A/N: Heyy. Last chapter here. Just tying up the loose ends. Mainly fluff. Oh and smut. Thank you for all the lovely reviews. I adore you all and I'm going to miss you now that this story is over *sad face*.

There has been a question about a sequel. I really don't think there will be one. I feel like there will be no need for it. But I do have other ideas so watch this space.

Oh and as a quick note: Link, who is briefly mentioned, is a video game character. He is the hero of the Zelda games. Not crucial but thought I'd let you know.

So that's it - Enjoy! :)

Chapter 12 – In Which There's Perfection In The Imperfection

'Mmm.'

That was how Darren woke up. With a moan on his lips.

'Awake, are we?' Chris said, his voice low and teasing.

It took Darren a moment to realise why he had even woken up. Then Chris' mouth was back on his dick and he knew why.

'Fuck, Chris' he breathed.

'Mmm OK' Chris said lazily, pressing a kiss to the head of Darren's cock, making him shudder. 'But the question is,' he moved up Darren's body so that he was face to face with him and smiling down at him. 'Do you want to fuck me or,' he pressed a kiss to Darren's cheek and then leaned to talk directly into his ear, 'shall I fuck you?'

'We should...' Darren said vaguely, pretty sure they were meant to be talking about something. But Chris was being very distracting, sucking kisses to his throat and chest. 'Chris' he murmured.

Abruptly he pushed, turning them so that Chris was on his back underneath him. He saw the brief flicker of panic in Chris' eyes. He knew Chris liked to be in control. He also knew that this wouldn't work between them if he couldn't give up that control every once in a while.

'Do you trust me?' Darren asked, breathlessly.

Chris looked up at him and then he slowly nodded. 'I do' he said and there was no trace of uncertainty in his face.

'Then let me take care of you.'

There was kissing, soft and sweet. And the slide of bodies, heated but slow like they had all the time in the world. And Chris opened up under Darren's fingers, making the most gorgeous sounds Darren had ever heard. Gasps and sighs and bit back moans.

'Don't hold back, baby' Darren whispered. 'Let go.'

And Darren slid into Chris' waiting body, gasping himself at the sudden, welcome heat. It was the first time he had really done this. He was used to Chris taking control.

He lingered for a moment, just enjoying the feel of Chris, tight around him. He leaned down to brush his nose against Chris' and Chris smiled serenely up at him.

'Ok?' Darren asked.

'I'm perfect.'

Then Darren started to move, slow and gentle. He pressed sweet kisses all over Chris' face, any part of him he could reach. One hand stayed solid and warm on Chris' hip, a constant reassuring touch.

'You're so beautiful' Darren said when Chris arched as Darren found the right angle and nudged up against his prostate. 'So, so gorgeous.'

'Stop talking and fuck me' Chris gasped, arching more, trying to get Darren to fuck him the way he needed it.

But Darren just laughed and kissed him open mouthed and messy. 'What was it you said before? About learning some patience?'

Chris groaned but it turned into a gasp when Darren slammed into him with a bit more force. And then he just rocked, quick thrusts that found Chris' prostate with every hit, sending sparks of pleasure shooting up Chris' spine each time. Chris melted under him, pleading and moaning and writhing and his cock twitched with every thrust.

'Darren, fuck. So good. So close' he gasped. His hand inched down but Darren batted it away.

'No' he growled. 'Just like this. Come on.'

Chris whined, pushing upwards, not finding the friction he needed. He was teetering deliciously on the brink of orgasm, his whole body coiled tight and hot and ready. 'Please' he begged, a bead of sweat sliding down his neck.

'Let go' Darren insisted. 'Come on, baby.'

And Chris did, coming with a shout, his vision going hazy and blurring out for a second and his back arching so violently that Darren was actually worried he had hurt himself. Darren made to pull out but Chris' hands found his hips, holding him there.

'No' he panted, sounding hoarse, looking completely wrecked and as gorgeous as Darren had even seen him. 'Keep fucking me.'

