+summary: Ash finding out about your side hustle because you’re in great need of money for your little brother.
+word count: 4451
+warning: Angst, lots of cursing, talk of prostitution as well as sexual abuse, little bit of violence, and talks of death. Nothing really sexual, just a little suggestive in a small section of the story. Other than that there’s nothing else. Tell me if I missed something.
+note: Ash and reader are together but not really? like they don’t have a label or anything like that. Ash met her through Shorter and found out she’s homeless so he offered her to basically be part of his gang.
I ship Ash and Eiji all the way but I just thought of this concept and thought it fits Ash. I really think Ash would react this way if this were to happen to him.
Tell me what you guys think, I’m only now finding the confidence to post my writings. So I’d appreciate feedbacks.
Y/N’s POV
"What? Y-you're going back to that? Are you sure?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" I asked back, as I smooth out my flimsy top and short skirt.
"Why though?" He asked, scratching his head.
"Extra income" I said curtly. He was about to ask another question but I cut him off. I've had enough questions for today. "Oh! It's getting darker, that's my cue. See you around, don't cause anymore trouble you guys. I don't want my first night back ruined because of your fights." I chirped, as I walked away.
Deep breaths. No turning back now. This is my official comeback.
Time to get filthy.
Ash's POV
"Yo boss, what's up!"
"Boss Ash!"
"Ash! Ash! Ash!"
My gang members hollered and cheered as I walked at the street we mainly dominate. These guys are a little too much. Seriously cheering? I might be discovered by the media. I might give models and celebs a run for their money if they keep up like this. *smirk smirk*
I nodded and greeted them as I walked by. I was just going to my house to get something and I'm out again. This gang leader thing is all cool but damn is it exhausting. No damn breaks.
But then again I'd do anything for my people, they're my family.
"Yo Ash!"
Someone called which made me turn around, only to be met by one of my gang members.
"Hey! What's up? Everything good today? I didn't hear much commotion today, hmm you guys are saints now or what?" I joked. It really was rather peaceful today. I didn't have anyone suddenly come out of nowhere to report something bad to me today, which is very new. Didn't get in a single fight today.
"How's Y/N? Saw her already?"
"Y/N? Is she looking for me? I actually haven't seen her." I asked, very much confused.
Whenever she's looking for me she never asks the men, she always finds her way to me. It's like she's got a tracker on me, she just always knows where to find me. She only ever asks the guys about my whereabouts whenever something serious or urgent is about to go down, like a fight or something.
"Really? She's not around here? Must've taken the other streets. Huh, weird. I really thought she was gonna take this street." He said, but more to himself.
"What's up? Was she looking for me? Cause if she was then there must be something serious going on." I said seriously.
"She wasn't looking for you. I was just surprised she's not around because I thought she’d take streets around here consi--"
“What do you mean to take the streets around here? Did she get in a fight or something with other gangs?” I cut him off, just getting more confused as each second passes. Something’s not right, I can just feel it.
“Gang fight? No. It’s just that she came here earlier asking about the streets we cover and how they are today, because she said she’s--” He stopped just before he could get to the point, looking like he just realized something.
“You know I hate it when people don’t finish what they’re saying, so you better finish what you’re saying” I said calmly, but I know he knows that I’m about to explode right now. “Something’s not right I already know, you won’t be shaking right now if all is well. So the only thing left here is for you to tell me what it is. What's something you know that I don't?" I continued with the calm yet cold approach. He better tell me or else.
His eyes got even bigger and he looked anywhere but me.
"What is it about Y/N? Spill it" I glared at him, scaring the hell out of him.
"B-boss, I d-don't want to be in trouble with Y/N. I didn't k-know that y-you didn't know. There must be a reason why she didn't t-tell y-you." He said, stuttering all over the place.
"Well too late now" I said coldly, as I took a step towards him. "You've already spilled so much, might as well finish it. You won’t get in trouble with her, but you will with me if you don’t tell me. So speak up." I ordered, in a tone that leaves him no choice but to talk.
