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Dan loved nothing the way he loved Philip Michael Lester.
Sure, he enjoyed walking to school (whenever the weather was good enough for that) with Louise, the sweetest girl ever, every morning and chatting about everything and nothing the way two great friends did, reading ridiculous stuff on the internet while watching DDR videos or documentaries about rollercoasters and also arguing with kids on Roblox, and he did love playing Mario Kart or standing up against his father’s old fashioned views and wearing whatever he wanted (be it makeup or clothing), but nothing in the world was able to compare to Phil.
His Phil.
The ray of sunshine in his life, despite Dan being the one to wear pastel clothes and flower crowns and have lighter hair.
The awkward flirt who was stubborn and incredibly silly, despite what most people thought of him whenever they saw him.
The beautiful, breathtaking blue eyed older boy with bits of green and yellow in his eyes, the boy that dyed his hair pitch black and had piercings on his ears, nose and eyebrows, accompanied by an adorable tattoo of the Buffy logo on his chest.
The idiot who’d skip his classes and get in detention all the time just because he wanted to spend more time with Dan during school, not caring for how Mrs. Lester would scold him for that later (fortunately for Dan, she never thought he was a bad influence on Phil and she knew he was trying his best to change her stubborn son's mind, to no avail).
His best friend and boyfriend and dream guy, his silly, supportive, charming boy that looked so interesting and unique, like his total opposite despite them being so similar to the point they were perfect for each other and could talk forever and never get bored.
Someone so amazing and sweet, so funny and…
Just… Phil.
Phil, who Dan always saw as a big softie. As the most supportive, coolest, prettiest, funniest, most endearing softie ever.
So he never understood why everyone else thought the exact opposite of him.
1)
Dan hated being in a rush so early in the morning.
He was basically running to get to his locker as soon as possible. Shoving through people at the entrance, nearly tripping on a step, cursing slow walkers in his mind.
Not because he was late for class or anything, no.
Because silly Philly was waiting for him at his locker, had been for 10 minutes, and Dan wanted to see him so badly, it was making him giddy and nervous just like at the beginning. Just like when they had met up for the first time in person 9 months ago, after 3 months of online dating.
The very first day Dan moved here.
Somehow, that fluster and giddiness never went away, despite their one year anniversary last week. He was just that much of a loverboy.
He was even more excited to see him, since last night Dan’s parents had made him stay home and babysit his brother, while Phil’s grandma had a birthday (Dan had really wanted to go, as he had been invited, but couldn’t join) and they couldn’t even call. They usually hung out after school or at least called for an hour or two to do things together in the evening, but this time they couldn’t.
And thanks to that, Dan had had lots of time last night to explore the internet and chat with all types of random people on Discord. He was on there everyday, usually with Phil, as that had been where they’d chatted in the early months of their relationship after being oomfs on Twitter, and they even owned a server together, but last night was a notable exception. He had gotten music recommendations from random people after sharing what music he loved and had tried the songs/artists out and needless to say, he had new favorite songs.
He had texted that to Phil before going to bed and had answered a few texts just as he had woken up, so he knew Phil was eager to hear his detailed opinion and that he’d love to listen to the songs together after school. Music was one of their shared passions, what had made them interact with each other in the first place, and Dan couldn’t ever not tell Phil his music opinions and likes.
Just as he turned around the corner to the hall with his locker, he decided to stop running. He kind of didn’t want to embarrass himself anymore, especially around Phil, who wouldn’t really care or would find it extremely cute, but still.
Dan tried to maintain his limited pride, as best as he could.
Anddd, there he was.
Upon seeing Phil leaned on a locker by his and scrolling on his phone, Dan’s heart melted in that sweet, soft way that had him flustered and too dumb to talk properly, and he skipped in his step a bit (so much for not running anymore) to reach him faster. He could feel the start of a grin on his face as he approached Phil.
Phil was wearing his old, good leather jacket, under it a dark blue sweater, and his black jeans that fit him so well, making his long legs look even longer in them. He had opted for black pucks on his ears and wasn’t wearing his nose piercing.
He was so gorgeous, it was insane.
“Hi,’’ Dan heard himself utter in an earnest voice. Phil looked up from his phone, noticing him, and eyed him from head to toe with a sweet, fond smile, flustering Dan even further. He was sure he was blushing so much, but he couldn’t care. He could never not blush around Phil.
“Hi, buddy!’’ Phil yelled just as eagerly as Dan had uttered his greeting and punched his upper arm softly, in his endearing violent love language.
The thing about them was that despite them not hiding their relationship at all, they were very awkward with each other in public. Even if Dan was the one with the reputation of an awkward nerd who wore pastel like a good christian boy (he wasn’t religious at all), Phil was just as bad, despite being seen as the scary, horrifying punk who shouldn’t be messed with.
Neither of them was into kissing or holding hands in front of people from school, and Dan was too shy (and usually too flustered) to make a move in front of people, so what they usually did was whatever other touch came to mind. Which resulted in Phil being affectionately touchy all the time.
Phil just couldn’t resist touching Dan because he was a touchy person in general and Dan loved that.
He was touch starved and being with such a touch monster was perfect. Phil always found a way to touch him, never inappropriate or gross, but enough to be comfortable for Dan, even if Phil could sometimes be a bit unintentionally rough.
It was a part of him being an younger brother, in his defense, and it was nothing Dan couldn’t handle, for he loved it.
Oh, and Phil loved calling him anything teasing to rile him up.
Such as buddy.
Yeah, they were buddies, but not in the teasing capacity Phil meant. They were more than buddies, actual best friends besides being boyfriends, and they’ve been more than buddies since the moment they first sent a text to each other.
So Dan, being himself, teased back.
“I’m not your buddy, Lester.’’
He watched as Phil made a shocked face and held back a giggle.
“Am I not? Dan!’’
“I can’t recall you being one ever, so quit this.’’
Dan unlocked his locker and opened it, hiding Phil from his view for a second before Phil moved to be in Dan’s eyesight. He grabbed his art materials and gave Phil a long look, which Phil returned, and they seemingly said everything they needed to say to each other with that shared look, because the moment Dan closed his locker and started walking towards his first class, Phil joined him.
“Sooo, are you telling me about your recommendations now or?-’’
“Of course, silly.’’
“And what new album would the incredible Dan Howell recommend me?’’
At that, Dan blushed again, and at this point he thought it had been ridiculous how much he had blushed in the span of 2 minutes. Phil never failed to have that effect on him, it was everything.
