Lethal Games Bring Lethal Fans | daniel howell x male reader

chapter eleven | Thanks for the Company

>> gif credit to @/enbypanposin tumblr <<

You perused the aisles, tracing your fingers across a few of the display chairs that were set up. The two men followed close behind you, occasionally stopping to examine something or other. You had a vague idea of what you wanted for your clinic or at least the feel of it. The real trick was finding the furniture that matched.

As you continued examining the chairs, a set caught your eye. The wood was a dark oak and the cushions were (f/c). They were a good size and weren't too expensive. You took a seat, smiling as you did so. They were incredibly comfortable. You looked it over one more time before smiling and turning toward Dan and Phil.

"What do you guys think?" You asked. Phil tilted his head and shrugged.

"I mean... Wouldn't rolly chairs be better for the desks?" He asked. Dan laughed and shook his head.

"For the waiting chairs in the lobby, you idiot." He said. You too couldn't help but laugh, and soon enough Phil joined in as well.

"Well, there's no need to be mean." He said. You took a quick photo of the product tag.

"I'll probably get... 10 I think. That many will fit nicely against the wall. Which leaves end tables, desks, and desk chairs."

"What about operation tables? That seems like something important." Phil asked. You put your phone in your pocket and laughed.

"Yes, those are quite important but IKEA doesn't sell medical supplies like that." You replied, starting to walk through another aisle. Dan snickered and you're heart began to thump loudly in your ears. You were so easy, or was he just that charming?

"Is today a be mean to Phil day? Did I miss the memo?" He asked, fake pouting. You smiled and shook your head.

"Come on you oaf, we still have lots of things to buy." You said. He sighed and trudged behind you, Dan following suit.

>>timeskip<<

You let out a loud exhale as you managed to finish loading all the furniture pieces into your car. You leaned against the side, the line of sweat on your brow quick to trickle down the rest of your face. Both Dan and Phil looked as equally exhausted as you felt.

"God, please tell me there's no more heavy lifting," Dan said, his hands on his knees. You chucked and checked your watch.

"Just moving them out of the car and into the clinic. First, though we've gotta stop by Home Depot to get some paint. Everything else I have to get from a specific shop that carries medical supplies. Thanks for your help so far but if you guys are done for the day then I won't mind." You said, finally lowering your heart rate enough to deliver your sentence without any issues.

"We can stay and help more, we don't mind," Phil replied. Dan was still too winded to object. You shrugged and grabbed your keys from your bag.

"Alrighty then. It's paint time boys."

>><<

You sighed as you lugged the last of the paint tins into the clinic, leaving them on the floor of the main room.

"Guys... I don't even wanna paint anymore. I think I'm just gonna nap on the floor." You said as you sank down the wall. Dan sighed and did the same.

"I think you overestimated my abilities." He said, leaning his head back.

"All of us." Phil chimed in as he sat on the floor as well. You gave a small laugh.

"Thanks for keeping me company, you guys. I appreciate it." You said, glancing between Dan and Phil.

"Oh stop it! Don't get all mushy on us." Phil replied jokingly.

"No, I'm serious! Today would've been such a drag without you two." You said with a small smile.

"Well don't count on the day not being a drag just yet. We've still gotta paint." Dan chimed in. You sighed loudly.

"Yeah, I guess you're right." You groaned out as you stood up. You bent over the paint can and popped it open. You poured a decent amount into the paint tray before standing back up and stretching.

"I've got two rollers and a brush. Whoever takes the brush will have to tape and paint the edges and the rollers are pretty simple to use. Who wants what?"

"Well, you wasted no time," Dan said with a laugh. You smiled and shrugged before offering your hand to Dan to help him up. He raised his eyebrows.

"I could still use the help." You said in a sing-song voice. He rolled his eyes and grabbed your hand. You hoisted him up with surprising ease, which he was taken aback by as well. He stumbled on his feet slightly bumping into you before regaining his balance. You looked up at him and gave a sheepish smile.

"Sorry..." You practically whispered. Dan's heart thumped so loudly he could've sworn you'd be able to hear it.

"No worries..." He replied, still staring down at you.

"So turns out I'm not so good at taping the edges of the walls," You head Phil say. You backed away from Dan to see blue tape way too far from the wall to make a difference. You laughed and grabbed the tape from him.

"Grab a roller and I'll work on the edges." You said with a laugh. You slowly pulled the strip up and rolled up the used parts. You began to tape everything down properly before glancing over your shoulder. Dan had removed his jacket to prevent paint from getting on it and grabbed the roller. You turned back to the wall, and a funny feeling in your stomach started festering once again.

The painting was somewhat calming and you all worked together well. Dan and Phil painted separate walls while you painted the edges around the room. You whistled to yourself quietly as you did so.

"I think I'm finished." You said, standing up to check that there weren't any spots that you'd forgotten. Dan sighed and went to lean on the wall to take a break but you quickly grabbed his arm before he could.

"Wet paint!" You exclaimed. He looked between you and the wall before laughing.

"God that would've been terrible." He replied. You laughed and stepped away from him, turning to Phil to see how he was doing. He finished up the last paint stroke and turned around, holding a thumbs up.

"I think we did it." You said with a smile.

"Finally. My back is killing me." Phil said, stretching and attempting to pop it.

"Thanks for the help. It would've taken ages for me to do it myself. Now all that's left is letting it dry and putting the furniture together. I'll do that another day though." You said. Dan curtly nodded his head.

"Good. I don't think I could handle any more physical activity."

"Here here."