Work Text:
Dan had been organizing some files when he heard a familiar voice behind him.
"Ah, Deputy, I've been looking for you." Dan didn't look up, keeping his eyes on the manila folders in his hands, but he knew who it was. Only one one person called him 'Deputy.'
"James, I-" He stopped abruptly as he turned around and saw James' bangs covering almost all of his face, the usual reddish tint to his hair had was also gone.
"Woah, James. Growing your hair out?" Dan joked. "Haha, vey funny," James said dryly. "I actually need someone to help me dye and cut it," He explained.
"Last time I did it, it was so uneven people started poking fun of it online" He seemed to grit his teeth as he recalled the memory. They stood silent for a moment as Dan formulated a response.
"But why me?" He eventually asked. "Abigail would be much better at this hair stuff than I am."
James sighed. "I already asked Abigail, she said I should grow it out and stop dying it entirely." He paused briefly, staring at the ground to avoid eye contact with Dan.
"You're really the only one I can ask," He mumbled.
Hearing that made Dan realize that James didn't have any other friends. He felt bad for him, though he did wonder why James didn't just go to a hair salon.
"I have all the stuff at my flat," James said, interrupting Dan's train of thought. "You could come over after you're done here?" James asked.
Dan contemplated the offer for a minute then shrugged. "Sure," He said." "I don't have anything else to do."
James thanked Dan and left the station, probably going back home to get ready.
Dan got into his car after his shift had ended, and he had changed clothes. He was grateful it was a rather slow day so he didn't have to keep James waiting long. He drove to the address that James had given him and realized it was the first time he was going to James house.
He parked on the gravel and walked up the stairs until he reached the top and knocked on the door. He was waiting in silence for a bit until he heard muffled curses after what he thought sounded like someone falling.
James answered the door with a towel draped around his neck, his hair falling on it slightly. He was wearing a t-shirt about two sizes too big and a pair of worn-out jeans, both of which looked to already have a fair amount of hair dye stains already.
James hair was damp and actually looked to be brushed for the first time since Dan had met him. His bangs were ticked behind his ears instead of in his face like they usually were.
Dan's heart skipped a beat as he looked upon James, a totally different James than the one he was used to seeing. Everything was different, except his face. His face was the same, dull eyes that seemed to barely reflect light, and a scowl that only seemed to let up when he and Abigail pieced together a case. Or whenever he insulted Dan, James always smiled when he insulted Dan.
James ignored Dan making a fool out of himself in his doorway by not talking and just staring at him in awe, and stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in.
"I've got everything ready in the bathroom, if you're ready," James told Dan once they were inside. "Uh, yeah," Dan responded.
James led Dan through the living room and Dan took note of all the empty pizza boxes and beer bottles strewn across the room as he walked past it and into the small bathroom.
Dan looked around to see hair supplies scattered about, some on the toilet and bathtub ledge, others discarded and empty on the floor.
Dan fidgeted in place as he stood awkwardly in the middle of the room.
"What am I meant to do?" He asked. James grabbed a pair of blue plastic gloves, multiple bottles of varying shades of brown and red hair dye, and a small plastic bowl.
He handed the items to Dan and let him put on the gloves before giving him any instructions. after many attempts and much confusion, James sat on the ledge of the bathtub, Dan behind him.
First they had to bleach James' hair, which scared Dan a bit, but after reassurance from James, he was less nervous.
James tilted his head down, and Dan mixed the dye in the bowl. He then began applying it the the ends of James' hair.
As Dan stood there, he realized how many questions he tried and failed to ask James in the past, James either not answering or just walking away, he thought now might be his only opportunity. Although James could still not answer, at least he couldn't abruptly leave this time.
Dan inhaled. "James," He started.
"Hmm?" James responded, keeping his head down.
Dan paused, struggling to find the courage to ask. "Deputy?" James asked, tilting his head to Look at Dan. "I'm not a-" Dan sighed.
"You're living room has a lot of-"
"Oh, those?" James interrupted. "Those are pretty old, just haven't had the time to clean up."
Dan relaxed and sighed, relieved, though he didn't quite know why.
"Were-were you worried, Deputy?" James asked, turning almost all the way around. Dan's face flushed and he gently pushed James' head back the other way. James chuckled and Dan felt he could die in peace now.
All his achievements were suddenly outweighed by making James Hunter laugh. All his goals replaced with the sole desire to make James laugh every chance he got.
