Author's Notes: HEY! Updated super fast because technically, this one was supposed to come first! Okay, so this one I've gotten inspiration from Misya's story on Who Watches the Writers. It's a little different though. The outcome's nowhere near as exciting. Haha.

Warnings: Um. None, I think.

17. April Showers

He was filthy. Absolutely friggin' disgusting. And he reeked like nobody's business and the worst thing was that he didn't even care. That was what bothered Dan more than anything about this. He just didn't give a crap that he was covered in… well, crap. And it was his idea to go trouncing around in the sewers after the latest half-crazed villain who seemed to have the same idea about hygiene as his partner.

They had responded to a call about a costumed villain who called himself The Moleman. Really, it was Dan's idea to answer the call as there had been a dramatic decrease in costumed villains lately and he was beginning to feel the "Real Life Villains", as he liked to call them, were starting to get to the both of them. Rorschach especially. He'd taken up the habit of assigning himself cases and not telling Daniel about them. It was actually a little insulting, as if the other man doubted Dan's abilities or thought he would get in the way or something. And it's not like Rorschach came out the better after those cases. Even after the ones he "won", it would take him longer and longer to go back to normal and start caring about things again.

So Dan urged him to take this Moleman case with him, guilting him a little bit by reminding him that it had actually been a while since they'd worked together on a case and it would be like old times. It relieved Dan more than it probably should have that Rorschach agreed, but it seemed like Rorschach's way of saying that he still considered Daniel a partner, even if he couldn't talk about what happened on those cases he never told Dan about. But then again, maybe he was reading too much into it.

But, regardless of the reasons, they responded to the case. It seemed pretty simple and straightforward. The Moleman was breaking into jewelry shops and banks and then disappearing without a trace. Turns out, he disappeared by crawling down the sewers with his loot. Obvious, really, especially considering his name. And of course, once Rorschach gave chase, he wasn't too inclined to stop. So, totally ignoring Dan's suggestion to even get out the hoverbikes, Rorschach jumped down the manhole into the goddamned sewer without a second thought. Dan didn't mind getting his hands dirty, but it would be so much more efficient to get down the hoverbikes. It worked before, dammit, and it wouldn't even put them that behind in the chase. But no. So Dan was left speeding down the dingy, dripping tunnels trying to catch up with his partner and the deranged idiot who thought it would be a good idea to hide in sewers. Finally, Dan caught up with his partner who was wrestling with The Moleman knee-deep in the mucky sewer water. Typical. After they restrained him and hauled him up to the police, Daniel was ready to call it a night. Rorschach took some convincing, deciding to ignore the fact that they'd been beating up people since the sun went down and this Moleman certainly filled the weird quota for the day. He was finally reeled in by the promise of hot chocolate and more guilting (Dan wasn't sure how long putting the guilt trip on Rorschach would last, but he wasn't about to question it).

One smelly Owlship ride later, they were both clambering stiffly out of Archie's hull into Dan's basement. Rorschach was obviously sore from whatever the hell he'd been doing this past week and obviously trying not to show it and for some reason, that irritated Daniel more than it should have.

"C'mon buddy," he sighed, ushering Rorschach up the stairs, "I'll go put on the hot water and you can go take a shower or--"

"No need."

Daniel looked at him, eyebrows meeting his hairline, "Um… not to be ridiculously rude, but yes. There is need. Very much need."

Rorschach looked at him, ink spinning dully across his face, "Don't think that's correct grammar Daniel."

"I don't think that matters right now Rorschach!" Dan looked at him, appalled, "Look, you stink. Sorry, it's true. But not only that, it doesn't look like you've been taking care of yourself at all these past couple weeks and they way you've been acting lately is weirding me out!"

Rorschach had the gall to shrug then and it hit Dan that he really did not care if he was disgusting or if he was pushing his body past its limits or if he hurt himself, or what Daniel thought of him anymore. An irrational surge of panic ripped through him as Rorschach moved to sidestep Dan and make his way back to the basement.

