Max was sitting on one of the stools around the kitchen island, resting on her elbows as she read her emails from her phone. Just as she finished answering one, she heard the keys turn and in walked Chloe. The punk was still wearing her dirty clothes from the garage and had a small black smudge on her nose.

“Hey babe! Come give me a hug.” Chloe said once she put down her things and moved towards Max with outstretched arms, striding up to her to catch her in a tight embrace.

“Oh hell no!” Max shouted and jumped off the stool, quickly making a run for the couch to put some distance between them when she saw the state Chloe was in.

“Come love me!” Chloe said again with a playful smile catching the side of her mouth as she now walked more carefully, like a predator, towards Max.

“I will love you once you’ve had a shower!” Max circled the couch as the punk attempted to come closer.

“Aw come on Max! Come get down ‘n dirty with me!” She winked at her flustered girlfriend who for a moment seemed to be reconsidering.

“As tempting as that sounds, I think I’ll pass for now.”

“Fine, fine. Your loss.” Chloe raised her arms up as a sign of submission. Max should have known better. She knew Chloe wouldn’t have yielded that easily yet she let her guard done and the moment she turned her back to go back to answering her emails, Chloe leaped over the couch and grabbed her by the waist, turning her around and hugging Max before planning a big kiss on her lips.

“Chloe!” Max protested but didn’t hide her smile. She just couldn’t get mad at her girlfriend.

“Rookie mistake Max. I thought I’d taught you better than that.” Chloe kissed her on the cheek. “Now, I will go for that shower.” She said as she left a glaring Max to get back to her emails.

By the time Chloe came out of the bathroom, Max was back in her seat writing an email about a freelance job. She was concentrating on reading and didn’t pay much attention to her girlfriend who slowly walked up behind her, bringing her arms around the brunette’s mid-section and resting her head on Max’s shoulder.

“Whatcha doin’?” Chloe asked as she looked down to see Max typing.

“Answering an email.” Max answered, ignoring the little jump her heart made every time Chloe held her this way.

“You’re not done for the day?” Chloe inquired, ghosting her lips against the photographer’s exposed neck, making sure her breath caressed the skin there. Max bit her lip and fought down a shiver when Chloe moved up to kiss just under her ear.

“You are very distracting.”

“ Or you’re not focusing hard enough.” Chloe challenged her.

Max let out a heavy sigh. When Chloe was in a playful mood it became almost impossible to concentrate on anything else, but she wasn’t going to give up that easily.

The punk continued to kiss Max’s neck, nibbling her skin every now and then while her arms held the photographer closer. Chloe breathed in the brunette’s skin, a mixture of clean soap and what was Max evading her senses. The punk felt intoxicated by the scent, like she needed more of it. Chloe started placing open mouthed kisses and grinning to herself when Max unconsciously slightly tilted her head to the left to give her more access.

“I really need to answer this.” Max tried but she knew Chloe wouldn’t stop and honestly, she didn’t want her to.

“Then do it.” Chloe said in a deep voice before biting down on a spot close to the back of Max’s neck that she knew was one of her weak spots and nearly purred in satisfaction when she heard her girlfriend let out a small gasp.

Max couldn’t help herself when she jolted upright. She had miss typed half of the sentence and nearly pressed sent before she dropped her phone on the floor, because dear Lord Chloe wasn’t playing fair.

“Oh shit! Sorry.” Chloe backed up immediately and kneeled to the floor to pick up the phone, feeling a bit bad. Thankfully, the screen was still intact.

“You’re infuriating sometimes Chlo. Consider yourself lucky I love you so much. It’s the only reason I don’t flush out your stash of weed. That, and Rachel would have my ass.”

At the sound of those three little words, Chloe’s head bolted upright.

“You what?!” she blurted out as she stared at Max, infatuated.

“I was just joking…or was I?”

“Not that you idiot. You love me?”

Turn, turn aaand click. Max turned red when the words registered.

