Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bradley Uppercrust III was the most important person anyone could ever meet in their entire lives.

He’s rich, he’s an ivy league college student, and everybody who knows him either wants to be him or wants to be with him.

And Bradley knows this.
He’s clearly aware of what people think of him, and he loves it. While he would never admit it, he’s a sucker for attention and compliments, and goes out of his way to get it.

His parents get him anything he wants, in exchange for good grades and a good reputation.

He loves his life, and he loves his parents. Granted he hasn’t really had a moment to be alone, considering his friends are always following him around and his parents are always focused on his life and control every aspect of it, he still loves his life and wouldn’t change it for the world.
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Maximillion Goof is known by almost everybody in his neighborhood.

While he is quite a troublemaker, and most older adults don’t like him, and consider him a ‘punk’ because of his multiple piercings, most of the neighborhood likes him.

He and his friends go to the local community college, studying various subjects. He works at The Bean Scene, a local, but quite popular cafe run by his dad, Goofy Goof, also known as G.G., with his friends to earn some pocket change and help his dad. He’s also known from his garage band, The Goof Troop, consisting of Roxanne, Peej, Bobby and of course, Max.

Max loves his life. Granted, he doesn't have the best relationship with his mother and is constantly worried about his dad and his future, but he still loves his life, and nothing will ever change that.

________________

Recently his mother had been getting into obscure cafés and bakeries, wanting to look at them and criticize their products, which, to be honest, sounded like a lot of fun to Bradley. He managed to convince his mom to let him stay back every other time, but he finally got dragged to one of them, since his father was at work and his mother couldn’t fathom the idea of leaving him alone in the house, afraid of what might happen to him.

“What if you get hurt Bradley baby?! Or kidnapped?! I would feel so guilty if I let that happen to you!” Bradley understood his mother’s worry of course, there's thousands of things that could happen, and it was of utmost importance that the heir of the Uppercrust is, well, alive.

“Right okay, I'll come with you, we just have to be back in time so I can complete my work”

He didn't actually have any homework per say, he of course always finished his work before he gets home so he can be the most efficient with his time. The work he was referring too was the extra work his father would give him in order to prepare for the future, logically. He had to be the most prepared he could ever be for the future, and the real world of money and business.

It took some time to drive over to the quaint, petite, Neighborhood that the cafe resided in. Spoonerville, it was called, an interesting name for an... interesting town.

“Mother, where did you find this cafe?”

“Well, it's actually a long story. Basically, you know Molly, right? From my Pilates class? Well one day, she was talking to the girls out this cafe that she found on her run. And I was just so curious about this cafe. Because well, you know Molly, always going on some sort of adventure every other day Hahaha!!” She rambled. His mom often went on tangents, but he didn't mind, it was always nice to listen to her stories.

By the time they had arrived, and their driver, because yes, of course they have a driver, they're not hooligans, had stopped the car, his mother hadn't even answered the question

“Oh would you look at that! We’ve arrived! Thank you, Bill, is that your name? Hahaha I can never remember!” She stepped out of the car, followed by Bradley not soon after.

“Thank you for driving us Hank, see you when you pick us up.”

“You’re welcome, sir, ma’am”

Bradley took the time to know each of the ‘employees ‘names, it was important to know who you're working with, so you know exactly who to fire of course.

The car drove away as they approached the cafe. Taking a closer look at the place, he concluded two things: he absolutely HATED the color scheme of the exterior. The yellows, blues and greens just made him want to puke. And second, he noticed the, interesting people that were around the cafe. The clothing choices and messy outfits made him cringe in thought of these people not ironing their shirts properly. This was definitely not somewhere he was going to visit ever again.

It seemed his mother had the same idea of the scenery, as she looked around with slight judgement. But they weren't the only ones judging. It seemed that the people around them were also looking and talking to their friends about the two well dressed, prim, proper and polite people who were just walking in. It's not Bradley's fault he cares about his future.

Once they finally walked into the cafe, the posters and decorations were another thing Bradley would critique on. He wished the cafe would take itself seriously, they could definitely seem more respectable with some more proper seating and fewer band posters.

“Bradley, could you go up and order for me? I would like a simple black coffee” His mother sat down at a nearby table, there was no way they were going to sit at one of those couches, who knows the last time they cleaned those.

