Danny was almost sure he'd never felt worse. Maybe that one time when he had pnuemonia as a teenager, but this beat that he was pretty sure. His whole body ached, and the hot water dripping over his open wounds was torture and pleasure at the same time.
If he ever met that low-life Keeler in a dark alley... He scoffed to himself. He'd what? He hadn't even been able to defend himself today. It was like..he just gave up. He'd been so close to giving up for so long that as Keeler was way laying into him he actually had the thought, "Maybe he'll kill me," and it didn't bother him near as much as it should have.
Beth had come in a few moments ago to leave a towel for him. He wondered just how much he was taking on...He liked Beth, and he was never good at denying such things. However, the last thing he needed right now was to get out of his league. And that pretty brunette in the other room was definitely out of his league.
The water began to get colder so he decided to get out. He carefully dried the scrapes, and pulled on the shirt that Beth had left for him along with his other clothes. He walked out to see her building a fire. Good thing because he was chilled through.
"How are you?" she asked quietly.
"I'll live,"
She quirked an eyebrow like she didn't believe him.
"Tough guy, huh?"
Danny lowered himself down onto the couch. "Not really."
Once the fire was going she came to sit beside him, and handed him a blanket. With his good arm he managed to drape it across both of their laps. He watched her closely and he was suprised that she didn't seem to mind.
Her hair was down now, laying delicately across one of her shoulders. Her blue eyes trained on his face giving him ample opportunity to study them.
Here we are
Isn't it familiar
Haven't had someone to talk to
In such a long time
And it's strange
All we have in common
And your company was just the thing I needed tonight
Somehow I feel I should apologize
Cuz I'm just a little shaken
By what's going on inside
"So, where are your parents?"
Without breaking eye contact she said, "In South America. They're missionaries. They are gone...a lot of the time."
Danny nodded. He knew a lot about absent parents. "Do ya ever get scared here alone?"
"All the time," she confessed. "What happened today?"
He cocked his head to the side. "Ah, nothin' really. Some idiot thought I stole his golf clubs."
"So he beat you to a bloody pulp?"
Beth's face was both horrified and outraged. Danny thought he liked the look of concern she wore. He reached out and touched his finger to the tip of her nose. "Lighten up, girl. I survived, and I'll heal up just fine."
She chuckled nervously. Danny thought he liked that too. Probably too much. He looked at the clock hanging above the fireplace. "I should go." The words left his mouth but his body didn't move.
"Right." Beth said. She couldn't be bothered to hide to disappointment in her voice.
"It wouldn't be the best idea for me to stay, Beth."
She wanted to ask why, but she already knew. Ballykissangel was a small place. Even seemingly unnoticed glances were, in fact noticed by people. If word got back to her parents they would be really upset, however she didn't care. Not tonight.
"I don't want to be by myself tonight," she whispered. Her face burned red. "You could stay. Sleep on the couch."
I should go.
Before my will gets any weaker
And my eyes begin to linger
Longer than they should
I should go.
Before I lose my sense of reason
And this hour holds more meaning
Than it ever could
I should go.
Baby, I should go...
Even thinking about the ride back to Eamon's place made his body hurt even worse. Would it really be so bad if he were to stay? Who would know, after all? And they weren't doing anything wrong. Instead of answering one way or another he said, "Got anything to drink, love?"
Butterflies erupted inside Beth, but she only gave him a smirk. "I can make us some tea."
She reluctantly pulled the blanket away and laid it on Danny's lap. He missed her warmth the second she was gone. Was it just her company he liked? Or was it her? Did he just like having someone to talk to? So many times while she was making the tea he thought about leaving... Just getting up and walking away.
But he didn't. He couldn't.
And then she was back. By his side and handing him a steaming mug of tea. She situated herself back on the couch. Was it his imagination or was she closer than before? It was so tempting to reach out and touch her face. To pull her to him. He barely knew her. What was he thinking?
"There's a splash of something stronger in there for you." She told him.
Danny gulped down the amber liquid. "Thanks for that."
Although, he wasn't sure it was a good idea to add alcohol to the heady feeling he already had.
"I thought it might help with your pain, anyway." She shrugged.
"That it might." Might help me make a fool of myself.
The sound of the fire took over their conversation as the sun was good and down. The stars wrapped themselves around the cottage, and Danny wrapped his arms around Beth. Her head rested on his shoulder without a second thought. He stroked her hair.
"Beth?" Danny whispered.
"Hmm?"
"How- how old are ya?"
He squeezed his eyes shut and prayed that he wasn't making a huge mistake. He'd already made some huge mistakes in his lifetime.
"Seventeen." She chuckled. "Did I scare you there for a minute?"
Her chuckle turned into a full on belly laugh and Danny couldn't help but laugh too as the relief washed over him. He held her a little tighter, and the situation became even more dangerous for them.
It's so hard
Keeping my composure
And pretend I don't see how
Your body curves beneath your clothes
And your laugh
Is pure and unaffected
It frightens me to know so well the place I shouldn't go
I know I gotta take the noble path
Cuz I don't want you to question
The intentions that I have
I should go
Will Danny stay or go?! Feel free to leave a review :)
Lyrics- Levi Kreis
