So guys, I realised that literally all the Pricefield I write is angsty af (well done me). To rectify that, I am writing this story. Well, I guess it's a collection of fluffier, established Pricefield one-shots of varying lengths. They won't be in any particular order. This series may or may not include NSFW stuff as a warning, so you're prepared if that eventuality happens. I guess it depends on what people want to see really and what mood I'm in when writing.
This won't be following canon obviously. If you have any ideas to add to the mix, then I'm happy to hear and try to include them if possible. I do have a list of ideas I'll keep adding to, so I don't think I'll run out for a little while. Consider this chapter a test run to see how it's received. Then I'll think about how regularly I should update (maybe between 1-2 weeks?). Anyway, enjoy.
Chapter One: The Walking Dead
Max watched through the gaps in her fingers as the terrifying, lumbering figures staggered around in search of something living to rip apart. As a rule, she didn't deal with horror very well. So, you'd have thought that a show about a zombie apocalypse with jump scares and gore would be the last thing she should be watching. Yet, here she was sat on the couch with a blanket draped over her legs beside Chloe, who was happily shoveling popcorn into her mouth watching the bloody chaos ensue. Actually, she'd been laughing at times, commenting on how stupid or unrealistic certain parts had been. A typical reaction for her.
"Why did I let you convince me to watch this?" Max asked, clutching on tighter to Chloe and biting her lip. It didn't help that it was dark outside and all the lights were off in the house. That added to the ominous atmosphere. It's scary dark in here… How the hell is Chloe so calm while I'm a nervous wreck?
Chloe glanced down at her with a smug smirk, an arm lazily wrapped around her girlfriend's shoulder. Maybe part of her felt cruel for forcing Max to watch this. Only a small part, though. Everything was better with Max around. That and she enjoyed teasing her. "Because you love me."
"So I've heard…" Max sighed, mentally preparing herself for the rest of the show. As much as she complained and felt scared, at least it gave her an excuse to cuddle up to the blue-haired punk. Not that she needed one. "You totally owe me one after this."
"Don't I always according to you? Besides, it's not all doom and gloom or blood and gore. At least there are some hella hot, badass chicks around. Like Michonne, right?" Chloe let out an appreciative whistle as she sank further back on the couch.
Max rolled her eyes melodramatically to let her girlfriend see her disapproval. "Of course that's the first thing you'd think about… I swear that's the only reason you watch anything."
"Aw, is Maxine getting jealous?" Chloe teased, giving her a light shoulder nudge. It was almost too fun to playfully pester her like this. The expressions Max made were just too entertaining. As a kid, she'd made every effort to see them as much as possible. Not much had changed.
"No, and it's Max, never Maxine." All too late, Max realized her mistake. She had answered way too quickly and made herself obvious. It was silly but Chloe was right. Even though Max had known she was mostly joking, somewhere deep down inside there had been a flicker of jealousy. A feeling that she just wasn't good enough compared to others. Something similar had happened with Rachel and she hated that she felt it. Especially now, when she felt it over a stupid TV show character. Man, I'm such an idiot…
Instead of teasing her more, Chloe wrapped her arms tighter around Max to reassure her. Her best friend always had a tendency to doubt herself. "Oh, come on, don't get all pouty on me. Unfortunately for all the hot, badass chicks out there, I'm taken."
That made Max smile, the insecurity and self-doubt rapidly fading away. "I'm sure they must be crying in their sleep over such a lost opportunity."
Now that she was smiling again, Chloe found herself instinctively grinning back and resorting to her usual humorous approach. "Damn right they are. I mean, I'm a total catch."
A cheeky grin tugged at Max's lips. Now is my turn to go on the offensive. "Sure, if you say so."
Blue eyes narrowed at the response, clearly not satisfied. "You are such a bitch sometimes. You know that?"
Max shrugged, unable to stifle the grin that had crept onto her face, "Someone has to curb that seemingly endless ego of yours." A chorus of gurgling groan, shouting and gun shots brought her attention back to the TV screen. I can't even imagine what it would be like to get stuck in that kind of situation. "Seriously, though, it'd be super scary to live in a world like that. I don't know if I'd manage it."
