Toss Up (Danny Rand)

Double Shift (Part 3)

Once everyone is in the clear, me, Spider-Man and the rest of the team report to Fury on what happened in the last twenty-four hours. CAST would have their chance later after they rested and I don't blame them. It was a lot to take in, and fighting through the drowsiness from the painkillers isn't helping my concentration.

When it's time for me to talk about what happened back in DC, I have to shake myself awake. I can tell the others are worried, but I have to tell them what I know. I have to do my part. Whoever this 'Master' the snake mutant mentioned, she was cruel enough to get rid of anyone that could put her identity at risk.

"That sounds..." Ava trails off, her tired eyes widening.

"Awful," Petter mutters, not looking any better, and there's a nasty bruise on his cheek. "Today was one hell of a day..."

Fury looks us all over quietly. He only spoke when he wanted more clarity on the situation or when I trailed off. "You've all earned some rest. I'll inform the school to those of you who want to take a few days to recuperate. None of this must have been easy for you. You're all dismissed while I get Agent Ana and Agent Benjamin's reports." he says, getting up from his seat, and I could have sworn I saw him limp.

Did something happen when we were away? And where's my dad?

"Ari? You still there?" Luke asks as I nod and follow everyone out. I kinda regret sitting down for the meeting, my legs feel like jelly...

"I think I'll take Fury up on his offer," Peter says, sliding his mask back on. "I'll see you guys after my thirty-hour nap, eh?"

"Thanks again, Spidey," Ava smiled, giving him a quick hug. "You pulled through for us today."

He lets out a nervous laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, and I can tell he's blushing under his mask. "It was a team effort, right?" he says, looking over to me.

"Right," he gives us a wave before slinging away and I have no idea how he has the energy to do it. I would have called Aunt May on the spot and crashed in the rec room without a second thought. Though, I guess he doesn't want her to worry...

"How are you feeling?" I stop myself from jumping a bit at Danny's soft question. I didn't even hear him walking beside me as we all head off to our rooms.

"Tired, sore, and every other word in between." I sigh. "I'm having a little trouble with my right hand, but the doctors say I should be fine if I keep it in this brace. The repeat injuries I got from today pushed my healing factor and—" I wince a little, realizing how careless I am when I see him look away. "Danny..."

"You should rest then," he says, his shoulders tense as we stop in front of my door. I don't know if it was my imagination or how tired I was, but there's a strange detachment to his voice. One that I never heard before.

"Listen, I know today was crazy but—" he turns around to place a light hand on my good shoulder. His green eyes are guarded and his face is perfectly blank and I feel a bubble of worry being to form in my gut.

"Let's talk later, okay? I just... I just need some time to think. Alone." his words make my heart drop and despite how much they sting, I nod.

"Y-Yeah, sure... um, good night then." I fumble, awkward around him for what feels like the first time in a while.

I turn to open my door, throwing a look over my shoulder to see him walk away to his own room. I ignore the stinging in my eyes as he disappears around the corner, and I head inside and go straight to my bed.

We're okay, right? After tonight, it's normal to need some time... right?

I can't help the worry that gnaws at my chest as I try to make myself more comfortable with my injuries, the bandages around my burn stinging when I brush it against the sheets.

Did I make the right call? I know I was quick to say we had to stop them no matter what, but... I know I would have wanted them to do the same if I was in that position.

I toss and turn in my bed and despite my exhaustion, I can't make myself comfortable enough to stay still. It feels like something is missing, and I find myself reaching out an arm to the space beside me, wishing this entire day had just been a bad dream and I would wake up in Danny's arms.

Authors Note.

Why am I like this?

WHY AM I LIKE THIS?

Here I am, thinking I'm writing tension when I'm just an angst machine...

I hope I didn't take it too far... I realize that Ari goes through a l o t and I promise it isn't because I hate her. I love her, but the writer in me can't just make her life easy and now this with Danny, well... I hope you stick with me!

I enjoy writing stories where the relationship grows along with the story instead of it being *ahem*... end game. I don't see them a lot and it's honestly so much fun to do!

Though sometimes thinking about what obstacles to put in the way of that relationship is kinda tricky...

Maybe one day I'll do an end game romance... but I probably doubt it lolol.

I wonder how that alternative ending for Endgame is going to work out; I know in my head everything is f i n e. Fine, I tell you!

I hope you all have a wonderful morning/noon/night! Don't forget to stay hydrated and thank you all for commenting and voting on my little fic and hello to you new readers! Thank you all for sticking around to this point!

ღゝ◡╹)ノ♡

Sincerely,

— Hattress.