Disclaimer: I don't own McFLY (but don't we all at the same time?), any movies mentioned below or anything related to New York (if only!).
A/N: Review, review, review! (No, I'm not being greedy, I promise.) I hope this chapter sort of pulls you readers in to fall in love with this story (as I am hopelessly love sick over this baby) as I did. This is extremely longer, and I promise I will get to the good parts soon if you found this chapter boring :P Enough with me, just enjoy!
Chapter 2: Central Park Catastrophe
"So, where would you like to go to, Danny boy?" Harry asked excitedly.
Danny rolled his eyes at his friend's enthusiasm. He had just gotten off an 8 hour flight and wasn't in the mood for much. He was sure he looked like a total wreck. No way was he going to look like what he did in public. "To my hotel," Danny grumbled.
Harry scoffed. "You're such a downer."
"So what? I'm having jet lag and all I want to do is sleep."
"Too bad. I'm driving and you have no choice. We're going to meet a friend of mine."
Danny was about to start whining, but Harry had caught him in the nick of time; slapping his free hand onto Danny's mouth. The cry of pain was muffled by Harry's hand.
"Fuck you!" Danny exclaimed at him after Harry took his hand off his mouth.
"Back at you." Harry rolled his eyes. "He's a really nice guy, Dan. I'm sure you two will hit it off. Just don't take his flirting the wrong way.
"Flir- do you mean-?"
"Yes."
"Harry Judd, please tell me you have straight friends as well."
"I've never asked them, but I'm pretty sure they are."
Danny muttered what sounded like a string of swear words, turning his head towards the window to look at the approaching city.
"Don't be so uncomfortable Danny. Everyone is the same no matter what."
"I know that," Danny replied, refusing to turn his head back around to apologize.
"Don't worry, he's dragging along another friend who happens to be an actor as well, so I'm pretty sure you two will get along just fine," Harry added with a smile.
"Is he-?"
"Daniel Jones, please stop worrying about everyone's sexuality. It's getting on my nerves," Harry grunted. His friend wasn't a homophobe at all, so it annoyed Harry that he could be so judgmental about the friends he made here.
"I'm not worrying about it, I'm simply asking you," Danny retorted, sighing heavily as he was feeling tired towards the irrelevant arguement.
Harry sighed, feeling more and more tempted to punch his friend's face. He could be so thickheaded sometimes. "I'll be honest, I don't know. But don't think about it, okay? What could possibly go wrong?"
"Everything will go wrong, now that you've said it."
"I can't wait to get to my hotel and just have a nice nap," Tom yawned, reclining his chair. Dougie snorted. "Not to let you down or anything, but I set up a nice meeting with the guys I talked about earlier. You won't be heading to your hotel anytime soon. Or a hotel."
Tom sat up straight, furrowing his eyebrows at the young blonde.
"What?"
"Yeah, you're going to stay with me!" Dougie cheered.
"Why? I though Gio had reserved a room for me at-"
"Giovanna wasn't able to reserve a hotel room for you, so she called me and asked if you could room with me for the duration of the movie process. You both don't have enough money to afford any New York hotel for longer than two months anyway. Also, she doesn't like being called by her nickname, she thinks it sounds like a guy name," Dougie explained calmly.
"Oh, so suddenly you and my agent are best buds?" Tom spat back bitterly.
"What's so bad about staying over with me?" Dougie asked meekly, feeling very offended.
"Oh no, I don't have a problem with you Dougs. I don't mind it at all. But what I do mind is the constant flow of 'visitors' that you bring home every night. Also, I can never get more than five hours of sleep in your house," Tom said, taking in the familiar surroundings of New York.
"But Tom," Dougie whined. "I like bringing home guests every night. If I'm going to find the right guy, I have to do a lot of mingling and dating."
"I don't find that very effective," Tom countered.
"Oh sod off," Dougie said, rolling his eyes. His best friend could be so bitter about everything sometimes. "I promise I'll keep the parties to a low, okay?"
Tom scoffed, giving his friend a humorous face. "Of course you will. You can't go two days without throwing a massive rage. I suppose you like to invite your straight and extremely gorgeous friend to these parties as well? Maybe get a chance to be in the presence of his 'amazing' ass?"
Dougie suddenly turned the color of a tomato, slapping Tom's arm playfully. "Please stop. And his ass is not 'amazing' it's amazing."
"I don't really get the difference, but okay." Tom shrugged. "I bet you got him so wasted one night and got the chance to snog him. I can imagine it now."
