Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"Aaand... how many unbroken inventions is that this week?" Penfold asked as he walked over to Squawkencluck, his voice tinged with concern.

"Six," the professor sighed, not sounding happy at all. The two shared a look before turning their heads towards the laboratory door. Danger Mouse was skulking through the threshold. This was the eighth time he'd come to the lab that week and, like Squawkencluck had said, the sixth time he hadn't broken a single thing during his visit.

Normally, this would've delighted the professor (except perhaps for some extra funding for her studies). But once she realised that part of Danger Mouse's increased sense of caution was coming from a bout of depression, her relief turned back into worry. And she was not alone in this worry. All of London worried along with her.

Even villains like Greenback were worried because of late, Danger Mouse had not been his usual self. He no longer seemed to want to do anything even remotely daring or dangerous. He had no mood for competition or combat, even though those were the very two things that drove him, fueled his fiery motivation, and more. Friend and foe alike had since noticed Danger Mouse's sharp change in character, and they were all worried for him.

"Vat is ze point if Danger Mouse no longer wishes to fight me?!" Greenback asked his loyal henchman, Stiletto.

"Well, baroni, we can always use this chance to take over London, now that we know Danger Mouse won't fight back anymore!" The blackbird attempted to suggest, however, Greenback looked personally offended by the mere idea.

"Now where is your sense of honour?!" He demanded, despite not having any himself.

And all the other villains of the city were in a similar state of worry and confusion that Danger Mouse was no longer up to his usual antics. But it was Danger Mouse's partner who figured out the reason for this bout of depression first: Ernest Penfold.

Exactly 3 days earlier, when the mouse's behaviour became apparent, the hamster was alone, cleaning their shared living space. A lot had changed over the course of their many adventures, with an unexpected confession leaving the two deciding to take things slow; everything seemed to be looking up. Though, with the sudden change of emotion from the mouse, the hamster too, worried greatly.  

Penfold's movements were methodical, his mind elsewhere as he cleaned the spy mouse’s room. Suddenly, a faint creak echoed through the room, drawing his attention to the floor beneath the bed. With a mixture of curiosity and trepidation, he knelt down and reached under, his hand trembling slightly as he grasped the loose floorboard. With a careful tug, he lifted it, revealing a shadowy space beneath.

In the dim light, Penfold's eyes widened as they fell upon a crumpled note nestled in the darkness. He hesitated, his heart pounding in his chest, before gingerly retrieving it. The paper felt heavy with significance as he smoothed it out, revealing the words written in large, pink, elegant handwriting:

Fifi.

Penfold's breath caught in his throat as he stared at the name, his mind racing with a whirlwind of emotions. Normally, he would have dismissed such a find as inconsequential, but the circumstances surrounding this discovery made him falter. Why would such a note be hidden under Danger Mouse's bed? 

And who on earth was Fifi?

His hands trembling, Penfold now turned to Squawkencluck, who met his gaze with equal surprise and concern. The silence between them stretched taut, the weight of unspoken questions hanging heavily in the air. Penfold swallowed hard, struggling to find his voice amidst the growing sense of unease.

The professor sighed as she glanced towards the hamster, who seemed to now be looking anywhere but at her, specifically the letter she now held. He hadn't read it, clearly wanting to respect the mouse's privacy. Squawky had grown fond of the hamster; he had a good heart, she wished nothing but for the pair's relationship to go as smoothly as, well, their missions. The last thing she wanted was to be caught up in an affair. Good gravy.

"I was cleaning up the Chief's lounge since he hasn't been in the mood to clean since... ever," the hamster began, bringing her out of her thoughts.

"When has he ever cleaned anything in his life?" Squawkencluck interrupted with a snort, crossing her wings and shaking her head knowingly.

"But I found this on the floor, hidden entirely under his bed- I-I think this may be the source of at least some of our worries..." he trailed off, unwilling to comment further.

Clearly, there was more he wanted to say so the professor patiently waited. She couldn’t imagine such a situation occurring so it was important to approach it with such caution.

