Closer, from the song by Nine Inch Nails.
Warning – this chapter is NSFW due to a love scene. Read at your own discretion.
Chloe laid down in bed, rolling back and forth in a half-asleep haze as memories from only hours ago ran through her head over and over. Part-dream and part-remembrance, Chloe found herself crying out in joy as she flew through the trees on Max's back.
A carefree smile on her fiancé's back, Chloe watched as Max headed toward a tree branch. Chloe begging Max not to stop, Max giggled before landing on the branch for a split-second and leaping straight up into the air. Screaming and laughing, Chloe clutched onto the little brunette even tighter as Max kept leaping straight up as she would rise only to fall back just enough to land on another branch. With one final "C'mon, Maxaroni! Go!" from Chloe and a leap from the highest branch Chloe had ever seen up close, Max shot up like a bullet through the forest canopy and they were bathed in the moonlight of a clear night sky.
Chloe felt a moment of terror turn into delight as Max detached Chloe's hands from her shoulders and spun around so that she was holding Chloe's hands and looking into her eyes as both girls floated for a moment. Tugging on Chloe's outstretched arms, they pulled into each other and kissed with the moon as their backdrop before Max pulled away. Shooting Chloe as sly grin, the blue-haired girl's eyes widened as Max pulled the other girl onto her back for their descent.
"Hope you're not too full, Che!" Max shouted over the roaring of the wind as they began to plummet, Max holding onto Chloe's legs as Chloe squeezed her arms even tighter around Max's shoulders. Both girls screaming, Max let out a whooping laugh as she flipped in mid-air and landed on a branch to Chloe's utter delight only meters away from the forest floor. Laughing almost uncontrollably as Max set her down, Chloe braced herself against a tree trunk due to the dizziness of their downward velocity and Max's gymnastics.
"Oh my God! Max! Max, that was so hella-" Chloe started to say before she felt Max's lips on her own as the brunette girl bounced onto her tip-toes and kissed the blue-haired girl. Feeling weightless, Chloe wrapped her arms around Max and her eyes went wide as Max stepped off the branch with Chloe still in her arms. Kissing and falling, Chloe wished that the night would never end and that her and Max would never end. Pulling back, Chloe smiled before opening her eyes and nearly crying in horror. Blood dripping from Max's chin, her face beaten and skin split open, Max looked at her with a curious expression as she casually asked "What's wrong?"
"Fuck!" Chloe screamed as she shot out of bed, sitting up with such force that she nearly flew onto the floor. Her eyes frantic and darting for a moment, Chloe took a moment to reconcile where she actually was with the dream she had just awoken from. Putting a hand to her chest as she panted, Chloe half-expected her heart to kick-start back up as she sighed and fell back into bed. Holy shit. That was…that was a lame-as-fuck ending to such an incredible dream. Hella wowsers.
"Ugh, now Max has me thinking that!" Chloe said as she pulled a pillow over her face and screamed into it, her anxiety and energy making her feel like she had ants crawling under her skin. The end was fucked up, but everything else was…it was beautiful.
"Chloe? You alright?" Joyce asked as she knocked on her daughter's door, "Hey! Chloe?"
"I'm fine, Mom," Chloe said as she pulled her beanie on and took a cigarette out of her jacket pocket, having bought some last night after dropping Max off, "Shitty end to a dream, that's all. Go about your bidness, nothing to see here."
Hearing an "uh-huh" coming from the other side of the door, Chloe rolled her eyes and lit the cigarette. She knew that a cigarette didn't do anything for her physically now that she was a vampire, but it had a calming effect that Chloe needed. Inhaling almost half the cigarette in a single go, Chloe held onto the smoke before letting out one smoke ring and blowing the remaining smoke through said ring like she was firing an arrow into a bullseye. Dead-on, 10 points! Chloe said with a sly grin as she sat up and put the stub out in her ashtray. Reaching over to her jacket again, Chloe grabbed her phone and opened the menu. Ugh, 6:45am? This is so fucking lame, dude! What happened to 'creatures of the night' and all that clichéd shit?! Chloe felt a string of curses land on the tip of her tongue before her eyes brightened at the chat balloon that popped up on her screen.
Max: 1 hour, 2 whales, 4 people
Chloe: morning to u 2, nerd
Max: lol I miss u in my bed
Chloe: OUR bed, and I miss it 2
Chloe: I could have stayed, u kno
Max: baby steps, Che, despite that I pretty much want to just dominate you
Chloe: whoa O_o
Max: Did you just EMOJI me? Wowsers, I'm rubbing off on u
Chloe: shaddup!
Chloe: wat's this 4 ppl? Kate bringing someone?
Max: yep. Her mystery crush, maybe?
Chloe: dude we're fucking terrible, acting like 12 y/o about our friend's crush. Hella lame.
Max: …and yet…
Chloe: yea yea, I wanna kno 2
Max: come by and pick me up? I have some of ur clothes packed since you're going to be staying at ur mom's
Chloe: oh. Uh, ok.
Max: chill, Che. Taking things slow doesn't mean that I don't luuuuuuuv u. btw, I totally kno u luuuuuuuv me 2 lol
Chloe: ughhhhhh c u in 1 hour nerd
Chloe ended the chat and tossed the phone next to her as she got up and put on the only clean pair of jeans she had left, yanking a Quiet Riot t-shirt out of her dresser. Pulling the shirt over her head as she walked from her bedroom to the bathroom, Chloe saw her mom quirk an eyebrow at her as she walked through the hallway while only having an arm in her shirt. Quirking an eyebrow back at Joyce in response, Chloe couldn't help but laugh as she saw her mom's exasperated response. Closing and locking the bathroom door behind her, Chloe brushed her teeth and untangled her blue hair, examining her roots to ensure that none of her natural blonde was creeping its way back out. Satisfied, Chloe looked at the shower and shrugged before stripping back down and hopping into the small stall.
Rubbing hot soapy water on her face first, Chloe felt revitalized not only in body but also in her heart. She couldn't stop thinking about last night, how amazing everything had been. She fixed my truck, fixed up our hideaway, and spent almost the entire evening acting all cute and playful as she showed me what being a vampire for her means. Well, some of what it means. Still, she's fucking exhilarating, that Max Caulfield is. Little fanged fury…with twigs. Chloe smirked a bit at the memory of Max pelting her with twigs every time she had messed up or audibly complained. It had been irritating at first, but Chloe now thought that it was incredibly cute.
