Madison Hills

emmy looked at madison, a soft blush creeping up her cheeks. "thanks for not bruising my feelings about the fish kiss," she chuckled, a shy smile on her lips. "i might teach you?" she added with a small laugh, "madison, you’re the first guy i’ve kissed, like really kissed." she glanced at him as he raised his eyebrows. "do you really think i can teach you anything? what, from the movies i’ve watched?" she laughed again, her cheeks turning even redder. she looked down for a second, she hadn’t had a boyfriend, not because she didn’t want one, but because madison had always been in her mind, leaving no space for anyone else. as he said he liked this version of her, the nervous, flustered one, she smiled softly. "people don’t really get to see this side of me," she admitted, "not fake, but… i guess they don’t really know clementine," she added quietly, looking at him. her gaze dropped to his lips as he said he wasn’t going to wait until he left to kiss her. "we still have a couple of days," she whispered. she bit her lower lip and shifted slightly before glancing toward the house with a smile. "i’m nervous, well… not nervous, just excited," she corrected herself, the smile never leaving her face as she opened the door. as they walked inside, she kept smiling, swinging their hands lightly between them. she noticed their moms elbowing each other, smiling, and she couldn’t help but laugh softly. when madison wrapped his arms around her, her breath hitched for a second, but she relaxed into it, her hands finding his shoulders. she pulled back slightly, glancing at their moms. "i told you they were the perfect couple," emmy’s mom said, hands clasped near her lips. emmy’s cheeks flushed again as she gently pulled madison toward the living room, sitting down on the couch with him. her brothers were there with their dads. "what are we watching?" she asked with a small smile. dakota eyed them, eyebrows furrowed as he looked between her and madison. "what’s going on there?" he asked, tilting his head before glancing at their dads. "nothing," emmy laughed nervously, "what’s going on with you?" she shot back, trying to deflect. dakota shook his head. "are you dating?" avery asked. at the question, emmy’s eyes moved to madison’s. were they dating after just one kiss and years of loving each other in silenc

“You could teach me anything you wanted,” he said quietly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Doesn’t matter if it’s from movies or not." Madison wouldn't class himself as being in an expert in the slightest. Growing together was going to be a learning experience for them both. When she admitted people didn’t really know that side of her, Clementine, his thumb brushed lightly against her hand, a subtle, reassuring touch. “I think I like being one of the few who do,” he murmured. “Feels special.” As they stepped inside and she laced their fingers together, Madison didn’t pull away, didn’t hesitate. If anything, his grip steadied just slightly, like he was grounding both of them. The reactions from their families didn’t faze him too much much, just earned a polite, almost bashful smile before his attention drifted right back to her. When she pulled him toward the couch, he followed easily, sitting close, naturally, like it had always been that way. At Dakota’s question, Madison glanced over, calm but not dismissive, then back to Emmy when Avery asked the real one. He didn’t rush to answer. Instead, he looked at her properly, giving her the space to decide, his expression open, patient. Then, gently, he spoke, voice low, but clear enough for them all to hear. “Yeah,” he said, voice calm but steady, like it wasn’t something he needed to overthink. “Yeah, we are.” Only then did he glance up, looking between her brothers, his expression still warm but now carrying a quiet sincerity. Madison held their gaze for a moment, then let out a small breath, like he was deciding to drop any pretense and just be honest. “I’m gonna be real for a second,” he said, voice steady but quieter now, more sincere than anything else. His eyes flicked briefly to Emmy before coming back to her brothers. “She’s all I’ve thought about since we were kids.” There was no hesitation when he added, “She’s it for me.”

their friendship was something emmy had always treasured. every memory she had seemed to have madison somewhere in it, every little detail tied to a story about him. that was exactly why she had never told him how she felt—what if he didn’t see her that way? what if she ruined the best thing she had? living with the fear of losing him had consumed her for so long, but now she didn’t have to pretend anymore. she could finally be honest with her best friend, and after that kiss it was obvious they had both been holding the same feelings back for far too long. “you’re too sweet,” she said, shaking her head with a soft smile. “but at least now i won’t be sitting around wondering how you feel—and you won’t have to do the same.” she let out a small sigh of relief, grateful he’d been brave enough to kiss her and say it out loud because she was so tired of pretending she didn’t love him the way she really did. when he suddenly said her name in that serious tone her eyebrows lifted. “you’re a country man, i know you’re a gentleman,” she nodded before laughing. “this is so cringey—definitely my fault.” her cheeks flushed as she added, “but i’d love a few lessons, just so you don’t regret it later. i don’t want to kiss like a fish.” she covered her face briefly, laughing at herself. “honestly you wouldn’t be the reason i get fired—it’d be because of how uncool i sound right now. they need cool cowgirls there, not the kind that blush and get nervous because you’re looking at me like that,” she teased, giggling. “stop looking at me like that, madison.” when he admitted he’d thought about kissing her every time she laughed or hugged him goodbye, she softened. “i won’t get all sad about it,” she said quietly, “but next time when you leave… you’ll kiss me, right?” she smiled, refusing to think about the next time he’d have to get on a plane—right now she just wanted to enjoy this moment. and honestly, she was already imagining their families’ reactions. “oh okay, you want to cause a whole scene? you’re crazy,” she laughed, nervous and excited all at once. she was about to answer him about being his official hand-holder when he laced their fingers together first. “i can already see their faces,” she grinned. “avery’s going to look at elio and everyone else like, ‘are you guys seeing this?’” she laughed. “and dakota? i need to see his reaction. i can picture it—eyebrows furrowed, head tilted like he’s trying to process it. he’ll smile eventually, but first you’ll see the shock in his eyes.” still smiling, emmy tugged his hand toward the house before letting out a breath. “why am i so nervous?” she chuckled, then knocked on the door. “fam! we’re here!”

