[c] take what's }l e f t{ of this [ man ]

[castra]

[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=border,0,true][classy=box] [classy=hiddenicon][/classy] WORDS 000 TAGS keisuke NOTES Here you go. [/classy][classy=realicon] hover [/classy] A delivery. Oh boy, he hoped he didn't mess this up. Apparently, a girl by the name of Fallon broke one of the vases in the local inn, and the flower shop needed an extra hand to deliver it. Of course, Katsu had expressed it would be no hindrance to him if Maxx helped, but he still felt guilty for leaving Katsu without help while he did this. He would also feel guilty had he declined knowing he could help, so this was the better path perhaps.... A rock and a hard place. He reflected, though few would share Maxx's sentiment. Few thought the same way he did, he was aware of that. Sometimes painfully so. Still, as he focused on how much worse it would have been not to help, he started feeling better for helping. He managed to convince himself that Katsu would be okay, and that he'd make it up to the other, and focused instead on the project at hand. The vase was pretty heavy, for Maxx anyway. He had to use both hands to carry it, and he was practically waddling. He had no idea how he was going to get that door open.... It was a miracle that he found the inn, but when he did he now faced the task of opening that door.... Maxx tried turning his back and pushing it against the door, to see if it would open that way, frowning when it didn't. How was he going to do this? If he put the vase down, chances were he wouldn't be able to lift it again...well, not while holding the door propped open anyway. What a dilemma.... But he was determined to figure it out!

made by amb tanz

[newclass=box]opacity: 0; filter:alpha(opacity=0); width: 100px; height: 120px; float: left; position: absolute; margin-left: 14%; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=box:hover]opacity: 0.7; filter:alpha(opacity=70); width: 260px; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=hiddenicon]background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; [/newclass][newclass=realicon]float: right; background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; margin-left: 5px;[/newclass]

[Major Blue]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=eeeeee][atrb=width,500,true] [STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 10px solid #111111; float: left; margin-top: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 5px;][/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial; margin-top: -2px; width: 410px; color: #212121;]— LET'S SEE WHO IS THE STRONGEST.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; font-size: 20px; margin-top: -6px; margin-bottom: -3px; width: 410px; color: #212121; letter-spacing: -1px;]I AM KING OF THE WORLD.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: justify; padding: 5px; border-left: 7px solid #111111; border-top: 5px solid #111111; background-color: #f3f3f3; width: 400px; font-size: 10px; color: #212121; margin-left: 20px;]Usually people would stray away from the work place when they didn't have to be there.

[/b] But Keisuke was a little different. He actually liked his job and didn't mind hanging around before his hours started. 'Course he wouldn't be starting work for another couple of hours, so he wasn't dressed for it either. Today Keisuke sported a loose, dark grey v-neck shirt with some simple blue jeans and rider boots. Keisuke hung out around the diner, helping out where help was needed. He even busted and waited a few tables to save the cooks a bit of work. Today seemed really busy. The diner was certainly packed today.

But that certainly wasn't the very end of the bill. No, Fallon had stumbled or something and knocked over a vase. A vase of which Keisuke had to clean up. He didn't have a problem with it though. He certainly nagged her out of the vicinity of anymore pottery. As 'big bro' around this joint it was Keisuke's job to keep the little sister out of trouble. Which was insurmountably hard considering that little sister was Fallon, who was more than accident prone. If no one was around, Keisuke was worried about that girl's life. But she seemed to escape considerable injury. So in a way, it was okay...? Eh. Deets.

Keisuke swept up the remaining pieces of pottery at the expense of his fingers being a little cut up here and there from handing the small pieces. But it was alright. After checking the bandages on his fingers, Keisuke concluded that it was high time for a cigg. He headed towards the exit, pulling open the door and staring down at none other than Maxx. His brown eyes studied the smaller man through blue tinted sunglasses.

