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Max didn't get scared by stupid shit like ghosts, death or monsters, two of those things weren't real and the last one would just be what'll make him finally free. Max wasn't scared of those, he was scared of real shit,old people getting into weird kinky sex in donjons,the vacuity of existence, the thought of forever being stuck alone making him feel like curling up in a small corner and cry like a fucking kid, those were real things to fear.
But right now the only thing that scared him shitless was leaving camp.
He never thought he'd mean that one day.For the last two years he held no interest in this camp. David was obnoxious and annoying, Gwen didn't want to be here any more than him, and without Nikki and Neil, Max had nothing that made him want to stay, leaving him wallowing in the corner and cursing out both his counselors to pass time. But this year? Well Nikki and Neil were here and it strangely made everything different, David turned out to not be so bad, be it annoying, he got closer to everyone and he felt happy and at home and now everything was going to get ripped away from him again.
It was probably karma, 'cause he spent so long trying to shut down this place, trying to run away, trying to make David snap, only for him to want anything but to leave. He doesn't even remember WHY he was so pressed about David in the first place.
Well, that was a lie, he knew, he just didn't know what he wanted to happen in the first place. For David to fucking kill himself? To shoot out the camp? Kill all of them in their sleep? Just get fucking depressed if he wasn't already?
All he was sure was: when he was 5 his parents brought him to a summer camp. Max was happy and he had a good time even though the other kids didn't like playing with him too much, he was the youngest afterall, but the camp counselors were nice enough. His first time at Camp Campbell Max had been happy, he had actually liked David. So when the following summer his parents let him go back he was happy. He was happy to go until he was 8 and realized his parents didn't care, they just wanted to get rid of him. He was happy to go until he realized his camp counselors took better care of him than his own parents. After that Max became bitter and harsh, he noticed how unsafe the camp was, how much a piece of shit Cameron Campbell himself was, and how horribly blind to everything David was. Max was angry at everyone, but especially at David. It was probably just simpler to be mad at the happy-go-lucky guy that being mad at his parents that locked him away, alone, when he misbehaved, that made him skip meals because they were mad, that screamed and banged on his door as they argued about he didn't know what. David was harmless, therefore, he wouldn't hurt Max in anyway if Max upset him. That and it was frustrating to see David too happy and oblivious all the time while Max himself felt like the world had become dark and bleak. So he had decided he'd show him how horrible everything was. And maybe he also wanted to see how long David would last before giving up just like his parents did... When Max had finally seen for a minute all of his joy and happiness crack during the whole order of the sparrow thing, Max had been scared he wouldn't come back as his usual self. That's when, he thinks, he started to love Camp. And after parents day, well he just never wanted to go home again…
Max watched the other campers, his friends, plan their last party at camp, it would no doubt be a shitshow and either somebody would die or something would get fucking destroyed. But he couldn't enjoy the chaos as usual, he felt empty and sad, and could only think about how pointless everything would feel once he'd be back with his family.
"Max? Why aren't you with the others, I'm sure you have the perfect plan for a fun party!"
David's appearance nearly made him jump, but he only glared at the camp counselor, fists clenched tight in his pocket.
"And for what? It's the end anyway, there's no point."
"Oh don't be so negative Max! It's the occasion to make some last minute memories!"
"Why David? Just so I can think back and know I'll never get that ever again!?" Max yelled, agitating his arms around, his eyes shining the tiniest bit.
"Max?"
"You won ok!? I hat FUN at this stupid fucking camp! I felt at HOME! But now everything is going away!"
David sighed, the inkling of joy he felt at Max's admission dying in the same breath it was created because of the kid's obvious turmoil, he kneeled to be at Max's eye level"Max, nothing last forever, I know it's hard to let things go but everything has an end. And you can still come back next summer it's not-"
"You don't get it!"Max cried, upset, his face red and his posture tense "I was fine being pessimistic and unhappy! Then I had nothing to lose! Last year I couldn't give less of a fuck about leaving! Now I know very fucking well I have very little chances to come back!"
"Max I-"
"Save it camp man! I don't need your pity." He went to his tent with large steps trying his hardest not to cry, ignoring David's helpless look and digging out Mr.Honeynuts when he finally got to his bed, hiding his face in the old and worn yet still very soft fur.
Walking around camp watching over the campers, David couldn't help but think about Max.
It was no secret that Max was David's favorite. He wasn't proud of it, as a counselor he should give everyone the same amount of attention, and Gwen made fun of him constantly for it since she began working here, but he couldn't really help it. Since Max was brought here as a high energy 5years old something resonated in David, a sense of kinship. Even before he became this little ball of anger and sarcasm there was something with the boy that reminded David of his younger years. The way he always insisted he could take care of himself, how he tried to take as little space as possible, the way he stored food in his tent... When Max came back hating the world that feeling was just emplified.David had been like this once, bitter and angry, but mostly scared, he knew perfectly how scary and difficult it was. And now there was nothing David wouldn't do to bring back Max's genuine innocent smile, to get all the hurt away from him. He was just sad he couldn't do anything concrete without proof, for the time being he just had to make sure Max knew he wasn't alone, and that he could still count on him…
Determined he made a bag and came to take Max in his tent while the other kids, watched by Gwen, were finishing up their last project. The little boy was huddled in his bed, cuddling his stuffed bear when David came in, but he didn't make notes of it as he saw Max hide it quickly under his pillow.
