Archive of Our Own

Ashlyn liked to think she was relatively smart. She wasn’t anything like Logan but she had her moments.

However, any logic or deductive reasoning left her mind the second she got any sort of notification from a certain blonde. Which is what was currently happening as she rode shotgun in her dads jeep on the way home from dance.

“Any plans tonight?” Mike asked and she glanced at the clock, only three hours til midnight. She shrugged and pulled her legs up onto the chair, folding them.

“No, just gonna sit in my room.” She leaned her head against her knuckles and looked out the window. She heard her dad faintly chuckle at her answer.

It wasn’t like she was lying, she didn’t have any plans tonight. Extremely early tomorrow morning? Yes.

It hadn’t been too long since she began sneaking out. She already knew that her parents would be fine with her leaving as long as she was safe, but that’s where losing her mind comes in.

Aiden. She didn’t exactly know what she was feeling about him. Some days she wanted to punch him in the face to shut him up, but even then she found him kind of endearing. The way he would go out of his way for her without complaint confused her. She didn’t grow up with many friends and now she had a full group and a best friend?

She slipped her uggs back on as they pulled into the driveway, the graveyard visible in the back. She jumped out of the car, hauling her dance bag behind her.

The sweltering heat in mid July was a lot to handle, especially now that they were in a heat wave. It had reached up to over ninety five degrees for the past week and she was sick of it.

As she pushed through into her room she threw her bag down and collapsed onto the floor with exhaustion.

Don’t get her wrong, she loved dance, but when she was teaching and then learning new choreo to perfection for hours straight, it was a lot.

She heard her phone buzz on the carpet in front of her and grabbed it quickly, reading Aiden's contact come across the screen. She smiled lazily and answered, propping herself up on her elbows.

“Hello?”

Through the screen, Aiden’s usual facade was dropped. Over time, she had slowly been working with him about making sure to talk about what he was feeling and in turn he had learned to be comfortable with her.

“Hey Ash!” He answered, clearly bored as he cleaned his room, “How was dance?”

Their conversation went on like that for a while, Ashlyn still in her leotard and she felt as sweat was pricking her skin. Even in the evenings the heat was unbearable.

“Aiden,” She cut him off on whatever story he was telling, “I have to shower.”

The blonde smiled evilly, “Without me?” He laughed immediately after he said it and Ashlyn rolled her eyes, smiling into her comforter. “I’m kidding, go shower. I’ll call you later.” He said as he hung up and Ashlyn sat confused for a moment.

Yes, they talked almost every night for hours on end but usually they only called once. Even now it was nearing midnight and both of them should’ve been going to bed soon.

She dismissed it as she walked into the bathroom, a bundle of clothes in her arms.

She quickly undressed and hopped in the shower, turning it to cold and sighing as the water hit her muscles.

Aiden had always chided her for the cold showers she takes, claiming that one of these days she was going to get sick from it.

She didn’t like that all she thought of was Aiden. It was like he infested her mind with his stupid smile and his stupid blonde hair and his stupid black eyes-

His stupid self.

As she turned off the water and dried off she opened her phone, noticing a new snapchat notification from the blonde himself.

She opened it and it was just a picture of him laying in bed with his Mclaren hoodie on with smiley face basketball shorts. However, that wasn’t what really caught her attention.

‘Hurry up I miss u.’

Ashlyn swore she felt her heart skip a beat because she had to have read that wrong. They weren’t even dating nor even talking so why was he so clingy and affectionate? Was this just how friends are?

She clicked out and took a quick picture, her outfit of a green sports bra and sweat shorts displayed clearly.

‘How the hell do u have a hoodie on.’

She smiled as she sent it and made her way back to her room, groaning as the heat hit her again.

Her phone buzzed with a call and she picked up, already knowing it was Aiden without looking.

They continued to talk for another hour, usually Ashlyn would have been knocked out by this point but she felt nothing but energy coursing through her veins.

“It’s too fucking hot.” She whined and Aiden laughed through the phone.

“Loser, my room is currently sixty nine degrees!” He said proudly, turning his phone to show the thermostat in his room. She always forgot how rich the blonde was until she went to his house, realizing that he lived in a modern day mansion.

She rolled her eyes at him, “Please let me come over.” She fake begged and Aiden hummed in response.

“Just come over then,” He paused for a moment, “You always can.” His voice was softer as he delivered the second line. She felt her face heat up, definitely from the heat and not because she was blushing, as she checked the time.

Quarter to two, she could definitely sneak out right now. She let out a small laugh before she answered, “Okay, unlock your back door.” She huffed as she stood up from her bed, throwing a quick shoulder less t-shirt on and walking out of her room.

“Wait-“ Aiden sputtered, “That’s all it took?” She laughed quietly at him as she passed her sleeping parents room, careful to avoid the squeaky floorboards.

“Believe it or not, I don’t talk to you in the middle of the night for nothing.” She whispered into the microphone and watched as the blonde's face went ever so slightly red.

She passed through her kitchen and unlocked the bay windows, slid herself out, and shut them behind her. She was careful not to lock them before she began her walk.

It was still hot out and she could hear as Aiden was stress cleaning his room. His house was only a mile away, nothing too crazy. She had walked there multiple times since their whole secret meetups in the middle of the night without the rest of the group ordeal started.

Truth is, she had only been doing this for about a month now, after Aiden had convinced her that there was nothing that would actually harm her if she went out and lived a little.

She never thought it would lead to this though.

She entered his neighborhood, still laughing on the phone with him as she walked, “You said the backdoor is open?” She clarified and he nodded at her, getting up from his bed and walking to what she could only assume was the door.

She snuck around where the known blind spots were and laughed as she saw him standing like a dad watching her stalk up.

“Hey.” He said as he opened the door and hung up on her, quickly wrapping her in a hug. She smiled lightly and returned it as she stepped fully inside.