'But you've just...' Darren said stupidly.

'Don't care. I can take it. Come on. Fuck me harder.'

'You want more' Darren checked, his brain taking a while to catch up.

Chris nodded and pushed Darren off and out of him, actually groaning at the loss of Darren's hard cock inside him.

Chris got on to all fours and then smirked over his shoulder. 'Like this' he said and Darren's jaw dropped.

He just took a moment to drink in the expanse of smooth, pale skin of Chris' back before Chris grew impatient.

'Darren' he said. 'Are you gonna just look or are you gonna fuck me, already?'

'Definitely the second one' Darren said and he edged forward, pushing back in and holding on tightly to Chris' perfect hips. 'Fuck' he said. He was deeper than before; the angle was better and somehow it felt more intimate even though he wasn't looking into Chris' face anymore. He was desperately close to coming himself but this was about Chris and he wanted Chris to come again first.

'Hard' Chris muttered. 'Fast. Give it to me. I won't break.'

Darren obeyed, using his grip on Chris' hips to pull him back hard and fast in time to his thrusts. He lost track of time for a while, just aware of the slick slide of their bodies and every pleasured gasp and moan that came out of Chris' mouth. He realised that Chris was pressing himself backwards even without his guidance, getting as much as he could and his dick twitched at the thought.

Chris moaned, deep and low and he collapsed forward, putting his head in his arms and widening his legs and just took it. Everything that Darren would give him, hard and rough and at complete odds from the gentle face to face they had just moments before.

Chris closed his eyes, losing himself in the feeling of being screwed stupid. Hard and deep and perfect. He twisted enough so that he could catch Darren's lips in a messy kiss, more teeth and tongue than anything else.

'Fuck you love this, don't you?' Darren realised and he leant forward to trail kisses down Chris' spine.

'Yeah' Chris gasped shamelessly. 'Fucking love it like this. Feels so good. Fuck.'

'Chris' Darren gasped because he was so close. Everything was hot and so amazing and the heat was coiling deep in his stomach.

'Not yet' Chris panted. 'A bit more Darren.'

Darren reached down and found Chris' cock with his hand. Chris moaned loudly and seemed torn for a moment between pushing into his hand or pushing back on to his cock. That was too much for Darren. He slammed in deep, biting into Chris' shoulder to muffle his shout as he came.

'Fuck, fuck, fuck' he nearly sobbed. 'You are so fucking hot.'

'Darren' Chris said tightly and Darren knew he was close. A few pumps of his fist and Chris came, almost silently this time, sagging back down onto his arms.

They both just lay there, panting for a few long minutes until Chris squirmed under Darren's body and he took the hint, pulling out and rolling to the side. To his surprise Chris snuggled into him.

'Hi' Chris said, smiling and giving him a sweet, lingering kiss.

'That was some wakeup call' Darren muttered, reaching out and pushing some errant strands of hair behind Chris' ear.

'I woke up and you were laid out next to me half naked and entirely irresistible. What's a guy to do?' Chris said.

Darren bit his lip. 'Chris. We need to talk.'

Chris sighed but didn't pull away or flinch back or close off in any of the ways Darren had expected. 'I suppose we do' he agreed. 'After a shower though, huh?'

'Alright.' Darren reluctantly let Chris go so that he could stand up. Darren watched Chris cross the room, entirely distracted by the sultry sway of his hips. When Chris got to the bathroom he turned, feigning surprise.

'Well? Aren't you coming?'

'Seriously? All ready? You're insatiable.'

'Only for you, baby' Chris smirked and disappeared into the bathroom.

Darren scrambled to follow.

'So' Darren was pacing. 'We... That is to say you and I...' He stopped. Admittedly he had no fucking clue what he was trying to say. He just knew that he didn't want to ruin this. Whatever this currently was.

