The Boardwalk

Genre/Tags: AU, Fluff, Strangers to friends/friends to lovers, Teenagers
Warnings: None
Summary: Phil works at the amusement arcade over the summer, and over one summer period, Dan was one of his frequent visitors.
(This has been edited since first published)

Phil let out a content sigh as he walked along the boardwalk to the amusement arcade which was located towards the end. He had a part-time seasonal job there, which helped him earn money to be able to pay for the rent on his flat, and any other necessities he needed.
Phil worked there over the summer, since his family were friends with the owners of the facility. He had worked there since he was fourteen, and he had just turned eighteen now. The arcade job didn't earn as much money compared to other summer jobs he had picked up to gain extra money, but still, no matter how many times he thought about packing up and leaving, he couldn't. The boardwalk was one of his favourite places in the world.
Sure, he could always go back and visit when he came to see his parents, but it just wasn't the same.

It was a Saturday night on the first week of summer, and Phil was busy working in the arcade at the prizes stall. If he wasn't there then he would be at the drinks bar, or he would be making sure all the machines were working okay. Phil currently was sat on the stool giving prizes to the lucky winners who had won tickets from the small 2p, 5p, and 10p machines. As the evening went on, the arcade started to die down as the tourists went home or on to the beach to watch the sunset over the horizon; it was always a stunning view. Phil began to grow bored waiting, and started to aimlessly tap a beat on the counter with his fingers. He must have gone into a daydream, as he was soon startled by a male voice.

"Oh, err, hi.." Phil said, a little bewildered by the boy who had just spoken, saying a hello to him.
"I'm guessing you like Muse also?" He asked, pointing to the t-shirt he was wearing and chuckling softly before placing two small tickets on the counter.
Phil nodded, blushing slightly. This man was... well, he was gorgeous. He looked around the same age as Phil, maybe a year younger or so, and had chocolate brown hair, with beautiful big brown eyes. His skin was slightly tanned and he was just very pretty.

Phil could feel his cheeks grow red as he clumsily fumbled with the tickets. He examined them and read the number, and turned around to pick up the two little prizes he had won, a carousel key-ring and a navy blue wrist band.
"Here," Phil said. He handed them over to the boy, and shot him a friendly smile.
"Thanks," the boy replied, taking them from him. "I'll see you 'round." He smiled, showing his dimple.

Before Phil could respond, he was gone. Just like that. Phil secretly hoped he would see him round.

xxx

A week later, Phil was serving him again. He had been doing so for the past week, and every time the man would hand him two tickets to receive his prizes.
It was end of the shift for Phil now, and he had gone out the back and to the top end of the boardwalk, overlooking the sea. He liked to do this when the arcade was quiet and he could get some fresh air. He could sit with his thoughts and stare out at the sea. The only people around were couples, who were sat on the benches, doing the same as Phil.
The sun was slowly beginning to set, and the view couldn't have looked more picturesque. Phil had been caught in a daydream again, as the familiar male voice startled him again. "Hi, again.."

Phil looked to his right, where the voice had came from, and he saw the brown haired boy standing beside him, looking out over the boardwalk.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" He said.
"Yes, it is..." Phil replied, realising he was still staring at the boy. He blushed and looked down at his lap, cursing himself for being so awkward.

The other boy kept quiet for a few seconds before speaking again, "My name's Dan, by the way. Dan Howell."
"I'm Phil, Phil Lester," Phil said.
"I know, I've seen your name badge," Dan replied, smiling. "How long have you worked here?"
"About four years now."
"How old are you?"
"I'm eighteen, what about you?"
Dan nodded, "I'm seventeen. I moved here a couple months ago. My mum likes me to get out of the house, so that's why I come here a lot. Otherwise, I mostly just stay in my room all the time." He laughed awkwardly.
Phil nodded, "I've lived here all my life. This boardwalk is one of my favourite places."
"Yeah, I can see why it is," Dan smiled.

They talked for a few hours, getting to know each other more. The sun had now set, and the boardwalk lamps were on, creating a warm glow over them.
"I should probably be going now," Phil said sadly. "It's getting a little late, and my Mum and Dad will begin to worry if I'm not back soon..."
"Yeah, me too. I'll see you round?"
Phil nodded, and Dan opened his arms for a hug. Phil smiled and accepted the embrace, hugging him tightly.
"Goodbye, Dan."

xxx

Summer was soon coming to an end, and the arcade was becoming less and less busy as the days flew by. After his shifts at the arcade, Dan would meet Phil at the end of the boardwalk on the same bench that overlooked the sea and the sunset. Phil was on his way now, leaving out the back door. This time, however, he spotted Dan was already waiting for him. Phil felt his face light up, and he quickened his pace to meet his friend.

"Hey, Dan!" Phil greeted cheerfully, although his smile soon disappearing as he saw the look of upset on Dan's face. "Oh. Dan, are you okay?"
"No," Dan replied, his voice was small and sad. His cheeks were slightly pink, and his eyes were red, as if he had been crying a lot.
"What's wrong?" Phil asked.
"I-I'm moving..."
"Moving?! Where to?"
"Far, far from here..." Dan answered quietly. Phil sat there silent, his heart slowly breaking as he heard Dan's words. Over the past few weeks, Phil had began to fall in love with Dan, and unbeknownst to him, Dan felt the same way. After hearing those words, Phil's heart shattered inside. He watched as tears slowly began to fall down Dan's cheeks as he stared out at the horizon.
"I don't want to leave, Phil. I actually like it here!" Dan began to sob a bit harder, "I swear, Phil, every time I begin to like a place, Mum makes us pack up and leave. It's so not fair."

