[color=lightgray][right][sub]Timestamp: A week & two days after the Allison incident (Sunday) 
Collab with [@LovelyComplex], [@NeoAJ], & [@BrutalBx][/sub][/right]
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A week had gone by since Danny had officially introduced Marco to Gavriel as his boyfriend. During this week he kept it relatively chill spending as much time as he could with his boyfriend, hanging out with Natalia whenever she had some downtime (mostly watching movies they hadn’t watched together in years and reminiscing), and catching up with Caitlin, finding out that she was no longer on the market just like him.

In addition to all that, he thought of ways he’d ask forgiveness to all the people he hurt and how he’d come out to a few of them. One being Jillian O’Brien. The girl he hurt by sleeping with her sister. A stupid action because he thought Grace could help him not be into guys. Not be bisexual. Well, look at him now. Totally, stupidly in love with Marco Castillo-Brady. For a while now. Since the summer after sophomore year. 

Though Danny hoped he could love Puppy the way he deserved and he hoped his father didn’t get in his way of his happiness. Hope might not be the right term… he wanted to put his faith into action. The Italian Stallion was done hoping. Done playing games. Danny was going to, no matter what, be with that boy. No matter what happens, no matter what people would say, and no matter how people felt about him and his relationship, Danny was going to marry Marco one day. 

Getting off work a smidge early on Sunday to take care of business, Danny rushed to the local florist. With a container full of cannolis in hand, he picked up his order of white lilies. He made sure they were in a crystal glass vase and went on his way to his destination. Fast forward to a few minutes later, he pulled up in front of the O’Brien’s house. In time, he was out of his car and in front of the entrance door. No longer holding back, no longer hesitating, no longer waiting for the perfect opportunity, having spent a whole week imagining all the things he would say, Danny rang the doorbell. This seemed like a recurring theme for him. Visiting people in hopes they’d let him in. 

[color=005d9e][i]Please Jill, let me in.[/i][/color]

Anxiously, he waited for the door to be answered. As he waited, he replayed some of Marco’s encouraging words, helping him build up enough courage to hold accountability for his actions and tell Jill he missed her and that he was sorry. All he needed to do was remember Marco’s face and he could push forward. The obstacles ahead might be hard to conquer but he wasn’t alone. He had the perfect cheerleader waiting for him. The person he felt the most at home with. His soulmate. After waiting for a couple of minutes and no one answering, he went for the doorbell again. 

[color=005d9e][i]Damn. Maybe no one was home.[/i][/color] 

As Danny awaited on the front balcony, a shout could be heard from inside. [color=e48200]
“Yeah, yeah! Hold your horses!”[/color] 

It didn’t sound like it could be Shannon, although the terminology tracked. As the door opened, he didn’t spot the object of his most recent tour of forgiveness, nor the mother who usually accepted all those gifts to spare Danny the undignified reaction of having them thrown in his face. No, instead what Danny got was a stark reminder of what caused the fracturing of his friendship with the O’Briens in the first place. Staring him down, wearing nothing but a shamrock green bathrobe that did a poor job concealing the curves of her body, was “Amazing” Grace O’Brien. She was a little older than Danny remembered of course, and it was clear where all those cannolis that had been dropped off had gone to. One look at those curvy thighs could tattle on that fact with ease. She had a few more tattoos than the last time Danny saw her as well, tracing down her arms from under the short sleeves of the robe. But she still maintained that angelic face of hers. The one that could charm the entire senior class to their knees and still sing at the church on Sunday with not a care in the world. But she could be the devil if they let her. 

She leans against the doorframe and takes in the sight of the Belmonte boy, smacking her lips as she did so. [color=e48200]“Well, well, well,”[/color] Grace says, almost with an ounce of pity in her voice. [color=e48200]“And here I had thought you had given up on ever attempting to earn the good graces of anyone in this household again.”[/color] The middle sister twists a little, revealing a little bit more skin as she does. [color=e48200]“Although even without the basketball you seem to be doing all right, little Danny boy. You come over here just to see if you could get another sweet sound out of me?”[/color]

[color=005d9e][i]Jesus.[/i][/color]

Danny cursed in his head, immediately regretting saying the Lord’s name in vain. He needed to patch up his mouth or eat some soap. Ever since the night at the gym, he had no will to hold his tongue. Perhaps, today that would go in his favor. As his brows knitted and his back became uncomfortably tense, making sure there was clear distance between him and the girl he slept with, Danny steadily answered, [color=005d9e]“Where’s Jill, Grace?“[/color] He was not going to entertain her advances and now seeing her still doing the same thing she did years ago, he found himself pitying the older O’Brien. Her scent, her form, and that look on her face hit a brick wall.  Danny Belmonte was a taken man. His heart and body only belonged to one and he showed exactly that. That she couldn’t prey on him like she did when he was a sophomore. 

