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

ONWARD!

[mysticism]

Merlin spends the time between the game and the formal in a state of utter distraction. He knows a few days of abstinence is good for them - absence makes the heart grow fonder, and all that, not to mention what a wreck he'd be if he had any more fantasy fuel - but it is really, really difficult. He comes close to seriously injuring himself in an AP class, and a couple of his colleagues in the department ask what's making him so distracted. Some more suggestively than others.

This isn't to say that they're being entirely well-behaved. There's a steady, continuous exchange of text messages - some increasingly filthy, some ordinary to the point of being domestic - and another late-night session over the phone that leaves him panting and gorgeously exhausted.

He's offered a spot chaperoning the dance and decides to turn it down. There is literally no chance he'll be able to see Daniel in a tux without locking them both up in the nearest bathroom and engaging in acts that will get him arrested.

He does, however, get online and blow most of that month's discretionary budget. And the the day before the dance, when Daniel opens his locker to find a plain paper package and a small card saying:

To you from m.e.:

Open at home, in private!

Inside is the most extravagant gift Merlin's ever bought another person; just as well Daniel's discarded panties had a size label.

And underneath that is an amateurishly taken photo of an 18-year-old Merlin, grinning and awkward in a grey suit that doesn't really fit, leaning against the side of a limo and arm in arm with a pretty black girl in a yellow dress.

Rambling tag is rambling... and also might not make sense.

[daniel_brown]

Between homework and practice for the upcoming game, Danny doesn't really have much time to do more than think - he tells himself it's not obsessing because obsessing is creepy - but the messages, and the calls especially, are small pockets of happiness that move him a little closer to wherever he hopes that they're going. He doesn't get the gift until right before leaving for home, knowing full and well that he'd have to be back in two hours gearing up for the game.

Private. It had to be something great... something that would undoubtedly distract him...

With deep - amazingly deep - regret, he leaves it unopened on his bed with the intent of tearing into as soon as he gets home. The only flaw in his logic being that a win on homecoming means 'coming home' might not happen until rather late and usually involves just a little bit of drunken revelry at the small hours of the morning that mean it's just after three when he crawls into bed and clings to the package. It doesn't even occur to him to open it, he simply digs the phone out of his jeans to plug it in for the night and shoots off a quick text message to it's deliverer:

UR the best. and handsomest and nicest and awesomest. <3 U

Waiting for a response is not his strong suit after too many beers and too little foresight, and the assumption that Merlin's well asleep at that hour, and Danny's content to curl up with his unopened package and sleep off the victory.

[mysticism]

Merlin is, indeed, asleep by that point - but when the alarm on his phone wakes him up in the morning, checking his messages is the first thing he does.

He proceeds to spend ten minutes silently debating the meaningfulness of <3 versus the actual word love, and whether the distinction matters. Of course, he suspects that Daniel was wasted at the time of writing and he knows that he's a teenager and love at that age is a hormone-fuelled, mindblowing obsession over whoeever you click with for whatever esoteric reasons...

...but Merlin remembers what it was like being seventeen. He remembers feeling completely insane for an older boy who was at best a 1 on the Kinsey scale and didn't have the time of day for him, and he remembers being a heartbroken clusterfuck for months after he'd started going out with some girl.

He feels very strongly for Daniel. And he doesn't really think of himself as a grown-up, but at least he's grown-up enough to know that attaching words to things isn't always necessary. He types a response.

<3 you too.

see you @ my place after formal?

[daniel_brown]

It's after noon when his Mom drags him out of bed to eat real food and nearly one when he scrambles back to his room. The package comes to his attention first, remembering just how excited he'd been to get it home the day before.

It's the simple photograph that catches his eye in the nest of high-quality black lace. It draws up a wide grin, and he brushes his fingers over the familiar, awkward face.

The basque is like nothing he's had the privilege of wearing before, not just "nice" but exquisite. The slight tightness around his ribs forces his posture up straight and in the soft stockings he can't help but feel powerful and sexy.

UR amazing. Will be there soon as I can.

After sending the message, already casting glances at the black and white tux set to hide the fine lingerie, he takes a full-body picture in his closet mirror that doesn't even bother to hide his arousal.

It comes attached to a simple message;

Unwrapped my gift. 2nite u unwrap urs

and I'm off for the night <3

[mysticism]

When Merlin's phone buzzes, he's slouched on his sofa drinking tea and wearing a cardigan because he's a national stereotype. The first message gets a broad, affectionate smile - the second makes his toes curl. Jesus wept. Even if he was never going to put his hands on Daniel, never going to be able to run his hands over that gorgeous body and peel off his gift piece by piece - the photo alone is worth every cent.

you look edible. send me a photo of your tux before you leave?

Added a few moments later:

w/ you inside it obviously, you are what i'm mostly interested in.

Quite all right, night class on Thursday always keeps me out late and dazed when I get home...

[daniel_brown]

Daniel can't help but tuck a grin into his shoulder as he pulls an undershirt over his head. He doesn't really like the tuxedo, but there are expectations - and when your team just won the big game and you ran a touchdown yourself, it's almost required to at least play the part of high school royalty.

The suit comes on much faster than the softness of the femininity underneath had; finished off with well-shined shoes and a belt and his hair slicked back to look quite the man of the hour. Smiling pretty for the camera, for the one the photo is really for more than anything, he sends it right before heading into the fray.

I wish you were with me.

