Friends...Or More?

4：Paragon

Phil came out of the operation room in the early morning. We were all slumped half asleep in leather tub chairs outside the room - everyone except me. I was wide awake, thinking about poor Phil.

When Dr Gold walked through the doors on his own, we all feared for the worst.

"Lesters, Howells. Phil...has survived the operation. It was all successful." Dr Gold, I love you. Not like that...

"Oh my God...my baby!" Jan sobbed huge happy tears into her palms as both Dave and I put our arms around her shoulders. Then all of a sudden I had a very deep existential moment.

"What is the meaning of life? What is the meaning of life...without Phil? The answer - there isn't a meaning. If he had died tonight, I would have gone with him. It would have been 'Romeo and Juliet' all over again," I said with glazed eyes.

I paused for a moment and then remembered that the Lester family were going away. What would be of Phil?

"Jan, Dave. I understand that you have a family holiday planned. What are you going to do? You're leaving tomorrow and Phil will need to recover."

"Phil's always wanted to go to the Big Apple. Since he was 3. But he needs his rest and isn't well enough to be jetting off 4000 miles from home. April? Can Phil stay with you until we are home from our holiday? I'm sure he won't be a bother." Jan asked politely.

"Of course he can. Dan will, quite obviously, like that and I'm guessing Charlie and Kayleigh will too," my mum replied to Jan. She turned to Dr Gold.

"Will he need any treatment and how long does he need to stay in hospital for before he can come home with us?"

"He shan't need any special treatment, just lots of rest. He will need to be here for the next two days so we can see how he is progressing," said Dr Gold. He then went back into the operating theatre. It was 3am. Why?

*****

At 4:15 Phil came out on his special bed, asleep. I thought he would be as it was very early in the morning but also because he was sedated. I went up to him and kissed his cheek.

"You cannot see him until he is awake. If awoken whilst drowsy, Phil could become really ill." Dr Gold said. We obeyed him reluctantly as he wheeled Phil back to his wing. We left the hospital at 4:30, hungry, anxious, and very VERY sleepy.

*****

It was a Friday when mum and I drove up in our Range Rover to collect Phil. The Lesters had set off on their New York vacation at 6pm on Boxing Day (they had slept the whole day - well Jan and Dave at least).

I went up alone to Phil's wing as mum waited in the car. When I reached the floor Phil was on (annoyingly the top floor out of 7) I was panting and nearly coughing up blood from the fact I had sprinted up the stairs. Why didn't I use the lift?! Well I was in a hospital - at least I could see a doctor if I did begin to spew blood.

I walked clenching my lungs and taking in as much air as possible as I dragged myself along to Phil's wing. I pushed open the double doors and there he was, eating a bowl of Cheerios and reading an Anime comic. He put down the bowl and comic when he saw me and sat up in his bed. When I sat beside him I stroked his now clean hair and hugged him. Then he made out with me. Beautiful boy, and GREAT kisser too. He wasn't a biter, he just used his lips. He nipped my lip gently for access, and I let his tongue explore my mouth as I explored his.

"You are incredible Phil." I said, mid-kiss.

"Shut up!" He said as I broke away and he rested his head on my shoulder.

"You are a paragon of everything amazing Phil. I won't shut up until you agree!" I joked. I loved the way he sarcastically huffed everytime I told him to agree.

"Agree!" I said with a smirk.

"Fine," Phil replied reluctantly. He giggled and then kissed me.

"You, Dan Howell, are the world's best kisser." Phil said.

"Shut up!" I said, "The other day we had to imagine I was crap!" Here we go again...