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kenyaru · 4 months ago

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STILL HURTS | 02

I MISSED YOU... synopsis | the next day, the ex-couple meets up as planned at the Bean Scene to talk it out. bradley is nervous, but he knows he needs to do this, to be open and break past his shell and keep max in his life; he does love him after all. genre | fluff, making up, lovey-dovey, bradley ooc, mixed-pov (brad/max) pairing | max goof x bradley uppercrust iii (maxley) warnings | L-bombs (a lot srry!), sappy lol, mild cursing word count | 2.05k author's note | hi! thanks SO much for the support on part 1! I'm glad everyone liked it- and here is the awaited sequel. i hope it's not too ooc for Brad, but I feel he would be genuinely apologetic as Max has been the only one to trust him. i'm considering doing a ken sato oneshot or something else; not too sure yet! lmk any requests! enjoy reading! <3

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Once that final text was sent, Bradley’s mind finally felt at ease. The brunette had spent weeks trying to get through to his ex-lover, a multitude of calls and messages to hopefully get a chance to explain himself. But even he didn’t believe in his own words. He knew what he said was wrong- how he acted based on his insecure feelings, how he basically called Max a slur indirectly. Bradley knew now what it was, how it felt to take someone for granted; you never know how much you needed them until they were gone. Bradley had been in a wreck of his own emotions and guilt. Every waking moment was as if his heart was on fire and crumbling, burning at the stake of his own actions and forcing him to replay their argument over and over again in his mind.

Everything he did reminded him of Max; grabbing coffee at the Bean Scene, the occasional awkward glances at P.J. and Bobby in the library, skating. Skating definitely hurt the most. That was what they bonded over, and doing it alone, that was a new type of pain that Bradely wasn’t ready for.

He knew Max needed space and was willing to give him that, but a part of him didn’t know how much longer he could wait. He felt anxious with every day gone by that his message was left unread, that Max was so clearly ignoring him in every way possible. Bradley hadn’t seen Max’s beautiful black eyes or his adorable smile in a little over a month and he was losing it. Scrolling through their old photos, opening his contact and hovering over the call button over and over- he was so lost without Max. But, finally, it seemed like all this hell took a pause when Bradely saw Max’s name pop up in his recent messages. Finally, after so long he got a response. He opened it so fast he didn’t even have a chance to process, to let his thoughts overthink and suspect what the other had messaged.

Bradley responded quickly, putting his phone on the charger and headed into the bathroom to brush his teeth before heading to bed. He wasn’t entirely confident in being ready, but he was sure as hell ready enough to see Max. He just prayed the feelings he felt were reciprocated and that they could move on from this, that Max could understand him.

—————-

Just as he texted, Bradley was up and awake, at the Bean Scene around 5:45 to order himself and Max’s usual coffee. He knew they would need it. He didn’t even realize he was tapping his leg, running an anxious hand through his hair as he struggled to keep his composure. He was glad no one was here to watch this; to see someone usually so confident crumble at just the thought of someone else’s disappointment in him.

That was Max’s power over him.

Just as he suspected, Max walked in at around 6:05, he was checking the time as often as he could, so of course he knew the exact moment the ravenette entered the cafe. Max spotted him rather quickly too, making his way over and taking a seat across from Bradley.

Bradley didn’t know how to start. Should he reach out to him? He really wanted to hug him or hold his hand, but he knew that was too much to ask for right now. The dim lights beamed down on them, creating a calm atmosphere that didn’t help to ease the tension.

Before he could even process, Max beat him to the first word.

“Hey.” Max’s voice sounded softer, somehow sadder, like being there was a detriment to his emotions. It broke Bradley’s heart.

“Hi.” Bradley responded, his voice matching the tone, though his mind was racing. He gently pushed Max’s cup towards him. “Got you your usual.”

Max gave him a smile, taking the cup in his hands, feeling the warmth spread through his body from the cup. He could smell the slightly sweet aroma from the vanilla latte, his mouth remembering the sweet taste. He took a sip, relishing in it, and feeling his slightly tired mood beginning to lift. Bradley always knew how to get to him; just the right ways to make him feel better.

But his heart didn’t feel completely at ease, and Bradley could tell that. So, he decided to push past the anxiety and start the conversation.

“I should have never said that to you.” Bradley started. He didn’t want to start with ‘sorry.’ Even if he knew it would come out easier, it would sound fake, and he meant everything but.

“I let my insecurities get in the way,” He gripped his own coffee cup in his hands, the heat radiating just as Max’s did. “And I said things I didn’t mean. I don’t think you would do that to me, and I’m so, so sorry for accusing you.”

Bradley could see Max’s eyes, see as he considered what Bradley was saying and was thinking of his own response.

“Do you know how much it hurts? To hear you accuse me of something like that when my heart has only been for you?”

Bradley could hear the strain in his voice, how he was already getting emotional. He hated it; hated being the one that caused that, that caused this pain in the person that he was supposed to love. Of course he wouldn’t, of course he wouldn’t know what it felt like. He imagined it to be horrible and offensive. He wouldn’t forgive himself either.

“I know, that’s why I wanted to talk to you. I..”

