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?