Title: Ramifications
Author: cherry vanilla
Fandom: Sports Night
Pairing: Dan/Casey
Rating: NC-17
Status: NEW, Complete 1/30/01
Spoilers: Major spoilers for Thespis. If you haven't seen this ep, you might be lost.
Summary: In which Dan has ramifications(duh), Casey has a plan, and Candy is not really discussed.
Notes: Takes place after the events in Thespis.
_____________________
After the show Danny walked into their office where Casey was seated on the couch.
"Since we've been so open tonight and sharing "gestures" of such, answer me another small question."
"I'm really going to invest in a green hat with question marks for you, Danny."
"Why did you bring up that night?"
Casey leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Which night?"
"You know which night, Case, stop trying to avoid the subject."
"I'm not avoiding anything."
"Yes. You are."
Casey sighed and sat back again. "Just say what you want to say, Danny."
"The night in Minneapolis."
"Danny--"
"Why the fuck did you bring that up, Casey?" His voice was suddenly two octaves higher and Casey started a little, and then looked around to see if anyone was within earshot. Their door was wide open for god sake.
"Excuse me for trying to lighten the mood. I thought it would be funny, alright?"
"Did it look like I was laughing, Casey. Did it look like I was anywhere close to laughing?"
"Dan--"
"You pissed me off tonight, Casey. I tried so hard to get a little bit of something out of
you-- a little acknowledgment, a little recognition of something that is *important* to me. This shouldn't be that difficult, yet you make it into a chore."
"What do you want from me, Danny?" Which apparently was going to be Casey's phrase of the night.
"I tell you all of the feelings I have-- every moment that I have them, Casey. I'm a fucking open book. A little bit of reciprocation now and then would be nice."
"It was hard for me, alright? I've kept this from you for so long. But I told you eventually, didn't I?"
Danny looked stubbornly at the floor.
"Didn't I?" Casey prodded, a little more forcefully.
"Yeah. You did, Case," Danny said tiredly.
Casey sighed. "Danny-- You're obviously hurt. Why didn't. Why didn't you just say all this earlier-- instead of making me think everything was alright?"
"When exactly was I supposed to say this, Casey, huh? Before or after you were storming off the set? Or how about during the broadcast so everyone could hear the poor wounded sports anchor? Come on, Casey!"
"Dan--"
"So yes Casey, I do usually tell you what I'm feeling, but excuse the hell out of me for not wanting to talk about that night in front of everyone. Or how I wish you could be more expressive."
"Alright," Casey conceded quietly.
"I didn't mean to make this night about me, Casey. I know it was hard for to tell me about Late Night. And I appreciate your doing it. And I wasn't lying when I said you would have been great, man. Cause, god you would have. But I had to bring this up, Casey. Because you hurt me. badly."
"Danny."
"Just listen, alright? This isn't going to cause any irreparable damage. But you should be aware, in case you haven't in the past, of the ramifications that are there because of that night."
"There are ramifications?"
"That there are."
"I don't want there to be ramifications, Danny."
"Neither do I, man. But they're there."
"Is there anything I can do?"
Dan snickered, "You did enough 5 years ago man."
"Shouldn't we talk about this, Danny?"
"We didn't talk about it then. We've never mentioned it again till tonight. Why on earth would you want to talk about it now?"
"Because now I'm aware of the ramifications."
"News flash, Case: Just because you're aware of them, doesn't mean I now have to talk about them. I don't owe you anything."
"This is going to effect us isn't it?"
"I already told you it wouldn't."
"You said it wouldn't cause any irreparable damage. You didn't say that it wouldn't cause damage."
"Same difference."
"That's an oxymoron."
"I don't give a fuck about grammar at the moment."
"Fair enough."
"Look, I'm tired. I'm gonna go.
"Dan, wait!"
Danny sighed and turned around. "What?"
"I have Charlie this weekend, and was thinking of taking him to the Museum of Natural History. Do you want to go?"
Dan was silent for a while, then turned to get his coat.
"Danny.. please?"
With a heavy sigh he nodded then left, leaving Casey sitting in the dark to wonder how much his thoughtlessness had cost them.
_____________________
Saturday
"That was fun, right?"
"Sure."
"You want a beer?"
"Sure." 'Sure' apparently was Dan's word of the day.
Casey returned with one in each hand, and then sat beside Danny.
"It was a nice day," He said, the words almost a question.
"Uh-huh," Dan replied dully, reaching for his beer. Their fingers brushed slightly and he pulled away from the contact as subtly as possible.
"He's wiped out," Casey commented, gesturing with his beer toward his son that was passed out on the other couch.
That drew a fond smile from Danny, and Casey savored it for as long as he could, but it was soon gone as quickly as it had appeared.
"Danny, we should talk about this."
"We're not talking about it."
"We should."
"There's nothing to say."