Grace scoffed at the perceived lack of a response to her greeting. [color=e48200]“So cold, Danny! I know things between us got… rocky after I graduated, but it means a lot that you’re here today.”[/color] She could see Danny was on a mission with those flowers and treats, but the look in his eyes was different. It was weirdly guarded, so far from the goofy lug that was usually around here. Grace had honed her skills trying to win people over by dealing with those who had the misfortune to come into contact with Reagan Ramsey, so she was confident she would be able to break the Belmonte boy down and be eating those cannolis off his chest in no time. [color=e48200]“I always felt so bad that you kept trying to win my baby sister’s affection back over and over, and every time she would slam the door or hurl those delicious desserts into the garbage. But we don’t have to worry about her now, so why do you want to spoil this happy reunion by dragging Jillian into this?”[/color] 

[color=005d9e]“Are you aware that Jill has an alcohol problem or is your whole family turning a blind eye to that?”[/color] Danny glared at the older woman, holding his ground as he looked at no other place but her eyes. He couldn't believe after all this time, Grace was still so heartless and so ignorant to her surroundings. All she cared about was herself and in this town, that mentality would get her nowhere. [color=005d9e]“Only a week ago your sister learned the truth about Allison. Instead of checking on Jill’s mental health, you want cannolis and to play with me like I’m some kid? Here, fucking take them.” [/color] The Italian boy shoved the dessert in her hands, [color=005d9e]“I’m not here for you and I don’t need to explain why I care about your sister. Something…”[/color]  Danny shook his heart in disbelief, honestly grateful for his siblings even though they were a hot mess, [color=005d9e]“...you wouldn’t understand.”[/color]

Grace wished she had a cigarette or something she could light up to underscore how much she didn’t care for Danny’s guilt trip. Instead, she just shoved the cannolis right back into his hands. [color=e48200]“I don’t want them if they come with a lecture, Danilo,”[/color] she rebuked. [color=e48200]“Especially not if it’s to try and cast Jill as the victim in her own miserable one-woman play. I warned her not to follow too closely in Allison’s footsteps, she didn’t listen. After our little sheet romp, she just shut me out completely. I tell her not to take too much on her shoulders after the shooting. ‘You had sex with Danny.’ I tell her Mike Barrie is a psycho who she needs to stay away from. ‘You had sex with Danny.’ I tell her that she’s going to end up next to Dad if she keeps drinking at a rate that would make Granny Moira blush. ‘Fuck you, Dannyfucker.’”[/color] The middle O’Brien sister rolled her eyes to the veranda and stared back. [color=e48200]“Jillian dug her own grave, built her own coffin, planned her own funeral, contracted her own reincarnation and is now living like the little shit lizard she is, and it’s all her own fault, because she couldn’t fucking accept any help or any criticism from anyone after Allison died, so don’t tell me I don’t understand, Mr. Belmonte. I just know what I want, and what this family needs, and to further answer your question, we got it this week.”[/color] Grace folded her arms defiantly. [color=e48200]“Jillian doesn’t live here anymore.”[/color]

With a strained expression, Danny looked at Grace in bewilderment. No matter how many times the Belmontes don’t see eye to eye, when they need each other they are always there for each other. Lately, their family has been dramatic because everyone’s on edge over a variety of reasons. The main reason being Silvia was dying and no one wanted to lose the rock of the family. Tightening his grip on the container, Danny shook his head, knowing he was talking to a lost cause, and yet he couldn’t brush what she said aside, [color=005d9e]“Jill is paying for all the decisions she’s ever made. You have no right to judge her when you’re the least picture perfect O’Brien that exists, Grace. Just because she was stating a fact that you see no wrong in - we FUCKED Grace, you fucked your little sister’s best friend who was underage at the time - you gave up on her.”[/color]

The anger in Danny was seething inside of him. All this time he was so focused on his own guilt and regret that he didn’t take a step back to think of what Jill was truly going through and how selfish her sister was. Was all her family like this? [color=005d9e]“She is only human and we all do fucked up things but this pedastal you put yourself on? Give me a break. I can see you’re doing just fine being alone. I can’t believe you have never changed.”[/color] At this point Danny was back on the entrance walkway, baffled at his decision to ever sleep with the dimwit, [color=005d9e]“I’ll find her myself. Goodbye, Grace.”[/color]

A shout could be heard from inside the house. A male shout. In a house that Danny knew no man had lived in since Ronan moved out in their freshman year. “Grace! Who is that yelling at the door? Did you piss the Amazon guy off?”

