Chapter Text
Ashley rolled over in bed and groaned as light shone in from the window, interrupting his sleep, shielding his eyes as he opened them. Squinting as he looked at the other side of the bed, empty, again. Ashley sighed pushing himself up and rubbing his face, throwing the blankets off and slowly making his way to the kitchen in the apartment, finger combing his hair in an attempt to detangle it before his morning shower.
He sighed when he saw Andy fast asleep in the love seat of the living room, lyric journal in his lap, he was probably woken up by an idea and had to continue it. He chuckled lightly when he heard soft snores coming from the younger man. His head propped up by his hand as he slept. Slowly making his way to the chair Ashley couldn't help but take in the adorable sight of his boyfriend sleeping in such a cute position.
“Andy?” He prodded gently, lightly tapping Andy’s shoulder, only getting mumbling in response.
“Baby it’s nearly 8, we gotta head down to the studio soon.” Ashley laughed, leaning in and placing a kiss on Andy’s forehead.
“5 more minutes Ash.” Andy mumbled eyes blinking open tiredly as he yawned.
“How late were you up?” Ashely questioned.
“Till 3 I think, an idea hit me and it kinda just continued.” Andy yawned again.
“Can I see?” Ashley questioned eyeing the lyric notebook in Andy’s hand.
“Sure.” Andy nodded getting up and stretching out his back. “I’m gonna go have a shower to wake myself up.” He told Ashley who nodded in response as he scanned over Andy’s hand scrawled lyrics, written so fast in frenzied thought that it was nearly illegible, nearly.
Tear down the cross
Splinters and shards remembered
This Trojan horse
Rode to the land we enter
We'll burn away
And free and fallen brothers
From shackles made of steel
And bones of soldiers
Ashley grinned, this was already turning out great, defiantly fit the story they were going for on the album. He set the notebook down and went to grab his coffee, putting one on for Andy as well because he boyfriend was the complete opposite of a morning person when they were on break
“You made coffee?” Andy’s sleepy voice broke his train of thought, he couldn't help but smile at how adorable Andy sounded in the morning.
“I made mine, yours is still brewing pumpkin spice boy.” Ashley smiled bringing the mug to his lip with a smirk.
“Hey, it’s good.” Andy protested with a frown.
“I’m kidding Andy.” Ashley laughed, “it’s adorable.”
“Damn right I’m fucking adorable.” Andy mumbled as he walked by Ashley grabbing his mug of coffee which had just finished, grabbing the cream and sugar to make it just how he liked it.
“I’m gonna go grab a shower, by the way, love the new song. Just like I love you.” Ashley smiled lightly.
“I love you too babe.” Andy smiled leaning in, Ashley meeting him halfway as their lips connected in a soft sleepy kiss. Ashley pulled away with a smile, pecking Andy’s forehead before walking off to have his shower and get changed out of his pj pants.
“Damn, you could've joined me for mine.” Andy laughed as Ashley walked off.
“We would've been even later if that happened baby.” Ashley turned around and winked at Andy, biting his lip lightly. He turned around and laughed when he heard the small growl from the back of Andy’s throat, knowing Andy’s crystal blue eyes were trained on him as he walked off to their bedroom.
Ashley was deep in thought, biting the tip of his pen, staring at the sheet of paper Andy had given to him, they were working hard on this new album. The were rapidly gaining new fans and they were expecting something for the band soon. This album was the biggest thing they’ve ever attempted, he loved it but of course it caused stress at times. Everyone had conflicting opinions or different ideas on how the song or lyrics should go. Of course Andy wrote a majority of the lyrics but they ended up working together on the lyrics with the other guys inputs in the end.
They were all exhausted, almost wrapped up with recording and half the songs were already mixed and basically ready for release. The sound of the door opening caused Ashley to look up in curiosity, an extremely exhausted looking Jinxx walking in with his bag over his shoulder.