"W-well….s-she's g-going to be p-prostituting tonight. I r-really didn't know you--"
When those words left his mouth It's as if everything around me got blocked out. I can't really hear him anymore as he kept on rambling. I tried controlling whatever rollercoaster of emotion is hitting me right now, but how can I when the anger is what's mainly hitting me. I can feel my blood boiling inside me and it's as if I see nothing but red.
"What the fuck"
"Well just sit back, relax, and let me give you a taste of heaven yeah? Let's even put a little taste of hell just for thrill" I winked at the old ass man in front of me. This dude can barely walk on his own, how the heck can he still be this horny? Can he even still get hard?
Y/N's POV
I dropped on my knees, purposely dragging my movements, taking my time because:
A) to tease old man, hoping I'd give him all the butterflies he needs that he'd just come undone right here, right now, and I'd be saved from doing more shit.
B) I just ain't looking forward to doing what I'm about to do. I really don't wanna touch him.
I traced his belt buckle which made him shiver. Damn, no skin contact even needed. Guess option A will be working in my favor.
I slowly started to undo his belt, pulling it off his pants. I unbuttoned his pants and started to pull it down when suddenly the door burst open. The door almost flew off.
I scurried to stand up and the old man copied me. But unlike me he looks kind of pissed.
I looked up to see who interrupted us, and when I did shivers immediately ran down my spine. I almost started to shake from fear.
My shaking eyes met with Ash's green ones and what made me shiver is the fact that they don't look how they normally do. Normally when I look at them, even when he's glaring, they'd look like a pretty jade stone. But this time around it's just full of anger, you can literally see the anger swirling in his eyes.
What is he even doing here? How’d he found out? I am so dead. I was moving about stealthily all day so he wouldn't catch onto anything, yet here he is.
“Come on Y/N, we’re leaving” He said in a very calm yet sinister way.
“Who are you huh? You’re not just taking her away! Get out of here, you can't just interrupt us!” Old man retorted back.
At this point I’m more scared for this old man than for myself. The last thing you want to do when Ash is in this state is to act all tough and tell him what to do. Boomer should consider shutting up.
Ash closed his eyes, took a deep breath and looked up again. “Stay out of it old man, I’m not talking to you.” He glared. “Y/N, come here”
Before I could say anything the old man had already pulled me to him, making me drop to the floor. “You are going nowhere young lady. You will finish what you've started” Old man said to me as he tightened his grip on my arm.
“And you Goldilocks, just run along and don’t ruin this moment we’re having. She’s the freshest I’ve ever come across so I’m looking forward to what she has to offer.” He smirked, looking at Ash and then me. When he looked at me he gave me such a disgusting, hungry look, which made me feel like barfing.
“How about I just fucking finish your life huh pops?” Ash threatened, as he chuckled. “You seem like you’ve already lived long enough, why don’t you take your rest now pops”
Before the old man can say anything Ash beat him to it. “So get your filthy, wrinkly old hands off her.”
“You’re not the boss of me Goldie, so scram!”
“Same goes to you gramps. If you’re not going to remove your hands off her I’m afraid I’d have to just do it for you. Anyway, you are old as a fossil, you do need lots of assistance huh?” Ash snarked. I can almost see steam come out of the old man’s ears.
Ash didn’t give him any more chances to talk, he just advanced towards us. I got very alarmed not for myself but for whatever he’s about to do right now. I hate this old man but I don’t want Ash killing him, that’s not him, and it’s not worth it. I don't want him staining his name.
“ASH DON’T YOU DARE KILL'' I yelled as he advanced towards the old man.
Ash dropped the hand that was reaching at his back, which I know for a fact is reaching for his gun. He glared at me, rolled his eyes, before yanking the old man by the collar. “You disgusting old hag. I bet you can’t even get hard anymore. I hope you burn in hell.” He spit on the now shaking old man before hitting him at the side of the neck, knocking him out.
