My little space

It was too much for him. He had thought he could move past it. He had thought he could just run away and forget all about them. Start all over and pretend it never happened.

He was wrong.

He had managed to move on for a couple of months, during which he had done everything in his reach to forget about it. He kept himself busy with bureaucratic issues involving Thailand. He busied himself searching and hiring people to cover his tracks. He tried to keep himself focused on keeping all his illegally earned money safely hidden from various leaders.

But it was no use. Every night, his mind would wander back to… them.

To Camp Campbell.

To Davey.

And to their child.

The guilt was killing him. It chewed his insides and nagged his mind relentlessly. He couldn’t sleep sometimes just thinking of them, the two people he turned his back on.

Sure enough, after a whole year, it became too much. It was hard the first few months after he had discovered David was pregnant. But once the nine months passed, once there was no room for doubt that the child was born, the pressure inside his body and mind increased.

He wanted to see that baby. Wanted to look and place kisses all over the child. Wanted to see what features were inherited from him.

That was why, after a whole year of running away and hiding, he gave up and turned himself in.

As was expected, the Millers had rushed right over to the police station the moment they had been notified of his surrender and had wasted no time interrogating him.

He didn’t hold back. He told them everything. Including the reason why he had turned himself in.

All that was left was hope that they’d at least attend to his last request before taking him back to Super Guantanamo.

Surprisingly, they did. That was how he ended up back at Camp Campbell, handcuffed and standing in front of the main cabin.

The door was closed, but the music from inside let them know the place wasn’t empty. Well, that and the poster glued to the door.

Apparently, according to what it said, the parents had been invited to celebrate the return of the children to the camp for another summer. Which didn’t really bode well for him. The last time he had been in the presence of those parents, they had witnessed him getting arrested.

Miller opened the door and led him inside. Everyone halted their conversation to look at him, first in surprise, then in silent judgment.

It weren’t those piercing gazes, however, that bothered him. It was the one that stared at him in a mixture of hurt and disappointment.

Oh, how he had missed David’s eyes. Those two glowing emeralds that once looked at him with admiration and passion. Even though they no longer looked at him the same way, he still found them so beautiful.

“Hello, Davey.”

He didn’t know what else he could say. He just wanted to break the silence.

There was no response. Well, not from the young counselor anyway.

“The fuck are you doing here, Campbell?” One of the campers asked, quite harshly, as he positioned himself in front of David.

Cameron immediately recognized the kid. It was the exact same boy that had confronted him that night. What was his name again? Matt?

The elder alpha took a good look at the kid. He had grown taller the past year, he noted. Still rather thin, but he knew looks were deceiving. After all, hadn’t he himself been that small and lanky back when he was the kid’s age? Now that he was older and wiser, he knew it was not in the body he should look for the threat. It was in the eyes.

And looking in that boy’s gaze… Oh man, if looks could kill.

The kid’s eyes, curiously, were green as well, yet so different from David’s. Instead of emerald, they were more of a darker shade of jade. Captivating, but certainly not as enticing as David’s. “Max…”

“Shut up, David.”

Oh that’s right, that was his name. Max. He had been close enough.

Max’s glare didn’t falter for a second, not even when David had gently called for him in the hopes of keeping him controlled. The boy took a step closer, upper arms slightly outward in order to make himself look bigger and more menacing as he pointed an accusing finger at the newcomer.

“You have some fucking nerve showing your ugly mug here, Campbell. After everything you’ve done, you still have the gall to come here?”

Oh, he knew. He knew his presence wasn’t welcomed there. He knew it from the looks he was receiving.

But he had to go through with this. For once in his life, he was going through with something.

His gaze met David’s. “Davey… Listen…”

“You didn’t answer Max’s question.” David crossed his arms.

“What-”

“Why are you here, Cameron?”

Cameron. Not Mister Campbell. Not sir. Cameron.

Hearing David use his first name made it all worse. He knew he had fucked up, but still… it was a blow to his stomach.

He didn’t deserve any compassion. He knew he didn’t. But he couldn’t just move on and not try. Just one try.

The older alpha looked at his two escorts. “Can I walk over to him?”

One of the FBI agents looked at David, refusing to give an answer before making sure it was alright with the counselor. David’s gaze never left the handcuffed man.

“You ain’t getting one step closer to him, motherfucker! I will murder you if you try!” Max took another step forward, clearly ready to defend the omega man if needed.

Cameron knew he had to be careful. Being an alpha, the kid had much a more volatile behavior, and was perfectly capable of taking him, considering he still had his wrists cuffed together.

