#f2f: danny sylvester

[pennysylvester]

madness in a smile, won't you stay a while? ➝ denny.

TAGGING ➝ Penny Sylvester, Danny Sylvester (@dannyssylvester).

LOCATION ➝ Penny and Logan's home.

TIME FRAME ➝ 9/23, afternoon/evening.

WARNINGS ➝ Mentions of kidnapping.

SUMMARY ➝ Danny shows up at Penny's door after twelve years of no contact, and explains why he left. Confusion, anger, sadness, etc etc ensues.

NOTES ➝ Some things now redundant such as Penny's job etc, but the main content still applies.

DANNY SYLVESTER

Danny loved all his siblings so much, but he couldn't deny that he was the closest to Penny, the two of them pretty much joined at the hip for twenty years, so he knew this was going to be hard for both of them. Leaving for twelve years with no contact was dumb, but he was just so mad at his mother that he maybe took it out on his siblings too. Now he was in LA he'd been keeping tabs on his siblings and knew that he wanted to be back in their lives. Taking some methods from his mother, he'd been following Penny and very quickly worked out where she lived and after watching the patterns of her neighbours and others for a week he knew when to make his move. After Penny came home from work one day Danny stuck close behind her and followed her to her house and then giving her fifteen minutes or so to get inside, he raced over to the door and knocked on it, keeping the hood up over his head, he pressed right up against the door, intending to push her inside as soon as she opened.

PENNY SYLVESTER

Although she loved her house, had made it her own and added all of the perfect touches to make it exactly how she and Logan wanted it, lately it was her least favorite place to be. It just reminded her of how broken they were, how broken her “perfect” life was, but she had to silently admit that she liked it better when Logan wasn’t there, and that thought, while true. made her feel like shit. So, when Penny finished work for the day, she took herself back to her least favorite place, intending to drop off her things, give herself a moment to simply sit, then disappear again to pick up the dog from daycare. She hadn’t been expecting company, so the knock on the door startled her, but Penny, still dressed smartly in her work attire, went to answer, foolishly forgetting to check the Ring camera on the way. Opening up to the sight of a hooded figure had her wishing she had. “Um, can I help you?” She asked, trying to reason with herself that somebody coming to attack her or steal from her home wouldn’t knock on the door first, but since all she could see was their hood, she remained quietly cautious all the same.

DANNY SYLVESTER

Okay maybe this wasn't the smartest way to go about this because as soon as Danny heard his sister's voice after so long he couldn't help the smile growing on his face. But channeling his inner asshole self he pushed her, gently, backwards into her house and slammed the door shut. He then turned to face her and lowered his hood to take a good look at her up close after all this time. "Don't freak out." Danny said, slowly holding his hands up and letting her take her time to hopefully recognise him. Knowing Penny she probably would freak, but at least they were inside. "Hi..." There was now a small genuine smile on his face as he looked his sister up and down.

PENNY SYLVESTER

It was true that a person really didn’t know how they’d react in a situation like this. A product of Sue Sylvester, Penny had always had a below the surface mean streak, and she could let it out when needed, so she thought if ever something like this happened, she’d flip. Or at least scream. Instead, she only startled as he pushed her into the house, her heart racing. That was nothing in comparison to the way it practically shot up and out of her body entirely when he lowered his hood, though. Eyes wide, Penny backed slowly to the wall, eyeing the ghost from her past with disbelief. He’d changed, so had she, but as she took all of him in, right down to the smile on his face, this was undeniably Danny. And that was when Penny, tears glossing her wide eyes, flipped. “Hi?” Her voice cracked, but not in the happy, tearing because she was so elated to see him way she’d often imagined when picturing their eventual reunion. “Hi?” She straightened from her position leaning against the wall, edging closer. “You disappear for twelve years, and I get a fucking hi?” Her body seemed to move independently from her mind, because rather than throw her arms around him, she instead shoved him, hard, angry tears finally spilling over her lids. “Where the fuck have you been?!”

DANNY SYLVESTER

Yeah, definitely a bad idea. Maybe he should have wrote a letter. He would never ever want to hurt any of siblings (although it was way too late for that) and he could tell that Penny was scared to start with. So he stood still, arms still in the air in a open stance and he watched the emotions on her face. But as soon as the smile had appeared on his face, it disappeared just as quick. Okay, she was freaking out. "Look I..." And he was cut off as she shoved him backwards, stumbling because he didn't expect it. Chuckling, he shook his head. "Have you been working out noodle arms?" Danny lowered his arms now and looked at her. "In fucking hell honestly." Shoving his hands in his pockets he took a good look around the home, it didn't really seem like a place that his sister would live. "You won't believe me. But that's why I'm here, to tell you everything. Also you really need to watch your back, I've bewn following you for like three weeks."

