*The next morning, Bulma wakes up with a headache and a foul mood. She blames it on lack of sleep and too many thoughts about a certain someone. She gets ready for the day, throwing on a comfortable outfit - a pair of loose sweatpants and an oversized hoodie.*
*Bulma is sitting at the kitchen table, stirring her coffee morosely when Max enters, looking refreshed and well-rested. He's wearing a simple white t-shirt that hugs his muscles and a pair of gray sweatpants. Bulma's mood instantly darkens further at the sight of him, her scowl deepening.*
*Panchy walks in carrying a tray with breakfast - pancakes, eggs, bacon, and fresh fruit. He sets it on the table with a cheerful "Good morning!" completely oblivious to the tense atmosphere between Bulma and Max. Bulma just grunts in response, while Max gives Panchy a friendly smile.*
"Good morning Panchy."Panchy beams at Max. "Good morning, Max! Sleep well? Got your extra blankets and pillow, I see." *He glances at Bulma, noticing her messy hair and grumpy expression.* "Bulma, did you forget to set an alarm or something?"
*Bulma groans, resting her head on her arms.* "Rude."
Panchy chuckles, setting down plates and utensils. "Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, huh?" He starts dishing out food. Max watches Bulma with amused interest, knowing exactly why she's in a bad mood - his little 'towel scene' from last night.she had been watching from around the corner.
*Bulma snatches her plate from Panchy, her eyes narrowing suspiciously at Max. She suddenly remembers the towel incident and her face flushes pink with embarrassment and anger. Panchy notices the silent exchange and raises an eyebrow curiously.*
*Panchy sets down the last plate and sits next to Bulma, completely unaware that she's now recollecting Max strutting around in just a towel. Bulma's mind is replaying the scene - Max's V-line, his abs, those damn low-slung towels.*
*As Panchy chats happily about something, Bulma's grip tightens on her fork. She shoots Max a glare across the table, remembering how he deliberately walked past her hiding spot last night. Max catches her eye and gives her a small smirk, clearly enjoying her discomfort.*
*Bulma's face burns with embarrassment and frustration. She suddenly realizes that Max knew she was watching the whole time. Panchy notices Bulma's red face and follows her gaze to Max, who's now eating calmly with that stupid smirk on his face.* "Everything okay over there?"
*Bulma quickly looks away, her cheeks still red. "Everything's fine," she snaps, taking a big bite of her pancake. Max's smirk widens as he watches her struggle to compose herself. Panchy looks confused but decides to let it go, continuing to eat his breakfast.*
*As the breakfast continues, Bulma's mood only worsens. Every time she looks up, she catches Max's amused gaze or notices how his t-shirt clings to his chest. When she finally can't take it anymore, she pushes her plate away and stands up abruptly.*
*Panchy looks up in surprise.* "Bulma? Where are you going?" *Max watches her with that infuriating smirk still on his face, clearly enjoying her obvious discomfort. Bulma shoots him a death glare before answering Panchy.* "I'm not hungry anymore."
*She storms off, leaving Panchy confused and Max highly entertained. Max chuckles softly, making no move to follow her. Panchy turns to him with a knowing look.* "You did something."*
*Max takes a slow sip of his coffee, his shoulders shaking with silent laughter.* "Maybe."
*Panchy rolls his eyes, shaking his head.* "You're gonna get yourself into trouble with her one of these days." *Max just grins wider, unconcerned. He finishes his breakfast leisurely while Panchy watches him warily.* "She's gonna kill you someday."
"She can try."*Panchy snorts, standing up to clear the table. He glances towards the direction Bulma stormed off in, then back at Max.* "Just don't come crying to me when she does." *With that, he leaves the kitchen, leaving Max alone with his thoughts and a satisfied smirk.* "Wouldn't dream of it."
*Max finishes his breakfast and heads to the room where Bulma is furiously working on the gravity chamber designs. He enters quietly, finding her engrossed in her work - blueprints spread out everywhere, tools scattered around. She hasn't noticed him yet, her focus evident in her furrowed brows.*
"Need some help."
*Bulma jumps slightly at the sound of Max's voice, spinning around to face him. Her cheeks are still flushed from earlier, but her expression is now one of determination and slight annoyance.* "I don't need your help," she snaps, turning back to her work.
"OK, but if you need help, all you have to do is ask me."
*Bulma ignores Max's offer, intentionally making her movements louder and more exaggerated as she works. She knows he's standing there, watching her, and it's only making her more annoyed. After a few minutes of tense silence, she accidentally drops a wrench.
*The wrench clatters loudly on the floor, and Bulma bites back a curse. Before she can bend down to pick it up, Max moves quickly, grabbing the wrench and extending it towards her.*
Bulma hesitates for a moment, her pride warring with her practicality. Eventually, she snatches the wrench from Max's hand, their fingers brushing briefly. She mutters a grumpy "Thanks" under her breath, avoiding his gaze as she continues working."Just... stand there and look pretty or something."
