The World On His Shoulder (DADVID)

What's Going On?

The next morning Max woke up seemingly excited about school. But why? He jumped out of bed putting on his jeans and usual blue hoodie. He walked to the bathroom to wash his face and noticed the large red lash going across his nose and down to his cheek. Max's excitement immediately fades as he sighs grabbing his mother's foundation and starting to tap it on his injury. Great David is gonna notice and say something about it. he thought as he blended the foundation into his skin. Would he though? Realistically even if he did he wouldn't say a thing to authorities...Right? His heart began to beat harder at the thought of anyone, especially an adult, finding out about what he was going through. After all, he was the all-mighty Max! He put a war criminal in prison just for underestimating him. He couldn't show people he was weak now. He had too much to lose. Max finished up his makeup and ran down the stairs trying his best to sneak past his arguing parents.

"Maxwell?..."

He feels a cold shiver travel down his spine as he locks his eyes to the ground "Yes dad?"

"Look at me, Maxwell."

"I'm gonna be late for school I ha-"

He grabs Max's face harshly turning it towards him. " I didn't raise a god damn faggot" he snarled. He threw his face away from him letting go of his jaw "Ill save it for when you're home. Can't be wasting precious work time on you."

Max nodded and rushed out the door. Making it to his first block he couldn't focus what so ever. He dreaded the moment of his arrival home. Everything around him felt so numb and fake. 

"MAX!" his teacher shouted at him.

He shot straight up and opened his eyes wide.

"Maybe get some sleep every now and then and you wouldn't space out in my class so much."

He looked down silently and nodded, too tired to even fight back. As the teacher continued on with her lesson he realized he couldn't make it to his second block like this. In his mind he had no other choice than to go to David. I cant believe I've become this soft. First a hug and now asking him for help? This isn't me. I'm supposed to be a mastermind. A manipulator. A terror. Not some scared and shaken kid. But it's all so overwhelming. I cant take it anymore. I'm afraid of what they'll do to me or even. What I might do to myself if it goes too far. Max peaked into David's classroom knocking on the door frame.

David looked up from his paper work "Hey! Max! its so nice to see you! What's going on? Is everything ok?"

He stepped dead center in the door and fidgeted with his hands. "I wasn't feeling so good and I was wondering if maybe you could let me stay in here for a little? Just until fourth block. I don't want to inconvenience you or anything."

"Oh. Are you sure you don't want me to write you a note to the nurse? They could send you ho-"

"No." Max interrupted. "Its not a physical unwell its um...Emotional." He said as he felt spikes poke at his throat and tears fill his eyes.

"Oh...Ok its alright. Come sit down just give me a moment ok?" David walked out side the door and made a call. "Hey! Kasy! can you tell my third and fourth block classes they'll be dispersed for today?...Mhm...Mhm..Thank you so much!" David hangs up the phone and walks back into the room. "GOOD NEWS! you can stay as long as you need!"

"D-David you really didn't have to do that. I know teaching, aside from camp counseling, is very important to you. You shouldn't lose your time just because I'm upset."

"No Max! You kids are what matter most to me. It's not the just the organizing or the nature. Its you guys. Especially you, Max. I spent so much time wondering what was wrong and why you were always so negative about everything when in reality. You just didnt have anyone to care for you. Every child deserves a parent. But not every parent deserves a child. You're a lot more than you think you are. I hope I can show you that."

Max went dead silent and looked down at his shoes. He looks back up at David holding back "ok.."

"Would you like to tell me what happened? What's got you in a hooey?"

"Oh no you don't. I'm not falling for this. You don't think I'm that stupid do you? You're gonna have me tell you and you're gonna tell someone else"

"What? No! I wouldn't do that really! Max. If you want to feel better you have to trust me. Know that I'm here for you. I wont tell anyone."

Max turned away and hesitated. This felt so. Real. He had never seen David act like this. Not even after Parent's Day. "Fine. But if my parents get mad at me for this Im blaming you you ginger fuck"

"Go on." David puts his hands together and sets it Infront of him ready to listen.

Max tries to speak with confidence "So you already know that my parents don't care and stuff right?"

"Mhm?"

"Well there's more to it. You see. They're brave and all for leaving their country and finding freedom but their freedom came with a cost. Me. I wasn't really supposed to happen. But when my mom was given the money she spent it on wine instead of getting me removed. So now I'm stuck with parents who don't really care and go out of their way to make sure I know that."

"What else?"

His confidence begins to departure as his fear slips through the cracks "well um. I got in trouble this morning and I'm scared to go back home. I really don't wanna deal with it and I'm afraid of what they'll do to me. Or what I could do to myself." He felt his legs go gummy again. Like they did in the hall. Max felt fear begin to claw at his throat and flush his face of color. He began to shake

David put a gentle hand on him "Max, its ok. You don't have to go home tonight."

"Of course I do David! Don't give me that false hope bullshit. You said you wouldn't tell anyone!" The sound of his heart pounded louder flowing into his ears.

"I'm not going to tell anyone. You wont have to go back tonight I promise."

Max nodded along hesitantly agreeing with him. Putting his full faith within his promise. "But where will I go? What am I going to tell my parents?"

"They don't care about you enough to feed you properly or even want you. I think they'll survive a night without you."

Though it hurt to hear the truth, David was right. They wouldn't expect a thing. "But where will I go? Where am I going to stay?"

"With me." David said as he felt goose bumps emerge all over his body. He always wanted to give Max a safe place and act as a father figure to him but he never expected it to actually happen.

Max nodded. "ok. I trust you."

AUTHORS NOTE: Sorry for bein MIA for a little while. I've seen sick and schools been kicking my ass. I'm only doing these for funsies so if its late I apologize.