He gave Phil an affectionate look and as they walked down the hall, he ranted about Paramore and his new favorite song…
2)
Dan could hardly ever be without Phil by his side even during classes and he loved it.
He was someone who, unsurprisingly, sat alone in all of his classes and didn’t talk to people unless prompted. He feared making a fool out of himself all of the time, and he wasn’t really fond of talking to people who would definitely judge him for his interests and hobbies, so he embraced the antisocial lifestyle bravely.
He had been asked by classmates to sit next to them before, but he had always declined to the point no one even asked anymore. He would rather just sit alone and draw in his notebook than be forced to interact with an annoying seatmate.
But here comes Phil, his one exception and favorite thing ever.
Phil, as already established, had the terrible, to Dan annoying, habit of skipping his own classes. He considered being there too boring and he didn’t want to waste his time studying unimportant things, so he attended only one or two classes actively and relentlessly skipped every single other one as if he could do whatever he wanted. The times Dan had had to listen to Phil and Mrs. Lester argue over that was too big of a number. His boyfriend was insanely stubborn and disobedient.
Perhaps he did deserve his reputation thanks to that alone, but still, not really.
And what did he, the badass, the punk, the one that the rules didn’t apply to, Phil do?
Go to Dan’s classes, of course.
Even if he deemed his own classes completely useless, he was a regular student in Dan’s. He was never invited, not even by Dan, but teachers knew to expect him due to them having become used to this behaviour and welcome him to class without much complaint. He was only told to sit next to Dan (the big privilege of Dan sitting alone) and keep quiet. Nothing else.
Which, somehow, was hard for Phil, because he was too chatty and often found a way to distract Dan, who didn’t really mind, because he loved Phil’s eagerness to talk to him. He had his ways - whispering, invading his personal space (all the time), drawing in Dan’s notebooks, passing him notes on pieces of paper Dan had no idea where he got from, kicking his foot under the desk, poking Dan… He was an incredibly endearing annoyance and Dan just accepted it, because it was one of the millions of things he loved about Phil.
And sadly, Phil often got himself kicked out of Dan’s classes, which was so embarrassing for him. The sheer humiliation of having your loud, badass boyfriend kicked out of class he wasn’t supposed to be in in the first place was so. Irritating. He wasn’t even heartbroken over it, over being separated from Philip “distraction’’ Lester. He couldn’t, Phil shouldn’t be in his classes in the first place, and he was so fortunate that teachers loved Dan and didn’t care about their relationship in a positive way.
Dan couldn’t do much about Phil coming, so he just accepted it (as if it was the worst thing ever). Phil was as stubborn as one could be. And Dan didn’t have the heart to tell him to not come to his classes because he didn’t want Phil to not come. He appreciated Phil taking the free seat next to him and adoringly watching him be smart during class. Seeing Phil’s proud, fascinated face was everything for him and inspired him to keep on studying to be perfect. He loved Phil’s supportiveness.
So when Phil, kind of expected, opened the door loudly and walked in in the middle of English class, interrupting the lesson, Dan gave him his biggest smile he could muster and blushed at Phil cutely waving at him.
“Can I stay, Mrs. Roberts?’’ Phil asked in his polite, reserved to authorities, voice and Mrs. Roberts, their shared English teacher who had a soft spot for Dan’s boyfriend, sighed and looked at Dan for a nano-second. “I promise I’ll be quiet this time.’’
Last time was a notable kicking out. The whole time Dan had been trying to not fall asleep during the class, Phil wouldn’t stop telling Dan weird “facts’’ about tablecloths that had made Dan hold back giggles because of how ridiculous Phil was with his little facts he came up with on his own (or read online from dodgy sources). Dan couldn’t forget how hot his cheeks had felt and how red they must’ve been because he had kept holding back his laughter the whole time. Phil and his ways of making him laugh were never ending.
Thinking of all of this, he had missed Phil being allowed to stay. Now he had a tall as hell giant punk standing by his desk and waiting for him to remove his bag from the free chair by his, so he could sit down. Dan complied quickly before returning to taking notes.
The moment Phil sat next to him, Dan felt an arm getting wrapped around his back and another reaching out to the top of his head for Phil to fix his flower crown.
“How are you doing, gorgeous?’’ Phil asked him in a murmur, his deep, flirty voice making itself present.
Dan felt all of his blood flow to his cheeks once again (at this point he didn’t even know why he still noticed himself blushing) and he stopped writing immediately. He couldn’t help but turn to face Phil, making eye contact with him, and cheesing.
Phil was already smiling at him, all sweet and nice. Looking at him like Dan was his whole world.
It was too much to handle, so Dan took a shaky breath and returned to taking notes, after which he managed a brief answer,
“Uhhh, good, yeah. You, Phil?’’
“Incredible, because I’m with you.’’
Dan was going to fucking die.
How he hadn’t already was shocking to him.
“You’re so flirty, what’s up with that?’’ he asked in a soft whisper, with a tilt of annoyance in his voice that was faked.
“I don’t know, I’m just happy to be with you and you’re very pretty today. I mean, you’re everyday, but today you’re so-’’
“Please stop, don’t do this to me here.’’
Phil shyly blushed at that and did as told.
After that, the class continued like usual. Phil was making small comments here and there, leaning close most of the time, as Dan wrote in his notebook, at some point taking his arm off Dan’s back (Dan dreaded the loss of the warmth on his back, but he knew it was an uncomfortable position for Phil to be in the whole time) and placing it on the back of his chair.
He was sharing his opinions on Dan’s opinions on the literature piece Dan’s class was working on, for Phil loved English and wanted to study it in uni. He wouldn’t admit his passion for literature and analyzing pieces/writing scripts for stuff to anyone but Dan and their friends, for he didn’t want his tough facade to die down, and Dan wanted to discourage that.
He was trying his best.
Mrs. Roberts, who knew of Phil’s knowledge and how good he was, lightly said to Phil at some point during the class that as a student one year older, he could help Dan with literature, but Phil had brushed her off completely.
“He’s far smarter than me, I would need his help,’’ Phil said and Dan nearly scoffed at that.
Sure, Dan was seen as a genius nerd, but all he did was just take notes in class and revise in the library from time to time.
He had no passion for the subjects he had - he only liked geography and art, he tolerated the rest and absolutely despised math.
Phil, on the other hand, loved English and ICT and was so passionate for them, trying his best at all times to learn new stuff and use them in his daily life. He was so nerdy about his passions. No way was he not good enough at them and no way Dan was smarter than him.
He was wrong. Terribly, insanely wrong, Dan thought.
