"Moonlight drowns out all but the brightest stars." -J. R. R. Tolkien
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Daphne's scream woke Jared up. He shot out of bed like a bat out of hell with its ass on fire. He heard her shouting at someone and he ran down a long hallway, following her voice. He climbed at least three flights of stairs, throwing himself around each corner.
"Daphne!" he called, his voice echoing off the brick walls in the stairwell. "I'm coming Daphne!" he called again.
He stopped at a landing and rushed through the door in front of him. He was met by another long hallway, but he only had to run past a few doors before he saw one slightly ajar. He heard Daphne scream again, this time for help. He pushed the door open and he was inside an apartment. The hardwood floors creaked slightly under his feet as he stepped inside. He could see Daphne kneeling on the floor about ten feet in front of him. As he walked inside, he passed a small table with several open bottles on it. Several white pills were spilled across the table's surface.
Another woman came running in front of Jared, a cell phone in her hand. She was shouting instructions to Daphne, but Jared couldn't hear them. Everything was silent except for Daphne's voice. She was sobbing and trying to revive the person lying in front of her on the floor.
"Anna, it's not working!" she shouted over her shoulder. She turned her face back to the person in front of her.
Jared walked around the small room to get a better view of what was going on and when he did his heart stopped. There, on the floor, blue and stiff, lay the corpse of Heath Ledger, eyes wide open and lifeless. The shock of seeing a dead body was enough make him want to retch, but Daphne's next actions distracted him.
"Heath, please wake up!" she shouted at him, jostling his body.
But Jared knew no matter how hard she shook his body or how loud she shouted at him, he would never open his eyes again. And his heart broke for Daphne. She collapsed against his chest, sobbing harder than he had ever seen her sob. He wanted to reach out and touch her, comfort her, but he couldn't.
"Please don't leave me, Heath. Please," she cried against his still chest. "Come back, please," she sobbed.
Jared suddenly understood Daphne's relationship with him. There was a desperation in her cries-the same desperation in her eyes-, one of loneliness and fear. She looked so afraid and so young and so alone. And all Jared could do was stand by and watch helplessly as Daphne sobbed. The woman called Anna came over to her and pulled her away from him.
"Daphne, you HAVE to go. You CAN'T be seen here," she urged. "If you're here when the ambulance arrives, they'll want to question you and they'll want to know exactly what happened. And you were here, Daphne. You were here and you'll have to tell the truth!"
Daphne rubbed at her tears with the back of her hand. "I'm not leaving him," she replied, her voice quivering.
"Daphne, GO. NOW!" Anna said, shoving her so roughly to the door that Daphne stumbled and fell against the table, knocking several bottles over and causing a few pills to spill onto the floor.
She took one last look over her shoulder before rushing out the door. And Jared knew in that moment that it was the last time she ever saw him, dead or alive.
He came-to in a cold sweat. He was confused until he saw that he was in bed next to Daphne. He quickly recounted the previous nights' events to make sure nothing stupid had been done on either of their parts before remembering that he had just fallen asleep next to her. Then he was aware of his heart racing and he took a few breaths to calm himself down. He was also aware that it was still dark outside and he figured he must have only fallen asleep for a short time. She shifted next to him and he glanced over at her.
Daphne had kicked the blanket off of the bed and she was shivering slightly. Jared got out of bed as quietly as he could and put it back on her. He padded into his room to check his phone for any messages and sank into the sofa as he read them.
"Suicide Squad' stars assaulted!' read the headline on a news article he'd been sent. He sighed and read it to himself.
'Earlier this evening, actors Daphne Brando and Jared Leto were assaulted and mugged in a park near their hotel in Toronto. According to reports, the pair was walking through the park when they were threatened with a knife and forced to hand over money and clothing. Photos below show them at the police station immediately following the incident. More information to follow.'
He scrolled down to the photos and bit his lip. There was Daphne, wearing his shirt and jacket, blood dripping down her neck and tear streaks down her face. Her hair had been mussed and she was clinging to his hand as he led her inside. Then there he was, shirtless and bruised. He scoffed and tossed his phone onto the sofa next to him. He walked to the window and looked out at the city in front of him.
