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It first starts with Dan coming back from hell.
Well, not really.
Dan had been missing for about 5 weeks. A whole month. And within that month, a lot had happened, including the forming closeness of Maximus and Bad. Because Dan was gone—many thought he was dead. But Maximus couldn’t bear that thought—not, he was alive. He had to be. But no matter what, the same thoughts had crossed his mind.
He’s gone and it’s my fault.
Bad had found him one day crying. Outside. On the grass. Trump was with Bad the whole day, so Maximus could be by himself. But he did not realize that it would include him—well, crying.
So now Dan was, a month later, curled up on the grass just outside the forest area near Maximus’s house. When Maximus saw him, he immediately screamed and yelled for help in the chat. The first one to come running was Bad.
“Maximus! What happened?” The young grim reaper(? If you could call him that) shouted out as he approached the area. When he saw who Maximus called about, his face turned into shock.
“Is that—Dan?” He whispered as he slowed his run.
“Sí. Help—help me bring him inside. Santa mierda…” Maximus whispers, and Bad jumps into action by helping the other lift the fallen up.
Dan, in summary, looked terrible. His hair was matted and the blue that looked as blue as the sky was now a dim one, even going as far as to look a bit blonde in some areas. His goggles were broken, and his face was bruised up. Real bad. He looked to have…diamonds? Out the side of his face. They weren’t necessarily big ones, but big enough to be noticed. And his clothes were torn and tethered.
He was a mess. And it hurt Maximus to see it.
He was relieved in some way when he remembered that Trump wasn’t there right now. Of course! He was at Daycare. But he was glad because Trump didn’t have to see his hurt and tattered papa—would he still consider Dan papa?—in their house.
Upon entering, Maximus signaled Bad to put the man down on the couch. As he did so, the former immediately ran to his caretaking station in his lab to grab the necessary ingredients and remedies. As much as he’d like Dan to go to a proper hospital or care place, he doesn’t trust Dan to truly make a recovery. Definitely not—especially because of the Federation and…Cucurucho.
After a few minutes of rummaging through his supplies, he carefully, but swiftly as well, began brewing up potions. Every few minutes he’d check on the other two, and at some point, Bad had gotten ice packs and cooling things for Dan. He was severely burnt up.
“I didn’t want to replace his clothes or bandage his head until you finished the potions,” Bad told Maximus as the latter walked out of the brewing room for the last time.
“Si, si. Good idea,” He says, kneeling by Dan and potions lying idly on the ground. As Maximus did this, Bad stood up and went to find proper clothes for Dan to wear. And first aid kits.
Some days had passed, and Dan had yet to wake up. Both Maximus and Bad had to drop off Trump and Dapper at Philza’s for a few nights because they couldn’t bear the children seeing Dan in the state he’s in right now.
“Other papa is home?” Trump writes rapidly, shaking as if he wanted to run home to see Dan. It was Maximus who had to hold him still so he wouldn’t run off.
“Si, but he’s not well right now,” Maximus says, and Trump is confused. With a sad sigh, Maximus has to explain and tell him he can see Dan when he’s better.
“You better kiss his booboos better!” Trump writes, and before Maximus can sputter nervously, he runs to Philza, giggling as he did so. He and Dapper had gotten along so much better recently, that it’s starting to concern Maximus a bit. But no matter—that’s something to think about another time.
At that point, the whole island had learned of Dan’s return. They all sent presents to Maximus to give to Dan if— when he awoke. Cards with notes, flowers with chocolate, and other gifts Dan will surely appreciate.
On day 8, Dan woke up.
☆☆
The last thing Dan remembered were walls full of gray and tiles neatly organized. He remembered the pounding headaches he experienced and the blood oozing from his body. The way his left eye felt cold and he could only really see from his right. He was sure he was gonna die in that place.
But then, he woke up. And immediately, the tension from his body faded as his environment was no longer white and empty. Music faintly playing and small chatter from a certain area. Opening his eyes (could he even say eyes if only one really felt like it worked?), he let out a groan, his throat feeling grainy and sore.
Two figures had rushed to his area. At first, they were unfamiliar, but as his…eye adjusted to the light, he recognized them as—
“Maxo…? B-bad?” He mumbled, his eyes looking faintly up at them. He smiled softly, now knowing he was in a familiar environment.
“Si, si—Oh my goodness, you’re awake. Bad— Bad, tell the others.” Maximus sputtered, surprised at how clean his words sounded at that moment, but soon faced Dan with an easy look on his face. Oh, how he wanted to grab the side of his face and hold him forever, but Dan didn't need that right now.
“M-Max—”
“Shhh, no pierdas el aliento.”
“Wh…y do my eyes feel strange? I can…only see from…right…” Dan's voice dozed off, his focus soon spiraling and his head spinning. At his reply, Maximus wasn't sure how to respond. So instead, he rubbed the side of Dan's face and sat in silence.
That was until Bad returned.
The one who came running in after was Philza. Of course, he would—he’s one of the most extensive medical people on the island, having experience previous to it. Bad informs Maximus that the others are now aware, but are together outside—they don’t want to overwhelm anyone inside.
“Gracias,” Maximus says to Bad, who shrugs it off.
“It’s my pleasure,” Bad responds.
Time passes, and Philza can properly help Dan and get him adjusted to his new being—that is, his diamond eye. It’ll stay that way forever, Philza tells him. Dan laid idly and simply stared, but gave a slight nod regardless.
“If you need anything, let me know. I’m always happy to help,” Philza says, nodding at Maximus and Bad. They communicate, and that’s the last thing Dan remembers before he dozes off again.
