Chapter 213: Everything is going to be okay
"Have you eaten here before?" Andrew asked, clearing his throat. He was trying to pivot from the conversation they were just having, going to a lighter topic. He felt that they needed it, especially since Maxwell had already thrown up, been sobbing, and looked awful. It made Andrew just want to fold the man into his lap, smother him in his arms, but at the same time, that didn’t feel right.
The man probably didn’t want that, but at the same time, Andrew with his own issues, was afraid to ask if he did want it.
So, soft questions for the moment, and Andrew hoped that Maxwell didn’t mind that. His heart still felt a little bruised from his own words and actions, not that he didn’t want to rekindle their relationship.
Maxwell glanced at Andrew through his eyelashes, before he sighed softly. He seemed to attempt to pull himself together. Andrew didn’t like it, but he knew that Maxwell probably needed some of his shield.
He couldn’t stop himself from reaching out though, and cupping his cheek with his hand. The mask that Maxwell froze, and his big, blue eyes slid to Andrew’s now amber ones. Andrew watched as Maxwell’s bottom lip trembled, before he sucked in, shaking his head.
"O-Only for work." Maxwell whispered, and Andrew felt like he was going to cry.
Breaking the thoughts he’d had already, Andrew wrapped his arms around Maxwell tightly, Maxwell’s own arms wrapping arm him just as fiercely. Maxwell inhaled sharply, gulping in air like he was drowning as he buried his head in Andrew’s shoulder. Andrew wasn’t big enough to lie and say that he didn’t do the same.
Maxwell’s scent washed over his nose, and the tightness in his chest that he wasn’t even aware of melted away. Maxwell let out a choked sob, his body shaking. Andrew, worried, pulled back, cupping Maxwell’s face again.
"Hey, it’s okay." Andrew comforted, and Maxwell shook his head, his eyes closed as tears poured from his eyes.