Dark Star

"I'll be good, I'll be good."

[clexsah]

Sometime’s I wonder what these fragile eyes have witnessed to make you see nothing but grey.

[queenlexington]

A Chance Encounter. // Reyna&Max.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

queenlexington:

“You know I don’t envy you there, at all, because I was the youngest so I had no bratty siblings to deal with. I was the bratty sibling. And I don’t think Lexie wanted any more, so Thalia won’t have to deal with bratty siblings either, which honestly is such a relief for everyone. No stupid sibling rivalry.” Her words come thick and fast, and she curses herself for saying too much, wishing she could just keep her mouth shut.

“Really? Jeremih? I really am learning a lot about you, Max Clarke. I think my song for a lip sync would be something stupid, from a musical or something by Ariana Grande - Into You, maybe.”

She thinks for a moment, on how they could go about a hot cocoa off, not having thought about the logistics of it, only really suggesting it to spend more time with Max before they each went to their separate bedrooms.

“Maybe we both make our hot cocoas, and let each other try them obviously, and then taste our own to see which is better. Either that or we find someone else awake and make them the impartial judge.”

“You were bratty?” Max asks, eyebrow quirking upwards. “I think I’m gonna need your childhood stories sooner rather than later.” She says with a grin, heart fluttering a little with the implications of her words. “God, a life without sibling rivalry sounds heavenly.” She breathes. 

“To be honest, the only appeal is the fact that he’s from Chicago too.” Max admits with a grin and a shrug as she leans against the counter. “An Ariana Grande fan, huh?” She asks. “I think Into You is the only song of hers I actually like.” She confesses with a small chuckle. 

Max hums in thought as Reyna suggests their options. “I like the idea of getting someone else on this, less chance of bias, but I doubt anyone else will be awake at this time.” She shrugs. “Besides they might want to get in the competition and it’ll be a never-ending cycle of making hot cocoa.” She chuckles, before nervously tugging at her sleeves, her eyes dropping to the floor. “And... I was also hoping to use this time as a way to get to know you better... you know, before our first official date...” She admits quietly, glancing up to shoot Reyna a meaningful look. 

[queenlexington]

A Chance Encounter. // Reyna&Max.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

queenlexington:

Reyna’s heart stops for a second as the other admits to a bad track record at the first hurdle, the organ only restarting as the brunette explains, and she keeps quiet about the fact she’d had the same worries, adding to the ever-growing pile of lies she was holding locked in her chest. 

“Your baby brother? Well now I know I have no hope in becoming your ultimate fave, not when younger siblings are involved. According to Lexie, there was no hope of anyone owning her heart other than me, until Thalia came along.” She can’t help the smile that spreads across her lips as she mentions Thalia, as they enter the kitchen.

“May the best woman win? Why do I feel as though I’ll have to lip sync if I fail?”

“Nah, you’ve definitely got a shot at knocking him off the top spot, he’s thirteen and becoming brattier by the minute.” Max says with a teasing smile. “I used to think like your sister, then Cameron and Olly grew up.” She grins, a laugh escaping her.

She snorts at the blonde’s words, shaking her head a little. “You don’t have to, but its always good to have a song in mind just in case, mine is Don’t Tell ‘Em by Jeremih.” She says with a small wink, her cheeks flushing a little at the action. “So, uh, how do you wanna do this? I’ve never competed in a hot cocoa off before.”

[queenlexington]

A Chance Encounter. // Reyna&Max.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

queenlexington:

“The first hurdle? Oh, Max, we’re past the first hurdle now. The first hurdle was actually being here, I mean, who knows, one of us could have been too scared to show.” She speaks without thought, shrugging slightly as she smiles at the other. “So because you’re making me hot cocoa does that make me your favourite person?”

She can’t help the shot of worry that flits through her as Max doesn’t react whatsoever to the admission about Reyna’s ex being a male, and she can’t help but wonder if that was how nonchalant Max was about that, should she have admitted that Thalia was not her niece. 

“Well, you’re only raising my standards bragging about how good you are at making drinks, Max. Let’s hope you can live up to the reputation you’re giving yourself.”

“I mean, I guess that makes sense, but, if that’s the first hurdle then I already have a bad track record.” Max says quietly with a small, awkward chuckle. “I, uh, I was almost too scared to come- cat-fishing y’know? But, I took the chance, and I’m really glad I did. I’m really happy you’re here, and, well actually you.” She confesses with a light laugh, giving Reyna’s hand a gentle squeeze.

“I was talking like metaphorically, so no, it doesn’t.” Max says teasingly despite the panicked thudding of her heart. “But, play your cards right and you could dethrone my baby brother.”

