Work Text:
“No, Dan. That’s completely over the top.” Daniel speaks earnestly to the bleached-blonde guitarist. “You can get a magnetic one, and that’s perfectly sufficient.”
Dan shakes his head. “It’ll be obvious right away. I’ll just get it done tomorrow morning. Afterward, I’ll take it out, and the hole will close up immediately.” It’s really no big deal. He doesn’t understand why Daniel is making such a drama out of it.
Daniel sighs. He knows when he’s lost an argument. When it comes to their work, even the most rational arguments won’t get through to Dan. “Let’s see what the others say tomorrow,” is his final attempt. But Dan immediately brushes it off. “You know I couldn’t care less about that.” And he’s right.
The next morning, they meet at the airfield very early. It is a cloudless day, and the sun is already beating down fiercely. It promises to be quite a challenge, having to dance in the heat all day long. For once, the mood is decidedly mixed; while Nico and Daniel, in particular, were really looking forward to the video shoot, the others felt rather anxious. For Dan, this is way outside his comfort zone. Even though he moves without inhibition on stage, dancing isn't really his thing at all. The shoot for "Hypa Hypa" had been a torture, and he had never wanted to go through that again.
Since they absolutely have to finish the shoot that day, they get straight to work. Professional dancers have created a choreography for them, and they need to learn it as quickly as possible. They start out all together so they can get a feel for what they’re in for. Unsurprisingly, it ends in chaos.
The band is split into pairs, and Dan is certain it’s happening because of their—non-existent—talent. After all, he ends up with Pascal, who moves just as awkwardly as he does.
"You really want to get your ear pierced?" Pascal asks as soon as they’re alone.
"It was obvious Daniel would tell everyone right away."
Pascal just offers an apologetic smile.
"Yeah!" Dan continues, annoyed. "And it’s none of your business, anyway."
"I bought you clip-ons, you know."
"Well, I guess I won't be needing those then," Dan retorts snappily.
"Fair enough. I just wanted to tell you that you don't have to do it. You really won't be able to tell the difference."
Dan isn't so sure about that, though. They’ve chosen rings for the rain scenes, and that’s definitely when the difference will show.
"We should probably continue," the blond guy says, changing the subject. After all, they still have work to do. Pascal reluctantly agrees, and together with their instructor, they begin the dance.
One by one, they are called to their improvised dressing room. Dan is the last one up today, and he can already guess why. It is more than obvious that everyone knows about his piercing idea by now and wanted to give him a bit more time to reconsider. It’s ridiculous, really; given how well they all know each other, it should be clear that no one can talk him out of it.
"Are you sure?" Ella, the bands makeup artist, asks him one last time. Dan nods. "Yeah—just do it." After all, he has countless tattoos; a little prick like that is hardly going to bother him.
"Alright, then." Ella reaches for his ear—already disinfected—with one hand and the needle with the other. A quick prick, and the guitarist has a hole in his ear.
"Normally, I’d just put in a small stud, because otherwise it doesn't heal properly." She sighs. "But you’re apparently impossible to reason with on that front, too."
Dan grins. "Yep."
Accompanied by another sigh, Ella inserts the sparkling stud they had picked out earlier.
Once she’s finished, Dan stands up, satisfied, and turns back to her. "Thanks, Ella. You’re the best."
With that, he heads back to the aircraft hangar. As expected, the pain is manageable, and swapping the earring for the next set won't be a problem either. When he sets his mind to something, nothing stops him.
Daniel is the first of the group to spot him and walks over. He looks him over closely, then whispers, "Looks hot on you." He winks. "I always knew sparkling earrings would suit you."
Dan blushes involuntarily. "So why were you against it?"
"Because it’s totally over the top. It’s a bit more than just dyeing your hair for the video." As he says this, he gestures to his own bleached tips.
"Which looks great on you, by the way," Dan replies instantly, letting his gaze sweep over the bassist. He looks really good in that outfit. Grinning, he places his hands on the other’s hips and pulls him closer. Dan lowers his voice: "It looks amazing on you. I wish I were alone with you right now."
Daniel rolls his eyes but leans in anyway, planting a quick kiss on his boyfriend’s lips. "Come on. You’re just stalling because you want to get out of this."
He knows him too well. Dan purses his lips and lets himself be led by the hand toward the rest of the band.
"Now that you lovebirds have finally arrived..." Everyone laughs. "...we can get started."
They take their positions, and as soon as the music starts, everyone begins to dance. It’s a chaotic mess, and it takes ages before they get it even halfway right. Finally, they are happy with the result, and the airport shoot is wrapped up.
They pack up their things—the crew will handle the rest—and drive to the next filming location. Just as on the way there, Dan sits in the passenger seat while Daniel drives. Lost in thought, Dan touches his earring and winces slightly. Maybe it does hurt a little after all.
"Don't do that," Daniel admonishes him immediately. "It’ll get infected."
"Hmm." Dan flips down the sun visor and opens the mirror cover. The earring sparkles in the sunlight. It really looks good; he has to agree with his friend on that. He slowly turns his face, watching the way the light catches it. Daniel watches him out of the corner of his eye and smiles. "You like it," he remarks.
