InsaneJournal

Current mood:	scared
Entry tags:	30_somethings, backstory

Together (for 30_somethings)
Fandom: Highlander
Title: A Prodigal Return
Author: Jaye prince_of_tabar
Theme(s): (include the theme name, prompt number and prompt name) ANGSTS: 27. Together
Pairing/Characters: Daniel Hsu (OC); Hsu Danmei (OC)
Rating: PG
Disclaimer/claimer: All of the characters are original, from the Highlander fandom. Daniel, Hsu and Andy are all mine. Cody and Cassandra are used in limited manners with the permission of their author.
Critiques: Yes
Summary: Sometime after leaving walking out on his father, Daniel returns. Set sometime in the past.


It would take some nerve from any man to walk back into Hsu Danmei's presence after leaving as Daniel had done. The fact that he was Hsu's only natural born son only made the injury even worse. They had argued bitterly, to the point that people who were nearby swore that the walls had shaken. Those who had known Hsu centuries knew the depth of his temper, but Daniel showed a side of himself that they rarely saw, that as unlike his father he tried to be, his temper could be just as explosive. He had walked out, taken a ship and left with two intentions: finding his mother and never coming back.

Now he walked into the room where Hsu was seated at the dining table. Everyone else was there too. Such intimidation, knowing that he would have to probably beg to be permitted back home would make any man nervous. And Daniel was. He was scared, but what he had left behind had been so much worse.

His skin, usually a healthy golden brown was pale and sallow. He had lost a lot of weight and the muscles that he usually worked so hard to maintain were wasted away. Aside from the fear in his eyes, which wasn't just for his father, they were dull. He looked around the room. Cody, MacDonald, even his grandmother, Cassandra was there. This would be a public humiliation. No celebration for this prodigal.

He waited until Hsu was ready to address him. Finally, he did look up. Was that surprise or concern that flickered for just an instant in Hsu's eyes? It was gone to quickly to really tell. "Did you find her?"

That hadn't been the question he'd expected, and his mind stumbled for an answer. "No...no, I didn't." It wouldn't impress the far older Immortal, and Daniel knew all too well that once again he had failed. Failed to be a son to be proud of.

He shuddered as Hsu spoke, knowing what his quiet tone meant. "You left me. Took a ship and vowed never to return, and yet here you are, asking me to take you back."

Daniel took a deep breath and swallowed. What he said next could help heal the wound, and he badly, desperately needed to come home, or it could sever their ties completely. "I'm sorry." Those two words had been drummed into him almost as long as he could remember. Hsu only ever wanted to hear them if they were deeply, sincerely meant. He could feel every pair of eyes there on him. Every pair, except the ones that mattered most.

Hsu stood from his chair and turned away ready to leave.

"Dad! Please...wait!" It was no good, Hsu was already walking to the door. Although Daniel didn't go after him, everyone saw the sudden panic on his face. The fear that he would be shut out of his father's life forever. "Dad...Father, please!..." He was cut off as Hsu stopped and turned. That one word, a word he had always refused to call him. Father. It was always 'dad' simply because he knew it really grated on him. Now it was a plea from his heart. Those pale blue eyes bore into him, waiting. "I'm truly sorry, Father. I made a huge mistake leaving."

There was a pause, and then Hsu gave a nod for Daniel to follow him to his private study. When Andy made a move to accompany them, Hsu waved him down. "Just Daniel."