Lantern

Chapter 2

They were flying to their next location. That meant that they could leave when they wanted that day, as Max only had to be in the new place by six that night. So, she told the girls that as long as they took Dylan with them, they could go off and do what they wanted. Gazzy went along too, seeing as Iggy was still so sick. Total decided to just continue hanging around the hotel room, which Max thought was best, as someone needed to be listening for Iggy.

"It does make you look hotter, I guess."

Fang glanced at Max. "Hmmmm?"

"Your sword," she said, nodding to it. The two of them had gone off n their own, as usual, purposely going in the opposite direction of the others so that they could be alone.

Almost instinctively, Fang folded a hand over the hilt. He was still having to get used to the added weight around his waist, but it was kind of nice. It made him feel more…powerful.

"I guess so," he mumbled, looking down at the blade, finding the just rising sun to be reflecting off the dull hilt. "It's not as nice as some people's."

"Yeah, but you got it for free," Max reminded him. "Did you learn anything? While you were gone? You were gone most of the afternoon and all night."

"Some stuff. I got another address though, of a guy a few towns over from our next stop." When Max didn't speak, he kept going. "So, I just figured that while you were in your meetings, I could-"

"Fang, I brought you on this trip because you wanted to be with me, not play with a sword."

"And I have been with you and I'll keep being with you," he reasoned. "I just didn't realize how boring meetings were."

"What are you? Five?"

"Max, the point is, we're all bored. Everyone."

She huffed. "Well, what do you want me to do? All you guys have done forever was complain to me about how much you wanted to travel with me. I arrange it all and what do you do? All of you whine."

"Max-"

"So you know what? Fine. Next time I leave, don't even ask about coming."

Trust him, he wouldn't be. Instead of saying that, Fang just released the hilt of his blade to lay a hand on Max's arm. She brushed him off though, now quickening her pace. Sighing, Fang found it best to fall silent and let her fume for awhile. What did it matter anyways? He knew that he would get to go, just like he wanted. That's why she had such an attitude. She knew she had lost.

Eventually they made their way to the harbor, where Max took a seat on the nearest bench. Fang had an awkward moment when he tried to sit next to her, but his sheathed sword wouldn't allow it. Frowning, he had to sit on the very edge, allowing his sword to hang off the side.

"Maybe…Maybe everyone can just do their own thing," Fang whispered to her softly, not wanting to upset her again. "Like…we'll stay in a town close to where you need to go and you just…go while the rest of us go do what we want. Then we'll meet up, huh? At night or afternoon or whatever? That would be fun. And no one will go out alone, since you're always so afraid of something happening. Except me," he added quickly. Then, he realized, that naturally the Flock would fall into its usual pairs, leaving Dylan and Max left over. "And you. You go alone too."

She just shook her head. "I shouldn't have let you get this stupid sword."

He wanted to tell her about how he was not only a man, but also the man in their relationship. In no way, shape, or form could she ban him from anything. Ever. Instead, he remembered that she was still stuck being the loser, so he took some pity and left those thoughts to himself.

"Come on," she said, standing after a few minutes. Fang had preoccupied himself by thinking of those few techniques he had been shown. They were very rudimentary in nature. Just how to draw the sword from the sheath, how to position himself, and that, against common belief, you just don't hack with the sword. Not unless, you know, you wanna die or whatever.

"Come on and…?" Fang glanced out at the harbor, shocked to see so many ships out there. Personally, Fang didn't like traveling by ship. At all. It was creepy, considering the that world had tried to kill itself by water to still use water as transportation. Oceans, rivers, and seas just reminded him of all the dead bodies they must be hiding of the ones who drowned that day.

"I want to get back and pack up before the others get back. Not to mention, leaving Iggy alone with Total isn't exactly a great game plan. I want to be there if he needs me."

