Disclaimer: I do not own Life is Strange nor do I own the game's characters
Warning: Inaccurate description of a panic attack/PTSD
Thunder echoed through the night.
Rain hit her skin, her shoes sunk in the mud, her head was pounding.
There was a flash of lightning under the close curtains.
Harsh winds pushed her about, making it harder to walk through the dark path.
Another clap of thunder.
"Stop moving!"
She shivered under the covers, curling up until her knees touched her forehead. Her arms wrapped around her legs.
The doe stared at her. Ghostly black eyes urging her to follow.
Tears silently fell down her cheeks, one side getting absorbed into the pillow.
The ghost doe slowly faded as it stood on top of Rachel's grave in the junkyard.
"Max…"
Warm familiar hands gently adjusted her so she wasn't curled up. Arms wrapped around her and she was pulled into a protective embrace.
Max buried her face under Chloe's chin, a strangled sob tore through her throat as more tears fell.
"Shh, Max. It's okay, I got you. I'm here," Chloe buried her face into Max's hair, pressing a kiss to the sweaty locks. "Remember you're in a shitty motel, we're taking a road trip to Portland. With me. You're with me."
"Chloe…" The photographer croaked, her voice more of a breath instead of a whisper.
"Shhh, I got you. I won't let anything happen to you."
Max whimpered, but relaxed in her girlfriend's hold. She took a deep breath and burrowed deeper into the embrace. Letting Chloe's warmth chase away her demons and settle in her bones.
Eventually her tears stopped, her breathing slowed. Max slowly gave into a dreamless sleep.
Chloe stared at the sunlight streaming through the curtains, her fingers slowly carded through Max's short hair. Trying to provide silent comfort to her sleeping girlfriend.
She hummed as Max shifted, groaning as she slowly woke up.
"Morning, Maximum," Chloe smiled against the smaller girl's forehead. "How do you feel after last night?"
"...sick. Tired. Hot."
The blue-haired girl pressed her lips against her girlfriend's forehead again, this time taking note of the temperature. "You're running a little hot. And I don't mean in the good way."
There was a quiet, breathy chuckle from Max. Chloe smiled, at least she felt well enough to laugh.
"...can we stay like this? For a while?"
"You got it."