Disclaimer: I do not own Danger Mouse or the characters. They are the property of Brian Cosgrove and Mark Hall.

Notes: Starts a bit depressingly, but has an abundance of platonic fluff (yes, still platonic!) to try to make up for it.

I hope you enjoy!

(Linebreaks hate me, so I will use DMEP.)

DMEP

Even those on the path to recovery have their low days. But, sometimes, a friend can be enough to help lift them.

The sun was rising, the birds were singing and the rodents were still snoring away. It was the final day of their holiday, and Danger Mouse had something planned for it. He stirred as the sunlight beamed upon him and Penfold and slowly opened his eye. Well, today's the day. I wonder what Penfold will have to say about my surprise.

Penfold started stirring. His eyes fluttered open before he squeezed them shut again. "Too bright..." he murmured, burying his face into the mouse's chest.

"Come on, Penfold, rise and shine. Today is a beautiful day for us to wrap-up our holiday, wouldn't you say?"

The hamster groaned.

"Penfold? Are you well?"

"Yes, just...I don't want to get up."

"Are you still tired?"

"Sort of."

"Hm. Well, since you're awake, why don't you go and have your anti-depressant? I can get breakfast started."

"Don't feel like it."

He blinked in confusion. "You don't feel like having your medication?"

"Don't feel like doing anything today."

"Penfold? Is something the matter?"

"I just feel like...I don't know. I don't have the energy to do anything today, I just feel like lying here."

He frowned in concern. "Lack of motivation?"

"Mm-hm."

"I see. It's another low day for you."

"How can you tell?"

"Low days don't always consist of feeling down or wanting to hurt yourself. They can also be days you feel numb or can't be bothered doing anything."

"Ah. I guess it is one then."

"Hm, I thought so." He wondered if he'd be able to put his plan of surprise into action, or if the hamster's mood wouldn't make it possible anymore. "Well, you still need to have your pill and some brekkie. You can lie here if you want, I'll get it for you."

"DM?"

"Yes?"

"You don't think I am being a lazy good-for-nothing right now, do you?"

"Of course not." He held him close and rubbed his back. "Today is just one of those days for you, that's all. It will soon pass."

"What if it continues longer?"

"I still won't think you're being lazy. I've been in this same position as you, I can understand there are days you just don't want to do anything, or you can't do anything."

"I'm sorry." He sighed. "I did it again."

"Oh, Penfold...it will be alright. Please don't worry, my friend." He felt the hamster start to tremble and realised his best friend was starting to cry. "Penfold..." He continued rubbing his back, giving him a kiss atop his head for good measure. "I wish you didn't have to go through this. It breaks my heart to see you this way."

"I'm s-sorry..."

"Shh, don't apologise, it's not your fault." He blinked back tears forming in his eye, telling himself crying wouldn't exactly help his friend at that moment. But, the more Penfold sobbed, the more he felt his heart shatter. "Oh, Penfold..."

DMEP

Penfold sniffed and sighed. "I'm ruining the end of the holiday, aren't I?"

"No, you're not. It's alright to feel this way. I only wish I knew how to take that pain away from you."

"DM..." He pulled back and looked up, noticing the mouse's cheek was dampened. "Oh, DM, you too? I'm sorry..."

"Shh, it's alright. It's going to be alright, Penfold."

"Maybe I should have more frequent sessions with Dr. Moore when we get back."

"Even when recovering, there will be days like this. It doesn't necessarily mean you're getting worse. This is just part of the journey."

"Why does it have to be this way?"

"I don't know. But, just as you have days like this, there are also brighter days. You will be able to find joy in life again, even if it takes a long time. Whether good times or bad, I'll be with you the whole time. I promise."

"Okay."

"As I said though, you do need to have your medication. I'll get it and the water for you."

"Can we just lie here a little longer? Please?"

"It's usually better to have your medication at about the same time everyday. How about this? You take your medication and then we can lie here for a while, okay?"

