No, it wasn't happening. It couldn't have. These things only happened in movies. Max tried to clear his thoughts as he heard Ronnie try to reason with the enraged drug dealer. Ronnie had forced him to hide around the corner. Ronnie had forgotten to pay the man again. It was his fifth strike, and the man was furious. Max felt his eyes become glossy and Ronnie whimpered an "ow" right after a smacking sound. He almost ran to help him when he remembered the other man's words.
"Don't leave this spot, Max. Got it?" Max just nodded, "He's mad and it's my fault. I just- I just don't want you getting hurt," Max had looked into Ronnie's eyes. There was sadness, self-hatred, and something else that he couldn't quite place. But it was only there when he was with Max, "Promise me you won't leave?" He had nodded.
"I promise."
"I'll get you the money soon, okay? I can sneak some cash from my band members," Ronnie tried to reason.
"You've said that before, kid," Max could just picture him standing next to Ronnie, holding a gun to his friend.
"No, you can't," He heard Ronnie say after a small click sound echoed.
"But I can, and I have to."
"I can't deal with this anymore, Bryan!" Max yelled at his guitarist. Bryan patted the seat next to him and Max took it.
"You have to tell him," He replied calmly.
"But I can't!" Max screamed, "He's my best friend. My fucking brother! I can't lo- like him. It's just- he- he won't understand," Bryan rubbed his back comfortingly.
"What's the worst that could happen?" Max had no answer, "Just tell him."
"I can't."
"But you can, and you have to."
"Just let me tell him first!" Ronnie yelled. Wait, who was him?
"Sorry, time's up," And that's when it happened. That one sound that changed Max's life. It was so simple really. We hear it in movies. On the streets. In war. But it's different when the person receiving it, is someone you know. Someone you love, "Our work is done here," The man said to someone else as they walked into a car, and drove off. Max counted to fifty before running towards Ronnie.
"Ronnie, Ronnie, it's okay. I'm gonna get an ambulance, okay?" Max told him while kneeling down. His numb fingers were punching in the numbers. That was until a pair of cold fingers stopped him.
"Don't," Ronnie croaked out. The blood was seeping through his black shirt.
"Wha-," He was cut off.
"I'll die anyways, Max. I just… just need to tell you something," He lifted his head up towards Max, and Max tilted his down.
"What?" Max asked gently, holding Ronnie's hand. His tears were now falling hard and fast from both of their eyes.
"It's you, Max," Ronnie started, "It's always been you. Ever since high school, I've never met someone like you. At first, I thought I was going crazy. I mean, you're a guy. But I had never felt so strongly for anyone el-," His words were cut off by Max's lips pressed tightly against his. Ronnie could barely even feel his lips, but he could feel Max's for sure. It was simple. Not that he had energy for anything more. But it was what he had waited years for. And it was well worth the wait.
"I love you, Maxy," Ronnie whispered as their lips fell away from each other.
"I love you too, Ronnie," But by the time those words had left Max's mouth, Ronnie was gone. Max held onto him tighter. Death was always something Max had shied away from. But right then, he wouldn't want to be anywhere other than holding Ronnie's lifeless body.
Sad... right? Anyways. I'm working on a super long book that will be part of a three book series of RonnieRadkeXMaxGreen so expect that by next year! Thank you so much for reading and please hit that little review button over there. It's what all the "Mannie" shippers are doing ;)