Wake Up

Chapter 15

Since going out to breakfast and going skating together, the two really felt like they were finally meant to be. Like they could sleep easily knowing that the next day, they would wake up in the other's arms. Like they could kiss for so long and there would be no one to interrupt them. To Dan, he was thankful he hadn't been dreaming this whole time, and that it was all real. Although, one evening stood out from the rest. It was New Year's Eve, and their power went out, so they lit a fire in their lounge in the fireplace. They laid out blankets and pillows on the floor in front of the fire, and kept warm while they waited for the power to come back on. But it never did.
While sitting on the floor with his knees tucked up to his chest and watching the crackling fire, Dan felt like he was experiencing some form of déjà vu — like this moment had happened before. But he just couldn't remember. Phil, however, did remember. But it wasn't a memory, it was a dream. As he turned his face to Dan, he watched the fire's flames reflect in his soft brown eyes, and he could feel relief washing over himself to see Dan in such a peaceful state. It wasn't until Dan suddenly locked eyes with him, that he quickly blinked and felt tears on his cheeks.
"You okay there, Phil?" Dan asked, a little worried.
Phil wiped his eyes harshly to get rid of the tears and gave a quick nod.
"Yeah," he said, wiping his nose. "Some of the smoke just got into my eyes."
Dan smiled to himself bashfully, and looked down at his knees to hide his smile.
"You look really beautiful in the fire's light," Phil said, trying to speak softly.
But Dan noticed by looking up and chuckling softly.
"Thanks, Phil," he said before turning his gaze back to the fireplace.
The soft snap of the wood that burned in the fireplace made Phil look at it too. As he watched the flames flicker and dance along the wood, he felt his heart do the same when his eyes returned to Dan's warmly lit figure in front of him. Then he heard the soft ticking of their clock, and looked up at it above the mantelpiece. 11:59 pm. It was almost midnight, and Phil had the sense that something needed to be done before the new year.
"Dan!" Phil said sort of desperately and out of nowhere.
Dan looked up feeling a little startled, and his poor fearful eyes made Phil feel like an idiot.
"Dan," Phil said in a calmer and controlled tone.
Suddenly, his breath became shaky and he could hear his heart pounding in his stomach.
"Phil?" Dan asked him.
Phil blinked to realize their faces were inches apart, and Phil was panicking.
"I-I...I love you," Phil spoke so anxiously, the words almost slurred together into one.
Dan's eyes widened slightly, and looked into Phil's eyes for clarification, but he didn't need it. He knew what he heard.
As for Phil, he was known to say the wrong thing at the worst time, hence many memes that have circulated the internet that will always haunt them. But Dan knew what Phil said was right even if he would deny it over and over again, and that it was said at the right time.
Dan smiled and felt his cheeks burn bright even in the darkness of their lounge.
"I love you too, Phil," he replied softly.
There was a brief pause before the two side profile silhouettes inched closer to each other.
Ding, Dong! Ding, Dong!
The two flinched away from each other to take a glimpse at the clock above the fire. Midnight. The two faced back to each other, and Dan smiled sheepishly.
"Is this where you lose your shoe, and I turn into a pumpkin or something?" Dan asked.
Phil chuckled softly and shook his head.
"Not tonight," he said, still smiling shyly.
Suddenly, Dan reached out his hand to Phil's face and grabbed him gently by the chin, pulling him in a little.
"Now," said Dan, looking down at Phil's lips then back to his eyes. "Where were we?"
Phil got instant butterflies, and almost forgot to breathe for half a second.
"You're such a tease," Phil said in a breathy voice.
Dan smiled mischievously, and finally pressed his lips against Phil's. Dan had already dreamt of this moment, but it was Phil who made it a reality when he decided to gently lick Dan's bottom lip, and Dan let him in smoothly. The kiss got hotter and more fervent as they sat in front of the fireplace, pushing each other back and forth with the sounds of their lips smacking and small gasps of air.

With another forceful kiss, Phil fell onto his back with Dan on top of him. The soft pillows and blankets around them cushioned his head as he looked up at Dan with need.
"Happy New Year, Dan," Phil breathed heavily, and Dan leaned down to press kisses onto his neck to soothe him.
Phil's breath hitched when Dan found a certain spot, and he moaned quietly.
"Happy New Year, Phil," Dan chuckled against Phil's skin as he continued to suck and kiss his neck.
The need became stronger while Phil laid there being kissed, and when Dan came up for air, he took a chance.
"I want you," Phil spoke in a breathless voice.
Dan looked down at him with the same amount of need, and kissed him again.
"You've got me," Dan mumbled against his lips.
Phil pulled away, and pressed his forehead against Dan's.
"No," Phil said roughly. "Like, I want you...right now."
Before Dan could say another word, Phil pushed him onto his back and straddled Dan's hips with his knees. Dan's eyes grew wide, and the feeling of friction between them was enough to make his need burn hotter.
"Phil," Dan smirked, raising his hands to Phil's chest.
Phil shuddered at his touch and chills ran through him.
"Say my name again," Phil fluttered his eyes shut and his mouth hung open in desire.
"Phil," Dan repeated in a more sensual tone. "Phil, Phil, Phil..."
Dan's hands traveled up Phil's shirt and drew circles on his back with his fingertips.
"Ohhh, Dan," Phil moaned, gently resting his arms around Dan's neck.
Dan leaned back with Phil resting gently on top of him. Their eyes met again, and soon their lips did as well. But softer and more tentative. Full of love. Then Phil's lips moved to Dan's jaw and neck.
"D'you wanna know," Dan took a breath, "what my resolution is?"
Phil hummed against Dan's neck in response, but Dan needed to see Phil's face when he told him. He lifted Phil's head gently from the crook of his neck, and held his face in his hands.
"I want to spend every single day with you," Dan said, looking into Phil's eyes that looked like a dream. "Every moment I live, I want to share it with you."
Dan sat up a little and held Phil while he continued to stare into his eyes.
"You are more than just my love," Dan spoke, trying to hide the trembling in his voice. "You are my best friend. A best friend I happened to fall in love with ten years ago, that I could never bring myself to lose through rejection."
Dan's eyes slowly began to drift away and his head lowered, but Phil lifted his chin back up and looked deeper into his eyes with care.
"But you did it," Phil said softly. "It's you and me now, Dan, with no one holding us back."
Phil pressed a kiss to Dan's lips before kissing his cheek and then wrapping his arms around him in a hug. Dan returned the hug, and inhaled deeply through his nose. He smelled the firewood burning from within the fireplace, and Phil's cologne that he sprayed on himself the same evening. Even with all the good things that have been happening, Dan couldn't help but feel like it would all be taken away from him the moment he would wake up the next morning.