"Though I don't see why," James said. "You know I drink." James looked at Dan once more. "Yeah, well I guess it's different when you drink in public rather than in your flat, alone, eating a whole box of pizza," Dan reasoned.
James shrugged. "I suppose that's true..." He muttered.
"Plus," Dan said. "I care about you," He said quietly, and for the first time that day, James noticed the slight blush that crept on Dan's cheeks as he avoided James' gaze.
Dan glanced back at James and flinched when he saw that James was still looking at him. Dan's face went even more red, and he pushed James' head back down again. James cleared his throat and Dan sighed, going back to fixing James' hair. They sat in silence foe a while after that, awkwardly.
Dan walked in front of James, examining his hair at all angles, " How do I know when I'm done?" He asked. "Oh," James said.
He stood up without letting Dan back up which left them both flustered as they stood way too close for comfort.
"Sorry," James muttered as he slipped past Dan to look in the mirror. He inspected his hair to make sure it all looked good. Once he was done. he turned to Dan and gave a thumbs up which Dan smiled at and set the bowl and brush down.
"Okay," James announced. "Now we wait," He said. Dan nodded. "You don't have to stay," James told him.
"I gotta see how it turns out," Dan said. "To know if I should be a hair stylist instead of a police officer," he joked.
James shrugged. "Alright," He smiled. "How long will it take?" Dan asked. "Fifteen minutes?" James answered, a little uncertain. He grabbed his phone and set a timer.
Dan lifted his hand to his chin and sat on the ledge of the bathtub. "How's your latest case going?" He asked.
James groaned and leaned against the sink as he began to rant and complain about the current "paranormal" case they had.
"Abigail insists it's some vengeful spirit from some outdated folklore, but it looks like average petty theft," He rolled his eyes and glanced at Dan noticing how he seemed to be hanging on to every word even though he was only complaining about his job.
"How about you?" James asked.
Dan looked up at the ceiling to think. He shrugged. "Nothing really," he said. "The day was pretty slow, so I came straight here."
James sighed. "How about your hair?" He asked.
"My hair?" Dan repeated. "Do you want to dye it?" James asked.
Dan chuckled. "No," He said with a smile. "Abigail gave herself pink highlights while we were dating, and tried to get me to do the same, but nu-uh, no way," He snorted.
James walked toward Dan and lifted a piece of his hair. Dan's face flushed and he gasped silently. James let go and stood up straight. "Pink hair would look great on you," He said sarcastically. Dan frowned, his face still red.
Dan again, noticed James staring at him his eyes fixated on his own. "James-"
"Can-" James took a second, his fists clenched and his face slightly red.
"Can I kiss you?"
The question hung in the air for a second as Dan attempted to reign in his thoughts and be coherent.
"Huh?!" He blurted, his hand gripping the edge of the bathtub. "Right, right." James scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.
"I-I mean..." Dan started. " I guess that-" he paused. He looked at James, a serious look on his face. He nodded. James flinched at the subtle movement, his mouth hung slightly open.
Both of their faces flushed.
James put his knee on the bathtub and leaned toward Dan, both their hearts racing. James put his hand on Dan's cheek, Dan leaning into it.
"It's okay?" James clarified. Dan put his hand over the one on his cheek, he leaned forward and kissed James.
They were interrupted abruptly by a loud chiming noise. They both flinched and yelped. Dan covered his face with his hands and James went to silence his phone. They both stood still awkwardly.
"I have to wash this out now," James choked out.
"Right, right," Dan said, muffled by his hands. He stood up quickly and made his way out of the bathroom.
"Thank you, Dan," James said as Dan walked past him. Dan took his hands off his face and turned to respond. His face was bright red and he avoided eye contact with James. "Anytime." Dan rushed out of the room and James shut the door.
Dan slumped against the door and put his knees to his chest. He focused on the noise of the shower running to keep him grounded. He took deep breaths and laid his head against the door.
He closed his eyes, starting to drift off to sleep. His day at work was slow, but that doesn't change that the day before wasn't, he had planned to go home and collapse into bed, but then James...
Dan blinked and the next thing he knew, he fell backwards onto the small rug in James' bathroom, looking up at James himself.
He stammered looking up at James looking down at him. "Deputy?" James asked. Dan blinked, again almost falling asleep, trying to keep himself awake.
"'m fine," He mumbled. He stood up and almost fell forward. James flinched and put his arms out, ready to catch him. Dan put his arm out to assure James he was fine.
He rubbed his eyes with his hand and finally looked at James' hair. He reached to ruffle it until he retracted his arm realizing that might be weird.
