So my Valentine's Day Extravaganza is actually going to continue on to tomorrow since this one-shot turned into a three-shot, oops. Anyways, hope you all enjoy

Stay Majestic

VR


It was agonizing. The pain that etched across someone's body when ink began to hide the skin. Some people couldn't handle it; they weren't meant to get tattoos. Ever since my soccer career ended I had hidden the scars on my body with the only thing I was sure of that would cover them; something permanent. Tattoos were permanent.

It was excruciating. The fact that Max's parents wanted to meet me. My heart raced faster than the first time I'd seen the needle, dripping with black ink as it slowly maneuvered itself to my shoulder; caressing my skin in a bite I hadn't expected. Nobody ever thinks a needle gnawing at their skin hurts until they feel it for themselves.

It made me feel alive. I couldn't describe how I felt walking into the tattoo shop other than completely and utterly awake. It was always a nice change of pace to step inside the little building and wait for Lobo to ink me up. I loved the feeling that coursed through my veins right before the sharp object began drawing against my flesh.

Yet as I paced back and forth in my dorm room, I couldn't help but regret it. Every word on my arms, every image, every story, every piercing. They all looked wrong in comparison to Max's dream boyfriend. Or at least, what I expected him to look like.

He wasn't supposed to have sleeves, or a pierced ear, or snake bites. He was supposed to be confident, well-dressed, polite- everything Fang wasn't.

Sighing to himself, the 24 year old took a look in Iggy's full length mirror he had egotistically pinned up against their door. His hair was too shaggy, his clothes were too ripped, his shirt too sleeveless, his tattoos too obvious. "Mr. batchelder's going to hate me." The supposed lawyer in the making mumbled, letting his hands fall across his face and drag down in frustration.

At the feel of a cool piece of metal against his cheek he looked at his right hand, where Max's promise ring lay on his ring finger. It was a plain black band with a silver line through the middle; it didn't really look like a girl's ring which he was thankful for since when she gave it to him a year ago she had expected him to wear it.

"Oh God," He suddenly growled out. "I can't wear this! What if her parents see it? What if they know? Oh no, I can't do this. I'm gonna barf," I exhaled, sitting down on my bed and staring at the floor, focusing on breathing. I had to breathe; I had to be okay. If Max ever found out that I could be such a wreck she'd probably break up with me.

No she wouldn't. A voice in my head- the logical side of my mind- insisted. I knew it was right but I couldn't afford to let myself break down in a dorm room knowing Iggy could rush back at any moment since he forgot his credit card.

"Fang, you look like that time you got mono." Max's voice informed, causing me to jump with a start as my head snapped towards the open door where my girlfriend stood. There was no way to fake a smile; not when she was looking at me with those deep chocolate eyes the pleaded for the truth. All I could do was let out a breath I'd been holding in ever since I knew her parents wanted to see the boy she always talked about.

"I feel like that time I got mono," I finally answered, my tone light but my eyes dark. Like a good girlfriend would, Max spotted that anxious look about me and walked over to where I sat, falling down into my lap and wrapping her arms around my neck.

I loved her weight against me. It made me invincible to know I had someone like her. Max wasn't just my girlfriend; she was my best friend. I could call her for backup in a fight or take her out to a fancy restaurant. It all had the same comfortable flow.

"Babe, I don't want you to stress about meeting my dad and mom, okay? I love you and I know they will too," she promised, kissing my cheek and letting her lips linger against my skin. It was nice- how she knew just what to say and just what to do to calm me down. What wasn't nice was that it didn't work this time.

"I should wear a suit- I don't own a suit." I added, resting my forehead against hers and closing my eyes. Her scent always amazed me. Something pure like nature yet something posh like expensive body wash always mixed together with her. Pine and Mango. It worked.

"I want you to wear your ripped jeans and your muscle tee because you look so damn sexy in that." Max whispered, her hot breath fanning across my face. She had brushed her teeth before she came; I could tell. She always freaked out about having bad breath around me and so she brushed her teeth at least five times a day. She never had bad breath though. i wished she stop worrying about things like that.

"And I want your father to actually let me into his house," I added, feeling her change positions so she was straddling me now. I hoped she realized this wasn't the time to seduce me into giving in.

"Okay fine. Some nice pants and a button down- but a short sleeve button down. And keep all your piercings in." I groaned even as she pressed her lips against mine.

"Sweetheart, why? Why can't I just hide them?" I begged into our kiss, wrapping my arms around her waist and pulling her against me so not a drop of air lay between us.

