Reading between the lines

double dates send Max spiraling

The stinging, dark look in the Aussies eyes had made Mac take a step back, having had to force himself not to turn around and run towards the safety of his friends. Not like he would have gotten far with Daniel holding him in place. The older man had simply taken a step forward, bridging the already small gap between them again.

"You're still going out with him?" They had both known who 'him' was, Max baring his teeth over the fact that Daniel had still been hung up on this.

He'd thought his ex-boyfriend would let this go once he saw that Max was actually capable of dating Charles. Apparently he had thought wrong. The displeased, almost angry look on Daniels face had told him as much.

"Yes, I am." Max had hissed quietly, suddenly not wanting to draw attention to them.

Then they would have had to explain what they were talking about, which surely would have ended in some discussion and in a worst case scenario, both Seb and Lewis would've had agreed with Daniel. That Max wasn't fit enough to date someone like Charles and that they all believed he wasn't good enough for him. Either way, he hadn't wanted to cause any commotion. The thought alone had been enough for Max to start chewing the inside of his cheek, the pain had eased the stinging sensation in his eyes.

"Why? I told you it's not a good idea." Daniel had growled, hovering over Max, which had made him seem all the more intimidating. "Do you want to end up miserable?"

"I don't think that's for you to decide." Against everything inside him Max had protested.

It had taken a lot of restraint not to whimper when the fingers around his wrist had closed even further, painfully digging into his skin. He'd looked down, a silent plea for Danny to let go, but the Aussie hadn't even noticed, too caught up in whatever mission he thought he was on.

"Max, I just don't want you to get hurt by him." Suddenly Daniel's voice had turned silky smooth, which somehow was even more discomforting.

Memories, of Max's father speaking in a similar tone before punishing him, had flashed through the younger man's mind. His lungs felt like they'd collapsed and he'd gasped for air, head snapping upwards to face his ex-boyfriend.

"Right now, you are hurting me." Max's voice had been trembling, but he'd somehow managed to keep control of his face, smoothing it into a defiant mask. "Let go."

Daniel had done so, but Max hadn't been sure if it had been because he'd asked or if it had been for the conversation behind them dying down and Lando strutting over, demanding Max come with him. Or they'd be late for their date.

Quickly, before his friend could notice, Max'd pulled the sleeve of his sweater over the long, forming marks around his wrist. It had been too early to tell if they'd bruise, but he hadn't wanted to take any risks...

"How much longer?" Lando's whining ripped Max from the memory, his fingers slipping off the hurting wrist he'd been touching, never having been so happy for his friend's usually impractical timing.

He shrugged.

"I've never been there. You tell me." He said calmly, which he got a side-eye for.

It was very unlike him, Max had to admit. But Lando didn't question it, just shrugged and said,

"Ah, sorry. Force of habit." They rounded around a corner, and Lando pointed towards a cute looking apartment building all the way at the end of the street, declaring that was it.

With a goal finally in sight, Max sped up. Without his scarf, he'd gotten cold, his cheeks and neck freezing. He'd tried ducking into his coat, but there was only so much it could do. A warm apartment would be better.