And before he got to express that, Phil had changed topics.
“You’re using very smart words here, Danny,’’ he whispered, looking at Dan’s notes.
“Oh?’’
“Yeah, about Macbeth and his guilt.’’
A part of being in 5th form was studying Macbeth, the theatre forbidden play by Shakespeare.
Dan, as a die-hard theatre kid, didn’t like the play much, but no one had asked for his opinion when choosing the school programme, so he accepted studying it like he did anything else.
And now he was writing down a simple essay thesis, one of many exercises given them this class by Mrs. Roberts, that he had to give to Mrs. Roberts once class was over. Nothing that ground-breakingly good, just something for a good grade.
“You think so?’’ he uttered, seeking approval.
“I wouldn’t say so if I didn’t, so yes!’’
The encouragement made Dan smile and nod once again, giving him more motivation to write. He did have only a few sentences more to write on this, before going to the last question, so he got into deep thought of how to express what he thought in order to show off to Phil.
In what felt like 5 minutes he was done, just as Mrs. Roberts asked if anyone would want to answer one of the questions.
“Does it sound good?’’ Dan asked Phil in a quiet whisper and instead of answering him, Phil instead said,
“Mrs. Roberts, I think Dan would like to answer this.’’
Oh.
Okay.
So Phil was doing that now apparently.
A few days ago Dan had had a bit of an argument with his parents over his social anxiety and participation in class that could affect his grades in the end. His parents had gotten reports on how quiet Dan was and how he participated in class only when asked directly by a teacher and how he seemed to only talk to one person that he didn’t even share classes with.
And of course they didn’t want his grades to go down, being obsessed with his scores and not approving of negative reports of his performance in school, and of course Dan didn’t want problems with them.
They had actually threatened to cut his time with Phil after school. His most favorite time of his day. The one thing they knew mattered the most to him.
Fuck his dad in particular for that, honestly.
So when he had told that to Phil on a call after that argument, crying in bed and heartbroken, Phil, always the sweetest angel, had suggested helping him out with that, comforting him and reassuring him everything was going to be okay.
Yet, despite that, Dan hadn’t expected for Phil to set his helping out plan in motion literally right now.
He turned to stare at him - Phil, the bastard, was grinning at him and nodding in encouragement, so nicely - and to him Dan probably looked as shocked as he felt, and fuck this, he had to do it.
“Oh, really?’’ Mrs. Roberts asked and Dan looked at her. She had a soft, encouraging smile plastered on her face and Dan both did and didn’t appreciate that.
“I-I-’’ fuck, he was stuttering, and Phil’s hand was suddenly on his back, patting him, and he was sure everyone’s eyes were on them, but it was too late now- “Yes, I do.’’
And he took a deep breath, because he was embarassed.
And he cleared his throat when Mrs. Roberts encouraged him to answer, and he started reading out his answer as best as he could, given how much he was panicking. And he kept taking deep breaths, trying his best, being thankful for Phil’s grounding touch on him. It kept him on going, despite him feeling like everyone was judging him right now and secretly laughing at his anxiety.
In no time though he started hearing conversing from the back of the classroom and he felt Phil tense up, turning to probably glare at his talking classmates. Dan looked at them too and he trembled immediately - it was John and Katie, who were very adamant that Phil was bullying him.
They had approached him with that in September, concerned for him and trying to comfort him for no reason. Dan had no idea why they thought that, he hung out with Phil all the time and they were inseparable, they never hid their relationship either. The two hadn’t taken him seriously when he had told them that such worries shouldn’t exist because there was no bullying in the first place.
Dan wasn’t sure if it was them, but he kind of blamed them for the bullying reports Phil’s parents had been called for.
Mrs. Roberts told the pair to stop talking and they apologized briefly before continuing talking, quiter now.
Dan took another deep breath and continued.
Thankfully, class ended just as he stopped reading. The bell rang loudly and Mrs. Roberts called out the whole class to give her their notebooks for grading.
“I’ll get your stuff,’’ Phil told him and Dan wordlessly nodded, getting up from his desk and heading to Mrs. Roberts’ desk, where she awaited.
“That was incredible, Daniel,’’ she said the moment he got in her eyesight, smiling at him. “I know how scary it can get, but you did great despite it. The confidence boost from someone else helped too, didn’t it?’’
“Y-yeah, it did.’’
“Good. But it’d be nice if you try it out when you’re without him, yes?’’
“I’ll try, Mrs. Roberts.’’
“That will be taken into consideration,’’ she said with another soft smile that signaled her end of the conversation.
“I-I-’’
“Come on, Danny boy!’’ Phil called him out from where he was waiting at the doorstep of the classroom, holding his pastel green bag. Dan turned back to Mrs. Roberts, and gave her a small smile too.
“Have a nice day,’’ Dan told her and, before she could reply, left with Phil, who wrapped an arm around his waist instantly.
3)
Dan had had a horrible two days in a row.
Yesterday, he had accidentally broken his favorite CD album while cleaning up his messy room, had made a fool out of himself during his piano practise and in the evening while playing Mario Kart with Phil had lost a game on his favorite map to Phil.
Today, he had one of his worst mornings - Louise had texted him she was sick and he had to walk alone, and in the middle of his way to school it had started raining and he had no umbrella with him, which had soaked him completely by the time he had gotten to the nearest bus station from where he had called Phil to pick him up and he had gotten late to class and had a surprise test and just…
He was in a bad mood.
In a disgustingly terrible bad mood.
Thankfully, it was finally lunch time.
Lunch time was his and Phil’s time to be sneaky and irrational where no one would see them.
Their time to kiss, to hug, to hold hands and giggle against each other’s lips, to touch lovingly, to flirt more boldly and be unapologetically in love.
Dan’s favorite part of his school day.
The moment they got behind one of their spots - the gym’s changing room’s building - hidden and all alone, Phil pinned him to the wall. Trapped him close, inspecting Dan’s face with that fond, full of adoration look that made Dan’s heart skip a beat.
Dan cupped his face in his warm hands, glazing into those blue eyes that he was losing himself in, and then he looked down at Phil’s soft, pink lips, and with no hesitation he closed off the distance and kissed him breathless.
So eagerly, so passionately, as if starving, Phil returned the kiss with the same desperation Dan had started it and wrapped an arm around Dan’s lower back, pulling him closer, making Dan spread his legs a bit so that Phil could fit in the space between them.
Dan would love for them to be a single entity.