Nodding, Fang stood also, taking one last look at the ships before Max turned back up the path they had come, leaving her back to it. Frowning, he decided that he wasn't going to rush to match her pace. What was her problem anyways? So no one wanted to hang out at meetings for a whole two months, but her. And? Like that was his problem? She was leader, not him. She always wanted to make that so clear until he got to go off and have fun while she didn't.

"When are you gonna show me?"

That was the next thing Max said to him as she stopped at the hotel door some time later, waiting for him to catch up. Their hotel was rundown, as most things were these days. It was hard to rebuild these old towns in Europe. Fang much rather would have had Max go to North America, where mostly everyone was obliterated anyways. There was no one there and they could just all hang out in empty, deserted, (haunted?), towns. But no, Max had to work. Bleh.

"Show you what?" He asked, getting the door for her. He felt chivalrous in his sword. Now all he needed was some armor. Free armor, of course. If Fang wasn't even willing to go out and buy himself a new set of black clothes, there was no way he was throwing down money for some armor. Even if it would be cool.

"Your moves."

"Excuse me?"

"With your sword, doofus."

Doofus? And she was calling him a child? Fang just looked around the empty lobby before saying, "Don't play with me. You know you hate this sword."

"Well, if I'm letting you keep it, I at least want to see what you can do with it."

"Not much yet," he admitted as they walked up the rickety old staircase that led to the second floor, where all of the rooms were located. "After this next visit though, with this new guy, I'll show you."

Max just made an unimpressed noise in the back of her throat, shaking her head. "And here I thought you were a…knight."

Fang's face darkened slightly. "What?"

"A dark knight."

His eyes turned to stones. "You-"

"Have I ever fallen asleep that fast, Fang?" Then, she smiled back at him once before rushing the rest of the way to the room, him tailing her. "Batman are you now, Fang? Or should I call you Lancelot?"

"Shut up!"

She got to the room first, though Fang wasn't really trying to catch her anyways. Or at least that was the story he was telling.

"Max-"

"Shhh," she cut him off as he too made it into the room. "Iggy's sleeping."

Fang gently closed the door behind him before measuring the distance between him and Max. Once he was sure she was far enough away, he drew his sword.

"What are you doing?" She asked, frowning.

"You wanted to see my moves, yes? Perhaps the Ochs position?" He turned himself to the side, holding his sword out to her, aiming the tip to press gently against her nose. "Before I become your dark knight, I would need to prove myself, right?"

"You cut me and you won't be my anything."

"Cut you?" Fang pulled his arm back slightly, though Max still stayed where she was. "I would never. You know, unless you wanted me to."

"I can assure you, I won't."

"That's what you say now. Just wait." Then he did something with his feet, coming even closer, making Max have to move back, almost tripping. "You like my cockstep?"

"Excuse me?"

"You heard me." He repeated the move. "My cockstep."

"You just want to learn sword fighting so you can get away with dirty words."

"Oh, no, I can get away with saying cock all I want. Cock, cock, cock. See?"

She huffed, now done with him. "This is stupid."

"You're stupid."

"Oh, you're mature."

"I am. Thank you." Finally, as his arm was starting to get tired, Fang let his sword down. "Although, I kind of wish he had given me a Japanese sword. Those are so much cooler."

"But then you couldn't say cock."

"I told you, Max. I can say that all I want. Cock, cock, c-"

"Could you two shut up?"

Both Max and Fang stiffened when they remembered it wasn't just Iggy slumbering in bed that was also in the room, but also Total, who had apparently heard their entire conversation.

Blushing, Max went over to her pack and began to gather up her things. Fang sighed before following.

"Is that all you know?" She whispered to him. "A cockstep?"

"That and Ochs are the only real terms I remembered," he admitted. "But I'll get better."

"Just don't hurt yourself. Or someone else. It's not a toy."

"And I'm not a kid."

"So? That doesn't mean that you might not injure someone or yourself." She sighed. "You know, you could just practice with a wooden sword first. A lot of people-"

"I'm a dark knight, Max. I have to have a sword. A real one. To protect you."

