My very, very first Donald Strachey Mysteries fic! As such, I'm not sure how well I'll get everyone's characters down. And also, it should be noted that because my sister only recently got her hands on the books, and I have been quite preoccupied with other (necessary) things, I haven't read the books yet, nor have I seen any of the movies besides Third Man Out. So…basically, I have nothing to go on except what my sister has told me.

So in short…I'm winging it. Please feel free to scream at me. Just don't use caps lock too terribly extensively, or employ a bright red font; it makes my eyes hurt.

Disclaimer: Believe me, if Timmy were mine, Donald would be lucky to ever get him back. And, as Bronwyn was kind enough to point out, Don has a history of violence when it comes to Timmy-retrieval, so…it's probably better for everyone involved that I don't own any of these characters.

Title: I'd Lie

Fandom: Donald Strachey Mysteries

Genre: Romance

Pairing: Timmy/Donald

Rating: G

Summary: A short piece taking place about a month into Timmy and Donald's relationship. Timmy is certain his relationship with Donald will never go anywhere permanent, but that doesn't stop him from dreaming…

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I'd Lie

They've only had a handful of dates. They've been together for exactly thirty-two days—a paltry number. They barely know each other.

That ceased to matter after hour one of the first date, and Timmy knows it.

Timmy could write a book on Donald Strachey; in fact, maybe one day he'll try. Who knows?

Timmy doesn't know anything… Except, that's not entirely true.

He knows that Donald is worthless before his third cup of morning coffee. He knows that Donald loves bright colors. He knows that Donald has no fashion sense and loves picking out hideous ties that he can then use as conversation pieces and icebreakers.

He knows that Donald served in the military. He knows that Donald works as a private investigator because it's a small way of giving something back. He knows that Donald has secrets, but that he doesn't keep them to hurt anyone—he only keeps them so that others won't have to suffer through the knowing of them.

He knows that Donald is brave, and strong, and captivating, and addictive. He knows that Donald is completely without limits. He is irritating, frustrating…

Intoxicating.

He knows that Donald has the power to completely undo him.

Timmy has never felt that way about anyone. He's never broken down over anyone. He's never met anyone who can enthrall him like this.

Now, he lays awake at night, cursing the name of a man he barely knows, knowing he should be sleeping, not dreaming about someone who will never be truly his.

He will not rest until he unravels the mystery that plagues him in his dreams, and that's that.

Timmy knows one other thing, too. He knows that he has fallen helplessly, hopelessly, recklessly, head-over-heels in love with an ex-soldier-turned-PI named Donald Strachey.

And if you asked me if I loved him, I'd lie.