𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 ~ | 𝘔𝘢𝘹 𝘝𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘦𝘯

The Thorn and The Rose

⚠ Trigger Warning

SA, violence, Mad Max

~'~

I startled, glancing up to find Max standing there, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, the other extended toward me. His expression was almost neutral, save for the faintest curve at the edge of his lips, teasing, maybe, or simply unreadable in the way he often was.

"M'lady," he said with an exaggerated bow, his hand still outstretched.

I blinked, looking from his face to his hand and back. "Max, if you're here to be a jackass, now's really not the time."

"Well, aren't we touchy," he replied with a mock wince. "Believe it or not, I wasn't coming to ruin your evening. Quite the opposite, actually."

"Is that right?" I arched a brow, glancing down at the rose as I continued to twirl it. I didn't want him to know that just having company, even his, lifted the weight of solitude from my chest. "What's this miraculous intervention you have planned?"

"I'm asking you to dance."

I froze mid-twirl. My gaze shot back to him, searching his face for the punchline. "With you?"

"No, with Christian," he deadpanned sarcastically, crossing his arms. "He's just shy and didn't want to ask you himself."

"Well, tell Christian to dance with his own wife." I told him, leaning back in my chair.

"He wants to dance with you." He replied a little more quietly than I had expected. I was taken a bit by surprise by this new side of him.

"I hate to disappoint him, but I'm not in the mood to dance right now." I shook my head.

"Oh, come on. This is your favorite song, of course you want to dance." He said it a little too quickly. I looked at him. How did he know that? "I mean, Christian knows that it's your favorite song." He stammered. I smiled.

"Max..." I began slowly. "I'm really not in the mood." He paused. I waited for him to say something rude or at least walk away, but he did neither.

"You're overthinking."

"Don't I always?"

"Take today off."

"That's not how it wo-"

I was silenced as he took my chin in his hand. His fingers gently tilted my head back up to meet his gaze. I let him. His eyes were still unreadable, but a small smile was appearing on his face.

"Dance with me, Hart." His voice was low.

How can someone who is so rough be so gentle?

I couldn't speak. The feeling of fingers on my skin was completely overwhelming. Disarming. Color rushed to my cheeks as I realized I hadn't said anything in minutes. He waited patiently for my response.

He let his hand fall, and suddenly I could breathe again. I swallowed, trying to find the words. Of course, I wanted to dance. I loved this song. I began to overthink like crazy.

"Okay, how about this?" He sighed, clearly seeing the turmoil in my eyes. "You have three seconds to take my hand and go dance with me, or you can sit here and keep feeling sorry for yourself." He held out his hand once more.

There was my Max.

I smiled broadly. I took his hand and got to my feet. As I did, I saw a smile flash across his face, but it was gone in an instant. He turned away towards the dance floor.