// about a year later after they flew back home. //
~:~
familiarity.
that's what he felt staring at the painting; a wave of it, clouding his mind with confusion. or maybe it wasn't familiar at all, and he just wanted it to feel like that. or maybe it was familiar.
sighing, he sat down on the bench in front of that particular drawing, not moving his eyes away from it. then he could sense someone behind him, in a strange way. he didn't react though, but he knew there was someone there.
at one point, he had to blink and lower his head to rest it, which made the person take a few steps forward and end up in front of him instead. it was a woman, he assumed, with long, brown hair. he scanned her back and actually groaned when that too felt familiar. he was losing his mind, that he was sure of.
"what do you think of it?" he questioned, referring to the painting. she shrugged, then waved her palm as if to say so-so. "it's not mine. but it does remind me of someone." he confessed to a total stranger, feeling the need to talk at the moment. he felt like he could confide in this stranger. "i went to college in florida, but i grew up here. i don't know why i'm telling you this, but if i'm boring you, just go." he started, hearing her let out a very quiet snort. "i of course had to move back eventually. even found myself a great job which i'm enjoying right now. my older sister is working as a soccer coach and she's trying to become an event coordinator. we're good now, but..." a brief pause.
"but what?" the woman asked quietly after his short pause, her voice blanker than he'd expected it to be.
"i left a lot behind when i moved back here too. my best friend and my girlfriend. her name was cassie. she was very into art herself, and i know her style from bottom. that's why i can't stop looking at this painting; it's so bloody typical her. i don't know, maybe i just miss her too much. she's visited a few times, but she keeps saying she's busy now and focusing on her career. which i get, believe me. i only want for her to be happy and successful. but i just miss her."
matt swallowed a lump in his throat and thought back to all the times she had visited. it was around three or four times, once with mason as well. but it wasn't enough. going from seeing each other every day to four times a year was tough, almost unbearable. thankfully it was never awkward or so, but they never spoke too deeply. cassie avoided talking about her career at all, which eventually bothered both the siblings.
he kept repeating her words in his head. maybe we'll actually figure something out and get back together. he hoped, clung to those words more than he should.
"that sounds depressing." she commented after a moment, tucking some hair behind her ear. that made matt straighten his back and fixate his eyes on her, feeling familiarity again. then he shook his head stupidly over himself — a lot of girls do that.
"it was in the beginning. but we're getting better, i guess. i'm glad we're still in contact, you know. many people lose that." he shrugged sloppily and leaned forward, supporting his chin against his fists.
"i lied about the painting before." she said, pointing up at it briefly. "i think it's horrible. but you know i'm always shy about my art and never really like it myself."
"wha– i what?" he frowned deeply, watching her finally turn around with a sheepish smile on her face. "holy shit."
"i'm disappointed you didn't recognize my voice." cassie folded her arms together and quirked one eyebrow.
matt couldn't help himself; he stood up faster than ever, wrapped his arms around her and spun her around like a fool for a short second. cassie chuckled and kept her own arms around his neck, looking up at him.
"what are you doing here? what's with the painting?" he asked hastily, moving some strands of hair away from her face.
"i made it." she grinned. "i got my own painting up in the national gallery of london. i wanted to surprise you."
"how'd you know i was here?"
"i asked cat." she cocked her head sideways casually and removed her arms carefully. "she said you come here a lot. do you miss me that much?"
"yeah, actually, i do." he nodded, and she laughed whereas he grinned. "i'm so proud of you!"
"how about we talk over some coffee?" she suggested with a hinting smile, making him nod again and keep the grin on his face.
the two sat down in the nearest coffee shop, after ordering what they wanted. of course it wasn't nearly as cosy as the one in florida, but it would do. they just needed to catch up — and she had huge news to drop.
"how's work?" cassie asked before taking a few sips of her chai latte.
"it's good, really. i got promoted a month ago, and my boss seems to love me. i think he's close with dad though, but still. i'm working hard. you?" he answered too formally for his own liking. she almost grimaced herself.
"i actually have something to talk with you about. i don't really have a job." she admitted, putting the cup down. "i quit at the juice café. i hated leaving that place, but i had to."
"why's that?" he asked with confusion in his voice, knowing just how much she adored that job.
"because... i've got a new one, starting tomorrow. it's–" she started, but he cut her off without thinking about it.
"you're starting a new job tomorrow, and you're in london today?"
"okay, do you want me to just blurt it out?" she questioned with raised eyebrows. he nodded carefully. "i'm moving."
"to where?" he asked quietly.
"here."
and now matt was really confused. he stared at her for the longest time while she bit her bottom lip, trying not to make a face. she'd wondered just how he'd take the news.
"here? as in london?" she nodded, studying his face. he was in shock, that much she could tell.
"i signed a contract with the national gallery, and i found an apartment nearby. but my real job that starts tomorrow isn't the gallery. i thought about it a lot, and after having alex encouraging me like a maniac, i decided to go on a job interview. as the assistant of your boss."
