Max ran out of the room, uncaring that he was naked, all he cared about was the fact that Sonata was upset after seeing him with Adagio, and it made him feel no better than the scum of the world. Across the living room, he moved, until he came to Sonata’s room. He thought he would walk right into her room, only to smash his face against the door as he grabbed the handle, turned it and found it locked.

He took a step back, putting a hand up to his nose as he checked it. Knowing there was nothing broken, he checked the door again, to find it still locked. With a sigh, he raised a fist and rapped on the door. He listened for a few seconds as the silence became pronounced.

With a low groan he placed his hand on the door, thinking to knock once more, then to think better of it. The feeling in Max was overwhelming defeat as his head pressed against the door.

“So, care to explain what that was all about?” Came a cold voice from behind him.

Cringing, Max turned to see Adagio standing there, arms crossed, hips set to one side, and a not so friendly look on her face.

Shaking his head in frustration Max turned to reply, “I honestly don’t know. I-I really have no idea.” he finished lamely.

“Well, I know you and Aria had your little fun, and you and I just finished ours, but you and Sonata? This I don’t believe. Now, tell me, what the fuck did you do to her?”

Max turned to the couch, putting his hand on the back of his head, his eyes darting around trying to gather his thoughts. “If you know, Aria and I were together last night, did why did you want to be with me?”

“Answer my question first, it may save your life if you tell the truth.”

She wasn’t going to budge, Max could tell, and gave a grunt shrugging, “Fine. You want to know? After Aria and I were together last night, we were going to take a shower together to clean up. I was the first in, and Sonata came in and climbed into the shower with me. When Aria found us, she asked Sonata about it and in response she kissed me,” He explained taking a quick look to see her response. When she didn’t say or do anything, he continued, “Well, Aria basically said if I do anything to hurt her, the two of you would make sure I would suffer before ending my life.”

“You’re damn right we are.”

“I don’t blame you, except I didn’t do anything to hurt her last night. In case you didn’t realize it, what happened was I broke her heart without realizing it. Damn it, I knew I should have taking this a lot slower and tried to fucking talk to the three of you.”

“What did you do in the shower, and after?” With a shrug, Max gave a quick explanation without too many details, including calling Sunset Shimmer for advice.

“Get your clothes, go in my room and get dressed.” She said. Max looked at Adagio incredulously, unsure if he heard her correctly. “Do I need to repeat myself?” She asked, and with a jerk of his head, Max grabbed some of his clothes from near his bag and exited the living room and into her room.

Once done, Max left the bedroom unsure of what to do. That is until he spotted the door open just a crack to Sonata’s room.

‘I’m already the bad guy, what the hell.’ He thought as he took a step forward. As he did so, he could feel his mind fight him, he knew what was right and what was wrong. He had always done his best to do what was right in his eyes, especially when it came to others. With a sigh, shoulders sagging, Max turned to sit at the couch, until he heard the quiet sobbing, and Sonata’s voice.

“...Isn’t fair. Why? What is wrong with me?” This quieted everything in his mind as he moved forward, quietly to listen. Any would look down upon him for disrespect of anothers personal space and privacy, yet to Max, if he were to make things right, he needed to know truth no matter the cost.

“Sonata, there is nothing wrong with you.” He heard Adagio trying her best to reassure the girl.

“Then why? Why is it always you and Aria, but never me.”

“Oh, he is so dead.” Came a growl. Max could have sworn the attitude reminded him of Aria, yet the voice was different. It took a second for him to remember how sick she was.

“Aria, don’t. Listen, I am sure he didn’t mean anything by what he did. Maybe he has a reason, and besides, he... He doesn’t know what happened.” At Adagio’s hesitance, Sonata began to cry again.

“Then tell me what happened,” Max said as he opened the door. Aria seemed to jump as he made his presence known, making her swear under her breath.

“It’s not as easy as that-” Adagio began.