"Are obviously tired Daniel," he was saying, "Going now. See you in a week or so. Have something to—hurk!"

In the span of seconds it took Rorschach to say those few sentences, Daniel had decided two things: that his partner was becoming something dead and automated and he didn't like it. And that apparently, life was overrated. He leapt at Rorschach while his back was still turned to him and grabbed him by his waist. With some difficulty as Rorschach was now squirming about wildly, he lifted the other man off his feet and started to drag him in the general direction of the guest bathroom.

Really, Rorschach should have been able to fight him off; one good head butt to the nose and Dan would have been helpless. But Daniel suspected he was far too gobsmacked by Dan's own nerve to do much more than writhe in his grasp and Daniel was far too angry (however irrationally) to be stopped without more of a fight.

If he had had to drag Rorschach all the way up the stairs, Daniel wouldn't have stood a chance. Fortunately, the guest bathroom was conveniently located downstairs at the end of the hall so Dan didn't have that far to go. Rorschach, guessing Daniel's intentions, kicked and writhed harder, making furious non-noises as if he was so livid words escaped him. When Dan kicked in the door to the bathroom, Rorschach found his voice.

"Put me down Daniel!" He roared, enraged.

"Fine!" Dan roared back, dropping him in the middle of the shower and turning on the water. Rorschach barely caught himself from cracking his head against the tile, but had no time to escape the water that came gushing out of the showerhead, freezing cold.

"RAARL." He snarled and slipped all over the tile floor, trying to push past Daniel, who finally lifted him up by the collar and shook him violently.

"You will start caring again dammit!" Dan hollered, leaning in close to Rorschach's face, "I don't know what the hell is up with you, but it's creeping me the hell out and. It. Stops. Now!" He shook his now-frozen partner sharply to emphasize his words. The latex was clinging to Rorschach's skin and he could see a little dark space where his mouth hung open slightly in surprise and it was such a welcome change from angry indifference that all his own anger seeped out of him. He released his drenched partner and sighed, pushing back the curls that fell in his eyes, "I'll-I'll leave some clothes for you by the door, okay?" Rorschach nodded dumbly and Daniel left him there, the only sounds as he closed the door were the falling water and the wet slap of clothes on tile.

Anger and sense of purpose now gone, Daniel put the hot water on, pulled some clothes out for Rorschach and slumped into the chair, hands over his eyes. Where the hell had that come from? Not only had he gone completely crazy on his partner, who would probably never forgive him for that, but he'd also yelled at him, infringed on his carefully cultivated personal space and assumed way too much about their relationship as friends, the consequences of which could be the end of their partnership. Rubbing his eyes tiredly, he sighed again. He regretted overreacting like that. It was so out of character for him and went against his nature. However, he didn't regret what he'd said, it was the truth, Rorschach wasn't acting right. True, Rorschach wasn't really all right in the first place. Something had happened to him long before Daniel ever knew him that left him missing pieces. But that didn't mean Daniel couldn't try to keep the pieces that still were there together.

Ten minutes passed before Daniel noticed that the shower had gone off. About two more minutes passed before he heard the sound of feet padding down the hallway to the kitchen where he sat. Daniel looked up to see Rorschach standing in the entryway wearing Dan's blue jeans rolled up several times and an old Harvard sweatshirt that looked like it was going to slip off his shoulders, his latex mask wet and sticking to the lines of his face. It would have been horrible funny if Dan weren't so worried and embarrassed. They stared at each other awkwardly for a few minutes before Rorschach cleared his throat.

"Left wet clothes in hamper by the sink. Didn't know where your laundry room was."

Dan blinked in surprise. Was that it? Rorschach didn't seem to be seething with rage anymore. If anything he seemed a little quiet. And apologizing about leaving his clothes in the hamper instead of taking them to the laundry room? Maybe Dan shook him too hard and he had a concussion. Maybe there really is fluoride in the water. Because quite honestly, if Daniel was expecting anything, it was to be punched in the face by a sopping wet Rorschach who hadn't changed at all as opposed to one who had put his clothes in a hamper and wasn't killing him.

