"You look more like a chewed up hen to me," Zane said with a grin as he positioned himself next to Max's head. He lifted his shades up and propped them on the top of his head so he could see better what he was doing. After all he didn't want to take the kids eye out. He paused a moment to think about that before shaking his head and continuing. He gently brushed Max's hair out of the way before touching the edge of the wound lightly, "Flinch and I'll miss."
Zane began to stitch up the wound with haphazard care. Although he did try to be gentle he wasn't exactly trying to make it look pretty. He kept a close eye on Max's reactions to make sure he didn't hit anything he wasn't suppose to although he wouldn't mind giving the cord a sharp tug should the boy decide to smart off again.
".. your bedside manner could use some work, you know." It was said at the end of a tired laugh, stating the mild after thought as he did his best to hold still.. Getting the feeling that he wasn't entirely safe despite the guy's now calm behavior. Of course the boy was having trouble because he knew he shouldn't move, and suddenly his shoulder started to itch. It never failed.. His attention shifted as he felt the guy's fingers in his hair, his brow giving an annoyed twitch; Self control won out, aside from a quiet sigh. " Don't touch my hair..." Even in this situation, he still couldn't let his hair-issue go.. Traumatic experiences were like that.
Any attempt he might have made to ease his comment, vaguely explain it perhaps so the guy wouldn't take offense, died the moment he felt him start his stitching.. his fingers starting to turn white as he kept his face relaxed; No point in making the task harder than it needed to be and tensing up wouldn't help. In a sick way, he had started getting used to this sort of thing since he was a kid.. nothing so serious before of course, but the pain was familiar.. and Max found himself slowing his breathing as he often did when trying to accept and handle such things. His next question, when it came, was given in a whiskey-tone.. low and a little throaty as if he didn't dare to speak louder. " .. dare I ask for you to look at my side after this?" It was a much more mild pain, bruises without a doubt, but it was better safe than sorry. Though.. any more stitches were out of the question. They hurt like hell.
"I'll just sew your it up into your skull next time," remarked Zane in reference to Max's comment about not touching his hair. He found it a silly thing to say when he had barely touched it to move it out of the way. He never understood how people could be so touchy about something so unimportant. Max must of had his reasons though but that would never stop Zane from barking back.
"You can dare. That is if you don't mind a strange man touching your side. Your not ticklish are you," Zane would grin as he said his last comment, finishing his work with the stitches and cutting the thread with a small knife he kept hidden somewhere along his belt. He tossed the used needle and lowered his shades back over his eyes. He wasn't doing any detailed work and he didn't want his expensive equipment falling and getting damaged.
Zane moved Max's arm from his lower torso so he could have a better look at it, guiding it above his head so he could hold it there on his own. God forbid the kid thought he was man handling him and chewed him out some more. "I'm going to need you to tell me what hurts and how much when I do this," Zane sad as he began to apply pressure on Max's side with his fingers. He slowly felt around, looking signs of broken bones or more severe trauma. Unfortunately he couldn't do much, if the kid was bleeding internally he had no way of telling.
A short 'tch' answered him, Max getting the oddest feeling that he knew just what the guy's expression would look like with that devilish tone. Glasses and all. Honestly, why was he growing on him.. the martyr type just wasn't his taste yet this guy was getting under his skin--" Aha--mm." The odd sound, somewhere between a laugh and a groan, was ruthlessly cut off as Max bit his lip.. His slender frame tensing as a light blush tinted his cheeks. He wasn't ticklish, so why in the hell.. Only, Max realized with shattering clarity, that was no longer his only issue. It did hurt a little, but the touching was stirring something far more uncomfortable. Yeah.. No. Not the time, nor the place, nor the person.
Drawing his arm back down, as if getting ready to sit up, he resisted the urge to shake his head.. aware enough that that would be a very bad idea with his current wound. " .. Just feels like a bruise, honestly. I think I'll be fine." Self-agitation laced his tone as he turned his head the other way.. testing his eyes by slowly opening and closing them as if needing something else to focus on. The blush, faded, yet the tips of his ears remained a faint pink.. A unfortunate hint of his 'discomfort' despite his efforts to seem calm. " A blanket, if you don't mind.. and I'll be out of your hair for a while."
It didn't take Zane long to noticed the blush, especially after Max's very noticeable groan. He decided not to point it out at the boy's expense even though he desperately wanted to and was itching to poke him again just to see if he could get the same reaction. He moved away slightly as Max sat up and grabbed his medkit, placing it back in his in one of his many pockets.
