The gift was two books written by an author Danny remembered telling Victor he liked when they'd first starting having their conversations. He'd already read one, but not the other. The idea of reading something was a luxury and Danny itched to start, but he set them down on the bedside table and instead knelt before the screen. Victor had told him he'd be told when he'd be allowed to indulge himself. It was an incentive to behave, because if he messed up, was punished, he was sure the books would be taken away.
He determined that he'd read the one he hadn't read before first, so that when Victor returned he could tell him about it. As he knelt his mind turned over and over the moment Victor had kissed him. It confused him but he knew he'd enjoyed it - shouldn't he hate Victor for how he was treated yet Danny knew he'd swiftly settled into this way of living. Like he'd been turned off and re-wired. But part of him must want it, part of him agreed with his treatment - or maybe he just told himself that to make it bearable.
He didn't often think of time, days had become a non entity - his cycles were his days but they changed enough to keep him off balance. Even having a window didn't help because the light would stay on into the night, he'd be told to sleep through the day. Sometimes the voice had to inform him what was next but it was rare. Reading times would be an enjoyable diversion, much like visiting Victor he supposed.
The memory of Steve still niggled in the back of his mind, he concentrated on banishing it. Thinking of the team and life before this was never a good thing, caused him to make mistakes and he'd determined that when Victor finally returned he'd not have transgressed. He wanted Victor to be pleased - that was important to him now. He wondered what Steve would do, or the team, if they saw him like this. Shock? Disappointment? Disbelief? This wasn't the Danny Williams they knew - but then he wasn't himself and he had started to wonder if he wanted to be that Danny Williams.
Victor was right, his life had been crazy and scary at times. It wasn't an easy life being a cop and he'd lived with a lot of hardships, seen a lot of bad stuff that still haunted him years later. Having been taken away from that, he realised some things he didn't really miss.
"You may read now Daniel," the voice penetrated his thoughts and Danny switched his brain off.
Standing up he went and sat on the bed, cautious in case he was expected to fetch a book and kneel reading it. But no command came and he got comfortable, settling down to read the book with an excited relish. It didn't take long for his mind to absorb the story, banishing any thoughts on anything else away.
It had been a long time and Danny was starting to find it hard - battling with himself as he bit back snide remarks. Reading helped but only just - at times he found himself wanting to say something to Huggy or Mo, just to get a two way conversation going but it wasn't allowed and he kept quiet. Any sarcastic remarks he wanted to make would probably earn him a punishment, even if he only meant it to break the boredom. The voice only spoke when he was allowed to read or to change the routine around a little, enough to keep him on his toes.
But things were getting better. He no longer had to wear the belt and cuffs and he was given clothes to wear. He'd started the second book and though he knew the story he enjoyed his 'rec' time as he'd come to call it. The second book even made him laugh in places and he didn't prevent himself from chuckling out loud. His knee niggled only slightly but nothing he couldn't handle and he'd tell Victor when they next spoke.
The longer the time went the more impatient he became to see Victor, like it was a mission and he kept telling himself every cycle that the next one he'd be taken to see Victor. It helped him get through the monotony.
So when he got out of the shower to find his clothes gone his heart picked up a beat or two with expectation. He shaved extra carefully, scrubbed his face clean, brushed his teeth and combed his hair through. It was getting long and he'd never liked it with much length but there was little he could do about it. Perhaps he'd ask Victor if he could have a haircut.
He turned expecting to be put into his cuffs as was custom when going to see Victor but Huggy walked out of the bathroom and Danny followed, a slight dip in his expectation. Perhaps they weren't going to see Victor after all. But he was led to Victors room and his excitement upped again. Huggy opened the door and let him in, closing the door behind him. Danny looked around, wondered if Victor was there already and listened for the shower, but the rooms were empty and Danny moved closer to the bed. Getting to his knees he bowed his head and waited, his heart pounding a little faster than usual and he told himself to stop being a silly fucker.
The door clicked open and shut and he forced himself not to look up, stayed still and waited though his fingers itched against his thighs.
"Fuck it's good to be home," Victor said with a sigh. "God you're a sight for sore eyes."
Danny still didn't move but when Victor put a hand in his hair he leaned into the touch.
"Miss me?" Victor asked.
"Yes," Danny answered enthusiastically. "So fucking much."
Victor chuckled and that and dug his fingers against Danny's scalp playfully.
"Well I'm back indefinitely for now," Victor promised. "So we've plenty of time. Gonna go shower, then we'll chat."
Danny found he felt calmer knowing Victor was back and patiently listened to the shower being turned on, then off. The movement in the bathroom and Victor speaking to him as he came back into the main room.
"Daniel, I do believe I promised you a reward," Victor said pleasantly. "I return to glowing reports of your progress."
"Yeah," Danny said unsure how to reply to such praise. "I tried."
"You did indeed," Victor came close to him. "I'm very pleased by it."
"Thank you Victor." Danny said softly, a small throb of pride deep inside.
Victor sat on the bed nearby. "Did you enjoy the books?"
"Yes, great thank you," Danny said.
"Tell me about them," Victor encouraged him and Danny explained in detail the ins and outs of the book he hadn't read. Then he explained he'd read the other but it was a good one to read again.
"I'll have to get you some more for the next time I go away," Victor said with a soft chuckle.
"But that won't be soon will it?" Danny asked uncertainly.
"No, not very soon," Victor reached out and gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Don't worry about that Daniel."
Danny's uncertainty fizzled out into relief and he felt Victor's fingers turn from a reassuring grip to slow, gentle circles.
"Daniel?"
"Yes?"
"When you said you'd missed me 'so fucking much'," Victor said and Danny felt himself flush a little. He cursed himself for it, like it was a silly weakness.
"Why don't you show me how much?" Victor said encouragingly.
Danny hesitated, unsure what Victor was asking, unsure what he wanted to do. He didn't move, just hovered in uncertainty.
"It's okay, you can move," Victor assured him.
His fingers had moved from making lazy circles on his shoulder to his neck, thumb brushing against his ear. Then Victor pulled away, sat up straighter on the bed away from him, waiting. Danny lifted his head, looked up at the man and hesitated again before he lifted up on his knees, carefully placed his hands on Victors thighs and leaned forward.
Victor watched him eagle eyed, a smile on his lips and Danny leaned in, titling his head back a little before he pressed his mouth carefully to Victors. He waited a mere second to check he wasn't going to get punished for the liberty but Victor didn't push him away. Danny pressed a little firmer, coaxing and wanting more but unsure how much he was allowed to take. It eased him when Victors hand ran into his hair, pulling him closer and Victors mouth opened to his, manipulating his lips wider. Danny let out a small moan as he felt Victors tongue slide against his teeth, his tongue inside his mouth like a snake, exploring, unyielding.
Victor pressed forward, tipping Danny's head back, fingers gripping into his hair and demanding more from the kiss, hard, passionate and rough. Danny gave into it, indulged in the feel of the demand and ownership, like Victor had every right to kiss him like he was. His fingers dug into the firm, tight muscles of Victor's thighs and he let out a strangled need for breath, Victor causing feelings to stir inside he didn't even know he had.
Victor pulled away too quickly for Danny's liking and he was left breathing harshly, sharply, senses alive and feeling lost and bereft. His mouth felt numb almost and it took a moment for him to remember to close it. Victor leaned down and pressed his forehead to Danny's and gave a small laugh.
"That fucking much huh?"
Danny smiled, felt himself flushing again.
"Yeah," was all he could reply.
