maximusmaxharvey-blog

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hello!? got room for two lonely boys?

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“I think I can manage that. Is that it?”

“Heading to England for the week, anyone want a souvenir?”

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As Max stepped into his parent’s house, he was filled with memories scattered on the walls. Pictures of his family posing in different places and parks when he was a kid. Different school pictures in chronological order along the wall. Max hadn’t noticed how many pictures they had of him in their living room. It made him feel nice, but also somewhat guilty for being so distant for so long. Both his mother and father seemed pleased so far, and quickly Marsha began to take their coats for them. “Where is your luggage? You didn’t just come with the clothes on your back did you?” She almost seemed horrified at the thought. Max spoke up quickly. “No, no, they’re in the car!” he smiled, reassuring her quickly so she didn’t get herself too worked up.

“Richard, would you go get them?” She asked, turning to her husband. He made sure to move quickly and soon was out the front door to go get the bags.

Marsha brought them into the sitting room and ushered them both to a big comfortable couch. “Sit, sit! How was the flight? Was it long?” She asked, her giddiness more obvious than ever. She really was quite like Max when she got excited, almost unable to contain her questions and curiosity. “It was good! Long...” Max said, shrugging. “How are you though?” Max asked with a smile.

Marsha perked up and sat up in her chair, smiling at the two of them sitting on the couch. “Oh, not bad. Judy started a book club --you know Judy down the street?-- well I’ve been going to that every Wednesday and Friday. And then your father and I started a racquetball league!” She smiled.

Max laughed at the last part, figuring it was very much something that they would do. “That’s amazing.” he said with a smile, shaking his head. “You never cease to amaze me, mum.” Though Marsha soon turned her attention to Brad who she didn’t want to make feel too uncomfortable or left out of the conversation. 

“It’s so nice to meet you, Bradley.” She said warmly, her smile spread wide across her cheeks. Richard soon returned with the bags, leaving them in the front hall and joining them in the living room. He still seemed quite unsettled, but Max figured it was the way he had always known him. His father had been distant after Max had grown older, feeling as though either of them could relate. At times it felt like the only thing they had in common was Max’s mother. “How are you enjoying London?” She said, grinning.

Max&Brad :: Home bound

Stepping out of the car, Brad took hold of Max’s hand and intertwined their fingers. Squeezing gently as they headed towards the door, he took in a deep breath of his own. He wasn’t sure what to expect, but he was looking forward to meeting Max’s parents, believe it or not. Max rang the doorbell, and instantly someone came to answer it - as though they’d been waiting for that exact moment for quite a while. 

It seemed that the next thing Brad knew, Max had been pulled from him. Brad did nothing but grin broadly, though, as he watched Marsha pull him into a hug. He almost took a step backwards, wanting to let them have that moment - because they truly did deserve it. But within the next few moments, he too was being pulled in by Max’s mom for a hug, which he returned with a quiet laugh, “I am. It’s really nice to finally meet you.” He murmured, pulling away once she did too and shaking Richard’s hand. It was only in that moment that Brad felt uncomfortable - but only because he wasn’t sure what to say, what he should say. “You too, Mr. Harvey,” was what he settled on, almost turning to look at Max for guidance but willing himself to at least look confident during their first meeting. It was important to Brad that he made a good first impression on both of Max’s parents. And even though this was the first time he’d actually met anyone’s parents in this type of situation, he thought that he did quite okay. 

It wasn’t long until Marsha had suggested they go inside and while they entered the house, Brad hung back a little, making sure to be behind Max rather than in front of him just so he could follow his lead. Looking around as they walked through, he couldn’t help but notice the odd few photos of a young Max on the walls. He grinned at one, a photo of a tiny Max definitely posing, and absolutely knew he’d bring it up later on. It was strange, he thought, how even though Max’s parents hadn’t lived here long - and Max had only visited the odd few times, it was still pretty incredible for Brad to see. All the little photos on the wall. He was thankful that Max had let him visit with him, and even more thankful that it was going so well. 

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“Heading to England for the week, anyone want a souvenir?”

