Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
Ultimately, the whole thing had simply been a waste of time. Brushing Lara off, going after Max, getting yelled at, being told he'd rather continue elsewhere... It was all rather dissatisfying and quite defeating its purpose. If the whole thing ended up being just sex, he could simply have returned the blond girl's rather blunt advance similarly and skipped the whole ordeal in between to get the same result. Just with less complications. Considering Max's unpredictable reactions and the constant changing of attitudes, Matt couldn't even be sure the professional heir drew anything but short-lived satisfaction from their encounters, immediately followed by whatever it was his rather narrow view on the world inflicted onto him, and thus it was questionable whether he could even defend his decisions with the much-loved excuse that at least Max would be "feeling better". Granted he hadn't exactly seemed at the top of the world up there on his lonely balcony, but nobody could tell how he'd feel after their bodies had parted and the sweat had dried.
Getting past the guard wasn't as easy as on the way up as he had decided to occupy a rather impractical position. From the perspective of an invisible person trying to sneak past him anyway. The whole thing was unexpectedly made rather simple when one certain blonde got Mr Walking-Closet to step aside, and suddenly Matt was rather glad his playmate had made them postpone things to later. Of course there would also have been the option of Lara joining in, a scenario the light-elemental could imagine himself liking a lot, but you never knew. As brazen as she seemed to be in her sexuality, he couldn't put past her a surprising prudery when it came to two men enjoying each other without a female as some kind of buffer in between. Well, Max and she had known each other long enough for the former to know that kind of thing... maybe he should just bring up the topic at some point and leave the decision to the other. It could prove interesting either way.
A careful look was taken around before he re-materialised in a particularly dark corner and left through the illuminated corridor. Stepping out into the cool night air cleared his head a little of debris he hadn't even noticed was there. *I worry too much,* Matt realised, yet it was a different kind of concern than complicating Max's life. Sometimes people just needed some quiet space, some time for themselves to get over... whatever it was they needed to work out. And whenever they retreated, Matt would worry. Usually he'd leave them alone, while fretting mind you, but sometimes - as this time - that pesky inner pressure grew too strong. Should he have stayed out of this, or had it been his duty as a friend (or whatever he was to Max) to check on Chadstone?
The latter was true, he decided, and already felt better. It was all so simple really, just a matter of perspective and some self-deception. Easy. A breeze played with bear branches and the few leaves that had survived winter. Dry, brown and wrinkled, they were like war veterans, clinging to their existence despite its unpromising perspectives. A chill went down Contrast's spine as the wind found a way to infiltrate his jacket and attempted to chase out the relative warmth inside. Although he knew full well that it was no good, he called on his gift to vanish from sight again, as if the cold would thus be unable to find him. Of course it didn't work, but still he was feeling a little bit more comfortable for reasons that were to be found anywhere but in the realms of logic and common sense.
Once he had reached the Panacea, Matt stopped dead in his tracks, pondering his options. The fancy hotel was well-lit as usual, rendering his shadow-walking abilities entirely useless. He could stay outside until Max arrived or wait in the lounge. The warm lounge. With comfy sofa-like things and cushioned armchairs of the kind only ridiculously expensive places like this one could call their own. Needless to say which option won the race. Reappearing behind the fantasy-themed fountain, far away enough from the lights not to be spotted, the contrasting mutant prepared for a casual entrance and hoped it'd work. After all, although he had dressed up for the club, he didn't exactly look like he had some hundred or thousand bucks to spare. Then again, how did those people look, granted they weren't older than 30? He hoped the difference wouldn't be all too obvious, and at the same time wondered whether anybody would recognise him from the last time he had been there with Max.
*They don't know what you've been doing. Relax,* he told himself, noticing his almost compulsive checking of his attire, the critical observation of his steps despite knowing that he didn't move like what people called "camp guys". 'We aren't wearing tags', that's what he had told Max, and still he wasn't above going through the same anxieties, worrying about the same things. Secretly, more rarely... he too posed the same question why. And never would there be anyone able to answer.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
Just flee.. that's all Max wanted to do, and yet Lara had other plans, she wanted him around, wanted him to play their games, to dance and taunt the others around them. She wanted the night to drag on forever and to delve into every sin she could think of and that'd still not be enough to satisfy her. Howver Max had his own sins to tend to, and after almost a good half hour of trying to play along with Lara, he managed to slink off, his driver at the ready, and soon enough (though not for Max), the hotel came into view.
Upon arrival, Max pushed open the door, sliding out with a few reletively polite swap of words with his driver, and then there he was, standing at the entry way of his hotel, his bare hands rubbing together in a meek attempt of generating some extra warmth. There was a pause however, May's eyes turning upwards to look over the expanse of his hotel's front, scanning for any faults as his elder brother had often done, as his father tended to do as well, to glare down any flaw that dared mark a fine Chadstone Owned Product.
"Evenin' Max, all's well I hope?" The door man who stood by the entrancem his old body well wrapped up and snuggly warm, though his nose was numbed with the cold. Something he was more then used to. The youth turned his attention to the elder man, who the Chadstone youths had made their doorman in an almost rebellious fashion to get back at their father, though they never regreted their decision. A smile beamed over to the man as Max replied.
"You know me, never satisfied, no matter what." Having basically grown up before the other guy, there was little that had passed the night doorman, he knew of the fancy Max had for girls, he knew of the troubles Max often got himself into, and he knew each and ever guest Max brought into the hotel, since they all passed through the entrance... though Max had attempted to sneak a few in through the kitchens back door.. It didnt work really well considering people found it amusing and would point it out, whereas whatever passed the front doors at night was never spoken about unless it was felt Max himself ought to know about it, for whatever reason.
"An' always up to mischief," Came the added comment in a light tease, and Max merely shrugged, reminding himself of the mischief he was up to and wondering if Matt had gone inside already.
"Speaking of which, catch you later." A deep chuckle came from the well wrapped man as Max gave a wave and entered the hotel, his bright eyes gazing about, looking for anyone who resembled his companion. Surely Matt wouldnt have already gone up to the room? Max pondered that for a moment, staring towards the bar and then moving towards the hotel lounge to see if Matt might have gone in there to chase away the nights chills. For a moment Max stood staring into the room, not stepping in as he figured Matt would be keeping an eye open for him so he'd not have to search every single corner. Though after a quick scan, Max's eyes ot distracted with the well lit aquarium he stood by, the wall mounted glass case filled with strangely bright sea life, bight yellow fins flickering about and darting from one side of the tank to the other.. Max always found himself so easily distracted by the swirl of strange colours, so alive and... colourful. So pretty.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
In the end, no one was really paying any attention to him, like he should have expected it to be. In the end, this was just a hotel, albeit a fancy one, and unless you stank of a whole basin of alcohol and looked like three weeks in a cardboard box, there was always the high likelihood of you being a paying guest. And you didn't refuse those entering, did you? Considering the price he expected rooms to have at the Panacea, offending people could easily result in your getting sued.
The doorman nodded at Matt with a smile as he entered, apparently recognising him - quite impressive as the contrasting mutant thought. Then again, maybe that was just his routine. By the looks of it, he had had enough time to practise and make it all convincing. Not that he really cared. There were much more interesting things at this place, even not counting this decadently luxurious suite some floors above him, part-time inhabited by one of the most confusing people Matt had ever met.
It wasn't so much Max's switching attitudes he found himself having problems dealing with. Of course there was that too, but much harder to accustom to was the fact that there were barely ever any noticeable transitions between Chadstone's states. One second he'd look at him as if he were the most bizarre abomination that had ever wandered earth, and the next... well... suffice to say few things could be as contrary as the other extreme the blond teen usually switched to when no one was around. The events at the Dying Star had been quite an illustration of that.
Forest eyes scanned the foyer, but there was no Max to be seen anywhere. He could of course have walked up to the receptionist checking whether he had already gone to his apartment, but that would have involved he considering the possibility of the other having gone by car, a thought that hadn't crossed his mind at all. There really were couches of the stupidly pricey type, and but allowing his body to sink onto one revealed that "expensive" didn't necessarily have to equal "comfortable". But maybe the behinds of the rich and mighty were different to those of common folk? One could never be sure.
