Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Look, Max had said a lot of shitty things throughout his life, most of which he only mildly regretted. But saying he hated David’s guts, and wished the man was dead In the heat of an argument. Which was over something completely stupid. 

He hadn’t meant for it to slip out, not like that. His mind had switched out David, and replaced him with his own father’s face. Having told his Dad many times that he hated him, and wished he was dead. 

Max felt his chest tightened, as the boiling over rage cooled. He snapped back to reality, eyes opening wide as what he said finally fully registered in his brain. Watching the man’s ever present smile slip away from his face. As tears quickly built up in the corner of his eyes, and dripped down his chin.

Instead hot guilt washed over his small body, curling slightly into himself in shame and regret. ‘Fuck!’ he thought. Watching the tears drip off David's chin, and land on the old shirt tied around his neck.

Max would never say it out loud, to anyone, and would take it to the grave with him. But he didn't actually hate the man, not like he always said he did. 

Truth be told? David was really the only adult - besides Gwen, who he could relate to on a level no ten year old should - That ever really cared about him. 

As much as Max wanted to rip his own hair out when it came to his overly preppy, energetic Camp Counselor. He never wanted the man to actually to die, or for him to get seriously injured. The thought of the man dying, scared Max more deeper than he was ever willing to admit that it did. 

Once more, the guilt washed over him in crushing waves, violently twisting his stomach into knots, making him feel sick, He could feel his own tears start to form at the edges of his eyes. But he pushed them away, flickering his gaze away from David. 

He knew he messed up the moment the words had left his lips. Max could feel Gwen’s heated glare on the side of his head, having been only a few feet away. Yeah, he really fucked up If Gwen was glaring at him the way she currently was.

Max kept his eyes rooted to the dirty floors of the Mess hall, feet scruffing worn wood. He heard David shift, standing up from his kneeling position in front of him. Fighting back a flinch at the sudden movement. 

Max knew David wouldn’t hit him, not like his father would after spewing the heated words. But he couldn't help recoiling away when he stood, a learned defence to protect himself from fists. He heard the man take a sharp breath in taking a couple steps backwards, eyes still watery and nose runny. 

When their eyes met once more, Max gritted his teeth against the sharp, sudden pain in his stomach. He could see just how much his words had hurt him. They held each other's gaze for a while, before David cleared his throat and looked away first. Hand gripping his other arm tight enough to surely leave a marks behind. 

“Well, I’m sorry you feel that way.” He said, wiping at his tears as he turned towards the door. “If you hate me that much, maybe we can find another Counselor you’ll want around.” 

With that, David casted one last glare towards Max, before leaving the front doors. The soft click echoed loudly in the room, as a tense silence fell over Max and Gwen. 

He could feel the disappointment in Gwen’s heated glare, as he kept his head down, refusing to look towards her. Not wanting to see just how much of a let she thought he was.   

Max kept his hands inside his hoodie pockets, tugging on a loose string to give them something to do. The silence from Gwen was deafening, making his ears ring as he shifted his weight. 

Scowling quietly to himself for being such a wussy, he risked a glare towards her, frown tugging at his lips as they locked eyes. He waited for her to start yelling at him, to tell him how much she was disappointed with him, and just how awful he was. That he was some dumb brat that needed to grow up.

But she didn't say anything, just looked back at him with a sad frown, brows pulled inward towards each other. Lips pushed into a thin line. She looked at him like that for sometime, never once speaking, which made his skin crawl with discomfort. 

Shaking her head to herself, she quickly stepped past him. 

Her hand paused on the door handle, as she looked over her shoulder opening her mouth, as if to say something, but once again shook her head and left. 

Max watched the small beams of sunlight trickle in, before being cut off when the door closed for the second time. The soft 'click' echoed in his ears as he slumped to the floor, resting his head on his knees, wrapping his arms tightly around his knees. 

‘Fuck’ he thought one last time, letting out a soft, wobbly sob. He Just couldn’t keep his mouth shut, could he?

Chapter Text

Max kicked a small rock, watching as it bounced a few times before coming to a stop at the edge of the dirt path. Letting out a heavy sigh, he shoved his hands further into his pockets.

