(I know nothing about France's landscape or wine.)
Dan's P.O.V
Phil and I walked around the streets of Paris; admiring the magnificent architecture and general beauty of everything. We entered every shop we saw, and even managed to find souvenirs for our families and friends.
There were cute little stores showcasing homemade gifts and knickknacks; charming little café's and craft stores. To say we shopped 'till we dropped was a big understatement.
By the time we actually reached the Eiffel Tower, the stars were out, the sky was dark; and both our stomachs were growling ferociously.
"Dan, I'm hungry." Phil whined, resting his head on my shoulder as we walked.
"But the Eiffel Tower, Phil! The lights are so pretty at night!" I whined back. I could not have Phil ruining my plans.
"But food!"
"How about we go on the Eiffel Tower, and then we get food."
"Promise?"
"Promise." I nudged his head softly, and pecked his lips.
Someone behind us said 'aw', and I felt rather than saw the blush as it rose on Phil's cheeks.
I trailed my fingers across the heated skin, catching his eyes.
"Hey, it's okay." I said, a little confused as to what Phil was embarrassed about.
"I know, it's just weird, you know?" He shrugged.
My face dropped, and Phil must have noticed; his slim fingers wrapping around my wrist.
"I'm happy Dan, I really am. It's just strange, 10 years ago I hadn't even heard of you...and now we're in Paris. It's a lot to take in, and I've never been the best with public displays of affection; especially in a place where we don't know anyone."
I smiled, his fingers rubbing back and forth on my hand.
"So don't think about anyone else. Nobody else matters. And the fact they don't know us makes it better; we can do what we want and in a week nobody will remember."
"You always say the right things. Are you real?"
"Phil." I said, laughing. "Of course I'm real."
"No, but seriously. Sometimes when I wake up with you in my arms, when your heads against my chest; your soft hair tickling my chest...I almost need to pinch myself because I don't believe...I can't believe that my life is real and not just a perfect dream."
I pulled him close, joining our lips in wondrous movements.
"If this is a dream, then I never want to wake up." I whispered.
Phil laughed, a loud, cheerful sound, and my smile grew larger.
"We should better go now, or we'll never get to the tower on time."
"And we won't get food."
"Food? Food? Is that all you ever think about?" I asked, turning the dramatics up as high as they could go.
"I think about you a lot."
Phil's stomach gave a low grumble.
"But at the moment, food is what I'm hungry for."
"Fine. We'll go to the tower now, be all romantic and stuff, and then we'll find some food."
"Yay!" Phil clapped his hands like an excited child, his tongue poking out the side of his mouth, eyes filled with glee.
"Do you want to get the tickets?" I asked.
"Sure...Why am I getting them?"
"Oh, I just need to...call my mum. You know how she worries. And the person selling the tickets will speak English; they usually do at tourist attractions."
The words sounded like lies even to my own ears, but Phil didn't call me out.
"Okay." He walked over to the ticket booth, hands in his pockets.
I quickly whipped my phone out, dialling the number as fast as my thumbs would allow.
"...Hey! I'm just ringing to check...Everything's good? We haven't had any problems...I know I'm sorry, I just really want everything to be perfect...I'm sorry. Of course I appreciate it, I'm incredibly grateful...thank you...Okay I will. Thanks, you're the best...I wont...Bye."
I hung up letting out a breath I didn't know I had been holding.
"Is everything good with your mum?"Phil asked, appearing next to me; tickets in hand.
"What...oh, yeah. I told her what our plans are. She, uh, said to tell you hi, and wish us both congratulations again." I hated lying to Phil, but deep down I knew it would be worth it.
"Okay...are you ready to go?"
"Of course." He handed my ticket over, and I reached for his hand.
We flashed our tickets; colourful little stubs with a picture of the Eiffel Tower on it. The guard nodded and let us through.
"We shall pass." Phil whispered to me.
We went up in the elevator; it only took me one look at the endless flights of agony to decide how to go up. There weren't a lot of people in the elevator, and even less up on the balcony.
