A/N: Heyyyyyy guys. It's been a few years! I recently reread Cress and Winter out of my abundant love for some Cresswell and decided to hop back on here. I hadn't even realized I never finished this story!

Without further ado, let me know how you've been and enjoy another installment in Unrequited :)

After drying their tears the duo set out on a drive in the Rampion.

Cress never thought she could miss a car so much, but the familiar scent of the tree car freshener and the feeling of the cool black leather seats brought back memories of long drives with her best friend.

Back when Thorne had still lived in town and things hadn't gotten so chaotic in terms of their relationship status, the two had regularly taken drives in the Rampion while blasting music and chatting. It felt nostalgic to sit in his car now after months of him being gone, and everything between them becoming so hectic. It was grounding to feel familiar again, listening to The 1975 and feeling the crisp autumn air as they cruised with the windows down.

Cress was simultaneously so excited to see Thorne, yet heartbroken all over again. She didn't quite feel comfortable enough with how things had been the past several months. It was never explicitly stated that they had been in a relationship, and Thorne had tried his best to explain why he had been so distant, but it didn't sit right in her stomach.

The kiss from moments before fluttered back into her memory, making her head feel dizzy. She so desperately wanted to ignore the aching in her chest that had lingered over the past few months. She wanted to pretend that nothing had come between them, or made her feel so alone. But the reality of the situation was that Thorne had left her in the dust, sitting on disappointing feelings and living in a depression.

While she hadn't fully come to terms with it, it was true. She hadn't eaten as much, had listened to Iko's advice about changing up her look, had spent many nights crying into her pillows instead of hanging out with her friends.

It was true, she had fallen into a rut that she hadn't been able to see the end of.

And now here he was, sitting beside her in his car with his hand on her thigh.

Here, was Carswell Thorne, the smooth and charming man. Her best friend for forever, the biggest crush she had ever experienced. He was undoubtedly the most handsome person she had ever laid eyes on, and while she knew she wasn't necessarily bad to look at, she was certain that other girls had caught his attention while he had been away in New York.

She almost couldn't blame him for that, because he was alone in a new city and couldn't feel her from hundreds of miles away. He was a touchy guy, and she didn't think that in a creepy or sexual way. He was just a very loving person, and surely with Cress not around while he was at his university, he would have found companionship in other women.

The thought churned in her stomach, almost making her feel nauseous.

After a song had finished playing, Thorne turned down the music, noticing her discomfort.

"Is everything alright, princess?"

Cress sucked in a tight breath, glancing down at her lap. His thumb was rubbing circles into her thigh, making her head spin.

"I know things have been hard over the last few months," she paused, considering her next words. "but I can't shake the feeling that I was too eager to accept your apology and move on from the pain I've been feeling."

Thorne looked over at her, obviously struggling to form her words. She was nervous and it hurt, knowing that things had become so tainted and awkward that she didn't feel like she could speak freely with him anymore. He turned his head back to the road, scanning for a parking lot to pull into so he could give her his full attention.

"I know we never put a label on us, and that you were never tied down to me, but it's hard to think about you being with other girls as you surely were at school. You're suave and handsome, especially when girls are fawning all over you-"

"Cress."

Thorne had just pulled into the parking lot of a Super Target. He put the Rampion into park and turned in his seat, facing her.

"I won't deny that there may have been nights where I got too wasted and kissed a few girls I didn't care about."

Cress swallowed, trying to will the mistiness in her eyes away. She couldn't look at him as he spoke.

"Okay, there were nights like that. Being away from home was difficult, especially with everything going on with my parents. I stepped out of your life and did stupid, dumbass things. I didn't express to you how much you truly meant to me, and instead I found comfort in flings that meant nothing to me. Which is not only fair to those girls, but especially to you." He emphasized. He reached for her hand, stroking the inside of her palm with his thumb.

"Cress, I've messed up. I'm not perfect in anyway. I hate thinking about how much of an absolute idiot I was the past few months. Seeing you..."

He trailed off, running a hand through his hair. He let out a sigh, leaning his head back to rest against the window.

"Seeing you again really changed something in me. I can't quite explain it. I understand if you don't want to deal with me and my hot mess express, but I do love you Cress. More than anything."

She finally worked up the courage to look over at him. His messy hair was swept across his forehead as he tilted his head back. She hadn't noticed the scruff covering his chin until now. He was as attractive as ever, just a bit more disheveled than his usual sexy mess kind of look.

She felt bad for him. For all of the stress he must be enduring currently. She wanted to sit and feel sorry for herself, and she would love to just yell at him and tell him that his actions were inexcusable and disgusting, but she knew that he wasn't himself recently.

And despite his mistakes and regret, she still loved him with every piece of her.

Throne cleared his throat then, leaning his head forward to face her again. They stared into each other's eyes from across the car, the small space feeling like miles.

"I'm not going back to New York in January."

Cress blinked, paled.

"What?"

"I know my dad wants me to pursue my degree there, and I know I can't live at home if I come back but Cress," he sighed, chuckling to himself.

"I mean it when I say I'm crazy about you. I can never make it up to you, for everything you've put up with and everything you've helped me through. But if I had to choose between becoming a binge drinker in New York and moving home to be with you, I don't even have to think about that choice."

Cress blinked again, a tear finally spilling over.

"B-but I'm not asking you to make that choice. I could never ask you to move back for me, Captain."

Thorne leaned across the console, placing a hand on her back of her head, gliding his fingers through her new, short brunette waves.

"I know you didn't ask, darling. I'm telling you that's what I want."

With another hand moving to caress her cheek, Thone leaned in to her and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

Cress felt her heart beating rapidly, her mind whirring and buzzing all over the place.

All she had ever wanted was to be with him, and more than anything in the world.

She just hoped they could survive life's obstacles together.