hello

i just wanna get high with my lover

[anterocash]

Cash starts to roll his sleeves up his forearms and pops the top button of his shirt open. He isn’t sure what she means, but he nods. God knows he wasn’t prepared for this, he had every worst case scenario in mind for tonight, all of them but the one that actually happened. 

“My dad always wanted to be a pilot, he was already in the Air Force when the Vietnam War started. I was created when my dad got a Liberty pass and came back to visit my mother. My dad never got to fly because he kept knocking heads with his superior, so he switched jobs and spent the rest of the war fixing B-25 bomber jets then Nixon started shipping us back home. He got back in time for my fourth birthday.” Cash expected to talk a lot, but this is the most he’s talked in an entire night. 

“So where was I? Yes. My dad started working downtown at the joint base, doing the same thing: wrenching on aircraft. We lived on West Piccadilly Street, David’s parents live five houses down from my parents as you probably already knew… holy shit.” Who knows how many times they were on the same street at the same time, she would have been a child and he doesn’t want to think about that.

“We lived on West Pic, and your mother’s house was around the corner on Robin Street, that’s right. Our families went to church together, Dave and I would ride our bikes around the block to hang out with Esther since we could ride without training wheels. I’d steal the lemons from your grandmother’s lemon tree…” Things keep clicking into place and Cash absolutely hates it. 

“The three of us were inseparable for a while. You can probably fill the blanks: we got older, puberty and all that. We both had crushes on Esther, I just asked her out sooner than he did. We were fourteen, things between the three of us felt the same, life went on, I just spent more time with Esther without Dave around. Then my dad gets orders to work in Guam to teach — I was sixteen — I hated my dad for months. Esther and I broke up; life went on. I didn’t see your parents for a while, and then after that, I would run into them occasionally but nothing crazy – I haven’t seen your brother since he was a toddler.” He can’t think of anything else. 

[tokkiash]

Ashley listens attentively as Cash speaks, and while she does enjoy hearing and learning more in depth about his childhood and past, it’s mixed in with hurt. Every mention of something that she knows, like her grandparents’ homes, makes her stomach twist into knots, and she knows that her face is a mask of unhappiness. She can’t hide it, and doesn’t even bother trying.

“From age fourteen to sixteen…” she mumbles, trying to wrap her head around that piece of information. It makes her chest and stomach hurt too much to pursue that thought so she shuts it down. Ashley really, really doesn’t want to ruin Cash’s special night. She partly blames her father for all of this, for forcing the issue when it wasn’t appropriate. And she does understand that there was no way of Cash knowing that he grew up with her parents. But she’s still hurt, though Ashley knows she’s mature enough to put things aside for the man she loves. At least for one night.

“Thank you for telling me, Cash. I… I still have a lot of questions. Or well, I don’t know if that’s right. But I do have so much on my mind. I know right now isn’t appropriate.” She shakes her head, fishing a tissue out of her purse so she can dab at her eyes and cheeks, being careful of her makeup. “Tonight is about you and your hard work. We can talk more after the gala. And after I’ve had more time to absorb everything.”

[anterocash]

Cash watches Ashley walk away from the trio before putting his attention back to David. “Did you really think this was an appropriate moment to have this conversation? I genuinely didn’t know she was your daughter, I swear.” David has always had this bad habit of trying to best Cash in subtle ways, naturally competitive but now wasn’t the time nor the place. 

“Don’t put this on me, I should kill you in front of everyone in here —“ 

“David, please…” Esther finally says quietly, her husband whips head around to look down at her and Cash squints, what type of relationship is this? And what will Cash have to put up with from Ashley because of it? 

Cash doesn’t stick around to ask, not that he was going to, he needs to find Ashley and fix things before the window of opportunity closes. Without excusing himself Cash walks away, fending off people who want to talk as he leaves the ballroom, none of that matters now. He loosen his tie as he steps outside, looking around frantically. 

Yesterday was the best Christmas Cash had in decades; this year with Ashley has been life changing and the idea of losing that scares the shit out of Cash. He walks around the perimeter of the building until he finds her, “hey…” his determination has dissolved into nervousness as he takes his tuxedo jacket off, draping it over her bare shoulders. “Can we talk about this? Without your…” he can’t even say it, “without the distractions.” 