“Oh? It’s okay to tell me a little bit of your past, but its not right to tell me why she is hurting? I know that is my fault, but it would be better to understand everything. Maybe I won’t mess up so bad next time. If there is ever a next time.”

The three girls were quiet for a few minutes, before Adagio turned to Sonata who seemed to give an affirmation.

“Fine,” Adagio confirmed. She turned to Max, holding Sonata close, and began to tell him what had happened. She didn’t hold back either, she told him the entire situation, whether it was to break Max, to see his reaction, or what, he couldn’t tell. Max stood listening, arms crossed, a blank look on his face.

When she finished, Adagio looked at Max, trying to gauge his reaction. After a few minutes of silence, the three sirens exchanging glances to each other.

Max lowered his arms and moved over to Adagio and Sonata, where he knelt in front of the two.

“Sonata,” Max said, a look of deep sorrow and understanding more in his eyes than anything, “There is nothing wrong with you. You were hurt, and for that, there is nothing I can do to help you except to offer my heart.”

Adagio and Aria stared disbelievingly at Max as he moved forward and wrapped his arms gently around the blue haired girl. After a few seconds, Sonata wrapped her arms around Max in turn and cried into his chest. Max allowed her, while turning and placing a small kiss on the top of her head.

“Sonata, I’m sorry that I hurt you.”

“Y-you didn’t,” she cried, pausing as she took a breath, “It’s just not fair that you were willing to be that close to Aria, and Adagio, but not me.”

“It’s not that I wasn’t willing. I,” Max paused, seeming uncertain how to continue, “I sometimes goes by instinct, or how I feel in certain situations. When I go by instinct, it goes well for me, and with you three. I went with what I felt, and could sense in turn from you. If I feel there is something you want from me, something subtle, yet demanding, and I can give it, then i will. If, however, something tells me that its one thing that you want, but there is more, something deeper, I will go by that. That is when I feel you are opening yourself to me, I feel trust by you, whether it is intentional or not.

“Aria,” Max turned to look at her, “You wanted me, and you wanted a man who was going to take you, yet, there was uncertainty in you. Don’t ask how I knew, but the way your body reacted... I couldn’t be what you wanted, so I was who I am. Adagio, you wanted...” Adagio raised an eyebrow as she waited, “Dominance. So, that was why I acted as I did to you. Sonata,” again he halted, though for longer, as if he truly did not know what to say, “For you, there was something I was uncertain of.”

“What?” She asked, wanting him to continue.

“Did... When you kissed me in the shower last night, what did you feel?”

Sonata blinked up at him, unsure what he meant, “I felt like I was floating.” She finally answered.

“Aria, Adagio, how did you feel when I was with you?” The other sirens were silent, uncertain how to describe their experience.

Until they both seemed to answer at the same time, “Annoyed.” The two stopped and looked at each other, as Max raised an eyebrow.

“Why?”

“The teasing,” again in unison.

Max grinned and rolled his eyes, “Well, No matter how I try to please another, I always seem to let who I am out. I like teasing, it helps to heighten everything for me. Now, back to the matter at hand. Sonata?” He looked into her eyes, and a smile appeared, “Rather than just sex, would you do em the honor of going out on a date?”

“Okay,” She said a smile gracing her features.

The smile seemed to lighten her, allowing her glow before she threw her arms around Max and kissed him full on the lips.

“Well, Aria, looks like we got left out in the cold for this.”

“I’d like to say we could do better, but I doubt that. Sonata, you best keep an eye on him, or else we are going to take him from you.” Aria warned with her usual smirk.

“Oh, come on, you really wouldn’t do that to us, would you?” Max asked.

To this, Sonata merely laughed, “Are you kidding me? They are the only ones I would bother to even share you with, otherwise, you’re all mine.”

“Wait wha-” Max was cut off as Sonata kissed him again, and the other two sirens laughed and made their way over to hug the two soon to be lovers.

Dear Diary,

Well, it’s been three months now since Max and I started dating. Not only that, but right after our first date, the girls and I convinced him to move in with us. Of course, I won’t let him out of my room.

