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Dante nodded at his bosses words, but he put the plate in the same place as his cake.... not really wanting either of them. Getting back to work, though the pace was a lot slower than it been before lunch, he didn't notice Phil and Jeremy talking in his office, nor did he notice that Phil was headed his way until he spoke.

"Man that guy is so stubborn." By 'that man' he assumed that Phil was talking about Jeremy, and he couldn't help but agree, even if he didn't voice it right now. Dante really wasn't in the mood to talk... about anything.

"Not really." He finally said, taking out his highlighter again to mark an important piece of information.

But of course, that didn't stop Phil. "Ok, I won't pry.... but I'm here if you want to talk, ok?"

He stopped then, looking up at him for a moment.... an empty coldness shining through his eyes. "Thank you..... but no." He put his head down to work, stating matter of factly, "It is unprofessional to mix personal things and business.... and I have done far too much of that already without intending to."

Phil sat there quietly, debating if he should say something or not but in the end decided not to. In the end he simply said, "There are a few of us going for a drink after work... you in?" By 'few' he meant him and Jeremy, very few ever got invited to join them let alone accept.

Dante paused again, looking up with a confusion written all over his face. He really was like an open book most of the time. "Em... I'm not sure that is a good idea."

"Why not? Will give us all a chance to get to you know you better. Plus it's Friday. What better way to start a weekend?"

Dante hesitated, but in a slightly defeated manner he nodded, "Ok then."

"Good." Phil grinned, "...meet me at Jeremy's office after work and we can all go down together. That way you won't get lost and I can make sure you don't change your mind." Dante looked at that grin.... a sudden shiver running down his spine as he got the distinct impression that Phil was up to no good. Still, he simply nodded before getting back to work.

Phil had left after that, though every time he had walked past his cubicle for the rest of the day he had that mischievous grin was firmly set upon his face.... it was starting to give Dante the creeps. It only took a few hours to finish the remaining files.... but what did he do with them now? Every company had a different system.... he suspected they went back to Jeremy, or maybe got filed away until they were needed.... but he wasn't sure; that was the only reason why he stood up and headed to his bosses office.

Knocking, he waited to be invited in before slipping inside. "Sorry to disturb you Mr Wilkinson." He kept his tone nothing more than professional... almost as if they were no better than strangers, which in many regards, they weren't. "I have finished all the paperwork... where shall I put it?" There was still an hour and a half until the end of the day. "Is there anything else you would like me to do? If not I shall continue with my prep for next week." When it came to work Dante was quite happy taking on extra work and helping out, he liked feeling useful....

Dante nodded a little at the praise but didn't comment, after all he didn't want to sound like some spoilt child who was overly eager to get praised for everything. Help Barbara? He could do that... he had been about to take his leave to head that way when Phil arrived.

How does he keep doing that? Dante thought... only to have his thought spoke out loud by Jeremy, and practically word for word. "How do you keep doing that?" Ok, so that was a little freaky.... and he couldn't hide the slight surprise on his face at the coincidence. Shaking that away he watched the conversation unfold... it was Jeremy's birthday on Monday? Though the more he heard the more he suspected it would end up being just the three of them for this drink.... and not the 'few' that Phil had claimed.... unless of course the guy had rewritten the dictionary so that a 'few' now meant 'two'. He sighed in defeat.

At least until Phil clapped behind him, grabbing his attention completely. His words made his eyes go wide..... "Andrews, hurry up and come with us or you're fired." And like a Yoyo his attention was soon back on Jeremy as he retorted, "Don't throw out empty threats."

Bewildered he stood loitering for a moment before getting his arse into action and moving. As quick as he could he packed up his desk, turned off the computer and got his briefcase and coat ready. Phil was already waiting for him at Jeremy's office while they waited for him to finish up.... they waited in silence before Phil's attention snapped to him, that mischievous grin back in place. "So... you going to give him a birthday kiss?"

"What?" He sputtered, looking completely shocked by the idea. Was this what the guy had been planning? Or was there more... he really didn't trust that grin.

"Oh but come on... it's tradition after all!"