"Because I want my parents to see all of you. My Fang. The man I'm in love with, and if they don't accept you for you then I'll never see them again."

"Don't say that." I begged.

"You're so important to me, Fang." Max rested her chin on my shoulder, and pressing her nose into my shaggy hair. "I would never let them say anything bad about you."

"But they can still think it. Max, please, just let me hide. Just one time. I just want to make a good impression." My girlfriend blew out a breath of annoyance, her body stiffening as she leaned back to look me in the eye.

"Fine. Do what you want to do, I can't stop you, but let me just tell you this one thing; I don't ever want you to change yourself for me or my family or anyone, got it?" Max commanded, and I nodded once.

"Yes Ma'am," I fake-saluted, causing a smile to cross her face.

"I think we both could use a movie night to calm down before tomorrow, don't you?" the 23 year old girl in my arms asked, and I nodded, pressing my lips against hers once more.

"Definitely."


I had decided on a pair of black skinny jeans that weren't tight enough to make my legs go numb like usual. They hadn't been worn but twice before so they weren't faded or ripped. Along with them I picked a navy blue button up short sleeve shirt with a nice leather jacket. Maybe at some point I'd take it off- for Max. My earring stayed in, and after much debate and a few encouraging words from my girlfriend so did my snake bites.

"Do you want me to drive first?" Max asked as we walked towards my Jeep, I carried Max's suitcase and my duffel bag despite her protests, deciding I could at least practice my manners before I met the parental units.

"No. I got it." I insisted, my voice a hiss of anxiety that came out angry. She scoffed.

"When I met your mom and dad I didn't freak out." Max muttered.

"How does puking on the side of the road not count as freaking out? And you don't have any tattoos." I added for good measure, tossing our stuff in the back before getting in the driver's seat. Max fell into the passenger one next to me.

"Okay, so I was a little nervous, and I do so have a tattoo!"

"Oh puh-lease, nobody is going to notice that tramp stamp on your back." I snorted just at the idea of it. Although if someone did they'd be getting much more than a stamp from me.

"Well you sure did."

"Well you sure didn't give me this promise ring for second base." I persisted, gesturing towards it for good measure without a second thought about the fact as to why I was wearing it.

"Touche," Max said before flipping on my radio and inserting the latest CD from her favorite band. I smiled as the music echoed through the car and Max sang along quietly since she wasn't a good enough singer to jam out. Of course, eventually she would, once she remembered I didn't care about her horribly off-tune voice.

About five hours later we arrived at my parent's house somewhere around nine in the morning. Waking up early was neither of our things but I wanted to be there at a good time so that way if they told me to take a hike I'd have a lot of hours to find a hotel that rats didn't dwell in.

"Max, Babe, wake up," I spoke quietly, shaking her shoulder gently after parking in the driveway. She responded with an obnoxious snore. All I could do was roll my eyes and hold in that laughter that threatened to devour me. She was always adorable; even when she was snoring in the front seat of a car.

Quietly, I got out of the car and walked around to her side, opening the door and unbuckling her seatbelt before scooping her up out of her sight. Unfortunately for my amusement, there was no pool to throw her in so all I could do was lean against my Jeep and hold her. "Sweetie, come on, we're here," I said, although my voice was too quiet. I just wanted to hold her and pretend I wasn't about to be disowned by her parents before we even got married. Her head nodded towards my shoulder as she groaned slightly, her eyes squinting up at me.

"Fan...g, take me to bed," she grumbled, curling herself closer to me. I chuckled at her childishness, carefully setting her on her feet.

"After we get inside I will, I promise." I told her, kissing her forehead as she continued to lean on me. For a moment confusion dotted her vision before she realized where we were.

"Oh. We're here," she informed me, causing a snicker to fall out of my mouth.

"Thanks for the info, Hon," I left Max to finish waking up while I got all of our luggage, slinging my bag over my shoulder, and picking her suitcase up by the handle before walking towards the front door, my girlfriend holding my free hand, letting her thumb run back and forth over the calloused skin.

"I love you," Max told me, and I smiled down at her, stopping by the front door.

"I love you too, Babe," I told her, setting the suitcase down to wrap both arms around her before pressing a tender kiss against her lips.

Max returned it all too eagerly, her hands intertwining into my hair. The feeling of euphoria gave me just enough time for me to forget where we were, and for her dad to open the door.

I had to have jumped at least four feet away from Max when I heard the creaking of the door opening, all the while she focused on not blushing. of course it was too late. We were caught, and the look her dad gave me was the type of look the bad cop gives murderers.