Madison felt a grin tug at his lips as he watched her flush and laugh, the way her eyes sparkled making it impossible not to mirror her joy. “You’re adorable,” he said softly, voice low, teasing but tender, letting his thumb brush along her hand as he held it. “And you don’t have to worry about kissing like a fish. I think you’re perfect just the way you are.” He leaned a little closer, eyes warm as he caught the little quivers of nervous excitement in her laugh. “And yeah,” he added, a teasing smile pulling at his lips, “I’ll give you lessons, if I know anything, though you might be teaching me a thing or two too.” His thumb traced gentle circles over the back of her hand, fingers laced with hers like it had always belonged there. When she covered her face, giggling nervously, he chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Stop hiding from me,” he murmured, voice low, playful. “I like this version of you. The nervous, flustered, laughing-at-everything version. "You are just so real to me." Her words about the next time he left made him lift a brow, smirk softening into something affectionate. “Next time?” he asked, leaning just slightly closer, the warmth in his gaze steady and certain. “You better believe it. I won’t let you wait until I leave to get a kiss. Not happening.” He followed her lead as she tugged his hand toward the house, thumb brushing over hers as they walked. “I can already imagine the chaos too,” he said, voice teasing. “Avery will definitely be confused. Dakota, yeah, he’ll have that ‘processing’ face, but I bet he’s smiling under it already.” Madison felt his chest lift with a quiet warmth as they reached the door, hand still securely holding hers. “You’re nervous?” he murmured, leaning just enough so his forehead almost brushed hers. “Good. That’s perfect. Shows you care. Shows you feel it. Me too.” The door swung open, and Madison followed Emmy inside, still holding her hand, letting her take the lead. The warmth of the house hit them first, mingled with laughter and the faint smell of something baking in the kitchen. They both walked into the main room. Madison grinned to himself, leaning slightly into Emmy, letting her energy guide him. Madison’s mum, standing nearby with a plate of cookies, noticed immediately. Her eyes widened, and a knowing smile spread across her face. She leaned over and tapped Emmy’s mom lightly on the shoulder, her excitement quiet but unmistakable. Both moms froze for a second, surprised and a little flustered, blinking at each other before laughter bubbled up between them. Madison felt a soft warmth in his chest, seeing their reaction, happy, approving, but clearly a little shook at how obvious it all was. Madison gently shifted so he could wrap Emmy in his arms, pulling her close against his chest. Her warmth pressed against him, her hands settling naturally over his shoulders, and he let himself enjoy the moment for a second. Then, catching the way both moms were still staring, his lips curved into a soft, teasing smile. “Stop staring,” he murmured, voice low and playful, almost grinning. “It’'ll make it weird."

madison had always been the one constant in her life—back when they were kids running around the ranch after school, never spending a single day apart, him showing up to every important moment, even prom. every second in wyoming held a memory of him, which made falling for him easy… and hiding it nearly impossible. when her family moved away, it felt like a piece of her had stayed behind with him. they never really left each other, not even across the globe. so hearing him admit he’d felt the same way since prom made her heart race. “i guess that dance wasn’t going to change what i felt about you,” she said with a soft chuckle, her cheeks tinting pink. “you had the courage to kiss me now, so maybe we were just too young back then?” she asked, words tumbling out before she could overthink them. when he talked about how loving her had hurt, she pouted slightly. “i hope you don’t ever have to hurt because of me again,” she murmured, smiling at him. now they didn’t have to pretend feelings would ruin everything. when his shoulder nudged hers, she laughed quietly. “wait… does that mean you’ve been my first kiss?” she asked, blue eyes lifting to meet his, blush deepening across her cheeks. she wasn’t usually the blushing type, but tonight she couldn’t seem to stop. “okay,” she nodded playfully, “then i guess i can only get better from here. you’ll have to show me the ropes—which sounds way cooler than it probably is. if my boss heard me right now, i’d definitely get fired,” she laughed, shaking her head. “if it’s anywhere near as many times as i’ve thought about kissing you… yeah, it’s been torture,” she admitted lightly. then her eyes sparkled with mischief. “so… now that we don’t have to pretend anymore, do we walk out of this truck and into the ranch holding hands just to see their faces?”

Hearing Emmy say she’d felt it too, all this time, made something in his chest settle in a way it hadn’t since she left Wyoming. At her question about being too young, he nodded gently. “Yeah,” he said softly. “I think we were. I knew what I felt, but I didn’t trust myself not to mess it up. You were my everything back then. I didn’t want to risk losing all that.” His voice dipped at the last part, honest and unguarded. When she pouted and said she hoped he’d never hurt because of her again, his expression turned tender. He reached for her hand without thinking, thumb brushing lightly over her knuckles. “Hey,” he murmured, polite and earnest as ever, “loving you was never the part that hurt. It was thinking I had to do it quietly.” He gave her a small, reassuring smile. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat. You were always going to be my crush." Her question about the first kiss made him laugh outright, shoulders shaking. When she joked about him showing her the ropes, he lifted his brows in mock seriousness. “Emmy,” he said with exaggerated politeness, “I am a gentleman. You know teaching takes practice,” Then his grin broke through. “But I suppose I could offer a few lessons. Strictly educational purposes, of course.” He chuckled at her comment about her boss and shook his head. “Wouldn’t dream of getting you fired. I’ll keep the curriculum respectable.” Her confession about the torture made his breath hitch for just a second. He studied her like he was memorising the moment. “You have no idea,” he admitted quietly. “Every time you’d laugh, or hug me goodbye. I’d think about it. And then I’d tell myself not to.” He smiled softly. “Guess we’ve both been stubborn.” At her mischievous suggestion, his eyes lit up in that familiar way, the same look he used to get before dragging her into some harmless childhood trouble. He glanced toward the ranch house, then back at her, squeezing her hand. “Oh, I absolutely think we should,” he said, charm slipping easily into his tone. “Walk in slow. Give ’em something to talk about.” He leaned in just slightly, forehead nearly brushing hers. “But only if you’re ready for your childhood best friend to upgrade to official hand-holder.” He intertwined their fingers without waiting for her to second guess it, thumb brushing over her skin like it had always belonged there. “Your brothers are gonna be shook. I can see it now, dead silence, slow blinks, until they realise I've not let go." He grinned, that sweet, boyish charm slipping through. “I’ve known them since I was knee-high and covered in mud."

