Chapter 24

Dreamless sleeps, wow. I never thought I would miss them. I slightly opened my eyes to see the dark room, hearing voices outside the closed door. I was lying against Fang, my body fitting perfectly into the curve of his. I turned to my side so I could face him, his eyes shut in sleep. He looked so peaceful, very unFanglike. My entire self felt electricuted but in the good way, not the evil scientist way back when I was held captive. I know, why to think of that after a moment like what just happened.

My eyes traced the scars across his chest from when he beem attacked. They sent shivers up my spine, remembering the days that I most likely would have to face again. The days where we could die. Fang adjusted in his sleep, his arm pulling me towards him for comfort. I let him come closer to me. Now, we were both warm, his skin a temperture similar to mine as I felt his muscles. Slowly, his eyes opened, dark as usual with the biggest glint of happines I had ever seen.

What was I supposed to say? Lines such as 'how did I ever get a guy like you?' or 'Wow, that was amazing' which both seemed to cover a little portion of my heart but not all of it. Fang angled his head down towards me and I gave a meek smile. "Guess what? No nightmares," I whispered, knowing it wasn't what I was supposed to say. He nodded his head, our minds both on other things.

"No?" He asked, pulling me closer, our noses touched. The blanket inched a bit away from my bare back, the fabric covering us for that feeling of safety that we both needed. His hand played with a strand of my hair. His thumb rubbed my forehead.

"Nope," I said matter of factly, concentrating on his lips, "Only you." That caused him to grin as I went to kiss him. Sort of cheesy, believe me, I knew it as soon as I said it but still, it felt right. I mean, we're bird kids here. We get dressed up for dog weddings, lived in crates for a good period of our life, and say pathetic lines of love to each other after taking the biggest step there is to take. And just as every molecule in my body began lifting and rising with excitement while his hands rested just below my wings, the door burst open and the light turned on.

Yep, only me. This could only happen to me.

"Guess what- ah!" I literally jumped a thousand feet in the air almost as I grabbed the blanket and wrapped it around me. Fang had a good portion also to uh...cover himself up as well. We both were sitting up now, me cowering into his arm trying to hide my face. Well, I knew perfectly well that anyone could tell it was me. The giant, freaking wings sort of gave the element of surprise away. Fang wrapped his arm around my waist, staring right at the intruder.

I peeked past the strands of my hair to see a tall figure standing there complaining, "Not what I expected to see on my first day, seriously. By the way, nice job man." Iggy sat cackling like a hynea like the annoying ones from the stupid child's movie about a lion. "Is that Max you're trying to hide? It's not working." Iggy crossed his arms, staring straight at me, his eyes appreciating the view as best as he could.

I blushed and raised my head to face him, hoping nothing could be seen. "Iggy! Get out of here!" Fang pressed his forehead against my neck and kissed my collar bone. I was furious with rage. I did not want the blind kid's first image to be of Max au natural. I mean, please, I still want some dignity and I thought all I had to worry about was Angel reading my mind at the wrong time. Iggy gave Fang a thumbs up before taking a step back and turning to shut the door.

In frustration, I turned to lay back down and scream "lightly" into the pillow. "Be happy," Fang whispered, his hand smoothing my hair off my back. His lips kissed the spot between my wings and I shivered. "Today is a good day. And not just for us anymore." I knew he was right. We don't have good days in life of birdkid biographies. Look it up, there's a least five installements as I recall. My body ached now too, the pain was normal, expected, and nice. Reminding me of Fang and I as one and all that symbolic stuff. Yada yada yada. "Time to face the people," Fang whispered.

"I rather face some M-Geeks," I moaned. Chances are, Iggy was filling in a few others about the new image he had. Me and Fang, in no fixable, other possible solution, other than we were both nude and in a bed. Fang stood to change first, leaving me to cuddle up in the blanket. He stared over his shoulder for a moment as I watched him. He put on the clothes he had been wearing the other night before he stepped back over to me and looked directly into my eyes.