"Tom!" Dougie squealed, almost swerving the car off the freeway and over the bridge they were crossing.
"Oh God, Dougie, control your car you idiot!" Tom screamed, holding onto anything he could hold with a tight grip.
"I'm sorry," Dougie apologized, his breathing erratic and his heart pounding against his chest.
"This just proved you did snog your straight friend. I'm ashamed of you," Tom laughed, shaking his head. He understood that his friend could be very cheeky and naughty and go beyond of what he thought he would do, but Tom didn't expect him to go that far. Tricking a poor innocent straight guy into having sex with him? A little too much to be something Dougie would do... is it?
"For your information, I didn't have sex with him. Yes, I got him very drunk. But it only went as far as making out, I swear! It was at a club too, not at one of my famous ear-pounding house parties. And he didn't remember a thing. Well, at least I'm sure he doesn't remember. Can we not talk about this?" Dougie explained, the blush on his cheeks reddening as he talked about it.
Tom laughed, clutching his chest as he did so. Now that was a Dougie thing to do.
"Dougie, that's hilarious. I can't believe you would do such a thing! You're so evil. I bet he knows about it."
"Fuck Tom, you don't know how hot he looked that night. I couldn't help it," Dougie breathed, the memory of it causing himself to get butterflies. "And don't say that! I'm feeling way more anxious to see him now. Don't make me regret letting you sleep at my house."
Tom ignored Dougie's threat, took one look at Dougie's pants and laughed even harder.
"How awkward would it be if you came up to him and you had that practically sticking out of your pants? It makes me very tempted to tell him your dirty little secret," Tom smirked, his laughs slowly subsiding.
Dougie looked down and cringed. There was no way to hide that now. "Shit."
"Central Park looks so much more beautiful than I thought. I wish Georgia were here with me." Danny looked around the park in awe. The park that appeared in so many movies that he watched as a young lad; he couldn't believe he was standing in it at this very moment.
"Home Alone 2 was shot here, right Haz?" Danny asked, settling himself onto the moist and green grass. "Oh! And Breakfast At Tiffany's, Ghostbusters, Men In Black II, Elf, Spiderman 2, August Rush, Enchanted, Friends With Benefits-"
"You look like a kid in a candy store Dan," Harry smiled, admiring the excited expression on his friend's face.
"I'm in Central Park, Harry. I can't believe it!" Danny exclaimed, his grin widening after every second passed by.
"C'mon, help me set up this picnic. I want it to look good," Harry said, spreading out the red and white checkered blanket he had carried onto the ground.
"Are we impressing our acquaintances or setting up a date? I mean, you are wearing a suit..." Danny stated, raising his eyebrow.
"Shut up and help me. I have to wear a suit. You're wearing sweats and a t-shirt. I don't think you deserve to be the one to judge," Harry shot back, a smirk replacing his once sour expression. "I don't think I've ever heard you say the word 'acquaintance' before. I didn't even know you knew what that word meant. That's new."
Danny laughed, causing the older lad to crack a smile. His laugh was too infectious to not react joyfully to. "I'm not as stupid as you think, Judd." Despite his counterattacks, Danny started to help his friend and opened the picnic basket he had made him carry. Inside were BLT sandwiches, Pop Tarts, marmite, and cooked shrimp in a plastic container.
"What a lousy lunch you've prepared," Danny commented, scrunching his nose at the sight. It was barely even a lunch at all! Danny himself could eat it all in one sitting.
"Don't worry. More food will be on the way. It's not just me who decided to bring food, you know," Harry said, rolling his eyes. "But because I know you don't like waiting, go walk around. You have my number and you know where I am, so I'll just call you when they get here, yeah?"
Danny smiled at him thankfully for finding him a distraction. He knew he wouldn't take it any longer if he had to sit and do nothing for a long period of time.
He started by looking at his surroundings. A fountain that seemed quite far away caught his eye and he decided that that was his target. "I'll be at the fountain," Danny called out to Harry. He decided to jog, since that seemed to be a much faster way to get there. He was in his sweats after all.
Just like earlier, Danny couldn't help but look at everything in admiration. The city's tall buildings peeking out from behind the swaying trees. He swore that some of the scenery that he passed by appeared in some of his favorite movies. Danny was tempted to squeal in delight. It felt as if he was walking through history. So many actors stood here. He hoped that he would soon star in a classic movie of his own in this park.
What felt like minutes (and was actually half an hour) he arrived at the fountain. Surprisingly, few people crowded around it. A few kids with their parents tossed coins and made wishes, ate their snacks and fed breadcrumbs to the waddling ducks. A man running a hot dog stand stood on the other side.
