"I am very disappointed with your behaviour Mr Johnes.
The other two, I can understand. Even though Mr Tarnard rarely gets involved in meaningless displays of superiority. But you?
You I don't understand.

We had an agreement had we not?
You agreed to stay out of trouble which  explicitly meant staying away from Mr Ashton Waters."
Trey lowered his head. He was not in the mood to listen to the headmaster call him out on his friend choices. Again.

"Alright, what happened?
I want to hear your version since the only thing the other two did was keep silent. And make it quick." Continued Mr Grant with a look of boredom on his face.
Trey was uneasy.
He didn't want any of the other boys getting in trouble, but he couldn't lie because if Mr Grant found out the truth, it could cost him his place at school. And the headmaster knew it.

"I-it was an accident sir. Ryley tripped." He answered, staring right back at the headmaster.
"He tripped. Isn't that convenient Mr Johnes. "
"It isn't? because they both ended up getting hurt."
"So Mr Tarnard tripped and smashed his face on the ground, is that right? And Mr Waters in a heroic effort to try and catch him, also fell...
I think you are lying to me Mr Johnes."

Trey tried not to grimace, his excuse was pitiful but it was the only one he could think of.
"I-I'm not. Ryley and I were talking in the library, Ashton saw us and came over. When he saw him Ryley got up but his foot got caught on a chair and he stumbled. He would have crushed me if Ashton hadn't pulled him back."

"So Mr Waters pulled him back? This just keeps getting better."
"He did. And they both knocked the side of their heads against a table when they fell."
"Right. So that would explain the bruises."
"Yes."
"Do you take me for an idiot Mr Johnes? I know they were fighting."
Trey winced.

"Frankly it does not matter to me that they were, this unfortunately happens all the time around here. What does matter though is why. Why were these two students -who have no apparent reason to run into each other- fighting in my library?"
"I told you Sir, Ryley tr-"

"Mr Johnes, I believe I am a patient man, but that does not mean that I am a fool. He tripped? Really?"
The headmaster sighed and massaged his temples.
"Need I remind you of the deal I had with your Stepfather?"
Trey's jaw clenched unconsciously. He didn't like where this was going.

"If I recall, I allowed you to come here and follow a rigorous education in exchange for exemplary behavior and outstanding grades. As he had promised me.
Alas you seem to lack both of those.
So tell me Mr Johnes? Why shouldn't I simply offer your place to a student in desperate need of help and entrust you to the system?

If you don't fancy your life here, say the word and I shall let you go. But keep in mind that anywhere else is worse than here.
So I will ask one last time. Why do I have another fight on my hands this early in the month?"

Trey lowered his head and gritted his teeth. Denouncing Ash was the last thing he wanted to do but he didn't want to go back to the orphanage.
He couldn't.

"The truth Mr Johnes. I want the truth. Did I not tell you that my time was precious?"
Trey panicked and his mouth started moving despite him. He wasn't exactly sure of what he was saying or if it was convincing the director, but the man sat in silence, attentively listening to everything he said.
And finally, he cut him off.

"That will be all Mr Johnes. Thank you for your honesty.
Given the fact that you are a young man who seems ambitious despite what you have shown me until now, and the fact that I believe in learning from one's mistakes I will let this one go.

But keep in mind that this is my last warning. Next time, I will not be as lenient do I make myself clear?"
"Yes Sir, Thank you Sir!"
"Don't be too thankful Mr Johnes. I said that this was my last warning, not that you and your friends were off the hook.
The three of you are getting detention.
Starting tomorrow you will thoroughly clean the classroom windows every day for two weeks.

God knows they severely need it.
You're dismissed Mr Johnes, I've had enough of you for today."

"Yes of course, thank you again Sir." Replied Trey before rushing out.
He wasn't getting expelled, and he was almost sure that he hadn't told Mr Grant the entire reason for Ash and Riley's fight. Not that he even knew it.
Detention was nothing compared to going back to the orphanage.
Besides, cleaning some windows couldn't be that hard...

