Hex

[london_spy]

(from here)

Looking over at the sound of Hex's voice, Danny sighed, getting onto the train anyway. The car was empty, something that would usually be a rare treat, but now only made it impossible for Danny to hide from the other man.

Comments

[just_hex]

For a moment Hex was terrified some horrible truth was going to tumble out but when he opened his mouth he didn't feel the same compulsion.

"Don't you want me to go?" he asked. "I was such a cunt last night..."

[london_spy]

"Yeah, yeah you really were," Danny assured him. "But it wasn't you, Hex. Something happened to you, and I wont hold that against you. ...Go on, just- Wash up, alright?"

[just_hex]

He nodded and got up from the sofa, his pants sticking to him. Feeling that, he knew he needed a shower. He'd just...not wear pants.

He stepped into the shower and the water never got all that hot. He scrubbed up with no complaint, though he did hurry through it. He didn't have time to think too hard on the night before- just enough to wonder what the hell had happened to him to make him do all that. Feel that way. Be so...awful.

[london_spy]

By the time Hex returned, Danny had made two cups of tea and was picking at an orange, finding he wasn't hungry, but knowing he needed to eat.

[just_hex]

Hex was in a towel only and came into the kitchen in search of tea.

"Your water isn't getting hot again," he said. "Oh...can I have part of that?"

[london_spy]

Danny pushed the orange towards Hex with a nod.

"Oh, sorry. Was hoping it would be sorted by now. Council gets to things when they get to them though. I've just been using the kettle and filling the bath."

[just_hex]

He gladly took a wedge and popped it in his mouth. Fresh citrus exploded on his tongue and he closed his eyes for just a moment to savour it.

And then he swallowed.

"Danny...About last night," he started, then paused. "I don't know why I said what I did. It was out of line. I'm sorry."

[london_spy]

"I'm just glad you seem yourself this morning," Danny replied. "You had me worried. Really worried."

[just_hex]

"I felt fine until I had tea with doctor...I can't think of his name now, even. It was something French, I think," he said. "I'm usually good with names."

As a matter of fact he couldn't recall much about the man except that he was sure he shouldn't be forgettable.

[london_spy]

"Server could have slipped something into your tea," Danny suggested with a frown.

[just_hex]

"I imagine so...but why?" he said. Without asking again he took another wedge of orange.

[london_spy]

"Because of me. Because you're friends with me. Maybe they were hoping you'd hurt me," Danny said quietly.

[just_hex]

"Hurt you? Do you mean...kill you? Or rape you? Danny, would they really?" he asked. But Hex already knew the answer. Whoever killed Alex, whoever had infected Danny, they'd clearly stop at nothing.

[london_spy]

"They already tried to kill me once, so it's possible they hoped you'd... Or that they could at least end our friendship so I have one less person on my side," Danny said quietly.

[just_hex]

"I'm sure that almost happened. You're too kind to let me stay, Danny. It would have been safer if you'd chucked me out. How did you know I wouldn't come in your room last night? The sleeping pill only barely worked..." he said.

[london_spy]

He could lie. He could say he simply had faith that Hex wouldn't harm him- But Danny hated lies.

"...I locked my door," he admitted quietly.

[just_hex]

"Smart," he said, not hurt in the least that Danny hadn't trusted him last night.

"And...about the things I said..."

[london_spy]

"It's fine, Hex. You don't have to explain yourself. ...Honest, I understand. Let's just pretend it never happened and move on, okay?" he said softly.

[just_hex]

"I don't think I can do that, Danny," he replied quietly. "The problem is...well, it was all true. Not how I imagined telling you, but..."

He took another wedge of orange and jammed the whole thing in his mouth.

[london_spy]

"Hex... I don't want you to just wait for me. I care about you, I love being with you, but I'm still- I have a long way to go I think," Danny said quietly. "I was jealous, seeing you try and pull that bloke, but- Maybe you should be, you know, out there. Doing that."

[just_hex]

"Maybe. I don't know. Where do we stand, Danny? What is this?" he asked, hoping Danny had an answer because he certainly didn't.

[london_spy]

Danny was silent for a long moment, then shrugged.

"I thought we'd agreed to just go slow. I didn't realize that meant you were still pulling other people- But I suppose that's fair."

[just_hex]

"I'd like to be with just you. I don't know if that's rushing, though. Is it? To have some commitment without...commitment? Is that a thing that can happen?" he asked.

[london_spy]

"I don't know," Danny admitted, looking down at his fingers and noting the dry skin around his nail beds. "I've no idea."

[just_hex]

Hex took up his cup and contemplated his tea for a long moment. Steam rose up in little wisps and disappeared in the air.

"How..." he started, then stopped. There was no way Danny would know how long he might have to wait.

"Can I start be not pulling anyone else? No dates, no hook ups. I mean, I have a couple mates I'd like to have for dinner and things, but...romance? No one else."