PENNY SYLVESTER

Disbelief still colored her expression, and Penny stared with a slightly hanging jaw as he had the audacity to joke with her. “Are you serious?” She hissed, trying to conjure up the rational part of her brain, although everything was foggy and clouded, too much hitting her at once. In fucking hell honestly. The admission caused her heart to ache, and had she been less in shock, she might’ve softened, but anger still seemed to be the leading force. “I won’t believe you?” Her voice trembled as she spoke. “Trust me, Danny, I have pictured every single scenario you can possibly imagine.” The fact that he’d been following her only annoyed her more, and Penny huffed as she covered her face with her hands, shaking her head, before wiping her wet cheeks. “You’re insane.” She said, her emotions all fighting with one another until it was too much, and before she knew it, she was wrapping her arms around him the way she’d always imagined, and clinging onto him like she was scared to let go. “You’re fucking insane,” she murmured into his hoodie with much less conviction this time.

DANNY SYLVESTER

Danny rolled his eyes playfully, of course he wasn't serious. "Just want to know how much you lift bro." He joked again, trying to keep the air light, but she was clearly too upset for that. "Pen... I'm sorry." As soon as she was in his arms, he sighed softly and pulled her in close. "I didn't want to leave, trust me. I regret leaving the four of you so much." He reached up to brush a tear away and then pressed a kiss to her head. This was just like when they were teens and she'd been through a bad breakup or something. "Yeah I know, I've been told many times." Penny was always the parent sibling, but she'd taught Danny a lot and he slowly started to rock her back and forth. "Do you wanna sit down or something? You're going to need it. And something hard to drink for sure. Because this is fucking insane, just like me." His lips twitched up into a smile.

PENNY SYLVESTER

Penny definitely wasn’t in the mood for jokes, or teasing, or whatever it was Danny was attempting to do, but she also knew her brother, despite the time apart she knew him, and she knew that was just Danny all over. At least that part hadn’t changed. She clearly needed the hug, and maybe he did too, because she gripped into the fabric of his hoodie like it was some kind of lifeline, taking instant comfort in the way he held her. “Mhm,” she nodded, sniffling as she finally forced herself to pull back. “Yeah, let’s—let’s sit.” Her voice remained croaky but softer now. “The living room’s this way. I would say follow me, but you’ve already been doing that.” It was more a sarcastic comment than a joke. Leading him to the large living room, everything pristine and perfect, she motioned to the couch. She wiped at her eyes again, trying to regain her usual perfect, put together composure. “The liquor cabinet’s there,” she said, like it wasn’t already obviously visible. “I’ll grab some glasses, I just have to—” Kind of all over the place, she trailed off before making her way into the kitchen to grab the aforementioned glasses, forcing herself back into pulled-together mode as she slipped her phone from her pocket and dialed the daycare. “This is Penny Clarington,” she said to the voicemail as she walked back into the living room and set both glasses on the cabinet shelf. “I’m not going to be able to pick up Zoe at the normal time, but either myself or my husband will be by for her as soon as possible. Thank you.” Penny hung up the phone, then looked to her brother as if they were about to partake in a business meeting. “What are we drinking?”

DANNY SYLVESTER

She was gripping so tight to him that Danny didn't really want to let her go. He wasn't a person to look back on things but with the way Penny had reacted he knew that he'd missed her and wished he'd keep in contact with at least her. She pulled back and he sighed, reaching to wipe another tear away. He really hoped his three other siblings would be okay with his reappearance. Rolling his eyes at her jab at him he followed her through the house, still thinking it didn't look like somewhere she would live. Danny took a seat and glanced at the liquor cabinet, opening his mouth to say something to his sister but she'd already walked off. He didn't want to listen in on her phone call but he couldn't help it, his eyes widening as he heard her surname and the mention of a husband and a Zoe. She was married... And she had a kid... He'd missed so much. Once she'd finished he smiled weakly up at her. "Whiskey for sure. But look Pen, if this is a bad time I can come back okay, I don't want to interrupt any plans you've made." Taking a little look around the room he tried to find some photos or something. "You're married?" He asked with a grin. "And you got a kid?"

PENNY SYLVESTER

Penny’s brows pulled together. After all of this time apart, he really thought she was going to let him come back later… “No. It’s fine, you’re not interrupting anything.” Her tears had stopped, but her eyes were still glossy and puffy, and she’d forced herself back into militant mode. She got to work on pouring them both a drink, brow lifting this time. “A kid?” It took a second for her to register the assumption, but when she did, she couldn’t help a quiet, croaky laugh despite herself. “Zoe… She’s our dog. I got her for my husband recently, and she goes to daycare when we’re both working,” she explained as she shuffled over to Danny, handing him a drink. “But to answer your first question, yeah, I’m married.” She lowered onto the couch, fingers wrapped around her glass. “His name is Logan, he’s a firefighter EMT. And you weren’t at our wedding, and you have no idea how much that sucked.” She sent him a sad smile. “Where have you been, Danny?”

