monochrome brushstrokes // phan

chapter 5

"This one looks like you," Phil laughed, pointing to a painting of a rat.

"Rude," Dan snorted, a smile dancing on his lips.

While Phil was in his twenties, he didn't act like it. Well, at least when he was around Dan.

"Watch this, I'm gonna leave my sunglasses here and people are gonna think it's an art piece," Phil grinned, slipping off his glasses.

"Phil no," Dan groaned, trying to pull the raven-haired man away.

"Phil yes," he replied, placing his dark frames on the wooden floor. "Quick, walk away before one of those fancy rich art lovers notice they're mine."

Dan couldn't help but laugh, repeating Phil's words with amusement, "'Fancy rich art lovers'?"

"Yeah, that's what they're called," the older boy giggled, "You know, the ones with berets and mustaches and stuff."

"You just described a stereotypical french person," the brunet pointed out.

"Oh well, I guess I did," Phil paused momentarily, visualizing what he had just described. Not shockingly, the person in his mind was holding a baguette.

"You probably offended so many french people, woowww Phil." Dan rolled his eyes in mock exasperation, drawing out the 'wow'.

"I personally apologize to every french person here, then," the ebony-haired man placed a hand over his heart at an attempt to show genuineness. He ended up just looking like he was trying to pledge allegiance to an invisible flag.

Dan just glanced at him before shaking his head fondly, "God, you're such a dork. But I love you." The last bit just slipped out accidentally, the younger man instantly regretting his words. What if he gets uncomfortable... oh no. You're such a fuck up. At most, you're mutual friends and you haven't even known him for that long! But then again, he has millions of fans already flattering him so you're no different.

Phil was momentarily caught off guard by the sudden expressed affection. He quickly shrugged it off, deciding that Dan meant it in a platonic way. "I mean, how could you not love all of this," he joked, gesturing to himself while making the ugliest face he could pull.

"I take back what I said, why are you like this," Dan replied, straight-faced. He moved onto the next exhibit, leaving a grinning Phil no choice but to follow.

The two continued on their way until they had decided that they had seen enough art. Dan, to his relief, had been able to find some inspiration and learn about art styles in different eras. Phil, however, had just learned that art was a lot less fun to look at when you're hungry.

As Dan and Phil settled into a booth at a diner, a look of horror crossed over the blue-eyed man's face.

"Fuck," he stated, checking his pockets and touching his face quickly.

"What's wrong?" Dan asked, worriedly.

"I left my glasses at the museum," Phil replied before slumping in his seat. "Ehh, whatever. I'll just buy a new pair or something. We can go back another time and check if they're still there." He chuckled at the idea, imagining a line of people waiting to take a photo of his sunglasses.

Dan's heart leaped at the idea of going back with Phil. He's planning to still be friends with me in the future, I didn't scare him off yet! "Sounds good," the brunet smiled, trying to act casual. "What are you getting?"

The blue-eyed boy scanned the menu briefly before answering, "Pancakes with eggs and toast I'm thinking. You?"

"Western omelet with multigrain toast and hashbrowns," Dan automatically responded. He noticed the look of shock cross over Phil's face and explained, "I've been going here for years. I practically lived on their food when I was at university."

The ebony-haired man swept his dark fringe out of his eyes with a finger. "Haha nerd," he smirked, his eyes glimmering with adoration. 

"Shut up," the younger man rolled his eyes, lightly swatting at Phil from across the table. "At least I didn't drop out."

Phil paused, confusion clouding his features, "When had I ever told you that?" I never told him that... he must've looked me up. His lips curved into a smug grin. "You looked me up, didn't you, Daniel?"

Dan shuddered at the way 'Daniel' rolled off Phil's tongue. No one had ever called him Daniel. Heck, he didn't let anyone call him by that name. Dan decided that he wouldn't mind if his neighbor called him it. "Yes daddy," he blurted before blushing a deep pink. "Fuck, did I just say that."

Phil felt himself lightly blush as well. He couldn't help but get slightly turned on, adjusting his oversized jumper to hide his 'problem' from under the table. The older boy decided to laugh it off, "You never struck me as someone with a daddy kink."

Dan covered his burning face with his hands. "Oh God, can we forget that ever happened. I'm so sorry. I get if you don't want to be friends with me anymore and I-" 

Phil leaned over to cut Dan off with a kiss. He quickly pulled away, though, leaving Dan a bit disappointed by the absence of his lips. "Sorry, you were blabbering," the ebony-haired boy explained innocently.

The waitress came over to, thankfully, break up the awkward sexual tension. "What would you two handsome men like to order?" she asked, taking out her notepad.

"Pancakes with scrambled eggs and white toast, please," Phil politely stated, folding up his menu and handing it to the lady.

"Western omelet with multigrain toast and hashbrowns, thank you," Dan murmured, his cheeks still flushed, handing over his menu as well.

After the waitress left the two alone, an uncomfortable silence settled over them again.

Dan finally met Phil's gaze, a small smile playing at the corner of his mouth, "I-I wouldn't mind if you shut me up again."

"Well, I wouldn't mind shutting you up again, then."

******

author's note // well that escalated quickly. if you're looking for something else to read, check out my new fic, i'll be what you want // phan, thanks!