"Max, that's it. We're going on a date. Saturday."

Max looked up from her homework, confused. The last two weeks since they came back from Arcadia Bay again had been relatively quiet - Max went to school, Chloe burned time with a couple of college classes to keep herself motivated, and Ryan had finally won a game of Monopoly. Other than the daily drives to and from school and one lunch date with Victoria, Max and Chloe hadn't left the house.

Chloe understood why Max was so reluctant to go anywhere - she had a well founded fear of the unknown. The couple of times they had gone out with the Caulfields, Max had been on edge, her hand occasionally poised as if she was going to need to reverse time. There were too many random things that could happen out in the world, and Max seemed hesitant to face them.

Chloe was trying to be patient, trying to let Max be comfortable without coddling her. At the same time, she was frustrated. Here she was, in a busy metropolitan city, and the most adventure she got was smoke time with Victoria, of all people. She wanted to go out and explore with her first mate, just like they had always imagined.

"A date?" Max's eyebrows were furrowed, and she was looking at Chloe as if she had grown an extra head.

Chloe snorted. She was sprawled out on the bed per usual, propping her head up on both of the pillows so she didn't have to lift her head to look at her girlfriend. "Yes, Max, a date. You know, go out on the town, get dinner, like couples do?" Max kept staring back at her with a slightly confused expression. "Not to mention Saturday is Valentine's Day. Might as well be sappy about it, you know?"

Max's expression gradually darkened, a slight panic was growing in her eyes as the idea took root. "I'm, I don't know, it's-"

Chloe sighed, sliding off the bed before dramatically dropping on one knee, holding one of Max's hands. "Maxine Caulfield, would you do me the honor to show you off for one evening?"

A little smile grew on Max's face, the panic disappearing as a sort of catharsis reached her eyes. "I-I guess so..." She still sounded slightly concerned, and her smile was faltering a little.

Chloe threw a hand to her chest, acting hurt. "Wow, Max. Talking about spewing confidence in my proposal abilities."

Max's smile widened, looking genuine this time. "Yes, you dork."

Chloe made a big show over raising her fists in victory, and Max giggled, trying to catch the fists as they wavered a little close to her face. Chloe snagged one of her hands again, kissing it. "I'm gonna date you so hard, Max Caulfield."

Max groaned, her face turning into an expression of discomfort. "Please don't say it like that."

"Like what?" She waggled her eyebrows in response, teasing.

"Like...that." Max shook her head, flushed bright red before trying to turn back to her homework. Chloe felt her face fall a little, and laid back down on the bed.

The romantic side of their relationship had stalled out again. After Max's last streak of bravery, going shirtless was less of an issue, but she still seemed nervous to try anything else. It was another thing that was starting to frustrate Chloe - it wasn't like they'd never seen each other in their underwear before. Growing up, they'd change in front of each other without blinking. Heck, it wasn't that long ago that they were almost skinny dipping in the Blackwell pool.

And you checked her out hard then, you fucking perv. She had tried not to...but one of her favorite people had just turned back up after five years, she was feeling lonely, and damn, was Max attractive. What made Max willing to strip down then and not now had to do purely with the situation they were under.

"I can hear you thinking naughty thoughts, Chloe," Max commented, her head still turned towards her homework.

Chloe shrugged, still look up at the ceiling as the corner of her mouth twitched. Sometimes, she was glad that Max could only control time and not read minds. "Can't help it. Have sexy girlfriend, have naughty thoughts."

"Oh my dog, Chloe." Max's head turned a little from her homework, and she seemed lost in thought. She was chewing on her lip, glancing at Chloe. "Are you...sure, it doesn't bother you? That we don't...do a lot?"

Max's continuous attempts to avoid mentioning intimate subjects made Chloe chuckle. "What, do you seriously think I'm waiting around this long just to get some and ditch?"

A comforting smile appeared on Max's face, and she visibly relaxed. "No, I guess not."

"Glad to see you're making some sense." Chloe sighed, moving her hands to be under her head. "As much as I'd love to sex you up, I'm here for the whole package."

"Is...is that so?" Max seemed a nervous, trying to sound flirtatious. God, she was so cute when she tried to flirt.

"Hell yeah." Chloe stared up at the ceiling for a little bit, grinning. "The whole package."

"Chloe, stop!"

