Things in Preston's life at the moment felt… Chaotic, to say the least.

After the confrontation he'd had with Max, the two had come to an agreement. They'd decided to raise the little platypus together. Preston hadn't expected that Max would accept the offer so readily, in all honesty, and yet here they were, further along than he'd ever imagined.

Earlier in the day, the lankier boy had theorized that, should Max be the notewriter, he must've cared about the little creature. He'd thought that if the blue clad child had left tear stains on the paper, if he'd taken care of the platypus as long as he had, if he'd really regretted what he had to do, he must've cared about it quite a lot. Preston had hoped it was true.

But seeing the way the other broke down, seeing how afraid he'd seemed, seeing how brightly his green eyes had shone at the thought of their partnership… It was more than the theatre geek could've ever imagined.

Max. Max, who'd always been so cold to everyone. Max, who's insults were scathing and venomous. Max, who'd never seemed to value the presence of others, who'd never seemed to need a friend. Max. Max had begun to care for a little, tiny platypus.

Something about seeing this softer side of the boy, seeing that he'd truly held affection, real affection in his heart filled Preston with hope. Maybe it was the satisfaction that his little theory had been right. Maybe it was proof that he could be optimistic about things. Maybe it was because only he'd been able to witness it, the moment shared privately.

Preston didn't know why the thought had warmed his heart like it did. But all in all, the taller was happy to see that Max was able to care so deeply. It felt almost inspiring, in a way. Thinking back on it made the boy feel like he could write for days.

He'd never expected to get so far in his plan. He'd never expected an affirmation to his proposal. But nevertheless, he was incredibly glad it had come.

Still, that didn't mean there weren't any problems with this arrangement. Quite the contrary, in fact; T'was not even a day into their agreement, and yet the aspiring actor was already facing a dilemma.

And this first problem, quite unexpectedly, was guilt.

The platypus, despite its earlier meal, already seemed to be feeling hungry again. It made sense, as the creature was a growing creature. And yet, there still emerges an issue.

Max had taken the first shift of wrestling the mother.

It made sense, really, it had; Preston had hurt his leg pretty badly, after all. Getting hurt any worse wouldn't be good at all. He couldn't help Max at all if he wound up completely bedridden.

Yet, he couldn't help but feel guilty.

He'd told the shorter boy that they'd do this together. He'd promised. He'd only held a sliver of Max's trust, a fragile little piece, and he wanted to treasure it. He wanted to prove to the other that he was deserving of that trust.

But yet here he was, mulling around his tent instead of helping.

Preston had taken one shift of wrestling the camp mascot so far. One. And yet, Max was already back on the job again.

He knew he couldn't help it. He knew that. This was for the better, for a greater good. And yet, some small part of him already felt he was betraying the faith he'd put into his promise. He felt selfish.

"Augh, I can't think like this!" The lanky figure growled to himself, frustrated. "What do I do?!"

The silence of the tent held no reply. Which made sense, of course. Preston was the only one here, after all. A reply may be… Concerning, to say the least. Still, he couldn't help but feel his annoyance mounting ever further.

He let out a long, slow sigh. Maybe some fresh air would help…

The boy moved out of his tent reluctantly, the cool of evening seeping slowly into his skin.

The stars were beautiful tonight, even if they hadn't fully emerged yet. The night's stars, of course, were quite often described by playwrights like himself. Metaphors of their brightness, their honor, a gentle weeping beneath their glow, a deep awe towards the speckled sky… All of his role models must've admired this same sky, at some point. Those he'd looked up to must've stood in awe of this same moon.

Yet, Preston felt no calmer looking up at the sight.

He knew he was supposed to appreciate the night sky. Countless dramas met their climax under the light of a full moon, after all. And here, in the camp, the brunette could see the stars better than he ever had before.

And yet, all he could think about was Max's tired expression, how he was only driving the small boy further into exhaustion. What good were the stars if they couldn't help solve this dilemma?! What good with the moon without a solution to his problem?!

