fic: whisper 'i love you' (part 5/?)
title: whisper 'i love you'
pairing: crisscolfer
rating: nc-17
word count: 1500+ words (this part)
summary: Chuck has a new best friend and Darren finds himself falling head over heels for something more curious and lovely than he thought could be real.
a/n: thank you to the lovely Victoria for looking at this. she lost sleep for me so bless that lovely lady :* thanks to my tumblr followers for helping me come up with a name for Mike. i'll write a porn drabble for anyone who can guess what Chuck's big news is... ;) haha I'll probably write porn anyway...
prologue ll chapter 1 ll chapter 2 ll chapter 3 ll chapter 4
--
That afternoon (after his pancakes and chilling with the ancient collection of Tennyson that Aubrey leant him) he got a call from one of his mates from school, Mike, who asked if he wanted to go see a movie with their whole group. Darren gladly agreed. It was probably better for him to get out of the house anyway.
In his room he was suffocating.
Maybe his friends would be able to help him breathe.
When he hung up the phone with Mike, he headed to his closet to find his favourite jeans and Beatles t-shirt. He sent his mom a quick text and began to get ready. He was just toeing on his converse when her reply came through.
Sorry darl, the message read, but would you mind staying home tonight? Your brother has some special news (although I’m sure you know by now… you know how he is at keeping secrets) and we were going to celebrate!! X
Frustration coursed through him and he shoved his phone into his pocket angrily, snatching up his jacket and wallet.
He was going to that movie.
--
Darren loved his friends. When he was with them he could joke, and he could laugh and smile and be talkative and for once, things were bright and good again.
The movie was shit, but Darren thought the soundtrack was pretty groovy and spent a lot longer fawning over the stunning scenery and the cinematic theatre techniques.
But he couldn’t tell his friends that.
Aubrey would probably understand.
Or Chris, he realised regretfully.
--
After the movie, they all went to McDonalds and they ate Happy Meals in the playground.
It was nice to pretend to be five years old again.
They spent a lot of time talking about the movie (Darren pretty much just kept nodding and smiling) and sports. They talked about schoolwork and the teachers they liked and the bitches that gave them too much homework. They don’t talk about girls and Darren is pleasantly surprised. He didn’t think he could stand the questions about how ‘good’ Aubrey was.
He didn’t know and he didn’t think it was any of their business anyway.
By the time the first few storm clouds rumbled across the sky, the guys decide that it was getting late and they should head back. Knowing his whole family must hate him (he left his phone at home so he couldn’t tell for sure but he knew), his stomach turned and he told them that he was just going to call his mom for a lift after going to the bathroom. The guys bade him goodnight and departed their separate ways and Darren hung around for a bit, debating where he could go.
He didn’t want to be alone, he knew that much. And he couldn’t go home…
That left Aubrey.
--
He called her from the payphone outside the McDonalds. She was surprised to hear from him at this hour but she agreed to meet him nonetheless and they settled on their favourite café.
He got there before she did and secured a seat at one of the deserted tables outside. He curled his feet under him as he sat and played with his phone until she arrived.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said quietly, both because he wanted to make her happy after she went to the trouble of meeting him and also because it was true. Her pale, pale hair was tucked behind her ears and hung low on the small of her back. She was wearing a long grey coat and her elegant hands were enclosed in matching gloves.
She gave him a small smile and a whisper of thanks as she sat. Her hands didn’t reach out to grab his like he thought they might, but she didn’t hide them away either, tucking them neatly into each other and resting them on the table in front of her.
The café was still running so they ordered chai tea and Darren silently begged her not to ask him why he had wanted to meet. He knew she would disapprove of his sneaking out and any more explanation would lead to more questions and-
“So how are you finding Tennyson?”
He exhaled in relief.
--
It was nice.