Bradley went to the end of the line and waited for his turn to order. The cashier was this girl, about his height and age probably, with red hair and tan skin, she looked nice, respectable. But by the time it was his turn she was called to the back of the cafe.
As Bradley mindlessly looked at the menu on the table, waiting for another cashier to take his order, he heard someone say, “Sorry about the wait, we had some difficulties in the back.” Whoever was talking had a lisp, he noticed. Bradley looked up and froze in surprise. Who was this.... this .... degenerate?! The boy was taller than him and had several piercings littered across his face with long messy black hair. Who would do such a thing to their body?!

“Ha, sorry but-ah, could I be served by that other lady who was here earlier. “

The boy’ face dropped slightly, but he kept his customer smile.
“Sorry sir but she’s busy, you’ll just have to deal with me Ahaa…” He chuckled awkwardly

“Right... Well, I'll have two black coffees and a... pistachio cookie "

"Sorry sir but we're out of our pistachio cookies” The cashier said, already putting in the order.

“Okay” Bradley huffed out “I'll have the normal chocolate chip cookie then“

“Okay and will that be all?”

“Yes”

“And can I have a name for the order?”

…

Okay now the kid was starting to get on his nerves.

He doesn't need to tell anybody his name, everybody knows who he was! He’s Bradley Uppercrust the III, and this little degenerate cashier should know that. “Very funny kid, but you obviously know who I am, you don’t need to ask for my name, just let me pay so I can have my food.”

The cashier gave him a funny look. Who does this guy think he’s looking at?!

“Uh, sorry sir but I just need a name to put the order under, so if you could just give me your name, I can start preparing your order”

“Listen“ Bradley looked down at the name tag” Max. Just write my name down so I can go sit down. I don't want to waste my time dealing with this, okay?! Just write my goddamn name down and get this over with!” He was starting to shout, but he didn't care. This punk needed to realize the error of his ways one way or another.

“Sir you’re holding up the line” The cashier looked completely done with him, and Bradley was slightly surprised that Max was not apologizing or at least yelling back. He completely kept his composure and just stared at him, as if he dealt with this kind of thing before.

Bradley looked behind him, the cashier was right, there were at least 10 to 15 people waiting behind him. His face went beet red in embarrassment. “Bradley” he muttered, almost inaudibly.

“Thank you, sir, have a nice day”

Bradley rushed to go sit down with his mother, absolutely fuming. “How...how...how DARE he treat me like that! Embarrassing me In front of all these people. He must have done so on purpose. He must have felt intimidated or, or jealous that he needed to make himself feel better!” He tried to think of any possible reason this person purposely pretended to forget his name, just to embarrass him in front of a group of strangers.

“It's fine honey” His mother tried reassuring him” It's not like you’re going to see these people ever again anyway” His mother was right, as always. He turned to look at the cashier, face turning red in anger.

--------------------------

‘Fucking weirdo’ was the first thing Max had thought of when he finished taking the angry man’s order.

This guy was acting like it was common knowledge that everybody knew his name, even though he has never seen this guy in his entire life.

Obviously, he keeps taking people’s orders, since he has a job to do. At one point his curiosity takes over and his eyes shift towards the douchebag in the back of the cafe. Their eyes meet. The guy was eyeing him, like he was formulating some sort of evil plan like some kind of super villain. Whatever, he had a job to do.

Several hours passed and more and more people were starting to filter out of the cafe as closing hours were approaching.

As Max was cleaning up the counter, ready to tell the few remaining customers to leave and close the shop, someone approached the counter.
“Sorry, but we're not serving anything right now…” Max trailed off. It was that guy, and he was looking at him with maybe the creepiest smile he’s ever seen.
“Um...Can I help you?”
The guy smiled wider, if that was even possible.

“You can help me, actually. Max, right? Well, I just wanted to ask a simple, little question. Why in the WORLD DID YOU, PURPOSELY MIND YOU, EMBARRASS ME IN FRONT OF AN ENTIRE CROWD?! HUH?! DO YOU ENJOY IT?! I AM BRADLEY UPPERCRUST THE III AND YOU WILL RESPECT ME!”

