ONE MONTH LATER
The day has arrived. It's the start of senior year. Danny was running through the halls of Casper High to get to his new locker, which was positioned right next to his main class with Lancer. Seriously? The same teacher? Isn't he most likely to retire this year? Anyways, Danny had made it to his locker and looked around. The hallways are still empty. Perfect.
"It's 7AM. No one in their right mind is going to be here this early." Danny laughed. "At least I now have time to myself for a moment. No backstabbing friends, no loving boyfriend, just me… me… me." He sighed calmly as he started to organize his things in the locker. Unbeknownst to him, someone he knew very well had just arrived.
"That's weird… my locker is right next to yours."
Danny turned to see who it was, and even though they had been on non-speaking terms all summer, he still cared about him. Even if he did betray him. "Very interesting, Tucker. I wasn't expecting you to be here. Or be this close."
Tucker was nervous. "Neither did I."
The silence between the two remained until Danny decided to ask his former friend a serious question. "Did you really think I'd just forgive and forget? After catching you with her, then after you betrayed me? Did you think I'd just let this go?"
"I knew this would come up. No, Danny. I didn't."
"Y'know, all I see is red sometimes when I think about you."
Tucker stayed calm, much like Danny. "Hey man, I understand it. But listen, that whole thing between me and Sam, it meant nothing. Okay?"
"Very interesting. How can I trust your words right now?" Danny replied, narrowing his eyes but not taking them off of Tucker.
"Here. I've been waiting to give you this."
It was a picture of Tucker, Sam, and Danny from when they were little kids. Written on it, under each of their own pictures, were the words, "Siblings for life!" in red marker. This picture was also in a frame. Danny took it and held it for a moment. "I remember this."
"Yeah, that was the day we all went on that cruise trip with our parents. I kept it because it means a lot to me, and although I screwed you over and betrayed you, I still love you."
Danny held the picture in his hand, then looked at Tucker. "Tucker… I got to be honest here. I don't trust you as far as I can throw you. You showed me that you're a snake. You quite literally slept with my ex-girlfriend while we were still together. You even set me up to be hazed almost nine months ago and then framed my boyfriend for it. Yes, I love the fact that you remember our past, but that's over now. I've healed from everything. I don't have to hide anything."
"I understand."
"However… I will keep this in my locker as a reminder of what life once was." Danny smiled and hung the photo up in his locker. The hallway was starting to get full. Sam approached the two, but Danny immediately shut his locker, and walked off.
"What was that about?" She questioned.
"I gave him the picture of us from a few years ago, and tried to apologize again for everything. I don't think he wants to be around us for the time being."
"Can't force him, Tucker. He's got to be ready for it, and right now, he's not ready. Give him some more time." She sighed.
Danny was walking in the main gym, trying to clear his head again before classes started. He saw someone run right in his direction and pick him up at an alarming rate. As he attempted to fix his vision and secure a grip, the person looked him in the eyes and smiled the brightest smile he's ever seen.
"Hey, Dan-Dan..." The person hummed excitedly.
"Those DAMN blue eyes…" Danny thought to himself. He only knew of one person with baby blue eyes like the ones he was currently focusing on. The body type, the strength, and that sweet smell of Dolce & Gabbana products were all he needed to know who it was.
"I missed you, baby…"
They were together for a good majority of the summer.
"And did I tell you I love you?"
Only one person in this universe would be this excited to see him.
"I love you more than you'll ever know, Dashi."
The person, now revealed to be the star quarterback of Casper High, couldn't hide his excitement when he saw Danny. It never mattered how Danny was feeling at any given moment of the day, Dash always knew how to make him feel better. He put Danny down and immediately hugged him. Sure, they were together all summer, but who cares? They definitely don't.
"Hi, baby. How are you?" He asked.
"A lot better now that you're here." Danny answered. The bell rang and before he could blink, Dash had thrown him on his back and immediately took off for their class. They couldn't be late.