“I-I aaah… Fuck it. Yes, I love you Price. I should have said it earlier even.”

Chloe beamed at Max, who could have sworn that the punk’s smile was brighter than the sun.

“I love you too Max!” She said and grabbed Max, hoisting her up in her arms and covering her face in kisses before pressing their lips together. It was sweet and tender and Max couldn’t remember the last time she had felt this happy.

Both women couldn’t stop smiling, feeling like teens all over again who had just shared their first kiss.

It was then that Rachel walked in on them, having come back from her regular jog. Phone in one hand, water bottle in the other.

“Well aren’t you both in a good mood. What did I miss?”

Chloe and Max shared a look. Cheeks turning a soft pink as they tried to silently decide who would talk first.

“Well?” Rachel prompted.

“I may or may not have confessed some stuff and-“ Max began.

“And some feelings were admitted.” Chloe continued, casting an upward glance to see Rachel examining them with a knowing look in her eyes.

“Yeah… love related feelings…” Max went on awkwardly.

“I think she got that part Max.” Chloe jested, not fully knowing why they were both being so dodgy about the subject.

“About time!” Rachel said enthusiastically.

“You’re not upset?” Chloe asked, a bit worried.

“Chloe, babe, of course not. We’re all together now. These feelings are bound to surface at some point.”

Chloe smiled as her expression softened, like a weight had been lifted off her shoulders.

“Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I need to take a shower and then call one of our friends and see who will let me crash at theirs tonight.”

“Why? Did we do something?” Max looked at Chloe in confusion and worry, fearing that they had messed up.

“No, love, relax! You two need some time alone. You need to talk. And maybe do a bit more than just talking…” Rachel said, one eyebrow raising playfully.

“Ohmygod…” Max mumbled while hiding her face in her hands.

“Rachel…Are you sure? I don’t want you thinking we don’t want you.” Chloe went up to the blonde, eyes searching for affirmation.

“Babe. I am the one offering. You both need this. Besides…next time I’ll have Max all to myself.” She winked at a crimson Max before kissing Chloe and disappearing into the bathroom.

Half an hour had passed since Rachel had left for their friend’s place. Chloe was sitting on the couch with Max, body turned to face the other as her arm rested on the top of the backrest. She could see the brunette was squirming uncomfortably in her seat. Why was this so weird? Max was her best friend, her girlfriend. They had known each other for years and yet here they sat. Not knowing how to start.

“We’re being hella lame about this.”

“We are total idiots, but I think Rachel was right. We should talk.” Max said as she looked up at Chloe. “Don’t get me wrong, I regret none of the decisions we made. This is the happiest I’ve been, but I still need to get some things off my chest.”

“Good, because I need that too.” Chloe nodded in agreement.

“You start. I insist.” Max said when Chloe had gestured for her to start speaking.

Chloe chewed the inside of her mouth, brow creasing as she considered her next words carefully.

“Max, when you left at the time my… my dad died, I was so angry. At you, at the world. A part of me was still angry and wanted to remain that way when I saw you again in Arcadia for the first time. Believe me I am still trying to deal with some anger issues but knowing I can now count on you and Rachel has helped keep me steady when I feel like I am slipping. What I’m trying to say is…” Chloe took a moment to gather her thoughts. Her mind was swarming with confusing emotions all tangled up. She was learning to express herself by talking and not bursting out of the house when someone hurt her feelings.

“What I’m trying to say is, Max all that shit is now in the past. We’ve all made mistakes. I have never felt so at ease in my entire life. Like things are actually looking up and that I am not a failure. Rachel and you helped me see that. Made me experience it. Max, I always have and always will love you.”

Max could feel tears starting to well up in her eyes. Her heart was doing somersaults in her chest.

“I love you too Chlo. I sometimes find it hard to put it into words. I know I’ve messed up even when I thought I was trying to help. I don’t want you to think that I came here with the intention of turning your life upside down. To get between you and Rachel. It’s the last thing I would ever want to do.”