[ooc: And someone may have binge watched the first two season of Merlin this week. *shifty eyes*]

[mysticism]

Merlin smiles sadly at that, briefly regretting his decision to stay home, but - no, he knows it's for the best.

with you in spirit. <3 have a fantastic night, you're wonderful and you deserve it.

[OOC: Haha, hope you're enjoying them. X3 It can be pretty silly but, well, I loved it.]

[daniel_brown]

He doesn't respond to the message, anything he can think to say only comes out the same way. Being rushed out the door, he's paired with every unattached girl in his social circle until he's had all the socializing he can really handle.

It's only just after 8 when he slides behind the wheel of the car he borrowed from his father and retraces his way back to Merlin's building for the first time in over a week.

Leaning hard on the buzzer to be let in, he nervously rakes his fingers through his gelled hair and shifts the comparably stiff fabric of his suit against the soft basque and lacy panties.

[mysticism]

Merlin's not expecting him for another couple hours at least, and he's literally just stepped out of the shower when he hears the buzzer. Still blinking water out of his eyes, he gropes around until he feels terrycloth and then pulls his robe on, tying the belt as he comes out to the panel near the front door. He dries his hand off on his sleeve and then pushes the intercom.

"Hello?"

[daniel_brown]

He couldn't help himself, not when there's somewhere else he'd rather be.

Calling back, he says simply; "I couldn't wait."

[mysticism]

Despite himself - despite knowing that there'll be talk when someone as visible and popular as Daniel slopes off early, and that it's not something he ought to encourage - Merlin smiles broadly, and it comes through in his voice when he presses the door lock.

"Come up. My front door's unlocked."

[daniel_brown]

Grinning wildly despite himself, Danny to the stairs in twos, letting himself in with the faint tremor of someone who knows something's about to happen.

Staying rooted near the entry, locking the door behind him, Danny looks for where he might be in the small apartment.

"I have my results with me," he says nonchalantly; "Sadly I'm not pregnant."

[mysticism]

Merlin emerges from the bedroom, still berobed but now carrying a towel that he's scrubbing through his hair. The flash of a grin peeks through from under the white, though.

"You're not? I'm gutted. Bought one of those books full of names and all that." He tosses the towel aside and strolls up to meet the younger man, taking in the view. Unsurprisingly it's a hundred times better in the flesh. "How was it?"

[daniel_brown]

His lips curl in an irrepressible grin and Danny takes his time answering Merlin's question. Closing the distance between them, he takes the terrycloth in hand and pulls him into a kiss.

"Mmm. Awful." He responds honestly enough; "But it's over now."

[mysticism]

"That'a shame," he says softly, and leans in for another kiss. "Can't argue with the results, though."

He takes half a step back, looks down at himself in comparison to how gorgeously Daniel's dressed, and chuckles self-effacingly. "...I was going to put some clothes on, I promise."

[daniel_brown]

The obvious appreciation draws a blush across his cheeks and Danny lowers his head a second before looking back up to say; "You don't need them."

Tracing over the front of the robe, Danny reaches out with both hands to hold Merlin's. "You're gorgeous any way."

[mysticism]

Merlin smiles, rubbing his thumbs over Daniel's hands.

"...You too. And now I've got proof you look better in formal than I ever have," he adds with a sly half-smile.

[daniel_brown]

Holding back his laugh behind a shy smile and twines their fingers together with a gentle squeeze.

"I didn't see you at the game last night," his voice remains soft, if not the slightest bit hurt - it's just as possible he was there in the crowd; "I hoped you'd see us win."

[mysticism]

"I'm really sorry," he says, his smile fading.

"I got a call from home and it took a lot of sorting out - I couldn't get away. But I did ask Alec," or Mr. Palmer, Physics, as he's more commonly known, "to record it for me. Looked at me like I'd grown a second head, but he did it. I watched it this morning."

[daniel_brown]

Still, Daniel's smile only stretches slightly and he asks; "You saw my touchdown? Number twenty-five?"

It takes a second to realize that a call from home probably means something more important than a football game. "I mean," he shakes his head and asks; "is everything ok?"

[mysticism]

Merlin smiles at his enthusiasm and shakes his head.

"Everything's fine. I needed to make arrangements to go home for a funeral, but...it's not anyone I was close to. More about being there for my mum. And yes, I saw your touchdown."

[daniel_brown]

"Oh..." His eyes soften at the news and he gives the fingers twined with his another fond squeeze.

Looking away from Merlin's sweet face for a moment, shifting somewhat uneasily in his dress shoes, he asks; "Should we have a drink or something?"

[mysticism]

"Yeah. Yeah, we should." He leans in and kisses Daniel's mouth fleetingly. "I, uh - I got some bubbly in, if you want some. Champagne's a bit rich for my blood but it's still something nice."

[daniel_brown]

His lips curl into a smile, but his brow wrinkles. "You didn't have to do that."

Pushing closer, Danny's eyes dart down to the slightest hint of Merlin's chest exposed by the robe.

[mysticism]

"Yeah, but if you only did what you had to then life'd be boring, wouldn't it? Anyway, I wanted to."

Watching the path of Daniel's eyes, he smirks and pulls his robe tighter with completely manufactured selfconsciousness.

"Come on."

He leads Daniel into his little kitchen, retrieving two flute glasses he hasn't used in about a year before going to his fridge for the bottle of cava waiting on the shelf.

"So, what was so terrible? Or d'you not want to talk about it?"