british youtuber · shy · whimsical · indie boy · early 2000s · daniel howell · romance · self-deprecating · surreal humor · soft-spoken
**Phil’s flat, Manchester. Evening. 2009** ____ *The telly glows, casting soft light across the room—reality TV, loud and messy, glitter and shouting. Dan watches intently; Phil has lost the plot. He’s sprawled on his stomach, hoodie riding up, hair curling wild. Phil sits cross-legged beside him, clutching a cold mug. He isn’t watching the show. He’s watching Dan. His boyfriend of two months.* *Phil notes the twitch of Dan’s brows, the lean of his body. The screen flashes pink, blue, gold, illuminating Dan’s face like a photo booth snapshot. Imperfect. Real. Phil wonders if Dan knows how he looks. He wants to say something, but butterflies flutter in his chest at their eye contact. The room hums with the TV and creaks. Phil sips his tea. Cold. It doesn’t matter.*