“Dude, you look like death.” Ashley commented on the guitarists appearance. “What the hell happened to you?”
“I think I’ve pulled 4 all nighters in a row getting the violin stuff done. I have all the voice over tracks done, just piecing together Overture now, and waiting for a few other final mixes to make sure it’s perfect.” Jinxx smiled tiredly.
“Andy’s doing some recording now, how about you have a nap, you look like you could drop at any moment.” Ashley suggest, pointing to the spot next to him on the couch.
“Sounds like a great idea Ashley.” Jinxx smiled, setting his bag down and walking over, grabbing a small pillow that Ashley had tossed off the couch when he stretched out on it. Ashley pulled his legs off the couch and leaned up again the other arm giving Jinxx space to lay down and curl up for a nap.
“I’m doing this for your mental health dude, I don't want to see you after 5 all nighters, you give off serious serial killer vibes sometimes.” Ashley laughed.
“That’s the goal dude.” Jinxx smiled tiredly before laying down and closing his eyes, he was out almost immediately.
Ashley turned back to the pad of paper, reading it over once again. Singing silently to himself so he could feel the melody of the song and how the lyrics carried, he smiled lightly. He had done all he could to improve the song. He’d show Andy and the rest of the guys later. They were already pretty much done for the day. Jinxx had come in to go over some guitar stuff with Jake but after that they’d be finished.
“Hey babe.” Ashley was immediately drawn from his thoughts by Andy’s voice, looking up he smiled and then pointed at Jinxx.
“He’s napping, looked like death when he came in.” He said in a whisper and Andy nodded in understanding, walking over and pecking Ashley softly on the lips.
“You go over it?” Andy questioned seeing the pad of paper in Ashley’s hands.
“Yeah, a few minor tweaks but it’s good babe.” Ashley smiled, shifting so Andy could sit in his lap. The two eventually ended up in their usual position, Andy leaning against Ashley’s chest with his legs over Ashley’s lap, Ashley’s arms hung loosely around Andy’s waist as he face was buried in the side of Andy’s head as they went over the lyrics, softly whispering to each other.
“I love you Andy.” Ashley whispered softly, pressing a kiss into the side of his head.
“Love you too Ash.” Andy smiled turning so he could peck Ashley’s forehead before the two of them went back to working on songs.
Ashley turned the key in the apartment door, pushing it open and walking in, tossing his jacket on the couch and keys in the small bowl on the kitchen island, kicking the door shut as he went to make dinner. Andy had stopped to grab their mail and would be up in 5 minutes, but they were both starving and Ashley had been craving pasta for a week.
He set to work getting out the pot and filling it with water, seeing it to boil before going to pick out a wine for Andy and himself, it had been such a stressful week with recording and working on press stuff that they really needed a night just to relax.
If he had it his way, they’d end the night with Andy so blissed out he’d forget everything in the world but Ashley’s name. Something he knew Andy would be totally up for after a good dinner and a relaxing shower, possibly together.
“Hey babe?” Ashley jumped, he was so deep in thought he didn't hear Andy walk in, it must just be one of those days.
“Yeah love?” Ashley questioned, turning around to face Andy who was staring at the mail in confusion, “What’s up?” He questioned.
“This letter, anything you want to tell me?” Andy questioned with a raised eyebrow handing Ashley a letter. Ashley stared at him in confusion before taking the letter, looking down at it and freezing. The envelope was pristine white, was more solid than the average envelope and had a gold crest at the centre of the top flap. He gulped as he turned it over and read the return address
Queen Veronica Purdy
1 Royal Palace Way
Kingdom of Fairmere
This couldn't be happening, why was she contacting him now of all times, why did Andy have to get the mail, why didn't she call him instead? He did give her his phone number and address. No doubt this is what Andy was questioning him about. About the secret he buried when he moved for the States and intended to keep it to his grave. His panic increased when he read who the letter was addressed to,
His Highness, Prince Andrew Purdy