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Max was a different person around Arya for sure. that he did really let his guard down around her and it showed. That Somewhat Cris saw things she did but mostly she saw all of him, something most did not. "It is you were always the smart one..." and still was clearly the same still. He ordered the pizza she wanted. "That does sound good]" he added their drinks and walked over to her with a smirk. "I think I can " he smirked as he took some change from her. He did have pin ball machine back in their..well now his place back in LA. "But this is cool one" just space themed no movie or tv show he liked it.

Arya couldn't help but laugh gently when he mentioned her being the smart one of the two, nudging him playfully as she asked, "You reckon I could get that in writing?" It felt good again to have someone by her side she could joke around with, especially after the kiss at the festival. A part of her worried she'd ruined any chance of a normal interaction with Max considering they'd fought, then had a rather deep conversation and then kissed the last few times they'd been alone together. It felt nice not to have whiplash around him for once in a long time. Arya lent herself against the side of the machine, leaning herself in to watch where the pinball was going to move once Max started it up.

Matt was always unsure if Arya would show up. It wasn't that he didn't believe she wanted to be there or anything or thought badly of her, but he knew this whole thing had been hard on them all. He never minded being the one to print the fliers still or keep looking. He would never mind. The search for Emily was important to him and he wanted to continue it until he knew for sure what had happened. He had stopped talking to her parents, though. It was hard for them and he didn't want them to have to deal with it all. He'd gladly take on all of it if it gave the family time to rest. So whenever he showed up at the park with the pastries as normal, he smiled seeing Arya there already; relieved she did still show up. He walked over to the bench and handed her the container. "Hey." He said as he sat down. "How are you?"

Arya had stopped sharing with her parents how Matt was or what the newest effort to find Emily was, knowing they'd fill her mind with the negativity she knew she didn't need. She loved her parents, of course she did, but it was getting harder to share with them how hard Matt was trying to find their daughter. She looked up as Matt joined her, a small smile growing on her lips, "If it isn't my favourite pastry boy," she joked lightly, sliding his coffee across the table, "How're you doing honey? How's work?"

He looked at the menu then at her for a moment making a face as he thought about it. "You did get me into the margarita pizza thing" he wasn't one to like that before but now he did after it was one thing she got a lot. He went and ordered the pizza and some waters for them and went to stand out of the way with her while they waited. "Oh look" he said seeing some pin ball games he smiled a little. "I have not played in a while..." just never got to do it anymore but he always loved old pin ball games.

Arya tried not to smile as fondly as she felt she wanted to as Max pulled a small face contemplating what to get, but she couldn't help herself. Deep down she wondered if Max understood how much of a goofball he was when he didn't seem to be paying attention to his own actions, but she knew now really wasn't the time to bring it up. Nodding easily, Arya couldn't help but joke with him, "It's because I'm always right, isn't it?" she teased, "Margarita is superior with garlic and chilli flakes, nothing will ever be better." She waited for Max to order before turning her attention to the pinball machines near by, "C'mon then," she chuckled, reaching into her jeans pocket and pulling out some spare change, "Reckon you can beat me?"

He looked at her with a smirk. "I mean it's a good habit to live by" eh was that type of person he did try to arrive early. But when he was back in LA it was hard for him to be on time, he be nearly late always. "You and me both" he had so much going on in his mind lately he could barley eat. With what happened with her, Aubrey had a lot going on with him too, and him trying to find work now too. "that sounds nice..." it was warm out still and be a while before it get cold out. He soon arrive at the shop, the good part of the small town was that it was always a short drive. "What pizza do you want?" he asked as he walked to the front of his truck to wait for her before they headed inside.

Tugging on her second shoe and tying the laces quickly, Arya only had a moment to relax before they'd pulled into the parking lot to the pizza shop. Still feeling like she was rushing she quickly hopped out of the truck and joined Max, moving with him into the store to place their order, "I don't know," she hummed softly, "I could happily go a margarita pizza or a pepperoni..." Turning to him, she countered, "What do you feel like? We'll split it, so I don't really care what we get, just whatever you want."

