Behind Blue Eyes, after the single by The Who
Note – this chapter is NSFW due to smut. Also, hardcore Pricefield. JSYK. ;)
Max had gone looking for Rachel Amber for the past two nights, running on very little sleep during the day while searching throughout the night. Sweeping Arcadia Bay in chunks, Max had picked up on hints of activity that drew her concern, but no hard evidence that Rachel was even in town anymore. It might have gone to ground, or scurried out of here. I wonder how much like an animal it really is; it could be making a new nest or something. Ew, that's a disturbing image, Max thought as the idea of the a feral Rachel Amber holing up in a giant bird's nest popped across her thought. Reaching the parking lot for Two Whales, Max peeked over the roof edge she was next to in order to ensure no one could see her before dropping down to the pavement. Popping her ankles, Max calmly strode over to where she had parked her Vespa and pulled her helmet on. Wanting to avoid attention to what they were doing, Chloe had suggested that Max drive her Vespa and park it before going on patrol.
"If you drive part of the way, you won't be as hella tired when you come home. Plus, you'd have like a central point for each area you search," Chloe had said after they returned to the apartment two nights ago, Chloe attending to Max's wounds in the bedroom while Max just quietly leaned back on her elbows, "I dunno, like a fucking grid or something."
"When did you get all savvy with perimeters and all that type of crap?" Max asked, an eyebrow quirked as she looked at Chloe with a bemused expression.
"Dude, lots of free time equals some serious video game skills," Chloe said, "Seriously, don't mess."
Max grinned to herself as she revved up her scooter and backed out of the space she had taken. Late enough to avoid any real business, Max looked through the window into the diner and noticed how thankfully empty it was. The last thing she needed was someone inquiring as to why a teenager was driving around at 3am. Chloe's really stepped up these past few days. Can't help but feel kinda pissed that she didn't act this way a lot sooner, but at least she's finally on board with everything.
"Almost everything, anyway," Max said, having elected to not mention Antony's appearance shortly before the incident with Victoria and Nathan.
Nathan had been quiet for the most part, Max having asked Dana and Juliet multiple times over the past two days to the point that they were becoming curious. Max had ceased her inquiries after that, making occasional chit-chat to redirect the girls' attention away from her line of questioning rather than just stop talking. Don't draw attention, don't draw attention. Just play it cool, Max, if you can actually be cool. Victoria hadn't been an issue, though she had stressed to nearly everyone in the Vortex Club, Juliet included, how she'd had "a really fucked-up dream" that was nagging at her. Max's ability to manipulate Victoria had also nagged at Chloe when they had returned to the apartment.
"…Have you ever used that on me?" Chloe asked, her tone hesitant.
"Yes," Max had answered bluntly, "But not for anything bad. Remember when I said I came here a few years ago?"
"Yeah…"
"Well, I came to see you. To apologize for not keeping in touch with you. I didn't think I would be able to return so I said goodbye and made you think it was a dream," Max said, looking over to see Chloe's dropping jaw, "Don't look at me like that. How would you have reacted if I showed up for a few minutes only to disappear again, possibly never to return?"
"…Touché, I guess," Chloe said, smoking a cigarette, "Still kinda fucked up, Max."
"At this point, what isn't fucked up about this? About us? You kind-of need to step up, Chloe, and realize that some of this probably won't end well…for either of us."
Chloe had elected to go to sleep shortly after, leaving Max to her thoughts as she went out to look for signs of Rachel. Max didn't seem to mind. They both had a lot on their minds, and neither was really in an affectionate mood. She's on board with all this, and I need her to stay that way. You watch my back, Chlo, and I'll watch yours. Max had wanted to probe at Chloe, to see if she was being truthful this time about standing by her, but Max decided to not push the subject. She can't be off in her own little world, anymore, and I can't afford to wait for her to catch up to me if she pulls back again. I've been forgiving because I need her so damn much. Ugh, we're desperate for each other to the point of mutual self-destruction.
Max returned to her senses and pulled out of the parking lot at Two Whales, zipping down the empty street while glancing around to see if there was anything suspicious. Taking a left, Max pulled out of the business area and headed for the suburban part of town, wanting to ensure that nothing was going on at Joyce's before heading to the hospital. Stopping half a block away from the Price household, Max carefully walked to the old house and climbed up the side, slipping into Chloe's old room and sitting on the bare mattress for a few minutes to figuratively catch her breath. She had done this the night before as well, taking a few minutes to not only go over what she had to do during the day but also to reminisce about better days. Days when I woke up in the morning and it was normal. Days of laughter and light, not this shit where I'm wandering the streets at the butt-crack of dawn. You'd think I would be getting used to this after three years, but I miss actually wanting things like pancakes and days at the beach. Rolling off the bed, Max gingerly tip-toed to the open window and climbed back onto the roof before Joyce could hear anything.
The hospital was usually quiet around this time, the night staff dealing with the odd job of a drunk person stumbling, something along those lines. Max slid around to the fence that kept the front of the medical facility accessible while discouraging entry around the partitioned-off sides. Hopping the fence in a single jump, Max landed on all fours and crouched as she stealthily made her way along the side of the building. Kate's room was on the first floor, so it was more convenient for Max to sneak in this way. Thank Dog she's not on the second or third floor. 'Max, how'd you get up here?' Well, I am a ninja…
Max had snuck in the way she was using now last night, too. Kate hadn't been awake, so Max had just peered at her through the window, checking up on her sleeping friend. While the scars looked like they were healing better, the bags under Kate's eyes gave the impression that something was wrong with her recovery and Max was becoming increasingly concerned. What if it's the blood she ingested? What if it's my blood? Max saw a very dim glow coming from the window that led into Kate's room and slowed her pace down until she was at the edge of the glass. Peering in, Max felt a small amount of surprise at the sight of an awake Kate at three-something in the morning. So as to not alarm Kate too much, Max reached a hand out and tapped at the glass a couple of times with a finger, withdrawing the hand quickly. Hearing nothing, Max frowned and peeked through the window again to nearly jump at the sight of Kate standing on the other side of the glass. Max instinctively put a hand to her chest before snickering. At least I don't have to worry about heart attacks. Wow, Kate, you are ninja. Seeing Kate put a hand to her mouth, Max mouthed Really? at her friend before Kate opened the window just enough for Max to slip in.
Max wrapped her sickly friend up in a large hug, feeling the frail form of Kate bundle up in her hold as the two of them both needed the comfort. Letting Kate go, Max saw a sheepish grin on her friend's face as she moved to sit on the edge of her bed. Closing the window, Max leaned up against the glass as she took Kate in with a greater detail. She seems…I dunno. Shaky? Her lips are all dry and her eyes are darting back and forth like crazy. It looks like she was reading her bible, I hope I'm not interrupting.
