Did you say something? (Maxwell Beaumont)

Summary: After a regular night out with his friends (and having a little too much to drink), Maxwell Beaumont awakes the following morning to the discovery he has developed telepathic powers!

Word count: 2746

Author’s note: Thank you, anon, for giving me this silly yet intriguing fic idea! I had fun writing this and I hope you have a fun time reading it. :) This is an AU which takes place sometime after MC (Farrah) tells Liam she has fallen for Maxwell and wishes to be with him instead. Also, this is kind of long bc it is only going to be ONE part! If anyone else has a fic suggestion shoot me an ask!

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I’m tired of having to carry this house on my back. “Maxwell, get up.”

Maxwell stirred slightly, head pounding, not wanting to move. You’ve got to be kidding me, why is he so difficult. He felt someone shake him which caused him to finally open his eyes to see his brother, Bertrand, standing over him. Shielding his eyes from the morning light, Maxwell noticed his brother’s angry face.

“Whose being difficult, Bartie?” Maxwell asked, reaching a hand over to search his nightstand for medication, anything to relieve him of his pain. Bertrand shook his head at his younger brother.

“Pardon me?”

Maxwell finally found a pill bottle and checked the label, headache relief, perfect. “You said something about someone always being difficult?” He swallowed two pills. Bertrand looked slightly taken aback.

“I..said no such thing.” Maxwell noticed his brother look around, seeming slightly more tense than usual. “Now get up, and do not think I am afraid to pull you out of that bed myself.” And with that, Bertrand turned a heel and started to head out the door. I wish he would grow up.

“I can still hear you, you know!” Maxwell called after his brother who either must not have heard him, or, to no surprise, chose not to respond.

After pulling himself out of bed, into the shower, and then into a clean set of his usual clothes, Maxwell continued on with his day. His headache seemed to have subsided for the most part, all that was left was a slight, dull ache. On his way to find his friends, he started to notice the house workers talking aloud more than usual.

I hope my husband likes this shirt I bought him.

My parents seem to be fighting more than usual, are they going to get a divorce?

Here comes Maxwell. Look at him in those jeans, they really show off his tight as—

Maxwell spun around quickly to face a short female scullery maid who looked up with a crooked smile. If she is standing alone, who was she talking to? “That’s...not a very appropriate thing to say in a workplace.” He said quietly. The woman’s expression turned to one more confused.

“I didn’t say anything, Mr. Beaumont..?” Maxwell let out a sigh.

“It’s okay you don’t have to lie, these jeans do look good on me. Just maybe next time keep your thoughts to yourself...” Once again the woman’s expression changed, this time to pure shock. Maxwell didn’t wait for a response before turning back around and hurrying to his destination. He came into the dining room where his friends sat, immersed in conversation. Drake looked up and noticed as he walked in.

“Oh look, he finally wakes.” His tone was neutral just as his expression was, just how it always is. Maxwell didn’t notice as he smiled largely. “You guys will never believe what I just heard this chick say about me!” He quickly sat down at the head of the table and began to recount what he heard the man say.

I can’t tell if he’s making this up or not. Maxwell quickly looked to Liam. “I couldn’t make this up if I wanted to!”

Liam let out a small chuckle. “Wow Maxwell, it’s almost as though you read my mind.” Maxwell brushed this comment off as he noticed Farrah smiling at him.

He’s just so cute when he tells these bizarre stories. The way his smile lights up any room he walks into…Maxwell grabbed his girlfriend’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I love the way your smile looks too.” He kissed her on the cheek, not noticing her slightly widened eyes.

As the group spent the morning chatting and eating breakfast, Maxwell began noticing more and more everyone claiming they aren’t saying things he clearly heard them say. Olivia denied ever saying Drake’s hair looks like a mop, Hana denied saying Liam smiles too much, and Farrah denied saying Penelope talks about her dogs too much. He was confused why his friends would say such things and then lie about it, except it was especially weird because everyone else also said they never heard then saying it. Why is it he is hearing things people aren’t even saying? It’s almost as if…

W A I T. Maxwell’s aching mind started connecting the dots. ‘It’s almost as though you read my mind.’ Liam’s words rang in the back of his mind. What if he did read Liam’s mind? “Oh. My. God.” Maxwell shot straight up out of his chair, it falling onto the floor due to the momentum. Everyone’s conversations abruptly stopped as they stared at him, stunned.

What is this idiot on about now. Olivia’s words rang through his head but he noticed no one looked at her, no one acknowledged she even said anything. Holy crap! I can read minds! Maxwell’s own thoughts shielded him from hearing his friends’. He yearned to yell his new found powers from the rooftops.

But he didn’t.

He looked onward to his friends and realized no one was going to believe him. They would all think he was joking and just ‘being Maxwell’. Well all of them except maybe—

“Maxwell, are you okay…” His eyes landed on Farrah who was also standing up now, her hand gently touched his arm. What is going on with him? He grabbed her hand with his own and pulled her toward the door.

