Prompt: Things you said that I wish you hadn't.

Max and Chloe had been lying side by side on Chloe's bed all afternoon, occasionally drifting in and out of sleep. Sometimes they were both asleep, while at other times one would watch the other with a smile as she slept. When awake at the same time, they shared small kisses, gentle caresses, and soft words.

Chloe leaned forward and placed a series of kisses down Max's face, starting at her forehead and ending with her lips. She lingered on Max's lips for a moment before pulling away with a contented sigh that made Max grin.

"My kisses are that good, huh?" Max said as she lifted her hand to play with Chloe's hair.

"They're getting there," Chloe said, smirking when Max flicked her ear. "You know, if you're so concerned about the quality of your kisses, you could just rewind while we make out. Infinite practice time."

Max laughed. "Yeah, and then it'd get super sexy when my nose starts bleeding and I get a wicked headache."

"Good thing we have plenty of time to practice in the present, then," Chloe said as she moved to give Max another kiss.

They lay in silence after that, their foreheads resting against each other as Max continued to stroke Chloe's hair. Eventually, Chloe put her hand on Max's waist and began to trace small circles on Max's hip.

Max felt herself slipping back into sleep, lulled by Chloe's gentle movements. She slid her hand from Chloe's hair to rest on her cheek for a second before setting it on the mattress between them.

"Max?" Chloe asked just as Max was about to drift off.

"Hmm?"

"I love you," Chloe said slowly. "And I'm so proud of you for following your dreams."

Max's eyes shot open as she felt all the color drain from her face, her entire body tensing.

"Holy shit," Chloe said, pulling back slightly to get a better look at Max. "Max, are you okay?"

Max shook her head and buried her face in Chloe's chest, wrapping her arms around Chloe and hugging her fiercely.

"I'm sorry," Chloe said as she gently returned Max's embrace. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's not your fault," Max mumbled, closing her hands around fistfuls of Chloe's shirt as she held her even tighter.

"Why did that upset you so much?" Chloe asked hesitantly. "I've said 'I love you' before and never gotten this reaction."

"I…I can't tell you," Max said, feeling tears build up in the corners of her eyes. She squeezed her eyes shut, struggling to keep her voice even. "I'm sorry, but I just can't."

"Okay," Chloe said after a few seconds of silence. "I trust you, Max."

Max felt several tears slip from underneath her closed eyelids at Chloe's words. "I love you, Chloe. I love you so much."

"Is it okay if I say 'I love you' back?" Chloe asked, pressing a kiss on the top of Max's head.

Max nodded. "Yes, it's okay. It was just the…combination of those two phrases."

"Good to know," Chloe murmured against Max's hair. "You make no sense sometimes, Max, but I love you."

"I know," Max said, finally relaxing into Chloe's embrace. "And thank you."

"Anytime, nerd."