Chapter Text
Max enjoyed nighttime. It was quiet, dark and peaceful. The only time he really felt content. He would sit at the little table in front of his dorm window, playing chess with Felix, and feel serene. He enjoyed his routine. Shower, chess, reading, and sleep. Or at the very least, laying with his eyes closed. It was his favorite part of the day. It would stand to reason, he’d be quiet upset if his routine was disrupted, but there was always an exception.
He was sitting at the window across from Felix, who stared down at the board in frustration. He hadn’t won against Max in all the years they’d known each other, but he was nothing if not driven. Max had been taught by his father to play chess before they were banished to the Isle. It was one of the only happy memories Max had of him and thus, he played as often as possible. He was undefeated. Felix raised his hand from his lap to make a move, only to be interrupted by a frantic knock on the door. They shared a confused look; Hazel was definitely asleep by now and nobody else would dare disturb them.
“Alright, alright, I’m going,” Felix huffed, getting up and heading to open the door. Uninterested, Max looked back down to the board to plan his triumph.
“Felix,” Max’s head snapped up at the breathless voice.
“Princess,” Felix moved to the side and bowed dramatically to let her in. Chloe stepped shyly into the dorm, Felix closing the door behind her. She was wearing the Swords and Shields uniform, her hair braided back from her face. She was also soaked.
“You swim here?” Felix teased from where he was leaning against the door. Chloe breathed out a laugh, shaking her head.
“Are you okay?” Max stood from the table, walking over to her. She looked like she was in pain. Not to mention probably freezing.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m…fine.” She gave him a shaky smile. “I just, um, I worked myself a little too hard at practice, and the coach sent me home. But when I went home, Red and Luis were…busy. So, I was gonna wait out in the courtyard, but it’s sorta raining. And I know, I should’ve just stayed but it’s really cold out, and-“
“Hey,” Max cut off her rambling, gently grabbing her arms from where she was anxiously wringing her hands. “You don’t have to explain. It’s okay.”
“I’m sorry for coming here,” She breathed.
“No, it’s okay.” Max gave her a gentle smile. “Felix, you wanna grab her some dry clothes?”
“Oh, no, I couldn’t-“
“You’re shivering, Princess,” Max pointed out. “Don’t worry about it, it’s alright.”
“We were just about to watch a movie,” Felix said while rifling through Max’s dresser. “Wanna join?”
“It’s Felix’s pick, so. Proceed with caution,” Max joked.
“Hey!”
“Oh, I couldn’t impose-“
“Chloe,” Max spoke quietly. “Just stay for a while. We don’t mind.”
“Seriously,” Felix handed her some clothes and nodded toward the bathroom. “Get out of those uncomfortable clothes and we’ll get it set up.”
Chloe sighed, looking between them for a moment before taking the clothes and walking to the bathroom. As soon as the door shut, Max spun toward Felix.
“We were watching a movie?!” He whisper-shouted.
“You have a better idea to make her comfortable?” Felix demanded. “It worked, didn’t it?”
Max pulled at his hair. He was glad Chloe felt comfortable enough to have come here in the first place, even if she didn’t seem to believe it. Felix was right, a movie was a good way to make her feel better about being here, especially if she thought they were going to be watching one anyway.
“Just pick a damn movie,” He snapped, sitting down heavily on his bed. He arranged the pillows against the headboard so they could sit comfortably while Felix scrolled through Netflix from his own bed.
And if he had any evidence to hide his feelings for Chloe from him, it went out the damn window when she came out of the bathroom. She had taken down her hair, the blue curls falling in slight waves down her shoulders. She was wearing a pair of his sweatpants, his hoodie. It was quite literally the best sight he’d ever laid his eyes on, and Felix knew it. He hid his smirk behind his hand as he loaded up a movie, watching in amusement as Max tracked Chloe through the room. She set her uniform on one the chairs, tilting her head at the chess board.
“You play chess?” She asked. When Max didn’t answer right away, Felix cleared his throat.
“Right, uh, yes. Yeah, I do,” Max stuttered out, scowling at Felix’s snickering.
