āDo you like music in general?ā Dan asks, and then immediately wants to kick himself. What kind of question even is that? Do you like music in general? Great job. Incredible job. Way to excel at a conversation with the hot cinema guy.
Or: Phil isn't a YouTuber and Dan isn't a fan. They still fall in love.
of organic lemons and other things that hold meaning
Ian Gallagher/Mickey Milkovich, Ian Gallagher & Mandy Milkovich
Word count: 2.6k
Rating: T
Summary: She hasnāt asked how heās been, not in so many words, since she arrived in town earlier today. Sheās asked all sorts of small, inane questions, and sheās made all sorts of small, inane comments, always skirting just saying, I missed you, and, tell me more about yourself, and, what have you been up to in the past years?
Or: Mandy comes for a visit. Ian thinks about the life he and Mickey have built for themselves.
Dan remembered how much he hated kneading dough as he started doing it. This was probably a great activity for people who had anger issues to work through, but Dan didnāt have anger issues; all he had were three am insomniac googling sessions as his beloved partner snored next to him as though he were trying to win a prize for loudest snore in Britain, and an overwhelming desire to prove himself useful, even when said partner had made no insinuations that Dan was not useful.
āShe canāt even keep herself on the board for longer than three minutes, what makes you think she could teach you?ā PJ asks doubtfully.
āShe looks hot,ā Dani says, and PJ cackles.
āThatās not a qualification for teaching someone how to skateboard,ā he tells Dani wisely.
Or: skater Phil and emo girl Dan.
I am Treat-ing you to a small 2009 Era Dan and Phil ficlet!
Dan stared at the ceiling. The room was dark: the only source of light the moonlight coming in through the windows. It was early in the morning, or late at night, depending on how you liked to classify the hours best used for sleeping, or letting the line between reality and dreams blur. Next to him, Phil was snoring.
That felt more unreal than anything else. Phil was close enough that Dan could feel his body heat, half-wrapped around Danās body. He was not a quiet sleeper. Dan didnāt really mind; Dan was not a quiet sleeper. When he managed to sleep, that was.
He couldnāt imagine sleeping now, squeezed into this tiny bed with Phil. With Phil, who, just hours earlier, had giggled into Danās shoulder, and listened to Danās silly stories as if they were the most interesting thing in the world, and giddily kissed him, more than once, and melted into every kiss Dan had initiated.
It was not Danās first time here, but it felt like the first, with how frayed his nerves were, and how much his stomach bubbled with a sort of impossible-feeling severe happiness, and he didnāt know what to do with any of it. He certainly didnāt know how to fall asleep.
Next to him, Phil let out another snore; and Dan looked at the ceiling, and felt scared and improbably hopeful all at once.