nerd//phan

two//Deathtouch

"No way, that's so cute." Sara said. "I would recommend you buy a pack of the newest set."

Phil looked up at the shiny gold pack. Inside were 15 cards that Phil probably wouldnt understand.

He pulled out 7 dollars. "Ill take two." He said shoving his hand of cash towards Sara. She shook her head.

"They're on me." She said handing them to Phil. Phil smiled and opened them at the glass counter. He pulled one of the most expensive cards in the game.

"Whats going on up here?" Phil turned around to see a ginger man with a bushy beard, roseray around his neck. He seemed wise and kind, his eyes beemed happiness, while also being full of knowledge. Phil only vaugly remebered that his name was Joe Somethingoranother.

"Oh, uh i just pulled this land-" Phil began, but stopped when someone snatched it out of his hand. Dan Howell.

"You don't deserve this. Just being a lucksack." Dan said, holding the card. Joe Whateverhisnameis, looked at Dan shocked.

"Don't tilt out man. Just be happy for him, the Lord says-"

"No one gives a shit about what the Lord says Joe Ray. Just take your fuckin card back. Congrats on octupleing your money." Dan said as he gently handed the card to Phil. Dan and Phil's hands touched, Dan pulled his hand away quickly. Dan walked away just as quickly as he came. Phil sighed at what the brown eyed boy had done. With a smile that could end wars, and eyes that seemed to radiate warmth, and a personality that was so light and pastel, how could he be so cold towards Phil. How could he be so mean towars someone who just doesn't understand the game.

"Which one do you have there Phil?" Joe Ray asked beaming sunshine again. Phil looked down at the card and got a good look at it.

"It's a Polluted Delta." He read. Joe's face went to shock.

"Dude, I'd totally sleeve that up if i were you." Joe Ray said. Phil nodded and walked the card over to his table.

"Do you have an extra sleeve?" He asked Danny. Danny pulled out a rainbow unicorn one that Phil smiled at before slipping the Polluted Delta in. He studied the beautiful artwork of the card. Blue and red mountians with the clouds slightly black. Phil sighed as he realised he had no reason for the $300 card. He wish he did but he couldn't think of any reason to own one except to own it.

"Okay guys. Its that time again." Matt said as he held out the pairing list. "Jack and Buddy, Joe Ray and Danny Avidan, Me and Dan Howell, Craig and Phil, Pat and Darga, and Jeremy you got the by." Matt said, directing that last part to the beanie kid, who shot him a thumbs up. "Alright guys 50 minutes starts, now!"

Phil moved a seat over and placed Polluted Delta at the corner of his half of the table. Craig inspected it.

"No way dude. Did you just pull that?" Craig asked. Phill nodded proudly.

"Its my good luck charm now." Phil licked the back of his snake bites. Craig chuckled a bit at that.

"Okay, lets play."

The game came down to a tie. Craigs infect was fast but he knew that Phils goblins were faster. They didnt rven make it passed game one.

Phil then went to play Jack. Jack was just as stuck up as Dan. He whipped out counter spells like you wouldnt believe. It came fown to a 1-2 for Phil. Then he played Buddy but they had little conversation from the game. Buddy lost 2-0.

Finally, it was the last round, and Phil already knew who he was going to play.

"... Dan Howell and Phil."

Dan Howell.

Phil sat across from Dan and placed his Polluted Delta down. Dan eyed it for a minute before Phil spoke up.

"Ya'know, if you want it I could just give it to you." Phil said blue fringe falling in front if his face. He smirked at Dan whos face turned red.

"Oh no. I couldn't just take it from you like that. You might not deserve it, but I won't steal it like that." Dan said. That last part stung Phil a bit but he continued on.

"No please, I insist. I have no use for it, but I'm sure it's just the thing your extensive collection is missing." Phil said, adjusting his leather jacket. He licked the back of his snake bites and smirked again.

Dan looked down to hide his red cheeks. "I refuse to accept, okay? Let's just play."

"Okay then how about a wager? If I win, you take the card." Phil said, but Dan laughed a bit.

"Like you're going to win. Fine I accept." They shook hands.

Phil smirked. "Let's play."

-

Phil won. By some god given miracle he won. Both Games just barley slipping under Dan's traps and attacks. Phil himself could hardly believe the victory.

"Here you go." Phil said handing Dan the Polluted Delta. "Its yours to keep now. Don't try to pay me, or return the favor." Phil said moving the hair from out of his face. Dan just studied the card, he seemed just as enamored as Phil at the thought of even looking at the $300 card. Its art was so beautiful and captivating that Dan never wanted to put it away. He wasn't upset that Phil had won, he was upset for accepting this stupid bet.

"I still feel bad knowing you're just handing me 300 bucks." Dan said quietly, fixing his flower crown. "Are you sure there's nothing I can do to repay you?"

Phil thought about it for a minute. "How about I tell you what I want, when I'm ready. For now, enjoy the card." He grabbed his deck box and saunter towards Matt to report the score.

"Wait, just here." Dan said. He walked up behind Phil and handed him a piece of paper.

"What's this?" Phil asked. 

"My number, just text me later okay?" 

"Yeah, okay." Phil smirked down at him and Dan felt everything inside him melt. 

Phil walked away towards Matt. Everyone congratulating him on beating Dan, something not most at the tiny shop could do. 

Dan felt his tiny pink heart beat as hard and as fast as it could. BA-dump BA-dump. It was a feeling that was almost foreign to Dan. A feeling that he couldn't really describe. He wished that some semblance of coherent thought would come to him but nothing did. He just watched Phil win his second place prize, and drive off with the rest of them. While he drove home and waited for Phil to text him.