Round One
Title: Round One
Series: To Win His Heart
Chapter: Two
Author: FlamingWildflow
Pairing: Ian Edgerton/Don Eppes/Billy Cooper
Rating: PG-13, Fluff, Humor
Summary: After closing the case courtesy of extra help, everyone decided to drag Don into karaoke. Revelations were made, Ian has a dastardly plan to gain the upper hand, Billy and Ian aggressively out sing each other to block the other from confessing, and Don continues to be the clueless sweetheart he is.
God help us all...
Warnings: None.
Links to Previous Chapter:
Chapter One
Chapter Three
Ian
After the jaw dropping performance that even he didn’t expect from Don, it was time to put his plan into action.
As the music started, he began to sing. Ian was fairly confident at his skills, one of the few that were unrelated to his work. He knew how to capture an audience. And looking at the people sitting in front of him, giving him their undivided attention, he knew would have everyone in his grasp.
All according to plan.
The song he chose wouldn’t really be his first choice in general, but it was a common song and it had a particular aspect that he would like to exploit. Plus, he needed to up his charm a bit so he figured that getting some of that charming energy would help him gain the upper hand.
Throughout the entire song, he made sure to touch or look towards Don whenever the lyrics referenced another person other than the singer. Every time he did, Don’s face slowly became more confused but also more flushed as he tried to nonchalantly hide his face in his hand. In all honesty, it was the cutest thing Ian’s ever seen. Not only that, but the look on Cooper’s face was also priceless for an entirely different reason. The clear anger that was written on his face along with the tense posture of someone who wants to beat the shit out of him but can’t is extremely amusing. He’s never felt even more alive until today, seeing Don look more and more flustered by the second while Cooper sat nearby, planning his murder.
Looking at the lyrics, he realized that it was getting close to the moment, the one thing that determined whether he was walking out of this room single or not. He calmed his racing heart as he went over in front of Don and took his hand, pulling the man up much to his surprise and then holding him close.
I’m here with my confession
Got nothing to hide no more…
Ian could see the furious look on Cooper’s face along with Don’s growing confusion, his cheeks stained pink due to their close proximity. He made sure his voice was as sweet as possible so that Don understood what he’s saying.
I don’t know where to start
But to show you the shape of my heart…
As he said that, he gently cupped the side of Don’s face as his other hand went to grab his hand, placing it on Ian’s chest right on top of his heart, hoping that Don could feel his racing heartbeat before resting his forehead onto the other man’s. Then when the drop in the song happened, he pulled away and twirled the man around like one would do in a ballroom waltz. Holding Don close, he guided them both to a dance as he sang, his voice as sweet as it could be. It was hard, holding the microphone while trying to dance with a partner, but he wasn’t called the best for nothing.
The song finished far too soon in Ian’s opinion. He wished it could go on forever just so he could keep holding Don, but as they like to say, all good things must come to an end. At the last line of the song, Ian wrapped one arm around Don’s waist as he held the other’s hand, putting their foreheads together.
The shape of my heart…
He sang softly, looking at Don like he was the only person in the world. Don’s face was flushed pink. Multiple emotions flickered through his face before it settled on confusion, tilting his head to the side like a puppy. A puppy that was well and capable of throwing him out the window if given a reason to.
“Wow…” Don rasped, looking stunned. “I…I don’t know what to say…”. Hope soared in Ian’s heart at that. This doesn’t sound like the start of a rejection.
“Have I finally rendered the great Don Eppes speechless?” He teased.
“Shut up,” Don muttered, rolling his eyes. “I just never expected this”. Then suddenly, he waved his hand in exasperation. “Could you at least be bad at one thing?”
…what?
Don sighed, “I knew you were talented but this is a bit unfair”. He shook his head fondly, “Then again, you were always competitive, even back then.”
“Excuse me?”
“This entire thing?” He brought up the hand that was still intertwined with Ian’s, “Did you need to outshine everyone again? Rub it in our faces that you can sing and dance.”