'Darren will you sit down? You're making me feel nervous' Chris said. He looked almost serene in comparison to Darren's clear agitation, but Darren could see the way his fingers were picking at a loose thread in the couch and the way his eyes wouldn't quite settle on anything. He found it almost soothing to see that Chris was nervous too. Because that meant that this was important to both of them.

'Right' Darren said and sat down next to Chris, not quite touching him. 'So what is this?' he said, the question slipping out before he had a chance to get a grip on it. And then, guessing it couldn't hurt any more, he added, 'Because I don't want this to be just a sex thing.'

'I don't want that either' Chris said quietly. He sighed, scrubbing a hand across his face. 'I hope you know what you're getting yourself into. With me, I mean.'

'I have some idea' Darren said drily, and he held out a hand, smiling when Chris took it and threaded their fingers together without hesitation.

'Because it's... going to be hard. Probably. I'm not very... I mean I'll promise I'll try but I don't really... you know?'

'Chris' Darren said gently. 'I'm well aware of what I'm getting myself into. It is going to be hard. All relationships are. All I ask is that you give it a chance.'

'So you want that?' Chris whispered. 'A relationship with...me?'

'Of course I want that' Darren surged forward and gave him the softest and most fleeting of kisses. 'I love you.'

'I...' Chris said and then he stopped, shaking his head almost in frustration. 'Sorry, Darren.'

'It's ok' Darren soothed. He had seen the list. He knew how Chris felt and he wasn't going to force the issue. 'You don't have to say anything you're not comfortable with.'

'It's not that I don't... just... I have trouble verbalising things sometimes.'

'I know' Darren said simply. 'So?'

'What?'

'Chris Colfer' Darren said, mock grandly. 'Will you do me the greatest of honours of becoming my boyfriend?'

Chris laughed fondly. 'Hmm... I suppose so' he smiled.

'You suppose so?' Darren laughed. 'You suppose so?' he dug his fingers into Chris' ribs, tickling him.

'Haha Darren, noo. I'm really ticklish' Chris giggled under Darren's hands, falling back onto the couch.

'I can see that' Darren said, grinning uncontrollably at Chris' giggles. He tickled him some more, hands becoming more gentle and sliding up under Chris' shirt and across his ribs.

'Mmm' Chris hummed, smiling and leaned up to accept Darren's kiss.

'I like you like this' Darren murmured, lying down too, chin on Chris' chest.

'Like what?' Chris asked, absently playing with Darren's hair.

'All chilled out and happy. Where's this Chris most of the time?'

'I suppose...' Chris hesitated but his body stayed relaxed so Darren knew he wasn't upset by the question. 'I suppose I spend so much time putting up a front and keeping people at arm's length that not many people get to see it, that's all.'

'And why do you do that?' Darren muttered, his voice low so that Chris could choose to ignore the question if he wanted. To his surprise, and Chris was doing that a lot lately, he laughed.

'Always asking things, aren't you?'

'It used to annoy you' Darren said. 'Me asking you things. But now you don't seem too bothered.'

'I suppose boyfriends are allowed to ask questions' Chris said quietly and Darren practically glowed at the word.

'Mmm I could get used to hearing that' he said, shifting to look into Chris' face, still beaming like an idiot.

'That used to annoy me too' Chris said distractedly, still stroking his hair.

'What did?'

'You looking at me like that.'

'What? Like I've seen you naked?' Darren teased.

'No. You always look at me like I mean something' Chris said simply.

Darren was briefly staggered. 'You do' he whispered. 'You do to me.'

Chris blushed and looked down shyly. 'I suppose it's something else I'll have to get used to.'

They were quiet for a long time, just curled up together, warm and content.

'You never answered my question' Darren said drowsily. 'You're so good at evading.'

Chris chuckled softly. 'I don't think I've ever got away with evading you. I didn't want to let people in because I didn't want to be hurt. The age old story. But you got in anyway somehow, and I guess... the way I feel for you, I knew it was too late when I walked out on you that night.' Darren tensed at the memory and Chris resumed his soothing stroking of his hair. 'Because it already hurt. I didn't want to let you in but I didn't realise you were already there. It was too late to not be hurt by you because it hurt when you weren't there. You see?'

