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It was during one of the many times Danny was showing his pictures off to Michael when the thought crossed his mind. The shroud visited and hung around Michael quite often, plenty of his photos being taken within the shape’s own trials - who still didn't quite understand why the Entity would allow Danny to “spectate” Michael's trials on occasion.
A reward for good behavior, he’d assumed - not that he would know much about that.. he didn’t really care to. The pictures Danny took were like a reward for Michael in themselves, though. He enjoyed reliving various moments in his previous trials, seeing himself and his work through someone else's eyes. Danny would also bring Michael things, such as those sweet little cakes he'd steal from the survivors, or particularly helpful offerings. If Danny wasn't also so chatty and touchy-feely, Myers would've assumed the shroud's “love language”, as they were called, would be gift giving. Even though the entire thing sounded odd to him, it wasn't exactly something Michael disliked..
Though when he thought about it, Michael realized he'd not done something like that in return even once. And to his own surprise - and confusion - he.. wanted to change that.
...
It really wasn't much. A handful of twigs carved to be smooth, a few equally smooth stones, and some partially crushed flowers. Even with his limited life experience, Michael knew this wasn't the typical gift someone gave. A little kid, maybe, but a grown man? To another grown man? Michael had been incredibly hesitant to present the items to Danny, sure the smaller man would hate it. Or worse, he'd hate it and laugh, maybe even call Michael stupid or childish. But Danny's reaction ended up being nothing of the sort, not even close.
Danny had initially just stood there, to Michael's slowly building irritation and anxiety. He shifts in his seated position, but then the shroud finally moves. He gently picks up one of the sticks, tugging his other glove off with his teeth so he could feel the object with his bare fingers. He turns to Michael with wide eyes, as if he'd just seen something amazing or unbelievable. And when he speaks, his voice is softer than Michael's ever heard it.
“These.. are for me?”
Michael's initial reaction was yes, dumbass, but instead of a long stare, he slowly nods. The shape then watches in surprise as the shroud sniffles, setting the item down and then wiping at his teary eyes. He was crying? Michael slowly reaches out, tapping Danny's shoulder, and tilting his head questioningly when the shroud looks at him. The shorter man grins sheepishly, laughing softly as he tries to compose himself.
“I-I'm okay, I'm okay, I just- this is so sweet… Thank you, Mikey. I love it.” Danny’s usual snark was nowhere to be found, he was smiling and it was completely genuine. And before he can think better of it, Danny suddenly hugs Michael. The taller man tenses at the sudden contact, but he simply sighs, resting his head on Danny's shoulder. The pair stay like that for a moment, and then Michael makes Danny's day even better by wrapping an arm around his waist to somewhat return the hug. Danny felt like he was going to explode into a billion mushy gushy little bits.
When Michael had first gestured for Danny to follow him, the shroud had admittedly been a little nervous - new behavior from Michael was a treat, but it didn't always end well for Danny, so he'd learned to be cautious. Dying wasn't permanent here, but it also wasn't any less unpleasant. But Michael had surprised him.. with a gift! Sure it was kind of silly, and Danny arguably shouldn't be getting this emotional over some fuckin' sticks and rocks, but he knew the meaning behind it. He knew how big this was, how much Michael was really saying with this gesture, what it meant.
Honestly, it could have been a penny from the pocket of his jumpsuit and Danny would have been just as thrilled - Michael showing him any form of affection was already a huge deal, but to give Danny a gift? Especially something more personal, things he'd found or made himself? Danny was over the fake moon hanging in the fake sky right now, holding Michael close and trying to not be a big crybaby about it. He hated crying, but the emotions were just so overwhelming. In a good way, for once, he noted.
Michael then decides to give Danny another gift, in a way. He removes his mask, looking up at Danny with his usual blank expression. His hand gently cups Danny's face, and he brings the shroud’s face closer. Then the shape does something else new. Michael initiates a kiss. Danny briefly wondered to himself if he was dreaming, but the still-healing wound on his shoulder - from a particularly rowdy survivor in an earlier trial - assured him he was wide fucking awake. His breath catches in his throat, but he kisses back immediately, melting into the larger man with a happy sigh. The shroud had rambled on and on plenty of times about wanting to kiss him, but Michael had avoided indulging him thus far. Partially due to inexperience, partially due to how he knew Danny would never let him hear the end of it. Or rather, he knew Danny's clinginess would only grow even stronger with such an intimate display.
But.. the annoyance he expected he'd feel wasn't present.