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Feeling even just the gentle comfort of Brad’s hand rested on his leg made him feel incredible relaxed even though his heart was beating a mile a minute. He felt at any moment he would topple over and then he’d be in some real trouble. But Max took his minute, he took a few long, deep breaths, and stared back at Brad. “I’m ready.” he nodded as he squeezed Brad’s hand and exited he vehicle. As Max looked up at his parents house he was filled with an array of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, panic. Mostly he just wanted to see his mum and cat though. So as he came around to the other side of the vehicle, Max took Brad’s hand in his own and walked up to the front door. He decided to leave the luggage for later, he didn’t necessarily need anything that very moment.

Max took one last deep breath before ringing the door bell. It was a moment before he heard someone approach, and when he saw the silhouette through the window, he could tell even then it was his mother running to the door. “Maximus!” She practically shrieked, pulling him in and ripping him away from Brad in a hug Max had truly not expected. He smiled from ear to ear though as he hugged her back. “Hi, Mum!” He smiled as he squeezed her. “Missed me, huh?” he smiled as he pulled away. 

“Of course I missed you!” Marsha was practically crying over how happy she was to see him. Slowly Max saw his father approach from behind, still a small smile on his face. “Son!” he said, bringing Max in for an apprehensive hug. 

Marsha was now occupied with Brad as Max had moved away, and quickly she pulled him in for a hug too. “Oh, you must be Bradley. The nice boy on the phone!” She smiled. Max watched her hug him and the way Brad seemed to look and he couldn’t help but smile himself. “It’s the man, the myth, the legend. Mr. Bradley Young.” Max smiled, as he introduced Brad to his father as well. Richard didn’t seem put off or anything, he just seemed uncomfortable and nervous finally being back around Max, unsure of Max’s state of mind and just how much he told them was the truth. Like he felt the same way as Max, though was just not quite as good at hiding it. Still, Max’s dad reached out his hand to shake Brad’s hand, happy at least this time Max was bringing home someone that looked...normal.

Max&Brad :: Home bound

Brad grinned at Max’s comment about changing his name, eventually turning into a smirk, “You say that about everything. I always manage it, so I’m feeling pretty confident.” He was mainly teasing, but thinking about it definitely wasn’t the worst. If it did happen, it probably definitely wouldn’t be for a while. But he found that, as they drove through rows of London houses, the atmosphere between them comfortable, incredible, Brad realised he actually quite liked the thought of it. That, however, was a discussion for a later date. 

As they pulled up slowly to Max’s parents house, Brad took a good look around. Even the neighbourhoods in England were different. The houses were different. But it was definitely a nice different, and Brad did have to say that Max’s parents house was pretty amazing. Once they pulled up on the drive, Brad didn’t move just yet. It was as though he was just waiting for Max’s first move, and was glad he did so when Max next spoke. Brad glanced over to Max with the slightest of smiles on his face, moving his hand to rest on Max’s thigh, thumb brushing against it lightly in what he hoped was a reassuring manner, “Take as much time as you want.” Brad had been nervous, but now it had completely disappeard. His main concern was making sure Max was alright. 

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“You’ll have to work for that one.” Max laughed. He had never really considered ever changing his name. Even when he was a kid and knew that when some people got married they changed his name he was always so adamant that he’d never do that. Those were also back in the days when he thought he was for sure 100% absolutely going to marry a girl. Oh how naive. Though Max and Brad and never spoken about it before, he was sure deep down there wasn’t anyone Max would rather be with, so it wasn’t so awful to think that maybe someday...

