Chapter Text
It took some time, a lot of time actually, to be here now. Days of rebuilding relationships and finding stability. Days before Bradley and Max could come to terms with their shared feelings. Days before things felt, to some degree, right.
Given all the circumstances, Bradley was rather proud of where he currently stood at. His issues and faults with Tank had finally been resolved. Though not as quite the same as before, that was to be expected. His relationship with his fraternity had also been addressed and resolved. Thus, allowing him to gain in social standing once more to a more comfortable degree. His relationship with even Max Goofy of all, had been fixed and the small semblance of truce was able to blossom into something he cherished deeply. Small branch of opportunity that took time to be finalized into attraction. That in of itself had been hard, and tension riddled.
All in all, life overall was peachy. Rainbow barf, unicorns, and candy or whatever. But, apparently life decided or rather declared, “No Bradley, actually you had it good for more than a couple months. Sucks to suck,” and then shit hit the fan and suddenly Bradley’s father in all his glory also decided to give a little call to whatever malevolent being that was raining down to state his desire for Bradley’s presence for a Thanksgiving family trip. Oh! How exciting! Oh? You said I could bring a friend? Well great, can’t wait to see you!
Bradley would like to say he had some decorum and decided to bring Tank or quite literally any fucking person from his fraternity he avidly talked to. But, well, the funny thing is that he also quite literally would rather shit himself and publicly announce it then not bring his boyfriend for “emotional support”.
Would he have to play into the whole being only best friends thing? Yes. Could’ve he just invited Tank who his family was well acquainted with? Yes, obviously. Was he also a clingy bastard and lacked the self dignity to state that he could go a week or so without seeing Max in person? No need for an answer really. Besides, it was only fair given that Max’s father and his new girlfriend were taking a trip as well. Something Max had pushed for in order to allow his father to be able to relax and also likely give some space. Besides, they had dinner every so often together so it wasn’t as important for a get together.
Thankfully, Max had agreed and seemed somewhat excited to be able to meet his family. Even under the guise of friendship.
“You think they’ll mind?” Max hummed as he ransacked his drawer for some clothes. Bradley snapped his eyes up, away from the textbook he was reading “Mind what?”
“All the piercings.” Max stated, vaguely gesturing to the ones on his face and ears. “I don’t want your mother to…clutch her pearls and handbag.”
Bradley thought for a moment. Yes, they most definitely would mind. “No. Well, maybe a stare or two but they won’t outwardly say anything.” He murmured. “They’re,” he paused, “polite like that.”
“Well don’t sound too assured now.” Max remarked, pulling out several shirts. Then proceeding to stuff them in his duffle bag much to Bradley’s disgust. He turned away, going back to his textbook, occasionally writing notes on the side as a comfortable silence fell as Max packed. As comfortable as it could be before a loud bang of the door made both their hearts hit their ass.
“Maximilian! We’re coming in so put some clothes on.” Bobby announced, after he had banged on the door. The door slowly opened as he peeked his head in, P.J. following after. “Woah-ho-ho, hello Bradley.” Bobby said slyly, walking in before jumping onto a nearby desk chair close to Bradley. He slid a bit before settling, giving him a big smile. P.J. instead took a seat on the bottom bed of the bunk across.
Max gave Bobby a weird look before sighing and going back to packing. “I thought you too were going to head down to The Bean Scene?” He said, walking to the desk beside Bobby to gather belongings. Bradley nodded along, plucking his notes closer to him as he noticed Bobby pull out some snack.
“See- we were but then,” Bobby paused as he chuckled to himself, “We wanted to see you before you flew off.” He said, before promptly stuffing whatever he had into his mouth. There was a small uncomfortable noise from Bradley but it went ignored.
“Aww- you guys.” Max fawned, batting his eyelashes affectionately. “I’m not leaving till tomorrow morning though, so we can all just head down together right now.”
“Now?” Bradley said with a raised brow.
“Yes now, your highness. I’m pretty much done packing anyways.” Max said, giving him a look back. Bradley looked down at the poorly packed duffle bag, souring his face. “That’s the best you’re getting.” Max said following his gaze. Bradley huffed a sigh but shut his textbook anyways, gathering his stuff as he reluctantly agreed.
