Max Caulfield (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
mypartnerintime) wrote2025-11-12 12:00 pm
mypartnerintime) wrote2025-11-12 12:00 pm
[Entranceway IC Inbox]
[Her voice is light and cheerful on the pre-recorded message.]
Do the thing!
Do the thing!
An event.
[Chloe's voice becomes flat but doesn't lose its edginess.
She considers Max for a while before turning her back to her and keeping her arms folded. Yes, Wonderland and its fucked up events. Of course. By now, she is all too familiar with these psycho events. How could she forget? Flashes of it fill her mind, but they're all rather hazy.
Did she really think that Max would willingly walk out on her? Now? After everything that's happened? Of course not. It was all because of Wonderfuckingland. Screw this place.
Chloe is just about ready to let this go when a realization hits her. Still turned away from Max, Chloe speaks after a while, in the same cool level tone.]
So are you telling me that your default answer to things is to leave me when things get rough?
[Chloe's voice becomes flat but doesn't lose its edginess.
She considers Max for a while before turning her back to her and keeping her arms folded. Yes, Wonderland and its fucked up events. Of course. By now, she is all too familiar with these psycho events. How could she forget? Flashes of it fill her mind, but they're all rather hazy.
Did she really think that Max would willingly walk out on her? Now? After everything that's happened? Of course not. It was all because of Wonderfuckingland. Screw this place.
Chloe is just about ready to let this go when a realization hits her. Still turned away from Max, Chloe speaks after a while, in the same cool level tone.]
So are you telling me that your default answer to things is to leave me when things get rough?
Edited 2016-08-19 14:26 (UTC)
[And there it is- the idea she was hoping desperately that Chloe wouldn't come up with. All the facts of the event arr pretty bare, and at the end of it all Max had proven she would run away. She would leave Chloe.
But that's not fair. That wasn't really her- it was a different Max, with new memories, new motives... new priorities.
How does she even begin to explain something like that? The right words just won't come to mind. It's frustrating as hell... and she knows that a few seconds' delay will just agitate Chloe even more.]
I swear that's not true. Chloe...
But that's not fair. That wasn't really her- it was a different Max, with new memories, new motives... new priorities.
How does she even begin to explain something like that? The right words just won't come to mind. It's frustrating as hell... and she knows that a few seconds' delay will just agitate Chloe even more.]
I swear that's not true. Chloe...
[Same tone, same action, same feelings. Absolutely no change at all. Because what Max just said doesn't do shit to make Chloe feel better.]
You have a funny way of showing it, Max Caulfield. It's freaking Seattle all over again.
You have a funny way of showing it, Max Caulfield. It's freaking Seattle all over again.
[Max shakes her head vigorously, even if Chloe can't see it.] I didn't choose to leave for Seattle, okay? [She sounds almost like she's pleading.] I wasn't thinking straight. I couldn't... remember everything. Like Wonderland, you, all the promises... it was all messed up.
[Part of her wants Chloe to turn around so she can look her in the eye, but another part is scared of what expression Chloe would be wearing.] I'd never do that to you- not here, not after everything we've been through.
[Part of her wants Chloe to turn around so she can look her in the eye, but another part is scared of what expression Chloe would be wearing.] I'd never do that to you- not here, not after everything we've been through.
I thought so too.
[Chloe turns and makes her way to the bedroom door. She doesn't need-- want-- to hear this right now.
Or ever, really. Enough of this BS abandonment crap. Chloe's just refusing to process Max leaving. Whether it was because of an event or not, it doesn't fucking matter. It still hurts like hell.
Beer, cigarettes, anything to just numb the pain. Those are what I need now.]
[Chloe turns and makes her way to the bedroom door. She doesn't need-- want-- to hear this right now.
Or ever, really. Enough of this BS abandonment crap. Chloe's just refusing to process Max leaving. Whether it was because of an event or not, it doesn't fucking matter. It still hurts like hell.
Beer, cigarettes, anything to just numb the pain. Those are what I need now.]
[Wha- no, no, no she's leaving, she's heading for the door, she can't because Max still has to make her understand-
Stupid, stupid- can't find the right words, never can, it's just so hard for Max to explain this sort of thing... and it seems like a heartfelt I love you won't cut it this time. Her chest feels tight- all that frustration and anger at herself building inside her.
She tries to block Chloe from leaving, tries to throw her arms around the other girl in a tight hug.]
I'm- I'm sorry, I just- that wasn't me, Chloe... you have to believe me, p- please.
Stupid, stupid- can't find the right words, never can, it's just so hard for Max to explain this sort of thing... and it seems like a heartfelt I love you won't cut it this time. Her chest feels tight- all that frustration and anger at herself building inside her.
