Danny never does anything quietly.
That's the first thing you learn about him.
He laughs too loud, talks with his hands, barges into rooms like he owns them. Half the time, Hendrick is telling him to calm down, and the other half Josh is right beside him, egging him on until they're both in stitches.
Right now, it's 2 a.m. on the tour bus, lights low, everyone meant to be asleep.
Danny is very much awake.
You're curled into the corner of the sofa, hoodie pulled over your hands, scrolling aimlessly on your phone when you hear it—snickering. Quiet at first. Suspicious.
You look up just as Danny's head pops over the back of the seat.
"Oi," he whispers loudly. "You awake?"
You sigh. "Danny. Go to sleep."
He grins, eyes bright even in the dark. "Can't. Brain won't shut up."
Josh groans from somewhere behind him. "Stop haunting people and lie down, you menace."
Danny ignores him completely and flops down beside you, shoulder knocking into yours on purpose.
"Missed me?" he asks.
"You were gone for five minutes."
"Felt longer."
You try not to smile. Try. You fail.
Danny notices immediately. He always does.
"There it is," he says softly, nudging your knee with his. "That smile. Worth stayin' up for."
That's the thing with Danny—he jokes constantly, but sometimes, when it's just the two of you, his voice drops. Gets real. Gets honest.
You glance at him. "You're going to get in trouble if Hendrick catches you up."
Danny shrugs. "Worth it."
There's a comfortable silence for a moment. The bus hums beneath you. Outside, the road blurs past, streetlights flickering like distant stars.
Then Danny leans closer, lowering his voice.
"Can I tell you somethin' without you laughin'?"
You turn fully toward him. "Yeah."
He picks at a loose thread on his sleeve, suddenly not so loud. "I get scared sometimes. Like... what if this doesn't work? What if we mess it all up?"
That catches you off guard.
Danny—who never seems worried, never seems serious—looking at you like that.
"You won't," you say gently.
He scoffs. "You don't know that."
You reach out without thinking, your fingers brushing his wrist. He stills immediately.
"I do," you say. "Because you care. Even when you pretend you don't."
Danny's ears go red. You see it even in the dark.
"Don't tell the lads that," he mutters. "Ruins my reputation."
You laugh quietly, leaning into him. He relaxes instantly, arm sliding around your shoulders like it's instinct.
From across the bus, Josh fake-gags. "Get a room."
Danny grins, tightening his arm just slightly. "Jealous, mate."
Josh throws a cushion at him.
Danny laughs—too loud again—and presses his forehead briefly to yours, just for a second.
"Thanks," he murmurs. "For stayin' up with me."
You smile. "Anytime."
And for once, Danny doesn't joke about it.
