Something to Call My Own (tag: Ellen)

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen couldn’t help but scoff and roll her eyes as Ash presented her theory why exactly she tolerated some of the things that Ash did, urg, she would get that kind of idea. That’s typical of Ash utterly typical of her “Like I haven’t heard that before….” She muttered to herself looking at Ash, trying to keep the smile off her face , with all of her might, that was often the effect that Ash had on her, everytime her eyes just lit up and she hit that smile…..She wished she didn’t do that so often, she must have known the effect it had on her too

...And People thought SHE was manipulative….

Eventually she did begin to soften just a little, finding the touch of her hand more than a little so soothing even though she wished she didn’t keep thanking her so often. Especially considering that Ellen really has done nothing on the grand scheme of things, Ellen slowly let herself be pulled into the hug, enjoying the peace and soft warmth of Ash, a soft sigh escaping her lips just enjoying the moment her arms nervously settled on her back but before she knew it she had pulled away from her and before she knew it she went running.

Already that cat was trouble…..

Ellen gently followed behind her eyes frowning in curiosity before appraising the situation from afar with a raised eyebrow,Wondering about Ash’s reaction….what exactly was so funny? Was there was a joke she was missing or something…..”If she ruins my curtains she’s going…” Ellen started, but a strange impulse to laugh over came her but to hold her hand against her mouth

[Ashley Benson]

Ashley peered up to Ellen, her bright, azure eyes gleaming brightly. A certain calm had settled over the apartment that even when the two of them were alone was rarity. Ashley was, by her very nature, high strung and awkwardly quiet. She carried the burden of someone who never knew when the world around her would begin to shift and change into some horrific amalgamation of her darkest fears and most dreadful memories. That fear was a constant, nagging sensation in the back of her mind and it permeated everything she did. This evening, though, as she scooted closer to Ellen and reached for her hand there was none of the apprehension and dread to be found in her gaze.

"You've been gone all day." Ashley said with a faint whine coming to her voice. She tugged on Ellen's hand, attempting to pull her down to the floor with her. "Sit with me before I have to start dinner." She tugged again, perhaps harder than she'd intended. "Please?"

[Ellen Banks]

Really, Ellen had intended to spend long talking to Ash, this type of thing tended to distract Ellen from completing that oh so vital list of things she needed to do before she could fully relax, Ash seemed to have that effect on her, slowly tempting her with her siren song and trying to take her away with the faeries as she seemed to do, so the original intention was for her to say hello then retreat in her office and complete all the things that she needed to do for the day

But, of course with Ash involved that was easier said then do….

Ellen’s felt her arm slowly being tugged downwards while she did her best impression of a puppy,gently weighing her down, and Ellen of course was already shaking her head seemingly oblivious to the fact that her knees were slowly melting from under her. “Ash you know I have to work I can’t really stay and…...but once she heard the little whine came out of her voice, Ellen’s body had to stiffen for a little letting her words just trail off and after a moment and a soft cough gingerly lowers herself on the ground clearly not used to the positioning

Would it be weird to ask for a towel to sit on?

[Ashley Benson]

It sometimes felt as though Ellen was really the only one of the duo who had much going on outside of their strange, understated relationship. Ashley certainly didn't busy herself with anything all that important while left to her own devices. She had school and the errands she ran for the apartment and that was largely it. Ellen had the real bulk of the work while Ashley often considered herself along for the ride. That made the quiet moments together like these all the more important. Ashley saw the way Ellen could easily lose herself in her own mind, what with seemingly the weight of the world on her shoulders, but Ashley also noticed the way all those worries and bothersome annoyances melted away when lured into these out of character yet comfortingly normal times.

"What were you doing while you were at work all day?" Ashley countered. Yes, she understood Ellen was busy and that it required bringing much of her profession home with her but she reasoned, surely Ellen had done something over the long hours of the day. Or at least enough to warrant a few moments to unwind once she'd gotten home. Nevertheless the continued protest did cause a faintly visible wince to flash across Ashley's features. She glanced away from just a moment in an effort to keep her disappointment and hurt from showing. That Ellen always seemed so reluctant to do anything other than work or discuss the events of the day in such a sterile, boring manner. Ashley had hoped after three years she'd at least allow herself to enjoy the rare moments they were able to spend together.