'Sort of' Darren muttered. 'I don't ever want to hurt you Chris.'

'I know. But...' It doesn't mean you won't went unsaid.

'I know' Darren said too as if Chris had completed the sentence. 'But I'll try.'

'And I'll try' Chris promised. 'I will.'

'So... looks like we're really doing this then, huh?'

Chris' hand found his again in an already familiar gesture.

'Yeah... looks like we are.'

The first time they walked onto set holding hands, there was something like an intake of breath. And then there were smiles and greetings and normalcy. Curt surreptitiously slipped Riker two twenties and couldn't even be too upset about it.

The world didn't end like Chris had foolishly been thinking. Thinking that the moment he exposed this to scrutiny it would all fall apart because it would be too delicate to take it.

But it wasn't. It was robust and sturdy like Darren. It would last, he thought. He didn't know how long but for once that didn't seem to matter. As long as it was happening now.

They weren't really living together (Darren wouldn't even dare bring up the idea) but Darren would spend a good deal of his free time in Chris' apartment. Unfortunately Chris' time, now spent working on his screenplay and his book, was not so free and Darren spent a good deal of time having to entertain himself.

Chris was amused to note that despite Darren's apparent hatred of the wii, he spent a good amount of time playing it and (it seemed) dying on it. He would work with his study door open, comforted by the muted sound of the TV and Darren moving around and the occasional shout of:

'For fuck's sake Link, get it together! How can you expect to live if you keep dying all the time?'

Or else Chris would come and sit on the couch with Darren, laptop on his knees and Darren would curl into his side with a book or just to doze, happy to have Chris close.

Other times Darren would bring his guitar. He had the intention to write some proper songs but he got bored easily, making up little songs on the spot:

'Ooh I'm sitting in Chris' lounge
Chris likes to work a lot
He promised we'll have dinner later
But I'd rather suck his co-'

'Darren! That doesn't even rhyme.'

'Do I get to suck your cock if I make something up that rhymes?'

'No. I mean yes. Just not right now. Stop talking about cock!'

Darren laughed but he fell quiet, just thumbing idly over the strings.

Chris liked it best when Darren would get caught up in a song and he would close his eyes and sing just for himself. Chris would stop what he was doing and would just listen and watch Darren, safe to observe without being watched in return. Sometimes he would whisper the words he still didn't have the courage to say out loud. He almost wished that Darren would hear them. But he never did.

'I want to take you on a date' Darren said. He often picked times like this to bring stuff up, when they were quietly entwined and Chris was relaxed and smiley and Darren thought it was impossible to love someone this much.

Chris shifted to look into his face. 'We do stuff together all the time' he said.

'A real one' Darren insisted. 'Our first official date. I want it to be special.'

'You're such a sap' Chris said, laughing slightly and he took Darren's hand, kissing the inside of his wrist.

'But you'll humour me, won't you?'

'Hmm ok. But no ice skating.'

Darren laughed. 'No ice skating' he agreed.

Darren lapsed into silence, thinking hard, taking what he knew of Chris and trying to find something worthy of a first date. He realised he was putting way too much pressure on himself because he wanted it to be perfect. He knew Chris preferred the simple over the extravagant and wasn't massively into the typically romantic stuff. So that ruled out picnics at sunset and the like. He was also a private person. They hadn't exposed their relationship to the public yet and had no plans to do so anytime soon. Dinner was too boring, a movie theatre not private enough...

'You're thinking very loudly' Chris teased.

'Just wondering the best way to spoil my boyfriend' Darren said.

'Mmm he's a lucky guy' Chris mumbled, curling his fingers under Darren's t-shirt and stroking the soft skin at his hip in a thoughtless, intimate gesture that made Darren smile.

'I'm the lucky one' he said, kissing Chris' nose. 'I love you.'

Chris just smiled.