[tokkiash]

When she’s alone outside is when Ashley finally lets the tears fall, knowing that her makeup probably will get all messed up but she can’t hold it back anymore. There’s just so much going through her head, and she’s so overwhelmed, she knows that it would be impossible to hold her tears back. And it doesn’t help that she left the building without her coat, starting to shiver in the cool air.

Ashley can hear footsteps approaching and already she can tell that it’s Cash, already attuned to the sound of how he walks. Which just makes it hurt more, she’s already entwined her life with the older man, fallen so in love. Having it all fall apart scares her, makes her heart clench.

Once the jacket is over her bare shoulders she hugs it closer, letting out a sniffle and savoring the comforting and familiar scent of Cash on the fabric, along with his body heat. Ashley blinks away her tears, trying to give herself a chance to gather herself before she looks up, meeting the older man’s gaze. It feels weird to her, wanting his comfort while she’s hurting so much, but also wanting to push him away because he’s partly the reason she even feels this bad.

His words snap her out of her thoughts and she can’t help the small frown that tugs on her lips. “I want you to tell me everything, Cash.”

[anterocash]

“Tell her,” David snaps at Cash and he nods, swallowing nervously looking over at Ashley; the first time they’re going to a dressy event like this and it’s ruined with the theatrics her father has orchestrated, this isn’t a conversation to have in front of everyone in the room but David isn’t give Cash a inch to budge with.

He wants to stomp his feet and cry like a two year old but he doesn’t, Cash merely sighs, feeling silly before he speaks, “I grew up with your parents.” Cash thinks he nailed it, he isn’t interested in giving Ashley the full story in the middle of the Sheraton Hotel ballroom. “I’m sorry I didn’t say anything sooner, I didn’t realize you were David’s –”

“He dated your mother when we were younger,” David says as if it’s acid in his mouth, Cash’s brow furrows.

“It doesn’t count if we were teenagers, Esther…” Cash says looking to the silent woman to collaborate with him, “Stay out of it,” David says to his wife and she tightens her lips. In an attempt to get to know Ashley better, Cash once asked her about her childhood; she painted a vivid picture but to see it playing out in person is something else. Cash never stopped to wonder about Esther and David’s relationship dynamic – because it’s none of his business but, he does remember the sixteen year old boy and Cash can’t see that version of David talking to Esther like that. 

“Tell her the truth, Cash.” 

“The three of us grew up together.  Your mother and I dated for a little bit before I moved. We were fourteen it really doesn't matter.”

“Two years –” David interjects again and Cash bristles, growing irritated. “David, stop,” he warns, taking a step forward but then he steps back again, he’s not going to cause a scene at the biggest event in his career.

[tokkiash]

She almost feels dizzy, looking between her father and Cash, the words seeming to slowly penetrate through to her understanding. Dated her mother? It’s unbelievable, almost like a punch to the gut with how it makes her feel.

Ashley presses her hand briefly to her forehead, trying to absorb what’s being said to its fullest extent. She can’t help the thoughts that go through her head, wondering if Cash only got with her because she reminded him of her mother. That thought hurts too much to pursue and she squashes it down, moving her hand away from her face, not wanting to mess up her makeup.

As much as she wants to get Cash alone and figure everything out, she can’t. She’s been so looking forward to supporting him at this event, and of course all it takes is one encounter with her father to ruin everything.

“I… I don’t know what to say. Can you excuse me?” She can hear the way her voice is shaking, her eyes stinging with unshed and hurt tears, backing away from Cash and her parents. Her mother looks like she wants to follow but Ashley shakes her head, she’s the last person that Ashley wants to be with right now. She’s in a daze as she turns away from the group, barely noticing anyone as she makes her way out of the ballroom, craving fresh air and a moment to herself, especially now that she doesn’t think she can hold her tears back any longer.

[anterocash]

Ever since Ashley told Cash her parents were going to be at the gala, meeting them was a constant thought on the back of his mind. He was more nervous about that than planning the whole event. The room seems to move in slow motion after Ashley speaks, Cash glancing down at his flute of champagne for a second when he looks back up, his face scrunches in confusion, the beginning of a nervous grin taking over his mouth.. “No way….” He looks at David and Esther, both equally as shocked as Cash, poor David looks as red as his bow-tie, the situation becoming clearer with each second Cash chuckles in disbelief, shaking his head before finishing his champagne in one swallow. 

