Chapter Text
Maxwell stares out at the stars from the aft deck not truly seeing any of the unfamiliar consolations of Zood ,mindlessly stroking his thumb over the smooth and leafy surface of a cigar. The wood of the deck is cold through the cotton sleep pants he wears , not like he notices anyway. He had come out here when it became clear sleep would evade him tonight hoping that a bit of air and a smoke would help him quell the writhing snakes pit of his mind. All of the thoughts and emotions he’s been pushing down for a later time , a time where the crew wasn’t in mortal danger, have pushed their way back up. How many of his brothers knew of what father did? Did they help? Did Samwell help? What all has father been up too? What tangled web of lies and corruption has father left of grandfathers legacy? How sullied is the Gotch name? The only source of comfort right now is knowing that Wealwell is still solid ,is still safe ,will still stand by his side no matter what
The wind rushes past as the flying ship continues forward, ruffling the normally impeccably styled hair of the pugilist as he falls deeper in thought. Caught in the center of the storm was Cadswitch Gotch, the primary source of happiness and safety growing up in the Gotch estate. all of the birthdays the dinners the lessons each made more bearable with grandfather around. grandfather was the person to introduce him to Monty's books. he had been in Maxwell's corner in many an argument with father. he had been a partner in crime so often in his youth. the knowledge that father orchestrated his death has reopened that barley scabbed over wound has made it bleed anew. the desire to return to Gath with news of Zood and Zern to pull the family name back into reverence is overtaken by a very visceral need to feel Longspot Gotch's face give in beneath his fists.
He had ducked out onto the back garden terrace during one of father’s society parties. No one would miss him, he had made his appearance and maintained stilted but polite conversation with key guests it would be better in the long run now to stay out of the way and not inadvertently cause trouble for himself. No way to say the wrong thing. Just as he began weighing the pros and cons of slipping through the gardens and using the tree to climb back into the house on an upper floor, maybe he could hide out in the library with one of the new books grandfather had gifted him. The sound of footsteps making their way to the terrace meets his ears. As grandfather’s familiar profile comes into view the tension Maxwell hadn’t even realized was in his shoulders released. “Maxwell what are you doing out here old sport ?” Cadswitch asked “Oh um well you see grandfather i -I was just taking a moment out in the fresh air its unseasonably stuffy in there” stammering out a half truth. Grandfather gets a knowing look in his eye and faintly smiles as he says “ couldn’t agree with you more my boy ,absolutely dreadful in there . I hope I won’t be intruding if I joined you out here for a cigar ?” If father found him hiding out here he wouldn’t get in trouble with grandfather around “Not at all grandfather your entirely welcome “Maxwell spoke softly “splendid! So your to go off and become an Revington man this year, I’ve know many a worthy man from that fine establishment. You’ll do well there indeed I’m sure you’ll make quite a name for yourself there.” Cadswitch enthused “ thank you grandfather I will do my best to honor the family name.”Maxwell was quietly ecstatic that grandfather approved of his choice of school “Indeed I have no doubt that you will ,your a fine young man “ Cadswitch spoke while moving his unlit cigar to his lips, Reaching into his coat to retrieve a matchbox. Striking a match and lighting the cigar with a few puffs that cause his mustache to bristle slightly.
“ and I should think your old enough now to taste your first cigar wouldn’t you agree old boy?” Grandfather asked after a large exhale of smoke. Max eagerly agrees and takes two sloppy and very deep pulls that cause him to crumple at the waist and start coughing up his lungs. The burn he feels at the back of his throat and the heavy taste of smoke linger. Cadswitch laughs heartily Giving his grandson sturdy knocks on his back with a flat gloved hand “ not to worry sport it’s only upwards from here !” Maxwell very much doubts he will ever want to do this again.
