....but did you know
that when it snows,
my eyes become large
and the light that you shine can be seen.
--Seal, Kiss from a Rose
'Dan, Dan! Wake up!'
'Sod off.' Daniel groaned and moved, only to find himself pinned under the weight of a very excited Darren bouncing up and down on the bed.
'Dar will you stop it, you're making me sea-sick.'
'It's snowing, it's snowing.' Darren said continuing his tigger impression.
'Darren.' Daniel said menacingly, 'Stop it.' And he reached out grabbing his friend by the arms, effectively halting the bouncing.
'Come on, come on, get up,' Darren tugged at the top of Daniel's covers. 'I want to go out in it.'
Belatedly Dan tried to grapple the bedclothes from the singer's excited grasp but failed as Darren pulled the duvet off him. Now fully awake he resigned himself to getting up.
'COME ON!' Darren repeated urgently and ignoring Daniel's nakedness began throwing clothes in his direction.
'If you're that fussed why don't you go out on your own?' The guitarist asked as he caught a pair of flying jeans, but he already knew the answer to that one.
'Aww, it's no fun without you Jonesy. Hurry up I want to build a snowman.'
'I'll snowman you in a minute.' Dan threatened as he pulled on his socks.
'Come on.' Darren resumed bouncing like an over-hyped child.
Once outside Daniel had to admit it was worth braving the cold for. It was beautiful. There had been a heavy snowfall overnight and the virgin white powder had turned the whole scene into something out of a Christmas card. A watery sun shone down making everything glisten and sparkle. He also noticed that the snow was untouched, no one had walked in it yet which meant... 'Dar just what time is it?'
'Umm, around 7:30ish.' Came the somewhat sheepish reply.
'DARREN!' Daniel shouted and launched himself at his friend. Tackling him to the ground he rolled him over and over until they were both completely covered in snow.
'Tee hee, no need to build a snowman anymore,' Darren giggled as Daniel finally let him stand up, 'look I am one.' And he spun round, his arms outstretched.
Daniel watched in amusement as Darren started to stomp around making giant steps. For all the pop star persona he projected he really was just a child at heart.
Darren turned and grinned back at him, beckoning him. Unable to resist Daniel joined in and between them they stomped back and forth, leaving trails of footprints behind them wherever they went.
Invariably Darren eventually tired of this and before too long Daniel felt something wet and cold catch him on the ear. Swinging round he saw Darren doubled over in laughter. 'Ha, got you.'
'This is war.' Dan declared bending down and forming a snowball of his own.
Not for the first time Darren wished he had been better at sports in school as Daniel's missile hit him squarely on the chest. 'Right you've asked for it.' He retorted, hastily ducking to avoid another one. His second attempt was a little better exploding on Dan's shoulder and showering him with white flakes. Daniel took a few steps closer and threw again. 'Ow,' Darren protested as it landed on his head sending icy drops down the back of his neck.
Now it was Daniel's turn to laugh. 'Serves you right. What you give is what you get returned. Right?'
'You are so dead Daniel Jones.' Came the bitter reply.
'Yeah, come and have a go if you think you're hard enough.' Dan taunted.
Never one to back down from a challenge Darren moved towards his target, throwing half-formed handfuls of snow as he went. He expected Daniel to try and move back out of his range but instead he just stood there, calmly laughing every time the singer's attempts fell short.
'Darren, Darren when will you every learn, I will whip your arse every time.' He chortled.
Darren just flashed him his best teacher stare and continued his approach. Too late he realised his mistake. As soon as he was within reach Daniel lunged for him and catching him round the waist unceremoniously upended him, repeatedly dipping his head in the snow.
'Hey, time out.' He panted breathlessly as he grabbed for his falling hat.
'Sorry?' Dan enquired.
'Very, now will you FUCKING stop!'
Daniel knew that tone and decided that enough was probably enough, but couldn't resist dunking him just once more for good measure, before hastily setting the singer on his feet again.
'Thank you.' Darren said pointedly. 'Look at me, I'm covered.'
'Ahh, my very own snow baby.'
'Yes very funny but you're not the one with it currently dripping down your back.'
'It's only snow,' Daniel laughed. 'Forgiven?' and he held out his arms.
'Oh ok.' And Darren accepted the hug. //And when will you learn Jonesy that I will always win by fair means or foul.// And placing his hands on Daniel's chest he gave him an almighty shove sending the younger man toppling backwards. Not particularly wanting to be around to face the consequences of his action, Darren started sprinting off back towards the house.
'Er, Dar.' He heard Daniel call after him, 'Guess who has the key?'
