can't fight the devil

it's quite romantic the idea of heroism, is it not? unfortunately, there is no man without blood on his hands in the world i live in.

[aliceblaine]

Vanessa wasn’t sure it was possible but she was now even more confused then she was just a few seconds ago. “Okay you’re not making any sense,” she said watching as he stood up now acting in a rather panicked action. She watched him pace for a few moments before standing up herself. “Alright, speak English. Tell me what’s going on,” she demanded. She felt like she was missing out on something important. “Is it about the note? Why are you freaking out?” she asked. She hated playing the guessing game, obviously there was something going on that she wasn’t aware of here and she was going to make sure the next words out of Maxwells mouth was an explanation.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

His fingers tore through his hair, tugging, fingernails scraping against his scalp. He turned to her, frantically searching her face for answers she had no way to provide. Halting his steps, he rubbed his fingers into his eyes until he was seeing spots. Once his eyes adjusted again, he looked back up at her. "I'm so sorry, Vanessa. I am so fucking stupid. I never should have let things go on this far. I'm so, so sorry." Guilt ripped through him and his gaze fell to the floor.

[aliceblaine]

She felt like the entire mood of the room had just changed. Everything went from content to rather anxious and intense. It was obvious, Vanessa was pretty good at reading people and she could tell that there was something on his mind. Was it something she’d done? Maybe something that had happened earlier that day? She turned her torso to face him on the couch, “Hey, seriously,” she said, “I’m not totally oblivious. What’s going on?” She raised an eyebrow at him, “Come on really, fess up.”

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Lifting his eyes to hers, Max took in a deep breath, holding it for a few moments. "I-It's nothing.. I just..." He hated all the secrecy and the lies. He just wished she knew, but was safe. Unfortunately, the longer she stayed, the more danger she was in and it seemed there was no turning back now. "I didn't want this to happen," he said a bit to himself. "I never wanted to bring you into this, but we're trapped now and I-I need to think of a plan.." He trailed off, standing from his seat, pacing.

[aliceblaine]

Vanessa scooted over slightly as Maxwell came to sit down next to her. She glanced up at him when his sentence cut off, his eyes were staring at the note she’d just put away. “Uh, I got it out of my mailbox today, but I haven’t checked it in a few days,” she said, “There wasn’t anything on the envelope, not even my name. It was probably just the stupid kid down the hall. It’s not that big of a deal.” She let out a small laugh, noticing he was rather rigid and emotionless. “But yes, don’t worry, I’ll teach him a lesson,” she said, “So enough about my prankster note, what’s going on? How was your day?”

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Most of what she said sounding more like white noise as Max's mind reeled, considering what in hell he was going to do. He'd no experience with this sort of thing - no one he cared about was ever so defenseless against the target on their back.. until now. He knew he had to prevent anything from happening, but how he was going to accomplish that was a mystery to him. Obviously, she couldn't be left without protection, so he'd have to enlist some of his boys to keep an eye on her when he wasn't with her.. "Nothing," he mumbled absently. "Fine." She clearly didn't understand the severity of this situation, but, then again, how could she? He hadn't told her anything at all. She'd get suspicious if he didn't fess up. But how could he do so without putting her in even more danger than she was already?

[aliceblaine]

Vanessa glanced over her shoulder briefly to see Maxwell walk past her and into the kitchen. “I’m not too sure, probably just a prank or something,” she said, “A little note 'warning' me. Probably the kid down the hall, he’s always been a little weird.” She set that envelope to the side and picked up her other envelopes and shoved them into her purse. “It was hardly frightening, maybe I’ll have to teach him a thing or two,” she said.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Frowning, Max walked over, sitting down beside her on the couch and placing his glass on a coaster, reaching for the envelope she'd just put away. His scowl deepened as she spoke, his brows furrowing. "Warning?" he mumbled, confused and a bit taken aback that someone would play a prank like that. Odd. "Teach him a lesson, huh? I seriously do-" His face went completely blank as he read the note in his hand, his pulse pounding. Warning, indeed; he'd be able to identify that handwriting no matter how cryptic the words or who the message was intended for. "When did you find this?" His voice was clipped and unfeeling, his control slowly slipping.

[aliceblaine]

Vanessa walked off the elevator when it stopped at Maxwells floor. She was supposed to come by earlier but work had kept her late. She stopped by her apartment to grab her mail and a change of clothes before heading over to Maxs apartment. Walking up to the door she knocked on it a few times before turning the doorknob and pushing it open. “Hey, I’m here,” she announced walking in and shutting the door behind her. She walked over to the couch taking a seat and setting the pile of mail in her lap. Shuffling through it, it all looked to be bills but one envelope had nothing on it, no name, no anything, which was strange. Opening it up it just contained a single piece of paper with a handwritten note, Consider this a warning, is it all it said. Rolling her eyes she shoved the piece of paper back in the envelope, “Looks like Halloween pranks are starting early this year,” she said.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Rubbing a towel through his hair, Max walked from his bedroom and into the hall, catching the end of something Vanessa had said. She'd been constant company over the past few weeks and for once in his life, Max wasn't getting sick of having a girl at his home for any amount of time. If anything, he was more comfortable having her there as opposed to when she wasn't. And an added plus was that she was very clean - well, after he'd freaked out on her about mess a few times. Max caught a slight breeze as he walked beneath an air vent, a shiver running down his spine - wet hair plus cold air equals a less than pleasant feeling. "What was that?" he asked as he breezed past her perch on his couch into the kitchen to pour some wine before leaning against the island.

