Emily stared blankly at the math worksheet in front of her, the monotony of multiplication tables sapping her energy. "This again?" she muttered under her breath. "I know I'm supposed to blend in, but seriously, I know calculus and trigonometry for crying out loud!" A sigh escaped her as she slumped slightly in her seat, defeated by the drudgery of elementary math.

"Bored already, kiddo?" came Daniel's amused voice in her mind, seemingly echoing with a tone of both teasing and sympathy.

"You have no idea, Danny," Emily replied mentally, rolling her eyes at the worksheet. "How many times do they expect us to calculate 7 times 8?"

"Eh, not everyone has an interdimensional joker to spice up their day," Daniel joked as Emily felt waves of laughter ripple through her. "Want me to take over for a bit? You could zone out or hang with me while I handle this part."

"Oh my God, yes, please! That would be amazing, thank you!" Emily thought back, her heart swelling with gratitude and excitement.

"Hmm…let’s see, controlling just a hand…shouldn’t be too hard..” Daniel muttered to himself “Same brain, same synapses..let’s try ..this!”

A warm wave seemed to wash over Emily’s consciousness, and her pencil started moving across the paper on its own, guided by Daniel's unseen hand. “Ha! It actually worked! All right, Em. I got this," Daniel chimed, chuffed for being able to ease her burden.

As the worksheet filled itself under Daniel's control, Emily was beyond thrilled - excited at this newfound ability. She could feel the math and computations within herself - as though her subconscious was answering the questions of its own accord. “Don’t overthink it…” Daniel playfully nudged within sensing Emily’s puzzlement and questions over how the mind sharing functioned. “ We could have a bit of fun down the road with this but for now, why not relax?”

Emily took a breath and allowed her mind to drift, staring at the assignment so that Daniel could observe and solve the homework assignments. As the dull classroom environment faded into the background, she felt a deep sense of peace and connection with Daniel, momentarily free from the inane demands of her surroundings.

"Hey, Danny," she started, her curiosity piquing, "what did you do for fun back in your universe? When things weren't all crazy with health and stuff?"

"Hmm..." Daniel paused, the writing momentarily ceasing as he reminisced. "Well, I was big into gaming. PC games were my escape. I could lose hours, either alone or with friends. It was a good break from reality."

"I also loved sci-fi and fantasy books, and tinkering with tech was always a blast," he added with a soft chuckle that Emily felt as a gentle pulse of amusement. "Guess I was a bit of a geek."

"That sounds really cool," Emily mused, delighted to learn about this aspect of Danny's life. "Did you have a favorite game?"

"You could probably guess if you dug through my memories," Daniel replied with a soft sigh. "But yeah, I had a few favorites - RPGs’ especially. There was a game called Deus Ex that really stood out, you designed and leveled your character, explored cities, and I loved the mix of stealth and combat."

His enthusiasm grew as he continued, "And so called flight simulator games like Ace Combat, which were all about storytelling and dogfighting—totally unrealistic, but oh were they fun. Oh, and I can't forget strategy games like Civilization. Planning, outsmarting opponents—it was thrilling."

A wave of nostalgia hit Emily. "I wish I could've seen your gaming setup. Sounds like the tech here is pretty outdated compared to what you had."

"Yeah, it's a bit behind," Daniel admitted sheepishly. "More than a bit, actually. Games here would be considered retro where I come from."

Emily snorted at his comment, quickly checking to ensure her classmates hadn't noticed her sudden amusement. Satisfied she was still unnoticed, she pressed on. "What about this universe? Anything you like here?"

Daniel's gratitude was immediate and noticeable, warming Emily from within. "Well, I might not say it enough, but I do like you a lot," he responded with a hint of mischief in his voice. "And having a family again with you, Sarah, and Thomas... it's given me a second chance. After losing so much, finding a place here has been more healing than I expected."

He took a moment before adding, "And there's a kindness in this world, despite its quirks. It's gentler than my old universe, and I really hope it stays that way."

Emily smiled, her connection with Daniel deeper than ever. "I'm glad you're here, Danny. It started out weird, but now I can't imagine life without you."

"Thanks, Em," Daniel replied warmly. "I feel the same way."

