Something something Max is on a run around campus. It’s early, but that’s the only time he really gets with his schedule. Plus he likes seeing the morning fog on the lake.
He stopped to re-tie his shoe laces, he planned to changed them out over the weekend. It annoyed the piss out of him these laces didn’t stay put. Max paused, there was a gold ring on the ground, almost hidden in the grass, it had a studded horseshoe on the front. He took it up, looking at it this way and that before slipping it onto his pinky. He’d look at the school’s message board today to see if anyone’s reported losing a ring.
He had maybe run another kilometer before he happened upon a guy in running shorts and no shirt giggling at some ducks in the lake. The guy was fit and tan with sporadic tattoos on his skin, his laugh sounded fun, boisterous. Max paused in his stride when the guy turned to look back at him. Max blinked, struck by a wide smile and cute face.
“Howdy!” The guy greeted with a wave. Max didn’t think he’d ever seen him before, he’d rarely encountered anyone who ran at this hour. Most students waited till the sun was higher—usually cutting it closer to the start of the first class of the day.
“Morning. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone on this running path so early before.” Max commented.
The guy laughed again and raked a hand through his curls.
“I’m trying a new routine. I’m Daniel by the way.”
“Max.”
“Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your run. See you around Max.” Daniel said before taking off in the direction Max came from. Max watched him go before continuing his loop.
Max looked at the ring in his palm, it sure was unique. He hooked it to his keychain before dropping the lanyard onto his desk and heading to see his advisor for their meeting. Max paused, seeing Daniel waving from down the opposite hall before disappearing into a room. Maybe he was another grad student then?
It was as if noticing him was trigger because Max saw Daniel everywhere on campus now. At the food trucks one Friday, on his runs sometimes, in the lecture hall. And Daniel kept giving him that same smile and wave combo.
Max saw him again on his run, except Daniel was laying on the grass in the quad. Max came to a stop.
“I thought you were supposed to be running.” He greeted.
“Mate it’s soooo early.” Daniel complained and Max let his round accent wash over him.
“You’re being stupid, I think. Come, run the loop with me.” Max offered with a small blush when Daniel looked up at him.
“Sure!” Daniel scrambled to his feet and stretched exaggeratedly with a grin. “Lemme just limber up.”
Max rolled his eyes and took off, grinning to himself at Daniels squawk.
They ran together every morning after that. Then got a smoothie from a breakfast shop Max hadn’t known existed. Daniel was fun, Max liked Daniel. And it wasn’t because he was cute and funny and Max had a crush. Daniel was a breath of fresh air, a breeze blowing over him under the crushing weight of Max’s dissertation edits and student grades. They didn’t talk about school, and Max didn’t mind it. Instead he enjoyed learning about Daniel.
Max ran out of his dorm, he was late. And it only took him two kilometers on his run to realize he left his keys. Hopefully he hadn’t also locked himself out. He frowned along the path when Daniel didn’t come careening from the direction of the Lauda building and bump into him. Max finished the rest of his loop in silence, feeling out of sorts that Daniel didn’t show. Maybe he went earlier and didn’t wait for Max? Still, that sucked and Max knew his entire day was out of whack.
He considered getting a smoothie and asking the barista if he saw Daniel but decided against it. He hated heading to work after a run but he promised himself he’d shower in the gym. He really didn’t have time today– not with everything due. He was late because he overslept, because he stayed late at his desk putting in student grades that were due.
It was a slough of a day, but Max got all his shit done– thankfully. And he frowned cause he didn’t see Daniel at all. Not even out of the corner of his eyes. Deciding not to think of it, he made his way back to his flat and sent a quick prayer in thanks when the door opened without incident. He found his keys on his desk where he’d dropped them last night. Shrugging, and absolutely not thinking about Daniel, Max went to shower.
Max did not expect to walk out of his bathroom, towel slung around his waist, to see Daniel sitting on his couch. He stopped short, watching Daniel scroll on his phone.
“Uh…what are you doing here?” Max asked. How did Daniel even get in?
“Oh you’re back!” Daniel grinned over at him, as if he’d been waiting on Max. “You look exhausted mate.” Daniel commented, like everything was normal.
“Uh Daniel?” Max frowned, Daniel hummed. “How are you here?”
“Well you invited me in Maxy.” Daniel said matter of factly.
“Uh no I didn’t?”
“Max you brought me here.” Daniel stood and shrugged. Max saw he was dressed down in an oversized shirt and short shorts. His tattooed thigh looked great. Max tried not to get distracted. Because he didn’t know what Daniel was talking about. He did not invite him—wait.
“Are you like a vampire or something?”
Daniel laughed and shook his head, “or something.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Max was frustrated. Daniel walked over and kissed him on the lips.
Max was very confused. But also horny. He wished Daniel would get on with it.
“Your wish is my command.” Daniel whispered against Max’s lips. Max’s brow furrowed
“What?”
Daniel pulled back, brown eyes sparkling with something Max didn’t understand. “And Maxy, you don’t have to waste a wish for me to fuck you. I’ll do that gladly.”
Max didn’t have an opportunity to think about that for a second before Daniel was kissing him again.