Hide and Seek by Cally Larson
~Chapter Nine~
Thunder brought Daniel back from his thoughts.
And something else.
Someone was softly crying on his chest.
“Dazza.” Daniel whispered, holding him closer, “Shh- don’t cry.”
Darren buried his face in the crook of Daniel’s neck.
Daniel closed his eyes as he felt cold tears drop along his collar, his skin.
“Hey-.” Daniel whispered in his ear, “Why don’t we move to something softer-” He rubbed his cheek against Darren’s in a caring gesture.
Darren looked up at him, his blue eyes cloudy.
“Come on.” Daniel somehow managed to emerge without banging his head too hard on the metal board.
He reached his hand for Darren’s and grasped it tightly, comforting.
Lightning flashed through the window, and Darren jumped as a loud clap of thunder sounded.
Somehow he ended up in Daniel’s arms.
Daniel smiled to himself, his fingers stroking along Darren’s bony back, “Do you want to lie down?”
Darren nodded against his chest.
“Okay.” Daniel guided them both to the bed and sat Darren down.
They just kind of looked at each other for a while before Daniel spoke up, “Want some tea? Or anything?”
Darren shook his head, eyes searching for something.
Daniel got on his knees and pulled his grandmother’s quilt from under the bed, “Here- this is a nice blanket- yeah?”
Darren nodded, clutching it protectively.
He curled up on his side, staring at the clock, listening to the pouring rain.
“Do you want me to stay?”
Darren’s eyes flicked to Daniel’s concerned face, and he drew in a breath, “I want you to... hold me.”
Daniel was a little surprised by Darren’s request, but he certainly wasn’t going to deny it, “Yeah- sure.” He slipped in behind, spooning his body against the other.
Darren turned in his arms, inches from Daniel’s face.
Daniel nodded, marveling in how the moment felt so perfect.
“Darren?”
The singer looked up at him again, “Yes Daniel?”
And Daniel couldn’t believe what he said next.
“Can I kiss you?”
Silence rushed in, even the storm seemed to stop.
Daniel felt all the color rush to his cheeks and he wanted to run out of the room, or under the bed even.
Darren’s eyes did not show disgust, they were curious, “Why?”
Daniel was expecting a “no” or anything worse.
Caught off guard he diverted his eyes, “Well- I- um…I just thought- since I’m here, with you- and, I’m holding you... that maybe I could kiss you-.”
Darren looked confused now, “I- I don’t understand... why- you would want to-.”
“You’re my best friend Dar.” Daniel whispered, unconsciously pulling Darren even closer to him, “And I want you to feel safe.”
Darren was staring into his eyes now, “Is that all you want?”
Daniel nodded, “Nothing else. I promise.”
Darren seemed to think for a moment, “Do you love me Daniel?”
“Yes.” was the response without even a second thought.
Daniel had gone too far anyway- he found no reason to back out now.
Darren’s eyes glinted, “Show me.”
And Daniel showed him.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
The reflection that stared back at him was not one of regret.
Daniel washed his hands and dried them on his shirt, then touched his lips.
He could still taste something different on them, something bittersweet.
The clouds were dark, signaling the returning storm.
“Dar?”
Darren turned onto his side, facing Daniel.
“Hey you.” Daniel knelt down in front of him, “You okay?”
Darren nodded, stretching his arms in front of him, “Coffee?”
“Yeah- sounds good.” Daniel stood- and they both walked to the kitchen.
Darren put the coffee on, Daniel sat at the table fidgeting, “Are you angry?”
The singer sat across from him, “Why should I be?”
“Because I kissed you-”
“On the cheek.” Darren reminded him.
Daniel nodded, not mentioning how he had wanted more, “Just a gesture of friendship.”
Darren was looking very shy all the sudden, and Daniel couldn’t figure out why.
“Bad storms today.” He murmured, watching the lightning begin to flash again.
“Yeah.” Daniel frowned, “I’m sorry I’ve been stuck at your place all day-.”
“It’s okay.” Darren tentatively reached out a hand, “I don’t mind.”
Daniel took that hand into his own, “Do you feel better? Not so shaken?”
Darren swallowed hard, “I- I guess.”
“We don’t have to talk about any of it today-.”
“Or ever?”
Daniel winced, “Someday- we should talk.” He whispered, kissing Darren’s hand softly on the knuckle.
Now to anyone looking in from the outside of their lives, these small acts of love would seem more then just a normal friendship.