"Hi, Kate," Max said awkwardly as she looked away, realizing she had been staring.
"Hey, Max. What are you doing here? It's almost four in the morning," Kate said, stifling a small yawn.
"What are you doing up? Shouldn't you be sleeping?" Max questioned back, diverting the conversation, "I hope I wasn't interrupting anything. Were you reading?"
"I was about an hour or so ago. I've been sleeping in small bits, the doctors coming by every now and then to check up on me. Since my wounds are healed they moved me out of the ICU, but because I'm still sick they're keeping me until I've made 'significant progress'. Like I can force myself to feel better. I just…I'm just so thirsty. All the time. The nurses bring me water, bring me juice. Dana even snuck me a soda, but it's like I can't drink enough. I think something is wrong with me," Kate said, her shoulders slumping with worry.
"Hey," Max said, masking her own fears, "You're not well. You're allowed to have something wrong with you. Doesn't make you wrong, though. You'll get better, Kate, I know you will. Aside from all this, how are you? Anybody else besides me and Dana come to see you?"
"Chloe came by yesterday afternoon. She said you were busy with something, but she wanted to see how I was doing. Um, Alyssa and Brooke from the photography class came to see how I was doing a couple days ago. Mr. Jefferson called to see when I would be coming back."
"You're going back to Blackwell?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, yeah. It's my school, Max. Why wouldn't I go back? I mean, I heard you quit over some ridiculous rumor, but I kind-of need to finish the year so I can go to college."
Ouch, Kate. Is that a rib? My GED isn't exactly by choice, y'know. "I still can't believe Prescott and Victoria, telling people I was selling drugs just to run me off campus…"
"I can. They're so mean to everybody that draws the wrong kind of attention from them, Max. Never mind that Nathan Prescott acts like he's mentally unstable; they're just…just mean," Kate said, her head lowering as memories of the video taken of her popped into both of their heads. Max hadn't watched it, but she had heard enough from the students at Blackwell that she could figure what it showed.
Max moved over to the bed and sat next to Kate, placing a cool hand on Kate's shoulder. Max grinned at Kate, who grinned back, and she leaned her head onto Max's shoulder as she took in a deep breath and let out a sigh.
"I'm glad you came, Max," Kate said, her eyes closed.
"So am I," Max said, letting out a sigh herself, "Definitely need some quality Kate time."
"Oh?" Kate said, sitting back up to look at Max with a curious expression.
"It's been…it's been hard, lately. With the Blackwell-Prescott-Victoria stuff, never mind the craziness of me and Chloe. Don't worry about it, though. You need to rest," Max said, patting Kate on the hand as she moved to stand up only to feel Kate's gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Max. You can talk to me, too. If you need someone to vent to, the least I can do is listen. We are friends, right?"
"Of course we are."
"So talk."
"Ugh," Max said, scratching at the back of her head as she leaned up against the window again, peeking across the room to make sure that no one was looking inside the room. Last thing I need is someone spotting me in here. I'm ninja, but I'm also pretty bad at just focusing on a single thing and not paying attention. "Chloe and me…well, we've kinda been back and forth for a while, almost since we've been together. As a couple, I mean."
"Uh-huh. I kinda got that, Max," Kate said, smirking, "You two are pretty blatantly obvious."
"Yeah, I guess we are. We just don't talk about it when we're around other people. That's not the issue, though. I've been going through some, well, some pretty heavy stuff. Like, major damage. I've had Chloe's back ever since I came back, I mean I feel like I have to since I took off on her years ago. Also, there is my whole 'I'm in love with her' thing. I want to make her happy, but I feel like she's not carrying her share of the weight most of the time. Like, if we're going through a rough spot she ignores it and only takes in the good times between us. I'm left holding the bag, y'know?" Max looked out the window, seeing as the stars winked out across the clear night sky. "She says she has my back now, and that's great, but I'm…well, I'm hurting. I've forgiven her for so much, and I do forgive her, but forgetting is another matter."
"Have you considered that maybe you two aren't right for each other? I mean it's obvious that you both care about each other more than you do about anything else, but it sounds like there is some toxicity in your relationship. You should tell her these things, Max, make her understand your side of things. Really make her understand," Kate said as she stood up to give the crestfallen Max a hug, "I think you need some selflessness from your partner, Max. You should talk to her, not just about where you are but where you've been and where you'd like things to go."
"I am so glad I came to see you," Max said, a few happy tears falling from her cheek as she sniffled in Kate's soft embrace, "Best. Advice. Ever."
"It's why I'm here," Kate said, giggling a bit as she slid back into bed, "Now, if it's all the same to you I think I'm going to try and sleep. Be sure to see yourself out." Kate gestured at the window with a small snicker and Max covered her mouth to stifle a laugh. Walking up to the hospital bed, Max gave Kate a kiss on the forehead and caressed her friend's cheek for a moment before mouthing Bye and sneaking back out the window.
Max sat on her Vespa in the hospital parking lot, thinking about what Kate had said. She's right. Every time I've had to figuratively sit Chloe down and tell her how things were for me it was because she wasn't treating me or what was going on seriously. We're good for a bit, but then everything unravels. I don't want to break up, but I also don't want things to keep bouncing back and forth. Max felt like coffee as she started up her scooter and decided to go back to Two Whales. Maybe Joyce will be there. I could use more friendly faces. Max pulled out of the parking lot and sped down the highway that led back into Arcadia Bay, her confidence growing.
"Well, look who drops in at five in the morning. You're up awfully early, Max," Joyce said as Max walked in. Deciding that she wanted to talk to Joyce rather than sit over in the corner by herself, Max smiled at Joyce and took a seat at the counter as opposed to her usual booth. Taking the menu from the condiment holder next to where she was sitting, Max flipped through the menu absentmindedly as Joyce brought her a cup of coffee. The diner was empty, and Max was glad that she had Joyce to herself at the moment.
"Let me guess – Chloe," Joyce said, shaking her head as she looked back at Max with a sad grin, "You two are like magnets, connecting and bouncing back only to come back together again. I swear, darlin', you're likely drivin' each other nuts."
"Kinda already there, Joyce," Max admitted with a faint chuckle as she sipped at her coffee, "Does she ever take anything seriously."
"Oh, yes. What she wants, she takes that very seriously. I know that she's wanted you back since you left years ago, and she's probably willing to do almost anything to keep ahold of you. Unfortunately, she also only wants the good things in life, unwilling to take the bad because she feels the world is out against her."