Max was just staring at him, dumbfounded. The man had literal steam coming from his ears like some sort of cartoon. He was huffing and puffing, seeming to be holding himself back from lunging at him.
“Um, I'm sorry? I don't really follow the news so I'm not really...up to date with everybody” Max said, trying to cool down the situation. But that was apparently not the right answer as this Bradley guy got even redder. He was about to yell again but seemed to regain his composure.

“This is what's going to happen, okay? I'm going to tell everybody I know about how shitty this little cafe is and, hopefully, lose you customers and shut this thing down. Maybe next time you should treat people with respect.“

The guy started walking away with the lady he came with, proud of himself.

“What the fuck...” Max whispered under his breath. Roxanne walked up behind him.

“What the hell was wrong with that guy...?”

“I have no idea...”

_____________

Max had just walked into the apartment placed right on top of the café after closing up and putting away any left-over food.

He usually stayed here with his dad, but school was going to start soon and so he had to move back in the dorms. So, he was just there to have dinner and say goodnight.

Him and his dad both sat down at the little dinner table and ate whatever leftovers were in the fridge.

“Anything interesting happened today?” His dad asked through a mouthful of rice.

“Yeah actually! There was this guy who was ordering who got so mad at the fact that I didn’t know his name???? It was so weird.”
Max exclaimed. He was honestly annoyed about that whole interaction.
“Well, it’s pretty common to have weird or annoying customers! Nothing you haven’t seen before! Ah-hyuck!”

“I guess… I just hope I don’t have to deal with that guy again”

It had been several weeks since that happened. The new semester had started, and Max was officially a junior. Just one year away from taxes and office jobs. Yippee.

Max was walking over to his next class, headphones on and music blaring, not hearing his name being called from behind him. He then felt someone wrap their arms around him.

“FUCK! What the- Bobby, dude haven’t I told you not to sneak up on me?! Jeez” Max ran a hand over his face, trying to control his breathing.

“Sorry broski! I was tryin’ to call you, but you were just too busy” Bobby sprayed cheese-wiz straight into his mouth as Max looked at him in disgust.

“When are you going to stop doing that? Its gross” Max starred as Bobby just continued to pour more and more artificial cheese from a bottle into his mouth, smiling and not bothering to answer the question. “God you’re so fucking gross”

The community college they went to didn't offer any high end studies or anything, but it's not like he was going to study Economics or whatever they teach in ivy leagues.

To be honest, he wasn't quite sure what to study until last year, finally deciding on photography and architecture. Weird mix, he knows but he has his reasons. Bobby and PJ were both going into more sports related courses Pj going into Sports Psychology and Bobby going into Sports management to maybe become a pro at roller skating and coach others. PJ’s girlfriend, Mocha, was trying to get a Theatre Degree and Roxanne was aiming to get into pro Hockey.

Max, while loving skateboarding, he was always interested in the whole building part of skateboards. Making inventing different kinds of skateboards, with new parts and showing the world different ways to skate.

But despite all their different majors, they all have one thing in common.

They all love to skate.

Everyday, after class or in the mornings, they would all (except Mocha, she would just come to watch) go down to the skate park across the street and just do tricks, race and run around, as if they were kids again.

But sooner or later, it was time for work. They all worked at The Bean Scene, saving up cash and helping out his dad.

They worked when they didin’t have class, mostly in the afternoons, and on weekends. Max walked into the back of the cafe to put on his uniform, which was just an apron for when he had to work in the kitchen.

Max and Roxanne were both the cashiers but every once and awhile they had to go back and help out in the kitchen. Mocha, PJ and Bobby were stationed in the kitchen, and while PJ and Mocha worked well in the kitchen, it was Bobby they had to worry about the most, making sure he wasn't getting in the fridge and eating all the food. They would have put him as cashier but the last time they tried, Bobby tried getting the very first customer’s number, not even bothering taking their order, just getting straight into the bad flirting.

Despite being a pain in the ass, he was all in all a good worker. But there was another issue. Pj’s parents wanted PJ to help out his aunt and uncle at their farm, on the other side of the country for three months. And despite all the arguments, he was forced to go. Which made for some pretty hard goodbye’s and see you soon’s in the airport. And that also meant they were short on staff members.

Max was put into the kitchen in the meantime but Roxanne couldn't deal with the hordes of customers all on her own, especially during rush hour, forever. So later that day, they all, including his dad, set up help wanted posters online and around the neighborhood and college.

