Short but Sweet by InSilva
Summary: Danny and Rusty exchange gifts.
Disclaimer: I lay no claim to either of them. Would that I could.
A/N: this is what a Hotel Chocolat catalogue will do to you.
"Here you are," Danny says, pushing the oblong present across the table.
The paper disappears quickly - Rusty has never got the hang of good things coming to those who wait – revealing a large box of chocolates.
Rusty likes every single one within. Except for the one with the cracknel which is…not so. And the toffees which have a high chewing-to-pleasure ratio. And the Turkish delight which sits up there with the Icelandic chocolate-covered liquorice that Rusty once had and couldn't decide whether or not he approved. He still wasn't clear after a box of the stuff.
On the other hand, there is the velvety caramel, enrobed in chocolate, its hidden centre of golden silk opening up and flowing over the tongue…and rich pralines, hard shells cracking to reveal smooth hazelnut paste that melts away…and thick, creamy truffles, lush opulence in a mouthful…
Rusty's tongue runs over the inside of his top lip in anticipation. Danny watches him, amused.
"Have you quite finished?" he asks.
Rusty has the grace to look a little shame-faced. Danny shakes his head.
"Open it," he encourages and Rusty shoots him a suspicious glance. Danny is never this accommodating with Rusty's sweet tooth.
Rusty slides his fingers through the cellophane and breaks the seal then lifts the off the lid. Nestling inside is a special edition of "It's a Wonderful Life" that takes up most of the room. The remaining space contains the original chocolates. All of them cracknels, toffees and Turkish delight.
He looks across at Danny.
"I'm trying to think of a way of asking-"
"-your friend who has very carefully-"
"-without seeming"
"-using a scalpel and precision-"
"-ungrateful-"
"-opened this box up and put one of your favourite movies inside-"
"-or ungracious."
"-and replaced everything so that it looked unopened."
Rusty looks at Danny. "Where are the rest of the chocolates?"
Danny sighs. "What if I ate them?"
"Did you?"
A bag of loose chocolates is handed over. "I couldn't bear the sulk."
"Thanks. And thank you."
As an afterthought, Rusty adds, "You get your present Thursday night."
Danny cocks an eyebrow. "Clue?"
A white chocolate truffle has just disappeared into Rusty's mouth and there is a pause until the bliss evaporates from Rusty's face.
"Be ready at seven."
Thursday night arrives and Rusty drives them through the city and out to the stadium. Danny realises as soon as they draw near.
"This was sold out," he mentions as Rusty parks.
"Yeah," Rusty agrees, climbing out of the car
"You stole tickets?" Danny asks as they walk towards the entrance.
"Nope."
"You bought them from a scalper?"
Rusty rolls his eyes.
"How?"
Rusty grins. "We have a box. To ourselves."
"We do?" Danny looks at him warily. "Who are we?"
"Ted Lovis and Jimmy McCroy."
"And where are we from?"
Rusty mentions a household name.
"We're quite high up, Ted," he adds. "Although I think technically I'm your boss."
Danny snorts. That'll be the day.
"Do I want to know what happened to Ted and Jimmy?"
Rusty smiles. "They got a better offer."
And Danny knows better than to enquire further.
"Thanks," he says.
"For you, Ted, anytime."