Adagio and Aria love teasing him, watching him squirm. Then again, I can’t complain myself, since our first night together, Max has really let go of many things, and when they tease him... I shudder just thinking about it. They say its for all the teasing he did to them, the only thing he does to get back is just make a few jokes at their expense.

Oh yeah, School is going great so far, we are just ending our Summer semester. I’m glad we are, though, because the work has been really hard, but most of all, Aria was able to get a leading role in an opera. We are heading out tonight to go watch her. Max looks amazing in his tuxedo, we agreed we need to do more to see him dressed up more often.

Oh, it’s almost time to go, I need to finish putting up my hair. I promise I’ll write again tonight to talk about how the play went for Aria.

Love,

Sonata.

Max watched out the side of the mirror as Sonata stood in her sky blue dress, and heels and made her way to the bathroom. Once the door was closed, he grinned and walked over to the diary she had left open. He had kept out of her business, but he wanted to do something for her that was special, and no matter how many times she wanted him to repeat his love for her, he wanted to make sure, she would always have a way to see how he felt as well.

He picked up the diary and moved the thin cord that was the page marker. He scanned the page she had just written in it and smiled. She was very excited, and he hoped what he planned on writing would be worth the scolding he would get. ‘Besides,’ He thought suddenly, ‘Make up sex is awesome.’

He grabbed the pen that was still on the bed, settled down at the desk he had put nearby for is computer and turned to the next page and began to write.

Once he was done and read it over, he nodded and returned the diary back to where it was and back to the page she last had it on and moved back to stand by the door. He only waited for what seemed to be seconds before Sonata emerged from the bathroom.

While fixing her hair into a twist bun, she had slipped in an old bamboo strip he had picked out for her from an old shop. It was painted black with a gold cloud dragon from the folklore. It was said to bring good luck and fortune to the wearer, but Max didn’t care about that, he just knew it would look good on her. Sure enough, as he looked, he knew she looked amazing and beautiful, and whatever other words his half functioning brain could come up with at that moment.

Sonata blushed as Max continued staring, “S-so, what do you think?” She asked.

“That dress isn’t very expensive right? Because once we get back, it’s going to be in pieces.” Max said.

Sonata grinned and made her way to the door, as she went to pass Max, she slowed enough to run her fingers along his jawline, “Promises, promises. But, if you behave, I’ll make sure we enjoy ourselves completely tonight.” With a wink, she blew him a kiss before vanishing from the room.

Max had to take a minute to even out his breathing, he could certainly have stalled them by running out there and taking her now. She would have complained afterwards if he made them late to see Aria. He left to find Adagio and Sonata waiting for him at the door, which he let out a sigh.

“You know, just because I’m in a suit, doesn’t mean I’m your chauffeur.”

The two laughed, “Aw, poor, Max. Don’t worry, I’m sure when we get back, Sonata will ride you.”

Max merely rolled his eyes and fished out his keys as he made his way past them. He stopped at the door to open and it and bow, placing one arm across his stomach, hand open facing out the door. “Ladies,” He offered in his best voice. They laughed again and made their way out the door where they stopped to wait for him to lock up. All three headed down the stairs to his car.

The ride across town didn’t take long before they were able to find the opera house Aria was going to be performing.

For the last entire week she had been heading off early in the morning for preparations for costumes, make up, and last minute rehearsals to ensure everyone was still on par. She went in early, got home late, and practically passed out, usually barely able to make it past the couch. At one point, Max had left Sonata’s room for water in the middle of the night and found Aria passed out on the floor. That had certainly raised a few alarms for all of them. They began to work together to help her once they were able to.

The three made their way in, showing their tickets and finding their seats. The inside of the Opera was amazingly large and spacious, curtains and old fashioned lamps were set everywhere for atmosphere, though the lamps were no longer used since specialized energy efficient lights were installed.

