Danny

[petty_dabbler]

The trip to Manchester was proving to be a bit more sticky than he'd anticipated. It went so much deeper and Magniel and Memnoth. He had an inkling Gabriel was involved, but that was power he wasn't ready to go up against.

He'd texted Danny a couple times and hadn't heard back so he'd gone out for the night to the bar near his hotel and tucked into a pint and a game of darts with some boys who'd come in before their sanitation shift. Nothing like going to work to deal with trash with a little buzz on, he reckoned.

Every round, though, every single round, he checked his phone, then chided himself for being so needy. Danny had a life. A life he wasn't honestly sure how Danny saw him fitting in to.

Comments

[london_spy]

Danny was conflicted. On one hand, he took everything Flynn said with a grain of salt. They'd gotten off on the wrong foot and never quite managed to make it right. However, Flynn had no reason to lie. After all, if what he was saying was true it would push Danny towards Greg, not away.

He couldn't imagine John being so unkind though. He didn't like Flynn, but he wouldn't mock him for being assaulted. Hell, he even thought the whole sex tape thing was exceptionally messed up. ...His reasons for disliking the fae were rooted fully in the hold he seemed to have on Greg and Hex.

John had texted hours ago, and he hadn't known what to do. Now, finally, he picked up the phone and texted back.

Please tell me you have turrets or some other disorder that causes nervous ticks, and that you didn't laugh at someone for telling you they're a sexual assault victim.

[petty_dabbler]

I'm not texting all that. Come to the Dove and I'll tell you.

He waited a moment, then texted again.

Or call

[london_spy]

I don't know where that is, and I don't know if I want to talk to you about this at a bar, John.

He hit send, then frowned, tossing the phone onto the sofa.

[petty_dabbler]

John tucked his phone in his pocket, pais his tab, then stepped outside. It was pissing down rain and the street lights reflected off the wet pavement and made everything glitter.

He ducked around behind the building and sat on a milk crate. A stray cat walked out from behind a bin and began to rub on his leg.

He pulled out his phone again and called Danny. He had a feeling he wasn't welcome to come over. Maybe ever again.

[london_spy]

Danny nearly didn't answer, but eventually walked over and picked it up.

"What?" he said, rather than a 'hello'.

[petty_dabbler]

"Do you want me to explain or fuck off?" he asked.

[london_spy]

"How do you explain something like that?" Danny asked, not sure he wanted to hear it.

[petty_dabbler]

"Danny, he was telling me all his problems and I felt for him. I did. But then he kept going, telling he needs everyone to like him all the time, even me- and I'm an asshole. And I couldn't help it. It was the most insane Tinkerbell cry for applause in my head," he said.

"But yeah. I laughed. And I hurt his feelings. And I don't feel good about it."

[london_spy]

Danny wasn't laughing though.

He was silent for a long moment, then finally spoke.

"Why were you even talking to him?" he asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"I had some questions about some faerie bullshit," he said. "So I asked him, got my answers, showed him the least amount of interest, and he laid all that out. To a fucking stranger. How many strangers just walk up to you and lay out...that stuff?"

He took a drag, but the sound of the rain drown out the crackle of tobacco.

"You've never laughed at something you really shouldn't have?" he asked.

[london_spy]

"I've never laughed at someone who was telling me they'd been abused," Danny replied quietly, moving to sit down.

[petty_dabbler]

"I have. And worse," John said. He reached down to pet the wet cat.

"Anyway. I don't know what to tell you, Danny. I'm sorry I hurt his feelings, but you're not the person to tell. And him, I doubt he'll take my call again."

[london_spy]

"Right," he said quietly.

He was silent again for a moment, then sighed.

"Why do you think he told you all of that?" he asked.

[petty_dabbler]

"Why do I think he said it? Probably to prove to me he's more than the rich cunt I thought he was," he said. "But how do I know? Maybe he wanted a pity fuck. Maybe he tells everyone who isn't kissing his ass. Who knows."

[london_spy]

"Maybe," Danny said, but it all felt strange to him. Like there was something going on with the actor.

"Why would he reach out to me though? Telling me what you did would only push me towards Greg, and I know he doesn't want that. ...It's strange, right?"

[petty_dabbler]

"Yeah, you got me there. I must be an absolute bastard if he's trying to warn you away," he said. And, honestly, it would probably be best all around if Danny listened.

[london_spy]

Danny was silent for a long moment.

"I'm supposed to be doing homework," he said finally.

[petty_dabbler]

"Oh, sorry. I'll let you go then," he said. The cat abandoned him like a shot when the back door opened and the bar girl brought out some rubbish.

"You can't be back here," she said. "Don't need you assholes pissing on the walls."

"I'm being moved along, anyway," he told Danny.

[london_spy]

"Right," Danny said softly. "Look, maybe tomorrow we can have lunch or something," he offered finally.

[petty_dabbler]

"That'd be nice," he rasped quietly. Fin had fixed his lungs for now, but too many years of too much abuse left his voice gravelly.

He'd have to explain that. Surely Danny would notice he wasn't coughing.

[london_spy]

"I'll see you at one?" he offered, hoping looking John in the eyes might make him feel less uneasy about it all.

"We can order in."

[petty_dabbler]

"I'll be there," he promised. "Night, Danny."

He hung up and wandered away from the glaring girl. The cat followed.

At one o'clock sharp he knocked on Danny's door. Compared to last night sitting in the rain, he looked a lot better. He even shaved.

[london_spy]

Danny didn't look great, having spent most of the night dwelling on things he really didn't want to. Eventually he'd even texted Flynn one more time.

Why did you tell him?

The fae didn't reply right away, but eventually Danny got an answer.

I just wanted to be human in his eyes.

"I haven't ordered food yet," Danny said, moving to let John in.

[petty_dabbler]

"That's alright," he said. "I'd murder someone for a cup of coffee though."

He thought about giving Danny a little kiss, but didn't think now was really the time. He just moved into the house.

[london_spy]

"You know where the pot is," Danny said, stepping aside.