Dan toweling Arin off after they went rushing through the rain. Arin was dropping Dan off after a late meeting and instead decided to stay since it was pouring down so hard. Leads to them snuggling on the couch after warm showers, playing Mario Party. Maybe some drinks for Arin, who gets all cheesy and feely and maybe opens up to Dan about stress and working and Dan has to comfort him.
The sound of rain pelting the windshield drowned out the classic rock radio station playing through the car stereo. Arin drummed his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat as he pulled up to Dan’s house, then said, “You know, after careful consideration, I rather enjoy living, and I don’t think going home in this weather is good for that.”
He looked to Dan in the passenger seat, who nodded as he rubbed a hand theatrically over the scruff on his jaw. “I gotta say, you are a true mastermind of our time. I guess you’re welcome to stay,” he gave Arin a cheeky grin.
Arin rolled his eyes, “I know, I’m such a free-loader.” He looked out the window again, pausing as he reconsidered. “We’re really gonna do this?”
Dan said, “Well, we can’t stay in here all night now can we?”
“I really beg to differ, Daniel,” Arin retorted, not enjoying the prospect of leaving the dry safety of his car. They didn’t even have coats, as the storm currently swamping the city was unexpected for their area.
Dan set a hand on Arin’s shoulder, “It’s just a little rain. A little water never hurt nobody.”
“Except for when people drown in it.”
“Alright, fine,” Dan laughed, “except for when people sometimes drown in it. Come on, it’ll be over before you know it.”
Arin groaned and bounced in place to psych himself up, then said, “Let’s move.” He turned off the car and threw open his door, sprinting for Dan’s house. He heard the other car door open and shut with much less vigor than he’d used. He turned to see Dan strolling, taking his sweet time even in the downpour.
“Dude!” Arin shouted. “This is fucking wild!”
“I know, it’s awesome!” Dan smiled. A flash of lightning split the sky, followed by a roll of thunder. A gust of wind almost toppled Arin over, delaying him reaching the front door. Even having only been in the rain for a matter of seconds, Arin was drenched by the time he got to the overhang of the porch. Dan was equally soaked by the time he got there, fumbling with his keys.
Arin wiped a hand over his face, laughing as he shook the excess water from his hand. “Shit, I don’t remember the last time we got a storm like this.”
“Neither do I, but I’m glad you’re staying,” Dan said as he opened the door. “You can help keep me warm.”
He kicked off his shoes as he entered the house. Arin followed suit, not wanting to track more water through Dan’s house than he was already going to. He was blushing a little from Dan’s comment, but he hoped his cheeks could be excused as red due to the chilly rain.
Arin rubbed his arms as if to smooth out the goosebumps, the hairs smoothing out from the moisture. Dan caught the motion and said, “One sec,” before he jogged down the hall. He bounced back to Arin with his hands behind his back, unveiling a towel when he’d returned to his side.
Arin chuckled, “Thanks.” Before he could reach for it, Dan was already wrapping it around his shoulders and stepping behind him in the same fluid movement. Dan’s arms were a welcome comfort, and Arin found himself leaning back in appreciation. “You could have dried yourself off first,” he said.
“Wouldn’t have mattered; I’m always wet around you,” Dan smirked and kissed his cheek. He nuzzled into the crook of Arin’s neck to give him a final squeeze of a hug before he set about drying Arin off, forsaking his own state to ensure Arin was taken care of.
When the pair was decently dry, they moved into the living room, where Dan dragged out a large, blue fleece blanket to cover them. “Need a drink?” he asked as Arin collapsed onto the couch. “I can make some hot cocoa.”
Arin rubbed a hand through his hair with one hand as the other pulled the blanket over his legs, “That sounds fuckin’ heavenly, Dan.”
“Great!” Dan chirped and hopped off to the kitchen, returning with two mugs. He held one carefully out for Arin to take before he sat down, wriggling under the blanket to snuggle up beside him. He leaned on Arin’s shoulder and took a sip, sighing with satisfaction.
The warmth of the hot drink combined with Dan’s heat trapped under the blanket did wonders for Arin’s body. He’d stopped shivering within minutes. “Hey,” he said to break the silence, “I’ll bet I know something else to get our blood pumping.”
“Oh, do tell,” Dan said with a grin.
A few minutes later found them playing Mario Kart; Arin was taking the lead more often than not, relentlessly hitting Dan with every item he could get his hands on. As the last race ground to a halt, Arin barely taking third place behind two CPU’s while Dan scraped by with seventh, a long yawn escaped Arin’s mouth.
“Fuck, I’m exhausted,” he sighed, the hot chocolate relaxing him more than he thought it would.
“We can stop,” Dan said. “God knows I’m not gonna be winning this thing any time soon if you keep setting the computer players to ‘hard.’“
Arin threw his hands up, “It’s more interesting that way!”
“Well good then!” Dan laughed, tucking an arm around him. His hair tickled Arin’s nose, but he didn’t try to move his head away. They fell into a companionable silence, listening to the rain become a backdrop for the Mario Kart music on the TV.
Just as Dan was beginning to think Arin might’ve fallen asleep, the younger man mumbled, “So good to me.”
Dan’s brow scrunched in confusion. “What’s that?” he asked softly, not wanting to wake Arin if he was dozing off.
“You’re like…so good for me,” Arin repeated. His voice was a little drawled, sounding half asleep. Dan had only heard Arin like this twice before, once at the Grumps office after a long night of recording and another during a tour. He referred to it as Arin becoming ‘drunk tired.’
Dan giggled, “You’re good for me, too, Big Cat.”
“Nooo, Dan, I mean…work’s been a goddamn nightmare recently, and the only thing keeping me sane is you,” Arin said, lightly slapping at Dan’s shoulder. “I just want you to know how much you mean to me.”
At first, Dan couldn’t find the words to reply. Nothing seemed adequate enough. “That’s what I’m here for,” Dan said. “You know that. I’m always gonna be there for you, no matter what.”
“You promise?” Arin asked, even as his hand started slipping off Dan’s shoulder as he began passing out.
The rain outside began to relent a little as Dan kissed the top of Arin’s head and linked their fingers together, “I promise.”
i know you mentioned Arin having a drink but unless I’m mistaken neither of them really drink alcohol so I tweaked it a bit, hope you don’t mind!! thanks for the prompt :D
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