the city // dan howell

Part 9// Long Hugs and Doubt

"It's fucking gorgeous here." Dan admits, running his fingers through a bush.

"Dan? Phil?" I ask nervously.
"Yeah?" They just as oddly reply in unison.
"Can I take pictures?" I vaguely ask.
"Why would you need our permission?" Phil laughs.
"Um.. because I'm afraid Dan is gonna get you guys lost. And then I won't be able to find you." I half truthfully explain.
"I'm not THAT bad! This is bullying." Dan drones out.
"Ok, Mr. 'I think I got off at the wrong stop and I have no clue where I am.'" I smirk.
"Fuck off. We'll be fine, right Phil?" Phil nods.
"Ok... just... actually, I'll give you a call in a few minutes. Have fun adventuring."
And with that, they're off, talking and smiling into Phils camera. They seem happy, so I'm glad I was able to help in the first place.
I kneel down on the stone bridge and adjust it according to what my eyes tell me look best. Dan and Phil are just black silhouettes by now, so I click and the shutter makes a few noises. I review them and decided they're good. I take a deep breath and look at the small amount of water below me. There's a girl wearing a black flannel and a ripped blink 182 top. She looks like she'd make good friend material for me- but she looks about 12. I don't really think I'm in for making friends with people in the 7th grade.
The camera focuses on her blue ripped jeans and makes the fabric as sharp as the end of a knife. I take the picture. This is probably illegal, but it's one of my favorites, I'd say. I snap a few more of her and rest my camera on my chest. I pull my phone out of my back pocket and type in my passcode. The dial pad comes up and I type in Dans surprisingly easy to remember phone number. It rings for a few moments and I start to worry, but worry not because Dan answers right before I try to hang up. Leave it to him to do something last second, right?
"Hey! We didn't venture too far, just sitting here on a bench. We got warm drinks. Got you something too- I hope you like green tea?" He rushes out all at once. I laugh at him.
"Ohhh, Dan. Yes, I love green tea. I appreciate the thought. Mind telling me what bench?" There's at least 20 I can see from
here.
"Right. Know where.. um..."
"Dan?"
I hear him talking to a lady. Of course he's asking where he is. Idiot. Him and Phils brains together couldn't figure out a simple problem.
"We're by a little vendor on another bridge about 160 feet to the right of the bridge you're on now."
"Specific." I roll my eyes even though he can't see me.
"Anything for you."
"Fucker."
I hang up and walk over, just as I'd been told. I see the two above averagely tall men sitting on a bench together, hunched over with one extra drink. I giggle at the sight and get into position, snapping a few more shots until I get it right. Only then do I walk over.
"Hey, lame-os." I grin, taking my drink from Dan, our fingers brushing against each others. It's cute.
I allow myself to cradle the cup, extracting as much warmth as I could from the hot tea.
"Thank you." I smile to them as I take a sip.
"No problem." Phil steps in. Dan nods his head.
What sweethearts.
//
We ventured around all day in the park. They'd already found their way around the Empire State Building or the Chrysler Building a few days before, so we could take this day to relax. It's a lot nicer here, anyways.
"Tell me something weird about New York." Phil says as we walk towards the zoo.
"Um... there's a Doctor Who themed restaurant?" I blurt out, not thinking.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME?" Dan jokes, clearly pondering on the concept.
"What's it called? Can we go?"
"It's called The Pandorica. I don't think it's a good idea though... it's all the way up in Beacon. About an hour away. I mean- yeah we can totally go, if the drive is ok. I don't know what kind of cab would take us there though.. maybe a train.. or-"
"It's okay, Tyde." Phil rolls his eyes in a kidding manner. I really stressed myself out over that for no reason.
I probably should've chosen a different fact.
//
"54 dollars."
We're trying to get into this damn zoo, even though I much prefer the Bronx Zoo. We were here though, so might as well.
I slyly slip the man my 18 dollars.
He winks and takes it. He then takes the 54 dollars from Dan and Phil.
"And your change is.. 18 dollars." the cashier laughs lightly, handing the two confused boys their money back.
"Tyde!" Dan exclaims.
I give him a quick wink before running ahead.
Looks like I'm being chased.
I slump at the black metal fence, watching them sternly walk over to me.
"Why?" Phil whines.
"Shut up." I fix my posture a bit and laugh, indicating my attempt of levity rather than rudeness. "Uh-huh." Dan sarcastically turns away.
"You kinda need me to not get lost!" I shout out to remind to two stand-put boys that they will be lost.
Their heads snap towards me as they watch me walking backwards, trying to keep in gaze with them for as long as possible.
They both eventually let their heads down in shame and follow me, having lost our stare down.
//
We watch the sea lions being fed one last time before heading our separate ways.
"They're so cute!" Phil cheers to the camera with Dan babbling something about how trapped they must feel.
Nerds.
Dan looks at me and grins.
"What?"
"Nothing. Just looking at the view."
"Oh, fuck you, Howell."
"Not the first time I've heard that one."
He's so pretentious.
//
"You sure you'll both be fine on the subway alone?" I ask before letting them off.
"No." they reply, ashamed.
"Okay, I'll ride with you." I roll my eyes. Good thing I brought my card.
I show them how to buy tickets, as they do. We wander around for around 10 minutes before I lead them to the train.
"Thank god we're in here, it smells out there." Phil exhales.
As if it's any better in here.
Well, maybe.
I laugh a little too loud, earning some stares.
"You are too precious."
"Am not. Don't turn into one of my fans that just calls me cinnamon bun or sunshine."
"SUNSHINE! That's perfect. The living meme and sunshine."
They bow down their heads and shake them, disapproving. I will forever continue to annoy them, though.
//
"Bye Tyde." Dan hugs me for a long time before letting go, allowing me to take my thought absorbing walk home.
//
a/n: i know these are getting progressively shorter and worse but idk??? also sorry for all the skipping around.