“Does…” Penfold trailed, still not meeting the chicken’s kind gaze yet posed the question anyway bracing for the answer. “Does it say anything?..At all?- I thought it might’ve been a fan message or something but under his bed professor? ”

Squawkencluck relaxed, turning over the paper in her hands. Nothing but a simple name adorned in elegant swirls of writing. Judging by the ink it was recent. She was sure of it. She shook her head watching the hamster sigh, visibly relaxing. That was until she noticed the crumpled edge of paper. 

Squakencluck narrowed her eyes, her gaze calculating as she began to pry the paper open. To their surprise it worked. Squawkencluck blinked, momentarily taken aback, for the only words written were-

Soon.

“Soon..?” Penfold inquired with a frown. “But…What does that…” He trailed, seemingly unable to forge his own thoughts.

"Has... Danger Mouse ever mentioned previous partners?" She inquired gently, catching Penfold by surprise, who in turn shook his head.

"Chief never mentioned any... not that I recall asking," the hamster responded with a frown, his fidgeting increasing. "Y-You don't think—?"

"No, no, no! I... just wanted to be sure is all. For all we know, Fifi could be an old friend or an out-of-touch relative looking for nothing more than to mooch off of his popularity and fame!" She suggested, attempting to reassure the clearly worried hamster.

"Well, I do hope it's the latter," Penfold murmured earnestly, beginning to relax a little.

"Not to worry, why don't... I ask around, perhaps someone in the agency knows who she is?" The professor suggested. Though the hamster was very much against the idea of snooping further, curiosity was a very slippery slope. He just hoped there wasn't a spiralling downside to the outcome.

Penfold did end up joining the hen despite her offer, and the pair spent the rest of the day scouring the agency, asking every other agent if they might recognise the name, but they received negative answers all around. All except from Colonel K.

"The name does sound familiar," he began slowly, scratching his bushy facial hair. "But where, where, where was it from?"

"Oh good! So we aren't mad then!" Squawkencluck cried in relief. Over the course of the day, she'd begun to question her sanity more and more when no one else seemed to recognize the name "Fifi."

"Well, I wouldn't say that," K remarked, giving Squawkencluck an unreadable look. But before she could register what he'd said, he was returning to his previous train of thought. "It's a name I remember Danger Mouse mentioning to me before, but not very often. From what I recall, she... was someone very important to him," the Colonel trailed off, not wishing to say more on that matter, for Penfold's sake. However, no more needed to be said for the hen and hamster to piece it together...

"So, is there any way we can figure out exactly what's going on?" Squawkencluck asked cautiously, filling in the silence the bushy-haired, frankly weird animal they couldn't place left.

"Hmm, well, there is one person you might ask," K said, reaching behind his desk to grab a file. It was for Ian, the (ex) ultimate danger fan; even though he wasn't on the best of terms with the agency at the moment. Penfold looked ready to refuse, Ian of all people, the loudmouth, tiresome, obsessed fan, yet... the agents were able to carry on a conversation with him without the guy going crazy over the spy mouse. If there was anyone who knew more about Danger Mouse than the spy himself, it was Ian.

Penfold pretended not to be hurt by this.

"Shall we pay a visit to an old friend?" The hen asked the hamster.

“Friends a bit of a stretch,” Penfold grimaced, weighing the options before him. 

"We've got no leads; so I suppose we don't have any choice," the hamster replied, looking less enthusiastic about digging further into the spy's past. Though the hamster told himself it was necessary if he wanted the Danger Mouse he knew and cared for back. Yet the idea of speaking to Ian again...

It was decided then. Ian was their only chance; with a cost at stake, they took the opportunity to risk it all.

It was time for a trip to Arkwright Asylum.

Chapter Text

The plan was to meet in the lab at night, a trip to the asylum in the day was a dead huge giveaway something was wrong. Especially without the spy mouse present.

Later in the very afternoon, Penfold busied himself with a video game attempting to distract himself from the latest discoveries when a certain man of the hour skulked through the door, brows furrowed looking more on edge than usual. He couldn’t bear to see his chief like this. The hamster had simply had enough.

"Chief..." the hamster almost whined as the agent trudged into the lounge.

The mouse's ears perked up as he glanced towards his significant other.

"What's gotten into you?.." Penfold murmured, the question lingering as big doe eyes behind the glasses shone.

Danger Mouse let out a small sigh. Oh good grief.

