Summary: Danny likes to support his friends, even if that friend happens to also be an ex of his.
Characters: Dash x Danny x Kwan
Afterward 03
Danny clapped, applauding as loudly as possible. Next to him, his boyfriends, Celeste, and their fellow teacher Mary cheered as the cast of the play bowed. Front and center, Hayley bowed alongside her cast mates. The smile on her face couldn't be bigger or brighter. There were some hiccups with the play, but they were small things that the cast were able to step around like they didn't even happen. The play was, overall, a huge success, judging from the overwhelming applauds from the audience.
When the curtain closed, they filed out of the small theater then waited in the lobby area. It was several minutes before Hayley appeared, her cheeks flushed and still in the sparkly blue dress she wore at the end of the play.
"You were amazing up there!" Danny told her once she reached where their group waited.
"You think so?" Hayley blushed, brushing back her hair as she bowed her head slightly.
"Of course!"
"You have a beautiful singing voice," Kwan added.
"See?" Celeste smiled, slipping her hand into Hayley's hand and lacing their fingers together. "I told you you'd be great."
"I was nervous the whole time." Hayley fanned herself. There was a light sheen of sweet across her brow, and Danny could only imagine how hot it was being under all those stage lights for the duration of the play. Hayley laughed. "I still have some butterflies."
"It didn't show at all," Dash said. "When you first stepped out onto the stage, I completely believed you were a mermaid. The costume designers did a really good job."
Danny wondered if Dash was thinking back to Mirabelle, which did give him a tiny twinge of jealousy. Mirabelle was a lovely mermaid and wasn't remotely embarrassed to be seen in the nude. It wouldn't surprise Danny if Dash had a physical response to that first meeting. Bringing his mind back to the play, Danny thought the sets were also well done. They were able to achieve a real under the sea feel on stage.
"I was impressed! They had such a low budge for doing sets and costumes too," Hayley confessed. "I'm so glad you could all come. I wish I could say I saw you in the audience, but the lights were so blinding."
"We thought we could go out for a celebratory dinner," Celeste said. "But if you have a cast party-"
Hayley shook her head. "I think I can get out of that. Some of the other members mentioned having family and friends they wanted to celebrate with after the play. Though maybe I should at least make an appearance." She bit her lower lip in uncertainty.
"You could make a spot appearance," Kwan suggested, "and we could get a table at a restaurant. You can meet us there when you're done at the party."
"That sounds like an excellent idea. You can text us the restaurant when you get there."
"Great. A plan." Mary smiled. "If you don't mind, I think I'll skip the cast party and go with the guys."
Hayley smiled with a small shake of her head. "That's fine. We'll meet you there." She and Celeste waved as they walked away.
Mary turned to them, her eyes narrowing as she looked each one of them over in turn. "Is there any big news the three of you have been keeping from me?"
Danny shared a glance with Dash and Kwan. They probably looked as guilty as three kids who snuck cookies before dinner.
"I guess it wouldn't hurt anything to tell her," Dash said, his voice low, but Danny suspected Mary still heard him. "She's a friend as much as she is a co-worker. I doubt she'd go blabbing it around school."
Kwan appeared a little hesitant. "I suppose it would be okay to tell her."
Danny nodded. "I'm okay with it."
Dash turned back to Mary, but the smile he wore looked slightly forced, the kind of smile he used when he was worried but wanted to appear positive. "We," he gestured to Kwan and Danny, "are a couple." He winced, perhaps waiting for Mary to yell.
An eyebrow arched toward her hairline as Mary stared at the three of them. "How exactly does that work?"
"Ah, well," Dash rubbed his neck, "we're still kind of work it all out. So far, it doesn't feel like much has changed."
"Except for kissing and cuddling," Kwan piped in with a grin.
"Yeah," Dash's smile turned dopey as he looked at his friend, "those are nice." Then he snapped his gaze to Mary. "Wait. You're not freaking out about this?"
"I knew something was up. Ever since we got from winter break, there's been this," Mary shrugged, seeking a word that eluded her for a moment, "vibe, I guess, with the three of you. I'd catch these little looks, but I wasn't entirely sure if it meant what I thought it did. Did you honestly think I would be disgusted by your relationship? I'm happy the three of you found people to be in a loving relationship with. Rather than freaked out, I'm more curious about the inner workings of this kind of relationship. Sorry." She held up her hands. "It's my first time knowing anyone in a polyamory relationship."
"It's a first for us too." Danny chuckled. "And I thought we were keeping things quiet at school." He winced. "I guess we still need to work on that if we're going to keep the whole school from finding out."
"It can be hard." Mary nodded, folding her arms. "When a relationship is new, it can be difficult not to just stare at the person every time they're nearby. And I suppose we should get going. Did you have a restaurant in mind?"
"Any place you prefer?" Dash asked, leading the way to the theater's exit.
"Can we keep this between us?" Danny questioned. "Not like we're trying to keep this a secret from Hayley and Celeste. I'm sure they'll be happy for us. But I feel like tonight we shouldn't take away from Hayley's big moment. We can tell them another night."
"Okay." Mary nodded in understanding. "But we definitely have to celebrate this when you tell them."
Danny agreed with a smile. "Definitely. Tonight, though. Tonight we celebrate Hayley."
Author's Note: I was all prepared to update last week, and then I got really sick. orz I sneezed, like, seven times in a row and it felt like my skull was trying to crack open. Sorry this afterward is late!
Kimera20: Thanks! =D
RedHeadsRock1010: They really did! Isn't it frustrating in shows when issues could have easily been solved if the characters just had open communication? D:
YumiStar: Indeed! Hopefully future pillow talks won't risk them falling asleep in class the next day though. XD Just imagine what the students would think!
It's Like I'm Not Even There: Aw, thanks! I think it's also important that it's never a competition. Like "oh, my trauma was so much worse than yours so mine's more important." So it's good for them to validate each other and let each other know that their fears and feelings are just as important. Ah, yes, the angst! XD Well, with Danny superheroing, I'm sure someone is bound to get hurt at some point.
Casper97: Yes! =D They're working hard to keep up good communication!
vampygurl402: Thanks! Hm, I haven't thought about Clockwork yet.
PsychePetras: Thanks for reading! =) I'm glad you enjoy my style of writing!
xXRainbowCleoXx: Thanks! =D Haha, I bet the students would take pictures if they fell asleep. I do! orz It's not on purpose, I swear! Star did get a mention in the story, but... just in the background of a picture. I should really work better to bring her into more stories.
