Chocolate (Mack/Dax, Family Secret)

[terrierlee]

Title: Chocolate
Author: terrierlee
Claim: Power Rangers Operation Overdrive, Mack/Dax
Table: Do It Yourself
Prompt: Family Secret
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Sometimes a family secret can ruin something that's already fragile.
Warnings: Slash. Angst. Two guys in bed, but they're not doing anything.
Notes: Takes place right after the series ends.


The first time Mack and Dax officially slept together was just after the Halloween party. The two stayed up till the wee hours of the morning, eating candy and chocolate while giggling from their sugar high. Wrappers littered the bed they were sitting on, every now and then one would shift, only to realize they were sitting on a piece of candy. That would only result in another round of laughter. After a while, Will gave a subtle bang on the adjacent wall, letting the two know he was trying to sleep and their laughter was keeping him up.

Dax was the first to hit the sack, his sugar high like his bouncing. High one second, low the next. His head landed on Mack's shoulder, a smudge of chocolate still present on his bottom lip. Mack smiled, pushing some candy wrappers aside as he laid back on his bed, making sure Dax didn't wake. He reached for the blanket, making sure it covered them both, before placing a soft kiss against Dax's mouth. The taste of chocolate lingered until they were awakened by Spencer a few hours later.

And then Kamdor's monster attacked. Mack detached himself from the team, kept his father at a distance and Dax had no idea what to do. He tried his best to be supportive, even when some of his ideas weren't the best, and before they knew it, the villains were defeated, Mack was alive and human, the crown was back with the Sentinel Knight and the others were ready to head back to their lives.

Spencer insisted on everyone staying an extra night, claiming it was too soon for the Hartford mansion to be suddenly devoid of people once again, and he was pretty sure everyone would want to pack and get a good night's rest before heading back to the world. So after everyone agreed and set off to pack, Spencer gave Mack a pat on the shoulder before vanishing off.

That night, Dax was just settling down for bed when there was a slight knock on his door. He glanced at his duffel bag, perched on top of the extra suitcase Spencer lent him, both seated at the foot of his bed. He rubbed a hand across his face. He was hoping to leave the house without much fuss, his time as a Ranger over and done with, and he really didn't see the point in staying any longer. He opened the door, not sure who would be knocking at the ungodly hour.

He didn't expect to see Mack there, looking nervous like he wasn't sure what he was doing, nor did he expect how easily it was to let Mack into his room. The former Red Ranger stood in the center of the room, looking around at the mostly barren room, his hands folded in front of him.

Dax took a seat on his bed, gesturing to the chair to his desk, "You can sit, if you want."

Mack shook his head, looking everywhere but the bed. "Ah, no. I just..." He looked up then, "I just wanted to uh... say I'm sorry."

"Sorry?"

Mack nodded, "For how I acted the past few weeks. I was going through a tough time... I acted..." He chuckled, "I acted my age, I guess?"

Dax scratched his neck, not laughing at the small joke, "Listen Mack, I think... maybe back then, we rushed into something too fast. And maybe what happened with you was a sign. If we were to get back together..."

"Get back together...?" Mack frowned, "We never broke up." He got a shrug in response. His frown deepened. "Dax, what happened to us?"

"Your dad decided to have a robot for a son and you didn't know until it blew up in our faces. I figured you needed space until the right time." Dax leaned forward, "I'm willing to wait, Mack. But... not here."

Mack found himself in a chair, "So... this is official? We're separating?"

The former Blue Ranger nodded, "For the time being. Until you get used to being a real human."

"So..." Mack looked at the door, "I guess I should go..."

"Yeah..."

Mack stood, a bit anxious in posture, but still walked to the door, pausing just before turning the knob. He took a breath, "I like you, Dax. I know that feeling's real... even when I was an android. I don't think it changed once I became human."

He received a short nod and then he was gone.

The next day went by quickly, too quickly for some, goodbyes were said, plans on futures were told, and soon the only ones left in the mansion were the two Hartford men and Spencer. From there, Andrew made plans upon plans on where he and his son could go on adventures, and the two would vanish for weeks on end, leaving Spencer to take care of the giant Hartford estate. When Christmas came around, the two showed up to a small surprise. Spencer had gathered the Overdrive and Retro Rangers to welcome home the father and son. Eggnog and punch were passed around, Xander kept trying to catch one of the girls under the mistletoe, and the two teams bonded over the newly purchased pool table.

The party continued into the night, only coming to a close when everyone started to nod off and go to their respective guest rooms. Mack yawned as he stumbled through the halls. Someone, he wasn't sure who, he would put money on either Ronny or Xander, had spiked the punch and possibly the eggnog.

He stopped outside a room, fumbling with the knob before stumbling into the room, diving headfirst onto the bed. He was asleep before he knew it.

--

There was someone shaking him. He groaned, turning away from whoever it was, burying his face in a pillow. "G'way." The shaking continued.

"Mack, wake up. You're in my bed."

Mack shot up, his eyes wide as he looked around. He was definitely not in his room. He rested a hand against his head, feeling the pounding of a headache. He remembered being pitifully tired and he was on his way to his room whe--Oh. Wincing, Mack rubbed his head. Ever since The Breakup, he had made it a habit of spending at least one night a week sleeping in Dax's bed. It was completely by accident the first time, only figuring out he did it because Spencer found him. After that, Mack developed a severe case of insomnia that took effect when he and his father returned to the estate. When he discussed the problem to Spencer, the butler pointed out he seemed to sleep perfectly fine in Dax's bed.

So of course, now that the team had come back, they would sleep in their own rooms, and Mack was forced to sleep in his own bed again. All throughout the day and the party, he was fine, but now that night had fallen he hadn't realized in his drunken state which room he entered.

He finally turned, trying to smooth away the wince still on his face. "H-hey Dax."

The former stuntman only nodded, averting his eyes. He gulped, finding looking up, "Hey Mack."

Mack shifted from where he was in the bed, suddenly feeling extremely awkward. "Ah, I should go." But he didn't move. Instead, he stayed rooted to the spot, and it was only when Dax sat down next to him did he jump.

Dax gave off a sigh, as if he was in way over his head, and placed a hand on top of Mack's, "Listen... Spencer told me about your sleeping problems. If you need to use my bed, that's cool. I'll just..." He seemed to realize his hand was still resting on top of Mack's, pulling it away, "I'll just sleep somewhere else. Ah..." He grinned, beginning to slide off the bed, "Sleep wel-"

Mack's hand on his wrist stopped him from completely leaving his bed. What stopped his heart was the look of pure longing written across Mack's face. He gulped again, "Listen Mack..."

"Don't go."

The grip on his wrist tightened, and Dax let himself slip back onto the bed, "Alright."

They settled into the bed, almost reminiscent to the first time they slept together just a few months ago. They lay there, listening to each other's breathing before Mack spoke again.

"I've really missed you."

Dax gave a small sigh, "I know."

"I've been thinking this whole month..."

"Yeah?"

Mack's head moved up and down from where it was, "Yeah."

There was a pause before Dax broke the silence, "Are we still separated?"

"I hope not."


Prompt table.