After his talk with Blaine, Alex felt a little better about his feelings. But it still didn't stop him from freaking out about talking to Max about it. He had no idea if Max felt the same, but with everything Blaine had discussed with him about signs, he had been watching and taking notes about it.

Max's eyes did shine when they spoke, and he did smile kind of differently around him. And then there was another sign...blushing.

It made him smile when they were talking that if he was close enough he could see a faint redness colour across Max's cheeks, and whenever they accidently bumped into each other while moving around the kitchen after dinner the blush would only get a little brighter.

He had to talk to him, but he had no idea how to.

Sebastian had been looking between them suspiciously, like he knew that something was going on, but Alex had no idea if he knew or if he was guessing from the way he watched them. Justin cleared his throat one night after dinner and then told them that he and Sebastian were going out for date night. Sebastian had looked up at him confused, and they seemed to exchange a silent conversation with their eyes before Sebastian threw them a smile and a nod.

"Where are you guys going?" Max asked as they both went to put their jackets on, and Sebastian only looked a little lost, but Justin stepped in to cover it.

"Movies, there's a new blockbuster I wanna see, your dad agreed to go with me," he explained and Sebastian rolled his eyes, "so don't wait up."

"Oh ok...when did you decide to go out? Usually you do tell me when you guys are busy." Max said becoming a little worried and uncomfortable, but Alex remained silent only raising an eyebrow at them all.

"This afternoon actually," Justin said and squeezing Max's shoulder before turning to Sebastian with a grin, "we should go before we miss it."

"Ok." Sebastian replied and then shot a look at Alex, who stared back at him a little confused and then at Max, giving him a small smile as Justin led him out of the door.

Max stood with his back to Alex for a while, and Alex could see his shoulders tense a little before he turned and smiled at him.

"So I guess we have to watch a movie by ourselves."

"You don't have any homework to work on?" Alex asked a curiously at Max's behaviour, and Max shook his head.

"Nope it's all done for the week ahead." he said and rubbed his palms together a little anxiously, so Alex couldn't help but feel a little worried about him.

He had never seen Max look so nervous before.

"Are you okay?" He asked lacing his voice with concern and Max looked around, avoiding his eyes for a moment before giving him a bright smile.

"Yeah, why?" Max said trying to keep the smile on his face, but Alex had known him for a while and could see when the smile wasn't real.

"Just- You seem...nervous." he said and Max looked down a little while rubbing a hand on the back of his neck, ruffling his blonde hair a little.

"Do I? erm..."

"Yeah. Did I do something wrong? because whatever I did, I'm sorry." Alex frowned as he took a couple of steps forward, with his hands gesturing and Max took a couple of steps back, but the hurt look that crossed Alex's face made him pause.

"No, no Alex you didn't do anything wrong, I just I-" he exclaimed a little too loudly and Alex was still looking at him with that hurt expression so he took a couple of steps closer again, sighing out in frustration as Alex watched him, "you remember that kiss...on the cheek...last week?"

"Oh, I'm sorry if I made you uncomfortable." Alex said as he looked down.

"No! Far from it actually, I erm-" Max said as he reached out a hand to him, not quite touching him, but the nerves were making it incredibly hard to talk to him.

"What?"

"It just confused me I guess. We should probably talk about it?" He asked quietly and Alex nodded.

"Oh erm...sure."

"Why did you kiss me?" Max asked, needing to know now more than ever and watched as Alex avoided his gaze before running a hand over his face.

"I- I...Max..." He stammered for a while and then looked down at the couch, "do you wanna sit down?"

"Ok." Max said as he followed Alex in taking a seat, bracing himself slightly for this awkward talk.

Alex seemed to be taking very deep breaths while Max patiently waited for him to start.

"Ok so," he started slowly, smiling up at Max a little, trying to ease some of the tension and awkwardness between them, "Max I- I maybe throwing the ball way out of the park here, but...I like you...no, no that's not true...I love you."

Max's eyes widened a little at the confession, and his mind went completely blank as he sat at watched Alex in stunned silence.

"And I know we haven't really spent that much time together...and me being 6 years older...and having been in prison, but I- I love you Max, and I think I have done for a while...but I don't expect anything, I don't, you can do whatever you want with that information...I just needed to clear the air here. I just hope you don't hate me."

Alex had looked down at his hands, which he was nervously wringing while he explained his feelings, and when he looked up Max hadn't moved. Not one inch. His eyes were wide and blankly staring and his mouth had parted slightly.

That, to Alex, wasn't a good sign.

"Oh god...I erm- I'm sorry Max, I thought it- we- I'm gonna go disappear now." Alex stammered emotionally and stood so quickly it made Max jump out of his catatonic state.

As Alex strode away to his room, not willing himself to cry, he felt a hand grab his wrist, he paused but didn't look back at Max's face, afraid of what he would see there...rejection, sympathy or worse.

"Alex, look at me." Max said almost whispering but Alex shook his head, but Max only squeezed his wrist slightly, "please Alex."

