1st chapter: A Fine Line
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How long had it been? How long had he been the black-clad techie stalker to Gabriel’s shining star of musical theater? At least since the first week of freshman year, nearly six years ago. They’d both, by some horrific or terrific twist of fate, ended up at the state university about three hours from their hometown, where they were in their second year. Things had changed less than Danny had thought they might- he’d hoped that college might help to usher their tentative friendship into a new stage, romantic or otherwise. Unfortunately, Gabe seemed perfectly content to keep things professional and distant, much to the dismay of Danny and his friends, fellow techies all. The most obvious course of action was, of course, to just move on. The main problem with that, or one of them, was that Gabe had engaged him in several very personal conversations over the years, and now that he’d gotten a taste of that Gabe, Danny found it damn near impossible to quit him. Sigh…
Gabe flushed as he heard a deep sigh coming from the general direction of the booth, where he knew his Danny was reclining in a chair and probably eating Swedish Fish. Gabe had watched Danny feed his addiction to the candy since freshman year, watched as lips turned candy red and breath scented of sweet cherry. How often had he imagined tasting those lips, imagined breathing in the scent from the source? Too often for comfort, that’s for sure. Even distancing himself from the temptation had barely made a dent in the sea of his sexual frustration. Danny was still always there- brown curly hair flopping over his face, shadowing the brilliant blue of his eyes, his short frame belying the strength Gabe saw exhibited during load-ins and focusing. He was irresistible even in the day-to-day but Gabe loved him most when they were several hours into the day during tech week, and the air conditioner started to fritz, as it always did. As sweat from the hard labor started to accumulate on his brow, Danny would borrow hair ties from his little techie friends and pull the front part of his curls into tiny short ponytails. His pale skin gleamed against the dark t-shirts he wore and his eyes sparkled with the delight of the theater process, a delight Gabe himself knew well. It was during these times, like at the moment, that Gabe found his heart ache a little to look away. But he had made his bed and now he had to lie in it- after years putting a wall between himself and Danny, there was no reason Danny would want anything to do with him now. Gabe let out a sigh to match the one from Danny minutes ago and started to warm up…
Danny gazed longingly through the glass window separating him from the athletic angel exercising his baritone voice with a series of scales. After so many years hearing that voice, Danny could adjust the mikes to an ideal volume for Gabe during a show whilst napping, practically. He took a moment to rake his eyes over the glowing Adonis for the millionth time- it was just as he always remembered. A tall, lithe body (swimmer’s build, his friends called it)- nearly 6’2” to his 5’6”, blond- even golden- hair that fell gently across his forehead, and the greenest, most perfect eyes- eyes that seemed to pierce your soul even with a passing glance. He carried his body well after years of training in acting and soccer, and seemed to radiate confidence. Only from one of the few substantial conversations they’d had did Danny know the insecurities that were hidden behind that bright smile. Gabe’s alcoholic father, in jail now for driving drunk and nearly hitting a little girl; his mother, with her fading looks and endless string of deadbeat boyfriends; an older brother disappeared into a world of drugs and deals; and an adorable younger sister named Lily, for whom Gabe would do anything, just to keep the innocent smile and sweet chortling laughter alive. Danny had actually met Lily once, on the opening night of their senior musical “Les Miserables”. The cherub was perfectly charming and adorable, and, seeing the way Gabe beamed at her, Danny found it hard to keep from throwing his arms around the two of them and never letting go.
How long had it been? How long had he been the black-clad techie stalker to Gabriel’s shining star of musical theater? At least since the first week of freshman year, nearly six years ago. They’d both, by some horrific or terrific twist of fate, ended up at the state university about three hours from their hometown, where they were in their second year. Things had changed less than Danny had thought they might- he’d hoped that college might help to usher their tentative friendship into a new stage, romantic or otherwise. Unfortunately, Gabe seemed perfectly content to keep things professional and distant, much to the dismay of Danny and his friends, fellow techies all. The most obvious course of action was, of course, to just move on. The main problem with that, or one of them, was that Gabe had engaged him in several very personal conversations over the years, and now that he’d gotten a taste of that Gabe, Danny found it damn near impossible to quit him. Sigh…
Gabe flushed as he heard a deep sigh coming from the general direction of the booth, where he knew his Danny was reclining in a chair and probably eating Swedish Fish. Gabe had watched Danny feed his addiction to the candy since freshman year, watched as lips turned candy red and breath scented of sweet cherry. How often had he imagined tasting those lips, imagined breathing in the scent from the source? Too often for comfort, that’s for sure. Even distancing himself from the temptation had barely made a dent in the sea of his sexual frustration. Danny was still always there- brown curly hair flopping over his face, shadowing the brilliant blue of his eyes, his short frame belying the strength Gabe saw exhibited during load-ins and focusing. He was irresistible even in the day-to-day but Gabe loved him most when they were several hours into the day during tech week, and the air conditioner started to fritz, as it always did. As sweat from the hard labor started to accumulate on his brow, Danny would borrow hair ties from his little techie friends and pull the front part of his curls into tiny short ponytails. His pale skin gleamed against the dark t-shirts he wore and his eyes sparkled with the delight of the theater process, a delight Gabe himself knew well. It was during these times, like at the moment, that Gabe found his heart ache a little to look away. But he had made his bed and now he had to lie in it- after years putting a wall between himself and Danny, there was no reason Danny would want anything to do with him now. Gabe let out a sigh to match the one from Danny minutes ago and started to warm up…
Danny gazed longingly through the glass window separating him from the athletic angel exercising his baritone voice with a series of scales. After so many years hearing that voice, Danny could adjust the mikes to an ideal volume for Gabe during a show whilst napping, practically. He took a moment to rake his eyes over the glowing Adonis for the millionth time- it was just as he always remembered. A tall, lithe body (swimmer’s build, his friends called it)- nearly 6’2” to his 5’6”, blond- even golden- hair that fell gently across his forehead, and the greenest, most perfect eyes- eyes that seemed to pierce your soul even with a passing glance. He carried his body well after years of training in acting and soccer, and seemed to radiate confidence. Only from one of the few substantial conversations they’d had did Danny know the insecurities that were hidden behind that bright smile. Gabe’s alcoholic father, in jail now for driving drunk and nearly hitting a little girl; his mother, with her fading looks and endless string of deadbeat boyfriends; an older brother disappeared into a world of drugs and deals; and an adorable younger sister named Lily, for whom Gabe would do anything, just to keep the innocent smile and sweet chortling laughter alive. Danny had actually met Lily once, on the opening night of their senior musical “Les Miserables”. The cherub was perfectly charming and adorable, and, seeing the way Gabe beamed at her, Danny found it hard to keep from throwing his arms around the two of them and never letting go.