Broken Windows // Phan AU

Chapter Four: Clean and Dirty

"Come with me, Dan."

"No."

"You can stay in the car."

"No."

"I don't want to leave you alone in my house."

"Then don't leave."

It's late Sunday morning. I have to run some errands and go grocery shopping, and I'm trying to convince Dan to come with me. I haven't left the house since he showed up, and I'm nervous to leave him on his own.

"I can't stay in the house forever," I reason. "Neither can you."

He groans. "I'd like to put off leaving for as long as possible."

"You do know tomorrow's Monday, right? I have to go to work."

"What do you do?"

"I work at a local insurance company. Typical office job. So nothing interesting."

Dan frowns. I don't know what he expected. I can't stay with him 24/7.

"I'll be fine here. I won't make any trouble, I promise. Do you trust me?"

I sigh in frustration. Maybe I can trust him. After all, I was asleep for hours yesterday and he didn't steal anything or technically murder me. He also went the whole night in the guest room without causing any disturbance.

"Fine," I mutter, not really answering his question but giving into his plea. "But can you help me out with a few things later? I'm trying to get some Christmas decorations up this weekend. I'm hosting a little Christmas party on the 22nd with some of my friends and coworkers."

"No problem, I can help you out," he replies. His mouth turns up on one side in the sad smile that he does so often. "Am I invited?"

I chuckle lightly while a bunch of thoughts start swirling around in my head. I haven't even thought about the concept of Dan staying here for so long. Staying through the holidays. Being here on Christmas.

"I'm kidding," he says. "Even if I were to stay here that long, which I doubt, I'd probably just hide in the basement until everyone leaves."

"You said you doubt you'll stay here that long... but what's the next step, Dan? Have you even thought that far ahead?"

He pauses. "Not really. Have you?"

"No."

~~~

I get home early in the afternoon. Nuki greets me excitedly at the door followed by Dan, who offers to help me carry in and put away the groceries. I'm a bit surprised by his sudden appearance and offer to help. I don't know why.

Once all the groceries are brought in and put away, I ask Dan what he's been up to while I was gone.

"Not much," he replies. "Watched some TV, played with Nuki. Oh, I did your laundry as well."

"You... you... what?" I'm completely taken aback by this. I don't know what I expected, but it sure wasn't Dan doing my chores for me.

"You're letting me live here. Me, a complete stranger who literally broke into your house. The least I could do is help out around here."

"Would you like to do my taxes as well?" I joke, still awed by his gesture. He just looks down and smiles to himself.

After lunch, Dan follows through on his agreement to help me with the Christmas decorations. I dig through some old closets to find my boxes of lights, wreaths, and ornaments. We spend the next couple of hours setting everything up and getting my old fake Christmas tree into place, adorning it with tinsel and lights.