She tries to block Chloe from leaving, tries to throw her arms around the other girl in a tight hug.]
I'm- I'm sorry, I just- that wasn't me, Chloe... you have to believe me, p- please.
[Chloe stops moving for a while and stands still as she feels Max's arms tighten around her. She doesn't return the hug, but she doesn't pull away either. She's been left so many times, hurt so many times, that she just doesn't want to deal with any of it anymore.
Maybe that's why she didn't answer Max's call during the event. Chloe just couldn't bear being on the other side of that phone, all alone and away from the one person that mattered to her.
And now that person's in front of her, hugging her like there's no tomorrow. Tomorrow... What if Max leaves again tomorrow? Can Chloe still handle the pain? How many times does she have to be left alone before the world finally stops bullying her?
She's over the edge now. A bit more and it'll push her right out the door. But Chloe loves Max. To the moon and back. And right now, that's the only thing rooting her to this spot.
She takes a hold of Max's arms and pulls away gently so she can look at her face.]
Tell me why I should believe you. Give me one good reason why I should believe that you wouldn't choose to leave me again.
Maybe that's why she didn't answer Max's call during the event. Chloe just couldn't bear being on the other side of that phone, all alone and away from the one person that mattered to her.
And now that person's in front of her, hugging her like there's no tomorrow. Tomorrow... What if Max leaves again tomorrow? Can Chloe still handle the pain? How many times does she have to be left alone before the world finally stops bullying her?
She's over the edge now. A bit more and it'll push her right out the door. But Chloe loves Max. To the moon and back. And right now, that's the only thing rooting her to this spot.
She takes a hold of Max's arms and pulls away gently so she can look at her face.]
Tell me why I should believe you. Give me one good reason why I should believe that you wouldn't choose to leave me again.
[Okay... Chloe hasn't left. That's good, and Max should be relieved, but she instead feels slight panic at Chloe's bombshell of a question.
What can she say? I love you seems kind of hollow- even though it's not, it's definitely not. Max has never loved anyone like this.
Maybe Max should kiss her, a kind of long, hard kiss that does so much more than words- but that's so sappy. And Chloe might get even more pissed....
I promised would flat in the face of the event. And an I don't know would just push Chloe out the door.]
I-
[Moments tick by. Max has nothing, no proof. Nothing smart to say.]
I...
[Something starts to bend inside her- all the walls she'd built ever since her last rewind, ever since Nathan pulled the trigger.
And words start tumbling out.]
I c-can't lose you again, Chloe. You don't- know what it was like, after the storm... You don't know what it was like here, waiting for you to arrive... Or even just- just thinking about everything I've screwed up so much.
[God she's fucking crying again. But it's so hard to even care.]
I can't leave you, Chloe, because I- I think I kind of... need you.
[Because I've gotten torn up so badly- and right now there's just one thing holding me together.]
And if I didn't have you, if I lost you again, I- don't know what I'd be like. But I wouldn't be okay.
What can she say? I love you seems kind of hollow- even though it's not, it's definitely not. Max has never loved anyone like this.
Maybe Max should kiss her, a kind of long, hard kiss that does so much more than words- but that's so sappy. And Chloe might get even more pissed....
I promised would flat in the face of the event. And an I don't know would just push Chloe out the door.]
I-
[Moments tick by. Max has nothing, no proof. Nothing smart to say.]
I...
[Something starts to bend inside her- all the walls she'd built ever since her last rewind, ever since Nathan pulled the trigger.
And words start tumbling out.]
I c-can't lose you again, Chloe. You don't- know what it was like, after the storm... You don't know what it was like here, waiting for you to arrive... Or even just- just thinking about everything I've screwed up so much.
[God she's fucking crying again. But it's so hard to even care.]
I can't leave you, Chloe, because I- I think I kind of... need you.
[Because I've gotten torn up so badly- and right now there's just one thing holding me together.]
And if I didn't have you, if I lost you again, I- don't know what I'd be like. But I wouldn't be okay.
Edited 2016-08-21 15:18 (UTC)
[Chloe doesn't let go of Max. Not now, not when she's crying again. It's been a while since she's seen her best friend break down like this. And it's not a pleasant sight to behold.
Not completely forgetting her anger, Chloe reaches out and wipes away Max's tears. She can't help but smile, very very slightly. Even while crying, Max is still so effing cute. This time, Chloe pulls Max to an embrace but doen't speak for a while. Truth to be told, she doesn't really know what to say, what to reply to that confession.
Max is obviously hurting... And I'm a complete ass for not seeing that sooner.
She tightens the embrace and murmurs in Max's hair.]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Max.
