Nothing was being said. From either of you. A few seconds passed between the two of you that was spent staring at each other's lips. After that, you began to feel your heart sinking. What the fuck were you two doing? You barely knew Dan. In real life anyway. And you two JUST met. He didn't want you like that. He wouldn't ever. He would've kissed you by now if he did. Right?

You broke the silence, once again,"..Dan?" You said his name, observing the taller man as he towered over you. He seemed like he was looking at every inch of you, drinking you in. No other man had ever laid eyes on you like that before. No other man made you feel like the one in front of you. Right now. The look in his dark brown eyes made the sinking feeling in your heart disappear, it evolved into jumping into you throat.

Dan, still silent as a mouse kept looking at you like he was searching for something, like he was thinking really hard about what he was doing. Or what he was about to do. You hoped.

Since he was non responsive, and you were on a roller coaster of emotions, you inched your body ever so closer to Dan's. This closed the distance between the two of you and left very little breathing room. You could feel his breath on yours, a few more inches and you would've been touching everywhere. You wanted to brace for the ruggedness of his stubble on his face, you wanted to experience what his mouth felt like. He was so close, and all you had to do was move just a little further. God...you wanted nothing more than to just touch him everywhere. His hair..his chest, his face..everything. You tilted your head just a little to maybe get his attention, and to better accommodate what you were about to do.

Just as your lips parted to compensate for the addition of another pair mixed in, Dan had backed away. You felt the sinking feeling hit you like a bus. You physically slumped. Blinking out of embarrassment, you felt your cheeks burn bright and hard enough that it almost brought you to tears.

Finally, Dan spoke,"I..I'm sorry Y/N. I.."

Of course. An apology. How could you have been so stupid?

You bit back tears of anger and embarrassment while rolling in your bottom lip. You looked away from him. Already you missed his lumbering figure being that close to you. It was so much colder without him there.

You couldn't see him, but the worry in his voice made your eyes flicker to him. He was frowning, and looking very distraught. A sight again that almost brought you to tears.

"I-I.." He stammered. "Oh..are you? Y/N.."

"What?" You built yourself up and tried to act strong. You had to clench your fists. Dan was the last person you wanted to see you cry.

"Are you crying?"

"No!" You raised your voice without even realizing, which broke one of the barriers in your eyes. The floodgates had opened. You distracted it by rubbing casually at the bridge of your nose. "No. I'm sorry. That was a stupid question. I-I didn't mean to--"

Dan interrupted, face still taught with worry,"Don't be.." He paused, then took a shaky breath,"I should take you back to the office." He reached beside him for his keys on the table beside him but what you said made him freeze

With a hint of bitterness you instantly regretted, you said,"I'll take an Uber or something. Don't worry about it."

The air seemed to stiffen. Dan slowly and hesitantly retreated his hand from his keys. It wasn't like him at all. He would insist that he drive you. But he didn't even fight your decision. He must've really wanted you to go. He must've really thought you were dumb.

You pulled your phone out from your pocket while Dan stood in the same spot he was, unmoving.

He spoke up, only with one word,"Y/N."

Your eyes looked up at him only for a fraction of a second, then returned to your phone. But you did a double take because you had never seen someone look as hurt and confused as he did. You tried your best to ignore it though, and went to find yourself a reliable Uber driver that would take you home.

"Y/N." Dan repeated.

"Yes?" You replied to him the second time.

"I'm..sorry." he said for the umpteenth time.

"For?"

This whole situation felt so off it almost made you sick. The two of you were just joking and laughing a few moments ago, even flirting! And now that you gave Dan a chance to make a little move towards anything, he rejected you. And apologized.

At least he apologized..

You watched as Dan rolled his bottom lip in too before he said,"For..that. Initiating that." The more he talked the more you wished he stopped. Every word he was speaking cut you deeper and deeper.

He looked almost at a loss for words. His brow was permanently stuck in a furrow,"It's..complicated." Dan let out a distraught sigh and you suddenly didn't want to hear from him anymore.

"I don't think you not wanting to kiss me is that complicated buddy." You flashed him a smile from behind your phone. Inside all you wanted to do was throw yourself onto your bed and cry, but you were pretty proud of yourself that all you were doing was making a joke about it. You wanted everything to go back to the way it was before. So, that's what you tried to do.

"No..I mean.." Dan faltered a few times while you accepted the driver and then closed the app,"You.." Dan truly looked like he did not know what to say. Which didn't impress you in the slightest.

"Dan." You said seriously, nodding at him once,"It's totally fine. Don't worry about it. Okay? It was just a silly little thing."

Still silent, with a furrowed brow, and a look of worry, Dan sighed,"Okay."

