Hmm. I wonder what could be in this chapter? :D

Hopefully you will enjoy...and I might continue it if enough people ask me to. (Yes, that was shameless review whoring. Deal.)

"Thank you, Daniel. I do think I'll take you up on that offer."

The relief on his face was evident, a small smile gracing his features. Another chilly gust of wind blew through the park, and that was enough to get us both standing. A few stars just managed to appear over the city lights, winking like bits of glitter. I followed Daniel to his apartment, light conversation picking up between us along the way.

The walk back seemed a lot longer to me, but that might have been because the weather was quickly descending to a chillier temperature. I was grateful when the bright, neon lights of Harvey's Eden were upon us, casting a glow onto the surrounding streets. Danny led me past the pulsing windows, waving to a few people before moving on. I noticed it wasn't as packed as last night, but I could still hear the booming music from inside.

"We're almost there." he said, turning a street corner and leaving the busy night club behind.

Not two minutes later we come upon a set of apartments, the long brick walls taking up almost an entire block. He pushed open a creaky gate, glancing back at me before climbing the dark, metal stairs. At the second floor he veered off to the left, stopping in front of a door with a little golden '17' on it.

"Now don't laugh." he warned, sticking his key into the lock, "It's not a Wisconsin castle or anything, but it works."

"I'll try to restrain any scathing remarks then."

He rolled his eyes, opening the door and letting me in.

It wasn't as bad as I thought. As Daniel scurried around to pick up some lingering dishes, I took off my jacket and shoes, storing them in the closet by the door before surveying the rest of his apartment.

The entrance walked into the living room, and a decent sized kitchen was set off to the right. The apartment was certainly lived in. Pictures of family and friends were propped along flat surfaces, and a large picture collage of what I assumed to be his senior year of college hung in a hand crafted frame above the couch. Mismatched blankets and pillows rested on the living room seats, some of them also looking hand made. All the electrical appliances consisted of a TV, a DVD player and two lamps. A hallway, placed between the kitchen and living room, led to a bathroom and a large bedroom, but I wasn't nosy enough to look around in there.

"Sorry about the mess." Danny said sheepishly, pushing the dishwasher closed and wiping off the dark green counters, "I wasn't expecting company."

"It's no trouble." I waved a hand, relaxing on the couch and contenting myself to watch him bustle around the rooms, taking notice of the nervous twitch he tried to hide as he straightened the apartment.

"You don't have to make your home immaculate, Daniel. It's perfectly fine the way it is." I chuckled.

He stopped moving so quickly, scratching the back of his head and smiling weakly as he looked around the room helplessly.

"Are you hungry?" he asked, "I don't have much, but neither of us have had anything since that coffee this afternoon, so..."

"Yes, dinner would be nice. Would you like some help?"

"If your bored, I wouldn't mind." he shrugged.

I stood and followed him into the kitchen, thankful that it was larger than I had been expecting for an apartment. Although that doesn't mean it was any less cramped.

"This apartment is larger than most, but there's only one bedroom. It's not a two person rent, is it?"

"No, it's just one of the larger singles. A friend of mine used to live with me, but he got his own place. The rent's surprisingly cheap, so I stayed here and enjoyed the bigger space." He replied, reaching on the tips of his toes to grab something within the cabinets.

"I've got a couple boxes of macaroni and some canned soup?" he called back helplessly.

"Sounds good to me."

"Not to common for you, Vladdie?" Danny returned to standing flat on his feet, abruptly turning around with a teasing smirk. However, I hadn't been expecting such a quick move and didn't have time to step back in the small kitchen. His breath hitched in surprise when he realized the lack of space between us, automatically looking up into my eyes.

For a moment, our time was suspended. I could feel his warm breath brushing my lips with unparalleled clarity, his ice blue eyes staring up at me with a certain vulnerability that I found enrapturing. But then he blinked, and with that small action came the return of reality, shaking us from the surreal experience.

"Uh..." he uttered, low voice trying to mask awkward feelings.

