Who: Chloe and Dan What: talking/catching up Where: their kitchen When: later on Father’s Day Warnings: low Status: closed/g-doc
Dan found himself in the kitchen after a late night at work. He felt a bit tired and considered whether or not he should keep being a bouncer. The job itself fit Dan’s personality, but he found late nights weren’t his favourite thing these days.
When he woke up and went downstairs, he found a small package on the table addressed to him. Since he remembered it was Father’s Day, he assumed Trixie left the gift for him.
But no, he opened it up and looked. The gift had come from Rory and contained a bottle of his favourite alcohol, fancy coffee, and a mug with a picture of him, Chloe, Trixie, and Rory imprinted on it. She left a card which read, “Thanks for looking out for me even if I’m not really your kid. It means a lot.” Coming from Rory, that might be the sweetest and most sincere thing she ever said to Dan.
He immediately opened the beans and inhaled the scent, as though it alone could wake him.
Chloe had noticed that Dan seemed to be working a lot and often came home tired at night. She wasn’t sure why he was working so much, but maybe he just needed something to occupy his time, which she completely understood. It was difficult going from a job in law enforcement to having nothing of importance to do.
Since it was father’s day, she had prepared his favorite meal, even though he hadn’t been there to eat with them. When she heard him come into the house she made her way down the stairs to greet him, a smile on her face as she stepped towards him and gave him a hug. “Hey, stranger. How was work?”
Chloe glanced over at what he held in his hands and noticed the cute mug, practically beaming over it. “Is that from Rory? Are you hungry? I made your favorite.”
Dan looked up at Chloe. “I’m famished.” He’d passed out for a few hours after his shift and then woke up with the intention of eating breakfast with the family. However, his body decided he needed a longer amount of sleep.
“I’m thinking working both jobs maybe isn’t my best plan.” He liked having the extra money, but did he really need it? Wouldn’t he rather time with his family and Elena?
“Yeah, it’s from Rory. Can caffeine enter my system just from sniffing it?” he asked joking. Dan considered the gift. “I didn’t expect anything from her.” He moved to the coffee pot, to brew some fresh coffee for him.
“Why are you working two jobs anyway? Are you bored?” Chloe moved over to the refrigerator and pulled out the leftovers so she could heat up a plate for Dan to eat. “I hate to burst your bubble, but, no, I don’t think it works as well if you just sniff it.” She replied with a laugh, turning to look back at him with a smile. “I can make coffee if you want some, just sit down and relax, Dan.”
Chloe had no idea that Rory was planning to give Dan a gift either, but it was an incredibly nice gesture and she was proud to have raised such an amazing woman, even if she did have to do it all on her own back home. “She’s thoughtful like that, I’m not really surprised.”
“I liked the idea of bouncing to help get past some of the trauma from the other Madison Valley. Like, I could control something. After Purgatory and the other MV, I wanted something where I could have the ability to control something small. But, I don’t think I need it anymore. I like working at the theatre.” He laughed. “Thanks Chloe.” Dan thought how lucky he was to still be good friends with his ex-wife.
Dan hadn’t expected it from Rory, even if they did spend quite a bit of time at the house hanging out. Rory had a father, absent as he was, but in their time back home, Dan already died. So, this was his only chance to meet Rory. “She’s definitely your daughter.”
She couldn’t help the frown at his mention of the awful Madison Valley he had been stuck in for so long, and she had no idea what Purgatory had been like for him, but she was sure that Lucifer would have kept him safe. While the food heated up in the microwave, she went to work on brewing the coffee.
"Of course, you know I'll always have your back, Dan." She turned to look at him with a smile, making a mental note to thank Rory for being so sweet. It was unfortunate her daughter had to grow up without her father, but she turned out pretty great. "You really enjoy the theater and I'm sure if you decide you need the extra income again it won't be hard to get another job."
Dan noticed Chloe’s frown and felt a bit bad. He knew his past bothered her. Purgatory mostly involved countless rounds of ping pong with a demon who sucked at it. Lucifer did his best at least.
“Oh man, the food smells delicious, Chloe.” As did the coffee. And Dan realized how hungry he felt. He thought how much he cared for Rory and felt happy they’d developed a good relationship.
“Thanks Chloe. I’ll always have your back too. Yeah, I’m going to talk to Magnus. Or at least limit it to one night a week, because otherwise I get too tired.” Dan couldn’t keep the hours he did as a younger man.
“I know, Dan. We’re partners for life, in it for the long haul.” Her voice faded off as she realized that back home, they weren’t going to be partners for much longer, and soon she wouldn’t even have Lucifer. Chloe distracted her thoughts by focusing on the food she was making for him, glad that he thought it smelled good.
“I think that’s a good idea, really. Give yourself more time to do what you really love.” She had never seen Dan so happy before and she wanted to keep it that way. She poured him a fresh cup of coffee, prepared just the way he liked it and sat it down in front of him, the food following next. “Maybe we can all have dinner together tomorrow? Or some day this week?”
Dan knew what Chloe thought and stood up to hug her. “Always in it together.” He couldn’t ask for a better friend than Chloe.
“Thanks.” He took a large sip of coffee. “I want more time with the girls, you, Elena…” he trailed off. “We all deserve to be happy.”
After a bite of food, he swallowed and said, “Family dinner sounds great!”
Chloe wrapped her arms around him and hugged him firmly. She was more than lucky to have found such a good friend like Dan. “More time is always a good thing.” She agreed with a nod and a smile, rubbing her hand over his shoulder. “I’ll make your favorite, since you missed out tonight. Feel free to invite Elena over.”
She had only met the woman a few times, and it wouldn’t hurt to be friendlier. Once she cleaned up the small mess she had made, Chloe made herself a cup of coffee and sat down with Dan, keeping him company with small talk.