The room was dimly lit by warm golden string lights that hang from wall to wall. The window was cracked open to allow a rare summer breeze to enter and ruffle some papers that were strewn over Max’s desk.

Max closed her eyes for a brief moment to enjoy the wind on her skin and how nice it felt to have a reprieve from the relenting summer sun. With one final deep breath, she turned her focus back to what she was doing. Her fingers ran along the wooden frame until they found the correct placement on the fret for the first chord while her right hand hovered over the strings.

She had already been playing for a little while and it felt good to just take some time for herself and relax. Rachel was in her room with Chloe, who was helping her rehearse some last-minute lines for her premiere that was tomorrow. Max hadn’t wanted to play or read anything while her partners were busy, so she had decided to grab her guitar and practice, not wanting to forget what she had already learned.

The first few notes wafted through the air as Max began to play. Fingers altering effortlessly from chord to chord as she kept the rhythm with her foot and slowly started humming when she reached the chorus.

At some point, Max closed her eyes and simply let herself get lost in the music and the pleasant melody that came from the strings of her guitar. She must have been so into it because the brunette didn’t realise that her door had been gently opened and Rachel and Chloe had come to stand inside, resting on each side of the door frame, watching her.

The moment, however, that Max opened her eyes again and saw two figures staring at her albeit with a tender smile on their faces, she missed a couple of chords and nearly dropped her guitar from the scare she got.

“Fucking hell you guys! You scared the shit out of me!” Max cried out as she placed the palm of her hand over her heart, feeling it frantically beat against her chest.

“Damn Max, who taught you to speak like that?!” Chloe asked with a mock-offended face.

“I live with both of you, don’t I?” The brunette retorted, looking at her two girlfriends.

“Fair point.” The punk pointed a finger at her before stepping inside.

“Sorry for interrupting Max. We just finished and were coming to find you when we heard you playing.” Rachel explained as she walked in the room as well.

“It’s okay but tell me. How are you feeling? Ready for tomorrow?” Max asked once she felt her heartbeat return to normal levels.

“Ready as I’ll ever be! I’m hella excited but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit stressed as well.” Rachel admitted.

“You’re gonna kick major ass babe and we’ll be there to witness said ass-kicking. Right Max?” Chloe chimed in and rested her arm on the blonde’s shoulder before planting a small kiss on her temple.

“Absolutely! I have stocked up on film, SD cards and the battery is fully charged. I’m battle ready.”

“Haven’t hit the red carpets yet and I see I already have a paparazzi.” Rachel flashed Max a smile when the brunette winked at her before making a move to put her guitar away. “Oh no please don’t stop! We’d love to hear you play some more.” Rachel hurried to add.

“Yeah Max, hit us with those hippie melodies of yours.”

“I thought you didn’t like my hipster music…” Max pinned Chloe with a pointed look.

“I like them when you play.”

Max couldn’t help but blush at that. “Alright but just so you know, I’m a bit rusty.”

“That’s not what it sounded like, and even if that’s the case we’d still love to hear you. To be honest, it always helped Chloe and I relax and right now I could do with a distraction.” Rachel confessed with the punk nodding in agreement besides her.

“Well, if you put it that way.” Max said, pushing away her initial reluctance.

“Thanks babe.” Rachel closed the distance to give her a kiss before sitting between Chloe’s legs on the floor as the punk wrapped her arms around her, resting her chin on Rachel’s shoulder.

The photographer took a sip from her water bottle by the side of the bed and stretched her fingers while she thought of which song to play and finally settled for one of her favourites.

The first notes reached Rachel and Chloe and soon enough, Max began to sing.

Let’s say sunshine for everyone
But as far as I can remember
We’ve been migratory animals
Living under changing weather

Someday we will foresee obstacles
Through the blizzard, through the blizzard
Today we will sell our uniform
Live together

Live together

Before Max reached the chorus, her eyes drifted from Rachel to Chloe. When she locked onto pale blues, she smiled.

We played hide and seek in waterfalls
We were younger
We were younger

Chloe mirrored the gesture as her mind raced back in time, her own personal rewind, to when Max and her used to dress up as pirates and had let their imagination run wild; using the swing in her back yard as a prop for their pirate ship to set sail in the uncharted sea of their young minds.

“You have a beautiful voice babe.” Rachel spoke once the last notes ended and Max rested the guitar by the side of the bed.

“I-um..Thank you.” Max smiled, deciding for once to simply accept the compliment.

“Play us one more?” Chloe prompted.

“Rachel, did I hear correct? Our immutable punk wants more hipster music?” Max feigned surprise, her eyes widening.

“Why I believe you’re right my dear Max. I think her…true colours are showing.” Rachel grinned as she held a few strands of receding blue hair, the strawberry-blonde making a strong comeback at the roots.

“God Rachel not you too…” Chloe groaned as she rested her head on the blonde’s shoulders, feeling her shake from laughter.

“Rachel, I’m so proud. That was beautiful!” Max said between giggles while watching the blonde take a small bow, arm stretched to the side. “One last one.” She finally complied, picking up her guitar once more. After contemplating for a bit which song to play, she began strumming.

Cold bones, yeah, that’s my love
She hides away, like a ghost
Does she know that we bleed the same?
Don’t wanna cry but I break that way

Cold sheets, oh, where’s my love?
I am searching high, I’m searching low in the night
Does she know that we bleed the same?
Don’t wanna cry but I break that way

Did she run away?
Did she run away?
I don’t know
If she ran away If she ran away, come back home
Just come home

Upon hearing the lyrics from the chorus, Chloe’s previous cheery attitude dropped as she tensed and wrapped her arms tighter around Rachel. The words had struck a chord somewhere deep within her, where she had buried past pain and fears. Fear like the ones that had kept her awake at night and nearly caused her to lose her goddamned mind from worry when Rachel had disappeared, and Chloe had searched high and low for her. She was certain that if something like that were to ever happen to Rachel or Max again, she’d flip.

I got a fear, oh in my blood
She was carried up into the clouds, high above
If you bled I’ll bleed the same
If you’re scared I’m on my way

Did you run away, did you run away, I don’t need to know
If you ran away, if you ran away, come back home
Just come home

The punk pressed her face in blonde locks and breathed in fresh shampoo as Max’s harmonic voice guided her back to the present where she found that Rachel had intertwined their fingers together, squeezing down gently as if she knew something was off.

Chloe exhaled, sounding unintentionally weary when the song ended, drawing Max’s attention on her.

“Chlo? Are you okay?” She asked after packing away the instrument and walking up to her partners who had gotten up from the floor too.

“Yeah, just um…” Chloe cleared her throat before explaining what had been on her mind.

“Love, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have played that.” Max was quick to apologize, feeling guilty for the other’s distress.

“Hey no, it’s fine. It served as a good reminder of how grateful I am to have you both back in my life.” Chloe gave her a warm smile, wanting to assuage the brunette’s uneasiness.

“Babe…that was hella sappy.” Rachel poked fun at her even though she did land a kiss on her lips.

“I think it was cute.” Max contradicted and kissed the punk as well.

