This may be bigger than a crush, Tag ;; Maximus

[Brandon Skye]

For an unknown reason to Brandon the grass surrounding the school always seemed to be the most vibrant and beautiful color of green he had every seen. Perhaps it was because his mother did such a horrible job at taking care of their own yard of his childhood home, but either way he couldn't help but appreciate the scenery as he walked toward the forest. Being outside and experiencing nature was probably the best remedy for being cooped up into the school for too long, and that was exactly what happened to Brandon after studying in the Library. He had ended up being there for more than three hours studying nothing in particular, but he did find an interesting book on genetics that had captivated his attention. It wasn't until walking by a window that he had realized what a beautiful day it was outside and decided to continue his readings else where.

Gathering his things, such as his shoulder bag, he headed outside with the mind set of going to the small lake. He looked around, allowing his eyes to wonder over the grounds only to see other students out and about either hanging out or playing with friends. Letting out a small sigh he couldn't help but be happy to get some fresh air. His deep blue eyes finally focused back in front of him as he approached the lake with its different sized trees covered in moss. When was the last time he climbed a tree to read in? Probably with his best friend the last time they had went camping... Shaking his head at the thought he grabbed onto the lowest branch of the closest tree to him and began to pull himself up with his shoulder bag resting on his hip.

Surprisingly to him it didn't take him that long to reach the top and find a comfortable position to sit in before pulling out the genetics book once again and began reading. His back was prompted up against the trees trunk while his bottom was resting on a rather sturdy branch. As for his legs, they were dangling freely above the ground. The sun was barely peaking through the leaves of the tree which provided wonderful shade and a slight breeze. Leaning back he closed his eyes almost feeling as if he could fall asleep right then and there, the wind caressed his face and lyrics slipped from his lips. He burst into song, and it moved to the air current.
 
“ What do they know about love? What do they know about us?” the lyrics were from one of his favorite songs, You got me – by Keke Palmer. Soon he got more relaxed and suddenly his book slipped out of his hand and fell about 15 feet only to land on the soft grass below with a thud. Sitting up he leaned over with a slight curse knowing that he would eventually have to climb down to retrieve it.

He dropped his shoulder bag and stood up on the branch. He breathed in, and let the air caress him.  He looked up, and smiled. He missed gymnastics, he missed horseback riding, he missed his old school, and traveling with his family, but most of all he missed singing for his fans… just then he heard movement up under him. He stopped, and it seemed like he became deathly quiet as he studied his surroundings.

[Maximus Stronghold]

Walking the forest reminded him of home. Of course it wasn’t nearly as heavily wooded and there was lights and less birds and such but the trees and the grass and the sky, it made him think of all the good times he had. Today he was going out for two reasons. He wanted to draw the lake and the forest and not from imagination because in you imagination you leave out little details like the changing colors of moss or the mushrooms sometimes food at the roots of trees. Small things like that made Max appreciate others art more so he thought he should do the same. He loved being inside and reading but drawing and the beauty outside the large compound was too much to resist. So he had gotten dressed in some cute clothing from a bunch of different brand stores and left in leather flip-flops, a satchel carrying his pad charcoal, lead and colored pencils as well as erases and blending stumps.

Max set out into the woods with another goal. Today he was going to fly. He didn’t know how or where or when but before he went back to the warmth of his room he was going to use the winds and damn it he was going to fly. Walking across the grass and into the forest, Max moved with a certain fluidity that made him seem almost.... fake. His movements were flowing and sure, so as he moved through the forest, he made little to no sound, even with his flip-flops on. Smiling as he walked on, Max simply let go of all his worries, allowing his powers a little room. His happy, content state of being caused warm winds to gently and playfully run through the surrounding area. Setting his bookbag down at the last line of trees before the actual lake started, Max felt like.... tumbling. So with a running start he took off across the grass.

He executed an old back-to-back he remembered from a old routine. Cartwheel, round-off tuck, back-handspring-tuck, back-flip, back-flip, back-flip-tuck and ending in a double twist. What he’d done was beyond impressive. And yet he didn’t see it as that. He saw it as fun. The moves he’d pulled were on Olympic-level and illegal in lower competitions.

With a grin on his face and his adrenaline rushing, Max realized that he had landed under a human-occupied tree. Smiling up at the person who seemed extremely familiar, from his face to his voice, he blushed, hoping his little gymnastic outburst didn’t distract him from his singing.
But obviously it did as the other boy had stopped singing and was staring at him. Rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly he looked up, cheeks slightly red.

“Oh hi... Sorry about.... that thing.”

[Brandon Skye]

Brandon had watched as another boy had started executing flips and jumps across the grass. Brandon was slightly  mesmerized  by the stunt. This boy had to be professional, and was moving in a great fluid movement. He soon stopped under the tree Brandon was under and looked up. Brandon smiled down at him, he soon saw as the boys face became flushed with color. Brandon didn't know who he was, and he was making it a habit to try and befriend a lot of people. 

He gave him a once over, and noticed he wasn't bad looking at all. He had a nice smile and a cheerful aura about him. He rubbed the back of his neck and apologized about ... Brandon wondered why he had apologized. Probably, because Brandon had stopped singing. "Oh no, don't apologize. It's okay, I was admiring the way you moved there. You're really talented." Brandon picked up his bag, and was about to jump off of the branch when he remembered that he was just speaking to someone and changed his position. He gracefully moved down the tree to the grass, and stood in front of the smiling boy.

