analogthis | open rp/inbox

( nathan's still pondering the space-time continuum when max's lips meet his. even in this empty-ass target, he feels himself flush at the sudden public display of affection.

they can't be that couple. )

[Well, it worked. Success! But she doesn't continue once he's shut up, because they do have other things they have to be doing. And s'mores are important business.

She pulls away, and very smartly doesn't comment on the flush of his cheeks even if the sight does make her smile.]

Maybe we can cool it a little with the ime-tay talk in public? [The pig latin probably wasn't necessary either.] Just... be careful, please. Do you want me to go grab the marshmallows and meet you at the registers?

( before he can think better of it, his hand grasps onto hers while max is still close. )

What, you think the Men In Black are gonna show up in this random Target? We're good, girl...

( at the mention of splitting up, he lets go. )

Yeah, babe. Meet you up front.

[She briefly rolls her eyes in exasperation at his dismissal, but it's partnered with a squeeze of his hand and a smile so it holds no sting.

Babe is still nice. Does she need to be coming up with a term of endearment for Nathan, too? Well, something to ponder as she heads two aisles down to find the baking supplies and the marshmallows among them. Sha grabs two bags, one regular jumbo marshmallows and one color changing marshmallows. Because the idea of somebody being in shock and awe of those while high is too amusing for her to pass up.

Max promptly heads back up to the front with her bounty.]

( nathan's got things lined up on the rolling conveyor belt when max joins him, arms full of sugary goodness. he and his sister gobbled down marshmallows and played chubby bunnies as a kid, but that was damn near a decade ago. he's grown now, and the thought of being see with fluffy, rainbow marshmallows feels a little humiliating.

but if max likes them, it'd be stupid to complain.

the woman at the checkout scans it all with a paid smile and an interest in small-talk that's too put upon to be genuine. Oooh, looks like someone's planning to have a good time! Where's the party at? I'll have what you're having. Double Stuffed Oreos are my favorite!

she's really angling for that five-star rating. it's annoying, but it's harmless. nathan doesn't answer her inquiries, and she gradually tapers off.

until the end, that is, when she whispers with faux sympathy: )

"I'm so sorry, sir, but that method of payment isn't going through. Any chance you have another card?"

( which makes the rainbow marshmallows seem like firearms in terms of the humiliation they cause him to feel. )

What the hell are you talking about? Of course it's going through. You have any idea how much I have in my bank account??

"...Well, no. I don't—"

A lot, okay? I've got thousands. Millions. This shit is nothing.

"Be that as it may, sir, you're going to have to try again."

( her plastic smile makes him stew, and he swears he can feel max's eyes on him. her rounds on her. )

What the fuck are you looking at?

[She's not any more eager for small talk with the cashier than Nathan is, honestly, though she does give the lady a friendly smile.

Up until Nathan's card apparently declines, and it drops off her face.

Is this her fault? Was the hospital bill too much? She shouldn't have insisted on Nathan paying it, or shouldn't have let them all talk her into staying overnight.

His dad. She remembers suddenly the text from him threatening to cut him off. Is that it? Would that have happened so soon and so suddenly? She'd figured it was just some sort of intimidation tactic but maybe that had been naive of her.

When he turns to look at her, she's staring at her own hands while she silently stresses, though she immediately jumps at his tone, looking up at him and looking guilty. Like this is all her fault.]

I.. I wasn't... [She trails off, eyes flicking quickly from Nathan to the cashier to the register read out.

How much is it? Maybe... She does have her parents' credit card... Though she feels bad even considering it. (Still not even close to the price of the hospital bill, though.) What other option do they have, other than Nathan calling and talking to his dad? And groveling for more money from him. The thought makes her sick for him.]

We can use my card, Nathan.

[She whispers it to him, as if the cashier isn't close enough to them to hear that. She has the gut feeling that Nathan is going to be mad at her for offering, like she's purposefully trying to humiliate him. It would be nice to think she's built up enough rapport that he won't automatically think that, but... She's not sure if that's true. She says it with conviction, anyway.]

( what a correct assumption she makes! )

You think I need money? From you?

( things were so nice when he was go-karting her around the store. miles stretch between then and now.

now, nathan looks like he's been slapped. her money? what money? she's on scholarship. her parents are working class. she doesn't even know what money is.

but what else is he supposed to do?

... )

Can't you fucking fix this? Go back, or whatever?

