Chapter Text
Heatwaves in London were brutal as fuck. Dan woke up with sweat dripping from his forehead, onto his neck, and down his back. Phil was cuddled against him, still sound asleep. As much as he’d love to continuously be pressed against his boyfriend, he was feeling restless from the warmth. He raised Phil’s arm that was wrapped around his waist and snuck out of the bed, trying not to wake him. He felt sticky and gross and needed nothing more than a cold shower.
Once his body felt refreshed and cooled down, he realized he forgot to grab a change of clothes. He was hoping Phil would still be asleep as he tiptoed out of the bathroom with just a towel around his hips. He wasn’t sure if his half-naked state would make Phil feel uncomfortable.
When he opened the door, he saw Phil sat up in bed with his knees to his chest. He was looking over at him with an expression Dan couldn’t read.
“I forgot to grab some clothes before heading into the shower,” Dan mentioned in an effort to break the odd silence.
Phil just nodded. His stare still semi-blank.
“Everything okay?”
Phil quickly shook his head. “Just had a bad dream then I woke up and you weren’t here, so my mind just went to a bad place..”
Dan hurried over and sat at the edge of the bed, close to Phil.
“Hey, look at me.. I’m right here, okay? I’m not going anywhere, Phil. You could tell me you hated me and I’d still be here.”
He pulled Phil into a hug with one arm, using the other to keep his towel from dropping. He could feel the dampness of Phil’s sweaty forehead pressed into his neck.
“I should get dressed though. If you’re ever going to see me naked, I don’t want it to be like this,” Dan joked, which got him a laugh from Phil.
“Someday, hopefully,” Phil quietly said under his breath.
Dan worked on making them breakfast while Phil hopped into the shower. He knew figuring out what Phil was comfortable with was something they had to discover together. He knew Phil was alright with cuddling, hugging, and kissing; which all in itself was good enough for Dan. Sex would be something they’d have to start slowly with and all on Phil’s terms. He was more than okay with going at Phil’s speed because Phil was all he needed.
“I’ve been thinking of some video ideas,” Dan said. He was sat on the sofa while Phil was at his computer, editing an AmazingPhil video about his surgery.
“Yeah?” Phil answered as he took his headphones off of his ears.
Dan flipped through a mini notebook he carried around in case he got inspired by something.
“Yeah, I figured I could either do a small guide about how to figure out if you like someone more than a friend, but make it funny somehow. Or I could talk about funny things that have happened to me at work.”
“I really like the first one. Sounds like something I’d click on.”
“Cool cool cool. Think I’ll start writing some bullet points.”
The two of them worked silently over the next few hours. Phil managed to finish his video and Dan was able to come up with enough ideas to run by Phil.
“Oh my god, Dan, you need to film this video like right now.”
“I don’t think I can do it with you listening or watching,” Dan said shyly.
“That’s fair. I can’t really film in front of people unless they’re helping me out. But promise me you’ll film it this week.”
“Def will.”
“Great,” Phil smiled at him. “Now let’s grab some dinner. I can’t believe we worked through lunch.”
“What are you feeling?”
“Hmm, burgers?”
“Sweet jesus, yes!”
They had spent the whole day just wearing t-shirts and their pants because of the heat and lack of London air conditioning. They had also barely made any physical contact since the morning. Dan wasn’t sure if it was because of the temperature or if Phil felt awkward after what he told him last night.
Dan didn’t know if he could still make moves to be closer to Phil or if he should wait for Phil to approach him. He didn’t have to wonder long because after dinner, Phil rested his head on Dan’s lap while they binge watched The Rain on Netflix.
“Crap. I don’t know if I remembered to ask you, but if you’re free tomorrow, did you want to come for my late birthday dinner at Joe and Helen’s tomorrow? Sorry, didn’t mean to spring it on you last minute. It just completely slipped my mind.”
“Dan, yeah. I’ll go,” Phil smiled up at him.
“Great,” he returned the smile.
When the clock struck midnight, Dan and Phil felt ready for bed. They peeled the duvet off of Phil’s bed because it only added to their sweatiness. At first, they laid separately on their backs with space in between them to keep cool. After a few minutes of just staring at the ceiling, Dan glanced over at Phil who was just staring at him.