Max knew what had gone on before the fireworks went bad wasn't right. He wasn't here to get that close to Arya again. That he just wanted to be her friend and that was it. But here they falling into old habits and old feelings. But he knew they had talk it out and see what happened. That it was just feelings getting the better of them. Seeing her open the door he smiled at her. "No need to be sorry you're not late" he moved so she could leave her place. He looked at her a moment then at his truck. "But pizza sounds good..." he hadn't had it a while so he was glad to have that. He walked to the truck with her and paused almost going to open the door for her bit fought himself, she was his friend he didn't have to do that for her. He went and got into the drivers seat and drove them to the pizza place.

Arya chuckled a little, "Y'know what dad used to say," she began, tugging on a pair of socks before finishing, "If you're not early, you're late." She grabbed her housekeys and slipped out of the door, closing it behind her and nodding toward his truck, "Sure, let's grab a pizza, I'm starving." She padded down the footpath toward the truck, shoes still in her hand as she waited for Max to unlock the door, "You wanna do a take out and go sit by the lake? It's good weather for it." She slipped into the passengers seat and began to put her shoes on properly as Max drove toward the shop.

He had not seen to much of Arya since the events of the fireworks. TI was all such a crazy day for them both. The day went fight, early into the night good. But their emotions got the better of them and they ended up kissing. But soon after the fireworks problem happened and they rushed away. Both were fine and just scared but didn't get hurt. It just was so much to deal with they needed a few days apart. this now being about a week after the fireworks and the forth. He planned to go out to eat with her, and get some pizza, something simple for now. He walked up to her place and knocked at the door. He was a bit confused about everything going on with Arya and with Aubrey. But he hoped seeing her and talking to Arya today would help. He walked up to her door and knocked on it. @aryaxhaynes

Of course Arya was thankful neither herself of Max had gotten hurt during the incident at the festival, but the personal events between the two of them in the lead up to the explosion had her thoughts in a vice. What the hell were they doing kissing one another? And why was the thought of it making her heart race like she was a teenager again? After agreeing to a nice casual dinner of pizza and possibly a walk around the lake, Arya pulled on a pair of jeans and her favourite t-shirt before hearing the knock at her door. She grabbed a pair of converse as she approached the door and pulled it open, "Sorry, I am ready," she assured him gently, "I just... work ran late, I just got home."

closed || @aryaxhaynes

Things had been... weird... of late to say the least, so when Cris had messaged her to ask if she'd like some quality family time with him and the boys, she was eager to meet up. She wasn't sure how much Max had told Cris about the time the two had been spending together, but she hoped at the very least their kiss at the festival had stayed between herself and Max. At least until they worked out what the hell they were doing together again, if anything. She'd grabbed some mini muffins from the store on her way through to meet up with the boys, so as she approached the little family, she pulled them out of her bag and held them out to him in greeting, "Morning," she hummed, making a small face at the question, "Ask me again once the coffee's kicked in." She looked Cris over before crouching down to greet Marcelino with a small wave to the young boy. After her greeting to the youngest of the three, Arya turned her attention back to Cris, "How're you all doing?"

Arya couldn't help but chuckle, "I'm fine... don't worry about it." She shook her head as she insisted, holding her arms out as she offered her help, "Let me give you some extra hands then. Hang me some of that stuff and I can look after it while you grab another hotdog." After a beat, she added, "Or, you can say they were out of hotdogs and I can back you up. One less thing to have to carry, right?" Lying to a child wasn't Arya's idea of fun, but she would happily back someone up with a nod or two if that was what a parent needed from her. When she was asked about the carnival, she gently nodded, "Yeah, actually... um, I grew up here, so I used to come down every year with my family -- it's been a few years since I've been here, so it's nice to be back. Aside from hotdogs falling out of your arms, are you having a good time...?"

It was going to be soon as now it was fully dark, and everything else had to slow down to stop for the event. Her touch again, was nice even if it was barley their fingers touching, but it was nice. Something he had missed from her. Him telling her he was glad she took the job and he did mean it. Before for a while he thought he wished she didn't so this all never would have happened. So he never hurt her like he did, that he wouldn't feel as bad as he did. "Same" he looked over at her and sat up as music started to play as sign of the show about to start. He helped her sit up and looked at her. He always would love her, he couldn't stop that feeling he had for her.