She didn’t understand why he was so touchy with her. Usually, she hated it. Not even her own parents were allowed to be physically affectionate with her but the moment it was Aiden? It was like all her morals went flying out the window.

“Hi.” She replied, pressing her face into his chest and sighing.

“What’s our plan?” He said as he pulled back, leading her into the kitchen and grabbing her a glass of water. She shrugged.

“As long as I'm back home by, like, five were good.” She said and the blonde nodded in response, clearly trying to come up with something entertaining.

She wasn’t thinking about that at all though. The way the moonlight was coming in through the window and casting over his face felt like a dream. His hoodie sleeves rolled up to show his forearm muscles did things to her that she wasn’t opposed to stopping.

She hated how attractive she found him, she hated how she would do anything he asked at the drop of a hat. Little did she know he’d do the same.

“We could go to Walmart?” He offered and she laughed as she ran a hand through her hair, realizing she never braided it.

“Sure,” She agreed and he began walking towards his keys but she quickly reached a hand out and placed it on his chest, successfully stopping him, “First, could you braid my hair?”

She didn’t miss the way a light shade of pink dusted his cheeks and he nodded, “Yeah, of course.”

So here they were, Aiden's hands in her hair, slowly braiding down her back. It had been only a year since they met and he somehow perfected how to braid her hair.

She sighed contently as he began on the other side, leaning her head back to rest against his inner thigh.

“You comfortable?” He joked and she nodded, feeling the way he followed the movements of her head, careful not to pull her hair.

“Yeah, you’ve gotten good at this.” The I want your hands in my hair all the time was left unsaid but she hoped it was implied. Aiden chuckled as he made quick work of her hair, tying off the ends and tilting her head up, placing a light kiss on her forehead.

She immediately stilled, he had never done that before.

She watched as his eyes immediately widened and he rushed out an apology while her brain was moving at a million miles per second.

“Ash, I-“ He said as she stood up, “Listen, I didn’t mean to-“

She pressed her lips quickly to his before slowly pulling away and looking into his eyes with a smile.

“I don’t mind.”

——

Ashlyn was back in her room about a month later, the heat had subsided and she was so thankful that it had.

Very few good things came out of summer: sleeping in, freckles, and apparently complicated situationships? Yeah, she’s confused too.

After their first kiss they both realized they like each other but were too scared to piece it together, so in classic Ashlyn fashion she told him that she needed time to figure everything out.

She expected him to leave, to kick her out of his life and put this all behind him.

But he didn’t, and now she’s laying in her bed, one of his far too bright hoodies warming her up and and a pair of pajama shorts clung to her skin. The late August air was still hot, but less so than the heatwave that had hit them the month prior.

She was trying to pay attention to what he was saying but kept getting distracted by the dye job that Ben had apparently attempted for him since his roots were growing out. No hate on the guy, but he should not put hairdresser on his resume.

“You’re not even listening to me!” Aiden laughed and Ashlyn blinked a few times before responding.

“Yes I am, I swear!” She smiled and he shook his head dramatically, clutching a hand to his chest.

“I can’t even believe it, you tune me out and lie to my face,” He smiled, “Shame on you.” He joked and Ashlyn rolled her eyes at him. He was still pretty energetic, granted it wasn’t too late in the night yet. Only half past ten and they both had to prepare for school the following week, however neither wanted to give up their late night phone calls so their sleep schedules would have to wait.

“I’m so paying attention.” She lied and Aiden scoffed at her, a clear smile displayed on his face.

“Oh yeah?” He said, leaning forward to the camera. His hands were somewhere behind the camera on his desk, god knows what he was even doing at his desk, but she still found it incredibly attractive. She nodded quickly and Aiden smiled at her, “Whatever you say, Ash.”

“Wanna know what I was thinking about?” Ashlyn asked and Aiden cocked an eyebrow at her, urging her to continue, “Ben really doesn’t know how to dye hair, huh?” She smiled as she finished her sentence and Aiden laughed loudly, seeming like he had no care in the world if he woke his cousin up.

“Stop, it's not that bad!”

“Okay,” She shrugged, “It’s not great though.” She watched as Aiden started to mess with his hair, looking ahead at the mirror in front of him.

After about a minute of silence and playing with his hair he took a deep breath, “It’s pretty fucked, huh?” Ashlyn muffled her laugh with a blanket and nodded at him, tears pricking in her eyes from her laughter. His face went red, “Okay, It’s not like I can fix it!”

Then Ashlyn had the best idea of her life.

“Are your parents home?” She asked suddenly, a serious expression on her face. The blonde shook his head in response.

“Nah, they’re in, like, Europe somewhere I think, Ben’s here though,” Aiden answered before squinting his eyes at her, “Why?” Her silence seemed to answer his question as he grabbed his car keys and made his way towards his cousin's room. Ashlyn saw as he quickly signed something into the LED lit room and smiled, before he closed the door and started walking downstairs.

“Whats your ETA?” She asked as she sat up and slipped on a pair of uggs.

“Probably like five minutes.” He shrugged and she nodded before hanging up on him and letting out a dramatic sigh.

Before she realized what she was doing, she clicked on Taylor’s contact and pressed call. The phone rang a couple times before the line picked up and Taylor’s voice rang through.

“Hey Ash!” She said loudly, she clearly was in a similar boat to the rest of them, the boat being their sleep schedules and it was sailing straight towards an iceberg(school).

“Taylor, I’m gonna die.” She groaned into her hands and Taylor immediately picked up the phone, the top half of her face in frame.

“Oh my god, don’t tell me it’s Aiden-“

“He’s literally on his way here just because I said-“ She thought for a second, “I literally didn’t say anything! All I asked was if his parents were home!” Ashlyn watched as Taylor’s eyes widened and she laughed.

