John

[london_spy]

Danny had been thinking about texting John all day, but as the sun vanished beyond the horizon he finally sat down on the edge of the bed with his phone. He wrote a message- Then deleted it. Then another, which he also deleted.

Finally he wrote something he didn't hate.

<i>Come over.</i>

Two words, nothing more. He just hoped John replied.

Comments

[london_spy]

Danny stood frozen in the doorway, visibly startled.

"I- I have to go to class early today," he said finally. "...Library book," he added, though he was still staring at where the portal had been a moment ago.

"...Are you bleeding?" he asked finally. "Maybe don't do stuff like that on the rug? I don't think I can afford a new one right now."

It was a mixture of shock and just... No, no it was all shock, actually, but Danny did his best to play it off.

[petty_dabbler]

John's head snapped round.

Fuck

"You, ah...said you wanted to know everything..." he started, unsure of where to go with that.

[london_spy]

"I do, but maybe- Maybe not in the middle of my living room?" Danny said quietly.

"...I have to go to class early," he said again, but this time his tone was different. It was nervous.

[petty_dabbler]

John huffed a tiny, understanding breath.

"You said," he nodded. "I'll just get dressed and get out. I'll, uh, text you? I've got to go up north for a few days."

[london_spy]

"Okay," Danny said awkwardly, wondering if John had any intention to actually text him. ...Or come back.

[petty_dabbler]

"S'what that phone call to Hell was," he explained sheepishly, nodding toward where the ring had been. "I had a dream, see..."

[london_spy]

"You don't have to explain," Danny said awkwardly. "I don't... If you tell me, I'll worry, or I'll follow, and we both know that's not a good idea. If it was, getting you to share this stuff wouldn't usually be like pulling teeth."

[petty_dabbler]

"I'll explain anything you want, Danny. Best I can, anyway," he said. "Look, let me get dressed and go. I can tell I've gone a bridge too far here. I really didn't think you'd be out of the shower so fast."

[london_spy]

"It's fine. ...I mean, actually, no, I don't like the idea of you 'calling hell' from my living room, honestly. But it's- It's something maybe we need to talk about in the future."

[petty_dabbler]

"Heart to heart when I get back?" John offered, moving toward the bedroom to get his clothes.

[london_spy]

"Yeah, alright," Danny nodded, scratching the back of his neck. "Raincheck on breakfast too."

[petty_dabbler]

"I'll make you breakfast...and I'll tell you everything you never wanted to know," John said. He looked back at Danny like he was memorizing him. Remembering this moment forever since he was near certain this was the moment he shot himself in the foot with this beautiful man.

[london_spy]

Danny didn't get his hopes up though, he just smiled. Part of him expected to never see John again. He ran so hot and cold sometimes.

"Whatever you're doing, John. ...Be careful, okay?" he said quietly.

[petty_dabbler]

John swallowed hard and gave a tight nod.

"I'll do my best."

He'd like very much to come through this in one piece.