You’ve got to be fucking kidding me…
The room was suddenly filled with sounds of people groaning, exasperation written clear on their faces. Cooper roared with laughter, cackling like a demented hyena. Ian’s eye twitched in annoyance, his hand itching to throw Cooper into the television or better yet, out the window.
“What?!” Don demanded, looking around. He could probably read the fond annoyance that was clearly written on his team’s faces.
“Nothing,” Megan replied swiftly, shaking her head. She shot Ian an pitying look as if to say, out of all the people to fall in love with, you fell in love with this oblivious fool.
Ian sighed, feeling an oncoming headache forming in the back of his head. I should’ve known it wouldn’t be this easy. Don might be incredibly observant, but man was he also incredibly dense. Ian would’ve almost been impressed if he wasn’t trying to you know…ask him out! As it stands right now, that dense skull is the only thing that was wedged in between Ian and his goal (there was also another factor but he’s never really considered Cooper a viable threat).
Oblivious to Ian’s internal screaming, Don let go of his hand and gave Ian an affectionate pat on the shoulder. “That was a really good performance though, although I don’t think you needed me as your dance partner.”
“What can I say? I needed a pretty partner to match my skill. I would’ve grabbed Reeves or Miss Professor but I don’t think their partners would mind”. WAIT! WRONG THING TO SAY!
Don rolled his eyes, smiling. “Nice to know I’m at least third on that list”. DAMNIT! I SHOULDN’T HAVE SAID THAT! Ian would’ve slapped himself in the face if it weren’t for the fact that it was something he just. Didn’t. Do. So instead, he took a deep breath.
“Well…bold of you to-“
“Step aside asshole” Cooper spoke up, grabbing the mic as he shoved Ian out of the way, taking his spot next to Don. “Let me show you how a real talented person sings,” he said as he placed his arm across Don’s shoulder. Then he put a microphone in Don’s hands, smirking. “Why don’t you join me Donnie?”
“Me?”
“Yep! Just you and me baby” he said as he ruffled Don’s hair, his face full of affection. Ian sorely wanted to punch it.
Don shook his head as he shoved Cooper away, “nah. One song is enough for today” he said. Ian smiled smugly as Cooper deflated a bit.
“Oh well, then it looks like I have the stage all to myself” threw Don a quick wink before waltzing over to the computer, his expression annoyingly smug. After typing something into the computer, Ian gritted his teeth, already knowing where this would go.
“You know what? I don’t think we need to deafen anyone else again. Why don’t we call it a day?”
“What? Afraid I’m going to outdo you Edge?” Cooper mocked.
Ian scoffed, “You could barely outdo a toddler when it comes to most things, let alone me.”
“Then you wouldn’t mind me coming up here to sing a little tune” the unspoken challenge flowed between them, causing Ian’s hand to twitch.
Ian rolled his eyes, “Fine. But I won’t be responsible for deafening one of the FBI's best teams.”
“It’s heartwarming to see you have such faith in me,” Cooper replied, grinning.
Maybe I should punch him. Don gave Ian a stern expression when that thought flashed through his head, as if he could hear Ian’s internal dialogue.
HOW THE HELL CAN YOU READ THAT BUT BE SO OBLIVIOUS ABOUT OUR FEELINGS?!
Then, as if to prove his point, Don’s face became confused again as Cooper started singing, touching and gesturing to him like Ian did earlier.
This motherfucker…
As soon as Ian noticed the song Cooper was going to sing, he was willing to throw decorum out the window along with Cooper. A part of Ian was impressed that Cooper had enough braincells to pull this kind of stunt, but another part of him just wants to drag the man all across America on his truck and then drop him off somewhere remote, maybe Micronesia. That area is nice and abandoned.
Looking over at the red-head, he shot Ian a smug smile as he discreetly flipped him the bird, mouthing that he’ll take the win.
I really SHOULD punch him…