He’s not upset, he feels a sense of relief that he’s not imagining things. The vague Deja-vu Cash felt when he first laid eyes on Ashley has lingered in the deep depths of his mind, something he truly didn’t want to decipher, he was in too deep with Ashley and didn’t want to end things. But now seeing the three of them in the same room, the resemblance is unmistakable and Cash can’t understand why he didn’t put it together sooner. 

“Is this some sort of joke?” David stammers out, fury growing by the second.

“No, David, ” He says, glancing at Ashley, hoping she will back him up, “we’re in love.”

[tokkiash]

Confusion is the first and pretty much only feeling clouding her mind right now, the shock on her parents’ faces and the nervous grin Cash sports, she has no idea what’s going on. Though things slowly start to make a little more sense when she realizes just how angry that her father is getting, she hasn’t seen him get that red in a long time, not since she announced she wasn’t going to a traditional college.

“Cash is right, we are in love. We’ve been together for a while,” she feels defensive now, especially after her father is questioning if they’re joking or not. Ashley doesn’t want to feel like she has to defend her relationship with Cash, but there’s definitely a sinking feeling settling in her stomach and she can practically feel how things are going to explode.

“What’s going on?” She can’t help but question, looking between her parents and Cash. Her mother looks like she’s seen a ghost, her face ashen and she doesn’t meet Ashley’s gaze, too busy staring at Cash. It’s starting to upset her, how confused she is, and all she can do is stare between the trio, hoping someone will tell her something.

[anterocash]

@tokkiash

Everything is going to plan, there was a hiccup or two with catering but it was resolved before the event began and once all the wealthiest in Riverfield and the surrounding areas was packed in the hotel ballroom, Cash could breathe a sigh of relief and do what he does best: networking. Cash works the room, greeting new faces and charming them and hopefully their wallets, not sure if his empathetic speech about why he picked the charity was enough so he’s making it a point to try and speak to everyone who showed up for at least five minutes. His jaw is starting to hurt but he shoulders on with the help of the endless champagne, needing a break he seeks out his plus one. Just thinking about Ashley makes Cash smile, he can’t believe she got perfectly manicured nails in his heart, but he’s never been happier and he can’t wait to tell her that. Cash can recognize the back of her small blonde head and walks over to her. “I said this earlier but I have to say it again, you are truly the most beautiful woman in the room tonight,” he says into her ear, resting his free hand on her hip.

[tokkiash]

Ashley was giddy all night, being able to get all dolled up and be Cash’s arm candy at the gala. She spends part of the evening being exactly that, sticking close to him and politely joining in on conversations when required, which isn’t often. She’s okay with that though, just sipping her drink and looking pretty. It’s not until she spotted her parents in the crowd that she was able to tear herself away from Cash, going over to chat with them. She’s still with them when Cash joins her again, though luckily her parents' backs are turned to talk to one of the many people that her father knows. His words make her blush, and she can’t help but to giggle, leaning against his larger frame when he gets his hand on her hip.

She still gets butterflies when Cash says something romantic like that, and she loves it. She loves him. “You’re making me blush and feel so shy. But I’m happy, so happy. Thank you. I had to make sure to look extra pretty, so you’d be proud and eager to show me off as your partner.” Ashley is in heels but she still needs to try and get more height so she can kiss the older man’s cheek, though she keeps it light, and carefully wipes away the small bit of lip gloss that she left behind.

It’s just as she’s finishing with that that she hears her dad say his goodbyes, and she straightens up, knowing that her parents are about to turn back to give her their attention again. “Mom, Dad! I want you to meet someone special.”

[anterocash]

“Aw… babydoll…” Cash murmurs, rubbing Ashley’s back slowly as he feels her tears begin to seep into his shirt. “I’m going to miss you too,” he mumbles against the top of her head after he kisses her. “My phone will be on the loudest setting.” Cash knows this will be an adventure for the both of them. Detaching himself he moves to the carrier, waving at their dog too, he’s going to miss Zoe as well, the others are going to notice her absence and it’s up to him and Ryuhwan to keep the peace.

