Patience
Title: Patience
Rating: slash - soft
'Verse: The Effect
Pairing: Ethan/Dan
Author’s Note: This piece takes place after Philosophical. It is now going to be a series entitled Virtues and Vices.
Ethan Valente belongs to guiltycross. Daniel Oakley belongs to me.
It took Ethan several days of deep thought before he convinced himself he needed to go see Dan. He had a reason-Dan had left The Sound of Music behind. Of course, Ethan could have very easily handed it off to Graham and he could have returned it, but Ethan didn't really want Graham to know that Dan had been over, and felt ashamed of keeping the secret.
He looked Dan up in the phone book to find his office. He brought the DVD with him to work that day and kept it on his desk in plain sight, to remind him. As a result, he concentrated very little. At five o'clock, he swept up his jacket and slipped the DVD into his briefcase. He said goodbye to his secretary, and left the building.
It wasn't difficult to find Dan's office. It was a fairly small location, with only four practitioners. Ethan opened his briefcase and grabbed the DVD, slipping it inside his inner coat pocket and stepping out of his car. He took a deep breath, and pulled the glass door open.
There was an administrative assistant on the telephone with a patient, scheduling an appointment. Ethan waited patiently, looking around the little lobby. It was decorated very tastefully, with lovely art pieces hung on the wall and green plants flourishing. He could see patients feeling very comfortable here.
When the woman got off the phone, she looked up at Ethan with a pleasant smile. "What can I help you with, sir?"
He took a step forward, towards the counter, returning her smile with one of his own. "I'm here to see Daniel Oakley. Is he in?"
She looked at her computer, her eyebrows creasing. "Do you have an appointment?" she asked, readying her fingers at the keyboard.
"Ah, no. It's a personal visit. I have something that belongs to him," he explained.
Her eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "If you would like to leave it with me, I can give it to him." she suggested.
He flushed faintly. "Thank you, but I would much rather-"
A nearby door opened, and a woman pushed out a smiling young boy in a wheelchair. "Thanks, Dr. Dan!" he said as wheeled towards the door.
Dan appeared in the doorway with a smile, waving goodbye. "I'll see you next week, Collin."
As the woman went to the counter to arrange another appointment with the secretary, Ethan slipped his way towards Dan's private office. Dan saw him approach, and his expression changed completely. He looked wary, apprehensive, and not entirely glad to see Ethan. After the way their last meeting had gone, Ethan wasn't entirely surprised.
"Daniel, may I speak to you?" he asked politely.
"I'm on my way out, actually. That was my last appointment for today." He glanced at him, and his expression softened. "But you can accompany me to my car."
He disappeared inside his office, and came out a moment later with his jacket, pulling it on and closing his door behind him. "Goodbye, Anna, I'll see you tomorrow," he called to the secretary, and fell into step with Ethan.
When they were outside, Ethan slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the DVD. "You forgot this at my house," he told him, handing it over.
Dan raised an eyebrow, taking it from him. "Is that all? You could have given it to Graham." He watched his expression, reading it correctly. "Graham doesn't know I came over." He said it not as though he were upset, but rather, as if he was just stating a fact.
"He does not," Ethan said evenly. "And Nathan has been kind enough not to mention it."
"Of course," Dan said dryly, reaching his car and deactivating the alarm. "We wouldn't want it getting out. What a scandal!"
"Daniel, I'm trying to apologize." Ethan placed his hand on his shoulder. "Please, couldn't we discuss this over dinner?"
"I have a better idea. Let's discuss this right now, like adults." Dan leaned against his passenger door, his voice perfectly reasonable. "I am interested in you, and unless I am very much mistaken, you are at least somewhat interested in me. Rather than explore that interest and find out whether or not there's a possibility of a relationship, you would rather avoid the issue because why?"
"You are Graham's club leader," Ethan explained.
He looked politely confused. "What difference does that make?"
"It would be taking advantage of Graham's connections, and quite possibly compromise house relations, as well as your relationship with Graham," Ethan told him earnestly.
"How?" Dan asked, folding his arms in front of him. "In what way?"
Ethan bit his lip. Dan waited patiently. "It's… complicated," he said finally.
