We walked silently around the park, looking for food.

"Pizza okay?"He asked once we exited the park.

"Of course. I'll never get tired of actual, real pizza." I said.

He scrunched his nose but nodded.

"What? You don't like it?" I asked. I'd heard such creatures existed, but never dreamed I'd meet one in real life...let alone date one.

"No, I do, it's really good. I just...I like your pizza better."

I scoff.

"My pizza isn't even pizza in comparison to this," I say as I hold the door open for him. We walk inside and we're greeted with the sight we've seen every other time we've walked into a pizzeria in the city. The same tiled back walls, photos of celebrities and black and white photos from the opening, rows of pizzas on stands. It's comforting that every place is pretty much the same.

We ordered three slices, one for me and two for Ashton, then sat in the back to eat.

"I still don't think mine is better," I say after I take a bite.

Ashton just shrugs.

"Maybe I'm biased, but I like yours better. This is so thin the cheese falls off when you pick it up."

"You have to fold it, babe." I say, showing him what I mean. I take the two corners of the crust and fold it in half to make a shelf that allows the cheese to stay in place.

"Well, you don't have to do any special tricks with yours. And the sauce is just so good!"

"You're just saying that," I blush, looking at the pattern on the table.

He lifts my chin with his hand. I'd seen him coming out of the corner of my eye and tried not to flinch or tense up. I've always been kind of jumpy when people try to touch me.

"No, I'm not. I'm serious. You're an amazing cook. Don't sell yourself short. I appreciate everything you do, Vi, really, I do." He pressed a kiss to my lips. "And I'm not talking only about the pizza, I..." he took a deep breath. "I love you."

I felt tears in the corner of my eyes, but blinked them away.

"I love you too, Ash."

He smiled at me and finished the last bite of his pizza. He checked the time on his phone before looking at me.

"So, what do you want to do now, go to the castle?"

Now he wanted to go? He was so confusing sometimes, I couldn't figure out what he wanted.

"If that's what you want, sure, that's fine with me."

"You can have an opinion too, you know." he grabbed his plate and leaned over to throw it in the garbage that was next to them. "It doesn't always have to be about everyone else. We haven't done anything you wanted since we got here, you can pick things, too."

I shrugged.

"I lived here before, I don't need to do the touristy things like you all want to do. I'm just happy when you're all happy." I told him.

He was silent for a moment.

"Do you want to make me happy?"

"Of course." I didn't hesitate, looking right in his eyes. "More than anything."

"Then you'll tell me when you want something. You don't have to take a back seat and watch everyone else be happy, you can be in the front seat once in a while and call the shots. If you want. If you're really, truly happy, then I'm happy." He put his arm around me. "But you have to take care of yourself too."

His words made sense, but I just couldn't put myself first. Even though he seems genuine right now, if I were to do that, he'd eventually get sick of me wanting things, just like Ryder and my father. I don't want that.

"I'm happy, really, I am."

He looked me in the eyes and tried to see if I was being honest. Eventually he just sighed.

"All right, well since we can't agree on anything, why don't we just go to the castle?" He asked.

I smiled and nodded.

"That sounds like fun."

I stood up to throw out my trash and he held my wrist, pulling me back to look at him.

"Remember our agreement," he muttered, "You can take care of me, but I get to take care of you then," he raised his eyebrows. "Equal partnership. We promised."

I gulped, hoping he'd forgotten about that. I could never actually let someone care for me. But I'll do my best to let him think he is.

"Equal partners." I promised. He lifted half his lips in a smile and let me go. I turned around to finish cleaning up.

We left the pizzeria and strolled towards the park, looking around for the castle. He took out his phone and sent a quick text before pocketing it and looking at me.

"Do you know how to get there?" He asked me.

"Yeah, it used to be one my favorite places to hang out," I admit. I used to take a book and sit on the edge of one of the walls and sit there for hours. Even though it was a touristy place, I still really enjoyed being there.

"Then I'm glad we get to go," he took my hand and let me lead him.

When we were walking through the path that would take us there, he started fidgeting. The closer we got, the more anxious he seemed, his hand got super clammy in mine.

"Is everything okay?" I asked once the castle was in our sight.

He just nodded.

I wasn't sure I believed him, but he joined the group of people walking to the entrance, so I went along with it. He let my hand go and urged me forward, joining the queue behind me.

"I'll follow you, babe."

I nodded and looked around, trying to get past the people who were on a tour so we could go up the narrow staircase and onto the balcony upstairs. The people were all crowded around a woman with a name tag on her polo shirt and they listened intently as she spoke.

Glancing behind me to make sure Ashton was still with me, I saw him playing with something in his bag and falling behind.

"Ready?" I asked. His head shot up and he almost dropped his bag.

"Y-yep," He was holding something in his hand which he shoved in his jacket pocket before slinging the bag around his back. I found that shady, but didn't call him out on it. I was too excited to be back in the castle.

We walked to the staircase and climbed the grey stone stairs. There were a couple small windows in the walls, but it was still pretty dark. I always thought there should be sconces with torches in them to light it up; that would make it seem more realistic, especially since there aren't any windows or anything. That was probably against the fire code, but it would still be super cool.