DANNY SYLVESTER

Danny just smiled softly and nodded, he didn't want to leave just thought to offer, and by the looks of it she didn't want him to leave either. He frowned as he watched her, seeing her confusion at his question, well what else would Zoe be? "Wait. A dog? You called your dog Zoe? What a lame ass name." His tone was teasing. "And it goes to daycare? Jesus Christ." Taking the glass from her, he knocked some of the alcohol back, letting it burn his throat. Her husband sounded perfect, perfect job to go along with the perfect house. "Yeah it probably did suck, but I would have wanted to be there. Always wanted to be your best man, no matter what." His own smile was sad too. "This is a fucking wild trip okay? And you're not going to believe a word I say, I didn't either at first but it's all true." Sighing, he settled back into the couch more. "You ready for this bullshit?"

PENNY SYLVESTER

Although she still didn't feel much like laughing, she couldn't help another small chuckle. "Logan really wants a kid, and that's...I don't know, not really something I want right now." Penny shrugged. "I think the dog helps." Things had always been like this with Danny, Penny had always been able to open up to him easier than anybody else. It was crazy how that rang true even now. "I saved you a seat," she said in a quieter voice. "I've always saved you a seat, I always knew you were going to come home... Or maybe I didn't know, but I wanted to believe you were." She sucked back a breath, letting the sadness she'd felt when thinking about her brother over the last twelve years wash over her in hopes it would quickly wash away. "You're kind of scaring me, can you just tell me?"

DANNY SYLVESTER

He reached over and placed a hand on Penny's knee, squeezing it softly before he let go, a sigh to tell her that he'd always be there for her. "What breed? I totally want to meet her by the way." But then his smile falters at his sister's next words. "Jeez Pen, you're making it sound like you thought I died or something." He looked down at the amber colored liquid in his glass, swirling it around. "I'm back now. It's not perfect, but I'm back and I'm staying this time."

Downing the rest of the drink, he placed the glass down and turned to look at her. "I found all this out twelve years ago okay? And I stormed out the house and never came back, so this isn't on you, Dex, Sage or Joni. I love you four so much." He never thought he'd say the word 'love' while talking about a person ever again, but he knew he meant it for his siblings. "I'm adopted right? We all knew that. Except I'm not. Sue kidnapped me, I was from a loving family, I was their first born child and Sue came in and stole me away from them." No matter how many times he'd rehearsed it in his head, it still sounded insane. "And you'll never believe who she stole me from. The Schuesters. I'm Daniel Schuester, that baby they lost and it went global to find him. That's me." He sighed loudly. "Look I know it's crazy, but its true."

PENNY SYLVESTER

"She's a beagle, and she's kind of a handful, but she's pretty cute, I guess." Penny had never wanted a dog; Zoe was literally just there to appease her husband and his desire for something more, but she had to admit she'd grown somewhat attached over time. "You can meet her." She laughed softly. "I love how you said you want to meet the dog, but not my husband, by the way." For the first time, she took a small sip from her glass, the burning in her throat a welcome sensation. "I did think you'd died," she admitted, resting her glass in her lap. The words felt so bitter in her mouth. "I didn't think you'd ever just leave, not for that long, so what else was I supposed to think?"

It didn't matter what she was supposed to think, because no matter what it was, no matter the scenario, as Danny began his explanation and the color drained from Penny's cheeks, she realized that was something even her imagination couldn't conjure up. "What?" Was all she could manage at first. She suddenly felt very cold, like she was talking to a ghost or something. "No, that's—Mom does some crazy shit, but that's not..." Not what? The words died on her tongue, because what the fuck? "You're lying..." It was a question, not an accusation, but her voice began to shake again. "Right?"

DANNY SYLVESTER

"Beagles are cool. I approve." When Danny was young he never thought he could see himself with a pet; unless it was the typical wife, kids and dog situation when he became an adult. But he did think they were awesome and now he craved to be the best dog uncle in the world. He just shrugged and grinned. "Cause the dog won't let me down, the husband might. You know I'm going to be overprotective of you." Then he sighs and huddles closer to her. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left the way I did. I should have kept in contact with you if anyone. Twinny." And he nudged her shoulder with his gently.

He knew from her reaction that she wasn't taking it well, and he rubbed a hand over his tired face as he let everything sink in for her. "Penny... why would I turn up now, after all this time, to lie to you?" Danny looked over at her, his expression genuine. "It's true. I found paper work and letters and stuff in Sue's room, she bribed a lot of people to keep it quiet. It was her ultimate chance to get one over on Will Schuester and she did it. Until I found out of course." He shrugged. "Then I freaked out and ran away. I didn't know what else to do."

