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

You and Me

Phil admired his wedding band. He really, really liked the way that it looked on his finger - so bold and official. He decided that this is how Dan must feel wearing his collar. They were partners in every way, but he truly did belong to Dan. He was completely and utterly devoted to him.

His husband slept soundly beside him, his long arms curled tightly against his warm body and his legs intertwined with Phil's. Dan's chin rested on Phil's left arm, his throaty purr created vibrations that caused Phil to melt into the mattress.

Dan purred like this when he slept contentedly, and he was certainly feeling that way now.

Phil smirked when he saw the wedding clothing all over the bedroom. Their jackets lay in a heap across an armchair in the corner, their trousers in a pile on the floor, and their white dress shirts crumpled at the foot of the bed. Their neckties hung lazily from a bed post.

It had been a particularly intense night; Dan expected married lovemaking to feel different, and it did. Phil was delighted to discover that their emotional and mental connection intensified with each expression of physical intimacy.

There was an undeniable shift in the moment that they locked eyes, right before Dan started to move in his lap.

They could communicate without words, and in that moment, they were one in every sense of the word. Phil wondered if it was possible to get any closer, and he smiled knowing that he would have forever to find out.

He really should get some sleep, though it was hard to relax knowing what tomorrow would bring. They had big plans for one another.

Phil thought about how it would feel to share their exciting news with their viewers. They had not shared their engagement, exactly. Dan wore his collar every day, and did not remove it for videos or photos. They were well aware of the speculation, and they planned to confirm their engagement. It all happened so fast.

Phil thought about the first time they talked about marriage. Surprisingly, it took two whole years for the subject to arise. It hadn't occurred to either one of them, considering marriage equality had not come to the United Kingdom.

Same-sex couples were not allowed to marry, so the idea of marriage between man and Neko was completely out of the question. Dan accepted that they would live as an unrecognized couple without rights for the rest of their days despite their level of commitment and intention. Phil, on the other hand, did not accept the limitation and started the movement for marriage equality.

He remembered the moment clearly. Dan had been working in the kitchen. He was trying a new recipe for cinnamon swirl bread that Kate had sent to him. Phil watched him fondly, grinning as Dan diligently measured ingredients. He twisted his mouth this way and that, trying to achieve the perfect cinnamon swirl.

"Dan?" Phil called out from the table. "Baby? Can you come out here when you get a chance? I would love to hear your opinion on something important."

Dan closed the oven and dusted off on the front panel of his apron. "Sure Daddy, be right there." He was still trying to wrap his head around the idea that his opinions mattered. Phil was constantly asking him how he felt and what be thought, and it made him feel really good.

Phil had been reading about the advancements for marriage equality in other countries, and he was aware that parliament was working toward legalizing same-sex marriage. He wondered how Dan felt about their future. Was he happy living together without the bond of marriage? Did he realize that there could be more?

Dan came into the dining area covered in dry ingredients; flour, sugar, and cinnamon dusted his clothing despite the apron. Phil giggled when he noticed the smudge of flour on the tip of his perfect nose.

"It's in the oven. I hope it turns out alright." Dan reached for Phil and curled up in his lap.

"I'm sure it will Sweetheart. You are amazing in the kitchen. I love watching you work." Phil pulled Dan closer to his chest and playfully pinched his cheek.

"Kiss me." Dan pressed his nose to Phil's, transferring the white flour.

Phil obeyed.

"What would you like to talk about Daddy?" Dan shifted so that he was sitting more upright.

"Have you...have you ever thought about the future Dan?" Phil looked at him seriously.

"The future?" Dan wrinkled his nose and move his triangular ears. He wrapped his arms around Phil's neck and lay his head on his shoulder. "In what context?"

Dan had not considered their future beyond today. He was truly content with their life as it was. Phil realized that Dan knew little about marriage, never having a model of his own. Phil thought about it all the time. His parents were happily married, and he wanted that for himself and Dan.

"As in us...you and me?" Phil was suddenly nervous that Dan wouldn't want more.

Dan's ears perked up and he sweetly pushed himself into Phil.
"I want to be with you forever Daddy." Dan purred. Phil nearly fell out of the chair at his adorable response. He laughed.

"Yes, I want that too Sweetheart, and we will be together forever." Phil smiled and kissed his ears.
"Have you ever thought about getting married? Is that something that you would like to do someday Dan?"

Dan smiled and blushed. He had never thought about it. The truth was that he was incredibly happy living with Phil, loving him like this. It never occurred to him that there could be more.

"I would marry you Phil...yes, I want that. Can we? I mean, I'm a Neko." Dan's face fell. He looked down at his lap.

"Well, what if I told you that I could work on that?" Phil lifted Dan's chin and looked into his eyes.

"Really?" His beautiful brown eyes widened and his tail started to sway against the arm of the dining chair.

"Really." Phil kissed him.

"What would it mean to be married exactly?" Dan didn't know. He lay back against Phil, twirling the tip of his fluffy tail between his fingers.

Phil smiled. "It would mean that we would be recognized as a couple by the government, and that means that we would be protected as a couple. We could purchase a home or property together, represent each other's interests, make medical decisions for each other, and maybe, someday, adopt children together."
Phil felt Dan's body tighten in his arms.

"We could...adopt children Phil?"
Dan's voice cracked unexpectedly.

"If you wanted to...someday, yes." Phil buried his face in Dan's hair, inhaling his scent. The idea of sharing these things with him made his heart flutter.

They sat silently for a long time. Phil stroked Dan's back. He wondered if it would ever happen for them. Phil decided that he would make it happen.

"You know what Dan? We don't have to sit by and wait for justice. We can chase it ourselves."

Dan's heart began to race with excitement. He knew what Phil was on about. "Daddy?"

"Yes Darling?" Phil kissed his temple.

"I want to help. I mean, I want this for us. I want this for everyone." Dan spoke with enthusiasm, turning to press his palms into Phil's chest.

Phil kissed him. They sat together, thinking about what could be, and they smiled.

Dan was starting to stir in his sleep. Phil rubbed his hip and pat him lovingly. He removed his glasses and slid down the headboard of the beautiful four-post bed next to Dan. He curled his arms around the Neko cried into his hair.

He kissed his husband and counted his blessings.