Aftershocks ➳ Philkas/Eyewitness

11

Episode 11: Graffiti

"All of my friends are assholes," Lukas rants, face red with frustration. He's mindlessly picking at stray pieces of hay to avoid Philip's burning gaze. He leans against the wooden wall of the barn, letting out a deep sigh.

"Then why are you friends with them?" Philip asks blankly.

Lukas shrugs. "I dunno. They're all I have."

"You have me."

Lukas bites the inside of his cheek. "Yeah, but it's... different with you."

Philip nods slowly as if he understands, even though he doesn't. He'll never understand why Lukas feels the need to please those around him, even when they don't deserve his kindness. He always wants to be the best at everything— motocross, pleasing his father, popularity— even if it means surrounding himself with toxic people.

"Earlier today, they were making fun of you in the cafeteria," Lukas admits, staring at the dirt floor of Gabe's barn, tracing the faded boot prints with his eyes. "I should've said something— I should've stood up for you."

Philip tilts his head. "It's fine, Lukas. I honestly don't care what they think."

Lukas frowns. "But—"

"I don't care," Philip promises, taking a step towards him. He braces his hands on his shoulders and forces him to look up. "I'm finally starting to make friends at school, I have the hottest boyfriend ever, and I have two amazing foster parents who love me. Nothing else in the world matters, especially not what your stupid friends think of me."

Lukas smirks and tugs on his own ear. "What was that you said about your boyfriend? I didn't quite hear you— might need you to repeat it."

Philip rolls his eyes and playfully slaps his chest. "Shut up."

Lukas gently cups his face between his hands, stares at him for a moment, and connects their lips. The kiss is soft and delicate, unrushed. Lukas can taste the chapstick on his lips. His hands float down to his hips and stay anchored there, lightly tugging on the waistband of his sweatpants.

When they finally separate, lips wet and red and bitten, their limbs have liquified, and Philip finds himself practically melted into Lukas's arms. They're sitting on the floor of the barn loft, and Lukas still has his hands around Philip's waist.

"Ethan's girlfriend is having a party this weekend," Lukas mutters quietly. He's currently playing with Philip's hair, wrapping one of the loose curls around his finger. It feels soft.

Philip hums to show he's playing attention, plants a soft kiss above his collarbone.

"I think we should go," Lukas says eventually.

"We?" Philip asks, turning his face slightly. The moonlight casts shadows of white on the soft curves of his face.

"Not as boyfriends," Lukas clarifies. "But, y'know. As friends."

Philip's face deflates a little after those words leave Lukas's mouth, but he tries to act like he didn't notice. Tries to act like it didn't feel like a knife through his chest.

"Friends," Philip repeats slowly.

"I'm just... not ready to tell everyone yet," Lukas says, voice quiet and ashamed.

"It's okay."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah," Philip says with a small shrug. "I mean, a few months ago you didn't even want to be seen with me at school and punched me in the hallway; I'd say friends is a step in the right direction."