It’s sometime around week three of being a Revington man where the stress of learning the lay of the campus all of his classes and professors and sharing a suite of rooms with someone who isn’t one of your brothers that the quiet of night becomes too much for Maxwell to handle. The sudden on set of an ache for home is surprising, though Maxwell knows himself enough to know it’s not the place he is missing but that the home he is missing just so happens to be there. Laying there attempting to get comfortable the tic of a mantel clock inching second by second . Maxwell accepts that sleep will not be visiting him tonight and out of habit grabs his dressing gown and slippers to climb out of his bedroom window out onto the roof to watch the stars . some amount of time later the smell of cigar smoke snaps him out of his gazing and wool gathering . The smell is immediately comforting. Off of instinct and a pull of comfort Maxwell strides across the roof to climb down the tree to get to the source of the smoke. Dropping out of the tree branch landing on his feet about a yard away form a figure standing by the gas light in the park square. The figure startles. “Good god man ! Where in the devil did you come from.”the man demands “terribly sorry I had no intention to startle you.” Maxwell apologized and blushing a bit at having to admit “I was unable to sleep and was watching the stars from the roof it hadn’t quite occurred to me to come out through the door instead.” At this the stranger explodes into laughter. charmed by maxwells genuine apology and handsome features the man introduces him self and hold out the cigar for maxwell. the pugilist is awoken from his musing by a static fulled voice.
Being an automaton meant he did not require rest in the same manner as the rest of the crew so he typically takes the night patrol. During the circuit of the ships deck Torse spots a familiar figure sitting on the aft of the ship. Wondering why Maxwell would still be awake at this advanced hour of night Torse approaches, he quickly notices and is pleased by the much more casual and relaxed state of dress. As he draws nearer it becomes apparent that Maxwell is not aware of his approach, which is concerning as it is not a very stealthy one.
”humans do require a certain amount of time asleep correct?” Torse asks breaking Maxwell out of his contemplation.” Ah Torse ,you caught me off guard, yes humans do typically need to sleep for several hours to function properly.” The pugilist responds. “ it is quite an advanced hour, if you do not mind me asking why you are still awake?” The light of his own visor causes a faint red glow to overtake Maxwell's face ,it’s quite fetching. “Oh just a round in the ring with insomnia, typically when I can’t sleep I come out for some air to help clear my head and failing that a smoke.” Maxwell leans back to look up at Torse's looming figure “why don’t you sit and join me I’d be glad of the company.” He gestures with his unoccupied hand for Torse to take a seat on the wooden deck next to him. Torse has no desire to deny the human that request. The hydraulics and gears in his legs hiss and whir as the automaton lowers to the deck next to Maxwell.
”I did not take you for one who partakes in the act of smoking” there is no judgement only curiosity in Torse's vocalization. They sit in silence for a moment while max clearly organizes his thoughts “Smoking had been a comfort i had relied on in my first years of Revington. My first cigar was with my grandfather before I had left and the smell of them was always soothing when I sorely missed his presence ,it later became a habit to help me sleep on nights that it eluded me” Maxwell reaches into his sweater pocket and produces a box of matches “ I won’t deny they are a bit of an acquired taste, looking back on it I’m quite grateful grandfather taught me that lesson before I got to school.” Maxwell says as he places the cigar in between his lips. Torse's visor pulses brighter as his gaze pinpoint focuses and Max's face was suddenly awash with its own red flush “truly riviting“ Torse purred out
”if I possessed lungs I do not think I would mind trying “ “if you don’t mind me asking what would the automaton version of lungs be “” I have air filtration systems on the underside of my helm as well as on either side of my face plate . a flicker of an emotion that torse can not name passes over maxwells face.
The only sounds where of the wind blowing through the fabric of the clothes drying on the line above them and the harsh scraping of a matchstick on an ignition strip
Cupping his hand around the flame against the wind. the dancing fire causes shadows to play across his handsome features as Maxwell lights the cigar in between his lips
He lets out a cloud of smoke with his exhale.
Maxwell removes the cigar from his lips “there might be a way for you to try if you don’t mind me getting quite close to you “ maxwell says “not at all Maxwell I would be interested to try “Maxwell replaces his lips around the cigar and shifts closer to Torse facing him more after a breath max removes the cigar and leaning towards him placing a steadying hand on his shoulder. His lips brush Torse's face plate as Maxwell exhales the smoke in to the vents . Torse feels like a circuit shorts all thought turns to static . The only thing processing is the warmth and pressure of Maxwell's touch to his metal. After several tics of his heart his air filtration system begins its process. The smoke differs from the thick smog of pollution and ruin of his homelands it is lighter more organic and accompanying it is a lingering hint of Maxwell's cologne. Torse wonders if this is what it feels like to get drunk. A disappointment runs through him as max pulls away “well how was that ?” Max asks “ I do believe that is an experience I could acquire a taste for” torses voice breaks