sometimes David just liked to lay awake in bed with his boyfriend curled against his side, snoring. he looked down at the younger man, whose face was buried in his side. he smiled a little, running his fingers gently through the curly hair. Max shifted, curling up more and clenching his fists in David's shirt. David held him gently, careful of his lovers bruises.

"its alright Max." he soothed gently. "its alright. they're gone." David assured.

he knew his boyfriend was probably having a nightmare about his parents. Max's 22nd birthday had been three days ago and it had been horrible. he'd planned a fun day with his birthday boy, but they'd ruined it. they'd burst into the two's apartment while David was getting dressed from his shower. Max's terrified and painfilled scream still lingered in his mind. he just remembered Max screaming for him to come help and he grabbed the younger mans pistol from the nightstand. he'd run downstairs screaming profanities and waving the gun, only to find Max's father beating the man. David had seen red and tackled him, beating him in the face with the butt of the pistol while Max scrambled off the floor and coward in a corner. David could still see the blood all over Max's face and the terrified look he'd given him, screaming for him to look out as his mother swung a lamp at him. Max's father had laid motionless on the floor but David forgot all about Max's mother. David hadn't even hesitated a single moment, but he'd flinched when the loud BANG! rang through the house. Max screamed, David screamed, his mother had screamed. there was blood everywhere. Max was screaming at the top of his lungs for David to stop being an idiot and to drop the gun, but David could barely hear him over the ringing in his ears.

David shivered slightly and held tighter to Max. both men had made it out bloody and bruised, but Max's parents never stood a chance against David. Max's father had been rushed to the hospital, along with David and Max, but his mother had died on the scene. the younger in his arms whimpered quietly.

"D-David?" Max mumbled.

"it's alright Max." David assured.

"stop squeezing so hard idiot." Max hissed. David loosened his grip immediately.

"sorry. are you alright?" David ask.

"no. m'tired but..." Max trailed.

"I know Max. would it be better if I turned on the tv?" David ask. Max shrugged a little so David turned the tv on and let it play quietly. "Max I'm sorry-" David started.

"did you have to shoot her?" Max ask softly. David flinched slightly.

"no... I'm sorry... I panicked. your safety was more important at that moment than her life... and I'm sorry." David said quietly. Max curled up silently and after a moment, David heard him sniffle. his heart clenched and throbbed in pity and guilt.

"when I was a kid she used to sneak me candy and ice packs when dad wasn't paying attention... he brainwashed her. she used to be a good mom.... he should've died.... not her." Max said.

"Max, I'm sorry. I just wanted to protect you." David sighed.

"I know, I want to thank you." Max said.

"wh-what?" David ask shocked.

"you saved me... and I guess you kinda saved her too." Max said. David squeezed him gently.

"get some rest Max, the more sleep you get the better you'll feel." David said. Max's arms tightened around his waist.

"way aren't you sleeping?" Max huffed. David looked at the tv.

"because if I try, all I can see is you getting beat into the floor, screaming for me to help... then boom... your mothers dead lying right in front of me and... I'm pointing the gun at those cops and you're screaming at me to stop." David sighed softly. Max shifted uncomfortably.

"and you're scared or something?" Max muttered.

"yeah... scared I could've shot you and not realized it." David said. Max paused and looked up at him, confused.

"so you're not upset you killed someone and put another in critical condition?" Max ask.

"it's upsetting, but I did it to save you." David said. Max nuzzled up under his chin. David held back a hiss of pain when the younger hit a bruise on his chin. he shifted and kissed Max's head. it was rare moments like this he got to see the real Max, the Max he fell in love with, not the Max who cursed and screamed and hated everything.

"David." Max said.

"yeah Max?" David ask.

"thank you. a lot. thank you. I've... I've never been able to depend on anyone but myself." Max murmured. David smiled slightly and squeezed him gently.

"you can always depend on me Max. I'll always do whatever it takes to protect you." David murmured. "go back to sleep Max. I'll be here." David added. Max nodded his eye's slowly fluttering shut.

"you too." Max mumbled. David smiled slightly.

"I will. as soon as I make sure you're okay." David assured, rubbing his back gently. Max mumbled tiredly and David chuckled softly, trying not to disturb the man. Max snored quietly, curling up more. David smiled slightly, making sure the mans most prized possession, Mr.Honeynuts, was still safely secured in his arms. "I love you Max. I'd shoot whoever it took, say whatever I had to, do anything you need, just to keep you safe." David murmured. he held Max gently and quietly watched the tv. his phone went off beside the bed and David picked it up, answering it. "hello?" David ask.

"David, it's Gwen." Gwen said.

"whats up Gwen, is this important? I finally got Max to sleep." David said.

"he's out." Gwen said.

"yeah he's asleep." David said.

"no, idiot, Max's dad. he's out." Gwen said.

"what do you mean Gwen? I broke his nose and the bones around his left eye. his jaw is wired shut. he can't be out." David hissed quietly. Max shifted, arms tightening around David. "shhhh it's alright Max." David soothed gently. the man stilled and snored quietly. "he can't be out." David whispered.

