I own nothing.

It wasn't so much realization, just understanding without thinking about it too much. It wasn't even fully accepted, tolerated at most. Rorschach's life had slowly begun to revolve around Daniel Drieberg. Slightly. Instead of being fully consumed by fighting scum, crime and sin, he had been slightly diverted. He had tried to fight it, ignore Daniel and his pull, but there was no point. The orbit was certain, but never admitted. He didn't think about it, but allowed himself to circle. With each rotation Rorschach came closer and closer to Daniel. Best not to think about it.

----------------------------------------------------

Daniel was sitting at his kitchen table staring at the wood grain. Every once in awhile his head would nod, agreeing that sleep was coming. One of his overhead lights had burnt out, and his kitchen wasn't bright enough to keep him awake. He wanted to be awake just in case a visitor came...at 1 o'clock in the morning. Actually, he never knew when Rorschach would show up, so he waited with more hope than expectancy.

Just as Daniel's head began to loll for the last time he heard footsteps up the basement steps.
His heart gave a jump as his mind scrambled back from wherever it had gone to sleep. Shocking, that tonight he actually came.

Unless it isn't rorschach. His fear sparked in the back of his skull.

Daniel's doubt was erased as he turned to watch the basement door open with confidence. After waiting night after night for this, it wasn't exactly the triumphant return he expected. Rorschach slunk around the door and into the poorly lit kitchen. After collapsing into a chair at the opposite end of the table he finally looked around.

Rorschach's mask turned toward Dan and shifted sluggishly. After a moment, recognition. Daniel frowned, and was wary of Rorschach's actions, or lack of. He sat up straight before speaking.

"I haven't seen you in a few weeks," he stated. Hesitating, unsure of his next question, "Where have you been?"

After a moment Rorschach shook his head and took off his hat. Daniel took this as a good sign that he would be staying for at least a little while. Maybe Daniel should steal his hat. He wouldn't be able leave until he had it back. Daniel's sleepy brain smiled and forgot that he had asked a question. He didn't want Rorschach to leave. This reminded him of why he had been yearning to see him tonight.

"Come on Rorschach, where have you been all this time?" Daniel insisted and leaned slightly forward.

Rorschach's mask gave a jump, black and white chasing each other. He stood abruptly and went over to a cupboard. Reaching in and groping, his hand returned with a can. Examining the label he was content with his blind choice. After opening the can he sat back at the table with spoon in hand. Gathering his mask on the bridge of his nose he began to ladle corn into his mouth.

Corn. How exotic. Daniel thought.

For a few minutes he was content to watch the man eat, while pretending he wasn't watching him eat.

Impatient. He wanted an answer, but wasn't sure he was going to get one. It was possible Rorschach would answer after he was done eating, or that he would ignore Dan further.

Spoon hit bottom of can and Rorschach got up again. Daniel waited silently for words, but there were none as Rorschach turned again to the cupboard. Daniel's temper sparked as he stood abruptly from the table and his chair screached on the floor. He rounded the table and confronted Rorschach.

Rorschach froze with his hand in the cabinet as Daniel spoke, "I haven't seen or heard from you in three weeks, and you can't even tell me where you were the whole time?"

Rorschach withdrew his hand and turned toward Daniel. His harsh tone was putting him on edge, and Daniel could see it. "Just tell me where you were!" Daniel demanded.

Dan knew that he was pushing it. He was pushing for an answer that he didn't really need or want. What did it matter where Rorschach was?

Rorschach spoke as he looked up into Daniel's face, "Wasn't here."
"I noticed," Dan said simply and stood still. He could reach out and touch Rorschach now if he wanted to. That was what he wanted, and it surprised him.

"I was worried...," Dan said quietly and his hand was rising through the air, "...about you."
Daniel figured his hand would land on Rorschach's shoulder, and it did.

Rorschach allowed the hand to sit there for a moment before placing his hand on top of it. This was to show his acceptance of the gesture, but would also be used to remove the hand.

"Thank you Daniel," Rorschach said formally before he prepared to swipe Dan's hand away.

Daniel began to move. His hand slid out from under Rorschach's glove and it fell away in shock. Daniel's hand was now running along Rorschach's collarbone and was heading for his neck. All the emotions he had gathered over the past three weeks motivated his hand forward. Rorschach could have been dead. He could be dead tomorrow. Daniel Drieberg should be dead right now.

His hand finally stopped moving as it cupped Rorschach's neck. He ran his thumb along jawline and circled in the hollow behind his ear. Rorschach's mouth hung open slightly, unbelieving. At the moment he was too shocked to do anything but allow the touch.

"I was worried about you," Daniel said again, quieter this time, barely above a whisper. His eyes shifted from watching his own hand to staring at Rorschach's mask. His hand had continued to the back of Rorschach's skull. Daniel slipped a finger underneath the edge of his mask and held his breath.

This was when Rorschach reacted. He stepped backward and Daniel's hand fell away. A low growl was exhaled from his nose as he pulled the mask back over the bottom of his face. He was shaking violently as he held his mask in place at his neck.

"Don't touch," Rorschach hissed as he took another step back.

Daniel advanced equally, "Please, I'm sorry, I just..." he let the words die as he watched in horror. Daniel took another step foward, even though it broke his heart to see Rorschach so disgusted with him.

Rorschach retreated more until the small of his back hit the kitchen counter. His hands had left his mask to make fists at his sides. Daniel whispered, "You're all I have."

Rorschach was still shaking as he said, "Don't." This time with less conviction. In Daniel's kitchen Rorschach couldn't breathe.