There was just silence between Ash and I. I was sitting on the ground not daring to look at Ash and the same goes with him. After a long moment of silence, Ash yanked me by the arm, adjusted my top and skirt for me before dragging me out of the building.
For some reason anger started to boil inside of me.
“Ash let me the fuck go! That hurts you blonde dimwit!” I yelled at him, as I tried my best to break free from his iron-like grasp. I kept on thrashing around and yelling at him but he didn’t even seem fazed one bit. He just continued dragging me out and onto his motorcycle. I was about to protest and tell him I ain’t getting on it, but he basically dragged/carried me to sit in front of him.
This made me even more annoyed because he knows damn well that if he made me sit behind him I wouldn’t think twice jumping off.
Why do you have to know me that well?!
We rode his motorcycle in silence but I can feel how angry he is. I can tell by the way he kept on breathing hard which means he’s really trying to control it. Which again means that he’s been wanting to explode since earlier. I can also tell by how stiff he’s being and by the way he’s driving, which actually is scaring me just a bit, because even for my reckless self it’s a little too fast.
The moment we stopped at our street he didn’t move, but I can feel his stare at the back of my head. I swear I can feel the intensity of it even without looking. He can burn a hole if he wants to.
“Well move the fuck back! The least you can do for ruining my side hustle is to leave me the fuck alone” I said, harshly pushing him and shoving the helmet to him.
I was stomping my way into the street when I heard him laugh, a laugh that isn’t really a laugh, a very sinister, devilish one.
“You really have the nerves to get angry at me huh? Don’t fucking run away from me.”
“You’re not the boss of me Ash, so fuck you!”
“You already are!” He retorted, which made me look back at him, almost breaking my neck in the process. I gave him the finger saying “bitch” under my breath before walking away again.
“Hey Y/N!” Gang members greeted me.
I was about to greet them with my cold ass glare cause I can’t be bothered to be nice to anyone right now, but I was suddenly yanked by Ash by the waist and again he dragged/carried me with him.
People and his gang members on the streets got out of his way.
“What did I just say about running away huh? You brat!” He hissed, tightening his hold on me.
“Ash let me go! I’ll kill you.”
“Ash I swear let go! I hate you so much. What are you guys looking at?!”
I continued thrashing around in Ash’s arms as I glared at the gang members as they watched as he dragged me with him.
Before Ash could round the corner that leads to his place I swear I heard Shorter say “Nobody better interrupt their fight. I’d rather be in the middle of a gang fight than their fight.”
“Skip, please leave for a second!” Ash called when we finally arrived at his place. Skip then came out of the room where Griffin is. Skip looked back and forth at us, with me still hanging by Ash’s side.
“A-are you guys okay?” Skip asked.
I heard so much concern in his voice that I finally looked up at him just so he wouldn’t worry much. “We’re all good, Skip. Don't worry. You can go now. Thank you, Skipper. I’ll see you tomorrow, yeah?” I said, trying my best to give him a warm smile though I’m still dangling by Ash’s side.
He nodded, not looking convinced but he left nonetheless. When he’s gone Ash literally threw me at his bed, considering that that’s literally the only thing he has in this room.
And just when I thought he’s been giving me a death glare all this time, he gave me a look that literally made me scared to talk. A look so cold you start questioning if he’s still human or not.
“Why?” He started calmly. The type of calm that scares the heck out of someone. “WHY THE FUCK WOULD YOU GO BACK THERE? AND TO HAVE THE AUDACITY TO GET MAD AT ME? YOU’RE SUCH A SHIT PERSON FOR THAT!” And there it is, the anger, the rage, the fire he’s been trying to contain this whole time.
