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David walked aimlessly through the forest. He had left Marko, Paul, and Dwayne with Michael where they parked their bikes earlier before he ran off. He didn't want anyone to see how messed up he was, especially not Michael.
"Stupid war... Stupid Europe... Goddammit!" He scrubbed at his eyes to stop the tears from escaping. It was smudging his makeup but he didn't care anymore. He kept walking before finding a secluded area of the woods. "I hate this!" He angrily kicked a tree before curling into a ball on the forest floor.
Paul, Marko, and Dwayne all knew that David had his problems, his trauma but Michael didn't. Michael isn't supposed to know.
David buried his head in his arms and silently started to cry.
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"Is anyone going to tell me where David went?" Michael asked angrily. "Why did he walk into the woods?"
"Reasons." Marko said.
Dwayne shrugged "He just wanted to go take a peaceful walk through the forest?"
Paul just shrugged.
"You people are terrible help. I'm going after him." Michael walked in the direction David had gone.
Paul yelled. "Michael! Don't do that!"
Michael gave all three of them the bird before disappearing into the green.
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"David! Daviddddddd!" Michael called. "Where'd you go?"
He had been walking for a while, he really didn't know which way David had gone. Michael came across a clearing in the forest. He looked around before spotting a person curled into themself eight feet from him. Michael took notice of the white blond hair before it clicked to him.
"David?"
David's head shot up, tears still running down his face. He looked scared, it was not something Michael was used to seeing. "Go away-" David hissed, his eyes gold.
Michael sat down next to David. "Don't you hiss at me. I'm trying to help."
"Well I don't want help from you. Go away."
"You always make fun of me for pouting, look who's pouting now." Michael teased. He reached out and swiped at David's cheek. "David, you've got tears on your face."
David leaned into his hand now, he had given up on fighting Michael. He sniffled before looking Michael in the eyes.
"I'm sorry." David said it quietly.
Michael hummed softly, continuing to gently wipe David's face. "It's alright, we all have our reasons to keep things to ourselves. I just wanted to know what was bothering you. Guess I wasn't really clear about that, huh?"
"I didn't want to tell you... didn't want you to know and then go running from me. I don't want more people to leave." Tears had started to run down his face again.
"Hey, hey... I won't leave you. C'mere." Michael pulled David closer to him, almost into his lap.
David sniffled as he laid his head onto Michael's shoulder. "I'm sorry" He said once again.
Michael ran his hand through David's hair. "For what? Having a moment of vulnerability? That's nothing to be sorry about, you did nothing wrong."
"I just... I was in the army back in 1917... before- before Max and the band and everything. Before I was this." David gestured to himself.
"What do you mean?"
David shrugged, curling into Michael.
"I need words David." He said softly.
"I don't have to tell you anything."
Michael let out a small huff of laughter. "That may be so but you crying in the middle of the forest isn't a good way to cope either."
"Not crying." David snapped at Michael before shrinking into himself. "Sorry."
Michael shook his head. "How about this, we get off the ground and go find the others. Maybe walk the boardwalk or something."
David moved closer to him, wrapping his arms around Michael's waist and moving closer. "Maybe."
"We can sit here until you're ready then get up, that sound okay?"
David nodded into Michael's shoulder. Michael closed his eyes, leaning back against one of the trees, cradling David in his arms. David tried to get closer to Michael's warmth, he nuzzled against Michael's neck.
Sitting there, surrounded by the warmth Michael created, David let himself be vulnerable. He sniffled pitifully before letting the tears fall. "Please don't leave, please don't..."
"Shh... Shh, I won't leave." Michael fully pulled David into his lap. He gently squeezed him, kissing his hairline.
"It's going to be alright David, don't you worry."
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"Should we have let Michael go after David?" Paul asked.
"Not like he woulda listened if we told him not to." Dwayne said.
Marko laid in the grass. "He could be dead now for all we know, David could have eaten him!"
Dwayne snorted. "He wouldn't do that, dude. David cares too much about him. Have you seen the way he watches Michael? Dude's totally in love."
Paul raised an eyebrow. "Do you forget that they're together? Of course he's in love."
There was a rustling that was heard from the forest and Michael stepped out of the green with David following, holding his hand.
David smiled at the boys, he seemed to be doing much better.
"David!" Paul, Marko, and Dwayne all yelled in unison. They all jumped up and ran to him, pulling David into a giant group hug.
Marko spoke first, "Are you feeling better?"
"I'm fine, Marko." David said defensively.
"How about we go to the boardwalk or something instead of fighting?" Michael suggested.
Pauk, Dwayne, and Marko all agreed. David stayed quiet. Michael suck a quick glance at him, he looked upset again. "Go on ahead of us, we'll meet you there." Michael said.
The three boys nodded, though a bit concerned. They drove off, leaving Michael and David by themselves.
David pulled his hand back from Michael, wrapping his arms around himself and shrunk away from him. He hung his head and let out small sniffle.
Michael watched him. "Hey, hey David. What's wrong?" He asked softly.
David shrugged. He wrapped his arms tighter around himself. Michael took notice and opened up his arms. "Come here, David." David looked up and then went right into Michael's waiting arms. "If you wanted a hug you could've just said so, silly." Michael teased, holding David against him. His face was buried in Michael's neck, trying to calm himself. Nothing was working, he felt so stupid for crying like this in front of Michael. David's breath hitched and he bit his lip to muffle the sob, hard enough to draw blood.
Michael heard, because of course he did. Strong arms wrapped around his waist and David couldn't muffle the sob this time. "I'm sorry..." He whispered.
"Shh... It's alright, you don't need to be sorry." Michael said into David's hair. "How do you want me to help?" David shrugged again.
"I can't help you if you don't let me, love." Michael said softly. "It's okay to tell me, I know you didn't want to earlier but it seems to me that you aren't better. I think it would help to talk, if not to me then to Dwayne, Marko, or Paul. Maybe my mom, if it's what you really need."
"I am allowed to talk to your mother?" David asked.
"I just said- Yes David you are allowed to talk to my mom. Even if she's reluctant to admit it, she loves you, all of you guys."
David nodded, pulling back to look at Michael. He wrapped his arms around Michael's neck and gave him a small smile. It wasn't like his usual one, where he'd have this look on his face, like he was challenging someone. This smile was a special one, reserved for Michael and Michael only. "Thank you."
Michael smiled. "You're welcome."
Michael gave David a quick squeeze before pulling away. He started to walk back to the bikes. "Come one we have to go to the boardwalk, like we said we would."
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At the boardwalk they met up with the others outside the comic store.
"Took you long enough." Marko said.
Paul shook his head. "You're just impatient, you didn't take that long."
Marko pushed him. "Shaddup. I'm not being impatient." Paul pushed him back.
"You're gonna push him into me." Dwayne said.
David sighed. "Boys, focus."
"He started it!"
"Marko that's a lie."
"Actually he technically is right, you called him impatient."
Michael laughed. "What are we even doing here? Is there a plan? Or are we just winging it?"
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They rode all the rides and then went back to the hotel.