Game Over (Andley)

Clean Slate

The music pulsed through Andy almost immediately as he stepped past the security guard and inside, a black X having been drawn carelessly on his hand to indicate that he was a minor and unable to get anything alcoholic from the bar. Andy looked around and chewed on his lip, the noise becoming a bit much for him. Even though he was a highly known beta tester, he knew none of the others that were attending. He looked around and saw no familiar faces, and was a bit let down because he had hoped he'd at least see one. That one was Ashley, quite obviously. It was the only reason Andy even came to this thing, hoping the star of the game would make an appearance. Then again, why would he? The game was based here in San Diego, but Ashley, according to many fan 'sources,' lived Las Vegas. A totally different state...

Andy chewed on his lip and side stepped his way through the people, carefully finding his way up to the upper level of the club and out to the patio. There was no one out there, as everyone was still inside, hyped. The night was still young, and here Andy was... outside moping and pouting because the reason he had come didn't show up. There were red and white fairy lights strung along the patio to give it some nice, soft lighting. He put his arms up on the railing and leaned over a bit, gazing out at the sun as it was just barely peeking over the horizon as it set and the fading oranges and pinks mixing with the deep blue of the night sky that had begun to take over. 

"Are you okay?" A voice said from behind him. Andy lifted his head and looked behind him, seeing the very person he had hoped, yet dreaded, to lay eyes on in person.
Andy's mouth opened, then shut again as he realized he didn't know how to respond without sounding like an idiot.
"What's the matter? Starstruck?"
Andy blushed furiously. Oh, god, he was getting teased by Ashley Purdy.

Andy shook his head quickly. "No- I just- you startled me, that's all." He laughed it off, reaching a hand up to tuck a piece of hair behind his ear out of habit but soon remembering he had cut his hair and pretending to scratch the side of his head inside.
Ashley cocked a delicate, fine brow. "New hair cut?" He questioned, coming over and leaning on the rail beside him.
Andy nodded. "How did you know?"
"Because it seemed like I startled you so much you forgot that side of your head was shaved." Ashley grinned. "I like it. It's cool." He craned his head back to look at the back. Andy smiled shyly, muttering a quiet thank you.

"Um, so I'm Andy." He extended a hand. "Andy Biersack, I'm one of the beta testers here with VIP."
Ashley shook his hand, smiling warmly. "It's nice to meet you. I'm Ashley... Beta, huh? I think I've seen your name before. Will mentioned it a few times, I think."
Andy frowned a bit. "Will?"
"Oh, Will was the guy that created the leader of F.E.A.R. in the game." Ashley shrugged. "He's a pretty cool dude, but damn, he's scary as hell when he gets into characters like that."

Andy paled a bit, shifting uncomfortably. So that was the guy who tried to kill him in the game?
"Oh. Cool." Andy nodded, folding his arms across his chest.

They stood there quietly for a few moments, just quietly enjoying each others company. Deviant was right, in a way. Seeing Ashley was like seeing an old friend.

"Are you sure we only just met?" Ashley said out of the blue, looking at him with quite genuine curiosity and confusion. Andy looked to meet his gaze, breath suddenly catching in his throat. He never expected for him to look so... real. That was probably weird to say, because of course he was real, but Andy was so caught off guard, it was almost overwhelming... Ashley's eyes were such a warm brown, it felt like he was floating. It seemed Ashley was just as lost, also unprepared for the icy blue orbs that were gazing back at him. 
"I'm... I'm sure." Andy muttered awkwardly and suddenly took a step back as he had realized how close they were to each other. It was way too soon. Even though he and Deviant had kissed before, he was not sure he was ready to actually kiss Ashley. 

"Oh. Okay." Ashley sighed. "You just look familiar, is all." He coughed awkwardly and the silence came back once again, this time a bit more tense and anxious.
Andy finally let out a breath he wasn't really aware he had been holding when someone else emerged onto the outdoor patio, there, it seemed, to retrieve Ashley.
"There you are, Purdy." The man sighed. "C'mon, the release countdown is going to start in under 10 minutes, and you're supposed to be down there for it."
Ashley frowned and looked at Andy, then back at the man.
"Oh, yeah. Sorry, I guess I just lost track of time." He sighed and straightened up. "Before that- Andy, this is the guy I told you about; Will. Will, this is Andy, one of the beta testers."
Will smiled a bit and waved slightly. "Nice to meet you, kid." He nodded. "Now, Ashley, we really gotta be in there."
Ashley sighed heavily, following him to go back inside. He stopped, turning to look over his shoulder. "Hey, do you wanna come with? You've got VIP, so you can be-"
"No-" Andy cut him off quickly, earning a slight frown from Ashley. "I'll be in there, I just.. would rather stay out here for as long as possible. Crowds make me uncomfortable."

Ashley nodded slowly. "Right... I get it, that's fine. I'll see you later, then.." He frowned a bit more and went inside to catch up with Will. Andy smiled sadly and looked back over the patio, the sun now completely set and the only light being that of the dim fairy lights.

To be honest, he wasn't sure how he felt about this. Something felt... weird.

A/N: totally unrelated but someone literally just commented on one of my IG posts (blackveilbaes ayy follow me ;))) ) and said 'cringe' but their entire account is as cringy as it gets yikes