And maybe it was.
But that really wasn’t the point anymore.
Because love can grow, and love can fade-
And sometimes love can turn into something completely unexpected.
When the coffee was ready, neither got up to tend to it.
They just stared into each other’s eyes and tried to read thoughts that may or may not have been there.
Daniel eventually made his way to the floor beside Darren- and touched his pale, fragile face.
The singer slid off the chair next to him, closed his eyes and let Daniel touch him wherever he wished.
With the coffee dripping into the pot, the rain pattering against the window and thunder in the distance, Daniel finally began to kiss Darren gently on the lips.
The setting sun was beginning to poke through the clouds when the two finally parted, facing each other on the cold wooden floor.
But even that, was only for a little while.
~Chapter Ten~
The sun had set hours ago.
But I was still in his apartment- pacing the length of the living room.
Thinking.
Yeah-
In the kitchen.
I’m not really sure what happened back there.
Why I did what I did- or why he let me do what I did.
I don’t think I was ever going to figure it out.
I finally trotted back into the bedroom, only to find he was still in the bathroom.
“Dazza.” I sighed sadly, sliding down the doorframe.
He wasn’t going to join me; I had already tried to coax him out an hour ago.
After thinking about picking the lock, or just busting down the door, I figured waiting for him to be ready was best.
Besides- none of my keys would even fit into the handle.
At least he had stopped crying.
“Dazza?” I finally called through the door, “Want to come out now?”
Some shifting about, then silence again.
I prayed to whatever god would listen that he wasn’t hurting himself in there.
There wasn’t much panic or guilt on my part.
Because he wasn’t upset from the events in the kitchen.
He just needed to have a good cry-
Needed to let things out, everything that had built up from the day before.
Darren had wanted me to kiss him, touch him-
And I felt liberated.
I was starting to think about pacing some more, but I heard a click.
He had unlocked the door.
“Darren?” I was up in an instant, “Can I come in?” My head was already poking through the crack.
Darren was sitting cross-legged on the floor, his eyes directly focused on a tile.
“Hey.” I whispered, sitting down next to him, but I refrained from any touches, “Whatcha looking at?”
He raised his head, eyes red and puffy.
I tentatively reached my hand and wiped at his dampened cheeks, “You don’t have to cry baby.”
Darren shuddered against my touch, but didn’t pull away.
“I’m not going to hurt you- you know that Dazza.”
He nodded sadly, wiping new tears away.
“You like it when I kiss you.” I whispered, wondering if that sounded ridiculous, or helpful.
Darren nodded, not looking ashamed.
Of course that was a great moment to lean over and gently set a kiss on his lips.
And I did take that moment.
“I love you.” I whispered in his ear, pulling him against me, “Don’t be scared.”
“But I am.” He muttered hoarsely.
“Why?” I held him even tighter, “Tell me why you’re scared.”
Darren just shook his head.
“You’re scared to tell me?”
Nod.
“Okay.” I rubbed at his shoulders and kissed his head, “Do you want to sleep?”
Another nod.
“Right here- sleep in my arms.” I pulled his limp body into my lap, and he curled against me.
I started talking to myself then, because he was asleep, or maybe he wasn’t.
It didn’t matter.
“You know Dar, I- I’ve always loved you- I guess it just took me a while to figure it out myself.” I sighed, “Guess it just makes me hurt so much- to see you like this- and I can’t do anything but love you... maybe that doesn’t even make a difference.”
“It does.” He looked up at me, eyes clear.
I only nodded and kissed him again, deeply.
This never felt strange-
These actions- like we had been lovers for years- instead of just a few hours.
If you could call us lovers- partners... friends-
I didn’t really know what we were anymore-
It calmed him though- if I touched him- caressed his body with my hands-
And I thanked him for it- because he trusted me.
No one else could ever have that privilege he had given to me.
“What do we do now?” I finally asked.
His eyes were closed as he sighed sadly, “We move on.”
“Together?” I asked, my hands rested on his hips.
“Yes.” But he wasn’t smiling.
“Clean up with me.” I finally said, looking at the bathtub.
He raised his head, questioning.
“No.” I answered, “Just a bath.”
And he nodded-
Let me undress him until the cool air hit every part of his skin.
Let me undress myself in front of his eyes- where he could finally see me fully exposed-
There really wasn’t anything erotic about any of it.
We washed our own bodies in silence-
Took the blue pitcher and rinsed the soap away-
And when we were clean, we just sat and looked at each other.