Max smiled, though hadn’t noticed the cold too much. Having grown up around the cloudy weather and cold climate he’d become accustomed to it in a sense. Even in New York where it was cold pretty much all the time aside from in the summer, he didn’t have a very hard time adjusting. “You’ll get used to it. Or you could put on a sweater.” Max smiled. He’d only been to his parents house a few times just before he had moved away to New York, but even still he felt like he knew that path there like the back of his hand. “We should be there soon.” Max said, only a few more streets away. It was quite a nice neighbourhood, beautiful houses and buildings along the street, trees and flowers growing, though not quite visible in the setting sun. “Should be just up here....” Max said, taking a few more turns before he stopped the car outside a good sized home with a few lights on inside. His dad’s car, which he recognized, was parked in the driveway, so Max parked beside him, though he felt more nervous than ever as he sat in the car with Brad, too fearful to go in just yet. “I just need a minute.” Max said softly, taking a few deep breaths in an attempt to ease his anxiety.

Max&Brad :: Home bound

“Maximus Young.” Brad laughed out, “I really like it, I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He genuinely did think it sounded great, “Change your name to Maximus Young instead of Harvey, yeah?” He teased, even while he reached behind into the back and tugged the first jacket over that he could reach, “I like London so far. But it’s fucking freezing, too.” Brad didn’t know why he’d been expecting it to be warmer. New York had been freezing too, but back home in Georgia he’d always been used to the slightly warmer weather, even in December. He supposed sometimes, especially with the two of them going back there a few times in the past months, he just expected it to be somewhat similar to what he’d been used to.

Even with the jacket draped over himself, Brad continued to laugh while Max spoke about a dog called Alan, “Let’s get a dog and call it Alan. Or Timothy Alan.” He smirked. As they passed all the London landmarks though, Brad only wished they were walking through it all, within the crowds and doing everything that they seemed to be doing instead of driving past. He couldn’t wait for tomorrow, and the rest of the week they’d be spending in London. “I know what Big Ben is, you prick.” Brad glanced over at Max with a grin. It wasn’t long after that, though, that they seemed to be leaving the busy streets. Still with people walking along them, but not as busy as the centre had been. “Are we close?” He raised a brow, and suddenly it seemed all the nerves were back. 

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“Bradley Harvey sounds incredible, shut your mouth.” Max laughed, though he did kinda like the sound of it deep down. “Max Young sounds like an ‘90′s punk rocker.” Max shook his head, though regrettably he did have to admit it sounded kinda cool. “Maximus Young sounds even weirder!” He said, thinking aloud, unable to hold it in. He’d been given a fair amount of shit for the name ‘Maximus’ to begin with. It wasn’t like it he came out of the wound and demanded it. It also was not his fault his father had an unhealthy obsession with Roman history.

“Well a dog called Alan just sounds stupid!” Max couldn’t contain his laughter as he thought about a grouchy looking dog that Brad would call Alan, getting weird looks from passing people on the streets. Though as they gazed at the beautiful structures and architecture of different buildings, Max felt oddly at home. He’d never actually lived in London, though had visited his grand parents here many times. Now that his parents lived here it kinda felt like in some way this was his new home-away-from-home, which he was quite content with the thought of. He knew Brad thought everything here was amazing though, and Max loved seeing him smile as they passed by the London Eye, knowing he really was quite impressed deep down. “We’ll have to take a trip to Big Ben too. You’d die seeing that.” He smiled. “That one’s the clock.” He added in with a smirk. 

Max&Brad :: Home bound

“Bradley Harvey rhymes far too much for me though.” He laughed, even saying it aloud feeling weird. “Max Young sounds so much better. Everyone would make fun of Bradley Harvey.” Brad grinned, though hearing about Max’s cat, he shook his head, “I’d say it’s a shame you couldn’t bring the cat with you, but I absolutely don’t want Timothy peeing on my stuff.” Max’s temporary cat in their last apartment had been bad enough. It seemed that cats took a strange liking to Max, and merely tolerated Brad - and sometimes not even that. 

“I liked Alan Rickman but I didn’t call my fucking dog Alan!” Brad laughed out, shaking his head. When Max began to say the cat looked like Timothy Spall, though, Brad decided that he was far too tired to get into that kind of conversation. He let out a sigh, still letting out the occasional laugh, but he glanced over towards where Max pointed, immediately grinning. He really did feel like a little kid, being shown all the exciting London sights. He just couldn’t wait to explore them further with Max. “Fuck you, it’s the same thing.” He now realised that it absolutely wasn’t, but still. Brad smiled as he turned his attention to Max, unable to believe in that moment how ridiculously in love he was with this man. Everything now outweighed the nervousness of meeting Max’s parents that he was feeling. This moment was incredible, and it was like he never wanted it to end. 

