A/N: And now, what you've all been waiting for . . . (drumroll please!). . . Face Down Part Two! Yay!!! Definite Fax in this one, but please tell me if it's too . . . fluffy or not fluffy enough. This is my first real fanfic with fluff, so tell me how I rate on the fluff-o-meter! Please and thank you!
Note: For all of you that know Face Down by heart, I apologize for not putting in the last few lines. I felt that if I did, it would take away from the conclusive mood I had set. See, the whole song is bittersweet and I tried to finish the fanfic on a good note. If I had added in the last lines (which are: "Face down in the dirt, she says this doesn't hurt, she says I've finally had enough.") I don't believe the fanfic would be as satisfactory as it is. So, I apologize if you're offended.
Disclaimer: Again, I don't own the books (but I have copies!) or the song (but I have it downloaded!), they all belong to their respectful owners. I wish I owned Fang though . . . What?! A girl can dream, can't she?
Enjoy!
Fang kept an eye out for Max over the next few days, but he didn't see head or feather of her. He just hoped Ari knew what was good for him and left her alone. Fang couldn't guarantee Ari would walk away next time. He might have to crawl, but he wasn't going to walk away again, that was for sure. Fang visited their old haunts: the park, the huge malls, and that fancy restaurant that they had escaped from when the stupid manager had to ask questions. He sighed. Those days seemed like decades ago. In any case, Fang hadn't seen her for days.
He was walking absently along a street, not really knowing where he was going. His hands were stuffed into the deep pockets of the coat and his hawk plumage hair fell into his eyes. He stared at the sidewalk in front of him, his mind wandering down the hallways of his memory. He remembered with a slight smile the time he and Max had shared a warm Coke after the fiasco with Max II. He remembered laughing with her as he told her how he knew Max II from the original.
He stopped next to a bus stop, oblivious to the crowd moving around him. Fang shook his head. Those days were gone. Now, he didn't even have the Coke, let alone the Flock. He remembered sneaking up on Max and acting innocent when she startled in surprise and scolded him for it. He remembered teasing Nudge with the "carrion" when they had been staying with the hawks. Then there was the time Angel had begged to keep the bear, Celeste, and then Total. Those stupid bambi eyes of hers. He shook his head with an amused grin. There had also been the time when they were looking for their families, how hopeful they all had been. How much they had wanted a real family with real parents who loved them and actually cared about them. He and Max had been the closest things the Flock had for parents. Now they were just orphans again, this time without each other to depend on.
"Fang?"
He blinked, the voice snapping him from his thoughts. He looked up and realized he had been standing there in front of the bus stop for a while. He looked around for the source of the voice and saw Max sitting there on the bench, looking up at him with a puzzled expression spread across her face. He tried to smile, but knew it was a simple quirk of his mouth.
"Hey, Max. Haven't seen you around for awhile." he stated and took a seat on the bench beside her.
"I've been . . . busy." she said evasively. "How have you been?"
"Ah, hanging in there, you know." he replied casually. "How 'bout you?"
"Fine." she responded.
Fang kept his disapproval hidden. Lying again. He didn't like it. He could see the bruises marking her arms and face. "How's Ari?" he asked icily.
Something flashed in her eyes. A cross between anger and apprehension. "He's . . . fine too." she repeated. Fang glanced to the sky, not knowing where else to look. He noticed the thick, dark clouds looming above them in the sky. A raindrop fell to the pavement.
"You should leave him." Fang said tightly, glancing at her barely contained frustration. He realized with some shock it was directed toward him.
Max was silent for a moment. "I . . .can't."
"Why the hell not?" Fang asked, irritated. The rain thickened, falling steadily around them. Neither took notice of the increasingly wet clothing.
She shook her head, sighing, sudden looking distraught. "I don't know, Fang. I want to, I really do. But, I just . . .can't."
"That doesn't make any sense." He pointed out with frustration of his own.
"I know." Max sighed, sounding defeated. "I just don't know what I want anymore. Ari and Jeb must be doing something to me. Maybe putting some pills or tranqs in my food, making me obey without having any problems."
"I coulda told you that in the first place." Fang smirked.
She shot him a look. "Don't be such a smart alec. You know I don't like it." She became serious again. "So what should I do?"