"Good morning, students. This is your last year here and last year with me. So make sure you all pay attention." Mr. Lancer started. Danny was seated in the back of the room, along with Tucker, Sam, and Dash.
Great.
"I can't believe I have to sit back with these two…" Danny muttered to himself angrily. "And then it's for the entire school year, at that? Jesus… let this year go by quick…"
The lesson went on until it was time to go. Thank God it was a half day. Everyone had walked out, except for Danny, Sam, and Tucker. This couldn't be good. The three looked at each other, and before Danny could get out of a situation he didn't want to be a part of, Sam grabbed his wrist.
"Let me go." He stated.
"No."
"Sam, let me go. I'm serious. I don't want to talk to you guys."
"Not until you tell me why you're avoiding me."
Fuck, he couldn't get out of this one. Sam used to do this when they were together, and Danny hated it. But hold on. Didn't Sam say to Tucker not to force a reaction out of Danny? Yet, that's exactly what she's doing right now?
"Sam, let me go right now."
"No. I'm not going to let you go until you tell me why you're attempting to avoid me. Tell me why you immediately took off this morning when I walked over."
Tucker watched the two and grew heavily anxious at what could happen next. He decided that he couldn't see this anymore and broke Sam's grip on Danny. "Sam, can't you see he doesn't want to be around us right now? You're obviously trying to pressure him into something he doesn't want to be involved with."
Danny was stunned at Tucker's actions. "Maybe he did change his ways after all." He thought as he watched Tucker lay into Sam.
"Now, I know none of us are on good terms… at all, but we're gonna need to be in order to get out of high school alive. He doesn't trust either of us, I don't trust you, and you don't trust me. However, we're gonna need each other. Okay?"
Danny sighed and reluctantly agreed. "Okay. I'm in. But we cannot be around each other outside of school at all. I'm serious." He picked up his backpack and marched for the door where he was sure Dash was waiting for him.
"Tucker, I know what you're trying to do. And I'm going to be honest: you need to stop while you can. This is not going to work."
"Relax, Sam." Tucker replied, taking a deep breath. "Give him time. Remember what Jazz said, okay?"
"Okay."
Dash was waiting on Danny at the door. "Hey, took you a minute. You look upset, love. What's wrong?"
"My old friends want to reconnect with me." Danny answered quickly. "I'm fine without them."
Dash knew that look on Danny's face all too well now. "Danny, be honest."
"I'm fine without them."
Dash didn't believe him.
"Dash, trust me. I'm fine without either one of them."
"Want to talk about this outside?"
Danny couldn't believe he was doing this, but he nodded in sadness. "Yes…"
The two walked out to Dash's car and once they were both in, Danny looked at Dash with the saddest look ever. It broke Dash's heart to see his baby like this. Yet somehow, he knew that deep down in Danny's heart, no matter how much he wanted to deny it…
He missed his friends.
Dash started his car and drove to his house. Danny started to open up about what happened.
"He gave me a picture of when we were kids on a cruise." Danny finally spoke, referring to the photo he received from Tucker. "It brought up so many memories, and it took all of my energy to not cry right in front of him."
"Danny, I know you said you're fine, but tell me the truth. No lying, no pretending, no hiding. I'm here for you." Dash held his hand with the ring on his finger. "And this right here… it proves that."
"You're right, okay? I… I miss being with them. I miss hanging out with them. I want my friends back, but I was hurt so badly by both of them that I don't even like them." Danny sighed. "Why, Dash? That's really all I want to know. Why did she have to cheat on me? Why did my closest friend in this world have to set me up to be hazed by the team?"
The vulnerable side of Dash showed even more. "That's like me asking myself why I was hurt by my dad as a kid." He said calmly, finally stopping in his driveway.
"What?"
"Yeah, I didn't tell you. I was, uh… abused by my dad." He said, turning away from Danny.
"What? When?"