she hadn’t been expecting her best friend to confess that he’d had feelings for her for years, let alone for madison to kiss her. she was in shock, her heart pounding in a way it never usually did. she didn’t even know why she asked why he hadn’t kissed her before; of course he’d been scared. they loved each other too much, and neither of them had wanted to risk losing what they had. emmy listened quietly, taking in everything he said. they had been loving each other silently for so long, but after that kiss, they didn’t have to anymore. she smiled at madison. “there were so many times i wanted to tell you,” she admitted softly. “i wanted to tell you when we went to prom together because neither of us had anyone else to go with, and we slow danced. i wanted to tell you right there, but i didn’t want to face the consequences.” as he told her he didn’t want to hide it anymore, she nodded, and when he said she was his everything, her eyes met his. “you’re everything to me,” she echoed, closing her eyes as she leaned into his warmth. “it’s always been you, madison,” she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper, a nervous chuckle slipping out. “i don’t want to hide either.” she bit her lower lip, then smiled. “our moms have wanted us together since we were kids. they’re going to be so happy to know their matchmaking actually worked.” her hand lifted to cup his cheek. “i don’t want to keep this a secret. why would i want to hide something i’ve wanted for years?” she laughed softly. “i love you, madison. and i know that’s not what people usually say right after kissing for the first time, but i love you, and i always will.” she leaned in again, nervous despite herself. before him, she’d only ever kissed a couple of boys during party games, and even someone as confident as emmy felt shy now. the blonde pressed a quick peck to his lips, then pulled back. “i know, that was bad,” she laughed, sinking back into her seat. “drive before i die of embarrassment,” she said, playfully pushing his arm. “and don’t you dare look at me right now. you know kissing two boys during spin the bottle doesn’t count.”

Madison was still a little stunned, like his whole life had quietly tilted into place and he was only just noticing. He didn’t pull away when she nudged him; instead, he laughed under his breath, soft and breathless, eyes fixed straight ahead for a second longer than necessary as if he needed the road to steady himself. He shook his head, finally daring to look at her, and his smile wasn’t teasing, it was warm, overwhelmed, real. “That was the opposite of bad,” he said gently, like it was important she understood that. “That was you.” His voice dipped, honest and a little rough around the edges. “And I’ve been waiting on you since we were kids sneaking snacks from the kitchen and getting yelled at for staying up too late.” He reached over without really thinking, his hand finding hers on the console like it had always belonged there. “Prom,” he added quietly, glancing at her again. “I remember that slow dance. I remember thinking if I held you any closer, I’d ruin everything, and if I didn’t, I’d regret it forever.” He let out a small, disbelieving laugh. “Turns out I was already in love with you. I just didn’t have the courage to say it.” At her words—I love you—his chest had tightened in the best, scariest way. He squeezed her hand, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “I love you too, Emmy,” he said, without hesitation, like the truth had finally been given permission to exist out loud. “I always have. I just thought loving you meant protecting what we had, even if it meant hurting quietly.” He started the car then, easing it onto the road, but not before leaning a little closer, his shoulder brushing hers. “And hey,” he added, a hint of that familiar grin sneaking in, “spin the bottle absolutely does not count. I refuse to be intimidated by party games little kids play." He drove, one hand on the wheel, the other still holding hers, like there was no universe where he’d let go now. Madison cleared his throat, a faint flush creeping up his neck as if he’d just realised he’d said everything except the thing sitting loud in his chest. He risked another glance at her, lips curving into a shy, crooked smile. “Also,” he added, voice softer now, a little sheepish, “you really don’t need to be embarrassed, Emmy.” His thumb brushed lightly over her hand, grounding himself. “I liked that little kiss. A lot.” He let out a quiet laugh and shook his head, honesty spilling out before he could stop it. “And you don’t even want to think about how many times I’ve thought about your lips, or kissing you.” He paused, then murmured, “Sorry. Just figured it was time to stop pretending I haven’t been in love with you forever.”

their relationship had always been sincere, being there for each other even when they were separated by an ocean, and her feelings for him had never disappeared, which made everything harder, knowing she was in love with her best friend and that acting on it could mean losing the most important person in her life, but then he kissed her, and all those fears about losing him faded away. he held her close, her eyes closing as she let herself feel her heart beating fast and steady in her chest, and when he confessed he had wanted to kiss her for a long time too, she chuckled softly, unable to believe this was really happening. when she admitted she had been in love with him for years, it wasn’t just a crush, not just liking him, it was love, and it was terrifying to name it like that right after his first kiss, but she said it anyway, honest as always. her hand came to rest over his as his thumb brushed against her skin. “it’s hard,” she nodded, because she knew that feeling too. “i’m glad you couldn’t handle it,” she added, a playful glint in her eyes. “people don’t realize how hard this is,” she said softly, thinking about how she’d wanted something with madison since they were teenagers, since she realized what she felt for him was no longer just platonic. when he admitted he wanted to kiss her again, she smiled and leaned in, pressing her lips to his, her heart racing, and when he pulled away and asked that question, she shook her head. “touché,” she murmured, her hand rising to his cheek as she looked at him in awe. “two idiots is exactly how i’d describe us,” she nodded, “i didn’t want to lose you,” she shrugged, as simple as that. “what if i was imagining things, and telling you how i felt back then changed the way you saw me?” she said quietly, catching the flicker in his eyes that made her heart skip. “i didn’t want to lose you,” she repeated, before adding, “but i could’ve asked you the same thing,” her tone gentle. “why didn’t you kiss me before?”