Cash watches Ashley go inside the airport with her things and their dog after one last wave and goes back home. He doesn’t know how much more sleep he can get before set time but it won’t hurt to try. Settled in bed again Cash has no sense of time when the deep buzz of his phone vibrating on his nightstand wakes him with a jolt, blinking himself more awake as he picks up his phone, accepting the call. “Hmm hey…”

[tokkiash]

Getting through TSA was surprisingly not difficult despite having Zoe, and even if it’s hard she doesn’t call Cash right away. Instead she lets Zoe out of her carrier, walking her to their gate and letting her burn off a little energy and use the “dog relief zone” while they wait to board. When they start getting on is when she puts Zoe back into her carrier, settling into her seat easily and then finally getting her phone out, determined to call her fiance.

It only takes a few rings before Ashley is hearing his voice, her heart clenching a little because already she’s missing him. “Hi, Cash. It’s me. I’m on the plane now, everyone is still boarding so I have some time. I wanted to call you before taking off.” She tries not to let her worry show in her voice, though she’s not sure she succeeds. It’s going to be their first time apart since they originally got divorced, which in her mind doesn’t count. 

[anterocash]

“Really?” Cash wouldn’t believe Ashley said that, wondering if she was trying to bait him, shaking his head. “You… you don’t understand because you enjoy getting compliments but he’s not being a polite doorman but it’s a man thing, I won’t bore you with that. It doesn’t matter, we’ll start using the garage more often, it’s faster too. Enough about that, I’m thinking about ordering take-out for lunch.” He says trying to steer the conversation away, regretting even saying anything, it had slipped out, but Ashley knows Cash has a silent beef with the day-shift doorman so he doesn’t understand why she is playing stupid.

[tokkiash]

She thinks that Cash definitely has a lot of nerve, getting upset over the doorman after everything that happened the night before. His comment about takeout doesn’t even register, her annoyance and upset feelings that are still lingering at the forefront of her mind. “Are you being for real right now? So you can talk to an old flame and almost act like I don’t exist, but the second the stupid doorman compliments me it’s a problem?” Ashley moves away from her fiance’s touch, brows furrowed together as her arms cross over her chest. “You can do whatever you want but I can’t even say thank you when someone calls me pretty? Mind you, I didn’t let go of your hand or move away from you when that happened.”

[anterocash]

“Yeah, don’t want your dog terrorizing the others,” he quips lightheartedly, letting go of her hand to grab at her ass playfully before draping his arm along the narrow line of her shoulders, taking her hand that way instead. Cash is over the moon that all of the craziness of last night seems to be thinning out and going behind them. He refuses to let Miranda ruin yet another relationship because she’s refusing to cope with reality, hopefully after night, Cash truly thinks the door to that chapter in his life is closed and buried for good. They reach their building and the doorman gives Ashley a smile, greeting her warmly, telling the woman that she looks beautiful today and Cash rolls his eyes, “I look beautiful today too, ya know, yeah, yeah. Have a nice day now –” he quickly interjects before the two of them get into one of their mini conversations, ushering his fiancee inside. Cash can’t help but think about how that guy always has something to say to her when he’s working and Cash regrets not taking the garage elevator up to their floor. “So… what the fuck was that?” Cash asks Ashley once it’s just the two of them in the elevator.

The ass grab and how he has his arm around her shoulders is perfect, she’s still a little hurt but it’s nothing like how she was feeling last night. Which she is so thankful for. It really does feel like things can go back to normal.

Once they arrive back at their building Ashley doesn’t even think twice about the doorman, greeting him in return and letting out an automatic laugh and thanks at the compliment. It was always easiest to just accept them gracefully like that, even if the only compliments she truly cared about were from Cash. Though his own comment in response makes her giggle as well, until they’re in the elevator together and the sound fades out. “What are you talking about? I didn’t think it was a big deal. He does that all the time.” Ashley arches a brow slightly, lips pushing down into a slight frown.

[tokkiash]

The ass grab and how he has his arm around her shoulders is perfect, she’s still a little hurt but it’s nothing like how she was feeling last night. Which she is so thankful for. It really does feel like things can go back to normal.

