“I watched,” Eliot said. “Between you and me, I’m glad you’re retiring. I don’t think I could have handled the emotional rollercoaster every week.”
“You watched?” Danny asked, obviously surprised.
“Of course. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there in person, but my boyfriend was doing something that’s important to him. Of course I watched.” Eliot cleared his throat. “And if you’re feeling down about it while you recover or something, I will sit with you and watch all your games, if you want.”
Danny laughed at that. “That might be the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
Eliot sighed a soft, happy sigh and let himself enjoy the way Danny’s hair felt between his fingers, the warmth of his body beside him.
“I am so looking forward to taking you home and curling up next to you for a very,verylong nap.”
“You’re taking me home?” Danny asked, hopeful.
“Not right now,” Eliot said. “But when the doctors say you’re good to go. And I figure you’ll need some help around the house for at least a couple of weeks, so I was planning on staying.”
“How are you gonna get to work?” Danny asked. “You told me you had to get up at five to get to my place for nine.”
“It’s so sweet that you’re worried, but I’d deal with getting up at five for you anyway. I don’t have to, though. I’ve made arrangements to work out of the office until you’re back on your feet. Ben has turned out to be a very fair boss.”
Danny nodded slowly, still looking unsure.
Eliot cleared his throat. “I made that sound like you have a say in the matter, didn’t I? I apologize; you don’t. I’m taking care of you and you can’t stop me.”
Of course, Dannycouldstop him. If he said he didn’t want Eliot around, Eliot would back off. He’d be miserable about it, but he’d back off.
He really hoped Danny wanted him around. Right now, he couldn’t imagine being separated from him any longer. They’d spent what had to be the most stressful week of their lives apart, and Eliot never wanted to go through that again.
“I don’t want to stop you,” Danny responded softly. “It’s just… you’re not… put off? By this?” He waved in the direction of his leg.
Eliot made a soft sound, his heart breaking for Danny. Of all the things he could have worried about, that one was ridiculous.
“Not at all.” Eliot smiled gently at him, stroking his hair again. “Think of it this way: in a few days you’ll be feeling better, but you’ll also be more or less stuck in bed. Think of all the fun I could have with you.”
Danny blushed to the tips of his ears, which was new.
“But… I’m nobody now. I mean, everyone will have forgotten about me within a few months. I’d understand if you weren’t interested…” Danny trailed off, looking down at his lap.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but you were nobody to me when I met you. I had to be told who you were when I got the assignment. I’ve never caredwhatyou are, Danny. I’ve only ever caredwhoyou are. And who you are is a sweet, kind man who I want to spend as much time with as possible.”
Danny breathed a visible sigh of relief, his shoulders rising and falling dramatically. He closed his eyes for a moment, wet his lips, and then looked at Eliot again. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
Eliot grinned. “I know. I’m awesome,” he said.
“You are,” Danny agreed sincerely. “I was so scared of falling for you.”
“Still scared?” Eliot asked.
“No.” Danny shook his head. “No, not scared anymore.”
“Good.” Eliot reached out to take Danny’s hand again, bending down to kiss his forehead.
He’d intended to tell him everything about Walter, and how they’d unraveled all his schemes and plots, but that could wait. All that mattered now was that he and Danny were safe.
And that they were in love.
That part was cool, too.