“Max.” David’s tone was gentle and patient, hand finding its way to the boy’s shoulder and urging him to calm down. It did seem to succeed, even if only temporarily. The counselor looked back at him. “I won’t let you get any closer until you tell us why you’re here.”

Campbell sighed. For some reason, that sentence gave him some sort of comfort. David was willing to hear him.

“I’m sorry, Davey…” he started. “I’m sorry for everything… For leaving you here… pregnant and alone…For running away from it. For not being there to ease your pain and your worries.”

David remained glued to the spot, emerald colored eyes analyzing the elder’s own as he spoke.

“I know I don’t deserve any sympathy. I know what I have done is unforgiveable. And there is nothing I can do to fix it.” He had to try his best not to avert his gaze from David’s in shame. Enough of that. He wanted David to see, for once, that he wasn’t lying. “I just have one last request. Just one, before they take me in.”

He really hoped David would forgive him enough for that. His sanity depended on it.

“Will you let me see our child? Just once?”

The silence in the whole cabin was deafening. All gazes turned to David, wondering what his answer would be.

The look in David’s eyes seemed to soften a bit. But the hurt and distrust were still there.

“You want to see our daughter?”

A daughter.

He had a daughter.

“Please. Just once.” He pleaded.

“You ain’t getting shit!” Max yelled out, eyes wide open with pure fury. “You knew he was having your kid and you ran off! You left David to do all the work on his own! He had to get a second job, you fuck!” Other two kids, a brown haired boy and a blue haired girl, rushed to hold him back as he yelled at the top of his lungs. “He spent days and nights busting his ass, so that YOUR daughter had everything she needed once she was born!!! And you come here pretending to care, you low-life?! Where were you when David needed the money?! Where were you when he nearly died giving birth to YOUR kid?! WHERE?!”

Nearly died?

He looked back up at David in the hopes of receiving some hint that the boy was just over-reacting.

He received none.

Good lord…

“I’ll tell you where you were, you were travelling around, fucking up people’s lives, just as you fucked up David’s!” Max continued. “Do you know how people look at us?! How they look at him?! He’s considered an unwanted omega because of you!!!”

‘Unwanted’ was the term used for omegas that spawned children without being marked. Although the laws of society stated that no omega in that situation should be judged for that fact, the truth was people did. Out there, unwanted omegas were considered easy. Sluts.

Something that Campbell knew full well David wasn’t.

He watched as the boy panted, having lost his breath due to his furious rant. The young alpha hated him with a passion, and he couldn’t blame him.

“I know.” His gaze met David’s. “I know I fucked up and left you to clean up the mess. I know it was cowardly of me. That’s why I’m here, Davey. The guilt was too much for me to handle. I know nothing can make up for what I’ve done.” He could feel his eyes stinging. He didn’t care. He wasn’t going to hide. “But I do regret it all. And I want to try to fix it. Even if I can’t fix everything, I still want to try and fix part of it. Please, Davey.”

David didn’t answer. He just unfolded his arms, turned around and left through a door at the back. Cameron felt his heart clench in anguish. David wasn’t letting him see her. He wouldn’t get to see their daughter. Ever.

His gaze fell to the ground, and one lone tear fell down his cheek. He screwed up and was facing the consequences, he was well aware of that. But that didn’t make it any easier.

The sound of small footsteps let him know that someone was approaching him. By how light they were, it had to be one of the campers.

“You’re finished, Campbell.” He heard Max speak, this time a lot calmer than he was mere minutes before. But the venom in his tone was still palpable. “You lost your place in this family. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to provide for them in your place.” The boy’s jade-colored eyes stared at him with confidence and defiance. “Because, unlike you, sorry-ass coward, I will not turn my back on them. Ever.”

He hated to admit it, but it was true. Once that boy matured, he would take the place Cameron should have taken as the patriarch of the family. Since he had turned away from it, and since Max was the next alpha, the kid had the path unimpeded.

One of the Miller’s grabbed him by the upper arm to lead him back out of the cabin and back to the car.

“Seems like you’ve got your answer, Campbell. No more matters to attend to.”

Dejected, he let himself be led to the door. It was over. At that moment, his whole body was hurting. He suddenly felt tired, devastated.

He knew, then and there, that if the other inmates didn’t kill him, his sorrow certainly would.

The sound of a door being carefully closed, followed by a soft cry, made him halt.

“Ooh, hush hush, sweetie…”

Cameron turned around, regardless of the hold the FBI agent still had on him.

David had returned, a small bundle of cloth carefully held in his arms. The redhead was gently rocking the infant, trying to calm her down.

“I’m sorry I woke you up, honey.” He murmured tenderly. “But there’s someone here to see you.”

