#Daniel: a— Dan: *giggling and kicking his feet while watching him*

[lovesomehate]

I see …

#electric callboy #dandan #the Daniels #daniel haniß #daniel klossek #ecgifs #mine #so… Dan has a fav person 😂 #Daniel: a— Dan: *giggling and kicking his feet while watching him*

[bon2bonn]

Weathering Your Storm

°They're carving my name on the grave again°

22!F1!grid X female!driver!reader

Words count : 3.1k

Warnings : grammar, not proof read , contains time skips .

✨ It's finally going somewhere!💃🏻🙌🏻 ,and I hope you enjoy it✨

• The Grid M.list •

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Daniel groaned as he was tackled to the floor the moment he stepped foot in , all he heard was a shout of " uncle Dan" and the next thing he was rugby tackled , Marc greeted him with a wide toothy grin followed with an exited "hi!" , he chuckled and hugged him back " Marcelo!" Causing the boy to whine and throw his head back in frustration as Daniel lifted him when he stood " that's not my name !! " , Earning a laugh from Danny who ignored his whining throwing him over his shoulder emitting a loud scream followed by a laugh .

He shut the front door while asking " so Marcel! How's life ? " grabbed his bag and leaving it by the closed door , but as soon as he finished asking he earned himself a quite painful pinch in the back , yelping in pain as he made his way inside the house " you're as mean as your aunt!! " .

The said aunt voice ranged from the kitchen as she asked in a warning tone " what did you say RICKY?" , he called back before he stood at the door , " nothing but the truth!" Watching her Round the kitchen Island with little Gigi on her hip , who called out as soon as she saw him "Anny!" . (*She tried to call him Dan like Marc but couldn't say the D yet and it stuck with her as she went from calling him Dan to Danny making it worse, but Y/N found it too funny to correct her*) .

Now it was his turn to groan as Marc giggled from his back , but he greeted her back with as much enthusiasm " Gigi!" Making her giggle as she extended her arms out for him .

Stepping in he puts Marc carefully on the island with a teasing tone " special potato delivery! " Dodging before he got pinched again, taking Gigi in a hug , getting one back with a little pat on his cheek" hello miss Gigi " holding her in one arm greeting his friend with a quite "hey Bella" . She gave him a smile greeting back with open arms as he extended his free arm to bring her into a side hug leaving a kiss on the side of her head then he asked " how are you holding up?" She shrugged " getting better , It just takes time to get used to it " he hummed nudging her shoulder with his " knowing you , you'll be up and working in no time " she rolled her eyes at his words " you make it sounds like I'm an avid workaholic " scooping Marc off the island as he wanted to get down and watched as he ran out the kitchen , calling out for O'Connell to play with . he gave her a look " you are " .

She shook her head " well now I've got all the time in the world , isn't that right Gigi " he watched her closely as she turned away avoiding his eyes , so he teased her saying " then don't get too bored without me around, it's only a couple of months and we'll both be jobless together, we'll retire and go off hiking and making wine in Italy like we always planned " he balanced Gigi on her feet , holding her hands and smiling wide as she gripped his fingers in her hands babbling as she took wobbly steps, scrunching her nose as she blobbed down kicking her legs and giving a small shout at him , he apologized to her scooping her up as he reached the fridge, taking out two small juice boxes , he offered her to choose first , she looked at her aunt who was standing on the side looking at them in amusement, she held on Danny's arm and he let her lift it up as she called for Y/N as if asking her *if it's ok to have one* and once she got the approval she picked one and looked up at him pointing back at her high chair on the side , waiting patiently to be set down to drink her juice in peace .

Daniel took the other box , sipping as he sat down not wasting time to ask " so , how's it going miss CEO " she groaned plumbing on a chair close to where he sat " I was just approved by the board yesterday and I'll be starting officially September 1st " he cuts her off " wait! You were serious about the interview thing !?" , she nods " dead serious , they give fair chances , I won't just barg in demanding to run things just cause my dad owns it , so as I was saying, I'll be touring the main branches starting from headquarters here and ending with UAE so I'll be able to at least attend the last race , then I'll work between here , New York and Sydney " she finished in a huff and he winced at the packed schedule "that's rough , buuuuuut " she lets a quite laugh as he cheered at the news of her attending the last race Gigi cheered along after she puts down her drink , not knowing what happened but she joined the celebration nonetheless.

He stood up after a while excusing himself for a minute returning with his bag letting it down before facing her , rubbing the back of his head as she watched him curiously " since I'm flying out today, I wanted to give you this , I wanted you to have it for a long time and as much as I'm bad with words I'll just let you read it latter and I want you to hold on to it " he took out the helmet handing it over to her to take , it was wrapped in her favourite colour wrap , so she couldn't read what's he wrote just yet , his phone rang before she could say anything he looked at her apologetically as he stood up " I have to head out " she nods silently holding back tears as he hugged Gigi goodbye and turned to her , both holding it in for the sake of the other as they shared a tight hug , he hummed as she mumbled with her head on his shoulder " please take care of yourself, no fighting , and don't be so hard on yourself out there , just enjoy it and make some good memories, alright?" He nods tightening his arms around her " you too , try not to overwork yourself , yeah? , I'll visit once I get the chance and will call , so you better keep your phone on or I'll fly back to Knock you door down " she gave a weak chuckle" I'll hold you to that " he nods again " make sure to cheer for me " she affirmed " always" , he sway them gently before he settled with a quite " okay" and with that they finally let go .

