"Yeah." Max's smile is warm and inviting, even while he knows he's being appraised.
Marcus should really give himself more credit, too. Scarecrow isn't the word Max would use. Regardless, attraction has always been less about aesthetics for Max and more about liking the person underneath. He likes Marcus a lot.
"That's all right. Like I said, you should take as long as you want. No need to rush."
And, because Max really can't stand not to anymore, he gets up and comes around to Marcus, so he can start to pull the man into a hug.
Marcus lets Max pull him in and wraps his arms around him in return, holding on tight. It's been a while since hugged anyone, he's not sure he even remembers the last person he hugged. And by hug standards, this is a great one - Max's arms are strong and warm and he's tall enough that Marcus doesn't have to lean down but not so tall that Marcus is suffocated in his shoulder.
He closes his eyes and sinks into it for a moment, but when he feels his breath hitch threateningly in his throat he pulls back. He's not gonna cry just from getting a hug. He has some dignity. "Right. Uh. I'll let you know."
Max will politely pretend that he didn't hear that hitch of breath. How long has it been since Marcus had anyone comfort him like this, Max wonders, if a hug is enough to choke his poor friend up? Doesn't matter, because Max is determined to make sure it's not that long between them anymore after this.
For now, he pulls away with a little chuckle. "Day or night, just a tome call away. Or, you can always wait here having a snack until I get home." Max grins and grabs another cookie for himself.
"Dark chocolate is a good way to get in the mood."
Marcus can't help a bit of a laugh. "Oh, it'll probably be the latter. Never been much for prior warning." Popping up unexpectedly is one of Marcus's greatest joys in life. No one is safe.
He'll scoop up one last cookie and wave with it. "I'll be off, then. See you 'round, Max."
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(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-26 08:53 pm (UTC)Marcus should really give himself more credit, too. Scarecrow isn't the word Max would use. Regardless, attraction has always been less about aesthetics for Max and more about liking the person underneath. He likes Marcus a lot.
"That's all right. Like I said, you should take as long as you want. No need to rush."
And, because Max really can't stand not to anymore, he gets up and comes around to Marcus, so he can start to pull the man into a hug.
"Don't worry too much. You'll get there."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-26 09:17 pm (UTC)He closes his eyes and sinks into it for a moment, but when he feels his breath hitch threateningly in his throat he pulls back. He's not gonna cry just from getting a hug. He has some dignity. "Right. Uh. I'll let you know."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-27 12:27 am (UTC)For now, he pulls away with a little chuckle. "Day or night, just a tome call away. Or, you can always wait here having a snack until I get home." Max grins and grabs another cookie for himself.
"Dark chocolate is a good way to get in the mood."
(no subject)
Date: 2021-07-27 12:38 am (UTC)He'll scoop up one last cookie and wave with it. "I'll be off, then. See you 'round, Max."