Chapter 15:

Love is love

No matter who you are

Love is the fire

That burns hate into ash

Who is to say love isn't love,

If the two aren't what you expect

Love is for everyone to share with who ever

Their heart desires

Love between two is special and rare

And to be cherished, not hidden

People will have their problems

While we forget ours

"… Um, Phil" Dan said suddenly looking up.

"Yeah Dan?"

"How am I even going to tell my mum and dad that I'm getting married?"

"What do you mean? We're going to tell them toge-"

"Phil, they don't even know I had a boyfriend…They don't even know I'm gay.." He said, his voice drifting into a mumble.

"You mean you never told your parents that you're gay? Don't they know?"

"No, I never told them that I like guys. They think you're only a friend."

"Well then what're you going to do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Are you going to tell them you're gay first or will they find out when we send everyone the picture?"

"Oh, I don't know, what do you think I should do? I'm scared, Phil, what will they think?" Dan said and I hugged him tight.

"Dan they're your parents, they'll have to accept it, don't worry, sweetheart."

"But what if they don't, what if they stop loving me?"

"Dan, I doubt that'll happen, I mean how can someone know you for that long and not love you?"

"You'd be surprised."

"Dan, you can't think that way, you don't know what'll happen."

"I'm absolutely terrified of what they'll think, what they'll say, Phil. I don't know how I'll handle it if something bad happens. Or what will our friends think? What will the fans think? I just wish I knew what would happen so maybe I wouldn't be this reluctant to do it."

"Dan, it's okay, you're just over thinking everything! You know most fans will go crazy with happiness because almost all of them really want us to be together, they ship us, Dan!" I said adding a little laugh.

"I'm just scared, I don't know what to do! I don't know what everyone will think!" He said dropping to the floor and leaning up against the sofa and hugging his knees tight.

I dropped right in front of him and put my hands on his knees and looked into those magnificent eyes. "Dan, you know I'll always love you and you know I'll always be right by your side no matter what, right?"

"Forever and ever?" He asked like a little kid with those hurt and broken eyes.

"Forever and always, I promise." I said and he attacked me with a massive embrace, knocking us to the floor.

We lay there for what seemed too short as we were separated my a knock on the door. We looked into each others eyes with a bit of worry. We weren't expecting anyone?

"Were you expecting anyone?" I asked Dan.

"No, were you?"

"No, who is it?" Dan asked hugging me tighter.

"I don't know should I answer it?" They knocked louder.

We stood up and Dan instantly clung to me as I walked towards the door. I don't know why we were so scared, it was only a visitor or possibly a sales person knocking on our door. I was probably only scared because human interactions weren't really my thing, Dan's either.

I slowly put my eye up to the peephole and my vision focused on a man and woman standing and smiling at the door. The woman had brown hair, like Dan's, and had her arm wrapped around the mans. The man looked to be older but not too old and they both were dressed nice.

"It's a man and a woman what should I do?"

"Oh! I completely forgot that a few weeks ago my parents asked if they could come visit for a few days… hehe" Dan said faking a laugh and going to open the door.

"They're staying here for a few days?"

"Yeaaah… Sorry I forgot to tell you."

"That's okay but what about your ring? If you keep it on they're probably going to ask questions."

"Yeah, probably, but I don't care." They knocked again.

Dan opened the door quickly and was attacked by hugs and kisses from him mum and a pat on the back from his dad.

Dan's mum's name was Grace and his dad's name was Patrick. Grace was a pretty woman for her age of 42 and his dad didn't look too bad either for his age, 50 something. Dan invited them to sit down on the sofa in the lounge and offered coffee or tea. They agreed on coffee and sat down.

"So they're staying here for how many days, Dan?" I said walking into the kitchen and leaning up against the counter next to Dan.

"Only a few, I think like, maybe 3 or 4 because they do live further away."

"Oh, okay. And where are they sleeping? In your room or on the pull out couch?"

"I was going to offer them my room and I'd get the air mattress and put it in your room. Is that okay?"

"That's fine, but you wont need the air mattress you can just sleep with me in my bed." I said winking at him.

"My parents don't know remember?" He said grabbing their drinks and taking them into the lounge. I followed him, secretly looking at his bum as he walked in front of me. We sat next to each other on the sofa across from his parents.

He set the mugs down on the table in front of his parents and they both thanked him.

"How many day are you guys going to stay here?" Dan asked.

"Is 3 days okay?" His mother asked.

"Yeah that's fine. Did you guys want to sleep on the pull out couch bed or did you guys wanna steal my bedroom for the 3 days? Either is fine for me."

"Oh, uh I guess your bedroom if it's not too much trouble. But, where will you sleep?"

"I was just gonna get the air mattress and put it in Phil's room."

"Oh, okay sounds good to me then. Our bags are still in the car out side, let me get them." Patrick said getting up and over to the door.

It was a short awkward silence until Grace spotted Dan's ring finger.

"Oh, Dan, that's a beautiful ring, where did you get it?" She asked grabbing for his hand to look at it. He got up and showed it to her and that's when she realized which hand it was on.

