it started like this (phan)

home

. . . . . . . .

The black cab beeped loudly outside as they both rushed down the marble stairs to sign out. The second they got past the doors and onto the leather seats he burst into an exhausted sigh. Neither said a word during the first 15 minute drive.

However, just as the sun began to fully rise and shine through the black screen, dan gently laced his fingers into Phils. Neither flinched or moved away and both idled for the remaining 10 minutes, shoulder to shoulder,  a comfortable yet unspoken silence filling the minimal space.

.  .  .  .  .  .  .

"Wow it's you guys! Hey man"
Pj pulled dan into a tight hug and held it for a few seconds. Sophie followed suit and gave each a hug followed with a cliche "so how was the travel?"

The four had decided to keep tradition and to go for a drink and then to go for a beach walk down near sea level. Whilst innocent enough, phil couldn't imagine how he could manage the rest of the day without speaking to dan properly.

As they walked down the pier to the restaurant next to the beach pj and Sophie locked hands and talked to each other domestically about the buildings and their history. Which left him and dan in well... silence. For the third time today. Which was rare seeing as usually the two could find conversation in even the most awkward of situations.

The drinks were easy to navigate and everyone managed to get something down their mouth too. By the time they had finished their dinner and stepped outside the sun was slowly setting and the sky was turning a breath taking shade of salmon.

"This would be a perfect time to walk down. It's quiet, we can talk about life, death, and everything in between" pj laughed sarcastically. Dan let out a half hearted laugh and Phil smiled appreciatively. Although given a strange look of concern, they weren't interrogated about their awkward behaviour.

The sand crashed between the boys' feet as they rushed down to the sea. But of course, being his typical self, pj couldn't help but want to go and look at the stones further up shore.
"Come on, please?"
Although given a groan of reluctance, Sophie followed him. Just before the two boys could contently walk behind, pj turned around with a knowing look on his face.
"It's fine, we will go look at this and then we will call you guys and catch you up. Deal?"
Dan looked as if he was going to argue for a second, but decided not to. The pair took the opposite direction which left both dan and phil alone.

"Do you wanna talk now."
"Not particularly"

Oh.

"But yes. We should."
Phil breathed a sigh of relief and watched the sky fade Into a dark violet. The sea crashed harshly against the sand below, making their comfortable moment of silence less tense.

"About last night. What happened..."
"It's happened before. Did you mean it this time?"
"I mean... I meant it every time and I. I'm sorry that sounded better in my head"
Phils heart was beating like a mini drum, forcing its way up his throat and leaving him shaking as he said those final words.

"so did I."

His heart was no longer beating. Everything Inside him stopped, leaving dan to abruptly continue walking before realising he had halted.

Dan turned around and phil could see every feature of his face again, like he did in the hotel room. His freckles dotted his cheeks and his nose was a light tint of pink from the cold air. His curls were messy and the violet sky radiated from his face. His lips were parted, as if shocked over what had came out of them.

"You mean that?"
"As long as you do."

And that's when it clicked. These past incidents they liked to call mistakes had a whole new meaning. They both wanted this. And suddenly the world didn't matter to phil, the cascading waves were no longer looping through his mind. Everything had gone blurry, except for dan. His see through raincoat brought out his blushed cheeks as he timidly stepped forward and placed a hand around his shoulder.

"I don't know how to do this" he admitted
"Neither do I."
"And I don't know if you're messing with me and joking because if not this isn't f-"
Phil stopped his rambling by pressing his lips against him. It was just as magical as before, maybe even better. Dan pulled phil closer and melted into the kiss as the salty air threw their hair in wild directions.

And just as they pulled away, they smiled like crazy at each other. For the first time this didn't feel like a mistake.

"We still have a whole tour to do"
"I know"
"And our families..."
"I know"
"And our fan base but..."
"But it will be ok."
"Can we go home now?"
"You mean the hotel?" Phil laughed softly
"Yeah. That." And dan tangled his arms into Phils as they both stared off into the falling sun. Pj could ring anytime now, but for now they could embrace the moment they have alone.