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Fire Inside The Man
by Luna Darkhaze
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Darren was giggling to himself again. Daniel reclined in the one dark corner of the hotel room,
watching Darren flit from place to place; the essence of restlessness, excitement and nervousness.
Although Daniel was sitting so still he blended into the background, Darren’s eyes suddenly focused
on him and the dark-haired demon turned mid-stride to go stand beside his blond counterpart.
“I can’t believe this is happening!” Darren muttered excitedly to Daniel, his eyes feverishly bright.
Daniel smiled slightly back at him. Daniel knew how much meeting Bono meant to Darren, so he pointedly ignored the little sharp pain in his heart.
Daniel looked away briefly so he wouldn’t give himself away. It was almost habit now.
Oblivious, Darren left Daniel’s side to go check his appearance in the mirror for the millionth time.
He looks perfect, he needn’t worry Daniel thought bleakly, belaying the serene half-smile he still had on his face.
Daniel quietly got up from his chair and walked across the room to grab a cigarette. As he took a long drag, Darren turned
around and pretended to sneeze, grinning mischievously at Daniel. Daniel laughed and gave him a mock-rough shove, careful to not let his hands linger.
What am I worrying about? Everything is fine Daniel told himself firmly.
Darren absently looked at his watch for what must also have been the millionth time.
Daniel suppressed a grin.
“Maybe we should go...” Darren started to say.
“Darren, the show doesn’t start for at least 2 hours.” Daniel replied, gently reminding him.
“You’re right, you’re right.” Darren said hastily, turning around. But after a minute, Daniel could see him sneaking yearning glances at the door.
The blond guitarist chuckled.
“Alright, alright Daz, we can go if you like.” he said finally. Daniel was rewarded by the look of child-like glee that momentarily
crossed Darren’s face. Daniel’s heart gave an unexpected lurch and he quickly turned around and bit his lip, while pretending to put out his cigarette.
Lock it down, dammit he mentally snarled at himself. Daniel quickly composed himself and turned back around, following Darren out of the hotel...
...Daniel somehow managed to keep up with Darren as the singer glided through the crowd towards his goal: backstage. Daniel was glad he was so tall,
otherwise he wouldn’t be able to track the quickly-darting Darren. Daniel felt a little nervous as he showed the security guards his pass (of course he never
showed this nervousness)
but they just waved him on in.
Everywhere he looked there were famous people. Daniel watched with amusement as they reacted to Darren as people always did; heads turned like flowers towards
the sun. Daniel didn’t mind being ignored, he was happy to let Darren bask in the attention.
Some people tried to talk to Darren, who would always politely chat for a moment or two, but he was determined to get back-backstage and nothing would stop him.
Daniel hesitated when he saw Darren approaching U2’s dressing room, full of unnamed dread. When Darren noticed he flicked a glance back at Daniel, his face full of inquiry.
Daniel managed a smile and shrugged slightly, urging Darren to go on with a small wave of his hand. Darren paused for a moment more, his gray eyes full of uncertainty, then
he disappeared through the doorway...
...Daniel grew increasingly more fretful as the minutes passed. He wanted to go see how Darren was doing but he was also afraid to.
What is wrong with me? the blond one thought frantically.
I never get this worked up! he shook his head slightly.
Abruptly Daniel silently strode into the dressing room, ducking into nearby shadows. His fine-tuned ear cut through the babble of voices and focused on the impassioned voice
of Darren pouring his heart out to a blue-cowled man watching him through black, wrap-around sunglasses.
Daniel got a clear view of the both of them just in time to see Bono take Darren’s hand and place it on his chest, right above his heart.
I. What.....Darren? Daniel’s mind was incoherent for a few moments and his vision began to blur. He strained to hear the few quiet words Bono said that made Darren get
such a happy, awed expression on his face.
But that look completely undid him and he quickly choked back the sob he felt in his throat. Daniel somehow managed to not stumble out of the room but just slipped out as quietly as he had entered...
...Darren watched a nonchalant Bono leave for the stage, feeling a little giddy.
I met B and we bonded! he thought happily.
Darren slowly made his way out of the dressing room.
Too bad Daniel didn’t come in with me he thought absently. For a moment, Darren had thought he’d seen Daniel but he must have been mistaken, for he had never, ever seen
Daniel have such a look of despair like that person had worn. Whoever it was, they had disappeared before Darren could get a good look. But it probably wasn’t Daniel.
Yes, that must be it Darren told himself. For there was Daniel, exactly where Darren had seen him last.
I have too much imagination sometimes Darren thought wryly.
He told Daniel about his meeting with Bono, Daniel nodded and grinned at the expression on Darren’s face.
“Mate, you look a little like someone hit you in the back of the with a 2x4” he pretended to whisper confidentially to Darren. The singer threw back his head and laughed, Daniel grin widened and he quickly shushed Darren.
“Let’s go get some fresh air before the show.” the guitarist suggested. Darren nodded his agreement, he thought the room was a little warm.
Poor Daniel, he must be boiling Darren realized, looking at the drops of sweat on Daniel’s face...
~fin~
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