Cocktails & Emotions ~ [DR3]

27. Stall

"I always felt like I's in between something, like home and somewhere far away"
-28, Zach Bryan

Daniel is dreamy.

It's a ridiculous thing to say, in any other world I think I would laugh and slap myself for saying or thinking the words. Only, they're true. Since that second night in Monaco where Daniel finally shared his feelings before our mouths crashed together, he's just been...dreamy.

His lips dance on mine countless times per day, hands on me, touching, squeezing and caressing every moment that I'm within his reach with such care I can't help but gri every second of the day. Sometimes my cheeks ache from the joy of it all! Nobody says a thing about it, and we don't discuss it (whatever it might be). We both know I have the... situation in Perth to deal with, and as disrespectful as this all might be, it would be so much worse for it to be given a title.

On the days we spend with Daniel's friends his hands stay on me, but nobody comments - part of me wonders if it's a Max-style-situation and they already think we're dating like so many others already have. The other part of me wonders if they know Daniel will explain everything once there's something clearer to explain (he generally does). I don't think I mind too much which it is. In the hours that we're alone he presses kisses to my head and my cheeks until I grin and grasp his hand in mine. His fingers seem to slot into mine so perfectly that I have to force myself to breath properly each time they entwine and brace my whole body just to let go. It's just so... right.

Even if it's not.

Within the dream world, the bubble we've created here in Monaco, it feels as though Daniel has shared his whole life with me. He's introduced me to every friend that he could with a proud smile and a warmth to his words that makes my cheeks heat. We take out yachts, tan on hidden beaches and walk around the city shoulder to shoulder without a care. The two of us have visited his favourite restaurants, bars and cafes, sipping at drinks and picking at all incredible food food which is a fusion of all the stunning surrounding countries. Daniel laughs at how enthusiastic I am about everything here, pointing out that for someone who loves Perth so much I seem to enjoy Monaco. I only point out that it's the company that matters (plus the warm sunshine) and Daniel quiets every time, a thoughtful look on his face.

My favourite day, out of them all, has to be today. It's my last day, and every time Daniel asks if I've packed my heart does a little pinch that even the heat from the sun can't soothe because packing means that our flight is in the morning. Packing means that we're leaving and our perfect little bubble which is so perfectly constructed has to burst.

We spent the morning cuddled close in bed before making the most of the day; all of the activity has stopped me from moping around so pathetically.

After breakfast, the two of us walked along the route that Daniel runs most mornings, dipping out of the gravel track by the sea a little earlier than his running route usually allows to visit the supermarket most of his food here is sourced from. The whole thing just felt so normal, so domestic, that I could feel parts of me melt away. We would do this in Perth, Daniel helps me run errands all the time (especially if it's to do with the bar or Emmy) but something about it being here, somewhere so far away from home, and for Daniel had me grinning wide. He laughed as I enthusiastically picked out fruit, snacks and drinks like it was the first time I had ever stepped foot in a store. We took the selection of snacks to the beach, setting ourselves down on a blanket Daniel had tucked into a bag he'd brought as I tried not to pout at his thoughtfulness.

With our toes buried in the warm sand, our bodies huddled close the two of us have lounged for hours in the afternoon summer sun. We've been sharing stories we haven't spoken about before whilst flirting shamelessly, my cheeks are pink from laughing and nose red from the attention of the shining sun of the day as it dips low in the sky, casting everywhere upwards of the horizon a burning pink.