He didn't think he was that affected by the attack. It wasn't as though he hadn't experienced worse. He had lived on the streets for two months for God's sakes. He'd seen so much worse. No, Jared wasn't worried about it. He'd get over it. Maybe a few sleepless nights, but he'd get over it eventually. It was Daphne he was more worried about. He could handle giving away money and a few punches and a broken phone. But she was in a much more dangerous position than he had been in. He thought for sure he was going to have to watch them gang rape her or worse. He couldn't imagine the fear she felt in that moment. And the way she had looked at him, it ripped into his heart like nothing else ever had.
He shook his head and sighed, remembering the dream he'd had. What the hell was up with that? He'd had some pretty creepy dreams over the years, but that had chilled him to the bone. Seeing Heath's body laid out like that on the floor had raised the hairs on the back of his neck. It was even worse, watching Daphne's reactions. But what he couldn't understand was why the hell he'd even had the dream at all. As far as his dreams went, Jared rarely had any. It seemed more distant now and he couldn't remember exact details as they slipped away into his subconscious. But one thing that remained was the image of Heath and Daphne over top of him.
Jared moved back into Daphne's room and eased onto the bed as quietly as he could. She shifted toward him in her sleep and he put his arm around her. He was confused about his feelings toward her. He could feel something growing, but he didn't quite know what it was. They had great conversations together and they always had fun, but tonight had been different. He didn't know if it was just the lingering adrenaline running through his body or if it was truly something real. But watching her next to him felt simple and easy, which was one thing he NEVER was. And he was confused. Sometimes it seemed like she wanted him and others it seemed like she was pushing him away. She ran hot and cold with him all the time. But he supposed he did to her as well.
He was left wondering how things would be when they wrapped up filming. He didn't know if they'd remain friends or what would happen. He lie in bed next to her and listened to her breathing. In and out, in and out, it was like the ocean lulling him into a calm. He watched her snuggle up closer to him and he felt everything else drift away into silence as she slept. He didn't know how much time passed as he stared at her, but a knock at the door made him jump.
He got up quietly and walked over to the door, confused. Housekeeping usually waited until they were out of the room and Kelly and Mara had been busy all night dealing with the press. He glanced through the peep hole and his eyebrows shot into his hairline. He opened the door and standing in front of him was Johnny Depp, his assistant, and two large security guards on either side of them.
"We must have the wrong room," Johnny said, glancing at his assistant. "They did say 529, right Nick?"
Nick nodded. "That's right."
Then Johnny nodded. "Ah, right. You're the co-star," he said, sticking his hand out. "Johnny. How are you?"
Jared blinked rapidly in confusion before he was aware of the fact that he was still shirtless. Johnny glanced at his bare chest as he waited for Jared to shake his hand.
"Jared, sir. Nice to meet you," he replied nervously. He glanced over his shoulder at Daphne, who was stirring in bed. "I'd invite you inside, but she's still asleep."
Johnny ran his eyes across Jared's body again with an annoyed sigh, obviously indicating he thought they'd slept together or something. Jared crossed his arms over his chest self-consciously.
"She won't mind," Johnny said, taking a step forward and letting himself into the room. "She's always slept like the dead."
He paused, seeing Daphne still asleep, and walked into Jared's room. The security guards and Nick followed, leaving Jared to stand awkwardly by the open door in shock. He shook his head and shut the door, following them into his room, even more self-conscious of what may or may not be laying out for them to see.
"Shut the door, we need to talk," Johnny said, standing in front of the window with his hands in his pockets.
Jared looked at him indignantly before doing as he was asked. He wasn't used to taking orders.
"Sit down," Johnny said, turning his back to the window.
Jared felt two hands on either one of his shoulders applying pressure and forcing him to sit on the sofa.
"I guess I'll sit here, then," he said to himself. "No thanks guys, I got it," he replied to the guards sarcastically.
Johnny gave them a nod and they stepped into the hallway, followed by Nick. He stood in front of Jared, crossing his arms across his chest, surveying him quietly.
"Are you going to talk to me or just stand there and stare?" Jared asked, in an annoyed tone.
"I don't really think you're in a position to be using that tone," Johnny said, sitting opposite Jared on a chair near the desk. "Considering I practically walked in on you naked with Daphne."
Jared rolled his eyes. "I don't really understand why it's any of your business what Daphne does. You're not her father."
Johnny smirked a little. "No, I'm not Christian Brando. But I'm more of a father to that girl in there than he ever was." Jared gave him a confused look. "I met Daphne in 1996 while prepping for a film I was working on. She was eight. I have never seen a more beautiful child than Daphne. That girl rose from ashes, Jared. She had two parents who didn't give a rat's ass about her, who were too damn busy with their own shitty lives to realize her potential. A drunk and a selfish bitch. Those were her parents."
