Conflicted

Adrian felt sick. He wanted to scream, to fight. He wanted to punch Marceau in his slimy face. But he had to be smart. They were after Max.

Marceau's words echoed in his mind. They would hurt him. Possibly kill him. Adrian couldn't let that happen. But he couldn't just quit. They'd just have Maria do it. And then there was the day shift to consider. They were probably already searching.

how did i wind up in this mess

"Durrell? You ok?"
Marceau eyed him up with a little concern and a hint of suspicion.

"Yes sir. I'm just thinking of how I'm going to, you know, catch them."
The words tasted like poison, but he spit them out regardless.

"Good man, Durrell. I hope to have this situation cleaned up soon."

Marceau excused himself, presumably to go masturbate to pictures of himself, leaving Adrian to sit for a few minutes. The man felt like his head would explode as he ran over possibility after possibility.

fuck what do i do
i could quit, i can find a new job
if not me then someone else
maybe even someone worse
maybe i can find a loophole
i need more time
preferably alive he said
they won't hurt him
i won't hurt him
i need more time

He plucked his radio off of his belt, calling for the rest of the night shift crew to meet him in the conference room.
Maria was the first one in, closely followed by the newest member Jordan.

"Ay, boss, wassup?"

"I'm going to use the bathroom. Look through these files, and start formulating a search plan."

"Aww c'mon, they put us on loss prevention?"

"Just do what I said, ok!"

Maria took a step back, her expression worried.
"Ok, sheesh, no need to yell."

Adrian quickly stumbled out, power walking to the nearest restroom. He flung myself over the sink, shaking hands clasping the cold porcelain.
"Jesus, fuck, get it together."

His breath came out in quick shallow bursts. He felt like he was gonna be sick. More and more, his thoughts spun around and around. The image of Max's shy smile flashed through his mind, and he found his resolve strengthen. Filling his hands with cold water, he splashed it onto his face, as though washing away his fear.

i need a plan

A few hours later

"Max, I'm home..."
Adrian entered his living room to find Max sitting on the couch, hiding behind a pillow. On the tv, some children's cartoon was playing.

"I- I'm sorry, sir, I didn't mean to."

Adrian quirked an eyebrow at him.
"What do you mean?"

He followed his eyes as they came to rest on a vase, which now lay in pieces next to the coffee table.

"Ahh. Don't worry about it. I got it from a thrift store ages ago."

"You aren't angry?"

"No, I'm not. I am, however, very hungry."

Adrian held up the take-out containers loaded with General Tso's and chow mien. He'd never seen someone go from being so afraid to so happy in just a split second. They ate in silence, mostly because it took Max about 90 seconds to devour his. After they ate, Adrian flopped back onto the couch.

"Hey, why don't we watch some tv?"

Max's eyes shot open.

"Really?!"

"Of course."

Adrian patted the space next to him, and Max immediately leapt onto it, folding his slender legs underneath him and leaning against the larger man's arm. Adrian hesitated for a moment before wrapping an arm around him loosely. He made a faint humming noise which made Adrian smile. With a cozy movie playing, and Max sitting next to him, Adrian felt at peace. The fear from work still lingered in the back of his mind, but he wouldn't let it reach Max.

At some point he fell asleep, still leaning against Adrian, who couldn't bring himself to move him. Eventually, the night became a blur for Adrian and slipped into unconsciousness. He didn't remember falling asleep, but he did remember waking up, laying on that couch, with Max laying atop him. And it felt so right.