"Uh…" Dan cleared his throat, "That-that's okay. I'll get them, it's no problem." He rose from his seat quietly and walked to the bathroom.

"Daniel." Uh oh. Here it comes. Dan winced and turned around slowly.

"Y-yeah?"

"Could you get socks?" Rorschach sounded distantly sheepish and as one, both he and Dan looked down at long, pale toes peeking out from under rolled denim. Daniel's mouth opened and shut a few times before he could speak.

"Y-yeah! Yeah, sure. Sorry, I thought I left some. I guess I didn't think-or wasn't… um. Yeah. Hold on a sec." Dan caught himself from babbling too long and made his way down the hall, "The- um… the water's done. If-if you still wanted to stay."

"You have my clothes, Daniel." Dan must've been imagining the dry amusement in his voice, "Don't really have much of a choice."

Right. Dan flushed in embarrassment as he threw the clothes in the washer. He'd gotten Rorschach to get out of his trench coat in the Owlship so everything that had gotten wet could be washed and dried. The pinstriped suit should probably have been dry cleaned, but he doubted that Rorschach cared or would agree to have them dry cleaned. When he got back into the kitchen, he was certain he was going to get hell for what he'd done. He'd broken all of Rorschach's rules and nobody acted that way to Rorschach and didn't get something broken. But when he turned into the entryway, socks in hand, he found Rorschach sitting at the table, staring into a cup of hot chocolate as if it held the secrets of the universe. But that wasn't what baffled him the most. What made Dan do a double take and question his sanity was that there was another steaming cup opposite of Rorschach near the chair Daniel usually filled.

Dan wasn't really sure what was going on, and he didn't trust himself to speak without making things worse, so he mutely handed Rorschach the socks and sat in the chair. Maybe Rorschach had gotten the hang of this guilt thing. Seemed oddly manipulative for Rorschach, but it was working. Daniel and his incomprehensible partner sat in awkward silence for a few more minutes before Dan couldn't stand it anymore.

"I'm sorry!" he burst out, looking nervously at Rorschach, "I really am, man. I shouldn't have done what I did. It was rude and stupid of me and…" he trailed off, feeling there was much, much more to be said, but he wasn't really sure how exactly to say it. Finally, Rorschach stirred from his silent thoughts.

"Don't really understand, Daniel," His voice was honestly, genuinely confused, "Say I don't care anymore. I do. If you think I've been deficient in my efficiency as a crimefighter, I'm willing-"

"It's not the crime fighting," Dan interrupted, "I-I know you care about that Rorschach. Christ, a guy'd have to be blind to think otherwise. It's the other things."

Rorschach tilted his head quizzically and it made Daniel more upset than before because he really doesn't know, "Like-like I know you aren't eating very much anymore. Or very well. I also happen to know that you barely sleep, either. I know this because when I wake up in the morning and look at the paper, I see cases busted last night that I don't recall busting with you. Either that means there's something terribly wrong with my memory, or that you keep patrolling after we call it a night." He glared at his partner, who sat silently confirming every word, "It isn't really about you smelling like crap this one night. It's the fact that you used to bathe. At least every so once in a while or… something. I mean, be honest with me, man. Do you really believe in this whole fluoride in the water bullshit?"

"A valid theory," Rorschach spoke up defensively, then leaned back in his chair, "Are correct about other assumptions. Underestimated your own observational skills. Apologies. Things don't matter as much in the face of justice. Of saving the innocent from the filthy clutches of criminals." He straightened suddenly, "I don't see it as a bad thing. Personal health shouldn't take precedence over--"

"If you can't take care of yourself, how the hell are you going to take care of other people?" Dan snapped, worry overriding all else.

Rorschach glared at him, "Take care of myself fine. Eat and sleep just enough to keep focused--"

"Which completely explains why I was able to lift you off the ground." Dan interrupted again, glaring back.

"Caught me off guard," Rorschach barked, "Wasn't exactly expecting to be ambushed by my own partner."

