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- Vinh – “Do you have to go?”
- Max – “Would you be willing to believe I need to go save the world?”
- — Chapter 3, “Spin”
Langfield is the het ship between Max Caulfield and Vinh Lang from the Life is Strange fandom.
Canon[]
Life is Strange: Double Exposure[]
Chapter 1: Still Life[]
Vinh’s reaction to Max calling his nickname for Yasmin “adorable”.
Max Caulfield has just begun her journey as the new photographer in residence at Caledon University. There, she crosses paths with Vinh Lang, the charming assistant to Yasmin Fayyad, the campus administrator, who welcomes Max with open arms in this new chapter of her life. Though their initial encounter was never shown, it’s clear that Vinh played a role guiding Max through the paperwork needed for her teaching position and helping her acclimate to university routine.
Their dynamic as coworkers unfolds like a game of push-and-pull, a mix of annoying tease and occasional playful flirtation, which doesn’t go unnoticed by anyone watching them interact.
However, the shadow of grief looms over campus after the passing of Safi Fayyad, Max’s friend, Yasmin’s daughter and someone who also has a mysterious connection to Vinh in the past.
It’s in this heavy moment that Yasmin calls Max to her office, setting the stage for a fateful meeting of Vinh and Max in the waiting room. Their initial interaction is tinged with tension—Max’s irritation at Vinh’s insistence that she didn’t have an appointment clashes with his frustration at her unexpected arrival. Both with heavy hearts due to their recent loss.
Yet, as they began to argue, Max can’t help but chuckle at Vinh’s endearing nickname for their boss, “kahuna.” It softens the air between them, allowing Vinh to momentarily set aside his annoyance to express his heartfelt condolences.
Uncertainty lingers as Max wonders why Yasmin has summoned her, but Vinh, with a sincere smile, offers words of encouragement saying how much his boss likes Max and he was glad she was there to comfort her. Though he can’t let her into the office right away—Yasmin tied up in a meeting—he proposes a way to pass the time: a quick errand to retrieve a package just down the hall.
As Max returns with his package, Vinh wondered if this was a sign that they were becoming friends and a flicker of curiosity ignites within Max and she teased him by saying that they should be friends-with-benefits instead. He was flustered by her words until he realized it was a joke, then he laughs softly, enjoying the tension between them.
Vinh asks what she wants. Max looks confused when Vinh explains that nothing is free for smart people and she must want something from him. Max replies that doesn’t want anything yet, but he owes her a favor and Vinh says he likes the way she bargains. As she leaves, a sense of anticipation hanging in the air.
Later that day, Vinh texts Max to thank him about the package, flirting with double entendres words, to which Max flirts back in kind.
Chapter 2: Penumbra[]
“Living World” Vinh smugly flirts with Max.
When Safi died, reality broke and the timeline splits in two worlds, one where Safi is still dead and another where she is alive, and Max is the only one capable of traveling between them.
With such power, Max ended up getting caught in a whirlwind of emotions, dealing with two distinct versions of everyone she knows, including Vinh. In the Living World, Vinh seems aloof and indifferent, a heart seemingly made of stone, flirting with a hollow charm that leaves Max feeling confused. Yet, in the Dead World, as they both mourn Safi together, Vinh becomes someone she can connect with; he opens up, sharing laughter and sorrows, without pushing her boundaries and being surprisingly patient.
Investigating in the Living World, working to uncover the mystery behind Safi’s vandalized car, Max turns her gaze toward Vinh, suspecting he’s involved. However, he brushes her off, more concerned with the theft of his phone, leaving her feeling a mix of frustration and longing for a deeper connection.
Determined to catch his attention, Max embarks on a quest to uncover the truth of the stolen phone, and when she finally breaks through, Vinh surprises her with an invitation for a drink—a proposal she playfully declines, teasing him in a way that hints at the chemistry simmering just below the surface.
