prompt - dan and phil meet at a bar

11:24 pm

i smile as my eyes roam the bar, searching for my next victim.

"him," my brother says, pointing at a brunette, looking lonely at the bar. "i'd give you a 20 for him."

"you're kidding, right? that's too easy."

"hm. it's always the ones you don't expect," my brother comments, watching the brunette boy intensely. "make it 40 if he lets you stay at his house after. 50 if he lets you take his nudies."

"why're you being so generous?" i ask my brother, watching him down a shot as he keeps his eyes locked on the brunette. "and why're you looking at him so much? do you want him for yourself? honestly, take him. he doesn't look all that special."

my brother laughs, slapping me on the back, hard. "i believe in him, that's all."

"well, you better have £50 by tomorrow morning. i'll send you the pictures."

12:47 am

his eyes are shiny, cheeks are rosy, as he stares at the bottom of his finished beer.
pathetic.

"is this seat taken?" i ask him causally, giving the boy my signature toothy grin.

"i-i mean my friend was sitting here. he hasn't been back for a while, though, so i'm not sure... um maybe he went home with someone, yeah, he likes to do that a lot. i mean... you probably don't care that much. what i'm trying to-to say is that, i'm not sure when he'll be back, probably not at all, so yeah i guess- i guess the seat isn't taken." he says all of this without making any eye contact, and while awkwardly wringing his hands.

"okay," i tell the boy, continuing with my toothy grin. he's a rambler. that makes me feel sick with irritation. but all i need to do is think of the money i'll win off my brother. "are you like your friend, then?"

"i mean, a lot of people say we look alike," he starts, tapping his fingers against his cup. "same curly hair and brown eyes. i mean... those are pretty generic features, right? i-i don't see it. not to mention, his personality, it's the complete opposite of mine and i'm trying to learn from him... so i wouldn't say we're alike just yet, but hopefully, soon..."

i give him a loud fake laugh. "i meant, do you like to go home with people a lot, like your friend?"

"i-i don't. i can't. i'm not like him. i'm really awkward, and i bore people, if you haven't noticed... i mean, of course you've noticed, you've been talking to me all this time. i-i'm really... i'm sorry. i just start talking and i can't stop even though i know how- how it makes everyone feel. and it's worse when i'm with people like you."

my cheeky grin immediately turns into a cocky one. "people like me?" i ask, raising my eyebrows innocently.

"you know," he claims, still looking away. "people who have confidence radiating off them. people who speak in short sentences and know what they want. i-i just- i've never been that person. i wish i cared less. but i can't."

"well, maybe i can help you," i say with a casual shrug.

"you'd do that? really? i mean, i wouldn't be able to thank you enough. obviously i tried before, lots of people have tried to help me, but one more try couldn't hurt and maybe i'll improve. i mean, of course, if, like, if you're not busy and it's not too much to ask."

"sure, i would. don't have anywhere else to be."

"i mean, okay, like, i won't refuse--"

"listen, babe, you need to calm down," i instruct. i pull his hand that he is using to drum against his cup away, and flatten it on the table, so that his palm is lying face up. his hand is shaking in mine, and honestly, it's slightly disconcerting. i push away his sleeve and lay my fingers on his wrist, easily finding his pulse. "why is your heart beating so fast?"

"i mean, you're touching me, and-"

"it makes you uncomfortable?"

"no, no, no," he answers immediately, turning his head towards the floor. "i like it a little too much. i mean, i don't get touched a lot... and it feels- it's nice."

"you don't get touched a lot?"

"i mean, i'm not in a relationship. i haven't been in a while. i miss it. those small reassuring touches. you know, like just a stroke of a cheek, or a tickle of your chin, sometimes that means more than a kiss. it shows that the person is appreciating you, while a kiss is just a gateway to... other things. i don't get those touches. actually, i don't get kisses either. i don't have someone... and you?"

"me?"

"do you- do you have someone?"

i give him a shy smile. this is going to be easier than i thought. "i'm unattached. just like you."

"oh, okay, i mean, not that i was asking for any particular reason. just wondering, you know, just making sure i wasn't stealing you away from someone. no, i mean, taking your time that you're supposed to be spending with someone else."

i blink at him, as he turns further towards me. we still aren't making eye contact, but he's focused on a point on my left cheek, which seems to be enchanting him. "i like spending time with you," i tell him bluntly.