"From what?"

"I dunno," he said with a shrug. "I do know though that we're going from random country to random country to speak with other leaders. You do know that a lot of leaders get assassinated, right?"

"If someone shoots me, what are you gonna do with a sword?"

"Assassinations don't have to be with bullets."

"I think they do."

"Whatever. The point is, you heard that George freak. Guns are too expensive to make these days. At least around here."

"Why is he a freak?"

"I saw the way he was looking at you."

"Oh God, not this again." Max finally just sat down on her bag, facing him. "What is it that you want me to do, Fang? Admit to sleeping around? I haven't."

"That's not what I'm saying."

"It was what you were saying."

Sighing, he dragged his bag over next to hers before sitting on it also, making sure to take off his sword first. "I'm sorry if I made you feel bad, when I said that about-"

"No. Admit what you said."

"I am. I called you something bad-"

"Admit it."

"A whore, okay? I said that you were whoring yourself out. I was angry."

"About nothing." She was wringing her hands so much that Fang finally reached over and grasped them in his own. Finally, she looked up at him. "It was a low blow."

"I know. I'm sorry." He stared back at her with his usual deadpan look, but Max was used to it by now, if she didn't all together welcome it. "It's just…weird for me. On the island, I'm the only guy that you spend time with other than Iggy and…Dylan."

"It comes with the territory."

"Yeah? Well, jealousy comes with mine."

"And I get that, but insulting me isn't going to fly."

For a moment, they just both sat there, staring at each other. When the door to the room opened though, Max finally looked away, now staring out the window. Fang sighed as the rest of the Flock filed in, for once choosing to be punctual. Damn them.

"Hi, Total," Angel greeted her companion as she went over to the windowsill where he was resting. "Did you have fun while we were gone?"

"Other than having to take care of the sick and listen to Max and Fang's recent woes in life, it was fine."

Max didn't even respond to that, so Fang left it alone too. Instead, he went to work on packing up Iggy's stuff in an attempt to help his sick friend out.

"Hey, Fang, can I hold your sword?"

He glanced at Gasman before shaking his head. "N-"

"No one else is going to be messing with that stupid sword," Max butted in. "I mean it. I don't even want Fang using it."

Iggy groaned from the bed. "Can you all shut up? I wanna sleep."

"Ig, we have to go soon," Max told him softly.

"I can't make it."

"I know that." Max glanced at Fang before looking at the others. "Fang thinks it would be a good idea for us all to pair up and stay in other places."

"What do you mean?" Nudge asked.

"Well, I wanted you guys closer, but if Ig can't move, I guess him and Gazzy could stay here."

"Just the two of us?" Gazzy seemed slightly intrigued by that, looking from Max to Fang for the answer. "Alone?"

"Yes," Max said, turning to reach into her bag and grab the emergency money stash. "I'll leave enough for you guys to stay here for another week and eat." When Gazzy reached for the money, Max shook her head. "Iggy will keep the money. You just concentrate on behaving, alright? And no leaving without Iggy for extended periods of time."

"Max, it's New England. What could happen?"

"It's not New England, Gasman. They chose not to call it that because of the confusion with the U.S. state."

"That's currently underwater," Gazzy responded back.

"And it also wasn't a state."

Max glanced over at Nudge. "What?"

"I know. Shocking, huh? It was six states. A region. Blew my mind that time we went to school. The only thing I really remember."

Fang sighed. "I hope you don't tell people that we were from the states, because I don't think they'd believe us."

"Who cares? What did 'the states' ever do for any of us?" Max tossed her hair back, clearly agitated by being outwitted by Nudge. Fang felt her pain, he did, but she was also kind of annoying him. "The point was, only Iggy touches the money unless he specifies otherwise. And Ig?"

"Mmmm?"

"Don't specify otherwise."

"What about us, Max?" Angel asked. "Where are we gonna go?"

