Hate Me Closer (Phan)

Chapter Fifty

Phil had been on a cruise before, but that didn't stop the thrill he felt from standing at the back of the boat as the waves washed around the back of the metal. He adored the way the world was blue from every corner: from the sky to the sea; but he loved the boy, with a dark blue hoodie slung over his body, even more.

Dan shuffled closer into Phil, knowing Kath and Nigel were still in their room, and his brother was at the bar with his friend he brought along. So, they were alone and nobody could question a thing. The younger boy watched his lover's hair become windswept on the balcony, so he giggled as his hands tried to comb it out for him, "Do you want to go and unpack?" Dan asked, a sigh escaping his lips that was barely audible in the breeze.

"So, you unpack when we'll be away for ten days, but not when we have a whole term at school?" Phil chuckled at the lack of logic his best friend held. He followed Dan back into the main deck and down a flight of stairs. They were both used to an upper-class private school, but this felt out of their league. They thought red carpets and gold highlights against marble-patterned pillars were something for royalty, not for two sixteen-year-olds who barely lived in the real world. Sometimes it's easier to live in your own head.

They opened their bedroom door into a reasonable-sized room for a cruise. It was about half the size of their rooms at home, with a bathroom cut out of it to the left of them. They had a sea-view room where the windows sloped outwards, "I'll end up banging my head on that." Dan giggled as he dragged his fingers along the glass.

There was a TV on the wall in front of the two twin beds, and a long set of draws accompanied by wardrobes on either side. It certainly was worth the price. Dan peered into the bathroom, liking to gauge his surroundings before he had a good night's sleep. It wasn't awfully big, but the main piece was definitely the shower-bath, "I could blow him in that." he thought to himself, casually turning out and walking to the two beds, "Do they move?" Dan deviously grinned.

He looked towards Phil who had a blush against his cheeks, "I don't know."

"Yes, you do." Dan furrowed his eyebrows, "You should've known you can't lie to me by now; I know you too well." the younger boy cackled as he assessed the beds, unlocking the breaks that kept them still, "Unlock that one, we can push the singles together."

"What about my parents?" Phil pointed out. He saw Dan's expression and nodded, "I guess that doesn't matter. We just won't let them in." he blushed naïvely, unlocking the bed and pushing it to the middle. They clamped them again, sighing as they flopped onto the mattresses and shuffled into each other.

Dan turned on his side, his palm against Phil's stomach as he asked, "What time did your parents say to meet for dinner?"

"Six." the older boy responded with his eyes closed as he felt the gentle rock of the boat, "I want to take you to the top deck, after. The sun should set at nine." Phil calmly stated, not moving an inch.

Dan felt the grin against his cheeks as they painted themselves pink, so he fell back to the bed and buried his nose under his best friend's shoulder, "Okay." he squeaked, "You expect me to sit quietly throughout dinner, now?"

"You'll have to." Phil took a deep breath in as he opened his eyes again, turning to the brown-eyed boy and running his fingers through the curls, "The wind unstraightened your hair." he grinned, "Guess you might as well keep it."

Dan was ready to argue, but then he realised he quite liked feeling adored for his looks, "Okay..." he gave in, staring into the oceans in front of him. The sea outside barely mattered to him.

"I love you," Phil breathed, pressing his lips to the smaller boy's.

Dan hummed, rolling on top of him until they parted for air, "I love you, too."