The Deal | Dan x Reader 1930's Mobster AU

Know You, Know Me

Hello. I'd just like to say that *NSYNC is extremely relevant, and I love their music. They are so valid.

Enjoy~

Dan's POV

I picked up a warm blanket, draping it over (y/n), making sure to cover her feet. She remained motionless, her eyelids soft and closed, in my bed. I rarely slept anyways, but when I did I was on the couch. Each day (y/n) was paler and paler, all the color draining from her face. Her stomach shallowly dipped while she breathed, and if she didn't have the slight rise and fall of her chest she'd look like a corpse. Her chest was caved slightly, and her stomach was small from lying motionless for the past week. I couldn't feed her or anything, she was as good as dead.

She was covered in burn marks and soon to be scars still, which I cleaned everyday. I often found myself disturbed with the little things like brushing her hair and cleaning her skin, almost like I was tediously looking over a human doll, a dead body.

I sat along the edge of the bed, the mattress dipping, and I took (y/n)'s hand. I was all alone with her, as I insisted that Phil stay with Chris at PJ's like Sophie had suggested. She had invited me to come, but I stayed in the empty place with (y/n), knowing that I couldn't be around people right now.

"It was my fault. My fault you're dying," I said, quietly. "I let her into our lives and didn't treat it with caution. My recklessness is why you're here, I'm so sorry." I leaned forward and placed a kiss on her forehead. I stood up, the bed springing back up to support her weight, jostling her slightly.

I began to walk away hearing a gentle cough. I turned back, seeing (y/n)'s lids flutter slightly, and she let out another cough. She coughed again before I realized she was choking on the ash that had settled in her lungs. I rushed to help her sit up, her eyes still drooped and rolled back. I propped her up, holding her close and she continued to choke, coughing fit and all. She lightly gripped on to my shirt, her head lolling back slightly.

"It's okay, you're okay," I said, my heart swelling. She was in bad condition but waking down. I cradled her in my arms careful to support her head as soft dust settled on her lips. I wiped it away and she let out a shaky, rasped breath, her head limp against my shoulder. Her eyes struggled to open, her breathing dry and shallow. "Rest here." I hurried to get up, grabbing a glass of water as fast as I could so I could return to her.

"W-Where am I? What happened?" She croaked and I handed her a glass of water as she shakily sat up. She glanced at me with tired eyes, but open ones. I smiled, as she drank, finally finding some peace.

"I'll tell you later," I said, my eyes watering slightly. I took away her glass and I could see she was weak and shaking, but now more alert. I let out a breathy exhale, smiling and wiping water from my eyes. I took her gingerly into my chest, holding her closely. I stroked her hair softly and she stayed quiet, shakily wrapping her arms around my waist. "I missed you so much."

"Where did I go?"

"You were in a coma (y/n), after the fire," I said, letting her sink weakly into the pillow. Subtle nuances let me know she was already recovering. "Are you hungry?"

"Yes."

I let her stay there while I retrieved and warmed up soup, bringing it to her. She had pulled the blanket closer around her and I set the bowl on the night stand, pulling up a chair.

"What happened?" She asked. I handed her the soup which she placed in her lap.

"Andrea sent a body guard, claiming to want peace, but he set fire to the apartment with you inside, and when I found you, you were trapped under a charred piece of wood," I said, reaching over. I pulled up her night shirt, watching her stomach suck inwards at the brush of my fingers. She stared at the charred scar on her torso and I could see her swallow. "You've been in a coma for the past week, and the doctors said you would die."

She glanced up at me, her face sad and solemn. (Y/n) seemed to stray away from me slightly, her memory coming back. How I made her so uncomfortable before. I just wanted to hold her.

"I'm not dead," she said quietly and I smiled.

"No you're not."

"I'm so sorry I left you all for so long and scared you," she apologized quietly, eating her soup.

"No need to be sorry." She ate and I sat beside her, watching her. "(Y/n) you don't know anything about me do you?" She glanced up, blinking. She looked so much better already.

"No, I don't," she replied and I sighed, wringing my hands.

"After seeing you on the brink of death, I realized how much you didn't know me, how much I didn't know you, and I felt like you were slipping away too early, and want to know you. I want you to know me." She watched me, knowing this was hard for me, as I never really shared with anyone besides Phil. I watched my shoes for a minute before a gentle hand placed itself on my cheek, directing my face upwards.

"I'd like that."

"(Y/n), you know my parents are gone right?" I said and she nodded. "My dad died when I was really young, and my mom, she died when I was 7, in a house fire similar to the one you almost died in, and I--I don't know what I would've done if you left me," I said, quietly.

"Dan, I'm so sorry," she said, taking my face in both hands.

"But I promise you, I'll kick whatever it is in the ass to stay here," she said, "Coma was just a warm up round." I smiled, turning my face to rest my lips gently on the palm of her hand.

"Nice to have you back."

"Nice to be back."

~Calymari