" I'm just glad my book hadn't hit you when I accidentally dropped it." he said picking it up. The wind blew past him, caressing his skin and clothes, making them billow in an almost mystifying way. " I really like the way it feels today, the wind is so ... Amazing. It's so beautiful out." He ran his hand through his hair and smiled. "By the way, I'm Brandon.  Its really nice to see someone else out enjoying the day, near the lake." he put his book in his bag and set it near the base of the tree. 

"You're are really amazing. Do you do that professionally or are you just a prodigy." Brandon asked with a warm smile. He wasn't as good as the other boy, it took dedication and time and Brandon had put most of his into his singing. Brandon looked down and noticed the boy was barefoot. Gazing out toward the grass he saw two flip flops in two random spots. He smirked a little. Flip flops were a mystery to him, he never wore them and wondered why many other people did. They just seemed so odd, still it made Brandon feel odd thinking of flip flops as weird. So many people wore them, maybe it was just Brandon.

" So, may I ask what brings you out here by the lake on this awesome day?" 

[Maximus Stronghold]

A junior elite gold medalist in floor, vault, rings and bars Max’s determination as well as natural grace, skill and innate ability to absorb stuff like a sponge, is what got him so far in the sport of gymnastics. The sport of course gave him many things. Friends, recognition in the gymnastics world, a killer body(though he doesn’t like to show it off, making him a bit of an oxymoron), as well as high flexibility, speed, agility and balance. Max devoted himself to the sport and in return he got a sense of pride, some self-esteem and allt he things mentioned above. Noticing the once over, Max blushed more but couldn’t stop himself from doing the same. God this kid was familiar. So familiar! It was on the tip of his tongue! But then he pushed those thoughts away as the other boy started speaking.

The other boy compliment him on the way he moved. Inwardly he joked, thinking, 'You like the way I move now? Get me on a dance floor. Ten times better.' Internalizing his laughter, he spoke, his voice manly but not deep. It was just right. “Oh uh... thanks. I don’t really do that ever. I just kinda got this urge. I haven’t done anything like that in almost two years. Didn’t realize I’d missed it so much.” Smiling, Max finally realized that the boy’s voice was good. In all the rustle and talking Max hadn’t really thought about it but now he had a quick second, his brain recognized that the Brandon had talent. “You’re quite the singer yourself. I love Keke Palmer’s voice but you sing that song just as good.” Laughing at the way he climbed down rather gracefully he added, “And apparently you’re part-monkey as well.”

“Oh that’s what it was that fell? I thought maybe I hit my hand or something.” Gymnastics, while extremely fun and beautiful, would eventually take a toll on Max’s body, sepcifically his bones and joints. For awhile during hsi competition days, he’d spend days with iced-knees and wrapped wrists but he was young and his body bounced back incredibly well as young boy’s body’s tend to. He had no long lasting injuries or scarring so far but the possiblity is what scared him into stopping. He didnt wanna be thirty with back pains and torn joints, ACL’s.

Grinning at what the other boy said about the wind, Max tried to hold back laughter. He was sure his good mood was affecting the winds but as long as it stayed positive and it didn’t get to out of hand, Max didn’t feel like having to execute constant control. So he’d let go every once and a while and right now was on of those days. The wind seemed to wrap around them, ruffling Max’s hair slightly. His hair looked like he wasn’t trying but in a hot way. A look like that took Max fifteen minutes today and he was happy he’d put a little gell in it. It was still soft and it was all hard and gross and over done, but it stayed and so he was happy that he didn’t totalyl look like shit. “Yeah I’ve realized that though people ignore that wind can make a big difference in the climate, mood and setting of a place. I love it when its like this though. Gentle, warm and it blows across your skin gently. It really is pretty cool.”

“Oh and I’m Maximus though my mother and father are the only people that ever actually call me that. You can call me whatever variant you choose.”

With his hands in his pockets and a gentle smile on his face he leaned against the tree that Brandon set his bag against. Brandon was hot was hot and though Max would never make the first move he was allowed to look right? And that was when he recognized him. It was the guy from YouTube. That Brandon Skye kid. He was an amazing singer and his songs were to die for. He was a total hunk and would be the perfect new addition to One Direction, singing lead of course.

Realizing that he was being complimented by, not only a hot guy, but a hot guy he was total crushing on and that was super talented himself, Max blushed and shrugged. “Neither....? It wasn’t all that great. I was doing that stuff long ago. And my landing was bad.” Noticing that Brandon was looking at his feet, Max groaned inwardly, hoping that he wasn’t one of those guys who were into feet. But then he realized something was stabbing him in the left foot and he looked down at the pale, smooth, unblemished and rather average size-ten-feet for someone who’s only five-foot-eight, he noticed the absence of his flip-flops. “Oh I didn’t even notice that. I’ll be right back.”

Walking rather quickly to his randomly placed shoes, he slipped them back on and then grabbed his bag. When he walked back he basically glided across the ground, his movements fluid graceful and smooth as he walked. Blushing, putting his bag against Brandon’s he smiled at the other boy’s question. “Well I though, why waste such an ‘awesome’ day inside? Might as well go out and draw the lake or a bird or a doe or something. I mean why not right?” Deciding now would be as good a time as ever, he powered on. “Okay so I know this is a weird question but.... do you have any videos of yourself on Youtube?”

[Brandon Skye]

Brandon smiled, the boys eyes seemed to light up as he talked about missing it. Brandon couldn't believe that he hadnt done that in two years. Just watching him, Brandon would have thought he'd practiced everyday just to do that. " Wow, that's really neat, I didn't know you hadn't done that in two years by watching." this boy had real talent and must be some Olympic athlete. Many of the students that attended this school were really smart and on the path to become very high things in life. He wouldn't put it past him, if the future president was attending this school. 