He found it almost cute the way Max tried to hide himself and he tilted his head to observe him for a moment before raising to retrieve the blanket the boy had asked for. He had a small pile of assorted things next to a chimney on the roof, which seemed to be the only source of heat. Closer observation of his pile one could noticed that he had been camped out there for a while.
He returned to Max with what seemed like a rolled up army blanket in which he unraveled and draped around the kid, "Holler if you need anything, or if you pass out."
Actually convinced he had escaped detection Max accepted the blanket with a faint nod, wincing.. but relieved when it didn't hurt nearly as bad as he'd been bracing for. " I'd rather sleep, why would I announce it?" Fine, he may have a concussion.. but the importance of that seemed miniscule compared to how exhausted he felt. Drawing the fabric around himself he sniffed absently, rubbing his cheek with the blanket as if actually enjoying the sensation.. until his eyes slanted open, flicking up to find Zane's still semi-blurring image. It was much clearer now, not nearly as painful to use them.. so the guy wouldn't be spared from the brooding stare this time. " You have another, right?" He wasn't going to kick up a fit about using another guy's blanket, regardless of the fact that this guy's smell was all over the one Max was currently cuddled in.. but he had no intention of taking the only one. This Zane seemed too familiar with giving up things for others, even basic comforts like.. well, this blanket. Honestly..
" .. I'll share if you get cold, just don't brush against me too much." Lifting his arm a bit to the side he offered it in a point-blank tone, firmly looking to the side as if stating the weather or mentioning some other.. equally unimportant.. subject. Zane likely wouldn't understand if he lectured him again, so.. he'd just make it simple and ensure the guy at least attempted to take care of himself. He owed him that much, right?
Zane looked down at Max as he offered him some of the blanket. He could obviously do without and he really didn't mind but the kid was pushy didn't really give him a choice in the matter and Zane didn't really feel like blowing him off. He looked to the side for a moment with a grin and shrugged his shoulders before removing his quiver and laying it down on the ground. The arrows, although held individually inside the quiver, rattled a bit, making a sound a bit like bamboo rods clanking together.
Zane resigned himself and got under the blanket next to Max, laying on his side with his head propped up by his arm. He folded up his shades and placed them next to his quiver before turning back to lay in that last little comment he was known for, "I don't bite unless asked."
" Oh bite me, Zane." Who said corny things like that so casually? Well.. aside from Max himself, but he'd always stuck with the cheesy-flattering lines that had his prey giggling like adorable little fools. Waving off the slightly exasperated thoughts Max rolled to face away from the guy, actually relieved when it took the stress away from his hip and he could take a full breath.. relaxing. Odd situation or no, it wasn't a bad way to get some sleep.. He'd never been good at staying indoors, beds were nice but rarely comfortable, and there was something to be said for having no walls or roof to stifle the air. Curling into a partial ball he lifted his arm to serve as a pillow, the blanket doing wonders to block out the chill. He needed one of these, he'd ask later how to find them.
"I'm going to let that one slide," Zane said with a slight chuckle as he eyed the back of Max's head. He was half tempted to do it just to spite the kid but he was injured after all. He didn't fall asleep right away. In fact he planned on staying up to watch Max sleep to make sure he didn't flat line from the concussion as well as monitor any other abnormalities.
" Wise of you.. now go to sleep." Max bossed mildly, not in the least concerned. Though he was hesitant to, the boy closed his eyes once again.. ready for the release of sleep even if it meant a return to the darkness of non-sight.
An hour later, he was wide awake staring at the lip of the roof with an expression of drained irritation. He did try.. yet even as tired as he was, sleep just wouldn't come. The sensation of being watched was distracting, though he chalked it partially up to paranoia.. No one just stared like that, after all. It was just the fact that there was a man near him, Max always had trouble trusting older men.. even if Zane didn't deserve it. Finally the boy sighed and shifted about.. moving slowly as to not wake the other guy. Rolling onto his stomach he managed it with only a few soft hisses.. folding his arms under his chin as he stared pensively at the ledge in that direction. At least his body had calmed down a little, to think he'd react to something as simple as this guy touching him.
He hadn't made any attempt to read Zane's mind, still didn't want to.. but it was a little unnerving to be so high up that he couldn't feel anyone else at all. It was liberating.. yet it had never been so quiet for him. So of course,, he had to make noise, even if it was just whisper soft mumblings to himself. " Isolated with a cranky hero, and he's still the best company of the damn night.. Stockholm syndrome isn't quite right, what would you call it.."
"How about being grateful," Zane muttered lazily as he opened his green eyes and flicked them up at Max. He had barely gotten to sleep when he felt the boy move and then talk to himself. He simply could resist the urge to comment back, it's just his nature.
