Fic: Five times Chris cock blocked Darren and one time he didn’t (2)
Media: Fic
Title: Five times Chris cock blocked Darren and one time he didn’t (2/3)
Rating: R
Spoilers (If any): None
Warnings (If any): RPF
Word Count: ~4500
Summary: Darren still hasn't had sex in a very long time and Chris is still a cock blocking bitch. But this time Darren has an epiphany.
A/N: I know I said that this was going to have two parts but what can I say? I lied :P Also I changed my mind about what I wanted to do with it so yeah... it needs to be a bit longer. A big thank you to my beta S and um this still has a few Britishisms in it I think, just as a warning. Enjoy!
Part one here
Darren is apparently not talking to Chris. At least that’s what Chris managed to gather from Darren’s rather garbled speech as they left Java’s.
‘I am not talking to you anymore. Apart from just then but that was just to inform you that I’m not talking to you. From this point on you will not get a word out of me... except remember to shave properly because we have that kissing scene tomorrow. I will do it because it is my job and I’m a professional but I won’t enjoy it! Not that I enjoy kissing you or anything, although I’m not saying it’s bad but this time I will not not enjoy it even less because I am officially not talking to you. So there!’ Darren had flounced off in a manner that would have been quite impressive if he hadn’t realised he was going the wrong way and had to sheepishly edge around Chris (while pointedly not looking at him) and set off in the other direction.
Chris just shrugged. He was used to Darren not talking to him for various petty reasons and knew that on average it lasted approximately four hours before Darren got bored and called him up and told him that after a lot of thought he was forgiven but should not be such a jerk in future.
Chris wasn’t even entirely sure what he had done wrong this time. Clearly what he considered to be merely expressing concern for his friends well being was, according to Darren, a heinous crime against nature.
But whatever. He fully intended to use the unexpected time to catch up with his writing.
*
‘Hey Chris. I got you coffee’ is how Darren tiredly greets him the next day.
Chris takes the coffee gratefully. ‘Thanks. So I take it you’re talking to me again then?’
‘Huh?’ Darren says, momentary confusion flitting across his features. ‘Er... I mean. Oh yes. I have thought about it and I have decided to forgive you as long as you try not to be such a jerk in future.’
‘Your forgot didn’t you?’
‘No I’m just rising above...’ Darren grinds to a halt under the power of Chris’ disdain. ‘Yes. Well I forgot I wasn’t talking to you but I do remember your total violation of the bro code.’
‘Whatever man.’ It’s too early in the morning for Chris to be really caring about the ‘bro code’ right now.
‘Hey guys!’ Cory approaches them, permanent friendly smile in place. ‘So Darren, how did it go with that girl the other night?’
Chris widens his eyes and shakes his head frantically at Cory but it’s too late.
‘Well it was going pretty well until someone,’ Darren turns to glare at Chris who quickly schools his face back into a neutral expression. ‘Fucked me over.’
‘Fucked you over a what?’ Cory grins.
Darren splutters incoherently for a moment while Chris laughs.
‘He wishes’ Chris teases and Darren feels himself redden as he tries to think of a decent comeback.
Chris is surprised. It takes quite a lot to rattle Darren, he knows from countless failures to get him to crack up on tour, but now he looks really embarrassed.
He opens his mouth to question it but he is interrupted.
‘Chris, Darren makeup please! Now!’
*
‘Why are you so angry?’ Kurt shouts, frustrated.
‘Because I hate seeing you put yourself down like this!’ Blaine yells back, just as annoyed. He sighs and makes an effort to soften his tone. ‘You’re special Kurt. And all these things you hate about yourself, I love about you.’
Kurt pauses for a moment, still unused to hearing compliments even if Blaine says sweet things to him almost every day.
‘I love you’ he whispers and then Blaine’s lips are on his.
The first time Chris and Darren had to kiss they had spoken about it a lot before hand. Agreeing angles and hand placement and whether or not to meet halfway. The first time Chris had been very keen to not make Darren feel uncomfortable about anything. But here they were mid season three, and while it was still only their second onscreen kiss, they were now so comfortable with each other that they hadn’t even thought to discuss it before hand. They knew each other so well that they easily anticipated each other’s movements and they came together effortlessly, perfectly. Made for each other.
As their lips meet affectionate, gentle and somehow familiar despite it being nearly a year since the last time they kissed, Darren feels a sudden flare of warmth deep in his stomach. The feeling is vaguely recognizable. It’s the same one he gets when he makes Chris laugh or when Chris texts him at random moments just because he saw something he thinks Darren would like or when Chris falls asleep leaning against his shoulder after a long day learning a vigorous dance routine. But this is so much more intense than any of those moments.
Darren abruptly fists his hands in Chris’ sweater and pulls him impossibly closer. Chris gasps and Darren takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss. To his credit, Chris just goes with it, quite enthusiastically actually, despite it definitely not being in the script. Darren’s not sure what is happening right now he just knows he wants more. Chris’ scent surrounds him, both comforting and intoxicating at the same time, making Darren feel dizzy and off balance. Only Chris’ hands, steady on his hips are keeping him grounded. There you are, his inner Blaine is saying. I’ve found you.
Darren is vaguely aware of a ‘Cut!’ being shouted in the background and then Chris’ lips are leaving his. He makes tiny, instinctive noise of disappointment and almost reaches out to pull Chris in again.
‘Darren?’ Chris is looking at him with open concern. ‘Are you alright? That was kind of... unexpected. And you look freaked.’
‘I think I’m having an epiphany’ Darren mutters quietly. He has very little direction over what his body and mouth is doing right now.
‘You what?’ Chris glances worriedly over his shoulder where Ryan and Brad are still reviewing the last shot.
‘An epiphany’ Darren repeats. Chris just looks at him, confused and adorable and how did Darren not see this before? Chris is beautiful. Stunning. ‘Chris...’ Darren says with no clear idea of what he’s about to say but Chris is already talking over him.