Once we got to the top, I stood at the wall and waved Ashton over to the edge that overlooked the city. The lake was to the right and reflected part of the city skyline and the trees from the water. Even though it was kind of cloudy right now, it was still beautiful.

"What do you think, Ash?" I glanced behind me, but couldn't find him.

Turning around I realized I didn't see any other people up here, actually. It was suspiciously quiet. There should be tons of people here.

"Ashton?" I tried to walk forward but almost tripped. He was kneeling on the ground, looking up at me with a dimpled smile, his curly hair falling into his face.

"What..."

"This isn't exactly what it looks like," He smiled nervously, reaching into his coat pocket. "I just...I love you, Vi, so much. I know you're the one I want to spend my life with. I really hope you feel the same way. You're just so special...and while I don't think either of us are ready for marriage  yet, I do know that I want you and only you forever."

He paused for a second and I literally felt like I couldn't breathe. What was he doing? He pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket.

"I love you, Vi." He opened it and pulled a silver ring from the box. It had a thin band that looked like a vine and at the top it was a silver flower with a soft pink gem in the middle that matched the bracelet he bought me back when we'd gone to the mall with our friends months ago. I couldn't help the tears that spilled over my face. "I guess this is kind of cheesy, it's sort of like a promise ring, even though we aren't 12," he blushed, looking up at me, "But I want you to have it. I love you, and I don't want to ever let you go." He stood up and wiped the tears from my eyes. "Say something, I'm really hoping those are happy tears," I gasped out a laugh and hugged him.

"Yes, th-they're happy tears, I love this, Ashton, and I love you." I bet this is the reason he was acting strange earlier, he was nervous. "Of course I accept, I love you so much." I'd already said that, but I was too excited to think about what I was saying.

He grinned and put the ring on my finger. I looked at it for a moment before looking at him. He was smiling sweetly down at me, his dimples and the brightness in his eyes only adding to the innocence on his face. I can't believe he was all mine.

"We can hang out here for a bit longer if you want," he says. "I have the castle reserved for another 20 minutes."

"How did you do that?"

"I have my ways, future Mrs Irwin," he laughed at my blush and bent down to press a kiss to my lips. He tried to pull away, but I pulled him close again. He chuckled against my lips and continued to kiss me. He backed me against one of the parapets and his hands roamed my body. Was I going to let him do this? Was it finally going to happen?

"Vi, I love you," he moaned.

"I love you, Ash." I hesitated. "I want you."

He broke away from the kiss, holding my shoulders and looking in my eyes.

"You mean..."

I nodded shyly.

He smirked.

"Tonight, baby. I'll have it all planned out." He kissed me again, and I lifted my hands to run my fingers through his curls.

Eventually, our time alone at the castle came to an end. Sarah was the one who came over and let us know.

"What are you doing here?" I asked, ashamed at how breathless I sounded. Making out with Ashton for an extended time could do that to a girl. 

She smiled.

"I told you, I'm the official relationship photographer of this trip. I capture all your sappy moments."

"You mean..."

Ashton chuckled, wrapping his arms around my shoulder.

"When she made that comment earlier today, I texted her and asked if she would mind helping me out. I've had this reserved since the moment I had planned to do something romantic for us on the trip." He murmured the last part in my ear.

"Wow, Ashy, you really surprised me with this. I had no idea...you'd been acting so strange all day, I thought something was wrong." I admitted. I felt so relieved that this was the reason he acted odd, not because he wanted to break up or something. I can't believe I doubted him.

Ashton took a look at my face and gasped.

"Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry, I didn't even realize you'd think something like that." He flipped me around and gave me a proper hug, one that was meant for comfort, nothing more, and I took a moment to soak it up. "I knew I was acting strange, but I couldn't help it. I didn't think you'd think that, I'm so sorry."

I shook my head and looked down at my ring.

"It's all worth it, Ashy, I'm okay."

He grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a kiss to my palm.

"Ugh, barf." Sarah complained, looking at us with a huge grin.

"Whatever, where is everyone else?" I asked. There were a couple other tourists around, taking pictures and looking around. As soon as I said that, the rest of our friends appeared.

"Hey, let's take a group photo!" I cheered, gathering everyone up. I couldn't help but feel really happy in this moment and I wanted to remember it always.

Sarah asks a random woman if she'd be able to take a picture of all of us and hands off the phone when she agrees. I stand in the middle with Ashton on my right and Luke on my other side, and both of them put their arms around me. We take a couple nice pictures, and then a funny one, where Luke and Ashton throw me over their shoulders and the rest of our friends point at me and make silly face. 

After the group photo, I ask Ashton to take pictures of me, Sarah, and Sammi. We spent half an hour taking photos of all the different combinations of people; even Michael and Calum took a cute photo with Calum kissing his cheek and Michael blushing with his hand covering his mouth. The view was just too perfect not to do an entire photo shoot.

