never letting go || lrh

Always there for you.

I stormed out of the back room, glancing at Ay and Ash, who were talking animatley in a booth, sipping on beers. Ash noticed me, but Aylin had her back to me. I wiped away the tears that came flowing, and walked out of the bar, into the fresh night air. I collapsed onto the floor, my back against the brick wall. I curled up in a ball, pulled my knees to my chest, and pressed my head in between the gap. My body was shaking up and down with every sob that escaped my body. In no time, I heard someone calling my name. It just wasn't the person I had expected it to be.

«Maddie? Maddie where are you?» The door to the bar had burst open, and Ash had stormed out, looking frantically from right to left, until he heard my sobs and turned around. I lifted my head when I felt his hand on my shoulder. I looked at him with a weak smile on my face. he knealt next to me and pulled me in a tight hug. Instinctively from being in this situations so many times in the past, my head found its way to the crook of his neck, as he rubbed the small of my back. We stayed seated on the ground for a little longer in the dark, before he kissed my forehead.

«Babe, we should get you home, you’re gonna freeze in that outfit.» He said, concerned. I smiled lightly at the observation and held up my hand so he could help me get up. I jumped up, he gave me the keys to his car. «Go wait in the car, I’ll tell Ay and the boys I’m taking you home, I’ll be right back.» He gave me another kiss on the forehead and turned around. I walked away and made my way to the car. I opened it and the familiar beeping sound it made reassured me. I hopped in the passenger seat, and sat there a blank expression on my face, just thinking about everything. I couldn’t remember a night where I had been with Luke and things had ended well. I always ended up broken in Ashton’s arms, and he had to pick up the pieces. 

Just as I was thinking that, he walked up, and plopped in the drivers seat. He smiled at me, and revved the engine. We drove in comfortable silence until we reached their house. We both walked out the car and in the house. I made my way to the familiar guest-room and sat on the bed, removing my heels and looking straight ahead. Ashton sat next to me.

«Do you need anything?» He asked, slipping his hand around my waist and pulling me closer. I smiled at the gesture and leaned into him, giving me the feeling of butterflies in my stomach. I grinned wider at the feeling forming inside me.

«No, I’m happy just here with you.» I said, relaxing. I got up, got rid of my dress and found myself in my underwear. ‘No biggie’, I thought, he had already seen me when we went swimming and such. When his gaze was insistent, I looked down at myself, remembering my choice of lingerie for this evening. I blushed slightly and crawled into bed.

«Hand me a controller?» I asked, pointing at the Xbox360 that was next to the TV, trying to devert his attention off of me. He nodded, grabbed 2 controllers and hopped in bed next to me. He turned the TV turned on, and we played Call of Duty for a bit. Ashton’s phone rang, and he answered.

«*mumble* Yeah, we’re fine. *mumble* Now? *mumble* Okay I’m on my way.» He looked at me apolegetically, but I nodded.

«I’m sorry, but they don’t have a ride and they’re all trashed.» He said. He kissed my cheek slowly, and backed away. Just before he was out the room, he turned around. «I’ll be back in 20 minutes tops.» He smiled and left the room.

«Hey Ash?» I called out. His head popped back through the doorframe. I smiled at his goofiness. «Thanks.» I said. He nodded. «When you come home, even if I’m asleep, could you come in with me?» I asked.

«Sure thing honey.» He smiled and was out. I heard the front door lock behind him. 

I lay in bed, confused. I was getting angry at Luke for forcing me into something I didn’t want to do, and I was thankful at Ash, who was always there for me, and never asked for anything in return. I closed my eyes, and drifting slowly into a dreamless slumber.

*******

I woke up the next morning, the sunlight in my eyes, making me scrunch them up. I rolled over and was surprised to find Ashton in my bed, shirtless. I looked down at myself, I was in lingerie. I panicked for a moment, wondering what I had done. I got out of bed, and went to the shower ; I had left some shampoo and shower gel last time I came over. While the scolding water poured down my body, I tried to remember what had happened the night before. I concentrated, as I remembered crying outside the bar, but couldn’t recall why.  I came out of the shower, wrapped a towel around me, and having forgotten my clothes in the bedroom, sneeked back in, trying not to wake Ash up. 

I successfully got my clothes and rushed back to the bathroom, got dressed, and brushed my teeth.

When I came out of the bathroom, Ash was sitting up in bed. I smiled at the sight and walked over to him. I sat on his side of the bed, and looked at him as he was rubbing the sleep away from his eyes. He smiled at me, and pulled me into a hug. I lay next to him, my head finding its place in his neck. Even though this action was repeated very often, the feeling didn’t change. Butterflies crawled in the pit of my stomach, and joy replaced the hurt I was feeling. 

«Mmmh, you smell nice.» He said, his nose burried in my still damp hair. 

«Thank you.» I chuckled. Man, he always knew how to make me feel better. I heard a noise in the hall, I decided to go say hello to everybody. 

I walked out of the room, leaving Ash to get ready. I walked down the corridor, but didn’t see anyone. I walked downstairs, checking the living room and the kitchen. Nobody was there. While I was there, I made two cups of coffee, one for me and one for Ash. When they were ready, I walked back up the stairs, and made my way back to the guest room. As I walked past Calum’s door, I heard familiar laughter. I stopped dead in my tracks. I thumped on the door with my foot, my hands being used to hold the coffee. I heard muffled voices before a clear one spoke up.

«Come in!» It said. So I did, and I regretted it. I found Cal and Ay in the bed, Cal shirtless and Ay in her underwear. I opened my eyes in shock. I mumbled an apology and walked out. I stood there for a while, processing the information. I made my way back to the guest room. I put the two cups on the desk, and I sat on the couch. I smiled at myself before exploding in laughter. Ash came out of the bathroom, dressed and his hair damp. I got up and walked over to him, and we hugged, as if we hadn’t seen each other in ages. He grabbed the cup of coffee I had made for him, and we went downstairs to grab some breakfast. As we walked downstairs, I saw a glance of Luke in the kitchen. I froze, seeing him made me remember exactly what had happened. I sat down on the stairs, I had trouble breathing, I was having yet another panic attack.