"Typical Chloe, righ?" Max smirked as Joyce nodded in reply.
"Yep, typical Chloe. But, really, how are you? You look tired, sweetie."
"Long couple of days, that's all. Work-related, no big." Big, big, epically freaking big. Like an albatross or something really big! "That, and I've just had a lot on my mind."
"You want somethin' to eat?" Joyce asked, eyeing the menu still in Max's free hand, the other hand running a finger around the rim of her coffee cup.
"I'm not really hungry, but I might take something to go. Wake Chloe's ass up with some food and force her into a real discussion. Besides, who can argue with the best food in Arcadia Bay?"
"Nice save, Max. I'll whip something up for you," Joyce said, turning back to the small opening that separated the front of the diner from the kitchen in back. Max and Joyce made small talk while the food was being prepared, Joyce asking if Max would like to come over for dinner that night. Max had not wanted to impose, but Joyce insisted, talking about how she hadn't seen much of either her or Chloe. After some gentle badgering, Max had finally relented and agreed to bring herself and Chloe over to Joyce's that evening. Joyce nodded and turned when the cook in back smacked his hand on the bell to signal that the food was ready for pick-up. Sliding a bacon omelet and some hash browns into a takeout container, Joyce handed over the steaming breakfast while Max slipped her the money for that and the coffee before waving at Joyce as she went out the door with a meal in hand.
Max pulled into the small alleyway of her apartment building and leaned the scooter on its kickstand, tucking the helmet under one arm as she opened the storage compartment and withdrew the breakfast with her free hand. Walking up the steps, Max balanced on one foot as she kicked lightly at the door to try and get a likely-sleeping Chloe's attention.
"Chloe! Chlooooeeee! Wake the fuck up! I come bearing food stuffs!" Max shouted as she lowered her foot and started smacking the door with an elbow. Hearing an overly loud groan from inside, Max laughed as she heard heavy footsteps approach the other side of the door.
"Fuck, Max, it's like five-something in the morning. What the…?" Chloe started before the smell of eggs, bacon, and cheese wafted into her nostrils, "Dude. You brought me breakfast? I take back every bad thing I've ever said about you, Max Caulfield. You are my fucking savior."
Rolling her helmet between Chloe's legs to where it landed with a thud next to their small pile of boots and shoes, Max playfully slapped at Chloe's hand, eliciting a pout from her girlfriend as Max grinned.
"Assume the position," Max said, tapping Chloe on the nose as she walked past her into the apartment.
"Uh, what?" Chloe replied, confused and half-asleep.
"Go back to bed," Max said, setting the takeout container on the kitchen counter as she opened the fridge to get her sports bottle and a carton of orange juice. Having tossed her jacket towards the couch, Max poured a glass of juice as she took a few gulps from her own beverage.
"…You're bringing me breakfast-in-bed," Chloe said flatly, looking at Max with widening eyes.
"Uh-huh," Max said, wiping at her mouth as she replaced the bottle back into the fridge.
"You're fucking bringing me breakfast-in-bed."
"Yes, Che, now go back to bed so I can do this properly."
Max laughed a bit as Chloe sprinted from the kitchen counter all the way to the bedroom, jumping into the bed with a delighted giggle.
"Wait. Is this a trap?" Chloe suddenly asked as Max walked up to the bed with food and juice in hand, "Is this my last meal?"
"Not quite, Che. We do need to really talk, though," Max said, her tone growing serious as she smiled and handed the food off to Chloe. Chloe looked at the still-steaming omelet and back up at Max, then down at the food and back up at Max a second time.
"I'm in trouble, aren't I?" Max winced a small bit inside at the worry in Chloe's voice.
"Only if you choose to be."
Max sat down next to an anxious Chloe and put an arm across her shoulders, squeezing her a small bit as she brushed some of Chloe's blue hair behind her ears to clear her face off a bit. Taking in air, Max let out a reluctant sigh as she looked back at Chloe, who was now looking at Max with a pained expression.
"Are you breaking up with me?" Chloe asked, her lip quivering slightly. Dammit, Chloe. Don't do that, I'll turn to freaking mush! Steel yourself, Max, and just talk to her.
"Chloe. I love you. You know that, right?"
"Yeah…?"
"But you haven't been fair to me. There've been times where you've treated me pretty crappy when I needed you to be there for me, like when I came back after being locked away off the coast. I was imprisoned underwater for a month, and I needed you to be on my side."
"…I know. It's just-"
"Please," Max put a hand on Chloe's thigh as she closed her eyes, feeling torn as she wanted to talk but didn't want to hurt Chloe, "I was hurting, Chloe, but you looked out for yourself, instead. You mean the world to me, the thought of you was what woke me up from where I was being held, and you left me behind the morning after I came back. Why?"
"I told you. You leave, come back, and then disappear. It was too much for me at the time."
"No, Che. You gave me a reason. You didn't tell me why. Not really."
"I…," Chloe stammered, lowering her head to avoid Max's calm gaze, "I'm scared, Max."
"Scared of me? You've seen how bad I can get, how angry, and you thought it was 'amazeballs'."
"No, not that. I…when you went away after my dad died, I shut everyone away. I kept people at a distance, not wanting to get too close. I even pushed my own mom away. I still do. When you came swooping back in, one of the first things you did was save my life. One of the next things was tell me that you love me, like love love. I put on a strong front. I'm sure you know that," Chloe said, picking at the omelet with a fork as she took a small bite and chewed thoughtfully, "but you can see through it, Max."
"Sometimes I can't, though, and it feels like you keep me at arm's length when I don't deserve that. It's like you only want the happy and the fun with me, but you really do have to take the bad with the good, Che. I'm already shouldering so much, Chlo. I want to be here for you, but I need you to be here for me just as badly," Max said, squeezing Chloe's thigh affectionately as she gave the blue-haired girl a comforting smile.
Chloe began to cry as she put her head into her hands, leaning herself against Max who, in turn, lightly picked up the breakfast and set it aside.
"I've been alone for so long, Max. I've fooled around, sure," Chloe said between choking sobs, "and Rachel was there for me some, but I haven't felt like this for anyone but you, felt so goddamn much. And what does Chloe do? She fucks it up!"
"You haven't fucked up, Chloe. You're just…well, actually, you have kinda fucked up," Max said, her feelings conflicted, "But I'm right here, and I will face the bad with you so long as you accept and face it with me, too. Seriously, though, you can't do this to me anymore. I love you, crazy love, but I can't be with you if this is all there is."