“What? Is there something on my face?” Dan asked, half-smiling.
Phil just shook his head, with his lips turned upward. “I just like looking at you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“You have a very pretty face.”
Dan grinned. “So do you, mister.”
Phil shifted his body a little, hesitatingly. Dan could tell he was contemplating something in his mind as his right shoulder would lift up slightly then fall back onto the bed. Eventually Phil committed to his action and rolled over until he was pressed against Dan’s side.
“Hi,” Dan said, amused.
“Hi.”
“What’s on your mind?”
“Um, a lot.”
“What’s one thing?”
“You.”
“In what way?”
“There’s.. there’s a lot of things I want to try.. with you. I’m just scared.”
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do, Phil.”
“I know, but I want to.”
“Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
Phil’s fingers began to walk across his stomach, on top of his shirt. Each finger movement like a small tickle. He held his breath every time a finger would glide across. In a matter of seconds, Phil’s fingers began lifting Dan’s shirt and started tracing on his bare skin.
“Do you want this off?” Dan asked, gesturing to his shirt.
Phil nodded nervously.
Dan sat up and removed it. He usually slept with his shirt off at his own flat and would rather be topless in this heat. He laid back down and Phil’s fingers returned to his body, crawling upward. Eventually his finger grazed over Dan’s nipple causing Dan to gasp slightly.
“S-sorry,” Phil stuttered and removed his hand from Dan’s body.
“N-no, it’s okay. Just a sensitive spot.”
“Oh.”
“In a good way,” Dan reassured him.
Phil put his finger back to where he left off. He tested Dan’s sensitivity by circling around his nipples before touching them again. His eyes widened whenever Dan reacted.
“Does it really feel that good?” Phil asked curiously. He settled on resting his hand in the centre of Dan’s chest and his head on Dan’s arm.
“It depends. Some people enjoy it and some don’t really care for it.”
Phil didn’t respond after that so Dan assumed he fell asleep, but when he looked down, Phil’s eyes were still open. He could see that Phil was lost in his thoughts.
“If you ever wanted to try it, just let me know, okay?”
“Uh, y-yeah. Let’s.”
Before Dan could double, triple, and quadruple check if Phil was sure, Phil was already sat up to take off his shirt. Dan admired the chest hair that grew on Phil’s torso. He himself didn’t have nearly as much hair, but it looked so attractive on Phil. Phil quickly laid back down on Dan’s arm, hiding himself from Dan’s gaze.
“Phil, your body is amazing.”
Phil blushed, but Dan could tell he wasn’t uncomfortable because he cracked a joke. “That’s why I’m called AmazingPhil, duh.”
Dan chuckled as he walked his fingers along Phil’s stomach, careful to avoid his bandages.
“Does it hurt?”
“Not so much anymore. Your fingers kind of tickle though.”
He traced circles around all three of the incisions. He knew Phil’s stomach would be one of his favourite body parts to touch and he was right. The smoothness of his skin combined with fine hairs felt divine under his fingertips. The moment he started working his way upward, he could feel Phil inhale a deep breath.
“Just tell me to stop when you feel uncomfortable.”
Phil just nodded with his eyes shut.
His fingers danced around Phil’s nipples, teasing the touch without actually placing his fingers on it. When he finally swiped over it, he could feel Phil’s body jerk underneath his touch.
“Okay still?” Dan asked.
“God, yes.”
Dan continued to faintly touch him until Phil suddenly ran his hand up Dan’s side and arched his body upward to kiss Dan. It was a kiss of pure want and desire. A kiss unlike one they’ve shared before. One that caused Phil to bring a leg onto either side of Dan’s hips and latch on to his cheeks with his hands. Dan could feel that Phil was half hard on his stomach and knew he was growing hard too. But he didn’t dare to reach in that direction, not unless Phil was ready for that.
Dan broke their kiss to consult with Phil. “Where do you want to go from here? Both of us are pretty damn into this, but you call the shots.”