Dash didn't reply. He just looked out the window and a single tear rolled down his face.
"Dash."
"I was only five when he started doing it. It didn't stop until I turned twelve." His voice cracked. He then got out, which prompted Danny to do the same. They both entered the massive home, and marched right up to Dash's room. Dash stood with his back to Danny for a brief moment.
"Dash, did he…" He tried to get Dash to turn and look at him, but the muscle boy refused.
"It… it hurt me so much. I hate him. I… I want him dead for what he did." He responded, his voice strained with hurt and anger.
"Hey. Look at your ring and then turn around and look at my face. I'm right here, baby. You don't have anything to hide from me anymore. I'm here for you, Dash." Danny whispered. "Just tell me what he did."
"Danny, I want him dead… He did things to me that no parent should ever do to their kid. He just… he hurt me in the worst way a dad ever could."
"Shhhhh… it's okay. Listen to me. Remember when you told me that my attack wasn't my fault? That I shouldn't beat myself up about having something so traumatic happen to me that I couldn't control? That's what I'm telling you now. It's not your fault, Dash. It never was, it isn't, and it never will be." Danny snapped his fingers and Dash looked right at him. "I will kill anyone for you. If someone touches you, I will make sure they don't live to see the next day. I'm your boyfriend for a reason, Dash. You came into my life at a time where I thought I was completely alone and here we are, three months later, going stronger than ever. I wouldn't be as confident with you as I am now if I didn't trust you. Now it's my turn to be here for you. Okay?"
Dash nodded and rested his forehead on Danny's. "It just hurts to think about… Danny, it fucking hurts…" He started crying, which Danny has never seen him do before. "It hurts so much."
For the first time, Danny felt like the roles were now reversed in their relationship. He now felt like the protector, the one to keep Dash safe from what was going on in their lives. Three months ago, it was Danny who came to Dash for help. It was him who came to Dash to feel like he was cared about. And with one kiss, a kiss that could be considered a drunken one, they became closer than ever. Now was the time for him to return the favor.
"Dash, do you trust me?"
"Yes…"
"Then look at me."
And Dash did. He saw a look that he's seen before. He saw it in that dream, he saw it when Danny showed up at his door, and he saw it when they first made love.
"I'm here, not because of a kiss, not because of sex, but because I see the real you. The sweet, loyal, and honest you. I see the side of you no one else has ever seen. You catch me when I fall, accept me flaws and all, and that's why I love you. No matter what, I'm going to be here for you. You and I are together to keep each other safe, to love each other, and to grow together. I love you, Dash, and I'm serious when I say that. Okay? I love you so much." Danny stroked Dash's face, wiping his tears away. "Hey… don't be scared, it's gonna be okay. I promise."
"There's a hole in my heart, Danny." Dash started quietly. "He took a piece of me away, and continued to destroy it for seven years. I'm... I'm tired of the way he treated me, tired of the guilty feeling I get every single time I think of it. I'm tired of crying, and I'm tired of faking it. It's about to drive me insane. Danny, I'm tired of feeling weak from that and pretending to be strong. I have kept this hidden from everyone because of the pain I felt. He used to come into my room at night… when I was asleep. I remember him waking me up and taking me into the basement with him, telling me he'd make my favorite nighttime snack if I did everything he told me to. I was five, so I listened. He made me… he made me touch his dick, and I was a five year old. If I had the strength to stop myself, I would've in a heartbeat. It felt so fucking wrong, Danny. I mean, he was my dad. That was so disgusting. It only escalated over the years. So much so that if I didn't touch him, he'd tell my mother that I was caught with another boy at school. The year I finally made him stop, finally made him end the torture, was the same year I met you. Within that same year, he hurt me in the worst way one night. He did the same thing as usual, which made me sick, but he took it too far and forced himself in my mouth. I tried to fight him off, but I felt so weak at the time that I just let him, and when he finished, he let it all out on my face. He had the sickest smile on his face, then he slapped me. That same night, after scrubbing myself very hard in the shower, I curled up on that same basement floor. I cried so hard because I felt like I had just been assaulted on an entirely different level. Like I was asking for this because I put up with this for so long. I just kept asking myself 'why?' as if it was my fault. Just when I thought it couldn't get any worse, he came back down. As soon as I heard him, I ran as fast as I could to a room that I could hide in to get away from him. I was so scared he'd do something else to me that I didn't want, and I screamed for him to stay away. Thankfully, I was able to escape that night. I don't even want to think about what he could've done if I didn't run."