“I have this beautiful crystal set from my mom. We should play sometime,” Chloe said with a smile.
“Pfft. Good luck with that. Max has never lost a game of chess,” Felix told her, bitterness coating his voice.
“I like to think I’m pretty good myself,” She rocked back on her heels, hands clasped behind her back. She was adorable. “Maybe he’s met his match.”
“I’d pay to see that,” Felix announced loudly, making Chloe giggle. “Come on, I’ve decided.” Chloe walked shyly over to Max’s bed, sitting next to him against the pillows he set up.
“Purple Hearts?” She asked, wiggling a little to get comfortable. Max offered her the blanket, letting her drape it over her legs.
“Felix is a big romance fan,” He told her, settling next to her.
“I bet you can thank Pink for that,” Chloe whispered.
“I can hear you,” Felix scoffed. “Regardless, it’s a wonderful film.”
“Whatever you say,” Chloe placated.
The next two hours were filled with Felix scolding the characters for their decisions, as well as ‘aww’ing every so often. Max payed attention for approximately forty-five minutes, which coincidently was exactly how long it took for Chloe to fall asleep. She laid her head on his shoulder a little while in and was out in minutes. Max couldn’t resist putting his arm around her, knowing she wasn’t awake to even notice.
She’s trying to kill me. He thought bitterly. She was in his bed, wearing his clothes, sleeping peacefully against him. The worst part? He never wanted it to end. He wanted this, all the time. Half of him hated himself for thinking it- what could a monster like him ever hope to offer a princess anyway- the other half couldn’t help but stare down at her. He would deny it forever, but he came to a damning conclusion.
He loved her.
How could anyone not? She was the most precious human he’d ever met in his life. She was kind, and beautiful, and fearless. He couldn’t imagine a life without her in it. He was at peace when she was in his arms. Which was ridiculous, because up until a month ago, he'd barely ever interacted with her at all.
“Dude,” He snapped his head to the side, only to be met with Felix’s knowing gaze.
“How long have you been watching me?” Max whispered.
“The movie’s been over ten minutes,” Felix informed him, gesturing to the blank tv screen. Damn.
“Yeah, whatever” He dismissed, looking back down at Chloe. “Text Luis, ask if he’s still at Red’s”
“Or…we leave her here?”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Felix.”
“As if you aren’t enjoying this. You aren’t discreet, man.”
“Shut up,” He snapped. “She’d want to go back to her room.”
“If you say so,” Felix grabbed his phone. “But me and Hazel have a bet on when you’ll get you head out of your ass and ask her out, so if you could hurry up with that-“
Max tossed a pillow at him.
-
“But imagine if you had let her stay,” Hazel was waving her hook around. They were walking with their lunch trays to their usual picnic table in the courtyard.
“He would’ve combusted,” Felix pitched in.
“But maybe they’d be together by now,” Hazel insisted.
“Would you two shut up?” Max groaned.
“Who are we talking about?” Pink asked, slipping under Felix’s arm.
“Hey princess,” Felix greeted, bending to kiss her cheek.
“Nobody,” Max snapped.
“Hey,” Felix narrowed his eyes at him. “Watch it,”
“Uh, guys?” They all stopped, following Hazel’s gaze to the table, which was already occupied.
Huh.
“Interesting turn of events,” Squeaky spoke up. “We’re still gonna sit there, right?”
“She’s probably waiting for us,” Pink said, continuing over. “Hey, Chloe!”
“Hey, Pink” Chloe greeted. “Guys,”
“Hey Princess, everything okay?” Max sat down across from her, watching her warily.
“Oh, yeah.” She smiled. “Do you mind if I sit with you today?”
“We don’t own the table, Sapphire” Hazel said, sitting down.
“Um…Sapphire?” Chloe asked nervously.
“I could call you Bluey, if you’d prefer,” Hazel shrugged. “Thought Sapphire was prettier.”
“Ah,” Chloe looked relieved.
“You sure you’re okay?” Pink asked, handing Felix a scone from her bag.
