Never let Max get drunk

Max dragged Kenji in and grinned almost madly at him.

"I'm going for a cider, what are you up for?" he purred into Kenji's ear, waving at the barmen who started to come over.

"Cider as well," Kenji turned and kissed Max quickly on the mouth.

Max grinned widely at the gesture, ordering the drinks and gesturing Kenji to a dimly lit booth where it was quiet.

Kenji sat down and looked around nervously. He didn't know this place and so decided to look at something that he did know - Max.

"So...tell me about yourself, then." Max grinned.

"My mum died giving birth to my youngest brother. My sister, who was bi, had a girfriend, but another girl tried to split them up and sent my sister 's girlfriend to hospital, so my sister committed suicide," Kenji smiled sadly.

"My Dad is now in eternal mourning. Anyway, people started bullying me and beating me up when thay found out that I was gay. I learnt martial arts to protect myself and then started protecting my gay friends and their relationships," Kenji shrugged, looking at the table, "You need more than martial arts, one homophobe had a truck. A heavy truck."

"But...you're still here, right?" Max smiled, reaching across and stroking his cheek. "And hopefully it's some comfort that you've got me as a psycho friend!"

"Yeah, it's a lot of comfort," Kenji replied, closing his eyes, feeling Max stroke his cheek.

The barman brought the drinks over and winked at Max.

"Your drinks here, Kenny. Thanks Connor!" Max grinned at the barmen, saluting him as he left.

Kenji opened his eyes and smiled.

He took a small sip of cider and then put his drink down, gently taking hold of Max's hand.

Max laced his hands into the fingers Kenji offered and drank some of his own drink.

"So, what's with all the coughing anyway?"

"My asthma, if I'm having a really bad attack, then I won't cough, only wheeze, and eventually that will cease as I run out of oxygen. But when I have a mild attack, I often cough," he grinned at Max.

"My attacks don't freak you out do they?" He asked anxiously.

"Only if I'm not there to help you!" Max grinned, winking.

"Then you'll have to stay with me, " Kenji grinned widely.

"Nah...come stay with me...I'm afraid I'm in a onebed apartment though," Max said flirtatiously.

"Fine with me," replied Kenji, drinking some more cider and smiling. He then reached up and softly stroked Max's cheek.

Max caught Kenji's hand, twisting his face so he could kiss the soft skin on his palm.

Kenji blushed slightly, but didn't move.

He liked this. Where he was, the feelings he was getting, and, most importantly, the person he was with.

Max pulled Kenji closer to him along the booth, both arms wrapped tightly around the lilac-haired beauty.

Kenji pushed himself against Max, reaching up to stroke his hair.

"You like my hair then?"

"Yeah, I can't tell why anyone wouldn't like your hair." Kenji carried on stroking

"Apart from it being naturally ginger?"

"There's nothing wrong with ginger," Kenji said, bringing his hand down and pressing closer to Max.

"But I do like it black."

"Good I like it black too. I look even crazier with it ginger...if that's possible that is!" he laughed slightly, slipping an arm around Kenji.