"Enlighten me."
"Graham… has had feelings for me," he tried to explain.
Dan blinked, and then laughed gently. "Well, really, Ethan, who hasn't? And even if that was the case, Graham's smitten with that Elijah boy now!"
Ethan shook his head, a little affronted. "It doesn't matter. I think Graham could still wind up hurting from this."
"Have you tried talking to him?" Dan pressed him, knowing the answer.
"It's much too sensitive an issue for me to discuss it with him directly. He…. he simply wouldn't understand."
Sighing, Dan pushed off the car. "You don't give him the credit he deserves. He's an adult, Ethan, and rather intuitive, and far more understanding than I think you realize."
Ethan managed somehow not to bristle at that. As though Dan somehow knew Graham better than he. "Yes, but when it comes to matters of the heart, he does not understand that society has placed some rather severe restrictions."
Dan looked startled, and stared at Ethan for several long seconds. "I see…." Ethan gave him a quizzical look. "You're saying that…. were it not for the age difference?"
The man closed his eyes. "Yes. Were I seven years younger, or even five, I might consider returning his affections. But he's more than ten years younger than I, and still so naïve. Nothing could happen between us." He opened his eyes to catch the look on Dan's face. "Please," he added hurriedly. "Don't assume that means I harbor feelings for him now."
He shrugged. "It doesn't matter, actually, whether you do or not. I'm still competing with him for your affections, aren't I? It all comes down to the same thing."
"Only if you wish to generalize such a matter," Ethan said simply.
"I'm not generalizing, Ethan. You're attracted to me, but you won't act on your attraction because you want to spare Graham's feelings. I might admire that if it weren't for the fact that I feel you're preventing yourself from enjoying a life of your own."
Ethan sighed. This discussion was all the more frustrating because Dan did not sound angry or upset. Those sorts of emotions Ethan could handle, he could charm him out of it. Dan was simply… matter-of-fact. "It's not… only Graham." Dan merely raised his eyebrows. "It's too convenient," he continued. "I don't trust things when they are just handed to me so easily."
"Clearly, it's anything but convenient."
There was a long silence stretching between them. Neither seemed to want to break the contact and walk away, as though there was still some small hope that could resolve the matter for them.
"Perhaps," Ethan ventured. "I can find a way to talk to Graham about this."
Dan shook his head. "Don't put yourself in an awkward situation on my behalf. I'm a big boy. I can handle it."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And what am I, a child?"
"You misunderstand me. You seem reluctant to confront him about it. That's all I meant."
His shoulders drooped. "The last thing I wish to do is hurt him or give him any more problems."
Dan reached out and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "I understand," he said sincerely. "That's what I'm trying to say. We can both walk away from this right now. No hard feelings."
Ethan looked up at him, this bluntly honest man. His eyebrows furrowed, and he slid a hand up his arm and curled it around the back of his neck, bringing Dan forward so he could kiss him properly. It took Dan all but two shocked seconds before he responded.
When the kiss ended, Dan smiled a little foolishly. "Okay, or not."
Ethan ran a hand along his cheek affectionately. "I'll handle it. It would be stupid of me to pass this up."
Dan grinned. "Well, I wasn't going to say it."
He laughed. "You were just going to wait for me to give in and kiss you?"
His head bobbed up and down in a cheerful little nod. "It was decidedly more fun that way." He gave him a mischievous little smile. "You're a great kisser."
Ethan laughed. "I'm glad you think so."
Dan looked at him, considering. "I think I'll take that dinner offer now."
He smiled in relief.
Ethan drove to the restaurant, so as to keep the choice a surprise. He stopped in front of the building and handed a valet his keys. Dan was frowning by the time they got through the door. They were seated at a lovely private table and handed menus.
Dan opened the menu and let out a quiet groan. Ethan looked across the table at him curiously.
"Is something wrong?"
Dan rubbed his forehead. "I can't afford this place," he muttered, his cheeks flushing a faint pink.
A look of surprise flickered onto Ethan's face. "I'm paying!" He reached across the table to touch Dan's hand, who pulled away.
"You don't have to impress me out of my pants," Dan hissed, trying to keep his voice low.