Grace rolls her eyes again. [color=e48200]“No! Shut up and just lay there! Fuck!”[/color] She turns her attention to the retreating Belmonte. [color=e48200]“Never assume I’m alone, Danny Boy. And I know damn well you’re not going to be able to find her yourself, so if you really, REALLY want to continue this little martyring crusade you’re on, you should know Jill moved her stuff out of here with the help of Reagan’s sister. The goth one. I’m guessing that’s where she’s staying now. If you stop by, tell her I know she stole my green top again and I’ll be claiming it when I’m good and ready.”[/color]

[color=005d9e]“Thank you… I guess. Have fun with whoever is in there.”[/color] No longer wanting a conversation with Grace, Danny turned on his heel and marched to his car. Did he even know where Mei lived? No. But he knew someone who did. 

[i]Kylee[/i]. 
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[indent][indent]After making a quick stop at the florist, adding to his surprise for Jill, Danny found himself standing in front of Mei and Jill’s apartment complex. In one hand there was a bouquet of white lilies, burgundy black dahlias, and black eyed anemones. In the other? Nina’s famous cannolis. The best Edenridge had to offer. Honestly, the best in Massachusetts too. Traveling to surrounding towns and cities, the Italian food was just not the same. It was clear that Nina learned from the best, which was their father. If only Danny didn’t ruin things while he cooked. He burnt cookies. Cookies! The easiest dessert to make. 

Turning back to look at his car parked across the street, he wondered if this was going to be a mistake. Grace’s words, as much as he handled them well at the time, they were now lounging in his mind. He was nervous, anxious, and scared. Part of him believed she would turn him down, like she has for so long, and part of him hoped that deep down she missed him too. Their interaction the night at the gym didn’t go well for them but he knew this was something he needed to do. He knew until she absolutely refused him and was repulsed by the sight of him, he wouldn’t give up trying. 

All Danny saw was a wounded bird. A beautiful cardinal whose wings were wounded to the point that she could no longer fly and she didn’t see the point in carrying on. He wanted to be a better friend. He wanted her back in his life. Still, if this went south, he might have to consider that he may never get Jill back. If he could get Marco back, maybe he could get Jill back too. He would never know unless he approached her with his heart on his sleeves. No more withholding information. No more pretending he was okay. No more acting like he was the strongest thing in the room because he wasn’t. It was time to show Jill his true self once and for all, in hopes that she would forgive him and accept him for him. 

Once he reached the entrance, Danny found his way in the entryway of the loft and followed the directions that led to the landlord’s apartment/office. After a few minutes of discussion and giving a charming smile, everyone loved the Belmontes, the lovable Italian boy, son of Taz and Silvia Belmonte, was given access to the rest of the flat and given directions to Mei’s room. Before he left, he gave the older woman as many cannolis as she wanted. His way of thanking her for her hospitality. Once their exchange satisfied the both of them, Danny made his trek to his destination. 

Finally, standing in front of the residence of Mei Ramsey and Jillian O’Brien, Danny gently kicked the door (seeing how he had no hands to knock). He wanted to announce himself but his throat felt like it was closing up out of worry. The emotions started flooding inside and out of him. He tried his best to think of the one person that made him feel at home. His boyfriend. Marco. Marco believed in him. He could do this. All he needed to do was tell her the truth.

[color=005d9e][i]This is fine. She’s not going to hate you. She’s going to listen. She isn’t going to be weirded out that you like boys. No, she is going to understand you. She’s not going to see you as this ugly, unnatural monster… this fag who can’t secure a girl. No, she's going to listen. She’s going to hear you out.[/i][/color] 

The kicking knock reverberated through the apartment, with no immediate response. Then, a stirring. [color=fd9100]“Just a minute!”[/color] a female voice shouts, giving Danny an estimate on how much longer he would have to live with those inner thoughts of his. Shuffles could be heard, a soft grunt, and then the click of a lock.

Opening the door and standing before Danny stood a much fresher version of the redhead he last saw in a puddle on the floor of the old school’s hallways. There was no makeup on her face, but the bags under her eyes seemed to be lighter than the last time. Her skin is a little clearer. Her hair… actually looked like it had been washed recently. She was not in a get up for traveling around the town, decked in only her claimed Motley Crue tank top and a pair of black short shorts that indicated that she had still been in her pajamas when the Belmonte boy came calling. However, despite her attire, it was the most alive Danny had seen Jillian O’Brien in months, even years.