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[castra]

[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=border,0,true][classy=box] [classy=hiddenicon][/classy] WORDS 000 TAGS keisuke NOTES Here you go. [/classy][classy=realicon] hover [/classy] Maxx's thoughts were broken when someone opened the door, just as he had been struggling to open the door too! What timing! He blinked up at the person, recognizing the blonde-haired man as a man named Keisuke. Maxx knew that he worked for Iain, the man who owned the inn. But I thought Katsu said he worked as a bartender...the bar can't be open now can it? Ah, but he was being rude. Maxx blinked and mentally shook himself. Staring was rude! What if Keisuke got mad at him for being rude?! Maxx wouldn't blame him. "Ah, th-thank you Mr. Keisuke!" He said, his voice its usual softness, tone laced with sincere gratitude. He dipped his head slightly in respect and gratitude, though the action temporarily threw his balance, nearly throwing him backward. But Maxx regained his balance, laughing slightly in embarrassment. "Ms. Thalia said that Mr. Iain ordered a vase of flowers to replace one that broke?" He said, explaining his presence to the tall blonde. Keisuke was so much taller than Maxx that even though he wasn't looming over threateningly it almost seemed like it. Maxx about the average height of a girl, but a little taller, standing at roughly five feet and six inches. Keisuke literally towered over his small frame. But after the initial shock at seeing Keisuke for the first time, Maxx got over it. He was still skittish of course, but he was like that with everyone. Being touched made him feel uncomfortable. But he wasn't afraid of Keisuke, what for? The other had never done anything to even threaten him. It didn't take much longer for Maxx to notice the bandages on Keisuke's fingers, instantly triggering concern in the smaller raven-haired boy. He almost forgot about the vase and its flowers entirely. "Ah! Mr. Keisuke! Your hurt! A-Are you okay? What happened to your fingers?" The concern was genuine, and clearly detectable in his voice. While Maxx was secretive about some things, there were other things about him that made him transparent. He could not hide emotions from his voice or eyes or facial expressions for the most part. Anything dealing with his past, sure. But being concerned for someone else? No. And it was always genuine. Despite everything, he had not lost the ability to care wholeheartedly.

made by amb tanz

[newclass=box]opacity: 0; filter:alpha(opacity=0); width: 100px; height: 120px; float: left; position: absolute; margin-left: 14%; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=box:hover]opacity: 0.7; filter:alpha(opacity=70); width: 260px; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=hiddenicon]background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; [/newclass][newclass=realicon]float: right; background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; margin-left: 5px;[/newclass]

[Major Blue]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=eeeeee][atrb=width,500,true] [STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 10px solid #111111; float: left; margin-top: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 5px;][/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial; margin-top: -2px; width: 410px; color: #212121;]— LET'S SEE WHO IS THE STRONGEST.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; font-size: 20px; margin-top: -6px; margin-bottom: -3px; width: 410px; color: #212121; letter-spacing: -1px;]I AM KING OF THE WORLD.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: justify; padding: 5px; border-left: 7px solid #111111; border-top: 5px solid #111111; background-color: #f3f3f3; width: 400px; font-size: 10px; color: #212121; margin-left: 20px;]Now he didn't really know Maxx all that well.

[/b] Not as well as he would have liked. The first time he saw Maxx, he didn't really think anything of the man. He actually thought that Maxx was much younger and therefore Keisuke thought him to be just a boy. He certainly did act like a timid little child. He heard a couple of stories from other people about him. That he was really klutzy, but a good kid with a heart of gold. Keisuke could certainly see that. So he simply went with the descriptions he got.

The formalities however, were a little annoying. The title "Mr." always made him feel old when he was just twenty-four. He always nipped that in the ass before it became a habit with him.

"Just Keisuke." he replied simply.

He nodded his head at Maxx's explanation. Though he really didn't need one seeing the other carrying a vase that was almost bigger than he was. Gosh, this guy was so polite and humble it was sort of weird. People like this were considerably hard to find. Too few and far in between really. Working at a bar, you encounter the emotions and sides of people you never really wanted to see. People morning the loss of a relative and coming to drink it off, or a fight breaking out between a couple and coming to drink it off. Stupid stuff like that. Keisuke felt no sympathy off the weak minded who rely on alcohol to 'take their troubles away'. Drowning yourself won't do. The problem will continue to exist as you continue to ignore it. It was rather futile and... well, ignorant. But hey. Keisuke made a buck off it so whatever. He didn't care how immoral that sounded either.

"Yeah, just sit it down by the door inside. I'll take care of it."

Keisuke began to step back to let Maxx in before the other noted his cut fingers. The cuts really weren't that bad. Good thing he was right handed anyway. The majority of the cuts were located on his left hand digits while only a few were on his other. It was do to his own carelessness anyway, so there was really no one to blame but himself.

