Disclaimer: I do not own MaximumRide, any of the characters associated with stated book, or Bambi. Nor do I have the rights to any musical artist or other celebrity mentioned in this story.
When we finally returned to our rooms, we stacked and tapped and then I slipped into the bathroom. Fang knocked on the door. "Can I come in and change while you're in the shower? I promise I won't look."
"Okay, fine. Just don't you dare steal my clothes."
"Thanks for the idea."
"Hey!"
"Just kidding."
There was another knock on the door. "Fang? Is that you?" It was unmistakably Iggy.
"Yeah," Fang said.
"Where's Max? Angel wants her to tuck her in."
"She's taking a shower. Another shower. The tenth today."
There was a pause. "Wait… she's taking a shower… and you're in there?"
"Um… it's not quite like that," I called out, turning off the water. "Fang, are you done yet?"
"Yeah, just a second."
I waited patiently. "Are you gone yet?" I asked, freezing. There was no reply. I stuck my head out from behind the shower curtain. They were gone. Nevertheless, I still grabbed a towel and wrapped up behind the curtain. They I came out and changed into my comfortable 'pajamas.'
I tiptoed into the room Angel and Nudge were sharing., Nudge was already asleep. I turned off the TV and came around to Angel's side of the bed.
She blinked sleepily and said with a yawn. "Are you and Fang going to share a bed, too?"
"Yes, sweetie. There's only one bed and the room's too small to sleep on the floor."
Don't have any babies yet," she said innocently. "And don't worry. Fang's not upset by what me and Nudge said."
I hugged her and kissed her forehead. "Sleep well." I backed out of the room and crossed over into Gazzy and Iggy's room. There was a total chaos scene in there. I covered my face.
"Oh, hi, Max." said Gazzy. Is it time to go to bed already?"
"Yep. Hop in." I pulled the blanket up to his chin. Then I looked over at Iggy. His eyes were closed, but he was obviously still awake. "Hey, Iggy, you want me to tuck you in, too?"
He turned his face to me and said, "No, save it all for Fang."
I came around and hit his closed fist with mine, anyways. Then I went back to the room I was staying in with Fang. He was lying on his side, propped up on his elbow. His darkness contrasted sharply and beautifully with the white pillows and blankets.
"So, bird boy," I said, closing the door firmly behind me. "What was that for, earlier?"
"What?" he asked innocently.
I gave him a you know what look. He sighed and patted the bed next to him. "Come here, Max. We have some wordy sharing of feelings to do."
I warily slipped onto the bed next to him. "So you go first."
He laughed, sort of. "Well… the thing is," he said, looking down at the blanket below us. Then he stopped. "I've known you fourteen, almost fifteen years, and I just…don't think…well, I just…"
Then he looked up at me quickly and pressed his lips to mine.
I remembered Jeb's – Dad's – advice, Go with the flow. So I did. Several minutes later, Fang pulled away.
"Well… so that's what I was trying to say."
I scooted closer to him and lifted my face to his. "Well, this bird girl has something to say in reply to that."
His arms slipped around me as I kissed him. So I actually managed to keep some Max-mind and silver-tongued rapier wit. Actually, it was more like Fang-tongued romance mush. But this was nice. More than nice.
He pulled me closer and rolled over so that he was leaning over me. His hands, no longer occupied with holding me close, started to wander.
"Who are you and what have you done with the real Fang?" I asked.
He pulled back, looking, for once, awkward and embarrassed. "You don't like it?"
I held my arms out to him. "I can't say I mind this Fang…"
He sighed with relief and kissed me again. His hands crept down my body from my face to my waist, where he suddenly tickled me. I started laughing uncontrollably, really loudly. He out his hand over my mouth. "Shh!" he said. "We don't want the flock to think we're up to some mischief."
I stifled me laughter. "So is it tie to go to sleep now, Mr. Lover Boy?"
"Mmhmm," he said, rolling off of me.
I fell asleep with my head on his chest.
In the middle of the night, I woke up to Fang trying to keep from laughing.
"What's so funny?"
"Did Angel really say, 'No babies?'"
"Something like that," I said, hiding my face.
He laughed softly. "Go back to sleep, Max."