In the end Darren brought the date to Chris.

'Cupcakes!' he announced happily, holding out a bag.

'Seriously? Awesome!' Chris made grabby hands.

Darren laughed and shook his head. 'The ingredients for. We have to make them first. It's phase one of my master plan.'

'Ooh ok. I like baking.'

'I know' Darren said, semi smugly and Chris laughed and gave him a quick kiss.

'Alright, Dare. You did good. Is that what you want to hear?'

Darren beamed. 'Always. Just one problem though. I have no idea how to make them.'

'Don't worry. I am a magician at cupcakes. I have got this well and truly covered.'

'My boyfriend. A man of many talents.'

'You know it' Chris laughed and kissed him again, more lingering this time. 'You, mister are far too adorable for your own good.'

Darren grinned and leaned in for more but Chris gently pushed him away with a laugh.

'Nuh uh. You promised me cupcakes.'

Darren was given the job of sifting the flour. Chris knew from experience that Darren, while not being quite as bad as he claimed at cooking, was not to be trusted with anything complicated. But Chris thought that even Darren couldn't mess up sieving flour. He was wrong.

'Um Chris' Darren said the moment Chris turned his back.

Chris turned around and then let out a snort of laughter. Darren had evidently tried to dump the whole lot of flour into the sieve at once and it had poofed up and covered him in a fine layer of the stuff. Darren stared back at him, looking so confused by this turn of events that Chris laughed even harder. Darren frowned for a moment and then grinned evilly.

'You think this is funny do you?' he asked with a wicked smirk. He picked up the bag filled with the remaining flour and promptly upended it over Chris's head. Chris flinched back but still got a face full and he coughed and spluttered indignantly. It was Darren's turn to laugh and he did, so hard that he had to cling onto the kitchen counter for support.

'This is war!' Chris yelled. He grabbed the icing sugar off the counter nearest him. Darren looked around wildly and grabbed the pack of butter on reflex. Chris pounced, sending up a cloud of icing sugar that covered them both in the fine white powder. Darren tried to break off some butter with his hands but wasn't getting very far with it so simply threw the whole block at Chris who side stepped it easily. There was a brief tussle for the icing sugar with Chris getting in some clever elbows, causing Darren to back off slightly.

Then Darren spied the eggs. Chris followed his eye line and his jaw dropped in horror.

'No Darren!' he shouted and they both leapt for the eggs. Chris was closer but Darren simply picked him up and turned around, depositing him in an ungainly heap on the floor. He grabbed the eggs and laughed.

'I've got you now' he said, hefting the eggs threateningly.

Chris scrambled away, laughing and grabbed a wooden spoon. 'Come on then' he challenged. The first two eggs missed completely. The third egg found its target and splattered quite spectacularly over Chris's chest. Chris managed to deflect the fourth egg with his spoon and watched as it sailed straight back and hit Darren in the face. Darren let out a brief grunt of pain and that was enough for Chris to abandon his spoon, pick up a kitchen towel and hurry to his side.

'Are you ok?' he asked, gently wiping the egg off Darren's face.

'Well don't I have egg on my face?' Darren quipped and Chris laughed. Then Darren pouted. 'I can't believe you hit me in the face.'

'You started it' Chris pointed out.

'Well maybe I'll be ok if...' Darren trailed off.

'If?'

'If you kiss it better' Darren said and grinned.

'I think I can manage that' Chris said. He pressed a soft kiss to the top of Darren's head, following it up with one to each of his cheeks and then the tip his nose, making Darren laugh. Darren twisted, making it clear where he wanted the next kiss to land. Chris took pity on him and allowed their lips to touch, gentle and teasing at first but then, as Darren pulled him closer, more firmly. Darren sighed happily as Chris pressed him up against the kitchen counter, allowing his hand to slip under Chris's shirt.

Chris pulled back slightly. 'You taste like flour and raw eggs' he frowned.