It was intoxicating and perfect, as their lips moved in sync, bodies pressed together, attracting each other like magnets. So hungry for each other’s love, full of want that was barely staying on the line between innocent and sexual desire. Just needyneedyneedy, to touch and feel and adore.
They kept kissing and kissing, unable to care about anything, pulling out to take breaths and then going back in. They were getting dumb with sweet want, high on need to be as close as possible, drunk on being so in love. Kissing like there wouldn’t be a tomorrow, like nothing else ever mattered. Like they were made for each other’s lips, fitting together like puzzle pieces.
And they got lost in it.
Dan was thoughtless for anything that wasn’t Phil, his lips, his body pressed to Dan’s, his cold hand on his waist, his beautiful blue eyes that were closed. Anything that wasn’t that gorgeous boy who stole his breath away and that made him a flustered mess was not to be thought of. Anything that wasn’t what he had for him was unimportant, useless. Only his love and affection and sweet fondness mattered.
Everything of his, all for Phil.
By the time they broke apart, Dan’s sour mood was gone.
They gasped for breath, their faces red, bodies warm, staying close. Dan hid himself in Phil’s neck, closing his eyes, pressing his forehead against Phil’s collarbone, his arms sliding down to wrap themselves around Phil’s waist, breathing in Phil’s musky, yet sweet perfume, mixed with the gentle aroma of his shower gel. Getting overwhelmed with affection again, he tilted his head a bit to leave a peck on Phil’s exposed neck skin, feeling the way Phil’s breath got caught in his throat, making him press another kiss next to the first one.
“Dan,’’ Phil uttered softly and just as Dan pressed a third kiss on his neck, Phil put a finger on his chin and sweetly lifted his head. “I love you so much.’’
Dan’s heart melted, as he stared at Phil’s eyes. Eyes so beautiful, Dan couldn’t help but smile.
And before he could reply, Phil kissed him again, this time softer and slower, but just as lovingly.
It was so sweet, this kiss of pure love, combined with their need to touch and be as close as humanly possible. Intoxicatingly sweet, the way Phil held Dan’s chin lightly, while Dan held Phil’s waist softly, just a mere touch on his clothed body, in need to feel the heating up skin underneath. It was incredible in this way that had Dan really, insanely stupid for anything else, forgetting whatever else could be on his mind.
He didn’t need anything else right now anyways.
When they broke apart again, Dan finally got to reciprocate the sentiment expressed by Phil seconds prior. He opened his eyes, to stare directly into Phil’s light blue ones that were so captivating, and said it with all of his chest, as if he was saying it for the first time.
“I love you too, Phil.’’
And Phil grinned at him, all red in his face and down his neck...
In no time they were bantering about the silliest thing.
You see, Dan would usually cave in to whatever Phil wanted of him. He would complain initially and roll his eyes and act like it’s the most torturous thing ever, Phil wouldn’t back out, and Dan would just accept his fate with a sigh and do it for Phil. Which makes it entirely his fault for Phil being spoiled, but.
This time it was different and Dan was also stubborn about it due to his poor mood.
Phil had found the most annoying, idiotic and ridiculous meme online that he had forced everyone, all of their friends, to watch multiple times this past week. And he was so obsessed with it, he had the song playing in the background on repeat and had even added it to their shared playlist.
Hell, Phil had worn his earbuds all day, listening to this fucked up shit, and had pleaded Dan throughout the entirety of the day till now. He was a stubborn idiot.
He had pinned Dan to the wall - actually, they hadn’t changed their positions since their making out - and towered over him, which had Dan truly trapped under this punk with his stupid meme and stupid song and-
God, Dan was so endeared by him, it hurt.
“I told you, I don’t want to listen to this monstrosity!’’ Dan weakly, pathetically whined, looking at Phil’s earbud with disgust.
Phil was offering him his left earbud with his free hand, basically having it shoved in Dan’s hand.
“I just one thing, Dan. Nothing else,’’ Phil pleaded in his pathetic voice with widened blue eyes that were creepy like this.
All that for a shitty song that not even Dan could stand behind and find funny.
He really was not in the mood for this today.
“You say this all the time, you love lying.’’
“But I promise I am not this time,’’ Dan obviously didn’t believe him, even if Phil was giving him his begging eyes. “Just listen to it again, give it a chance.’’
Dan was insanely close to telling him to fuck off and leave him alone. Phil wouldn’t really take offense, he would pout and stop because he knew when Dan was genuine and when it was a joke, and then he’d continue the moment he would feel Dan’s mood getting better.
“You’re being ridiculous.’’
Phil pouted and shook his head.
“No, you are. It’s just a song, don’t be a whiny baby.’’
Dan wasn’t the whiny baby, what?!
He was never a whiny baby!
Okay, maybe he was sometimes, but not this time.
This time he was in the right, totally.
““Don’t piss me off today, I am not in the mood for this.’’
“Then give it another listen or I’ll just tell everyone that-’’
Fuck, Dan filled in the blanks before Phil could finish.
He knew what it was before Phil could say it.
“-you lost a Mario Kart game to me last night.’’
He couldn’t let Phil do that, ever.
“Fine, fine! I’ll listen, just don’t.’’
The embarrassment was too huge - and no way did he want Phil to boost about it to their friends online, fuck. His reputation as the Mario Kart unbeatable pro would be ruined. Never had he lost a game since he was 11, no way was he having anyone else but Phil know that. He was embarrassed enough that Phil knew and that he had lost to him.
Dan could do anything but have it be known he had lost to Phil.
So with deep regret running through his blood, Dan took the offered earbud from his boyfriend and began listening to the monstrosity.
Phil, the fucking tormentor, was smiling eagerly at him.
Dan didn’t know if he wanted to kill or kiss him right now.
He settled for neither.
He groaned and shoved Phil with his hand lightly, which made Phil tilt his head in curiosity.
“What?’’
“This is a torture method at this point,’’ Dan complained, taking the earbud off, thinking of a way out of this. “If I give you half my lunch, will you just leave me alone?’’
Mind you, the lunch they always shared, as Phil never took his (even if Dan loved Mrs. Lester’s cooking so much more, she always served him extra whenever he was having dinner with them), but Dan didn’t know what else to use right now to save his ass.
“I was going to take it anyway,’’ Phil said and yup, Dan had decided he wanted to kill him.
Too bad his death would be a great loss to him.
“But I am giving it willingly as a peace offering. Deal?’’
Phil smiled at him in approval and lightly squeezed his waist, making Dan smile back.
“I love making business with you.’’
