Maddy Perez x Fem!Reader
It's You And Me. Always.
Wordcount: 2.2k A/N: Inspired by a dream I had while napping lol. Warnings: *SOME SEASON 3 SPOILERS*
Two months in New York had turned into a year. The fashion editorial you'd been hired to assist on kept growing. You were bombarded with new shoots, new deadlines, and new cities. Every time you thought you'd be home soon another opportunity appeared. The career you'd worked so hard for was finally taking off. The downside was that everyone back home had learned to live without you. Especially your long time friend, Maddy. You had met during your junior year of high school and attached yourselves to each other almost immediately. To everyone else, you were just friends, good friends. The kind nobody questioned or started rumors about but behind closed doors, things had always been different.
There had never been a conversation about labels or dramatic confession. Just years of stolen touches, late-night phone calls, and a certainty neither of you could explain. Thatâs just how you and Maddy worked. The night before you left for college, Maddy had curled up beside you and said as casually as if she were discussing the weatherâŚ"It's you and me. Always."
You'd carried those words with you ever since. Through college, through your first job, through every city and every lonely hotel room. No matter where you were, Maddy always answered when you called. She'd complain about work, gossip about Rue and Jules, or rant about Cassie. She had no problem talking your ear off until three in the morning. For a while, it helped keep you two as close as it could despite the distance but life happens.
Back home for Maddy, everything started falling apart. Mindlessly scrolling through social media you stumbled upon wedding pictures of Cassie and Nate. Maddy called you in the middle of the night crying afterward. Not because she loved him but because watching her former best friend marry her ex hurt in ways she couldn't explain. She was mourning a life she thought was supposed to be hers. A marriage, a nice house, the perfect and unproblematic life it seemed like Cassie was living. But Maddy knew it wasnât what she wanted and Nate wasnât the person sheâd even want to have that with. After weeks of work, Maddy told you she had rekindled her friendship with Cassie and started managing her. Things seemed to be going fine then out of the blue Nate passed. âIt was a fucked up situation.â Maddy vaguely recounted one late night, she sounded completely drained but you knew better than to press for any more details.
Not long after that, you heard the news about Rue and suddenly every conversation with Maddy sounded heavier than the last. You could hear the exhaustion in her voice whenever she called. Like she was carrying the weight of everyone's grief while pretending none of it touched her. So you called Cassie, booked the first flight home and showed up unannounced.
The moment you stepped into Cassie's home, your eyes found her. Maddy sat on the kitchen counter, arms folded with her legs crossed, pretending to listen to whatever Lexi was saying. Then she looked up for a second and froze. Her expression disappeared almost immediately but you'd known her too long to miss it. A flash of shock then relief, something so close to heartbreak.
"Mads." You uttered gently. She was off the counter before you finished speaking. Her arms wrapped around your shoulders so tightly it almost hurt. You didn't complain and pulled her closer. Months of distance had vanished in an instant as you melted into her frame.
"I missed you." She cooed into your neck.
Your chest tightened and your stomach fluttered. "I missed you too." From somewhere nearby, Cassie quietly ushered Lexi out of the kitchen to give you some time alone. Still, Maddy didn't let go.
"I really fucking missed you." Her second confession came out smaller, almost fragile. You pressed a kiss into her hair like you always did, the familiar scent of her mango shampoo rushed in.
"Maddy." You murmured quietly. Slowly, she pulled back and the sight of her nearly broke your heart. Her eyes were dull but they still sparkled as they darted between yours. There was a tiredness in them that she couldn't hide. A sadness she'd been carrying alone for far too long. You brushed your thumb across her cheek, contemplating on whether or not she wanted to talk or pretend like everything was okay.
Maddy blinked slowly and swallowed harshly, her eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Oh, baby." The words slipped out before you could stop them. Maddy laughed once trying to find an ounce of strength to mask but it didnât help her any. She let her tears fall as she dropped her head to your shoulder. You wrapped your arms around her again, holding her while she shook against you and cried into the fabric of your shirt.
"I'm sorry." She choked out.
"For what?" Maddy didn't answer because there wasn't an answer. But you knew what she was thinking.
Sorry for falling apart.
Sorry for needing someone.
Sorry for not being strong enough.
"I've got you." Your words finally broke whatever wall she'd been holding up.
"I'm so tired." She whispered, nuzzling her cheek into the dip of your neck. Her confession sounded painful and it hurt you hearing it. "I'm just...fucking tired." Maddy rasped out with a deep labored breath. âWhy canât the world just give me some grace?â
You closed your eyes and held her tighter. If you could've carried some of that burden for her, you would've. She knew you would without hesitation but she didnât want you getting wrapped up in her problems. You were the last good thing she had and she refused to put you in a situation that could take you away.
"It won't always be like this." You gently rubbed her back and kissed her shoulder. Normally Maddy would've scoffed and rolled her eyes. She lifted her head to look at you with her red eyes searching your soft ones and she believed you. Somehow, she always did. "You deserve the worldâŚyou deserve better than this." You dabbed the tears from her cheeks and brushed her hair back.
A faint smile appeared on Maddyâs lips. "Feels like the universe didnât get the memo." You let out a genuine laugh, the sound seemed to bring some color back into her face.
"WellâŚ" You started, flipping your hair dramatically, "The universe sent me instead." That earned an actual giggle and a soft push from Maddy. "There she is."
"You're so annoying." She bit back a smile and wiped the rest of her tears away.
"And yet you missed me." You rebutted while following her further into the kitchen. She returned to her place on the countertop, locking eyes with you as you flashed her a cocky smirk.
