(A/N): Holy wow, this chapter is just... wow. I highly, highly recommend listening to a dark academia or royal core playlist as you read this, it adds a whole new level of softness. I'm sitting here shaking, sobbing into my hand because... I think I've genuinely created my best work yet. 

Mixed laughter broke the silence in the air like a teacup being shattered, joyous and boisterous and much, much too loud. It was the kind of laughter that sent birds flying from power lines, that had mothers sending you confused looks, that had people buying midnight coffee's glaring and glowering at the two inconsiderate high school kids in the corner booth. The sun had long, long since gone to sleep, far below the horizon to light the other cities on the Earth for a change- in its wake was a shining silver moon peeking timidly out from the dark, brooding storm clouds pressing in from every direction like a plague. The promise of rain or snow or a mixture of the two was almost indefinite, but tucked away in the artificial warmth of the Johnson Diner you and your English partner were unbothered by the thought of biking home in the ice cold. 

"That's bullshit, I don't believe that for a fucking second!" Tears were threatening to stream down Danny's face, his grin cheek-splitting and hysterical. Your own eyes were glossy, your breath coming short, your complexion a deep rose from the lack of air that laughter always seemed to bring with it.

"Well you'd better, because it's true! I 100% did win first place at my third grade talent show by dancing to the Alvin and the Chipmunks version of Uptown Funk. Dead serious." Again, Danny burst out into the laughter that you had come to absolutely adore. Somewhere between a breathless wheeze and something close to the maniacal laugh of a Disney villain, it was free-spirited and completely unlike the facade Danny wore at school. The sound of it sent you into your own fit, covering your face with your hands and leaning back in your seat. 

"That's- how? And why-" He couldn't get another word out, doubling over to rest his forehead on the table as his shoulders leaped up and down in the midst of their fight for breath. When he sat up again he wiped tears from his cheeks with the back of his hand and ran his fingers through his hair. "Jesus Christ," Danny breathed out as you cleared your throat to try and stop from joining his outburst all over again.

"My God," You said with one last  huff, arms dropping down onto the table and almost knocking over the cup of hot chocolate you'd been sipping at over the last hour or so. You found your gaze attracted to the window, staring at your reflection; it was crystal clear thanks to the total darkness enveloping the outside world. You looked happy, so happy, and you realized you were having more fun now with Danny Johnson than you had had in years and years of your life. The last... who knows how many hours have been spent doing a mixture of light work and getting distracted, goofing off and sharing stories and staying at this diner for way too long. "What time even is it?" You ask with a chuckle, turning to dig around in your bag as your composure finally returned to you. Your chest was burning with a pleasant pain, your head spinning and light. Danny was a riot once he let his guard down. Finding your phone and pulling it from your backpack you clicked it on to see not only the time- holy fuck, it was almost 3 in the morning- but nearly a hundred texts from a mixture of different people. "Shit," you curse, and Danny, still smiling, rests his head on his arms and lets out a curious hum.

"What's up, sweetheart? Past your bedtime?" 

"No, fuck, I just didn't tell my dad I was working on the project tonight. He's probably called the damn police on me," Of course the statement is a bit of a hyperbole but you're certain he's at least nervous to some degree. Unlocking your phone, you clicked on your text messages and went straight to his contact, momentarily ignoring the texts from your friends that have piled up both within the groupchat and out. "Just a sec," You mumbled, and quickly skim through the messages. 

(A/N): Don't mind me changing the text format because I like this one better lmao

Old Man
Wut do u want for dinner

Old Man
Is lasagna ok?

Old Man

No? Wut abt tacos then

Old Man
Gee talk abt the cold shoulder

With a light roll of your eyes and an amused huff you scroll a ways, ignoring all the dinner questions to instead get to the part where he thinks you've been murdered or kidnapped or kidnapped and then murdered. 

Old Man
WHERE R U DO I NEED TO CALL POLICE

Old Man
YOU'D BETTER ANSWER THE PHONE RIGHT NOW CHILD OR I WILL JUST NOT BOTHER TEXTING ANYMORE

Old Man
Alright then, I guess that's how it is

Old Man
Enjoy being kidnapped I have a painting to finish

That last text was sent over two hours ago; your father would probably still be awake, he liked to get lost in his art. It was nice that he wasn't genuinely afraid for you- at least, you didn't think he was- so you quickly tap back a reply just to put any little bits of anxiety at ease.