“I hope so too.” Max laughs as they enter the kitchen. “Let the hot cocoa off begin!” She says, gesturing to the room around them. “May the best woman win.”

[queenlexington]

A Chance Encounter. // Reyna&Max.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

queenlexington:

Reyna ignores the comment about over confidence, considering how it was just a front to hide the nerves she felt, to hide the fact she didn’t know how to act around Max yet, not really. She pauses as Max mentions how many siblings she had, a pang of sympathetic pain shooting through her, knowing the pain of one birth, let alone six of them, a quick shot of fear following instantly, what if Max’s siblings didn’t like her, if they made it that far. 

She shakes such thoughts from her head, pulling herself back into the present, ignoring the racing of her pulse, giving the woman beside her her full attention once more. 

“It’s not the make or break exactly, but what’s the point of rainy days if you can’t share a hot chocolate with the person you l – your partner?” She catches herself before she makes a mistake, stumbling over her words like a child would. Pull yourself together Lexington.

“Anything can blast his hot chocolate outta the water, like you have no idea how bad he was.”

Max’s heart slams to a stop against her ribs at Reyna’s words, at one four lettered word in particular, and God, she really needs to get a grip.

“Well, at least that takes some of the pressure off,” She says, somewhat surprised at how normal her voice sounds after that minor slip up. “I don’t wanna trip at the first hurdle.” She shakes her head with a chuckle. “You’re totally right though, hot cocoa is meant to be shared with your favourite people, especially on a rainy day.” 

“Ah, that explains it.” She grins, a little thrown by the pronouns of Reyna’s ex, but she figures that’s mostly down to the fact they hadn’t really discussed their sexuality beyond likes girls. “Some guys just aren’t good at the little domestic things like that.” She shrugs, her heart drumming a panicked beat loudly in her ears at the brief thought of domesticity with Reyna. “Not to say that all girls are great at stuff like that, I mean, I’m certainly not great in the kitchen— I get by, but I’m much better at making drinks than food. So, hopefully my hot cocoa will manage to live up to your high standards.” She teases.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

itsfrankdawson:

“Loads of people wanna protect the bees? Where? Everyone is always omg no a bee SQUISH not omg no a bee SAVE! And it’s not fair! How would they feel if they were tired from buzz buzz all day and some big meanie do the squish of them?”

“That’s because a lot of people sometimes mix them up with wasps, thinking they’re just evil stinging machines, but I promise you there are a lot of people that want to save the bees. There’s been loads of online campaigns about it, I can show you, if you need proof.” Max tells her with a gentle smile.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

heyyitsjasper:

“Let’s do it!” He cheers excitedly. “Thank you for helping me do this, I’m Jasper by the way.”

“Its no problem, I’m not exactly a pro in the kitchen either, us learners gotta stick together.” She says with a small chuckle. “I’m Max, its nice to meet you Jasper.”

[queenlexington]

A Chance Encounter. // Reyna&Max.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

queenlexington:

Their fingers entwine instantly, and Reyna can’t ignore the way Max’s hand feels in her own, how right it feels to be there with her, ignoring the part of her that told her that the relationship was built on lies, that the fallout would be astronomical if she didn’t come clean sooner rather than later.

“Is it a challenge when you know you’re gonna win? Because I’ve heard some good things about my hot cocoa, yours might pale in comparison.” Her words are light, joking, as she grins at the other, before shaking her head. “As long as your hot cocoa is better than my ex’s we’ll be fine.”

“Oh, is that right?” Max asks with a laugh. “You know overconfidence is a killer right? I hope you can cash in that cheque your mouth is writing, otherwise this is just gonna be embarrassing.” She adds with a grin, gently nudging the blonde with her elbow. “Besides, I’m one of six kids, competitiveness is in my nature, I’m not gonna go down without a fight.” She warns with a small chuckle. 

At the mention of Reyna’s ex, she swallows thickly, willing away the thoughts and memories of her own ex, which, with Reyna’s hand in her own grounding her, is a much easier feat than normal. 

(And she desperately tries not to read too far into that fact.)

“So hot cocoa is like, the make or break factor of your relationships? Talk about pressure.” She jokes, before shaking her head and shooting Reyna a soft smile. “I’m not great at a lot of things, but I can tell from the sound of your voice alone, that my half-ass attempts at my mom’s world renowned hot cocoa will blast your ex’s out of the water.”

[maxie-mouse-blog]

britziereigns:

“What would you call it then? Because it certainly gets me results.” Britani chortles, before raising a brow as she takes back the bottle. “Cruella?” She asks with a grin. “I like you, I think I’m gonna keep you around.”

“Ah yes, because the number of notches you have on your bedpost determines just how good your way of life is.” Max drawls thickly. “Uh, thanks, I guess? Glad I made such a good impression on you, your majesty.”

