#danmax

Max sits in the chair, creeped out and a little scared as to why David is acting so off and...menacing. Besides the alien theory, he thinks everything he’s done to David finally made him snap

Daniel reaches toward Max and clasps his hand over the boys narrow shoulder with a tight grip. Max winces, obviously uneasy

Daniel asks Max if he hates him, which takes Max by surprise, his mouth hanging, not knowing how to respond without becoming an extension to the bodysnatcher hivemind

Daniel raises his other hand bringing his thumb to rest on the corner of the camper’s mouth, his brows furrowing and mouth nothing more than a slight frown. Max’s eyes went from David’s hand to his face. He looked..resentful? Max had never seen that look from David before

Clearing his throat, Max breaks the never-ending eye contact burning down on him. He starts apologizing when Daniel’s grip turns painful as the small boy’s feet leave the ground. Being shoved onto the cot at the far end of the tent, Max glares daggers at the man settling on top of him, ready to let loose a string of curses only he could spout off at a moments notice

The hand not holding him down by the arm covers his mouth. Daniel revels in the hot breath against his hand as Max’s nostrils flare and eyes go wide. He considered taking his time--which is how the best revenge unfolds--but the ice cream social wont buy him much time. 

Daniel resisted Max’s struggles with little effort, pulling down the boys shorts as his muffled yells for help filled the hot air.

---

David knew it took too long to untie the rope binding him against the chair-he had 14 knot-related badges under his sash, afterall-but what unfurled on the screen sent him into a state of shock. Despite being alone, he felt like Daniel was prying his eyes open-refusing to let him look away-but in actually-he was still on the other side of the tv monitor doing whatever he pleased with Max, all while taking glances at the camera when the boy’s eyes were shut by tears.

When he regained an ounce of composure, his body felt sick. He lurched, dry heaving until his insides burned their way up his throat. Tears fell freely as his nimble fingers continued to struggle with the simple fisherman’s knot. He wanted nothing more than to save Max, but even keeping his eyes shut, the sounds coming from his favorite camper threatened to send him back into a state of immobility. What hurt the most was knowing some of the sounds were his name, drowned in fear and pain.

David felt no relief when he freed himself, stumbling out of the chair and making his way toward the tent on shaking knees. 

---

David unzips the tent and is hit with the disgusting reek of musk and cedar. Glancing into the darkness, Daniel is nowhere to be found. The only other soul in the tent is Max, curled up in the fetal position facing the wall of the tent, his back to David. Taking a few steps forward, it’s obvious that the kid is shivering, shaking violently with his arms squeezing tight around his small frame.

Another step and Max freezes, causing the tent to still into bitter silence. David considers calling out to him, but decides against it. Daniel mimicked his voice perfectly, that’s probably the last thing he wants to hear right now. With no words shared between the two, David takes a small blanket tossed to the side and gently wraps Max into it, careful of his exposed lower half and white-stained sweater.

David didn’t want to touch him at all, especially since the physical contact started the shaking again-Max’s shaking? His shaking?- David’s struggles to steady his hands as he lifts Max up, blanket covering everything but his face as he’s nearly swaddled in the soft fabric. David holds him against his chest so Max wouldn’t have to see his face as he’s carried out the tent and far away from the camp. Somewhere where the campers wont see. Somewhere where he doesnt have to cry so silently. Somewhere he’ll be safe.

He wouldn’t utter a word as he crept past the Camp Campbell facilities and to his car.