Not completely forgetting her anger, Chloe reaches out and wipes away Max's tears. She can't help but smile, very very slightly. Even while crying, Max is still so effing cute. This time, Chloe pulls Max to an embrace but doen't speak for a while. Truth to be told, she doesn't really know what to say, what to reply to that confession.
Max is obviously hurting... And I'm a complete ass for not seeing that sooner.
She tightens the embrace and murmurs in Max's hair.]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Max.
[The moment Chloe pulls her back into an embrace, all the walls are up again. She does not want to completely break down right now- not in front of Chloe. She doesn't want Chloe to see just how damaged she really is. Just how messed up.
After Arcadia Bay, and all her failures in Wonderland... after messing up with Chara and getting Alex killed, after stupidly telling Sans about the rewinds, after avoiding and avoiding and avoiding thinking about the mental scarring from screwing around with time...
No. She doesn't have to think about those things. Because she has Chloe. Because Chloe has always been there to turn a shitty day into a good one.
That's better than any alcohol or cigarette.
Never mind the similarities.
It's better.
She's okay.]
After Arcadia Bay, and all her failures in Wonderland... after messing up with Chara and getting Alex killed, after stupidly telling Sans about the rewinds, after avoiding and avoiding and avoiding thinking about the mental scarring from screwing around with time...
No. She doesn't have to think about those things. Because she has Chloe. Because Chloe has always been there to turn a shitty day into a good one.
That's better than any alcohol or cigarette.
Never mind the similarities.
It's better.
She's okay.]
[Her hug around Chloe tightens and she digs her face into her best friend's- her girlfriend's shoulder.]
...I'm sorry. I was dumb- I never would have left you if I'd been thinking straight, Chloe.
[She drags in a shaky breath and lets it out slowly.] Partners. Forever.
[And she'll take care of her blue-haired girl, no matter what.] I'm never leaving you. I promised.
...I'm sorry. I was dumb- I never would have left you if I'd been thinking straight, Chloe.
[She drags in a shaky breath and lets it out slowly.] Partners. Forever.
[And she'll take care of her blue-haired girl, no matter what.] I'm never leaving you. I promised.
Okay, okay Max. I believe you.
[Chloe gives Max one last squeeze before pulling away so she can kiss her lightly on the forehead. She looks at her bestfriend's eyes, searching for any more signs of hurt.]
So... Do you wanna tell me what happened during the event?
[Chloe gives Max one last squeeze before pulling away so she can kiss her lightly on the forehead. She looks at her bestfriend's eyes, searching for any more signs of hurt.]
So... Do you wanna tell me what happened during the event?
[Max has to avoid that look, choosing instead to gaze at her picture wall.]
There's not much to say. [She really doesn't want to talk about it. But Chloe has to know at some point... that's what partners do.] I found out I could... rewind, like a mutation. Total superhero crap. [She shrugs, trying to play it off lightly, but still not quite looking Chloe in the eye. With slow steps she meanders over to her bed and takes a seat.] I... I thought I had to run. I thought everyone would hate me...
[Her expression contorts almost angrily.] It wasn't nice. I had to- I mean... I was a runaway. I scraped by on charity. [But then her face softens again, and a long sigh escapes from between her lips.] But so many people helped. Wonderland people.
There's not much to say. [She really doesn't want to talk about it. But Chloe has to know at some point... that's what partners do.] I found out I could... rewind, like a mutation. Total superhero crap. [She shrugs, trying to play it off lightly, but still not quite looking Chloe in the eye. With slow steps she meanders over to her bed and takes a seat.] I... I thought I had to run. I thought everyone would hate me...
[Her expression contorts almost angrily.] It wasn't nice. I had to- I mean... I was a runaway. I scraped by on charity. [But then her face softens again, and a long sigh escapes from between her lips.] But so many people helped. Wonderland people.
[He sounds very worn out.]
hey, uh. sorry to message you out of the blue like this. i know this, uh, isn't great timing with the event and all, and i know you--probably don't want to hear from me, but...
[There's a pause on the other end and a distant, drawn-out sigh.]
i need to talk to you about something.
it's about your mirror.
hey, uh. sorry to message you out of the blue like this. i know this, uh, isn't great timing with the event and all, and i know you--probably don't want to hear from me, but...
[There's a pause on the other end and a distant, drawn-out sigh.]
i need to talk to you about something.
it's about your mirror.
[Wow, is he for real? Max has been having fun, mostly because she's been sticking to crowds and avoiding anyone who looks suspicious at all. Not looking for trouble.
This sounds like trouble.
The reply is brief and blunt, for a lot of reasons. She's still a little sour after all.]
Can't it wait?
This sounds like trouble.
The reply is brief and blunt, for a lot of reasons. She's still a little sour after all.]
Can't it wait?
[Well.
