[In Max's mailbox, a small package containing: an assortment of chocolates, some candied fruit and nuts, and a particularly beautiful, tasty looking orange. There is also a small card, the handwriting lovely enough. It reads, 'Best wishes and good luck with the renovation of your building. Sincerely, Lady Igraine'
[It isn't a letter written out on parchment, but the text is formatted as if it were one, which coming from Gray isn't exactly surprising.]
I realize penned gestures of gratitude are considered archaic in a world such as this, but I suppose fixtures like knights and legends are equally as much - so I feel no shame in wanting to thank you for the gift I received just yesterday. I've take to wearing it, and in spite of the lack of immediate, violent conflict present, I do not exaggerate when I call it a comfort to keep close.
[ This is your fault for leaving your door open. He's not even going to knock on the door frame or bother hesitating. He's literally just doing a full-body dive into your sheets and shoving at you like a kid on Christmas but like. A week late. ]
Max.
[ Kneading him now under the covers. Aggressively. Like cats do when they want something bad.
(Even if you'd shut the door, it wouldn't have stopped him.)
[ he's been sitting on this for two weeks, turning it over and over and over in his head, along with merlin's advice, thinking about the best way to go about this. he's never been good at apologies, but he knows he owes one to max. he owes him more than that, but an apology is a start. ]
[ Tristan has a sixth sense for these things: Marco getting in trouble, Nic starting shit, and Maxwell taking a bath (he doesn't need a sixth sense for Dani because Dani is perfect and hardly ever gets himself into shenanigans like these three). Bathtime, of course, isn't anything close to shenanigans, but Tristan likes to think that this is a very important thing to keep track of all the same. Under normal circumstances, he might start shedding clothing down the hall, but he decides that maybe he'll save it for when he gets in through the bathroom door, the room heavy with steam and the smell of a few scented oils that he recognizes for relaxation. ]
Make room.
[ Which is easy because their tub is fairly sizable. It's at least roomy enough for three, and can tolerate four if they play body tetris enough (they're pros at it, let's be real). For Tristan's needs, however, there is plenty of room. He just wants the go-ahead really, because sometimes you just want a bath by yourself! He gets that.
It doesn't mean he's not stripping right now in front of Max to maybe sweeten the deal. ]
[ there's no point sending a text, really, considering wally will be at witch haus faster than max could send anything back. of course, maybe there should be some consideration for any potential hanky panky that wally definitely doesn't want to walk (run) into, but -- yolo, basically. ]
[ he's knocking on max's door sometime in the afternoon, holding a poorly wrapped package, in what looks like a few stolen sheets of checkered burger paper. what could it be? it's a mystery. ]
( maybe a shock in the blue, a weird message to receive.
but to merlin, he hasn't seen max in sixteen hundred years, since going home and returning. it's an overwhelming emotion, one he can't explain and doesn't focus on, slowly coming back to the memories of eudio and -- remembering. a fond boy who looked at him like he was a legend, who remembered him as some forefather to magic, a hero, an idol, someone worthy for looking up to.
it's been many years since he's let anyone down. but he can't just ignore max either, recalling their friendship and the love in his heart he has towards this boy who he will inevitably disappoint. )
[ not too long ago he was asking max to come to his wedding and now -- well, his request now is a bit more somber. he's never been very fond of goodbyes. which is why he might sound a bit too formal, falling back into familiar territory of royal aloofness to mask the fact that it hurts, having to do this. he hasn't had many close friends in his life, but max he will always consider to be one of the closest. ]
Max, I hope this message receives you well There is a matter I must inform you of that is of utmost importance As such, your presence is requested presently and with haste I should hope to see you soon
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