Having been there already once, the splendour wasn't all that entertaining anymore to the light elemental who, like Max, was easily distracted, but also got bored quite quickly. Ten minutes can be quite a long time, and there lateness of the hour wasn't exactly predestined to have many guests in the hotel lounge he could have watched. Other people could be so amusing if they didn't know someone was following their moves.
Deciding that walking around wouldn't be much more suspicious than sitting around cluelessly - probably even less so - Matt eventually got up, wandering about aimlessly. Why was it that lounges were such boring places to be in? There should have been at least a TV, but then again, he'd have felt awkward watching it anyway. That would have probably been pushing it. The diffuse light of an aquarium attracted his attention. Fish weren't all that thrilling, but better than an empty hall anyway.
Apparently someone else had thought so too, sapphire gaze following the animals' erratic movements with what seemed to Matt a little bit like childish interest. *Awww... kinda cute,* he thought, a smile curving his lips. "So you've made it!" The cheerful words could almost be considered an exclamation, though they weren't exactly shouted. Max had never stood him up, and he was just glad that wasn't the case this time either. Contrast shortly considered some greeting rituals of the cliché male type of decided against it. It may have helped to maintain the charade but they had just parted half an hour ago. That would have been ridiculous.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
When things had gotten really boring as a kid, James would force himself to stand beside their father and take it all in, to learn and understand whatever it was being discussed, to try and offer opinions when he felt he had the chance and listen to advice that was given. Max, however, hardly had cared. Whenever James and their father were off in the foyer talking, Max had gradually wandered off, the Chadstones boys were the only youths allowed into the Bar unsupervised, but that amusement had warn thin quickly and soon enough the only thing of interest for Max had become the various aquariums. Sometimes it looked as if the fish were playing, just as Max and James had once played, games like tag or chase, rough fighting or hide and seek. For the briefest of momenst, as Max watced the sea life inside their glass cases, his mind almost always seemed to see not the creatures within, but the memories they dredged up, ghostly recollactions that played, like old home movies that flicker captivatingly across a screen, reliving memories that for a time had seemed almost forgotten.
"So you've made it!" The words pulled Max from his thoughts like a sense of whiplash striking him, though the feel of peace momentarily faded, a comfort in realizing that despite once again feeling the sense of loss, there was a presence that Max recognized. And though that presence wasnt one that he could express openly or with with complete comfort, he still drew some sense of warmth. Perhaps because a part of Max could sense the struggle Matt had towards trying to tend to Max's needs, and considering the amount of people Max has been with, it wasnt all that hard to assess the level of effort one person puts in compared to another, it just happened that Max didnt always put a lot of thought into it.
A rather rugged smile seemed to charm its way onto Max's handsome features, even if it seemed the younger Chadstone's eyes took a moment longer to warm up enough to match the expression on his face. Max didnt relly have a best male friend, sure he had Mark and Tony, but they were each other's best friends, and Mark was devoted to Max but didn't understand him, or really agree with half of what Max seem to think as normal. And Tony just was a lot of fun to have around, but they didnt really do anything on their own together, it was only as a group or Max went solo, or with Lara... Technically Matt was one of the first guy in a long while Max had spent numerous times out with together, on their own, even if what they did didn't exactly fill Max with a sense of pride afterwards... at least.. not when he thought of his family and their opinions on what he was doing, even if, to his knowledge, they didnt know what he was up to.
"Of course," There was a tone that seemed to make out how silly it sounded to him for Matt to even consider Max wouldn't be at his own hotel, it wasn't like he could get lost between here and the Dying Star! Then again, if his parents had anything to say about that... the mental groan that echoed in retort to the memories of their words was kept silent.
"After you," The extended hand that was offered towards the elevator was followed by Max's body also drifting towards it, and Matt following suit. The mirrors inside of the confined space gained Max's attention as he fixed his hair, not that it seemed to change in any manner as his fingers plucked over a few strands of his fringe and then brush through the short hair only to repeat their fussing with his fringe again.
"Maybe later we could order in some food, or sooner if you prefer, either which, I'm not fussed, but at some point food would be good." The finely toned arms, whose form were hidden under sleeves, moved to fold over the equally toned chest, a sigh slipped out and Max's body leaned back, his legs also crossing as he stood and his bright eyes shutting.
And before another thought could even consider creeping between either of them, a flickering of lights occured, which went unnoticed by Max until the elevator stummered to a stop. The light inside the elevator cut off, Max's hands moved to grab the railings on either side of him that he had leaned on, his legs unfolding and his breathing steadily getting deeper as his heart started to race. A moment later a flicker of light returned and the very dim glow that splashed over them like a full moons glow hinted to the back up power coming into play.
What if the power went out again? Max fretted for a moment at the thought of some sort of looming darkness about to engulf him, though he drew in a deeper breath and held it before shakily letting it out again, his grip on the rails wasnt going to losen any time soon, not until he knew for sure that the lights wouldnt black out on him again. Even if they did, it wasnt like Max could stumble around too far in the dark, or have anything threaten him, not since it was only Matt and himself in the enclosed space.. and yet that didnt seem to quell the fright he felt.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
And there it was again, that ambivalence which was confusing and yet so strangely fascinating at the same time. Max certainly was none to understand the intricate subtleties of tones and their implications; which was rather strange considering that he was rather well-known for his sarcastic comments which were not all that different. At times, however, he'd just seem so clueless, it could almost have been called adorable, had it not been he of all people. It was rather hard to consider such terms for Max Chadstone.
He was smiling though, and as the expression eventually reached his eyes, Matt knew it was real. Back in that room, what seemed like Max's inner sanctum, he had seen so many versions of his smile, but few of them had been genuine, most of them a facade to put up for the camera, and to please his parents, to play along in that circus called media. It was relieving to see he hadn't forgotten the original after all these fakes. Matt gave him one in return, daring to show some affection with it but trying to keep the sexual component out of it so that people could just see it as a very friendly smile instead of... more.
And once more he asked himself what that "more" could possibly be, and again he was lacking an answer. It was not to be found out at this point, so he decided, and simply followed the invitation, making his way over to one of the elevators. Thoughts don't follow their originator's will, however, they have a life of their own and thus can't just be forced to silence. As the doors closed, the increased their pace, whirling around in his head, Max's offer but an indistinct sort of background noise he absent-mindedly nodded to. Food was a good thing of course, he didn't need to be entirely mentally present to decide that.
No results came from his contemplation, like usual, one aspect drowning out the other so that in the end, there was nothing but entropic noise which rendered isolating a single thread for closer considering an impossibility. Shaking his head a little, Matt made another attempt on emptying his crowded mind a little, his gaze wandering over to Max's leaning form as if on its own accord. It helped a little, however strange it seemed that someone as troubled as Chadstone could serve as a beacon to help and focus Matt's own restless mind. Looking at him, things got this little bit simpler, a few shades more basic.
It didn't make the jerk with which the elevator came to a halt any less surprising though, a hand shooting out to stabilise himself. Trusty reflexes, how convenient they had been allowed to keep them even in this state of so-called higher evolution. Head tilted to the side, Matt waited for whatever would happen. The dim lights reflecting from all sides made the scene both spooky and pleasantly wicked, an effect so obviously not intended to be the standard. A playful smile dragged up the corners of Matt's mouth as he searched Max's eyes. A stuck elevator was just too cliché to be ignored... but then again, a technician could end up opening the door any second. Of course there was a certain appeal to that too, albeit a forbidden one.
Forbidden fruit are supposed to be the sweetest.
*Let's see...,* the light-elemental thought impishly and - carefully, just in case the 21st century still had elevators that could randomly plummet - approached Max. Grabbing the handrail behind his playmate, close enough to the other's waist to count as an embrace but the rest of his body not close enough to notice the increased heartbeat rate, Matt leaned in with a smile, mischief sparkling in forest-green orbs that searched their sapphire counterparts. He'd not force anything onto Chadstone. Well... not much anyway...
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
If only the briefest of moments, Max found himself able to think logically, a logic that told him soon enough the doors would open, the people under his pay will be fixing whatever went wrong.. They had to, high paying customers were demanding things to go smoothly and Max relied on that snobbish streak of spoiled brat syndrome to be the fuel needed to get things done speedily and without further incident.
