Disclaimer: I only own what is mine. My OCs and ideas.
A/N: So Luke Cage season 2 came out yesterday. Did I watch all of it? No... but I did watch episode 10 that had Danny in it, and episode 3 had Colleen. So I was very happy overall. When Danny first shows up the scene reminded me of the opening of Power Man and Iron Fist #55 from (I think?) 1978. Intentional or not, it was amazing. Danny's character is different from his own first season and I am excited to see where it leads to in his season two. Anyway, meant to get this out sooner, hopefully, I will get some writing done this weekend. Hopefully. Anyway! Enjoy!
Reviews:
ArtemisBAMF1218 - I'm doing pretty great thank you. While I greatly appreciate the compliment, I must joke and say that sometimes research becomes a dark rabbit hole that I get lost in, so... yeah, something I stumble upon by accident. But it's fun, only if researching for school was this fun.
Alright, so this chapter I don't think is nearly as exciting as what is going on in this one, but time to get back to the lovey-dovey story this kind of is. So a sweeter chapter this go-round, maybe some action coming up. Alright, let's get to it! Enjoy!
Chapter 28
Aiko smiled as she rounded the corner to Danny's office and saw him sitting on one of his couches shirtless. Mistress Ratana was holding his arm carefully and rotating his shoulder around as Danny sat perfectly still.
"Lady Aiko, good morning." Mistress Ratana greeted her as she looked up from her work. "I'll be done in a moment and leave you two alone."
"Take your time," Aiko said as she walked into the room, she strode over and sat down on the couch opposing Danny. "Danny, how are you feeling today?"
"Stiff." Danny winced some as Mistress Ratana gently moved his shoulder around. He was able to maintain eye contact and smile at her in attempts to distract himself.
"He carelessly slept on his arm in an awkward position," Mistress Ratana said easily, she stopped rubbing his joint and gave him a light glare that Danny missed. "His injury is healing wonderfully except for the knots and stiffness, which he could take steps to avoid."
"That's really good." Aiko looked up at her as she worked. "When is he allowed to go back to training?"
"Tomorrow, but Danny, you have to ease into training slowly," Mistress Ratana looked down at her patient. "I know you are getting restless, but you need to not pull something on day one."
"I understand." Danny let out a deep breath.
"You would be proud of him, Ratana." Aiko chuckled. "Hiroshi offered him a sparring session the other day and he refused. As restless as he is, he's wiser than most warriors his age."
Danny chuckled to himself as he shook his head at her. "Thank you, Aiko."
Mistress Ratana laid Danny's arm down beside him. "How does that feel?"
Danny looked up at her as his right hand held his shoulder as he moved it around freely."It feels much better," Danny smiled. "Very relaxed."
"Well, I have some work to do, you know where to find me if you need me." Mistress Ratana said as she began to clean up here things. "I believe, Lady Aiko, that I was told that today is the last day you two get to see each other before your wedding?"
"That would be correct." Aiko nodded, a light heat reached her face. "It's a little nerve-wracking."
"It's exciting to have a royal marriage. Both of you have a good day." With that, Mistress Ratana walked from the room leaving the couple sitting across from each other.
"Thank you," Danny called behind her.
"So, you're going back to training tomorrow?" Aiko asked as she looked back at Danny from where she had watched Mistress Ratana leave.
"Yes, I'll be training with your father in the mornings," Danny replied. "Then spend my afternoons working on my usual work."
Aiko nodded her head. "Are you excited? About the wedding?"
"Maybe getting a little nervous, like you," Danny provided. "And you?"
"It's close. It's in a week." Aiko let out a heavy sigh as she leaned back in her seat with her hands folded. "But I'm excited. Did you have any plans for today, or…?"
"I was thinking we might take a walk around the garden," Danny said as he stood up from where he had been sitting. He picked up his shirt and easily pulled it over her shoulders. "It's a beautiful day."
"That sounds very nice." Aiko stood up, smoothing out her dress. "And I assume you want the exercise6?"
"Yes." Danny nodded his head. "It takes a couple of laps to start to feel tired, but it is something active that I don't have to think about too much."
"So we are writing our own vows for each other?" Danny clarified.
"That's how a traditional Immortal Wedding ceremony goes." Aiko nodded along as they walked along the path. "It seems rather daunting, but… I think that it's ok. It doesn't have to be perfect, just personal."
Danny let out a deep breath. "I've done my research, but it still feels very daunting."
"It's fine." Aiko gave his hand a squeeze as their hands were intertwined between them. "Danny, don't worry about it."
"But the big public ceremony is going to be so much fun." Danny grinned in an almost childlike way; upon seeing it Aiko realized how much she had missed it. "There are going to be some many people there, and it's going to be fun."
"You're looking forward to it?" She asked, watching the bushes as they walked past.
"Well, to be honest, I'm looking forward to the Immortal Ceremony the most," Danny admitted.
"I'm looking forward to you coming to get me in a week." Aiko grinned. "Remember?"
"Hm? What?" Danny looked down at her and caught her grin. "You should not find pleasure in the discomfort of others. It's unladylike."
Aiko stuck out her lip at Danny and frowned. "You're being too stiff about it."
"Never mind that," Danny sighed heavily. "It will be worth it."