"It is?" Dante asked slightly flabbergasted.

"Of course." He grinned, though Dante didn't trust a word the guy was saying at this point. The conversation suddenly died as Jeremy left his office... and together the group made it's way to the bar.

At first Dante wasn't sure if he should actually order an alcoholic drink.... not wanting to make a bigger fool of himself, but in the end he decided just one wouldn't hurt. "JD and coke please." He said before looking over at the pair; "I'll get the first round... what do you guys want?" Ok, so Phil had said he would buy... at least for Jeremy, but Dante didn't like the idea of feeling indebted to anyone. Keep things simple. He told himself.

He smiled politely as they all sat down, though he felt completely uncomfortable..... and out of place.

Bloody Mary. Scotch. They really were so very different.... like yin and yang they sang as opposites; perhaps that was why they got on so well.

"To the Birthday Boy." He said, repeating Phil's toast and raising his own glass... even if he did feel really self conscious, since they were so few in a place that was getting fuller by the second. He downed his drink, surprised when a happy buzz kicked in almost instantly... at least until he remembered, he hadn't ate anything since breakfast. The alcohol had gone straight to his head, though right now he was just a little tipsy, nothing really noticeable from the outside... still... it felt rather nice.

Dante couldn't help but chuckle as Jeremy looked at the new drink in confusion before taking it and going to speak to the woman. Ordering another drink for himself, he downed it before turning to look at Phil as he spoke; "Jealous?"

"No." He said honestly, but mostly because it was a woman Jeremy was talking to... had it been a man.... well, it may have been a completely different story. Usually he would have stopped at the 'no', but since he was nice and tipsy now he chuckled softly and carried on speaking. "I am pretty sure he only likes men."

"Hey! You never know... I could tell you some stories." Phil teased, and the way he said it made Dante wonder if he was telling the truth or not. Still he shook his head again, confident he was right in this.

He leaned towards Phil and whispered into his ear; "You forget.... I saw him naked, I know what he demands in bed." Dante had a sudden urge to hiccup... he really needed some food to soak up the alcohol, he was acting like a light-weight... he hadn't even been this way the night he first slept with Jeremy.

"Ha!" Phil slapped Dante on the back, "I like you."

Dante blinked at that, or maybe that was just the alcohol talking. Jeremy returned and another round was about to be order; "None for me thanks.... em..." He started shaking his head as he tried to remember what he had been about to say. "...do you have any food?" The bartender chucked him a packet of crisps and he munched them down hoping that the sudden throbbing in his head would die down... come on, he had only had a few drinks! That would teach him to drink on an empty stomach.

Sometime later, and after being convinced to have another few drinks, Dante waved good bye to Phil and wandered aimlessly after Jeremy. He wasn't really sure what he was doing.... he knew they both took the tube, and that Jeremy's stop was after his, but right now he felt like a puppy dog following's its master. Still, it was funny watching him skipping down the sidewalk, jogging a little to catch up to the guy Dante considered joining in, but his happy buzz was simply making him want to smile... and he was sure his cheeks were rosy.

A few paces behind Jeremy now Dante saw him spin, chuckling all the while at his fun, before his eyes opened wide in shock as the guy nearly tripped. He leaped forward, wrapping his arms around the guy to help him balance. "Be careful." He said, his tone similar to that used to chastise a child... but now that he was so close to the guy he couldn't stop himself from looking up into Jeremy's beautiful face. Why had he been avoiding this again? He couldn't quite remember with his mind so fuzzy.

Going onto his tiptoes, arms still wrapped around Jeremy, Dante made no comment to the guys words, simply spoke his own. "Phil told me... that it's tradition to do this on your birthday." He smiled a little gooferly before leaning forward and kissing him.

Dante had only originally intended the kiss to be brief, but soon found himself swept away in the moment when Jeremy's arms encased him in warmth; the guys scent and the alcohol they had both consumed flooding his senses. Why did he seem so helpless around this guy? What was with his double nature? One moment he could be kind, almost to the point that Dante could pretend he actually cared... yet the next moment that passed he could be cruel and heartless towards him.