PENNY SYLVESTER

"Sure they are," Penny said with a lifted brow and a look of subtle amusement. The anger she'd felt upon seeing Danny at the door hadn't entirely dissipated, but it had certainly eased, and talking to him was becoming so much easier, too. Just like it used to be. "You know I can handle myself, and Logan is a softy, so you're good on that front. But I appreciate it." There was something warming about him calling her twinny again, especially considering the weird twin thing Sue had tried to push on her and Robin... Did Danny even know about Robin? She figured they could get to that later.

For now, they had plenty to focus on, and Penny's mind began racing as quickly as her heart. "Yeah. No. You wouldn't," she said, trying to think straight. The whole thing sounded insane, even more so than anything their mom had ever done before. Then again, Penny remembered as she squeezed the bridge of her nose between her thumb and pointer finger, Sue had literally forced herself into labor at Emma Schuester's baby shower with Penny so she'd be born before Mathieu, then she'd purposely gotten pregnant with Robin to replace Danny... "Holy fuck," she finally said through a shaky breath, looking up at her brother with concern. "I don't even know what to say... You know they hold vigils for him, right?—For you?" This was a mess, one even Penny didn't know how to fix, but she knew it was going to fall on her to do so. "God. What do we do?"

DANNY SYLVESTER

"Yeah..." Danny replied with a soft smile. "I know you can handle yourself." Well she could back when she was nineteen, and he was having to try and remind himself that she wasn't that nineteen year old girl any more, she would have changed a lot. "Well I'll believe that when I see it. I'd like to meet him I guess." He could tell that she was warming up to him and that made him happy and hope they could go back to the way they were. "I missed you so much."

"No, I wouldn't." He sounded almost hollow as he sat there, now staring into his lap. Then he laughed, almost bitterly. "You don't know what to say?" Danny shook his head. "I know they do, all the time and it's all a lie and they don't realise. They think the kid is fucking dead but he's not, he's me." He had to swallow down a lump in his throat. "You don't understand the imposter syndrome I've had the past twelve years." Then his expression turned dark. "Oh I already know what I'm going to do. I'm telling the Schuesters the truth. I'm done with Sue being on her high horse and thinking she's the best thing ever, she needs to be brought down a peg or two."

PENNY SYLVESTER

There were plenty of new people in her life—in all of their lives, in fact—Danny was yet to meet, but that all seemed to pale as she continued to try to take everything in. Penny felt sick; she couldn't imagine how Danny felt. "No, I don't." She shook her head. This was an entirely unique situation, and Penny couldn't even try to understand the things Danny had had to wrap his head around—and entirely alone, for all she knew. She watched his expression change, and noted there was something almost scary about it. "Danny, no," she shook her head. "You can't just..." She trailed off, then hung her head. She had to take herself out of this situation, to remind herself that her position as the person handling their mom's publicity wasn't important right now, and remember who the actual victim was here. "I'm sorry. No, you're right, you can handle it however you want. You deserve the space to do what you need to do. And Will and Emma need to know, too."

DANNY SYLVESTER

His fists were clenched now and he tried to keep his anger down, not wanting to lash out at his sister. "I can. And I will." It was the one thing he wanted to see most in the world, Sue Sylvester's downfall. "She had destroyed my life. And Will and Emma's and they need to know what actually happened to their son." Danny couldn't deny it though, it would be strange to turn up on the Schuester's doorstep, he had been essentially brainwashed to hate his birth parents for twenty years of his life. Turning to face his sister, most of his anger disappeared. "She basically left me for dead Pen. Cut me off completely when she knew I had nothing. I can't let her get away with that." He let out a long sigh. "As long as it doesn't effect any of you, then I'm doing it."

PENNY SYLVESTER

Was this anybody else, Penny would be doing all of the damage control she could, anything she could do to sweep this under the rug. Her livelihood came from her position as CMO—and PSU definitely wouldn't want her anymore once this all exploded. But Danny was more important than that, and so was doing the right thing, so Penny simply nodded her head. "Yeah." Her heart ached at the thought of everything Danny had been through; she could see the way it was cutting him up, the way it had been for twelve years now. So, Penny swallowed everything down, then shook her head. "No, it won't affect any of us."

DANNY SYLVESTER

Danny deflated and almost leant his whole body against Penny's side. "Why don't I believe you?" He closed his eyes, his hands gripping at his hair. "What do I do? You're the smart one here, except for Dex. I need to know where to go from here." He needed her now more than anything, her advice and guidance to not do something he'd regret, just like when they were kids. "I want to see her burn. I don't care if she's still your mom, she's not mine anymore." His plans would still be in place, but if there was any chance that he'd hurt one of his siblings he would be hesitant.