The sky was a murky grey-black and Darren wished he had a book in which he could write a poem about the beauty of the silver streaks that flash across it every so often, a roll of thunder accompanying it often. It was still humid and hot, but the quiet was peaceful, filled only with the thunder, their pleasant conversation and the gentle slosh of the cleaner’s mop, gliding methodically across the empty road.
Underneath the dim street lamps, Aubrey’s eyes glimmered with excitement as she discussed her favourite verses. They had spent nearly too long (but not quite) talking about Tennyson and it became clear that he’s a favourite of hers. Darren thought her excitement was rather sweet. It’s not often (enough) you find friends with the same unequivocal love for literature. At least, not at their age.
It was utterly different from hanging out from his other friends (and alas, that is still all she is to him, a friend) but it was still nice.
And he was breathing.
Until an awfully familiar figure trotted down the street, his scuffed sneakers squeaking across the ground as he walked. Darren wondered if he was conscious of it or if he just didn’t like the silence.
And when he saw who it was he was sure it was the latter.
It wasn’t the sneakers that helped him recognise him, nor the lift of his startlingly vivid eyes or his icy, pale complexion.
It was his umbrella, dull and the colour of the clouds, a strip of red duct tape stuck across the front where he had once snagged it on one of the vines lining their fence.
Darren knew he had spotted him. The spark of recognition in his brilliant eyes was unmistakeable. Resigned, knowing that it would be pointless to pretend he hadn’t see him, he raised his hand in greeting, smiling up at him.
“Chris!” he called. Chris scowled at him and his steps grew quicker as he approached angrily.
Darren felt fear flood through him.
Oh shit…
“Darren, where have you been?” he hissed. “Your brother was really worried about you.”
Darren’s words caught in his throat. Chris’s eyes were wide and angry and yet… a spark ignited in his chest.
Chris had never shown him so much emotion.
He was kinda beautiful like this.
Finally finding himself, he shot back. “Mom knew where I was.”
“Apparently not,” Chris snarled, “because she thought you were out with friends at the movies, not drinking tea with your girlfriend.”
Darren didn’t flinch (for once), instead, holding himself a little taller.
“What does it matter to you?”
The immaturity of his tone held in the air and Darren regretted the phrase the second it left his lips. His eyes glanced momentarily to Aubrey and her expression made it clear that she heard it too.
He half expected her to excuse herself but instead she did what Darren had been expecting all evening, except right now
She reached across the table and held his hand.
It was a sign of solidarity. She wasn’t running anywhere.
“Because,” Chris spoke at last, his voice quieter than before, and he sounded more upset than Darren was expecting, “I thought you were better than that.”
--
By the time Darren made it home the thunder had broken and rain had long since started to fall.
He managed to climb through his window once more (although it was harder going up then going down, especially with the rain) and he dripped all over the carpet.
Stripping and promptly pulling on his pyjamas, he moved to dive under the covers when he realised there was someone there, entangled in his blankets.
His mom.
An incredulous bubble of laughter fell from his lips before he could stop it and his mom blinked her sleepy eyes open, gazing up at him. Guilt rushed through him at the look of relief on her face as she brought him down to her height.
“You, Darren Everett,” she said seriously, “are in big, big trouble.”
“I know, mama,” he sighed. “I’m sorry.”
She was silent for a moment before pulling him into a tight, bone crushing hug.
“Never scare us like that again…” she whispered. Darren shook his head against her shoulder, swallowing the heavy lump in his throat. She kissed his forehead as he leant back.
“I won’t do it again, mama,” Darren assured her.
His mother sighed. “I know, honey, and I’m sorry to say this now… but your father and I have
talked and this can’t go unpunished.”
Darren nodded. He had been expecting that.
“You’re grounded.”
Oh.
Oh no.
Out of all the many punishments, they were going to keep him locked up in the house that he was trying to escape from.
But something in his mother’s eyes told him there was no room for complaint. So he hung his head and tried to ignore the churning anger in his stomach.
