Work Text:
Phil is practically skipping down the street. He’s had a brainwave, and it puts him in the best mood. His apple watch beeps with a notification, a text that confirms Dan has received his scheme, has responded.
Phil’s in too good a mood to check, doesn’t want any disappointment right now if Dan says no. He can be contrary like that - argumentative for the sake of it.
It’s a day full of cliches - the sun is shining, kids are walking around with icy poles, women are wearing summer dresses and smiling, there’s a cricket game going on at the oval around the corner and Phil can hear the cheers as a team takes out a wicket. Or something. He doesn’t really do sports, understand what goes on for hours and hours while those men wearing white stand out in the unbearable heat.
For his own part, he’s wearing his favourite denim shorts and his London Pride t-shirt, sunglasses of course to block out the haters, and his absolute favourite NASA sneakers. He wants his outside to match his inside.
He arrives at his destination - a little coffee shop tucked away between a florist and a tattoo parlour. His side of North London is trendy, these types of holes in the wall are everywhere with their cold brew and pour over contraptions.
He chuckles to himself at the idea of a hole in the wall - ‘glory hole’ his mind supplies unrequested - which in turn makes him think of his hometown up north with its strange little poles with locomotive tunnel holes fashioned into them.
Cleansing his mind of the filth that is surely going to come from that train of thought, he carelessly pushes open the cafe door and is blasted by the cool air from inside. Dan runs hot, he will be happy about this, he thinks.
And there is the man himself, perched awkwardly at a table for two down the side of the cafe, partially obscured by a fiddle leaf fig. He likes his privacy, as a gaming you-tuber, even if he doesn’t use his real name. He’s already sipping something dark and strong.
Phil’s not allowed that anymore so he orders a decaf latte and a couple of brownies to go. Maybe the sugar will make up for his lack of caffeine. (It never does).
Dan’s smile is broad as he looks up and spots Phil walking over with his cup and treat. He’s decked out in all black, as usual, skinny jeans with wierd zips and flaps, a long sleeved black tee despite the weather, and those weird moon shoes (“they’re Balenciaga Speed 2.0 sneakers, Phil, have some fucking respect!”). And, without irony, a black dad cap with sparkly rhinestones spelling out “don’t talk to me”. It's a whole look.
Phil remembers too late that he should have checked the message before coming inside. What if Dan wasn’t actually replying and instead had asked him to get something along the way - a pack of cards, paracetamol, some black ankle socks. It's possible. Highly unlikely, but possible. Now he’s stressing out, his mood dips slightly.
“You didn't read my message yet did you, spork”, Dan teases, bringing him back to earth.
“Stop being a mind reader - that’s my dead grandma’s job” Phil responds, in lieu of hello. “Anyway, you know I didn't want to jinx it!”
Since meeting online a year ago, things have changed. Not only had the pandemic restrictions eased up but Phil had met Dan in person. And they liked each other!
Dan was the same in real life as he was playing online, or in his faceless videos. Bitingly funny, devastatingly honest, and just a little bit cute when that dimple showed up. He made Phil feel like he wasn’t so alone, he was a missing puzzle piece that made Phil feel like he belonged somewhere.
“So what do you say, are you in?”
“You didn’t read my message” Dan sighs, “why do I even bother…”
Phil is buoyed by Dan’s not-actually-negative response, and flips open his phone to check. It’s an i-phone fold - he treasures it with everything he’s got - a promo item from work to test out and review. He got an actual writing gig at a tech blog now - not quite PC World but it comes with the perks, like free gadgets. He loves this phone more than he loves his watch, or animal crossing, which is a lot, actually.
sounds like a plan, im in Dan’s message reads.
“Yessss” Phil pumps his fist in the air. “Let’s go now, do you have your things?”
“Of course I do bub, I always come prepared. What about you?”
“I never leave home without it, you know that!” Phil practically glows with the affectionate nickname, and the prospect of doing something he’s wanted to for a really long time but wasn't able, first covid, then work, permitting.
“Well let’s go then!”
Phil leads the charge, with a short diversion into their favourite sushi shop on the way to gather some more sustenance. He’s a man on a mission, and a deadline to boot.
They arrive at the park just on 2pm. Phil’s target is a spot right next to the pond where he feeds the ducks. There’s a bench there, but also a nice grassy spot with some shade. Being outside is OK, but his factor 50 sunscreen may stop working and he’s not keen on becoming a beet in front of Dan just yet.
Phil marches across to his spot. He flops himself onto the grass, carefully places the sushi, coffee and brownies, and sets up. Dan does the same, crossing his legs into a pretzel shape and pulling his black bedazzled cap down low over his eyes.
“Ready, Woolf?” Phil teases.
“Sure thing, silly Philly”, Dan retorts.
They pull out their Nintendo Switches, connect to their phone’s data hotspot, and log on to Animal Crossing. The fishing tourney has already started, with CJ set up in the plaza. The clock starts, they're racing to get the required number of fish, and outdo each other in the process.
“You know CJ’s gay and with Flick?” Dan casually throws into the gentle silence that sits between them. Phil doesn’t really know, but doesn’t want Dan to distract him. Typical, trying to throw him off his game.
He grunts in response, focusing on catching those damn fish and taking them back to the square.
“The new DLC, where you design holiday homes, you can build them a little love shack.” Dan continues. “I’m surprised you haven’t jumped on board that new extension of the game, with your obsession with Selling Sunset .”
Phil sticks his tongue out, then bites it gently to stop himself responding. The timer dings - he’s caught 6 fish to Dan’s 8.
“Mate, how did that happen. You’re better than that.”
“You cheater, Dan, trying to distract me!”
Dan feigns shock and horror. “Phil, calling me a cheater - after everything we’ve been through and what brought us together in the first place?”
“Low blow mate - bringing in Happy Home Paradise to distract me. Don’t you know, the official line is that Flick and CJ are only roommates and business partners.” Phil is determined to one-up Dan with his knowledge of the new game (even if he doesn't know the gossip).
“Yeah right - roommates, business partners, best friends and soulmates, I would bet.”
They share a look, and burst out laughing. It's the kind of uncontrollable kind, makes your abs and your cheeks hurt once it's done. It rolls out of them into the heat of the afternoon, disarms the sparrows trying to get into the brownie bag.
This day - this date - a sushi picnic in the park to play ACNH and fish together - has been on Phil’s mind since he saw someone tweet about doing it themselves. It represents their newfound friendship, freedom and camaraderie.
And maybe something more, if he isn’t mistaken, by the lingering glances and the light touches of his hand, that Dan often indulges in when they meet in person.
Dan’s still laughing as he leans into Phil and tucks his head onto Phil’s shoulder. Yeah, he’s reading this right.
There might be more fish in the sea on Danando and Pickle Island, but Phil thinks now is a good time to spend in the real world, with his own best friend. There’s plenty of time for the rest to come.