A/N: This takes place after the game. Although I do not know - yet - the ending of the game, I'm going to try and write this anyways. We need some Marren fanfictions up in here. I hope that you enjoy.

Goodbye to the Paintings on the Wall
Chapter One

Nobody told me I would have to deal with the aftermath of everything that has happened; nobody told me that after my adventure, one that I shared with friends, life would go on. As it had been when Chloe and I had investigated, everything was secret so nobody even knew. Not yet. Not about me, that is. The dead body, which I still can't refer to as Rachel, was found with an anonymous tip: us. The police, with more anonymous help, found the bastards. Sean Prescott's throne crumbled and Nathan, as fucked up as he is, got the help he deserved at least.

Arcadia Bay is barely functioning but it will get there and, when it does, I'll be at Blackwell or somewhere trying to stitch the remnants of my life together. Of course, I'll have help. "You're a hero, Max Caulfield," Warren is beside me, I asked him to stay with me. I'm not sure what it is, Jefferson and everyone else involved is behind bars, even so I still don't feel safe. "Even if you don't believe it yet."

"Warren, I saw a body," I stare outwards, away from him, at the sun creeping behind the bus. Still, even now, I can recall the stench, there is nothing like it. "This - no, that - was real, Warren. I saw a dead body, I saw Chloe get killed and I was able to play rewind." After I had told him, he thought I was crazy but then, soon after, quickly thought it was the coolest shit he had ever seen. And I had thought so at some point too.

I didn't ask for the responsibility of saving the day and I'm not saying that I regret it, it's just hard. "You did," he nods, his eyes soft as he gazes at me. "And here we are, saved, because of you. Max, you're amazing. You saved me, you, Chloe and every other person that could have died, it was all you. It was real, and yes, it sucked but it's over now."

"I hope so, Warren. I really do." I feel an arm over my shoulders and, unlike myself, I lean into my... I don't know what Warren is to me anymore. All I know is that now that I have almost died, been kidnapped, he's different. He's safe. "It's over for me but not for Chloe." The blue-headed girl was in a grieving process for her friend, I would have been there.

"It's just I went to her house last week, after he (I still can't say his name) had been put in the cage and everything shit seemed to not be so shit. She was crying, her body racked with sobs and distress and sadness. But she was also in the arms of Joyce and it seemed as if those two deserved a moment together. So I left it, I texted her and I respected her wish to be alone. "Chloe will get there," Warren stares out, like me, as if he is looking for an answer, the right words to say. "But right now, my concern is you."

"Your concern?" I mumble, staring up at him. "I'm your concern?" There was, in the midst of the chaos of emotion, a slight feeling of happiness; it seemed dumb, with all that had happened. After what had happened, the pictures of me and the absolute grief, the mourning of the old me, I was sure that any romantic relationship would be gone. But now, with the attentive, caring Warren, I feel as if maybe something could happen. In the future. Near future?

"From day one, Max." He smiles, reciprocating my gaze. "Could you do me a favor?"

"Uh, not the best time to ask but," I pause, a hint of a smile on my lips. "Shoot."

"Don't rewind this," he nervously mumbles, leaning down and pressing his soft lips to mine. My eyes are wide but after a few seconds, I become less stiff and respond. At the beginning of my story, of our story, I didn't think Warren and I would ever... be together like this but now, after everything, it seems right. He eventually pulls away and it wasn't wild, it wasn't crazy, the kiss was emotional and tender.

Warren knows how I feel right now and he would initiate anything more, which is a part of the reason why I like him. "I'm glad I said yes," I mutter. "To go to the movies with you, even if we didn't go. Sorry about that." Because if I hadn't of said yes, then Brooke would be in my place. Or Stella. Like in the alternate universe. How did I change so much?

"Believe me," Warren says and there is a hint of humor. "It was about time I asked you out." I rolled my eyes and swatted his arm, very funny. Blackwell, and Arcadia Bay for that matter, had some repairing. In the mean time, it seemed like life would be bearable with him. I could do this, team Max after all this time.

A/N: Should there be a sequel? Message or comment, let me know.

Poor everyone. Dammit, Jefferson.