"well he is." Gwen said. "he's got to have help David. you and Max aren't safe, I'm on my way to your hotel right now." Gwen added.

"no Gwen, thats dangerous." David said quietly.

"too bad. grab the little shit and come on. I'm three minutes away." Gwen said.

"he's asleep Gwen." David said.

"then carry him. I've seen you do it before. come on David." Gwen hissed. David sighed and shifted.

"fine." David muttered, carefully getting up. Max shifted and looked up at him.

"David?" Max mumbled, watching him tiredly.

"Gwen wants us to stay at her house instead." David said grabbing the few items they'd brought with them and throwing them in their suit cases.

"you're going to lie to him?" Gwen ask.

"shut up Gwen." David muttered. Max slowly sat up. "just lay back down Max I'll carry you to the car." David said, running his hand through Max's hair gently. Max blinked at him and nodded slightly, curling back up around Mr.Honeynuts.

"m'kay. don't drop me." Max muttered.

"wouldn't dream of it Max." David said, crouching in front of the bed to rub his cheek.

"don't touch." Max said, glaring at him tiredly. David chuckled softly and stood grabbing their bags.

"you here?" David ask.

"yeah pulling up now." Gwen said.

"heading down." David said. he made sure he had everything, then scooped Max, and Mr.Honeynuts up. the darker man shifted, nuzzling his face into David's neck. his emerald eye's fluttered opened tiredly, but he wrapped his arms around David's neck and closed them again. "don't worry, I won't drop you Max." David assured. Max mumbled as David carried him.

"don' drop him." Max mumbled.

"shhh. Mr.Honeynuts is safely tucked beside you. it's alright." David assured gently. Max mumbled again. "shhhh." David soothed. he kissed the mans head, making sure his jacket was tucked around the smaller. he didn't want Max getting cold. he ran over to Gwens car and laid him gently in the back seat, buckling him up and jumping in the front seat. "go." David said. he looked in the back and watched Max curl up with his most prized possession. Gwen took off, but was careful not to disturb the sleeping man in the back. David adjusted his jacket around Max, it was cold outside and the set was probably cold.

"I can turn the heat up if you want." Gwen said. David shook his head. he was cold, but he was angry and anger made his body heat up.

"I'm fine." David assured. Gwen nodded, Davids concern was Max. "I need you to stop by our house." David said. Gwen looked confused, looking back at Max to make sure he was asleep.

"did you need something?" Gwen ask. David made a gun with his fingers, stared Gwen dead in the eye's, and replied.

"I didn't bring enough clothes." David said. Gwen swallowed and nodded, driving them to their house. David got out and headed inside. Max shifted in the back seat.

"Gwen?" Max mumbled. Gwen looked at him, watching him sit up.

"hey kid." Gwen said. Max shot her a dirty look.

"what are we doing here?" Max ask.

"David needed some more clothes." Gwen said.

"yeah he bled through some and figured it was just easier to throw them out." Max mumbled, buckling up and rubbing his eye's. Mr.Honeynuts sat beside him, no seat belt. David returned to the car with a bag of clothes in his hand. he smiled at Max.

"done sleeping?" David ask. he shrugged slightly, holding Mr.Honeynuts.

"I guess." Max muttered. he still looked tired. David pushed his stuff into the floor boards and carefully climbed into the back seat. Gwen stayed quiet, knowing better than to say something about Max. David wrapped his arms around the other man, who leaned into him tiredly, and held him silently. Max rubbed on of his eye's and cuddled David, ignoring the fact Mr.Honeynuts was squished between them. Gwen suddenly grew tense.

"Gwen? whats wrong?" David ask.

"we're being followed." Gwen frowned. "since we left your house, this little black Nissan has been following us." Gwen added. Max stiffened in Davids arms, fingernails suddenly digging into his lovers skin.

"Max?" David ask. Max's eyes were wide and terrified.

"my dad drives a black Nissan..." Max said. David tightened his hold on Max, gently holding the smaller mans face into his chest protectively.

"can you lose it?" David ask, gently rubbing Max's arm. the younger man was terrified and David didn't blame him. David would do whatever it took to protect Max and Gwen, even if it cost his life.

"I can try. you guys have your seatbelts on right?" Gwen ask.

"yeah." David said. Gwen nodded and sped up. Max held tighter to David as Gwen did whatever she could, trying to shake the car behind them. David kissed his head gently, holding him tightly. "it's alright Max." David soothed gently. Gwen didn't seem to agree. David pulled Max down to hide them in the floorboards, even though he knew they needed their seatbelts, this would be better for them. Max's dad had never met Gwen and as far as they all knew, he'd only seen her with David. maybe he didn't know Max was in the backseat.

"YOU'RE GONNA FUCKING KILL SOMEONE! LEARN TO FUCKING DRIVE!" Gwen shouted, swerving out of the way as a car came flying past them. Max curled up, clinging to David. David pulled his jacket over Max, giving him his bear.