-------------------------------

She left in a god damned Uber. Dan did not blame her at all in the slightest. He debated on giving her a hug, so he did anyway. It was a short one. When she left his front door he already was burning and yearning for her touch again. She thanked him for the ride last night and a place to crash, and then she was gone.

He had her right in is hand..and he dropped her. He let her go. And why? For what?

Because she was all over you last night..she said she loved you. And didn't even clarify in what sense. Shes a fan. (maybe not anymore) Shes literally 20 years younger than you. Because she doesn't even live in California. There were so many fucking reasons.

Then why did he feel like he made the wrong decision? Why didn't he just lean in and kiss her? Why didn't he at least tell her yes?

Because. She works for Ross, who works for Arin. Who you also work for. And is also your close friend.

Dan somehow made it to the couch he had slept on the night before, eyes feeling dead and neutral as he fought inside of his head. It started to pound.

"Uggghhhh!!" he let out a loud groan. Exasperated, he grabbed at his hair by the roots and threw his head back against the seat,"You fucking idiot!" He yelled and shook his head. He was truly the dumbest guy he had ever met. All these years and you would think he would've learned a thing or two about women, especially ones he cared about like Y/N.

Y/N was special..she's different. She's..

"A fan..shes a young woman.." Dan started to say out loud,"She's an intern..she doesn't even know me and I don't know her..she's,...fucking gorgeous-" Dan hissed while letting go of his hair with one hand and replaced it by dragging it down his face.

"Yes. I want to kiss you. God I would do so much more to you if I could." Dan lowered his voice to a whisper, even though he was the only one listening,"Y/N.." he groaned out her name in pure frustration. This crush..if thats what it was, was getting completely out of hand. She was a beautiful young woman with an adorable presence and a rockin bod..and a cute laugh..

And here Dan was, daring to even think about taking advantage of her.

As he stared up at the ceiling, Dan pulled his phone out of his pocket as well and held it up to his face. He pressed a few times on the screen and it began to ring.

"Hey. Barry."

----------------------------------

The wood rings in the desk were spiraling. They were curling. And worst of all they reminded you of Dan's stupid and curly hair. Despite how mad you were at yourself and him, you still wanted to give it a good pull.

Suzy said something to you but you weren't paying any attention. It only took her three times to get your attention and a little hand wave.

"Y/N?" She raised a nearly perfect eyebrow once your eyes met.

"Hmm?" You hummed casually, as if you weren't totally just thinking about Dan just then.

"You're sure you're okay?" Suzy paused, then moved side to side ever so slightly in her computer chair,"Did something happen at Dan's?"

You didn't exactly want to talk about it. Especially with someone you idolized and wanted to be really good friends with like Suzy Berhow. If you told her 'hey, yeah. So i have a huuugee crush on Dan and I don't remember anything from last night but yeah I just met him two days ago but I really like him and we almost kissed but he rejected me and now I don't know what to do or how to feel'..what on Earth would she even think?

You opened your mouth a little and nodded. The words came out afterwards,"Yeah I'm okay. Nothing happened.."

"Hmm.." Suzy scrunched up her face and pouted her lips while she eyed you suspiciously. She slowly dragged her phone across her desk, her eyes glued onto you. She didn't seem very convinced. "So, if I call Dan, is he gonna say everything's fine?"

Your heart raced just at the thought of hearing his damn voice again. What would he even say? Did you trust Dan enough to not say anything? Like you said, you barely knew the guy!

"No!" You panicked, clearly flustered and turning red. You shook your head frantically while waving your hands in an attempt to stop Suzy from embarrassing you further.

Suzy's face went from a sly smirk to a confused smile.

Sighing, you said,"Don't call him. Everything's okay."

The smile on your new friend's face was confused, but it turned into a knowing, wise, and sad one,"Y/N. I know it's not...do you want to talk about it?"

There was a long pause between the two of you, which you used to looked away from Suzy. Instead you chose the floor below you to focus and get lost in. With your arms crossed, you waited awhile, then let out a small exhale. Everything that occurred just this morning went by so fast in your head, and then when your mind caught up to Dan being so close beside you, close enough to touch, to hold, time froze. It was like watching a movie that was just getting to the climax but the DVD had froze.

"No." You said again after a minute.

Shifting in her chair, Suzy nodded. You felt a soft understanding come from her voice and from the way she was sitting and facing you,"Okay. I understand..I'm always here if you need to talk though. Alright?"

It was  a huge comfort to hear that, even though Suzy had been unbelievably supportive anyway. You felt like you were getting close with her, with everyone here. Which didn't make the situation with Dan any better. Regardless, Suzy relieved a bit of the weight on your shoulders and the pain in your heart.

