Finally some bonding between Danny and Honey Lemon~

Next update will be Saturday before updating goes back to once a week on Saturday. Please review!

~CWA


CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR


Danny Fenton

I feel better after talking to Tadashi, telling him about a lot of stuff I never thought I would tell anyone here when I first joined the college. He doesn't know everything, but he knows a lot. Enough to make me feel even closer to him. It helps that he opened up to me as well. I never felt such raw emotion like that from another person to the level that it was so personal, so intimate. That intimate feeling still lingers, even now days after our little discussion.

I shake my head slightly and turn back to my notebook full of experiments and their notes. This is something I doubt I ever will tell him though. I don't think he'd understand and I doubt that he'd take it easily either. But I'm a scientist. This what I do. Who I am. What I am.

Wasabi is out with Jade- again. They seem to be out every night nowadays so I suppose that means they're happy together, but it's not really my business and Wasabi isn't one to just openly talk about his relationship at that level. So I assume that I have plenty of time to try to get this done.

A pencil hangs from my mouth as I look to my thigh- the center of this experiment. My notebook is opened widely to reveal the various notes from this experiment. It's rather similar to the previous one I conducted on my arm, but different at the same time. Leg muscles are supposed to be some of the strongest muscles, so does that effect the way the ectoplasm is flowing? Does it slow it or strength it? When I'm running or using these muscles, am I pumping more or less ectoplasm? I like to call it Skeletal System Test II.

Just like my previous experiment, I have an apron, safety goggles, gloves and other proper equipment from the first aid kit. Plastic coverings cover the floor and the desk so that blood doesn't stain anything. If it ever does somehow get on my clothes, I have no problem in destroying the clothes with a small ectoblast or turning it all intangible.

Very carefully, I peel back the skin from the incision and observe what I find. Most of it is similar to what my arm looked like. But there are a few differences. Aside from the muscle mass, I mean. I've already taken my blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature which reveals that it's progressed a bit (my temperature reaching slightly lower and my heart rate even slowing more) and I wonder what it hasn't progressed more than it has. My notebook is quickly filling up with my observations, thoughts and findings. Including on the idea that it's possible the reason the ectoplasm is so concentrated in my legs is because it needs to transform into my ghostly tail.

I make a mental note to actually experiment on the ghostly tail itself later. However, I don't get the chance to continue any farther as my phone goes off suddenly, causing me to jump as the pencil I've been absently chewing on falls from my mouth. Cursing a bit under my breath, I quickly grab my phone. The caller ID reveals that it's Honey Lemon- which briefly causes me to pause since it's not as if we talk that often outside of the lab.

I eye my thigh before I sigh and finally just answer the phone.

"Hello?"

"Danny? Oh thank goodness, I kinda need your help..."

She trails off slightly, but her words cause me to snap into attention for a brief moment before I realize that she doesn't sound very urgent. I look to my thigh. Still, I can't exactly put off helping someone (especially a friend) because I want to finish a self-experiment. I balance the phone between my ear and my shoulder as I grab the first aid kit to stitch up my thigh. I know that by the time I get to wherever Honey Lemon is, my leg will still be sore, but at least it won't be a giant, bone deep hole.

"Where are you? What's wrong?"

"No one will answer their phone and I'm left without a shopping buddy. So what do you say? Care to join me at the mall?"

Her voice lingers and pleads slightly, enough that I can tell she just doesn't want to be alone and is desperate for company. She says it in a way that I can't refuse in good conscious, though I suspect maybe the reason the others didn't answer is because they knew why she was calling. It's no secret that Honey Lemon loves shopping and isn't scared to visit every shop there is- that's obvious enough from all the fashionable clothes she wears. Sometimes it reminds me of Star. I sigh slightly as I finish up stitching the experiment,

"….Fine. Be there in five."

"Thanks Danny, you're the best!"

She hangs up abruptly, causing me to roll my eyes. I guess there's no backing out of it now.


