Pete grunts as he attempts to lug the weed stems over the wall of his home. He has a special project he has been working on. It was later at night as he wanted this to be a surprise.

Its been months, or what has felt like months since he along with the others were shrunk. He couldn't tell anymore. The concept of time flew over his head.

Pete has long since given up hope of going back to normal. His only goal was to survive. That was all he could do.

He was once here with 3 others. Willow, Hoops, and Max.

Pete tries to go back to focusing back on his task, just the mere thought of her name makes him sad. He can't help but think back to how it started. How it all began.

On the third night they were shrunk, they let their guard down. They were naïve, they didn't have someone on watch. They didn't bother building a base. They simply found a place to sleep. They only had adventures.

Pete, along with Max and Hoops woke up to the sonud of screams. To their horror, a massive dark spider with glowing red eyes was inside of the container, attempting to drag Willow from them!

Willow tried holding on to the edge, her eyes pleading for help. She kicked and tried to escape its grasp, but it was no use. The Wolf Spider was stronger. With one loud hiss, Willow was yanked away from the container, and dragged off into the night, seconds before Hoops could grab her hand.

"WILLOW NOOOOOOO!" Max screamed, hyperventilating. He gripped his hair, terrified.

"Willow..." Hoops looked off into the distance. The screaming faded. Now there was nothing but the sound of crickets. She wished she could have done more. Done something else to prevent this.

Pete began to cry, watching the only one he deemed a "friend" get dragged to her inevitable doom.

That was the beginning of the end for the group. The excitement of being shrunk, the thrill of adventure, all of that was gone. The true terror of their situation finally dawned on them.

After that the three of them began construction of a base. They always had one person take night watch. Nobody was allowed to venture out alone. Rules had to be established so they could survive. They needed to get back to normal and find Willow. They refused to give up hope on her.

Despite this, they needed more weapons. They needed armor.

On their second week shrunk, they decided to go raid the ant hill. The three of them had managed to lure a soldier ant away from the hill and had managed to take it out. Upon inspecting its body, they realized the potential it had.

"Are you sure about this? I'm not sure we should go in there." Hoops said nervously, gripping her pebblet axe to her chest. The idea of raiding an underground anthill where they had no sense of direction was terrifying.

"We need more ants Hoops. Its our only way to grow strong enough to take out that thing that took Willow." Max said, his face showing an unrestrained anger. He wanted that Wolf Spider's head.

It didn't go well.

The three ended up fleeing for their lives as dozens of soldier ants followed them. They ran, turning random directions, hoping to find a way out.

They reached a dead end.

The ants moved in, Hoops stepped up, gripping her axe. If she was going to go out, she was going out like a champion.

"Both of you get out of here! I'll hold them off!" She says with renowed vigor.

"What do you mean? I'm fighting too!" Max stepped up, gripping his red ant club, but Hoops puts up a hand, stopping him.

"No. Pete needs you, if you fight too, we both die and Pete is left alone. Now go!" With one more show of faith, she threw Max the torch, rushing a soldier ant.

Max didn't listen, rushing in.

Pete quickly grabs his shirt stopping him. Hoops hit one ant, managing to make it scream, however she was impaled in the side by another ant.

"AAAAAAGGGG!" Hoops screams out, hitting that ant in the eye.

"PETE WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! SHE NEEDS US!" Max shouts out.

"Max we needs to go! She's buying us time!" Pete says, resisting his own urge to fight.

"GET OUT NOW!" Hoops shouts, bashing one soldier ant over the head.

"NO!" Max frees himself from Pete's grip, but is quickly tackled down by Pete.

"Max its either we all die, or we escape. Hoops is doing this for us!" Pete looks into Max's eyes, pleading for him to listen to reason.

Max without another word, looks at Hoops. Hoops was now down a leg, a worker ant managing to stab her. More ants move in, quickly swarming her.

With no other option, Pete and Max run as Hoops draws her last breaths. The ants relentlessly tearing her body apart.

Time passes

This was where a rift was created between the last 2 survivors. Max loathed Pete. He blames him for Hoops decision.

It was all Pete's fault. Why was Pete such a wimp? If HE wasn't such a coward, Hoops wouldn't feel the need to protect him. Girls aren't supposed to protect guys, it just wasn't manly. Hell, Willow and Hoops were more man than he was. He wouldn't have to be stuck babysitting ALL THE TIME! He couldn't see why everyone liked this kid.

Max sat on his bed sighing; it was early morning. His birthday was today. Not like it mattered. He was still shrunk, still stuck in this hellish world. Nothing would change. He walks out, expecting to walk outside and see the early sun, if he was lucky, a drop of dew as well.

What he wasn't expecting was for Pete to be standing there with a big smile on his face, holding a piece of snail shell meant to resemble a cup.

"SURPRISE!" Pete shouts, wearing a makeshift party hat.

Max looks at him, eyebrow raised.

"Pete what is this?" He gestures to him.

"Your surprise party. I know things haven't been the best Max, and I know you don't like me all that much, but I feel as if we can change that. At least for today. Let's forget about everything and have some fun!" Pete grabs Max's hand before he can respond, making the young boy blush.