[queenlexington]

A Chance Encounter. // Reyna&Max.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

queenlexington:

Reyna can’t help the way her heartbeat increases slightly at the smile sent her way after the comment about Max’s siblings, a small voice in her mind whispering that if Max could look after younger siblings, she could, if they made it that far, look after Thalia. 

A hand is offered to her, and she’s suddenly very aware of what they’re doing, very aware of how much she’s missed actual human connection, aware of just how much she wanted this, whatever this was, with Max to work. Slowly, she takes the offered hand, a slight shiver shooting up her spine as she does so.  

“How about, you make me a hot cocoa, and if you want, I can make you one and we can compare? Unless you don’t want another one, of course.”

Max smiles shyly as Reyna’s hand slips into her own, her fingers moving seemingly of their own accord to slot between the blonde’s, causing her cheeks to flame. She quickly writes it off as a natural reaction to her first physical connection with her... whatever Reyna is, before she can panic and begin to over-analyse the bold move. 

She raises as brow as she begins to lead them back in the direction of the kitchen. “Are you challenging me to a hot cocoa off?” She asks with a small laugh. “That’s a bit risky for our first meeting, I mean, I’m totally game, I’m just not sure if you know what you’re getting yourself into.” She says jokingly with a grin. 

[maxie-mouse-blog]

itsfrankdawson:

“See! You get it, right? Bees are really weird and like, super important, but like, no one cares! I cares, but no one else cares!” She goes on a small rant, her words coming quickly, before she takes a moment to breathe. “Yeah you could say I like bees.”

“They are super important, but you’re not the only person who thinks so, lots of people want to protect the bees, myself included.” Max says, offering the other a reassuring smile. “Oh really? I couldn’t tell, it must be like, a low-key love of yours.” She teases. 

[maxie-mouse-blog]

heyyitsjasper:

“Yeah, okay, that sounds like a good plan to me!”

“Okay, lets get cracking on making these brownies more edible.”

[queenlexington]

A Chance Encounter. // Reyna&Max.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

queenlexington:

Reyna lets out a soft sigh as the other comments on Thalia’s wellbeing, shaking her head. “I don’t think it is, but Lexie’s never actually had to look after Thalia alone, me or my mom are always around, so she’s probably freaking out about that too.” Its followed by a soft laugh, more of a way to calm her nerves than actually finding humour in the situation.

She stills at the question, before nodding, stepping even closer to the other, almost completely closing the gap between herself and Max, a smile on her face at the prospect of finally spending real time with the brunette. “I’d love one. And I don’t think anyone can make a hot chocolate better than my mom, its like a gift. Maybe its a mom thing.”

“Sounds like me when I had to look after my little brother for the first time.” Max muses quietly, shooting Reyna a soft smile.

She sucks in a small breath to calm the hurried beating of her heart as Reyna steps closer, part of her regretting not bridging the gap between them sooner.

A grin curls easily onto her lips as Reyna accepts her half-assed invitation, and she offers the blonde her free hand. “Well, lets get this show on the road then. Sounds like I’ve got some tough hot cocoa competition, promise you’ll go easy on me?” She says jokingly.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

itsfrankdawson:

She grins as she notices someone approaching, rushing forward to met them, alcohol sloshing about in the bottle clutched in one hand.

“You know whats funny? Bees! Bees are funny! They just buzz buzz hello! And then buzz buzz goodbye! How weird is that!”

“Yeah, that’s super weird, and kinda cute.” Max says with a soft smile, humouring the other woman. “So, I take it you’re a fan of bees, huh?”

[maxie-mouse-blog]

heyyitsjasper:

Jasper blushes and scratches at the back of his neck. “Well, I mean I tried one and I’m still alive… it didn’t taste too great though.” He admits quietly, a sheepish smile curling onto his lips.

“I’m not surprised if they’re burnt.” Max says with a light chuckle. “Maybe if we scraped the tops off they’d taste a bit better?” She suggests.

[maxie-mouse-blog]

britziereigns:

“It’s only been five minutes and you’re already planning on following me into the afterlife? My charm truly knows no bounds.” Britani smirks. “Now, can we please get to the drinking? Down the hatch, buttercup.”

“I’m not sure I’d call it charm.” Max mutters with an eye roll, before taking a swig from the bottle, only cringing a little as the alcohol burns down her throat. “Your move, Cruella.” She grins, handing the bottle back.

[heyyitsjasper-blog]

“So, it turns out I’m not as good a chef as I thought I was… Anybody want some badly burnt and incredibly chewy brownies?” 

[maxie-mouse-blog]

“I’m liking the whole waste not, want not attitude, but, are you even sure they’re edible?” Max asks with a teasing smile.