tiredFandom: FAKE
Author:
badly_knittedCharacters: Dee, Ryo, JJ.
Rating: PG
Setting: After Like Like Love.
Summary: Half the members of the Serious Crime Unit look like they’re miles away. What’s with that? Could it be love?
Word Count: 1217
Written For: Theme Prompt: #085 – Head In The Clouds at fandomweekly.
Disclaimer: I don’t own FAKE, or the characters. They belong to the wonderful Sanami Matoh.
Dee had a definite spring in his step this morning and it was a constant struggle not to grin like a lunatic, which he couldn’t afford to do; it would only serve to draw unwanted attention to himself. Taking the whole week off to help Ryo move in with him, instead of just a couple of days, had been a sensible precaution.
It had been a lot of hard work, lugging boxes and heavy furniture down the stairs at Ryo’s old place and into the rented van, then up the stoop and into the elevator in his own building for the trip to the top floor, finally carrying everything into the apartment, unpacking, and arranging things the way they wanted, but man, it had been worth the effort. Once they’d put it back together again, they’d made excellent use of the big bed that had originally belonged to Ryo’s parents. Ryo had been walking funny the whole of the following day, and several times since!
Speaking of Ryo, he was in a world of his own this morning, a distant, distracted expression on his face, and a vaguely bemused half-smile curving his lips. That was okay though, no one would think anything of it; he was like that a lot anyway, too busy thinking to pay attention to his surroundings. It had gotten him a reputation for being a bit of an airhead.
Trailing his partner up the stairs, enjoying the sight of his lover’s ass in the slightly too tight pants he was wearing, Dee was enjoying a happy daydream, reliving the highlights of the last seven days in his head, but his good mood started to waver as he approached the squad room and spotted his unofficial and unwanted welcoming committee.
JJ was already there, seated at his desk, which faced the doorway, because of course it did; what better way for JJ to immediately spot the object of his obsession the instant Dee arrived at work? Not that he needed to, Dee was sure that JJ’s personal radar was permanently set on High Dee Alert, and that the little guy had ears like a bat, able to hear the squeak of Dee’s shoe leather the moment he entered the lobby three floors below. It was the only explanation for the way JJ was always there, ready and waiting to attack him with his misplaced adoration.
Taking a deep breath and bracing himself for yet another unwelcome assault on his person, Dee quickly followed Ryo, hoping to fend JJ off without suffering too much damage in the process, only…
Nothing happened. JJ remained seated at his desk, several file folders open before him, although he wasn’t looking at them. He was staring dreamily into space, head so far up in the clouds he probably couldn’t see the ground, and judging by the smile on his face, he was obviously thinking happy thoughts.
‘Yeah,’ Dee thought gloomily. ‘Probably daydreamin’ about the life we’ll have together once I admit I’m head over heels in love with him, which is never gonna happen, ‘cause I’m not. The moment he realises I’m here he’ll be all over me. Bound to be, he hasn’t seen me for a week.’ After all, JJ was enthusiastic enough after not seeing Dee for a couple of hours. But when a whole lot of nothing continued to happen, Dee frowned. Maybe a week of not getting to spout his passionate declarations of love while trying to kiss him had finally broken JJ.
Dammit! Dee didn’t love JJ, never had and never would, but they were colleagues, and sort of almost friends, and when JJ wasn’t acting like himself it was cause for concern. Just because Dee didn’t appreciate the little guy’s over-the-top declarations of undying love didn’t mean he was heartless.
‘All the times I’ve told Ryo he’s too nice for his own good, and I’m gettin’ just as bad. Glutton for punishment, that’s me.’ Before he could change his mind, Dee turned in the direction of JJ’s desk. ‘I’ll probably regret this, but…’
“Hey, JJ, you okay?”
“What?” JJ snapped out of his trance and looked up at his Love God, blinking in surprise. “Oh, Dee, hi. When did you get here?”
‘Hi? That’s all I get? JJ must be sick or somethin’; he’s not even tryin’ to hug me, and that’s not normal! This is worse than I thought.’
“I just arrived, and you were sittin’ there starin’ into space, didn’t even look at me.”
“Oh, well, sorry if I dented your ego, I know how fragile it can be, but despite what you might think, the world doesn’t revolve around you.” JJ smiled sweetly. “You can’t expect everyone to drop whatever they’re doing just because you walked in the door.”
For a moment Dee seriously wondered if he’d somehow wandered into an alternate universe, then he just rolled his eyes; this wasn’t a science fiction movie. “I don’t, but that never usually stops ya. Fact is, I like this bein’ ignored a whole lot better than your usual antics, but it’s outta character, and what kinda friend would I be if I didn’t check you were okay?”
“You were worried about me? That’s so sweet, but there’s no need. I’m fine. More than fine. Never better, in fact.” JJ’s bright smile turned wry. “I really appreciate your concern, but I’m not sure I deserve it, not after the way I used to pursue you.”
“Used to?” Dee allowed himself the tiniest sliver of hope.
“Well yes. I mean, I used to think I was in love with you, but it was just infatuation. I know that now because…” JJ blushed, his smile growing wider again and his blue eyes shining brighter than Dee had ever seen. “I’m in love, for real this time, and it’s the most amazing feeling, like I’m floating on air. I never want it to end. Is that how you feel when you’re with Ryo?”
It was Dee’s turn to get a faraway look in his eyes. “Yeah, exactly like that. The sun shines brighter when he’s around, food tastes better, the air smells sweeter, just…” Dee looked towards Ryo, who was sitting at his desk, pen in hand, but mind obviously elsewhere. “He makes everything perfect.”
“Being in love is pretty wonderful, isn’t it?”
Dee nodded. “Yeah, best feelin’ there is. Or maybe second best, if ya know what I mean.”
JJ giggled. “Oh yes, being with someone you love and who loves you back… I’m going to be walking funny all day, but I don’t even care if people notice! I’m so happy! Are you happy, Dee? Because you deserve to be happy. I want everyone to be happy.”
Glancing in Ryo’s direction again, Dee smiled. What was it JJ had said about floating on air? Because it was true, he could scarcely feel the floor beneath his feet. “Happy? You bet I am. Happiest I’ve ever been.”
The man he loved more than anything now lived with him, and as if that wasn’t enough, his stalker had finally found someone else to lavish his attention on, hopefully someone who appreciated being the center of JJ’s universe. Someone up there must really like him; Dee could safely say he was on top of the world.
The End