Yin and Yang [A Superhero AU] - Book Three

Chapter Thirty-One - The Bookstore

"Can you pass me a whisk?"

Dan looks at Phil, a grimace on his face. "I hate that word. It's such a gross word. Like moist or something like that."

Phil grins and tosses the eggshell in his hand into the trash. "I didn't know you felt that way. Sorry for triggering you, Dan. Can I have a whisk now?"

The villain rolls his eyes and hands Phil the whisk. The hero thanks him with a quick kiss to the cheek and returns to his bowl of eggs, which he whisks together and pours into a sizzling pan. Dan moves about behind him, setting the kettle on the stove and putting bread in the toaster. Within a few minutes, they have a full breakfast prepared. They eat and talk and laugh, Dan groaning every time Phil makes a dad joke and Phil giving the villain "the look" whenever he gets too deep into existentialism. The hero heads off to work once breakfast is finished, and Dan cleans up a bit before going back to the villain institute. Dan spends the entire day riling people up and destroying things (boss' orders), and by the time he's able to sneak out again he's so high-strung that he feels like he might scream. Phil spends his day healing people and calming riots, and when he gets home his head is spinning and all he really wants is a cup of hot tea. Phil gets back an hour before Dan does and makes himself some toast, chewing half-heartedly as he cleans up the rest of the kitchen and starts boiling water in the kettle. His head throbs, and after about three glasses of water that throb is reduced to a light ache.

The door opens and moments later, Dan steps into the kitchen and wraps his arms around Phil from behind. He kisses the side of his neck before burying his nose into the crook beneath his jaw, exhaling heavily. Phil turns around in his arms and takes the collar of his coat into his fingers, pressing a kiss to his lips.

"Hard day?" he mumbles.

"Yeah," Dan replies.

"I'm making tea."

"Sounds good."

Phil presses one last kiss to his lips and lets him go, turning back to the now whistling kettle. Dan grabs two teabags and drops them into the mugs the hero set out before turning his gaze to Phil, watching him as he brings the kettle over and fills the cups. After a few teaspoons of sugar, they move to the table and sit down.

"So, I was thinking that we should go somewhere tonight," Dan says as he lifts his mug to his lips. He peers at Phil over the rim, brown eyes serious.

"Like where? The city is in chaos. Any place we go to will be abandoned," Phil replies.

"I know, but... I want to see the bookstore where we met again. Maybe for the last time."

Phil raises an eyebrow. "It doesn't have to be the last time."

"Well, you never know what could happen." Dan shrugs. "It could get blown up or something. I just really want to see it again."

"Okay. We'll finish our tea first, though?"

The villain laughs. "Of course."

The two drink and talk, and when they're done they pull on sweaters and coats despite the fact that it's not cold outside. Their identities are dangerous, and getting found out is not an option. Dan pulls his hood over his head and looks to Phil, who nods and moves towards the door. They head to the ground floor and into the streets in silence, trying to keep their footsteps as quiet as possible as they move through the city. Every once in a while a group will run past or gunshots will sound nearby, leading both Dan and Phil to back against the wall they're closest to. Once they get closer to the bookstore, they crouch in an alleyway and watch the entrance.

"This is crazy, right?" Phil asks, glancing over at Dan.

The villain meets his eyes and grins. "Of course it is. Crazy, but I feel like it might be necessary."

Phil nods and straightens up, his footsteps quick as he moves towards the doors. Dan follows close on his heels, glancing up and down the street as they go.

The bookstore has seen better days.

The front windows are broken, shattered glass covering the floor from the frames to the closest bookshelves. Novels litter the floor with their covers bent or their spines pointed upright like little tents, and the books that remain on the shelves are on their sides or leaning against each other. In the corner where Dan first dragged Phil, an entire shelf has been knocked on its side. Papers and pages lie among glass and downed books, and Dan picks one up and reads it before letting it flutter back to the floor.

"Shakespeare," he says and Phil nods.

The hero walks across the floor, his shoes crunching on broken glass, and reaches the piano. The bench is on its side, but other than that, it's completely intact. Dan moves past Phil and lets his fingers brush along the keys, memories flooding his mind. Phil picks up the bench and Dan sits without needing to be asked, his fingers still as he stares at the keys.

"What are you going to play?" the hero asks, his voice soft.

"I... don't know," Dan replies. "Sit beside me?"

Phil sits beside him on the bench and rests his head on his shoulder, his hand resting on Dan's thigh. The villain lets his fingers slip off the keys, one hand covering Phil's as his eyes fill with tears.

"This was my favourite place in the world," he whispers, wiping his eyes with his sleeve. "I can't believe... with all that's happened... this..." He shakes his head and sniffles. "I can't get the words out."

"I know what you mean," Phil replies.

Dan nods and puts his fingers on the keys, and seconds later the sound of 'Für Elise' is filling the room. Phil is completely aware that the noise from the piano could potentially attract people, but he doesn't care. The song is obviously therapeutic, Dan's muscles relaxing more and more as the song goes on. Phil's heart pounds in his chest, loving Dan more and more even though he thought it was impossible to love someone that much. The moment the song ends, he wraps an arm around Dan's waist and kisses his temple. Dan swings his legs over Phil's and wraps his arms around the hero's midsection, resting his head on his shoulder.

They stay like that for a long time.