"Oh, thank you I really like that song too. Her voice I really unique, and thats why I like her. You can tell her from other performers." Brandon laughed a little as he added that Brandon must be part monkey as well. " Haha, no I'm all human. I've just climbed so many trees it's become natural. " He thought back onto all the times he had climbed trees. All the bruises and cuts that he had endured during the climb, and sometimes the fall back to the ground. All the bruises and cuts had healed with the help of some aloe that his mother had given him. Just by looking at him, you wouldn't  have guessed he was such a climber. He wasn't only great at climbing trees but also rock climbed, when his power developed, he went free climbing. 

Brandon was glad he hadn't hit him in the head, still he felt kind of bad that his book had hit his hand. " Sorry about that , it just felt so good up there and I got lost in the moment. That kind of happens a lot. Well not the dropping books on people but the getting lost in the moment." 

“Yeah I’ve realized that though people ignore that wind can make a big difference in the climate, mood and setting of a place. I love it when its like this though. Gentle, warm and it blows across your skin gently. It really is pretty cool.”

Brandon had to agree, the wind reminded him of his ability, it couldn't protect you and be smooth but also it could be destructive and wild. " I agree, the wind is pretty awesome. It's so free and unable to be controlled." the guy went to say his name. Maximus, wow his name sounded really unique and cool. " So you'd be okay If I called you Imus?" Brandon was kidding , but he just felt the need to say that. He felt free to be random. He then saw Maximus's face change, Brandon couldn't read it right and didn't know If it was because he called him Imus. "I mean I wouldn't call you Imus, Max is cool too right?" he blushed a little. 

Max then told him that he was neither prodigy nor professional. It was really hard to believe , the moves he had just did were not for novices and maybe he was just being modest. " I still think that was awesome." max then noticed Brandon looking at his shoeless feet. He was then off to pick up his flip flops. When he walked back with them on, Brandon had to admit to himself that they weren't that bad on him. They actually looked really nice. Brandon did think that Maximus was really handsome but his mind drifted to Chandler. 

When he told him that he had come out to draw the lake or something around it, Brandon became instantly interested. Not only did Max do gymnast moves, he also drew. He seemed to multi talented, " Wow, that is really cool. I can't draw at all, I mean I dance and sing but other then that, I'm kind of average. You on the other hand are just full of surprises. I think that is really really cool." Brandons eyes beamed with happiness, he always wanted to know more about people.   

Suddenly, Max asked about him about having videos on YouTube. His face became crimson red and became instantly shyer. " Well, I mean I do have videos. I kind of made a name for myself online. I mean I'm not famous but id like to think I'm well known. You probably havnt seen any of my videos." he told Max, but his mind was saying a complete different thing. He was hoping that Max liked his videos, it always brought Brandon down when he met someone who didn't like him because of his videos. 

Brandon was one of the two only people he knew that sang in the whole school. He heard of another guy, but never had the chance to meet him. Singing was his pride and joy. His face went back to normal and he tilted his head to the side giving Max his trademark smile. 

[Maximus Stronghold]

Gymnastics had been Max's love and passion from four to fourteen. It's how he avoided becoming a chubby, socially awkward child. It was the one thing that he did for himself. He got good grades, hid his sexuality, read up on politics and economics to impress his father's law partners, and otherwise skipped his whole childhood to make his parents happy. He had to grow up too fast, having to clean up his drunk and hung-over mother from ten till he started attending St. V's. It was the only thing that kept him from being an angry-at-the-world kid so of course he light up when he talked about it. His eyes sparkled and he got a faint smile. "I guess it's like riding a bike or something. You never really forget it."

As the topic shifted to Keke's voice he smiled nodding. "Exactly! Like her voice is so different. I love how she hits her runs too. Like they sound so effortless and smooth. I love her!!!!" When Brandon talked about how climbing trees just came natural to cause he used to do it all the time Max laughed. He used to do that to but only to get a higher view of whatever he was drawing. It was never just something he did. "I never really just climbed trees. I was usually tumbling or drawing or reading."

When Brandon began to apologize, Max shrugged and waved his hand as if to say "its fine". He hadn't been hurt that bad or anything, just a very short sting and then it was gone. "It's fine. Don't even worry about it. And if you dropping the book was what drew your attention to me then it was worth it." Realizing what he said could be taken creepily he added quickly, "Oh I didn't mean it like that. I just meant I'm happy we're got to talking."

"The wind is so... powerful and underestimated, ya know? Like your whole life you could be terrified by lightning and thunder and then one day your house is ripped away by a tornado. Like no ever thinks that the wind can be such a force of nature. And then the beauty of how gentle and warm and soft it can be is so shocking when you think of its deadly affect on the opposite side of the spectrum." As he spoke the wind seemed to pick up slightly, warm and gentle but witha little more... well whatever the wind-version of enthusiam was. It caressed Max’s skin as he spoke and it ruffled his hair. And then that moment was ruined when he noticed that he’d been ranting about the wind and he probably seemed crazy, especially since the other boy had no idea what Max could do or that he was so in touch with the element.

He made a face for a split second and hoped the other boy didn’t think he was bonkers. His facial expression was misinterpreted and the other boy thought maybe his joke offended Max. It was rather endearing. God he was hot. And he could sing and he was thoughtful. Hoping the face he made when he thought about how hot Brandon was didn’t make his crush obvious, he changed his smile from admiring to just playful and hoped his gentle, brown eyes didn’t scream “YOUR SO HOT”. Snapping out off it Max sputtered out a reply. ”Oh yeah Max is fine.... its more than fine actually.. its great. Whatever you wanna call me is fine.”

