The Rocker and the Mechanic - Chapter 8

Rated: T

Solace

Chapter Summary: Ash finds Johnny's comforting presence hard to ignore.

The atmosphere filling the garage was almost…decent.

Tenseness had dissipated long ago followed by the new information she gained about him (although received by rather embarrassing questions) was floating around aimlessly in her head and forcefully pulling the barest hint of a smirk on her lips.

It was calm and quiet since both of them last spoke; a very comfortable silence where there was hardly any sounds marring or breaking it up aside from the clinks and scuffling as Johnny worked and occasionally moved about the garage. Replacing parts and seemingly finding the issue and steadily working toward its completion - only negative part was - she wasn't sure exactly how long it would take.

The gorilla been working on it off and on for more than an hour and it seemed as if there wasn't an end in sight. And it wasn't as if she could tell by watching - she had no idea what the hell he was even doing, much less deciphering how long it would take.

Ash, sorely tempted to ask how long he anticipated until completion, squished down the idea; curiosity heavy on her motionless tongue. It wasn't as if she had anywhere to go - or rather even wanted to go out in this torrential downpour. Constant pound of heavy droplets cascading effortlessly onto the windowpanes and the roof the building.

Yeah.

Not crazy about heading back into that mess anyway.

Aside from the promise of a thorough soaking and freezing her to the bone, another bad side effect of the rain was it was causing in the realization of her crystal blue eyes and the fact they began to stray and blur.

The sounds of Johnny's quiet workmanship and the soft pattering of the rain was too relaxing.

Rain tended to have that effect on her and it was clearly apparent in the heaviness she kept wiping at with her small paws as Johnny continually toiled away for what may have been minutes or days; she really couldn't tell you. Trying fruitlessly to abolish the feeling by polishing off her second cup of coffee. The lukewarm liquid filled her belly yet the normal jolt of caffeine seemed to be having little to no effect. She questioned if it was decaf but with the gusto Johnny seemed to be working on her motorcycle, she decided against it - that or he was naturally energetic like some kind of freakish enigma.

Probably the latter.

Ash didn't even notice her own waning energy; sleep pulling at her system for this was probably (definitely) the most comfortable she'd been in a long time. Another thing she blamed Lance for - incurable insomnia and having trouble finding slight rest had been difficult these past few months since their tumultuous break-up and damn, it was showing.

Much as she tried to hide the tiredness, it must have been obvious on her face and in her slouched posture of leaning against one of his tool cabinets was when his voice flooded the once-quiet garage.

"Hey, um, if yer tired, ya can crash on the couch if ya want," Johnny offered, motioning over to the next room. "It shouldn't be too much longer til I get your bike up 'n runnin', so feel free ta squeeze in a little kip."

Ash flinched at the voice from where she nearly nodded off in the empty cup still cradled in her paws; embarrassingly only catching the latter half of his outburst.

"A what now? …the fuck's a kip?" she grumbled, admittedly more pissy than usual - she blamed her lack of sleep.

"Oh, uh, rest, nap - sorry." he chuckled warmly with the barest hints of pink adorning his cheekbones and her stomach churned slightly at the sight and sound. "Ya can take a man out of Britain but ya can't take the Britain outta the man."

Ignoring the fact she had yet to respond, she stilled in the moment to take a glance where he had motioned before. The room was dark but she could see the flashes of light coming from the television and a large couch covered in a blanket. Was that where he was sleeping when she woke him up?

Aside from her mind screaming at her what a horrible idea it was, Ash had to admit that it looked damned comfortable…

Fuck, how many days had she not slept now? It was too damn many to count, that's what. Hence why she was even considering such a suspicious offer in the first place. Yes, she was very well aware that perhaps he was simply being kind but to let her guard down and fall asleep in some strangers house - that stranger being a massive gorilla when she was a petite porcupine?

As much as he screamed 'gentle-giant', it still didn't qualm the fluttering of her heart and quieting the many horrid possibilities of what could happen if she put her guard down for even a second.

"Uh, I probably better not." she muttered into her empty cup.

Johnny shrugged casually while flashing her a small smile, "It's up to you - just thought ya looked quite tuckered out and thought I'd offer. You're still free to change yer mind."

Immediately, he went back to work and Ash bit her lip and glanced back to the couch.

Try as she might, the heaviness of her eyelids could scarcely be ignored.

Quietly putting down her coffee cup on the nearby kitchen counter, Ash squared her shoulders and began wandering around the space trying her damnedest to keep her mind working and awake but during her fifth lap around the spacious garage and his kitchen, it was apparent it was not helping.

If anything, it only made it worse.

'Fuck!' she cursed inwardly as she wiped her tiny paws over her eyes; further smudging her carefully applied eyeshadow and eyeliner but at this point, she didn't care.

Without really realizing it, she found her feet carrying her to the room over - the darkened room beckoned. Upon closer inspection, the couch was a worn black mesh cloth couch covered by a plush green blanket and down pillows spread over it's well-used cushions. It looked like one of those couches you'd just sink in and never want to get out of.

In a brief slip of judgement, Ash found herself climbing atop its cushions.

Sinking into the incredibly soft and well-worn cushions; the plushness under her ass felt much too wonderful to be normal but she chalked it up to her sheer exhaustion. Ash took a deep breath and realized in brief horror and excitement that the blanket she just pulled over her lap smelt like him - the barest hints of cologne and a fresh body wash.

Ash bit back the desire to bury her nose in it for dammit, she was more used to Lance's blankets always having a small of spilt food or alcohol in it's fibers, this was a decent change even if it was only for a moment.

That's what she told herself as she gently leaned back into the cushions and stared at the television positioned past the couch and coffee table.

Ash sternly told herself that she was only allowing herself to watch a few brief minutes of some mindless television and relax as he finished his work. If only to forget about the horrible turn her life took as well as get off her sore feet for a bit.

That's it.

Yet, as a precaution, she slipped her knife out of her leather jacket pocket and cradled it protectively close to her chest just in case the gorilla in the adjoining room threatened to try something. Her back was also covered in quills so at least if the worst happened, it would buy her some time regardless.

It was almost laughable to her at this point to think of him trying anything so perhaps that's why she found herself sinking further into the unbelievably soft cushions. Bright lights from the television and the program on lured her to halfheartedly watch and while she was determined stay awake and watch it, her eyes fluttered closed anyway and before she was aware of what happened - she had fallen asleep.