Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Max stood at the edge of the lighthouse looking over Arcadia Bay. The last time she stood on this hill was with Chloe, her Chloe, the one person who knew what Max could do. Well before Max went back and changed everything. Why did Chloe do this to her? Why? Why? Why?

Max knew it was because of that big fucking storm that was heading towards Arcadia Bay. Chloe couldn’t let Max sacrifice everyone, and deep down Max knew it to. She stared out over the bay, tears streaming down her face as she fell to her knees. Uncontrollable sobs wrecked through her whole body as she finally let everything out.

The world may not remember the week leading to the storm, but she did. Kate, the Vortex party, the Dark Room, Victoria, Rachel and Mark Jefferson.

Fuck Mark Jefferson.

Max could swear she could still hear his voice calling out. “The loss of Innocence” he said. Max covered her ears as tears poured down her face. The taste the salt on her lips as she just cried out trying to drown out all the noise, the memory of Jefferson talking to her as he photographed her. He was right though, this whole ordeal, this shit, did cause her to lose that innocence. She was no longer a child. No longer who she was when all this started, but a victim. A victim to a trauma that hasn’t even happen.

In reality, none of it happened. Nathan was arrested for shooting Chloe. Jefferson was arrested and everything in the dark room was apprehended and that was that. So the past week of hanging with Chloe, trying and failing to save Kate, finding Rachel, the End of The World party, Chloe getting shot, being tied and filmed in the dark room, seeing Victoria bound and gagged as well, never happen. Her body was still innocent of the trauma but her mind wasn’t.

Max remembered it all and fuck she would give up everything or anything just to forget.

Max felt her phone buzz and saw she had a few miss calls from Kate. Kate, poor Kate. The girl that committed suicide all because a video that went viral. A video that showed her drunk and making out with a bunch of people. A video that now shows a Kate that was drugged. Max had wish Kate had told her where she was going. Max would have gone with her and maybe, just maybe, nothing bad would have happened. Sighing, Max picked up her phone again and dialed Kate's number.

“Hello” Kate said with a hint of concern in her voice.
“Hey” replied Max softly
“You doing ok Max”

Max hated this question. Of course she wasn’t ok, but she couldn’t tell Kate. Well maybe not yet, but for right now she couldn’t tell her. She just couldn’t.

“Yeah, I am doing ok. Just processing you know” Max was trying hard not to let it sound like she had been crying her eyes out.

“Where are you?”
“I’m at the lighthouse. I had to get away, and Chloe and I used to come here when we were younger”
“O Max, I am so sorry. Would you like some company?” Kate asked, her voice coming out with more concern than before.

“Not really. I’m probably about to head back anyway. Thank you for calling Kate. I’ll see you later ok. We can have our tea time.”
“Ok Max if you are sure, and of course! I love our tea time” Kate still had a slight concern tone to her voice but didn’t push for more. Max was grateful for that.

“Yeah Kate I am sure. See ya later”
“Ok bye”

Since what had happened with Nathan and that fucker Jefferson, Kate has been a bit better. She had talked with the police and found out that she was subjected to a horror that no one should go through. However, since Kate had discovered the truth, she has been able to heal. It amazed Max to see the difference in Kate. She still seems a bit sad now and then but nowhere near where she was in the last time line, and Max was grateful for that. She didn’t have to see her friend fall off her dorm building. She didn’t have to feel like a failure for not saving her.

Max was alone again, sitting on the edge where she said goodbye to her Chloe. They say time heals with all wounds, but fuck that. Time just wants to fuck with you and take everything that is good in this world and leave people with just shit. Why would she be giving this power if all it caused was for her to lose her best friend in the end?

Fuck this and fuck these stupid ass powers. I don’t want them. Max screamed out. She knew these types of thoughts never led anywhere good. She knew that if she kept heading down this dark road of depression, she might not come back. Sacrificing Chloe would have been for nothing, and Max made a promise to herself that she would live for Chloe.

Max left the lighthouse and made her way towards the bus stop. Max never saw the appeal of driving. It was bad for the environment and public transport was just a better option.

Max waited for what seemed like forever before she noticed something, or someone more precisely standing on the beach. Max walked a little closer just to see who it was and she noticed long legs standing at the edge of the water. Fuck look at those legs, Max thought to herself. They way they go all the way up to a nice perky ass.

Max shook her head, she should not be thinking about these things right now. The person had her back towards her but Max would notice those legs… um that blonde pixie hair cut anywhere. Not her legs, definitely not the legs.

Max just stared for a few minutes before she thought she really wanted to know why Victoria was standing on the beach. Curiosity getting the better of her, Max headed towards where the Queen bitch of Blackwell stood.

Sensing someone was coming Victoria turned her head to see Max walking towards her, but instead of saying something insulting or mean, she just turned back and continued to stare at the ocean. Max paused for a second, that was very unlike Victoria.

“What do you want Max?” Victoria asked. It wasn’t harsh or mean or in Victoria's usually cold manner. It just sounded sad, defeated. Almost like all the bitchy snark was drained out of her.

“Um uh I just saw you standing here and just wanted to see if you were ok”

“You mean you were just being nosy. How the fuck did you know I was here anyway? Never mind don’t answer that. Fuck off. I don’t have to tell you anything and honestly why would I tell you, hipster trash” Victoria reply was harsh but it wasn’t mean. It didn’t have the Bitch bite it normally did and it was throwing Max off.

“Seriously Vic, I am just seeing if you are ok. I know this past week has sucked…..” max was cut off but the sudden turned of Victoria. Her normal green eyes were dull and red and her cheeks were puffy as she had recently been crying.

“It sucked?” Victoria started to raise her voice. “How would you fucking know? You don’t know fucking anything. I lost who I thought was my best friend. The teacher i admire turned out to be a raging psychopath and it turns out was targeting me next with whatever he was doing, and Kate, fuck, poor Kate. That stupid video, why would I do that?” Victoria kept rambling until the tears stopped streaming and she was just sobbing.

Max was shaking, she couldn’t tell Victoria what all she knew and been through but it pissed her off. Who the fuck did Victoria think she is? Thinking she is the only one dealing with all this shit. Fucking Nathan shot Chloe and she was right there. Not able to help.

What seemed like forever, Victoria finally stopped. She looked back at Max and could see the anger in her blue eyes. Victoria study those eyes for a brief second. Max’s eyes looked like a storm was raging through them as they darken with each passing second.

“You know Vic, what I do know is that fucker Nathan, your so called best friend, shot and killed mine. Yeah, I know… Knew Chloe. I was in that fucking bathroom when it happened and I did nothing. I just stood behind the stalls as he shot her, my Chloe. I held her as she died, so you know what fuck you. I don’t know why I even care.” Max yelled at Victoria and turned and walked away.

Ignoring the calls from the bitch she left behind, max kept walking. Seething with anger, Max did what she thought was the best idea at the time.

She ran.

She ran as fast as could to get away from everything. Fuck, fuck, fuck, ran through her mind as she finally stopped running and made her way to the nearest bus stopped. The tears had started again somewhere between yelling at Victoria and the running.

Max was breathing hard and fuck why did she run. Ughhh she thought. I hate running. It probably didn’t help that she was crying while running.

Once the bus pulled up, Max just wanted to disappear. After arriving at Blackwell, she just wanted to head towards her room and just fucking forget everything.

“Hey Max, Where were you?” The sound of Warren's voice echoed through the quad. You got to be kidding me right now Max thought, I really don’t want to deal with him.

Warren made his way over to Max and was talking about something, and honestly, Max wasn’t listening. She just wanted to head to her room and just sleep. She contemplated rewinding time to avoid him but decided against it.

“Listen Warren, I’m really tired and I have a pretty terrible headache. I just want to head up and go to bed” Max was trying so hard to be polite to him and prayed he took a hint.

“O ok yeah I understand that. This week has been horrible, will you need anything? I can get it for you and….” he started to ramble on and on. The headache Max was sporting started to worsen. Max started to rub her temples just to try and alleviate some pain as Warren just kept going on.

“Warren! Just stop please. My head is pounding and your rambling isn’t helping. If I need anything I will let you know” Max doesn’t wait for a reply, but just turns and walks back towards the dorm. Ignoring the looks being directed at her for raising her voice at him but damn it she didn’t care. She just wanted to sleep and fuck it that is what she was going to do.

Max made it to her room and just flopped onto her bed. She didn’t bother nor wanted to change as her head was just assaulting her with almost unbearable pain.

Just as the darkness of sleep almost over took her, a soft knock pulled Max back into reality. Pissed, Max opens her eyes and sits up slowly.

“Yeah, who is it.” The tone in her voice was a little harsher than she wanted but who cares. Right now Max just wanted to sleep and get this day over with. Is that too much to ask, well apparently it was.

No answer came, but just another set of soft knocks. Cussing ever so slightly, Max rose from her bed and prodded to her door. Another set of soft knocks and what Max heard a small sniffle, as if someone had been crying. She opened her door and stood in shock for a couple seconds because who stood before her was Victoria. Her green eyes once again dulled and red as she had been crying.

“What the fuck do you want?” Max sneered, she was not in the mood for anyone and especially the so-called queen bitch.

Victoria was slightly taken back by the harshness in Max tone. Max saw the flinch but she didn’t care. She couldn’t.

“I’m sorry” Victoria whispered barely audible for Max to hear. Max’s eyes went wide for a second at the vulnerability Victoria was showing right now.

“I’m so sorry. I was so caught up in my own shit that I didn’t think about others. Fuck, Max I’m sorry.” Tears were welling up in those beautiful green eyes. Max could hear the sincerity in Victoria voice.

Max just stood there for a brief second. Not wanting to look into Victoria’s eyes. What seemed like an eternity, Max met those haunting green eyes. Sadness is all she saw. Max wanted to pull her into a hug and just say it is all ok, but Max couldn’t. After everything, she couldn’t. Not yet.

“Look I appreciate the apology, and I know that it hasn’t been easy for you either. I just don’t know anymore Vic. With everything that has happened, I just don’t know if I can really forgive you. Not yet anyway.” Victoria just stared at her, silent tears streaming down.

They stood there. An unspoken word hung between them as they just waited. Waiting for the other to make the next move. Max sighed. She looked back at Victoria, noticing the hurt and pain in her eyes. She didn’t care right now. She just nodded and closed her door. Leaving Victoria alone, crying at her door.

Chapter Text

Victoria stood outside Max’s door, the pain, the hurt and the anger she saw in those blue eyes, those alluring doe like eyes. “I don’t know if I can really forgive you” that is what Max had said. Those words, those fucking words rocked Victoria to her core. The negative thoughts she tried so hard to keep at bay were trying to push into the forefront of Victoria’s mind. Closing her eyes she pushed them back. She can’t deal with the self hatred and loathing right now. She can’t. She knows she can’t.

She heads towards her room, conveniently located across from Max. She stared at her whiteboard that had recently been blank. She erased it after everything that went down. Fuck Nathan why did you do this? She thought to herself.

'You knew he was going off the rails and you did nothing to stop it. You knew he was acting differently but you were so caught up in your own shit that you never noticed. All of this wouldn’t have happened if you had just paid attention.'