Blushing, softly, Max looked down at his feet and smiled, kicking the dirt gently. It was nice to be appreciated, for someone to understand how much work that took and how hard it was to make it seem easy. “Well thanks.” Geesh, he was really getting weird wasn’t he? All blushy and stutter-y. He just hoped he wasn't being awkward. Nervously, Max ran a hand through his dark locks and smiled at the boy in front of him. Golly his eyes were blue. Max was kinda jealous. Max personally thought that he’d look so much better with blue eyes. He loved the contrast of dark hair and colored eyes. Sure his eyes were alright, a light brown hue with green flecks in 'em but he’d love to have blue eyes.

He was thankful for the small break where he went to get his shoes because it gave him time to get his thoughts together. He cleared his mind and told himself not to crush to hard on this guy cause chances were that he’d already have a boyfriend and if he didn't then probably he wasn’t even gay, though it seemed a good half the boys here were at least bisexual, if lasts year’s Halloween dance was any indication. Geesh that dance got CRAZY. Max danced with at least ten or eleven guys. And by dance he meant grind and by grind he meant they stood there moving their hips very little while Max did all the work. He had excellent rhythm and hip control and a rather nice butt if all the looks he'd gotten since coming to the school were any indication. Smiling, he'd pushed these thoughts away as he neared Brandon. When he spoke about how he came out to draw however, a suprised look came onto Brandon's face, as if he didn’t expect it.

Chuckling at his surprised response Max shrugged, "Yeah haha I get that a lot. people don't really see me as the artistic type I guess, which is weird because I thought people just assumed that gay guys like me were good at artsy stuff. Here," he said reaching down and pulling his drawing pad out of his bag, "You can look at them if you want." Smiling Max handed Brandon his new book so he could see the few drawings he’d done the other night.

They were absolutely magnificent and extremely detailed. He’d just bought this drawing pad a week ago but hadn’t needed it until last night when his old one got full. Last night however he began drawing like crazy for some reason. There were a few torn out pages you could tell but the remaining pictures were beautiful. There were only a few drawings; one of two roses, one a bud the other open, one of two kids, one of Taylor Swift, a dog and the last picture was an anime-style drawing of an long-haired faceless boy with wings and a halo. If complimented though he’d blush and say thanks as was his humble nature. He didn’t see those as good pictures ot take pride in though. He saw those as passable, a problem that probably was created by the fact his father never acknowledged any of Max’s gymnastic winnings and success.

As Brandon looked that over, Max smiled at Brandon’s humbleness. "I’ve seen like all your videos and trust me dude you totally are famous! You're voice is so amazing! Like OMG... and your songs are so touching and beautiful! Your voice is like mind blowing. I swear some of your songs legit made me want to cry." Blushing at how big of a fanboy he was he slowed down and looked down embarrasedly and rubbed the back of his neck as he added, "What I was trying to say without being creepy, which probably failed, was that you're super talented."

When he finally looked up he saw Brandon giving him this adorable smile and if it was possible Max probably would’ve melted. Seeing as it’s not possible thought, Max’s subconscious response was for the wind to get even warmer and to wrap around them, encircling them once... twice.... three times before it dissipated.

Max’s Drawing Book
Roses(First page)
Two kids(Second Page)
Taylor Swift(Third Page)
Doggy(Fourth Page)
Anime Angel(Fifth&Last Used Page)

[Brandon Skye]

Brandon was amazed at how Max said it was like riding a bike. It made sense because that was how it was with singing. He pictured Max doing flips and practicing his gymnastics. That must have been why he seemed so well built. " I get what you mean, but I still think that your really awesome." he really meant it. It was also really refreshing that he agreed with what he had said about Keke Palmers voice. It did go smooth and it had a distinct sound to it. It did surprise him that Max didn't just climb trees. Climbing was really fun, and it helped with other things as well. From climbing trees, it helped refine his free climbing ability.

When Max told him not to worry about the book thing, Brandon breathed out a sigh of relief but then Max told him that if a book hitting was the cause of them meeting then it was alright, something clicked inside of Brandon. Did Max think Brandon was cute? Then he apologized about it and reworded what he said. Brandon thought Max was adorable, and he seemed to be sincere. " Oh, no its totally okay. It seems that the book made us meet for a reason or something." It did seem that them meeting was really random though.

 He then went to talk about the wind and it being such a force of power. As he went on to speak, the wind kicked up. It was if the wind was responding to how he felt. Brandon felt the slight difference, and didn't know what to think. With all the weird things that went on around this school, and with the display of abilities Brandon had witnessed before, Brandon wouldn't doubt that Max was also apart of it. Still he didn't want to just out and say it, and risk the conversation becoming awkward. 

" Okay, Max is cool with me or maybe Maxie? I like to get my own personal name... Or how do I explain it? Like something that no one else really calls you but isn't out of your name... Never mind I'm totally not explaining it how I wanted to." Brandon sucked with words, and sometime felt like he was a total fail at talking.  Then Brandon heard the Gay word pop up, and Brandon looked up. On first glance, Brandon would have never known. " Well, I tend to not really try to judge a book by its cover, I mean there's things about me that would shock you, and there's probably things about you that no one would ever guess. Like maybe you could be some super hero with super powers or something. I could be a secret agent." part of him wanted to pry and see if Max was like him, but he didn't know how to bring up the topic. He felt satisfied by slyly throwing that in. 