Now they just had to wait.

It had just been a few days since Pj left and they put up the posters and it was rough. The kitchen was flooded with orders as Max went back and forth from the kitchen to take orders and Roxanne was visibly sweating and exhausted.
“If I get another Karen with her 3 kids all talking over each other I'm going to die” Roxanne huffed out once they started getting less customers.

“I feel you. I think the soles of my shoes are going to disintegrate with how much I've been going back and forth from the kitchen.” Max sighed
It was only 2 in the afternoon and they were already starting to get tired. They needed a new hire and quick, before Max loses his mind.

They needed this new hire to leave immediately.

“Dad. We can’t have HIM.” Max gritted through his teeth
“Maxie we don't have a choice, no one else has answered and we need more staff, you know this.”

Max looked up at the new hire. It was that annoying rich guy from a few weeks ago, Bakley or something like that.

“I can't deal with a rich snob for three months! I’ll lose my mind !!” Max insisted. He would rather die than deal with this kid.

“Max, stop complaining. We don't have a choice. Now go show him how everything works. And don't bother trying to get someone else to do it. You know this place inside and out. Now go!”

His Dad shoved him towards the guy, ignoring any form of protest.

“ Dad, wait please!-- Hi, you must be the new hire. “ He cut himself off.

“Oh. It's you.” The guy groaned.

Max was going to have to restrain himself before he commits a felony.

Chapter Text

It's been several weeks since he and his mother went to that cafe and he was still thinking about it. He would continuously rant to his mother about it, saying how disrespectful the cashier was and how he didnt deserve that kind of treatment.

He would also rant about it to his childhood friend Tank. Tank didn't go to the same school that Bradley did, but they've been friends since they were super young. They met through their parents when Bradley’s parents were opening a park, and they've been best friends. Nothing could bring them apart.

“Ugh just thinking about that kid makes me want to pull my hair out”. That kid’s stupid piercings and gap tooth was plaguing his mind like a parasite.
They were sitting in Bradley’s room, supposedly doing homework but that just led to a rant session.

“Listen sweetheart, the more you talk about him, the more you think about him, the worse you feel. Maybe you could get your mind off of it by going to the skatepark?” Tank tried to reassure him.

”I wish, but i can't, my dad said i have to get all my work done until he’ll give me my skateboard back, and even if i had my skateboard I wouldn't be allowed to leave the house without someone to watch over me” Bradley whined.

“But I'll be there. Isn't that enough?”

“Yeah but according to them, it's not.” Tank was the only person Bradley could be open with. With everybody else he had to be perfect. He wasn't allowed to mess up. If anyone else ever saw him make a mistake, or stutter or not have a perfect answer, his reputation would be screwed. But with Tank, he could let his walls down, he could be honest and messy.

The next semester had started and Bradley was now officially a senior. Nothing special if he was being honest. Just one step closer to being the head of the family business. A dream he’s had for years. His parents had done everything in their power to prepare him for it and he wasn't going to let them down.

And obviously, to prepare, he’s going into business, the only respectable degree other than law. He doesn't know what his friends study, and he never really cared to know. They just follow him around, his parents probably pay them to keep an eye on Bradley, and he wouldn't be surprised if that was the truth.

When he got back to the frat house, just another place for his friends to keep an eye on him, he got a message from one of their housekeepers that his parents wanted to talk to him. So he left his bag in his room and grabbed his car keys and drove over to his parents house.

“ Bradley, you understand how important our business is right” His father started off.

They were seated in the sitting area, usually used for meetings between workers. It meant that this was serious.

“Yes of course father” Bradley was sitting straight up, hands on his lap, keeping a straight face to be the most professional he could be. This was not a place he was allowed to be comfortable.

“And you understand that you have to have all the experience needed to live to the fullest next year” His father wasn't asking. Bradley didn't have a choice.

“Yes father”

“What your father here is trying to say dear is that you need working experience. We want you to experience what it's like to be in the working field.” His mother chimed in.

“Your mother had the bright idea to have you work in that little cafe you two visited a few weeks prior, they are lacking an employee at the moment and it would be a great opportunity for you.”

What.

Bradley froze.

This was not what he expected.