These destructive thoughts have been bombarding her the past week and no matter what Victoria did, they never stopped. She closed her eyes again trying even harder to keep the pain away. Just for today that is all she wants. Victoria stared at the whiteboard again.

She knew she wanted to put something, anything that would seem helpful but everything that was coming to mind was just shit. This shouldn’t be that fucking hard. Victoria held the black marker in her hand as she put the only thing she knew mattered and the only thing that seemed right.

I am sorry-V

'You aren’t sorry, because if you were you would have apologized to Kate already. Why haven’t you, Victoria. Why do you still let people tear her down and attack her? You know what happened to her, you know what Nathan did. What that fucker Jefferson did to her. Yet you still haven’t said a single word. Why? You are just a self absorbed bitch and you deserve nothing.'

These fucking thoughts, why did they have to be so right? She hasn’t apologized to Kate. She couldn’t. Why couldn’t she? The only thing she did was take down the video and made sure everyone knew not to fuck with Kate anymore. So, why hadn’t she apologized. Why was it so hard to say Kate, I am so sorry for taking and posting that video. I didn’t know. That was no excuse to do something so horrible. Something so vile that it made Kate, sweet Kate, depressed. Fuck everything was so messed up.

Victoria knew what she had to do. Even if her apology to Max didn’t end well, she needs to say something to Kate. Kate at least deserved that from her. She knows that Kate will probably never forgive her, but this was the first step, and maybe, just maybe, the voices will calm down.

Victoria walked over to Kate’s door and was trying to force herself to knock. It was now or never and honestly, Victoria was scared. She was scared because she knew Kate had every right to not forgive her, to yell at her, to tell her she was going to hell. Victoria knew she deserved that. Without waiting a second longer, Victoria knocked.

Agonizing seconds later, Victoria heard shuffling going on inside the room. Victoria thought about bolting but her feet were glued to the floor. The door opened and there stood Kate with a shocked expression on her face. Not believing that Victoria Chase was standing at her door looking so small, so defeated. Not at all looking like the queen bee that Kate was used to.

“Um hello Vic-Victoria” Kate struggled to get the words out. Scared of what Victoria might do. Victoria stood there for a few seconds before she finally looked Kate’s eyes. Victoria could see the sadness but also the confusion and fear. It made Victoria hate herself even more because she caused this. She caused everything.

“I’m sorry to bother you Kate, but I just wanted to apologize to you for everything I did. I honestly thought that the whole good girl nice act you were doing was just that. An act. I also want to apologize for the video. I don’t know what I was thinking and if I had known what was going on, I wouldn’t have done it. It doesn’t excuse what I did. I know that, but still, I shouldn’t have done it.” Victoria finished her speech and was looking for any sign that Kate wasn’t buying it or that she was going to get yelled at. It never came. Instead Kate looked dumbfounded and confused. She was speechless and didn’t know how to react to what Victoria just did.

Victoria stared at Kate for a few more seconds before the tears started again. Fuck this Victoria thought as this was going on for to long. Kate had yet to say anything. Why hasn’t she said anything?

“Look I know you hate me or whatever but just so you know, I deleted the video and have told everyone not to mess with you anymore. I know I don't deserve your forgiveness, but I do hope things get better for you.” Victoria walked away, not listening to Kate calling her name. She just wanted to get out of here, again.

She was half way down the stairs, when she heard her name. Taylor Christensen was walking up when she noticed Victoria practically bounding down the stairs. Victoria didn’t really want to deal with Taylor right now, but she knew she couldn’t avoid her. She wished she could, God she really did. Her thoughts once again pushed to the front of her mind.

'You don’t want to see Taylor, because all you do is use her. She isn’t your real friend. Never really was. She is just someone to fill a role. Just so you don’t feel all alone, but that is what you deserve. You don’t deserve friends you fucking bitch.'

Victoria flinched at the last part and nearly fell down the stairs, and if it wasn’t for Taylor she would have.

“Shit V, are you ok?” Taylor asked, making sure both of them don’t fall down the rest of way.
“Yeah, Sweet T, sorry about that. I don’t know what happened. Anyway, I’m heading out. I want to get some pictures in” Victoria tried to pull away, she just wanted to pull away. Taylor had a strong grip.
“Look V, I know something is up and I care about you. Please just talk with me.” Taylor was pleading now.
“Tay, look I just really want to be alone. I promise I will talk when I am ready.” She really hopes Taylor understood. She needed Taylor to understand.
“I know something is up, but you promise me that you will come and talk with me. V you better come and talk with me afterwards or I swear to God I will track you down and force you to talk.” Victoria knew Taylor meant it. Taylor was a loyal friend or she really hopes she is. She wasn’t like Victoria though and Victoria knew that. Sure she could be mean, but Victoria knew it was because of her. Taylor was smart and sweet and cared about her friends.
“I promise Sweet T. I promise.” Victoria whispered out. Taylor nodded her head and let her go. Victoria headed down the rest of the stairs but she turned back around.
“Hey T, I want you to know that I appreciate your friendship. Yours and Courtney. Let her know when you see her.” With that Victoria headed outside leaving a stunned Taylor at the top of the stairs.

Victoria wandered around Arcadia Bay for a couple of hours, and she loved it out here. Out here, the dark thoughts quiet down. Not as strong out here by the bay where once again she finds herself. Something about the water calms her. She doesn’t know why but she feels at peace here staring out over all the calmness. Listening to the waves crash onto the shore. Sometimes she wondered what would happen if she just walked in and let the currents whisk her away. Wishful thinking she knows but doesn’t stop her from thinking it. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, she knew she needed to go back. She can’t run away from her problems. She looked out at the water one more time and she walked away.

Arriving back at Blackwell, Victoria took a deep breath. Her inner demons started to resurface again, but she was holding them back. She made her way through the Quad when she heard some voices she recognized. Taylor and Kate were talking quietly among themselves and it seemed like they didn’t want people to hear. Victoria snucked her way as close as she could but she could only make out some of the stuff they said.

“I don’t know Taylor, it is hard….” Kate spoke in a hush tone. Victoria figured they were talking about her and the pain in her heart started to increase.
“I know Kate I just want to know….” Victoria could hear the pain in Taylor’s voice. She caused that. It was all her fault.
“Taylor, I really don’t know...." Kate spoke and Victoria heard enough she wasn't going to try and listen anymore. She was done trying anyways.

Victoria arrived at her door to see her sign. The three words she had left not even a few hours ago seemed to mock her now. Taunting her as if her apologies meant nothing to anyone. Why, why is her heart and head hurting so much? The voices in her head are screaming at her. Her thoughts are just assaulting her with the same mantra over and over.

'You deserve this. It’s all your fault.'

Like a broken record on repeat, screaming in her head. Reminding Victoria of what a fuck up she is. Using her hand she whipped away her words from before and wrote down the only thing she could at the moment and satisfied with what it said, she went into her room and made sure that the door would not open for anyone. Victoria sat at her desk, head in her hands trying to quiet down the voices. She just wants a few seconds of peace. The sound of he laptop going off forced her to look up and she saw an email from her parents lawyers. What the fuck do they want know she thought to herself. She couldn't deal with this right now, the voices were assaulting her mind even harder. Victoria tried her best to push them back and read the damn email. Dear Victoria Chase, This is Johnson and Stevens, your parents lawyers and we are reaching out to you on their behalf. Due to the unfortunate events that have happened an your choice in friends we regret to inform you that your parents are pulling you out and will be sending you to a different school...... Victoria slammed her laptop closed. She couldn't deal with this anymore. She couldn't. Victoria pulled out the pill bottle she had been toying with the last for days. Looking it over in her hand, she shut her eyes. She knew what she was doing. Next she grabbed her phone and sent out a campus wide text.

'I am sorry to everyone I have hurt. I don’t have any excuses, I know I was a bitch and I don’t deserve anyone's forgiveness. I do however deserve all the hate and pain you have for me, so just know that I will never bother anyone again. I am sorry.'

Victoria put on some music and let the darkness overcome her senses. She closed her eyes letting her mind wander towards Max and Kate, and hopes one day they will forgive her. She thought about Taylor and Courtney and how they deserve a better friend than her. She felt eyes grow heavy and she slowly shut them. Her last thought was I am sorry, I truly am sorry. Her hand fell towards the floor and an empty pill bottle clanked on the ground. Outside her door this is what she wrote on her whiteboard.

'You Deserve this Victoria. It's all your fault.'

Chapter Text

Max was laying in bed. She felt at peace, for once, since this past week. She laid there with her eyes closed, trying to remember her time with Chloe. What they would be doing if things had been different. If she would have chosen to save her instead of the town. Max was so lost in thought that she hadn’t realized an arm was snaking its way around her midsection pulling her closer to an unseen presence. Max wanted to struggle away, but with her thoughts being on Chloe and what could have been kept Max still, letting whatever was happening, happen.

She rolled over but kept her eyes closed. Max was hoping that when she opens her eyes that it will be Chloe’s beautiful blues staring back at her. She really wanted it to be Chloe, but she was scared that when she opened her eyes, nothing would be real. It would have all been a dream and a cruel dream at that. So, Max kept her eyes closed as she tried to snuggle into the person that was holding onto her. She felt the lips press against her forehead and from there those lips started to slowly kiss down the side of her face, her cheek, her jaw, and was hovering ever so slightly over her lips. Max’s eyes shot open, desperate to see the blue eyes she has grown to love. She locked eyes with her mystery person and Max was frozen.

What should have been blue eyes, were in fact a set of forest green eyes. Max could swear that she could get lost in these eyes, almost like being lost in a dense but lush green forest. Max couldn’t look away, she didn’t want to look away. These eyes, these stupid green eyes were holding her hostage and all Max could do is just stare.

Max had yet to make out who it was that was in her bed, holding her, captivating her with these eyes. It was here she noticed something, these strangers' eyes were starting to go almost black, her pupils were blown out and Max noticed the stranger's body was pressing up against hers. The smell of arousal and the desire to go farther was ever present in the stranger’s eyes that Max, herself, started to feel the wetness pool in between her legs. Max wanted to pull away, she really did, but fuck did this feel amazing. It seemed almost all her troubles were melting away.

One of the stranger legs was placed in between Max’s thighs and Max could feel the pressure it was adding to her center. It took everything out of her not to moan a little with such contact. Max may not have been experienced in any of this but that didn’t mean she didn’t often think about what it could be like. With the right person of course. Max closed her eyes and she felt herself arch her neck back, giving this person more access to her. Max was lost in the pleasure this person was giving her. The assault of her mouth moving across her neck, the way her tongue was slowly leaving a trail of where it had been. She could feel the small marks that were going to be left behind with every pop of the mouth that had just been previously latched onto her neck.

Max once again opened her eyes and was met with something she had never seen before, not even when she was with Chloe. She looked into those eyes and saw such a love she didn’t even know was possible. The type that romance novels write about. The sappy gross ones that Max would never read but heard about, Nicholas Sparks comes to mind.

