Chapter Text
“Hutzy?” Maxi yells from the couch, as he hears the front door open. No answer comes as Maxi hears the sound of feet hitting the wooden floor. He turns his head away from the TV, watching Harrison emerge from the hallway, headphones on.
His shirt is off, sweat dripping down his chest from his mid-morning run. He heaves a bit, catching his breath from the exertion. Maxi looks away quickly, turning his attention back to the tv.
Harrison has lived with Maxi for about 6 months, and Maxi would say he has been in love with him for about 3 of them. Of course, Harrison doesn’t know this. In fact, no one does. Maxi keeps this secret close to his chest, letting it run him ragged from seeing Harrison live his day-to-day life. Which Maxi has found out, is surprisingly hot, and cute, and about all the synonyms to say he is in love with the bloke.
The TV is playing a rerun of The Office that Maxi had seen a bunch of times before. He hears the fridge door open and shut and footsteps trail off into Harrison’s room, the door shutting behind him. Maxi sighs to himself, getting up off the couch to get ready for his shift.
Walking to his room, past Harrison’s where he can hear a shower running, Maxi changes into his uniform. Turning towards his mirror, he sighs at the bags under his eyes. Working 5 days back to back is not for the week. Luckily, he is on shift with Harrison today and he has tomorrow off. His hopes for a good shift are slowly rising.
Leaving his room, he knocks on Harrison’s door. “Hutz? We gotta leave in 5, mate.” Maxi says. Through the door, Harrison’s voice responds. “Be out in a minute, mate!”
Walking to the kitchen to fill up his water bottle, Maxi slides his shoes on, grabbing his keys and wallet. Harrison comes out of his room, uniform on and a big smile on his face. Maxi laughs to himself, he remembers when he was a trainee, smiling everyday and excited to be there.
Don’t get him wrong, Maxi loves his job, but it can be draining at times. Especially after working so many long days in a row.
“I’m ready.” Harrison says, phone and blue reusable water bottle in hand. His hair is a messy head of brown curls, still dripping from the shower. He looks cute, Maxi thinks, but says nothing. Choosing instead to turn towards the door.
“Let’s go then.” He says, opening up the door and walking to his truck. Harrison hoists himself up in the passenger seat, immediately rolling his window down when the door is shut. Harrison’s hand flies up to the knobs on the center console, fiddling with the radio channels. Maxi lets him, content in his music choices as he reverses out of the drive for the 10 minute ride to the beach.
Harrison looks over at Maxi during the drive, noticing the dark circles under the blond boy's eyes. But somehow, he still looks hot. That little smirk that seems to be permanently sat on his face, the way he effortlessly drives with his hand on the gearstick.
Harrison sighs to himself, this is gonna be a long shift. Especially if he is on patrol or in the tower with Maxi.
They pull up to the beach, parking in a special spot for lifeguards. Harrison jumps out of the truck, eyes already scanning the beach. It’s packed. If he had to estimate, Harrison would say there are about 30,000 people on the beach currently, and it’s only 11 am. Factor in it being one of the hottest days of the starting summer, and you get one of the busiest days for lifeguards.
Harrison turns and follows Maxi into Bondi Pavillion, using his key to open up the lifeguard locker rooms. The boys set their stuff down, clocking in, and putting their bags into their lockers.
“Ready?” Harrison asks Maxi, noticing the tired look on his face.
“As I’ll ever be.” Maxi responds. They walk out of the locker room, locking it back up and heading toward the tower.
The thermometer says 45°. Harrison is already sweating from this short walk, which like, not great as he still has 8 hours left. Opening up the tower, he is assaulted by warm humid air.
“Morning, boys.” Maxi says, walking into the tower and up the stairs. He smacks Gonz on the shoulder, setting his things down on the counter. He hears a chorus of ‘mornings’ from the boys. Jesse and Gonz have binoculars up to their eyes, surveying the water, Kerrbox is eating his lunch.
“Where am I today?” Maxi asks Box, watching the man chew quickly and swallow before speaking. “In the rhino with Hutzy at backpackers. Radio Mouse and tell him to come back up for his lunch and you can grab the rhino.” Box says, taking another bite of his sandwich after.
“Got it.” Harrison says, setting his stuff down and grabbing the radio.
“Tower to south rhino.” Harrison says, waiting for a response back. “South Rhino.” Mouse responds. “Lunch time mate, head back up.” Harrison says, watching Mouse immediately head back up. “Copy.”
Maxi puts on his bum bag, grabbing his water bottle and heading out of the tower. It’s a miracle people aren’t melting with how hot outside it is, and it’s only getting hotter. He walks down the steps, burning the soles of his feet on the hot sand.
“Morning Mousie!” Harrison says, bounding down the steps and clapping Mouse on the shoulder. Maxi sniggers at the look Mouse gives Harrison.
“Oof, busy one today?” Harrison says at the look on Mouse’s face. Mouse laughs and climbs out of the Rhino. “You could say that, apparently everyone and their mum wants to get caught in rips today, so I’d get down there quick.” He says, walking up the stairs to the tower. Maxi sighs, getting behind the wheel.
Harrison gets in the passenger seat, moving his sunglasses on top of his head. “Let’s see what mother nature has in store for us today.” Harrison says, making Maxi laugh and shake his head, starting the drive down the beach.
“What should we get for dinner tonight?” Harrison asks after Maxi parks the rhino. Both boys scan the water, watching for signs of people in trouble.
“Macca’s?” Maxi suggests, watching a man dive under the water, surfacing up a bit away. “We had that a couple of days ago, though.” Harrison counters.
“Well I’m not cooking that’s for sure.” The blond says, laughing.
“How about Subway?” Harrison suggests. Maxi looks at him like he just shot someone. “What? Subway is good! It is peak for sub sandwiches.” Hutzy says, laughing.
“No fucking way, you could not pay me to eat Subway if I was starving.”
“You just don’t understand the art of it.” The brunet says, shaking his head.
“What ‘art’? The meat is frozen, Hutzy, frozen. Not to mention the mixing of all the ingredients when they make it in front of you. My apologies for not wanting a 16 year old who just had their first joint to make my dinner.” Maxi rebuttals, making Harrison throw his head back and laugh.
He looks gorgeous like that, Maxi thinks. The thought fills him with a happiness he only gets from being around Harrison, but also with sorrow. He doesn’t know how he will ever tell Harrison. He sighs to himself, deciding to bring himself back to the moment.
“Macca’s it is, mate.” Harrison says giggling, Maxi smacking him on the shoulder.