Max wanted to say something. To pull his hand back, but for some reason he didn't. It felt...nice. He couldn't explain it. Max never liked boys growing up, matter of fact, he was always a ladies man.

Pete leads Max to the back, showing him what he was building.

"SURPRISE!" Max goes slackjawed upon seeing what Pete showed him. In front of him was a basketball goal.

"No freakin' way." Max's face switches to wonder, not believing Pete could build such a thing.

"I've been making it for months Max. I hope that you- GU!" Pete is cut off as Max pulls him into a tight hug.

Pete smiles, and begins to hug back, until he feels Max not letting go of him.

"I uh, am glad you like the present Max, but uh, can you let me go please?" Pete asks nicely, laughing awkwardly.

Max was stuck in his own head. He could see it now. HE CAN SEE IT! He sees why Willow and Hoops liked him. He can see why Hoops was ready to throw her life away.

Pete was perfect. He was sweet, charming, thoughtful, smart, and such a nice guy. This was his duty now. He had to protect Pete. He had to make sure that nothing happened to him in this world. He wasn't going to let him go. Ever.

'You're mine now Pete. Just me and you now, forever.' Max thinks darkly, savoring every second of the hug, inhaling all of Pete's aroma.

Weeks later

Pete pants, walking into the place he calls home. He breathes heavily as he collapses onto the dirt floor.

The sound of the door brings Max out of their makeshift kitchen. He was just creating more materials to upgrade their place, until his eyes looks at Pete, horrified on his condition.

"PETE! What happened! I thought you only went out to hunt weevils!" Max looks at Pete. He was dirty, his knee cut open, and a cut going all the way down his back.

"Hehe. I was. Funny story, this one weevil had me on the run for a while. I didn't realize how far I ran until after I got it. I was making my way back, until I saw a larva coming towards me. I managed to fight it off, but took some damage. Sadly I lost most of the weevil meat."

Max looked furious, his fists clenched.

'This it is. Max is gonna be mad I lost most of the food.' Pete expected the worst.

"Who cares about the meat? Why are you fighting alone! You should have ran Pete! Those things are dangerous!" Max lectures, walking over to Pete and helping him up.

This was strange. Since when does Max care about his condition?

"I'm fine Max, I can stand on my own." Pete tries to get away from Max's grip but Max wasn't letting this happen.

"I'm gonna fix you up. That's it Pete. No more venturing out alone. I can't believe I let you go, what was I thinking?" Max berated himself for allowing Pete to leave. He remembered wanting to go with him, but Pete's drive to help and puppy dog eyes were enough to sway him.

"Max I'm fine really. It was just an unfortunate accident." Pete argues back.

"Oh yeah? An unfortunate accident huh? Like Willow? I'm sure she was also an unfortunate accident. What about Hoops? Was that also an unfortunate accident? How could you Pete?! Hoops trusted me to protect you and you do something like this!" Max snaps.

Pete's eyes widen upon the mention of their dead comrades. He then felt something that he hasn't felt in a while. Anger.

"No! I don't need you protecting me Max! I can fend for myself too. I'm not a baby! I've contributed so much to the development of our base and you continue to treat me like a kid!" Pete shouts back, the fire building within.

Max was aghast that Pete would dare fight back against him, however that didn't stop him. Max would stomp over to Pete, shoving him onto the ground. Pete didn't expect this, as he flew back onto the ground. His head would bump against a pebblet, effectively cracking his skull open.

This stopped Max's anger immediately. He sees Pete's head bleeding and his groans of pain.

"PETE!" Max rushes over, feeling his hands shake. He didn't mean to do this. He didn't want this! He only wanted Pete to listen!

Pete is unresponsive as his eyes fade in and out of consciousness.

Max begins to hyperventilate, much like the night Willow was taken. The memories flood back, almost triggering a panic attack. This couldn't be happening. He couldn't lose Pete! He couldn't live without him!

Without thinking, he scoops up Pete, muttering to himself.

"I'll fix this. I'll fix this. I'll fix this. I'll fix this. I'llfixthisi'llfixthisillfixthis..." His begins to ramble, seemingly in a trance.

Hours later, Pete wakes up, gripping his head. He groans.

"Ow. My head hurts..." Pete winces. He looks around, seeing darkness through the cracks in the walls. How long was he out for? What happened?

Pete slowly gets to his feet, his shirt coated in sweat. Has is been hours? What happened? He remembers arguing with Max about something, but couldn't remember what. He doesn't know what happened to him.

Actually, where was Max?

Pete walks out of the makeshift infirmary, looking outside.

It was their base, but different...

No longer was there grass walls anymore, but what looked to be white bricks. They weren't even at the same place. They were moved elsewhere entirely. What happened?

He hears the sound of chopping in the distance. He focuses in, listening to what sounded like meat being cleaved.

He walks in that direction, walking out of his new home. The walls were massive! Pete had to look straight up to tell that it was nighttime. He walks outside, noticing how he was seemingly elevated, no longer surrounded by grass.