“Yeah, I just had a fight with Red, that’s all.” Max narrowed his eyes. “I, uh, went back to the room in your clothes last night, and she didn’t like that very much.” She cleared her throat. “But I’m having them washed. Don’t worry.”
“Not worried,” Max told her, ignoring the surprised look Hazel was giving him.
“I’m sure she’ll come around,” Pink told her with a hand on her shoulder.
“Luis said he’d talk to her,” Chloe shrugged. “But anyway,”
“Felix said you guys watched Purple Hearts! Did you like it?” Pink asked.
“Oh, yeah, it was-“
“She slept through it,” Hazel interrupted with a smirk. Pink giggled.
“That bad, huh?”
“That’s not it,” Chloe chuckled. “I was sore and tired and it was late. But I’m sure it was a great movie.”
“I’ve seen better, you didn’t miss much,” Felix assured her.
“It’s almost Christmas time, they always come out with a bunch of new romance movies around Christmas,” Pink told them.
“Christmas is a month away,” Squirmy pointed out, stuffing his face with a sandwhich.
“The studios don’t care,” Pink giggled.
“You aren’t eating,” Max whispered as Pink rattled on about something called Hallmark.
“Oh, I’m not very hungry,” Chloe whispered back. Max observed her. She was wringing her hands in her lap, shoulders tense, eyes darting around nervously.
“What’s the matter?”
“I told you-“
“No, that’s not it,” His voice was still quiet, but he let a hint of frustration through, “Tell me,”
“I’m sorry I came to your room last night,” She whispered, not meeting his eyes. “I was alone in the courtyard and I kept replaying in my head what you said a few days ago-“
“What did I say?” He knew damn well what he said.
“That you would choose me,” She looked up at him. “But I know I shouldn’t have-“
“You can always come to my room,” He told her. “Even if I’m not there, and you’re tired and you need a break. Just go up there. Anytime.”
“Max-“
“Oh my hearts! We’re gonna be late!” Pink squealed, packing up her tea set.
“Relax, princess, the bell hasn’t even rung.” Hazel watched her with furrowed brows.
“It takes so long to walk up to the tower! I have Chemistry!”
“Come on, I’ll walk you,” Felix stood, giving his friends a playful salute before walking off with Pink.
“We should probably get going,” Chloe said, pushing her tray away for the fairies to take.
“Don’t you have History of Auradon with Max?” Hazel asked.
“Yes,” Chloe gritted out. “But he’s always late, so I am not waiting for him,”
“I’m coming, I’m coming,” Max rolled his eyes, getting up to follow her. Squeaky mimed whipping Squirmy behind Chloe, and he clenched his jaw. Hazel was chuckling as they walked away.
“You don’t have to be sorry,” Max told her as they climbed the steps of the castle. “I enjoyed it.”
“You enjoy being a human pillow?” Chloe grumbled.
“Honestly? Yes,” Max felt his eyes widen at the sudden honesty.
“You have got to stop putting me to sleep,” Chloe told him.
“On the Isle, falling asleep with someone is the ultimate sign of trust,” He told her.
“What?” She stopped walking, turning to face him.
“It’s never safe to sleep on the Isle, you have to have someone watching your back at all times, someone you trust not to rob or kill you,” He watched her eyes fill with sadness.
“I’m really glad you aren’t there anymore,” She said, reaching for his hand. He let her take it, giving hers a squeeze.
"Me too,” He continued walking, pulling her behind him. “Come on, we’re gonna be late, Princess,”
-
Chloe prided herself on being able to make friends. She came to Auradon Prep with that sole goal in mind. Of course, making friends with Red happened in a really roundabout way, but it worked. The thing was, since making friends with Red, she hadn’t really made any others. After Wonderland, she enjoyed hanging out with the VKs, with Max, but she doubted any of them considered her a friend. Which is why she was so thrilled when people came up to her.
“It’s Chloe, right?” She could hear Max scoff from the desk behind her, but she ignored it. She smiled at the boy standing beside her own desk.
“Yeah,”
“I’m Adam,” He held out his hand for her to shake and sat backwards in the desk in front of her.
“Snow White’s son,” Chloe nodded. “I’ve heard about you,”
“All good things, I hope,” Adam laughed nervously.