Once they arrive back at their building Ashley doesn’t even think twice about the doorman, greeting him in return and letting out an automatic laugh and thanks at the compliment. It was always easiest to just accept them gracefully like that, even if the only compliments she truly cared about were from Cash. Though his own comment in response makes her giggle as well, until they’re in the elevator together and the sound fades out. “What are you talking about? I didn’t think it was a big deal. He does that all the time.” Ashley arches a brow slightly, lips pushing down into a slight frown.

[anterocash]

Cash’s hands go to Ashley’s hips naturally when she presses close, putting a slight bend in his knees to make it easier for her to reach him. Cash always forgets the logistics of kissing someone way shorter than him, probably looks odd from the outside looking in but he’s so used to it now, craning his head down to meet her halfway. He could kiss Ashley forever, it was only a few hours of drama, but they kiss so much, it felt like a whole week since he’s felt her lips last. When it naturally stops, Cash looks down at Ashley with a small smile, his big hands splayed against her lower back keeping her close.

“Originally I wanted you to realize what I had on when we meet at the altar but I have no clue how I would have hid this from you anyways,” he chuckles to himself and they detach, he laces their fingers together as he listens to the metalsmith talk about maintenance and other nonsensical things that Cash can’t be bothered to truly process. Cash leaves the man with a decent parting gift, an envelope thick with the other half of the payment he promised the man plus extra and after thanking him one more time, the pair leave. “Here, you can wear this til we get home. I don’t want it to get tangled in my pocket.” Ashley’s head is so small, he doesn’t have to open the clasp to get the chain over her head and onto her neck.

Her lips are tingling pleasantly as they hold hands, the metalsmith’s words just a drone in her ear, not truly taking in anything he’s saying. But she doesn’t need to pay attention, not really, and before she knows it they’re back out on the street again.

When Ashley gets the jewelry on she smiles, reaching up to finger the chain gently, touching along the familiar metal. It feels different when it’s on her neck instead of his, but Cash’s replacement with the locket? It’s so much better. “I’ll keep it safe until we get home. Let’s go.” Despite her words she doesn’t move yet, just steps closer and reaches up, touching along her name on the new lock that he wears. It’s really so sweet, and Ashley knows this wasn’t a last minute “I’m sorry for last night” thing, it was planned out which makes it that much more special to her. But she gets her fill of looking at it soon enough, taking her fiance’s hand again so they could make the familiar trek back to their apartment together.

[tokkiash]

Her lips are tingling pleasantly as they hold hands, the metalsmith’s words just a drone in her ear, not truly taking in anything he’s saying. But she doesn’t need to pay attention, not really, and before she knows it they’re back out on the street again.

When Ashley gets the jewelry on she smiles, reaching up to finger the chain gently, touching along the familiar metal. It feels different when it’s on her neck instead of his, but Cash’s replacement with the locket? It’s so much better. “I’ll keep it safe until we get home. Let’s go.” Despite her words she doesn’t move yet, just steps closer and reaches up, touching along her name on the new lock that he wears. It’s really so sweet, and Ashley knows this wasn’t a last minute “I’m sorry for last night” thing, it was planned out which makes it that much more special to her. But she gets her fill of looking at it soon enough, taking her fiance’s hand again so they could make the familiar trek back to their apartment together.

[anterocash]

Pulling over to the side in departures he puts his hazard light on and pops open the hatch, getting out of the SUV to get her bag, rolling everything to the curb, stacking Zoe’s carrier on top. Once that’s all situated Cash opens the passenger door for Ashley, scratching behind the dog’s ears in her lap, “Let’s get Zoe in her carrier so you can give me a hug, everything is going to settle down eventually,” no point in saying it will be okay because they both know it he just wants to calm her before she has to go inside, after a quick glance around, he pulls out the hello kitty cart, priming it he takes a hit before handing it over, “this will help you relax before you go inside.”

[tokkiash]

Reality truly settles in as Cash pulls up to the airport, her lips pushed out into a small, unhappy pout while she exits the car once her fiance pulls open the door for her. She really has to leave, it’s the worst feeling but at least it isn’t for forever.

Ashley carefully puts Zoe into her carrier, making sure she’s secure before straightening up again, her eyes catching the last bit of her fiance priming the cart for her. “Thank you,” her tone is quiet but grateful when she responds, taking the Hello Kitty cart from Cash and then taking a hit off it. Once the smoke dissipates she hands it back over, blinking away tears as she goes into her fiance’s arms.