[color=fd9100]“Danny?”[/color] she questioned, still not believing if she was fully awake or not. [color=fd9100]“What are you doing here? How did you know I was here? Wait, did you know I was here?”[/color] She eyed the flowers and the cannolis that were brought to her doorstep. [color=fd9100]“OK, lilies? You must have known I was here.”[/color]

[color=005d9e]“Yeah… ran into Grace. That was painful to deal with. After we exchanged some… choice words with one another, she told me you lived here. She didn’t give me the address or anything so I called Kylee.”[/color] Bringing the gifts forward, extending his arms, Danny could feel his teeth shaking out of anxiety. Anxiety wasn’t something he usually experienced but when it came to potentially opening up about his sexuality, his strength left his body and all he could feel was his stomach turn. [color=005d9e]“If you’ll have me, I would love to talk to you and give you the explanation you deserve about us and what I did to you. I won’t take up all your time, just please.”[/color] Danny’s confidence deflated as he looked from her face to his feet, [color=005d9e]“Give me a chance, Jillybean.”[/color]

Jillian looked Danny over. Granted, she hadn’t seen much of him the past few years. They had to see each other in school, sure, and there was that run-in at the gym, but she had been pretty effective at shutting him out of her life the second she learned how much he valued their friendship. The mention of Grace hammered that rather painful memory home. But this Danny didn’t have the look of the hyperbolic basketball player of their youth, or even the Fred-like leader of the party she vaguely remembered through the haze and fury of that night with Rey Rey. She could see the Tupperware container with… more… mouthwatering cannolis… it was shaking. She finally locked eyes with him. Worry on his face. Maybe confronting Grace took more out of him than she thought it ever would. 

She still wanted to be furious at Danny. Jill wanted to do all the yelling she didn’t get to do at the gym or at the Carlisle house. She wanted every painful prod and poke she endured from her sister to be flung at his face. It was what she thought she wanted for the years, plural, that she had shut him out of her life. But as he stood here, no longer in the shadows of the evil sibling or the house where the deed surely happened, it was hard for Jill to find that anger again. Maybe some of the meditation stuff from Mei’s parents was working. Maybe it was because she hadn’t actually fueled that rage with booze in a few days. Not since the official moving in party. There were so many questions in her head right now, about her own actions and of Danny’s back in junior year. She started to answer them with Marco the other night. Maybe now she would be able to not only get some answers, but keep them and use them. It worked with Mei, anyway.

[color=fd9100]“All right,”[/color] Jillian finally answered as she pulled the door of the newly rechristened Ramsey-O’Brien estate open. [color=fd9100]“You can come in.”[/color] She took the flowers from Danny’s hand. [color=fd9100]“Need to put these in water anyway.”[/color] She nodded to the couch in the living room as she looked to find a vase or a pitcher to hold the wonderful smelling gift.

[color=C652D5]“Who’s our guest?!”[/color] A voice called out.

Entering into the living room from the bedroom, Mei was dressed in nothing but a short, silk black robe that showed off her pale toned legs. She cracked her grin as she noted the one and only Danilo Belmonte in her doorway. Damn, all the cool kids would know where she lived now. It was time to move again. [color=C652D5]“Jill, babe. I know I said we could get a dog in a few months maybe, but I didn’t want a golden retriever.”[/color] The dark priestess licked the bottom of her top rung of teeth with a slight chuckle. [color=C652D5]“Welcome Danny.”[/color]

She wandered over to the kitchen counter too where Jill was placing what looked like flowers onto a vase. She placed her hand on the small of her lover's back and moved her lips to her ear. [color=C652D5]“You want me to get out of here?”[/color] Mei knew all too well the history between the other two beings in the room. She watched most of it unfold first hand. She may have been a cheerleader but Miss Midnight did her best to stay out of the popular cliques drama. More often than not, she failed.

Jill still had a slight case of the giggles. First when her girlfriend correctly referred to their guest as a golden retriever, and then again when she let her hand trace under the tank top and along the back where one of Mei’s tattoos would eventually make its presence felt if she had her way.  [color=fd9100]“Stay,”[/color] Jill answered Mei’s question.  [color=fd9100]“I may need you for support and at least I know you won’t try to fuck him like other people in my family.”[/color]

Carefully, as if his life depended on it, Danny stepped into the apartment. Mei and he didn’t interact much in the past. They crossed paths before; her having been a cheerleader and him a basketball player. They may have even had some classes together - it was a small town after all. But beyond that? He only knew her as the resident goth of his class who hosted Midnight Frequency. Oh, and now the girl who punched ReyRey Gonzales in the face. Wandering deeper into their residence, Danny looked around, appreciating the little things he saw like the plentiful neon signs, a small bonsai tree by the window, a fine collection of Mei’s tattoo artwork frames on the wall and a wall mounted photograph of a young Asian couple. It was obviously decades old but the woman in it had a striking resemblance to the demon dream girl herself. 