There was one good thing about the alcohol he had consumed; fantastic painkiller... his ribs didn't hurt. He had to admit that he felt suddenly cold now that Dante had stepped back, but he planted his feet on the ground with a sigh and simply rubbed the back of his neck.

"Some tradition, huh?" He blushed slightly, though he doubted it made a difference since his cheeks had already felt as if they had been burning up to him.

"Yeah... sorry...." He mumbled slightly... maybe he should walk away now before things got more complicated? After all he could justify the kiss in his head.... he was just wishing the guy 'Happy Birthday'. "I guess I couldn't resist stealing one..." He said with a light chuckle.

All thoughts of walking off were halted though the moment Jeremy spoke again. "Listen, I'm pretty out of it. Think I could crash at your place again?" Floored for a moment he considered the other's words carefully, or as carefully as he could through the haze that filled his mind. "Sure.... " He said, smile in place... right now he really couldn't think of a reason why not. After all they had shared the apartment last night and been fine this morning. "...though I'm not sure I can remember how to put the sofa bed up right now." He had a hard enough time with the thing when he was sober, let alone a little tipsy. "Could be funny trying though."

"I'll make you breakfast. Or dinner, cause someone never ate their lunch,"

He chuckled slightly, walking towards Jeremy with a confidence that could only be gained with alcohol... and bopped him on the nose with his index finger. "Your sooooo funnnnnny." He drawled, grin still in place before he playfully rolled his eyes. "Can you even cook though?" He quirked an eyebrow at that, genuinely curious even as he teased the other, "....or are you going to give me food poison to make me stay at home?"

He chuckled again, patting Jeremy on the shoulder before taking a step past him. Pausing only a few steps away he looked over his shoulder, holding his hand out as he spoke; "Come on then... before I lose you or something." That goofy grin of his refused to lift from his features... yep, the alcohol was defiantly doing a number on him. His friends had always told him he was a happy drunk.... a happy drunk who wasn't afraid to let himself say and do whatever he wanted. But then again, what was alcohol good for if not the lowering of ones inhibitions?

"I'm good at sleeping on the floor...and the couch," Dante smiled and shrugged, in his hazy state he couldn't see anything wrong with that... though normally he hated when his guest's didn't get a proper bed, it almost felt rude.

He raised his eyebrow for a moment as Jeremy spoke again, and for some reason the words had him burst into laughter. "Pah! Can I cook? Of course I can! Just don't expect anything fancy. Besides, I doubt even food poisoning would keep you from work at this point," Fancy food had never really appealed to Dante any way, especially since most of it looked far too pretty to be eaten... he always felt bad for destroying such miniature works of arts. He shrugged softly, not at all bothered what he ate at this point.

There was nothing Dante could do but get swept away in Jeremy's fun, swing their joined hands with a skip in his step.... so he joined in. A chuckle vibrating from his chest as he listened to the other's song. It seemed even slightly tipsy Dante wouldn't sing... still, it was fun seeing Jeremy loosen up a little.

Looking down at their hands, he wondered for a moment if he was doing the right thing... but all the reason's why he shouldn't seemed to have migrated from his mind, or maybe he just didn't want to remember? He wasn't sure... but right now, he was rather enjoying the warmth of the other.

Following Jeremy, Dante sat beside the guy as the found two seats on the train. Dante was looking straight ahead, his cheeks rosy and that goofy smile on his face.... was there something he should be doing? He got the distinct impression he was forgetting somethin--

All thoughts of everything else went out the window with the other's words. "I think I'll make macaroni and cheese. Do you like macaroni and cheese?" He nodded enthusiastically... that did sound good, and Dante had always been a fan of cheese. "Yep." He chirped, "I'm sure even you can't mess that up." He teased before blushing as he remembered the other incident that Jeremy had brought up.

"Or are you going to knock it out of my hands the way you did with my trail mix" He pouted, "I knew I should have replaced it this morning...." He said with a sigh, rubbing he hand on the back of his head.... and in his drunken state it suddenly seemed like a really good idea to go buy the guy some from the vending machine at his station.