“Don’t worry, just that you’re on the Tourney team.” Chloe assured him.
“Speaking of, we got a game tonight. You coming?”
“Oh, I don’t usually-“
“You should.” Adam smiled. “I could use someone to show off to,”
Chloe laughed nervously. She had to admit, it was a good line, but she didn’t really like Tourney. Perhaps she’d never really given it a fair shot, after all, her father had played. She could go just for a while-
“Actually, she’s busy after school,” Max spoke up from behind her. She turned to see him standing from his desk, putting his hands on her shoulders. She blinked a few times, trying not to let her confusion show. “She’s trying to beat me in chess.”
“You think she’d rather play chess than watch a Tourney game?” Adam scoffed. “Nobody likes chess, Hatter,”
“Um,” Chloe stuttered.
“Starting to think you don’t know her at all,” Max chuckled. “Because yes, she would.”
“You like chess?” Adam asked, like it was the most ridiculous thing in the world.
“Uh, yes,” Chloe blinked again. “Every royal training program has chess, how do you not know-“
“I didn’t say I didn’t know how,” Adam cut her off, and Max’s grip on her tightened. “But it’s stupid,”
“Well,” Chloe breathed out. “I happen to enjoy it. Surely more than watching you throw people around on a field.”
Adam looked at her like she had two heads. Before he could think of a retort, Merryweather came waddling into the room to begin class. She hit her wand on the blackboard, signaling for quiet. Adam gave her one more once over before turning around in his desk. Max squeezed her shoulders once before sitting down himself.
“So, you wanna play chess after classes?”
Chloe couldn’t catch her laugh in time.
-
Max had Pink make chocolate croissants. Which, in hindsight, was a mistake. Because everyone knows Chloe Charming’s favorite treat is chocolate croissants. She had squealed and asked when he was planning on asking her out. He had sighed and given her a couple gold coins to keep her mouth shut, but given she was royalty and dating Felix, it didn’t mean much. He wouldn’t admit it, but all the trouble she gave him was well worth it when he saw Chloe’s face when she walked into the clearing. He had set up a picnic blanket, made tea and brought the croissants. As well as his most treasured chess set, made of obsidian and quartz by Carlos De Vil himself on the Isle. He had skipped his last class to set it up and spent the rest of the hour pacing until Chloe came walking through the trees. She had the most beautiful smile when she saw him, a happy little giggle when he handed her a croissant, and an even better snort at the complete tea set sitting on the blanket.
“So, royal training?” He asked as she analyzed the board with an adorable scrunch of her nose.
“What about it?” She asked absentmindedly before making her move. Max raised his eyebrows.
“They teach that?”
“No, practice teaches that,” She corrected. “I play with my dad.”
“I did too,” It was out before he could stop it. He watched her eyes turn sad, like every time he talked about himself, but this time she smiled.
“You played with your dad?” She asked.
“Yeah, he, uh, he taught me.” He took a sip of his tea. “Before the Isle.”
“That’s sweet,” She said. “Maybe next time you go visit, you could bring a set.”
“Actually, I, uh, haven’t gone.” Her face twisted in confusion.
“What?”
“I haven’t visited him since he was put in prison.” The admission felt like swallowing glass.
“Oh,” She nodded. “Well, whenever you decide to go, maybe you could bring a set.”
“Yeah, maybe.” He cleared this throat, quickly making a move.
“Oh, Max” She sighed dramatically. “I thought you never lost.” He watched with wide eyes as she picked up her knight and used it to knock over his king. When she looked up, she was smiling. Her eyes glittered in victory.
She was radiant. He would gladly lose every chess game for the rest of his life if she would keep looking at him like that.
“You distracted me,” He accused.
“You were easily distracted,” She countered. He shook his head, laughing in disbelief. Part of him wanted to flip the board, but a larger part of him wanted to keep seeing this competitive Chloe.
“Wow. Just wow,” He scoffed. “You play dirty, Charming.”
“What can I say? I’m a winner.” Max laughed. Her smile didn’t leave her face, and there was nothing else he could do.
He kissed her.