After speaking with the other suspects, Max soon finds Vinh struggling with his phone, suspiciously unable to unlock it, and she feels an unusual unease around him. After an awkward conversation with this Vinh, Max decides to cross over to the Dead World, to get the phone passcode from the other Vinh, the one she knows better and can actually talk.
As they drink in his office, an enamored Vinh stares at Max.
Arriving in the Dead World, Max spots Vinh enjoying a drink at work, but he is startled by her unexpected presence, accidentally mistaking her for their boss, in what she flirts with him about it. He gestures for her to join him, and she takes a moment to ask if his behavior was because of Safi’s death. This question frustrates Vinh, as he feels that the topic has dominated conversations around campus and he wishes their time together could focus solely on them, saying that a day drinking with a colleague is “sexy”.
Max accepts his invitation and his demeanor brightens. It isn’t long before sparks of joy ignite between them. Their conversation turns to memories from before college and they begin to open up to each other, though Max remains reserved and says she’s not interesting. However, Vinh reveals his feelings and reveals that he likes her, perhaps precisely because he thinks she’s haunted, claiming that “haunted people are interesting”—fascinated by the mystery she is to him.
Eventually, curiosity compels Max to ask him for his phone’s passcode, the favor he owes her. Vinh is confused at first, but soon takes it as a joke or a flirtatious tease and give it to her.
When she returns to the Living World, she finds the waiting room empty with Vinh nowhere to be seen, however, his phone lies abandoned on the desk. As she unlocks it, a shocking revelation descends upon her—a picture of Vinh and Safi lying in bed together, some kind of secret relationship. This discovery becomes a bittersweet reminder of the complexities of the situation, love and connection splits between realities and Max struggling, first for realizes how little she knows Safi, and then because of her feelings for Vinh, a man grieving in one world and taken in by her friend in another.
Chapter 3: Spin[]
Max tries to gain information from “Dead World” Vinh.
Max’s investigation leads her to try to find out more about Maya, a friend of Safi and Vinh who committed suicide years ago. When she tries to talk to Vinh in the Living World, he completely pushes the subject away and they end up having an argument so Max decides to go talk to Vinh in the Dead World instead.
In the Dead World, Max overhears Vinh and Diamond Washington, a fellow student, having a heated argument and he is in no mood to talk about anything with her. Max gets the idea to manipulate Diamond into discussing about Maya with Vinh and using her powers to hear how Vinh responds to it.
“Living World” Vinh gestures for Max to leave his office after becoming irritated with her.
So she finally finds out that Vinh gave a statement about Maya’s death and it is with this deal that he got his job. Back in the Living World, Max also finds out that Vinh was the one who vandalized Safi’s car as a way to distract her from her revenge.
Safi finds out about Max’s investigations and they fight about how nosy she has been being. At this point, all the other characters have something against Max as well and she feels down so decides goes to the bar.
Max and Vinh play “Smash or Pass” together at the Snapping Turtle.
In the Dead World, she finds Vinh drinking sad too and decides to join him. They flirt and Max vent about her bad day and reveals things she found out in the Living World about him. Vinh and Max have a heart-to-heart about life and regrets. To lighten the mood, they start talking about relationships and Vinh starts a game of smash or pass aimed at their coworkers. Max can choose either option and he always has an answer that makes her laugh or smile.
Max and Vinh kiss.
At the end of their game, Vinh asks Max about him, if she’d smash or pass him and, amazed and drunk, she answers with a kiss, taking him by surprise and leaving him speechless. Max has the chance to take a picture of him and leaves thinking Vinh is a very good kisser, later she writes in her journal how much she wanted that kiss.
Chapter 4: Diptych[]
In the Living World, after making amends with Safi and finding out exactly what is going on, Max decides to help her get revenge against Lucas, the professor who ignited Maya’s death. Vinh is also on board with the plan and he and Max have a few opportunities to talk alone.
“I didn’t agree to help you.”