"It looks nice," He told James. James nodded in gratitude as he put his hands on Dan's shoulders leading him to the couch and sitting him down.
"James, I'm fine, I just had a bit of rest after going so long without it, I'll be fine if I just keep moving." James then tossed a blanket over Dan.
"James-"
"You should rest, at least an hour," James said. Dan shook his head and tried to get up, only to stand up and immediately fall on the couch from exhaustion. James gave him a knowing glare.
Dan sighed. He closed his eyes. And fell on his side, now laying down on the couch. James started to walk away before he heard Dan speak.
"Can you stay?" He asked quietly. James sighed as he sat in a chair near the couch. He grabbed the book that was sitting on the coffee table, a layer of dust caked over the cover, and started reading.
It was dark when James woke up, hearing Dan silently crying. James ran over to the couch where Dan was sitting up, blanket wrapped around him as he hyperventilated and tears streamed down his face.
"The-the-" he stammered. "The river," He whispered. James's heart sank, 'the river' he thought. "Dan, I need you to breathe," James said calmly, pulling down the hood the blanket had made over Dan's head.
Dan continued breathing heavily as he reached for James and gripped his arm tightly. James sat on the couch next to Dan. "Dan, you're not at the river, you're here in my living room on my couch," James assured Dan.
Dan's breathing slowed as he started to calm down. He sniffled and though he wasn't in a state of panic, he was still crying.
James put his arm across Dan's shoulders as Dan wrapped himself in the blanket trying to hide his face. He was a mess, snot running down his nose and his eyes filled with tears.
He didn't want James to see him cry so openly, though James had already seen him cry when Abigail forced them all to binge a bunch of old Disney movies, one hour later and Dan was bawling.
"Dan," James said, pulling the blanket off of Dan's face. "How long has this been happening?" Dan looked up at James, a puppy-like expression on his face.
Dan sniffled again, taking a moment to consider his words. "Pretty much since everything happened, I think," He said. "Is it like this every night?" James asked. "Not every night, but pretty frequent." James grimaced.
Dan sighed. "It's not a big deal though," He said, laying his head on James's chest. "I'm sorry for waking you up," he started. "And getting snot all over your blanket." James leaned against the arm of the couch, now laying down, Dan still resting on his chest. He put his hand on Dan's head. James sighed. "It's fine, I'd rather you be crying on my couch than alone at home."
Dan tilted his head to look at James and nf they exchanged smiles. Dan closed his eyes, preparing to sleep. "Can I just...stay like this for a bit?" He asked. James ruffled Dan's hair and closed his eyes, "Of course you can," He told him.
Dan fell asleep first, and James was left trapped, leaving him nothing else to do but fall asleep too.
Dan woke up to birds chirping and the sun shining through the window. He opened his eyes slowly to see James, his face directly in the ray of sunshine, illuminating his features.
Dan's face flushed as he remembered where he was and what had transpired the day before. He got up slightly and realized James' hand was still on his head.
He silently squealed in embarrassment, accidentally causing James to wake up. He blinked slowly. "You okay?" He asked. Dan nodded, his face bright red. James ruffled Dan's hair subconsciously, barely awake and slowly drifting back to sleep.
"Oh, shit," He said as he startled awake. He grabbed his phone off the coffee table, checking the time. Dan sat up and rubbed his eyes. "Late for meeting Abigail?" He asked. "I will be soon, but I can stay for a bit." Dan blushed. James stretched and cracked his back. "Um, James," Dan said. "You know, I really like you."
James sat still on the couch as he glared at Dan.
"I kissed you yesterday," He said in a flat tone. Dan's face turned bright red. He hid his face with his hands.
James stood up and looked at himself in disgust, realizing he had fallen asleep in the same clothes he dyed his hair in.
James turned to Dan and kissed his forehead, making Dan blush more.
"I really like you too," He said sweetly. Dan lowered his hands and looked at James. "I have to get ready for work," James told Dan. There was a moment of silence. "Are we going to the same place?"
James shrugged after thinking for a moment. "Petty theft?" He asked. Dan nodded and stood up eagerly with a big smile. "Want a ride?" He asked. James smiled. "Sure," He said. "Deputy. " James walked away to get dressed and tried to wake himself up.
Dan walked to the door and put on his shoes. James walked out of his bedroom, dressed and ready for work. They both walked out of the apartment and James locked the door behind them.
And when Abigail saw James and Dan arrive at a crime scene in the same car, they were subjected to many questions from her.