“WHAT’S IT TO YOU?! I DON’T HAVE TO TELL YOU EVERYTHING THAT I’M DOING, YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME ASH”
“WHAT’S IT TO ME? WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT? I NEVER THOUGHT SUCH STUPIDITY CAN COME FROM YOU” He scoffed.
“I CAN DO WHATEVER THE FUCK I WANT, ASLAN. SO DON’T GO AROUND BLOWING OFF MY HUSTLE, I DON’T GO AROUND BLOWING YOURS” I screamed.
“I WOULDN’T HAVE BLOWN IT OFF IF IT ISN’T PROSTITUTING YOU WENT BACK TO! OF ALL THINGS YOU COULD DO TO EARN MONEY YOU SERIOUSLY PICKED THAT? OF ALL THE FUCKING THINGS?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?! YOU ARE VERY STUPID! WHY THE FU--”
“YOU CAN CALL ME ANYTHING YOU WANT. STUPID, WHORE, A SILLY EXCUSE FOR A FUCKING HUMAN, I DON’T CARE BECAUSE YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT I’M GOING THROUGH. YOU DON’T KNOW ANYTHING ASLAN! You don’t know how desperate I am right now. Beggars can’t be choosers.” I went off, but said the last part almost in a whisper, for my tears started to pool on my eyes. When I looked up at him and saw his shocked expression and saw no more anger in his eyes but saw guilt and sympathy I just broke down. Tears rolled down my cheeks, I can’t control them anymore, can't stop them from falling.
It just hurt too much.
I walked past him and stormed out of the house in a crying mess. Some of the gang members saw me asking if I’m okay but I just ran faster when they showed me concern. I kept on running, until I found myself in one of my favorite spots, a rooftop that showed me a great view of the sunrise, sunset, moon at night, and the city below. I go here when I want to be alone but mostly when I just want to cry. I never liked crying in front of others so I love isolating myself when I want to.
At a young age I was sent to prostitution and it’s scarred me deeply and those scars have yet to heal. It’s the reason why I ran away from the orphanage that I was in, I just can’t take it anymore. Some powerful gang have taken advantage of the poor orphanage and started sending the kids in there to prostitution. For a few years I was among those kids sent to prostitution, but by 14 I couldn’t take it anymore. So I chose to just run away. Being touched and used by old men and women as if you’re not a human being at all is the most disgusting feeling. It took away my purity, innocence and my dignity at such a young age. At that age I just wanted to disappear, I thought to myself that death is probably way better than being used as a sex doll over and over. It hurts, it hurts everywhere.
So I ran away with my brother, Jacob. He’s not my biological brother but I’ve known him since he was an infant, literally just a few days old. I’ve taken care of him since the day he's taken to the orphanage and swore that I’ll protect him from all the evil in this world. I knew it’s going to be hard to take him with me since I’m just a kid myself, but I just couldn’t bring myself to leave him and have him go through the same things I did. I wish I could’ve taken everyone with me. I was one of the older kids in there and my heart still aches for all the ones I wasn’t able to take with me. I still pray for them everyday.
I’m not mad at Ash. How can I be when he’s just concerned for me? He’s just protecting me for he’s the only one who knows about my story, my childhood, a childhood very much like his. He’s the one that took me in when we were 15. He’s the one who offered me a place to live, the one who introduced me to a gang that I consider as my family. I never knew what having a family felt like, but that’s until I met Ash and the gang. I never asked him for anything. Everything he’s done for me is just him being him.
Ash gave me a reason to keep on living. There’s many times that I just want to give up on life and just die, but because of him I now want to keep on living.
But life just sucks sometimes which is why I fall into situations like this.
“Are you calm now?” Ash’s voice brings me back to the present.
I wiped the remaining tears from my eyes, not bothering to look back.
He sat down beside me at the ledge and looked at the night sky that’s dawning upon New York.
“I’m sorry”
This made me look at him. “Why for?”