Chloe thought that damn-near everything about Max was cute. Hella cute, Chloe thought at the image of Max illuminating Chloe with a bright smile as Chloe celebrated her punching a bear. Agh, that was totally fucking epic! Quickly wrapping up her morning hygiene, Chloe dried herself off hastily and re-dressed. Heading back into her room, Chloe slipped on her jacket, beanie, and boots before snatching her phone off the bed. Max's single text ofinviting Chloe to come over a little early if she wanted made Chloe's nose crinkle as the blue-haired girl became excited at the prospect of some precious time with her Maxaroni.
"Mom!" Chloe shouted as she descended the stairs, "I'm heading to the apartment! You going to be at Two Whales today?"
"Not this morning, Chlo. I've got the dinner shift tonight," Joyce said as she peeked her head out of the kitchen and warmly smiled at Chloe, "Chloe, you smile any bigger and your face might actually learn to do so more easily."
"Ughhh." Chloe rolled her eyes at Joyce's teasing before waving as she headed out the door.
Hopping into the truck, Chloe brought the vehicle to life as she sped down the street. Tires squealing, Chloe felt a rush of energy in her system from getting to spend quality time with Max last night. She wondered if the pint-sized girl had anything in store for her this evening and snickered at the idea of a repeat of last night's festivities. Awww yeahhhhh, Chloe thought, the notion of her tossing twigs at Max's head as they switched roles from the bear hunt eliciting a giggle from the blue-haired punk. Dark Vengeance!
Pulling the truck into the parking lot across the street, Chloe had barely gotten out of her truck when she felt something smack her beanie. Looking down, Chloe picked up a penny and looked around for second before hearing a faint giggle. Her head snapping up, Chloe's eyes narrowed as she saw a pair of violet eyes peeking out from one of the apartment's windows. The window cracked open, Chloe watched as the small violet points blinked at her and could've sworn she feel Max grinning at her despite not being able to see it.
"You're so fucking mean to me, Max! Quit throwing shit at me!" Chloe shouted across the street, dodging another penny before the window was quickly shut. You are so fucking dead, bat-brat! Running across the street, Chloe nearly broke into a sprint before suddenly stopping. Wait. My default is super-speed? So I need to clamp this shit down and force myself to be slow? Wow, no wonder Max enjoys hunting so much. Lady gets to cut loose. Purposefully walking down the alleyway and up the steps to the apartment entrance, Chloe's hand almost made it to the doorknob before the door swung open and Chloe was pulled inside.
"Whoa, Max! What the-?" Chloe cried out in surprise before she felt a moan escape her lips as Max proceeded to pin the blue-haired girl against the wall and nibble on Chloe's neck. Oh fuck yes! Ohhhh fuuuuuck! Chloe lips parted, hungry for Max's, and she yanked her arms out of Max's hold only to slam the brunette against the opposite wall. Both girls grinning, Chloe and Max's lips met halfway and they kissed with a greediness that neither had really expressed before. Feeling Max wiggle one wrist out of Chloe's clutches, Chloe leaned down as Max pulled at Chloe by the collar of her jacket. Pressing her lips into Max's one more time, Chloe pulled back and panted as she put a hand to her lips. Feeling the moisture on her own lips, Chloe cupped Max's cheek and gave her a softer kiss before letting go of the other girl's wrist.
"Uh, good morning to you too," Chloe said wryly with a grin on her face as she leaned her forehead onto Max's, "Wow."
"I wasn't kidding when I said I missed you, Che," Max said as she took Chloe by the hand and led her into the apartment. Walking toward the couch, Max and Chloe laughed when they had to make a detour into the kitchen to appease their growling stomachs. "How did you sleep?"
"Amazeballs dream, though a creepy ending. Woke up and scared the shit out of Joyce," Chloe said as she took an already-filled cup from Max and began to slurp away at the straw. It still tastes gross, but I am only days old. "You?"
"Che, I haven't been able to sleep," Max said with a short laugh as she gestured with her cup-filled hand to a pile of instant photos on the coffee table, before taking Chloe's free hand in her own. "Come see what I did after you dropped me off!"
Pulling Chloe to the couch, Max sat the both of them down and spread out the pictures from her old Polaroid camera so that Chloe could get a better look at the individual shots. Scanning her eyes across the stills, Chloe's eyes widened at the images of the forest illuminated by the camera's small flash. Shots from the forest floor, the trees, and even a few shots from up in the canopy; Max had dozens of pictures from where they had been just hours ago. Chewing the straw of her Styrofoam cup, Max watched with eager anticipation for Chloe to finish perusing Max's latest project.
"Is this…is this for a job or anything?" Chloe asked Max, her tone wondrous as she almost felt herself transported back to the woods through Max's photos.
"It was more of a…passion project, I guess…?" Max replied, still awaiting Chloe's response, "So? What do you think?"
"This is hella cool, Max. Seriously, you have got to be the best photographer I know," Chloe said as she leaned over to give Max a kiss on the cheek.
"Che, I'm the only photographer you know," Max said with a smirk.
"That you know of."
"You're cheating on me with another photog! I think we need to talk about this…"
"Max? Can I have one of these?" Chloe asked, deflecting Max's rebuttal to her joke as she eyed one photo in particular. "Can I?"
"Sure!" Max replied with visible giddiness, "Which one do you want?"
Chloe snapped the picture up with her hand and showed it to Max, looking away in mild embarrassment as Max smiled at her with a mirthful expression. Taken with the forest canopy lining the top of the frame, Max had photographed a blue-winged butterfly as it sat on a branch within arm's reach of her person. The wings seeming to glow in the shaft of moonlight that pierced the trees, there was a fantastical quality to the entire scene within the small photo.
"You're so adorable sometimes," Max said with a wide smile as Chloe quickly slid the picture into a jacket pocket and headed to the kitchen to refill her cup, "Nice high road, Che. You can walk away, but your cuteness remains!"
"Hush, you!" Chloe fired back, deigning to not satisfy Max by looking back in her direction, "I'm not going to fall for your teasing every time, y'know."
Closing the freezer as she sipped at Max's concoction, Chloe opened the fridge out of curiosity and nearly spit out her drink at what she saw. Nestled alongside Max's metal sports bottle was a garishly pink sippy cup with Chlo Chlo written in marker on one side. Her hand shaking, Chloe reached in and took the cup out before turning around to face Max.
