Summary: Sam and Tucker share a moment of understanding while getting lectured, and strengthen their friendship as a trio. Drabble-ish.
Disclaimer: No owning here, other than my handy dandy plot weasel.
"You three are in a world of trouble!"
Sitting with their best friend on the Fenton's couch, Tucker and Sam silently took the lecture from the adults. This time, there was no Dani to bail them out of the trouble they'd gotten into, so Sam had crossed her arms, and Tucker had sank resignedly back against the couch, figuring he'd better make himself comfortable. Danny sat between him, hands on his knees, staring at the floor. It was clear that out of the three of them, he felt the worst about it. The Goth and the techno geek were much more used to taking the heat for their half-ghost friend, so their parents' speech about obedience barely fazed them. But Danny was another story. He had already felt guilty about breaking the rules himself- getting his two best friends into trouble alongside him only multiplied the feeling. Every now and then he would raise his head and give each of them a half smile, but otherwise he appeared to be studying his shoes.
When it became clear to the parents that their kids were not listening anymore, Mrs. Manson cleared her throat loudly. All three looked up, expecting to hear their punishment. Instead, Mr. Foley took the opportunity to say, "You three have got to get your priorities straightened out. You need to think about your future!"
Sam couldn't help it- she snorted. I thought that's what we were doing when we were helping Danny save the town! All eyes abruptly turned to her, and she suddenly became very interested in brushing a bit of dirt from her skirt.
Maddie Fenton sighed as if she felt she was getting nowhere, no doubt echoing the other parents' feelings. "You just don't understand, do you?"
Sam and Tucker glanced at Danny, and then exchanged looks with each other. The adults just didn't understand, any of them; there were some things that were more important. Much more important than free time or grades or education. They didn't understand that there were things worth sacrificing for. That Danny was worth sacrificing for. The look shared between Tucker and Sam said more than they could have out loud: it was a silent agreement to stick by their friend no matter what, even if their parents forbade them to go near him. It was a promise to show they cared more for his well-being than for their 'futures'. What future would it be anyway without Danny in the picture? Clueless as usual, he had completely missed the moment, and they loved him all the more for it.
Don't worry about us, Danny. You just do your thing and leave the rest to us.