“Max, hey. All you ever did was show me love and joy. I would never think that. We are all adults here who chose this. And I don’t regret it one bit.” Chloe said, voice soft and sincere as she took the photographer’s hand in hers.

“It’s just, I can’t stop thinking what if. What if I could have done something differently? And then I am transported back to the first timeline, back to the Dark Room with Jefferson above me and you dead and I- I’m just so confused.” Max couldn’t hold the tears back anymore. She couldn’t hold in the guilt, suffocating her like two hands around her neck. “Chloe, you were both dead. And had I saved you the entire town would have been destroyed. So many lives, ruined. I couldn’t choose. I was so weak.”

“No Max, you are one of the strongest people I know. You got this fucking power without asking for it, all the weight of so many lives on your shoulders. Fuck that! You did what you thought was best. We are here because of you. Never doubt that for a second.” Chloe said as she wiped Max’s tears away with her thumb.

“All I ever wanted was for you and Rachel to be happy.”

“We are. And we couldn’t be happier with you in our lives.” Chloe leaned in and pressed her lips against the other’s, the lightest of touch, feeling Max’s shivering breath on her.

Max rested her head against Chloe’s forehead, the kiss was as innocent as it could get but the atmosphere around them had undeniably changed, becoming charged. Like a storm.

Max returned the kiss with more force, her hand resting on the punk’s nape, squeezing lightly. She felt like her emotions were going to choke her. Was this real? Had she rewound back time and was standing next to the cliff, a storm raging on while she said goodbye to the one person she had literally conjured up a storm to save?

The fuzzy thoughts were dispelled when Chloe kissed back, swiping her tongue across the young photographers’ lips, asking for permission. Max parted her lips, immediately wanting to taste her, feel her as close as possible.

It was Chloe who broke the kiss first. Mind hazy with want.

“Max…”Chloe whispered. Trying her best to mask her shaking hands by squeezing Max’s shoulder harder.

The photographer wouldn’t have heard her name if it wasn’t for their proximity. It resonated inside her, waking up suppressed feelings of want and need.

She didn’t need to say anything. Just nodded and it was all the confirmation Chloe needed to get up, pulling Max along with her and leading them to her room.

Max was trying her hardest no to freak out as she lay on the bed, willing her nerves to be less tense but to no avail. Despite all that, Chloe’s body on top of her felt comforting and warm as the punk leaned forward, taking her lips again in a delicate kiss almost as if she was afraid she would break her. Chloe’s lips were soft on her cheek when she dropped a kiss there before moving downwards, dragging her lips over Max’s jawline and down her neck. Reaching out, Chloe took a hold of Max’s hand and squeezed tightly before lifting it to her lips, covering it in gentle kisses. Max could have sworn she was floating above clouds.

Chloe sat back and looked down at Max, splaying her fingers on the brunette’s waist before taking hold of her T-shirt. The punk paused briefly to look at Max, silently asking for confirmation. When the photographer nodded, Chloe continued to remove Max’s t-shirt and bra as the brunette leaned forward to help Chloe before lying back down.

This however, left Max feeling a bit exposed, fighting the urge to cover herself when a pair of blue eyes hungrily roamed over her body. Where was all this nervousness coming from? Sure, they had slept together but Rachel had been with them, which had helped distract Max and not overthink things. But this felt different, with just the two of them, almost as if it were their first time and so, Max forced herself to keep eye contact with the pair of blue eyes looking down at her, trailing over pale skin causing her to feel like the tables had turned and she was now the subject under the lens and Chloe the photographer.

The punk must have noticed her distress from the slight fidgeting of her fingers against the bed sheets and how her skin burst out in goosebumps when Chloe dragged her knuckles across her stomach, all the way up until her hand was resting on Max’s cheek. Chloe kissed her again, trying to reassure her that everything was alright while at the same time attempting to still her own heart. Ever since she could remember, one of the things she loved most about Max had been her freckles, and now she actually had the chance to kiss them, touch them.