'So do you' Darren retorted and they both laughed before getting back to the important business of kissing. The kiss was just getting heated and Darren had managed to undo half of Chris's shirt buttons without him noticing when the doorbell rang.

They pulled away again and sighed in annoyance. Chris looked at Darren with vague horror. 'God we look a sight.' They were both absolutely covered in a mixture of flour and icing sugar; it was clinging to their clothes, skin and hair plus they both had egg dripping off them in sticky strands.

'You look like you have very bad dandruff' was Darren's helpful comment. Chris sighed and then dusted Darren off as best he could.

'Look go and see who it is' he said, shoving Darren towards the door as the bell rang again. Darren grumbled something along the lines of don't see why it should be me that has to answer the door but he went anyway, leaving Chris to do up his buttons and try and make himself look half way presentable. He flung the door open without bothering with the peephole and his face lit up.

'Ashley! How are you?' he opened his arms for a hug but Ashley understandably backed away looking concerned.

'Darren! You're here. And what the hell happened to you?' she exclaimed, vaguely horrified.

'Oh it's nice to see you too' Darren said feigning hurt.

'Don't try and turn this back on me. You're the one that looks like...' Ashley fought to find a good simile but words failed her and she settled for gesturing instead.

'Oh hi, Ash' Chris greeted her with a smile. 'Do come in.' He turned to lead the way into the flat.

'And why does Chris have white hand prints on his arse?' Ashley asked.

'Well you interrupted what was no doubt going to be very hot kitchen sex' Darren said honestly.

'Darren!' Chris shouted, flushing.

'Really?' Ashley asked with an unhealthy amount of interest.

'No no' Chris laughed nervously. 'We were um... baking. Cupcakes!'

'Uh huh. Well I was passing through and just wondered if you wanted to hang out, Chris. Go shopping or something. But... I can see that you're busy.'

Darren wrapped an arm around Chris' waist. 'You can go if you like. Cupcakes has been an unmitigated failure so...'

But Chris shook his head. 'Sorry, Ash. You know I normally would but it's our date day. Instead of a date night we are having a date day. And admittedly it's not going entirely to plan because I seem to have a boyfriend that is a five year old but still.'

'What does that make you?' Ashley joked.

'I try not to think about it' Chris said seriously.

'Well ok, boo. Call me though, yeah?' She kissed him on the cheek and left with a smile and a wave, leaving Chris and Darren to go back into the kitchen to survey the damage. They simultaneously froze in dismay. Chris' kitchen looked like a tornado and a snowstorm had done battle. Everything was covered in fine white powder courtesy of the flour and icing sugar, egg spatters on one of the cupboards, a chair that had been knocked over without either of them even noticing and various other ingredients littering the floor and surfaces.

'Doesn't look like we'll be making cupcakes' Darren said after a pause.

'No' Chris agreed. 'We used up all the ingredients. Never mind.'

'Urgh I'm sorry. This was supposed to be like a perfect date and I've kind of screwed it up.'

'Don't be silly' Chris said, pulling him into a hug. 'We had fun, didn't we? And any date is perfect with you.'

'Now who's the sap?' Darren laughed.

'Yeah but you love it' Chris said.

'I do' Darren admitted. 'I love you.'

'I know' Chris smiled and kissed him gently. 'Come on, let's get this mess cleared up.'

'Ok but then it's on to Phase Two!' Darren cried, his enthusiasm apparently not diminished by the failure of Phase One.

'Can't wait' Chris said drily.

Chris admittedly enjoyed Phase Two but he couldn't help teasing Darren a little bit.

'A fort, Darren? Really? I know I said you were five but...'

'It's conducive to the perfect date atmosphere' Darren insisted, arranging the blankets and cushions. It turned out he was a bit of a blanket fort perfectionist and it took a while to get everything arranged to his satisfaction.

He had bought them wine and a ridiculous amount of junk food and the newest Transformers movie. They curled up in the fort and around each other and watched the movie in contented silence, only making the odd comment.