//Oh shit!// Darren stopped running. //I'm fucked.// and he slowed his pace, waiting for Daniel to catch up. But Daniel appeared to have given up the fight. Reaching the front door he passively passed the key to Darren so he could open up. It wasn't until the singer had turned to fit the key in the lock that Dan brought his other hand round from behind his back and stuffed the handful of snow he had been secreting there down the collar of Darren's jacket, patting it down for maximum effectiveness.
'Ow, oh, that's cold.' Darren hopped around from foot to foot trying to dislodge the rapidly melting flakes.
'Come here.' Daniel took pity on him and lead him into the house. 'I'm sorry but you deserved it.' He said unzipping Darren's jacket and shrugging it off over his shoulders.
'I deserved it?' Darren replied indignantly, 'Who started this.'
'You.' Daniel reminded him as he removed his own coat and boots.
'Oh yeah,' came the small reply. 'Oops.'
'Let's get you out of these and into something dry.' Daniel said reaching for Darren's jumper.
'Jonesy, are you trying to chat me up.' A muffled voice enquired.
'What?' Daniel continued pulling Darren's jumper over his head.
'I said,' Darren repeated when he re-emerged. 'Are you trying to chat me up? You just used your best pick up line on me.'
'So I did.' Dan smiled. 'I must be then. Upstairs and take those trousers off.'
Darren's eyes grew large.
But Daniel was already heading into the kitchen 'I'm going to make a start on breakfast. How do you want your eggs?'
'Fertilised.' Darren shouted back down the stairs. It was a private joke. He knew he could be incredibly broody at times and had made no secret of the fact that he badly wanted to have children one day. Accordingly Dan had made no secret of the fact that it was totally teaseworthiable.
'Sorry, I'm all out of fertilised eggs, you'll have to make do with scrambled.' Daniel shouted back. This was good, this was like old times. It was amazing how quickly they slipped back into the old banter when it was just the two of them. Dan busied himself preparing breakfast and was on the verge of calling Darren when he heard a thumpity thump coming down the stairs. Going to the doorway he caught Darren stepping off the bottom stair, his duvet trailing behind him like some oversized security blanket. Words failing him he just raised his eyebrows in unspoken question.
'I'm cold.' Came the defensive reply.
'Well, you could try lighting the fire.' Dan suggested.
'Hmph.' And Darren continued dragging his duvet towards the living room.
Daniel followed him carrying the two plates of scrambled eggs and toast. 'Eat.' He commanded, handing one to Darren, who was in the process of building himself a cocoon on the sofa. 'Then we'll see about getting that fire going again.'
Darren gratefully accepted the plate and demolished his food in record time. 'Much better,' he announced making himself comfy once more. 'Thank you Jonesy.'
Sighing Dan took the dirty plates back into the kitchen. It was obvious he was going to get little help from Darren today. Collecting a pile of newspapers from under the sink he set about raking the ashes out of the fireplace before re-laying it with more newspaper, kindling, coal and finally a couple of large logs. Taking his lighter he held it under the paper until it caught and the flames began to lick their way skywards.
Sitting back on his heels Daniel watched the kindling catch, smiling as it crackled and burned, mesmerised by the shadows the flames threw up. He could sit and stare into a fire all day, there was something incredibly hypnotic and soothing about it. Like watching clouds on a stormy day. If you stared long enough it was possible to make out figures and shapes in the flickering yellows and blues.
'Has anyone ever told you how bright your eyes look in firelight?' Darren's gentle voice broke the spell. 'Green and mysterious, like they hold all the secrets of the universe.'
Dan smiled, ever the lyricist Darren certainly had a way with words.
'Come here.' Darren pulled back one corner of the duvet and patted the sofa beside him, shuffling around to make room.
Daniel went and sat next to him, drawing his legs up under him, as Darren re-positioned the duvet around them both.
'Comfy?' he enquired.
'Very.' came the reply as Darren made to lay his head on Dan's shoulder.
'I'm sorry about putting snow down your back.' Daniel apologised as he absent-mindedly ran his fingers through Darren's hair.
'S'right.'
Ruffling the blonde locks beneath his hand, Dan bent his head and dropped a small kiss on Darren's forehead. He knew his apology had been accepted.
Snuggled together they just sat in companionable silence for a while, watching the flames leap up the chimney, savouring this small oasis of quietness in the maelstrom that was often their lives. The only sounds the occasional hiss and spit from the fire as the logs caught.
It was Darren who spoke first. 'Thank you Daniel.'
'For what?'
'For putting up with me, for putting up with all my temper tantrums, my hissy fits, just for being there. I know you sometimes think I take you for granted but I want you to know that I don't. Our friendship means so much to me. Who else would get up at 7:30am to go play in the snow with me? How's that song go? 'This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine.' Well your light is beautiful Daniel, and I want to thank you for shining it into my life.'
And outside the window great white flakes of snow continued in their silent whirling dervish descent to earth.
