Maxwell sat by himself outside the tent. He was waiting patiently for a meal to finish cooking in the crockpot near the fire pit. He had a lot on his mind.

Cato is on the loose… I can't believe he actually succeeded that scum. Yet here we are.

Maxwell shook his head, looking to the entryway of the tent. He smiled a bit, seeing Scarlet playing with the giants. Mainly play fighting. It was amusing… and rather adorable.

"Alright, claws out, Maggie." Scarlet said, having her own shadow claws out.

Scarlet had named each of the giants, finding calling them by their monster names wasn't all that appealing. Maxwell didn't mind it and well, it seemed the giants took well to it.

Wynter the deerclops, Maggie the dragonfly, Cider the bearger and Gale the moose goose.

Maggie drew out her claws, swiping playfully at Scarlet.

"Rawr!"

Scarlet giggled, swiping back.

"That's it! Good swing, Maggie!"

"Rawr!"

The giants all looked to each other, all giving a sneaky look before pouncing on Scarlet, knocking the woman over, eliciting a laugh from her.

"Oh you silly little monsters!"

"Rawr!"

"Honk!"

Maxwell chuckled, shaking his head.

Nice to see everyone getting along.

He turned his attention back to the food he was cooking, checking it to see it was done now. He smiled, taking out the dish and putting it onto a plate.

Honey ham is easy to make, thankfully. Haven't done this in centuries.

He headed into the tent.

"Giants! Meal time!"

The giants all cheered before running towards Maxwell, eagerly digging into the food as soon as he set it down.

"Enjoy." He smiled before heading out of the tent again, sitting down on a bail of hay.

Scarlet soon emerged from the tent, smoothing her hair down as she went to him.

"May I join you?"

"If you wish."

She smiled sitting beside him.

"I do. Goodness those little ones can wear me down sometimes though."

"Just how they are." Maxwell chuckled. "They did the same thing to me when I first created them."

"Ah I recall those days. You were exhausted." She smirked. "But yet here we are once again with them like this."

"It's definitely been a change. Can't say I can complain either. They also seem to rather enjoy having real names now too."

"That they do."

Maxwell nodded, rubbing the back of his neck.

"I'm just glad they can be happy despite all that's been happening."

Scarlet nodded, giving him a gentle look.

"It's been insane but in a sense they also get to experience joy and get to experience being young again. I just hope we can put a stop to this soon enough."

"You and me both Scarlet…" He lowered his head. "You and me both."

Scarlet frowned, touching his shoulder.

"Is something else troubling you, Maxwell?"

"I just have a lot on my mind from Cato to other matters that have been weighing on me since I got dethroned."

"Like…?"

"... I'm not really sure what I'm meant to be or what to do anymore."

"You too huh?"

He looked up at her, stunned.

"What..?"

She shrugged looking up at the trees above them. "I no longer need to hunt. I have no purpose as The Grue anymore. I'm no longer her and I'm no longer fused to Charlie. It's odd not having that same purpose… You know?"

"It is. My whole life I was destined to be bound to the throne, to be a king." He clenched his hands into fists. "Or least feel like I was a king when in reality… I was no king. I was… and always have been damage control and I failed at that… or rather I could never be what I was meant to be."

Scarlet frowned, bringing an arm around his shoulders.

"Max, you were everything They couldn't have. You still found ways out of that room even when you had to return. You created so many different things and lived different lives-"

"Lives I stole with two exceptions where one was going to likely kill himself anyway and the other was literally about to jump." Maxwell sighed miserably, remembering those lives and hosts. "I lived through many nightmares as well. My only friend, one of the many I truly wish I could have back is gone forever and I couldn't do anything to help."

"Max, it wasn't your fault he died."

"Yet I still feel like it is. I could've been there. I could've stopped them. If I had just been faster Rune would've been able to…" He brought his hands to his face. "I just wish… it could've been different… Then again… with all I've done, it's no surprise I've lost so much of what actually meant something to me."

Scarlet frowned, stroking his back, keeping quiet. She wasn't quite sure what to say about this.

"And now once again something is out to take what means anything to me anymore. My giants… You… and as pathetic as it sounds, my own life." He sighed. "Feels like sometimes my creators are playing a cruel joke on me."

Scarlet hesitated before bringing her arms around him, catching him off guard. She kept quiet, nuzzling him gently. Maxwell had heat rush to his face.

"Max, you're not losing me anytime soon. I promise. I may have lost a fight to that scum but I don't plan on losing again."

Maxwell brought one of his hands over hers.

"I'm not letting that bloody monster get near you. Not if I can help it."

Scarlet kept close to him, her cheek pressed against his, feeling how warm he was.

"And I know you'll take care of us. But I'm not letting you fight alone."

Maxwell hesitated before nuzzling her in return.

"Scarlet… You are very dear to me. I hope you know that."

"I do." She huddled a little closer. "I've been your companion since you began existing."

"And I'd rather not lose that to someone like Cato." Maxwell had heat rush to his face once more.

What is wrong with my face? Why do I feel warm?

Maxwell shook his head, trying to brush it off but felt the heat return as soon as Scarlet rested her head against his.

"You're rather warm. Are you feeling alright, Maxwell?"

He nodded quickly.

"I-I'm fine, Scarlet. I'm perfectly fine. Just… body heat?"

Scarlet gave him a look, raising an eyebrow before shrugging, laying her head on his shoulder.

"Well, I rather like it."

"Heh…" Maxwell hesitated before resting his head against hers, slowly bringing his arms around her. "Never really been described as warm."

Scarlet sighed happily, huddled close to him.

"No one's told you then. Because you're rather warm. It's lovely honestly."

Never had anyone say any of my traits were "lovely" either.

"If you say so, Scarlet." He stroked her back, holding her closer.

Scarlet sighed happily, curling up a bit.

They heard the tent flap open as the giants crept over before climbing up to cuddle with them, squeaking a bit.

"I see our children missed us."

"Heh… Our children..?"

"Well, we're both taking care of them, aren't we?"

"I suppose."

Maxwell gazed upon, them relief in his eyes.

He had something to protect once more.

And this time…

This time he would not lose them.