"It's cool. The pieces of the last vase were unexpectedly sharp."

Maxx sounded really worried. Like he really cared for Kei. He hardly even knew anything about Kei though. He was tall and menacing. With these bandaged fingers and sunglasses he looked like some freaky strong Yakuza guy too. Eh... Whatever. The less distant people were from him, the better anyway.

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[castra]

[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=border,0,true][classy=box] [classy=hiddenicon][/classy] WORDS 000 TAGS keisuke NOTES here you go. [/classy][classy=realicon] hover [/classy] He couldn't help the formalities. Most people from Maxx's walk of life wouldn't have them, but he was different in that he was constantly in the mindset of being part of a hierarchy, and his place was at the bottom. He blinked up at the blonde when he corrected this though, his brows pulling together and furrowing. Had he insulted Keisuke? "Ah, I-I'm sorry...Keisuke." There was only a handful of people Maxx addressed in this way -- Katsu being one of them, his sisters being others. Nick had also been one. And now apparently Keisuke was too. In Maxx's opinion, it showed a level of friendship that he wasn't used to feeling deserving of, not even with Katsu, whose kindness he certainly did not deserve. But he didn't know Keisuke in this way, so his only conclusion was.... "I-I'm sorry, I meant n-no insult." It was the only explanation. He couldn't help letting go a breathe of relief when Keisuke stepped aside, nodding in response, but he also felt a pang of guilt just leaving it there. What if somebody tripped on it? He almost insisted Keisuke tell him where to take the vase. But as he shifted his grip and shuffled inside, Maxx quickly realized he wouldn't be able to carry the vase to where it needed to go. He set it down carefully, near the door, but far away enough so that nobody tripped over it accidentally. He brushed his hands on his pants when he stood, an old habit, and flashed Keisuke a small smile. "I-Is that all?" Maxx was just that kind of person, who concerned himself with the health of other's, even if he didn't know them very well. He couldn't really explain why, he just did. The concerned look remained on his face, and though he should be heading back to play with Katsu's sisters, he remained. He glanced from Keisuke's hand, to the door, and back again. He couldn't tell, but it didn't look like Keisuke did much more than wash his hands and put bandages on his fingers...more would need to be done though. To prevent infection. "C-Can I-I...?" He tentatively held out his hand, gesturing for Keisuke to let him see the scratches, his hand trembling slightly with nerves. He had never done something so brash and out of line, but he felt that he had to help.

made by amb tanz

[newclass=box]opacity: 0; filter:alpha(opacity=0); width: 100px; height: 120px; float: left; position: absolute; margin-left: 14%; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=box:hover]opacity: 0.7; filter:alpha(opacity=70); width: 260px; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=hiddenicon]background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; [/newclass][newclass=realicon]float: right; background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; margin-left: 5px;[/newclass]

[Major Blue]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=eeeeee][atrb=width,500,true] [STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 10px solid #111111; float: left; margin-top: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 5px;][/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial; margin-top: -2px; width: 410px; color: #212121;]— LET'S SEE WHO IS THE STRONGEST.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; font-size: 20px; margin-top: -6px; margin-bottom: -3px; width: 410px; color: #212121; letter-spacing: -1px;]I AM KING OF THE WORLD.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: justify; padding: 5px; border-left: 7px solid #111111; border-top: 5px solid #111111; background-color: #f3f3f3; width: 400px; font-size: 10px; color: #212121; margin-left: 20px;]Ah...

[/b] This guy. Maxx was so unnecessarily formal. It was really weird to Keisuke. He wasn't used to such formalities. Usually people just called him Keisuke or Shuuten. Back where he was from, formalities were close to nonexistent. It was a small town and ever one knew each other. There was just never a need to use titles like, "Ms", "Mrs", "Mister" or whatever. Naturally Keisuke wasn't used to it. But he didn't like it much either. Twenty-four and counting, he didn't want to feel old just yet. But he wasn't upset with Maxx about being that way. People had their customs and he had his. His just didn't include formalities. With anyone.