“Ashlyn he's gonna think something else from that!” She giggled and Ashlyn just sighed as she stood up, grabbing her water bottle and wallet and heading downstairs, quietly speaking as she did so.

“Is it so bad if I do?” She admitted and Taylor gasped.

“Okay, we’re having this conversation another time because I can tell you’re about to leave, bye love you!” Before Ashlyn could respond the brunette hung up, leaving her standing in front of the bay windows and waiting for the familiar car to pull up.

She sat on the tiled floor, checking instagram before two texts came through. The first from Aiden: Here.

The second, from Taylor: pls be safe ;)

She rolled her eyes as she looked up and saw his car, immediately sliding herself out the bay windows and walking through her front yard.

Quickly she made her way to the passenger side of the car, settling herself into the seat and setting her water bottle down in the cup holder.

“Nice hoodie.” He smirked and she rolled her eyes at him, a fond smile on her face. Her hair was braided this time, she had done it while still on call with him, but if she knew they were going to see each other tonight she would have waited.

“Thanks, it was free.” She responded back and lifted her legs up onto the seat, smiling as he turned the music slightly down.

He never seemed to get annoyed by her picky requests, it seemed like he didn’t have room to ever be annoyed at her at all, actually.

She never noticed how much he cared until a few months into their friendship he slipped her a pair of noise cancelling headphones at the mall when their group decided to go out. Ever since then, she’s known she could rely on him.

The quiet beat of some Radiohead song echoed through the speakers as Aiden put his car in drive, she suddenly realized she had no idea where they were going.

“We’re dying your hair, right?” She clarified and Aiden nodded, a small smile creeping onto his face.

“Yeah, but we gotta buy it first.” He responded and Ashlyn sighed.

“No shit, where though?”

“Oh!” Aiden laughed lightly, “I was just gonna go to CVS.” Ashlyn nodded and watched as the street signs blurred past them.

It was a quick ride, no more than ten minutes, until they were inside the CVS and looking at different hair dyes. Aiden kept holding up different colors to her hair and saying that she should dye it but the truth is she would rather die. She liked her hair, especially how long it had gotten, so she was not doing anything to ruin that.

“Yeah, this is your color Ash.” He smiled brightly as he held a box labeled hot pink up to her head and she lightly swatted his hand away.

“Ha ha, now what dye do you need?” She reminded him and he quickly put the box back, scanning the shelves before pulling a singular box out hesitantly. Ashlyn noticed and stepped up next to him, lightly brushing their arms together, “What?”

Aiden’s breath stuttered for a moment before he collected himself, “Should I go brunette or, like, let it grow out?” He asked sincerely and Ashlyn leaned against him, noticing immediately now the blonde shifted his weight to support her.

She smiled, “Whatever you choose will look great, it’s you,” She smirked, “Personally, I have a thing for blondes.” She said as she stood back up and walked towards the end of the aisle, laughing as she heard Aiden take the box of hair dye out and his footsteps quickly coming towards her.

When they eventually made it back to Aiden's house it was a little after eleven. Neither of them were even close to being tired so they found themselves in his bathroom, her sitting on the counter while he stood between her legs.

Totally casual position.

She spread the dye as evenly as she could over the bleached parts, smoothing it out with her gloved hands. Aiden insisted that this position would help with that since she was so much shorter than him. Yes, he was taller but honestly he could’ve just sat down somewhere, not that she was complaining though.

As she finished up, she pulled the gloves off her hands and placed them on the counter beside her, careful to move them far enough away to not touch her clothes or skin.

She quickly set a thirty minute timer and sighed as he wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling himself to be flush against her. She blushed at the action but didn’t try to move away at all.

Taylor was going to love hearing about this.

She wrapped her arms loosely around his shoulders and basked in the comfort. If you had told her a year ago that she was actively letting Aiden Clark wrap his arms around her and she would return the act she would laugh in your face.

They stayed like that for a while, whispering conversation to each other until they heard a camera click. Ashlyn immediately whipped her head towards the door to find Ben standing with a little polaroid camera.

“Ben!” Aiden yelled as he detached himself from her, the taller smiling as he held the photo above his head. They were similar heights, but Ben always had a little bit more on him.

Ashlyn watched as Ben reached over and handed her the picture, as if she was the rightful owner of it in the first place. She grabbed it with an awkward thanks and watched as Ben turned on his heel and walked out.

Aiden threw his head back and sighed as he walked back over to Ashlyn, who was holding the still developing picture. She pulled it away as Aiden attempted to reach for it, holding it behind her back. She laughed as the boy tried to reach for it, pressing himself up against her again, their faces practically touching.

Then, he grabbed her wrist and pulled it up, pinning her back against the mirror. Her eyes widened as heat spread across her face. She was almost grateful that Ben had come in at the previous time because this new position was far from casual.

Aiden had one hand on her waist and the other on her wrist, pulling her close while simultaneously holding her back. Ashlyn exhaled shakily as Aiden’s eyes widened, he quickly let go of her wrist and lessened the hold he had on her waist, turning to clear his throat.

“I- uh-“

“The dye-“

“Yeah! The dye- um-“

——

Ashlyn decided that September was very equivalent to hell.

Not only did school start back up but she also had dance almost every night for hours on end, not to mention her ruined sleep schedule thanks to a particular blonde.

Now, she’s sitting in her room on a Thursday night cramming for a U.S. History test she is determined not to fail.

And of course Aiden is on the phone.

“I feel like I know enough though,” The blonde said as he leaned his head against his palm, “Like, none of this really matters-“

“Aiden,” Ashlyn took a deep breath, “Please, if I learn this, then I can also make sure you don’t fail.” She ate her pen down and stared straight at the camera, and at a slightly wide eyed Aiden. The boy had a ghost of a smile tracing his lips before he pulled his textbook onto his lap.