‘Well do you think you can have your epiphany later? We kind of have work to do.’ Chris looks worried and Darren wants to kiss the expression off his face.
‘Um... yes. Of course. I am the ultimate professional’ Darren takes a step back out of Chris’ space. He needs to breathe for a moment. He needs to think.
Chris, blissfully unaware that Darren is having a sexual identity crisis in the middle of the choir room, leans in close again and takes Darren’s hand. It’s something he’s done countless times before but it doesn’t usually make Darren’s heart race. ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ he asks softly.
‘I’m fine Chris. Honestly’ Darren says and reluctantly disentangles himself.
‘Right guys again please. But tone the kiss down a little alright? This is meant to be a sweet moment’ Ryan says as he waves them back into their places.
Darren winces. He is so screwed.
*
Darren sits in his empty apartment, staring vacantly out of the window. He wonders if Chris will come over unannounced even after he told him not too. He also isn’t sure whether he wants him to or not.
Earlier he had managed to pull himself together enough to make it through the scene although the kiss took several takes to get right as after the initial kiss Darren took it way too far in the other direction so he was barely giving Chris a chaste peck each time.
Chris had come looking for him afterwards.
‘Hey Dare, are you alright?’ Chris asked, leaning uncertainly on the door jamb of Darren’s trailer, concern written all over his features.
‘Yeah fine’ Darren lied, not inviting Chris in like he normally would. ‘I er... I’m not feeling well and I guess I was just finding it hard to tap into my inner Blaine today.’
Or maybe I was too much he thought to himself.
‘Not feeling well?’ Chris said and reached out a hand to put on Darren’s forehead. Darren flinched away before he could stop himself and had to watch the confusion and hurt play out across Chris’ face. ‘Well...’ Chris said slowly. ‘We can stay in tonight? I’ll bring ice cream and lemsip and I’ll even let you pick the movie.’
Darren sighed. Usually when he was feeling ill this is exactly what they would do so he could see why Chris was suggesting it now. ‘No. I er... really just want an early night Chris. I’ll see you tomorrow yeah?’ And he had shut the door in Chris’ face but not before witnessing the same wounded look as before flash across his features.
Darren groans to himself and leans his forehead against the cool glass. He needs to think about this properly so it’s probably good Chris hadn’t turned up, but now he feels unbelievably guilty on top of all the rest of confusion he’s feeling.
‘I’m in love with my best friend’ Darren says and if he hoped saying it out loud would help him make sense of it all he is sorely mistaken. If anything he freaks out a little more. How had this happened? He has known Chris for nearly two years now, they hit it off straight away and Chris even jokingly refers to him as his heterosexual life partner. Darren agrees . There’s more than one way to have a soul mate after all and he thought that Chris was his. They have so many things in common, constantly geek out and mess around together but at the same time they have each other’s backs. Maybe, because he’s never been attracted to men before, he was merely confusing his feelings for Chris with intense friendship. But the kiss. The kiss had made him see Chris in a whole new light.
He sighs again and toys idly with his phone. Every part of him wants to call Chris, invite him over and blurt out everything. But he doesn’t know how Chris will react. Usually he can always tell what Chris is thinking and how he’s going to respond to certain news or a certain situation but with this he has no idea. Does Chris feel the same but just squashed the feelings because he thinks Darren is straight? Or is Darren just really not his type?
Eventually Darren drops his phone on the table and gets into bed, denying to himself that he would find it easier to sleep with Chris’ warm and solid presence by his side.
*
The thing about Darren is that nothing can keep him down for long and he never does anything by halves. Go big or go home. So when, a few days later, Chris tentatively asks him if he wants to go to Factory, a gay bar, with him and some of the others, Darren sees it as an opportunity to discover whether his new found obsession with Chris’ hands and lips is an all males thing or, as he suspects, just a Chris thing.
‘You alright mate?’ Mark asks companionably, setting a pint of beer down in front of him. The whole gang had decided to go along, never ones to say no to a night out. ‘Haven’t seen much of you this week.’
‘Mmm’ Darren says, smiling in thanks. ‘Just been busy. You know how it is.’
‘Well don’t work too hard’ Mark advises, clasping his shoulder briefly and then disappearing onto the dance floor where he is being beckoned by Heather.
‘Bullshit’ Cory says suddenly, making Darren jump. Cory’s not dancing for obvious reasons. His size combined with his lack of coordination pretty much spells disaster on a busy dance floor.
‘Excuse me?’ Darren asks.
‘You’ve been acting weird since your kiss scene with Chris. He told me. You’re really worrying him you know?’
They both glance over to where Chris is dancing with Ashley and Amber and Darren has to admit it’s the most relaxed he’s seen Chris looking all week. His eyes linger on Chris too long and Cory clears his throat.
‘You like him’ he says simply.
‘Well of course. He is my best friend’ Darren says, playing dumb, not really something he plays well judging by Cory’s glare.
‘Don’t be a knob Darren’ Cory says bluntly.
Darren looks at Chris again and feels his stomach turn over seeing him so happy and smiley with the girls. Jenna dances over to him and shouts something in his ear, making Chris throw his head back in a laugh and Darren’s mouth goes dry.
‘Wow you’ve got it bad’ Cory says wonderingly and Darren figures he must be channelling his inner Blaine again and staring at Chris with a totally love sick expression.
‘Yeah’ Darren says softly, not even audible over the music but Cory seems to get it. Which is a problem. Because if Cory has managed to figure it out Darren knows it only a matter of time before the others do as well.
‘So what are you going to do?’ Cory asks.
‘I don’t know’ Darren wails.
‘Well you can’t keep avoiding him’ Cory says. ‘You’re hurting his feelings. He wants his friend back.’
