An Itch
So I woke up today with an itch to write Dan, for whatever reason. I started a new piece, and then I decided to finish an old piece. A really old piece, from February. And so I did. It's been a long time since I've written. I'm talking like, since June. >.< I haven't had time, and I haven't had any motivation whatsoever. But today I was feeling a little, I don't know, something-something I guess.
Greater Tuna will be done this weekend, and then who knows, maybe I'll have some time to sit down and write a little bit. I'm hoping for some Ric/Star but I really haven't been at all inspired for that. *glares at X-Factor*
But anyway, posting up the piece. Pretty sure I completely screwed up Nate, which I have a tendency to do. I'm no good at him. Using another person's characters, which I sort of had implied permission to do, once upon a time.
Title: Philosophical
Rating: slash - soft
'Verse: The Effect
Pairing: Ethan/Dan
Author’s Note: Ethan Valente belongs to guiltycross. Daniel Oakley belongs to me.
The candlelight flickered against the tiled walls, casting a soft glow to the bathroom. Ethan relaxed back into the Jacuzzi, closing his eyes and taking several deep breaths. A year ago, this wouldn't have been his idea of a good Valentine's, but this year, it was divine.
He had somehow managed to persuade Brook into allowing Keith to take her out for the holiday-though she remained firm that celebrating Valentine's was a waste of time. Graham had shyly gone out with Elijah. Laurie had pestered Ty into taking her to a movie, bemoaning the fact that she had no one to celebrate the day with. And, to Ethan's eternal surprise, even Chris had managed to get Seth to go out with him. Not a date, Seth had made that clear. The only other person in the house was Nate, and he was down in the lab, keeping to himself. Ethan could finally relax.
After only ten minutes of soaking, the doorbell rang. Ethan vaguely contemplated not answering it, but his good manners won out, and he stepped out of the tub, quickly patting most of his body dry and pulling on a robe. The doorbell rang again, insistently. Ethan sighed and made his way to the entrance to answer it.
Pulling the front door open, he was shocked to find Daniel Oakley on the other side, carrying a paper bag under one arm. He flashed Ethan a quick, pleasant smile. "Hi!"
Ethan blinked at him. "Oh. I'm sorry, Daniel, but I don't think we were expecting you today. Graham's gone out."
The man laughed and stepped inside, forcing Ethan to take a step away to allow him in. "I know. That boy he likes finally asked him out. Kudos to him. I'm not here to see Graham, I'm here to see you. I was told you were spending Valentine's alone. I thought that was a real shame, so I decided to come over and offer my delightful company." He held up the paper bag temptingly. "I brought movies and candy. You can't turn me down." Dan looked him up and down, taking in the wet hair and towel. "Were you in the bath?"
Ethan smiled wryly. "What gave you that impression?"
Dan shrugged, and started digging through his bag. "Okay, so I brought over War of the Worlds, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Prestige, Gladiator, Riddick, A Beautiful Mind, and, my personal favorite, The Sound of Music." He looked up at him. "If you want, finish your bath. I'll wait around."
Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, Ethan shook his head. "No, I… Just let me get dressed. I'll be right out." He moved back to his wing of the house, disappearing into his bedroom and going straight to his closet. He stood there for several moments, debating, before he realized that it didn't exactly matter. So he pulled on a pair of relaxed jeans and a soft, crimson sweater, running his fingers through his hair, which was quickly curling as it dried.
When he returned, he found Dan in the leisure room, bending in front of the television screen and examining the DVD player. He prodded a button, and the disk holder ejected. He prodded it again, and it slid back into place.
"What are we watching?" Ethan asked. Dan looked up and smiled.
"How festive," he said, waving a hand towards Ethan's sweater. "Movie choice is up to you."
Ethan moved to crouch next to him, looking at the DVD case for Riddick. "What is this? I've never heard of it."
"Oh, it's a sci-fi space kind of thing. The guy, Riddick, he has these eyes that let him see in the dark because of some operation he had done, called eyeshine or something. Anyway, he's sort of the anti-hero, but it's really cool. Plus, Vin Diesel has that great baritone voice. Even if his name is ridiculous. No, really now, what kind of stage name is Vin Diesel anyway? Or is that his real name? Remind me to look it up sometime."
Ethan set it down. "I'm not particularly fond of science fiction. Perhaps Gladiator."