When they finally arrived, Dante grabbed Jeremy's hand and dragged him off the train and towards the vending machine; releasing the guy long enough to fumble with some change and enter what he wanted. Turning around, he held his precious cargo -a new bag of trail mix- out; his head was bowed towards the treat instead of looking up at Jeremy. "Here. Happy Birthday." Ok... so a lot could be put down to Dante just treating the guy for his birthday! That couldn't be too bad... could it?

He finally looked up to see what the other would do.

Dante's entire body froze when Jeremy took his hand and took it towards his mouth to kiss it. The act was so familiar... almost comfortable, and yet only Jeremy had ever done it to him. He blushed, this time sure that it could be seen despite the already rosiness of his cheeks. Dante remembered all too clearly that night in this moment, even while tipsy... he remembered the threat he had given, the smile on Jeremy's face while being accused of treating him like a girl. Of course, that only reminded him of other words.... "I guess I'll have to make it up to you by treating you like a man in my room."

He didn't reply or comment for a moment, even when the other apologised... what was he meant to do? He felt himself being swept up all too quickly by Jeremy's charms... and despite knowing that the guy didn't do relationships... Dante couldn't help but wonder how things could be if he did.... NO! He shouted at himself, looking away from Jeremy for a moment... he couldn't afford to think like that. That was the quickest way to get hurt.

But his melancholy didn't last for long when he felt his hand captured before being tugged... "To your house!" All he could say was... "Em... ok...." Before going along with things. It surprised Dante that Jeremy remembered the way, after all he had only been there once... and from that he probably only had the leaving trip that he could actually remember considering he was out of it. Was this some sort of habit they were developing?

Suddenly Dante felt as if he needed to get away from the guy, being around him like this... with his attention, teasing words and soft mannerisms.... well, it was almost enough to make Dante melt. Believe in the possibility of something that could never be... Dangerous.

When they finally arrived Dante fumbled with his key, having to stop once to take a breath before trying again. Why did he feel nervous? And why did he suddenly feel very sober......? Stepping into the now open apartment Jeremy took off his coat, hanging it over his single armchair before placing his briefcase beside it. He had taken his tie off earlier in the evening since he hadn't wanted to be overly formal.

"This place looks a lot different with the lights on," Dante looked around, so many memories.... some happy some good. But he tried not to think about it, instead he simply smiled. "I will take that as a compliment?" He chuckled a little nervously again, running a hand through his hair. "So, thanks?" Though in the end he posed it more as a question than a statement.

His thoughts were shattered soon though, "Stay out of the kitchen!" "Huh?" He blinked, before remembering what Jeremy was planning... cooking dinner. He wandered over to the kitchen unit, but stayed on the side of the living room since he had been instructed not to enter... still, he leaned on the counter and watched Jeremy. "I'm going to prove to you that even I can't screw up macaroni and cheese! Even when I'm tipsy!" He smiled at him, resting his head on his hands as he leaned on the counter to watch. "We shall see...." He teased.

Part of Dante was surprised at how much fun Jeremy seemed to be having, and as he watched... despite the mess... he was rather enjoying it. Kyle had never cooked for him, mostly because the guy couldn't cook to save his life. So yeah, this was rather nice. He felt a little of his glow return now that he had relaxed... and man, the smell was so tempting... it took all of Dante's strength not to wander around the counter, grab Jeremy's hand holding the spoon and bring it to his own mouth to taste it. His stomach growled as if it too liked that idea. The kitchen was rather a mess when the other had finished, and despite being told not to enter he decided to help clean up, especially since it meant they could eat quicker.

Now with the bowl of food before him Dante looked down at it, it looked different to how it looked when he made it, but not in a bad way... and it really did smell delicious. He brought the spoon slowly to his mouth, sucking off the contents as a contented grin covered his features. Finished with his first spoonful he looked over at Jeremy. "Ok... so you actually did good." He chuckled a little; he hadn't suspected that Jeremy would have been able to cook, not that he really knew much about the guy.... and ok, so this was just mac and cheese but from the skills Jeremy had demonstrated he was pretty sure he was good at cooking more advanced things too. Tilting his head a little he decided to tease him a little more though; "Though only an idiot could really get mac and cheese wrong." With that he started to eat again, and soon it was all gone.