"as the– wait, hold up. you're telling me that you're moving here and starting a job at my building? am i hearing this right?" he asked. she couldn't help but to crack a smile, knowing in advance how big these news were. and unpredictable.
"yeah, that's what i'm saying. i'll live, like, a ten minute walk away from you guys. cat helped me find an apartment, but i haven't told alex yet. she doesn't even know whether or not i went to that job interview. i wanted to surprise her as well."
"talk about surprise!" he scoffed and shook his head with a stupid smile. "what happened to the whole, i-can't-just-move-to-london thing?"
"that," she started quickly, pointing a finger at him. "was then. i couldn't just pack up and move. but now i have more than one reason to." she explained, holding up her hand and counting the reasons with her fingers. "you, my new job, my new place, and the opportunity to experience a new city fully. of course i had to battle with my parents, but they soon let me. although i'll miss them."
"why an assistant? you could do a lot more." he questioned out of curiosity.
"i'm not sure. it's a good start, i guess. i don't want too much responsibility or a too serious job directly after college. then i'll just work my way up from there. maybe someday, i'll be your boss." she shrugged and winked by the end of her sentence, leaning back against the chair.
"so... what about us?" he asked the inevitable question, peering up at her like a lost puppy. she'd missed those eyes.
"come." was all she said.
cassie put her empty cup on table and stood up, moving to leave the shop. matt followed closely behind, walking with her in silence. it was a short silence too, considering her apartment was only a few minutes away from there.
unlocking the door, the brunette let him inside and closed it after them. matt automatically examined the place, entering room for room. it resembled their dorm a lot; the simple white, grey and black theme, the lack of too many furniture, the modern design. he liked it.
"it's cool." he uttered, turning around to see her smile at him. it was a different one, a curious, slightly smug one.
"did you keep your promise to me and lived up to it?" she asked with a weak frown. "about telling me when–"
"yes." he answered truthfully.
cassie exhaled in relief before she seized the back of his neck and pressed her lips against his. matt grinned happily before kissing her back, putting both hands on her hips. after a brief moment, he lowered his hands slowly to the back of her thighs, making her jump the slightest and wrap her legs around his waist.
"i still love you, you know." she mumbled softly against his lips, tangling her fingers in his hair.
"i know." he nodded with a teaseful smile. "i love you too, cass."
"we can figure this out tomorrow." she stated, nearly biting his bottom lip out of longing. "right?"
"right." he agreed, quickly finding the bedroom so that he could put her down on the bed. "tomorrow morning."
cassie giggled as he placed soft, but hasty kisses on her neck. matt held her wrists and put them above her head, followed by him taking her shirt off. the two would definitely focus on something else for tonight, since they had to take out their lust and longing for each other.
//
a few months later, cassie got home and tossed the keys on the kitchen counter. she just came home after one longer day; first thing in the morning was to order frappucinos to her boss, then go through his documents and organize them. when he was on his break and meeting, she and matt would sneak out and just hang on the roof. old habits. once they got back, their boss wanted her to book a table at a restaurant — for the boss and some friends. it just made her hungry.
however, that was a usual day for her. this time, it was just longer and dragged on.
matt peeked his head out from the kitchen frame and sent her a soft, familiar smile. she exhaled her tired breath and walked over to him, receiving a kiss on her temple.
"hey." she greeted him and gazed at the food he was preparing. "that smells delicious. home-made or take out food?"
"oh, come on. i can cook!" he defended himself and folded his arms together.
"matthew?"
"mm?"
"you're burning the meat."
the two moved in together shortly after deciding that they'd get back together. although, it would be so weird if they didn't. when she woke up in his arms that morning, it was so crystal clear what she wanted — and he felt the exact same way looking down at her.
when alex found out about cassie living here, she nearly fainted. a bit dramatic maybe, but her best friend moved to her city. who wouldn't be?
until now, moving to london was far from a mistake. cassie enjoyed it here, felt safe and comfortable. she liked the people and the city, and the reminder of coming home to her and matt's place always helped her through the day. it was wonderful.
no one could be sure of anything, for life is unpredictable. but so far, matt and cassie were living it. they found another boxing club, nore roofs to sit on, more coffee shops to visit, and more art to gaze at. sure, they missed mason and vanessa to death — but it was bearable. they visited more often and longer each time.
and no matter what, now was good. now was stable, settled and great. the two were together again, and for sure this time, and that was all that mattered in their hearts.
-
a/n
hi, i'm sad for ending this, i didn't even want to press the publish button
i really hope you guys have liked this story as much as i do, and thank you for all the pretty words - they've meant a lot! i'll probably still do edits of matt and cass, so follow me on tumblr if you'd like (carasmason)
keep the book in your library for a while!!! i'm thinking of starting two new fics, so maybe i'll post something about them here!
anyway, thanks for staying with me until this epilogue (my bbys i couldn't not make them endgame), and thanks to a few people who keep reviewing and helping me out
@-fragilebones, dumbledouche, madsmilez tammykay715 tfios_fanatic Courtneyb122201 DOBREVANCAMP DCBREV
hugs, i love aaaalll of you!!