Max eased into the kiss. This felt familiar, like home; Chloe’s scent, the way she tasted and the small gasps that escaped her mouth when Max raised her hands to rest them on the punk’s sides and under her shirt, finding purchase on firm muscles that reflexively flexed upon the brunette’s touch.

Under any other circumstances, the photographer would have been content staying like this, with Chloe on top of her and lips firmly pressed together but not this time.

She felt unsatisfied, wanting to feel more of the other against her bare skin and so she tugged at the loose black tank top Chloe was wearing, pulling it over her head and unceremoniously throwing it along with her bra somewhere in the room.

Max was expecting to be met with warmth when Choe’s naked body touched hers. What she wasn’t expecting was something cold pressing against her chest, making her gasp aloud at the unexpected coolness.

“Oh my God.” Max blinked, mind screaming at her as the visual stoke a fire between her legs. Sure, as the moon shone outside, there they were, two ring-shaped nipple piercings. “How the hell did I not notice these before?!” she asked, unable to comprehend how she had missed something this important.

“I ask myself the same question. Either I still had my bra on the first time or most likely Rachel was eating you out and you couldn’t tell left from right. Soooo, Max like?” Chloe smirked at her flustered partner.

Max couldn’t answer, so instead of staring like a parched woman stares at a glass of water, she took one nipple in her mouth, tongue running over steel before gently sucking on it.

“Mmm I’ll take that as a yes.” Chloe moaned. The sensation was so good she had unconsciously started gyrating her hips against Max’s thigh, biting her lip to fight back a groan. Max looked up from where she was busy laying kisses across tender skin, locking eyes with the punk before lifting her leg a bit to give Chloe better leverage to grind down on.

Chloe didn’t hold back her grin as she tilted her head back and rolled her hips. However, it wasn’t nearly close to what she truly wanted and so she leaned in and kissed Max again, pushing her back onto the bed before making her way down, leaving a trail of blazing hot kisses in her wake until she reached the other’s jeans and paused. The punk looked up at a flushed Max, as her fingers dipped under the waistband but never going further, not until Max told her it was fine and lifted her hips to aid the punk who removed her jeans and underwear, which joined the rest of the clothes on the floor.

Chloe’s mouth went dry at the sight below her, heart pounding in her chest, feeling intoxicated. Pale blue eyes drifted over skin scattered with rusty hue dots and an undeniable blush resting on Max’s cheeks.

The punk decided to not let another minute get between her and what she truly desired which was to taste Max. The thought alone was enough to have her throbbing, but she resisted the urge to shove her hand down her pants. She wanted to focus on Max.

The punk closed her eyes as she kissed her way down the photographer’s body to her right inner thigh, while long fingers brushed against Max’s left leg, causing the hair at the back of her neck to bristle as a response. When the punk opened her eyes again, she halted, needing a minute to collect her thoughts. She needed to be certain that they weren’t going too fast and that Max was still okay with this. There was no room for fucking this up.

“Are you sure?” she asked one last time, voice hoarse from arousal.

“Yes, Chloe. Please .” Max said, sounding impatient even though she turned her head to the side, unable to maintain eye contact.

Chloe swallowed hard at hearing the plea. Fingers digging in smooth skin as she felt like someone had just poured lighter fuel to the already burning fire inside her. The irrational side of her screamed at her to go fast and hard but she knew she couldn’t, not tonight.

The punk lowered herself between Max’s legs and placed her hands on the brunette’s thighs to hold her down. God, Chloe didn’t even need to touch to know how wet Max was, all she wanted to do was taste and so she did, realising nothing was holding her back from doing so. She started off slow, tongue passing over wet folds in broad strokes. Taking her time as she tasted Max, revelling in how her partner twitched under the skilful swipes of her tongue.