Keisuke shook his head at Maxx's apology. He didn't need that either. He really hated it when people apologized. Because most of the times when people did, they never meant it. They'd just turn around and do some more trifling shit again. At least that was what Keisuke's mindset was. Girlfriends, boyfriends, friends, whoever. People were all the same. They lied, cheated and broke hearts if they had to. If it was for something they really wanted (and most of the time didn't really need), they'd do whatever it took. Keisuke was part of the sum of that equation on too many times. So many times it changed his outlook on everything and everybody. Which explained why he was so aloof all the time. Distance was good. Distance was safe. But he always ended up establishing bonds anyway. He... Didn't want that with Maxx. He felt like Maxx would be someone that would grow on him. That he would be come a major catalyst in his life if he grew too close. It was ultimately Keisuke's fear with everyone he met. People always had secrets. And secrets, if they had to keep them, they were most certainly never good.

"It's whatever."

He watched as Maxx shimmied in with the large vase in hand. He really didn't understand why Iain had to replace that damned thing. And why they sent this scrawny little guy to carry it. Maxx was definitely not the best candidate for hard labor... With fragile things. But hey. Whatever floated their boats. Whatever stirred their beans. Keisuke really didn't care if it broke on the way or not. They didn't need it. But Iain thought they did so whatever.

"Yeah that's it." Keisuke muttered, looking down at his cell phone screen. Iain was worried about this damned vase again it seemed. Nagging Keisuke about being gentle, as he knew how reckless Keisuke could be. Considering the blonde thought it was okay to pick up shards of broken pottery with his bare hands. There was a bit of blood but Keisuke was hardly phased. It was Iain who freaked. Something about the inn was not to be made into a murder scene and that it was unprofessional or what not. Sometimes Iain was a nagging mother more than a boss. But Keisuke still knew to take Iain seriously when the time came for it. Iain was definitely one of those people that had some sort of hidden rage deep down inside that was most certainly not wise to awaken. Even Keisuke knew that.

Keisuke slipped his phone back in his pocket, looking back at Maxx who was offering to look at his injuries. The tall blonde was a bit confused at first. But he moved to stand before Maxx anyway. He rested his right hand with the most bandaged fingers in Maxx's, the other with only a few bandages held at his side. He wasn't sure what Maxx planned to do with these, but if he had an idea, Keisuke wasn't going to deny him a look.

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[style=font-size: 10px; text-align: center;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF OTE + BTN[/style][/center]
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[castra]

[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=border,0,true][classy=box] [classy=hiddenicon][/classy] WORDS 000 TAGS keisuke NOTES clueless maxx is clueless. [/classy][classy=realicon] hover [/classy] Even though Keisuke said that it was okay, Maxx still fretted a little over possibly having insulted the blonde. After all, maybe Keisuke was just too modest to say that Maxx had insulted him? He turned his gaze down and off to the side, incapable of meeting the tall blonde's gaze, albeit masked behind tinted glass regardless. His mind briefly wandered, wondering what color Keisuke's eyes were. Did he ever see the other without those glasses? He couldn't remember if he did.... Oh no, did that make him a bad person? He didn't know that Keisuke had an aversion to apologies, not that it would have helped any. It would just make Maxx apologize more because he had been a nuisance to the other -- or, more than he already had been. Maxx was in the constant mindset that he was a bother, regardless of what the other said. He was just a lowly being compared to everyone else, take Keisuke for example. He had a steady job that paid, people respected him, and he could stand up for himself. Compared to Keisuke, Maxx wasn't much higher than an ant (no height-related pun intended). He shuffled on his feet when Keisuke said that was it. So...he was probably in the way now.... Ah, b-but, Keisuke's injuries! Despite not really knowing the other, Maxx was strongly compelled to help if he could. If he wasn't being a bother that is. He wasn't was he?! He tried to discreetly stretch his arms before he asked Keisuke if he could look at his hand, well in Maxx-lingo anyway. Which was a sting of stutters and an incomplete sentence. But Keisuke seemed to understand. Keisuke standing so close to him made his heart rate speed up considerably. Being in a close proximity to other people always made Maxx more nervous, not necessarily uncomfortable just unbelievably nervous and even more easily flustered. Yes, it is possible. His hands were trembling slightly as he undid the bandages on Keisuke's hand, using one hand to do this task while the other held Keisuke's hand. The latter not shaking at all, it was perfectly sturdy. Maxx didn't take time to process this though. "U-Um...I-I have to...disinfect them..." The cuts weren't bad it was just a precaution. He let Keisuke lead him to a bathroom where there was peroxide, disinfecting each cut gently and then re-bandaging Keisuke's hand with nimble and skillful hands. He cracked a very small smile while he worked, not even noticing it. Maxx was at his happiest when he was being helpful. He blinked up at Keisuke before averting his gaze immediately, blushing slightly in embarrassment and nervousness. "I-I can do the other one too...i-if you like?" Where Maxx's kindness came from was unknown, it was just there. Even though Keisuke's other hand was hardly damaged, in Maxx's mind the other could still suffer from an infection from the cuts, no matter how slight. And if Keisuke did suffer from an infection from the cuts that Maxx could have treated and therefore prevented, he would never be able to forgive himself. Despite hardly knowing Keisuke Shuuten. This was the type of person Maxx was.