She moved slowly closer to him, almost as if Max would be spooked if she moved any quicker and moved her hand to properly hold his as they chatted. Her shoulder pressed up against his, resting easily next to him and turning her head to look at him as he spoke. Once they'd settled again enough to sit up to better see the display, Arya heard the music start and knew the show was beginning, but her attention was still on Max. She smiled softly, almost sadly as she looked over his face, feeling like she was properly seeing him again after the chat they'd had in her apartment, "It's nice to hear you say that," she hummed, keeping her voice low so only he could hear her.

It was pretty confusing right now being here with Arya. That it wasn't normal for ex's to do this sort of thing. But here he was laying down in the quiet enjoying a moment with her. He thought she wouldn't like him touching her by mistake like he had. Why he had quickly moved his fingers away. But soon he felt hers on his knuckles. That caused Max to look over at her for a moment. He was longing for it but he was trying to keep himself away but soon opened his fingers again towards her. "I guess if I never took drama class...or if I acted more... I went on the.." he looked away. She did know his past and what he had done. "deal i was supposed too" running stuff with Cris and how it went bad for his friend. "It's all pretty big I think" he looked over at her. "I am still glad you took the job...." even if in the end he hurt her he was glad he met her.

Arya kept her eyes resolutely on the sky as she waited for the show to start. People were milling about and starting to settle their children, a sure sign that the time had almost come for the firework display. She kept her hand still as Max moved his, fully expecting him to pull away entirely, but when she felt his hand open once more, Arya slowly slipped her hand into his, her fingers lacing with his as her thumb continued to make small soothing circles against the back of his hand. She knew he was going through something and she knew he wasn't all that used to talking through his feelings, but she hoped her presence was enough to keep him comfortable and comforted for the time being. Despite everything, Arya still felt love for Max, it was hard not to when she thought about the good times they had together. She nodded gently as he spoke, turning her head to finally look at him when he said he was glad she'd taken the job they'd met on, "Me too," she admitted quietly, "Wouldn't have changed that one for the world."

"Well, alright," who was Logan to turn down spending a little extra money either way. The woman was right, bragging rights tended to win in these kinds of games. Most of them were rigged and the other half had to be impossible, she just knew it. "C'mon," she gestured to one of the seats, "it's going to be a tough game with all these competitors," though it was just the two of them.

Arya couldn't help but laugh when the other woman mentioned it being still competition, moving to sit as she was instructed, "Look, I'm not sure I'm going to be any good at this, but if I don't win I will definitely take it personally and my life will never be the same again." She moved slowly to work out how the game was supposed to work before nodding, "Alright, you ready for me to pretend I'm gonna whoop your ass?"

He didn't expect this too for him to be here laying with her talking. That before he thought he come and she tell him off and he leave that she want nothing to do with him. But here they were getting closet to being friends again. Hearing what she said he looked over and her and shrugged. "I don't know ... i ca only think of major things..." that to him he forget all the small things that could have mattered. "What about you?" he asked and moved his hand it brushed hers so he closed his hand to keep away from her. He shook his head thinking about it for a moment as the night grew darker.

In all honesty Arya wasn't sure who else she'd want there with her (aside from Emily) to chat about stupid things like the Butterfly Effect. She'd been thinking about it all too much lately, her life seemingly feeling out of control to the point where she was questioning ever little move she was making. She felt Max's hand brush against hers and slowly moved her fingers, as if he was a deer who would easily be spooked if she moved too fast. Arya gently brushed her fingers along his knuckles, cautiously and silently letting him know if he needed some sort of physical connection she was open to it. "Nothing much more exciting than going to the store... or something like what if I hadn't taken that job with the production company... what if I hadn't moved back home..." she chuckled a little sadly, "I guess those last questions are kinda big ones too, huh?"

