Let's get down to business

[first_rule]

If Daniel had thought the last year had been a whirlwind, it was nothing like all that changed the moment they stood before Dylan in the park. A lifetime of hardwork, a year of risking prison and failure, and now he had come to the pinnacle of all he had ever wanted.

And it wasn't even close to over yet. Packing wasn't hard, and leaving behind his life had already been done. They had no idea where they were going, or what was coming next.

He did know that McKinney didn't stop making whatever sound that was at the ungodly hour of not even four in the morning, and he was about ready to scream if the coffee maker didn't go faster.

Comments

[the_highpriestess]

"You just want to scar Merritt for life," Henley decided, making a face at him. Her amusement remained, however.

[first_rule]

"Not the only thing I want," he argued, making a face. "Definitely in the top five but not the only thing."

[the_highpriestess]

"Uh huh," she said by way of agreement. Really, she wasn't surprised and at least he'd admitted as much.

An eye roll followed, that in mind, and then she was stealing another quick kiss from him. When she broke away this time, it was to pull away entirely. They still had things to do, after all. "Come on."

[first_rule]

"Fine fine. I'm not carrying your bags though," he said, his fingers curling tightly around hers, holding them and not letting her go.

[the_highpriestess]

"You say that now, Danny," she shot back, fingers lacing with his as she pulled him out of the kitchen.

[first_rule]

"And I'll say that then," he noted, smirking as he trailed after her. "Whatcha gonna do to change my mind?"

[the_highpriestess]

"You find out," she sing-songed. Honestly, she had no idea what she was going to do to change Daniel's mind, but she was pretty sure she could manage it, all the same. He was easy if you knew where to push.

[first_rule]

"Come on. You tell me and that alone might change my mind," he said, grinning. "I'm pretty easy for you, you know that."

And he meant it.

[the_highpriestess]

"Yeah, I know, but it's more fun if I make you wait for it." She could come up with something on the fly and offer him that, sure, but. Nah.

[first_rule]

"Only more fun for you," he pointed out. "Which is the point of this game," he said, acting like a child and reaching out and tugging at her hair.

[the_highpriestess]

She waved him off, making a face, and -- oh. Oh, suddenly inspiration struck. She smiled slyly, wickedly, all at once, pleased, and asked, "You're gonna keep bugging me until I tell you, aren't you?"

[first_rule]

​Okay. He was bugging her, and he wanted to know, but that look? That look right there was kind of terrifying, he had to admit. Nodding slowly, he never took his eyes off her. "I do, and I will, but if you're going to look at me like that, I may change my mind."

[the_highpriestess]

"Your choice, Danny." Your funeral was probably more like it, if the fact that the smile remained in place was any indication. "Just let me know, one way or the other."

[first_rule]

He rolled his eyes. They both knew where this was going to go. "Fine. Go for it. How bad can you make it?"

Which was a bad question. She was brilliant and evil, after all.

[the_highpriestess]

"Tell you what: carry my bags and I'll tell you what I was planning." As if whatever it was she had in mind was too terrible to actually be offered as a suggestion. Really, though, that was the plan here -- trick Danny into carrying her stuff by making him think there was some worst fate he'd avoided. She hoped he'd take the bait.

[first_rule]

The truth of the matter was, she had his number and they both knew it. He couldn't even deny that, and much as there might be bluster and madness in his tone, she knew him well enough to know the truth about his behavior.

"Fine. I'm willing to play this game. I'll carry your bags."

[the_highpriestess]

It took a good deal of willpower to avoid grinning at that. When she'd managed, she gestured to one of the bags by the door. "Heavy lifting first, Danny. Then I'll tell you."

[first_rule]

He paused then, staring at her. "Heavy? Besides shackles, what the hell do you have in these bags? Also, I'm not moving him."

[the_highpriestess]

"It's a figured of speech, Danny," she answered, rolling her eyes at him. Another one followed at the mention of the rabbit. "And seriously -- what's your damage over the bunny?"

[first_rule]

"You carry shackles. Why would I doubt they're heavy," he asked, arching a brow. "Not to mention, sequins weigh a ton," he noted, though he couldn't help but teasing now.

"And he sheds. On me. Only on me." He's not being serious, right?

[the_highpriestess]

"Sequins don't weigh that much," she shot back. "And you realize you could invest in a lint roller, right? Hell, I'm pretty sure I've got one, somewhere."

Because no, the rabbit did not only shed on Daniel, thank you.

[first_rule]

"I'm aware. I've held those costumes in my hand," he reminded. "And had it over my face once," he added, smirking because he was amusing himself, if nothing else. And trying to amuse her, if he could.

"I've got several. Why should I like the bunny?" Someone that got Henley's love and attention, after all.

[the_highpriestess]

She exhaled a breath of a laugh -- whether it was at his commentary on sequins or his continued hate of the rabbit, however, was anyone's guess. Regardless, though, it was the latter she responded to. "Maybe because he's not actually the devil incarnate?"

[first_rule]

He gasped at that, staring at her, stunned. "Wait, of course he isn't. That's Merritt. Fluffy's just a minor demon," he teased, amused with himself and not afraid to let that show.

[the_highpriestess]

She couldn't help but laugh in earnest, now, despite her disappointment that Daniel was not a fan of the rabbit. "Right, of course, my mistake."