Fang gave a boyish grin, one filled with mischeif and glee which made my heart sputter in excitement, "Your turn now." His hands took the blanket from my grasp. Then, we laughed lightly before a quick exchange of kisses was made. Then, I stood up to change.

We joined the flock in the living room, other mutant kids happily cooking and eating breakfast in the kitchen. Max II stared at me harshly when we passed her at the island. Fang's hand squeezed mine as we sat in the red couch with the rest of our flock. And guess what? All five pairs of eyes were staring at us, including Iggy's. He no longer was off by a few inches, staring at my forehead or my chin, he was looking right at my eyes. He had a little childish grin on his face.

"Morning Max," Nudge answered, sewing up a torn shirt. I wasn't going to ask where she got the thread or needle, knowing she probably had stashed them in her backpack. She gave a small smile, not one that was worth worrying about or had a double meaning. "I hope you slept well." Iggy snorted, about to burst into laughter.

That's when I stood up, letting go of Fang's hand. "Iggy, want to go talk?" He raised an eyebrow and I shot him a full threat, Max-death stare. I grabbed his arm, connecting my eyes with Fang asking him to come, before we headed up the stairs outside. I yelled before stepping out to the flock, "Stay put in here. Everything's fine."

When I shut the door, Iggy stared at Fang and I, laughing hysterically. He shook his head and ran his hair through his blonde hair. His clothes were acutally neater than usual and he didn't have a speck of dirt on him. Now that he could really truly see us, I could smile and be happy for him. But there was one matter that had to be brought up. "You've got to drop that Iggy. Angel's going to read her mind and I do not want to explain things to a six year old girl."

Iggy rolled his eyes and shifted his eyes to Fang, standing quietly next to me. "Man, way to go. You make being a bird-boy awesome." Then he shifted his eyes on me, "And Max, always love seeing you, now that I can." He gave me a smile.

"Sexist pig," I snapped back. He frowned for a second but he was use to me calling him that. Then, I couldn't help it, just the fact that he was staring at me and laughing. The way he could watch me move or Fang move. The way he didn't need directions or that I didn't have to tell him I rolled my eyes at him. He could all get that now. "Congrats, Iggy." Then I rushed over to him and gave him a hug. He quickly responded with a laugh and wrapped his arms around me. Geez, sometimes I forget how tall he is.

"Thanks Max, you did this." I stepped back just so Fang could step in. They did the whole macho handshake and pat on the back which was really a hug, no matter how sissy it was. Iggy smiled, "And if you hadn't done that, given me the pills I mean, then I wouldn't already have been planning on doing the parental control inside my head. Besides, I had to do that anyways with Angel before you two." I raised an eyebrow, wondering just how much Iggy remembered of his sight before going blind. He gave a smile and laughed again. Aren't you glad Fang that I gave my freaking blessing too."

I shoot my eyes up at Fang who shook his head, "No you didn't." Iggy shrugged and I smiled wide. Without any hesitation, Iggy turned and went to fly. I watched as he sped off into a run before jumping and catching the air. I stepped into Fang's arms, not wanting to spoil Iggy's moment. I desperatly wanted to fly out there with him. I could see with my amazing eyesight his perfect smile and his eyes jumping all over the place to catch every detail. When he landed a few feet in front of us, he stood with his arms crossed. He seemed happier than the time when he blew up all those M-Geeks in the ocean alongside Gazzy. Iggy finally had his sight back, and if I could help it, no one was going to take it back.

"Hello Max," I turned around, Fang's arm dropping to my waist to grab my hand to reassure me. He looked like he did six days ago before I was captured and well, you know the rest. He stared at me through his glasses, the dirty blonde/brunette hair pulled back away from his face with little stubbles of gray mixed in. I knew way before I turned who it was. You just don't forget the voice of the man who you wanted as a father, then thought was dead, then considered him a traitor, and then learned he was your real father. I placed my free hand on my hip while squeezing Fang's hand with the other.

"Hello Jeb," I retorted with a snide, "Would you like to see your son?"