A/N: This is a bit later than I would like it to be but I had writer's block oops.

Sorry it's a bit shorter than usual, chapters will be longer in the future!

The little bookstore opened an hour late today, mostly due to Dan's throbbing headache. In fact, his hangover was so bad that if it weren't for the many bills looming over his head, he probably would have taken the day off. The young entrepreneur had just flipped the window sign around when he received a text from Phil, which he reluctantly opened.

Hey Dan! How do you feel?

Dan plopped down in his desk chair, typing out a response. Like I've been hit by a bus.

Considering how many shots you had, I'm really not surprised… I had to practically carry you home

Dan groaned, resisting the urge to slam his head down on the desk. He hadn't gotten this drunk in a long time. He had been a pretty big drinker when he was in university but managed to tone it down after he dropped out. Of course, this was partly because he couldn't afford to waste money on alcohol.

Yeah, haha…sorry about anything I said/did…

Oh don't worry about it! It was quite entertaining, actually. How do you know so many pickup lines?

Dan was unbelievably thankful Phil wasn't there to see how much he was blushing.

I don't even want to know what I said

Don't worry about it :)

Dan began typing a response but stopped mid-word when he received a second text.

In fact, I thought it was enticing

At this, the poor writer nearly burst into flames. Was Phil flirting with him, or was he just joking around? What had he said to Phil last night?

Oh? Dan responded, unsure of what else he could say.

Definitely ;)

Dan's heart practically leaped out of his chest; it was amazing how two simple characters could give someone so many indescribable emotions. How was Dan even supposed to respond to this? Thankfully, Phil texted again before he had to think of a counter.

Ugh, I have to go to this meeting thing for my parents, but I'll text you later :)

Yeah, ttyl ^.^

It wasn't until the young man set his phone down that he realized a small quiver had developed in his hands. Dan groaned, tossing his phone on the counter. "Damn you, Lester…"

…

Despite how horrible Dan felt, he was glad he hadn't taken the day off. Sometime around noon, a group of middle-aged women had dropped by and bought seventy pounds worth of cooking books. While that was almost nothing compared to the fine he had to pay, it was a start.

Thanks to the slow morning, Dan had retained plenty of time to think about the lousy situation he was in. He had known for quite some time that his beloved bookstore wasn't nearly successful enough to help him pay off the debts he owed; his only chance of even coming anywhere close to the price he owed was through the writing contest. Hell, even if he did win the 700 pounds, it was still less than half of the 1,560 pounds he owed….

Dan was yanked out of his thoughts when the door swung open and a lanky teenager walked into the shop with a rectangular box in his hands.

"Dan Howell?" He asked in a nasally voice. Dan noticed he looked rather awkward and out-of-place, much like he wasn't quite sure where he was or if it was the right location.

"Erm, yeah, that's me," Dan quirked an eyebrow at the boy.

"Oh um, these are for you," The boy set the box on Dan's desk, almost immediately retreating to the door, "Have a nice day."

Before Dan could respond, he was gone.

Sighing, he returned his attention to the long, cardboard box in front of him. It was roughly two feet long and wrapped in a plain, brown paper. The only decoration was a silky blue ribbon that had been wrapped long-ways around the box and tied in a bow. Dan grabbed one of the loose ends of the ribbon and pulled; it came undone in one swift and satisfying motion. Tossing the ribbon to the side, Dan lifted the top of the box off and was immediately hit with the sweet aroma of flowers. Inside the box was a stunning bouquet of violet roses, the same silky, blue ribbon tied carefully around the stems.

A soft gasp escaped Dan's lips as he reached to pick them up. As he lifted the flowers out of their case, a small note fluttered to the ground. Careful not to damage the boutonniere, the young man gently laid them on the counter before stooping to get the note. Dan examined the small card, standing back up. "Allen's Bouquets" was written in fancy cursive on the front. Dan flipped open the card and read the message inside.

Roses are purple

You can write

Meet me at Lou's for dinner tonight?

-Phil

Dan's face lit up in a smile as he read the note a few more times. Pulling out his phone, the young writer opened his text messages and typed a quick reply to Phil.

Ribbons are blue

These flowers smell like heaven

Meet you there, thirty after seven

Scanning over the text in quick revision, Dan pressed send, holding his phone close to him and grinning madly.

"Oh Dan," He thought to aloud, "What have you gotten yourself into?"

Humming happily to himself, Dan hurried off to go get a vase for the flowers.

A/N: If you haven't already please go check out my newer story I'm starting called "Blossom!" It's a Pastel!Dan and Punk!Phil AU.