Summary: Dan and Phil used to be a thing back when their band was only live in their parentâs garage. Now fast forward a couple of years and suddenly their management wants them to date for publicity.
Word Count: 2,138 (this is almost double my last fic,,, what.)
Genre: fluff, light angstÂ
A/N: Sorry this took a long time, I just started school and I didnât even plan on finishing today. BUT I DID!!! so thatâs a plus.
The lights shone on Dan a way that could only be described as angelic, with the way it was at perfect angle to make his cheekbones just look amazing. Phil had to push these kinds of feelings to the back of his mind because of his and Danâs breakup. No one considered the breakup messy or melodramatic, it was mutual. This made the decision to continue with the band a lot easier.
Simple Alliance were an alternative band consisting of Dan on vocals and keyboard, Phil on guitar, Dylan on bass, and Ryan on drums. They had all been friends in high school and all had shown a love for music in Year 10 then went on to create a mediocre band with a name no one really understood. Their band had really taken off Year 12.
That period was also the time when Dan and Phil were so close that everyone had expected them to get together, which might have been the reasoning for the start of their relationship. Dan was gay and Phil was bisexual and they both hadnât had partners for a long time so they just believed that they may have had feelings for each other.
That mightâve been the case considering their relationship lasted a year and a half, but sadly all good things must come to an end. When Dan and Phil had started applying for universities (despite their protests to their parents that the band was sure to take off and that was their career) they had realize both of them (or just one) wanted to explore and find other people, considering how young they were.
Fast forward another year or so and Simple Alliance are playing sold out shows in arenas, and living the dream. This is what Phil had imagined when he thought about what he wanted his future to look like and he was lucky enough to achieve it.
One day their management had called them in and it had just seemed like a normal day, maybe go over future show dates, nothing out of the ordinary. That was until their manager, Cathy, had started bring fans opinions on relationships. Ryan had a girlfriend of 4 years but everyone was supportive, Dylan, Dan, and Phil had been single for as long as they could remember.
âI think it would be nice to have some LGBT representation,â Cathy said and Phil really didnât like where it was heading.
âWhat? Dan and I being member s of the LGBT community isnât enough?â Phil had said through gritted teeth, anger seeped into his tone.
âMaybe it would be better if we had an actual LGBT relationship, and seeing as you and Dan are the only ones who swing that way,â Dan stood up quickly from where he was standing and started shaking his head.
âI am not putting myself in a fake relationship! Iâm in this band for the music, not how popular we become!â He screamed with his voice trembling slightly. Phil had sighed and stared at Cathy with look that showed he agreed with Dan.
Cathy slouched in her chair and started rubbing her temples as she looked at her notes.
âAs much as I would love for it to be that way, your contract just wonât allow it. Plus, the record label isnât really giving me a choice.â Cathy sighed with sympathetic eyes.
Dan and I looked at each other, and as Phil stared at Dan he could see so much sadness in those eyes. There wasnât much Dan or Phil could do for this situation considering how stubborn their record label was.
âI mean, if itâs for the best,â Phil started and tried to continue, but the hurt in Danâs face was enough to keep him quiet.
âOkay then, letâs do it! You guys will go on your first date,â Cathy took a second to look at her notes, âon Wednesday.â It was Sunday.
As they were walking out of that mess of a meeting Phil had run up to Dan to spew out apologies. Dan had kept his head down and tried to ignore the older man while he tried to get home. He had spent so long trying to forget their relationship and now Phil had to go and mess it up. The truth was, Dan had lied when they broke up.
Phil had wanted to see other people and Dan didnât want him to stay in an unhappy relationship so Dan did the only sensible thing and said he felt the same. The next couple of months were spent trying to get over Phil, but considering their band was taking off and he was forced to see him every day, it didnât work that well.
The reason Dan walks home instead of driving, despite the mobs happening ever so often, is because it clears his head. Even though that sounds super clichĂŠ, a small walk from the studio to his house is enough to make him forget about his worries for a short period of time.
Dan was finally at what he could call peace when he stepped into his apartment. That was until his phone started ringing, the same phone that displayed the name Phil.
âI told you, I was fine with it.â Dan managed to say when he accepted the call. He already knows how Phil was going to go on a huge lecture as he always did.
âNo matter how much you want to pretend this isnât happening, it is. So we should make the best of it and at least try and be friend.â His voice went onto say, making its way through Danâs phone speakers.
âWe were friends. The breakup was mutual, or did you forget that?â Dan said with almost anger in his tone. He was trying to be friendly and pretend that the record label wasnât ruining his life. No matter what, everything with Dan and Phil came down to the breakup. Whether it was an argument, or even just being the slightest bit romantic, Phil had to go and say the worst things.
âWhy did we ever break up?â would swim around in his head and âMaybe us ending it was a great idea.â stuck itself into his mind for days upon days. Â Dan hated how Phil made him so happy, yet so sad at the same time. He didnât want that in his life.