Then he backed off from Dan, in order for Dan to get his bag that contained his lunch box. In the rush of their making out it had fallen off his shoulders on the ground, thanks to which he now had to get it.
He quickly unzipped his back and pulled out his lunchbox, handing it out to Phil.
“You know, I should start packing more lunch. You always take most of mine,’’ he said in his complaining voice, but truth was, he never minded.
“It’s too good to not take,’’ Phil defended himself, as Dan tossed his bag on the ground again, and joined Dan’s side by pressing his back to the wall.
He was grinning at the contents in the lunchbox, three pancakes covered with two different chocolate flavours. Dan knew Phil would love them the moment his mother had told him she’s making pancakes for breakfast.
Speaking of mothers…
“And what will your mom say about this?’’
“She already knows, I told her.’’
And he’s told that to Dan.
Mrs. Lester was so disappointed in her son for taking Dan’s food and never bringing his own. She deemed it unacceptable and whenever Dan visited (almost every day), she made up for it.
“Is that why she-’’
Dan couldn’t finish his sentence because a phone randomly started ringing from somewhere nearby, which was odd.
He was sure as hell it wasn’t neither his, nor Phil’s, as they both always had their phones on mute.
And the ringing sound didn’t come from inside the changing rooms, no - it was clear and loud, definitely from outside, very close.
They weren’t alone-
“What the fuck,’’ Phil muttered and started looking around. “I am gonna check.’’
But as soon as he said that, the ringing tune became distant, and all Phil saw was a girl running away, but he decided against chasing her, in fear of scaring her…
4)
Who didn’t love a free class?
Dan did!
He absolutely loved having one, especially of a subject he hated with his guts.
He loved the opportunity to spend time in the library in silence and peace, away from dumb people that made him anxious and easily embarrassed in the worst way. He loved the quiet and the atmosphere of a place where there wouldn’t be assholes, just nerds who would mind their own business and won’t approach him ever.
He was casually walking to the library, clutching his book and notebook to his chest, intending to write his English essay that was due the other day now so he could have more time to do nothing after school with Phil, of course.
And he was in a good mood today, which was notable.
He had woken up relaxed, ready to face the day, having prepared his outfit for the day the previous night while he had Phil over. He now wore it - one of his new, favorite shirts, a baby blue long sleeved, and a pair of slightly ripped, washed out blue jeans that were a bold experiment in his wardrobe - and had finished it with one of Phil’s gifts that was a lovely flower crown with white and blue roses and of course, light makeup. He had eaten breakfast, then had walked with Louise and they had laughed so much at ridiculous things, his ears had even hurt from laughing, and then Phil had waited for him in the parking lot because he wanted a morning kiss and just…
He felt amazing.
And suddenly, things somehow got even better.
He saw Phil coming from down the hall, towards where Dan was headed to, walking fast to possibly reach Dan sooner. The moment his eyes landed on Dan, his whole face lit up.
Dan’s heart was mesh.
He was just about to smile back at his boyfriend, when Phil yelled so loud and waved so everyone could see. Dan went crimson red with embarrassment.
“Hi, lad!’’
Flustered and embarrassed and awkwardly shy was Dan.
The average school experience with Phil.
In no time Phil was standing by his side and before Dan could complain or say anything, Phil was squeezing his shoulder and oh, patting his cheek, which got Dan so endeared.
Dan supposed his widened eyes were what had triggered Phil to laugh in his face, giggling and getting all red himself.
He wanted to kill him so badly right now, but then he’d be without his boyfriend and best friend for the rest of eternity, so he gave up on that.
Plus he was melting under Phil’s touch that seemed too harsh, but it was so sweet and so adoring. That sweet pat of his check was everything, so many things poured into it, expressed in a cute violent way.
Dan really had the sweetest boyfriend.
But he couldn’t say that out loud.
“My name isn’t that hard to call me by, you know,’’ he uttered instead, feeling shy and irritated, noticing people were staring at them, as per usual.
“Alright, Danny boy. Where’ we going?’’
Oh, his audacity.
Did he seriously want another detention? Again? For the 2nd time this week?
His parents wouldn’t like this.
“I am going to the library. You’ve got a class.’’
“Not necessary. I’ve got a class if I want to get one.’’
Yep, another Lester lecture that Dan had to listen to because he was an honorary child.
“Then have fun being in detention later.’’
Dan genuinely meant that, as he passed by him on his way to the library, expecting Phil to follow as he always did. And he did this time too, putting an arm around Dan’s shoulders, pulling him closer - as closer as they would be in the hall - looking up at Dan with that fond look that had Dan desperate to kiss him.
“I’ve got nothing better to do now.’’
And Dan’s throat was getting a bit dry and his mind was emptying itself-
“Being in class might be one,’’ he tried arguing back, knowing it was to no avail.
Phil was just too stubborn and Dan loved him too much.
“Be serious, what’s better than annoying the living shit out of you?’’
Damn this, Phil was so unfortunate they were in the middle of the hall, because if they weren’t Dan would’ve given him the loudest, most stunning kiss and would’ve flustered him the way he deserved.
For good revenge.
“Just shut up.’’
Phil threw him a knowing look and lightly squeezed his right shoulder again in understanding, making his point across - he was not leaving.
Dan accepted it with a warm feeling in his chest.
Phil always loved tagging along, no matter for what, as long as Dan didn’t tell him he couldn’t do so. He always came to the library, always drove Dan to his piano lessons and waited for him outside the room, enjoying listening to him play, and always joined Dan at the theater. He was the best presence ever. He just wanted to be by Dan’s side and Dan loved that, because he wanted the same.
And at the library, he quietly observed Dan studying most of the time, while they shared earbuds and held hands (thank God for Dan being left handed and for Phil being right handed) under the table, never annoying him. He’d actually bring his own stuff, especially laptop, sometimes and do his own thing. It was like they were on study dates.
Sometimes Dan couldn’t believe how lucky they were.
Meeting online thanks to Muse twitter and falling for each other hard and fast, only for Dan’s father to get a job offer in Phil’s town just a few months after they began dating and the Howells deciding to move.
He was an absolute sap about their connection.
He came back to the present as they turned around the corner to the library hall and got embraced by the lack of light.
The library hall was always either dim or pitch dark, always devoid of other people, unwelcoming and cold, no windows nearby. A bit scary, typical place for hiding for couples who wanted to be sneaky.
Which seemed to be Dan and Phil’s case right now, because the moment they stepped in the dark, Phil’s lips were on Dan’s.
