I Am Not Your Master; I Am Your Partner: A (Neko) Dan and (Human) Phil Series

Man and Neko

"Those three words,
Are said too much,
They're not enough...

If I lay here,
If I just lay here,
Would you lie with me and just forget the world?"

- Chasing Cars, Snow Patrol

Dan's fingers moved along the keys so expertly.

Phil never imagined that Dan would play for him this way. The melody was fairly simple, but beautiful nonetheless. Chasing Cars had been a favorite of theirs from the very beginning.  It was not but a month into their relationship that they lay in the snow on the rooftop gazing at stars, Dan curled up on Phil's chest. Phil played the song and they decided that it was, without a doubt, the most romantic song of all time. They played it a lot over the years, and they considered it their song. They always said that it was like stopping time. And now, Dan sat at the piano, playing a slow version just for his new husband.

Kate arranged for the piano; Dan had called her about it. The estate had a piano, though it desperately need to be tuned. The owners had it moved to the dining room for the occasion. Phil didn't know that Dan could play the song. He must have worked it out on his own, when Phil was out of the house.

Dan paused, and turned to the table, gesturing for Phil to join him on the piano bench. He stood, more than happy to be close to Dan again. They sat shoulder to shoulder. Phil kept to himself otherwise, not wanting to interfere with Dan's access to the keys.

There were few things that moved Phil like watching Dan play. He couldn't decide what he liked the most. Maybe it was the way his long, elegant fingers moved across the keys, or the way that he leaned dramatically into the notes. Sometimes he would lose himself entirely and close his eyes. Perhaps it was the knowledge that Dan felt so at peace with the instrument having found comfort in it as a child.

It was hard for Phil to sit still; Dan moved him so. Phil's eyes watered once more as Dan leaned into him and rested his head on his shoulder. Kate and Michael smiled at one another. The melody echoed throughout the room, rich and fluid. If Dan weren't actually playing, he would be sharing a slow dance with Phil now, gently with the music.

The meal had been perfect. Phil planned the menu with all of their favorites, and Kate made the order. Cherry Blossom branches ran the length of the table, blossoms spilling out here and there. White candles flickered in the center. An open bottle of Champagne sat next to Phil's place setting; he had toasted his groom and then his parents. The tea ceremony started the evening, and Dan was so surprised that Phil remembered. "Of course I remembered Sweetheart." Phil had whispered into his ear.

Dan played the final notes and turned to smile at Phil.

"Dan...that was so beautiful." He reached up to hold Dan's face and kiss him. "I can't believe that you did that. I could listen to you play forever." Phil kissed him again. "Thank you Darling."

"Lucky for you," Dan giggled, "because you just signed up for forever."
                                                                                             * * *

The car that brought Dan to the estate was also prepared to take the newlyweds to the hotel for the night. They had already said their goodbyes and planned to meet Micheal and Kate for breakfast the day after tomorrow. It was time for the new husbands to celebrate privately.

There were equal parts laughter and flirtation in the back of the car. It would be approximately 25 minutes into the city, and Phil saw it as an opportunity to tease his baby.