#rubberbang

Alright, so I'm a bit rusty, but this prompt really inspired me because what's cuter than pining during winter time? o hope you like it!

"What do you say we go ice skating?"

Dan looked up from his phone to see that Ross was wearing a heavy jacket, a beanie and a pair of gloves, which were all color coordinated, and which, in the end, made him look very much like a smurf. Dan beamed up at his friend. "I like the look you got going on," he teased, "It really suits you, Papa S."

It took Ross merely a second to get the joke, which ultimately ended in a frown and a glare. Dan giggled lightly.

"Oh, come on, it'll be fun. I could finally show off my moves to someone who would actually appreciate them." As Ross said the word 'moves,' he shook his shoulders seductively, scoring him a blush from Dan.

"Ross, I've never been ice skating before, I wouldn't know where to start, and it's really cold outside-" Dan started to come up with as many excuses as possible, because he seriously did not want Ross to see how embarrassed Dan could make himself by sucking at skating. He'd fall on his ass a countless number of times, and he preferred Ross to see him in a better, more pleasant light.

Plus, it really was cold.

But before Dan could go on any longer, Ross cut him off. "Oh, it'll be loads of fun, I can even teach you how to make a figure eight. And there's nothing like beating the cold with a jacket, dude." With that, Ross promptly threw Dan's own jacket onto him, covering his face- where was he even hiding it? Dan never saw him with it a moment ago- and once Dan's face was uncovered, he was startled by the sight of Ross standing so closely to him, peering down at him with a pair of dauntless eyes and hands on his hips.

"I dare you to fight me on this, Danny. You're going ice skating with me and you're going to have tons of fun, and there's nothing you can do about it."

The long-haired man glanced back up at Ross, not only having second thoughts, but thirds, and though he felt nothing but anxiety about the whole scenario, he just couldn't say no to that face; and during the drive on the way there, when Dan was brought upon a memory of Ross which he will never forget (Ross had been singing loudly and smirking cunningly to the lyrics of a song, waving his arms in the air carelessly as Dan watched and laughed his heart out from the passenger seat), he suddenly felt as if everything was going to be okay.

<- -> <- -> <- ->

When the time finally came to stand up on stage and sing (or, in this case, stand on the ice and skate), Dan got stage fright fairly quickly and immediately wished to be in his own home.

There, Ross stood before him, almost looking gallant with his puffy coat and black ice skates, with another famous Ross smile playing at his face. "Are you ready to go?"

On the contrary, Dan was not ready to go. Not ready at all. He could barely walk with the stupid skates on, and they made him wobble clumsily. He felt reminiscent of a drunken man looking for his car.

"No, Ross-" Dan mumbled, sounding doubtful, as he turned to face Ross, "I've never done this before. I can't even stand on my own. I thought I could, it looked so easy at first glance, but I don't think I can do this."

All at once, all the anxiety weighed him down because Ross was about to see just how stupid Dan Avidan really was. Ross, the teasing and sometimes evil man he came to know and love... and Ross, the man he would sometimes think of late at night when his insomnia got the best of him, and maybe he liked reminiscing of him at four in the morning, or any time of day, really-

The fact was obvious and simple; he desperately wished that Ross would see him the way that he, himself saw him. And quite frankly, he was scared.

Ross couldn't help but feel bad; at that moment, Dan looked like a child- so small and insecure and frightened, "That's okay, buddy, I got you."

At the feeling of his own arm around Ross's shoulder, Dan smiled to himself and felt his heart beat a little faster. Before Dan knew it, he was gliding across the ice elegantly and gracefully (not counting the couple times he almost slipped, even with a human walking stick).

Back at the Grump Office, and much later in the evening, Dan was being held by Ross, once again with his arm slung over the other. The two wore the same faces; warm, happy, content. In front of the fire, they drank Dan's favorite drink (hot chocolate, of course) and talked quietly amongst themselves until day turned into night.

"It's getting late, Ross finally said. "Do you- I mean, I could stay a bit longer, if you want."

Dan stared back into the crystal eyes of blue that looked upon him with need. "Is that what you want?" Dan asked hesitantly.

Ross tried to cover up his smile with his hand, because oh my gosh, this guy, but Dan caught his wrist before he could get there. Dan was also grinning wildly with a look of mischief that made Ross giggle nervously. "What are you smiling at?" Dan inquired.

"Nothing, you idiot. Come here," Ross barely gave Dan any time to follow his instructions before pulling him closer to his side.

Ross smelled like cologne and winter. Ross felt warm and comforting. Ross felt like everything in that moment.

Tell him, Dan thought. Tell him how you feel. Just say it. I think I love you- no, that's too strong. I think I like you. I think I like you.

"I think I-"

Bam, the kiss struck him like lightning or thunder in the middle of a peaceful rainy afternoon. His lips were soft, his hands were warm, and they were everywhere- his hair, his face, his everything. What began so soft and gentle stopped too quickly for Dan, and instantly, he craved for more.

Ross cradled his face in ome hand, his other now dropped to his side. A moment of shock and need passed through both of them before Ross spoke softly, though certain and calm; "Is this okay?"

Dan swallowed- and yes, it did feel as if it were the loudest thing happening in the room, just like on TV- and answered possibly a little too quickly. "This is more than okay."