Turned Table (phan)

Chapter Eight

Phil waited for Dan to come out to the car. He normally would have worried about Dan falling or needing help, but his mind was preoccupied. They were about to drive to the orphanage to pick up Dan's things, and it suddenly clicked for Phil how big of a commitment this was. Dan had spent one night at Phil's apartment and now they were moving in together. But, Phil had a good feeling about this. He and Dan got on in a strange way, and Phil couldn't imagine just cutting Dan out of his life. Phil looked in the mirror and fixed his hair, as Dan skillfully got into the passenger seat.
Dan was more nervous now that he could ever remember being. He and Adrian had left on a pretty bad note. Okay, a terrible note. As anxious as he was, Dan appreciated Phil's going with him.
After a short drive, Phil pulled up to the orphanage. Both of them stared at the old building in silence as they walked to the front door. Phil paused to allow Dan to walk in first, and followed. No one was in the front hall, so they walked upstairs to Dan's room. Dan hesitated at the door and glanced back at Phil.
"Should I wait here?" Phil asked. He was unsure of the social norm for collecting someone's belongings from an orphanage.
"Yeah, that'll probably be best," Dan agreed. He walked into the room as Phil moved to lean on the wall.
Dan was expecting to see Adrian on his bed, but still jumped suddenly. Adrian looked up with wide eyes and quickly ran over to hug Dan.
"Thank, God," he mumbled into Dan's chest. "I thought you weren't coming back." Dan held Adrian close and cherished the moment. It was rare that the brothers shared such an intimate moment, but here they were.
Adrian let go of Dan. "Where did you stay last night? Are you okay? How's your leg?"
Dan smiled at Adrian's annoying habit of asking a million questions at once. "I stayed with, er, a friend and I'm fine. My leg doesn't hurt that much."
"Oh, good. What friend?"
"Uh, his name is Phil," Dan struggled with how to explain who Phil was to him. "He's the one who hit me with his car," Dan, now looking back on it, laughed at the awkward meeting. "I'm actually going to be staying with him until I find a place of my own."
Adrian was silent as he took in the new information. "Wait, you're not coming back?"
"Well, I'll still see you. But I was going to have to move somewhere else eventually."
"But not yet!" Adrian protested.
"Look, the other guy is going to be in here soon enough," Dan added.
"I know," Adrian nodded. He didn't want to fight with Dan again, and he knew he wouldn't win. "How far away are you going to be?"
"Only a few miles."
"Oh."
"I'll come see you all the time," Dan promised, holding out his pinkie. Adrian laughed at the childish action, but linked his pinkie with his brothers.
"Well, I can help you get your stuff together," Adrian offered.
"Hang on, I want you to meet Phil," Dan said. He brought Phil into the room and awkwardly introduced them. Then, the three boys began to gather Dan's stuff.
Adrian held a small picture in a mildly cracked frame and smiled down at it. Adrian recognized his parents and Dan, who was holding a small baby.
The back read, "me, Patrick, and the boys," in loopy handwriting. Adrian quietly placed it into Dan's suitcase and continued to pack. Before long, Dan's bag was full and it was time to say goodbye.
"I love you, Dan," Adrian said, standing in front of his older brother uncomfortably.
"I love you, too. And Jesus Christ, come here and hug me already."
Dan and Adrian hugged each other tightly until they both became aware that Phil was watching them.
"I'll see you later, alright?"
"Okay," Adrian nodded.
Phil grabbed Dan's stuff and Dan followed him on his crutches, careful not to trip.
As they sat in the car, Dan couldn't help but feel he was going to lose his brother. He felt a few tears fall down his face and ran his hand through his hair, trying to discreetly wipe his eyes. He felt Phil's hand slip into his own and he looked up. "I know this seems like you're leaving him, but you're not. He's going to be okay, Dan." Dan's eyes drifted down, embarrassed to be displaying such obvious emotions. "Look at me," Phil said softly. "It's going to be okay."

*DISCLAIMER* I do not know Dan's father's name, so the name I used might be incorrect, but if you know his name, let me know so I can correct it.