Danny knew what it was like to be scared of what someone could do to you if they get a second chance. He knew what the feeling was like to be around someone you think you can trust, only for them to hurt you in the worst way imaginable. He knew how it felt to harbor the emotions and just endure the pain because of thinking that no one would listen. To Danny, Dash had always been strong, fearless, and confident. He'd always been "Mr. Macho Man" and nothing ever fazed him. Recently, he'd become a lovable, loyal listener and super understandable. Now, Danny realized that he was with Dash for a reason deeper than just himself: he was with Dash to help him through his trauma as well.
"So, there's the truth, and the reason why I used to be so much of an asshole. I was sexually assaulted as a kid by my dad for seven years. I hate the fact that he did that to me, that he broke my trust and stole something from me that I'll never get back… but I also now understand that I'm bigger than my past. You helped me with that. I know it'll take a while to heal, but like I tell you all the time, don't rush it." Dash finished, a small smile on his face.
"It's good that you were able to get that out. I know it's heartbreaking and tough to look back on it, but it's for the best because then, you learn how to work through it and become better. You taught me that." Danny replied. "Listen." He said, stroking his boyfriend's face with his thumb again. "It's going to be a long journey, both with this and senior year. It's not going to be easy for either one of us. But guess what? We got each other. Okay?"
"Damn right we do. Hey, Danny?"
"Yes?"
"Thanks for listening to me and not leaving my side."
Danny would be lying if he said he didn't recognize how much Dash has grown over the last few months. It just goes to show that true love can really save someone's life. "Anytime, babe." He smiled and gave Dash a kiss.
"Still love me?"
"Of course I love you, you idiot." Danny chuckled. "Always will."
AFTER GYM WEDNESDAY
The locker room was actually empty for once, with the exception of Dash and Danny being in there. The two of them were making out (per usual, I mean this is a love story laced with roses, lust, and sex. COME ON.) with each other, not caring if anyone saw them.
"You know, one day, you're gonna make me forget where we are and do you right here in this building." Dash muttered calmly.
"I mean…" Danny sighed. "I wouldn't mind being bred right now. It's not like you haven't bred me before. In fact, you did just that the first time we had sex..."
"Hey, that's because you trust me." Dash said in protest. "Otherwise, I'd be pulling out and making you suck the milk out of me."
"Hmmm… that can be arranged." The ghost boy smiled seductively. "You aren't scared to get a little… active, are you?"
Dash scoffed and looked at Danny. "In your dreams, ghost boy. I'm not scared. I mean, we're here alone."
"Oh really? Sure you aren't?"
"If I was scared, I wouldn't do this." Dash pulled his dick out of his gym shorts and swung it around. "Now who's scared?" He smirked, taunting Danny. "What's the matter, baby boy? A little intimidated?"
Not one to ever be outdone by Dash, Danny just smiled and sunk to his knees. Dash's eyes followed him as he got low. "Hmmmmm… I don't know about you, but I'm thirsty." He chuckled before taking in all 9 hard inches of Dash into his mouth.
"Oh shit." Dash gasped and his body jerked as he felt Danny nestle his face right at the base of his crotch. "Don't… don't give me those… mmmm fuck…"
"What's the matter, love?" Danny asked, jerking the boy off with a smirk and looking at Dash through his siren eyes. "A little intimidated? Mmmm… I feel like you are."