Bradley felt like he couldn’t get his thoughts straight, like Max being there was making this all the more difficult. But he had to do it. He had to show Max that he was being genuine, which he was, and that what he said wasn’t his true feelings.

“I said that to you because I was..still nervous. I was still scared that you were more interested in picking up girls than dating me. And fuck, I realized how wrong I was.”

Bradley didn’t know what his expression looked like, but the way Max’s eyes shifted when he looked at him meant something.

“Angel, I am in love with you. I regretted every moment since then that we couldn’t talk, that you were hurting, that I couldn’t explain myself to you.”

He knew he sounded pitiful and desperate, but he meant every word. He felt hopeless without Max. He used to hate this feeling; having to rely on someone. But, this wasn’t reliance, this was realization. Love.

Max didn’t answer for a little, taking another sip of his coffee, contemplating what to say. Bradley hated the silence.

Finally, Max spoke up.

“How will I know..you won’t say that again? That you won’t let your insecurities get in the way?”

Max asked softly, looking down at the lid of his coffee cup.

“If you were still unsure, why didn’t you just ask me? You know I wouldn't hesitate to reassure you..”

Max was right, and Bradley knew it too. Max was the type of partner to reassure when needed and try to lift the other up, and Bradley knew that. So why, why, would he say such a thing just because he felt a way? There was no excuse.

Bradley didn’t answer, he couldn’t. Every response sounded like an excuse. Maybe he wasn’t ready for a relationship. This wasn’t the first time he messed up either; there were a few little arguments here and there, but it felt like this was the big bad.

Bradley wanted to say something, but before he could, Max was already getting up. He took some money and coins out of his pocket and put it on the table.

“I think I just need some more time. I thought I was ready, but I’m not sure..”

Before he could think, Bradley got to his feet and took a hold of Max’s arm. What was he doing? What was he planning to say to make Max stay? This was too much, just-

“Max, I’m sorry. I know I can’t change what I said, and I know I need to work on my personal feelings about myself, but I love you, and I realize now more than ever that you are the only person I would trust with my heart.”

Max’s breath hitched. He felt his heart beat in his chest as he heard Bradley’s confession. Bradley had trusted him, believed in him rather, and he knew that he would be the one to help him with those complex feelings that were holding him back.

Max was conflicted. He wanted to forgive, to give his love the chance that he deserved, but he knew that there was a chance this could happen again. Maybe that was the exact reason he had to forgive. No one had treated him how Bradley did, romantically at least. Max got the protective treatment from his Dad all the time, but getting it from a lover was a different story.

It felt great to be pampered and get kissed and be seen as someone greater than himself. He knew Bradley would try for him, especially now that he had confessed it to him semi-publically.

“Do you mean that?”

Bradley’s heart jumped as he pulled Max to face him, looking into his dark eyes with a serious expression.

“Yes, I do. I swear.”

Ever since the Gammas exiled him, Bradley was sure he wouldn’t be accepted again, would be by himself and have no one by his side. But then Max, the one guy who he caused trouble for, stepped out and gave him that chance. He would never forget it. That was his Heaven on earth. Seeing Max’s beautiful face in the mists of the dark clouds, hearing his words of comfort and acceptance.

Max gave him a smile. The smile he had missed so much before taking Bradley’s hand in his and returning the expression, but softer.

“I believe you,” Max said, moving in a little closer before speaking again. “I love you too, but you need to be sure that you will be open and that if you feel those things, you would let me know.”

Bradley could feel his heart thump loudly in his ears as Max’s calm voice filled his head. He nodded, hesitating before moving, deciding to ask the obvious question.

“Can I hug you?”

Max nodded, pulling Bradley in for the hug and holding him close. Finally, he could be in his embrace again. Bradley felt warmth spread all throughout his body as he took in Max’s scent and the way his t-shirt felt against his fingers. It was what he needed, what he desired. He was down bad.

Max lifted his head from Bradley’s shoulder and looked at him once again.

“I’m sorry for ignoring you. I was just overwhelmed and…”

Bradley knew that Max was going to spew into apologies; the Goofy in him couldn’t handle Bradley being the only one apologizing. Bradley gave him a smile and gently kissed his lips as a way of stopping his sentence.

“Angel, I understand. You should be the last one apologizing.”

Bradley moved his hand to gently caress the others’ cheek, admiring his features.

“Are you sure we’re okay? Like, we’re still together and everything? I know last time we spoke, we kind of..”

Max shook his head, debunking any of Bradley’s theories regarding their current relationship. He couldn’t imagine not dating him.

“Yeah, we are. You even bought me coffee; automatic plus.”

Bradley chuckled softly at this comment. This is what he missed about Max: their casual banter, and the way something so serious can dissolve into something so sweet.

“Of course, I know how to get to you.”

“Am I getting my money back?” Max asked, referring to the change on the table.

“No, you did that to yourself, love.”

Max let out a dramatic sigh with a smile, his two front teeth showing as he did. He pulled Bradley in for another hug, holding him close before whispering,

“You’re such a sap sometimes.”

Bradley laughed and returned the hug, planting a soft kiss on Max’s cheek.

“Only for you.” ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

#maxley #max goof #bradley uppercrust iii #pls see this #fanfic #an extremely goofy movie #fluff

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