for ohphantastical
Recipientâs username:ohphantastical
Title: Sipping Waterfalls
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: swearng
Word count: 4526
Summary: I SWEAR to GOD if I hear you showering at THREE IN THE MORNING again, I will seriously fight you, the pipes in this building are RIGHT above my bedroom, WHY are you taking showers at THREE AM
Authorâs note: I tried
âLouise, you donât understand, this is like the hundredth time this guys taken a shower at three in the morning! And it happens every. Freaking. Day.â Dan huffed, fixing his hair and furrowing his brow. It was currently five oâclock in the evening and Dan was working his shift at Bella Rosaâs Bakery while complaining to his friend and co-worker, Louise Pentland, about his neighbors ungodly bathing hours.
  âGo easy on the guy, Dan. Maybe he works late shifts or early shifts.â Louise wiped down the last table and faced the distraught brunette. âA manâs got to do what a manâs got to do to stay clean. You of all people should know that!â That earned a groan from Dan as he rubbed his eyes, subtly flipping off Louise. The blonde haired woman snorted and threw her dirty rag at Dan, making him squeal and swat it away.
  He scowled, âThat guyâs working hours shouldnât have to interrupt my sleeping schedule. The pipes run right through my bedroom ceiling and I am one hundred percent ready to fucking fight him if he wakes me up one more time! I will fight him Louise, I donât care what his reasons are.â Louise mimicked Dan, twirling her finger next to her ear. âIâm not loopy you sausage. I just want some fucking sleep is that so much to ask?â Just as the words came out of his mouth the bell by the door rung and a short, pale man walked into the bakery. He was wearing a green hoodie over a gray t-shirt that had some comic print on it that Dan couldnât make out and jeans that looked like they were meant to be skinny but sagged quite a bit. There were bags under his eyes, his tousled brown hair falling into his light brown eyes.
  There was a tap on his shoulder and Dan turned around, coming face to face with a smug looking Louise. âDidnât your mum ever tell you that staring was rude, Daniel?â She giggled and patted the tall manâs shoulder, walking to the break room. Dan rolled his eyes, he wasnât staring at the man because he thought he was cute, he was just analyzing the guy like he does with eighty percent of the customers which just so happened to be somewhat attractive males. Not every guy had to be his new crush. Deep in thought, realizing that he was left alone with this stranger, Dan tried to busy himself by going through the cakes and muffins the bakery had in stock.
  âExcuse me? Sir?â The customer stood at the counter, smiling softly but awkwardly, almost like he didnât want to talk to him. Dan wiped his hands on his apron and joined the man by the cash register.
  âSorry to keep you waiting sir! What can I get you?â He gave the man the best âIâm-Dead-Inside-But-My-Manager-Will-Fire-Me-If-I-Donât-Smile-At-Everyoneâ smile he could muster.
  The man was looking at everything except for Dan. âCan I have half a dozen blueberry muffins and half a dozen banana nut muffins, please?â Dan nodded and pulled out a box, picking out the requested muffins and arranging them in a checkerboard pattern before returning to the checkout counter.
  âThatâll be thirty-eight seventy-two, please!â Dan watched the man pull out a credit card and slid it to him across the counter. He swiped the card and handed it back. The man slipped the card into his pocket and grabbed the box, turning to leave.
Louise opened the door to the break room, smiling like an idiot. âDamn Daniel, he couldâve been âthe oneâ! You guys couldâve live happily ever after but there he goes, right out the front door. The love of your life. Gone. Just like your dignity.â His friend tousled his hair.
  âPiss off Lou! Iâm gonna go home early today and try to get some sleep before my neighbor wakes me up at the most ungodly hour.â He untied his apron, hanging it up on the rack next to the cash register. âAnd tell Darcy I said hi!â Dan smiled and waved a quick goodbye to Louise before walking out the door.
***
  Dan lived about three blocks away from the bakery so he usually walked home which was good since he barely exercised. The walk was short and he thought of lots different things, one thought leading to another but they all ended with him wanting to sleep. When he got to his flat, the first thing he did was lay down on his bed, settle into the perfect Dan-sized crease he had made, and pass the fuck out.
  Unsurprisingly, the âshortâ nap he planned to take turned into a nine hour long nap.
