Max immediately threw himself into the hug. burying his face into his brother’s chest as he began to cry yet again. He admired that through all of this, Maximus hadn’t shed a single tear, while he himself had spent hours on hours mourning. He secretly looked up to his big brother for plenty of things but never really bothered to admit it. Max had failed him. 

     Over the years the twelve year old had already convinced himself he was just a simple disappointment to their family, to his brother, whom he’d felt always looked down on him for making a simple mistake such as failing a test in school.       ”M-Max.. I- I’m so sorry… So so sorry… I’m the worst excuse for a sibling to ever have… I’m sorry for our fights… for breaking your things out of anger… being so down all the time…for always failing you. But.. but..” The boy’s voice broke as he spoke, his arms wrapped tighter around the other. Max had never been this frightened. He didn’t know what was going to happen. Would he turn? Would he get simple side effects, survive? Something else?      His whole arm felt sore and hot. The sensation was slowly spreading throughout his body, his throat felt dry and scratchy. The tears wouldn’t stop and he was trembling violently under the other’s touch, choked sobs and small gasps and coughs were heard from him. "I.. I don’t want to die!"      He was clinging to his brother for dear life as memories flashed in his mind. His birthday parties and Maximus’ gifts were anything a young boy would want; action figures, toy cars, ranging to even the scooter he used to travel every day. Maxmimus agreeing to watch Max and Zoey as their father was leaving their house with a grim expression, dressed on a fine black suit to go to their mother’s funeral without them. He felt nostalgic at the thoughts of days at the park and being pushed on the swings, picnics in their back yard, Maximus teaching him how to use the scooter, movie and game nights…      Max also remembered the fights over the past few months since they’d moved to Mayview - their screaming and yelling while home alone, Maximus leaving and not coming back home for days and how horrible he felt - to the point of being unable to smile or speak. Maximus was one of his only sources to his happiness, the shining light in the darkness he always went to. And after all this they may never see each other again. After what felt like hours the boy pulled his head out of his brother’s chest and looked face to face at him with a few moments look of uncertainty before he decided to speak,

"If I ever turn, please, please kill me… I don’t want to become one of those things… ever. Promise me, Max… promise me I won’t become one of those monsters."

     The older man made soft, comforting sounds, forgiving him for each and every mundane mistake him made. Those were in the past and in the end, he loved the boy like no other. To see him despair like this, to end like this. At least he wouldn't have to survive in the horrible world that it was becoming.

      He remembered the last time he'd seen Max like this, despairing and having lost control of himself for the time being. Maximus himself had been on tour in Afghanistan, two years in, when he received news that his mother passed away. From what, his father never did discern how or the cause. It seemed like an easy passing though; he knew those cigarettes would get to her one day.

        Max and Zoey had been completely oblivious and it was kept that way for a few years until his father finally asked him to break the news. Zoey had gathered the hints to their mom's extended vacation but it seemed that Max stayed completely oblivious. It was painful but Maximus worked around that. Replaced that maternal love with what he could, taking care of his younger siblings where his father couldn't, letting the family grieve. As much as he didn't want to admit, his mother's death didn't hit him as hard as he expected. He'd seen too many friends blown away, bleeding to death in front of him, he supposed seeing so much it made one immune to it after a while.

        Hearing the boy's words, Maximus made a small, quiet sound; he didn't think he'd have to do it. Put down one of his own kin. He doubted many didn't think they'd have to. But to leave him wandering as one of those damned things. It was heartless.

         He gave a small sound of promise, pulling him in close again, just wishing for him to somehow not turn, to keep his brother just a little longer. He didn't know how long it'd take for him to turn but Maximus knew that he'd stay with him until then, refusing to leave him alone.

Send ♋ for our muses to swap bodies!

"——I just really love you much." He replied after a short moment of silence. Had he misused some techniques again? But— they had used the same in this romantic show that was on the TV the day before. Batter was clearly confused by now. Learning new habits were far more difficult then he thought.

     Sil hummed appreciatively, lifting the other slightly so he could kiss him again, nuzzling him affectionately once more.

        "I love you just as much," he murmured, a light chuckle escaping him; never in his life did he ever expect these words to even come to mind, let alone leave his lips. "'m glad you are here." 

i take height difference in my otps very seriously 

Batter had quite expected such a reaction but it was far better than he could have imagined it himself. The former Messiah chuckled slightly, wrapping his arms around the mans neck.

     The priest pulled away slightly as he put his arms around the other's waist gently, murmuring, "You are certainly hands on today." He certainly wasn't upset but he was curious as to what prompted it.