☾ ☽

phil hadn't been getting much sleep.

he never really had, ever since he was a kid, but now it seemed to be getting worse. it was like he couldn't close his eyes for a second at night, he was wired, and then during the day, he was dozing off any chance he got.

it mostly sucked, considering during the day he had a job and was still trying to find a way to get people to want his art.

"eliza, you aren't listening to me." phil sighed, holding his mug close to his chest, his slender fingers wrapped around it. "please - it would be such great exposure, just talk to him about it..."

phil paced his kitchen, finally setting down the coffee in favor of leaning against the counter in dismay, holding the phone to his ear.

"you won't even talk to him? eliza- oh come on, you know he loves you. that's not a good- no it does not make us hipster to- what do you have against murals?"

they had been having this very argument for ages now; eliza simply would not work with him on this. all he wanted was to paint a small piece on the ceiling, above that nook that hardly anyone would see anyways, but she didn't even want to consider it.

"look, just tell frank that- hello?" phil froze when he heard a click, cursing under his breath. she had hung up on him.

he walked to his (tiny) living room, slumping onto his couch. he glanced at his tiny house plants and succulents, the only kind of plant he was actually allowed to have.

he was so tired of this damn flat. he was so tired in general.

his mind wandered to the strange boy from the book shop. what was he doing right then? was he doing alright?

god, way to be creepy, phil.

he wished then more than ever that he had gotten dan's phone number. he would be able to just text him instead of having these weird invasive thoughts.

he could practically make a list of questions he had for the boy by now. hell, he could write a book. every time he talked to him, it left him with a feeling of endless confusion. it made him feel almost stupid.

soon enough, phil had convinced himself to visit him. ask him, once and for all, all the shit swirling around his brain.

he pulled his cat into his lap from where she had been prowling around the couch, hugging her to his chest. her fur tickled his nose, and she squirmed and mewed from between his arms.

"you're a good girl, luna," he muttered, scratching behind one of her ears. she purred, leaning into the touch happily. he had learned a while ago that pets didn't exactly fix loneliness, but they helped a bit.

he looked around his empty and silent apartment, other than luna's excessive purring.

he really needed a roommate.

twenty minutes later, and phil was in a taxi.

he tended to do things like this when he was bored; act before thinking; and this was definitely one of those times. he didn't even know dan's address, so he mumbled a street name at the driver, who seemed a bit annoyed for some reason. phil didn't blame him, he was probably working a long day.

finally the car stopped, and phil gave the man some money and a muttered thanks. the guy nodded, and took off the second phil was out of the car.

phil stared down the street, the atmosphere drizzly, considering it was starting to rain yet again. phil realized he had never been on this street when it wasn't raining. maybe that was some sort of sign, but he chose not to look too far into it.

dan's house was at the end of the street to the left, phil could see it, and he sighed in relief. it would suck to be dropped off at a random spot in london with no idea where he was going.

his house seemed almost gloomy. like there was a giant rain cloud hovering directly over it. phil tugged his hood over his hair. it made him feel safer, and he took a deep breath.

he opened dan's gate, flinching when it creaked loudly, and shut it behind him. he hopped up the steps two at a time, and then he was in front of the door.

he had to remind himself why he had thought this was a good idea, and then remembered that there was no reason.

he knocked three times, his knuckles loudly rapping on the wood.

he could hear some voices from inside, and some laughter rang out. there were footsteps, and then a somewhat stern looking man was standing in front of phil.

he was taller than him, and considerably older, and he held himself like a villain from a disney movie. he could be one, actually, with his slicked back dark hair and a face that looked like it was frowning most of the time.

"yes?" he asked in a voice that clearly said that he didn't want this stranger on his doorstep.

"uh," phil stuttered, and blinked at the man. it suddenly occurred to him that he couldn't image this man handing out candy on halloween. "i'm phil?" he said his name as if it was a question. "is... is d-dan here?"

his look of disgust melted away into one of shock, and maybe a little fear. phil frowned.

"why?" he snapped, almost accusingly. "did someone say something? who?" his eyes squinted unattractively. "did someone send you?"

phil stared at him with pure confusion. dan just kept getting odder.

"n-no, i-" he paused, trying to shake off his surprise. "he's a friend of mine. i just wanted to say hi."

the emotions on the man's face shifted yet again, and now he just looked mad.

"a friend, are you?" he nearly growled. "of dan's? where'd you two meet?"

"at the store," he blurted, deciding maybe lying was the best option here. "i ran into him. we just talked a little."

the tall man watched him for a second, as if he didn't believe him. then he nodded slowly, his dark eyes ablaze.

"that brat," he mumbled, and then offered phil a smile that was not at all kind.

then he slammed the door in phil's face without another word.