A/N: I do not own Life Strange.

Full Hearts and Scraped Knees

Max breathed in the cold Arcadian air, December rolling around quicker than she ever expected. Snow had been falling for the past week, coming close to about a foot of snow. Blackwell had canceled a few classes and every student was going wild because of it. The Vortex Club had taken advantage of the free days, having parties almost every weekend. She couldn't even count how many students she saw hungover or throwing up in the bushes.

Rubbing her hands together to keep herself warm she made her way through the courtyard. If she thought the campus was beautiful in October, then December was a completely different story. Everything was dusted white, the crisp air making everything seem clearer than it was. Though that wasn't what she enjoyed most. It was the person she saw within the snow that had seemed to catch her attention.

Kate Marsh.

Max smiled goofily at just the thought of the quiet blonde. Kate had changed her hair from a bun to letting it down loose. Her bangs would still fall forward but her head now adorned a cute knitted floppy hat. Usually her hair would be tucked in but as soon as she entered a room, flowy stands would make an appearance. The photographer absolutely thought Kate looked even more spectacular than what she already was. Max perked up her ears when she heard a very familiar laugh.

Blue eyes wandered the view in front of her, spotting Dana with Juliet looking oddly close. She walked a little bit faster when she made eye contact with Victoria. The Queen Bee of the school had changed her tune and was a little obsessive with Max now. Getting more than three texts at a time when she didn't answer. Max had no idea how to handle that much attention from her former tormenter. She paused entirely when she found Kate and a heavy feeling settled in her stomach.

The blonde was laughing, genuinely, eyes almost shut with the big smile she held. Her cheeks were dusted pink because of the cold air. Her knitted beanie was on matching perfectly with her green gloves. The grey wool poncho, thick knitted leggings and brown boots making Kate look the epitome of cute. So Max could understand why the tall boy was talking to Kate. Who wouldn't want to talk to Kate when she looked so damn beautiful? Stupid, now is now the time.

Even then Max couldn't help but take her camera out and flash a shot of Kate. She shook the photo as soon as it developed her eyes staring at the moment she captured. It was so nice to see that carefree smile once again on Kate's face. If anyone deserved to be happy it would be the caring artist who went out of her way for everyone. Holding the photo in her hand, Max looked up once again and for the first time she felt a hot rage consume her.

The boy was caressing Kate's arm.

He was leaning in.

Max shoved her camera in her bag harshly, tilting her head down trying to avoid being noticed. She focused her hearing on the snow crunching beneath her feet and not the laughs she could still hear. A cold burst of wind made Max shiver her arms crossing over her chest. The heavy feeling becoming more pronounced with every step she took. I can't get mad….not when were not…I just can't. Max bit her lip harshly trying to derail her thoughts, all she wanted now was some hot chocolate and good movie. Maybe she could call Warren and ask for a sci-fi recommendation.

"Max!"

The photographer heard the yell and for the first time she didn't want to stop. So she carried her feet faster, trying to not make it obvious that she was running. She bypassed Alyssa who was looking at her oddly and a Brooke who was trying to get her drone unstuck from a tree. Her heart sped up when she heard the quiet crunch of steps turning into a quick jog towards her. She couldn't outright run, that would just be way too telling and she didn't think she could explain why she was running.

What she wasn't expecting was a hand to grip her shoulder and spin her around.

They both weren't expecting to fall.

There was a yelp from the both of them as they collided into one other. The snow, thankfully, cushioning most of their fall. Max had to shake her head a bit to regain her sense of balance and she blushed when she got the chance to open her eyes. She was literally on top of Kate and she couldn't handle the intense stare she was receiving. With quick and clumsy movements Max found her footing, shaking some of the snow she had gotten on herself off. Max peered over to Kate and like any gentlewoman offered her hand out.

It was a bitter-sweet feeling at the warm tingle that spread through her arm when Kate took hold of her hand. Kate herself looked taken aback as she clutched the hand Max had touched to her chest and Max frowned at that. I don't think that's a good sign. A heavy silence fell between both girls and Max was itching to get away. She felt so many emotions at the moment, that if she had to choose how to explain the feeling it would be spontaneous combustion. Max cleared her throat breaking the silence.

"I-I, Sorry about falling on you."

Kate scrunched her nose "Max that was my fault. I shouldn't have grabbed you. I am the one who she be sorry. I am sorry."

"Don't worry about. It was an accident." Max replied hand finding purchase on the side of her arm. She was nervous. "So, uhm, I'm gonna head out now. See you later!" Max rushed out not waiting for a reply.

She didn't get very far when Kate yelled out "Wait!"

Max shut her eyes tight, it seemed the universe was against her today. Turning around slowly, Max faced Kate and her stomach bottomed out. Kate was holding the photo Max had taken just moments ago, brown eyes bright and glistening. It fell, oh shit. She's gonna know and I don't know what to tell her. Max gulped biting her lip once again to keep from spurting out an apology. She stood frozen in place as Kate took slow steps towards, stopping just a few feet away from Max.

"You took this?" Kate whispered.

Max averted her gaze "Y-Yeah."

"Why didn't you come say hi? Why didn't you stop when I called you?" Kate asked the hurt evident in her tone.

Max couldn't even begin to explain why she didn't. Max didn't know how to tell Kate, how to explain to her. That everything about the girl in front of her was so damn beautiful it hurt. How her smile was bright. How her laugh made everyone else laugh along too. How in the way she was made people fall for her, effortlessly. How because she respected herself, earned the attention of girls and guys alike. How Kate Marsh was undoubtedly popular and yet she was oblivious to it.

How Max hated that she couldn't even tell Kate these things herself.

Max shrugged "I didn't…I didn't want to bother you."