As soon as Dan hit his deep sleep mark, he was woken up by the sound of water rushing through the pipes above his room which got him worked up enough to get him on his feet as soon as his eyes opened. It was two fifty-six in the morning and he was livid; this guy has kept him from sleeping for the past two months and tonight was the last straw. Dan rubbed his face to get himself awake before leaving his flat and storming up the stairs. He knocked angrily on the door to the flat above his and folded his arms, waiting for his neighbor to open up and explain himself.
  âHello?â The door opened and a tall, pale man was standing in front of him with a towel around his waist. His eyes were blue with a hint of green which was complimented by his black hair that was styled in the same fringe style Danâs.
  âYeah, hi my name is Dan and I live below you and we seriously need to talk about your showering habits.â Dan motioned to the manâs towel.
  The man chuckled nervously and stepped aside to let Dan in. âLet me go change and weâll have a chat, yeah?â He shut the door behind him and disappeared down the hall. Dan took a seat on the armchair in the corner of the room and looked at all the plants this guy had. There were cacti on every windowsill and a fig in every open corner. The walls had what seemed to be family pictures from when his neighbor was a kid and Buffy The Vampire Slayer posters plastered where ever there was an empty space. All the furniture was brightly colored and most of the throw pillows, seat cushions, and curtains had different designs and color patterns. Dan thought about is his own flat, all the black, white, and gray furniture and the aesthetic he created over the course of two years.
  âSorry for taking so long, Dan.â His neighbor rounded the corner and sat on the couch opposite of Dan. âWhat did you say you wanted to talk about again?â
  Dan cleared his throat and brushed the hair off his face. âWell, umâŚ?â He stuttered, mentally face palming himself for not asking the guy for his name.
âOh God I probably seem so rude, Iâm Phil.â The man smiled softly and stuck his hand out. Dan reached out and shook Philâs hand, returning the smile.
âWell, Phil, I donât want to be rude or anything but why do you shower at three in the freaking morning? Thatâs the time when most people are, you know, asleep and the bloody water pipes run right through my bedroom so you can see why I have a bit of a problem.â He watched as the manâs cheeks turned red, his eyeâs showing an immense amount of embarrassment. There was silence and the two men just stared at each other.
  The silence was broken by Phil, who let out a forced laugh. âWow, this is⌠really awkward.â He played with the hem of his shirt, avoiding eye contact.
  âI have time.â Dan smirked, folding his arms. To be honest, Dan was dreading his decision to confront Phil and was silently hoping he would disappear to his bedroom.
  âIf itâs an explanation you want then Iâm afraid I donât have one. I just take showers late at night.â Phil continued to avoid eye contact, looking at everything possible that wasnât Dan.
  Dan laughed harshly, studying Philâs features. âThat is complete, irrefutable, utter bullshit. You are the only person in the entirety of England who showers at three in the morning with âno reasonâ.â He ran a hand through his hair, which had started to curl making him look like what he thought was a hobbit.
  âDan, this is the honest truth. I have absolutely no reason to shower as late as I do. It just happens! I sit on my couch after work, I put on some anime or Buffy, I watch a few episodes then BOOM! Itâs three in the morning and I still need a shower before I leave for work at eight.â Phil finally looked at Dan. His blue-green eyes locked onto Danâs brown ones and neither of them spoke. It was like a never ending staring contest, Phil daring Dan to question his story and Dan daring Phil to tell a lie.
  âSo⌠Anime, huh?â Dan raised an eyebrow. Not in a teasing way, he also enjoyed some anime when he got home from work, but in the âYou forget to shower because you marathon anime?â kind of way.
  The older man rolled his eyes. âItâs very entertaining! Iâve been watching a new one called Free! for the past few weeks along with Attack On Titan. I know itâs probably not the explanation youâre looking for but itâs the only one youâre gonna get.â
  âDonât get me wrong, Phil, I love anime as much as the next guy. Especially Free! and Attack On Titan but thatâs besides the point.â He was interrupted by and yawn, and a contagious one at that because Dan could see Phil try and stifle a yawn as well. âYou could always take a shower before you start marathoning them.â Dan watched as Phil rubbed his eyes and played with his fingers.
  Phil and Dan had another staring contest but is wasnât as awkward this time. âI could try but you canât teach an old dog new tricks, Danny.â Dan usually hated it when people called him Danny and he almost called Phil out on it but it seemed so natural coming from his mouth. Like heâd called him Danny a thousand times before. âAnd I donât mean to be rude but I still have to take a shower and itâs almost four in the morning.â
  âOh god, Iâm so sorry! Iâll get going now, Phil.â Dan stood up, a blush creeping along his cheeks. He shuffled over to the door and reached for the knob when Phil grabbed his arm.