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“So we’ll just swap families then, yeah? Your mum wants me and my mum wants you so I guess everyone wins.” Max smirked. If only it really could have been that easy, at times Max probably would have taken advantage of that. Though thinking about his family, his parents, his dumb cat that everyone hated, he really was thankful they had stuck by him for so long. It was their fault he had turned out the way he had, and he feared at times they did blame themselves. All Max could do though now was thank them for what they had done, not what they hadn’t. There could have been a lot that was different, but then things wouldn’t have been the same. Max might have never come to New York and met Brad, and then they’d never be sitting there right now. 

“Timothy Spall is an acting legend! Theatre, television, movies! The Harry Potter franchise!” Max started to laugh even hearing about himself. He felt like he was 15 all over again, getting weird looks from even his family after telling them what he wanted to name the small kitten. “Plus, the cat kinda looks like him.” Max said, raising an eyebrow. “It wasn’t planned, I guess he just grew into his name.” Max laughed. The sun was setting quickly and Max began to gaze out his window when he had the chance, feeling rather comfortable driving down the street in a place he’d once come long ago. “That’s that London Eye you were talking about. Or the ferris wheel as you called it.” Max laughed, pointing to the beautifully coloured wheel.

Max&Brad :: Home bound

“I like it.” Brad admitted with a smile, laughing. He did give Max a lot of shit for his accent, but he really did love it deep down - just as much as every other American did too. Not just for the fact that it was English and different, just because it was so Max. It really was in those moments, when people were all over Max for his accent, Brad got in his protective sense of you only like him for his accent, he’s worth far more than that. It was stupid - he’d never admit it out loud, but Brad had absolutely had those thoughts sometimes when he’d been feeling that tiny bit jealous (which he would also never admit). 

“I mean, I’d be willing to become her son.” Brad teased, though his attention was soon drawn to the places they were passing by. In that moment, he literally felt like he was years younger. When he used to have his fascination with London, wishing he could one day visit. He’d never expected that he ever could, and now Max had been the one to bring him here. Brad listened to him talk about his cat, still watching out of his window even while he spoke - because it had just started to go dark, and everything was lit up, and he wasn’t sure he even wanted to look away in fear of missing something - even if they did have a full week here. At the mention of Timothy Spall, though, Brad turned his head and looked at Max with the most puzzled look on his face, “I don’t even know what to say to that.” He supposed he shouldn’t even be surprised. This was Max they were talking about. 

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“I’m in my home land, you’d have to expect it to come out eventually.” Max laughed, though he hadn’t even noticed he had said it until Brad mentioned it. He did feel rather prideful bringing Brad to his country and showing him around. He decided to take a nice route that had lots of views of London so that Brad could look out the window and not worry so much about Max’s driving. 

“Marsha loves you. I’d think she’d rather have you as a son than me.” Max laughed, though entirely truthful. He’d listen in on Brad talking to his mum and it always made him smile. They seemed like they got on pretty well, but he also sometimes felt jealous, like Brad knew what to say to his mum more than he did. He was sure she’d be welcoming though, it was his father Max was most worried about. Though Max smiled fondly thinking of his old family cat. They’d had him since Max was probably about 15, just before he started getting into the really bad stuff, but was already experimenting. His parents figured he’d needed a distraction, or what Max assumed was them saying he needed real friends. If a cat, however, was their idea of the perfect friend for Max, they didn’t know him much at all. Many times Max insisted Timothy come with him to rehab, and though his parents had to convince the facility to allow an animal there, Max always got his way. It also helped he would refuse treatment if Timothy wasn’t there with him. Luckily his doctors saw the cat as more than just an animal, but a sense of happiness for Max, so they figured they’d be able to work a little better using him there with him. “He’s a little shit. He would claw all the furniture and eat all my mum’s plants and pee all over their stuff, but not once touched any of mine.” He smiled proudly. He had forgotten his cat entirely, which made him feel rather guilty. “I absolutely named him. He’s named after Timothy Spall, actually.” Max said with a grin.