Phil kept quiet, unsure of what to say as he put an arm around Dan, letting the younger male rest his head on his shoulder.
"I just- I don't want to leave you," Dan whispered, tears still falling down his cheeks. "I-I love you, Phil..."

I love you, Phil...I love you, Phil...I love you... the words kept repeating in Phil's mind. Dan's words. Dan loved him?!
"I know, Dan, I don't want you to leave either, but you can always come and visit me here. This will always be my home," Phil told him, "and Dan?"
Dan looked up at Phil, his cheeks were red and tear stained, "what?"
"I love you too."

Dan gave him a weak smile, before he leaned up to gently press his lips against Phil's. Phil kissed back and smiled, loving the feeling of finally being able to kiss him. He knew this was bad. This was very very bad for the both of them, but at that moment it just felt so right. Dan slowly broke the kiss, and took Phil's hand, entwining their fingers.
"When do you have to go?" Phil asked, not wanting to ruin what was happening although a part of him wanted to know how long they had left to be together.
"I have until the end of summer..." and unfortunately, the end of summer was a week away.

Seven more days they had left to spend together.

xxx

The last day came, when Dan was due to leave. Phil had spent the night at Dan's house, cuddling him close and sharing small kisses every now and then, not really paying any attention to the film they had put on Dan's TV. His focus on the beautiful human wrapped in his arms. Phil had woken up before Dan, and was smiling contently at the sight of Dan sleeping peacefully on Phil's chest. The other male soon woke up, looking up at Phil with a small and sleepy smile.
"I'm going to miss you so much..." Dan whispered sadly after a few moments, burying his face in Phil's chest.
"I know," Phil replied, moving his hand up to slowly run his fingers through the younger boy's hair, "I'm going to miss you too."

After they both got dressed and ready, Phil stood outside with Dan on the doorstep. Dan's parents and his brother were waiting in the car for him, they allowed him to say one last goodbye to Phil before they left. Although Dan wished they could just leave him there with the older male so they didn't have to be apart at all. Dan pulled Phil tightly in for a hug, "I'm going to skype you when we're there and settled in."
Phil nodded, "alright. Have a safe journey."
Dan gave him a gentle squeeze, "I love you, Phil."
"I love you too, Dan."

xxx

A year went by since Phil last saw Dan in person. They had skyped frequently, Dan showed Phil around his new house, which looked much, much bigger than the one he lived in before. He had moved near London, as his Mum had found new work in the city. It was a little bit too far away from where Phil lived by the sea.

This made Phil sad, because Dan couldn't come to the boardwalk that summer. They had promised to meet, as Dan didn't mind all the travelling, as it meant he would be able to see Phil, but Dan said his parents weren't allowing him to go. The pair had both been looking forward to seeing each other again, and when Dan said over skype that they couldn't, they both cried together. Dan longed to be back in Phil's arms, just as much as Phil wanted him to be.

It was summer now, and Phil had finished his shift, and was standing on the end of the boardwalk for the first time that summer. It was the fourth week in, and Phil had been sad all that time. The days and nights felt too long, and all he just wanted was to see Dan again. The last time they had skyped was about two days ago, and usually during a break they would skype a lot, as they were free from any work or school that they had.

Phil stared over into the horizon, watching the sun set and admiring the view as he always used to. He had been zoned out for a bit, thinking about anything and everything, and he knew, or he assumed, he was alone as the other couples seemed to have left early. So he didn't expect a pair of arms to wrap around his waist, and he jumped before turning around and looking straight in to a pair of beautiful brown eyes. Dan's brown eyes.

"Surprise?!" Dan said, with a small giggle.
Phil grinned and practically leaped at Dan, almost knocking him back as he hugged him tightly. Phil held him so close, so close because he feared that if he let go, Dan would disappear. Phil eventually pulled away after a while of the pair embracing each other in silence. Phil took hold of Dan's hands, entwining their fingers like they used to.
"I thought you weren't coming..." Phil said after a few moments.

"I wasn't meant to be, but I thought you know what? I'd saved up my money to come here with my mum and dad. I was feeling so miserable because I couldn't go, but then I realised; I'm old enough now. I can travel and go somewhere on my own. I mean, I haven't exactly run away from home or anything. My parents know that I'm here. I just wanted to see you."
"You came all this way on your own, just so you could see me?"
Dan nodded, and smiled. Phil pulled him back in for a bone-crushing hug.

"Dan, I can't believe it!" He cried, happily. "I've missed you so much. I thought you weren't going to come...I thought it would be another year before I could see you again...or maybe you'd never come back again."
"Are you kidding me? They can not keep me away from here for too long!" Dan laughed, resting his head on Phil's shoulder and smiling. He had gotten a lot taller over the past year, he was now just a little taller than Phil.
"Dan..."
"What?"
"I love you."
Dan smiled and quickly planted a kiss to Phil's lips, "I love you too."
He kissed Phil again properly, holding him close to himself, and filling the kiss with passion.

Now Phil had another reason why the boardwalk was his favourite place.