Darren sighs deeply. ‘If that’s what he wants, I guess that’s what I’ll be.’
*
‘You’re cute’ a voice yells and Darren turns from where he’s leaning on the bar waiting to be served to address the man behind him. He’s tall, good-looking with dark hair and stunning green eyes.
‘So are you’ Darren says without thinking. He is very drunk.
‘Can I buy you a drink?’ the guy asks.
Darren only hesitates for a second. ‘Sure.’
*
‘Darren’s been ages’ Kevin says, slightly worried about Darren’s welfare but more concerned about the whereabouts of the drink Darren is meant to be bringing him.
‘Yeah he’s being chatted up by some guy’ Dianna laughs, gesturing to where Darren and Tall-dark-and-handsome are talking by the bar.
‘Maybe someone should go rescue him?’ Jenna suggests.
‘He doesn’t look too worried to me’ Lea points out.
‘But Darren’s a nice guy. He’s probably just trying to be polite’ Amber says.
They all look at each other.
‘Maybe someone should go...’ Heather says slowly.
No one moves. After a long pause Chris rolls his eyes and gets to his feet.
‘Oh for fuck’s sake, I’ll go shall I?’
*
‘Do you want to get out of here?’ Tall-dark-and-handsome asks and Darren takes a moment to appreciate how much easier it is to pick up a guy than a girl. And he actually considers the proposition for a moment. It might do him good to get some experience with the mechanics of gay sex before attempting to woo Chris. And the guy is pretty cute even if he seems to think names are overrated. He’s still trying to make a decision when Chris makes it for him.
‘Hey babe is this guy bothering you?’ Chris asks, throwing an arm around Darren’s waist and giving him a sloppy kiss on the cheek. Neither action is entirely unusual for the pair of them but in this setting it is clearly that of a boyfriend staking his claim. Tall guy backs off immediately.
‘Hey sorry man I don’t want any trouble’ he says even though he could probably squash Chris flat.
‘Hey no problem’ Chris says easily and the guy shuffles away, although he casts a few glances back at Darren. Watching the guy disappear into the crowd Darren feels a sense of relief. He realises that, even though he was on the verge of saying yes, he would have regretted it. He’s just not into guys that way. Whatever this is, it’s definitely just a Chris thing and it took that split second to confirm for him what he was already pretty certain of.
‘Babe?’ Darren teases fondly. He’s pretty sure he’s never heard Chris say that before.
‘Hey you should be thanking me!’ Chris protests a little sheepishly.
‘You’re right. I have never been more grateful for your epic cock blocking timing’ Darren says, giving Chris a brief hug.
Chris laughs. ‘You owe me one dude.’
‘Yeah I do’ Darren smiles. ‘So can I buy you a drink?’
*
‘Hey Chris I need your help’ Darren says.
It’s been nearly two weeks since his sudden epiphany and he’s managed to stop acting like a special case and more like his normal self. He says he is ‘biding his time.’ At least that’s what he tells Cory but the reality is that he is just terrified of being rejected. The friendship he shares with Chris is matched only perhaps by the ones he has with Joey and his brother Chuck. So he really doesn’t want to screw it up in any way. And admitting your love for someone that doesn’t feel the same is potential for a massive screw up.
‘Sure Dare’ Chris lowers the script he had been reading. ‘What’s up?’
‘I am in need of your particular brand of unique skills.’
Chris considers for a moment. ‘You mean my sai swords?’
‘No but they may come in useful. I am talking about your skill with women.’
‘Darren I hate to break it to you but I’m gay’ Chris says seriously. ‘My skill with woman goes as far as being able to bitch with them about the dumb shit that men do.’
Darren laughs. ‘I am aware. I need you to get rid of one for me. I’m not saying she’s stalking me or anything but... she’s stalking me.’
‘You know coupling ‘I want you to get rid of a woman’ with ‘Your sai swords may come in useful’ is worrying me quite a bit right now.’
‘Jesus Christ your mind is a dark place. I just need you to put your cock blocking to good use.’
‘My cock blocking only works in one night stand scenarios. I don’t know how to get rid of a woman that is actually infatuated with you. Can’t you just tell her you’re taken?’
‘Tried that. She just said she’ll wait for me. In a very creepy and intense manner I might add.’
‘Hmmm.’ Chris thinks briefly. ‘Maybe violence is the way forward.’
‘No violence!’ Darren insists.
‘But Darren...’ Chris whines.
‘No. I’m sure you’ll think of something that doesn’t involve threatening her with ninja weapons.’
‘Fine’ Chris sighs and then mutters something that sounds suspiciously like ‘...never let me have any fun.’ Then out loud he says ‘Who is she anyway? Some fan?’
‘Oh no, I have body guards to deal with that. It’s the new kid on the crew. Lisa?’
‘So you mean you have to work with her afterwards?’
‘Yeah.’
‘So I can’t tell her that you’re an emotionally unavailable megalomaniac with an STD?’
‘Which one?’
‘....all of them.’
‘Then no.’
‘Damn.’
*
The next few days were spent pretty much as they always were. When they weren’t being put through vigorous dance routines Chris and Darren were joined at the hip both in character and out. But now Chris was aware of the ever present shadow that was Lisa. She was always bringing Darren drinks and snacks, asking him inappropriate questions and dropping very heavy hints that she is single.
‘Chris how is it the one time I am giving you free reign to ruin my life you are failing at doing so?’ Darren asks, watching Lisa hover nearby but out of earshot.
‘I’m trying. You’re just rejecting all my ideas.’
‘I’m telling you that faking my death would be impractical!’ Darren shouts, not for the first time.
‘Then you leave me no choice but to go on to Plan G’ Chris says with a very worrying gleam in his eye. Darren wants to ask what Plan G is but suddenly Chris is leaning forward, smiling sweetly and the words die in Darren’s throat. Chris merely gently brushes an unruly strand of hair out of Darren’s eyes and then leans in further so that Darren can feel Chris’ breath ghosting over his cheek.