Max&Brad :: Home bound

Brad had been feeling fully comfortable, sitting in the passenger seat and watching everything go by. Looking out at road signs and the things completely different to what you’d find in America - until Max swerved out of the way, and pretty much all trust was lost. Hands gripped onto the seat belt, Brad was just about to complain. Max cursed, though, and Brad couldn’t help but burst out laughing. “That’s the most English you’ve sounded in fucking ages.” The statement seemed absolutely ridiculous, because Max sounded exactly how you’d expect a typical Englishman to sound like all the time. But it was also absolutely true, as though Max had started to lose his little English phrases, but now he was back they were more obvious than ever. Brad definitely wasn’t complaining. He was actually looking forward to hearing Max have an actual conversation with other English people - he imagined his accent would come out more than ever then. 

“I do know that. I’ve had some nice conversations with Marsha before,” He laughed. It always seemed funny to him, that he had actually spoken to her before. To the point where now, he didn’t hate it so much when he answered the phone and it was her calling for Max. At first it had absolutely been his worst nightmare, he never knew what to say. “I like to think we have a special connection, me and Mrs. Harvey. She likes my accent.” He smirked. Max’s dad, though, Brad was absolutely more nervous about meeting him. Max didn’t ever talk about him as much, and Brad had always wondered why. “Timothy the cat?” Brad snorted quietly with laughter, shaking his head, “Did you name him? It wouldn’t surprise me. You’re a bit strange with pets names, aren’t you?” 

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As Max drove along the crowded streets, weaving around traffic to get to a suitable road he could just cruise on, Max smiled at how happy Brad seemed to be here. Granted, Brad looked quite out of place. At time Max thought he was the epitome of American, which wouldn’t bode well here if he wanted to fit in, but in the least people would be interested in talking to him. Max would make sure he didn’t feel too out of place either, though he wasn’t sure how he was going to make that happen for himself. Even in his own country Max now felt like a foreigner. 

“No need to be scared, I’ve done this loads of times.” He winked at Brad, though quickly swerved out of the way from someone slamming on their breaks. “Bloody tosser.” Max mumbled, slipping into his “native tongue” the more they got deeper into the city. He had to admit, it was nice to be back. It felt strange, but it still was nice. What made Max even happier, however, was the fact that Brad seemed to be enjoying himself too. “I’m very excited.” Max said with a smile. He meant it too. He missed his parents, not in just the way that a child would miss their mother after living away in another country, but he also missed how it felt to have a family. Brad was most definitely the closest thing to family now, and it wasn’t like that was a bad thing. It was only when he saw Brad interact with his own parents and family that Max sort of felt like he was missing out on something he had ran so far away from. 

“Quick little summary though, my mother’s name is Marsha, and my dad is Richard, but you knew that.” Max said, nodding, thinking of what might be important to tell Brad before they arrived. “My dad’s a factory worker and my mum was a teacher, but she retired, so now she’s just bored all the time.” He smirked. He hadn’t realized just how lonely she was until he had picked up the phone to call her, and that had only made Max feel even more guilty. “And they’ve got a cat named Timothy and he is absolutely the worst.” Max laughed. “He loved me though.” He said with a grin.

Max&Brad :: Home bound

It was completely strange, suddenly being the odd one out. He’d been so used to it being Max - the English one in America. Brad always explaining things to Max about their way of life. Now, though, the roles had been reversed and he suddenly knew how Max felt. It was unnerving. As they headed out of the airport and actually got outside in the fresh air, Brad took a proper look around. Everything was just so different, even the road signs, the type of people they were passing - and, obviously, the roads. “I miss America. Let’s go back. England was fun,” Brad laughed, even his own voice sounding strange amongst all the English voices around them. 