"What…the fuck…is this?" Chloe asked as she lofted the baby cup for Max to see, not feeling any better about herself as Max busted up laughing, "'Chlo Chlo'? Really, Max? Fucking really?"
"But you're my baby…," Max replied, catching Chloe off-guard with puppy eyes and a pout, "You're my widdle Chlo Chlo, only days old."
"I take back what I said last night," Chloe said, face and voice deadpan as she gingerly set the pink nightmare of a cup on the kitchen counter.
"Hmm?" Max smiled innocently.
"I fucking hate you, Max Caulfield," Chloe said before slamming a fist onto the sippy cup, a look of momentary shock on her face as the cup went off like a paintball grenade and spattered herself and the counter with bloody dots. Setting her Styrofoam cup down slowly, Chloe looked down at her bloody shirt, then the bloody countertop, and finally at a lip-biting, laughter-stifling Max Caulfield. "Don't you dare fucking laugh, Maxine Caulfield."
"Chloe!" Max said in a hurt tone, putting a hand to her chest with a wounded look on her face at the use of her full first name, "Chloe, no! Bad Chloe!"
Yanking off her Quiet Riot shirt and pointedly dropping it in the trash, Chloe flipped Max off before heading into the bedroom. Going through one of her drawers, Chloe found a black white tank-top with a deer skull on it and pulled the top out. Checking herself to ensure there wasn't any blood still on her, Chloe pulled the tank-top on and smoothed it out against her abdomen before walking back out into the living area. Seeing Max sop up the mess in the kitchen with a towel, Chloe stuck her tongue out at Max before going to the couch and retrieving her jacket.
"If this had gotten bloody, I would've had to throw down, Mad Max," Chloe said as she gestured to her jacket.
"It was just a joke," Max grumbled, ducking behind the counter to pop back up with a bottle exactly like her own, "See? I got you an actual bottle, too. Blue butt."
"I am the injured party. You are the butt, but you're a cute butt so I will deal," Chloe said as she walked over and took her new beverage container with a quick kiss on Max's cheek. Opening the freezer once more, Chloe poured the remaining contents of the jug they had shared into her sports bottle before setting the empty jug aside. Capping the bottle, Chloe eyed the container. A skull sticker? Something cool, definitely, something that says "Chloe Price, fucker!".
"Give me a second and I'll be ready to go," Max said as she tossed the bloodied towel in the trash and walked herself to the bedroom, Chloe playfully smacking Max's ass as she left. Getting a wink in return, Chloe couldn't stop grinning at the sight of Max changing in the space across the apartment. She could just stay in that oversized t-shirt of hers. Wouldn't mind…
Coming out of the bedroom shortly after, Max was wearing a black t-shirt, blue jeans, and a flannel shirt tied around her waist. Slipping on a pair of sneakers in the hallway, Max walked back into the living room with her camera bag in hand. Snatching up her Polaroid and the sports bottle in the fridge, Max shooed Chloe out the door before locking it behind both of them. Gesturing to the steps, Max bowed graciously.
"After you, 'Chlo Chlo'," Max snickered.
"Don't make me use your full name," Chloe warned as she started to descend the stairs, laughing from the smirk practically falling off of Max's face as the brunette looked at Chloe in horror.
Pulling into Two Whales, Chloe and Max were both still sniggering at 'Chlo Chlo' and 'Maxine' as the truck was shut off. Turning to climb out her door, Chloe felt herself grabbed by the collar and was slammed down on her back by Max as the brunette looked down at the blue-haired girl. Wondering what Max was up to, Chloe gave her fiancé a confused look as the other girl looked at Chloe intensely. Silence enveloping them both for a second, Chloe was about to speak when Max gave Chloe a long, passionate kiss. Max's soft lips meeting her own, Chloe felt a whimper begin to rise in her throat before Max suddenly pulled back and leaned into Chloe's ear.
"I dare you to say my full name one more time. See what doesn't happen anymore," Max teased before she turned around and slid down the seat from the passenger side to stand on the parking lot pavement.
"You are evil, Max," Chloe mumbled, wincing as she heard Max say "I heard that" from the other side of the truck before offering her hand out to Chloe.
Entering the diner, Max and Chloe were eyeballed by one of the decidedly not-Joyce waitresses before the two girls sheepishly walked away from the menacing glare. Seeing two girls sitting at their usual booth, Max and Chloe exchanged a curious look with each other as they approached their spot.
"Hey-" Max started to say, her voice failing as an enormous grin spread across her face. Chloe just gawked at the people already seated, her jaw open in shock as Max soon joined her in their shared stupefaction.
Kate Marsh sat on the outside of one of the bench seats at the booth, her face reddening under the shocked expressions of her friends as she quickly pulled the hand she was holding under the table. The girl to whom the other hand belonged to giggled as she leaned in and gave Kate a light peck on the cheek, making Kate even more flustered and excitable.
"Ohmygosh, Dana! Stooop!" Kate said as she leaned her head on the table in embarrassment, "This was such a bad idea!"
"Calm down, Kate," Dana said as she rubbed Kate's back, "Chloe and Max are…would you two close your faces and sit down already?"
Responding instantly, Max and Chloe piled into the other booth and just watched the other two girls in complete silence. Kate peeked up from her folded arms a couple times before being gently brought out of her momentary hiding spot by Dana's comforting voice. Looking at Dana with a worried look on her face, Max and Chloe watched as Dana cupped Kate's cheek with her hand and Kate reciprocate by kissing the inside of that hand's palm.
"You two…are fucking adorable!" Chloe said, breaking the silence she and Max were stuck in, "Hella mushy, but adorable nonetheless!"
"I had no idea," Max admitted, her eyes still wide from shock, "But then again, it's not like I wear a t-shirt announcing myself, either."
"Well," Kate said as she squeezed Dana's hand, "surprise, I guess."
"When did this happen?" Max asked, gesturing at Kate and Dana with her arms, "How serious is this? Who asked who out? What-"
"Max, stop," Dana said with another giggle, "We will answer those questions after we get some food ordered, okay?" Dana turned around in her and Kate's seat to flag down a waitress, "At least they're not busy today."