“I’m going to miss you.” Her face presses into his chest then, clinging onto Cash’s larger frame, giving herself into her tears. Ashley doesn’t care that her eyes will be red and swollen as she goes through the airport, feeling too emotional and sad to care. She’s scared for her mom, and scared to leave her fiance behind. But she has no choice, and just allows herself to cling onto him for as long as she can, doing her best to control her tears.

[anterocash]

When Ashley isn’t goo-goo eyed over Kevin she’s not too horrible to converse with, which is good to know if she’s going to be hanging around, Cash doesn’t want to walk around egg shells in his own apartment because Kevin decided to date a shy woman, they don’t have to become best friends but being capable of surviving small is a must. “I don’t, tonight was the first time I’ve ever met them.” He opens his mouth to speak more when someone runs outside and says the cops are on the way which sobers Cash up, time to go. He climbs out of the lawn chair awkwardly and offers Ashley his hand to help her up as everyone around them begins to panic and leave quickly. “I’m not hunting Kevin down, it’s every man for himself now. I’ll snapchat him and tell him we’re heading back to the apartment or I can give you a ride back to your building. The choice is up to you.”

[tokkiash]

The announcement that the cops were on their way made Ashley gasp, alarm written all over her face and she can feel her body trembling a little in fear. She’s never gotten in trouble before, always been a good girl. For once she isn’t thinking about Kevin, more scared for herself as she accepts Cash’s help to get out of her chair. “Okay, that’s fine. Let’s just go, I’ll go back to your apartment. I want to make sure we all get back safely.” 

Ashley makes sure to stick close to Cash then, so nervous and inexperienced when it comes to things like this. She’s never even been to a frat party before, and of course it ends in running from the cops. But she can admit to herself, it is kind of fun, fleeing the scene with Cash like this. It’s thrilling, adrenaline pumping through her veins like this. Ashley feels safe with Cash too, he’s so big and tall that she doesn’t think anyone will mess with them either.

[anterocash]

She looks so pleased, Cash wants to punch himself in the face, fighting the urge to cringe from her giggles. It’s not that big of a deal as she’s making it to be, Kevin likes a lot of girls. A lot of girls on campus like Kevin. The double-dip theory has Cash wondering what’s in Kevin’s head but, if he knew Ashley would start creaming right here in the backyard? Cash would have kept his mouth shut. “Let’s keep this between us, actually – I never said anything about Kevin to you all, deal? and…I wouldn’t say smart.” 

Cash has no tunnel vision, which makes him look like an overachiever; it wasn’t on purpose, and somehow doing a little bit of everything to keep himself entertained intellectually has cultivated the college junior a rather illustrious academic career – in Cash’s mind at least. “More like freakin’ smart. I am a genius.” He’s drunk, so he assumes she will believe him, and he drinks a little bit more; it’s super sweet but not sweet enough to mask the various liquors used in the concoction; it’s still hot going down his throat. ”The idea of monetizing my writing sounds terrifying. I went to a poetry reading thing a few months back? never again, everyone sucked but me. Wanting to teach Korean to high schoolers is…” the absolute dumbest thing Cash has ever heard, “very noble of you, I can see you teaching kindergarten. Do you know those girls who came with us tonight?”

[tokkiash]

“Deal! I promise I won’t say anything at all, it’s between us.” She lets out a small giggle, too pleased with the information she’s received. Ashley won’t tell, there’s no reason to anyway. She’s just really giddy about it.

But thoughts of Kevin disappear the more that Cash speaks, and she’s definitely hanging onto his every word. He’s surprisingly charming and easy to talk to, Ashley can see them forming a friendship. “You are a genius, I agree! But you can’t say never, anything could happen in the future. Monetizing it is a possibility, especially if everyone else just sucks in comparison.”

The question about the girls has Ashley tilting her head, nose scrunching up a little in thought. “No, not really. I’ve seen them around campus, but this was my first time actually meeting and talking to them. Why? You don’t know them either?” Which would be good, she reasons. Because that would mean that Kevin has never brought them around before, unlike her. Easy for him to forget about them.

[anterocash]

“We will FaceTime so we can see you two later tonight, how about that?” Cash has to be strong for them both. Even if he’s not going to be there, he knows Ashley needs a lot of care and relies on him a lot – something he’s taken seriously – hyper independent since a young teen, being a leader like this has never come easy to him.