Brad actually couldn’t wait to look around some more, though. To get into the city and explore it with Max. To find out all the little things Max had loved whilst he’d been growing up. He did get into the car with some hesitation about it being the complete wrong way around, almost going to the other side first. But he got in on the left hand side of the car and looked towards Max behind the wheel, “Should I be scared?” He teased, just as he tugged on his seatbelt - absolutely making a dramatic show of making sure it was secure and safe. “It feels so strange you driving.” Brad laughed, but he was completely relaxed as he leant back in his seat and watched out the window as they began to drive out of the airport. 

“I am. I’m really excited.” Brad nodded, though his eyes did remain on the road, as though he was the one driving and being cautious. “We’ve been here five minutes and I’ve already noticed so many different things, though. You do it weird over here.” He murmured, still glancing around, as though he didn’t want to miss anything too important on their drive down to Max’s parents house, “You?” He raised a brow, grinning. “Are you excited?” Brad definitely hoped so. Or at least that his slight excitement outweighed how nervous Max was probably feeling. 

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The plane ride wasn’t as bad as Max had expected it to be. He hadn’t expected it to be amazing, but he didn’t think that he’d get so nauseous. It may have had something to do with the copious amounts of alcohol he had drank on the plan, luckily sleeping off most of the effects as they landed. It was Max’s nerves that were really getting him, and if it took just a little bit of vodka to calm them, he figured it was better than the alternative. As the exited the plane, Max stretched his legs, trailing his suit cases behind him as they made their way through the airport. “I don’t expect you want to just hang out here at the bar the rest of the trip?” Max said, glancing back at Brad as they passed a bar inside the airport, filled with people awaiting their incoming flights.

Max had arranged to rent a vehicle for the week so they could easily get around. In all truth, Max just missed driving and owning a car. It had been his baby when he had lived out in Manchester with his parents, one of his only true possessions. Selling it was regrettably one of the hardest things he’d ever done, aside from the obvious life changes he had made. Max just kept reminding himself it was only a thing though, he could get a new car someday, something better, something that didn’t also carry all the memories that he had once driven around with day in and day out. Though the rental was nice, he figured it was good enough for the trip. “Oh, I miss driving on the left.” He said, all giddy as he loaded in his own luggage and grabbing Brad’s as well. “The proper right way.” He smirked, getting in the drivers seat. 

Max had to admit, it was nice being back in London, back in a place he sort of knew. After he had left Manchester, his parents had migrated to London, Max assuming they deserved a new start of their own. He felt guilty, like maybe he had caused them to leave, but they had never particularly said anything along those lines, so it wasn’t like he could just assume everything he thought was fact. “My parents house is about a half hour away, it shouldn’t be too long.” Max said, nodding. He had been apprehensive about staying with his parents and not in a hotel where he could have more privacy, but his mother absolutely insisted that they stay to save money, seeing as the trip there and back would be expensive enough. “Are you excited?” He asked, looking at Brad as Max began to drive out of the lot, though he kept his eyes on the road a second later, realizing it had been quite some time since he had driven, and though he’d only ever known driving on the left until he moved to New York, it suddenly felt very foreign, and almost wrong.

Max&Brad :: Home bound

Brad would be lying if he said he wasn’t nervous. He was, even without really knowing why. He was feeling it more on Max’s part, he supposed. He knew that Max was nervous, and so it made him feel exactly the same. Brad just couldn’t imagine how it would go - their first meeting with Max’s parents. It was awkward anyway, doing the whole boyfriend meeting parents thing, but with everything else added to the situation, he didn’t have a clue what to expect. 

When Max had decided that he wanted to visit home, Brad had actually been surprised. Not that he hadn’t been expecting it at all - he knew it would happen eventually. Brad had come back home several times since their conversation about it just to find Max on the phone to his mother, pacing about or lounged around, and Brad would go about his business quietly with a smile on his face - occasionally saying his hello’s to her whenever Max mentioned on the phone that Brad had just walked inside. Good impressions, Brad had always told Max afterwards with a smirk. After it all, though, Max had made his mind up pretty soon afterwards, and Brad hadn’t been expecting it.

