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OLIVER FLETCHER

PAST
JUNE 2019

Today was the day that Max graduated, with a 2:1 at that. To say I was proud was an understatement, I was completely over the moon for him and everything he had achieved. He'd gone above and beyond for his final year, especially after going to see his final year piece.

Dotty's words staying imprinted on my brain, that without me Max might not have graduated. In a way I wished that this wasn't true, I'd like to think Max could have done this without someone by his side but I guess some people just need that extra push from people they love. It goes a long way.

But regardless, Max was graduating today and celebrating all of his success.

It was also the first time I was meeting his parents, and that made me feel sick to my stomach. Especially considering Max hadn't said much about them and I guess I'm going to find out why.

This morning he got up early to go and meet them, collect his gown and get ready for the ceremony at twelve o'clock. I promised I'd meet him later as he was only allowed two tickets to the ceremony, meaning I'd have to watch it in the SU bar on the big screen.

But I didn't mind, this was his big day and something wonderful to experience with your fellow students.

By the time the ceremony was over, I was ready to pounce onto him. He looked so incredibly handsome in his little gown and hat, keeping my eye out for him on the screen as he shakes the chancellor's hand and receives his scroll.

My phone vibrates in my pocket and I quickly reach my hand in to retrieve it.

Max

I'm just by the fountain

Oliver

On my way

I shove my phone back into my pocket and remove myself from the SU bar, walking between the endless amounts of people on campus in gowns, suits, high heels and dresses.

My eyes spot Max standing with his parents, for a moment a sudden rush of anxiety springs itself upon my body but I force it away. Swallowing to try and dampen my mouth as I approach them slowly, Max smiles towards his mother before clocking eyes with me.

They instantly light up and he takes a couple steps forward, his parents eyes on him carefully. He opens his arms for me to fall into, my head resting against his collarbone.

"Congratulations," I mumble into him.

"Thanks," he replies as he gives my body a big squeeze.

After a few moments he pulls away and grins at me, the tassel of his hat dangling between us. I laugh and push it away playfully before pressing onto my toes to reach his mouth, planting a kiss on his lips.

"Who's this Max?" His mother from behind him questions.

Max twirls around quickly to face them, noticing how both his parents were staring at me intently. "This is Oliver," he says as he grips onto my shoulder tightly. "Oliver, this is Sarah and Andy. My parents."

"Hi," I smile brightly, holding out my hand to his mother first. "So lovely to meet you."

"You too Oliver," she grins as she shakes my hand gently.

I turn to his father, Andy, and do the same. His dark eyes flick down my arm and back up to my eyes, my throat closing all of a sudden from the lack of enthusiasm in his stance.

"Dad," Max snaps sharply.

Andy reaches my hand out and shakes my own, clenching his thumb tightly around the back of my hand. His shake was far too firm for my liking but I pretend it doesn't bother me and smile instead.

"Nice to meet you," my words struggle to get out.

Andy's eyes didn't look welcoming and I could feel blood rush to my face quickly. "And are you my son's boyfriend?"

I swallow harshly and nod. "Yeah, I am," I say quietly.

His eyebrow flicks up at me and he pulls back his hand. "Boyfriend, huh?" He says as he turns his attention back to Max.

"Do not do this now," Max almost growls out, noticing how his fists begin to ball at his sides.

"I didn't say anything," Andy responds, holding his hands up in defence.

"No but you're being rude," his eyes narrow towards his father. "This is my day, it's about me. So do not make this about yourself."

Andy's eyes flick between Max's clear tension in the air that I almost couldn't breathe. Sarah looked awkward and avoids eye contact with everyone, taking an interest in what was going on behind her.

"I guess we'll talk about this another time then," his father says as he straightens out his blazer.

Max scoffs and shakes his head. "There is nothing to even talk about," he breathes out harshly. "Oliver is my boyfriend whether you like it or not."

Andy's eye twitches at his comment, fear grew inside my stomach, not wanting something to kick off. "And you didn't think to run it by your mother and I first?"

His mouth falls open in shock before he begins to pity laugh. "Are you hearing yourself right now?!" He shouts at him.

"What I'm hearing i--"

"No dad," Max cuts him off angrily. "You don't get to tell me what I can and can't do in my own life. I like guys, so fucking what?"

I didn't even realise that my eyes begun to brim with tears, this situation was fucking horrible and I wished that we weren't here right now. My heart burned for Max, it felt like it was on fire and I just wanted it all to stop.

