You're Never Alone

Chapter 41

Word Count: 1786

As night falls, the anticipation in the apartment is almost suffocating due to the fact that the five of them are practically jumping around when doing anything. Being locked up for long periods of time can really make people antsy. Dan sits on the counter in the kitchen with a mug of warm coffee in his hands as they all wait for the clock to hit 10:00pm. Joe sits on one of the couches with PJ, talking quietly as he explains something or another with a computer on his lap. Adrian sits on the other couch with a mug of tea while he types on his computer. Which leaves Dan wondering where Phil could be.

He hops off the counter and softly pads into the bedroom, pushing open the cracked door to see Phil sitting against the farther side of the bed on the floor, looking out the window as the stars begin to appear above the buildings. Dan sits down next to Phil and sighs, causing Phil to look over at him before looking back out the window.

"I feel like we've had so many moments like this," Dan says quietly. "Looking out a window, waiting for a plan to explode in our faces, hoping my father doesn't kill us soon, feeling like the world rests on our shoulders, being here together like it's the last time we'll ever see each other."

Phil chuckles softly and Dan looks over at him as Phil looks at him. They lock eyes before Dan looks down at his reflection in his coffee, the softly lit room making him look like he's standing in front of a sunset. Dan finishes the coffee, setting it on the nightstand before settling back down next to Phil.

"Do you remember when we first met?" Phil whispers and Dan bites the inside of his cheek as the memories cloud his mind.

"I do." Phil swallows thickly, running a hand through his hair with a small smirk on his lips.

"Louise hit you in the back of the head with a fucking chair."

Dan laughs, thinking of how stupid she probably looked holding a chair above her head. "God you were such a dick to me," Dan mentions and Phil laughs as he smiles.

"Okay but to be fair, I had my reasons to be an ass to you." Dan looks over at him with a raised brow and Phil looks at him defensively. "You were a scary firebender, not to mention the prince, who probably would have kicked my ass in a second. I had good reasons to be rude to you."

The two relish in the memories, laughing back and forth at the now meaningless memories that no longer pain their souls. Dan eyes, for the first time, have a happy shine to them; a sort of glow that makes Phil's heart light up with joy. They both calm down after a couple of moments and Dan lays his head on Phil's shoulder, smiling.

"We've been through so fucking much together," Dan starts, the words just barely escaping his mouth. "I would experience it all again if it meant that I would get to have this moment with you and get to be with you like this; happy."

Phil looks at him as Dan sits up and looks at him with watery eyes. Dan leans forward and gently kisses him before pulling away as the tears fall down his face.

"Don't cry," Phil gently says and Dan laughs, wiping his cheeks only for new tears to quickly take their spot.

"I love you, Phil. Through it all, I've doubted it over and over again, wondering if we're meant to be. Now that we've fought for each other time and time again, I know for sure that I love you and that I wouldn't want to be with anyone else." Dan looks Phil in the eyes and the two smile.

***

As everyone gears up and puts on dark clothes, the tension in the room could practically be cut with a knife. They all move around the apartment with purpose but no one speaks. Dan slips a dagger into the side of his combat boot and puts on a dark gray hoodie over a dark shirt. All of their outfits vary but they all have weapons concealed beneath their clothing just in case they run into trouble with soldiers on the streets while going to or from Louise's cafe.