"Excellent choice," Dan said approvingly. "We can debate the historical inaccuracies. My history may not be completely up to scratch, but I think I know a thing or two about ancient Rome. But hey, you're Italian, right? You were probably all over this movie; I mean, it's your history." He popped the case open and set the disk into the DVD player. He got up and went to settle down on the couch. He patted the cushion next to him, and Ethan moved to sit down, putting more distance between them than Dan seemed to have intended. "What's your sweet tooth craving?" he asked him. "I have everything from Goobers to Twizzlers to…" He searched through the bag. "I don't know. Everything Wonka had in his factory, I bet. Here, try this." He pulled out a tube of candy, tore it open, and placed a colorful disk into Ethan's palm. The Italian eyed it dubiously before placing it in his mouth. His lips pursed instantly.
"What is this?" he choked out.
"Shockers! Best sour candy ever. They used to have the school bands sell these for fundraisers, in high school and stuff. I could never get enough of them."
His eyes were watering up. "You should have warned me."
Dan grinned at him, popping one of the candies into his own mouth. "Then it wouldn't have been as shocking." He paused to make a face as the sourness hit him. "Should I make popcorn?"
"You can if you'd like," Ethan said, shrugging. "It's entirely up to you."
Dan shot up to his feet and quickly ducked into the kitchen. "It isn't really a movie night if you don't have popcorn," he called to Ethan. "Where do you keep it?"
"Umm, I believe there is some microwaveable popcorn in the second or third cabinet above the stove. Would you like me to help you--" There was the sound of cabinet doors being opened, and then a triumphant cry. "Did you find it?"
"Yep! Go ahead and start the movie, I'll be right out."
Ethan hit play on the remote and settled back as the trailers began. He could hear the microwave and the sound of the popcorn being made, and Dan moving around in the kitchen. After a couple minutes, he came out with a big bowl of popcorn.
"Mmm," he said, holding out the bowl for Ethan. He managed an amused smile, and took a small handful. Dan set the bowl on the table and flopped down on the couch. Closer than he had originally been.
"Okay," Dan began, tucking his legs underneath him and brushing a strand of chestnut hair out of his eyes. "I have a minor confession to make. I'm a movie buff. And I sort of have this tendency to critique films as I watch them. If I start to annoy you just hit me over the head. Really, I don't mind."
Ethan laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Can I tell you a secret?" Ethan turned to look at Dan, curious. Dan tossed a piece of popcorn into his mouth, catching it on his tongue and munching it quickly. "In college I had dreams of being a director. It's actually why I came to L.A. in the first place. But I settled for the more realistic career of physical therapy. Really, it's much more rewarding."
Offering him a tiny smile, Ethan patted his arm. "I'm sure you would have been talented as a director."
"What makes you say that?" Dan asked. "I could have been a total failure at it. Come on, Ethan, don't give me that offhand support. We don't need that sort of social lubricant, do we?"
"I don't know. Do we?" Ethan raised an eyebrow at him, completely taken aback by the raw… honesty that Dan always presented so carelessly.
"Absolutely not," he replied firmly, settling back on the couch and turning his eyes towards the television screen. He reached out for the popcorn bowl again.
"Why are you here?" Ethan asked, perplexed.
Dan glanced over at him. A smile was playing around his lips. "Do you mean that philosophically?"
Ethan almost laughed. "No. I mean why did you come over here today?"
"Didn't I already tell you that? I thought you might enjoy the pleasure of my company. I guess it was pretty presumptuous of me. Are you annoyed? You are. Geez, I'm sorry, I just come waltzing in like it would actually matter when really-"
Ethan cut him off with a kiss. It was quick, dry, almost nonexistent. When he pulled away, Dan lifted a single eyebrow at him.
"Um. Huh. Wasn't expecting that one."
"Nor was I," Ethan confessed, watching him uncertainly. "I apologize, that was forward of me."
"Yeah it was," Dan agreed. "I mean, not that I really minded. A sexy Italian kisses you, you're not gonna complain, right?" he asked with a laugh.
Ethan smiled slightly, embarrassed but pleased. "I should hope not."
"Just give me a little warning next time, huh? That way I can prepare myself."
There was a slight hesitation, and Ethan shifted closer. "I'm about to kiss you. Are you prepared?"
Dan pretended to get himself ready. He flashed him a quick grin. "Go for it."