It hasn't been for a while, he realizes, and as he breaks the kiss, Danny's expression fills him with an odd.. warmth. He'd felt this around Danny a handful of times before, but right now it seemed at its strongest. Danny giggles softly as he cups Michael's face, fixing him with a sweet and dreamy look entirely unbefitting of a murderer.
"I don't think I've ever seen you blush before. It's cute. You're so beautiful.. y'know that, Mikey?” Danny was being rather bold, commenting on Michael's appearance like that - but Myers' face only grew a deeper pink as he averted his gaze, brow furrowing just a little bit. Another thing Danny found cute - Michael's aversion to having his face exposed seemed less about hiding his identity and adding an air of mystery to himself, more about an effort to hide the occasions where he'd show emotion. Danny could relate - his face was far too expressive for his liking, and not nearly as intimidating as someone like Michael. But the shroud couldn't deny that seeing Michael emote, even if only slightly, was so entrancing to him. He wondered if Michael thought something similar of him. With the way he was always studying Danny's face when he was unmasked, especially now, the shroud was inclined to think so. At least a little.
Michael would have felt differently in the earlier days of their interactions - but now..? As Danny's thumb ran gently over the shape’s bottom lip, Michael only felt that warmth grow stronger at Danny's words. It always reminded him of lust, but gentler. Was this the fabled “love”, perhaps?
But… Evil doesn't love. And Michael is pure evil…
He clenches his jaw at the unwelcome thought, dismissing that bastard doctor's words from his mind. He'd rather focus on Danny.
Danny, who was the first person Michael has ever met that didn't look at him with fear, pity, nor disgust. Didn't treat him like a horrid thing to be locked away forever. Didn't call him broken, “it”, or any other of those names he'd heard plenty from those in that institution.
For all of the grief he could cause Michael, the shroud had never once made Michael feel lesser or unimportant. In fact, Danny had stroked his ego far more often than his dick. He showed a respect and understanding for the taller man that Michael wasn't sure he'd ever find in anyone else. And he'd come to realize he really liked that, as confusing as it was. Instead of thinking about it any longer, he decides to pull Danny back in by the neck for another kiss. He hadn’t been very good at handling emotion before - and that certainly hadn't changed after arriving in the Fog, but.. maybe he could learn, he thinks.
As long as Danny was the one to teach him.
The shape didn't like how strongly he felt about the shroud, in all honesty - but not out of dislike for the man, no, just.. this was very new.
Michael did not like new.
He did not like feeling confused and lost in his own head either. Yet the man in front of him did not truly upset Michael for making him feel so much. He wasn't sure he ever really could find Danny genuinely upsetting anymore, not with his soft lips and sweet words murmured into Michael's skin, not with the way his hands gently ran through the shape’s hair, and especially not with the way Michael's heart was beating so hard he was half certain Danny could hear it. He could at least take solace in the fact that Danny was definitely no better off - if the way he was trembling wasn't an indication, the way Michael could feel the other’s rapid pulse under his palm absolutely was. After they break the kiss, Danny's eyes search Michael's face for a moment before he asks, softly,
“... So do you.. does this mean you, y'know, like me too..?” He'd asked things like that quite a few times once they'd started really ‘getting along’, but this time, Michael actually answers - he shakes his head. Danny's face falls, but then Michael holds up a finger, then rests it on Danny's chest. He slowly writes out letters, hesitant and admittedly nervous, but ultimately resolute.
L. O. V. E.
The strangled noise Danny makes has Michael slightly raising both brows, and he slightly tilts his head to one side, watching the shroud in curiosity. The smaller man’s expression was almost comical. His eyes wide, his mouth hanging open a little, and he'd gone deathly still. Michael's brows furrowed as he awaited a response - he was under the impression Danny had held similar feelings for him for as long as he'd been in the Fog, if not longer, surely this confession would make him happy. Yet he looked like he was about to faint or something.
Danny doesn't faint, but he does melt against Myers with a dreamy little sigh, arms wrapping around the shape’s neck as he nuzzles his face into Michael's cheek.
“You.. make me so happy, Mikey. I love you.” The shroud murmurs, and then as Michael's finger traces M. E. 2. into his back, Danny smiles. The pair stay that way for a while longer, Danny eagerly smothering Michael in affection - with Michael only half-pretending he didn't like it. It.. it was still a lot to handle, and Michael has a lot on his mind, trying to figure out his emotions. But he had plenty of time to do that, perhaps even “forever”, whatever that meant in this place.
And he'd be spending it with Danny.