Disclaimer: Let's see, if I owned Danny Phantom the world would be chaos...it's not, so I don't.
Author's Note: Enjoy!
Chapter 8: The Friendship Foxtrot
I don't feel confused with what I'm doing,
and I don't need the world to love me.
I can ride the clouds and leap tall buildings.
I can be myself without having to worry.
You're my smart and fiery Lois Lane,
strong and beautiful Mary Jane.
You're the only one for me.
The woman who keeps me sane.
That's why with you I will never run,
cause in this life, you're my equilibrium!
Whoa oh oh, you're my comic book love.
Whoa oh oh, you're my comic book love!
You make me feel stronger against my inner villains.
You make me feel like I'm not worthless.
I feel like I'm a comic book hero
with a superman confidence.
I know that you're falling down,
but baby don't worry, don't even cry.
Just look to the disappearing blue sky
cause I promise to catch you every time.
That's why with you I will never run,
cause in this life, you're my equilibrium!
Whoa oh oh, you're my comic book love.
Whoa oh oh, you're my comic book love!
"Whoa oh oh, you're my comic book love." Tucker sang along softly with the song.
He twirled Sam around once as they continued to slow dance. She couldn't help but snigger every time Tucker's voice was off key. She laid her head on his shoulder and breathed in the clean and spicy scent. As his arms pulled her closer, her heart felt like it was flip flopping around with the butterflies in her stomach. The Goth girl felt like the suspense was going to kill her any minute now, but she enjoyed the moment nonetheless. As the song came to an end, Tucker pulled away slightly to look at her. Their gazes met, emotions clear and there for the other to see. Tucker gathered his courage and slowly leaned forward. Sam licked her lips and closed her eyes in anticipation.
The world disappeared around them as their lips met in slow, but passionate kiss. His mouth pressed more urgently to her own and Sam couldn't help but let out a small sigh of pleasure. As the kiss drew on, Sam felt brave enough to wrap her arms around Tucker's neck. Her fingers played slightly with the hairs at his nape. Now it was Tucker's turn to groan as his neck became sensitive to her ministrations. Tucker's hand pulled her closer to him, while the other slid down the length of Sam's face. As he cupped her face closer to his own, his thumb caressed her cheek softly.
The two reluctantly broke apart, but let the new and strange feeling wash over them. Tucker's eyes held a happy and glazed look as he smiled at a flustered Sam. They looked at each other both mirroring the same flustered smile. This kiss had been very different from the awkward one they'd shared the first time.
"I've been wanting to do that for awhile," Tucker admitted.
"I've been waiting for you to do that," Sam replied sheepishly. The two walked off the dance floor hand in hand, their fingers interlaced.
"Married couple," said a slightly sing song voice near them. The two immediately blushed at the familiar voice. They looked behind them to see a smirking Danny with his arms crossed. "Can't I go to the bathroom for 5 minutes without you two making out?" Danny teased. "When were you two planning on telling me you had a thing for each other?"
"Hey dude, we just figured it out right now," Tucker said smiling.
"Yeah well it took you guys long enough. I was going to gag if I had to look at you two give each other repressed soulful stares one more time." Danny said as he imitated his friends.
"Were we really that obvious?" Sam asked uncomfortably.
"Even Dash wondered if you two had a thing going on." Danny said laughing.
The two laughed with him, feeling relief that Danny seemed to accept their relationship. The trio headed off toward the snack table and drank sodas as they talked. After awhile Danny quickly realized that his friends seemed anxious to be alone. With a broad smile on his face he politely told the two that he was going to enjoy the rest of the party and insinuated that they get started on a make out session.
The earlier smile on Danny's face fell as he watched the two flustered teenagers leave. It was a bittersweet happiness that threatened to overwhelm him and made him feel slightly guilty. He was happy for his friends, but seeing them like that made him wish he had someone. The sound of clapping and cheering reached his ears and his gaze traveled to the dance floor. The duo dancing in the middle caught his attention. Danny watched as an energetic Paulina and Kwan moved to the music with grace and dexterity.
