The case was tough on the station and the longer it remained unsolved, the more the town grew restless, and everyone was speculating about the two murders. Frequently you overheard or were told about the latest suspicions which Danny and Lucien later set straight during dinner. Although the duo held one piece of information back from you, regarding your brother who after being questioned by Danny when he visited to get the facts, broke protocol by not having him brought to the station for a formal interview, you learned that your brother was somewhat involved in the murders. You were shocked when he explained the conversation that sparked the feud and led to two murders.
A drunken argument in a bar had led to a street fight which led to murder. You couldn't believe your brother was involved and while you knew you should inform Danny, trusting him completely, your brother's prediction of his future if you did was the only thing that stopped you from running to your fiancée.
Your silence however created distance between you and Danny who defended you against Jean when she suggested you knew something and weren't telling him before you had arrived for dinner one night. You knew when he stepped outside onto the porch that he was speaking to you as part of the investigation, his feelings for you set aside momentarily.
"Did you know about your brother's involvement?" He asked.
You tried not to appear guilty and held his gaze but it was difficult when you were lying. "Not until a few days ago. He told me after you questioned him." His expression fell as you told him what your brother confessed to, hurt that you withheld information on a case. "I didn't tell you, not because I don't trust you, but because I don't want him to - he's my brother, Danny."
He turned away and you held back tears as you pleaded with him. "Please, Danny."
"I'll tell Jean you couldn't make it." He entered the house without another word and you stared at the door as it closed. You slowly retreated down the driveway, deciding you weren't ready to face your mother who would lecture you on protecting your brother, and walked around town for a while.
Danny entered the kitchen, leaning against the wall, closing his eyes briefly. Jean walked in with Mattie and Lucien after fetching the two for dinner. "Is Y/N not joining us?" She asked.
"No," Danny replied.
"Everything alright?" Lucien asked, sensing the tension.
Danny looked over at the doctor as he said, "She knew about her brother's involvement. Apparently, he told her everything after I went to see him. Three days and she never said anything."
While he understood his betrayal, Lucien appealed to Danny's rational side which was blindsided right now. "I doubt it was an easy decision for her to make. Choosing between her fiancée and her brother."
Danny joined the three at the table, "I know. But this isn't a purse snatching. Two people have been murdered."
"And if she told you, what would you do? Arrest her brother and depending on how involved he is, send him to prison."
"I suspect her mother had a few words in her ear," Jean commented. "She always was such a proud woman. Imagine how she reacted when she found out about it."
Danny shook his head. "That still doesn't make it right."
"No, but she's torn between the man she's engaged to and her family." Mattie reasoned.
Danny sighed as he stood up from the table, "I'm not hungry."
Jean turned in her chair to speak but Lucien stopped her from preventing Danny from leaving knowing he needed space right now.
The next morning you were having breakfast while your family discussed what to do about the impending arrest when there was a knock on the door. Your mother motioned for you to answer it as she was frying bacon at the stove and you left the kitchen, heading to the door. You were surprised, yet also weren't, to find Danny standing on the porch.
"Hi." He took off his hat and you stepped aside to allow him to enter. "I'm sorry about yesterday."
"No, I'm sorry."
"Who is it, Y/N?" Your father called.
You glanced at Danny who sent you a strained smile before leading the way to the kitchen. Your mother was immediately upset at the sight of Danny in his uniform and started shouting for him to leave, lying that your brother was innocent.
"Will you stop howling and let the man speak?" Your father spoke over her, and she scowled, but fell silent.
Danny glanced at you, clearing his throat before looking at your parents. He had never felt so nervous, not even when he asked your father's blessing for marriage.
"I'm here to deliver some friendly advice." He began, his gaze settling on your brother. "If you make a statement at the station my Chief has agreed to review the facts before deciding whether or not your actions led directly to the two murders."
"Get out!" Your mother barked.
"The longer you stay silent, the worse it will be." Danny explained.
"Out!" Your mother ushered him to the door and you followed, pleading with her to listen to his advice. "And you can forget about marrying him!" She opened the door, and you stared at Danny who was surprised.
"Wait, hold on -"
"Out!" She barked.
Danny looked at you for a moment before reluctantly walking away and you turned to your mother. "You can't do this! You can't stop me from marrying him."
"You leave with him then you leave this family." She replied coldly and you fought back tears as you watched her walk to the kitchen.
"Then I'm not a part of this family anymore." You opened the door and your mother called for you to return but you ignored her as you rushed to Danny who was driving off. He quickly stomped on the brake when you appeared in front of the car, eyes wide as you quickly got in beside him. "Drive!"
He glanced in the mirror and saw your parents on the steps and drove off without a word. After a few minutes, the tension began to leave your shoulders and Danny, glanced at you as he worked up the courage to break the silence.
"I'm sorry I lied to you. I should have told you as soon as I knew." You spoke first.
"I understand why you did it."
"Doesn't make it right." You finally looked over at him and Danny glanced at you, whilst paying attention to the road ahead. "You're the one person I trust most, Danny. I'm sorry that I gave you a reason to think otherwise."
Danny held his hand out and you smiled as you took it, intertwining your fingers as you rested your head on his shoulder. "Still want to marry me then?"
"It's official." You lifted your head briefly to meet his gaze. "You're stuck with me."
Danny smiled as a small chuckle left his lips as he leaned down to kiss your head. "I wouldn't have it any other way." His eyes drifted to the road and you smiled softly as you watched the road ahead as he drove, letting the radio fill the comfortable silence between you both.
That afternoon your brother turned up at the station and turned himself in. Danny was kept out of the interview due to a personal conflict of interest but was able to fulfil his one request, to bring you to the station to talk. Danny stood nearby while you spoke through the bars, and made amends, which Danny knew meant a great deal to you. And while your father later came around, your mother kept her distance, but that didn't matter because in the end, nothing else mattered except your newlywedded days spent proudly as Mrs Parks. You had everything you needed because you had him.
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Also on ff.net
Summary:
The fundraising concert is here!
Li finally faces her fears and Jean and Lucien grow even closer
Notes:
I've made a spotify playlist for the concert, and one for the fic in general which I will continue to add to. Feel free to listen along.
Elaborate Lives concert
Elaborate Lives fic
These will replace the youtube links I've been posting in the end notes.
Now, before you yell at me for even mentioning the end of the year before Halloween gets its chance to shine... I’m only putting it this far out because I know life gets busy and I want everyone to have enough notice and enough time to think about getting involved.
That being said: SECRET SANTA IS BACK
We are calling it “DBM December Fic Exchange” to be more inclusive to those that don’t celebrate Christmas.
(Originally it was going to be “Winter Fic Exchange” and your friendly neighborhood mods remembered not everyone has winter in December, but that is neither here nor there.)
Watch this space! Follow this blog! Important dates and information will be going up around the second weekend of October where a more detailed timeline and expectations will go up as well.
Please interact with this post (liking, reblogging, commenting) to kind of let us know how much interest this will have this year! If we don’t get enough people it might not happen, but if it does that would be magical to have our lovely gift exchange happen again this year.
