#royal interactions

[maximus-arcus-inimicus]

Hey Max - I would've contacted you sooner but I've been feeling in over my head. Not the greatest. I hope the emperor is doing alright himself. - @roguishlyhandsomesecretagent

“Ooooh Rex...” Max cooed sympathetically, “I’ve been- well- managing. I know you’re busy, but don’t you forget you’re welcome over anytime, darling~”

[maximus-arcus-inimicus]

Rex had been under the weather lately, but he shrugged it off. He was usually self-reliant and he always tried not to let him affect his work, unless he was actually dying. So when he went back to see Max he was trying so hard not to show how he felt. It was hard to hide a cough though, as well as his attempt not to lean against the furniture. It was not dignified as a secret agent to feel like this, but he would always insist to Max that he was fine if asked. - @roguishlyhandsomesecretagent

“Hello, Dasher~” Max greeted as he heard the spy enter. He’d gotten used to Rex coming as he pleased, and it’s not like he minded anyways. Funny though, he usually came in quieter-

“Heavens, Rex, are you alright? You seem a little... off balance.” Max set down the books he’d been organizing and strode over to the other, concern in his eyes. He gave up trying to deny to himself that he cared about Rex, he knew he was too much of an open book anyhow.

[maximus-arcus-inimicus]

@roguishlyhandsomesecretagent​

Max thought he’d gotten over his swooning problem when it came to Rex considering how often they saw each other but the image in front of hit just a little different.

He tried his best to listen to the spy talk about his day but he could feel his face burning with blush and his eyes struggling to not wander. Something about the natural attractiveness of Rex’s posture, with his ruffled hair and undone tie, was making it extremely hard to focus on the conversation at hand.

He did his best to respond in turn but with the combination of his flustered brain and attempt to concentrate on the conversation, he didn’t notice the books he’d been carrying slip out of his arms till he was tripping over them.

Max swore as he scrambled to pick himself up off the floor, sputtering an apology, his face even redder than before if that was even possible. Stupid stupid stupid he reprimanded himself in his head for getting so hot at the collar over Rex just existing.

[maximus-arcus-inimicus]

"An Aries then? Or Pisces?" Rex asked with a crooked grin, in full on flirtatious mode, "I guess I'm a little fond of astrology. As a Capricorn, I do hope there's compatibility. Opposites attract, right?" He raised one eyebrow at Max, in a playfully inquisitive manner. - @roguishlyhandsomesecretagent

Max raised an eyebrow in amusement. “Aries yes~ I gave up on the stars ages ago but I’d be willing to give them another shot if it means I can get away with you” The emperor winked at the spy, all too happy with the attention. “Opposites indeed~” He drawled, stretching his legs out across the agent’s lap.

[maximus-arcus-inimicus]

"Hey, uh," Rex said, trying not to stumble over his words, "d'you mind if I have a drink? I haven't had a coffee for a while but I don't want to be a bother. Just wanna catch up." The spy thought he could call Del later, he had this to think about first. - @roguishlyhandsomesecretagent

Max laughed a little, placing a kiss on Rex’s forehead. “Of course dear~” He headed to the kitchen to heat the water. Max himself didn’t drink coffee but he was glad he’d had it on hand. He pulled the hot cocoa mix for himself, a warm drink sounding good.

While the water was heating, he headed back to the living room, plopping on the couch next to Rex. “I’m guessing all went over fairly well with work then?” Max didn’t want to get too much into worrying subjects but wanted to make sure the spy wasn’t in any hot water with his employers.

[maximus-arcus-inimicus]

Rex probably should've been more aware, considering who he was, but he was too anxious as usual to check he actually had the safety on his gun to check if Max was around. He shouldn't have really done it here, but his anxiety got the better of him and he'd taken it out from the holster just inside his jacket to check and point it that he only just noticed Max come outside to see him. He almost dropped it, fumbling to put it back inside where it usually stayed. - @roguishlyhandsomesecretagent

Max had grown accustomed to the quiet way the spy’s Porsche purred through the grass, his head perking and a smile already tugging at his lips as he stepped towards the door, silencing the beeping radar system that had also picked up on the car’s presence.

Opening the door, he noticed Rex standing outside the vehicle and then the weapon. He raised an eyebrow, but not out of much surprise. It made sense that Rex would have a gun considering his role as a secret agent, Max had just never seen him handle it.

He laughed softly watching the spy fumble with the weapon, “Easy Mr. Bond, I know what a gun is. Come on in, silly.” Max smiled and motioned towards inside the hideout.

[maximus-arcus-inimicus]

"Y'know, Max..." Rex said, wondering if he should broach the topic he was about to mention, "after all this time, I've never had a chance to ask...about your mother, or what she looked like." He tilted his head at the emperor as he sat on the couch, giving him a soft gaze. "You two really sound like you loved each other...I bet she knows how much you miss her." - @roguishlyhandsomesecretagent

Max turned to Rex, a little surprised at the question but a fond smile soon spread across his face. “Her name was Aureliana and I loved her very much,” The emperor’s voice was soft but full of fondness, “I hope she does~” He purred, nuzzling against the spy before a thought struck him.

“I actually can show you her in a way.” Max perked, standing from the couch and motioning for Rex to follow him to the stairs. Walking up, he opened the door to his bedroom. On one side was a large canopy bed with a closet across from it, a large bureau and vanity mirror on the other side, both with makeup and other personal items littered across them.

Sitting in the corner were a sheathed sword and something big draped in a white sheet. Grabbing it, Max pulled it off to reveal a painting of a woman in recognizable Roman garb. Her face was framed by dark red hair, a splay of freckles sitting above her gentle smile.

“I managed to sneak this out of the castle and back here,” Max grinned at the other man as he sat on the carpeted floor in front of the painting, “I didn’t want to forget how she looked back then.”

For Max, his mother’s presence was the marker between the good times and the bad times. He hoped by keeping her image, he could convince himself he’d put the bad times behind him, or at least, the majority of them.

[maximus-arcus-inimicus]

"Perhaps it seems apt that I'd find you here, considering how much you said you'd welcome the idea. Although I guess that's just the wine, huh?" - Rex Dasher

Maximus was still giving himself a moment to process the situation. Sure, he probably should've guessed that opening one's self up to the internet meant that Rex would eventually find out about it but hey. Hindsights 20/20.

"Now, now, that was a joke I'll have you remember and yes, I suppose I can get a bit loose lipped with a few glasses in me~" The emperor tried to chuckle mysteriously but it ended up more nervous than reserved.