Chapter Text
Bradley’s POV:
The man rubbed his eyes, exhaling with a sigh as he tried to steady his heart beat. He focused his eyes on the words. At first it was hard, the urge to glance at the younger man was painfully strong, but he managed. somehow.
Soon it got easier, as luckily, he has grabbed one of his favorite books, and also his guilty pleasure - Giovanni’s Room. He has read the book lots of times already, but it somehow resonated with him, for reasons he would not admit, not even to himself. His gaze followed the words, slender fingers playing with the corners of the page before flipping it, eyes focusing on the text quickly.
He was so focused in fact, that he didn’t notice Max approach him, and ultimately, lean closer and look at the book. The younger man got closer to be able to read the words better, close enough for Bradley to feel his warm breath on the back of his neck. A shiver went down his spine.
The brunette glanced to the side, then back at the book. Then he realized.
He basically jumped up, closing the book, accidentally smashing his own finger with the hard cover.
”Fff- What the hell, freshman?! …Get away from me you fag.”
He pushed him away
Of course he’d call him a slur. That’s the only thing he could think of to somehow ‘reedem’ himself after being seen reading a book about some gay guy. That’s the only thing he could possibly do, wasn’t it?
Well, it certainly didn’t work, because Max just chuckled before taking another step forward, kneeling down and resting his arms on the bed, and his head on his arms, letting out a low hum as he looked at the book.
”Whatcha readin’, Brad?”
He asked, a goofy smile tugging at the corners of his lips. (get it? because his last name is Goof!!! get it? pushes glasses up my nose and snorts)
Bradley suddenly felt his body heat rise. He took a deep breath, rubbing his now bruised finger.
”Classical literature. Something you probably wouldn’t understand.”
He said firmly, glancing over at Max briefly before focusing his gaze on his index. Max chuckled at the man’s action. Bradly could basically feel that shit-eating smirk appearing on his face. He hated that expression for a not-so-hateful reason.
”Awh, baby’s got a boo-boo”
The brunette’s fists clenched at the other man’s baby voice. He steadied his position, leaning back against the wall, picking up the book again and opening it, eyes glued to the page.
”Say that again and you’ll have a ‘boo-boo’, baby.”
He snarled, not really realizing how this sounded like.
”Geez, take me out to dinner first, Brad”
He gritted his teeth as he heard that, taking a deep, long breath. He heard Max instantly laugh. He had a stupid, weird laugh. Normally, he’d make fun of him. He would, he swore he would. But he only wanted to hear it again, and again, without end. His gaze softened as he looked at the man.
And so he played along.
”Sure, when are you free?”
Max’s POV:
Max paused, his breath hitching in his throat. He looked up at the man. He looked so calm, but at the same time, he’s never seen Bradley so …red. His hair was perfect, his skin was perfect, his eyes were so blue, and his eyelashes were long, slowly fluttering each time he blink, his gaze following the words filling the pages of that book.
He noticed the man’s smirk grow with each second he stayed quiet.
”uh… Most day’s, actually, but only after 5 P.M.”
He murmured, his eyes scanning the back of the book cover, reading into the summary.
Woah. This is SO gay.
That’s a good sign.
His eyes widened at his own thought. Why was that a ‘good sign’? Man’s reading a gay book, maybe he’s gay, so what? Well, he’s also highly homophobic, but who isn’t, right? Maybe he’s just in denial? Yeah, that’d make sense…
Max found himself both justifying and analyzing Bradley’s actions, mumbling something to himself, luckily quiet enough for the other man to not hear.
”Well, how about tomorrow, then?”
He heard Brad say. He swore he heard him say that, but it didn’t seem real. It made no sense.
Was Bradley Uppercrust III ACTUALLY asking him on a date??? No way.
”Say what now?”
He perked up, dragging out the ‘s’ sound.
”How about tomorrow, is what I said”
His voice sounded more firm, almost like a demand, but his facial expression was just as calm as it gets, his eyes never leaving the books pages.
Max slowly leaned to the side so he could get a better look at Bradley.
”Yeah, sure”
He said slowly, maybe even awkwardly. He sucked in his lips, biting down on them as he tried to suppress a smile forming on his face.
Max finally stood up, stretching his arms over his heard, a low groan escaping his throat.
”So, you never told me about that book you’re readin’ there”
He spoke slowly, his lips curling into a smile as he saw the other man’s softening expression. Brad scooted over to the side, sighing slightly.
”C’mon, we can start from the beginning.”
His voice was firm again, but Max could sense the excitement. He gladly plopped himself right next to the man, a fuzzy feeling fogging his mind as he saw the man’s slim finger flip the pages to the start of the book.
They were so close. Max could smell Bradley’s shampoo - the flower like scent mixed with some expensive cologne made his head spin.
It’s not like he minded it, though.