( if she hasn't just been fucking around about her powers all this time, which is seeming more likely by the minute. what a stupid thing to lie about, and what an even more stupid thing for him to believe. )

[She gives a nod in response, and then walks away. She's walking all the way back to the snack aisle, because she needs to physically be there when she rewinds. Nathan may not know that, and she's not bothering to explain it because he's going to forget in a minute anyway, so why bother?

Once she's back where they were when they were deciding on snacks, Max focuses, and pulls time backward around her until Nathan is there beside her with the mostly empty cart, just the pot and the donuts. He tells her to pick out snacks, and she stands there.

How does she tell him? He's going to get mad again. Well, if he's going to get mad anyway, then... Fuck it.]

...I just rewound because you asked me to, Nathan. You need to check your card. When we check out, it's going to decline.

[She says it all very matter-of-fact-like. No pity, no sugar coating. She feels... resigned, a little bit, as she wraps her arms around herself in an unconscious motion to self-soothe.]

Edited (decided I was reacting to unstated context too much!! ;;) 2026-04-08 21:49 (UTC)

( he leaves the snack choices to her because it's not like it really matters. drunk teens will eat anything. high teens will eat anything. drunk and high teens will eat a bowl of grass if you hand it to them.

he knows. he's done it.
hayden wasn't even mad.

he figured max might have fun filling their cart with junk, but she huffs out a sigh. it feels like her whole mood's shifted. )

Or... I can do it. Like I said, it's not like anyone really cares.

( he's reaching for a pack of twinkies on the top shelf when max speaks up. )

When? Now? ( he frowns, forgoes the twinkies so he's back on two feet. ) How would you know what's in my bank account?

( one question informs the answer to the other, but nathan's too surprised and baffled to listen to himself. at least he's not angry and humiliated. he's got his brows, looks at max like she's a puzzle. or a mind-reader. or a time traveler. )

Shit, really? Just now? You did it??

[As confusing as her power is for him to understand or believe, it's confusing for Max to have to deal with. She may ditch certain timelines and change what happens but she's still left with the memories and the feelings of all that doesn't happen. While everyone else gets a clean slate. Nathan doesn't have to remember the humiliation of his card declining in front of Max and the cashier and rainbow marshmallows, but Max is still left feeling the sting of his misplaced anger.

She's also genuinely worried about what the fuck is up with the card.]

I did. So we need to figure out why it's going to decline before we try to buy anything. Maybe you should... call someone... or something?

[She shrugs, a helpless little motion, betraying her feelings on all of this. She feels lost and unsure what to do and alone in this feeling.

Something she doesn't remember being talked about in other time travel media. How lonely and isolating it feels to be the one left with the memories no one else has.]

I didn't feel anything. ( which is more awed than dismissive. she moves through time like a swimmer slicing through water. he must've expected something more theatrical, like blinking tardis lights, or a car moving at 88 miles per hour.

he's so stoked about her timebending abilities, he forgets to be angry as he opens his bank app on his phone and sees that, yes, there's been a hold placed on his account. )

Fuck, Max... You're right. Holy shit. ( he's marvelling at her accuracy, but she remains standoffish. clearly, she's not at enamored by her powers as he is. )

This is crazy. ( and, oh, right, he's also broke. ) Yeah, guess I should... call my dad, or something. But Jesus, Max. You're like... I don't know. Like something outta X-Files. Or Men In Black.

[She's not mad at him. Not really. It would be unfair to hold something against him that he hasn't done. But it still hurts. And leaves her feeling insecure and in want of comfort. But there's no way for Nathan to know that unless she tells him, and she's worried telling him will mean him thinking she's blaming him for something he didn't do. And becoming angry again.

She tries to force a small smile for him. And the force of the action itself actually does relieve some of her tension. She finds herself giving a little curtsy with ever so much sass.]

Glad you're impressed. It was kind of surprising you told me to rewind, actually. I mean, obviously that wasn't you, that was... other time you, now. But I guess now you know you can do that, when you think I need to. But we should be careful and not rely on it too much, especially since we know pushing it can cause me to black out.

( he's a little distracted as he queues up his dad's number — because, hello, time travel is real. )

Who wouldn't be impressed?? You're like a superhero.

