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It was the night of the war child gig, everything was going great, another reorchestrated gig completed. Johnny was so proud of the boys, but they were proud and in awe of him.
- Dude, that was incredible! I still can’t believe that you actually managed to pull that off, like fuck me you’re a genius, you’re like actually a genius - Dan excitedly said
- Yeah, well, thank you man, but I already know it - He said sassily and everyone was shocked at first, but then immediately burst out laughing
- Someone’s been spending too much time with Kyle I see, he’s rubbing off on you mate, there’s no save for you, we’ve lost another one lads - It send everyone into fits of giggles.
The guys were in such a great mood, they just couldn’t stop laughing. Normally they would go to some bar around the corner and party, but they had a tour coming up real soon, so they needed their rest and decided against partying just before tour.
The whole crew already left and the guys were the only ones in the building. Will was the first to leave since he was shattered and started falling asleep on the sofa. Woody left not long after him alongside Kyle who just wanted to finally fall asleep in his own bed.
- And then there were two - Charlie said while laughing softly. He was sat next to dan on the sofa, there wasn’t a big distance between them and he was happy with that. Chilling out with Dan always made him comfortable and it let him fully relax.
- Yeah, that’s right mate - said Dan, but it wasn’t in his normal cheerful tone which immediately alerted Charlie. He turned to look at him and he knew something was wrong, he could feel it in his bones. Something was definitely bothering dan, but he couldn’t figure out what.
- Hey mate, is everything alright? We just had an amazing fucking gig for a great cause which is the best way possible way to start the year and I can clearly see that something’s bothering you - Charlie closed the distance between them on the sofa, so that now they were sitting shoulder to shoulder, their knees touching. Dan didn’t even bother to move, not even a bit. He didn’t even look at Charlie, he just couldn’t do it. It was too hard for him, this whole situation was just too hard. This show was indeed the first gig of the year, but there was a lot of time left until tour which meant that he wouldn’t see his best mate for quite some time. And that wasn’t anything new, it was a thing that always happened between tours, but this time it felt harder than usual, this time it was different.
- I, I…. - Dan started, but couldn't finish, his voice quivering at the end. He put his head in his hands to hide himself from the world. He was a mess and he knew it, but he didn’t want Charlie to see it. He was scared of showing emotions around people, especially showing weakness, he wasn’t used to this. He couldn’t just break down in front of him, any single person, but just not him. Suddenly he felt a warm hand on his shoulder, he didn’t mind it, as a matter of fact, he liked it, it brought him this weird sense of comfort that we wasn’t used to and still couldn’t understand. He wanted more of it, he craved his presence, but he couldn’t just tell him that, it would destroy this perfect friendship that they have, it would destroy the bond that they share and he could’t risk it. Losing that or more precisely losing him would absolutely destroy him. He was getting in way over his head, overthinking everything, starting to panic. He was obsessively thinking about all the ways in which their friendship could end, of how he could possibly ruin it. Suddenly he heard a voice, at first it sounded like he was underwater and someone was calling out his name. Finally he snapped back to reality and when he realised who called his name a wave of joy went through him. His name sounded so beautiful coming out of his mouth. He became so overjoyed after hearing his name said by no other than him that his head snapped up to look at Charlie. Only he forgot that he had a few tears running down his face after his emotional spiral.
- Dan! Oh you’re back, thank god. I lost you there for a minute mate. Wait…were you crying? Oh my god man, what’s going on? Please tell me, you know that I’m always here for you, through better and worse, I’ll always be there for you, always. Now please tell me what’s going on, I’m really worried - He placed his hand on his knee and patted it as a way to let him know that he’s here and to try and bring him any kind of comfort. You could clearly hear the worry in Charlie’s voice while saying this and it’s all, because he’s never seen dan like this. Of course he saw him on his good and bad days, but it was never like this. He never got this emotional in front of anybody and most importantly, he would never let anyone see him crying which means that whatever is going on, is big. He needed to know what was going on. He couldn’t bear seeing dan like this, seeing him in that state broke him. Dan didn’t deserve this, he is one of the most kind, loving and caring souls out there and he’s sitting here suffering like this alone, all by himself as always. But now it was all about to change, he won’t be left alone like this, ever again.
