Quarantined // A.I (completed)

[e i g h t]

< Thursday >

I had decided to sleep in a little today. It's spring break so I was going to take advantage of that. I should be on a cruise ship right now with Ashton and my family but Corona changed those plans.

My taking advantage of time didn't last long. Ashton came running in and jumped on top of me. I groaned as I felt his body weight. Not only does he weigh more than me, and he's also a lot taller.

"Get off. I told you I was sleeping in" I groaned. I tried to move him but I was very unlucky.

"No time. I've received wonderful news and some bad news!" Ashton's over cheery voice spoke as he kissed around my face in an attempt to get me up.

"Give me five minutes" I mumbled and wrapped my arms around Ashton's body as his face went to my neck.

"But, baby, we're number 1 in the UK and Australia" he spoke. My eyes did open then and I hugged his body.

"Congratulations!" I squealed, "What about the US?"

Ashton's whole demeanor changed. That's when his eyes watered, not from sadness, but anger.

So this was the bad news.

"More than 10,000 records got released early. It pushed us to number 2. Billboard isn't doing shit either. They've fixed it for other people but they haven't done shit for us" I spoke.

Ashton's body moved down between my legs so he could lay his head on my chest. One of my hands went to work through his black curls and the other rubbed his back.

"I'm sorry. I know you guys worked so hard on it" I sighed and kissed the top of his head. Ashton shrugged his shoulders and his arms tightened around my torso,

"But hey, you're number one in two other countries. That's awesome" I smiled. Ashton nodded and tilted his head back to look at me.

"The fans have started a petition and stuff. They're fighting so hard. I made a video and posted it on Twitter. The boys thought I'd be the best one to do it" he told me.

****

Ashton ended up falling asleep. When he woke up, it was noon and both he and I were hungry.

"Can we go through a drive-thru or something for lunch" Ashton whined as we got out of bed. I told him it was fine and he grabbed his keys and we left the house.

After driving around for an hour, Ashton finally decided that he wanted Chick-Fil-A. The line was super long as usual but this is what he wants so we will sit here. I know Ashton's still upset and I think he really just didn't want to be home.

We finally got up to order and Ashton rolled his window down, letting go of my hand for the first time in an hour. He ordered for the both of us, paid, then grabbed my hand again. When Ashton's upset, he's always gotta be touching me, whether that'd be hand holding or hugging, even cuddling.

We got to the window and the worker handed the food and drinks to Ashton who then handed them to me then we drove to this place that overlooks the ocean.

When we pulled up, I couldn't stop smiling. Ashton backed up and opened the trunk which we climbed into. It's gorgeous up here. This is actually where Ashton took me on our first date. Ashton must've been reading my mind,

"Do you remember our first date?" he laughed as he grabbed his food from me.

"How could I not? It was amazing" I smiled.

"I knew I loved you right after but I couldn't tell you yet. I didn't want to scare you" he grinned as he just looked forward, "I honestly don't know how you've stayed with me for two years. I'm a pain in the ass" he chuckled.

"You are definitely a pain in the ass, but I wouldn't have it any other way" I smiled and brushed away some of the black curls that had fallen into his eyes. Ashton looked over with the most relaxed look that I've seen all day.

****

When we got home, we decided to just chill out. We cuddled up on the couch, Ashton behind me with his arm draped over, under the fuzzy blanket that I used to have on my dorm bed. Outer Banks was the show we decided to binge- we actually finished it too.

I went and got a shower as it got dark outside. Ashton was going to take one with me then he decided against it when something popped up on his phone.

I stepped out of the shower and dried off. I put on sleep shorts and one of Ashton's long sleeve shirts. As I dried my hair my phone buzzed with a text from Grace:

-messages-

Grace: [ IS ASH OKAY?]

[ About Billboard? He's a little
bummed but he seems to be
doing better]

Grace: [ I'm not talking about that. I'm
talking about what's going
happening on Twitter.
Just stop whatever you're
doing and go to Ashton ]

————

I panicked. I had no idea what was going on but it must be bad.

I reached the living room and Ashton was a crying mess on the floor. My heart sunk. I've rarely seen Ashton in this state.

I dropped down next to him and he launched into my arms. I held him and let him cry. His body was violently shaking and I was scared. I rubbed his back and kept kissing his head, much like I was doing this morning.

His cries calmed and he was now hiccuping and coughing, trying to catch his breath. His head pulled back from my shoulder and I saw his bloodshot eyes.

"Ash, what's going on" I asked. He just shook his head and handed me his phone. I typed in his passcode and saw it was already pulled up on Twitter. I read through a couple, tears coming to my eyes. It was all Tweets saying that he raped someone and telling him to cut deeper.

"Please don't listen to this Ash" I begged and turned his phone all the way off.

"I'm not. It just hurts. Usually, stuff doesn't bother me but this just set me off" he told me as a tear slipped his eye. I wiped it away and leaned forward and kissed him. He melted and I felt his tense body relax.

Ashton's breathing slowed, and I could tell he was falling asleep.

"Let's go to bed Ash" I spoke softly and nudged him. He stood tiredly and we walked into his room-or our room now.

I climbed in bed and Ashton pulled his shirt over his head and tugged his pants off, leaving him in his boxers. He climbed in bed too, but instead of my head resting on his chest and him holding me, his head was on my chest and I was holding him.

"Try and sleep. If you wake up, wake me up too" I whispered and ran my hand through his curls. I know it relaxes him.

"M'kay. Thank you. I love you" he mumbled as he fell asleep.

"Love you too"