–

As Emily basked in the warm sense of camaraderie with Daniel, she felt a pang, an undercurrent of wistful longing from him—a longing that was not nostalgic in nature but something deeper and more profound. It wasn’t just about missing the past; it was a sense of loss for moments and opportunities that could never return.

Instinctively, she asked, "Danny, is there anything you miss from your old universe?"

Daniel hesitated, unsure how to answer this question, and did not want to appear ungrateful for this new, albeit unorthodox life. Daniel hesitated, careful not to seem ungrateful for his new life. "I miss the familiarity, a few people, my old apartment... and the tech, definitely. The instant global connection was something else."

His voice seemingly softer he added “And I miss her…Jenna…”

He trailed off, his voice laden with bittersweet memories.

Emily's felt her own pang of sympathy for her invisible partner. "I'm sorry, Danny. It must be hard sometimes," she thought empathetically.

Emily started suddenly, nearly falling out of her chair, realizing that Daniel had, for the first time, mentioned this ‘Jenna’. She quickly scanned her shared memories with Daniel but found no trace of anyone named Jenna. The sudden secrecy jolted her; this was the first time Daniel had mentioned someone or something she didn't remember.

“Danny…” Emily started sternly, her curiosity piqued. “Who is Jenna?”

Daniel hesitated, his tone clearly surprised. "Oops... I didn’t mean to mention her, not until you were older," he confessed, evidently uncomfortable with the slip.

‘Danny…are you hiding things from me? I thought we were a team buddy? I didn’t even know you could hide memories from me…’ Emily mentally responded. The revelation stunned Emily, a sense of betrayal momentarily overpowering the bond they shared. Her eyes narrowed as she felt a mix of irritation and hurt bubble up within her.

With a heavy sigh, Daniel conceded. "You're right—I haven't shared everything. It’s not that I don’t trust you, Em. It’s just... some memories aren't suitable for you yet” he explained gently, his voice apologetic yet firm.

Trying to lighten the mood he added “There's a lot in my head that's not exactly PG, you know.”

"Don’t ‘Em’ me," Emily shot back with a huff, her voice filled with a mix of indignation and even challenge. "We’re supposed to be a team, right? Shouldn’t we share everything?"

Daniel paused, his voice tinged with hesitancy as he searched for the right words. "We are a team," he began slowly, trying to tread carefully. "But being a good team also means knowing when to protect each other from things that might be overwhelming."

He paused, gathering his thoughts before continuing, "Some things... they're not just inappropriate for now, they could actually hurt you. And that’s the last thing I’d ever want to do."

Emily felt his tone become almost pleading “Please - trust me on this one, okay? It’s just not time”.

Her brow furrowed in frustration, yet she recognized the protective intent behind his words. “Okay” she finally agreed, her voice laced with a reluctant acceptance. "But if there’s something I really need to know, you’ll tell me, right?"

“Of course”, Daniel assured her, his voice warm and sincere. “Anything that truly matters, I’ll share with you. But some memories are better left in the past or in a place until the right time or where they won’t cause any harm. You’re still growing, Em, and I want that to happen as naturally as possible”. With a chuckle he added “As naturally as possible with this whole dual consciousness from another universe thing anyway…”

Emily nodded, a sense of understanding dawning on her. She trusted Daniel, despite the secrets. "Alright, Danny. I trust you. Just... don't keep anything crucial from me, okay?"

"Never," Daniel replied, his voice firm yet gentle. "I promise, Emily."

–

After a moment, Emily asked with a hint of curiosity, “So… who is Jenna?”

She felt a pang of affection followed by an overwhelming sadness pulse through her being. It was a different sensation than she'd ever experienced from Daniel in the past —stronger, deeper and infinitely more complex. “Whoever or whatever Jenna was”, she thought slowly, “Daniel you had deep, powerful feelings for her…”

"Jenna was my… first… and last love," came Daniel’s voice, soft and forlorn. Emily’s breath caught, and a stronger wave of emotions flooded her mind. She felt it all—Daniel’s longing, his regret, the bittersweet memories that came with that name. It was raw, unlike the usual banter or casual memories they shared.

Sometimes, Emily forgot that her invisible partner had once lived a full life, had once been a person who experienced real relationships, who loved and was loved, before he was inexplicably stripped from his universe and thrown into hers. This was deeper than their usual talks about food or tech he missed—this was a piece of his heart, a memory of someone he had truly cherished.

