Changed Me ( Rewritten)

29

            " To me, seeing you or one of the others get hurt by Aek. Would make me feel so much worse then what happened yesterday " He says quietly. " It wouldn't be your fault if that happened " Max tells him gently. " I know but. Part of me would still blame myself. Everything dealing with Aek, started with me. I-If he were to hurt you guys " he says, pausing as he thinks about it.

            " I don't know what I'd do. I would do anything to protect you guys from him " he says. " Just like we all will do anything to protect you from him " Max says. He tightens his hold on Max. " I love you " he says quietly. Max turns and kisses him on the cheek before gently saying " I love you to baby ".

            They fall into another long and peaceful silence. He doesn't know how long they stay like this. All he knows is that eventually, he finds himself starting to fall asleep. He feels so comfortable and safe in the position they're in. It doesn't help that Max is gently rubbing his back.

" Let's lay down in the bed baby " Max says to him gently. He only hums in response to what Max says before he slowly gets off of Max's lap. While he's getting under the blanket, Max quickly stands up and turns the light off before coming back and getting under the blanket with him.

When they are both laying down, he moves closer to Max, laying his head down on his chest. Max starts to gently play with his hair, humming the tune of a song. A small smile makes it's way on to his face. He has never been this comfortable with someone before.

He takes a deep breath, moving as close as he can to Max. His actions cause Max to quietly chuckle. " Cute " he hears Max quietly say. He doesn't respond to what Max says as a light shade of red colors his cheeks.

            " Get some sleep baby " Max says quietly as he wraps his arms around him. He takes a deep breath as he listens to Max's heartbeat. He finds the rhythm of Max's heartbeat calming. So calming that it lulls him to sleep.

            When Nat wakes up, he notices that Max is not in the bed. So he slowly pushes himself to sit up. Taking a deep breath, he slowly looks around the room until he sees the bathroom door open. " I was just about to come and wake you up " Max says with a small smile.

            " I'm up " he says quietly, watching as Max walks over to him. " How'd you sleep " Max asks him. He smiles before leaning and pulling Max into a hug. " Comfortable " he says quietly, causing Max to quietly chuckle. " You're cute when you act like this baby " Max says gently.

            He pulls away from the hug and says " When I'm tired ". Max slowly pulls him up to stand before hugging him again. " Yes. You've been very cuddly since yesterday afternoon. Which is cute " Max says. " I just feel the most comfortable and safe when I'm hugging you. It's comforting " he admits quietly.

            " Well, I'm glad you think that " Max says before pulling away from the hug. " You should get ready for school now. We need to leave soon baby " Max says gently. He takes a deep breath before nodding his head. He's not ready to go to school at all. He knows that today will be a very emotionally challenging day.

            However, he knows that he has to go. So he walks towards the corner and grabs his outfit he had chosen to wear for today. " I'll be right back " he says before walking into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. Once inside, he quickly changes into the outfit.

            He had chosen a baggy white turtleneck sweater and a pair of black jeans. The sweater doesn't feel constricting on his neck and it perfectly covers the bruises. It's a cute and comfortable outfit. He originally planned to not dress up, only wearing sweatpants and a hoodie.

            However, he remembered that in the past after his father had passed away. NuNew told him to dress up when feeling down. That it's been proven to help brighten peoples moods. And currently, he's willing to try anything to help brighten his mood while at school.

            When he leaves the bathroom, Max smiles at him. " I like that outfit on you. You look really nice " Max says. It causes him to smile as a light shade of red colors his cheeks. " Thank you. You look really nice as well " he says quietly. Max is wearing a dark red hoodie as well as a pair of black jeans.

            He walks over to his backpack and grabs it. " Thank you baby. Are you ready to leave for school " Max says. He nods his head and says " As ready as I can be in the situation that I'll be in ". Max gently smiles before walking over to him.

            He looks up at Max, expecting him to say something. However, Max leans down and gently kisses him. Through the kiss, he feels like Max is silently telling him that it's going to be ok. That he can get through the school day. When Max stops kissing him, he knows that Max did give him a silent reassurance. It's clear by the gentle way he is smiling.

            " Let's go baby " Max says gently. He nods his head before they start to head to Max's car. He still doesn't feel ready for the day ahead of him. However, Max has helped him a decent amount and he knows that seeing the others will help him as well. Having them all by his side, makes the day ahead seem less scary to him.

                WC: 966