"oh," he says, looking at his feet again. i almost sigh in frustration. his cheeks are rosy again.

"yeah. that's why you shouldn't be so nervous about it. i want to be here, alright?"

"yeah, okay, i suppose. i just, i don't know how to act normal... i'm not normal, it's hard for me. i just feel like i'm wasting your time with my rambling and you could be with anyone else right now."

"but i want to be with you."

he looks up at me, surprise evident in his features. it's the first time i've been able to look directly into his eyes, so i take advantage of it.

before i know it, i'm admiring the golden flecks in his deep brown eyes, and the gentle curve of his lips. the bar lights reflect against his face, giving him a boyish hue.

maybe he's a little more than the generic college boy.

"see," he groans, resting his face on top of his folded up arms on the bar. "this is what i can't deal with."

"i know, and i can't see the slightest reason why. here i'll let you in on a little secret. i think you're the most attractive guy here tonight. maybe the most attractive guy here, ever. and trust me when i say i've been here a lot. okay? you're cute babe, it's an honour to be talking to you. no need to sweat it."

"i'm trying, i'm trying. i just- it's hard for me, but i want to get better."

"you're fine the way you are now, babe. you just need to loosen up a little. let me buy you a drink? what's your name?"

"i'm dan."

"nice to meet you, dan. i'm phil. what do you want to drink?"

1:34 am

"bro, i thought you said he'd be easy," my brother says, only walking towards me when dan had left for the bathroom.

"he is."

"then what's the hold-up? i chose good, huh?" my brother gives me an obnoxious smirk. i want to slap it off his face. i wonder if that's what people think when i smirk at them?

"no, i've got him. i was about to close before you sauntered over here with that asshole smile," i say with a chuckle.

"his back was turned by then."

"whatever, go away."

"why, you need to focus?"

"piss off, man, i'm almost done. he was actually just about to invite me home." it was a lie. dan wasn't. we hadn't even gotten onto that topic yet.

"you better hope he does. see you tomorrow morning. don't forget the pictures."

i roll my eyes. "pervert."

my brother laughs, and walks away, and just in time, because at that moment dan walks up from behind me.

2:46 am

"listen, the bar's about to close and we've both had way too much to drink. maybe it's time we got home," dan comments, brushing his fingers through his curls.

i shut my eyes, and pray on everything i know that dan is liking me enough to feel sympathy for me. "if only it was that easy for all of us."

"huh? what do you mean 'that easy for all of us'? is it not easy for you? i mean, you have a place to stay, right?"

"unfortunately, not. i was here with my brother and he left after we had an argument. he had the keys, but he's seriously pissed off. i doubt he'd open the door for me." i do this all the time. i've lied a lot. but this time there is something about lying that makes me grind my teeth together.

"aw, phil. i could come with you to try?"

"not worth it," i mumble, trying to look dejected.

"i mean..." he sighs. "we've been talking for hours, i-i trust you now. you could stay with me. for the night. it's almost over anyway."

"aw, dan, that's so sweet of you to offer. i'd love to stay with you for the night."

"okay, we should get going then."

£30 in the bag.

3:03 am

"i only have one bedroom," dan says, nervously leading me through his apartment.

"i can't pretend i mind."

"what do you mean? why would you mind?"

"no reason," i tell him, smirking.

"are you sleepy? you don't look sleepy? do you want pyjamas? i mean, we're like the same size."

"i sure hope we are," i answer, letting my eyes stop between his legs.

"yeah, i think we are, we're both quite tall," he says with a shrug, completely oblivious.

"yeah, you don't find many big people around. i doubt i know anyone bigger than you."

"yeah, it's annoying being so tall. makes you stand out like a sore thumb. are you sleepy?"

"not really, my appetite has spiked actually. could do with a snack before going to bed."

i throw him a wink, but he completely misses it, seemingly focused on the wall behind me.

"um, i haven't been shopping in a while, but you could come take a look in the fridge?"

"no, i have my sights on something else. something not in your fridge." i say, maintaining strong eye contact.

"well, all the shops are closed so we'll have to wait 'til tomorrow."

i sigh at his ignorance, before deciding to try again. "say, dan, you live alone, right?" he simply nods in response. "that must be nice. you can make all the noise you want, no one will complain."

"huh, i guess. it gets a bit lonely sometimes. especially when you don't leave the house much. um, no one really comes over and it's just me, so i don't make much noise."