made by amb tanz

[newclass=box]opacity: 0; filter:alpha(opacity=0); width: 100px; height: 120px; float: left; position: absolute; margin-left: 14%; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=box:hover]opacity: 0.7; filter:alpha(opacity=70); width: 260px; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=hiddenicon]background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; [/newclass][newclass=realicon]float: right; background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; margin-left: 5px;[/newclass]

[Major Blue]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=eeeeee][atrb=width,500,true] [STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 10px solid #111111; float: left; margin-top: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 5px;][/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial; margin-top: -2px; width: 410px; color: #212121;]— LET'S SEE WHO IS THE STRONGEST.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; font-size: 20px; margin-top: -6px; margin-bottom: -3px; width: 410px; color: #212121; letter-spacing: -1px;]I AM KING OF THE WORLD.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: justify; padding: 5px; border-left: 7px solid #111111; border-top: 5px solid #111111; background-color: #f3f3f3; width: 400px; font-size: 10px; color: #212121; margin-left: 20px;]Keisuke had to admit, Maxx was some kind of adorably annoying.

[/b] By this point, normally he would have grown a little annoyed by the others skittish speech. He was always speaking in a way that spoke volumes of anxiety and pressure. Like he was afraid he would mess up or something. Keisuke didn't understand why. And no one seemed to know about Maxx before he arrived here. That was one thing Keisuke connected between the two of them. He too had not spoken a word to anyone about his past, save for one person. Some snarky ass chick pestered him about telling her more about himself. Like he was ever going to tell some random chick about it. About him.

Keisuke wasn't afraid to tell. Or maybe he was? He liked to believe that he wasn't afraid. He liked to believe people wouldn't judge him on it and stir clear of him forever. Despite his detached nature, Keisuke was a nice guy and he wanted friends like everyone else. He just... had a really hard time expressing it sometimes. People often mistook his lack of words as he was uninterested. It was just sometimes he didn't really know what to say, how to react to certain things that people did and said. But he honestly did try to be friendly. And most people could see that clear enough that he didn't have to explain. Not that he knew how anyway.

He could feel that Maxx was trembling slightly. Again, he didn't understand why. Was he afraid of Keisuke? He could see why that was if that were it. But Keisuke wouldn't call him out on it. The poor guy might have leaped out of his skin. Therefore the towering blonde merely complied when Maxx declared that he would have to disinfect the cuts. They were minor, but Keisuke didn't mind going through the procedure of disinfection. Maxx seemed to know what he was doing.

Keisuke lead Maxx to the bathroom where they began. Keisuke never liked the word peroxide. It just sounded corrosive and skin-eating or something. It gave him shivers when Maxx picked up the bottle. God this was going to burn wasn't it? He didn't really have to go through this with his mother. Since he was more of an indoor child most of his life. Once his mother fell ill she didn't do much of anything. So he didn't know much about this sort of thing. He could tell that Maxx was being as gentle as he possibly could, but that didn't affect the stinging sensation the peroxide caused. He hissed at every cut being cleaned by the clear chemical. But he didn't complain. If it weren't for Maxx, Keisuke would have never undergone this process. He would have simply left the things to heal on their own.

However, Maxx's confidence seemed to show through a faint smile on his lips. Keisuke didn't notice it because he was so tall compared to the other, and Maxx's head was tilted down whilst he tended to the cuts. But Keisuke was a little bit more comforted by the fact that Maxx was willing to do this in the first place. He began to ponder the ways he could repay the other. Maybe he could help Maxx with anymore of these heavy lifting jobs? Obviously Maxx wasn't physically fit to handle such tasks.

