Summary: (Y/N) and Ashton have to work on a coursework together.
Based on Sleep Prompt #12: "We could ... Take a nap together.", and General Prompt #1: "You made me cookies?"
(Request: p0ggie_fr0ggie_) (Words: 1.9k)
Author Note: You can find my Ko-Fi page in the external link at the bottom of the page. Any support is welcome, but not obligatory.
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I shake as I ring the doorbell, jitters taking over me. Getting paired with Ashton for this project seemed like a dream come true at first but now that the realization that I will have to actually spend all those hours with me makes me panic.
I fix my posture once more as I wait, hoping that the door opens soon; my backpack is a bit heavier today with my textbooks and notes, and the cake holder full of cookies has been becoming heavier and heavier by the moment. I shift my weight from foot to foot, ringing the doorbell again and waiting.
I sigh, deciding it is best to sit on the stairs and text Ashton I am waiting outside his house. He couldn't have forgotten that we are meeting today for the coursework, could he?
With no reply to my text, I am about to give up and head home when I see Ashton rushing towards me, looking for his keys in the pockets of his leather jacket.
"I am so sorry. I was at practice and I didn't realize that time really went by. Were you waiting for a lot of time?" He asks, holding his hand out to help me get up from the stairstep I have been resting.
"Yeah, kinda." I reply, watching his face drop a little.
"I am really, really sorry." He apologizes again, unlocking the entrance to the apartment building. I follow behind him, letting him lead the way since I have no clue where to head to once inside.
"It is fine. At least you are here now."
"The elevator is not working. I live on the 3rd floor. Will you manage?" He asks, turning around to look at me.
"I mean, I will have to. Or else I don't see another way to get to your house..." I reply, earning a chuckle from him.
"I guess you are right. At least give me your backpack. It seems heavy." He offers, but I shake my head, handing him the cake holder.
"Take the cookies. They are for you anyway." I state, moving ahead to start climbing the stairs.
"You made me cookies?" He asks me, sounding surprised by my gesture.
"I couldn't have come to your house for the first time with empty hands. They are with bourbon vanilla and chocolate chips." I explain and he hums.
"Thank you. I am sure they are lovely, but you shouldn't have gone into so much trouble." He states, but even though I cannot see his face, I know he is smiling.
"Calum is still off and he is going to get home late at night, so it is going to be pretty quiet for us to do the coursework." Ashton explains once we reach the floor. He walks ahead to unlock the door, keeping the door open for me to walk in.
"The house is a lot tidier than I pictured it."
"Ouch, that sounds a bit harsh. Both Calum and I are very organized." He says with a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"If you say so..." I mumble, feeling my lips curling into a smirk.
"I will let the comment go and ask you if you would like some coffee. Or maybe tea?" He asks me, opening a cupboard before turning for my response.
"Coffee is fine. Where are we setting up?" I ask as he picks up 2 mugs.
"Um, here. On the kitchen table." He points to a black, round table from IKEA which has been cleared off by anything that was on it prior. I nod my head and leave my backpack on top of a chair, taking out the essentials for the assignment. Ashton turns on the coffee maker and silence gives place to the brewing sounds.
"I'll go bring my stuff." He announces, pointing towards what I assume is the bedrooms of the apartment. I nod my head, giving him a small smile as I turn on my laptop.
I arrange my pens and open my notebook, scribbling the date and title of the essay. Ashton is back quickly, leaving his stuff on the table before moving to the coffeepot to serve our coffees. "Sugar?" He asks me and I shake my head no. He passes me my mug before sitting on the chair across from mine.
"Thank you." I pick up the ceramic mug and blow softly on the surface, before taking a sip.
"So, let's get the handout first." He suggests, opening his laptop. I press on the file, starting an outline for the essay.
"You know you can keep notes on your laptop, right?" He asks me. I bite my lip and shrug.
"What?" He asks, chuckling softly.
"If I tell you, do you promise not to laugh?" I ask, looking at him sternly.
"Of course." He assures me.
"I have a fear of the blank page." I confess and he stares at me with a question in his eyes.
"I have literally never heard of that ever before." He states.
"I cannot be productive when I have a blank screen before me. I always start outlining and keeping notes on paper before transferring them on the file." I explain and he looks at me with widened eyes.
"Doesn't that take more time?"
"Not if you consider I can stare at a blank file for 3 hours without writing." I shrug and he laughs softly. I shamelessly stare at the dimples forming on his cheeks, which if I am being honest with myself was the first thing I liked on the tough-looking man, who towers over me by at least a head. When he smiles he looks like the softest guy in the universe, and that makes me wish I could bury myself in his chest and feel his warmth. But this is something I can only wish for.