Campbell felt the wounds in his heart mend themselves at David’s words. He was going to see her! David was going to let him see her! The grief was suddenly replaced with hopeful joy. The colors around them suddenly became brighter and gravity seemed to ease on him, making him feel lighter.

David started walking towards him. The other parents watched, giving the bundle smiles, waves and cooing hellos. At one point, the baby even replied with a small laugh of her own.

“David, what the fuck are you doing?!” Max placed himself in front of the counselor, blocking his way.

“Language, Max.”

“You’re actually letting this piece of shit see her?!” The boy gestured towards the elder alpha, fury returning. “Why?! He doesn’t deserve it! He ran off with his tail between his legs, and now that he’s back you’re just gonna-”

When David placed his hand on Max’s head, gently brushing his dark locks, the young alpha stopped talking. The counselor was smiling at him, tender and reassuring, and in a matter of seconds the boy was calm again.

God, how did David do it? Without saying a single word? The admiration Cameron felt for him only seemed to grow by the second.

Max gave way, letting his caretaker pass, but still trailed behind, wary and protective.

David’s smile didn’t fade, not even when he focused back on the father of his child. Once he got close to Cameron, he turned a bit to the side, finally letting the elder have a good look at the infant.

Oh, what a beautiful little girl they had!

Although rather small, the baby was clearly healthy and well looked after. Her skin was the same shade as his, a healthy, slightly tanned tone, and her brown hair, although still short, was already forming a curl in front of her forehead, just like his own did.

Her little nose was small and perky, clearly inherited from David. As were her eyes.

Goodness, her eyes. Two shining emeralds, staring straight at him with curiosity, taking in his features as she saw him for the very first time.

Cameron smiled down at her.

“Hello, sweetie.”

She continued to stare at him for a moment, then her lips slowly formed a smile of their own and she let out a laugh. It made his heart swell with joy. What a wonderful little laugh his daughter has! “Would you like to hold her?”

The question made Campbell’s smile vanish in surprise. His gaze met David’s. The omega counselor seemed like he meant what he said.

“I… would love that.”

David asked the Millers if they could take Cameron’s handcuffs off. At first, there was some hesitation on the FBI agents’ part. However, they eventually gave in. Having a daughter themselves, they couldn’t find it in themselves to keep Campbell from holding his.

With a metallic click, the cuffs came right off.

“No funny business, Campbell.” Miller warned. “Be aware that one slip-up will be enough of an excuse to keep you from seeing them again.”

He nodded in understanding. Miller stepped aside and David approached him, gently placing the baby in his awaiting arms.

“Watch her head.” The redhead warned before stepping back, letting him have his moment.

“She’s so tiny…” He said upon noticing that her head fit perfectly inside his palm. “Have you-”

God, what a terrible question for a father to ask! It made his organs shrink with shame.

“Have you given her a name yet?”

David nodded. “Her name’s Flora.” Flora. What a wonderful name. He looked back down at her, smile returning.

“Hello, Flora. Hello, princess.”

Another laugh from the infant. It made him feel all giddy inside. She reached for him, and he complied, bringing her small body closer to his face. Flora’s hands instantly grabbed at his mustache, a curious look on her face. After a while, she laughed again, bringing her hands to her mouth as her feet kicked happily.

God, she took a lot after David.

Cameron pressed his lips against her temple, kissing her three times.

He loved her so much…

Two hours felt like two seconds. Deciding to go against their initial plans, the Millers let him stay for the whole party. A decision he was grateful for. The whole time he sat on one of the wooden cafeteria benches with David by his side. Needless to say, Max still refused to leave or take his eyes off the two. The little alpha boy still didn’t trust him one bit. Rather than bothering him, though, that fact only seemed to ease his concerns.

David wasn’t a completely defenseless omega, he was aware of that. The counselor was well trained and prepared to defend himself. Still, his skills would be useless against a stronger alpha. If one wanted to hurt him, or worse, their daughter, there would be little he could do.

That was why Max’s presence in David’s life relieved him. David had told him about Max’s adoption, how he became his adoptive son later on, and he could see that Max was protective of them.

It was when David went to put Flora to bed that Campbell took the chance to voice his thoughts to the younger alpha. “I know you’re not holding me very high in your consideration right now-”

“Damn straight, asshole.” Max interrupted with a glare.

“… but I hold you high in mine.”

Normally, he would have laughed at the puzzled look the boy gave him, but this time he meant what he said.

“It’s the reason why I’ll be taken to Super Guantanamo without putting a fight. Because I know you’re here with them.” He smiled down at Max. “Knowing you’re here, willing to protect Davey and Flora, puts my mind at ease.” His smile turned sad. “You’ve already done a better job today than I have done for the past year.”

