Falling (repeatedly)

40- The Boyfriends Steal a Child (With Permission)

A bird flies out of the treehouse window, then Mocha climbs down again. "Alright, the message was sent!"

She sits down again. "How long is it gonna take to get to the kingdom?"

Espresso pauses eating. "It took us much longer to get from here to there the first time, mostly since we weren't aware of its existence."

Madeleine leans on Espresso lightly. "We could send a message to them. Then they can bring the hot air balloon over."

"But what if we don't-"

"We can get to the port first, then send the message."

Espresso puts his hand on Madeleine's face. "Stop being smart!"

"I steal your smart."

"No."

"Yes. I steal it through kisses."

"What-"

Madeleine kisses his cheek. "Smarts stolen."

Espresso heats up, then hides his face with his hands. "Madeleine..."

"Wait, I forgot to ask! Sorry!"

Mocha watches the two, then starts laughing.

They both look at her. She stops laughing. "Are you two together?"

Both of them answer "Maybe??" "I have no clue."

"How do you not know??"

Neither of them can think of an explanation.

She's bored of waiting. "Ok, I'm gonna go pack my stuff. You two can finish the food if you want."

She climbs back up into the tree.

Madeleine asks "Are we officially dating?"

"I don't know."

"Can we?"

Espresso stays quiet

Madeleine eats some food. "It would be the same as before, but we'd be boyfriends. It's like.. best best friends."

Espresso quietly says "Yes I would like that."

"Huzzah! Another victory for the great Madeleine cookie!"

Espresso pushes him lightly, smiling. "Stop."

"Does this mean I have to ask to kiss you on the cheek?"

"You don't have to ask unless there are other cookies around."

"Ok! More serious kisses are an 'always ask the other' type. I'm fine with a kiss on the cheek, if you would ever like to do that."

"Alright."

Mocha climbs down, now wearing a backpack.