The slow movements went unnoticed by Max as his companion inched his way closer, though even distant thoughts couldn't blind the young Chadstone to Matt's sudden proximity. The other's hands brushed against the firmly gripped hands that still grasped the rails, Matt's eyes seemed there, focused, looking, expecting... It would have been so easy to understand what Matt was wanting in any other situation, but for the instant, Max found himself wondering if the other had somehow sensed the discomfort and was trying to offer some sort of assurence.
That wasnt the case though, after watching the other's expression, the way Matt was staring, Max seemed to click, though his own expression gave way to little of the thoughts that passed over his mind, a strangely numbed sense kept Max's bland expression from revealing anything other then a slight tension. Having someone there, so close, someone who Max was reletively comfortable with when alone with anyway, helped offer such a calming comfort that Max could sink into it, as he had done before when the bedroom lights had gone out in the past.
The dimness wasnt all that bad.. it wasnt that it was too dark, Max didnt mind, his own lights back in the institute and his room here both had dimmers for that additional touch if he needed to add that air of romance to the moment. Though, come to think of it, Max realized he'd never tried being romantic with Matt.. nothing seemed to be done in the same way when he was with Matt, it was all rushed and sometimes aggressive.. Though at the same time Matt had shown a more toned down side at times as well, where he seemed to fall back in a form of patience as Max struggled to deal with the things Matt by now took for granted.
Timid hands seemed to almost peel away from the rails, the right one brushing slowly over Matt's hand, though rough at the same time, his movements lacking grace and more a tremble of determination. The other hand followed with just as much a struggle and both managed to find their way to holding Matt's arms just below the elbow area. There was a slight tremble of a small breath drawn in, a nervous glance tore Max's eyes away from Matt's gaze and lifted the sapphire eyes to instead stare at the light, which seemed to give the very faintest of flicker, that for most would manage to pass by reletively ignore, for Max, his nervousness increased slightly as the thoughts of it suddenly blinking out of existence returned to his mind and the threat of oncoming darkness was more then enough to throw the younger of the two into a state of confused anxiety.
If it goes out... Max's thoughts had began to whisper, but a nervous shuffle of his feet, uneasy breaths taken in and let out slightly quicker then was normal. The thoughts were silenced, the instinctive reaction of closing his eyes to hide from whatever was frightening him only made it feel worse, what if he opened his eyes and the lights were out? A murmer muffled in the depths of the throat was one of the many signals towards the panic quickly rising, Max's tension causing the grip on Matt to become slight more tighter, not enough to be classified as painful, but if any more pressure was given, discomfort would definitely begin to occure. Max's eyes focused now open on Matt's chest, trying to focus on his breathing and trying to recover the sense of strength he usually relied on getting him through the days. Weakness wasn't soemthing to be shared with outside the family, if they knew what you were afriad of, they'd know how to hurt you, and strangers didnt care how much you suffered, not if they gained something valuable in return. That's how things always were explained in any case..
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)*And.. that's it?!* Matt thought with disbelieving bewilderment, questioning eyes trying to catch Max's gaze again as it wandered off to whatever was more important than the light-elemental at this point. In an empty elevator room, he had kind of been hoping there wouldn't be any such thing, but apparently that had been a false estimation. To say that he was annoyed would have been an exaggeration, but although having been prepared for some kind of rejection - paranoid of being caught as Max was - a little more emotional involvement of some kind would have been nice.
Then again, he was holding his arms rather tightly in a way that left no doubt in Matt that if he were to try and free himself with Max not intending to let him go, it'd be quite difficult if not impossible. The thought was making him want to give it a shot just to have Max tighten the grip and get closer to that sweet line between pleasure and pain he was almost addicted to. His body didn't care much about his doubts as to the other's intentions and simply reacted, hormones being released, biochemical cocktails working their magic.
It was like always when he was overwhelmed by a wave of sudden desire. His mouth seemed to dry out, his body to combust, and the urge to get as close to the other as possible - for a start, soon to be followed by much less innocent actions - threatened to entirely submerge his consciousness. It really seemed like such an easy thing to do to him, forcing Matt to rely on his instincts, but in truth it usually were only people who were on the same sexual wavelength as he that had such an effect on the light-elemental.
Now what to do; to follow his body or his mind? It was such a hard choice to make, to pick either what he wanted or 'should do'. That categorical imperative really was a pesky thing, but as German philosophers were very often known to have been way out there with their theories, Matt felt it just to simply ignore it existed. Sometimes you actually had to obey your nature really.
A step later he found himself much closer to his object of interest, though of course 'much' is pretty relative when you had just leaned in, even if to no avail. His arms still riveted, there were certain limitations to what he could do, but lower body leaned against Max's as he stood, there would have been little doubt as to what he certainly wouldn't have minded. To understate the facts.
A chuckle. With a soft sigh, Matt rested his forehead against the cabin wall to his companion's left, shaking his head ever so slightly in mystified amusement. His whole body leaning against the other, he could feel his accelerated heartbeat, but was rather inclined towards interpreting it in an entirely different way than what was the case. Either way he was rather comfortable in that position. Strangely content even. "What do you want?" he whispered, quite like a djinn offering the chance to make a wish, to ask for whatever was craved. And for a short moment, Matt felt as if he truly would be giving anything to this so damn confusing guy. Anything.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
Very few people seemed able to bring themselves to get close to Max, he just wasn't someone who seemed interested in affection to the majority of companions he had kept over the last few years. That didn't mean that Max never had people hold him, sure he had, but there was something more comforting for the moment as Matt drew his body closer. It didn't stop the lightly panicked breath however, as Max still struggled to calm himself, but new fears and panics kept coming, especially now as Max remembered how keen Matt had been to further their activities... his father often had sayings about such things, usually warnings of some kind and Max found his father's words echoing into his thoughts.
If you don't have anything of value to give them, they won't stick around long enough for your useless excuses...
Though as Max started to fret over how Matt might react if Max didn't comply to his desires, it seemed his companion found something humorous, as a chuckle came softly from Matt. Max's eyes flickered about quickly to try and figure what it was that the other found amusing... was Matt somehow mocking him? It didn't seem likely, it was't that sort of chuckle, especially with the sigh that followed, and the way Matt's body seemed to completely lean against Max, his head resting just beside Chadstone's.
"What do you want?" What did Max want? It was as if he was somehow being quizzed suddenly, an oral exam that he was doomed to fail. Was it a trick question somehow? Did the meaning really define something as simple as how it sounded or, and more towards what Max was used to, was there some sort discreet hinting behind it? What if Max said the wrong thing? Would Matt leave him confined inside a darkening room? It didn't even make sense, and part of Max could see it but another part refused to take the risk.
Max's fingers seem to loosen slightly, enabling his hands to inch their way elsewhere, his left hand moved up towards Matt's shoulder and his right slipped down to curve about Matt's lower back. The manner in which Max's right hand lightly gripped at the clothes Matt wore might suggest an air of neediness about him, however, it could be easily misinterprated for something more sexual than it was. If the lights flickered out... Max wasn't going to let Matt just walk out in a disgruntled huff! Even if, in all logical thoughts, Matt wouldn't find it really easy to leave the confinement of the elevator without Max's help. None of that mattered to Max, who just felt determined to make sure Matt was content enough to stay around. Max had managed a long time ago to learn how to calm and focus himself around entertaining others. Though admittedly Max wasn't used to trying to entice someone while it felt as if his very saftey was somehow in jeopardy.
"Something sweet," Max replied, his lips rested down against the curve of Matt's neck, the slight trembles in the younger students breaths attempted to be subdued by a more softer, almost mischief tone, though the air of nervousness couldn't be entirely eradicated from his voice. "And I have body chocolate in my room." The lips brushed against the elder student, moving to rest against the side of Matt's head, allowing the breaths, strained back into something resembling normalcy, to stroke against the other skin. Bribing always had a chance of succeeding, and while Max would prefer out of this dimmly lit coffin, he'd not push things more if Matt made it clear he wouldn't be happy with any further delays.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
Entirely oblivious to Max's conflicting thoughts as he was, or rather suspecting them to be of different nature altogether, Matt didn't worry much about assuring gestures. The position they were in was maybe kind of one-sided in its approach, but the closeness alone was enough for the slightly older student at that point. He himself was certainly the one most surprised about that fact, finding himself wishing the elevator would remain where it was for a while longer, stuck between floors, without anyone else around. No one who could point and stare, accuse and condemn. Nobody petty, unrightfully empowered to ruin somebody's reputation.