PENNY SYLVESTER

"Because I'm lying," she said, deciding that twelve years of wondering where he was, of believing their mother's lies about why he'd left, was more than enough dishonesty. When he'd first shown up here, Penny had felt like she'd needed comforting, but she could see now, with the way Danny seemed so deflated, so broken, that that had been selfish. He needed her, so Penny leaned down to set her glass on the floor, then wrapped an arm protectively around him, giving him the space to lean into her if he wanted to take it. "And I'm not smart..." She lowered her voice, almost embarrassed despite usually being so proud of her work. "If I was, I wouldn't be her publicist."

DANNY SYLVESTER

He just nodded, his hands leaving his hair so he wouldn't tear it out. "You don't need to lie to me. I know you're trying to protect me, but just tell me the truth." Danny felt Penny's arm around him and he sighed, but quickly moved into her space, resting his head on her shoulder. He was never this soft for anyone, but he needed this right now. "You are smart. You brought all of us up, and we all owe you big time. And look at this fucking mansion you live in, you wouldn't be here if you didn't have a brain." Rolling his eyes he huffed. Of course she was working for Sue. "I don't want you to lose your job. I want revenge on her, but I won't do it if you lose your job. You mean more to me than that."

PENNY SYLVESTER

“You think this is a mansion, you should see where the others live,” she said with a quiet chuckle, her arm tightly wrapped around him. Her voice softened a little. “And you mean more to me than a job, so whatever you want to do, we’re going to do, okay?” She pulled back to look at him, trying to show him how sincere she was, though her mouth twisted into a frown then. “We have a little sister, her name is Robin. She’s eleven, and she has Down’s Syndrome, just like Aunt Jean did.” Penny licked her lips, her heart shattering all over again. Sure, Robin was an asshole, the most Sue-like of them all, but she was also just a kid, a kid who needed extra care at that. “I don’t know what she’d do without Mom.”

DANNY SYLVESTER

He probably did mean more to Penny than her job, but he didn't want her to think like that. So he just shrugged and nodded, plans changing so rapidly in his head. But then all his plans went completely out of the window with what Penny said next, his heart sinking when he heard about their, no his, sister. She was right, he couldn't take Sue away from her, especially not when she needed that extra care. "She had another kid to replace me?" His laugh was bitter and he shook his head. Danny untangled himself from Penny's hold on him and he stood up, pacing back and forth, clearly frustrated. "So I came all this way for fucking nothing? I should have just stayed on the fucking streets, let you think I was dead, I'm better off there." His anger was stopping him fron thinking clearly.

PENNY SYLVESTER

Penny frowned, releasing her hold on him to let him move freely. “I don’t know that it was to replace you, it just kind of happened,” she said, figuring he didn’t need any extra fuel for his fire. They’d both thrown a lot of new information at each other here, so she gave Danny his space, just watching him pace back and forth for a moment, before eventually standing herself. “Hey, no.” She shook her head, catching him by the arm mid-pace and turning him towards her. “Don’t do that. I’m not nothing. Dex, Sage, Joni, they’re not nothing. You came back here for revenge on Mom, I get it. But we’re not nothing, Danny. We want you here with us. In fact,” she paused, considering the logistics, “I’m gonna go make up the guest room, that’s gonna be your room for as long as you want it. You’re gonna stay here with me, and we’re gonna figure all of this out, okay? You did not come back home for nothing.”

DANNY SYLVESTER

"Sure." Danny replied. "No, no once I was gone from that house then I was never come back. She wanted five perfect children and she got them. Plus one fucked up one that she stole." He wanted to fight against Penny's hold on him, but instead stopped and let himself have a moment to calm down. Blowing up against the person he was closest to in his life wasn't smart. "I didn't just come here for revenge, yeah that's one of the reasons, but I wanted to see you guys too." He was aware that he could have come back at any time, but needing time to cool off and being in and out of jail and being homeless, it took a lot longer than he thought it would. "Pen you don't have to do that..." Danny insisted weakly, but then looked down at the floor. "Actually I've been struggling to pay rent and was probably going to get kicked out. But I'll give you any money I earn, I swear." Being here in his sister's perfect home with all his problems, he felt quite ashamed.

