A/N: i feel like my writing style in this isnt as good as it was in the first chapter when i was trying super hard?

May 8th

Dan took a long sip of his coffee, sighing deeply as its warmth spread through him. He had only begun liking coffee quite recently—he had always been more of a tea person. He had Phil to thank for his newfound obsession. The artist had taken him to a quaint café a few towns over one day, raving about this drink Dan absolutely had to try. And Phil was right—it was amazing. Unfortunately, no coffee Dan had bought since then had been as good. (Though Lou's came pretty close.)

"So," Louise used a rag to wipe the icing off her hands, "What did you want my opinion on?"

Dan swallowed his drink. "Well, Phil has taken me out on a lot of dates and I kinda want to do something for him, you know? I've come up with an idea that isn't too expensive and I want to get a second opinion."

"Alright, shoot."

Dan explained his plans, repressing a smile as Louise's face lit up.

"Oh my gosh, that's adorable, he'll love it!" She grinned, brushing the hair back from her face.

"You sure?"

"Definitely."

Dan grinned, finishing the last of his drink. "Thanks, Lou."

"Tell me how it goes!" She waved, watching as Dan hurried out the door.

…

Dan held the phone to his ear, anxiously waiting for Phil to pick up.

"Hey!"

"Phil, hi!" Dan spoke.

"What's up?"

Dan bit his lip. "Um… do you want to come over to my place tomorrow night?"

"Yeah, sure! What did you have planned?"

Dan paused, he hadn't actually arranged anything specific for them to do and was praying that Phil would be okay with that. "I thought we could just hang out. Maybe um…read…wait no that sounded really lame, oh gosh…"

Phil's laugh crackled in the receiver, "That sounds like a lot of fun," he sounded genuine, "of course I'll come."

The writer sighed in mitigation. "Great! I'll talk to you tomorrow, then?"

"Mhm, see you later."

…

May 9th

It was around eight o'clock that Phil showed up at Dan's apartment, knocking firmly on the oak door. Dan swung it open only a moment later, grinning widely. "Hey!"

"Hi," Dan smiled, pulling him into a hug.

Phil inhaled the smell of old paper that always lingered behind the writer, taking comfort in its familiarity.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't take you out to a fancy restaurant or anything," Dan closed the door behind his date. "I know that's probably what you're used to."

"Oh don't apologize! A date doesn't have to be expensive to be good, yeah?"

"I guess you're right," Dan muttered thoughtfully, leading Phil up the stairs.

"And besides, no date is a bad one when I'm with you." Phil coquetted, grinning when a bit of heat appeared in Dan's cheeks.

"Oh, thanks…"

As they approached the top of the stairs, Dan faltered. "I um, I hope you like it," he spoke stiffly, not meeting Phil's eyes. Before the painter could respond, he pushed the door opened, walking into the lounge.

"Oh my gosh…" Phil gazed out in awe at the room.

Dan had really gone all out: candles sat on every surface available, illuminating the room in a warm glow. There was a bottle of cheap champagne in a bucket of ice on the coffee table next to the couch, where Dan's soft, red wine comforter was lying.

"It's not too much, is it?" The writer stood to the side, fidgeting awkwardly.

"No, no!" Phil turned to grin at his friend. "It's amazing."

Dan smiled coyly, glancing away.

…

"What do you think of this one?" Phil read, "I'd much rather be a candle that has not yet been lit than a box of matches so hungrily burning themselves up."

Dan thought for a moment. "I think it's saying that it's better to wait a long time to find someone you really love and have a connection with than to have a handful of short, passionate romances."

"Wow, I never would have got that," Phil stated, closing the book. "I think it's clear where my artistic talent lies."

Dan laughed softly, "It's a learned skill."

"Well, maybe you can teach me," Phil suggested, sliding an arm around Dan's shoulder. Dan gladly accepted the touch, leaning into Phil's chest.

"Maybe so."

The duo jumped (nearly spilling their champagne) as a loud crack of thunder shook the flat.

"I've always thought storms were fascinating..." Dan thought aloud, snuggling closer to Phil. Heavy drops began hitting the window

"Yeah, they're an excellent time to just sit and think."

"And what is it that you're thinking about?" Dan inquired.

Phil smiled softly, reaching out to comb a hand through his date's hair. "Just how gorgeous you are."

Dan laughed softly, brushing off the compliment. "Stop lying, we both know I look like a potato."

"Well, you must be a baked potato, because you're pretty hot."

Dan rolled his eyes, leaning into back against Phil. "You are so damn cheesy."

"You love it," Phil teased, poking Dan's side.

Dan chuckled, swatting his hand away. "Oh, shut up!"

The artist bit his lip in a smile that slowly slinked off his face.

Dan glanced up at him, their eyes meeting. A warm light flickered in Phil's eyes as he slowly moved his hand to Dan's jaw, cupping it gently.

Dan dropped his gaze down to Phil's lips, the same feeling of longing he had felt that day they almost kissed rising in his stomach.

He looked back up at Phil, his heartbeat drumming in his ears.

The young artist began leaning in. He was close enough that their noses were now gently brushing against each other.

Phil stopped mere millimeters away from Dan's mouth, an almost electrical tension sparking between their lips. Not being able to stand it any longer, Dan leaned forward, closing the gap.

Dan had been writing since he was a teenager yet he could think of no words to describe how damn good this felt. Phil's lips were soft and warm against his own, a reassuring touch of comfort as the thunder cracked outside.

Dan ran a hand through Phil's hair, savoring the feel of the painter's hands sinking down to his waist. Phil pulled Dan closer, deepening the kiss. The stormy gales outside rattled the ancient windowpanes, making the company of another person seem even more intimate.

Their arms wrapped tightly around each other and their legs intertwined, the duo fell back against the couch.

"I've been wanting to do that for so long Phil muttered against Dan's mouth, finally pulling away from the kiss.

"Oh gosh, don't even get me started," Dan laughed softly, the smile on his face barely visible in the dim, shaky candlelight.

The two quickly reconnected lips, kissing each other softly as the sound of raindrops bounced off the roof in a serene melody.

…

"I should probably get going," Phil whispered into Dan's hair, keeping his eyes shut.

"Stay," Dan whispered back, "Please,"

"I-I really shouldn't..." Phil slid a hand up the back of Dan's shirt, rubbing small circles onto his skin.

Dan moved his face from where it was buried in Phil's neck, pressing a slow, sleepy kiss to his lips. "Stay."

"Well..." Phil hesitated, "I guess I could stay for a bit longer."

Dan smiled, burying his head into Phil's chest.

It wasn't before long that Dan had drifted into a deep sleep.

The artist contemplated trying to sneak out, but the idea of abandoning the warm couch—and Dan's embrace—only to step out into the cold, pouring rain was less than ideal. Pushing away his worries of what could go wrong, Phil allowed his eyes to flicker closed.

A/N: does it bother y'all when I do a lot of time skips? It's just more convenient.