Chapter Text
October 2013
Somewhere outside Oregon
Chloe’s POV
I’ve wanted to escape that town so fucking bad. But finally, I’m leaving with Max.
Every day I spend my shitty life cursing and hating the people who live in Arcadia. Ever since my dad died everything just changes. They look down on me and my mom. Everything just fucked up. But I still couldn’t believe that Max would choose me over that town.
And now I’m in my truck, driving fast and not intend looking back in that town… Max already made decision and maybe I should let it be?
I give Max a quick glance, but every time I tried looking at her there’s warning sounds approaching fire department, ambulance, police cars all I think is they’re going to my hometown that was just wiped out by the tornado.
I stopped the car at the side of the road and took a deep breath. I want to scream, I want to destroy something and most of all I want to cry in Max’s arms, this is not just fair. She could’ve just saved that town instead of me.
I wanted to scream at Max, but I couldn’t. Because I knew she already been through about what happened to her at the fucking Dark Room. And about what Jefferson did to her. It makes me wanna fucking kill him.
“Why did we stop? Port—” Max asks glancing at me, and I took a deep breath and avoided her eye contact.
“I… I need to take a breather…” My voice cracked and I left Max at the truck to get some air, Fuck. I shouldn't be like this. But I can't. This physical pain and heartache is killing me slowly.
Fuck, not now. I can’t breakdown yet. I can’t take this fucking pain anymore. I can’t even think straight. First, I lost my dad, I lost Rachel, and now I lost my mom. I wish Max could’ve mom instead of my ungrateful ass.
I refuse to believe that Mom is dead. There’s nothing in my family is left. Nobody is alive except for me.
You’re the only last living family member of the Price family. You’re all alone now, Price
I’m such a fuck-up person. I don’t deserve this. I don’t deserve to live or to be with Max. But—But at least Mom is with my dad now.
Together in Paradise.
“Chloe, what is wrong?” Max got out of the truck and tried approaching me and yet I stopped her coming near me “Chloe? Wha—”
Do. Not. Breakdown. Chloe Price.
“Stop! Please.” I said as my tears starts to flow on my cheeks “Don’t come near me, Max.”
“Tell me what is wrong, Chloe. Is—is this about the town? If that is, I told you made my fucking decision.” She explained calmly and fuck I just breakdown. “Chloe…”
“You don’t fucking get it! That was so fucking selfish Max!” I roared and Max just froze. Just great Chloe. You just yelled at you own fucking best friend. “You could’ve just fucking saved that town instead of my ungrateful ass!”
I cried and finally broke down in front of Max. I can’t take it. It hurts so fucking much. I know Max chose me because… she loves you? But I made a fucking promise that I will be with her no matter what. And now I’m here with her.
“Chloe. I told you. You’re my number priority now. You’re important to me!”
“I know! But I made so many mistakes and bad things. And I felt like I don’t deserve this. I wish you used that fucking photo to make things right!” I yelled once again and this time I was kneeling in front of Max. What the fuck are you doing, Chloe? Now’s not the time to break down.
“CHLOE! You know I won’t ever fucking trade you to that town. I just got you back this week, and I can’t- I can’t just let you die!” She yelled back and I looked up to her she even started crying as well.
“I know. It just feels like I don’t deserve to live. I don’t even know if I deserve to be with you.” I said crying so hard and still kneeling in front of my best friend “I just wanted you to make things right.”
“Chloe Elizabeth Price!”
Oh shit. Did she just? Max is mad?
Max pulled me up and looked at me deep in the eyes. I could see how much she’s upset right now. Damn it, Price. Get your shit together and listen to Max.
“Chloe, please listen to me for once! I can’t go back anymore. I just wanted you to be with me. I know you wanna escape that town so bad. There’s no turning back anymore.” She says putting her hands on my cheeks. Fuck, her hands is so cold. I could feel her shaking and she was trying to get herself together to calm me.
“Max… Y-Your hands— they’re so cold…”
“Listen, you’re all that matters to me now. I can’t afford losing you, Chloe.”
“I-… I’m sorry… I just—” I stuttered and then Max suddenly pulls me into her lips.
What. The. Fuck.
Did Max just kiss me on the lips?! Wait, Max is in love with me? Or she just did this to comfort me and is she just trying to take away the guilt?
I kissed her back but this time I placed my hands on her waist kissing her more passionately. And not a minute later, we broke the kiss to grab some air.
“M-Max…” I gasped and looked at her in the eyes, but she avoids having eye contact with me “What was that?”
“I love you, Chloe Price.” She finally confessed and my heart just dropped on the floor. “I love you so fucking much I won’t ever trade this to the whole universe.”
Holy shit.