"You know it's okay to let yourself be happy, right?" Ashley asked, her voice soft as she turned her eyes back to Ellen. The vivid, azure pools shone brightly as Ellen moved to sit beside her. "You don't have to be so tense." Ashley gave Ellen a little nudge with her shoulder before shifting just enough so she could lean affectionately against the other woman. "Especially now." Ashley's head slowly lowered to rest upon Ellen's shoulders. She watched as Mia bounded around the living room, exploring and getting used to her new surroundings. A thin smile came to Ashley's lips. "It's just us. And everything's okay."

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen’s head sometime felt a great massive machine that was constantly pounding and working and clicking all day every day, every moment of every day almost always threatening to overheat her with stress with impossible amount of things she felt like she had to contend it everyday. but at the same time, the idea of turning off that machine was...It was just ludicrous to her…

She might have even have forgotten how to shut it off and relax….

“Well, considering my business partner has been dragged to the insane asylum -Remember? It was the same day we opened that bottle of champagne?- I’ve had to pick up HER half of the work, which I might add she never did much work to begin with and agg!” She sighed to herself trying to relieve tension in her temples “People are idiots”. She said with a quiet form of certainty

Ellen’s body seemed to sag momentarily tension leaving her body, which was often the case when she felt the soft pressure of Ash press against her she could just turn her head slightly and just observe her, the shape of her face, the redness of her lips, the glittering eyes.

With a sigh she ruefully shook her head “Right..Right, Sorry. You know me, I can never really...turn it off”

[Ashley Benson]

Ashley listened to Ellen as she lamented her troubles. A subtle frown touched Ashley's lips as she did so. Slowly she reached over while Ellen spoke and took hold of one of her hands, fingers lacing together. Ashley always listened. She was never too busy or distracted to lend a quietly introspective ear for Ellen. She knew she was one of the few emotional outlets Ellen had and it was a role Ashley took seriously. "Shhhh." Once Ellen had finished her rant, Ashley hushed her softly, her thumb running gently across Ellen's hand.

Ashley's head tilted to catch Ellen's gaze and she couldn't help but return the look with an almost shy, sheepish smile on her face. She couldn't hold Ellen's gaze for long before she had to lower her eyes. There was always something about the way Ellen looked at her that caused a flush of heat to rise to her cheeks. "It's okay." Ashley said softly, smiling as she gave Ellen a little nudge with her shoulder. She did so love the rare moment when Ellen let herself be drawn in close. "I know you've got a lot going." She smiled again even though she wasn't looking at Ellen. "But everything's okay now, right?" She asked, turning her eyes over to Ellen once more.

[Ellen Banks]

It was somewhat scary that Ash could have such a strong effect on her, in just a few moments Ellen was annoyed, very damn annoyed and as anyone who had ever really had an extended conversation with Ellen knows she’ll be annoyed for quite some time, Ellen being who she is she can stay in a bad mode for hours on end

but the moment Ellen felt Ash’s hand on hers, her body language instantly relaxed and the frown on her face just seemed to melted away almost instantly, it was as simple as flickering a switch in Ellen’s brain…..

And naturally when Ash looked at her, Ellen’s eyes instantly locked on Ash’s gaze willing to take any chance she could get to gaze in her eyes, like a parrot utterly mesmerized by his own reflection, she couldn’t help but feel a small sense of disappointment when she looked away

She had a feeling that at the same time Ash was talking to herself when she insisted that everything was really alright, considering all that she’s been through, is it any wonder if that was the case. Ellen almost instinctively seemed to be scooting nearer to Ash until they were right beside each other “...Do you?”

[Ashley Benson]

There was no hiding the sense of comfort that washed over Ashley as she felt Ellen slyly scooting closer. Once the blonde had drawn nearer, Ashley leaned into her, even going so far as to rest her head against Ellen's shoulder. It was a painfully simple moment. The two of them sitting in quiet contemplation as the small, fluffy kitten trotted around the living room, exploring her new surroundings. Ashley felt the tiny hairs on the back of her neck stand on end and a warm chill run along her spine. It had been years and being so close to Ellen still brought out that rush of warmth.

Ashley didn't move when Ellen presented the simple sounding question. On the surface it didn't seem much but Ashley knew better. It wasn't as if both of them weren't startlingly aware of the game they played. They understood the facade of normalcy they put up only belied the turmoil and uncertainty residing just beneath the surface. And yet over the years Ashley had gained a certain sense of optimism that could only be attributed to finding someone who understood her faults on so many levels and still insisted on remaining by her side. Ashley smiled again, not pulling her head from Ellen's shoulder even as she gave a gentle nod.

"Everything's going to be alright."