Once Maxx finished and offered to do the others, Keisuke couldn't see any excuse not to allow Maxx to continue. In fact, he really wanted him to. He felt compelled enough that he felt like he should have. Keisuke's fingers felt a lot better now as well, the blonde turning his gaze to Maxx's. But the other soon averted his and began to blush rather cutely. Keisuke spared a slight laugh, nodding his head for the other to carry on. He gave Maxx his other hand, watching quietly as he went to work.

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[castra]

[atrb=vAlign,top][atrb=border,0,true][classy=box] [classy=hiddenicon][/classy] WORDS 000 TAGS keisuke NOTES clueless maxx is clueless. [/classy][classy=realicon] hover [/classy] Sometimes Maxx wished it was fear that caused his body to tremble. Simple fear. A fear of death maybe? Or of Keisuke himself. But it wasn't that simple, and he accepted it. Explaining it was something else entirely, he wouldn't even begin to attempt that endeavor. Besides, there was no need to put this fear into words. The simplest way it could be explained was a deeply rooted fear of messing up, in this case partly of causing the other excessive and unnecessary pain. He thought this nightmare had come true when he heard Keisuke hiss. Maxx knew that peroxide was a painfully strong chemical, and that it stung most people; and he glanced up at Keisuke worriedly when he heard the other's pained hisses, pausing momentarily each time before continuing. Because Maxx knew that this pain was nothing compared to the an infection could cause. He'd seen it a few times at the orphanage, and it was a far cry from pretty. "Almost done." He said gently, assuring Keisuke that the process for this hand was nearly complete. He surprised himself almost, for speaking without a stutter. But the surprise didn't really sink in, he was focused entirely on his current task. Helping Keisuke was the most important thing to him at the moment. Maxx was relieved a great deal when gave him his other hand. He hadn't wanted to insist, he didn't know how, and he really truly believed this precaution was necessary. Despite the lack of severity to the wounds. Gah...maybe I'm just being stupid. That would be his luck. To be stupid the one time he was attempting to do something intelligent and preventative. Okay, so not the one time, but still. He was just as gently with this hand as he had been the previous one, his hands steady and that faint smile curving his lips once more. This time, it didn't vanish right away. When Maxx was done, he leaned back and exhaled with relief, that smile growing for a moment. And in that moment he glanced up at Keisuke again. But immediately after that moment, panic set in and eye contact was shattered. Oh no! He fretted. What if I've insulted him?! In Maxx's world, eye contact was a very bad thing. It meant that you were challenging the other, or that you lacked respect for them. In general, Maxx never made eye contact. It might appear that he was, but under closer inspection you would notice that his gaze fell just off to the side or under the other's eyes. He never looked another person in the eye. He was taught that lesson early on, and it never occurred to him that this place was any different. Sure, he realized that the people were different, but that didn't necessarily mean the customs were too right? "I-I...um...." He needed to do something, show that he hadn't meant to make eye contact before Keisuke became angry with him! Again another complicated feeling. For it wasn't the result of Keisuke's anger that he feared. It was just the fact that the other was angry with him that he didn't want. "I-I'm sorry...." There, that was done. He wanted something to do though, and glanced at Keisuke's hands to ensure that he had rebandaged them. Seeing that he had, he briefly noted the sheer size of the tall blonde's hands. It was to be expected of course, Keisuke was a man of rather large stature, especially when compared to someone as small as Maxx. But he couldn't help noting how large Keisuke's hands were to his own, large and exceedingly more useful. Sturdy, strong. He could tell just from looking at Keisuke's hands that the other was very well suited for hard work and manual labor. But Maxx snapped himself out of his spell, promptly standing to his feet, eyes fixated on the tile floor of the bathroom. He really should excuse himself...get back to work. There was bound to be something else for him to do by now. "I-I should be g-going...." So why the hesitation? He shuffled on his feet timidly, as though unsure if he was excused to go, which it probably was. Maxx had been trained to think and act in a certain way, and unlike most of the other boys from the orphanage who rebelled and refused to allow the 'training' to control them, Maxx stuck with it. The way he had been raised back then affected him even now, it had become a part of who he was. Of course, Nick was no small part in that. But he was getting better. He was much more sure of himself around Katsu, who seemed like he needed someone around who didn't stutter as much as he did. The way he helped the other the most was by being a strength the other could rely on. Keisuke doesn't need that though. It was a fleeting thought, extremely brief, but one that led to another: Keisuke doesn't need me. He shuffled on his feet again, though he didn't move. Awaiting to be dismissed from a place where his presence could be considered a hindrance.