  Phil looked just as, if not more, embarrassed as Dan. âYou donât have to if you donât want to but tomorrow Iâm going to have some friends over and weâre going to watch Howlâs Moving Castle.â He rubbed the back of his neck, combing his fingers through the hair on the back of his head. âFigured if youâre into Free! and Attack On Titan you might be into Studio Ghibli too. You can bring a friend of yours along too if you want!â
  Dan smiled softly and nodded. âYeah that sounds fun. What time should we be here?â He watched as the black haired man processed what he just said. Hey, it was almost four in the morning and they both were tired as fuck.
  âEveryone should be here around eight. Itâs a B.Y.O.S too. Youâve got to bring your own snacks and be prepared to share because my friends eat like thereâs no tomorrow.â Phil let go of Danâs arm and returned the soft smile.
  âSounds good. Iâll see you then, Phil.â Dan waved and walked out of Philâs flat, making his way back to his own flat. When he got back inside he dropped himself onto his bed and closed his eyes, running over the events that just happened. The pipes above his room started to make that unholy noise which told Dan that Phil had started his shower and before long, he was out cold.
***
  Dan watched as Louise locked up the bakery for the night before they headed to Philâs place for the movie. It totally blind sided Louise, as she wasnât one for surprises, but when Dan countered her refusal with his pouty face, she had no choice but to say yes. He was grateful for the blonde womanâs cooperation because he was one hundred and ten per cent sure that he wouldâve made a fool out of himself if left to his own devices with Phil and his friends.
  âAlright. The shop is locked up, we have the cakes, I look presentable, you look okay, and we have thirty minutes until eight!â Louise rattled off her mental checklist, making sure everything was in order before she met the man that put her through hours and hours of mindless rants. âSo tell me some things Iâll need to know about Phil before I show up at his front door with three different types of cakes and a twenty-four year old who looks like a fourteen year old going on his first date.â
  Dan rolled his eyes and grinned. Leave it to Louise to tease him about a guy heâs only known for less than twenty-four hours. âWell, his flat is very bright- bright furniture, bright decorations, bright everything- and mismatched. Literally none of it goes together but when you meet him and get to have a conversation with him it kind of works.â He knew Louise was a stickler for aesthetic so he was trying to give her some peace of mind before she saw the explosion of color in Philâs flat. He talked about everything he noticed when he was at his flat last night. Dan talked about the abundance of house plants and the collection of Buffy The Vampire Slayer posters that were accompanied with his family pictures.
  Louiseâs jaw dropped when Dan (not so) subtly introduce the fact that Philâs friends were also going to be attending the movie with them. âDaniel James Howell you are so lucky weâre best friends or I would drop this cake on your head right now! How could you not tell me there would be other people there? Oh God, itâs already five to eight and now youâve gone and put me in a panic!â She rambled on and on and Dan kind of felt bad about it but at the same time he didnât. There was no way he was going to let himself be left alone in a room with a man he just met (and fancied quite a bit) and strangers.
  Fast forward three to four minutes and Dan and Louise are at Philâs front door, both of them hesitant to knock. Dan looked at Louise and Louise looked at Dan before nudging him towards the door. Just as he was about to knock, the door swung open revealing a short brunette girl. She wore a dress similar to Louiseâs though it was darker and the sleeves were longer and her eyes were the same shade of brown as Danâs. His heart sank a little when Phil popped around the corner behind her and rested a hand on her shoulder.
  âCome on in guys! This is Marzia, Felix is on the couch, and PJâs running a bit late but heâs bringing one of his friends too. Oh, and Iâm Phil, by the way!â Phil introduced himself to Louise, stepping back to let them inside. Marzia smiled and took the cakes from them, putting them on the counter next to seven plates of cookies and nine bowls of popcorn.
  âHey Phil, this is Louise, she works with me down at the bakery.â Dan gestured to the blonde woman beside him and watched as the two shook hands. Phil showed them to the living room and helped Marzia bring blankets and beanbags from the other room.
