Family Troubles || Redlyn

Goodnight

Big Red's POV

I found both my parents watching some TV show upstairs. They paused it when I started talking. "Can Ashlyn stay the night?"

"Why?"

"Uh, her parents have been arguing, it's a whole thing, she just doesn't feel well." I explained, trying to be vague, just in case Ashlyn didn't want many people to know. Considering no one else really knew, I assumed she didn't want that.

"Then she's welcome to stay. She can sleep in the guest room with Madeline." My mom said.

"No, uh... they, um, don't get along the best." Obviously Ashlyn thought Madeline was fine, but that was not mutual.

"Er... okay. She can sleep on the couch."

"Can she sleep in my room if I sleep on the couch?" I asked. I wanted her to get a good night's sleep.

"Yeah."

"Ok, thanks, see ya later." I went back downstairs to Ashlyn, who looked lost in thought. "Whatcha wanna do? We could watch something, talk, just hang out, or go ahead and get to bed?"

"What time is it?" Ashlyn asked.

"Near 10."

"Sleep." She chose.

"Okay. Need anything?"

"No, I'm good."

"Okay. I'll be upstairs on the couch, go ahead and get settled."

"What? I'll sleep on the couch, this is your bed." Ashlyn protested.

"No. You need sleep. I don't mind the couch." I smiled at her. She tackled me in a hug.

"Thanks again for everything tonight." Ashlyn beamed. "Goodnight. Love you." I wasn't used to hearing that from Ashlyn, but I loved it. But not nearly as much as her.

"You too. Goodnight."

I woke up to the shuffling of blankets. I sat up. "Ash?"

"Sorry." Came her voice from beside me. "I couldn't sleep."

"What time is it?" I asked her.

"Around 1." Ashlyn sounded like she felt guilty. "Sorry again."

"It's fine." I shifted to sit closer to her and threw my blanket over the two of us. I put my arm around her. "Something wrong?"

"No. Just really struggling to sleep."

"Okay." I smiled at her. "You can stay here."

"You're the best." She cuddled up next to me. I quickly fell back asleep. About 10 minutes later I woke back up for a moment, to see Ashlyn asleep. I smiled and fell back asleep again.

The next morning, around 10, I woke up, immediately seeing Ashlyn in my arms. My cheeks turned red. I looked up and saw Madeline. Oh no.

"What's up?" I asked awkwardly, trying to keep my voice low.

"Debating telling your parents..."

"And what's the point of that?" I muttered.

"I don't know." She shrugged. "Just thinking about it."

"Well, don't. There's nothing wrong with comforting my girlfriend. Okay?"

"Fine, for now at least." She left.

I looked at Ashlyn, who I thought was still asleep, and kissed her forehead. "G'morning." She giggled.

"Oh, good morning." I turned red again. "Didn't know you were up." She giggled again and kissed my forehead.

"There, we're even."

"That works." I smiled.