“For the things I said earlier. I feel sorry for going off at you like that, I was too mad earlier. But I’m not going to say sorry for dragging you out of there, because I don’t want that good for nothing old man marking and staining you. I don’t want anyone doing that to you. Never again.” He said calmly. Though I can see him clenching his fists, he is very calm now compared to earlier.
“I’m not mad at you Ash. If anything I’m actually thankful for what you did, and for everything else you do for me even if I don't ask” This time around he’s the one to look at me as I looked at the view before us. “I should be sorry. For doing that and for talking like that to you when you’re just saving me.”
He scooted a little closer to me, putting a bottle of beer between us which made me chuckle lightly. Classic Ash.
“You never really do anything without a serious reason, except for when you just want to have a little fun and get on the nerves of other gangs, then would you only do something without a serious reason.” He said, which made both of us chuckle. “So, any reasons for this one? You can tell me if you want, but it’s also fine if you aren’t ready yet. I’ll wait.”
I took a small chug of the beer before placing it between us again. “Like I said, I was desperate.” I looked at him and I instantly felt so safe. “I wanted to earn extra money for Jacob.”
“Is there something wrong with Jacob? Is there a problem with your aunt again?” Ash asked bitterly at the mention of my aunt.
I do have a relative, my aunt, that also lives in New York and I begged her to care for Jacob. At first she didn’t want to do it, she didn’t even want to take care of me even if the orphanage begged her, so what more this kid who isn’t even related to us. My aunt hated my mother which is why she also hates me just as much. I only really got her to look after Jacob because of money. I promised that I’ll give her the money to help support Jacob, so I’ve been hustling hard since I was 14 to make money to give to them. But my aunt took this opportunity to make a literal business out of Jacob, making me give more and more money. At this point I’m also supporting her.
I gave Ash a summary of the whole money situation and as to why I need more. He scoffed, clearly annoyed by what he just heard.
“What an evil bitch. I don’t even know her but I hate her. And after taking money from you, what? She still has the audacity to fucking call you names and degrade you. She’s fucking disgusting” He said with so much hatred as he chugged the rest of the beer we’ve been drinking.
“So that’s why I resorted to my last option, prostitution. I didn’t want to go back there, Ash. I was scared as fuck earlier, but I just told myself to suck it up since it’s for Jacob.” New tears started to pool on my eyes.
Ash noticed and immediately wiped them away for me with the sleeves of his long sweater. “Come here. I’m sorry you had to feel that way again. It must have been really terrifying. I even got mad at you earlier. I only got mad at you earlier because I know how deep of a scar that kind of life gave you, and I know for myself how that feels like so I just couldn’t control my emotions. I just don’t want you to ever go through that ever again.” He comforted me, pulling me to a tight hug. I buried my face on his shoulder and cried my heart out. This is the first time that I cried like this in front of him. I don’t even tear up in front of him.
I held onto him for dear life as he rubbed my back and let me cry. "Cry it all out. I'm right here, I'm not leaving you. Everyone can try leaving you but not me."
After a while when he noticed that I had calmed down, he pulled away just to engulf my face with his big hands. His warmth makes me feel safe.
"C'mon, let me see that beautiful face-- it's kind of puffy right now that's for sure" He joked, making me laugh as I smacked his arm. He wiped my tears for me again before smiling at me, a very reassuring one.
"Ash, thank you. Not just for saving me earlier and for comforting me, but for every single thing you've done and sacrificed for me. Thank you for giving me a home, a family, and a will to live. I owe you a lot" I said, angling my face a little so I could kiss his left hand.
"You don't owe me anything, it's all good. You yourself have done so much for me too so we're always even" He said, ruffling my hair.
He finally let me go and we settled back into our places.
"City sure is pretty from up here." He mused.
"Hmmm. You don't see all the evil in it up here." I agreed, nodding my head, looking down at the city below. "Ash, how did you even find me up here by the way? I don't remember telling you about this place nor taking you here"
"Skipper." he said, chuckling.