When he entered the main room, he stood there, not daring to go further, out of fear he would set not only Jill off but Mei too. He held the container of treats as if it were a lifeboat to him. If he let go, he would surely sink. [color=005d9e]“I hope you like them. I remembered you liked white lilies. I originally was just going to do that but when I found out you lived with Mei I wanted to incorporate her into it too… the dahlias for her and the anemones to tie the two colors together…”[/color] He was talking too much. She didn’t care about the thought behind the gift. Jill wanted answers which would help her decide properly if she wanted Danny still in her life. [color=005d9e]“So roommates, huh? Congratulations! Mei, is this all your work? It’s really neat.”[/color] Danny found his gaze going from one art piece to the next before resting his eyes on the family photo.

[color=C652D5]“It pays the bills.”[/color] She watched as the former jock’s gaze fell upon the photo on the wall and she grinned a grin not too dissimilar to the one of the girl in the portrait. [color=C652D5]“That’s the Chairman and the Empress. Don’t stare at them for too long, they say that when you stare at them for longer than a second, her beauty bewitches you long enough for him to tear out your heart and eat it with golden chopsticks.”[/color] Mei let her eyes fall upon Jill again. She was desperate to rub it in Danny’s face that Jill was hers now but this wasn’t her conversation, it was the redhead’s and she would let her do whatever she needed to.

Jill took the container of cannolis from Danny and quickly slotted them into the fridge, eager to keep the almond-tinged filling from melting in the heat. At least it was an upgrade from the garbage that Grace had reported earlier were their predecessors’ previous resting place. She could see the look Mei was giving her and she knew what Miss Midnight wanted to do. Jill heard it too. Roommates was the Catholic way to refer to their relationship, and what they had done the past week would take a month’s confession to absolve. Good thing Jillian didn’t believe in it anymore. But she had no idea where Danny stood on the situation given his twin sister’s dalliances and failed relationship with Kylee. Clearly it wasn’t enough to break off contact if Miss Grimm provided the new address. Still, she gave Mei a bit of a shake. This was going to be the first non-drunk conversation with her former friend in a long time. She needed to suss some things out before letting her girlfriend run wild on his imagination.


She looked over at the flowers as they sat in the sun on the counter. They were a gorgeous representation of the two worlds she and Mei were bringing together. The pure white lillies in tandem with the dark petals of the dahlias did put things in perspective. The lilies weren’t swallowed by the darkness. They were embraced and they thrived. There was no reason for them to dwell there anymore. It was time to grow and break free.

Danny got a beckon to come towards the living room. [color=fd9100]“C’mon Danny. You’re not going to be able to talk just standing in the doorway,”[/color] Jill noted. [color=fd9100]“So come have a seat before you buckle to the mat.”[/color]

Obediently so, Danny listened to Jill’s orders and made his way to the couch. Taking a seat, he sat quiet for a moment. Clasping his hands together, he let his right leg bounce up and down as he looked in between Jill and Mei. This was more daunting than ever because all the people in this room were sober. He didn’t have liquid courage to help him vomit everything he wanted to say to her. As he sat there, thinking of the words to say, he thought of his mother. 

He remembered when he was seven he had gotten angry at one of his playmates for taking a basketball out of his hand, without even asking, and so Danny being young pushed the kid on the floor, causing him to cry. He remembered his mother pulling him aside and telling him to apologize, explaining how he handled it wrong. He regretted it immediately because of how sad the other kid looked. He should’ve just shared the ball. His mother had told him that apologies weren’t meant to change the past, they were meant to change the future. 

If he wanted to continue to play with this kid, he had to be genuine and take full responsibility over his actions. It was time for him to speak from the heart and not dance around the truth. Jill didn’t deserve that. No one deserved half truths. His eyes saddened as the image of his mother turned to the person she was nowadays. Weak, sick, in pain. If he could do anything while she was still alive, to make sure she didn’t fail with her only son, he could right his wrongs. It may not give him the future he wants but he could at least give his old friend the closure she deserved. 

