Day 328, Friday, November 28th

[papalobo]

[It's weird, to end up at a home that's not home. He's spent more time there than anywhere else this year, but that says more about his transience than anything. If told five years ago he would live such a lifestyle, he'd have believed that, but not the part about most of those multiple places being not just six but seven, eight figure abodes.

And yet it's Jessica's home (still probably the nicest one he'd lived in as an adult, before Ash swept in) they're doing Thanksgiving in. Maybe it's a fear of being upstaged on her part if it's in such a house; such a naive thought is, while unvoiced, just more proof of Ash's suspicions, that Max's mind is on something, something Ash had likely been trying to put his mind on for months. Because with even half of his braincells to put to it, he'd suspect the worst sooner.

It's not until they're pulling up to the house and there are two other cars there that he remembers the hell of Thanksgiving is not only family, but family you don't normally have to see. And thanks to Michael, Jessica's family is still his family.


And their ride is a taxi. It's not like they can turn around. Though Michael coming out to greet them right away in a hurried excitement would've made it impossible in anything.]

...Maybe she decided to start investing in cars. But not especially good ones. To be more undercover. As a journalist.

Day 375, Friday, December 14th

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[papalobo]

[Meanwhile, Max watches everyone around him. He'd hardly in the most pro-social mood. Everyone is a threat to Ash. Why Ash wants to be out is obvious, but he'd been very happy for over a year or so with just having Eiji be his cute wife waiting at home without much else going on, so if Max's hobbies and interests were more solitary and homebound--cooking, working out, cleaning, right now for the season shopping--that should've been fine. It wasn't the Max he knew, but people changed. Hell, for two years, when was Max really 'Maxing' around Ash? They were busy working on crap, not hanging out or whatever.

This is all very stupid and he'd rather have no part in it, but he supposes at some point he should start figuring out what Ash needs him to do to feel less guilty about what he thinks Max should be.]

[jadedlynx]

[ It helps, but it's still no shock when someone approaches the blonde. Max is probably aware of the eyes that fall on him when he enters a room. It's allowed Ash to gain a lot of skill in rejection, but he's slightly muted his usual tendencies to fit the situation and his goals, but it hasn't been an issue during their most recent trips.

Yet, he's taking too long to return. The bar is visible from the booth and if Max searches for Ash, he'll see a large, drunk man standing between Ash and his seat. The blonde has his usual 'unimpressed' expression, but it doesn't dim the man's mood at all.]

[papalobo]

["If Max searches" nothing; his eyes hadn't left Ash since he walked off. So far, out here, people had taken the hint. But it's a trap. They weren't going to be tricked into thinking 'normal' was possible, that he'd only be abnormally desired, not abnormally attacked.

Max rises and starts to walk over. He intends, or he thinks he intends, to calmly intercede and count on his presence as the boyfriend to lighten the situation. He isn't aware his fist and jaw are already clenching.]

[jadedlynx]

[ It's annoying. Ash is trying to defuse the situation without allowing for escalation. As the man seems to increase in his delusions, the blonde reminds himself there are a lot of other bars in L.A. ]

... next door. I'll even pay.

[ Max comes just as the man reissues his invitation. If Max recalls their surroundings, he may realize that Ash is either being invited to shop for sporting goods or to visit the hotel adjacent to the bar. ]

The boyfriend I mentioned is coming now. This is the time to get lost.

Or you can let him see how it's really done. What? You think he won't take you back after? What's he going to care if he gets to keep fucking you?

[ Ash reacts quickly enough to stop the hand trying to reach around to grope him, but the man doesn't retract his arm. ]

[papalobo]

[Max reacts quickly, too. The hand doesn't make it far enough for Ash to need to stop it, given the haymaker to the back of his head was coming around the time the word 'back' left his mouth.

If he'd known the man was, or intended to try to grope, he probably wouldn't pause after the one slugging hit to rub at his knuckles absently noting how long it'd been since they'd connected with something harder than a sandbag. He's starting to get mad after the fact, but the action came before the emotion fully gestated.]

[jadedlynx]

[ The man staggers forward, but Ash moves out of the way. With the changes to Max, he didn't expect there to be anything more than a pick up so they can return to their booth. Despite so expertly dodging the stumble, he's momentarily shocked to the point of expressing his surprise. Yet, something instinctively knows to step back.

Max can handle this. Ash needs to allow him to handle this. ]

What the --

[ After catching himself on the bar, the man turns though the blow has him disoriented.

Momentarily, he pauses. Max is older and more solidly built than he expected, but pride and anger refuses to allow him back down. He's slightly bigger than average himself. ]

You going to hit him, too? Don't act like he's not inviting it.

[papalobo]

[He was already much angrier than he wanted to be; but his fist feels pretty good, and those words are like throwing a firecracker into a dimly burning grill. Immediately, he grabs onto his shirt, trying to wrestle him back to the floor, wanting to make sure he hits his back or head on a bar stool while he does if he can.]

Where was he inviting it, huh?!