"Oh, and remember, you are allowed to bribe them with money," Aiko remembered. "Just a reminder."
"You're the best." Danny smiled down at her. "I'd forgotten about that."
"You're helpless sometimes," Aiko replied.
"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." Danny looked down at her easily; his tone told her he was reciting a quote.
"I miss when you do that." Aiko leaned her head on his shoulder. "Who is that from?"
"Have you heard of Aesop?" Danny asked.
"Uh, no." Aiko shook her head. "Sorry."
"The Tortoise and the Hare?" Danny went on.
"Sorry." Aiko shook her head. "I still don't know who you are referring to."
"Wow," Danny mused.
"Who is Aesop?"
"He's famous for fables. I think he was... Greek?" Danny thought to himself.
"Oh, ok." Aiko nodded. "I guess you've read his work?"
"Some of it," Danny shrugged. "Ava let me borrow some of her books when I first got to New York, I was trying to work on my English. When I told her that I mostly ready fables and historical documents here that's what she offered me."
"Oh, that explains it." Aiko nodded her head. "Ava."
"Do you miss New York?"
"I do, I haven't had time to think about how much I miss it in depth but I do miss the pace of life." Aiko sighed. "You know?"
"I don't actually. I'm quite busy."
"You're a different type of busy." Aiko corrected. "I miss the constant need to go be a hero. Save lives, fight the bad guys. I feel so out of shape here, and I swear I am training almost as regularly as I used to."
"I know." Danny agreed, looking up at the sky. "K'un-Lun seems so peaceful in comparison."
"You told me in the outside world it's not. I remember shortly after we arrived you told me about all this corruption and things that hide under the surface." Aiko frowned. "Have you been working on that?"
"It's…" Danny paused, looking at the pond they were walking by. "It's not something that can be hammered out all at once. But I'm working on it a little by little."
"I guess some things you care to not say out in the open?"
"I'm king, what does it matter?" Danny asked raking his free hand through his hair. "Yu-Ti… before I took over, he left me some surprises."
Aiko forcibly bit her tongue. "I guess you're enjoying that?"
"The Council, it's not how I would like it, but I can't purge everyone at once. Because then I lose a valuable amount of experience and knowledge. And I don't think it would make me popular. So I'm working with it, as frustrating as it can get, I know who I can trust, and at the end of the day, I get the final word." Danny explained bitterly. "Things like that."
"Well, I know you'll take care of it and handle it well."
"Thanks, Aiko." Danny sighed. "I'm glad you trust me."
"Are you sure everything is ok?" Aiko asked.
"Yes, I'm sure," Danny promised. "I'm working hard. It's all ok."
"Anything else?"
"Mistress Kavi and Mistress Ratana can't seem to agree." Danny sighed, he was visibly annoyed by this.
"What? About your shoulder injury?" Aiko guessed.
"Yes, the doctors in New York estimated something between four and six months for recovery for someone without a healing ability. But I have a healing ability, at least a little, so I've been working on speeding up the process. Mistress Ratana knows I am ready to get back to training and ease into it, but Mistress Kavi doesn't seem to approve."
"While Mistress Kavi is ranked above Ratana," Aiko began thoughtfully. "But Ratana has been the one watching you and checking up on you with your recovery, so it should be her call to make."
"You would think." Danny shrugged.
"Don't worry about it; if you're not up to training Bābā is not going to hurt you on your first day back." Aiko pointed out. "As rough as training can be; an injured warrior is a useless warrior."
"Thank you for those wise encouraging words of wisdom." Danny gave Aiko a nudge in the side. "What would I do without them?"
"That's why you are marrying me." Aiko shrugged. "So I can keep your head on your shoulders for you."
"Very funny," Danny deadpanned in response.
"That's why I said it." Aiko grinned up at him.
"Ok," Danny smiled as they stopped outside the gate. "I should start heading back; Ryu's going to wonder where I am."
Aiko rolled her eyes. "Thanks for walking me home."
"It's going to be a long week…" Danny let out a deep breath, he smiled at her softly.
"Yeah, just keep busy and that should help." Aiko shrugged. "You know?
Danny's hand gently cupped her cheek and he pulled her close so he could kiss her forehead. "I'm going to miss you."
Aiko closed her eyes and her blood ran cold, with almost dreaded fear.
Danny pulled back and Aiko kept her head bowed. She leaned her forehead on his shoulder and allowed him to gently hug her.
"Are you ok?" Danny whispered in her ear.
Aiko took a centering breath and looked up at him. "I'm fine. It just feels like I'm standing on the edge right now."
"The edge of what?"
"Two completely different lives," Aiko admitted. "So much has happened since I went to New York with you a year ago."
"Maybe take some time to meditate, find your center, and regain your confidence. I know it feels like what's coming up is daunting, but… I've managed thus far." Danny kissed her cheek quickly and rubbed the back of her hand. "I should probably get going, and you should go eat dinner too, something smells delicious."
"Alright, alright," Aiko agreed. "I love you."
"I love you too, I can't wait to see you in a week."
"Don't forget to maybe… write or something?" Aiko suggested.
"Alright, I will." Danny agreed. "See you in a week."
"See you in a week," Aiko repeated as she took her hands back and opened up the gate.
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