He walks towards the sound and sees him. He sees Max.

"HUAGH!" Max shouts as he slams his insect hammer against the bombadier beetle, ending it in a massive spray of blood.

Max then expertly jumps to the side, avoiding a diving attack from a mosquito. He quickly pulls the crossbow off his back, aiming it at the mosquito. The mosquito dives in again, not caring. Max fires, hitting the insect in one of its eyes. The mosquito letting out a horrific buzz as it falls to the ground. Max wastes no time, picking up his hammer, ending the insect before it could recover.

"Woah Max! That was so cool!" Pete's eyes sparkle in amazement. He couldn't believe his own eyes. Max was taking on two deadly insects at the same time! He must have been training intensly. How could Max have gotten so skilled in a few hours?

Max snaps his head quickly, eyes wide and mouth agape.

"PETE! I'm so glad you woke up!" Max drops his weapons and runs over to Pete, giving him a massive hug.

"How did you do it? You took on both of those insects and took no damage!" Pete had to know. He had to learn to do this himself.

Max laughs, patting Pete on the back.

"Training my friend. Kung fu movies teach a great bit." He says, walking over to the mosquito to dismember it.

"You've gotta teach me! If you could get this skilled in a few hours, it must have been some great moves!"

This causes Max to blink, did he hear that right?

"Uh Pete? Repeat what you said." Max stuck his finger in his ear, making sure it wasn't clogged.

"I said you're skilled. I don't see how you can take them on with only a few hours of training."

"Pete. It's been weeks. I know for you it must've felt short, but for me its been a lifetime. I moved our based and have been working hard while you were out." Max explains, gesturing to their new base. It looked more akin to a castle rather than a base.

Pete was about to mentinon that until he felt something he never expected to feel. He felt Max's lips...against his own. This caused Pete to freeze up. Did...did that really just happen?

Max lets go of Pete and looked into his eyes.

"Max why did you..."

"I missed you Pete." Max grabs his hand.

"Its been too long Pete. I need you. I want you. You are what I need right now. Don't you see? I did all this for you. For us. So we can be together." Pete looked into Max's eyes. He saw sincerity, but he also saw another emotion. Insanity. It was almost possessive. What happened to Max when he was out?

Did Max go slightly insane.

Pete felt Max's hand stroking his cheek, his eyes lowered as he admired every detail on his face. Pete smacks his hand away and backs up. This wasn't what he wanted. I mean sure he wanted Max to see him as a friend, but this? This was too much.

"Er, sorry Max. I'm glad to see you've improved our situation and that you care, but I don't see you like that." Pete says, hoping to break it to him easy.

Max looked distraught, then the familiar anger courses through his veins.

"So. I move us to a safer place. By myself. I build new materials for a better home. By myself. I lug all of our stuff AND YOU by myself. I kill multiple insects to protect you, and this is how you repay me? I pour my heart and soul into doing all of this and all I get is you don't see me like that?!" Max's eye twitched. Slowly that possessive glint overcomes him. This would not do.

Pete was his, whether he wanted him or not.

Pete turns around beginning to run, he no longer saw Max as who he once was. The flame of the torch illuminated Max's blood covered body running toward him. It was truly something out of a horror film.

"HELP!" Pete screams as Max quickly catches up to him. He is tackled to the ground and pinned by Max, who's insanity has fully taken over.

"No one is coming Pete. Its just us now." Max says, dragging him by the feet into the castle.

"Max please stop! I'm sorry!" Pete tries apologizing, not liking where this was going.

"Oh you'll be sorry alright. Once I'm done with you." Max throws Pete into his room, closing the door behind him.

"Wh-what are you gonna do to me?" Pete asks horrified as Max begins to remove his armor.

He got his answer once he saw Max beginning to take off his pants.

"OH GOD NO!" Pete tries to push past Max to get to the door, but with one arm, Max pushes him back down, showing his increased strength, or was it Pete's weakness from being out for so long?

Throughout the whole night, Pete's screams could be heard all throughout the insect kingdom. Thoses were screams of pure terror. The kind none wanted to be near. Even the toughest of insects shyed away from the area. Except for one.

The might Wolf Spider is drawn to the noise, moving in closer to see what could be causing such a ruckus. It climbs up the surface and peeks into the building. It doesn't see what is going on, but it hears the horrific screams of terror.

The Wolf Spider retreats. Clearly whatever was happening in that room was far worse than itself. It wanted no part in whatever was occuring. It scurried as far away from the noises as it could.

Time passes.

Max left to scavenge for supplies. Pete was left all alone in the base. He layed in the bed, crying. His silent tears rolling down his cheeks.

Pete wanted to run, wanted to leave but couldn't. If he ran away he could get eaten, having no idea where Max put all the supplies the place was a maze!

Or even worse. Max would find him and bring him back. That was a fate he didn't want to think about. It was over.

Max left his mark on him.

He was his now.

There was nothing he could do. Max was far stronger, faster, and now smarter than Pete when it came to identifying bugs and survival. He needed Max. Much like Max needed him.

Was this what Willow and Hoops wanted?