Fuck. Should I say I need more time?
Max… I want you so fucking bad…
“Max… I…” I stopped and looked away from her.
“You don’t have to say it back.” She says as she holds my hand. Fuck her hands are so cold. Should we find a motel and stay there for the night? “Chloe?”
“Sorry, I just didn’t know what to say.” I said still avoiding her eye contact with me. “Listen, we should stay in a motel for tonight. Your hands are so cold.”
“Chloe, I can take care of myself” Max says, and she just gave me the sweetest smile and my heart kept pounding so fast.
Holy shit...
Even though Max is already going through a lot she is still giving me that sweet fucking smile.
I love you so fucking much Max Caulfield.
But how? How am I supposed to say it when I still wanted to be with Rachel but now, she’s already gone. Should I try this again? Fuck, Price. Make your goddamn decision. Don’t even think about making her wait for a long time again.
Max and I returned inside the truck. I drove away and the rest of the trip is so quiet and neither of us could start a conversation. I couldn’t even break the silence and I decided to turn on the radio.
But I'm letting go
I'm givin' up the ghost
But don't get me wrong
I'll always love you, that's why
I wrote you this very last song
Shit… This song… It’s making me cry. Should I turn off the radio? I glance at Max before I keep my eyes on the road again. I wanted to hold her hand to make sure she’s okay, but I couldn’t, she’s a bit far away from my sit.
“We should make stop over at the motel tonight.” I break the silence inside the truck and Max looked at me “I promise, I’ll bring us to Portland tomorrow morning.”
“O-Okay.” She said and nods. I glance again at her before keeping my eyes back on the road. “I was thinking the same thing and plus you definitely need rest. You’ve been driving the whole day” she added, and my heart just dropped on the floor. Fuck she hella cares about me.
“Thanks for worrying, but yes you’re hella right.” I said and I kept driving until I saw a motel at the distance. Score. I can finally take a rest tonight. And Max needed some rest too.>
Max’s POV
I couldn’t believe I just confessed to my best friend. Wowser Max. I loved Chloe so much and I wouldn’t ever trade her to that town.
I want her so much. When I saw him die at the hands of Jeffershit. There’s no way I could let that happen. That town hurt Chloe so much.
Sorry Arcadia but Chloe is my priority now.
I’m sorry Joyce, David, Warren… Everyone
But I promise you Joyce, I will protect Chloe no matter what.
I glance at Chloe, and I could see in her eyes that there was so much pain inside her. She lost her dad, Rachel, and now her mom. There’s gotta be a way saving Chloe and that town.
Should I? Should I go back where it started?
Chloe parked her car outside the motel and we both got out after grabbing the rest of our things. We don’t have many things with us. At least we still have some money left and the money that my mom gave me and the handicapped funds.
“I’m gonna get us a room. There’s a store near the motel. Go grab something for us. If you want.” I tapped Chloe’s shoulder and gave her a sad smile.
“Sure. I’ll grab something for us to eat and some clothes.” She just nodded and left me at the motel. And suddenly I grabbed her hand stopping her from walking away. “Max?"
“C-Chloe… I… I’m sorry about earlier. I just care about you.” I spoke and pulled her into my arms “I just don’t wanna lose you not ever. If I chose to save Arcadia. It wouldn’t be the—”
Chloe broke the hug and suddenly kissed me on the lips and breaks the kiss to look at me.
Wowser, she’s now looking at me directly in the eyes.
My heart is pounding so fucking fast right now. Dog, I’m so in love with Chloe. I want to make love with her and stay at the motel for a long time. But we can’t, we need to go to Portland and probably start over.
“Max… I know…” Chloe whispered pressing her forehead against mine. Her hands on my cheeks. It’s so warm. “Let’s talk about this later at the room."
Chloe went to the store, and I went to the reception to grab a room for me and Chloe. I’m nervous because we’re having another conversation. Should I tell her about my plan?
I don’t know when is gonna be the right time for this.
But Chloe hella deserves to know what my plan, that maybe I could save both without getting fucked up.
Maybe not now. I just need more time. But I don’t really wanna waste the time I had with her this week. It’s been rollercoaster emotion for me and her.
Twenty minutes later, Chloe arrived in our room. She brought some few groceries and clothes for us. I can see in her eyes she’s sleepy and tired. Poor Chloe. She should definitely rest tonight.
My Chloe… I love you.
I would do everything for you
If I have the power to make the pain go away. I would do that for you.
“I bought some groceries for us.” Chloe says putting down the groceries on the table. “Sorry I took so long. I needed to grab some few clothes and supplies for us.”
“It’s okay. I’m glad your back now.” I smiled at her, and she smiled back at me. It’s so good to see that pure smile again. Despite what she’s been going through, I’m just glad to see her smiling at least.