He knew everyone had their own lives and where so different. How many things lead Arya to him so many years ago. That she was in Hollywood and got job on his set and did make up and hair for him. That was crazy to him as he always lived that playboy life and enjoyed it. but she came in and changed him. Hearing what she asked he almost made a joke about the movie with the same title but kept it to himself. He nodded "I have..." if he didnt get his life turned around in school by taking drama he would be in San Diego or LA selling drugs or in prison for sure. That he did wonder what it be like he didn't fall for some young girl and hurt Arya. "I wish I could change a lot of things" he said and just laid back as he saw it was getting darker. But still it was a about 30 mins away from the start of the fireworks. But some how it worked out she came back to her home down, that after he did and now Cris who pretty much was a brother to him. So may things could have changed before if he went with her to look for her sister, over staying back because he didnt want to go for work he could of asked to push for a week.

Eventually as they continued chatting Arya ended up laying herself down on the blanket entirely, her eyes easily taking in the night sky as she found herself relaxing with Max there. A few weeks prior she would have thought sitting and chatting with her ex-husband would have been impossible, but having him there to share some of how she was feeling was actually helping her deal with everything she was thinking. It was a little sad to hear Max admit he'd change a lot of things and Arya turned her head to look at him once more, daring to ask quietly, "Like what...?" she hummed, "Nothing major, you don't need to share the intense stuff... but I was thinking this morning what would have happened if I'd gone out and grabbed peanut butter this morning for my toast instead of having an egg. Stupid, but what could have happened if I went to the store...?" she didn't want to have too much of an intense conversation with Max, their interactions of late being rather emotionally charged, so even with a particularly heavy topic, she wanted to keep things somewhat light.

He always knew he was a little older then she was. Why at fist he did try and remain as friends from work. But as time went on it really just became age was a number. He heard a few people and gossip say he used his power of his job and being older then her to be with her and get married. That a bit of her family didn't like that they got married. But he knew that now he had no work planned he was going to try and stay here longer. So he couldn't just stay at home all day alone. He had to get used to being around the town more. He was starting to get used too it and liking it more then he once did.

Another wave of sadness hit her, but she tried her hardest not to let it consume her this time. She occupied her time gently picking at the popcorn in her hand, and occasionally casting her eyes out into the crowds to watch as the kids ran around and people began to get settled for the fireworks. A group of teens sat not too far from them and Arya remembered what it was like when she was no longer supervised by her dad, when she could come to the festivals on her own with her friends... and just how much her dad would have hated knowing exactly what she and her friends were up to unsupervised. She chuckled when Max joked about being upset, gently and good-naturedly rolling her eyes as he spoke.

He did feel a bit when he sat down on the blanket. That it was a bit harder for him to down like that. Hearing what she said he smirked at her but then acted shocked. " I mean you are the one that likes it older" he shook his head. He didn't react to much to the marriage comment. Just wanting to all be done with, so he wouldn't feel at all. But this was what he wanted, what he came here for. Was to become friends with her and to move past everything to be okay again. She was good friend of his before and wanted that back. He nodded and let out a sigh. "I cant just always go home..." because he didnt like the public a lot, it didnt mean he should always be at home alone. "I'll be alright..." he said as he looked around for a moment. Hearing what she said he almost smiled but kept a straight face hearing what she said. He knew about her family and her sister. That things changed with her sister. "Well I am glad it's still a good memory here..." that she could still come and do part of what she used too. "but it sounds like fun..." he nodded. "My family all worked holidays mostly..." maybe lucky to get the day or night off sometimes. "We go to the bay in San Diego they had big fireworks shows..." always by the shore his family before never got to see it on the water. He smiled at her "So I hope you are having a good day" he said that she didnt seem to upset or sad about all of it.

Arya barked a laugh as Max pointed out her painfully obvious type of liking her men older than her, shaking her head as she knew it was a rather obvious thing. It had been a point on contention with her family in the past, but Arya couldn't help herself -- she was attracted to who she was attracted to and what did it matter to anyone else? She move to lay herself down on the blanket, turning her body to properly face Max as he explained that he couldn't always retreat when it came to things like these. She understood where he was coming from and was thankful he was starting to branch out of his comfort zone in order to socialise more. If he really was planning on staying in town, she was sure he'd feel less weird about it if he spent some time really in the town.