Chapter Text
Max was in bed staring up at her ceiling as she thought back to two days ago when she wasn’t single. How quickly things had changed. She heard her phone buzz on the nightstand and ignored it, fully planning to wallow all weekend in self-pity. She and Amanda had dated very briefly but they decided being friends was best for them in the end. Okay, fine… Amanda decided. She had been caught off guard during their third date when Amanda asked her if she had feelings for Safi.
Max blinked at Amanda for a few seconds before squinting her eyes in confusion. “I’m sorry, what?”
Amanda poked at the food on her plate as she sat on the couch in the brunette’s living room. “You and Safi,” Amanda repeated, “are there feelings there?”
Max let out an uncomfortable laugh and placed her plate down on the coffee table. “Of course not. Safi’s just my best friend.”
“I hear you,” Amanda also put her plate down, “but I have eyes and watching you two at the Snapping Turtle yesterday has me rethinking things. The way you are with each other is confusing for me. I see how you look at her, Max. It’s giving more than best friend vibes.”
Max opened her mouth to protest but quickly snapped it shut before she began to rub her hands on the thighs of her jeans. She did have a massive crush on Safi. She had been trying to move past it because she knew there was no way Safi would reciprocate those feelings. She thought dating Amanda would help with that process.
Amanda leaned over, covering Max’s hand with her own to stop her from fidgeting. “Max, it’s okay. I mean, it sucks because I like you but I know when I’m bested.”
“Amanda,” Max said, sheepishly. “…I’m sorry. I really did want this to work. You’re a great person and I enjoy being around you.”
Amanda patted her on the hand and stood up. “No hard feelings. We can definitely still be friends.” Amanda picked up her coat from the back of the couch. “I’ll need a few days but I’ll reach out when I’m ready.”
Max stood up. “Of course.” She followed Amanda to the front door. “Again, I’m so sorry.”
Amanda gave her a small smile before opening the door and stepping out. “You should tell Safi how you feel,” she added before walking off.
Max closed the door and let out a long sigh. There was no way she would ever tell Safi how she felt.
Max had immediately gone into panic mode after Amanda dumped her citing her feelings for Safi as the reason. If Amanda could tell she had romantic feelings for Safi, then who knew how many other people could tell. What if Safi knew? What if it was a running joke among Caledon University?
Max shook her head. “Pull it together, Max.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
Max shot up in bed, eyes wide as Safi ascended her stairs. “Safi… what… how…?”
“I know,” Safi grinned, flipping her ponytail behind her shoulders. “I leave a lot of people speechless.”
“Did you break into my place?” Max asked, shocked.
“Well, you weren’t answering your phone so you really left me no choice. And you’re the last person to be judging me for a B and E. Now get off your ass.”
“You stole my spare key, didn’t you?” Max asked as she moved to sit on the edge of her bed.
“What’s the point of having a spare key inside your house? That doesn’t help you if you get locked out. It needs to be with a trusted friend.” She framed her face with her hands. “Me.” She gestured to the stairs. “Now let’s go.”
“Safi,” Max sighed. “I don’t feel like going out. And where would we even go? I can’t show my face in the Snapping Turtle yet.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” Safi assured her. “I brought food over. We’re going to have a chill day inside.”
Max stood up, reluctantly, and moved to her dresser to pull out clothes. She glanced over at Safi who was looking at her photo board and instantly remembered the newest photo she had tacked onto it.
Safi tapped at the photo of herself sleeping on Max’s couch from one night during a movie. “Really?”
“I couldn’t help myself,” Max admitted, sheepishly. “You looked so peaceful.”
Safi smirked. “Guess I can’t fault you for wanting a picture of this angelic face.” She moved from the board and towards the stairs. “I’ll wait for you downstairs.”
Max quickly changed before picking up her phone to check her messages.
Safi[9:35am]: Want to meet for breakfast?
Safi[10:03am]: Want me to bring you something?
Safi[1:19pm]: Seriously, Max, respond to me!
Safi[1:23pm]: I know you really liked Amanda and I’m sorry it didn’t work out for whatever reason, but it’s her loss. She’s missing out on a spectacular person.