Madison’s chest tightened the moment she asked, like every word landed straight in the part of him that had been holding this back for years. He swallowed, voice soft but steady, eyes searching hers like he needed her to understand every unspoken thing. “I didn’t kiss you before this ,” he admitted, and there was a pause, heavy with the weight of all the years he’d kept to himself. “Because I was scared. Scared of losing you, scared of messing up what we already had. I wanted to be close to you, always, but I didn’t want to risk it all on a moment that might ruin us.” He gave a small, nervous smile, one that was entirely sincere. “And honestly? I think I didn’t know if I was brave enough. I thought maybe I’d just live with it, loving you quietly, because losing you would have been worse than anything else.” His hand tightened around hers gently, thumb brushing over her knuckles. “But now,” he said, voice low and full of that familiar warmth, “I don’t want to hide it anymore. I’ve wanted this for a long time, every single day. You’re not just my best friend… you’re my everything. Always have been. Always will be." He leaned closer, resting his temple lightly against hers, letting the honesty hang between them like a promise. “So, no more waiting. No more pretending. I want you. I always have.” Madison smiled to himself at the thought, something soft and almost boyish passing over his face. The image of their parents and her brothers, completely unaware, made him let out a quiet breath through his nose—fond, not nervous. “We can be as honest or dishonest about it as you want to be with your parents and mine and your brothers,” he said gently. “I don’t mind keeping the secret between us if that’s what you prefer.” He glanced back at her, eyes warm and steady, no pressure in them at all. “I just want you to feel safe,” he added simply.

it had been years since they’d been able to talk face to face— not through text, not through facetime, but really in each other’s presence— and it felt like they had never been apart. she was so glad to be there, knowing her relationship with madison was still the same as it always had been. at his words about not wanting to be someone’s sugar baby just so she could get her bread, she lifted her free hand to her chest. “ouch, that’s not nice, bestie,” she mused, trying not to focus on the way his thumb had started tracing circles against her skin. “if you were nice you’d get a bananabread-mommy just so i could enjoy how good that bread tasted. bad, madison, really bad,” she teased, a smile tugging at her lips. he didn’t answer her question and she wasn’t going to push, but now she knew he was single, and that made her feel… lighter, for some reason. her brows furrowed when he flicked the blinker; they were still far from the ranch, the city visible in the distance, but they’d have to drive another twenty or thirty minutes before actually reaching euroville. “why did you stop, are you feeling okay?” she asked, as if she weren’t the one who got asked that constantly because of her blood sugar. concern crossed her face, and then he leaned closer, his hand sliding through her hair to the back of her neck. she felt like she was running out of air. “madi…” she whispered, but before she got an answer, he kissed her. she felt like her lungs stopped working, but her eyes fluttered closed and her hand moved to cup his cheek. it was happening. her best friend, her crush, the guy she had been in love with for longer than she could remember, was kissing her after she’d finally asked him to visit. she felt dizzy in the best way possible, and when he pulled away, it took her a few seconds to open her eyes, still feeling the warmth of his lips lingering on hers. when she looked at madison again, his hand still on her neck, all her usual quick wit had vanished and she went quiet, still trying to process what had just happened. “i’ve been wanting you to do that for longer, trust me,” she whispered. “i don’t think i can be just friends with you anymore.” the words didn’t even cover what she felt. “madison, i’ve been in love with you since we even knew what love was,” she admitted softly. “i feel like… we could talk about it and…” she swallowed, suddenly shy, “be more?” she whispered. “damn it, you’ve made me nervous, hills,” she added, shaking her head in an attempt to relieve the tension.

Madison’s breath caught the moment she cupped his cheek, the warmth of her touch burning straight through him. He stayed close, his forehead almost brushing hers, his hand still cradling the back of her neck like he wasn’t ready to let go — like he’d been waiting just as long. Her whisper washed over him, and Madison’s expression softened in a way he rarely let anyone see. His thumb brushed lightly against her skin again, slower this time, not teasing — grounding himself. “Yeah,” Madison murmured, voice low, steady but threaded with something vulnerable. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time too.” He let out a shaky, quiet laugh, almost disbelieving, because hearing her say those words — I’ve been in love with you — felt like someone had finally lifted a weight he didn’t know he’d been carrying. When she said she couldn’t be just friends anymore, something in him eased, like her honesty gave him permission to breathe again. His hand slid from her neck to gently tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, his touch lingering. “I don’t want to be just friends either,” Madison admitted. He didn’t look away — his gaze stayed locked on hers, warm and steady. “I’ve been trying to pretend I could handle that, but… clearly, I can’t.” Her shy stumble over the words be more made the corner of his mouth lift into a soft smile. Not teasing — tender. “I want more with you,” he said, voice barely above a whisper but certain. “I’ve wanted it for years. I just didn’t want to screw up what we've always had." He leaned his forehead to hers for a moment, breathing her in, letting the silence settle around them, the city lights far behind them and nothing else in the world pressing in. When she said he’d made her nervous, Madison’s smile widened, just enough for his dimples to show. “Good,” he murmured playfully, brushing his thumb over her cheekbone. “Because you make me nervous too.” But then his tone shifted, softening again, sincerity threading through every word. “We can talk about it — everything. But before we do…” He leaned in, giving her a chance to pull away. “…I want to kiss you again.” And he did — slow, certain, like he’d finally let himself have something he’d been craving for years. Then his voice dropped, soft but heavy with years of swallowed feelings. “Why’d you never tell me?” he asked. It wasn’t accusatory. It wasn’t hurt. It was wonder — a quiet, stunned ache that matched her own. His lips parted like he wanted to say more, and then he gave a small, almost rueful laugh, shaking his head slightly. “I mean… hell, I didn’t tell you either,” he admitted, his thumb tracing along her jaw. “Guess we were both idiots about it.” He leaned in, his forehead brushing hers again, his voice gentling even more. “If I’d known you felt like that… I don’t think I would’ve lasted this long pretending.” His hand slid down to cradle her cheek, the closeness between them warm and fragile and overwhelmingly real. “I just—” He swallowed, eyes flicking to her lips and back. “Why’d you hide it? Because I swear I would’ve crossed that line years ago.”

