Beyond Repair

Three

Dan didn't want to get attached to the Raven called Phil. Dan didn't want Phil to get hurt. He was too nice to be dragged into Dans problems.

But Phil wouldn't leave. He sat with Dan everyday under the tree. No matter how many times Dan told the boy to go away, Phil would simply refuse.

"Why?" Dan said to Phil, turning on his bum in the grass under the tree. His tree.

"Why what?" Phil asked, confused.

"Why do you sit with me?" Dan asked.

"Because," Phil stated simply,"I like having you around. It's less lonely."

Dan blushed and turned away.

"And you're cute," Phil mumbled, quiet enough for Dan to only hear slightly.

"Hm?" Dan turned to the boy again. Phil smiled.

"Oh, nothing," Phil replied. Dan looked at him suspiciously, but shrugged and turned back to his new sketch, a boy at a party, sat alone in the corner while others dance and talk around him. The boy was the only one coloured. The rest of the people were different shades of grey. Phil looked over his shoulder, like always.

"Hey, Dani?" Phil asked. Dan rolled his eyes at the name.

"Yes, Philly?" Dan replied.

"So, I don't know if you might be interested, but my mum owns this art gallery. And she's having a youth art contest. You could sign up?" Phil rambled quickly, blushing. Dan giggled quietly.

"I would, but social events aren't my thing," He replied, motioning to the drawing. Phil gasped.

"That's... you, isn't it?" Dan nodded.

"Or my personality, at least," Dan said, already regretting what he did. "I-I know it's silly, but... I just think it adds character. It's probably really ugly and I'm just a snob."

"I think it looks even better now that I know the meaning," Phil smiled at Dan, who looked down, blushing.

"Thanks..." Dan smiled.

"Honestly, Dan. You should give yourself more credit. What you make is amazing," Phil looked Dan in the eye,"and anyone who says different is wrong."

Just then, Phil did something that caught Dan completely off guard.

Phil wrapped his arms around Dan. Dan just sat there for a second, stunned. But after a moment, he slowly draped his arms around Phil, hugging him back.

Too soon, Phil pulled back, and Dan was immediately sad at the loss of Phils warmth. Dan shook his head, wiping it clean of the thought of hugging Phil again.

"So. About the youth art contest." Dan smiled.

"I'll do it," He said confidently. For you.