The days after were a slow, steady rhythm of silence and small comforts. Cat and her parents spent much of their time together, mourning the loss of Matteo in their own ways. Yet, as the grief began to settle, something else started to fill the space. Cat found herself more attuned to the quiet, serene surroundings. The endless stretches of open land and the simple peace of the place began to feel like a cleanse. An actually healthy cleanse this time. It was nothing like the whirlwind of her life on tour, with its constant noise and attention. Out here, in the vastness of Idaho, there was only the sky, the mountains, and the gentle breeze—nothing to demand her attention except for her own thoughts.

One afternoon, after spending time with her parents, Cat suggested to Jade that they should go for a walk. The cool air brushed against their faces as they strolled through the long grass, not speaking much at first. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, though. It felt like a shared understanding between them—something unspoken but deeply felt. Jade's presence, as always, was a constant source of comfort for Cat. It was hard to put into words the gratitude she felt for Jade, who had been the one person who could understand, the one person who had stayed by her side through all the ups and downs.

Jade had been there for Cat in ways no one else could have. Through the chaos of the tour, the public scandals, the pressure of her career—Jade had been there. But even more than that, during the hardest moments, like now, when Cat was processing her brother's death, Jade had quietly supported her, offering a steady hand without needing anything in return. She had listened when Cat needed to speak, she had held her when words failed, and she had never once hesitated to stay. Sure, they'd had problems in the past, but things were better now.

Cat had never realised just how much she depended on Jade until now. Her mind wandered, and she found herself thinking about the years they had spent apart, the distance that had grown between them after their breakup. And yet, in this moment, as Jade walked beside her, something stirred within her.

"I've been thinking a lot," Cat said suddenly, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft, contemplative. Jade glanced at her, her eyebrows knitting slightly, sensing the shift in Cat's tone. "About everything. About this year, about how you've been here for me."

Jade didn't respond at first. She just listened, her hand brushing against Cat's as they walked side by side.

"I… I don't know how to explain it. But you've been the one constant good. I feel like I've been through so much, and you've always been there. When no one else was. You've seen me at my worst, Jade. When I pushed you away, and you came back."

Jade felt her heart flutter slightly at the words. She had always been there for Cat, but not for any reward, just cause it was the right thing to do.

Cat's voice softened. "I think I've spent so much time running from things, from people, from feelings… and I've been so afraid of messing things up. But I'm starting to realise that the only person who truly sees me, the only person I can trust, is you."

Jade's chest tightened with emotion, though she didn't know where this conversation was headed. She had learned a long time ago not to expect anything from Cat in terms of clarity. They were both familiar with the complications of their past, the way their relationship had started and ended, and the uncertainty that had always surrounded it. But hearing Cat say all of this stirred something in her—something she couldn't deny, even if she wasn't entirely sure what it meant.

"I don't want to mess this up again, Jade," Cat continued, her voice breaking slightly. "But I want to ask if… if we could try again? If you're willing. I know it's crazy, but I think… I think we owe it to ourselves to see where this goes. To see if we can be something more than just the friendship we've had. Because honestly, I can't picture my life without you in it. Not now. Not after everything."

Jade stopped walking, her breath catching in her throat. The words were almost too much to process, too sudden, too vulnerable. She had spent so long trying to keep her distance from Cat romantically, trying to protect her own heart from getting hurt again, but now, hearing Cat say all of this, everything she had been holding back rushed to the surface. The feelings, the memories, the doubts—they all collided in a whirlwind of emotion.

For a moment, all Jade could do was stare at Cat, her chest tight. She knew she had to say something, but words felt inadequate. She had wanted this, hadn't she? She had wanted to be with Cat again, but now that the opportunity was right in front of her, she was unsure if she could risk it all once more.

But as she looked at Cat, her heart softening, she realised that the one thing she couldn't deny was how much she still cared. How much, despite everything, Cat had always been the one person who made her feel complete.

"I never stopped loving you, Cat," Jade finally whispered, her voice trembling slightly. "I don't know what this looks like, or how it's supposed to work, but I know that if you're asking, then I'm willing to try."

The relief that washed over Cat was palpable. She closed the gap between them, stepping closer and wrapping her arms around Jade. There were no more words needed. The silence between them was different now—it was filled with understanding, with hope.

For the first time in what felt like forever, Cat felt like everything might be okay. She had a chance to rebuild what they had lost, to find their way back to each other. And Jade, standing there in her arms, felt the weight of that possibility too—the weight of something that could heal them both.

They stood there for a long moment, just holding each other, the quiet of Idaho surrounding them, as the future stretched out before them.