You
Yo just got out of the white van I only lost two fingers dw

You
But fr I'm okay, just at a diner w the english project guy. Lost track
of time but I'll be back soon I think

"The English Project Guy?" You jump, not having noticed Danny appear at your side, leaning into the booth to read over your shoulder. "I thought I was more to you than that," He says, wiping an invisible tear, and then he starts to bat at your shoulder to get you to scoot down. With a reluctant huff you comply, and he plops down into the seat next to you to read your messages even better.

"Nah, as soon as I get my 100 on this project I'm never talking to you again," You tease back, and exit your messages with your father to check the rest of the ones you'd received. 

"Wow, how rude," Danny presses the back of his hand to his forehead like a damsel in distress, though his antics are quickly forgotten as he leans in even closer to poke his nose where it doesn't belong. You can suddenly smell the scent of him, mint and vanilla, and you smile to yourself. You click on your most recent text, one from Norman.

Norman
Just checking on you again, it's been a while. You still doing alright?

Norman
(Y/N)? Are you there?

Norman
Hello? Do I need to be worried for you? Michael says you haven't responded to him either. Brahms says we shouldn't worry and that the two of you are probably just 'boinking'. What does that mean?

Danny let out a bark of laughter at that one.

Norman
Oh. Michael told me.

Norman
Please tell me you're okay. You haven't answered any of us since you left and we're worried you're hurt. I knew I shouldn't have trusted you to go with him alone.

"Gee, does this kid ever stop worrying?" Danny scoffs playfully and you elbow him before going to respond.

You
Hey, sorry, I had my phone on silent and lost track of time. Didn't
mean to startle you or anything! I'm all good here, having a blast,
getting lots done. We're finished any minute now.

"A blast, huh?" Danny said with a flattered grin, warm and affectionate. "Well, I'm glad I'm keeping you enter-" He paused halfway through to stretch his jaws wide in a yawn, and for the first time that night you realized the bags underneath his eyes. He looked absolutely exhausted. "-entertained. It's what I do best." 

"Awwwww, is wittle Daniew tiwed?" You mock, bumping him gently with your shoulder. With a nod of his head and a mischievous glint in his eyes he let his head fall onto your shoulder, leaning heavily into you. You giggle and let your head fall to rest on his in turn; his hair is soft, surprisingly so, almost like he used special product or had a special hair care routine. Neither option was a surprise to you. You responded to a few texts from Michael (mostly him threatening to kill Danny for you if need be- they were all funny to the boy, thank goodness), a bunch from Jason asking the usual questions of 'are you okay' etcetera, and then exactly three from Brahms that made your cheeks glow red. You hid it with a grin. 

Brahmsy
Hey bestie how's the hot boy

Brahmsy
Has he shagged you yet?

Brahmsy

Or more accurately did you shag him?

"Jesus-" You try to turn your phone away but it's too late, even with his eyes half shut Danny has still read and processed the vulgar language put forth by the heathen on the other side of your phone screen. 

"Oh my fucking God-"

"I'm so sorry I don't know why he would ever say something like-"

"What an icon! Gimme the phone, give it!" Despite your fear Danny is grinning, he's not weirded out or disgusted or anything like that. Instead, he seems to be full of energy once more as he leaped to steal your phone away and moved so quickly that he managed it. He leaped to his feet as you let out a startled cry, jumping out after him as he shot you one last grin before booking it towards the bar counter.

"Danny! Give it back you ass-" You shut your mouth as a three am coffeeholic glares in your direction, offering an awkward, apologetic smile before racing after him. He slinks behind the counter and barges through the swinging doors that lead to the kitchen. Despite that being basically illegal (or at least it felt like it was) you followed quick after and pushed through the doors all the same. The kitchen was nearly empty, Aurelia the only one currently on the creeper shift thanks to the limited amount of patrons, and her eyes shot up as the both of you entered with wide grins on your faces. 

"Kids!" She said, surprised, "What's going on here?" 

"Your son stole my phone! Give it back, I swear I'll-"

"You'll what, huh?" Danny grinned at you, moving so that the middle counter was in between you and him. Whenever you would move, he would move- fuck. 

