Infinity || Dan Smith

Five.

"How's it been so far then?" Dan shrugs his shoulders backwards while he looks at the table next to him. There's a group of women who look rather down in the dumps.

"So and so really..." Dan's voice trails off as a woman with long blonde hair smiles at him. It's a sweet smile - the kind of smile Dan finds most attractive in a girl - of course he smiles back, but Ralph is insistent to get a better answer...

"Are you confident that this will do well?" Ralph Pelleymounter never fails to ask all the hard questions.

   Dan on the other hand shrugs his shoulders back. Tonight he has a clearer mind, he can think carefully about what he can say. "I mean..." - his voice trails off while he scratches his nose - "it's dark as fuck. People are either going to like it or hate it, you know?" Ralph makes an 'ah' sound while Dan nods his head, he wearily looks around the pub. He doesn't want anyone to overhear this conversation.

"You have to promise me one thing though, mate." Ralph smiles whilst he picks up his beer and analyses it, he then silently redeems it as 'undrinkable' because of it's pale colour. The barrels need switching around - he'll tell the bartender later.

"What is that then?" Dan asks, instead of drinking he sticks with his pack of ready salted crisps and orange squash.

   "You have to invite me to Comic-Con and all of your panels that you're going to do, no matter what." Dan sternly nods his head, it's only because it's what he intended.

   Ralph gets a metaphorical - and sometimes literal - best friend pass. Dan finds it a privilege having a fellow movie-buff of a friend like Ralph. One of it's many benefits include having someone to go to press conferences with. It means that Dan doesn't have to be alone for long periods of time. That Ralph is his familiar...someone from home to cheer him along.

Ralph smiles as he thinks about pushing his 'best friend' pass to the limit. "And award shows as your plus one." That isn't what Dan had in mind.

"You know my mum got me drunk because of this role. If she finds out I'm telling you it's a dark movie - and not her - she will end you." Ralph laughs at Dan being a 'mummies' boy.

   "Is that you telling me in a roundabout...that you're using me?" Dan's jaw widens in disbelief that Ralph has called him out.

   Dan then sits back casually in his seat. He seems more relaxed than a few seconds ago, mainly because they're not talking about the secretive film anymore, but rather Dan's new job in general.

"Fuck off." Dan's smile widens slightly.

   "I would be offended...but your mum is your mum. I understand. Would do the same if I was a movie star." Dan gratefully nods his head, his smile remains humble and grateful. A genuine smile from a genuine guy.

   For a moment or two Ralph enjoys eating his own packet of crisps. Cheese and onion. They went out of date, but they're still eatable. While enjoying a look around, he spots the girls getting up and cracks a smile towards them. However, they don't smile back this time. Dan however keeps himself to himself, he isn't in the mood for a romantic thing called 'love' anyway.

Ralph then rolls his eyes away from them, "speaking of girls" he mumbles under his breath.

   "We literally wasn't just speaking about girls, but okay."

    "You know that I mean." Ralph sternly says while Dan comically shrugs.

   "Nah man, don't think I do."

   "Whatever. I'm just saying...is there any female actresses that you're going to get close to whilst filming?" Dan nods his head. This makes Ralph feel rather excited for his friend. "Get in! Is she fit?"

   "Wait!" - Ralph almost shouts - " Is she that bird in...oh you know...the rumoured Marvel film? Apparently they're want to make Liam Dawson movie? She was already in the last Avengers movie. Lady something? Lady Luck? Yeah! That's it. Is the girl her?" Dan doesn't reply at all.

"I can't remember her actual name. I know it's Lily...but that's not her real name. She was a shit boring character, mainly because she was in it for two seconds and was a scene buzzkill. She's pretty though. You probably have no idea who I'm on about." Dan certainly does know who is is 'on about'. He chooses not to say anything because of the contract.

"Is this mystery girl single?" Instead of replying, Dan bites the insides of his cheek hard - so hard in fact - that he immediately stops when it becomes rather raw and tastes bloody.

   He does this because of his past experience.

   "Fucking hell...not again." Ralph mumbles under his breath admiring his friend. Dan becomes tense, his body is frozen and he has a pained expression, it's clear that Ralph knows what is wrong with his mate.

"Dan, seriously, when are you going to drop it?"

   In silence, Dan honestly shrugs his shoulders backwards.

   "You seriously cannot go your whole life without...falling in love." Ralph whispers the last part. Not because he's embarrassed, but because he is embarrassed for his friend.

   "I don't get how you can still possibly act like this when you've fucked nearly the half of London since!" Ralph raises his voice, it's all it takes before a few maintenance workers in bright orange jumpsuits cracks a laugh.

"Jesus, man" Dan hisses under his breath in embarrassment while Ralph stares in disbelief towards Dan.

   "It's true." Ralph hisses back, and puts his empty packet of crisps down on the table besides his discoloured pint. He then wipes his salty hands on his black jeans, all while Dan thinks of an excuse to say for him to leave the pub.

   I really shouldn't of came anyway - Dan's mind whispers to itself in regret.

   "Whatever." Dan says standing up without a word. Ralph looks up at his friend, he isn't in the mood to have a fight with him over the past.

"Oi, when do I see you next?" He unenthusiastically asks while checking his latest WhatsApp messages.

Dan shrugs his shoulders backwards. He can't really think straight at the moment, "text me on Sunday and I'll let you know where we're filming." Ralph looks up in shock. "Are you taking the piss, mate?" Dan shakes his head sticking his hands in his jacket pockets.

   "Apparently I can bring a trustworthy friend to set. Who knows, maybe they'll give you a brief cameo or something?" With that Dan's normal smiley attitude returns, while he pats Ralph's back like a bongo drum. He only does this because he too is very excited about the whole film. Ralph, however, sits in his seat in complete shock.

"I fucking love you man." Dan then begins walking away. 

   "Keep your phone on Sunday!" Dan quickly shouts before leaving their local pub.

   Ralph, then cracks a nervous smile before looking away. He wants to tell someone but knows he can't, so instead he pulls out his phone and googles Marvel conspiracy theories. He does this with hopes to find the name of the movie, but instead falls down a dark hole of characters...which has nothing to do with Dan's.

   Since To Kill A King have announced to their fans that they're taking a break...things haven't been looking good. And Dan knows that. But luckily that is all about to change for Ralph.