"well, i'm here now."

his eyes light up in realisation. "are you- are you...?"

"yup. been doing it for a while now."

"phil, listen," he begins and i almost yell at him, or slap him, but i refrain from doing either. "listen, i'm not very good at reading between the lines. if you mean that you want to uhm--"

"you're very beautiful. it's been hard for me to keep my hands off you all night."

"but, i'm me. i'm dan. my talking, my awkwardness, my nerves, doesn't all that turn you off?"

"quite the opposite actually."

"why did you wait so long?"

"because, i wanted you to be comfortable."

he pauses, thinking. finally, "phil, do you want to kiss me?"

"thought you'd never ask."

i slowly lean towards him, giving him time to change his mind. but soon, his lips are millimetres away from mind and his eyes are fluttering shut.

and so i kiss him. i gently push my lips against his. he's so delicate, he's so beautiful, i can't help but touch him carefully, like he's going to break.

i pull away from the kiss, moving towards his jaw, laying careful, closely spaced kisses. eventually, i make it down his neck.

he squirms in my arms and lets out a quiet whimper. it's like music to my ears.

"i'm sorry, i just--" he whispers, as if scared to shatter the moment.

"no, it's okay, what's wrong?" i whisper back, subconsciously bringing his body even closer to mine.

"when you do that to my neck, it make me feel things. it's stupid--"

i laugh, laying my head in the crook of his neck for a second. "feel things?" i move my hand and slip it under his shirt, allowing the pads of my fingers to lightly graze the skin below his belly button. "here? it makes you feel things here?"

"yeah, right there. that makes me feel funny too."

i laugh again, and it comes out as a school girl giggle. i don't care. "you want me to stop then?"

he doesn't answer, and i return my lips to his neck, letting my tongue slip out for the shortest second. "do you want me to stop?" i tease, as his body shakes against mine.

he whimpers again. "should i stop?" i whisper, before opening my mouth and letting my teeth graze his soft skin.

"phil--"

"a little louder, babe. no one's home." i lick the skin again.

he whimpers. "phil, you're torturing me."

"that would imply you don't like it."

"i don't," he says, but nonetheless, he pushes his neck a fraction closer to me.

"then tell me to stop."

"phil," he whines again as i bite down on the skin, still soft, then suck.

he moves closer and closer to me with every passing second until there's not a sliver of my skin that isn't in contact with his.

and i like it way more than i thought i would.

3:23 am

we're on the bed now, both are shirts are off and i'm sloppily trailing kisses down his body. he's beautiful. every single inch of his perfect milky skin. i have no idea how i didn't see it before.

i want to take it slow, i want to drink him in; his presence, his eyes.

but that's obviously not what he wants. he's tugging at his jeans, my belt. his lips are moving too quickly against mine. too quick, too hasty.

"dan, baby, what are you doing?"

"i thought we'd have to be naked... to, you know, have sex."

"why so fast?"

"i thought that's what you wanted."

i sit up, move away from dan. i roll onto the bed, even though i want to do the opposite. "what do you want?" i ask, looking away from him.

he pauses, before smirking. "phil, i'm not stupid. i know, when you walked up to me at the bar, i know what you wanted. people like you don't talk to people like me for any other reason. i know you'd leave if i said no, so i'm trying to make you happy. because i'm so lonely and i want you to stay."

"dan, yes, you are stupid. i'm not going to leave."

"what, you don't want to have sex with me? is it because i'm ugly? is it because i don't have a nice body?" he mumbles and my heart shatters.

"you're right, i don't want to have sex with you. because i don't want you to be just another one night stand. you're different and i like you and i want to take this slow."

4:02 am

my phone pings on the bedside table, startling dan awake.

i caress his hair, and kiss the side of his head, trying to lull him back to sleep.

he turns in my arms so that he's facing me, before laying his head in the crook of my neck and mumbling something. i try not to laugh, as i comb his hair out of his peaceful face, and kiss his forehead.

eventually, i reach over him to grab my phone. it's a text from my brother.

4:02 - how's it going?

i sigh. guess i won't be getting the money. i quickly text him back.

4:03 - you were right.

**a/n - here you go, i have no idea what this is. i'm supposed to be revising, but anyway...

i hope you enjoyed! please vote and comment if you did.**

📎rachel