AN: I don't own shit.

Also, while this is a crossover, it's kind of like a normal Marvel movie before the Avengers, so there's not going to be any of the Marvel characters showing up until near the end. And on top of that, this is a slight AU. One where Danny is older, and engaged, and Pariah is just now waking up for the first time. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy!

Let Us Be Brave

Danny is beautiful.

Most people don't understand that. Maybe it's because Danny is always in motion, moving to save, protect, fight, resist, challenge and set free. Most people see a hero, someone who is solid and strong and battle-tested: a leader, someone who won't back down. Someone who always pushes forward.

But when Danny stops moving, he's beautiful. Like soft summer rain. Like dew on rose petals in the cool, early morning. Like freshly fallen snow, sparkling and mystic.

Danny's eyelashes are the longest Dash has ever seen, his mouth the softest he has ever kissed, his hands the kindest he has ever known, his smile is warm like the sun, and his skin is the sweetest he has ever tasted.

Danny is beautiful, and Dash makes sure Danny knows that he can stop moving, that he doesn't always have to push forward, that he doesn't have to fight every battle, that Dash will be there when he wants to stop so he can come home.

There are lots of nights when Danny stays out all night, fighting one ghost or another before throwing them back into the Zone, so Dash has made it a point to cherish the nights Danny is actually home. His boyfriend has worked himself to the bone and it often worries him. He couldn't have Danny permanently die on him before they got married, after all.

It was late when Danny flew in. He was quiet, but Dash had always been a light sleeper. He rolled over slightly, still disoriented from sleep. A cold hand ran itself through his blonde hair, scratching in that spot right behind his ear that he loved, and his eyes closed, enjoying the sensation. Relishing in it, really. But then the hand left, if he was just a little more awake be would have whined.

"Go back to sleep, Dash," Danny whispered. Dash hummed, loving the sound of his fiance's deep voice. There was some more shuffling, and finally the bed sunk a little, signaling that Danny had climbed into it. Dash sighed and rolled over, throwing an arm over Danny's waist. He was cold, freezing really, but Dash was warm. Together they reached a thermodynamic equilibrium.

Danny scooted closer into Dash, finding that sweet-spot, and together they both drifted off to sleep.

When Dash woke the spot next to him was empty, which was strange. Since Danny was such a night owl, he often slept as long as time would allow. He yawned and rolled over, swinging his legs over the bed and standing up, grabbing a hoodie as he went.

He zipped it up as he walked into the kitchen, a sweet smell hitting him like a ton of bricks. It smelled like bacon, eggs and happiness. He smiled as he looked over to Danny. His black hair was sticking up in every direction, refusing to be tamed. He was humming to an old song he couldn't quite place. Dash smiled to himself before walking up and hugging Danny from behind.

They had both grown over the years. Dash had emotionally matured, and Danny, well. Puberty hit Danny like a fucking train. He was only a few inches shorter than Dash now, with broad shoulders and a barrel chest. His skin was littered with scars, old and new alike. Dash loved to trace them, especially the lightning scar that ran over his whole body, the black markings cascading downward like stripes. When Dash discovered his secrets, it made sense as to why Danny was always in horrible condition when he went to school, covered in bruises that even his sleeves couldn't hide. He still felt guilty for the bullying, but Danny had forgiven him for it. He even went as far as to attend a few counseling sessions, where he discovered the root of his own insecurities. He was gay. It was during their junior year of high school, and the more Dash thought about it, the more he thought Fenton looked… cute. After a few rough years they started dating, and now they were engaged. Dash felt like he was on top of the world.

"Hey, babe," Danny said. "I made breakfast."

Dash smiled into the crook of Danny's neck, thinking how glad he was to have a boyfriend as special as him. He still couldn't believe it some days, wondering how he got so lucky.

"I noticed," he replied. His smile grew when he felt Danny's shoulders move as small chuckle escaped him. "How was patrol?"

"It was fine. Quiet, really, but most days it is. The only thing that happened wasn't even ghost related."

That was the one thing that always seemed to throw people for a loop. See, Danny was half ghost and he spent most of his time fighting other ghosts. But, sometimes it was just regular people, who could do just as much damage as the spirits. The town always seemed to forget that part.

"How far along are you with the bunny Ms. Melanie asked for?" Danny asked, shifting the conversation. Dash leaned up and walked over to lean against the counter and make eye contact with him as he folded the omelet over in the pan.

"I'm gonna go get more stuffing later today; I forgot I ran out during my last commission. But after that all I have to do is stitch it up and add the little button eyes."

"Nice. Her son is gonna love it," Danny said. He carefully maneuvered the omelet to a plate and handed it to Dash. He had finished his own before starting on Dash's and had placed it in the microwave to keep it out of the way. He pulled it out and sat down at the counter, Dash walking over and eating in the space in front of him, not bothering to sit down. He looked at Danny's blue crystalline eyes, and, despite the bags under them, he didn't look particularly tired. Sure, he could use a nap— or five— but he didn't have that world weary look he's seen in the heroes on TV; like that billionaire in Malibu after he announced that he was Iron Man. The only reason Dash even caught it was because he still sees that look in his own eyes when he stands in front of the mirror.

"Don't you have tryouts today?" Danny asked, a mouthful of omelet not hindering him at all.

"Yeah. I'm feeling good about the newbies this year, they've been doing great so far."

After high school Dash really hadn't didn't see himself doing much. When he was a teenager all he ever wanted to do was leave Amity Park, or at least his parent's house. And the only thing he thought he was legitimately good at was football and fitness, so when Ms. Tetslaf retired, he took over as the new gym teacher and football coach for Casper High. He always thought Danny had better luck. He was a great mechanic, but he guest spoke at universities every now and then. He thought his boyfriend's never ending knowledge about space was great, and while he didn't necessarily understand it half the time, he could sit and listen to him talk about space for hours on end. Despite being grown adults, they still had glow in the dark star stickers on their bedroom ceiling.

"Is Kwan going to help with the tryouts this year?"

"Yeah, he finally managed to talk his boss into letting him off."

"Tell him I said hi," Danny smiled. Dash nodded, knowing the implications of his request. If he could come to the tryouts he would, but he would be busy with his "extra-curricular activities" with Sam and Tucker.

They sat in silence for the next few minutes, enjoying the peace of an early Thursday morning. When both of them were done, Dash took the plates and rinsed them in the sink before grabbing his fiance's hand and leading him to the shower.

They couldn't be late for school, after all.