"... I need to calm down…" The lanky figure sighed to himself, breath fogged in the cold. His brow furrowed. Max had a hoodie, sure, but was he really alright in this kind of weather? Preston had barely been out here for two minutes, and yet he was already covered in goosebumps…

He clenched his fist. Well, he was getting nowhere standing here. And clearly, he wouldn't be any calmer in his tent, either. So, he'd have to go check on Max himself. That was the only solution.

Thus, with newfound determination, the theatre-loving child began walking forward.

He wasn't exactly sure where he was going, but he figured that he'd check around the perimeter of the lake first. That was likely where the camp mascot would be roaming, after all. If the platypus wasn't here, though, he'd simply have to check somewhere else.

No matter how long it'd take him, Preston was sure he wouldn't be able to feel any better without finding Max. So, he would do so. It'd be a bit of a hassle, but surely it'd be worth it.

He felt a bit nervous about it, of course. Max probably wouldn't exactly appreciate being interrupted. Nevertheless, the hazel-eyed boy felt it necessary.

Even if he came across as obsessive or overbearing, at least he wouldn't seem like he wasn't invested, right? After all, no reply to something you'd put your effort into was a worse pain than anything negative someone could do. At the very least, a bad reaction was a reaction of caring. Silence told nothing of all of your efforts.

So, weaving through the bushes, Preston emerged in a familiar clearing. And in front of him was a surprised pair of green eyes, blinking back at him.

"Eh? Preston? What're you doing here?" Max asked, a familiar cardboard box clutched in his arms. He looked surprisingly unaggressive, face laced with a gentle curiosity in place of the usual malice.

"O-Oh, nothing!" Preston replied, speaking a tad bit louder than he'd meant to. "I just wanted to, ah, check up on you… I know you've been tired, and all…"

The shorter's face scrunched up, expression closer to what the playwright was used to. "What, you didn't think I could handle this?"

"N-No, not at all, t-that's not what I meant! I just… Felt kinda bad, making you do all the work…"

Again, Max blinked, before sighing. "Dude, it's been, like, a day. It's seriously not a problem."

"O-Okay…"

Silence fell over the two for a long, tense moment.

"... You're still worrying about it, aren't you?" The cynic asked, tilting his head.

"E-Eheheh… Saw right through me, I suppose…" The other replied, hand awkwardly rubbing at the back of his neck.

Again, the shorter sighs. "Alright, alright, come on…"

Preston paused. "Huh?"

"If you're so worried about the platypus, you can visit for a while, I guess." The smaller sighed, gesturing with annoyance towards the direction of his tent.

"Wait, t-that's not…" Preston trailed off. "... Ah, nevermind. Okay."

Max nods wordlessly, and continued making his way to his tent. The pale boy followed behind him obediently.

"A-Ah, wait…" The theatrical child begins, realizing something. "What about Niel? You share your tent with him, right?"

"Eh, don't worry about it. He's off doing some nerdy shit somewhere. Don't think he'll be back for a while."

"Oh. Well, if you're sure…"

Max only replies with a noncommittal hum. They reach their destination, and the tent flap is pushed aside, allowing the pair to enter. Preston's shoulders slacken, relieved to be out of the cold. He rubs his hands up and down his arms, shuddering.

The smaller of the two pauses. "You okay?" He asks.

"A-Ah, yeah, just a bit cold.."

"... Seriously? We were only out there, for like, a minute."

"W-Well! My outfit isn't exactly as w-warm as yours!"

Green eyes blink back at hazel. "Really? That thing looks so… Stuffy." Max remarks, batting at Preston's collar with a hand.

"W-Well, if you can't tell, my neck isn't exactly the problem here!" Preston flushed, rubbing at his arms slightly more exaggeratedly.

"Oh. Eh, yeah, I guess that does make sense."

"Hmph…" The lanky figure pouted, crossing his arms tighter as he made himself comfortable on the floor of the tent. The box is set down beside him, and after a moment, something soft is draped around his shoulders.

