#dad!danse

Danse was momentarily grateful that Shaun's attention was still focused on Bradley since it allowed him to hide the flash of panic that undoubtedly crossed his face. “What do you mean?” He asked, stalling for time as he thought of an appropriate way to answer.

Shaun finally turned towards Danse, his expression open and curious. “I’ve seen how he looks at me when he doesn't think I can see him.” He answered matter-of-factly. “And sometimes when I ask him for parts. He looks sad. Why is he so sad? Is it because of what happened to Mom?”

Danse didn't know how to answer. Both Bradley and himself had been dreading this conversation for months, unsure of how to broach the subject. Now it seemed that Shaun had done it for them.

Shaun's tone was full of innocent curiosity, unaware of just how sore of a subject he’d touched upon. Unaware, because they’d kept him in the dark. Danse barely managed to keep the grimace from his face. They’d never planned to keep the truth from the boy long term, but they had wanted to give him time to adjust to his new surroundings first.

“I...” Danse coughed nervously. Damn it. There really was no way of postponing the conversation at this point. Shaun was too smart..and too perceptive. He sighted heavily as he hoisted himself out of his seat at the workbench. “I’m going to go get your Dad.” His hands came up to rest gently on Shaun’s shoulders as the kid opened his mouth to protest. “I know you asked me because you didn’t want to bother him. Or hurt him. This is something that your dad has a hard time talking about, but I know that he would want to be the one to talk to you about this.”

Danse realized rather belatedly that he hadn’t been very reassuring and Shaun’s frown was all the confirmation he needed on that account. He did his best to smile and bumped the underside of Shaun’s chin with a loose fist. “Chin up, kid. It’s nothing too bad. Your dad and I love you no matter what.”   

After a moment Shaun nodded and mumbled a quiet “yes, Pops.” Danse ruffled his hair affectionately and jogged away to retrieve Bradley.

Like every time Danse looked at Bradley, he couldn’t stop the warm smile that spread across his face. It was mid-July and the temperature was finally warm enough that Bradley had ditched his ever present jacket for a red cut-off tank and jeans. He turned to smile at Danse as the older man caught his attention with a hand on his shoulder and Danse almost wished he wasn’t about it wipe it away.

Danse knew that Shaun was watching them. He knew that Shaun could see Bradley’s smile falter and his shoulders tense as Danse leaned in to quietly inform him of the situation. He hoped that the boy didn't get the wrong idea, but acknowledged that they were both doing a poor job of acting reassuring. Danse gave Bradley’s shoulder an encouraging squeeze and was rewarded with a tight nod in response. He watched as the younger man headed toward the workbench for a moment before he made for the Castle’s outdoor bar and rummaged around in a cooler. Three Nuka-Colas- cherry for Bradley and original for him and Shaun. He hoped a cold drink would make this conversation a little easier for everyone.

When he turned back toward the workbench, Bradley was crouched down in front of Shaun’s chair so that he could speak to the kid at eye level. He was nervously rubbing the back of his neck while Shaun repeated his question and looked at Bradley in hesitant expectation. They both turned towards Danse as he approached and gratefully accepted the bottles he offered.

“So... are you going to tell me why you’re always sad now?” Shawn asked as Danse settled back into his seat. Shaun picked at the label of his Nuka-Cola and Danse sighed. Clearly they’d made him nervous.

“Of course, kid. I...” Bradley trailed off, unsure of where to begin.

Danse took over for him, hoping that once the conversation had started, the words would come easier to them both. “Shaun...you’ve heard us and some of you dad’s friends talking about how I’m a synth right? How the Institute...created me?”

“Of course,” Shaun answered. “You said that a lot of Synths didn’t like the Institute so they escaped. You were one of them”

Danse hummed in agreement. “And you’re a synth too.” Bradley shot him a look, but the two of them could beat around the bush for ages. Better to get it over quick.

“Wha- Dad?” Shaun looked to Bradley for confirmation, his confusion written all over his face.

Bradley looked Shaun in the eye and gave him a small nod. “It’s true. The Institute made you the same way they made Danse.”

“But...why?”

“The Institute kidnapped the original Shaun sixty years ago.” Bradley admitted, his face twisting at the memory. “You knew him as...Father. When I was released from the Vault... he had you made to look just like he did as a child as- as bait. When Pops and I took down the Institute he had your memories changed so that you would think of me as your dad.”

Shaun seemed to shrink at the admission, curling inward in self doubt. Danse knew exactly what he’s going through and pulled him in for a tight hug. Bradley joined the embrace and soon Shaun was sandwiched tightly between them.

“But...why? Why did you take me then. If I’m not the real Shaun-”

“Hey, hey, none of that.” Danse shushed him, trying to break that train of thought before it set in too deep.