Finding Honey Lemon in a large, two-story mall is easier said than done. I don't even know how it can be so crowded on a Tuesday. Don't most people have work or something this time of day/week? Either way, it's practically crowded to the brim. Enough so that I have to politely squeeze past a few people in the narrow walkways between stores in my search for Honey Lemon. She's not answering her phone which means it's impossible to get a hold of her, otherwise I would be calling her up, demanding for her to meet me somewhere. Knowing Honey Lemon, she can either be in one of the many stores and lost track of time… Or she's in the food court waiting for me. It's a fifty-fifty shot, but it'll save me a lot of time if I can run into her in the food court so that's where I head first.

Thankfully, the food court is large enough that the crowd is thinned out, allowing a lot more room to see and move with ease. My eyes scan the crown for any sign of her before I finally catch sight of her, sitting alone at one the food court tables with two bags of take out as she sways back and forth to whatever music she's listening to through her ear-buds. I sigh in relief that I've found her and don't have to spend the next few hours searching store to store for her…. Though now that I think about it, if she wasn't there then I could have just gone to the information desk and see if they do one of those lost child announcements. But instead of it being a child it's a six foot college student.

I walk to her with ease before I gently tap her on the shoulder to get her attention. Her eyes snap to me before a large grin stretches across her face. She plucks out her ear buds with a small excited squeel and doesn't hesitate to jump up to give me a large hug in greeting.

"Danny! I'm so happy you made it! Sit, sit, I got food for the both of us. I hope chicken is okay."

"Actually I'm not too hungry," the lie slips out of my mouth easily as we take our seats at the table, "I ate not too long ago, but I appreciate it."

In truth, I am starving. But I can't exactly eat normal food, especially after an experiment. Eating normal food will only drain energy- energy that's needed to repair my leg. My leg is still throbbing lightly- which is strange because it's never really hurt before, I think I may have done a stitch or two incorrectly in my rush to get here. My hand absently goes to my thigh, rubbing it slightly with a wince.

"...You okay, Danny," Honey Lemon asks in concern as her eyes go to my thigh.

"Rough day at the gym," I reply easily enough, "You wouldn't believe how tough A.D. can be when he wants to be."

Honey Lemon hums a bit at my answer, carefully unwrapping her chicken sandwich as she speaks.

"A.D.? He's the one Tadashi told me about, isn't he? The one a certain someone slept with?"

She gives me a small, pointed look that causes me to groan.

"I slept with him," I admit, running my fingers through my hair, "But Tadashi and I made up. Opened up to each other even. We're all good."

She hums a bit more,

"...Hmm. You understand my concern though, right Danny? 'Dashi is like a brother to me and I'd hate to see him get heartbroken."

If she had a fork, I have no doubts that she'd be waving it in my face. But instead she just continues to give me a pointed look to make her message clear. No sleeping around with people if I want to be serious with Tadashi. She has a pretty nasty dont mess with me face that I didn't even know that she was even capable of. I gulp thickly and shift in my seat at the look before I regain my control.

"Then it's a good thing I won't break his heart."

My words cause her to nod in approval, a small smile lighting up her face. To be honest, I never knew that she could be that intimidating so I'm a bit relived that she's back to her normal, cheery self.

"So," I speak up as she begins eating her sandwich with a speed that almost takes me off guard, "What are our plans for the day?"

She swallows the last bite of her sandwich before gracefully tossing the trash. She looks to me with shining eyes and a large grin.

"Glad you asked! First, I was thinking about hitting some of the higher-end fashion stores in hopes of finding these cute shoes that I saw online- we can also get you a new wardrobe too~"

Ah. Once again, I am the dress up toy. Thankfully, I'm not that picky about my clothes and don't really mind people dressing me up- whether it's in a dress, a skirt, heels, a leather jacket or eyeliner. I got used to that way back in the day when Sam first began her Goth stage. She tried so hard to get me to join her- which eventually worked later.

"Sure," I shrug my shoulders, "Sounds like fun."

I have to cover my ears to block out her loud scream of excitement.


I sit near the dressing room with a slightly bored expression on my face. Five hours of shopping isn't exactly helping my thigh; by now, I know for sure that I had to have done something wrong because my healing factor should have completely healed it and got rid of the pain by now. There's a large pile of clothes in my arms and even more bags of clothes hanging on my arms. Somehow, I've become Honey Lemon's pack mule. Almost to the point where I have to use my ghostly strength just to hold all of this shit.

