Bathroom (Max x Bradley) - Maxley

CHAPTER 29

I couldn't believe my eyes. Right there in the bed was Bradley sleeping, in one of my shirts and hugging a stuffed animal. My shirt was a little too small for him, but he looked like he didn't care about that. I smiled and quickly turned off the lights, not wanting to wake him up. I went up to his room and change into one of his shirts - they were more comfortable than mine. After I changed, I went back down to my room and slipped inside.

I admired Bradley for a little longer, taking a photo of him. I admired the photo as well, zooming in on his face. At this rate, my heart would be healed by Christmas, which was only a few days away.

I wanted to get into the bed, but I couldn't - the bed was too small. Either he had to sleep on top of me or the other way around. I glared at the stuffed animal in Bradley's arms, wishing it would be me who he was hugging.

I slowly took Bradley's animal, threw it across the room, and climbed onto the bed on the spot of the stuffed animal, making Bradley hug me. I smiled at my little victory, not caring about tomorrow's explanation. With a smile on my face, I fell asleep, having all kinds of dreams.

I woke up to a scream coming from Bradley. I quickly turned to him, trying to figure out what was happening. Bradley was still sleeping, having a nightmare. He was trashing around, talking from his sleep. "No... no... please... stop... MAX!" He screamed and woke up with tears in his eyes. He looked around the room in panic, not quite knowing where he was. When he spotted me, his eyes stopped at me, looking me up and down, relieved but unsure. He slowly reached over to me, grabbing my wrist. When he confirmed it was me, he hugged me fully, not letting me go.

We sat there in silence, hugging each other. He rocked a little, whispering to himself. I didn't hear all of the things he whispered, but I understood something. "It's OK... safe..." "Bradley?... Do you mind telling me what were you dreaming about-?" He stopped rocking, looking at me as if speaking about the dream would make the dream come true. But after a short pause, he nodded.

"The actions of yesterday. You came in as me and my father were fighting. In reality, he only slapped you once, leaving you alone afterward. But in my dream... in my dream-" "It's okay, you don't have to-" but he interrupted me, shaking his head. "In my dream... he didn't leave you alone after the first hit. He hit you again and again. And I couldn't help you... I was standing there, all of my limbs screaming for me to go and help you, but I couldn't move them. I couldn't move MYSELF. I was standing there, watching-" his voice gave up, a little cry coming out of him.

I hugged him tighter, angry at his dad for doing this to him. For giving him all of these nightmares. But also angry at myself for making him remember it again. What an idiot I am. I should protect him, not make him feel worse.

"Hey, Bradley, it's okay. Nothing happened to me. I am perfectly fine, see? I am not letting anybody hurt you and I am not going anywhere. Don't forget that." We shared the silence again, eventually drifting into the dreamland again.

I woke up before Bradley. Normally I would go to the kitchen to cook something for us or work out, but I wanted to savor every moment given with Bradley. I laid there, turning to him and kissing him on top of his forehead. I looked at him again, only to find him staring back at me already. I jumped a little back, surprised that he was awake. I thought he was asleep.

"Good morning, Bradley. How did you sleep?" He only smiled at me with a wicked smile, getting up on his elbows, looking down at me.

"Oh, sunshine, wonderful. Thank you for asking. And how did you sleep?" "Splendid. Should I go and make some breakfast?" Bradley only laughed at me, shaking his head. "Breakfast can wait. But my curiosity cannot. I need an explanation for something first. Do you wish to see me like this?"