He thought he would work aside his dad for a few days. Or even work in a restaurant. But THERE?! In that sad excuse of an establishment ?!

“With all due respect father, I can't work there, it's not meant for me. Have you seen the people who go there? What if I get attacked!” Bradley tried to explain, he tried to keep his politeness but at one point you just have to get straight to the point.

“This is not up for discussion. You will go and work in the afternoons after school. There will be no complaints. Do you understand?” His father insisted. There was no getting out of this.

“I-But-…Yes father…”

So there he was, standing, arms crossed, in the middle of the cafe before the cafe opened. It was the weekend so they didn't have to worry about missing school for this. Bradley was furious, but of course he did not show it, that wouldn't be polite. Unlike that Max guy, he’s the definition of impolite.

“Hi, you must be the new hire!”

Bradley looked up. Oh

“Oh. it's you” He saw Max's eye twitch slightly.
This was the last person he wanted to show him around. He already did not want to be here in the first place and now he has to deal with him? This was going to be a long three months.

“Okay so you’ll be working at the cashier station with Roxanne, it's nothing too complicated just taking people’s orders, putting them into the system and ringing people up.”

He kept on explaining whatever he was talking about. Bradley didn't need anything to be explained. He already knew how to use everything, he’s not stupid.

“Uh huh. Okay” He didn't bother paying attention. He wasn't going to take any instructions from some punk.

He was zoning out on Max, truly getting an idea of how much he has ruined his reputation. From what he could see, he had a nose ring, two little balls under and over his left eyebrow, and two under his lips. His hair was shaggy and incredibly unkept, it would probably feel really greasy and tangled if he touched it.

He also had vitiligo. He'd never seen someone with vitiligo before. If he was being honest, it was probably the only thing he didn't despise about him.

“So here you have too- Dude. Are you even listening?” Bradley looked at Max, properly. He looked annoyed, but it's not like Bradley cared anyway.

“No, I'm not listening. I don't need instructions to use a piece of technology, I already know how to use basically everything” Bradley puffed his chest out

“Right. Well if that's the case then I'm sure you'll have no trouble dealing with customers, keeping a can do attitude, managing orders, being. Nice”

“Do you think I'm not capable of being nice??? “

“No, not really”

“I'll show you nice. “ He huffed, walking to the back to, somehow, find the aprons. He didn't need some loser's help. And he'll prove it.

____________

Max was having a great time watching Bradley struggle.
The work day had started a few hours ago and Bradley was already cracking under the pressure. Every once and a while when he would bring out an order to the front, he would see Bradley holding back from screaming at a customer. Along with the customer trouble, he was having some issues with the cash register. Max tried to show him how to do it, So it's not his fault Bradley doesn't understand.

“Having some trouble there Uppercrust?”
Bradley jumped slightly. He was a lot more on edge than he thought.

“I'm perfectly fine on my own thank you very much”
He was trying to put some cash into the till but all he was doing was pressing a bunch of random buttons.

“What are you even doing” Max said with a slight chuckle

“I'm trying to put in the money. Last time, your friend came over, the girl, and did something that opened it, so logically, I'm trying to figure out how she did that “ He said as he continued to press buttons.

“By pressing a bunch of buttons?”

“Exactly”

Max walked up to him, reached his arm across the register and slowly pulled open the till, stopping once his hand hit Bradley's stomach.

“There” He smirked slightly.

Bradley just stood there.
“I obviously knew that” He muttered

“Of course you did”

Max walked away from the whole situation, heading back to the kitchen to work on some more orders. And while he didn't turn back he could feel Bradley staring into his soul.

Once he arrived at the kitchen he grabs a recipe from a string between two pillars and gets started on the order.

“So, Maximillion, what do you think of Bradster over there?” Bobby was leaning against a wall, avoiding his dish duty and wolfing down three cans of cheese replacement.
“I hate him. Legitimately” Max was reheating some croissants in the oven.

“Ouchhh Maxie! Hate is a strong word you know “ Bobby pushed him self off of the wall and hung off of Max's shoulder “Maybe you should give him a chance! He might not be too bad. Even though he's a rich snob!”

