me: it was poignant to have dan admit that one of the reasons he stayed away is because he was afraid of devon, of their bravery and determination, of how he's worried he can't hold a candle to their light
also me: daniel pierce you fucking fruit
This fic is inspired by day 24 of the Choices July Challenge hosted by the amazing @kinda-iconic under the profile @choicesjulychallenge !
Dedicated to @mariaoz and @lady-kato , my wonderful friends who helped me so much in this fic!
Tagging also the wonderful @jlpplays1 @itsbrindleybinch and @desiree-0816 ! You’re the best! =D
Day 24 Prompt: Memories
Pairing: Dan x MC (Jade)
Summary: Prom arrives, and Jade has no date. Is this the perfect opportunity to do something?
Unedited.
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Somehow, after everything they endured, prom arrived. Dan didn’t know what to expect from it, but he hoped this time he won’t end up staring at Jade the whole dance.
If he was honest, he didn’t really know how exactly it happened. After the terrible ordeal in Mr. Red’s house, Dan found himself growing closer and closer to Jade. He may have been closer to Stacy beforehand, but life changed the both of them. Stacy started hanging more and more with her cheerleader friends, while he drifted away from them. Jade was so kind, so welcoming, Dan quickly realized how much he missed her in all those years they were apart. Somehow, he felt like she was the only one who understood.
So he opened up little by little, until one day he reached an unsettling realisation.
He trusted her. More than the others of the group, more than his family, more than anyone else. Jade was the first person he would turn to when he needed help, and he hoped she saw him the same way.
“Hey,” Dan approached Jade once the dancing started. She sighed, but didn’t look at him immediately. Her posture was stiff as if she was standing in the spotlight, one of the worst experiences Jade could ever experience. He traced her gaze to Lucas, who was dancing awkwardly with Ava. She didn’t look heartbroken, but rather bitter.
“I could’ve been there. At least then I would have someone to dance with,” Jade pouted. Dan smiled, and when Jade’s eyes met his a similar one bloomed on her face.
“You’re acting as if being single at prom is the worst thing that can happen to a person.”
“Almost as bad as being Prom Queen.”
“At least then you don’t have to dance alone.”
Jade laughed. “True.”
They watched the dancing couples, and something about the sight made Dan itch to do the same. A part of him urged him to do that, while the other whispered for him to run as fast as possible somewhere safe and Jade-less.
He decided to go with a compromise.
“Let’s head outside.”
It wasn’t a strange request. In their friendship, Dan and Jade spent many evenings outside, sitting and talking about whatever they wanted. They both preferred that simple quality time over anything else, and these meetings were Dan’s favorite moments of the day.
But if he was honest with himself, every moment with Jade was a treasure.
They walked outside and sat on a cold bench. Usually, Dan was very at ease with Jade, but now he fidgeted. Not every day could he find himself sitting in a tux next to a beautiful girl in a shimmering gold dress. This situation was familiar yet still strange, almost as if it was a dream he once had and forgot. And maybe he did. Ever since Winter Formal he’d been hoping for this moment, in which he would take Jade’s hand and ask her how she felt.
And he would totally do that... at some point. Which was not today.
Dan gazed at his surroundings. Behind him stood the whole school structure, while ahead of him lay the fairly-packed parking lot. To his right was the forest, and to his left the town. Just like always he sat there, wondering what he would have done if he was here so long ago. How would it have been to watch the skeleton monsters attacking homecoming?
Maybe, if he wasn’t under Redfield’s control, he could have… no, would have come. Maybe, in this moment, he wouldn’t be shifting uneasily because Jade would already have given her answer.
However, that wasn’t the case. Something, maybe some force up in the sky, decided then that he needed to be a weird zombie version of himself. He did get the short end of the stick, for sure, but his moment with Jade, deep in that forest, made one thing clear. They shared something special between them, and Dan was lucky he had the opportunity to explore it further.
“It’s nice out here. Cool and comforting.”
Dan met Jade’s eyes, and at that moment he wished he could capture her in a photo. The way her eyes shined, as if she was a brand new person, set his heart pumping faster than he knew was good for him.
Somehow, she succeeded in making his body act like that. Just like, so long ago, she managed to help him escape from Redfield’s control.
Jade really was something special, undoubtedly.
“Doesn’t it bother you seeing Lucas like that?” Dan found himself asking. He shifted slightly, and somehow his arm brushed hers. A strange rush of warmth passed through him, but he forced himself to act nonchalant. The last thing he wanted to do was to give Jade any unease.
She shrugged. “We parted on good terms, and it was fairly mutual, so… no. We’re still great friends, but more like Lily and I. Nothing romantic there.”