“Y’know, Ash, I’m having a really hard time figuring this out-“

“No, Aiden.”

“And it sure would help if I had someone here to tutor me-“

“Aiden.”

“It would seriously help-“

Ashlyn sighed as she closed her textbook and shoved it back in her bag, along with her laptop and notebooks. She glanced up at her phone, noticing the smug little smirk that Aiden was giving her as she packed her stuff up.

Ashlyn considered herself a pretty strong minded person, but something about Aiden begging her to come over flipped a switch in her head every time he did it. It’s not like she minds, she happily goes over every time he asks, but it’s the getting there that’s tricky.

Right before school started, Mike and Emma installed cameras around the house. Why? Ashlyn doesn’t know and she’s too scared to ask in case it’s about her. However, that means that there are no blind spots except for the back door, which has about a foot of space between being seen and getting away with it.

Aiden’s still on the phone as she creeps her way downstairs and out the door, muttering to herself as she squeezes out the door and presses herself up against the wall.

“I seriously hate you.” She says, no malice in her voice at all. On the contrary, it sounds almost endearing.

“Well, you’re bringing that hatred to my room, so-“

“You’re vile,” She hissed as she made it to the driveway and eventually to the driver's seat of her car, “I don’t know why I still hang out with you.”

Aiden chuckled lightly, “Yeah, I don’t know either.”

She began her drive, continuing to make light conversation with the boy until she pulled up in front of his house. As she stepped out of the car, she noticed Aiden standing at the top of the driveway. She’ll be honest, he looked good.

For starters, he had his glasses on and he knew that was one of her weaknesses. Honestly he was playing a cruel and unfair game and he was winning.

She looked him up and down, not caring that she was technically checking him out. He had on one of his worn band t-shirts that Ashlyn had worn plenty of, she’s pretty sure the one he had on was the one she had worn most recently. She tried not to think too hard about it, especially when he was wearing a pair of light blue pajama shorts with sharks all over them.

He looked ridiculous and also extremely attractive and it was messing with her mind.

It wasn’t like she was dressed any better, one of his old hoodies with a small smiley face logo on it and black pajama shorts, however he seemed to be on the same boat. Hell, he was in the same cabin.

“Studying?” She reminded him as she gestured to her bag and he nodded, a large smile on his face and he answered her.

“Definitely.”

To give him some credit they did actually study, for maybe twenty minutes before they were making out.

She really tried to keep him on topic, every time he would get an answer right she would reward him with a quick kiss but eventually he just avoided the questions and focused on her instead.

She knew they weren’t actually going to study when she agreed to come over, but she didn’t expect Aiden to initiate a full make out session over the revolutionary war.

“Ash-“ He had tried to interrupt her ‘lesson’ but she kept talking. His glasses had slipped slightly down his nose and the way he was looking at her made her cheeks slightly warmer but she had a goal and she was going to reach it.

“What year was the Sugar Act?” She asked, staring him straight in the eyes as he widened them. She was trying to ignore the way one of his hands was creeping up her thigh, not even anything intimate, just how Aiden was.

He was very touchy, that she had known, but ever since they were more ‘defined’ he barely had any boundaries. Ashlyn was the complete opposite, but for some reason she didn’t mind.

“seventeen sixty-four.” He answered confidently and Ashlyn smiled as she leaned in, placing a light kiss on his lips.

“Good.” She said as she pulled away and noticed how Aiden’s face reddened at the affirmation.

“Yeah, I'm basically a pro at this.” He said sarcastically and that’s when it truly hit her, he never needed help studying.

People didn’t usually peg Aiden to be smart at all because of how reckless he is, but no one ever questioned how he passed every class with flying colors.

“This was an excuse to kiss me, wasn’t it?” Ashlyn narrowed her eyes and Aiden shrugged at her.

“I don’t know, ask more questions and find out.” He smirked and she immediately ignored the textbook open in front of her, instead opting to reach for the boy's face and pull him into a long, passionate kiss.

She hated being outsmarted, especially by boys, but Aiden made it feel mutual. Like they were both winning.

When they pulled back for air, Aiden wrapped an arm around her waist pulling them out of the chairs before reconnecting their lips. She smiled into the kiss as she felt herself get lifted up and placed on the bed.

Immediately she climbed on top of the boy, pulling away as he snaked an arm around her neck.

“You’re horrible.” She sneered and he laughed loudly.

“Yeah, but it worked, no?” She rolled her eyes, diving back into his lips.

By the time they were done, her lips were slightly swollen and she would not have it any other way. She was curled up next to him, holding in quiet laughter as he told her a story from years ago.

She can’t believe this is what she does now. Several times a week just sneaking out like nothing else in the work matters but him. Only a few months ago she would have been horrified by the idea, a year ago she would forbid it from even crossing her mind, but she just couldn’t get over the way he looked at her like she hung the moon and stars herself.

When the clock hit three, Ashlyn realized that she probably should head home. Of course, Aiden objected but she got up anyway, and grabbed her stuff before he walked her out to her car.

“See you in a few hours!” He said cheerfully as she walked over to the driver side, she rolled her eyes playfully at him before slinking into the seat and pulling away. She watched in the rear view as he stalked up the driveway, stretching his arms as he did so.

The drive back was quiet, she was just thinking about the events that had gone down but mostly she was thinking about how to get back inside without making much noise.

Normally she was fine, but it was always a concern of getting caught.

How do you explain to your parents that the reason you snuck out is to hang out with your boy best friend who you just so happened to have a crush on who also likes you back but you aren’t dating? The answer is: you don’t.

So not getting caught is an extremely important detail of her sneaking out expeditions.

Luckily, she was able to sneak back in. Quietly closing the sliding door behind her and sighing as she walked up the stairs and back to her room, flipping down on the bed and falling asleep almost on impact.

