DECEMBER - ONE WEEK BEFORE SEMESTER FINALS

Science projects are the worst. They really become the worst when they're counted as THE semester final grade. Thankfully, these guys are seniors, so they don't have to stay for the whole school exams (if they have an A in each course). This project was centered around forensics work, something that only four students really excelled at: Sam, Tucker, Dash… and of course, Danny. The project was assigned two weeks ago, and was to be completed today before it was time to go. Luckily, everyone was able to choose their partners, with Dash immediately hooking his arm around Danny's shoulders and confidently declaring him as his partner. Surprisingly enough, sitting next to his boyfriend wasn't a distraction. Yes, they did talk to each other—albeit quietly—sometimes during the day, and they did sit together at lunch, but they were laser focused when it came to work. While everyone scrambled to finish their projects, Danny and Dash were standing in the back of the room relaxing.

"I'm so glad that we finished that project in one week." Dash chuckled, swiping through songs on his phone.

"Same. Think about it, Dash. If you and I were forensic detectives at a crime scene where we had to assess fingerprints, blood, and other types of DNA evidence, we'd get the most accurate results." Danny replied. "What song are you listening to?"

"You know I love smooth R songs, so here. Take a listen." Dash handed Danny one of his AirPods so he could hear the song.

The song, aptly titled Smooth by Lina, played comfortably in both Danny and Dash's ears. It had a calming beat to it, but was also sensual and full of soul. Danny was no stranger to sensual anything, mostly because every night for the past few weeks since his parents got back from their most recent business trip, he and Jazz have had to endure the sounds of them going at it to The Isley Brothers, Marvin Gaye, and New Edition. It was inevitable they would "rekindle" that spark which kicked off their entire marriage, but every other night? Even Danny had to admit that was too much. As the music continued to flow through their ears and traveled to their minds, it seemed like they were almost… in tune with each other. When Dash leaned his back against the wall, Danny instantly got closer to him. Yes, they were in a space with several other students, but no one in high school—any high school—cares if you get sentimental with your real-life partner who just so happens to be your partner for a project that is worth half of your grade. So, as the song continued playing, the ghost boy looked at Dash with a smile.

"You mind telling me why you picked me in two-point-three seconds to be your partner for this project?" He asked in a relaxed tone.

"Simple: I know you didn't want to work with the other two." The quarterback replied in the same manner.

"Mostly you–know–who, but that makes sense."

"What I want to know is the reasoning behind you agreeing so fast." Dash mused, his eyes closing as he got more immersed into the next song, which was Danny's favorite: Stay Ready (What A Life) by Jhené Aiko.

"Well…" The ghost boy started as he closed his eyes as well. "It's pretty easy to figure out why. Out of everyone in here, I trust you the most. Sure, I have history with three of you in this room, but out of the three, I chose you because I feel secure. Outside of our relationship, I feel secure with you in school."

This caused Dash to look at Danny through half-lidded eyes, who responded with his signature siren eyes. "Really?" He questioned calmly.

"Yes. I feel like that because you not only hover over me every five seconds—which I love, don't get me wrong—but, you have my best interest at heart here. If any of your teammates try to mess with me again, which I highly doubt they will, you shut them down really quick. If I need help with something, you're always there. Did you really think I wouldn't love our genuine chemistry with one another?"

"Maybe. Partially because I still think that you don't trust me."

Danny fully opened his eyes as the music still flowed, and he got really close to Dash's face. "Dashi… my love, if I didn't trust you…" He leaned closer and kissed the quarterback tenderly before pulling back. "I wouldn't do that. I understand that your inner saboteur still thinks I'm scared of you or I don't trust you, but I'm not scared and I do trust you."

"I saw that." Tucker said randomly as he approached the two with Sam. FUCK.

"What the—"

"Were you two watching us the whole time?!" Danny asked, his face now flushed in irritation and slight anxiousness as he withdrew the headphone out of his ear and handed it back to Dash.

"Yes. I mean, come on, Danny. Did you think I…"

"Okay… you can shut up now." Sam replied quickly and covered the nerd's mouth with her hand. "I think what he meant to say is, shouldn't you guys save that for after class?"

