4 Town x Reader Imagines

"Leave Me With Some Kind Of Proof It's Not A Dream" - Jesse x Reader

"I know you're leaving in the morning, when you wake up, leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream." - 'The Only Exception', Paramore.

"Go back to sleep, honey, go to sleep..."

Jesse oh so softly stroked the top of your head, which lay restlessly upon your plush pillow. He'd usually be by your side, under the covers with his arms laced around your form. Not tonight, though.

He hated this. 'This' being the responsibilities that dragged him away from you. It was his first 4 Town tour as a taken man, and he hated that it was taking him away from you.

Perched on the side of your shared bed, he willed you to settle back into your slumber. You'd only stirred, but with the knowledge that you were dreading this as much as him, he wouldn't be surprised if you awoke.

The silent stillness of the room was punctuated by soothing 'shushes' from Jesse, tumbling from his lips almost desperately. Thankfully, your wriggling ceased, and you settled back down.

Gazing down at your face, blissfully unaware of his departure in its slumber, he sighed. Bringing his hand to rest upon your shoulder delicately, he had to fight back the tears welling in his vivid blue eyes.

The tour was to be 4 Town's biggest to date, almost a year long. He wasn't ready to be away from you, not prepared for the eventual consequences that might unfurl from his absence. He trusted you beyond belief, but he was worried how such a separation would be for you both.

He had to look away as that thought crept back into his mind, pressing the base of his palm against his tear-stricken eyes. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't get the memory of last night out of his head.

Your eyes has been glossy, knowing that it was to be the last night of normality for months. He'd pulled you into him, cradling you carefully while easing all your worries one by one. But still there was a heaviness that hung in the air as you spoke;

"I know you're leaving in the morning, but... when you wake up... leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream..."

As you had shakily whispered the words to his favourite song, he had gripped you tighter. Resigning himself to his sorrows, he'd sobbed into your shoulder, reassuring you that his time with you was better than a dream.

And ever since, he hadn't slept. After carrying you to bed, he'd stayed awake, letting your words drift in his inner ear. How could he reassure you? That he'd be back, as though he'd never left.

In his sleep-deprived state, he'd got an idea. Taking his 4 Town ring off of his pinky and attaching it to the delicate gold chain hung around his neck, he'd placed it on the nightstand. It lay there now, glimmering under the moonlight seeping into the room.

He gazed at it, hoping you would understand. He could have sat there for eternity, until a soft buzz from his cell stole his attention.

Thankful the interruption didn't wake you, he eyed the device with dread. He saw a text from Robaire: 'Car's here, Z's on his way up.'

The boys had known the impact that leaving you would have on Jesse. He didn't realise they'd been receptive enough to his feelings to proactively plan an intervention, though.

Hearing the click of his apartment door, courtesy of the spare key he'd given Z, he teared up again. All he wanted was to stay by your side in that dreamlike world you'd created for him. Alas, the soft knock at the door told him it wasn't meant to be.

"Jess? You ready?"

Jesse was thankful that Z remained behind the door. He needed a moment to collect himself, to say goodbye to you properly. Grazing his lips against your temple with care, a few of his tears fell onto your skin as he pulled away. Through blurred vision, not to mention the dim light from the night, he stole one more glance of your sleeping form.

"Jess, we really gotta go..."

Z apologetically poked his head around the door, and Jesse wiped his eyes.

"O-okay..."

Shakily getting to his feet, he looked at you longingly once more before slinging his bag on his back and covering his watery eyes. Z clapped him on the back supportively, leading him out of the apartment.

"You'll see them soon." Z broke out of his emotional awkwardness, pained to see his friend upset. Jesse appreciated it, especially when Z added, "You guys are strong, you'll make this."

Nodding as though the motion would make Z's words come true, Jesse sighed, "Yeah, we will."