(A/N) Psst...Listen to the song above if you'd like to, I highly suggest listening while reading this part. It's a Life Is Strange inspired to song I found on YouTube. It just made me think about this part so I added it in here in hopes of sharing it with future readers. Hopefully you enjoy it along with this next chapter.
Chloe's POV
I pulled the rusted out pickup into the entryway of the junkyard and parked it near a pile of neglected furniture. The pile reminded me of something that once was, but ceased to exist in the minds of those who had once loved them. It reminded me of myself, having been abandoned and thrown away to rot by so many people who I trusted the most. I killed the ignition and unbuckled before opening my door and hopping out. Max did the same, but at a slower pace since she decided to fumble around in her bag for her camera before getting out. Once she had finally snatched up the camera from the depths of her messenger bag, she slammed the passenger door shut, jumping a little at the sound. I loved her quirky little movements and dorky persona. It made my heavy heart feel lighter every time she did something clumsy without intending to. My little dork and mine alone.
"So, where to?" Max asked out of nowhere, making my thoughts fade into nothing but memories of those thoughts. I looked back at her and grinned. "I think you should pick. I know this dung heap better than the back of my hand. It would be pointless if I chose." Max gave a little shrug of agreement and walked past me. I followed the beautiful being, wondering where the hell she'd take me. For me, noticing a neglected object told a lot about a person. Out of all the junk in this place, what would Max choose to find beauty in despite it being someone else's trash?
We walked almost the entirety of the junkyard before I decided to speak up. "You're that indecisive, huh?" I inquired. A sound like the tinkling of gleaming silver bells erupted before me. It was Max's melodic laughter. "Don't worry, I know just the place." she replied. My heart seemed to drop into the pit of my stomach and then bounce right back up into my ribcage. Yep, I was still in love with her. Even after those five years spent without her.
Max's POV
Smiling, I lead Chloe to the railroad tracks behind the junkyard and stopped dead in my tracks, making the girl behind me bump into me. She made the same "Oof!" sound as earlier when I had chucked that can of hairspray at her. I still felt terrible beyond belief for that. "Okay, miss Price. Voila!" I said, gesturing to the tracks with mock elegancy. "Nice pick, girly. I've gotta hand that to you for sure." she replied, lowering herself into a sitting position with her legs stretched out in front of her. I sat down across from her with my legs stretched outwards as well and intertwined them with hers, just wanting to feel close. I pulled out my camera and snapped a shot of Chloe as she smiled for the photo while flipping me the bird, being the best model a photographer could ever fathom asking for.
I set the camera aside delicately, as not to damage my pride an joy and looked at Chloe who had already been staring at me. She looked away for some reason and I noticed that she had suddenly gathered immense interest in a pine needle lying nearby. I chuckled a little and held my gaze on the blue haired beauty, smiling like an idiot. The neutral look on her face and the way she picked up the little pine needle made my heart sing louder than my voice ever possibly could. "Chloe?" I asked, trying to get her attention. Her head shot up quickly, almost too quickly at the sound of my voice. "Yes, Max?"
I looked up at the overcast sky above us, wondering what it would be like to fly away hand in hand with Chloe someday. "Why did you choose this place as a safe haven?"
Chloe's POV
Max's question was like an arrow to the chest, for it was something that I had never thought of before. "I don't know...it was just a place I could relate to when nobody else could give me solace." I gazed into her shining blue eyes from where I sat, fighting the urge to wander within them until I got lost. God, I could get lost in them and never want to be found because I would finally feel at home. "But honestly," I shifted my body into a more comfortable position, still making sure that my legs were tangled with Max's as we sat together on the railroad tracks. "Even this place doesn't make me feel at peace." The girl before me changed expressions from one of curiosity to one of immense interest. "Why not?" she asked me. I broke eye contact and looked back down at the pine needle that I had been twirling around between my thumb and forefinger. "Want the truth or a lie?" I replied. Max leaned closer to me, and rested a hand on my leg tenderly. "The truth, Chloe." she said.
I sighed and swallowed, preparing myself to say what I was about to.
"Because it isn't you."
Max's POV
I stared at Chloe speechlessly. She really felt that way...and the way she said it gave me the impression that it's been bottled up within her for years upon years. Perhaps it truly had. "Wowzer..." I said ever so softly. The silly word made me feel unintelligent, but of course, I was at a loss. How does one even respond to something that sincere? Chloe's face was flushed with a deep shade of pink, making mine burn with the same intensity as hers. "C-Chloe... I don't know what to say..." I sputtered. She shook her head and held up her hand as to cut me off. "You don't have to and I didn't expect you to...But I think it's my turn to ask you a question, Max."
I nodded my head. "Yes, you deserve to. Please, ask away."
"If your soul was something like an actual object, where would you put it to keep it safe?"
My eyes widened in wonderment. It was one of the most beautiful sentences I had ever had the pleasure of hearing. And somehow, I knew the exact answer within a matter of seconds. One that was true to my heart and would make me feel light in this moment, if not forever.
"I would give it to you to protect." I replied.
Before I knew it, my lips were touching something soft. Hers.
Chloe's POV
I thrusted myself towards Max and took her face in my hands before gently placing my lips on hers. That was the only response I could give her. I felt her body tense up at first, but as I kept my lips planted on hers, she began to ease up. Her hands were suddenly around my middle, pulling me closer to her as she began to kiss me back, moving her lips in sync with my own. Our mouths caressed each other rhythmically as we shared this intimacy with one another. The kiss was long and thoughtful, filled with both delicacy and passion.
I slowly pulled away and looked into her eyes which looked as if they possessed a sky full of the brightest stars. "Chloe..." she whispered breathlessly. I pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her. "Max Caufield, I've loved you from the moment I met you. And even though we were separated for those five years, I still held on to you even though you never contacted me once. But I didn't care, you were mine and still are. That is, if you want to be mine...I won't hold you hostage in a place you don't want to be. What I need you to know, Max, is that you bring me solace...you're my home."
Max's mouth opened in closed a few times as if she were about to say something. I smiled and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear ever so gently, as not to startle the little doe girl. "Shh...there's no need to say anything now..." I told her in a hushed voice.
Max's lips were parted slightly as she continued to stare at me in absolute wonderment. "I love you, Chloe Price." she whispered.