A gentle noise of surprise escaped him, as he takes the fabric in his hands, confused.

Max watches his examination intently. "It's a blanket, stupid."

"I-I know that!" The theatrical boy huffs. "I'm just confused as to why you're giving it to me!"

"Well, it's not like I can give you Niel's. He gets all pissy if his stuff's out of place."

"... I guess that's true…" The other sighed, watching as his companion takes a seat on the other side of the box, curling his knees into his chest. Wordlessly, the makeshift nest is opened, revealing the little face of the platypus staring back up at them.

It makes a happy platypus noise.

Preston's face breaks into a fond grin, cooing as he lifted the baby into his arms.

"It's so small…" He marveled, face glowing with delight.

"That's how babies tend to work, yeah." Max snarks, voice lacking its usual fire. He averted his eyes, not wanting to see the stupidly happy look on Preston's face for any longer. His face felt strangely warm.

Preston pressed his free hand to his heart in mock-offence, the movement drawing the other's attention back to himself, as he let out a scandalized gasp. Max let out an amused snort at the sight.

"Wh- How dare you! I'll have you know that I already knew that, thank you very much!" The taller brunette spoke with exaggeration.

The campless child nodded slowly, mocking, in reply. "Mhm."

"I DID!" The dramatic insists.

"Yes, yes, I don't doubt that." Max affirmed with obvious sarcasm.

Preston could begin to feel his face heating, his brow furrowed with apparent rage. "S-Shut up!"

A grin greets his statement. "Why? I'm agreeing with you."

"No you're not, you're being sarcastic! I'm not an idiot!" The hazel-eyed boy insists.

Max blinks in turn, expression shifting to surprise. "Whaaat? No waaay."

"S-Shut up…!" Preston repeats, sounding weaker this time. Again, his companion chuckles.

They fall into a surprisingly comfortable silence, Preston stroking the soft fur of the platypus quietly. Max watches with peering emerald eyes, the theatre camp member's expression slowly relaxing into something more calm. He followed the other's every move.

Most might feel uncomfortable being so closely watched, but Preston had always enjoyed being the center of attention. It's only natural that Max would pay close attention to someone as brilliant as himself, after all.

"... So…" The aforementioned cynic began, shifting uncomfortably. "How's your leg feel?"

The taller blinked, surprised. "Since when did you care?" He thought to himself quietly.

He'd assumed that the reason Max decided to take the first shift was because he knew that Preston was weak at the moment, yes, but that hadn't necessarily indicated concern. He figured that Max had known it'd be better in the long run to let him recover now. But maybe…

"It still feels pretty bad, but a bit more time and I should be alright." The actor answered. His companion hummed thoughtfully.

"... Sorry. I'm sure it's probably inconvenient for me to be in this condition. It was the only thing I could think of to get back to camp, though…"

Piercing jade eyes blinked up at the brunette. "I mean, you're not wrong, but still, why're you apologizing for getting hurt of all things?"

"I-I dunno, I just figured I was annoying you, I guess…"

The look in the blue-clad boy's eyes darkened.

"We're supposed to be partners now, remember? Even I don't treat people who're supposed to be my friends so badly. Especially when you're the one who offered to do this for me."

The look in the taller's molten eyes shifted to something strangely soft, locking with the other's. Hesitantly, he spoke.

"... F-Friends…?"

The expression on Max's face shifted again, this time to something more unfamiliar. Something almost embarrassed. That… Wasn't the part of the statement Preston was supposed to focus on.

"I-I misspoke... We're, uh, not really friends. More like… Accomplices." The shorter muttered, nestling his face more closely into his arms.

"Accomplices?" Preston repeated, tilting his head. "I mean, I do like the sound of that, but isn't it a bit of a harsh word for parenting?"

"Well, technically this IS an illegal kid here. We'd definitely get in trouble if anyone figured out we had em. Sorta like we're harboring a fugitive or something…" Max struggled, trying to make the situation sound less innocent than it was.