Max hissed at the feeling, cheeks burning red. She didn’t know at what point her brain had stopped functioning properly. Was it before Chloe sunk her tongue in her or when it passed over her clit? She couldn’t really tell and frankly didn’t care, especially when Chloe sucked hard at the sensitive bud causing Max’s hand to fly out and grab her hair, tugging lightly. The punk purred in pleasure at the feeling which made the brunette’s hip buckle, enjoying every minute of it until she felt Chloe withdrawing.

No.No.No Max thought but didn’t voice it. She was desperate but wasn’t going to show it to Chloe and give her the satisfaction.

Chloe had redrawn so she could suck on her middle and ring fingers, coating them with saliva as much as possible before tracing her middle finger around Max’s entrance. Slowly but steadily she pushed it in, hearing Max gasp above her. She gave her some time to adjust before adding her ring finger as well and pushed until she was in knuckle-deep.

Max was biting her lips, trying to contain as much of her voice as she could. It appeared to be an impossible task when Chloe started curling her fingers. Pressing on her inner walls and making her mind go blank.

Chloe wasn’t in a better state. Max felt so good around her fingers and her taste lingering in her mouth which only served as a reminder to how extremely turned on she was. To alleviated some of the tension that churned low in her belly, she had started rolling her hips and pressing hard against the mattress in search for any form of friction. But despite her best efforts, it simply wasn’t enough.

“Chloe, oh God, I’m close.” Max cried out when Chloe sucked on her clit and pressed with her fingers a particularly sensitive spot inside her. The photographer couldn’t believe how fast she was nearing the edge.

In any other case this would have fuelled Chloe to go faster, however, not tonight. She wanted to take it slow and be close to Max, kiss her and hold her tight as she came close to release and so she pulled away, sitting up and removing the remainder of her clothes as she heard the brunette groan in protest and almost whimper at the loss of Chloe’s fingers.

“Chloe?” Max asked short of breath and feeling a bit frustrated at having her pleasure be cut short once more.

“Sorry, It’s just…I want you close.” Chloe said with a hint of red on her cheeks when she crawled back onto the bed.

Max’s face seemed to light up at seeing the other blush. She moved towards Chloe and placed her right leg under Chloe’s left and her left leg over the punk’s right leg. Sure, tribbing wasn’t the most stimulating of positions but it gave them the proximity they wanted at the moment. Both women held onto each other as they started moving again, moans dripping out of their mouth at the raw feel of it.

Max held onto a handful of blue locks as Chloe’s fingers were digging nails into her back. The brunette kissed her again, tongue passing over the upper lip before dipping in to taste the other, tasting herself on Chloe’s tongue.

Fuck . She was so close yet so frustratingly out of reach from the orgasm she was desperately chasing behind because this wasn’t enough. She wanted to be able to look at Chloe when she came, to share the experience with her. And so, she found her voice.

“Look at me Chloe.” Max said, determined to get what she wanted.

Chloe’s eyes shot open. Light blue orbs staring right at her, enthralled.

“I love you.” Is all Max managed to say before Chloe’s hand reached between them and started rubbing her clit in fast circular motions. It was as if all of Max’s prayers were answered, the extra pressure was heaven sent. Her whole body tensed up and trembled as she tipped over the edge a few seconds later.

Chloe held her tight, pulling her down while rolling her hips as the punk attempted to prolong her orgasm while more moans spilled from the brunette.

“Max . Fuck .” Chloe could feel her own orgasm approach as well. At the sound of her name, Max pushed aside a few strands of blue hair and tucked them behind Chloe’s ear, freeing her face so she could kiss her again, encouraging her. All it took was a few more downward rolls from Max directly on her clit to do it for Chloe. Hips bucking as she came, head spinning in a pool of euphoria.

When their bodies came to a gradual halt, the two collapsed on the bed, short of breath.

“Wowser.” Max said, blinking the haze away from her eyes as she stared at the ceiling.

“Really dude?” Chloe chuckled and laid a kiss on Max’s head.

