The First Date—Fang's POV; Max: Chapter 41

Max's hand was soft and warm in mine, and all I could think about was her—about the way her eyes opened up and warmed when she laughed, the way her hand in mine made my insides melt mid-summersault, how naturally beautiful she is.

I noticed her glazed over eyes. "Max?" She didn't even respond. "Max. Max. Max."

She blinked and I pulled her to a stop to look at her. "Are you okay? Is the voice back, giving you instructions?"

Her soft lips twisted up into a smile. "Uh-huh, it's in the middle of the crossword of the day."

I smiled and we kept walking. "No," she said, licking at her ice cream. "I was just spacing out."

It was nice, having her relax; I know how much stress she's been under. "Well, tomorrow we leap into action. So, last chance to space out for a while."

"Yeah," I watched worry begin to climb back into her expression. "I just hope—"

I didn't want her worrying, not now. "I know," I cut her off. "I'm sure she's okay. We'll get there in time. And I promise to let you take her kidnappers apart all by yourself."

I was right; the promise of fighting had her relaxed and relieved again. Oh my Max, of all the things to calm you down, you choose fighting.

"Thanks." Her lips twitched into a smile, and I resisted the urge to kiss her. "It's just—it's bad enough to worry about the flock. Is Nudge okay, is everyone here, are we together, are we safe?" She bit down on her lip. "I can't stand the circle getting bigger. I can only worry about so much before my head explodes, you know?"

She must be really stressed, I thought worriedly, if she's willingly admitting it to me. I nodded at her. "You know I got your back. You're not alone." I couldn't stress that enough. I squeezed her fingers softly.

She swallowed thickly, and licked her cone. "Thanks," she said, her voice weak. "I know." We reached a railing, and her eyes lit up. "Oh! Is this the ocean?"

I smiled a little. "It keeps cropping up. What with the islandness and all," I bravely dropped my hold on her hand to wrap my arm around her shoulders instead, hoping she wouldn't push me away, and go fold her arms a few feet away from me. But she didn't pull away. She stiffened at first, and then relaxed. I watched her suck the bottom of her ice cream cone out of the corner of my eye, and fought off a chuckle. That's my girl. She blushed suddenly, as if noticing what was doing, and began frantically wiping her hands on her jeans, and looking out at the water. She stared out for a long time, her eyes glazing over again.

"Max. Max." I touched her chin and tipped it up so I could look into her eyes. "You're a million miles away again."

"Sorry," She mumbled, her eyes flying away from mine, over to the water.

I was at once worried. Maybe the stress was too much for her. This wasn't exactly the best timing for a date either. Smooth move, Fang, I thought to myself flatly. "Are you too worried about your mom? Do you want to head back?" Please say no.

"No." She met my gaze, and I wondered if I'd developed Angel's ability to make people do what I said. "No. I'm okay. Just—kind of overwhelmed," Max choked on something and I remembered that she's not very good with anything emotional except for anger. "I don't want to go back. I want to be here with you."

My heart felt like it was the one with wings, and it'd just jumped out of my chest and flew away, "Yeah?" I said, the master of all emotion.

She nodded, looking a little embarrassed.

"So... you're choosing me?"

I didn't let her answer, afraid she'd give me some snarky comment and the moment would be ruined. Instead, I leaned in and kissed her softly, slowly.

And then Max put her arms around me.

Here, in public, Max kissed me back.

And it was perfect.

And then lights began flashing beyond my closed eyelids, and noise erupted all around us. I grabbed Max, shouting, "Duck," and hurling her to the ground.