Disclaimer: Not mine
--
Now he knows what Danny's teddy bear felt like.
It happens every night: a few minutes after he drifts off, Danny will shift around in his sleep, arms reaching out until he grabs Max and won't let him go. He's tried squirming free (more than once), but even when he's snoring, Danny's strength is very much there. And, bruised ribs aside... it's really not that bad.
The fact that Max actually sort of kind of likes being held (more like cradled) like this is probably why he's never asked Danny why he does this. He knows that if he so much as hints that it's less than comfortable Danny will stop (never mind he only does it when he's fast asleep). And there has to be a reason why Danny needs him so close at night.
He hasn't asked what that reason is, not yet at least. He figures if Danny wanted to him to know he'd have told him a long time ago... and maybe Max doesn't need to know. Maybe he just needs to be here for him.
Max thinks Danny's awake when he sees his eyelids twitch. He's sure of it when the eyelids open and he blinks at Max sleepily.
Guilt flickers across Danny's face. "I-I'm sorry Max, I didn't mean to crush you--"
"No, it's okay. I can do without a little oxygen."
"Oh. 'Kay." Danny yawns, holds him even tighter, and goes back to sleep.
Out of the corner of Max's eye, he can see Danny's old bear perched on the dresser-- and despite knowing better, he smirks at it.
Yeah, that's right. Danny's moved up in the world. As if to prove his point, he kisses Danny's cheek and snuggles up against him before closing his eyes to sleep.