Arcadia Ink Max Caulfield X Reader (Life is strange)

Part 2 more metal than a junkyard

Steve's place was starting to feel a little more like home after a few days. I'd unpacked my things, filling the small room he'd set aside for me with my art supplies, a couple of posters, and a few personal mementos. It wasn't much, but it felt good to have a space that was mine.

One evening, while I was arranging my paints on a makeshift shelf, Steve came in and leaned against the doorframe, watching me with a grin.

"Man, you've changed a lot since that summer camp," he said, shaking his head. "Look at you, all inked up and everything."

I laughed, glancing down at my arms. My left arm was covered in a full sleeve of tattoos, each one a piece of my story. There were flowers intertwined with lyrics from my favorite songs, a portrait of my mom, and abstract designs that represented different phases of my life. My right arm had a few tattoos scattered here and there—an anchor on my wrist, a small bird near my elbow, and a couple of others..

"Yeah, guess I went a little crazy with the tattoos," I said, shrugging.

"Nah, they suit you," Steve replied. "You always were the artsy type. Remember when you tried to teach me how to draw and I ended up with a stick figure that looked like it got run over?"

I chuckled, the memory bringing a smile to my face. "Yeah, I remember. You weren't that bad, though."

Steve laughed, shaking his head. "You're too nice. So, what's the story behind all the ink?"

I paused, looking at my arms. "A lot of it is just...pieces of me. Things I've been through, things I love. Like this one," I pointed to a small heart on my left wrist. "Got this after my first heartbreak. Thought it would hurt less than the actual thing. Turns out, tattoos can be pretty damn painful."

Steve nodded, his eyes serious for a moment. "I get it. Life leaves marks on all of us, one way or another. Yours just happen to be more visible."

"And more colorful," I added with a grin.

He laughed again. "True that. Oh, and what's with the piercings? You've got more metal in you than a junkyard."

I touched the small hoop in my septum and the studs in my ears, including the helix piercing. "Just felt like it, I guess. It's part of who I am now."

"Yeah, I see that," Steve said, squinting at my ear. "What's that one called again? The Helioux or something?"

"Helix," I corrected, laughing. "Close enough."

Steve shook his head, still smiling. "You're a badass, Y/N. I always knew you'd do something cool with your life."

"Thanks, Steve," I said, feeling a warmth in my chest. "And thanks for letting me crash here. It means a lot."

"Anytime," he replied. "Now, come on, let's grab some dinner. There's a place down the road that does killer burgers."

"Sure thing," I said, grabbing my jacket. As we got into Steve's truck, I couldn't help but feel a bit curious about the burger place he was talking about.

We drove through the quiet streets of Arcadia Bay, and I was surprised when we pulled up to the familiar neon sign of the Two Whales Diner.

"Here we are," Steve said, parking the truck. "Best burgers in town."

I laughed. "I've already been here. This place is great."

Steve grinned. "Good to know you've got good taste. Come on, let's get inside."

The bell above the door jingled as we stepped into the diner. The same middle-aged woman with kind eyes and a warm smile greeted us from behind the counter. Her face lit up with recognition when she saw me.