Chapter Text
Daniel saw the sign saying, “Welcome Home Daniel” from the car, and he was still reeling over the fact that he had a home now. He hadn’t had a proper home since his dad died. He missed it more than words could express. His dad’s death, while he would still be sad about it sometimes, wasn’t something that could be reversed. So, he had the small thought that he wondered what would happen if his dad was still around and feeling a twinge of sadness.
‘This will be the first time I have a home without Sean in it…’ Daniel couldn’t help but think about that.
He was going to miss Sean, no doubt, even if he did find him a pain sometimes. But Daniel knew that Mexico wasn’t for him, and that Sean was dead-set on going, even if it meant driving past police officers shooting at them. He was thankful that no one seemed too hurt; he hated the idea of hurting people with his powers (at least, those that don’t deserve it).
He also couldn’t ask Sean to give up his dream of going to Mexico just to keep him safe; he deserved to live his life how he wanted too. And Daniel knew Sean wouldn’t have gotten that if he had surrendered as, basically everyone at the border, kept telling him he should do. Sean would have spent who knows how long in prison and Daniel would have to keep living his life knowing his brother’s life was taken away from him, paying the price for Daniel’s actions. Just imagining it happening was enough for Daniel stomach to drop.
‘Quite being so melancholy, this is supposed to be a happy day!’ Daniel chanted to himself as he gets out of the car.
“Daniel!”
That’s the first thing Daniel hears when he’s out of the car, and he only has a second to register that the person who ran at him to give him a hug was Chris.
“You came back.” Chris says into his shoulder.
Daniel honestly didn’t think he would be back either. At least, not like this. Sean had told him that they could probably call Chris, but it seemed like Sean only said that to soothe Daniel’s worries over him. Chris hadn’t been injured or anything (he was thankful for that), but Daniel did lie to Chris about having superpowers. But, evidently, he wasn’t too mad at Daniel since Chris helped Sean and him escape the police. Chris had even given Daniel his cape, which he still had.
“It’s good to see you again, Captain Spirit.” Daniel grins at saying the nickname. Chris always did like to be called Captain Spirit, his superhero alias. And it seemed that was still the case, as Chris beamed at that.
“When Mrs. Reynolds told me that you were going to live with her and Mr. Reynolds, I knew I had to be there for it!” Chris pointed at the banner, “I helped make the banner too.”
“Yes, Chris was very helpful with everything.” Daniel’s grandma had stepped out of the car and was now walking away from the passenger side door. “He even helped move some of your stuff in. Such a helpful young boy.”
She had always been fond of Chris, but then, most everyone who met Chris was. It was probably because he was rather well-behaved. Daniel could see Chris’ cheeks turn pink a bit, and look a little embarrassed. “Well, dad helped too.”
“You still did all the heavy-lifting, sport.”
Daniel had turned to see Mr. Eriksen, Chris’ father. There was something about him that seemed different to Daniel. He looked the same appearance-wise, but he seemed… less withdrawn?
“Let’s take a picture to commemorate this moment! That banner is asking for a photo.” Daniel’s grandpa held out a camera.
Well, Daniel would have to dwell on it later. His grandpa went to go set up the camera on a tripod, wherever they kept it. Daniel couldn’t help but find it funny if his grandpa had just pulled it out of the driver seat with him, but it also somehow fit that he had forgotten it. The camera had looked so ancient to Daniel, but this camera did belong to his grandparents (and they weren’t up-to-date on most technological things). Daniel’s grandpa set it up with the help of Mr. Eriksen, and ran to Daniel’s side. The camera was timed after all. Daniel’s grandma stood to his left while her husband stood to Daniel’s right. Daniel thought he probably looked a little awkward, but he kind of felt that way to be fair. He hardly knew what to do with his hands when taking photos, he would either have them by his side or doing something silly.
They waited for a few seconds before Daniel noticed Chris look at the camera, almost as if he was wondering how long the photo was going to take.
“Did you put the flash on?” Mr. Eriksen wondered aloud.
Daniel’s grandpa shrugged his shoulders. “I don’t remember.”
Daniel’s grandma playfully slapped his grandpa’s shoulder. “Oh, you and your memory!”
Mr. Eriksen had picked up the camera to inspect if the picture had taken. He was silently looking at it, then busted out laughing. Daniel and his grandparents walked towards Mr. Eriksen to see what had him laughing so hard. Mr. Eriksen handed Daniel’s grandma the camera, where the boys looked at it, with Chris leaning in to see it too. It seemed like an ordinary picture. His grandma with an arm around Daniel, his grandpa having his hand on Daniel’s shoulder, and Daniel holding his own arm. The house with the banner saying, “Welcome Home Daniel” looked fine. But then they saw it: Chris’ blurry face in the left corner of the picture.
Chris’ face went red. “Sorry! I didn’t mean to get in the way!”
“Should we retake it?” Daniel’s grandpa asked seemingly to everyone, but it was more so directed at Daniel himself.
Daniel looked at it for a while before responding. He thought about it, but he kind of liked how Chris’ blurry face contrasted the formal poses of himself and his grandparents. It added some levity to a kind of fragile situation. “I kind of like it.”
“I know I sure did!” Mr. Eriksen had managed to say before laughing again.
“Dad!” Chris was definitely embarrassed now: his ears were also red. Somehow, Chris’ pout reminded Daniel of how Sean and his dad said he looked when he would pout. And by Sean and his dad, he mainly means Sean.
Once Mr. Eriksen had managed to compose himself again, he turned to Chris. “Let’s let Claire and Stephen spend time with their grandson. You can swing by their place tomorrow, right?” The last statement was more directed towards the grandparents.
“We would be delighted to have Chris over.” Daniel’s grandma confirmed.
“See you tomorrow, Chris!” Daniel said as he waved.
“See you tomorrow, Daniel!”
Daniel was already looking forward to seeing what his room looked like, to seeing Chris tomorrow. It had been a long while since Daniel looked forward to anything. It was a feeling he would like to keep having.