“Oh, bite me!”

“Next time.” She replied while nibbling on the brunette’s ear causing the cutest giggle to escape the photographer which made Chloe’s heart clench in adoration.

A comfortable silence enveloped them and for a while the only sound that could be heard in the room was the steady flow of breaths. Max had moved to rest her head against Chloe’s chest, the sound of a strong heart beating flooding her ears.

“I won’t lie. This feels kind of surreal.” Max said, breaking the silence.

“Mmm. It’s weird. But in the best way possible!” she hurried to add. Ugh great save there Chloe the blue haired woman thought to herself. “You won’t rewind time right?” she added, trying to mask some of her insecurity.

Max looked up from where she was resting her head on the other’s chest.

“No, of course not! Why would I ever do that?”

Chloe shrugged, trying to act nonchalant. “I don’t know. I guess I was afraid you would regret it.”

Max moved up, resting her weight on her elbow, to fully look at Chloe.

“Chloe, I would never do that. I love you and I want to live in the present, not in the past. I’m done with that.”

Max’s words seemed to assuage Chloe. “I love you too Max. So much.” Chloe said and wrapped her arms around the brunette, bringing them close.

“Well I guess there goes my resolution…” Chloe spoke again, leaving the statement to float in the air.

Max eyed her suspiciously. She could see Chloe was back to her cheerful self. She had a bad feeling about this and knew she was going to regret it but asked anyway.

“What resolution?”

“About not eating midnight snacks.”

“I think all my brain cells auto-combusted. But you did call me a snack, so forgiven.” Max said as Chloe laughed, feeling her laughter vibrate against her skin.

“Now that you mention it, what time is it?”

Chloe moved to the side of her bed to check her phone.

“Huh, would you look at that. It’s not even midnight. It’s only 22:00.”

“Really? No wonder I don’t feel like sleeping.”

“Have something in mind?” Chloe asked, wiggling her eyebrows playfully.

Max chuckled as she shoved her gently on the shoulder.

“How about a shower. And then maybe we can huddle up in bed and watch something?”

“Your wish is my command.” Chloe bowed her head in a comical way.

Both women had gotten out of bed eventually and headed for the shower that lasted more time than expected because Chloe had decided she would be joining Max. A bit later they were wrapped up in a light blanket and were binge watching a new show.

Max had trouble concentrating on the show. Her mind replaying the night’s events, enjoying Chloe’s presence next to her. She couldn’t help but smile, feeling all giddy.

“Do you want me to play some porn?” Chloe’s voice brought her back to the present.

“Yes… No, wait what?!” Max looked at Chloe who was grinning like an idiot.

“And she’s back ladies and gentlemen.” The punk joked.

“Sorry, I wasn’t paying attention.”

“Uh huh. Was it me you were dreaming about?” Chloe nudged her jokingly.

Max glared at the blue haired punk next to her before her answer came in the form of a pillow, flying to hit Chloe in the face.

“Oh you are so dead!” Chloe declared and immediately threw the pillow back and jumped on Max launching a full-on tickle attack.

Max screamed and laughed, trying to fight back, nearly kicking the laptop off the bed in the process.

“I yield! I yield!” Max shouted out of breath, tears of laughter blurring her vision.

“Ah, sweet victory!” Chloe sighed as she lay next to a yawning Max, relishing in her win.

“I am officially tired now.” Max stated as she stretched and felt sleep knocking on her door.

“Under the covers you go then.” Chloe said before taking the laptop and placing it on her desk.

Max obeyed and crept under the covers, feeling sluggish but she hummed in delight when Chloe got back in bed and wrapped her arm around her waist.

“I love you.” Chloe murmured behind her as she nuzzled her head against brown strands, breathing in the fresh scent of flowers from Max’s shampoo.

“I love you too.” Max replied, biting her lip and smiling at herself. Hollyshit, this just happened was the last thought that crossed her mind before finally falling asleep in Chloe’s arms.