run

5

Dan leaned against the side of the car, tapping his foot nervously. He sucked the nicotine from the cigarette between his fingers and tucked his other hand under his arm, desperately trying to keep warm. They were just outside of Rye, and Phil needed the toilet while the car needed petrol.

Dan's fingers shook slightly as he held the stick between his teeth. It was only just beginning to set in dans mind that this wasn't a dream. He had actually run away with a gang. This made him a criminal. Holy shit.

"Those things'll kill you, you know." A voice startled dan out of his thoughts; he turned his head to find Phil walking toward his, his hands shoved deep into his pockets. He stood beside Dan and held out his hand, silently asking for the fag. Wordlessly, Dan handed it over and watched Phil take a drag, hold it, and exhale it slowly through his nose. He handed it back to Dan.

"God, those things are gross," Phil complained, wiping his mouth.

Dan scoffed, shakily taking the last bit of life from the cigarette before flicking it to the ground, stamping it out with his shoe. He turned to Phil, licking his lips.

"What are we doing?" he asked. Phil stared back at him blankly, making him sigh. "Why am I any part of this? Why are you doing-" he gestured frantically. "-this?"

"Well, when I was younger, my father and I had a but of a rough relationship. He drank a lot. My mum left because she couldn't stand to be around him any longer, and upon leaving him, she also left me. As you can see-"

Dan waved his hand dismissively. "You can tell me the long version some other day. Just give it to me straight, please."

Phil shut his mouth and pressed his back to the side of the car, looking at Dan. Dan could feel his throat begin to close up, worried that Phil was going to kiss him again. He rubbed his ear on his shoulder, as if it would erase the fresh hickies imprinted onto his neck. Phil opened his mouth once more to answer when Robert's voice rang out. 

"Come on, assholes! We haven't got all night!"

Phil sighed, pushing off the side of the car and opening the door. He climbed in and looked to Dan, watching him expectantly. Dan rolled his eyes and climbed in after, settling himself on Phil's lap. As Chris slid into the driver's seat and started the car, Phil locked his arms around Dan's waist, his fingers digging into his hips. Dan both tensed and completely melted against him.

"Jesus, fuck," a boy with red hair groaned. "Can you guys fucking not? Chris, we're going to need to get a bigger car soon if we want to be saved the torture of Phil here getting his new little toy off."

Chris gave him a sharp glare through the rearview mirror. "Ben." He warned. 

Phil's grip around Dan's waist had grown increasingly tighter, making Dan wiggle uncomfortably. "Don't. Fuck with me, Briggs. I will kill you before you even have the chance to say 'uncle'." Phil's breath on Dan's neck was beginning to drive him crazy. "Plus," he whispered, his lips barely grazing across the boy's neck. "I think I quite like this seating arrangement."

The car grew silent after the words fell from Phil's lips. One of Dan's favourite songs played quietly on the radio, and he tapped his fingers against his knee to the best as he watched lights from the town zip by. The lights disappeared soon enough, so Dan decided to get a good lookout everyone in the car.

Chris, whose eyes were focused intently on the road, seemed like he could kill someone. His blue eyes (or were they green?) were clouded, as if they were hiding something, but they were dark, almost black. The light from cars that passed by briefly accentuated his features; sharp cheekbones, pointed jaw, his lips drawn into a slight frown. Dan wondered if he would hate Dan as much as Robert. 

Then, in the passenger's seat, was PJ. His curly hair falling over his forehead reminded Dan of his own curly hair. Damn Phil for not allowing him to take his straightener. PJ had fallen asleep almost immediately, his lips parted as soft snores escaped them. Dan smiled. He was quite cute. He looked down and noticed Chris' hand was resting on PJ's thigh, rubbing circles in it. 

Oh, shit. That's the best thing I've seen all week. Bless God for creating the homosexuals and making them beautiful. 

Dan shook the thought away, looking at Ben. Red hair, snake-bites. He looked angry. Dan made a mental note to steer clear of him. Then, there was Robert. He kind of kind of looked like Chris, with his blue eyes and brown hair, but instead of untouched skin, he had four loops in his helix, adding a bit of character. 

Last, but not least, there was Jack. Bright green hair with no designated style. Glasses covered his blue eyes, and he wondered if he and PJ were the only ones without blue eyes. Jack was quiet - and he seemed almost..timid. Phil said he was someone to look out for? To Dan, he looked like he laughed a lot and wanted nothing but for everyone to be happy. He intrigued Dan; maybe he'd try to get to know him better later on. 

"I want to," Phil whispered against Dan's neck, making him jump. 

"What?"

"You asked me why I did all of this," he explained, gesturing to the four boys in the car, oblivious to their conversation. "And that's my answer, baby boy."

Dan shuddered. "A-and what was that, again?"

Phil's teeth dragged up Dan's neck before settling on his earlobe, nibbling on the soft skin.

"Because I want to," he mumbled, smirking against Dan's neck. "And, because I can."