Once we reached the top, we walked out to the edge. The lights were on, blinking and flashing bright, beautiful colours.
Phil stepped towards the railing, staring out at the great expanse of lit buildings. I walked out, standing behind him. I slipped my arms around his waist, wrapping them around his torso. I rested my head on his shoulder.
"It's truly magnificent, isn't it?" Phil asked, covering my hands with his own,
"C'est beau, it is beautiful."
"I've been here before, once. But I didn't go out here, and I didn't see the city at night."
"The city of love, the city of lights. 'La Ville-Lumiere'."
"Now you're just showing off." Phil said, laughing softly.
"I am not!" Phil turned so he was facing me, my hands sliding to his hips.
He simply stared at me, with his signature 'don't-lie-to-me,-I-don't-believe-you-for-a-second' expression.
"Okay, maybe I am. Only a little bit, though. I was trying to impress you."
"You don't need to impress me."
"Does that mean it worked?"
"No..."
"It did, didn't it? It did!"
Phil turned away, gazing out at the sky.
"Dan." He said, his voice breaking the silence.
"Yes, babe?"
"How do you say, you're beautiful in French?" I could feel the blush creeping up on my neck as the words sunk in.
"Well, it depends, on the context. If it's a thing, the correct phrase is C'est beau. If you're talking about a guy, you would say t'es beau. If it's a girl..."
"T'es beau." He whispered, turning back to face to me.
"Uh, yeah. Like that."
Phil stepped closer, his face, his body; only centimetres away from me. He put his hands on my waist, lifting my shirt up; running his cool fingers across my torso and up my back. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling close so he was pressed against me. I attacked his lips, kissing him hard. His tongue ran across my bottom lip.
I opened my mouth, allowing him entrance. His tongue swirled around my mouth, twirling with mine. I could feel the blood flow downwards. I ran my fingers through his dark hair, tugging it gently.
"I'm hungry." He muttered against my lips.
My confusion stalled me, giving Phil time to step away. His hands left my body, my hands falling to my sides. My skin felt cold without the heat he had given me. I was left standing there, breathless and half-hard against the railing of the Eiffel Tower.
Great.
"Phil...Phil! Phil! Phillip Michael Lester!" I called, as the grinning bastard reached the elevator.
I ran after him, almost crashing into the doors as they closed in my face. I waited for the elevator to come back up, bashing the buttons so hard; it's surprising they didn't break.
By the time the elevator reached the ground floor, my arousal had lessened dramatically.
"You left me half-hard, you twat."
"Would it make you feel better if I said I'll make it up to you?"
"Will it be worth it?"
"Definitely."
"I forgive you. Cause I love you." I pecked his lips, reaching for his hands and swaying our arms.
"Do you wanna just look around, or...?"
"I know the perfect place."
I led Phil away from the tower, in the direction of a gorgeous park. Big, luxuriant trees, vibrant green grass; a shining lake that reflected the moon's rays.
"How do you find food in a park, Dan?"
"You trust me, that's how." I saw the hill, the little pink heart stuck to a tree and smiled.
"Follow me, and prepare to be amazed."
I led him up and over the hill, glancing over to see his expression. It changed from confusion, to surprise, and finally after a few agonising seconds where I feared my heart would leap out of my chest; it was beating so hard; Phil smiled.
"Dan, is that...is that...?" He broke off, mouth agape.
"All for you? Yes."
"How did you manage all this? I haven't left your side since the wedding." Phil asked, running down the hill. I chased after him, grinning.
"It's a secret. Don't ruin the romantic surprise." I ran after him, laughing at the happiness exuding from him.
"Fine, I won't question it. But don't expect me to forget about it completely, I will find out eventually."
He sat down on the red and white checkered blanket; a blanket that's surface was almost completely laden with food. There were chocolate covered strawberries, small bread rolls. Mixed salad; everything and anything one could wish for on a picnic. There was also a silver bucket; filled with ice and a simple bottle of wine nestled in the middle.
I sat next to him, pulling two plastic wine glasses out and handing one to Phil.
"Care for some wine?" I asked.