“I bought some instant ramen. Do you want to eat?” she asked, and I shook my head. I don’t have an appetite tonight. I think I just wanna be with Chloe tonight.
“I appreciate it Chloe, but I don’t have an appetite tonight.” I replied with a small sigh. I sat down on the bed and buried my face with my hands “Chloe, I need to talk to you.”
“Okay, I’m here to listen.” She says as she sat next to the bed with me and puts her arm around me, “Max. I’m here. You can always talk to me.”
I covered my face with my hands for a while and looked at Chloe directly in the eyes.
Should I say it? I know there’s gotta be a way to save Chloe and that town. I can’t stay like this. I killed Joyce, Warren, Frank—no I killed hundreds of people in that town. I felt like the conscience is eating me.
But I can’t just go back and sacrifice Chloe. I can’t sacrifice the person I loved ever since I kissed her.
Max, tell her. At least give it a damn try.
Maybe it will work? Oh my dog, I don’t know anymore.
“Chloe… I’m falling in love with you…”
What the fuck did you just do Maxine?!
“M-Max?” Chloe’s eyes open wide, and I hold both of her hands. “You’re joking, right?”
“No. And if I would. I would be laughing right now.” I answered with a sad tone and great tears are gathering around my eyes. I can’t. I can’t say my plan.
I don’t wanna fucking waste this moment. I want to make love with her. If I could just kiss her and make the pain go away I would.
But damn it, why I couldn’t tell her my plan? What’s going on with me.
Honestly, I feel like I’m slowly drifting away from Chloe like after I chose her over Arcadia Bay. But fuck that, she’s my number priority right now.
Chloe Price, I love you.
I know. I know you still love Rachel, but I can’t blame you. I even get it why you couldn’t love me back for now.
Chloe… If ever you love me back. I hope it’s not too late.
“Chloe… listen… you don’t have to say it back.” I said and placed my hands on her cheeks. God she’s so warm. It makes me wanna kiss her again…
“M-Max… Stop it.” Chloe says forcefully and suddenly…
Boom...
Chloe pulled me into her lips. This time our kiss goes passionate, and she lay me down on the bed. Wait… What is she doing?
Oh my dog, what is she doing to me? Holy shit is she making love with me?!
Chloe broke the kiss and looked me directly in the eyes. She caressed my cheek gently. Dog, she’s so beautiful underneath me.
“Max… I love you… I just want you to be with me,” she whispered and gently caressed my cheeks. “Max, make love with me.”
“C-Chloe… A-Are you sure? I don’t want to force—” she cuts me off with a soft kiss on the lips.
“Max. I love you. And you hella saved me.” Chloe says quietly as she pressed her forehead against mine. “Please… I want you…”
I kissed Chloe passionately and she kissed me back and I guess we started making out.
Oh Chloe… please don’t ever regret this…
Chloe pulled up the covers and continues our love making. Dog, I never ever did this in my life. Like for real. But I’m just so glad to be doing this with Chloe.
I love her so much. I want her to feel that I truly love Chloe. Shit, how am I supposed to fix everything now?
We made love through the night, and I wish it never ended.
October 2013
Motel, somewhere in Oregon
Please understand Max… The only place I can be “myselfie” is in the Dark room…
No. No. Not this nightmare.
Jefferson…
Oh Max! You fucked up my shot! But please don’t worry, we all have time in the world… For now, I knew you’d be special the second I saw your first… selfie. Yes, I still hate that word.
Fuck no, please… Not him… Please, stop!
But I love the purity of your own image. Not like Rachel, who was always looking in the wrong places. Poor Rachel. Wait, let me try this angle
No, please stop. Please stop it! I don’t wanna remember Jefferson!
Someone screams...
“What happened? Max? What the fuck? Are you… what’s wrong?”
I realized it was me who screamed. Fuck, this is definitely a nightmare. With Jefferson. In the dark room.
“Max. It’s me. I’m here. Calm down,” she says wrapping her arms around me. She sounds so worried.
I looked at Chloe who’s very worried about me. I couldn’t breathe properly because I could still hear Jefferson’s words echoing in my head.
Chloe wrapped her arms around me and pulled me into her chest. I could feel her heart beating.
Oh my god, I love how her heart beats. I wish I could just lay on her chest and listen to her heartbeat.
“I had nightmare…” I said, and my tears flown down to my cheeks. I cried on Chloe’s naked chest. I realized that we made love earlier. It was so passionate, and Chloe was so gentle.
“Shh… Tell me everything.” Chloe says patting my back gently.
“It’s about Jefferson and the Dark Room, Chloe.” I cried and buried my face on her chest. Dog, she’s so warm.
