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]

"Yeah, really," Danny replied.

[petty_dabbler]

"Weird," he said. "I could have swore he'd set me on fire with his brain if he could have."

[london_spy]

"You're telling me you weren't jealous too? I'm not blind, and I'm not thick, I'm well aware meeting one another was awkward- But we're all adults, we've all talked about this separately."

[petty_dabbler]

"Joke's on you, mate. I've been jealous since the first time I heard about him," John said. "Now I'm just curious why you like blokes who could nearly be your dad."

[london_spy]

"I- Don't? I like Greg because he's clever and cool, and he is an exceptional man. I like you because you're interesting and fun. ...The age thing isn't really part of it, and I can't be that much younger than you anyway. I'm thirty."

[petty_dabbler]

"Okay, not your dad. Your youngest, coolest uncle, though," he grinned.

[london_spy]

Danny snorted, rolling his eyes. "Yeah, so cool you've got to tell me about it," he teased with a small grin.

[petty_dabbler]

John laughed warmly at that.

"None of your other, less cool uncles, can, you know, catch on fire," he noted.

[london_spy]

"I'm really not enjoying the whole uncle analogy. Let's go back to the daddy issues. Calling you daddy fits more with my list of vaguely acceptable popular fetishes," Danny joked.

[petty_dabbler]

JOhn winced, then laughed.

"Maybe don't call me daddy, either," he laughed. He turned a tender smile on Danny. "I've been waiting for your text. I check my phone all the time."

[london_spy]

"Really? Took your time tonight though," Danny noted, settling in closer again. "...I'm glad you texted me back though."

[petty_dabbler]

"I was busy shaming the lads," he replied. "Sorry."

[london_spy]

"Don't be. I don't expect you to be waiting around for me," Danny assured him.

[petty_dabbler]

John looked at him for a long moment.

"I kept my appointment," he said. "Tomorrow morning will be day three on meds."

[london_spy]

"How are you feeling?" Danny asked, picking at a loose thread on his shirt.

[petty_dabbler]

"Little queasy. They say it'll pass," he said. "If this is...something? Then it's worth it."

[london_spy]

"Do you want it to be something?" Danny asked. "I mean, you do keep saying you don't intend to stay in London," he pointed out.

[petty_dabbler]

"I'd stay if I had a good reason," he replied. "I've never had a good reason, I don't think. Maybe that's why I keep coming back."

[london_spy]

Danny nodded a little, looking at the TV now as he spoke.

"I can't say what the future holds, but I like having you here, for whatever that's worth," he said.

[petty_dabbler]

"If you tell me I'm not a back up plan, I'd be willing to see where things go," John said quietly. Then he abruptly got up.

"Time to break the seal,: he announced and wandered to the loo. A man could only realistically drink so much beer. He didn't even bother to shut the door.

[london_spy]

Was John a back up plan? Danny didn't think there was a plan at all. He had no idea what would happen with Greg. No idea what he wanted.

[petty_dabbler]

From the bathroom there was a groan, then the toilet flushed and the tap ran a bit.

"I feel more sober already," he announced and sat down with a proud smirk.

[london_spy]

Danny didn't want to go back to a serious conversation, and he moved closer again, pawing at John gently.

[petty_dabbler]

"Oh, is this where we left off?" John quipped as he hauled Danny closer.

[london_spy]

"Wasn't it? Danny asked, feigning innocence and moving to straddle John's lap.