The morning was beginning to creep through the closed blinds of Maxxies room, when Tony awoke. At first, he couldn't place where he was; the wallpaper and sweet scent seemed unfamiliar. Then, he looked down and saw the sleeping boy in his arms, and remembered
everything. Maxxie looked beautiful when he slept. Of course, he always looked beautiful, but now he looked peaceful. His delicate features had smoothed out and Tony thought he looked like an angel; the light illuminating the flyaway hairs in his
perfect hair cut. Both were without clothing- apart from boxers. Tony began to piece together yesterday's events in his mind, all the while staring down at Maxxie. He wasn't sure how the blonde would react to waking up like this, considering he was
pretty smashed last night. A part of Tony felt guilty for using him in his vulnerable state, what with Sketch and everything, but he really wanted it this time.
Gently, he reached out a hand and ran his slender fingers down Maxxie's bare chest. His skin felt soft and Tony could feel his breathing; slow and steady. The sleeping boy shuddered slightly at the warm touch, but didn't open his eyes, or move from his
position; comfortably curled up in Tony's arms. Tony's fingers traced over Maxxie's muscles and he couldn't help but marvel at the physique of the blonde. When Tony's hands reached just below Maxxie's navel, Maxxie's blue eyes shot open and he recoiled
from Tony's touch, falling off the bed in a tumble of outstretched limbs. There was a loud thump where his head hit the floor and he curled his arms around it in pain. Scrambling to his feet, he nursed his bruise for a few seconds before it came to
his attention that there was someone else in the room.
"Tony! Fuck!" The startled Maxxie exclaimed, whipping around to face the occupant of his bed.
"Morning sunshine." Tony replied, the oh-so-familiar devilish smirk on his face.
Suddenly, the blonde noticed the lack of clothing and empty shot glasses in the corner. He looked down at the brunette.
"What the FUCK Tony!" He yelled.
"Something wrong Maxwell?"
"I can't believe it." Maxxie muttered whilst grabbing a pair of joggers from the floor and storming out of the room. Tony sighed and sheepishly climbed out of bed, throwing on his clothes and following Maxxie to the kitchen. He watched from the doorway
as Maxxie quickly pulled on the joggers and paced up and down, curling his hands into fists. After a while, he turned his back to the wall and sunk down to the floor, holding his head in his hands. Tony could hear quiet sobbing coming from his friend,
so he shuffled over to him. Placing his back against the wall, Tony joined Maxxie on the kitchen floor and considered putting an arm around him, before deciding against it.
"Look, Max. I'm sorry for whatever I've done-"
"You really are a wanker." Maxxie interrupted him through sobs.
"What-"
"How could you do that to me Tone? After Sketch and everything. How could you use me like that?"
Now Tony understood. He had taken advantage of Maxxie making him no different than Sketch. Her behaviour disgusted him but he had gone and done the same thing.
"Look mate I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it. But you were so drunk-"
"So you thought you could get a free fuck! Jesus Tone." Maxxie looked up and Tony saw that his eyes were red and puffy.
"I know, I'm a tosser, And we didn't actually fuck y'know."
There was a pause before Maxxie sighed and stood up, turning away from him and heading down the hallway. "Get out Tony."
Maxxie stepped into the bathroom and locked the door behind him. He quickly stripped off his joggers and boxers and turned on the shower. Once he was under the cold water (he felt the need for a cold shower) he closed his eyes and rested his head against
the wall. He was so angry at Tony; a friend? A friend wouldn't use you like that, especially after what happened. Tony was not a friend, not anymore. Russia was one thing, but now this? Yes, Tony was attractive and now most definitely not straight,
but he was still a dickhead and can't just go around sleeping with whoever he wanted to. Maybe this was all some big revenge plot of his to win Michelle back with jealousy. That still meant he was using him.
He drew back his hands and pounded his fists into the wall tiles in an outburst of rage. Once he had finished some of the tiles had been cracked and his knuckles were bleeding.
