All's Fair in Love and War

Summary: Fang is confused by his feelings for another member of the Flock Slash
Fandom: Maximum Ride
Pairings: Fang/Iggy
Warnings: Slash…and knowing me, probably bad language
Disclaimer: The meager contents of my will do not contain any of JP's characters. Are we surprised?
Author's Note: Flame me if you feel you must. Go on – I need a good laugh

Their families were proving elusive. Every time they tracked down one of the addresses, they found abandoned, boarded-up houses, or new residents. This was suspicious to say the very least, and the Flock had all but given up, on finding their families...with the sole exception of Max.

A week after they had arrived in DC, we return to our heroes. They were renting some shabby rooms in one of the more disreputable parts of town. Max was out, probably searching for some sign of their families...again. Nudge was asleep on the battered couch, Total happily curled on her stomach. Gazzy was trying to learn how to juggle, and Angel watched him with amusement. Fang was sitting on the roof, his eyes closed, apparently dead to the world. He heard the footsteps approaching, and did not open his eyes. He would know those steps anywhere: the light, cautious tread that spoke at once of both grace and uncertainty.

Iggy.

He opened his eyes and turned to face the boy as he emerged onto the roof. Iggy could not see the sunlight, but the rays warmed him. He paused for a moment on the rooftop, outlined against the sunset. The warm golden light glinted on high cheekbones, and lit his blonde hair from behind. The effect was like a glowing golden halo, and the exquisite beauty made Fang's heart ache.

"Fang?" Iggy said aloud, listening intently.
"Over here." Iggy carefully made his way over, and sat down beside him. He sat quietly, enjoying the warmth of the fading sun on his back. After a moment he reached out, his slender fingers finding a narrow shoulder. Fang shivered despite the warmth of the sun. He was ashamed of his reaction to his friend's touch, and was silently thankful that Iggy couldn't see him blush. Iggy was quiet for a moment, then spoke.

"Are you alright, Fang?"
"Of course," he replied, a little too quickly, "Why?"
"You've been acting rather strangely lately," Fang looked up guiltily. Had he been so obvious?
"Have I?" he managed. Iggy sighed.
"Look, you don't have to tell me what's wrong. But you know you can trust me."

Fang closed his eyes.

But would you trust me, Iggy, if you knew what I was thinking right now? If you knew how I reacted to your touch? I wish I could guess your reaction. Would you hate me? Would you be disgusted? Or maybe - I don't even dare to hope - you feel the same way?

He realised he was shaking, and Iggy looked concerned. Fang wondered desperately what to do. My heart says, tell him; my head says don't be stupid. And my body...well, if I listened to that, we'd all be in trouble...

"If it's about Max..."
"It's nothing to do with Max, despite her wishes, and whatever that ridiculous book might have lead people to believe." Iggy nodded in understanding.
"You're not interested," It was a statement, not a question. There was an odd note in his voice.
"My heart belongs to another," Iggy's eyes narrowed, and Fang realised to his horror that he had spoken aloud...
"What's that supposed to mean?" Iggy said suspiciously.
"Nothing."
"Fang?"
"Nothing!"

"Come on, Fang," Iggy said with a touch of exasperation, "You know you can tell me anything." Fang looked down, and replied quietly.
"Not this."
"But why not?"
When there was no reply, Iggy tightened his grip on Fang's shoulder, and felt the older boy shiver. A suspicion was growing at the back of his mind. He wished he could see Fang's face. If he had been able to, he would have seen that Fang was blushing furiously.

Iggy's fingers wandered up across his neck and to his cheek, and he was surprised to find moisture. Tears? Fang never cries! He was...surprised was too weak a word. He was shocked. He moved closer and Fang flinched. Ah...

He put an arm around Fang's shoulders and heard him gasp. Iggy was...bewildered, not even allowing himself to hope. I'm being stupid, I'm leaping to conclusions, he can't possibly feel the same way I do...