( it's unfortunate how interesting this conversation is. he has so many questions for her. he wants to know everything. the prospect of something so novel feels way, way more pleasant than calling his dad and begging for money. )

So, what happens to the other me? ( he asks, raising the phone to his ear like an after thought. ) Wait, can you tell me after? Wanna get snacks and shit while I handle this— Uh, hello? Is Mr. Prescott available? It's... yeah, it's me... I can hold, I guess, yeah.

( bold of you to assume nathan's phone calls don't immediately get routed to one of sean's assistants. )

[Oh, Nathan. He's going to be so disappointed to learn she has like next to zero solid answers for those types of questions.

...wow, it's not like she needed further proof at this point that Sean Prescott was a total asshole. But still. What a dick. If he'd placed a hold on Nathan's card, he had to have known he was going to call about it, too. Feels like some toxic bullshit power move. The kind of thing one especially doesn't need to do with their own damn kid.

Okay, she's gotta turn away and focus on these snacks again. Does she go the same route or choose something else just because she can? She'll grab Chips Ahoy instead of Oreos this time, and she goes for a few different flavors of those donuts that Nathan grabbed, like the chocolate glazed and the cinnamon sugar. She's going for the graham crackers and Hershey's chocolate bars too because she hasn't forgotten her mission to introduce Nathan to a s'more.]

( meanwhile, nathan believes this will be a quick fix, so he tosses a few snacks of his own into the cart while he waits. his dad will hop on the phone, acknowledge the mistake with his accounts, and handle it.

he drops in a bag of chips and puts the phone on speaker. it's not a secret. if they're going to date, max better get a feel for what she's getting herself into. if she runs for the hills, it'd be the right decision. )

"Sean Prescott."

Dad, I'm at the store. My card's frozen. You know about that?

"Nathan, do you think I'm an idiot?"

What? No. I didn't say that.

"Actions speak louder than words, son."

...

"Well?"

Well, what?

"Excuse me??"

( he winces. what an easy, avoidable mistep. you'd think nathan hadn't spent his entire life with this guy. )

Sorry, sir...

( from the other side, there's a rattle, glasses being set down, as sean pinches the bridge of his nose. )

"If you insist on wasting my time, I'll end this call—"

No, sir, I'm just asking... like, what's happening? Why'd you freeze my account, I guess?

"Do you guess or do you know?"

( another minefield. nathan knows how his father likes his replies: sharp. and yet, he wavers. it's so hard to tell what it is his dad wants to hear. )

I—I don't know, sir.

"Nathan, as immature as ever... I had a talk with your instructor today, Mark. It was deeply enlightening."

Mr. Jefferson? Mr. Jefferson called you?

( if he'd been indignant and subservient before, hearing this makes nathan pale. there's no way jefferson could be so vindictive. and all over max? nathan got his accounts frozen because he likes a girl?

it's a dick move, but it's only be a partial truth. it has to be. jefferson can't lament to sean about the serious shit. if he had, locking up his money would be the least of nathan's worries.

sean doesn't know anything. )

"You've been out of line, he says. Honestly, I'm lucky to have him keeping an eye on you. What's this about a hospital visit?"

No, that's just... my friend—

"Victoria Chase? Feh. Another stomach pump, I presume."

No, no, Vic's fine—

"And you haven't been turning in assignments. Nathan, at least pretend to try. Being this disappointed gets tiring. Do you know how much I'd like to brag about you to my peers? James' son got accepted to Harvard. My latest investment partner, his daughter is an international liaison to the Clintons. And you? Nothing. There's nothing worth bragging about."

( not an original one, but it still hits home. nathan's crumple is easy to see, something inside of him folds like a house of cards. its only his awareness of his surroundings that stops him from doing something worse.

like, god forbid, crying. )

Dad, I am trying...

"That remains to be seen."

My account, dad. Please. There's this party. I promised... I'm bringing the snacks.

( it sounds thin to his own ears. sean's too, considering. )

"Snacks? How delightful... You make me sick."

( he hangs up. moments later, nathan's account thaws to life, and nathan rubs his temples as he shoves the phone back into his pocket.

that was a good call. his morning with jefferson was worse. he's barely even shaking. )

[The conversation she's hearing is legitimately making her angry. This guy is such a tool. But she does feel grateful that Nathan is willing to place it on speaker phone like that. It feels a little like letting Max in.

