Chapter 190: So that’s where he gets it from
"Oh, are you back? I’ve been keeping track since you took your medication to see how long it takes to work. That’s pretty quick." Richard said, pulling out his phone and making a few notes. Andrew felt his face flush as Maxwell continued to pat his thigh under the table.
"It didn’t appear to be that bad of a reaction. He’s had worse ones before, but thankfully I was around this time. Andrew does find the most relief when he smells my scent." Maxwell told him and Richard nodded.
"Do you think it was a trauma bond?" Richard asked, and Andrew flinched and Maxwell froze. Richard realised what words had left his mouth and he jerked up, his eyes widening. "Oh! Sorry, I wasn’t-it’s just a common question we ask during trials. Sorry." He muttered, clearly embarrassed but Andrew swallowed.
"It’s not that." Andrew stated firmly, leaving no room for discussion. He was never going to let anyone, especially Maxwell, even consider for a moment that the feelings he had for him were because of trauma. He was never going to let it stand. Andrew hadn’t searched for Maxwell out of a damn trauma bond. He’d searched for him because he knew he would be safe with him.
That was what kept his feet moving after everything that had happened to him. He had wanted to give up. Of course he would have wanted to give up. It had been hard, it had been cold, and-
Andrew took a few, deep breaths, without needing anyone to prompt him to calm down. He knew he was on the cusp of freaking out again, and May reached out and grasped his shoulder.
"You’re doing great." She told him, her tone no nonsense, but Andrew could tell she meant it. Choking up, Andrew nodded, grabbing Maxwell’s hand on his thigh and giving it a squeeze.
"Okay...so not a trauma response. Interesting. Did he show any signs beforehand that he smelt anything from you?" Maxwell hesitated.
"Is this...something you want to discuss over dinner?" He asked carefully and Andrew started laughing.