This time, Ethan made sure to employ the full use of his lips, hands, and body. His mouth traveled from his mouth to his throat to his ears, his hands drifted from cradling the back of his head to skirting down his torso, along his ribcage-Dan squirmed, ticklish-and up his spine. Dan's arms circled around Ethan's neck and pulled him down on top of him, falling back against the couch.
"Hey, Ethan, are we all out of-Oh." Nathan stood in the entrance of the leisure room, looking embarrassed as Ethan quickly disengaged himself from Dan. "Sorry. I'll just, um."
"Nathan," he gasped. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come up."
"Yeah," Nate said awkwardly.
Ethan brushed a hand over his hair, determinedly not looking at Daniel, who had suddenly developed a keen interest in the movie. "What is it you were asking?"
"I was wondering if we were all out of blue litmus paper. I can't seem to find any."
"I believe I have some. I'll help you look," Ethan said, a little more eager than was warranted. "Excuse me, Daniel. I'll be right back."
Dan nodded and waved a hand carelessly. "Sure. Do you want me to put the movie on pause?"
Ethan shook his head. "No, that's fine. It'll only take but a moment." He followed Nathan down into the lab. The litmus paper was hiding in the back of an extra storage cabinet. Ethan located it and handed it over to Nate, who was trying to bite his tongue to keep from saying anything callous.
It didn't work. "Don't you think maybe dating Graham's club leader might not be a good idea?"
Ethan looked at him levelly. "I'm more than aware of that, but thank you, Nathan." And he walked up the stairs.
Daniel was sitting very obviously on the far end of the couch. Ethan sat on the opposite. The remainder of the movie was watched in almost complete and very uncomfortable silence. When it was over, Dan stretched, got his things together, and looked up at Ethan for the first time since Nate had interrupted them.
"Well," he said with a grin and a feigned attempt at light-heartedness. "Happy Valentine's, Ethan."
"Daniel," Ethan began urgently. "What happened today, that was-"
"Don't say it was a mistake, Ethan," Dan sighed. "I don't want to hear it."
"It shouldn't have happened," he insisted.
Dan deliberately placed himself inches from Ethan as he quietly asked, "Why not?"
Ethan licked his dry lips and muttered something about 'unsavory consequences.' Dan looked stunned and a little hurt and then he looked like nothing at all because he was gone, and Ethan was left with a heavy heart and a bad taste in his mouth-a combination of popcorn, shockers, and bitterness.
Greater Tuna will be done this weekend, and then who knows, maybe I'll have some time to sit down and write a little bit. I'm hoping for some Ric/Star but I really haven't been at all inspired for that. *glares at X-Factor*
But anyway, posting up the piece. Pretty sure I completely screwed up Nate, which I have a tendency to do. I'm no good at him. Using another person's characters, which I sort of had implied permission to do, once upon a time.
Title: Philosophical
Rating: slash - soft
'Verse: The Effect
Pairing: Ethan/Dan
Author’s Note: Ethan Valente belongs to guiltycross. Daniel Oakley belongs to me.
The candlelight flickered against the tiled walls, casting a soft glow to the bathroom. Ethan relaxed back into the Jacuzzi, closing his eyes and taking several deep breaths. A year ago, this wouldn't have been his idea of a good Valentine's, but this year, it was divine.
He had somehow managed to persuade Brook into allowing Keith to take her out for the holiday-though she remained firm that celebrating Valentine's was a waste of time. Graham had shyly gone out with Elijah. Laurie had pestered Ty into taking her to a movie, bemoaning the fact that she had no one to celebrate the day with. And, to Ethan's eternal surprise, even Chris had managed to get Seth to go out with him. Not a date, Seth had made that clear. The only other person in the house was Nate, and he was down in the lab, keeping to himself. Ethan could finally relax.
After only ten minutes of soaking, the doorbell rang. Ethan vaguely contemplated not answering it, but his good manners won out, and he stepped out of the tub, quickly patting most of his body dry and pulling on a robe. The doorbell rang again, insistently. Ethan sighed and made his way to the entrance to answer it.
Pulling the front door open, he was shocked to find Daniel Oakley on the other side, carrying a paper bag under one arm. He flashed Ethan a quick, pleasant smile. "Hi!"
Ethan blinked at him. "Oh. I'm sorry, Daniel, but I don't think we were expecting you today. Graham's gone out."
