After a quick shower and a bowl of shreddies, they were ready for their movie marathon. Phil was excited to show Dan all of their favourite films, and Dan was just happy that at least for today, no one was expecting anything of him. He sat beside Phil on the sofa, enjoying his reassuring presence. When a shiver ran through him, Phil jumped up and returned with a blanket before he even had time to register that he was cold. Phil tucked it around them and Dan couldn't help but snuggle up to him as the film started.
'I missed this.' Phil murmured, his hand playing with Dan's hair absentmindedly.
'Missed what?' Dan looked up at him.
'Just… romantic moments like this with you. We haven't had any for a while.'
'What about before?'
'I guess we were always too busy. Our lives were going so well, we kind of took each other for granted. We didn't have time for the little things like this anymore.' Phil sighed, and Dan took that as his cue to look back at the screen. He hummed along with the song over the opening credits.
Three films, a bag of popcorn and a laughing fit later, Dan was feeling completely relaxed and comfortable. Phil had his arm around his shoulder, and they had exchanged a few kisses throughout the morning. Dan was almost angry at his pre-accident self for missing out on opportunities like this. He promised himself that he would never let himself take Phil for granted any longer. He was so special, and Dan didn't know what he had done to deserve him.
When Phil had to get up and go to the bathroom, Dan reluctantly sat up and allowed the blanket to fall. Before Phil was out of the room, Dan was already missing his warmth. He paused the film and pulled out his phone to check the time. It was just after two in the afternoon, and Dan was surprised at how fast the time had gone. Suddenly his phone buzzed, causing him to drop it in shock. It hit the floor with a loud thud and he quickly picked it up, praying that he hadn't broken it. He'd always been notorious at school for dropping everything he held. Thankfully there was no damage, but a message was open on the screen. It was from Luke again. Dan still hadn't replied to the last one, and he felt a little guilty about it as he read the next text.
'Dan, you can't just ignore me. I want to talk to you; you could at least be a little cooperative.'
Phil re-entered the room and stopped when he saw Dan staring at his phone.
'Are you ok? I heard a noise.' Phil sat beside him, his face full of concern. His eyes kept glancing down to the phone in his hand.
'Yeah, I'm fine. It's just… this guy is texting me. I think he's one of my friends. But I don't know what to say to him.' Dan bit his lip and reread the message. He knew that it was rude to keep ignoring him, but he didn't even know where to start in answering him.
'Do you… Do you know his name?' Phil asked tentatively.
'Luke.' Dan replied, looking up at Phil. Phil gave a short nod, but his face had hardened.
'And what has he said to you?' Phil asked, a little too casually.
'He wants to meet up for coffee. He says he still wants to be friends.' Dan shook his head. 'How can we? I don't know him anymore.'
Phil grimaced. 'I told our friends not to contact you. I explained the situation, and they know it's going to take a while.' He gestured to the phone. 'Luke was your best friend, and I'm sure he's just trying to help, but you shouldn't have to deal with this just yet. After last night, I want to take everything slowly.'
Dan nodded, feeling the twinge of guilt again at running off like that. Phil held his hand out and Dan stared at it, unsure of what he wanted.
'Dan, give me your phone. I'll call him and let him know you're not ready to meet up yet.' Phil's voice was commanding, and Dan immediately handed the phone over. Phil got up and went to the bedroom to talk.
Ten minutes later, Phil returned. He didn't look happy, but Dan felt that it was best not to ask. They pulled the blanket around themselves and let the movie play again. Phil pulled Dan closer than before, and kissed the top of his head.
Dan tried to push it out of his mind, but he couldn't help feeling a little intimidated by Luke. He had only just got used to having Phil in his life, and now someone else wanted his attention. And badly, from the tone of his text. He could only hope that whatever Phil had said to him had discouraged him for the time being.
When the film ended, they stayed where they were while the credits rolled. It was too comfortable for either of them to get up so they stayed huddled up under a blanket.
'Do you remember anything about that night, Dan?' Phil asked suddenly. Dan blinked slowly, and then sat up.
'Nothing. I mean, the last thing I remember is going to sleep in my old house. I was worrying about my results from my a-levels, and it took me a while to fall asleep. Then I woke up, facing the roof of the overturned car and there were people telling me that my friend was already at the hospital.' He felt the rush of emotions flood back as he spoke. He'd been trying to forget about it, but now the horror was real again.
'I'm sorry.' Phil murmured, guessing what Dan must be feeling. 'I just wondered if anything else had come back. I heard that sometimes the memory loss is only temporary.'
Dan shook his head. 'Well, I hope so, but nothing yet.'
'It's ok though.' Phil sounded cheerier. 'You'll be fine. We'll just have to make new memories instead.'
That night, Phil cooked them a stir-fry meal, and then they watched some more TV before bed. Dan didn't even bother going to his room this time. He preferred Phil's' bed, and Phil was more than happy to share. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep, with Phil's arm draped over his waist, and his hand running through Dan's hair comfortingly.
He was in the back seat of a car. In the driver's seat, he recognised Phil and in the passenger seat, he felt a jolt of shock as he saw himself. His mouth was moving, but there was no sound. He was staring straight ahead, but Phil kept glancing at him. Suddenly, Phil said something, and tears began to roll down Dan's face. He was shouting at Phil, and Phil had begun to shout back. From his position in the car, he could see that the car was swerving as Phil concentrated more on the argument than the road. He saw a sharp corner ahead, but Phil was looking at Dan. He tried to shout, to warn them, but they couldn't hear him. At the last moment, Phil looked back at the road and shock filled his face. He turned the steering wheel sharply, and the car tipped. It was silent as the car rolled and everything turned black. Suddenly, it was as if someone had flicked a switch. There was a long piercing scream, and Dan realised that it was his own.
Dan woke up in a cold sweat, with Phil shaking him. The lamp was on, and Phil was staring down at him in fear. Dan's breathing was heavy and he felt sick.
'Dan! Wake up, it's just a nightmare.' Phil was saying frantically as he shook him.
'I'm awake, Phil.' Dan choked, pulling himself in to a sitting position. He ran a hand through his hair and tried to remember the details of the dream, but it was like sand running through his fingers. 'It's just a nightmare, I'm fine.'