The answer was evident when Phil climbed off of him. “Sorry.. sorry.”
“Phil, you don’t have to apologize. If you’re not ready, you’re not ready, and that’s valid.”
Phil nodded, but didn’t look him in the eye.
“I’m proud of you, okay. Now come here, let’s go to sleep.”
Dan opened his arm for Phil to lie into. Once they were cozied up, and carelessly overheated, Dan switched off the lamp on the bedside table.
“Should we pick something up on our way?” Phil asked as he buttoned up one of his plaid shirts.
“Helen would be insulted if we ate something that wasn’t her cooking.”
“How about flowers or something?”
“Um, yeah that should be okay.”
“What are her favourites?”
“She really loves orchids.”
“Perfect. There’s a floral shop I pass by a lot that always has pretty orchids on display.”
It was endearing how excited Phil got over plants. If he wasn’t prone to killing them, Dan could see his flat having terrariums and succulents all over. Maybe someday if Phil learned how to take better care of them or someone with a green thumb could tend to the regularly. Dan never cared much for them, but he had to agree that the many variations of plants were fascinating and they were awfully pretty to look at.
They made their way to the shop and Phil picked out a really extravagant orchid that faded from yellow to a peachy orange. It was the most expensive one in the shop, but Phil just waved a hand at Dan every time he tried to suggest he pick a cheaper one.
“I need to make a good first impression,” Phil said.
“They’re going to love you. You really don’t have to try that hard,” Dan reasoned.
“Hush. Let me buy the pretty plant.”
They called an Uber and rode to Joe and Helen’s with the orchid seated between them, secured by Phil’s arm wrapped around the base. Dan would just laugh and roll his eyes whenever he looked over and Phil shut his eyes and cuddled the orchid closer.
“I see I’ve been replaced so soon,” Dan said, holding a hand to his heart and pretending to be hurt.
“Sorry Dan. Richard the orchid just gets me.”
“You named it?”
“I named him , yes.”
“You’re ridiculous.”
They finally arrived at the Marano household. Seeing the grey brick exterior and the brown painted garage reminded Dan of being a kid. It also reminded him that he hadn’t been here in a while. He walked slightly ahead of Phil and rang the doorbell, despite still having a key.
“Daniel!” Helen opened the door and rushed over to hug him, “Happy birthday, dear! I’ve missed you so much.”
“Thank you! I’ve missed you too. I’m sorry I don’t keep in touch more,” he returned the embrace.
Helen was very petite, so Dan had to crouch down quite a bit to match her height. Her shoulder length brown hair with blonde highlights still smelled like roses, as it always had since he’s known her.
“And who is this?” She asked once she released him from the hug.
“This is Phil, my um, my boyfriend.” Dan blushed as he said it. This was the first time he was introducing Phil as his boyfriend and it felt so nice to call him that.
“Hi Phil, I’m Helen,” Helen said as she approached him with open arms.
Phil placed Richard on the ground and entered Helen’s embrace. “So nice to meet you. I got you this orchid because Dan told me they’re you’re favourite.”
“Oh my god, it’s beautiful. Thank you, dear. I’m glad you’re here,” She told him.
“Joe, long time no see,” Dan joked when Joe appeared.
“You’re such a joker, Daniel,” he said as he gave Dan a pat on the arm.
“This is Phil, my boyfriend. I know you may have seen him come into the store a couple of times.”
Phil’s cheeks blushed pink a little at Dan’s remark because they both knew he was there more than a couple of times.
“Ah yes yes. Thank you for making Daniel a happy boy. He needs it.”
“Thank you for teaching him to be who he is,” Phil spoke.
“I can’t take all of the credit, but I do take 80% of it.”
They all laughed at Joe’s lame dad joke.
“There’s a surprise in the lounge for you Daniel. A little birthday gift from us.”
Dan’s face showed a bit of worry. “You guys really didn’t have to get me anything.”
“Just go look,” Joe pushed.
Dan walked slowly towards the lounge, hesitant to see what they got him. He really didn’t need them spending money on some fancy gadget he didn’t need. When he rounded the corner, his jaw instantly dropped.