Four Belgian Waffles ordered, Max sipped at her coffee and Chloe drank a mouthful of soda as Kate and Dana both blushed under the other girls' scrutiny. Setting her coffee down, Max calmed herself and looked at Dana and Kate with a small smile before Chloe killed the peaceful moment.
"Spill, Lady Jesus," Chloe said between slurps of her soda.
"I'll go," Dana said, patting Kate on the shoulder, "Well…a few weeks ago-"
"Weeks?" Max sputtered, eyes beginning to widen again before apologizing for cutting Dana off, "Sorry."
"…a few weeks ago I had a, well, a really personal crisis. I was sitting in my room alone, crying and just feeling sorry for myself when I heard a knock at my door. When I opened it, there was Kate. It was late, so I asked her what she was doing up," Dana explained, pausing as she saw Kate open her mouth to speak, "Go ahead, Kate. It's cuter when you tell it, anyway."
"Dana…," Kate said, looking away in embarrassment for a few seconds before turning back and sighing, "I asked what was wrong, and we talked for a couple hours. About her personal problem, about my depression, and I told her that if she ever needed someone to talk to aside from Juliet that I would always be free for her."
"We…we got closer as the days went on, Kate would sometimes even fall asleep on my couch," Dana said with a chuckle as she teasingly poked Kate's shoulder, "She's so cute when she's sleepy."
"One night last week, we were watching a movie on Dana's laptop. It was late and we were both tired, so we fell asleep in Dana's bed," Kate said, giving Chloe an admonishing look at the blue-haired girl wiggled her eyebrows, "Chloe, stop. We didn't do anything like that. But…"
"But…?" Chloe and Max asked in unison, leaning over the booth's table slightly in anticipation.
"…When I woke up," Dana said, looking at Kate for approval before continuing, "Kate and I were cuddling together. When Kate turned around in my arms, her eyes fluttered open and our faces were inches away. She looked at me sleepily and smiled, rubbed her nose against mine, and then she kissed me."
Chloe searched with her hand for Max's underneath the table, intertwining her blue-nailed fingers into Max's smaller digits. I will not fucking cry. I will not, despite it being super adorable. Max looked over and saw the look of concentration on Chloe's face and shot the blue-haired girl a sly grin as Chloe realized Max knew what she was doing. Feeling Max lean into her shoulder, Chloe leaned her head on Max's and wiped the faint hint of tears from her eyes. Ugh!
The booth was silent again, the two couples exchanging looks with each other as all four girls broke into grins of varying sizes, Kate's face having to be gently pulled back by Dana every now and then as the attention directed at her was occasionally too much. Chloe saw Max's grin begin to fade as the brunette spoke up in a more sober tone.
"Who else knows about this?" Max asked, glancing at both Dana and Kate pointedly.
"Juliet and you two. That's it," Dana said, tightening her grip on Kate's hand, "We both made Juliet swear to secrecy."
"Then why agree to meet us here?" Chloe chimed in, understanding where Max was heading with her question, "Why Two Whales?"
"…Because I'm tired," Kate said, speaking up for the first time in a few minutes, "I'm tired of hiding, pretending I'm something that I am not. You don't understand what it's like, having to act one way and be another to such an extreme. My parents are devout, the only person in my family who knew this about me was my gram. She passed away last year." Two small rivulets of tears began to cascade down Kate's cheek and Max handed her crying friend a napkin before exchanging a look with Chloe. Yeah, Max, we totally do know what it is like to hide ourselves and fake shit.
"Well, you don't have to pretend in front of us," Chloe said, trying to encourage Kate, "Max and I will stick with you no matter what, Kate. You're hella sweet and way too nice to everybody to begin with. You deserve some fucking happiness."
Kate was about to speak up, a faint smile on her lips from Chloe's words, when Dana's phone went off and she whispered "We have to get back to school" to her weary girlfriend. Looking at Dana affectionately, Kate gave the smiling Dana a light kiss on the lips while glaring at Chloe as the blue-haired girl mouthed D'awwwww. Pulling out their money, the four girls promptly tallied up how much each of them should pay and slapped down cash in the center of the table before heading out of Two Whales.
Seeing the new couple off as the bus pulled back onto the street, Chloe felt Max lean into her a bit as they squeezed each other's hands. Looking down, Chloe's heart melted at the happy tears running down Max's grinning face. Kissing the brunette on the top of her head, Chloe bumped her hip against Max's to get her fiancé's attention.
"Can't believe I never saw Kate liking girls coming," Chloe said, scratching at her hair with her free hand before pulling her beanie back on, "Max? Whatcha thinkin, pipsqueak'?"
"I don't think Kate likes girls," Max said, looking up at Chloe with a pensive face, "I don't think she likes boys. I think Kate likes people. She's so kind and so sweet that she just loves unconditionally. And you're right – she totally deserves happiness. She and Dana look so cute together, aghh!"
"Cuter than us?" Chloe asked, a small pout on her face.
"Did you just call us 'cute'? Who are you and what have you done with my fiancé?" Max retorted, tip-toeing to kiss Chloe on the cheek.
"One – hush. Two – I am Eolhc, Chloe's evil clone. I am on a mission to seduce you and turn you to my side, Max Caulfield," Chloe joked as she and Max headed toward the truck.
"But I made you a vampire."
"Never said my mission was a success, you bloodsucking fiend."
Arriving back at the apartment, Chloe shut off the truck as she got out into the small lot behind the building. Watching Max stifle a yawn as she clambered out of the passenger side, Chloe thought that with everything going on. It was nice to just be able to do simple stuff like an impromptu double-date at Two Whales, Chloe thinking about the new development with Kate and Dana as well as herself and Max's developing relationship. Reciprocating Max's yawn with one of her own, Chloe walked over and took the sleepy brunette's hand. Getting a drowsy smile from Max in return, Chloe scooped Max up in her arms and carried her fiancé to up the steps, giggling as Max stuck her hands into her pockets and unlocked the apartment door.
Looking back to the closed door, Chloe remembered that Max's camera bag was still in the truck but shrugged. I'll get it later. Truck's locked, and I think Max wedged the bag under the seat. Should be fine. Kicking off her boots, Chloe gave Max little kisses all over her face until the brunette sleepily opened up her eyes.
"Mmm, noooo," Max said, Chloe biting her lip at how insanely cute Max was as the brunette nuzzled her face into Chloe's shirt.