                               ***

Cleaning windows was that hard. Especially when they were behind metal bars and when your detention partner was in a bad mood.
Trey sighed as he wrung the dirty water out of his tiny sponge.
Of course Mr Grant had made sure that the boys in detention each worked with the smallest available sponges. He wasn't lying about not letting them off the hook.
But anything was better than leaving.
He thought back to Ryley's reaction when he had left Mr Grant's office yesterday.

"Are you sure you want to stay alone with him?"
"Don't worry Ry, I can take care of myself."
"Can you really though?"
Trey had laughed at that because Ryley wasn't wrong. If he once believed that he could handle this place before, he was now more than aware that he in fact couldn't.
But Ash was there.
And he trusted him. Despite everything that had happened.
Ash was his friend, he could count on him.

"Okay you know what, I will shout if I ever have a problem.
Satisfied yet?"
"With you never."
Trey had laughed it off and had decided to look for Ash instead.
As he had feared the dark haired boy ignored him the rest of the day and still currently ignored him during their detention.

It may have had something to do with Ash's altercation with Ry just before they headed to their respective classes to do their chores.
To be honest they had just bumped rather harshly into each other's shoulders before giving each other a death glare and storming off.
Trey sighed. These two did not like each other for some reason.

He had enough of this silence. 
Ash wouldn't even look at him when the two of them accidentally bumped into each other to dump their sponges in the bucket in the middle of the room.
"Why are you avoiding me?"

Silence.

"Ashton, I'm talking to you."
"Oh hey, look who decided to grow a backbone."
Trey was flabbergasted. Ash didn't talk to him for a whole day and these were the first things he said ?
"E-excuse you? Dick!"

"What did you just call me?" He seethed as he got closer to Trey, anger dancing in his forest eyes.
"A dick Ashton. I-I called you a dick." Trey stood his ground and stared right back at the boy towering over him.

He was ready to get punched. But that didn't matter if it was the only way for Ash to talk to him again. Trey shut his eyes, waiting for the sting of a hit to come, but was surprised to hear Ash's laughter instead.

Ash was laughing.
Not smirking or chuckling,
A full on throaty laugh that made Trey's heart flip.
He had never heard Ash laugh like that before.
And God was it enticing.

No.
Bad Trey.
Focus.

"There's the Trey I know." Said Ash as his laughter died down, all traces of anger gone from his eyes.
"W-what? You're not angry?"
Trey was surprised
"Oh believe me I am." He replied as he leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"But not at you. I could never be angry at you." He added in a whisper.

"Oh well, that's great I thought you were angry because of what happened yesterday with Ryley."
"What? Something did happen with Ryley?" Replied Ash, jaw clenching.
"Um yeah, w-when I sent both of you to detention? Remember that? It's the only reason we're playing house maids really." Trey answered with a laugh, not noticing the swift changes in Ash's mood as the tall boy calmed down.
So nothing had happened.
Thank God.

"Talking about that, you really have to stop sweeping in to save me, you know. You're going to end up needing plastic surgery."
Ash's thoughts were interrupted by Trey's soft voice.
"I don't mind. You patch me up great."He replied with a shrug, moving off the wall and taking the sponge out of the bucket.

"But I shouldn't have to. I don't like seeing you hurt. You know that."Retorted Trey, scrubbing energetically at a dirty window.
"Hey, I'm sorry. But he was going to-"
His grip on the sponge tightened, soapy water dripping down his muscular arm.
Trey gulped and forced his eyes to focus back on the spot he was cleaning. Ash looked back at him.
"Did he really-"

"Hey garden gnome, how's the scrubbing going?"
Ash was interrupted by Ry who unexpectedly barged into the classroom, suds of soap coating his buzz cut hair.

Trey shrugged, he hadn't heard the beginning of Ash's question.
"It's going okay, but please don't call me that."
"What? Garden gnome? Why not? It's cute."
"Is not."
"Is to."
"Is not."
"Is t-"
"When you're done arguing like children we can maybe get back to work." Interrupted Ash in a bored voice.