Despite the low roar of the audience in their anticipation, Max, Adagio, and Sonata were able to enjoy their own conversation, that varied from their excitement, to their concerns, to what they planned on doing afterwards.

Minutes passed before the house lights flashed to indicate the start of the show. Everyone settled as the lights dimmed, the curtains opened, and with the music, the first of the singers and actors emerged. Everything somehow felt surreal to Max, as he had never seen an opera before. It was captivating so often, yet the only problem he had, was understanding the singing that was in another language. Yet, he could still grasp everything by the actions and motions of all those on stage.

Max did not know how long he sat there, eyes wide, taking in as much as he could before the end came. He had enjoyed every second Aria had been out there in front of everyone. He showed his enthusiasm as the lights rose up and there came a standing ovation. Max was the first to jump to his feet and clap as hard as he could.

They waited for things to clear out some before agreeing that Max and Aria would meet Adagio, and Sonata out front and head on home.

Max had to work through the crowd a bit before he could find his way backstage. As he wandered a bit, he was confronted by someone, and before they had a chance to toss him out, Aria walked over and excused him.

“What are you doing back here, Max? Shouldn’t you be waiting for me with Sonata, and Adagio?” She asked while looking up into the mirror.

Max looked around the small changing room and grinned, “Well, yes, but I thought it might be polite to walk you out. I also wanted to tell you in person, I thought you were great.”

“Yeah, I heard you clapping over everyone else.”

“Wait, you could actually hear me? I know I was clapping loud, but-”

“I’m just messing with you, max. Though, thank you for the enthusiasm.” Aria assured him.

It didn’t take much longer for Aria to finish with everything, ensuring she left all the props in the room, before they made their way out. It was little concern how late it was, until they got outside to look for Adagio, and Sonata.

“Wonder where they went? Do you think they might be over at the car already?”

“No, I parked right over there, see?” Max said, pointing through the lamp lit street to where he had parked. After waiting for Aria, nearly everyone had already left, so there were few people out outside this late.

Max and Aria decided to look around to see where the girls might be.

“I said give me all of your shit you stupid bitch.” Max stopped as he heard the gruff demanding voice. He stepped forward to the corner of the brick building next to the Opera house where the first alley was positioned. As he peered, his eyes widened as he spotted a man in dark clothing facing his back to the street, and he could barely make out the bright hair of Adagio, and Sonata. A second later, the man began to threaten them again, where Max spotted something shining in his hand.

Adagio stood there, facing the man, a scowl on her face, she had Sonata behind her protecting her.

Max saw something threatening the people he loved and cared for, and he’d be damned to stay hiding like a coward. Stalking forward, he was not even aware of how quiet he was being, until he was just out of reach of the man when Adagio glanced over his shoulder. At that second, Max kicked a rock he had not seen, and startled the man turned to face him.

“The fuck are you doing? What, you want some of this?” The man demanded brandishing the knife.

Max saw the blade as it moved back and forth, seeming to slow slightly as it passed in front of his eyes. His fists clenched, Max let out a low growl.

“The fuck is wrong with you?” The man demanded coming at Max swinging the blade.

For his part, Max only reacted as he moved slightly, grabbing the mans arm with the knife and let him follow through, while sticking out his leg and tripping the man. The effect sending the man sprawling to the ground.

“Are you two alright?” Max asked, trying to keep from taking his eyes from the man as he pulled himself up.

“Yeah, just peachy, what the hell took you two so long?”

Max gritted his teeth, wishing he knew how to fight. The best he knew he could do was trust his instinct and hope he could convince this guy to leave, and soon.

Yet, as the man rose up, he began to turn, removing something from under coat. Max watched, almost in slow motion as the man pulled it out, and without another thought, he jumped forward.

The man grunted trying to push Max back and turn the gun on him. Through their struggle, Max did his best to keep the mans arms from using the gun. As they turned, the man glanced over and narrowed his eyes. Max knew what was coming, and in his mind he saw the flash of the muzzle as it went off, shooting either Adagio or Sonata. Frightened, his heart painfully pounding he released the man’s one arm and used both to yank the gun.