Dan immediately reciprocated, pressing his lips firmly against Phil’s, freeing one of his hands to hold Phil’s cheek. He began softly caressing the warm skin under his fingers, feeling himself smile against Phil’s lips.
Phil’s soft, wet, sweet lips that tasted of love.
They felt like getting fresh air, and the sweetness with which they touched his had him melt like a puddle, captured by the loveliness of the boy he adored.
And Dan kept smiling against them.
He didn’t know how much time they had been kissing, probably not much, but they pulled out for a breath of air, never pulling more than necessarily away.
“It’s so hard not to kiss you all the time,’’ Phil softly uttered against Dan’s lips.
Dan couldn’t help himself from nuzzling his nose in Phil’s cheek, while still caressing his other one.
“That tired of hearing me talk?’’ he teasingly asked and Phil giggled.
“Never. But you’re so addictive, I just don’t want to stop.’’
“Then don’t.’’
They connected their lips again, really making use of the fact they were in the dark. It wasn’t often that they got to kiss properly at school except for lunch time. They have only done it at the library and after classes, when Dan was waiting for Phil’s detention to end, but as rarely as possible.
And now that they were kissing here, not too far away from the other students, it was so weird in that good way.
“Oh, your lips….’’ Phil uttered again between kisses.
Dan didn’t know why Phil loved them so much. They were rough, cracked, bloody bitten, nothing like Phil’s, yet Phil’s thumb was often on them, caressing them while his eyes were on Dan’s, face marked by innocent curiosity and fondness. Want to learn everything about Dan, including the exact feel of his lips against his fingers.
God, Dan felt as if they reeked of softness for each other, it was blinding.
They separated again, this time for long, as they had to get going.
Dan usually wouldn’t mind spending the entire class kissing with Phil in the dark, but he had an essay to write and they could always continue after school.
“Come on, Philly,’’ he ushered and grabbed Phil’s hand.
And in the library they spend the next hour, listening to Muse together and holding hands…
5)
Dan hadn’t expected for his school day to start with him nearly or actually having an anxiety attack over ruining Phil’s new leather jacket.
He had never even thought of such a thing happening before, but now that it had happened, he was feeling like shit about it.
It had probably been a build up of weeks of stress that had resulted in his reaction to this happening with possibly one of his deepest fears intervening.
Yet Phil had been so damn calm about it in contrast, which was the most normal, yet worrying thing for Dan.
Look, Phil was a sweet boy (despite his, according to most people, scary looks and initial mean behaviour caused by him wishing to look tough) in the first place and he was particularly patient with Dan’s clumsiness and was extremely tender and gentle with Dan, never truly getting mad at him for anything, but this time it was so different and Dan expected rage for one reason or another.
He didn’t want to go deep into his childhood traumas that he knew to be the reason for his mentality.
And Phil had worked so hard to earn money for this leather jacket and now it was ruined and Dan had hoped Phil wouldn’t hate him for it, because the last thing he wanted in life was for him to hate him and-
Phil was just calm about it. He was so damn calm about it and Dan had no idea why. Even after it was over and they were alone, about to discuss it, he still couldn’t comprehend it and needed extra thought on it.
It had started with Phil waiting for Dan and Louise in the parking lot.
Usual spring morning. The weather had been lovely, the mood had been great.
Dan and Louise had had one of their best chats and Dan had felt good, despite his countless argument with his parents over something unimportant.
And Phil, bless his sweet soul, had bought the two coffees from Starbucks. Had gotten up early to do so, because the Starbucks in town was always full of people this early in the morning. Had gotten their exact orders with every single detail. Had kindly even gotten the barista to write their names correctly.
Dan was a lucky boy.
The three had stayed in the parking lot for a bit to chat and Louise had then gone on her way to see her girl friends, leaving the boyfriends alone. They had made up plans for after school and had shared a brief, coffee tasting kiss before heading to the school entrance for their respective classes (because Phil was going to attend his first class, a rare occurrence).
And there had been lots of people by the entrance, with everyone in a hurry to get to class in time. Most people hadn't even paid attention to them initially, which was rare, because people would stare at them often (Dan didn’t think much of it, for they were both tall as hell distinctly dressed boys that people knew dated), so yeah, they’d been in a big rush.
And the one person that had caused this chaos to happen had seemed to be the one in most hurry.
Phil had been walking in front of Dan so he could open the entrance door for him, when Dan had gotten yelled at by someone behind him, without time to react.
“Move out of the way, nerd!’’
Phil had, of course, the misfortune of turning back to look at whoever had yelled at Dan, the exact moment Dan was moving out of the way, and at that exact moment the person bumped harshly into Dan’s side. Amazing.
In less than a second most of his drink had spilled into Phil’s jacket, soaking his front side almost fully. The guy had run into the building before Dan could have even made sense of what had happened.
And when he had done so, he panicked immediately.
He couldn’t have even processed that his reaction was a lot - he had had a mantra of curses consuming his thoughts, accompanied with self blame, regret and worry over Phil’s reaction, because it had to be bad. Even Phil could react badly to something he had done.
Because Phil fucking loved that jacket so much.
Dan had trouble breathing, shit.
“I-I’m so sorry, Phil-’’ he had heard himself say, barely registering it, trembling, the cup still in his hand light in weight, completely empty.
He had found himself unable to look up at Phil in fear, despite Phil never having given him a reason to think he’d react badly to something like this. He was led on by fear and overthinking.
He had been unable to even raise his head to stare into those blue-green eyes that he loved so much, had barely been able to breathe. He had felt so out of his body, dizzy and overwhelmed, moving so fast to get wet wipes out of his bag in desperate hopes of salvaging the jacket, uselessly. He had kept apologizing, the words spilling out of his mouth like a frantic spell and Phil’s hand had suddenly gotten closer to him and fuck, fuck, fuck-
“Stop,’’ Phil had firmly said, placing a hand on Dan’s chest, breaking the overwhelming spell for a bit.
Dan hadn’t realized how close Phil had gotten to him and guilt had begun to consume him again.
“I’m so sorry, I shouldn’t have, I’m so sorry, Phil, sorry-’’
He had been clutching the wet wipes, feeling the appearance of tears in his eyes, and then-
“Dan, stop!’’
Phil had never yelled at him like that before.
It hadn’t been harsh. It hadn’t meant to hurt.
It had been with the intention to break Dan out of his panic for as long as possible and Dan had thankfully understood that completely.
Yet he had been unable to help himself when he had gotten the courage to look up at Phil. The moment he had done that his eyes had become wetter, because he had been overwhelmed and his feelings had been all over the place and crying in front of Phil was always soothing him.