"Max, you're my best friend. You could never bother me."

"You were talking to that dude." Max said trying to hide her bitterness but she knew she had failed when Kate looked at her skeptically. "Okay. He was talking to you. Flirting, with you."

Max didn't notice the way Kate's hand's tightened "Does that bother you?"

Max bit the inside of her cheek. Yes. "No. Y-you're allowed to have dates and get to know people. I'm not that kind of best friend."

"Why did you take this picture Max?" Kate murmured her eyes trying to find Max's gaze.

Because I thought you looked effortlessly amazing. Because your smile makes my day. Because it was you. "You were laughing and it seemed like a really good shot." Max mumbled words almost mushing together with her nervousness. "Do you like it?"

"I do." Kate replied instantly, taking a few steps closer. "But you're lying to me. Why are you lying to me?"

Max shook her head "I-I'm not."

"You have been since the moment you said sorry." Kate stated getting even closer. "Talk to me, please. Is it something I did?"

Yes. You are you. "No, Kate, it's nothing you did. It's just me and you know how I get sometimes."

Max felt guilt when she saw tears build up in Kate's eyes "You've never lied to me. Why now?"

And a damn broke within Max because she didn't know why she was lying. She didn't know why she was trying to hide it. She was never good at lying, never good at lying to Kate and she should have known better. The photographer pushed her bangs out of her face as way to keep her hands occupied. Her heart was about to break out of her chest and her breathing was shallow.

"Because I don't know how to explain."

Kate widened her eyes breath hitching "Try. Please."

"Promise me something?" Max whispered.

"Anything."

"Don't hate me."

Kate looked horrified at that "Never."

"I-I…I think I love you. And I don't know when and I don't know how but I just do." Max blurted out eyes almost owlishly big. That was not the way she intended to start this but now she was going to run with it. "I can't remember when I didn't notice you because I think I always have. I notice everything and sometimes…sometimes I think it could be a little creepy, you know?"

Kate shook her head voice thick "You could never be creepy."

"Even when I notice when you get your hair cut? When you change those rings on your fingers? When you wear a little more make-up because your eyes seem more green than brown?" Max admitted cheeks becoming a dark red. "When all the guys seem to chase after you and how couldn't they? You are amazing, Kate. I know, I'm your best friend. And I love you and I can't help it."

"Max." Kate said thickly stepping a few feet forward now only inches apart from Max.

Max stepped back "Please, don't hate me. I didn't mean to fall for you. I really just wanted to be there for you. B-believe me." The photographer pleaded out tears threating to spill over because she had just spilled her heart out in a matter of minutes and Kate was silent.

Kate's hand darted to Max's so the photographer wouldn't run away. "Max. You are so much more than my best friend. Didn't you know?"

Max stood deathly still "W-what?"

And Kate had to laugh because god, only Max. "Do you honestly think I do all that for the guys? Max, I could care less about them. I care about you."

"But you don't have to do that. N-Not for me, your fine the way you are." Max replied instantly.

Kate titled her head to the side eyes watery "See, it's that right there. The way you see me, the way you think of me. Do you know how wonderful that feels? To know that when you talk me, you listen? To know that when I look in your eyes you're staring right back and not at my body?"

"I respect you." Max whispered

Kate pulled Max's arms around her, hands cupping her cheeks "And I love that about you."

"You can't."

Kate pressed her forehead against Max's "Can I tell you something?"

"Yes."

"I d-didn't know how much I cared for you until I saw you with Chloe." Kate admitted voice becoming thicker, her hold on Max becoming tighter. "The way she made you laugh, the way she made you come out of your shell. The way you seemed so much lighter. You want to know the w-worst part?"

Max placed her hands over Kate's "What?"

"I wanted you to look at me the way you looked at her." Kate admitted a tear falling down her cheek.

"Why didn't you tell me? You were hurting." Max whispered her hand's now over Kate's cheeks wiping some of the tears away.

Kate laughed but it was heavy "I could never be that selfish with you Max. I would rather hurt quietly and see you happy."

Max sighed "You should have been selfish."

Kate furrowed her brow "Why?"

"Because when I was with Chloe, I was talking about you."

And when Kate's breath hitched, Max leaned in those few precious inches and kissed Kate softly. She could taste Kate's peppermint tea and honey chap stick on her lips. Max was aware of the tears that were slipping out of her eyes but she couldn't care. She never thought this would happen, this moment was only ever in her dreams. Wishes that she whispered into the dead of night, hopes that she kept buried deep into her heart. She could feel Kate's small hands curling into her jacket as they pulled away, gasping for air.

"Please tell me this is real." Max whispered her forehead resting against Kate's once more.

"It is. Your lips taste like hot chocolate." Kate admitted

Max laughed relishing in the way Kate's thumbs rubbed soft circles on her cheeks "I will never let you go."

"I plan on keeping you."

"Promise?"

Kate tipped forward giving an eskimo kiss to Max "Promise."

Engulfed in their own little bubble, holing each other close they didn't notice the soft snow that started to fall. They didn't even notice Dana taking a discreet picture of them both or Warren gaping at them. Max's attention was only for Kate and Kate was only focused on the freckled girl in front of her.

"Kate?"

The blonde slowly opened her eyes "Yes?"

"I didn't plan on falling for anyone…but if I had to scrape my knees for you? I'd do it over. Every. Single. Time."

Kate's lip trembled as she traced the freckles on Max's face. "Only you." And she pressed her lips to Max because god, only Max.

But Max just felt like thanking the universe, it was on her side after all.

A/N:

Are you smiling? Because I'm freaking breaking my cheeks over here.

Anon who requested this, I hope you enjoyed!