Preston, seeing through his ruse, snorted. He decided to humor him, if only for the sake of the other's pride. "Heh, I suppose you're right. Accomplices, then! Meeting under the light of the moon to discuss our crimes!"

"Urgh, don't be such a fucking nerd…" His accomplice groaned.

"Fine, fine…" The playwright chuckled. "... Say, do you have a name for the baby?"

Max paused. "What?"

"Well, you didn't put a name in the letter… I didn't think I should come up with my own, in case you'd already picked one." The taller explained.

The shorter's expression shifted to something strangely melancholic. "... You really did plan on finding me from the beginning, huh?"

"Of course!" Preston replied, confused. "I mean, why wouldn't I have?"

Max shuffled in place, bringing his knees closer to his chest, eyes averted. "... I didn't come up with anything. Never really thought about it" He speaks, still not making eye contact.

"Oh."

Again, silence befalls them.

"... Would you like to come up with one now?"

Max glanced to Preston, tentative. After a quick pause, he replied.

"Sure."

The playwright hummed, bringing a contemplative hand to his face. Suddenly, he realizes something. "Wait… Should we pick a boy name, or a girl name?"

"Uhh… Hmm..." The shorter of the two's expression suddenly mirrored the other's, looking just as confused.

"Wait, how're we supposed to figure out if it's a boy or a girl, anyway? Is there a way of telling, Max?" Preston asked. He'd never really thought about how people could tell a baby's gender before now, come to think of it. He hadn't expected to be dealing with something like this so soon, he supposed.

"Wait, you don't know?" The jaded boy asked, sounding as though the answer was obvious.

"... No?" The actor replied, slow and hesitant.

His accomplice paused, looking conflicted. "... I'm not checking."

"What? Why?!" The taller brunette exclaimed.

"I'm not gonna try and see if our 'fugitive' has a dick, dude."

Hazel eyes widen, expression appalled. "W-Wait, THAT'S how you're supposed to check?!"

"Duh, how else?" Max deadpanned, looking slightly irritated.

"I-I don't know! Just… O-Okay, how about we just pick something androgynous, then?" The embarrassed playwright suggests.

Max nodded. "Sounds good."

"... Well, ah, any ideas?"

"Not really..." The shorter responded, wincing slightly.

Preston's eyes narrowed, scrutinizing. "... You thought of something, didn't you?"

Max didn't reply, continuing to avert eye contact.

"Is it some sort of joke name?" Preston guessed, not knowing why else his companion would be so nervous to share his idea. "We're not naming our kid after something stupid, Max."

"O-Of course not! This is OUR fugitive, that's a huge commitment! You really think I'd name it something dumb? Who do you take me for?!" The other stuttered out, tone clearly indicating that he was thinking of doing exactly that.

"Right, right, sorry…" The theatre nerd replied dismissively, seeing through this ruse.

"W-Well, if I can't say anything stupid, you can't name it after some obscure character from one of your dumb plays!" Max glared.

"What?!" The theatre-loving child exclaimed, devastated. "Why?!"

"Because, not only will no one get the refrence, but also because this is our fugitive that we kidnapped from its cannibal mother, and we shouldn't add insult to injury by calling it something unoriginal and stupid." The blue-clad boy insisted, heated gaze not letting up.

"Okay, jesus, fine!" The taller complied, breaking into a nervous sweat as he realized that literally all of his suggestions were no longer applicable.

… Well, he'd let Max start, then. That'd give him time to think. Surely he'd come up with something.

Mind racing, he turned to his companion. "So, ideas. Actual ideas."

Max's expression shifted back to being contemplative, but he said nothing.

… Well, fuck. Alright, then, looks like he'd be starting after all.

"... Cocoa?" Preston suggested after a long moment.

"Nah, that's too cutesy. Our little fugitive needs something more tough." His accomplice decides.

"Hmm…"

Meekly, the shorter makes eye contact with his companion."How's, uhh… Rascal?"

"Isn't that a bit on the nose?" The playwright replies, head tilting.

