No Good Terribly Bad Day at The Asylum (Part Eleven)-Danny DiMarco

And here ends Danny's unique day.

But not this kind of journey.

Stay tuned for more and happy reading!






Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four
Part Five

Part Six
Part Seven
Part Eight
Part Nine
Part Ten





“You know, Paris. Your Dom loves my food.” Hand planted on the door Paris had released as he’d stepped into the DJ booth, Keiran gave the other sub a slow once over. “I don’t think he’d come here quite so often if that changed.”

Backed up against the soundboard, Danny stared at Keiran. It was rare Keiran ever messed with anything involving food. This was serious.

And the last thing Danny wanted anyone to do for him. Even though he appreciated the gesture. He reached out and put his hand over Keiran’s. “I love you. But I’ve got this.”

Keiran’s eyes narrowed. He gave a slight nod, but didn’t move. “You’re not supposed to be in here, Paris. Get out.”

Chin up, Paris stared Keiran down. “I’m good with budgets. Atticus has me handle all of his. You plan to go between The Asylum and your new restaurant. Lawson has insisted on paying your worth, which is admirable and all, but if you fuck with Atticus, the club won’t be able to afford you. And your reputation will be shot. Don’t make baseless threats, my man. It’s beneath you.”

“Oh, I don’t believe it was baseless.” By Keiran’s side, Wren made a thoughtful sound. “Atticus had Lawson write up the prenup. He didn’t want you handling too much if anything happens to him. And if anything does? You’d have so many handlers you’d have no power here.”

“Wren.” Keiran’s tone was firm as he dismissed Paris and turned his attention to Wren, who he had a connection with that nothing else could touch. “Look at me. No. Atticus isn’t a bad guy. I wouldn’t do anything like that to him. Take a step back. Paris isn’t that kind of threat. I know a lot of people have been, but he’s nothing but an irritation.”

“He’s hurting Danny.” Wren looked a bit confused. He glanced off to the side. “I need to ask Jared. He’ll know. War is complicated. Or...he looks for Quint. Quint is here. He’s okay. Maybe he’ll know.”

Cupping Wren’s face in both hands, Keiran leaned in close. “Noah will know. Go find him. Tell him. He’ll help you.”

“That’s a good idea.” Wren inclined his head, smiling up at Keiran. “I’m glad you weren’t there. You were safe. I always wanted that.”

“Oh, mi alma. I know. Go find your Dom. He’ll take care of you. This isn’t your fight, but Danny knows you have his back, okay?” Keiran smoothed his hand over Wren’s close-shaved hair. “Estoy contigo, siempre lo estaré.”

Wren took a deep breath, holding Keiran’s gaze for another few seconds before nodding and drawing away. He slipped out of the dance club, Avery appearing from the shadows to make sure no one got in his way.

Anger filled Danny and he planted his hands on Paris’s chest and shoved him out of the booth. “You have no fucking idea what you’re doing and you don’t even care. I’m glad Jamie got something he’s been wanting for so long, but he owes you nothing for it. If a singer with any clout would put his career on the line for a rich boy if he didn’t see the talent? He’s a fool. And I don’t think Jamie’s idol got where he is by taking those kinds of risks.”

“I could press charges on those threats alone.” Paris’s voice rose and a few of the members who’d come early and gathered in the dance club glanced over. “That ‘singer’? He’s invested more money than Jamie’s ever seen into the success of this album. Jamie might think he’s hot stuff on his own, but he’s in the big leagues now. And fucking this up could ruin him.”

“And you think he did that because of you?” Danny couldn’t help laugh at how much money had blinded Paris to reality. “You gave him an idea and he ran with it. You don’t even get credit. He’ll put that money in because he knows Jamie has a lot to offer. And you can’t see that because you’ve gotten so used to having it all. Jamie’s path hasn’t been that easy. Sure, he had the money. But it was always conditional. We grew up fully aware of that.”

Seventeen. A new album hit and it was...not connecting.

Danny found a space under the bunks to escape all the talk about the media tearing them down. About Jamie’s latest ‘joyride’ that ended in his lawyers having to erase charges and him having to see a new therapist. His parents had been brought in. He hadn’t seen them, but they’d done all kinds of interviews.

