A/N: reading well-written fanfic is great until I start to realize how much better they are than me :')
May 10th
Phil sipped his coffee, standing in the open French doors that led to a small balcony. The view wasn't that impressive, just another angle of the adjacent stores and cobblestone streets that stretched through the town. The air was cool and gentle against his face, carrying the scent of last night's rain along with a few other unidentifiable aromas.
The artist cast a glance behind him. Dan was curled up on the couch, cuddling the pillow Phil had shoved under his arm after escaping from the man's tight grasp. His hair was disheveled and curly, swooping arcs of brown brushing gently against his face. The shirt he was wearing had become wrinkled and was hiked up, revealing the small of his back. Phil sighed, averting his gaze.
Last night was the first time anything blatantly romantic had sparked between them, and Phil knew very well the mistakes that could be made by rushing into a relationship. He was so scared that, if he wasn't careful, he would slip back into old habits, diving into another toxic romance. So instead he would take it slow—step by step, kiss by kiss, falling in love the way he should have last time.
"Phil?"
Dan's soft voice grabbed the artist's attention, and he quickly turned around, smiling tiredly. "Hey."
Dan sat up from his spot on the couch, rubbing a night's worth of sleep out of his eyes. "How long 've you been up?"
"Half an hour, give or take," Phil made his way to the sofa, sitting down next to Dan, who sleepily reclined into his lap. "Did you sleep well?"
"Yeah… wait how did you get off the couch without waking me up?" Dan cocked his head in a way Phil found outrageously adorable.
"It was quite easy, actually. Especially considering you were so out of it I thought you might have died."
"What can I say? You make a comfortable mattress." Dan grinned, biting his lip timidly.
"Well, I guess I'll have to spend the night more often," Phil winked cheekily, brushing Dan's hair away from his face.
"If my morning breath wasn't so bad, I'd kiss you." Dan grinned, leaning into Phil's touch the way a cat might when you pet it.
"Screw morning breath," Phil muttered, then leaning over and pressing a gentle kiss to Dan's lips.
The writer smiled contently, clutching to Phil's threadbare shirtfront as the kiss deepened.
…
"I'm not sure what I have as far as breakfast foods go…" Dan muttered, trying to block Phil's view from the nearly empty pantry. He felt really bad for not thinking ahead, he should have known there was a possibility of Phil sleeping over! " I could run down to the store and get a few things?" Dan suggested anxiously.
Phil nodded. "Sure, but only if I pay."
Dan sighed. "Phil…"
"Love," Dan blushed at the nickname, "don't stress. It's really not a big deal."
"I dunno…" Dan bit his lip, mulling over the idea as Phil watched with slight impatience.
"Not up for debate," Phil set his coffee down on Dan's desk, turning around. Pulling his wallet out of his bag, he handed his card to Dan. "Take it. End of discussion. Buy whatever you want."
Dan looked down in surprise, reluctantly taking it. "Are you sure you don't wanna just give me cash or something?"
Phil shrugged. "I don't have any cash on me. Besides, I trust you."
"You might rethink that when I sail away on my new yacht."
Phil laughed, rolling his eyes. "Whatever. Do you want me to come with you?"
"If you want," Dan shrugged, "but it'll only take a few minutes."
Phil nodded, thinking for a moment. "Would it be okay if I stayed here and showered?"
"Yeah, that'd be fine!"
"Great, thanks!" Phil grinned, running a hand through his hair. It really was in need of a wash.
Dan grinned. "Be back soon," Phil felt his face flush as Dan pressed a quick peck to his cheek, smiling coyly as he receded down the staircase.
Phil's gaze lingered on the spot where Dan had been for another minute or two, his heart racing. Even after their make-out session last night, a simple peck on the cheek left Phil with an intoxicating buzz. He shook his head, laughing softly to himself.
"Damn…"
…
Dan hurried up the steps, two bags of groceries in hand and Phil's credit card in his back pocket. As he reached the landing, the little air he had left in his lungs from the tedious walk seemed to vanish.
Phil was leaning against the counter, scrolling through his phone. His hair was damp and pushed messily away from his face. He was wearing one of Dan's old t-shirts and the same sweatpants he had on last night. Dan couldn't be sure if it was the tighter clothing or the wet hair or both, but Phil looked beautiful in a way that few people could pull off.
"You need to borrow my clothes more often," The writer grinned, setting the groceries down on the table.
Phil looked up, raising an eyebrow. "I do?"
Dan approached him, brushing a damp strand of hair away from his head. "Yeah. You look really good," If Dan was trying to make Phil flustered, he failed miserably.
Phil only smirked, quickly spinning them around so it was Dan who was pressed against the counter. "Really? I find the shirt to be a bit small…or could it be…" Phil leaned in closer, "that's why you like it so much?"
Dan inhaled sharply, praying Phil couldn't hear his heart thumping wildly in his chest. "I um…uh…" Dan swallowed, trying to think of something to say.
Phil only chuckled at his awkwardness, pressing a soft kiss to his cheek before stepping away.
Dan was standing stiffly, his face hot and a sheepish grin tugging at his lips.
"So," Phil proceeded as if nothing had happened, "what did you get?"
"W-waffles," Dan tripped over his own tongue, "and bacon and toast. Oh, and here's your card,"
Phil took his card back, casting a glance inside the bags and nodding with approval. "Great choice! I'm famished."
Dan nodded in agreement, watching as Phil began ripping into the bags of food.
…
"I have to open the shop later…" Dan sighed, leaning his head on Phil's shoulder.
Phil frowned. "Do you have to?"
"I really need the money." The writer said dejectedly.
Phil sighed but didn't argue. "Fine…"
"You could keep me company if you don't have anything better to do."
"I have to work tonight, but I'd love to hang around for a bit." Phil smiled, interlacing their fingers.
Dan smiled, leaning into Phil. "I was hoping you'd say that."
A/N: I'm sosososoososososoososo sorry this is so late, a lot came up :(
May 13th