'Why can't I go?' asked Ianto.

'Because it's wrong. You're not gay are you?' replied his Dad. They were in the car on their way back from town. Ianto sat in silence for the rest of the journey. His dad kept saying he needed to get out more and when he asked he said no. It had been like that for years. The misunderstanding parent and the curious teen. Ianto looked out the window and dreamed. He'd do anything to get away.

That night, his Dad's girlfriend came around. They were sat on the sofa with cups of tea. Ianto was on the computer typing away with his head phones on. He had music blaring out of them but he could still hear them.

'And earlier, he asked me if he could go to a gay parade!' scoffed his Dad.

The girlfriend cackled loudly. 'A gay parade? I've never heard of such a stupid idea.' She turned to Ianto. 'You wouldn't want to go to that. They're all wrong.'

Ianto pretended not to hear but he had to tell himself to keep still, not to cry and not to lash out. He logged off and put his head phones away and walked upstairs without saying a word to anyone.

Upstairs, he could hear their abuse loud and clear in his ears. He laid on his bed and looked up at the ceiling. He let his anger loos. Thumping the bed and cried tears of hatred. He's do anything to get away. The girlfriend cackled loudly again. Ianto leaned over and turned on his stereo. 'Cancer' by 'My Chemical Romance' filled the room. He laid still and thought. He had two choices, a) let it carry on and hope it gets better or b) run away. The first choice was bullshit. His Mam died 8 years ago and everyone said it would get better and it didn't. It got worse and never stopped going downhill. His dad never talked to him so they grew apart. He couldn't remember his mum and when he began to ask questions it made things worse. He was a huge fan of Astrid Pitt – an actress in his favourite sci-fi TV show. He dreamed of acting with her and being her child, for her and her girlfriend – Lucy Hayes. He'd tried to meet her but his Dad hated her because of who she was so he couldn't. He got to go to her concert with his cousin. Ianto told himself that he'd run away and ask her. Aged 15, he knew he just needed a way out this shit hole.

Everyone had fallen asleep. It was quarter past three in the morning and Ianto woke up. It was a light night and he decided that tonight he was going to do it. Tonight he was going to change his life. He quietly got out of bed and packed a holdall – blankets, warm clothes, teddy and a bottle of water. He too his phone but kept it turned off. He grabbed some money and made his way over to his window. He took a deep breath then pulled back the curtain. He opened the window and climbed out. Outside, he sat on the little balcony and closed the window behind him. He climbed off the balcony and made his way out of the garden. He stopped off at the shed and opened the door. He too the large sheers and held them open and cut his long hair. He took a hair band and tied the remaining up in a little ponytail. He made sure he had most of the hair he'd cut off and he felt. He disposed of the hair as quickly as possible and ventured out into the night.

At the bus station, he got on a bus to the city where Astrid lived. When he got there he got out and went straight to her house. It was still dark and he waited in a hedge row. It was comfy and he had a good view of the house. In the morning, Lucy and Astrid walked out the front door and Astrid kissed her goodbye. And that was that for the day. Ianto knew he couldn't move until dark, so he waited, slept and watched.

Night came and Ianto made him way around the back of the house and sat on the shore at the bottom of the garden. A light was turned on in the house and it caught his back. He heard a door slide open and footsteps approach him.

'Excuse me? Who are you?' It was Astrid.

Ianto didn't move. He knew what he had to do.

'I wanna call the stars down from the sky. I wanna live a day that never dies. I wanna change the world only for you. All the impossible I wanna do.' Ianto looked up at Astrid. 'I wanna hold you close under the rain. I wanna kiss your smile and share my pain. I know what's beautiful, looking at you. In a world of lies, you are my truth. And baby, every time you touch me. I become a hero. I'll make you safe no matter where you are and bring you everything you ask for. Nothing is above me. I'm shining like a candle in the dark, when you tell me that you love me.'

Astrid bent down and cupped Ianto's face. 'You're freezing. Come inside and we'll warm you up and talk.' She helped Ianto up, and with Lucy's help, got Ianto inside. Inside, they sat on the sofa and Lucy fetched Ianto a glass of water. Astrid sat on the sofa next to him. They looked at each other.

'Tell me your name.'

'Ianto.'

'Ianto...?'

'Jones. Ianto Jones.'

'The boy who went missing.'

Ianto nodded and looked away.

'Please don't call the police. I can't go back.'

Astrid held his hands. 'Tell me why you ran away and why you came here.'

Lucy walked back in and handed Ianto the glass. He thanked her and drank some of it. Lucy sat on the other side of him and leaned inwards.

'Things were getting bad at home. Worse than they had been before. It started eight years ago. My mam died and my dad never spoke. I can't remember her and I started to ask questions. He shouted at me and even hit me a few times.' Ianto looked at Astrid. 'I saw you on CSI Miami. You took my breath away and I know how much you and Lucy would like a child. Please. You're an amazing person, you accept who you are and you get on with your life. I just hoped you'd understand.' Ianto trailed off.

Astrid didn't know what to say.

'Ianto. Thank you for being so kind but we can't. You still have a dad and there's no proof that you two can't live together. we can't just keep you. I'm really sorry and I would if I could.'

Ianto pulled the shoulder of his top down. There was an ugly purple cut. Astrid gasped.

'He did this?'

Ianto nodded and started crying. 'Please. It's all getting too much and if I stay I'll die.' Ianto broke down and Astrid hugged him. She nodded at Lucy and she stood up at left. Astrid moved away from Ianto and looked him in the eye.

'I understand but you can't let this go unnoticed. You need to tell someone. But having said that, I am afraid – you can't stay here.'

'Ok.'

'What will you do?'

'Go home.'

'But he'll hurt you again.'

'Oh well. Maybe I'll get stronger.' He held Astrid's hands. 'I'm sorry that I wasted your time but thank you for listening. I'll never forget you. And I don't care whether you like boys or girls; you'll always be my hero.'

Ianto stood up and left. Astrid watched him go. Lucy entered and looked around.

'Where'd he go?'

'He's gone.'

Lucy sat down and kissed Astrid on the lips.

'You're just going to let him walk away. I saw the way he spoke, only truth in his eyes. Don't let him go.'

Astrid looked at Lucy and kissed her.

'You're right.'

Lucy smiled and Astrid ran after Ianto.

Outside, Ianto was walking down the road. Astrid ran after him.

'Ianto!' she called. He stopped and turning around. Astrid caught up with him. 'What was I saying? Stay. You spoke truth and I can't send you back.'

'Thank you.' Whispered Ianto.

Astrid hugged Ianto.