‘What are you doing?’ Darren squeaks. He thinks he can feel a panic attack setting in. There’s no way he can have Chris this close to him without doing something dumb.
‘Plan G stands for Plan Gay’ Chris says softly right next to his ear and Darren realises that from Lisa’s angle this has got to be looking pretty intimate. Heck it is pretty intimate.
‘I approve of this plan’ Darren mutters without thinking.
Chris laughs and presses a quick kiss to Darren’s cheek before pulling back. ‘Well? How did she react?’ he asks.
Darren glances over Chris’ shoulder to where Lisa was standing moments before. ‘She’s gone. Do you think that’s a good sign?’
Chris shrugs and goes back to flipping through his script. ‘I don’t know. Do you want me to keep implementing Plan G while we see if there’s any discernable effect on her behaviour towards you?’
‘You’re taking this very seriously aren’t you?’ Darren says, amused.
‘Of course. I take any plan that involves making you repellent to women seriously.’
*
So they kick it up a notch. Holding hands when they walk together, quick kisses to cheeks and foreheads and generally being all over each other whenever they can. If the others notice that they have somehow managed to become even more coupley than they already were, they don’t mention it. Darren strongly suspects that Cory has told them something, he’s just not sure what.
There are pros and cons to this plan. On the one hand Lisa seems to have backed off a little and looks vaguely embarrassed whenever she sees them together. On the other, Darren is an extremely horny young man with a very attractive guy all over him all the time. Something has got to give and Darren is pretty sure it’s going to be his willpower.
*
‘It’s not working you know’ Amber says apropos of nothing when she and Chris are having a break together.
‘What isn’t?’ Chris asks.
‘This thing you’ve got going on with Darren.’
‘Well that clears it up thank you’ Chris says drily, thinking of his and Darren’s extensive list of dumb shenanigans.
‘Lisa’ Amber specifies. ‘It worked at first. But she’s been asking around and because everyone has been telling her that you two are just close friends, she thinks she’s got a shot again.’
‘God dammit!’ Chris curses. ‘What do I have to do to get through to this girl? Fuck him in front of her?’
‘I’m sure Darren wouldn’t object to that?’ Amber smirks as she gets to her feet.
‘Wait. What?’ Chris frowns.
‘Well I gotta go. I’ll see you later.’
‘Has Darren said something to you?’ Chris demands. ‘Amber? Amber!’
‘Bye Chris!’
Amber vanishes from view, leaving Chris jointly concerned about Ambers cryptic comment and how the hell to get creepy stalker bitch to leave Darren alone.
*
Chris realises that the easiest way to convince Lisa that they are actually dating, aside from fucking Darren in front of her which he can’t help but think would be awkward for all parties involved not to mention a logistical nightmare, was to simply kiss him in front of her instead. So far they hadn’t actually strayed much into the physical, both sticking to the unspoken rules that had been laid down when they started this thing but as Darren frequently said, rules were made to be broken.
He gets his chance later on the same day. He and Darren are walking back to his trailer and they’ve just reached it when Chris spots Lisa, the ever present shadow, out of the corner of his eye. He decides that now is as good a time as any and hopes that Darren just goes with it and doesn’t freak out. After all he hasn’t exactly informed him of the plan.
‘And it was crazy, there was lemonade everywhere’ Darren says, clearly oblivious to Chris’ inner musings.
‘Darren?’ Chris says, low and serious and Darren stops and turns to look at him, a question in his eyes.
Before he has chance to ask it however, Chris has pressed him backwards into the side of the trailer and is kissing him. Darren, far from freaking out, moans enthusiastically and pulls Chris in so their bodies are flush together.
It’s very different from the two kisses they shares as Kurt and Blaine. For one it’s a lot more messy and instinctive, all hands and tongue with Chris making soft sounds that go directly to Darren’s cock. Darren feels breathless and confused and part of him wants to stop and ask what the hell is going on. But the rest of him just clutches at Chris’ jacket, relishes the feel of Chris’ body pressed against his and works on getting Chris to make more of those delicious noises.
Eventually Chris pulls back a little, but doesn’t move away.
‘I think she got the message’ Chris whispers smugly against Darren’s lips and releases his near painful grip on Darren’s hips. ‘Sorry about...’ he gestures downward to where Darren can feel a hard pressure against his thigh.
Darren doesn’t know what he’s talking about and doesn’t really care. ‘Hey no problem man’ he shifts his hips so that Chris can feel that he is in very much a similar state. ‘Do you wanna take this inside?’ he asks softly, pressing feather light kisses to Chris’ neck.
Chris gasps, pressing into him for a brief moment at the sensation. But then he shakes his head.
‘Very funny Darren’ he says a little uncertainly and takes a step back. Darren follows, instinctively not wanting to lose the heat of Chris’ body.
‘What, do I have to wine and dine you first?’ Darren teases gently, reaching up to trace a hand over Chris’ cheek. ‘You’re so beautiful’ he whispers and leans in again but Chris jerks back.
‘I’m not going to have sex with you!’ Chris says incredulously and Darren is horrified to see that he looks upset.
‘What’s wr...?’ is all Darren manages to get out before Chris is talking again.
‘Just because you’re going through a dry spell and have got it into your head that it’s somehow my fault doesn’t mean I’m going to fuck you Darren! Jesus. I thought you thought more of our friendship than that. But no I’m just an easy lay am I? Oh Chris is gay and desperate, he’ll be good for a quick fuck?’
‘What!? No! That’s not...’
But Chris just turns away and escapes into his trailer, slamming the door behind him.
Darren stares after him, open mouthed and then slowly manages to get his feet moving in the direction of his own trailer.
What the hell just happened?