The two who found him looked with smiles on their faces—things will be okay.
☆☆
“Maximus missed you a lot, I know,” BadBoyhalo says one day while he sits on a bench with Dan. The now cyan-haired man looks at the other in surprise. Trump and Dapper are playing on the playground. It’s been two weeks since Dan’s return.
“Huh?” Dan asks, as if wanting to hear more. Bad hums, turning his head to look back at the dragon children. Don’t want to leave them unattended, after all. Especially not those two.
“He mourned you the longest. You were one of the first people to get close to him, and when you disappeared, he didn’t speak much the first week. We had to convince him to take care of himself.” Bad adjusts himself on the bench, before looking back over at Dan. He had a look of contemplation—this made the former realize how blunt he may have been.
“I apologize, I didn’t mean it in a—”
“No, I understand,” Dan speaks before him—this shuts Bad down. “I was scared I wouldn’t come back. It was…weird. Everything was gray, there was no color, and it was like they saw me as nothing more than an item to play with—”
“Dan—”
“—and I guess I was, huh? Because they managed to turn me into some…diamond thing.” He pitifully laughs. “DanTDM…diamonds…who would have thought.”
“Hey, listen.” Bad whispers, putting his hand on Dan’s. “No matter what happened, no matter what they did, we still value you. And we love you. And we’ll continue supporting you for as long as you need. You aren’t alone anymore.”
Silence. Then,
“Thank you, Bad. I—I appreciate it. A lot,” Dan goes quiet, before looking away. A slight blush crept up his cheeks. As did Bad, but not that he noticed, for he turned away.
“A-Anytime,” Bad laughs nervously. Just before any more conversation could happen, Dapper and Trump run up, seemingly tired but still energetic. Dapper whips out a sign, drawing something on it before turning it to show the two adults on the bench.
Can we go see tío Maximus? It reads. Bad hums, and then nods.
“Sure! I think it’s time we leave, anyway.” Standing up, he reaches his hand out towards Dan, who grabs it without another word. Then, all four of them make their way to Maximus’s house.
Things will be okay.
☆☆
“I think this ends our session for today. How are you feeling right now?” Roier says softly, looking up at Dan who looked blankly at the ground. Then, he looks up, and replies.
“I’m—I think this helped. I’m not really—the best. Talking about my feelings.”
“And that’s okay. We all start somewhere,” Roier nods, a small smile planted on his face. “You’re doing rather well, considering this is your first time here. I’m glad you’re taking this next step to recover.”
Truth is, Dan never intended on going to The Psicologoier office. He didn’t even know it existed! Well- it’s not like he had a chance to learn much about it. But it was Maximus who suggested it. Maximus and Bad. And maybe Jaiden, but then again, Roier is her egg partner, so whatever he does she supports. Mostly.
But it was mainly Maximus who he heard tell him to go. And right now, said man is outside waiting for him. Sweet, patient Maximus. Dan isn’t sure where he’d be if it weren’t for him and Bad.
“T-thank you. I really do appreciate it,” Dan says, touching his left side as he looks at Roier. It's become a new nervous tic of his. And in a weird way, a comfort. To show he's becoming accustomed to his new face.
“I'm glad. I'll see you at the same time next week, Dan!” Roier exclaims as they both stand. Dan nods at him, and with a small feeling of ease, walks out of the room and into the reception area. Maximus is sitting there, seemingly reading a book. At the click of the door shutting, he looks up, and immediately stands with a smile.
“¡Hola Dan! How did it go?” Maximus says as Dan steps forward. The former grabs his hand, and together they walk out, but first Maximus waves goodbye to Roier.
“It was—it was great, actually. I didn’t know Roier was a psychologist before today,” Dan says as they pass by town center. He realizes and they’re not heading home, but chooses not to say anything. Maximus let out a small laugh.
“Jajaja, sí. Al principio no lo era—it wasn’t something he did. But, yknow, with everything going on. Él es bueno en eso,” Maximus hums, looking at Dan with a comforting smile. Dan, who was also looking at him, smiled back, but more nervously. Then again, he was also a nervous individual.
“Yeah, he really is.”
They make small talk as Maximus continues to lead him somewhere. “Don’t worry, we’re almost there,” he says.
They approach a small clearing with trees on the side. It was mesmerizing in a way, because in the center of all the trees surrounding it was a blanket placed as a cover on the ground. Bad was there, a basket in his hand. He was standing in the center, a nervous look on his face. But at the site of Maximus and Dan, he perked up, and, with a grin, spoke to them.
“Hey you two! Glad you made it on time.”
“What’s all this?” Dan says, but not in a mean way. No, in a curious way. Maximus let go of his hand so he could walk forward to look around. Then, he made his way to Bad, and stood in front of him.
“A picnic. Well, it’s a confession. From me. To the both of you,” Dan perked up, a small blush creeping up his face. Bad put the basket down and put his hands behind his back nervously. He too was also blushing.
“A confession?” Dan asked, but he had a feeling he knew what it was. He looked at Maximus, who was already making his way to the both of them. He had a knowing look on his face.
“Yes! I like you two. A lot. You both make me happy, and well—I wanted to make that known by doing this,” Bad makes a gesture, referring to the whole picnic he set up.
“It’s lovely. And I—I accept your confession. And I feel the same,” Dan says, and as he did, Bad pulled him into a hug. Startled, Dan hugged him back. They both felt another pair of arms wrap around them as well, and they knew it was Maximus. Despite the lack of words, the gesture was apparent.
“Yo también,” is all he says. And it’s all he needs to say.
It was a good day. A great one, even.
Dan is glad for the second chance he was given in life.
He hums; things will be okay.