Chapter 40: Confronting the fears
"Do you...feel better?" Andrew asked Maxwell after his tears had dried. Maxwell didn’t say anything, didn’t even nod, but Andrew saw his ears go pink. Holding back a smile, Andrew patted his back soothingly. What else could he do? He knew that the man wasn’t going to own up to it. Maxwell was a stubborn guy. He was pretty sure he hadn’t even cried when Andrew came back after he’d been gone.
Andrew wasn’t bitter about that. How could he be? The man had offered his body to him as soon as it became obvious to him that something was wrong with Andrew. If he hadn’t cried, that was fine. He obviously still cared about him. That was why it was so surprising that he had cried now.
Maxwell finally raised his head, and Andrew’s eyes went wide with how swollen his eyes were. He looked puffy and pink, like a peach, and Andrew had to fight a smile. It wasn’t appropriate to say he was cute. Not given how serious the situation was, and he knew that Maxwell would be pissed. Instead, Andrew rubbed the spot under his left eye, and Maxwell winced. He sniffed, still frowning, and Andrew softened.
"Do you need a hug?" Andrew asked, and without hesitation, Maxwell opened his arms. Andrew wrapped his arms around him, burying his head into his shoulder, trying to hug away the pain he had caused him. He wasn’t sure how well he could do it, but he wanted to bring comfort to this man who so willingly offered Andrew comfort in whatever he needed.
After some time, Maxwell sniffed, and fought against his hold. Hesitant to release him, but knowing that he had to, Andrew let the man go. Maxwell wiped at his face with the back of his hand before pulling himself together. Andrew said nothing about how puffy his eyes still were, since there was nothing he could do, and he also didn’t want to worry Maxwell. Maybe it was a good thing he cried a lot. His body wasn’t as shocked when he did it.
"We should leave. You need to get home." Andrew said nothing to Maxwell’s slightly raspy voice. He needed to get home? Sure, he’d agree to that. But Maxwell also needed to get home. If anyone else saw this soft, fairy-like creature, Andrew knew he’d have to chase them away with his fists. Andrew wasn’t much of a fighter, so that would be difficult.
Maxwell got up first, still sniffing, before offering his hand to Andrew. Andrew smiled, taking his hand, and nearly pulled Maxwell on top of him as his legs didn’t support him. He was able to prevent Maxwell from falling, and it took him several more attempts to get to his feet.
Maxwell’s already pale face was even worse. He looked sick as he watched Andrew try to walk. Andrew had a feeling that Maxwell was actively spiraling because his legs were taking a moment to wake up, but it wasn’t a big deal. Just a few extra minutes.
When the two of them did leave the change room, the security guards were waiting outside. The three of them opened their mouths to speak, but froze at the state of the two of them. Maxwell’s slightly puffy and red face, and Andrew’s slow, slightly painful walk.