[Max’s new found powers still amaze him. He’s so confident, and beautiful, bathed in the blue light from his flames. It takes Michael’s breath away. Does he know how beautiful he is? Michael knows he’s not the first to notice or to fall for Max Evans. How can he not? There’s no one else like him. No one else even comes close.]

God, you are perfect, Max. You’ll wear my mark and if anyone ever sees it they’ll know you’re claimed, that you belong to me. And every time you see it when we’re apart, you’ll think of me. You’ll think of me marking you, you’ll think of me inside you, making you mine.

[His fingers tighten in Max’s hair, and he leans in for a kiss. He knows they need to get up eventually but he’s not ready to let Max go, to let the moment pass. Here, it was like they were in their own little bubble, just the two of them and for the first time in a long time, Michael felt at peace.]