Ethan leaned across the table conspiratorially. "I don't have to, but it's working, no?" He smiled and leaned back into his seat. "I only wish to enjoy the evening with you."
"I would have enjoyed the evening just as well if we'd gone to McDonald's," Dan said. He wrinkled his nose. "Well, okay, not McDonald's, per se, but you know what I mean."
He laughed. "I like to think I have a little more class than that."
Dan left it at that, opening the menu and studying it. He'd order the cheapest thing on the menu, if it came down to it.
When the waiter came to their table, Ethan ordered their food and some wine. Another server came to their table soon after to bring them their wine and fill their glasses. As soon as they were alone, Ethan took a deep breath, and began.
"I feel that there are still some things to say." Dan looked at him expectantly from over his wine glass. "I am interested in you. I would like to have a relationship with you." He paused. "Eventually." Dan frowned, and Ethan continued. "The past few years, I have not proved stable in relationships. I rush headlong into them and they end up being very messy. I am a very busy man. I have two full time careers. If we were to try a relationship now, I would not be able to give you the time and the attention that you deserve. I want to take things slow, see how things progress, give Graham time to adjust if he is upset by it, give ourselves time to think it through." He smiled at him, a little sadly. "I don't want to mess it up."
Dan listened to what he had to say very carefully. And he listened to what Ethan didn't say. He paused to sip his wine, rolling it around in his head as much as he rolled the wine in his mouth. "I understand," he said at last. He gave him a reassuring smile. "I can wait."
Ethan awarded him with his most charming smile. Inside, he felt himself relaxing. "So, tell me more about your work, Dr. Dan," he said teasingly.
He laughed lightly. "Well, I'm a physical therapist, as you know. I suppose you could say that my specialty is with children who were born with a physical disability, though I work with all patients."
"And what made you decide to go into physical therapy?" Ethan asked, and almost regretted it. "Or is this personal?"
Dan smiled. "It's not a repeat of my After M group, if that's what you mean. No, I just developed an interest in it. Some doctors literally give patients their lives back. I give back their quality of life. And it's not all recovering from paralysis or improving a back condition. Some forms of physical therapy can even help your sex life," he confided in him, and sipped his wine with a coy little smile.
"Really?" Ethan asked, his eyebrows raised. Intrigued.
"Mhmm. I can show you sometime," he offered. He breathed a quiet laugh. "When you're ready."
I'm ready now, Ethan thought, but pushed it back down.
"Oh!" Dan said suddenly. "Next week there's going to be an independent films festival. Thursday night. Any chance you'll be free?" He reached out and took his hand, tangling their fingers together, a gesture that was comfortable and casual and free. "It'll be some of L.A.'s finest. And if it starts to suck, we can leave," he promised with a grin.
"I think I can manage Thursday," Ethan told him. "Where will it be?"
"The R.G. Brown Theatre. How about I pick you up?"
"That sounds fantastic." Ethan raised his wine glass, smiling to himself.
Their food arrived, and they ate while discussing music and novels, and Ethan was delighted by how well-learned and cultured Dan was, though he was woefully deprived of the world of art. Ethan promised to take him to the local art galleries.
By the time they left the restaurant, Ethan was beginning to regret the promise he'd made to himself to keep things slow. But he was a man of iron will, and drove Dan back to his office to pick up his car.
"This feels a little unromantic," Ethan confessed. "I would much rather be able to drop you off at your home."
"Oh well," Dan said with a light-hearted shrug. "Maybe another time."
"So there will definitely be another time?" Ethan asked, just to be sure.
Dan grinned at him as he opened his car door. "If I have it my way, there's going to be lots."
Ethan couldn't help but kiss him for that.
When he arrived back at his house, he walked through the front door humming. Going to his wing of the house, he passed by Brooklyn and twirled her. She laughed, amused, watching him go. Once in his room, he threw off his jacket, kicked off his shoes, and changed into a pair of comfortable jeans and a soft sweater.
He picked up his violin case, and opened it carefully, slowly removing the beautiful instrument within. He slid his fingers along the delicate string, picked up his bow, and began to play.