This always seemed to melt the mouse. Danger Mouse sighed as he headed over and sat beside the curious hamster. Nothing about the note and Fifi were mentioned. The hamster never liked to pry, especially when it came to the agent's private life. He knew so much yet it seemed so little all at the same time. He could demand it as his partner but would it be right? It was still too early after all…

"I'm just worried is all..you haven't been yourself lately...has something happened?" The sincerity in his tone perked the mouse's ears up even further as he leaned back wrapping an arm around the hamster.

"Penfold I'm fine. If something had happened you would know." He attempted to crack his devious grin that didn't quite meet his eye. 

"Something must have. You don't want to do anything anymore. All the things you strived for, what motivates you! I even had a call from the Stilleto asking about your whereabouts!"

“Penfold,” Danger Mouse sighed gently, taking the smaller ones hand. “You motivate me,”

Penfold flushed, immediately taken aback. “C-Chief..” 

“Don’t you remember you’re even the reason I wanted to join the agency in the first place?” Danger Mouse seemed to state as a matter of fact leaving his partner to continue to reel as if it was not blatantly obvious his devotion for him. Danger Mouse had never been showy with his emotions unless it was pride but this… this was..-

"Hang on a chip- Stiletto called here?????" Danger Mouse suddenly inquired, losing his train of thought.

"Yes. Stilleto!" 

The mouse sighed. "Honestly Penfold..I..." he trailed off, finding words were very uncharacteristic of the agent yet the hamster remained patient as he listened.

"Matters with an old acquaintance from the past-" he muttered in almost a low growl as he waved his hand indicating it wasn't a big of a deal.

"Whatever it is with her- ER I MEAN t-this person! I'm sure we can handle it together, like always chief," the hamster beamed reassuringly, a little too wide as he corrected himself. The mouse smiled down warmly.

 "We sure will." Danger Mouse agreed, rather cryptic with his wording but Penfold wasn’t about to lose the chance for him to open up.

"Though that's...not all I suppose." Danger Mouse trailed off looking down at their entwined hands.

"Aye?" Penfold inquired with a curiously raised brow.

"With that film you're shooting you've hardly been around Penfold! I'm all alone! How can I be number one without my number two?!" He exclaimed, earning a childish giggle from the hamster.

"Really Penfold?..Number 2 isn’t that-" The mouse groaned though he smirked also, till they were both in fits of laughter.

"Chiiiieef! You shouldn't worry, filming will be over in a month's time and then I'm all yours again! But you have to continue on without me around. And Besides! On your breaks you still come visit the studio!" The hamster argued playfully trying to bring back the spark in the agent, and it was working. Visit was an understatement, it was surprisingly hard to pry the spy mouse away from the studio.

"I suppose but it's not the same. Does get rather boring and lonely Earnest." He huffed sourly.

The hamster's ears drooped, it hadn't occurred to him he could've also been the reason for his partner's strange behaviour.

"Crumbs chief, I'm so sorr-"

"--No, no, Penfold." The Mouse sighed interjecting. He stared down at their entwined hands. "I know it's been.. harder, I know I've been..a little distant,"

A little his ass. But Penfold didn’t voice this.

"It’s okay chief, really. Just promise me you'll keep on when I'm not around?" The hamster chuckled, holding out his pinky finger.

"-hang on what's that supposed to mean?!" The mouse yelped eyeing the outstretched hand as if it were a doomsday device.

"That you'll keep hunting down the baddies while I'm filming chief..."

"Oh. Right of course. Sounded a little ominous there."

The hamster sighed deflated but the mouse entwined his pinky with his own.

"Oh, alright, I promise." Danger Mouse laughed.

"And you better keep it!"

The mouse leant in, pressing their lips for a gentle kiss catching the hamster off guard before they both parted.

"Don't I always Penfold?"

"Mm…-Oo! Oo! Why don't we have an evening out to ourselves chief!"

"Evening? What do you have in mind?" Danger Mouse hummed.

"Dinner! Somewhere nice or even here! Just..the two of us? A-A way to both de-stress and spend time together.." Penfold suggested sheepishly unsure whether the mouse's mood would suddenly derail at the mention of something intimate.