NEXT PART
Title: Five times Chris cock blocked Darren and one time he didn’t (2/3)
Rating: R
Spoilers (If any): None
Warnings (If any): RPF
Word Count: ~4500
Summary: Darren still hasn't had sex in a very long time and Chris is still a cock blocking bitch. But this time Darren has an epiphany.
A/N: I know I said that this was going to have two parts but what can I say? I lied :P Also I changed my mind about what I wanted to do with it so yeah... it needs to be a bit longer. A big thank you to my beta S and um this still has a few Britishisms in it I think, just as a warning. Enjoy!
Part one here
Darren is apparently not talking to Chris. At least that’s what Chris managed to gather from Darren’s rather garbled speech as they left Java’s.
‘I am not talking to you anymore. Apart from just then but that was just to inform you that I’m not talking to you. From this point on you will not get a word out of me... except remember to shave properly because we have that kissing scene tomorrow. I will do it because it is my job and I’m a professional but I won’t enjoy it! Not that I enjoy kissing you or anything, although I’m not saying it’s bad but this time I will not not enjoy it even less because I am officially not talking to you. So there!’ Darren had flounced off in a manner that would have been quite impressive if he hadn’t realised he was going the wrong way and had to sheepishly edge around Chris (while pointedly not looking at him) and set off in the other direction.
Chris just shrugged. He was used to Darren not talking to him for various petty reasons and knew that on average it lasted approximately four hours before Darren got bored and called him up and told him that after a lot of thought he was forgiven but should not be such a jerk in future.
Chris wasn’t even entirely sure what he had done wrong this time. Clearly what he considered to be merely expressing concern for his friends well being was, according to Darren, a heinous crime against nature.
But whatever. He fully intended to use the unexpected time to catch up with his writing.
*
‘Hey Chris. I got you coffee’ is how Darren tiredly greets him the next day.
Chris takes the coffee gratefully. ‘Thanks. So I take it you’re talking to me again then?’
‘Huh?’ Darren says, momentary confusion flitting across his features. ‘Er... I mean. Oh yes. I have thought about it and I have decided to forgive you as long as you try not to be such a jerk in future.’
‘Your forgot didn’t you?’
‘No I’m just rising above...’ Darren grinds to a halt under the power of Chris’ disdain. ‘Yes. Well I forgot I wasn’t talking to you but I do remember your total violation of the bro code.’
‘Whatever man.’ It’s too early in the morning for Chris to be really caring about the ‘bro code’ right now.
‘Hey guys!’ Cory approaches them, permanent friendly smile in place. ‘So Darren, how did it go with that girl the other night?’
Chris widens his eyes and shakes his head frantically at Cory but it’s too late.
‘Well it was going pretty well until someone,’ Darren turns to glare at Chris who quickly schools his face back into a neutral expression. ‘Fucked me over.’
‘Fucked you over a what?’ Cory grins.
Darren splutters incoherently for a moment while Chris laughs.
‘He wishes’ Chris teases and Darren feels himself redden as he tries to think of a decent comeback.
Chris is surprised. It takes quite a lot to rattle Darren, he knows from countless failures to get him to crack up on tour, but now he looks really embarrassed.
He opens his mouth to question it but he is interrupted.
‘Chris, Darren makeup please! Now!’
*
‘Why are you so angry?’ Kurt shouts, frustrated.
‘Because I hate seeing you put yourself down like this!’ Blaine yells back, just as annoyed. He sighs and makes an effort to soften his tone. ‘You’re special Kurt. And all these things you hate about yourself, I love about you.’
Kurt pauses for a moment, still unused to hearing compliments even if Blaine says sweet things to him almost every day.
‘I love you’ he whispers and then Blaine’s lips are on his.
The first time Chris and Darren had to kiss they had spoken about it a lot before hand. Agreeing angles and hand placement and whether or not to meet halfway. The first time Chris had been very keen to not make Darren feel uncomfortable about anything. But here they were mid season three, and while it was still only their second onscreen kiss, they were now so comfortable with each other that they hadn’t even thought to discuss it before hand. They knew each other so well that they easily anticipated each other’s movements and they came together effortlessly, perfectly. Made for each other.
As their lips meet affectionate, gentle and somehow familiar despite it being nearly a year since the last time they kissed, Darren feels a sudden flare of warmth deep in his stomach. The feeling is vaguely recognizable. It’s the same one he gets when he makes Chris laugh or when Chris texts him at random moments just because he saw something he thinks Darren would like or when Chris falls asleep leaning against his shoulder after a long day learning a vigorous dance routine. But this is so much more intense than any of those moments.
Darren abruptly fists his hands in Chris’ sweater and pulls him impossibly closer. Chris gasps and Darren takes the opportunity to deepen the kiss. To his credit, Chris just goes with it, quite enthusiastically actually, despite it definitely not being in the script. Darren’s not sure what is happening right now he just knows he wants more. Chris’ scent surrounds him, both comforting and intoxicating at the same time, making Darren feel dizzy and off balance. Only Chris’ hands, steady on his hips are keeping him grounded. There you are, his inner Blaine is saying. I’ve found you.
Darren is vaguely aware of a ‘Cut!’ being shouted in the background and then Chris’ lips are leaving his. He makes tiny, instinctive noise of disappointment and almost reaches out to pull Chris in again.
‘Darren?’ Chris is looking at him with open concern. ‘Are you alright? That was kind of... unexpected. And you look freaked.’
‘I think I’m having an epiphany’ Darren mutters quietly. He has very little direction over what his body and mouth is doing right now.
‘You what?’ Chris glances worriedly over his shoulder where Ryan and Brad are still reviewing the last shot.
‘An epiphany’ Darren repeats. Chris just looks at him, confused and adorable and how did Darren not see this before? Chris is beautiful. Stunning. ‘Chris...’ Darren says with no clear idea of what he’s about to say but Chris is already talking over him.
