Human
Written by Megan.
75 posts.
21 years old.
bi bi bi.
I am Male.
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Post by Maddox Kane on May 30, 2016 5:48:02 GMT
////okay, so instead of posting my reply, I had just edited this one on accident and didn't notice until now so it's gone. I'm sad, don't know how to get it back.
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
48 posts.
22 years old.
crushin'.
I am Male.
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Post by Alex Harper on Jul 28, 2016 9:07:41 GMT
Alex was unsure as to how Max would react to Natalia, she often received varied responses in people’s warmth towards her but so far she was (for her anyway) being rather friendly. This was Max though and although Alex had only just met him a little while ago he could tell that maybe Natalia might be a bit too much for him. But hey what did Alex know, maybe Max got on well with fiery spirits like Natalia. Alex so wanted to laugh at Max’s response to Natalia, everything from the stunned expression on his face to him taking a step behind Alex was just funny to him. Natalia on the other hand just nodded, mind likely already focusing on other things and by other things Alex knew she was probably calculating whether it was worth going to see Sam or not.
“Uh, so are you two going to build this crib or do you need me to show you how?” Her eyes flitted over to Max for this last part and if Alex wasn’t holding a baby he would probably be running both of his hands through his hair, trying to dispel Natalia’s nature. She could be hard to get used to but if you stuck with her for the long run, then you got rewards… sometimes, like Alex for instant would maybe receive a hug from Natalia every couple of months, talk about success.
“We’ll do it,” Alex responded a moment later and Natalia just nodded, pursed her lips and walked away, a second later Alex could hear her upstairs, heading towards Rose’s room. “So… how are your DIY skills?” Alex asked Max a moment later, turning around to look at him, a gentle smile on his face.
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Human
Written by Megan.
75 posts.
21 years old.
bi bi bi.
I am Male.
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Post by Maddox Kane on Sept 1, 2016 22:56:35 GMT
It was so strange to actually be addressed and not glossed over. Max wasn't too sure on how he felt about that yet, ask him again later. For now, he was staring dumbly at the girl, Natalia, people have names for a reason, as she spoke to him. Surely degrading, but he didn't mind it all that much. It was comforting to know he wasn't the only one who noticed how stupid he was. Well, it shouldn't be, but this is Max we're talking about. He was honestly surprised he was doing as well as he was, which is kind of depressing- but he'd just left a funeral and almost fell off his bike, give him some props here.
A sigh of relief left his lips as he watch Natalia go, saved by Alex only to have him doubt his skills a moment later. Typical. Stupidly, he was quick to reply, "I'm much better with my hands than riding a bike." Honestly, he has no idea how he's even survived on his own for as long as he had. His skills were rudimentary and his sociability was bare minimum. It wasn't that he was truly lacking intelligence, just that his anxiety stepped in front of his way, blocking any and all proper thought by freaking him the fuck out.
"I mean," Max started hesitantly, getting a hold of himself as he stepped out from behind Alex, "I can help." Probably would end up entertaining the baby will Alex did all the hard labor, but still. It was helping.
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
48 posts.
22 years old.
crushin'.
I am Male.
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Post by Alex Harper on Sept 27, 2016 18:10:10 GMT
"Good, that's good." Alex replied with a friendly ground before bending down and popping Elena safely on the ground surrounded by a circle of pillows so that she wouldn't hurt herself. It was still freaking him out to look at the baby and see parts of himself reflected back given the fact that until earlier that day he'd had no idea she'd existed. What a fun story that would be to tell her when she was older. "And, I mean, maybe we'll improve your riding skills at a later date." Alex send and as he did his eyes took in Max for perhaps the first proper time. He couldn't help but smile with approval, it seemed that even with his own 7 month old baby in the room, he couldn't help himself.
"Now, have you ever set up flatpack furniture before because honestly I have no clue." You'd think that maybe he would have gained that skill over time but he was hardly a functioning adult so what could you really expect? Then again, as he looked at Max, he wasn't so sure that Max was a functioning adult either. Fuck. Maybe they would end up needing Natalia's help. Or maybe Alex could call Sam, he was sure that Sam would be more than willing to a) help and b) hug a baby, oh and also c) see Natalia.
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Human
Written by Megan.
75 posts.
21 years old.
bi bi bi.
I am Male.