In the darkness of the alley, there was a mute flash of light and the sound of a gunshot. One of the men grunted, and the sound of a woman screaming echoed off the walls. Aria came running around the corner, as the man in the dark clothing brushed past her and ran full on across the street.

Aria turned to see Adagio and Sonata moving over to a dark lump in the middle of the alley.

“What happened?” she asked as she moved up near them, and stopped dead as she saw them turn over Max to his back, red spilling over the white under his tux. He was sweating, pain obvious on his face as it scrunched up, “Holy shit...”

“Aria, call for help.” Adagio demanded.

Sonata looked at the blood, a look of absolute fear on her face. Tears began to flow down her cheeks before she cried out for Max.

It took some time for the police and an ambulance to arrive, in the meantime, Adagio and Sonata tried to keep Max from bleeding out.

The paramedics did their part, before moving him onto a stretcher and then up and into the vehicle.

None of the girls were permitted to go with Max, so had to wait until the police took their statements, and were able to get a ride to the hospital.

It took some time for them to get help to find out where Max was. They were directed to the waiting room for the emergency intake area of the hospital when they explained the situation.

“How long is this going to take?” Adagio all but screamed as she paced the room. Aria was sitting in a chair next to Sonata, trying her best to keep her calm. They had been sitting in the waiting room for what was left of the night.

They all turned as one when a nurse came out of the back and spoke to someone at the desk.

“Excuse me, do you have any word on a man that was brought in for a gunshot wound?” Adagio asked as she went up to the nurse.

“Can’t say, sorry. I have been assigned to the childrens ward. There are doctors who are no doubt working their best to do what they can. Why don’t you go home?” With that the nurse grabbed a clipboard from the counter and immediately made her way to the back.

“Adagio, i-is Max going to die?” Sonata asked, halted only by a brief sob.

Adagio closed her eyes, she didn’t know what to say, but she didn’t want to have Sonata upset and worrying over Max, more than they were. Yet, she also knew it would not be right to lie to her, “I don’t know, Sonata, but what i do know, is he is strong. He is bound to fight for everything he’s worth, and he’ll do it for you.”

At that moment, a doctor walked through the door and straight to the girls where he stopped looking over a clipboard, “I’m sorry to say this, but he isn’t going to make it.”

All three women stared in shock, as the doctor adjusted his glasses, Sonata began to wail. Aria, trying to hold back her tears, did her best to hold Sonata. Adagio sputtered, “What do you mean he isn’t going to make it?”

“Yes, I apologize, but the surgery failed on your husbands brain tumor-”

“Whoa, wait a second. We are not here for a husband, or someone in surgery for a brain tumor.”

The doctor checked his clipboard before looking up at Adagio, “Your not Mrs. Winston, her for her husbands surgery?”

“No you asshole!” Adagio screamed in his face.

“Oh, well this is embarrassing,” the doctor with a light chuckle as he made to walk past her. Aria and Sonata had to jump from their seats to hold Adagio back from attacking and strangling the man.

“Come on, just let me-” Adagio struggled, “We know how to hide the body-”

“Adagio no, we need to stay here until we can see Max,” Aria pleaded. With a frustrated grunt she surrendered.

Another doctor walked out, and glanced around, he was younger than the first one, and called out, “Is there someone here for the man named Maxwell Hammond?”

The three stopped their struggles and turned to the doctor, “That would be us.”

“Oh, good,” he said as he approached the three, “Well we were able to remove the bullet, nothing too serious. Maxwell is sleeping right now, you can go in and see him if you want. I must warn you though, he will need to spend some time to make sure he is healing properly, has plenty of rest, and doesn’t wind up with any kind of infection. Though, he should be set for release soon, a week or so, depending.”

The three breathed a sigh of relief and followed the doctor to the back of the hospital. They had to work their way through a long white corridor, with occasional colors on the walls, and signs overhead for directions for various people, nurses, and doctors. After several minutes, the doctor stopped in front of a door and turned to the three women who had followed him.

