#maxley week

(Bradley)

I admitted to myself I love you at the end of november, when while driving I saw you on pedestrian street. Angry, cold, unlike you. I’m glad I made you get into my car; when we sat on folded back seats and started eating and drinking, when we were covering eachother with blanket; you finally brightened.

”Why won’t you ask what happened?” I heard.

I never associated this question with genuine concern. It was always a mind play for me in my worst years. How to tell you that?

”Why would I? If you want say it yourself.” Bravo me.

”It’ll be nice if you’d ask. That would mean you at least care.”

Oh Max. Getting on my nerves already, I am too weak to fight.

”I don’t like that question.”

”That’s all?”

”That’s all.”

”Can I tell you this?”

”You can say anything.”

”Even that your older sister is hot as hell?”

”WHAT!?”

You… started laughing. Very, very loud. It was… pleasant, pretty.

”You should have seen your face! Hahahaha, Jesus man haha. How are you not blowing your brain out with our trio? Ahyuk”

My heart was about to escape my ribcage and run to you, my smile subconsciously appeared. I thought for a moment that maybe this is how love feels.

You calmed down. Looked at me with your onyx eyes and said a phrase I will always remember.

”So this is your honest smile? Maybe you should use it more often”

You made it even wider.

(Max)

How did you know I would agree to a date? Was it a wild card or you knew something I didn’t yet but now am sure of?

My thoughts were just like that before seeing your smirky face „Ice rink? I never even wore ice skates before. Is it like regular skating? Why I agreed to it? Why was I so excited on a word ‚date’? Are you just mocking me? Or maybe it’s genuine.” I’m still mad that it was probably you figuring my own self sooner than I did.

Ice was much more unstable than asphalt, my legs were melting and you just stood there.

”Are you sure you don’t need any help?”

”NO. Give me a second.”

What am I talking about? I’m barely standing and fighting for my life clinging onto barriers. I won’t admit I can’t ice skate, that I am scared. Ain’t no way.

”Ugh!” Oh no. Your voice full of irritation went through my spine. Don’t approach me, don’t approach me, don’t approach me… DAMMIT!

”Hold my hands”

”No, thanks. I’ll figure that ou-„ You bastard you grabbed me!

”Listen, shape your feet into V…”

”Ookay”

”See? You’re fine. I’m holding you, you are steady. It’s fine” Steady? It is anything but steady!

”Now. Pull dominant leg away and go to me. Just like skating”

”mhm” I’m moving forward, it’s fine, it’s fine. No! Hell it’s not! It’s not at all… wait, I feel your grip getting stronger.

”I’m here, don’t worry. Look at me and it’ll be fine” Why is your voice so calming? Not that I mind but… how are you doing that? Making me feel so safe?

We are moving forward, I start getting it. I can do this!

”Let me go”

”Max, I don’t think it’s good idea”

”C’mon. I will do it”

”As you wish~”

Heck yeah! I’m doing it. I’m great. It is great. It… it starts to get unsteable again. Oh no. OH NO. OH NONONONO ARGH-

I barely got caught, one millimeter further and I’d be on a ground. I feel like made of jelly.

”Hahahahaha! What were you saying? It’s not THAT easy princess hahaha”

Looking at you, laughing, holding me from that angle… oh cupid you really are cruel. I don’t think I’m ready for relationship.

”Are you alright Max?” Your ocean-blue eyes widened. That cloudy-sky, royal, deep blue looking at me. And your hair waving in a wind like a sea of weeds, with all the shades of a plane tree. Even your brows look stuning when you look at me all concerned. You are all mine at this moment and this is comforting like comfy bed after tiring day, like cold drink in summer heat, like… us seating in your car.

I changed my mind. I must be with you in a relationship.

Max was determined to say this today, at the concert, right. Fucking. Now. This couldn’t wait any second longer, they both knew what they feel for eachother, the hearts are pumping like drums whenever the two even hear the names. „Bradley”, „Brad”, „Ex-king”. All of this words were making Max go back to those short memories with him. PJ knows what he’s planning to sing, Bobby not so much; maybe for the better. When he found out that Goof was about to make Brad join their team, Bob was flaming with fury.

There won’t be better opportunity. So today must be the day.

