london_spy

from here

Danny was stone still for a moment, but eventually moved to cover Hex's hand with his own. He honestly wasn't sure what to say. So much had happened, so much had changed. In the end he settled on something simple.

"I wasn't gone forever, I just- I had things I needed to at least try and settle," he said softly.

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From:

just_hex

"I've got to stop drinking, Danny," he said then. "Everything's is such a mess. I'm so sorry."

He was sorry for so much he hardly knew where to begin. He was sorry for everything.

From:

london_spy

"You do," Danny agreed. "And you can. I know you can, I've seen you do it."

Wrapping his arms around himself, he exhaled softly. "I think we both, maybe, need to make a change. I have to stop chasing Alex's ghost, and you have to get dry again."

He raked his fingers through his hair, then chewed his bottom lip for a moment.

"Scotty left me his home. ...Left me everything, actually. He's- He was sober for years. The house is dry, if you want to come stay a while."

From:

just_hex

"I'd like that. If I could get dry that will be a good start. A new beginning," he said. Then he paused.

"Should we try again? You and I? I understand if you want to wait."

From:

london_spy

Danny was silent a moment, his brow slightly creased the way it often did when he was thinking.

"Last time, I- I wasn't really here. I mean, I was, but, not completely. I never let anything get serious because... I was still so fixated on him. Alex. ...I'd be a liar to say it's all behind me. I don't think he'll ever be behind me. ...I would like to try though. To be here. Really here."

From:

just_hex

"I'd like that. And I'd like to be with you. Not an idea I have of you. Not rushing in. I'd like to try and be a good man for you," he said, fingers finding Danny's hand to trace the lines of them where he held himself.

From:

london_spy

Danny watched Hex's hand for a moment, then took it with his own, squeezing gently.

"I'd like that too."

From:

just_hex

He'd made such a mess of things. His life was out of control and he knew it needed to stop. Stop drinking, start working for success. He had Bobby to work out with, had a great new job...he just needed to stop wallowing in self pity and take strides to be better.

"Q gave me a shot to sober up," he said. "He said I'd want to be sober but he didn't say why. I never would have guessed he'd sent for you."

From:

london_spy

"That's still not a real name," Danny insisted, a faint smile on his lips.

Sighing, he looked around the room. It was just a bit too posh for him to feel comfortable in, if he was honest. Scotty's place was full of nice things, but it was all subdued, like the man himself had been. And though he had Scotty's money now, a real roof over his head, Danny still lived like a man who needed to make his last dime last.

"Do you really want to stay here?" he asked after a moment. "I mean, it's... I don't mind if you do, but if you don't, we could go back to mine. You could stay a few days, get your head clear. Get sober."

From:

just_hex

"I don't want to be here. We only came here because Spencer's mate Jenna is at me house and I didn't want to go home pissed," he explained. "I'd rather go home with you. I'd like that a lot."

From:

london_spy

Danny nodded a little, then looked around.

"Come on then, I'll get us a cab if you like," he offered.

From:

just_hex

Hex nodded and gathered his things. When they were out on the street in the fresh air he felt renewed. Like he was finally ready to make big changes.

"I've missed you, Danny," he said then. "I've missed you a lot."

From:

london_spy

"I've missed you too," Danny assured him. "Really, Hex. I feel terrible about just walking out on you before. That was unkind of me. I hope you understand though- I had to go."

From:

just_hex

"I didn't at the time, but I do. I understand now," he replied. "Maybe we can just start fresh now? Like a do-over. Yeah?"

From:

london_spy

"I don't want to start over. I just think we can get better," Danny suggested.

From:

just_hex

His heart swelled to hear that and he smiled.

"Yeah. I'd like that. But...slower. No rushing in, yeah?"

From:

london_spy

"That seems fair," he agreed quietly, wondering if this meant that Hex wasn't interested in being exclusive anymore, and hating himself for throwing away something so good.

From:

just_hex

"Good. All the rest we can sort out at home."

He looked forward to that, actually. For tonight he was looking forward to a quiet night together, the two of them safely away from the world.

From:

london_spy

Danny nodded, texting for a cab and trying to ignore the worry sitting in his chest.

From:

just_hex

Once Danny had made the call and tucked his phone away, then Hex moved in close again. He needed to touch him. For all his talk of going slow, he still needed to hold Danny in his arms.

"You're so thin," he said softly.

From:

london_spy

Danny couldn't deny that, he knew he wasn't eating enough.

"You know what I'm like. Dinner sometimes gets forgotten."

Or breakfast, or lunch, sometimes both.

From:

just_hex

"It's not bad. I think you're beautiful," he said, studying Danny's face. His eyes. His eyes were...older. Looking into the man's eyes he knew he loved him as much now as ever.

From:

london_spy

Danny held his gaze for a long moment, then moved closer and kissed Hex hard. Letting himself enjoy this moment of pure affection. Even if Hex wasn't looking for what he had been before, it was worth sticking by him. Danny was sure of that.

...And it was worth being hopeful that maybe Hex did still want a real relationship.

From:

just_hex

Hex hummed soft approval, kissing Danny back with warmth and need. His arms wound round him and pulled him close. Another soft sound of pleasure escaped him as he lost himself in the simplicity and ease of something so wanted and familiar.

From:

london_spy

Danny only pulled away when their cab pulled up, leaning through the window to give the driver the address, then opening the door and gesturing for Hex to get in first.