The news flashes on at the ripe time of 8 AM the next morning. It's an emergency announcement to the TVs in the proximity of the Ohio State College. "Good morning and Breaking news. A man known as Tank Braxton has passed away at the age of 21 last evening. The authorities are investigating and are looking further into it. Although it may be an accident police are looking into the chance that his death was intentional. Rest in peace and live updates will be on our websites. Thank you."
Bradley and Max stand near the front of the frat house party. It's full on manic. There's about 6 people drunkley slouched on the outside porch, beer cans, food wrappers and every clothing streamed all over the place and loud generic frat music bursting from the small confinements of the house. Ah. Fun.
"I still have no idea why you actually want to come here. I hate parties like this." Max questions him, clearly not believing his motive of wanting to 'show off''. Yet again that actually could be what Bradley wants to do. It's the only thing he does do.
"I want to show I'm not scared of these losers anymore. Hold on tight to my hand and follow me and you'll be okay." Max's grip tightens on his hand.
Max nods as Bradley starts to enter the frat house. The one that used to be his home. He had wished he never stepped foot back into that house. Ever again. Bradley guides himself throw the crowds of smelly young adults, unusually horny and maybe spiked sorority girls and the as well as the array of druggies and alcoholics. The oder of sweat and thick beer almost makes Max hurls. He's not a light weight but some types of alcohol really.. makes him feel sick.
Bradley passes the alcohol table, full of liquor and beer and god knows what. He quickly swipes up 2 cans of beer with one hand, handing one to Max as he guides them to a corner where they won't be seen and out the way, holding onto Max tightly. Looking around you can see they've changed a bit of the decoration. The X games posters with the team on are gone. The moose head on he liked is gone. The broken pool table? Replaced with a snooker table. Fucking snooker. Bradley sips his beer to contain his growing and festering anger in his bones.
"You okay Brad..?" Max asks, concerned, stroking the back of his hand with his thumb trying to contain his anger. Wouldn't want anything to happen, right?
"Fine." He grins his teeth. Max squeezes his hand. Bradley squeezes back.
A loud laugh booms from the middle of the room. It's Tank. And by the looks of it he's having a great time. Clearly very wasted, stumbling and laughing and his harsh looking movements more rough as he wraps one of his arms around another Gamma member. He's holding the same beer can as Bradley. That's the one thing him and Bradley could agree on. What beer to drink.
Bradley scoffs, grabbing another 2 beers. "Okay. Max he's coming towards us I don't exactly want to brag to him yet-"
"Whatever you say." Max sounds bored, not really enjoying himself. But he gets to be around Bradley. That's more than enough I guess. Sometimes you have to make small sacrifices for the ones you care about. Love, even.
Bradley guides them out, since he knows the place like the back of his palm because he lives there for 3 years, leading them to the outside area. There's a large heated pool and there's only a couple people outside but they're too drunk or high to notice the two of them slipping outside. There's more little sprawled outside and there's small chatter.
"We should be alright out here. I can go brag later." Bradley says, pulling out 2 fold up patio chairs to sit on under the shelter outside. Max hesitantly sits down next to him and sips his drink.
"Hah.. yeah." Max says quietly.
"You're being awfully quiet." Bradley looks him up and down.
"Just a bit.. loud.." Max tries to say so Bradley doesn't have any concern about him.
Bradley leans over and kisses his forehead. Touchy again. Adorable. He sips his drink again. Suddenly, the glass doors to the pool burst open. Tank and the Gammas pool out is a stench of Budlight and sweat in a ramble of laughter and chat.
"There he is Tank!" Slouch points over to the 2 boys sat in the lawn chairs.
Tank lets out another heavy laugh, stomping and stumbling over to the 2. Bradley lets go of his hand and stands up. "Oh. Hey Tank. Didn't know you'd be here." He says with a mocking tone.
"Cut the act BRAD. What are you doing here." Tank crosses his arms in a drunk slur. He's clearly gone over his limit which is saying a lot because he is NOT a light weight drinker.
He grits his teeth together, something that Bradley does when he's mad. "Just.. showing how much better my life is without you in it."
"Really? Because you keep coming back to me."
"Gh- whatever..! Point is I'm doing so much better now! I've got a hot boyfriend and better grades and I'm happier..!" Bradley tries to brag, sipping his drink before placing it onto the table next to him.
Tank steps backwards and puts his drink down, now pressing his back to the front of the table, he seems to do something behind his back before going back to where he was. "And why do I need to know that, huh? Huh?"
Max watches from afar. Does he stop it? Does he try to calm Bradley down. Tank is massive.. and drunk. He doesn't want to get hurt. But he doesn't want Bradley too either. He's stuck frozen.
Bradley jabs a finger into Tanks chest. "Because you need to know that I don't need you! That I don't need the Gammas or the X games or the- anything you have!"
Tank lets out a gruff laugh, picking up his drink and taking a long long sip before placing back down. He steps a pace back before lightly shoving Bradley as a way to anger him, thinking that he didn't have the balls to push back.
Tank felt a sharp pain in his chest before Bradley pushes him with all his might. He plunges into the pool behind him, quickly sinking to the bottom. Bradley freezes with a smug look on his face before turning to Max. He looks horrified. Before Tank can reach back up to the surface Bradley picks up his drink and runs. He grabs Max by the hand before bolting out the backyard gate. The gammas care more about getting Tank out the pool then chasing after Bradley so by they get down the block the two are out of sight out of mind.
"Oh- huff- my god." Bradley catches his breath, Max stumbling back up to his feet.
"Bradley.. why did you do that..?" Max sounds more pissed than relieved.
"What..? He shoved first." Bradley tries to justify his actions.
"You could've walked away though- why did you become violent again Bradley..?!" Max wines, more disappointed than mad bud it sounds like the opposite in his tone.
"Max- I'm sorry.. uh.." he just kind of stands there awkwardly.
"No you're not. I'm going back. I don't know why I decided to show up to this shit!" He yells, storming off.
"Wait- no Max please..! I thought we were gonna get takeaway and watch a movie and- please..!" Bradley's voice cracks, watching him walk away but not running after him. He doesn't want to be pushed away again. He just watches him still, heart starting to break slightly.
He feels like crying. No. Boys don't cry. Get your shit together. How to make it up to Max. He stands up and decided to make it up to him.
There's a steady knock at the door. Max opens it, hair messy and expression mad. He sees Bradley standing there, Max's favourite takeaway (cheesy nachos) and a bouquet of red tulips in his other hand.
"Sorry?" He asks, reaching out the items in his hands.
Max sighs. Fuck why does he have to be so adorable right now. He just.. can't stay mad. His expression softens. He steps out the way to let him in. "Get in."
Bradley grins. Maybe he can forgive Bradley for the death he's caused too. He just doesn't know it's happened yet.
YOU ARE READING
Reconnecting Threads - Maxley Fluff, Angst and Murder Mystery
Fanfic[COMPLETE] After the games, Bradley is devastated. He is kicked out the Gammas and now lives in solitude. That is until a certain person takes him in. After a couple days they reach an agreement. An agreement that will be the death of the both of th...