- Dan, you know that you can tell me anything man, whether it’s good or bad. I’m not going to judge you, I just want to help you. Seeing you like this breaks me and you can’t expect me to just sit around and do nothing. Please tell me what’s going on - He said his voice breaking at the end. He was truthful and he meant every word he said. He put both of his hands on dan’s shoulders, slowly rubbing them, wanting him to look at him and tell him what’s been bothering this precious mind of his. Instead of all these little gestures he just wanted to get as close as possible to him and hug him, hold him and comfort him with all his being, but he had to control himself. He knew that dan doesn’t like him in this way, he probably never even thought about him this way. But Charlie could take it all as along as their friendship would look like it does, as long as they won’t lose their bond. Charlie could feel dan moving a bit, so he looked up and they caught eye contact. For the first time that night they finally looked at each other. Charlie finally looked at his face, he saw the dry tears on his face, his beautiful blue, ocean eyes. He could easily get lost in them, they were hypnotising. While he was caught up admiring closely dan’s beautiful face that he adored so much he saw this single tear streaming down dan’s cheek. He decided to wipe it. Once his finger came in contact with dan’s skin, he felt this weird electrifying sensation, this whole new, unknown feeling that was the best thing he’s ever felt in his entire life. The world felt like it had stopped, the only thing that mattered were these two men, scared of confessing their feelings to each other sharing such an emotional and heartfelt moment. Charlie’s actions were faster than his brain and he couldn’t stop it when his hand slowly moved closer to dan’s face and cupped his cheek. Once he realised what he did he was scared like never before since he didn’t know how dan was going to react, but once he felt dan giving in, trying to get closer to his hand, Charlie felt like the happiest man in the world.
- Charlie… - Dan finally said after all these moments of silence. He finally mustered up the courage to speak up even though everything was blurry for him, he couldn’t comprehend what was happening right now. He was sure that he was dreaming and that he’ll wake up in a second, but this time it was real. When Charlie cupped his cheek, he felt this weird sensation going through his body, feeling many different emotions all at once. He eased up into Charlie’s touch, it was comforting, it was all he ever wanted, to feel his skin on his, his hand cupping up his cheek, being comforted by the man he loved. His mind was rushing, having million thoughts at once, but he couldn’t focus on anything, the only thing that mattered to him was the man in front of him. They were staring in each other’s eyes, both unsure of the other one’s feelings, afraid that one wrong move will ruin it all. Suddenly Charlie’s head moved closer to dan’s and there was only a short distance separating them. Their breathes were getting heavier, their looks started going from each other’s eyes to the other one’s lips, back and forth, as if they would be asking each other for approval of what was about to happen next. Dan closed his eyes and closed the distance between, finally feeling Charlie’s lips on his. It was a good thing that they were sitting on the couch, cause otherwise dan would fall to his knees. The feeling was indescribable. The kiss was soft and gentle since they were both afraid of the consequences of their actions. When they felt the other one give in and ease up to the kiss, the biggest smiles appeared on both of their faces. Suddenly Charlie stopped and moved his head back to have a full at dan’s beautiful face, poor dan didn’t know that, he immediately assumed the worst. He looked down at the ground afraid to meet Charlie’s gaze, he was on the verge of tears since he was sure that Charlie stopped, because he didn’t like it and they lost it all.
- I’m so fucking sorry Charlie, I know I fucked up big time, but please, please forgive me, let’s just put this in the past behind us and forget it ever happened. I can’t lose the friendship and the bond that we have, I just can’t I….. - Charlie couldn't take more of dan’s speech so he decided to shut him up and show him how he feels in the best loving way by kissing him again. He loved how his lips felt on his, he loved how their lips moved in perfect sync, it felts as if they were made for each other. Dan was caught by surprise, he didn’t know what to think anymore. Charlie’s action definitely made up his mind and showed him that he has nothing to be sorry for, cause they share the same feelings for each other. He pulled back and put his hands on Charlie’s cheeks and just looked at him, admired his perfect face, of the man he loved for years. He felt like the happiest person on the planet seeing and realising that he shared the same feeling with Charlie and that the love of his life, loved him back. He took both of his hand’s from the man’s cheeks and proceeded to fall right into his arms. He had his head on Charlie’s chest, inhaling his scent. Charlie felt incredible finally being able to hold the man he’s loved for years in his arms, snuggling up to him.
After a few minutes they changed positions and now dan was snuggled up to Charlie with his head upon his shoulder. They sat like that in peaceful silence just enjoying each other’s company and both feeling like the luckiest people in the world, finding it hard to believe what actually happened that night. A light snoring became audible around the room. Charlie looked to his shoulder and he saw the most beautiful sight ever, he saw dan finally fully relaxing to the point that he fell asleep snuggled up to Charlie with his head on his shoulder. Upon realising that with the biggest smile on his face Charlie started softly whispering the beginning of oblivion.
- When you fall asleep, with your head upon my shoulder… - and with that he snuggled up closer to dan, putting his arm around him, surrounding them both from the outside world with his own head on dan’s, just peacefully falling asleep for the first time in a while. If only they knew what was about to happen in the upcoming weeks, they would probably make different plans. Spending all the times together, snuggled up to each other not ready to give away their closeness which would soon be taken away from them.