The following couple of days were some of the most stressful in Chloe's life. She wasn't sure why she was so anxious - they had been dating for two months, and they weren't exactly trying to keep it a secret. She decided it was just the newness of it - going out and doing something as basic as a date was weird when considering their relationship so far.

They had agreed to dress up a bit, necessitating two separate shopping trips. Victoria made a big stink about playing wingman for both of them, but did agree to it, for which Chloe was grateful. Although she didn't have the most positive relationship with Vicky, she turned out to be good at keeping Max somewhat calm in the mall environment.

Truthfully, those two hours that Victoria had Max under her watch were probably the worst two hours of Chloe's life since the storm.

Saturday evening, Chloe was finally fiddling with her button up, wondering if she should have ironed it. She had been drawn to the little grey anchors covering the navy fabric - it made her reminisce about younger, pirate-filled days. Victoria had been quick to make snarky remarks, but a middle finger salute and a pair black slacks later, Chloe was good to go.

She had gotten dressed in "her" bedroom to appease Vanessa, who was treating this as if it was prom night, complete with wanting a big "clothing reveal". Max's mom had gotten all excited on the idea of them going out on the town, and seemed eager to be involved. Guess she never really got the chance to get Max ready for a date. It was a semi-depressing thought, but Chloe also felt a hint of jealousy at the idea of anyone else trying to make a move on her girl.

There was a knock at the door. "I'm dressed," Chloe called, still fiddling with her hair. There were a few inches of her natural color stemming from the top of her head, and the green in what was left had faded a little more. She'd have to make sure to use primer if she ever dyed her hair crazy colors again.

Ryan cracked the door open, peering in cautiously. "Can I come in?"

Chloe nodded, waving her hand to welcome him in. "Gonna give me the ol' razzle dazzle? Wise words of parental advice?"

He grinned, stepping in and closing the door behind him. "Yes. Keep your hands to yourself. Have her home by ten." His tone was stern, but his eyes were sparkling.

Chloe gave him a halfhearted salute. "Yessir." Chloe sighed, smoothing out the shirt over her stomach again. She really wished she had ironed it.

"You look nervous, Chloe," Ryan teased, watching her.

"Do I?" She shook her head, still fiddling with her shirt. "Don't know why, but yeah, guess I am."

He shook his head, laughing at her. "Relax. I'm sure you two will have a great time."

"Thanks, Mr. C."

"Chloe, are ready?" Vanessa's voice echoed through the hall, and Chloe couldn't help but groan. Ryan smirked at her, casting her a slightly apologetic look before opening the door to slip out. Yep, this is going to be embarrassing...for Max.

Chloe ran one last hand over the fabric before sighing. "Yeah, I'm ready." She walked into the hallway, noticing Vanessa and Ryan standing in front of Max's door. The former's eyes were sparkling at the sight of Chloe - she was as excited as Chloe was nervous.

"Sweetie, you look so nice!" She was speaking somewhat quietly, glancing back at Max's door. "Head downstairs, okay? I want to take some pictures before you girls head out!"

Ryan cast her another apologetic look before the two of them headed downstairs, Chloe pacing in the kitchen as he reminded her to relax. He joking offered her a beer at one point, and if she wasn't about to drive, Chloe would have absolutely taken advantage of that.

It only took a few minutes before Vanessa came downstairs, almost skidding to a halt at the foot of the stairs. Her eyes were still wild, and Chloe had to stifle laughter - it was as if they were going to prom. She had her phone out, already on the camera app.

And then Max was coming down the stairs, and Chloe felt her breath catch in her throat.

She'd have to thank Victoria later for that dress. She knew Max wasn't a fan of them, and now Chloe wished she was. The grey fabric was almost the exact same shade as the anchors on Chloe's shirt; despite Vicky's comments about the shirt, she had paid attention after all. The fabric ended just above Max's knee, and she was wearing what Chloe guessed was a white shawl of Vanessa's over her shoulder.

The look in Max's eyes was the most impactful part of her appearance. That adoration that always caught Chloe off guard, mixed with an almost possessive look. Yep, I am absolutely Max's person, and I am hella okay with that.

It took a pointed cough from Ryan for the two of them to realize that they weren't alone in the living room. Max flushed bright red, looking down at her flats for a second.

"Am I allowed to say 'wowser', or did you trademark that?" Chloe said, only half joking, walking closer so she could slip her hand into Max's.

"I'll allow it just this once." That adoration look was back, and it took everything Chloe had to not start aggressively making out with her in front of the parents. Save that for later, when they're not watching.