"So, let's start writing the intro. I'll do my version, you do yours and we combine them when done." I suggest, trying to shake off the thoughts of being embraced by him.
"Ok." He agrees and begins typing away.
I, on the other hand, pick up my turquoise pen and tap it twice against my notebook before I begin scribbling my thoughts on slate paper.
"Shall we take a break? I am starving, and you must be too." Ashton asks, stretching his body on his chair. I rub my eyes and nod, letting out a soft yawn. I pick up my mug, drinking the last bit of coffee in it.
"I can cook something quick. Or we can order if you'd like." He offers, getting up from his chair.
"Maybe we should order. I don't think it will be fair to you to go into all that extra trouble during our break." I reply, causing him to chuckle.
"I was thinking some spaghetti and sauce, not a trouble at all." He insists.
"Let me at least help you." I offer, getting up from my chair.
"If you insist. We have a jar of sauce in the fridge. Mind pouring it in the saucepan to reduce it?" He asks, pulling a pan on the stove. I open the fridge and look around for the jar, admiring how organized it is, how tidily everything is placed. Ashton is already boiling water for the spaghetti, standing aside as I pour the sauce in.
"As you can see, it was pretty simple. I could have done it myself..." Ashton says, chuckling softly.
"We are a team for the day, so..."
"So...?" He asks, leaning against the counter.
"So, we help each other." I reply and he hums, staring at me for a moment.
"I am going to clean the table so we can eat." I point at my stuff, which has been scattered on the table while we were studying.
"We can eat on the couch, don't bother..." He brushes it off, turning around to take a look at the stove.
The food was exactly like I needed, but now I feel heavy and tired. I lean my head on my palm, feeling drowsy and lulled by the sound of Ashton's fork against his plate. I blink slowly, suddenly sleepiness spreading on my body. I yawn, shaking my head in an effort to rejuvenate myself and pull through this assignment.
"Are you ok?" Ashton asks, picking up the plate from my hand before it slips from my hand and shatters.
"Mmm, just sleepy." I smile, making him chuckle.
"Yeah, that I figured." He yawns as well, taking the plates to the kitchen.
"You are yawning as well..." I point out, resting my head on the back of the couch.
"I have had a pretty full day. I am kinda tired too." He replies.
"Great... I guess the essay will have to wait for another day." I groan, making Ashton hum and shrug.
"It doesn't have to.""Who's gonna write it, smart pants? Who has enough clarity to do that?" I ask.
"I mean... We could... Take a nap together?" He suggests, staring at me for a reaction. I feel as if electricity hit me, and I take a moment before I speak up to avoid my voice coming out as a stutter.
"What?" I ask as calmly as I can.
"I mean, I have a big bed. You take one side of it, I take the other, and we take a nap for an hour. We get up and continue the essay." He shrugs his shoulders. My heart is almost beating out of my chest and I am trying to convince myself I am just dreaming.
"That is actually a smart idea." I reply, without really realizing the logistics of this suggestion.
"Great. Let's go then." He motions me to follow him which I do almost automatically.
His room is small and most of the space is taken by his bed and a dresser by the window.
"Which side?" Ashton asks, snapping me out of my observation.
"I am fine with whatever. Take your usual side and I will make myself comfortable on the other." I reply, slipping my shoes off.
"Let me get you a pillow." He offers before I stop him.
"Don't bother, I don't sleep on a pillow." I reply, waiting for him to get in the bed. He slips on his side, trying to leave enough space for me. I get under the covers, getting comfortable on the stranger bed. I cannot help but smile to myself as I feel him so close to me, as I realize I am sharing a bed with Ashton, even under these conditions.
"Are you comfortable?" He asks me and I hum.
"I am. Are you?"
"Yep." I hum, still half asleep as I try to wake myself up slowly.
I open my eyes, finding me face to face with Ashton, his arm draped over my waist and our legs tangled together. I gasp loudly, flinching and waking Ashton up as well. Ashton smiles at me before he yawns and lays on his back.
"I am so sorry." I mumble, sitting up and hiding my face in my hands.
"What for?" He asks me, sounding confused.
"For this. I didn't realize I turned in my sleep."
"I turned too. And there is nothing to apologize for. How did you sleep?" He asks me, sitting up as well.
"It was nice. I feel very rested now. How did you sleep?" I ask him back and he hums.
"It was good, I guess. I would like some more sleep tho." He stretches his body, making his spine pop.
"Well, the sooner we finish the assignment, the sooner you will go to bed." I reply, getting up from the bed.
"Yeah, but you won't be there for that sleep." He replies, making me turn to look at him in shock.
