The Day After

[daniel_brown]

Going home after what had happened wasn't easy, it wasn't until after many pizza-flavored kisses and a text message threat from home that he reluctantly put his clothes back on and forced himself to say "Goodnight" - leaving his panties purposefully tucked into the sheets to be found later.

He slept deep and well, waking the next day to go about business as usual - aside from a stop for confidential STI testing - even though it was hard to keep his head out of the clouds. After settling into the team bus it was hard not to want to reach out to him.

He types out several messages - "I think I love you." "I want you so bad." "Are you thinking about me?" - and erases them all, opting for a much more neutral message.

what r u doing?

Comments

[mysticism]

He doesn't hear it, can't hear anything over his own gasping breaths and the thudding of his pulse in his ears, which is probably just as well because his response would be to panic and hang up and ruin everything. He's sort of aware of Daniel having said something, but he's not certain what and the blanket of post-orgasmic langour is settling over him too heavily to make him inclined to curiosity.

"And then some. God." He reaches out for a tissue to mop himself up and wipe his hands. "You okay?"

[daniel_brown]

"Yeah..." he half-laughs, a little amused by the mess he's made and thankful it's at least contained to the immediate bathtub area. "I'm good."

Blushing warm now that the moment has passed and he can actually think about what they just did, he laughs again and murmurs; "Still wish I was there tonight. I want to kiss you."

[mysticism]

"So do I," he says softly, feeling warm and tired now, sort of relieved that Daniel can't see the lovestruck idiot's smile on his face. "Probably for the best that you're not, though. Something tells me we couldn't have stuck to kissing, and I wouldn't have wanted to make your knee worse."

[daniel_brown]

"Yeah... well..." he shakes his head, still grinning madly at the phone. "Sometimes it's worth it, right?"

He knows the teacher's taking a risk on him... he might be idealistic and even a little naive but he knows everything they're doing is risky and yet Merlin's willing to take the chance.

[mysticism]

"Yeah," he says, knowing they aren't just strictly talking about his health. "Yeah, it is."

He yawns, hugely, lifting his hand to cover his mouth.

"...We should both be getting some sleep, I think. You wore me out and you're not even here."

[daniel_brown]

"It's late..." he concedes, even for him one is usually the cutoff before passing out; "I probably shouldn't have kept you up."

After a brief pause, pulling the plug with his sparkly pink decorated toes, he adds; "Thank you, I mean for everything."

[mysticism]

"Thank you," Merlin says, the warm smile audible in his voice. "And don't - don't think you're keeping me up, or doing anything I don't want to do as well, okay? I want this as much as you do. All of it."

Maybe more. Who even knew any more.

[daniel_brown]

He feels like there's something more he should say, some scrap of something that's just not there between exhaustion and bliss and youthful nerves.

"I'm glad you do." He replies with another soft chuckle, considering the towel as the tub drains out around his ankle.

"Can I talk to you again tomorrow... well, technically today... I mean... is it okay if I call or text or something?"

[mysticism]

"Definitely okay. And if I can't talk, I'll text you." The last thing he wants is for Daniel to think he's being ignored.

[daniel_brown]

"Okay," he breathes, his grin stretching as he pushes up on his feet with a low groan.

"Sleep well, then... I guess. Good night."

[mysticism]

"Sweet dreams," he murmurs, offering his phone an air kiss before hanging up.

"...love you," he adds to the empty air, testing the words to feel out how true they sound to him, then he grabs the blanket and pulls it over his head like he can hide.

"Shit."

[daniel_brown]

For a moment, Danny lingers in the bathroom - checking himself in the mirror and rubbing a generous amount of IcyHot on his knee - thinking about what he said... what was hopefully unheard.

It's too soon, he thinks, he's being being a stupid kid. Things take time to build and grow.

And he's exhausted... and there's a nice, comfy guest room to collapse in until noon.

"Good night." He echoes at the mirror, offering a smile as he drags his fingers over the simple cotton bra under his t-shirt.

[ooc: And there's me grinning like and idiot at them and already looking at the next starter ready to flail.]