Surgery goes about as well as you can expect it to. He's kept for a few hours, then discharged with his arm held protectively in a sling. Adam and a nurse help him to get dressed, and Adam listens more than he himself does as they talk through post-op requirements. Physical therapy he can do at home until his first appointment, a pain meds and antibiotics schedule, general things to watch out for the first few days following surgery.
Max nods along, not really paying attention, and finally is allowed to go. Adam looks down at him, smirking a little. "Don't say it," he mumbles.
"Ah, I don't know, getting to be on this side of things is kind of refreshing," Adam says, resting a hand on Max's curls and lightly scraping his fingers against his scalp.
Max makes a face. "Adam, I swear to god..."
"Sorry," Adam says with a small chuckle. "Couldn't resist."
Max rolls his eyes and gingerly gets up, settles himself in the passenger seat of the car, staring ahead blankly as Adam thanks the nurse and rounds the car to get into the driver's seat. If it's weird for Adam to be on the side of someone in a wheelchair post-surgery, it's weird for Max to be driven around. He closes his eyes and tries just to breathe, the drive back to the penthouse something he barely remembers.
"Are you hungry?" Adam asks once they're home, and Max shakes his head. "I'll bring you some water," he says decidedly, resting a hand on Max's back as he gingerly walks past Adam towards the bedroom. "You need to stay hydrated at the very least. We'll get some food in you later."
Max doesn't respond to this, just slowly settles down in bed, unable to lay on his side, stuck on his back, staring up at the ceiling. Eventually weariness takes him over and he closes his eyes, exhaling slowly as some tension leaves his muscles. He's not sure how long he's asleep, but before too long, he comes to to find Adam curled up next to him, hand warm against his chest. There's another warm weight against his hip and he reaches down with his good arm to brush against soft, familiar fur. "Piper," he murmurs.
"Yep," Adam says quietly. "We're both here for you, Max. It's going to be ok." He strokes gentle circles against Max's ribs, smiling at him. "We'll get through this."
Max hums, still sleepy and not really with it. "I love you, baybay," he mumbles, squinting at him.
Adam's smile grows as he adjusts the blanket around Max. "I love you too, Max," he says, leaning in to kiss him. "Now get some more sleep. I'll help you eat when you wake up again."
Max doesn't like feeling weak and needy, but something about Adam wanting to take care of him leaves him warm, makes him think maybe it won't be too bad.