"Sorry." I blinked, stepping back to give him room, "Small kitchen."

"Yeah. Small...kitchen." He agreed, shaking his head as though to clear his thoughts of something.

"Um, could you grab a couple pots from that lower cabinet?" he turned to the stove and pointed from behind, keeping his back to me.

I handed him the necessary appliances, and in a few minutes he had me stirring soup as he measured out milk for the pasta. We were both unusually quite, at least until he started up a weak conversation.

"So uh, how's....Skulker?"

"Skulker?" I repeated flatly, giving him a look.

"Mhm." he nodded, trying to look serious despite that fact that the question itself was clearly nothing more than a distraction.

"Oh he's doing great." I nodded, playing along.

"Is he?"

"Yeah, yeah he's found a new target now, seeing as you're no longer within his weapons range."

"That's good, that's good," he nodded casually, "Is it Valarie?"

"No, he's set his sights on Danielle."

"Dani?" That bit of news broke the increasingly awkward blanket wrapping around us. He turned around, boiling pasta forgotten as he stared at me expectantly, worry in his eyes.

"How is she? Has he hurt her? Does she live in the ghost zone? You haven't been bothering her again, have you?"

This last question was said rather threateningly. He even went so far as to brandish the stirring spoon at me, eye brows creased in warning.

"No Daniel, I haven't 'been bothering her.' She's living with Valarie now days, and from what I've heard they're both doing quite well."

"From what you've heard? Valarie isn't your misguided lackey anymore?"

"Frankly, I don't need any lackeys, my dear boy. I wasn't kidding when I said I haven't been scheming. But since you asked, she actually quit on me."

"She...did?" he blinked, lowering the spoon. "Why?"

"Never did tell me, although whatever the reason is, I'm sure it isn't good. She's been rather cold to me for a while now."

"Hm. I'd be worried if I were you. She has a bad habit of holding grudges." Danny turned back to the stove, stirring the noodles absentmindedly.

"Not speaking from personal experience, are you Daniel?" I quipped, turning the heat down on the soup.

"Just you wait Vlad. She'll be screaming for your ultimate demise soon enough."

"I'm hurt. You sound almost happy about that, little badger."

"Hardly," Danny snorted in laughter, shaking his head, "I just can't help but enjoy the irony of the situation. After all, you were the one who gave her the guns in the first place."

I glared at him, not really having a decent come back because he was right.

Danny grinned in triumph, straining the noodles and adding milk and cheese to the concoction. It wasn't long before the macaroni was done, leaving us with nothing to do but set the table. As big as the kitchen was for the larger apartment, it still wasn't huge, which meant Daniel and I continually brushed up against each other as we made about to get bowls and utensils.

"Sorry." he muttered for the umpteenth time, a light tinge on his cheeks as we passed each other again, coming within much closer proximity than was probably necessary.

"You don't have to keep saying that." I teased, placing the pot of soup on a cloth and setting it on the table.

"Sorry." he winced, putting the pasta next to it.

I rolled my eyes.

Soon enough, we were comfortably situated at the small table, the light glow from the living room lamps providing just enough light. I hadn't had macaroni in years, much less canned soup, and was much obliged to be reunited with my old college foods. Danny poured us both a drink. Ice water from the tap.

"It's all I've got." He shrugged apologetically.

"It's just fine, my boy." I smiled, nodding at him to take a seat and relax for once.

The hot meal tasted wonderful after the chilly day, and at first the only sounds between us were the soft clattering of utensils on glass bowls. I expected the silence between us to grow awkward, but was pleased to feel no tension in the air, though that might be because of the steamy food before us.

It wasn't until the meal was half over that more meaningful conversation passed between us, conversation more engaging than comments on the unexpected quality of boxed food, I mean. We talked easily of more personal subjects, not only delving into my private life, but his as well. He even told a few comical stories about past lovers that had us laughing openly together. Eventually, we quieted down, the food on our plates having disappeared and a warm contentment stealing over the pair of us. Danny was swirling his soup around slowly, a secretive smile on his face that I couldn't decipher.

