simmer down // a.i. [ON HOLD]

[35] lipstick stains on my passport

yooo this is dedicated to my home bois who actually replied to me so @inrainbowcolors and @colorless_girl this ones 4 u
(totally just going to pretend i did not stay up until 12 o clock writing this for you guys aww shiteeee)
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'Hi, um, is there any other way that you can get to the top floor without taking the elevator?'

I was still holding Ashton's hand as he shuffled awkwardly next to me. The lady at the information desk looked across at us for a second, as if trying to figure out who the tall guy with the bright red face was, and why he looked so familiar.

'Sure. You can take stairs.'

She pointed over into the corner, where we could see a little doorway. Then she let out a flirty laugh, glancing back at Ashton.

'Say, you're that Ashton Irwin guy from 5 Seconds of whats-it, aren't ya?'

Ashton glanced at me, and jiggled his free hand around nervously.

'Yeah, that's me.'

Her eyes narrowed and she started to grin, leaning forward and giving us a full front of her cleavage.

'It's a long way up. 30 flights to the top.' She crossed her arms across the desk. 'You don't want to just take the elevator?' I gripped Ashton's hand. 'It's one hell of a ride, baby.'

3000% disgusted right now.

'No, thankyou, we'll be fine.'

'But wait - don't you even want a visitor's brochure?' the lady called after us in a bitter voice, and I fought the urge to throw my bag at her.

'No thankyou.'

I scowled and marched away towards the staircase, pulling Ashton harshly behind me.

'Oww-w-w, Emma, let go. You're hurting my hand...'

I wrenched open the side door and tugged him inside, slamming the door behind us, fuming. I kept going, up the stairs, until I reached the next flat floor and I was struggling to contain my breath. Ashton gently used his spare hand to pry mine away from his arm. He flexed his huge fingers a few times, watching the colour return to them, before looking at me with concern.

'You ok? You almost cut off my blood circulation, like, I had no idea you were so strong.'

I took a few deep breaths and tried on a smile. I couldn't really say anything without being hypocritical of Beck and myself, especially if Ashton hadn't even noticed anything.

'Yeah, I'm okay.'

'Well - shall we...?'

A large hand appeared face-up in front of me, and I snorted and started to laugh.

'Okay.'

Ashton sent a gorgeous smile my way.

'3 down, 27 more to go.'

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'One more to go! We're almost there,' Ashton grinned down at me over the banister and I gave him a thumbs up, before looking back down at the stairs I was still trudging up. I couldn't help thinking that if we'd taken the elevator, we would've been there at least 20 minutes ago. Ashton was full of energy, bouncing up the floors and beating me every time, while I trailed behind, trying not to show him how uncomfortable and out-of-breath I was. Note to self: start swimming again. Need to get fit.