Notice: I do not own Maximum Ride or the series content.
A/N: If I take a gazillion years to update, it's because I'm busy this coming week. I'll do my best to update, however.
I looked around hesitantly.
"Who's there?" I whispered into the unyielding night.
It's me, Jeb.
Oh. I hadn't realized that the voice had been in my mind.
How is Fang holding up?
The flock and I had mostly overcome or resentment towards Jeb, and he had once again taken position of a father-like figure.
He's doing…better. Had a stroke, you know?
Surprisingly, I wasn't being sarcastic.
Hmmm….I can probably guess what caused it. How are the others doing?
They're pretty shaken. Couldn't you have at least dropped in, you know, not as a voice in my head?
Max. You know I've tried my best. But you see, I've been a little caught up in trying to stop global warming, promoting peace, restoring forests, and all that other fun stuff.
No need to be so sarcastic, daddy. I thought snidely.
Sigh. Some things never changed.
Max, please show a little respect. I am your father, after all. You're over twenty. Act like it.
Hmph. Fair is fair. So, how art my family people?
They're fine. Can't wait to see you again.
Hmmm…Hey!
….What?
I've got to…um…go. Wait. Can you even, like, exit your mind? I mean, it's sort of like a chatroom, right? But I can't really log off…Either way, the Prince has awoken. I'm gonna go see if he needs anything, okay?
Okay. Tell him I hope he feels better. Sigh….of to go do my favorite hobby.
Which is?
Saving the world, as usual.
I felt a sudden warmth in my mind, like lying on a beach as the day ends. I think it was the Voice's –er, Jeb's- way of smiling in my mind. How weird.
I positioned myself so that I was leaning over the side of Fang's bed.
"How are you?" I whispered, almost silently.
"Max?" Fang asked. I couldn't see his face in the dark, but his voice sounded a bit stronger.
"Yeah. I'm here."
"Um….I was dreaming before, right?"
"Dreaming about what?" I inquired, curious as always.
"About the angel conversation." Fang, expressionless, emotionless, tired-of-the-world Fang….sounded embarrassed.
"No, not really." I barely managed to muffle my laughter.
"Great. Well. I'm still not welcoming the world back with open arms. Especially after it tried to kill me." Fang's voice became harder, though it wasn't nearly as impressive as the first time he told me how cruel the world was.
"No. You're stubbornness and lack of emotional venting tried to kill you. And nearly succeeded." I corrected firmly.
Fang was silent for a moment, and I wondered if he fell asleep or was just ignoring me.
"You know before, when I was unconscious in the cave, and when I was lying in bed, and you stroked my hair?" he whispered.
"Uh-hmmm?" I replied, not really understanding where he was going with this.
Suddenly, Fang's voice became soft as silk and held an indescribable intensity. "That was nice. I'll admit it. Right then….I wanted to care about the world again, if only for my dying moments. If only for the moments you held me softly again."
It was my turn to be silent. "Fang…."
"Yes, Max?"
"I'm not sure if you meant everything you said when you were being….idiotic. But I did. I mean….I meant everything I've said since the beginning. About the world, about you, about me….But mostly about you. You are my angel. Maybe this all sounds weird to you, since you were gone when I finally grew up, finally understood that I loved you. And that it wasn't just a crush. Maybe I'm too late. Maybe you don't want me any more. Maybe you'll count me with the world and destroy all your feelings again. You'll destroy yourself. But Fang, you'll be destroying me as well. And I don't care if I'm too late, or if the world crashes tomorrow. All I care is that I'm here and you're here and we're here together." I suddenly let out all my feelings, everything I've felt and thought since the day the flock split.
Fang didn't answer. Fang couldn't answer. Because he was a little busy kissing me.
Fang stroked my cheek with the tips of his fingers. I put my hand in his free one. We sat there for awhile, whispering to each other, until we both fell asleep, with my head still resting on his shoulder.
The next morning, chaos rose with the sun.