Her mock annoyance long forgotten, Chloe shuffled closer to Max, if that was possible, and placed a kiss on her forehead. "Don't worry, Max. I'd protect you from all the scary, half-rotten, re-animated corpses. And the crazy people left over."
With Chloe's recklessness and her fear, Max doubted they would get too far without help. Having said that, they did make a pretty good team. Maybe they would have a chance. Hopefully, we'll never have to find out. "Well, doesn't that make me feel better…"
"It should. I'm a crack shot with a gun, total natural, so we wouldn't have to worry about defense if we could get our hands on one." Chloe held her free hand out in front of her, fingers positioned to look like a gun as she aimed it at the screen right at a zombie's head. She moved her thumb downwards, symbolizing the trigger, and mirrored the recoil while making an appropriate sound effect as one of the characters on the screen shot it down. "See, easy."
"And you call me a nerd," Max unsuccessfully stifled a giggle at her bravado. As far as she was aware, Chloe had never even held a gun, let alone shot one before. Something Max was very thankful for because she'd probably end up hurting herself. As usual, Chloe thought she could become an expert in five minutes. Just like her to think that way. "Yeah, well no offense but I wouldn't trust you with a gun until you got some proper training. Even then, I'd be skeptical."
"Ouch, that hurts." Chloe put on an expression of mock offense, trying to garner some guilt and sympathy that she could capitalize on.
Of course, Max saw right through it and shook her head knowingly. "Sorry to damage your fragile, manly pride. To be fair, I wouldn't trust anyone with a gun, even if they knew how to use it."
"I don't think you'd have much of a choice in that situation. You need to defend yourself," the bluenette added.
As much as Max hated to admit it, she was right. Still, she hated guns. That would never change, even if they became a necessary evil. "I guess… let's hope it never gets to that stage."
The ghost of a sly smile tugged at Chloe's lips, a twinkle of playful mischief entering her blue eyes. "You know, I think zombies have something right."
Curious, and a little scared, to hear her answer, Max bit the bullet. "Oh, and what's that?"
"Let me show you." Her voice was much huskier and lower now, rendering Max speechless for a few seconds. Before she could ask any further questions, Chloe had leaned in and begun kissing her neck. The sensation was slightly ticklish, but not unpleasantly so. Instinctively, Max moved her neck to allow her more access. It's so strange how one small action can affect me so much. Not that I'm complaining. Just when she had lulled Max into a false sense of security, Chloe blew a raspberry against her skin. "The neck is a good spot to aim for. Very vulnerable."
"I should have known…" Max sighed with mild disappointment as she went to wipe her neck. She should have expected something like this to happen. Chloe just can't help herself.
Chloe caught her hand, stopping her. The way she was looking at Max now made a shiver run down her spine, so intense and focused. "Who said I was finished with you yet, Caulfield?"
Instead of returning to her neck, Chloe pressed her lips against Max's, no longer wanting to mess with her. As anticipated, Max couldn't stay mad for long and was very receptive to the kiss. It was weird to think that she could do this kind of thing with Chloe, even now. She was gradually getting used to it. Maybe one day she'd be ready to initiate things as easily as Chloe seemed to be able to do. She felt Chloe's tongue and allowed it to slip inside her mouth. This was all so new for her, unexplored territory, so it was only natural for her to let her girlfriend lead. A hand found hers, fingers interlocking as the kiss continued. Max could remember the first proper kiss they'd shared. She'd almost forgotten that she could breathe through her nose, much to Chloe's amusement. Now, Max had a bit more experience so didn't fall for rookie mistakes like that… most of the time.
Although the screen continued to play in the background, neither Max nor Chloe paid it any further attention.
So, here's the first chapter all done. It feels good to be writing fluffier stuff for Pricefield. My default writing seems to be angst, angst and more angst, so I have to fight with that. I will persevere!
On a different yet related note to the story, I've only recently got into the Walking Dead TV series (although I've been wanting to watch it for a while thanks to the Telltale games – I'm super excited to continue ANF when ep 3 is out. I need more badass Clementine in my life!). I'm about halfway through now, I think.
Anyway, I hope that you enjoyed the first instalment of this fic and catch you next time.