Bathroom (Max x Bradley) - Maxley

CHAPTER 25

I looked in the direction the shadow ran, trying to spot who it was. No success. I turned back to Bradley, who looked petrified. Confused, I took his hands into my, trying to meet his gaze. "Hey, Bradley, are you okay? Is just a photo-" Bradley only shook his head, interrupting me. "No, it's not JUST a photo Max. If my dad finds out that I am dating a guy..." he trailed off, starting to slightly shake. I took him inside, worried about him.

"Hey, Bradley, why don't you want him to find out?" No response. And took him upstairs to the bathroom. "Do you need help with that?" I asked, pointing towards his wet clothes. He barely shook his head, signaling I should leave him alone. And I did. I walked out of the bathroom, went into his room, and took some fresh, dry clothes for him to change into. I returned back to him. Bradley was still standing in the same spot I left him at, not moving an inch. I was really getting worried. "Hey, here are some clothes for you. Change out of the wet ones so you won't catch a cold, and I'll be outside of the room, waiting for you. Just behind the door. Is that okay?" This time, I didn't even get a nod, so I slowly left, closing the door behind me and sitting myself down next to the door, leaning on the nearby wall.

What was happening? We had a nice weekend behind us, finally getting together. Why is the photo so important to him? I know his father is a homophobic bitch, but still. I waited for him, leaning onto the wall, just thinking. For a long time nothing happened, there was silence in the whole house. Finally, I heard their shower being turned on, indicating that Bradley finally snapped out of his trance. I sat there for another hour, until the door opened, revealing Bradley.

I quickly stood up, facing him. His face was red and puffy, his hair wet, the fresh clothes hanging on his body. I hugged him, navigating him towards the bed, so he could rest. He gladly laid down, still responding to my attempts to start a conversation.

I turn off the lights, walking towards the door. "Please... stay..." I turned around, surprised by the sound of words coming out of Bradley's mouth. I smiled a sad smile, remembering in what bad shape I was yesterday, and how he helped me. "Of course, but I need to get my pajamas from downstairs." "No, I just take something from my closet. Please... just don't leave me." My heart broke at the sight of him. But I agreed, walking over to his closet and picking out a random T-shirt. I took the shirt and headed towards the bathroom to change.

"No! Please, don't leave me..." I wanted to argue that I wasn't going anywhere, just to the bathroom to change, but the moment I saw the devastated look on his face, I just couldn't. Acceptably, I nodded, taking off my shirt and replacing it with Bradley's dry one. I took off my pants and socks, which were soaked, leaving me in my underwear. Thank God the underwear wasn't wet, so I kept it on and walked towards Bradley, sitting on the floor next to his bed.

"What are you doing?" "Keeping you company until you fall asleep. Isn't that what you wanted?" I heard Bradley shuffling. I looked up, seeing he made space for me in his bed. I waited, not quite sure what I was supposed to do. "Get in, Max. I want you to sleep with me. That's what boyfriends do, right?" I didn't think he was offering me a space in his bed because of our relationship, there was something else behind it. But I didn't push it, crawling into the bed, and laying down next to Bradley.

The second my head hit the pillow, Bradley's hands wrapped around me, hugging me tightly as a leech, not letting go. In record time, Bradley fell asleep. It took a little longer for me, but I eventually fell asleep as well. The night was calm for most of the time. Apart from a sudden scream from Bradley in the unholy hour. I woke up and looked over at him, wondering what had happened. He was asleep, but one could see the troubled expression on his face. I hugged him tighter, not knowing what to do. But he didn't scream a second time, so I think the hugging helped.

The morning was weird as well. Bradley barely spoke to me, just silently ate the breakfast I did for him and left for school. I took off shortly after him. The first lesson was history. I caught up to Bradley, with who I shared the course. "We could sit together. What do you think about that?" He simply shook his head in disapproval, hurrying to class, not waiting for me.