Disclaimer: Not mine
Notes: Spoilers for up to 'Wishes on the Water', heavy on the soap opera
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Despite all the evidence that seemed to point to the contrary, Max and Danny were more alike than different, it occurred to Alyssa. They had both given up their dreams for the Princess and the planet, and they both made up for their inexperience in battle with their dedication to the mission. But even with these newly discovered similarities, Alyssa was acutely aware of one example of where they were still total opposites.
When Max had been wounded, Danny had watched on silently, face twisted in agony, speaking only to promise Max that he would make the Org pay for what he had done.
But now, now after another fight gone bad, after the Org had injected Danny with some sort of toxin that even Princess Shayla had only heard of, after giving him an antidote that they wouldn't know if it even worked until it had worked its way through his system… Max was still talking to him.
"Man, I wish you were awake just so you could see everyone's faces. They're acting like we're already in the middle of your funeral." Max snorted even as his grip on Danny's hand tightened (Alyssa was far away enough to not be seen, but not so far away that she couldn't see and hear what was going on). "It's like I'm the only one who remembers that you're a Power Ranger."
"And even if you weren't… you're pretty much invincible anyways, you know that?" Max laughed again, but it seemed to be more for his benefit than anything else this time. "You can hold an Org back, and that's without using your Morpher. And you've saved my sorry backside more times than I can remember. I mean, the whole reason you got hurt in the first place was because you saved me today. That's why I know."
There was no laughter in Max's voice now as he held the hand close to his heart. "That's why I know you'll pull through. I always say never give up… but you're the one who really believes it."
Alyssa was about to go to Max, to offer what comfort she could… but when Max kissed Danny's knuckles with a tenderness Alyssa had never seen from him ever, she decided that perhaps it would be best to leave the two of them alone for now.
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The first thing Danny was aware of was the hand in his. It took some effort, but he opened his eyes to the sight of Max grinning over him.
"Geez, Danny, you always sleep in this late?"
Alyssa gave Max a reprimanding look as she handed Danny his glasses. "Thanks, Alyssa." Danny flinched at how rough his voice sounded as he pulled himself into a sitting position. "So, did we get the Org?"
There was no change in Max's smile. "He managed to sneak off. But don't worry; we'll get him next time."
"Right. Next time." And even though his body still ached, Danny felt relief go through him as he listened to Max talk. He'd managed to stop the Org after all. Max was all right.
And as long as Max was all right, so was Danny.