it was better than she’d imagined, having madison there again. he’d brought with him so many memories—the way he scratched at his neck when he was flustered, that grin she hadn’t seen in so long. and with all of it came the reminder of every reason she’d ever loved him. “i’m a charming menace, but i still chase chickens in my pajamas, and i collect rent from my henants,” she said with a laugh, grinning at her own joke. she laughed even harder when he did; god, she’d missed that sound more than she could admit. “you’re a man? since when?” she teased, sticking her tongue out at him. “i see the sunburn, i see the hay, but back pain? madison, what are you, sixty?” she shook her head, her tone soft and fond. “you’re way too young to be complaining about that.” her smile grew as he mentioned mrs. donelly. “she’s still there? wow, some things never change, huh?” she said, warmth coloring her voice. “she was so sweet. my mom used to make me bring her corn and eggs every morning, and she’d always pay me for them—but she’d sneak me a little tip, too,” she added, her lips curving into a nostalgic smile. “her banana bread is so good,” she said, turning to look at him with a playful sparkle in her eyes. “you should let her seduce you—get all the banana bread you want and then send me some.” she laughed, knowing full well that much sugar would probably make her sick, but joking helped distract her from the feeling of his thumb slowly tracing circles against the back of her hand. that simple touch made her whole chest feel tight. the warmth of their hands together was almost too much—too good—and it made clementine nervous in the best, most terrifying way. “i have scary dog privilege,” she said with a soft laugh, trying to mask the flutter in her stomach. when she asked about his girlfriend, his reaction said it all—he was single. and somehow, that tiny truth made her heart skip. she tried to look away, to hide the blush creeping onto her cheeks. what was happening to her confidence? “i could know someone,” she said finally, her voice quiet but teasing, her thumb brushing lightly against his.

Madison hadn’t expected it to feel this natural, being there with Clementine again. Hearing her laugh, seeing that spark in her eyes—it was almost too easy to fall back into old rhythms. When she called herself a “charming menace” and started laughing at her own joke, he couldn’t help but laugh too. God, he’d missed that sound, the way her laughter filled every quiet space. And when she went on about his back pain, calling him sixty, he laughed harder, shaking his head. “Guess I’ve been working too many early mornings,” he said lightly, though her teasing tone—soft and fond—made something in his chest twist. Her face lit up when he mentioned Mrs. Donelly, and Madison found himself smiling just watching her remember. As she talked about bringing corn and eggs, and the little tips and banana bread, he could hear the nostalgia in her voice. When she joked that Mrs. Donelly should “seduce” him with banana bread and send her some, he laughed again—but quieter this time. Her humor was the same, but now it felt gentler, threaded with something unspoken. "Yeah, no, sorry. I'm not being a sugar baby to get you some bread." Without realising it, his thumb had started tracing slow circles against the back of her hand. The warmth of her skin under his made his pulse jump, but he didn’t move. And then she asked about his girlfriend. He didn’t even have to answer; his silence said everything. When she blushed and looked away, his heart gave a quiet, traitorous skip. Madison didn’t answer right away. He just looked at her, a faint smile tugging at his lips, thinking how strange it was that something as simple as her hand in his could make the whole world feel like it was tilting back into place. Without saying a word, he flicked on the blinker and eased the truck to the side of the quiet country road. The gravel crunched beneath the tires, the engine humming low before he threw it into park. He glanced in the rearview mirror, half-expecting to see one of their families’ cars passing by, but the road behind them was empty. He hoped it would stay that way. Madison leaned in before he could talk himself out of it. One hand came up to the back of her neck, his fingers slipping into her hair, gentle but sure. For a heartbeat, he hesitated—long enough to feel the warmth of her breath. And then he kissed her. It wasn’t rushed or rough, but it carried all the weight of the years between them—the missed laughter, the silence, the ache that had never really left. The world outside the truck went still, and all he could feel was her, soft and real and finally close enough to touch again. When he finally pulled back, his hand lingered at her neck, his thumb brushing the edge of her jaw. He searched her face, a little out of breath, and his voice came quiet, almost rough. “I’ve wanted to do that for a long time,” he said. “It doesn’t need to mean anything,” he said softly, eyes still on hers. “We can still be just friends, if you want, I just… couldn’t not.”

emmy tossed her hair back. “everyone gets charmed by me, you shouldn’t be surprised,” she teased, her laugh slipping out easily. her charm wasn’t something she worked on—it just came naturally—but the best part of that moment was knowing she didn’t have to fake it with madison, didn’t have to hide the messy parts of herself. he knew her, good and bad, and he’d still crossed the ocean just to be there with her. if that wasn’t friendship, she didn’t know what was, though it only made her crush on him grow stronger. a man flying across the world because you asked? she was living for that. “hey, perv,” she shoved him playfully as he glanced down at her chest, shaking her head with a grin. “same guy but bigger,” she added with a raised brow, because she knew he was still the one who’d made her crush start in the first place. “you had the whole farmer pack going on,” she laughed, “i bet you’ve got everyone crazy over you back home.” the thought made her stomach twist, but she pushed it down. “same people, just new looks,” she smiled. when he admitted he’d missed her, her chest tightened—he carried that same feeling that everything could be like it was back at the ranch, simple and steady. “things staying the same is somehow comforting,” she admitted, “the city changes too much.” she laughed again, lighter this time. “farmer boys don’t exist here, so no competition. a lot of people chase after me, but that’s nothing new,” she said, sticking her tongue out at him. when his hand brushed hers she tried to stay calm, but the way he laced their fingers and pressed a kiss to the back of her hand nearly made her heart stop. “you don’t need to scare anyone,” she promised, remembering how she’d been raised—boyfriends weren’t casual, let alone anything more, and she was still untouched by both. “don’t worry about it,” she added, though her smile faltered when he pulled his hand away. “i can take care of myself, madison,” she rolled her eyes, trying to mask the sting. “so, tell me about your girlfriend, because there’s no way mr. farmer action man is still single.”

