You can't sleep. The nightmares keep playing through your head. The look in his eyes, the venom in his voice, the sting of his hand against your skin, the feel of hitting the floor. It was a mistake, you knew he didn't mean it. He was overly drunk that one night and work had been stressful. You should have just let him be. You look across the room to the bed where his sleeping body lays. He's tried apologizing. He's been doing nothing but loving you since. You know he loves you. You honestly already forgave him. The only issue is forgetting is much harder. You still love him, you're just scared. Scared that it will happen again, even though he promised it wouldn't. Promises are meant to be broken right. They break to pieces like you are lately. Honestly, you just need time. Time and maybe a little space. But that's another thing he doesn't know. He doesn't know you're awake while he sleeps. He doesn't know that you're broken inside. He doesn't know anything that has happened to you since that night. You silently get up and begin packing your bags. A little time away will do you some good. You'll go stay with your best friend (Y/BFF/N) until you think you're ready to come home. You write a note to leave for him.
Dear Ashton,
I love you. I want you to know that. Just like I know you love me. I know you never meant to hurt me, it was a mistake. I forgive you. The thing is forgetting is a harder fight. And in this house, I just can't get it out of my mind. I'm scared still and I'm breaking piece by piece. I need time to heal. Please know this is not for good, I just need a little more time. I'll be home when I'm okay again. I love you.
Love, (Y/N)
You place it next to him on the bedside table and sneak out of the room to begin walking toward your friend's house.
(Ashton's POV)
I hear the bedroom door faintly shut making me open my eyes. I look around the room. Where's (Y/N)? The bathroom light isn't on. I get up to go check downstairs when I see a note on the table. I pick it up, quickly reading it. Fuck. No, no, no, no. She can't leave. I love her. I need her. I know she's broken. I've been trying to make it better piece by piece. She thinks I don't know about her being awake but I do. I run down the stairs and out the door. I look down the street and see her a distance away. "(Y/N)!" I yell. I start running full speed towards her. I run in front of her and hold her face in my hands. "I know. I know you think I don't but I do. I'll wait! I love you so fucking much! You don't have to be afraid. I feel horrible. I do. I lay awake with the guilt eating me alive. It hurts knowing that I hurt you. Just trust me. Please! I promise you that don't have to be scared. I promise, I won't make any mistake similar to that ever again! Just stay with me please!" I beg her, as I try to keep her as close as possible. She slightly shakes her head, causing my heart to shatter. "I need time Ash. I need out. I can't stand being in that house. I hate knowing what happened there. I've already forgiven you but I can't forget in that house. I keep seeing it in my sleep. I feel it every time I close my eyes. I can't forget it. I need to forget it Ash. I need to forget it happened to be okay again. I love you, always. And I promise I'll come home to you. I just need time, please!" She looks at me with tears in her eyes. I nod silently as I pull her close. "At least let me drive you." I whisper. She nods as we walk back to the car. We get in as I slowly drive to (Y/BFF/N)'s house. I climb out when we get there and take her bag to the door. I pull her close one last time, holding her in my arms as I kiss her head, memorizing the feel of her in my arms. I don't know how long she'll be gone, but I do know even after a few seconds, I won't be okay. I love her too much. I reluctantly let her go to leave. "Ashton, wait." She says as I turn away. I turn around to look at her as she plants a last soft kiss to my lips. I put as much passion and love in that one kiss as I can, before she pulls back. With a quiet whisper of "I love you" she disappears inside. I walk back to the car and head back home. After I get inside I immediately go to the computer. If she can't stand being in this house anymore, so be it. I'll do anything to bring her home again, even if it means getting a new house. I scroll through the listings saving a few that I liked to call up tomorrow. Next, I walk downstairs to grab the boxes we store down there and begin packing things. I won't be able to sleep until she's home. Let's hope it's soon.
*************************TIME SKIP (ORIGINAL POV)*************************
It's been 2 and a half weeks since you left. The boys have visited you somewhat, mainly just to keep Ashton updated. They say he's been going crazy missing you. He barely eats or sleeps anymore. They told you that he has made a few major changes since you left in hopes of bringing you back. Truth be told, you've been crazy without him too. You miss him. The nightmares have stopped. In all honesty, you're better now. You're just scared to go back. It's not that you're scared he's going to do it again, you trust him. You're just scared of how different things are going to be because you left. What if he's upset that you left him for so long? What if you can't handle it like you think you can. You're just unsure. "(Y/N) he's a wreck without you and you know you miss him just as much. Go! He needs you. You're never going to know if everything will be alright unless you try, right?" (Y/BFF/N) says as you still hesitate to go back. You mumble a quiet agreement as you tell her to take you home. You grab your bag and head out to the car. 20 minutes later, you pull up outside an unfamiliar house. "Uhh, I thought I was going home." You say confused. "You are home. Just trust me. Go up and ring the bell. I love you." You nod as you slowly get out of the car with your suitcase. You walk up the pathway to the front door where you ring the doorbell and wait. A minute later, the door opens, revealing a very tired and very wrecked Ashton. The second he sees you his eyes go wide. He quickly pulls you to him, wrapping his arms around your waist. "You're home." He mumbles quietly into your neck as he hugs you. You wrap your arms around his neck whispering, "I'm home. I love you so much Ash." You feel something drop on your neck. Ashton was crying. You run your fingers through his hair, calming him. "God I missed you so much! I love you so fucking much! Never leave me again, please!" He begs in between sobs. "I'm here Ash. I'm not going anywhere. I love you too much to leave for good." You tell him soothingly. He pulls away from you to drag you into the living room. He sets you down on the couch and runs to a mantle above the television. He comes back and drops to one knee in front of you. You immediately gasp. "(Y/N), These last 2 and a half weeks have been the worst of my life. The only reason to cause that was that you weren't here with me. They showed me just how much I need you in my life forever. I will do absolutely anything to keep you with me. You couldn't stand the house anymore so, baby I bought you this one. I promise from this moment on, you will be treated exactly how you deserve. You're my queen and I won't ever let you forget that. I don't care what I have as long as I have you. You won't ever have to question my love for you and I swear I will be there to always protect you. You are my absolute everything and I will love you until the sun dies. So will you marry me and be mine forever?" You nod your head frantically as you fall into his arms with tears running down your face. He slides the ring on your finger and kisses you passionately. Later that night, he holds you close as you fall asleep. He stares down at you and thanks the lord above that you didn't leave him for good. He kisses your temple and whispers, "I'll love you until the sun dies. Goodnight Princess." With that, he pulls you as close as possible and gets some actual sleep for the first time since you left. In the end, he did keep all his promises and gave you the world all because you were his.
