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“Hold still now kiddo, let the medic take a look” Billy hummed rubbing Max’s shoulder as the medic took a look at his head.
He should’ve known his stupid kid would do something so noble as to take a hit for someone who didn’t return the feelings his boy felt. But of course Max didn’t care. He loved with his whole heart.
That’s why Billy stayed hesitant in joining MJF in the match against Jay, but of course Max insisted and he and Anthony all but indulged him.
‘No one but MJF himself knows how to say no to this one’ Billy thought as he rubbed Max’s arm comfortingly.
“It’s ok son, nearly over now” Billy said.
“You’re doing great Maxie” Anthony said from Max’s other side.
Max hisses as he feels the medic touch the spot where he was hit. Tears threaten to spill from the pain of he blow but also because he knew even after everything MJF wouldn’t be his.
He knew deep down his heart belonged to one Adam Cole.
Still he didn’t regret saving his Max, he knew even if he and Max couldn’t be together that didn’t mean he couldn’t protect and look out for him even if it made his heart hurt.
“Where…where’s MJF..?” Max whimpered opening his eyes seeing Billy and Anthony at his side.
“He’s somewhere don’t worry about him, just focus on you, we’re here” Anthony said brushing off the topic of MJF.
A few minutes later the medic nods deeming Max fine to go home and rest with a bag of ice and some pain meds.
“Come on little brother you can stay with Michael and I” Anthony smiles ruffling Max’s hair gently being mindful of his injury
“That sounds like a great idea, and I’ll check on you boys tomorrow” Billy nods getting Max’s bag handing it to Anthony.
Max didn’t answer to any of it. His head felt like it was going to explode and he just wanted to sleep forever and a day.
“Guys…”
The three turned and saw MJF standing there back in his normal clothes the pink now long gone.
“Max…” Max said his eyes widening a little.
“Hey…feeling ok?” MJF asked standing awkwardly in the doorway.
Max smiled softly nodding.
“Yeah…”
MJF shifted a little before looking at Billy and Anthony.
“You think I can have a minute with just Max?” MJF asked.
Max couldn’t help but beam at that question.
“Don’t get any ideas Max” MJF shot him down instantly.
Billy frowned at the thought of leaving his boy alone with this brute of a man. It had taken his boy taking the hit for MJF to do a four way scissor. And now he wants his kid alone?
“You guys go ahead I’ll catch up” Max said smiling gently at them reassuring them he’d be fine.
“I’ll be right outside ok? Let me know when you’re ready” Anthony says before shooting MJF a look of “do not fuck this up” as he and Billy both took their leave.
Max saw MJF in front of him, before he could say anything MJF shook his head.
“Look…I just wanted to thank you for saving my ass…i appreciate your help…” MJF started.
Max shook his head.
“Don’t worry about it, I would do it all over again if I had to” Max smiles going to reach for MJF’s shoulder only for him to pull away out of reflex.
“Look this thing you have for me..it’s never going to happen I’m sorry. My heart belongs to someone else. I’m trying to stay sane for him” MJF said asserting his boundary.
Max felt his heart broke at the finality of it all. The tears threatening to spill over. He knew he should be happy for Max and that saying of if you love something then let it go but this just hurt.
“I…ok…I..I get it…” Max sniffled finally admitting defeat.
MJF saw the lanky boy in front of him usually so full of life and quips and just wanting to have fun with his family.
He sighed moving closer.
“Look Max…just because it’s not and never will work out for us, doesn’t mean you don’t deserve happiness ok? You deserve someone whose going to be as crazy as you as you were for me…except the part of you acting like a deranged stalker please don’t do that again and for the love of god do not fall for someone like that” MJF said.
Max couldn’t help but laugh smiling a little.
“I..really wish we could’ve…” Max started only for MJF to shake his head gently.
“No..no wishing. Look…if you want and if you promise to keep your distance from now on..you and I can be friends and I can teach you how to actually flirt and you can finally pick someone up without looking desperate” MJF smirked.
Max giggles again and he sees MJF smiling a hint of a smile.
“Yeah. I’d like that”
MJF smiles a real smile and before leaving he turns to Max.
“One day you’re going to have someone in your corner like I do for Adam…then you’ll really understand. And since you helped me with this…I’ll help you with that”
Max couldn’t have been happier.