‘Well do you think you can have your epiphany later? We kind of have work to do.’ Chris looks worried and Darren wants to kiss the expression off his face.
‘Um... yes. Of course. I am the ultimate professional’ Darren takes a step back out of Chris’ space. He needs to breathe for a moment. He needs to think.
Chris, blissfully unaware that Darren is having a sexual identity crisis in the middle of the choir room, leans in close again and takes Darren’s hand. It’s something he’s done countless times before but it doesn’t usually make Darren’s heart race. ‘Are you sure you’re OK?’ he asks softly.
‘I’m fine Chris. Honestly’ Darren says and reluctantly disentangles himself.
‘Right guys again please. But tone the kiss down a little alright? This is meant to be a sweet moment’ Ryan says as he waves them back into their places.
Darren winces. He is so screwed.
*
Darren sits in his empty apartment, staring vacantly out of the window. He wonders if Chris will come over unannounced even after he told him not too. He also isn’t sure whether he wants him to or not.
Earlier he had managed to pull himself together enough to make it through the scene although the kiss took several takes to get right as after the initial kiss Darren took it way too far in the other direction so he was barely giving Chris a chaste peck each time.
Chris had come looking for him afterwards.
‘Hey Dare, are you alright?’ Chris asked, leaning uncertainly on the door jamb of Darren’s trailer, concern written all over his features.
‘Yeah fine’ Darren lied, not inviting Chris in like he normally would. ‘I er... I’m not feeling well and I guess I was just finding it hard to tap into my inner Blaine today.’
Or maybe I was too much he thought to himself.
‘Not feeling well?’ Chris said and reached out a hand to put on Darren’s forehead. Darren flinched away before he could stop himself and had to watch the confusion and hurt play out across Chris’ face. ‘Well...’ Chris said slowly. ‘We can stay in tonight? I’ll bring ice cream and lemsip and I’ll even let you pick the movie.’
Darren sighed. Usually when he was feeling ill this is exactly what they would do so he could see why Chris was suggesting it now. ‘No. I er... really just want an early night Chris. I’ll see you tomorrow yeah?’ And he had shut the door in Chris’ face but not before witnessing the same wounded look as before flash across his features.
Darren groans to himself and leans his forehead against the cool glass. He needs to think about this properly so it’s probably good Chris hadn’t turned up, but now he feels unbelievably guilty on top of all the rest of confusion he’s feeling.
‘I’m in love with my best friend’ Darren says and if he hoped saying it out loud would help him make sense of it all he is sorely mistaken. If anything he freaks out a little more. How had this happened? He has known Chris for nearly two years now, they hit it off straight away and Chris even jokingly refers to him as his heterosexual life partner. Darren agrees . There’s more than one way to have a soul mate after all and he thought that Chris was his. They have so many things in common, constantly geek out and mess around together but at the same time they have each other’s backs. Maybe, because he’s never been attracted to men before, he was merely confusing his feelings for Chris with intense friendship. But the kiss. The kiss had made him see Chris in a whole new light.
He sighs again and toys idly with his phone. Every part of him wants to call Chris, invite him over and blurt out everything. But he doesn’t know how Chris will react. Usually he can always tell what Chris is thinking and how he’s going to respond to certain news or a certain situation but with this he has no idea. Does Chris feel the same but just squashed the feelings because he thinks Darren is straight? Or is Darren just really not his type?
Eventually Darren drops his phone on the table and gets into bed, denying to himself that he would find it easier to sleep with Chris’ warm and solid presence by his side.
*
The thing about Darren is that nothing can keep him down for long and he never does anything by halves. Go big or go home. So when, a few days later, Chris tentatively asks him if he wants to go to Factory, a gay bar, with him and some of the others, Darren sees it as an opportunity to discover whether his new found obsession with Chris’ hands and lips is an all males thing or, as he suspects, just a Chris thing.
‘You alright mate?’ Mark asks companionably, setting a pint of beer down in front of him. The whole gang had decided to go along, never ones to say no to a night out. ‘Haven’t seen much of you this week.’
‘Mmm’ Darren says, smiling in thanks. ‘Just been busy. You know how it is.’
‘Well don’t work too hard’ Mark advises, clasping his shoulder briefly and then disappearing onto the dance floor where he is being beckoned by Heather.
‘Bullshit’ Cory says suddenly, making Darren jump. Cory’s not dancing for obvious reasons. His size combined with his lack of coordination pretty much spells disaster on a busy dance floor.
‘Excuse me?’ Darren asks.
‘You’ve been acting weird since your kiss scene with Chris. He told me. You’re really worrying him you know?’
They both glance over to where Chris is dancing with Ashley and Amber and Darren has to admit it’s the most relaxed he’s seen Chris looking all week. His eyes linger on Chris too long and Cory clears his throat.
‘You like him’ he says simply.
‘Well of course. He is my best friend’ Darren says, playing dumb, not really something he plays well judging by Cory’s glare.
‘Don’t be a knob Darren’ Cory says bluntly.
Darren looks at Chris again and feels his stomach turn over seeing him so happy and smiley with the girls. Jenna dances over to him and shouts something in his ear, making Chris throw his head back in a laugh and Darren’s mouth goes dry.
‘Wow you’ve got it bad’ Cory says wonderingly and Darren figures he must be channelling his inner Blaine again and staring at Chris with a totally love sick expression.
‘Yeah’ Darren says softly, not even audible over the music but Cory seems to get it. Which is a problem. Because if Cory has managed to figure it out Darren knows it only a matter of time before the others do as well.
‘So what are you going to do?’ Cory asks.
‘I don’t know’ Darren wails.
‘Well you can’t keep avoiding him’ Cory says. ‘You’re hurting his feelings. He wants his friend back.’
