quick little snippit for camboy verse! 770 words, max POV. this is before he meets rico irl for the first time, and also features charles!
Max props his chin on his fist, lazily watching as Charles moves a piece on the board.
"I think I'm going to meet a subscriber."
Charles hums, frowning as Max moves his pawn, head tilting to the side.
"What are you...? Wait, sorry, what?"
He lifts his head to stare at Max, eyes narrowed slightly in disbelief. He's gotten his lashes done recently, standing out dark against the green of his eyes as he points a finger at Max.
"You? homebody, Mr. Why Go Out When I Can Film socially awkward starfish? You are going to meet someone?"
He frowns, glaring down at the board.
"And what strategy could you possibly be trying here?"
Charles has yet to catch on that Max can't play chess at all, and in fact has just been moving pieces around randomly. He'd moved one of Charles' off the board completely a few minutes ago while he was checking his phone, and he still hasn't noticed.
Max huffs, reaching over to flick Charles in the forehead.
"I go out sometimes. And I'm not a starfish."
Charles raises a brow, eyes assessing.
"Not to meet subscribers you don't."
His eyes light up as sets his hands on either side of the chess board, leaning forward across the table and into Max's space, grinning.
"Ooo, let me try and guess! Is it the one who always asks for lingerie? Oh, or maybe it is the one who is wanting feet pictures but always says he's kidding when you say no?"
Max leans back into his chair, trying to get some distance. He can smell the mix of Charles' cologne and body wash, both stupidly expensive, both bought with someone else's money.
"What? No, it's neitherâ why would I meet them? What's wrong with you?"
Charles rolls his eyes fondly.
"Max, the feet men pay the best. I promise. But,"
He squints at him, gaze flicking across him quickly, taking in all the tiny details that Max doesn't think aboutâ what brand he's wearing, how he smells, if his nails are manicured, how his skin looksâ before frowning.
"If you are needing money that badly, you should have said something. Do not go meeting feet people, mon chÊri. You have people who love you."
Max sighs, reaching across the board and knocking over Charles' king. The game is over anyways, now that Charles has a shiny new thing to focus on.
"It's not for money, dickhead."
Charles shifts to sit sideways in his chair, legs dangling over one arm as he leans against the other, biting at the nail of his thumb as he stares at Max. It's his one habit that he's never been able to break, the single crack that Max has observed in his otherwise spotless persona.
"For fun, then? This is someone you wantâ"
He breaks off, and then his mouth stretches into a smug, sly grin, and Max feels his cheeks heat as he covers his face with his hands, groaning.
Charles is practically crooning when he speaks, as pleased as the cats are when Max accidentally gives them double their amount of treats.
"Max, this is your big fish? Your sweet one who always wants to make sure you come?"
The heat spreads to his ears as Max sinks further into his seat, peeking through his fingers to glare at Charles.
Charles manages to catch his gaze, smile stretching even wider, and Max is already regretting telling him, because he just knows he's about to lose his only peace and quiet for the next week.
"My little starfish is growing up! We have so much we need to do, when are you meeting him? I will get you booked with all my favorite people, do not even worry."
That's exactly what Max was worried about. Unlike every other time Charles has offeredâ his version of self care is a regimented gauntlet of cosmetic appointments and clothing consultations, usually with a trip to a jewelry store involvedâ he's debating agreeing this time, and isn't that the worst part? That he's somehow allowed himself to care about Rico beyond just a regular commissioner and subscriber, that he actually wants to look his best, wants to impress him?
He's in over his head, but he still nods. At least he knows Charles will keep him steady, help him think of all the little details, like making sure he doesn't accidentally get murdered by an extremely dedicated serial killer with cash to burn.
Not that he thinks Rico is like that, but stillâ it's nice to know he's got Charles in his corner, when it comes down to it.
