Tonight, he was going to see Danny. He had to. His chest ached for missing him, especially knowing that Danny would have no idea where he was, and had probably been at the meadow waiting for him.

He headed into the living room where his father sat by a roaring fire and knocked tentatively on the door. His father looked up over his reading glasses.

"Yes?" He asked slowly, folding his newspaper and placing it on the coffee table beside him.

"Um, I was hoping I could go out? Is my grounding over?"

"No," he said simply and his heart fell.

"But, it's been two days?" He said weakly.

"It's nearly dinner time, your mother has prepared food for you. You are staying."

"Then... after dinner?" He said hopefully and his father stared at him, before beckoning him to the empty chair by the fire.

Luke came into the room and sat, watching his father with anticipation.

"Are you grateful for the life we have given you, Luke?" He asked.

Luke felt his hands begin to sweat, eyeing his father warily.

"Yes, of course," he replied.

"And are you aware," he said, his voice almost bored, "of the opportunities I have created for you? The future you are destined for?"

Luke swallowed. His father's idea of his future looked very different from his own. He wanted him to follow in his footsteps, but that was always something that didn't sit quite right with him. Now, it felt impossible.

"Yes, I am aware of what you do for me, but what does this have to-"

"And," he said firmly, interrupting Luke, "you know how hard I have worked for all of these things?"

"Yes," he said, the tremble slipping out slightly in his voice.

"Then I am at a loss," he said, laughing bitterly. "Why would you disobey me?"

He swallowed nervously, "I don't understand, father."

His father raised an eyebrow, "oh don't you? I think you understand very well."

They gazed at each other, as Luke desperately searched his father's dark eyes for what he knew.

The doorbell rang, and his stomach writhed in fear as his father's lip curled.

"Ah, perfect timing. Our guest has arrived,"

He said calmly.

"Bring him in, Joanne."

Luke turned in horror to see Danny walk into the room, sheepishly. He looked tired, but otherwise the same. His black, messy hair, his long nose, his incredible eyes that brightened as they found him.

"Hello," he said quietly, "um, thank you for inviting me."

Luke whipped back to his father, horror dawning in him. His father looked from Danny to Luke with amusement.

"You didn't," he whispered.

"Did what?" He replied innocently.

"Danny," Luke said, trying to keep his voice calm as he still stared disbelieving him at his father, "Danny, you need to leave."

"No Daniel, stay. We're having dinner," his father said merrily. Luke felt rooted to the spot in fear.

"Luke?" Danny said softly, "what's going on?"

"He knows," Luke said, his voice beginning to fill with bitter anger, and suddenly he was on his feet without even realising he was standing, "you know don't you? Clara told you. She fucking told you!"

His father finally smiled fully, a horrible twisted smile that made him feel like he was going to throw up. He stood slowly, walking towards him, his dark eyes level with his own.

"Know what? That my son is a disgusting smear on my family name? A filthy man loving homosexual?" He spat the words in Luke's face, each one stinging him far deeper than he wanted them to. "Yes I know. And I know that this boy is the one you decided to throw your life away for."

He gestured to Danny, looking at him like he was dirt on his shoe.

"Gutter trash," he muttered and Luke felt his fists clench.

"Don't talk about him like that," he growled and his father laughed.

"It doesn't matter either way. I reported you both this afternoon, police will be here any moment."

Luke wrenched his eyes from his father to Danny's, which had turned wide. He stared at him, his mouth falling open. Luke gave one last disgusted look at his father, and ran.

He grabbed Danny's hand, and pushed past his mother in the doorway, flinging open the front door. But armed officers were coming up the path. He gazed at them in terror. This was it. The moment they had dreaded more than anything.

"Come on!" He yelled, yanking Danny towards the back door. They sprinted hand in hand onto the grass, his head whipping around looking for a way out, any way out.

He couldn't believe it had happened so soon. That Clara had... how could she... he pushed the thoughts from his mind. He had to focus.

He ran towards the lowest fence, clambering over it and reaching a hand down to Danny who gripped it tightly. He grunted as he pulled him over, both of them landing with a thud into the neighbour's garden. They sprinted across it, scaling the next fence. They ran, across fences, down alleyways, never losing sight of each other, hearts pumping loudly in their ears.

But just when Luke thought they had made enough distance between them and the house, his muscles screaming at him to stop, he heard an officer shout.

"I see them!"

Three, five, almost ten guards. They couldn't outrun them. Not both of them. He turned to Danny and pulled his face close for a kiss. A final burning kiss, filled with all the hopes for a future they would never get to have.

"I love you," he whispered. "Now, run!"

"No I won't leave you!" Danny cried.

"Danny, if you love me at all, please, go!"

With one final gaze, Danny nodded.

"I love you," he gasped, his voice strangled and breathless. Then, he turned and ran.

Luke watched him run, his heart breaking with love and hope and despair as he fell to his knees. He got one last glimpse of his disappearing figure, before he was tackled from behind, and all turned black.