Max continued to stare suspiciously at him, even taking a step back.

“I don’t know what game you’re trying to play here, but I’m not falling for it!” he let out. “You can try and get on my good graces all you want, asshole! I’m not buying it!”

This time, Cameron actually did laugh.

“I’m not trying to get on your good graces, kid.” He explained. “I just wanna say… Thank you.” The alpha man leaned back against the table. “Thank you for being there for David. And thank you for not turning your back on him.”

Max frowned. “I’m not doing it for you, motherfucker. I’m doing it for David.” “I know.” Campbell’s smile didn’t fade, not even when Miller came over and let him know it was time. By the time David came back, Cameron was back in handcuffs, ready to leave.

“I know I’m already asking too much.” He told the counselor. “But will you take her to see me?”

David nodded. “You came back, after all. Even if it’s under those circumstances.” He added, gesturing to the handcuffs.

They held each other’s gaze for a moment, pale blue staring into bright emerald. After some hesitation, Cameron brought his hands up to David’s face, cupping it in his palms. The counselor tensed a little at first, but didn’t recoil.

“I’m sorry, Davey. I really am. I’m sorry for everything that I’ve done to you.” Damn it, the tears were coming back. “I turned my back on you, and still you gave me a wonderful daughter. There are no words that can describe how ashamed I am for my actions.” He rubbed his thumbs against David’s cheeks, still keeping eye-contact with him. “I know you deserve better. I know I’m not worthy of your kindness. That’s why I couldn’t find it in myself to mark you.” He paused for a moment, wanting David to fully take in his words. “There is someone out there more deserving of you than me, and I’d rather see you happy in their arms than miserable in mine.”

David’s eyes were already starting to fill with tears as well. God, Campbell hated making David cry.

“Mr. Campbell…” He sniffed.

The alpha man brought him closer and placed a kiss on his forehead. That earned him a sad whimper from the redheaded omega.

“Time to go, Campbell.” Miller interrupted them, grabbing the convict by the upper arm so he’d hurry it up.

Nothing more was left to be said. After giving David another kiss on his forehead, Campbell let the FBI agent lead him away, out of the cabin and into their car.

He looked out the window, back at the cabin. David stood there at the door, watching him. Max stood right next to him hands in his hoodie’s front pocket, still with that glare directed at him.

The car engine started, and the vehicle moved.

The last thing he saw before being driven away was the young alpha bring one of his hands out of the pocket to hold David’s. The counselor looked down at him, eventually giving him a small, grateful smile.

Once they were out of his line of sight, Cameron sighed and leaned back on the seat. A smile of his own graced his lips and he closed his eyes.

Max had never been all that fond of Cameron Campbell. The man reeked of trouble wherever he went. The fact that he kept coming and going, along with the FBI constantly asking for his whereabouts, only made Max dislike him even more.

The man was a criminal, he was one hundred and fifty percent sure of it.

And yet David didn’t seem to see that. David adored Mr. Campbell, looked up to him, praised him. It made Max want to punch the redhead in the eye. The fucking idiot did anything the larger man (an alpha, Max later realized), wanted him to, no matter how strange it was.

God, how Max had wished David would just open his eyes one day, and see Cameron Campbell the way he saw him: a conniving con artist who cared about no one but himself.

Then, that day came.

It had been the day Campbell had tried to frame David for his crimes. The day Max had easily seen through the older alpha’s charade and foiled his plans in a matter of minutes.

The day David’s heart shattered.

Max felt stupid at not having realized it before. The excitement with which David prepared that last dumb activity proposed by ‘Samboy Kidwell’ (What was it again? Self Dummy Woodcarving? Some shit like that.) should have given him enough of a clue that he had something important to say. Something big to tell everyone.

And in the end, it was ruined before it had a chance to start.

Max had successfully foiled Cameron’s plans and saved David from being blamed for countless crimes. David had overheard Campbell’s confession, the FBI got even more proof that the guy was a piece of shit, everything turned out for the best.

At least, that’s what he had thought. Until later in the day.

It didn’t go unnoticed. David was hurt my Campbell’s actions. He was deeply hurt. The omega man did his best to hide it from the children, to be as joyful as he always was, to try and make everyone excited about the camptivities.

And concerning the other kids, it did work. But Max? He was sharper than that. He could see through is mask. And by dinner time, it had even started to break.

Whatever David had meant to tell Cameron, he needed to tell someone else about it. He had been ready to tell it, and now it was tearing him apart.

So when the counselor pulled Gwen over and lead her to his cabin while the campers ate dinner, Max knew he had to follow. He had to know. Whether David wanted him to or not.