The crowd around them cheered louder and the two took it as encouragement to dance even closer to each other. They swayed and moved together in sync to the beat of the song. 'Whoa, Kwan is more flexible than he looks.' Danny thought in surprise. Eventually he grew tired of watching the lively scene in front of him and turned his attention to the other people at the party. All around him, groups of people were either dancing, sitting down and talking, or just doing other crazy things inside of Kwan's house.
A loud crushing sound caught his attention and he turned around to find a few of his fellow teammates crushing beer cans on their heads. Others were standing near a keg like they were worshipping it. When some of the drunken seniors noticed him, they staggered up and dragged him to join them.
"'ey guys! S'rve some up fer Fent'n!" one of them said slurring. Danny watched as someone filled a cup to the brim with beer before handing it to him.
"Uh, no thanks, I don't drink." Danny said, moving to get away.
"Tha's coo' man, but it's only a sip. You can't get buzz'd wit' one, jus' try it and see how it hits ya," one of the seniors slurred.
"Remember who you're talking to Mike. No way is dorky Fenton going to hold it in. He's too much of a wuss. I bet the loser's a total lightweight." Dash said laughing. Some of the other players laughed with him as he pushed Danny away from them.
Danny stopped at Dash's words, letting them sink in. He looked back at the rowdy blonde and felt his blood boil at the insults. 'I can't believe that I'm risking my neck for this jerk and no matter what I do, no matter how much I try, he still thinks I'm a loser!' Danny thought angrily. Without thinking, he roughly pushed past Dash and walked back toward the senior with the proffered cup. He quickly snatched it and downed the bitter liquid in one long and messy gulp. When he was done he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and let out a loud burp. As he excused himself in embarrassment, the other boys around him cheered.
Danny turned a smug smile toward Dash, but in return he was greeted with Dash's annoyed frown. His attention returned to his hand as his cup was refilled. As he stared at his foamy reflection he realized two things; tomorrow he was probably going to regret this, but tonight he really didn't care. With that settled he began to down the beer again, but this time in smaller gulps.
"Wooo! Yeah!" Danny said as he danced on top of the large table. He'd lost his shirt an hour ago and now the cup he was holding slipped from his hand and onto the floor. Most of the drunks nearby cheered him on, while buzzed onlookers laughed and took pictures. He moved even more to the fast paced song playing from the DJ.
Kwan and Paulina looked on in amusement at the idiotic freshman. Derek made several attempts to get the boy off, afraid Danny would fall and hurt himself, but all the drunk boy did was skirt away from him. Having had enough of this, Dash walked toward the sophomore to get his attention.
"Yo Sanchez, go get those geeks Fenton calls friends."
"But what about Danny?" Derek asked uncertainly.
"Don't worry, I'll get him down. Just go get them." Dash said as he looked up at the energetic drunk. Derek nodded, a strange smile on his face, and went to find Sam and Tucker. With a sigh, Dash stepped on top of the table and toward the frenzied boy. Danny saw him and gave him a goofy grin.
"Hey Dash, dance with me!" Danny said as he grabbed Dash's arm and moved closer toward the blonde. Dash blushed as some of the other partygoers cheered louder and whistled them on, thinking they were going to get a show. Finally having had enough embarrassment, he pulled himself away from the hyperactive boy.
"I'm sorry dude," Dash said quietly before punching the other boy right in the stomach.
Danny stopped moving, his breath coming out as a wheeze of pain. Dash managed to catch him when his knees buckled. Several of the onlookers winced, while others merely laughed at the display. Dash carefully helped Danny off the table. He pushed passed the small crowd that had formed and made his way outside. He turned his head at the sound of his name being called.