Bradley didn’t wanted to play with labradoodles emotions, but also knew it is only natural thing to say what he is feeling today. After many dates and few kisses from yesterday. Yeah, he didn’t wanted to play with his own emotions. But Brad was no fool, listening to heart only will lead both men into despair and danger. „Just say I love you but we can’t be together. Just say it” young man was telling himself while trying to stop tears. To stop thinking of what could’ve been.

But- he already lost everything, his family already thinks of valid reason to disown him, his „friends” left him for good. The only thing what is dangerous is… the rest of the world. What to do? Let Maximilian decide.

„And now! The song for special someone! It’s kinda rough around the edges but this person is not the most patient one.” Max screamed to the mic as loud as he could. PJ stressed, Bobby in shook, Bradley just waiting for what’s to come.

„Whenever I see you You take my breath away, Than you tell me ‚Get lost’ but your smile says ‚please come’ I know, I can’t play as hard as your idols, I’m no biker unlike the ones your eyes follow, But than you are swirling around me like boa, And your touch, and your sight, and your. And your. AND YOUR

Throw me away OR KISS ME Please decide YOU LOVE OR HATE ME Please, baby. I’ll take everything. Right here. Right now Just please decide”

As song went on, and chorus came again, Bradley thought to himself „Oh Max, you have no idea how bad this may end”. That broke him, but he let his heart lead.

After the concert Max went with Bradley to his dorm, he made PJ convince Bobby to go somewhere else.

„So… you liked it?” Labradoodle asked

„Huh? Oh yeah yeah. Just- wasn’t expecting that honest lyrics”

„Ya”

„Max”

„What?”

„I don’t want to throw you away, but I’m scared something bad may happen”

„Me too Bradly. I know but. Maybe if we try something or-„

The words left Max when chodsky pes hugged him tightly and started catching his tears

„Promise me you’ll be careful and safe and sound and… just take care”

„I promise”

The eyes met just like that time they danced with eachother in october warmth. Heads started leaning to one another without much control, slowly but surely, than finally meeting in long, silent, sincere kiss. December cold kept them tightly.

After a while Max jumped to the CD adapter and „River flows in you” started playing.

„Can we. Just be for eachother this time?”

Young couple started slowly dancing, tightly, to the rhythm and crying, but foreheads locked just like palms and sternums, and breaths.

July heat came and with it invitation for Uppercrusts and relatives yearly family gathering. Bradley asked Max to come with him for bravery sake; he knew it’ll be humiliating meeting.

First person to greet was Bradleys oldest sister Felicity. She was tall, blonde woman with fierce blue eyes and hypnotizing long hair down to half of her hips, her nose was even smaller than brothers.

”Good to see you two I guess. Are you sure it is a good idea to bring your boy into this circus tent?”

”All we have to survive is closest family”

”As every year… I’m going to Claire, you’ll find me near her or other cousins” Felicity came closer to Bradley and whispered „If Victor will say anything go straight to me”

”I’m not a child”

”But he is an idiot. Can you believe he thought he can disown you despite last will?”

”Not only him”

”Oh yeah. Our dear mother in law, the saint of the saints”

”I will go to others ok?”

”If you want~”

Gathering was going rather smoothly. Some were opposed of Maximilian being near them, some were more than thrilled to finally meet ‚a partner’ although it was a shock for everyone that Bradley meant ‚boyfriend’ by that. In the meantime Max also met younger siblings of Bradley - half-sister Emma was shy, short haired dark brunette with hazel eyes. Opposite to Felicity she was rather thick and very short. She’s only 14 after all, she has time. Her expression was an enigma to Max, her eyes weren’t as wild as ‚genetic’ Uppercrusts, but weren’t gloomy either. This eyes - as well as her as a whole - were apathetic and bland as if Emma wanted to blend in as much as she could. Dylan on the other hand, the youngest brother and favourite child had everything Bradley and Felicity were jealous of - his hair had similar lenght as Bradley’s, but were pure, light blonde, not ‚dirty’ blonde like some refer to Felicity’s hair. His eyes were also almond shaped, but more delicate and the color blue was lighter and richer unlike ‚dirty’ blue Bradley and Felicity used to hear from their mother, his nose small but not too small, his character was charming, but wasn’t a ‚wild horse whom must be beaten’ as uncles would refer to Dylans siblings.

