planets→phan

nature//sun

phil loved nature. possibly more than anything or anyone else in existence. whenever he walked past the flowers in his painted pot on his kitchen table, they seemed to light up with delight. they definitely looked healthier when he did so than if they were just sitting in plain sight.

ever since dan had had tea with him, phil could not get the walnut-haired boy out of his head. he thought of him when he first woke up, and he was the last person to cross his mind as his eyes fluttered closed. dan had something special, he was definitely different than other teenage boys at school and in regular society. thats when phil's idea came to him.

that morning, on a saturday, there was a warm breeze in the air as phil grabbed his phone and wallet and headed out of the apartment building. he walked slowly as people minding their own business where passing him. the rising sun didn't reach phil underneath the awning beside a flower shop as he pushed the wooden door inward. the paint was chipping and stuck to his hands as he touched the wooden barrier. the glass was shattered in one corner and the sign on it read 'open'. the rusty bell above the door 'dinged' as it opened and closed abruptly behind him.

"hello?" phil walked in as the scent of flowers filled in his nostrils. he could label every flower his nose picked up.

tulip, rose, daffodil, orchid, sunflower-

"hello," a little lady appeared. she was older, fragile skin and porcelain eyes. they were green and had a warm emotional feel to them. her glasses enlarged them, and the black rims were greased and shiny. her apron, which was dusty and ripped at one corner, still had a laced pattern on its edges. her lips curled up in a smile after she finished speaking.

"good day, ma'am, i was hoping you would have a nice, maybe colorful assortment of flowers that i could perhaps purchase for my friend? i feel like being generous and he's been so sweet to me. if you could offer me the best bouquet that would be great," phil hung over the counter, smiling.

"of course, any flowers in particular?" the lady asked as she picked up ribbon and scissors.

"no no, choose your best in-house," phil stood up again.

"of course," the woman opened a small door beside the counter and waddled out into the store. she examined some flowers, then picked up a few and brought them over to another bunch. she added the first round to the second, and repeated until she had arranged the colors satisfyingly.

"here you go, paper or no paper?" she asked again.

"no paper. i want these to stay fresh," phil nodded and took the flowers.

at the register, he paid and then proceeded to the streets again.

phil hadn't received dan's number yet, but phil seemed to know exactly where his friend was without having to send him a pixelated message. he crossed the street then walked into a more remote and calm part of town, not noisy and full of activity like where he lived. trees and vines grew over houses, some were boarded up and even had gaping holes or torn off roofs. phil's flowers and his pastel pink jumper with light-washed jeans was the only vibrant color. the houses were gray, some blue, and one, at the very end of the block. it was orange, but lots of overgrown plants sat in the front. a willow tree was in the backyard, the top could be seen from the front. phil heard humming. soft humming. the backyard. the willow tree. phil walked on the side of the house, driveway on the opposite side.

"hello?" phil said quietly.

a couple birds were startled and flew up from the tree. phil looked up and his gaze followed as the birds glided into the distance. he looked back at the ground. there was a boy in all black. of course it was dan. there was a river behind the house, and trees across from it. who knows what was there. but phil wasn't worried about that. he looked down at dan. dan was watching as the moon was setting slowly, the sun rising with its light filling up the sky. phil heard an exhale, and then a place up.

"phil?" dan said, his face pale.

"dan? have you been out here all night?" phil asked, sitting beside him, but hiding the flowers.

"well when i got home last night, i was in my room for a bit. yet, the moon seemed to be dragging me, so i went outside and sat. i watched it, didn't sleep a blink. i was always look up at it for help. whenever i am conflicted with myself, it helps me.. how do i say this.. ease me. please forgive my abrupt exit, i was in a hurry to get home." dan rubbed his head, then played backwards. his fringe was pushed upwards and the clouds were passing over him.

"well, i wanted to give you these. as a thank you, you know?" phil grabbed the flowers and showed dan.

when dan's eyes fell on the flowers, his eyes lit up, and for once, phil could see the brown, not the darkness, but the light side of it. the sun came out once again from behind a cloud and warmed the earth, as well as the two boys sitting on the lawn. the water rushed and sloshed on the sides of the dirt, and dan's ears took in all of it. phil's heart was happy, because dan was smiling from ear-to-ear.

"thank you, phil. these are lovely," dan smelled the flowers, then dove in for a hug.

"dan, what is going on out here?" an unfamiliar voice called.

dan turned around to see his tiny grandma standing in the doorway.

dan's mouth opened, not sure what to say. phil's heart sunk as the lady raised an unhappy eyebrow.

"grandma, this is phil. he's a friend of mine."

"a guy friend?" the lady said.

"of course. you wanted me to make friends before we graduate, so i did," dan set down the flowers softly and stood up.

"no, i won't allow it."

"what?" dan stopped in his tracks. he froze.

phil's eyes widened, panicking. he looked up at dan, whose face was emotionless.

his grandma came up to phil and examined him. she looked deep into his blue eyes, and, right then, phil knew why she didn't accept the fact that they could be friends. dan's grandma, phil found out, was against the lgbt community. yet, phil wasn't sure why she thought this. they were just friends. or were they-

"leave. now," dan's grandma pointed to where he came in.

dan still stood, facing forward and not looking anywhere. he closed his eyes and they squeezed as his eyes started watering. his grandma circled him, looking disappointed. when she came in contact with the flowers, she kicked them over, and the dirt from her shoes stained the pastel colors.

"hey, don't do that!"

phil had stopped walking, looking in disbelief as he was just about to leave.

"don't take a step closer young man, or face consequences," the lady gritted her teeth.

dan opened his eyes and looked over at phil, who then shook his head and ran from the property.

"we are having a talk, boy," dan's grandma said finally, "in the house. now."