Not Just Skin Deep (A Dan And Phil Fanfiction )

Chapter 1

It was a crisp Autumn evening when Daniel James Howell and Phillip Michael Lester were walking through the streets of London, back to their flat. The sun was still peeking over the horizon, spreading it's warm, amber glow through the whole sky. A mild breeze whistled through the air and rustled the few brown leaves that were left on the trees. Minutes before, they had just left Starbucks and the scent of coffee still lingered on their breath. As the two exhaled, little wispy clouds formed in front of their faces and disappeared over their heads.

Neither of the two spoke much on their journey home, they just walked side by side, hands in pockets. The so-called silence between them was often broken by flaps of pigeons overhead and the hum of the rush-hour traffic just a few feet from the pavement. All the while, there seemed to be tension, like a barrier that discouraged them from talking to one another. Maybe it was just the prospect of winter that had lowered the mood.

Dan's POV:

Phil advanced up the stairs ( two steps in front of me ) and I followed wearily behind. For six hours we had been trudging around London which was the most physical activity we had done in a very long time. After reaching the top of the stairs, we finally arrived at the flat. I waited patiently while Phil unlocked the door then stepped inside. I did the same.

Immediately, we both slumped down onto the sofa, Phil on the left, me on the right. The awkward tension seemed to be subsiding but it was hard to tell as we had not communicated for the past half an hour or so. However, it was nice to experience some rare silence.

I turned to see Phil who had already fallen into a deep sleep. I didn't blame him; the sofa was so soft and I didn't want to leave the comfort of it's warmth. A little voice in back of my head was saying, "Go on, Dan. Go and cuddle up next to Phil. He's so irresistible when he's asleep. Just look at his sweet, beautiful, angel face. He's like child. You know you w-"

Shut up! Why am I thinking these things about Phil?! I shouldn't! Why am I even considering this? Surely I don't... Do I...? NO! I can't! I don't! He's my best friend, for God's sake!

I was screaming inside my head, trying to force everything from my mind. But my efforts were futile. I just carried on this pointless internal argument, trying to convince myself that I only saw Phil as a friend.

I shut out the annoying voice. Was that just a name I was giving to my own, conscious thoughts? If so, was denying it. I finally gave to my fatigue, closed my eyes and drifted slowly to sleep, hoping that things would be improved tomorrow.

Phil's POV:

"Dan?", I mumbled, having just woken up. I waited... No answer. I fumbled around in the pitch darkness tyring to find my phone but, being me, I managed to stub my toe on the edge of the coffee table. I wanted to yell in shock but contained the noise, trying not to wake Dan. Eventually, I found my phone exactly where I had left it (on the table top).

What's the time? 2:47?!
Ok, at this point, I was cold, hungry and still tired, but I knew that it was unlikely I would get back to sleep again. For a while, I pondered over what I could do in this situation, going over possible solutions in my head:
1) Look at some more "relaxing" websites? No - too distracting.
2) Order some pizza? No - it's far too late now.
3) Make another Sleepless Night With Phil video? No - I've technically already been sleeping for a few hours anyway.

Then, in the half light of the moon shining through the window, I focused on Dan. His dark brown fringe was draped over his left eye but fluttered slightly every time he breathed out. He looked so perfect when he was sleeping. To be honest, I hadn't really noticed before but he looked so calm, so content and at ease.

What if... I thought. What if...? I couldn't... Could I?

What I did next, I did without even thinking. It seemed almost second nature to me. Was it even me doing this? I assumed it was as I was in control of my actions but my mind may have distorted the memory.

Quietly, I tip-toed to where Dan was huddled up on the corner of the sofa. As gently as I could, I sat down next to him, as close as possible. I paused to ensure I had not woken him in doing so. Dan let out a small, indistinct groan and shifted his position so that we were now directly facing each other. Luckily, he remained sleeping, unaware of my presence. Time seemed to slow as I leaned in towards his face. We were less than an inch apart now and I could feel his warm breath upon my checks. I closed the gap. My lips met his forehead for what must have only been a second yet it seemed like hours, long, beautiful hours that would never end. But they had to.

I drew away from the young man in front of me, still processing what had just happened.

I... I... I've just kissed my best friend! I mean, it wasn't sexual but I still kissed him! I've just kissed Dan, even if it wasn't on the lips. Do I LIKE Dan?! I'm not gay. I'm straight! Am I? Oh, God! What am I even saying?! Phil Lester, what have you done?!

Kissing Dan wasn't bad. I mean, sure it was weird but I didn't mind kissing him. Admittedly, he wasn't kissing me back but he wasn't even conscious, for Christ's sake. Now I was extremely confused. I was questioning my sexuality, my reasoning behind kissing him but, most importantly whether to tell Dan what I had just done.

I decided that three in morning was not the right time to be thinking about these things. So, I lay down next to Dan, instantly feeling better, knowing that I would be able to think in a more organised way in the morning. I closed my eyes, allowing my body to rest gently on his. "Goodnight, Dan." I whispered. "Sweet dreams..."