He had sneaked out of the cafeteria room and made his way over to David’s cabin, making sure not to be spotted. He had pressed his ear against the door, wanting in on the dirt.

David was crying. Not that usual whiny crying of his, it was different. It was desperate. Hopeless. Miserable.

Gwen was there by his side, comforting him the best way she could. Max had barely managed to listen to what they were saying, but he had caught enough of the conversation to fully realize what was making the redheaded counselor so upset.

David was pregnant. He was carrying Campbell’s child.

Max had let out a loud curse before running away from the cabin, heading straight to the pier to have some alone time.

It had infuriated him. Just the previous month, his parents had sent the counselor their consent for him becoming Max’s guardian. Which, after also getting Max’s consent, David had accepted.

But that? That changed everything!

David wouldn’t be able to look after both him and the baby alone! It was more than certain he’d have to make a choice, and Max knew David would never get rid of that baby, regardless of who the father was. The omega would never forgive himself if he even as much as thought such a thing.

The only other option, the one Max knew David would certainly pick, was for him to be given up. To be abandoned again. Just like his parents did before, David was sure to turn his back on him now.

He had been sure that was what was going to happen. Absolutely sure.

So when David had come out of nowhere and had pulled him into a hug, he had been too surprised to be able to react the way he usually did, with screaming and insults and kicking.

The tears were still fresh in on David’s cheeks as he had whispered to him lovingly. “I’m not going to abandon you, Max. I’ll find a way. I’ll work it out. I promise.”

Max didn’t know why he had cried. Why he returned the hug. Why everything seemed to make him so scared.

But David’s words, for some reason he couldn’t fathom, gave him hope. Made him believe that everything would be alright. David would work it out. He always did.

That was how Max had ended up in David’s bed, head gently pressed against the counselor’s still flat belly as the young man slept. Max, however, couldn’t bring himself to fall asleep, a thousand thoughts racing through his mind as he felt David’s warmth against him.

At first, he had felt jealousy towards the lifeform growing within his guardian. After all, that would be David’s biological child. Something Max wasn’t. That baby would be more important to David. Closer to him than Max could ever be.

Now, though, as he mused over it in the dark, his thoughts differed. He and that baby, he just started to realize, were more alike than he had at first thought. Just like him, that child has a father that will never care about them. That will never be there when needed. Also, they’ll both have David. Biological child or not, David will give them both all the unconditional love a parent can give. The omega wouldn’t leave any of them behind, Max was no longer doubting that.

They would be a happy family. No matter what got in their way.

His thoughts were interrupted by the slow creaking of a door. He remained still, frozen in place. Someone was walking in the cabin, but he wasn’t sure who. Gwen, maybe? Perhaps she came to check in on David? After all, omega pregnancies were complicated. She had good reasons to be worried.

A dark figure approached. Tall and bulky, it loomed over them like a predator eyeing a prey. Max looked up at the intruder, and instantly his fear was replaced by anger. His alpha instincts kicked in, and he positioned himself over David’s belly, staring the intruder right in the eyes, daring and threatening.

“Get. Out.” He whispered harshly at the much bigger male.

Cameron Campbell stared him down, hunting knife still firmly held in his hand, ready to strike any second. Max was aware of the dangers of facing a much bigger alpha than him, let alone armed. But he couldn’t just lie there and do nothing.

He had to protect David and the baby.

Campbell didn’t seem bothered by Max’s warning, slowly hunching over then, eyes fixed on David as his grip on the knife grew firm.

Then, he froze. His nostrils dilated as a new scent invaded them, a scent Max had grown used to due to being around the young counselor for so long. The mixture of pine, wet dirt and a sweet, oh so very sweet, new smell was for the first time being sensed by the man.

Blue eyes widened, their gaze landing on the sleeping omega’s abdomen, still under the protection of Max’s body. Could it be? Was it…?

“Is… Is that…?”

Max’s eyes narrowed into thin slits, menacing.

“Out.” He whispered again, making sure not to wake David up. The last thing his guardian needed was to have a scare in the middle of the night.

Campbell looked to the side, noticing something in the corner of the room, illuminated by the moonlight. It was the mannequin David had done of himself, for the camptivity picked by ‘Samboy’. It stood there, still with the exact broad smile David always wore, holding something in its wooden arms. A bundle, made of straw.

The knife fell to the ground.

Blue eyes were wide with realization as the older alpha took a step back. He had almost killed a pregnant omega. And with his child, no less. An attempt highly punishable by law. If he got caught, he’d spend the rest of his life in prison, only because he intended to kill David. All his other crimes combined wouldn’t give him as much of a hard sentence as that little attempt.