Max felt pained as her words only made Chloe cry more, but these weren't the tears of just a girl who had been caught in a fuck-up; these were the tears of her best friend from five years ago, dragging herself through all the self-isolation, all the damage, that she had inflicted on herself and others along the way to where she was now. Max felt Chloe sag into her and began to run her fingers through the blue hair gently as Chloe kept crying. Max watched as Chloe looked up at her with red, puffy eyes and saw the eyes of a broken fourteen year-old girl in that tear-stained face.
"Please. Please don't go," Chloe said in a meek, heartbreaking voice, echoing the last words she had said to Max before they had been separated years before, "I love you, Max."
If Max's heart were still beating, she felt it would break apart at that moment. This was Chloe, the real Chloe. Not the punk, not the smart-ass, not the ambivalent, devil-may-care girl that she had been reunited with. This was how she really was, broken and needing someone to love her so that she could feel whole again. Max kissed her on the cheek, dabbing at the tear streaks with her lips, and squeezed Chloe a little tighter.
"I'm won't, but you can't do this to me anymore, Chloe. This is the last time, okay?" Max said, trying to sound stern as Chloe's heart-wrenching plea echoed in her mind over and over.
Chloe didn't respond with words, but rather with action. Shifting herself over so that she was facing Max, Chloe wrapped her arms around Max and just held onto her. Max moved to give Chloe a proper hug, but Chloe's arms tightened and Max felt herself unable to shift around. Electing to lay down instead, Max felt Chloe fall next to her on the bed while still clutching on her. You haven't let anyone in since me, have you? You spent all the years I was gone hiding behind mask after mask, and you tried to pull that on me but could only do so halfway.
"You don't have to pretend around me, Che," Max said, slipping her arm under Chloe so that she could press her girlfriend closer to her, "You never have to pretend around me. Got that?"
"U-Uh-huh," Chloe stuttered, her sniffling starting to subside as she clutched at Max even tighter, "B-But…can I still be a smart-ass?"
"You wouldn't be you if there wasn't sass," Max said with a giggle, smiling a bit as she heard Chloe cough from breaking into a dry chuckle while her throat was raw, "Max…can you pass me the breakfast you got me? I don't want it to get cold, and you brought it for me."
Max gently pried herself loose from Chloe's grip and sat up to grab the takeout from Two Whales. Signaling for Chloe to sit up, Max cut a piece of omelet out and gingerly forked it up. Max grinned as she held the fork in front of Chloe's face, making an "Ahhhh" sound as her girlfriend shyly opened her mouth in response. Wanting nothing more than this moment of emotional absolution between them to last forever, Max slowly fed Chloe her breakfast like two lovers and not just two girls crushing on each other, Chloe's eyes beaming at the woman sitting alongside her as she was fed morsels.
Being done with breakfast, Chloe laid her head in Max's lap as Max slowly ran her fingers through Chloe's hair, playing with strands of it as she twirled it around in her fingers. Max loved Chloe's hair, the color of it and how soft it felt in her hands. Interrupted by a sudden chirping noise, Max heard Chloe let out a small sigh as she began to sit up so that Max could get to her phone. Taking only a moment to decide, Max gently pushed Chloe's head back down with one hand as she reached into her pocket with the other. Switching the phone to silent mode, Max tossed it into a pile of dirty clothes under her clothing rack.
"Really?" Chloe asked, watching the phone hit the shirts and jeans with a small cushioned noise.
"The world can wait one day," Max said, feeling a greater sense of self-confidence, "Right now, I just want you. Okay?"
Chloe nestled her head further into Max's lap, smiling contentedly. "Okay."
The apartment was their sanctum that day, more so than usual. Neither even left the bed until around noon, Max having fallen asleep while still sitting up and Chloe having refused to move from Max's lap. Waking up hungry and groggy, Max had made to get up only for Chloe to lay her down and come back from the kitchen with Max's sports bottle. Tilting the bottle slowly against Max's mouth, Chloe returned Max's earlier mushiness and slowly fed her girlfriend until Max put one of her hands to the hand Chloe was using to keep the bottle steady as a signal that she was done. Capping the bottle and setting it next to the bed, Chloe curled up next to Max and watched the young vampire with what looked to Max like a new awareness of things as they lay next to each other.
"I didn't think that I would ever feel this way again, Max. So open. It's kinda scary," Chloe said, her voice incredibly soft.
"Does it frighten you?" Max asked, pulling Chloe in a little more.
"Kinda. Mostly, it just feels really good to finally be able to trust. To not have to hide away. Thanks for the push."
"And what happens when things get rough…?" Max worried, having heard something similar from Chloe before.
"I'll still be here. Swear," Chloe said, nuzzling her head in the crook of Max's neck.
Max smiled as she leaned her head to the side and kissed Chloe's hair, then chuckled a bit.
"What?" Chloe pondered.
"Your hair. The dye is starting to fade. I can see your blonde coming back through," Max said, looking at the small patches of blonde hair coming out from Chloe's roots.
"Shit," Chloe said, and Max stifled a giggle, Chloe's first swear word since their talk early this morning.
"Do you have some dye?" Max asked.
"Ugh, yeah. It's in the medicine cabinet," Chloe said, sitting up and scratching at her head.
"Really? I've never seen it."
"Because you only ever need toothpaste, Maximillian. When would you need aspirin or freaking oxy pads?" Chloe said with a snicker, "Vampires don't get acne, do they?"
"If they do, then I guess I'm a special case," Max said, joining Chloe at the edge of the bed, "How about we grab the dye and I'll re-color your hair in the kitchen? Sound good?"
"But I don't wanna leave the bed," Chloe said with an exaggerated slumping of her shoulders.
"Chloe…," Max said, trying to sound stern as she playfully wagged a finger.
"Don't wannnnaaaa," Chloe said, turning as she dropped back onto the bed, putting a pillow over her head, "Don't. Wan-na."
"My slender fingers running through your hair, massaging your scalp, washing your hair out and pampering you like crazy as you just sit and relax…" Max teased as she whispered at Chloe's pillow-covered head. Max grinned as Chloe lifted the pillow up a crack, a single blue eye looking across the bed at Max.
"…'kay," Max heard Chloe quietly reply, setting the pillow where her head had been as she slowly sat up, "What time is it?"
"Around lunchtime, I think," Max said, "Why? You want something to eat?"
"Nah. Just curious. You hungry?" Chloe asked, laughing when Max's stomach responded with a growl, "Glad I left your bottle by the bed."