She didn’t notice the way her parents were looking at her the next morning.

——

Nine at night on a Tuesday was probably the worst part of Ashlyn’s week. Dance had ended about twenty minutes ago and now she was sitting in her car in the parking lot, not ready to go home but knowing she had to.

She had so much homework to do and honestly she was exhausted and couldn't bear the thought of interacting with anyone else after that class from hell.

Sure, her personality had changed drastically after meeting the group, but she still wasn't too fond of people. Only a select few.

She sighed as she put her car in drive and started making her way home, music playing softly through the speakers when it was suddenly interrupted by a notification.

As she pulled up to a red light she grabbed her phone and quickly checked it, a text from Taylor. She scanned over it once before opting to just call the girl, hoping she’d explain more if they talked.

After two rings, the brunette picked up.

“Ashlyn!” Taylor cried into the phone and Ashlyn flinched at how loud the girl was.

“What’s happening? I’m in the car.” She responded calmly and chuckled as she heard Taylor groan from farther away, “Please, is it that bad?” Ashlyn laughed and the way Taylor sputtered answered her question.

“Ben wants me to come over!” She exclaimed, “I don’t know how to do this, Tyler will kill me!” She whispered out that last bit and Ashlyn exhaled through her nose, trying to think up a plan for the girl.

Taylor had been there every step of the way while her and Aiden were messing around, still are, but at the beginning a lot of the responses sent were from the brunette. Ashlyn felt like she sort of owed the girl this, at least to a small degree.

So she did the smartest thing she could think of at the moment.

“Want me to go with you?”

That’s how she ended up driving past her neighborhood and towards Taylor’s house at almost ten at night with school the next morning, surely she would be chewed out by her parents later but it’s senior year and you really do only live once.

Well except for Tyler and Aiden, they live twice.

She pulled up in front of the twins house and ran a hand over her face, slowly realizing that she probably would get grounded, but her mood changed when her best friend came through the front door. She smiling wildly, an oversized hoodie that she had bought when their group went to the beach back in July with a pair of pajama shorts were the only things between her and the cold air of October.

As the brunette opened the door and slid in, she immediately let out a sigh of relief. Ashlyn gave a hint of a laugh as Taylor made herself comfortable.

The ride from the twins house to the Clark’s was about fifteen minutes so Ashlyn assumed Taylor would spend most of that time filling her in.

She was right.

“Thank you,” Taylor said earnestly which earned a quick laugh out of Ashlyn, “No! I’m serious, I’m honestly so nervous for this because he’s never just asked me to come over, and he never asks at night-“

“You do realize he’s your boyfriend, right? He probably just wants to hang out.” Ashlyn offered and the brunette sighed.

“I know!” She ran a hand through her hair, “But, like, this is new and i’m lowkey really nervous!” Ashlyn giggled at the girls' nerves, because for one: Taylor adored Ben and vice versa. Number two: Ben was one-hundred percent calling her over to play video games or cuddle.

Ashlyn knew that the girl knew that fact but honestly she’d be pretty nervous too if a boy asked her to come over randomly on a Tuesday night. Which got her thinking about the fact that she was doing the same thing.

Except she never said she was coming over.

It wasn’t like she planned it at all, she was still in her leotard and the only thing keeping her from freezing outside was a pair of sweatpants the blonde had given her months ago. She didn’t even have a hoodie with her!

“Can you text Ben and tell him that I’m also coming?” Ashlyn rushed out and Taylor’s eyes widened beside her.

“Do neither of them know you’re coming?!” She practically yelled, although a clearly mischievous smile was blooming on her face, “oh my god, I’m texting him right now, hold please-“ She said as she pulled her phone out and laughed to herself.

Ashlyn huffed out a long sigh as she pulled into the neighborhood and out of the corner of her eyes could see Taylor click on an image, or a video, she really couldn’t tell.

However, whatever it was, it made Taylor burst out laughing and startled her immediately.

“Holy shit!” Taylor laughed as Ashlyn threw the car in park in front of their house, “Ash, please look-“ Taylor shoved the phone over to the girl, holding her hands over her stomach as she laughed. Ashlyn was extremely confused until she picked up the phone and saw the video.

It started with Ben, a video of him signing with one hand and a few beats of silence before you could hear Aiden clambering around his room. Ashlyn snorted as the camera turned around and showed the blonde frantically putting clothes away, mumbling about how he wasn’t prepared.

Eventually, Ben turned the camera back around and shrugged. Before he could end the video though, his eyes widened and he turned the camera back around to face Aiden on the ground at the foot of his bed. Ashlyn laughed as she saw him.

“He’s not real.” She said with a wide smile slapped across her face, Taylor was still coming down from the laughter as she unbuckled and they both slipped out of the car.

“Apparently he was very unprepared for you to be here, however he sounds pretty happy about it.” Taylor said in a sing-song tone to her and Ashlyn shoved her playfully in response.

“Yeah, well he won’t ask me out, so…” She trailed off and Taylor huffed.

“Listen, if I were him we would’ve been dating months ago.” Taylor smirked as she gestured between the two of them, Ashlyn rolled her eyes with a smile as they reached the front door.

“Taylor, you have a whole boyfriend literally inside.”

Taylor shrugged, “I’m just window shopping!” They both laughed as they walked inside the house.

Ashlyn knew her way around pretty well, so when Taylor disappeared somewhere with Ben she just wandered up to Aiden's room. She only had time to knock once before the blonde opened the door, face flushed as he looked her up and down quickly.

“Why are you here? He asked, and Ashlyn wondered for a second if he didn’t want her there, if she should’ve just stayed home.

But the way that Aiden wrapped his arms around her gently as he pulled her closer, resting his head on her shoulder, told her enough about where she should be.