“Oh so now you’re back on my side?” Chloe arched her eyebrow.

“There are no teams Chlo.” Max tried although she knew there was no reasoning with the punk when her competitive side surfaced.

“Ah yeah there are! And I like to do them both.”

“Don’t you mean be on both?” Max corrected her.

“I said what I said.” Chloe winked at Max and had to really try hard not to laugh when she saw the light bulb go off above the brunette’s head.

“You’re such an ass!” Max frowned at her smirking girlfriend and her nerve at making such bad jokes while complaining about their puns.

“A great one might I add.” Chloe continued her ribbing.

“I’ll have to agree on that.” Rachel interjected and gave the aforementioned ass a smack. “Max turn around and let me appreciate that ass of yours as well.”

“If by appreciate you mean smacking, I’ll pass.” Max quipped, it’s not like she didn’t like it but she wasn’t going to make it easy either.

“I wasn’t asking.” Something dangerous and playful flashed before Rachel’s eyes but Max didn’t relent even when both of her partners started moving towards her.

“There’s our Queen B.” Chloe poked fun at the blonde who shot her a murderous look.

“Careful babe or the next will be with the paddle.”

“Promise?” Chloe’s lips caught in a smirk, pretending to get ready to square off with the blonde.

“I seriously wonder if your sex-drives have an off button.” Max said and immediately had two heads snap her direction.

“Wanna find out?” Chloe said before her and Rachel pushed the brunette towards the bed, all three free falling onto the mattress in a laughing heap of entangled bodies and Max decided she indeed, very much so, wanted to find out…

——-

Max sat in the passenger seat as Chloe drove downtown. The sun had just set, painting the sky in marvellous pink and purple hues. Both women were dressed to the nines as they headed for the theatre. Tonight was Rachel’s big night. The opening of the play she had worked so hard on.

After parking the car, Chloe and Max made their way into the theatre lobby where the rest of their friends would be waiting for them.

“Chloe! Oh my God you are back!” Conor exclaimed, causing a few heads to turn his way as he ran straight for the blue haired punk.

“See? That’s a proper way to be welcomed!” Chloe said as she hugged back her friend.

“Never leave again. No one else laughs or appreciates my jokes.”

“Don’t worry dude. Now that I’m back we’ll make up for lost time.”

“Yes!” Conor smiled as Max rolled her eyes at them and went to greet Warren.

“We’re doomed.” Lara groaned for what was to come.

“See what I mean?” Conor pointed at them while frowning.

“Hey guys? How about we go find our seats before we have to listen to Conor complain again?” Seth interjected.

“Why am I even friends with you assholes?” Conor said but nonetheless followed everyone inside.

Rachel had saved them seats close to the stage, reserved for family and friends. Max was itching to grab her polaroid and take a few pictures before the show but knew that it wasn’t allowed.

“Come on, do it.”  Chloe leaned in and whispered.

“Do what?” Max asked in confusion.

“Take the picture, I can practically feel the need seeping out of you.”

“I can’t. The flash…” She tried looking around to see if she could locate the usher.

“No one gives a fuck.”

Max seemed to consider for a few minutes but the little voice in her head, that she was sure belonged to Chloe, was telling her to do it and Max really, really wanted one.

With one final look to check that no one from the theatre staff was around, Max took out her polaroid, turning it so it faced her and Chloe who had glued her cheek against hers and was smiling ear to ear.

A bright flash later and the picture was being printed.

“Hey one more with us!” Seth called from two seats over.

Everyone squished in as close as possible, making all sorts of funny faces.

Max was happily inspecting the two pictures when she heard someone clear their throat. She turned to see a very annoyed usher glaring at her. The photographer was glad she had managed to put her polaroid in her bag but was still holding the two photographs in her hand.

“Pictures are not allowed.” She said in a stern voice.

“I..um. Sor-“

“Pictures? What pictures?” Chloe interrupted Max.

The usher scowled at her.

“Did you guys see anyone take pictures?” Chloe asked their friends.

“Nope. No idea what she’s talking about.” Warren smiled at the unamused staff. Sure, she was doing her job but there was no way in hell he wouldn’t back up Max.

The usher glowered at them one last time, deciding that this was not worth her time and left.

“See? I told you no one gives a fuck.” Chloe said sarcastically as she turned to Max, kissing her on the cheek.

“You’re hopeless. Never change.” Max said before returning the kiss.

Chloe couldn’t contain the smile that split her lips as the lights dimmed and the curtains rose.

The play despite being a drama had integrated some dark humour in it that really elevated the performance and had people laughing.

Rachel, however, truly shone through the entire performance. The long hours she had put into this play paying off. Max and Chloe were unable to stop smiling as they watched their girlfriend up on stage. The blonde beamed at them when she caught their eyes glued on her.

Rachel was jubilant to be on stage and have her two partners in the audience, supporting her. Earlier that night she had been anxious, clenching her hand in a tight fist. This was her first main role and it was a big deal. Both her girlfriends had hugged and kissed her goodbye as she left early that morning, her tension easing a bit knowing that they would be there. Rooting for her.

The show ended with a standing ovation as the actors and actresses all bowed to an uproar of clapping. Rachel didn’t fail to see all her friends cheer and call her name while Chloe finger whistled as if in a stadium and Max had said fuck it, taking out her polaroid to capture the moment.

“Babe! You were amazing!” Chloe said in a cheerful voice as Rachel finally joined them at the after party that the theatre company was hosting to celebrate the opening night.

She picked Rachel up and kissed her deeply as the blonde smiled into the kiss.

“You were incredible love.” Max said and stepped next to Rachel as well once her two feet touched the ground once more, giving her a kiss, arms resting on her shoulders.

“Thank you!” She replied enthusiastically, still riding on the high of the performance and unable to contain her bright smile.

“Okay now that you love birds are done, let us have a turn to congratulate the rising star as well.” Chimed in Lara.

Everyone took the chance to congratulate the young actress while Chloe had gone to the cloakroom to get the two gifts all of them had bought for her. There was a third one from Max that neither she nor anybody else knew what it was. Max kept changing the subject whenever Chloe tried to pry.

“These are for you.” Chloe gave Rachel a bouquet of flowers as was custom and a middle-sized box with a bow on it. “We all pitched in.”

“You guys! Thank you!” Rachel said in excitement. She could get used to this.

“Come on! Open it!” Conor said, bouncing in excitement.

Rachel placed the flowers carefully on the stand where their drinks were and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful emerald dress, soft to the touch and awfully expensive looking.

“This is gorgeous.” Her eyes shone.

“We figured since after tonight you will be landing role after role, you might need a new dress for the next big night.” Chloe explained.

“Don’t forget us mere mortals okay?” Warren said in a dramatic tone.

“I’ll tell my PA to remind me.” Rachel joked.

“So! Let’s get this party started!” Seth said, ready to raise his glass.

“Actually, I have one more gift.” Max interjected, taking out a smaller gift from her bag.

“Ah yes, the mysterious package. She’s been so secretive about it, even I don’t know what it is.” Chloe said as she wrapped her hands around Rachel’s waist and rested her head on her shoulder.