Sliding in next to Danny, Jamie let out a broken sob.

No one else was there to hear it.

No one else would ever know.

But in that moment, Jamie had come to him. Trusted him because...they were family. And nothing could take that away. Not the fear of all that had been built around them. Of losing the money, the influence, that made them who they were.

Danny wasn’t sure if Jamie had said anything about him to Paris. He might never know. What he did know was he loved the man. He could put aside whatever he might have done in that moment when he’d felt trapped.

That had happened with Trevor. For both of them. That belief that someone really cared.

For whatever reason, Paris believed money and influence was everything. Danny knew better. Because he’d gone through a time where he’d had neither.

He didn’t need it now.

“Get out of the booth.” He stepped up to Paris, ignoring his smug look. “I work here. And The Asylum values the time you put in. And we protect our own.”

“Do you?” Paris sneered. “You piss me off and maybe I’ll tell all my friends Jacks’ work is substandard. You want to do that to him?”

Danny lifted his chin. “After you told them you were special because he made you something exclusive? Weird flex, but go off.” He shrugged. “He’s not making stuff for people like you. So you can’t hurt him.”

“Watch me.” Paris let out an irritated sniff as Keiran forced him to squeeze by. “I’ll have your fucking job, cook.”

Keiran’s brow lifted as he called after Paris. “Okay, but no one wants white boy spices. A bit of salt won’t cut it.”

Paris shot a glare over his shoulder.

“Call him.” Keiran grabbed Danny’s shoulder. “Don’t make excuses in your head, they won’t feel right.”

“Jamie?” Danny shook his head, looking at his phone. “He’s in the studio now. I can’t—”

“Jacks.” Keiran patted his cheek. “He’s been here. Talk to him. Get rid of any doubt. You get to need your Doms, even when they have to go away. You can love them and encourage that and still...need them.” Keiran’s voice trailed off. “Dallas needed to go see his father, even though the man will never know. See what he’s doing. How he’s doing. And I get it. But I miss him. And that’s okay.”

Throwing his arms around Keiran’s neck, Danny hugged him tight. “It is okay. And you’re not alone here and that’s why he felt okay leaving, right?”

“Right.” Keiran pulled something out of his pocket. Danny’s phone. “Wren put it aside. He gave it to me. It hasn't gone off, but...don’t listen to someone like Paris. He’ll be happy to hear from you.”

Phone in hand, Danny nodded. He waited until Keiran left with a last hug before calling his Dom.

“Danny?” Jacks’ voice was distant, and it sounded like he was moving. Wind around a car. “Don’t hang up. I’m here.”

“Sir?” Danny rested against the glass wall of the DJ booth. “I’m so happy to hear your voice. I miss you.”

“I miss you too, my little pup.” Jacks laughed. “Is Shea being mean?”

“No, he’s being awesome.” From the sounds of it, Jacks didn’t know Shea had almost been shot. And Danny...didn’t feel right telling him. He was out there, making his dreams come true. And Danny wouldn’t ruin that for him. “He wanted to play. And we did. Like...like you and him do. I should have made sure you were okay with it, but he’s been with you longer and it...made sense.”

“Ah, I see.” Jacks let out a soft laugh. “He’s been distracting you. We talked about that, but nothing specific. I was on a plane all day. Did you worry it would crash?”

Danny’s throat sealed shut. He hadn’t. What was wrong with him? “No, sir. Today was so messed up and Shea wanted me to do this and...I slept with Rhodey. I don’t know if I’m sorry. I liked it. A lot. And he likes Shea and he’ll keep him safe and Shea didn’t get shot but I...I killed someone. I’m not in jail but I probably should be.”

The line was breaking. Jacks let out an exasperated sound. “I hope Shea was there because Rhodey’s… Baby, don’t take chances with Rhodey. I’ll talk to Shea. If Rhodey liked you? Sure, have fun. But from what I’m hearing? Shea needs to slow down.”

“He...it was okay, sir. Rhodey was awesome with me.” Danny closed his eyes as the dial tone sounded. Jacks was gone.

