Secret Couple (Max x Nikki) [13+]

VIII : Life And Death

A/N: Whoa, 400+ reads??? That's incredible! Thank you all a bunch!

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Max looked around the camp, boredom spread across his face. Nikki ran off to go find Neil since they haven't seen him in a while. Walking to the Science Camp, he saw Neil standing there... but no Nikki.
        "Hey, Neil. Have you seen Nik anywhere? She was out looking for you." Neil looked up from his "science" items, shaking his head once his eyes met Max's. "No, I haven't, actually. I thought she'd normally be with you." "Well, she's not here." He pointed out half-heartedly.
        Neil gave a slightly annoyed exhale of breath. "Look, just go see if she's with any other camper. Try Ered, maybe." Max faded into his thoughts. "Or... what if she's with Harrison?" He said aloud, an irritated tone yanked at his vocal cords. "Wait, what?"
        Without another word, Max marched away from the Science Camp, reaching to the Magic Camp swiftly. Harrison was on stage, practicing his tricks. A dove flew from Harrison's sleeve before turning to see Max.
        "Ah, Max. What is it that you want?" "Where the hell is Nikki, Harrison?" He demanded forcefully. "How dare you accuse me for knowing where Nikki is?" "Well, you love her, don't you?" "And you love her, don't you? Aren't you suppose to be her boyfriend?" Max shot him a glare before skidding off, saying, "You're a waste of time."

        It's been a few hours now, and Max was really starting to freak out. He ran into the forest, screaming her name. "Nikki! Nikki, where are you? Nik, please!" He heard a small cough from his side. Max followed the noise, leading up to blood... and Nikki.
        "NIKKI! OH MY GOD!" Max yelped, springing over to scoop her up. "You're going to be fine," he tried soothing her as she whimpered. Max ran as fast as he could back to the camp, zooming straight into the counselor's office. "DAVID, GWEN!"
        David and Gwen both looked up from what they were doing, finding an injured Nikki resting in the arms of Max, his face wet from crying. "What are you looking at? FUCKING HELP HER!" Max screeched. The councelors took a worried glance at the other before sprinting over to Nikki's safety.

Once they were done patching Nikki up, Max sat next to her, never taking his eyes off the teal-haired girl. David squatted down beside Max. "Max... what happened to Nikki?" He asked quietly. "I don't know." The black-haired boy said sternly, still leaving his eyes on Nikki protectively.
        "I just found her lying there in the middle of the forest. I don't know what attacked her... I should've been there with her." He sighed, laying his head on the edge of the bed Nikki lay on. He reached over to grab her hand softly.
"I was a damn idiot for letting her run off like that." "Max... I'm just afraid of what's out there that attacked her. You've seen her tame a rabid wolf before!" Max looked up at David, his hand still gently clinging onto Nikki's own hand. He had slight tears on the tears of his eyes. "I don't give a shit about that! I only care about Nikki, and no one else," "Max-" "I. Don't. Care."
David sighed, standing up fully. Without a word, he left the cabin. Gwen was still there, watching Max. "Max. We're serious about this. Quit being a little shit and care about other things for once." Max didn't respond, keeping his eyes on his injured friend. Gwen walked out, searching for David.
        Max looked around, making sure they're both gone. Turning back to Nikki, he mumbled. "I won't let anything touch you. I promise."

Finally, Saturday came. One of Max's favorite days: no camp activities, and especially no David around. Nikki was getting onto her feet, awake and ready for anything ahead of her. Max was keeping more of a close eye on her, and held her hand roughly as if something was about to pick her up and fly away. He also kissed her cheek a few times when the campers looked away.

        "Max what are you doing? Why are you so protective lately?" Nikki said to Max once they were alone after Space Kid and Neil walked off to argue about true space facts. He only leaned over to give her a quick, small peck on the cheek. "And what's up with you kissing me from time to time?" She added as soon as he backed away.
"It's because..." he took a few glances around, making sure no one was eavesdropping. "I'm just worried about you getting hurt again." "Aaaand why are you acting like it's a secret?" "Because... I don't want people knowing I'm weak." He said in a lower tone. "Weak? I wouldn't say weak!"
        "Look Max, I'm fine! Stop worrying so much!" She said with a slightly croaked voice. Max looked at her suspiciously. He shook his head. "I'm not going to stop worrying, Nik. You're obviously not okay!" "I am too! Just watch me!"