Sanctuary (A Dan Smith/ Bastille fanfic)

64. Chloe

The week drags as I wait for Dan's arrival for our last weekend we are able to spend together before he goes on tour. Each morning I wake up happier, knowing that it is closer to the time that I will be able to see Dan. But then there's that thought looming over my head that this will be our last weekend together for a long while, and I just hope that I can cope without him.

It seems ironic that just as we decided to start this relationship after years apart, we're torn apart again. But this time is different. This time he's coming back to me. Like he always does in the end, except this time with so much promise and hope, a real relationship at stake this time. Like magnets, we're drawn to each other with this bond that neither of us can deny. Even without planning to, we've managed to re-enter each other's lives on more than one occasion and I couldn't be happier. Even though I've tried to forget him and move on, it's not been successful, with me always comparing people to Dan. And thank God I was never successful in my quest to move on, because now at last he is mine and I am his.

Friday seems to go slower than the rest of the week, my anticipation rising as my eyes flicker back to the clock, watching and waiting for the hands to point to 5 o'clock. As soon as it's time, I'm first to leave work, grabbing my bag and jacket as I run through the office. Everyone laughs as they see me, knowing exactly why I'm running because I haven't stopped talking about my weekend plans all week long. I push the main doors of the office and they swing out of my way, letting me escape into the mild September evening. I turn right, heading straight towards the car park, but to my shock and annoyance I run straight into someone and am nearly thrown on the floor until I feel them grab my arm to stop me from falling.

"Sorry." I fumble as I push my hair from my eyes so that I can see again. "Dan!!" I shout as my eyes focus on the man who I've just crashed into. I wrap my arms tightly around his neck, squeezing him like it's the last time I will ever see him. I push back my subconscious when she attempts to remind me that it is going to be the last time I'll see him for four months and that he's leaving again like he always does. I remind myself just what's been going through my head and that this time is different, this time is not in any way a goodbye and we will be speaking more often than not.

"In a rush?" He chuckles into my ear and then loosens my grip slightly so that he can move his face to kiss me. "I've missed you." He smiles into my mouth and I reply by kissing him again, wanting to feel his lips on mine once more.

........

"And then we end off in New York in January. Think it's the 16th.. No wait the 18th. Or something like that anyway." Dan finally takes a breath as he finishes talking about his overwhelming touring schedule.

"So.. You'll be there for Christmas?" I ask him, upset by the thought of spending our first Christmas as a couple apart. I'm not one for celebrating Christmas a lot, what with my family not being the closest people in the world, but I thought that maybe having a boyfriend may change that this year.

"I'm glad you brought that up.. Now I have something to ask you, it may seem a bit crazy but I had this thought and maybe it will be fun or maybe not. But will you come out for Christmas with me? We've got Christmas eve to Boxing Day off but instead of coming home for them, me and the boys thought it might be kind of fun to get everyone out there. We could have all of our loved ones in one huge house to celebrate. Is that a stupid idea? You can say no if you want to, it was just-"

"Dan." I stop him before he continues trying to talk himself out of his idea. "You know how much you ramble on, don't you?" I ask with a grin and he nods, smiling shyly towards me. "That's a perfect idea." I lean across the table and hold his hand as I watch his smile spread across his face.

"Good, I'll get looking at flights for you then." He squeezes my hand again before releasing it and taking the bottle of wine in his hand. "More wine my lady?" He puts on a false posh accent and tops up my glass of white. I nearly tell him to stop, because I'm already feeling slightly tipsy and if I have any more I'll be pissed, but I'm enjoying him putting on his charade. "Another bottle?" He asks as he finishes it off and I shake my head. "Why, what's up? It's good stuff this babe and if I know you, you're not one to turn down a glass or two of wine." He jokes with a smile, showing his teeth.

"No it's very good stuff Dan and it has the price tag to prove it." I remark.

"Chloe." Dan laughs gently. "Money isn't an issue, especially when it's being used to treat you."

"Thank you." I smile softly even though Dan doesn't seem to be getting my point. "But it's all a bit extravagant isn't it? You don't need to show off in front of me by taking me to posh restaurants with bottles of wine for £60."

"I know." He nods whilst he pauses. "A pizza and a film would do you just right." We both laugh and he takes my hand again. "But I love you and I wanted to make this night special by treating you to the best. Now, don't you worry, this won't be happening all the time. Tomorrow can be McDonalds if you like?" He rubs his finger over my knuckles and then kisses them, the gesture making me giggle like a girl. "You know that I know you better than you know yourself and I know that you aren't one to be bought or swayed by fancy restaurants. But for now, let's just enjoy pretending to be posh, yeah?"