“I HAVE TO TALK TO FARRAH ALONE, NO ONE FOLLOW US! IT'S SUPER IMPORTANT AND TOP SECRET!” Ew, why do you have to announce it... He heard someone’s thoughts as they exited the room. His hand pulled her along as they rushed up the stairs to his quarters. He nudged her inside then looked down both ways of the hall before closing the door and turning the locks. He turned around, out of breath. “Farrah, you’ll never guess—”

She was hastily taking her clothes off, a seductive smile spread across her face. “Farrah, no!” He rushed forward and started pulling her clothes back on. Wait what? She looked up at him, stunned and confused. “That’s not why I brought you in here! As much as I love having sex with you, there is a wildly more important topic to discuss right now!”

Farrah crossed her arms angrily over her now covered chest. “Well, what is it then?” She tapped her foot. I can’t believe he just said no to having sex, he has never said no to having sex.

“I have to said no to having sex, remember that one time when Sir Wigglesworth was watching! I couldn’t do it in front of his innocent corgi eyes!” Maxwell responded to what he now understood were her thoughts. Farrah let out a quiet gasp and took a step backwards.

“How did you..?” She looked at him, completely stunned.

Maxwell stepped towards her, his hands held slightly in the air. “Farrah, I can read minds!”

For a second she was silent before she let a much louder gasp. “WHAT THE FU—” Her words were stopped by Maxwell’s hand covering her mouth.

“Shhh!” He shushed her and peered towards the door behind him. She licked his hand and he pulled it away. “Ew!”

“Maxwell Percival Beaumont, you cannot read minds!” Farrah let out a huff.

“Yes I can!”

“No you can’t, that’s not possible!”

“I can and I’ll prove it to you.” Farrah’s eyes narrowed at him, his eyebrows raised back at her.

“Fine.” Where did we first meet?

Maxwell smiled at her softly. “New York. You were waiting tables where we went for Liam’s bachelor party.” Farrah mouth fell open. I’m thinking of the number 13,491. “13,491.” Green. “Green.” You’re freaking me out. “I’m freaking you out.” Maxwell’s eyebrows raised once again as she held a hand to her still open mouth.

...

“DUDE.” Farrah’s open mouth turned to a giant smile. “My boyfriend is a superhero!” She threw her arms around his neck and gave him a sloppy kiss.

“I’m a superhero!” Maxwell excitedly said back as their lips separated.

Farrah pulled away from him. “How did this happen? Can you only read minds?” She gasped. “Can you also do the thing Professor X does where he can talk to people in their minds!”

“I don’t know and I don’t know!” Maxwell smiled widely at her nerdy X-Men reference. “Let’s find out!”

They both stared hard into each other’s eyes, Farrah thinking up a question. What’s your favorite thing about me? He concentrated really hard, attempting to send his thoughts to her.

Your boobs.

She playfully hit him on his arm. “Maxwell!” He let out a chuckle as her voice almost cracked.

“I’m kidding, everything!” My favorite part about you is everything. She smiled at him once more.

“You sap.” She blushed as he stroked her cheek slowly.

“Only for you.” His expression quickly changed back to excitement. “Do you want to go freak everyone else out!”

“Is that even a question?!” This time she was the one who grabbed his hand and pulled him out of the room.

Everyone had moved from the dining room to the sitting area, and Bertrand had joined them, they looked up as the couple came into the room. “Hi, guys!” Farrah waved, Maxwell gave his usual silly grin. Why are they both always so giddy. Olivia rolled her eyes.

Hana smiled at the two of them. “Where did you run off to?”

“Oh you know, we were off being our usual giddy selves.” Maxwell draped an arm around Farrah and gave Olivia a wink. She did not seem as satisfied with the interaction.

“How—” Olivia’s words were interrupted by Bertrand.

“Who cares what they were doing, what matters is they are here now. It’s time we can discuss the social gathering we are to host tomorrow evening.” His posture straightened. Please say Maxwell remember’s how important it is…

Maxwell clapped his hands together. “Of course, dear brother! For I always remember how important our bashes are for the Beaumont family!” For the first time ever Bertrand actually looked at a loss for words.

I must ask if my dogs can attend!

“Penelope!” Maxwell turned straight to her. “The Beaumonts, as well as Sir Wigglesworth, would be extremely glad if your dogs could attend!” He gave her a big smile and she nodded slowly back at him.

Did you see the look on her face! Maxwell heard Farrah’s thought and turned to smile at her before sending one back to her. Yes! This is amazing! Farrah quickly returned his smile.

I wish she still smiled at me like that…Maxwell’s eyes snapped to Liam who was staring at Farrah. His eyebrows lowered and he angrily sent a thought out without realizing. Hey, man cut it out! Liam’s mouth fell slightly open.

