My heart breaks as Max told me about his childhood. His mother's death, the guilt he still carried over the way he treated his father, and how he worked so much just to be able to afford college without help from his father, who didn't make anywhere near enough money.
I didn't really know what to do, so I put my hand on his back and rubbed it up and down. Mom had done it when I was sad growing up, so I hoped it would help him.
Eventually, Max finished and turned away from me, ashamed.
"Max," I say, finding footing in the silence. "You are an...amazing person and nothing that happened was your fault. Would you - would you like a hug?"
He turned towards me and immediately buried his head in my chest. I wrapped my arms around him and made us more comfortable on the couch together. My mind wandered to Father, who, although a terrible person, had never put me through things as bad as this. Sure, he yelled at me a few times, but he never hit me and I am still next in line to run his multi-million dollar company. Max had none of that.
Eventually, I shifted and Max got up, thinking I wanted him to get off. I mean, not that I wanted him cuddling with me, but I felt bad.
"Come back here."
"Really? I didn't realize high and mighty Bradley Uppercrust III wanted to cuddle with me." But he laid back down without hesitation. "Thank you, Brad."
And as we both started drifting towards unconsciousness, I didn't bother correcting him for calling me by the nickname my father uses.
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Christmas Break: A Maxley Fanfic
FanfictionWhen Max's dad has to work over Christmas, Max has nothing to do but stay on campus. Little does he know, Bradley is also staying there. Eventually, the two realize they get along better than they thought they could. But will things go further or wi...
