A/N: Hey there everybody! CE Winters here, with a new story (again - can't I just finish one before starting another?), except this one is a little bit different :) I've never done anything like this before so - yikes! But I'm rolling with the punches. I'll warn you all upfront: this story is RPF. I am sorry if you've read my other stuff and come to this story in hopes of it being more like that.

The title for this comes from Cameron Mitchell's song "Love Can Wait", which was the inspiration for this story and the song I'll take all the chapter titles from. The song is absolutely beautiful, and even if you don't continue reading this story after the warning I just gave, I recommend everyone going to buy it! :D

Rating/Warnings: T - for now. I don't anticipate anything happening in this story that isn't a T rating so that's very unlikely to change. The warnings might be a little spoiler-y, but I know some people only like specific types of CrissColfer fics, so I'll just warn you ahead of time. If you're down for anything, just scroll past if you don't want to be spoiled! This story features an initially platonic relationship that evolves into something else - includes reluctant!Chris and Colfersexual/you-fall-in-love-with-the-person-not-gender!Darren.

Summary: Darren has a crazy plan. It starts out as a relatively harmless gesture of protectiveness and goodwill, but soon begins to manifest itself differently. Chris sees things a bit differently. In spite of Darren's plan, he's adamantly sticking by the theory that love can wait...or at least trying to.

Chris kept pushing repeat on the video button – but only because the entire thing was so ridiculous. He supposed that was what happened when three of the goofiest people in the entire world sat down to an interview together and wound up telling cast kissing tales.

For what had to have been the tenth time, he snickered as Ashley called Darren out for moving on, as she said, her man. It was typical Ashley, and Chris didn't mind it one bit.

Feeling immensely pathetic, he rewound the video again to the part when his three cast mates began talking about Darren's surprise attack on Chris's face during the Dublin Klaine skit. The funniest thing about it was that everything they said was true. Darren did just plant one on Chris's face, and it was rather hard.

But, contrary to popular fangirl belief – or hope – that was the only thing that had been hard on that stage. Chris had found it more comical than anything else; it was a prank war that had completely backfired on its instigator. The prankster had been one-upped, and he had happily conceded defeat before sitting back and laughing with his cast mates over the public's reaction to their shenanigans.

Now, he thought as he pursed his lips and rewound once more, the silly little interview was ricocheting off of more walls than he had anticipated when he'd first seen it, and it didn't look as if it would stop anytime soon. Darren, on the other hand, had probably hoped they would never live it down.

He could hardly resist rolling his eyes as Darren, trolling as usual, declared his irresistible love for Chris. Mark had been absolutely no help; Chris was half convinced he was stoking the fire on purpose. But it was Ashley who had been the first one to actually say the name: Chris Criss. It sounded absolutely ridiculous, like something a sadistic parent – or one who mistakenly thought they were clever – would name their child in order to get a few laughs.

If he did marry Darren, the last thing he would do would be to take the other man's last name. Chris supposed he ought to resent the fact that people, even his friends, automatically assumed he would be the figurative girl in their relationship. But then again, Chris thought as he shut his computer lid a bit too harshly, he didn't plan on marrying Darren anytime soon…or ever.

He put his laptop aside carefully to make up for his harsh treatment of it earlier, and stood up in his trailer. He looked around as he arched to stretch his back – as much as he loved living in a fully furnished apartment, he did adore his trailer. It had the strobe lights all set up inside for his Club Chris nights, and it had been his anchoring point all through the rise of their show. It was silly to be attached to a trailer, but there you go.

Chris checked his watch – twenty minutes until he had to be in costume and makeup for the filming of his first scene in season three: another Lima Bean moment between Kurt and Blaine.

Just as his thoughts turned to the show – and as he was arched backward in mid stretch, a clamor came from the door. There was a rapid flurry of knocking, and even before the voice spoke, Chris had no doubt of whom it was. "Knock, knock! Coming in Chris, I hope you're decent or else people will really have something to gossip about." Darren burst in before Chris had a chance to straighten up. "Ah, already bending over backward for me? Acquiescent, but I can work with it. I like the enthusiasm."

