Work Text:
Ashlyn wiped her hands on her hoodie, trying to get rid of any moisture that had built up since she got there. The car drive was tense, the music on the radio barely doing anything to lighten the mood, not even when her dad’s favorite song played on the radio. She couldn’t even believe she had brought herself to ask her dad to drive her back, to see Tyler again even though it hasn’t even been a day since she last saw him.
Which was last night but she had some things she wanted to say, which was rare as she usually kept silent but for some reason, she needed to talk to Tyler.
And she needed to make sure he was okay.
Once they had finally arrived, Ashlyn couldn’t wait, practically jumping out of the Jeep and if her dad noticed something, he didn’t say anything. She had spilled everything to him the night before, of course he understood that she would be worried, even though she stated they weren’t friends and only hung out due to their circumstances.
The receptionist put the visitor tag on her and she was finally free to go. She remembered the path she took last night, how she had rushed to the hospital room when Aiden said Tyler woke up via phone call. She took quick steps, rushing to the room and when she saw the door halfway open, she took a deep breath before pushing it open.
“Tyler?” How she begged he didn’t hear her voice crack or noticed how squeaky her voice was as she called out to him. Oh how she begged he didn’t hear the desperation.
“Ashlyn…?”
Ashlyn let out a soft breath, trying hard not to let the nerves show on her face as she walked over to his bed. She tried hard to keep her voice steady, to make herself look as expressionless as possible but she knew she failed to do so when she spoke again.
Her fists clenched by her side, shaking as her knuckles turned white. The lump in her throat wouldn’t go away, no matter how many times she swallowed. “I…” Her voice was shaky and there was no point in hiding it anymore.
“I’m sorry.” She had already said those words last night, he had already assured her, but this gut-wrenching feeling wouldn’t go away and her need to see him wouldn’t either. “I know I already apologized but I… can’t help but feel like it’s my fault.” She admitted, her gaze down casted, so much for an apology. Did she even sound sincere? She just had to hope so.
Tyler didn’t speak for a while, the silence uncomfortable and just making her feel even worse than she did that morning when she woke her dad up.
“It’s not.” Tyler finally said, his voice low, and she looked up to see he was looking away. His eyes focused on the white sheets that covered his lower half, his hand visibly gripping the sheets. “It’s not your fault. You don’t need to say sorry, there’s nothing you have to apologize for.”
Then why did it feel like it?
She swallowed hard, her throat feeling dry all of a sudden but she had drank water that morning. She looked away, her stomach feeling like it was eating itself as her heart thumped hard against her ribcage at a rapid pace. Almost like it was trying to break free from her chest.
“Taylor was telling me to stop,” She finally said, her voice strained and broken as she clenched her jaw, biting back tears. “I didn’t listen when I could’ve stopped to get you.” Her words sounded more tearful with every second that passed by and it was getting harder to stop herself from breaking down. “And I should’ve stopped and turn back once we noticed how deserted it looked and I should’ve-”
“Ashlyn.” Tyler interrupted her and he reached out to take her shaky hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong. I also said yes, I also said we should go out and I’m glad you didn’t stop to get me because it means I get to see you here instead of a hospital bed next door.”
Ashlyn bit her tongue, trying not to cry but her vision was already getting blurry with her tears. His words made her feel heart feel lighter, the lump in her throat a bit smaller. Even if his tone seemed to have barely grown softer, it felt comforting and made her overwhelming feelings feel less overwhelming.
“I’m sorry.” She choked out again, her voice shaky.
“Not your fault.” He reassured her once more, his tone a bit softer than earlier.