Dear Diary (Maxley)

13

"...And you're a freshman, yes?" Mr. Uppercrust cuts his steak slowly, eyes not leaving Max's as he continues his interrogation. "What are you majoring in?"

"I'm aiming to get my doctorate in Business and minor in Finance." Max squeezes Brad's hand under the table, his other one stabbing his fork into steamed broccoli. "I already have half of my credits thanks to working hard in highschool, so really after next year I should be able to graduate early."

"Hm." All Brad's father says before focusing on his meal.

"Tell us how the two of you met." One of Brad's siblings, Brittney, asks when the silence becomes unbearable. "Brad's never been interested in romance before, I'm sure you can understand we're all surprised that he'd settle so soon."

"I didn't settle." Brad says through gritted teeth, "He proved himself worthy."

"Has he really?" Belle, one of his sisters, leans in with critical eyes as she watches Max fidget with the collar of his button-up. It's obvious he's not used to dressing formally.

"I wonder how." His brother, Benjamin, glances at Max with a golden smile. He must be following another one of those stupid cosmetic trends. "He cleans up well, for a mutt at least."

"Don't you dare-" Brad's lips purse as Max rubs his knees, eyes darting to him before dropping back to his plate. "-Nevermind. There are more pressing matters to discuss."

"Correct." His mother sits up a little straighter, "The annual neighborhood gala is in two week's time. You know how our peers will look at us about this, I hope you're prepared for such. We'll arrange some classes for..."

"Max." Brad says with a roll of his eyes when Max is too busy savoring a plate of pasta to answer. His table manners had always left much to be desired but Brad liked him that way. He didn't want him put in a small room with a trainer, he didn't need to be. "He doesn't need obedience or etiquette classes, he's fine as is."

He's perfect.

"I aim to reach the levels of delusion you have harnessed to convince yourself he's a proper match." Another sister speaks up from the other end of the table, "Look at him now. Do you really think he can handle a gala?"

"Hm?" He nuzzles Brad's hand as his face is wiped by a square cloth everyone else had put in their lap. Was he supposed to do that? It didn't really matter now, it's not like he had stained his suit. "Oh right, sorry."

"You should be apologizing for marking someone above your station." Benjamin shrugs when Brad's parents glare at him, "I'm only saying what everyone here is thinking."

"I find it silly that you think your thoughts matter," Brad hisses. The hair on the back of his neck stands, a growl rumbling in his throat. "He's my Alpha. There's no changing that."

"You can always-"

"Enough!" Brad stands and grabs Max's hands pulling him along as he storms out. "He doesn't have to take this!"

Brad drags him to a secluded hallway, fuming so much his race is a devilish red. How dare his siblings say such things and how cowardly of his parents not to check them. Yes, his manners could use some work but he wasn't a savage! So what if he wasn't purebred, he was good to Brad, a lot kinder than any match his parents would've picked. They were planning to give him to the highest bidder, he had seen the folders of options in his mother's room, that was why he had begged his parents to send him to school- to buy himself time. Now he had all the time in the world and he intended to spend it in Max's arms, the same way he was now as he grumbled under his breath.

"Assholes, all of them!" Brad bites on Max's neck to calm himself down, nails digging into his back as they hug. He looks down at Max with narrowed eyes, "You need to leave before they say something foolish. I'll book a hotel."

"Leave? Brad, there's no need for that." Max speaks softly, "I'm sure they'll come around.

"Max-"

"I want to stay." Puppy eyes and a stupid smile that makes Brad's heart flutter, "I can handle a little teasing."

"But you shouldn't have to." Brad huffs, crossing his arms. "They're being snobby little...Ugh!"

"You're so cute when you're angry." He can't help but coat Brad's face in quick kisses, laughing when the omega growls at him.

"Not the time, Max."

Since Max wanted to stay, he had to sleep in a separate room because Brad's parents were traditional and didn't want to risk something "Impure" happening under their roof. It was a little late for that but Max didn't want to make a fuss so he hung his head and followed Benjamin to an empty room, pushed inside by the Alpha. The room was too quiet, sterile even. He found himself staring at his wallpaper, a pretty picture of Brad half-awake and sprawled out in his nest after a day of doing...whatever he does. Max doesn't really ever ask what he's up to, he doesn't want to seem like a threat to his independence. He usually gave him a few hours to himself anyway, spending the night separately would be fine.

Max was going crazy within an hour.

"Can I come lay with you now?" He asks on the phone, "Can I? It's cold in here."

"Max, my parents will be pissy all morning if we share a room." Brad sighs, "And right now we need to appease them so you can win their favor. My brothers and sisters opinions don't matter, it's really my father's favor you need to earn if you want this stay to be easy."

"It'd be a lot easier if you were beside me..." Max curls up, Brad on speaker as he snuggles a pillow, pretending it's him. "What if I just visited your room? I'd leave before going to sleep!"

"Max, Sweetheart-" Brad's voice drops to a sultry whisper, "-We'll make up for lost time tomorrow. I'll even leave my clothes in your room so you have something to roll on."

"Are you sure that won't cause a scandal?" Max says it with a roll of his eyes and a bitter tone, "I don't get it. Is it really that bad if we-"

"Yes, Max, it is." Brad is in his room wearing nothing but a robe and a frown, "I told you we should leave and you wanted to stay."

"Yeah well I didn't think they'd separate us and put me on trial!" Max knows starting a fight is stupid but he doesn't want to hang up just yet, he needs to hear him speak or else he'll never fall asleep. "This isn't fair."

"My parents have never been fair." Brad's voice falters, "I don't need you to rub that in."

CLICK!

Well that went great.