  Felix, a blonde guy with a beard who was slightly shorter than Phil, was sprawled out on the couch scrolling through his phone. Everything was quiet and Louise was starting to look uncomfortable until Felix spoke. âHow long have you known Phil, Dan? He hasnât mentioned you before today.â He asked, his eyes never leaving his phone screen.
  Dan stuttered, âA-A few months, I guess? I mean, like, I-Iâve known of him for a few months but I really just met him last night.â Felix chuckled and ran a hand through hair, finally turning to look them.
  âThen he must really like you if he invited you to movie night and let you bring a friend.â He sat up and put his phone on the cushion next to him. âIt usually takes him a while to get comfortable with people so donât fuck it up bro.â Dan nodded furiously and Louise rolled her eyes.
  âSo is Phil dating Marzia or is she just a friend?â Louise changed the topic and Dan felt a little nervous about what he would say, wishing she hadnât asked so bluntly.
  Felix laughed. âWell weâd have a serious issue if they were dating because sheâs my girlfriend.â Dan relaxed a little and smiled at him, he might have a chance after all. Their conversation was interrupted when Phil and Marzia came back into the room holding three beanbags and seven blankets, dropping them on the floor in front of the T.V.
  âGreat! All thatâs left now is for Peej and his friend to get here then we can start!â Phil flopped onto the chair closest to him and Marzia climbed up next to Felix.
  âSo what do you do at the bakery, Louise?â Marzia piped up, a warm smile on her face. Dan guessed that she could feel the awkward between them and was trying to make everyone more comfortable.
  Louise returned the smile, playing with the hem of her dress. âIâm the assistant manager so sometimes I  bake the pastries and clean the tables and other times I work the register and handle supply orders!â She turned to Dan and squeezed his shoulder. âDan started working with us a few months back and heâs a natural when it comes to baking. At first I thought heâd burn the place down making the muffins but heâs like a baking master.â Dan blushed, elbowing Louiseâs side.
  âPiss off, Lou! Itâs not like I just whipped up muffins from scratch. I just followed the recipe that you left me because you said youâd shove me in the oven if I didnât.â Dan mumbled. The others laughed at the imagine of someone as tall as Dan tucked into an oven and there was a knock on the door. Phil stood up and left to open it.
  A tall, curly haired man and a much shorter brown haired man walked into the room followed by Phil a few moments later. âNow the party can really start! Iâm PJ, filmmaker extraordinaire, and this is Chris,â the tall curly haired one motioned to the shorter one who waved at Dan and Louise, âHeâs an actor. A great one at that.â PJ moved the beanbags into a pile in front of the couch and plopped onto it. Chris laid down next to the beanbags, resting his head on PJâs leg and pulling out his phone.
  âNow that the party man is here letâs get the snacks out and the movie on.â Chris tapped away on his phone screen and Felix stood up.
  âIâll grab the cookies, Phil grab some popcorn, Dan grab the cakes, and Louise grab whateverâs left.â Felix marched away followed by Phil, Dan, and Louise. They grabbed what they could and they only lost five pieces of popcorn on the trip back to the living room. When they got back, PJ had moved himself to the chair Phil was sitting on and Chris was splayed across the beanbags. Marzia was curled in the corner of the couch which left room for two more on the couch and two on the slightly smaller couch.
  Felix set the food down and sat next he girlfriend on the couch and Phil plopped himself on the other one, distributing various bowls of popcorn. Dan and Louise looked at each other and set their stuff down before figuring out who sat on which couch. Louise, being the woman she is, got the big couch next to Marzia and Felix and Dan got to sit next to Phil.
  âEveryone remember the movie rules?â Phil stared at Chris who sheepishly put his phone back into his pocket. âNo phones, no talking, and no making out.â Marzia rolled her eyes, sticking her tongue out at him.
  Felix groaned. âIt was one time bro! Are you never going to let it go?â
  âThe titanic was sinking, Felix, and you two were shoving each otherâs tongue down your throats!â Phil pointed out, starting the movie.
  Dan took his shoes off and tucked them underneath himself on the couch, focusing on the intro to the movie. He picked at his popcorn and shoved three pieces in his mouth at a time unlike Phil, who picked out one piece at a time and never let his attention stray from the movie. They carried on like that for another half an hour and not much changed.