'Tell me a good memory' Darren said when the movie was over and they were just entwined and talking softly about whatever came into their heads.

'Hmm... well once, not so long ago I was in this bar. And there was this guy. He had curly hair and golden eyes and he seduced me with his vast knowledge of Harry Potter and Star Wars.'

'Hey as I remember it, you were the one doing the seducing' Darren protested.

'Hey! Who's story is this? Anyway... I knew there was something about this guy. And he took me back to his place to show me his "Hogwarts Express". The next day I foolishly left him behind but do you want to know the happy part? He somehow found his way back to me. He calls it fate. I don't know if I believe in that stuff. But I do know that I'm glad that he did. Although sadly I haven't been able to get rid of him since' Chris said with a mock sigh.

'Hey!' Darren yelled and he rolled over so he was straddling Chris comfortably, pinning his hands to his sides. 'Want to try that again, Colfer?'

'Hmm' Chris seemed to consider. 'No' he grinned, slow and dirty. 'What are you going to do about it?'

'I'm sure I'll think of something.' Darren leant down to kiss him, slow and deep.

'I think I like dates' Chris sighed when he pulled away. 'I thought... well I thought you would want to go out out.'

'I thought about it' Darren admitted. 'But I know you like your privacy so...'

'Yeah not quite ready to take this public just yet' Chris said.

'One day though?' Darren asked.

'Mmm' Chris hummed. 'One day. Now are you going to do something while you're there or...'

Darren smiled and leaned in to kiss him again.

'For fucks sake Chris! I'm not asking you to fucking marry me. I just wanted to know if you wanted to meet my fucking family, that's all!'

'Why are you so angry? I said I'd think about it!'

'Because we both know that's your code for no' Darren said, frustrated. 'You always wriggle out of anything that might mean, oh I don't know, that we're actually committed to each other.'

'Now that's not fair. I let you tell our friends.'

'Wow' Darren said drily. 'Stop the presses! It was a month before you would even go on a date with me in public.'

'Yeah because of you, idiot! Do you know what being seen with 'the gay guy' will do for you?'

'And I told you I don't give a fuck!'

'Easy to say' Chris scoffed. 'You know why? Because you never think things through. You're so in the moment.'

'And that scares you, yeah I know. I think you think too much!'

'Look that's not even the point right now' Chris said. 'The point is we are committed to each other so why are you so desperate to prove it all the time?'

'Maybe because I fucking love you Chris. And I would actually like us to be in something resembling a normal relationship rather that whatever fucked up version you've got in your head. Maybe because I actually need the occasional sign that you are as in this as I am.'

'You fucking know I am, Darren!' Chris was getting angry as well now. 'You know I find this shit hard.'

'Boo fucking hoo. I think I've been more than patient, Chris. Maybe you need to grow the fuck up!'

'Oh fuck you, Darren. This is about the fact that I haven't said...' he paused. 'Isn't it?'

'Fuck. You can't even say it now out of context' Darren said. He sighed. 'It's not about that. But you seem to think it's an issue.' His eyes flashed with a challenge.

'Oh just... fuck off.'

Chris grabbed his coat and spun away, knowing that staying in this situation would just end in saying something he would most definitely regret. He never remembered fighting with Charlie like this. Maybe because you could only ever summon up this much anger and frustration at someone you really cared about.

'That's right, Chris. Walk away. Just like you always do' Darren said but he sounded more upset than angry now. And the minute the door slammed behind Chris he swore and sat down heavily on the couch, his head in his hands.

He found Chris where he expected too. Sat in the taxidermy aisle of the library.

'There's something quite poetic about it' Chris said when Darren sat down beside him.

'What?'

'Being in an aisle devoted to dead things being stuffed.'

Darren winced. 'Chris...'

'If you've come here to break up with me just do it. Although I warn you now I will never forgive you for ruining my rooftop for me.'

'See I think that's one of our problems' Darren said quietly and he shuffled over so that his side was nudged up against Chris'. 'You don't trust in this, in what we've got. It's going to take more than a bit of shouting to drive me away Chris.'

