[No] Homo

Chapter Four

March 2nd, 1942

Manchester, England

Dan's breathing was heavy as he was shoved to the ground.

"You think it's great that you're so smart?" Jackson asked him and Dan shook his head. The other boys grabbed his hands and dragged him to the small boarded up box at the front of the room that the professors desk sat on. He struggled against them, and the boys pulled him up and threw him into the small hole they made.

He hit his head and groaned, squeezing his eyes shut. They picked up the boards and started to nail them in, trapping him. Dan realized this and he banged on the boards.

"Please, let me out!" Dan screamed as tears ran down his face. The boys above him laughed and continued to board him in. He allowed himself to cry and he hit the boards less.

"Quit your whining, Howell!" Jackson spoke above him and Dan breathed in and out heavily.

"Please," he whispered now as they all stomped around on the boards and he got quiet. They all slowed down their stomping and got quiet as well.

"Howell?"

"C'mon Howell, don't be a twat about it!" Jackson yelled and he said for him and his group to leave.

"Leave him to rot," one of them said and Dan closed his eyes shut, pressing his hands lightly against the board above him.

He laid there for about 20 minutes before he heard feet shuffling and the door creaking open.

"Dan?" Phil called out. Dan's heart raced and he banged on the board, unable to bring himself to speak. Phil rushed over, dropping his stuff on the floor and going over to above where Dan was.

He pulled back a board only to see Dan on the other side, scared.

"Dan, are you alright?" Phil asked and Dan said nothing, tears streaming down his pale face and Phil frowned, getting him out.

---

"S'okay, love." Phil whispered as he hugged Dan under his covers. Dan sighed into his chest and curled his toes.

"I w-won't let it happen again, Phil. I-I'm sorry." Dan apologized and Phil shook his head. "They only pick on me because I'm smarter than they are."

"No, they picked on you because you're different." Phil spoke softly.

"Mother says I'm just an odd duck,"

"She's right." Phil grinned and Dan smiled against his chest. The two stayed silent for a while and Dan thought about how lucky he was to actually be in this moment with Phil. He moved his head and kissed Phil's lips quickly.

Phil chuckled, "What was that for?"

"I just love you," Dan whispered and Phil kissed him again.

"Well in that case, let me show you how much I really love you." Phil said as he shifted to a new position and Dan sucked in a breath, biting his lip and knowing what kind of night they would have.

---

April 14th, 1942

"Dan!" Chris yelled from across the garden. Dan stopped walking and waited for Chris to catch up with him. "Hey, did you hear?" Chris asked as he tightened his bag around his shoulders. Dan shook his head as they continued walking.

"What's up?" Dan asked and Chris fell into rhythm with his steps.

"Kyzer is dating Lyia." Chris said and Dan nodded, shrugging.

"Doesn't matter to me who dates who."

Chris nodded.

"Sorry, I forgot how much you hate everyone."

The two were silent as they walked next to one another, and Chris sighed. "I haven't heard from you in a while, what've you been up to?" Chris asked his best friend and Dan looked over at him.

"Um, not much. School is really getting to me," Dan said and Chris nodded, agreeing. Dan spotted Phil sitting on the steps to the mess hall, reading and smoking a cigarette and he smiled.

"Hey, Phil." Chris said as they approached him. Phil looked up from his book and smiled warmly. Dan's heart ached with love, and Phil stood from where he sat.

"Hey guys," Phil said and he continued walking with them. "Where're you guys headed to?" Phil asked, drawing in a drag and he flicked off his cigarette, letting it die on the ground.

"I was just going to the pond to sit down for a while," Dan said and Phil nodded.

"I'll join," Phil said.

"I'll catch up with you guys later actually, PJ wants me to help him with his work." Chris said and Dan nodded, watching as his best friend waved bye to him and then walked down a different path to PJ's dorm room.

Dan looked up at Phil and grinned, pressing his books closer to his chest.

"Hmm, what?" Phil laughed as he saw how giddy Dan was being. Dan shrugged as they walked the path back to Phil room instead of the pond.

"I just," Dan started and looked around making sure no one was in ear shot. "I love you, a lot and I can't believe we're actually together." Dan said as they made it to Phil's hallway. They walked in and made their way to Phil's dorm, unlocking the door and walking in.

Phil kissed Dan smoothly and smiled.

"I can't believe it either,"