Gasoline Hearts {Phan} #WattPride

Chapter Twenty

Days passed, and Dan began moving his things in with Amethyst, his parents letting him go without a word. After he moved in, weeks passed without him doing much of anything. His diploma was mailed to him, and then promptly thrown in his closet. The only thing he did that was mildly productive was eating for the baby.

Three months went by, and a small but well defined bump stood out from his hips. Amethyst came into the room with her daughter and wrinkled her nose at the clothing littering it. "Dan shower. We gotta see a doctor today." She snapped, and he nodded, getting up with a slight groan. She let out a small gasp at the sight of her best friend, his hair curly long and matted, skin pale, and his eyes hopeless. He looked as if he hadn't moved in weeks, which really he hadn't. Still, the flow of pregnancy clung to him, putting some rosy colour in his cheeks. She watched him grab a shirt boxers and a pair of jogging pants from the dresser and then walk to the bathroom, where hot water could be heard cutting on.

As soon as she heard him step on, she went through the room, gathering dirty clothes trash and other things she found. As she left, Alex grabbed Danielle, cooing to the girl as she giggled and grabbed at his hair. "Clean up, if that's what your doing. I'll watch her." He grinned, and she sighed, nodding in thanks as she dumped everything in the laundry room. Returning, she saw Dan standing in the middle of his now mostly clean room, staring in the mirror at his torso. His stomach protruded slightly and the skin there already had stretch marks. "Ame, is this a good idea?" He asked, meeting her eyes.
"Yeah. Whatever happens, that baby is in your life for a reason, not just because you didn't use a condom, or because you didn't know you could have babies. Stop staring and get on a shirt and some shoes. We gotta go." She smiled, and walked out, leaning against the wall next to his door until he came out, hair curly and wet and a shirt of Phil's covering his frame.
"Let's go." He said, and she nodded waving goodbye to Alex and Danielle as they walked out.

When they arrived at the doctor, Gerard led them back and after taking blood as usual laid Dan back. "Any news on Phil?" He asked, more than aware of the situation.
"None." Dan whispered, watching the child on the screen as Gerard expertly moved the wand.
"I'm sure it'll all wok out. Just hold on. Okay?" The red haired man smiled, and Dan smiled back. "Okay."

Soon enough they were free to go, and at Amethyst's request they went out for Japanese. The entire trip there and the entire time they were in the office she stayed on her phone, which Dan ignored. "What's the plan Dan?" She asked once they ordered, and he let out a sigh. "I have no clue."
"When can you see Phil again?"
"Depends on what the judge says when we go to court."
"When's that?"
"Next week."
"Do you want me to go?"
"No. I'll be fine by myself."
"Okay, me and Al and Danielle will be there. Besides I have a feeling they'll wanna hear from me. As your best friend and a witness to the Phan."
"The Phan?"
"You and Phil. I ship everything Daniel."
"That's weird." He laughed, the first real laugh he'd uttered since he saw Phil.
"See, your still human." Amethyst poked, and grinned as she scanned the restaurant behind him. "What're you looking for?"
"Someone."
"Who?"
"Me." A new voice broke in, and Dan turned to see the father of his child standing there, hands tucked in his pockets and his black hair wild and unruly. His eyes were hollow and his cheeks gaunt. The more Dan looked, the more he could see how badly Phil was taking everything, and how badly it could've been if Dan hadn't been carrying a child.

Instead of yelling, accusing, or apologising, Dan could only say one thing.
"Phil...."