Bangled

We all have dreams.

"I can't believe I did this!" Dan yelled excitedly, "I can't believe I did this." He repeated anxiously, then with excitement again, "I can't believe I did this!" He basically squealed. "Mother would be so furious." He realized.

For the next hour or so, Dan continued to switch between being excited and anxious about having broken his Mother's rule of never leaving the tower.

"That's okay, I mean what she doesn't know won't kill her." He'd said, sitting on a rock and holding a lilypad.

Then sitting in a dark cave with his knees to his chest, "Oh my god, this would kill her!"

"This is so fun!" He'd screamed running between some trees and kicking up a pile of leaves into the air, all over himself and Ajax.

Standing in a tree and leaning against one of the branches he'd then said, "I am a horrible son. I'm going back."

"I am never going back!" He cheered, rolling down a slight hill and getting his hair wrapped all around him.

Lying down in a small patch of flowers, "I am a despicable human being." He cried.

"Woohoo! Best. Day. Ever!" He yelled, swinging around a tree on his hair.

Currently he was sitting against a rock sobbing into his hands and Ajax was getting tired of the constant back and forth, he sat down next to Dan. "You know, you seem a little... At war with yourself right now." He commented, trying to sound more like he wanted to help and less... Fed up.

"What?" Dan asked, tearfully looking up.

It was almost enough to make Ajax feel bad for what he was about to try. Almost. He offered a smile, "I'm only picking up bits and pieces here. Overprotective mother, forbidden road trip.. This is serious stuff." He told the blond, "But let me ease your conscience." He put one arm over Dan's shoulder. "A little adventure and a bit of rebellion is good! Healthy even. It's part of growing up." He explained, ignoring the fact that the chameleon had climbed onto his shoulder.

Dan wiped his eyes on one of his red sleeves, "You think?" He asked.

Ajax nodded, "I know! You're way overthinking this, trust me." He hoped he sounded reassuring, "Does your Mother deserve this? No. Would this break her heart and crush her soul? Of course. But you just have to do it."

"Break her heart?" Dan echoed, his eyes widening.

The thief was definitely feeling guilty now but he had to continue, "In half."

"Crush her soul?"

"Like a grape."

Realisation hit Dan, "She would be heartbroken... You're right." He felt like crying again. Ajax helped him to his feet.

The boy sighed, "I am... I can't believe I'm saying this but I'm letting you out of the deal, Dan."

"What?"

Ajax picked up the frying pan from where it sat on another rock, it was the only thing the blond had brought with him other than his chameleon, he handed the frying pan to him. "That's right, we'll turn around and get you home. Here's your pan." He picked the chameleon off his shoulder and placed it on Dan's, gently pulling him along by the arm, "And here's your chameleon, who's name I still don't know. I'll get back my satchel and you'll get back your mother son relationship built on mutual trust and then we can part ways as unlikely friends!"

"No." Dan replied, shaking Ajax's arm off, "I am seeing those lanterns, and by the way, the chameleon's name is Buzzy. You should try to remember that because you're stuck with both of us until your part of this deal is complete." He stubbornly glared at the thief. "There will be no backing out."