[color=005d9e]“I’m sorry,”[/color] he started, his legs continuously bouncing up and down in place. [color=005d9e]“What I did to you is inexcusable regardless of what I was going through at the time.”[/color] Looking up from the floor, he brought his attention to the beautiful redhead and gave a broken smile, [color=005d9e]“I come from a very religious family, you know that well. I'm the only son, surrounded by six sisters…”[/color] He trailed off, his mind scrambling to give context without having to say the inevitable, [color=005d9e]“You know when I was seven I got my first pair of Jordans? I used to love basketball but then after almost losing so many people I love. You. Natalia. Caitlin. Elisa. Sofi. Rye… Marco. I couldn’t do it anymore. I couldn’t protect you guys. I was at camp. Just doing what I do. Focusing on myself. Basketball made me feel like I was on top of the world. But it also forced me into a role I don’t think I really ever wanted. That’s all I was ever told to do so when… the summer after sophomore year came.”[/color] 

He cleared his throat, acknowledging this was probably the best and worst summer of his life. Danny eased his breathing, kept himself steady, as he became the most vulnerable he’s ever been in front of Jill, [color=005d9e]“The summer we stopped being friends I… was confronted with something I was trying to bury. Trying to pretend it wasn’t part of who I am. I felt broken because if I actually accepted this piece inside me, I would be hated by my father.”[/color] Taking a break from talking, still not getting where he needed to go, Danny put his face in the palms of his face. Why was coming out so terrifying? [color=005d9e]“Sorry, give me a moment.”[/color] 

[color=fd9100]“All right, fine, you’re going to get a moment, Danny,”[/color] Jill conceded. [color=fd9100]“But I’m going to use it to tell you exactly what you’re apologizing for.”[/color]

The O’Brien girl knew Danny was rambling. He was all over the place trying to figure out what the hell he was trying to get to and apologize for. Bringing up history that he knew she still knew. She remembered those Jordans and how thrilled he was to be able to hop through the gym, in his own words. She knew he didn’t have to deal with the immediate aftermath of the shooting given he was away at the time. All these things they couldn’t actually talk about because he fucked up.

[color=fd9100]“You’re not apologizing for the state that you saw me in at the old school. You’re not sorry for what happened to what would have been my first-born child and the scars that I now carry because of that day. You say you’re sorry that you couldn’t protect any of us when Charlie Decker attacked, but that’s not what you’re apologizing for either.

No, what you’re apologizing for here today is for your actions in making all those things hurt as much as they did. I know you know how much losing Allison hurt me, Danny. How much pain I felt knowing my idol was gone and trying to pick things up after that. I leaned so hard on you and Kat and Liv and Cece and Lanie and Mei to help keep me sane. But then you did exactly what you did that summer, and I lost you. And then Decker happened and I lost Kat and Liv. Then I lost Cece. I scrambled to find someone, anyone to hold onto, and that someone was Mike. Then I lost Lanie. Then I lost Mike. And I had no one to replace them with. No one to turn to. Because I couldn’t build up those relationships any more. I kept turning to people from before that summer because I didn’t want to try and start from scratch with anyone else. Because what was the point Danny?

What was the point to try and have a decade long friendship with someone only for them to stab me in the back? So I didn’t try anymore. And that’s what you’re here to apologize for, Danilo Belmonte. It’s not for fucking my sister, not that she didn’t play her own part in that whole fucking thing. It’s not casting aside our friendship to win a fucking bet with that idiot Rye. It’s for absolutely breaking my ability to trust anyone ever again. Mike may have pushed me down, but you were the one crouched behind my legs to make sure I fell. It all started with that one thing you did, Danny. You. Broke. My. Heart.”[/color] Jill looks over at Mei, [color=fd9100]“And it’s only just now that I’m finally starting to recover. And I needed a lot of help to do that.”[/color] The redhead looked back at the man on the couch. [color=fd9100]“So, the flowers and the cannolis are a start, but you need to get your words straight and own exactly, and I mean [i]EXACTLY[/i] what you did to me. What you did to us.”[/color]

Jill sat back in the ugly old armchair that she was certain Mei had fished from the side of the road somewhere but now served as her throne. She had waited so long to tell Danny exactly what she thought of what happened, and now it was out there. Now she would see if there was something that could be saved in that friendship. Goddess knows she could use all the friends she could get now.