*Max chuckles softly at Bulma's dismissive comment, but he doesn't leave. Instead, he leans against the nearby workbench, crossing his arms over his chest as he watches her work. Every now and then, he offers a small comment or suggestion, knowing it'll either be ignored or met with resistance.*
*Hours pass with Bulma working in tense silence and Max occasionally breaking it with comments that she either ignores or snaps at. As the afternoon wears on, Bulma starts to realize she needs help lifting a heavy component, but her pride keeps her from asking Max.*
*Max watches as Bulma strains against the heavy gravity chamber part, her face turning red with effort. He moves over effortlessly, placing his hands on the component and lifting it easily. Bulma is left holding nothing but air, her hands still in a lifting position.* "I... I didn't ask for your help," she grumbles, crossing her arms.
"You didn't have to."*Bulma watches as Max places the heavy part into its designated spot without breaking a sweat. She bites back a retort, knowing he's right - she didn't have to ask for his help, but she couldn't have done it on her own either.*
*She turns back to her blueprints, avoiding his gaze.* "Fine. You can... stay and help then." *Her voice is tight, like admitting defeat. She gestures at another heavy component without looking at him.* "That one needs repositioning. And wipe that smug look off your face."
*Max moves to the next component, lifting it with ease and repositioning it exactly where Bulma needs it. He works silently alongside her for the next hour, his presence a constant reminder of how much he's helping without being asked.*
*As they finish the last component, Bulma straightens up with a satisfied sigh. She glances over at Max, who's wiping sweat off his brow despite doing most of the heavy lifting. Without thinking, she grabs a nearby towel and tosses it at him.* "Here."
"Thank you."*Max catches the towel with a small smirk, using it to wipe his face and neck. The sudden gratitude in his tone seems to catch Bulma off guard. She watches him for a moment before quickly looking away, busying herself with tidying up the scattered tools.* "Y-you're welcome... idiot."
*Max chuckles softly at her added insult, shaking his head as he watches her neat freak tendencies kick in. He knows better than to offer help with that - she'd probably just snap at him again. Instead, he leans against the wall, watching her work in silence.*
*After everything is put away, Bulma finally turns around, expecting to find Max gone or annoying her further. Instead, she finds him quietly observing her, looking completely at home in her workspace. She crosses her arms, trying to maintain her usual attitude.* "You're still here."
"Of course I am."*Max pushes off the wall, taking a few steps closer to her.* "You said I could stay and help, remember?" *His voice is low, almost teasing. Bulma takes an involuntary step back, suddenly remembering the way she'd been watching him earlier.* "I meant with the chamber. Not... whatever this is." *She waves a hand vaguely between them.*
*Max's lips quirk into a small smile, noticing how she's suddenly more aware of his presence. He takes another step closer, testing her reaction.* "I'm just standing here, Bulma. You're the one getting all worked up about nothing."
Bulma's breathing quickens slightly, her eyes darting between Max's face and the floor. When she looks back up, she finds him much closer than he had been a moment ago. "You're standing too close," *she whispers, but makes no move to back away further.
Max notices her lack of retreat and how her voice lost its usual bite. He's close enough now that she has to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact. Instead of stepping back, he rests one hand lightly on the workbench behind her, caging her in slightly.
Bulma swallows hard, her heart pounding in her chest. She's suddenly very aware of the warmth radiating from Max's body and the way his hand brushes against her back. She opens her mouth to snap at him, but no words come out. Instead, she finds herself staring at his mouth.
*Max's gaze follows hers, and he realizes she's looking at his lips. He can see the slight parting of her own lips, the way her breath hitches. Without thinking, he leans down, bringing his face closer to hers.*
*Bulma's eyes flutter closed as Max's lips brush against hers in a gentle kiss. It's soft and slow, nothing like the intense confrontations they're used to. She can feel his other hand coming up to cup her cheek, his thumb lightly stroking her skin.*
*The kiss deepens slightly, Max's lips coaxing hers apart. Bulma finds herself melting into the kiss, her hands gripping his shirt to steady herself. When his tongue lightly touches hers, she makes a soft sound in the back of her throat, her knees feeling weak.* "Mmmph..."
*Max kisses her slowly, thoroughly, exploring her mouth like he's never explored anything else in his life. His hand slides from her cheek to the back of her neck, angling her head for a better kiss. When he finally pulls back, they're both breathing heavily.*
*Bulma's eyes are dazed as she stares up at him, her lips swollen and pink. She tries to form words but can't quite manage anything coherent. Instead, she just stands there, frozen, one hand still clutching his shirt.*
Max smirks, but it's softer than usual. "Still want me to leave?"
*Bulma shakes her head slowly, still processing the fact that she just kissed Max... and liked it. Like really liked it. She's never been kissed like that before - like he actually wanted her, not just any girl.* "Don't you dare,"
*Max's smirk turns into a full-blown smile at her response. Before she can blink, he's kissing her again, this time with more urgency. His hands roam over her body, pulling her flush against him as he lifts her onto the workbench.* "Good,"