Chris stood up hurriedly and cleared his throat. "What on Earth are you talking about?" He shook his head as Darren merely smiled widely and began rooting through a bowl of fruit on a nearby table. "Speaking of giving people something to gossip about, I don't even really think I need to chip in on that front. You seem to have it all under control. Should I go to the courthouse and change my name to Chris Criss now or later?"

Darren smirked and finally picked up an orange. "I wasn't about to say this with Mark, Ashley, and a million fans right there listening, but I'm personally partial to Darren Colfer. Either way, neither of us will have to get new monogrammed hankies."

"Why do I have a feeling you're serious?" Darren chuckled at Chris's question and began peeling his orange. "Really though Dare, you should stop taunting people. We've already had to cancel our interviews. If we tug the fangirl yo-yo a few more times, we'll have some sort of mutiny on our hands."

"They wouldn't dare…we captain this ship!"

"You captain the ship. I'm an innocent sailor."

"A blameless yet periodically enthusiastic seaman, huh, CC?" Darren asked with a wink.

"CeeCee is a girl's name," Chris said dryly. "It wouldn't kill you to stick with Chris."

"But you call me DC." Darren puffed out his bottom lip in protest and turned his round amber eyes up in a silent plea.

Chris paused, fighting a losing battle with Darren's huge puppy dog eyes. "Fine," he conceded. "Just when it's only the two of us though. I don't want it catching on, heaven forbid."

"No problem, mon capitaine." Darren smiled widely and popped an orange slice into his mouth.

"Anyway, you never responded a minute ago, when I said you shouldn't tease people. Some of them have delicate compositions, you know."

"They enjoy it," Darren said with a shrug.

"But we know it isn't true," Chris pointed out. "People really think we could…you know."

"You know?" Darren smirked again.

Chris sighed and rolled his eyes. "Be together."

"It isn't that far out there," Darren said absently as he flicked an orange seed to the ground. "I've heard weirder things. Besides, just imagine if there was some cataclysmic genetic breakthrough in the next few years. Our kid would be pretty damn attractive; even you have to admit that. He'd have your skin…my eyes…hmm, your eyes are pretty magnificent too, though. So maybe he should have your eyes? But then, he'd also have your height, your hair – which is looking extra soft today, by the way. Are you using something new?" Chris batted away Darren's hand as he reached out to touch his hair, a smile twisting onto both of their faces. "And your lips, of course…and your voice." His brow furrowed. "Our perfect make-believe child looks too much like you. Help me out here, he needs something of mine."

"Curls," Chris said, getting comeuppance by reaching out and ruffling Darren's hair. Most of the time he was content to half follow along while Darren chattered on happily, but this particular train of thought was far too entertaining to let him venture off on alone. The fact that he had the softest, most ruffle able hair in the universe was completely peripheral.

"Perfetto," Darren said with a little flourish as he stood up.

"You keep twisting around the subject, you know," Chris said indulgently.

"Well, it's a twisty subject all on its own." Darren surveyed Chris's carefully passive expression. "Why? It doesn't…it doesn't bother you, does it? I mean, the fact that people think we might be a couple?" Chris's momentary silence spoke for itself. "Chris…"

"It isn't anything personal," Chris said quickly. "It's just that…ever since Glee, and the fame…well, you know. I haven't really been with anyone. Now half the world thinks that my first boyfriend is you, and you've said repeatedly that you like girls. How pathetic is that?"

"I only keep saying that because I feel like it needs to be said – that you don't need to be gay to support gay rights. I joke around, but…" He shrugged.

"How noble of you," Chris said dryly. "Hate to break it to you, but if you're trying to keep people from getting their hopes up, you're doing a horrible job."

Darren shrugged once more and smiled benignly. Chris knew from experience that it was possible – and most likely probably – that this conversation would go nowhere. "Oh, come on," Chris said, tugging in Darren's sleeve as he passed. "We'll be late to hair and makeup."

"Chris, I have a question," Darren said, turning to follow him. His tone immediately caught Chris's attention. Darren hardly ever sounded serious if he wasn't either acting, joking, or telling the media how in all seriousness, he was just some fan who got insanely lucky. Chris had a feeling that now was different than all three of those instances.