PENNY SYLVESTER

There was no point in disagreeing; Danny was clearly frustrated, and he had every right to be, so Penny let him have his moment, and decided simply being there for him was the better option. Though, she drew the line with his angry pacing, although it seemed his anger brought forth her more rational, fix-it side. "I know I don't have to. I don't have to do anything, and that's not why I'm offering." It wasn't so much an offer, of course, more like an order. She wasn't going to let him just take off now. Evidently, he needed the room, anyway. "I don't want your money," she insisted, loosening her grip on his arm now he seemed to have begun to calm. "I just want to know you're not going to take off again, and if you're with me, I know you're not." Cautiously, she let go of him completely, though stayed close by. "You're gonna stay here until you get yourself back on your feet, okay? Save your money, get yourself back on track. Just..." Her more rational, stern tone faltered slightly as she continued. "Just don't leave me again."

DANNY SYLVESTER

"Your husband going to be okay with that? You letting your half dead brother come live with you?" He asked, his tone teasing as he lightly rolled his eyes. "But sure, yeah, thanks. I've got like one bag of stuff and a motorbike so I will take up no room at all. You won't even know I'm here." That was maybe a lie, but he'd try to be good. Shaking his head, he crossed his arms over his chest and stepped backwards. "I'm not. I've literally got nowhere else to go Pen." It wasn't going to be easy, his sister was asking a lot from him, but for her, he would try his hardest. "I'll get another job or whatever, but I got to pay you something. I'm not a freeloader." His heart almost broke at her expression and he sighed and stepped forward, taking her back into his arms. "I'm not going to leave you. Ever again. I promise." He gave a soft chuckle. "We're going to be joined at the hip just like we were when we were kids."

[cassie-schue]

WITH: @dannyssylvester.

WHERE: The Spare Room.

WHEN: 10/4, night.

No, Cassie may not have been the most approachable of people, but that didn't seem to have stopped her from making a decent amount of friends at PSU so far. She wouldn't exactly call them her besties, mostly because she hadn't actually learned all of their names yet, but they gave her something to do, and tonight seemed to have brought them all to The Spare Room, where Cassie had no qualms about leaving the group to go bother the bartender. "Do you, like, live here or something?" Cassie asked, leaning her elbows against the bar and eyeing Danny with an amused expression. Sure, he was old, but he was hot, and who was she to deny herself a little harmless fun?"Nobody wants you at home...wherever that is?"

[pennysylvester]

forget all your problems, you know that i'm gonna solve them ➝ dennarah.

TAGGING ➝ Penny Sylvester, Sarah Fabray (@sarahfabray) & Danny Sylvester (@dannyssylvester).

LOCATION ➝ Penny and Logan’s living room.

TIME FRAME ➝ 10/25, afternoon, following on from this solo para.

WARNINGS ➝ Angst, mentions of cheating, blink and you'll miss it mention of abortion.

SUMMARY ➝ For the first time in her life, Penny finally accepts some help, and spills her troubles to her brother and best friend.

PENNY SYLVESTER

[Penny swipes at her eyes once more before pulling open the door with as neutral a look as she can. Her eyes are swollen and puffy, her voice thick with sadness.] Oh, Sarah. [She sniffs, trying hard to sound normal. New tears gloss over her eyes.] Uh, this isn't...a great time. Is everything okay?

SARAH FABRAY

[Sarah pulled up outside of Penny’s home. It had been a while since she had seen her friend but with the earthquake and everything recently and with their lives being so busy she thought a quick impromptu visit wasn’t out of the question. She did have some supplies to drop off for the antenatal ward anyway. She got to the door and knocked placing her supply bags on the ground as she waited. It was unusual for Penny to take this long to answer the door. Perhaps they didn’t hear she thought so she knocked again. Shortly thereafter the door opened.] Hi Penny. I’ve got the premature baby hats we made at the retreat. [Sarah stopped dead at the sight of Penny. She couldn’t recall a time where her friend look in a worse state. Taking a second to process what was happening in front of her.] Oh Penny what happened? [she asked in horror. Her’s practical mind took over as she grabbed her bags and ushered Penny inside. Engulfing her in a hug.]

PENNY SYLVESTER

Nothing. [Penny lies, voice cracking and bottom lip beginning to quiver.] I'm fine. [She clearly is not fine, and breaks down in Sarah's arms as the door closes.] I'm not fine. I screwed up.

DANNY SYLVESTER

[Danny parks his bike up on the drive and gets off. goes to unlock the door but finds it open and heads in] Pen... you home? [turns to see Penny and Sarah and races forward] Penny! What happened? Are you okay? [turns to Sarah] What happened?

PENNY SYLVESTER

[The inclusion of her brother ignites her need to protect, to be the sibling who has everything together.] Nothing. Nothing happened. Everything’s fine. [Her flowing tears and croaky voice betray her words, and her shoulders slump.] Could you guys just—the dog. I scared her, and— [She sniffs, leading the way through to the living room where the cowering beagle and smashed vase await.] I just need some help.