It was a deep and complete love that Max couldn’t believe that it was for her. In this moment, whoever these green eyes belonged to loved her and she loved this person back. It was a love so deep and so sure that it had taken Max by storm. Max thought she loved Chloe, or maybe it was just an infatuation, maybe Max didn’t know the difference anymore. Max couldn’t think this though, only a week ago Max had to let Chloe go. She had to. Right?

Max pulled back. There before Max, looking a bit confused, was her. The Queen Bitch of Blackwell. Victoria Chase. Victoria had a hurt look flash across her green eyes and that look made Max’s heart hurt. Max was experiencing a twilight zone moment because she was confused, aroused, and all around dumbfounded on how Victoria Chase was in her bed. The last thing Max remembered was leaving a crying Victoria outside her door.

“Max, what are you looking at?” Victoria's hands started to rub Max’s arm. The sound of Victoria’s voice pulled Max out of her head. She could hear the slight worry in her voice.

“Uh, Victoria. How did you get in here? Why are you here? What the dog is going on?” Max was asking questions so fast that Victoria had to lean over and silenced her with a searing kiss. The sudden appearance of Victoria’s lips shut Max right up. All the questions Max wanted to ask just fluttered out of brain.

“Max, you let me in, remember? I am here because you texted me, wanting to hang out. We have been dating for a month now. I’m starting to really worry about you. Are you ok?” Max was now sitting up, trying to think of any explanation on how she ended up here. She knew she didn’t travel through a photo and change reality or anything like that. She knows she didn’t or at least she thinks she didn’t. Max was so lost in thought that she almost didn’t feel Victoria’s hand start to slide up under her shirt.

“Baby, I don’t know what is going on with you and it has me worried. I know you wanted to talk but how about I help take your mind off things for just a little bit.” The last part was whispered into Max’s ear and she shivered. She turned to look at Victoria and without saying anything Max launched at her, pressing her lips into Victoria's.

Max knew she should figure out what was going on but maybe, just maybe, she can forget everything and just let Victoria have her way. Max let Victoria take control, letting her straddle her. Victoria was once again pressing her leg into Max’s center and Max let out a soft moan. Victoria was smiling into the kisses she was placing along Max's neck. Max started to let her hands roam down Victoria’s body and she got to the place she had maybe dreamed about a couple of times. Vic’s perfect perky ass.

“Mmmm, I knew I was going to love this ass.” Max said in between kisses.

“You say that everytime you grab it.” Victoria chuckled as she suppressed a moan when Max squeezed her ass again.

From there the discard of clothing started to litter the floor. The shirts, pants, under-ware, anything that was hindering skin to skin contact was discarded. Victoria started to move further down Max’s body, kissing along every inch of skin she could, and Max started to let out soft moans and whimpers. Max was getting ready to experience something she never thought she would have the opportunity to, when all of sudden she heard shouting outside in the hall. Max closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the sexy goddess about to devour her. It was the sound of Kate yelling for Victoria that made Max pause.

Victoria was currently about to eat her out, or so she thought. Max opens her eyes and the sunlight peeking through nearly blinded her. Max was alone, fully clothed, and with no Victoria and an ache between her legs that is now pulsing for attention she wasn’t getting.

“Victoria, wait, please let me say something.” The sound of Kate made Max sit up. She rubbed her eyes and knew she had to get up. She needed to know what was going on. The last remnants of her dream was starting to fade away and Max couldn’t help but feel disappointed. She was disappointed for a number a reasons, but the biggest was she let herself dream of Victoria Chase, and it couldn’t have been a normal dream, no it had to be sexy, fucking one. Max almost forgot about what pulled her out of the dream, but she heard more voices outside in the hall. So Max stood up and headed towards the door, the ache between her legs still aching to be touched.

Taylor and Kate were standing by Taylor’s door, talking in really hush tones. It seemed serious but Max was nosy and really wanted to know why Kate wanted to talk to Victoria, especially since Victoria was a complete bitch to Kate. Max started to remember why she was in her room in the first place. The anger that consumed Max not a few hours ago was starting to come back and Max was trying hard not to let it over take her. She really doesn’t want to deal with it right now, but she knows she can’t run away from it forever. Taylor and Kate didn’t seem to notice Max was approaching them as they were talking in somewhat hush tones.

“I’m telling you Kate something is wrong with her. I can tell. She could never hide anything from me.” Taylor said to Kate and Max could see the concern look that was in Taylor’s eyes. It made her wonder what was going on with Victoria, and it made her think that she shouldn’t have shut the door in her face after Victoria apologized.

“I know. She came and apologized to me, but before I could say anything, she took off. She seemed like she meant it. She may not be my favorite person right now, but I do know when someone seeks forgiveness and she seems to really want it.” Kate stated.

“Um hey guys, what is going on?” Max asked though she figured it had to be about Victoria.

“Hey Max,” Kate spoke first, “Have you spoken to Victoria lately?”

“Uh yeah, I saw her at the beach earlier and you know she came to my room and apologized to me not long ago.” Max left out how she was somewhat a bitch to her and left her crying at her door. Victoria did kinda deserve it but Max wasn’t going to say anything like that in front of Taylor.

Taylor started pacing back and forth. She seemed deep in thought and was mumbling to herself. Max couldn’t understand much of it, but she heard a few words, beach, sad, depressed spot and a couple of more things. Taylor suddenly stopped and turned towards Max.

“She was at the beach today, are you sure? That is her spot she goes to when she starts to overthink things or she is hurting. If she was there then this is more serious than I thought.” Taylor started pacing again and now Max was growing more concerned the more she heard. Maybe she shouldn’t have dismissed Victoria at the beach, but fuck she was also going through shit and now everything seems fuck. Max thought about rewinding time to when Victoria was at her door, but since Chloe and all the shit that happened, Max decided then and there she will never use her time powers again. She can’t. She couldn’t.

“Taylor, what is going on? What do you mean?” Taylor stopped pacing. Max could see that she wanted to say something but was holding back, or maybe it was she was trying to find the right words to say. Either way there seemed to be a long pregnant pause before Taylor spoke up.

“It isn’t my story to tell, but that it is Victoria's but I will say that if Victoria went to the beach, she is suffering more than I initially thought. We have to find her. We have to.” Taylor was now looking at Max and Kate with a pleading look for help. Max could see she truly cares for Victoria.

“Of course Taylor, I will go with you and help search, Max do you think you can search around here and see if anyone has seen her, if she has left or if she is wandering around the school grounds.” Kate said looking at both Taylor and Max with a don’t question me look this is what we are doing.

“Ok.” “Yeah” Taylor and Max said at the same time. With a plan in motion, Taylor and Kate left and went to go drive around town. Max set forth in seeing if anyone had seen Victoria around the dorm or around the school.

What seemed like forever, Max concluded that Victoria was not on campus. She asked Stella, Brooke, Courtney, though Courtney had to question Max’s choice in fashion first, and then had to promise to let Courtney help with her fashion sense. After that, it was Trevor and Dana, Hayden, Juliet, and Zachary, but no one had seen Victoria. Honestly, even if they did, they probably didn’t really care enough to say anything. Victoria wasn’t nice to pretty much everyone and was only somewhat nice to Taylor and Courtney. Max wondered why they were friends with her and would probably ask Taylor about it later after they find Victoria and make sure she is okay.

Max started to head back to the dorm when she spotted Warren. She knew she needed to apologize to him for her earlier actions. She was a bitch to him and he didn’t deserve it, mostly. He was just dense and sometimes too much. Warren looked up from his phone and noticed Max. He smiled and waved but Max noticed the hesitation from him. She scolded herself for causing that.

“Hey Warren, You got a second” Max asked suddenly feeling a little nervous.

“Hey Max, Yeah are you ok?” Warren didn’t push any further and Max was grateful for that.

“Yeah I am ok, I just wanted to say sorry for earlier. I was a bitch to you and you didn’t deserve that. It was just a long day for me, you know.” Max hopes that Warren understands.

“Don’t sweat it Max, I should have known something was wrong and just shut up, haha but seriously is everything okay” Max could really appreciate Warren even if he was dense in the head. He was a good friend.

“Yeah, I feel better now, but I do need to ask if you have seen Victoria lately.” Max had to ask and she noticed the look Warren got and it had been the same one she received from everyone else. The look of why the fuck would we know where the bitch was.

“Uh well I did see her pull up not long after I saw Taylor and Kate, Which I thought was weird. You know why Kate would be with Taylor…”

“Warren please, was Victoria with them or by herself I need to know?” Max asked. Though before Warren could even answer, both their phones buzzed. A message from Victoria appeared.

Max read the message and she blanched. This couldn’t mean what she thinks it means, right.

“Fuck, is Victoria going to kill herself?” Warren asked but Max didn’t answer back. She took off running towards the dorms. Not again, she can’t see someone else kill themself, she just can’t. She won’t.

Max made it up the stairs seeing Taylor, Kate, and Courtney at Victoria’s door trying to open it up. Please, Max thought, please don’t let us be late. Please.

“Tori, please open the door, Please.” Taylor was pleading and Max could see the tears streaming down her face.

She also could see where Courtney was crying and Kate also had tears streaming down her cheeks while holding on to Taylor as Taylor kept pleading through the door. Max ran up and noticed the sign. Why did Victoria think she deserved this? Max felt a pit in her stomach. She had to get that door open. She had to get in. So she did the one thing she could think of and that was just trying to force her way through the door. She motions for Taylor, Kate and Courtney to start helping.

**************
The door finally gave way as the object that was holding it finally fell over. Max burst through the door just to see a still Victoria laying in the bed, with an empty pill bottle laying on the floor. Taylor was the next one in running straight to Victoria. Screaming for her to wake up, shaking her to try and see any sign of life.

Max just stood there as Taylor started to scream for help, She stood there as Kate and Courtney were scrambling trying to call 911, She just stood there. What seemed like an eternity, Max held up her hand, and started to rewind time. She didn’t hesitate. She didn’t think, she couldn’t. She had to do this. She just had to. Time rewound and Max could feel her nose starting to bleed and her head started to pound, but she kept going till she felt like it was a good time to stop.

*************
She stood there for a few more seconds, letting the blood run from her nose. Her head was pounding away as she just stood there. Still staring at the bed where a lifeless Victoria laid. She broke her promise, and she broke it for Victoria.

A few seconds had passed and Max just had to get out of there. She walked out of the door and waited at the door. She turned and looked at the apology that Victoria left behind. The ‘I’m Sorry’ sinking into Max’s heart. Max broke her promise. She broke it for Victoria Chase and she knows that she will probably face a shit ton of consequences for it, Max knows she did it for a good reason.

She thought of Chloe and what all that happened and if Chloe would forgive her for using her powers for the Queen Bitch. She hoped she would have, even if she couldn’t save her. Maybe just maybe this will be different and a giant fucking tornado won’t come shit on everything. Maybe, just maybe.

