Let's Try Something New (FIOLEE)

The Clause

*Gumball's POV*

I sighed, before knocking on Ashley's door.

"Ye- ...Gumball. Flowers won't make me forgive you." She said, pushing the bouquet back into my arms.

"I realize what I did was wrong. Seeing René hold you like that... it made me so jealous. I'm sorry, Ashley." I said.

René pushed past her, tying his tie. "Are you sure that you don't want to...?"

"Nope. I'm staying right where I am." Ashley said.

"Well, I guess I better rejoin Father then." He said, giving me a nod.

My jaw dropped. "Ashley, what did you do?!"

"I made my ex-husband my rebound guy because I felt terrible after you dumped me, but don't worry. All that happened was some kissing, some red wine, and a lot of MarioKart. No matter how hard I try, I can't get over someone in a day."

"What was up with his tie then?" I demanded.

Ashley regarded me coolly. "He slept on my couch, Gumball. Who sleeps in a tie?"

I frowned. "Ashley, this all seems unlikely."

She opened the door wider. Wii remotes were strewn on the couch, a crumpled blanket lay near them, and the TV was still on. Yoshi's team had apparently won.

"So, are you going to listen to me, or your own assumptions, especially regarding my relationships?" Ashley asked.

"I... what?"

"If I ever forgive you, which will most likely not be this century, will it just be you being an idiot and abandoning me for your work again?" She demanded.

Time to pull a Marshall. "But I won't be alive until the next century." I wheedled.

She raised an eyebrow. "Really? Is the world going to explode tomorrow? You've been around since the Mushroom War, Gumball. I think the secret of your eternal youth is kind of out by now."

I fidgeted under her gaze. "Um..."

"You're not giving yourself a very good track record, Gumball."

"I promise I'll never let you take a backseat to what I think is for the good of Aaa again! I realize that sometimes I need to back off a little from the ruling of the Kingdom, and there's no one I'd rather spend my off-time with than you!" I blurted out.

Ashley blinked. "And?"

I frowned. "What do you mean, 'and'? Ashley, I'm willing to change my entire lifestyle for you!"

"You've never said..." She trailed off, looking lost.

"I never said what?" I asked.

"It-it doesn't matter." She said softly. "I don't need to hear a lie."

"No, whatever you want me to say, I'll say it." I promised.

"I... I've heard it enough before when it wasn't real. Even yesterday." She said, closing the door in my face. I thought back to yesterday- especially René...

I pounded on the door, realizing what she meant. "Ashley! Ashley Cullodena, I love you!"

Her door swung open again, catching me by surprise. "What did you say?"

"I love you. Now, I don't know what's going to happen, but I do know that I lost the best thing that ever happened to me because I was stupid and didn't like the fact that she was right. Ashley... I love you."