#fwd

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The next day, Nicholas woke up warm, happy, and in not his own bed. He opened his eyes, and saw Danny, still asleep. He smiled, remembering everything. He wanted to stay in bed longer, but it was a work day, and he had his routines.

He pulled himself out of bed and away from Danny begrudgingly, making sure that Danny didn't wake up. He took out his running clothes, one of the outfits he'd taken to leaving at Danny's, and went into the bathroom. He brushed his teeth, got dressed, set a few things up in the kitchen, and came back into the bedroom with a glass of water, and two pills that would help with Danny's hangover laid out on a napkin. Danny hadn't moved much, which was good. That meant he hadn't woken up yet.

He went over to Danny's side of the bed, and set the water and napkin on the bedside table.

"Danny," he whispered. "Danny, wake up."

"Mmphr." Nicholas smiled.

"Come on," he gently shook his shoulder, "just for a moment." Danny blearily blinked before opening his eyes all the way, rubbing some of the sleep from them.

"Nicholas?" His voice was thick, and he started to sit up, but Nicholas kept his hand on his shoulder to keep him in place.

"It's alright, you don't have to get up properly yet. I just wanted to tell you that I'm going on my morning run now." Danny's face scrunched up.

"Not gonna ask me to join, are you?" He asked skeptically.

"No no," Nicholas chuckled, "just telling you."

"You... came over here and woke me up to tell me to not get up, just to tell me you were going on your run?" Danny shook his head a little. "I think I'm too tired for this."

"I was actually already over here." He paused meaningfully, smile fading a bit as he considered that Danny might really not remember. "From last night."

Danny's eyes widened, and it looked like it was all coming back to him. He looked up at Nicholas with something like fear in his eyes. Ironically, that eased Nicholas's own fear. Fear that last night hadn't happened, that he'd imagined or dreamed it all, that Danny had just been drunk, and not serious. Of course, Nicholas had been pretty confident, considering the force of Danny's words, and the kissing, but there was still that little doubt.

Until now.

"Oh."

"Well," Nicholas cleared his throat. "I have medicine over here with some water in case you've got a hangover, I left the electric kettle on, in case you decide to get up and have tea." He gestured towards the kitchen, "and I'll be back after I'm done to make some toast, or something else if you're feeling up to it." He smiled again as Danny slowly took it all in. "Also, I wanted to wish you a good morning," and he leaned over, giving Danny a soft kiss before righting himself again.

And that seemed to pop the bubble of uncertainty for Danny right enough. He positively beamed, until he realized that Nicholas actually was ready to leave.

"So it did happen!" Nicholas just smiled wider and nodded in response. "Oh, that's not fair, I want to snog you some more, and-" he yawned.

"Go back to sleep, Danny." Nicholas patted him on the arm. "I'll wake you again later, when it's time to get up for work." Danny nodded, mood dampened slightly. "It's alright. We've off tomorrow." Danny smiled again, and turned over, pulling the covers up around himself again. Nicholas was halfway out the door when he called out.

"Nicholas?" He turned towards Danny. "Tonight, your arse is mine." A blush shot its way through Nicholas's ears to all over his face. He stared for a moment, open mouthed, before he finally nodded once.

"It's a date." And with that he turned around again, and walked out the door. He was unable to keep the stupid grin off of his face his entire jog.