[jadedlynx]

[ But the man doesn't go down with such docility. He tries to twist, but the delay in action caused by alcohol causes the reaction to end in failure. Nonetheless, he saved his head from injury.

He also responds with his first punch aimed to the face. ]

Doesn't seem like the first time you've had to do this! If you can't control your whore, learn how to share!

[ While most people would be offended or disturbed, Ash's attention is entirely on Max instead. ]

[papalobo]

[The punch hits; Max can take it pretty well for someone still entirely sober; Ash was getting the first round still, after all. While Ash has seen Max go for the jugular when truly losing control, exactly once, his hands go for the other man's collar, pulling him up into a sharp headbutt. Which is not the smartest move, but there's a certain bravado in showing that one Max Lobo is loco enough to be unafraid of a little impact himself. To say nothing of the fact that Max does know how to aim his forehead for their eyes/nose.]

Answer the question! What! [Shake] Part! [Slam] Looks! [Shake] Like! [Slam] A! [Shake] Whore!

[jadedlynx]

[ There's a certain, unique fear that comes from encountering crazy. Unfortunately for Max's opponent, there's a certain bravery that comes from alcohol.

Two blows land. Crimson stains the man's face when his nose crushes beneath the flow. The second feels like breaking an already broken leg.

The third gets blocked by one arm while the other swings blindly. ]

The part that looks like he's just begging to spread his legs!

[ Instead of retreating, the man attacks in the only way he can truly manage: through Ash. ]

[papalobo]

So you think that's what horny looks like?

[Max gestures back towards Ash, assuming he has the usual disinterested look of a dead fish.]

Doesn't surprise me, an asshole like you's never seen anyone turned on in their life to know!

[jadedlynx]

[ That is the look Ash should have. He should also be glaring at the man who makes it sound like Ash just tried to prostate himself before the entire bar.

And yet his actual look has the man exclaiming something very different.]

You a-- you set me up! You get off on this kind of thing!

[ He doesn't. Ash really doesn't and yet, at the accusation, he understands the man's reasoning.

Immediately, he looks forward instead. ]

[papalobo]

How'd he set you up, huh?

[Shoving him back into the floor, a forearm goes up under his chin.]

The hell do you think he said or did?! Hasn't anyone actually wanted sex with you before to know?!

[jadedlynx]

[ Finally, finally, the man raises his arms in surrender but he shoots a look full of venom.]

Okay, whatever. Keep him, but if it's not me tonight, it'll be somebody else tomorrow.

[papalobo]

[Like hell he'll stop just because he gives. He won't go for the face, but he will pull his arm down and give a good sharp push with the heel of his palm into his sternum.]

You keep saying that without saying where it's coming from!

[jadedlynx]

My eyes, damn it! You're attacking a man who's not fighting back now!

[ Everybody sees it. The man speaks with the confidence of someone who believes the crowd will take his side.]

[papalobo]

You getting turned on 'cause he's hot doesn't mean he's asking for it, you whack-job!

[A palmn pushes into his face while his other hand holds back to Ash fully expecting to just be handed some liquor to pour right on said eyes.]

[jadedlynx]

[ But instead, two guys are heading toward Max with annoyed looks on their faces. ]

Okay. We let you get a few hits in for saying that about your guy, but it's over now.

[ And finally, Ash tries to urge him away. ]

Let's call it.

[papalobo]

[Max's eyes narrow at Ash. Is he really going to make him call it? Because Max could keep going. He's already crossed a line... But, if Ash does urge, he'll go, though it takes concentrated effort not to spit in the pervert's eye. His eyes, where Ash was apparently begging for it.]

This fucker probably thinks the strippers really like him, too...

[jadedlynx]

Is that even an equal comparison?

[ Ash was doing no stripping after all.

Instead, as the guy grumbles behind him, the blonde is urging Max toward the bathroom. Through each sex has their own, the bar is small enough for them to be private as opposed to having stalls. ]

[papalobo]

I don't gotta piss. Get the drinks.

[jadedlynx]

You're not 12. I'm not taking you in case you forget your potty signals. Just come on.

[papalobo]

[He'll come, but he's not happy about it. Even if that punch has him with a bit of a nosebleed, it's not like he's in the mood to care right now.]

[jadedlynx]

[ Considering the situation, it isn't especially off to see the two slip into the bathroom together; the entirety of the bar was witness to the fight, and Max is openly bleeding even if it's minor.

Th door closes behind them.

Locks.

And then it's Max being assaulted as Ash all but pushes him against the wall. Lips are immediately searching for the bigger man's, not at all mindful of the nosebleed. ]

[papalobo]

[Here comes the lecture. The door closes and Max steels his poker face, starts forcing that heat down. The door locks and he's already back to stone-faced. Then Ash is assaulting him and for a minute he wonders if it's not literal, being pushed back and face to face before he can figure out that he's being kissed, and hard, and hungry. It takes almost a full second and a half for his hands to end up on Ash's shoulders, not exactly sure what's going on but deciding to go with it, if confused, rather than fight it.]