08 - deltanudaughter - ...date?

[smartemployee]

So after this happens...

Ashley has no idea why he's doing this. Part of him says, "Why not? You've already been on a trip to the mall and a sit-down for coffee." and the other part of him is screaming, "You fucking idiot - you're going to mess this up! What about Linda? Don't start forgetting about her already, asshole! You loved her!"

But he's already kissed her. And she's kissed him back.

He was going to invite her back to his plate... the typical macho man thing. But he remembered "his place" was absolutely trashed the last time he checked. Definitely not the place for a little princess like her. And hotels were completely out of the question - firstly, due to his lack of a paycheck, and secondly, because that doesn't sound nice at all.

When all else fails? Hop in the Classic. Head over to the Pontiac for a movie. You never even have to leave the car.

(Don't worry, Elle. All the shit from his car? Is in the trunk. There's room for you.)

Comments

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle is probably just as divided. One side screams "Slow down! You just met him! I know things haven't worked out with Emmett, but come ON!", while the other says "Just chill. You haven't had fun in a while. Go for it. Besides, you did kiss him."

So she just stays quiet for now in the passenger seat, fiddling with her phone.

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

When the car's in park, he puts his seat back just a bit to get comfy, his arms resting in front of him, the sleeve of his hoodie draping over his stump of a right hand.

"Didn't know where else to go," he says after a moment. "Haven't been to work for a paycheck... found some cash in the glove compartment. This used to be the place to go."

Ash glances over at her, his head resting on the headrest of the driver seat. "You have any of those places where you're from?" See - conversation. Conversation is good. Take it slow.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle looks up and around, looking fascinated. She thought these were just things in old movies by now. "In Malibu? Not that I know of. If there was, I doubt my parents or any of my dates would have taken me to one."

She looks over at him and smiles gently. "It's nice, Ash. Thank you."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"There's way too many still open out here," he says. Then he matches her smile. "Just sit back and relax, Elle." And he gives her a wink for good measure. "And the adjuster - thing - for the seat - it's on the side. If you're not comfy enough." (He doesn't mean anything inappropriate okay gosh. Not now anyway.)

"So. You wanna just talk? Or... watch the movie? Your call. You said you wanted to go somewhere to chill out."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

"It doesn't matter to me either way," she says, taking her shoes off and crossing her legs on the seat. "I don't think I've seen this movie before though..."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"Oh man, you haven't?" he replies, looking scandalized. "It's The Warriors! Absolute classic. Enough violent teen-aged street gangs to keep anyone happy." He grins sheepishly. "Sorry - it's my kind of thing."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle laughs a little bit. "It's alright. Guess it wouldn't kill me to educate myself a bit."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"If you don't like it - we could always do whatever. Go somewhere else. I'm open to suggestions."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

"I'm fine for now, Ash," she says, reaching over to pat his shoulder. "I appreciate the concern, but I'm not going to break down if it's not going my way. Really."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"Just taking precautionary measures," he replies, laughing a bit. "You never know." And besides - he doesn't want to mess this up. At all.

...And there's contact. It makes him scoot a bit closer to her.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

"Well, you're steps ahead of other guys," she says with a grin.

She scoots a little bit closer to him as well, but she takes her hand away from his shoulder and puts it on the seat for now.

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

Really now? That's good to know. He files that information for later.

"Oh yeah? I am, am I?" he replies out loud.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, guys in California usually aren't this considerate. I think they can be just a vain as some of the women they date."

Elle really shouldn't talk. She still has a bit of her California vanity. "You're very considerate though."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"I'm usually not. I can be a total prick sometimes. But you knew that already."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

"Yeah," she says, looking away from Ash and out the window. "You can be. It's kind of understandable though."

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, babe," he murmurs in response. "That's sweet of you."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle nods, but doesn't respond. Instead, she just leans back in her seat and begins to watch the screen.

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

While Elle watches the screen, Ash settles on watching her. But he tries doing it in the least obvious way possible. He curls up on his side between their respective seats, relaxing for what seems like the first time in ages.

Don't look now - but he's most likely falling asleep like a baby.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

After a few minutes, Elle finally jerks her attention away from the screen to look at Ash curled up in his seat. "Ash," she whispers.

She then leans her head on his shoulder and goes back to watching the movie.

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"Mmm," Ash murmurs, squirming a bit in his seat. He can smell her hair. It's a nice smell. He leans into it the best he can.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Carefully, Elle wraps her arm around his. She doesn't want to wake him up.

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

Ash is not completely asleep. He can't ever been completely asleep after the incident. (You can never be too careful or too alert of your surroundings. Deadites can smell vulnerability from miles away.) But he's more comfortable than he has been. And he's realized it must be due to Elle's company.

He uses the arm around his as an excuse to scoot closer. Baby steps.

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

Elle looks over at Ash from her peripheral. "You alright over there, Ash?"

[smartemployee.livejournal.com]

"Never been better," he murmurs, opening an eye. "Especially now that I got a minute."

[deltanudaughter.livejournal.com]

"Good," she whispers, holding his arm a bit tighter. She then turns her head for a second and pecks him on the cheek. "Don't let me disturb you then..."