Painting Counties Blue! ○ Wilbur Soot × Reader

16

"Message me and tell me how it goes" Wil grins, ruffling my hair as he stands at my door.

"I will" I smile back, nudging him out the door. He takes my arms and wraps them around his waist, pulling me into a hug.

"Alright, bye now, Wilbur Soot" I tease, making him laugh.

"Okay, okay. Bye Y/n S/n" He utters, stepping back and pulling the door closed behind him.

"Ash, if you put your clothes in the washing machine, I'll give them a quick wash while you're in the shower" I call out as I turn around.

"How? What do I wear while I take them to the laundry?" He asks.

"There's a bath robe in there but I doubt you'll fit it" I laugh. "I could just take them for you" I offer, hearing him shuffle around behind the door.

"No it's okay." He utters as the door opens. I look over to see him only with a towel wrapped around his hips and look away immediately, embarrassed to admit that he has a nice build.

"O-over there" I point to the door of the laundry. "Put it on quick wash." He nods, a smirk evident on his face and I roll my eyes.

♪

The meeting went well. I'm fully convinced that both Mandy and her friend Briar-the other writer-are into Ash.

Ash successfully got the job, and is going to be payed the same amount as me, which is decent. We found an office to look at. But just as I thought, what she said was too good to be true. Ash and I will be sharing the studio, both of us collectively paying half of the rent, which means a quarter each.

That's right; Mandy isn't covering the costs like she said she would. In fact she's only paying a quarter, Briar is paying the other since her editor will be using it too.
I have no reason to he upset. I suppose the fact that they're willing to provide us with an office, and paying anything at all is something to be grateful for.

Ash and I sit on the side of the street eating a burger each.

"I'm going to get kicked out of my house" mumbles, shoving the last bite of his burger into right after his sentence. His tone is blank, uninterested, and pretty much emotionless.

"What do you mean?" I ask, ripping the last small piece of mine in half and eating one of the small parts.

"The pay is good, but not as much as my other job. Therefore I won't have enough to pay my rent. So I'll be kicked out" He explains in the same tone, fidgeting with his rubbish.

"I would say that you could split rent with me until you find a place, but the only places I have for you to sleep are either on the couch, or with me. And I doubt you'd want either of those" I say, eating the last piece of my burger.

I scrunch up my rubbish and take Ash's, putting it all in the bin a few steps away from where we had settled for the moment.

"I mean...." he trails off, smirking, but not looking at me. I burst into laughter.

"Tosser" I grin. His jaw drops and he feigns a devastated expression, but it dissappears just as quickly as it came.

"Whatever," He grins. We stand there in silence for a while, it's not awkward as it's evident that we're both in thought. "You said your neighbors are annoying, and you can't get sleep where you are right now, right?"

He turns his head to me, waiting for a response. I nod, confirming his assumption.

"How about we look for a two bedroom place together. A cheap one, split the rent and all other living expenses, and we should even have money to spare!" He ensures. I think to myself for a moment.

The place I'm at is convenient, it's close to the café.. though I suppose doesn't count for anything anymore. I've lived at my place since I moved out of my parent's home. I've been itching to move as well.

But I've lived here for so long and it's never failed me..

"I dunno..." I hesitate to give a solid answer, attempting not to get his hopes up.

"Please? We're even in the same band. It'll be so easy" He practically begs. It wouldn't be so bad... again, I've been wanting to move. I sigh.

"We can have a look" I agree, and a grin immediately appears and he looks like a small child who's just been told they can have an ice cream after dinner.

"Really?" He asks, making sure in my response. I laugh and let a smile slip too.

"Yeah" I promise and smiles to himself.

"Sweet as" He continues to grin.

♪

Messages: Wil💀.

I open the message immediately, curious of what he wants.

Wil 💀
You home?

Me
Ash and I walking home now :)

Wil 💀
How did the meeting go?

Me
Good, found a place but Mandy only paying a quarter and her friend paying another quarter. Ash and I have to pay the rest :/

Wil 💀
That's not what she said she'd do tho?

Me
Ik

Wil 💀
>:(

Me
Oh well. It doesn't matter.
At least they helped us find a studio

Wil 💀
Yeah ig

Me
Where are you?

Wil 💀
Outside yours lol

Me
Lmao oh.

Me
Code is 021567
3rd floor, door to the right, and under the door mat should be my spare key.

Wil 💀
Oh okay. Thanks! :D

Me
No problem :)
We're almost there

Read:Just now.

♪

Ash looks exhausted as we stand in the elevator. He slumps back against the mirror and leans his head back against the glass.

"You should probably go home today" I tell him, eyeing his tired posture. "Maybe pack some things before they officially kick you out."

"Mm." He pulls out his phone and checks something. "I will. We should get dinner together, doesn't Wil live in Brighton? Why is he here?"

I'd told him that Wilbur is waiting for us at home.

"We can. I don't know, I thought streamed later in the evening?" I assume. Ash nods in reply.

"I thought so too" He answers.

Once we exit the elevator I open my door and slip my shoes off, hanging my coat up.

"I thought you had to stream it's only seven!" I call out. Wilbur's head promptly hooks around the corner, he fully steps out when he sees us. I walk past him into the kitchen, pulling out the papers for the studio, my keys and my wallet.

"I already have. I convinced Tommy to stream a few hours early so I could catch a train back here to hang out with you guys"