Max caught the lightly tossed container as Chloe half-handed it to her before heading into the bathroom. Max sighed as she unfastened the cap and finished off the entire bottle. I'll have to go hunting tonight. I've skipped out the past two nights to search for signs of Rachel Amber, but at the rate I'm feeding I am definitely going to run out hella soon. Licking her lips clean as she set the empty bottle on her bedside table, Max glanced over where her phone lay in the pile of clothes and plucked it out. Flipping through missed texts, Max sighed in relief at nothing that needed major attention. That's nice, not having to come to someone's rescue for a fucking change. Wowsers, I can't remember the last time there wasn't some dire crap in need of doing. Well, I need to hunt but I wouldn't call that dire. Meh.
"Anything bad?" Chloe said as she came out, pausing from flossing her teeth to speak.
"No, which is a nice change of pace," Max replied with a peaceful expression, "A day to ourselves. Well, except for tonight. I forgot to tell you – your mom is expecting us for dinner."
"Huh. Okay," Chloe said as she went back into the bathroom with used floss dangling from a finger. Returning almost as soon as she had gone back in, Chloe tugged at Max's legs, drawing her towards the edge of the bed, and straddled Max's lap. Max looked up at Chloe with a sly curiosity as Chloe just looked down at her and smiled.
"Can you be like this all the time?" Max asked, trying not to smile.
"Like what?" Chloe asked, feigning ignorance.
"All lovey-dovey and, well, kinda heartbreakingly adorable?"
"…Only for you, Max. Only for you," Chloe said, leaning down to kiss Max on the forehead, "Let's go. The kitchen awaits. Oh, chew some gun while you're dying my hair. I love you, but not your blood breath. Ew."
Coming up behind to tickle Chloe, Max chased her girlfriend around the apartment for a bit as she playfully stalked Chloe with fingers inching towards Chloe's sides. Letting Chloe dodge a few times for fun, Max sprinted after a bit and pounced on Chloe as she cried out "Ticklebomb!". Going at it with the tickling, Max didn't relent until Chloe's face was almost entirely red from the gasping between fits of laughter. This is how it should be between us every day, Che. Just love and caring, no more bullshit. I've missed you so much.
Lifting the still-giggling Chloe up from the couch, Max led the taller girl into the kitchen and patted the stool seat before going into the bathroom for the hair dye and gloves necessary for her hands not coming away like a smurf's. Returning, Max saw Chloe leaning back against the edge of the counter where the sink was, looking lost in thought.
"I haven't done this before, so I'll need you to kinda coach me," Max said as she put on the gloves, looking at Chloe's distant expression, "Hey. What're you thinking about?"
"Hmm? Oh, uh, yeah. I'll tell you if you need any help. I'm just…just spacing out. Enjoying the calm, enjoying you. We've spent so much time doing hella crazy shit that I forgot how amazeballs it is to just have time between the two of us. Like, a period of time longer than a few hours or whatever. I missed this, missed us," Chloe said, squeezing one of Max's gloved hands only to pull back her hand in horror, "Fuck, Max! You put some of the dye on the glove already? Argh, I'm gonna have a goofy-ass blue dot on my hand! This is gonna take some serious grease and fortitude to wash off, nerd! Fucking brat!
Max laughed as Chloe just stared at the blue dot on the palm of her hand, brow furrowed as she gave Max a pout before sighing and leaning her head over the sink.
"Dude, you suck," Chloe said, "and not just in a 'Blah! I want to dweenk yer blood! Blah' kind-of way."
"Shush, you, or I'll intentionally screw this up," Max warned with a smirk, seeing Chloe's jaw clamp shut in response, "Okay. Now, help me out with this. I rub it all over your face, right?"
"Not even remotely funny."
"A little funny."
"…okay, a little. Seriously, though, my hand?"
Paying attention as Chloe provided instructions while Max massaged the dye into Chloe's hair, Max felt Chloe practically turn into a noodle as she ran her fingers through the dye-soaked hair. Who would've thought that Chloe Price, 'hardened criminal' and pothead, was actually the softest, mushiest person in Arcadia Bay? Look at her face, all sleepy and smiling, no being on-guard or anything. This…this is really nice. Max played with Chloe's saturated hair, spiking it out and twirling it as she spread her fingers around and through the slick blue hair. Hearing Chloe cough, Max looked down and saw the other girl look up at her with a bemused expression.
"I think you got it," Chloe relayed, a small smile playing across her lips.
"O-Oh, okay…," Max stuttered, looking away in embarrassment as she removed her hands from Chloe's head, letting Chloe stand up.
"It's got to sit for a bit before I can wash the leftover dye out. Wow, Max, that felt hella good. You should do that professionally," Chloe said as she pulled a bottle of water out of the fridge and a small bag of chips from one of the cabinets.
"What, rub my hands across someone's head? Uh, yeah, because that doesn't sound creepy at all," Max sniggered.
"Yeah, yeah. Smartass. So, what do you want to do after this is done?" Chloe said, munching on a chip as she pointed at her spiky blue hair.
"Well, if you're done being some 'bizarro Super-Saiyan', we could always…return to bed…?" Max asked, biting her lower lip as she clutched at her arm with her opposite hand.
"Max Caulfield, are you trying to get a booty call from me? Poor, sensitive moi?" Chloe asked, her voice laden with sarcasm.
"If you don't want to, that's fine. I-"
"Max. Come here."
Max slowly walked over to Chloe, the other girl taking Max's hand in both of hers. Looking down at the slender, cool hand, Chloe lifted the hand and placed it across her chest so that Max could feel Chloe's heartbeat reverberate through both of their bodies. You sound like drums, and your heart shakes like it is full of thunder, Chloe. Are you…are you excited, too?
"Let this sit, and we'll wash it out of my hair. Okay?" Chloe said, pressing Max's hand against the space between her clothed breasts.
"We?" Max asked, gulping.
"The bathtub is big enough for both of us."
Max brought her laptop into the living room and set it on the coffee table. Motioning for Chloe to join her on the couch, Max clicked through her collection of videos and movies before finding something she thought they would both have fun watching. Double-tapping on the touchpad, Max and Chloe watched the screen as the starting sequence for FLCL began to play on the screen.
"Holy shit, you remembered? This is my favorite anime!" Chloe said, wrapping her arms around Max's in excitement, "I haven't seen this in wayyyyy long!"
"Now who's the 'fucking nerd'?" Max asked, raising an eyebrow at the elated look on Chloe's face.
"Dude, shush! This is gonna get good after the sad-ass monologue! Wait," Chloe looked over at Max with a knowing smile, "Is this where you got your idea behind owning a Vespa?"
When Max didn't reply Chloe's face broke out into a Cheshire grin and she gave Max a wet kiss on the cheek.
"Just when I thought I couldn't love you any more, Max Caulfield, you keep on blowing my fucking mind."