Brandon had been doing some  research since the Gala, and had learned a lot about the school but felt he was only scratching the surface. He had finally had a break through with his abilities and they had grown exponentially. He also found out about the way they disappeared, well slowly went away after leaving the campus, the farther he went the more they weakened. Still, he had a theory if he had taken some of the soil of the campus that maybe his abilities would retain some of its strength and he'd be able to use them to an extent. Still, that hadn't been tested yet. 

He looked over Maxs drawing book, and was amazed at how talented he was. Each page had so much detail to it and Brandon could see that this wasn't just a joke to Max, he took his time with his drawing and the outcome was great. He went to the last page, and Brandon smiled. " These are really good, you are really multi talented. I like them all. The Angel looks great as well, and also I am going to be an angel for Halloween... Pretty cool coincidence." then came the compliments about Brandon. He really wasn't expecting to hear anything on the lines of what Max was telling him, and it warmed his heart. He seemed to understand the emotion Brandon had out into his music and it was indescribable. Brandons eyes began to water, but he quickly tried to cover it up. He had actually seemed to affect someone with his music and it was the best feeling ever. 

The wind circled them once more, and Brandon knew that this couldn't be a coincidence. " So, this wind seems to be really centered on us right now, it seems really ... I don't know how to explain it." Brandon was filled with so many feelings he couldn't express ... Mostly gratitude and appreciation.  

[Maximus Stronghold]

When you really love something as much as Max loved gymnastics it never went away. Of course Max would benefit from some technique classes and to be honest he was never amazing on the pommel horse, but if you now set him against other gymnasts Max would still rank incredibly high, especially for being out of practice. Max’s favorite thing was definitely floor, all though vault and/or rings were definitely a close second. Blushing, he rubbed the back of his neck shyly. “Oh well thanks. I could show you some more some other time if you ever wanna hang again. Maybe we could go to the gym? I think they should have some thing there.” Max was not hitting on Brandon as he said this. He was just trying to make more friends.

But Max did think Brandon was cute. More than cute. His voice was incredibly sexy, talking and singing. His eyes, his hair! Geesh, talk about hunky huh? The only bad thing about Brandon was the fact that they were the same height. Max loved taller guys. They made him feel safe, protected especially when they hugged and the other boy towered over Max. Wow Max could thought-rant. “Or maybe you threw that book at me? You jealous of all of dis?!” He did a very suggestive body roll, running his hands down his body as he giggled.

Speaking to the winds worked a little better than mentally commanding them, especially in really tight spaces. Max could mentally control winds but it was easier to control them when he used gestures and his hands/arms to channel his powers, kinda like Aang the Avatar. Geesh he really needed to grow-up and get over his Nickelodeon references. Beyond his conscious control, he often subconscious affected the wind, or more specifically he can affect the wind via his direct control over air-molecules. His Anna-boy powers were quite odd and while he hasn’t quite figured out that the air-molecules are actually the basis of his power, he does know that his mind and body were attuned to the element of wind.

" Okay, Max is cool with me or maybe Maxie? I like to get my own personal name... Or how do I explain it? Like something that no one else really calls you but isn't out of your name... Never mind I'm totally not explaining it how I wanted to." Brandon sucked with words, and sometime felt like he was a total fail at talking. Then Brandon heard the Gay word pop up, and Brandon looked up. On first glance, Brandon would have never known. " Well, I tend to not really try to judge a book by its cover, I mean there's things about me that would shock you, and there's probably things about you that no one would ever guess. Like maybe you could be some super hero with super powers or something. I could be a secret agent." part of him wanted to pry and see if Max was like him, but he didn't know how to bring up the topic. He felt satisfied by slyly throwing that in.

Smiling, Max completely understood what Brandon was saying. Having your own set-aside, personal nicknames made your bond with a person stronger. It made the way you interacted feel more personal, more intimate. “Don’t worry I totally get it. If you want your very own nickname then call me Maxie. My grandmother’s the only one who calls me that. and I’ll call you.... Randy. If that’s okay?” Max clam-ed up when Brandon started talking about secrets. Max had two. First, his powers. His growing and constant evolving ability to control, influnce and affect the air and wind around the two boys. Secondly however was Max’s fetish. He like to be watched when doing intimate acts such as kissing, making out even people watching him grind with other guys turned him on. Max assumed that Brandon would be talking about his second secret as boys around here liked to talk about conquests as boys do and Max had been caught. Believing Brandon had hear rumors about Max’s.... thing... Max began to stumble. “Look I don’t know what you h-hheard but... uh... umm its not true. I’ve never even been in that bathroom before, let alone with any guy." Maximus always believed that denial was the best way to go when it came to things like this. Deny. Deny. Deny. Stomp out the sparks and cinders of this flame before it even spread. Max was to busy worrying and thinking to say a proper thank you so he just mumbled "thanks" and "yeah that's funny" as he sat down, his face showing obvious signs of stress as he leaned his back against the tree, his face in his hands.

But when Brandon remarked about the wind, Max's mind jumped to the first secret as he looked up at the boy next to him. It was less likely that he'd know as Max had only told three of his closest friends but maybe someone had told. Sighing and hoping it was just sheer luck that Brandon guess, that maybe he was fishing and MAx wouldn't have to shorten his list of friends, Max ran a hand through his hair.“Uh yeah... there’s this thing you should probably know. At times when I get real emotional the winds will react. Usually I can control it and I can control the wind without getting upset but at times, when I’m really happy there will be a gentle, warm breeze. When I’m sad, it’ll get cold and the wind will come in short gusts. When I’m real angry it’s like hurricane fucking Katrina. Strong, gale force winds, freezing cold, I can usually knock shit over.” Rambling on so he wouldn’t wussy out Max kept going. “But when I do it on purpose its less powerful, probably because I’ve never tried that hard... I’ve never needed to. I can do lesser versions of emotional me. When I’m doing it on purpose I can do more controlled stuff like lift and move things in patterns. I can put out fires, create waves by blowing wind across the surface of water. Actually one of the many reasons I came out here besides drawing was I wanted to try.... well I wanted to try flying.”

