Oblivious Hearts (Phan)

Chapter Thirty Two

Word count: 1126

"Happiness can be found even in the darkest of times, when one only remembers to turn on the light."

Dan woke up with Phil's long limbs wrapped around him, holding him in place. Panic started to rise in his throat and a feeling of claustrophobia washed over his body. He needed to get out. He clamped his mouth shut to stop himself crying out in panic as he carefully slipped out from under Phil, not wanting to wake him up. He then walked as fast as he could to the hallway and slipped on a jacket that he found hanging up and a pair of shoes. It was almost 3am and he didn't care what he looked like, he just needed air.

He pulled the front door shut behind him as he stepped out, not caring about the heavy rain pouring from the sky or that he didn't have a key to get back in. He took a deep breath and ran down the road, letting his feet carry him, not knowing where he was headed, only that the cold water felt refreshing on his sweaty face.

His mind was constantly replaying images of what happened in the library, and his skin prickled with the memory of Craig's hands gripping at his body. Dan had taken a quick shower before getting into bed a few hours earlier but he still felt like he'd never be able to take enough layers of skin off to remove what Craig had done.

After half an hour of running aimlessly and letting his mind torture him Dan found himself outside an abandoned looking block of flats, the walls were cracking, the windows were fractured and the wooden frames were peeling and covered with mould. But he knew it wasn't totally abandoned, he'd been here before.

He pushed open the front door, and it swung forward with an eerie creak, it had no locks or security system so anyone could be inside, but right now Dan didn't care.

He took a step inside, grateful for the shelter from the downpour outside. Slowly happy memories resurfaced in his mind, memories of his first proper date with Phil. With a small smile playing on his lips Dan walked down the dark, chilly hallway in search of the pretty room with all the fairy lights and the sweet music. He pushed open another door, one at the very end of the hallway, and it swung open with another eerie creak.

There were no strings of sparkling lights, no simply perfumed candle, no softly twinkling music. There was only darkness and cold. Despite his hope, Dan hadn't really expected it to be as it was all those weeks ago.

He walked into the room, hearing the rain patter on the windows and the occasional clap of thunder rumble in the distance. He sat down in the middle of the room, not caring about the thick dust underneath him, and hugged his knees to his chest. He wished everything could just go back to the way it was when they first came here, without all the drama, all the heartache and pain.

I'm just a schoolteacher, Dan thought. I didn't ask for this. I just wanted a normal life like everyone else...

Through the rain Dan heard a car door slam which made him jump.

I'm not the only idiot up at 4am then.

He wondered what was making that person be up at this time, perhaps they had some inner turmoil they were struggling with too.

Dan started to hum a soothing lullaby to himself, feeling the ice cold water trickle down his back from his dripping wet hair, leaving thin lines of rain across his skin as he slowly rocked back a forth in a tight little ball.

Then he heard a creak of a heavy door, and it sounded close.

But instead of getting up and running away or even having a look to see who had made the noise Dan just squeezed his legs tighter to his chest and hummed louder, trying to drown out the screams in his mind.

He heard footsteps along the hallway drawing closer to the room he was in.

If you're here to kill me just make it quick, Dan thought, desperate for at least one thing to be over with fast and painlessly.

The wooden door to the room slowly creaked open and a man appeared in the doorway. His hood was up and he was wearing an odd mix of pajamas, a raincoat and overly formal shoes. Even in the dark Dan couldn't mistake Phil's sparkling blue eyes.

"Dan..." Phil said, cautiously stepping towards him. Dan didn't say anything in reply, he just looked up at Phil with a blank expression; he had no explanation for why he was here or what he was doing, but the sight and sound of Phil had stopped him humming and rocking at least.

Phil sat down in front of Dan, crossing his legs and letting an understanding half smile play on his lips. Phil still looked weak and frail from the week he abandoned his body, but Dan's heart ached at knowing he'd dragged himself up from his rest to make sure he was okay.

Phil tore his eyes away from Dan's and looked out of the window, watching the droplets of rain chase each other down the windowpane and fresh ones hammer against the glass, replacing them. After a few moments Phil stood up and padded over to a small table in the corner of the room, he fiddled with something on the table, his eyes flicking over to Dan who was still expressionless. Then a beautifully delicate song began to play, quietly filling the room with life and sound. Phil flicked another switch and the fairy lights came on, draped across the ceiling. Dan hadn't even noticed they were still hung up, but they shone above like their own personal stars.

Phil walked over to Dan and held out his hand.

"May I have this dance?" Phil said softly with a sweet smile that no one could resist. Dan took Phil's hand and stood up, stepping closer to Phil, trusting him.

Phil placed his free hand around Dan's waist and pulled him closer, until their bodies were pressed against each other's. Phil started to move, swaying with Dan and leading him around in small circles, they were dancing but only just, they were enjoying being close to each other and getting to stare into the other's eyes.

Phil rested his forehead against Dan's, closing his eyes and cherishing how close they were, how their bodies moved as one in time with the music.

"Thank you," Dan said, his lips finally twitching up into a smile. He slid his arms around Phil's neck and pulled him in for a sweet kiss, the first one their lips had shared in almost a week. He finally felt safe. 

I thought there should be a bit more cute/fluffy parts to this story so...

Only about two or three more chapters left now! 

I have more fanfics up though if you wanted something to pass the time ;) 'skinnylove' and 'Galaxies' so please check them out and let me know what you think!

T x