Derek stood in front of him, panting like he'd run a marathon. A worried frown appeared on his face, "Dash I couldn't find his friends. I looked everywhere and nobody's seen where they've gone to. What are we going to do?"
Derek watched in surprise as Danny gave Dash a hurt look and tried to pull away from the blonde. Dash merely gave him a shake and put the other boy's arm around his neck to get a better grip. "I guess we better drive him out of here." Dash said. His annoyance was only growing by the minute. When Danny was sober again, he was going to get it. "You have your permit right?"
"Yeah, but I already had two and I don't want to risk it." Derek said. "Do you think anyone else can drive him?" He asked hopefully.
Dash took a look around before shaking his head, "No, they're all too far gone already or don't a permit. Most of them are just going to walk home trashed, while the rest pass out in Kwan's house." After thinking about what to do, his mind gave him a begrudging idea. "Look the idiot really needs to get home, you stay here and keep looking for his friends. I know they're here somewhere. When you find 'em just tell 'em I'm taking care of him."
"Got it, but be careful with him." Derek said as he looked at the disheveled appearance of his friend. Dash nodded absently as he tried to get an uncoordinated Danny into his jacket. 'I think I'm missing something here. Dash Baxter is being nice toward Danny Fenton? Heh, maybe I had more than two.' Derek thought as he watched them stagger out of the party.
"53 bottles of beer on the wall, 53 bottles of beer, you take one down and pass it around, 52 bottles of beer of the wall!" Danny sang off key. "52 bottles-"
"Shut up!" Dash yelled in frustration. "You've been singing that stupid song for 10 minutes!"
Danny stopped his singing and looked down at the ground with a childish sigh, "Chh big meanie. Jus' why're you so mean to me all the time, Dash?" A hiccup escaped his drooping lips. "Wha' did I ev'r do to you?" he slurred.
Danny took Dash's brief silence as his cue to keep talking, "I mean I've 'elped you, tried ta be friends wit' you, even risk'd my life fer you."
"What are you talking about?" Dash asked out of curiosity.
"Well fer 'xample, I only join'd the football team ta get close ta ya because your dumb self needs 'elp." Danny said matter-of-factly.
"If you're being honest then that's a stupid reason cause I don't need help from you Fenton," Dash said.
"Yes ya do," Danny said in a sing song voice. He groaned slightly and lost his balance again, almost bringing Dash down with him. "I'm tired of walkin', jus' wanna fly home."
"Pfft, it's not like we can," Dash said annoyed at him.
"You can't, but I can." Danny said smugly. "I'm special like tha'. If ya let me go right now, I'll show ya." Danny said bragging.
Dash ignored him and kept on walking, "If I let you go you'll drop like a sack of potatoes and pass out on the street."
"No I won'...well maybe jus' a lil, but tha's ok cause you're 'ere. You wouldn't leave me 'ere drunk on the street." Danny slurred. He held on to Dash tighter as they turned the corner.
"How do you know? I might get annoyed by you talking so much and drop your sorry carcass here." Dash said.
"No ya won'." Danny said simply. "You're gonna 'elp me out, cause you're not tha' much of jerk like ev'rybody else thinks. I should know cause I'm riskin' my life fer ya." Danny said firmly. He nodded once at his own drunken logic.
"Whatever you say Fenton." Dash said humoring Danny.
It took them 15 minutes, but they finally made it to Danny's house. The drunken boy settled down most of the way, only occasionally opening his mouth to say or ask something simple. Dash never thought he'd be grateful to know where Danny lived, but after a night like this he was tired. Danny got excited once he saw his home in plain view.
"Oh man I've never been drunk b'fore! Good thing I'm home!" Danny said loudly. Dash winced and put a hand on top of Danny's mouth to make him shut up.
Dash whispered loudly, "Shh! Are you nuts? If your folks catch you like this, your dead."
Danny only shook his head vehemently. Dash took a chance and slowly removed his hand to let the other boy talk.