When he had finally managed to collect himself back at the mess hall, he roughly wiped his eyes with the sleeves of his worn out hoodie, before storming out of there as fast as his prepubescent legs would allow him. He had no idea where he was going, and honestly? He didn’t care, he just wanted to get away.

More guilt washed over him when he thought about how he had snapped at his friends shortly after leaving the mess hall. Max had still been pretty worked up, and hadn’t meant to be so harsh towards them. He had never intended to hurt their feelings or push them away like he had.

Both Nikki and Neil had seen him walking briskly through the camp grounds. Concern flashed across their faces when they noticed his red rimmed eyes, and puffy cheeks.

They shared a worried glare between each other, having never seen the boy this upset before. They had seen him mad, and pissed off at things for sure, but neither of them had ever seen him upset enough to cry.

They were both hesitant to approach him, unsure of how to go about it, afterall it was something unknown to them. Something completely new and quite frankly? Neither of them were exactly good at offering comfort.

Neil could never put the right words together, to make someone feel better, to help lift their mood. And Nikki was too hyper, doing over the top things to try and cheer someone up, becoming far too overwhelming and loud. Comforting another person wasn’t either of their specialties, and was pretty far outside of their comfort zones.

Neil shared one last worried look towards Nikki, before stepping forward to catch up with Max, wringing his hands together in a nervous habit.

“Max? What happened?”

He shot them an icy glare, lips turned downwards. Nikki paused just behind Neil, freezing slightly at the cold look he shot them. It wasn’t his normal glare, far from it.

“Max?”

Nikki said softly, pulling on the front of her overalls, her other hand grasping the back of Neil’s shirt.

“YOU people are what happened! ALL of you!”

Neil flinched at the volume of his voice, taking a startled step backwards, causing him to back into Nikki, who tightened her hold on his shirt. Max pointed a finger at them, his whole body shook with barely concealed rage. Tears once again building up in the corners of his eyes.

“ALL of you are MY problem! I don’t even know why I bother with you! All you ever do is annoy me with your bullshit Science, and your crazy obsession with nature! Why don’t you just fuck off?”

Nikki was the one to flinch back this time, when his gaze fell onto her next. She could feel her own tears welling up, as a hard sob tried to force itself out of her throat. Surely that wasn’t what he really thought of them, was it?

Neil narrowed his eyes at the other boy, standing a little straighter than before. He reached behind himself, gently grabbing onto Nikki’s hand. He could feel how badly she was shaking, from doing her best to hold back sobs.

He didn’t need to look back at her to know just how hurt she was, how badly Max’s words had hit her. He may have been upset, but it wasn’t okay to take whatever had hurt him out on them.

He wasn’t really one to stand up to others, but he wasn’t about to let Max take his problems out on them, or allow him to hurt Nikki more than he already had.

“Max,” Neil said, looking him in the eyes. “I don’t know what happened, but whatever it was, don’t take your bullshit out on us! We’re just trying to help you.”

Max let out a hollow laugh, crossing his arms, and ducking his head. Cyan eyes staring at his red and white shoes.

“I don’t need your fucking help Neil.”

With that, he turned on his heels, ignoring Nikki’s soft sobs, having lost the fight against them.

Max knew he fucked up badly, not just with David, but with his friends too. He knew yelling at them was wrong, that taking out his frustrations and anger he had towards the world wasn't okay. Because they had absolutely nothing to do with the shitty hand he was dealt, or when it came to his own stupid choices in life.

He never wanted to hurt them, it was never in his plans because deep down inside, he knew they just wanted to help him, to support him, to be there for him. Nikki and Neil were his best friends, and truth be told? They were his only friends. At least, the only friends that really mattered to him anyways.

He didn’t, and hadn’t meant what he said to them. He never thought of either of them as annoying. Frankly, he didn’t mind when Neil would ramble on about Science, or when he’d point out something that Space Kid had said, only to watch the younger boy steam at the ears at being corrected.

He didn’t mind when Nikki would grab the sleeve of his hoodie, dragging him off into the woods. Talking a mile a minute about the things they could discover, what creatures lurked beneath the underbrush. he loved his friends, he really did.

Max smiled to himself, thinking back to the many adventures they all had shared together. His eyes gazed over the surface of the lake water, watching the ripples. His smile slipped off his face, as the full realization of his own actions finally crashed into him, like stormy waves against the rocks.

