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Dan and Herb are driving home from the taxidermist. After some particularly explosive failures, West thought he might be able to make a breakthrough with a mysterious project with the assistance of an old colleague. It did not go as planned. Looking at Herbert, Dan knows he’s more than a bit upset with how the visit went. They weren’t able to get the assistance they needed, but at least they got to stock up on some of the compounds needed for the reactant. But he knows that’s not enough for Herb, his jaw clenched tight, his hands tightly gripping the steering wheel and eyes clouded with thought.
Looking out the window Dan watches the dark forest blaze past them. There are strange purple thorny flowers at the tree line and thin tall grass with yellow plumes swaying in the wind. He can see what must be fireflies dancing like the sparks of a flame. The summer air is damp and heavy, sweet with the buzz of bothersome insects and blooming flowers. He idly wonders if there might be something out there. His sweet Herb would scoff at the idea but to Dan it seems that if the dead may live then there might be other things he once thought were impossible.
He wants to learn all he can about the world, and he gets to. With Herbert West. Together forever.
Herbert really is unlike anyone else Dan has ever met. Except perhaps their cat. He may pretend to be mostly indifferent towards Dan, but his actions show how he really feels. He’s never too far to ask Dan for help and always gets a little short with anyone showing clear interest in Dan. It’s really in all the small things, the tired smiles when Dan brings dinner down to the lab, surprise notes found in Dan’s lunch box, and little gifts greeting Dan when he goes down to work. While it might be nice to hear that Herb really does love him, Dan knows he just likes to say it other ways.
Dan glances over at his beautiful boyfriend. Jeez, poor Herbert looks like a corpse. At least, more than usual. Might be a good idea to let him sleep on the way home.
“Hey Herbie?”
“Yes, Daniel?” He sounds as tense as he looks.
“Would you mind if I drove the rest of the way home?”
“Oh, thank you but I’m sure I’m fine.”
“I know you’re a good driver. You just look tired, I think it might be good for you to sleep a little. Okay?”
He’s quiet for a moment, clearly thinking. “Okay, Danny.” His tone has softened.
He pulls on the side of the road. Dan takes a moment to take a deep breath of fresh air before switching seats.
“Thanks for driving, Dan. The danger of a tired driver is not to be underestimated. And I really haven’t been sleeping well recently.”
“You’re welcome. I’ve noticed you’ve been a lot more tired lately.”
“I’m just feeling overwhelmed from my current endeavors.”
“But you still haven’t told me exactly what you’re dealing with.”
“And I promised I’d tell you when I can but it’s too much right now.”
“I just hope you remember you’re not alone anymore, Herb. I want to help.”
“You do help Danny, really. I’m sorry I know it must seem as though I don’t trust you I just…”
“You just can’t.”
“I’m just not sure about the logistics of it right now, It still seems a little far-fetched even to me..”
“We’ve brought the dead back to life, very few things would shock me by now.”
“Soon, I promise.”
“It’s okay, I’m not mad. I just worry it’s a lot to carry all on your own.”
“I’m glad you’re here and willing to share the load, it means a lot to me.”
“I’m always here.”
“I’m happy to know that.”
They drive for a while in comfortable silence. Herbert stares blankly out the window. He’s suddenly conscious that he feels afraid. He’s scared to drag poor Danny into more dangerous experiments, but more scared of what would happen to him without his lab assistant.
He sighs.
Danny switches the radio, Private Life by Oingo Boingo. Herb smiles and taps along.
“I’m so glad you’re here Danny.” Herb’s sleepy voice is so precious, Dan can tell he’s getting kinda out of it.
“Aw you’re so cute.”
“No, I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without you. You’re indispensable.”
“It means a lot to hear that from you.”
“No one can be alone, even me. Without you I think I’d lose sight of what matters, you make a better person.”
“We do make an excellent team. The brain and the brawn I guess.”
“Don’t undersell yourself, you have plenty going on between those ears.”
“Maybe you’re the brawn. How do you know I meant you’re the brain?”
“Because I get winded running up the lab stairs.”
“True.”
“I’m sorry I’m not nicer to you.” The statement catches Daniel off guard. It’s so sudden he’s sure it must have been on Herb’s mind for a while.
“Oh-um, it’s alright. You’re an unsociable asshole, but you’re my unsociable asshole. Wait… Have you finally decided to become a nicer person?”
“Absolutely not. I hate everyone. People are awful and short sighted, but I like you. Maybe I should try harder for you.”
“Maybe you should.” Dan smirks, he can’t help but feel a little smug.
Herbert shifts so he’s facing Dan, he looks sweet curled up. An almost tender look in his eyes.
“Do you think we could go to a concert together?”
“Us? Like me and you?”
“Yes, I’d think it would be enjoyable.”
“You, around hundreds of sweaty, loud people? With loud music and bright lights?”
“Superb point Dr. Cain. Could we instead buy a record and listen to it together?”
“Are you going to tell me to be quiet and play with my hair while we do?”
“Perhaps…”
“I think we might be able to arrange for it.”
“Excellent…” Herbert giggles, it’s a warm dark sound.
The drive down these dark country roads makes Dan feel uncomfortable. He almost hates it out here. He’s unsure why they bothered to come all the way out here for nothing, but he hopes they can go home soon. Dan just wants to get back to dinner dates, their comfortable jobs at the hospital, committing science crimes and affronts to god.
Although the time in nature is nice, it just makes Daniel more homesick than he’s felt in a long time.