"Maxaroni? Max-a-roni? Kick your shoes off, girl," Chloe whispered, nearly jumping as Max kicked her shoes off with enough force that they smacked against the wall hard. Getting a snort from Max in return as she looked up at Chloe with one bleary eye and a crinkled nose, Chloe mouthed You little fucker before walking to the bedroom and lying Max down.
Pulling the blankets over Max, Chloe was about to head to the living room when she felt a tugging sensation at the back of her jacket. Smiling to herself, Chloe turned her head to see Max sitting up and looking at her with half-closed eyes. Her hair already looking like bed head, Max sleepily grinned as she tugged on Chloe's jacket one more time.
"Go to sleep, Max," Chloe said with a chuckle, taking in how adorable Max was being.
"Sleep wif me," Max mumbled as she began to nod, "Sleep…Che…"
Pulling her jacket out of Max's grasp as delicately as she could, Chloe stripped down to her bra and boxers before taking Max's clothes off as well. Both girls in their underwear, Chloe curled herself up behind Max and began to spoon the small brunette. Feeling Max stir, Chloe kissed the back of Max's neck and felt Max turn around in her arms so that her face was nestled against Chloe's collarbone. Holding Max more tightly, Chloe felt herself begin to get drowsy as Max's small arms wound themselves around Chloe's waist and locked her fingers together.
Chloe woke up to the sound of someone pounding on the door to the apartment, sitting up at the same time Max did. Scrambling to put on some clothes, Chloe looked up to see Max calmly walking to the door in her own bra and boxers. Hearing "Oh, please" when in response to Chloe's request that Max put some clothes on, Chloe heard the door open before Max came walking back down the hallway wearing Chloe's jacket. When Chloe saw their guest join Max in the living room area, Chloe's jaw snapped shut as she saw Victoria Chase slowly make her way inside.
"What the fuck?!" Chloe yelled out as she finished putting on her jeans, grabbing Max's discarded clothes and tossing them at Max as she went to the kitchen to grab another bottle of clear liquor. If she's here, I sure as fuck am going to make sure I am hella turnt. Hope this is the strong stuff from last night, Chloe thought as she took a drink and felt the appropriate burning sensation that came with her memory of last night's moonshine. No Goldshclager? Taking the kid gloves off, Max? Nice.
"Hi to you, retard," Victoria snapped back, immediately making an apologetic face at Max when she saw the icy stare the brunette gave her, "Sorry. Old habits and whatever."
"Victoria," Max said as she finished getting dressed, not caring about how much Victoria was trying to avert her eyes, "What do you want? Shouldn't you still be in the hospital?"
"My father pulled some strings and got me a small apartment on the other side of town. I was assaulted on Blackwell's campus, as you well know. Anyway, I have medical equipment there to help me better recuperate than some dank hospital." Chloe watched Victoria pull out a vaporizer and take a long hit before blowing out the steam.
"You got a pot pen? Fucking lucky," Chloe half-muttered as she took the empty chair, Max sitting across from Victoria with rapt attention.
"I thought you told the police you didn't remember…," Max said, her tone bordering on both accusatory and questioning.
"I did, Max, but it isn't exactly difficult when there is a huge smear of your own blood on the library floor. Never mind the black stain that thing left behind. This lovely conversation is not why I came here," Victoria said, rolling her eyes as she rolled the vaporizer in the palm of her hand.
"Why did you come here, then?" Chloe asked pointedly, fighting to not pop her fangs out and scare the shit out of Victoria. She knows about Max, but let's see what happens when I spring at the bitch.
"The police mentioned something to me when they cornered me at school today, that they were going to look further into what you were up to," Victoria said as she looked at Max, "So whatever the hell you two are doing I would tone it the fuck down," Victoria snidely retorted, her tone clipped as she brushed at her blouse like there was something in the air spoiling her clothing.
"That's it?" Max asked, her tone betraying her disbelief, "Uhhh, nope, that isn't it. What else?"
"…Not that I care about the shit anymore, but what did you do to Nathan? Asshole moved to Florida, something about wanting to stay with his grandparents," Victoria uttered ambivalently.
"I didn't do anything," Max said, her tone wounded, "You should've tried to find out what he did to me and Chloe."
Victoria glanced from where she was standing to look past Max at Chloe, then shrugged as she took another puff from her vaporizer. Rolling her eyes, Max ushered Victoria out the door and locked it behind Victoria.
"…Shit," Max said, flopping down onto the couch and putting her head in her hands, "Shit, shit, and shit!"
"You okay, dude?" Chloe inquired, seeing the distressed look on Max's face, "Max? Max, what's wrong?"
"The story I gave the police might crumple up if they try to pry any more out of Victoria," Max said with a sigh, "I wasn't exactly serving them up with a flawless reimagining, Chloe. I basically told them that I parked my Vespa hallway down the main road to Blackwell because I saw Victoria running through the woods while screaming bloody murder."
"Yeah, but they have nothing else to go on. For all they know, she was running from something and Blackwell was where it started. Kids on PCP or some shit like that," Chloe said, getting up from her chair to join Max on the couch. Chloe pulled Max's head down so that the brunette was resting in Chloe's lap. "You'll be fine, tiny. I won't let it be otherwise."
"Oh yeah?" Max asked, looking up at Chloe from where her head was resting, shifting her position so that she was lying face-up to look directly at the blue-haired girl, "What'll you do if it isn't fine?"
"Hide you in my closet back at my mom's," Chloe said with a chuckle, "Big enough for tiny Max."
"Sure, Chloe. Keep telling yourself that when I've torn up all your clothes so I can nest," Max said, shooting Chloe a look before looking at the clock above the bathroom door. "It's almost sunset. What do you want to do tonight?"
"Well…," Chloe said, Max watching as the other girl mused, "Oh! Actually, I have an amazeballs idea! Um, can you give me a couple hours or so? I need to go take care of some bidness first."
Sitting up from Chloe's lap, Max gave Chloe a curious look and told her that would be fine. Excited as a plan began to unfold in her mind, Chloe couldn't stop smiling as she quickly gathered her things and made for the door. Running back into the apartment, Chloe walked up to a bemused Max and gave her a soft kiss before telling the brunette that she would see her soon. She will have no idea what hit her! I've got something for you, Max Caulfield! Chloe thought with a grin as she hopped the practically flew down the steps.
