Arcadia Ink Max Caulfield X Reader (Life is strange)

Part 16 Labeled

Things had finally started to settle down, or at least as much as they could after everything that had happened. Steve was home, and while he was still adjusting to being back, there was a sense of progress. His strength was slowly returning, and while he had his moments of struggle, I could see the fire in him that had always been there—the determination to push forward, to not let anything keep him down. It was reassuring to see, and it gave me hope that things could return to some kind of normalcy.

But there was something else that had been weighing on my mind, something that had been quietly building between me and Max. After everything we'd been through—after all the support, the late-night talks, and those moments of intimacy—I felt like we were in a good place, but we had never really talked about what we were. We had kissed, cuddled, shared secrets, and comforted each other, but we hadn't put a name to it, and I could feel the need for that conversation bubbling up inside me.

So, I decided it was time to take the plunge. I wanted to show Max how much she meant to me, and I wanted us to have a proper conversation about where we stood. The idea of surprising her with a romantic evening felt like the perfect way to do it. And with Steve's blessing, I decided to set everything up at his place.

The day of the date, I woke up early, excitement and nerves twisting in my stomach. I spent most of the morning and early afternoon cleaning up the house, making sure everything was perfect. Steve had decided to spend the night with a friend, giving us the entire place to ourselves, which was exactly what I needed.

I wanted everything to be just right. I wanted Max to feel special, to know how much I cared about her. The living room became the centerpiece of my plans. I moved the furniture around, creating a cozy little nook with blankets and pillows on the floor in front of the fireplace. Candles lined the mantle and coffee table, casting a warm, flickering glow over the room. The scent of vanilla and lavender filled the air, calming and inviting.

The kitchen was another area that required my attention. I wasn't exactly a master chef, but I knew my way around a few dishes. I decided on a simple yet elegant menu—roast chicken with rosemary and garlic, mashed potatoes, and roasted vegetables. For dessert, I picked up some of Max's favorite pastries from the Two Whales Diner. I knew she loved them, and it was a small, personal touch that I hoped she'd appreciate.

As the evening approached, I took a quick shower and dressed in something a little nicer than my usual attire. Nothing too fancy, just a button-up shirt and jeans, but it felt special. I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to tame it into something presentable, and checked the time. Max would be arriving soon, and the anticipation was starting to get to me.

I checked the living room one last time, making sure everything was in place. The fire was crackling softly in the fireplace, casting a golden glow over the room. The candles were lit, filling the space with a warm, inviting ambiance. The table was set, and the food was ready to go. Everything was perfect, or as perfect as I could make it.

Just as I was finishing up, I heard a knock at the door. My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly made my way to the entrance, taking a deep breath to steady my nerves. When I opened the door, there she was—Max, looking as beautiful as ever.

She was dressed casually, in her usual style—jeans and a cute top, her short brown hair falling perfectly around her face. But there was something about her tonight, something that made my heart race. Maybe it was the way her eyes lit up when she saw me, or the soft smile that played on her lips. Whatever it was, it made me feel like the luckiest person in the world.

"Hey," I greeted her, trying to keep my voice steady despite the butterflies in my stomach.

"Hey," she replied, her smile widening as she stepped inside. "Wow, this looks amazing, Y/N. Did you do all this?"