"What's so funny?" I asked curiously, raising an eyebrow.

"Hmm?" he looked up, coming out of a revere.

"You were smiling."

"Oh, it's just funny," He laughed, waving a hand, "I used to think we'd be forever locked in mortal combat, and yet here we are, eating macaroni and soup in the gayest part of New York City."

"Funny how fate plays out, isn't it?"

"Yeah, 'funny' is good word."

After another brief pause, he stopped again, a thoughtful expression on his face as he stared at me rather intently.

"You sure are different, Vlad."

That comment struck me because here I thought he was the one who'd changed the most. But maybe, all things considered, it was I who had changed. I could sense the weight behind that simple comment though. There was more meaning in his words than he was letting on. However, judging from the almost pleased, and possibly even relieved tone, I'd say his hidden reasons weren't something I should be concerned about.

"I could say the same for you, little badger."

"True." He shrugged, that secretive smile on his face again. "But I've just opened up a bit more. You've actually quite being such a fruitloop."

"Why thank you Daniel." I said sarcastically.

"Your welcome." He grinned cheekily, but then his face fell into a more sheepish smile. "I'm glad, actually."

"What? That I've finally refrained from trying to overthrow the world? I'm sure any good half-ghost hero would think so, my boy. That means less work for you."

"No, I mean," he scrunched up his face, scratching the back of his head and looking a little lost for words. I felt something more serious come into the space between us, the playful cheek gone.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is, you seem a lot happier now. I dunno why exactly, but it's nice. I prefer you smiling to glaring." he shrugged, smiling a little awkwardly and a crimson blush shadowing his face yet again. "And I'm not just saying that because glares usually mean pain for me."

Admittedly, his words humbled me. After all, the fact that Danny cared about my happiness was more than a pleasant surprise. I didn't quite know what to say to that, honestly touched by the blatant compliment he willingly gave me. I think my staring was starting to make him even more nervous though, because he starting rubbing his neck and looking around the kitchen, the expression on his face clearly telling me he wanted to kick himself for being so frank.

"Thank you, Daniel. That means a lot to me, especially coming from you." I was finally able to utter out, catching the younger man's eye and giving him a true, warm smile.

The tension and nervousness visibly left his body, shoulders sagging in relief about something. Probably that I wasn't taking his compliment awkwardly. After all, as he so nicely stated, we are in the gayest part of New York City, a place that he's been living in for quite some time now. If I was as block headed as most closed minded idiots, I could very easily turn his simple compliment into so much more.

But there was still a blush on his face, which I didn't fully understand. If it was just a simple compliment, surely the embarrassed flush would have passed by now, seeing as the potentially awkward moment had passed. Unless there was something more to it...

"Daniel," I began slowly, a note of disbelief in my tone.

But then the phone rang, abruptly interrupting the quiet and dare I say even intimate night we were sharing. Danny glanced guilty to the ringing cordless, looking reluctant to answer. However, on the third ring he sighed, standing up to answer the call. I couldn't move for a moment, thoughts and possibilities still swimming through my head. I felt more than saw Danny pass me, the soft scent of his cologne lingering on the air and gently tickling my nose. But shaking my head, I began picking up the empty dishes as he said 'hello' into the phone, a confused frown of my own settling on my face.

"Jazz? What are you calling for?"

I washed the dishes out, placing them in the dishwasher.

"Yeah, I'll be able to make it this year, but it's not for another month and a half. Why are you calling about it so early?"

I could barely hear Jasmine's voice, the words too muffled to distinguish.

"Thanks Jazz. Way to boost my self confidence...I know, I know, but I didn't have the money last year."

Her voice got louder, and Danny winced a bit.

"What? Like you can blame me. And I heard they've made a deal with the Guys in White now, so it'll be worse than usual...It's not as easy as it sounds, they'd flip if they knew the truth...No...Yes...Look, can we talk about this later? I'm busy right now."

She said something that caused Danny to blush, his face falling into a scowl.

