First watchmen fic, is super nervous ;-; I haven't done anything outside anime
Walter/Rorchach and Daniel/Nite Owl but just friendship (unless I decide to add a second chapter, mwahaha)
Good Samaritan
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Walter blinked droplets off his eyelashes, rain was oddly proper for a funeral; even god was mourning.
The sky was as gray as the stone marking the dead in the graveyard behind him, only broken every few moments by the white streak of a rain drop plummeting to its end. They pelted down on him in waves on his tattered coat, turning the faded green a few shades darker as it began to soak through. His skin shivered but he paid it no mind.
In fact his mind was quiet busy at the moment, mentally cataloging the well dressed visitors as they filed through the metal gates to the funeral. They were too concerned with grief or appearances to notice the short hobo standing along the stone walls, too busy to read the leaking words on his sign, but he was used to that. He was used to a lot of things.
A harsh sneeze reminded him that with his malnutrition, being out in the rain like this was probably going to wear him down into pneumonia. He tried to ignore it but broke into a wet, heavy coughing fit. Cursing his own mortality he locked in his feet, unwilling to leave, even if he collapsed in the pouring rain.
Then, strangely, the rain stopped, and the strange pattering against fabric rang out above his head. Bringing his eyes from his sleeve, he looked up and saw a familiar face staring back at him.
Daniel held the umbrella tight in his hand above them both, that same smile he'd always had, friendly with a hint of motherly worry. The moisture in the air was making the licks of hair that always stuck up on his brow curl even more.
"Your sign is leaking." He commented nervously, trying to break the silence.
Walter found a smile trying defiantly to pull at the edge of his mouth. Daniel had always been naive, far too caring for his own good. Anyone else could have easily robbed him, in his suit he looked wealthy enough, but his school boy ideals of honor and heroics hadn't changed even in such a harsh world. He never would grow out of it, would he?
Walter allowed himself a bitter chuckle. "You're far too soft Daniel." He commented before clutching his sign and swiftly walking away, leaving his former partner in confusion.
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The funeral had brought back many unpleasant memories for Daniel. He walked out rubbing his brow to hold off a slight migraine. Everyone else was chatting, remembering, but he really didn't feel up to it. He looked around instead, taking in the setting of the infamous Comedian's final resting place, and spotted something that wasn't supposed to be there.
A poorly dressed and tattered man stood against the wall, fiery red hair clinging wetly to his freckled face. He was soaked to the bone and coughing into his sleeve.
He seemed familiar, he'd probably passed him on the street thousands of times and never paid him any mind, but to see him in such a miserable state put a strain on his heart. A man was dead… the least he could do was offer someone who was still alive some comfort.
Stepping over while the poor man was getting through his fit, he held his umbrella over them both. He got a strange reaction at first, like the poor man expected him to attack or something, but when he looked into his face his own seemed to soften. The bettered freckled expression told Daniel that the man had been through a lot, things he'd probably never know. Perhaps he should invite him to his house, give him some food, a hot shower and someplace warm to sleep until the rain stopped.
But then he spoke, and said something he didn't expect at all.
"You're far too soft Daniel." His voice was hard and grated, like a car running on a gravel road.
Daniel? How did he know his name… and if he did everyone usually called him Dan… the only person who called him Daniel was…
Before he knew it the man had wondered off, disappearing into the rain while he had been lost in his thoughts. Blinking he wondered exactly what had just happen and made a note to look for the man from now on.