The possibility of there being security cameras was completely suppressed to a degree where Matt wasn't even consciously aware of it. Too pleasant was the situation, blissful ignorance the most desirable of states to be in. Sometimes, when people are lonely on a level that's hard to comprehend for someone not in the same predicament - when the body screams out for nothing but simple closeness to another despite being surrounded by others, they ignore reality, consequences and even their own emotions. It's so easy to mistake loneliness for affection, affection for love, and vice versa. Matt was no exception but for the fact that he was generally unsure of what it actually was he felt. All he did know was that whatever thing they had, and whatever he felt, it all was precious to him. And he didn't want for it to be defiled by the self-righteous judgements of others.
None of this was worded though, not even in his mind; there were only diffuse emotions, impossible to interpret. He was in a state of absolute nonchalance towards everything outside this cabin, replenishing this inner reservoir whose contents the bisexual teen wasn't entirely sure of. When Max let go of the rails and made this more of an actual embrace, his hands seeming to signal sinful intentions. Matt just managed to keep himself from releasing a pleased sigh; he smiled lightly instead.
That soft yet hot breath against the sensitive skin of his neck whispering words so full of promising licentiousness turned the smile several shades dirtier. A soft bite, too strong to be just simple nibbling but not enough to really hurt, was the light-elemental's initial reply, an appreciative low "M-hm" following. This whole scenario was so dreamlike, Matt wouldn't have been surprised had their surroundings suddenly turned into Chadstone's apartment. Much to his disappointment, it didn't though, as if prompting him to make do with what he had at hand.
Pulling back for a moment, he stepped forward a little more, Max's legs between his as he enclasped the other's waist; their bodies so close together, there seemed to be enough space for a sheet of paper in between. "I want you whole," he breathed, feeling the same diffuseness as before about what that actually meant. It just was something that had needed to be said. "... but I can wait...," was added after a short moment when he realised that could just as well have sounded pushy. Matt was perfectly fine staying like this for a while, and certainly didn't want to make the impression that it were otherwise.
It was just a few seconds later, that the dim security lights died. There was no dramatic flickering involved, they just went out. Being as close as he was, Matt couldn't fail to notice the other's heartbeat increasing, his body stiffening, but wasn't quite sure what to make of it. Maybe he was over-interpreting something as simple as surprise; either way he had no intention of changing their position. Let Max decide how far he was comfortable to go at this place. He certainly was up for everything...
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
The bite was strange, not many had ever felt the urge to do that with Max and yet it sent tingles through the flesh that felt the teeth pinch down against it. It was the; "M-hm," that followed however which assured Max that his companion wasn't about to just wander off. It didn't matter how unlikey such an occurence would have been, Max still found the assurence comforting as if he somehow had succeeding in keeping Matt here against older student's better judgement.
"I want you whole," It had been realized a long time ago that not everyone had the same anxieties when the lights went out, and Max had to always struggle to keep his wits about him when faced with what most people considered a daily sitution. Max however managed to acoid complete darkness save for when someone else turns off the light, luckily both rooms had lights that could turn on or off at a simple command from their rooms occupants. "... but I can wait...," As long as Matt's waiting stopped only once the lights were well and truely fixed... then what did Max have to complain about? A slight smile drags itself upon the handsome features of the sandy blonde youth, whose expression was muddled with a mixture emotions all trying to be surpressed by each of the other.
It was after only a moment of what felt like palatible content, that the worse thing happened. An inky black of electrifying darkness that caused both tension and light trembles to spread throughout Max's body. It wasn't fair really, as if moments like these weren't filled with enough problems, no this? Shaky breaths were quickly breathed in and out as Max's panicked eyes darted about the sightless gloom of their confined area. The numbness that started to spread throughout the stone form empowered mutant was an insignificant sense completelly ignored while all others were straining to see and hear what just might be lurking nearby.
"Why'd those idiots shut down the backup power?" It was more a murmered grumble to himself, his words coated with the air of anxiety that caused his breaths to be anything but relaxed. "You know how much I pay them? They can't even keep the fucking lights on those little shits!" The unease in his voice rose more, his fingers gripping firmly the material they had rested on, having slipped earlier as Matt pulled away to rest lower on Matt's own waist. "You give them a simple job and those fucking bastards can't-" The frightened pause had been all that silenced Max, his breath even frozen within his lungs for a moment before his paranoia caused a frightful whisper; Max's voice confused as he was panicked at this point. "Did you hear that?" The youth's face continued to try and see into the darkness, his ears inwardly feeling to him as if they would start to bleed should he strain them any harder to hear the sounds that toyed with his fears.
Just as much as the dark, Max hated the silence! The dead stillness that tried to trick him. Chadstone could take many things thrown his way, fists, arms, random items, they all came and went and Max dealt with it.. But the darkness was something more, the unseeing of what was there, knowing the monster that was the source of his fear lurked hidden and silent until Max was least able to defend himself from it. The anger of hating the fear that he couldn't shake always had a tendency to slip out, it was better then going silent into the shadows and succumbing to their unseen claws and teeth that gnawed away at his nerves.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
It was when Max's heart and lungs didn't return to normal working pace that it became rather clear things weren't as simple and uncomplicated as they had seemed. Granted they never really had, but there were levels of complicatedness and apparently they had just managed to reach a new one. The complete darkness around them made it quite impossible for Matt to notice the panicked look that darted around like a rabbit on speed, yet other things had it less easy to evade his attention. Cold stone pressing against his back was one of them.
Not having seen Max in a real battle, nor training sessions, the light-elemental knew comparably little about how the stone-shifting mutant's powers worked, and to what extent. Still, the fact that he could at least partly turn himself into a mineral substance had been rather difficult to ignore. If he thought back to the few occasions when it had manifested itself, Matt thought to recognise similarities in the nature of the events surrounding them though. It wasn't a far-fetched thought really; most active mutant abilities had a tendency to come forth in situations of stress or anxiety.
The realisation of what that meant didn't really need a lot of think-work, but it just seemed so ridiculous considering who this was all about. Max Chadstone, infamous school bully, a guy with an ego as huge as his family's fortune. Granted there had been moments when a different person than what he liked to display in public had shown through, but still it seemed like such a far-fetched thought to even consider this specimen of all was afraid of the dark.
"Can you leave the lights on?" A memory stirred in the back of his mind, a mumbled request in a dimly lit room. He had it found strange, yet had not thought much of it. It was just now that it all started to make some kind of sense. There were, however, still huge blanks in the picture the filling of which would possibly follow later. For the time being, Matt found himself uncertain as to how he should react, Max's muttered complaints seeming like such an obvious way to cover up the slight panic that his body appeared to signal.
The question that followed was almost too cliché for Matt to keep himself from laughing. The whole situation already had him caught between worry and amusement as it was, yet hearing noises that weren't there? Was Max only some more moments of fear away from starting to talk with his invisible friends? Entirely clueless as to what he could do, Matt decided it would probably be a good idea to just try and assure him with his presence. No matter how bizarre it all seemed to him, as a friend he was supposed to give support.
"Nope, didn't hear a thing..." Well, you didn't have to support them in everything right? Something more encouraging was called for too though. "I'm sure they'll have it fixed in no time." What else was there for Matt to say anyway? 'Hang on, I'm gonna call a technician'? No, something general was probably the best choice. See how he reacts and take it from there.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
"Nope, didn't hear a thing..." Max closed his eyes tightly as he listened, Matt's words did little comfort in the end because in truth the youth knew that Matt wouldn't know what he was listening out for. "I'm sure they'll have it fixed in no time." But it could happen any moment, and it could come and go in a flash, there was no protection from the wrath within the shadows if you couldn't see it coming. It was a lust almost, a contemptable thirst of pain and anger that made no sense and yet was the most familiar of things Max ever felt when left left alone in the dark. At least that's how Max remembered things, he might not remember the reasons for the fear, but he remembered the fear itself. Though now was different, wasn't it? He wasn't alone at the moment, as long as Matt was here then there was a chance to put up a fight. The greatest weapon against ones fear is having someone else there to fight it with you. And if James couldn't be there to protect his little brother, then at least someone else could offer some sort of comfort.
