Various Oneshots

Camp camp platonic David and Max

Trigger warnings for child neglect, panic attacks, mental breakdowns, child abuse please let me know if I forgot anything else so I can fix it
I hope you all enjoy it! And I hope you all have a fantastic day and a great night take care everyone! <3
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"Are you okay Max?" David asked. Max nodded looking down at the ground. It was very out of character for him to not reply in a snarky way.

David looked at him doubtfully, he turned his chair to face the ten-year-old. They were currently in David's cabin.

They had waited for Max's parents for three hours before finally giving up. Gwen called child protective services while David comforted Max.

"You know, it is okay to not be okay. You are going through something...That no child should ever have to go through." David explained. Max shook his head and looked out the small window.

"Well, it doesn't matter, because I am." Max snapped. David sighed and gently set his hand on Max's shoulder. The ten-year-old flinched and moved away from David's comfort.

"Max it's okay to be sad. You don't have to 'not care'"

"But I don't care, they never cared about me so why would I give a fuck about them." Max sneered. David took a deep breath.

"I think you care, I think you care so much and it's hurting you so you are protecting yourself from feeling those negative feelings."

Max glares at the adult. "What the fuck would you know?"

"More than you would think... Which is why I want to help."

Max rolled his eyes and huffed crossing his arms looking back out the window.

It grew quiet between them. David didn't want to force the younger to talk if he didn't want to.

"I did everything I was supposed to." Max scoffs after a moment. David looks at him, waiting for him to continue.

"I have all A's in school, I clean the whole house, I'm quiet...what am I doing wrong?"

"Absolutely nothing Max, you are doing nothing wrong. They are the ones who are wrong."

Max ignores him and continues onward with his spiral.

"I never cried in front of them when they hurt me! I let them do whatever to me! What's wrong with me?!" Max yells pulling his hair to try and stop the emotional pain.

"I don't- I can't," he gasps feeling as if he couldn't breathe.

"It's okay Max, you're safe. I've got you." David is quick to pull the child close to him.

Max clings to David as if his life depended on it. David rubs his back and combs his fingers through Max's hair, but when he was still sobbing just as hard as he was in the beginning after about ten minutes. David began to grow concerned.

"Max? Max, can you slow down and take a breath for me?" he asked gently. Max didn't answer him and continued to sob.

"I want you to breathe with me, okay?" he said, taking some deep breaths. "Can you breathe with me?"

Max nodded, and he began to calm down at a slow pace.

"You're doing great. Just keep trying to breathe."

After a few more minutes, the sobs turned to cries and cries turned into hiccups. Max finally began to relax, he seemed exhausted. They stayed hugging each other for a while until Max was okay.

"I just wanted them to love me," Max spoke up after a moment. His voice was quiet he sounded tired.

"And that's bullshit." David snapped. His harsh tone even startled him.

"You shouldn't have to want that. You should get it no matter what, being loved is a need not a want."

Max shook his head trying not to cry again.
"I want you to listen to me, Max. You're amazing Max. You're a great kid and if your parents can't realize that then they don't deserve you."

David gently rocks Max in his arms in a comforting motion.

Max eventually pulled away and started rubbing the tears out of his eyes.

"Fuck, sorry..." Max whispered once he cleared the tears from his eyes.

David shook his head, "No, Max. You don't have to be sorry."

Max seemed too tired to argue and just quietly nodded his head.

"You can lay down if you want. I know you've had quite a day." David signaled to his bed, Max nodded a little.

He stood up and crawled into David's bed.
"Will you stay?" Max asks getting comfortable.
"Of course Max, I'll be here when you wake up." David gave a friendly smile.

"Thank you, David... for everything."
"You don't have to thank me, Max."

Max nodded, closing his tired eyes. David smiles watching over him until Max was asleep.

Once he was peacefully sleeping David turns back to the adoption papers.