“For once I agree with Bobby” Mocha chimed in, she was preparing some smoothies “Also we need more strawberries”

“I don’t know why you guys are so keen on being all buddy buddy with this guy. He’s the bane of my existence.” Max grumbled

“Okay. How about you put it this way. You guys are coworkers now, so you kind of have to be nice to him. Maybe it’ll be nice to get to know him?” Mocha tried to reassure him as she poured the smoothie into a cup

“Sure, whatever- Order up!!” Max cut himself off and. Put the order onto the counter that split the cashier and coffee station and the kitchen.

“Thanks Max” Roxanne grabbed the order “ And maybe you should listen to them”

“Not you too” Max whined

“Common! It can't be that bad”

_____________

Bradley was struggling. While he definitely wasn't going to admit it, and he especially wasn't going to ask Max for help.

The stupid cash register was causing him so many issues and he was about to lose his mind.

Earlier, when he was having the same issue, Roxanne came over and just fixed it like it was nothing. It was basically magic.

Right now he was trying to recreate whatever Roxanne had did, which meant pressing a bunch of buttons in hopes that one of them does something.

He was practically sweating by the end of it. He was so focused and stressed that he didn't notice the person walking towards him.

“Having some trouble there Uppercrust?”

Bradley flinched in surprise. It was Max. He wasn't expecting him to be around the cash register right now, wasn't he supposed to be in the kitchen right now?

Bradley turned back to the register
“I'm perfectly fine on my own thank you very much”

He thought that was going to be the end of it, until Max decided to continue this , clearly, unwanted conversation.

“What are you even doing” He chuckled. This guy was going to be the death of him.

“I'm trying to put in the money. Last time, your friend came over, the girl, and did something that opened it, so logically, I'm trying to figure out how she did that “ Bradley tried to hint at Max that he didn't want to keep talking to him, but apparently Max just wasn't that smart.

“By pressing a bunch of buttons?”

“Exactly” He gritted out

Then something unexpected happened. It all happened as if in slow motion.

As Max stretched him arm between Bradley and the register, Bradley quietly eyed the way Max's muscles flexed slightly. A little part in the back of his mind wonders what it would be like to squeeze it. Max slowly grabbed and pulled the till open, he kept on pulling and pulling until the back of his hand touched Bradley's stomach.

Bradley just stood there. In…uh…disbelief… of how Max thought he could invade Bradley's personal space.

“There” Max smirked

Bradley's face lit up in anger. But he looked away before Max could notice.

“I obviously knew that” He grumbled

“Of course you did” Max walked away back to the kitchen, leaving Bradley is a state of quite disbelief.

'I can't believe he just did that' He thought to himself, trying to regain his composure.

“You and Max seem to be getting along” Bradley jumped

“Can I just get one moment of peace?!” He exclaimed as he turned around to see who it was.

It was Roxanne.
And, to be honest, it didn't really matter who it was. He just needed a moment to breathe.

“Sorry, sorry” she laughed
“ I was just wondering how you and Max are doing”

“I don't see how this is important”

“Well, I guess it's not, but, I don't know. It's only been a few hours and the two of you are already having issues, and I just wanted to know how you're holding up…”

Huh. This was…. unexpected. He didn't think anybody working here wanted to talk to him, let alone like him in the first place.

“Oh..I mean..it's fine, we just don't like each other, nothing to worry about or anything” He responded, he supposed he could be somewhat civil with Roxanne.

“You know, maybe you should give him a chance. You will be working together for the next three months. I promise it won't be that bad. She turns around as she says that, grabbing an order and whispering something to one of the kitchen staff.

“I'd rather not. All it's going to lead to is more arguments, and I don't have the energy to deal with that, let alone him.”

“Oh common” She walks to a table to give the order and comes back.

“It can't be that bad”

Chapter Text

It's been about a month since Bradley has been working at the Beam Scene, and, he'll be honest, it's grown on him.

Its cozy and warm and makes him feel all fuzzy. Granted, the color scheme could still use some work, but he can ignore it.

His coworkers are also, okay.

Roxanne is probably the only person he really likes, and while he barely talks to Mocha and that Bobby guy, he can admit they seem like nice people……. including Max.
Don't get him wrong, Max is the most annoying person in the world and he would rather die than have to try and be friends with him, but he is a nice person, anyone could see that.