Now came time for unavoidable. Victor. That green-eyed, dark-haired snake. As soon as his sight caught the two, he appeared behind them with devilish smirk.

”Well, well, well…” older half-brother started „… who do we have here? Have you lost last remains of your dignity? Bringing that… rat between us.”

”If I read correctly, I can bring anyone I want. Isn’t it right Victor?”

Brothers face got red and lips disfigured grotesquely.

”You think it’s so funny huh? Showing around your deviancy and sick fetishes?”

”Seems like it’s you problem considering no one else minds my partners presence except you. When we are at the topic of fetish tho- weren’t you the one who blew up a yacht party by begging random girls to strangle you?”

„Bradley. Maybe we should go.” Max felt that atmosphere is getting out of hand.

”Not now.”

”Let’s go to Felicity ok?” Labradoodle held Bradley’s hand trying to pull him away

”It’s NOT a big deal.” Bradley shoved his arm and glared at Max.

”Better listen to your boy-toy playboy and go back to sissy”

”HOW did you call him!?” Bradley almost jumped on Victor with fury. His boyfriend was the only thing holding him from beating him in front of everyone.

”C’mon Bradley. Go.” Max gripped Brad and tried to pull him back again.

”Fffine” Chodsky pes barely hissed through teeth. Victor was shouting other things but Bradley muted himself. He felt sudden lost of any strenght.

The rest of the day went slowly. Not good in any means But at least not tragic. Maximilian was tired of many dramas and humors from Bradleys family. It made him look beaten down. He and Bradley went to their bedroom to calm down.

(Bradley)

I’ve seen this face several times now. Depressed and lost. Max tends to get drained from stuff like that, it’s not his enviroment and totally out of his element. I’m still mad at myself that I let my family say so many bitter words towards him, but what was I expecting?

„I will make you wish you stayed shut” still rings in my ears after all those months. I admit - I blew the fact that Victor knows about us out of proportions. Feli is right, I get driven by emotions too quickly and too strong, I still am a lost child near my older siblings.

All I can do now is try to make my dear Max feel better. Glad I bought perfect sweet for that occasion.

”Hey, Max! How do you feel?”

”I’m… okay”

”Are you suuuuurrrrreeee~” Time for special maneuver. Getting close face to face and kissing on the cheek.

”Yeah. I’m pretty sure” Then why are you preparing to rot in the bed? Dumbass.

”Yeah. Totally” Now for maneuver number 2. Lay with him and boop his nose.

”If you want to piss me off and feel bad than congratulations! You did it!” he sat rapidly

”Knew that.”

”Knew what!?”

”You always get all shy and timid and than blow within seconds when something is wrong”

”Wow. After 8 months you get so good at deciphering my every move”

”So… if you won’t tell at least lay with me a bit more. I got cemented into this bed now”

”You really are insufferable”

Manouver number 3- reach my arms to him, palms signalizing to lay on me and cuddle

”I know~”

Max snuggled into me and sighted loudly. It was his time to lay in quiet a little bit. Of course after maybe five minutes I’ll give him pocky. Faster if I’ll get bored and will let him win in one competition.

(Max)

Bradley started looking for something in his bag. I’m too tired to care honestly, today was a nightmare. Just thinking it’s going to be like that every time makes me sick. Oh man are those pocky!? I love pocky!

”Ever heard of pocky challenge babe?” Bradley asked

”Not really.”

”It’s easy. We take opposite ends of the same pocky, eat it, and than meet in the middle. The one who breaks the kiss loses.”

”Seems fine”

”Soo. Wanna try?”

”*sight* Why not.”

We started in kinda awkward position, looking at each other. Bradley started pulling slowly, we went head to head, I got focused on eating my end of the stick. We are almost in the middle, just let me swallow my part OOP.