Madison let out a low chuckle, scratching the back of his neck like he always did when he got flustered, a sheepish grin tugging at his lips. “First of all,” he said, raising an eyebrow with mock seriousness, “you’re literally the same Emmy who used to chase chickens in her pajamas. I guess I am surprised you turned into this charming menace.” He nudged her shoulder lightly, his grin widening. “But I guess I should’ve known. You’ve always had that chaotic energy that people can’t help but be obsessed with.” When she teased him about looking down, Madison gave a dramatic gasp, clutching his chest. “Hey! I'm sorry for being a man," he said, deadpan, before cracking up. “But yeah… same guy, just, y’know, more rugged now. Sunburnt. Perpetually covered in hay. Basically the same Madison, just with more back pain.” He gave her a playful wink. “But nah, back home it’s just me, the cows, and ol’ Mrs. Donnelly from next door. She bakes me banana bread sometimes, but I don’t think she’s trying to seduce me. Pretty sure she’s just lonely and mildly deaf.” He tilted his head at her mention of the city. “Yeah, I get that. Everything back home’s still slow, still familiar." And then, with his fingers brushing hers, Madison tried to play it cool—but his thumb instinctively traced small circles as they laced hands, like it was muscle memory. His voice got a little quieter, still teasing but softer. “No competition, huh?" When she said she could take care of herself, he raised his hands in surrender. “Alright, alright. I believe you. You’ve always been the scary one in this friendship anyway.” And then the dreaded question came. “Girlfriend?” Madison blinked, then barked a laugh. “Pfft—me? Nah. I spend more time talking to cows than people, Emmy. The only woman I see on the regular is Mrs. Donnelly and I already told you, she’s not my type unless I suddenly develop a thing for denture cream and murder mystery novels.” He leaned back against his seat - shifting to get comfortable. “Still single. Still farming. Still waiting for the girl who can tolerate my terrible jokes and doesn’t mind a little mud now and then.” He looked over at her, eyes warm and teasing. “Know anyone like that?”

she was relieved madison had agreed to drive back before her brothers’ teasing pushed her over the edge. she loved her family, she loved his, but she had begged him to come—begged him to take that flight across the ocean so they didn’t have to keep existing through calls and glitchy screens. being next to him felt different, felt real. when he opened the car door for her like some old-school gentleman, clementine’s heart skipped before she could stop it, christian’s words still echoing in her head. “you’ve committed theft, you’re basically a gta character now,” she teased with a chuckle, forcing her smile to stay casual as he closed the door and rounded the car. she told herself she could keep it chill, convince herself they were just friends. his smile couldn’t possibly be because of her—christian was wrong. “pretty sure your mom would be disappointed if you didn’t act like a gentleman,” she smirked, “and trust me, i would’ve told her just to watch her scold you.” once he started driving, she exhaled slowly, a calmness settling over her chest that only he seemed to bring. she caught the shift in his voice too, softer, lighter, like the air had relaxed. “oh, i believe it—i’m very good at convincing people to do what i want,” she grinned. when he described her as the sweet girl next door, emmy’s lips curved into a genuine smile, and when his shoulder bumped hers, her chest tightened. “yeah, who would’ve thought my tits would grow,” she joked, pushing back against the weight of her own thoughts, determined to keep it light. “you’ve grown too,” she said warmly, “worked hard for those arms—look at you. i thought you’d be a twink forever, guess i was wrong.” she laughed, reaching out to playfully squeeze his bicep, twice, a smile tugging at her lips. “maybe we’re still the same, just a new version of us,” she mused, her voice softer this time. “i’m really happy you’re here, madi. i missed this,” she confessed, sighing as she set her phone in the holder so he could see the maps. “follow the arrow—if i let you figure it out, our families would beat us there.” leaning into her seat, she tilted her head toward him, her tone gentler now. “tell me about home, how’s everything over there?”

He let the moment stretch for a second before he made the first move—reaching across the center console, his fingers brushing against hers lightly at first, as if testing the waters. Then, without hesitation, he laced his fingers through hers, his grip firm but gentle. He brought her hand closer, lifting it to his lips with a smile that was both mischievous and sincere. His lips pressed a soft, lingering kiss against the back of her hand, the touch light but full of meaning. “If there’s anyone I need to knock out while I’m here, just say the word,” he said, his voice warm and teasing, but his gaze never leaving hers. “I don’t mind scaring off any exes. They won’t know what hit ‘em.” He chuckled softly, his thumb tracing over the back of her hand before he pulled away just enough to let the playful, cowboy charm shine through. “Besides, if there’s anyone who’s ever made you feel anything less than amazing, they’ve got me to answer to.”

emmy still couldn't believe she had made this happen. they were chatting, nothing too different from what they used to do, but now... now she had madison there with her. they hadn't seen each other in years, but there she was with her childhood best friend and his family, in the city that was now her home, far away from the states. she didn’t expect her brothers to behave any differently—they lived to tease her, but they were also the most protective pair she could’ve ever asked for. she had gone on dates, and she still remembered one time they showed up and shoved the guy like it was an accident. if emmy was honest, that guy was an asshole, so he kind of deserved it, but she couldn’t deny it was a bit much. when she finally convinced madison to head back to the ranch and he agreed, she felt relieved—she didn’t want to be even more embarrassed by her family. the way their fingers laced together and how he smiled at her was just a quick reminder of that old crush she’d told safi about. maybe she was just overthinking something they used to do as kids. as madison picked up her keys, she smiled, "oh, chill, i bet it’s gonna be the coolest ride ever, but you could’ve hesitated a little before you ripped my keys out of my fingers," she joked, sticking her tongue out, trying to ignore the way his fingers brushed against hers. "thanks, cowboy," she smiled, climbing into her truck—it was tall, easy to spot, straight out of a cowboy movie. "who doesn’t love a little show?" she shrugged. at his thought process, the girl’s eyebrows raised. she’d never really thought about it. "okay, don’t call me clementine, and then... i never realized that. when i bought it, i just wanted it to look like the country version of bella’s truck from twilight," she joked, "it’s a little old, but my baby does the trick. but hey, the emmy-mobile sounds cooler."

