MAXEN
"I want you to meet someone important to me," Adrian had said just yesterday. His tone was casual, but his eyes carried the weight of something deeper—something Maxen couldn't ignore.
That someone turned out to be Roderick—Adrian's best friend and, judging from the way he spoke of him, practically a brother. Tonight, Maxen was going to meet him over dinner.
The restaurant Adrian chose was chic without being intimidating—low lighting, exposed brick walls, and soft jazz curling through the air. It was the kind of place where time slowed, softened. Maxen walked in beside Adrian, trying not to let the tension in his spine show. It wasn't Roderick he was nervous about. It was what this meeting represented. A checkpoint. An unspoken this is getting serious moment.
Roderick was already seated when they arrived. Tall, lean, and effortlessly confident, he stood to greet them with a warm but watchful gaze. His charm wasn't loud, but it was undeniable.
"So this is the famous Maxen," Roderick said with a teasing smirk, shaking his hand firmly.
Maxen chuckled. "Didn't realize I had a reputation."
"Well, someone wouldn't stop talking about their magical lover boy who turned their world upside down," Roderick quipped.
"Roderick, stop spouting nonsense," Adrian groaned.
Maxen smirked. "And I'm guessing I'm the magical lover?"
"You are—if you're the reason Adrian's turned into such a softie," Roderick replied, settling back into his seat.
Adrian rolled his eyes, laughing. "Ignore him. He's been insufferable since college."
Maxen smiled quietly, watching the natural rhythm between them. It was familiar. Easy. It reminded him—uncomfortably—of what he once shared with Ryan… back when things were simpler. Before everything got so complicated.
Just as the conversation began to flow, Adrian's phone buzzed. He glanced at it and frowned.
"Sorry, it's work. I need to take this—I'll be right back."
Maxen nodded as Adrian stepped away with quiet urgency.
Roderick took a sip of wine and leaned back, his eyes sharpening. "So… you really care about him, don't you?"
The sudden shift caught Maxen off guard. He nodded slowly. "Yeah. I do. More than I ever expected to."
Roderick didn't look away. "Good. Adrian's the type who carries the world without asking for help. He gives and gives—asks for nothing. Just don't let that fool you into thinking he doesn't need someone."
Maxen's voice steadied. "I see him. All of him. And I want to be there—in his corner. Always."
A slow, approving smile crept onto Roderick's face. For a moment, Maxen felt a flicker of relief—warm, grounding—but it came tangled with a thread of apprehension. As if Roderick's approval added one more stone of expectation on top of everything Maxen already carried.
Adrian returned just then, brows slightly furrowed.
Maxen leaned in. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah," Adrian replied, though his voice was a shade off. "Rahel just said Vision Entertainment received a formal dinner invite… from Mr. Gavin."
Roderick groaned. "We're not talking business tonight. Relax, Adrian."
Adrian sat back, rolling his eyes. "Alright, alright. What were you two talking about?"
Roderick smirked. "Nothing. Just asking about the love spell he used on you."
"Oh?" Adrian teased, arching a brow. "Looking to cast it on someone else? You have been trending lately."
Maxen laughed quietly as the two friends volleyed jokes.
Their meals arrived soon after, and the tension melted into warmth. The conversation turned light—stories, laughter, subtle glances. For a moment, everything felt easy.
Later, as dessert was being served, Maxen excused himself to the restroom. He wandered down the dim hallway, still thinking about what Roderick had said.
Just as he pushed open the door, he nearly collided with someone leaning against the frame.
"Ryan?"
Ryan looked up, startled. His eyes were red, his face pale and damp with sweat like he'd just run a marathon—or was fighting off something worse.
"Maxen… I—what are you doing here?"
Maxen stepped back, letting the door close behind him. "Are you okay? You don't look well."
"I'm fine," Ryan said quickly, but his voice cracked. "Just… needed a minute."
Maxen frowned. "You're sweating. You're not fine. Did something happen? Did someone say something?"
Ryan shook his head, leaning harder against the wall. "No. I just… I saw you. With Adrian. And I didn't expect it to hit me like this."
Something in Maxen twisted—not guilt. Something heavier. Something messier.
"You don't have to pretend, Ryan. You made your choice when you left last year without a word."
Ryan winced, rubbing a hand down his face. "I know. I'm sorry."
Then, softer—like a secret—he said, "But I really did love you back then. I'm sorry I didn't know how to show it."
Maxen's heart thudded, old wounds cracking open. "Really, Ryan? Love? You? And that word? They don't even belong in the same sentence."
Ryan didn't argue. Instead, he stepped forward and wrapped his arms around Maxen, pressing his face into his neck.
"I love you, Max. I—I really do."
Maxen froze. Instinct screamed to pull away. Memory whispered stay. And somewhere between anger and ache, he hesitated.
Then—
"What the hell is this?"
Adrian's voice.
Maxen turned sharply. Adrian stood a few feet away, phone still in hand. His face was unreadable—too still—but a flicker of something flashed in his eyes. Confusion. A brief flicker of disbelief. And then it came—the hurt, like a shadow falling fast and sharp.
"Adrian, it's not what it looks like. Ryan wasn't feeling well. I was just—"
Adrian raised a hand. "I don't need explanations. Not here."
Maxen opened his mouth, but the words stuck.
Ryan had already slipped back into the restroom, retreating into the shadows.
Maxen remained frozen, the low hum of the restaurant suddenly drowned out by the deafening ring in his ears.
He stepped forward.
But Adrian had already turned and walked away.
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TO BE CONTINUED...
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