Ry's smile fell, replaced by a scowl.
"What's his deal?"

"My deal is that I'm tired of hearing your blabbering. Frankly, it's getting on my last nerve. Grow up"
"What the fuck did you just say?"
"I told you to grow up. Or are you deaf on top of being stupid?"
"Hey I don't get why you're being an asshole but I can put a stop to that real easily.
I don't like assholes."

"Oh yeah? Then how come, you're the biggest one I know. Want me to send you to medical Tarnard? Again?"
"Guys?"
"Not if I send you there first Waters."Ry cracked his knuckles.
"Guys!"
"You really need to be put in your place asshat."
"Guys stop!"
The boys both turned their heads to see an angry looking Trey staring right back at them, arms crossed over his chest.

"Stop arguing, you'll bring the guards here. Isn't detention enough? Do you really want to be kicked out? Because frankly I can't. So suck it up and behave like adults. Both of you!"
Ash was mildly surprised but didn't say anything, just smirked and looked down at the angry boy.
"We're all stuck cleaning windows so stop complaining." He stared at Ash who shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah about that, how come Grant let us off that easy?" Asked Riley
"I don't know guess my story was credible enough"
"Aww you're the best!"
"Aww you're the best." Mocked Ash
"What does he want now?" Retorted Ry.

"Ryley be nice!"
"Don't call me Ryley, I'm not a girl!"
"You sure do shout like one though."
"Ashton!"
"Mr Grant is many things but he isn't an idiot." Continued Ash as he continued wiping the windows. It was a good enough distraction from Ry's constant whining for now.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean there is no way he just let us off the hook like that without kicking one of us out. There has to be a reason."

The three boys thought of a reason good enough.
"Trey?"
"Yes?"
"How old are you again?" Asked Ash as he put down the sponge.
"Oh uh, I don't think I ever told you how old I am..."
"You didn't and that's why I'm asking."
"I'm seventeen."
"Since when? I thought you were sixteen!" Asked Ry baffled.
"Gosh I'm not sure, I loose track of time here. A month? Maybe less."

"That's it!" Exclaimed Ry.
"Great the doufus finally caught on." Replied Ash with an eye roll.
"What do you mean?" Replied Trey.
"If you're just seventeen, Grant can't kick you out of school. It's the law. He doesn't have a choice but to keep you here until you turn eighteen. This is a juvenile institute. You can't go to prison." Answered Ash.

"But that bag of dicks would rather die than admit that to you. He prefers you thinking that he's being lenient by choice and not that he is obligated by the law to keep you here. That bastard." Continued Ry.
"For once I agree with that asshat.
The same goes for us. We're barely underage though. So we're in a tighter spot."
"You're the asshat!" Retorted Ry.

"Ryley thank you for checking on me but I can handle myself. Please get back to cleaning, leaving your detention partner to wipe these windows on his own really isn't fair." Interrupted Trey.

"Yeah yeah whatever. Just. Be careful, okay? And if you need anythin-"
"Yes, yes, I'll shout so you can come rescue me. Thank you Riley. Now let's get on with it, I don't want to stay here all night."
Ry huffed but turned around and trudged back to the classroom he was cleaning.

"I don't like the way he talks to you. He's such a show off." Grunted Ash.
"Oh stop, like you aren't."
"I'm not."
"You are."
"Not." Ash rolled his eyes, how could someone so small talk so much?

"Who goes around punching people just to make a point?"
"Ry."
"So do you, I guess you're both show offs then."
"Happy you made your point?"
"Very. Now m-move I'm not cleaning this mess by myself. You got us into this, remember?"
"Whatever."

"There's the charming mood I know. I was afraid you had been abducted by aliens and replaced with a decent person."
"Never happening."
"That's what I thought. Now stop complaining and hand me the sponge."
Ash groaned but complied.
"You know what, I think I liked you better when you didn't speak. Where did all this attitude come from?"
"What can I say, this place makes my personality shine."
"Oh I can wash it down right now if it's going to be an issue."