A deep breath was released, almost a whine though stubbornly supressed, Max's face quickly resting down on Matt's shoulder. If they were silent then perhaps it would be easier to hear what was out there, though Max's breathing was still quick, a false calm seeming to settle.. though obviously not felt in any way, as the heart continued to race and the hands remained with their firm hold of the slightly older youth.
There was a slight creak, inconspicuous enough to be easily ignored without concerns and yet for Max it was a sign of what was to come, what lurked in the shadows and stalked quietly towards him. Insignificant in every way save for the reaction it brought from Max, the quick breaths became completely tangled in his thoat, his body rigid and his grip tight.
"No.. no no no.." The handsome face buried itself down deeper against Matt's shoulder, the youths soft plea whispered breathlessly towards Matt's chest. "Go away.. please..." The murmers were almost too soft to pick up, chocked out between dazed gasps and reletively clenched teeth. And then as quickly as the moment of panic started, it seemed to stop, though not in the most preferable manner for sure. Instead of a gradial calm being reached, there was a sudden one. Max's whole body going limp, stone flesh reverting to its soft tissue and firm arms loosening their strong grip to a flimsy hold. It was simple enough to assess that Max had fainted, the weight that leaned into Matt, the knees that buckled trying to support all of Max's body with nothing but laxed muscles..
Not that Max would remember what freaked him out, or the whispers, or any of the number of things that he often pushed to the depths of his mind and left there, blissfully ignorant of the pain and damage that nestled itself in the depths of his mind.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
When the additional weight met his shoulder, Max seeking protection from something the light-elemental was entirely oblivious to, the instinctive reaction was to bring up a hand and rest it in a comforting, albeit useless, gesture at the back of the other's head. It was just in time that Matt kept himself from continuing on this age-worn road, humming or mumbling soft, soothing words as people had been doing for thousands of years, following an urge that they didn't understand but usually obeyed all the same. It was what you did with a child or your love, two terms not applying in this case. Sweet, sweet self-deception, whatever would mankind do without you?
Choked whimpers sounded, muffled, incomprehensible safe for the fact that something was terrifying this normally so reckless young man out of his wits. It was probably a good thing the contrasting mutant couldn't quite catch what Max was saying, or he might have taken these words meant for an incorporeal other as being directed at himself. Of course Chadstone's actions went entirely against that, but seeing as he had long got a reputation of saying one thing and doing another - in Matt's books anyway - that fact alone wouldn't have changed much.
As things were, however, Contrast remained standing in this intimate position, inwardly shaking his head in slight amusement as a part of him seemed to watch the scene from the outside. Of all the things he had ever expected to happen with Max, of all the directions of development his mind had entertained, this was one of the few that had never appeared as a possibility. And yet here it was, all real and confusing. Matt had never been good at finding the right words to say in emotional situations, or maybe he had, but always thought them to sound stupid. It was hard to tell most of the time. It stands to argue whether it was really lucky he didn't have to worry about that for long.
Suddenly the grasp was gone, the weight of Max's body becoming much heavier as his muscles stopped supporting him. It took a moment for his companion to realise what had just happened as he had never seen, let alone felt anyone faint on him in reality, but only on TV where things were obviously a little bit different, the reasons more clearly revealed than in this confined darkness where guessing was all he could resort to.
Unable to hold the more toned student in a standing position, it even took Matt quite an effort to let him slide down to the floor slowly, lest Max hurt himself upon hitting the ground. *I really need to start working out!* he thought in the way people tend to have rather insignificant things run through their mind in moments like this. And now what? Did he have to try and move the legs into an elevated position? How did the whole recovery position thing work again? Was it wrong to go for some mouth-to-mouth resuscitation if there was a certain amount of enjoyment in for him?
"Don't. Panic." It was easier said than done, but telling it himself in the most reasonable voice he could muster was at least something, words spoken out loud the anchor to a reality that faded all too easily into the background when things got out of control. A quick check revealed that the other's vital functions were all in order; breathing, pulse, all there. Now what?! Focusing on breathing normally, Matt closed his eyes and tried to recall what he knew about first aid. It wasn't much. Yet fortunately there was actually a use to the box on occasions, and if there was one thing he had learnt watching sitcoms, it were two things. A slap hit Max's cheek, somewhere between soft and hard as the dark-haired male couldn't decide which one to go for. "Hey, Max. Max? Wake up, will ya?!" Damn it, there now there was some panic in his voice. Why couldn't these things stay in the realm of fiction, happening only to the imaginary, never to real people? It really, truly would have made things so much easier.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
Images flickered, sounds faded in and out, as if his mind couldn't decide on if it was going to dream or not, if laying there asleep was a good idea or it rathered waking up and moving on with life. There was a flurry of movement in the darkness of Max's mind, hard to make out and yet he knew it was there. Mental arms tried to brace themselves for the impact, yet physically his body lay motionless, mentally yells were being thrown about in fear and paranoia, though again physically Max still laid silently on the floor. Legs were bent slightly awkward due to the inability to stretch them out in the elevator, his body having rolled onto its back as Matt helped rest Max down, legs getting tangled lightly and arms flopped at his side.
A force struck the cheek of the handsome features, causing the head to be knocked to the side, an inward flinch didn't make it to Chadstone's expression however, giving the illusion that he was completely uneffected.
"Hey, Max. Max? Wake up, will ya?!" The voice sounded so far away, as if on the otherside of some barrier, distant, some of the words faded and unable to be made out but the context was clear, his name tugging at the depths of Max's mind. The lights of the elevator flickered just a few shades brighter, a dull gloom that seemed to just want to tease them with the promise of light but instead just offered more shadows for things to hide in. Emergency lights seemed to hold their stand against the total darkness of before however, and with a slight jerk of the elevator Max gave a soft groan.
If the jerk was real or not, Max's mind couldn't quite figure, though another sharp jerk of the ground beneath him caused Max's legs to try and stretch out, pushing his body towards the door and hitting his head against it. Obviously not exceedingly hard, but enough for groggy movements to ensue as Max rolled onto his side, facing away from Matt and shifting his legs to the wall in front of him. Toned arms moved to cradle Max's head for a moment as his legs pressed against the opposing wall, pushing him back into Matt. The realization someone was there struct Max hard, before his mind had a chance to catch up and explain the situation to him the disorientation and confusion just caused a whimpered groan and a more defensive curling of his legs. The sharp motions of the elevator seemed to cease entirely for the moment as the electricians decided whatever they were trying to do was obviously not working.
"Oh fõck.." A nervous whisper, part silent anger and part fear, his legs reached for the wall he faced again, hands moving to press against the closed doors of the elevator, what was he doing on the floor? Sapphire eyes shut tight, trying to clear the rush of confusion that had disorientated him, opening again and a few attempts to blink away the gloom that invaded his comfort zone. Maybe he was still asleep? Maybe he'd wake up any moment now and it'll all be bright and he'll be in his room.. in his bed, nice big and perfect freshly made bed.. yes.. ignorance was bliss and once again Max just forced himself to ignore everything and focused only on clearing his mind.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
There was nothing left of the initial spark of amusement Matt had felt, and which had gradually faded, inevitably dwindling with every passing second. Now only worry remained, and he knew that it wouldn't be before long that it teamed up with helplessness to make things even worse than they already were. It wasn't so much the fact of what was going on, though of course he didn't realise that. The reason why it was getting to him with such speed and intensity was simply because of who it involved.
The slap at least proved effective; he inwardly thanked the gods of trusty TV shows, and that little bit of silliness did its share to calm him down a little bit. Considering the whole thing logically, there were only a handful of possibilities as to why Max was reacting this extremely to darkness, but they were all speculative and sounded so far off, he didn't see any point in contemplating them further. At least not at this time when the subject of these musings seemed only a few moments away from acting like a panicking animal, trying to carve its way through the metal doors that, contrary to the elevator itself, refused to move.