Sighing as the last word came out of his mouth he became worried. Shit what if this kid started telling other people. “Please Brandon don’t tell anyone. Please please please please pleaseeeee. I’ll do anything you ask for. Just... I don’t want other people to know okay?”

[Brandon Skye]

Brandon gave the art book back to Max as he began to talk about hanging out with him in the Gym. His posture and body language changed, maybe Brandon had said something wrong? He didn't quite know. He decided to not think too much about it. " Yeah, id love to hang out with you again sometime. If you want to that is." it would be cool to have some friends that he could feel normal around. 

When Max rubbed his body, Brandon couldn't help but laugh out loud. If there were any awkwardness between them it had disappeared in a puff of laughter. Brandon would have to put that image in his mind for later, funniest thing he had seen all week. " Yes, I totally threw the book at you because I wanted ALL of that." his eyes sparkled as he titled his head to the side in a flirtatious way. It was Brandons way of returning fire, for the suggestive body roll. " And what is this jealous word...? Ive never heard of this before." he said with a smirk. He knew what jealous meant, it just felt like the time to be playful. 

The playful mood went on as Max said it was okay as long as he got to call Brandon Randy. Brandon started thinking how the word Randy would go with him. Sometimes he felt like a Tim or a random name like Bob. Before Brandon could reply, the atmosphere became completely different as Brandon watched Max tense up. He must have hit it right on the dot when he started talking about the wind and secrets. He began to speak completely weird and for a second, Brandon thought he was going to talk about having abilities. He then instead began to talk about being in a bathroom and with a guy. Brandon's face went from confused to completely blank.  " Um.... What?" Max shrank to the ground , and Brandon semi panicked. He was about to confess about his own ability because he had felt completely ashamed he had caused Max to seem to break down. 

Suddenly, Max sprang back to normal and Brandon sighed a huge sigh of relief. It didn't last long as he heard a sigh and soon Max was spilling about what Brandon had felt like a faucet. From what he was telling Brandon, he could control the air. He then went on to tell him the whole reason he had come out here were to fly. Brandon smiled, he had learned to fly in a way. His ability allowed him to do many things and with the right concentration he had learned he could lift himself up. He had done it with Chandler, and well a lot of other things too but power based, he lifted them both into the air. Max then begged him not to tell. 

" So you'd do anything ? I mean anything anything?" Brandon asked. He had come up with a way to tell Max about his abilities as well. " Okay, If you can give me a hug I wont tell anyone." the task sounded  pretty easy, but Brandon added a little obstacle. His eyes flashed, and his invisible Force Field surrounded Max. Brandon knew that Max would be very confused, but his mind was already set. " If you can't hug me, then I'll have to let the whole school know and man that would be totally bad right?" Brandon tried to sound serious, but his voice wavered because he knew he couldn't be serious. He extended his arms out to Max, and beckoned him in. He hoped that Max didn't run to him, because then he would smash right into his force field and it might hurt.     

[Maximus Stronghold]

Brandon gave the art book back to Max as he began to talk about hanging out with him in the Gym. His posture and body language changed, maybe Brandon had said something wrong? He didn't quite know. He decided to not think too much about it. " Yeah, id love to hang out with you again sometime. If you want to that is." it would be cool to have some friends that he could feel normal around.

Max liked to workout every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for about and hour-and-a-half. He didn't do hardcore working out because he didn't want to get big. He liked the way his body was right now. Muscular but lithe and lean. Not bulging out of his shirt muscular but muscular nonetheless. Smiling at Brandon as he handed back the notebook, he rolled his eyes. ""Oh my gosh of course I want to! I wouldn't have asked if I didn't."

As Brandon laughed and the awkwardness disappeared Max stuck his tongue out jokingly. Bending over almost completely in half, thank you gymnastic flexibility, Max slipped his drawing-pad back into his bag, waving his butt from side to side and then snapping back up rather quickly, faking gasping. "I knew it! For shame Brandon! For shame." Fighting back giggles, he kept his face serious as he shook his head. "Mhmm sureee.... your not jealous at all." Finally he began laughing as the dam broke and he could no longer fight the giggles bubbling in his stomach.

That was when Max realized he totally spilled the beans on himself. He was denying something that Brandon didn't even know about. Which of course made him seem more guilty.... which he was. But then just as his worry became overwhelming, he figure out what Brandon was saying and joy filled his stomach that the rumors weren't spreading. Then came overwhelming worry that Brandon would tell! And he couldn't have that. What would his parents think? Oh god! Oh god! What was with him and admitting to shit. He could've just as easily denied it but the relief of Brandon not knowing one secret unleashed the other.


"So you'd do anything ? I mean anything anything?"

Oh God... what the hell was Brandon going to make him do? He wasn't about to give him dome or do him because Max wasn't like that. Sure he had his... thing... but that in no way mean that he was a slut and he'd just do anyone. If he was going to have sex with someone for the second time in his life, then Max would want it to be romantic and sweet. If only he knew what go on at the Halloween party not long from now. He was about to make a whole speech about how he was a good kid and that he wouldn't do that or anything similar when Brandon asked for a hug. A hug? That was it? Max could do that easy. Smiling, and putting his arms out as he began to walk over, Max's face did the classic, "wtf?!" look when his hands hit something hard.