“Yes, mama,” he said quietly. “I understand.
chapter 6
pairing: crisscolfer
rating: nc-17
word count: 1500+ words (this part)
summary: Chuck has a new best friend and Darren finds himself falling head over heels for something more curious and lovely than he thought could be real.
a/n: thank you to the lovely Victoria for looking at this. she lost sleep for me so bless that lovely lady :* thanks to my tumblr followers for helping me come up with a name for Mike. i'll write a porn drabble for anyone who can guess what Chuck's big news is... ;) haha I'll probably write porn anyway...
prologue ll chapter 1 ll chapter 2 ll chapter 3 ll chapter 4
--
That afternoon (after his pancakes and chilling with the ancient collection of Tennyson that Aubrey leant him) he got a call from one of his mates from school, Mike, who asked if he wanted to go see a movie with their whole group. Darren gladly agreed. It was probably better for him to get out of the house anyway.
In his room he was suffocating.
Maybe his friends would be able to help him breathe.
When he hung up the phone with Mike, he headed to his closet to find his favourite jeans and Beatles t-shirt. He sent his mom a quick text and began to get ready. He was just toeing on his converse when her reply came through.
Sorry darl, the message read, but would you mind staying home tonight? Your brother has some special news (although I’m sure you know by now… you know how he is at keeping secrets) and we were going to celebrate!! X
Frustration coursed through him and he shoved his phone into his pocket angrily, snatching up his jacket and wallet.
He was going to that movie.
--
Darren loved his friends. When he was with them he could joke, and he could laugh and smile and be talkative and for once, things were bright and good again.
The movie was shit, but Darren thought the soundtrack was pretty groovy and spent a lot longer fawning over the stunning scenery and the cinematic theatre techniques.
But he couldn’t tell his friends that.
Aubrey would probably understand.
Or Chris, he realised regretfully.
--
After the movie, they all went to McDonalds and they ate Happy Meals in the playground.
It was nice to pretend to be five years old again.
They spent a lot of time talking about the movie (Darren pretty much just kept nodding and smiling) and sports. They talked about schoolwork and the teachers they liked and the bitches that gave them too much homework. They don’t talk about girls and Darren is pleasantly surprised. He didn’t think he could stand the questions about how ‘good’ Aubrey was.
He didn’t know and he didn’t think it was any of their business anyway.
By the time the first few storm clouds rumbled across the sky, the guys decide that it was getting late and they should head back. Knowing his whole family must hate him (he left his phone at home so he couldn’t tell for sure but he knew), his stomach turned and he told them that he was just going to call his mom for a lift after going to the bathroom. The guys bade him goodnight and departed their separate ways and Darren hung around for a bit, debating where he could go.
He didn’t want to be alone, he knew that much. And he couldn’t go home…
That left Aubrey.
--
He called her from the payphone outside the McDonalds. She was surprised to hear from him at this hour but she agreed to meet him nonetheless and they settled on their favourite café.
He got there before she did and secured a seat at one of the deserted tables outside. He curled his feet under him as he sat and played with his phone until she arrived.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said quietly, both because he wanted to make her happy after she went to the trouble of meeting him and also because it was true. Her pale, pale hair was tucked behind her ears and hung low on the small of her back. She was wearing a long grey coat and her elegant hands were enclosed in matching gloves.
She gave him a small smile and a whisper of thanks as she sat. Her hands didn’t reach out to grab his like he thought they might, but she didn’t hide them away either, tucking them neatly into each other and resting them on the table in front of her.
The café was still running so they ordered chai tea and Darren silently begged her not to ask him why he had wanted to meet. He knew she would disapprove of his sneaking out and any more explanation would lead to more questions and-
“So how are you finding Tennyson?”
He exhaled in relief.
--
It was nice.