He took the empty bag with him , heading to the front door calling out for Marc " Oi ! Mario ! " Laughing at the loud groan and the stomping feet down the hall " still not my name!!" He stood with O'Connell in his arms a frown in his face seeing Daniel by the door ready to leave " you're not staying?" The driver shook his head, reaching out to scratch the cats head grinning as it purred in content " not this time , I gotta catch a flight soon , but I need you to take care of you aunt for me , ok !" the boy nod in understanding , puffing his chest and giving Daniel a small hug as his aunt and sister stood behind him watching as Daniel opened the door to leave , stepping out he turned when marc called out to him waving along with Gigi " we will cheer for you uncle Danny!" Along with an exited shout from his sister, he chuckled as he turn back getting in the car , waving at them as he rolled down the window as the car drove away .

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Two hours later Max and Daniel sat in their seats getting ready to take off for their next race . A heavy silence overtook them but was soon cut off by Max who adjusted his headrest for the tenth time since he sat down, Groaning in annoyance before he threw it away to grab another pillow, Daniel looked at him as he threw it away asking in concern " what's wrong with you?!" Max started bouncing his leg up and down " it's quite , too quite, and it makes me anxious" Daniel shook his head " it's not the silence, Max it's cause she's not here " Max stilled " I know and it's just don't feels right " his friend sighed as he nods in agreement " I know. But it's out of our hands " Max replied in a quite voice as he turned his head away " that's what makes it harder to bear " looking out the window as they started moving up and off the ground.

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The latest Rumours circulating the grid aren't just rumours anymore, as News of a sudden Mid-Season changes shook the F1 community to it's core . MERCEDES AMG F1 Team decided to replace their well known driver (Y/N L/N) with Williams former driver (George Russell) .

Sources confirmed that this occurred during the Hungarian Grand Prix right before summer break , where (L/N) contract was terminated by MERCEDES management, although this happened during the race weekend L/N went on to race her last round with the silver arrows scoring herself the third place along with her now former teammate (sir Lewis Hamilton) in second , and her long time friend/rival (Max Verstappen) in first place , ending her time as one of the arrows with an Impressive score .

F1 Fans and community widely criticized the decision once the team announcement of Russell's new position couple of days before the Belgian Grand Prix, bashing the Team's poor judgement and favouritism towards (Russell) as the team neglected to address the reasons behind the sudden irrational choice as some put it to be or even mentioning their former driver in any form of thank or gratitude for her time or achievement in the years she spent with them which fueled fans rage even more , putting the blame on the principle (Toto Wolff) as a major factor in losing such established driver as her , commenting on how (MERCEDES) gave up this year title for their rivals (RED BULL Racing)on a silver plate, as the replacement came in a critical time for both teams competing for the title with promising results from the former driver as she stood neck to neck against Verstappen with her teammate and former world champion far behind them .

Other sources commented that this move wasn't well played by MERCEDES who decided to make such bold move but it came with a hidden intent, saying [ "mercedes knew how much other teams wanted to secure her as a fixed driver for the next 5 years at least , such as red bull who wanted to sings her since 2019 , and Ferrari and now even Aston Martin with their developing team as Sebastian Vettel announced his retirement, but Toto was smart enough to oppose, promising to extend her contract up to 23 , but now that he turned his attention towards Russell as a valuable addition to their team's development he had to make sure these teams secured their drivers for the next season at least as a precaution , guaranteeing she'd stay out of competition while he develop his car in peace, even if it cost him a WDC" ] .

Others referred to it as an overdue decision but a good move in the right direction, referring to the now former driver name being involved in a series of scandals and alleged rumours circulating since 2018 regarding her dating other drivers , other rumours regarding assault and abuse towards working staff and mechanics and even misuse of position due to the favouritism she received for being the only female driver . All was dropped since no witnesses nor victims of these alleged accusations came to light . Some even speculated her leave was due to personal matters nodding at a possible pregnancy as some put it to be , but the driver is yet to address the topic in any of her social media platforms.

Either way (L/N) presence will be missed and hopefully her absence won't last long with the upcoming seasons we wish her the best in both her personal life and career as a F1 driver .

Also read on our website :

≥ Y/N L/N alleged boyfriend, who is he?

≥ F1 driver Y/N L/N and her children, you won't believe who's the father!!

≥ formula 1 princess dating diaries and her royal lover .

≥ what Christian Horner said about Max Verstappen and Y/N L/N relationship .