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Post by Maddox Kane on Sept 28, 2016 15:49:45 GMT
Max must have created a new shade of red. Scarlett didn’t cut it and maroon was too harsh- he lacked an identifying name for the tint currently darkening his cheeks. Flirting. That had to be flirting, right? Alex couldn’t honestly be referring to teaching a twenty-one year old how to ride a bike, so that only left one thing. Not a horse, dumbass- his dick. Max’s eyes went wide then, his own brain betraying him and he was forced to duck his head down to save himself some dignity, not that he had much left. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to calm himself down by distracting himself. It wasn’t like he was a blushing virgin; it was just that no one ever flirted with him. They would take what they wanted and leave, and he was used to that. No build up, just straight to the point before they tossed him aside.
But Max didn’t talk about that.
When he was sure his face no longer resembled a strawberry patch, he peeked through his bangs at Alex before nodding- and then shaking his head. He’d never set up a crib, but he’d dealt with a few when he’d watched other children. “Um,” he started, oh so eloquently, “I haven’t built one before, but I know what they’re meant to look like?” That isn’t helpful, Max, but it was all he had to offer. Shrugging as he straightened out, he offered, “I can read directions, though?” Good. A perk. The boy had a skill. He could read. What a miracle.
Maybe calling for help was the best option, leaving anything up to these two seemed like a hazardous idea. Especially around a baby. Especially after Alex hadn’t even known he had a baby. Max in general was just a mess. Phone a friend seemed like the only option they had unless Alex wanted to fuss around with the parts while Max cradled the baby in his lap and read off directions.
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
48 posts.
22 years old.
crushin'.
I am Male.
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Post by Alex Harper on Dec 16, 2016 19:43:18 GMT
Now that was a reaction Alex enjoyed. Smiling to himself as Max ducked his head, Alex caught Ellie’s eye as if to say “Isn’t you daddy bad?” Obviously the answer was yes, but at that age all Ellie could do was look away and go to grab one of the pillows as if her tiny hand could fully move one. Then again, Alex didn’t want to make someone uncomfortable (apart from Rose when he mentioned Leon, that was a laugh) so was he really that bad?
“Well, it’s better than nothing and if all else fails, I’ve got a friend who would be more than happy to come just so he could see Natalia.” Alex replied before going to the box of parts and finding the instructions, passing them to Max, Alex continued to tell him more than he probably cared about or wanted to know, but hey, he was a chatty guy and could do enough talking for about 20 people. “So basically, Sam, the friend, has been low-key in love with Natalia, the grumpy one- I mean, I was shocked too that someone would like her that much.” He was joking of course but Natalia did have a way of just being well, a bitch. “But anyways, they both come back to town, like last Christmas, I can’t remember? Sam finds Natalia drunk and messy on some kerb somewhere, they start talking and I don’t know it sparks something in both of them.” Honestly, Alex was pretty unsure of the details of that, Natalia had still been a bit drunk when she’d told him about it and he was sure she’d referred to Sam as Samsquatch at least once. “Then they meet up again, Natalia learns that Sam’s got some chick called Gen, she gets jealous and yet doesn’t tell Sam and honestly neither of them has told each other- but I know, it’s only a matter of time.” As he’d been saying all of this, Alex had been pulling out the parts of the crib and lying them down on the floor whilst trying to keep an eye on Ellie.
“So anyway, if Sam has to come, watch out for how he acts around Natalia and report back to me on what you think.” Alex said with a grin as he straightened up and looked at Max. “What’s the first instruction, Captain?”
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Human
Written by Megan.
75 posts.
21 years old.
bi bi bi.
I am Male.
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Post by Maddox Kane on May 30, 2017 4:33:17 GMT
It all was a lot to keep up with. Max was used to being on his own, living by himself. He knew his name, and what a stupid name that was, the name of the girl who he’d welcomed into his room after he’d watched a wolf slaughter an officer, and the name of the teenager in the coffee shop who was now also dead by a similar animal attack. So learning all of these new names, these new people? He didn’t exactly have high hopes that he’d remember or that they’d live if they stuck around him for too long. That thought made him fidget anxiously as his damp eyes darted to the infant desperately trying to move a throw pillow. What if she got hurt because of him? What if he was some beacon for death and now Alex and his loved ones had a time limit lingering over them? What if these attacks were all his fault?