That wasn’t to say that he was unhappy about it. Despite his nervousness for Max, and of course himself, he was actually quite excited. He’d never been away - at least, not as far as England. Brad was absolutely looking forward to Max showing him around, and Brad trying (and undoubtedly failing) to understand Britain and their British things. He’d teased Max about it no end of times, British tea and all the rest. He supposed now, though, that he’d just have to wait and see - which wouldn’t be a very long wait at all. 

Max walked inside their living room just as Brad was tugging the luggage towards the door, ready for when they’d leave - which wasn’t long at all from that moment, considering Max had just gotten out of bed and sprawled out again on the sofa. “I did tell you to take last night off.” Despite his words, though, Brad knew that even if Max had taken the night off - he still wouldn’t have packed, and Brad would have done it for him. He knew him far too well by now. “What would you have done now if I hadn’t packed for you?” In all honesty, Brad hadn’t even thought twice when he’d started packing. He’d just thrown in clothes for the two of them, all the things they’d both need for the week. He would absolutely get Max to pay him back for that at some point, though. “Come on. No time for sleep, Harvey! We need to leave.”

It seemed like a whole lifetime had passed by the time they had left their apartment and touched down in England, the hours dragging more than he’d have liked. It wasn’t so bad for some of it - when Max had been awake, and they’d been drinking. Even the times they’d both fallen asleep on one another - but Brad might have been the slightest bit guilty for accidentally nudging Max out of his sleep when he’d had enough of staring at the back of the seat in front of him. It was a huge relief when they were actually leaving the airport though, Brad mostly just sticking by Max’s side. It was completely unnerving, being surrounded by everyone and everything British. Everything was different, and looked different, and Brad was pretty sure he’d struggle getting the hang of it all even by the end of their week there. 

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“Heading to England for the week, anyone want a souvenir?”

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Max&Brad :: Home bound

The thought of his parents had been weighing on Max’s mind since the talk he had had with Brad. He knew he should have called them so many times before, even just to see if they were doing okay. The fear that Brad had felt, the undying wishful thinking that he could take back the last 7 years of his life and make it up to them in only one phone call was a dream that Max knew was out of reach. But regardless, Max had made the phone call. He’d made several, actually. He’d started to get into a routine of calling his mother, talking to her for a good amount of time before the next time they’d talk. She’d even gotten better at calling him too, which made Max feel a little better. Max’s father, however, was not so keen on it. He’d always been the harder one on his only son, wanting what was best for him but also never truly getting over the hurt he had felt when he didn’t know if his son would ever come home again.

But soon enough, Max had decided it was time to go visit. He’d told his mother about Brad, almost everything really. He didn’t, however, mention anything about a relapse. She didn’t need to know that, he wanted her to think everything was great in New York, and he hoped by her seeing him on this little vacation home, she’d realize he was doing better than ever before.

Max woke up around noon, the usual time he’d get up after a long shift at the bar. He had the next week off however, and Brad and Max had agreed to get Rae to upload all their videos on the schedule that they had provided for her. Max was determined to keep up with the videos, which was why he had spent days hounding Brad to record with him, day in and day out it felt like at some points. But they had finished the list of videos for the week, and Max was happy to get it over with and bring Brad to the place he’d once called home. As Max pulled himself out of bed, rubbing his eyes and glancing only for a moment towards the mirror to fix his unruly hair, Max walked out to the living room, hoping to find Brad packed, unlike himself.

“I hope you packed for me because I don’t want to.” He said with a smirk, though a yawn emitted from his mouth a moment later, unable to keep it in. “I don’t think I can handle a 8 hour flight unless we live at the in-flight mini bar.” He sighed, collapsing onto the couch and closing his eyes again, in an attempt to just get a few more minutes of sleep.