SARAH FABRAY

Oh, this is not nothing [Sarah responds hugging Penny tighter.] Oh Pen, it ok. Come on. [Sarah pulls Penny further into the house.] Take some deep breaths ok. Its gonna be ok. [When Danny arrives Sarah is releaved to know one of Pennys brothers are here for her too. It pains Sarah to see Penny always trying to be the strong one. Shes clearly not fine and seeing he state of the lounge shes glad she arrived when she did.] Dont worry ill sort it. Stay with her will you Danny? [Sarah gets to work first tending to Zoe. Coaksing her out from where she was hiding and taking her into the kitchen where she calms the dog and gives her some treats. Next she turns the kettle on and makes some tea while she gets to work cleaning the broken vase. Finally coming back with some teas for eveyone and Zoe resing on her knee on the couch.]

DANNY SYLVESTER

[Follows through to the living room and sees the vase and Zoe] Fuck what happend? [Bends down and offers hand to Zoe who doesn't come near him, this hurts him as he's gotten close to the dog since living here] Yeah I will, thanks Sarah. [Guides Penny to sit down and sits next to her, taking her hands in his own] What happened? Come on it must be bad if Zoe is like that, won't even come to me.

PENNY SYLVESTER

[Penny sits on the couch helplessly. She takes a moment to gather herself, and offers Sarah the smallest of smiles through her tears as she returns with tea.] Thank you. [She licks her lips, looking from her friend to her brother.] You're both going to think I'm such an asshole... [Her voice grows smaller.] I slept with someone else, and it's not the first time.

SARAH FABRAY

[Letting silence fill the air to allow time for eveyone to get comfortable and for Penny to gather her thoughs, Sarah hands Penny a tissue with an calming smile.] Of course. Don't worry about it. You dont always have to be the strong one. [Stroking the calming Zoe on her, and hearing Pennys broken voice aches Sarahs heart.] Pen this is a judgement free zone. We are all humen and have made mistakes. Thats what makes up life. So please this is a safe space with safe people. [Sarah pauses to make sure Penny digests her words and checks Dannys expression to make sure he in agreement].

DANNY SYLVESTER

[quickly strokes Zoe and then turns back to his sister to listen to her.] We'd never think you were an asshole Pen, ever. [as she speaks there is clear surprise on his face and he takes a moment before he turns to Sarah and nods] Sarah's right, this is a judgement free zone and a safe space and all of that shit. [sighs and moves a hand onto her knee] Do you want to talk about it?

PENNY SYLVESTER

But I am. [Penny sobs; she rarely lets anybody see her cry, but now that the waterworks have opened up, she struggles to close them.] I am an asshole. I'm married. I shouldn't be fucking other people. And you're both being too good to me. [She buries her face in her hands.] I'm not just fucking people, you know? I'm—I'm hurting people. I'm leaving destruction everywhere I go. And you don't need this right now. [She looks up from her hands, motioning to Danny.] You have enough going on. And you. [She looks to Sarah this time.] All of the stuff with your dad. I'm no better than him. In fact, I'm worse.

SARAH FABRAY

[Watching Penny spiral Sarah grabs her hand and begins stroking it to ground her] hay! No! [Sarah holds he hand up to stop Penny spiralling anymore] Look at me. [She gets Penny to slow down and match her breathing] Listen to me you are nothing like my father and i'm sure your a priotiry to Danny dispite what hes got going on. You are a good person at heart. Sure you may have done some not great things. But we all do at times. Often theres more to it that maybe we dont want to see, but please dont beat yourself up.

DANNY SYLVESTER

[Lets Sarah touch Penny to try and ground her] You are my priority, always, I mean it. I missed a lot of years but I am here now and you are number one always. [gives her a small smile] I have done so much bad shit over the years so I am definitely not one to judge. But Sarah and I are both here for you okay? Any time you want to tell us what's going on.

PENNY SYLVESTER

[She holds Sarah's gaze, matching her breathing. It helps but doesn't entirely pull her back to sanity.] I think I've done worse than you. [She glances to Danny, her eyes glossing over yet again, before glancing down so as not to have to see their reactions as she continues in a small voice.] I slept with someone last year, and um...I skipped a period. [She lets it hang in the air a moment.] Joni came with me to take care of it... I haven't told anybody else. Not Logan, not the other guy. [She shakes her head, daring a glance to her brother.] I couldn't go through the adoption thing again, and I couldn't keep it. I'm a fucking mess. I really am Mom's daughter.

SARAH FABRAY

[If Sarah is surprised by Pennys admission she dosent show it. Shes more focused on just listening to Penny and allowing her to express her grief.] Oh Pen. It sounds like you have been holding on to a lot for a long time. [She acknowledges. She hates herself a little for not knowing these struggles that Penny has clearly been dealing with for a long time.] You are not your mother. [She enforces with a soft degree of finality]. I want you to know that your not alone anymore in this. [motioning to her and Danny as if they in some way take on some of the weight.] Can I ask Pen if you feel comfortable what lead you to do these things?

