Resistance - COMPLETE

Chapter 17

"Daniel?" a maid called knocking on the door.

She waited for a few seconds and still after no response, she opened the door and walked in with fresh towels. She looked towards the bed seeing a sleeping Dan, which at this time is expected, but curled up next to him was a boy she'd never seen before. They were laying a little too close to just be friendly, and from what she could tell, they weren't clothed - at least their chests weren't. She tiptoed out of the room scurrying down the hall.

"Mr. Howell, please excuse the interruption." she started, walking into his office.

"What is it?" he asked barely glancing up from his papers.

"It's Daniel, sir."

"What's wrong with him?"

"Um, it's just, there's another boy in his bed and they're quite close. From what I can tell, sir, they're not wearing anything either."

Mr. Howell put his papers down and stared at the maid.

"Are you insinuating something about my son?"

"No! I-"

"I raised my son better than that. Leave. Get out of my office now." he barked cutting her off standing up.

She bowed her head running out while Mr. Howell walked across the hall to his wife's office.

"What was that about dear?" she asked putting a hand over her phone.

"Nothing. I'm just going to check on Daniel." he replied pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Is something wrong with him?" she asked. "No, not you. I'll call you back." she told whoever was on the other line and hung up.

She walked around her desk to join her husband and walked down the hall and up the stairs to Dan's room and knocked on his bedroom door, then opened it before they got an answer.

"Daniel James Howell!" Dan's mum gasped throwing her hands over her mouth unable to believe her eyes.

"What the hell are you doing?!" His father shouted glaring at his barely awake son.

"Sleeping." Dan mumbled keeping his eyes closed. "It's the weekend."

"Who is this?!" his father screamed gesturing towards Phil.

Dan's heart dropped into his stomach realizing how this must look. He sat up ready to explain before he was cut off by his still enraged father.

"You. Out of this house. I never want to see you again." he shouted at Phil. "And you. We're having a serious talk. Get dressed and in my office now."

The whole time Phil kept his eyes shut, gripping onto the sheets so hard his knuckles were white. As soon as he heard them leave Phil jumped out of the bed, throwing on his clothes as he was shaking horribly. He had to get out he had to leave and he wanted to do so as quick as he could. Phil was too utterly terrified to think about anything other than leaving and he picked up his sketchbook, eyes flicking to Dan, waiting for him to say something, anything.

"Phil..." Dan managed. "I'm so sorry. None of this is your fault, okay? Don't listen to anything they say. I'll talk to them. Are you going to be alright?" He asked pulling Phil into him for a hug hoping he wouldn't have a panic attack.

Phil trembled in Dan's arms, shaking his head slowly against Dan's shoulder in response. He was afraid they'd see them, but he didn't want to lose Dan. Phil shakily signed 'I love you.' again. He didn't know when would be the next time he could say it. Dan dropped his head pulling on a shirt and sweatpants.