You nodded silently in response, flashing her a small yet gracious smile.

"And you're also staying at my house from now on. At least until you get an apartment or something."

"What?" Your eyes widened, mouth slightly agape. You wanted to protest, but your mind was still jumbled between a lot of different things right now.

"I decided for you." Proud of herself, Suzy was grinning again and stood up and out of her chair,"I also already talked to Arin about it. You aren't allergic to cats, are you?"

"I..no..but-"

"Good!" She laughed and then leaned over her desk to pat your shoulder while you sat on the other side of it,"I think you need it. Plus I can promise you our guest bed is a lot comfier than the pull out beds here in the office.."

You had a feeling you would be sighing a lot today,"Suzy..thank you." You gave in. Friends did always make you feel better in these kinds of situations. Plus, you got to hang out at fucking Suzy and Arin's house!! With all of their cats!! Why did you say no in the first place?

"I care about you girl. Anything else you need, just let me know." She patted your shoulder again and then took her hand back in order to pick up her phone. "I'm gonna go find Arin and talk to him real quick-" She gestured to the hall behind her, then started to walk that way,"Be right back!"

"Mmmhm.." You smiled while she left, but the farther she got from you, the colder you felt. And the weaker your smile got. Eventually, you were back to where you were before, staring blankly at the floor while your mind raced itself almost to death. You soon developed a god damn migraine.

-----------------------------------------

"Oh no, he totally fucking likes her."

"That would explain a lot.."

"Babe, did something happen?" Arin looked serious now, away from his phoen that he was occupied with. He eyed his wife curiously, hoping for an answer.

Suzy merely shook her head,"I don't know..if something did happen Y/N's not telling me."

Arin muttered almost under his breath and glanced down the hall where Y/N was,"She was all over him last night.."

"Dan would never do anything to her and you know it."

"I know, I know. Of course he wouldn't-"

"She's staying at our place until she finds one of her own. I hope that's alright." Suzy touched Arin's arm affectionately.

He smiled at his wife,"Yeah. That's fine.." his smile wavered and then he began to look away from Suzy,"You think Dan's okay?"

Suzy shrugged,"I have no idea...probably in the same state she's in."

"Gosh.." Arin inhaled and rubbed the back of his neck,"I want to talk to him.."

"Go ahead. I'll be with Y/N" Leaning up just slightly, Suzy pecked her husband on the cheek and then turned to see if she could comfort her new friend somehow. And to see if she could get things back to normal and on track.

Arin reveled for a moment at his love's tender touch, then he immediately called one of his closest friend in the world. He was damn near like a brother to him. He wanted Y/N to be okay, but he hoped Dan was too. He'd seen Dan at his worst relationship wise. He had helped him through a lot of tough times just like this..if you could call whatever this was a tough time?

-----------------------

(Dan's House. 3 PM)

"Hmm..oh..Arin.." Dan was actually hesitant on picking up the phone, and he never acted like that when Arin called. He had a deep, sinking feeling in his gut that he knew what this call was about. He was dreading it.

He picked up his phone and looked at himself in the mirror, since he had just gotten done shaving his beard,"Hey Arin. What's up?"

"Not much buddy..how are you?"

He sounded casual..but Dan wasn't an idiot. He knew exactly what he was calling about. He had just gotten off the phone with Barry about it all, about how his life was now. He wasn't sure if he wanted to talk about it again at the moment.

Hesitant, Dan replied,"I'm fine. How are you?"

"Uh-huh-" Arin sounded unimpressed, and Dan could practically hear him smiling,"I'm fine too.." He cleared his throat,"Did you get Y/N home okay?"

He was gonna dig it out of Dan slowly. Maybe he should just bite the bullet and tell Arin what happened? Of course he would do it eventually, Dan was just gnawing and fighting on whether he wanted to lay it all out now.

"Yeah.." Dan chewed on his bottom lip while he looked himself in the eyes. His reflection looked somewhat foreign to him, yet so familiar. He reminded him of himself when he was much younger..and a lot more tired..and in a lot darker of a place. "She slept in my bed and I slept on the couch. She woke up all scared-" Dan chuckled breathlessly at the memory this morning. He was glad Arin couldn't see it, because he was sadly smiling in the mirror now. "She thought I took her home and we had sex..but I ended up just making her breakfast and afterwards she got a ride back to the office." And none of this was a lie...he wasn't lying...so that was good, right?

"That's what she said too-" Arin shared the laughter,"Did..anything happen Dan? I mean-" IT sounded like he was trying to come up with a way to say it but not say it outright, as if he thought Dan would have no idea what he was trying to imply. "I know you said you like her."

