OTA

[london_spy]

He hadn't exactly left London after he'd vanished on Hex. Instead he'd just slipped by under the radar, working quietly to uncover what, exactly, had happened to Alex. Along the way he'd lost Scotty. ...Or, rather, Scotty had been taken from him. By the end, even once he had his answers, it had been for nothing. No one wanted to hear it. Nothing changed. Nothing was fixed.

So when Hex's friend Q (which was still definitely not a name) had reached out to him to go see Hex, he'd accepted. Now, after weeks of watching Hex struggle to recover from the mess he'd made, Danny was slowly slipping out of the shadows he'd been lurking in. Though it didn't stop though shadows from following him around.

For a while everything had changed. Less drinking, no more drugs that weren't prescribed. He'd kept it up as well, not just for his own health, but for Hex's. The last thing the man needed in his life was a junkie. ...And yet here Danny was, in the bar just after noon, drinking and all too aware of the little baggy of powder in his pocket.

Sitting at the bar, his gaze looked slightly blank. He was well dressed, a thick blue knitted jumper keeping the creeping august chill at bay and hiding his slightly too thin frame. The dark circles under his eyes seemed lighter, and he'd recent had his hair trimmed. The pills were doing their best to keep him healthy, and it showed. He looked better than he'd looked in some time- He only wished he felt as well as he appeared.

Finishing his beer, he pondered having another, then glanced outside. He could really fancy a smoke as well. A habit he was still trying to kick.

(ota- Find Danny at the bar or outside having a smoke)

Comments

[just_hex]

Hex pulled him close and held on tight as he dared. He pressed a slow kiss to Danny's temple and stayed just like that for a long moment.

"You never told me that," he said as he clung. "I had no idea."

[london_spy]

"You didn't need that while you were starting to recover," Danny pointed out. "And I'm fine, I was just in a bad place, that's all.

[just_hex]

"I hope you're in a better place now," he said. "After all this shit...you, more than anyone, deserve some peace and happiness."

[london_spy]

"Not more than anyone, but- Yeah, things are better. I've been better since I've been back with you," Danny said softly.

[just_hex]

"I'll work to keep it that way. I love you and i want to see you happy. Because you make me s happy just being here," Hex confessed before kissing him again.

[london_spy]

"You make me happy too, Hex. I'm so sorry I was such a mess when we met," Danny said, looking a bit upset for a moment.

[just_hex]

"Please don't apologize, Danny. I think I met you again on one of the worst days of your entire life. I'm sorry I was such a twat I pushed you when you were only ever honest with me about needing time and space."

[london_spy]

"It'll be better this time around, I think," Danny said softly. "We'll be better this time, Hex."

[just_hex]

"I think you're right," Hex said. He moved to kiss Danny again but the timer on the oven went off and he reluctantly let go. "Why don't you get some drinks and I'll plate these? I'll have the chai protein shake I've got in there."

He was almost living on the shakes. They had the calories and nutrition and they didn't make his stomach ache.

[london_spy]

"I am happy," Danny promised. "Truly, Hex. I'm happy."

As happy as he could be at least.

[just_hex]

"Good. Good," he smiled.

"I'm going to go change quickly. Then we can go in and, erm, smoke a little and eat."

He was a bit nervous about it, honestly. He hadn't had a spliff in years...but it didn't seem like a bad idea at all. Not at all.

[london_spy]

Danny smiled and nodded, feeling a bit better about everything now that they'd talked a little.

"Alright, I'll keep an eye on the chips."

[just_hex]

Hex moved off to go get into some pyjama bottoms. It didn't take him long. When he came back, no shirt naturally, he smiled at Danny.

"That's better. In for the night, I reckon," he chuckled.

[london_spy]

Danny's gaze drank in the sight, and though he'd seen it dozens of times, he still found himself smiling like a kid who'd found his Christmas gifts a week early.

"Yeah, definitely a night in," he agreed.

[just_hex]

"Let's try to eat," he said. Though he didn't feel like eating. His gut hurt and he just wanted to lay down with Danny and will the pain away.

[london_spy]

"Spliff first, then food," Danny smiled, holding the joint up in show. "Come on, you'll feel better for it."

[just_hex]

Hex nodded and got comfortable on the sofa.

"I haven't done this in a long time. Before the army I was high every day," he said.

[london_spy]

Danny settled in beside him, one leg tucked under the other as he fished out his lighter and took the first few puffs.

"Don't worry," he said between drags. "It's like riding a bike."

Smiling, he held it out in offering.

[just_hex]

Hex took it and took a hit. He coughed a bit, a rasping and deep cough, and when it passed he took another hit. Nothing happened immediately, but he knew it wouldn't. It took time.

"Tastes like I remember," he said with a half-grin, passing it back.

[london_spy]

Danny took a long drag, squirming a little and then settling in against Hex. "Hopefully it feels as good as you remember too."

[just_hex]

"Let's hope," he said. They passed the spliff back and forth until Hex decided he felt mellow and calm. He let Danny finish and stub it out.

"I feel heavy," he said, eyes closed as he enjoyed the creeping high.

[london_spy]

"Good heavy?" Danny asked, settling in and closing his eyes as he let himself simply enjoy being near Hex.

[just_hex]

"Yeah. Good," he nodded. He felt warm and comfortable all over. Hex gathered Danny into his arms.

"You feel good."

[london_spy]

"You feel better," Danny countered, letting himself be held and slipping an arm firmly around Hex. "One of us should go get the chips."

[just_hex]

"Yeah. Good idea," he agreed, but made no move to get up, or to let Danny up either. He was heavy and it felt so good to simply melt into the sofa.