"You, Nudge, and Dylan are gonna come with Fang and I until we get to a large city. I'll leave you guys there and continue on."

"And Fang?" Dylan asked leveling his eyes with hers. Fang though, didn't even give Max a chance to answer.

"I'll tell you when I'm your business, alright? And don't hold your breath." Then, smirking, he added, "On second though, do."

"Knock it off," Max ordered shaking her head slightly. "Fang's gonna go see some sword guy or something."

"How come the two of you get to be alone?" Gazzy asked, clearly still annoyed that he wasn't trusted with the cash. "Don't seem fair."

"Because, Gasman, Max is leader and said so."

"Oh, now I'm leader?" Max looked back at Fang before turning to face the Gasman again. "I don't want the girls alone in a city and, if things turn out, Fang and I'll probably meet up at some point, after my first meeting and his sword session. We'll just be apart during the day."

Fang hadn't heard that part of the plan yet but didn't let on to the fact. Leave Max during the day, hook up at night? Check yes next to that Hell Yeah box. And no kids? Go ahead and mark Fuck Yeah also.

"That doesn't sound safe," Dylan commented dryly as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"Look, you guys are the ones that don't want to come with me to meetings. This just fixes that."

"I don't recall saying that," Dylan said. "I'll gladly go with you."

"And I'd gladly take you with me," Max told him as Fang stiffened. "But someone has to be with the girls."

"What? Why? Because we're girls?" Nudge was clearly trying to start something, but Max ignored that.

"And Fang can't be with them why?" Dylan snorted, shaking his head. "Because he wants to play with his little sword?"

"Hey!" Fang was crossing the room now towards Dylan, who had his back pressed against the door unimpressed. "This little sword could cut your little balls right off your- Arg!"

Fang flinched away as Max landed a hit to his neck. She wasn't playing around either. It hadn't hurt him, but it had caught him off guard, as Max normally let him have his peace, never getting involved in his and Dylan's spats. And if she did, it usually wasn't violently.

"You need to calm down," she told him as Dylan looked on, clearly impressed by Max's hit.

"Me? You're the one that just freaking hit me. I need to calm down? Really?"

"If you were being calm, I wouldn't have had any need to hit you. So there. You're uncalmness made me uncalm."

Fang blinked before shaking his head. "Whatever."

"The point I was trying to make was that you guys want to have fun, right? So go have it. With Dylan, Nudge. Besides, it's not like he's overbearing or anything."

The Gasman slunk down on the bed next to Iggy. "So I have to stay?"

"Yes, you have to stay." Max smiled at him. "Cheer up though. As soon as Iggy's feeling better, I'm sure he'll take you somewhere. Huh, Ig?"

He just grunted, not having the strength to respond.

"What if we need you?" Gasman frowned, glancing over at Iggy. He hadn't been off the island in a long time. With Iggy sick and all… "Iggy won't be much help."

Max softened then as she went over to him, cupping his face in his hands as she stood in front of the bed. Fang just sighed. Mention something childlike to Max and she'll be eating out of the palm of your hand. Sigh.

"You're a big boy now, Gazzy. I'm sure you can take care of anything that might come up."

"But-"

She stroked his cheek. "If you don't feel comfortable staying, then come with me. I won't mind. And Nudge can just stay here with Iggy."

He glanced at his friend before back up at Max. "I guess I can stay. If it means I don't have to go to another boring meeting."

"Good." She leaned down, kissing his head. "When I go to check out, I'll pay for the room for a few more nights. The two of you will be fine alone. I promise."

He jerked out of her hold, rubbing at his head now. "Ew, Max."

Moment over. Rolling her eyes, she turned back to the others. "So get packing, guys. We leave in twenty."

"I'm glad that you took my suggestion into consideration," Fang whispered in Max's ear when she came closer to him. He was standing in the corner, sword on, looking cross at everyone who dared stare at him. Max just rolled her eyes, looking away from him.

