title: Stay

rating: NC-17

summary: An argument between Darren and Daniel results in doubts and then make-up sex. An angsty and steamy little story.

dedication: to coffee and U2 cd's, they are great company at 2 am when you are doing things like this

Darren laid in his king sized bed. It was the center of the wonderfully decorated master suite of his Sausilito, California home. The room was decorated in simple colours. The dark walls made it easy to sleep no matter what time of the day it was. The plush carpet was incredibly soft to the touch and Darren loved the way it felt on his feet. His favourite part of the room however was the bed. He had spent a ridiculous amount of money on the dark red silk sheets but they were worth every penny. They felt amazing, They were cool to the touch and incredibly soft to sleep on. Darren loved them.

The room was very dark. It was late. After 3 am., but Darren couldn't sleep. He had been fighting with Daniel and couldn't get the events of the evening out of his mind. Daniel had wanted to push back the release date of their new album but Darren wanted to keep the date that they had originally set. It was still two months away. Darren was sure that they had enough time to get everything ready but Daniel didn't want to rush anything. Daniel was always like this when it came to their music. It drove Darren crazy. Everything had to be absolutely perfect or Daniel wasn't satisfied. Darren couldn't understand this. So what if there were some parts that weren't "perfect". The album sounded good. It sounded real, not manufactured as many things often do. Darren liked the irregularities that had developed form recording with a live band not with the backing instrumental tracks. Darren also had a feeling that some of this was triggered by the fact that Daniel knew they were going to have to tour to promote the new album. Daniel loved his quiet, stable life that he had developed during the time since the last tour. Darren was the exact opposite. He loved to tour. It was all a big game and he was the star. He loved to perform. Darren also had the feeling that Daniel was worried about their relationship, whether it could stand up to the pressures that developed on the road. A different city each night and the people� there were so many people.

Darren suddenly felt a presence in the room. He hadn't heard anyone come in and he had locked the door shortly after Daniel had stormed out. Darren suddenly felt a hand on his left ankle. He looked over his shoulder and saw Daniel standing there in the halflight of the room. He could tell by his appearance that Daniel had been at a bar. Daniel began to stroke Darren's leg slowly, stopping to lightly tickle the bottom of his foot. "Evening love." Daniel said. Darren giggled into his pillow as Daniel hit a particularly ticklish spot. Daniel stood at the end of the bed and looked up and down the length of Darren's body. He took of his coat and shoes and kneeled on the end of the bed. Daniel began to slowly rub his hands over Darren's body. Up his legs, over his tight calves, the outsides of his thighs, over his tight arse, up his muscled back and to his shoulders. Daniel felt Darren shudder under his touch. He always had that effect on Darren.

Daniel was now laying next to Darren. Darren could feel Daniel's hardness pushing against his leg. Darren turned his head and nuzzled into Daniel's neck. He could smell Daniel's wonderful scent. The odor of the smoke from the bar mixed with Daniel's cologne. Darren loved the smell of Daniel's cologne. Not too soft nor too strong. It was Daniel. It fit his personality perfectly.

Daniel slid his arms around Darren's torso and pulled him closer. "I didn't think that you would be back." Darren whispered.

"You know that I can't stay away for too long." was Daniel's hushed reply. Darren smiled at that thought. He raised his head and lightly kissed Daniel on the lips. Daniel closed his eyes and returned the kiss hungrily. He pressed his lips against Darren's and slowly opened his mouth a bit. Darren followed suit and allowed Daniel's tongue to gain entrance. They pressed their bodies up against each other as their hands did some exploring. Darren slid his hands through Daniel's hair, pulling him closer and deeper into the kiss. Daniel finally was the one who broke the kiss. He pulled away gasping for air. Darren looked Daniel straight in the eyes. He could see the hunger in them. Darren then began to fumble with the buttons on Daniel's shirt. He was having trouble concentrating on the task with Daniel's hands roaming all over his body. He was finally able to undo the buttons and Daniel's shirt slid off of his strong shoulders. Daniel was the tugging at Darren's tight black t-shirt. He pulled it off with one fluid movement. Their mouths met again tasting each other. Darren broke this kiss and began to trail hot kisses down Daniel's neck.

Daniel was incredibly hard by this time and Darren knew it. He began to move even slower. Daniel was now trembling under him. Small quiet moans were beginning to escape form Daniel's lips. When Darren reached his belt buckle he stopped. "What?" Daniel asked noticing the sudden loss of sensation.

"I was trying to sleep before you got here." Darren said in a playful tone.

"Oh come on Daz... you're killing me." was Daniel's strained reply.

"I know." Darren said with a smirk. He then returned to the job at hand. Darren removed Daniel's belt and slowly unbuttoned his pants. He took his time with the zipper. He could tell the vibration was making Daniel crazy.

"Oh come on Daz..." he moaned.

With the zipper out of the way he began to slowly remove Daniel's pants. He pulled them off and threw them into a pile on the floor. He could see Daniel straining against his tight boxers. Darren began to bite at the waistband playfully. He had Daniel completely under his control. He grabbed Daniel's ankles and pulled him to the edge of the bed. Darren then kneeled on the floor in front of his fellow band mate. Darren began to remove Daniel's boxers slowly. He heard Daniel moan as the cool air touched his hot and swollen member. Darren began to move his hand up and down Daniel's length. Daniel propped himself up on his elbows so he could see what Darren was doing. Darren noticed this and looked up to make eye contact with him. He could see the desire and need in Daniel's eyes. Only Darren could make him feel like this and Darren knew that.