Vanessa was pointing her phone in their direction, and Chloe had a sneaking suspicion that she had been taking pictures the whole time. Max seemed to realize this as well, and curled closer to Chloe on instinct. She had never been comfortable on this side of a camera lens, and Vanessa was being particularly relentless.

After a few minutes of pictures, Chloe waved her free hand in a stopping motion. "We gotta get a move on, otherwise we'll be late for our date."

Vanessa groaned a little, as though Chloe had ruined her day. "Alright, you girls have fun, okay? We won't wait up." She gave a little wink that Chloe couldn't help snickering at, although Max seemed utterly mortified. She was still muttering about how ridiculous her mother was as Chloe opened the passenger door for her.

Dinner went without incident. The Italian place on the other side of the neighborhood had been packed, and Chloe was grateful that she had made a reservation as soon as Max had agreed to go. Max had been a little hesitant to leave the truck, but the longer they were in the restaurant, the more Max relaxed, and by the time Chloe had paid, she looked truly happy. It was a rewarding sight to see, and Chloe was glad she had bit the bullet on taking Max out.

They quietly entered the house, not wanting to be ambushed by the Caulfields. It appeared they had kept their promise of not waiting up, and Max went into the bathroom to get ready for bed. Chloe switched into her pajamas while waiting, leaving her bra on, just in case Max decided to treat her with shirtless snuggles tonight. She wasn't going to hold her breath, though.

She was sitting on the edge of the bed, playing with her phone, when Max walked back in. She was still in her dress, which was odd given that she kept her pajamas in the bathroom. "Max, you okay? Need another pair of PJs?" On closer inspection, Chloe realized her face was a little flushed.

With a determined look, Max let her dress drop, leaving her in only her bra and underwear. Chloe had to fight to keep her mouth closed, trying not to ogle her. Max's expression remained defiant, as if she was fighting an internal war. Chloe understood - it wasn't an invitation, just a bold step in that direction.

She saw Max's right hand shaking, and for a second Chloe feared that she was about to try to rewind from her nerves. She quickly stepped forward and grabbed said hand, using it to pull Max into her. Max felt tense, her whole body straining to stay still. She was trying so hard, and it made Chloe smile, laying a firm kiss on her forehead. "Shit, Max, if I knew I was going to get dinner and a show..."

Max giggled a little, her body relaxing as she began leaning into Chloe. "Not much of a show."

"Might want to get your vision checked, Mad Max, because I got the most beautiful show right in front of me." She could feel Max's little sigh of contentment, and Chloe rested her forehead against Max's. They stood there for a little bit before Chloe pulled her head away. "Now take your meds, it's bedtime."

Max's nose crinkled as she smiled, eyes closed. "I love you, Chloe Price."

"Is that so?" She grinned back, and Max rolled her eyes, moving to grab her meds and her stand by glass of water on the desk. Without further thought, Chloe threw off her pajamas so they were at matching clothing levels. Max was about to take a sip of water before she back looked over at Chloe, and her eyes grew a little wide. Chloe nonchalantly slipped into bed, getting herself comfortable as she held back a snicker at Max's expression.

She was a little worried that Max would clam up and flee, but the brunette quickly took a gulp of water before joining her under the covers. Max moved to get into their normal snuggling position, and Chloe couldn't help but sigh at the warmth.

Chloe pecked the top of Max's head as she rested a hand on Max's waist. "So, what'd you think about your first date?"

She could feel Max giggling against her. "It was pretty good. I might see her again." She wiggled a little closer, one of her hands resting on Chloe's stomach. "How 'bout your date?"

Chloe grinned in the darkness. "Not too bad. Got her almost naked," she said jokingly.

With that, Max rolled over towards the other side of the bed. "Okay, no, I'll be over here." Her tone was playful, though, and Chloe was glad she was taking it well.

"Maaaaax, don't leave me over here by myself!"

Max was trying to cover her snickers, but it wasn't working well. "If you're not going to be grateful-"

Chloe sat up, clasping her hands together dramatically. "Oh, Lord Maximus, be merciful on your worthless subject!"

Max laughed openly now, rolling back over to face her. A wide smile was on her face. "Alright, fine, you win." Chloe gave a little victorious cheer as she laid back down, Max slipping into the same position as before. "You are such a dork."

"But I am your dork, so joke's on you," Chloe declared, kissing the top of her head.