Hey there! So if I had written NEVERMORE this is how I would've had the conversation between Fang and Max happen right when Fang returned. This does give some spoilers so if you haven't read NEVERMORE I suggest that you don't read this.
Hope you enjoy!
I sat down across from him and planted my eyes on his face, studying every scar, bruise, cut, and bloodstain. Fang truly looked as if he had been stuck in a blender set on "Chop."
I did a quick 360, making sure that it was just he and I in the kitchen. When I was sure we were alone I asked, "So why'd you come back?"
He slightly glanced up but continued chomping his way through his 3rd piece of cake. "The gang split. Had nowhere else to turn." Fang was speaking in short sentences again. Meaning that he didn't want to talk. But I didn't care. This is the guy that left me for some stupid kids from his blog. Twice. I wasn't about to let him slide by without an explanation.
"That's it? You just left them?"
"Maya died, Max," Fang voice was demanding, harsh, and almost sad. He finally looked up long enough to make eye contact. I held it as if it were a game of strength. I wasn't going to be the first to look away. But the way he was looking at me made me wince and stare at my hands.
"I know. Ari told me. We ran into him a few days ago. I'm sorry," I was almost sad as well. I know Maya tried to kill me once, but back in Paris I feel like we became less like enemies and more like allies.
There was silence for almost a full minute before I spoke, "Look Fang, if you think I'm just going to let you come prancing back into our lives like nothing ever happened, without any explanation about where you've been or what happened, then you mustn't know me at all," He opened his mouth to speak but I cut him off. I was on a roll. "Let me tell you something, you left me. Twice. You don't just get to decide when you come back into my life. It was your decision to leave me and now you want me to just take you back like nothing ever happened? I don't think you understand what you put me through. And you know how it sounds to me? That just because your little girlfriend Maya died – let me just point out that she's my clone – you are going to come back to me like I'm a second choice? Like you choose us by default?" Fang was speechless. Staring at me with a piece of cake left hanging on his fork. "And if that's the case then you can just get up and walk back through that door and don't come back," My speech wasn't at all what Fang had expected. But I had a point, right?
After another long moment of silence, Fang finally spoke, "Max, I didn't come here because the gang broke up. We did go our separate ways after Maya died but I was perfectly fine doing research on my own," I tried to speak up but Fang spoke over me, wanting to get his turn. "It wasn't until I heard a voice. And I'm almost positive it was The Voice. It told me to come to you. Now I know you always listen to your voice, so why should I fight it. And I didn't just fly here in a few hours. I had to hitchhike and got in a little fight with some Eraser guys whom through me over a cliff, with a damaged wing. So don't tell me that I'm coming here by 'default.' I came here because this is where I should be, now and forever. I know I left you twice, and at that time it was a good choice. But we need each other now more than ever."
That was definitely up there on the "Most I have ever heard Fang say at once" list.
He had a point.
I nodded, pushed my chair away from the table and calmly walked to my room to digest this whole evening. We know each other well enough so that a response like that says all.