"That's a lie and you know it."
"Casey, I am not doing this with your son sleeping not two feet away from us."
"Point taken," Casey said, then proceeded to gather Charlie into his arms and left the room.
When he returned, Dan had his coat on and was half way out the door.
"That was pretty juvenile." He saw the muscles in his friend's back stiffen.
"Yeah, well. It almost worked."
"I'm sorry."
"What?" His voice was harsh and cold and very UN-Danny-like.
"For that night. I don't think I've ever apologized."
Dan turned slowly; his eyes were red and devoid of emotion.
"You're apologizing."
Casey only nodded.
"You're apologizing for getting drunk and sleeping with me over five years ago."
"Casey flinched a bit. It was the first time either of them had ever vocalized it. Somehow, doing so was making it real; more real than it'd ever been.
"I'm waiting, Casey."
"I guess. I am, yeah."
"Do you realize how fucked up that is?"
"I'm serious here."
"So am I, Casey. You don't have anything to be sorry *about*." Dan paused, and then added softly, "I've never regretted it."
Casey gaped. "You haven't?"
Danny stared hard at him. "Jesus Casey, no. I've accepted that it happened. And I've accepted that it will never happen again. And that's that."
"Then why are there ramifications?" He whispered, almost soundlessly.
Dan was silent.
"Danny?"
"Just because I've accepted that it will never happen again, doesn't mean that I never wanted it to."
Casey was still staring long after he'd left.
_____________________
The Next Week
"You heading to Anthony's?"
"Nope, got a date."
"Really."
"Yep," Danny said flatly, while removing his mic.
"Do I know her?"
"Don't think so."
Casey nodded. "Have fun."
"That I will, man."
He walked off, not noticing the blank look on his partner's face.
_____________________
Dan was soaked in sweat as he lay down beside his bed partner. He'd never felt so removed from his body. He took Candy(her fuckin' name was *Candy* for god sake!) to bed with mechanical lust and efficiency.
"My god, you're an animal." He suspected she was trying to sound sexy but he only found it unattractive. Leaning over, she kissed him wetly-- mostly missing his mouth.
"So I've been told," he deadpanned, but at the same time hoped it hadn't sounded too rude.
She only laughed.
Sometimes having no brains really paid off, apparently.
She was talking now. "...thought you had forgot my name for a second there."
"Huh? When?"
"You know," she smiled slyly and nudged him. "You kept gasping Cas.Cas..Did you think it was Cassie or something?" She didn't sound upset in the least, just amused.
Dan just stared straight ahead.
"..cause it's.."
"Candy. I know," he replied, unblinkingly.
"Good." She kissed him again. "I'm gonna shower."
"Uh-huh. Listen, I should get going."
She stopped, shamelessly naked, and turned. After a few seconds she nodded curtly then left the room. Dan waited until he heard the shower start, then collected his clothes and began dressing.
He left knowing that he was throwing away whatever budding relationship they could have had; and didn't care.
In the cab ride home treacherous memories danced in his head. Candy wasn't featured in them.
_____________________
Casey McCall tossed and turned on his bed. He'd been doing that a lot this week it seemed. As every night for the past six days, there were words spoken in his head again, tormenting him. And they were Danny's.
Danny had never surprised him like this before.
All these years, he was sure that Danny had regretted that night; that cold, drunken night in Minneapolis that had lead to unrestrained passion. And now to find out that the ramifications weren't of regret but of sadness..want..desire.
Jesus.
He could still remember what Danny's skin smelt like. And how he bit his lip when he came, his face so beautifully flushed, while he gritted out Casey's name.
He could still remember how Dan's cock felt so right nestled in the back of his throat while he suckled the last drops of fluid till his hearts content.
And then Dan gave back as good as he'd received.
They kissed until they couldn't kiss anymore and fell asleep curled around one another.
The next morning Casey had awoken to find Danny standing by the window in his bathrobe.
"Dan."
Danny shook his head. "Don't say anything, Casey. We both know--there's nothing to say."
He turned around and their eyes met for long minutes.
Then Danny walked over and lifted Casey's hand to his mouth, and slowly--deliberately--kissed his wedding ring. "We both know there's nothing to say."
He walked into the bathroom, leaving Casey there to stare down at his hand, and to wonder where those drops of moisture were coming from.
It was never discussed after that. It was forgiven and forgotten. And when Casey's marriage fell apart, Dan was there for him-- always, always Danny.
Over the years, his lust for his partner could be kept at a respectable level. Sometimes he'd go weeks or even months without thinking about it, sometimes he'd think about it every day. Sometimes, he'd think about *that night* every day.
So it really shouldn't have come to any surprise that one day he'd managed to slip and speak the words aloud. Then, he tried to cover up for his actions, and badly at that.
Yet, him speaking the words was not really the problem.
It was Dan's response the next night.