“I will also let you know, later today we will be moving him from the patients wing of the emergency area to another part of the hospital.” He waited until the three women nodded, before opening the door for them.

Inside the room, they found Max covered in a blanket, a few machines hooked up to him, eyes closed, his chest rising and falling slowly. The girls surrounded his bed and looked down with tears streaked faces.

Sonata took his hand in hers and held it up to her cheek, “Please, Max, wake up. Don’t leave us, don’t leave me.”

Aria placed an arm around her shoulders. All three sat in silence, each hoping he would wake up with them so near. Nothing happened for several minutes before a nurse came in and spotted them.

“Sorry ladies, visiting time is over. Go on home.” All three were hesitant, but had no choice but to comply.

“What are we going to do now, Adagio?” Sonata asked as they walked through the door a couple of hours later.

“We wait. We can at least be glad he is still alive.” she replied before taking a seat on the couch with a long yawn.

Sonata huffed before walking into her room. There she saw the bed, still unmade from when they had gotten up the morning before. She was so tired as she walked over and laid down.

She closed her eyes, drawing the pillow next to her close. She could still smell the scent of his shampoo, and body wash. Sonata rolled over, to find herself smacked in the face with something hard. She opened her eyes to find her diary had fallen over from the pile of blankets and smacked her in the face. Angrily she chucked it at the wall.

“Sonata, what happened?” Aria asked walking in, Adagio right behind her.

“It’s not fair, why, why did that have to happen? Why couldn’t we still have our amulets, we could have kept that guy from hurting Max.”

“Sweetie, I know, but look at it this way, if we still had our amulets, we would never have met him.” Adagio said stepping forward.

Aria walked over and picked up the book when she spotted it, her eyes went wide when she saw what was there. “Sonata,” She began, her voice quiet, “this is for you.”

Sonata sat up, and took the diary as it was handed over. There, on a page that was bent, right after her last entry the day before, was an entry from Max, for her.

Dear Sonata,

I hope you are not mad at me for writing this. I don’t have enough time to really think things through, plus you just stepped into the bathroom to finish getting ready for tonight. But, I want to share with you, my feelings. Not something I enjoy, but I want you to know, I love you. I think I always have, since you kissed me that night in the shower.

I never felt anything like it, and when you told me how you felt, I had to take a chance. This was why I asked you out, yet I also didn’t want to jump into a relationship and ruin things for us all.

Enough with just rambling. Sonata, I love you with all my heart, and I want you to know that I will always be there for you. No matter what, I will be there for you when you need me, because I would be willing to give my all for you. Not just you, Adagio and Aria as well, because without them, you wouldn’t be as happy.

Sonata, since I have been with all of you, I cannot remember a time I was happier. I can only hope to make each of you as happy, but more so you, Sonata.

Love you always,

Max

Sonata closed the diary and held it close to her chest as she quietly cried. Aria and Adagio went to her side and all three shared a hug.

“He loves us, all three of us.” She said quietly.

Adagio, Aria, and Sonata, all three took time to always make sure one of them was there with Max at the hospital. He was able to recover just enough by the end of the week to be released. Max was happy to be with Sonata when he was released and the two made their way back to the apartment.

They had him lay back on the couch to rest before all three disappeared into their respective rooms. Minutes passed as Max laid there with his eyes closed, the pain pills he had taken doing well to keep the pain to a dull ache.

“Ahem.” He looked up to the sound and spotted something he never imagined in his wildest dreams. Sonata, along with Adagio, and Aria were standing next to him all wearing nurses outfits.

“Well, I know I died, cause this has to be heaven.” All four shared a laugh before the girls all moved around Max, beginning to do their best to make him feel better.

Author's Note

Sigh. Yeah, go ahead and hate me for the ending. I know it's a little rushed and just a bit out of sync in some spots, but here it is.

Kids, don't try writing stories without sleep.