Max looked up from her phone with a smirk as she heard Chloe pull up in her truck, the vehicle's speakers blaring Cheap Trick's "Hello There" so loudly that Max thought Chloe might come out deaf. Chloe couldn't help but laugh at the sight of Max sitting there, waiting for her. Texting Max 10 minutes ago, Chloe had simply told her to meet at the lighthouse parking lot. While not either girl's favorite place for relaxation or recreation, Chloe had insisted until Max finally caved. Chloe watched as Max involuntarily flinched from her parking right next to Max and her little Vespa. Seeing the exhilarated look on Chloe's face, Max couldn't help but laugh at the glee coming from her fiancé.
"What are you up to, Chloe Price?" Max asked as she put a hand on her hip. Chloe flipped through her phone for a second before pocketing it, seeing Max smirk. I wonder if she even has a clue…
"Max Caulfield, come on over! You're the next contestant on 'The Chlo is Right'!" Chloe shouted as she opened the driver's side door. Walking up to the opened truck cab, Max looked up slightly at Chloe as she sat sideways on the vehicle's seat, her legs dangling out in the open. Taking a step further, Max felt Chloe's legs wrap around her as she was pulled to where their faces were only inches apart.
"Hey," Chloe said, smiling as she placed a soft kiss on Max's lips.
"Hey yourself, road hazard," Max whispered, returning Chloe's kiss with one of her own, "What have you got planned for us tonight, evil genius?"
Max replied in agreement, moving in for a more passionate meeting of their lips. Max visibly deflated as Chloe playfully tilted her head back to deflect Max's puckered lips, "So. Where we going?"
"Hang on a sec," Chloe said, climbing out of the cab of the truck. Reaching into the bed, Chloe pulled out a cardboard box that had been shut tight and looked over at Max suspiciously before picking up her cargo. Curious, Max leaned her head over only for Chloe to quickly block Max's vantage point.
"No! Not here!" Chloe blurted out, her face reddening, "Just…just follow me, okay?" No peeking!
Max shrugged, electing to let Chloe have her fun. Walking ahead of Max, Chloe heard the other girl take quick shots of various animals, plants, and rock formations as they made their way along the lighthouse path. Having to reassure both Max and herself that nothing bad was going to happen this time, Chloe was determined to lighten the mood. Max has done so much for me since she's been back. Time I did something just as sweet. Better not damage my street cred, though. Heh.
Max stuffed photo after photo into her camera bag. Despite the hilltop bringing her nothing but painful memories to both girls recently, Max still managed to find beauty out among the trees, it was that peaceful to her. Chloe snickered when Max bumped into her as she stopped walking, guessing that Max was so lost in her photography she hadn't even noticed what else was going on.
"Dude, pay attention," Chloe said as she turned around to give Max an irked expression as she gestured to the box in her hands, "I don't want to break any of this, okay?"
"Okay, Chloe. Okay," Max replied with a chuckle at Chloe's seriousness, making Chloe feel even more mischievous. Max, you are not going to see this coming! Hella yes!
"Are we headed up to the lighthouse area?" Max asked, Chloe picking up on the panic in Max's voice at the idea of revisiting a sight that was loaded with bad memories for both girls. I got you, Maxaroni. No worries.
"No. Follow me," Chloe said casually, taking off into the tall grass and trees that outlined the main path up to the lighthouse.
There was no discernable pathway, wherever Chloe was taking them. Footfall after footfall, Chloe couldn't help but smirk and chuckle on occasion as she heard Max grumble about the height of the grass.
"This is your karma for the twigs last night, Max. The ground wants you to eat grass and branches!" Chloe said with a laugh as she heard Max cry out in surprise from getting smacked in the face by a bush Chloe had walked past. For once, I have an advantage in where we're going, Chloe thought as she continued on with Max following right behind, This is the perfect time to have it, too.
Chloe heard Max gasp as she noticed a rock overhang up ahead and the blue-haired girl smiled as she led Max underneath it. Two lawn chairs and an old wooden table sat underneath the outcropping. Setting the box down on the desk, Chloe quickly turned to Max and asked if she could go get some firewood. Nodding plainly, Max took off back down the hill towards a clearing. Hurriedly setting everything up, Chloe had just finished her preparations as Max returned a few minutes later. Chloe walked up to Max and set the firewood down as she kissed the deeply surprised girl on the forehead, the brunette stunned by what had been spread out during her short time away.
A bottle of champagne was sitting in what looked like a hotel room's ice bucket alongside the rock face, small containers of various fruits pieces and chocolates splayed out on the desk. Chloe led Max to the table and lit a candle placed next to the food, smiling contentedly when she felt Max's arms slowly wrap around her waist. Max kissed her on the shoulder and then the neck as she peeked over her shoulder to once more observe the results of Chloe's scheme. Chloe blushed when she saw the look of awe on Max's face. Plan executed, but I didn't count for myself to be the bashful one. Goddamnit.
"I thought you didn't do mushy," Max said, trying not to sound too astounded. Standing on her tip-toes, Max leaned in and gave Chloe a quick peck on the cheek, "This is amazing, Che, but what's the occasion?"
"…I don't need a reason to treat my lady," Chloe said, chuckling nervously as she scratched at her beanie. Again, stop being bashful, jackass. "I, uh…this went over so much more easily in my head…"
"Huh?" Max asked with increased interest, "What did?"
"Max. I know that things have been…really fucked up as of late, and that we are struggling," Chloe looked over at Max before continuing, "I've asked a lot of you recently, so I wanted to do something hella cool for you as an expression of how I feel because you show me every day how much you love me."
"Chloe Price, are you secretly a hopeless romantic?" Max teased, poking Chloe in the side as she moved to examine all the things Chloe had brought, "This is so sweet, and so lovely. Awww, you remembered the little chocolate pumpkins from when we were kids." I honestly don't think I could ever forget anything about you, Max, Chloe thought as she made a gesture of displaying all of her spoils, her smart-ass style hiding her not-so-secret romanticism.
"Halloween is approaching, making them easier to find. Max…will we ever be okay? Not just working through things and being in love, but…will there ever come a point where we aren't having to work through shit anymore?" Chloe's voice became progressively somber as she finished the last question.