"N-No… I'm… I'm not…" Dash tried to answer and get his breathing under control. "I- ahhhmmm, Danny…" He was caught off guard by the ghost boy taking him into his mouth again. "Fuck baby, you take it like a pro…" He began running his fingers through his lover's hair.
Danny knew that Dash had two weaknesses: kisses on his neck and a good BJ. He continued his mission while staring Dash in the eyes, almost sending him over the edge right in that moment. "Mmmm, so good…" He chuckled again.
Every sound Danny made, every word he spoke, and every laugh sent shockwaves through Dash's body and he loved the feeling. It was a euphoric experience he could not believe he was enduring. He could feel the release building in the pit of his stomach. "Danny, I… fuck, Danny. If you keep sucking like that, I'll…"
Danny smirked devilishly and went faster. He could feel Dash bucking his hips and soon enough, he swallowed the meat all the way down to the base. When he did, he looked up at Dash and with one wink, it was over.
"Oh shit, I'm gonna…" Dash groaned and shot what felt like twelve thick ropes of white milk down his favorite person's throat. The ghost boy continued to smirk at Dash as he swallowed all of it. "Oh my god, damn…" He breathed out.
"Mmmmmm…" Danny hummed as he sucked Dash clean, then removed himself and stood up. "Tastes so good… just like you." He snickered charmingly and kissed the quarterback.
"Holy shit, I did not think you were actually gonna do that." Dash managed to recover from his orgasmic high. "Man, that felt so good."
"I told you I wasn't scared to get active, Dashi." Danny grinned at his favorite quarterback. "Now, let's get clean. I got a feeling you're up for round two..."
END OF FRIDAY
The first week went by pretty quickly, but Danny couldn't care less about how fast the week went. All he knew was that this weekend was gonna be about him and Dash. He got home and ran right to his room, only to be stopped by Jazz.
"Danny! What are you doing?" She laughed nervously.
"I'm about to shower… I have a date tonight and you're kind of in my way." He answered.
"A DATE!?" A voice shouted from the kitchen.
"Oh great. They're back from their trip? When were you gonna tell me?" Danny whispered.
"That's what I was about to tell you! Mom and Dad don't know you're dating him yet, so you're gonna need to stay here."
"Oh hell no, Jazz. You see how happy he makes me. I can't just stay away from him! I'm gonna go talk to them now."
Jazz followed Danny into the kitchen and waited with bated breath to see how he was going to react.
"Mom, Dad, I'm glad you're back. Hope the trip went well."
"Yes, it went fine, Danny. You know, it's good to be home. But um, what's this I heard about a date?" His mother replied.
"Yeah, about that… I kind of have a partner now."
"Is it the goth girl?" His father asked.
"Uh, actually… we broke up. Several months ago. In fact, we're not on speaking terms at the moment. I'm not sure how to say this, but I honestly want to let you both know that I'm dating a football player. THE head football player of Casper High. Also, surprise. I'm bisexual."
Jazz couldn't be any more nervous than she is right now. Her parents, up until now, thought that Danny was straight and dating Sam. She feared for Danny's life at the incoming reaction. "Please don't hurt him…" She whispered to herself.
"Now, Danny. Did you really think we didn't know that? It was obvious! Just because you're bisexual, that doesn't mean we don't love you any less." The matriarch spoke first and held Danny close to her. "You're my son. I love you. Nothing is going to ever change that, Daniel." She smiled.
"Danny, we love you no matter what. Don't ever think we won't." His father said positively. Danny was happy to be surrounded by love.
"I love you guys, too. Now, I hate to cut this short, but I need to shower and be dressed in the next fifteen minutes. So, I got to go." He smiled and hugged his dad, then hugged his mom, and finally walked over to Jazz. "I love you, sis." He hugged her and sprinted to his room.
"Love you too, Danny. I love you too."
