Oblivious Hearts (Phan)

Chapter Eleven

Dan was sat behind the wheel in his car, with Phil next to him reading the back of Dan's CDs, trying to find a good track. He slipped in one of Dan's favourites and skipped ahead a few tracks. The familiar tune filled the car and Phil began to sing:

"Well it rains and it pours

When you're out on your own

If I crash on the couch

Can I sleep in my clothes?

'Cause I've spent the night dancing

I'm drunk, I suppose

If it looks like I'm laughing

I'm really just asking to leave"

"This is one of my favourite songs to drive to, how did you know?" Dan asked, his voice raised to be heard over the loud music, he'd rather speak louder than turn it down of course.

"It's just one of my all time favourite songs." Phil called back, laughing. Dan wished he knew what stopped Phil from being like this all the time, and he wished that he could help Phil get past it. When he laughed and sang a carefree look came over his face and his features softened, no one could be scared of sweet, happy Phil. But dark, angry Phil... Well that was a different story...

Dan pulled up outside Morrisons. "Phil, can you grab a trolley and meet me by the fruit just inside the door?" He asked. "I'll park the car and come find you."

"Of course, I think I have a £1 coin." Phil said. He hopped out of the car, shutting the door behind him and wandering off to find a trolley. Dan drove away to the back of the packed car park in search of a space, pulling in to one which had to be the furthest from the shop. He muttered to himself about having to walk so far whilst he dodged the cars and went to find Phil.

He heard Phil before he saw him.

Dan could only make out a few words but it was definitely Phil, angry Phil. Dan started to run towards the shouting, hoping to get there before the situation got out of hand.

He spotted Phil, shouting, throwing his arms in the air in anger at the man stood opposite him. This time, unlike in the cinema, the other man was shouting back and looked angry too. Dan ran up to Phil and, panting, stood between the pair placing his hand on Phil's chest. At the contact Phil stopped shouting, his nostrils were flared in anger and his breathing was deep but he didn't look at Dan, he continued to glower at the other man who was still screaming profanities at Phil. Dan was looking at Phil trying to figure out what happened, his hand rising and falling with Phil's heavy breaths. Dan was flinching at the angry man's screeching behind him.

And then he felt something hit his shoulder.

Phil gripped Dan's arms and spun him around so Phil was between the angry man and Dan.

"Don't. You. Dare... Don't. You. Dare. Touch. Him." Phil said quietly, his lips were tight and his face was livid. His whole body was visibly shaking with fury. Dan was peering around the side of Phil to see the man, who seemed to at last be cowering at Phil's gaze. He was obviously bigger and stronger than Phil but the uncontrollable anger radiating from Phil was enough to strike terror in anyone. Dan guessed that the man had thrown something at him, presumably because he stood between him and Phil. This was a big mistake for the man. Dan remembered how Phil reacted when someone accidentally walked into him so could only imagine Phil's reaction when someone intentionally hurt him.

Though he didn't have to imagine for long.

Phil began to walk forwards, like a lion stalking its prey, ready to pounce. The man started to back away but was met with only a brick wall behind him. He could see Phil's fists curled up in a ball ready to strike and knew he was in trouble.