A heavy weight buried itself deep into his chest. What had he done? NO, he couldn't let it continue this way.

Suddenly, a strong will of determination to make things right overcame the anger he felt towards himself. He was going to fix this, he had to. He couldn't lose the people he loved the most because of his own stupidity.

It was time to make up for his mistakes.

Chapter Text

David closed the door behind him, the sounds of the forest buzzing sharply in his ears, as he stood outside the mess hall, one hand still on the door handle. The tears he was trying so hard to fight back, finally began to fall, running soft trails down freckled cheeks. 

He squeezed his eyes shut, as he let out a soft sigh, before moving away. His first thought was to head straight to the lake, since the water had always made him feel better, with its calm waves and cool air. 

But decided against it, as much as he loved the lake, It didn’t sound very  appealing at the moment. Exhaling through his nose, he headed away from the lake, and towards the counsellor's cabin instead. 

It honestly wasn't much of a better idea, since the campers loved bursting in at every opportunity they saw fit, claiming it as their own. But the cabin - unlike the lakefront - held his somewhat comfortable chair, the one he loved to curl up in with hot cocoa.

David paused at hearing someone calling his name, peeking over his shoulder, he saw Gwen waving her hand at him, calling his name once more as she caught up to him. 

Slowing to a complete stop, he wiped his face with the palms of his hands, trying to give her his best happy smile. Gwen placed her hand on his shoulder, using him as support as she bent forwards, huffing slightly from running.

Fuck, she hated running with a passion! It was one of the many things she had rambled to him about. It was something she complained about several times over the years, especially when the campers forced her to do it. He enjoyed when she would share things with him. She sucked in a deep breath through her nose, and stood up to face him better. A small smile tugging at her lips.  

“Hey, don’t let that little shit get to you, okay?.” 

David laughed softly, gently placing his hand over her’s. His fingers brushing over her knuckles. 

“I know.” He said, looking at the dirt beneath their shoes. “But, it still hurts y’know.”

He looked up, meeting her eyes, as a soft, sad smile crossed his lips. Gwen gently patted his shoulder, slipping her hand down his arm, so she could grab the front of his vest, and tug him towards their shared cabin.

“Of course it does. He can be a real fucking asshole.” She gave his vest another hard pull, making him stumble on the loose dirt. 

“But seriously, don’t think too much about it, I’m mad enough for the both of us.” 

David chuckled at her antics, rubbing away the last of the remaining tears on his cheeks. 

Normally, he would have said something about her potty mouth, because he had never liked it when she used profanity towards the campers, but he let it slide this time. Knowing she was just trying to cheer him up, to distract him from the hurtful words Max had said.

The very same words he had heard from his parents, far too many times in the past. No, he thought, he wasn't going to think about that. Not now, not ever. He wasn't going to be dragged back into the past. This wasn’t his old home, Max wasn't his parents. 

David shook his head, forcing those thoughts away, as he followed behind Gwen, letting her lead him to their cabin. He smiled down towards their linked hands, happy she hadn’t let go, her hand was warm and grounding.

Using his free hand, he patted her on the shoulder in thanks for both holding the door open, and always being there for him. 

He laughed when she swatted his hand, roughly poking him in the side, telling him to get his ass inside for some cheering up, shitty tv and hot cocoa.  

It wasn’t long before they were both curled up in David’s chair, an itchy blanket tossed over them, the tv on with the volume turned up, as they ate crappy ice cream. Drinking lukewarm cocoa well into the night. 

David rested his cheek against her head, watching whatever trash tv Gwen had chosen for them. It wasn’t really something he enjoyed or liked, but he’d watch it with her without complaining. Max’s words had faded into the background, becoming a doll humming. 

He was thankful for Gwen being there, always helping me forget the bad things in life. It wasn't long before he fell asleep, comfortable and content with his best friend's warmth seeping into his side.

Chapter Text

: Nikki and Neil :

Neil watched the younger boy storm off, waiting until he couldn't see him anymore, before he turned to Nikki. She had tears running down her cheeks, mouth set in a deep frown, which looked out of place on her normally happy face. 

He felt his own frown tug at his lips, seeing the tears on her face made him feel lost. Uncomfortable. He had no clue what to do to help her, comforting others wasn't exactly his forte of things he was good at. 