Great, now my conscience is manifesting as Maxwell as if I don’t already feel guilty about my feelings.

It’s not your conscience it’s me! Maxwell raised a hand and waved at Liam, who looked at him and had an expression of mortification. Yeah that’s right I can hear your thoughts!

But...how?

I don’t know how! But I can! So keep your thoughts to...no one! Because I can hear them even if you keep them to yourself. Maxwell gave him an angry expression, he never usually got jealous, but it was Liam. The actual king. He’s handsome AND kind, who wouldn’t want him?

Maxwell saw Liam seemed more sad, instead of thinking them, he mouthed the words ‘I’m sorry’

“It’s alright..” Maxwell said out loud with a sigh.

“What’s alright?” Hana asked him. Maxwell looked up and noticed the group all staring at him. Did I just say that out loud?

“Umm..” Maxwell bit his lip out of embarrassment.

Farrah stepped forward slightly. “You must not have heard me say I was sorry that he couldn’t wear his squid suit tonight, it’s being..washed.”

“Oh, I’m sorry, Maxwell.” Hana gave him a sad smile. “You can always wear it next time!”

Maxwell nodded then gave Farrah’s hand a squeeze. Thank you.

Of course, I’m always here for you.

The conversations continued on as usual, everyone discussing the events for tonight. Maxwell stayed silent, for the most part, as he instead listened in on the thoughts of everyone around him. They mostly were thinking about what to wear, except Drake who was thinking about whiskey, and Olivia who was wondering if she could bring knives. Both of which Maxwell telepathically told Farrah and she assured the two about their concerns. This furthered the confusion settled in the room, as everyone wondered how Maxwell and Farrah seemed to be reading their minds. Maxwell even heard Sir Wigglesworth thoughts, which could be slightly disturbing for the corgi. They ranged from pets to treats, to...other dogs. He tried his best to block those ones out, he tried his best to block most people’s out. He was coming to realize hearing people’s thoughts isn’t as fun as it sounds.

Eventually night fell and everyone retired to their rooms. As Maxwell was getting ready for bed, his door swung opened and he expected it to be Farrah, but didn’t expect her to be followed by Liam. They both rushed inside and she shut the door after them.

“He knows!” Farrah whispered to Maxwell as she took her place beside him.

Maxwell sighed. “Yeah, I know. I heard his thoughts and accidentally talked to him—”

“Inside my head.” Liam finished Maxwell’s sentence with a chuckle. Farrah looked between the two of them.

“Wow some bonding experience, huh!” She smiled at the men and they both gave smiles back. Except Maxwell’s was more sad than happy. “What’s wrong?” Farrah asked him, searching his eyes for an answer. You can tell me here. Maxwell shook his head at her and sighed once more.

“I thought this would be more fun. But it’s hard hearing what people think. About me, about you, about everyone.” He paused before continuing. “It was fun for the beginning, but now it’s tiring having to hear Drake talk AND think about whiskey. And having to hear our dog think about everything he wants to hump.” Farrah’s eyes widened at the last comment. “And what if when they find out, they think differently of me? I don’t know..I think I’ve had my fun but now..I want it to go away.” She stepped forward and pulled him into an embrace.

“I’m sorry…” She pulled away as Liam grasped Maxwell’s shoulder.

“We had no idea how hard it was for you.”

Maxwell smiled sadly at his lover their friend. “I think I’ll be okay. Maybe tomorrow a super mutant will come to destroy the Earth, and the only way to stop him is by reading his mind and saying his deepest darkest secret aloud.” They both laughed at this, and he felt less sad. Less alone. Liam looked at the couple and understood they needed some time alone.

“I’m going to go to my room.” He gave Maxwell’s shoulder another squeeze, smiled at Farrah, and then left the two alone.

I love you. Maxwell softened at Farrah’s words in his head, he brushed her blonde hair off her forehead and placed a kiss where it used to lay.

And I love you. She smiled at him before they both got into bed, drifting into sleep with arms wrapped around each other.

The following morning Maxwell awoke feeling more refreshed, and way less hungover, than the previous one. Farrah’s side of the bed was already vacant, which told Maxwell his friends awaited his arrival at the breakfast table. He got ready and headed down to them, taking his place at the head of the table just as the morning before. When the conversations got quiet, Olivia spoke to Maxwell.

“So, Maxwell. How is it you all of a sudden seem more...aware of what is going on?” He took a big bite of eggs and grabbed some bacon in his hand before responding.

“Oh, it’s because I woke up yesterday with telepathy.” He spoke between chewing his food, and took a bite of bacon. Everyone was silent for a moment before they started giggling and laughing. As he joined in the laughter, his eyes met Farrah’s amidst the minor chaos and he gave her a wink.

Maybe this won’t be so hard after all. He thought to himself as he looked around at his smiling friends.

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