"Shit." He muttered as he hurriedly turned the water off and surveyed the damage to the wall, and his hands. Maxxie stepped out of the shower and wrapped a white towel around his waist, stopping first to check his hair in the mirror. When he was satisfied,
he emerged from the bathroom and was immediately hit with a sweet and delicious smell. Towel riding low on his hips, he headed back towards the kitchen.
"Ta dah!" Tony laughed, spinning around to reveal a plate of waffles topped with chocolate sprinkles and cream.
Maxxie did a double take. Tony Stonem cooking for someone? Someone other than himself? Tony can cook?
"Oh, er, wow Tone. I -" Tony pressed a long finger to his lips to silence him.
"Look, Max. I've been a right cunt, I realise that now and it's embarrassing how long it took. You were always here for me when I was a vegetable and I haven't done squat for you. All I've done is be a arsehole and use you for my own entertainment. It's
my turn to help you through your shit with Sketch and everything. So just to let you know, I didn't mean to use you last night, I just kinda like you and the opportunity arose... Anyway, I'm shitty at apologies and so please just take these sodding
waffles. Sorry I invaded your cupboards."
Maxxie couldn't help but smile at this: Tony's attempt at affection.
"Alright." He giggled as he reached out to take the plate from his friend. Maxxie set the plate down on the table and sat down while Tony watched with anticipation. He wasn't really interested in whether the blonde like his breakfast but more in watching
Maxxie's movements. Everything about him was so graceful, to the way he picked up the cutlery and the way his back muscles moved back and forth between forkfuls. The towel hung tantalisingly low on his slender hips and Tony felt like he was going
insane. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw something was wrong.
"What the hell is this?" Tony demanded, snatching Maxxie's still bloody hand away from the edge of the plate.
"Oh, it's nothing much. Must have slipped in the shower." Tony gave him that 'don't-bullshit-me' look and dragged him over to the sink.
"What have you done to yourself?" Tony muttered, inspecting the wounds.
Maxxie sighed and shrugged, letting Tony inspect his bloody knuckles. After gently rinsing his hands under the warm water, Tony covered them in plasters- slightly more then necessary.
Maxxie finished his waffle and then headed down the hallway to his room to get dressed, much to Tony's dismay.
The two of them headed to College: it was really early so they had time to stop by Tony's house for him to grab a clean change of clothes. Maxxie stayed mostly silent, his mind replaying last nights events. He was still reluctant to forgive Tony, and
his friend could sense this as he was being careful not to invade Maxxie's space. The first class in the morning was psychology; a comforting notion for Maxxie because he would be surrounded by all of his friends, instead of the solo company of Tony
Stonem.
"Y'all right Max?" The friendly arm of Chris wrapped around his shoulders.
"Yeah thanks mate. I'm getting there." The blonde replied.
The class passed in a flash, and Maxxie barley paid attention to the drone of the teacher. After the lesson had ended, he shuffled out of the classroom, lead by Anwar. Suddenly, he looked up from the floor and was met with the sight of an oh so
familiar face: Sketch. Maxxie stumbled backwards and Anwar had to grab his arm to stop him from hitting the floor. Sketch stood on the other side of the hallway, watching him nervously. She felt pretty guilty about what had happened but knew it was
for the greater good. Gingerly, she stepped forwards, obliged to apologise to the traumatised boy, but her efforts were instantly stopped by a sharp shove against the wall.
"You leave him alone, you hear me?" Tony demanded, pushing her away from his friend. "Creepy little bitch." He added.
"You fucking little..." Chris chipped in, joining the angry chorus of Maxxie's friends.
Sketch stammered: "I...I...I wanted to say sorry."
"Save it." Anwar snapped at her.
She quickly looked Maxxie up and down once more before disappearing into the crowd of people.
"Are you ok Max?" The group turned to comfort him.
Anwar managed to prise his hand from Maxxie's trembling grip and Maxxie began to relax.
"I'm ok, I'm ok." He nodded hesitantly, feeling familiar long and lanky arms wrap around him from behind.
