What do you think is what to this day attracts them to each other?
Comfort, compatibility, chemistry, shared experiences.
A bone deep confidence both of them feel that this is their person, that this is the person who will always listen to what they have to say, who will challenge them, who will help them push their boundaries and hold them accountable, but also understand when they’re at their breaking point.
The fact that they recharge each other. That their definition of being alone is being together, alone. The world is exhausting, their world especially with all of it’s mixed praise and critique, expectation, obligation. But their retreat is sitting on a sofa binge watching a television show and eating pizza.
That they have the same ideology, essentially, but enough differences to still make for heated discussion. That they are the same, but also not.
That they can reach each other so well; that they know each other so thoroughly, and yet somehow still seem fascinated when the other talks. Their endless capacity for wanting to hear what the other says.
That they share each other’s interests even when the interests aren’t mutual. That Dan will let Phil goad him into the silliest of challenges, will sit through every movie that was formative to Phil as a child and be fully invested. That Phil will sit in the room while Dan watches racing, or go to an exhibit with him despite not caring the least bit about those things.
That it’s been going on eight years and even visible to an audience of outside observers, they flirt. Cute and coy, little pokes and prods, grins meant only for each other, a finger twisting through a curl of hair, a shriek of delight at something the other suggests. The side of them that is kisses and touches and mornings in bed and nights under the covers isn’t a side we’re supposed to see, but enough of the suggestion is there.
That they support each other. They voluntarily built this career together, and it’s almost a shame that we don’t see more of their individual pursuits because Dan and Phil being each other’s number one fan is a vital part of that confidence building between them. Phil gushing about Dan’s documentary, bringing Dan on stage for the BONCAS. But we see it most often lately on a smaller scale - minor victories celebrate in a way that is proud and pleased and radiating something intangible but beautiful.
That their goals in life have shifted seamlessly together. Once upon a time, Dan talked so excitedly about Phil getting his own place and Dan being able to dump all of his stuff there. That was the first stepping stone down a cobbled pathway that’s led to this: their goals set high, a forever house and a dog and whatever other plans they have that haven’t leaked through the cracks in the wall they place between us and them.
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