It didn’t take long for them to get somewhat ready, Bradley dropping off his stuff back at the Gamma Mu Mu house. Then, they all walked over to the shopping district. Of course, The Bean Scene is where they found themselves, filing into a booth as P.J. went to go get some drinks for them. There was soft music from the speakers, people chattering as they enjoyed the calm atmosphere.
Or, as calming as it can be given Bradley’s inner turmoil as he meticulously went over any possible outcome that could happen when Max finally met his parents.
What were the chances they would be so utterly disgusted at Max that they would berate him to his face? In which Max would be hurt and lead to the fallout of their own relationship. Would they actively chastise Bradley in front of Max? Make a mockery of him? Would Max grow disgusted of Bradley, seeing the way his parents spoke of him and realize how right they were?
Bradley’s eyes crinkled, tapping his fingers on the table as he glanced at Max laughing at something Bobby said. Then, Max would turn and he would give Bradley a smile and place a hand on his arm turning back to Bobby.
How could he not hate him? How could Max look at him in the face and smile after everything he’s done?
Yet, Bradley would look away and down at Max’s hand. He’s sick, His brain suggests. He stares for longer before looking away.
“Great to see you fellas.” said a smooth voice. Someone moves into Bradley’s line of vision and then they are in front of the table. Mocha appeared next to them alongside P.J. with the drinks. They all waved, Max and Bobby giving her an extra ‘hello’ and a smile.
The couple both shuffled into the booth, Mocha staying on the outside, across from Bradley. “Oh, hello Bradley.” She hummed looking at him, as the other three boys were passing drinks around. Bradley who was watching her hummed in acknowledgment.
“No need to act so surprised.” Bradley said, giving her a look after a short moment. Mocha in return brushed a piece of her hair with her fingers, “Always a surprise with you. No foul in that sweetheart, just you hardly ever come.” She gives him a once over before thanking P.J. for handing her drink to her.
Bradley bristled, quietly thanking Max for the same. He took a long sip of his as he stared. “Hard to listen to slam poetry when I’m trying to enjoy a drink. Don’t need someone yelling in my ear about solitude and dread.” He commented.
“I’m sure finding deeper meaning in things is hard for you to comprehend, given your brain being occupied by your inflated ego.” She said back, twirling the straw in her drink.
Bradley scoffed, rolling his eyes. They stare at one another for a moment, before he gives her a smirk. “You wound me.” She sighed, a smile etching on her face. “Didn’t know you could feel still.” She mustered before laughing quietly. Bradley squints his eyes but only responds by sipping his drink.
“Every time you guys speak, I feel like it’s an inch closer to an actual fight.” Max murmured beside him, nudging Bradley before yelping from the pinch he received back. Bradley glanced at Mocha before looking back at Max. “Hopefully it’ll be next time.” He muses. Mocha only gives a smile back. Bradley only sees a red glint in her eye and the shine of her teeth, but that could be from his own biases.
Max sighs, rubbing his battle wound on his stomach from Bradley. “I think she would win.” He humors, before dodging another pinch. Bradley glares at him before putting his raised hand down.
Soon, they dissolve into chatter, talking about plans for the break. Mocha explains her plans with P.J. as well as with her family. P.J. nods in agreement, explains further about some ‘stupid trip’ his father was taking him on, groaning about ideas his father had for the trip. Bobby kept it short however, not saying much about anything to do with family and only explaining plans of hanging out with P.J. and others.
Max only supplied why he was going with Bradley, retelling his father’s vacation with his girlfriend that he actively pushed for. Then, turned to Bradley to explain what exactly they were going to do.
“We’re going up to a Holiday home we have. We usually tend to keep to our own devices as we relax but there’s activities in the area.” Bradley said briefly, waving a hand around.
“Oh- Holiday home huh? Fancy-“ Bobby whistled, dragging out the ‘a’. Bradley rolled his eyes with no real heat.