The agent hesitated, brows furrowed unsure. The hamster paid close attention but it was only for a brief moment before his face switched to a small smile. "Sounds good to me."

Penfold gawped. "A-Are you sure? We coul-"

"-Penfold, shush. Let's have an evening to ourselves. It sounds wonderful." Danger Mouse beamed. 

Penfold was hesitant, but with a smile like that, how could the man refuse?

~~~~~~

And that evening off the pair went, enjoying themselves as they had a romantic dinner at London's finest restaurant.

 The evening went smoothly as well..their missions with the couple enjoying themselves greatly nonetheless. It wasn't uncommon to see the two out and about eating at restaurants so many onlookers thought nothing of it. Though naturally many gushed and hoorayed the sight of the famous spy mouse amongst their midst, Penfold didn't mind the sight. He could tell it was just what the mouse needed. A reminder he was cared for and considered beyond the HQ. Both enjoying the other's company, best friends and more, the mouse beaming the brightest Penfold had ever seen, he only wished he could prolong the inevitable.

“We should..do this more often.” Danger Mouse murmured, taking the hamster’s hands into his.

Penfold immediately jumped. Sure the press could always catch them in awkward positions strictly for the sole purpose of their missions but so..Blase? Under a candlelit dinner would spark questions. A question Penfold was sure Danger Mouse would not be keen to answer.

“C-Chief!” Penfold squeaked, though the equally flustered mouse held his ground.

“The tabloids will talk..” Penfold murmured, a saddened gaze at their entwined hands, enjoying the warmth from the mouse while it lasted. He would come to his senses soon enough.

“Let them.” Danger Mouse replied, a rosy flush etched across his fur. It suited him. “I just want to enjoy my night with you, Penfold. The rest can sod off for all I care.”

“Danger..” Penfold trailed, meeting his gaze as neither released the other’s hold. The evening theirs and theirs alone as quickened heartbeats and soft glances stole the night away.

But soon enough, night rose drawing an end to the festivities as the couple returned.

"I certainly had fun Penfold!" The mouse grinned as he cartwheeled around their shared living space like a loon.

"I sure did too, chief! I'm just..happy to see you're back to your old self." Penfold stifled a yawn with a warm smile beginning to head in the direction of the kitchen whilst the mouse traipsed his way towards the stairs.

 "Are you not coming to bed?"

"Will do, chief! I...just thought I'd do some last minute cleaning" the hamster chuckled nervously.

"Oh forget about that Penfold, you've done more than enough. Surely you can miss a night? I'll even do the cleaning tomorrow!" The mouse offered happily.

No chance, no way was the hamster letting the mouse anywhere near cleaning products and the vacuum. Though Penfold tried to find an excuse under the spy’s gaze Penfold grimaced..Knowing the mouse would be relentless in finding solutions to his problems, all he could do was give in and agree.

The minutes tolled as the hamster tiptoed passed his room, hearing the soft karate noises of the agent and made his way down to the lab where a twitchy professor waited. Careful to avoid any other creaky floorboards before taking his leave.

"Took you lovebirds long enough?" she teased.

"Sorry professor, the chief was a lot more… persuasive than I thought " the hamster chuckled.

"Sounds like you had fun then! How was he?" The hen inquired.

"As right as rain, professor! An evening together was just what he needed!" Penfold brightened. It was the most Squakencluck had seen of him shine since the whole debacle, she couldn’t be happier! Though a horrifying thought quickly crossed her mind.

"Please tell me you washed your hands atleast befor-"

"Professor!" The hamster practically yelped blushing bright earning a fit of laughter from the professor

"Oh I'm just teasing." she beamed "did he mention...?"

"No. Well yes- but technically no?? He mentioned an old acquaintance that seemed to be bugging him but it was nothing that couldn't be handled." he yawned.

The professor nodded, taking onboard the new piece of information, Danger Mouse had opened up but not all the way. Still, it had been a start before they could get the answers they needed from a certain you know who.

"Ready?"

"As I'll ever be" Penfold smiled, the nervousness kicking in along with the guilt that built.

 The danger car roared into action and off they went, disappearing into the night sky, swallowed by the stars they left behind.

Including a one eyed mouse who watched from his apartment, unable to sleep at all.