Phil's POV

Days passed, and Dan was right: I was reluctantly getting used to my new lifestyle. I still refused to use the ridiculous cane. Dan made a much better crutch. I decided I was done being cooped up in the flat. Practicing walking with Dan around the house gave me a sense that I might want to make the most of it and get out. I felt like it was time to go a bit further.

I had spoken with Dan in the morning when we woke up. "I want to go outside," I had told him. "I want to try and walk around. With you, obviously, but I want to try."

He was proud, and after helping with a shower and breakfast, he took me out the door. It was odd – having someone help me down the stairs and outside. The air outside felt new, like I had never been out before.

Dan walked slowly with me at his side. He pointed out everything we walked by: every restaurant, every shop, every possible building we had in the area. I recognized some in the order he said them, and I could predict what was next.

"There's the Starbucks up here," Dan guided. "Do you want to stop?"

"Yeah." I answered. "That would be nice."

Dan guided me in. I could smell the coffees and hear people talking everywhere. It was a lot to focus on. "What do you want?" he asked.

"Anything's fine," I answered. "Whatever you're having, I guess."

"Okay, do you want to sit? I'll be right back."

"No," I said quickly. "I'd rather go with you."

He touched my arm gently. Still hooked onto him, he lead me around. I crept along with him, trying desperately not to bump into anyone. I felt others around me, watching me, probably wondering why I was locking arms with my friend and stumbling around like I didn't know how to walk.

"Dan," I whispered in where I believed his ear was. "Are they... watching me?"

"No," he responded, a tad of nervousness in his voice. "No, no one's watching you, Phil."

I had no choice but to believe him, but I was still nervous. I was worried I'd start to shake again.

Dan took a step forward, leading me to believe we were standing in line for the counter. Behind me I could hear girls talking and laughing. I wondered if it was about me. In front of me, I heard the sound of a kiss and a giggle that followed. There was a couple in front of us. I felt warmth on one side of my face, but not the other. I imagined the sun shining through a window on that side. Being blind, I was beginning to picture and guess where everything was. It was almost like a game – a horrifying, "you may never know if you're right or wrong" game.

Dan let my arm go. "Just one second," he said. "Just need to get the money ready."

I listened and pictured him reaching for his pocket. As I was now out in the open, unable to move without worry, I remained perfectly still as to not crash into something or someone. Unfortunately, the opposite happened.

I felt a pressure pushed against my chest and warm liquid seep through my shirt. I stepped back to not fall, but I slammed into a person, who didn't sound like they fell either, just became annoyed.

"What's your problem?!" a girl's voice in front of me shouted. "You got coffee everywhere! What are you, blind? Didn't you see me walking?"

I stuttered for only seconds trying to come up with what to say, but it felt like hours of interrogation. I knew the entire place was staring at me, warm coffee dripping from my chest and shaking like a dog. Someone stepped in front of me.

"Hey!" Dan's voice yelled back. "Excuse you, but if you had looked up from your Goddamn phone while walking, maybe you would have seen him! He didn't do anything!"

The place was silent. I felt all eyes on me. I folded my hands together at my chest, unsure where to put them or do at all. I listened to Dan rant.

"Why would you accuse him of running into you if he was just standing there?"

"Hey, calm down, mate!"

"I am not your mate! And since you're so dumb, yes, he actually is blind! So screw you!"

"Sorry," she said rudely and sarcastically, yet with unsure regret.

Dan roughly grabbed my hand and pulled me out of the building. I felt the London air hit my face.

"Are you okay, Phil?" he asked.

"I'm fine, just a little coffee stained," I said,nervously smiling and still holding his hand. "You didn't have to do that, Dan."

"Yes I did, she was wrong."

We were walking home now, I knew.

"I'm sorry if my yelling upset you," he said.

"No, it didn't." I adjusted my sunglasses with my free hand.

"Careful," he said. "Watch your step, the pavement is cracked."

Watch. As polite and tender as Dan was on the subject, some words you just can't get around. I didn't take offense to it, however.

"Thank you," I said smiling, keeping track of my footing as we slowly trod along.

Dan's POV

I lied to Phil, telling him no one was staring or watching. A few people seemed questioned by us staying so close together. It was awkward for them probably. I didn't care. I just wanted him to feel safer.

When we arrived back at the flat, I lead Phil to his room and dug through his clothes, eventually finding a new shirt and handing it to him.

"Thank you," he said, trying to make sense of what direction it was supposed to face.

I laughed just a little. "Stop thanking me," I told him. "You don't have to, really."

He smiled. "Oh alright, I'll try not to as much."

He removed his shirt.

I couldn't help but stare. His chest was flawless, despite have been in a bus crash only weeks ago. He looked amazing. How can I handle taking care of him without falling in love with him? I wondered. For a moment, I was happy he couldn't see – I wouldn't want him to see my face right then, completely taken by his body. I probably looked like an idiot, with my mouth hanging open just slightly, wanting so badly to kiss him. He was everything to me. He centered my life. He always had, I just never realized it.

He struggled to put the new shirt back on, but popped his head out of it, and smiled. God, he looked adorable.

"Better?" I asked.

"Much better."

"What do you want to do now?" I asked, trying to be considerate of his disability.

"You could put some show or anime on," he offered."I kind of like listening and picturing things."

"Okay, sure."

I offered my forearm when he stuck his hand out, and he found and grasped it. I lead him to the lounge and put something random on. He sat beside me, very close. I pulled my laptop up on my lap and scrolled through Tumblr, letting Phil enjoy the anime.

I was beginning to wonder if he missed using the internet and being able to read. Phil liked to read, but now he's obviously unable to. I typed into the search "how can blind people read," just out of curiosity. It showed me braille, a system of raised dots that blind people touch to distinguish letters. I was about to do more research when Phil leaned down on me. He snugged his head under my arm, and he was smiling. I closed my laptop and draped my arm over him.

 We did not speak. We just sat, watching whatever anime was on.