Burn (Barlyle) (COMPLETE)

14

Phillip's head was between his knees. He took a deep, shuddering breath and closed his eyes.

"... 'Lip?"

Barnum approached him slowly and knelt down, cupping the younger man's chin in his hand. Phillip recoiled from the touch as if he'd been burned and slapped the ringmaster's hand away. He scrambled to his feet.

"You did this to me," he spat, eyes narrowing, scowling at his partner.

"I...don't understand," Barnum said as he slowly stood up. "What?"

"I'm not like you!" Phillip's eyes hardened as he backed away, inching closer and closer to the closed door.

Barnum grabbed his arm. "Phillip—"

"Don't touch me!" Phillip shouted. "You...You're utter filth, Barnum."

"Phillip, you kissed me."

The younger man snorted. "A likely story. I was unconscious, you fucking pig."

Barnum rubbed his face. What was happening? "Listen to me—"

"Do your daughters know their daddy is a cocksucker?"

Barnum's vision clouded over - not from tears, but disbelief. "Why are you doing this?" he asked, begged, the younger man.

"Stay the hell away from me, Barnum," Phillip spat. He stormed to the office door - was there one second, gone the next.

The door swung shut with a bang of finality.