The man laughed and stepped inside, forcing Ethan to take a step away to allow him in. "I know. That boy he likes finally asked him out. Kudos to him. I'm not here to see Graham, I'm here to see you. I was told you were spending Valentine's alone. I thought that was a real shame, so I decided to come over and offer my delightful company." He held up the paper bag temptingly. "I brought movies and candy. You can't turn me down." Dan looked him up and down, taking in the wet hair and towel. "Were you in the bath?"
Ethan smiled wryly. "What gave you that impression?"
Dan shrugged, and started digging through his bag. "Okay, so I brought over War of the Worlds, Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Prestige, Gladiator, Riddick, A Beautiful Mind, and, my personal favorite, The Sound of Music." He looked up at him. "If you want, finish your bath. I'll wait around."
Feeling somewhat overwhelmed, Ethan shook his head. "No, I… Just let me get dressed. I'll be right out." He moved back to his wing of the house, disappearing into his bedroom and going straight to his closet. He stood there for several moments, debating, before he realized that it didn't exactly matter. So he pulled on a pair of relaxed jeans and a soft, crimson sweater, running his fingers through his hair, which was quickly curling as it dried.
When he returned, he found Dan in the leisure room, bending in front of the television screen and examining the DVD player. He prodded a button, and the disk holder ejected. He prodded it again, and it slid back into place.
"What are we watching?" Ethan asked. Dan looked up and smiled.
"How festive," he said, waving a hand towards Ethan's sweater. "Movie choice is up to you."
Ethan moved to crouch next to him, looking at the DVD case for Riddick. "What is this? I've never heard of it."
"Oh, it's a sci-fi space kind of thing. The guy, Riddick, he has these eyes that let him see in the dark because of some operation he had done, called eyeshine or something. Anyway, he's sort of the anti-hero, but it's really cool. Plus, Vin Diesel has that great baritone voice. Even if his name is ridiculous. No, really now, what kind of stage name is Vin Diesel anyway? Or is that his real name? Remind me to look it up sometime."
Ethan set it down. "I'm not particularly fond of science fiction. Perhaps Gladiator."
"Excellent choice," Dan said approvingly. "We can debate the historical inaccuracies. My history may not be completely up to scratch, but I think I know a thing or two about ancient Rome. But hey, you're Italian, right? You were probably all over this movie; I mean, it's your history." He popped the case open and set the disk into the DVD player. He got up and went to settle down on the couch. He patted the cushion next to him, and Ethan moved to sit down, putting more distance between them than Dan seemed to have intended. "What's your sweet tooth craving?" he asked him. "I have everything from Goobers to Twizzlers to…" He searched through the bag. "I don't know. Everything Wonka had in his factory, I bet. Here, try this." He pulled out a tube of candy, tore it open, and placed a colorful disk into Ethan's palm. The Italian eyed it dubiously before placing it in his mouth. His lips pursed instantly.
"What is this?" he choked out.
"Shockers! Best sour candy ever. They used to have the school bands sell these for fundraisers, in high school and stuff. I could never get enough of them."
His eyes were watering up. "You should have warned me."
Dan grinned at him, popping one of the candies into his own mouth. "Then it wouldn't have been as shocking." He paused to make a face as the sourness hit him. "Should I make popcorn?"
"You can if you'd like," Ethan said, shrugging. "It's entirely up to you."
Dan shot up to his feet and quickly ducked into the kitchen. "It isn't really a movie night if you don't have popcorn," he called to Ethan. "Where do you keep it?"
"Umm, I believe there is some microwaveable popcorn in the second or third cabinet above the stove. Would you like me to help you--" There was the sound of cabinet doors being opened, and then a triumphant cry. "Did you find it?"
"Yep! Go ahead and start the movie, I'll be right out."
Ethan hit play on the remote and settled back as the trailers began. He could hear the microwave and the sound of the popcorn being made, and Dan moving around in the kitchen. After a couple minutes, he came out with a big bowl of popcorn.
"Mmm," he said, holding out the bowl for Ethan. He managed an amused smile, and took a small handful. Dan set the bowl on the table and flopped down on the couch. Closer than he had originally been.
"Okay," Dan began, tucking his legs underneath him and brushing a strand of chestnut hair out of his eyes. "I have a minor confession to make. I'm a movie buff. And I sort of have this tendency to critique films as I watch them. If I start to annoy you just hit me over the head. Really, I don't mind."
Ethan laughed. "I'll keep that in mind."
