Whoo, here we go! My first 30 Day Word Challenge! My friend's giving me random words, and I've got to make somethin' out of them! :D These one shots won't be connected (unless stated otherwise) and I'll try to keep them around 1.5k-2k words. I'll also put any warnings/quick descriptions beforehand as well. Can't promise to keep uploading everyday but I'll try! That said, enjoy!

Word: Difficult

TW: Mentions of previous deaths?

1.3k words


"Cavvvv…" The whine was long, loud, and drawn out, and it did nothing to ease Cavendish's irritation on the already hot day.

"What." He snapped back.

The biting tone was enough for Dakota to swivel upright from where he was hanging off their couch, upside down. He blinked owlishly for a second as the blood rushed back to where it was supposed to be, before frowning at Cavendish's snappy attitude.

"That wasn't really nice."

And Cavendish knew that. Of course, he knew that, general etiquette and the like. But it was way too hot in their apartment to deal with this, and their air conditioner was broken and there was no wind to assist them the old fashioned way in opening a window. And with a certain disease crawling around (why were they sent to this decade, just why?), it wasn't like they could easily leave the house, even for ice cream. And being stuck in a hot room with Dakota all day was quite possibly one of the most irritating things he's been through in years, and that's saying something.

And yet.

He sighed, knowing Dakota was right. Oh, how he hated when Dakota was right.

"I'm sorry Dakota. It wasn't."

Vinnie hummed, flopping back against the couch. His hand raised to grab the front of his tank top, fanning himself. "You doin' okay, Cav?"

Sticking out his tongue in defiance, Cavendish allowed himself to push against the desk he was sitting at, letting the wheels of the rolling chair he was on spin him away, next to the couch. With all the care of a chihuahua, he threw his feet up on the armrests, hoping that it would be some way to cool him down.

"Yes, yes, I'll be fine. What about you?"

By now, Dakota has sat up again, one eyebrow up. Oh boy.

"And you're sure about this?"

"About what?"

"That you're okay? Not overheating or anything?"

"Dakota- yes, I'm sure! Honestly, I'd like to believe that I know when I'd be overheating or becoming sic-"

"Nine times."

"I beg your pardon?"

Cavendish looked at Dakota in incredulousness. Dakota was looking off into a darker corner, arms cross, back slack against the couch. By all means, anyone looking at him at first glance would assume that he was calm, possibly enjoyed the heat, even.

But Balthazar knew better.

He knew better than to underestimate that tone.

"Nine times from overheating-heat stroke. Seven of those times, you nagged me to stop worrying. So. Do ya want some cold water from the fridge?"

"Oh. Uh- Ahem, well, then, I suppose so. Uh-get yourself some as well."

Dakota nodded, managing to unstick himself up from the couch despite the heavy heat pressing down on him. A little part of Cavendish's mind noticed the Italian staring at darker corners of the room, but it was immediately overpowered by what he'd said earlier once Vinnie left the room.

After all, it was admittedly difficult to...overall process what had happened. It's been a while since they've been in this era, and they've had a good few adventures in it, ones that he was sure no one else would ever know about, much less believe them. But even so, Cavendish was still...surprised, to say the least, when he was reminded that he'd literally died hundreds of times.

And that Dakota was willing to go back in time and break so many laws for him.

The gratitude and appreciation (and something else) that he felt for Dakota every time he realized this.

It was beyond what he could fathom. What either of them could fathom.

"Cav."

And just like that, Cavendish was jumped out of his thoughts, looking up from his zoning-out to see a chilled water bottle being offered to him, a small smile on Dakota's lips, his eyes closed behind his sunglasses.

"Thank you, Dakota." Cavendish took the water bottle, instant and sudden relief flooding him as it cooled his skin the instant it touched his fingers. He pressed it against his wrists, sighing happily. Maybe Dakota was right after all. Some care went a long way.

Which.

