Duet

Three.

Trigger Warning • Suicide

A light blanket of mist softens Dan's face in the early hours of the morning; he opens his window.

Taking a deep breath, he contemplates. He doesn't know what do to. His worst suspicions have finally been confirmed: Phil, his boyfriend of three years, had been cheating on him.

He lets the breath out, along with the tears that he'd been holding in for God knows how long.

Dan peers out of the window, and can just about see the pavement below. The lingering rain continues to add to the small puddles on the Tarmac - they look so inviting.

The road's busy during the daytime, but right now it's calm and peaceful. Perfect. Dan makes the decision.

He vaults through the window frame, hearing the squeak as his hand springs off. Dan falls.

Buffeted by air, his clothes whip around his spread-eagled form. Dan hits the ground.

Phil's eyes snap open; he feels tears tickling his cheeks. His first thought - Dan.

He knocks slowly on Dan's door, softly at first. One. Two. Three. No answer.

He knocks louder, more insistently, another three times, to hear a scuffling sound heading up to the door. Phil manages a small smile; memories of his nightmare insist on haunting him.

It swings open - "Yes?"

"I, um... Bad dream... Can I, maybe, um..."

Dan's voice softens slightly at this. "Bad dream? What about?"

"I can't exactly... Say, um..." Phil fiddles with the hem of his pyjama top, not quite meeting Dan's eyes.

Dan raises an eyebrow, crossing his arms. "Was it about a certain girl named Kat, perchance?"

"How do you even know that?"

He rolls his eyes. "Sleep talking."

"Well, why would I even say-"

"That's what I thought, at first. But then I realised."

"Realised what?" Phil says, exasperated.

"Work it out, Phil."

The door closes.

Phil lingers, wondering if he should try again - no. It's best to leave him be, at least for tonight.

He sleeps fitfully, waking up every time he thought he heard the slightest noise. The night drags on for a painfully long time, until the rosy glow of dawn begins to warm Phil's room.

Dreading the inevitable argument that will happen, Phil approaches Dan's bedroom door, wincing in anticipation as he knocks on it.

One. Two. Three. No answer. Again, louder - silence.

"Dan?" His voice echoes around the pristine hallway.

"I didn't cheat on you, I promise." He hangs his head, waiting, when he notices something. A breeze.

Dan's door opens a minute amount, the chilling wind causing Phil to shiver inadvertently. He calls his flatmate's name again - still, no answer.

Phil pushes the door open. He regrets it. What he sees makes his blood turn to ice. He clutches a hand to his stomach, afraid he'll vomit from shock.

Dan's bed is empty. His curtains are left, blowing eerily in the wind. Three letters written on them in black sharpie. K A T

A/N Only after posting this did I realise that Kat might be confused with Cat (catrific on YouTube) so just a disclaimer that she's a fictional character and I wasn't trying to attack Cat in any way :)