Max sits, waiting at Victoria's door for what seems like forever, when she sees Victoria running down the hall. Victoria was sobbing hard and almost didn’t see Max till she ran right into her. Max and Victoria both tumbled over, Victoria laying on top of Max. Max was staring up at Victoria and it almost felt like a deja vu for Max as she started to remember her dream of a very naked Victoria. Max shook her head to clear her thoughts as she should not be thinking about that now.

“O Max, I am sorry I didn’t see you there.” Victoria choked out trying to stop her crying. To Max, it seemed like Victoria was trying to put on a mask that she was ok, but knowing what she knows, Max could see right through it.

“It’s okay Victoria, I was actually looking for you.” Max said and Victoria had a look of surprise on her face. Max wished she had her camera so she could take pictures. Max blanched at the thought. She hadn’t taken a picture since the bathroom, when she had to let Chloe go. If Victoria noticed this she didn’t say anything.

“Uh, why were you looking for me? You made it clear that you didn’t want to see me or anything.” Victoria said as she pulled away from Max and was now standing up.

“Well, I wanted to apologize to you. I wasn’t in the right head space and was just mad at the world and took it out on you. I’m sorry.” Max spoke softly. Victoria just stood there. Eyes wide and her mouth was opening and closing. It would almost be comical if this wasn’t a serious matter.

“I have to tell you, Victoria, that Taylor and Kate are looking for you. I probably should call or text them that I found you…” Before Max could finish Victoria was placing her her hand on Max’s mouth. Her eyes were wide with shock and with fear.

“Please don’t call them. Please. I can’t talk with them again today.” Victoria pleaded with Max and Max really wanted to pull Victoria into a hug and let her know things would be okay.

“How about I just text them that you are ok but not where you are and you can come hang out in my room. That way if they come looking, they wouldn’t suspect you are in there.” Max hoped her plan would work and this way she can try and talk with Victoria about what is going on in that head of hers.

“Yeah, I guess that could work. Why are you doing this though? I was a bitch to you and everyone else.” Victoria hung her head in shame as she spoke. Not wanting to look into Max’s eyes.

Max took Victoria’s hand ignoring the tingling sensation that shot through her body. She pulled her towards her room and opened the door.

“One because everyone deserves a second chance and two, I forgive Vic. Also, don’t judge me on my hipster room, okay. You just wish you were this cool.” Max said this with a small chuckle. Victoria gave a small laugh and it made Max smile bigger.

“Please as if I would like any of this hipster trash. Also I’ve already seen it.” Victoria said matter of fact before she slammed her hand on her mouth. It was now Max’s turn to look like a fish out of water as she tried to figure out when Victoria was in her room.

Her dream started to creep into the forefront of her mind but Max knew that it was just a dream and kept thinking. Then it hit her, Victoria had to be the cookie thief. It was the only explanation as to how and why Victoria was in her room.

“It was you. You are the cookie thief.” Max accused Victoria and was pushing her finger into her chest. Victoria Face grew bright red as Max could tell she was embarrassed, but Victoria just shook her head and was just mumbling that she would never steal cookies from someone like her. Both of them laughed and walked into Max’s room, but before Max shut the door she ran across to Victoria's door and erased the apology that was on there and wrote the only thing that Victoria needed to see and hear.

You are forgiven.

Chapter Text

Once Max finished writing on Victoria’s whiteboard, she thought about today and how everything turned out different then what she thought. What started as a dark day of standing on the cliff at the lighthouse turned into an interesting one. By saving Victoria, using her powers again, having sexy dreams of Victoria, and getting to spend the rest of the night with her, was not on her bingo card for today.

Max was slowly making her way to her room when she paused. She is going to be spending the rest of night with Victoria, in her room. Alone. Just them two. No one else. A very naked Victoria flashed across Max’s mind. Max’s face turned bright red at the very thought of having a naked Victoria under her. Nope. Not today Satan. Max thought to herself as she tried to erase the very thought from her mind.

Max’s heart was racing. She knows nothing is going to happen but that doesn’t stop the butterflies from fluttering in her stomach. Making her wish she didn’t ask Victoria over. Since that stupid dream from earlier, Max was having a hard time focusing on just being a friend. They both needed it. Not to be thinking of fucking her, Victoria didn’t need that right now. This was going to be a long, long night.

She stood at the edge of her door, her head and heart seemed to be having very different conversations with each other. It is like her heart is calling out to Victoria. Constricting and twisting at the thought of loving her, being with her, making love to her and calling her mine. Her head, on the other hand, was being very practical about this situation. Her head knew that she can’t just jump straight into anything with Victoria yet. There is too much history and both Max and Victoria needed to workout their shit. Against each other and with what is going on within them. Her head also kept bringing up Chloe. Like a knife to the gut, Max’s head wanted to play dirty.

How could Max forget about Chloe? Max stopped at the precipice of her door. She hadn’t really thought about Chloe since the lighthouse, and when she saved Victoria. A small tear escaped as the realization dawned on Max. She loved Chloe, yes, that much was true, but she knew that her love for Chloe wasn’t from the heart but of nostalgia. The idea of what could have been if Max hadn’t moved away. If only she had stayed in contact. If only. So many what ifs and what could haves.

Maybe Max could have loved Chloe that way. However, 5 years had passed and even though Max did spend time with Chloe during the week that never happened, it wasn’t her Chloe anymore. That Chloe was Rachel’s and Max couldn’t compete with the dead. Deep down that hurt Max. She thought about how Chloe reacted when she found out about Rachel and Frank, or when they found Rachel’s body. Max saw the love Chloe had for Rachel, and she knew then. She loved Chloe, she did, just not the way she originally thought.

Max let out a small sigh, her head and heart were not making this easy. She does not have time to be thinking about this. Not when she has the Victoria Chase in her room. Speaking of Victoria, it is rather quiet in the room right now. Max pushed past her door and she stopped. There was Victoria and again the butterflies in her stomach were doing somersaults. It felt like her heart was smiling. Smiling at the thought that Victoria was in her room. That Victoria was hers and she was Victoria’s. Max sheepishly smiled at the thought of being Victoria’s, and Victoria being hers. It made the butterflies go into a frenzy and Max tried to hide the blush that was forming in her cheeks. Her head finally chimed in and told her to stay on course and be a good friend right now.

Victoria stood in front of Max’s photo wall. She looked deep in concentration, like she was really studying something. Max couldn’t help but think how cute Victoria looked. Her arms across her chest, her hip cocked to one side. Max liked being able to see this Victoria, not the front she is used to seeing but just a small part of the real Victoria and Max really wanted to know more. Max was pulled out of her head when she heard Victoria speak.

“Max, this is really good, and with a polaroid camera it just shows that you are an amazing photographer.” Victoria said as she looked at Max. Her forest green eyes were shining with admiration. Max couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face. Max walked over to her desk and found the photo she was going to submit for the ‘Everyday Hero Contest’. The photo of her standing in front of the wall. She hands it to Victoria, wondering what she will think.

Victoria grabbed the photo from Max and sat down. Max sat beside her and just waited for Victoria to speak. The longer it took the more Max got nervous. She started fidgeting. She started shaking her leg anxiously when she felt Victoria’s hand on her thigh. Just the slight contact sent a tingle through Max's body and she tried her best not to shiver under her touch.

“Max, this is amazing. I love how it focuses on the background photos, and not on you. It definitely showcases who inspires you to be a good photographer.” Victoria's eyes started to water as she was speaking, and she had to wipe them away as she handed the photo back.

“Thank you Vic, but why are you crying? Please don’t cry. There has been too much crying today and I think I am all cried out.” Max chuckled trying to lighten the mood.

“Yeah , you are right. I just wish I was as good of a photographer as you are. I really admire you.” Victoria just said this matter of factly and it made Max blush at the praise she was getting from her. No one had ever said they admire her or her work.

“Hey, you are good. I love looking at your work Vic, and one day it will be up in galleries all around the world.” Max had to praise Victoria. It was true. Max did love Victoria’s work. Maybe they could work on something together. Just maybe.

“Thank you Max but so will yours. I know it. If you ever decide to showcase it. Seriously, you are amazing.” Victoria said but Max noticed she was blushing as she said it. Something to file for later Max thought to herself.

“Ok enough about this, we are here to escape from our realities and watch whatever we can find and order pizza and just be in the moment.” Max started to pull out her laptop and was getting ready to pull up Final Fantasy: The Spirit Within, the greatest movie ever made according to Max but before Max could even press play Victoria snatched the laptop.

“I’m sorry, but what are you thinking? I do have taste Maxine Caulfield and it does not include this garbage.” Victoria was smiling as she said this and Max knew she wasn’t being harsh about it but was being serious.

“It’s Max never Maxine Vicky and this is by far the greatest movie ever made.” Max retorted but before the banter could start Max felt her phone vibrate. Both Max and Victoria looked at who could be calling and it was Kate. Probably wondering if she had heard anything on Victoria or where she was at.

Max looked at Victoria and she could see that she didn’t want anyone to know where she was. Max had to think of a way to say she had heard from Victoria but that she didn’t know where she was and that she just wanted to be alone for a couple of hours.

“Hey Vic, I think we have to tell Kate something. She keeps texting me and calling and I know she won’t stop if I don’t answer. She will come looking for me. It will be a huge deal. I also think you should text Taylor and let her know you are okay. She was really worried about you” Max stated and Victoria just sighed and looked back at Max.

“I know you are right. I just don’t want to deal with it right now. You know, but I guess I should say something. Just tell Kate that you saw me and I told you that I am fine and that I just wanted to be alone and that I am ok. I will be back later. I will let Taylor know the same thing.” Victoria said as she pulled out her phone.

Both sat in silence as they sent their respected texts to their friends when Victoria’s phone chimed. Victoria looked at it and Max could see the different emotions playing across her face. Sadness, anger, hate, fear, surprise, and some Max couldn’t put a name to. Before Victoria could do anything, Max wrapped her arms around her. Trying her best to calm her down and maybe find out what is going on, but for right now, she was just going to hold Victoria.

Victoria tensed up when Max started to hug her and Max could tell that she wanted to pull away but she held tighter and started to say things like it was okay and that she was here and that she wasn’t alone. Victoria started to shake and then she started to cry and she crumbled into Max’s hug. Victoria seemed like she was trying to say something but it was muffled behind the sobs and honestly Max couldn’t make out anything she was trying to say. That was okay with Max, she would hang on till Victoria was ready.
They sat there like that for what seemed like forever, before Victoria handed her phone to Max. Max understood and saw that it was an email from some lawyers. It seemed like Victoria wanted Max to read the email and Max wanted to but she held back. She just held Victoria, not wanting to let go. She let Victoria know that she would wait until Victoria was ready and Victoria just nodded and snuggled into Max a bit more. Five minutes had passed before Victoria started to pull away. Max hated the loss of contact but she figured Victoria was ready to talk.

“It was my parents' lawyers that emailed, on behalf of my parents. Seems like they were too busy to check in on their only child. Whatever. It basically said that my parents are worried and that I would be safer away from Blackwell. They want to take me out of school and send me to some private one on the east coast. I can’t believe this. I mean they never once paid attention to me. Never really caring about my safety and all of sudden now they want to be in my life. Now they want to act like parents and not even actual parents. Seriously, who contacts their child through their lawyers. How hard is it to pick up the phone and call me? Not like they would. I have tried to call them, and all I get is their damn secretaries.” Victoria kept talking and getting angrier with every word. She even got up and started pacing. It started to make Max nervous.

