The Change|| BxB

7. Echoes of Youth

Max sat at the breakfast table in the mansion's grand dining room, poking at his scrambled eggs with a fork. Valentino, seated across from him, sipped his coffee with a hint of amusement in his eyes. The morning sun streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room.

"You know, Val, you're starting to look old," Max teased playfully, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.

Valentino raised an eyebrow, setting down his coffee cup. "Oh really now? And what does that make you, young man?" he retorted, a smirk playing on his lips.

Max chuckled, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Me? I'm forever young. You, on the other hand, are showing your age," he replied, feigning seriousness.

Valentino chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Watch it, Max. I still have a few tricks up my sleeve," he replied cryptically, a flicker of something deeper in his gaze.

They ate in companionable silence for a while, the clink of cutlery against plates filling the air. Max couldn't help but marvel at how comfortable he felt in Valentino's presence, despite the tumultuous circumstances that had brought them together.

"Valentino" Max began tentatively, breaking the silence as he looked up from his plate. "About last night... I didn't mean to you.... know... that was unexpected."

Valentino met Max's gaze, his expression softening. "I know, Max. It's alright," he reassured gently, his voice a soothing melody in the quiet morning.

Max nodded, a grateful smile tugging at his lips. "I'm glad you're not mad," he admitted quietly, his gaze dropping to his plate.

Valentino reached across the table, placing a reassuring hand on Max's. "I could never do anything to hurt you, Max," he said sincerely, his thumb rubbing small circles on the back of Max's hand.

Max felt a rush of warmth at Valentino's touch, a sensation that lingered long after Valentino withdrew his hand, he didn't mean to do that. Max glanced up, meeting Valentino's eyes with a mixture of uncertainty and curiosity.

"You know," Max began, his voice hesitant but earnest. "I... I want to get to know you better, Valentino. Not just as... well, you know," he trailed off, gesturing vaguely between them.

Valentino studied Max for a moment, his expression unreadable. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Max," he replied finally, his tone guarded.

Max frowned slightly, feeling a pang of disappointment. "Why not?" he pressed, his voice tinged with curiosity.

Valentino hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Because... I'm not the best influence, Max. My life, it's complicated," he admitted reluctantly, his gaze dropping to his coffee cup.

Max reached across the table, placing his hand on top of Valentino's. "I know things are complicated, Valentino But... Im starting to trust you, I suppose" he said earnestly, his voice steady despite the uncertainty swirling inside him.

Valentino looked up, meeting Max's gaze with a mixture of surprise and something akin to vulnerability. "You shouldn't trust me, Max. I've done things... things that I'm not proud of," he confessed quietly, his voice tinged with regret.

Max squeezed Valentino's hand gently. "We've all done things we regret," he said softly, his gaze unwavering. "But that doesn't mean we can't change, right?"

Valentino searched Max's eyes for a long moment, as if weighing his words carefully. "Maybe," he replied finally, a hint of hope flickering in his eyes.

They finished their breakfast in thoughtful silence, each lost in their own thoughts. Max couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Valentino than met the eye, layers of complexity that intrigued him even as they intimidated him.

As they cleared the table together, Valentino caught Max's eye and smiled faintly. "You know, Max, despite everything... I'm glad you're here," he admitted quietly, his voice carrying a depth of emotion that caught Max off guard.

Max returned Valentino's smile, a warmth spreading through him that had nothing to do with the morning sun. "Me too, Valentino , me too," he replied sincerely, feeling a sense of belonging that he hadn't realized he was searching for.

They stood together in the mansion's grand dining room, facing an uncertain future but united by a bond that had formed amidst the shadows of their pasts. As they looked ahead, Max couldn't help but wonder where their journey would lead, and if, against all odds, they could find a path forward together.

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