Max smiled at Safi’s last message before heading downstairs to join her best friend. As she made her way down, she could hear Safi talking quietly on her phone but the sternness in her tone didn’t go unnoticed.
“I don’t know what else you want me to say,” Safi said as she paced the length of the living room. "...No, I’m not doing this with you. I have to go. I’m at Max’s. …Ohmygod,” Safi huffed, “I’m not having this argument with you. Goodbye.” She ended the call and pinched the bridge of her nose.
Max approached Safi. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, sure,” Safi replied with an edge to her voice. “It’s stupid. Don’t worry about it. Ready?”
“One sec.” Max went into the kitchen and opened one of the drawers where she kept a stash of Sour Katz. She bought a few when she noticed Safi had begun eating them in place of smoking.
Safi entered the kitchen just as Max was about to walk back out and smiled at the box of candy. “Has anyone ever told you that you’re the best?” Safi took the box and popped a couple of the gummies in her mouth, visibly relaxing.
Max smirked. “You a few days ago when I paid for your drinks.”
“Someone’s gotta keep you informed of your awesomeness,” Safi stated before moving to pull plates from one of the cupboards.
Max leaned against the entryway and watched Safi gather what she needed to dish out their food. There was something about seeing Safi move around her space so at ease that made Max feel things on an even deeper level.
While Safi was preoccupied, Max moved back to the living room to grab her camera and returned to the kitchen to take a candid photo. When the flash went off, Max wasn’t surprised at the glare that followed.
“Want to help me out here instead of sneaking photos, Caulfield?”
Max set the photo and the camera down on the counter before helping Safi. “So… who were you talking to on the phone?”
Safi rolled her eyes. “I can’t tell you without instant judgment following.”
Max held her hands up. “This is a no judgment zone.”
Safi thought it over for a moment before surprising Max by relenting. “Fine. It was Vinh.”
Max’s brows furrowed. “Vinh? Your friends with Vinh?”
“Friends is pushing it,” Safi stated. “We…” she tilted her head from side to side. “Maybe… slept together once or… a few times.” Off of Max’s stunned look, Safi immediately began to defend herself. “It’s not like I had a lot of prospects. I was bored and needed to scratch an itch, you know? I ended it weeks ago.”
“Is that why you were arguing?” Max asked, trying to ignore the pang in her chest.
“He caught feelings and started getting jealous over us hanging out all the time. If I even brought you up, he’d get grumpy. For an asshole, he’s massively sensitive. Anyway, I guess he setup something tonight to win me over or whatever and I turned him down. I mentioned I already had plans with you and he went on a whole tirade.”
“Why would he be jealous of me?” Max asked, confused.
Safi waved her off. “Vinh being Vinh,” she said, simply. “All right, enough about me and my mistake. Food’s getting cold.”
Max had questions but she was lucky Safi even told her about Vinh so she decided to not push it.
After getting everything together, the two moved into the dining room to eat. Conversation stayed light and Max began feeling better.
Safi finished her last bite and hummed appreciatively. “Best meal ever.” She looked at Max and laughed as she spotted food on the corner of the brunette’s mouth. “Geez, you eat like a child, Max.” She reached across the table and brushed the remnants of food away with her thumb.
Max’s brain short-circuited at the contact and all she could do was stare at Safi.
“Want to be couch potatoes or go for a walk?” Safi asked, not realizing that she might’ve broken Max.
“Um,” Max replied, trying to find her words.
Safi rose from her chair. “Couch potatoes it is.” Safi filled her glass with champagne and was about to fill Max’s when she finally noticed the faraway look on the woman’s face. “Okay, no more for you. You look out of it.”
Max straightened up, returning to her senses. “I’m fine. I was just…,”
Safi looked at her with sympathy. “Thinking about Amanda? Look, I adore Amanda,” Safi moved to sit beside Max, putting an arm around her shoulders, “but she fumbled, Max. You’re a total catch. Anyone would be lucky to deal with your horrible dad jokes and bad taste in movies.”
Max’s jaw dropped open as she placed a hand to her chest in mock offense. “Excuse you? My dad jokes are top tier and my taste in movies is unmatched.”