"No, I am not. That was one time. And you shouldn't have called so late anyways. Never mind, doesn't matter. I'll call you later okay?...Love you too, Jazz. Bye."

He hung up the phone quickly, exhaling a gust of air. I glanced up at him, smirking empathetically before returning to wipe the last of the crumbs off the table.

"Oh, you don't have to do that." Danny stood straight, suddenly remembering what was going on.

"It's quite alright. I would have felt useless had I just sat there." I washed the used cloth under the sink and hung it on the faucet, turning to see Danny standing in the walk way of the kitchen, looking unsure of himself.

We both fell silent, not sure what to say to the other. The air in the apartment turned to a stand still. The kitchen was clean, the phone was on the hook, and now we were both left with nothing to distract ourselves with.

I don't quite know what I was thinking. He looked lonely, standing there by himself, but that would be too simple a reason for my unexpected actions. I suppose I could say it was his gracious welcome, however, that wouldn't correctly sum it up either. Perhaps it was because ever since I reunited with him in that little cafe, the dull ache of loneliness has disappeared, replaced with his shy smiles and nervous stumblings. Maybe that was why I walked up to him, closing the distance between us and standing so close I could make out each individual eye lash against his wide blue eyes.

His breath hitched, body stilling. My hand trailed up his arm, brushing over the pale skin of his neck. I pulled him closer, the tantalizing scent of his subtle cologne drawing me in. The space between us decreased. His warm breathe danced across my lips. Being so close to him, barely a heartbeat away, liberated a rush of desire, and I didn't hesitate in pressing Danny's lips against mine.

He gasped, body seizing up for barely a second before immediately relaxing against me. Something instant happened as soon as I felt his soft mouth against my own, moving slowly and carefully, our hot breathes mixing together. In that moment, it was painfully obvious why I suddenly decided to come to New York, and had I been thinking straight I probably would have kicked myself. However, Danny's lithe body was pressed against my own and his arms were wrapping around my neck, drawing me ever closer and emptying every thought not revolving around his tantalizing form.

He tangled his fingers in my hair, sucking on my bottom lip and awakening new urges with every second. I couldn't stop a groan that came from my throat, fisting the material of his shirt before suddenly spinning him around. Danny gave a cute little squeak when I lifted him up and sat him on the counter, standing between his spread legs and slipping my fingers under the light material of his shirt.

He gasped at the touch, arching his back slightly and pressing up against my chest. I felt his fists pulling at my clothes, one of his hands sliding over my broad shoulders and almost tentatively caressing my face. I repressed a shiver at the feather light touch, wanting to posses those fragile hands as much as I wanted the rest of his body.

We broke our heated kiss for only a moment so I could pulled his shirt over his head, opting for the old fashion way. My hands jumped to his bare chest the moment it was exposed, exploring every dip of muscle and smooth expanse of skin. I felt one of his legs wrap around me lightly, his hands unbuttoning the top half of my shirt and nipping at my neck.

A reluctant moan escaped my throat when I felt his teeth graze over the skin. Danny brought his mouth up, leaving a wet trail up to my ear and whispering hotly,

"The bedrooms in the back..."

"About time." I groaned, practically yanking him off the counter and pulling him down the short hallway.

Luckily, I picked the right door, slamming it shut with Danny's back as I pressed him into the wall again. He made quick work of the rest of the buttons on my shirt and slipped the material off my shoulders. It fell to the ground with a soft flutter, but I was already pulling Danny over to the queen sized bed. The sheets wrinkled when I lowered him to the mattress, straddling his waist and kissing his soft lips.

Danny's hands drifted across my back, raising goosebumps with their light touch. He gasped when I toyed with his nipples, rolling the hardening buds between my thumb and finger. I held the curve of his back when he arched off the bed, a breathy moan coming from his throat as I bit down on his bottom lip.

"Vlad..." he breathed, moaning when I took one of the buds in my mouth and pulled at the flesh.