Danny and Dash side-eyed each other. The last time they stayed after a class together, Danny was on the receiving end of a throat coating from Dash… twice. They both exchanged nervous looks.

"Uh… maybe." The two answered nervously.

"Look, it doesn't matter." Danny sighed. "You two are the only ones who saw it. So do us all a favor, and keep your mouth shut… Tucker. We don't need the entire school knowing we're together."

"And we also don't need any drama this year." Dash added.

"Yeah, because THIS… is enough drama." The halfa was over his "former friend" standing in front of him. Nothing could've ruined his moment with Dash… aside from Tucker getting involved.

"No- OUCH. DId you just—Did you just bite my hand?" Sam shouted quietly.

"Finally, fresh air." Tucker laughed before he was swiftly punched in the ribs by Sam, and doubled over in pain.

"Asshole. We'll leave you too alone, now. Come on." She smiled at the two before picking Tucker up by the ear and dragging him back to their station, most likely giving him a piece of her mind on the way back.

"Is it just me or are they…"

"That's… really weird to think about, but it's not just you..."

As the music faded, and the calming zone with it, Danny and Dash glanced at one another in questioning ways as to how or even WHY they would think that Sam and Tucker were now dating. It threw them both off completely.

"How?" Dash mused.

"Them two? Together? Never would have thought that would happen… or could happen."

"I mean, don't you find it a little weird how she acts like she can't stand him after… you know what? But yet, she's working with him?"

"Well, yeah. But that could be how she shows her love… no, it can't be. She never does that to me… or you."

"Then again, we actually get along with her and aren't just… pretending to like each other for a grade."

"Got me there. Hey, we have about five minutes left… want to head out early?"

A smirk was now on Dash's lips as he looked at Danny. "Answer this for me." He used his hands to depict what he wanted to do to the ghost boy.

Danny got back in Dash's face and wore a sultry look on his face. "You know physical touch is my love language…" He snickered, looked to see if anyone was paying attention, and then kissed Dash again.

"I love you."

"I love you, too."

Just then, the bell rang. The two quickly grabbed their belongings, and bolted for the door. Sam smiled, seeing how happy the two were. Her smile soon faded as Tucker spoke.

"Think they know?" He asked.

"That the only reason why I'm working with you is because I don't want to fail and I feel bad for you?" Sam replied. "I'm sure."

"Sam, you still hate me for what happened? That was months ago."

"Yes, Tucker. Of course I do. I'm going to for a long time. Don't think that I'm letting it go. Dash already dealt with you because of what you did, and I doubt that you want him to do it again because you're messing with me. Or, do you want to get suspeneded again?"

Tucker instantly shuddered and nodded. "I don't…" He muttered nervously. Last month, he was beaten up by Dash because of the hazing. To add to that, he got suspended for two weeks right after. Thankfully, he went a little "easy" on the nerd, but it still hurt like hell.

"Good. Now, do me a favor and stay out of my way."

She got up from her desk and left the room, heading to the spot she shared with Dash and Danny for lunch. Tucker sat there, shaking and sweating nervously.

Thankfully, it's a sunny day outside for it to be December, and a little warm. Otherwise, she would've told them to have lunch inside in the gym. When Sam arrived at the lunch spot, all she could do was shake her head and laugh to herself. Dash and Danny were, as expected whenever she showed up later than usual, making out with each other. "Do you guys like it when I catch you in this position?"

The two separated for air, chuckling and turned to Sam. "Oh, hey, Sam. Yes, we do."

"Only my two friends, who just so happen to be dating, would love someone walking in on them." She chuckled as she sat on the comfortable turf. "What's new with you two?"

"Hmmm, I dunno. You'll have to excuse me for a moment, Sam." Danny answered in between breaths, side-eyeing Dash. "I'm trying to get my head back on my shoulders, thanks to him."

"Hey, cut me some slack, baby." Dash chuckled. "But I'm glad you could join us, Sam." His tone was warm but still came with a slight edge that always came with him being so protective over his ghost boy.