She assumed that’s what really drew her in about him, the way he could be spontaneous and reckless and immediately flip the switch to be the most caring, lovable, and yet still reckless person ever.

She smiled as she wrapped her arms around his neck, going slightly up on her toes as she did so. She exhaled through her nose as he pulled away slightly, a lingering hand still on her waist.

“You don’t have spare clothes, huh?” He said, feigning annoyance as he slipped his hand off her waist and to her wrist, pulling her into his room and shutting the door behind them, “I swear, all you do is shrink my options for outfits.” He laughed as she sat down on his bed and rummaged through his closet, pulling out an old crew neck and tossing it over towards her.

She placed it beside her and watched as he moved over towards his dresser and pulled out a pair of pajama pants that were clearly going to be too big on her but tossed them in her direction anyways.

“This will not fit me!” She laughed as she held the pants in her hand and Aiden just waved her off, sitting down on the bed next to her and resting his head on his knees.

“Mmm, probably not, yeah.” He sounded the least bit concerned and she rolled her eyes, standing up quickly and going to pull her sweatpants off.

She noticed how Aiden immediately gasped and brought his hands up to his eyes like a middle school boy. She chuckled at his antics before reaching down and moving his hands away.

“First of all, I have tights on, idiot-“ She watched as Aiden's eyes traveled down to her legs before back up to her face, “Second, you have seen me not only in a bathing suit but also practically naked multiple times!” She reminded and Aiden smiled dumbly, almost as if he was slightly embarrassed.

“Oh,” He chuckled as he sat up, “yeah, I guess so.”

“I can’t believe you’re eighteen.” She huffed out as she turned back around, her back facing him.

“That’s not a fair judgment of my character.” She heard him say as she shrugged off her leotard and pulled the crewneck on following. She did the same with the tights and decided to just put on the sweatpants she had on earlier instead of the pajama pants, however before she could turn around she felt familiar hands snake around her waist.

She sighed as he lightly grabbed onto her hips, kissing the top of her head gently, cause that’s really casual.

She spun around quickly, placed a peck on his lips, before moving towards his bedroom door. He immediately followed in tow as she went to track down Taylor and Ben.

When they did eventually find them, it was just as Ashlyn had assumed. Taylor was actively beating Ben in an intense game of Mario Kart.

“Ash! You should play, c’mon!” She patted next to her and the ginger sat down, pulling Aiden down with her who complied almost immediately.

Obviously, the girls ended up winning almost every game.

—

Family dinner at the Banners was a rare occurrence due to Ashlyn’s busy schedule with dance and both her parents having work, however tonight they all had off.

Winter break was Ashlyn’s favorite time of the year. Two straight weeks of nothing but sitting in her house or sitting in one of her friends' houses, cuddled up under blankets and not having to worry about the blaring heat that was six months away.

“You should have your friends come over for a hangout soon,” Emma said before she took a bite of her meal, “I miss those kids.” Ashlyn noticed how Mike nodded in agreement.

“Yeah, how about tomorrow?” He offered and Ashlyn shrugged.

“I’d have to check with everyone first, but yeah maybe.” She definitely was going to ask, but she had to ask a very specific person first or else she was going to be a little bit more disappointed.

Don’t get her wrong, she loves her friends, but Aiden definitely surpasses that relationship. What a funny word, she thinks, how she’s describing what they are as a relationship as they’re not currently in one.

Dinner finishes smoothly, mostly talking about random things they’ve seen that day or what they’re doing tomorrow. Her friends weren’t mentioned again after the first ask and Ashlyn prefers it that way, because the deeper you ask about her friends the more she has to tell about Aiden, and she doesn’t know what to say.

She quickly helped her mom with dishes before climbing up to her room and sprawling out in bed, lazily opening her phone to call someone.

It takes only three rings before Aiden is on the other line.

“Hello?” He asked and Ash smiled back through the camera.

“What’re you doing?” She asked as she got a good look at him. He was shirtless (score) with a pair of grey sweatpants hanging loosely around his waist, the band of his boxers slightly visible.

She can’t lie, it’s a pretty good sight.

He turned the camera around and showed the gym in his basement, “Doing stuff,” He said as he flipped the camera back around and placed it down on a nearby mat, sitting on the floor to talk to her, “What’s up?”

“Nothing, just bored.” She shrugged and he mocked her, shrugging back. Usually she’d be offended but honestly the action just gave her more of an excuse to look over him. She had seen him like this several times before, hell, they had worked out together before.

Granted it was more her working out and him showing off.

“How bored?” He smirked and she glanced around her room, eyes landing on the light that was still on under the doorway. She groaned lightly.

“Bored enough that I would willingly come watch you work out.” Aiden's eyes widened slightly before returning to his usual cocky glare.

“Gyms open, it’s only, like, nine so it’s your call.” He said but it was very clear that he wanted her there. She knew how he worked, the way he tried to act like he didn’t care that she could be coming over. However, after months of sneaking out for each other she had learned to read him like an open book.

She had known immediately when he dropped everything just to talk to her at the beginning of the call.

“Yeah, well,” She groaned loudly, “My parents are still awake and there’s no way they’ll let me come over this late.”

“Sneak out?” He offered like it was the easiest thing in the world and she had half the mind to come over just to smack him across the face.

“My parents are awake downstairs, I have no out.” She rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling, waiting for him to say another bullshit solution.

He listed off a few, all of which being completely impossible or just downright dumb. She let him talk as she turned her head to the side, staring out the window at the slightly flickering street lamp.

“We can always hang out tomorrow, too-“

“Window,” She cut him off, “I don’t have screens on my window.” She watched as he paused for a second before his devilish smile reappeared.

“No, you don’t.” He agreed and all she could do was glance between the door, her phone, and the window before she made a dangerous choice. She called down to her parents, rushing a quick goodnight before flipping her lights off and opening her window, being careful to keep it unlocked.