Hearing Mark Jefferson's name though startles her, reminds her of the text she'd read on Nathan's phone from him. Sticking to the script, or something along those lines? This feels like something more than Nathan's possible grades in his class... Does he act up in his class? Did he have an outburst? That still doesn't match with the text, though. Maybe she should find out who all shares that class period with Nathan... Then there's the thing that Nathan told her about him, the trouble he'd gotten into.

Unsure whether Nathan wants comfort or to be alone, Max decides to give his shoulder a quick squeeze as she walks by, tilting her head to the next aisle.]

Marshmallows are on the baking aisle, so I was going to head over there. Everything cool on the money front?

...Yeah, looks like it.

( and all he had to do was beg for snack money like a peasant. chances are sean doesn't believe that the money is for snacks. other party favors seem more likely, knowing what sean knows about his troubled son.

he gets a text, 'We'll talk about this in the morning. Expect some serious changes in this lax lifestyle of yours'.

...which means it's a problem for future nathan. )

I'll come with.

( to the baking aisle. don't leave him alone with his thoughts in the middle of target. max. it's a terrible place to be. )

[Max isn't the best at keeping up with her own studies. It's not that she's not smart, but she does have tendency to procrastinate, and get distracted, and overanalyze everything.

Still... if Nathan asked her for help in that area... She'd do it.

For now, she offers him a smile, then links her arm through his playfully.]

Then it's a date. To the baking aisle. I hope we don't need reservations or anything, I've heard it gets pretty busy over there at this time of night.

Max, you're a doofus.

( it's stupid, but it does lighten his spirits. )

You gonna push the cart? With one hand, Supermax? ...Wait, that sorta sounds like a prison.

[She is a dork, it is known. But to be fair he also oh, yeah'd her earlier so does he really have room to talk?

Max glances at the cart.]

It's two aisles away, I think the cart will be safe here. Unless you wanna chauffeur me again?

( you know how those target cart-thieves roam about at night. can't risk it. )

Your chariot, m'lady.

( if he were even an ounce more dorky, he'd tip an invisible fedora. thankfully, he's not that far gone. )

[Wouldn't want anyone stealing their bounty of snacks, god forbid.

She grins and finds her place again on the end of the cart, holding onto the sides.

She's about to ask if this means she owes him gas money, but that might be a little Too Soon, honestly. The point is to take his mind off that fiasco.

Instead Max just directs him to the aisle and area, and instead of stepping off the cart to grab the items, she grabs them from the shelf while still riding and plunks them into the cart. She shows the color changing ones to him first, though, and this time she gets to explain her thought process.]

Do you think anyone high enough would be totally gobsmacked to see their blue marshmallow turn green?

( nathan is holding up well, all things considered. maybe it's because he's used to this treatment from his father, or maybe this being his second tongue-lashing of the day has helped to soften the blow. he's got things he's looking forward to tonight, like seeing max's eyes in the moonlight. and max knows that his dad is a dick, so he's spared himself the embarrassment of discovery.

he can shake it off. watching max glide through the aisle like the queen of marshmallows does wonders for forgetting about the hot mess of his paternal relationship. )

No, because no one's been 'gobsmacked' since 1932... But we should do it. I bet the stoners would flip.

Too bad blue and green are pretty much the same color. Now going from green to, like, purple? That'd really fuck me up.

Maybe I should have said "gobstopped?"

[A freaking color-changing candy pun. Someone stop her for these crimes.]

That's true... especially at night, might be kind of hard to even tell that they've changed color. And the other one is just pink to orange? I am very disappointed in this technology, Nathan. We should write to someone about it.

[She's just opened up one of the bags of regular marshmallows to stick one in her mouth. She's on a crime spree.

She offers one to Nathan, even if he's still driving the cart.]

No one says that, either. Seriously, girl, what century are you from?

( the time travel allegations are all falling into place. if max confessed to traveling here from the 1800s, nathan wouldn't say he was surprised.

max tears open the plastic packaging, and nathan looks around. he's a bad guy and all, but this is a little far!! )

Max, you're an animal. ( someone stop her before she does something really crazy, like jaywalking. ) But I can't tell that shit apart, anyhow. It's all, like, sorta the same. You know?

( whether she knows or not, nathan opens his mouth for her to toss a marshmallow into as he pushes them towards the front of the store. he even says 'aaaaa'. )

💀💀 max ur bf is DUMB

and dreamwidth ate this notif wtf rude

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