When the machine started to jerk uncontrollably, the dark-haired student felt his heart stop for a second before it continued at increased pace. The resulting light-headedness of rising panic made it impossible for him to register the irony in that development. *I'm an X-Man dammit, we don't die in bloody elevators!* he rather unreasonably argued with whichever deities decided to listen, and couldn't help wondering if they just didn't know about the less heroic deaths. Then again, it didn't really matter seeing as he didn't have any intention to leave this world before he had gone grey and wrinkly.
Then the moving stopped, and like most people in such situations, he felt pretty silly but glad he hadn't actually said out loud what had gone through his mind. Max's curse brought the contrasting mutant mentally back to where he had left to take a little trip to hysteria hills. Nothing had really changed here. Matt assumed it was better for the other to be awake rather than to zone out entirely, but that was only a guess and not at all countering the feeling of powerlessness settling in as he started to wonder whether there actually was anything he could do.
*Get a grip!* he told himself harshly and did his best to follow that advice. Once upon a time it would have been easier to solve the problem... but maybe that was where he went wrong. True, it wasn't as easy as snapping his fingers and illuminating the whole room brightly, still there were ways. Maybe. An arm was gently placed on the other's chest as Matt leaned against Max's back, closing his eyes for better concentration.
"Calm," he whispered, hoping it would get through to him. A deep breath, and the mind was focused on calling forth what wasn't there anymore: beacons in darkness, the rays of searing light, and luminous wings that had taken him up high, all lost for what Matt thought to be forever. Yet there was a spark, and the futile calling upon his old powers awakened it like it had several times before, just that this time, he didn't stop when all his efforts produced was a crackling of weak white light, barely visible on a bright day, but enough for this small, black room to only have shadowy corners where before there had been a veil of darkness covering everything. It took more effort than he would have thought to keep going, his body protesting against the strain that felt as if there weren't this pathetic glow of ghostly fingers weaving and entwining themselves around his form, but a powerful blast of energy erupting from him.
It didn't matter though. This time, it really didn't matter.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
A sharp intake of breath came as an arm moved about Max's chest, panic fluttered more and thoughts came that any minute now the grip would tighten. His body would be pressed down and the eight holding him in place making it difficult to breath. The rough handling didn't come though, but for some reason, one Max had effectively blocked out, he still remained braced and tesnse, eyes shut in fear of whatever he might see.
"Calm," The voice seemed out of place, Max wasn't sure why, and he had no idea why he felt so confused and yet relieved by this. Should Chadstone dare to open his eyes? The youth wasn't sure... if he did there was the risk something frightful would be there waiting. Firm hands took hold of the hand Matt rested over the stone elementals chest, a pumping heart beating away beneath the palm of the other.
Calm. So much easier said then done, the panicked gaze opened, a flickering light unnerved Max more, it didn't look stable, and unstable things could come and go at a moments notice. Turning his head, the long time popular school bully could see his companion, and the strain of focus on Matt's face. Calm. A shakey b reath was drawn in, and attempt for a forced focus now gaining all of Max's efforts. Calm... what could make him calm? Light/ Assuming Matt wouldn't hold up long, how else could they obtain light? Obviously by finding something that produces it... mobile phone!
The expensive device was reletively useless in the boxed in area as far as calling out went, but the light function would still work. Perhaps far from perfect, but it was still something. Letting only one hand release Matt's, Max searched his pocket for the ever present phone that was as much a part o Max Chadstone as the bravado and charms. Swiftly unlocking it, the younger of the two had the decently enough bright light turned on. More a sharp forward beam that lit the path ahead instead of shinning up an entire room. With the elevator being a small enough area however it didn't matter so much, the bright focused beam reached all the way up to the ceiling and could go twice as far with ease if there had been distance enough.
Last time Max had freaked out it had been with Lara, and she had always found his fear amusing. To say she had been anything but helpful would have done shame to the truth of her almost pitiful neglect towards her long time associate and companion. The phone was left at his side on the floor was the stone shifting mutant returned his hand to the comfort of Matt's.
It was.. nice, sort of... well it was hard to explaine, everything seemed to be going so fast and nothing was making sense to Max, but there was a moment where everything went still and the only two things Max noticed were the rise and fall of both his breathing and the breathing of Matt's behind him. A thumb gently stroked against the back of Matt's hand as Max took a moment to collect the scattered thoughts, no matter how elusive they still were he did feel better.
God he needed to have sex. The answer to all problems as far as Max was concerned, or just making out, anything to distract one from thoughts and worries and all that mattered was the stirring of sensations inside. There was an idea, one that, should he get to his room, he would take full advantage of.. once he was safely hidden away in his room... then he could just go wild and it wouldn't matter, there was no holding back when trepidation was thrown into the wind along with the paranoia of being seen or heard. There were different kinds of ways to be in bed with someone, or wherever one happened to be when things got fun. There was tender and sweet, then there was wild and almost angry. He didn't care which one at this point, he just wanted something to take his mind off whatever was freaking it out... wild would be good... long lasting either way was definite..
That's what he needed to get his mind off whatever it was his mind was focusing on, this well of untapped fear that came and left at a simple flick of the switch. A wild passion where all he'd think was how much more he could take, torn between calling for an end, wanting so badly for the strain that pushed him beyond even his own limits to end. And yet as always he could get so worked up that his mind yearned for more, regardless if it seemed as if his body wanted nothing more then to just throw the other off and just have a chance to recover from it all... the pain and achs, the fire in his lungs as he gasped and groaned.. Oh yes. Max thought decidedly, sex would make this night all better.
"...I-I should try and open the door." The voice still quiet, still unsteady and almost too timid to be heard. The desire to do so however came with hesitation as Max's hands still held Matt's against his chest, his face once again turning to look back at Matt slightly, enough to at least give the other a side glance.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
The flickering was barely noticed, just faintly visible through his closed eyes. Yet it was quite impossible for Matt to think his efforts were creating nothing, however weak the perception of their result. Pain was seeping into his consciousness like a mild acid, just strong enough to sting and annoy in a way that made it obvious he wouldn't be able to bear it for all that long. It had something of lifting weights up until a point where you could still go on, but it really started to hurt and you knew your muscles would be what felt like sorer than ever before the day after.
Still, he couldn't stop now, could he? There wasn't much he was able to do in this silvery dream of mirrored walls and darkness, not much to counter irrational fears he found himself incapable to understand. And as much as he had and was trying to tell himself otherwise, it was much the same with the one they were haunting. Max was and remained a mystery in more ways than he could possibly count, a fact that made sticking to the one thing that stood a good chance of making a difference to his companion all the more important.
The touch of his hand was distracting, their closeness coming to Matt's awareness with sudden intensity. Staying focused was getting harder, but at the same time there was the realisation that this... approach, for lack of a better word, meant Chadstone at least wasn't in panicked stupor anymore. Nice, comfortable stillness... if it hadn't been for the irritating throb in his head growing stronger with every second. His attention diverted by these two factors, his mind ironically managed to finally register the increase in luminousness around them.
Eyes opened reluctantly, the added amount of information his brain had to process being too much for him to handle. The feeble light disappeared, much like a candle being blown out, but fortunately it wasn't needed anymore anyway. Realising what was providing the bright beam that cut through the blackness threatening Max's peace of mind, Contrast felt the urge to hit his forehead. Real hard. Why hadn't he thought of that?! It was so simple... maybe too simple. *You know you like it complicated...,* Matt thought self-ironically, scoffing inwardly.
"...I-I should try and open the door." Were these words to be taken seriously, or was Max just speaking for the sake of saying something? The few times he had been stuck in an elevator, Matt had never even considered trying to open the doors himself, and so he had to admit that he didn't have any clue as to whether that was even possible without any equipment like... well, whatever it was you might possibly need. Then again, Chadstone didn't look overly motivated to so much as get up, let alone do anything constructive.