Cash is used to thinking for himself but now he knows has to think about what’s best for both of them, mainly what’s best for Ashley, she’s her own person but he feels responsible for her to a certain degree – he knows her father feels like she’s Cash’s responsibility, he said it himself to Cash when he asked for his permission to propose. 

Pocketing his phone, Cash checks his watch before looking down at Ashley again, nodding at her question. “Yes, my phone will be on top volume all day, I promise. Your bags are in the car. So, whenever you’re ready, I would like to go.”

Finally in the SUV, Cash drives them to the airport, running into traffic, and he decides not to blow up even if he wants to groan. “I’m going to send you mom some flowers, I think she would like that.” He says, drumming his fingertips against the steering wheel, “If you call Andrew, tell him I said hey.”

[tokkiash]

Ashley has Zoe on her lap as they drive to the airport, a proverbial dark cloud hanging over her head. She doesn’t want to leave, the comfort of her home and her pets, and especially not Cash. But, she’s so worried about her mom that she knows she wouldn’t be able to relax or feel right without going to see and take care of her. It’s a rough situation all around, but she’s trying to keep a brave face. Especially because she knows Zoe can pick up on her moods and she doesn’t want to affect the little Pomeranian.

“I think she would love the flowers, and I’ll be sure to tell Andrew. He asked me to call him, so I’ll do that while I wait for the flight. It shouldn’t take too long, talking to him. I’ll call you right after.” She nods, glancing over at Cash as he drives. Leaving him behind in New York City of all places is hard. There’s too much of his history here, they’ve already ran into people (women) from his past. And it’s not that she doesn’t trust her fiance, because she does, it’s that she doesn’t trust anyone else. 

Ashley is so lost in her head that she barely notices when they arrive, already on the verge of tears and she knows that she won’t be able to hold them back once it’s finally time to say goodbye. 

[anterocash]

Cash watches fondly. Last night was a complete bust at first, but with something shiny and his undivided attention on his fiancée, he hopes he can get back on her good side. Seeing that hot engraving tool in her hands does shoot a twinge of panic through him, thinking of the night before, her fast hand, and he chuckles at the absurdity of it all. Once Ashley has practiced enough, Cash pulls his phone out – recording the final process and removes the chain he accidentally slept in the night before. It’s not long, but not short enough to be considered a choker, medium-ish in width. The padlock is clicked into place, and the metalsmith hands Ashley the key with a smirk, “This key and that man belong to you, now,” before welding the ends together, giving Cash a permanent chain to wear. 

It’s more fun than she thought it would be, getting to use the engraving tool to practice. Ashley takes special care to take note of what works and what doesn’t, she only gets one shot to get the lock perfect. And she’s so focused on doing it perfectly that she blocks out anything else from her mind outside of her task, which is what she needs. Something to help her forget the chaos from the night before.

Her thoughts are still focused on her fiance when she’s done and he’s getting it welded together, her face still flushed from the happiness of the key in her hand and what it symbolizes. “This man really is mine forever…” Ashley lets out a happy giggle, stepping closer to cash once the man is done. She almost forgets that he’s there, honestly, too busy admiring how the new jewelry looks on him, her name (mostly) permanently around his neck. Uncaring of any eyes on them she goes up on her toes, steadying herself with a hand on Cash’s chest as she gives him a soft kiss, trying to put some of her apology into that action. “I really love this,” she says after they break away. “It looks so perfect on you, Cash.”

[tokkiash]

It’s more fun than she thought it would be, getting to use the engraving tool to practice. Ashley takes special care to take note of what works and what doesn’t, she only gets one shot to get the lock perfect. And she’s so focused on doing it perfectly that she blocks out anything else from her mind outside of her task, which is what she needs. Something to help her forget the chaos from the night before.

Her thoughts are still focused on her fiance when she’s done and he’s getting it welded together, her face still flushed from the happiness of the key in her hand and what it symbolizes. “This man really is mine forever…” Ashley lets out a happy giggle, stepping closer to cash once the man is done. She almost forgets that he’s there, honestly, too busy admiring how the new jewelry looks on him, her name (mostly) permanently around his neck. Uncaring of any eyes on them she goes up on her toes, steadying herself with a hand on Cash’s chest as she gives him a soft kiss, trying to put some of her apology into that action. “I really love this,” she says after they break away. “It looks so perfect on you, Cash.”

