Duet

Ab Inito (by Icouldwriteabook)

A/N Check out the author of this wonderful oneshot and cute drawing, Icouldwriteabook pretty pleaseeeeeee
Also, in case you were wondering, the title (ab inito) is a legal phrase which is Latin for from the beginning

"So Mr Lester, I was looking over your divorce file-"

Phil jumped, trying to take in the environment around him. Wood panelled walls, menacing paintings and an informative desk; with a just as informative occupant.

"Dan?"

"Mr Lester?"

"I swear to God, Dan, if this is your idea of a prank video..."

Dan looked taken aback, but still maintaining professionalism. He adjusted his tie and sighed.

"Mr Lester-"

"Phil."

"Right, ok, Phil," he comprised, "I understand this is a difficult time for you, I've been a lawyer long enough to understand that. And if calling me by my first name helps, that's fine."

What? Why did he talk to him like a child? Why is he a lawyer? Why was Phil getting a divorce? He wasn't married!

"Have you considered therapy, Phil? Because it isn't a downfall, yknow, on your part- lots of people just need a little-"

"STOP IT!"

Phil bursted into tears like a little child, crying into the palm of his hands.

"Err Phil? Are you ok?"

"No I'm not ok," he shouted, still whimpering, "You're my best friend and you don't even know who I am!" He mumbled something about Dan dropping out; them living together; YouTube; anything.

He felt a hand pulling on the back of his neck, that pushes his head into Dan's chest. Dan wrapped his other arm round his back as to support this sobbing mess. He rocked him from side to side, shushing him like one might do to a restless baby.

***

Phil jumped, kicking the bedsheets off him.
"Phil! Phil! It's ok!" Said the familiar voice next to him.

Reality closed back around him. His breathing went back to regular. He lent back on the headboard, kneading his eyes. In doing this, he felt the damp layer of sweat on his forehead.

"Bad dream."

"Yeah, I heard you crying through the wall."

Phil teared up. Dan hugged him again, letting his t shirt become soggy from Phil's tears.

"I heard you say Dan a couple times- what did I do this time?"
He asked nonchalantly, this was the fifth night in a row. He took the hem of his shirt and used it to wipe Phil's eyes.

"You were a lawyer." Phil laughed.

Dan laughed loudly, "Was I that bad? Good job I dropped out, eh?"

"You were a decent lawyer, but you didn't know who I was. I tried telling you but you didn't listen."

Dan shifted, unsure what to say. Luckily he didn't have to say anything.

"Thanks Dan."

"Anytime, Phil."