He laughed slightly as he said, "Nope, parents outta town and Jazz at her friend's sleepover. Nobody goin' ta be home till 'morrow night. Hehe, they trusted me to take care of myself." Danny said as he leaned more of his weight onto Dash.
"Yeah so much for that...geez you're heavier than you look." Dash said as he shifted Danny. "Where's the key to your house?"
"In pocket somewhere," Danny said as he fidgeted to try and pull it out. Getting tired of the sluggish movements, Dash reached into Danny's pocket and pulled out the key himself. Moving Danny's weight to his other arm, he managed to open the door and drag the boy inside. As they made their way into the darkened house, Danny quickly pulled away from him and walked off awkwardly.
"Fenton? Where are you?" Dash said he looked around for a light switch. The sound of a crash and something breaking was his only answer. Dash finally found the light switch and flicked it on. The sight that greeted him was an overturned table and broken vase next to a fallen Danny. He quickly made his way over to the dazed boy and picked him up mindful of the mess.
"Man Fenton when you get drunk, you get drunk," Dash said chuckling.
Danny said nothing as Dash lifted him up and took him upstairs. Dash looked at every room in the hallway until he found Danny's. When the other boy kept tapping his shoulder he looked down to find a green faced Danny staring back at him. With speed he didn't think he possessed, he managed to carry Danny into the bathroom. Dash unceremoniously dumped Danny over the toilet and held him there while he threw up. The bathroom walls echoed with Danny's loud retching.
When he finally finished, Dash reached over him and flushed the toilet. He grabbed Danny by the collar and dragged him over to the sink. After a 2 minute struggle, he had Danny's mouth somewhat clean and brushed. As the two walked down the hallway Danny was on his feet, but still being helped along by Dash.
"Gross, I'm never drinkin' again," Danny said slowly. "'Ey Where're we goin?" He slurred.
"I'm putting you to bed stupid," Dash said as he opened the door to Danny's room and helped him inside. He quickly lifted Danny up to dump him, but unfortunately for Dash, Danny managed to pull the blonde down with him. The two landed with a loud "oof" on the bed and Dash tried to get off, but Danny's grip kept him in place.
"Don' leave Dash. I hafta...hafta talk to ya," he said slurring. Dash managed to move on Danny's side and remove Danny's hands off of him. He looked down expectantly at the raven haired boy, "Can' we jus' be friends? Why don'cha like me?" He asked giving a hurt look at the blonde. Dash rolled his eyes at Danny, but answered so the idiot would stop bothering him.
"Yes, ok? Yes, I like you and we're friends...and yes you're funny when you're drunk," Dash said smiling. Danny gave him a smile before he suddenly leaned over and embraced Dash. The blonde stiffened at the gesture, not used to getting hugs...especially from guys.
A small blush graced his cheeks as he grit out the other boy's name in a warning, "Fenton." The other boy ignored him and held on tighter.
"Thanks Dash. Now tha' we're friends, I promise to 'elp ya against..." Danny trailed off. Dash felt the grip around him loosen and he looked down to see Danny had passed out. He disentangled himself from the other boy and let him fall back onto his bed. He stood up quickly, but his body protested against the action. A wave of sleepiness hit him and he looked at Danny's clock to see it flash 10:16. He looked down at Danny wearing his letterman jacket and realized it was a lost cause. As he looked at the sleeping boy, an evil idea came to his head.
If Danny wanted to be his friend so badly then Dash was going to treat him like one, after a little payback first. He always brought his digital camera with him to parties. After all, you never knew when something memorable or really stupid was going to happen. A mischievous smile came to his face as he took the first picture. 'Hmm, I wonder where Jazz keeps her makeup?'
End of Chapter 8
Author's Long End Notes: Drunk scenes in fics are half truths and things that have actually happened to someone (Sad but true.). This drunken scene was brought to you by remembering what happened to someone else I know. Lol, thank god it didn't happen to the letter otherwise my friend would have freaked out worse on that poor drunken idiot.