He’s an incredibly good friend, and he’s always nice to the customers, no matter what. And Bradley admires that about him… He’s honestly…kind of…amazing.

…

At his job. He’s amazing at his job. He’s not saying that in like a- it's in a coworker way. Nothing else.

…

He’s allowed to appreciate another person’s ability to be a good employee.

It's not weird.

….

“Hey Brad”

Speak of the devil.

“Do not call me that”

“Sure, anyway. Were about to close and head over to the skatepark, Roxanne wanted to know if you wanted to come. And just so you know, I'm the only one who protested about asking you to come with us. “

“You all know how to skate..?”

He was kind of in disbelief. I mean, he’s not surprised that people know how to skate, it's not uncommon or anything, he’s just surprised that they all have something in common. Plus, and he’s just being logical here, attractive people skate, and as a straight male, he has the confidence to admit that.

“Well, I'm the only one who skates, Roxanne does Hockey and Bobby rollerblades. Mocha just kinda sits and watches.”

Of course it's only Max that rides a skateboard. He really hoped he could share his interests with ANYbody else, but oh well. He takes back what he said earlier.

“So, do you want to come?”

“Sorry, but I have to go back home, I'm getting picked up in 35 minutes.”

“That’s plenty of time. The park is only a 5 minute walk away. 2 minutes if we skate”
Max was out of his apron and he finally got a proper glimpse at him. He wore a baggy red sweater with baggy blue jeans, he also, apparently, had piercings in his ears. And a lot of them.
They littered his ears and shined in the dim lights of the cafe. He played with his snake bites? Is that what they’re called? And as Bradley looked closer and as Max subconsciously ran his tongue over his teeth, which he definitely wasn't affected by in any way, he saw…was that…Bradly took a closer look. Oh my goddess it is. He has a tongue piercing. Oh, jeez, Bradley’s face lit up. Out of anger, probably. Because he’s….astounded that someone would put themselves through that. Yeah.

“Bradley?”

“Oh, right. I still have to decline, plus I don't even have an extra skateboard.”

“I have an extra one in my room”

“......Fine, but you better not get me in trouble!”

“Don't worry princess, we’ll make sure to get you back home before curfew”

Bradley stopped. His face somehow got a brighter shade of red, out of anger, obviously, crazy that you would think otherwise.

“Do not call me that!”

He chuckled. CHUCKLED. This boy had no respect for him, OR himself.

They made they’re way up the stairs that were located far in the back of the store, up to the actual apartment. As they neared the apartment, Bradley noticed chalk drawings at the bottom of the wall made by Max when he was younger. The front door was painted a light blue and was starting to chip near the edges. As they walked in, Bradley was immediately welcomed by a warm atmosphere. The apartment was small, but it had nice, large windows that let in a good amount of natural light. The walls of the kitchen to his right were a bright terracotta, accenting the rest of the area, whose walls were a warm beige Roxanne, Bobby and Mocha were all sitting in the living room on a beaten, but loved, old couch. Tears can be near the legs of the couch, and marks can be seen on the floor where the couch was moved. There was a sitting chair next to it, a rocking chair, probably his father’s.

“I'm going to grab Mr. Rich an extra skateboard.” Max walked down the hallway, whose entry way was covered by a bright curtain, added there by the family for extra privacy.

Bradley rolled his eyes

“Glad to see that you're joining us! I had to force Max to go down and talk to you” Roxanne let out an airy laugh. “Come sit with us!”

Bradley wasn't used to being so welcomed in someone else's house. The only other house he’s been in other than his own and the frat house was Tanks, and that's only when his parents are feeling generous.

There were a lot of photos that littered the walls. A lot of them were art from all over the world. But some of them were family photos. Baby Max at his 3rd birthday party, teenage max acting all rebellious. Then he saw one that caught his eye. A family photo. Max in the middle, his father to his right, and…his mother. He hasn't seen or heard any mention of her from either Max or his friends, so he can assume it's a touchy subject.

“So, Bradley. I didn't know you could skate.” Roxanne asks. Bradley turns around.

“Oh, yeah. My dad taught me.”

“That's wicked man! I knew you weren't that bad.” P.J exclaimed.

Bradley smiled. He could definitely say that he enjoys himself in this little cafe. He’s never felt this at home ever in his life.