"Can I tell you a secret?" Ethan turned to look at Dan, curious. Dan tossed a piece of popcorn into his mouth, catching it on his tongue and munching it quickly. "In college I had dreams of being a director. It's actually why I came to L.A. in the first place. But I settled for the more realistic career of physical therapy. Really, it's much more rewarding."
Offering him a tiny smile, Ethan patted his arm. "I'm sure you would have been talented as a director."
"What makes you say that?" Dan asked. "I could have been a total failure at it. Come on, Ethan, don't give me that offhand support. We don't need that sort of social lubricant, do we?"
"I don't know. Do we?" Ethan raised an eyebrow at him, completely taken aback by the raw… honesty that Dan always presented so carelessly.
"Absolutely not," he replied firmly, settling back on the couch and turning his eyes towards the television screen. He reached out for the popcorn bowl again.
"Why are you here?" Ethan asked, perplexed.
Dan glanced over at him. A smile was playing around his lips. "Do you mean that philosophically?"
Ethan almost laughed. "No. I mean why did you come over here today?"
"Didn't I already tell you that? I thought you might enjoy the pleasure of my company. I guess it was pretty presumptuous of me. Are you annoyed? You are. Geez, I'm sorry, I just come waltzing in like it would actually matter when really-"
Ethan cut him off with a kiss. It was quick, dry, almost nonexistent. When he pulled away, Dan lifted a single eyebrow at him.
"Um. Huh. Wasn't expecting that one."
"Nor was I," Ethan confessed, watching him uncertainly. "I apologize, that was forward of me."
"Yeah it was," Dan agreed. "I mean, not that I really minded. A sexy Italian kisses you, you're not gonna complain, right?" he asked with a laugh.
Ethan smiled slightly, embarrassed but pleased. "I should hope not."
"Just give me a little warning next time, huh? That way I can prepare myself."
There was a slight hesitation, and Ethan shifted closer. "I'm about to kiss you. Are you prepared?"
Dan pretended to get himself ready. He flashed him a quick grin. "Go for it."
This time, Ethan made sure to employ the full use of his lips, hands, and body. His mouth traveled from his mouth to his throat to his ears, his hands drifted from cradling the back of his head to skirting down his torso, along his ribcage-Dan squirmed, ticklish-and up his spine. Dan's arms circled around Ethan's neck and pulled him down on top of him, falling back against the couch.
"Hey, Ethan, are we all out of-Oh." Nathan stood in the entrance of the leisure room, looking embarrassed as Ethan quickly disengaged himself from Dan. "Sorry. I'll just, um."
"Nathan," he gasped. "I'm sorry, I didn't hear you come up."
"Yeah," Nate said awkwardly.
Ethan brushed a hand over his hair, determinedly not looking at Daniel, who had suddenly developed a keen interest in the movie. "What is it you were asking?"
"I was wondering if we were all out of blue litmus paper. I can't seem to find any."
"I believe I have some. I'll help you look," Ethan said, a little more eager than was warranted. "Excuse me, Daniel. I'll be right back."
Dan nodded and waved a hand carelessly. "Sure. Do you want me to put the movie on pause?"
Ethan shook his head. "No, that's fine. It'll only take but a moment." He followed Nathan down into the lab. The litmus paper was hiding in the back of an extra storage cabinet. Ethan located it and handed it over to Nate, who was trying to bite his tongue to keep from saying anything callous.
It didn't work. "Don't you think maybe dating Graham's club leader might not be a good idea?"
Ethan looked at him levelly. "I'm more than aware of that, but thank you, Nathan." And he walked up the stairs.
Daniel was sitting very obviously on the far end of the couch. Ethan sat on the opposite. The remainder of the movie was watched in almost complete and very uncomfortable silence. When it was over, Dan stretched, got his things together, and looked up at Ethan for the first time since Nate had interrupted them.
"Well," he said with a grin and a feigned attempt at light-heartedness. "Happy Valentine's, Ethan."
"Daniel," Ethan began urgently. "What happened today, that was-"
"Don't say it was a mistake, Ethan," Dan sighed. "I don't want to hear it."
"It shouldn't have happened," he insisted.
Dan deliberately placed himself inches from Ethan as he quietly asked, "Why not?"
Ethan licked his dry lips and muttered something about 'unsavory consequences.' Dan looked stunned and a little hurt and then he looked like nothing at all because he was gone, and Ethan was left with a heavy heart and a bad taste in his mouth-a combination of popcorn, shockers, and bitterness.