The I In Lie [Phan]

Chapter Four

CHAPTER FOUR
Dan sighed as he stared at the kitchen doorway, hoping Phil would appear. But the doorway remained Phil-less. Dan clutched his cup of coffee, a frown stretching across his features.
    Phil had been distant the last few days and Dan was starting to become very worried. He didn't want to intrude and he knew Phil needed his space, but Dan was starting to sorry that his best friend was hurting himself again.
    With another sigh, Dan quickly made another cup of coffee before trudging towards his friend's room.
    "Phil?" he called out, kicking the door with his foot (Seeing as his hands were rather occupied with coffee).
    A moment later the door slowly creaked open, revealing a rather tired looking Phil.
    "What is it?" he yawned, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
    "I brought you coffee," Dan held the mug towards his raven-haired friend.
    "Thanks," murmured Phil, taking the cup.
    "Erm-Is it okay if I come in?" Dan asked.
    Phil nodded, stepping aside to allow Dan to wander into the room. The brunette sat on the bed, awkwardly tapping his knees. Phil sat next to him as he silently sipped his coffee. For a few moments the two of them sat in silence before Dan worked up the nerve to say anything.
    "Are you alright?" he blurted.
    The corner's of Phil's lips tugged downwards.
    "Isn't there anything else we could talk about?" he frowned. "Every conversation seems to start with 'are you alright'."
    "I just want to make sure you're not hurting yourself," insisted Dan. "And you haven't talked to me very much in the past few days, I'm just worried."
    Phil sighed, suddenly feeling very guilty.
    "I'm sorry," he murmured.
    "Don't be," muttered Dan.
    There was another short silence.
    "Do you wanna bake something?" Dan asked.
    Phil nodded vigorously. Dan jumped to his feet, a large grin on his face. "C'mon then!"
~*~*
"Phillll, where are the marshmallows?" Dan asked, a slightly accusing tone in his voice.
    "Err..."
    "Please tell me you did not eat them."
    "Um..." Phil quickly turned away, searching through their music selection.
    "Philllll," whined Dan.
    "Oh c'mon, I didn't know we were gonna be baking so you really can't blame me," giggled Phil.
    "Fine, fine. We just won't have marshmallows," sighed Dan.
    "Awww," pouted Phil.
    "You were the one who ate them!" cried Dan. "Don't you dare get all sad with me."
    Phil just grinned up at his friend.
    "C'mon," he chirped. "We have to put the brownies in the oven! The sooner they go in, the sooner we get to eat them!"
    "Okay, okay," laughed Dan. "I'm putting them in."
    Phil beamed, bouncing on the balls of his feet as Dan slid the brownies in the oven.
    "I'm still upset you ate the marshmallows," teased Dan. "That was gonna be the best part!"
    "They were just gonna go on top. They'll still be good," Phil insisted.
    Without saying a word, Dan scooped up a bit of flour from the bag beside him and rubbed it on his friend's nose. Phil squealed, causing Dan to laugh loudly.
    "Why would you do that?" whined Phil.
    "Because you ate all the marshmallows and need to be punished," Dan responded.
    Phil could feel his cheeks heating up quickly so he hurriedly spun around, grabbing his own handful of flour, and tossed it in Dan's general direction. And that's how they spent their time, chasing each other around the kitchen while Patrick Stump's solo album played quietly in the background.
    Dan yelped as Phil dumped a handful of flour down his shirt, causing him to squirm uncomfortably.
    "That's not fair!" he whined as Phil giggled.
    Dan grabbed his friend, pinning him against the counter as he rubbed flour into his hair. Phil squealed loudly, laughter erupting from his throat.
    "Ha!" Dan teased, smirking widely.
    Phil smiled at his brunette friend, his face slightly red from laughing and a few giggles still passing his lips. And then Phil suddenly became very aware of the fact that Dan had him pinned against the counter, his hands on his hips, and the older boy's face quickly turned a deeper shade of red.
    "Erm-" Phil coughed awkwardly. "I-I'm just gonna go-"
    Phil barely had time to finish before a pair of lips were on his own. A small gasp escaped Phil's lips and for a moment he stood stock still. Then he slowly raised his hands to rest on Dan's shoulders, pulling the younger boy closer as his eyes fluttered shut.
    Phil's mind was blank, because Dan Howell was kissing him and he had wanted this for as long as he could remember and Dan Howell was actually kissing him!
    But it was over all too soon.
    Dan suddenly seemed to realize what he was doing and pulled away with wide eyes. His hand raised up to ghost over his lips.
    "I-I-I have to go," blurted Dan.
    Phil didn't even bother calling after Dan. He just stood there, using the kitchen counter to keep himself upright as he let Dan bolt out the front door.