His eyes widened slight, his brow furrowed and instead of freaking out like most people would, Max just took ten steps to the left and tried to walk around it, though he didn't succeed int he slights. That was when he started to panic a little. "What the fuck bro something is happ--" Looking up at Brandon's smiling face he gave him a look that said 'what do you know about this?' Getting a little smirk in response, Max's eyes widened as he connected the dots. For a smart kid he was kinda slow at piecing together that puzzle but, hey, give the kid some slack, he'd never met another kid with powers and Brandon had seemed just so normal.

"Oh my god! You're like the boy version of the Invisible Woman." Smiling, Max began to think of ways he could break the shield without hurting Brandon. Once it came to him, he just stood in the middle of the shield and closed his eyes. He'd never done big things like this before without being emotional so he need to really focus. He closed his eyes concentrating. He breathed in and out slowly and calmly. He let his mind and body fall in sync with the wind and air around him. It was gentle, caressing like it had been early but it wouldn't be for long.

All of this just took a few seconds before Max opened his eyes and stood there like a muthaf***ing badass as the wind around him began to speed up and fast, ruffling his hair and his clothes fluttering, pushed hard against the muscles of his body. Max's eyes were squinted as the wind blew hard but he was unaffected by the rising pressure that was building against the shields from the inside. On the outside everything was normal, bright, calm winds and the such. But on the inside the winds blew hard and that shield was like bubble just waiting to burst. Once it did, there would be a small blast of wind, causing the grass and water to ripple, and it would definitely be able to knock a person over or break a small sapling in half.

[Brandon Skye]

Brandon had a smirk on his face as he watched Max's reaction to what he had said about doing anything. When it registered through his mind that Brandon had said hug, he lightened up and extended his arms. Brandon couldn't help but feel a little bad as he came closer. When he made contact with Brandons shield, his face seemed confused. Brandon half expected him to freak out and panic from not being able to advance any further, but Max just stopped and furrowed his eyebrows. He then took a couple steps back and moved to another side. 

  It didn't take long for him to finally start to panic and Brandon was going to give an explanation but before he could Max stopped speaking and looked straight at him. It was then with an exchanging of looks that Max had relized it was Brandon who was causing the problem. That's when Max called him the boy version of the Invisible Woman. He was very smart to do so, because Brandon had been using her as a reference on how to develop his abilities.  " Why thank you, and as you know from the comics, her abilities are quite powerful. I have to admit you do look adorable like a baby hamster in a rolling ball." Brandon told him with a sweet smile. 

This was perfect for him to further practice. He needed someone real who could work against his power to help Brandon further develop it. He then saw the smile on Max's face, as he took a stance in the middle of Brandon's force field. Brandon was wondering what he was planning to do. Brandon could feel the change happening inside of his bubble. He had become in-tune with his abilities and could feel what it felt. The ruffling of Max's clothes and hair further implemented that he was going to try to force his way out. It was pretty amazing to see that he had enough control to cause the air inside of his shield to build and thrash about but on the outside it was as normal as ever. 

Brandon winced a little as he felt the pressure build more, it would take a lot more for Brandon's shield to crack, but he didn't feel it edging at his mind. He looked right at Max, and smiled. He began to concentrate and decided to let his shield up, and as he did they'd forgot the force that was inside. It pushed past his shield and sent Brandon to the ground. He opened his eyes, and saw sky. He wasn't used to being hit by a powerful burst of air, and he was slightly dazed. " Ouch." he said, staying on the ground giving himself some time to regain compose before he would sit up. 

After a few seconds passed, he sat up. " Okay, that was totally cool. Well not the me falling on my butt part but doing that was fun. I guess you know what I can do too now. I mean, there's a lot more to it than making shields but i thought I shouldn't do anything too crazy." Brandon said. Look at him, talking about what he could do like it was a normal topic to talk about. Still, with all the things that happen around Hart and the school, having these powers were the most normal of all. It also seemed he was meeting more and more people who had these abilities a lot now. He didn't know what to think of it, and decided to think on it at another time. 

"Okay Mr. Air  Bender, so where's my hug?" 

[Maximus Stronghold]

Power like theirs was certainly seductive. It drew Max in and called to him. The way his body buzzed as he touched the shield and the way the magic used them as a conductor and the aether danced through their bodies, entwining with the core of their being and granting them abilities accordingly. The magic that flowed through both boys was powerful, almost overwhelming so. This didn’t stop Max’s reaction no matter how alluring.

Shock, panic, shock and then awe washed over him. Such a constant and changing flow of emotion was sure to upset the winds so Max had to closes his eyes and breath. And it was during that split-second mental step away from the conversation to process the information that Max fully connected the dots. He wasn’t completely alone his powers. He’d total a few other friends but they didn’t have any powers so they couldn’t “compare notes” so to speak. Brandon was the only other magically-powered being he knew at the moment, though what he didn’t know was that not even an hour after this encounter Max would meet another magically-gifted student, his roommate in fact. Smiling and blushing at Brandon’s comment Max just rolled his eyes and ignoring his blush Max would’ve have started in with a response but had decided to unleash his powers seeing as this would probably be the only person he’d get to practice with safely.

The building pressure was at most uncomfortable and Max knew it wouldn’t be enough to shatter the shield but Max didn’t know whether his own powers would hurt him. Additionally he didn’t know how much force the force field would take and if he did break it then the winds needed to do so would be released and they would probably send both boys flying as well as possibly knock over trees. So he contained his power to just the shield and made sure it was at a level that he could contain if its the shield dissolved.