"Hi Daddy!" Max called innocently as I cleared my throat, running a hand through my hair to straighten it out.

"Hey Mr. Batchelder, I'm Fang Ride," I said in the most polite I didn't just kiss you daughter voice I could muster as I held out my hand. He seemed to reluctant to shake it, but he did anyways.

"Nice to meet you… uh, Fang." He didn't sound nice about it at all.

"Dear, is my baby girl here yet?" A warm voice that didn't sound at all like Mr. batchelder's called out, and all at once the spitting image of Max- only with black hair instead of brown- came rushing towards the entrance to her home, a smile wider than the Antarctic continent on her face as she enveloped her daughter in a hug.

"Hey Mom!" Max spoke cheerfully before pulling back to introduce me. "This is my boyfriend, Fang."

"Nice to meet you," I said, attempting a grin that probably looked more like a grimace as I reached my hand out for her to shake. She hesitated too, though she at least made an attempt to pretend like my snake bites didn't bother her.

"Darling, we hug in this family," she scolded before wrapping me up in a mama bear hug worse than my own mother's. My whole body went rigid beneath her touch, and I glanced at Max, wildly uncomfortable by the act of affection.

"Mom, Fang doesn't like stuff like that," Max spoke quickly, and Mrs. Batchelder quickly let me go.

"Good." I heard Max's dad mumbled under his breath.

"Well I'm sorry, Sugar, but you're going to have to get used to it if you plan on sticking around. I made breakfast, would you two like some?"

"Thanks, but Fang and I are both really tired and I think we'd like to catch a few extra hours of sleep."

"Well I would, but you slept the whole ride," I joked instinctively, before glancing at her parents, hoping they wouldn't mame me for the joke. Mrs. Batchelder actually laughed although her husband only glared.

"That's our Max. Here, I'll show Fang his room,"

"Mom, we can share my room." Max said as we walked into the house.

"You most certainly will not," Mr. Batchelder growled, and I found myself feeling actual fear for the man who stood right behind me. For a moment I thought about all those songs about fathers and guns and wondered if my head would be on the wall next to the deer's mounted above the fireplace. Max turned to me, a silent question in her eyes. No, I mouthed, hoping she'd respect my answer and keep from the argument.

"Alright," My girlfriend finally breathed out, and I smiled lopsidedly in thanks even as her mother lead us both up a set of stairs and down a hall.

"Fang this is your room," She said, pushing open a door to a room with walls painted black. How fitting.

"It's actually Ari's, but he doesn't mind if you spend a few nights in it. Just be careful with his guitar," Max explained, walking into the room before I could even pick out the corner the guitar stood in.

"Thank you so much Mrs. Batchelder," I said, turning to Max's mother. She was shorter than me too, although I didn't blame her since I was six one. Not a lot of people were taller than me.

"No problem, Sweetie." She patted my shoulder before turning to her daughter. "Max, don't sleep in this room. You know how angry it will make your father."

"Fang's my boyfriend and I'm an adult." Max stated simply, and I gulped, tossing my duffel bag on the floor next to the bed and yawning overdramatically.

"Well, I'm going to sleep for a couple hours. See ya, Max." My voice held just enough grit to it for her to snap her head towards mine, a glare in her eyes that didn't quite reach the tight smile on her face that only lasted up until her mother left.

"Fang, remember when I told you about changing?" Was the first thing she said.

"Yes, and remember when I told you about wanting to stay alive?" I snapped, although I wasn't truly angry. I wanted Max next to me just as much as she wanted to be next to me, but my piercings were already throwing up dust and my tattoos would definitely cause a storm, I didn't need to add a tornado onto that.

"Okay, okay, you're right, but can I at least stick around for a bit?" She asked and I collapsed on the bed in frustration before reluctantly patting the vacant piece of bed next to me.

"You're going to end up falling asleep and I'm going to get skinned." I told her as she shut the door before trotting back over to me and hopping on the bed. It squeaked beneath the weight even as she snuggled against my side, draping her leg over my body and slinging an arm across my chest.

"I promise I'll leave before I fall asleep." She kissed my shoulder gently and I smiled to myself.

"Even if they hate me, at least you don't." I decided, turning to place a proper kiss on her lips that wouldn't be interrupted by dads, or moms, or anyone else who would normally break us apart.


I woke up four hours later only to find Max had kept her promise. She didn't lay beside me cuddled into my body like most nights. Instead she had wandered off somewhere, and I sat up on the squealing bed, rolling my shoulders as I stretched before heading out of the room to look for my beautiful girlfriend.

