it's wishful thinking to believe he'd handle this any other way under different circumstances. still its what he tells himself. another day, another mood, another anything, and he might muster enough empathy to deserve the relationship in question. stefan doesn't, he never will. fewer eyes on them prolongs the inevitable. makes him seem less of a caged animal, too. maverick's cornering him now. perhaps not deliberately but facts have little effect on what he can feel.
〝 yeah, 〞 he responds, spitefully insincere. the thought of it, as if a small fib would cause it to materialise, aggravating in ways he cannot describe. something akin to jealousy albeit more defeatist, apathetic almost. 〝 makes no difference to me. 〞
"yeah, right," maverick nods, holding back a scoff. he pinches his bottom lip between his forefinger and his thumb, considering his next move. maybe he should have thought ahead, figured out how NOT DOWN stefan would be for something like this. maverick never liked pda, he didn't want to kiss him in front of everyone at the bar, but shit, he wanted to share something he was proud of. "this all just embarrasses you, yeah ? sleeping with a guy ? sleeping with me ? "