He slowly turned his head to look at Max, almost crying in relief at the small but bright smile on his best friend's face.

"You love me?" Max asked quietly, a small hopeful, beautiful smile on his lips.

Alex couldn't say anything so all he could offer was a nod.

"Why?" Max asked again and Alex sighed.

"You're my best friend, you helped pick me up when I couldn't have gotten any lower, you believed in me, you're kind, sweet, you make me smile...you always listen to me," Alex explained, watching Max's eyes brighten and sparkle more with every word, "and you don't take any of my crap...plus you're beautiful."

"You think I'm beautiful?" Max's eyes had filled with tears at the rest of the words and Alex gave him a smile himself.

"More than anything else I have ever, or will ever see." he said and turned his wrist in Max's grip, which had loosened and caught Max's fingers in his own hand instead, "but I understand if you don't feel the same. It's sort of a big deal."

Max laughed quietly.

"Who said I don't feel the same?"

"You do?" Alex's eyes widened and his mouth went slack for a moment, looking back at Max with surprise.

"Of course I do," Max said as he squeezed Alex's hand with his, "who wouldn't fall in love with you, you're smart, funny, kind, you have amazing family values, you work so hard, you've done a hell of a lot of good things...you're trying to fix your mistakes instead of hiding...and you're my best friend too."

Alex moved to bring his other hand up to cup Max's cheek, who didn't flinch or move away at all, instead pressing his face into his hand and giving him a brilliant smile. Alex felt his chest go all warm, and his heart thudded a little harder than normal.

He saw Max's eyes flicker between his gaze and his lips, which were pulled into a bright smile of his own, he leaned a little closer, before asking silent permission with a pause, which made Max nod his head a little against his hand.

"So beautiful..." he whispered as he closed the distance between them and pressed his lips to the pillow soft ones in front of him.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Alex felt so light he thought if he opened a window he would blow away.

Kissing Max had been amazing. And even though it hadn't gone any further, now that he knew that Max felt the same way, a whole load of lead weight fell off of his shoulders. He felt like a new man, kissing Max was like a breath of fresh air after being cooped up for a long time.

Plus Max was so gentle and warm.

After kissing him, which was only a light chaste one, filling him with so much warmth that he had to giggle after, which Max chuckled at too, they had sat on the couch together and put in a movie. Not that they watched it, they were more focused on each other.

Holding hands, talking, playing around with each other's fingers while they cuddled, exchanging small loving looks and gentle kisses. It was incredible.

He had no idea that tiny, innocent kisses could make him feel like this, but they did.

And Max seemed to have no problem with leaning over and kissing him. Alex let him lead after the first one, he had experience with sexual situations and kisses, but Max didn't and he loved him so much that anything he gave him, even small kisses felt almost like electric in his veins.

Max was sweet and giddy after every kiss, and his blush only accentuated how gorgeous he was. Alex couldn't believe how lucky he was, just being close and cuddling with Max would have made his entire life worth while.

When it was late, and Max had school and Alex had work the next morning, they said goodnight with another kiss and then went to their own rooms. Before Max closed his bedroom door though, he gave Alex one last tired looking but radiant smile that took his breath away.

He had fallen onto his bed with a deep contented sigh. A big smile stretched on his face, making his cheeks hurt, but it wouldn't go away. He had the giddy feeling inside, like an innocent little boy with his first real love.

He just hoped that when Sebastian and Justin found out, they wouldn't kick his ass. Maybe he would just hide behind Max, he seemed the batter option than facing his fathers' wrath.

He fell asleep with a smile on his face, his body relaxed and his hands clutching at his soft duvet, pretending he was holding Max's hand all night. He vaguely heard the sounds of Sebastian and Justin getting home, but he couldn't feel anything but light and happy right now. He would deal with any fall outs tomorrow.

His dreams that night were filled with small sighs, beautiful blonde hair and eyes that sparkled a brilliant green.

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

When Alex walked into the kitchen in the morning he expected Sebastian and Justin to be there, ready to tell him off for kissing and touching their son, but instead he found Max, eating cereal at the table with a relaxed look on his face. He smiled as he walked over to him.

When Max saw him he smiled brightly, gesturing for him to come closer and holding out a hand, which Alex took gently in his.

"Morning." He said while stroking his thumb over the knuckles on Max's hand, causing Max to blush a little.

"Good morning." He replied quietly and Alex sat down in the chair next to him, pulling it a little closer.

"I thought I would have to defend myself walking in here this morning." Alex said with a smirk and Max laughed gently.

"They haven't emerged from their room yet."

"Ah." Alex nodded, and then turned a big smile on him, leaning a little closer into his space, "Can I kiss you good morning then?"

"You need permission?" Max said a little cheekily with a raised eyebrow and Alex laughed.

"I guess not."

He was glad he had brushed his teeth already this morning, because the kiss wasn't chaste at all. Max's mouth slid open under his lips and Alex stroked his tongue gently along the seam before slipping it inside. Max shuddered as Alex placed an arm around his shoulders, pulling him closer as they kissed.

