SILENT (MV x CL)

15. PETIT LION

Charles woke up in his own bed after not spending a night at home for a couple of weeks. His phone was still on the pillow next to him. It produced the sounds of Max's heavy breathing and sometimes a small snore.

They'd been talking until deep in the night. They had discussed all kind of things. Max had told him about his family and youth. Charles in return had talked about his upbringing and his coming out to his family. Charles was thinking back about everything they had told each other, while Max's breath was still audible in the background.

He had complimented Max several times, about his kindness, accomplishments, looks and his smile. Max returned these with a grown, saying how he was not used to receiving compliments. Charles found that hard to believe. Max continued to say how bad he wanted to kiss Charles on multiple occasions, and he even added kissing noises into the phone once. They had talked and laughed until the sun started to rise again.

When it was becoming light outside Charles fell asleep. Max had probably fell asleep not long after that, because he had not hung up the phone.

Charles heard a moan followed by a yawn.

"Charles?" Max's raspy morning was coming from the other end of the line. It startled Charles, pulling him out of his thoughts.

"Are you up?" Max added whispering as he not wanted to wake him, if he was still sleeping.

"Yes" Charles said, his voice also low and raspy.

That single word made Max's heart skip a beat.

"Good morning" Max said shyly, as if they had not shared their entire life stories the night before. A smile formed on Charles' lips as Max greeted him. He heard some shifting through the phone.

"Bonjour, mon petit lion" Charles said. They had talked about favorite animals. Max had told him his was a lion. Charles had called him a lion for the rest of the night and couldn't stop now, could he?

"Petit?" Max responded as if he was hurt by Charles saying that he was little. But he was actually feeling quite the opposite. He had however not expected to feel this good when Charles used the French nickname for him.

"What do you want me to say Max? I know you like it." Charles shot back.

Damn, he knows everything doesn't he?

"Wist je al dat je geweldig bent?" Max said in Dutch, not really knowing why he hadn't just said it in English; "Did you already know you are amazing?" Charles couldn't make one word out of the mystery sentence. It was not fair that Max could understand and speak basic French while he couldn't even speak or understand one word of Dutch. As far as he knew Max could've just said he was going to take a shit.

"Well, I'm just gonna say 'yes' because I have absolutely no idea what you just said." Charles said clueless but making Max laugh.

"That was the perfect answer Charles."  After that they wished each other a good day and said goodbye.

Charles sighed as he left the house. He had gotten ready and was going to his family today. He and Max both hadn't have a awfully long night of sleep, making him feel tired. He was absently minded walking the streets of Monaco to go to his mom's house.

Should I tell her?

He knew Max's mom knows. Max had told him about how he had broken down yesterday. His mom had come to comfort him and she had figured it out. Charles had worried when Max had told him. Max was insecure and vulnerable when it came to Charles. It made Charles feel guilty, thinking that he was making Max feel that way, even if he didn't mean to do it. He was glad that Sophie had been there to comfort Max, imagine what he would have done if she wasn't. Max would have never called Charles. He was also wondering wether he should tell his mom.