#(they parallel danbert here)

[heliopeia]

this is so silly and out of character but im wicked and re-animator fixated rn so hear me out! (this would be maybe 2005 bc thats when the tour began. also danbert is already dating)

what if au where herbert is a very very closeted musical theater kid (idk i just think he would be)

and i think dan listens to whatever's popular so he listens to the wicked cast album and was surprised to really like it! then he hears that they're performing at a local theater or something so he drags herbert with him and herbert ofc bitches the whole way there about how this will be a "trite stage production" but then he stays silent for the show bc he's not an asshole daniel he knows proper theater etiquette.

intermission comes after defying gravity and herbert is actually very moved but won't admit that to dan when he asks how herbert is liking the show.

act 2 begins and herbert starts to see himself in the character of elphaba, always the odd one out, outcasted for being different, going against whats normal/good... i imagine he claps out of respect at the end of each song but after no good deed he claps very loudly and very fast bc hes excited! and dan smiles a little at him and then herbert plays it off as "just showing proper theater etiquette"

and then for good happens and herbert actually cries. not a lot but he does, dan notices and reaches over to squeeze his hand just as glinda and elphaba hug for the last time on stage, herbert locks eyes with dan and then turns his attention back to the show.

after the finale and the cast comes out for bows herbert gives a standing ovation for glinda and elphaba and woops a little (dan looks at him fondly and herbert doesn't make eye contact/denies he did this later)

and then when the show officially ends dan asks herbert if he liked it and that he hopes he's not mad at him for being dragged to a "trite stage production" and then herbert surprises dan by taking his hand and sheepishly admitting that it wasnt trite and that he loves him.

dan beams the whole drive home and herbert doesn't let him let go of his hand :-)

[mezucore]

just watched lisa frankenstein. the danbert parallels grabbed me by the throat so here we are