Safi pulled Max in for a side hug. “Oh sweet, Max, it’s adorable how you believe that.” Safi sipped her champagne and stood up once more, holding her hand out to Max. “The couch awaits us.”
Max placed her hand in Safi’s, allowing the woman to pull her up from the chair but when Safi linked their fingers together instead of letting go, Max’s heart began to race. Safi was still speaking but it sounded far away as Max focused on how soft Safi’s hand was and how right it felt in hers. Max took a steadying breath and tried once again to pull it together. She needed to survive this night without embarrassing herself.
Hours later…
Safi’s phone buzzed for the third time that night and she was going to ignore it like she had the other times but Max had gone on a search of a board game upstairs so she quickly opened her messages app.
Moses[5:01pm]: Have you made your move yet?
Moses[5:35pm]: You chickened out didn’t you?
Moses[6:13pm]: Helloooo, Safiiii.
Safi[6:13pm]: Moses, chill! I’m here to comfort a friend not to make a move.
Moses[6:14pm]: She likes you back. Just go for it.
Safi[6:14pm]: That assumption can ruin our friendship. I don’t want to be Max-less because I made things weird.
Moses[6:15pm]: What if Amanda realizes she made a mistake and tries to win Max back? You’ll have missed your chance.
Safi[6:16pm]: Since when are you so invested in my love life???
Moses[6:16pm]: Since it’s obvious you have a crush on Max and were miserable when she and Amanda got together.
Safi[6:17pm]: I’d been hitting on her for a month before that to no avail.
Moses[6:17pm]: So you help her get a girlfriend instead and then mope about it?
Safi[6:17pm]: Who said I knew how to deal with this stuff? I hate having feelings!
Safi added a bunch of angry face emojis to get her point across before setting her phone down and moving to the bottom of the stairs that led up to Max’s room. “Find it?!”
“Not yet!” Max called back from her closet, out of breath. “I know it’s in here somewhere!”
Safi smiled in amusement before moving towards Max’s darkroom. “Okay, I’m gonna go to your dungeon!”
“Yeah, that’s… wait, no!” Max exclaimed.
Safi had already begun to descend the stairs, though, and when she saw the four photos that were hanging in the room—she was surprised to say the least.
Max rushed down the stairs, stopping just behind Safi. “I can explain.”
Safi glanced behind her before looking back at the developed photos. “Stalker, much?” She asked, teasingly.
Max ran a hand through her hair, clearly in distress. “Is it stalking if we were hanging out when those were taken?”
Safi laughed lightly. “Fair point.” She looked at each photo again before looking at Max. “These are old, aren’t they?”
“Yeah, I just got around to developing them.” Max moved to stand beside Safi. “I had hit a wall- creatively- and I needed some inspiration. You kinda just became my favorite subject.” Max pointed to the first photo of a laughing Safi. “You were being such a goof this day and I wanted to capture that smile. A genuine Safi smile is… well, everything.” Max gestured to the next photo of Safi writing in her notebook. “Pensive Safi is alluring. I love when inspiration strikes you randomly and you get lost in your words.” Max chuckled at the next photo of Safi covering her face with her notebook and flipping her off. “Annoyed Safi is also a favorite because you’re never really annoyed with me are you? Just amused.”
Safi rolled her eyes as a smile pulled at her lips. “That’s debatable.”
Max gently bumped her shoulder to Safi’s. “Liar.” She continued on to the next photo of Safi at the Snapping Turtle looking broody. “You were having a bad day. Sad Safi tugs at the heartstrings,” Max admitted. “I always try my best to turn your day around.”
“And you almost always do,” Safi assured her. She pulled her broody photo down and studied it for a moment. “I remember this day; it was so fucking shitty and I just wanted to be alone but somehow you convinced me to go out and, although the day was still shit, you made it end on a good note.” Safi turned to fully face her best friend. “Max,” she began, hesitantly, “… why’d you and Amanda break-up?”
Max was confused by the random question. “I told you. She thinks we work better as friends.”
“Come on, Max. That’s bullshit,” Safi replied. “What’s the real reason?”
Max rubbed at the back of her neck. “She thinks that, um… that I…have feelings for you.” Max began to fidget with her bracelet. “Wild, right?”
Safi stepped closer to Max. “Is she wrong?”