She carefully walked from her roof to a nearby tree and climbed down carefully, not wanting to draw any attention to herself.

The entire time she could hear Aiden laughing at her endeavor, cheering her on between playful insults. Eventually, she was able to sneak around to her car, noticing her parents sitting on the couch through the windows. A pang of guilt shot through her but then again, you really do only live once.

She got in her car and before she knew it, her and Aiden were sitting in the basement gym. Well, she was more or less sitting on a nearby mat as he continued his workout.

“How long do you have left?” She tried not to sound too whiney but the way Aiden turned around and snickered at her had told her she failed.

She wouldn’t admit it out loud, but the thoughts she was having as his muscles moved with the corresponding workout was doing things to her.

He lowered the weights back down onto the rack before walking over to where she was sitting, elevated off the floor as he placed a hand on one of her thighs. She felt her face heat up at the touch and she’s sure he noticed it too.

“Soon enough, unless you’re that impatient-“ She cut him off by crashing their lips together, grabbing him by the back of the neck.

He made a surprised noise before his hand supported himself on the mat, leaning forward into her space. She quickly slotted a hand in his hair at the nape of his neck and tugged lightly, making him pull away slightly.

He looked at her with an expression she could quite place. Almost like he was about to take control of all of her senses while also trying to protect her as much as he could. She barely noticed how she was in fact almost completely laying down on the mat, him standing between her legs and his grip firm on her hips.

He leaned back in, running one of his hands up her body and towards her face. She deepened the kiss immediately, allowing him to completely lay her back on the mat, the hand on her waist holding her still as he parted from her lips and started to work down her neck.

She gasped lightly as he led a line of light kissed down it before reaching her collarbone. He put a light kiss to it, sliding his hand underneath the hem of her hoodie and pulling it up slightly, catching her eyes for reassurance. She quickly nodded, shifting slightly so he could pull it off.

She was left in her dark green sports bra and she noticed how he was soaking in the sight of her as if he would never have the opportunity again. His gaze lingered on her face for a moment before he took a deep breath.

“You’re gorgeous.”

He made his way back to her face, peppering small kisses all around it and making her laugh lightly in the process. Maybe this is why she stuck around so long, the way she felt effortlessly loved whenever she was around him, how he was able to worship her whole being instead of just her body.

She tilted her head slightly up as he made his way down her jaw, this time sucking and biting lightly as he made his way down. Eventually he reached the side of her neck before biting down slightly harder. She suppressed what she hoped was a quiet whimper as he ran his tongue over the mark.

She was sure they’d all be visible in a few hours, her skin was far too light for nothing to happen from it. He kept one arm next to her head, his forearm resting on the mat and holding him up as the other rubbed small circles on her waist, simultaneously keeping her from squirming.

Getting into these situations wasn’t uncommon for her anymore, particularly with him. Ever since the summer they had definitely been more than friends, hell, probably since before that. However, the intimacy had only really begun in September.

As much as she loved the situation they had going, she wished they could put a name on it. She wished she could openly tell her parents or friends that she was going to her boyfriend's house and that’s why she was busy or that she was on the phone with her boyfriend.

The thought lingered in the back of her mind as he tugged slightly on the band of her sweatpants, she grabbed his wrist tightly, causing him to release his grip immediately and move his head up to meet her eyes.

“Ash? You okay?” He asked in a genuinely gentle voice that made Ashlyn feel slightly more comfortable with what she was about to do.

“Just let me speak, okay?” She said, shifting both of them to more of a sitting position, she blushed as Aiden nodded, his hand resting gently on her thigh. Not like he was trying to distract her but more as a way of comforting her.

“I’m not good with words or, like, people and I think that’s been pretty apparent since day one, but I can’t sit back and do what we’ve been doing anymore.” She grimaced slightly at the way her words came out and wanted to kick herself as she saw Aiden's expression become cloudy, he put barely an inch more of distance between them but it felt like all too much.

“Um, okay- uh-“ Aiden sputtered, looking like a deer in headlights. Ashlyn ran a hand down her face.

“Okay- that came out really opposite of what i’m feint to say,” She said nervously as she glanced away and then back to his eyes, “Okay, let me try again-

“I love you.”

Ashlyn froze as the blonde blurted out the words, a panicked expression covering his face. Of course, Ashlyn was getting there but hearing the words come from him shocked her. He said it so easily, like he was reading her mind somehow.

“Again.” She said, a smile beginning to tug at her lips.

“I love you,” Aiden repeated, “And I really hope that’s what you were trying to tell me earlier because if not this will be extremely awkward-“ She shut him up for the second time that night by slotting their lips together, however this time it wasn’t desperate.

It was slow, passionate, as all the unsaid words from the past half of a year came pouring out in that single moment. Ashlyn smiled into the kiss, feeling how Aiden’s arms wrapped tightly around her. She quickly mimicked the movement, pulling away and laughing into his chest.

“You don’t know how long I’ve waited for you to say that.” She whispered into his chest and the blond placed a chaste kiss to the top of her head, hands resting in the small of her back.

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to say that,” He responded, slight disbelief in his voice. She breathed him in, not wanting to take any part of this moment for granted, “Ash?”

“Yeah?”

“Will you be my girlfriend?”

——

The middle of March was not fun for quite literally anyone ever. The weather was either cold or unexpectedly hot and she was not a fan whatsoever. Especially on nights like tonight where it was dipping into the low forties.

She truly could never win with the temperature of her room, it was either sweltering or a literal freezer.

She had already been on the phone with Aiden for an hour, up far past when she should’ve been asleep by but she couldn’t fathom going to bed in her condition.

She was wearing two hoodies and two pairs of sweatpants, followed by her comforter and tie large blankets and she was still cold.

“I have to be sick or something.” She muttered and she noticed how Aiden laughed slightly at her, pushing his glasses back up onto his face, “You look like a nerd when you do that.”

