#prince max

They’d all finished the trail together, Daniel getting hopelessly endeared as each kilometer passed them by. By the end of it, they hadn’t exchanged contact information–neither of them offered. As if by some unsaid thing. Then Max and them had left in a dark tinted SUV that screamed important.

Daniel took it for what it had been, a nice little distraction from his long days. He’d rolled the idea of Max’s super secret identity in his head a little bit, while he laid in bed. Had rolled the idea of Max’s plush lips on his while he touched himself in the shower. But outside of that, he didn’t allow himself much more.

It was silly to, considering he was literally laying low. There was no space for an attachment. He stared out at the ocean in front of him, letting the sound of the waves crashing under the cliff-like overhang that he sat on ground him. There was a small island not too far off the coast, maybe he’d take a boat out there soon.

“Dan!”

The call of his name made him turn so quickly that his neck made a cricking sound. He barely registered the voice before Max was grinning and flopping down on the ground beside him. His compression tights peaked out from under his running shorts.

Daniel looked him over with wide eyes, taking in the sweaty countenance and wild hair. And scrunchy blue blue eyes.

“Max, hi.” Daniel smiled back, he was surprised to see him. Daniel looked behind them quickly to see the three guard dogs under the shade of a tree, watching openly. Max laughed beside him as he followed Daniel’s eyes.

“Don’t mind them. They’re grouchy today.” Max was happy to see Daniel again. He’d been unable to get the boy out of his mind, even while Johnanthan complained about how he probably was a kidnapper or some other superlative. He and Brad were such worry worts, no wonder they worked so well together.

Daniel was beautiful, the Italian sun had seemed to make his sunkissed skin glow. His accent was curious, but Max didn’t ask. He didn’t want Daniel asking too many questions back. He couldn’t afford that.

They were only here for another day or so, a small vacation after a gauntlet of summits. GP said it was because Max only complained once in the two weeks, a that allowed them three days of a small bit of peace. Max appreciated it. It was like a mental reprieve before he had to be on again. To be the Prince again.

Daniel made him feel like a regular guy. And under the weight of his stare, Max could ignore GP, Brad and Jonathan’s laser like glares.

“So what brings you up here?” Max asked, it was a little bit out of the way. Past the village. Which is why they’d chosen it as a running path. The view was great too, calming.

“Thought I’d go for a swim.” Daniel said with a cheeky grin. Max frowned then looked down at the sudden drop. It was at least a few meters down. And Daniel was fully clothed. Max squawked when Daniel laughed, realizing he was being messed with. Max leaned over and shoved Daniel with his shoulder.

“You’re so mean.” Max accepted the teasing.

“So what are you up to today?” Daniel asked, settling again.

Max shrugged, “Not much I don’t think.”

“Wanna go for a swim?”

Max’s eyes widened. He looked at Daniel’s raised brows and then back at GP and Jonathan who were chatting between them and Brad who watched him like a hawk. They’d have to go back down the trail and he knew Brad would insist on coming with them.

“That does sound fun I suppose.” Max frowned, it wasn’t plausible.

“Let’s go!” Daniel laughed then pushed himself off the ledge. The drop felt sudden and freeing and then the water rushed up around him was cold and refreshing. He broke through the surface, wading and looking up at a surprised Max. “You coming?!” Daniel called up with a laugh.

Max looked down at him with wide eyes, then over at Brad who was walking closer. He didn’t have much time to make a decision, looking between his protectors who were almost in reaching distance and Daniel who watched him hopefully.

Max pushed himself off the ledge.

The water was cold, refreshing. And Daniel’s laugh was sweet.

“Ha! I’m impressed Max.” Daniel smiled up at the three men looking down at them, very upset. “Wanna make the best of it?”

“I’m gonna get chewed out any way, might as well enjoy this time.” Max flashed his hair from his forehead.

Daniel opened his mouth to ask, the question on the tip of his tongue, but he let it go. They swam to shore.

Daniel yawned and flopped at the dining table heavily. Gulia smiled at him impishly.

“What’s got you so happy today?” Daniel asked, stumbling over the Italian words after spending the entire day yesterday speaking in English. Guila hummed before placing a plate down in front of him and a newspaper. Daniel’s brow furrowed as he looked at the page it was open to, before the color drained from his face.

There, in front of him, in the bloody newspaper, was a photo of him and Max sitting on the beach together. They’d been caught mid laughter. It would be cute if it wasn’t a paparazzi photo and a gross invasion of privacy. The headline was short, if a little misleading. It made Daniel’s theory of Max being some aristocrat more and more plausible. A royal fling?

Thoughts of Max’s background aside, this was bad. This was terrible. Daniel didn’t know how popular this newspaper was but his whole mug was clear as day with a location tag. Shit. There went his cover.

Red Bull was more than likely on their way for him. He needed to warn Max.

Shit, he didn’t know how to even contact him.

“I’ve got to go.” He rushed out, standing quickly. He needed to leave. Here, his home, his village. Italy. He couldn’t put these people in danger.

“What why?” Guilia seemed alarmed.

“The past is not dead.” Daniel said sadly, he turned at her gasp and bolted to his room to grab his shoes and gun.

He was outside in a matter of minutes, sliding into his jeep and backing out of the rocky driveway.

Daniel pulled off the side of the road beside a blacked out SUV. The door opened and Max jumped out followed by an annoyed GP.

“Dan I’m so sorry.” Max grabbed Daniel’s open window. He looked contrite, upset for this whole situation. GP looked annoyed and Brad was on the look out for more cameras.

“Max! We have to talk.”

“I’m sorry about the paps. They follow me everywhere and I thought we’d lost them for the day.”

“I— no we need to talk.”

“Dan I have something to tell you.”

Daniel felt the hair on his arms raise. Just this morning he’d felt happy. Simple and free. He and Max had spent the entire day together after the beach. Talking about everything and nothing. But now it felt like the nothing was closing in on them.

There was a helicopter in the sky coming towards them that Daniel didn’t trust.

“Get in.” Daniel mumbled, just as Brad honed in on the chopper as well and reached behind him for a gun in a holster. Daniel didn’t even have time to be proud that he called it.

“What?”

“Max get in. We’re not safe here.” Daniel clenched his palms on the steering wheel, he already felt his limbs locking in anticipation.

“Dan?” Max was confused, Daniel seemed more tense than Max figured he would be. Something was wrong. He looked around just as Brad grabbed his arm and tugged.

“Max we have to go.” Brad said

“Get in the jeep. I know somewhere safe.” Daniel called, reaching into the center console for a spare bullet clip. Max’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Get in the jeep!” Daniel called out, eyeing the approaching copter with a high amount of trepidation. He could leave. Leave them here and get out of dodge, save himself. But he couldn’t.

“The car is bulletproof.” Brad called back, seemingly realizing something before everyone else. Daniel nodded once.

“Then get in there and follow me.”

Brad pulled Max bodily into the vehicle just as the first bullet raced by.

“Shit!” Daniel ducked and then backed up quickly. He put the jeep in sport mode and tore off, looking back once to see if they were following.

Daniel shook his head, he couldn’t think about them. Had to trust that Brad and the lot of them knew what they were doing. Instead, he reached under his seat for a hidden compartment and pulled out something cumbersome— cursing while he did.

He grunted and looked at the gun. It was a longer range weapon, a gift. Daniel turned on cruise control and lifted himself through the open top of the jeep. He hefted the gun on his shoulder and braced himself before yanking down the trigger.