She saw mirror-Max once and avoided her like crazy. Max's curiosity is piqued now... as is her concern. He doesn't sound okay. And he bumped into her mirror.
God, why do these things have to be so difficult?
She can't just... leave him hanging like this if her mirror did something to him, right? She's... probably responsible for making sure he's okay.
And he made sure she was okay, in Genosha...]
...What happened?
She saw mirror-Max once and avoided her like crazy. Max's curiosity is piqued now... as is her concern. He doesn't sound okay. And he bumped into her mirror.
God, why do these things have to be so difficult?
She can't just... leave him hanging like this if her mirror did something to him, right? She's... probably responsible for making sure he's okay.
And he made sure she was okay, in Genosha...]
...What happened?
[There's a long pause on the line before she finally mumbles.]
...Chloe. Would, uhh, should I be worried about Chloe? If my mirror... meets her?
...Chloe. Would, uhh, should I be worried about Chloe? If my mirror... meets her?
...yeah. i think so. she's, uh, pretending to be you, like they do. she's not very good at it, but she...
[He was starting to back off, because Sans himself isn't important here, but if someone Max cares about is actually in danger too...]
she...can do something. she did something. something to time. she rewound it, i think. it doesn't snap back, it...drags. i'm not sure.
[He was starting to back off, because Sans himself isn't important here, but if someone Max cares about is actually in danger too...]
she...can do something. she did something. something to time. she rewound it, i think. it doesn't snap back, it...drags. i'm not sure.
[God-
Fucking-
There is a long, long pause on her end.]
T-This is some- some Wonderland bullshit!
[Her mirror can fucking rewind? Sure, give the crazy kid (Max is sure she must be crazy- she's always smiling) the reality-tearing power. It's not like Max wants it, but who knows what mirror-Max will get up to?]
No, you must have-... it's a really confusing event. Maybe it was Chara or something, Sans. She can't have. Or she was bluffing. You wouldn't have remembered-
[She stops short. Cuts herself off with an alarmed gasp. She's said too much.]
I- I mean-...
Fucking-
There is a long, long pause on her end.]
T-This is some- some Wonderland bullshit!
[Her mirror can fucking rewind? Sure, give the crazy kid (Max is sure she must be crazy- she's always smiling) the reality-tearing power. It's not like Max wants it, but who knows what mirror-Max will get up to?]
No, you must have-... it's a really confusing event. Maybe it was Chara or something, Sans. She can't have. Or she was bluffing. You wouldn't have remembered-
[She stops short. Cuts herself off with an alarmed gasp. She's said too much.]
I- I mean-...
[He's quiet for a little while. There's a whispery sort of hiss, bone scraping gently against bone.]
[He wonders if Max can do the same thing. If that was the "time stuff" she didn't want anyone to know about. Probably. Her tone certainly suggests it.]
yeah, uh. maybe i'm wrong.
[He knows he's not, but he genuinely doesn't remember the details. She shoved him off a roof, he teleported, then--]
[Felt like being dragged across rocky grown and then abruptly thrown into a woodchipper. Felt like shattering.]
just wanted to warn you. just, uh. watch your back, keep an eye on your friend. that's...
that's all.
[He wonders if Max can do the same thing. If that was the "time stuff" she didn't want anyone to know about. Probably. Her tone certainly suggests it.]
yeah, uh. maybe i'm wrong.
[He knows he's not, but he genuinely doesn't remember the details. She shoved him off a roof, he teleported, then--]
[Felt like being dragged across rocky grown and then abruptly thrown into a woodchipper. Felt like shattering.]
just wanted to warn you. just, uh. watch your back, keep an eye on your friend. that's...
that's all.
...Okay. Fine.
[Sans is really starting to get on her nerves.
She knows it's not his fault. Knows he's trying to look out for her. But all the same, recently everything to do with him has something to do with time as well.
And that's not something she's happy with.]
Thanks I guess...
[Sans is really starting to get on her nerves.
She knows it's not his fault. Knows he's trying to look out for her. But all the same, recently everything to do with him has something to do with time as well.
And that's not something she's happy with.]
Thanks I guess...
[He hears that tone. Maybe he shouldn't have said anything at all. If she's got the same power as her Mirror, she probably could have handled her on her own.]
[This is fine. It's fine. It's not about him. What's important is that she's safe.]
[Honestly he's kind of...glad. She saw him for the person he really is and distanced herself. Good for her. Smart kid.]
sorry. for, uh. all of this, i guess. all of it.
good luck.
[He hangs up.]
[This is fine. It's fine. It's not about him. What's important is that she's safe.]
[Honestly he's kind of...glad. She saw him for the person he really is and distanced herself. Good for her. Smart kid.]
sorry. for, uh. all of this, i guess. all of it.
good luck.
[He hangs up.]
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