“You are very beautiful.” I whispered, “Do you know that?” I was looking at his face, not his body.
Darren looked down at the water, “I wish I wasn’t.”
“Because no one would pay attention to you.” I knew his reasoning, “But I always will.”
“I know.” He moved towards me and I wrapped my body against his back.
“Should we run away?” I asked, nuzzling against his neck, his wet hair.
“No.” he whispered, “Someone would find us eventually.”
“Then we’ll stay... here.” I leant against the ledge, pulling him along with me.
Darren turned in my arms, his legs wrapped around my hips, “Are you happy Daniel?”
I shook my head and he knew why I wasn’t.
“You love me...” He seemed to taste the words in his mouth, then stared into my eyes, “I love you too.”
“I know you do.” I shifted so our bodies were pressed as closely as possible.
I could feel his cock against mine, but neither of us was aroused.
And I wanted it that way.
Later, we both lay in bed on top of the sheets with the sacred quilt wrapped around our naked bodies.
“I think things will be better soon.” I commented, my hands gliding along his soft, scarred, skin.
“I hope you’re right.” He was lying on top of me, nuzzling my neck.
“Yes.” I nodded and lifted his head, “I am right.”
We kissed for a while, and I let his tongue explore my mouth.
Explored his with my own.
“I won’t touch you.” I whispered, switching our positions so he was to my side, “If you don’t want me to.”
Darren clung to me, shaking his head, “I trust you.”
That’s all he said, and I smiled, kissing along his neck, his face.
My hands warmed his back, his hips, his ass.
“Darren, look at me.”
He did.
“Thank you.” I brushed my lips against his, “For trusting me.”
Darren only nodded, studying my eyes.
And then we kissed again, for much longer then before.
I let his own hands touch me, explore the way my body was shaped, as I did to him.
Everything was right.
Everything was in its place for once.
And for the first time, in a long time-
Both of us could say we were happy.
~Chapter Eleven~
Leonie was very angry when her two star performers did not show up to rehearsal Tuesday.
Even more so when Wednesday morning rolled around and they still were not present.
Her anger turned into worry after she thought about it for a while, because Daniel did not answer his home phone number.
She knew he was at Darren’s.
“Is everything okay?!”
Daniel had barely put the cell phone to his ear, “Leonie?”
“What’s wrong? Where are you?”
Daniel nodded, “Leo- it’s all right. I’m with Darren-.” He took a breath as Leonie let her tension out on him, “...he’s all right- I’m here with him- he’s safe.”
Leonie quieted down and Daniel promised they would be at the theater bright and early the next day.
“He’s okay.” Daniel whispered, snapping the phone shut and lying back down on the bed, “Aren’t you Dazza?”
Darren didn’t answer of course, for he was sound asleep beside him.
“How could anyone ever hurt you baby.” Daniel whispered, tracing along the scars and old wounds on his arms, his body.
And then Daniel stopped his touches for a moment, and just looked at... it.
It was the first time he had actually thought about really touching him there.
The most intimate he could be, and Daniel wasn’t sure if he was ready, let alone Darren.
Any temptation to reach out and touch him disappeared as Darren opened his eyes, taking in the day around him.
“Hi.” Daniel whispered.
“Hey.” Darren smiled weakly and rolled onto his back, unintentionally showing him *everything*.
“Sleep okay?” Daniel deliberately fixed his eyes on Darren’s face, or shoulder- his soft, delightful nipples...
“I guess so.” Darren didn’t seem to be too timid about all this, which made Daniel happy he was at ease.
“Leonie called.” Daniel glanced back at his phone on the dresser, “We have the day off.”
“Rehearsal-.” Darren frowned deeply, “We didn’t go yesterday-.”
“It’s fine.” Daniel rubbed at his arm, “You need to rest.”
Darren shivered a little.
“Here.” Daniel slid down and wrapped his warm, naked body against Darren’s, “Better?”
“Yes.” The singer clung to him, their legs entwined.
“I feel safe.” Darren whispered.
Daniel smiled warmly and held him tighter, “You are safe Dazza- I promise.”
Morning cuddle was followed by coffee, the paper, and pleasant relaxation.
“I think we should go out for lunch.” Daniel suggested after he helped clean up.
“Where?” Darren looked at him curiously, if not with a hint of nervousness.
“A café- or restaurant.” Daniel placed his hands on Darren’s shoulders and leant in to kiss him, “We’ll make it a date.”