âNo Dan. I know what friends are, what we used to be was friends. What we are now are just people forced to be together.â Danâs phone broke him from his thoughts.
âI wonder why?â He dryly laughed.
âIf youâre going to act immature then Iâd rather we talk about this with our producers.â
Dan hung up and threw his phone on the couch. His day was a mess and he just wanted to sleep all of his problems away. Thatâs what he did. Dan went to sleep and tried not to focus on the bad of the world, but his main priority was his happiness, as it should be.
Today was the day that both Dan and Phil were dreading. The fake date was drilled into both of their minds; they had spent days upon days practicing and posting tweets written by their management. Everything was prepared beforehand; how to act, when to hold hands, where to eat, and even where they would eat. A little part in Danâs mind wished this were a real date, but he knew Phil was over him.
âAre both of you ready?â Cathy had asked Dan and Phil with an arched brow. Dan knew that this date was what determined how much the bandâs new album would success. All of this was depended on a relationship that was built on lied and fake tweets and pictures that were staged by people in the industry. This thought hurt Danâs brain.
âYes Cathy: walk to the restaurant with hands held, ask for a seat outside in the front, take pictures and post them.â Phil recited with memory from the days of practice. At least he was calm about the mess that was about to go down, here Dan was shaking like a leaf.
âLetâs go then!â Cathy said with a smiled plastered onto her face. Showtime.
The âdateâ started with Dan and Phil being dropped off a few blocks away from where they were to eat. So they had to walk with both of their hands together while having a small conversation that sort of reminded Dan of when they were friend. Dan was trying so hard not to mess this up for the band, they needed this kind of recognition because fame is what they always wanted.
When they finally got to the restaurant (people have already taken a few pictures of them walking down the street with rumors already surfacing) Phil had to ask for a seat outside, specifically in the front. While they ate together Dan had remembered to keep a âlovingâ look on his face which was totally believable (because it was totally real). The small talk started again.
The date was coming to an end and Dan was pleased by the outcome. If he were Philâs real boyfriend he would have been impressed by this casual date.
As they stood, Phil grabbed both of Danâs hand, which surprised him considering it wasnât part of the plan. Phil then gave Dan a look he hadnât seen in years.
The last thing Dan could remember was feeling Philâs lips against his own. They both knew this wasnât part of the plan but they kept kissing.
It felt like home and nostalgia, with the taste of chocolate and slight mint (having just eaten chocolate cake and somehow mints without Dan noticing). Phil rested his hands against Danâs waist and that was Danâs que to put his arms around Philâs neck. It wasnât making out, all this had been was a kiss that had tried to replace all those years of not being together.
They had then pulled away with foreheads resting against each other. Phil then smiled and put his arm around Dan which meant they had to start walking back to the place they were dropped off at.
âWeâre talking about this when we go back to my place.â He whispered against Danâs neck which sent shivers down his spine.
Dan was beyond confused, was this fanservice? Or was it Phil actually showing that he felt the same way that Dan had felt.
The ride back was silent having their other bandmates driving them and with Dan and Phil in the backseat, basically cuddling. Phil wrapped his arms around Danâs torso and Dan with his head on Philâs chest. Â Dan could feel Philâs heartbeat and it made him feel safe and warm inside, what he was missing for a very long time.
Phil felt the urge to run his hands through Danâs hair while they cuddled because of how it was slightly curly and how adorable Dan looked in his arms. When he had started twirling a lock of hair around his finger he saw Dan shift and look up.
âWhat are you doing?â He mumbled.
âNothing,â Phil had replied and went back to playing with Danâs hair. He swore that he had heard Dan giggle when he went back to playing with his hair.
They both had finally made it to Philâs apartment, despite the numerous flights of stairs they had to climb to get there. The place was nice and had a fun, colorful feel to it which describes Phil perfectly.
âWhat do you want to talk about?â Dan managed to say whilst yawning which Phil found to be incredibly endearing. Phil just wanted to wrap Dan up in a blanket and cuddle with him forever.
âOur relationship.â Phil said with a soft tone, he wanted Dan to know how he felt about him.
âI miss us.â Dan said with a sad smile as he looked down at his feet.
âI do, too.â Phil said.
âThen why did you want to see other people?â Dan questioned with a small voice.
âBecause I wanted you to see that there are more people than me. Plus, I thought that us dating was a bit forced and I wanted to ask you out on my own terms.â
âWhat?â Phil looked up confused.
âAsk me out you dumbass.â Dan smiled and Phil began to grin like an idiot.
Phil then got on one knee and looked up at Dan with eyes that lit up with happiness.
âDan would you honor of going on a date that wasnât planned by our management and isnât just because our fans want us to be together.â
And suddenly, their love didnât seem as fake as they lied together while watching Philâs Buffy collection, just like old times.