“I hope you like it.” Max handed it to Rachel, obviously a bit nervous which made the other raise her eyebrow as to what it could possibly be.

Rachel took the gift and tore away the wrapping, revealing a frame. When she turned it around to see the picture in it, both hers and Chloe’s heart skipped a beat. Chloe moved from her spot behind Rachel to hold the frame as well, eyes darting from the picture to Rachel to Max and back down.

“Max… This is…” Chloe said but her brain felt sluggish.

“Where did you find this?” Rachel asked, not believing her eyes. Was she really on the brink of tears?

“What is happening?” Lara cast a look at her friends who seemed completely taken aback.

“I had to search a lot to find a good picture. None of them were very decent so I had to sit and edit this one, clean it up so the faces weren’t as blurry. I know this is a big night for you Rachel and from what you and Chloe told me so was that one. Do you like it?” Max inquired, playing with the edge of her skirt nervously.

Rachel looked up at Max, eyes so full of love she thought she would choke on it. Without another moment to waste she gave the picture to Lara and dashed to Max grabbing her in the tightest embrace before smashing their lips together, tears trickling down her face. She kissed her hard, trying to pass on to her how much this meant to her, her love, her appreciation for Max’s understanding.

Max sighed into the kiss before feeling the presence of another person next to her, hugging her and Rachel. She could tell it was Chloe just from her perfume. Max could just stand there for all eternity, encircled by so much love.

In the meantime, Lara showed the picture to the rest, everybody still a bit confused.

There in the frame was a picture of a younger version of Chloe and Rachel. Details of the features were not noticeably clear, but you could undoubtedly distinguish the two. It must have taken hours to render the photo. The punk was dressed in blue, with a feathered headpiece while Rachel was in dark blue and red, holding a wooden staff while facing Chloe. Familiar faces from Blackwell surrounded them on stage, all standing in front of the shipwreck props placed on either side of the stage while a painting of a vicious storm set the scene behind them. The play was called The Tempest after all and under any other circumstances, Max would have found this to be an ironic coincidence with a twisted sense of humour in it but after everything that had happened, she had stopped believing in them. Of course, the two people she had fallen in love with and had done everything in her power, literally, to save had been in a play named after a violent storm.

“Are you guys alright?” It was Warren who dared speak up.

Rachel chuckled, finally letting go of Max.

“More than fine. Damn it Max, you’ll ruin my makeup.” She said as she tried to blink the tears away. “This was taken during a school play and, believe it or not, Chloe had stepped in when our original Ariel got ah… stuck in traffic.” Rachel side glanced at Chloe who was giving her the Oh Really? look. “It was also at a time where neither Chloe nor I had anything stable in our lives.” Rachel continued ignoring the punk. “A time where we planned on running away to L.A and… now here we are.” She explained to the rest of the group, squeezing Chloe’s hand as she looked at her lovingly.

Warren and the others nodded in understanding .

“Max. Thank you. For everything. I love you so much.” Rachel said and kissed her again.

“I love you too.”

Chloe didn’t say anything. She simply held Max once again, relaying all her love through the gesture.

“I will never forget this.” She whispered in her ear.

Max breathed a sigh of relief. She had been worried this gift would serve more as a reminder of bad times but all she wanted was to show them how far they had come, how they made it.

“Remember how you had made that promise to me?” Chloe inquired once she walked up to Rachel again.

“I do, but I also remember how you couldn’t even bring yourself to ask properly for it.”

“I-ah I was gonna-” Chloe was cut off by a pair of red lips on hers in a kiss that made the punk’s heart drum in her chest just as loud as it had all those years back.

“Now then! After that emotional roller coaster, I think it’s time to celebrate! I hear champagne calling out my name!” Rachel said after pulling apart to which all the rest cheered and went to get drinks.

“To new beginnings!” Lara said, raising her glass.

“To Rachel!” Chloe added.

“To all of us.” Rachel responded and took a sip of the champagne.

The party continued late into the night until the three women said their goodbyes and headed back home with Chloe behind the wheel and Rachel sitting next to Max, resting her head on the brunette’s shoulder.

“I could sleep for a week.” Rachel said, feeling the exhaustion slowly settling in.

“Ah yes, my favourite hobby.” Chloe jested.

“I’ll run you a nice warm bath if you want.” Max offered.

“Mmm sounds nice.” Rachel hummed as she closed her eyes for the remainder of their journey back home.

Once inside the house, Rachel placed the flowers in some water and dropped the gifts in her room. Max was still in the living room sorting out the pictures she had taken during the night when she felt Rachel take her by the arm and spin her around, colliding their lips together in a fiery kiss, tongue teasing the roof of her mouth. When Rachel finally broke away, they were both panting.

“What was that for?” Max asked, still feeling lightheaded.

“For the wonderful gift and for coming to support me tonight.”

“Of course we’d come. And you already thanked me sweetheart.”

“Not properly.” She said with a knowing glint in her eyes. “What do you say Chlo? Shall we thank Max for her thoughtful gift?”

Chloe was next two them in two strides, already smirking.

“It would be rude not to…”

“I thought you were tired and wanted to sleep all week?” Max teased.

“Babe, when we’re done tonight, you’ll want to sleep for a week too.”

Max bit her lip. Excitement and anticipation building up inside her at the promise those words held and the lustful look in her girlfriend’s eyes.

“So what would you like as a reward Max?”

“I…There is one thing that I would like to try.”

“You know you can tell us love.”

“I want you to teach me how to use your red rope.” Max forced herself to maintain eye contact while her pulse quickened. This had been something she had been itching to ask for weeks now. It started when she fell on a collage of photographs from an art exhibition on Shibari and immediately had caught her attention. It was nothing like she had ever seen before, intricate knots and bodies bent in all shapes and forms, altering from standing to lying down; some, where even suspended. All these images had piqued Max’s curiosity and thrown her down the rabbit hole of Google research on the topic.

In any other case she would have left it at that; a new topic she found interesting and photos beautiful but one day while she was helping Rachel short out some of her clothes in her wardrobe, her eyes fell on the box with all the toys she kept and in it was a red rope, very similar to the one she had seen online used by riggers and that had planted the seed in her mind which had now grown to full-blown weeds and no matter how many times Max tried to pluck the ideas out, they just kept regrowing.

“Oh…” Rachel blinked in surprise.

“It’s okay if neither of you are up for it-“ Max rushed to say because there was one more obstacle to overcome and this one was serious and it directly involved Rachel’s and hers traumatic experience of being tied up and if Max was being honest she didn’t fully comprehend why she wanted to try this, only that she had to at least ask, whatever the answer, she would respect it.

“I’d love to.” Rachel interrupted. “But I need to know that you are both okay with this, that you truly want it. Especially you Chloe, since you’ll be at the receiving end.” Rachel spoke with a deliberate yet calm voice.

“I’m absolutely sure Rachel.” Max gave her consent.

