Reading between the lines

double dates send Max spiraling

It had made him forget all about Lando's short legs, forcing the Brit into a light jog. Of course that couldn't go uncommented.

"Max, slow down! I don't wanna run!"

"I'd hardly call that running." Max looked his friend up and down, grinning when his gaze reached Lando's face, his mouth open in an offended expression. "And it's good for you. Keeps you warm."

When they reached the foreseen building, Lando was panting and he had to prop himself up on his knees. A little dramatic, but at least the shortness of breath kept him quiet. Max was the one to ring the doorbell, ushering Lando inside when the buzz sounded from the door. Luckily Oscar and Charles' flat was on the first floor or else Max might've had to carry Lando up the stairs. The withering glare the Brit sent his way told him as much.

The two were already waiting by the door, when Max reached the top step, their bright smiles widening even further when they spotted their favourite booksellers, both looking fairly exhausted and frosty.

As soon as Lando spotted his boyfriend, the energy seemed to return to him as he burst past Max, almost knocking him back down the stairs, but really not caring too much, right into the open arms of Oscar. Unfortunately the young Aussie wasn't as used to Lando's sudden outbreaks and was sent tumbling back into the apartment, one arm wrapped around Lando's waist, pulling him with him.

Their laughter could be heard all the way out into the hallway as Max, much slower, walked up to the door. His eyes were fixed on Charles, who greeted him with a small wave and his stunning smile, but once Max came in closer, a small frown appeared between his brows.

"You look cold." The Monegasque said, his hand reaching out to touch the pale cheeks.

Max had assumed Charles just wanted to check if his assumption was right, but once the long fingers brushed against his icy skin, Charles' green eyes widened and a moment later, his face was cradled between the older man's hands. Max couldn't lie, it felt good, the warmth of the touch doing it's job, but the way he automatically leaned into it-

"Sorry..." He whispered out of habit, an embarrassed blush adding more colour to his already reddened cheeks.

Charles clicked his tongue, shaking his head slightly.

Clearly he didn't see a need for an apology, seeming almost annoyed Max had thought so in the first place. The stern look was soon replaced by a heartfelt smile, making it impossible for Max not to reciprocate it.

"Didn't you dress warm enough?" Charles asked, his voice full of a concern Max wasn't used too.

He wanted to shake his head, but that would have meant moving away from the hands around his face, which simply wasn't an option. So instead the Dutchman rolled his eyes and said, "I did, but a certain someone didn't and needed my scarf in order not to freeze. Or get strangled by me because of all the complaining."

Evidently Lando and Oscar had managed to disentangle from each other as Lando's voice came from somewhere behind Charles.

"Uhm, you gave it to me willingly? I don't remember me asking for it."

Instead of answering him, Max turned his eyes back to Charles, who was clearly struggling to hold back a laugh.

"See what I have to deal with on a daily basis?" Max asked, sounding much more exhausted than he had a second ago.

Lando's gasp echoed through the entire staircase, but before he could 'defend' himself and possibly make the whole thing escalate, Oscar suggested they all go inside and warm up there. An idea everyone got on board with fairly quickly.