dǫçţǫŗ şɭęęƥ (shone) wrote in valloic, @ 2020-10-01 11:16:00 |
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Entry tags: | !: action/thread/log, ₴ inactive: allison hargreeves, ₴ inactive: dan torrance |
WHO: Dan & Allison (and Claire, a little bit)
WHAT: SUPER EARLY BIRTHDAY WAKEUP HAPPY BIRTHDAY DONUT TIME
WHERE: Mortuary
WHEN: October 1st, EARLY
WARNINGS: Schmoop
STATUS: Complete
Morning came, it was sure as the tide and generally just as unstoppable - and these days, Dan was on a schedule that meant he was actually up at a decent hour, not having gone to bed just a little bit before the sunrise spread and painted all sorts of colors across the clouds. This morning, however, was different than most of them. It was Allison’s birthday so that definitely counted as special - he was up before her (and up before they’d have to get Claire ready for school), right about when the first sounds of the day nibbled at the edges of the stillness. But he had things to do so he needed to take care of it all because he refused to let anything ruin the couple of surprises he had planned. First it was a matter of throwing on some clothes, brushing his teeth, attempting to tame the riotous mess that was a whole bunch of dark blonde hair. Then he fed the cats (which was usually always an ordeal) and headed out to the city - he wouldn’t be long anyway. When he returned it was with coffee and a box of donuts from Griddy’s - he’d ordered them (a dozen, cake donuts that were good for dipping in coffee and also ones with frosting) fresh when he got there, waiting on one of those yellow barstools, enjoying the ambiance of the checkered floors and ‘fallen on hard times’ 70s vibe. Upstairs he went, setting everything down on the bedside table in a balancing act - he had another gift for her too, but that was hidden away in another drawer, one she never checked. Slipping under the covers he scooted in to be the Big Spoon, chest at Allison’s back, twisting their legs together - and nosed at the edge of her jaw. “Honey, you awake?” he whispered obnoxiously, on purpose. Ha. Things hadn’t been great. With Klaus leaving and then the dinosaurs, things were about right with the way things went around here. Allison was tired when she fell asleep the night before, not expressly looking forward to her birthday, but aware that there was probably going to be some sort of celebration for it anyway. She’d woken up a few times, but rolled back to sleep again, sound asleep as Dan went about getting things ready with his surprises. When he slipped back in bed, she started to stir a little, definitely starting to wake up when he started nosing at her jaw and whispering. There was a hint of a smile even as she crinkled her nose. “It’s poor manners to wake someone up on their birthday in such an obnoxious way.” But the more awake she got, the more aware of the smell of coffee she was. She opened her eyes, looking around before her eyes settled on the set up of coffee and donuts. She turned just slightly, swatting at Dan. A moment later, he got a quick kiss. “You’re definitely still cute. Annoying, but cute.” He knew that Allison’s birthday was kind of a sore, tender spot - normally it probably wouldn’t be, but with Klaus’s disappearance still fresh, it made sense to Dan why she’d be a bit more melancholy about celebrating. Still, she was worth celebrating and he wanted to do a little something, at least - nothing over the top, but just something to try to make her happy and show that he loved her. “That was like a four on obnoxiousness,” he pointed out, giving her another kiss as he propped up on one elbow, opposite hand gliding down her side and following the shape of her, how she was curved. “I could have been worse.” The laugh lines by his eyes deepened when he grinned, and there was a spark in the electric blue anyway. “I brought you coffee though? So that’s gotta earn me some points.” Allison rolled her eyes, snuggling in a little closer for a while. He smelled like the outside. “Are you trying to tell me you were planning on being more obnoxious?” Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Or just that you have it in you to be more obnoxious?” It was true, though. Coffee did make up for the annoying wakeup call. Especially since it was from Griddy’s. She slowly pulled herself up even if she was enjoying the feeling of being curled up with Dan. “I love you, Dan Torrance. Even if you are obnoxious.” She reached over for coffee and a donut. “But now I’m going to enjoy my mostly unhealthy breakfast before Claire has to get up for school.” It would be nice having Claire around for her birthday. She seemed to bounce back a little easier. At least she’d get a cheerful greeting this morning. She was surprised that she hadn’t woken up to Claire flinging herself in the bed, but perhaps it was just a little too early yet. “So what else do you have planned for this very early hour?” Dan honestly expected Claire to come fling herself into bed at any moment now (or Azzie scratching at the door like an asshole), but he’d tried to be as quiet as possible when creeping past her room and down the stairs and leaving for the city. Just so Allison could have coffee and a donut in peace before the Bed Wreckoning, and he could give her the present he had for this very special occasion. “I love you too, Allison soon-to-be Torrance-Hargreeves...or is it the other way around?” he asked, shifting on the mattress to also reach for a donut (one of the cake variety, and he was excited about popping the top off his to-go cup of coffee to do some dunking). He’d already added the right amount of creamer and sugar to Allison’s coffee as well, since part of loving someone was knowing how they took their caffeine fuel. It would be a sin not to know. “I might have a gift for you,” he pointed out, leaning up against the headboard and casually sipping the bean water. “If you want it...” Allison considered it for a moment, donut halfway to her mouth. “I don’t know. Hard to say what that’ll look like. I’ll figure it out before the wedding day.” Probably before they needed the certificate drawn up. She took a bite of her donut, putting her coffee down just long enough to prop her pillows up so she could lean back against them before picking it up again. “A gift, hm?” But she definitely perked up at the mention of it, even if she was doing her best to seem nonchalant about it. It was hard not to be excited about presents. “Well, you can’t tell me you have a gift and then not give it to me. Definitely against the rules.” Against the rules, huh? Well, Dan supposed he agreed with that. Though he wouldn’t mind teasing a little more, really drawing it out - sometimes the anticipation really made things exciting (now his mind was just going off in all different directions, but they’d probably need to save the birthday sex for later, after Claire hit the bedtime routine time). “I’ll give it to you,” he promised, voice laced with promise, rough like black asphalt. “Here - “ He leaned over and kissed Allison first, but that wasn’t the whole present. Getting the whole present involved sliding off the bed and rummaging through the drawer where he’d hidden the jewelry box. Inside happened to be a necklace and earrings set - the necklace was made of glittering blue opal, the earrings matched but were tourmaline. Both were starfishes, of course. He’d been so charmed by Allison on that aquarium date (even if they hadn’t called it a date), despite how she didn’t have a voice at that time - they communicated anyway, without moving their mouths, and he knew she was going to end up being special to him. No psychic skills required. Allison squinted her eyes at him for a moment. She was fairly certain that the kiss wasn’t the gift. If it was...well, it was at least the birthday gift of love, which she could accept. The present wasn’t really important, but now that she knew that it was there, she very much wanted it. Whatever it was. Dan was cute, so she was pretty sure whatever it was was something she wanted. She took the box, carefully opening it and looking at the necklace and matching earrings. She looked up at him, her expression a frown, but more of a ‘you’re so cute, it’s ridiculous’ frown than a sad one, even if she did very slightly want to cry because it was pretty and made her think of their date that wasn’t a date that Klaus demanded was their second date. She put the lid back on, leaning over to kiss him. “I love it. Thank you.” He laughed a little, pleased, and kissed Allison in return - lingering a moment, nudging with his nose. One of those Eskimo kisses, or whatever they were called. Dan didn’t know the exact term. “You’re welcome,” he replied, though it seemed silly to say - a birthday gift was no trouble at all. Because he would do most anything for Allison, would remember every birthday, wanted to make her happy. That was what marriage was all about, right? Making each other happy, and working through the stormy weather - he was here to help, through the good and the bad. It was why he was doing all he could, when it came to getting her through losing Klaus. Of course, on some level only time could really be the thing