Chloe scanned Max momentarily before agreeing as well. The request, as with Rachel, had taken her by surprise. She would have never imagined the brunette as someone interested in rope bondage however she wouldn’t give up such a chance, one which involved intimacy, a bucket load of trust and of course pleasure.

“Okay, give me a minute to get prepared and I’ll call you.” Rachel placed a kiss on each of their cheeks before disappearing into her room.

While Rachel changed and took out from her closet everything that they would be needing for tonight her mind raced back to the first time she had picked up a rope some years ago. The memory now leaving a bittersweet taste on her tongue. It was a period in her life where she felt completely stripped of any semblance of the person she thought she was and would become. After going through such a nightmare, she didn’t know if she would ever be comfortable around any form of restrain but if Rachel was one thing, that was tenacious, and she refused to accept defeat. That is why she had taken on bondage of this form. She saw it as a means of therapy that allowed her to gradually face her fear and regain some sense of control.

It made Rachel wonder if somewhere deep inside, even if still unconsciously so, it was the same for Max. Seeing how the brunette, unfortunately, had had a similar experience and had asked Rachel how to tie and not be tied up. Max had powers yes, but maybe what she was still lacking was control .

Once everything was ready, Rachel called both her partners inside. It took a few seconds for their eyes to adjust to the soft golden dimmed lights but when they did, Chloe and Max may or may not have felt a bit weak in the knees when their eyes took in Rachel wearing a bordeaux set of lace lingerie, however what really got their blood pumping was the matching stockings and garter belt the model was wearing. Well fuck them.

“Chloe, babe, I want you to strip and stand there.” She pointed to the space a few feet away from the bed where there was a soft rug. “Max, you too but keep the bare minimum on, for now.” She winked at the brunette before strolling over to the bed and to the things she had laid on it while her girlfriends removed their clothes.

“We’ll do this slowly and take it step by step. Remember to always check in with Chloe but ultimately it’s her that will tell us if something feels off and we have to immediately do what she tells us.” Rachel explained before turning her attention to the punk. “Let us know if you feel uncomfortable and use our safe words, okay?”

“Yes ma’am.” Chloe joked, the side of her lips catching in a small grin and her left eyebrow arching to the heavens when she heard the blonde’s next words.

“Enjoy talking while you can.” Rachel quipped before speaking to the photographer “Max, grab the ropes for me.”

Max, who by now had undressed down to her underwear, walked up to the bed. Her blue eyes roaming over the objects; their strapless strap on ready to use, a wireless wand, a bit gag and two ropes. The brunette had no idea what Rachel’s plan was or how she’d combine all these fun toys but Max was willing to wait and find out.

Without wasting another minute, Max took the red ropes but was immediately assaulted with a peculiar scent that lingered on them.

“It’s Camellia and Jojoba Oil used for maintenance.” Rachel explained when she saw her girlfriend crinkle her nose and a small, adorable creases appear between her eyebrows. “So, we’ll start with the Lightning harness tonight. It’s simple and easy to undo.”

“Ready?” Rachel addressed Chloe.

“All yours.” The punk said, taking in a deep breath to relax her shoulders.

“Hold the excess for me love.” Rachel gave Max the majority of the length while she held onto the other end. “First, you make an overhand knot to create a stubby loop.” She explained as she folded a small part of the rope and tied it to form the aforementioned loop. “Here, take this and place it around Chloe’s shoulders, so the loop hangs from the left side of her chest.”

Max followed the instructions closely, coming to stand in front of Chloe who gave her a fond smile when the brunette looked up at her while placing the rope around her nape and letting it rest on her shoulders.

“Good, now we’ll go through a series of steps that involve wrapping the rope around her body, creating loops and passing the free end through them. We can alternate so you get a chance to do each step.” Rachel wasn’t really a fan of how mechanical she sounded but this wasn’t just about play. Max wanted to learn and the blonde felt a responsibility to do this right for all three of them. And ultimately safe .

“Okay. And Rachel? Chloe? I um- thank you.” Max said, feeling the need to show her appreciation.

“What are you thanking us for?” Chloe asked as both her and Rachel eyed her in confusion.

“For agreeing. For…trusting me to be part of this.”

“Babe…of course we trust you.” Chloe said, tilting her head to the side and bringing their lips together in a deep kiss. When neither of them seemed to be willing to break apart, Rachel spoke up again.

“As much as I love watching you two make out, we’re in the middle of something and last I checked, I didn’t give you any permission to kiss…” There was a slight sternness in Rachel’s voice that only appeared when she was in character which had Max and Chloe feel a need to listen to every single word that trickled out of her mouth.

And that’s exactly what they did, with Rachel giving clear instructions to Max who listened attentively and occasionally asked questions. As for Chloe…well she was uncharacteristically quiet.

Chloe chewed the inside of her mouth as she concentrated on the combination of strands and warm hands touching her naked body. The slightly rough surface of the rope biting into her skin, a feeling she absolutely fucking loved. With each extra knot created, her mind slipped further into a state that almost resembled inebriation yet she was fully conscious and aware of her surroundings.

For Chloe this experience always gave her a feeling of freedom, ironic as it may sound. It allowed her to let loose and cast aside any troubling thoughts and focus on the rope rubbing on her skin whenever she shifted. This practice had also presented her with the chance to let someone else take care of her, something she hadn’t permitted anybody to do, because she truly had believed that she could have done everything all on her own. But that had gradually changed with Rachel and Max back in her life, realising it wasn’t a bad thing and how nice it was to share the load. How she wanted, no needed it.

There was also a form of power in knowing that she could end it all with one word. Yes, Rachel and now Max had control, but Chloe was the one with the power . Because it was up to Chloe to tell them if they needed to slow down or even end the entire scene with just one word. It was a paradox which had taken time to fully understand but once that connection had been made, it had elevated the experience to a whole new level.

“We’re almost done.” Rachel’s voice snapped Chloe back from her reverie. The zig-zag shape of the harness was now fully visible, reaching from her chest all the way down to just above Chloe’s hips. “Before finishing, I want to show you some simple patterns we can use to tie her arms as well and then I’m going to make a small adjustment to this harness…”Rachel trailed off before taking the second red rope Max had brought.

Without Rachel needing to say anything, Chloe put her arms behind her back and folded them on top of each other, returning the knowing smile the blonde gave her.

Once Rachel showed Max how to create the new knots and where to avoid putting too much pressure so as to not cut blood circulation, she went and grabbed the wand and returned to stand in front of the punk.

“Kneel.” Rachel commanded.

Chloe did as told, getting on her knees while keeping her head up, pale blues maintaining eye contact with warm hazel.

“Let’s see how many times you can come for us tonight.” Rachel said with a wicked smile on her face before going down as well to attach the wand to the harness, wrapping the rope around the narrow area at the base of the wand’s head. This meant that it would stay in place, with the head of the toy constantly pressed against the hood of Chloe’s clit no matter how much she moved.

“What do you say Max? Think it will hold?” She asked Max who kneeled as well to give it a light tug.