Madison couldn’t stop grinning. From the moment he saw her again—really saw her, not just through a screen or on a spotty video call—it was like stepping back into a part of himself he didn’t know he’d been missing. Emmy, right there, full of that same stubborn charm and dry humor, only somehow more herself than ever. And now, here he was, surrounded by family, trying not to look like he was completely out of his depth. He’d handled her brothers’ antics with the same easygoing charm he always had—big smile, steady voice, and the same banter he'd always had. When she asked him to head back to the ranch, he agreed faster than he probably should’ve. Partly to save her from more chaos… but mostly because he wanted to be with her, just the two of them. No teasing eyes, no distractions. Just Emmy. Not her family or his getting in the way of conversations. When she made that jab about the keys, Madison raised a hand to his heart with an exaggerated gasp, grinning wide. “Oh, excuse me,” he said, his tone mock-wounded, “didn’t realise I committed grand theft Emmy. You handed them over like a lady in distress—what was I supposed to do, not sweep in like a proper gentleman?” He chuckled, catching the way her tongue peeked out at him. Cute. He didn’t say it—he’d save that bullet for later—but the thought made his grin linger longer. The truck—he was pretty sure it had its own personality. It was tall, dramatic, and a whole mood. Much like its driver. As she settled in, he walked around to the driver’s side with a dramatic bow. “My pleasure, ma’am. Now tell me—what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t steal your truck the moment I get here to let you be a passenger princess in it for once." Then came her truck explanation. He blinked at her, his expression slowly morphing into amused disbelief. He laughed, full and warm, one hand on the wheel as he looked over at her. “That is incredible. I’m never letting you live that down." She called it her baby, and he nodded solemnly. “Respect. She’s got character, that's for sure." Then he glanced at her again, eyes softening just a little. “Still can’t believe I'm here, y’know,” he added, a bit quieter this time. And just like that, he gave her a wink—because even when Madison got sweet, he never left the banter too far behind. “It feels like so much time has passed… yet none at the same time.” His tone had shifted, just barely, like he was letting down the playful front for a second. “You’re still that sweet girl next door,” he added, eyes flicking toward her again, softer now, “but all grown up.” He gave a small, lopsided smile, something almost reverent in the way he said it—like he still saw her with wide-eyed childhood wonder, but couldn’t ignore the way she sat next to him now, self-assured, beautiful, real. Then, just to keep it from getting too serious, he bumped her shoulder gently.

clementine was so happy to have him around, it was just going to be a weekend but she didn’t want him leaving already. she wanted her best friend there, she wished madison could stay—his whole family even. the way her parents were so happy to have them there was enough to show she wasn’t the only one feeling that way. clementine rolled her eyes at her mother calling madison handsome—she wasn’t wrong. "yes mom, he looks really handsome, can you just not embarrass him in the middle of the airport?" she asked, raising her eyebrows playfully at her mother. then her brothers started teasing her too. she was glad everyone was there, but she really just wanted some time with madison without all the teasing. "you did, but it’s been a while, i just wanted to make sure you remembered," she winked at him playfully. as his hand moved down her back, a soft smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "amazing, let’s go," she said, reaching for his hand and pulling him toward the exit—she felt a jolt of electricity when their hands touched, her heart skipping a beat. she wondered if she was imagining it, if he’d felt it too, but it felt so right she couldn’t help it. it was something they used to do as kids, and now it still felt just as natural. "they’re as chaotic as ever," she nodded. "yeah, when we’re together, it’s like we’re still in wyoming," she added, as they made their way to the outside of the airport where her orange pickup was waiting. "do you wanna drive?" she smiled, holding out her keys. "i’m feeling a little lightheaded and i need to eat something, do you mind?"

Madison loved the way Emmy's parents lit up having his family around. It wasn’t just her—everyone seemed genuinely happy they’d come. It was sweet. He laughed quietly when she rolled her eyes at her mom calling him handsome. He didn’t think much of it, but the way she jumped in—half teasing, half defending him—made him glance at her with a smile. He caught the flush in her cheeks, and when her brothers started teasing her, Madison saw that look in her eyes—that mix of amusement and quiet pleading for a break. He understood. As much as she loved them, sometimes she just wanted a moment alone, especially now. Madison couldn’t help the smirk tugging at his lips. He let his hand slide gently down her back, and when she smiled—that soft, almost involuntary smile—he knew she’d felt it too. Then she reached for his hand, and when their fingers touched, it was like a current passed between them. His chest tightened a little. It had been years, but it still felt natural. It still felt right. Two childhood best friends reconnecting. He nodded as they stepped outside, the air a little warmer, the noise of the airport fading behind them. Her orange pickup was waiting at the curb for them. Madison took the keys without hesitation. “Not at all,” he said, gently brushing his hand against hers as he took the car keys from her fingers ready to give this thing a test drive. He opened the door for her before walking around to the driver’s side. He didn’t mind driving. He was just glad to be next to her again. “An orange pickup though, huh?” he said, shaking his head playfully. “This screams look at me. I’m gonna be winking at everyone we pass because they’re definitely gonna look at who’s driving.” He shot her a teasing look. “I bet you get all the guys beeping and giving you thumbs up all the time, don’t you?” He tried to keep it light, but the thought of random guys checking her out like that didn’t sit right with him. She was his Clementine. “Ah, I get it now,” he said, thinking about the orange paint. “Orange—just like your name. Clementine. It just clicked.” He laughed under his breath, shaking his head. “Took me a minute."

she couldn't believe madison's arms were wrapped around her. it was like time hadn’t changed a thing—he was still taller than her, just like when they were kids, only stronger now. she’d seen his pictures, sure, but feeling his arms around her again was... something else entirely. maybe she was reading too much into it after her talk with saffron, maybe not. all she really knew was she didn’t want to let go again, didn’t want him walking out of her life, not this time. then, of course, her family showed up and ruined their perfect little moment. as he set her down, she smiled, the feeling so familiar it almost hurt. she rushed over to hug his parents, just as her mom leaned in. “clementine, have you seen how handsome madison looks?” her mom teased, pinching his cheek before hugging him too. “oh, mom, i shouldn't be surprised you’d say that, but i am,” she laughed. she turned to madison, a smile pulling at her lips. “oh yes, clementine, look how good he looks,” her brothers chimed in, making her roll her eyes. “can we please just go already?” she groaned, slipping her arms around madison again. “oh, you can smell like one of us,” she joked. “the fishers are still farmers even if we’re not in the wild west,” she added with a grin. “i brought my pickup, so we don’t have to share a car with the circus.”

