It's not that Maxwell Jacob Friedman isn't used to spending his birthday by himself, or just with Piper napping at his side. It's commonplace in his life to do things alone. Solo activity specialist, that's Max. Except for the random person here and there looking for pleasure or companionship for a brief while. But that's not as enticing as it once was. The year before, he'd been rehabbing and feeling at his lowest possible after losing his AEW title and getting injured in multiple ways. Could barely walk some days, or lift his arm over his chest.
This year, Max at least has recovered, his arms and legs doing as he wants of them as he stretches and yawns, Piper peeking an eye open and staring unimpressed at him before settling back in on her cushion, yawning haughtily. "Yeah," he mumbles. "I feel the exact same way."
He doesn't watch Collision, as a rule. Hasn't wanted anything to do with that show since confronting Adam before their match at Worlds' End. Dynamite or nothing, no other show deserves his time. But, well. It's his birthday and he decides to be indulgent. Turns the TV on and half listens as he fucks around on his phone. There's some International tournament going on, which he glances up at every now and again, but it's not until Undisputed Kingdom comes out with new theme music that sounds like someone had been trying to rip off some crappy club music that he looks up, watching impassively.
Adam is on commentary and Max listens to him and Garcia bicker back and forth about bullshit when Piper stirs and stretches, looking up at him with suspicious, dark eyes. She makes a sleepy grumbling sound before padding over to him, sprawling out over his legs. Max blinks down at her and starts petting her in slow, even strokes of his hand, listening as the cat starts to purr, muffling the sound of the TV enough that he doesn't completely lose it.
He sighs and drops his head against the back of the couch, breathing in deeply as commentary goes back and forth for what feels like forever. Finally the tag match ends and Max tips his head forward, watching as Adam enters the ring, standing shoulder to shoulder with the other Undisputed Kingdom members, face to face with Garcia and FTR. He sighs and rests his hand atop Piper's head once more, petting through her soft fur as he watches the show come to a tense end once FTR refuses to shake the hand of O'Reilly and Strong. It's tedious, as disinteresting to him as can be, and he closes his eyes as Piper nudges at his hand.
"I've had enough of this," he says to her. "Have you?" Flicking the TV off, he gently nudges the cat back onto the cushion next to him before standing. "Let's go to bed."
He's restless and sleep isn't easy on a good night, but he's never really had one of those anyway, so it's hard to judge. Piper kneads against his sternum before curling up and falling asleep after a wide yawn, her fangs glistening in the pale light coming from the window. He sighs and stares up at the ceiling, wishing he could doze off so easily too.
He's not sure when exactly he does doze off, but it feels like he's only been asleep a few minutes when he hears noise down the hall, something dragging him back to consciousness. He grumbles and blinks into the darkness, listening to Piper breathe next to him. He considers getting up and fighting whoever it is, but Piper seems unconcerned as she lifts her head and listens as well, eyes glinting in the darkness, so he waits to see.
The bedroom door creeps open, someone standing in the shadows and Max sighs. "Well? Get it over with, you here to abduct me, hold me for ransom? Steal my riches? Don't waste my time, just do it."
There's a startled laugh and a moment later, Adam steps forward, Max recognizing him just from the laugh alone. Piper hisses and makes her way off of Max's chest before hopping off of the bed, wandering out of the bedroom with her tail held high. Adam sits down next to Max and sighs. "I didn't mean to run her off," he says regretfully.
"It's fine," Max mumbles. "She's probably going to start yelling for breakfast in a minute anyway."
"Nah, I filled her food dish while I was out there," Adam says, smiling down at Max. "I also have breakfast for us." He sets a paper bag down and starts digging around inside of it.
Max sighs, sitting up groggily, annoyed that sleep just isn't on the cards for him today no matter what he tries to do. "Alright," he says. "What've you got?"