"Couldn't we just use the emergency com thing to find out how long they're gonna take?" the light-elemental asked as he suddenly remembered there was supposed to be a way to talk to a technician or the local caretaker or someone who could bloody do something. By now, there really should have been some soothing voice telling them everything would be alright! If they had been elderly ladies, chances of heart attacks or fainting would have been pretty high, especially with the sudden cabin movements. On second thought, their situation wouldn't have been much different if they had in fact been that. Goddess, he'd really have to watch out or he might end up making fun of poor Max and his as to then still unknown trauma.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
Oh that was smart, why hadn’t Max thought of that…? Hm, well, maybe because if he wanted to wait around for the idiots in charge of fixing this situation he would have, but considering they’d been in here for longer then Max would have cared as it was, he really didn’t want to sit around waiting for any miraculous speedy workers getting the job done efficiently quick. Of course, the workers were struggling and doing a good job of trying to deal with all their customers, unfortunately they had a large amount of calls flooding them from the rooms with complains and questions and those who couldn’t get their calls through were wandering aimlessly in the dark trying to get to the front desk downstairs. Thus causing even more disturbances and hold ups when they’d stop a technician from doing his work to ask rather stupidly ignorant questions that their customer training experience demanded they not show that’s how they felt.
"Oh of course." It wasn’t really meant to shoot down Matt’s suggestion as rudely as it must have sounded, or so Max realized a moment later, his hands hugging Matt’s more firmly for a moment in case the other was to pull it away in annoyance. "You must have missed the whole ‘Spoiled brat’ thing I have going… see, part of the package is impatience, I want it, I want it now, not later, not in a minute, not when someone else has the time…now." Max was hardly about to deny that he wasn’t just as many of the other children of richly parents, spoiled and clueless on life’s daily struggles for the medium and lower class families. So he didn’t mind joking about it… as long as it was he who was doing the joking, if it was someone else, they better have a damn good sense of humour and fantastic judgement skills, or they just might end up with a face full of fist marks.
"It can’t hurt just to see if we could actually climb to one of the floors… besides, I’m getting hungry." The casual tone was impressive considering Max was still with a heart beat that could be considered dangerous if one didn’t know just how panicked he had previously been. Max rolled over onto his side, looked up at Matt, and then rolled all the way onto his stomach, offering a nervous little grin that tried to show a calmness his eyes bluntly refused to play along with. Quietly, only the abnormal breathing of the attractive youth disturbing his prowl, Max moved closer towards the other student, an arm reaching over the legs to rest on one side while his other arm remained on the opposite side of the shadow-walking mutant. "And I don’t like unwelcomed interruptions when I’m hungry." Max had already stated he was hungry earlier on, or at least suggested they get food for the night if nothing more direct, but by the movements Max made as he inched towards the other it made it clear that there was a twisting of words in play at that moment.
Leaning in to allow his face to rest again the curve of Matt’s neck, warm and hastened breaths stroking against the side of the light elemental’s neck as Max rested his face down, brushing lips lightly against the skin. Warm breath followed in light beats the path of Chadstone’s lips as they trailed towards the jaw line, then onto the cheek, slowly moving towards the ear before reversing destination and sensually making their way back towards the lips. Though again they ceased their travels before arriving to where it appeared they’d be heading, instead stopping near the corner of Matt’s mouth to give a light kiss before pulling away, Max’s body following suit as he got up.
"Though I suppose that’s a point.. can’t hurt using the intercom and seeing what’s happening." There was still a nervousness to Max’s voice, his eyes glancing repetitively to the phone as if making sure nothing was about to snatch it away or just to double check the light was still there, no matter how obvious it would have been if the light had actually turned off. A finger pressed against the speaker button, a beep and slight static occurring as the channel opened to the other end. "Hello?" The tone seemed more controlled now, Max’s need to play cool all the stronger as he spoke to the outside world. "Just a moment please." The male voice seemed rushed, almost annoyed and frustrated with what seemed as a distraction from a hundred other things that were interrupting him. "Oh… ok sure…" There was a slight pause from Max, then he lifted his wrist and examined the face of the watch he wore. "For every thirty seconds you fõcks keep me waiting, one of you will get fired, I have all the time in the world and a lot of friends looking for employment." The annoyed irritation had a bubbling of anger that would have been all the more prominent if the fear wasn’t bridling Max’s usual gruffness when aggravated by someone.
"Mr Chadstone, sorry sir, we’re swamped with calls, the entire street lost power and we’re trying to get the back up power generators up sir, but we can’t seem to get them to work, and the technicians don’t have the parts they need to fix them." This time the tone of the one on the other end was almost panicked in his need to respond to Chadstone and give the displeased boss the attention he demanded. Voices on the other end told of others also talking to people, some disrupting the man who Max spoke with by asking questions and updating on other things. "Broken?" And what were these people getting paid for again? Obviously not for the work Max had suggested they do! "I’m not really sure of the details sir, we’re-""-When the fõck can you get me out of this fõcking elevator? Or is there no one in employment capable of figuring that one out either?" It wasn’t common for Max to take things out on his workers, that’s something most of them knew well enough, especially those who had for whatever reasons transferred in from other Chadstone run hotels, where Max’s father was infamous for being harsh and strict. "Technicians have been trying to route power to them via portal back up generators, we only have two and there’s six groups stuck in various elevators throughout the hotel." He sounded worried, as if should he say anything more that was not what Max would want to hear then he might as well hand in his resignation, being one of the newer workers he wasn’t sure if Max would target him for all the problems of the hotel merely because it was he who answered the call.
"Six of them?" Max mulled over the idea for a moment and then inwardly groaned, "Ok, make sure they’re all out first, I’ll see what I can do from in here… be sure to target those who seem most in need, isolated children, elderly, people showing signs of panic, all that jazz." He sounded almost deflated at the thought, but Max could at least count on the fact he’d not send in a complaint to his own office, and if people found out the head of the hotel was sort to first before the customers, well… that wouldn’t go down well. Naturally, that’s the excuse Max inwardly told himself was the reasoning as to his offer, there was no thought towards the possibility he was sacrificing his own demands for others who might be suffering. Hell would freeze over before Max admitted that he was at risk of becoming a good man…that and his father might give him the beating of a lifetime, figuring the X-men have finally brainwashed his son.
"Fõck." The finger had now been released and a mumbled curse was all Max could do, but it still didn’t help him feel any better. "But that’s ok… I’ll just rip a fõcking hole in the door if I have to, I’m not fussed of the expense." It was rather obvious he was talking more to himself then to Matt, and as Max’s flesh once more shifted to its stone cold form, the fingers that gripped where the two doors met made it clear that ‘ripping a hole’ wasn’t possible. But perhaps he’d manage to force them open, after all, not only was Max a well built athlet, stronger then any average student, in his stone form the rock-mutant was even stronger. Sure, no He-man for certain, but with about three times the strength, it was enough to notice a difference for sure. Open…open open open… be calm…calm…open you stupid metallic shét of a door! A deep groan came from Max as a slight creak of the doors began to show signs of being wedged apart. Eyes shut tight and teeth clenched as arms continued to grow even more solid inside, his strength increasing as well as his stamina as the inner flesh solidified into stone, a numbness spreading to a point he couldn’t really feel the tips of his fingers.
The doors were opened enough for either boy to squeeze through easily enough, however as Max had opened his eyes to the darkness on the other side, the fear once again took hold with its unforgiving grasp. A panicked gasp of air was drawn in, arms pushing him away from the gap of the door with a freaked whimper as he moved away from the gap, as if should he stay there the darkness itself would sweep in and engulf his very being. The elevator was half way on the floor, which meant the floor was at Max’s stomach about, but the step up would be easy, at least for Max, and if Matt wasn’t able to hop up for whatever reason Max’s effortlessly help the other up… Though at this point Max seemed more focused on inching his back as firmly against the corner of the elevator as possible. "…Fõck." The whisper was soft, his body miserably sank down, though squatting more for the ability to reach the phone, flipping it over and examining the battery symbol. Max used his phone a lot throughout the day, and he hadn’t recharged it last night since the battery wasn’t even a third used up. Now however it was in the red, which didn’t tell Max a lot, it could be an hours worth of light, or mere minutes…he was too afraid to check the percentage of power left however… perhaps at this point it was better for him not to know.
"…Do you… have a phone?" Everyone had a phone! And every phone had a light, unless you were from the dark ages of course, and in that case, it wasn’t deserving to be called a phone. More like a scrap of metal used only for a paper weight. He could try to make it seem as if two people with lights were better than one… but Max pretty much figured he’d freaked out enough for any half-wit to figure out he was having problems of some kind… being Max, he naturally just hoped that Matt was completely oblivious to the tell-tale signs of distress.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)
The sarcastic subtext in the other's initial reply did in fact call forth some irritation, yet mild as it were, the firmer grasp was already enough to do the trick and tell him it hadn't been meant the way it sounded. Of course the untypical introspect that followed also did its share to keep Matt from biting back. Not that he hadn't long since figured out that part of Max's personality, but it was rather surprising to see Chadstone was actually aware of that himself. Albeit not exactly willing to do anything about it.