If there was one thing that Danny and Dash loved the most about their dates, it was playing video games like they were still kids. Both of them strolled into the dimly lit arcade, and neon lights flickering in electric blues and pinks, casting an intimate glow on their faces. The place was mostly empty, which is just the way they liked it for their late-night escapades. A playful grin spread across Dash's face as he nudged Danny lightly towards the racing game.
"Ready to eat my dust, ghost boy?" Dash taunted, sliding into one of the seats and grabbing the steering wheel with a confident grip.
Danny chuckled, sliding into the seat next to him, the closeness sending a thrill through him. "You're going down, Dashi. Oh, and don't cry when you lose."
"We'll see about that, Dan-Dan…"
They inserted their tokens, and the game roared to life. The intense competition began, both guys leaning into the turns, fingers gripping the controls. Their shoulders brushed occasionally, a jolt of electricity sparking each time.
Dash glanced sideways at Danny, his eyes darkening with the competitive fire. "You call that driving?"
Danny smirked confidently, his eyes never leaving the screen. "Please, I'm just warming up. Try to keep up, love."
The two continued racing, with the game reaching its climax as their virtual cars were neck and neck. The sounds of revving engines and crashing metal adding to the charged atmosphere. At the last second, Danny pulled ahead, crossing the finish line with a triumphant shout.
"Yes! I win, Dash!" Danny laughed, but his victory dance was cut short as Dash grabbed his wrists and pulled him close.
Their faces were inches apart, as they have been on many occasions. The sexual tension was so heavy, it could be cut with a knife. Dash's eyes flicked to Danny's lips and back up, a slow smirk playing on his own. "You got lucky… very lucky. Guess I'll just have to… win another way..." His voice grew huskier with each word.
Before Danny could respond, Dash closed the gap and their lips crashed together in a fierce kiss. It was all heat and intensity, with the competitive fire from the game fueling their passion. Danny's hand slid up Dash's neck, tangling in his hair, pulling him closer.
"Good god, I love this man. Between the smell of his expensive cologne and the raging testosterone, I feel so intoxicated… with love..." Danny thought as he and Dash fought for control of the kiss, their tongues dancing together like a Beyoncé-written love song dripping with undeniable lust. "I want… no, no. I need more of him…"
Eventually, the quarterback gained control and rested his hands on the face of Danny. It's weird to think that when the week started, he revealed a dark secret while the ghost boy dealt with his old friends resurfacing. Then, just days later, the two had an intense moment after gym. Now, they're on a date together. In his head, Dash felt like he was the luckiest human on Earth, and honestly, he is. "He's so perfect. There is no way I'll ever let him go..." He thought. Dash broke the kiss, their breaths heavy, foreheads pressed together. "You taste just like victory, baby boy," he murmured, his voice soaked in confidence.
Danny's vision was becoming more and more clouded with lust. "And you taste like fucking trouble. I want more." He chuckled, sending several shockwaves down Dash's spine.
With a swift move, Dash pulled Danny onto his lap. Their hands roamed each other's bodies, exploring with a mix of tenderness and urgency. The world outside the arcade was now blurred, leaving only the two of them in their space of heat and desire.
Dash's hands slipped under Danny's shirt, fingers tracing the lines of his muscles. "Rematch, baby boy?" he whispered against Danny's lips, a wicked sparkle in his eyes.
"Only if you can handle losing to me again," the ghost boy smirked, shivers of pleasure gripping him at the throat. He loved these types of moments with Dash..
"Oh, if I handled it like this on my first loss… how rough and hard do you think I'll handle it on the next one?"
Danny had to give the man credit. Dash was one smooth criminal who knew how to be suave, cocky, and at times, a master. He grinned lustfully at Dash, staring right into his eyes. "Honestly, I would love to find out, Dashi. I really… would… love… to." He replied in a seductive and sultry tone, capturing Dash's lips in another heated kiss.