[melaniesatlerr-deactivated20140]

Hmm, concluded right. 

[maxwellnbd-blog]

As usual.

[melaniesatlerr-deactivated20140]

Yes, I guess.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Not as omniscient as you thought, hm?

[wesleydtf-deactivated20210119]

I have probably done nothing productive the entire day. Way to go, Cora.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Mm, sounds a lot like my day.

[melaniesatlerr-deactivated20140]

Oh, I heard that it was good.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Mm. So, I'm assuming it was the former, then.

[melaniesatlerr-deactivated20140]

Well, actually no.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

It's fairly new - Prisoners with Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal. For once, I didn't lose interest halfway through.

[melaniesatlerr-deactivated20140]

Could my optional answer be both?

[maxwellnbd-blog]

That depends; do you know what movie I'm talking about?

[melaniesatlerr-deactivated20140]

Very true.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

About the movie or about being practically useless?

[maxwellnbd-blog]

The pickings for worthwhile police films are very thin, but Hollywood has finally gotten it right. I suppose being indisposed has its perks.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

sing for the lion and lamb; max & vanessa

[aliceblaine]

"Well good, that makes me feel a little better," she said letting out a small laugh. She rolled her eyes at his comment. "I’m not coddling, I’m offering,” she corrected. Most guys would be all for someone making them food but then again Maxwell had proved himself to be far from an average guy. “And I do insist,” she added, “It’s fine really, I’m offering, aren’t I?” She was really hoping that if he wanted to sleep, or if he’d rather be alone and wanted her to leave that he would say so- the last thing she wanted to do was impose. She was already aware that Maxwell was a rather private and personal person and spent most time working, and it was probably annoying the hell out of him that he wasn’t back out on the job.

She leaned her back off the couch slightly and glanced over at him, “Is there anything you want? If you don’t have anything here I can go out and get something,” she said knowing he was probably a bit picky about what he ate, and by a bit… that was an understatement.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

He eyed her as she spoke, noting how unsure of herself she seemed. It put him off a bit, him being used to - even after just a few previous encounters - her being confident and outspoken. She hadn't lost her spunk, so to say, but it brought a frown to his face. He hadn't meant to make her uncomfortable, it was just that it wasn't every day that people just waltzed into his life and he had no idea how to react. He'd lived alone for years without help and hadn't ever really had anyone besides his family in his apartment.

Rolling his eyes, Max ran his fingers through his air. "I'm not used to being taken care of, if it's not blatantly obvious. Even the slightest favor feels like too much," he said, adding under his breath, "I can take care of myself." Not being used to being taken care of was understandable, but it was his insistence that he didn't want to be taken care of that seemed a bit problematic in this particular situation. He cringed internally at her words, nearly losing his appetite at the thought of takeout. "Whatever's in the fridge would be fine," he said, his eyebrows raising. "Help yourself," he added as an afterthought.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

sing for the lion and lamb; max & vanessa

[aliceblaine]

She laughed at his comment, “Trust me, I can tell,” she said watching as he walked over sitting down on the couch as she’d instructed. She glanced over as he patted the couch and she reluctantly strode over sitting down on the couch next to him. “I’m pretty sure you’re right, I think Lysol would even be intimidated of this place,” she said. This place made her apartment look like a garbage disposal. She was probably more different than Maxwell then she was alike, but that didn’t change the fact that she liked being around him. There wasn’t a lot of people Vanessa felt comfortable around, and even though she hadn’t known Maxwell very long- she did like his company.

"It’s way nicer than my place, I’ll give you that," she added. Seeing Maxwells apartment definitely made her skeptical to ever let him see hers. He’d probably take one look and walk out, and compared tho this place she wouldn’t really blame him. "Do you want anything, like something to eat or some water?" she questioned knowing he probably hadn’t had anything since the previous day.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Leaning back against the back of the soft leather, Max let out a much needed, however labored, breath. His side was throbbing, but he was thankful he wouldn't need those damned pills for another couple of hours. He despised the things - all they served to do was make him drowsy enough that he could pass out for a couple of hours without really feeling anything at all. The sleep he dreaded, but the numbness he welcomed. He rolled his head towards her, for he rested it against the back of the couch, and he grinned. "Yes, well, I like having everything in it's place," he said, his lips turning into a smirk at her words. "Most likely, but I won't hold that against you." He turned his face to the ceiling and closed his eyes, his body relaxing enough that he could breath without straining himself too much.

When she spoke again, he didn't bother opening his eyes, but the remnants of a smile were still on his face. "As much as I would appreciate the gesture, I don't need to be coddled." His words said one thing while his stomach made it very clear that he was in need of sustenance. Laughing at his traitor stomach, he looked to her again with an amused sigh. "But if you insist.." He trailed off again, hoping she wouldn't think him to be taking advantage of her.

[boneswildearchive]

Well, I got roses delivered to me on accident, so I guess strange deliveries is a common theme today.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Lucky us.

[amber-jordan-deactivated2014091]

Not at all. I quite like it too, actually. I’ve been called much worse, so, I don’t mind it a bit.

[maxwellnbd-blog]

Well, Max isn't a problem either if that's what you'd prefer.