Dead Before Dawn: The Vampire Curse

Chapter 24 - Worth a Try

"So, you and Gian," Scott said after they had spent two hours playing mindless video games.

It was about as subtle as a brick through the window, but then Max wasn't attracted to Scott for his subtlety.

"Me and Gian," he replied with a half smile.

"How long have you two been together?" was the curious question.

They were starting off slow, then, Max could deal with that.

"Since Russia," Max replied, putting his controller down and giving his full attention to Scott, "just like the rumours would have you believe. I was wandering around in a bit of a daze and managed to forget that I have these feelings for him I've been pretending weren't there and kissed him. It got more serious from there."

Scott looked as if he was digesting that information, while he turned off the game and put his controller down as well.

"Then why me?" Scott finally asked and seemed honestly perplexed.

"I asked him the same question when he asked me why I hadn't jumped you the other night," he replied and smiled at the memory, "but Gian's a lot more observant and a lot less vanilla than most people seem to think."

Scott just frowned a little as if he wasn't sure what Max was trying to say.

"I love him," Max said simply, since he wanted to make sure all the cards were on the table, "and he loves me, but we can't be together all that often. Because I'm a vampire I have certain needs ..."

"So you're interested in me as a stand in?" Scott asked and interrupted what he was trying to say.

Max gave Scott a look and he shut up.

"That's not what I'm trying to say," he said as soon as he had Scott's attention back. "We might not know each other well anymore, Scott, but you know me enough to know I don't do casual sex. When I have sex my heart gets involved."

He couldn't change who he was, didn't want to actually. He liked to flirt and the odd kiss and cuddle was always on the cards, but when it came to sex he always wanted more.

"As Gian so eloquently pointed out, both he and I find you very attractive," he continued with a smile, "and, unless I was reading it all wrong the other night, you are attracted to me at least."

Scott gave a small nod and showed that at least he wasn't in denial.

"Now," Max told him, "if sex is going to mess up everything between us, I don't want it; I'd rather have you as a friend, because I remember when we actually liked each other and it was fun. However, if you're interested, and that means in me and Gian, because he can be a possessive bitch, then I think we could have more than friendship. And before you ask, no I don't expect us to come out as the next perfect couple with a twist."

Scott managed a real smile at that.

"So you're suggesting a threesome as a long term relationship," Scott said after a few moments.

"Or just friends," Max said, wanting to make himself perfectly clear, "without benefits."

He knew by now that his vampire nature increased rather than decreased some of his more focused character traits, so it wasn't as if he had much choice. He was far too aware of how his mind worked to not put this in simple terms.

"And we could turn the X-box back on and just bro around and you'd be fine with it?" Scott asked and Max tried not to feel let down.

"I'd be a little bit disappointed," he admitted, since it would probably show on his face anyway, "but, yes, I'd rather that than things getting awkward."