Fault (Phan)

Part 5

December 23rd, 2009

Now Phil boards his train down to Wokingham, worrying about how he did on his one test. He has few reasons to worry, but he's put himself in this mindset to pass time. Meanwhile Dan lies on his back, limbs spread out, on his bed, also unsurprisingly worrying about midterms. It would be just minutes, he can tell now. Ding-dong! His cliché doorbell sounds and Dan is down the stairs and turning the doorknob. He cracks the door, his heart racing. To his misfortune, he is greeted by a moustache and eyes that give off a deadbeat feel. Dan takes his mother's package and starts to close the door. But no, he doesn't close the door, because over the deliveryman's footfalls he hears rapidly accelerated ones, smacking hard on the frosty pavement. Tuning his eyes and his ears, he picks up gentle panting, and of course, the 6'2" mass that is Phil is jogging towards Dan's house from the left, looking at a piece of paper as he goes. Dan shoves through the unsuspecting worker and bolts to reach Phil, not realizing he was barefoot and the temperature isn't forgiving.

A paper-thin, near-translucent snow falls gently onto the grass outside. Of course, it's starting to get dark now, and neither of the two can see it all that well out the window. They'd been left alone in the lounge. They've spent the last two hours playing Crash Bandicoot among other things, before Dan declared he didn't want to melt his eyes from the screen. Now they just sit on the couch, staring out the window.

Phil decides that now is a chief time to make a simple move, which he had never tested until this moment. He continues to look out the window, but he starts to lift his left arm up. He presses it into the back of the couch and slides it past Dan. This, he decides, is effectively around Dan's shoulder. The boy smiles and lets out a quick poof of air from his nose, a sign of amusement. Phil leans his head to the left as well, resting on Dan's other shoulder. They sit, so content a mouse could squeak and they'd both jump. After basking in his glorious achievement, Phil blinks a few times and looks up at the ceiling. As he's about to close his eyes and continue enjoying this, he sees a large green blob with holly and ribbons hanging down. A message from above.

Oblivious to it all, Dan continues to smile in deep thought, but Phil sits up and pulls out his arm. Now, Dan starts to notice and frowns at him. There is the slightest curvature on Phil's face, his blue-gray eyes freezing Dan in place. Everything screeches to a halt. Phil leans in so close to the point their noses touch, and then, all he needs to do...he opens his mouth a little so he could...just – he presses his lips against Dan's. Surprised, Dan opens his mouth a bit, of course allowing Phil's bottom lip to go in. They both smile in the kiss, eyes closed. As Phil feels more complete than he ever has before, Dan's heart soars, his feelings all set free. Whenever Phil's lips start to slip away, Dan holds onto them for dear life. They stay like that for a while.

Eventually, Phil leans back and they part. Once more he gazes dreamily forward at the most beautiful person he's convinced he'll ever see. Dan's brown eyes reflect the Christmas tree lights, the many hues dancing within them as their corners crinkle up further than Phil has ever seen them go. In a hushed tone, Phil states, "We're under the mistletoe."

Dan furrows his brow and just responds with "Oh." He keeps staring at Phil. "I didn't notice that." He looks off to the side, smiling slightly, and continues, "Pretty silly. I applaud you." Phil chuckles but is broken off by Dan's lips again making contact. They both smile once more, cherishing the miracle that had come upon them. Phil wraps his arms around Dan and sighs as he leans back, allowing himself to be under his partner's weight. The brunette lies on top of Phil, and just takes in this precious face, those icy eyes not daring to break contact. Dan holds Phil's head in his hands, and the other pair makes their way down his backside, roaming up, down, left and right - and all the while they occasionally peck lips. The soft lights warming the lounge continue to dance in Dan's eyes as he begins to find his purpose.

At some eventual point after a breathtaking eternity of it all, Phil gives Dan a somber look. "I should have mentioned this...and I don't mean to impose, but I never booked a hotel or got tickets for a ride back up tonight..." he purses his lips, "...And I'm kind of tired now."

Of course, this doesn't matter to Dan at all. He smiles to the point he bares his teeth and says, "Just stay here and sleep in my bed. I mean, like I said, we don't have a guest room, and I'm sure my mum won't mind feeding you. I think she likes you."

Now it's Phil's turn to raise an angular, ginger eyebrow. "I really didn't think she liked me."

"Trust me, she did."

As they get up, Phil displays a doubtful look. "Sure."

The two make their way up to Dan's room. It's now a little past midnight and while Phil is ready to die, Dan has just a bit more fuel to burn as usual. He uses this to change into warm pajama pants and lends Phil a sweatshirt. Immediately after that they're snuggling into Dan's bed. As soon as they're under the comforters and the brunette is lying on his side, Phil snuggles up close and presses himself against Dan's backside. He hugs him from behind and leans forward to administer a kiss on the cheek.

"Sweet dreams."

Dan loses his cool at this and starts giggling incessantly.

"What is it?" Phil is genuinely confused.

"You're so cheesy, Phil." He flips around and buries his face in Phil's neck, smiling against his skin. And for the first time in a month and a half, the two men fall asleep together.