fast car {edelmandola au}

Chapter One.

Julian hadn't slept much in the two weeks leading up to Super Bowl XLIX, and it wasn't because of excitement. Julian was worried about Danny, his fiancé who was currently on his third tour of Iraq. Their most recent conversation hadn't left Julian very confident in Danny returning home in one piece. 

"It's getting really bad over here, babe," Danny had said over the background noise, which was mostly yelling, "I-I just want you to know that I love you and that I'm so proud of you. If you win or lose on Sunday, you're my champion, baby. Ah, shit, you'll always be my champion. I-I'm gonna come home, I promise. I love you so-- FUCK! GO! GO! GO!"

The call ended abruptly after that and Jules hadn't heard from Danny since. Understandably, Jules was a wreck. Currently, he was laying in his hotel bed in Arizona, wearing one of Danny's sweatshirts that still smelled like him. Julian's cheeks were tear stained and his eyes had dark circles under them. Jules didn't sleep much, but when he did, it was plagued with nightmares about Danny being gone. 

Forcing himself to get out of bed, Julian dragged himself downstairs to get breakfast. It was six thirty in the morning, so the only people who would probably be awake are his teammates, if that. 

"Jules, you look awful," Tom said, getting into the elevator next to Julian. 

"Just worried about Danny," Julian tried to muster a small smile, but he ended up crying instead, "I don't want him to be dead."

"Dead? What are you...? Is he okay?" Tom pulled Julian into a hug. Julian hadn't told anyone about the phone call so Tom was confused. 

"I don't know!" Julian cried into Tom's chest, "We were on the phone and he said it was getting bad and then there was a lot of noise and he was yelling and then there was nothing! There was fucking nothing!"

"Oh Jules," Tom frowned, "I'm sure he's okay, Danny's tough as hell, man. This is, what? His third time in Iraq?" Julian nodded. "He knows what he's doing, he wouldn't get himself killed, especially not before he marries you, man."

"I know, he's probably fine," Julian wiped his eyes, "I'm just being stupid." Julian took a deep breath, "I just want him home. I want him to see me play today, too. God, Danny hasn't been to a game since last year. I miss him cheering me on." Jules shook his head, "I sound like such a bitch, I'm sorry."

"Jules, no, stop," Tom said, "You don't sound like that at all, okay? You haven't seen him in ten months, it's okay to miss him." Julian nodded. "Let's get some food and get ready for the game, yeah? We gotta get that ring tonight, man!"

"Yeah," Jules agreed halfheartedly, "I got you, man. I won't let you down."

"I know you won't," Tom smiled, "If you want to sleep, I'll wake you before we leave."

Julian shook his head, "I don't want to have any more dreams about Danny dying, but thanks for offering."

Kickoff seemed to approach faster than it should and Jules nearly threw up when the time came. He wanted Danny here so bad. Jules was checking his phone constantly and praying that Danny would call, but nothing. No one called except for his parents. 

Julian knew that Danny's phone was off, but he needed to hear Danny's voice. There was no service in Iraq, but Danny's phone was always on him, it just wasn't always turned on. Jules called. As expected, Danny's voice message began playing, making Julian tear up. After the beep, Julian began speaking. "Hey, babe. I know you can't answer me but I needed to hear your voice," Julian took a shaky breath, "I'm at the Super Bowl, babe, I'm gonna win this one for you. We're gonna win this for you. I love you, Danny. Stay safe over there, bubs. When you come home I'm gonna make sure you don't have to work another day in your life. I miss you, I love you."