"Yeah, no, you're right…" Max agreed, nodding.

Preston rubbed at his chin, eyes drifting upwards. "What about Biscuit?"

"That's more of a dog name than a name for a platypus." The cynic remarked.

The actor nodded. "Fair enough."

"How's Sage?"

"I mean, I appreciate the dramatics, but that doesn't really suit it well." The brunette muses. "I'm fairly sure that the little thing can't see into the future at this age."

"Hmm… Shadow?"

"Edgelord."

"Okay, okay, geez!" Max surrendered. "Uhh… Shaggy?"

"We're not naming our kid after a scooby doo character." The other camper deadpanned.

"That's not what I- Augh, whatever. Then, uhh…" The blue-clad boy paused, very obviously fresh out of ideas. "B… Boomer?"

"I said no joke suggestions Max!" The hazel-eyed boy insisted, exasperated.

His accomplice tugged his hands over his face, groaning. "Urgh, this is way too complicated!"

"Yes, I understand, but this is what we'll be calling our little star for its entire life!" Preston exclaimed, gesturing to the little creature. It blinked up at him, an innocent expression across its billed face. "We've got to pick something good…"

"Yeah, I get it." Max sighed, defeated.

"... How's Chocolate?"

"You're fucking with me."

"Yikes, okay…" The dramatic camper replied. "Cheerio?"

"Wait, have you been suggesting nothing but food names this whole time?" The other realized with a start.

"U… Uhh…"

His expression shifted quickly to anger. "Dude. You're the one who said we should be taking this seriously!"

"I'm sorry, that's all I could come up with!" The playwright cried out, desperate. "Uh, what about, um, Button?"

"Again, too cutesy." The other groaned.

"Mmm…"

Jade orbs eyed hazel with exasperation. "Onyx?"

"Wha- Why? And again, that's WAY too edgy sounding."

"I dunno, its eyes are, like, dark… You're right, though. Hmm…"

Silence befell them. Slowly, exhaustion began to set in.

"Why didn't we just go with Preston Jr again?" Max groaned.

The actor sighed. "I considered it, but that's far too conceited for my tastes…"

"Wow, that's a first." The other snarked.

"Hey!" Preston cried.

The blue clad boy chuckled, the lantern light illuminating the tent casting a mischievous glow across his eyes. The taller of the two felt his exasperation start to fade a bit, though he didn't quite understand why.

Nevertheless, he huffed dramatically. "Okay, then what about Max Jr, if you're so into that?"

"Hell no." The cynic replied simply, effectively shooting down any further questioning.

"Hmph, okay…"

The two sat in silence for another long moment. Preston looked into Max's bright green eyes for what felt like an eternity.

"... Kiwi?" He suggests.

"What the fuck? No, that doesn't suit the kid at all."

The brunette camper hummed, not really disappointed. "Okay."

Max continued looking to Preston's eyes, as though searching for something. The actor didn't find himself as intimidated by the shorter's piercing stare as he probably would've a few days before. "Tawny?" The hooded boy suggested, not breaking contact.

Hazel eyes blinked, confused. "What? Why Tawny?"

"I'm pretty sure it's a shade of yellow, or something. Now that I think about it, that doesn't really suit 'em right, either..."

"Hmm, I suppose not..."

"... How about Java?" Max decided, reaching his small hand over Preston's lap to run through the now-sleeping animal's fur.

Preston blinked. "Java?"

"Yeah, Java."

"... Java… Hmm, yeah, I think I like that."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

Slowly, Max's face broke out into a grin.

Java. Java, like the color of the little creature's fur. Coffee could be bitter and tough, but it could also be more delicate and warm if need be. Not too overwhelming, but not too cutesy, suited to their tastes. Flexible, perfect, Preston decides.

Java it was, then.

A strange pride began to fill up the camper's heart, a warm feeling in his chest. Java, their little "fugitive". Or, if you wanted to be technical about it, their adopted platypus child.

Preston, too, began to smile.