Of course it was fancy. Lavishly decorated rooms with an even more spectacular view of the outdoors. Ornamental and luxurious to suffice for the lack of true warmth a family home should give. Bradley sometimes thinks it burns. Not a gentle enveloping warmth, but licks of flames that sting at his wounds. Licks of flame that has him scrubbing ash off the floors. It burns. Burns in lacerating duality. Maybe Bradley thinks it overly dramatic in his own sense. Who is he to criticize when he was born from that same kindling?
It’s an idle thought, Bradley views. But, it’s enough that it leaves him at a blank. His brain snapping back into the feeling of soft cushion below him. But, when he looks around he finds he’s not at The Bean Scene. He finds himself in Max’s dorm again in which Bobby is there laughing at something Max said and Max is sitting next to him on a bed. P.J. and Mocha are out of sight, leaving him to assume they left at some point. He doesn’t remember how he got there. Doesn’t remember how he wasn’t aware.
His eyes glance back over at a digital clock by him and realizes two hours had passed. His skin crawls, clawing at some bundling fear he feels when he realizes that he had blanked out for two hours. He glanced next to him at Max, who’s talking about…a game. Bradley blinks several times and he finally gains semblance of control again.
“I haven’t played around yet with the characters but-“ Max says, shrugging. Bobby only hums in agreement, the sound of a can spraying signifying that he had obtained some cheese at some point. Bradley finds himself shuddering at the man basically waterboarding himself. He turns and finds Max staring at Bobby too in amusement before looking at him.
“Alright?” Max asks, noticing… something. Bradley quirks his brow, “Yeah- I think,” he pauses in hesitation, “I think Bobby should be limited on some quota.” he mutters, choosing to ignore what ever brain fuck he had.
Max stares at him for a moment before shaking his head somewhat.“I think he would probably hunt me down as a sport if that was instilled.” He whispers like he was truly afraid. Bradley looks over at Bobby smacking his lips with nothing but cheese and thinks Max has nothing to worry about.
Max shrugs once Bradley’s eyes fall on him and turns away. Bradley looks at the clock for a bit before sighing, scooting off the bed. “I think I‘ll be going now. I need to make sure I have everything ready for tomorrow.” He says, adjusting himself.
There’s a noise of acknowledgement from Bobby and Max stands up with Bradley. “Yeah- alright that’s probably a good idea.” He says walking beside Bradley as they make it to the door. Bradley opens it and turns to Max with a look. “Please, for the life of me make sure everything is ready for tomorrow.”
Max groans, slumping against the door dramatically. “Yeah yeah- I know don’t worry.” Bradley crosses his arms at the dramatics. “Don’t give me that. I don’t want you to miss something then have me drive back for it.”
Max sighs, straightening up, “Okay- yes like I said I’ll make sure okay. Nothing to worry about, babe.” Max says offhandedly, gesturing a hand around.
Bradley surely short circuits as his brows raise. It isn’t as though Max doesn’t say those kind of endearing terms to him it just…has him in some loop every time.
Naturally, Bradley stands there like a dumbass with rising heat to his face. His mouth opened and closed like a fish before stumbling into what he wanted to say. “Right- yeah. Okay, see you tomorrow.” He says looking at the growing and knowing smirk Max is giving him. A stupid shit eating grin.
So of course, having the need for the last laugh he waits a moment before ushering out, “Bye, love you.” Before promptly slamming the door in Max’s wide eyes. Walking away from the sound of a muffled but loud whoop of excitement.
Something that had him smiling like some dork as he had made it back to the Gamma Mu Mu house. Which was noticed by his frat brothers and Tank when he arrived. Leaving him to quickly rush to his room before he could be teased.
The rest of his afternoon and or night was the monotonous task of finishing his packing then double (triple) checking everything. Followed by simple cleaning and then doing his night regimen.
It wasn’t long before he found himself in bed. Staring at the ceiling as he went through a mental checklist of everything he had packed and the plan the coming morning. But, more importantly was the festering feelings that had him in slight dread of seeing his parents after a while. Especially with Max who would be next to him, polar opposite of anything they were adjusted to.
Surely it would go swimmingly. Fine even. Maybe small bumps in the road but, overall decent. They could always just stay in their own bubble like Bradley tended to do on his own accord. Yeah.
Yeah. He thinks. It’ll be fine.
He’ll be fine.