decided to write out that hector and max blurb since it's been in my head all day by this point
``
A peculiar conversation between two friends during their Academy days
ft. Max's pov and Hector's obliviousness
~~~~
"Would you marry me?"
Without lifting his eyes off the book in his hands, Hector refused.
In hindsight, perhaps the timing was not right. For there was little that could tear his dearest friend's attention from them when he was so deep in his novels. Nevertheless, this did not soften the ache in Maximinius' chest, not with the way Hector hadn't even taken a second to mull over his offer.
And the grand fool he was, his mouth opens to speak once more. "And why not?" It comes out almost whiny, like some petulant child denied a sweet, and Maximinius cursed himself for it.
`
A beat passed. Nothing.
Given how engrossed Hector was into his novel, Maximinus wondered what the odds were that Hector hadn't heard him.
Slim but not impossible.
`
And just as Maximinius wanted to slink out of the room, Hector looked up from his book. "Why not?" he echoed. "Magnus, we're 17."
"So?"
"We haven't even graduated." Did this mean he had a chance upon graduation? But before he could voice such a thought, Hector continued, "And isn't this kind of extreme?"
`
"Extreme?" he echoed. "How so?" What was so extreme about marrying the love of his life? If anything, shouldn't Hector, a Dovecote, be understanding of this, given his parents' marriage? But as quickly as that thought came, Maximinius pushed it away. For it was Hector, who was as oblivious as they came, if not worse.
`
The look Hector shot him with was one full of exasperation as he put the book down onto his lap. "How is marriage not an extreme decision to make in your grand quest to avoid Gloriam?"
Oh fates…
"I'm quite sure there are better ways to avoid her."
"You don't know that," he managed to croak out. Were he not the heir of House Ravinstill, Maximinius would have slammed his head against the nearest wall repeatedly. How had he fallen for such a silly fool? Damn Hector and his charm, and his stupidly bewitching eyes.
`
Hector rolled his eyes. "Yes, because marrying you would solve your problems with Gloriam."
It couldn't hurt to try. "What if she gets worse after graduation?" Some years ago, he'd caught sight of Gloriam doodling line after line in her notebook, 'Mrs. Gloriam Ravinstill'. A chill ran down his spine at the memory.
"You're delusional."
"And you're horrid. I thought we were friends."
"My friends actually call me Hector."
This time, Maximinius was the one to roll his eyes. Him and his horrible sense of humour. Hector was lucky he was so handsome.
`
"Besides, how much worse could she become?"
He shuddered at the thought, he didn't think his heart could take such suffering. "And if she does?" he demands. "You'd leave me to suffer this fate alone?"
"Fine." Hector threw up his hands in exasperation. "On the hypothetical off chance that she becomes worse after we graduate from the Academy, I guess I'd consider a proposal from you." Before Maximinius could inwardly rejoice, Hector pointed an accusatory finger in his direction, "This does not mean you can propose the day after our Academy graduation."
Damn. "Are you-"
"Setting a timeline? Yes." Although he opened his mouth to object to such restrictions, Hector ignored him. "You've got to wait a minimium of five years after our Academy graduation."
"Five?" How in Panem's name was he supposed to wait that long?
`
"I'll make it seven years if you think to complain."
His friend was a tyrant. But considering it was not an outright rejection, Maximinius decided not to push his luck any further. "Fine."
At that, Hector beamed as he picked the novel off his lap. "Great. Until then, no more talks of marriage. Now shush, I want to finish my book."