Adrian
I love you, Max. I really do.
What the hell.
How dare he.
And Max…
Adrian's chest burned. The words echoed like a curse, louder than the jazz music spilling out from the restaurant. He walked briskly back to their table, jaw clenched, eyes hard.
Rodrick looked up immediately. "Is everything okay? Where's Max?"
Adrian didn't sit. "He's busy," he said sharply, his tone leaving no room for follow-up.
Rodrick blinked. "Okay…"
Adrian grabbed his blazer from the back of the chair. "We need to leave earlier than planned. I have work."
Rodrick frowned. "I thought I brought you here for a break?"
Adrian shot him a glare. "Well, you shouldn't have."
A beat of silence.
Rodrick set his fork down slowly. "I don't know what's going on with you, but don't take it out on me. That's not fair."
He was right. Rodrick was his only real friend. Adrian exhaled, biting back the bitterness crawling up his throat. But the damage was already done.
Rodrick quietly called for the bill.
Maxen returned just as the check arrived, his steps slow, shoulders low. His eyes searched for Adrian—but Adrian didn't look at him. He couldn't.
Why would you hug someone who just told you they still love you?
And not just any someone—him. That guy. That ghost from nowhere. Where did he even come from?
Adrian clenched his fists beneath the table. You never talked about your college life, Maxen. You told me everything… except that.
They walked out of the restaurant together, but it felt like miles stretched between them.
In the parking lot, Rodrick turned to them with a sigh. "I don't know what's going on between you two, but please—talk it out like adults, okay?"
He pulled them both into a quick hug. As he was pulling away from Adrian—
Adrian: "I'm sorry, okay. Thank you for the dinner."
Rodrick: "It's okay. Just call when you get home. Bye, Max. Nice meeting you."
Then he headed to his car, leaving them alone in the cool night air.
Maxen took a step forward. "Rian, I—I'm sorry. But if you'd just let me explain—"
"Can we leave, please?" Adrian cut in, voice flat. "I'm tired."
Maxen hesitated, then gave a small nod. "Okay. But promise me you'll listen. After."
Adrian didn't answer. He was already behind the wheel, staring ahead.
---
Adrian took them to his apartment.
Why?
He didn't even know.
Maybe it was instinct. Maybe it was hope.
They parked at Advent Apartments, and neither of them moved. The silence sat heavy between them, a weight pressing on Adrian's chest. Ten long minutes passed, both of them staring ahead, breathing the same tense air but living completely different thoughts.
Finally, Adrian couldn't take it anymore.
"Who is he?" he asked quietly.
Maxen exhaled—a slow, tired breath he'd clearly been holding.
"He's Ryan. My roommate from college. And… an—an old part of my life," Maxen said, voice cracking slightly. "I don't even know how to explain what we were."
Adrian turned to him slowly. "The hug and that love confession said it all."
Maxen met his eyes. "Believe me, Rian. I didn't know he felt that way. He never said it—until today."
He reached out, gently taking Adrian's hand. His touch was warm, grounding.
"You're really important to me. I'm not playing with you. I'm all in. I should've told you about him… but honestly, there was nothing to tell. Not until today."
Adrian's voice came low, sharp. "What exactly was your situationship with him, if it wasn't a relationship?"
A small smirk played on Maxen's lips. "Is that jealousy I'm hearing?"
Adrian didn't answer.
Maxen leaned a bit closer, thumb brushing over Adrian's knuckles. "We kissed… did other stuff. But never went all the way. Ever."
He smiled faintly. "Are you happy now?"
Adrian scoffed, rolled his eyes, and pushed open the car door. "Let's go inside."
---
The apartment door clicked shut behind them.
Adrian didn't speak. He walked ahead, threw his keys on the table, and toed off his shoes. Maxen followed, watching the tension ripple through every movement Adrian made.
"Rian—"
But Adrian turned.
His lips crashed into Maxen's.
Hard. Needy. Wordless.
Maxen stumbled back from the force, but his arms instinctively wrapped around Adrian's waist, pulling him in, grounding them both.
This wasn't gentle.
It was frustration. Hurt. Longing. Love.
Adrian pushed off Maxen's jacket. Maxen lifted Adrian's hoodie halfway, hands sliding under the fabric, feeling warm skin. Their breaths mingled, fast and uneven, as they made their way toward the bedroom—kissing between half-uttered apologies and unspoken feelings.
Clothes dropped like regrets.
And in that dim room, beneath tangled sheets and shared heat, they let go.
---
Later, in the quiet that followed, Adrian whispered, "Xen?"
Maxen stirred. "Huh?"
"I'm sorry for how I reacted."
Maxen turned to him, brushing a thumb across Adrian's cheek. "Don't be. I should be. If it were me… I don't know how I would've reacted either."
Adrian gave a soft nod. "Okay. Thanks."
Maxen frowned slightly. "I think something's off with Ryan."
Adrian blinked. "Why?"
"How did he know your middle name? Everyone knows you as Elio Veymar. So why did he call you Adrian?"
Adrian hesitated. "Maybe you mentioned it somewhere, and he heard it."
"I don't think—"
Adrian cut him off with a kiss. This one was slow, his tongue worshiping Maxen's mouth with care.
"Hey," Adrian whispered. "Let's not let him spoil today any further, okay?"
He looked into Maxen's eyes—those eyes he could never get tired of.
"Such beautiful eyes…" he murmured.
Then, he paused.
Heart pounding.
"I—" Adrian swallowed hard. "I love you. I love you so much. Can you accept me as your other half?"
The look on Maxen's face said it all—shock, wonder, love.
"I—I love you too," Maxen breathed. "And yes. I will. Please accept me as your other half too."
Adrian laughed quietly, overcome with emotion. "Of course."
They held each other close, kissing like there was no tomorrow.
But in the back of Adrian's mind, he knew—
The real challenges had just begun.
And he would protect his love… and their future… with everything he had.
________________________________________
TO BE CONTINUED...
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Next updates: Monday at 7:30 PM GMT. Adjust for your local time!
WEEKEND TEA
Love fiercely and be ready to fight for it, because challenges are likely ahead. Cherish the good moments and stay strong.
💜Adrian
Embrace love fully, prioritize honesty and trust in your relationships, and be mindful of how the past can still affect the present.
💜Maxen