Dan nods. His resolve to let the piercing close up is fading. After all, he doesn't have to decide right away.
As soon as they arrive at the location, the hustle and bustle begins all over again. The camera crew sets up the rest—having already done some preliminary work—and the band has to change clothes again. Fortunately, they don't have to dance anymore. Dan feels much more secure with the guitar in his hands.
"Are you ready?" Ella asks the guitarist as Dan drops into the chair in her dressing room. The silver earring is already resting on the small vanity table. Dan nods. "It’s all good—just go ahead." He watches in the mirror as the earring is swapped out. Thanks to the cold disinfectant, he barely feels a thing. "There, all done." Ella takes a step back, and together they admire their work in the mirror. "I can wear this, right?" Dan asks, seeking her approval.
Ella senses his insecurity and meets his gaze. Then she nods slowly: "Yes, it really suits you. But you already know that." Dan forces a smile and shrugs sheepishly.
"Are you asking me if you should keep it in? You usually do whatever you want anyway. What are you afraid of?"
"Hmm." Dan hesitates. "Maybe I do care what other people think of me after all."
Ella snorts: "I know, darling. But you’re not the first man to wear earrings. Just look around the set. None of them get judged for it."
"But they aren't gay," Dan whispers softly. And with that, they’ve reached the heart of the matter.
Ella smiles sadly and pulls up a chair. She sits down next to the blond man and takes his hand. "Oh, sweetheart. Please don't think that." She pauses, searching for the right words. "No one knows, and no one is going to jump to that conclusion just because you’re suddenly wearing earrings." Deep down, Dan knows she’s right. He worries anyway.
"Besides, your boyfriend wears earrings too, and no one—absolutely no one—makes an issue of it."
"Thanks," Dan whispers, letting out a breath.
"Now off you go. Show everyone how irresistible you look."
The matter isn't settled yet, but both of them know that Dan needs time to think. Besides, they really still have a job to do here.
As if he had heard her, Daniel sticks his head through the doorway at that exact moment. "There you are. Everyone’s waiting for you." He pauses, noticing the somber mood. "What’s wrong?"
Dan simply shakes his head dismissively and stands up. "Don't worry about it." He shakes off the thoughts and puts on his stage smile. "We’ve still got work to do." He walks past Daniel, gently brushing his hand, and leaves the room.
Daniel looks at Ella questioningly "Look after him later. He needs you."
Daniel nods. "Always. Thanks."
"It's fine. Now go." She waves him away with a gesture of her hand.
As expected, the second shoot goes much better. With their instruments in hand, it isn’t just Dan who feels more confident. The whole band gives it their all, and late in the evening, everyone is completely soaked but satisfied. Fortunately, their crew had the foresight to choose a filming location with multiple shower rooms—something they now desperately need.
Dan leans against the sink with his arms crossed, watching as Daniel struggles to peel himself out of his red-stained clothes.
"You could help me, you know," Daniel says, sounding frustrated. Soaking wet, his clothes are clinging even tighter than usual. Daniel just can’t resist showing off his toned body, so he always opts for form-fitting styles. Well, now he has to figure out how to get out of this, Dan thinks to himself.
"I’d rather just watch," Dan replies mischievously. Admittedly, though, his heart isn't really in it; his thoughts are still circling back to the conversation he had earlier that afternoon. Of course, Daniel senses this immediately. He gives up the struggle and, still fully clothed, steps toward him.
“Tell me what’s really on your mind.”
“Hmm.” Dan hesitates, then stammers: “Will you help me take out my earring?”
“Sure.” Daniel sighs in frustration. “But that’s not what’s actually bothering you.” He doesn’t like having to pry the truth out of Dan.
“Okay, fine.” Dan turns around to face the wall mirror. The silver ring in his ear catches his eye immediately. He wonders if that’s the first thing others notice about him, too. “Tell me what you see,” he asks his boyfriend. Daniel looks over his shoulder; their eyes meet in the reflection.
“Right now, I see you with a big worry line on your forehead.”
“Hey.” Dan nudges him in the ribs with his elbow. “Seriously.”
“Oh, honey.” Daniel’s hands wrap around the guitarist’s waist. He rests his head on his shoulder and says, “Keep that earring in. It looks good on you. Get a second piercing. That’ll look good on you, too. For all I care, wear sparkling stones in your ears every day. It doesn’t change how I see you. I love you because you’re you.” He plants a kiss on his clothed shoulder. “And maybe a little bit for your looks, too,” he adds with a grin.
Dan can’t help but laugh. “Okay,” he whispers. “You know me so well.”
“Let’s take a shower first. It’s definitely staying in for today. Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair—you look so hot all day, and I don't get to enjoy it.”
Daniel turns Dan around in his arms to face him. His hands slide up to cup Dan’s face. “Come on. Get undressed. We’ve got the shower all to ourselves.” Then he leans in and pulls Dan down for a kiss. Dan doesn't need much persuading and shuts out his thoughts. He can always think it over tomorrow, he decides.