Rating: slash - soft
'Verse: The Effect
Pairing: Ethan/Dan
Author’s Note: This piece takes place after Philosophical. It is now going to be a series entitled Virtues and Vices.
Ethan Valente belongs to guiltycross. Daniel Oakley belongs to me.
It took Ethan several days of deep thought before he convinced himself he needed to go see Dan. He had a reason-Dan had left The Sound of Music behind. Of course, Ethan could have very easily handed it off to Graham and he could have returned it, but Ethan didn't really want Graham to know that Dan had been over, and felt ashamed of keeping the secret.
He looked Dan up in the phone book to find his office. He brought the DVD with him to work that day and kept it on his desk in plain sight, to remind him. As a result, he concentrated very little. At five o'clock, he swept up his jacket and slipped the DVD into his briefcase. He said goodbye to his secretary, and left the building.
It wasn't difficult to find Dan's office. It was a fairly small location, with only four practitioners. Ethan opened his briefcase and grabbed the DVD, slipping it inside his inner coat pocket and stepping out of his car. He took a deep breath, and pulled the glass door open.
There was an administrative assistant on the telephone with a patient, scheduling an appointment. Ethan waited patiently, looking around the little lobby. It was decorated very tastefully, with lovely art pieces hung on the wall and green plants flourishing. He could see patients feeling very comfortable here.
When the woman got off the phone, she looked up at Ethan with a pleasant smile. "What can I help you with, sir?"
He took a step forward, towards the counter, returning her smile with one of his own. "I'm here to see Daniel Oakley. Is he in?"
She looked at her computer, her eyebrows creasing. "Do you have an appointment?" she asked, readying her fingers at the keyboard.
"Ah, no. It's a personal visit. I have something that belongs to him," he explained.
Her eyebrows rose ever so slightly. "If you would like to leave it with me, I can give it to him." she suggested.
He flushed faintly. "Thank you, but I would much rather-"
A nearby door opened, and a woman pushed out a smiling young boy in a wheelchair. "Thanks, Dr. Dan!" he said as wheeled towards the door.
Dan appeared in the doorway with a smile, waving goodbye. "I'll see you next week, Collin."
As the woman went to the counter to arrange another appointment with the secretary, Ethan slipped his way towards Dan's private office. Dan saw him approach, and his expression changed completely. He looked wary, apprehensive, and not entirely glad to see Ethan. After the way their last meeting had gone, Ethan wasn't entirely surprised.
"Daniel, may I speak to you?" he asked politely.
"I'm on my way out, actually. That was my last appointment for today." He glanced at him, and his expression softened. "But you can accompany me to my car."
He disappeared inside his office, and came out a moment later with his jacket, pulling it on and closing his door behind him. "Goodbye, Anna, I'll see you tomorrow," he called to the secretary, and fell into step with Ethan.
When they were outside, Ethan slipped his hand into his pocket and pulled out the DVD. "You forgot this at my house," he told him, handing it over.
Dan raised an eyebrow, taking it from him. "Is that all? You could have given it to Graham." He watched his expression, reading it correctly. "Graham doesn't know I came over." He said it not as though he were upset, but rather, as if he was just stating a fact.
"He does not," Ethan said evenly. "And Nathan has been kind enough not to mention it."
"Of course," Dan said dryly, reaching his car and deactivating the alarm. "We wouldn't want it getting out. What a scandal!"
"Daniel, I'm trying to apologize." Ethan placed his hand on his shoulder. "Please, couldn't we discuss this over dinner?"
"I have a better idea. Let's discuss this right now, like adults." Dan leaned against his passenger door, his voice perfectly reasonable. "I am interested in you, and unless I am very much mistaken, you are at least somewhat interested in me. Rather than explore that interest and find out whether or not there's a possibility of a relationship, you would rather avoid the issue because why?"
"You are Graham's club leader," Ethan explained.
He looked politely confused. "What difference does that make?"
"It would be taking advantage of Graham's connections, and quite possibly compromise house relations, as well as your relationship with Graham," Ethan told him earnestly.
"How?" Dan asked, folding his arms in front of him. "In what way?"
Ethan bit his lip. Dan waited patiently. "It's… complicated," he said finally.