He sighed. "Alright."

He gave him another kiss on top of his head. "I'll be right back." He released him from the embrace, rolled onto his back, sat up and rose to his feet. He made his way over to the Mark III.

Penfold sighed again and reached for his spectacles. "What a way to end this holiday..."

Danger Mouse returned within a few seconds. "Here you are." He handed the hamster the pill and water bottle. He sat down beside him again.

Penfold popped the pill into his mouth, removed the lid from the water bottle and had a gulp of the liquid, swallowing that with the pill. He let out a quiet breath when he knew they had gone down. "Want a sip, DM?"

"Yes, thank you." He accepted the bottle and had a few sips of the water. "You know, Penfold, I'm glad you're here."

He looked up at the mouse. "What do you mean, DM? Is this about a couple of months ago?"

"No. I'm just...I'm still extremely thankful that I've had you as my best friend for so many years now." He looked up at the sky and smiled. "I would do things like this on my own when I was younger. Even after I became a secret agent. I didn't realise until after I had met you that I had actually missed having company. My days aren't as lonesome anymore, now that you're here."

"DM..."

"Solitude is nice once in a while. But, honestly, a holiday like this would've been no fun at all if you weren't with me." He turned back to the hamster, still smiling. "I had a surprise planned for today, but if you don't feel up to it, we can save it for another time. I don't mind if we just stay here the whole day as long as I'm with you."

"Crumbs, you sure know how to make a hamster feel loved..."

"Well, said hamster has made this mouse feel just as loved." He wrapped an arm around his shoulders and held him close. "Thank you for being my best friend, Penfold."

He snuggled against him, unable to hold back the tiny smile forming on his lips. "You too. I love you, DM."

"I love you too."

DMEP

As the day passed, Penfold could feel his mood was improving. "Hey, DM, I don't feel as bad right now."

"I'm glad to hear it. You were just going through a bit of a rough patch. Do you feel up to doing anything?"

"Not entirely. Not yet, anyway."

"That's fine. Just take your time, there is no rush."

"But, what about that surprise?"

"I told you, we can save that for another time if need be. Don't feel you have to force yourself for my sake, the surprise is really for you."

"For me?" He hung his head. "Crumbs, you had something planned for me, and now..."

"It's alright, Penfold. It's not like it won't be there again later. We can come back another time for it."

"Aww, but now I want to know what it is..."

"If I told you, it would no longer be a surprise, would it?"

"No. But, I could still act surprised."

"That won't work because I'll already know you're not actually surprised."

"True. Erm, can you at least tell me if it requires doing a lot of things?"

"Alright, that's fair. It doesn't require you to do very much at all."

"Ah. Well, maybe it would be okay if we went. It might even help put me in a better mood."

"If you're sure..."

"I am. Please, DM?"

He chuckled. "Alright then. After lunch, we'll get going."

"Goody! I can't wait to find out what it is!"

The enthusiasm in the hamster's voice reminded Danger Mouse of times that felt like forever ago. It wasn't a common thing anymore, though it happened on the rare occasion. He wanted to consider them all the more special due to the hamster's more frequent low moods, but he felt Penfold being happy almost all the time was definitely far better.

DMEP

After lunch, it was time for Penfold's surprise. "I'm going to need you to put a blindfold on. Don't worry, I won't be doing any fancy flying. I just don't want you to see where we are going until we get there."

"Oh...alright, DM. I trust you." He finished fastening his seatbelt.

He removed the hamster's spectacles and tied some cloth over his eyes. "No peeking now." He climbed into the driver's seat, buckled his seatbelt and started the ignition. "Alright, we're heading off now." He switched the vehicle to flight mode and took off smoothly, not wanting to startle the blindfolded hamster.

DMEP

"We're here." He climbed out of the driver's seat, walked to the passenger side, unbuckled the seatbelt and lifted the hamster out. He continued carrying him until they were at the front of the building, set him down and untied the blindfold. He returned the hamster's spectacles to their usual place and awaited the hamster's reaction.