Once they were finished, Dante took both the bowls to the sink and started to clean them. While he did he called over; "Would you like a drink?" The dishes didn't long to finish, and already Dante was grabbing himself a glass of water while he waited to see if Jeremy wanted anything. "Oh...." He said, taking a sip of his water, "....I forgot to say thank you." He smiled softly, "For putting up with me... despite all the trouble I've caused." He leaned on the counter, only then noticing the photo frame with Kyle's picture in it.... without thinking he picked it up without looking and tossed it in the bin. Yep, he felt so much better for doing that... and showed it by bursting into laughter.

Dante chuckled, no he didn't think that Jeremy was an idiot... far from it actually, especially after seeing him at work for a few days. It was clear that Jeremy knew his stuff, and his reputation had actually been part of the reason why Dante had applied for his department.... not that he would ever reveal that little secret now.

"Maybe I'm cutting you too much slack at work," Dante gawped a little at the guy for that, "No way, you're a total slave driver." He said with a pout. He held his spoon out towards the guy, "Did you not see all that paperwork you dumped on my desk today?" He smiled a little though, Dante didn't mind too much... though it had been a bit of a shock given how easy things had been the first two days in term of workload.

"Trouble?"

Dante shrugged slightly, not really wanting to discuss this. After all, he had promised not to bring up their original argument... but on top of that he had thrown in so much other drama that he couldn't help but feel guilty.

I should have done that a long time ago. He thought, looking at the bin for a moment before sipping some more of his water, his laughing finally starting to subside and he went to turn towards Jeremy and the sofa when the guy appeared before him. He stared at him a moment, before smiling... that was until he did the last thing Dante would ever have expected.... he kissed him. Nothing long or overly passionate... but a kiss no the less. A soft look of shock spread across his features, even if he had kissed the guy back.

He looked over at the other, not sure what to make of the action.... it felt nice, but he really couldn't read into Jeremy's motives beyond the physical. "You're welcome," He smiled softly over the guy, feeling an urge to reach for him... to just hold him... maybe even kiss him back, and the only way he stopped himself was by holding his own hands together. "What do you want from me?" He asked the other, his tone quiet. An almost desperate longing to be something more than just a memory to the guy.... a desire to replace all that had ever come before him.... but who was he kidding? That would never happen... and for that reason, for the safety of his heart, he looked away until his gaze was settled upon his water.... even as he whispered that he would likely accept anything this guy didn't want from him Great, now he wanted to cry.

"Can I sleep in your bed tonight?" Wow, that had been the last thing that Dante had been expecting the guy to say.... but the way Jeremy said it gave Dante the distinct impression that he was trying to avoid what he had asked.... in itself an answer. Jeremy didn't want anything from Dante. He had known that all a long... but still.... he wasn't sure why he cared so much.

Trying his best to appear unaffected he smiled softly while listening to Jeremy's 'excuse' and 'offer'. "I'll make you pancakes tomorrow if you let me," He shook his head, "You don't have to keep bribing me with food you know." He stepped away then, "You can do as you wish. I don't mind sharing so it's not a problem." Turning softly he made his way towards the bathroom. "Excuse me a moment, mother nature calling." He said with a soft chuckle, though the sound was slightly less natural than earlier... and with that he snook into the ensuite and locked the door. Dante didn't actually need the toilet, he just needed a moment to himself. Leaning against the door he covered his eyes with his forearm and tried to just think.

After catching his composure he walked over to the toilet and flushed it before running the tap at the sink, wetting his hands and then drying them.... he may as well make it sound and look convincing. Exiting the bathroom he called to Jeremy, not sure where he was now, "Do you want me to lend you some pyjama bottoms? You can have a tee-shirt too if you want. Though they will probably be short on you..." Jeremy never usually slept with a top on, finding them far too constricting, and in all honesty he rather enjoyed sleeping naked though that was out of the question tonight. No matter how 'innocent' the offer.