made by amb tanz

[newclass=box]opacity: 0; filter:alpha(opacity=0); width: 100px; height: 120px; float: left; position: absolute; margin-left: 14%; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=box:hover]opacity: 0.7; filter:alpha(opacity=70); width: 260px; transition: 0.7s; -moz-transition: 0.7s; -webkit-transition: 0.7s; -o-transition: 0.7s;[/newclass][newclass=hiddenicon]background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; [/newclass][newclass=realicon]float: right; background: url(http://i268.photobucket.com/albums/jj13/Sakura16Haruno/Yoite/123.png); width: 100px; height: 100px; border-radius: 5px; border: 2px #ad687d solid; margin-left: 5px;[/newclass]

[Major Blue]

[atrb=border,0,true][bg=eeeeee][atrb=width,500,true] [STYLE=width: 100px; height: 100px; border: 10px solid #111111; float: left; margin-top: 20px; margin-left: 20px; margin-right: 5px;][/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-size: 10px; font-family: arial; margin-top: -2px; width: 410px; color: #212121;]— LET'S SEE WHO IS THE STRONGEST.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: left; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; font-size: 20px; margin-top: -6px; margin-bottom: -3px; width: 410px; color: #212121; letter-spacing: -1px;]I AM KING OF THE WORLD.[/style] [STYLE=text-align: justify; padding: 5px; border-left: 7px solid #111111; border-top: 5px solid #111111; background-color: #f3f3f3; width: 400px; font-size: 10px; color: #212121; margin-left: 20px;]Part of him wanted to know.

[/b] Part of him wanted to know more about Maxx. About who he was, what he was here for. Why he was in Ivy Point. Something told him that Maxx wasn't so different from him. He couldn't have been this timid about everything naturally. Keisuke noticed that the other avoided eye contact of any type. When they did make contact, it was immediately broken and the other became flustered and nervous for some reason. Was it Keisuke? Did he scare Maxx? To be honest, Keisuke couldn't blame the smaller of the two if he came off as intimidating. He was taller than average, his voice was somewhat deeper than most men, he wore sunglasses that allowed him to hold unreadable expressions...

Keisuke used his free hand to pluck his blue tinted sunglasses from his face and set them down by the sink. Just so the other could see what he really looked like. He didn't know why, but he was compelled to show Maxx he wasn't what he looked like. Or what he used to be. But that was a story for another time. A story Maxx would never hear from him.

Just what was with this guy? He was so submissive. It was... odd. Keisuke was used to this sort of behavior. But only when it was fake. Fakers who pretended to like him. But they only followed behind him like scavengers. Did whatever he told them to do pronto. However, Maxx was a bit different. Keisuke could tell that this was genuine. He wasn't necessarily doing it on purpose... But...

"You don't need to be so formal with me." Keisuke simply said. He carefully lifted his hand to ruffle the other's hair when his fingers were securely bandaged. "This isn't a wolf pack or anything. I want you to make eye contact with me."

His tone was sincere, but he couldn't offer a comforting smile. He... wasn't good at smiling. You could probably say he just about forgot how. His face was always rather unreadable. He could feel, and express emotion. Just... not like everyone else. Not with a smile or a laugh. But with the look in his eyes. All of Keisuke's emotions were portrayed in his eyes. Which is why he always wore his sunglasses. So he wouldn't be an open book. He... didn't like being read.

"Don't apologize so much. You haven't done anything wrong."

Keisuke frowned slightly when Maxx was fixing to leave. Ah... What was he going to do? Get more heavy things to carry and strain those spaghetti arms of his? Keisuke wanted him to stay. He wasn't doing anything. And if he had anything planned he'd forgotten about it completely.

"You should... stay." he said, hesitantly almost. He picked up his glasses and hung them on the neck of his short. The tall blonde moved to head to the diner. He had to thank Maxx some how... Maybe he'd like some cheesecake? Iain wasn't going to miss it. Not one little slice. He'd be okay.

"You like cheesecake?" the blonde asked, wriggling his fingers to shake off the remaining sting from the peroxide.

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[style=font-size: 10px; text-align: center;]TEMPLATE BY SAMARECARM OF OTE + BTN[/style][/center]
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