Just before he had the chance to hyperventilate, there was a pamphlet labeled ‘instructions’ being tossed into his lap and he distracted himself with them quickly as Alex continued to explain this ‘Samsquatch’ and his apparent love for the grumpy sibling. He was confused and struggling to keep up with everything being said while keeping an eye on the baby and flipping the pamphlet around because the idiot he was had it upside down and well, trying to wrap his head around the fact that he’d been outside bawling on a bicycle he couldn’t ride less than an hour ago. How did he end up here? Not that he was complaining. Max had always craved a friend and Alex was making it seem so easy. Was it really this easy? For other people, maybe. But it was nothing but chance that he landed in Alex’s yard.
Dutifully, he nodded at Alex’s request, though he wasn’t sure if he could keep that promise. A man with a nickname relating to Sasquatch seemed like he could terrify Max more than entrance him, but maybe that was just his fear talking. His fear was always talking.
“Uh,” he stuttered as he batted his eyes from the first line of the instruction packet to Alex to the mess of crib parts and back. Oh god. How- how could he say this without upsetting the man? “Um, well, it recommends that you set the- the crib up in the baby’s b-bedroom.” He couldn’t look Alex in the eye, feeling as if he maybe betrayed him somehow by not reading the instructions before he’d started taking everything out of the box.
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
48 posts.
22 years old.
crushin'.
I am Male.
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Post by Alex Harper on Jul 12, 2017 18:44:19 GMT
See, this was why Alex had taken three years to build his desk when he was in high school because he’d kept pretending that he didn’t need the instructions to build the crappy flat-pack when in actuality he had zero building experience. It seemed his overconfidence had fooled him once again. He wasn’t going to let that bring him down especially when Max seemed to be so nervous to tell him. “Oh, that’s fine I needed to improve my upper body strength anyway.” Alex said in response, making sure to crack a smile so that Max knew it was all okay.
There was something so immediately endearing about Max, that Alex found himself talking and smiling enough for the both of them. As long as it put the other guy at ease the Alex was happy. He wouldn’t say that he felt sorry for the other guy but there was definitely something about seeing a guy crying outside your house that made you feel just a little bit pitiful. That pity wasn’t what made him want to keep Max around though- Alex was actually just genuinely curious about this stranger. Plus, he was pretty cute so that helped. Not that Alex felt he was in any position to judge someone’s appearance when just that morning he’d found out he was a dad but Ellie already had a strong grasp on his heart. “Right, can you just stay here for a moment and watch Ellie? I’m going to go grab Natalia since she’s pretty strong and is probably not doing anything else.” Alex said before darting out of the room and going to find Natalia.
Natalia he soon found in the kitchen, lazily scrolling through her phone but looking as if she was expecting something to magically appear. “Boyfriend not replying to your message?” Alex teased as he peered over her shoulder to only receive a hand to his face pushing him backwards. “Since you’re evidently not busy, I’m going to need that enhanced strength of yours.” Alex said.
Sighing Natalia turned to face her brother, “you left your baby in there with a stranger?” She asked in response as she locked her phone and moved towards the door. As soon as she did this job for Alex her plan was to go and escape to some place quiet… or Sam’s house but she wasn’t sure if Gen was there or not and that was really not a situation Natalia wanted to deal with.
“Max? He’s harmless.” Alex replied quickly as he joined Natalia and the two walked back to Max who Alex found was in complete control of the situation in the sense that neither Ellie or Max was crying which Alex had to take as a plus. “Nat, can you help me carry this crib stuff upstairs? Max if you could just stay there with Ellie for another minute or so, that would be great but you’re obviously not the babysitter so don’t feel you have to.” Alex was definitely rambling and from the way Natalia was giving him the side-eye he had to guess that he was coming across as less than cool and collected. Natalia was quick to agree and managed to carry more than half of the crib upstairs in one load by herself. Alex just hoped that her strength went unnoticed by Max. Within minutes the crib was upstairs, “Nat, can you message Sam to see if he’s in, I have a feeling I’ll need his brain at some point?” Alex asked as he and Natalia found Max again. Natalia nodded and left, phone already in hand.
Turning his attention to Max, Alex smiled brightly, “sorry for being a pain but if you want to stick around and help that would be great?”
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Human
Written by Megan.
75 posts.
21 years old.
bi bi bi.
I am Male.
