bakerstreet | winter is a lingering season

As if Matt would ignore it. He's too light a sleeper, and the announcement from his phone that it's Danny means that Matt is reaching for it from his spot on the couch. It's not like he was really asleep, anyway.

As his phone reads out the message, Matt smiles.

I like breakfast.

Can I pick you up at nine?

That might give him some time to sleep, not that Danny isn't usually bouncing off the walls after finishing a job, but then he had more energy than most people.

I can't wait.

Matt's going to have to shower for sure, now, but he lets himself doze a bit more before he does that. Breakfast is a little more casual than dinner, so he doesn't worry about finding a suit to wear. Besides - Danny might appreciate jeans over dress pants. Matt almost never wears them (mostly because he finds it hard to find a pair that are up to his standards).

Shame on you Matt, that was part of your go home and feel better advice from the night before.

Danny arrives at his door promptly at nine, his own hair still damp from his own shower and he'd never really had any one nag him about how you shouldn't go outside on a cold day with a wet head.

"My driver's mad at me, it's still snowing." He greets with a laugh in his voice, lingering in the open doorway.

"I think I side with the driver on this one."

Matt looks amused and he pulls on his coat, tucking his scarf in before getting his cane. Once he has his keys, Matt nudges Danny back into the hall. "Where are we going for breakfast?"

"There's an Irish tea room that I thought you might like." Mostly because it's not far from the neighborhood and Danny knows how hard it is to get Matt out of Hell's Kitchen, even for a day trip.

He offers Matt his arm, both out of habit and because once they're outside the walk is slick, despite the efforts made to salt them.

"I trust you."

He's teasing, of course. Mostly he's just happy to be out with Danny, and his fingers clutch the heavy fabric of Danny's sleeve as they walk. The car is pleasantly warm and Matt settles in, smiling in the driver's direction as they exchange pleasantries.

"I'm glad." Once they're in the back of the town car he lets his hand slide down to twine their fingers together, leaning back as Matt chat's up the driver on their way to the little restaurant.

There isn't much traffic, but the roads are bad enough it takes them a little while to get there.

Matt tries not to look too pleased at the hand hold, but he fails pretty miserably. He at least tries to hide the smile by looking out the window, though his thumb runs over Danny's hand.

"The rest of your night was good, then?"

"I got beat up twice, but found the guy's looking to bring down the church." He grins, not trying to hide his own pleasure in the least.

The driver doesn't seem to give two shits about what they're talking about, focused instead on the treacherous roads.

"You're in a better mood."

"Mm, yeah, well, this cute guy is taking me out for breakfast. And I think I have a good shot with him."

Matt turns toward Danny, giving him a smile before shaking his head and looking away.

Danny laughs at that, sinking his shoulders back against the plush seat, watching Matt's reflection in the window, as if the other man could even enjoy the scenery. He wonders if he does it out of habit.

"Yeah? I think you might too." He gives Matt's hand a squeeze, finally letting go when the driver pulls to a stop outside of a little shop front.

"That's good to know."

When the car stops, Matt knows Danny will be getting out to come get his door, so Matt moves to beat him. His step is careful on the icy sidewalk, and he holds his cane while he waits for his handsome guide.

"You were supposed to let me help you out." He teases, giving Matt his arm, not that it's a far walk, but at least they're both steady on their feet. "Now how will I trick you into thinking I'm a gentlemen?" Though he does open the shop door for Matt, the little bell above it chiming.

"You shouldn't try to trick the blind."

It smells great inside, and Matt's glad to be out of the cold. He's looking forward to a hot cup of coffee and talking to Danny without any interruptions or threats of bad guys.

"Have you been here before?"

"Once. They have scones which are pretty awesome." He takes Matt's coat, leading him back down a narrow path between tables to settle in a snug little booth in the back.

They're greeted promptly and given menus, though the little waitresses realizes her error quickly and stutters through an offer to read it to Matt instead. Though Danny promises to take care of it and sends her off for a cup of coffee and a pot of breakfast tea.

"Kinda like traveling with out having to, you know?"

Matt is also quick to let her know that there's no harm done, and his lips quirk up.

"That authentic, huh?" Matt wouldn't know. Having never traveled much, he just has to go on Danny's word.

"I don't really know, the owner's a little old Irish woman? I'm kinda more used to eastern." But tea? That's his jam, so ... he's not going to complain.

"Maybe we should travel some day." That's a little bit like old Danny, now isn't it? thinking that in the future of 'some day' they'd still be together.

"That works for me." There were plenty of Irish people in Hell's Kitchen, so it probably was pretty authentic.

Danny's statement makes Matt laugh. "I'm not sure how appreciative I can be with traveling. But I'd like that."

"I mean, you'll miss the sights, but the food." And Danny's kinda the guy that will shove anything in his mouth once. "Also, Europe is full of churches and you love that stuff."

"Are you saying you want to take me to Europe? That's pretty intense for one of our first dates," he teases. It's nice to know that things will, eventually, be fine. That Danny will forgive Matt and they can just move on.

"I did say later, and this is one of our first dates." He'll admit to it, he's learning to adjust to it, to forgive everything that had been taken away, torn down, replaced. Memories overlapping memories.

"I'd have to sweettalk you out of the Kitchen first."

"The point still stands." Matt nudges Danny with his elbow, and finds the cream and sugar once his coffee comes.

"Mm, you haven't told me what's on the menu."

"I'm surprised you couldn't tell just by walking in." He turns the simple paper menu over and reads off the things he'll think interest Matt. Likely anything with meat or blueberries.

"Or you could just share mine."

"The smells all mingle together if I don't know specifically what's there." Though there are some stand outs, like sausages, typical breakfast fare.

"What are you eating?" Maybe he sounds suspicious, because Danny's always trying to feed him strange and healthy things. Which Matt is fine with, he likes healthy, but he's a meat and potatoes guy. "You know what? Surprise me."

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