Ugh, Danny's parents are the worst. I'm with Danny; I don't understand how anyone could see something like that and not want to help. But then, Danny's parents can't even be bothered with the kid who's already their responsibility, let alone take on another one, even temporarily. It's just a good thing that Danny and Rusty have each other because they'd both be balls of misery who'd grow up into disfunctional adults when they grew up otherwise. They need each other to tell them they don't deserve it, if nothing else.

I've been rereading this fic lately and got to the chapter when Rusty's mom left and wondered what would have happened if Rusty's mom had taken him with her when she left.
Anyway! Another great chapter of this and can't wait for more, as always :)

Hey!

I started reading this a little while ago - maybe just over a week? - and I finished it a few days ago, but I unfortunately didn't have reliable internet and I was extremely busy so I had no chance to review. However, this story was absolutely amazing and I loved it so much so I thought that the least I could do is come back and leave you a review! (WARNING: This will probably be VERY long)

First, I want to say that I'm still trying to work out what the simile in the first chapter meant. I've decided that if I got it in an exam my response would be along the lines of 'The simile has no meaning that can be explained because it is unrealistic, as well as impossible, for fridges to have feelings or show emotion due to the fact that they are inanimate.' I'm sure my teacher would be very pleased! :D You probably didn't need (or want) to know that, but I felt the need to share.

I've grown extremely fond of Rusty and Danny from reading your story. Their interaction is so close and unique, especially the way you've written it. Danny's desire to help fits in well with the impressions I got from the movie - especially Ocean's 13 - as does Rusty's stubbornness and conviction that he doesn't need help. The ideas they come up with and the roles they play in the cons were great! I think my favorite would have to be this one, although the halloween party was a close second. I'll be honest and admit that I can't quite remember every detail, but what I do remember was fantastic!

Rusty's situation makes me feel desperately sorry for him and I want nothing more than for Danny to somehow make it better. I like to think I'm realistic however and I know that won't happen. Instead, I'm waiting with baited breath for the moment when they run away. Speaking of which... The timeline at the beginning of each chapter was very helpful, but I was confused by the section a the bottom 'sequels after they move away'. Are they future parts to the story that haven't been written/uploaded yet? Sorry, I'm just not sure whether I'm missing something or not.

Okay, this is much longer than I thought and I wish I could write more, but I'm slightly worried it may be TOO long. One last thing to say - because you really can't have a review without it!. Please, please, please update with more chapters soon! Now that I've started reading I can't escape from a desire, a need, to know what happens to Danny and Rusty!

Amazing story and this review - no matter how long - cannot do it justice.

-TaCo

Isn't it "All fun and games until somebody loses an eye"? And yes for the demon but also shivering for what might have been in mtcverse.

Lots of tension in Danny with the glaring and the snapping at Rusty and you make it quite clear why. The stakes have never been higher. A chance to break free from their homes and it matters and they need to get it right (which in Danny's head sounds more like *he* needs to get it right). And it's clear that it hasn't been plain sailing. Looking forward to reading the arrest chapter at some point and incidentally, absolutely right that things *don't* all go their way as thieves and conmen because they won't when they're older. S'more realistic. And it reinforces the point that not all danger is domestic.

Rusty isn't worried though. Because there's Danny to believe in. And I love the:

"He sighed and closed his eyes for a second. "I'm scared I'll let you down," he admitted quietly.

For a moment, Rusty just looked at him. Then he laughed, softly. "Oh, Danny," he said. "That's never, ever going to happen.""

Because no and never and that's not going to change.

Ahem. Story. Smiling for the arrangements for the Hallowe'en party to end all Hallowe'en parties. And I remember how starchy Julian is so I like the picture of him on his own or possibly with Norris with hats on their heads and forlorn Jello. This is so much better. Love the attention to detail with all the horror and giggling for the:

"Think we have enough," he said, before catching sight of the look on Rusty's face. "Huh. Okay, we'll get more."

which of course reminds me of O11.

Moment of ouch with Pat appearing. Of course the break up still hurts for Danny even though he'd never make any other choice. Still raw.

The crime itself is clever and straightforward and very them and I like that they hear from Leo how good they are. So they should. And more than anything, I like the happiness at the end. The belief that they can do the (im)possible.