Speaking of…

Cavendish glanced over to the couch, taking in the sight of Dakota sprawled out on the seat. He had the water bottle pressed against his forehead, face scrunched a little at the sharp contrast in temperature, eyes still closed. His glasses slipped down his nose a little.

"Dakota, are you alright?"

There was something off about him. Cavendish just wasn't sure what yet.

"'Course. Why do you ask?"

Cavendish flinched. Well now, he was certain that there was something off in his voice. "You don't sound very well. What's wrong?"

"Nothin' Cav, don't worry about it."

"Don't-! Vinnie, please. This is borderlining hypocrisy!"

That got his attention. Dakota sat up a little straighter, cracking open an eye ever so slightly to look at Cavendish, neither noticing as he mirrored his partner's method of putting the water against his wrists, while Cavendish alternated to his forehead.

"What?" Dakota's voice was pressing on the edges of incredulity. "What in the world are you talkin' about?"

"Vinnie." At this point, Cavendish was exasperated. And while the water helped, the heat was still taking a toll on his patience, easily evident in their squabble. "Please. You cannot sit there and say it isn't hypocrisy when you're telling me to stay safe and you aren't allowing me to do the same to you!"

Here, Dakota threw out his free hand, mirroring Cav's aggravation. "But! That's where you're wrong Bal! I'm perfectly fine!"

"And yet-"

"And yet what?"

Cavendish didn't answer, allowing the silence to take up the space between them as they stared at each other. Well, Cavendish stared. Dakota looked vaguely in his direction with closed eyes.

So that's what's wrong.

"And yet, you still have yet to properly look at me."

Dakota was about to reply-

"With your bloody eyes open, Vinnie."

When he simply froze at the words Cavendish chose. Finally, Dakota sighed.

"Okay, fine. Yeah, you got me. That's fair."

Cavendish sighed, letting his feet drop from where they rested on the couch armrests. "Honestly Dakota, why must you be so difficult sometimes."

"Hey, I like being difficult!"

He snorted. "Yes, I can clearly see that." Switching seats from his desk chair to the free spot next to Dakota, Cavendish sat, turning toward the Italian male. "Now. What's wrong?"

Dakota blew out air through his mouth. "The light's too strong." The sentence was hardly even a whisper, but Cavendish would be damned if he didn't try his best to focus on Dakota's needs right then.

"The light's too-! Honestly, Dakota! Why in the world did you put up such a fuss over something so trivial! Goodness, I'd be happy to close the curtains more if you'd simply asked…"

"Sorry, Bal."

Cavendish let himself smile, lifting a hand to pat the soft curls atop Vinnie's head, the smaller male grinning with his eyes still closed. "Don't worry about it. But don't be afraid to ask me for help if your photophobia is bothering you, love."

"Thanks Baaaaaalll."

Cavendish chuckled, resting his still cold water against Dakota's wrist while he went to the window to pull the curtains even tighter than they were before. He paused, looking out the window, down the street, as people roamed, some sensible people wearing masks, others walking uncaringly. Most, he could see were squabbling, the heat bringing out the worst in them.

And as he closed up the curtains, Cavendish found himself smiling at the thought that he was lucky to be with Vinnie. Sure, they didn't have any air conditioning currently (he strongly hoped that the repair man came quick) and their window wasn't positioned right to get a good breeze, even if they were to get any.

But he was lucky to be able to be stuck with Dakota, on days where some things were just too difficult, where the possible became impossible, and the hard, the laborious.

And as Dakota waved him over for the proposition of a movie, his heterochromatic eyes now shining bright in the darkened room without his tinted glasses, Cavendish found himself thinking a single thought.

I'd be more than glad to take him for better or for worse, no matter the difficulties.


There we go! Day one done! Like I said, I'll try my best to upload daily (though, knowing me, we'll see how that goes XD) Anyways, thank you so much for reading! Reviews would be appreciated! Have a good morning/afternoon/evening/night and keep going dears! :D