"Enlighten me."
"Graham… has had feelings for me," he tried to explain.
Dan blinked, and then laughed gently. "Well, really, Ethan, who hasn't? And even if that was the case, Graham's smitten with that Elijah boy now!"
Ethan shook his head, a little affronted. "It doesn't matter. I think Graham could still wind up hurting from this."
"Have you tried talking to him?" Dan pressed him, knowing the answer.
"It's much too sensitive an issue for me to discuss it with him directly. He…. he simply wouldn't understand."
Sighing, Dan pushed off the car. "You don't give him the credit he deserves. He's an adult, Ethan, and rather intuitive, and far more understanding than I think you realize."
Ethan managed somehow not to bristle at that. As though Dan somehow knew Graham better than he. "Yes, but when it comes to matters of the heart, he does not understand that society has placed some rather severe restrictions."
Dan looked startled, and stared at Ethan for several long seconds. "I see…." Ethan gave him a quizzical look. "You're saying that…. were it not for the age difference?"
The man closed his eyes. "Yes. Were I seven years younger, or even five, I might consider returning his affections. But he's more than ten years younger than I, and still so naïve. Nothing could happen between us." He opened his eyes to catch the look on Dan's face. "Please," he added hurriedly. "Don't assume that means I harbor feelings for him now."
He shrugged. "It doesn't matter, actually, whether you do or not. I'm still competing with him for your affections, aren't I? It all comes down to the same thing."
"Only if you wish to generalize such a matter," Ethan said simply.
"I'm not generalizing, Ethan. You're attracted to me, but you won't act on your attraction because you want to spare Graham's feelings. I might admire that if it weren't for the fact that I feel you're preventing yourself from enjoying a life of your own."
Ethan sighed. This discussion was all the more frustrating because Dan did not sound angry or upset. Those sorts of emotions Ethan could handle, he could charm him out of it. Dan was simply… matter-of-fact. "It's not… only Graham." Dan merely raised his eyebrows. "It's too convenient," he continued. "I don't trust things when they are just handed to me so easily."
"Clearly, it's anything but convenient."
There was a long silence stretching between them. Neither seemed to want to break the contact and walk away, as though there was still some small hope that could resolve the matter for them.
"Perhaps," Ethan ventured. "I can find a way to talk to Graham about this."
Dan shook his head. "Don't put yourself in an awkward situation on my behalf. I'm a big boy. I can handle it."
Ethan raised an eyebrow. "And what am I, a child?"
"You misunderstand me. You seem reluctant to confront him about it. That's all I meant."
His shoulders drooped. "The last thing I wish to do is hurt him or give him any more problems."
Dan reached out and placed a gentle hand on his arm. "I understand," he said sincerely. "That's what I'm trying to say. We can both walk away from this right now. No hard feelings."
Ethan looked up at him, this bluntly honest man. His eyebrows furrowed, and he slid a hand up his arm and curled it around the back of his neck, bringing Dan forward so he could kiss him properly. It took Dan all but two shocked seconds before he responded.
When the kiss ended, Dan smiled a little foolishly. "Okay, or not."
Ethan ran a hand along his cheek affectionately. "I'll handle it. It would be stupid of me to pass this up."
Dan grinned. "Well, I wasn't going to say it."
He laughed. "You were just going to wait for me to give in and kiss you?"
His head bobbed up and down in a cheerful little nod. "It was decidedly more fun that way." He gave him a mischievous little smile. "You're a great kisser."
Ethan laughed. "I'm glad you think so."
Dan looked at him, considering. "I think I'll take that dinner offer now."
He smiled in relief.
Ethan drove to the restaurant, so as to keep the choice a surprise. He stopped in front of the building and handed a valet his keys. Dan was frowning by the time they got through the door. They were seated at a lovely private table and handed menus.
Dan opened the menu and let out a quiet groan. Ethan looked across the table at him curiously.
"Is something wrong?"
Dan rubbed his forehead. "I can't afford this place," he muttered, his cheeks flushing a faint pink.
A look of surprise flickered onto Ethan's face. "I'm paying!" He reached across the table to touch Dan's hand, who pulled away.