  Marzia and Felix melted into a cuddle puddle and Louise settled herself into the fetal position, draping one of the blankets Phil brought down over her legs. Chris was still laying on the beanbags, using a bundled up blanket as a pillow but now his legs were tangled with PJâs. Dan put what was left of his popcorn on the table and grabbed the blanket closest to him and pulled it over his legs. He tapped Phil on the shoulder and gestured to the rest of the blanket, obeying the no talking rule. Phil nodded and smiled, tucking the blanket around his legs, which were curled underneath one of Danâs legs, and turned his attention back to the movie.
  As the movie went on, Dan and Phil found themselves relaxing more and melting into each other more. Phil had propped himself up against Danâs legs and Dan tucked his feet under Phil to keep them warm. Needless to say, it upset them both when the movie ended and they had to move.
  âAnother great movie night, Phil! These should be an every week thing not a twice a month thing.â Chris yawned, rubbing his face as PJ tapped on his leg.
  Marzia nodded, âChris is right, we should do this more often. Especially since Felix and I leave for America next month.â
  âIâll try but I canât guarantee anything. It was great to see you guys again though!â Phil said as Felix, Marzia, PJ, and Chris all stood up and grabbed their jackets and put on their shoes.
  The small group left after a chorus of âbye Philâsâ and âwe had a great timeâ and only Louise and Dan were left.
  âIf you want to take the beanbags back, Louise and I can start putting the bowls and plates away?â Dan asked, motioning to all the bowls and plates that were strewn across the room.
  Phil nodded thankfully. âPlease and thanks. Thisâll go bye so much faster with some help.â He sighed as he started to fold the blanket he a Dan were using. Louise sat up and grabbed the empty bowls of popcorn that Felix and Marzia had, pouring the popcorn from the other bowls around her into one of them.
  âThey were right though, this was fun.â She said, passing the cookie plates to Dan who was gather the rest of the blankets for Phil. âThanks for inviting us.â
  âThanks for helping with the aftermath. It usually takes a few hours but this should be done in a few minutes!â Phil chirped, taking the blankets from Dan. Louise had finally gathered all the bowls and Dan had all the dirty plates and what was left of the cakes. They left the living room to put the dishes on the counter and Louise went back to the living room to find her jacket.
  Dan took some beanbags from Phil, who looked like he was about to collapse under all of the blankets and stuff. âWhere do these go?â Phil looked relieved that Dan took some of the weight off of him.
  âIn the closet back here, follow me.â Phil walked down the hallway and Dan trailed behind him. He opened a door and put the blankets on a shelf at the top. âToss the bean bags underneath and then clean up is done!â
  Dan smiled at him, âReally though, thanks for inviting us even after I snapped at you about your showering habits.â He rubbed the back of his neck nervously.
  âIt was really no problem! Besides you do you have a point about me being the only one in London who showers at three in the morning.â Phil chuckled, turning towards Dan. âIf youâre not doing anything next Wednesday, maybe we can go out and grab a bit to eat for dinner?â
  âOh, um, yeah! Sure, totally!â Dan pulled out his phone, âLet me give you my number.â He pulled up his contacts and handed his phone to Phil so he could put in his number and Phil did the same. After they exchanged numbers they walked back down the hall to the kitchen where Louise was waiting for them.
  âI really hate to break this up but I have a daughter thatâs really missing her mum right now so we have to go.â She handed Dan his shoes and waited for him to put them on. âIt was nice meeting you, Phil. You should stop by the bakery sometime and pick up some pastries, friend discount included of course!â
  Phil smiled, pulling Louise into a short hug. âI just might take you up on that, Louise! Have a great rest of your night guys!â He said as Louise pulled Dan out the door.
***
  Hours passed and Louise went home and Dan and Phil spent hours texting each other about anything that came to mind. They were scarily similar despite how different they seemed but that was the fun of it.
  It was two thirty in the morning and Dan was finally getting ready for bed.
From Phil ^_^: you should really watch buffy
From Phil ^_^: its almost as amazing as me!!
To Phil ^_^: iâll check it out later but for now i think sleep sounds the most amazing
From Phil ^_^: hey dan
To Phil ^_^: yeah phil
From Phil ^_^: goodnight!
  Dan was about to send a reply when the pipes above his room started to rumble and the ungodly sound erupted from the rushing water.
  He laughed and tossed his phone to the side of his bed. Phil may be the only weirdo to shower at three in the morning but he was Danâs weirdo who showers at three in the morning.