“Okay im back, let's head to the park”

—------------------------

“Why do I have to talk to him?! Can’t you do it? He clearly likes you more”

They had just finished closing up the cafe and we’re about to head over to the skatepark when Roxanne has the bright idea of inviting Bradley to join them.

“I don't see what the big deal is! It's not as if he’s going to kill you”

“He might! You never know” Max grumbled

“Just go ask him!” Roxanne insisted. God, he hates her sometimes.

He walked down the stairs from his apartment to find Bradley standing in the middle of the cafe. He was illuminated by the dim lighting, and despite him being the literal devil in disguise, he looked angelic. The light bounced off his hair in ways he didn't even know were possible, it was kind of beautiful.

…

“Hey Brad”

Bradley spun around, his face showed how much he didn't like being called that.

“Do not call me that”

“Sure, anyway. Were about to close and head over to the skatepark, Roxanne wanted to know if you wanted to come. And just so you know, i’m the only one who protested about asking you to come with us. “
Bradley looked surprised, in a good way, it was like his eyes lit up.

“You all know how to skate..?”

“Well, I'm the only one who skates, Roxanne does Hockey and Bobby rollerblades. Mocha just kinda sits and watches.”

Bradley’s face dropped. It was subtle but Max caught it.

“So, do you want to come?”

They stood there for a good 30 thirty seconds before Max was starting to worry a bit.
That seemed to snap him out of it.

“Sorry, but I have to go back home, I'm getting picked up in 35 minutes.”

“That’s plenty of time. The park is only a 5 minute walk away. 2 minutes if we skate”

Bradley stood there in silence, just staring at him. He never really had the time to take a close look at Bradley. His hair was always neatly styled, face freshly shaved, clothes always ironed to perfection and collar always neat. He was always curated to perfection, the complete opposite of Max, he was kind of jealous. What he wasn't jealous of was his blue eyes staring into his soul, it honestly creeped him out, can blue eyed people chill out and blink once and a while? He played with his snake bites and ran his tongue over his teeth subconsciously, almost as second nature, he didn't miss the way bradley´s eyes followed the motion, he smiled to himself. They keeped on staring at each other, tension rising and it was starting to get uncomfortable, at least, he thinks that's what that feeling was in his stomach, and he refuses to think otherwise.

“Bradley?”

“Oh, right. I still have to decline, plus I don't even have an extra skateboard.”

Max smiled.

“I have an extra one in my room”

“......Fine, but you better not get me in trouble!”

He just had an amazing idea he was sure Bradley was going to hate, and that he was sure he was going to abuse.

“Don't worry princess, we’ll make sure to get you back home before curfew”

Bradley stopped. His face reddened even more, if that was even possible. It was so easy to tease him, or, rile him up, that's what he meant, in like a friend-ish way.

“Do not call me that!”

Max chuckled, and was pleased to see that that angered him even more.

They walked up the back of the cafe where there was a staircase that led up to the apartment part of the building. Max is already familiar with his surroundings, having walked these steps for years. They arrive at the front door. Max looked at the chips near the handle as he unlocked it. Sitting on the couch were his friends, who had already taken food out of their pantry.

“I'm going to grab Mr. Rich an extra skateboard.” Max walks down the hallway, pushing past the curtain he and his dad put up. He passes the pictures of him that hang on the wall. All the way since his birth to his first day of college. He steps into the first door to the left of his bedroom. The walls of his room are covered in band posters, movie posters, photos of his friends and his dad, and a few photos of his mom. The wall at the window was painted a greyish blue. His desk has his songwriting notebook open on a random page, pages flipping by the wind from the open window. His laptop lays closed, covered in stickers. Trinkets line the shelves in between books and notebooks. He walks to his closet and grabs his old skateboard and leaves, shoes rubbing on the carpet.

He walks back into the living room to find them talking, Bradley looking more at ease than when he came in. Max gets a bit jealous, that he’s so comfortable with the others but not him. Whatever, it's not like he cares.

“Okay im back, let's head to the park”

Chapter Text

Ok so I have like zero motivation to continue working on this. I was worried that this would be a very temporary hyper fixation and I was right. So unless anyone is willing to adopt this fic, this will no longer be worked on. Even so, I'm so grateful for everybody who has read this and for all the kudos. This work is now officially abandoned.