Dash walked through the halls of Casper High, gym bag slung over his shoulder, as he left football practice. It had been raining out, and when it started to thunder and lightning coach decided to call practice early.
Dash wasn't looking forward to walking home in the rain, especially because he didn't bring an umbrella that morning.
He's passing the cafeteria as an especially big roll of thunders booms overhead and he hears a smaller thump come from inside the room. He peers inside, questioning whether he really heard anything when he sees a trembling figure beneath one of the tables.
The person is small, he can't make out who it is. As he approaches the table though, another boom of thunder rolls around the building and he could hear a whimper emanating from the figure this time. He kneels down to look under the table and starts at who he sees.
It's Fenton. He's sitting under the table with his arms wrapped around his legs, face pressed into his knees.
"Fenton?"
As Dash says his name, Fenton jumps and looks at him startled before a scowl works its way onto his face.
"What are you doing here, Dash?" Danny mumbles.
"I was leaving football practice when I saw some nerd hiding under a table. What, are you scared of a little thunder?"
Danny looks away and rests his chin onto his knees. A few moments pass without anything happening.
As Dash looks at him, he's struck with a realization.
Shit, he really is afraid of the thunder.
One would think that living in Amity Park, which is infested with ghosts, would make its residents a little more resilient when it came to fears.
Especially when this particular resident lived in a family of ghost hunters.
After a few more moments of quiet tension, Dash makes a decision.
He squeezes his way under the table, receiving a bewildered look from Fenton.
"Dash what are you doing?" He asks, looking at Dash who had plopped down a couple inches away from him.
"Sitting, what does it look like?"
Fenton squints his eyes at Dash, before looking away again.
"Do you know how long this rain is supposed to last anyways?" Dash asks. "I'm so not hyped to walk home in it."
"No idea." Fenton mumbles.
They sit in silence for a little bit before thunder could be heard cracking outside the school once again.
Dash looks at the smaller boy, who was curled in on himself again, and sat in quiet deliberation for a few moments.
He closes the space between himself and Fenton before wrapping an arm around his shoulders. Dash can feel Fenton tense underneath him, a look sent his way. Meeting Dash's gaze, Fenton studies his face. After finding something to satisfy himself, Fenton looks away and relaxes into Dash.
They sat like that for awhile, thunder rolling around them. Fenton clinging to the peculiar comfort during the quaking noise.
Soon enough, the thunder passed and the falling of the rain turned into pitter patters. They sat together for a little bit longer until Fenton sat up and stretched. He crawled out from under the table, slinging his backpack over his shoulders.
He looked down at Dash for a moment before offering him his hand to help Dash up.
Dash crawled out from under the table and took Fenton's hand, heaving himself up. After he stood, he stretched and cracked his back, letting out a groan as his body was released from being scrunched up under the table for so long.
"C'mon, Fenton. I'll walk you home." Dash said, waving his arm in a "follow me" gesture.
Fenton followed after Dash as they left the cafeteria and exited the building. It was still sprinkling out, but it was nothing compared to the earlier storm.
After walking in silence for a few moments, Fenton began to speak.
"Thanks, Dash."
Dash looks at Fenton, and sees a soft smile thrown his way. He smiles back.
"You're welcome, Danny."