Take me to church (Book 1)

49- Eye Talk

While Phil waits for his taxi to arrive outside, his thoughts go back to Dan. They always travel back to him.

He's... Conflicted.

Dan may be back to the way he was at first meeting him, but he's also the same as he was before the accident. It's a mix of both.

Phil knows he can't jog Dan's memory whilst he's in hospital, there's nothing sentimental there. He needs Dan to get better as soon as possible, to regain his strength so that Phil can actually begin with properly getting his boyfriend back.

Of course it's not like he didn't appreciate Dan just then, the way he was speaking so softly and staring at Phil with such intensity. It felt normal.

He wants everything to be normal again.

"Hey, bible boy," Charlie suddenly chirps from behind, leaning his arm on Phil's shoulder. "Going home?"

Phil nods.

Recently he's had a change of heart towards Charlie and although he can never fully trust him, he can at least handle his pretentious bullshit.

"Mind if I hitch into your taxi? I'll pay for my half of the ride." Charlie asks. He sounds so casual and calm. His voice is soothing to some extent yet always hold that darkness that keeps Phil at a safe distance emotionally.

"Sure."

"Thanks pal. Dan seems to be doing well."

"What was your purpose of being here? What is the point of you seeing him and just upsetting him?" Phil snaps, pulling back from the boy and sternly questioning him.

Charlie seems stuck for a few seconds but then shrugs. "I wanted to see you. Not him."

Phil's brows unfurrow, yet he's still left in confusion. Why would Charlie care about him? Why does he have this so called 'connection' with Phil, a connection that has him saving the church boy whenever he can?

It's always been a question that Phil can't comprehend.

He and Charlie started off okay, but it didn't last long. They've always, in some retrospect been enemies, even before he met him. Cause as soon as Phil was involved with Dan, Charlie and him became enemies without knowing.

It's a never ending battle for Dan. At least, that's what Phil thought this was about. Now he thinks Charlie's battling for him, not Dan. Which again... Doesn't make sense.

Phil can't even respond as the taxi pulls up to the curb. Charlie gestures the church boy into the car and he follows. The two sit in the back together, Phil telling the driver the directions before strictly gazing out the window.
He won't look at Charlie, but he can see in the windows reflection that Charlie is looking at him.

***

"Thanks." Phil mutters as he pays the driver, getting out the car and only to pause when he spots Charlie paying and also getting out. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but you don't live in my house."

Shutting the taxi door as does Charlie, the car then drives off,leaving the two staring at each other.

"And correct me if I'm wrong but this technically isn't even your house. It's Dan's." Charlie smirks, crossing his arms.

Phil scoffs and starts walking towards the house, having to pass Charlie as he does so. He stops and glances to the boy half way. "Don't think you can seduce me with those sex appealing eyes and that ridiculous smirk. Go home."