Changed Me ( Rewritten)

17

" I don't really have the courage to do anything if it involves him. I-It's to soon " he says quietly. Max has him lean into him, wrapping his arm around him as he does so. " You opened up about him and what happened, to us. So you had the courage to do that " Max says gently.

He looks down at his hands, fidgeting with them. " That wasn't courage. I used it as an escape " he whispers quietly. " What do you mean by that " Poppy asked him gently. " If I talked about my dad. Then I would have to ", he pauses. If he tells them, it'll only change the conversation to what happened today.

            " Then you wouldn't have to talk about what happened today " NuNew says quietly. " I knew that I needed NuNew when I started to think about my dad and the accident. I knew NuNew could help me but " he pauses, taking a deep breath.

            " After I calmed down. I knew the conversation would go back to what happened. I-I only just got rid of the disgusting and dirty feelings I felt. I-If I talk about it. W-What's stopping me from feeling it again " he says quietly. Max tightens the grip he has on him.

            " You don't have to talk about it. We won't force you to. We just want you to be ok. We all worry about you " Zee says gently. He nods his head before wiping away the dry tears from his cheeks.

            After everything that's happened, he's exhausted. " Are you tired " NuNew asked him gently. " Yeah " he quietly says. " Then me, Hia Zee and P'Poppy will leave you with P'Max. So that you can get some rest " NuNew says before standing up.

            " text me about how you are doing tomorrow, ok Nat " NuNew says. So he nods his head. He then says goodbye to them as they leave. Once they're gone he stands up and walks over towards his closet. " I have sweatpants that you should fit in. As well as a tank top " he says as he looks through his closet, grabbing the clothes.

            Once he has the clothes he walks back over to Max and hands them to him. " Here's some pajamas " he says quietly. " Thank you, I'll go change real quick then " Max says before going to the bathroom. When Max is gone, he takes a deep breath. As his mind drifts back to what happened at the mall.

He's having a hard time ignoring the thoughts and images from the mall, as they constantly rush in and out of his head. Not once has there been a moment that he wasn't thinking about the mall in some sort of way. It's hard and he just wants to stop thinking about it.

" Nat " Max gently says, pulling him from his thoughts. " Yeah " he quietly says, turning towards the bathroom. Where he sees Max looking at him with concern. " I just. I can't stop thinking about it " he says to Max, wrapping his arms around himself for some sort of comfort.

Max walks over to him and pulls him into a hug. " Do you want to talk about it " Max gently asks him. He has to think for a while on how he should answer Max. He's not sure if he wants to or if he should talk about it. " I don't think so. Not today at least " he decides to quietly reply.

" Then, should we lay down together until you can get some rest " Max gently asks him. " That would be nice " he says quietly. " Alright, then you go lay down in the bed. While I will turn the lights off " Max says before walking towards the light switch.

He quickly lays down on the bed, moving towards the wall. In order for Max to have enough room to lay down with him. He watches Max as he turns the light off before coming back towards the bed, laying down next to him.

            " Come here " Max says gently, opening his arms. He's quick to listen, moving as close as he can to Max, laying his head down on his chest. Max almost instantly begins to gently play with his hair. " I like this, when I can hold you in my arms " Max says quietly.

           " I like this as well. I feel safe whenever you hold me " he says quietly before he thinks back to the first moments that Max came to him at the mall. " Especially today at the mall " he whispers quietly. " I'll always be here, ready to hold you whenever you need me to " Max says gently.

            " That's good " he says quietly before yawning. " Get some rest baby. I'll be right here with you the entire time " Max says before kissing his forehead. " Good night " he quietly whispers. " Good night baby " Max replies back to him.

            He takes a deep breath before slowly letting his exhaustion take over. Slowly but surly, the darkness surrounds him and he starts to fall asleep. Right before he does, he hears Max whisper " I love you ".

       WC: 844