“Really?”
Jade didn’t answer immediately, as if she was weighing her words carefully. “Honestly, we’ve been more like friends for quite a while now.”
Dan studied Jade carefully. She shied away from him, refusing to meet his dark eyes. What was she trying to say? Was he wrong to hope that maybe-
“That’s why you broke up?”
“One of the reasons.”
Before Dan could say something else, Jade changed the subject. “I’ve missed you, you know. Back then, with Mr. Re- I mean, Jane.”
“When, exactly?”
She blushed. “Well, I’m not sure exactly. Maybe ever since you entered the hospital, and the rest of us got to know one another better. Maybe… later.”
Dan swallowed. Why was there suddenly so much tension between them?
“Later?”
It was strange to see an uncomfortable Jade. If Dan himself wasn’t nearly as flustered, he may have reveled in it. “Later as in…” she released a heavy breath, “um… homecoming.”
“Oh.” Would she have asked him out if he was awake then? “I wish I could have been there.”
Jade swallowed. “Yeah, but… you’re here now.”
“I am.”
She turned, so she was once again looking into his eyes. Her shoulders were set like that of a warrior’s, and her eyes were more exasperated than ever. “So… do you want to dance, as a way to make this up to me?”
Was it him, or was her voice still slightly uneven?
“Alright, if you’re sure.” Dan hesitantly answered. He got up and held out his hand, as if he actually knew what he was doing. Jade smiled before she put her hand in his. Her body was still tense, but her steps were confident, as if she knew exactly what she wanted. She led him far away from the bench, so they had enough room to comfortably dance.
“So, what exactly are we dancing?”
Jade’s eyes sparked. “Let me pretend, for one moment, that I’m not single.”
He swallowed. “Slow?”
How did his heart manage to pump even faster?
“Got it in one.”
“Alright.”
Jade’s arms circled his neck, and Dan forced himself to wrap his own arms around her waist. Somehow they started swaying to nonexistent music, almost as if they were rehearsing for a big scene at the end of a play.
This was strange, but since when was his life not unusual?
“Not bad,” Jade smirked, “almost lets me forget that I still don’t have a prom date.”
Was it too much to say that he wanted to be her date?
“Don’t look so tortured,” Jade laughed, “there’s more to this dance.”
“Of course,” Dan smiled weakly, and Jade’s smirk immediately disappeared.
“Are you uncomfortable? Because if there’s someone else you want to dance with, it’s okay. I was only joking.”
Dan didn’t know what to say. “No! This… is nice. Like really nice. I-”
A slow smile gradually rose to Jade’s face, and she daringly pulled Dan closer. He could swear that at that moment his heart beat as if he just ran a marathon, and his breaths grew quicker and shallower. Did she notice his strange behavior?
“I have one more question.”
Dan nodded uncertainly. “What is it?”
The mischief twinkled in Jade’s eyes, and once again Dan was struck with how beautiful this girl was. He needed to come closer, but there was no way he would force himself on her like that.
So he forced himself to stay put as Jade’s warm breath touched his ear, her lips whispering words he never thought he’d hear.
“Kiss me.”
Dan froze. He blinked as all the doubts in the world rose inside him. He was probably just hearing things. There was no way that-
“Of course, you don’t have to, but it will help me. And friends help each other, don’t they?”
“Yo-you’re absolutely sure?”
She pulled him so close that their heads were nearly touching. Jade smiled, the sight sending strange tingles down Dan’s whole spine. “Positive.”
She gazed at him expectantly, and a small smile rose to Dan’s face. He gently cupped her face, his thumb rubbing gently on her cheek, before he lowered his head. His lips carefully brushed hers, and suddenly Jade kissed him back. It was strange, this feeling, but Dan dreamed of this moment for years, and he wasn’t going to let anything ruin it. Not his doubts, his worries, his messed-up life. Nothing.
Once they parted, Jade beamed at him. She searched his face for something, and once she found it her smile grew even larger. She laughed wholeheartedly, and Dan gazed at her with all the affection he could muster. This was so amazing, the last thing he wanted was this all to be a means for escape.
“I’ve waited for this for quite a while,” Jade smiled.
“How long?”
“Longer than you, I’m sure. You know, I broke up with Lucas because of you. It’s just that Lucas and I weren’t much of a couple anymore, and… well, I started having feelings for you.”
“Really?”
Jade nodded. “You never take a hint, do you?”
“Well…”
Jade laughed. “No, you don’t have the guts. I had to do it all, huh?”
His cheeks heated up. “I’m sorry. I should have-”
Jade’s warm hand tilted his head so he looked right at her, her eyes so much darker and deeper than before. “You’re cute when you’re flustered.”
