The Change|| BxB

35. Unspoken Bonds

A few days had passed since Valentino and Max had visited Kyle in the hospital. The ordeal had left its mark on both of them, and the hospital room had become a place of endless worry. Kyle had woken up, but he remained in critical condition, his fate uncertain.

It was already noon when Max tiptoed into their dimly lit bedroom. Valentino was still buried under the covers, the blanket wrapped tightly around his whole body, his head completely hidden. Max had tried waking him several times, but each attempt was met with groans and mumbled curses.

"Valentino, wake the fuck up! It's literally 12 fucking PM!" Max whined, shaking Val with increasing frustration.

Valentino, barely stirring, muttered, "Go away, Max," his voice thick with sleep.

Max's patience wore thin. "I'm serious, get up!" he insisted, shaking Val more vigorously.

Finally, Valentino groaned and, in one swift motion, grabbed Max and pulled him onto the bed. Max let out a yelp as Val cuddled him, wrapping him in a tight embrace. "This doesn't help, Val," Max protested, wriggling a bit.

Valentino opened one eye and looked down at Max, a smirk playing on his lips. "You're cold, and I'm warm. Just let me hold you," he said softly, drawing Max closer.

Max squirmed but couldn't deny the warmth. "Valentino," he said, exasperated, "you have to get up."

Fifteen minutes of futile arguing later, Valentino rolled out of bed with Max still in his arms. He picked Max up and tossed him playfully over his shoulder. Max squirmed and protested, but Val only chuckled triumphantly.

"What are we doing today, Maxxy?" Val asked with a grin as he carried Max down the stairs, making sure not to jostle him too much.

Max, still slightly disoriented, managed to say, "I was going to—" but his words trailed off as Valentino placed him gently on the kitchen counter.

Valentine stepped into the space between Max's legs, making the smaller man gulp nervously. "What are you doing?" Max asked, his voice quivering slightly.

Valentino's grin widened, and he said nothing, only continuing to close the gap between them. The air between them crackled with unspoken tension. Max's cheeks flushed a deep red as he shifted his gaze away, feeling a mix of excitement and embarrassment.

Without warning, Valentino took Max's chin in his hand and tilted his face up, forcing him to meet his eyes. Max, unable to look away, smiled sheepishly, feeling both vulnerable and exhilarated. Valentino leaned in closer, his breath warm against Max's skin.

Max's heart raced as Valentino's lips hovered near his. He waited for Max to make the first move, but the shyness got the better of him. Valentino, growing impatient, closed the distance and kissed Max passionately. The kiss was deep and intense, and Max, initially taken aback, soon melted into the embrace.

Max's response was just as fervent. He kissed back with equal intensity, his hands finding their way to Valentino's hair. Valentino's grip tightened around Max's throat, applying gentle pressure. Max's eyes fluttered shut, and he found himself losing control, his senses overwhelmed by the sensation.

The pressure on his throat made him gasp slightly, and to his surprise, he found himself enjoying it. Valentino's kiss only deepened, and Max's response grew more eager, his body pressing closer to Val's. The mixture of passion and the light pressure around his throat created an electric thrill that Max had never experienced before.

Valentino pulled away just enough to look into Max's eyes, both of them breathing heavily. "You okay?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Max, still catching his breath, nodded. "Yeah, I'm okay. More than okay," he said, his voice trembling slightly but filled with genuine emotion.

Valentino smiled softly, his eyes filled with affection. "Good," he said, and leaned in for another kiss, this time slower and more tender.

They stayed like that for a while, lost in each other's embrace, savoring the rare moment of calm and connection. The chaos of the past few days seemed to momentarily fade away as they held each other, their worries momentarily forgotten in the warmth of their love.

Max knew that the road ahead would be challenging, and that the scars of their recent trials would take time to heal. But in this moment, wrapped in Valentino's arms, he felt a glimmer of hope. Their bond, tested and strained, had emerged stronger. And as they kissed under the dim light of their kitchen, Max felt a renewed sense of determination to face whatever lay ahead, knowing he wasn't alone.

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