"This is...the cinema? Eh? Wait, the film that's screening is..." He gasped. "DM! How did you know?"

"Considering your taste in films, I had a feeling you would be wanting to see this."

"Thank you, this is amazing!" He turned around and hugged him. "You're the best friend, ever!"

He returned the embrace and patted his back. "You're welcome, Penfold. Come on, let's go inside and get our tickets and snacks."

"Oh, goody!" He released the mouse from his embrace and instead held his paw as they walked side by side into the cinema.

DMEP

An hour and a half later, Penfold was still chattering excitedly about everything he could remember from the movie, making sure not to spoil it for anybody else about to see it. "Then, they were...and then it...oh, remember when..."

Danger Mouse couldn't hold back any longer. He let out a few chuckles. "It's good to see you in a better mood, Penfold. I don't think I can recall ever seeing you so excited. Well, except for when the first film was released on home video." He paused in his steps and knelt down, drawing the hamster into a warm embrace. "Did you like the surprise?"

"I loved it! Thanks, DM!" He returned the embrace as firmly as he could. "I'm feeling better now."

"As I said, this morning was just a rough patch, but you came out of it. You see? You are recovering."

His excited grin melted into a warm smile as he closed his eyes. "Thanks."

"We'll do more stargazing tonight, and then tomorrow, it's back to London. All in all, I would say this holiday has been successful, wouldn't you agree?"

"I had my down days...but yes, I do agree."

DMEP

"Hey, DM?"

"Yes, Penfold?"

The hamster turned away from the sky they were lying under, his gaze set on his best friend. "Earlier today, you said you were glad I'm here. I want to let you know that I feel the same about you. I'm glad you're here, DM."

He turned to face him, taking hold of his paw in his own larger one. "Thank you, Penfold."

Both rodents smiled tenderly as they looked into each other's eyes.

Danger Mouse leaned in and gave his best friend a kiss on the forehead. "I love you, Penfold."

"I love you too, DM. Thank you for everything you've done. Not just with all of this, but with everything over the years since the day we met."

"Thank you too, Penfold."

The hamster let out a quiet yawn before shifting closer. "Can we keep doing this when we get home?"

"Doing what? Stargazing?"

"Being so closely intimate with each other. I don't even mind sharing baths with you anymore. It was embarrassing at first, but...I would be lonely if I did it alone."

"I was actually thinking about that a few nights ago."

"You were?"

"I was. I would be quite happy to keep this going, even after you've recovered. I'll admit that after sharing this with you for so long, I would feel lonesome without you too." He rolled onto his side, placing his other arm over the hamster's torso. "I'd quite enjoy if we continued like this."

"Thank you." He felt his eyes start to drift closed. "Good night, DM."

"Good night, Penfold. Sweet dreams."

"Thanks. You too."

He removed the hamster's spectacles, placing them near his head before pulling him close and closing his eye. As he fell into slumber, his smile widened.

DMEP

Their holiday has come to an end. Only two more chapters to go with this, and then, that will be all. What will happen in those final chapters? Will there be another time-skip? Apparently, there will be. In any case, keep an eye out for the next update.

DMEP

After notes: Low times can be temporary. The other morning I woke up feeling low and wanting to do little but lie in bed and cry. My mood improved over the course of the day, and I was soon feeling a bit more positive. That's why Penfold's behaviour is shown as such.

Yes, the holiday is over, and yes, there will be a time-skip for the final chapter. I do need to wrap this up, after all. Anyway, this is especially fluffy due to it being Valentine's Day (even platonic love can be acknowledged on this day), and I haven't finished the story I had planned for it, so instead, have some extra platonic fluff from DM and Penfold.

Thanks for reading! You don't have to review, but please don't flame. Constructive criticism is welcomed as always.