Before the plan begins, Max can tell him that she is surprised he is helping her. This Vinh is shallow with her and gives a sharp answer, but Max is not shaken by that. He then shows regret for all the bad things he did in the past and Max supports him by saying what matters is what he did here and now. This leaves Vinh speechless.
On stage, while unmasking Lucas in front of everyone, Vinh makes all the revelations and Max watches attentively and at one point she boos Lucas, which Vinh laughs and thanks. In the end, Lucas threatens to sue Vinh for his actions and he has to leave the stage. Later, Max finds Vinh hiding in a corner of the bar, embarrassed of himself and she tries to support him, but fails to improve his mood.
Chapter 5: Decoherence[]
While trapped in the psychic storm in the time vortex, Max finds herself having to save each of her friends, one by one.
Shortly after reliving the most traumatic moment of her life, Max finds Vinh going crazy from perhaps a similar experience, realizing that he is alone and that Safi, the person he has devoted himself to the most in recent years, is the cause of his pain and has no care for him at all. Everything is dangerous and this is not the place to talk about relationships and feelings, but neither Max nor Vinh can help themselves with the mess that is happening.
Vinh smiles as he realizes that Max is the one he should focus on, not Safi.
Vinh sadly vents about his conflicting feelings, still worried but hurt by his friend and confesses that he thought he was in love once, but now doubts if anything was real or if he is just a toy. Max listens to him attentively and takes a step towards him, gently telling him that maybe he should focus on who is right in front of him, meaning her. A statement that leaves Vinh speechless for a moment, but then he smiles in agreement, finally realizing his feelings. Max smiles too, but has no time to waste, knowing that she has to go save the others, so she just touches his arm, promising to fix everything, to which Vinh, still a little amaze by her, believes and asks her to be careful.
Vinh goes to take shelter from the storm and Max watches him leave with a soft smile.
Days pass after the events of the storm and each of the characters retreats to their own homes to process what happened, including Vinh and Max.
During this time he sends her many text messages, pouring out all the fears in his heart, being dramatic, funny, but also sensitive to the traumas they experienced. Unfortunately, Max's phone got fried in the storm and she is unable to respond to him until days later when she gets a new phone and then invites him to meet her at the bar to talk in person, promising to explain everything.
Vinh also posts on social media about Max, without naming her, but describing the person who saved him as the Queen of Swords from the tarot cards. He sounds grateful and just hopes that she keeps him around.
Max and Vinh embrace after the events of the storm.
Moments before arriving, Max expresses insecurity about being around people who know about her powers, and after talking to some of her still-confused friends who haven't taken it well, she may be even more unsure. But when she finally meet him face to face, the first thing Vinh does is hug her and tell her how happy he is to see her. Max chuckles at the warm welcome and Vinh sighs with relief at finally being able to be with her.
He apologizes for texting her so many times and says that she was the only one he could talk to, and Max can either teasing him playfully or comfort him about the trauma she knows all too well now. Vinh is grateful for the change in perspective the storm has given him, hinting that he is ready to move on. And they agree to talk about their relationship soon.
Before going to talk to Moses, Max asks to take a picture of Vinh for her photo wall. He is reluctant at first because he looks tired and poorly dressed, but, with a cute puppy face, Max convinces him. When she chooses his pose, he reassures her that he is happy to see her and Max can call him by a cute nickname.
At the end of the game, Max gives a speech to explain everything and Vinh walks closer, devoting all his attention to her.
Moments[]
Chapter 1: Still Life[]
- Max says Vinh is adorable for calling his boss "Kahuna"
- Vinh asks Max to find his package down the hall.
- Vinh winks at Max as she leaves.
- Max teases Vinh by saying they could be friends with benefits to which Vinh gets flustered.
- Max asks Vinh for a favor for delivering his package.
- Vinh and Max flirt over text with sexual double entendres.