There was no chance to warn Jacks about Paris, but maybe that wasn’t a bad thing. He had to trust his Dom to see through what a narcissistic asshole said. Or offered.

Maybe not right away, but it would come. Because Jacks was smart.

He’d grown up dealing with people like Paris. He’d see through it again.

But today didn’t seem to want to end. Danny put on music as the dance club filled. At one point, a Dom came to the door to request a song and suggested Danny come out and dance with him. He turned the man down.

Then another. The one after that.

The crowd thinned during the fight between Reed and Sin. Reed won, but according to everyone, it was close. And Reed was a mess when he came into the dance club. Quint followed, having Pike ice Reed’s brow while stitching up his lip. Reed laughed and pulled Pike into his lap, whispering to the other sub until Pike snuggled up against him and Quint seemed to give up, laughing and sticking close.

Danny didn’t see Rhodey. Shea sent a quick text, saying he’d be home in the morning because Justin’s team was demanding more security and Connor didn’t want to lose the job. Not that they would. Justin refused to let anyone else watch him.

At one point, both Danny’s Doms texted, asking if he could stay at The Asylum with people who weren’t there.

He wanted them to believe he was okay.

So he said ‘Yes’.

Near the end of the night, Wren slipped into the booth, something held loosely in his hand. “I have to go too. I’m sorry. But...not tonight. And...I can’t take over. I’m not a Dom. I’ve been here, though. Noah explained he couldn’t fully be my Dom in jail. He pushed the limits, but when he got me out he wanted it to end. It was too late. I loved him and I needed him. I never...he had Jamie. We understood the limits.”

“Wren…” Danny put his hand over the other subs. “Shea will be back tomorrow. And Rhodey...he gave me so much. I won’t ask for more. I won’t be bad to make a point. I’m not Avery or Keiran.”

Wren closed his eyes. “I know, but...please listen. This...I can do this. It helped me and I want it for you. It’s a little symbol, but I’m here and...I’ve got you. Keiran said it and I see how I can give you this.”

A white string. Wren held it out, his hands shaking, looking like he wasn’t sure he had anything to offer at all. But that wasn’t true. It meant more than Danny could say. He wanted it.

He lifted his gaze and beyond the glass, Shea stood with Justin and gave him a small smile. All day, he’d been doing that. And Danny finally understood what it meant.

While he’d focused on ‘the challenge’ he hadn’t thought of Jacks and Shea not being close. He’d been here, freaking out, but going with the flow. And the people who cared?

They were right there, redirecting him.

But what he needed now? Rhodey couldn’t give him, the club was full. Shea had a client, his focus needed to be on him. Jacks was across the country, building his career.

Danny might feel alone, but he wasn’t. The Asylum had everything to offer.

He just needed to take it.

Holding still, he let Wren put the string around his neck.

“I have treats. And...I’ve watched Jamie. I know how to run the system. You can…” Wren’s voice hitched as Danny lowered to his knees. “You can be you. And not be afraid. And trust someone else to take over. For a little bit. I think you need it.”

The string didn’t take Danny as far away as his play collar did. He couldn’t be something else. Not fully. But...just enough.

He rubbed his cheek against Wren’s thigh. Let him put on the playlist, set everything up.

A long time passed before midnight came.

But the terrible day ended in hope. In examining all the worst things he could imagine and..letting them go. He was here now. He wasn’t alone.

And that string? Wren wasn’t the only one who knew what it meant. It was already frayed and fragile, but when Noah came in…

Noah, the one who everything revolved around?

He saw it. He met Wren’s eyes and held him close.

Then he petted Danny’s hair. And whispered the two words every sub needed to hear.

“Good boy.”

Looking at the clock, Danny closed his eyes and settled against Noah’s thigh. It was midnight. Today was over.

Tomorrow...might be better.

He’d build something that could last.


****
As always, comments welcome! At the end of each month when a serial like this is running, I'll choose one commenter to send merch from The Asylum to. This month, it'll be either a face mask or socks, winner's choice!

Winner will be chosen at random and announced before the first segment of each month. All comments made before then will be entered.

Good luck!

If you want to discuss spoilers or what you think might happen next, make sure to join the spoiler group HERE.