DANNY SYLVESTER

[lets out a heavy sigh] Okay... okay. [lets it all sink in] I'm so glad that Joni was there with you and that you weren't alone. [frowns and shifts forward to hold her] No. No, do not compare yourself to that woman. You are a hundred times, no a million times the person that she is okay. Now, like Sarah asked, only if you feel comfortable, can you tell us some more?

PENNY SYLVESTER

[Penny likes to be the one in control, the person taking care of everybody else. She isn't used to having people take care of her the way Sarah and Danny are, but she doesn't fight them. She's too tired. She lets Danny hold her, leaning into him and looking at Sarah.] I don't love Logan. [Her voice is choked up and thick with sadness. This is the first time she's admitted it aloud.] I don't think I've ever loved Logan, not the way I should. And I know he doesn't love me either. Not the way he should. And the one person I think might be the only person I've ever actually loved, or ever will actually love— [She pauses to choke out a fresh sob.] told me the other day that she hates me. That we'll never have another chance. And rather than handling it like an adult, I have a broken vase and a scared dog and—and I'm just a mess. Everything's a mess.

SARAH FABRAY

[At Penny's words Sarah is brought back to her own life and the man she almost married. The man she didnt love. She squeeses Pennys hand for reasurance making eye contact]. Oh Pen. Well dont for admitting that. Im glad you could be truthful to yourself. [Sarah lets out a sigh] Love is a fickle thing. I know its not easy to do. I had a safe choise I could have married but you did actually marry yours. What happened to the one you love to make them hate you? [She looks down at Zoe] Dont worry about Zoe. Shes doing just fine. Sounds like you've had a lot pent up for a long time. It was bound to come out eventually. Its only a shame it came out like this. But thats ok.

DANNY SYLVESTER

[just hold Penny close as she speaks, almost expecting her to say what she did.] Love is weird. So are feelings. [sighs when she talks about the person she loves] Are you going to talk to Logan? How do you know he doesn't love you anyway? You know what, that doesn't matter. What does matter is you and how you feel right now. Have you even had dinner? Like food is important Pen.

PENNY SYLVESTER

I got married. She was waiting for me, and instead of coming back from Connecticut and picking back up where we left off, I came back with a husband. [She chooses to answer Danny’s question despite him changing the subject.] I know he doesn’t love me because I can just feel it. We say ‘I love you’ like it’s an obligation. We don’t fuck anymore, we have obligatory sex every now and then. [She glances at Danny.] Sorry, I know that’s not the kinda thing you want to hear. He avoids me and I avoid him… and maybe I’ll talk to him at some point, but not yet. So please, please, I’m begging you both… [Penny sits, a hint of desperation lacing her tone.] I know I’m asking a lot, but please don’t say anything to him. To anyone, about any of this. Okay? Please.

SARAH FABRAY

[Sarah takes a note to keep this info in her mind so as not to forget it as teh conversation moves on.] Of course Pen. We woulnt say anything. We are simply here for you. Not to get involved. But i have to ask Penny. You know all these things between you and Logan, and how you've had distructive behaviour because your looking for something outside of what your loveless marriage offers. What are you going to do about it?

DANNY SYLVESTER

[Danny just shrugs, he's heard a lot worse than his sister's sex life] We won't say anything, we promise. [he holds her closer to him] But I think maybe you need to talk to Logan about all this. Well, maybe not you sleeping with other people, but your marriage.

PENNY SYLVESTER

[Penny shakes her head, looking from Sarah to Danny and back again.] I don’t know what I’m going to do about it. I mean, you’re right, I do need to talk to Logan, but not yet. I need some time to figure everything out. [Her puffy eyes are stinging and sore, and continue to leak tears though admittedly less intensely than before.] Right now I just—I need to sleep. [She leans into Danny, resting her forehead into his chest.] Can I sleep? You can stay, Sarah. [Sniffles.] I just need to sleep.

SARAH FABRAY

[Seeing the strain this was all taking on Penny, Sarah focuses on her health than to stretch the conversation further.] First you need to figure out what you want Pen. But give yourself a break and look after yourself. Your no good to yourself like this. [She gets up to clear away the tea and to help Penny get some rest.] You get some rest. Nothings gonna change right now you have time and we will be by your side to help when you need. You dont have to be on your own throug this anymore.

DANNY SYLVESTER

[reaches up to brush some of Penny's hair out of her face] Sarah's right, you need to look after yourself. [adjusts himself on the couch so he's comfortable and gets Penny settled on top of him] You can sleep now, come on take a nap, we'll both be right here. [presses a kiss to her head] We'll always be by your side.