"Haha wait wha-?"
Trey's laughter was interrupted by a "smak". He felt the sponge hit him from behind and the soapy water dribble down his back. He opened his mouth in shock and turned around to see Ash calmly scrubbing a perfectly clean window.
"Oh it's on Golden Boy!" He said before throwing the sponge as hard as he could back at Ash.
"What even is that name?" Replied the green eyed boy as he easily dodged the flying sponge.

"Ry calls you that and he's not wrong actually."
"Oh is he now?"
Trey tried to run away in a scream as Ash ran towards him, but he wasn't fast enough.
Ash grabbed Trey by the waist and effortlessly threw him over his shoulder. Trey laughed in distress.
"I'm going to show you who the boss is around here!" He shouted as he bent down to pick up the bucket.

Trey shrieked and tried to wriggle his way out of Ash's grip, but he was laughing so hard it made escaping impossible.
"Don't you dare!" He gasped when he saw the bucket.
"Like you're going to stop me."
Trey wiggled again, laughing and panting.

Ash was going to pour the water on him when Trey unexpectedly kicked the bucket from behind, sending all the water splashing on both of them.
"S-serves you r-right! Now put me down if you don't want me to drown you in what's left of water!" Trey giggled and sputtered.

Ash laughed and finally put him down but he left his hands on Trey's arms and looked into his eyes.
Trey's laughing suddenly died down when he became aware of how Ash's drenched shirt clung to his body and how deep his stare was.

And then, it hit him.

"Ashton! Oh my goodness, you're touching me, let go of my arms you're going to be sic-mfff?"
Trey was interrupted by Ash's lips slamming onto his.

Oh God.
Ash was kissing him, Again.
And he wanted more.

The two boys slid to the ground on their knees, still kissing. Trey was so lost in the sensations. He had kissed Ash before, but it had never been this intense, this hot. His whole body was on fire, his shirt clung to his body and Ash's hand roaming over his skin made him shiver.

Ash hooked a finger under Trey's jaw and deepened the kiss. He wasn't sure why his body wasn't reacting in fear or panic to the intimate touch once again but he didn't care. The only thing he felt was desire and it coursed through his veins like searing hot fire.

"Ash-Ashton wait wait stop." He was interrupted by Trey's hand on his torso pushing him slightly away. Ash stopped immediately.
"Something wrong?" He asked, deep green eyes filled with kindness and want lingering under the surface of a well kept facade.

"Ashton, how come you can touch me this easily? I know what you have. You should be careful."
Ash leaned back against the classroom wall and sighed. "What do you mean?"
Trey sat next to him, legs crossed and right knee almost brushing the other boy's leg. He ignored the lingering sensation that made his lips tingle.

"I-I did some research."
"Did you?"
"Yes, yesterday, when we were in the library. Ashton, do you have germaphobia?"
"Well aren't you smart on top of being cute."
"Answer me please?"

"Yes Trey. I have germaphobia. I was diagnosed when I was thirteen."
"So young." Trey whispered.
"I was destined for greatness at an early age I guess."
"It's not something you can joke about Ash, this is serious." Retorted Trey.
"Yes sir."
"H-how did you... No never mind."

"You can ask me anything you want Trey." Replied Ash in a soft voice as he picked up Trey's hand and placed it on his thigh.
Trey gulped. He could feel the warmth radiating from Ash's body even through the thickness of his pants.

Focus Trey

"How did you get it?" He finally asked.
Ash sighed.
"I always had it I guess. When I was a child I rarely went outside to play and I would make a huge fuss when things were dirty. But it got worse after. When my- when my father died. He died in a car crash just a few months after I was diagnosed."
"I'm so sorry." Whispered Trey.

"It's okay, it was a long time ago.
I remember he was driving me to football practice which was funny at the time because I hated football and he still insisted on dragging me to practice every Friday to help with my condition. He would always say that a bit of physical activity could cure everything."
"I don't agree." Replied Trey with a frown. Just thinking about sports at Highwest made his skin crawl.

