summary: Ashton comforts a crying reader after she gets stood up and shows her what true love is supposed to feel like.
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Empty. The only word capable of describing that awful feeling in the pit of (y/n)'s stomach. Thinking they were going to the fancy restaurant as he had promise, she looks as though she's ready for a red carpet appearance though on the inside she doesn't know if she could walk another step. However her feet carry her along the sidewalk to the only place she has ever felt true comfort: her close friend, Ashton's, house shared with his band mate Luke. After all, she has nothing to go back to. she was stood up once again on another Tinder date. Date after date, all the guys she had met proved to be nothing more than jerks.
After a solid 10 minutes of walking, (Y/N) arrives at her destination. She only sees one car parked in the driveway, Ashton's car to be exact. She makes it to the front door before contemplating turning around as she doesn't want to bother or burden him. However, as she goes back and forth in her head, it's too late to turn back as he opens the door, taking in her presence.
"(Y/N)? I thought you were supposed to be out on a date tonight, what are you doing here all dolled up?", Ashton questioned as he gestured her inside.
"That was the plan. At least that's what he told me originally. He never showed up."
He looks confused for a minute before understanding the situation and immediately pulling (Y/N) into one of his infamous hugs. She basks in his warmth and overall comfortable radiance. Ashton then takes her hand and leads her to sit at his kitchen table.
"I can't stand to see that jerk hurt you. You look so beautiful tonight, (Y/N), how could he ever think to let you go?"
"I don't know, A-Ash. I guess I'm just meant to be alone forever", (Y/N) says on the verge of tears, her voice breaking in between words.
"Now you know that's not true right?"
(Y/N) shrugs slightly as she hold in tears threatening to spill over.
"You don't have to hold in it, you know? Don't be afraid to cry, we're humans, we cry when we're sad" Ashton claims as he cups (Y/N)'s cheek in his hand and brushes a thumb over her cheek softly.
"He doesn't deserve my tears. I don't want to cry over someone stupid like him."
"Think about it this way: the rain needs to fall every once in a while because the sky can no longer handle its weight. Just like how your tears fall because your heart can no longer handle the weight of the pain," Ashton says as he slowly moves closer to (Y/N) and holds both sides of her face.
It was at this moment she let everything go. The caring look in Ashton's eyes and his wise words left her speechless and tears cascaded down her face leaving stains of all the pain she had been through on each horrible date. Ashton began to wipe away the falling tears and let her cry onto his strong shoulder.
It took about 10 minutes before (Y/N)'s sobs we're reduced to one or two stray tears. It was then that Ashton picked her up bridal style and she let her head nuzzle into his neck as she was exhausted. He carried her into his room, sat her on his bed and began to pick out one of his t-shirts and boxers for (Y/N) to wear.
"You can use my bathroom to change in if you'd like. I'm just gonna go grab my phone from downstairs and order some food for us."
"That's awfully sweet, Ash, but I feel like I've taken up enough of your time. I best be going before I make a fool of myself even more",
(Y/N) says as she begins to walk towards his bedroom doorway but she's too late as Ashton blocks her path.
"You are in no condition to be alone, love. I enjoy your company and nothing would make me happier than helping you forget about all the bad things. You're never forced to be here but you are also never a burden to me, okay?", Ashton states firmly yet lovingly. (Y/N) blushes lightly at his words and decides to grab the clothes and make her way into his bathroom.
"Whatever you say, Irwin. Thank you... for everything."
Ashton says nothing in reply but he does smile brightly and nod his head as a welcoming gesture.
(Y/N) gets changed and heads downstairs into the living room where Ashton has blankets set up and a movie marathon ready to be played. She walks over to wear Ashton is on his phone and sits next to him on the couch. He grins subtly and puts his phone down to lean back and pull her close to him to make sure she's comfortable and warm. (Y/N) cuddles into his side as the movie starts, also with a smile bracing her face.
Eventually the food comes and by the time they are done eating they are both laughing in hysterics at the movie. Ashton finds himself wiping away her tears again for the second time this night, but now they are tears he's caused and for good reason. Tears of happiness and laughter not heartbreak and betrayal.
The night continues and all thoughts of what happened earlier have left their minds as they enjoy each other's company. Cuddled into one another, they fall asleep on the couch only to be awoken by the morning sunrise beaming through the windows.
They find themselves sitting on the porch, Ashton having his arm wrapped securely around (Y/N) with a soft blanket around both of their shoulders as they watch the sunrise.
It's a comfortable silence for a while until
(Y/N) breaks it asking Ashton a question he wasn't expecting.
"What's your opinion on true love? I thought I knew but it seems I was wrong about a lot of things, like ever dating those losers."
"Well, the way I see it, true love is like a ghost or a phantom or sorts. Few people claim to have ever witnessed or felt it yet there are many people who believe in it", Ashton says almost poetically.
"Have you ever felt true love?" she quizzes although there is a particular answer she hopes for.
"If true love is watching a beautiful sunrise next to a beautiful girl with a beautiful heart, then yes."
(Y/N) snuggles into his side more, please with his answer more than she ever thought she could be. Ashton always knew just what to say. He was always so kind-hearted and willing to help all those around him, but (Y/N) knew he had a soft spot for her. It's almost like she'd been blind all this time while going on all these dates trying to find the one, meanwhile the one for her was right next to her.
Full. The best word to describe how (Y/N) feels now. She feels cherished, loved, comforted, supported, and Ashton did that for her. Little did she know, she does the same thing for him.