"I thought that kid went home"
"Well he didn't. He waited around the corner. That kid is smart, he didn't buy it when you said we’re good. I mean who would? You were hanging by my side while I scowled away." He said smiling warmly. He's always been the sweetest and loving towards Skipper.
"As expected from Skip."
"Y/n, don't go back out there tomorrow." He said sternly, stern yet not really demanding. "Please"
I look at him to see a face of worry and concern. He wasn't looking at me but I can clearly see it from the look on his eyes. I reached towards his face which made him look at me. I smiled at him as I ran my thumb on his cheek. "I wasn't planning to."
Relief washed over his face as he yanked me by the wrist, pulled me to him and connected our lips. Our lips danced together slowly, very carefully, and full of passion. He smiled against my lips, giving me one last peck before pulling away, still holding my face close to his.
"You got me, I got you, you're not alone anymore. You'll never have to go through tough times alone anymore. I'll be by you always and I'm never walking away and I want you to always remember that, okay?"
I nodded, looking straight into his emerald eyes.
"Good. Now let's go back." He said, standing up offering me a hand which I gladly accepted.
"Wanna make a bet?" I chirped.
"What?" He replied.
"That Skip is still at the corner waiting for us to come back"
My recent project for a happy ending, I wasn’t happy with the original one, this took a lot of time to get finally done and I’m quite happy with the final result, I posted it on Instagram but the full format looks better here, I did used a lot of references from Pinterest and from the real manga to get my own art-style... that’s it, I hope you like it! <3
note i hope this is up to your liking and thank you for sending in a request!! as for all the other asks in my inbox, please be patient with me as i am trying to work on the easiest requests/asks first :))
• ok, to get things started off, let me just say that he’s definitely protective
• he understands boundaries and stuff, but when you go out on your own, he expects a text letting him know you got to your destination safely :)
• a big softy (but keep that under wraps cuz the mans has a reputation🙄)
• is normally big spoon but every now and then he enjoys being held🥺
• you two most definitely have library/bookstore dates together !!
• he has a playlist on his phone filled with songs that remind him of you/your relationship
• take this man shopping!! he has AMAZING fashion sense (clearly seen in both the anime & manga)
• not too big on pda (especially because he doesn’t want people - specifically enemies - to know he has a weak spot and that you could be taken away from him) but he’ll sometimes hold your hand if you begin to feel ungrounded (especially if you have social anxiety and hate large crowds like me >_<)
• the song fire on fire by sam smith is one of his favorites and it reminds him of the two of you :D
• loves to tease you (take that in any way you want to)
• you steal his flannels for sure!! (one day he notices you wearing his iconic green one and he doesn’t say anything UNTIL he sees you put it back in your closet and not his)
• you bought a pair of red high top converse to match his :3
• I ACTUALLY DID THAT IRL AND I CANT STOP THINKING ABOUT HIM EVERY TIME I HAVE THEM ON
• if you call him aslan teasingly be prepared for him to use your full name (middle name and all!!) to address you until you apologize and go back to using ash
• absolutely ADORES forehead and cheek kisses (both giving and receiving)
• play with his hair. that’s all i’m going to say for this one
• one time you were watching tv in your room (laying on your stomach on ur bed) and he literally just laid down on top of you💀
• i think his love language is small actions (is that a thing lmao). like, he will make you food, help you study/get assignments done, and go out of his way to make sure you’re the best you can be
• he’ll also send you random texts telling you he loves you and that you make him the happiest man alive
• don’t forget to return that love though!! (i recommand leaving small notes in the books he’s reading :3 )
• please don’t go into this relationship if you think you guys are gonna be fucking the first year you both get together :/
• your relationship is going to be asexual (which you are completely fine with and you’ve told ash this a million times) until he feels comfortable doing anything other than small, nonsexual touching
• though, i feel like he would be alright touching you, it’d just be hard for him to actually receive the same thing from you :(