Darren was slowly stroking him and he could see that Daniel was nearing his full hardness. He began to move is hand quicker. Daniel was unable to stand it any longer. He laid back down on the bed. Darren upped his tempo again and Daniel began to arch his hips to increase the contact. Darren removed his hand and leaned down to lick Daniel's tip. This caused Daniel to moan even louder. He was getting really close and Darren could tell. He then took him into his mouth as far as he could. Daniel felt the sudden change in pressure as Darren swallowed him. It was too much. He couldn't hold on any longer. He gripped the sheets and threw his head back as he came screaming Darren's name. Darren was ready for Daniel's release and drank as much of his seed as he could. Darren continued to stroke Daniel as his body began to calm down. He the slid up next to him in the bed. Daniel rolled onto his side to face Darren and kissed him passionately.

"I love you." Daniel said as he looked into Darren's blue eyes.

"I know that" Darren replied and nuzzled his head into Daniel's chest.

"What were we fighting about anyway?" Daniel asked.

"I don't even remember love." was Darren's answer.

Darren snuggled closer to Daniel with a contented sigh, letting his eyes roam absently around the room. There, on one of the walls, he saw something that reminded him of the afternoon's controversy--the first plaque he and Daniel had been awarded for their accomplishments as Savage Garden. He sighed again, this time a hint of sadness in the tone.

Daniel noticed the change. "What is it, babe?" he murmured, drawing Darren's body more tightly against his own.

"The release date of the new album..." was Darren's muttered reply.

"What?" Daniel asked, confused.

Darren turned slightly to look into Daniel's beautiful green eyes. "We were fighting about the release date of the new album."

Daniel cringed. "Oh. Yeah. That."

"Yes, that," Darren returned. Then in an attempt to lighten the situation, "Its amazing what all you can forget after making mad-passionate love, yes?"

A small chuckle was his only answer followed by sigh from Daniel.

Looking at the man in his arms, Darren knew he couldn't deny Daniel anything. If waiting was what Daniel wanted, then they would wait and Darren knew it would be all the sweeter when finished. "You said you could never stay away for long," he began, still caught in the beauty of Daniel's eyes. "Modify that and just don't keep me waiting too long..."

"Waiting for what?" Daniel asked, peering at Darren in confusion.

"For the album's release. You want to wait, so we'll wait. Just don't leave me hanging for long...you know I get over-eager!" Darren said with a smile.

Daniel's eyes lit up in surprise, then clouded with uncertainty. "Are you sure?"

"Very. I'll give you an extra month, but I warn you any longer than that and well be fighting like this again!"

"I don't doubt it," Daniel replied with a smug grin. "But the make-up sex would be more than worth it."

Darren answered Daniel's grin with one of his own. "That certainly is true, but I'll tell you what. The sooner we release the album, the sooner you'll get celebratory sex!"

"Promise?"

"Look whose over-eager now! Would I lie to you?" Darren asked with his famous pout.

Daniel laughed and leaned in to kiss the pout away. "Nope...but maybe we ought to practice the celebration now, just to be sure we've got it right."

"Sounds good to me. But, since you're obsessed with perfection we've got to make it slow and perfect. It's not wise to rush after all."

"Well, I'd best not keep you waiting then..." Daniel began to thoroughly kiss his way from Darren's lips down to his neck and shoulders when Darren pulled him back upwards.

"Stay here for now, " he replied joining their lips again. "Just stay right here...some things are worth the wait."

"I have already waited too long for this" Daniel said as he began to slide back down Darren's body.

Darren was in pure ecstasy as Daniel worked his magic. He knew exactly which parts of Darren body to touch and how to do it. He trailed down Darren's chest paying close attention to his very sensitive nipples. He sucked gently on the right one, which caused a moan to escape from Darren's parted lips. Daniel loved to hear that from Darren. To him it was more beautiful than any of their songs. Daniel reached the waistband of Darren's tight boxers. He removed them quickly and exposed Darren's hard cock. He then rolled away from him and began to dig in the bedside drawer. He found a condom and a tube of lube. As he sat up he took a good look at the man laying on the bed next to him. How had Daniel been so lucky to have found him? He still couldn't believe that he had sometimes.

These thoughts were pushed from his mind as he met his gaze with Darren's. He could see the need in his beautiful eyes and he knew just how to give him what he wanted. Daniel moved back over to Darren and straddled him. Their lips locked as Daniel reached down to roll the condom on Darren. Darren moaned at this contact. His hands began to search desperately for Daniel's until he found the lube. He grabbed the tube and squeezed some of the liquid into his hand.

He rubbed it around in his hands a bit to warm it up and then cautiously inserted his index finger into Daniel's opening. Darren felt him tighten as he did this. He rubbed Daniel slowly, in and out so that he could become accustomed to the feeling while whispering soothingly in his ear. After a few minuets he felt Daniel relax and give into the sensation. He positioned himself for entrance. He moved in gently not wanting to hurt Daniel too much. As Darren moved in millimeter by millimeter he reached around and grabbed Daniel's manhood. He began to stroke him in time with his own movements.

Daniel's head was spinning with the wealth of sensation. It didn't take long before he exploded all over his chest. Darren felt this and then began to concentrate on his own orgasm. He sped up his maneuvers as Daniel arched up letting Darren fill him completely. Darren felt himself come hard into Daniel. Every nerve in his body became super sensitive as he released his seed. Darren pulled out and moved to lay next to Daniel in the bed. He reached out and pulled the blonde man into his embrace. Daniel relaxed in his arms.

"I love you." Darren whispered into Daniel's ear.

Daniel smiled as he said that. "I don't think that we have to work so hard anymore." Daniel said.

"Why?" was Darren's reply.

"Because that was perfect," Daniel said as he captured Darren's mouth for one final kiss before drifting off to sleep.

-End