Fang shrugged wet shoulders at her. "Get your own food, make sure no one touches it first. Refuse the food they give you, complain of a sick stomach or that you aren't hungry. Or you could go 'missing'."
She shook her head, sending raindrops flying from her wet hair. "No, they'd figure out I'd found out what they're doing. They'd go looking around for me."
Fang pondered over the situation a moment and then brightened. "I have an idea. I say we go find Ari and Jeb and beat the living sh--"
"Fang!" she exclaimed. "I hope you didn't talk to the Flock with a mouth like that. That's just what I need! A six year old mouthing off at an adult for who knows what reason!"
Fang grinned. This was the Max he knew. This almost made up for the rain pouring down buckets around them. "What can I say? You kinda have a free rein when you're the only one living in a fabulous bachelor pad."
"It's that run-down?" Max asked.
"Well, I can't say all of the mess was there previously." Fang said with a grin.
Max sighed dramatically. "Men. You just can't pick up after yourself, can you?"
"Nope."
She shook her wet head again. "Unbelievable. I can't imagine how hopeless you are without me around."
He smiled at first. But then, inadvertently thinking about what Ari said, he asked: "So . . . we're okay?"
Max looked at him quizzically. "Of course we are. When weren't we?"
Fang shrugged. "Ah, nevermind." At that moment, the bus pulled up. They both stood.
She looked over at him. "Well, I guess I have to go. Unless . . . you want to come with me?"
He regarded her silently. He was going to miss the old Max when she left. As bad as he wanted to go with her, he knew he wouldn't. He couldn't face Ari without causing trouble. As much as he hated to leave her alone with the Eraser, he had to. "Nah, I don't think I should. Besides, I'm not too sure Ari would be happy seeing me again so soon." She raised an eyebrow in question at him. He waved it off.
"Well, then. I'll see you around. Later." Max boarded the bus. It left after a moment and disappeared in the haze of rain. Fang was left alone, but somehow content.
Face down in the dirt she says, this doesn't hurt
She says, I finally had enough . . .
Face down in the dirt she says, this doesn't hurt
She says, I finally had enough . . .
Fang felt lighter somehow. It seemed as though the tattered blanket, the lack of cash, the cold apartment, and the spoils of someone else's dinner didn't matter now. Or, at least not as much. He woke the next morning and smiled merrily to himself. The scene only lacked the singing birds on the windowsill and the bright spot of sun in the sky. But reality was nothing compared to a fairy tale with a "and they all lived happily ever after" ending. This was probably as good as it got. He stood and stretched out the cramps in his back. Sleeping on hard floors tended to do that. He'd probably be more comfortable in a tree. Ah, well.
He tried to focus on the brighter points of life. At least he knew Max wasn't totally gone. He had that to look forward to. Fang left the old apartment building and made his way out of the slums of the city. He tried not to sulk and look like a totally druggie, but that profile seemed to fit him better than that of a "normal" person. Whatever that was.
He wondered where Max would be today. It was early, so maybe she was at the coffee house. He decided to go there first. Fang ran across the street, ignoring the blast of car horns and their cursing drivers. He peered in through the window and nearly broke his face smiling. But that wasn't like him. No, if Max saw him this happy, she'd think something was up. Fang carefully composed his expression, mild amused thrown in with a slight scowl, and entered the coffee house. Max was sitting in the same chair as the last time, back against the wall with a clear route of escape. Fang made his way gracefully among the table that seemed to be strewn across the floor.
Fang stopped quickly as he saw Ari join her. The amusement, or rather, the traces of it, disappeared fast. The scowl became dark. He unconsciously clenched his fists. Okay, Fang, just take a deep breath. A really deep breath, he told himself. No need to panic the people with random acts of violence. Just calmly walk out and wait. Then you can beat the crap outta Ari. He smirked tightly. See? Not that bad. Now, just turn around and leave. Maybe you won't have to stain the clean tiles with dirty Eraser blood. Fang tried to do as he had told himself, but the morning just got worse. Fast.
"Hey, Fangie," a cool voice said behind him.
What the hell is up with the Fangie crack? Honestly, can't he think of something better? Fang smiled a sticky sweet grimace. A sneer, really. "Hello, Dogbreath." he muttered. I know, I know, very original, but let's not scare bystanders.
