CHAPTER SIX

Dan stared at his friend, his eyes wide in surprise. Faking a relationship was probably one of the last things he expected Phil to suggest. And while the offer was tempting (who wouldn't want to fake a relationship with their crush?), it was still rather painful to think about.

"I don't think that's a good idea..." Dan said, softly.

Phil nodded in agreement.

"I know," he murmured.

"I want to help you, I really do! I just...I think it would be too painful for me..." Dan's words slowly became quieter as he spoke, and he was surprised Phil could even hear him by the end of his sentence.

"I know," Phil repeated. "And I don't want to hurt you. I just-" he shook his head. "It was stupid, I shouldn't have suggested it."

"I mean, it's not a bad idea," Dan reassured him. "I just..."

"I know," Phil nervously chewed on his lower lip.

"Sorry," Dan mumbled.

"Don't apologize. It's not your fault," muttered Phil, resting his head on Dan's shoulder.

Dan sighed.

"Are there any other ways to stop the hate?" Dan asked, quietly.

Phil shook his head, a sad smile tugging on his lips.

"Dan we're always going to get hate. There's no way to stop it," he mumbled.

"But this is so much hate!" insisted Dan. "And it's from people who used to be so supportive!"

Phil squeezed Dan's upper arm.

"I'm gonna go rest for a little," he said as he hopped to his feet.

"Alright," I nodded. "Do you want me to order pizza?"

"Sure," Phil smiled.

That night, Dan laid awake in bed, his mind racing a million miles an hour. The brunette ran his hands through his hair as he thought about his response to the idea of faking a relationship. Denying the offer seemed reasonable, but Dan couldn't help but feel guilty. It's not like Phil had been upset, he appeared to be perfectly fine, but Dan felt as if the hate was his fault.

He rolled onto his stomach, burying his face in his pillow.

'Maybe I should agree to a fake relationship,' Dan thought to himself. 'At least then I would be able to act on my feelings as long as we were on camera.'

'But things wouldn't go back to normal,' he argued.

Dan groaned, returning to his position on his back. He stared up at the ceiling, an annoyed huff escaping his lips. This was all so confusing.

'I just want Phil to be happy.'

With that thought in mind, Dan hopped out of bed, shivering as his feet hit the cold floor. He wandered towards his flatmate's room and cautiously pushed the door open.

"Phil?"

No response.

Dan tip-toed to the edge of Phil's bed and gently shook his raven-haired haired friend awake.

"Phil?" he whispered.

"Hmm? Wha' is it?" Phil sleepily questioned, rubbing his eyes with one hand and reaching out blindly for his glasses with the other.

Dan awkwardly shuffled his feet, staring down at his feet.

"Dan? Why're you awake?" Phil questioned. "Oh my god, Dan, you must be freezing! Come here!"

Heat rose in Dan's cheeks as he suddenly realized he was standing in front of his attractive roommate in nothing but his underwear.

"O-Oh. I-I just-"

Phil rolled his eyes. "Relax, Dan. We've lived together for six years. I've seen you in your underwear before. Just c'mere."

Dan flushed and crawled under the blankets, laying down to face Phil.

"So why're you up?" Phil asked with a yawn.

"Well...I was thinking," The brunette admitted. "And I think maybe we should fake a relationship."