that was most effective - but Dan thought that some extra care couldn’t hurt either. “What else do you want to do today?” he asked, hand sweeping over her hair, pushing an errant curl or two back away from her face. “I took the day off.” Allison appreciated everything that Dan had done for her since Klaus leaving. There was always going to be the pain of loss there because she’d felt it before, but she’d been able to live through it before. She knew she would now, but it didn’t stop the pain she felt over it. Klaus had been there for her since they were kids and she remembered the feeling of elation at finding him again after years of not knowing where he was. “I don’t know. I at least want to wish everyone a happy birthday. Outside of that, I don’t know.” She leaned back, sipping at her coffee. “I think we should probably plan on some time with Claire after she gets back from school.” “I can go with you, to wish everyone a happy birthday,” Dan said, though he’d understand if Allison wanted to go on her own - but still, her family was his. Or at least, he thought of it that way - it was kind of nice, to have so many people. Especially since he’d lost his father at a very young age and it had just been him and his mom until she passed away. He dunked another piece of donut, letting it get nice and soaked with coffee, before popping it into his mouth. Breakfast in bed (literally), it was truly the epitome of birthday decadence. But things had been busy lately - like with the fucking dinosaurs - and he was going to appreciate this stretch of ‘down time’ for as long as it lasted. Because they all knew it wouldn’t last long. “And Claire too,” he grinned a bit. “I’m sure she also has a gift for you. You’re just so loved today.” Allison smiled a little. “Of course you’re coming with me. You’re stuck with all of us now and it is officially all of our birthdays at once.” She bumped him lightly. “Which means you have to celebrate all of us. Don’t leave Diego out or he’ll feel slighted.” Which was a joke, but she was pretty sure they were the closest when it came to Dan’s relationships with her siblings. Though, he seemed to do well with just about all of them now. There was another smile at the mention of Claire. “Well, she will definitely want to bother her aunt and uncles for their birthday. We’ve already shopped for them all. She said she couldn’t shop with me for my present, though. She insisted on getting something for Klaus, too. Just in case he showed up again in time for his birthday.” But he hadn’t. An arm went around Allison, as Dan leaned in and dropped a kiss in her hair - right there, and also a few kisses on her temple and on her cheek, all right in a row, a whole volley of them. “I am definitely happy to celebrate all of you,” he promised. “Especially Diego.” It was true - he did tend to favor Diego, a little, but that was only because Diego made him do a secret knock to enter his apartment and it was just funny as hell to Dan. Though all of the Hargreeves siblings were important to him - he felt a kinship with Klaus as well, given their shared struggles with drugs and alcohol. That wasn’t easy to overcome. “He could still show up sometime,” Dan uttered quietly, lips still pressed into Allison’s hair. “Ben came back, after all. But even so - he was doing really well, with AA. I know you were proud of him.” Allison smiled at the kisses, nose scrunching up slightly. “We’re a pretty great group of people to celebrate.” She leaned into him, making herself comfortable. “We should probably get cupcakes to bring with us as very small birthday cakes. That way everyone gets the kind they like. Except maybe Diego’s should be a protein shake or something.” There was a nod at Dan’s words. “I know. I know he did. It just...feels like a really long time. But so did Ben.” And she wasn’t sure that she wasn’t terrified that he’d disappear again...and then Five and Diego and Vanya. Even though Vanya had been there longer than any of them had. She shook the thought off. “We were proud of him. He did his best to be better and I was happy to see it. He seemed happier.” Being afraid that loved ones would disappear was always kind of a worry in the back of Dan’s mind too - no one was powerful enough to hold them here for good, they were all at the mercy of Vallo’s magic. It was kind of a depressing thought but he couldn’t let himself get bogged down by it, or let it stop him from how he wanted to live his life while he was here. “He was happy,” Dan agreed in a murmur. “I think - he would want the rest of you to be happy here too. Or try to be.” It