Chapter Text
2 weeks ago, Max and Nikki stood on the stage at their community college in matching robes, ready to accept their diplomas. 5 weeks ago, Max handed Nikki a small velvet box with an engagement ring, asking for her hand in marriage. And tonight, Max and Nikki were invited the graduation party one of their former college mates was hosting.
Nikki skipped down the street with Max's fingers laced around hers, her bangs (which were longer than the rest of her hair which she had chopped off into a pixie cut) bounced with every skip. Nikki was wearing one of Max's sweatshirts she had claimed as her own. It was large and baggy, causing an off the shoulder look. It also made it hard to notice the fact she was wearing red athletic shorts.
Formal wasn't her style at all, but that's one of the things Max liked about her.
Max took his time walking down the street with Nikki, using his free hand to text Neil on his phone. The three friends managed to stay close after Camp Campbell, they had countless sleepovers and would sometimes come over uninvited, causing mayhem in their neighborhoods.
Max sported black skinny jeans and a hoodie with their community college's logo (which Nikki often stole from Max too, so it smells like her, leaving a small smirk on Max's face)
This wasn't their first party, Nikki often got them invited to sports related parties, Max was invited to some preppy meet and greets for law school that was for some reason taught at Sleepy Peak Community College, it's best not to question it according to the other law school students.
Nikki rapidly knocks on host's door, forcing Max to pull her hand back out of fear she'll keep it up until somebody hears it over the blasting music. Max rings the doorbell instead, bringing the party host outside to welcome them in.
“Max! Nikki! Come on in!” The host greets, pulling both Max and Nikki into a tight hug. Nikki somehow managed to hug tighter than the host, but Max tried to squeeze himself out.
“You guys came right on time, pizza just got here!” The host points to the pizza that was on the snack table next to the (possibly spiked) punch bowl and other snacks.
“Oooh, don't mind if I do!” Nikki's eyes light up as she makes her way to the snack table, helping herself to a slice of pizza.
Max walks over to the snack table and pours himself some 'punch', but tasting it proves it was definitely spiked, knowing the host, probably with rum. The guy has good intentions with his drink mixes, but pineapple and rum don't mix at all.
Granted, that never stopped Nikki from downing 2 red cups of the horrible blend.
Nikki loved the fuzzy and warm feeling drinking gave her, despite the flavor of whatever beverage she drank, she loved to get buzzed 5 minutes into a party.
Max finds a blank spot on the wall and leans against it as he continues his conversation with Neil about where they're thinking of hosting the wedding.
“Nikki wants an outdoor wedding, mainly so she can roll around or something” Max sends.
“That sounds like her. Any location in mind yet?” Neil replies.
“She suggested going back to Camp Campbell in that one clearing where the order of the sparrow was hosted but I doubt Mr. Campbell would want a wedding hosted there and there's no way in hell I'm asking David” Max responds, looking up from his phone to see Nikki trying to get some of the law school students to dance with her.
“But whatever she wants to do is fine with me” Max sends with a small smirk spread on his face as his cheeks softly flush into a red hue.
“You softie” Neil responds “I bet you're smiling again”
“I could be, granted you could be minding your own goddamn business” Max cracks a chuckle as his happy smirk switches into a mischievous one.
“You definitely are” Neil replies.
“Up yours” Max sends.
Max's conversation is interrupted by a tap on his shoulder, Max looks up from his phones to see Nikki with a shit eating grin on her face.
“Yeah?” Max raises an eyebrow as he puts his phone in his pocket “What is it, Nik?”
“Everyone's heading over to the den to play 7 minutes in heaven and I bribed the host to let us go first” Nikki's eyes light up, hoping he'll say what she wants him to say.
“hmm” Max pretends to ponder, making Nikki think he won't say yes “Sure, why not” Max smirks.
Nikki gasps before grabbing Max by the wrist and dragging him out to the den.
“Alright, Nikki kindly asked if she and Max could go first, so let me explain how it goes in case you don't know the rules” The host clears their throat.
“Two people go in the closet for 7 minutes, it's completely dark and you're allowed to do anything as long as the cops don't need to be involved, looking at you, Gerald.”
A random guy apparently named Gerald's face flushes into a deep red, we may never know what Gerlad did.
“Alright, I'm gonna start the timer once you both get in, have fun!” The host winks at the two and laughs under his breath.
“Yeah Nikki!” “Go get 'em!” “Thatta girl!” Various former students of Sleepy Peak Community hollered as Nikki dragged her fiance into the dark closet.