"I just think it'll be good for all of us to be apart for a little while. It won't be long anyways. And if Iggy wasn't sick, I wouldn't even have considered it." Max reached down, folding her own hands over the hilt of the sword. Then, lowering her voice even further, she added, "Besides, maybe I really, really wanted to see that cockstep."

Dylan clearing his throat from the other side of the room made Max turn her head to look at him, though she kept her hands over his sword.

"What, Dylan?" She had posed the question after she turned back to face Fang's chest, which still looked wrong, clothes in something other than black. Today he was wearing a red shirt, which was a step up, but not by much.

"Just thought I'd point out that Fang doesn't have a bag. He's been sharing with Iggy. What's he gonna do for clothes?"

Max, having not thought of this, groaned, leaning forward to rest her forehead against her boyfriend. Fang wanted to smile at this, but refrained, wanting to save his smile for when he and Max were finally alone.

"Hmmm. Fang, how long can you go with what you have on?"

"Rest of my life."

"Problem solved." She put both hands on his stomach before using them to push away from him. Looking up into Fang's dark eyes, she added, "Just to be safe though, leave Iggy's clothes here, but take a few things. Wouldn't want you running around naked now, would we?"

Everyone left that comment alone, even Total. After all, she was right.

"I feel nervous about leaving them alone."

Fang, who was finding it awkward to fly while wearing his sword, just glanced at Max. As usual, Max didn't need Fang to respond to have a conversation. When did she need him for anything anyways?

"I mean, Iggy's sick, you know? Maybe I made the wrong decision."

"Wrong decision? Let's talk about something else you did wrong, shall we?"

Both Max and Fang turned to see Total had flown up next to them. Holding down a groan, Fang glanced behind them, doing a head count to make sure everyone was there. He was slightly dismayed to see that they hadn't lost Dylan during the flight, but wasn't shocked. He had been hoping to lose the boy wonder since day one and it had yet to happen.

"What would that be, Total?" Max asked with evident annoyance in her voice. "Please enlighten us."

"When you were assigning to everyone where they would be staying, you neglected to specify where I would be headed."

"I assumed that it would be wherever Angel was."

"Why would you assume that? Because I am a dog? Because you think of her as my master?"

Max glanced at Fang, but he just shrugged.

"Uh, yeah."

"Well, I'll have you know that that is biased and offensive."

"Remind us when we care," Fang dismissed the dog, angling his wings to take him higher. "Max and I are busy."

She spoke to Total for another minute, not wanting to be as rude as her counterpart. As soon as she was done though, she quickly caught up with Fang.

"What was that all about?"

He just glanced at her. "What?"

"You were kind of mean to Total."

"Dunno. Who cares?" He smiled at her a little bit. "So…when are we gonna look at my cockstep again?"

She just groaned. "You're annoying."

"What? I like showing off for you."

"Why is that?"

"To impress you," he openly admitted. "It's nature."

"Nature, you say."

"Yes. Nature. Natural." Fang smirked over at him. "Mate."

"Ew."

He just shrugged. "Better me than boy wonder."

"I really wish you'd stop calling him that."

"I know you do. I enjoy it though. I have so few joys in this life now."

"You have me."

"I do."

Max rolled her eyes. "Anyways, how are you gonna find this sword place?"

"I got the address. I'll probably ask for directions." He sent her a look. "I'm not helpless without you, Max."

"You could fool me." She sped up slightly, but Fang refused to match her new pace. Calling behind her, she said, "You've been on an island for two years. And Lord knows how antisocial you are there."

Taking in his new view of Max's butt, Fang considered this before shrugging. "I like spending my time with you and Iggy. What's wrong with that?"

"Nothing. I'm just saying, that you're gonna be on your own."

"I've been on my own before."

"Yeah? Well, look how that turned out."

Now, Fang and Max both knew that it had been said in a joking manner, but it was also clear to both of them that there was an undertone to her statement that showed her never ending resentment of past choices. Fang just sighed, shaking his head.