I kind of love it when your story starts off with names I don't know. Means I get to spend the beginning of the story playing where's Danny and Rusty, like a really great game of Where's Waldo? And Danny's fondness for fake moustaches apparently began early. Which is sort of worrying really.

I'm glad that Danny and Rusty were able to help Doug out and seek his revenge for him. I feel like their childhood shenanigans dovetail nicely with their later exploits, which are part revenge, part defense of friends, and part hilarity. All in all, a lovely glimpse into Danny and Rusty's early career. And I'm glad Danny was able to hold onto his self-control, even if I would have appreciated him punching Blake myself.

this was as enjoyable as always. The ending brought a smile to my face.

At this point, if you post another story I think I'd be more excited than if a new Ocean's film was announced! Need another one! Maybe a DannyRusty chicken pox one...your one fic has me wondering...:D

This was, as usual, great. Loved seeing it from the other guy's eyes. And yes, I was getting angry at the same places as 'John' and I can't begin to imagine how hard this was for Danny. But they were, of course, great.
Thanks for sharing,
Maia
PS: feel free to rant as much as you want. You are so eloquent at it, it's a pleasure to read.

Awesome chapter!
Can't wait until the next update!

Have been enchanted by your writing. You are the real heroes of fanfiction and this genre with all its tropes and subgenres has been nought short of a revelation. Best of all, this fiction has been to me what is known in these circles as a canon fic. Which is why i need to make a clear breast of some of my misgivings. I am quite thankful that this platform allows me to do this as i have been disappointed even earlier in similar fashion by mainstream fiction with which i fell in love. I would like to make a qualified argument in favour of corporal punishment. Many of us in our oriental cultures and once upon a time in the west, too, cannot/could not imagine a childhood without it. Right or wrong, parents have a right to administer such punishment if the intention is not to harm the child in a permanent fashion even if they may be deluded into thinking they have the child's best interests in their mind when they don't because they have a right to making mistakes. A child does not come to appreciate the ways of the world if he or she doesn't experience a good thrashing and it is part of what motivates him or her to break the nest and achieve autonomy because, after all, if you are living at your parents' it is their rules you should live by whether they are right or wrong. On the other hand, if you treat a kid with kid gloves, so to speak, he/she will grow up to become an opportunistic individual who can do any wrong just to avoid a little physical distress. So I find Danny's mentality a bit cringe-worthy when he takes a moral stand in this regard and I also don't like the fact that he doesn't know the rules of offside in soccer and doesn't appreciate sports in general. Of course, I love the way you work out his innocence and heartbreak in his inability to see the imperfections and failings of the adults in his life.

I've been wanting to read the fishing trip since Danny mentioned so many chapters ago and although I thought it would be happier, kinda like the fair chapter, it was still great and I loved it.

My favorite part was:

"Rusty couldn't remember a day spent with Danny that hadn't been fun."

Because it's true, they could sit and watch paint dry and it would be fun as long as they're together.

And that peak at Luke's POV was priceless, I always wondered if he understood better than Barbara or if he cared a little more, but now I know he might be even worse, because he knows, and he's seen, and he cares a little, and he feels guilty, he's just a coward; I'm kind of dissapointed in him.

BTW I've been wondering, was there a hint of the boys being in jail, some chapters ago? and also, are you going to write that holliday they spent in a free clinic?

Thank you for the chapter, this is my favorite ff ever :)

I honestly thought the shark line was just Rusty's answer. Not describing things the way they actually are. I spent the rest of the story wondering about bored fridges instead.

That was just thirty minutes of pure angst in my life that I enjoyed. Yes, I guess I am that evil. It was wonderful, painful and bittersweet but I suppose reading it through is easier for me because unlike Danny and Rusty, I know they are going to pull through and have a life together just the way they dreamed it.

All the conversations between Danny and Rusty that don't have to be voiced, it breaks my heart that Rusty is broken that much, to not want to talk and yet I'm glad he has Danny to not need to talk. You'll have to take small blessing where you can take them I suppose.

Anyways, thanks for this!

Hey -

I've been reading this since... Jeez, four years ago? I have no idea, it's been ages, but it's always amazing and I always love it :)

Amazing as per usual! Your writing is as flawless as always, it continues to tug at my emotions! More please :D