Maximilien was sitting on a green bench, sighing and generally being bored. He had spend half of the day learning a new choreography, and he was tired. He took his headphones, intending to listen a bit of music, when a hand on his shoulder made him jump. « PUTAIN » he swore, looking at the impertinent who dared interrupt his day dreaming. He found himself face to face with an handsome young man, sporting an apologetic expression. « I'm sorry to disturb you ... But I noticed you from my bench » he pointed a bench at the other side of the park « And I couldn't help but find you cute. So, forgive my question, but ... Are you gay ? ». Maximilien blinked. Twice. Then, he smiled « Why, yes of course. » he took his earpiece and tucked it in his bag « What's your name ? ». The stranger looked relieved, before taking a place next to the brunet, and answering « I'm Nathan. But you can call me Nate. Are you french ? ». The dancer laughed and simply shrugged « Yes. I'm from Paris. My name's Maximilien, but you can call me Max. And you are from — ». Nathan moved closer to him « I'm afraid my origins aren't as sexy as yours are. I'm from Hartford, Connecticut. How long do you plan on staying here ? ». Maximilien rolled his eyes. « I'm french, but I also have the American nationality. I've been living here for five years. » his cellphone rang and he looked at it, pleased by the excuse to change subject. It was a text from Noah. He frowned. WHERE ARE YOU ? he quickly typed an answer. UNION SQUARE PARK. a few seconds later, the phone vibrated again. I'LL BE THERE IN FIVE MINUTES. Great ... Absolutely great ... thought Maximilien. « Is that your boyfriend ? » asked Nathan, concerned. « No. I don't have a boyfriend. » mumbled the brunet, watching the entrance of the park to locate Noah « It's just my roommate. ». « I'm glad ... » announced Nate bluntly, putting a hand on Max's thigh « But what's a good looking chap like you is doing, single ? ».

Noah had finally managed to find a babysitter who could take care of Jonathan today. The last couple of days him and Maximilien had managed to somehow take care of the little fellow together. And it had all gone rather well. But they just needed a tiny break from it, so he had promised to find someone who could babysit him once in a while. Especially with their busy schedules. He found a sweet 18 year old not so innocent girl. He could tell she was good with children but today he had spent an hour trying to make her get the hint that he was /gay/. And he was /very/ gay. She'd been quite embarrassed afterwards and apologetic, but he had just shrugged it off, trying to explain all the important things about Jonathan. He was supposed to meet Maximilien soon, so he slowly made his way over to the park, all the while thinking about if he had forgotten something important he was supposed to tell. Maximilien was so much better at this, but he'd been busy the whole day today. When he entered the park he squinted his eyes in search of Maximilien and frowned when he saw him sitting at one of the benches with another man. As he came nearer he realized the other man was quite handsome, and even had his stupid hand on Maximilien's thigh. He huffed, he didn't have time for this. He would drag Maximilien out from here, this instant. And because sometimes Noah was one of the persons who didn't really think before they acted, he bent down and kissed Maximilien on the cheek, and then the other, lingering slightly. ''Did you wait long?'' He asked, while looking coldly at the other man. It seemed like he had forgotten all about his manners right now. He just merely raised an eyebrow, waiting for Maximilien to say something.

Noah stared at the man for a long while. Imagining 100 ways he could wipe that smile off his face. Why was the fool even smiling that big. With teeth and all. It made him look like a fucking horse. No, he looks more like an otter, he decided. He could even help him out. He was sure he could place a good fist in there, which would definitely help him not look like a freaking otter. He would be all toothless after Noah was done with him. He realized he had probably been quiet for too long so he shook himself out of his stupor with contemplating how a toothless Nathan would look. ''My, my, picking up men at a park?'' He asked, while looking at Nathan, directing the question at him. ''Is it the spell or are you just... Out after more.. Pressing matters. Let's say, with Maximilien helping you get rid of that tight feeling down there.'' Noah knew very well someone would kill him someday because sometimes he just couldn't shut up or say the stupidest things. ''This is not the french magic operating.'' He said, while rolling his eyes, and then bringing his attention back to Maximilien. ''Yes I'm alright. But you don't have time to take the dog out for a walk.''

Noah was fuming. He hadn't done a thing wrong! Just stating some facts! How could Maximilien be so blind. And it didn't help at all that Max had shut him up with his hand. Therefore he decided to bite. Hard. At the hand that was shutting him up. ''He is not cute! He looks like a fucking otter! Did you see his teeth?'' He glared at the man's retreating back, wanting to walk up behind him and smack him. ''He just wants to get in your pants. I know the type.'' He slumped down on the bench, staring up at the sky while muttering under his breath, ''Din blinde idiot! Skal jeg virkelig lege din fucking vagthund!'' He looked back at Max, ''You're not seriously considering going out with him? Are you? You could do better. He's just a sleazy American guy. They are not even that great in bed.'' He stood up again and began walking, expecting Maximilien to follow along.

Noah stilled in his walk, turning around to look at Maximilien again, in disbelief. ''I'm just trying to.. Fuck! Never mind, you're such a prick sometimes! I'm just trying to warn you against guys like him! And YES, maybe I am just like him, but that doesn't mean.. That doesn't mean.. Fuck, I don't even know what I'm talking about.'' He walked over to the other side where Max was, stepped right in front of him and crossed his arms. ''You know what. I take all that back, because you really do need to get laid. I just hope he can ride your cock nice and hard. Loosen you up a bit. It's probably the only thing he will appreciate about you. Your cock.'' Alright, he hadn't meant to say that, so he immediately winced and looked at Max with regret written all over his face. He always knew how to hurt people with words, and he always covered his own feelings up with hurtful words. It was just a defense mechanism. Stupid, really. ''Look. I-I'm.. Sorry.'' He managed to say through gritted teeth since he really hated apologizing to people. ''I didn't mean to say that... I just..'' He shrugged. He just what? He didn't even know what it was he exactly wanted to say in this situation. He just really didn't like the other guy. ''Like I said.. He's probably bad in bed.'' And here we go again. He scolded himself, thinking, 'Really Noah? You couldn't come with a better answer than that.'

Noah was getting frustrated. Not because of Max but because of himself. He knew very well how he always had been good at hurting people by words only. He always did that. He always distanced himself from people with words. It was better that way. And he never cared about those he hurt, because frankly, no one had really mattered to him, besides his now dead friend. But somewhere deep inside himself he knew that he cared about Max. Maybe more than he would admit, and that feeling scared him. Of course he cared about Jonathan too, but Max was a whole different matter. He watched helplessly Max react to his hurtful words, and he knew in that moment, that he really and truly had hurt Max. He just seemed so small and insecure right now, and Noah had an urge to draw him in for a hug. But of course he didn't do that. He didn't know how to proceed with such things. ''No.'' He began quietly. ''You're not any of that.'' And inside his head he added; You're the most honest and honorable person I know. You care about everyone around you. Even when they don't deserve it. Actually, you're too good for anyone. You're the only one who will be something big. You have talent. You're fucking gorgeous. You're not just a causality. But he didn't say any of those things aloud. ''You're... I didn't mean any of that.'' He said helplessly. ''I guess our dinner out is ruined, right?'' He opted for a little smile, but it faltered at Maximilien's look. He cleared his throat, suddenly feeling a lump there. ''Let's just head back home then.'' He didn't know how to make this good again. He only knew how to hurt with words. Not how to make things better with words.