Hello! So this is the person who doesn't like writing fanfiction writing fanfiction again, lol! This is actually not that great, but I thought I'd put it up here just because.

Well, I hope you like it anyway!

Max POV

"Okay, what's this about, Fang?" I put my hands on my hips, taking in the bushes surrounding us. We were in a forest yet again, planning our next move… sort of – I was working on it.

Anyway, Fang had told me he needed to talk to me about something important, then practically dragged me away from our campsite to say whatever was bothering him.

"What do you want?" he asked seriously.

I frowned. "What are you talking about?" Please let this not be about "us" again. Please, if there is a God.

"What do you want, Max, really?"

"Want from what?"

"Me." Thanks God. "I know I asked you this before, but humor me. What – do – you – want?"

What did I want? What did I want? I wanted him to leave me the heck alone! Why did he have to keep bringing up this stuff?

Because maybe it was time for me to actually think about what he was saying. What if I really asked myself what he was asking me: What did I want?

Well, I wanted to be safe, to be strong, to be able to lead without struggle. I wanted my flock to be together, and happy. Is that so complicated?

Unfortunately, yes.

But, if was really being honest with myself – and none of you better tell this to anyone, or Erasers will look like puppies compared to what you'll get from me – I wanted… to kiss Fang. I wanted to kiss him more than once. Why? Because I liked the way it felt. Not just physically, but every other way too. It made me feel… safe, even though I'd never admit it. I like being connected to him like that, to share something more than words. I wanted to fell like that all the time.

And what does that mean? It means I wanted a relationship with him more than friendship. It means I wanted him to be my…

We couldn't do that. I shouldn't want that. What would happen if we broke up? Would he leave again and split up the flock? I couldn't let that happen.

But… we wouldn't break up. The truth is, we drive each other crazy, but there's no one I'd rather have drive me crazy than Fang. Yeah, we fight, but we always make up later because… Why? Why did we always make up later? Why had it bothered me so much when he left, or when he was kissing the Red-Haired Wonder back in Virginia?

Because you love each other, the Voice said.

And for once, I didn't reply to the Voice with a snappy remark. Instead, I asked the most embarrassing question I have ever uttered in my fifteen years of existence.

"Do you love me, Fang?"

His dark eyes widened a millimeter – his version of complete shock – and stared at me. We stared into each other's eyes, and I could feel my cheeks warming up.

This was baaad. Very bad.

"I mean, I…That's not what I meant to say," I scrambled. "I meant –"

"I think that is what you meant," Fang disagreed quietly.

Complete silence, his eyes probing my face.

"What if I said yes?" he asked in a whisper. "Would you run away again?"

Blood heated my face, and I frowned. "This is stupid," I said, turning around. "I'm going to check on –"

"Wait," he interrupted. "I want to answer."

I stopped, but I didn't turn around. He was staring at my back, I could feel it.

"I've known you my whole life, however short that is," he began to my back. "We've been through the worst stuff ever, more than anyone should ever have to go through. I deal with your bossy orders, your rebuttals, your stubbornness, everyday. I've tried to open up to you more than once, but each time you run away and refuse to talk about it. I should drop it, but here I am, at it once again, trying to make you understand. I guess this is the only thing left." A hard, callus hand gripped my shoulder and spun me around. "Yes, I love you, Max. And I'll never give up. But you are."

I didn't know what to say, so we just stared at each other.

"Max! You'll never guess what's happened!" Nudge bounced to my side, grabbing my jacket.

I didn't move. Fang and I were still staring at each other. Then, abruptly, he nodded and walked back toward the camp, leaving me alone with Nudge, who continued to pull my jacket.

"Come on! Fang left to see it, you have to too! I know I said Europe was awesome, and it was, but this is pretty cool too. It'll make things so much easier! I know how you hate carrying Total and Akila around everywhere, and I can't blame you 'cause they are kinda heavy, especially Akila 'cause she's so big and all…"

I wasn't listening to her. Fang had said… He said that…

Fang loved me.

Like I needed something else to worry about besides saving the world.

Bonus points if you can tell me what Nudge wants to show Max!