"Daniel, behave yourself." Aurelia's words were essentially ignored, and the smile on her face told that she though the whole situation was too funny to intervene. 

"What do you even want with it, dick? Uh- mind my language, Mrs. Johnson." You took three fast steps to the right and Danny matched them perfectly, his grin only widening. He began to dart his gaze between you and the phone screen, typing something. 

"Please, call me Aurelia. It's not a problem. I'm almost done here and then-"

"What's it to you what I want with you phone?" 

"I'll lock up and you'll both have to head-"

"It's my phone, jackass! Give it back!"

"Home for the night. I hope you got everything done." Aurelia spoke right over you and her son as you bickered, finishing drying the last dish in the sink before untying her apron and hanging it on the hanger beside her. 

"Sure thing, Momma, I've just gotta..." He was typing fast. You had to move at that same speed. 

"Sorry Aurelia!" You quickly bark out and then you leap up onto the counter and run right across it like a neanderthal, shoes and all. Danny is so stunned by your sudden action that he doesn't even have time to react as you go to hop off the counter and steal your phone back, but your feet tangle together and you let out a yelp as you go tumbling forwards. This is strangely reminiscent of another event or two, but your mind is suddenly moving so fast that you can't dwell on it. 

"Woah, shit!" Danny curses and races the last pace forwards to catch you. The weight and momentum mixed with his lack of energy make for a poor trio, and he stumbles back a few steps until he collides with the back counter- but, the good thing is, you haven't cracked your head open. "What the hell were you thinking?" He hisses as he helps you stand upright again, concern written over every feature. "You could've gotten yourself killed you idiot-"

"Daniel, hush. You saved them, that's all that matters." Both you and Danny turn to look at Aurelia, who is wiping down the counter you'd walked over once again. Her gaze locks with yours and she quirks a brow as a silent signal. "After all, I don't know how many times you have nearly fallen off these counters." As she began her lecture, Danny watching in a still-shocked state, you took it upon yourself to subtly locate your cell phone. It had been hastily tucked away into the pocket of his leather jacket, and with Aurelia so perfectly distracting him you could totally pull this off. In one quick movement your hand shot into his pocket and pulled your phone right out. You let out a triumphant 'aha!' and went sprinting away again, Aurelia cutting herself off with a laugh. 

"No, you little-" Danny was chasing you again and now you were the one trying to keep away. Aurelia left the room muttering one quick thing about staying off the counters this time, but she was quickly ignored as you booked it for the employee exit door and threw all of your weight against it. "Stop! I'll catch you, and when I do you won't be happy!" Alas, you were already breaking out into the cold October air. It was freezing, to be entirely honest, and in the few minutes you'd been in the kitchen the sky above began to cry and down came a heavy sheet of icy sleet. The sparse streetlights lit the growing puddles orange and your hair and clothes were rapidly glued down to your body. Your smile returning once more you continued on forwards, not knowing where exactly you were running to. Throwing a quick glance over your shoulder you spotted Danny hot on your tail with his own smile on his face- he was no more than ten feet behind and gaining quickly. Putting an extra burst of speed into your step, you pulled ahead for one more second before your already-tired lungs began to beg for air and you slowed once more. 

It was only a few more moments before arms were wrapping around your waist, two different laughs blending with the pounding of the rain. As your feet were lifted from the ground and you were spun in a smooth, quick circle, your heart flipped and your veins lit aflame as a realization settled pleasantly in the center of your mind. Danny slowed and set you down again. You quickly spun around to face him, still grinning, and without realizing you were doing it you pulled him into a hug. The feeling of his wetted leather jacket was unpleasant and cold, but your heart warmed you enough to stick through it.

"Gotcha," Danny gasped out through his panting breaths, just as exhausted as you. You pulled back after a moment and stared up at him. In the soft, almost nonexistent orange glow of the lamps surrounding the diner, he looked angelic. His hair was plastered to his forehead, his eyes glowing like melted gold. His cheeks had a rose tint while the rest of his face was pale due to the cold. You slipped your phone into your back pocket and just continued to stare. Suddenly, an idea rose to your mind like something floating up from the rippling waves of the sea, a fantasy you'd always adored but never seen as realistic. Now, with the rain pouring and a man that you were definitely falling for right in front of you, you decided, fuck it, why not?