Max just let Victoria vent for a few more seconds before she got up and again wrapped her arms around Victoria. Victoria stiffen but then relaxed into the sudden touch. Max held her for a few seconds before she let go and Victoria turned around.

“I’m sorry Vic, I don’t know what it is like to have to go through that. Though I do know we will have to do something, because you are not leaving Blackwell.” Max said and Victoria was shocked by what she said.

“Why would you want me to stay? Honestly, it might be better for everyone if I left…”Victoria didn’t get to finish speaking before Max cut her off.

“Stop that.” Max spoke with such conviction that it shut Victoria right up. “First off, no not everyone would be better off if you left. You have friends here Vic, and right now one of them is worried sick about you. Hell, even Kate is worried about you. I know that you apologized and that meant alot to Kate. She will forgive you if you give her the chance. Secondly,’ Max paused for a second before continuing’ I don’t want you to leave.” Max spoke the last part quietly. She really doesn’t want Victoria to leave, especially with all these new feelings.

“Wait, you personally don’t want me to leave. What do you mean Max? Please tell me.” Victoria questioned Max. Max could tell Victoria wanted an answer and Max didn’t know how to tell her she was having these feelings for her. Her head and heart were at war with each other trying desperately to take control of how Max could handle this. Her head was screaming that she needed to be strategic about how to handle this situation. She can’t just jump into anything without thinking about it. Her heart was basically saying jump. Her heart wanted to be with Victoria and it wanted it now. Max could see that Victoria was getting impatient and so Max made a decision and she hoped it was the right one.

Max didn’t say anything but she grabbed Victoria’s hand, and pulled her a bit closer. She looked up. Blue eyes met green. The world seemed to slow down. Not because Max was controlling it but because two people were lost in the eyes of each other. Max waited for any sign that Victoria didn’t want this or didn’t like where it was going but all she saw was wanting. Victoria wanted this and Max smiled as she leaned in. Her lips met Victoria’s and it was right.

Lips moved perfectly in sync and Max could feel Victoria tongue brush against her lips begging for entrance and Max was happy to oblige. She opened her mouth and Victoria tongue started to assault hers. Both Max and Victoria let out a small moan, and that just made them deepen the kiss more. What should have just been a small kiss, was now turning into a small makeout session. Max wanted more contact, so she started to let her hands roam up and down Victoria sides, slightly teasing the bottom of her shirt.

A sudden knock on the door caused them to pull apart. Max could see the disappointment in Victoria’s eyes as well as the we will talk about this later look. She knew they would talk about it later but damn was she at least happy it happened and it wasn’t a dream. Another knock pulled Max away from Victoria’s gaze.

“Who is it?” Max asked, still trying to catch her breath.

“It is Taylor, I just wanted to know where you saw Victoria earlier. She texted saying she was fine and wanted to be alone but I am worried about her and just want to help.” Taylor said through the door and Max could see the sadness in Victoria’s eyes. Max leaned over and kissed her softly.

“Don’t worry, I’ll tell her I saw you before you left campus and you didn’t tell me where you were going” Max whispered into Victoria’s ear. Victoria's eyes were wide due to the kiss but before Max could tell Taylor anything, Victoria got up and opened the door, to a shock Taylor and Kate.

“Hey sweet T, I’m okay. I just got back not long ago and wanted to talk with Max for a bit. I am fine I promise and we will talk later, and Kate, thank you for helping Taylor look out for me. She is a mother hen.” Victoria said. Both Taylor and Kate stood there shocked at seeing Victoria in Max’s room, but it didn’t last long before Taylor launched herself at Victoria, wrapping her in a hug.

“I swear Victoria, you better come and talk with me after this.” Taylor had tears streaming down her face. Victoria just nodded and stepped away, but she stiffened when Kate gave her a hug.

“Before you try and run off again, I want to tell you that I do forgive you Victoria. I know that we still have a long way to go but I do hope we will be friends.” Kate said to Victoria and Max could see the tears in her eyes. Victoria nodded into her Kate neck and was saying something that Max couldn’t hear but she could see Kate smiled and that made her smile. Hopefully everything will be okay now.

Victoria spoke with Taylor and Kate a bit longer as Max walked back into her room and was sitting on her bed as she thought about today. It didn’t go as expected but somehow it seemed better. Max hoped Chloe would be okay with how it was turning out and she also hoped she was with Rachel wherever they are. Max was lost in thought when Victoria sat down beside her and placed a hand on her arm.

“We have to talk about this, Maxine.” Victoria spoke softly.

“I know we do, and it is Max never Maxine. Also I know we have to talk about this, but I also just kinda want to let it happen. Maybe we can just talk about it tomorrow and just be in the moment now. Just the two of us and the best movie ever made.” Max said jokingly and it made Victoria chuckle.

“But before we do that, can I kiss you again? I really want to make sure this isn’t a dream….” Before Max could finish speaking, Victoria’s lips were on hers. It wasn’t a long kiss but it still left them breathless.

“You don’t have to ask to kiss me, and ok we can talk about this tomorrow. I also want to live in the moment just a little while longer.”

Max laid on the bed and pulled Victoria towards her, kissing her softly before pulling her laptop out again. Victoria was adamant that they will not watch the Final Fantasy movie. So they settled on watching One Piece. Victoria pressed a kiss onto Max lips and Max really wanted more but Victoria pulled away. Her forest eyes piercing ocean blue ones, the desire to go farther but the willpower to stop. They couldn’t go farther yet, because they needed to talk about things, about where this was going, and if it should go farther. Max pulled Victoria closer to her, nodding as she understood. One last kiss before they settled in and got lost in the world of One Piece.

Chapter Text

Victoria was struggling. The voices were screaming in her head. Screaming that this was a dream and that Max doesn’t care for her. That Max could never care for her. She shut her eyes tightly, doing everything she could to shut the voices up. She couldn’t tell anyone about them. She couldn’t. People would think she was crazy or worse. These damn voices that pound in her head day in and day out. Telling her she is worthless, that she doesn’t deserve anything good in life. Fuck these voices. Maybe she could tell Max. Max would understand. Would she? Victoria blinked away the tears. She did her best to focus on where she was now and who she was with.

Victoria was having a hard time believing where she was and how she got here. What started as a shitty day turned into probably one of the best days of her life. It all started because of Max. Hipster Max who is right now snuggling into her breast asleep. Victoria was struggling not to moan out as one of Max's hands was holding onto one of her breasts. A blush was spreading across Victoria's face as everytime Max moved, her hand squeezed her breast and a small pool was beginning to form between her legs. Victoria needed something else to focus on so she started to study Max face. She never really noticed but Max had freckles. Victoria started to count how many she could in the dimly lit room. She thought if Max was covered in freckles she would have to count them. Victoria's eyes suddenly got very big as she just realized she would have to see a naked Max to count the rest of the freckles.

Max moved slightly and her hand gave another squeeze as she did. Victoria was starting to wonder if Max was really awake and was doing this on purpose. If it wasn’t for the slight snoring to convince her Max was asleep, she probably wouldn’t do anything. She was enjoying the attention. Victoria still couldn’t believe that she was in Max's room and was cuddling. This day hasn’t been what Victoria thought it would have been. She felt the voices wanting to push through but she felt Max stir and her soft voice broke the silence.

“You are thinking way too loud right now, and that means something because I am a heavy sleeper.” Max spoke. Victoria smiled. The voices retreated into the back of her mind. Max kept them at bay and subconsciously she gripped Max tighter. She doesn’t want to tell Max what she is dealing with, but also she wants to spill everything. To tell Max about the voices and her struggling at just keeping them at bay. Maybe Max would understand, maybe.

Victoria could sense the shift in the air. Max was now sitting up and was staring at her. Waiting for Victoria to say something. Anything. Victoria could see the care and concern in Max’s eyes and it was in that moment that maybe just maybe she should tell Max the truth about everything. She hoped Max would understand. However, before either of them could talk, Victoria’s phone started to ring. It was Taylor. Victoria looked at Max with an apologetic look and answered her phone.

“You better have a good explanation on why you aren’t answering my text, or why you haven’t come over yet to talk. Seriously V, I was getting worried again.” Taylor's voice was elevated and layered with emotions, and Victoria felt bad. She did promise she would go and talk with Taylor, but she didn’t want to leave Max.

The voices started whispering their menacing words of betrayal and deceit but a gentle hand on hers pushed them back and Victoria looked up to see Max, smiling. Her blue eyes staring deeply into hers and Victoria felt a calmness wash over her. One day she will find out how Max does this but she needs to speak to Taylor. Before she could though, Max had grabbed the phone and was speaking before Victoria could react.

“Hey Taylor it is Max. Sorry for keeping Victoria but we started to watch a show and ended up passing out….” Max spoke and Victoria could only imagine what Taylor’s face looked like right now and what she would think. Max and Taylor seemed to talk for a little bit and it made Victoria uncomfortable since she didn’t know what they were talking about. Though before the voices started to rear their ugly voices in her mind, Max handed her her phone.

“Ok V you will explain all this in the morning, especially why you are staying with Max, but I’m just happy you are ok and that you aren’t alone. I love you V. See you in the morning” Victoria could hear the serious tone in Taylor’s voice and Victoria just responded with an ok and hung up, looking at Max with a perplexed look as she didn't understand how she got Taylor to back off so quickly. Taylor was one not to back off.

“Don’t think so hard about it Vic, I just said that I’ll keep an eye on you and that you will talk with her tomorrow morning sometime. I mean I guess you could go over now, but I just want you to stay here a bit longer. Maybe we can engulf you in hipster culture.” Max said jokingly trying to lighten the mood but Victoria could see the vulnerability in Max's eyes.

“Nothing and I mean nothing will ever get me to like, love or even tolerate your hipster trash, I mean seriously.” Victoria joked back.

“Well, I know you secretly like it, or you wouldn’t have stayed this long and I believe that this will keep you here for just a little while longer.” Max leaned over and kissed her tenderly. Victoria sighed into the kiss and started to pull Max closer to her.

Kissing Max was easy. Victoria never believed in soulmates or the concept of a ‘One True Love’ but with Max she could almost believe anything. This thought alone should have scared Victoria away but for whatever reason, it didn’t. She eventually pulled away to look into Max's eyes. Something about these cerulean blue eyes makes Victoria think of the ocean and how she feels at peace there. It is like all the problems, the hurt, the voices, are gone, looking into these blue eyes.

“Um Vic you are freaking me out with the staring lol. Do I have something on my face?” Max said with a chuckle. Victoria chuckled as well, but turned her head to hide the blush that was forming on her face. She needed to think of something to say.

“I was just thinking about how you seem to really like my boobs when you are asleep. Because you just kept wanting to squeeze them” Victoria tried hard to keep a straight face and not laugh as Max looked like a fish with wide eyes and her mouth opening and closing. Max was also blushing hard and Victoria noticed that it went down her neck and she wondered how far it went.

