Reconnecting Threads - Maxley Fluff, Angst and Murder Mystery

11 - Parents.

(heads up I'm British so idk if I got the American lore right feel free to correct me!!)

Bradley and Max wake up in bed together on this fine morning. Clothed this time. Bradley is the first one to wake up, his head on Max's chest and their legs intertwined. He had a feeling they'd switch.. 'roles'.. Honestly he preferred being a.. what's the word..? It's weird but he wanted to be held but not to hold. (tragic backstory to explain how he became such a dick incoming!!)

Maybe it's the fact his childhood wasn't the best. Cliche. But it's true. Mother was great, she just had a lot of problems; she's better now it's just Bradley wished she was never bad to begin with. Dad wasn't exactly the best either. The man Bradley had been named after, he's dead. Well obviously he didn't have 2 functional parents. Bradley Uppercrust II had died in a car crash when Bradley was the ripe age of 6 years old. Growing up without a dad was tough so he decided to follow in his footsteps as much as possible.

Mother however didn't take the loss well. She fell down a deep spiral of grief and substance abuse. Luckily she went to rehab and got patched up but the emotional damage was permanently inflicted onto Bradley. Trying to be a good mother, Bradley and his mother went to therapy and ever since she's been clingy and loving and as supportive as she could be. It was nice to feel loved but it wasn't enough. He needed to be held and Mrs. Uppercrust wasn't exactly the most keen on it. You'll be hearing more about her, trust me.

That's why he's so happy about his current relations with Max. He feels heard and loved and- it's just amazing. He inhales the scent of him, cuddling into him one more time before sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Leaning down and pressing a quick affectionate kiss to his lips before he gets up, he stretches his back before getting up and getting ready for today's shitty classes. Suddenly his phone rings.

Mother. Of course. He picks the phone up only to be met with his mother's unusually enthusiastic voice. "Ba ba you never told me you had a boyfriend! Oh my god I'm so happy for you..!" She starts to rant.

Bradley pinches the brim of his nose. Fuck okay. He musters up the courage to speak. "Yeah. Mum. I did."

"It's that Max Goof boy isn't it? Aw I'm so happy for you..! I have to meet him and we could have his family over for dinner in the summer when you come back and-!"

"Mum I don't know if I'm coming back this summer." Mother stops as he says that.

"But you have to.. bring your little boyfriend up too and his parents we can have a nice family dinner..!"

Bradley turns his head away from the phone and sighs. He knows for a fact his mother is lonely. Very. Being in a big empty house alone for most of the year has to have some effect on you. Of course. But flying all the way back there? It's a bit much. But he wants to make her happy.

"We have 2 weeks until the summer. I will talk to Max about it. Bye Mum."

"Bye Ba-" he hangs up.

Bradley ruffles his hair, going to turn around to see Max standing there, leaning on the doorframe with hands in pockets. He jumps, not expecting him there.. how does he always manage to do that..?

"No need to talk to me. I heard the whole thing." Max comments, resting his head on the door frame. "See. Dad doesn't exactly know we're.. dating."

"Tell him then?"

"You tried to kill Tank. He threw a horse shoe at you. I don't think he will support."

Bradley furrows his brow. "Tell him I changed?"

Max rolls his eyes. "Fine. I'll call him later. Don't be surprised if he doesn't approve though."

Bradley gives him an iconic smirk. "Surely he will admire you for your good taste, Goof." It's good to know some of his personality is still there. "Jokes aside. Mum really wants to have dinner with you guys. One small thing though. She lives in California. "