She rolled her eyes. "...What are you doing here anyway? I thought you were working on some big editorial?"
"I wanted to see you." The smile she gave you was confirmation enough on how your words affected her. Tracing the grooves of the tiles next to Maddy, you paused to find the right words. "With everything going on this past year..." Your eyes climbed up to meet Maddy already watching you. "I needed to see you."
She patted the spot next to her silently telling you to join her, quietly observing the vintage interior of Cassieâs home. Maddy's arm draped around your shoulders, your head rested against hers, enjoying the close contact. "How long are you staying?" She asked eventually.
"I'm staying in Palm Springs for a few days but after that I don't know." You shrugged.
Maddyâs face fell and she looked at you blankly. âYou donât know?â Her tone dripped with attitude and God did you miss it.
You grinned. "Depends...could be a few weeks."
Now she looked suspicious. "You're up to something?"
You pulled out your phone. "Back to New York?"
"What?" Maddy frowned but kept her gaze on you.
"Paris would be nice...we could go shopping!"
"Y/n..."Â
"You do have a passport, right?" You muttered as you scrolled through a travel app. Maddy stared as you continued to swipe, ignoring her piercing orbs. "Maybe Milan since fashion week is coming up."
Maddy held a hand in the air telling you to pause whatever game you were trying to play. "Okay, what are you talking about right now?"
You finally looked up. "I got promoted."
Her eyebrows lifted. "Congratulations." She dragged out, almost in a questioning tone. The smile she gave you was genuine then she narrowed her eyes. "Why do I feel like there's a catch?"
"There is."
"I fucking knew it." She nodded and pointed a perfectly manicured finger at you.
"There's a few shoots I gotta work on but after, I can travel anytime with a plus one of my choice." You nudged your eyes to Maddy. "You have to come with me."
There was a beat of silence that travelled through the space between you two before Maddy replied. "You can't be serious."
"I'm completely serious." You immediately answered, almost offended that sheâd think you would lie about something like this.
She chuckled then realized you weren't joking, her laugh died instantly. "Wait, what about Cassie? I have two other girls I have to manage."
You rested a hand on her thigh as you held her gaze. "What about you, Mads?" The question stopped her in her tracks. For once, Maddy had no answer or snarky comeback. Reaching for her hand, you gently rubbed a thumb across her skin delicately. "When was the last time you did something for yourself?" She glanced down, watching your finger trace over her knuckles. "I justâŚwant to see you happy."
She looked up at you now, still not uttering a word because she knew the truth. You leaned in closer, close enough that neither of you had to pretend anymore. Capturing her lips in a kiss that felt soft and familiar. Like you finally made it home and had no worries in the world. When you reluctantly pulled away, Maddy looked at you like she'd forgotten how to speak.
"You donât have to worry about anything. All expenses are covered, just come with me." You spoke quietly. She searched your face, looking for strings or conditions. The hidden cost she'd spent her whole life expecting but she found none.
"Why?" She asked, just above a whisper. You smiled because the answer had never changed.
"Because it's you..." A soft kiss pecked against her lips as she hummed. "And me." You pressed another. "Always will be." You rested your forehead against hers. "Is that not justification enough?"
For a moment, Maddy just stared with a neutral expression. Then she hopped off the counter and walked out of the room. Disappearing as she rounded up the stairs.
You blinked. "...Maddy?" A minute later, you heard a heavy thump hit the floor above you.Â
Twenty minutes later, she came downstairs dragging luggage behind her. Cassie followed, looking increasingly alarmed.
"Wait. You're actually leaving?" Lexi questioned as she rushed down the stairs.
"No, Iâm just walking outside with a packed suitcase." Maddy sarcastically replied, making you stifle a laugh as you approached to take the suitcase out of her grasp.
"Maddy!" Cassie whined with wide eyes.
"I'm taking a much needed vacation." Maddy shrugged and gave Lexi a quick hug and kissed Cassie on the cheek.
"Y/n! Do something!" Cassie whined louder and looked at you for help.
You offered a sympathetic shrug. "Donât look at me."
"I hate both of you." Cassie pouted and watched the two of you walk to the door.
"Youâre a big girl, Cas. You'll survive a few weeks by yourself just get Lexi to keep you company." Maddy grinned then trotted outside with you trailing behind. Cassie groaned in frustration.
Outside, you loaded the suitcase into the trunk of your car. Maddy slipped into the passenger seat like she'd been doing it her entire life. You climbed in beside her, reaching for the ignition. Before you could start the car, she grabbed your face and kissed you. Once then twice and about ten more times.
You laughed helplessly. "Maddy-"
"I love you." She finally sat back, smug and entirely pleased with herself.
You stared. "Oh, you do?"
She slid on her sunglasses and sat comfortably in her seat with her feet propped on the dashboard. She knew how much it would annoy you. "I guess."
"Don't start with that." You swatted her feet down.
A grin spread across her face with her dimple making an appearance. She sucked her teeth as her lips stretched into a full smile. "Okay. Fine!" She admitted. "I love you...always have." Warmth bloomed in your chest. The kind that made everything else feel distant. You started the car and beside you, Maddy practically vibrated with excitement. "So. Paris?"
"If that's where you want to go then we'll go."Â You leaned over to plant a delicate kiss to her temple. "I love you."
She looked happy, a complete contrast to how you saw her just an hour before. And as you pulled away from the curb, you realized that was all you had wanted from the moment you came home. To see her smileâŚthe rest of the world could wait.