"Wouldn't miss it." Sam replied, opening her lunch bag and pulling out a salad. "I got to ask you, though. What were your initial thoughts and feelings when you came back a few weeks ago, Dash?"

"Felt great, honestly. I hated being away from him for so long." He leaned in and kissed the top of Danny's head, making the boy chuckle and turn a deep shade of red. "Thanks again for that, Sam. I know you and Jazz had a lot to do with getting me back here and re-securing my scholarship."

Sam smiled and began eating some of her salad. "Hey, you were defending Danny. You didn't deserve to be punished for that. We just did what was right." She paused briefly, then spoke again. "Now that the worst of it's over, what's next?"

Danny and Dash exchanged a glance before Danny spoke up. "It's been… better, you know? We've just been focusing on moving forward. After everything that happened, it feels good to just start over."

Dash nodded in agreement, his thumb gently stroking the back of Danny's hand. "We've got each other. That's all that matters."

Sam felt genuinely happy for them. She'd been worried about Danny for so long, especially after the hazing incident, and even more so after he initially iced her out, but seeing him like this—so in love and receiving that same love in return—eased a lot of those worries.

"I'm happy for you guys." She said sincerely. "It's good to see you like this, Danny. I think this is what Jazz meant by giving you time and space."

Danny smiled back at her, but then his expression grew more serious. "Thanks, and… I'm really glad we were able to work things out, Sam. I hated that I kept you away for so long."

"I understand why you kept me at a distance, though." She replied. "You needed time. But we're good now. All three of us. And that's what matters. And since we're talking about moving forward… I've made a decision about Tucker."

Dash's expression hardened slightly at the mention of Tucker, but he didn't say anything, letting Sam continue.

"I'm done with him. After this final, I'm cutting him out of my life completely. He's caused too many problems for all three of us, and it's all because of his jealousy. I don't want that negativity around me anymore."

Danny nodded in support. "You're doing the right thing, Sam. Tucker… he's not the person he used to be. He's not the same Tucker you and I once knew. Plus, you don't need that in your life."

"Definitely." Dash added. "You've got enough to deal with without his drama."

Sam felt a wave of relief wash over her at their support. "Thanks, guys. It's not going to be easy, but it's something I have to do."

"You'll be better off without him." Danny said gently. "We all will be."

Dash gave Danny's hand a squeeze before turning his attention to Sam. "Actually…" he started, his tone suddenly more serious. "There's something I've been keeping a secret, and I think now's the perfect time to share it."

Danny and Sam looked puzzled. "What secret?"

Dash took a deep breath, his gaze shifting from Sam to Danny. "I've been planning something for us over Christmas break. Something special."

Danny's eyes widened in surprise. "What are you talking about?"

"You know that dream trip to Los Angeles you've been wanting to go on? Well…" A small smile began playing on his lips. "I know you've always wanted to go, and I thought now would be a good time to take you."

Danny's mouth dropped open in shock. "You're kidding. Right? Dashi, don't you play with me."

Dash shook his head. "Nope. I'm not. I've already made all the arrangements. Flights, the hotel, everything. It's going to be just the two of us, exploring the city, and making new memories."

Danny looked overwhelmed, his eyes filling with tears and a smile on his face. "Dash… I don't know what to say…"

"You don't have to say anything. I already know." Dash murmured, leaning in to kiss him again, this time slower and deeper. "Just be ready to have the best Christmas break ever."

Sam watched the exchange with a mix of happiness and envy, but mostly happiness. She was genuinely thrilled for them, knowing how much this trip would mean to Danny. "You guys are going to have an amazing time." She said, smiling at them both. "I'm so happy for you, Danny."

Danny wiped away a tear, smiling back at her. "Thank you, Sam. This… this is more than I could have ever dreamed of."

Dash held Danny close, his expression soft and full of love. "You deserve it, Danny. You deserve everything."

As the three of them sat together on the field, talking about the trip and everything they were looking forward to, Sam felt a sense of contentment settle over her. It wasn't just the end of one chapter and the start of another—it was the beginning of something better, for all of them.