All but forgotten

Hi all,
Here is my weekly update. It is a lot shorter than I would like it to be mainly because this was the best part to stop. But I have more written, so don't worry you should be able to get some sort of weekly update at least. I would also like a little more feedback. Mainly I want to know, if you find the characters realistic or not and some wild guesses as to where you think this is going would be good, too. Again let me know about errors you find.
Thanks for reviewing, kanjil, Ann and L.S. I am glad you like the story and find it realistic. I try to keep the settings and characters as real as possible so I am glad that that is noticeable.

BEFORE WE START: Story and characters are mine and only mine. Also there shouldn't really be any warnings for this chapter.


Half and hour later Lars and Daniel had settled in and were sitting down for dinner with Jeff and Jessica. Jessica had made vegetarian lasagne to accommodate her guests and they were all eating quietly, except for Jess, who chattered away trying to create conversation. Lars was rather too focused on the food. Yes, it was delicious, but not that good. Daniel knew Lars was not entirely comfortable. He felt sorry for bringing him here, but he needed someone to support him and Lars was the only choice. He smiled at the blond and gently patted his thigh. Lars looked at him briefly in thanks. Then Daniel looked up at his sister. “So how come I’m not a brides’ maid?” Jess choked on her beer and chuckled. “Ooh, if I had known you really like wearing dresses that much, I would have asked. I know you are damn good with make-up!”
“You’ve seen me in a skirt before, dear sister. You know I would have been the prettiest brides’ maid.” Daniel retorted cheekily. Jess laughed and even Lars was smirking.
Jeff just stared at Daniel totally baffled and he felt he had to clarify. “No Jeff, don’t worry. I don’t swing THAT way. It was just for Halloween.” Daniel thought it was better not to tell his future brother in law, that he had on occasion worn skirts for men. Jeff was a very understanding guy, but he certainly had a small town mentality. “He did look very pretty though, but his hair was blond at the time!” Jess reminisced. “Anyway, Daniel, you will be Jeff’s best man. We have already decided on that and even though we know you are not all that comfortable with that, it would really make us happy.” Jeff nodded enthusiastically. “I told you, Jess, that I didn’t really feel comfortable with that. You know how mother and father will react and I’m assuming Jeff’s friends won’t be all that pleased about it! I really would rather not.” Now it seemed it was Lars’ turn to stroke his leg in reassurance.
“It’s ok. We will not force you into this, though as you can tell your sister is trying hard to persuade you. I have already told a friend that he might have to step in. I thought you should make your decision after my bachelor’s party tomorrow night.” Jeff breached the silence that had afflicted the dinner table.
“Thanks, Jeff. That sounds fair, but you know my position. Jess, I had told you, too.”
“Ok, let’s leave it at that.”

The rest of the supper went a little more smoothly. Jess was trying to coax information out of Lars and Lars had slowly eased into the conversation. When time came for desert they moved out into the backyard and sat down on the deck. The air was pleasantly warm after the gruelling sun had set and smelled of freshly cut grass. Daniel eased into the cushions across from Jeff, while Jess grabbed Lars to get the tea.
“Lars seems to be a nice guy!” Jeff sighed hopefully. Daniel knew where this was going. Jeff had long made peace with his homosexuality, but hoped that he was going to settle down some time soon. “Yes, he is.”
“Are you two living together?”
“No. In all honesty, the drive up here, was probably the most time I have every spent with him.”
“Aah.” The knowing reply sounded disappointed. Then silence.
“I just needed someone with me up here. It is not as easy as I would like it to be.”
“That’s ok. I just hope he knows that too. He seems so nice… But I guess, so seemed that other guy… James?”
“Yeah, James was nice.” Silence again. How long could making tea take?
“I’m glad you are here, Daniel. I just wanted to say that again. It means much to your sister and me. I will make sure everything will go well.”
“I know, Jeff. You are a good friend.”
“Not really, but we will leave it at that. Anyway, I know that meeting your parents and some others will be tough, but Jess and I are trying to make a stand here. We want to show that you are part of the family, our family, and that you are valued. I want you to understand that, when you are having a rough time. Please, at the same time try to avoid conflict. I want your sister to have a great wedding. Yes?” Daniel looked at the bowl with the melting ice-cream in front of him. He poked a ball of it with a spoon. “I will not make a scene, but I will not hide. It took me years to really get out of the closet and I will be who I am. It might be to shrill for some to take sometimes, but I have to do this for myself. Please understand that as well!”
“Yes.” Jeff sighed looking down at his bowl now. “You have every right to.”
Lars and Jess came through the patio door smiling holding each two mugs in their hands. Lars handed one to Daniel before sitting down next to him. They were silent again, but this time it wasn’t awkward. After the bowls were emptied, Jeff wrapped his arm around Jess, who was sitting next to him and they sat back content. Lars dropped his head onto Daniel’s shoulder obviously exhausted. Daniel looked down at his blond companion. ‘Yes, he is nice.’ He thought and stroked his curly mane softly grabbing a strand here and there to play with it. Lars felt good, very good. Maybe Daniel was finally going to open up and deepen their relationship. He had become quite affectionate, since they started out on this trip. It wasn’t so much like the usually shrill red-head. Lars liked the attention and he liked Jess. She had been very kind and tried hard to make him feel comfortable. She was obviously also hoping for Daniel to settle down. When they had talked in the kitchen, she had been trying to gather information on how close the two men were.
Jeff finally broke the silence, after Jess had yawned. “We are going to head of to bed.”
He untangled himself from Jess, who had gotten quite comfortable on her fiancé and stood up holding her hand. “Do you mind, if we stay outside a little longer?” Daniel asked.
“No, of course not. Just lock up please, when you go to bed. By the way that washroom down the hall is yours while you are here. We will be using the en suite. Good night, you two.” Jeff dragged Jess off before she even realized it.
“Aren’t you tired?” Lars whispered after they were gone.
“Yes, but I have to wind down. I feel quite tense after driving for this long.”
“That’s probably not the only reason.” Lars looked up at the taller man. His blue eyes sparkled in the moonlight. “No, it probably isn’t.” Daniel pressed his lips into Lars hair. It smelled like fresh mango and citrus. He inhaled deeply. When Lars raised his head to look at him again, he couldn’t resist. He softly placed his lips on Lars’ fuller ones and moved away after the brief contact. Lars’s eyes stared longingly at him, his soft curls framing his lightly freckled face. He was beautiful and Daniel ached for the comfort he would give him. He softly stroked the other man’s cheek and got a content smile in response. Their lips touched again, but this time there was no pulling back. He slowly wrapped his arms around the smaller man pressing him against his body. Lars opened his mouth slightly asking for more and Daniel’s tongue obliged him. Their tongues intertwined tenderly, while their hands stroked each other’s backs, fingers slowly running up and down. This was not for fire and lust, Daniel knew this was for comfort. He slowly pulled his head away and leaned back on the bench they were sitting on. He guided Lars to lie on top of him, head on his chest, chin buried in fragrant hair. Lars sighed on closed his eyes. Daniel stared out into the night, looking at the trees in the backyard. Their shadows cast from the soft yellow of the outdoor lights moving on the lawn as the breeze caught them. Slowly tracing circles on Lars’ back more to soothe himself than his companion, he tried to think of nothing. Not of the meeting with his parents or the many other trials of the next few days. Not of meeting former classmates and high school buddies. A chill ran down his spine and his back twitched involuntarily. The blonde’s warmth eased it away.