Darren sighs deeply. ‘If that’s what he wants, I guess that’s what I’ll be.’
*
‘You’re cute’ a voice yells and Darren turns from where he’s leaning on the bar waiting to be served to address the man behind him. He’s tall, good-looking with dark hair and stunning green eyes.
‘So are you’ Darren says without thinking. He is very drunk.
‘Can I buy you a drink?’ the guy asks.
Darren only hesitates for a second. ‘Sure.’
*
‘Darren’s been ages’ Kevin says, slightly worried about Darren’s welfare but more concerned about the whereabouts of the drink Darren is meant to be bringing him.
‘Yeah he’s being chatted up by some guy’ Dianna laughs, gesturing to where Darren and Tall-dark-and-handsome are talking by the bar.
‘Maybe someone should go rescue him?’ Jenna suggests.
‘He doesn’t look too worried to me’ Lea points out.
‘But Darren’s a nice guy. He’s probably just trying to be polite’ Amber says.
They all look at each other.
‘Maybe someone should go...’ Heather says slowly.
No one moves. After a long pause Chris rolls his eyes and gets to his feet.
‘Oh for fuck’s sake, I’ll go shall I?’
*
‘Do you want to get out of here?’ Tall-dark-and-handsome asks and Darren takes a moment to appreciate how much easier it is to pick up a guy than a girl. And he actually considers the proposition for a moment. It might do him good to get some experience with the mechanics of gay sex before attempting to woo Chris. And the guy is pretty cute even if he seems to think names are overrated. He’s still trying to make a decision when Chris makes it for him.
‘Hey babe is this guy bothering you?’ Chris asks, throwing an arm around Darren’s waist and giving him a sloppy kiss on the cheek. Neither action is entirely unusual for the pair of them but in this setting it is clearly that of a boyfriend staking his claim. Tall guy backs off immediately.
‘Hey sorry man I don’t want any trouble’ he says even though he could probably squash Chris flat.
‘Hey no problem’ Chris says easily and the guy shuffles away, although he casts a few glances back at Darren. Watching the guy disappear into the crowd Darren feels a sense of relief. He realises that, even though he was on the verge of saying yes, he would have regretted it. He’s just not into guys that way. Whatever this is, it’s definitely just a Chris thing and it took that split second to confirm for him what he was already pretty certain of.
‘Babe?’ Darren teases fondly. He’s pretty sure he’s never heard Chris say that before.
‘Hey you should be thanking me!’ Chris protests a little sheepishly.
‘You’re right. I have never been more grateful for your epic cock blocking timing’ Darren says, giving Chris a brief hug.
Chris laughs. ‘You owe me one dude.’
‘Yeah I do’ Darren smiles. ‘So can I buy you a drink?’
*
‘Hey Chris I need your help’ Darren says.
It’s been nearly two weeks since his sudden epiphany and he’s managed to stop acting like a special case and more like his normal self. He says he is ‘biding his time.’ At least that’s what he tells Cory but the reality is that he is just terrified of being rejected. The friendship he shares with Chris is matched only perhaps by the ones he has with Joey and his brother Chuck. So he really doesn’t want to screw it up in any way. And admitting your love for someone that doesn’t feel the same is potential for a massive screw up.
‘Sure Dare’ Chris lowers the script he had been reading. ‘What’s up?’
‘I am in need of your particular brand of unique skills.’
Chris considers for a moment. ‘You mean my sai swords?’
‘No but they may come in useful. I am talking about your skill with women.’
‘Darren I hate to break it to you but I’m gay’ Chris says seriously. ‘My skill with woman goes as far as being able to bitch with them about the dumb shit that men do.’
Darren laughs. ‘I am aware. I need you to get rid of one for me. I’m not saying she’s stalking me or anything but... she’s stalking me.’
‘You know coupling ‘I want you to get rid of a woman’ with ‘Your sai swords may come in useful’ is worrying me quite a bit right now.’
‘Jesus Christ your mind is a dark place. I just need you to put your cock blocking to good use.’
‘My cock blocking only works in one night stand scenarios. I don’t know how to get rid of a woman that is actually infatuated with you. Can’t you just tell her you’re taken?’
‘Tried that. She just said she’ll wait for me. In a very creepy and intense manner I might add.’
‘Hmmm.’ Chris thinks briefly. ‘Maybe violence is the way forward.’
‘No violence!’ Darren insists.
‘But Darren...’ Chris whines.
‘No. I’m sure you’ll think of something that doesn’t involve threatening her with ninja weapons.’
‘Fine’ Chris sighs and then mutters something that sounds suspiciously like ‘...never let me have any fun.’ Then out loud he says ‘Who is she anyway? Some fan?’
‘Oh no, I have body guards to deal with that. It’s the new kid on the crew. Lisa?’
‘So you mean you have to work with her afterwards?’
‘Yeah.’
‘So I can’t tell her that you’re an emotionally unavailable megalomaniac with an STD?’
‘Which one?’
‘....all of them.’
‘Then no.’
‘Damn.’
*
The next few days were spent pretty much as they always were. When they weren’t being put through vigorous dance routines Chris and Darren were joined at the hip both in character and out. But now Chris was aware of the ever present shadow that was Lisa. She was always bringing Darren drinks and snacks, asking him inappropriate questions and dropping very heavy hints that she is single.
‘Chris how is it the one time I am giving you free reign to ruin my life you are failing at doing so?’ Darren asks, watching Lisa hover nearby but out of earshot.
‘I’m trying. You’re just rejecting all my ideas.’
‘I’m telling you that faking my death would be impractical!’ Darren shouts, not for the first time.
‘Then you leave me no choice but to go on to Plan G’ Chris says with a very worrying gleam in his eye. Darren wants to ask what Plan G is but suddenly Chris is leaning forward, smiling sweetly and the words die in Darren’s throat. Chris merely gently brushes an unruly strand of hair out of Darren’s eyes and then leans in further so that Darren can feel Chris’ breath ghosting over his cheek.