"S'why I'm here," Max said, scrunching the bridge of her nose as she returned Chloe's happy smile with her own.
Max and Chloe sat through half of the anime's short number of episodes before remembering that they needed to rinse Chloe's hair out, their attention transfixed on the show they were watching. Pulling Chloe up from the couch, Max kept holding her hand as they walked into the bathroom. Shrugging as she took off her pajama shirt, emblazoned with the word "Rock" with a little chick underneath, Chloe didn't seem fazed by the sticky hair dye clinging to the collar of the shirt as she pulled it off. Tugging at Max's collar, Chloe whispered "Pretty please" into Max's ear before tugging at a sleeve, playfully biting her lip.
Max elected to switch it up, and took off her sleep shorts first instead, a pair of thin grey panties hidden underneath. Leaning forward a bit, Max kissed down the space between Chloe's breasts as the taller girl put her hands behind her back to unhook her bra, letting the straps fall down her shoulders to entice Max further. Wowsers, Max thought as she took Chloe in. No matter how many times she saw Chloe, there were moments where Max felt exhilaration at the sight of her childhood friend, her girlfriend and lover, standing before her with distinct allure. Moving her mouth to one of the straps, Max bit at it and tugged it down so that one breast slipped free of the bra. Teasing, Max pulled back and finished undressing, making Chloe wait as she methodically took off each remaining piece of clothing. Still clad in black boxers and half her bra, Chloe gave Max a pleading expression as Max finished taking off her own bra. Returning her mouth to task, Max grabbed the other strap and began to tug at it with clenched teeth. Wanting to surprise Chloe, Max bit down harder and felt the small piece of fabric tear between her teeth. The bra fell to the bathroom floor and Max followed it down, sliding her hands along Chloe's sides as she stuck her thumbs under the waistband of Chloe's boxers. Deciding they had both waited long enough, Max pulled Chloe's boxers down to her ankles with one quick pull, hearing a soft gasp from Chloe as Max exhaled against the soft mound between Chloe's thighs.
Chloe moaned as Max pushed her against the wall from her waistline and buried her face into Chloe's wetness, Chloe's hands clenching into fists as Max's tongue worked around the edge of Chloe's pussy before sliding into it. Biting her lip, Chloe took one hand and pressed it against the back of Max's head as she felt Max surrender to her will and push her face in a little further. It sometimes helps when I don't need to breathe, Max thought as she slid her tongue all around, taking in Chloe's taste. Sliding her hands up from the back of Chloe's thighs, Max grabbed onto Chloe's ass and lifted her up to where Chloe was on her tip-toes with a surprised gasp of air.
"Oh, Max! Fuckkkkk, Max, fuck!" Chloe gasped between shudders as Max squeezed her ass hard, tongue spinning inside of Chloe's pussy as Max played with Chloe. Chloe whimpered and nearly cried out as Max suddenly stopped and looked up at her with bright violet eyes, her fangs having popped out. Max looked at Chloe with a longing as both girls panted, Chloe out of necessity for air and Max out of wanting. Chloe nodded slightly and Max brought her lips to Chloe's inner thigh, kissing a small patch of skin before slowly piercing the skin with her fangs. Clamping her lips around the small wounds, Max took in a small taste of Chloe's blood as she slid two fingers inside of Chloe's pussy and swirled them around. Pulling her fangs out, Max kept her lips on the wound and licked at the small holes she had made, lapping up what little blood was coming out. I didn't go in as deep as last time, so she might not need a bandage. Oh, you taste fucking incredible, Chloe. It's like I just swallowed fire, Jesus fuck.
Slowly lifting her lips away, Max licked at a faint trickle of blood one more time before returning her attention to the increasingly hot wetness between her girlfriend's legs. Max felt the blood kick in and her chest became molten as she lifted Chloe onto her shoulders while kneeling on the bathroom floor. Feeling Chloe's legs wrap around her shoulders, Max greedily sucked at Chloe's flesh as she felt Chloe's entire body shudder. Not wanting to extend this violent moment of euphoria, Max lightly bit at Chloe's clitoris and felt Chloe buckle from her perch on Max's shoulders, a loud scream of intense pleasure escaping her sweating face. Feeling Chloe twitch, Max pulled her face back and retracted her fangs, then gently sat Chloe down on the bathroom floor. Max broke into a gleeful laugh as she saw the small streak of blue dye on the wall run from where Chloe's head had been to where it was situated now. Seeing Max laugh, Chloe looked at her with a baffled expression until she followed where Max was looking before breaking into a fit of laughter herself.
The two of them sat naked on the bathroom floor for a while, just laughing and intertwining their fingers, before Max leaned over and kissed Chloe on the lips, the taste of Chloe still on her tongue. Max felt like her skin was burning as she felt Chloe's tongue force its way into her mouth, and the two made a game of whose tongue would dominate the other. Unwilling to let Chloe have another moment of supremacy, Max cupped both sides of the other girl's face and pressed her lips down with force as she laid her tongue down over Chloe's while massaging it.
"Mmm khay, ub 'in," Chloe said between gasps of air, Max's tongue still partially in her mouth, "Eye thurrndr."
Quickly pulling away, Max looked at Chloe with a prideful expression before planting a kiss on Chloe's nose.
"You bet your ass you do. I'm unstoppable, Chloe Price. And you're mine," Max said, reaching over to lightly run her fingers over Chloe's side, eliciting a welcome giggle in response from the tickling.
"Max…Max, that was…Fuck. Just…fuck," Chloe said with a smile as she caught her breath, "Wow. So, uh, is it my turn?"
"Mmm, maybe later. I just felt like having you," Max said with a hungry grin as she lifted herself up, "How about that shower?"
Pulling Chloe to her feet, Max ran the water until it was nice and hot, splashing Chloe on occasion before switching the water flow over to the shower head. Motioning for Chloe to enter with a "Dye jobs first", Max slipped in behind Chloe and shut the curtains as she immediately began to run her fingers through Chloe's hair. Stepping on her tip-toes despite the slick surface of the bathtub, Max grabbed small clumps of hair and gently squeezed, watching blue water trickle down Chloe's neck, back, and her own arms. Scrubbing Chloe's head as she rinsed the extra dye out, Max asked for the shampoo and proceeded to wash Chloe's hair, vigorously scrubbing at Chloe's scalp until she patted the top of the taller girl's head as a signal for her to rinse.