"We met in high school. We must have been thirteen? Fourteen? Maybe older?" Daniel began slowly. "She had this kind, nurturing personality that made me feel like there was still good left in the world. And her smile... Emily, it reached right into my soul."

As he spoke, Emily saw images flash through her consciousness, as if she were peering through Daniel’s eyes. She saw Jenna at her locker, her smile radiant as she laughed with friends while rummaging through her locker. She felt Daniel’s heart skip as their eyes met for the first time before he quickly looked away, shy and unsure.

Daniel's memories shifted, showing Jenna from the back of the classroom, where he sat just a few rows behind her. He'd maneuver around just to get a better view, his heart racing every time their eyes met and she flashed him that smile.

Emily felt the nervous excitement when he was assigned as her lab partner, the quiet moments where he rehearsed what to say to her, as he tried to muster the courage to initiate a conversation, only to lose his nerve and shuffle away at the last second.

Emily couldn’t help but smile softly. “I had no idea you were such a bashful guy back then, big guy.”

Daniel’s laugh was tinged with sadness. “Am I really that different now? Sure, being this protective older brother-figure or whatever I am with an otherworldly knowledge gives me an odd confidence boost. But the shy, awkward kid who couldn’t talk to girls - that part never fully goes away."

His voice grew quieter, and more reflective. "I miss her, Em. Out of everything from my old universe, she’s one of the few things I truly miss. One of the few anchors I have left that I care for. She represented normalcy and happiness that I hadn’t felt till…till I came here…"

“What happened?” Emily asked cautiously, almost nervous to hear the answer.

“Oh, I did ask her out finally…” Daniel’s tone lifted as another memory surged to the forefront of Emily’s mind. She could see it: Daniel, sitting at his desk nervously scribbling a note, then catching sight of Jenna in the hallway. The scene shifted as she watched him approach, heart pounding, trying to muster up courage.

“Hey, Jenna...umm...look, I’m not good at this,” Daniel’s voice echoed in the memory, shaky and unsure, “But you’re awesome and sweet, and I like you, and...I’d really like to go on a date with you...but no pressure or anything! Just...if you’re interested...you know...let me know.” He stammered through his confession, the words tumbling out faster than he intended, before quickly retreating to his locker, feeling his ears burn. “Well, shit, that could have gone better,” he thought, gently knocking his head against the metal of his locker. “Smooth, Daniel, real smooth...”

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Then, in the memory, Emily felt a soft tap on his shoulder. Daniel froze, and Emily felt his nerves spike as he cautiously turned around, eyes wide, to see Jenna standing there—blushing, just as nervous as he was.

“I’d been waiting for you to ask me, Danny…” Jenna whispered, looking down shyly. “I’d love to go on a date with you.”

Emily could practically feel the overwhelming rush of disbelief and relief that flooded Daniel. In that memory, he awkwardly reached for Jenna’s hand, gripping it gently, only to squeeze it tighter as a wave of joy and excitement washed over him. Without saying much more, they started walking together, heading toward class, though Emily knew their hearts and minds were miles away from anything school or academic related at that moment.

The memory faded, leaving Emily feeling the lingering warmth of Daniel’s emotions. Her eyes dampened, tears close to spilling over. With a soft sniffle, she wiped them away. “Wow, Danny, you were quite the Casanova,” she teased gently, her voice tinged with affection. "I'm glad you found her. She seems wonderful—I can feel how much she meant to you."

“She was,” Daniel responded, a glowing presence within her mind, his emotions radiating through their connection. "We went out for years. It was... wonderful. We grew together, dreamt together, and talked about making a life together." His voice, though still soft, carried the weight of that love. "It was one of the best times of my life."

Emily could feel the bittersweet nostalgia, but beneath it was a profound sense of gratitude that Daniel had experienced something so beautiful. She paused, reflecting on what he shared, her heart aching for him yet happy that he'd had those moments of joy and connection. "I'm really glad you had that, Danny. You deserved it."

The glow inside Emily dimmed, fading into something more somber, more regretful. “It wasn’t meant to be—my health... it destroyed everything," Daniel’s voice was quieter now, tinged with sadness. "As the pain got worse, I started pushing everyone away. I didn’t mean to… but I ended up pushing her away too.”

