[attr="class","danny"]he simply watches her as she tries to find a response to his question. he sips at his drink every now and then, waiting, and eventually, listening.

"that sounds really lovely, actually."

he feels the same, really. he appreciates the simple things, the small gestures, because that's what he feels truly matter.

"the simple things as well, i suppose. things like breakfast in bed, lazy sundays, late night fast food runs. i guess i'm just looking for someone to experience things with."

and though he knows he shouldn't be imagining it, the idea of doing those things with her excites him. he sips more, drowning these feelings.

after a brief lull, he peers up at her.

"when's your birthday?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]guess that makes us both boring huh?

"guess that does."

and he's okay with that.

he nods at her birthday, making a mental note to remember it. november sixteenth. he's about to open his mouth to respond with his before she interjects. he laughs, nodding, then sways back the moment she leaves.

yeah, she's drunk. and while danny's had about three drinks as well, he's nowhere near her level. he's getting there, though, as he waltzes over to robbie and orders a bottle to go. he pays whatever and tells him to keep the rest. waving goodbye to them, he breaks out into the open as well to see her sat on the steps.

"oh i didn't expect to see you here," he jests and chuckles, tipsy. he takes a step forward then lowers to sit next to her. her unlit cigarette catches his attention, and so he places his bottle on the ground and reaches over.

"come here."

his hand slips into hers to retrieve the lighter before bringing it up to her lips. his finger scratches, igniting the cigarette between her lips.

"i got you."

he's unaware of just how close he is; shoulder leaning into hers, face hovering close to hers.

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]he finally exhales when she turns away, not realizing he had held his breath in the first place. fuck. he'd really like to kiss her again. his eyes turn and follow hers to peer out into the darkness.

to his surprise, she offers him the cigarette. he takes it between his fingers and brings it to his lips, nodding as she speaks. one drag later and he's extending it back over to her. he exhales smoke off to the side, away from them.

"april thirteenth. it just passed, sadly. but it's not too late for you to get me a gift." he leans into her shoulder, relishing her presence. "what would you like for yours?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]he was half-kidding about the gift and it was the other half that was serious that stops him from denying the gift. he nods, suddenly excited.

there's a short lull where she thinks about her gift and then a burst of energy follows. she beams and he falls for it, falls for her more than he already has, and by the end all he can do is nod and return a bright smile of his own, equally genuine.

"and you'll get it."

he accepts the cigeratte in one, then reaches out for her hand with the other. he stands and slips his fingers between hers, holding on as he takes a final drag before exhaling. he nods, then tugs her in the direction of the trail, completely forgetting about the bottle of beer on the floor.

"let's."

they've both had quite a lot to drink. she's drunk and he's almost drunk, and the two of them sway back and forth, teetering as they stroll through the park they were in earlier. a thought pops into his head as he nears his house.

"serena, how are you getting home?"

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]oh, how cute of her to be thinking of all these different scenarios but missing the one that he had been trying to hint at. finally, after a few attempts, she gets it right; he knows by the smug and teasing grin on her features.

"i might have been," he replies, mirroring her expression. with her hand still in his, he tugs her closer and turns so they're facing each other. he peers down, eyes unabashed in the way they roam down her body. "only if you want to, of course."

"we'd have to sneak in but it could be fun." he pauses, thinking. "you'd have to be quiet."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm

[attr="class","danny"]"no you're not."

he takes a moment to glance around in an attempt to remember directions. or where they even are, for that matter. but he sees a familiar bus stop and knows it's only a short four minute walk back home.

"my house. come on."

and sure enough, after a short four minute walk, they arrive. all the lights apart from the ones outside have been turned off, likely due to how late it is. where one would normally be able to peer through the large windows upstairs, the view is currently blocked, likely by thick curtains. he leads her to the front door and stops right outside it. he turns, voice dropping to a flirtatious whisper.

"remember to be quiet. can't go about waking up the whole house."

[attr="class","noodles"]Serena Malcolm