Reconnecting Threads - Maxley Fluff, Angst and Murder Mystery

9 - Forgiving again.

Max wakes up, imprint of the cheap bathroom tiling on his face from a long stress-induced sleep. Head pounding, arms aching, throat sore due to a combination of shots and yelling. He can't tell if he feels angry, disappointed or just plainly numb. Light peaking through the bathroom blind in the corner of the room, making it pretty obvious it's already day time. A sign to get up Max.

Max knew he would be hungover, just not in the current situation he's in. AKA, hung over in a bathroom trying to avoid Bradley because.. honestly? He's kind of scared. He can't remember much from last night but he remembered the constant yelling how it was 'his fault' for his downfall. Bullshit. Right? Being scared of your.. he doesn't even know what they are anymore.

Composing himself, he sits down on the closed toilet,  rubbing his temples with the tips of his index fingers. After that night with the argument then they kissed and cuddled.. that was confirming both their feelings so they're.. dating..? Friends with benefits? He honestly doesn't know. But after last night it a definitely not either of those outcomes. Suddenly, jumps at a firm knock at the door. He sits up.

"Max, are you in here..?" Bradley speaks from the other side, his tone sounds.. regretful maybe. His head is spinning too much from the previous night to absorb everything around him.

Max goes still, trying to keep a breathing to a minimum. "Max I can hear you in there.. please talk to me."

Max sighs. "Go away Brad. I'm not in the exact mood." He puts his head into his hands.

"I'm sorry... Max please I can explain myself and we can-"

"You think I ruined your life? Brad? Care to explain that?"

"I- I was mad you were avoiding me.. I've got a lot of pent up anger Max you have to understand-"

"So much pent up anger you attack Tank while you were still dating? That's really fucked up Bradley."

Bradley thumps his head against the bathroom door, taking another deep breath and pressing his right arm against it too to lean on as he thinks of a response. He really likes Max. He does despite their past but admitting to his own mistakes is a milestone he hasn't come over yet. He could for Max though. He can try.. he guesses.. it may be hard but he can try. He's been a dick for so long he can't imagine a life without it. Something about Max just makes him want to change.

"I know. It was wrong. Max. I know I'm a dick. How can I make it up to you..?"

"Apologies. To everyone. Today. And maybe I'll consider trying to keep a stable relationship with you. Brad. I really like you it's just- you're acting like a really shitty person." He paces around the bathroom as he speaks.

Bradley clenched his Cindy's slightly. Apologising. Something he's shit at doing. He can try for Max. Maybe. "Fine. I'll do it. I need to make things right with us Max."

A few seconds of silence pass before Bradley hears footsteps then the lock unlock. Bradley stands up, fixing his hair with his fingers. Max opens the door. His hair is a messy, eye bags visible, eyes slightly bloodshot. Yet Bradley still thinks he's hot as fuck right now, blinking for a couple seconds to compose his thoughts. "I'll apologise to Tank for all the shit I've put him through. Then we can go from there. Okay Max."

Max just nods, his back hunched and his movements sluggish as he walks past him and into the kitchen. He's too hung over for this shit. PJ really knows how to convince one to take shots with him. Doesn't help that he's a light weight and PJ can take shots like it's an Olympic sport.

Bradley decided to leave Max alone for a bit. He needs the time apart from him. Wow. Bradley. Considering others feelings. Maybe he is changing? Who knows.

About 2 hours later at the ripe time of 10AM he's stood at the doorstep of the Moo Moo Gammas frat house with a small bouquet of flowers. Purple Lillies. Tank's favourite. He only ever bought Tank flowers once. After their first date. Tank was a great guy, maybe he just wasn't.. Bradley's type.

Another Gamma, Slouch, answers the door. His look is filled with disgust. "Brad. Crawling back already?" He sounds judgemental.

"I need to speak to Tank." Bradley asks back, tone stern. He's already hating every second of this but he's doing for Max. Keep reminding yourself of that Bradley. You're gonna need it.

"Whatever." Slouch replies before stumbling back into the frat. He waits awkwardly at the door until a couple minutes later Tank fills the frame.

"Wow. Flowers. Dumped the little Goof already? I'm not taking you back."

"No. Max wanted me to apologise to you. And I kind of wanted to myself. I'm sorry for how I treated you but I'm glad it ended. It was toxic.. and.. and I hope you do better in the future." He struggled to squeeze out his words, reluctantly holding out the bouquet of flowers to him.

Tank gives him a dirty look before slowly snatching the flowers, looking at the petals. His expression turns into something unreadable as he plays with the petals. "I still don't forgive you." Tank mutters out. Bradley cracks a frown. "But thank you." He steps inside and closes the door.

Bradley watches him close the door. He feels warm inside, not a romantic warm or a triumphant warm but a.. full warm. He's actually done something.. kind. And it feels.. amazing? Eh. Maybe he can be a sarcastic nice. He's not letting go of the mean side but it's good to be nice every once in a while. Good. And Bradley. Those words don't mix. He sighs before stepping down the frat house steps and going to his class that was in 20 minutes.

After his class, Bradley sits on the steps of the stone staircase of the street, in one hand his phone swiping through Instagram Reels (yes he's one of those) and a chocolate croissant in the other from the near by bakery. The memory of actually apology replays in his head. He doesn't.. fully hate Tank. They had a nice time together, though he didn't really have romantic feelings for him it was.. nice. He misses having someone at his side like that. Maybe Max could fill that role.

"Hey." A voice appears from the side of him. Max stands, leaning against the wall with his hands in his pockets, looking at the bland concrete ground.

"I did it. I apologised to Tank. I ranted about how I was sorry and how it's good we broke up because it was toxic and wished him well and-"

Max's face became more sincere, he crouches down and sits next to him. "I'm proud of you, Brad." He places a firm hand around his shoulder.

Those words hit Bradley like a rock. He didn't care he called him 'Brad' instead of 'Bradley' or anything else. He hasn't heard those words being said to him in ages. Leaning onto Max's shoulder he takes a deep breath before speaking. "Thank you.. Goof.."

Max gives him a goofy smile, he leans forward and places his face into his hair. It smells like a cliche men's cologne. It's endearing. "You're changing.. you're becoming a better person. I love it.."

"So.. you forgive me now..?"

"A bit. How about we uh.. go on a date tonight..?"

Date? Bradley's heart flutters a bit. Tank never liked dates they'd usually just stay home and eat slop. He likes this. "Oh..! Uh. Sure. Sort it out at the dorm..?"

Max likes his enthusiasm. "Yep. Nothing too fancy.. how about the skate park?"

"Sure... I'll see you at the dorm after classes."

Max kisses his forehead before standing back up. "Yep. See you then."