'You always were persistent' Chris said with the ghost of a smile and he allowed his head to drop onto Darren's shoulder. He sighed. 'I'm sorry, Darren. Of course I'll meet your family if you want me to.'

'No I'm sorry. I shouldn't have got so angry at you. I know you're not ready. That's ok.'

'But you're right. You've already been so patient.'

'Then I guess I can manage a little more' Darren said.

'God you're so fucking wonderful. It's sickening.'

Darren laughed. 'I love you, Chris Colfer.' He paused, half hoping Chris would say it back and sort of hating himself for doing it. When a reply was not forth coming he leaned over and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. 'Come on.' He stood up and held out a hand. 'Let's go home.'

Chris didn't say 'I love you' when Darren anticipated. He hoped for it all the time. Every time he said it himself, which was at least once a day. Every time he did something that made Chris' face light up. Every time they were alone together and whispering endearments into each other's skin.

He didn't want it to be during sex. He dreaded that happening. He didn't want it to slip out when Chris wasn't really thinking, when it was just a reflex. But that didn't happen.

It was on set. Darren had just picked up coffee for both of them, waiting for Chris to arrive. When he spotted Chris across the lot he had waved enthusiastically.

'Hey, Chris!' he yelled, always so unbelievably overjoyed to see him. Chris had turned and smiled blindingly. Darren, who had seemed to have inherited some of his boyfriend's clumsiness, started to jog over to him but stumbled and promptly dumped the hot liquid all over himself.

'Oh shit, wank, bollocks' he cursed loudly, tugging the wet fabric away from his body.

Chris was by his side in a moment, clearly fighting a laugh. 'Aww are you ok, baby?'

'Yeah it's not too hot luckily' Darren sighed, staring down at his ruined t-shirt. He looked up to see Chris looking at him with a special kind of look that he only rarely saw, although increasingly since they had started dating. 'What?' he asked.

'I love you' Chris said simple and fond. Darren froze, staring at him. Any thoughts of acting cool completely deserted him and he grinned broadly, pulling Chris into a hug so tight that he lifted him off his feet. He pressed a brief, messy kiss to his lips.

Chris laughed, surprised and joyful. 'Wow. Why haven't I told you that before? I love you.' Kiss. 'I love you.' Kiss. 'I love you.' Kiss.

'I love you too' Darren mumbled against his lips.

Darren was pretty sure he would remember this moment forever. Drenched in rapidly cooling coffee and Chris smiling into his skin.

Darren woke up in a cold sweat and to an empty bed. He didn't know what had woken him but he automatically reached out, seeking Chris' comfort only to find cold sheets. He sat up quickly, glancing around the room. He saw the note.

He knew the panic rising in his chest was stupid. This wasn't like those other times. They have been together nearly three months; Chris wouldn't just leave a note, even if he had changed his mind. But he does that, a more foreboding thought said. He runs.

Darren snatched up the note and almost laughed in relief.

Hey sleepy head

I examined the breakfast situation and you have exactly zero to eat in your cupboards so I've gone out to out to get us some. Coffee in the pot if you wake up before I get back.

Love you!

C xx

Darren wandered into the kitchen to find Chris was already back, unpacking some grocery bags. He wrapped his arms around Chris' waist from behind and pressed a kiss to his neck.

Things weren't perfect.

Darren still doubted Chris sometimes and Chris still got scared and insecure. Darren still got possessive whenever he saw Chris with another guy. Although he was starting to think that Chris was doing it on purpose because now when he got jealous he had full reign to stake his claim and the sex afterwards, often hard and against the nearest flat surface, was always excellent.

They still argued from time to time, getting furious over silly things. But they came back to each other, always fought for one another, and always found a compromise. And they both tried, just like they had promised.

So it wasn't perfect. But, Darren thought as Chris turned in his arms to accept his drowsy good morning kisses, who needed perfection when you had this?