Max started to sputter and choke trying to find words and Victoria just laughed, like really laughed. She hasn’t laughed this way in a long time. The deep belly laugh that just courses through the body, and Victoria was loving it. The darkness that Victoria seemed to be in started to dissipate slowly. It was still there like the voices just not as prominent, or as loud.

This went on for a couple of minutes before Victoria stopped. She had tears in her eyes from laughing so hard and it felt amazing to finally be happy. Then it hit her. She was happy and she shouldn’t be. Everything is all was all fucked up and it was her fault. Nanthan going off the rails, her parents trying to take her away, Kate, fuck why does this have to happen now. Why can’t she just be happy for just a few minutes more. To enjoy Max’s company and not have these thoughts, these voices, these feelings, pulling her down into the void of darkness. She doesn’t want to fall into this pit of despair, she doesn’t. She can’t, not with Max here with her. Max, her Max, was still her. Holding her close, reminding her she isn’t alone anymore.

Victoria looked up and was met with those blue eyes. Those blue eyes that made everything better and in that moment she decided she wasn’t going to fall into that pit. Not when she had Max here. She hadn’t realized that Max was holding her hands and her thumb was gently rubbing across hers. Max was giving her time to talk if Victoria felt up to it and maybe she should. She can trust Max. She had to. It was getting worse and Victoria didn’t want to feel this way anymore. She hopes Max will understand and won’t think less of her.

“So, before we start I just want to say I hope whatever happens or what I sayI won’t run you off or anything, though I would understand if it did. I know that we didn’t have the best start here and that was my fault but I really hope you don’t leave,’ Max was going to cut her off when Victoria held up her hand to stop her ‘Please let me finish. I have suffered with this problem for a long time and it is hard for me to talk about it. I don’t know when it started but over the last week it has gotten worse. Ok here it goes, I have these voices in my head that scream at me. Make me feel like I am not worthy of anything. I have done a good job at keeping them quiet and at bay for the most part but this past week has been hell.” Victoria was trying not to cry as she spoke. She felt Max’s arms around her midsection and that is when she noticed that Max had moved behind her. Max was holding her, and was basically saying ‘I got you and I am not letting go.’

“I think they started when my parents stopped being around so much. Their work is important to them, so they were never home. The funny thing is two of the voices are them. I can hear them say that the reason they work so much is because they don’t want to be around me anymore. Another voice is Nathan’s. We had been friends for a while as our parents knew each other, but even after all that, I never saw he was losing it. I mean I noticed some of the changes but I just thought that was the pressure from his dad. His dad is a real hard ass. I never thought it was Mark Jefferson pushing him. The last voice is his. Mark Jefferson. It’s the new addition to the voices that torment me. I really admired him. I know what I was doing for attention we don’t have to talk about that, but ever since Mark was arrested and I found out I was next his voice racked my brain.” Victoria had a steady stream of tears falling down her face, and she could hear Max whispering something but she couldn’t make it out. She leaned back into Max and let herself just be for a few seconds before continuing.

“It is his voice that is the loudest that I hear. I think that scares me the most. It is HIS voice that is the loudest. His voice is telling me that I am unworthy. That he should have gotten to me sooner. That it was my fault that Kate ended up there. That I should have seen the signs. That I am nothing. That no matter what I do, no one will care or love me enough. That is all my fault.” Victoria started to spiral out and she probably would have gotten worse but it was as if the world stopped. Everything seemed to be moving slowly as if time had just froze. That was when she realized that Max was no longer behind her but in front of her. Her hands were on either side of Victoria’s face and she was just a couple inches away from her. Victoria could see the fire in her eyes and an anger that she didn’t think Max was capable of.

“You listen to me now Victoria Chase, I don’t care if you don’t listen to another word I ever tell you, but you will listen to this. DO NOT LET THAT FUCKER MARK JEFFERSON HURT YOU ANYMORE. It is not your fault. Nathan drugged Kate and took her there and yes you may have taken that stupid video, but you are not responsible for Nathan’s actions. No, you will let me finish. You have apologized to Kate and she has FORGIVEN you. So let that be enough and stop torturing yourself over it. Secondly, I don’t know anything about your parents and if I ever meet them I will have words, because no one should leave a kid like that. I don’t care who you are. Lastly people care about you Vic. Taylor definitely cares. I swear when we couldn’t find you, I thought she was going to call swat or something. She cares, and maybe now you can actually be a true friend and let her in, and not be a bitch all the time. You also may not believe it, but Kate cares as well. She was the one leading the whole ‘let's find Victoria’ crusade.” Max was breathless and she spoke and Victoria was in shock.

Max, who she was a bitch to, just stood in front of her countering everything the voices were telling her and she couldn’t believe that it was working. The downward spiral she was going through was dissipating with every word that Max said, but something was bothering Victoria. Max never said anything that she cared about her or anything. Some part of her was screaming that Max was with her. Right here and right now, not going anywhere. She just wanted to hear her say it. That is all she wanted in this moment, that Max cared for her.

“What about you Max? Do you even care? I know that we kissed and stuff but I remembered what you said. That you couldn’t forgive me. I am so stupid. I should have known that this was just some stupid….” before Victoria could even finish, a set of lips found hers and it sucked the breath out of her.

“I swear to dog Victoria Chase if you don’t get this through that big ass head of yours, I will beat it in you. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t care. Also, about what happened earlier, I let my anger do the talking and honestly you are not the only person I need to apologize to, and seriously, you think I just go around kissing everybody. Honestly, Vic, you are the only one I want. I don’t know when it started but it did and now all I can think about is you. You are invading every thought, every dream, everything and honestly it scares me. It scares me because it feels so right. Being with you right here and right now, feels right. Almost like I’m supposed to be here with you and I don’t want to be anywhere else. I can’t be now. Sorry but you are stuck with me.” Max said this and Victoria just stared at her with wide eyes. No one has ever said anything like this to her.

Victoria didn’t say anything. She just crashed her lips on Max. She needed Max and fuck she didn’t care that it was to soon or whatever, she needed to have Max. To feel, to touch, to hold, to love, to make love to, she just needed Max. Max seemed to not mind the sudden assault of Victoria lips on hers and Victoria was grateful that Max was objecting right now.

Victoria started to kiss her way along Max's jaw and neck, her hands were gripping her hips, one her legs was between Max legs slightly applying pressure at the center of Max. Victoria pulled back and she heard Max whine. Victoria smiled. She loved that Max didn’t want her to stop, but she needed to know that they were on the same page. Before she could ask though Max, Max spoke.

“Victoria, please don’t stop. I can’t stand this torture anymore. I need you please.” That was all Victoria needed before she started to kiss Max again. Victoria started to run her hands around the hem of Max's shirt waiting for permission to take it off and it didn’t take long for Max to pry off her shirt. Once the shirt was off, all bets were off. Clothing after clothing started to be discarded and before Victoria knew it, both her and Max were just in their panties.

Victoria had to reassure Max that she was beautiful and Max had to do the same with her, both being insecure with themselves but once they got over it, everything fell into place. This is how Victoria found out Max loved her ass. She was pretty sure Max said something along the lines of ‘I knew I would love this perky ass’ and of course it made her chuckle. Victoria liked Max’s breasts. They weren’t too big but were just perfect and she loved the sound Max made when she would take her nipple in her mouth and would gently suck at them, or when she would bite them, or twist them in her hand. It was here that she knew she never wanted to be anywhere else. She wanted to be with Max.

Max had flipped their position and was sucking at her nipples and Victoria really wanted Max to go lower now. She was ready and she needed Max to fuck her, or she was going to combust.

“Max I need you to fuck me right now. I can’t take it.” Victoria pleaded out and she saw the smile on Max’s face. This was going to be both their first and they both knew it was a learning curve with everything but they were ready, Victoria felt it and she could tell Max did too.

Max didn’t say anything but she started to make her way down. Kissing every inch she could. She started to kiss inside Victoria’s thigh inching closer to her center. Max started to pull down her panties slowly and Victoria could see she was enjoying torturing her. She was about to say something, before Max could taste her sweet center, a knock on the door pulled them out of it. Victoria heard Max growl. Like actually growling at the intrusion, at the interruption of this pleasure and it turned her on to hear Max do that.

“Who is it?” Max yelled out with the sound of irritation in her voice.

“Hey Max it is Warren, I just wanted to check on you as you haven’t responded to my text.” If Victoria could describe the look on Max face she would but the look in her eyes, the passion, the anger, it did things to Victoria and she wouldn’t wish she was Warren at the moment.

“I am fine Warren, I will talk with you later.” Max yelled back out and Victoria started to run her hand down Max's back trying to calm her down.

“O okay, well I wanted to know if you still had my flash drive. And if you wanted to watch something, or you know that I have my car, do you think you wanted…..’

“Seriously, Max said she was fine and that she will talk with you later, so just take the hint and just leave or do you just enjoy stalking her?” Victoria yelled out and she felt Max tense for a second and she wondered if she did the right thing but she felt her relax back into her.

Victoria could hear Warren stutter trying to find words to say but when he couldn't, he just left. However the mood was gone, and though both of them were disappointed that they couldn't finish both were content with holding one another. Maybe later they will finish what they started but for now, they will just hold on and let the world disappear.

Chapter Text

It is not a dream, it is not a dream, please let this not be a dream. A mantra that was repeating over in Max’s mind as she kissed every inch of Victoria’s body. From her lips, to her neck, to her perky and perfect breast, to her toned stomach, and her inside thighs. Max kissed, nipped, sucked, whatever she could before she got to her destination. She loved the way Victoria moaned, the way she arched her back, the way she would breathlessly say her name, and when she begged, dog when she begged, it would almost send Max into a feral state.

Max was ready to give Victoria what she needed, what she was craving, what she desperately wanted. She slowly started to remove the last article of clothing that was blocking her path when a knock on her door stopped all momentum. Max was seeing red. She actually growled at the interruption.

“Who is it?” she yelled out. She didn’t care that her voice was laced with anger. She was about to eat out Victoria and at that moment, that was all that mattered.

“Hey Max it is Warren, I just wanted to check on you as you haven’t responded to any of my texts.” Max couldn’t believe Warren right now. Seriously, if she wanted to talk with him she would have.

“I am fine Warren, I will talk with you later.” Max said firmly and with a bit of a bite. Max just wanted him gone and was not really wanting to deal with him. She felt Victoria start to rub her hand down her back trying to calm her down and it was working till Warren spoke again.

Honestly all Max could hear from him was blah blah blah. She just wanted to focus on Victoria. At that point though Warren’s voice was just annoying her. Max didn’t care what he was talking about, something about his flash drive and his car maybe, she didn’t know. She just wanted him gone. Before she could yell at him to leave her alone, Victoria yelled out.

“Seriously, Max said she was fine and that she will talk with you later, so take the hint and leave or do you just enjoy stalking her?” Max tensed up. She couldn’t believe Victoria would speak out. She sorta figured that Victoria might want to keep this quiet for now and only a few people would know what was going on, but maybe Victoria was okay with this so she relaxed back into Victoria touch.