*Baby steps... it's a start,* Matt thought not entirely seriously, his emotional state changing as quickly as it usually did when being with Max. When the latter proceeded to roll onto his stomach - a priceless sight, at least as far as the light-elemental was concerned, the corner of his mouth rising into an amused little grin. What followed would have had quite some potential to make their time stuck in this confined space much more enjoyable, yet much too soon the feel of hot breath against the sensitive skin of his neck ceased as Max stood up to talk to some staff person.
The frustrated groan that left Matt's throat was quiet, but heartfelt, and he cursed himself for having said anything sensible at all instead of just jumping Max as some sort of conditioning therapy. Of course it would have been quite counterproductive for the wealthy youth's attempt at keeping his newly discovered tendencies a secret if the staff had sent in a "rescue" team just while they were having some fun, and Matt grudgingly accepted that fact as a good reason to hold back.
Standing up slowly, he listened to the conversation (if one could call it that) Max was having with his employee, unsure of what to think. Eventually, he decided it was the paranoid tension which still seemed to maintain a firm grasp on Max letting him treat the stressed out man at the other end so harshly. With that explanation in mind, it came even more as a surprise to hear him decide to stay in their cage for a while longer until everybody else had been freed. Matt was mightily impressed, although a cynical voice in his head insisted on pointing out that Chadstone himself would easily classify as someone "in panic" and should thus be rescued as well. It was probably wiser not to point that bit out though.
A sceptical look followed the other's attempts at opening the door with his bare hands. It took a moment for him to realise that Max actually stood a chance of accomplishing what he wanted to do, his mind entirely having ignored the possibility that a side-effect of turning to stone could be increased physical strength. His surprise upon realising the hallways were dark as well was short-lived and rather embarrassing. If the whole area was without electricity, then logically the hotel's corridors would be as well. Why he hadn't though of that, Matt couldn't fathom, but he decided to blame the whole situation for it and move on. That was the overall better choice.
A scared sound made an attempt to distract him from his thoughts, and he gladly followed, worried green eyes resting on the slumped form of his companion. *And back to status quo, eh?* he mused as he squatted down in front of Max, effectively blocking his view without much thought. A nod was given in reply to the other's frantic question, calming affirmation - as he hoped. "I'll switch it on when your battery dies, ok? No use having two empty phones." His voice low and assuring, Matt was once again left wondering what to do. Oh there were many things he wanted to proceed with, but now that the doors stood open, although only partly, these things were even less advisable than they had already been before.
"So...,“ Matt began in the way people who aren't entirely sure what to say start their sentences. Unfortunately "how are you" wasn't going to work here. "Do you come here often?" Not much better. A pause. "Ok... at least that fulfils tonight's quota for stupid jokes." He made a face, hoping his silliness at least had the side effect of slightly distracting Max from whatever he was afraid of. Otherwise there would only be cartwheels, and that certainly wouldn't be a pretty sight... and rather painful too.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)"I'll switch it on when your battery dies, ok? No use having two empty phones." Two empty phones? Was Matt’s almost empty too? Did that mean they might not have enough to get to his room? What if something bad happened on the way to the room and they had no light and they couldn’t see and it snuck up on them, and grabbed them from the dark and… "So...," The expensive phone that Chadstone had was held firmly within his hands, nervousness seeping to his core still despite the doors now open. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, there was supposed to have been a flooding of light just sweeping away all the shadows and revealing everything, letting Max know that there was nowhere left for someone to hide. Even at that point, even with that fear, it still didn’t occur to Max why he’d be afraid of someone getting him in the dark, it was just always a fear, and hearing Lara tease him about the boogie-man that frightens little boys, well… Max just assumed it was a paranoid phobia of some kind that made little sense… he knew there was no such thing as the boogie-man!
"Do you come here often?" And stare… Max found himself more confused then frightened for a brief moment as he wondered what was wrong with Matt, of course he’d been here often, it was his hotel! "Ok... at least that fulfils tonight's quota for stupid jokes." Jokes? That was a joke? Ok, the guy had other qualities at least, not everyone could be well rounded and reasonably perfect, at least he could classify it as stupid, that was something. But in the end, none of that mattered, Max looked a little more firmly at the darker haired student, trying to see if there was any sign that he was trying to wiggle out of spending any more time with Max. It’d be understandable if Matt just wanted to go back to the school, it’d be even understandable if he wanted to go anywhere else other then this place that didn’t even have functioning lights! However Max was never one to want to be understanding when it meant his own problems would just get worse, that’s what he liked to think, and that’s what had been relatively true. The previous action of wanting others to be tended to first didn’t really count as anything in the Chadstone’s mind, Max was just doing his job, how would it look otherwise? For Max, a good deed was just there to make headlines… that’s all his parents ever taught him.
It made no logical sense in many ways that Max somehow translated Matt’s previous comments as a not so discreet show of boredom that threatened to have him walk away, and while there was a chance Max could have realized that and calmed down, he was too freaked as it was to risk being left alone. The athletic form seemed to shakily get to its feet, Max’s eyes remaining on Matt’s face while he pulled himself up.
"If the kitchen’s still out when we get settled into the room, we could order in from somewhere… my treat, anything you want, I’m not fussed." As a kid Max had been rather picky with his foods, dating so many different woman over the last few years meant that if he wanted to charm them with dinner dates he’d have to expand and try new things since many had different tastes. At this point, Max was always willing to try new things… one never knew what they’d might take a fancy too. Bribery through the stomach however may not be the most safest thing to secure his guests attention, after all, one could just as easily eat back at the school and not have to worry about costs. When Matt stood, Max merely gave an anxious smile, letting his body once again drift towards the other, almost leaning a little too close in as the youth whispered teasingly. "I want you full of energy.. to last the night." There was a slight air of nervousness to him still, and no matter how softly spoken his words may have been they still had an anxiety to them that was hard to hide away completely.
Re: Into the shadows, where we belong... (MATURE CTN!)(OOC: Yaaay, you used "Because of You" in the siggy. *delayed reaction in true thingy fashion* I love that song soooo much... but you've known that already. lol)
Max really was a good starer. Confused stares,vacant looks, furious glares - he knew them all and used them as often as he could. Some more non-panicky talking, Matt thought, would have been much nicer at this point though. So much for lightening up the mood! He could just as well be trying to make Wolverine have his public coming-out or get Psylocke to talk about her plastic surgeries. Both scenarios weren't actually all that unlikely, at least as far as certain rumours among the students were concerned. It would explain a lot of things, if nothing else, but at this point, he couldn't claim to care much.
The mention of food triggered both a déjà-vu and an empty feeling in his stomach, like a miniature black hole that had just needed to be reminded of its existence. The good thing about having the hotel's owner order in was that you got around the most common flaw of posh restaurants: ridiculously tiny servings! Should they ever manage to get out of that elevator, he'd cheerfully help increase this place's groceries bill.
Max's approach was unexpected and strangely off. It seemed a little as if his body, voice and mind all had pretty different ideas of what to do, and the result would have Matt step back a little had he not been vaguely aware of the other's almost desperate need to be with someone then. A hand rose to gently rest on the side of the other's head, white fingers then tracing the line of his cheekbones and moving down towards his lips. A butterfly touch, elusive, and that was as far as he could dare to go.
Had things been a little differently, Matt would have found it amusing to once again see in what kinds of situations Chadstone managed to turn everything that little more sexual, as if that were the panacean treatment, no matter what. As it was, he just felt a little sad though, and couldn't say himself why exactly. "I'll not leave you until you want me to...," the light-elemental said softly, and knew it was true - in its own way. What way that was, he had yet to find out, but there, in this nightly world only illuminated by spears of artificial light, he was sincere despite being unsure about what.
There comes a time when everyone of us has to take over responsibility for their actions. It stands to argue whether there is also a time when we can get rid of it again.
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