Chapter 2: Penumbra[]
- While investigating, Max ends up flirting with Vinh in the living world.
- Vinh in the living world invites Max to drink his favorite whiskey, but she declines saying that it is "tempting, but..."
- While investigating, Max ends up flirting with Vinh in the dead world.
- Max agrees to drink with Vinh in the dead world.
- Vinh and Max laugh, flirt, and stare at each other's lips as they drink together.
- Vinh says that she likes Max because she feels haunted.
- Max thanks him for the drink because she really needed a break.
- Vinh and Max talk about their fear of the future.
- Max looks sad and stressed when she finds out that Vinh and Safi, her friend, has a thing in the past.
Chapter 3: Spin[]
- While investigating the living world, Max pressures Vinh to talk about Maya and they have a fallout.
- Max manages to get information out of Vinh in the living world and they make a truce after she gives him a secret.
- Vinh in the dead world invites Max to have a drink at the bar after work which she eagerly accepts.
- After a terrible day, Max goes to meet Vinh at the bar because she thinks he can lighten her mood.
- Vinh and Max have a heart to heart about their bad day, regrets and love life.
- Vinh and Max play smash or pass to lighten the mood.
- Max kisses Vinh in the game and leaves him speechless.
- Max thinks Vinh is a really good kisser.
- Vinh is smitten with Max.
Chapter 4: Diptych[]
- Max tells Safi about the kiss and her friend doesn't care and leaves the way clear for them.
- Vinh agrees to help Max and Safi set a trap for Lucas.
- Vinh seems heartbroken over past regrets and Max comforts him and leaves him speechless.
- Vinh is happy when Max boos Lucas during the performance.
- Max comforts Vinh after Lucas threatens to sue him.
Chapter 5: Decoherence[]
- After the timelines merge, Vinh seems confused about his feelings for Safi and Max asks him to focus on her instead.
- Vinh smiles at Max, finally realizing what is right in front of him.
- Max promises that she will fix everything.
- Vinh trusts her and asks her to be careful.
- After the storm, Vinh texts Max a lot, pouring out all his fears and traumas. And Max asks him to meet her at the bar.
- Vinh is not afraid of Max's powers and hopes that she wants him around.
- Vinh hugs Max tightly the first time they see each other after the storm.
- Max comforts Vinh about the traumas of the storm and they agree to talk about their relationship later.
- Taking a picture of Vinh, he expresses how happy he is to see her and she calls him baby.
Quotes[]
- Max – “Here you go. Saved you the trip.”
- Vinh – “What's this? Don't tell me we're becoming friends.”
- Max – “Oh, friends at least. Maybe with a few benefits.”
- — When Max returns Vinh's package.
- Vinh – “I like you, Max Caulfield. You feel... haunted.”
- Max – “What?”
- Vinh – “Don't worry. It's good. Haunted people are interesting.”
- Max – “Maybe on TV. In real life, haunted people have to live inside their haunted brains.”
- Vinh – “Yes, they do.”
- — As they drink together in chapter 2.
Fanon[]
Langfield is a small ship within the Life is Strange fandom despite being canon and having a lot of chemistry in their scenes. Fans of the ship love Vinh's character development as he get involved in the relationship and how Max always seems comfortable and happy around him. Both of them being more genuine and open when they are together.
On AO3, Langfield has 10+ works in its romantic/het tag.
Fandom[]
- FAN FICTION
- Max/Vinh tag on AO3
- Max & Vinh tag on AO3
- TUMBLR
- Langfield tag on Tumblr
- Max x Vinh posts on Tumblr
Gallery[]
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| Life is Strange Ships • Life is Strange Characters | ||
| SHIPS | het | Caulscott • Hampdenprice • Langfield • Luchen • Myerscott |
| slash | Chencan • Grahamscott | |
| femslash | Amberprice • Chenrich • Pricefield • Safield | |
| poly | Luchenrich | |
| friendship | Lurich • Matthewsprice | |