the city // dan howell

Part 12// Movies

"Okay, first you make me question you for not having Mario Kart, and now you tell me you've only ever played once? How could you?" He acts offended.
"Fuck off and teach me how to play, smartass." I retort, sitting cross legged on his couch.
"Alright, alright." He leans over to teach my controls. I admire the warm feeling of his arm pressed into mine, and even though it may be a subtle touch, it sends thousands of chills up and around my spine. I snap back to reality, however, and tune into his instructions.
"And, um, I think that's it. It'll take some getting used to, but after a few games you should be pretty good." Dan nods to himself. Funny.
"Thanks." I grin up at his face, which is oddly close to mine. He smiles back, but we're interrupted by the loud sound of the game.
"I guess we ought to start." I laugh, turning to the tv screen.
"Yeahh." Dan selects a map, hell knows which one it is.
"Um... how do I move?" I suddenly forget everything I was told.
"This button." Dan jokingly rolls his eyes, gently moving my finger onto a button.
"Thanks." I giggle, watching in a fascinated manner as I move around the track.
"Wow.. you're actually not bad." Dan choppily speaks out as he excels, no struggling, in first place.
"Tell that to yourself. I'm in sixth." I smile, happy to just be here in the first place.
"Hey, you've never truly played before, so yeah, you are not bad. Give in." He finishes his last lap in first. I still have another one to go.
"You know what I like?" Dan asks, making small talk as I lazily finish the lap.
"Hm?" I hum.
"You're in London, and you don't even ask for me to show you around. We literally went straight to video games."
I finish up and laugh. Hard.
"I'm not exactly normal." I guffaw. He brings up a good point. But it's really only my first day here, so I don't particularly need to look around.
"Hey, hey, what time is it?" I bounce around.
"Hm, it's around midnight." Dan locks his phone and places it back onto his desk.
"Midnight? The fuck? I should probably leave you alone. It's late and you're tired. I'm not gonna sleep for a while, but that doesn't mean I should be keeping you up." I recollect myself and stand up quickly. Bad choice, however. Standing up fast doesn't work well for me. My lanky body sort of doesn't make the blood slow through me fast enough when I'm sitting, so I just kind of.. fall.
Coincidentally onto Dan.
Wow, how unpredictable.
"You okay?" He laughs, almost nervous toned. He surprisingly pulls me up onto his lap instead of pushing me off. I lightly curl into his frame and explain.
"Makes sense. It happens to me too."
I smile to myself. We really are alike.
"Stay a little longer? I don't go to bed for a while. I wouldn't of invited you over if you were only meant to stay for a short time.
"Um.." I think out loud.
"Please?" He asks, sounding like he's going to give up.
"Only for you." I let myself out of his lap. He seemed reluctant to let me go, but that might've been my mind playing me.
"Movie?" He asks, lazily standing up.
"Yeah." I sigh out.
He tosses "When Marnie Was There" at me. I've watched all- yes, all- Studio Ghibli movies, and this is one of the sad ones. I can't watch it anymore without crying.
"I can't watch this without crying." I look up at him.
Without hesitation, he slips the disk in. Bastard.
He walks back to the couch and lays down on his side, beckoning for me to lay in front of him so we can cuddle. Of course I'd oblige, I might never get this chance again.
It seems odd for him to be acting in such a way however, it feels quite against his nature.
I'll roll with it.
He places an arm over my waist and let's his head rest just above mine. The warmth of his stomach radiates into my back and I'm instantly calmed. Honestly, if there's one thing I'd want to do with this kid, it's hug him all day. He's so squishy.
"Wanna go for a walk somewhere tomorrow?" He asks me, gently brushing through my hair as the movie starts. His voice sounds nervous and his movements are shaky, but I appreciate all he's doing nonetheless.
"Of course I do. Take me away, Howell." I giggle, pushing myself further into his back. He responds, wrapping around me tighter.
"I'll be sure to do just that."
//
The movie was filled with silent cuddling as we were both absorbed in watching. I guess he's also a movie freak like me. I have so much appreciation and find so much glory in appreciating the physics of movies, whether it be animation or not. It's truly hypnotic, incomprehensible how much work, time, effort, and pure talent it takes from every single member on the team to make a movie. But that's just my view.
"Dan, it's really late. I should go." I twist to face him, pouting.
"You're right. It's late. You should go. But, I'm coming with you." He smiles, thinking he's doing something nice.
"Fuck no."
He gives me a questioning look, furrowing his eyebrows.
"Listen, I came to your house, you gave me the privilege of comfortability, so in no way is it a nice doing on my hand to take you away from your cozy house to walk me 'home.'"
"But... I offered. It's not your fault at all, if that's what you think. I want to come with you, and I will, whether you like it or not, Tyde."
"You're difficult." I giggle, giving in. I grab him by the wrist and pull him up, dragging him away from the couch.
"Vice versa." He chuckles, bringing my hand down from his wrist and into his own.