Max could hear Warren and she could only imagine his face right now. She knows he is a good guy but like seriously he needed to take a hint that she was not interested in him. Once he finally left, Max knew that the mood was killed and they weren’t going any further tonight, she just shook her head and laid back down. Letting out a loud sigh. Victoria followed along and wrapped her arm around her midsection and tucked her head under Max’s chin.

“Well that was a real mood killer, like seriously, right when it gets good, that happens.” Victoria spoke out. Max chuckled.

“Yeah, I am going to have a serious conversation with him, after I apologize to him first. I kinda yelled at him this morning when I got back from the beach. Do not dare speak about it, like I said, I let my anger take over for me. It wasn’t your fault. But anyway, it is getting late and I know we are both tired. You just want to stay like this and sleep here.” Max asked awkwardly.

“We can stay like this. Honestly, I am just way too tired to get up, also I really like feeling you against me like this. The way you are holding me. I feel safe with you.” Victoria yawned and Max felt that it was time for them to finally fall asleep. It had been a long day and for Max even longer.

She may never get over seeing a lifeless Victoria. The feeling of heartbreak when she just stood there and heard Taylor scream. She was thankful for her rewind powers in that moment but she was fearful that it would lead to consequences later down the road. Whatever may come she would choose Victoria. She couldn’t lose her. She won’t let Victoria be another Chloe.

Max figured Victoria picked up on her mood change, as she was now propped on staring at her. Max just shook her head and pulled her into a kiss. They kissed for a few minutes, not pushing any further. The exhaustion from the day finally taking over.

Both were happy with holding each other and it wasn’t long before sleep finally overtook them. Both falling into a dreamless sleep as they held onto one another, almost as if they didn’t want to drift apart and wake up alone, and all of this be a dream that would never come true. They held on.

Max awoke first. The first light of the sun rays made its way into her room. It was too damn early for this. She almost would have believed yesterday was all a fever dream and none of it happened but here was Victoria, still wrapped around her. Max was still having a hard time believing that Victoria was in bed with her and that they almost had sex. It sent a shiver through her body. If Warren hadn’t shown up, they would have. The desire was so strong. The need to be satisfied and too satisfied took over every fiber of her being. Honestly, the more Max thought the more she realized she was grateful for Warren. They weren’t ready to take that next step yet. So much was going on and pushing into something they weren’t ready for might ruin it. When Max and Victoria finally take that next step, it will be perfect.

She couldn’t believe that she would have taken advantage of Victoria or maybe Victoria was taking advantage of her, or something. Fuck it was all messed up. Victoria had given her consent but it was in the heat of the moment, emotions were running high and maybe Max was having a hard time believing this was all real.

Max was lost in thought when she felt Victoria start to wake up. It scared her a little as she wasn’t paying attention, but she quickly recovered. She could hear Victoria mumble about something but she couldn’t make out what it was, when all of sudden Victoria shot straight up. Max had to catch herself as she was staring at the perky breast before her. Mentally cursing herself for staring.

“It really wasn’t a dream was it. It all happened and I am here.” Victoria stated as she turned around and faced Max. Max smiled. She thought the same things when she woke up as well.

“It was real, and yes you are here. I hope that is okay. We kind of just fell asleep after Warren left” Max replied and she noticed in the dimly sunlit room, the disappointed look that went across Victoria’s face.

“Fucking Warren, I swear why does everyone seem to have the worst timing.” Victoria aspirated out.

“Honestly Victoria, were we really ready to go that far? I mean emotions were running high and after everything that had happened between the beach and making sure you were okay and then you telling me about what you are going through, it just seemed like maybe we were rushing into it a bit.” Max could see the crestfallen face Victoria had and she quickly had to continue with what she was trying to say.

“Hey, I don’t regret it at all. Okay, I just want to do this right and not jump you right away. Don’t think for a second that I don’t want you or that I don’t find you attractive. Because you are sexy. Like a perfect sexy goddess that for some reason seems to like me back. I just want to take this slow, and when I finally make love to you, it will be what you deserve. Because you deserve everything.” Max finished her little speech when Victoria leaned over and kissed her.

“Max, no one has ever said things like that to me before and really meant it. This is all new for me and maybe you are right on the waiting part. I just, I really want you, and after what happened last night, and what you said just makes me want you even more. I don’t need perfect Max. I just need you.” Victoria finished speaking and a soft silence hung in the air.

Max didn’t say anything, she went against all logic that they should wait, and she straddled Victoria. She was staring into her eyes, looking for any hesitation. Victoria’s words ringing in her mind, I just need you. When she saw none, she went in for a kiss. It was just supposed to be a soft kiss, a gentle kiss that was just supposed to last a second or so. It wasn’t, it was a hard passionate kiss that stirred all the emotions in Max’s heart and stomach up. Max could feel it bubble up in her core with every moan, with every kiss, and with every touch. This was it. The moment in which there was no going back. Back of her mind Max knew they should stop.

“We should stop….” Max was cut off by Victoria’s lips.

“Max, I told you. I want you and I want this.” Victoria whispered in Max’s ear and Max's whole body shivered with excitement.

“Well I guess I can’t deny a beautiful lady what she wants” Max smiled as she pushed Victoria down.

Max started to suck on Victoria’s neck, bringing out the sexy moans Max loves to hear. She positioned her knee in between Victoria’s legs, trying to give her some friction before she tried to eat her out again. Hopefully this time with no distractions. Max made her way to Victoria’s breast. The soft marks from last night showing where all Max had been. She took a moment to admire her handy work before she continued her assault on the perky breast that she really loves. She took one of the nipples in her mouth and she sucked, bit, twisted, marked, before she moved to the next. Listening to Victoria moan her name pushing her to go farther. Fuck what she thought earlier, she was ready for this and she was ready to take with it Victoria. Max maneuvered her hand to Victoria's center. With one finger she teased Victoria’s clit, rubbing small circles. Victoria’s moans were getting louder with every touch and right before Max could enter her, Victoria’s phone rang out.

A Fuck, Dammit and Where is my fucking phone was heard as Victoria scrambled around trying to find her phone. Max heard Victoria say Taylor’s name and a string of colorful words before Victoria answered. Max sat back and watched Victoria and she saw the perfect opportunity to mess with her, just a little bit.

As Victoria was talking and trying to find her clothes, Max got up behind her and wrapped herself around her. She was on her tiptoes kissing and nibbling at Victoria’s neck. Max heard Victoria taking in a stuttering breath as she was trying to keep her composer making the mmmhmm and okays at whatever Taylor was saying. Max was having fun but before she could torture Victoria any more her phone rang.

Kate was calling. Max was grateful that Kate was still here. A flashback played back in Max’s mind standing on the roof trying to talk to Kate. to convince her not to jump off. She remembers how she failed. Max was lost in thought that she forgot to answer her phone. She just stared, the memory of Kate falling playing at the forefront of her mind. A memory only she will have, no one else will ever remember Kate killing herself. Max was so far down the rabbit hole that she didn’t realize a pair of arms around her.

“Hey, are you ok? You seem lost in thought there.” Victoria asked as she kissed Max's neck. Max snapped back to reality and just nodded her head. Not trusting her voice.

“I won’t press you to talk but when you are ready, I am here.” Victoria said before she let go. Max nodded again but she didn’t want Victoria to let go so she grabbed her hand keeping her there.

“Don’t let go yet, please.” Max pleaded. She heard Victoria say something but her phone started to ring again. This time Max answered.

“Hello.”

“Hey Max, are you ok? You didn’t answer the first time I called.” Kate asked and Max thought about the conversation she had with Kate yesterday when she was at the lighthouse. Seemed like forever ago.

“Yeah, sorry about that, I got distracted by something.” Max answered.

“By something, or someone?” Kate asked and Max could hear the smirk in Kate's voice. How could she possibly know, but before she answered Kate kept talking.

“I talked with Taylor last night so I know Victoria stayed over. Go shower, get dressed and you and I are going out for tea and we are talking. Okay?” Kate stated matter of factly and Max couldn’t do anything but agree. She could hear Victoria chuckle behind her.

When Max finally hung up she turned to face Victoria. Victoria was dressed in Max’s pink doe shirt and Max just smiled big. Something about seeing Victoria in her clothes was doing something to her. She was going to comment on it when Victoria beat her to it.

“I know what you are going to say and just don’t. I couldn’t find my shirt and this was the closest thing I could grab. Now if you excuse me, I’m heading to my room, to grab my things to go shower.” Victoria said and started to head towards the door. Max grabbed her before she could leave and kissed her hard. They kissed a few seconds before Max pulled back.

“First off that wasn’t what I was going to say. I was going to say that seeing you in my shirt was turning me on, and secondly, I will head with you to the shower. I have to shower as well before I head out with Kate, but later today do you mind meeting me at the lighthouse? I want to talk with you and that place is pretty secluded.” Max tone got very serious with the last part and she noticed that Victoria looked a little worried.

“Yeah, I can meet you there. Is everything okay?”Victoria asked and Max nodded her head.

“Yeah, it is just easier there and we won’t be interrupted.” Max started to grab her shower stuff and nudged Victoria towards her door, telling her to hurry up.

Once Victoria grabbed her things, they both headed to the showers. Not really caring if anyone saw them together or anything. Max thought of an idea as they walked into the shower area and so she waited for Victoria to start her shower and get in before Max followed behind her. Max waited about 3 minutes before she followed behind Victoria, startling her.

“Max what are you doing? Someone could come in.” Victoria whispered.

“Well, see here is the thing, showering together saves water and saving water is saving the environment, and if we are quiet, no one will know we are in here together.” Max smirked at Victoria before pushing her against the wall.

“Also, I just can’t get enough of kissing you. You are like a drug and I just need more of it. More of you. All of you.” Max said between kisses and Victoria moaned out a little.

“Max, I know I said earlier that our first time didn’t need to be perfect but I really don’t want a quickie in the shower…” Victoria's hand flew to her mouth to stop a loud moan escaping as Max had moved to her nipples.

“Victoria, I wasn’t going to go that far. I just wanted to have fun.” Max smirked again but suddenly that smirk was wiped off as Victoria spun them around and now had Max pinned to the wall.

“You have been torturing me all morning, Maxine, so I believe it is my turn.” Victoria started to kiss Max's neck and it had Max squirming. She should have known that Victoria would turn the tables on her.

“Fuck Vic.” Max breathed out as Victoria started on her breast. Taking one nipple in her mouth and using her hand to play with the other.

The hot water was cascading down as Victoria continued when they heard the door open. Max figured Victoria wanted to stop as she was worried about someone finding them but Victoria put her hand on Max's mouth and whispered in her ear.

“I need you to be quiet for me Maxine. Don’t want whoever that is to know that I have pinned against this wall. What would people think?” Max wasn’t ready for when Victoria finished speaking she started to rub her clit in soft slow circles.

Max had to bite her lip as she wanted to moan out Victoria’s name with every soft circle Victoria was doing. Torturing her as she had done to Victoria. A small sound escaped her lips as Max couldn’t hold it in and her hand shot to her mouth. Victoria stopped what she was doing worried if someone heard them.