He stayed still as he eyed Max, making sure to keep his eyes on the boy's face and no where else. Although his mind did drift to other places. He told himself it was because he wanted to check and see if his bruises were worse so that he could tell if there was a bleed but that wasn't entirely the case. The boy had a nice body he'd give him that and normally that was enough for him but Max got under his skin and he was pretty sure he'd strangle him before they got anywhere.
Rising up to rest on his elbows the boy tilted his head back.. looking to the side just enough to study Zane from the corner of his eye in a absently honest manner. " I've yet to react this way when I've felt like saying 'thank you' to someone, gratitude may be part of it but the rest is... surprising." Lifting his hand Max rested his chin on it, returning his gaze to the rooftop's ledge as his expression became thoughtful. Yes, surprising.. but not as unpleasant as he'd thought it would be. He still wouldn't say they were 'friends' but perhaps.. that was also part of the appeal? Either way, he wanted to silence the cheeky guy. The best way to shut anyone up was, in Max's mind, very simple.. Shock or intimidate them into silence.
Pushing himself up he ignored the dull throb that warned of his hip's displeasure.. lifting the blanket enough to shift over slowly; Firmly placing himself astride the other man's semi-tilted hips as he remained in his knees. Leaning over he kept his movements slow, well aware that he may get socked for his behavior.. but going for it all the same as he braced one hand against the cement above Zane's shoulder. The other he reached out with, hesitating only just before his fingers could brush against the older man's cheek as he studied him intently. " .. So I'll just express both. If that isn't something you will accept, then bite me and accept that I'm adequately grateful for your help." Max wasn't the shy sort, and he offered no hint of shame or discomfort as he came on to the man.. Instead he found himself waiting patiently for a swift rejection.
Zane eyed the boy as he moved closer to him and eventually got on top of him. He did not move or pull away from Max's motions or show any hint of amusement or disgust. He watched him closely as his fingers touched his face and listened to what he had to say before he let a wide smile grace his face.
He turns himself onto his back and lifted himself up onto his elbows, "And here I thought you didn't like me." Zane watched Max for a moment, wondering if this was a form of deception but almost hoping it wasn't. He will admit he found the boy attractive but he also found him a pain in the a**. He also worried the situation may have had an effect on Max's change of heart but he wasn't exactly thinking with his head at the moment. After seeing nothing that would hint that he was being tricked he reached out and took a hold of the boy's thigh, pulling him towards him slightly. "Like I said, I'll only bite if you ask me too," He said in a rather flirtatious tone.
For a long moment Max didn't react, unresisting as he was pulled forward a bit by the grip on his leg.. Only the faint twitch of his eye hinted at the flat out shock that had filled him. He'd set it up to be rejected but this b*****d had just.. ".. Since when do we have to like each other, are you saying you're 'fond' of this chewed up hen? " Stubbornness edged the suave tone as he finally answered, moving his hand from the guy's cheek down to his shirt collar; Grasping it tightly as if for balance. His expression didn't change much, yet his posture.. flipped from idle confidence to a heated tension as he offered a smirk. " .. and what makes you think I wasn't asking, Hood? " He wasn't angry, at least not seriously so, just.. amused that Zane had stepped over his attempt to manipulate him. He'd meant to turn the guy off, maybe make him unease.. But he couldn't honestly say he disliked the result of his gamble.
Despite himself, he hadn't admitted to disliking the guy.. Simply because the more the thought about it, the more he realized he did actually have a soft spot forming for him. Arguments and all. Not that he'd even consider admitting it of course.. This sort of companionship was safe enough. The term he had used, Hood, was a absent minded one.. but for some reason 'Robin Hood' came to mind when looking at Zane. In a warped, dark-hero-complex way..
Zane tilted his head up as Max took a hold of his collar, not at all attempting to hide his smirk that formed from the action. He almost had to hide a laugh at the affectionate little nickname the boy had given him. He had to admit he had been called things to that sense many times through his looks, actions, and especially his knack for appearing with a bow but it seemed some how more alluring coming from the boy.
He leaned up almost into a sitting position and wrapped his arm around Max's waist pulling his body close to his. "There is something about a man in need that get's my blood pumping," Zane teased in a low, slow voice as his eyes looked up at the boy with intent. There was something about Max that he couldn't quite put his finger on. As much as there arguing had infuriated him earlier it also seemed to excite him. Although it would take a gun to his head to admit it. Zane reached up with his free hand and took a hold of Max's chin, pulling him down and forcing his lips onto his own in an attempt to foil the boy's plans and take control of the situation for his own.
