Stay With Me | Hamilphan AU

Chaptire Vingt-Trois

Christmas came and went in the new house. It was much bigger and nicer, but further away from work. Nothing was as happy anymore. To Dan, it seemed like years since he'd been surprised on Christmas day with Lafayette and Heather's visit but really it was only a year. How could that be?

This year, Mr Lester was hosting a New Year's Eve party for his employees and Dan was just glad to get out of the house. Despite the new house's larger size, it felt more cramped and stuffy because everywhere he turned, there was a person in his way. He'd never noticed this in the old house.

Dan dressed casually for the party, just a black shirt and trousers, no tie, no fancy jackets or anything. He caught a cab to the Lesters' house, which reminded him of his and Phil's escapade to get money a few months ago. When he got there, Phil was ready to greet him, a massive smile on his face.

"I haven't seen you in ages!" Phil squeaked.

"It's been like, 2 weeks, jeez," Dan sighed but he was also glad to see Phil.

"I have a present for you," Phil smiled, yanking on Dan's sleeve and pulling him into the pantry.

"I thought we weren't doing Christmas presents?"

"I went against our rule."

"Get you, Phil Lester, the rule breaker!" Dan teased.

"Shush you. Anyway, here's your present." Phil pressed a box into Dan's hand, looking at Dan eagerly. Dan opened it slowly and in it sat a plain silver ring. Phil took one look at Dan's raised eyebrow and sighed, "It's a promise ring. I have one as well," Phil pulled an identical ring on a piece of velvet out from under his shirt, "Since we can't get married or anything, this ring is a promise. A promise to always love you and to always be there for you."

Dan took the ring and slid it onto his right hand ring finger, "Thank you. I love it."

"Dan and Phil for forever?"

"For forever." Dan nodded, kissing Phil's hand.

"Well aren't you the perfect gentleman?" Phil laughed.

"Yes I am. Should we get out of here before some other man comes in and discovers us and we have to pay him off?"

"At least we're not having sex this time." Phil sighed.

"Well we can if you want," Dan teased, stroking Phil's chest.

"Not today, love. Not at my father's party." Phil kissed Dan quickly and tucked the ring on the velvet back underneath his shirt and left the pantry, sneaking a glance at Dan as he left.

Dan watched as Phil acted as a host, welcoming people and mingling with the guests. Phil was a bit more sociable than him, but Dan could still tell that Phil wasn't enjoying it. Dan was enjoying it less; he practically scowled at anyone who even dared to glance in his direction. Except from Phil, of course. What made things worse was that Christian Montfort was at the party, glass of brandy in his hand, a smirk plastered into his face. Dan could swear that Christian only knew two facial expressions: smirk and scowl.

Eventually Phil came back over to Dan, taking a glass of champagne from a waiter, "Well that was terrible."

"I could see, you really weren't enjoying it."

"Rosa Green goes on about pointless things for ages. It's so hard to escape but it's so boring," Phil moaned, "You should be glad you're not doing this."

"I used to, honey. Now I'm glad I'm just the poor French guy who's staying with the Hamiltons who doesn't have to be the host at a party." Dan grinned, holding his glass up in a toast.