Bad Words | phan

16-The Ink

A/N: Let me know if I need to be more clear with who is doing what. The only problem with writing gay fic is the pronouns.

As Dan drove away from Louise's home, he smiled in spite of the rain pounding on his windshield. In their friendship, Dan learned Phil's address, and he drove towards his house. He pulled into the unfamiliar driveway, lined with tall, healthy evergreens. Walking up the steps of the front porch, Dan's eyes absorbed the multiple flower baskets. He saw white lilies, yellow daisies, pink roses, lavender petunias. However, the tulips caught his attention; their peaches clashing with yellows and oranges and reds.

Dan was so focused on the flowers that he barely noticed a woman walking up the driveway with her son. "Excuse me, sir," she called, pulling on the ends of her flowered skirt. "May I ask what you're doing in my flowerbeds?" Dan noticed the woman clutching her purse close to her body.

Dan didn't jump, but he stood slowly, struggling to pull his eyes away. "I'm sorry, miss," he apologized nervously. "Is-"

"Dan?" The brunettes gaze shifted to the young boy behind her. Phil wore an expression of surprise and a tie covered in small white flowers. "What are you doing here?"

Dan fidgeted nervously. "Er, can I talk to you?" he asked. Dan's discomfort surprised Phil, who was used to his cocky arrogance. However, he took the emotions as a sign of trust, and he nodded with a smile.

Phil's mum cleared her throat, giving Phil a pointed look with raised eye brows. "Oh!" Phil airily laughed, trying to ease some awkwardness. "Mum, this is Daniel Howell, the one that I'm doing the project about alcoholism with. Dan, this is my mum."

Dan displayed no discomfort on his face, but he clenched his teeth, awaiting disapproval. "Well, it's nice to finally meet you, Daniel," she smiled, shaking his hand.

Dan nodded, smiling widely, showing off his dimples. "It's nice to meet you too, ma'am," he greeted.

"Don't leave before lunch, dear," she insisted, turning to walk in the door.

Dan waved at Mrs. Lester as she entered the house, and Phil smiled at him. "Can we talk?" Dan asked, sounding slightly nervous.

Phil nodded. "Of course," he agreed. "Just let me change out of my church clothes." Phil walked towards the front door, looking back to ensure Dan was following, and headed down the hall for his bedroom. "I'll be back in a moment."

When Phil exited the room moments later, dressed in a pale lavender sweater, he opened his bedroom door, inviting Dan to enter. "It's a little messy," Phil giggled sheepishly.

"That's fine," Dan said, looking around Phil's bedroom. He saw glowing star stickers on the ceiling and little stuffed animals and plushies on shelves and novels overflowing from a crowded bookshelf and empty water bottles on a nightstand and flowers in vases and photos taped on every wall.

Phil looked down, feeling the slightly uncomfortable awkwardness that ensued when a new guest comes to your bedroom for the first time. "So, uh, how are you?" he asked.

Dan looked up from the microscope he had been looking at. "I'm great," he replied, turning to face Phil. "And you?"

Phil nodded. "I'm good."

Dan's attention had been set on a photograph in a swirly white frame. A baby Phil with red hair grinned, holding hands with his mother and who Dan guessed to be his father. "Where's your dad?" Dan asked, pointing to the photograph.

Phil forced an unconvincing smile, walking over to look at the picture with Dan. "He, uh..." Phil sighed. "I'm not totally sure where he lives right now. He freaked out when he found out I was gay, and Mum divorced him." He let out a little laugh, but Dan knew its purpose was to ease the awkward tension.