Bradley sealed a kiss with me, just lips touching for now. After short while I felt his tongue pressing on me, it was nice as always, his french kisses always make me forget about the world, his hands around me pulling me towards his well-built chest, Bradley jumps on my hips, head above me, my hands are on autopilot going up and down one playing with those beautiful, soft hair, the other caressing sculpted back, oh the delicacy, the love, he makes me feel like the most important person in the world. Bradley pushes me down on a mattress and continues the unbroken pleasure. I feel him getting up a little above me, his hair still gently touching my skin.

”You won.” he says while I see myself in his half closed eyes.

His smile is worth more than anything. (Even when he pisses me off to the moon and back).

(2 months into relationship)

Max got a message to come to Bradleys dorm urgently. That seemed a bit out of place. He knows Brad long enough to guess something is off.

He came to the door. „Let’s just open it now…” That took much more bravery than expected. Maximillian slowly came in.

„I’m here- mm, Bradley?”

Chodsky was waiting in a small living/bedroom with a deathly glare in his eyes. He was approaching fast with every step heavier then the last.

„THE HELL YOU DID MAX?!”

„I… what?”

„I’LL GIVE YOU WHAT I’LL-„

Dialogue was cut by rapid, tight hug. A teardrop left the corner of Bradleys eye. Max froze, trying to grasp what happened.

„DID YOU TALK TO TANK!?”

„Brad, are you out of your mind? What does this even mean?”

„DID. YOU. TALK. TO. HIM!?”

„No”

„SO HOW DOES MY BROTHER KNOW HUH!?”

This didn’t make any sense. Since Max found out what gammas do to ‚ex-king’ he tried his best to cut it short. Even back then he knew, Bradley doesn’t deserve so much abuse and made a deal even to leave him alone, much to PJs fear and Bobbys anger. Wait… no. It can’t be right. Bobby wouldn’t do that. To be honest he spends more time with fraternity later, but it’s just to „keep an eye” „make sure they follow the deal”. No. NO. NONONONONO! They are best friends. Bobby wouldn’t spill anything. NOT A THING. NO! But what if he did? NO. HE’S NOT LIKE THAT! Never was at least.

As labradoodle tried to understand what Bradleys brother have to do with everything, what exactly he knows, what is even happening; Bradley just fell on the couch. Almost lifeless. As Goof snapped back to reality he finally took off his jacket and went slowly towards the couch.

„What your brother knows? And what Tank has to do with it?”

„IDIOT. Victor was still in the gammas when me and Tank were freshmen. They got along pretty well and still do-”

Max crouched near the couch

„-Tank found out about us. And Vic too.” Bradley said with much effort. Tears started running and grotesque moaning was leaving his body.

Labradoodle just layed next to him, but than was swooped by strong arms. Frozen again he felt his neck getting wet from lovers tears and his lungs barely were getting any air from intense grip. His shirt was pulled so hard by chodsky’s fists, he was afraid it’ll be ripped apart.

„KURVA MAX! WHAT HAVE YOU’VE DONE! I TOLD YOU TO BE CAREFUL!”

„Do you know… what your parents will say. Or if they know. Or is there a chance to-„

„FUCK MY PARENTS! THEY BARELY REMEMBER ABOUT MY EXISTENCE! DAD NAMED ME AFTER HIS FATHER JUST TO NOT FORGET. BUT VICTOR!? THE SON OF THAT SLUT DAD LIVES WITH NOW! OH GOD HE WILL MAKE A USE OUT OF THAT!”

„How?”

„HE WILL”

„But your mother wrote on her last will that you can’t be disinherited”

„CUTING OFF WOULD BE A BLESSING DUFFUS! I TOLD YOU SHE DID IT WITH A PURPOSE TO PISS EVERYONE OFF! ESPECIALLY ME. Spiteful bitch! What to do!?”

After some time any remaining strenght left Bradley and brunette finally loosened his grip. Max sighted still barely understanding what happened. They’ll find a way, he knows it.

As for now - let’s just cuddle and try to calm down. Too many things were said in anger.

It’s been half a month since total wreck which was „Bradley situasion”. Max made a deal with Tank and the rest of the gammas to cut off their „pranks” on brunette. The rules are simple:

Bradley joins Team 99

Max remains friends with Bradley till December

Gammas can’t touch Bradley at any point unless any of first two points are broken

Bradley can’t know about any of these

If Max and his troop will achieve this gammas can’t pull any cheat on the X-Games, if not than they’ll have first hand experience what Brad had to endure since lost competition. And according to Tank they’ll need a miracle to make Bradley be friends with anyone.

