Hey! I'm kinda broken over episode 3's ending, so i wanted to write down how i feel! This is a quick story that came to me, it might stay as one chapter, or I could write more, I don't know, you guys tell me! ^^ Hope you like it!
Max forgot how to breathe.
She did not expect this. She expected to see her friend happy, energetic, carefree… but not like this. Never like this.
Chloe did look happy to see her, however, that happiness broke Max's heart.
"Why are you smiling at me? I did this to you. I did this to you." Max thought, her hear aching with the guilt, and by some sort of miracle, she remembered how to speak.
"Chloe." She said, forcing a smile.
"Took you long enough to come home, Max." Chloe chuckled. Her voice sounded sore, as if breathing hurts, and yet, it sounded like music to the brunette's ears. She sounded happy.
"Come in Max." William smiled at her, before leading his daughter inside.
She came in, her eyes widening at the drastic change in the house. The old furniture was replaced, the house was painted, it was the contrast of the original one, it looked happier.
"The house looks a bit different from the last time you've seen it." Chloe stated with a grin. "That spot didn't change." Her gaze turned to the wine spot they tried to get rid of as kids, Max couldn't help but smile.
"So, how was Seattle?" The blonde asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity and eagerness to hear about it.
"It was nice." Max answered. "But I was a bit lonely without my bodyguard." She said smiling. It wasn't a lie. It didn't feel the same without her best friend.
"Well, you know, maybe next time don't leave your best friend behind? I got bored without you." Chloe joked, however, her words stabbed Max's heart.
The time travel could feel her heart shattering into pieces. It was breaking slowly, and the regret was eating her inside out, like a poison, burning her veins.
She felt as if she will breakdown at any minute.
This is Chloe, her Chloe. The one she grew up with, made promises about travelling the world with. However, her thoughts wandered to the blue haired Chloe, the one who lost everything. The one she told about her powers, the one who was going to help her make the world bow, her partner in time and crime.
They are both Chloe, and even though they are different, Max did not want to leave any of them behind. Not again.
"I missed you." Chloe stated, her smile turning into a frown. "Mom and Dad thought that we'd never see you again… but I knew you'll come back."
That was when the photographer felt something inside her break, shattering into shards of glass.
She hugged her best friend, and as much as she wanted to tighten her grip, to feel that she was still here, she was afraid that she would cause even more harm to her.
"I missed you so much." She admitted. She didn't tell her Chloe how she felt, she didn't tell her how much she regretted leaving five years ago. "I'm so sorry. If I could go back to that day, I would have never left."
How ironic it is to be able to control time and change history, and yet she can't change the one thing she regretted the most.
If she had stayed, if she was there to comfort her after William's death, would things be different?
She couldn't help but wonder.
"Max?" Chloe was confused, she could feel the brunette shaking. Her best friend senses told her that something is wrong, even after five years, she could tell when something is really bothering her friend. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Max stated and pulled away, her hands were still on the blonde's shoulders. She smiled, but the pain in her eyes was too much that Chloe could see it clearly. "I'm fine as long as you're here."
To Max, this was the only truth in this illusion full of lies.