The Tubular Moments // Lucas and Max (Lumax)

A Tubular Letter

Max had rarely been home since Billy's death, spending most her time at Lucas' house. She didn't want to be around her mother or Neil, because then the hole Billy left would be really evident. And Max didn't think she could face it, not yet. Maybe not ever.

In fact Max didn't really want to be around anybody. She needed time. The only person she wanted around was Lucas. He had a way of calming her just by being there for her. Which was something nobody had ever provided for her.

And Lucas vowed that he was going to stay by her side throughout it all.

So throughout the last week, most of her days consisted of lying in Lucas' bed. Him listening to her crying. She hadn't talked much, other then when she would try to make sense of the traumatic situation.

Lucas would mostly talk to her, reassuring her that Billy was better now, and that she would still be safe.

She was thankful for him, because she couldn't go through this without him. She was also thankful for Lucas' parents and her mom for being so understanding. Even if she hadn't talked to them/told them so.

On day 3 after the battle of Starcourt, Mrs Sinclair knocked on Lucas' door to find Max asleep in her son's arms. He gave his mother a sad smile, which she returned, before walking over and sitting on the bed.

"Max honey." She tenderly rubbed Max's arm to wake her. "Sorry to wake you sweet. But your mother just called. She said that your stepdad and her will be out for a few hours, so if you wanted to go through Billy's room and keep anything, now would be the best time, before he goes through it himself. Your mother doesn't know what he's going to do with it, so I know it will be difficult, but I think you should go sweetheart."

Max blinked. She didn't want to go, but she didn't want Neil to get rid of all Billy's things.

"Ok." She replied hoarsely.

"Perfect. Mr Sinclair will drive you both."

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Max didn't know where to start. She was trying her best to push her overwhelming emotions aside, and finish what she went there to do. But it was so difficult when all she could see through those inanimate objects, were the remnants of her brother's broken life.

Lucas saw her struggle and guided her over to Billy's wardrobe.

"Let's start here Max. Yeah?"

Max nodded, taking a deep breath before sliding the cupboard door open.

There wasn't much to see, but something immediately caught Max's eye: Billy's signature leather jacket. She took it off the coat hanger before clinging it close to her chest. It smelt like smoke, cologne and alcohol, but that didn't stop Max from sliding it on.

It was big for her, the sleeves continuing well past her arms, but she loved it. She also figured she'd eventually grow into it more, so she kept it.

Max continued to look around Billy's room. She didn't grab anything, because the types of things Billy owned, Max would never even buy. They were almost polar opposites. That is, until she found her way to his draws and something drew her attention.

A glint of shiny silver flashed across her eyes. Sat on top of the draws in a trinket tray was Billy's pendant that he wore all the time. Just before he got flayed, Max remembered him telling her about it.

"I found it on the beach in California when I was about 11. Neil kicked me out for the night. I remember being so scared that something bad would happen to me, because I didn't have anywhere to stay for the night. But I looked after myself, and thought it must've been because of the pendant. Been wearing it since. A reminder that I'm capable, every time Neil puts me down."