Blood – Chapter 6

By MyNameIsCAL

-Fang's POV-

We were going home.

Mark had done a lot of damage to Iggy's hand. We healed fast, but until then, it was hurting him. Mark basically broke everything in Iggy's right hand and then impaled it with a piece of glass. They had to put Iggy's hand in a cast to make sure all the bones would set properly when they healed. Then they put his arm in a sling to stop him from moving it too much. And Iggy was pissed.

"Iggy, I'm sorry." Ella approached him.

"No, I don't want to hear it, Ella." Iggy yanked the front door open. "You apologize to Fang and you apologize to Max. He won't even talk to her. He's been waiting all his life to be with Max, to marry her, and you ruined it. You fucking ruined it, Ella."

Then he exited. I followed him out.

He turned to me. "And please, Fang. Fucking talk to Max in the car. You know Mark is wrong and you know every single one of us is behind you. Damnit, Fang."

I blinked at him.

Iggy grabbed me by the shoulder with his good hand. "She loves you as much as you love her. She doesn't give a damn if she has to take care of you, alright? She'll do it because she loves you, not because she feels guilty."

Max pulled up in front of us. I guided Iggy into the backseat and then sat in the front with Max.

"I'm…s-s-sorry, M-Max…" I clenched my teeth wishing I could control the stutter.

She reached over and squeezed my hand. "It's ok, Fang."

Gazzy came to visit the next day. Damage control, Max had told me. Iggy was still fuming, and now that he couldn't cook, we needed someone who could take orders from him.

I sat in the kitchen with Gazzy and Iggy. They were talking about Ella. Or rather, Gazzy was trying to tell Iggy that she wasn't worth being upset over. I sat stirring my coffee, wishing I could offer some words to Iggy.

"Iggy, she's taking advantage of you. If she loved you, she'd stop messing with your head. You can't play her game. You have to show her you're done. You gotta move on because it makes me sick to see the way she makes you feel." Gazzy let out a breath. "Iggy, I'm not saying it's going to be easy."

That was when Iggy snapped. The table suddenly went flying. I toppled backwards in my chair. My head connected with the stone counter and things started to get dark.

"Easy?" Iggy's voice seemed distant. "Fuck you…"

There were hands on me.

"Fang, hey you're gonna be fine…"

-Max's POV-

I sat in the hospital massaging my hand. It had been a while since I had punched someone like this.

"Max, you know Iggy didn't mean it to happen." Gazzy sat down next to me.

I inhaled and then exhaled. "Yeah, I know. I didn't mean to break his nose."

Out of the corner of my eye, I think Gazzy smirked. "I think it knocked some sense into him. He kinda deserved it."

I shook my head.

"It's late, Max. I'm going back to your apartment. You should come."

Iggy had cracked Fang's skull. I had gotten so mad after we got Fang to the hospital that I sorta just punched him. I felt awful about it now, but Iggy had just taken it. Fang would be just fine in a week or so. Thank God for our healing powers.

There was no point in staying at the hospital though. Fang wouldn't be awake for a while. The doctor thought it was better that way with his anxiety. Too much stress might send him into shock, as if he wasn't already stressed out about everything.

"Alright, where's Iggy?"

"He's waiting in the car."

"Why don't you go ahead and tell him I promise not to punch him again. I'll be down in a few minutes."

Gazzy nodded and left me. I got up and stood by Fang.

"Goodnight," I squeezed his hand. "You're gonna be ok."

A few minutes later I was out in the parking lot. Gazzy pulled the car up to the curb and I got in. Iggy was sitting in the back seat.

"Max…"

"Iggy, I'm sorry I shouldn't have punched you. You know, it's just been bad decision after bad decision in a domino effect, so let's just…" I turned back to face him. "Let's just forget everything, alright? I'm sure when Fang wakes up he'll understand."

"Alright, Max. I'm sorry too."

I nodded and his eyes seemed to meet mine for a moment before they became unfocused again. Gazzy started the car forward and we were off.

-Max's POV-

Fang had been home for a week now. His head was still bothering him and he'd only talk if spoken too first. I guess it was frustrating, but I think Fang thought the situation was his fault even though Mark had been the one to cause trouble.

Iggy had started cooking now that his hand was healed. It kept him busy. Gazzy was still here. Mostly because he didn't want to go home and see Ella, so we passed most of the past few days by eating Iggy's food. Last night after Fang had fallen asleep on the couch, Gazzy suggested that maybe Fang would be more relaxed if I spent a night with him. Maybe dinner or something.

"Hey, Fang."

Fang looked up from his glass of water at Gazzy.

"I never had a chance to tell you before, but the ring you picked was beautiful." Gazzy gave him a smile. "You even impressed Nudge."

The corners of Fang's mouth seemed to turn upward.

"I thought that might get you to smile." Gazzy grinned now. "So I was thinking maybe I'd take Iggy out to get some air tonight. You know, I think he needs to get out. I figured you wouldn't really be up for going out, but you and Max still need to celebrate just you two for getting engaged. Besides, you two deserve a night to yourselves. You must be sick of us."

"I…I'd l-like th-that." Fang managed a shaky smile.

Gazzy clapped him on the shoulder. "Good."

Around five, Gazzy and Iggy went out. Gazzy said they were going to get dinner and then head down to the local theater to hear a local jazz band play. I ordered some takeout and Fang and I took a short walk down to the corner where the Chinese restaurant was.

"Your clothes are fitting you better now," I commented as I wrapped a scarf around his neck.

He gave me a small smile. "Ig's…c-cooking."

After we ate dinner, we watched an old movie that we had seen together back when we were still on the run. It had been really nice, just lying there on the couch with his arms around me. After the movie finished, I turned to face him. He pulled me a little closer and into a kiss. I started to kiss him back and he ended up on top of me.

"When do you th-think they'll b-b-be back?" he asked, breathlessly.

"Maybe in another hour," I replied.

He smiled and then got off me. Then he scooped me up into his arms and carried me into the bedroom.