Happy Birthday Kas!

So if you've read my other stories, especially From the Beginning, then you know my on-running joke of a novel of Andrew's called 'The Soundless Clock.' What you may not know is that I actually have a novel outline for that story sitting in my folder. I figured it was time you all saw a bit into the story.

The Soundless Clock

:: (Steampunk AU) (Human AU) (Soundless Clock AU)

"Irritating worthless piece of a broken gear." Andrew Riter was not-so-silently swearing and cursing under his breath at his ship's newest crew member. The last sky-port they had docked in they had lost their engineer to some underground child mafia but luckily a new recruit had showed up out of nowhere. Andrew was skeptic when he saw the engineer was only sixteen-years-old.

He was furious when the teen accidentally lost one of his books over the edge of the goddamn ship.

Okay, so there had been a fight on deck and it really had been an accident, but Andrew was still furious. He was this ship's record keeper and chart maker and he took his job seriously! To have one of his books fall down into the unknown, all the way to the abandoned continents, it was enough to make him sick. The damn brat had been lucky he hadn't been thrown off as well.

Andrew had made it very clear that he did not like the teen, although it didn't stop their Admiral from pairing them up on missions and duties. The record keeper had a feeling the man received sick amusement from watching them suffer. Honestly, one of the most powerful men in the military who had earned the codename Clockwork for his timely missions and here he was acting like a child himself.

Hearing the creak of a door Andrew went still, ears straining for sound. A dull clink of metal on metal let him know who it was instantly, a scowl coming to his face. Honestly, if the teen wanted to sneak up on someone he should learn to not let his wrench bang into things.

"The Captain wanted me to tell you that he required charts for the next three quadrants." Turning at the dull and lifeless voice Andrew almost felt guilty enough to ask him what was wrong. Almost. Staying in stubborn silence he collected the charts needed, including an overall map of the general area that would prove useful, before handing them off to Danny.

"Think you can deliver these without letting them fly off the ship?" Okay so Andrew could admit even for him that had been cruel, especially at the flinch he saw the teen let out as he curled in on himself. Danny only nodded silently, heading back towards the door. Andrew saw him pause once before he shook his head, continuing on his way. "I have nothing to feel guilty for..."

It only took a few seconds for him to follow after the teen, apology on his lips.

Walking down the corridors he had long since memorized he saw the teen cross one of the general recreation rooms, three of the more brutish crew members cornering him against the wall. Oh hell, is that why he was so skittish? Now Andrew really felt bad, he had been so caught up in his own anger at the boy he hadn't noticed just how many other people hated him- Why did they hate him?

"Well well, if isn't the little genius." Oh how original, mocking him for his high test scores and being the youngest in the program. Andrew blinked at realizing he had already drawn one of his knives, confused expression passing his face. Why did he care? He was just as angry at the boy. Justifiably so! "You still haven't jumped off the side of the ship yet? What a pity."

"...leave me alone." Andrew could just barely hear the teen's voice, soft as it was. It was the tone from one who had dealt with situations like these for far too long and was far too close to giving up. If Andrew hadn't been angry or defensive before he certainly was now. Screw hating him for losing one of his books, books could always be replaced.

Human life couldn't.

"I don't think we will." The main instigator suddenly yelped, Danny looking up in surprise. His surprise only grew when he saw Andrew had twisted the man's arm behind his back, knife pressed into a pressure point that would end his life in seconds. Blinking at the utter silence Danny gulped at realizing the entire room had gone silent and was now watching the exchange, which meant half the crew were watching.

"I believe it would be in your best interest to leave him be," Andrew hissed dangerously, eyes glinting furiously. Feeling one of the others make a lunge for his back Andrew effortlessly dodged him. In a flurry of movement the three men were all on the ground, groaning, with various knife marks cut into their skin, just over points that would have had them dead. "Let this be a warning to all of you.

"If you have the suicidal urge to threaten him again know that your jurisdiction will fall to me." Andrew really had not planned to claim Danny as under his protection, although the grateful and starstruck smile he was getting from Danny almost made it worth it. Almost. "And please do your best to remember my kill count remains one of the highest on this ship."

Turning around he stalked off, dragging Danny along with him, who was clumsily trying to keep hold of the charts he had been given earlier. A few seconds silence passed, Danny, finally, nervously, speaking up. "U-Um, Andrew?"

"What." Danny flinched at the tone, looking up as he heard the older let out a sigh. "...my apologies, I did not mean to make you feel that estranged from me or other members of the crew. I am merely...defensive. Especially over my books." Seeing the teen open his mouth he held up his hand, "It wasn't your fault, it truly was an accident, and I was merely blinded by rage and unable to see that."

"...how old are you?" Andrew blinked at that, looking surprised as Danny grinned up at him, blue eyes sparkling in pure mischief and amusement. "Seriously, you can't be much older than me but you talk like my grandparents."

"...I'm twenty-two," Andrew finally huffed out defensively, Danny giving him a grin and jogging up to keep pace with him.

"You know, we never officially introduced ourselves. I'm Danny, Danny Fenton. Class A, Level Two Engineer." Andrew blinked, smile slowly growing on his face.

"Andrew Riter, Class S, Level One Cartographer...it's nice to meet you, Danny." Feeling his arm grabbed he blinked as he realized Danny was walking arm-in-arm with him, looking the happiest Andrew had ever seen him, and considering he had been on the ships three weeks with hardly a smile it was a surprise.

"Nice to meet ya Andrew! I think we're gonna be good friends." Friends, huh... For some reason Andrew didn't mind the thought of that as much as he thought he would have. Although he would never admit it, especially to the Admiral.

Clockwork would never let him live it down.

Seriously, no matter what time or situation after these two get to know each other for a while they click. It's slightly amusing.