Forever & Always || Redlyn

The Hospital

Big Red had hardly calmed down. The power came on hours later, and so did the WiFi, but he still couldn't reach Ashlyn. He kept trying to be patient, but texted or called her every few minutes sometimes. Lizzie finally convinced him (around 1) to go to sleep.

Waking up only an hour later, Big Red attempted to call Ashlyn again. She didn't pick up, but Sophie did, knowing he was probably terrified.

"Ash!" He exclaimed, letting out a sigh of relief.

"Um... it's Sophie. Sorry." She apologized.

"Where.. where is she, though?"

"Er... the hospital." Sophie said quietly, knowing Big Red would completely freak out.

"Wh- What?" Big Red stuttered. "Wh- Why?"

"The wall collapsed a bit. It hit her, somewhere on the head."

"B- But she'll be fine?" Big Red felt like his heart skipped a beat, and it definitely did speed up.

"It can't be too bad."

"Are you at the hospital?" Big Red asked.

"Yes."

"I can come down, r- right?"

"Sure." There was a pause. "I gotta go." Sophie hung up.

Big Red had rushed to the hospital, despite the fact he wasn't able to see Ashlyn. He kept himself awake for hours, crying silently for most of the time, before he was able to see Ashlyn at 6. Rushing inside, he saw Ashlyn.

"A- Ash?" Big Red sat next to her. "Oh thank God!" His temptation to hug her was huge, but he had been told not to touch her yet.

"Biggie?" Ashlyn whispered, her eyes closed.

"Yes?" Big Red wiped tears off his face.

"I love you." She smiled shyly.

"I love you more sweetie." Big Red said.

"No you don't." She shook her head the smallest bit, knowing she shouldn't move it more.

"Of course I do."

"Equally?" She compromised.

"I guess." Big Red shrugged.

"Thank you for coming."

"What do you mean? There's no way I wouldn't."

"You didn't have to."

"Maybe some people wouldn't have to, but I did." Big Red told her. "But anyways, do you want to get some sleep? I can leave."

"I'm good." It was a bad timing for Ashlyn to yawn.

"I really can leave." He chuckled.

"I don't want you to." She protested.

"I'll just be out there. Same building." Big Red promised.

"Oh." She smiled. "Then I guess so."

Ashlyn was disappointed the next morning. She found out Big Red had been told to go home. She got a bit happier when she found out he had been reluctant to. Sophie had returned her phone to her, and she texted Big Red:

Come on by? 🥺❤️

Big Red: Of course 😘

He arrived minutes later, wrapping her in a gentle but tight hug as he sat right next to her. "Good morning."

"Biggie!" Ashlyn hugged him back.

"How are you?" He kissed her cheek.

"My head hurts." She knew this was obvious, as it was wrapped in gauze towards the top. "But I don't feel horrible."

"Sorry. But that sounds alright."

"Yeah." She glanced at the time. "Don't you have class in like 5 minutes?"

"Um... yeah. But I'm staying here." He decided.

"But—"

"Nope, I'm staying." Big Red grinned.

"If you say so. Don't blame me if you get in trouble." Ashlyn smiled and put her head on his chest. "Love you." She yawned.

"How'd you sleep?"

"Alright. Just still a bit tired."

"When can you leave?"

"Probably an hour or so." Ashlyn shrugged a little.

"Well, my class is about that long, so I'll be here the whole time." Big Red said, causing Ashlyn to giggle.

"Thanks."

"Not a problem."

Ashlyn knocked on Big Red's dorm door. She had attended a few of her classes until the day ended, and was then told to rest. More of her wanted to be with Big Red than alone to rest.

Lizzie opened the door. "Oh, hi Ashlyn. How are you?" Big Red had told Lizzie (or rather rambled to her) about her head.

"I'm pretty good, thanks." She smiled. "Where's Big Red?"

"He'll be back from class in like ten minutes. Come on in." Lizzie let her in then closed the door and sat on her bed. Ashlyn sat on Big Red's bed.

"How have you been lately?"

"I finally asked that girl out." Lizzie said, referring to the girl she had told Ashlyn she couldn't figure out how to talk to. "And she said yes."

"Great!"

"Except I have no idea what to do! How am I supposed to go on a date if I couldn't even ask her out for weeks?"

"It'll be fine. It's cliche, but you really have to be yourself."

"I hope."

"It's true." Ashlyn spent the next few minutes trying to give Lizzie any advice she could, then Big Red showed up.

"Oh, hey." He said to Ashlyn. "Hi Lizzie." He sat next to Ashlyn.

"Hi." They both said.

"Get some rest." Big Red pushed Ashlyn into a lying position. She didn't protest, instead putting her head on his pillow and falling asleep.