#but i love that phillip and derek are cousins! they deffo interact like they're related in the play xd

[hellsquills]

Funnily enough my idea of Phillip was completely opposite:

This man has worked for Titch for a WHILE. Probably years. He knew him from before his father died, and is visibly older than him.

He lowkey hates Titch because he considers him a spoiled kid that cannot fill his father's shoes (Titch is actually pretty depressed and wasn't expecting hid dad to die so soon, so he's managing as best as he can — hence why he has multiple assistants)

He stays because he needs the money, not because he wants to. As snappy and rude as Titch might be, he pays handsomely.

He's SO relieved when Titch hires Derek. He has to train the new guy, of course, but it'll be worth it just to give him all the work he doesn't want to do

^ This mostly includes being in direct contact with Titch, and that's why Derek spends so much time with him from the very beginning

Phillip quickly grows fond of Derek. He's not only a ray of sunshine, but also very professional, and he respects that a lot. Having someone so positive around makes the days a lot more bearable.

Of course after a while he starts noticing the shift in Titch and Derek's relationship. It's not hard to tell, as Derek talks about him as if he were the most wonderful person ever. And no one that has ever met Titch would ever say more than "he's a hard-working guy". Obviously something's up.

It's also very telling that Titch doesn't scream at him as much anymore. The dude seems to be in a much better mood after a few weeks of meeting Derek, and he's less aggressive in his movements and less temperamental.

Phillip really doesn't wanna know what's going on between those two but he also can't help but wonder. It doesn't take too long for Derek to confess ("are we making you uncomfortable" "what? no. i'm just amazed that you find him... anything, to be honest")

Derek and Phillip share a ride home everyday, since they don't live too far from each other and it's cheaper in terms of gas money. They spend that time listening to music and talking. That's how Derek learns about Titch's father and the history of the farm. It's also how Phillip understands that the boss' nasty attitude isn't because he's incredibly entitled, but rather because he doesn't know how to cope with everything.

With that new knowledge, he tries to let go of some of the hate he has for Titch. In the end, he's just a young man dealing with a company he doesn't know how to manage and a bunch of people whose livelihoods depend on him. Phillip has never been in a manager/boss position, so he tries his best to be empathetic. It doesn't take long for Titch to reciprocate, and their relationship improves a little (with time, it becomes much better).

Speaking of improving a relationship, Phillip becomes much more careless with what he says in front of the boss, because now he doesn't need to walk on eggshells around him as much as he did - hence why he says "lovers" when Derek and him are together (at this point Titch and Phillip have a much more cordial relationship)

A good while after the events of "The Unrelenting Aubergine", after A LOT of teasing, he's the first person that Derek talks to to help him pick a ring for Titch :)

In summary, Phillip is a guy that doesn't really like his job but he stays and bears with his asshole boss because it pays well. He becomes friends with the new nice guy who regrettably has a crush on says boss, but he's supportive.

No one ever talks about Titch's other assistant named Phillip so. Here's me headcanons because this man that was mentioned once is just. Free real estate

Phillip "Phil" Woodman

Age: 37

For some reason I like to think that Phillip knew from the start that Derek had a thing for their boss. Like, way before Derek himself knew. How did he know? He just. Knows.

Phillip is like that one friend that constantly makes fun of you in an affectionate manner. Guy's bold enough to tease Titch just for the hell of it

He's also that one friend that tends to just see/hear things they shouldn't ever hear/see because they barely ever speak up when said thing happens

“As a..” “Lover” “Other assistant Phillip! Shut up!” NO BUT NEITHER TITCH NOR DEREK KNEW HE WAS THERE AT THE TIME (or at least, that's what I would like to imagine)

Constantly late or absent from work

Why? Because he takes care of his sick mother, dammit!!

Where's his father? Why can't he take care of his wife himself? Because he works on the sea!! (as in. works on a cruise ship as a chef)

The token straight of the guys on that farm. Still very supportive of Derek and Titch, though!!

Doesn't really like working on the farm but doesn't hate it either

Did I ever mention that he and Derek are cousins? I didn't? Well, they're cousins. I don't make the rules, okay? Derek just interacts with him in the play like they're siblings (“Phillip, I said this is delicate, all right?” just gives little sibling to big sibling energy)