Max’s gaze followed the man’s every move, eyes barely blinking as he stared him down. He gave zero fucks about Cameron being the father. If he laid one finger on David or the baby, Max wouldn’t rest until he had the man’s head embalmed and placed over the fireplace.

But, he soon found out, he didn’t need to worry. For with one last, fearful glance at David, Cameron ran out the door. Away from there. Away from David. Away from his responsibilities. Like the coward he was.

The adrenaline rush dropped, and the tension in Max’s body decreased. Careful not to wake David, the young boy got off of him, retreating back to his initial position, with his head gently pressed against the counselor’s belly as he started to calm down.

At that moment, all he felt for Cameron Campbell was hatred. Hatred for what he had done – plus what he had tried to do - to David. And the fact that he ran from it all.

Max knew then, as he lied there beside David, with his forehead against the omega man’s abdomen, that he would have to take the lead. He was an alpha after all. And with Campbell running off, he was the next alpha in their little ‘family’.

And he was more than determined to do his job as an alpha: to protect his family. To protect David and his child.

A lot had happened after that one night. In just one month, everything changed for Max. It had all been so sudden and unexpected, like a freaking punch to the face. He never saw it coming.

When Gwen had told him to head to David’s cabin after lunch, for the main counselor had something to discuss with him, Max knew something was up. At first, he thought it had something to do with him managing to flood the entire cafeteria. It was a result that, he had to admit, made him proud. It took him, Neil and Nikki days of planning to get the water from the lake to flow into the cafeteria. Hard work that paid off in the end.

He was sure that was it, until he saw the sympathetic look in Gwen’s eyes. Then he knew it was something far more serious.

So, for once, he had done exactly as he was told, without as much as a crude remark.

He didn’t really know what to expect. It had already been two weeks since he had gone to David for… some nurture. If David wanted to talk about it, he wouldn’t wait for two whole weeks. A couple days, maximum, but not two weeks. So surely it wasn’t about that.

Right?

We reached the counselor’s cabin. He didn’t bother knocking, simply kicking the door open like he usually does. Once in, he was fully prepared to see David, to receive whatever scolding he was about to get.

What he wasn’t prepared for was the sorrowful look the counselor sent him as he walked in. Even though David sent him the most cheerful smile he could muster, it was clear in his emerald eyes that something was wrong.

“Hey, Max.”

Max’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. What was that idiot hiding?

“I just… needed to talk to you… about that night.”

Huh. So he did wait for two whole weeks to want to talk about it.

Max never told anyone, and knowing David, he was sure the omega didn’t either. David was the kind of person that would do anything to keep others from getting embarrassed. And Max’s moment of weakness during that night did embarrass him. A lot. He knew the counselor wouldn’t judge him, especially after the whole Parent’s Day incident. But would the other campers be as understanding as he was? No, not in the slightest.

“Can you sit here, please?” David asked, gesturing to the chair in front of him.

Max could feel his stomach tighten. Something about David’s behavior told him he was not going to like what the counselor had to tell him. He was too serious, too apprehensive, … too sad.

“Alright, David, spit it out.” The small camper ordered as he sat on the chair. “What’s eating you?”

David pressed his lips together, clearly trying to think of the best way to voice his thoughts. He looked down at a bunch of papers he held in his hands, over his lap. They probably had something to do with it, he could tell. What could they be, exactly? Why did those papers seem to make David so upset?

“I just… I’ll start by saying…” David’s emerald colored eyes gazed back at him, sad and apologetic. “I’m sorry, Max.”

The dark-skinned boy frowned at that. Whatever it was, it wasn’t good. David did something, he was sure of it. Otherwise he wouldn’t be apologizing.

“A-after that night, I felt… conflicted.” David continued, gaze going back to the papers. “I… I sent your parents a letter about it… a couple of days after.”

“WHAT THE FUCK, DAVID?!” Max yelled out, enraged. What in the name of fucking hell was that idiot thinking? Telling his parents? His goddamn parents?! “The fuck is wrong with you?!”

David looked at him again. Still that sad, apologetic gaze. He didn’t even bother scolding Max for his language. He just stared, silent.

“You sent a letter to my parents, telling them I came to you one night and you breastfed me?! Do you know how messed up that sounds?!” The boy then looked down at the papers David still held in his hands. “And what the fuck are those?!”

“It’s…” David swallowed a lump in his throat, face red and eyes already filling with tears. “… It’s their response.”

Shit. Big, fat, stinking pile of shit!