"Wowsers, Che…," Max said, mildly alarmed, before putting a hand out to cup Chloe's cheek. Kissing her fiancé softly on the lips, Max leaned herself into Chloe and buried her face in the taller girl's shirt for a moment before looking up at her blue-eyed love, "Of course there will be. It's more than optimism, Chlo. It is faith in us."
Max inhaled, taking in Chloe's scent from the t-shirt. Chloe felt a shiver run up her spine but suppressed the sensation as she held onto Max while the brunette continued to take small sniffs of Chloe while nuzzling her nose against the other's chest. Kissing Max on the top of her head, Chloe ran her fingers playfully through the coppery strands of Max's hair before pulling back and to gesture toward the bottle of champagne.
"Joyce's. Snuck over there and found it stowed away in the fridge behind some leftovers. I confiscated it for our festivities," Chloe said, letting the cork shoot out after finally getting the wrapping off, "Here. Take a swig."
Max smirked as she shook her head at Chloe's antics. Reaching for the bottle, Max and Chloe's fingers touched and both girls looked away in a moment of shyness. She still does that to me. I think you've got me, Max Caulfield. Taking a drink, Max coughed a bit from the bubbles before passing the bottle back to Chloe, the other girl taking a longer drink.
"Ahhh. S'good shit, right? Not your hella strong hillbilly juice from last night, but romance is in the air right now so tough shit," Chloe said with a grin, placing the bottle down next to one of the chairs before moving to the table to peruse the small assortment of food, "What you feel like munchin' on?"
"You," Max said with a goofy smile, Chloe nearly choking on a piece of chocolate. So very hardcore, Max. But so am I.
"C'mon, Max. 'Chloe Brulee' isn't on the menu this time. Pick something else."
"Umm…the strawberries. Ooh, and the chocolate pumpkins!"
"As you wish," Chloe said in a wistful tone, spinning around with a plastic container in each hand.
Taking the strawberries from Chloe, Max helped the other girl sit down before popping a halved piece of the selected fruit into Chloe's mouth. Chewing slowly, Chloe cringed for a second at the partially frozen strawberry before smiling as Max turned to look at her. She's such a doofus. She's my doofus, though.
"Good?" Chloe asked, watching expectantly as Max swallowed a piece of strawberry, "Sorry they're so cold. Guess the grocery store's fresh fruit isn't quite so fresh, heh."
"No, Chloe, it's good! It's really good!" Max said with a playful grin, leaning in to kiss Chloe with reddened lips. Chloe ran her fingers through Max's hair, pulling Max a little further into the kiss for a moment before letting go. Letting out a faint sound of pleasure, Max kissed Chloe on the nose. With still having her fingers in Max's hair, Chloe saw the look on her fiancé's face as Max asked with an inquiring smile. "You were saying?"
Chloe smiled back at Max as she leaned in for another kiss, only to curse under her breath as the champagne bottle tipped over behind her. Chloe turned to try and salvage what was still in the bottle, but Max caught her shoulder and spun her back so they were face-to-face. Chloe smirked as Max tripped her up so that she was lying on the ground, Max laying down beside her a split-second later. Leaning in, Max let her lips fall softly onto Chloe's and held them at the briefest point of contact before slowly kissing with more intensity. Biting at Chloe's lower lip, she tugged on it playfully until Chloe slightly opened her mouth. Returning her attention to both lips, Max slid her tongue out and into Chloe's mouth as their kisses became more passionate, tongues writhing and sliding against one another. Pressing up against each other, Max leaned back into the rock face a bit more and motioned for Chloe to sit on her lap.
"But you're tiny," Chloe said, smirking between kisses. Hella yes, hella fucking yes.
"I'm hella strong," Max replied, panting as Chloe's entire being enveloped her senses.
"So fucking hardcore, Caulfield."
Eyes closed, Max felt the slight weight of Chloe pressed against her waist and stomach as she sat in Max's lap. Opening her eyes, Max looked up to see Chloe looming over her. The moonlight played tricks on Max's eyes, making it look as though Chloe's hair was glistening with the iridescence of an angel's halo as a breeze sent small tufts of blue hair cascading over Chloe's face. Her right eye obscured, Chloe's left eye glinted with mischief as she leaned down to kiss Max. Shrugging her jacket off, Chloe took Max's hands and placed them firmly on her chest, gasping softly as she felt the touch of Max's small hands fondle her breasts through the clothes.
"I thought we had too much serious shit-" Max said, teasing Chloe by loosening her grip only to have her hands pinned once more to Chloe's chest by the blue-haired girl's slightly larger hands.
"Shut up, Max Attack. We're here, we're alone. Be here with me and not a buzzkill, nerd," Chloe said as she stood up and began to box up the food so that it was out of the way, "Sorry, food, but you're cramping my style."
"Oh, so I'm your undead booty call. That it?" Max asked, sliding up behind Chloe to wrap an arm around her waist, tugging at the zipper for Chloe's jeans.
"Well, when you put it like that…," Chloe said in response between pants as Max's hand slid down into her pants, slender fingers gliding along the inside of her thighs, "Oh fuck, Max."
Max spun Chloe around and sat her on the table, returning Chloe's mischievous grin with a smoldering look as she slowly began to take her own shirt off, dropping it on top of Chloe's jacket as she tugged at her girlfriend's jeans. Propping herself up on her elbows, Chloe watched with a relish as Max slowly unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, sliding them down to Chloe's ankles. Max gently removed the boots off Chloe's feet and set them next to their discarded clothing, smirking as she did so.
Looking Chloe in the eye, Max winked playfully and yanked the jeans the rest of the way off in one pull, adding them to the growing pile of clothes. Lying herself back down onto the old table, Chloe stretched her arms out in invitation to Max.
"Come here," Chloe said, her voice low and sultry, "Be with me."
"Hold your horses, hot stuff," Max said, both girls pausing a moment before removing the rest of their clothing as quickly as possible. The pile of clothes next to the rock face grew a little taller before Max laid down next to Chloe on the table.
"Uh, is this going to hold us? I mean, if you have something else in mind besides just lying here?" Max asked, looking at the table they were lying on with some concern.
"It looks sturdy enough," Chloe said, knocking on the table with her knuckles, "But let's hope for a little extra luck."
Chloe didn't know what was better, being with Max or being with Max in the spaciousness of the woods. She had never shown anybody this secret place of hers, not even Rachel. It was her super-secret escape, the place she had come to over the years when she wanted to lower her guard and let her punk-ass attitude give way to the woman she was becoming. I'm here now, with the woman I love at the one place in this shit town where no one will ever find us. This is so amazeballs.
