CHAPTER SEVEN

"You don't have to do this, Dan," Phil said as he turned on the camera.

"I know," muttered Dan. "But I want to help you."

"I'd be fine," Phil reassured. "I don't want to play with your feelings."

Dan quickly pecked Phil's lips.

"I don't mind," the brunette breathed.

"Oh-Erm-L-Let's get started, shall we?" stuttered Phil, a light pink dusting his cheeks.

Dan's eyes darted down, his face slowly turning crimson.

"S-Sorry," he mumbled.

Phil shrugged, his eyes locked on his hands. "It's alright. I'm gonna have to kiss you anyways."

"But I should've asked you!" Dan blurted. "I just went and-"

Phil quickly threw his arms around his friend, burying his face in his neck.

"It's alright," he murmured.

Dan happily wrapped his arms around Phil's middle. The two stayed like that for a moment, wrapped in each other's arms.

"Should we start filming?" Dan questioned as he pulled away from the hug.

"M'Kay," Phil nodded.

The older boy turned to the camera, nervously fiddling with his hands. Dan squeezed Phil's upper arm in what he hoped was a reassuring manner. Phil reached up and linked their fingers together, causing Dan's lips to part in surprise. The two shared a small smile before Phil returned to the camera.

"Hey guys," he grinned. "So, I have an announcement..." he trailed off awkward, his lower lip trapped between his teeth. "I'm-Erm-I'm bi. And Dan's my boyfriend."

"So this is how you felt‽" sighed Phil as he collapsed on his back, staring at his ceiling. "This is hard. I'm sorry."

"Well most people also aren't lying about their sexuality," Dan said, trying his best to not sound snarky.

When Phil didn't say anything, Dan turned towards him with wide eyes.

"It was just a joke-I didn't mean to offend you-Sorry."

"I don't know if it was a lie," Phil blurted.

"What?" Dan raised his eyebrows.

"Well, I mean, I'm not sure. But I have found guys attractive before," Phil admitted.

"Are you saying I may have a chance with the great Phil Lester?" Dan joked.

Phil just chuckled. "Do you want pizza?"

"Yeah, alright," agreed Dan, his eyes staring down at his feet.

He sighed and collapsed onto the bed as Phil left the room.

'Stop making jokes about being in a relationship,' Dan mentally scolded himself. 'You're going to ruin everything.'

With a deep breath, he heaved himself to his feet and followed Phil into the living room. The brunette plopped down on the couch and hurriedly grabbed his laptop before he could make any awkward eye contact with the older boy. For awhile the two sat in silence. It wasn't until Dan came back up with the pizza that Phil decided to talk.

"Erm-Dan-I was thinking and...If we have to pretend to be dating and we have to kiss on screen, should we be getting used to it?" Phil wondered as he nervously bit his lip.

Dan stood frozen, his hand mid-air as he reached for a slice of pizza.

"Dan?" Phil whispered.

"Are you-Are you inviting me to kiss you?" Dan squeaked.

"Well if our on-screen kiss is awkward, they're bound to notice something's up," Phil reasoned. "But-I mean-They might just think it's because we're not used to being on camera. But-"

"Can I kiss you or not‽ Yes or no‽" Dan demanded to know.

Phil sighed before tentatively nodding.

Dan took a step forward, pressing their lips firmly together. His hands went to grip Phil's hips, while Phil just seemed to wave his arms, not quite sure what to do with them. But a moment later he became slightly more comfortable (though it was obvious he was still feeling quite awkward) and laced his fingers through Dan's hair. Dan moved his hands so they were resting on Phil's bum.

Phil quickly pulled away, taking a few steps backwards.

"I-Erm-S-Sorry," Dan stumbled over his words. "I-I didn't mean to...I just sorta got...carried away..."

"It's-It's fine," mumbled Phil. "Erm-I'm gonna-I'm gonna go..."

The older boy hurried off to his room, leaving Dan alone with his anxieties and uneaten pizza.