"Did you see those things on his mouth?" Mr. Batchelder's voice snarled, and I paused in front of the closed door that stood before me. It must have been the master bedroom.

"Jeb, she obviously loves him; please try not to ruin this like you did with Sam." Who was Sam? How did Max's dad ruin that?

"Val, he looks like a punk. I will not have my daughter dating a boy with a record."

"You don't think I hate it, too? But he is very polite."

"It's all an act. Watch. He'll knock Max up and leave her. I'd bet money on it."

"Jeb!" Mrs. Batchelder exclaimed, although she didn't deny his words. There's nothing like your girlfriend's parents hating you to make you want to stand on some railroad tracks. Quietly, I retreated back the way I came, looking for Max's room. It obviously wasn't in the direction I had attempted to go.

Finally Max's snoring led me to her violet walls and white furniture. The door creaked with age as I slipped in, and although I knew she was far too asleep to actually hear me, I still tiptoed over to the bed before sitting down on it next to her, resting my hand over hers. "Babe, you wanna get up?" I cooed loud enough for her to hear even in her comatose state.

She gurgled in reply.

"Max, I'll make you a grilled cheese sandwich," I spoke in a sing-song voice and before I could even finish the sentence she was sitting up.

"The three cheese one with bacon in it?"

"Is there any other one?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. In response Max slapped a kiss against my cheek before getting out of bed in only a tank top and some spandex shorts I'd seen her in plenty of times before. Only now with her parents in the house I bit my lip- and not in excitement.

"Please put some actual clothes on." I muttered, glancing down at myself. I had fallen asleep in my clothes and I guessed Max had taken my shoes off for me because they were gone.

"No. I'm hot. We're in Arizona for crying out loud."

"You're hot in every state for crying out loud," I mocked, winking at her despite myself. Even in the midst of an anxiety attack I couldn't turn off the charm.

"Ha ha, very funny. Now go into the kitchen where you belong and make my sandwich, Babe." Max growled out, winking back at me tauntingly. I chuckled, watching as she pulled the shorts off revealing her polka dot underwear before pulling on a more respectable pair of sweatpants laying on the floor that looked more like they belonged to me than her. "Oh. and carry me, Noble Steed," she added, once again making me forget about where I was.

"Neigh," I responded enthusiastically, getting to my feet and letting her hop on my back before giving her a piggyback ride straight down the stairs and into the kitchen where both of her parents now resided. I almost dropped her from the look of hatred her father gave me.

Slowly, Max slid off of me before walking over to give her dad a proper hug. "Fang's gonna make me some lunch. Is that okay, guys?" She asked.

"Well sure," Mrs. Batchelder drawled out, giving her husband a pointed look. "Max can show you where everything is."

Quietly, without all the usual jokes I'd usually crack, I let Max guide me around the kitchen and made her one of her all time favorite sandwiches before presenting it on a plate. She dug in like no one was around, and I watched a look pass between her parents.

"This is awesome as usual, Fang. Guess I'll have to tip you for the good job," Max spoke, her voice a little more suggestive than I would have liked.

"I hope you're talking about money." Mr. Batchelder spoke, his voice deadly calm. Only then did Max realize what she had said.

"What? Oh, no I mean with uh- cooking dinner!" Max exclaimed. Her mother choked on the coffee she was drinking and her father looked two seconds away from a heart attack.

"You're going to cook? oh, but Darling, your mother and I already made reservations." Mr. batchelder insisted.

"That's alright, I'll cook tomorrow then. Fang loves it when I cook." Max informed everyone, and I forced a smile as both of her parents sent me a look of disbelief. "Don't you?"

"Of course I do." I choked out, trying to sound as convincing as possible. In truth Max could cook about as well as a dead man could drive, but I hated to see her upset so it was always easier to force down some overcooked chicken.

At that both of her parents about passed out. "You do?" Mrs. Batchelder asked before realizing her slip in phrase. "I mean, well of course you do."

"Where is that dinner reservation, Val?" Max's father asked, attempting to change the subject.

"Oh it's at that restaurant you like so much, Max. The chinese buffet." Max's mother exclaimed joyfully, and I found a grin creeping onto my face as my girlfriend squealed in delight. She was even more beautiful when she was excited about something.

"Oh thank you guys! I love you, I love you, I love you!" She repeated over and over, hugging and kissing both of her parents. I was glad she had told them that, because I had a bad feeling that after tonight it'd be awhile before she said it again.