"I didn't either at the time." Continued Ash with a smile. "But he insisted, every week, so I finally caved in and it ended up being very helpful because that's how I met my best friend at the time.
That idiot Deans.

He wasn't like the others. He understood me, understood my condition and he was always there for me.
The first time I ever saw him, I was getting my ass handed to me by one of the seniors and despite being even shorter than me he stood up for me. He got his ass beat too that day, but we were inseparable after that."

"That's how you met him. He didn't mention that." Said Trey.
"Deans told you about this?"
"He might have mentioned some parts of the story..."
"Of course he did. He can't shut his mouth. That's what got him in trouble all the time back then. What did he tell you?" Sighed Ash.

"He mentioned the accident and things going downhill after that..."
"That's a simple way of putting things. After the accident my world spun out of control. I lost my only real anchor and I responded to it the only way I knew.
With violence.

It was the only thing that could numb the pain and the disgust of other people touching me. No one could touch me. Not even my mother, not even Luke."
That was the first time Trey had heard Ash mention the name of his old friend. He was so caught up in the past it should have slipped past him. At this very moment, Trey felt the vulnerability of thirteen year old Ash.

"And then one night everything just... erupted. It was too much for me at the time. My grades had dropped, my mother was inconsolable, I had gotten suspended because of my behavior and I had stopped talking to everyone. I just wanted to stop hurting, to stop feeling, I wanted to join him."

"Ash! Di-did you..."
"I almost did. That night, I almost killed myself. I was standing in front of my bathroom mirror with a razor blade over my wrist. The same one I have under my mattress actually." Said Ash as he brushed the barely visible scar on the inside of his left wrist.
"The one you almost slit my neck with?" Replied Trey.

"Oh my God. How did y- why did y- you knew? Why didn't you shout?"
"Relax, I would have kicked you in the face."
"But you didn't!"
"But I didn't. I don't know, I think a part of me knew you wouldn't do it."
"Wait, you were actually awake? The whole time?"
"I was."

"Even when-"
"Even when you tried to kiss me, yes."
Ash groaned. "This is so embarrassing."
"I don't mind."
"You know I could never hurt you Trey. That razor blade is so old, it doesn't cut anymore. I only use it to scare people away."

"Ohh so that's where your charming reputation comes from then."
"I guess. Anyway I almost did it, the blade grazed my skin. And then, I was interrupted when the bell rang and that useless idiot Deans showed up all preppy at my front door asking for me. Said he wanted us to hang out or something. As if I hadn't been ignoring him for the past month."

"But he told me that you went to see him-"
"Of course he said that. Because that's what happened. My mother was the one who answered the door. She told him I wasn't here. She couldn't handle another violent outburst outside and a trip to the police station. So he went back home and I followed him. Then I entered through his bedroom window like I used to do and we went out."

"So h-he saved your life?"
"Yes. And to this day he still has no idea."
"Shouldn't you... Tell him?"
"No way, that guy's ego is huge. I am never going to give credit for that."
"But he still saved your life. You should talk to him."
"Maybe one day when he stops complaining about everything."

"What happened after that?"
"I think Luke told you everything. We got into trouble and we were expelled because of me. Our parents put the both of us here at the end of the school year. And the rest is history."
"That is a lot to take in."

"I know, but believe me when I say everyone here has a twisted backstory."I bet you do too,
he wanted to add, but when he saw the grim look on Trey's face he refrained from doing so.

"But that still doesn't explain why you're fine with this." Continued Trey pointing to Ash's hand which now rested on his own.
"I don't know. I guess you're different. I feel comfortable around you. You remind me of him."

"Your father?"

"Yes, you talk like him sometimes, you always avoid conflict, you're gentle and understanding. Just like he was."
Trey was at a loss for words. A tear rolled down his cheek.