Dan refused to be guilted now, "Right. So aside from the fact that it's kind of gross, you realize that if you don't bathe and you get an open wound, you could get it infected with all kinds of diseases and die? Would you like that? The great Terror of the Underworld being taken down by a scratch? Sounds good to me."

"I bathe when I need to Daniel, it's not your concern." Rorschach growled, matching Dan's acidity with his own quiet fury.

Dan threw up his hands in exasperation, "God, Rorschach! Don't you get it? It is my concern. That's what partners do! It's what friends do! It's like when you bitched at me for a week and a half after I broke my arm thanks to the stupid exoskeleton. That wasn't any of your concern."

"Different," Rorschach gritted out as though he was losing his patience, "You broke your arm. Physical harm is my concern. Smell isn't. Not going to tell you how to brush your teeth. Therefore--"

"Therefore nothing." Dan leaned forward, beyond irritated, "I'm not talking about the smell. You always smell weird. I don't even notice it anymore. It's the fact that you've given up on the human things in favor of running around wearing an ideal!"

"Poetic Daniel." Rorschach quipped, gripping the edge of the table.

"Shut up." Dan snapped, "You're not a robot, Rorschach. You're not a machine, you're not just an ideal either. You're a person too. Deal with it."

"Am not going to indulge in trivialities to make you feel better."

"Indulge in--" Daniel slammed his fist on the table in frustration, "So lemme ask you something. If I decided one day that I don't need to eat, you'd be okay with it?"

"I eat," Rorschach cut in sullenly.

"Which explains why you're swimming in my clothes."

"You're bigger than me Daniel!" Rorschach stood up jerkily and glared down at him, all patience lost, "Am not particularly sure what you want from me. I bathe when I can, water's not always cleanest or working where I live. I eat when I can, what's available to me. None of this is your concern or your business and I will not compromise by folding to your misplaced concerns about me when those concerns are better placed with those who need our help on patrols." He turned away and scrubbed the top of his head in frustration, his hat lying on the table. He sighed, then turned to face his friend, "Need you on my side, Daniel."

It was Daniel's turn to stand up then, brow furrowed in concern, "I am on your side Rorschach. Goddammit, why else would I be yelling about your health and manhandling you into my shower?" Dan's poor attempt at a joke earned a quiet snort from his masked friend, "But listen to me Rorschach. Really, just… listen. Friendships and partnerships depend on a few things: trust, loyalty, and understanding. The first two we've got in the bag, thanks to the line of work we do. But lately, I don't understand you as well as I did. I never understood you much anyways, but it was enough. I'm just trying to make sure you don't drift out of touch, y'know? Just trying to keep my friend."

Rorschach tilted his head again in that questioning angle and even the black ink looked confused, "Still your friend Daniel."

Daniel took a step around the table so they could be face to face, "Then talk to me every once and a while when something's bothering you. Sleep over on my couch when you're too tired to go home, I won't mind. And quit taking cases without me. I won't hold you up too bad--"

"My taking separate cases isn't reflective of your skills as a crime fighter." Rorschach interjected, stiff demeanor returning.

"Then why?" Daniel looked confused.

"Daniel," the way he said his name was as close to exasperated affection as Rorschach could ever get, "You are a good man. Are also incredibly naïve in your illusions of the world. Think man is inherently good and that we are just restraining the anomalies. It's a rare trait Daniel. Whereas I-" he turned to Daniel again, looking tall and intimidating despite the too big clothes and still damp mask, "I have no more illusions to break."

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Author's note: Wow, where the hell did that come from?? *glares at Dan and Ror* Seriously, that was supposed to be a funny chapter. There are only limited numbers of happy chapters left guys! There'll be plenty of time to angst later! Dang… and with a cop-out ending and everything?? God. Let me know if you found that last bit utterly confusing and I'll try to explain it.

Oh yeah, and whoever wrote the nameless review that said "Think I will draw for this", I would love love love to see when you do and I erupted into fits of happy when you said you would. So thank you!