Chapter Text
Danny thinks back to that night often. The first night. He wanted something for real, and he got it. Despite these past few months, learning all of Alex's secrets and his past, he loved him still. Danny had learned everything about Alex that he needed to know, they had done everything important that they needed to. All the rest was transport. Alex had told him his fears, his desires, and Danny had reciprocated, had given what he could. That was all there was to do.
But when it became too much, Danny thought of that night, of running to get the liquor, pouring out a couple shots, seeing Alex's body slacken a bit, and even though he was clearly very fit, as Alex was leaning against the bed, head resting in his hand, there was still a slight pudge on his side. No matter how much one worked out, there would always be that bit on their sides when resting, when lazy with alcohol and resting, when relaxing in the seeming infinite possibility of connection with another human being. Many nights, after first noticing, Danny would always pinch Alex's side gently, giggling as he did so.
The first time, Alex gave him a puzzled look, 'What is so funny about you pinching me?
It's so cute,' Danny says, still giggling, but his hand now gripping Alex's side.
Alex, still a bit confused, 'why?'
'Because,' Danny paused, and exhaled a laugh, 'because you're always looking so bloody perfect in your bespoke everything, and your cheekbones and jaw, and you run and all of that, but you still have his little bit on your side,' Danny paused again, 'like you're real.'
'Of course I'm real,' Alex asserted, eyebrows coming together in a furrow of confusion.
'Obviously,' Danny drags out the word to emphasize his sarcasm, 'but it can be nice to know there's some things you can't do anything about. Like no matter how fit you are, when you're leaning like that, you're going to have that little pudge on the side. Or ... like no matter what, I'm always going to love just laying like this with you.' Danny breathed out slowly to steady himself. It was a fairly big pronouncement, as they'd only been together a month.
But Alex responded by encircling Danny in his arms. 'No matter what, I'm going to love just laying like this with you, too.'