EIGHT

Ever since that night, Phil's been very observant of Dan. They've played about a dozen shows at this point, now touring in the US. Dan was still pretending like nothing ever happened- like Phil hadn't seen him break down.

He tried to pry the gossip from Dan's friends, but they said that Dan wasn't even very open with them. All he got was that Dan's past wasn't all that great, and he had some addiction problems.

Phil wanted to know more. Any partying they did, Phil made sure to be next to Dan to analyze his actions. He noticed that he was constantly glancing around, almost seeming like something was to happen. That something- Phil didn't know.

Tonight, they were in California, and luckily they had a day off tomorrow- so Phil could stay the night with Max while the rest of the band stayed at a hotel nearby. Max got a backstage pass so he could meet all of the band, and he could see Phil again.

They had met once, and it was great, but it felt different this time. He was more nervous than excited to see Max, and with Dan here, he almost didn't want the two to meet. He just wanted to be alone with Max, but Max insisted he meet his new friends.

He was glancing around, ignoring the band's conversation and focused on finding his boyfriend. Sure enough, Max came through the door, his face lighting up once he saw Phil. Max hurried over and hugged him. "Phil!"

"Hey, Max." He went in for a kiss and Phil tilted his head so his lips would touch his cheek instead.

It's not that Phil didn't want to kiss him, but he felt he wasn't allowed to flirt with anyone but Dan. He didn't get to show off Max the way he wanted to. Max eyed him, furrowing his eyebrows.

"What is it? What's wrong?"

"Nothing I just. . ." He changed the subject. "Wanna meet my friends?"

Max hesitated before nodding, following Phil to his friends. They all hugged and greeted him expect Dan, who silently shook his hand. Max began socializing with them and Phil zoned out, looking at Dan. He was off in la la land, seemingly focused and irritated.

"Phil?"

He turned to see them looking at him, and his cheeks reddened. "Pardon?" He stammered.

"I was telling them about our first date- about when you fell on your-"

"The fans are waiting." Dan cut him off. Max's eyes went wide, embarrassed. "I'd love to hear your story, but I don't want them to get impatient. See you after the show." Then he waltzed off.

Cassidy and Miles apologized for Dan's actions, saying it was nice to meet him before following Dan. Now it was just Phil and Max.

"Is he always like that?" Max asked. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, babe, he's just irritable. Don't worry. I'm sorry about all of this."

"It's okay. At least I get to see you. Plus we still have tonight. I have all our favorite films set out."

Phil grinned. "Thank you." He kissed the top of his head. "I'll meet you after the show."

Then he was off, and the show started, and Phil was singing.

♪

"What the hell, Dan?" Phil snarled, shoving him out the venue. The show had just ended and Phil was fed up. Dan had been a bit too flirtatious the whole time, and with Max in the crowd, it was more than frustrating- especially because he couldn't openly tell Dan to knock it off. "Did you forget my boyfriend was in the audience? Do you not understand what consent is?"

Dan flinched at the last sentence before huffing. "Do you not understand what showbiz is? Zach says-"

"Does everybody do what Zach says? Are you guys on some strict contract or something? I get he's the manager but this is ridiculous! Does nobody care that I'm uncomfortable?"

"We care, it's just that-" He began.

"The band means a lot. Yes, I get it, for the hundredth time!" He growled, pacing around. "And are we just gonna pretend you didn't cry against me that one night? Make up your damn mind on how to act with me cause I can't handle this. You make act all tough and sleazy, but I see right through you."

"Don't-"

"Are you jealous or something?"

"Jealous? No!"

"So then what's your sexuality? You keep your mouth shut about it but then you flaunt it for the fans- are you queerbaiting or something?" Phil accused.

"No!-"

"Do you like me, Dan?"

There was a pause. "No."

"Do you like boys?"

There was a longer pause. "No."

"Then knock it off. I don't know if you've got a problem with Max or me, but you don't need to be such an ass to someone I love-"

"Love?" Dan scoffed, turning away. "It doesn't really seem that way. Looks a bit one-sided if you ask me."

"How dare you criticize my relationship? You only flirt with people for the high- literally and metaphorically. Don't come at me just because you can't keep a stable love life."

"Fuck you!" Dan shouted, shoving Phil. His back hit the brick wall and he glared at the brunette in front of him. Dan took a breath before lowering his voice. "This music is all I've got and I'm not gonna let you fuck this up. If you don't like the way we run things, you can leave. I'll find a way to get Justin back. We don't need you."

"You don't need me? I joined this band because of you, asshole. You insisted! I did this because you made it seem like you actually cared about me, like you thought getting close to me would be nice. But no," Phil hissed, eyes watering. He hated this, he hated fighting. "It's all about drugs, it's all about sex, and it's all about money. Learn to show some emotion and stop being so damn afraid of who you are."

"You don't know anything about me!"

"Well are you gonna tell me?" Phil challenged, getting in Dan's face. He opened his mouth to reply when a door opened behind them, and they turned to see Cassidy. She coughed awkwardly when she realized she walked in on the wrong time, avoiding eye contact.

"Phil, Max is looking for you. Dan, the bus is going to leave soon- we have to go so we can get to the hotel on time."

"Thanks, Cass," the boys said in unison. Cassidy walked back inside, Dan following suit and purposely bumping into Phil on the way. The door shut behind the two, leaving Phil by himself. He ran a hand through his hair, taking a minute to calm down before going to meet Max.

"Hey, what's up with Dan? He was all over you today and didn't seem to like me."

"I don't know, he's confusing. Don't mind him. I don't care," Phil lied, getting into his boyfriend's car.

"Are you okay? You seem angry,"

"Yeah I just. . . I don't really wanna talk about it, if that's alright. I just wanna watch movies with you. This night is about us."

Max rubbed Phil's back as they got sorted. "Alright."

The drive there was silent, Phil using that time to replay the fight in his head. He wondered if Cassidy could tell what they were arguing over, and if Dan would tell his bandmates about it.

"We're here," Max said, cutting his thoughts short. "I'll get your stuff. You can go get ready for bed and pick out the first movie to watch."

Phil thanked him before going into his house, changing and putting a film in before getting on the couch. Max put his suitcase in his bedroom, cuddling up next to Phil.

He tried to stop thinking about Dan throughout the movies, deciding to put all of his attention on Max. He admired him silently, body feeling hot and heart pounding. He leaned in to kiss him, a sudden burst of courage ripping through him, and eventually the TV was just background noise.

As it got more heated, they moved into Max's bedroom, shutting the door behind them.

Phil's phone stayed out in the livingroom, neither of them hearing the many calls and texts he was currently missing.