"I raised you better," Andy's voice is harsh.

"You barely even raised me at all!" Max's voice booms across campus, a few people now turning to look over at us. "You were out most nights at the pub, getting drunk, never seeing us before bed. Mum's the one who raised us, not you."

"Don't you dare speak to me like that," his dad says through gritted teeth, taking a step closer to his son.

"Or what?" Max squares up to him. "You'll hit me?"

My head turns to Max suddenly, not being able to stop the tear that escapes my eye. Feeling my chest beginning to get tighter and tighter, barely able to catch my breath.

"Stop it please," Sarah begs as she attempts to push them apart.

"Max," I whisper out, my throat clenching harshly.

Max's head turns towards me as he rips the hat from his head and turns away from his father. His hand slides against the edge of my cheek, his eyes flicking between mine as he pushes away my tears with his thumb.

"Let's get out of here," he tells me before dropping his hand to mine and pulling me away from the fountain.

My breathing becomes irregular as more tears escape my eyes, I felt so incredibly selfish but I couldn't stop my sudden panic.

Max pulls me over to a bench, away from the crowds of people. "It's okay, you just need to take deep breaths," he tells me gently as he grabs onto my hands.

I shake my head, I had so many things I wanted to say and crying my eyes out was not one of them. "I-I'm sorry," I manage to get out.

"Stop," he shakes his head. "And focus on breathing."

My lips purse as I nod at him and try my hardest to get my breathing under control, my lungs felt like they were going to burst. Feeling lightheaded made me feel nauseous but I was determined to get over this.

After a few moments I manage to get my breathing down to a controllable speed. Max rubs my back soothingly as he presses a kiss to my temple.

"I'm so sorry," I sob out as Max leans his chin on top of my head. "Confrontation just makes me panic and listening to him talk to you like that... I'm just so sorry I got upset."

"It's okay," he breathes out as he kisses the top of my head.

"No stop," I push his hands away, watching as he looks down at me in confusion. "I should be the one asking if you're okay, consolidating you. Not the other way around. He said some horrible things Max, you shouldn't be checking that I'm okay."

Max's lips pull into a frown. "What he said affects you too Oliver," he shakes his head at me.

"But he's your father," I say as I wipe my eyes.

"And?"

My eyebrows crease before I relax. "You know that you can talk to me about him, or your family, or anything." I breathe out suddenly.

"I know," he nods as he leans forward to take my hands with his. "But I don't give a fuck what he thinks, as long as I've got you by my side then that's all that matters."

My lips begin to tremble again but Max shuffles forward to kiss me. "Are you okay?" I mumble against him.

Max nods. "I've never really gotten along with my father, so this means absolutely nothing to me. If I lose him, I don't care."

"Will you lose your mum too?" I question.

He thinks for a moment before shrugging. "Maybe," he sighs. "Guess it depends if she's going to be a sheep and follow him or make her own decisions."

"Well let's not let this ruin your day," I say confidently as I wipe my cheeks dry. "We'll forget the last ten minutes ever happened, we'll go out and celebrate with your friends. Have a fucking good night."

Max hums instantly and smiles. "Yes," he agrees. "I think we're both in need of it."

My hand snakes around the back of his neck and I pull our lips together. "Nothing is going to ruin today, nothing."

PRESENT
APRIL 2021

The palms of my hands were sweating as I climbed up the stairs to Max's flat on the second floor, noticing the paint begin to peel from the railings. A dull smell of dampness swarming the hallway, London accommodation is such a joy.

My feet approach the first door, looking directly at the numbers '06'. For a moment I stand there just looking at the brown painted door, trying my hardest to push way my waves of nausea.

Pursing my lips as I raise my knuckles to the door and knock as loud as possible. I step back quickly and inhale a sharp breath, straightening out my green checked jacket. Feeling my feet begin to shuffle from underneath me.

The door is unlocked and cracked open, Max standing on the other side in a pair of grey joggers and a crisp white t-shirt. My mouth parts slightly as I drink in the sight, he smiles and moves closer to the door.

"Hey," he draws me back up to his eyes.

"Hi," I squeak out before clearing my throat.

"Do you wanna come in?" He flexes an eyebrow at me as I stand with my hands fumbling in front of me.

My head nods as he moves out of the way for me to come in, darting my eyes around the small living room and kitchen area. "It's not a lot..." Max trails off as he shuts the door behind us and rubs the back of his head. "But this is where I live."

