Toughen Up. (Max x Reader)

-8-

Max's P.O.V

I ran back to the tent after what happened with YN and the three boys. I can't believe that she told them about my nightmare, and about what happened with Pikeman, all of it. I threw myself onto the bed, face down.

She told them that she comforted me.. Shit, they probably think I'm such a little baby! Oh god this is the worst. I rolled onto my back, staring up at the tent roof.

I hate her! I sit up stiffly, grabbing my bag without realising it.

I hate her so much! I angrily unzip the bag, holding it tightly in my grip. Cooling down slightly, I pulled out my prized possession. Mr. Honeynuts. I look into his eyes - or - eye.

She betrayed me, how could she? He didn't reply. He just looked at me with a blank stare. He was trying to tell me something, I was sure, but I couldn't understand what the hell it could've been.

Hearing footsteps near the tent, I quickly shoved Mr. Honeynuts back into my bag, looking up to see who was there. The tent flap was still zipped up, but I could see the the silhouette of someone at the door, waiting.

It was still for a few seconds, then the person just walked away. Sighing, I curl up in bed. There was no way I was going out again today.

I fall asleep soon after, falling into a dreamless sleep, waking up again once it was already dark.

I sit up and look around, seeing YN sleeping, back facing me. I glare at her. I still can't believe she had the nerve to tell those assholes.

Getting up, I sneak out the tent flap, leaving it unzipped behind me.

It was dark out, everyone already sleeping soundly. A huge light kept going around and around the camp like some kind of lighthouse. It hurt my eyes, and I walked around for a little while to try and find a place away from it.

I knew there was no way out of the camp, since everything is heavily guarded, so I just walked down to the docks.

All the boats were gone, so the docks were eerily empty.

I couldn't help but think about why.

Why did YN tell them? What good does that give her? I don't get it.

~TIME SKIP~

3rd Person

The next morning, YN woke up to an empty tent. Max had already gone into the mess hall, most likely to get away from her.

She felt so guilty, although she hadn't done anything to Max, nor said anything to the three boys. She had no idea how they found that shit out.

Well technically, they only only said that she comforted him, not that he had a nightmare or anything.

YN lazily got out of bed, getting changed and brushing her hair. She walked out of the tent, stretching and preparing for the day.

She walked over to the Mess Hall, seeing all the other campers rushing in for breakfast. Huh, she must've woken up late, there was always time for a jog around camp. Oh well.

Walking in, she saw that her friends had already grabbed her a tray, which was kind of them. But she wasn't looking at them, nor the crowd of campers she always had at her table.

No, instead she was looking over at the black haired boy sitting by himself, poking at his potatoes. He was so lonely, and pretty tired too. She felt bad for him, he was just a kid, as was she.

YN walked over to him, ignoring her friends calling her over.

Max was more important.

She sat down next to him, making him glance up in surprise. His face became blank and void of emotion as soon as he recognised her, and he looked straight back down to his food.

"Maxwell, I don't know how they got that information. I never told them anything, I promise," She tilted her head, trying to get a look of his face. He simply turned away from her, looking at the hall wall.

Her friends continued to call her name, and she mumbled something not worth repeating under her breath. Max's eyes twinkled at this, desperately wanting to believe her, wanting to go on adventures and pull pranks with her.

Just like his old friends.

But he couldn't - he - he wouldn't! He... shouldn't. It was a lost cause. If someone betrays you once, why trust them a second time? Makes no sense, huh?

"Maxwell," YN reached over and placed her hand on his shoulder, making him immediately pull away from her.

She pulled away too, not expecting such a response from the boy next to her. He glared over at her, standing up and pushing away his food.

He walked away, nearly making it to the doors when Mateo stuck out a foot and tripped him over, making him fall onto the grass outside.

Max pushed himself up from the ground, looking behind him and half expecting YN to rush over and help him up.

But she was just staring at him, a look of confusion crossing her face before she looked away in guilt.

I thought as much. Max walked over to the training field, just wanting to beat the shit out of something.

Once he got there, he grabbed the stick and pulled over the stupid dummy thing from behind the weapons rack. He imagined YN standing there, an evil smirk on her face with her arms crossed, mockingly laughing at him.

He began to hit it, at first in the pattern he was told to do the day before, but soon he just swung at it any which way.

Nothing was there to hold him back. No adult, no David. Just him and the dummy - or - YN.

He felt all his emotions run down into the stick, pouring out into a swing then a hit. It was nearly relaxing, the repetitive motion and satisfying smack.

"You're not breathing the proper way," He heard a sickeningly familiar voice from behind him. YN. Why did she have to be his teacher? He'd rather that bully be the teacher, at least he looked like he knew about fighting.

He let the top of the stick hit the floor, holding the other end lazily. YN continued.

"Breathe in when you're holding up the stick, then let it go as you swing," She grabbed her own stick, demonstrating what she was explaining. But Max didn't look over at her, he could only bare to listen to her voice.

She sighed, watching as he took another hit at the dummy. He felt like his anger had been drained, and in a way he felt relieved. But on the on the other hand...

He just felt empty.

"Maxwell, c'mon take a swing. Stop daydreaming," Max scowled at the ground. Never mind, the anger was back. That was quick.

He prepared to take a swing, holding the stick up and evening his breathing. He began to imagine YN standing there again, but instead of anger on her face, she looked distressed and scared. He faltered, staring at the fake YN.

She was scared... Of him. Of Max.

"MAXWELL!!" YN's yell struck Max's heart like a lightning bolt. Fear filled his eyes and he instantly dropped the stick. She covered her mouth in shock, not meaning to yell at him.

She began to advance towards him but he shielded himself on instinct, trembling.

"Listen, kiddo.." She trailed off, looking down at the boy, he peeked up through his arms, seeing the guilt on her face.

He growled, dropping his arms to his sides, "Stop pitying me! I don't need your pity! I don't need you at all! I HATE YOU!!"

He ran off towards the tents with tears in his eyes, leaving YN standing there shocked. He'd never exploded at her like that.

It was... Quite scary if YN was to be honest.

Thoughts were flooding both of their minds, but one stood out in YN's.

Now what?

• • • •

Unedited

Final word count: 1 351