Emily saw a memory flash before her—a young adult version of Jenna, tears streaming down her face, turning away from Daniel. The image cut off abruptly, leaving Emily with the intense emotional aftermath. It was as though she could feel Daniel’s sob, a deep wave of regret and sorrow crashing over her from his side.

“I’m sorry, Em,” Daniel said, his voice strained. “This is why I guard some memories. I’ve already unloaded enough baggage on you.”

“Hey, hey, Danny—listen to me,” Emily thought back firmly, her own voice shaking, close to tears herself. “It wasn’t your fault, okay? I saw your pain, I saw how it tore your soul apart. Anyone would have struggled to keep a relationship going, but you still kept going, didn’t you?”

Her inner voice grew stronger, more resolute as she continued, “You still went to work. You still tried to live, even though you were in pain every moment of every day. You kept pushing until you couldn’t anymore.” Tears started welling up in her eyes, flowing slowly down her cheeks, and she wiped them away quickly.

Daniel's presence in her mind was hesitant, shadows of past regrets flickering. "It's just hard, you know, Em? By the end, I spent so much of my life trying to protect everyone from my pain, from the mess it caused," he admitted, his voice a blend of remorse and oddly enough a faint, weary relief.

“You’ve done more than enough. Let the regret go, it’s time," Emily reassured him confidently, her words full of warmth and reassurance. "You’ve helped me so much more than any pain you might inadvertently have caused back then. You’re here, and that matters.”

Feeling a wry chuckle from Daniel and possibly a small sniffle “You have a way with words kid” he started. “Trauma is not easy to heal from but you, Sarah, Thomas…each day you help my heart feel a bit lighter make it better”.

Hesitatingly he added “I just hope..Jenna..she is okay..wherever or whenever she is”

“I’m sure she is Danny…I’m sure she is…” Emily replied, hugging herself as hard as she could, not caring if anyone saw her. All she wanted to do was let her Danny know it was okay - that he was okay.

She felt Daniel nod internally. He wasn’t ready to talk more about Jenna or the pain of his old life just yet. But with Emily by his side, he knew that maybe one day, he could.

Their conversation ended on a note of mutual trust, but Emily couldn't shake off a lingering curiosity about the depths of Daniel's past that remained locked away from her. Yet, she knew one day, those doors would open when she was truly ready to face whatever lay beyond them.

—

As their conversation drifted, Emily's curiosity got the better of her. Hey, Danny, I’ve been wondering... When you first showed up in my universe and, you know, accidentally hijacked my consciousness? What was the weirdest part for you?

Daniel chuckled, a bit sheepishly. “I do hate it when you call it a hijack. I really didn’t mean to - it just..happened for reasons that escape me. One moment I was lying in my apartment trying to get sleep and the next I was waking up in someone else’s house and body with no explanation”

Emily chucked “Okay fine…when you first woke up in my body with no explanation, what was the weirdest part for you?” When she didn’t sense a reply, Emily prodded, eager to hear more “Well, come on now, what was the absolute strangest thing?”

“You’re not going to let this go are you?” she felt Daniel grumble. “In that case, I think one of the weirdest things was just... adjusting to your body. I mean, I went from being in this 6 foot 2 body to suddenly being inside a three foot nothing little kid. The spatial awareness was absolute chaos - my balance, my memories, even learning how to brush my teeth were all all off. I’d try to reach for something, expecting my arm to be the same length as it used to be, and then I’d just, like, totally miss it.” He laughed a little at the memory. “It was like learning how to move all over again. Dad had to catch me more than once as I fell over”

Emily giggled at the thought. “I vaguely remember that, I can only imagine what that was like for you!” Sensing more openness from Daniel she prodded again “What else? Come on, I’m sure there was other stuff”

“Another big thing was just... reconciling the whole ‘mom and dad’ thing”, Daniel continued, his tone more thoughtful now. “It had been a long time since I’d called anyone Mom or Dad. I was used to being independent, not having parents around to guide or look after me. So suddenly having these two people who were so invested in me..us…whatever, who cared and wanted to protect me... it was really jarring. And then, having to respond to them, trying to figure out how you were supposed to act—especially when I had to pretend to be you—it was a lot to process. And the entire time your consciousness was slowly reasserting itself so I didn’t know when it was me or when it was you…”

Emily nodded, understanding. “Yeah, that makes sense. It must have been tough, trying to navigate all of that while also figuring out where you were and what was going on.”