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Post by Maddox Kane on Apr 21, 2022 22:52:09 GMT
A wave of panic washed over Max as Alex rose from where he’d been crouched and began to move towards the kitchen. He hadn’t given Max the opportunity to protest, to ask him if he was absolutely sure he wanted to leave the teary-eyed stranger alone with the daughter he had only just found out he had. No, Alex had stepped out of the room swiftly, leaving no room for argument as Max stared on in horror. He’d been relieved to hear that Alex hadn’t minded moving the crib upstairs, but was panicked in the wake of the responsibility of the infant’s life being placed into his hands–if even for a mere moment, but anything could happen. He knew anything could happen. His eyes fell to the girl then, Elena softly cooing as she pulled at one of the few buttons that was still stitched to his shirt. He felt his lips tug upwards at the corners, something that startled him in how easily it happened. He’d grown up so rough, so miserable that smiling was such a rarity, but little bitty humans had always been such a safe haven for him. When he was sixteen, he’d gotten his first job at the corner store only a block from their apartment building. He quickly found that he loved the escape, found solace in the fluorescent lights and shady shifters. Anything to keep him out of that apartment, away from his mom–away from Chris. He shivered at the thought, helplessly looking towards the door as if the mere mention of the man in his mind would have him crashing back into his life and dragging him back to hell. Elena let out a bright giggle as the button fell from her grasp and onto his lap, leaning forward as she reached for what she’d torn off. He mourned the loss of it, but it wasn’t like it wasn’t bound to happen anyways. He snatched up the button and shoved it in his pocket, knowing it was a choking hazard and he didn’t want to risk her getting ahold of it. He distracted her with his fingers, wiggling them in front of her face and booping her nose. Max had picked up a side job not long after he started at the store, a neighbor stopping him one evening and asking if he could watch her children because the sitter canceled and she knew him to be rather kind. Skittish and small–weak–but he was kind. After that first night, he was recruited by several of the couples in the building to watch their children when they needed a night out or had plans. He was happy to do so. He was away from home, safe with the little ones tucked against his chest. Max loved babies and they loved him right back, could maybe sense he was no threat–that he was just as innocent and lost as they were.
Max had been so focused on Ellie’s silly giggles that he had forgotten he was meant to be fretting. It wasn’t until Alex popped back in with Natalia that he noticed he was calm for the first time in, well, he couldn’t remember. His eyes were round and owlish as he blinked up at him, only giving him a shallow nod as they began to collect the pieces of the crib and move them upstairs. He turned his attention back to the baby as she grabbed his finger and tried to chew on it again. His heart beat fast, trying to pull his finger away without her crying, going back to wiggling them for her to try and grab. He really needed to wash his hands again, just in case. He didn't want her to get sick from him, not that he was sick but he could be carrying something and he wouldn’t know what to do if something happened to her. Max worried. It’s what he does. It’s the only thing he’s good at. Well, that and somehow relating extremely well to babies. It was kind of pathetic, really. Eyes trained on the little girl, he didn’t notice Natalia carrying the bulk of the crib pieces while Alex followed. It must have only been minutes, but Max was lost in this game with Elena, letting her get close to grabbing his fingers before pulling them back–he couldn’t really say how long it took them.
Their conversation started to filter closer, meaning they were heading back downstairs–the soft footfalls growing louder as the pair walked back into the living room. Max turned his attention back to Alex, looking up at him with almost approval shimmering in his icy irises as Ellie pulled at his fingers. He listened in to the conversation, a little worried at the idea of someone else joining them, but he obviously had no say in the matter. As Natalia left the room to go contact who he thought was called Sam and Alex asked him to stay, he squirmed a little in his seat. This time, he couldn’t keep the question from falling off his tongue, “Are you sure?” Why would Alex want him of all people to stick around? Not that Max would say no, he had nowhere else to go, afterall. He was ever doubtful, a kicked and abandoned puppy hesitant to take the scraps a nice stranger was holding out to him. Surely there were better options for help. There had to be, right?
Elena smacked at his hand then, huffing because he wasn’t entertaining her anymore. As he looked back down at her, tickling her belly softly and getting her to let out a laugh, he smiled once more. He hesitated for a moment before his eyes found Alex’s once again. In a moment of bravery, he said, “If you’re sure I won’t be a bother or in the way, then I would like to stay.” His voice was small and timid, but it was the first time he’d had the courage to ask for something for himself in quite some time. He felt safe here, calm here. He didn’t want to give that up if Alex was offering him the choice to stay.
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