Max jumped from his chair, not even giving David any time to react before ripping the papers right out of his hands. He could already imagine why their answer was making David so upset. The fuckers were probably already hiring a lawyer to sue his sorry ass, using their son to get money out of the counselor’s pockets. He didn’t need this shit! They were sick fucks, but that was-

He looked at the papers and froze.

Their answer wasn’t a lawsuit. It was a guardianship form, already signed by both his parents, consenting to David becoming his legal guardian.

That was it. No letter, nothing else. Just the parents’ consent papers.

Everything was ready. They had even signed it in front of a notary. They had gone through with it all.

“Max… I’m so sorry…” He looked back up at David, who already had tears flowing down his cheeks. “I-if I knew… that would be their answer… I wouldn’t have-”

“Son of a bitch.” Max could already feel his own eyes watering as he glared at David. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done?”

“Max-” David was reaching for him, but he took a step back.

“Don’t you fucking touch me!” He yelled out, making David flinch and withdraw.

“I’m really sorry-”

“Just when I thought I could trust you, you do this shit?!”

“Ma-”

“I bet you planned it all, didn’t you?! You asked them if you could keep me and they agreed, wasn’t it?!”

“No… I…”

“Shut up, David, just shut the hell up!” Max didn’t want to hear what David had to say. Nothing excused this. Nothing.

His parents were abandoning him. They were actually abandoning him. They only saw David once, for 5 whole minutes, when they came to drop their son at camp. They know nothing about the guy. And yet, they didn’t hesitate in giving him legal guardianship over Max.

Fuckers.

“I HATE THIS! I HATE THEM!” He glared at David, staring at him straight in the eyes. “I HATE YOU!”

He never saw it coming. He had no idea David could move with such speed. He didn’t even have time to react. All he saw was a flash of green and red, jumping out at him. Then came the feel of warm arms around his neck, pulling him into a hug.

He wanted to scream more. He wanted to kick David until he became a bloody mess on the ground. He wanted to hurt him so badly!

Yet, his body didn’t respond. He stood there, being hugged by the man he yelled at, the man who he was putting the blame on for it, even though deep down he knew David had no such intentions.

“I messed up.” He heard the man say next to his ear. “I didn’t mean for this to happen. I thought that… that I could help you. That your parents would know how I could help you… I never thought…” The hug became tighter. “I’m so, so sorry, Max.”

Max could feel the tears running down his cheeks now, feeling both enraged and so, so very sad.

His parents didn’t want him. They left him. They handed him over to this man they basically didn’t know. They just wanted him out of their lives.

It hurt. It hurt so much.

David broke the hug. He placed his hands on the boy’s cheeks, wiping away the tears with his thumbs.

“I didn’t want to make you upset.” He said gently. “And… I’m not going to lie to you. I would love to become your guardian. Nothing would give me greater joy than to look after you, and keep you safe and happy. Because you deserve that happiness, Max. You deserve to be happy.”

Max’s whole body was already convulsing with sobs. David’s words only seemed to make him even more miserable. If he deserved to be happy, then why was that happening? Why was he being abandoned?

He was a bad kid. And bad kids didn’t deserve happiness.

“Max, look at me.” He heard David ask, and forced himself to lift his gaze from to the floor and into the counselor’s bright green eyes. David was trying to give him a reassuring smile, even though his cheeks still had dried tear trail over them. “You’re not alone. Okay? I am here for you. I just… I didn’t want to sign the papers without your consent first.”

Upon receiving a puzzled look from Max, David rubbed the child’s upper arms in the hopes it would comfort him.

“You should have a say in it too. It’s not fair to make this decision without you. I just want you to know this: I am not giving up on you. And whatever you decide, I will always be there for you.”

Max sniffed and looked back down at the papers. They had both his parents’ signatures. His mother’s neat one. His dad’s messy one. It was all set. All that was left was for David to sign a few more forms, and it would be done. He’d be Max’s guardian.

“I’ll give you some time to-”

“Yes.”

David was confused by the boy’s response. Was he agreeing to being given some time to think about it, or was he…

“What?”

Max wiped his tears with the back of his hand, then stared David straight in the eyes. “Sign the papers, David. You have my consent to be my guardian.”

The redhead seemed surprised, unsure. “Don’t you want some time to-”

“For fuck’s sake, David!” Max let out, already tired of the conversation. “You’re the only person that can actually put up with me! You’re the only guy who believes in me, who listens to me! What makes you think I need time for?! Just sign the goddamn papers!” Max thrust the paperwork against David’s chest as he yelled that last sentence.

A small, sympathetic smile formed on David’s lips. “Okay, Max.” he said before pulling the boy in for another hug. And this time, Max returned it. “As long as you’re happy.”