The next thing I have to say is that I'm sorry for not updating sooner. I'm going to go somewhere for a week and I've been busy packing and preparing. Sorry times a thousand to you all, but don't worry nothing is going to stop me from updating this fic. For some reason I'm actually a lil ahead of schedule in my writing when it comes to this one. Anyhoo, I hope you guys liked the update. Hopefully the big guy upstairs will guide me to a place where I can upload the next chapter during this week. ::crosses fingers::
Spider's Shout Outs:
(because if it was Spider's Statements it'd sound too boring)
lauren: Hello again! hehehe, I'm glad you stumbled over my fic and reviewed it again. Dash doesn't seem like the type that catches people, he more like cushions their falls, lol. :) The funny thing is that right now I need some sleep too, but I'm gonna stay awake long enough to tell ya that I hope you liked the update and thanks again for reviewing! :-D
Ranma Higurashi: Hey there! Wait...there was a South Park marathon....and I wasn't informed? :( Not cool dude. Hehehe, I think Kwan's party was killer...for Danny's social life! ::suppresses a cackle:: :) Thanks for the sweet review! :-D
Leanie: Horay! Freaking awesome, another new reader! lol, I hope this satisfied your slash craving. This was chock full of Danny/Dash moments, but alas even I know I didn't really pour on the slash as much as I could have with a drunken Danny. Oh well, I'll just have to fix that won't I? ;) Thanks so much for the dope review! :-)
AbeoUmbra: Hello! Wow, your review was the longest one I've ever gotten for this fic and the most challenging to respond to. :) Let me start off by saying that you have a good point about Danny's watch. Yeah Griffith could just be tricking him or hell Danny could just be dreaming all this, but the truth is that he really did sign that contract. This chapter confirms that Sam and Tucker are now an item and right now they only see Danny and Dash as friends. :)
Yeah Griffith has things about him that are unaccounted for, but he and Danny are definitely not related. In a sense he's sort of speaking metaphorically about them being like brothers because they possess similar abilities. On the other hand Griffith is going to pull out all the stops to make Danny fail, even if it means turning Danny and Dash against each other. My opinion on Griffith will only spoil the story, but I promise his omen will make sense later. I'm sorry if this was too vague, but I hope it helped somewhat with your questions. Thanks again for the too cool review! (Just like it's spelled Gri [like in Grid] Fith [like in...well...Fith] ) hehehe.
Dela the Hidden: Ssshhh! ::looks at the other reviewers nervously and for once talks in a low voice:: Hey again. To be honest if we played that hot and cold game, you'd be warm and sort of close about that watch thing. lol, but keep it on the down low cause that won't be happening soon. I hope this chapter was a little bit longer than the last one. If Dash had been drunk, do you think Danny would have scored in this chapter too? lol. ;-D Thanks so much for your awesome review!
Kayu Silver: Hello there! Lol, Danny did a lil dance of his own in this chapter didn't he? ::ponders what a drunken Danny giving a lap dance to Dash looks like:: Whoops, did I imagine that aloud? ;) Short, long, mean or wrong, to me a review is a review and every single one I get rocks. Thanks for the groovy review! :)
KimuraSato: Hey girl! You're right about Griffith not being able to kill Danny because the only one that can do that is Dash. :( Not a great confidence builder is it? I hope you laughed at the update and Dash's unwitting attempt at returning the gesture towards Danny. Lol, thanks so much for your review! :-D
RavenGhost: Hey! Yeah I hope Danny saves Dash too. lol, jk of course he will, it's just that the path he has to take to get there...sucks. Hehehe, hope you dug this drunken Danny update. Thanks for the review!
Katy Kreger: Yo! Glad to know you're still digging on my fic. I only found a bunch of sites for that series, but still not what you're looking for sorry. Thanks for the direct flight review!