dan played with the pink lighter he had stolen that morning from his cousin, rolling it between his seamless hands, his fingers tapping and slipping over the smooth surface of the object with practiced ease. his forehead was pinched in concentration, even though there was nothing he was really focusing on. his eye throbbed and stung, causing him to flinch every time he blinked.

he pressed his supple lips together, gauging them against each other, his tongue pushing between them and the muted down taste of strawberry chapstick melting on his tongue. he ignored the tangy taste of blood that came with it.

he didn't look up as the boy with dark hair and matching twilight looks and an affinity to stressing dan out sat beside him.

"why are you here?" dan's voice came out strained. he cursed himself for showing weakness- for having weakness. phil reached into his pocket and pulled out two cigarettes, balancing between his fingers. he rested his hand on dan's knee, against the ripped fabric of his white washed jeans.

"i came for you."