"Well..I.." Dan set his razor aside, lest he would get anxious and start messing with whatever was in his hands. When he looked back up to the mirror he saw himself again, not surprisingly. His mind began to wonder though, after hearing what Arin had said. He had tried desperately to get Y/N out of his head after she left. It was hard. And the worst thing of all was it was never this hard! Then again, maybe he just needed to be away from you for awhile, maybe this would all blow over and go away, and you could be how you were before. Friends.

Yes. Friends who are seriously attracted to each other.

"Yes.." he admitted. His whole body physically shook, as if he was frightened that he actually said that out loud to himself. "I do."

"Did..she.." Arin dragged it out,"Did she try anything?"

Frustrated, Dan exhaled through his nose deeply, making somewhat of a 'dad-like' noise,"Arin.."

"Hey, I-I'm sorry man, if you don't wanna talk about it, its fine."

"No..Arin-" Dan stopped him, frowning as he began to feel bad. He did want to tell Arin, more than anything.

The thing was, all he could see or think about was Y/N. In a quick flash, he began to see her with him in the mirror. He imagined her on his arm, looking at the two of you in the bathroom mirror. He saw her hair, messy and amazing..He saw her sleepy eyes, maybe a few hickies around her pretty little neck.

Dan clenched his fist at his side. He needed this all to stop.

"-I do. It's just.." Dan used his clenched fist to clench his hair instead,"Somehow we almost..kissed." He choked out the words,"And..I froze. I don't know why..because God knows I want to kiss her, ya know?"

"I think you know why, Dan."

"I hate how you're right sometimes.." Dan took Arin's sentiment lightly and chuckled despite how he was feeling not so chuckle-y inside.

"But I don't, so tell me!" Arin laughed right back,"Unless you don't want to."

Recalling small parts of his state of mind in that frozen moment in time, Dan expressed it as best he could in words to his good friend,"I like her a lot..I thought she was cute when I first saw her but then..I started talking to her and the feelings just..got worse. It was lust at first, I will admit that..and I guess that's partly why I feel bad?" Dan smiled at himself. He felt like he was in a therapy session,"And those feelings are still there, trust me..but I look at her and I think about how pretty she is..and about how I want.." he stopped suddenly.

"You want? Want what?" Arin was hooked onto Dan's words.

"How I want to hold her..how I want to just..be there for her." The more he talked about it, the more he was realizing it. He was slowly becoming horrified.

Dan could tell Arin was enjoying this. He could hear the smugness in his voice,"You do like her."

"Arin she practically flung herself at me last night at the party. My boner was screaming at me but I'm a decent human being..she doesn't remember any of it, thank god."

"Sheesh, really?" Arin's voice raised slightly, but not too loudly,"She was really out of it when Suzy and I checked on her.."

"Yeah dude,..I felt really fucking bad for her." Dan moved his hand from his hair down to drag it across his face,"God..Arin..what do I do?"

"So, you two almost kissed, but you were the one who pulled away?"

"Yes." Dan said flatly.

"..why?"

"Why?" Dan repeated, scrunching his brow,"Because shes a fan Arin, because she works in our office, because she's so much younger.."

Arin interrupted,"That one hasn't stopped you before-"

"Shut up-" Dan interrupted right back, but the two boys giggled a little. The moment flickered quickly though,"I didn't kiss her because I was scared.."

"You were scared?"

"jesus you're really just gonna drag all of my feelings out on the table for you to poke around with a stick aren't you?" Dan felt a lot lighter thanks to Arin's company. He was actually smiling even though his stomach was dropped down to his feet. Their chemistry and each other's presence was so easy to handle that both felt amazingly comfortable.

"A love stick-" Arin said proudly.

"Don't ever say 'love stick' to me again please."

"Okay okay, why were you scared? Did you talk to her about it or were you a little pussy?

Dan rolled his eyes at himself and at Arin from the phone,"I tried..but she was upset and she left before I could even say anything about it.

"Sounds like a pussy to me."

"Arin I will beat your ass," Dan snickered and decided to stretch his legs and walk to the other side of the bathroom. He also got tired of looking at himself. "I just think I need time. Brian and I are gonna be busy this week anyway.."

"You..did apologize to her, right?"

"Of course I did, I'm not a complete asshole, Arin."

"Well, that's good at least..she's gonna be staying at my house until she gets a place."

And..why did he tell Dan that?

"Oh. Cool." It's not like he offered first or anything. "Anything's better than those cots at the office."

"True...do you want her number?"

Dan paused. But only for a few seconds. He didn't know what the fuck he was doing.

"Yes please."