Madison quickly clicked the button before the elevator began moving, making the doors open again.

As Corpse came into view, she couldn't help but smile and laugh. "Quite dramatic, wasn't it?"

He let out a breathy laugh and nodded, "yeah, sorry." He stepped out of the elevator, next to her again. "Back to your apartment?" He had already begun to walk back, giving her no choice but to follow.

When they did enter, they settled down, back on her couch, feeling less anxious and more open to conversation.

"Madison, I wish I could explain everything, and make it sound somewhat reasonable, but I know what I did was... it's unforgivable. And my fault, no matter what else was going on," Corpse began. "But most importantly, I... I didn't mean a word I said. I love you, I've always wanted to be with you, our relationship was mutual, and I don't think you're a psycho."

Madison was looking at him with a playful smile. "I mean... I was a little bit of a psycho," she admitted.

It felt so nice to talk to him, genuinely talk to him, and be nice and not feel like her heart was going to beat out of her chest and leave her unable to breathe on the floor. She was able to laugh and smile at him, with wrinkles by her eyes, and dimples in her cheeks. It felt normal.

She felt bad for trying to make a joke of everything that had happened between them, but she couldn't help it. It was helping her cope with how hurt she had been, and for a brief moment she had hope that maybe, they could figure this out.

—

—

Initially, they intended to eat out. They had only been on a few dates in public since they met. But after discussing in the car, they opted to order their food to go, and chose something quick since now it was more likely for them to be recognized in public together.

"You look beautiful," Corpse complimented hesitantly, pulling out of the chick fil a drive-thru. Although they were acting normal, so many decisions hadn't been made. Corpse wished they could start where they had left off, but he knew that would be harder than it sounded. He missed her, so fucking much. "Sorry we can't eat out, we can talk and eat at your place," he apologized absently.

"It felt nice to get pretty anyway," Madison smiled, stealing a fry from the bag before setting it down in the floor board in front of her.

"You're always pretty," he mumbled, placing a firm hand on her bare thigh.

She gasped quietly, tensing for a second before relaxing. She had forgotten how warm and firm his hands were on her. She stared down at his chipped black nails, and the ring on his fingers. He was so different from her, so much more cultured in so many ways.

When they had first started talking, everyone said they were too different. He had a different style than her; she was too preppy and prim. He was edgy and mysterious. It wasn't supposed to work, but it did, and neither of them had expected it. Madison was so incredibly flawed. She was toxic and emotionally manipulative. But she was happy now where she was. She wasn't nearly as embarrassing, and she had finally begun to understand how to process her own emotions.

But Corpse had helped her the most with all of that, and he had been the one to stick around.

He had experienced a lifetime of things his mere 23 years, and it interested her incredibly.

They had both been through a lot, but not as much as Corpse had, and yet, she was only aware of half of it.

She felt so bad for him, for all of the shit he had been through. He was figuring out life on his own, and had been doing so for more than half of his entire life. His body was fighting him constantly, like it was deeming him unfit to live, and he handled it better than anyone. His brain was so capable, though. He didn't know love, not the way she felt she did. He only knew what he had taught himself, and that wasn't always reliable. He had helped her, more than her own friends, and she had been so selfish.

If she was just more patient with him, they could've flourished the way she wanted them to.

She grabbed his hand, lifting it to her lips for a sweet kiss, before holding his hand tightly. She had had a realization.

They could do this, they both just had to try hard enough.

surprise small chapter for 150k!! holy shit i'm still in shock

how are we feeling ??

thank you guys for everything

i love you all dearly.

next update; 1/3 10pm est