Ari rolled his eyes. "Why don't you sit down and have a sip of coffee with us?" The challenge was clear in his ruddy eyes. Fang knew it wasn't the smart decision, but he sat away. Right next to Max. She shot him an annoyed look. A look that shouted: "Idiot! Leave before this turns into an all-out brawl!"
Fang simply smiled at her. It wasn't a normal smile. It was a cross between a smirk and a twitch in the corner of his mouth. It was a Fang smile. "Hey, Max. Nice to see you again. Get home okay?"
"Yes, I did. Nice to see you too, Fang." Max said tightly, clearly disgusted with the arrogant nature of men.
"Again?" Ari echoed, shooting a murderous glance at Fang.
"What? Is it illegal to see your girlfriend?" Fang shot back, relishing the outrage in the Eraser's eyes and Max's suddenly shocked expression.
"Girlfriend?" Ari repeated.
"Were you a parrot in another life?" Fang quipped.
"And I bet you were a real comedian." Ari growled.
"Temper, temper." Fang tsked. "Max, have you asked Jeb about taking him to anger management classes? I hear there's a real good one out somewhere in Death Valley. I think they use live targets as a stress reliever. Oh, but you would know about that, wouldn't you Ari?"
The Eraser's right eye was twitching. His massive hands were making dents in the table. Fang wondered how much more Ari would be able to take before snapping. Though he didn't let it show in his face, Fang was laughing hysterically. Max was struggling between a smirk and a frown. Her mouth wavered and she hid a smile as she sipped at her coffee. Ari released a huge breath through his nose and glared at Fang. If looks could kill . . . Fang mused silently.
"Well, I think I've outstayed my welcome. I really hate to eat and run, but . . . well, you know how busy New York is." Fang grabbed a napkin and bundled up the sweets on the table. He gave a small smile to Max and walked out the door. He turned down a back alley, eating his stolen breakfast. He'd have, oh, maybe two minutes before Ari came charging out of the coffee house, intent on ripping Fang apart. Fang seemed to have that effect on quite a few people. He noticed, with some amusement, that not even a minute had passed before Ari came charging into the nearest alley, the alley Fang was standing in. Fang pushed away from the wall he had been leaning against and faced Ari.
He sneered at him. "Hey, there's my favorite mutant." Fang laid on the sarcasm heavy.
"Just start saying your prayers, pigeon, you'll need 'em." Ari muttered.
"At least I'm no lap dog for Satan himself." Fang shot back.
Ari growled, tense. His hulking body was in a fighting stance and his fists were shaking with rage. That's when Fang spotted Max a few feet behind Ari, walking closer. Max, don't be like me and do something stupid.
One day she will tell you that she has had enough
It's coming round again
Max edged out from behind Ari and stood between the two males. She faced Ari first. "Ari, just how dense are you? How stupid to you think I am? Didn't you think I'd see through the tranqs eventually? Face it. Nothing you or Jeb does will get me to work with you, let alone trust you." Max looked over at Fang. "Fang, I swear to God, if you get yourself hurt, I'll kill you myself."
"Et tu, Max?" Ari muttered.
Fang shot Max a sidelong glance. "Oh, God, he's quoting Shakespeare. The whitecoats really are screwed up." he muttered. Max smirked, but kept her eyes trained on Ari. With a final roar, Ari lunged. Fang met the attack with a fierce kick. It was enough to stop Ari's charge and to make him stagger slightly. But, as before, Ari grabbed Fang's foot and sent him flying through the air. Fang flipped around and landed with his feet against the brick wall. Using the momentum, Fang thrust out away from the wall and slammed a fist into Ari's jaw. That sent Ari flying backward.
Fang landed lightly and caught Max's glance. She rolled her eyes. "Showoff." she muttered. She darted in and, like a mutant wasp, hit Ari left and right, kicking and punching every which way. The Eraser didn't know what hit him until he was flat on his back, dazed and breathless. Fang tried to keep the impressed look from his face as Max continued her onslaught. The Flock leader slammed her foot into Ari's side and Fang thought he heard a few ribs crack. Max, charged with her own excessive supply of anger, picked up Ari by the collar and shoved him into the brick where he slumped to the ground, finally unconscious.
Fang burst out clapping. "Bravo! Bravo! Encore! Encore! Do it again, that was so much fun!"
Max shook her head at him, smirking. "Nah, let's leave him. I still have a healthy supply of rage. Who else am I gonna vent it out on?" she replied. They started to leave the alley, both somehow lighter.
