These characters and their environs on Sports Night belong to ABC and Aaron Sorkin. No infringement is intended. This is just for fun, no money is being made from this. This story involves a relationship between two men, aka: slash. If that is *not* your cup of tea, sweet as it is, then don't read it! (simple, ain't it??) Feedback is *very* much appreciated, and always answered. Flames will be passed around to friends and chuckled over. :) Small references to 'Ten Wickets' and the pilot episode. Sequel to 'Cleveland', 'Treasure', 'Creaming', 'Things', 'Consideration', 'Elevated', 'Frustration', 'Non-problems', 'Plans', 'Buzzing', and 'Sleep'. More to come... Talking by Amirin #133 *********************** Casey knew Danny was awake the moment he heard the faint groan. "Good morning." "Stop yelling." "I'm not yelling." "I'm less than two inches away from you. You don't even have to speak. I can hear your lips move." "Fine. I'll whisper." "Thank you." "You're hungover." "A little. Yes. I don't remember this being part of the plan." "I don't think it was." "It's become part of the plan, Case." "I can see that. Want something?" "A gun?" "Danny." "Kidding. I'll live." "I hope so. I've got plans for you." "Jesus, *more* plans?" "Lots more. You'll like these," Casey grinned evilly. "Gotta be better than a hangover." "Promise. Sure I can't get you anything?" "I'm sure. I'll be feeling better in no time." "Are you feeling any better about Cleveland?" "Not just yet." "Let me know." "Count on it." Casey tightened his arms around Danny's chest and realized they'd moved quite a bit during the night. "What are you thinking?" "I'm wondering how we got in this position." "You started out in the hold me, 'hold me' position and ended up in the curled around me, 'hold me' position, after all." "I wasn't complaining, Danny." "Neither was I. This is...nice." "Yeah. It is." "You sleep okay?" "Like the dead. In spite of the snoring." "Was it annoying?" "Strangely endearing, actually." Danny chuckled. "First time I've heard it called that." "And it will probably be the last." "I'll take it," Danny turned slightly in Casey's arms and grinned when he saw the man. "What?" "Your hair is all over the place." "Yours would be, too, if you grew it out again." "Too much hassle." "An inch, Danny. I'm only asking for an inch." "You want me to grow it out?" "You got nothing to play with," Casey groused and ran his hand over Danny's head to illustrate the point. "Play with." "Yes, play with." "You are a strange man, Casey McCall." Casey sighed. "I'll think about it," Danny promised. "Okay?" "Thank you. I appreciate it." "Not a problem." "How's your head?" "A little better, actually." "Good." Casey moved backwards and rubbed Danny's back in silence for a moment. "Danny?" "Right here, Case. It's talking time, isn't it?" "Yeah. Hang on a second." Casey slid out of the bed and grabbed a glass off the dresser. Tearing the paper wrapping off, he headed into the bathroom and filled it with water, then dug around in his bag for some aspirin. He shook a couple of pills out and handed them to Danny, who took them with a grin and swallowed them before draining the glass. "Yech," Casey commented quietly. "I'll never know how you can take those things dry." "I drank the water." "You were humoring me." "Well, yes," Danny admitted, moving over to let Casey back into the bed. "But I drank the water." "Thank you." "Anything for you, Case." "Give me an inch." Danny glared at him. "Shit, I walked right into that one." "I held the door open for you." "Fine." Casey threw the sheets back over them and rolled onto his side to look at Danny. He ran a hand back and forth over Danny's chest and smiled when the man took it in one of his own. "Are we back to talking, Case?" "Yes, we are." "Fire when ready." Casey sighed. "Remember when I said that if anything terrible had to happen to one of us, I'd want it to be you?" "Yes," Danny answered quietly. "I lied." "I know." "I'm a lying dog, Danny." "I know, Case." "I'm sorry I ever said that." "I know." "I wish I could take it back. I wish I'd never said it." "I know." "You're being incredibly understanding." "That's just the kind of guy I am." "Danny." "I don't have any issues with it. At all. It's okay." "Okay." "You know, I think that's why you got my flight information mixed up," Danny said thoughtfully. "Really?" "Yup." "Because I said that god-awful thing to you." "Yup. You wouldn't have been able to live with yourself if you'd gotten it right." "After saying that." "Right." "You're right." "I know it." "We were supposed to get together." "My thoughts exactly, Casey." "This was supposed to happen." "Yes, it was." "I'm okay with this." "Good." Danny grew still for a moment and Casey frowned. "Danny? You okay?" "Yeah. I'm hearing ticking." "It's my watch." "I don't need to run for my life, then." "I wouldn't say so, no." "Okay. Just checking." "You're nervous." "Why would I be nervous?" "*I'm* nervous." "God, Case, I'm so fucking nervous," Danny confessed. "I know. It's okay." "How can it be okay to be this nervous?" "Because it's us." "Yes, it is." "It's still us, Danny." "I know." "And you're still nervous." "Right out of my mind, man. Right out of my mind." "Look at me," Casey waited until Danny faced him again. "There's nothing to be nervous about. This is us." "Yeah." "It's just us." "It's just us naked and *really* close to having sex." "True. But it's okay. You know why?" "Because it's just us?" "Got it in one." "Okay." "Okay?" "Yeah," Danny murmured, his eyes focused on Casey's mouth. "We aren't done talking, Danny." "I know." Danny wound his fingers through the hair on the back of Casey's head and pulled him down for a kiss. Not a mind-blowing kind of kiss, just a connection-reestablishing kind of kiss. Their arms found their way around one another and stayed there, even after the kiss ended. "Case?" "Yeah?" "Is this you?" "Who else?" "No, I mean *this*. Is *this* you?" "Danny...This is very much me. Honest." "Just checking." "You are not pushing me into anything I don't want." "You're sure?" "Very sure." "Okay." "Okay. And we're still not done talking." "I know." "Whose turn is it?" "I've got something." "Sounds serious." "It is." "Shoot." "Casey, I need you to do something for me." "Anything." "I need you to tell me you love me *before* we have sex." "Tell you I love you." "I need to hear it. Beforehand. And know you mean it." "I'd always mean it." "Men lie." "Men lie?" "Men lie. During sex." "I would never lie to you during sex." "Did you tell Sally you loved her?" "Danny..." "*During sex*, Case. Did you say *anything* you didn't exactly mean to Sally *during sex*?" "Yes." "Tell me you love me." "You love me." "Casey..." "Danny..." "This should be simple. Do you or don't you?" "Do *you*?" Danny sighed. "You know I do, Case." "Because the last time you said it..." "I was bobbin' and weavin'." "I know. I was there, remember?" "I still meant it." "Even then." "Even then. I *still* meant it. I told you I loved you and I meant it. I might have been drunk, but I meant it..." "I love you." "You do." "Yes." "I love you, too, Case." "I know you love me." "You do." "Yes." "Good. That's...good." "Yeah." "Ooookay. What's next?" "Promise me something." "Anything, Casey. What?" "Do not fake your enthusiasm. Not here. Not now. Believe me when I tell you, I *will* know the difference." "I won't. Promise." "Thank you." "S'okay." "Danny, are we done talking?" "I think we might be. For now." ~~~end