"You're gonna have to get over that stuff, Max."

"I am over it."

"I haven't left you in two years. I need some time alone."

"And I'm letting you go, right?"

"Right."

"And we'll be seeing each other at night, right?"

"So long as it involves cocksteps, sure. Maybe your mouth too."

He didn't have to be level with Max to know that the look on her face was one of disgust. Besides, he kind of liked her butt. It wasn't her best asset, but it definitely wasn't her worse.

"You're so freaking dirty."

"You like dirty."

"I do not."

"Besides, Max, that wasn't dirty. Not really." He looked behind them again, doing another head count. "It is weird though."

"What is?"

"Being without Iggy and the Gasman."

"I'll be worried about them all week."

"Not all week."

She looked back at him. "When won't I be worried?"

"When we're, you know, screwing."

Max turned back around, blinking. Then, calling out in a louder voice than before, she beckoned to Dylan to come forward. Fang just made a face, falling back to check on Angel and Nudge.

"Hi, Fang," Angel greeted, her white wings hardly beating as she and Nudge were so far behind.

He just nodded. "What are you guys doing all the way back here anyways?"

"Just talking about what we're gonna do when we get to Harrogate. Dylan said that we can do whatever we want," Angel told him, still all smiles. "Where are you going?"

"Max is going deeper into North Yorkshire and my stop is somewhere along the way."

"Are you sure you don't just want to stay with us?" Nudge looked at him with eyes that told him she really didn't want him there. Fang was so controlling and moody that he would ruin their good time. Still, she was always close with Fang and felt that it was a mandatory question.

"I'm sure," he said, staring up at Max, who was looking over a map with Dylan. "You guys mind Dylan though, alright?"

"Why? I thought you hated him?"

Fang gave Angel a look. "With Max and I gone and Iggy sick, he's the boss."

"I've been here longer," Nudge defended. "Or are you a sexist like Max and think that Dylan gets to be in charge because he's a guy?"

"I'm not a sexist. Neither is Max. We just want to keep the two of you safe. That's not an easy thing to do around here, you know."

"Okay, Mr. Swordsman."

"Knock it off, Nudge."

"What?" She shifted her wings, now flying over him. "Can you not protect us?"

Angel looked to Fang. "Yeah. How come we can't go with you and Dylan gets to go off alone?"

That would be a good idea, now that he thought of it. Dylan, off on his own, having no way to track any of them. Shaking his head, Fang just said, "No. You guys will be fine with Dylan. Then, when we meet back up, maybe I could show you some of my sword moves."

"Really?" Nudge perked back up. "That would be so cool, Fang. I think it's cool, how you're, like, learning how to use a sword. It'll be even cooler when we get back to the island, you know? And no one else knows how, but you?"

"Yep," Fang agreed, not realizing at the time that it would be a long while before any of them made it back to that island.

"I would stay the night and get you guys all settled, but I really have to get out of here," Max told the others as she shook her head. "I'll be late if I don't."

Nudge just hugged Max quickly before taking a step back. "We'll be fine, Max. Besides, Dylan will be with us."

"Yeah," Dylan said, still eyeballing Fang. "I'll be here. With them."

Fang's hands were resting on the hilt of his sword, feeling more powerful than the other guy, more so than usual. Angel, who was in front of him, wrapped her arms around Fang's waist. Since all those years ago when they rescued her for the last time, she hadn't been without Fang once. When Max would go away, he'd let her sleep in Max's normal spot, all cuddled up to him. Who was she supposed to cuddle with now? Nudge? No thank you.

"I'll miss you, Fang," she whispered as he sighed a little bit.

"It'll only be a few days, Ange." He gently pried her off him before getting down on his knees in front of her. Then, taking her face in his hands, he said, "Dylan has a map. If you need to come get me, I marked the city I'll be at in the day in red and the one that Max and I'll be at during the night in blue. If you need us, you come get us. It's not too far."