‘What are you doing?’ Darren squeaks. He thinks he can feel a panic attack setting in. There’s no way he can have Chris this close to him without doing something dumb.
‘Plan G stands for Plan Gay’ Chris says softly right next to his ear and Darren realises that from Lisa’s angle this has got to be looking pretty intimate. Heck it is pretty intimate.
‘I approve of this plan’ Darren mutters without thinking.
Chris laughs and presses a quick kiss to Darren’s cheek before pulling back. ‘Well? How did she react?’ he asks.
Darren glances over Chris’ shoulder to where Lisa was standing moments before. ‘She’s gone. Do you think that’s a good sign?’
Chris shrugs and goes back to flipping through his script. ‘I don’t know. Do you want me to keep implementing Plan G while we see if there’s any discernable effect on her behaviour towards you?’
‘You’re taking this very seriously aren’t you?’ Darren says, amused.
‘Of course. I take any plan that involves making you repellent to women seriously.’
*
So they kick it up a notch. Holding hands when they walk together, quick kisses to cheeks and foreheads and generally being all over each other whenever they can. If the others notice that they have somehow managed to become even more coupley than they already were, they don’t mention it. Darren strongly suspects that Cory has told them something, he’s just not sure what.
There are pros and cons to this plan. On the one hand Lisa seems to have backed off a little and looks vaguely embarrassed whenever she sees them together. On the other, Darren is an extremely horny young man with a very attractive guy all over him all the time. Something has got to give and Darren is pretty sure it’s going to be his willpower.
*
‘It’s not working you know’ Amber says apropos of nothing when she and Chris are having a break together.
‘What isn’t?’ Chris asks.
‘This thing you’ve got going on with Darren.’
‘Well that clears it up thank you’ Chris says drily, thinking of his and Darren’s extensive list of dumb shenanigans.
‘Lisa’ Amber specifies. ‘It worked at first. But she’s been asking around and because everyone has been telling her that you two are just close friends, she thinks she’s got a shot again.’
‘God dammit!’ Chris curses. ‘What do I have to do to get through to this girl? Fuck him in front of her?’
‘I’m sure Darren wouldn’t object to that?’ Amber smirks as she gets to her feet.
‘Wait. What?’ Chris frowns.
‘Well I gotta go. I’ll see you later.’
‘Has Darren said something to you?’ Chris demands. ‘Amber? Amber!’
‘Bye Chris!’
Amber vanishes from view, leaving Chris jointly concerned about Ambers cryptic comment and how the hell to get creepy stalker bitch to leave Darren alone.
*
Chris realises that the easiest way to convince Lisa that they are actually dating, aside from fucking Darren in front of her which he can’t help but think would be awkward for all parties involved not to mention a logistical nightmare, was to simply kiss him in front of her instead. So far they hadn’t actually strayed much into the physical, both sticking to the unspoken rules that had been laid down when they started this thing but as Darren frequently said, rules were made to be broken.
He gets his chance later on the same day. He and Darren are walking back to his trailer and they’ve just reached it when Chris spots Lisa, the ever present shadow, out of the corner of his eye. He decides that now is as good a time as any and hopes that Darren just goes with it and doesn’t freak out. After all he hasn’t exactly informed him of the plan.
‘And it was crazy, there was lemonade everywhere’ Darren says, clearly oblivious to Chris’ inner musings.
‘Darren?’ Chris says, low and serious and Darren stops and turns to look at him, a question in his eyes.
Before he has chance to ask it however, Chris has pressed him backwards into the side of the trailer and is kissing him. Darren, far from freaking out, moans enthusiastically and pulls Chris in so their bodies are flush together.
It’s very different from the two kisses they shares as Kurt and Blaine. For one it’s a lot more messy and instinctive, all hands and tongue with Chris making soft sounds that go directly to Darren’s cock. Darren feels breathless and confused and part of him wants to stop and ask what the hell is going on. But the rest of him just clutches at Chris’ jacket, relishes the feel of Chris’ body pressed against his and works on getting Chris to make more of those delicious noises.
Eventually Chris pulls back a little, but doesn’t move away.
‘I think she got the message’ Chris whispers smugly against Darren’s lips and releases his near painful grip on Darren’s hips. ‘Sorry about...’ he gestures downward to where Darren can feel a hard pressure against his thigh.
Darren doesn’t know what he’s talking about and doesn’t really care. ‘Hey no problem man’ he shifts his hips so that Chris can feel that he is in very much a similar state. ‘Do you wanna take this inside?’ he asks softly, pressing feather light kisses to Chris’ neck.
Chris gasps, pressing into him for a brief moment at the sensation. But then he shakes his head.
‘Very funny Darren’ he says a little uncertainly and takes a step back. Darren follows, instinctively not wanting to lose the heat of Chris’ body.
‘What, do I have to wine and dine you first?’ Darren teases gently, reaching up to trace a hand over Chris’ cheek. ‘You’re so beautiful’ he whispers and leans in again but Chris jerks back.
‘I’m not going to have sex with you!’ Chris says incredulously and Darren is horrified to see that he looks upset.
‘What’s wr...?’ is all Darren manages to get out before Chris is talking again.
‘Just because you’re going through a dry spell and have got it into your head that it’s somehow my fault doesn’t mean I’m going to fuck you Darren! Jesus. I thought you thought more of our friendship than that. But no I’m just an easy lay am I? Oh Chris is gay and desperate, he’ll be good for a quick fuck?’
‘What!? No! That’s not...’
But Chris just turns away and escapes into his trailer, slamming the door behind him.
Darren stares after him, open mouthed and then slowly manages to get his feet moving in the direction of his own trailer.
What the hell just happened?
NEXT PART