I swirled a tongue around the raised skin and nipped at the sensitive spot, listening to his gasps. Danny squirmed as I moved my lips over the rest of his body, exploring his warm flesh. His breath increased when I moved my lips lower, brushing over his navel before returning to his neck and dragging the zipper of his pants down. I grinned when he swallowed thickly, slipping a few fingers into the open zipper and smoothly unbuttoning his pants. His grip on my arms tightened when I dragged the pants down and slipped a few fingers below his boxers, stroking the hidden flesh. Through lidded eyes, I took in his pale face, the warm flush on his cheeks making my own pants uncomfortably tight.

"Damn it, Vlad...don't tease..." He groaned, rubbing his hips against mine wantonly.

"Like your one to talk." I murmured, moving to grip his waist possessively and controlling the urge to take him now.

Giving in slightly, I bit his neck to hold him down, letting go of his waist to weave my hand into the open jeans. Danny moaned loudly when my hand closed down on his member, nails digging into my skin. A satisfied grin spread over my face at the noise I procured from his throat, the lust in his smoldering eyes all the invitation I needed. Danny kissed me with a certain desperation as I moved my hand along the hot flesh, his pale fingers twisting in my hair and pulling out the ponytail.

He whimpered when I removed my hand, pulling at my hair as though demanding I return to my ministration. I chuckled lowly, moving my lips to his ear and trailing a moist tongue around the cartilage, feeling him shiver. Smoothly, I pulled the rest of his clothes off, leaving his bare, panting body mine for the taking.

My eyes took in his naked form hungrily, lightly brushing my hand down his flushed skin as though he were untouchable. Danny moaned when my hand skimmed over his hard member and I stopped, grinning down at his pleading expression.

"Come on Vlad, stop teasing." he forced out through gritted teeth as I rubbed the head of his cock with my thumb, sticky pre-cum coating my finger.

"What's the magic word, Danny." I laughed, licking and nipping at his throat.

"Pleeease..." he gasped, his grip re-doubling when I gave in and grabbed his pulsing cock, rubbing my hand up and down the hard shaft.

He moaned, burying his head in my shoulder and moving his hips against my hand. I could hear him panting in my ear, feel his hands moving down my back and gripping the front of my pants, obviously wanting them gone. I moved my hand a little faster, feeling teeth bite into my shoulder and groaning. Danny's fingers fumbled with the button of my pants, quickly yanking the zipper down and pushing them past my hips.

I gripped his hair, pulling his head back and ravishing his neck as his fingers got dangerously close to my straining erection. Danny moaned my name, hips moving in time with my hand and hot breath invading my senses. With an impatient flourish, he yanked the rest of my clothes off, turning them intangible and pulling them through me. I let go of his weeping cock, pressing our hot forms together in an explosion of senses.

Danny hissed in pleasure, hugging me tight against him and rubbing our erections together. I dragged a hand all the way down the side of his body, angry red lines following in my wake. Then his lips were on mine again, moving passionately before sliding down to my neck. I couldn't get over the feel of his hot body against mine, fitting so perfectly in my hands. He moved his lips to my ear, kissing and whispering, his words barely making it through the haze in my mind.

"You better pay me back for this later, fruitloop."

I felt my erection give a painful throb at the crass tone in his voice, grinning and yanking him in front of me to ravish his lips again. Danny smiled into the kiss, returning it with equal fever for a moment before sliding down my chest. I frowned, not thinking quite clearly and just wanting his face back up where I could orally molest it.

"Daniel, wha-"

But then I stopped, feeling his soft lips press against the head of my cock, his tongue flicking out to lick the hot skin. My eye's widened for a moment, but before I could utter a single word he swallowed my throbbing erection whole. My muscles seized, I let out a heavy groan, instantly tangling my fingers in his hair as he sucked on the burning flesh.

"Danny..." I groaned, my breathe starting to turn to pants.

He moved down my shaft, teeth just barely dragging against it before swallowing me whole again. I gasped sharply, feeling his tongue move along my cock and choking back a moan. My grip in his hair tightened as he started moving up and down, the slow pace driving me nuts. I grit my teeth, the feel of his hot mouth surrounding my cock enough to make me explode.

