Chapter Text
It was a sunny Sunday afternoon, and the sun was shining through the windows, softly warming up the room.
Max and Kate were having their weekly tea party (the day on which it was held varied, but they never spent a week without having one).
Between two sips of tea, Max said
"I'm going to hang out with the girls tonight! Rachel bought a projector so we're going to watch movies together!"
"Ow, that's... Nice" Kate responded, with an obvious lack of enthusiasm
"You okay? You sound... Off. Is there something wrong?" her friend asked
"I'm sorry Max it's just... I've been meaning to tell you, but, I don't want to make you sad and-"
"Go ahead, tell me. It's okay."
The photographer was starting to get worried, but she didn't want to let it show.
Kate looked away.
"It's about Chloe. I think she's cheating on you with Rachel."
Max couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"What- what's funny?" the girl asked, visibly puzzled by the time traveller's reaction
"Well, she's not cheating on me! Rachel and Chloe have been kind of together since before I even came back to Arcadia! Them being together is not news" Max answered
"What? So Chloe is cheating on Rachel with you?! Max that's not-"
"Oh no no it's not like that! We're together! Like, the three of us. Like, I'm with Chloe, and she's with Rachel, and Rachel's with me too. We're all dating, together."
It took some time before Kate gave any reaction. She didn't really know what to say and was very surprised to say the least.
"Ow."
That was the only thing she managed to articulate.
"I'm sorry Kate, I should've told you sooner. It's just... I was a bit scared of your reaction? Because... You know-"
"It's okay Max. But you shouldn't be afraid to tell me things, I'm your friend. I know my church isn't the most accepting with that kind of things but, I don't really care, cause you're my friend. I wouldn't be mad at you or anything."
She hugged her friend then jokingly added
"I could, however, be mad at the fact you didn't tell me you not only have one but two girlfriends! Miss Caulfield has success with the girls I see"
Max chuckled
"I guess you could say that"
"So... How does this thing work? I didn't even know that was a thing, I would've never guessed you could be with multiple people!"
"Well, it's called a triad. And being able to have multiple romantic relationships is called polyamory."
"Well, I have no problem with you being a lesbian and poly..."
"Polyamorous. And actually, I'm bisexual." Max explained
"Ow okay. Well, you being bisexual and polyamorous doesn't change anything. You're my friend and it's all that matters. My family and my church might not approve of your kind of people but, what matters is what's in your heart. You don't have to fear my judgement, Max. I would never judge you." she assured
The young woman smiled
"Thank you Kate. That means a lot"
__________
That evening, when Chloe and Rachel knocked on Kate's door to pick up Max, the girl welcomed them with an unusual wide smile. The few glances she gave them and the blush on their girlfriend's face left them to wonder what had been discussed in that dorm room.
In the pick-up, Chloe couldn't help but ask: "Max, is Kate Marsh gay???"
And Max couldn't have laughed any louder.