She wrapped her arms around his neck. Since he had suffered from thinking she was dead that time, Fang was much more open with how felt about her and how much he cared for her. "Okay."

After standing again, Fang suffered through one of Nudge's long hugs while Max squeezed the life out of little Angel. Total, who was still moaning about not being included when Max divided up the Flock, called out his goodbyes, but didn't get up from the bed on which he was lying. Fang stood by as Max and Dylan told their awkward farewells, but moved closer when Dylan attempting to hug her. Though she probably would have hugged him had they been alone, she had enough respect for Fang to sidestep him.

"You guys listen to Dylan and Total, alright? I'll see you as soon as I can." She hugged Angel one last time before hiking her bag up her shoulder and taking Fang's hand as they headed out.

"I'll worry about them all week too."

Fang just sighed as they made it out of the hotel. This hotel hadn't really been a hotel, but rather someone's house, before the world almost ended. Now it was the closest hotel they could find that had an available room for the girls and Dylan. Oh, and Total too.

"What about me?"

"What about you?"

Fang just shook his head as they walked down the busy street, knowing that they would wait to find somewhere deserted before taking off.

"Won't you worry about me?"

"The difference is, Fang, that this was your idea. If something happens to you, you'll deserve it."

"You won't be saying that when I'm horribly murdered."

She ignored that. "Besides, I know that you can look out for yourself."

"That I can."

"And I'll see you ever night."

"Unless, you know, I use this as a chance to escape my obsessive girlfriend."

Max blinked. "I am not obsessive."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"You're the one that sits around when I'm off the island, whining about your life and about how no one likes you."

"Do not."

"Do too."

"How would you know? You're off the island."

"I have spies."

"Whatever. Shut up." He squeezed her hand tightly. "When we go our separate ways, can I get a goodbye kiss?"

"Sure."

"To my cockstep?"

"And you ruined it." Max swung their hands slightly. "After I finish my meeting, I'll be at that house Randal set me up with."

"…Randal?"

"The guy I'm meeting with."

"He set you up with a house?"

"Just a place to stay while I'm in town."

Fang paused. "Do you ever meet with women?"

"Sure. Plenty of women."

"Then how come, so far, you've only had meetings with men?"

She took in a deep breath. "Don't start with me on this again," Max said, turning down another street, dragging Fang along behind her. "I mean, God, Fang, you spend most of your time on an island full of women. I don't give you crap."

"Because you know all those girls."

"And if you would ever leave the island, you would know some of the people I know. Men included. Yet for some reason, you refused for the longest time to even talk about the things I did off the island, much less come with me."

"I still think that you shouldn't be involved in all this shit happening here. Many of these countries are still at civil war, trying to find new leaders."

"And? I'm a leader too."

"Of an island of teenagers."

"And some of the smartest scientists in the world."

"That like to experiment on little kids."

"They did. In the past." She attempted to withdrawal her hand from his, but Fang wasn't having it. He held on for dear life. "Let go, idiot. We're gonna fly now."

Fang looked around to realize that Max had led him to an empty field. They were alone.

"Hn." He slipped his hand from hers before turning to face her. "Ladies first, Madame Leader."

Max just rolled her eyes before taking off. Fang waited for a moment, watching his girlfriend sprint across the field before taking to the air. He liked watching her do most everything, but fly was definitely one of the best things to see. Non sexual things anyways.

"Be careful without me."

Max just shook her head at Fang as he cupped her face. "I'll see you tonight."

"Still. I don't like you being alone."

"I'm alone all the time when I have meetings."

"And?" He kissed her head, before letting her face go. "I don't know when I'll get back, alright?"

"I gave you the directions to the place I'll be at. I'll save you some dinner." Max took a step back, but Fang reached out, grasping her hands. "Fang, I have to go now."

He just stared at her. "Don't do anything you can't tell me about later."