Somehow, they started dancing again. Dan sunk in the sea of his thoughts, until one floated to the surface. “So what are we now? Are we still friends?”
Jade shook her head. “I’m friends with Lucas, Dan. But you… well, if you don’t mind, I’d like to go out on a date.”
“I’d be happy to.”
Jade’s cheeks reddened slightly. “Good. At least I won’t be single anymore.”
Dan smiled at her, and she winked at him. A strange sense of content settled on both of them, and so they continued dancing like that. Slowly, yet as if they had all the time of the world in their fingertips.
And at those moments, Dan could’ve sworn that really was the case.
Summary: Dan and Devon decide to go camping in the woods to cope with everything that happened post-Redfield, Dan knew he could use the support and Devon pretending it didn’t bother them as much as they said it didn’t. Devon can’t help but want to set up a memorial for Noah, no matter how much it hurts to be there or how much Noah hurt them. All the while a surprise visitor waits for them.
A/N: Check out my masterlist here! See my specific Choices September Creates mastelist here! Requests are open, find my rules here! Only accepting Halloween prompts currently. Thanks for understanding! Happy Spoopy Spooks y’all!
Tagging: @nuttatulipa
Thanks for reading! I hope you like it!
Dan sits beside Devon on a blanket, his hand raking through his hair as he stares at the stars sprinkled across the sky above them. His heart beating quickly in his chest, as the hair on his arms stand up trying to calm his nerves. Redfield is gone. I am safe. Redfield can’t hurt us. He repeats the mantra over and over again as his therapist told him before when he gets that feeling of his heart beating to face and his face sweating more than usual or at all.
Devon carefully places their hand on top of Dan’s smiling softly at him, falling beside him to stare at the stares as they move Dan’s hand to their heart hold his hand against them, resting their head on his shoulder without saying anything. The way Dan liked it, the reassurance without words. He glances at Devon smiling quickly before directing his attention back to the sky.
The hints of purples and oranges decorating the sky effortlessly, making him feel slightly at ease. There is still beauty in the world, he tells himself before glancing at Devon smiling up at him, and people worth living for. He moves his hand from their heart to brush against the skin of their cheek, brushing his hand absently against their skin losing himself in the moment. Redfield’s grasp on his and his friends' life seeming further and further away by the day, the nightmares less and less, and with Devon staying with him the majority of his nights he finally feels like he can breathe again.
“Sorry, this camping trip must be lame,” Dan whispers shifting to face Devon completely, moving to tuck a strand of Devon’s hair behind their ear, his forehead leaning softly against Devon’s. “Next time we can go all out.”
“Being with you is enough for me.” Devon grins brushing their nose against Dan’s. “I love every moment we spend together.” Devon’s hand moving to his face, running this thumb along the corner of his lip, “You’re everything I need, Danny-Boy.”
Dan smiles brightly, laughing softly at his childhood nickname looking back into Devon’s eyes. “You’re incredible.” He brushes his lips against theirs, pulling them into the kiss, as he tilts his head to the side deepening the friction of their lips. Their hand dragging up and down his arm continues to melt against his lips.
His hand brushing through their hair, letting the moment wash over him. His mind spinning with dizzy circles as he enjoys the feeling, pulling Devon on top of him, not breaking their kiss as their lips continuing to work together in perfect harmony. The feeling of Devon’s bottom lip on Dan’s tongue, savoring the taste of them before they break apart a soft pant from Devon as they steal a final kiss rolling off of him.
“We should do it.” Devon admits, “Go to the path sit outside for a few minutes and accept that he’s gone. Not just Redfield, but Noah. He was our friend, he deserves something we can bring a few flowers and place them on the path.”
“Are you sure?” Dan asks nervously glancing towards the path visible to them from their spot. “I don’t want to wake him up again, I already ruined our lives once I won’t do it again.”
“We should do it, for the both of us. We both need closure.” Devon nods heavily, their hand resting on the healing wound on this stomach, holding it tightly relieving the pain as they think about the night, what going to the ruins will truly mean for them, sucking down a breath before glancing back at Dan’s concerned features. “I can’t do this without you.”
“No one goes in.” Dan nods, “We stand outside and pay our respects.”
“Promise to kiss me if I get nervous?” Devon grins finding Dan’s hands pulling him towards the path walking backwards to face him. “My big strong jock will protect me won’t he?” Devon laughs as Dan rolls his eyes smiling.
“Don’t worry, I’ll leave you there if he breaks out,” Dan smirks, as Devon drops his hand shoving his chest with a laugh, before spinning on their heel. “What are you doing?!” He calls after them.