"We're going camping." He simply stated, and Max followed with a confused little scowl.
Watching the sunset and the sunrise had always been the best ways for David to relax and to get rid of all the thoughts always plaguing his mind, the hill was also calm and he trusted no one would come by there at this hour, so it was perfect to talk now.
"Do you know why I like to watch sunset?"
"Oh, let me guess!" He took a high voice and made Doe eyes at David, clearly trying to imitate him "I just love to see the sun go down and rise! It reminds me that everyday is beautiful and should be cherished! Campe Diem!" His face goes deadpanned again, but David can see his little satisfied smirk "Something like this? Well fat chance because life is horrible and unpredictable and you never know when it'll be the apocalypse."
David chuckled and sat down beside the kid after having set up the camera, watching wistfully at the slowly darkening sky.
"Well, yeah, you're not far off, but I think in this case we're both wrong." He turned to see Max watching him curiously, clearly not expecting this answer, David smiled at him." Nobody knows what the future reserves to us Max, be it a genuine happy day or the apocalypse. That's why it's important to bask in the good moments." He could see Max beginning to frown again and curling in on himself, David sighed and carefully put his hand on Max's back, he felt like he won a prize when the usually closed off kid didn't push him away or flinch. "You know Max, you actually remind me of myself a lot."
Max snapped his head toward him, a disbelieving look on his face. "Say that again but slower." He articulated like he was worried David had hearing issues "David the worst thing you ever said is fuck, and it was once."
David chuckled, shaking his head "Oh believe me Max, I said much worse, I grew up in the 90s, we didn't have the same knowledge you kids do with what's offensive. The first time I was sent here I was livid. I didn't want to be here, and I knew my parents just wanted to have some peace without me getting in their ways." Max looked down with a frown and David looked back at the sky which was a beautiful shade of orange turning softly into purple as the minutes passed by, David set up the timer on the camera with his free hand. "But when I was able to save Jasper with Mr.Campbell, I discovered that I was actually GOOD at something, genuinely good, and it was the best feeling ever! So I just continued to chase this feeling again and again! I just want you to find this Max, to find something that makes you think everything is worth it, something that will make life worth living for you."
"But what's the point if I can't ever feel this feeling again?" The boy's voice was tight and shaky, it was no surprise for David when he saw Max's eyes welling up with tears.
"You will Max. Because you're smart, smarter than I was at your age, and you can do everything you put your mind to. And you're not alone. You have friends, and they'll never forget you, plus I'm sure Neil of all people will find a way so you'll continue talking. Starving yourself from happiness will only make you exhausted and depressed quicker. I know saying goodbye is harder than anyone, but sadly it's inevitable, and I know you're strong enough to go through this kiddo." The click of the camera startled Max, and David took the device carefully, admiring the beautiful hue of purple and orange on display, passing it to Max, squeezing him a bit against him as a mock hug "Plus now you have some good memories with you to help you go through it."
He felt more than he saw the sobs shaking through Max's body as he curled up even more on himself, hugging the camera against his chest, for once not suppressing anything as he cried against David. The camp counselor for his part smiled sadly as he hugged the kid closer, rubbing his back and biting back his own tears.
Max didn't know how he felt, he was 10 and emotionally underdeveloped for having suppress his feelings for years, all he knew was that he didn't want to leave, didn't want to never see his friends or David and Gwen again, god he'd even miss SpaceKid and Dolph, and this stupid unsafe and unsanitary shithole. But he knew David was right in a way, he didn't have a choice, and he didn't want to waste his last few days here getting depressed about it. For now as his sobs and sniffles died down, he simply enjoyed David's warmth and comfort, he knew he would not feel this safe again for awhile, he curls up against his camp counselor and sight, feeling his eyes get puffy and his nose full, he whipped his face with his sleeves.
"If you tell a soul about this I'll kill you in your sleep."
He felt David chuckle and a hand messing with his hair, making him groan, but he was too tired to try anything against the offending member.
"Sure Max, I'll take this to my grave."
They sat in silence for a few minutes, Max holding the camera tightly in his sweater's pocket. Then-
BOOM!
"What the-" David turned toward the flames they could see going up in the sky "Does this come from-"
"Of course it fucking does, c'mon!"
Max didn't know if things would be ok, he didn't know if he'd be able to ever see his friends or David again, but he wanted, for once in his life, to hope, just because there was a chance, even infinitesimal, that next year he'd be back here, back home.