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Dan really wanted one normal day. Just a day with no random chaos induced by Phil, no stupid shit on Twitter, nothing. Of course, with his life, that was virtually impossible.
His mood had been a bit low recently, getting caught up in the birthday blues. Phil's been doing everything he could to keep the time around Dan's birthday exciting; different little gifts, treats, and…other presents. It worked for a while, but once the excitement died down, Dan was left feeling hollow.
“It's really nice out today, why don't we take a walk?” Phil nudged Dan's knee with his own. They were sat on the living room couch, barely any space between them.
“It's a bit hot, don't you think?” It really wasn't. Dan was just way too comfortable and had no urge to move.
“It's not so bad, we need some fresh air anyway. Just for a little bit.” Phil persisted and stood up, reaching his hand out to Dan. Dan smirked and rolled his eyes, letting Phil help him up. “Let me get shoes on.”
—
Phil was unfortunately correct. The air in London was surprisingly cool for June, and the gentle breeze felt good on Dan's face. They walked hand in hand around their neighbourhood, chatting about family drama and plans for the future. They were in a weird transitional period in their life - their house was finally close to being done, their subscribers were maturing just as much as they were - and Dan was anxious to figure out what was next.
The two decided to stop and sit at a bench, and Dan was mid-rant about a new obscure pop album. Phil's ears perked up, but not at what Dan was saying. “Hold on- sorry, do you hear rustling?”
Dan paused and listened, turning to look at Phil with the same confused look. “Yeah, actually.” He turned around and looked at the shrubbery behind him.
Like an angel emerging from the clouds, a tiny tabby kitten came crawling out from the bush. Phil gasped and Dan's eyes widened. His voice dropped to a soft tone. “Hello!”
The cat meowed in return and Phil's face lit up. “We have a friend!” The cat came around to Dan's side and began rubbing it's face on his leg. “He doesn't have a collar or anything. Do you think he belongs to someone?”
Phil was too excited to really say anything, but he gave Dan a look that said ‘I know who he could belong to.’
The cat continued to circle the pairs legs, meowing needily. Phil leaned down and pet the top of its head and behind his ears and Dan could tell he was already attached. “Phil, your allergies…”
“If I sneeze, I sneeze. Look at how cute he is!” Phil exclaimed. The cat was obscenely adorable, and seeing Phil so geeked about a cat was also a cuteness Dan was not prepared for. Phil gently picked it up, looking small against his tall frame, and set it on his lap.
“Phil, honey, we have no idea who he could belong to, if anyone.” The cat had begun to make himself comfortable on Phil's thighs, tucking it's legs beneath its body.
Phil continued to gently scratch the top of its head, so visibility exited Dan was convinced he might explode. “Wouldn't you be sad if someone just came up and stole your kitten?”
“Well, maybe they need pay better attention to their animals, Daniel.” Dan sighed. He knew they would at some point get a pet, but he wouldn't have guessed it to be so suddenly. He always pictured the two of them running around with a little corgi, or even a shiba inu. With Phil's allergies, a cat had never really been an option. Until now, obviously.
“Yeah. But, still. I don't want you to be sick. We don't have any cat supplies anyway!” Dan was trying so hard to get out of this, but he knew leaving the cat would make Phil inconsolable and he really didn't want to be the one to cause that. He was just prolonging the inevitable.
“We can get some! Dan, please.” Phil said, finally looking up from the cat.
“Phil…”
“Please! Pleasepleasepleasepleaseplease?” Phil was doing that repetitive thing he does when he wants something. Dan always found it annoyingly endearing.
He sighed. Committed issues be damned, he knew this was something that was going to happen anyway.
“Okay.” Dan finally said. “But, we have to do research and get the right stuff. And talk to our friends with cats. And you get to clean the litter box.” That last rule was definitely not always going to be enforced, but it made him feel better in the moment.
Phil grinned. “I knew you would agree! I will literally call PJ as we walk to the pet store and we can ask about what he did for Fuji.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Dan sighed. “You may want to talk to your doctor about antihistamines.” God, he couldn’t believe he was agreeing to this.
“I will, I will.” Phil stopped up, gently picking up the cat in one hand and Dan followed. Phil leaned in and gave Dan a kiss on the cheek and Dan was reminded of what all this was for; for them to learn and be good cat dads.
“Let's go, before he eats us both.” Dan said, and they made their way to the pet store.