“Race you there! Maybe it’ll make it less scary if our adrenaline is pumping with life. Last one there is a dumb jock!” They call over their shoulder with a grin, as Dan takes off after them his feet pounding against the floor as he tries to catch up with their head start.
“You’re going to have to call yourself a dumb jock in a few!” Dan shouts, a few paces behind Devon as they glance over their shoulder at his approaching form. Pushing themselves harder seeing the clearing up ahead.
“NEVER!” They call out as they slip on a pile of leaves with a yelp gliding them into the clearing landing with a heavy thud staring at the sky before a few moments Dan in standing above them, looking down at them.
“Let me touch the rock to win and I’ll help you up.” He smirks, before jogging off towards the rock approaching the actual walkway to the ruins slamming his hand down on the rock throwing his arms up with a cheer as he turns to face Devon. “I am the king of kings!” He laughs, opening his eyes, his gaze falling on Devon, who watches the building hesitantly, their hands shaking.
“Dan maybe we shouldn’t do this.” Devon shakes their head, taking a few steps back. “I don’t think I can do this.” Their eyes filling with terror as their stomach burns under their clothes looking back at Dan who pulls them into his embrace. “I can’t do this.”
“You can. We can.” He nods, taking a heavy breath moving to grab their hands.
“Don’t let go of my hand then.” Devon nods, closing their eyes as Dan leads them towards the rock, “Let’s pick some flowers and place them on the rock for Noah.”
“I’m surprised you wanna,” Dan admits, as he leads Devon towards a patch of flowers, their eyes squeezing open taking in the brightly colored flowers as they move to begin picking them with the football captain. Staring at the floors and thinking of Noah, as much as they wanted to hate Noah’s guts, they couldn’t bring themselves to do it.
Even in his last breath he only cared about his friends and Jane, somewhere in his twisted mind Devon knew he only did it to help. They knew he used them, all of them, and betrayed their trust that ran as thick as blood. Somewhere inside there, was a boy who lost his sister and wanted to bring her to safety and they knew they might have done the same in his position. That was their best friend in the ruins, a person they cared endlessly and only wanted to love. And they couldn’t even protect her, but Noah found a way to find her peace and they fully believed Noah would have sacrificed himself if his mind was clear. If he didn’t- didn’t try to…
“He was one of us, Dan. He deserves a burial.” Devon sniffles, standing up with a handful of flowers as them and Dan combine their flowers into a single bouquet, laying it on the rock together their fingers interlacing as they stare back at the ruins. “I don’t know about you, but I could use a hard liquor.”
Dan laughs despite himself, sniffling softly as he wipes his nose with the back of his head. “Goodbye Noah, I hope you find peace.” Devon chokes out, as Dan wraps his arm around Devon’s shoulder standing a few moments before pulling Devon into his chest as their tears run down their cheeks burying their face in his chest.
They find themselves back out of the deepest part of the woods, looking around to notice a camper sitting where their blanket used to rest looking at each other in confusion before the door flies open.
“Hey lovebirds, get the fuck in here!” Ava yells before disappearing into the camper. Dan and Devon look at each other before shrugging approaching the camper, Devon walking in first taking the large backed TV set up in the corner, Lily’s old VHS player, bowls of their favorite childhood snacks, and mac n cheese and hot dogs the way Stacy’s mom used to make.
“What’s all this?” Devon asks, smiling around at their friends.
“Dan said you wanted to toast to Noah, so we brought the past to the future.” Lucas grins, as he clicks on the TV, the VHS machine making a humming noise before playing their most watched movie as a kid.
Stacy walks up throwing her arm over Devon’s shoulder, “If you want I have a few of our old toys we can play with.” She grins softly.
“Thank you for this.” Devon smiles, wrapping one arm back around Stacy, the other around Dan’s waist. “It means the world to me.”
Andy: Their arguing kept disturbing MC while she was trying to take a nap, so she made them a deal. She’ll go on a date with whoever stays silent the longest.
Stacy: ...How long have they been going for?
Andy: Give or take 3 weeks.
Ava: That’s fucking dedication. Can I join in on the competition?
WHO NEEDS THERAPY WHEN YOU CAN FINALLY KISS DAN BABYGIRL PIERCE🥺💜 (I mean still probably go to therapy though)
The confession and kiss scene was immaculate !! The parallels from waking up from a nightmare, Dan's guilt, Dan's fruity ass running away from his feelings, Dan's carefully calm therapist persona giving way to all his feelings of worry, joy, and love...
This got me screaming and clawing the wall at 2 am and sending audio files of said screaming to my girlfriend mga bes LIFE IS GOOD TO DAN LOVERS FR