[color=C652D5]”Oh Danny boy, you pissed off the wrong Irish redhead.”[/color] Mei followed her lover to the chair which she absolutely found behind the Hole in the Wall and forced Hailee to help her drag it to the apartment. She sat on the edge of the armchair, her robe riding even higher on her leg. Mei didn’t care of course, her cheerleader attire was even shorter. [color=C652D5]”Let's hear what you got, little doggy.”[/color]

Danny took in her words and somehow found himself not agreeing with Jill fully. Mei’s added commentary didn’t help. [color=005d9e]“What about me, Jill?”[/color] He asked back, wondering if she even knew what he went through growing up. It was always about her and her pain. Was he not allowed to hurt too? [color=005d9e]“Did you even know that I hated Allison? She took the one thing I wanted away from me and then after she died, he wouldn’t even give me much of a glance. I supported you when I couldn’t stand the name you kept bringing up. I feel bad for her circumstances, but this irrational hate I had for her ate at me every fucking day. And I didn’t fuck Grace for the goddamn bet. That was an easy cover up because the day before I slept with Marco!”[/color]

Oh shit. 

Retracting back in, Danny stood up, realizing this was a mistake, [color=005d9e]“I’m sorry I’m an awful person. I’m an awful friend. I thought your sister could fix me but it only gave me more problems. I’m broken and maybe you’re right. Maybe we’re better off not being friends but I loved you and I still do. I’m sorry I couldn’t think about your pain, that I was too focused on worrying about my father finding out and disowning me because I’m in love with a guy. I’m just tired of acting like I have my shit together. I’m tired of being the strong one when I want to cry every single day now that my mom is fucking dying. But boys don’t cry. I’m fucking sorry Jill. I’m just going to go.”[/color] Danny was quick to start retreating. 

Mei raised her arms in mock victory! She had fucking called Danny being gay back in middle school and now she was being proven right. She loved it when she was right. [color=C652D5]“I fucking called it! I knew you were one of us.”[/color]

No way. He wasn’t getting off the hook that easily. [color=fd9100]“You are going to sit your ass on that couch until [i]WE[/i] are done here, Danny,”[/color] Jill commanded with a tone that definitely hadn’t been present in her voice for years.

[color=C652D5]”You are totally using that voice later,”[/color] she whispered.

[color=fd9100]“Oh I can do more than that for you later,”[/color] was the whisper back.

Like a golden retriever, ashamed for getting scolded at, Danny went back to his seat, this time folding his arms around himself, almost in an embrace. His chest was hurting and he could feel the tears building up. He pinched himself to avoid crying. Mei didn’t even know him and she would think he was a pussy or some shit. [color=005d9e]“Something is wrong with me but Marco makes me happy.”[/color] 

Jill calmly got up from her chair and walked over to the couch where Danny sat. As she did, the memory of that conversation, of the night when everything changed and she willed herself to start doing things she needed to do, of that first cannoli bite in years, they flooded her mind. All she could think of was one thing as she sat down next to the Italian Stallion.

She held him close for a brief moment… then the punches to the arm started coming. [color=fd9100]“YOU. BROKE. MARCO’S. HEART! YOU. ASS!”[/color] They likely had the same impact that they did when they were kids and Jill would punch Danny in the arm for saying something stupid. But Jill owed Marco that much upon finding out Danny freaking Belmonte was the reason Marco was in such a lovelorn state when those feelings were shared on the stoop. The talk that convinced her to take the plunge. [color=fd9100]“Although now I guess I really meant all those things I said when I called you… let me think… a fucking idiot who deserved nothing but regret for the rest of his life? My memory’s hazy, but I’m pretty sure that’s what I said. But nothing is wrong with you! And you could have fucking told me you were gay, Danny! I would have at least been able to help you more than Grace’s worn-out drive-thru.”[/color]

[color=005d9e]“Bisexual,”[/color] He corrected, before adding, [color=005d9e]“Or well… male leaning, as the internet puts it. I can still get with girls. Not like I’m going to because I only want one person.”[/color] Danny admitted, all the while being bewildered at this whole experience. Did this mean Jill forgave him? She was sitting close to him, she hugged him, she punched him, and she was acting like they used to be, and yet he didn’t know if he deserved this forgiveness. [color=005d9e]“I was fighting it, I barely even understood the ‘urge’ when I was fifteen. But yeah, now you know… I was super into Francis to the point that I remembered his locker combination which ended up being useful last week… oh, and Marco and I, we’re dating again.”[/color] Danny didn’t know if he should be relieved or not, nor did he know what this meant for him, Jill, and Mei. All he knew now was he could use a nap and cuddle session with his boyfriend. He was exhausted. [color=005d9e]“I’m sorry it took me so long to own up to this. I still have a lot of work to do. I know I’m not broken, at least not anymore than anyone else in this town. I know who I love shouldn’t dictate if I’m a good person or not. I’m just scared, Jill… Mei. And I don’t know when I’ll be able to tell my dad.”[/color]

Jill let herself breathe a heavy sigh. Apparently Danny was going to get a similar talk to the one she delivered to his… boyfriend. That was still an adjustment. [color=fd9100]“First of all, if your dad could tolerate Natalia’s whirlwind romance and subsequent breakup with Kylee, I’m sure he will be able to handle this. Maybe, you need some time to formulate how you explain things, but I’m sure you’ll be able to get through to him.