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Max smiled as Piper approached, suddenly missing her presence in the club. Sure, people came and went all the time, it was part of the business. The poor management definitely wasn’t helpful with that either, though luckily Max flew mostly under the radar since he wasn’t the one making most of the club’s money. He figured he had a pretty good gig at this place for now, at least until the business became a little more successful. He began mixing her regular drink, unable to forget the concoction. Max had quite the knack for remembering the regular’s orders, and the girls (and in Piper’s case, former-girls) were the easiest to remember of all. Not just because they’d yell at him if he asked, he learned that within the first couple weeks.

He handed off the drink to her, smiling, realizing it had been quite a while since he had seen her around. “Well, the shows good tonight. Pretty slow too so they’ll probably enjoy seeing you here.” Max nodded at a couple of the women dancing, a few on laps and a couple just looking for their next client. But Max focused his attention back to Piper, her smile always infectious. “Oh, you know me. Just trying not to implode.” Max winked, though in truth he was doing okay at the moment. Not as bad as he had been, and not as bad as he had expected to be at this point. “How are you, darling? How is life treating you out there in the big, bad city?” Max asked. She didn’t quite seem like her normal self, but not everybody was such an easy tell as he would have liked. Though still, something felt off for Max, and he became curious.

Max & Piper - Dusty Roads

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Their nice moments were nice, but Brad would always be Brad, and Max wouldn’t have had it any other way. He laughed still, shaking his head. “I may be a piece of shit, but I’m not a piece of shit at Halo.” Max picked up his controller again and stared back at Brad. “Ok, sometimes I am. Most the time. But I can still prove it otherwise.” he smirked, loading up the game finally. Max grabbed another piece of pizza while also handing one to Brad, practically shoving it in his hand to distract him from the starting game. “Ohhh noooo...you’re losing already.” He frowned dramatically, though laughed as he yet again shoveled a massive bite into his mouth, though now fully immersed in the game.

“I would never do such a thing.” Brad laughed. He had to admit, though, he did love drunk Max. Even more so when he was drunk too - because somehow it seemed they were even sillier together when drunk than when they were sober, but even while Brad was sober - a drunk Max was pretty hilarious. He’d end up looking after him and most of the time just trying to keep him out of any trouble - because that absolutely seemed to be Max’s specialty, finding trouble in the most ridiculous ways possible. But Brad never minded, he’d just tell him what an idiot he was and ask how he ever got along without him. “I am proud of you,” He nodded, completely serious, though he smirked just moments later, “You’re also a piece of shit at times, but you’re my piece of shit and I love you.” Brad grinned almost innocently at Max, his fingers just brushing against Max’s as they remained close together on their couch. 

[maximusmaxharvey-blog]

“You just like taking advantage of me in my drunken state.” Max joked. It was true however that Max got a little more touchy when he’d had a few drinks. Not even in the sensual way, but in a way that he’d also kinda want to fight everyone in a 2 mile radius. Not in a malicious way, just a part of his brain just wanted to tackle Brad to the ground and laugh as he tried desperately to get Max off of him. It didn’t work very well when they were out at the bar, but Max could manage to control himself once Brad told him he was being annoying and everyone hated him. Even in his drunken state Max was always ridiculously self conscious. Though until Brad mentioned it, he hadn’t really considered just how far he had gotten. It never seemed like much of an accomplishment, not doing drugs when that’s what most of the world was doing. But it was hard, and he had done it... a few times. But he hoped he’d never have to do it again. “Thanks,” Max said softly, still feeling how much it meant to him in the pit of his stomach. “I only ever wanted to make you proud of me.” Max said even a little softer. “I’m happy I could at least do one thing right.”

“I do hope you know that I’m not going to be doing an actual pee test. But the alcohol I can deal with. You end up very touchy feely when you’re drunk.” Brad smirked right back at him, just then offering up his beer to Max with a laugh. “I trust you. I’m really proud of you, Max. And, you know, the last time I said that to you - you asked why. You said that there wasn’t a reason to be. Now there is.” Brad honestly couldn’t stop himself from grinning. He was proud of Max, because he’d seen how tough it’d been for him so far. He’d had first hand experience of Max going through the stages, but everything had been worth it - Brad just hoped Max felt the same way.