“Y-yeah…” Max wished she had sounded more assertive but fuck, her brain was too preoccupied capturing the images of Chloe in front of her. Blue ruffled hair, pale blue eyes barely visible from how her pupils had dilated and all tied up in a vibrant red.

“Good, but how about you have a closer look? I want you to inspect every single knot carefully. You may touch as much as you like.” Rachel said while getting up and going to sit cross-legged by the edge of the bed, leaning back to rest her weight on her arms.

The photographer swallowed thickly as she nodded before turning her attention back to Chloe who was looking at her intensely, her breath coming out laboured as if she was getting ready for the impact with the other’s touch. Just when Max began to pass her fingertips in feather-like caresses over Chloe’s exposed thigh, the punk immediately broke out in goosebumps.

The brunette moved at what Chloe believed was a glacial pace, with Max’s other warm hand resting on her hip and not anywhere near to the growing need that had settled between her legs.

Max on the other hand, had no intention of rushing this. Rachel told her after all to be thorough and that’s exactly what she planned on being. Leaning in, she placed a kiss next to a knot over taught abdominal muscles while feeling skin and rope with her other hand which skittered up and down Chloe’s side. She pressed a kiss next to every knot until her lips met red strands on the underside of Chloe’s breast and slightly pulled back, looking up to lock eyes with pale blues as her breath ghosted over a pierced nipple, lips barely grazing over the sensitive bud.

“Max…” Chloe breathed out in a strained voice, her feeble attempt to not squirm, amounting to nothing. Chloe also simply knew that even though she was looking at Max, Rachel’s eyes were on them, sporting a smirk and that only made her mind plummet deeper into submission.

At hearing her name, the brunette leaned forward, taking the ring-shaped piercing in her mouth and giving it a light tug with her teeth before wrapping her lips around the nipple, eliciting a guttural groan from the punk which was like music to her ears. She lapped her tongue around the sensitive bud, feeling Chloe push her chest upwards, clearly wanting more which Max was tempted to offer but was in a particular playful mood tonight and decided to tease instead by bringing her right hand up and pulling on the other piercing.

“Fuck.” Chloe swore as she felt the twinge of pain flying to land straight on her clit.

Once Max was pleased with her inspection, she let go of the nipple and continued her route up until she was lavishing Chloe’s neck with open mouth kisses and sporadic nibbles. Soon though, her lips were replaced by her hands that came up to rest on either side of the punk’s neck, guiding Chloe in for a fiery kiss, tongue swiping over the bottom lip, asking for permission which Chloe gladly gave.

By now, Chloe’s breath was coming out in short successions across Max’s freckled cheeks. She could do nothing other than let the brunette set the pace of the kiss and decide which part of her body her hands would explore. Chloe really wanted to run her fingers through brown strands of hair, to wrap her arms around the younger and bring them as close as physically possible but she couldn’t do any of those things. It was concurrently frustrating and exhilarating and it simply fuelled the fire that was burning hot in the pits of her stomach.

When Max pulled apart, Chloe chased after her lips but the brunette was already standing up and the punk had to squeeze her abs to hold herself upright not realising how much she had been supporting her weight on the other.

“So? What do you think?” Rachels asked with an amused smile on her face, eyes shining with satisfaction at Chloe’s state.

“For a first attempt I’d say…knot so bad.” Max couldn’t help but joke.

“Did you just…” Rachel blinked at her and covered her mouth with her palm to stifle a laugh when Max grinned while Chloe was heard groaning in the background, her head dropping forward in resignation.

“Oh my God, babe. I was going to use this gag on Chloe but now I’m reconsidering.” Rachel said while twirling the bit gag in her hand.

“Hey you laughed!” Max accused her.

“Unfortunately you’re right. This may be a cause for concern.” Rachel retorted to the sound of Chloe chuckling this time and Max glaring at her which only lasted for the few seconds it took for Rachel to stand up and come kiss her, biting down on Max’s lower lip as a warning that she shouldn’t talk back.

“Open up baby.” Rachel spoke again once she was behind Chloe. She leaned forward so her words brushed against the punk’s ear as she brought her hands over Chloe’s shoulder, holding the gag inches away from her mouth.

Chloe parted her lips, biting down on the cylinder-shaped gag to hold it in place while Rachel adjusted the straps behind her head.

“Is that okay?”

Chloe nodded as she got accustomed to the rubbery taste of it.

Rachel then placed a black squeaky ball in Chloe’s hand she had brought along before explaining to Max that since Chloe wasn’t able speak clearly or make any gestures, she would use this ball. If at any point she squeezed and dropped it, they had to stop immediately and untie her because it was the equivalent word for Red.

Once Chloe was set, Rachel took a step back to inspect hers and Max’s work. Chloe looked utterly beautiful; toned body wrapped in red like a Birthday present, pink lips parted by a black cylinder and eyes filled with anticipation. So, it wasn’t really a wonder why Rachel needed to take in a few minutes for herself and simply indulge .

“Now then, Max go sit on the bed. As for you.” Rachel turned her attention back to Chloe. “You can come as many times as you like. I’m curious to see if you’ll break your record.” She said and switched on the wand to the lowest setting. It was not enough to make the punk come but it would do wonders to get her all worked up. Not that she needed it; Chloe was already incredibly turned on and her arousal would only increase exponentially from here on out, especially when she noticed Rachel remove her underwear and straddle Max.

“You did so well baby.” Rachel praised her knowing all too well how Max would blush and wanting to see those pink cheeks again.

Right on cue, a wonderful cherry colour blossomed across Max’s face who in the meantime had placed her hands on Rachel’s ass to help her balance when the blonde shifted to be able to wrap her legs around the brunette’s waist.

Without any warning, Rachel rested her arms on Max’s shoulders and started a gradual grind against her, letting a low moan escape her when her clit found purchase on her girlfriend’s stomach.

Like a domino effect, Max’s hold tightened on the model while her brain scrambled to register how warm and slick Rachel felt against her and just when she thought she could do this, that she wouldn’t melt into a puddle on the spot, her resolve crumbled like a sandcastle the moment Rachel locked eyes with her before crashing their lips together in a bruising kiss all the while grinding down in earnest.

Rachel ran her tongue along Max’s, her fingers curling into a fist around chestnut locks of hair, determined to bring herself to a quick orgasm.

“Is she watching Max?” Rachel asked between small moans and kisses from where she had moved her head to nuzzle her partner’s neck, despite already knowing the answer.

Max’s deep blue eyes darted to Chloe who was definitely watching them. White teeth bearing down on the gag.

“Yeah.”

“Good. I want her to watch while I come on you.” Rachel emphasised the last word with a particularly harsh bite on Max’s shoulder, earning her a groan from the brunette who thought she might combust at hearing Rachel and the lack of any sort of filter. “Fuck I’m so close.” Rachel spoke loud enough so Chloe could hear as her hips started rolling at an off-beat tempo before surging forward to seal their lips, moaning into the kiss as she brought herself to a soft and small orgasm.

