feels miserable.

That's what sits above Phil's head now. The two words making Dan's stomach twist with guilt. He isn't sure what he should do, he doesn't know what the right choice was. He couldn't have let Phil go, yet he feels so guilty.

For the millionth time, Dan wishes he couldn't see everyone's secrets. It's going to drive him insane and he hates it. He's constantly worrying, under pressure and under stress every time he looks at someone and it's crushing him;

it will be the death of him.

There's only so much sadness his tender heart can take and he's reaching that limit very quickly. He's so tired of seeing everyone's deepest scar, most painful wound, dirtiest regrets. He was on the edge and now Phil is pulling him over, but it's up to him only to keep them both from falling.

Also, Phil has been avoiding him - he's angry at Dan for making him stay but what other choice did he have? He would've been overrun by guilt even further to the point where he'd no longer be human. He'd only be a beating heart in an empty shell, living but not quite.

Dan sighs in frustration and runs his fingers through his hair, tugging sharply at the ends. He looks up just in time to watch Phil waltz past, all smiles and laughs and hugs, like nothing ever happened. He doesn't even give Dan a second glance, but Dan can feel their hearts both thumping wildly in their chests.

Dan is waiting for his chance to speak to Phil again, but he has to wait for a moment when Phil is alone. This, he soon discovers, is very rare; Phil always has a swarm of people around him, moths drawn to a flame, planets orbiting the sun...

except the sun is secretly about to explode.

It's as if the world is the universe, the school is the solar system and Phil is the sun. If Phil went down, the universe may not be effected, however the entire solar system would be completely consumed and destroyed.

Finally, the moment has arrived. Phil is walking by himself after school, heading towards the gates. Dan runs forward and wraps his hand around Phil's arm again, taking them both back to the moment at the bridge. But instead of pulling him away from his death, Dan merely pulls him to the side, away from the range of prying ears.

"Phil, why are you avoiding me?" Dan asks while frowning at him, hurt flashing in his eyes.

"I just..." Phil trails off, looking around before dragging Dan further off the path and behind a classroom where it's more private.

"What is it Phil? Look, am I meant to be sorry that I stopped you? Because I'm not. I couldn't... I just... I couldn't, or I wouldn't have been able to live with myself," Dan says, the last words coming out choked as he feels tears begin to fill his eyes.

"That's... that's not the only thing Dan. I was thinking about that day and, well, how did you know I was there? You never usually go that way, I checked," Phil says, frowning at him suspiciously, "how did you know?"

"My... my mother, she uh, she wanted me to go to the store," Dan blurts out.

"The store is the other direction you idiot," Phil says, rolling his eyes, "just tell me."

"Look I uh, I gotta go-" Dan says, flustered and begins to walk quickly away, making his escape.

However he is not quick enough as Phil now catches his sleeve and pulls him back. Phil pins Dan's shoulder against the brick wall with one hand, their faces dangerously close and the air around them thickens as Phil's eyes burn into Dan's.

"I want the truth Dan, I want you to tell me how you knew what I was going to do," Phil says, looking deeply into his eyes, "what gave it away?"

Dan swallows the lump in his throat and he cowers under Phil's grasp, gaze darting frantically around trying to find an escape. He can't tell Phil the truth, he can't.

"I-uh... Ph-Phil please I-" Dan stammers, the tears built up in his eyes now falling down his cheeks, his own hands wrapping around Phil's wrist in an attempt to escape his grasp, "I can't Phil! P-please I just- I won't bother you again just let me go please!"

Phil's grip softens and Dan sees the desperation and anger slowly fade from Phil's eyes. Instead, he now just looks sad; icy shards now just a puddle on the ground. He looks at Dan with a defeated expression, his face still close enough that Dan can see the subtle tinges of green and yellow in his otherwise light blue eyes.

"Then just... tell me one thing?" Phil asks, his voice soft, hesitant.

"W-what is it?" Dan asks, trying to ignore his racing heart as he meets Phil's eyes.

"Why... why did you go out of your way to stop me?"