Dylan’s day was going great so far. Just great.

After all, what isn’t great about having your rival force your head onto their lap for it to be very gently pet?... no, no that came out wrong. Ugh! Snap out of it Dylan! You have homework to do! Classes to study for! Plus, the most important thing; flirting with Max.

He chuckled softly to himself, his mood and pace instantly picking up as he thought about the big, intimidating, adorable little brute. He ended his happy stride as he came up to his locker, opening it before putting away some of his books and materials for the time being. He picked up a hair tie from inside his locker and put his hair into a messy bun, since they were doing some experiments in math.

Weird, right? Weren’t experiments for science? He was hoping his teacher was referring to social experiments, honestly, even if he’d rather not have another student dissect every little detail about him. The thought and visual his mind made up for that made him shutter, closing his locker and putting his messenger bag backpack back around his shoulders.

He nearly jumped as he felt a pair of arms wrap around his torso, and someone’s head pressing softly against the side of his own. Before he had time to react, he heard a familiar voice mumble to him.

“You’re hair looks pretty when it’s up like that~”

Markus said in a flirtatious tone with a big, dorky grin. Dylan immediately elbowed him in the gut and pushed away from him, his body whipping around to face him. His own expression shined with clear disgust and outrage towards Markus, who was still smiling very brightly. Too bright. So bright it made Dylan want to vomit. Markus was such-...a dick!!

“What the hell is your problem?! I don’t care who you are, but you should NEVER come up to a stranger and just- do-...do-...that!”

He managed out, his tone rising and his cheeks flaring up with red. That tended to happen when he was irritated. Markus just kept smiling and shrugged.

“Yeah. Good thing we’re friends, though”

He grinned back at Dylan, who’s jaw was literally hanging open in shock at how stupid Markus’ logic was. Dylan made a small ‘tch’ sound, before walking up closer to Dylan. Dylan backed up into his locker, but Dylan kept pushing closer. Too close. Waaay too close for comfort. It made Dylan cringe at how close they got. He swallowed cautiously, managing to stutter out a few words.

“B-...back up”

Dylan managed from his throat, which was already closing up. Markus didn’t, and just laughed softly right in front of Dylan’s face. Dylan winced softly, not exactly able to do anything. Well- jokes on Markus! Once Dylan had his permit, he could create a spatula to slap him with!...no, you can’t make assault weapons with a students permit.

“Why should I?”

Markus said with one of the biggest shit eating grins Dylan has ever seen. It just about made him gag. Out of virtually nowhere, a hand suddenly tapped on Markus’ shoulder. Dylan was a bit confused, who would want to stand up for him? He was a secluded, cold, blunt, dry humored asshole...even if he saw himself as the absolute opposite. Markus’ expression soured as he leaned back away from Dylan, giving a sassy glance back at the hand’s user.

Lo and behold, Dylan’s heroin was none other than Max. How cliche! Max was staring daggers at Markus, who had narrowed his eyes at the absolute unit of a boy.

“Leave Dylan alone”

Max said in a stern, chilling tone. Even though it wasn’t directed towards Dylan, it still gave him the chills. Markus seemed pretty unimpressed, as he scoffed at the obviously taller male.

“What’re you gonna do if I don’t? Tell on me?”

He exclaimed whilst his smile poked slowly back onto his face. That just seemed to piss off Max more. Instead of staying calm, or even just using an empty threat, Max violently gripped onto Markus’ shoulder and threw him back into one of the lockers on the opposite side. Markus grunted on impact and almost crumpled to the ground, but luckily he caught himself. Dylan jumped as Max did that, freezing up almost immediately in fear as Max looked back to him.

Max’s gaze softened slightly as he looked back to Dylan, but Dylan’s heart was still racing. Max reached out to grab Dylan, which made him suck in his breath in fear. Luckily for Dylan, Max was much more gentle with him as he gently placed an arm around their shoulder, carefully guiding Dylan away from Markus. Both Dylan and Markus still seemed in shock from that reaction, trying to comprehend what exactly just went down.

After a minute of walking, Max had brought Dylan to the occult club’s room, gently letting go of them before asking them a question, snapping Dylan out of his silent confusion.

“Are you okay?”

Max spoke back in his soft, warm tone again. It was freaky how much contrast there was between his tone now then what he used with Markus. Ah! Dylan! Focus! You’re being spoken to!

“A-...u-...umm-...”

He did actually know what he wanted to say, but apparently his throat refused words. Max sighed softly, sitting down at one of the desk chairs. Dylan looked away quietly, feeling bad for seemingly irritation Max.

“...uh...s-orry…”

Dylan slurred out the words, his voice blanking in the middle of him speaking. He felt stupid when it happened, but it brought a small smile to Max’s face. Wait- did he find it amusing? What? Was Dylan’s embarrassment amusing to him?? The hell, Max!

“You’re voice is cute”

Max spoke with a soft smile, causing Dylan’s cheeks to flush with red blush again. He was mostly caught off guard, and desperately tried to struggle out a response, but honestly he just sounded like a stuttering mess. Max held his hand over his mouth, desperately trying to contain his oncoming wheezing and laughter. Of course, that just fueled Dylan’s anxiety more.

What a power couple.