But I sure as hell wasn't about to loose control first, so with a great effort I pulled him off of me and dragged him up by his arm, unable to stop my panting as I glared down at him. He grinned up at me impishly, knowing exactly what he was doing. I felt another tug from below my navel when he licked his lips slowly, his smoldering gaze burning a hole through my mind.

"Nice...try, Daniel. Your more...devious than I thought." I smirked weakly, a vengeful tone in my voice that I know he heard.

He chuckled, meeting my stare with a challenging glint in his eye that somehow managed to turn me on even more.

"What are you gonna do about it, Vladdie? Punish me?"

"I might." I said, giving him a feral grin and dancing my nails across his chest.

Danny rose an eye brow as I leaned in to press my mouth against his ear, furtively dragging my nails farther and farther down his chest.

"But you'd probably enjoy it too much, wouldn't you?" I whispered, feeling him squirm for a moment before roughly shoving a finger into his entrance.

"A-Aah! Vlad!-nneghn..." He yelped, falling into a hiss as I pushed the invading digit in farther, his muscles tensing.

"What's wrong Daniel?" I whispered hotly, slowly pulling the finger out and pressing back in, his gasps falling into moans.

"V-vlad..." he breathed, turning to putty in my hands.

I couldn't stop grinning from above, his breathy moans and flushed face feeding my ego. I pressed in a second finger, hearing him breathe in sharply before falling into another groan. His fists clenched the sheets as I stretched his entrance, scissoring the tight walls and feeling him start to relax.

"That's it Danny," I said quietly, kissing him as he groaned, "Relax..."

He slowly moved against my hand, coming up to grip my shoulder when I pressed in a little farther. Danny shivered as I caressed his chest with my free hand, playing with his nipples as I smoothly slid in a third finger. He gasped, arching his back and pressing my fingers in farther with a groan. I smiled in satisfaction, trailing kisses along his neck and jaw line as I slid the fingers in and out.

"God Vlad, faster." he gasped, moaning when I graciously complied with his request.

He moved his chest flush against mine, biting hard on my neck. I groaned in response, feeling the impatient urges about three inches below my navel increasingly take over. His lips moved up to my face, nipping and sucking at my bottom lip and battling my tongue for dominance. I grasped the curve of his back, feeling his body move as he pressed into my thrusts.

"Danny..." I breathed, wanting to possess him in every sense of the word.

I relished the sounds I procured from his throat, but I wanted to make him scream and I wanted it now. Danny whimpered when I removed my fingers, eyes rolling in disorientation. I spread his legs and positioned myself between them, kneeling over the panting youth and feeling my erection give another painful throb. It didn't take him long to realize what I was doing, but by then it was too late for preparation and my patience ran out.

Danny screamed when I thrust into him, back arching clean off the sheets and nails jumping to my back. I groaned loudly, nothing but the feel of his tight walls registering in my brain.

"Dammit Vlad! Eeengh...A-AAH!"

He screamed as I thrust into him again, his nails cutting my skin. I hugged his chest to mine, savoring the electrifying feel of our hot skin pressed together. Danny gripped me in an equally tight hug, dragging his nails down my back and groaning when I gave another thrust.

His labored breath was hot in my ear, choking on gasps when I finally fell into a slow and steady rhythm. I gently pushed back in and his wincing slowly turned into breathy moans as I repeated the process, lowering to the bed. Danny automatically hooked his legs over my back. I leaned over him, pressing my lips against his as I thrust into his entrance.

He groaned into the kiss, rocking his hips with mine and increasing his grip with every push inside him. I fisted the sheets next to his head, moaning as his silken walls clamped down on my hard member. Danny's skin was hot to the touch, eyes rolling in ecstasy.

"F-faster...p-please..." he pleaded, swallowing thickly and gasping for breath.

