Aftershocks ➳ Philkas/Eyewitness

16

Episode 16: Pillowtalk

Lukas is currently deep in denial. He's been ignoring all conversations pertaining to the infamous kiss at Ally's party. He hasn't been responding to any of his friends' frantic, confused text messages either. Despite Philip's constant reassurance, he chooses to act like it never happened. As if his entire life didn't just change the night before.

The blond boy's eyes are focused on Philip's television screen while he plays a game on his X-Box, wildly smashing buttons on the controller. They're both sitting on the couch in the living room, and Philip's feet are propped on Lukas's lap. There's a half-empty bowl of buttered popcorn on the coffee table.

"Luka," Philip murmurs, glancing at him tiredly.

Lukas doesn't respond, eyes glued to the screen.

"Babe," Philip says a little louder, poking him with his toe.

Silence.

"Give me attention, you cock-sucker," Philip groans, throwing a piece of popcorn at his face. The kernel ricochets off his nose and falls onto the carpet beneath them.

Lukas finally looks over at him, mouth slightly gaped. "You made me die," he complains, motioning at the game. His character lies dead on the ground, virtual red blood pooling around him.

Philip rolls his eyes. "I don't care."

Lukas just scoffs and shakes his head before picking up the controller again. Philip grumbles in protest and crawls towards him on the couch. He positions his thighs on opposite sides of his lap, straddling him. Lukas finally looks up and meets his eyes, breath unsteady.

"You've been ignoring me ever since you sobered up," Philip complains, arms snaking around his neck.

Lukas rests his hands on his hips. "We've been on this couch together all afternoon, Philip."

"Yeah, but you've been ignoring me," Philip pouts.

Lukas grins before pecking his lips. "I have not," he insists.

"You've barely spoken."

"I was just playing a game—"

"No," Philip interrupts, tilting his head. "We both know it's more than that."

Lukas sighs, tilting back his head to expose the bulge of his Adam's apple. "C'mon, babe."

"Can we talk about it?" Philip asks timidly.

Lukas purses his lips. "Not now—"

"Then when?"

"Philip—"

"I'm serious. We can't just pretend like nothing happened," Philip says with exasperation, hands resting on his broad shoulders. He can feel his muscles tense under his fingers. "We kissed in front of everyone. People at school are gonna know you're gay. You can't back away from that."

Lukas stares into his eyes, irises cold and emotionless. He studies the details of his Philip's face— his eyelashes, the small mole on his chin, his smile lines. He lets his mind become distracted by his boyfriend, numbing all the other worries in his life.

"Babe," Philip says, rubbing his hand down the length of his bicep. "I'm worried about you. You need to accept the fact that things are gonna be different when we go back to school on Monday."

Lukas scoffs. "I know that! I just don't know what else there's left to say, for fuck's sake!" he snaps, veins bulging from his temples.

Philip recoils, eyes widening. He immediately starts to climb off his lap. "Alright, then."