Tragically Loved (PHAN)

All We Need is Eachother

Dan grabbed  a wash cloth from the under stocked kitchen and instructed Phil to strip. He did, all the way to the boxers, his skinny stomach and legs exposed. Large purple bruises speckled his pale skin from the face to legs. Blood ran down his face and multiple contusions on his back and knuckles. Dan felt his heart smash into a million pieces as he saw what had been done to such a beautiful person.

"Who did this?" Dan was probably more hurt than Phil and it was more than evident in his shaky voice.

"Dad. He came home drunk and was hitting mum again. I told him to stop and pulled him off of her but he started going after me instead." 

"Oh my god. Is your mum okay?"

"I don't know. I can't go back. I called the police on my way here but they never do much"

"Do you think you have any broken ribs? Do you have a concussion? We need to take you to the hospital!" Dan was in a state of almost panic as he frantically tried to help his friend.

"No. No hospital, I can't afford that. I don't think anything is broken, my brain feels fine. I'll be fine." Phil was too calm and it concerned Dan.

"I could take you to the hospital, you don't have to worry about money."

"Dan, you know you don't have the money for that, the bit that you make from McDonald's is barely enough to pay rent" Dan didn't protest. he knew his mums self proclaimed 'work trips' are just code for, 'I'm going to disappear for three months and not generate any income, don't come looking'. 

Dan motioned to the bath as he whetted the wash cloth and started working at the gaping wound on his forehead. The shape looked like it was caused by something being thrown and he worried that it might need stitches. Phil winced as Dan gently cleaned the dried blood off the gash and Dan squeezed Phil's other hand to help comfort him. 

When everything was all clean Dan reached for a towel and handed it to the soaking wet, slightly purple man that was now emerging from the blood tinted bath water. He grabbed some pain relievers from the cabinet along with a glass of tap water and set it on the counter for Phil to take. He then went to his room and emerged with some soft pajamas and an ice pack for his friend. 

Once everyone one was fully clothed Dan turned on the small television in the cramped living room and they sat there on the couch chatting and watching anime, trying to divert attention from the accident. When Phil started getting sleepy he inquired about where he was going to stay.

"You can stay here as long as you want"

"What about your mum? Will she let me? I don't want to be a burden."

"My mum isn't coming back this time, It's been six months. You are not a burden, you can help me with rent and stuff, it'll be fun."

"Thank you Dan. You are all I have."

"All we need is each other." Dan wrapped Phil in a quick hug and without thinking, kissed him atop the head. Phil pulled back a bit, taken by the sudden affection.

"I'm um.. sorry I just- I'm sorry it's just habit" Dan blurted out awkwardly.

"No. It's fine, Thank you for everything that you are doing for me" Little did Dan know he actually liked it when Dan would kiss him on the cheek or head or lips but, a few months ago he asked him to stop doing that because his girlfriend was jealous. What he would never tell anyone was that he actually enjoyed it more when Dan would kiss him than his girlfriend. 

"Sleep tight Phil" Dan kissed Phil on the cheek and maneuvered through the messy flat to his small room.