“It was”, Daniel agreed. “But honestly, one of the strangest things was… the clothes.” He hesitated, trying to find the right words. “I mean, I was used to dressing like a guy, right? And suddenly, I’m in these clothes that are… well, meant for a girl. Figuring out how to wear them, how they felt, how to move in them without feeling completely out of place—it was bizarre. I’d never really thought about how different clothes could be between genders until I was, you know, actually wearing them.”

Emily couldn’t help but laugh at that, picturing Daniel’s awkwardness. “I bet that was a trip!”

“You have no idea, I still don’t know why girls..women…like that annoying frilly sh…stuff.” he muttered quickly catching himself..

Continuing quickly as if eager to share more for the first time “And then there was the whole thing of understanding your relationships with people. Like, who your friends were, what your social dynamics were like. I had to do some quick reconnaissance to figure out who I could trust, who I should be wary of… it was like being dropped into the middle of a play without knowing the script.”

‘I never thought about that…” Emily said with a note of consideration in her voice. “But you handled it pretty well, considering everything. I mean, you didn’t ding my body, you kept me mostly safe and you didn’t let on that anything was weird to anyone else. That’s pretty impressive, Danny.”

Thanks, Em, Daniel said, his tone softening. “Maybe in my next life I should be a special agent…”

Daniel paused, his voice a mixture of wonder and introspection, as if he were understanding the reality of their situation for the first time himself. "You know, one of the truly strange moments was when your consciousness began to reassert itself. It was so gradual, so subtle—I didn't feel it taking shape, and I don’t think you were aware of it either. Each day, a little more of you stirred awake - it was like watching a stalactite form, each drop adding to it slowly over time. We began reaching an equilibrium without even realizing it."

Emily almost felt him sigh, almost as if he could see the past finally unspooling before him. "Your childhood memories began to resurface, while I could access mine through a haze, unsure if I was remembering as myself or through you. Then you started speaking about me in the third person, as if I were another presence in your mind rather than part of you. The dynamic between us shifted subtly, and before I knew it, I became a guiding voice inside your head, helping you navigate the world almost instinctively.”

Empathically he added “Gosh it was confusing, I didn’t know where I ended and you began anymore. It wasn't easy, navigating this new existence, but I knew I had to make it work. You were counting on me, even if you didn’t realize it at the time. I also didn’t exactly know what I was doing all the time - sometimes I would come to you as a shadow in your dreams - I don’t know how I did it, I just knew I could do it. I thought of introducing myself so many times but some part of me knew that your consciousness, and perhaps mine too, had to naturally come into harmony - it couldn’t be forced."

Emily couldn’t help but smile softly, feeling another pulse of joy from Daniel. “And now, here we are, embarked together on this weird, wonderful journey. It’s as bewildering as it is miraculous, and though it’s far from simple, it's ours.”

Her smile deepened, solidifying the connection she felt with her invisible partner. “I’m glad you’re here, Danny. Even if it was weird at first, I wouldn’t change it for anything.”

“Same here,” Daniel replied warmly. “We’re a team, and you know…I don’t think I would trade that for the world.”

“Even if you are an old man…” Emily playfully shot back.

Instead of retaliating with another quip, Daniel was thoughtful for a moment. “Am I though? I don’t remember how old I really am…or used to be”

“What do you mean?” asked Emily startled at yet another revelation. “You used to be what, early twenties?”

“Right, right…” Daniel unconsciously responded still deep in thought. “But…is a consciousness really bound by age? Does it perhaps adapt to the mind it finds itself in?”

Both Emily and Daniel were quite for a moment - lost in thought - until Daniel finally broke the silence “I’ve changed Emily, I can’t explain it…but I think there were consequences to being merged with a child’s mind...don’t ask me more…I’m still trying to figure it out”.

Emily opened her mouth to say respond but hesitated as she sensed Daniel deep in thought. She could sense some confusion but there were no signs subtle or otherwise suggesting he was hiding something from her. She decided to let it go for now and let Daniel come to his own conclusion and share with her when he was ready.

