Work Text:
max wonders if love is innate. if it’s the kind of thing that crawls into your bones one night, and decides to stay there forever. if it isn’t innate in that sense, it must be taught. when she was a child, love was when her mom packed her warm meals every morning even when she was running late for work. in middle school, veronica gave her apple slices when she didn’t have packed lunch because her mom had appendicitis. high school was quite different. she had to make friends with a whole new set of people. she had to persevere even when the warmth in her bones started to fade. but how can you let that feeling dwindle when it’s the most wonderful and terrifying thing.
max started making little snacks for her new friends. she knew the kind of nuts mike was allergic to, and the exact brand of peanut butter dustin couldn’t get enough of. one night it was just her and lucas in his room. she knew he was sad. like the kind of sadness that didn’t pass away as the seasons went on. lucas wasn’t like her other friends – chaotic and erratic. his favourite place on earth is a duck pond with too many lilypads and no flowers. he once told her that he feels both love and ache in his ribs – it’s hard to tell them apart.
so when he was upset, the warmth was harder to hold on to.
she spotted a basket of fruits in his living room. it’s okay if he didn’t want to say anything. he doesn’t have to. she set the fruits in between them and picked out a tangerine. with care and kindness, she started peeling the outer layer. he took the pieces in his hand and they quietly ate, with his head on her shoulder.
he tilts his head up, “i feel this sudden warmth in my chest.”