”It’s already 17 of September. I’ll never do this” Max murmured to himself. Situasion seemed horrendous. The great Uppercrust III is more depressed and closed than anyone could ever imagine, Bobby starts to make scenes „I told you it’s a bad idea!” „People like that doesn’t change” „Don’t you remember what he did?”. It all was replaying in Maximilians head like a broken record.

„Maybe Bobs was right. Bradley is too prideful to receive any help, to broken to even consider someone might like him. How can he be such opposites?”

It seemed hopeless.

The phone started ringing. Who could it be? PJ needs help on a date? Bobby hurt himself? Dad? No, it was Bradley. Wait, what!? Him?

„Hello?” Max still unsure if it’s not a fever dream

”Oh, hi. Can we meet at the skate park? I need to ask you for favour.”

”Sssuuurrrreee”

”Thanks! See you at 5.00.”

That… was weird. It for sure is a fever dream. What would he want? Whyyyyy?

At the park Bradley already was skating. A bit slow and lazy for him, but it was still a lot of improvement. As soon as he saw Max, he stopped and come to him.

”Hey skater boy!” Bradley shouted when approaching.

”Hi. What is the favor you wanted to ask me for?”

”Oh, can’t we start with something more… cozy? Must be down to business right now?”

”You are acting weird. I’m worried you know?”

”Says the one who decided to get me into the team AND open up or something”

”Brad… ley; you scare me. What happened?”

”You won’t let go huh?”

”YOU made me go there”

Brad took a deep breath, looked at black-furred young man and finally went to the point

”My mum died and I need someone to write of what I get from her last will”

”Brad-„ Max gasped „I’m so sorry, I. When and where funeral is? And how can I help I-”

”Woah, slow down. It’s no biggie”

”NO BIGGIE!? YOUR MOTHER DIED.”

”She wasn’t any close to begin with. Really”

Max wasn’t buying it at all. He was even more scared than before. What to do?

”The destination might be a problem tho”

”Where it’ll be”

”Štenovice, in Czech Republic”

”Oh! I wasn’t expecting to be it so far”

”If that’s a problem I’m ok. I’ll just go alone”

”No. I always wanted to see some of the world. I even am a bit into slavic literature so… why Czech actually?”

”My paternal grandfather and mum are from there”

”Oh. Can I know why me?”

”You like jumping on topics aren’t you? I feel safe near you. I still think you should just give up on me but oh well. you kinda grew on me”

Maximilians heart started racing, he couldn’t believe what he just heard. It was relieving and somehow sweet. Now he felt like his mission finally have some sense.

„Sooo since we can call each other friends now-„

”I didn’t say that”

”Let me speak. I was always curious what breed are you. Are we close enough to share it?”

”I think yes. Well… man, I never told anyone what breed I am”

”No one? Like at all?”

”No one”

”It’ll be a pleasure to hear”

”Chodsky pes”

”I never heard of that! I’m labradoodle”

„Nice to know” Bradley finally smiled honestly. He felt at ease and almost like he found a new home. „Do you mind skating now?”

”No if I’ll learn something else about you”

”Maybe you start?”

”I’m into rock music, as said before slavic literature, pizza, anything with cheese really, I’m bi-„ at that moment Max stopped. He didn’t mean to say that.

„Fag” Bradleys word flew like an arrow

”Well” labradoodle felt like blood is leaving his brain „Your turn heh”

”I fell in love with metal, goth music and men”

”Wh…”

”I’m a homo idiot. And you’re pretty bad at hiding it”

All what Max could do was to show a middle finger. In some awful, almost gullible way he also felt at ease. The two finally broke the ice and could start anew and build over what they already have. Too bad someone’s death is the reason of it.

They finally stopped at late afternoon. Both boys felt a bit better yet very tired.

”Are you alright Bradley?”

”Yeah. I’m glad I called you”

”Me too. I want to make sure mourning won’t get better of you”

”It won’t. There’s not much to mourn. But today you gave me many reasons to remember”

The last line stung. There’s still a lot to find out about this chodsky.