All this time Chloe was observing them closely, eyes darting from Rachel’s tensed shoulder blades to Max’s hands that held the blonde close to her and how they kissed until Rachel was moving again. She climbed off the brunette and walked to Chloe who looked up to see a pair of hazel eyes examining her before increasing the vibrations of the wand to moderate and switching to a pulsing setting.

The punk let out a sigh of relief. The stronger vibrations were heaven-sent because all this time she wanted to come but couldn’t quite get there.

“I hope you enjoyed that small show.” Rachel spoke as she placed her hand under Chloe’s chin and tilted it up so she could look into pale blues. “Now get ready for part one of the main event.” She grinned before leaning down for a kiss, her lips catching Chloe’s and the gag.

For Chloe, the combination of the new setting and the kiss were enough to send her toppling over the edge, body tensing from her release and breath coming out in harsh puffs of air against Rachel’s face.

“Oh? One down hm? I wonder how many more to go…” The blonde pretended to contemplate as she left the punk behind and made her way back to Max. “Since both Chlo and I had our fun little round, I say it’s only fair you get to come once as well.” She smiled at the brunette while getting on her knees and tugging at Max’s underwear, who ardently helped out her girlfriend remove them.

“How generous of you.” Max mirrored the smile when Rachel parted her legs making it abundantly clear what her plan was.

“I am, aren’t I?” Rachel shot back.

“Huh you and Chlo are the definition of modestyyy-Oh fuuuuck.” Max lost her bearings because apparently the blonde had no intention of waiting for an answer, rather she pressed her lips in the heat between the brunette’s legs and started flicking her tongue on a sensitive bundle of nerves that had Max’s heart beat erratically in her chest.

“Just one last thing.” Rachel pulled back abruptly, not without protest from the other. “If you want to come, you have to keep eye contact with Chloe. You so much as look anywhere else and I’ll stop.” Rachel cautioned and went back to eating out Max, not bothering to hear a confirmation.

Shit. Thought Max to herself as she gripped the bed sheets on each side of her legs. Doing what Rachel asked, no demanded, required confidence and not to shy away something Max had always struggled with. But she wasn’t the same person she used to be at the beginning of this relationship. She knew now that she could be confident and most importantly she wanted this. Wanted to share these experiences with her partners. And so, Max pushed aside all the cacophonous voices in her head, telling her she couldn’t go through with it and locked eyes with Chloe.

However, the more time passed and the closer she got with each flick of Rachel’s talented tongue, Max found it progressively harder to focus. She was torn between throwing her head back and losing herself in the moment and continuing to look at Chloe. But in the end, it wasn’t a hard decision to make. She’d always choose Chloe. How could she not? Especially when the punk’s gaze was pinned on her and was burning with the intensity of a thousand suns.

“Chloe…” Max called out as her hand flew to grab onto blonde locks, her orgasm just out of arm’s reach. The brunette thought she heard Chloe make a sound resembling a whine but her brain felt too fuzzy to perceive anything else other than Rachel inside her. Max came with the punk’s name under her breath the instant Rachel sucked on her clit and unconsciously, pressed her girlfriend’s head further in, trying to prolong the euphoric feeling rushing through her veins.

The sound of her name spilling out of Max’s lips felt like a summoning, awaking Chloe’s entire body in mere seconds as if she’d been given a shot of adrenaline. Her hips moved in a meagre attempt to get more friction but the wand wouldn’t budge, however that didn’t stop her from coming again just before taking in Max’s hooded eyes and the way her mouth formed the perfect oh, as she came and dear Lord Chloe would have given anything in the world to be in Rachel’s position right this very moment to get a taste of her as well.

“Good girl.” Rachel said when she felt her girlfriend let go of her hair and stood up, planting a kiss on Max’s forehead before taking a seat next to her. “Did you come again baby?” She asked, facing the shivering punk.

Chloe nodded, a few blue strands of hair falling in her field of vision.

“Let’s see if we can up those numbers. Max, babe go and increase the level by one.”

“Are you okay?” Max asked in a soft voice once she had knelt in front of Chloe, pushing back the locks that were obscuring the other’s vision and resting her hand on the punk’s cheek.

Chloe nodded once more, her eyes going soft for a moment as she dived into deep blue eyes and tried to mentally prepare for what was to come but in vain. When Max pressed the button and the powerful vibrations hit her clit, Chloe let out a low groan as she bit down on the rod because Holy Fuck . No amount of mental preparation could have readied her for how fucking amazing it felt. Still though, Chloe had to rest her head against the brunette’s palm and breathe in deeply to allow her body to get accustomed to the new sensations of how her muscle continued to tense more than relax or how her knees began to feel the pressure of her weight.

With a last check to make sure Chloe was okay, Max got up and went back to Rachel who was now sitting in the middle of the bed and holding the already lubed-up dildo from the strapless strap-on.

“On your knees as well baby, facing Chloe.” Rachel patted the area in front of her and smiled when Max complied but not without turning her head to the side to steal a quick kiss from the blonde who happily obliged.

Not even a minute later, Rachel had placed the smaller curved end of the toy inside her, enjoying the light stretch, and moved behind Max so her chest was flush against the brunette’s back as she aligned the dildo. Gingerly, Rachel started rubbing the tip against Max’s entrance before slowly dipping in molten heat and waiting for the other to adjust, enjoying every single little noise that escaped her girlfriend’s mouth from her light teasing.

“Rachel…please…” Max spoke in a husky voice when the blonde didn’t show any sign of moving. She felt deliciously stretched but it wasn’t nearly enough to satisfy the ravenous hunger that had risen inside her.

“I do love it when you beg. Now let’s see if I can make you sing again.” Rachel spoke in a low cadence, determined to make Max call out her name and hear her beautiful voice. And so, she passively traced the brunette’s body with her fingers before cupping her breast over the bra, giving them a good squeeze while thrusting inside her in a deep and languid manner.

Any thoughts that Max might have had skipping around her brain turned to mush when she felt the slow drag of the dildo. Even more so when the actress kissed and nibbled up from her neck to her ear and focused on Max’s weak spot, eliciting a full body shiver from the brunette the moment Rachel ran her tongue along the shell of her ear.

“ Fuck . Rachel please, more.” Max managed to say between ragged breaths, feeling her clit throb painfully.

The blonde chuckled as her right hand travelled down smooth skin to land on Max’s aching clit, pausing for a few seconds to build anticipation like the breath taken right before diving. When she heard the other’s sharp inhale, Rachel took it as her cue to start rubbing small deft circles against the slick bud.

The instant Max felt firm fingers on her, her legs nearly gave out and was grateful for Rachel’s arms around her to keep her upright because she couldn’t trust her body right now. Max honestly didn’t understand how Chloe hadn’t already toppled over when she, herself, nearly fell face first the minute Rachel touched her.

For Rachel though, the sweet sound that broke past Max’s lips were like a siren’s song and it took an admirable amount of strength for her not to push her clit against Max’s ass because she was certain that if she did, the double assault from the pressure applied on her clit and the curved part of the strap inside her would hurl her into another release and she didn’t want that just yet. She had other plans as to how to get off and it involved Max’s tongue. So, Rachel valiantly held on, finding other ways to distract herself.