He hadn’t even realized he was still apologizing.
“I don’t need your apologies, Dan,’’ Phil had said again, even firmer, and Dan understood fully now.
Phil’s wording hadn’t been the best, perhaps a bit too harsh, but it had worked. He knew Dan always needed firm, direct and confident confrontation in moments of panic and he knew what to do, thank fuck.
Dan had felt relief for a second, yet still had problems understanding Phil’s calmness about this.
“What-’’
Phil had looked at him , giving him a look of calm, then leaned closer.
“Let’s go somewhere else.’’
And then he had grabbed Dan’s wrist, dragging him to the parking lot. Dan had felt everyone’s eyes on them, coming to realize they had made (him in particular) a big scene. The break up rumours would start immediately, probably. Fuck.
So that was how Dan found himself shocked by Phil’s calmness.
In silence they walked to Phil’s car, the parking lot almost empty.
Dan didn’t know what to say, Phil had told him to stop apologizing. His brain was working on autopilot in attempts to not panic, and he still had tears running down his cheeks.
Phil was still dragging him, kinda, walking in front of him, stopping Dan from seeing his face, which Dan didn’t like, but well. He’d know in a bit.
Phil’s touch on his wrist suddenly became loose, more soothing, firmer in a gentle way. It was his way of saying everything without speaking out loud right now, and Dan thought that he was probably collecting his thoughts.
They were going to be late for class, but he didn’t give a fuck.
“Phil-’’
“Dan, it’s okay, please,’’ Phil said and Dan felt immediately soothed by this. “I am so sorry I made you panic.’’
They were just next to his car now.
Dan couldn’t reply, for Phil turned back to look at him, stopping their walk, and gave him a tender, sweet smile, with hints of sadness in it.
His eyes were shining and Dan wanted to get lost in his arms and his comfort.
“I overreacted,’’ he uttered instead and Phil shook his head softly.
“I would’ve panicked too if the roles were reversed. It’s my fault I didn’t know how to react. It’s really not yours.’’
“I know, but-’’
“No buts, Dan. It’s the prick’s fault. First for insulting you, second for pushing you. He looks familiar, I’ll-’’
“No! No finding him, Phil. Don’t get in trouble.’’
“But he ruined my jacket and got you distressed!’’
“It was my fault for being in his way.’’
“No. Everyone was in a hurry and no one else was an asshole like him. It’s on him. You have absolutely no fault in this.’’
Phil kissed his cheek, calming down Dan ever more.
How weird it was to Dan, that even if Phil was the one with the ruined jacket, he was the one comforting Dan and not the other way around. Fucking sick.
“Still, I am so sorry for your jacket,’’ Dan said and squeezed Phil’s hand apologetically.
“I’ll just save up more money for a new one.’’
“Won’t be the same though, and you spent so much on it.’’
“It’s just a jacket, Dan. I can get one anytime. Yet I can’t erase what happened with you.’’
“I’m fine now, am I not?’’
“I don’t know. You were trying to help and you got so panicked, it breaks my heart to see you this way. I don’t want you to ever fear how I will react over things. Even if I would get mad, which won’t be likely, I want you to know with your whole chest that it won’t be the end of the world.’’
“Yeah, I know, but I can’t help it.”
“Sadly. But keep that in mind always, okay? I am here all the time, no matter what happens. I’ll try my best to have it intergrated into your mind, bub.’’
Dan smiled at that and nodded, feeling at ease in his heart.
“Thank you,’’ he quietly said and Phil’s eyes softened somehow even more, and he again squeezed Dan’s hand.
“No need to. I love you.’’
“Love you too.”
Dan leaned in for a kiss and Phil got the hint immediately.
They shared a soft, tender kiss, marked by a promise on both ends, a gentle effort they were going to put in.
And Dan couldn’t help but think of how Phil’s lips tasted of gum and how he reeked of coffee that should’ve been in Dan, not soaked into his clothes. How Phil kept his distance just a tiny bit as to not soak Dan’s clothes too, never letting go of his hand. How they were late, but he didn’t have the heart to care. How good it felt to just exist in a cocoon of Phil’s love.
When they separated, Phil was already smiling at him so, so beautifully, like the sun, with those beautiful light blue eyes, shining bright, and that gorgeous face of his red with fluster.
“You’re so…’’ Dan said and stopped himself to catch his breath, “beautiful.’’
“You are. The most beautiful.”
Phil would usually agree that he is and make Dan giggle by teasing him, but the sincerity in his voice and in his eyes made Dan even more giddy than the teasing would’ve had.
“I’ll kill you,’’ Dan said with the biggest grin that made his face hurt, and Phil giggled, turning red like a tomato.
“No, you won’t.’’
“Won’t I?’’
Phil kept giggling, as he pulled out his car keys out of his tight jeans’ pocket.
“Nope. You won’t survive without me.’’
“Sadly.’’
Phil squeezed his hand once more before letting go of it. He taked his jacket off and threw it in the trunk of his jeep, and he seemed to consider something, before asking,
“Can I call your mom and say you’re going to skip today with me? If you want to skip, of course.’’
Dan’s eyes widened and he gasped.
“I do want, but there’s no way she’ll allow that, you know how she is!’’
“But you’re already late for your first class and we have to salvage my jacket,’’ Phil insisted with an attempt to wink, which failed thanks to his inability to actually wink.
“Phil!’’ Dan groaned loudly. “I have two tests today, you know I can’t do that.’’
“All the more reasons to skip today. Please, let me talk to her. She would accept, it’s me after all.’’
“Yeah, just like she accepted you taking me to Manchester with your car.’’
That one time they’d gone to Manchester in secret during the weekend of Phil’s birthday week because Dan’s parents hadn’t agreed and Dan had to send them fake pictures as proof of him being at the Lester’s house was still something that haunted Dan as someone unused to repel.
Thankfully Mrs. Lester was an absolute legend and had his back whenever Dan’s mother called to check in if the “boys are home’’.
“That was different. She does agree for sleepovers!’’
“Because she believes I am too innocent to have sex yet.’’
“What she doesn’t know doesn’t hurt her. Please, Danny, I’ll ask her nicely!’’
Dan sighed and reached into his jeans’ pocket for his phone.
“But you’re to blame if I get grounded to babysit my brother next week.”
“I’ll try my best to not make this happen.’’
Dan handed Phil the phone, who grabbed it and unlocked it, then dialed Dan’s mother.