Max's hand reached for the body wash but found herself grasping empty air as Chloe swiped it from her grasping fingers as she watched Max from the corner of her eye. Turning around so that she was facing Max, Chloe squirted a small puddle of the floral-smelling bath soap into her hands and lathered them up. Max writhed slightly from the pleasure of it as Chloe began to soap up her body, starting with her shoulders and working her hands down Max's arms. Leaning forward, Chloe kissed Max tenderly as she moved her soapy hands to Max's midsection and rubbed at the vampire's belly before moving them up and onto Max's chest. Cupping Max's breasts for a moment, Chloe teasingly flicked Max's stiff nipples with her thumb before working her hands onto Max's neck. Turning Max around, Chloe slowly moved her hands across and down Max's back, ensuring that it was entirely coated in a small film of soapy froth before bending down to slide her hands across each leg. Chloe felt the small patter of water as the shower she had been blocking with her own back began to pelt Max's, sending small trails of soapy water down Max's back and onto her legs. Max turned around as Chloe stood up and the two of them just gazed into each other's eyes for a moment before Chloe leisurely stepped out of the shower to let Max finish rinsing off. Max stayed in the shower for a few extra minutes, the rush of what she and Chloe had done as well as Chloe's blood being in her system making her feel electric and blissful. Sigh.
Shutting the water off, Max opened the curtain to find Chloe wrapped in a towel, holding another one out for Max. Gently nibbling at Max's neck and collarbone as she wrapped Max up, Chloe leaned her forehead into Max's and smiled contentedly at her girlfriend as she took Max's hands into her own.
"Fucking marry me, Max," Chloe said, the smile still on her face but a serious tone in her voice.
"…You're serious," Max said, a statement rather than a question, "Ohmygod. Chloe, oh my god."
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Max," Chloe said, the words coming out slowly as Chloe steeled herself, "I'm not fucking around anymore, and this isn't me fucking around either. I can't lose you, and I can't imagine my life without you. I've been wrecked since you left, and I feel whole now that you knocked my walls down. I can't promise that I won't still act kinda like an asshole, but when it is just us I am so totally fucking yours that you will never not know that."
"You're actually proposing," Max said, thankful once again that she didn't need to breathe because HYPERVENTILATING JESUS CHRIST SHE'S PROPSING TO ME AND OHMYGOD HOLY FUCK-SHIT.
"…Yes," Max said, her voice damn-near a whisper as she began to cry, her voice betraying the shock from what just happened.
"Yes?" Chloe asked, tilting her head down as Max lowered hers, "Max, why are you hiding? Hey, look at me. I'm serious, Max."
"I-I know you are, Che. I j-just never e-expected something like...like…," Max stammered, her body shaking as she felt her legs give way only to be caught by Chloe
"Vampires faint?" Chloe asked, her tone of surprise matching Max's own.
"Fuck if I know. I can tell you that if they do, it's from bombs being dropped on them like the one you dropped on me just now," Max said shakily as she leaned against Chloe, letting Chloe wrap her arms around her.
"But you said 'yes', right? Like…yes yes?" Chloe asked, her tone starting to sound worried.
"Yes, I said it," Max reassured Chloe, still in a daze.
"Say it again."
"Yes, Chlo. Chloe Elizabeth Price, if you're not actually fucking with me, I will totally hella marry your amazeballs bat-shit crazy ass."
Max heard air get caught in Chloe's throat as she choked up, and Max couldn't help but laugh as she had never felt so right in her entire life, with Chloe tightening her embrace of Max in response to the mirth from the small vampire.
Max held onto Chloe's hand as they drove through the suburbs towards Joyce's house, the newborn night sky still glowing with the echoes of the fallen Sun. Max's face actually felt tired from the bouts of smiling and giggling since Chloe had, well, said what she had said. I still can't figure out if she meant it, holy balls. Wowsers, did she mean it?! Am I a fiancé now? Is this real? Wowsers, wowsers, holy-wowsery-fuck! As though she were picking up on Max's thoughts, Max watched Chloe glance over at her and wink with a smug grin.
"S'up?" Chloe asked coyly.
"That's it? 'S'up'? Are you fucking serious right now?" Max asked, flabbergasted at Chloe's relaxed state. Did she slip back into her old attitude? Was the whole fucking day a misdirection? Whoa – am I being played?
"Max," Chloe said as she lifted up Max's pale hand and gave it a quick kiss, "I know you, how you think. Your mind is probably hella working like mad in that skull of yours, yeah?"
"Understatement of the ever," Max said, looking down at her feet in a dazed state.
"Just so you know, I am serious, Max. I want to spend the rest of my life with you, no bullshit, and you said 'yes'."
"I know, Che. It's just…wowsers…"
"Wow, I don't think I've heard that one in a while. Looks like I'm not the only one hiding shit from way back," Chloe said with a chuckle, "Seriously, though. Don't tell Joyce. She'll just harp about how soon it is and how I'm being fucking reckless asking you like I did."
"I think you underestimate your mom," Max said, looking at Chloe with a smirk, "I think she'd be happy."
"Yeah, but she'd also be mad concerned. 'Have you thought about your future? What about work, what about a place that isn't an apartment?' That…that can come later. Right now, I just want to soak today in, okay? It's been…it's been amazing, Max, and I want to keep this day between us," Chloe said as she pulled into the driveway of her mom's house.
"Cross my heart, though I am kinda already dead," Max said with a smile, shrugging innocently.
"Dude, I will fucking murder you if you say even a peep."
"Peep," Max said, getting a wide-eyed look from Chloe of frustration and amusement.
"Alright, smart-ass, let's go."
The house smelled amazing as Chloe and Max walked in, Chloe holding the door open for Max. Discarding their jackets, Max noted with a small amount of shock that Chloe had even left her beanie in her jacket pocket. Dressed in their usual type of attire, Max and Chloe walked hand-in-hand to the kitchen, seeing Joyce wafting her hand over something in a baking dish. Sniffing the air appreciatively, Max recognized the scent from her childhood and looked over at Chloe to mouth Lasagna. Max smirked as Chloe made a face like she was going to start drooling before Joyce turned around and smiled at them, taking both of them into her arms with a hug.
"Oh, it is so nice to see my girls here for once, and not at work! Chloe, have you been behaving? You look like you're up to no good, with a smile lIke that," Joyce asked, noting that Chloe couldn't seem to stop smiling as she lightly squeezed Max's small hand.
"Whatever do you mean, Mom?" Chloe asked, pulling away from Joyce and wrapping Max in her arms in front of her as though Max were a shield from Joyce, "Can I not simply be happy to see my dear mother with my girlfriend?" Fiancé, Chloe. Jesus, I still can't wrap my head around that. Just…wowsers…
"You can be happy as you want, kiddo, and I will just stand here and admire the fact that you're not being as much of a smart-ass as usual. Max, what did you do to Chloe?"
