Ashton could only gasp wordlessly, staring back at Edmund with glassy eyes.

Edmund took his hands away from him then, taking a step back.

‘Have you um…been with anyone before?’

Ashton shook his head wordlessly, unable to speak.

He was terrified.

‘I suppose I should have known’ Edmund muttered to himself, frowning and glancing to the side. ‘So, you’ve not had…. any partner at all, girlfriend or boyfriend?’

Ashton shook his head.

‘Have you ever…slept with anyone?’

‘No’ Ashton whispered, at last finding his voice.

‘Have you ever kissed or touched anyone in a romantic way?’ Edmund asked.

He shook his head.

‘I’m sorry you should have said’ Edmund replied, speaking sincerely. ‘You should have said. I would have known if… I should have known from the way you were acting…sorry.’

Ashton could only stare at him wide eyed, unable to think of anything else to say.

He simply leant back against the wall; hands clutched over his chest.

‘I’m sorry’ Edmund said to him again, moving closer to him once more. ‘I just want…. Just one last time.’

He kissed Ashton again, pressing his body into his, kissing him deeply, owning him, savouring him, until at last he broke away, doing so only reluctantly.

‘You are so good’ he sighed.

But Ashton did not know what he meant by this.

‘I just wanted a taste. Just one last time. For now. But I swear’ Edmund said placing a hand over his heart, ‘I won’t do anything like that again. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable. I want you to love me, as I love you.’

Ashton’s heart tightened in his chest then, and he stared at Edmund unblinking.

He wanted to speak, he wanted to ask him how he could love him already, but Ashton could not find the words.