I told Chloe everything about my nightmare with Jefferson in the Dark room. Chloe kept me in her arms. I could feel the heat coming to me. I swear to dog, I love her. I really do.
I wish I could stay like this forever with her…
“Oh, Max…” Chloe whispered and kept hugging me “It’s alright now, you’re not with Jefferson and you’re not in the dark room. What matters right now is you’re with me,” she added and kissed the top of my head.
She’s right. I’m with her, that’s what matters now. I’m not with Jeffershit and I’m not in the dark room. Chloe, I really want you to be with me. Please don’t ever leave.
Chloe stayed up until I fall asleep in her arms. Dog, her warmth literally gets me.
My Chloe… I’m yours…
Forever…
That’s it. I can’t hide it anymore. I’m totally in love with my best friend. I will always protect her no matter what. Oh Chloe, I swear to God, I will not let anyone hurt you. Not ever again.
The next day...
Chloe’s POV
I woke up and looked at the clock next to me at the nightstand. Shit? It’s 8:40 am. I feel something heavy, and I realized that Max fell asleep in my arms. And I’m hella naked. Yeah, Max and I made love last night.
Fuck, I can’t hide this anymore. I’m in love with her.
Maybe it’s time for me to let go Rachel and be with Max forever? Oh Rachel, I missed you. But here I am, left Arcadia Bay. Too bad I won’t be Los Angeles like we planned before.
Well, I will be honest to her. This time. I will tell her about what I feel.
Max chose you, you idiot. She literally sacrificed Arcadia Bay for you.
I put down Max on the bed carefully before I leave the bed. And suddenly…
“Good morning, my love,” she said with a sweet tone and grabs my hand.
My fucking heart just dropped on the floor. She called me my love?!
Holy. Shit.
I am so lost into words. I couldn’t help but gave her a good morning kiss to her on the lips.
“Good morning as well, Maximus.” I kissed her on the lips before stroking her face gently. “I’ll make breakfast for us.”
“Mhmm… Sounds good” she nodded, and she went back to sleep. I left her and went to the mini kitchen we had in the motel.
Aww, sleepyhead. You’re hella adorable when sleeping, Maxipad.
I decided to make eggs and bacon for breakfast since I bought them at the mini grocery last night. I hope I don’t burn them. Wish I worked at the diner with—
Mom…
Damn, I hella missed her so much.
Max, I may be still hate you for making the dumbest decision. But I can’t just get mad at you. I mean it’s your decision. And you still chose me even though I don’t really fucking deserve to love you or be with you.
While I was cooking breakfast and listening to the radio. Someone hugged me behind and then I gasped a little because it was—
Max...
“Mhmm, you’re making breakfast,” Max cooed hugging me behind and I kept cooking eggs and bacon.
“Yeah, we’re gonna leave for Portland in a few hours.” I replied as I turned off the electric stove. And I turned around, she’s giving me a sweet smile.
Damn, Max… You’re so hella beautiful.
I wish our love making last night didn’t end.
I can’t forget what we did last night. The way I made love with her was so gentle and soft. She’s very sensitive but I knew it was her first time. I took her innocence and everything.
I will take care of her no matter what. Max, I will not let anyone touch you.
And then suddenly I wrapped my arms around Max and kisses her forehead. I think I will say it. I will tell her that I love her too.
“What’s for breakfast?” she asks, smiling sweetly after I kissed her on the lips.
“Eggs and Bacon.” I answered smiling back at her. I gave her quick kiss on the nose, and she got flustered “Max… I want to tell you something.”
I put down the spatula and then I put the eggs and bacon on the plate. While Max put the plates on the mini counter.
I looked at Max and I approached her on the mini counter. I took a deep sigh as I tried to figure out what I’m going to say.
“So, what are you gonna say?” She looked me directly in the eyes. Gosh, her eyes are so beautiful. I’m now lost into words.
I hold her hands and thinking about what I’m going to say to Max. But every time I looked at her. I could see in her eyes that she’s really hurt about saving me over Arcadia Bay.
Oh, Max. I wish you did the right decision
“Max, I know I’ve been such a shithead to you this week.” I finally broke the silence around the motel room and kept holding Max’s hand “Max, I know you made your decision and I respect it. I know you’re already going through a lot, and I wanted to be there for you. And I hate Jefferfuckingson so much. I want to kill him for what he did to you. Max, you didn’t deserve what happened to you in the Dark Room.”
“C-Chloe…” she whispered, and I gave her sad smile. I could see that she’s tearing up.
“Max… I’m falling in love with you.” I finally confessed to her. Max’s eyes suddenly opened wide. “And I would pay the cost, to be with you.”