–

Hey, Danny, Emily started, her tone curious but a little hesitant, I’ve been thinking… do you ever, like, go away? You know, when I need privacy or something?

There was a moment of silence in her mind before Daniel responded with a chuckle. “You mean, do I ever stop being in here with you?” he asked, his voice light but understanding. “Well, not really. I’m kind of always here, but it’s not like I’m constantly watching everything you do, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

Emily’s face flushed slightly, a bit embarrassed by the question. “So… you don’t see everything?” she pressed, needing some reassurance.

“Not exactly”, Daniel replied gently. “Think of it like this: You’re the main program, and I’m sort of like a background process. I’m here, but I’m not always, you know, active. And if I sense that you need privacy or some space, I can just… shut off for a while. It’s like putting myself on mute.”

Emily felt a wave of relief but also curiosity. “So you just… shut off? But then..don’t you feel trapped?”

“Yes, I do shut off, and no, I don’t feel trapped.” he stated quite firmly and bluntly. “Our consciousness merge is elusive—it’s something you feel more than put into words.”

Emily could sense Daniel searching for the correct verbiage to explain this complex relationship. “Look, when you look through your eyes, do you consciously acknowledge you're looking? Or when you move your hand—whether to write, brush your hair, or scratch an itch—is it always a conscious decision, or does it sometimes feel automatic, almost like you're observing from the third person?”

Emily nodded her head slowly, attempting to digest Daniel’s explanation. “That's similar to how I experience things. It’s as if I'm here, participating in moving your arm or blinking, but not actively controlling every action. It's like being on a ship where you're the captain steering us forward, and I'm here to help navigate or take over only when you need me to.”

“But what is it exactly like for you to just shut off?” Emily pressed, her curiosity piqued.

Daniel sighed, a hint of amusement in his tone. “You're overthinking it again, Emily. It's less about 'shutting off' and more about stepping back. It’s an instinct, a natural withdrawal. Imagine how you might lower your voice or walk softly when you sense Sarah needs quiet. It’s similar to that—I sense your need for privacy, and I recede, giving you space, almost like slipping into a restful state. Not quite asleep, not quite gone, just...quieter and out of the way.”

“Hmm- that actually makes sense!” Emily thought understanding facets of what he was trying to communicate. With a mischievous glint in her eye, Emily teased, “I could let you drive this body more if you want. It is nice letting you do my schoolwork for me”.

Daniel’s response came with a matching twinkle of humor. “I know, and maybe one day I might have to take the driver’s seat for a bit. But let’s not put the cart before the horse, okay? I’m quite happy being the co-pilot. Besides, it is one thing answering multiplication questions - it is another thing to swap in and out like a CD!”

–

As the weeks and months passed, Emily and Daniel’s relationship and bond grew in ways neither of them could predict. They became more than just two entities sharing a body - more than a host and resident consciousnesses. Unconsciously, both began considering the other as siblings - unconventional as they may be. Daniel slipped into the role of an elder brother figure, serving as a guide and a friend in Emily’s journey. In some ways, he found meaning and purpose in this unexpected life in a manner he never expected - meaning he lacked in his previous life. Preferring to not take center stage, he remained intensely protective of Emily, always watching out for her with steadfast care from the background.

Emily, for her part, embraced the role of a younger sibling, leaning into an emboldened sense of mischievousness—much to Daniel’s amused exasperation. She thrived in her role as the spirited, sassy little sister but instinctively balanced this persona with a warmth that seemed to heal something in Daniel he hadn't realized was broken.

As Daniel shared his life experiences and wisdom, Emily shared her youth and vibrant energy, bringing lightness and joy to his life in a way he had forgotten. Their banter grew, sometimes playful, sometimes mischievous, but always warm and trusting at its core.

The two of them spent more time in the dreamscape—the realm within their shared consciousness that they had conjured together and helped it grow in vividness and depth. Neither of them was entirely sure how this incredible world had taken shape in their minds, but they explored it with excitement, each discovery a shared memory or a new creation, unfolding with boundless possibilities. This world became their sanctuary, a place where they could freely explore the essence of who they were—both individually and together.

For now, Emily and Daniel chose to keep their bond a secret, unsure of how to reveal the complexity of their shared existence even to those closest to them. Deep down, however, both knew that the time would come for this secret to reveal itself naturally—and in the near future.