And to be honest, he never really went out of his way to comfort others before, mostly because he didn’t know how, and because it had always made him feel uneasy. He took a deep breath through his nose, a soft sigh escaping his lips. He knew couldn't just leave her like this, to deal with the trainwreck that Max had left behind on her own.

She was his friend.

Making up his mind, He reached over and gently placed his hand on her shoulder, giving it a light squeeze. Hoping it was at least a comforting gesture. “C’mon Nic,” He said, leading her in the opposite direction of where Max had gone, and into the woods surrounding the activity field. 

Thankfully, all of the other campers were currently at the theater, having been roped into something Preston had set up.  

The only reason neither of them were with the rest, was because Nikki had roughly grabbed his wrist at the last moment, dragging him harshly into the woods like the wild animal she was. 

Just as suddenly as she had grabbed him, she stopped. Sending him into the ground, kicking up loose dirt, and getting his hands covered in muck. She covered her mouth, giggling rather loudly at his misfortune. Mirth glinting in her eyes.

He shot her a heated glare as he dusted himself off, letting out a hiss at the dirt now covering his yellow camp shirt. He could never understand why anyone would like the outdoors, it was disgusting! Full of bugs and filth!

That was how they had seen Max angrily storming out of the mess hall, hot tears streaming down his face. Brown skin flushed bright red.

Neil let out a soft huff at the thought of the other boy, lightly tugging Nikki over to one of the many trees, so they could sit down together. He pulled her down to his side, wordlessly inviting her to lay her head on his shoulder. He pushed aside his irritation at being touched. For now, he would put up with it, at least for her.

Nikki hesitated at first, but the need for comfort quickly outweighed any second guessing. She laid her head down on his shoulder, arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Eyes downcasted towards the forest floor. 

And for a while, they sat in silence, Neil watching the grass sway in the light breeze, ruffling both campers hair. He couldn’t help but send Nikki another glance, concern etched on his face. He knew Max's words had hit her the worst. 

She would never admit it out loud, but she was sensitive, especially when it came to her friends. She loved her friends, turly, and cherished all the moments they shared together, even the silly ones that might not mean much to others, but meant a lot to her.

She never told him directly, but Neil knew she saw Max as a brother figure, which is why he was so worried for her, his opinions had meant a lot to her. 

Nikki shifted her weight, her legs had become numb from sitting for so long, but she hardly cared. She couldn't really bring herself to move them, to gain feeling back, or pull herself away from Neil. The warmth of his side was welcoming, comforting. It offered support and she was grateful for that.

She loosened the death grip she had onto her waist, letting both of her arms fall to her sides, as she raised her head completely from his shoulder. Her cheek had also become numb, leaving a small imprint from his boney shoulder. Gently, she rubbed her red cheeks to get the feeling back into them.

Neil looked back down at feeling her remove her head, his eyes had trailed away at some point, watching the grass move in the wind. He could almost enjoy nature, almost. If it wasn’t so disgusting.

“You don’t think,” She spoke softly, voice cracking as she turned her head to face him. “That's how he actually feels about us, right?” 

Neil met her gaze, biting his lower lip in thought. A small part of him had wondered whether or not Max really wanted them around. That he was just putting up with them until something better came along. 

He had always hated those thoughts. Hated how they made him feel. He knew that if Max didn't want them around, he’d have said something a long time ago, and ditched them without a second thought. 

He shook his head, both to answer her question and to shove those lingering doubts away. 

“No, of course not!” He said, shaking his head again. 

Nikki tore her gaze away from his face, looking out towards the field, she couldn't shake the words he spoke out of her head. Still ringing loudly inside of her ears. 

“You know how Max can be, how he can act sometimes. He was just upset, and saying stupid shit.” 

“I know how he can be Neil!” she said, pulling at the straps of her overalls. “But, he sounded so serious, like he meant it.” 

Looking up, she met Neil's gaze again, tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. 

“Does he really find us annoying?”

Neil felt stunned at her outburst, his own insecurities crawling up his spine with fierce recklessness. He swallowed thickly, placing both his hands onto her shoulders to pull her into an awkward hug.

