Shakespeare's Plan

15. 'i've always been the problem.'

"Willow Viera. Is that really you?" I turned around. Dropping the volleyball. I squealed, running and jumping into Max's arms. He hugged me, laughing. 

Max was my brothers best friend. We grew up together. He's like another brother to me. He was always there to help me with my eating, when my brother wasn't around.

He gently set me down. I looked up at him. I rubbed the top of his head. "Your mop. It's gone." He smacked my arm, smiling. 

"It isn't a mop." He always had fluffy hair that went every direction on his head. I turned around to find everyone staring at me. 

"Oh uh. This is Max. One of my best friends." I said. Cam held his hand out. "I'm Cam." They shook hands. Everyone introduced themselves. 

"I'm Max." He held his hand out for Ares. Ares nodded. "Ares." He said curtly. "He isn't a huge fan of touch." Max nodded at my quiet comment. Ares glared at Max.

"What are you doing here?" I asked. "Can we speak in private?" I felt my stomach drop slightly. "Yeah. You guys continue the game. Ill be back." They all nodded. Ares watched as we walked a little ways away, to a bench.

"I'm here to tell you that Leo was stationed with your father in Iceland. I don't want to scare you, but things are getting bad over there." I nodded, picking at the skin around my fingers. "Um... how long will they be there?" I asked quietly.

He shook his head. "I have no idea Will. They'll be okay. They know what they are doing." I looked at him panicked.

"Are you going there?" He shook his head. "I work with intelligence. I don't go into the battle fronts." I let out a small sigh of relief. 

"Couldn't you have just called?" He placed his hand on his heart. 

"You don't wanna see me. Max the Great?" I smacked his arm, as he laughed. "Of course I do. But why come out here. Facetime is a thing." He shrugged.

"Its been years since we have seen each other. Also Leo asked me to see how you were doing." I nodded. I should've figured Leo would want to check on me. 

"It was hard at first without my dad. But I'm doing better. I'm over 100 pounds now." He gently touched my cheek. Shaking his head. 

"I don't care about your weight. As long as your healthy and happy that's enough for me."I nodded, looking at him.

I used to have a crush on Max. I did from the age of 12 to 15. I knew he didn't like me back, but I still couldn't help my feelings for him. In a way I'm glad were not together. I can only see him as a brother, or best friend now. 

He's helped me at my worst, and I've helped him. One day my dad was stuck at the office, and Leo was at training camp. He spent 2 hours with me, helping me eat a bowl of chicken and rice. I hated myself that day.

2 Year Ago

My hands shook as I held the fork. I cried silently. I rested my elbows on the table, placing my head down in my hands.

What would dad think? 

My chest felt tight. My head hurts, and I feel like puking. My dad left 45 minutes ago, and I haven't eaten anything in the bowl. 

The front door opened. "Will? Leo asked me to..." He stopped, looking at me.

"Will?" He asked quietly. I wiped my eyes quickly. He doesn't need to worry about me and my stupid problems.

"H-hey Max." I sat up. He smiled gently. Pulling a chair up next to mine. He gripped my hand lightly.

"Come on. We'll do this together alright?" He gently touched the bowl. Smiling warmly. 

Present Time

I nodded again. "If you ever need help Will. I'm one call away. If I can't come to the phone. Call Rae. Find someone you trust here. I can tell you trust these people." I nodded, as he brought me into his chest. I hugged him, smiling gently,

"Thank you." He nodded. "Remember Will. Your worth being here. You matter." He whispered. Gentle tears pricked my eyes. I nodded. 

One thought floating inside my mind.

Was that the truth or a simple lie to keep me going?

~~~

Max left an hour or two ago. He was stationed here, but not for very long. He got called back to whatever base he was at. 

It was hard saying goodbye, we haven't seen each other in a long time. He's some of the only family I have left.

We talked about random stuff, he hung out with everyone else for a bit. Everyone really liked him. Ares has been quiet all day. I'm worried. 

Now we were all back at Mama Rossi's. Ares was sitting out front, sitting on the tiny patio step. I gently shut the front door behind me. I slowly sat down next to him. "Are you alright?" I asked him. 

He looked over at me. "Do you love him?" He asked quietly. I furrowed my brows. "What? Love who?" 

"Max." I smiled gently. 

"Yes, but not in the way you think. He's like a brother to me. I've known him most of my life. We've been through a lot together. But no I don't love him in... that way." I blushed talking about something like that.

He nodded. Fiddling with the rings on his fingers. "Is that why you've been acting weird?" I asked, looking up at him. 

"No it's uh, something else." He said quietly. I gently moved his arm, before wrapping my arms around his waist from the side. He pulled my legs over, resting them across his lap. Laying his head on top of mine. 

His large arms wrapped around me, "Do you want to talk about it?" I asked, resting against his chest.

He slowly shook his head. I nodded. "That's alright." 

The had almost set, turning everything a golden color. We sat in a comfortable silence, watching people and cars pass by. 

I must've fallen asleep, because I woke up to Ares carrying me upstairs, and into my room. I shifted in his arms, as he stepped into the bathroom. 

He carefully set me down on the counter, grabbing toothbrush. He put some toothpaste on it, I went to grab it. He gently moved my hand away, before placing his other hand on the back of neck.

I blushed, as he tilted my head back lightly. My eyes kept fluttering closed as he brushed my teeth. He gave me a small cup to spit in. He picked me back up, settling me on my bed. He untied my shoes, placing them on the floor.

He pulled the blankets over me. I blushed. Why is he so kind to me?

Ares gently sat down, pulling me into his chest. I snuggled into him. Sleep coming quickly.

~~~

I woke up to a large body crushing mine. I opened my eyes. Ares arm, and his shoulder were laying across my body. His head tucked into my neck. I blushed, smiling gently. He looks so calm, his usual scowly completely gone.

Yesterday hurt a little, when I woke up and he wasn't there. I'm sure he had something important to do. He doesn't need to waste his time on me, if he has things to do.

I gently traced the tattoos on his arm. Killian said Ares has something called patch work. So it's not as full as a sleeve. I like this better. 

One tattoo on the back of his neck, it was small and barely stuck out from under his shirt, it was a quote:

"The ones that love you will never make you wonder." 

I looked up at the ceiling. 

I know my father loves me, but I still wonder sometimes. If he truly does.

That's my own fault. My problem.

I've always been the problem.