Though, I have to admit, some of it is kinda fun. Honey Lemon's cheery demeanor is contagious, what can I say? Of course, it helps that a majority of the outfits we've both tried on have been silly ones for laughs- wearing clothes that obviously don't match, clothes being too large or too small. She got a particular kick out of me when I came out wearing a sweater from the women's section that I could have absolutely rocked if it wasn't several sizes too small and paired with a silly scarf and hat; thankfully, my silliness averted her attention away from any scars she may have noticed.

I shake my head slightly with amusement as I hear Honey Lemon emerge from the dressing room. She comes out sporting a large, slightly crooked grin. A vivid, almost neon, blue high waist skirt is almost too short for her and a cropped, sleeveless floral top shapes what curves she has. She gives me an enthusiastic twirl, showing off the skirt as it flows with her movement.

"Sooo what do you think? Not too bright?"

I eye her up and down with a critical eye. She was surprised to learn that I actually have an eye for fashion- even if I don't exactly show it that often. I convinced her it was because of my older sister because there's no way I'm telling her that the real reason I know so much about fashion is because back when I dated Dash, I spent way too much time with two fashion-forward cheerleaders (Paulina and Star).

"Match it with a white pair of heeled sandals and a cute, light weight sweater or jacket and you're good to go."

She cheers happily before she turns her attention to me with a determined look in her eyes and a sly smile on her face.

"And now it's your turn," she declares before grabbing all the stuff I have in my arms and shoving a new set of clothes into my hands, "Try these on and if they fit, we have to get them for you."

I give a slightly meek okay and head straight into the dressing room. Once there, I look at what she had handed me. I stand corrected. It isn't just one set of clothes- it's several. I figure that whichever one looks best is the one I'm getting, though if I end up liking more than one, I have no problem buying it all. It's been a long time since I've bought anything for myself anyway and I am in need for new clothes so I suppose this works out rather well.

I look through the clothes with a careful eye and send some into the instant not gonna happen pile. A masculine crop top. A fishnet over top. Another fishnet top. A shirt with a v-neck so low it's as if it's not even a shirt at all. Anything that could possibly show too many scars or too much skin. In the end, I'm left with a nice suit that's bound to fit me, a few casual shirts, and one really nice outfit that I decide is the one that I'm going to show Honey Lemon.

A nice maroon shirt. A black vest over top. Black trousers with a nice belt. A black scarf that hangs lowly on my neck. For a second, I debate about grabbing my leather jacket to put over it before deciding against it, the scars on my arms, while pretty bad, aren't going to stop me from rocking this outfit. I look at myself in the mirror provided in the dressing room with a critical eye and ditch the scarf before deciding that what I have on looks pretty damn good on me.

"Check it," I say smoothly as I exit the dressing room with a swagger in my step.

I strut confidently with my thumbs in the belt loops of the pants and throw a casual, playful wink at Honey Lemon, whose grinning ear to ear as she looks me over. Her eyes briefly glance at the scars on my arms, but she quickly averts her attention elsewhere and doesn't ask. The grin never leaves her face as she admires me,

"Look at you, Danny! You look sharp! Ohh Tadashi's gonna love this," she squeals, "There's just one thing missing..."

She trails off slightly before dashing off to get something, leaving me there gaping like a fish in confusion with all the bags and clothes she left behind. Tadashi's gonna love this- that's what she said…. Did she talk me into this trip just so I can get a new outfit to impress Tadashi with? My face heats up at just the thought, but before I can dwell on it anymore, Honey Lemon returns with a snazzy black jacket for me to wear. It's more casual than a suit jacket, but still looks pretty nice and only has sleeves that reach my elbow.

I put it on with ease and admire the way it fits for a moment before looking at Honey Lemon, moving my hands up into the air as I turn slowly for her to get a good look at it. She looks like she's gonna burst from sheer excitement as I catch a small, slightly whispered word from her.

"Perfect."