could be gone in a blink, sure, but that was all the more reason to appreciate everything. Part of him just wanted to marry Allison like, tomorrow, all because of that notion - but they were taking their time to plan something, and get the people they cared about involved, and that was nice too. “It’s difficult to not worry about people vanishing, and it’s probably natural to worry a little, but...” They couldn’t drive themselves nuts constantly thinking about shit they couldn’t control. It just wasn’t healthy. He dropped another kiss in Allison’s hair, right as the door opened and - yep, there was Claire. Awake, in her pajamas, and bouncing onto the bed like a cannonball. Ooof. Good thing Dan sensed her presence and had time to set his coffee down, with the lid back on. “What’s this?” he asked teasingly, lifting up Claire and getting her situated between him and Allison. “I think we’ve got a bedbug.” He would want them to be happy. Allison knew that. And she was. Happier than she thought she’d be even with the moments of sadness that still lingered. But she was distracted from that line of thought by the sound of the door opening. Unlike Dan, she didn’t have the added warning, so she had to work fast to cover her coffee and put it off to the side before Claire flung herself toward the bed. Claire giggled and squirmed as she was lifted up into the bed and settled between Dan and her mom. She leaned up to give her mom a hug. “Happy birthday, Mom!” Allison smiled, wrapping her arms around Claire and kissing the top of her head. “Thank you, sweetiepie. I love you.” A pause. “You ready for school, kiddo? We’ve got an aunt and uncles to shout at later.” Claire squirmed in response. “I could stay home. OFF FOR MOM’S BIRTHDAY!” Allison shook her head. “I don’t think so, but we’ll go see everyone as soon as you’re done school, okay?” That was met with a sigh, but she nodded. “Ooooookaaaaay. Fiiiiiine.” She looked up at Dan before looking down at Claire. “We’ll pick out your favorite dress and you can wear it to school today. But first, I think you can share in Mom’s donuts for breakfast.” She grabbed one of the cake donuts holding it out to Claire and settling back on the bed as she started eating it. “Later, if you’re on your best behavior at school, we can have a cupcake.” “I guess your mom’s birthday isn’t a national holiday,” Dan chuckled, and he was sympathetic - but unfortunately, Claire did still have to go to school. The routine was good for her - good for them all, especially when something like a disappearance came along to shake up that routine. He slid off the bed, grabbing the box of donuts with the remaining deliciousness inside. “I’ll bring the rest of these downstairs, that way everyone can have one in honor of the birthday girl.” And he’d let Allison help get Claire ready for school, without interfering, since the two of them spending some time together was always a good thing. Then he guessed he’d see what happened - a day off was a novel concept, but he’d worked a bunch of overtime during the dinosaur debacle so he felt as if he’d earned one by now. The dinosaurs had been truly concerning, but she had at least been able to protect Claire from them. Even if she had come away with a scar to her arm from it. She was pretty sure Dan was into scars? He kissed it enough that she was sure he couldn’t claim disinterest in it. “We’ll be down shortly,” Allison said before scooping Claire up and going off to get ready for school. Claire had picked out a Klaus choice for dresses, agreeing to a pair of tights under it just in case she got cold. They went downstairs, dress on and hair done. “We’re here for our donuts and milk. Well, for Claire. I’ll have more coffee.” She smiled, patting Claire’s back as she sat down. “Did you miss us?” “Always,” Dan flashed a grin, already brewing a pot of coffee because reasons. It made the kitchen smell homey, he thought, kind of earthy - more than usual, in a different way than the mortuary with its greenhouse and potion ingredients often did. “You look nice, Claire.” The Klaus dresses were popular with the five-year-old, which made sense - Dan knew she missed her uncle, and he did too. He poured Allison her coffee, and Claire got a glass of milk (too young for the bean water - it stunted growth, or something, except that was a lie). Then Dan sat too, fully planning to finish out breakfast here until they had to leave to bring this youngin’ to school. It was all very domestic and after one hell of a past couple of weeks, sorely necessary. Because who knew what bullshit would be on the horizon? |