Chloe panted as Max kissed down her body, each touch of her lover's tender lips sending an electric charge through her entire body. Chloe didn't know or care how her body reacted now that she was like Max. All she wanted was to feel Max the way Max felt her. Feeling Max's head begin to make its way down towards her thighs, Chloe gently cupped Max by the chin and pulled her up to eye-level. Sliding her tongue into Max's mouth once more, Chloe felt a moment of regret as she saw storm clouds gather overhead.
"Fuck!" Chloe uttered between kisses, "Max, uh, storm. I think this will have to be-"
"Fuck the storm, Che. Fuck me," Max said, now also panting as she straddled herself across Chloe's waist, "Make love to me right now." That look, Max, that fucking look. You could make me burn with those eyes.
"But…storm," Chloe said, Max's tongue obstructing her ability to speak. Chloe almost regretted her words when Max pulled back and sat up while still straddling the blue-haired girl.
"Chloe Elizabeth Price, I swear, if you turn out to be the buzzkill-" Max started before both girls yelped as the table creaked and two of the legs snapped, the aged piece of furniture no longer able to withstand their weight. Landing on the ground with a thud, Chloe looked up at a startled Max and broke into a fit of laughter. Looking down at Chloe, Max tried to look pissed off but began to giggle in response to the carefree exuberance on her lover's face.
When the rain came, they were still lying on the ground in fits of laughter. Starting off as a sprinkle, Chloe kissed at the increasingly wet Max as they began to horse around and roll in the leaves. Seeing a smear of mud on Max's cheek, Chloe realized they were going to be a mess soon if they at least didn't get out of the rain. Hopping to her feet, the blue-haired girl took the brunette's hand and pulled both of them to the rocky overhang. Chloe held Max tightly against her as they watched the rain turn go from a sprinkle to a thunderstorm. Looking at each other as the lightning flashed across the night sky, Chloe leaned her forehead into Max's and snickered.
"We're still naked," Chloe stated, a smile on her face, "We should get dressed."
"We totally should," Max said as both girls' hands began to lightly explore each other.
"Yeah."
"Uh-huh."
Chloe shoved, kicked, and pushed everything out from under the overhang until there was just smooth stone above their heads and smooth stone under their feet. Lying Max down slowly, Chloe climbed on top of her and began to kiss her neck. Working her way up to Max's lips, Chloe teased Max by licking her tongue across the mouth only to feel herself get teased as Max slipped a finger down into the wetness between Chloe's thighs.
"You…unhh…you cheater," Chloe stammered, biting her lip as a small fingertip played itself around the edges of her pussy.
Chloe ran a hand down Max's side, feeling the smooth skin tremble beneath her touch before her fingers made their way to Max's breast. Tilting her head down, Chloe licked at the stiff nipple and bit at it. Eliciting a sharp intake of breath from Max, Chloe softened her bite into a light nibble before licking it a couple more times. Max moaned with pleasure as she wrapped her legs around Chloe's waist and pulled her fiancé in to kiss her passionately.
Chloe felt Max's lips make their way all across her face, soft kisses with each one lasting a second longer than the one before. Slipping an arm between her side and Max's interlocked leg, Chloe rubbed her hand against Max's inner thigh and felt those same lips that were kissing her face part slightly and exhale air onto her cheek.
Inching her hand closer to Max's pussy, Chloe teased Max by keeping her hand still only for Max to bury her face in Chloe's neck. Hearing a softly-spoken "please", Chloe smiled as she granted Max's request.
"Fuck, Chloe. Fuck," Max moaned as Chloe let her fingers work their magic, sliding first one, then two fingers inside of Max. Chloe bit at the top of Max's ear, the brunette's face still buried in her neck as she nibbled at Chloe's collarbone. Hearing a gasp in reply to her unspoken request, Max shifted her body and Chloe soon felt a hand rub itself along the back of her palm before sliding two fingers inside of Chloe.
The thunder and rain drowned out their screams and moans, Max and Chloe writing underneath the overhand as both girls panted and trembled in ecstasy at each other's touch. Neither girl surrendering to the other, their love-making gained a competitive edge to it as Chloe and Max worked harder to make each other give in first. With one final clap of thunder, their passion ended in a draw as their bodies harmonized in one outcry of two voices.
Lying on the rock, dressed in soaked clothing, Chloe and Max stared up at the overhand in blissful absentmindedness. Blinking slowly, Chloe had never felt such a rush ever. Her body still quivering every now and then almost an hour later, Chloe felt Max lean her head on Chloe's shoulder. Chloe patted the rock under her hand and felt fingers intertwining with her own.
"Think we could sleep here?" Chloe asked, her body physically present by her mind halfway somewhere else.
"I don't think it would be the most comfortable," Max said with a giggle, leaning up further to add another hickey to the new collection on Chloe's neck, "If I make any more, I could connect the dots. Ooh, maybe I should set it up to make a marijuana leaf. Would that be hardcore?"
"Totally hardcore. Um, Max?" Chloe's soft, anxious tone lifting Max's head up in response. Chloe saw the curious look in the brunette's eyes, the rest of her face either covered in wet hair or still nestled against Chloe's neck.
"Can I…can I stay the night with you?"
Chloe peered down and saw Max's blue eyes blink a single time, her nose crinkling. Chloe purred as she felt Max's lips on her neck form into a smile.
"One for 'yes', two for 'no'?" Chloe asked, receiving another single blink in reply before Max lifted her head up the rest of the way, hovering her face only a few inches above Chloe's.
"I think I would like that," Max told Chloe, both girls giggling as Chloe pulled Max into her arms.
Author's Note – Another chapter without doom and gloom! I know, I'm spoiling you, but I'm also spoiling myself so muahahaha! Note that while Max did say that Chloe could spend the night it wasn't an invitation for Chloe to move back in. Taking it slow, making the progress feel more important.
Who knew Chloe Price was secretly a hopeless romantic? A smart-ass one to be sure, but still…
Read, review, and I will see you in 23!
Stay hella, Cinnamon Rolls!
PS – If you follow me on Tumblr, you might've seen my Kate/Dana pairing coming. I slip spoilers and teases in my posts every now and then (^_^)