Darren smiled at that idea, “You want to go on a date with me?”
“Yes I do, love.” Daniel smiled and pulled him into a hug.
Darren paused a moment, “Why are things not strange now?”
“Hmm?” Daniel lowered to the ground, and they faced each other, holding hands.
“You’re my best friend... and now... you’re more then that- but it’s not strange.”
Daniel smiled, “Means the Fates are in our corner.”
Darren looked up shyly, “Why did it take you so long to tell me?”
“I don’t know.” Daniel leaned in closer, “Why did it take you so long to tell *me*?”
“I dunno.” Darren put a childish tone to his voice, “You were so cute and stuff- and I didn’t want Leo to ask you if you liked me because I wanted to put a note in your locker instead saying you had a secret admirer.”
Daniel laughed and kissed him, “But how would I know who my secret admirer was then because you wouldn’t have signed your name?”
Darren giggled and snuggled into his arms.
When people weren’t around.
When it was just the two of them with nothing threatening or scary-
Daniel could catch glimpses of the Darren he used to know-
The happy, carefree Darren who would joke around and laugh.
The Darren he had fallen in love with.
“You’re smiling Dazza.” Daniel whispered, caressing his cheek.
Darren blushed a little, “I- I’m happy- right now.”
Daniel grinned, “I never thought I’d hear you say that again.”
Darren looked into his green eyes, “I’m happy because I’m with you.”
Eyes locked for a moment.
Lips joined in soft caresses.
Hands laced and bodies pressed together.
Daniel sighed, content.
If only life were always like this.
And the two could just stay here in Darren’s safe haven forever.
But Daniel knew Darren would have to face the outside world soon enough.
Hard as it was, things were looking better-
Darren was opening up more- was more comfortable-
Maybe the situation wasn’t so hopeless after all.
Maybe because Daniel loved Darren more then life itself-
And Darren loved him back.
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Lunch was different.
Not in a bad way-
Quite the contrary.
Daniel just felt different.
Maybe a little more free-
And happy-
Because they were sat in a pleasant corner by the window and just got lost in each other’s eyes over the soup and salad.
Yes, Daniel had told himself after casual conversation began, he was in love.
They both were.
And life wasn’t in the way that afternoon.
The drive to the park was quiet and sunny.
Sitting in the shade by the lake was even more pleasant.
And they talked.
The first *real* talk they had ever had.
Childhood, dreams, and hopes were exchanged- and each felt a better sense of peace towards the other.
The obvious darkness that loomed over both was completely ignored.
Things seemed better that way-
Daniel leaned against the tree with Darren’s head in his lap.
“Penny for your thoughts Dar.” He whispered.
Darren sighed a little, his eyes had darkened.
“You’re thinking things... bad things.” Daniel stroked his forehead, “Think of the sun- it’s happy.”
Darren turned so he was looking up at his friend, “The sun eventually gives way to night.”
“But returns at dawn.” Daniel reminded and leant down to kiss him.
Darren couldn’t argue with that, and he even smiled a little, “Are you always this hopeful Daniel?”
“Only for you.” Daniel returned the smile and caressed his cheek, “Do you know how peaceful you look right now Dazza?”
Darren turned his head to look out at the water, “There’s no one here.” He whispered, “It’s like... the lake is ours.”
Daniel nodded and squeezed his hand, “You’re always safe Darren- you don’t ever have to be scared again.”
Darren sat up and faced him, looking very serious, “Can you make them go away Daniel? Can you really?”
Daniel studied his face, “Make who go away baby?”
Darren frowned, his eyes dropping.
“Your demons.” Daniel nodded, but he frowned, “I don’t know how to.”
Darren looked back up at him, “I- I don’t know how to either.”
“Shh-” Daniel pulled him into his arms, “We’ll find a way.” He rubbed at the singer’s back and tried to salvage the sunny day.
When the air began to get chilly, home seemed the best place to go.
“Thank you for taking me on a date.” Darren giggled, his eyes a little brighter.
“Thank you for going with me.” Daniel closed the door to the apartment and embraced his partner, “Are you tired?”
Darren nodded, looking it.
“Do you want me to lay down with you?”
Another nod and suddenly Daniel found himself with an armful of Darren.
“Hey- what’s that for?” Daniel smiled and hugged him tightly back.
“It’s for...” Darren paused, “It’s for loving me...”
