Poppy x Ashley [Best friends to lovers]

*In the truth or dare challenge, @avimoon dared me to write a fic shipping two of my characters who aren’t supposed to be together in the mindset of a fan of my work. These characters are from my “Poppy McLain” stories. Canonically, Poppy and Derek are together, Chloe is the villainous ex, and Ashley is Poppy’s good friend who has no interest in romance. This story takes place during the third part of this series and it’s not canon to my lore. You can find this and the actual canon series under my folder titled “Adventures of Poppy and others”. Gacha Club character designs are under my forum titled “My character designs<33”. Enjoy!*

“Poppy, being trapped in this facility made me realize that…I actually don’t love you. I suppose I was just trying to fill the gap in my dead heart, but the truth is that I have always loved Chloe. I was just too stupid to realize it.” Derek said.

Poppy’s jaw dropped. She was absolutely flabbergasted and appalled. The vampire boy she had fallen in love with, the boy she had run away with, the boy she was trapped in a prison for the supernatural with…didn’t love her? He just…didn’t love her anymore?! What?! Why?!

She couldn’t speak, for the prison gave her a poison to mess up her voice, since she was a siren, but she didn’t even feel the need to use her mind to talk. Why, she had no words for what Derek just said! No words!

“Don’t take it personally, Poppy. You just don’t-“

“Do not finish that sentence! Poppy doesn’t need to hear any of that. You know what you just did? You threw away a sweet, caring girl who would literally bend over backwards for you in favor of…Chloe. Chloe’s one personality trait is obsessing over you. She acts like you and her were destined to be together and you don’t find that one bit pitiful? For goodness’ sake, Derek, she turned you into a vampire so that you could be together! And by choosing her, you’re in for a world of chaos! She’s not even that good of a witch, if you ask me.” Ashley snapped, crossing her arms.

Poppy’s eyes widened. Sure, Ashley was her close friend and her only friend who was the same age as Derek and Chloe, since she was an immortal witch who lived during their time, but she didn’t expect Ashley to defend her like that.

Just like she didn’t expect Ashley to run away with her and Derek, even though she could have stayed at home and been left to her own devices.

Ashley turned her cocoa-brown eyes towards Poppy, a smile on her face.

“Anybody leaving you would be crazy. I love you, Poppy. I always have.” Ashley said, her eyes seeming to sparkle with joy.

Poppy looked at Ashley, then looked back at Derek, then back at Ashley. Of course! Why hadn’t she seen it before? Ashley knew her better than Derek ever would! Ashley was someone who would always care about her, no matter what! It was clear! Plain as day!

That was why Poppy didn’t bother trying to save Derek from Ashley’s spell that twisted and turned his veins until he lay on the ground, dead. That was why when Ashley found a way to break out of the prison with her magic, she let herself be carried off in Ashley’s arms, towards freedom.

That was why Poppy kissed Ashley, for Ashley was the one person who would love her like she was meant to be loved, the one person who would do what she could to protect her.

Ashley was perfect.