Thunder: Back Through the Rain-Chapter 3

By MyNameIsCAL

---Max's POV---

"Max, please stop crying," Iggy pleaded.

His arms were wrapped around me as his hand patted my back. I couldn't stop crying again. I felt like every night was like this. Why did Iggy even bother coming here?

I whimpered. "I miss him."

"He'll be home tomorrow," Iggy whispered. "You have to get sleep. I have to get sleep too."

"Don't leave." I sounded desperate. Even though I had Angel, Gazzy, Nudge, Ella, Mom, and Iggy, I felt like I was so alone without Fang. I had no idea what it would be like when Fang returned.

"Alright." Iggy swung his legs on the bed and allowed me to cling onto him, like a little child. His arm slid around me, his hand squeezed my shoulder. "It's gonna be ok, Max. I promise."

I woke up the next morning, Iggy sleeping next to me. He was staring at the ceiling, well not that he saw anything, but that's where his gaze laid.

"Morning," he muttered. "How are you?"

I pulled the blankets over me. "I don't know."

He turned to face me. "Are you planning to get out of bed today?"

"Maybe." I turned to face him.

He let out a deep breath. "Are you hungry?"

"No."

He got out of bed and stopped at the door. "I'm cooking breakfast for the others. Come down whenever you want."

And I watched him leave. After that, I decided I'd pull myself together and actually eat with everyone force once. The only way Iggy got me to eat was bringing food to my room. I was lucky Iggy covered me. Mom never really found out. She always thought I was at the hospital. Fang never talked to her about me.

Nudge, Gazzy, and Angel sat at the table chatting away. Of course Nudge was doing the most talking. It looked like Gazzy and Angel were waiting for her to finish rambling, but as soon as I come closer, the conversation died away. Were they scared of me?

"Morning," Nudge said flatly.

Or maybe Nudge was just upset.

"Scrambled or fried?" Iggy broke the silence.

"Scrambled," I answered.

"Good because that's what I was making anyway," Iggy joked.

I shrugged and sat down next to Gazzy.

"So I heard Fang was coming home in two days," Nudge stated.

None of the younger ones have really figured out what was happening. It was better to keep them out of this stuff. Then again, I'm sure after they found out, they'd be pretty pissed off at me. Iggy would tell them eventually.

"Aren't you excited?" Nudge went on.

I shrugged.

"What's wrong with you?" That really meant why was Iggy in your room last night.

"Nothing just tired," I replied.

Nudge frowned as Iggy set eggs in front of her first. She looked up at him. "Thanks, Ig."

He smiled. "Yup, you're welcome, kiddo."

My eggs are next. After everyone is served, Iggy sat down with his own plate. No one talked much. Iggy looked preoccupied with something else.

I wondered what.

I climbed into bed later that night and pulled the blankets over my head once again, trying to focus on the darkness and not Fang. Tonight I would not be visiting him. Fang would be home soon and I'd see him then. I just needed some distance between him and me.

The door opened, invading my darkness with light. I squinted until the door closed again. A tall figure moved to the side of my bed and then sat on the edge.

"You aren't going to cry tonight, are you?" he asked.

I scooted over and he lay down next to me. What was he doing here? Fang would probably get more pissed off at me to see this, but he wasn't here, so what was I to do. Besides, he was the one that was angry.

"Nudge is gonna get mad at you," I replied after a moment of thinking.

"And so will Ella," Iggy countered. "I'm only here as a friend. You know that, Max."

It was true. I knew that well enough that Iggy was like that big brother to me, even though he was younger. He had his side of jokes, pranks, and being the flock's blind pyro, but there was also that kind, caring side. It was the side that came out when others relied on him. Whether he knew it or not, the rest of the flock depended on him because Fang and I were falling apart in more ways than one.

"I know, Ig."

Iggy pulled the blankets over himself. "Goodnight, Max."

"Night, Iggy."