Adam beams at him and pulls out a plastic container, handing it over to Max, who stares down at it with his lips pressed tightly together. "I felt bad we didn't get to spend any of your actual birthday together," Adam explains, pulling out a second, matching container for himself. "So I brought us a slice of cake so we can try to make up for it a little bit. Before you say anything, yes, I know, your nutritionist will have a fit. That's why there's only one slice that you and I will share. Alright?"
Max sighs. "Alright," he mumbles. He stares down at the cake, a somber look on his face. "You never take red eyes, that's my thing," he says quietly, popping open the container to get a better look at the cake inside. It's frosted in thick chocolate, with white chocolate shavings curling around the top and sides.
"Yeah, well," Adam says, watching him closely. "I made an exception." He hesitates. "Is everything ok?"
"Oh, oh yeah, it's fine," Max says. "Thanks, baybay, I appreciate it." But it's clear, based on the look on Adam's face, that what he's saying sounds as forced as it feels and he's not surprised when Adam reaches out and cradles his jaw, forcing him to look up. Forcing their eyes to meet.
"Talk to me, Max," Adam says quietly. "What's wrong?"
Max shrugs. "Just... uh. You know." He leans into Adam's touch. "Last year, we were rehabbing apart on my birthday, you in Florida and me here, and... I just... Guess I thought maybe this year would be different. But you know, I get it." He smirks mirthlessly. "If anyone understands how tempting the International title is, it's me."
Adam sighs and examines him. "We talked about this, Max," he reminds him patiently. "I wanted to be with you, but we agreed that my going to Collision was more important."
"It just sucked," he mumbles, picking at the sheets pooling around his waist. "Having to sit and listen to you and Garcia bitch back and forth at each other." He sighs, before freezing, realizing the small smile spreading across Adam's face.
"Did you watch Collision for me, Max?" he asks after a moment.
Max scoffs, then shifts anxiously, unable to catch Adam's eye. "Well, I was lonely," he mumbles. "And the apartment was too quiet."
Adam's eyes soften. "I'm sorry," he says sincerely, resting a hand on Max's. "Next year will be better."
Max exhales slowly. "Yeah," he says. "Sure. I thought that last year too."
Adam winces. "Sorry, Max. I know last year was... it was bad for both of us. Things were still raw after Worlds End, and I was trying to push myself too far. Once I was told I'd need to ease off and actually give myself time to heal, it just... felt right for both of us to focus on ourselves for a little while, but I see now that was selfish of me. You shouldn't have had to spend your birthday alone because of it. Will you forgive me?"
Max sighs, examining him. Looks over at the cake waiting for his attention. "I guess," he eventually concedes. "It is a nice looking cake."
Adam beams. "Yeah? I know your nutritionist is against this sort of thing, but I thought maybe if we split the cake, it wouldn't be as bad to work off."
"Meh, it's my birthday, if he doesn't like it, I'll just fire him," Max says nonchalantly, pulling some plastic silverware out of the bag. "So I take this," he says, motioning with the knife over the cake. "And you get this." He flakes off a small corner from the cake and holds it out towards Adam.
Adam gasps. "Seriously? After I went to all of this trouble to make it here so we could at least spend the day together? Wow, Max. I see how it is."
Max lets him get the dramatics out of his system before making a more legitimate cut, doing a fair job at getting it evenly down the middle. "Here," he says, holding the container out towards Adam. "Better?"
Adam blinks and looks down. "Yeah," he says, smirking a little. "That's a lot better."
Max rolls his eyes. "You know, if you really wanted to make my birthday better, there's something you're forgetting."
Adam looks concerned. "Oh? What?"
Max sets the container aside and laces his arms around Adam's neck, pulling him in. "Kiss me, baybay," he mutters.
"Oh," Adam huffs, shifting closer so both of them are a little more comfortable. "Right."
So he does, scratching his fingers through Max's facial hair as he cradles his face in his hands. There's still a long way to go to make up for everything, but, Max thinks as Adam parts his lips and Max surges forward to deepen the kiss, it's a pretty damn good start.