"Hey, hey don't cry." Whispered Ash as he brushed the tear away. Trey looked up at him, eyes watering.
"It's just so sad, what you've been through, and the way others treat you here. They're so selfish and mean."
"That's just how the world is, Trey. But it's not all bad. There's you now."
The two boys sat in silence
"Do you think-" Ash began to speak.
He was interrupted by Trey as the small boy threw his arms around him.
Ash was speechless. He silently settled Trey onto his lap so he could face him.
Trey's cheeks grew red. They were now very close.

"I really want to kiss you right now." He whispered.
"Do it. I dare you." Ash whispered back.

And he did.
The kiss was soft and passionate and it revived the extinguished fire in both of their cores. Trey's hips shifted on their own, creating a pleasant friction between him and Ash.
"T-trey go slow, or I don't know what I might do."
"What? Big Bad Ash can't handle a little bit of teasing?" Replied Trey innocently as he continued to sway his hips slowly.

"You don't want to play that game with me." Warned Ash.
"Or what? What are you going to do?"
Ash didn't answer, he looked deep inside Trey's eyes before ripping his shirt open, buttons flying in every direction.

"Ash! My shirt!" Trey laughed.
He instantly stopped when he felt Ash's lips on his collarbone.
"Ash-uhh you ah-" He couldn't speak. Ash lips on his skin made his head spin with pleasure. His whole body heated up instantly. Ash delicately removed the torn shirt and dropped light kisses on his chest.

"We don't have to do anything if you're not ready." He whispered in Trey's ear.
Trey shivered. He was more than ready.
He moved his arms around Ash's neck and kissed him again, arching his back to create even more friction. He gasped when he felt Ash harden beneath him. He could feel his desire and it fueled his even more.

Ash groaned. "Don't start something you won't be able to finish Trey."
Trey looked him straight in the eyes and slid his hand down between their bodies, placing it on Ash's raging erection.
"Who said anything about finishing?"
Ash chuckled. "You're a nasty little thing aren't you?"
"You haven't seen anything yet."
Trey unzipped Ash's pants and slipped his hand underneath. He faltered for a second.

Ash was big.

Trey freed him from the confines of his pants and stared in awe.
Ash's dick was indeed big. The tip was bright red, precum already leaking from it.

"It's not going to bite you, you know." Said Ash with a laugh. "Come here."
He pulled Trey in for a kiss and took the boy's hand into his own.
"Have you ever done this?"
"J-just by myself."
"Interesting. I'll keep that in mind for later."
Ash guided Trey's hand on his erection and shuddered. That boy was too innocent for his own good. He kept kissing him and slipped both of their hands up and down his dick.

Trey gasped, the friction felt good. Almost painful as his own erection was pressing against the zipper of his pants.
Ash caught Trey's gasp and with a devilish smile dragged his other hand over Trey's now very apparent erection.
"Someone's lively." He commented.

"Sh-shut up, it's your fault."
"Then I should take full responsibility shouldn't I?" Responded Ash in a teasing tone.
He took Trey's pulsing dick out with one hand while still guiding the boy's hand over his own erection.
"I'm going to rock your entire world Trey.
And I won't stop there. Once I have you, I'll never let you go." Whispered Ash.

He dragged Trey even closer so that both their dicks were touching. Then, he took both of Trey's small hands and slid them over both their throbbing members.
Trey was overwhelmed with sensations. He moved his hips up and down to add to the friction created by Ash. This was so much better than when he had tried to touch himself. He felt a searing heat in his lower belly and it built up, up , up until he couldn't contain it anymore. He came in a cry all over Ash's shirt.

Ash pumped himself some more before coming with a grunt not long after. He closed his eyes and rested his forehead against Trey's, their hands still locked together.
Trey was seeing stars. He needed to catch his breath. Ash's cool forehead was soothing against his burning skin.
He knew this was just the beginning. He didn't exactly know how it could get better but he trusted Ash, body and soul. But Trey wasn't satisfied yet.

He wanted more.
He needed more.

Arghhhhh finally! Chapter 23 is done! I'm so happy you can finally read it. Thank you all for waiting so patiently, writer's block is tough and my personal life is changing fast. Hope you enjoyed it! See you in chapter 24!
Moonlightshow.