Time After Time - Max Mayfield

a/n: okay this is just a short little bonus for fun and to provide context ig? 

Izzie and Max had both decided, it was time. They were ready.

"So, uh, Mike you were right." Izzie said, receiving confused looks from every member of the party.

The party was hanging out in Mike's basement a few weeks after their winter break, and Izzie and Max were tired of hiding the fact they were dating. They figured they could combine their coming outs and relationship announcement, as if it would be less awkward or uncomfortable.

Everyone was sitting on the couch, and Max and Izzie were standing together in front of them, shifting on their feet nervously.

Mike tilted his head, his hand in El's. "I'm sure I was, but what was I right about?"

Izzie looked over at Max briefly before looking back at Mike. She was nervous, but as long as she had Max with her, she'd be fine. "Uh, last year, during our fight. You said I had a crush on Max. You were right."

Mike's jaw fell slack, as did Dustin and Lucas'. Will was unreactive, and El just tilted her head.

Max smiled and grabbed Izzie's hand. "And I had a crush on Izzie too."

"Uh, now we're dating." Izzie summarised. Everyone was speechless.

Izzie glanced at Max nervously before back at the group.

"Okay." El was the first to speak, shrugging nonchalantly. Izzie figured she'd be the first to get on board, growing up in the lab she probably didn't get much exposure to relationships, so she probably wasn't exposed to homophobia either.

Will was the next to smile and speak. "I'm happy for you guys."

Mike just grunted. "Oh. I didn't mean it seriously."

Izzie shrugged. "Well, it was true regardless."

"Alright, um, good for you guys?" Mike shrugged.

Dustin and Lucas looked at each other, then Max, then Izzie, then back at each other.

Max muffled a laugh. "Uh, you guys okay there?"

"You two . . . are dating. Each other." Lucas said slowly. Max and Izzie both nodded.

"Is that gonna be a problem?" Izzie asked, voice harsh.

Lucas shook his head frantically. "No, no, that's not what I meant, it's just . . . wow."

Max laughed awkwardly. "Haha, yeah."

"You're lesbians?" Dustin blurted.

"I am, yep. I like girls. Only girls." Izzie nodded.

Max raised the hand that wasn't holding Izzie's. "I'm cool with boys and girls. I think that's called bisexual?" Max looked at Izzie who nodded. "Yep, I'm bisexual."

"Okay." Dustin nodded, a sad look on his face. "That's cool, um, happy for you guys."

Max and Izzie both looked at each other, smiling dumbly. They both went to go sit down with the other, Izzie kissing Max's cheek lightly.

"Okay, that's gonna take some getting used to." Mike commented.

Izzie smacked his leg.

"Okay! Sorry!"

———

"Hey, could you give me a second?" Izzie asked Max as they were leaving Mike's house.

Max nodded with her brows furrowed. "Everything okay?"

Izzie nodded, glancing back at Dustin. "Yeah, I just need to talk to Dustin."

"Ah, got it." Max nodded knowingly. Izzie gave her hand a squeeze before jogging away to catch up with the curly-haired boy.

"Dustin?" She called, making said boy look back at her.

He clenched his jaw. "Oh, hey Iz. What's up?"

"I uh . . . I know that you had a crush on Max." She didn't beat around the bush. Dustin froze.

"What-"

Izzie shrugged and chuckled nervously. "You weren't exactly subtle. But I'm sorry that I uh, didn't talk to you about it. I mean, I wasn't ready to come out yet, but still."

Dustin looked down at his shoes. "I, uh, I get that. And I'm sorry I'm not more supportive of you two."

Izzie bumped his shoulder. "Don't be. You need time."

"I need time." Dustin agreed. "But don't be sorry. I get why you couldn't tell me yet."

"You'll find a good girl, or guy maybe, you never know." Izzie laughed, making Dustin chuckled too. "You'll find someone who deserves you. Someone awesome, and I'll wanna hear all about them."

Dustin smiled and nodded. "Absolutely."

Izzie bit her lip. "I love you man."

"I love you too Iz."

Izzie waved as she ran back.

"Everything okay?" Max asked when Izzie rejoined her, linking their arms together.

"I think everything is gonna be fine." Izzie smiled.

a/n: pls I hope that wasn't weird. S3 should be coming out soon idk, exam season is kicking my ass, me and lime are both dying lmao

good luck if you're doing exams too