Aiden deadpanned at the camera, making Ashlyn laugh breathily at him, “Don’t compare me to Logan!” He feigned offense and Ashlyn hummed.

“I don’t know, I think you two might have more in common than you think.”

“You’re actually the reason I wear contacts.” He tried to sound harsh but his tone was anything but. He was genuinely not capable of being rude to her.

She smiled at him, tucking herself deeper into the cocoon of blankets she made herself. She noticed how Aiden was looking at her over the phone, a quiet sort of bewilderedment.

“It can’t be that cold!” He said in disbelief as she grabbed another hoodie and slipped it on, “That can’t be safe.” He commented and she shrugged, which was a barely noticeable movement, before readjusting her head.

“That’s why I’m telling you that I’m probably sick,” She repeated, “I’m never usually this cold and now I can barely move.”

“You wouldn’t believe how cold it is over here,” She complained and he raised an eyebrow at her, “I need, like, a space heater or something!”

She didn’t miss how the blonde smirked as she finished her sentence, “Listen, all I’m saying is I run hot.” He raised his hands in surrender and Ashlyn huffed out a laugh.

“Okay, then get your ass over her and make me warm.” She said back to which Aiden immediately stood up, grabbed his keys and hung up.

For a second she didn’t believe it, she was halfway joking. Of course, she’s never upset when he decides to come over, however she’s never really used to how spontaneous his decisions are. All it took was one sentence and he was on his way.

She smiled to herself as she opened pinterest and waited for him to get there.

Usually, he sent a text announcing his arrival or would ask how he was getting in that day but apparently any sort of normalcy was being thrown away tonight as she heard a tap on her window. Immediately she looked up and saw him, watching as he slowly pushed the window up and slid through, shutting it behind him.

Immediately, she moved the blankets so that he could lay down, not bothering to even say hello or get up to welcome him. He smiled as he laid down, immediately slotting his hands underneath the hem of both hoodies on her bare waist and wrapping them around her, holding her flush against his as he rubbed small shapes on the small of her back.

“Hi.” She muttered, burying her face into his chest, he offered a quick peck on the top of her head, making her already ten times warmer than she was.

“Hey.” He brought one of his hands to cradle her head against him. She didn’t know it was possible to feel more relaxed but he just continued to prove her wrong.

They both laid in silence for a while, just drinking in the fact that they have each other to hold. Aiden’s hand on her waist was tracing small patterns that she was trying her best to guess but ultimately failing.

“You do run hot.” She said, trying to move in closer. Aiden laughed quietly as he moved his hand away from her head and instead wrapped around her shoulders.

“I know, I’m just what you needed.” He placed another kiss on her forehead and she looked up at him, a dopey grin on her face. She can’t believe that he’s actually hers now, that she can talk to him and not have to hide the fact that she is utterly infatuated with him.

“You’re always what I need.” She muttered quietly but loud enough that Aiden definitely heard. She watched as he grinned before placing a quick kiss on her lips and closing his eyes.

Ashlyn quickly followed suit, falling asleep on his chest before she even knew it.

She woke up in the morning feeling horrible. She wasn’t freezing anymore, which she didn’t know if that was the temperature or the human space heater still holding her like he was afraid to lose her.

That’s when it hit her, morning, Aiden, her room.

She was extremely fucked.

However, she didn’t feel like dealing with that at the time because Aiden was currently holding her the same way he was last night, making her feel like nothing could touch them.

She wrapped her arms around him, slotting a leg between his and sighing deeply, attempting to will herself back to sleep with no luck.

They were both awake, both very much aware of their situation, but they also just wanted to hold each other.

“Good morning, sunshine.” Aiden said quietly yet still cheerfully and Ashlyn whined into his chest.

“What time is it?” She asked as she brought a hand up to rub her eyes. She heard Aiden knock something off her nightstand as he reached over to grab his phone and checked the time.

“It’s six.” He said shortly and Ashlyn groaned again.

“We have to leave for school in thirty minutes.” She muttered, feeling the way Aiden sighed as she said it. Ashlyn, with all the force she could muster, pried herself away from the blonde and swung her legs over the side of the bed, head spinning slightly as she sat up.

“You okay?” Aiden asked in that same gentle voice he always has with her and she gave him a quick thumbs up in response. She stood up and made it a grand total of five steps before sitting back down and complaining about her head.

“I’m definitely sick.” She said, sounding extremely defeated. Aiden just patted the bed again and reached out an arm to give her support to lay back down.

“What I'm hearing is a sick day for us.” He smiled as he said it and Ashlyn frowned at him in confusion.

“How are you-“

“I don’t know, but I've been around you all night and you clearly have something so I must also have it.” He whispered to her and she smiled as she slotted herself back into his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around him and he reciprocated the action.

She quickly fell back asleep, uncaring of what could possibly happen.

Until she woke up. She could hear Aiden’s voice and she assumed he was just on the phone with one of the others or one of his parents.

“She seems pretty sick.” He said and Ashlyn assumed he was just filling in their friends, no big deal. She attempted to force herself back to sleep before another voice filled the room, making her freeze.

“You’re probably gonna get it too, then.” Mike said from the doorway and Ashlyn attempted to lift her head up, wincing as she did so.

She felt Aiden shift to support her as she blinked, looking between the two with uncertainty.

“You- what-“ She said sleepily and she heard Aiden chuckle.

“Good morning, trooper.” Mike says and she realizes he’s leaning on the door frame, “I’ll bring up some tylenol, I trust you’re in good hands.” He glanced towards her boyfriends and she nodded slightly.

After she was given the medicine she laid back down, feeling herself fall back asleep. Not before she heard her parents talking as Aiden made sure she was comfortable.

“Thank god it was you she was sneaking out for.”