"When I first met her, she was climbing a tree in her grandfather's back yard. She had gone way up the branches and she kept calling down to her grandfather, 'I'm OK, granddad, I'm OK. Watch me climb!' And I asked him didn't that bother him, her climbing so high up in the tree. The branches had to have been weaker. Wasn't he worried she'd get hurt? And Marlon replied, 'She's fearless. She knows her own limits.' And so we started our meeting and things were fine for a few minutes. And then a branch snapped and she fell at least ten or fifteen feet. The scream she let out was blood curdling. I still hear it sometimes," Johnny shuddered at the memory.
"He rushed over to her and she was crying, tears streaming down her face. Everyone was shouting, screaming at each other. Christian and Natalie-her mother-were screaming and shouting as usual, completely oblivious to Daphne's injury. Only Marlon comforted her. He tried to pick her up, but he couldn't. So I did. She was so small for her age, and she looked up at me with those eyes. I could see that she was used to being ignored, used to the screaming, used to being hurt. We drove her to the hospital and I held her the whole ride in my lap. She wouldn't let go of me. Once she got calmed down she just kept staring at me. And I knew there was something special about that girl," he continued.
"It wasn't until weeks later that I saw her again," Johnny said. "She had this bright pink cast on her arm and was running around the set, asking for people's autographs. It was the funniest thing. She would twirl and twirl, doing pirouettes over and over again. She lived for her grandfather's smile. And he lived for hers. All she ever wanted was to please him. To please everyone."
Jared nodded. "That's a great story, but I don't understand the point of it."
Johnny sighed. "When Marlon's health started failing, he made arrangements for me to become her legal guardian. But he never wanted her to know because he thought she'd feel like she was being handed off to someone else."
"Again, I fail to see the point here," Jared said.
"A while back I did a film called 'Donnie Brasco'. Heard of it?" Johnny asked, examining his fingernails offhandedly. Jared nodded. It was a classic mafia flick. "While we were filming I met regularly with a group of men who…worked in the area and it came to pass that they owed me a favor. I haven't called it in yet."
"Is that a threat?" Jared asked.
Johnny shrugged and glanced up at him. "Only if you perceive it to be one."
Jared swallowed nervously. He had a feeling he knew where this was going. "So what? If I hurt her you're going to make it so I never work in Hollywood again?"
Johnny laughed. "No, about eight hundred OTHER people will make sure that happens. No no no," he said. "I'll just end you." Johnny gave Jared a straight stare, unwavering, trying to see who would blink first. The younger man paled visibly as well, much to Johnny's amusement.
Jared stared right back, but he couldn't hold it. "But that's the thing. We aren't really involved with each other like that."
Johnny gave him a dull look. "I'm not stupid, Jared. I see the way you two interact with each other when you're out. Yes, I keep track of Daphne," he said in response to Jared's confused look. "It's not just cutesy flirting. Hell, you answered HER door half naked."
Jared glanced down at his bare chest and crossed his arms.
Johnny leveled Jared with a stern gaze. "I don't care if you fool around with different girls. Hell, I was in your position once. Have your fun, I don't give two fucks. But DO NOT have your fun with Daphne. She is not the type of girl to be used for a trial run."
"You said it yourself, she knows her limits," Jared replied sourly. He didn't much enjoy the concept of another man telling him what he could and couldn't do. He felt like he was back in the principal's office in elementary school again. "If she's not interested she wouldn't keep going."
"That's where you're wrong. Daphne is unfailingly kind. I'm sure you've noticed it by now," he said.
Indeed he had. She would have given a homeless person the shirt off her back if given the chance.
"She doesn't want to hurt anyone, ever," Johnny continued. "And I don't want to see her hurt. That girl has lived through enough hurt and pain for three lifetimes. She doesn't need any more from men who flirt and then disappear."
"Do you give this speech to all her boyfriends?" Jared asked, leaning back against the sofa nonchalantly.
"No," Johnny replied, standing up. "Only the little assholes who seem like they're going to hurt her. I liked Jake Gyllenhaal a lot more than you. But it doesn't matter because you aren't her boyfriend, right?" Johnny added, clapping him roughly on the shoulder as he passed. "I'll see myself out then," he said, going into Daphne's room. "Oh, and a little less synth in your music would make it sound a hell of a lot better," he said before shutting the door behind him.