Madison couldn’t help but smile at the chaos unfolding around him. Clementine’s warmth still lingered in his arms even after he set her down, the moment etched into his chest like something sacred. He had held her before—years ago, when they were just kids running barefoot through fields—but this was different now. She was even more attractive to him now which he didn't think humanly possible. He chuckled when her mother pinched his cheek, accepting the hug with grace even as the teasing started. Madison wasn't one to take compliments too seriously, especially not when they were delivered like that, wrapped in nostalgia and motherly affection. He met Clementine’s smile with his own, a silent acknowledgment passing between them. The way she looked at him—it gave him pause. Like she saw more than just the familiar farm boy grown up. Then came her brothers, loud as ever. Madison laughed along, the tension easing as they piled on their own brand of affection. He could see Clementine rolling her eyes, but he could also see how her body leaned ever so slightly toward him, her shoulder brushing his like it belonged there. When she slipped her arms around him again, it didn’t feel like a joke. Her words were playful, but her touch was sure. Madison rested a hand lightly on her back, savoring the contact. “You say that like I didn’t grow up right beside y’all,” he replied with a soft grin, his voice low enough for just her. “Pick up sounds perfect. I’d rather ride with you than the circus any day.” Madison took a quick glance over his shoulder to make sure his parents were already falling in with Clementine’s family—his mom chatting animatedly with hers, his dad talking man stuff to Clementine's dad. With Clementine by his side again, he let out a soft breath, like something inside him had been holding still and finally relaxed. He looked at her, eyes warm, voice low but unmistakably fond. “I love your family,” he said honestly. “I see they’re still as chaotic as ever.” His gaze lingered on the group behind them, the laughter, the voices overlapping in that specific Fisher-family way. “It’s feels like it use too already - like you all never left and went thousands of miles away."

if someone had told her this was a dream, emmy wouldn’t have wanted to wake up again. madison was there with her—not behind a screen, not trying to line up time zones just to steal a few minutes together—but really there, with her. and if emmy was completely honest, it was the first time since her accident that she felt truly happy. he was there, with her. as he repeated those words, she finally let out the breath she didn’t even realize she’d been holding. maybe it wasn’t a dream after all. she didn’t want to let go—there was this ache in her to make up for all the time they’d lost, and she was determined to make that weekend unforgettable. "promise," she said softly, hands finally releasing their hold on him as she heard her brother’s steps approaching. "maybe i’ll convince you to stay here, who knows, a weekend is a long time for me to repeat it so much it gets engraved in your mind," she teased, flashing him a grin. "she can be a real pain when she wants to," one of her brothers added, playfully shoving her aside so he could greet madison. "ha ha, really funny," she rolled her eyes. "as you can tell, everyone’s happy to have you here," emmy smiled, glancing back at madison before she rushed over to hug his parents. "it’s like the old times, the hills and the fishers together again," she cheered. "oh, we have everything ready for a real nice wyoming-style barbecue, just like we did in the past"

If someone had told Madison this was a dream, he might’ve believed it. After all the calls across time zones, the quick stolen moments between their busy lives, standing here with her—really here—felt surreal. The weight of being apart for so long had worn on him more than he let on, but in that moment, it felt like the distance finally caught up just to fall away. Something unspoken passed between them. He didn’t move. He didn’t want to. Her arms were tight around him, as if letting go meant losing all the time they’d just reclaimed. And honestly, he felt the same. There was an ache in him too—this pull to make up for what they'd missed, to make every second of this weekend matter. Then came the footsteps—familiar, casual, like nothing had changed. One of her brothers cut in with a teasing shove, forcing space between them. Madison let out a low laugh, stepping back just slightly. Her family always knew how to crash a moment. He exchanged greetings, the easy kind that came from years of shared history, and glanced around at the familiar faces. Her family, his parents now stepping into the scene—smiles, laughter, warmth—it all wrapped around him like a memory he didn’t realise he’d been holding onto. And then he saw her—Emmy—rushing up to hug his parents, arms flung around them like no time had passed at all. Madison couldn't help but smile at the sight. It was effortless with her, always had been. He shook his head lightly, half to himself, and muttered with a grin, "Go for it - try convincing me. I wonder if I'm gonna miss not smelling like the farm for a couple of nights."

she had told her family she could go there on her own, she got the pickup, they would be able to ride all inside and she would carry the luggage in the trunk, and they would be fine but they insisted on coming. they were waiting, with a little paper with their last names written on it. she was talking to her family when her eyes met his. she let out a sigh, passed the sign to her brother, and ran toward madison. she didn’t even notice him dropping his suitcase, didn’t care about the people yelling at her because she made them stumble. she didn’t care. his arms wrapped around her, lifting her off the ground and spinning her around. she laughed. he was there. madison was now there with her. her hands moved to cup the sides of his face, looking at him as he stopped spinning, as if she couldn’t believe he was there. "you’re here," she laughed, "madison, you’re here," she repeated before hugging him close.

Madison felt something inside of him shift when their eyes met. That split second felt like an eternity for Madison, the intensity of it enough to make him catch his breath. He dropped his suitcase without a second thought, bracing himself just as her arms wrapped around him. He instinctively lifted her off the ground, spinning her as if the rest of the world no longer existed. Her laughter was the kind that filled every corner of his heart, bubbling over with a joy he could hardly put into words. He stopped spinning, setting her down but keeping her close. Her hands came up to frame his face, her eyes searching his as if she was trying to convince herself he was real. "I’m here," he replied softly, his voice steady despite the overwhelming happiness threatening to escape in laughter of his own. And then she hugged him, pulling him close like she never wanted to let go. For Madison, in that moment, being with her felt like the only place he ever needed to be. Madison’s hands instinctively found Emmy’s waist He could already imagine his parents teasing him later, their knowing smiles and playful remarks about his supposed crush on his best friend. He’d deny it, of course—he always did. But deep down, he knew their teasing wasn’t entirely unfounded. Emmy had a way of lighting up his world, even when she wasn’t trying. He looked into her eyes, his voice soft but filled with sincerity as he said, "Let’s never leave it that long without seeing each other again, okay?