"Daniel James Howell! Oh my god Dan! Alright, who is it? Who's the lucky girl? I can't believe you didn't tell me!" She got all excited and Dan looked at me with panic in his eyes. I motioned for him to tell her when she was too busy looking at the ring to noticed he looked away.

"Uh, mum, I kind of have to tell you some-" He was cut off.

"Dan, I didn't even know you had a girlfriend! Why didn't you tell me?"

"Mum that's the thing, I have to tell you some-" He was cut off again as the front door swung open and Patrick walked through, dropping the bags on the floor.

"Patrick, get over here and look at this! Dan's got engaged! Come see!"

"Engaged? I didn't even know he had a girlfriend!"

"Me either, sweetie, oh come look at it, it's beautiful, dear!"

"Mum, dad, I really have to tell you something! Could you ple-"

"Who is it? Who's this person my boy loves so much? And how long has this been a secret kept from us?" His dad interrupted him.

"That's what I wanted to tell you-" Interrupted, again.

"Oh come on! Tell us who it is!" His mum butted in.

"Could you please be quite for 5 minutes so I can tell you something!?" Has asked in a louder voice. "Thank you," he started in a softer voice as they sat back down and listened. " Ok, now, I really have to tell you something. I'm really sorry I didn't tell you before and please don't get mad, please."

"Sweetie, what's going on, you can tell us anything, we'll always love you, you know." His mum said looking a bit worried.

"Okay, well, that's good because that's something that I was worried about."

"Son, what is it?" His dad asked a bit worried too.

"Mum, dad," Tears threatening to spill out in his eyes. His parents stood up and walked over to where he was standing and put a hand on his shoulders. "I'm gay." A tear escaped and slid down his cheek. I wanted so badly to wipe it away and give him a hug but I didn't know what his plan was.

"Oh." His dad took his hand off his shoulder and put it in his pocket. He took a few steps away and put his head down.

"Sweetie, is that what you wanted to tell us? Is that what you got so worked up over?" His mum said.

"I'm not done yet, may I finish?" He asked with his eyes leaking and his voice sounding like he was about to flood his face with tears. His dad took a step further away and had a hint of anger in his eyes. His mum shook her head and looked at him with unknowing anticipation in her eyes. "Phil proposed to me, I'm marrying Phil." He spoke a bit quieter than usual.

"I need a moment" His dad spoke as we heard our flat door slam shut and one less person in the room.

"Sweetie I'm sure he's fine, let me go talk to him." His mum spoke looking at him with pity as she ran after him.

They left and took the lift to the lobby and stepped outside.

"I'm so proud of you, Dan." I say standing up and wrapping my arms around him from behind, as he was looking at the door. I rested my head on his shoulder and he turned around, facing me, He wrapped his arms around me and started crying, actually crying now. I rubbed his back and planted kisses on the ton of his head and the side of his face.

"They hate me now, don't they? They don't want me anymore, they hate me, I know it." Dan said crying into the space between my neck and shoulder. I hushed him and pulled him away from me for a second.

"Dan, they love you, don't say that! They were probably shocked, I mean, they probably weren't expecting that! Your mum seemed fine, she smiled at you! It may take your dad some time to get used to it and accept it but, I know he will, Dan, He loves you." I said, pulling him in for a big squeeze hug.

"I hope you're right, Phil. I love you so much!" He said sniffling and squeezing our his last tears. He stayed attached to me and in my arms.

"I love you too, Dan." I said laying my head on his. His hair smelled of his fruity scented shampoo that I loved so much. He started crying again and I patted his back and gave him kisses on his head again.

"It's okay, shh."

"What if my dad doesn't love me anymore? What if he never accepts it and hates me! I can't have my only father figure hating me! I just can't! What if my dad disowns me, or makes my mum hate me too, what if they both disown me? What if they both hate me?"

"Dan that's not going to happen, they love you! They won't disown you, or hate you, or stop loving you, Dan. You're their only son." I sat down on the sofa and he sat on my lap. I hugged him and put my hands on each side of his face and looked him straight in the eyes. I looked down at his lips, then back up to his eyes before slamming his lips to mine.

He kissed me back and I could feel him melt into the kiss, making the tears stop.

"I love you, Dan." I say pulling away.

"Forever and ever?"

"Forever and always."

His parents walked back in a few minutes later and sat down on the sofa in front of us.

"Honey, I'm so proud of you for telling us. We still love you and you have all our support. Your father is having some trouble accepting it, but I know he will. I love you." His mum said looking at Dan.

"So, how long was this happening? When did you guys get together?" His father asked, still unable to look at Dan or I for more than a few seconds.

"Uh, a little while, I guess. Um, I'm sorry I didn't tell you before now." Dan spoke holding my hand.

His mother looked genuinely happy about all of this, but his father, Patrick, looked a bit like he wasn't too happy with all of this. I don't know what his problem is, though, I mean, Dan's a really good person and I don't see why someone would stop loving another just because of their sexual orientation. It just amazes me how much and how fast things and feelings can change and turn for worse in just a few words, it astounds me negatively.