"You don't have to impress me out of my pants," Dan hissed, trying to keep his voice low.
Ethan leaned across the table conspiratorially. "I don't have to, but it's working, no?" He smiled and leaned back into his seat. "I only wish to enjoy the evening with you."
"I would have enjoyed the evening just as well if we'd gone to McDonald's," Dan said. He wrinkled his nose. "Well, okay, not McDonald's, per se, but you know what I mean."
He laughed. "I like to think I have a little more class than that."
Dan left it at that, opening the menu and studying it. He'd order the cheapest thing on the menu, if it came down to it.
When the waiter came to their table, Ethan ordered their food and some wine. Another server came to their table soon after to bring them their wine and fill their glasses. As soon as they were alone, Ethan took a deep breath, and began.
"I feel that there are still some things to say." Dan looked at him expectantly from over his wine glass. "I am interested in you. I would like to have a relationship with you." He paused. "Eventually." Dan frowned, and Ethan continued. "The past few years, I have not proved stable in relationships. I rush headlong into them and they end up being very messy. I am a very busy man. I have two full time careers. If we were to try a relationship now, I would not be able to give you the time and the attention that you deserve. I want to take things slow, see how things progress, give Graham time to adjust if he is upset by it, give ourselves time to think it through." He smiled at him, a little sadly. "I don't want to mess it up."
Dan listened to what he had to say very carefully. And he listened to what Ethan didn't say. He paused to sip his wine, rolling it around in his head as much as he rolled the wine in his mouth. "I understand," he said at last. He gave him a reassuring smile. "I can wait."
Ethan awarded him with his most charming smile. Inside, he felt himself relaxing. "So, tell me more about your work, Dr. Dan," he said teasingly.
He laughed lightly. "Well, I'm a physical therapist, as you know. I suppose you could say that my specialty is with children who were born with a physical disability, though I work with all patients."
"And what made you decide to go into physical therapy?" Ethan asked, and almost regretted it. "Or is this personal?"
Dan smiled. "It's not a repeat of my After M group, if that's what you mean. No, I just developed an interest in it. Some doctors literally give patients their lives back. I give back their quality of life. And it's not all recovering from paralysis or improving a back condition. Some forms of physical therapy can even help your sex life," he confided in him, and sipped his wine with a coy little smile.
"Really?" Ethan asked, his eyebrows raised. Intrigued.
"Mhmm. I can show you sometime," he offered. He breathed a quiet laugh. "When you're ready."
I'm ready now, Ethan thought, but pushed it back down.
"Oh!" Dan said suddenly. "Next week there's going to be an independent films festival. Thursday night. Any chance you'll be free?" He reached out and took his hand, tangling their fingers together, a gesture that was comfortable and casual and free. "It'll be some of L.A.'s finest. And if it starts to suck, we can leave," he promised with a grin.
"I think I can manage Thursday," Ethan told him. "Where will it be?"
"The R.G. Brown Theatre. How about I pick you up?"
"That sounds fantastic." Ethan raised his wine glass, smiling to himself.
Their food arrived, and they ate while discussing music and novels, and Ethan was delighted by how well-learned and cultured Dan was, though he was woefully deprived of the world of art. Ethan promised to take him to the local art galleries.
By the time they left the restaurant, Ethan was beginning to regret the promise he'd made to himself to keep things slow. But he was a man of iron will, and drove Dan back to his office to pick up his car.
"This feels a little unromantic," Ethan confessed. "I would much rather be able to drop you off at your home."
"Oh well," Dan said with a light-hearted shrug. "Maybe another time."
"So there will definitely be another time?" Ethan asked, just to be sure.
Dan grinned at him as he opened his car door. "If I have it my way, there's going to be lots."
Ethan couldn't help but kiss him for that.
When he arrived back at his house, he walked through the front door humming. Going to his wing of the house, he passed by Brooklyn and twirled her. She laughed, amused, watching him go. Once in his room, he threw off his jacket, kicked off his shoes, and changed into a pair of comfortable jeans and a soft sweater.
He picked up his violin case, and opened it carefully, slowly removing the beautiful instrument within. He slid his fingers along the delicate string, picked up his bow, and began to play.