He moaned loudly when I increased my pace, roughly thrusting into him each time. My mind began to haze over with pleasure, feeling nothing but the smooth heat swallowing my cock. I pressed into his tight entrance harder, gripping his hips with crushing strength as I pounded into him. Danny's back arched again, a stream tearing from his throat when I hit his sweet spot. I aimed for it again, hearing him scream for me again and relishing the sounds.

Danny tangled his fingers into my long, silver hair and pulled. I grinned at the dull ache, the pure heat of the moment overpowering. I could see his muscles convulse with each thrust, feel his throat hum with every scream when I kissed his neck. He turned into something of an animal for me, returning both him and myself to our basest desires.

And I loved it.

"Vlad...I'm g-gonna..."

A final scream erupted when I buried deep inside him, causing him to spill his hot fluid onto my sweating chest. I groaned as I reached my own climax, grasping his shoulders and pressing in as I lost control. Danny shuddered and moaned beneath me, squirming and pulling me closer to press his heated lips against mine.

I couldn't think of anything but kissing him for several long moments. The hot breathe we exchanged was as passionate as the sex beforehand, and we lost ourselves in the closeness we shared, if only for a few minutes.

Danny gasped when I slowly pulled out of his entrance, breaking the kiss long enough to hiss sharply before returning his lips to mine. I fell against him completely, pulling him into my arms and spooning him against my chest. Danny moaned against my lips quietly, caressing my burning skin as the heat around us slowly cooled.

The sheets below tickled our legs annoyingly, so I blindly reached down and dragged them up over our bodies. Our legs quickly entwined with each others under the light material, erasing that much more space between us. I ran my fingers through his midnight black hair, cupping his neck and running my hand down his back.

The heated kiss slowly began to loose his momentum as reality started making it's unwelcome return. We seemed to be coming down from our own personal world, the mundane sounds of outside partyers and honking horns making themselves known. I pressed my lips against Danny's for a last, lingering moment, my eyes finally opening to acknowledge the reality of the situation.

For a while we just stared at each other, a million and one emotions floating between us. His ice blue eyes were so familiar to me, yet never from this perspective. Who would have guess that those eyes, eyes that had spent the largest part of our past glaring hatefully, would be a mere inches from my own face, wide and vulnerable. It was almost like looking at a new person.

"Um...did we just...?"

I blinked, shaking my head from my thoughts to answer his hesitant question.

"Yes. I think we did."

He breathed slow, carefully measured breaths, brows furrowing and eyes glancing around as though not really believing the truth of what just transpired. On a whim, I reached out and ran a few fingers down his face, feeling the soft skin beneath them. His eyes quickly snapped back to mine, a degree of measured disbelief leaking into the crystal blue hues.

"What?" I asked.

"Your...your not running."

"Neither are you."

"Well yeah, but...I mean...that's different..." he finished lamely, shrugging his shoulder's slightly.

"Oh?" I raised an eyebrow, not completely understanding but having a suspicious idea.

"Uh..."

"You have such a way with words."

"Shut up Vlad."

I smirked and watched as he tried to suppress a yawn. He didn't quite succeed and ended up stretching tiredly, inadvertently pressing two certain body parts of ours together. He froze, quickly moving away with a guilty blush starting up.

"Sorry." he mumbled.

I stared at him for a moment and couldn't help but laugh, unable to comprehend his embarrassment.

"Danny," I began in a flat voice, crawling toward him and returning him to my arms, "Barely twenty minutes ago I was pounding you into this mattress as you screamed my name to the high heavens. Why on earth are you blushing now?"

He blinked, the blush only increasing as he shrugged and let out a small laugh, although his body quickly relaxed against mine once more. I shook my head hopelessly and simply hugged him close, pulling the blankets up a little closer and snuggling him against me.

"Get some sleep Daniel." I whispered, kissing him lightly, "I'm sure you're going to need it tomorrow morning when you wake up to find me still in your bed."

I was completely serious, but for some reason he smiled before burying his head in the crook of my neck, soon resigning himself to a peaceful slumber.