When Dan fluttered his eyelashes open, he expected to be in bed. He expected Phil to be lying on the left side of the bed with Dan on the right. He expected the room to be dark with only one light beam shining through the window onto the brown wooden tiles. He expected Phil to smile a sleepy smile and tell him about a weird dream he had.
Not always is Dan so lucky. He did not wake up in Phil's arms. His eyes flew open and the only thing that blocked the sun from his eyes was a shadow. It was bright where we laid. He could barely crack an eye open without a ray of light burning him
The shadow remained in its spot, hovering over Dan. Dan refused to move, hoping whatever lingered next to him would take him back to Phil. Where he was meant to be. Now that he realized he definitely wasn't in bed, Dan's eyes widened and he sat straight up.
He was on a cold pavement outside. The strange shadow turned out to be a person. The person was frowning, worry showing in his eyes, and his bottom lip glued to his top lip.
"Are you okay?" The anxious man asked. The stranger stretched his hand out assist Dan up.
Dan grunted as he rose off the stone concrete. "Yeah, fine. I think."
Dans feet were numb. He nearly collapsed back onto the ground as his knees buckled from the lack of feeling in his feet.
"Are you sure? You look like you're freezing."
When the man mentioned it, as if on cue, Dan shivered. He didn't realize how cold London was in the early hours. It's not like he ever went outside at...whatever time it was.
"Can I buy you a hot drink? Your thin clothing doesn't look much warming."
"No, I'm fine. My flat isn't far," Dan lied. Truthfully, he didn't know where he was. He and Phil's flat could be across town for all he knew. What in Hell even happened last night?
"Now, that's not true. I can see yourself lying. Maddy and Catty's is just over there," the man pointed to a small pastry shop down the road.
"I have my own money, I really don't need you paying for me."
The stranger grinned. "So that's a yes, then. Can you walk? You seem a bit frazzled."
Dan didn't socialize with many people in London, but the dirty and un-amused looks strangers gave him when they were impatient showed they usually weren't kind. Most people would scoff at someone lying on the ground, probably assuming it was a drunk, and scurry away.
The people in his location, however, seemed to be the opposite. People around Dan and the stranger gave him pitying looks and expressions of sympathy. He must have somehow traveled farther than he thought.
Confused by the compassionate crowd, he agreed to going to the shop.
Dan had a limp in his walk, the reason unknown to Dan. He was still confused as to why he suddenly woke on a busy street. He didn't think he would want to know what happened the previous night to cause this. The strange man gave a caring look and made a gesture for Dan to put his weight on him.
As they opened the shop door, a bell placed above their heads chimed. It gave Dan a warm feeling. He always liked the atmosphere of warm shops with a friendly vibe.
A young woman behind the counter grinned at the two men and greeted them with a hello.
With the scent of freshly baked bread permeating the room, Dan couldn't help but greet her back.
The stranger seemed pleased with Dan's kind actions toward the woman. "You seem really nice. So what's the deal with you sleeping on the pavement?"
Dan shrugged, not knowing how to answer. "Must have had too many drinks," he mumbled. Dan turned to the lady behind the counter and said, "Large hot chocolate, three baklava squares, a slice of cherry pie, and a chocolate muffin, please." The woman winked and walked over to the food storage. The stranger chuckled.
"Hungry?"
Dan flushed. He didn't understand why Brits have to be so posh and order small portions of food. Dan is always selfish when it comes to meals.
The stranger ordered a coffee and biscuit, making Dan feel foolish for purchasing so much to eat.
The stranger seemed to hear Dan's thoughts, because he said, "I didn't mean it like that. I was just surprised how much normal people eat this early."
At Dan's curious look, the stranger continued. "I can't eat much in the morning. Seems too rushed and my stomach feels the need to rid of my breakfast."
"What time is it, anyway?" Dan asked.
The man glanced at his phone. "Seven."
No wonder Dan was freezing. Temperatures can be dangerously low in the mornings.
Dan found a square table with two chairs across from each other by the window. Dan sat down promptly, memorized by the floral design carved onto the table. The stranger seemed reluctant, but forced a smile and sat down.
A thin sheet of glass surfaced the table, the design engraved resting below it. Fog covered the window, permitting Dan to draw squiggles.
They ate in silence, Dan focusing on his memories of last night. He remembered something with Phil, but that doesn't explain why he woke in the streets. He couldn't have had alcohol, because he would have a hangover. All he remembers is Phil breaking his mirror, buying a new one...
Fuck.
Images suddenly flooded his mind. Images of his reflection with such malevolence, speaking darkly at Dan.
"Hey, are you sure you okay? You look queasy," the stranger's concerned expression from earlier returned. The stranger's eyebrows knit together and he squinted trying to examine Dan.
But Dan couldn't hear him. His reflection mentioned a world. Something about Dan not knowing about the reflection's world. What the fuck did that even mean? Reflections can't have worlds. They don't even have a conscious.
The stranger appeared even more worried now. He placed his hand on Dan's cheek, a light touch spreading warmth through his face.
Dan did the only sensible thing to do at a time of such confusion- he bolted. He jumped up and whispered a sorry to the man, but Dan doubted he could be heard. Dan didn't run far, though, because before he could exit the building, he collided with a rather familiar chest.
Dan gasped when he recognized the figure.
"P-Phil?"