Winona was sprawled out on the couch, munching on chips as she watched the TV. She'd been living with Ash for close to a month now and found the experience to be altering after living for so long in fear and uncertainty.
She heard the door unlock but didn't spare a glance towards him, her eyes fixated on the scene playing out in front of her.
Ash entered and threw his keys on the table, silently admiring Winona from the doorway. Her progression had been amazing. He loved seeing her so comfortable, he loved seeing her in baggy T-shirts and pajama pants at night, nothing but a couple of scars left to remind her of a past that seemed like so long ago from the safety of his apartment.
She felt his eyes on her and looked over. "Hi."
He tried his best to contain his grin. "Hey."
She folded the bag of chips and tossed them on the coffee table. She adjusted the way she sat to make room for him, patting the seat next to her. "C'mon, this is the good part."
He shrugged his jacket off and plopped down beside her. "Grey's Anatomy?"
"Are you judging?"
He looked at the hospital room on the screen, nose scrunching up in distaste. "I mean, a little."
She groaned and before she could hand him the remote in surrender he stood up. "You watch it, I'll make something for dinner. Anything in mind?"
For some reason his words had struck her hard. She placed the remote down and looked up at him, head resting in her hands. What were they doing? Her tone was solemn but she spoke with clarity.
"Ash...I have to move out of here."
The thought hadn't crossed his mind until she mentioned it. But hearing her say it right now brought a queasy feeling to him and he sat back down, hard.
"If that's what you want."
Her nails dug into her arm. "I can find a friend...or my parents only live a couple hours away."
"What about your job? You're just gonna quit?" His heart was throbbing at the idea of her leaving and he couldn't figure out why.
"I can find another job. I can live with them until I'm back on my feet and can afford my own place." She sighed and looked at him. "You've helped me so much. Too much."
He felt his face get hot, and he pulled at the collar of his shirt while averting his eyes to the floor. "I just gave you a couch, really."
She gave him a small smile and nodded, even though they both knew it was more than that. He just wouldn't take more credit. Every second of silence made Ashton uneasy, so he stood up again and tried to change the subject, clapping and rubbing his hands together.
"So...dinner. Wanna order out?"
"Sure."
An hour later they sat at the dining room table that was big enough for only three people, four if they were desperate. They hadn't talked much since earlier, and even right now they were eating in silence. Winona picked at her food, hardly touching it. Ashton wanted to say something to her, but his voice kept getting stuck in his throat every time he tried to open his mouth.
Ashton felt like his time was running out. He ignored the ache coursing through his veins as he finally blurted it out. "Stay with me."
She stopped moving her fork around and looked into his fiery gaze.
He pushed on. "I like having you here Wyn. You can stay. Keep your job, save up your money. Do whatever you need to do. We don't have to split the rent anymore, I can take care of it."
