Young Folks (Ross Lynch AU)

twenty-one.

"Morning, beautiful," Ross whispered in my ear as I cracked my eyes open just the slightest bit. Sunshine shone through the windows of the bus, and a couldn't help but let a smile grace my features.

"Morning," I grinned. One of Ross' arms was wrapped around my waist, the other was free, its hand running itself through my tangled hair. Our legs were intertwined, and my head was buried in his neck.

"So it wasn't a dream?" I asked myself quietly.

"What, love?" Ross asked.

"Oh, I just, uh, I was just making sure that I hadn't dreamed up that whole kiss," I blushed a deep red.

"It wasn't a dream, and damn am I glad," Ross laughed, kissing my neck lightly. His chuckled vibrated against my skin, sending shivers down my spine.

"What time is it?" I questioned, sitting up and stretching, a yawn surfacing.

"10:30," he stated.

I choked on air.

I didn't even know that was possible, or if it is for that matter, but I'm pretty sure it happened.

"10:30?!" I exclaimed once I regained my composure.

"Yeah."

"Why did you let me sleep so long?" I asked.

"I know this has been tough on you and I figured you needed the sleep. Plus, you looked so cute, I couldn't stand the thought of waking you up," Ross winked. I just slapped his arm and stood up, stretching a bit more. I ran my hand through my hair several times, hoping I could possible untangle it a bit.

It didn't help much.

"Here, babe, let me help," Ross suddenly said. He grabbed my hands, which were now practically clawing at my hair, and dropped them so they were dangling at my sides. He then gently ran his fingers through my knotted hair, starting at the bottom (now we're here ayeeee) and working his way to the top, somehow ridding it of any snarls and tangles.

"Thanks," I whispered, a ghost of a blush returning.

"No problem," Ross smiled and kissed my cheek. He then grabbed my hand a pulled me towards the front of the bid. "Cmere, I want to show you something."

We stepped off and he led me to the backside of the bus and I gasped at the sight I saw, then slapped his cheek.

"What the fuck?" Ross asked.

"What the hell did think you were doing, hunting without me before I even got out of bed?!" I exclaimed, furious at him.

"I was thinking that I was providing us with day's worth of food, helping us survive in this dumbass wilderness!" Ross countered.

"Ross, you could have fucking died! Does that mean nothing to you?" I yelled.

"Not if it means providing for you and helping you survive longer! Then my life means nothing to me-"

"Don't you ever speak like that again, okay? Don't fucking worry about me. I can care for myself. You need to worry about you and you alo-"

"No!" Ross screamed. "I'm not just going to worry and care for myself and leave you in the dust if that's what you think! I care so fucking much about you, Aspen. You don't even realized the extent to which I care about you. I would do anything for you. And if me risking my life means that we might have food so you can live just another day, then it's worth it to me. So I'm sorry if you're pissed at me for this, but I don't regret what I did. It's helping you survive, so I did the right thing."

A silence fell between us, the dead caribou lying next to us. I knew he was just trying to be helpful, but it pissed me off that he was being so ignorant about the animals that could have killed him.

"Next time, wait for me to come with you," I sighed, turning to walk away.

"Does this mean I'm forgiven?" Ross asked, hope clear in his voice.

"Not quite," I stated, giving him a bitter sweet smile.

I wasn't giving in that easily.

I walked back to entrance to the bus and went inside. I grabbed my water and took a sip, trying to rid my mouth of the overwhelming taste of last night's saliva.

"Ross!" I shouted.

"What?"

"Today, we should go back to that river we found earlier. I'm running low on water," I explained.

"Alright," he agreed. I then threw my hair in a ponytail, grabbed both our water bottles, and exited the bus to find him waiting. "Ready?"

I nodded in response, and started the short walk to the river. It was silent the whole way, neither one of us wanting to break the ice. I was still pissed, and he didn't want to further anger me, so we just stayed silent.

When we finally made it there, we both filled out water bottles to the brim. The river was clear enough and running fast enough that we didn't have to worry about not being able to drink the water.

I then set my water bottle down and looked at Ross. "Don't judge me." I pulled off my sweaty top and shorts, leaving me in my sports bra and underwear. I pulled my hair out of its ponytail and then walked into the river, instantly submerging myself in the freezing cold water.

I resurfaced to find Ross just staring at me before removing his shirt and shorts in record time and joining me in the rushing water. I washed my body off the best I could, ridding myself of a layer of dirt and sweat I had accumulated over the past weeks. I then washed my hair to the best of my ability before grabbing my clothes and washing those as well.

"You're brilliant, you know that?" Ross asked as I handed him his clothes.

"Flattering, but compliments aren't going to make me forgive you any faster," I teased. I was still angry, but not as furious as I was before. He was quickly worming his way back into my heart, just as he always does.

"I just speak the truth," Ross stated, holding his hands up in surrender.

"Whatever, lover boy. Now hurry up, my ass is starting to freeze," I joked as I climbed out of the river.

"Hot damn," I heard him whisper. I just shot him a look and winked.

"My eyes are up here, blondie."

Sorry guys this one is terrible. Kinda just threw it together be I haven't updated in so long. I'm so sorry for the wait. I've had a lot on my mind lately with school starting soon and last week was my first week of cross country so I just havent had a lot of time to write. I'm really sorry guys :(

Pic is a gem I found on tumblr 😊

I love you guys so much 😘😘