I shrug towards him, I didn't care where he lived as long as he had somewhere to stay. After a few moments I turn my head back to his, noticing his brown hair slightly fall into his eyes before he pushes it away with his hand.

Admiring his tattoos again, a few rings on his fingers, his godlike jawline.

"You okay?" He questions as he stares back at me. I flick my eyes over his body and then back to his face.

My feet carry me towards him, unable to stop myself from pushing up onto my toes and catching the edge of his face, his eyes blinking back at me in shock. Our lips connect and Max grabs my waist instantly, holding me tightly as my mouth opens to claim his.

He tasted sweet, like he'd just eaten fizzy Haribo's but that made me want him all the more. His tongue slowly invades my mouth and I muffle out a small groan, feeling endless amounts of butterflies erupt in side my stomach

I begin to walk forward, pushing Max backwards. He tilts his head and claims my bottom lip, nipping gently at the skin. My mouth pants slightly as we break away for a second, the back of Max's legs hitting the sofa.

He buckles and falls backwards, but I don't miss a beat and climb on top of him instead.

Max looks up at me with his pink, plump lips. Sliding his arms around my waist as I wrap mine around his neck, joining our lips once again.

His hands slowly trail up my body, his fingers softly flicking over the edge of my shirt. I grunt into his mouth and nod, encouraging him to pull it off me. He follows suit and yanks it off the back of my arms, our mouths peppering each other carefully.

Max slips his hand underneath my t-shirt and I quiver at the coldness of his fingers, raising goosebumps on my skin. I break away from him for a moment and rest our foreheads against each other, our eyes full of lust and desire.

I dip my hands to the hem of my shirt and peel it from my body, pulling it up and over my head swiftly. Max's eyes roam my chest shamelessly, moving his lips to kiss along my collarbone.

My eyes close in satisfaction, all the memories of Max's lips on my body come flooding back like there was no tomorrow. Slowly Max moves from my chest to my neck, my lips whimpering out a pathetic moan.

I could feel Max smirk against my skin as he kisses against my pulse, his fingers dancing along the bare skin on my back.

He grabs the back of my neck and forces our lips back together once again, humming in surprise.

The door behind us opens roughly, almost slamming into the wall behind. My soul leaves my body as I jump out of my skin, closing my teeth down onto the edge of Max's lip from the shock.

I crawl off of Max's body and turn to the guy that stares back at us, shopping bags in one hand and a biker helmet in the other. "If you want to bang, go and do it in your room." He replies gruffly before slamming the door shut with his leather boots. "Not on the communal sofa."

Max's eyes turn into a scowl as he reaches for my shirt and attempts to slide it onto my body as quickly as possible, before my cheeks burn the deepest red. Feeling my heart rattle inside my chest, hating how thrilling this felt.

We both stand up and remove ourselves from the sofa, Max guides us into his room and carefully shutting the door behind us.

His room was basic, something you'd see in a magazine for a studio apartment. I liked it, the simplicity is pretty and refreshing. The best part, it smelt just like him and I wanted to smother my face into his duvet cover but I stop myself.

I turn to Max and force out a smile. "He seems nice," I say to break the silence.

Max scoffs and shakes his head. "Yeah he's alright," he responds. "Not really."

I snort quietly as I perch myself down onto his bed. "Well your room is nice," I comment as I give it one more look around. "Feels peaceful in here."

"It's okay here, I guess," Max admits. "Do you want to watch a movie?"

My bottom lip is sucked into my mouth as I nod towards him. "Sure," I tell him.

He leans down to grab his laptop and throws it onto the bed. "Get comfy," he says as he points to the head of the bed.

I nod and shuffle my way back, pulling my shirt over my body and doing up the buttons. Max slides in beside me and opens up his laptop before clicking onto Netflix and scrolling through the pages of movies and shows.

His arm brushes the edge of my wrist ever so slightly, feeling my skin alight into a soft shiver instantly. I smile to myself and sink further into his pillows, watching as he picks out a movie.

. . .

Read up to chapter 27 on Patreon
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Hello my loves, what did you think of this chapter?

I love Max standing up to his homophobic dad, it's what we like to see

Also I adore how Oliver literally can't control himself around Max, he wants to be close to him all the time

Question: What age did you start using Wattpad?

Pretty sure I was like 12/13 lol, I've come a long way haha

See you guys on the next one, love Sav x

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