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After defiantly crossing the makeshift, fence-like barrier, Chloe Price and Max Caulfield sat on the ledge, dangling their legs from a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The sun sank behind the horizon where the sea and land became one in the distance. An incredibly radiant sky glistened lilac and amber, providing a bright outline to all objects within its reach beneath.
Apart from the gentle breeze whistling through the trees behind them, the moment was peaceful and quiet. An occasional feathered creature glided within their view, singing a sweet birdsong, adding value to the oceanside ambiance without disrupting the serenity.
The girls continued to sit together in silence until, finally, Max shifted her weight as she twisted her head around to speak. “Besides this sunset, my favorite view in the entire world is staring into your eyes. When you look back at me, I feel like I can handle anything. It feels warm, and I feel... safe. Like this is where I’m meant to be. YOU are my home, Chloe.”
Chloe smirked but didn’t respond at first. She gazed back then turned her head towards the ocean once more. Without looking, she reached over and placed Max’s hand on her own, slowly zipping their fingers together as one. She slid closer so the pair’s shoulders were nearly touching between them.
“I don’t know what it is about us, Chloe. It’s like something has been turned on inside of me that I didn’t understand before, but it was with me my whole life. You’re so much more than my best friend, and I could just stare into your eyes forever... and that would be okay.”
“If you stare too long,” Chloe quickly responded as she shoulder-bumped Max, “you might miss the sunset, Dork. And that would be a tragedy, wouldn’t it?” She chuckled to herself and turned back towards her companion, eyes locking between them.
Max smiled. “You’re right. But it would totally be worth it.” She leaned over and rested her head on Chloe’s shoulder. If by instinct, Chloe leaned her head on top.
Another few quiet minutes passed by, then Max broke the silence again. “I still think you are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
Chloe brought Max’s hand to her mouth and kissed the back side. “You’re not so bad yourself,” she whispered. “No, fuck that. You’re pretty damn perfect, Caulfield. It’s been a long time, but I... I’m actually happy.” The cadence in her voice slowed, as if coming to her own understanding as she spoke.
The pink in Max’s cheeks blushed a deep red, though the bars of sun beaming down hid most of the color.
Chloe cackled. “Aww, don’t be embarrassed, Maxter. You know I secretly love it when we get all goopy. Don’t tell anyone, though.” The older of the pair wore a goofy, sideways grin.
Dramatically rolling her eyes, the skin on Max’s cheeks tightened, briefly revealing her teeth.
“Max?” Chloe started.
“Yeah, Chloe.” Max lifted her head and swiveled a little to face her partner-in-time.
“I’m never leaving you, okay?”
“I know that.”
“And you’ll never leave me, right?”
“You’re my person, Chloe. You’re stuck with me forever.”
“Good.”
Another silence fell between the pair as the sun finally disappeared from their view.
“Chloe?”
“Yeah, Max.”
“I love you.”
Chloe sniffed, attempting to hold back the threatening tears.
“I love you, too, Max.”
Max reached up with both hands and thumbed away the liquid trails on Chloe’s cheeks. After doing so, her palms remained on either side of the girl’s face. Max craned forward, alternating her glances between Chloe’s eyes and her lips as she slowly approached.
Finally, two pairs of lips touched in the middle, gliding together flawlessly like matching puzzle pieces. Palpable reality bled away, and it was only the two lovers. They breathed each other’s breath and slid their mouths together, forming a secret creature all their own; existing as one. Two best friends who spent most of their lives together, would be faced with the rest of their lives soon enough. But for the moment, nothing else mattered but them. They were enough for each other; together, they were all they needed.