Daniel chuckled and picked him up, carrying him into the bedroom, “How could I not love you- eh?”
Darren giggled as he was set on his back onto the bed, Daniel quickly covering him with his body.
It was quiet save for a few sighs and occasional giggle.
And then things got a little heated and questions had to be asked.
“Are you afraid?” Daniel asked, peering out at the setting sun.
Both of their shirts had been removed, but nothing more.
“I don’t know.” Darren answered truthfully.
When he had started to shake, Daniel stopped, and now wondered what to do next.
“I’m sorry.” Darren hung his head in shame, feeling Daniel’s very prominent arousal touching his thigh.
“No- don’t be.” Daniel held him tight, “If you’re not ready- you’re not ready. I understand.”
“It’s just that-.” Darren bit his lip, “I haven’t done anything like this since...”
“Colby.” Daniel nodded and nuzzled against his cheek, “You don’t have to be embarrassed.”
“You’ve never been with another man.”
Darren just said it out of the blue and caught Daniel completely by surprise, besides the fact that it was said as a statement, and not as a question.
“I- uh...” Daniel frowned, “I’ve never... gone all the way- with another man- if that’s what you mean.”
Darren sighed, “I shouldn’t be your first.”
“Why not?” Daniel countered immediately, “I love you.”
“I’m used.”
Daniel fell quiet, seeing the pain in Darren’s eyes.
“I’m not a virgin either Darren- Lord knows that-.”
“No-.” Darren shook his head, “You don’t understand-”
And now he was shaking quite badly and tears were falling.
“Dazza no- don’t cry baby.” Daniel hugged him as tightly as he could.
Darren went silent at the request and Daniel found himself shuddering at how unnatural that was.
Not knowing what else to do, he kissed him slowly and gently, hoping that would help things.
It did a little, for Darren responded to him.
“Now tell me Dazza.” Daniel rested his forehead against Darren’s, “I love you yeah?”
Darren nodded.
“And you love me, right?”
Another nod.
“So there’s no reason why we can never be intimate with each other then-.”
Darren bit his lip, “You might be disappointed... it’s not like a girl-.”
Daniel laughed, “Of course it’s not like a girl- it’s *you*- and it will be amazing because it *is* you.” He kissed him gently, “And because I love you.”
Darren’s eyes were misty, “Y- you’re so wonderful Jonesy- do you know that?”
Daniel smiled warmly and laid him back on the pillows, “We don’t have to do anything tonight Darren. This is for both of us- and however far we get- that’s perfectly fine with me.”
Darren did not object.
In fact he was smiling a little, because the moment had turned back to pleasant.
Like the day had been.
“I never knew you could be so romantic.”
Daniel laughed and kissed him, “I can if I want to be.” He let his fingers start to find their way along Darren’s lower torso, tickling.
Darren giggled, squirming under his hands, “Jonesy! You know I’m ticklish!”
“Of course I do.” Daniel smiled and attacked his mouth, kissing him passionately as his hands began to wonder farther down.
Breathing was faster, eyes wider.
Daniel looked at Darren questioning, his hands resting on the top of his trousers, “Can I?” He whispered.
A very long moment of silence passed.
Daniel was afraid- afraid that he might push Darren away from him- because he was too eager.
Darren drew in a breath, let it out- then moved his piercing eyes to his partner’s, “Touch me Daniel.”
Daniel swallowed hard, finding his hands were shaking from those husky words-
From everything that was happening- that was going to happen...
He undid the top button, the zipper-
And pulled down Darren’s pants.
The room fell silent.
~Chapter Twelve~
The cotton was soft.
So soft, I thought it was silk at first.
I let the fabric fall through my over-sensitive fingers.
“Blue really is your color.” My voice was somewhere far away in the room, “Because of your eyes.”
And those were the exact things that were staring back at me with such intensity and lust I nearly lost myself right there.
“Darren?” I touched his face and he blinked, “You all right?”
He nodded, looking down at my hands that rested on the waistband of his boxers, “Your hands are so warm.”
I chuckled, placing them on his hips, “Feel good huh?”
“Mmm.” Darren closed his eyes and sighed as I let my hands wander up and down his body.
“So smooth- nice.” I smiled as I coped his ass under the boxer shorts, “Me likes.”
Darren giggled, moving against me.
I could see the slightest bulge through the fabric, and with a quick glance for reassurance I stuck my thumbs in the waistband and pulled down.
