Page 11 of Second Chance

He still hasn’t told his friends in so many words what Daniel is to him. He doesn’t need to; he’s aware he’s not subtle about it. But still.

The ease with which Daniel took to it and his friends’ acceptance in return makes something big and tender swell up in Tony, and he has to take another drink to will it down.

“For fuck’s sake.” He sets the beer glass down and pushes it away.

“Oh, right.” Blake thankfully awakens himself from high school reminiscing to explain what is wrong with the drinks tonight. “Blake G made a cinnamon bun flavored beer, and Mike’s put it on tap this week to crowd test it for him.”

Tony wrinkles his nose. “Oh, that’s what that is. Huh.”

“Yeah,” Blake agrees. “I think he and Charlie scheduled their vacation for this week on purpose so he wouldn’t have to take questions about it.”

Daniel’s eyebrows crawl up. “Can I try a sip?”

Tony gestures for him to go ahead.

Daniel takes a sip and then another. “I like it.”

“You would,” Tony mutters. Daniel is not exactly a beer connoisseur.

“What was that?”

“Oh, nothing.” Tony smiles guilelessly. “You wanna drink it?”

“Are you driving, then?”

Tony shrugs. “It’s one beer, but yeah, I can if you’d rather.” Now he’s eaten something, he’s less annoyed. He’d rather stay sober and sleep at Daniel’s than spend time at home. It will keep his irritation levels lower.

“Sounds good.” Daniel takes another long drink. “Hey, Lisa, how’s…uh…” He trails off, obviously trying to remember the name of the guy Lisa brought to New Year’s and a few other things in the last few months. He tries to catch Tony’s eye for help, but Tony can only shrug.

“There’s your answer,” Lisa says darkly. “He’s deeply boring, and we broke up two weeks ago.”

Blake and Daniel debate whether this merits cheers or commiserations while Tony finishes his dinner. He leans back against the booth with a satisfied sigh when he’s done.

Blake and Lisa compare notes on the perils of app-based dating, which Tony never got around to trying in as much depth as they have, and Daniel makes listening sounds Tony associates with how he gets when he’s doing research.

Tony looks out the window at the sun longingly. This would be perfect weather for a picnic. Or a hike, or a long walk, or—

“Okay, but is there such a thing as a welcome dick pic?” Lisa asks skeptically.

Tony’s attention is drawn forcibly indoors.

“I mean,” Blake hedges.

Tony leans forward, resting his chin on his hands.

“Okay, you shut up.” Blake points at him. “You’ve never even downloaded Grindr, you luddite.”

“No, no, I’m interested to see how this plays out. Tell me more about this modern technology you speak of.”

“Oh, shut up.” Blake puts his head in his hands. “Sometimes dating apps are for NC-17 dating, okay?”

“Sure.” Tony keeps his tone as light and pleasant as he can without cracking up. “I can see that. What are your favorite angles for taking dick pics, Blake? Do you go for the uprightsoldier? The banana comparison? Hey, are you circumcised? You could do the pig in a blanket—”

“Shut up. Shut up, shut up, shut up.”

Tony gives it a moment longer, and then he lets himself look over at Daniel and laugh.

“I don’t know why I talk to you people.” Blake sits back in his chair, arms folded in wounded dignity. He doesn’t mean it. Tony’s known him for over a decade, and he can count on one hand the number of times Blake has been honestly upset about being teased.

---