“Are you watching closely babe?” Rachel addressed Chloe while simultaneously spreading Max’s wet folds open for the other to see.

All Chloe could do was moan her answer as she felt beads of sweat start to form on her temples. Her eyes moved frantically from Max’s writhing form to Rachel’s intense stare and where her hands rested on the brunette to where they were connected.

A flurry of colourful curses swirled in her head in an attempt to process all these images. A task which proved to be rather challenging when her brain was already high on oxytocin and threatened to send her mind into overdrive. All the while, wave after wave of vibrations crashed over her increasingly sensitive clit as Chloe edged towards that twilight area between pleasure and pain.

“Isn’t she being such a good girl Chlo? Taking it so well for us.” Rachel asked because she had a feeling that the punk was close again and voicing such a questing would act as the little nudge she needed.

As it turned out, Rachel was absolutely right because the moment the model switched on the vibrating function of the strap and the sounds of both hers and Max’s moans filled the room, Chloe came once more with a muffled cry. Her whole body quivering under the force of it and her heart pounding in her chest as the punk only saw pure white for the length of her orgasm. Each breath burning its way into her lungs as overstimulation started to kick in.

“Oh? Again? Mmm what do you say Max? Think she can handle a bit more?” Rachel’s eyes roamed over Chloe’s trembling and tensed body, the vein on the side of her neck popping out and clearly visible, making Rachel wish she could sink her teeth into it.

Rachel’s words incentivized Max to follow her gaze until she fell on the sight of a tied up and heaving Chloe whose eyes were fully blown into two black orbs, the pale blue colour now only a thin ring.

Feeding off of Rachel’s confidence which she had plenty to give, Max bit down on her lip before answering.

“I think she can manage one more.”

“That’s my girl.” Rachel smirked and sank her teeth in the supple skin of Max’s neck one last time, picking up the pace she used to thrust inside her.

“R-Rachel!” Max gasped before letting out a stream of yesyesyes when the vibrating dildo hit a particularly sensitive spot inside her and God she hadn’t realised how wet she was until the sounds of Rachel fucking her reached her ears, making them burn hot.

By now, Chloe was a shivering mess. A string of her essence ran down her thigh, connecting her to the floor. The lines between pleasure and pain had blended into each other and no matter how much she tried to move and shift the wand, it wouldn’t budge. The only thing she accomplished by moving around was to have the rope bite further into her skin to leave its mark.

Chloe felt torn. Did she want this sweet suffering to end or did she want it to carry on for as long as she could handle?

Her inner turmoil came to a halt when she realised Rachel was speaking again. This time however, her words scorched Chloe’s skin like sun-kissed sand rolling down her spine, making a rich red blush run all the way down the punk’s shoulders.

“Look how wet she is for us, making such a mess and yet she still wants more.” Rachel sounded borderline impertinent. Of course, she had noticed the wet streak. The blonde brought her hand to Max’s chin and turned her face towards the punk. “Look at the way she’s looking at you. Don’t you want to be a good girl and come for her?”

All Max could manage was to exhale a shaky Yes because if she was being honest, forming sentences when she could barely remember her own name, seemed an impossible task. Rachel was like a masterful conductor, guiding both her partners to their crescendo; be it with her words or her hands.

And just like that, Max threw her head back, unable to hold on any more as her orgasm struck her with the force of a thousand lightning. Her whole body shook as she came hard, eyes bleary and Rachel’s name spilling out of her mouth until she felt like all the air in her lungs had evaporated like water heating a sizzling pan.

Contrary to Max who had felt it coming, Chloe didn’t know what hit her. One minute she was watching Max come before locking eyes with Rachel’s fiery gaze and the next her world was doing a one-eighty flip. Her body spasmed as she came harder than all the previous times that night. Her muscles strained against her restraints as her head fell forward. For a second even, Chloe thought she might bite through the gag because the pleasure that came with such a powerful orgasm quickly bled into pain but despite all that Chloe refused to drop the ball. It was the only thought that her hazy brain could comprehend.

Rachel would have come on the spot as well after what she had just witnessed, had she not held back out of pure will. When Max began to slump against her, Rachel carefully pulled out and wrapped her arms around the younger in a tight hug, placing a kiss on the side of her head before getting out of bed and walking to Chloe to switch the vibrations to the bare minimum.

“You did so well baby, hang on a bit more. Can you do that for me?” Rachel inquired in a voice smooth like honey while cupping Chloe’s cheek and pushing the blue hair that had stuck to her forehead out of the way.

Chloe leaned forward to rest her forehead on her girlfriend’s and mouthed out a muffled Yeah . She was sore from all this kneeling and staying put in one position but she didn’t want to give up now, didn’t want to disappoint even if deep down she knew that neither Rachel nor Max would see it that way.

“Good girl.” The model smiled gently at her, planting a kiss on her temple before standing up.

“Max, I think Chloe is feeling a bit lonely. Why don’t you come join her here?”

Upon hearing her name, the brunette shuffled out of the bed and got on her knees next to Chloe. She had a pretty good idea as to where this was heading and her feeling was confirmed when Rachel came and stood in front of her to run long fingers through her hair. But all Max’s eyes zeroed in on, were the glistening pink folds in front of her.

“Well? I did say I had every intention of exploiting your talents.” Rachel’s patent smirk had made a strong comeback. With one final glimpse at Max, she pulled her head, inhaling sharply when she was met with a hot tongue directly on her sensitive and throbbing clit.

“Mmm fuuuck.” Rachel moaned at the feel of Max running her tongue along slick folds before dipping inside her.

Max was eager to please. It was such a rush to know that she had the power to make Rachel tremble from bliss. It motivated her to grab the model’s thighs, to dig her fingers in tender flesh and pull her down, wanting to taste more and quench her thirst.

“Oh God, Max!” Rachel cried out when she felt Max curl her tongue. The little trick acting like the catalyst for her to begin a moderate grind against her girlfriend’s face.

“I hope you’re watch- uhn -ing closely baby.” Rachel glanced at Chloe who was inches away from them. “Mmm I want to come so fucking bad.” The blonde said looking directly into Chloe’s eyes as she tightened her grip on brown strands.

Max caught on the hint immediately and turned her focus on Rachel’s clit, taking it between her lips and sucking hard .

“Holy Fuck Max!”

Max felt Rachel’s legs tremble under her hold. She put her last remaining energy resources into eating out her girlfriend until she was a moaning mess, making sure to ignore the strain in her neck and the ache in her jaw.

“Max, Chloe-shit. I’m g-gonna-Oh Fuuck. “ Rachel had finally hit her limit. She had held back for so long that now her orgasm was so close she could practically taste it.

She barely registered two pairs of blue eyes on her as she let go, not holding back her voice as she came with such force that she had to stable herself on Max’s shoulder. Breath caught in her throat and mind devoid of all thoughts as the woman between her legs drew out her orgasm for as long as possible. Somewhere between floating above the clouds and being aware of the physical, Rachel felt Max place kisses on her inner thigh or lick up her release. She also realised that Chloe’s head was leaning against her hip as the punk panted and Rachel wondered if their little show with Max hadn’t coaxed a weak final orgasm from her girlfriend.