"don't move Max. just cover yourself with the jacket and stay down." David said. Max whined slightly, but nodded. David climbed up into the passenger seat. he dug through his items and pulled out his gun, looking over at Gwen. she seemed nervous.

"how good are you with that things?" Gwen ask. David swallowed nervously.

"w-well.... I can sort of hit my target, just not where I want." David muttered. he saw Max peek out to see what they were talking about, out of the corner of his eye, but made sure Max didn't notice him. "I aimed for her stomach and got her in the head." David said. Gwen winced slightly, but nodded.

"see if you can get his tires." Gwen said. David nodded slightly, rolling the window down. the car was speeding up beside them and David swallowed hard. he could hear Max's breath hitch and narrowed his eye's.

keep Max safe.

that was all he could think. he took the safety off and took aim, meeting Max's fathers eye. the man growled and sped up as David fired twice. he flinched at Max's small cry of surprise, or maybe it was fear. the car spun out of control with a squeal of the two tires David couldn't shoot.

"got it." David said, putting the gun away quickly. "go quickly." David added. Gwen nodded speeding off. David put the safety back on and climbed back into the backseat with Max. "Max?" David ask, pulling him back up into the seat. Max flinched against his hold, before curling into him. "I shot his tires Max. he's not on us anymore." David assured.

"you sure?" Max ask, fingernails digging into David's arms.

"yeah. it's alright." David assured. "it's alright." he murmurs gently, kissing the mans head.

"we need to ditch the car and get back to my place." Gwen said. David nodded at her and held Max, who cuddled into his warmth anxiously. the older man, kissed his head and rubbed his back gently.

"it's alright Max." David soothed, kissing the top of Max's head, while the younger nuzzled into his chest. David gently lifted his face placing a gentle kiss on his lips, rubbing his thumb gently over Max's cheek with a soft smile. Max shot him his usual dirty look, but cuddled closer, clearly grateful. the car came to a stop and David looked up. "what are we doing?" David ask.

"ditching the car so he doesn't find us." Gwen said. "we're like six or seven miles from my house." Gwen said. "I don't wanna trade cars with any friends and risk them getting hurt." Gwen added.

"alright." David said, grabbing his and Max's stuff. they all got out and Max winced slightly, holding Mr.Honeynuts. David gave him a worried look, but the darker skinned man stretched a little and started following Gwen. David followed behind, gun clutched in one hand, their suit cases being pulled across the ground with his other.

"do you want me to-" Max started.

"I got them Max." David assured. Max frowned slightly.

"I'm not useless I can carry a suitcase." Max huffed.

"no you're not useless, but if he some how manages to catch up with us, it's easier for you to grab Gwen and get both of you to safety if I'm carrying this stuff." David said. Max got quiet immediately. David could have said it a lot nicer or simply said he wanted to carry it, but it was better to tell Max the truth, even if it was upsetting.

the miles and suitcases were taking a toll on Davids aching body. his injuries were already sore and he was pretty sure one of the straps on his shoulder was making his injury bleed again. he kept glancing at Max, who had never been much for hiking, the man looked exhausted. David could hike this three times over without difficulty, usually without his injuries, and frowned. Gwen could make the hike almost as easily as David, but she had never been a hiking fan. if he did this the right way, he could pass Gwen his own suitcase, which was lighter than Max's, and carry the man without dragging anyone down. well, without hurting anyone but himself. he walked over and quietly muttered to Gwen what he was doing. she nodded and took his rolling suitcase. David shifted Max's suitcase to his other shoulder and walked over to Max.

"come here Max." David said. Max looked at him confused, but walked over to him. before he could say anything David had gotten Max up on his back and continued walking.

"hey! what are you doing?! put me down you're going to hurt yourself!" Max hissed, squirming.

"I won't hurt myself if you sit still and stop squirming." David replied. Max growled lowly and held onto him, careful of his injuries. "besides it's only like two miles." David shrugged. it was more like three and a half, but he wouldn't say anything. he carried Max to Gwens house, body aching and burning, but his determination to keep Max safe was more than over powering. Max kept trying to get him to put him down, but David refused until he stepped through the front door of Gwens house. he bit back a wince, putting Max on the floor gently.

"you idiot." Max hissed, shoving things from David's grip and dragging him down the hall, where he knew the bathroom was. Gwen was confused, until she saw the blood trail following them down the hall. it had only started once David put Max down. Gwen closed the door and locked up the house tightly, before cleaning up the floor.

"you guys know where the guest room is." Gwen said, heading for her room. she needed a shower.

"thanks Gwen." David called. he hissed as Max peeled off his shirt and quickly patched him up.

"idiot. the doctor told you to be careful." Max hissed.

"I'm fine." David assured. Max rolled his eye's and pushed him towards the guest room. he grabbed their things and threw them in the room before collapsing beside David. the red head was already out cold and Max sighed slightly, smiling and tucking him in, before cuddling against his side. David would keep him safe, he was his own personal hero.