Danny felt so alive here. He just wanted to do a silly dance in the middle of the fountain. This place brought him so much joy.
He smiled at the couple sitting nearest to the hot dog stand. They fed their hot dogs to each other and stole kisses every now and then. Danny's heart started to hurt. He wished he could have brought Georgia here with him. Without her, he felt so incomplete. His heart was only half again.
He sat on the edge of the fountain and took in his surroundings again. Admiration clouded his eyes. Everything was beautiful to him. He probably looked like a lunatic sitting there, doing absolutely nothing and just staring out into space. It's not like he cared.
It felt like a lifetime until he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. "Danny here," Danny answered, his gaze not leaving the squirrel climbing up a tree.
"Where are you?!" Harry's voice screamed through the receiver, causing Danny's right ear to almost go deaf.
"Calm down mate, I told you I would be at the fountain. What's the matter?" Danny asked worriedly. Harry sounded extremely panicked.
"My friend, Dougie, arrived a while ago. He told me Tom, his friend, went to go find a bathroom. He hasn't been back ever since you left and he hasn't been answering his phone. Could you find him?"
Danny rolled his eyes. "Yes sir," he replied. He placed his hand on his forehead, scouting the area. "What does he look like?"
"Dougie told me he has blonde hair. He's wearing glasses and a grey button up short-sleeved shirt. Thank you so much Dan!" Harry hung up. Danny rolled his eyes again. "Not even a 'goodbye'. What has New York done to him?" Danny thought.
There didn't seem to be a lot of people in the park today, so that helped Danny in his search. He went around to the families, asking about the nearest bathrooms. The only one seemed to be at the far edge of the park. Danny sighed exasperatedly. As athletic as he was, he really didn't want to jog all the way there to find no one that fit the description Harry gave of Tom.
But he was determined, so he started his way there. "At least I can admire the scenery while I'm at it," Danny contemplated, keeping his pace as he made his way around the park.
What felt like the most grueling jog ever, Danny was beginning to feel less motivated as he analyzed every blonde passerby. "None of them look the slightest bit like Tom. Why does he have to look so different from everyone else? I could just grab a blonde- oh! Is that him?"
Danny didn't realize that he had finally made it to the restrooms, and almost tripped over himself as he spotted another blonde exiting the men's restroom.
He made his way closer, and groaned when he realized the man wasn't wearing any glasses.
"Goddamnit," Danny mumbled, running a hand through his hair. "Might as well release myself," Danny walked towards the bathroom, feeling absolutely defeated. All that jogging for nothing. Danny was surprised once again that no one seemed to crowd around the bathroom. It was the only one here... was it?
He shrugged and made his way inside. What he didn't notice until he actually saw it were the sounds of moaning and sloppy kissing. But once he did, Danny immediately shielded his eyes.
"Shit! Get a different bathroom you sick freaks!" Danny screamed, backing his way out of the men's bathroom. He could faintly hear the embarrassed statements of a man and the boisterous laughter of a woman.
"Sex in the middle of the men's bathroom? Is New York really that crazy?!" Danny thought, relieved he finally made his way out. He bumped into someone before he was able to turn around and jog back to the picnic and tell Harry and his friend all about his adventures, and gasped at the sight.
"I'm sorry," the man apologized, smiling embarrassingly. Danny stared at him in awe, like he did all throughout jogging around Central Park. But this time, the feeling of admiration was stronger than before. He shook off the feeling.
It was probably because this was actually Tom.
"Tom!" Danny shrieked, clutching Tom's face in his orangutan-like hands, jumping around in joy as he did so.
The man claimed to be Tom only stared at him in disbelief and fear. Who was this man? Why did he know his name? Why was he so happy to see him?
"The people here are mental. I am never taking drugs. EVER." Tom thought, shaking his head at the stranger.
"I am Tom..." Tom started, scratching the back of his head awkwardly. "Can I help you?"
"He's a stalker, Tom. Run away! Not everyone in New York is trustworthy and kind! He's probably on weed! Or he sniffed bath salts up his nose! Pray to God he won't stick a gun up your head. Or... or- offer you something under his trench coat and then kill you! Wait, he's not wearing one, so you're okay. Run Tom, goddamnit! Ru-"
"I've been looking all over for you! Well, not exactly-"
"Stalker. STALKER. HE'S GOING TO TRY AND KILL ME NOW. HE'S GOING TO LURE ME INTO A CREEPY WHITE VAN AND RAPE ME. RUN TOM!"
