intense and beautiful were perfect descriptors of dallas and mackenzie's relationship. sometimes he thinks about how much he couldn't stand to be in the same room as her for years, and if he'd just gotten to know her sooner, they'd have had even more time together. "you wouldn't have lost me. i mean, i know we never know anything for certain, but that's one thing i'm pretty sure of." he laughs at her next statement, but there was so much truth in it. "shit, do you think it's too late for me to cuss your dad out?" honestly, dallas is fairly terrified of mackenzie's father, but after the last five years lost, he'll face him. for himself, for his daughter, for mackenzie. "i'm only kind of joking." he clarifies. "i promise not to throw it in a bonfire as long as it's not an avocado. i still firmly stand against avocados and other disgusting things."
dallas listens intently at her speaking about the weddings, his attention piquing interest at the wedding under the stars. "married under the stars and there's only a few people there? count me in." he clears his throat quickly, shaking his head a moment. "i didn't mean, um, like, count me in, let's do this, but, in a, you know, that sounds cool kind of way." he clears his throat again, but can't help but smile. it did sound like a dream. "thank you for supporting me, for being proud of me. even if it was from a thousand miles away. or however far north carolina is from here. and you know i've always supported your dreams. i've always wanted the world for you."
"you can't." he repeats, quieter, his voice shaky. he lets out a heavy breath as he hears her footsteps take her further away from him, regretting everything in this moment. he does love her, that never went away, could never go away. when he feels her arms around her, he lets the tears fall harder, his hands moving from the counter to find hers on his stomach. he turns around slowly, head tilting toward the ceiling as he wipes his face. "i never stopped loving you, mack. but, fuck, i also had to try and move on. for five years, i tried, and i was even -- god, i was in love with someone else! i loved a whole other person and it wasn't enough to get you out of my fucking head." he sighs, facing her again. "you want to know one thing i didn't get rid of in that bonfire? that ring you liked so much when we were daydreaming about our future. you had this sparkle in your eyes and i knew it was the one and i knew you were, too, so i bought it after i dropped you off. and then you left and you just --" his voice cuts off and the silence in the room is shattering. "just, god, fuck, of course i love you. it's always been such a sure thing for me. i just need to know it is for you, too."