Simply because the Maximum Ride fanfiction community needed more crap added to the pile. This is kinda just drabble... a random thing I thought up. No specific placement. Suggested Fax. Iggy-centric.
Disclaimer: I do not own Maximum Ride or any of the characters. James Patterson.
Never Mine
I'm sure I've said this before, but it really sucks being on the run and blind. The more we moved, the more confused I became. The more we moved, the less Max cared.
She was almost completely unable to keep her affection for Fang hidden behind her tough-girl mask. That gooey tone entered her voice every time she talked to him. Angel and Nudge thought they made a great couple. Gazzy thought it was hilarious.
And me? It sickened me.
Now, I listened to them with a mixture of disgust and longing as they made out in a distant grove of trees while I took first watch. The rest of the Flock was asleep. I, of course, could hear the gasps and muffled moans emanating from the grove. For the billionth time, the twisted mental image of Fang with his hands all over her came unbidden to my mind. Granted, it was a rather odd picture – what I remembered of them mixed with what I had felt more recently.
That was what really got me. Fang, who could see, got to feel all of her. Fang, who had done nothing but hurt and confuse her for months.
Fang, who didn't come close to deserving Max.
My blood boiled as I heard them escalate a bit. Bitterly, I wondered just how much of Max Fang had seen. How much of her he'd tasted. I forced a shudder of longing away at that thought.
Time dragged on, and as my watch was nearing its end, I heard the cracking of twigs and breathless giggles as the pair made their return.
"Thanks for keeping watch, Ig," Max said. He voice wrapped around me like a caress. Sadly, I knew that caress wasn't, and never would, be meant for me.
"No prob," I replied, voice taut. As they came closer, I noticed something odd. Max... smelled different. And Fang practically radiated smugness. I wondered just how far they had gone. My mind leapt from image to image, and I prayed neither of them would notice the sudden bulge in my pants. "Well," I continued, trying for casual. I failed – my voice came out rough and slightly husky. I cleared my throat and tried again. "Your watch, Fang. Try to keep it down, I'd like to sleep for once."
I heard him snicker softly, and as he passed me, he muttered, "Wasn't me you heard." I stiffened in two senses of the word. Another low chuckle came from Fang's direction.
"Good... good night, Max. Fang," I murmured. Then, tensely, I laid down, facing away from Max.
Trying so hard not to think about Max.
About Max's proximity.
Max's breathing, so close.
The muffled moans from earlier.
Her smell...
All of her. All of her that would never be mine. Finally, suppressing a scream of agony, I leapt up and into the air, needing solitude, silence, and relief, mental and otherwise.
I climbed higher and higher, feeling the air lighten and cool. There, high up in the heavens, I let loose a scream of pure pain. Anguish, jealousy, and bitterness ripped out of me into the night. Again, again, and again, for Max would never be mine.
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3rd Person POV
Max watched curiously as Fang's expression went from amused to worried as Iggy took off. And then, as she heard the distant cries from above, she wondered what could have possibly upset him so much. When she turned her questioning gaze on Fang, he shrugged and whispered, "He likes you."
Max's jaw dropped open. "He... what?!" she hissed back.
"He likes you," Fang repeated. "Oh yeah, he wants you big-time. Didn't you notice his pants?" Max was a bit stung by his nonchalance. That was her brother – in pain over her. She bit her lip, wondering what to do. Finally, she stood up and spread her wings, but Fang stopped her.
"Don't."
"Why not?"
"He heard us." That stopped her in her tracks.
"Crap." And so, Max sat down to wait out what proved to be a very, very long night.
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When I finally landed, it had to be nearly dawn. I had flown for hours, losing myself in the pure exhaustion. As I stumbled into the clearing, I was surprised to hear Max's soft cry of... was that relief?
"Iggy, I'm so -" she began, but I cut her off.
"No. Don't. Just don't." My voice came out harsher than intended, and I could practically see her wince.
"But I -"
"I did NOT just spend hours of flying to forget you, only to have you apologize!" I exclaimed, my voice raising unintentionally. I composed myself, then began again. "Max, it is not your fault. You are not mine, and you never will be. I get that."
"Iggy," she said, utterly deadpan. Commander Max. "I'm sorry you had to hear that." I winced. "I'm sorry I can't be yours. I'm sorry."
I grimaced and looked away, trying to hide the moisture that was coming to my eyes. Max padded up to me softly, and put her hand on my cheek. I gasped when I realized it was wet with her own tears.
"Never... mine..." I choked out, and then I burst into silent sobs. Max's arms came around me gently. It wasn't the way I wanted, but it was Max. She was all around me, stroking my hair, murmuring, 'I'm sorry' over and over. I hugged her tightly, savoring her closeness.
Max would never be mine like that, but she'd always be my older sister, and that was good enough for me.
Fin.
(A/N: Happy-ish ending after all. I debated leaving Iggy in agony, but I decided that wouldn't be nice, so I added the second and third parts. Please, please, PLEASE review! CnC is mucho appreciated!)