The Usual... A Max Schneider Fan Fiction

Chapter Twelve: Without

"What?" I mumbled, my migraine pulsating and my body begging for more sleep. A perfect chuckle filled my ears, making me smile suddenly.

"Hey, lovely," Max's gentle voice greeted me sweetly. "I didn't mean to wake you."

I looked over a my alarm clock, seeing that it was almost noon. "No," I said. "It's okay," I told him, my voice softening. "I didn't mean to snap at you."

I sensed my boyfriend's smile. "It's perfectly fine, baby," he assured me easily. "How're you feeling?"

I sighed. "Like shit," I answered honestly. "Did Lucas talk to you?"

I could envision Max nodding as he responded. "Yeah," he said. "He said you called him sounding about on the verge of tears this morning asking if he could take your shift."

I sighed again. "That's pretty much how it went," I said. "I couldn't sleep last night, so of course to make things worse I have a migraine too."

Max's voice was apologetic. "Damn..." he said. "I'm sorry, lovely. I wish I was there to comfort you."

I snorted a little. "Me too," I whispered. There was a long, comfortable pause, during which Max's even breaths gave me comfort.

"I miss you..." he murmured. "Like, a lot, Symphony."

I frowned deeply. "I miss you too, Max," I said quietly. "Lucas seems to think my lack of sleep and shit health is connected with the fact that I haven't seen you in a few days."

Max sighed. "Truth be told," he began. "I haven't slept well either," he said. "Not more than a few hours since I got off the plane."

I groaned. "This sucks," I said.

Max laughed a little. "It does," he said. "But it's only until Saturday."

I nodded a little. "God..." I whispered. "I miss you like crazy..." I told him again.

I could sense his frown. "I know, little dove..." Max murmured gently. "I miss you too. The first thing I'm gonna do when you pick me up at the airport is hold you for forever, let you take me home, and then we can go crash out together in my bed."

I smiled to myself. "Sounds like a plan," I said. "I can't wait, Max."

I heard my boyfriend chuckle cutely. "I'm gonna go, okay baby?" he spoke gently. "You sound like you need the sleep, and your migraine isn't gonna go away while your talking to me."

I sighed and nodded. "I suppose," I said. "Video chat tonight, right?"

Max let out a small laugh. "Of course, lovely," he said. "Bye, little dove."

I smiled. "Bye baby."

* * * * *

I laid down across my bed, laughing lightly at Max's smiling face on my laptop screen.

"You're so beautiful..." he sighed longingly, watching me as I pushed my hair from my face. I blushed a little, letting his slow smile and easy eyes sink down to my very soul.

"You're pretty attractive yourself," I stated, biting my lip and watching him scratch his exposed collar. He laughed a little, shaking his head.

"Nothing compared to you, baby," he told me. I giggled, shaking my head.

"You're such a dork," I smiled, letting Storm lay beside me. Max just grinned, pulling his pajama clad legs against his bare chest on his blue chair.

"But I'm your dork," he reminded me softly. I rolled my eyes, playfully, sticking my tongue out at him and causing him to chuckle.

"That you are," I stated. "So how was your day, baby?"