Title: Maybe
Author:  Me
Genre: Romance/a bit of angst? It's not angsty angst, but…you'll see.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Making out, tears, implied sex, sexual tension…all that jazz.
Author's Note: This is based off the song "Three Cheers to Five Years" by Maday Parade. I use some of the lyrics as dialogue; all credit goes to Mayday Parade and their record label for these lyrics.

      Dan and Phil were out in Manchester, doing what each did best. Phil was off in his own world, running around the trees and imagining fantastic things that could never exist outside of his mind. Dan was adding dialogue to Phil's wild adventure, together making Manchester more than just a city in England. The night lights provided the night with magic and mystery that the pair wielded in practiced hands, until finally their adventure reached its end.  Phil was laughing as Dan skipped forward into the lobby of their building, pressed the button and then hopped into the elevator. Phil fallowed happily and as they waited in the far too slow machine, he could feel it was the right night. The night he would tell this boy all of his feelings, show him how much he meant to him, all of the things he did that made his heart lurch in his chest. Tonight would be the night. They stumbled into the apartment, Dan content and Phil a bit anxious. They ended up in the kitchen where Phil got them some water, biding his time quietly with a slight smile.
Dan noticed his friend's sudden silence and asked cheerily, "Why so quiet?" Phil looked up at him with a small grin, looking endearingly innocent. Dan smirked involuntarily at this expression; it was too precious.
      He tilted his head until Phil finally spoke softly, his hands nervously at his sides as he said, "Well…um, I…" How to continue? He carefully took a step forward and watched as Dan instinctively took one back, not out of fear, just out of reflex. He was practically sitting on the counter with Phil a few feet away, when he daringly rested both of his hands on either side of Dan. Phil opened his mouth to speak again, looking into a pair of brown and confused eyes.
      "Dan, I…have been waiting a while to tell you anything, because I was afraid of what you'd think, but I…" With a blush, he finished, "Think I might love you."
      Dan didn't have to digest these words. His reaction was as instant as his reaction to back up was; no. No, no this couldn't be happening. Not now, while they were such good friends. He didn't want this. Dan was aware of his friend's feelings for a very long time, probably around the time he got them. He'd see Phil staring at him oddly at random times, getting lost in thought without ever taking those blue eyes away. Phil wasn't as sly as he thought; never was. Dan sighed, turning his head and looking down. He didn't know what to say. He liked Phil a lot, but not like that. They were best mates; sometimes he even thought they were soul mates, but not romantically. Just meant to be together. Dan decided to voice this.
      "I l-love you too, Phil, but n-not like that. I love you like a best friend," he murmured without looking up. Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Phil's face fall instantly. Phil looked around to keep his eyes away from the beautiful boy inches from him, trying to keep the strong rejection locked away until he could really let it rip him apart.
      He said quietly, "That sounds like you've been practicing. Have you known long?"
Dan nodded. Phil stared down at the tiles, his mind sparling down into a deep desperation.        
"But…how come you never said anything? If you knew, why didn't you tell me sooner? I could have gone by now, I could have kept this from hurting so much," he said almost angrily.
      Dan's eyes were fully of pain, guilt eating him away inside already.
He reached out and lifted Phil's chin up, shaking his head as he whispered "You don't have to go." Phil lifted Dan's hand and took it away from his face for a moment, but then slowly pressed it against his cheek.
      He said in a breathless voice, "I think we can work. I want to spend every moment with you; you're all I think about. We can stay up and watch the stars, wait for the snow…but I'm too late, I'm sure. Another night, another dream wasted on you." Phil felt a small fraction of bitter resentment bubble in his chest, masked by desire.
      Dan closed his eyes, unable to look at Phil. "I'm so sorry…"
      "Just be here now.  I know you're sorry."  
      "But you won't stop crying." Phil hadn't realized he was. He lifted his hand and wiped a tear away, annoyed with himself.  He leaned his forehead against Dan's, forcing him to open his eyes. They both paused a moment. Phil leaned in slowly, gaging Dan's reaction. Dan didn't actually do anything, though in his head he was on the verge of freaking out. He wasn't into boys; he liked girls, and just couldn't get over this fact. But it was Phil…he had to try. Phil pressed his lips against his, both closing their eyes. Dan tried to concentrate on the feeling in hopes it wouldn't be too different from kissing a girl, but it was. It wasn't horrible but it didn't feel like it should, either.
He pulled away and shook his head. Phil kept his eyes closed in refusal to look at Dan.
      "I'm sorry…"
      "For heaven's sake, I know you're sorry."
      "But you won't stop crying," he repeated again with a hint of desperation, lifting his hand and wiping fresh tears away from Phil's cheeks.
      Dan bit his lower lip, then whispered, "I know you want me to want you…I want to."       
      This was true, Dan wanted to want Phil. If he could just love him back things would be fine. It would be as it was; only Phil would be so much happier. Would Dan be, though? Without thinking Phil leaned back in and added passionate desperation into the rhythm of his kiss, his emotions grabbing control of his mind. His hands snaked their way around Dan's waist gently and pulled him closer. Dan's words had triggered defeat, although he wouldn't go down without a fight. It was an "I have nothing more to lose" type move. Dan's eyes opened wide and he hesitated, not kissing Phil back but not pulling away either. Gosh, it had to be Phil, didn't it? His soul mate, best friend…he had to try. Dan hesitantly placed a hand on his neck and rested the other on his cheek, forcing his own eyes shut. He kissed Phil back slowly without letting go of his apprehension. Phil's hopes rose a bit with this, and ran his tongue across Dan's lips, asking for entry. Dan paused and thought quickly, taking a deep breath and unsteady breath, until he finally squeezed his eyes shut and opened his mouth. The feeling that washed over him was shocking as Phil's tongue caressed his. It was surprising how…pleasant it was. He wasn't expecting a rush of electricity to burst in his veins. Phil placed on hand on Dan's back and traced down his spine with his fingertips, the other holding the boy close around the hips. Dan kissed Phil back with a little less hesitation, the feeling in his blood beginning to boil in a way he didn't expect. Their kiss grew hotter and hotter, melting Dan's resistance away until they were both moaning for one another.
      Phil dragged Dan by the belt loops toward his bedroom without breaking the kiss, opening the door with his foot. He pushed him down gently on the bed and hovered over him, one hand on the pillow under Dan's head and the other sent to hold his hand. He kissed down Dan's neck and across his collarbone, his hips rolling against his softly. Dan moaned quietly and grit his teeth together. Part of him, a very small part, was still telling him not to. It told him that this was a bad idea, and that he wasn't ready for this. That Phil wasn't thinking clearly either. But none of this stopped him, for a larger part was screaming in agreement. He wanted this, right? His body was saying yes, his heart was telling him to do anything that'd keep Phil with him, and his mind was still muddled in electricity. So when Phil reached down to unzip his trousers, it's no wonder Dan didn't say stop.