It sounds like thunder.
Iron hitting the earth in a steady rhythm, in a days time it will be past, but this memory is forever.
The sun in setting, casting an orange glow over the landscape, and the clouds are darkening, the threat of rain is in the air, and it's one of the most refreshing smells they have ever experienced.
The silhouette of a purple mountain is the most beautiful thing they've ever seen, and the green grass is the softest bed they've ever had.
Walter is laying on his side, his chin in his hand, and his gaze tilted toward the sunset, and this is the most intimate moment Daniel has ever experienced.
And the words are out before he can stop himself, and he knows he's ruined it, and he knows that the night is no longer serene. As Walter turns his face toward Daniel, the shadows hide his eyes for a moment, until he shifts up onto his elbow, and focuses on Daniel's face, the shadows dancing over the sharp angles of his face, and the fading light of the sun hitting his eyes at just the right angle, almost making them glow.
Daniel's throat is suddenly dry, and his arm is shaking underneath his weight now as he holds himself up right, meeting Walter's gaze, and trying so desperately not to falter. He doesn't know why he said it, what prompted it, doesn't know how to take it back, but he does know that he doesn't want to. He does know that he meant it. He does know that he's been trying for months to let Walter know, but he also knows that it could have been the greatest mistake he's ever made.
Walter isn't moving, and that's even worse then if he had gotten up to walk away.
Daniel moves slowly as he pushes himself up into a sitting position, he isn't sure what he plans to do now, but he knows that he'd be stupid not to sit up. He knows that he was stupid to put himself in this situation.
He expects Walter to hit him, to tell him he is dirty, has a perverted mind. He expects Walter to abandon him, he expects too many things, but he doesn't expect Walter to furrow his brow and ask, very slowly, "Why?"
He doesn't know how to respond, doesn't know what kind of question that is in response to his initial statement. So he just sits there, with his mouth parted slightly, trying to speak, but finding no words, and he is vaguely aware that the sun has faded from sight, and that they missed what they'd come out here to see.
Walter is reaching toward him, and he flinches without meaning to, and Walter looks confused, and sad, and Daniel still doesn't have any thing to say, which is strange, and a little confusing, but Walter's fingers are in his hair, and he doesn't want to ruin the moment.
So he remains silent as Walter runs his fingers down Daniel's jawline, and he wonders when Walter started shaving on a regular basis, and why he looks so clean, so healthy. Why he smells like lilacs.
But he can't speak, he can't breathe, he can't move. And he doesn't want to, because he doesn't want to ruin the moment.
Walter is leaning toward him, and he's closing his eyes, as Walter's hand rests on his shoulder, and in the distance Daniel hears thunder, and wonders if it's going to storm. Walter's other arm is wrapping around his neck, and pulling him closer, and Daniel isn't thinking straight, and he inhales sharply.
He wants to raise his hands and put them on Walter's sides, but he doesn't want to frighten the other man, doesn't want him to realize what he's doing and pull away, and blame Daniel. Daniel doesn't move, doesn't lean into the kiss he knows is coming.
As Walter's lips touch his Daniel hears thunder again, and sees a flash, and thinks he's seeing lights, but he doesn't move away, and he realizes that he's not breathing, but he knows that he'll never get this moment again.
And in that instant it begins to pour down on them.
And suddenly Daniel can breathe again as Walter pulls back, laughing as he shields his eyes from the rain, and Daniel's heart is breaking because this whole time it's been wrong, been someone else. This isn't right, and he feels like his dying as he climbs to his feet, and they begin to run back to the tent, he knows he's smiling, knows he's laughing, but he doesn't know why Walter can't tell that it isn't real.
This isn't real.
This is wrong.
A/N:
This is a sort of 'what if Daniel tried to stop Jon...'
So Jon, seeing the miracle life is, decides to save them, and sends them to another time, in a New York with a per-existing Walter Kovacs, and Daniel Dreiberg. Dunno how determined I am to finish this, but it will be slooow.
But the deal is, Rorschach retired, and Nite Owl didn't. Having seen the filth of the city, been traumatized, etc. he thought it best to punish the city.
Plus I kinda have a fetish for making good guys evil... _;.