"Would it be weird if I asked you to dance with me?" for a moment Danny just stares, and then his smile melts into something of soft adoration. Without answering or giving you a chance to put on music with your phone, he reached for your hand and laced your fingers with his own. His other hand settled itself on your waist, you arm resting over his shoulders. With no rhythm other than the seething of the rain and the thumping of your shared heartbeat, Danny's feet began to move, and yours moved with them. It was a simple waltz, just like the one Brahms had taught you on the evening of the party. Just like the one you had been learning when Danny had come downstairs with Chrissy Vaughan. Well, look at you now, dancing slowly in the rain with the boy of your dreams, not even bothering to hold back your tears of joy since the rain on your face hid them perfectly. After a moment, you found your head falling forwards to rest against his chest, his cheek on the top of your head. You could feel his breathing, the rise and fall, and before you knew it you had stopped dancing all over again and his arms were holding you close.

"(Y/N)?" Danny asked, his voice soft, almost drowned out. You nod into his chest for him to continue. "I..." His voice dies. You're left to wonder. His heart beats thirty times before he moves again, and this time he's loosening his hold around you and moving a single step away. Soaked through to the skin, you move to look at him in his glowing eyes again but he beats you to it, gently taking your chin between two fingers to guide you there instead. In this very moment, you feel so many things and can't name a single one; you feel like crunching Autumn leaves and sitting on a rooftop under starlight, like falling asleep on a porch swing in front of a rainbow sunrise. You feel soft, dark yellow and matte bronze paint and bold, slow strokes across a blank canvas, like a bird flying home after winter. You feel like a decrepit castle overgrown with plants and life, shattered stained glass windows and old, molding books. It's perfect. "Can I..." Danny swallows, blinking slowly, sluggishly, water beading in his long lashes. "Can I... kiss you?" You can't speak, you find, so as your lips fall open and nothing comes out you turn to nodding dumbly instead.

 Danny's hand moves from holding your chin to resting on your cheek, the surface of his thumb brushing over your cheekbone. His other hand comes up to brush a lock of hair from your eyes and then it's really happening, his lips are on yours and the butterflies in your chest are turning to gold. Your eyes fall shut and your arms move up to rest around his neck, holding him closer. The taste of mint and vanilla is so strong, so warm, like rays of sun kissing the delicate petals of a flower, deep pink and soft beige and midnight cappuccino with whipped cream. His lips are soft, fitting perfectly with yours- your mind is filled with the image of an eclipse, the moon slotting right in the sun's open arms. You begin to feel breathless, like drowning in starlight, and that's when you know that soon, this kiss will end. You press even closer, late-night snowdrifts and warm hearts contrasting cold noses, running away from a dark past with the hand of your bright future locked within your own, hanging vines and towering trees and untouched wildlife and drizzling rain. Only when your lungs are crying out for air do you separate at once, your eyes staying shut and your forehead moving to rest against Danny's own. The taste of him remains strong on your lips and now you're more lightheaded than ever. You can't find it in you to speak, you can't risk breaking this delicate moment, so instead, you just stand there in his arms as he stays in yours. The golden butterflies in your stomach settle, emitting a soft warmth the runs through your veins like heated honey, all the way to your fingertips, the tips of your toes. 

You don't know how long you stand there in the pouring rain, but you know it wasn't long enough.

*

*

*

*

*

(A/N): 

This book is, sadly, going to reach its crescendo soon and then it'll have to start wrapping up. I'd guess there will be another 10 chapters or so (which really is quite a few if you think on it) and then I'll be starting a new one. I have some really good ideas but I want you guys to help make the final decision.

I think I've settled on a Brahms x Reader next. I love him so much and I've been meaning to write one for a while now. The thing I'm currently tied between are these two amazing ideas and I want you all to be the ones who decide.

A) A mafia AU where Brahms is a big bad mafia boss and you just happen to stumble through a series of events that gets you tangled up in his work

B) A kingdom AU were Brahms is a snotty prince and you help to tame him, falling in love in the process.

C) A kingdom AU were you are the royalty and Brahms is a no-good thief who worms his way into your life for riches but ends up not being able to stay away from you and your golden heart.

Cast your vote, friends, and propose your own ideas if you have any. Your opinion matters, and so do you.