Rachel’s legs finally gave out, joining her girlfriends on the floor as she tried to calm her rapidly beating heart.

“Max babe, do you have any other hidden talent’s I should know about?”

“Why would I tell you? Wouldn’t you prefer to be surprised?”

“You know me too well.” Rachel shot her a smile as she switched the wand off and moved behind Chloe to undo the gag and the knots that held her arms together with the help of Max.

“Chlo, baby, look at me. Are you alright?” Rachel asked in a loving voice once she was facing the punk.

“I-I think so, yeah.” Chloe said as she rubbed some feeling back into her forearms.

“We’ll get the harness off and then I’ll prepare a bath for both of you.” Rachel explained before showing Max how easy it was to undo the Lightning harness, indicating the double meaning behind its name.

Chloe slowly got up with the help of her partners, feeling her legs shaky and her knees slightly hurting from resting on them for so long. If she was being honest, she was completely exhausted and her body protested every step she took towards the bed but there was also a gratifying feeling within her at making it till the end.

While Rachel was away getting the bath ready, Max sat with Chloe to keep an eye on her in case the punk needed anything. Her eyes roamed over Chloe’s body and the imprint the ropes had left on her skin. Without realising, she started tracing the pattern around the punk’s forearm.

“Pretty cool, isn’t it?” Chloe startled her by speaking up, even if her voice sounded drowsy.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Go on take the shot.”

“What?” Max eyed her quizzically.

“I know you want a picture Max, so go on.” Chloe smiled at her knowing all too well that her girlfriend was once more dying for one.

“N-no it’s alright, I don’t want to leave you alone.”

“Max, I promise you nothing will happen to me. Now get your ass in gear.”

The photographer considered her options. Chloe had read right through her. She was indeed itching for some pictures but hadn’t been sure if it was okay to do so after such an intense session but apart from being tired, Chloe seemed to be all here.

“Just a couple.” Max gave her a cheeky smile and dashed out the room.

The photographer was back in a matter of minutes with her Canon already adjusted to take pictures in the dim light of the room.

Chloe didn’t really want to move from her spot but she borrowed some of Max’s crackling energy and lowered herself to the floor, resting her back on the edge of the bed. She bent her left knee and propped her arm on it while extending the other leg in front of her, with her right arm in her lap so Max could get a good shot of the patterns on her torso.

“Thank you.” Max expressed her gratitude with a sincere smile and a kiss on the lips before taking the shots as quickly as possible, not wanting to tire Chloe any further.

Fifteen minutes later, Rachel called them in the bathroom which she had readied with candles while a flowery aroma wafted from the bathtub which had to be attributed to the bath bomb she must have added.

“Rachel…This is…” Max looked around. When she heard “bath”, she hadn’t expected the blonde to go full-out spa treatment on them.

“Just what Chloe and you need.” She finished for Max.

“But this was your night, you should be in there not me.” Max protested.

“While you two ladies figure out who’ll be joining me, I’m gonna hop in before the water gets cold.” Chloe stated and got in with the help of Rachel, still feeling a bit wobbly on her feet.

“Listen Max, this is not only my responsibility, but I also enjoy doing it. You both already gave me more than enough tonight so get your sweet ass in there with Chloe.”

“Okay, thanks love.” Max finally conceded and took off her bra to join the punk who had shuffled forward to allow Max to sit behind her so she could rest on Max’s chest.

“This feels great babe.” Chloe mumbled, looking at Rachel as she sank further into the water, enjoying how the warmth helped relax her sore muscles.

“It will help loosen you up.” Rachel smiled tenderly at both of them before sitting on the edge of the tub and taking Chloe’s arm in her hands to massage it.

Chloe rested her head on Max’s shoulder and hummed in satisfaction when the brunette kissed her temple and started caressing the imprint of the rope across her chest.

“Remind me why I don’t do this more often?” Chloe murmured, feeling like her eyelids weighed a ton and she had to make an effort to keep them open.

“Because you don’t believe in the power of the bath bomb and constantly mock Max and I for liking them.” Rachel clarified.

“I will admit I was wrong. May, mea-shit I don’t remember how the phrase goes.”

“You mean mea culpa?” Rachel suggested while trying to keep a straight face at her girlfriend’s attempt.

“Yep, that’s the one! Did they teach you that in drama class?”

“Actually no, it was during Latin class in Blackwell.”

“Ugh, yet another reason I’m glad I was out of that hellhole.”

“After the week-that-shall-not-be named, I can see why you would call it a hellhole, but it wasn’t all that bad.” Max interjected.

“Max, babe, I know your hipster ass had a major hard-on for that place but-“ Chloe turned so she could look straight into Max’s eyes, who leaned in to better face the punk while wrapping her arms around Chloe’s waist. “It was a Black- hole it sucked all joy out of you so nothing good could come out of it again.”

“Oh really? Isn’t it there though that you met Rachel? What are you implying Chlo?” Max gave her The Look, knowing that she had won this round and sporting a wide grin at Rachel who winked at her.

“Yes babe, what are you implying?” The actress feigned offence as she joined Max in her teasing.

Chloe grumbled feeling Max shake behind her as she laughed.

“Touché SuperMax, you may have pointed out a flaw in my theory, but you forget one more thing.”

“And what would that be?”

“That’s also where I first fell on you after five years.” Chloe smirked when she saw the brunette’s startled face, evidently not having considered herself as part of the good things that Chloe had gotten out of Blackhell.

Max sat there like a deer in headlights, trying to come up with an answer when she felt a soft pair of lips on hers in a tender kiss. “I love you Max.”

“I-uh” Max cleared her throat at the sudden change in the mood and the way her heart nearly melted out of its ribbed cage from the rush of emotions pumping in her veins. “I love you too.” She replied by squeezing the woman in her arms.

“And I love you too Rach.” Chloe glanced at the blonde and caressed her hand that she was still holding.

Rachel smiled affectionately at her girlfriend.

“Love you too C.”

A long stretch of silence eventually surrounded them like a shroud for a good ten minutes, in which the three simply cherished each other’s presence.

“Okay, I think it’s time you got out babe, before you fall asleep in the bathtub.” Rachel spoke once she noticed Chloe was nodding off and pulled a half-asleep punk out of the water to help her dry while Max got ready for bed as well.

The three of them ended on Rachel’s bed, drained of all energy, with Chloe cocooned in the middle of her partners. Rachel lay there in bed, listening to the steady sound of breathing from her sleeping girlfriends and allowing herself a moment to take in all of the events of the past twenty four hours. She couldn’t contain the smile that broke across her face from all the love, support and the contentment she felt right at this very moment. It made her realise something that her teen self would not have fully understood. Her hunger for the spotlight hadn’t diminished, on the contrary it shone ever brighter but now none of it mattered if she couldn’t share it with her partners. With the two people that made all the hard work and struggle worth it. Chloe and Max made her strive to be a better person and she couldn’t imagine a life without them in it.