Max shrugged. “I don’t know. Why does Vinh get jealous of you hanging out with me?”
Safi chuckled. “Tit for tat, huh?” She sighed and threw her hands in the air. “Fuck it.” She took another step forward, closing the gap between her and Max as she pressed their lips together in a soft kiss.
Max gasped, shocked by the action but eventually her eyes fluttered shut and her hands found purchase on Safi’s waist.
The kiss quickly deepened with Safi running her tongue along Max’s bottom lip and instantly being granted the access she craved. She backed Max up against the nearest wall and began to kiss her along her neck.
“Safi,” Max breathed out as she slid her hands up the woman’s shirt to run her hands along her waist.
Safi kissed Max once more, pushing her leg between Max’s and beginning a slow grind.
Max moaned into the kiss, digging her nails into Safi’s sides as pleasure rose through her body. She was just about to unbutton Safi’s shirt when Safi stepped away.
“Shit,” Safi said, breathlessly. “That was definitely better than I pictured it going but we should talk.”
Max smiled and reached for Safi to pull her back in. “Pillow talk is my favorite.” She placed a kiss on Safi’s jaw and began to trail kisses along her neck.
Safi gave into Max’s ministrations for a few seconds before reluctantly pulling away. “Tempting, very tempting, but it’s couch talk for us tonight. Actually, we should just go outside. Potential hypothermia might stop me from doing something stupid.”
Max’s smile fell. “Being with me is stupid?”
“What? No. Wrong choice of words,” Safi assured her, reaching for her hand. “Let’s go upstairs.”
Max quickly picked up the photo that Safi had dropped during their kiss before holding the other woman’s hand.
Safi rolled her eyes as she plucked the photo from Max’s hand. “Don’t tell me you’re going to add this one to your board.”
Max took the photo back as they reached the top of the stairs. “I might invest in a photo album.”
“I’m surprised you don’t have one already,” Safi stated as they entered the living room.
They both sat down side by side but neither spoke as they stared at each other.
Safi laughed, sheepishly. “Guess that darkroom gave me my confidence.”
Max looked down at the photo just to have something to do. “Are you regretting the kiss?”
Safi reached out, tilting Max’s head up to meet her gaze. “Not at all.” She placed her hand on Max’s thigh and squeezed gently. “Ask me that Vinh question again.”
“Uh, okay. Why was Vinh jealous of me?”
“Because,” Safi took a deep breath, “I kinda… might sorta… like… love you a little bit.”
Max stared at Safi for a beat. “And you’re a poet?”
Safi went to playfully hit Max on the shoulder but Max caught her hand and pulled her in, capturing her lips in a gentle kiss. “Safi,” she began, leaning her forehead against Safi’s, “I kinda might sorta love you a little bit, too.”
Safi laughed. “Yeah?”
Max pulled back to look at Safi and nodded. “Definitely, yeah.”
Safi placed a hand over her chest. “That’s great because my nerves are so bad right now that Sour Katz would not have cut it.”
Max smiled. “How long have you… liked me?”
“Liked you? The first week we met, but I do a good job of ignoring my feelings. Fell for you? The day that drunk idiot spilled beer all over my poem book and while I was freaking out, you took a picture of every page just in case the words became illegible. Fell for you even more? When you deleted those photos after texting them to me without ever reading a word.”
“How do you know I never read a word?” Max had obviously seen a word here and there while taking the pictures but Safi was right, she hadn’t broken her trust by reading them.
“Because if you had, then you would’ve known a while ago that I’m down bad for you, Max Caulfield. Every poem in that specific notebook was about you.”
A faint pink tint reached Max’s cheeks. “You write poems about me?”
“Yeah, it’s more romantic than your stalker photos,” Safi joked.
Max narrowed her eyes at Safi. “Hey, I bet I’ll never take another picture of you again.”
“Lies. You love this face.”
“You’ve got me there,” Max admitted with a grin.
Safi smiled and the two stared at each other for a moment before their lips met in a heated kiss.
“What happened to talking?” Max asked, playfully, as Safi guided her onto her back.
“We talked,” Safi stated before doing her new favorite thing. Kissing Max Caulfield.