He would be. He was sure of it. Under David’s care, he knew he would be. It would be a change for the better.

Little did he know that wasn’t going to be the only change in his life.

When David turned on the TV, he immediately cringed as swear words echoed in the room. The image of two women in their early twenties, screaming at each other and clearly ready to go at each other’s throats appeared on the screen, and he rushed to change the channel.

He really didn’t understand why Gwen enjoyed those shows so much. A group of alphas stuck inside a house, always angry and trying to hurt each other. He never understood what’s so fascinating about that. To him, it even felt kind of wrong.

He had a discussion about that with Gwen once. She had told him it was because he was an omega that he felt that way.

Well, he couldn’t say she was wrong… Alphas are dominating and competitive. Omegas are submissive and caring. So of course that Gwen, being an alpha, enjoyed watching shows that involved competition and roughhousing.

David was much fonder of nature related programs. Which was what he chose to watch at the moment. A documentary on elephants had just started, so he leaned back and watched in silence. After a long day of counseling the children, he had to admit that it felt good to finally be able to relax.

The show had just started on the behaviors of females around their calves, when a loud slam made David jump.

“AH!” He looked over at the door, expecting to see Gwen. She did have that bad habit of walking in the room and kick the door shut behind her. However, he was instead surprised by the presence of one of his little campers. At first, he couldn’t really tell who it was, but once the newcomer approached him, stepping into the light of the TV, he finally recognized them. “M-Max!!” He let out a bit louder than he had intended, heart still beating fast due to the scare.

The boy seemed unfazed by David’s outburst, still walking over to him, face unreadable. The little troublemaker stomped over to the counselor. David noticed that he was avoiding making eye contact, staring straight ahead rather than look him in the eye. Because of that, the first scenario that ran through the redhead’s mind was that the boy probably had a nightmare.

Max started climbing up to David’s lap, grumbling lowly in the process. David didn’t quite understand what about. Something on the lines of ‘stupid, prepubescent legs’?

“I-Is everything alright…?” David asked as he brought a hand up to stroke Max’s head. He already knew it was a gesture that would make the boy more at ease, that showed him David was listening.

Once he finally managed to sit on David’s left leg, Max sat still for a moment, brows furrowed and still refusing to make eye contact. David didn’t pressure him. If Max needed time to speak out, then he’d give him all the time in the world. Besides, by Max’s behavior, he could tell the issue was serious. The last thing Max needed was to be rushed into telling him what was wrong.

A small hand held onto the edge of David’s leather vest, slightly pushing the piece of cloth further out. Max finally looked up, still with that look David couldn’t decipher.

“You’re an omega, aren’t you…?”

Max’s question seemed to imply that that fact itself should provide the answer. As if it made the young alpha’s presence there pretty obvious.

David couldn’t help the flush that appeared on his cheeks. That had always been a bit of a sensitive subject to him.

“Y-yes, but-”

“Shut up, David.”

Before the counselor could react, the hand that had been holding onto his vest slid down to the hem of his green shirt and pulled it all the way up, exposing the left side of his chest. Green eyes widened as Max then scooted closer, enveloping David’s nipple with his mouth.

“Max, y-you can’t-” Max took a long suck, and David felt something warm being extracted out his teat. “O-oh, good God…”

Max ignored his weak protests, simply letting go of his shirt to wrap his small arm around him, bringing them closer as he continued to imbibe. Contrary to Max’s biological mother’s, David’s milk was warm, creamy and sweet, and he found himself closing his eyes in delight as he took the treat.

“M-mnnh…” Though still disconcerted with the whole situation, David instinctively brought his hands to Max’s back, gently holding him in place as he suckled.

He shouldn’t be allowing this. Max wasn’t his child, nor had David adopted him. If the young alpha’s parents found out about it, David was sure he’d be in a lot of trouble. The wrong image could be passed. They would accuse him of trying to steal their child, or be taking advantage of him.

His thoughts paused when the memory of Parent’s Day came to his mind.

Max had seemed pretty sure when he said his parents didn’t care. Was that really true? Would his parents even care if Max was coming to him for nurture?

“Nnghhnnh…” An almost inaudible whine escaped David’s throat, feeling his heart clench as another thought came to him. Was milk really the only thing Max was hungry for?

After all that had happened, after everything he and Gwen had found out about, David couldn’t really be sure of that. Perhaps what Max was pursuing was the bond they’d get from the nursing. The display of love and care that came from the act.

The redheaded omega took a deep breath, then let out a sigh, surrendered. He couldn’t bring himself to interrupt Max. The poor young alpha was in dire need of some love and affection, and who was David to deny him that?

He looked down at the boy, still suckling on his nipple greedily.