I Am Not Your Master; I Am Your Partner: A (Neko) Dan and (Human) Phil Series

"Merry Christmas Daddy"

The final meet and greet event in Manchester yielded a significant amount of money. Michael and Kate were honored when Dan and Phil asked them to serve on the Board of Directors for Freedom Works. Christmas Eve had been spent playing board games and watching the original Star Wars films. It was Phil's turn to choose, and he was torn between these and the Back to the Future trilogy.

They feasted on Chinese food, sipped hot chocolate, and occasionally nibbled on the cookies that Dan and Kate baked two days earlier. It was cold and windy outside but warm and cozy inside the house. Michael and Kate sat together on the loveseat, and Dan rested inside of Phil's arms on the sofa. Dan kept thinking about their son, who would undoubtedly hop from lap to lap, finding loving arms everywhere he went.

Just as everyone was thinking about going to bed, Phil sat up and smiled. "It's entirely possible that we will be helping our little guy pour a glass of milk and leave a plate of cookies for Santa on this night next year."

Dan looked at Phil fondly, his mouth drooping into a sweet frown.

"That is so cute Phil." Dan giggled. "I didn't grow up with that tradition, but our son can." Dan liked the idea, the whole myth of Santa. It occurred to Phil that Dan would get to experience everything that he missed out on as a child by being a parent himself.

"We will leave Santa the very best cookies in all of England." Phil hugged Dan, pulling his shoulders toward his chest. Dan smelled of marshmallow.

"Definitely. And you won't leave a crumb behind will you Papa?" Dan kissed Phil's temple and rubbed his nose against his cheek.

Kate laughed. "Grandpa will be happy to help you Philip. Won't you Dad?"

Michael nodded in agreement. Of course he would eat cookies to help his grandson experience the magic of the holiday and to help spare his son a bellyache.

"And we can read him The Night Before Christmas story too! Phil does the best voices," Dan said excitedly. "It's such a cozy tradition isn't it?" He wrapped his arms around his own torso and squeezed. Phil thought that he was positively adorable.

"All of that." Phil kissed him back, right in the center of his forehead.
Kate smiled contently and rested her head on her husband's shoulder.

"We're off to bed boys. Please be sure to blow out the candles and turn off the tv." Michael stood and turned to offer his arm to Kate.

"We will, thanks Dad." Phil waved lazily. "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Mum, Goodnight Dad." Dan raised his arm, not wanting to move from the comfortable spot against Phil's warm chest.

They lay on their sides, Phil behind Dan, under a cozy, red and black flannel. Phil's arm circled Dan's waist, his left hand pressing ever so lightly against his belly. The Christmas tree twinkled in the corner, casting light in all directions. The film was nearly over, and the credits would soon roll and fade to black. Four cinnamon-spiced candles burned on the mantle.

Dan exhaled deeply and pulled his body back into Phil so that their bodies were flush with one another. Phil's hips rolled into Dan's bottom, though he was slow and gentle so as not to pinch his tail between them.

"I love you Dan." Phil whispered. He felt the furry tips of his cat-like ears twitch in response. Dan hummed sweetly and let his head fall back into Phil's shoulder.

"M'love you too Daddy." He purred, rubbing his lips across Phil's. His left arm reached up to hold Phil's neck. The kiss started softly and slowly progressed to something more.

Dan's legs made their way between Phil's, their socked feet rubbing together. Dan could feel Phil growing against him.

"Dan..." Phil breathed into his neck. "You feel so good here with me." He gripped Dan's hip and rocked him gently under the blanket.