Chapter Text
Max was adopted, anyone in the kingdom with eyes could see that, though his fathers feigned ignorance anytime he had asked them. And because of this ignorance they were unaware of the of the struggles that he suffered as their price. The kingdom did not accept a foreign looking prince as readily as his fathers did, or as they expected the common folk too. For this Max had to work for, he spent tireless hours fighting alongside the soldier and the knights, he hunted wild arcana to keep the common folk safe alongside Nikki and Neil. They were a special task force the king had approved of.
It was because of this that Max had ended up omg predicament he was in. The last thing he could remember was running through the woods after a beast of magical origin, now he was tucked into bed and bandaged with no recollection of how he’d gotten there.
He was trying to recount what had happened, they were crashing through the trees and…. The monster has turned on them! He could remember that now and as he pushed himself into a sitting position the pain in his body seemed to corroborate that story.
As his gaze shifted around the room he noticed oddities, crystals, and trinkets, things Max would usually associate with the arcane, it made him uncomfortable. He was distracted from his thoughts though as soon as he heard someone come in.
His breath hitched as his eyes fell on her face, the glowing sepia tones of her skin framed by a mess of dark amber ringlets that had escaped a bun she messily pulled the rest of her hair into. Her cheeks were adorned with a gentle sprinkle of freckles and her blue eyes lit with curiosity as she gazed across the room at him. “You’re awake?” There was a hint of delight there in her bright face, Max knew so little people who looked even close to him that it was breathtaking to see another human being that wasn’t pale as fuck.
“Did you do this?” He motioned to the bandages that covered the worst of his wounds.
“I wrapped them, I didn’t cause them though, that was your own fault.” She gave him a little smirk that could rival his own.
Max rolled his eyes trying to put on his tough guy act shifting his shoulders, resisting the urge to wince at the pain that the tug of his muscles caused when they pulled at the sutras. “It wasn’t my fucking fault it was that bloody fucking beast I was hunting.” He hissed from between his teeth.
She could tell he was in pain but if he wouldn’t admit it she wasn’t going to bother to ask. “You mean the creature you backed into a corner? Are you really so stupid as to drive a Voxle into a corner and expect it not to attack you? You’re lucky I came around to save you when I did or you would be dead in a pool of your own blood on the floor of the forest.” She flicked his ear when she came close, acting with a familiarity even though he didn’t know who she was.
“Ow.” He hissed covering his ear quickly with his hand. “I’m sure I would have been fucking fine without you, you’re just fucking annoying. What do you want anyways?” He took a moment to notice the slight point to her ears, now that he was closer he could get a better look at her.
“You would have been dead two days ago if it weren’t for me, maybe you should be grateful.” There was a slight lisp to her voice that made her actually pretty adorable, that pissed Max off a little.
“How long have I been out?” He was a little stunned by her words, were Nikki and Neil okay? Were they looking for him? He shifted anxiously bringing a whole new world of pain blossoming from his back.
Suddenly the girl was bent at his side, no longer cautious in her approach, her hand moving to rest on his arm in an attempt to calm him. “Hey now, you need to relax or you’re going to reopen wounds.” Her voice was a soothing tone now, trying to relax him, another thing that rubbed Max the wrong way.
“Fuck off, I’m fine, alright I will settle down.” He leaned back into the pillows crossing his arms and putting his best ‘grumpy patient’ face on.
She eased herself down onto the edge of the bed, her hand delicate where it lay on his forearm. “It’s been four days.” Her cool demeanor easing his hot temperament then and he simmered down.
“Where am I?” He forced himself onto the next question to avoid being swept up by her.
The teen shifted a little to look around her room trying to decide the answer to give him. “You’re in my house, just beyond where you chased the big six armed murder fur machine.” Was the answer she finally gave him after a moment of hesitation.
“How-“ Max was about to ask more questions when he was suddenly cut off.
“I will answer more questions in a bit, the best thing for you right now is sleep…” The way she addressed him in such an informal tone made him think she didn’t know who he was, he held onto this information saving it till he determined if giving away who he was would be more of a hindrance or not. He wasn’t sure if it was safe to sleep there, but given his lack of anything other options, he would accept it until it was no longer vital.
“Fine.” He grumbled before adding ; “Fuck off and let me sleep.” This got her moving and he watched as she retreated.
“Good.” Was all the woman managed to say before Max slid unconscious?