"Harry told me what you look like and that you haven't been answering your phone-"
"I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE TAKE THIS JOB. THIS MAN HAS AN ACCOMPLICE. AND HE HAS MY PHONE NUMBER. THEY MUST HAVE BEEN TRACKING ME DOWN. NEW YORK IS A SCARY PLACE, JUST LIKE MUM SAID IT WOULD BE. NEW YORK ISN'T MEANT FOR FRAGILE INNOCENT MEN WHO JUST WANT TO LIVE A NORMAL LIFE LIKE ME. I'M NOT READY TO DIE YOUNG! I KNEW I SHOULDN'T HAVE WANDERED OFF TO LOOK AROUND THE PARK BEFORE HEADING TO THIS MASSIVELY STINKY BATHROOM. I SHOULD HAVE COME BACK IMMEDIATELY LIKE DOUGIE SAID. UGH."
"And Dougie's been worried sick about you, at least I think that's his name, and now I've found you! H-hey, where ya going?"
Before Danny had even uttered the first word, Tom had fled the scene. Danny did notice that his face was getting paler and paler as he spoke, but he didn't think that mattered. Maybe he's sick?
But he took off after Tom, anyhow.
"Tom! Hold on, wait!"
Thankfully, Danny was athletic.
Tom, not so much. He cursed himself for wearing a scarf that day. "Damn thing is getting in my face!" Tom muttered.
Moments later, Tom felt someone tackle him from behind. He landed with a thud on the firm soil.
"This is it. I'm going to die. I just hope I'm going to Heaven. I deserve it. I haven't done any sins. Except that one time I sneaked away from the group during a field trip to make out with a girl. But you'll forgive me, right God? Is that even a sin? Oh whatever. Who am I kidding? I'll be going to hell if I don't go confess my sins. The guy should at least let me go visit a church first."
"Tom! Earth to Tom! Are you even listening to me?"
Tom blinked twice, breaking his trance and conversation between him and his conscience. He growled at the brunette. He was having a lovely chat with the probably non-existent twin in his brain.
"Wha'? What did I do?"
"You're a killer! Get off of me!" Tom barked, struggling to break free from the man's tight grasp. He attempted to try and bite his fingers off like a rabid chihuahua.
The man laughed loudly, almost causing Tom to crack a smile. "Wow," Tom muttered in his hypnotized state, thankfully not audible to the human ear.
"This isn't the best first impression, is it?" The man asked, smiling apologetically.
Tom raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"Um, I'm Danny. You're friend, Dougie I think?, mentioned me, I hope. If he had, then this probably wouldn't have happened. I'm Harry's best friend, who happens to be friends with Dougie. Hopefully this is all making sense to you now," Danny explained, loosening his grip on Tom's wrists.
Tom blinked a couple times until he started to giggle in realization. "Oh- oh! Oh my God, I'm so sorry! Yes, Dougie vaguely mentioned you. I- uh, this is so embarrassing. I'm extremely sorry."
Danny laughed (again) in reply, causing Tom's breath to hitch. "Apology accepted. Although, I would love to know why you suddenly ran off from me?"
"You see, I'm quite paranoid around strangers. It's weird I know. I'll only be okay around people if I've known them for a long time, or at least, enough. I'm more of an introvert, you know?" Tom explained as Danny helped him up from the ground.
"So... you run away from strangers in sheer terror? Is that how you solve your problems?" Danny chuckled, brushing the small pieces of grass that lingered all over Tom's hair.
Tom's breath hitched again and he tried his best not to look too deeply into Danny's baby blue eyes.
"No, it's just, this is my first time experiencing New York like this. You just sort of freaked me out," Tom chuckled awkwardly.
Danny furrowed his eyebrows at him, a judgmental smile curling his lips.
"Not that you're intimidating me or making me uncomfortable or whatever! God, I'm not good with first impressions at all. Sooo not going to help me in the long run with this acting career."
Danny laughed again, his smile spreading joy all over Tom's body. "Oh yeah, Harry told me you're an actor! That's great; I finally have someone who'll understand me completely when I talk about stuff like this."
Danny motioned for Tom to follow him as he sauntered his way back onto the main path. Tom just couldn't help but admire those perfect hips. He almost licked his lips in pleasure.
"Hey, and don't worry about all that socializing stuff. I'm an extrovert, so I think we can work something out," Danny added with a smile, making Tom's heart explode into millions of pieces.
"Here we go with daydreaming about our future honeymoon again," Tom thought, his gaze never leaving Danny's flawless ass.