"Uh, well…" Max stammered before Chloe interrupted. Thanks for the save, Che. The fact that you legit proposed to me is kinda stuck on my tongue.
"I am not the Chloe you think you know. I have been replaced with a Chloe Price from an alternate universe, one where all I can consume is your delish lasagna. Can we sit down already and feast?" Chloe asked, the slightest bit of frustration edging into her voice.
"Fine, Chloe. Fine. Don't tell me, but Max has something of whatever is going on practically written on her face so I'll just get it out of her," Joyce chided, winking at Max who looked away awkwardly.
"Max, you are hella not leaving my side tonight. Dr. Chloe's orders."
Trailing along behind Chloe, their hands still joined together, Max followed the Price women to the dining table where a bottle of wine and two sodas sat next to three plates and sets of silverware. Sitting next to Chloe, Max wished her mouth still watered at the sight of food as she gazed hungrily at the piece of lasagna Chloe forked onto Max's plate before getting a piece for herself. You feed me before yourself, when you know I don't even need to eat people food? Wow, serious game there, Price.
"So, Max, what have you been up to the past couple days? I hardly saw you until this morning. Finding life outside of working at Blackwell more, well, relaxing?" Joyce asked as she scooped out her own piece of lasagna.
"Oh, yeah. The distinct lack of Blackwell-flavored drama is much appreciated. I still can't believe that someone spread a rumor about me being a drug dealer just to get kicked off campus," Max said before biting down on a mouthful of lasagna.
"I can," Chloe interjected, "Black-Hell is full of a bunch of tools and ass-hats that like nothing more than making people miserable."
"Chloe, can you watch the language? At least while we're eating?" Joyce asked as she set her forkful of lasagna back on her plate.
"Having trouble not picturing a hat made of ass, mother dearest?" Chloe asked with a smirk, elbowing Max gently in the side as Max tried to avoid the banter by eating another mouthful of lasagna. "Aww, Max is being shy. Good luck playing possum at the Price dinner table, Maxaroni. You've got the cheap seats so you're S-O-L."
Rolling her eyes as she swallowed, Max pointedly looked at Chloe as she stole a forkful of lasagna from Chloe's plate and hungrily stuffed it into her mouth with a smile.
"Agh! Thief, Caulfield! It stole our precious! Thief!" Chloe cried out in mock outrage, Max nearly choking as she laughed at Chloe's impression of Gollum from The Lord of The Rings.
Getting a chiding from Joyce, Chloe eventually backed down and the three of them ate in relative peace, the occasional grumble from Chloe about how she was a forkful of lasagna short disappearing when Max gave Chloe her last forkful of lasagna as a peace offering. Making Max feed her the piece, Joyce chuckled at the open display of sweetness between the two girls.
"Are you sure that's my Chloe you're lovin' on, Max?" Joyce asked as Max helped her clear the table, Chloe having retreated outside for a smoke.
"I'm 99.2% positive, though I suppose she could be a clone. Hmmm, that could explain the Eastern European accent…" Max said as she looked contemplatively out the sliding door that led into the backyard.
"Well, at least your abilities to be a smart-ass are on par with hers. I haven't seen her this happy since you two were playing with one another years ago. Spill it, hun, what are you two up to?" Joyce said with a questioning eye and a smile as she began to wash the dishes.
"Oh, did you hear that?" Max said, putting a hand to her ear, seeing Joyce reply with a confused expression, "I think Chloe is calling for me. Well, I better head outside. Everything with her is an emergency." Max backpedaled out of the kitchen towards the sliding glass door, bumping against it as she awkwardly smiled at a bemused Joyce.
"Weak save, kid, but I'll let it slide this time. I will get whatever is going on out of you, though. Chloe's not the only one who can figure you out," Joyce said, turning her attention to the dishes.
Max sighed as she closed the sliding glass door and leaned up against it, her willpower nearly depleted from Joyce's intense eyes. I know where Chloe gets it from but…damn. Max looked out into the dimly lit backyard and saw a familiar figure sitting on the old swing in the corner, a smoldering glow hanging from its mouth. Walking up to the figure, Max leaned up against the old swing set as Chloe slowly kept on swinging, her feet dangling from her overly long legs.
"Hey," Max said, her voice tired.
"Hey, Maxaroni," Chloe said with the cigarette held between her lips, "So. Did my mom squeeze the deets out of ya?"
"I will have you know that I am quite formidable, Chloe Price," Max said in mock offense.
"I've seen you in combat, Max, but I've also seen you before the gaze of my mom. Did you spill?" Chloe asked with a sardonic grin.
"No I didn't spill. Though I almost did, I forgot how easily Joyce can drag things out of a person," Max said with a huff as she sat down on the grass beside the swing set, rubbing at her temples.
"You okay?" Chloe asked, the sarcasm and wit replaced with the tenderness and concern from earlier in the day.
"Just tired. I haven't gotten enough sleep lately and I've still got a buzz from feeding off you," Max explained, absently licking her lips.
"Just don't get too hooked on Chloe juice, Max. That bit…that's still a little weird to me," Chloe said, skidding the swing to a halt as she pretended like she was going to fall before softly landing next to Max.
"I won't, though I'm still amazed that you let me," Max said, leaning her head onto Chloe's shoulder, "That whole…that was wonderful. You're beautiful, my Ms. Hipster-Girl 2013."
"I'm a hipster? Whatever. You could be a model for Hot Topic Jr. or something."
"Dork."
"Nerd."
"Spaz."
"Punk."
"Mine."
"Mine," Max repeated, sliding one of her legs over one of Chloe's, "This day has been, well, I wish it weren't coming to an end."
"It has to?" Chloe asked, though she knew the answer already.
"With everything going on, I'm just glad we could have a day to ourselves. And speaking of today, Jesus fuck! Chloe, I swear, if you are-"
Max got the answer to her question as Chloe gently pulled her into a kiss, Chloe's soft lips warm against Max's cool ones as the night sky loomed overhead, the next day all but ignored as they savored the day they had shared only amongst themselves.
Author's Note – So, did this change-up surprise you? I had mentioned it in my Tumblr that I wanted to put a part in one of the future chapters where Max and Chloe get to just chill and Max re-dyes Chloe's hair as they just enjoy being together. I built this entire chapter around the idea of them saying "Fuck it" and taking a day to themselves. Max has been ran ragged, and Chloe needed an emotional wake-up call, so I felt the time had come for the discussions they had.
A brief respite in the face of all the shit they've endured, and the troubles to come, as they finally face it together. Like, really together.
Read, review, and I'll see you in 14!
Stay hella, my beautiful cinnamon rolls! XD