It was Dan. God, Danny.
*..Doesn't mean I never wanted it to..*
There they were. The words he'd never expected to hear. Hoped, yes; expected, no. And how did he react to them?
With silence. Fucking silence.
The knowledge that Dan actually wanted him too was.. wonderful and horrible at the same time.
Wonderful because.. well because Dan wanted him dammit!
Horrible because he had no idea what to do about it. Hell, he had no idea if he and Dan could even be what they used to be; this past week had been so strained.
And then tonight, he'd had a date. Casey shook off that thought, trying to will it away by punching his pillow.
No, something had to be done. He'd been given a chance. A chance at what he should've had before but couldn't for obvious reason. Yet, now he could.
Casey McCall loved Dan Rydell. If nothing else, he was dammed sure of that.
Now it was time to find out if he was loved in return.
Slowly and carefully, he devised a plan.
_____________________
Wooing.
It was a slow and delicate process.
It took time and effort.
And patience. We mustn't forget patience.
Casey McCall decided it was worth it.
And so Monday it began.
_____________
"Is that a new sweater?"
"Try two years old," Dan replied, rolling his eyes.
"Still. It looks really good on you."
Dan stared at his partner.
_____________
Tuesday
"You were great tonight."
"Excuse me?"
"Tonight. You were great."
"I. Did my job, Casey."
"Uh-huh. And you were really good."
"Really good."
"Really, really good."
Dan smiled.
_____________
Wednesday
"Would you care to go for a drink with me?"
"Uh, sure, man. Why not?"
_____________
Thursday
"What cologne are you wearing?"
Dan looked up, his eyes narrowing. "CK one. Why?"
"No, it just smells really good."
"Oh. Um. Thanks, Case."
Casey nodded.
_____________
Thursday
"Do you have plans tonight, Dan?"
"Yeah."
"Oh."
Detecting the disappointment, Dan looked up. "Why?"
"I was just wondering if you'd like to join me for dinner. No big deal."
Dan was silent. Casey was acting really strange these last few days. He was-- almost gallant with him. 'I was wondering if you'd like to *join* me for dinner?' 'Would you *care* to have a drink with me?' What happened to 'Wanna catch a beer after broadcast?' or 'You headin' to Anthony's?' It was almost as if Casey were..
Ohshit.
Ohshitshitshit.
Casey was... what? Wooing him? Courting him? Seducing him?
Suddenly, there was barely room to breathe.
He needed time to figure out this sudden shift in events. But all the same he didn't want to say no. He really loved the Casey was being with him. He loved the--openness.
"I can cancel my plans."
"Are you sure?"
He looked up and their eyes locked. He was shocked at the raw emotion he found there. "Very sure."
Casey's smile could've melted hearts.
And one heart in particular was feeling its effects.
And fast.
_____________________
They were walking toward Danny's apartment, side by side but not touching. Dinner had been wonderful--actually wonderful. And that was just--odd. He didn't think of things like dinner or movies or basketball games with Casey as wonderful. Nice, yes. But wonderful? That was more or less word reserved for dates. So of course, then, he had to ask--
"Was this a date?"
Casey stepped back a bit, startled by Dan's abrupt about face. "Excuse me?"
"Was this a date?"
"Was this a date."
"That's what I'm asking, Casey."
"Do you want this to be a date?"
"What I want or not has no bearing on this answer. In your mind--in your mind, Casey-- was this a date?"
"I was hoping it might have been looked at that way."
"Case--"
"That's the truth, Danny. I was hoping but didn't expect anything."
"Have you been seducing me all week?"
"Seducing?" Casey laughed. "No."
"Courting, then."
"I preferred wooing."
"Wooing. Damn, that was my first choice too."
"Always stick with your first choice."
"Nah, that's not always good advice."
"Oh?"
"If you'd stuck with your first choice, you'd be home with Lisa right now and I'd have no one wooing me."
Dan's grin was enough to make Casey's heart two pounds lighter.
"Are you still pissed at me?"
"I wasn't really pissed. Just. Hurt."
"I'm sorry I hurt you."
"I know."
"I never regretted that night."
"I know."
"I would've lived it a thousands times if I could've."
"I-- know."
"Do you?"
"Well, no."
"Did you know that I thought you hated yourself and me for it happening?"
"no."
"I never thought you'd want it again."
"I never thought you'd offer."
"I'm offering."
Dan paused. "What is it that you're offering, exactly?"
"A chance to do it right?"
"The sex?"
"No. The love."
"Oo--mmmm." Whatever Dan's response might've been was swallowed along with his tongue.
Dan was soaring. He held his partner tight against him, and allowed himself to feast on this mouth; this gift, that he was only given a one-night engagement with. It was in this moment that he realized that one night would never be enough. Neither would 10 or 20, or 100 or 200. This was one gig he wanted to play for the rest of his days.