People can be so harsh, which in our case, wasn't the case. His father was actually trying. He was trying to take in everything Dan had told him and was really trying to get used to it and accept it. It was beautiful. Not everyone can say that happened to them. I'm just so happy that we, of all people with our horrible past and a habit of keeping bad around us, can actually say this was a rather beautiful experience. I wish it was like this for everyone. The world would be so much more beautiful and happy and just better for everyone.

We continued to chat about mine and Dan's relationship and how we got together and how I popped the question, all that stuff. His mother kept giving us happy and joyous laughs and comments and his father tried to keep up. He'll get the hang of things eventually. I just applaud him for trying so hard and not being as mean as it looked he wished he could, I thank him. It's not everyday that you find out your son is gay and in a relationship with another man and marrying that man, you'd probably be like Patrick too, if you were in his shoes, that is.

It got late and we watched a film on TV. Dan and I cooked dinner for everyone and then we all decided to get ready for bed. Dan's mother made the joke of "I guess that air mattress won't be needed tonight." And we went our separate ways. I guess it was weird, Dan still having his own bedroom, I mean couples that are getting married usually sleep in the same bed, right? Well, that would be happening when Dan's parents left.

Dan and I walked to my room and started getting into our payamas, which was basically just getting in our boxers. Dan crawled in my bed first and I visited the toilet before actually getting in bed. When I came back Dan's head was on my pillow, face first.

"What are you doing?" I asked standing in my doorway looking at Dan.

"It smells like you." He said with a muffled voice that I barely understood.

"What does?"

"Your pillow, it smells like you."

"Why are you smelling my pillow?"

"Because it smells like you, and you weren't here so I needed something." His muffled voice stayed as his face was still in my pillow.

"I wasn't gone for that long, I only went to the toilet."

"I know, but I missed you a lot and-" His voice blipped as I cut him off by jumping on his back straddling it.

"I'm back now, so don't worry, I'm here." I sad crawling off him and slipping in bed. He picked his head up when he felt me lay beside him and instantly laid his head on my chest. I could hear and feel him take in a deep breath, smelling me. He placed his hand on my chest and lightly gripped my skin as he closed his eyes and laid his head on my chest again.

"What are you doing?! I ask.

"Taking in your smell and listening to your heartbeat."

"Why?"

"Because I love the way you smell and your heartbeat is so calming and it relaxes me. Just having you here and being able to do that makes me feel safe and if, god forbid, I ever loose you some how, I'll be able to remember these things. I'll have the memories of the things that kept me calm and happy and just content with my life. Listening to the thing that keeps you alive makes me love it even more. And I love your smell because it's the only thing that truly tells you apart from all the other people… because you stink." He started to giggle. I ignored it, only smiling and kissed his nose. He tilted his head up and kissed my lips so sweetly, I got that rush inside my stomach that everything that was going to happen would be good and exciting and just something I would love and never want to end. And I hope it never did.

Our kiss turned heated and he ran his hand from the top of my chest to the bottom of my stomach over and over again. I loved the feel of his body against mine and his lips against mine. I pull him so he's laying on top of me and he cups my face in his hands. I move my hands from his back to the top of his ass. He sits up, straddling me, and leans over to kiss me. His tongue slips its way into my mouth and my hands find their way down the back of his pants, grabbing his, oh so perfect, ass.

He moves his hands all over my torso as he kisses me deeply. My hands migrate around his hips as he starts to grind on me. My hands are gripping his hips helping them as they move against my body. Eventually, my hands are firmly placed around his shaft, beginning to pump up and down slowly. He moans as he kisses me and I can feel him smiling. I begin to pump faster and faster until he's grinding against me even harder and his moans become louder. I had to shush him a few times so we wouldn't disturb his parents. He was a noise one, but I liked that. I pumped faster and faster, earning moans left and right. He leaned down and kissed me hard, shoving his tongue all the way in my mouth to the back of my throat as he came all over my stomach.

He then did something that he never did before. He crawled down my body and started licking everything he let out. He looked me in the eyes as he did so. He was so sexy. He made me so hard. He noticed this and within seconds his hand was in my pants. And even faster than that, I was inside his mouth. His head bobbed up and down as I ran my fingers through his soft hair. I moan in pleasure and he smiles. He grips it with one hand and licks from the bottom up. He pumps me until I force his head down and I come inside his mouth. He spits it out on my penis and starts pumping again. He takes the whole thing in his mouth again and licks it all up, swallowing. Good boy.

He slides my boxers up again and crawls back up to me. "I love you." He whispers. "I love you too." I reply. He lays his head on my chest and draws shapes on it with his fingers. I turn my body to face his and I cuddle him close, with both hands around him. He falls asleep in my arms and that's how we stay for the rest of the night.

"I love you so much." I say and kiss him goodnight.

"You're my forever and ever."

"And you're my forever and always."