“Hey, who is in there? Is everything ok?” The sound of Dana’s voice echoed in the bathroom.

“Yeah sorry about that Dana. Got some soup in my eye.” Max breathed out. Victoria had stopped her torture, Max was disappointed but also greatful that she stopped. Victoria was right that their first time needed to be in a better position than the bathroom shower.

Max and Victoria waited for Dana to leave and with what seemed like forever Dana shouted goodbye and left. They waited for a few more seconds before bursting out laughing.

“That was close, but fuck that was worth it. For all the torture you subjected me to this morning and last night, feels good to get some payback.” Victoria said in between the laughter.

“Well, I will happily take any punishment you think is appropriate for all the trouble I caused.” Max retorted back rather seductively. She saw where Victoria's eyes went dark with lust at the thought of what Max just said and something in Max turned on. The thought of Victoria punishing her really really turned her on, but they didn’t have the time to explore whatever this was.

“Vic, we can’t continue this right now. We have friends we need to see and I know for a fact they will come after us if we decide to bail.” Max said. She could see a flicker of disappointment in those forest green eyes but before Max could continue Victoria gave her a quick kiss and spoke.

“Yes, I know. We will finish what we started, barring any interruptions, we should finish up and get ready.” Victoria finished washing up and walked out. Max quickly hurried up and washed up and followed Victoria out, but it seemed Victoria was already gone.

Max hurried out of the bathroom and walked, maybe ran a little, to Victoria’s room. She knocked and waited for an answer. With what seemed like forever, Victoria opened the door and before she could speak, Max was pushing her way through.

“Ok I don’t know what happened and if I did something wrong…” Max didn’t get to finish as Victoria was kissing her and kissing her hard. When Victoria pulled back, Max could see something in Victoria’s eyes but it was hard to describe. Max couldn’t think hard on it before Victoria spoke.

“I’m sorry you didn’t do anything wrong. You have been perfect. I didn’t mean to walk out like that but I had to. I couldn’t keep looking at you all naked and wet because I wanted to fuck you right then and there and I rather our first actual time not be in a shower. So, I had to walk away.” Victoria said

“Ahh ok that makes more sense now. I know I have a hard time with this as well. I want to have sex with you, but you are right. Though I think we have had this conversation multiple times this morning. Anyway, we should probably finish getting ready before our friends send a search party out for us. Also don’t forget to meet me at the lighthouse later today.” Max said.

“Yeah you are right and I won’t forget. I promise.”

With everything said, both agreed to get ready in their own rooms. Max did try and grab her doe shirt but Victoria said she would wash it and Max saw Victoria place it on her chair. They did makeout for a few minutes before Max left to her own room, but Max was addicted to Victoria and was having a hard time wanting to leave. It honestly was scaring her with how much she wanted to be with Victoria. It also scared her that with the conversation she wanted to have with her later might scare her off, but it is a conversation they needed to have. She just hopes that Victoria will understand. She won’t lose Victoria. She can’t. Victoria will not be Chole. She won’t be.

Chapter Text

Victoria couldn’t believe what was happening. It all seemed like a dream, or maybe this was a nightmare that was just disguising itself as a dream. Just waiting for the right moment to rip the happiness she was feeling. It was like waiting for the other shoe to drop and Victoria would be right back in the hellish nightmare she was in before Max. The voices started to crawl their way into her mind, trying to tear her down but Victoria pushed back and wasn’t going to let them win. Not today at least. She kept her focus on Max and the events that happened.

Victoria kept playing the events of yesterday in her mind. She never thought in a million years that Max would want her. That Max wanted her in any way shape or form. The image of naked Max on top of her was playing in her mind and a blush was forming across her body. Her stomach started to tighten and her heart started to flutter. They almost had sex and if it wasn’t for all the damn distractions, they probably would have.

Victoria thought about it for a second. Was she ready to have sex? Did she want to have sex right now? Was it healthy for her to go down this road? She started to think about how Max's hands were so gentle with her, how she made sure Victoria was ok with going forward and the more she thought about it. The more she realized that if she was going to have sex, she was glad it would be with Max.

Victoria wondered what sex with Max was like and if she would be any good at it. She hasn’t ever had sex before, despite what all the rumors say. Victoria never felt like she wanted to take that next step with anyone, well until Max. She really hopes that when they are able to take that step, it will be perfect. However, now that her emotions have come down they probably should wait. It is the smart thing to do. Right?

Victoria's phone buzzed on her bed and it pulled her from her thoughts. Victoria figured it was probably Taylor letting her know that she was about to come bursting through her door, and that she was probably with Courtney. She debated on whether to text her back or just leave it alone. She decided on texting her back just to let her know that she was alone and ready when she was. She also sent a message to Max, thanking her for everything. It didn’t take long before her phone started ringing and she saw Max's name come across the screen.

“Hello?” Victoria asked. Wondering why Max would be calling her right now.

“Hello Vic” Max said cheerfully. “This bus ride is boring and I found myself thinking about you.”

“Well, I guess great minds do think alike as I was just thinking about you” Victoria responded back. A slight smile was starting to form. She heard Max chuckle a little and Victoria's heart started to beat just a little bit faster.

“Well, what were you thinking about?” Max asked with a bit of playfullness in voice.

“Just about last night and this morning, and how much a few hours can change everything.” Victoria replied back, and she tried to keep her voice from cracking. If it did, Max didn’t say anything. She just hummed in response and was about to say something when a knock at Victoria’s door pulled her attention.

“Hey sorry Max but it does seem like Taylor just got here, so I better go.” Her voice sounded of sadness at having to say goodbye to Max.

“Hey Vic, this isn’t goodbye you know. You don’t have to sound so sad.” Max chuckled. “It is actually perfect timing as I just arrived at the tea shop so I’ll talk with you later. Remember to go to the light house later. Bye.” With that she hung up.

Victoria was lost in thought when another knock hit her door. Louder and harder than before.

“Who is it?” Victoria called out knowing full well who was knocking but wanted to mess with her friends just a bit.

“Who is it? Bitch it is Taylor and Courtney. Your best friends. The people that are supposed to be coming over. Who else would it be?” Taylor yelled out with a bit of annoyance laced in her voice, and it made Victoria chuckle.

“Well excuse me if I was a bit confused on why you knocked. Usually you bitches just burst in like you own the place.” Victoria yelled back.

The door opened and in walked Taylor and Courtney. A smile plastered on Taylor’s face and a look of confusion on Courtney’s. She figured Taylor hadn’t told Courtney what was going on so this will be interesting.

“Um excuse you, but who are you calling bitches. I am a fucking delight and you should bask in my presance.” Taylor said as she walked in. plopping down on Victoria’s bed as if in fact she owned the place.

“If I remember correctly, you called me a bitch first and you forgot the queen bitch at that, second if the shoe fits baby girl. I just call it like I see it” Victoria quip back.

This went on back and forth between the three of them and by the end of it all of them were doubled over laughing. Victoria missed this. She was so caught up in what had happened this past week that she forgot that others were suffering from all this as well. She forgot that they need to lean on each other.

The voices that had plagued her mind all her life were trying to fight to get her attention, to remind her why she didn’t deserve Taylor and Courtney’s friendship. Trying to tear her down from the happiest she was feeling right now.

Victoria shook the thoughts from her head as a ping from her phone snapped her out of her daze. Courtney and Taylor were still laughing, so Victoria checked her phone to see a message from Max. A smile spread across her face as she read the message.

Hey Vic, I mist you. :) (A picture of Max sitting with Kate drinking tea watching the mist roll off the ocean)

Victoria chuckled as her smile grew bigger as she sent a reply. A small tingle in the back of her mind wondered how Max knew she needed something like this, but as quickly as it came quickly as it went away. She wasn’t aware that Taylor was watching her closely now.

“Okay now V, I don’t have to guess who's got you smiling right now. I want the deets.” Taylor was now focused on Victoria, all the laughter that once filled the room, stopped.

“Ok, T. What do you want to know?” Victoria asked with a slight roll of her eyes.

“Well, I want to know how you ended up with Max? Why not come and talk with me?” A hint of sadness was placed in Taylor’s question, but before Victoria could answer, Courtney chimed in.

“Max? Max who? Do I know him? Does he go here?” Courtney was spewing off question after question, and it took Taylor slamming her hand over Courtney’s mouth to shut her up.

“First, shut up please. Second, we are talking about our very own resident hipster Maxine Caulfied.” Taylor explained. Courtney's eyes went wide as she gawked at Victoria.

“Wait, You mean that you, Victoria Chase, President of the Vortex club, queen bitch of Blackwell stayed the night with Lamefield.” Courtney said with a puzzling look on her face.

“First off, Courtney it is Caulfield not Lamefield and secondly, yeah I did. I didn’t have a good day yesterday with all that is going on. I kinda lost it, you know, with everything and I wasn’t in a good headspace and Max was just there. I know that I could have come to you Taylor or you Courtney but honestly, I didn’t know how.” She stopped Taylor from chiming in. “Please, let me finish. I love you both but I also know that I have been a pretty shitty friend. I have treated both of you badly and for that I am sorry.” Victoria took a breath. Tears were starting to form in the corner of her eyes.

She looked back at Taylor and Courtney and they just stared at her. Shocked, confused, lost for words just sitting there, frozen, not knowing what to say.

Victoria just waited and waited for what seemed like hours but probably only a few seconds before Taylor launched herself into Victoria.

“You listen and you listen good Victoria Chase, yes you may have been bitch to us but you were never a shitty friend. When my mom got sick, it was you that helped me through it. You still are. Anytime that I want to go and see her, you offer to pay. Anytime I need to vent, you are the one that will listen to everything and anything I say. You are one of my best friends and I love you too.” Taylor had finished her mini tangent and now it was Victoria’s turn to be stunned silent. Yes, she did all those things and she would do it again just for Taylor to be with her mom during this time. Victoria may not have a close relationship with hers but Taylor loves her mom more than anything. Before Victoria could respond with anything Courtney chimed.

“Honestly Victoria, you really were only shitty to us in public. Never when we were alone. That is when we get to see the real you. The kind, caring and funny person that I get to call my best friend.” Courtney finished and Victoria was once again left speechless.

The voices that were trying to push into Victoria’s mind were slammed shut as Taylor and Courtney held onto Victoria as tears started to pour down her face. All this time she let the voices beat her down, tell her she wasn’t worth her friends, wasn’t worth their love, but here they were. Holding her tight and letting her know that she wasn’t alone, and for once she let herself fall into her friend's love and let it ground her.

What a crazy couple of days it has been. With Max pretty much saving her life and now her friends here holding her down as if they weren’t she would fly away. The rest of the morning and early afternoon saw Victoria and her friends talking about everything. From Nathen, to Jefferson, to Max and where that is going. Through tears, laughter, hugs and confessions, Victoria felt lighter and was looking forward to the meeting with Max later. A smile formed its way onto her face and Taylor and Courtney teased her and fuck did it feel good.