_____________________
How they made it up to his apartment, he'll never know. One minute they were groping each other on the street, the next he was informing Casey on their current locations and how people in their field really should be more discreet.
And then, he was upstairs, and they were shredding each other's clothes off-- and Casey was attempting to hang *up* the clothes that were being discarded on the floor, but Danny just grabbed his hand and pulled him into the bedroom, while shaking his head fondly.
They clutched and grabbed and held, and kissed--mustn't forget kissed. God could Casey kiss. Dan was still soaring, he wasn't sure if he ever wanted to come down. He could get used to this kind of high; it certainly was doing things for him that pot never could.
When he had Casey naked he felt like he'd accomplished some great feat. And Casey was just really beautiful-- even more so than he remembered. It helped that he was completely sober too.
Dan allowed himself to be pushed onto the bed; he wanted, needed, Casey on top of him. Casey was more than happy to oblige.
Casey was touching him, stroking him, everywhere. Anywhere. He felt it was only far to return the favor. So he began to let his hands roam freely. They roamed down a hairy, but lovely, chest. They roamed up a smooth, but strong, back. They roamed over two very firm cheeks, and skimmed two muscular legs.
Dan felt like he was out a very large banquet and this was his feast. When his feast began sucking on his neck and started moving against him, all while moaning so softly, yet sweetly, he decided to stop analyzing and just enjoy the meal.
_____________________
Their bodies were picking up speed, moving fast and hard against each other, thrashing wildly.
"Jesus."
"Casey. Oh."
Danny's voice was so incredibly breathless and so remarkably sexy.
Then Danny's hands were on his ass and all further thought was obliterated from his mind.
They came together, kissing hotly, while shuddering and shaking wildly, causing the bed to mimic their actions.
_____________________
All was quiet now. They lay there caressing in the aftermath, each silent in their thoughts. Then again, no further words needed to be spoken. Dan kissed Casey's temple and snuggled deeper under the covers. It was December now after all, and it was damn cold.
Oddly enough though, he was feeling warmer than he had in years.
_____________________
Friday
All day, Danny was finding it hard to keep his hands off his partner. In the office he squeezed Casey's thigh. That earned him a scowl. During the run down, in attempt play a little footsie, he had mistaken Kim's foot for Casey's. That earned him more water thrown in his face.
And now, he and Danny were on the elevator, for the sole purpose that Danny wanted Casey on the elevator. Casey was unsuspecting of this, naturally. Dan had made up some half-assed story about some meeting with Luther Saacs. Whatever. He didn't really care. He finally had Casey alone. It was time to do something about it.
Casey apparently caught the predatory gleam in his eye because his next words were "Danny--not. mmph. Here."
But a persistent pair of lips and an even more persistent tongue that was now prying his mouth open cut off his protest. Casey eventually gave, just as Dan suspected he would. They kissed lazily until they heard the 'ding' of doors opening. Not being able to pull away quick enough, they knew they were caught. Their one-person audience boarded the elevator and it was then that Dan got a good look at her.
"Dan?"
"Candy!"
"Candy?"
Dan ignored Casey's amused look.
"Well, this. I don't know this is."
"Uh."
"Odd, would be the best word."
"Yeah."
_____________________
Casey was shamelessly enjoying his partner's discomfort. He had no idea who this woman was, but was certain she was one of Dan's many conquests. Sorry baby, papa's got a brand new bag.
"Hi. I'm Casey," he smiled, thrusting out his hand.
"Nice to meet you."
_____________________
Dan waited for it.
3..
2..
1..
"Oh!"
And there it was. He hadn't expected her to recognize Casey from their show--the only television watching she probably did was the Home Shopping Network-- but he had been absolutely certain she wouldn't forget "that night," much less a certain tidbit of information.
He felt his face turning red already.
"So you're Cas.. Cas.. Casey," she imitated, and Dan's blush deepened. "Well, that certainly clears a few things up."
Just as Dan were wishing he was dead for the four time in five seconds, he was saved by the bell; or in this case, a ding.
"That's my floor. I've been seeing someone down in Reception and I'm running late for a lunch date."
Dan nodded his approval, but really didn't care in the least.
Candy looked at him for a second, and then glanced Casey up and down. "Glad you found what you're looking for Dan."
"Yeah. Thanks."
The doors shut and Dan braced himself for what was coming next.
Casey moved into his personal space; that amused look still plastered on his face. "Would mind telling me about Ca.. Ca.. Candy?"
"Would you mind shutting your mouth?"
"Would you mind making me?"
"Don't ask me stupid questions, Casey," said Dan, their mouths a breath apart.
And then he proceeded to do what Casey had so stupidly asked.
_____________________
The End.
updates | the west wing |
sports night | The Faculty |Smallville- drabbles | everything else sign | read
|email me