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To be quite honest with you, Rory was so ready to just go home and chill with Matt away from gaming. This whole trip to LA was really exhausting and the loss just made everything ten times worse.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Matt said, making Rory's head turn back to him. "The city. Los Angeles."

She nodded and turned back to look at the window. "What would you have done if you won your ring?"

"I would get down on one knee and jokingly propose to you." He chuckled. "I think I would keep it on my finger for the rest of my life. It's a sign of respect."

"Matt, did you ever cheat on me when we were together the first time?"

"God no, I was and still am in love with you. I could never bring myself to hurt you like that, like Seth did." Matt grabbed her hand and intertwined their fingers. "Why?"

"I don't know, it just came to mind." She smiled sadly at him. "Karlie and I were hanging out and we were talking about it."

"I know you guys hung out. People kept tweeting Seth and I about it. Where was Dana and Holly?"

"I have no idea, really. Might've went out to dinner."

"We should've done that, all eight of us. Should've got sushi when everyone was together one night."

"She doesn't fit in, you know."

"Who doesn't fit in?"

"Karlie. She's... she's not like me or Holly or Dana." Rory sighed, releasing his hand as the flight took off to grab the armrest, something she always did when taking off or landing on flights. "She's older than me, yeah, but she's just not mature. Karlie doesn't know how to handle herself."

"I know she's like that, Rory, but she and Seth are happy together and you have to respect that." She nodded.

"I know, Matt." The conversation died out before Rory brought up the subject again. "You know what she told me? She said, 'He loves me, I'm certain.' I just don't understand how she could have so much trust in him after what he did to me."

"I don't get it either, Rors. But it is what it is."

"Why was I not good enough for him? Was I not pretty enough, or was it something else I did?"

"It's not your fault he did what he did to you." Matt rubbed his forehead and sighed. "Listen, Rory. It wasn't you. I want you to know that."

"Thank you. Thank you for never giving up on us."

"No need to thank me. I'm here to stay."

+

Coming back to Chicago was better than they expected.

Rory's parents decided to pick Matt and her up from the airport, and they all had a nice meal at their house before Rory and Matt decided to call it a night and just sleep everything off.

"Good morning." Matt said, untangling his legs from hers so he could fully look at her. "That dinner was nice."

"I know. My dad's German, he makes the best sausage of all time. I'm blessed to be his daughter." He laughed and moved the brown locks of hair away from her face. Matt was so lucky to have her in his life. A gorgeous girl who treats him right and loves him a lot is something he cherishes everyday.

"I'm loving your eyes today."

"Thank you, Matthew. I love your dark brown eyes."

"I would say kiss me but we both have morning breath." Rory shrugged but did it anyways, smiling into the kiss. He pulled her on top of him and just found ways to make the kiss more intimate. At last, they pulled away only to go back in for another. Matt's phone vibrated in a pattern, making him aware he had a call. He picked the cell up and slid across the screen to answer. "Hello?"

She played with his hair as he talked away on the phone, probably to Davis or Nick about if he wanted to get food. Matt said a curt no and hung up the phone, turning his attention back to Aurora, who had her head propped on her elbow which was sitting on Matt's chest and was just staring at him with a small smirk.

"I love you, Matthew Piper."

"And I love you, Aurora Müller. Always have, always will."

+

a/n: haha yea! rory and matt for LIFE my dudes!