Mutual (A TheSyndicateproject/Tom Cassel)

Lazy Mornings

"Ashley" I wrinkled my nose as someone's breath fell across my face, tickling me. 

"Go away" I turned my head to the side, covering it with the blankets. 

"Wake up" The person poked my side, earning a giggle muffled by the blanket. "There we go. Come on Ashley, get up" 

"But I don't wanna" I opened one eye, finding Tom's face barely an inch from mine. I smiled when he ducked down to kiss me. 

"Does that motivate you to move?" He asked, pulling away. 

"Not as much as the promise of food would" I pushed his head away teasingly, sitting up slowly. "Why are you awake so early?" 

"It tends to happen when your girlfriend's roommate walks in while you're asleep in the same bed with her" I groaned as he spoke, imagining the crap Emma would put me through for at least another week. 

"Was she that bad?" I asked, wiping the sleep out of my eyes. 

"There was a lot of jumping up and down. Luckily it isn't the first time Emma has seen me with my shirt off" He wiggled his eyebrows at the dark look I gave him. 

"My roommate has seen you with your shirt off" I said sarcastically. "And yet I didn't see until last night?" 

"You should browse tumblr more often. Emma makes a point on commenting on literally everything in my tag. Just to start crap with my fans" Tom shrugged. 

"I avoid tumblr like the plauge. It's just not worth the hassle" I shrugged. "She's never going to let me live this down." I sighed. 

"Does it really matter?" He kissed my cheek, running his fingers gently through my hair. 

"It does when I live with her" I shrugged, combing my own fingers through my messy hair. "Can you get off me now? I need a shower. And toothpaste. And a brush" 

"But I like you where you are" He kissed my cheek again, brushing his lips over my jaw when he pulled away. 

"Tom." I said, moving away with a laugh. "We are not doing this right now" 

"You weren't against it last night" He said, grinning widely 

"My roommate, a girl with access to social media and whom ships Catacate almost more than Zoey does, wasn't home last night" I rolled my eyes, using my weight to nudge him out of the way. 

"It isn't like she went and fangirled on Tumblr" He paused a the expression on my face. "Wait...did she?" 

"Maybe you should check" I said as I pushed past him, brushing my hair out of my eyes as I grabbed a t-shirt and jeans out of my drawer. "Are you going to give me time to take a shower, or is whatever you woke me up for important?" 

"What makes you think we're doing something today? I could have just woken you up because I was bored." He protested, leaning back on his elbows. 

"Tom. You usually sleep till at least one in the afternoon when you're visiting Tucker." I checked the clock on my phone. "It's almost eight A.M. There is literally no way you're up this early without having something planned." 

"Okay. You caught me. I wanted to make you play minecraft." He shrugged. "But I'd rather watch what's right here in front of me" 

I shot him a dirty look as I pulled my t-shirt over my head, leaving me in my tanktop and shorts. "Face the wall Cassel. And if I see so much as a shift of your head I swear to god I will murder you" 

"Fine, fine." He raised his hands in defeat, turning to he was facing my poster covered wall. 

"Now. I'm going to go take a shower. Stay here so that Emma doesn't interogate you" I said, leaving the room. 

-------------------------------------------------------

I laid back on Ashley's bed, looking at the wal next to it. She'd shoved her double bed up against one wall, covering the area above it with various posters, pictures, and fan art. A Game of Thrones poster occupied the space just above her pillows, next to a fan art drawing of Team Trinity and an Evil Within poster. Two strings of fairy lights were hung from one corner of the room to the other, crossing in the middle below the ceiling light. More of the little white lights hung over the computer desk in the corner, which was cluttered with papers, envelopes, and the computer. Her laptop case was hidden in one of the drawers, it's blue and purple pattern peeking out from inside a partially closed drawer. Her room was a jumbled mix of nerdy and girly. 

"Fuck, I forgot you were in here" I jumped when Ashley opened the door, a towel wrapped around her midscection. "Eyes closed. Now" 

I covered my eyes with my hands, taking a second to admire the creamy white skin of her neck and shoulders. There was rustling nearby, the sound of clothes being pulled on. Suddenly a light weight collided into my chest, I wrapped my arms aorund Ashley, pulling her into me as she tried and failed to tackle me. 

"Nice try" I said, flipping us so that she was pinned underneath me. "But I'm invincable" I looked her up and down, smiling at the dark blue long sleeve t-shirt and tight jeans she'd chosen. "And you looke beautiful when you're helpless" 

"Can you two maybe not fuck when I'm right across the hall?" Both Ashley and I jumped as Emma's voice came from the doorway. I turned my head to see the redhead leaning against the frame, a smirk across her face. "Though this is a great angle for you, Tom" 

Ashley made a noise of protest, practically a growl in her throat. She sat up, freeing her wrists from my grasp and giving me a nice long kiss, her hands holding either side of my face while mine were balanced on either side of her. I raised an eyebrow as she pulled away, eyes still locked on Emma with a hard look. 

"Easy girl. You can keep your boytoy. I'm more interested in his american friend" Emma shrugged, though she was clearly bristling in irritation. "Jordan is much more my type" 

"And much less taken" Ashley added in snidely. She dropped her hand from my cheek to my shoulders, keeping her balance by holding on. 

I kissed her temple, internally laughing at her. She nuzzled into my neck again, perfectly content to ignore Emma. "What do you need Em?" I asked, wrapping an arm around Ashley. 

"Oh you know. Just wanted to know if Ashley was going to actually help with the whole Ze cheating on Erica thing." Emma shrugged. 

"No" Ashley mumbled, the vibration of her voice tickling me. "I'd much rather cuddle than deal with friend problems" 

"You're a part of this team too-" Emma started. 

"Sounds like this is a Ze, Erica, and Zoey thing" I inturupted. "Not a drag-Ashley-into-it-when-she's-stressed-thing" 

Emma huffed, glaring at me. "Well excuse me. I'm going to see what's going on. Enjoy your sex life" 

I rolled my eyes as she left the room. "She's a real sweetheart" I said sarcastically, earning a giggle from Ashley. 

"Do we have to do actual things today? I just want to sleep and cuddle" Ashley asked, a yawn escaping her lips. 

"What if I promise to buy you breakfast on the way over to Tucker's place?" I said, tugging on the ends of her hair gently. 

"If it's McDonalds you have a deal"