☾ ☽

dan just didn't understand.

why was it getting worse? he could hardly go anywhere anymore, without growing a garden. it was like it was taking over him, controlling his life.

phil was trying to help, he knew that. but it just wasn't working.

something was seriously wrong.

phil approached him, holding out a tea cup on a plate.

they were at rainy days, and dan was sitting in the big armchair with his knees tucked up, hugging them to his chest. phil sighed when he saw the shoes that he had told dan to take off a few minutes earlier. he handed him the hot chocolate, and dan took it gratefully.

"angel..." that was a new development, as well. the pet names. "they don't help, remember?"

dan bit his lip, shaking his head, peering up at him. "yes they do. a little."

phil sighed again, scratching the back of his neck, seemingly not believing him. "alright... i guess i can't determine what works for you."

dan smiled at him gratefully, taking a sip of his drink. he didn't see the look that eliza, over at the counter, and phil shared.

"um, dan..." phil started, and dan looked up at him attentively. "i kind of need to talk to you about... something."

he was acting odd, and dan nodded, frowning. "alright..."

"outside," phil finished. dan licked his lips but got up, walking carefully to the door behind phil and walking through it when phil held it open.

"have fun, kids!" eliza shouted after them, and phil flipped her off. dan blushed.

phil led him to a bench next to the shop, sitting down, and dan did the same, facing him. phil took his hand, and dan felt warmth blossoming in his stomach. his blush darkened.

"dan..." phil seemed incredibly nervous, and dan's head tilted as he watched him curiously. "dan, i have to do something."

dan blinked, and then phil was moving in, their knees touching. one of his hands moved up to cup his jaw, his fingers chilled and shaking a bit. dan's eyes widened and they met phil's, their breath mingling.

there were fireworks in dan's heart and mind, and he closed his eyes.

he opened them as something hit him, the cold liquid drenching him completely. he pulled back from phil, yelping in surprise.

"what the fuck?" phil's voice broke through the shock, and dan heard loud laughter.

"freak-!"

he saw a kid running from them, looking about eighteen, one year younger than dan. he had bleached blond hair, and he was wearing ripped jeans and a sweatshirt. and holding a coffee cup. dan sighed.

phil jumped up, starting after him, dan was fairly certain he had never seen him run so fast. dan just focused on pushing his wet hair out of his eyes, that were stinging with tears.

phil got back a moment later, towing the boy by the back of his hood. "apologize," he growled, and the boy sighed, clearly trying to look not scared.

"sorry," he grumbled, and dan looked away.

"good." phil let go of him. "try that shit again, and saying you're sorry won't cut it."

dan whimpered softly as phil sat down next to him again, his lip trembling.

"oh, dan..." phil touched his sleeve, frowning. "it was iced coffee, wasn't it? that'll never come out..."

dan nodded, hiding his face in phil's neck. he didn't know why he was reacting like this, he had experienced much worse, but he couldn't help it. maybe it was because they were interrupted.

"come on," phil muttered gently. "let's get you cleaned up."

➸

"what a dick," eliza fumed, patting at dan's forehead with a paper towel. "what an absolute ass."

phil chuckled, coming up behind her and moving her to the side. he held up a rag. "i up your paper towel with the greatest invention known to man. cloth."

she rolled her eyes. "you're a nerd."

he swatted her face with it, and dan giggled. "i've got it, eliza."

she shrugged, retreating, still grumbling softly. phil laughed, his eyes twinkling.

"i'm sorry about all this..." he held out a plaid shirt, and dan took it gratefully, changing out of his soaked sweater. it smelled like phil.

"it's okay," he replied softly, shrugging. "it happens."

phil tugged at a damp curl, smiling fondly as it fell between his eyes.

"i guess so."

they stayed in relative silence as phil helped him clean up, until he sighed.

"what's wrong?" dan asked, watching his face.

"i dunno... i'm sad we were interrupted."

dan's heart skipped a beat and he caught phil's hand in his, causing him to drop the towel.

"what was it you were going to do?" he asked, nearly a whisper. phil met his eyes, taking a shaky breath.

"...nothing."

dan's heart dropped. phil had clearly chickened out, and the moment was lost again.

"let's go," phil said, pushing his hair back. "let's go home. you can have a bath."

he started to turn to leave the corner of the shop, and dan's chest jolted.

"wait-" he reached out, grabbing his sleeve and tugging him back. he stood up from the chair, and phil looked confused, and then dan didn't know how he looked because his eyes were closed and he was kissing him.

it only lasted a second, but dan reveled in the feeling of phil's soft lips against his before he pulled back. it felt amazing, like letting something go that you had been holding on to for so long. his stomach was squirming as he searched phil's face, unable to tell what he was thinking.

finally, a crooked grin melted on his features.

"you call that a kiss?" he asked, his voice challenging, and dan laughed softly.

"well, i don't know, i've never-" he was cut off by phil's mouth on his again, and he squeaked softly. phil grabbed his waist with one hand, his fingers bunching in the fabric, and the other went up to touch his cheek. dan carefully reciprocated everything phil did, parting his lips. his hand went to the back of his neck before tangling in his hair.

"what are you guys- oh-!"

dan could hear eliza, but he didn't pull away until phil did, resting their foreheads together. he laughed, breathing heavily.

well, that was one thing off the checklist.

he had officially kissed a boy.