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Ash didn't understand why Eiji was making him do this. He had mentioned in passing about how he wished Max saw him like a son, heck , he even said he wished he could have been Max’s biological son just like Michael. Upon hearing this, Eiji turned around starry-eyed, grabbed Ash’s phone, and called Max to tell him that he needed to meet Ash in the park for some one-on-one time.
Despite Ash’s stuttery insistence on how all of this wasn’t necessary , Eiji ignored him all the same and started pushing him out the door, telling him that he ‘needs to do this’ and that ‘it will be good for him to be open about his feelings’.
So here Ash is. Sitting on a park bench, in a secluded area with no one around. Waiting for Max to show up.
While looking around at the lush trees that provided a green hue of light, he was starting to regret coming to the park. Why would anyone want to be like a dad to him? Especially Max? All Ash ever did for him was cause trouble. Max was the one who paid for his hospital fee after he got stabbed. He made Max take on a financial burden. He ruined his chances of writing a successful news story. Max was too busy saving Ash’s skin to see his actual son who was actually worthy of Max’s attention.
Ash is broken. Broken. Broken. Broken. Broken. He would just be a burden, hell, he couldn’t even play baseball with him like sons and fathers do after all of the shit that happened to him. At least, he thinks that’s what they do. He’s so useless, so broken, he doesn’t even know how to be a proper son to someone, this was a huge mista-
“Hey Ash!”
His panicked thoughts were quickly silenced as he realised Max was there now.
“Yo,” Ash quietly said, simply raising his hand.
Max took a seat next to Ash, wrapping his arm around the back-support of the bench.
‘Close. So close. He could move his arm an inch or two closer and we’d be touching. Please move it closer. I need you. I’m so scared.’
“Hey, Earth to Ash! You’re looking off into space there kiddo, ‘s there anything on your mind? Or did Eiji just call this ‘cos you miss me that much?” Max teased gently, putting his hand on Ash’s shoulder.
Max and Ash going to that café they like. Teasing each other mercilessly. Max comforting Ash after something incidentally triggered him. Playfully hitting each other. Ash groaning at Max for repeating the same line from that song. Groaning at his dad jokes. Calling each other father and son because they want to, not because of them needing to keep themselves disguised. Would their relationship change? Would it stay the same?
Ash took a shaky breath, in an attempt to quell his pounding heart. Squeezing his eyes shut, he placed his fists in his lap, balling them up.
“Well I, um, was wondering… it’s just, you’ve done so much for me and I-I really appreciate it, even if I don’t express it, and, I guess I see you as the supportive father I never had? I was wondering if it would be okay if I can call you dad?”
Max’s voice rang out into the air, a small smile gracing his face.
“Only if I can call you son.” His arm wrapping around Ash’s shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.
A small sniffle was heard. Then a whimper. Max instantly looked over to see Ash curling his fists into his eyes, fat tears rolling down his face. Max’s heart broke at the sight, he really wasn’t used to feeling loved, was he?
“Hey, hey Ash shhh, it’s okay, I’ve got you. What’s the matter buddy?”
A hiccup escaped Ash as he continued to sob quietly, Max rubbing his back with one hand, and holding one of his own hands with the other, lightly tracing his knuckles with his thumb.
“Y-you could do so much better than me, all I’ve done for you is cause problems, a-and I’m always such a smartass and treating you badly, not to mention how I’ve been a lowly w-whore for my entire childhood. I’d just bring shame on you if you spoke about me.” Ash brokenly sobbed out, taking shuddering gasps of air.
“Oh Ash, honey, let’s just calm down real quick, okay? Follow my breathing kiddo, you’re doing so well for me, I know you can do it,” Max cooed softly.
Ash followed his breathing, until eventually he was reserved to hiccuping and shuddering every once in a while.
“There you go, that’s it buddy. Now, you’re not a lowly whore, You never have been, okay? You were violated in the worst ways possible and weren’t shown any support. Jim never deserved to be your father, none of it was your fault. You are so strong for being able to come out of this. So strong. I wish I was there for you a lot sooner than I was Ash. These problems were never your fault, ever . You were just a kid Ash, in a lot of ways, you still are. I may not admit to it, but deep down, I enjoy you being a smartass. I’m proud that you are one. I’m proud of you in general. All I want is to brag about you. Now c’mere son.”
Ash’s face grew hot as he could feel tears pool in his eyes again, threatening to spill. Seeing Max hold his arms up, ready to hold Ash, hug him, give him the comfort from a father to a son that he desperately craves - the pool of tears were overflowing.
As Ash cried out, as he clung onto Max’s back, nestling his face into his shoulder, while Max held him back, kissing his hair and softly cooing affirmations and praise to him.
It was overwhelming, in all of the right ways. Ash was warmed by Max’s body heat, his love.
He could get used to this.
—
Max took Ash home to Eiji, who was absolutely delighted, but not surprised, that things went well for the two of them.
“We should hang out again sometime soon, son!”
“That’d be nice… dad.” Ash looked down, a blush dusting the tops of his ears in slight embarrassment. Eiji and Max upon seeing this, both clutched at their chest and began to gently tease him over how cute he was being, leaving an even more flustered Ash groaning into his hands, secretly loving the attention.
They both took his hands off of his face as they began hugging him. He breathed softly into them, absorbing their heat, and burying his head deeper into them both.
They were like his safety blanket, protecting him from the world.
Eiji held on while Max pulled off, talking about how excited Michael will be to find out that Ash will officially be his older brother.
Ash waved Max off, happily sighing.
He could definitely get used to this.