The sky was a murky grey-black and Darren wished he had a book in which he could write a poem about the beauty of the silver streaks that flash across it every so often, a roll of thunder accompanying it often. It was still humid and hot, but the quiet was peaceful, filled only with the thunder, their pleasant conversation and the gentle slosh of the cleaner’s mop, gliding methodically across the empty road.
Underneath the dim street lamps, Aubrey’s eyes glimmered with excitement as she discussed her favourite verses. They had spent nearly too long (but not quite) talking about Tennyson and it became clear that he’s a favourite of hers. Darren thought her excitement was rather sweet. It’s not often (enough) you find friends with the same unequivocal love for literature. At least, not at their age.
It was utterly different from hanging out from his other friends (and alas, that is still all she is to him, a friend) but it was still nice.
And he was breathing.
Until an awfully familiar figure trotted down the street, his scuffed sneakers squeaking across the ground as he walked. Darren wondered if he was conscious of it or if he just didn’t like the silence.
And when he saw who it was he was sure it was the latter.
It wasn’t the sneakers that helped him recognise him, nor the lift of his startlingly vivid eyes or his icy, pale complexion.
It was his umbrella, dull and the colour of the clouds, a strip of red duct tape stuck across the front where he had once snagged it on one of the vines lining their fence.
Darren knew he had spotted him. The spark of recognition in his brilliant eyes was unmistakeable. Resigned, knowing that it would be pointless to pretend he hadn’t see him, he raised his hand in greeting, smiling up at him.
“Chris!” he called. Chris scowled at him and his steps grew quicker as he approached angrily.
Darren felt fear flood through him.
Oh shit…
“Darren, where have you been?” he hissed. “Your brother was really worried about you.”
Darren’s words caught in his throat. Chris’s eyes were wide and angry and yet… a spark ignited in his chest.
Chris had never shown him so much emotion.
He was kinda beautiful like this.
Finally finding himself, he shot back. “Mom knew where I was.”
“Apparently not,” Chris snarled, “because she thought you were out with friends at the movies, not drinking tea with your girlfriend.”
Darren didn’t flinch (for once), instead, holding himself a little taller.
“What does it matter to you?”
The immaturity of his tone held in the air and Darren regretted the phrase the second it left his lips. His eyes glanced momentarily to Aubrey and her expression made it clear that she heard it too.
He half expected her to excuse herself but instead she did what Darren had been expecting all evening, except right now
She reached across the table and held his hand.
It was a sign of solidarity. She wasn’t running anywhere.
“Because,” Chris spoke at last, his voice quieter than before, and he sounded more upset than Darren was expecting, “I thought you were better than that.”
--
By the time Darren made it home the thunder had broken and rain had long since started to fall.
He managed to climb through his window once more (although it was harder going up then going down, especially with the rain) and he dripped all over the carpet.
Stripping and promptly pulling on his pyjamas, he moved to dive under the covers when he realised there was someone there, entangled in his blankets.
His mom.
An incredulous bubble of laughter fell from his lips before he could stop it and his mom blinked her sleepy eyes open, gazing up at him. Guilt rushed through him at the look of relief on her face as she brought him down to her height.
“You, Darren Everett,” she said seriously, “are in big, big trouble.”
“I know, mama,” he sighed. “I’m sorry.”
She was silent for a moment before pulling him into a tight, bone crushing hug.
“Never scare us like that again…” she whispered. Darren shook his head against her shoulder, swallowing the heavy lump in his throat. She kissed his forehead as he leant back.
“I won’t do it again, mama,” Darren assured her.
His mother sighed. “I know, honey, and I’m sorry to say this now… but your father and I have
talked and this can’t go unpunished.”
Darren nodded. He had been expecting that.
“You’re grounded.”
Oh.
Oh no.
Out of all the many punishments, they were going to keep him locked up in the house that he was trying to escape from.
But something in his mother’s eyes told him there was no room for complaint. So he hung his head and tried to ignore the churning anger in his stomach.
“Yes, mama,” he said quietly. “I understand.
chapter 6