There was a gasp, and I froze, looking up to see if he was scared.
But he wasn’t, he was smiling slightly, leaning on his elbows, “Do you like him?”
I laughed, looking at my new “friend”, “Ah- I do indeed. Hey there.” I gently touched my index finger on the head.
It moved a bit upwards, a nice “hello”.
I lowered myself; head in hand, “So- I’m kinda new around here.” Darren started laughing, “Want to give me some pointers on where to go?”
“He’s shy.” Darren’s eyes were shining and I started laughing as well.
“Yeah? Well he doesn’t need to be- would it help if he had a friend with him?”
Darren knew what I meant, and he stopped, growing silent.
“You don’t have to Dazza.” I whispered, sitting up and stroking his cheek, “Just tell me when you’re uncomfortable- okay?”
He looked sad, embarrassed even.
“Want to stop?” I asked, already moving to put his boxers back up.
“Can I see him?”
“Hmm?”
Darren blushed, “Can I see your-.” He motioned towards my crotch, “Ya know...”
“My penis?” The bluntness made him laugh and more at ease.
“Um- yeah.”
“'Course you can.” I chuckled and sat back, pulling my pants off.
“Wait-.” He stopped me before I could fully undress.
I stopped, and waited.
Darren bit his lip, looking at my plain gray boxers.
“Nothing special.” I put in.
“No.” He shook his head, “It’s what’s under them that is.”
I breathed in sharply.
He could be damn erotic when he wanted to.
“Go on.” I encouraged, “He wants to come out and visit.”
Darren smiled innocently, even though the situation was far from it.
And he touched me.
Pulled off the last of my clothes and with shaking hands gently stroked and touched my cock, which by now, was very much erect and throbbing.
I let my eyes slip closed and just tried to feel.
Feel his fingers tracing up and down the shaft.
Feel my balls rolling in his hand.
I groaned, my mind nearly out the door while everything else was taking over.
“D- do you like that?”
I nodded, fumbling for him.
I needed to feel his naked skin against mine.
Rain started to fall; I didn’t even realize it had gotten cloudy before.
That was the only noise in the bedroom, for we just sat upright, holding each other.
“Have you always wanted this?”
I opened my eyes, “Right now? This moment?”
He was looking at the window, the setting sun trying to poke through the rain, “Yes.”
“Of course.” I admitted, “It feels...”
“Perfect.” Darren finished the word for me, and I smiled broadly.
“Yes Dazza.” I kissed him, “It is perfect.”
“Danny?”
I nuzzled his neck, “Yes Darren?”
“Can you do something for me?”
“Of course.”
He hesitated, “Will you... will you come inside tonight?”
I swallowed hard, “Are you sure?”
Darren nodded, determined, “Please... I think we both need this.”
“I think you’re right.” I smiled and laid him on the pillows, the room darkening with each passing moment.
“Do you want the lights off?”
“No.” I shook my head, touching him wherever I could, “I want to see you.”
“Are you afraid?”
I stopped to look into his eyes, “No Darren, I’m not afraid. Are you?”
He chewed on his lip, thinking, “I don’t think I am Jonesy- that’s good, yeah?”
“It is.” I started to kiss him, thunder sounding in the distance.
If I could use one word to describe what happened next, it would be “quiet”.
Maybe “gentle” after that.
The sun and the rain had disappeared long before I finally spread his legs and entered him.
Of course it hurt, but he was able to smile, kiss me back-
Move his hips up to meet me every time-
After it was all said and done, I glanced at the clock and released it was past midnight.
Breathing was slowing down, and I was able to focus on him.
He was crying.
“Why are you crying Darren?” I started kissing him again.
“I don’t know.” He whispered, placing his hands on my back so I would stay inside.
“Did you not like it?”
He sniffed, “I loved it.”
I smiled and pulled him up into my arms, the sheets tangled underneath us as we sat in the middle of the bed.
“So did I.”
Darren laid his head on my chest, and listened to me breathe, “I wish it could always be like this.”
I sighed, brushing sweaty hair off his forehead, “This doesn’t have to be the ending.”
He nodded, looking up at me, “You’re my partner now... Jonesy?”
I smiled, seeing his reasoning, how the love had been sealed, “I’ve always been your partner Darren, in one way or another.”
And then we kissed for a long time after-
Played the dance again, and then again until we were too exhausted to hold our heads up.
When the sun finally came back around over the hill, it brought fog and sense of peace.
For both of us.
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