The small wince on his friend’s face almost made Max. It wasn’t stressing the shield much but Brandon was obviously getting a little taste of what the shield was taking. Good, Max thought with a grin, serves him right for scaring me like that. But Max was going to pull back some when Brandon decided to do the same and the powerful blast off air shot from around Max. It knocked Brandon over before Max could dissolve it and so once it was absorbed and the wind patterns righted, which took only a matter of seconds, Max jogged over to Brandon. Standing over him, Max smiled and almost laughed as Brandon’s eyes opened. At first he’d been worried but the other boy seemed okay so the comedic aspect of the situation became a bit overwhelming. A soft giggle escaped his lips but soon his laughter was recontained as he waited for his dazed friend to recover. Sitting down next to Brandon Max smiled.

This was great and all but he still hadn’t flown. The one thing he really wanted to do with his powers. It scared the life out of him but it could also be fun. If he didn’t like it he’d at the very least get an adrenaline rush out of it. As Brandon sat up, and began to talk, laughing. ”I think you falling on your butt was the best part.” Smiling as he spoke about how his powers were a bit more complex than that Max nodded. He got that. People usually underestimated the Air-Benders in the show to which he keeps mentally referencing. But what people didn’t picture was that yeah Max could blow ships out to sea(not some euphemism) but he could also shield against stuff, blasts your with powerful concentrated beams of air that’ll send you flying and even create tornadoes.

Smiling and rolling his eyes, Max leaned over with one arm and wrapped it around his friends waist pulling him close and squeezing him gently. “Someone really wanted that hug huh? Can’t blame you I am pretty freakin’ adorable and my bod is totes rocking.” Laughing, his nose crinkling up gently as he did so Max let go off Brandon to pull his knees to his chest and wrap his arms around them as they talked.

[Brandon Skye]

Brandon was having a fun time with Max, he hadn't really laughed like this in a long time. He looked at Maximus and stared for a quick moment. He seemed like a truly genuine person, and it seemed like he was meeting a lot of those type of people. Things were really starting to repair itself. He agreed when Max told him about falling on his butt. Everything was pure, no faking, no feeling of being forced to be or do anything he didn't want. It was all coming in so naturally. 

Then an arm wrapped around his shoulder and brought him closer to Max, it felt like he was in one of those awesome movies where at the end, the friends look at the sunset and know that at the end of the day all they have is each other and that was all that mattered. Everything was feeling like a non stop movie, Brandon had fallen in love at first sight, and the guy was just like a prince. He was making a really good friend now and things could only get better. 

"Hey, part of it was because I wanted a hug but it was also a test. I had to see I you were capable of being my new test subject, I'm going to have so much fun probing you with sticks and needles and junk." he turned looking at the expression on Max's face as he listened. He then quickly covered it up. " Im so just kidding though, but that would be cool if I was an evil scientist or something." 

"So, I've made a decision. I want you to become my best friend. Share my secrets and all that cool chizz. Oh, what's the thing you always wanted to do!? If we share that, we can become closer as friends. Maybe I could even help you." his face lit up as he thought about it. He could have a new best friend, and he could be normal again. Things were looking up and things were going to change. " I mean I know what I've always wanted to do..." he did, he always pictured himself performing again. It was usually just his YouTube videos, but he wanted to sing live and vibe from the crowd. 

Fire flared in his eyes. " We could be really good friends and you have such a good sense of humor, who knows what kind of fun things we could think of doing." Now that the thought was in his mind, it began to flow with surrounding ideas. All of the fun things he could imagine them doing, and he also knew about his abilities which meant he could be a sparring partner in a way. He was swarming with happiness. Then he finally calmed down, and tried to casually play all of that burst of excitedness  off. " I mean ... If you think that would be cool." he said with a cool look on his face as he looked away. He really didn't Think he pulled it off, and tried to hide the smile creeping on his face. He was such a dork.

[Maximus Stronghold]

Confusion touched Max’s face at Brandon’s joke, his eyebrows furrowing for a second before it was clarified. Rolling his eyes Max couldn’t help but smile. Brandon was just his cup of tea. Funny, playful but he wasn't a total clown and could understand subtle emotional cues. “You have the weirdest sense of humor I swear.” Grinning still Max was looking at the reflection of the quickly darkening sky on the water when Brandon made his proposition.

Max had to admit. Brandon was forward and honest. If he wanted to be your best friend then he’d tell you. But Max liked the thought of this friendship developing further and so he decided that him and Brandon were in fact going to be besties. “And I’ve made a decision. I want to be your best friend,” he said nudging him with a smirk and continuing on. “We can talk about boys, school, and clothes. And more boys. We can talk about our dreams and aspirations and all that jazz. It’ll epic.” Smirking Max thought about what Brandon was talking about and then remembered. ”Oh gosh I wanted to fly. And I’m guessign you want to sing again huh?”

Almost laughing at Brandon's excitement and then attempt to play it off. “Definitely it will be cool. Now get up. We’re going to fly.” Standing and then pulling Brandon up to his feet, Max smiled.....

And hour later found Max having succeeded in levitation, while the more practiced Brandon was able to move around on his discs, though Max had a sneaking suspicion that he’d done it before. Touching back down to the ground, Max looked at his phone to reply to a back-up of texts when he realized that he’d been out for hours and needed to get back to his room and do his class work. Bending over and backing everything up, Max called out to his friend. “Brandon! This was so awesome. I have your number and I’ll probably text you the moment I get to my room,” chuckling, he continued on as he stood and slung the satchel back onto his shoulder. “See ya soon Brandon.” With that, Max walked quickly back towards the school, occasionally jogging and then slowing to a fast walk. He’d just found his new best friend.....

((next thread is.... Float Like A Butterfly))