OOM: A brief pit stop

[ami_imperfect]

It had been Sam's suggestion - her insistence, really - that the Fenton family (plus three) stop off at some warm location before returning to Amity Park. Fortunately everyone else had had as much of the Antarctic temperatures as she had, so there were no objections to a brief stop off in Chile on their way home.

Standing on the beach and watching the sunset, Dani still finds it hard to wrap her head around. She associated herself with Amity Park solely because Danny was there (then later because of Vlad because someone had to keep an eye on the fruit loop), but for the past two years "home" had meant Milliways. Eating meals down in the bar, being subjected to sudden wardrobe changes on holidays or for other reasons, training outside...being able to see Enzo whenever she wanted (or as often as his schedule would allow).

They hadn't even returned to Amity Park or begun moving her things out yet, but already Dani finds herself feeling homesick for Milliways.

Comments

[ami_imperfect]

"You'd just have to make sure to time it to the right moment."

A sunset in Mainframe. Whodathunkit?

[a1enzo]

"When does the day stop and the night start? Is it when the sun starts to go below the horizon, or when it's all gone, or what?"

[ami_imperfect]

She shrugs. "I think night starts when the sun has gone completely down and it's dark outside."

The mun, on the other hand, subscribes to the whole "A.M./P.M." business.

[a1enzo]

It is a straightforward and reliable system.

Enzo nods. "I'd try to time it to that, then." He squeezes her hand. "Maybe I could do it next time you visit."

There's a tense, questioning note in that statement.

[ami_imperfect]

She nods, but doesn't speak. She doesn't want to mention that she doesn't know when the next time they'll see each other will be, because the door she usually uses might disappear and who knows how long it'll take for her to find another one.

"Enzo?"

[a1enzo]

He... doesn't much want to think about that, either.

"Yeah?"

[ami_imperfect]

"You..." Her voice sticks in her throat; how can she even be thinking of asking him this? "You're going to be there, right? When I move out?"

[a1enzo]

She needs to ask? "Of course."

[ami_imperfect]

"Good." Not really, but sometimes a girl just likes to hear it all the same.

[a1enzo]

Silence for a moment.

"So... I guess you're gonna be going to Danny's school, right?"

[ami_imperfect]

"Yeah. Oh, man is that gonna be weird!"

[a1enzo]

"Heh. You're gonna have to have that teacher Danny hates, what's his name, the vice-principal?"

[ami_imperfect]

"Mr. Lancer," Dani groans. She's heard plenty of horror stories about the vice-principal from Danny, as well as Sam and Tucker.

She wonders if maybe she can talk Jack and Maddie into letting her be homeschooled?

[a1enzo]

Oh, yeah. Homeschooled by the Fentons. That'll leave her well-rounded.

Enzo chuckles, and then goes over all hesitant again.

"And you'll have lots of new friends." He swallows. "Dani? You remember when I started at the Academy... you said you were scared I'd... meet someone else I liked better?"

[ami_imperfect]

"Mm-hm?" She nods.

Who cares about new friends? The kids at school will probably only want to be her friend since she's a hero/halfa like Danny anyway.

[a1enzo]

Enzo would argue the 'only' point.

He gives a strained little chuckle. "It's my turn now, I guess."

[ami_imperfect]

Dani takes a deep breath, then tries to put on her best brave/smug face. "Well, you'll just have to come visit me at school sometime, then," she says. It's not Enzo's imagination that her voice is slightly shaky.

[a1enzo]

"I guess so." He tries to make a joke of it. "So I can fight off all the other boys."

[ami_imperfect]

She giggles, though it sounds a little forced. "No powers, though, okay? I don't want the both of us getting sent to Mr. Lancer's office."

[a1enzo]

"I'll try," he says doubtfully. "It'll be tough. I mean, every boy in school's gonna be totally in love with you."

(He can do this. He can say it. Just approach it sideways.)

[ami_imperfect]

"So? No boy in school is gonna be you, Enzo. You're my boyfriend."

[a1enzo]

He smiles, and feels a warmth that has nothing to do with the climate, gently burning away his insecurity.

"Sorry. I just... I don't want to lose you. Not ever."

[ami_imperfect]

"I don't want to lose you either," she agrees. "You mean too much to me, Enzo."

[a1enzo]

"You won't. I promise.




I love you, Dani."

[ami_imperfect]

"You..."

Dani stares at Enzo in surprise.

"What did you say?"