[anterocash]

Nodding, Cash begins typing in her information after finding a suitable flight, taking a sip of his coffee before picking up his wallet to get his card. Paying for Ashley’s flight, he stands up afterwards and walks over to where she sits, lowering himself to his knees. He wraps his arms around her shoulders to hug her again, sensing her fear and worry. “I’ll keep my phone on loud, I want updates.” Cash is worried about his mother-in-law as well, but he’s staying strong for Ashley, she’s already on edge. Cash doesn’t want to add on top of that, especially since they definitely feed off of each other’s emotions.

After they finish eating, Cash puts Ashley’s bags in the car while she gathers Zoe’s travel bag. At the last minute, he called the airline and made a change. Cash thinks that if Ashley brings Zoe, she won’t fully spiral, and her parents don’t have any pets, so they can also enjoy Zoe’s healing powers as Esther heals. Back inside, Cash hunts Ashley down in the kids’ room, while she’s trying to get things situated, Molly and Shibz are trying to figure out if they’re also going somewhere, and Cash decides to help. “I’m going to call Ryuhwan to come get these two because I’m going to set today.”

[tokkiash]

The hug that Cash gave her at the table helped calm her emotions, still worried about everything but it made things easier. And it was made even better when he told her that she would be taking Zoe along. She loves all of their pets, but she and Zoe had a special connection. Her separation from Cash would hopefully be made easier with Zoe along.

She’s just zipping up the last of Zoe’s favorite toys into her travel bag when Cash joins her, and she smiles a little from her spot on the floor. “Okay, I think that’s a good idea. I’m trying to spend time with them as much as I can right now, but I’m worried. They’ll miss me and Zoe.” Ashley tries to ignore how she feels about Cash going to set without her, but she isn’t quite managing it. Instead she turns her attention to Molly and Shibz, petting each one and trying to cuddle them while she can.

“Your phone is gonna be totally loud, right? I know we can’t talk but I’m hoping to be able to text during the flight.” She knows her tone is obviously worried, it’s unfortunate but she’s never been good at hiding her emotions. Especially big ones like she's experiencing right now. “And I’m definitely going to call you before I board and after I land. I just don’t want you to miss my call because you didn’t hear it…”

[anterocash]

He shouldn't have planted the seed in Ashley's mind. Cash doesn't even know if he's correct about this, but he's crossfaded, and if they don't work out, it won't be Cash's fault. "Kevin doesn't usually bring the same girl around twice – double-dipping, some would say... I think he likes you, Ashley.” Cash feels like he’s telling the truth; he doesn’t benefit from lying to Ashley. Cash also can’t think of any other reason why Kevin brought her with them to the party other than for a discount, because there are plenty of girls on campus who would have agreed to come. So, clearly, this has to mean something. “I’m a double major, history and sociology, with a minor in English – I enjoy writing, but I can most likely get a research job to keep the bills paid and write for fun. What about you?”

[tokkiash]

She listens closely as Cash speaks, hanging onto his every word with what he has to say about Kevin. He likes me? Never the same girl more than once? It takes everything in Ashley not to squeal at the news, and she has to duck her head to hide her smile. Whatever she’s been doing, it’s working. It makes her want to get up and do cartwheels on the deck, but she restrains herself. She settles for letting out a stream of happy little giggles instead. “That’s good to hear, soooo good. Thank you for telling me this, Cash.”

Ashley looks up at him, a bright and genuine smile on her lips. “History, Sociology, and English? Wow, that’s so much. You must be really smart! I’m sure you can totally succeed as a writer. Whether it’s as research or a New York Times bestseller. Don’t forget about me when your books are becoming movies!” She laughs at her joke, though she’s totally honest with her words. Cash seemed smart. She hadn’t met anyone on campus yet that was pursuing three different areas of study with such a clear career goal in mind.

“As for me, well, I’m studying to be a teacher. Just general though, like an elementary school level. Originally I wanted to teach Korean at a high school level you know? But the classes for ‘higher education’ like that were a little hard for me… so I chose elementary instead!”

[kimsuyeon]

Nayeon Regardless : Live it!