All of the photos were on Sarah's phone and she said she'd share the pictures later when we were at dinner.

We hung around the park for a while, then decide to get an early dinner. We found some random hole-in-the-wall diner that served food 24 hours a day and decide to eat there. We're finishing up our food, having just paid the bill when we start to plan out the evening.

Luke decided since it's our last night in New York, he wants to go swing dancing. Michael and Calum are only too happy with that suggestion, and Sammi and Sarah agree to tag along, or find some club or something they can dance in if they're not into it.

Ashton went to the bathroom, and when he came back, he held his head in his hands and took a couple deep breaths.

"Hey, are you okay," I asked him, rubbing his back and taking one of his hands.

"I just got this super huge headache, I don't feel good at all." he moans quietly, only me and Luke able to hear him.

"Let's get you back to the hotel, babe, you don't look good." His face is flushed and he's been tugging on his hair and messing it up. "C'mon, let's get you up."

"No, I-I'll be fine. You go hang out with everyone, let me go." He waves me off but I stand my ground.

"Absolutely not, you need someone to be with you. I'm not letting you walk all the way to the hotel by yourself."

"Are you sure you wouldn't have fun with everyone else?"

"Are you kidding, babe? I'd never relax not knowing if you're okay. I want to be with you."

Ashton smiled at me and nodded.

"Okay, let's go then."

I said goodbye to everyone and Ashton put his arm around my shoulder and let me help him walk out.

We exited the restaurant and walked down the street, turning the corner onto another block and he pushed me against the wall, pressing his lips to mine.

"Ashton, what's going on," I broke away from him. "What did you just do?" He looks completely fine right now, and I have a small clue as to what happening.

"I'm cured?" his voice lilted at the end of the sentence, making it sound more like a question.

"Ashton Fletcher Irwin,"

"Fine, I lied. I wanted an excuse for us to get out of there, but I didn't want anyone to know what we're going to do."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me down the busy street, weaving in and out of people and making daring darts across streets where the light hadn't changed yet and cars were still driving.

"Ash, slow down, you're gonna get us killed!" I protested, laughing as I went along with him.

He turned around and just laughed, complete joy on his face as we ran.

We made it to the hotel, which was only a couple blocks from the diner, and giggled as we made our way through the revolving doors. Ashton kissed me as we walked across the lobby. I couldn't see anything since his face was attached to mine, but I knew he wouldn't let anything happen to me.

I think one of the people at the front desk said something to us, but I couldn't hear them through the ringing in my ears. Ashton's hands were roaming all over my back and in my hair, but he removed one to slam it against the elevator call button. When it didn't instantly appear, he groaned in frustration before pulling away and dragging me to the stairs.

"You look beautiful." he said before opening the door and pushing me through. I couldn't even say anything as my heart was just racing in anticipation for what was about to happen. We made it up the stairs to the fifth floor before I attached myself to him again.

"Vi," he let go before opening the room door and slipping inside with me and I groaned, not wanting to wait any longer. Are you sure about this?"

I met his eyes. He was looking at me with such love and adoration in his gaze. I knew he wanted this as much as I did. He would never hurt me. I could trust him.

In a moment of weakness blinded by love, I decided to take the next step.

"Yes, Ashton. I trust you. I love you, and I want this."

The room was lit up by the twinkling lights and the candles were lit. Rose petals had been set on the bed in a heart shape and there was a bottle of champagne chilling on the bedside table.

"I called the concierge when I went to the bathroom earlier during dinner." Ashton told me, nodding his head at the bed.

"How did you know this was going to happen?" I asked, and he pressed his forehead against mine.

"I just really hoped." he chuckled once. "We talked about it earlier today," he ran his fingers over the ring on my left hand, "And I knew if there ever was a moment, it would be now. I just love you so fucking much and I want another way to show you. If you're okay with it." He backed away a couple steps and looked at me. "If you don't want to, you just say the word, baby. We don't have to do anything you're uncomfortable with, or that you don't want."

"No, of course I do, Ash," I stepped towards him and pressed a kiss to his jaw. "I know how much you want this, and I do too."

"You're not just saying that because you know it's what I want? Because I do, god Viola, I really do." He grabbed my shoulders and held me at arms length. "This isn't just about me though, I want to make sure you're really convinced you want this. I won't be upset if you don't, I can call this off, at any point you say no I'll stop and we'll just--" I cut him off with a kiss.

"I want this, Ashton. Now shut up, and get on the bed."

"Yes, ma'am." he winked before letting me push him down onto the bed and me falling on top of him. "But that's not how this works," he flipped us over so he was on top. "I'm in charge."

***

lmaooo so this is definitely my favorite chapter so far. dedicated to the fact that I no longer have to write on microsoft word because my internet got installed today!! 🎉🎉happy day. 

also, sorry if there's a lot of mistakes. I have gotten a total of 6 hours of sleep the last 2 nights because of the mouse problem in my house. i'm super exhausted, so only one chapter for now. 

anywayyyy I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I have an idea for the next chapter, and hooo boi y'all better get ready. :D 

~ashtonfortherwin