"Yes…"

"You say these things, offhandedly and in interviews…things like how you'd love to have a boyfriend if there were any offers. People always ask who you're taking to events, and it's always a female friend – or like, how you're taking your grandmother to the Emmys."

"You took your mom to the first Harry Potter premire," Chris retorted.

"But you know that they ask the question because they're all wondering if you'll finally bring a real date," Darren continued.

"Oh, here we go."

"Then just now, you said that you haven't been with anyone since Glee, and that everyone thinks I'm your first boyfriend."

Chris shook his head. "Darren…please stop."

"But here's the thing that confuses me." Darren stroked his beardless face pensively. "You came out on Chelsea Handler, and that was after Glee started." Darren finally stopped talking and made eye contact with Chris.

Chris knew his way around well enough to safely be able to bury his head in his hands.

"So what does that mean?"

The taller man took his head from his hands to glare at Darren. "That's just fabulous, you're trying to deduce my love life. Are you happy now? I've said it before: I'm the gay guy that girls love, but no offers are coming in from anyone who could actually be with me."

"But you're a catch." Darren quieted down and walked in silence for a few moments.

"You know how it is on this show," Chris said, trying to be patient. "No one knows what it's like, not unless they're going through the same thing. Unfortunately, no one who's going through the same thing share my…preferences."

Darren bit his lip thoughtfully. "This would be a lot easier if the entire world didn't think I was straight."

Chris gaped at his friend. He was in so much initial shock that he almost stopped walking, and had to remind his feet to move. "Uh…aren't you?"

"Well, yeah, I guess," Darren said, shrugging a shoulder. "It's easier than saying you don't have a word for it, isn't it?"

Chris was floored. "Is it?"

"Hey, I said it myself: you fall in love with the person, not the gender."

Chris moved his head in something between a confused nod and disbelieving shake. "Wait…I thought you were the one who was supposed to be confused about me, not me being confused about you. What are you saying?"

Darren waved his hands around nebulously. "People already think we're a couple. We've made out a dozen plus times, so no surprises there. You've never had a boyfriend. Hell, I didn't want to ask, but I don't even know if you've kissed a guy other than on the show."

Chris was sure there was no possible way his face could get any redder. "You better not be suggesting what I think you are. I must have misunderstood you somewhere. Darren, are you…asking me out?"

"Oh, then you didn't misunderstand at all," Darren said pleasantly. "Awesome."

Chris scoffed in disbelief. "Um…no. Are you insane? Well, don't answer that." Darren looked injured, so Chris quickly continued. They stopped just outside hair and makeup, and Chris grabbed his hands. "I know this is some…strange way of saying you care…very strange. But you don't exactly think things through all of the time. Do you remember the last thing you did something without thinking it through?"

Darren's face fell, if possible, even farther. "I'm still not allowed inside any Chuck E. Cheese restaurants, nationwide."

"Exactly. What you're suggesting is…well, it isn't even real. Do you know what I mean?" Darren nodded, though Chris wasn't completely convinced he was genuine. "So…I'm twenty-one, and I haven't had a boyfriend, or…okay, anyways, it isn't something that's supposed to be forced. Whatever is meant to happen will, and I'll be thankful for it if…uh, when it comes."

Darren no longer looked disappointed. Instead, he looked contemplative, which made Chris nervous. "Hmm…well, I'll see you later, Chris."

Chris's mouth fell open. "Wha…that's it?"

"Yep. I'll see you on set. I'm so excited for this scene. People will love it. It's just so…beautiful!"

Chris shook his head and followed Darren as he walked into the room to begin his transformation into Blaine Anderson. Chris flattered himself for being pretty wise for his age, but one thing he would never, ever understand, was Darren Criss.

A/N: There we go for the first chapter! I've never written CrissColfer RPF (or any RPF) before, so this was totally new to me! Any feedback would be appreciated, as I'm still a bit unsure about my adeptness (or lack thereof) in navigating this uncharted territory "^^

Thanks for reading!