"I would love some. What is it?"
"Valley of the Vines: Moscato. Your favourite."
"Sparkling?"
"Of course." I filled his glass then my own, handing his over.
Phil took a sip, scrunching his nose up adorably; the bubbles tickling his nose.
"Will you ever stop doing that?" I asked, waiting for the bubbles to settle before sophisticating sipping my own glass.
"I don't think so. I guess I'm just not as classy as you are."
"I drink wine like a posh Englishman." I said putting on my fanciest voice.
"Like a twat, you mean."
"Hey!"
"Horses eat it."
Phil laughed, looking at me over his glass as he sipped his wine.
"I see how it is. I organize this big, romantic treat for you; under the night sky, drinking the stars...and you make a mockery of me? That is low, sir...low."
"Aw, I'm sorry. Let me make it up to you. Chocolate strawberry?" He asked, holding one out.
"I would love one. But I'm still mad at you."
He brought it closer to my lips, and I opened my mouth around it, my lips brushing against Phil's fingers.
"Delicious." I said, finishing the fruity sweet.
"Are you still mad at me?"
I paused. "No."
We ate everything there, so much food filling our bellies. I didn't know how we were going to get back to the hotel. We finished off the wine; pacing ourselves as the night dragged on, so we were left warm and a little tipsy.
"What do we do with the blanket, and the basket?"
"Oh...ah...I hadn't thought of that. Just, fold the blanket up and put it in the basket. We can drop it off tomorrow or something."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah. But I think we should probably catch a taxi."
"Sounds like a good idea."
I put the rubbish in the bins; Phil packed the glasses and the blanket. I called a taxi; and we waited patiently for it to arrive.
Once it did come, we hopped in the back together. I told the driver the hotel address and relaxed with Phil in the back. He put his hand on my knee, a seemingly innocent gesture; until his hand started to rise.
By the time the cab reached the hotel, my jeans had become uncomfortably tight...I only just remembered to pay the driver.
Phil dragged me through the hotel, both our cheeks flushed in anticipation and arousal. Luckily for us, we were the only ones in the elevator; it would have been embarrassing and hard to explain if someone walked in on Phil kissing my neck and palming me through my jeans.
We stumbled through the hallway, trying not to make too much noise. I fumbled with the door key, scratching the door and even attempting to put it in upside down before I managed to slide it in, the door opening with a 'click'.
Not that Phil was helping; nuzzling and kissing my neck, sliding his hands up my chest. No help whatsoever.
We made love slowly and sweetly that night. It wasn't just sex, it wasn't just heated passion; it was a lovers dance, an ardours tango.
I fell asleep in his arms; legs tangled together, bodies pressed close. We weren't just a couple; we weren't just two people in love. We were the two halves of the same whole, two parts of the same soul; joined in love, a bond so strong it would never break.
Right, so Authors Note...
You know how in the last chapter I said I would hopefully update on time...it didn't really work out, did it. I'm sorry. I don't think I'll make schedules anymore. Chapters will happen when they happen.
Also, quick nod to the reference in this...chocolate star if you got them! (Tfios)
Thanks to everyone who reviewed on the last chapter, reviews honestly make my day, you have no idea how happy I get.
Nod to NeverlandNat, who has been amazingly fabulous, as always. I hope you got the reference towards the end.
BUT! The biggest nod of gratitude, and appreciation and so much credit of this chapter goes to witbeyondmeasureXOX; whom without this chapter wouldn't have happened. Thank you so much for the helpful translation; I hope I did it right. And thanks for the constant encouragement; I honestly don't think this chapter would have happened without you. So, thank you.
I wrote a story collection for my best friend's birthday; there is an assortment of ships and that has been posted. In about a week I will take it down and post each story separately. But if you want to check it out, I would appreciate it. Drop a happy birthday to her if you want, her name is in the summary.
I also posted a song Fic/one-shot, if you haven't read that and would like to that would be awesome. Thanks to everyone who has already read it, you're all very sweet and each one made me grin big. That however won't be the last one, I have more planned.
(Sorry for the long authors note.)