"Fang-"

Then, leaning closer, he pressed a gentle kiss to her lips before letting her hands go. "Alright. I'll see you tonight."

He watched her take off once more before glancing at the map that Max had allowed him to take. It was about a five minute walk into the heart of the town and from there, all he had was a street name and address. Max had another twenty minutes to her meeting place, but it was only four. She had time.

After he could no longer spot her in the sky, Fang went his own way on foot, deciding to take a little while to think. He walked aimlessly for a while once he got to town, getting his bearings. He was still suspicious about Mr. Alder giving him the sword to begin with and still wasn't completely certain that it wasn't some kind of elaborate scheme to kill him or get to Max or something.

It took about as long as expected to locate the house in which Fang had been directed to visit. Instead of a shop though, like the other place it literally was a house and Fang had to stop and knock on the door.

While he was waiting for it to be answered, Fang looked around the residential area he was in. It was still weird to him, seeing people live in houses and buildings while at the island they were still hanging out in huts and caves, eating tropical fruit and small animals that inhabited the island.

"Who are you?"

It was a young boy that answered the door. He looked about Gazzy's age or younger, though he was shorter than the Gasman by some inches. Looking down at him, Fang cleared his throat, not planning on having to talk to someone so young.

"I was recommended to come here by a guy named Lance in Scarborough to-"

"Come in," the boy groaned, talking a step back, allowing Fang entrance into the house. It was a relatively small, one story house. From what Fang could remember from Geography class back in Virginia though, old British houses weren't that big to begin with. They had stepped into what looked like a living area. Fang wasn't given much time to look around because just as the front door shut, there was a sword coming at him.

Jumping back, Fang drew his own weapon, finally realizing the boy wasn't his attacker, but rather someone older, probably his own age give or take a few months. He wasn't able to take a good look at the person, however, because they were still coming at him.

When the other person slashed at him, Fang quickly thought back to his one sword lesson and was able to block it, his blade meeting the other down to the left of him. When Fang moved to withdrawal his sword though and attempt to make an offensive move of his own, he was hit with his opponent's sword, causing him to fall back. For a second, Fang feared that he had been cut, until he realized that his enemy had been using a wooden sword.

"Most sword fights don't last, but one or two moves." His opponent, who he now saw was a teenage girl, took a step towards him, pressing her foot into his chest. "Either the opponent is killed in the first move or makes their own after blocking."

"Get the fuck off me," Fang growled, pushing himself off the ground, tossing the girl backwards. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

The girl laughed at him even though she was now sprawled out on the ground, her dirty blonde hair falling all around her. Fang took in her clothing, which weren't unusual other than a weird insignia on her green t-shirt. Not to mention her breasts...but that wasn't the point! "Who do I think I am? I could ask you the same question."

"I know who he is."

Fang turned his head, shocked to find that it wasn't just the three of them in the tiny living room, but rather there was someone seated on a loveseat, watching. It was a boy even younger than the one who had answered the door, though he was of a darker skin tone and had a starkly different accent than the other two people in the room. That wasn't uncommon though, as many people were displaced during the floods and found asylum where they could.

"Who is he then, Jax?" The girl asked, sitting up and smiling at the little boy. Fang's heart was still racing and he was trying to judge his distance from the door and how long it would take for him to get to it.

"He's Fang! From the news. I've seen his picture." The little boy laughed slightly. "Fang and Max and Angel. They're bird people."

"Is that who he is?" The other teen stood up. "Then let me be the first to say it, Fang. Stick to flying."

Pushing himself up also, Fang shot her a look before sheathing his sword. "Fuck you."

"Such language. And in front of children."

He flipped the girl the bird before heading out of the house.

"So that's it then? You get your butt kicked by a girl and you're gone?" The girl laughed at him. "Such thin skin for a hero."

It didn't matter what she said at that point though, because Fang was already gone. He went there for help, not to be attacked and taunted by some stupid girl.