Max closes the door behind him and Nikki, they were quickly met with darkness, the only light coming from the cracks of the door. Max fumbles with his pockets to bring out his phone, using the light from the lock screen of him and Nikki to illuminate the small space.
“Ain't that cheating?” Nikki asks smugly, raising a brow at Max with a smirk. Max rolls his eyes, a smirk growing onto his expression to match hers.
“Could be, but rules were made to be broken.” Max shrugs before caressing Nikki's illuminated cheek. The cool touch of his engagement ring trailed down Nikki's cheek, clashing against the warmth of her blush.
A loving stare is exchanged between the two, Max could practically melt as he looked into Nikki's warm, froly eyes. Over the years he's remained bitter, but Nikki always managed to bring out a warmer version of himself. He's always nicer and down to earth when she's around.
Of course, that didn't mean that as they grew older they left their childhood adventures to rest. They're still up to mayhem, even in their early twenties, from hopping fences into private locations and sneaking into restricted areas of SPC.
There's an exchanged silence, they're staring at each other, they're breathing is synced. It's calm, various thoughts crossing each of their minds.
“Well, let's not waste 7 minutes” Nikki whispers, pulling Max into an embrace, allowing her to kiss the nape of his neck with her hand to brush and play with his black curly hair.
Max traces circles onto Nikki's back, sending chills up and down her spine. Sensing her chills, Max spurts out a small chuckle.
Nikki pulls back from his neck, her lips softly pursed as she breathes in and out softly as she held onto Max, hanging on by his hoodie.
Nikki's hands drag away from his back and grip onto the drawstrings of his hoodie, dragging him into a kiss as she leans them both back. They're now laying on the pile of coats and various other clothing that was tucked away into the small closet.
Max is now on top of Nikki, he's using his strength to keep himself from crushing her as they exchanged kisses with one another. Nikki cups Max's face, although her hands were small compared to his face, Max found it to be adorable.
Nikki loved pulling Max into kisses, the look in his eyes when she brings him close nearly kills her every time. It starts off with shock, almost as if he forgets how strong she really is, then it fades into pleasure, Nikki always kept him on his toes, she says “The element of surprise is what really keeps a relationship alive.” Of course, Max would beg to differ.
Max can taste the punch on Nikki's tongue, it was fruity but had the gross after taste of vodka followed by pizza. Luckily, the sweet taste of pineapple distracted him enough as it is.
“2 Minutes left, guys!” The host calls out from the outside of the closet, breaking the silence that Max and Nikki had formed.
Max pulls away from the kiss, looking at the door then back to Nikki. Nikki's eyes were lit up, her chest rose and sunk in rhythm with every deep breath she took. Max's breathing was in sync with hers.
Flustered, Max sat up, one of his hands on his lap with the other running through his curls in an attempt to fix them from Nikki playing with them.
Nikki bit her lip, she opened her mouth to say something but stopped. “What?” Max asked, confused to why she stopped.
“I...” Nikki looked away from Max, breaking eye contact. “I don't think 7 minutes is gonna be enough.”
“Oh” Max lets out “Oh!” Max's face turns beet red, realizing just what she meant.
“Do you just want to go home or something?” Max suggests, Nikki silently responds with a nod.
Nikki sits up, fixing her own hair by smoothing it down. Her cheeks are almost of red as her shorts were. The small size of the closet made getting up a little difficult for the two, their heads bump into each other, causing them to exchange small laughs.
“And time's up, come on out, you two!” The host calls out from outside of the closet door as the timer on his phone beeps.
Nikki and Max step out of the closet, already sure that they were leaving early.
“How were those 7 minutes, Max?” One of the graduates asks cockily, bumping an elbow towards Max.
“Uhh...” Max is unsure how to respond, he glances at Nikki, hoping she would respond for him.
“Y'know,” Max glares at the graduate “It's really none of your fucking business about how those 7 minutes were”
Various graduates holler at Max's harsh remark, leaving a bit of confidence in Max.
The graduate that asked in the first place is embarrassed, but laughs it off.
Max feels a tug on his sleeve, he peaks over and it's Nikki, she has a look of impatience in her expression. Max quickly remembers the plan, he gives her a small nod.
“Me and Nikki are gonna head home early” Max puts one hand into his hoodie pocket, using his other to awkwardly scratch his scalp as Nikki wraps herself around his arm.
“Aw what?” The host whines “How come?”
“I have a football game I wanna watch and it starts in half an hour, the party was fun, though!” Nikki uses as an excuse.
“Well, enjoy it, thanks for coming!” The hosts waves goodbye, slightly betrayed.
Max and Nikki step out the front door, grinning like two up-to-no-good children.