It was a lazy morning kiss, no heat behind it but it was amazing. Alex released him after a minute, and Max gave him a dazzling smile and his eyes sparkled just a little bit more.

"Wow."

"Yeah," Alex replied as breathlessly as Max, and then leaned his forehead against his temple, breathing in his scent, "I really don't want to go to work today."

Max laughed as he nudged him away with his shoulder.

"You have to, and I have school."

"I know," he replied and turned to press his lips against Max's cheek, lightly stroking them over the soft skin, "I just want to stay with you though."

"Me too." Max said as he pressed his cheek into the kisses, "but alas, life beckons us to start the day."

"Yeah, stupid life."

Max laughed at the playfully petulant way Alex pouted, and then Alex pressed one last kiss against Max's temple as he got up to make himself a coffee and some breakfast. They were in the middle of talking, when Sebastian and Justin both emerged ready for their own work days.

"Good morning." Sebastian said as he looked between them, noting Max's blushing face and both of their smiles.

"Morning dad."

"Morning."

Sebastian nodded to himself and Justin busied himself with helping Alex making pancakes. Nobody said a word for a good few minutes, and Alex thought he might die from the nerves creeping underneath his skin. He was waiting for it, he knew that Sebastian knew something was going on.

But it was Max who broke the silence.

"So you and daddy walked out very quickly last night," he said to Sebastian, who was eyeing him over his coffee cup, "was the movie good?"

"It was," Sebastian replied instantly, even though Max didn't believe a word, and Alex had to hide his laugh behind a fake cough, "anything interesting happen here last night?"

Alex choked on his sip of coffee, coughing for real this time at the question and knowing look Sebastian was throwing them both.

"I erm I-" Alex stammered a little under the scrutinizing eyes of Max's father, and Max jumped up to glare at his father.

"Dad, you knew very well what would happen when you left yesterday, and I cannot believe you are going all caveman when I told you not to." Max nearly yelled causing Justin to look at him with raised eyebrows and Sebastian to look properly chastised under Max's look.

"Hey I didn't say anything." he defended himself and Max shook his head.

"No, but you're thinking it."

"Max-" Sebastian started but Max carried on, moving over to Alex and taking his hand.

"No dad," He said, giving Sebastian a glare and then looking between his fathers, "ok, after you left we talked, and Alex told me about everything he felt, and I told him how I felt, and yes...we are together now."

"You're together?" Justin asked with a small smile and Max threw him a happy look.

"Yes we are," Max said to him before turning his sparkling eyes to Alex, "right?"

"Yes, I love Max," Alex replied giving Max a big grin, squeezing his hand before turning to look at Justin and then Sebastian, "and I just want to make him happy."

Sebastian and Justin exchanged a look and Justin glared at him a little, making him feel small. He sighed and then turned back to Alex and his son, who were staring at each other, the love in their gazes unmistakable.

"So what exactly does being together mean?" He asked as Justin threw him another glare, which he ignored.

"Alex is my boyfriend." Max said and Alex smiled at him.

"Ok, and you know you're six years older than Max, and he's never had a relationship before...and he's 17." Sebastian turned his eyes to Alex now, and Alex frowned at him.

"I know."

"Seb, nobody can help falling in love." Justin said as he moved to place his hands on Max's shoulders, leaning in to kiss his forehead, "We met when you were 19, I was 22, it's not that much of a difference."

"Yes I know, but I was well versed in being intimate with people, Max isn't."

"I am right here." Max growled out, and Alex rubbed a hand over his back before walking towards Sebastian at the table.

"Look, I know how old Max is, and I know there are a lot of things that I've done in the past, that I'm not proud of," Alex explained, giving Sebastian a small smile, "but I do love him, and I will never push him into anything."

"How do I know that?" Sebastian asked with a frown on his face, "I wouldn't know what you get up to, when we're not here."

"I would never hurt him...never," Alex said putting his hand over his chest and giving Sebastian an honest look, "I swear to you, this is all love. It's nothing else."

Sebastian groaned a little as he rubbed a hand over his face.

"Daddy please?" Max asked from the counter, he and Justin giving Sebastian pleading looks, "I want to be with Alex, I love him too."

Sebastian looked between all of them for a moment, looking at all of the pleading faces around the kitchen and then let out a big sigh.

"Ok, ok." He said and Max ran over with a squeak to hug him, almost knocking him out of his chair, making Sebastian laugh.

"Thank you daddy, thank you, I love you."

"Just to be clear, no sex while you're parents are in the apartment." Sebastian said with a smirk, that made Alex blush a little and look away uncomfortably and Max hit him on the shoulder.

"Dad!"

"What? I think it's a reasonable request."

Alex smirked back at him.

"As long as I don't have to walk in on any more blowjobs on the couch." He said and Sebastian and Justin both glared at him.

Alex ignored the glares though as Max laughed.