A/N: Mostly just a bunch of cutesy, fluffy little MarshField cuddles.
Kate drifted into consciousness gradually. Someone was stroking her hair. Someone was humming quietly. As she grew a bit more aware, she knew it was Max.
After a few more minutes of just enjoying Max's attention, Kate opened her eyes. The brunette was resting beside her, propped up on an elbow and smiling down as she ran her fingers through Kate's hair. The room was only dimly lit, and she was still pretty groggy, but Kate was still enchanted by that sweet face: Freckles she loved, tender lips, and those soft blue eyes that seemed like they could see into her soul.
"Hi," she murmured, not sure why she'd said that. Why not "Good morning?" or maybe "This is perfect?" Kate wasn't really able to think straight when she was this close to Max.
"Hi," Max whispered back, smiling and giggling a little. Kate couldn't help but smile at the sound.
"Sorry if I kept you waiting," Kate mumbled, still gazing dreamily up at Max. Max shook her head, leaning down to press a kiss to Kate's forehead.
"It's fine," the brunette assured her, "I like just watching over you while you sleep." She frowned and bit her lip. "Sorry. Does that sound weird?"
"A little," Kate admitted, "But I think it's okay. Because it's you." Max smiled, looking relieved.
"Okay," Max sighed, her cheeks still a little pink, "I mean, I think it's really calming to just look at you and be reminded you're still here and stuff."
"Of course, silly," Kate whispered, rolling over to nuzzle against Max's collarbone, "Where else would I be?" Max didn't speak, and a moment later Kate realized what she meant. "Oh."
"Sorry," Max mumbled again, "Should I, um, not bring that up?" They'd talked about Kate's suicide attempt before, of course. Considering how it had been Max who'd talked her down from the edge, it would have been pretty difficult not to. But it wasn't the first thing that came to mind when Kate thought of pillow talk. Still, it was sort of a touching sentiment.
"No, it's alright," Kate replied, pulling back enough to look into Max's eyes and give her a reassuring smile, "I understand what you're saying. Or I think I do, anyway." Max leaned down to kiss Kate on the forehead, dwelling there for a moment before receding.
"Okay, good," Max said, still sounding a little uneasy, "I guess maybe I'm just too much of a worrier, though. Sorry." Kate reached up to gently cup Max's face with her hand, lightly stroking her cheekbone with the thumb.
"Max, you don't have to apologize for caring about me," Kate murmured, again looking into those beautiful blue eyes, "I just hope you don't worry too much." Trying her best to give a sweet smile, Kate leaned in for a kiss on Max's lips.
For a second or two, Max didn't really react, just lying still as Kate pressed their lips together. After that moment of hesitation, though, she put an arm around the little blonde, pulling her closer. In response, Kate wrapped her arms loosely around Max's neck, and they both started to sink further into the kiss. She could actually feel Max starting to relax as they kissed and cuddled, which was pretty gratifying.
"I mean, you're also just really pretty," Max added when they'd broken the kiss, resting her forehead against Kate's, "So it's not all worry…" She smiled and gave a wink, and Kate blushed. All the same, she did find herself grinning. Max had a way of making her feel giddy.
"You're such a sweet-talker," Kate murmured, leaning forward to nuzzle her cheek against Max's, "You make me feel almost as pretty as you seem to think I am." She had to admit to herself that she was sort of fishing for compliments with that, but she hoped that Max could tell by her voice that she was just being playful.
"Now you're being silly," Max teased, rolling Kate onto her back again and gently brushing hair out of her face, "It's just one of a bunch of things I like about you, but you are beautiful." Kate closed her eyes and sighed with contentment. Lying in bed with Max like this was so relaxing. The sound of the other girl's voice was soothing, and so was the feeling of her hands running through Kate's hair, and her lips against Kate's skin.
"I love you," Kate breathed, eyes still closed, "You're so good to me. My angel." She felt Max kiss her forehead again. She loved when that happened.
"It makes me feel so special when you call me that," Max whispered, her breath warm against Kate's face. Kate smiled, eagerly anticipating the kiss that followed a second later. Once again, she wrapped her arms around Max, holding her close. This sort of thing- cuddling, kissing, and pressing close to Max- always felt so right.
"Good," Kate replied after the kiss, opening her eyes to look into Max's, "You should feel special. You are special. Whenever I'm lost, you find me, even when no one else can."
"I'll always be there to find you," Max whispered, kissing Kate first on one cheek then the other, "No matter how dark things seem, I'll be there for you." Kate was speechless for a second, her mouth slightly open as she lay there, stunned at Max's grand and moving words. Blinking a few times, she snapped out of her trance and broke into a broad grin.
"Hopefully that shouldn't be too hard," she murmured, rubbing her nose against Max's in an Eskimo kiss, "Since I plan on always being at your side. Right where I belong."