And he listened as his boyfriend magically managed to convince his strict mother to skip the school day…
+1)
Dan shouldn’t have been so surprised when Phil’s parents invited him to their end of Winter family trip to the Philippines.
He should’ve saw it coming from the hints Mrs. Lester was giving him by talking about it so much the past few weeks prior to the invitation (that even Phil hadn’t known of, because if he had known he wouldn’t have kept it a secret, he sucked at lying to Dan too much), by the pictures of Phil in each trip she had shown him, by sneakily asking to meet up with his mom to discuss something…
Dan should’ve been surprised his mom had allowed him to go.
Sure, his mom and Mrs. Lester got along well and his dad and Mr. Lester had become football buddies, but that was completely different from letting their son go to another family’s trip in the middle of the school year, especially given their initial worries that Dan and Phil dating wouldn’t be a long-term thing due to how different they seemed.
Oh, how wrong they had been.
Now he was sitting by the Borocay beach, wearing sunglasses, listening to the quiet ocean waves crashing into the sand, devoid of any worries and enjoying his time away from home. His time with Phil’s family. His time with his boyfriend.
Phil was by his side, drying off on his towel from being in the water, ranting animatedly about something Dan had half a mind to listen to. He was too busy squinting his eyes to look at Phil. Phil, who was absolutely majestic.
His hair was wet and shining under the bright sunlight, his Buffy tattoo was right before Dan’s eyes, his whole back was covered in sunscreen and his skin was losing its paleness, making him look more human-ly, less like a hot vampire Dan would dream of biting him, but still his beautiful Phil. His gorgeous boy.
“Dan!’’ Phil exclaimed with a pout, making Dan stop zooming out in thought, and lightly pushed his shoulder. “You’re not even listening!’’
“Sorry, I got distracted,’’ Dan murmured and smiled at him. Phil rolled his eyes, but returned the smile, understanding.
“I just saw two turtles and they reminded me of us. They were big! Just like us! And they were walking side by side. Their flippers were touching and they were headed to the water. Look, do you see them?!’’
Phil enthusiastically grabbed Dan by his shoulders and made him turn his eyes towards the pair of huge turtles. They were the only other sign of life on the private area of the beach Dan, Phil, Phil’s brother and his girlfriend were at, with the older couple being in the water.
The turtles were greenish gray, slow and endearing to watch. They were just as Phil had described them in his full of whimsy voice he got when he was passionate about whatever he spoke about. They left traces of their flippers and little claws in the sand, marking their path to the ocean, a symbolic thing that was beautiful to see.
Dan’s heart melted upon the sight.
“They’re cute,’’ he softly uttered.
It was an understatement to say that, because he thought that they were adorable, that Phil was the sweetest and loveliest for thinking that two random turtles were like them, that he was the happiest he had ever been, despite how happy he already was with Phil all the time, that life was only getting better the more and more he was with his best friend and boyfriend.
It was a mere understatement and Phil definitely knew. He always knew.
“Do you think we’re two turtles in another life? Would you still love me if I was one?’’ he asked instead.
“I’d always love you, Phil. Even when we’re two turtles or two worms. Or two corgis, or two cats, me a black and you an orange one. Or two pigeons! As long as it’s you.’’
Phil beamed at him, blinding Dan with his happiness and adorableness, and Dan didn’t dare to think before leaning in and kissing him sweetly.
Because how could he not?
Phil was everything.
Phil kissed back just as sweetly, his face and lips warm and wet, and placed a hand on Dan’s knee, his tight grip on Dan’s shoulders gone. A water drop fell from his hair down to Dan’s cheek, and Dan only felt a tingling warmth in his heart by this. By the proximity, the love, the adoration.
By existing in the same space as his boyfriend.
They pulled back, both blushing, grinning at each other as if it was the first time they’ve ever kissed. As if a kiss was as special as it was at the beginning, an act filled with fluster and shyness. As if they wouldn’t ever get bored of it.
“Let’s get in the water!’’ Phil said and squeezed Dan’s knee.
“I’ve got a better idea.’’
Dan abruptly stood up from his towel, offering Phil a hand, smiling at him encouragingly.
“What is it?’’
Phil took his hand and squeezed it lightly, allowing himself to get help from Dan with getting up.
“We can draw in the sand.’’
“Yes, yes!’’
With Phil’s enthusiastic agreement, the two headed a bit far from their towels and stopped at a random spot.
“Here?’’ Phil asked and put his hands on his hips, squinting to look at Dan.
“Yeah. I have an idea.’’
Before Phil could ask what it was, Dan crouched down and looked up at Phil with an affectionate look, his cheeks becoming redder.
Dan wondered if he had gotten many freckles, if Phil was too busy counting each possible one on his face to ask anything.
He had done that many times before, starting back when Dan had come back from one of his family holidays abroad - had laid down facing Dan in his bed after Dan had come to visit him immediately after coming home, looking at Dan with a starstruck gaze and softly whispering numbers, as he counted every single freckle covering Dan’s tanned skin. He had taken his time doing so, had seemed completely mesmerized by Dan.
He had casually kept doing that after, with a fond look on his face whenever Dan was under the sun too much. He easily got freckles and Phil easily adored him with his eyes.
Dan was sometimes unable to comprehend how adored he was by Phil the same way he was adoring Phil.
“Care to share?’’ Phil eventually asked, staring at Dan’s brown eyes with traces of love in his own blue ones. Dan affectionately hummed and turned back to look at the sand.
“Watch and you’ll see.’’
“Mysterious, are we now?’’
“Just watch, you’ll know in a minute.’’
In no time Dan tried his best to draw a relatively big heart in the sand that he was going to fill with their initials separated by a heart. He wanted it to look as sweet as possible, Phil loved such cheesy gestures.
“Awww, Danny!’’ Phil cooed and he patted Dan’s head.
“D’ you like it?’’ Dan asked and just as Phil’s mouth’s ends curled into a smile, Martyn and Cornelia appeared by their side.
“We should take a picture of you!’’ Cornelia chimed in, grinning.
“I’ll get my phone,’’ Martyn said and his wink at Phil didn’t go unnoticed by Dan, who blushed intensely at it.
“Should I direct you on how to pose?’’ Cornelia asked and Dan shook his head, standing up.
He and Phil shared a fond look before reaching to each other’s dominant hands, leaning closer to each other, as Dan brushed the sand off his knees and composed himself.
It wasn’t everyday that they were on a trip together to the other end of the world, away from any responsibilities, carefree and happy.
And as Cornelia and Martyn took a few pics of them, Phil’s hand in his felt like it should never let go…