"Hey, stop it. You're starting to sound like me." Fang told her.
She elbowed him in the ribs. "Ah, stop it. You're making me blush."
Fang stopped and turned to her, gazing down at her intently. "Am I?" he asked quietly, stepping closer.
A smile wavered on her lips and her cheeks flamed ruby in color. "Um, yeah, you kinda are." she said lamely. He could tell she was kicking herself mentally. He reached out a hand and gently traced a fading bruise on her jaw line. Then he casually tucked a strand of blonde streaked hair behind her ear, though the action was far from casual.
"You know what this means, right?" Fang asked, drawing her close.
She visibly swallowed. "What?" she breathed.
Fang smiled and touched his lips to hers, a teaser. She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled back, their faces inches apart. He kissed her fully this time, gentle and soft. The warmth tingled through him, addicting. He'd never felt something quite like this, and not just in the past two years. His life was crap. So was hers. Who could possibly know what two messed up Avian Americans could feel if they simply admitted the affection to the other, despite all of their rough spots, their scars both physical and mental, and their possibly doomed life.
But Fang wasn't thinking so much as relishing the warmth that boiled and flooded. For once in his entire life, Fang felt whole. Whole, complete, loved. The sensations were alien to him and it was more potent than the adrenaline rush or the fear of losing someone he cared for. The sweet bliss was uplifting, hopeful, and satisfying. So he wasn't all too disappointed when he was forced to draw apart to fill his lungs again. He was almost dizzy with the emotions, the high, coursing through him. Max was the same if not worse.
He managed a quivering smile. "It means . . ." he paused, watching Max's wild eyes and flushed face. "It means we go for a flight and cool off that blush. It wouldn't do it the Flock found out I'm turning you into another Fang. That's the last thing we need."
She completely deflated and Fang laughed. Actually, genuinely laughed. It startled him for a moment, and apparently surprised her too. But a scowl found a way into her expression. "You--you . . . kiss me and then you completely shrug it off like it never happened! Just what kind of boyfriend are you?!"
Fang smiled warmly, a real smile, and pressed his lips to hers again, watching her eyes close and her body still. The kiss was shorter than the one before but not without the same warmth. He pulled away for the second time and was beginning to miss the addictive warmth flushing through him. "One of a kind." he replied. "And I didn't 'shrug it off' as you so nicely put it. I just thought you'd like to look for the Flock now that you're back."
"Well, you certainly thought this out." Max said sarcastically.
"See, that's what I'm talking about. The Flock is going to pluck my feathers when they find out how much like me you've become." Fang teased. He wrapped an arm around her, pressing her to his side. "Now, seriously, about that flight. I haven't flown in awhile and I couldn't think of anything better than feeling the wind through me feathers with you beside me."
"But, Fang, in case you haven't noticed, it's morning. What are people gonna think if they see us flying past their window?" she asked.
"They'll think they're crazy and go back to sleep." Fang said with a shrug to show he didn't care. He looked at her intently, staring into the soft brown eyes.
She smiled and seemed to think about. "Well . . . okay." she said. "Are we looking for the Flock too?"
"Sure, if that's what you want." he said.
"Well, maybe not right now. C'mon. I thought we were going for a flight." Max pulled out of his embrace and spread wing. She shot into the air gracefully, soaring high to the clouds. Fang chased after her with a grin and a flurry of black feathers that glinted violet when the sunlight caught them just right. Together, they streaked past the skyscrapers and left the already hustling city behind. They flew as close as they could to the other, wingtips brushing gently.
Do you feel like a man
When you push her around?
Do you feel better now
As she falls to the ground?
Well I'll tell you my friend, one day this world's going to end
As your lies crumble down, a new life she has found
Right now, nothing mattered. Right now, he was alone in the sky with Max, flying freer than he ever had. Right now, his heart soared with every wing beat. Right now, he had never felt more alive.
A/N: So, tell me how good it was! 'Cause I know it's good! Also, how'd I do on the fluff? Too much? Not enough? On a scale of 1 to 10 rate me, okay? Thank you all for reviewing, I loved reading them! Please review and I'll love you forever! Well, I hoped you enjoyed reading this and maybe I'll write another Max Ride fanfic sometime. Again, thank you!