Phil watched from his spot in the window as Dan slowly pushed snow from the pavement into the yard. Dan was bundled up in a thick winter jacket and at least two of Phil's sweaters. Phil had been ill all week so after a huge storm, Dan insisted on shoveling the snow by himself. Dan looked up to see Phil watching him. He grinned and waved. Phil waved back, taking in his red cheeks and windblown hair. Like a small child, Dan had protested Phil's desire to wrap him up in all the clothes they owned to keep him warm. Phil was starting to feel guilty, seeing Dan out there in the cold by himself. With a sniff, he pushed himself to his feet and grabbed his jacket. He tottered back and forth for a moment as he pulled on his boots. He tucked his Superman pajama pants in and headed outside. It was even colder than he had expected, the wind whipping his hair around viciously. He trudged down the front walk. Dan still hadn't noticed him. Phil paused, a violent coughing fit stopping him from continuing. Dan looked up surprised.
"What are you doing? Get inside," Dan shouted. He wrapped his arms around Phil, letting the shovel drop.
"I wanted to say hello," Phil said, his teeth already chattering.
"You couldn't have texted me?" Dan asked laughing.
"Not the same," Phil mumbled.
"Go inside," Dan said, nudging Phil towards the house.
"But then you're stuck out here alone."
"How about I take a break, okay?" Dan said, ushering Phil closer to the front door.
"I'll make you hot chocolate," Phil offered. Finally pushing Phil through the door he said, "You'll sit down and warm up before you get pneumonia. I'll make my own hot chocolate." Dan pushed Phil into a chair and knelt before him to unlace his boots. After pulling them off, Phil pulled his knees up to his chest, trying to stop the shivering. Dan wrapped a blanket around him and told him to stay where he was. Phil buried his head under the blanket regretting going outside. He was glad that Dan had come in with him though. Dan returned and pressed a steaming mug of hot chocolate into his hands, sipping from his own. Phil pulled him into the chair with him, proving that the chair really was only meant for one. Dan leaned his head against Phil's.
"It's cold out," Phil whispered. Dan laughed.
"I know," he whispered back.
"Don't go back out there."
"I have to finish shoveling," Dan said.
"Nope," Phil said simply.
"Yeah actually."
"Nope," Phil repeated.
"Well the snow's not going to shovel itself," Dan said, starting to get out of the chair. Phil pulled him back.
"The heat from my burning love for you will melt it away," Phil said into Dan's neck. Dan laughed, pressing a kiss to Phil's temple.
"I love you, you know," Dan said.
"I know."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. I love you too."
"I know."