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Tank knew going in the back route was a horrible idea. He used to be one who dared to do everything. No matter how dangerous.
But he shouldn’t have indulged Max’s need for rebellion. Especially since he was technically on “baby sitting duty” for Bradley. Bradley knew that work would get in the way of this trip and told Max and Tank to have fun without him. Max was a bit sore about that, and managed to bribe Tank to go to the closed off section for snow boarding.
Tank should have been firm. Now, he was cradling Max who had broken his leg in a fall.
“Fuck,” Max hissed. “It hurts like hell.”
“Yeah, well next time you should just listen to me, sweetheart.” Tank frowned as Max leaned into him. There was a snow storm picking up and as strong as Tank was, he wasn’t able to carry his best friend’s boyfriend up a large hill with a broken leg.
Max whimpered. Tank knew he had to be in pain. Max would hide his injuries from everyone usually like a cat. It drove Bradley crazy, especially after discovering the cluster of bruises down his thigh once.
“I’ve got you, baby,” Tank murmured, holding him closer. “I’ve got you. You’re gonna be ok.”
It was a little white lie. He had no idea what was going to happen or when they were going to be rescued.
Tank sighed, and held Max closer. The gentle giant was only this openly soft with those he trusted the most: and that happened to be Bradley, and his boyfriend. Sure, he and Bradley would get into it from time to time, but Tank always saw the best in him. Bradley’s home life wasn’t great despite his wealth. Tank looked after him as if he was family.
In his arms, Max flinched at a bout of pain. Tank shushed him comfortingly, and rocked them both.
“Your man should be here anytime now,” Tank lied, trying to sooth Max as much as he could. “Its had to have been a few hours by now, I know Bradley gets stuck in work mode but we should have been back by now,” Tank nuzzled into Max’s hair, kissing the top of his head as he kept them both warm.
Tank knew that the physical affection looked odd probably to anyone else but he thrived on it. Touch was his love language since he had been deprived of soft emotions growing up. Bradley would absolutely kill anyone else who held or kissed his boyfriend like Tank did, but Tank knew that his small touches helped them all.
The winds were picking up and both fell silent for a little while.
“I need you to stay awake for me, ok sweetheart?” Tank ran his fingers soothingly down Max’s side. “Dunno if you have a concussion or not…”
Max hummed in reply. Tank tried not to think what would happen if they had to spend the night out there. “‘S cold, Tank,” he managed. Tank immediately shifted them into a warmer position without bothering his leg.
“Come on, Bradley…” Tank muttered out loud. “This rescue is taking far too long,”
At this, Max laughed a bit before wincing at the pain. “You’re not going to let him forget this are you?” He teased.
Tank smiled down at the boy in his arms. Despite everything, he still had his sense of humor. “Course not, honey.”
“Tank! Max!”
As if on cue, a helicopter appeared in the clearing, its propeller matching the winds that had been picking up.
“Down here!!” Tank waved trying not to move Max too much. Bradley leaned out the side until it was low enough for him to jump down. Tank saw his sheer terror on his face, especially when he took in the condition his boyfriend was in.
“He’s ok, Bradley, he’s just got a broken leg,” Tank said as soon as Bradley reached them and dropped to his knees beside them.
Bradley reached for Max’s hand, squeezing it in relief and bringing it to his forehead.
“Do you have any idea how terrified I’ve been?” He choked out, holding back a sob.
Tank watched as Max shifted in his arms, and brought his other hand to touch Bradley’s face. Bradley grabbed that hand too and brought them to kiss.
“He’s okay, baby,” Tank assured him quietly. Bradley snapped his head up to look at Tank in the eyes.
“And you! I’ve been terrified about you too!” He stated. “You’re the only ones I have…”
“We’re ok, sweetheart,” Tank smiled at Bradley’s rare use of affection. “I kept us both safe.”
Bradley sighed, then turned to glare at Max.
“You’re never not going to be a nuisance are you?” he retorted. Max laughed lightly, but winced at a twinge of pain.
“Oh, baby,” Bradley sighed. He stood up from the snow.
“Just for the record, you two are the only two allowed to call me that,” Max winced. Tank sat them both up, and Bradley waved over a paramedic to help load Max onto a stretcher.
Bradley snorted. “Yes, I know babe. I don’t think that’s what you need to be focusing on right now though.” He ran his fingers through Max’s hair as the paramedics situated him.
“I’d rather focus on that, then the pain,” Max muttered. Bradley bent down to kiss his forehead. Tank watched from the side, proud of his boys. They had come a long way since the X games, and Bradley had evolved so much because of Max. They brought the best out of each other. Tank knew whenever he started dating, or found someone again, the two would be just as protective over him as he was of them. And he was okay with that.
Bradley may have been rich, but his family was non-existent. They never had time for him as a child, and always kept him with babysitters, and nannies. Joining the Gammas was the first time Bradley ever felt part of a brotherhood, or a family. Then, meeting Max and seeing how he and his Dad were, he knew that the way he was treated growing up was inexcusable.
Tank let Bradley help him onto the helicopter, and was surprised when Bradley reached over to hug him tight. He returned the hug gently, knowing that nothing would ever come between their bond no matter how much Bradley messed up.
“Come on sweetheart,” he said, giving him a final squeeze. “Let’s go back up to the cabin and rest, yeah?”
Bradley nodded, and then went back to Max’s side to hold his hand. The helicopter rose in the air, and Tank watched how the two never took their eyes off each other.
Tank let himself close his eyes as they made their way over the storm. He wasn’t too worried about meeting someone. His future partner would come along eventually. His heart was already full though with appreciation and admiration for his best friends.
That was good enough for him.