Second of all, fuck Francis Callahan. That fucking tool caused so much heartache and put Allison on edge so many times in freshman year because he couldn’t be honest with her, the same way you couldn’t be honest with yourself. Or me, for that matter. If both of you had fucking owned up to yourselves… fuck, maybe we wouldn’t have thought drugs were the answer…”[/color] 

The parallels between her own life and Allison’s continued to be drawn out for Jill. Sure, she couldn’t speak for the departed Davies diva, but booze definitely made her feel better about all the ways she had been forsaken by the various former friends in her life. But all it meant was that she was killing herself more slowly than Allie did.

[color=fd9100]“Third, …sigh… you’re right that you’re not the only broken person in this goddess-forsaken town. But if Marco can forgive you after the shit you pulled on him, and you two can be together…”[/color] Jill looked away for a moment. She didn’t want it to be this easy. She expected to make Danny do so many things to try and earn forgiveness, but seeing him as broken as she was, on the verge of tears she could tell he was desperately trying to hide, maybe that was punishment enough. [color=fd9100]“Then, I guess… I can finally put you fucking my sister in the past with it. Still not forgiving Grace, but,”[/color] Jill placed her hand on Danny’s shoulder and mimicked the blessing of the cross. [color=fd9100]“I absolve you of your sins, Danilo Belmonte. You are free to be as much a blasphemous sight on the Lord’s eyes as I am.”[/color]

With that, Danny ended up laughing. He didn’t know what else to say. He had said so much in such a short amount of time. Instead, he gingerly pulled Jill into an embrace and whispered, [color=005d9e]“Thank you.”[/color]

It felt good to hear that laugh again. Jill allowed herself to be wrapped up by her [s]former…[/s] current friend and returned the hug. [color=fd9100]“You’re welcome. Now, don’t fuck it up this time, Danny,”[/color] she whispered back. 

[color=C652D5]”You two are so gay.”[/color] Mei cocked an eyebrow at the two former Eden Elites. This sure wasn’t how she expected this day to go. She popped up off of the armchair and made her way towards the kitchen counter to grab herself a drink. It was five o'clock somewhere, right? She spun on her heel, beer in hand and a grin from ear to ear. [color=C652D5]”Hey Danny? You realise Jill and I are fucking right?”[/color] She loved the power in those words as she took swig from her beer. [color=C652D5]”Oh yeah, she’s one with the dark side now as well. Let’s go get Marco and have a big gay fucking brunch. Here’s to the goddamn queers!”[/color]

[color=fd9100]"Jesus fuck, Mei! Do you want to tell him what position we were in when he knocked too?"[/color] Jill could only shake her head and laugh. Mei was never one for subtlety. [color=fd9100]"But yeah Danny, I'm glad you've come to terms with your own bisexuality, because, uh, yeah, turns out I’m bi as well. Who would have thought, right? So yeah, we can march in the Edenridge Pride Parade together. Although…we can always talk about our outfits for that over brunch."[/color] Mei had said the magic word. Even with her limited funds at the moment, a brunch to officially rekindle things with Danny, and confirm with Marco that the results of their stoop session were happy for all sides? All with Miss Midnight potentially popping hash browns in her mouth? It sounded like heaven.

Caught off balance solely by the girls’ words, Danny’s face went from shock to delight. His smile grew wider when he realized he wasn’t alone. He never imagined Mei and him would get brunch together like a double date. He never imagined he and Jill would become friends again. Well, he never imagined being in Mei’s apartment either and that Jill would be her ‘roommate’. How events turned gave him hope for the future. He looked between Mei and Jill, Jill and Mei and freely complimented, [color=005d9e]“You both look hot together. Thank you, Mei, for being everything Jill needs.”[/color] Danny was glad he ended up adding dahlias and anemones to the lilies bouquet. Now it holds so much more meaning since their lives, Jill and Mei’s, were intertwined together in the best ways. [color=005d9e]“I’ll give Marco a call and tell him to be ready in twenty.”[/color]


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