A/N: I've realized that my repertoire of fics is somewhat limited so I'm spreading my writing wings so to speak. I recently watched the entire final season of Ugly Betty. In the span of 48 hours. Needless to say, that marathon prompted this fic. I just love the Betty/Daniel dynamic. If I write more, I will definitely add onto this, so stay tuned. Enjoy!
Timeline: 4x07 Level(7) With Me.
Disclaimer: If I owned Ugly Betty there would have been a movie by now. And alas, that has yet to happen.
Ice Cream Therapy
"I miss her."
She had been ready to give him a piece of her mind for texting her at such an ungodly hour. But the way he uttered those three words, broke her heart. His bright blue eyes glistened with fresh tears, threatening to fall at any given moment. Silently, she took a seat beside him on the concrete steps.
"It's okay to miss her."
He laughed mirthlessly.
"I was doing so well after the whole Phoenix debacle. And then I hear that stupid Titanic song and I lose it. I mean, how pathetic is that?"
"Daniel, you're not pathetic," she reassured.
"I still haven't even changed the answering machine message. It's still her voice. I sometimes call the apartment and I can pretend that Molly is in the shower or she's taking a nap or out on a walk."
"Daniel…"
"I promised her that I would move on."
"Give it some time. You loved her."
"I never deserved her."
Before she could stop herself, she had a gloved hand under his chin, turning his face towards hers. He stared at her wide-eyed, startled by the sudden gesture.
"Don't you dare say that you never deserved her," she whispered with a fierce conviction. "Maybe not the old Daniel, but the Daniel that I know now, the Daniel that I care about, he deserves to be loved."
A single tear slipped down his cheek which she promptly brushed away with her thumb.
"When did you become so smart?"
"I was born smart," she quipped.
She smiled brightly at him as she removed her hand from his face.
"Thank you," he murmured.
"You're welcome."
Clearing his throat, he sheepishly cast his gaze down at the sidewalk.
"I'm sorry I dragged you out here so late."
"No big. I couldn't sleep anyhow."
"I have a tub of Rocky Road that's screaming to be eaten."
"Now how can I say no to an offer like that?"
This time, he genuinely laughed.
"Women and their ice cream."
His comment earned him a slap on the arm.
"Hey!" he exclaimed. "What was that for?"
"For being sexist."
"That wasn't sexist. That was an astute observation."
"An astute observation?" she repeated incredulously.
"Yeah."
She glared at him, folding her arms across her chest.
"What? Am I not allowed to say that or something?"
"I'm just finding it hard to believe that Daniel Meade used the word 'astute' in a sentence."
"My dear Betty, I am a man full of surprises."
The grin on her face widened as he rose to his feet and held out his hand for her.
"Did I say thank you yet?"
"Yes you did," she replied as he helped her up.
"Well, thank you. Again."
"You're welcome. Again. Now quit stalling, where is the ice cream?"
Chuckling, he tucked her arm under his.
"Women and their ice cream."
Fin for now, Detty forever