“Nikki, listen okay?” He said softly into her hair, feeling her arms wrap around his slim waist. 

“Max does, and says a lot of dumb shit. But he doesn't hate you, he doesn’t find you annoying. He loves having you around. Whatever his issue is, it isn’t because of you. He's just acting like a temperamental toddler, who shat himself.”

He smiled, taking her laugh as a good sign. Fighting back the urge to not cringe in disgust at just how wet his shoulder felt. God he really hoped it was just tears, and not snot. 

“Thanks Neil.” 

Chapter Text

Max chewed on his bottom lip, eyes drawn towards the ground. He was currently standing outside of the counsellors cabin, one hand hovering over the wooden frame, while his other hung limply beside his thigh. Fingers twitching slightly from nerves. 

It had been two days since his blow out at the mess hall, and for two days, Max had managed to avoid both his friends, and David. Gwen had only spoken to him so she could tell him off, and flip him the bird.

Since then, she avoided him like he was carrying the Black Plague. Not once glaring in his direction, or even acknowledging his existence. That had stung more than he thought it would, but he understood why. He had deserved it after all. 

Not surprising, it hadn’t taken long for the rest of the campers to realize something was off, to notice the strange behaviour, and thick tension between the five of them. 

When the campers would bring it up, David would act like nothing was wrong, redirecting their attention to something else. Gwen just straight up told them to fuck off, not willing to say much more on the matter. Especially not with nosy little kids, who couldn’t mind their own fucking business.

Neil and Nikki avoided the questions all together, only because Neil had threatened to pour acid over them while they slept. 

When they poked at Max for answers, he’d just shoot them an icy glare, one  that wasn’t his normal, moody gaze. It unevened them enough to back off, to not push him any further on the issue. 

With being told off by all five, they all decided to continue on with their own affairs and activities, wisely choosing to further stay out of whatever nonsense had happened. 

Despite having been told off, it never stopped the glances they sent their way, or the soft mumbles between each other. They might have all agreed to not bother them further, but the campers' curiosity never wavered. 

Surprisingly, Nurf had even kept quiet, choosing to actually keep his mouth shut, not wanting to poke the bear to get a rise. He wasn’t the smartest person around, but he wasn’t a complete idiot. He was not going to be the one responsible for setting off the ticking time bomb currently brewing. 

They’d never know it, because he’d NEVER tell them, not even at gunpoint, but Max was grateful towards them for backing off. 

He couldn’t handle having the rest of the campers involved. As much as they irritated him, pissed him off, or got on his nerves, he did value them as friends. Not his best friends of course, but friends all the same. 

David hadn’t avoided him, not exactly. 

He made sure to keep himself at a safe distance. He had only spoken a few words, before Gwen would pull him away by his shirt, shooting Max a heated glare, daring the boy to say anything that might further upset the man.

Max never said anything, just stared after them. It hurt. It really hurt seeing the look in David’s eyes, the sad frown that took up his face whenever they happened to lock eyes with each other.

How much effort he put into keeping away from Max, only approaching him at appropriate times. It felt like he was being stabbed repeatedly in the chest. 

Avoiding his friends only added to the ever growing pile of guilt, making the weight on his shoulders heavier. He did his best to ignore the pain, to push past it but it lingered over his head like an anvil. 

Having to go back to the tent he shared with Neil, felt like being dipped in burning hot oil, his skin crawling with regret. So he kept his gaze towards the floor, not wanting to accidentally meet Neil’s eyes. 

Going to bed early felt strange, foreign. Because normally the boys would stay up well into the night together, talking about whatever. Sometimes Nikki would join them later on, having to sneak in after David did his last rounds of the tents.

Neil had been impressively ignoring him, having not even once looked in his direction. Max had chosen to respectfully keep his distance in their shared living space, not wanting to add another log to the fire. By the time he would wake up, Neil would already be gone, having breakfast in the mess hall with Nikki.  

He hated waking up to silence, without hearing the other boy mumbling to himself, or being rudely awakened by Nikki using his bed as a springboard. 

Max shook his head, trying to rid himself of those thoughts, as he gazed up at the door in front of him. He took a deep breath, bracing himself for the incredibly awkward conversation ahead, he gave the door a gentle knock, holding out hope he could fix things between the people he loved.