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05:54 , she ran back and forth through the house as she held her folders and bag in one hand and the other held her phone and reading glasses case , she dumped them all in the table by the front door , checking mentality to see what she forgot in her rush , repeating twice before a sleepy voice came from the corner of the living as he walked up to her holding a pair of heels " Bibi , you forgot your shoes in the hallway " , she looked at him then at the heels in his hand then at her bare feet before she rushed back in mumbling to herself " I'm losing my damn mind " , she asked in concern as she looked at his tired face with hair tangled and over his eyes " I'm so sorry Tommy ,I must've woke you up with me running around at the crack of dawn " thanking him purposefully as he held his arm for her to hold on as she puts them on , he shook his head slowly in denial " it's okay , you didn't , I was already awake when your third alarm start blaring " she rolled her eyes at his teasing tone but that didn't lessen her concern " you had nightmares ? " He shook his head " not recently , I Just couldn't sleep , that's all ".

Once she's done she stood back with a frown before she held her hand to his forehead in worry " maybe you caught something , I should stay , go back in , I'll make you some tea and ........" He cuts her rambling before she could Push him back inside, chuckling at her frowning face and turned her back to the front door " you are not doing any of that , you are going to take a deep breath , and go out there and do what you do best " she looked back questioning " find a hole and hide in it " he made a face at her answer before exclaiming " what !? , No! That's my thing , you! , are going out there and prove how great you are ! " She whines at this , trying to sidestep her way back inside but he held his ground " fine ! I'll get some sleep aaannnd,...." He paused as she looked at him expectantly with a raised eyebrow , he groaned at her " I'll eat three full meals and I'll even send you proof , there ! Happy " she gave a satisfied nod as she picked her bag putting her everything in before she held her folders up and turned to her brother asking seriously " how do I look?" He nods with two thumbs up " like you're on your way to fire someone for sleeping in work hours " she hummed in thought " not likely but I can do with that " he pushed her out as they heard a car park outside, she gave him a quick hug " make sure to sleep well and I'll be waiting for these meals young man , oh and I left you a patch of muffins they're still warm , and don't drink so much coffee, you won't sleep well , and ........." He rolled his eyes " and you'll be late " she cursed as she ran down the driveway shouting back " I love you , stay safe " he laughed as she almost trip and shouts back " love you too , sly out there " she held the car door after she tripped again, laughing at herself as she gave a final wave " I'll try ! " .

He got back in after he shut the door , taking a deep breath as he threw himself on the couch face first , covering his head with his arms as his mind wandered back to the conversation he had with his brother, and the phone call he had last week, all raging in his mind like a hurricane waiting to strike .

He turned on his side ,eyes falling on the framed pictures , from old to new , far away memories and wide smiles , all of their family and their closest friends have at least one if not more , just like his sister insisted.

He smiled at the memory of having to frame and put up every single one under her order and preference , but his smile fades slightly as his eyes fell on his favourite one . right in the middle, he could barely remember any of his memories when he was that age or where it was taken , but he still recall how happy they all were that day , his brother Eddie was standing behind them both with his arms holding them , his sister standing by his side his head leaning on her shoulder as she held him from the side with her head leaning on his , all three are caught in a laugh, their father could be seen sitting in the background smiling fondly at his children.

He couldn't get himself to look away as his eyes stung with unshed tears , he whispered to himself " we'll be alright , we have to ....... we'll be alright " , repeating on and on until he drifts away into a dreamless sleep , finally letting his mind get it's much needed rest .

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The car rolled to a stop Infront of a sky scraper, the sight alone was intimidating , the spotless building stood tall and mighty before her , she got out still looking up at her new work place, adjusted her suit jacket as she took a deep breath in , releasing it in a calm exhale, looking back down she straightened her posture, walking on with a new purpose in her steps, confidently making her way in , nodding in acknowledgement as employees and receptionists stood in greeting to her .

Her assistant stood by the elevator, greeting her kindly before giving her a full schedule of the day along with upcoming meetings and other engagements that required her presence .

They stepped out once they arrived to their destination , the hallway was empty as they made their way down to the last door to the left , inside every head of department along with their assistant managers , stood in the conference room , all waiting for her arrival, greeting in firm nods as their eyes followed her like a prey , waiting for a slip to attack.

she kept her gaze confident yet respectful as she took her place at the head of the table gesturing with both hands for everyone to take a seat .

She remained standing as she spoke in an even calm voice " for a start I'd like to thank everyone for their time in such short notice , and I hope staring from today we establish a solid understanding built on trust, and honest effort " she paused as they showed their agreement to her words , she went on in assuring tone " no drastic changes will occur for now as we go through the last quarter of the year, however each department will be undergoing an evaluation trial , starting from today up until next year's first quarter, by then we'll have more insight to make the right and much needed decisions , however in case of priorities we'll make and execute such drastic changes accordingly " she took a moment of silence incase anyone have any opposing opinion, she went on when she found non , "seeing we're all on the same page here , shall we begin?" .

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more memes cause why not !

#weathering your storm #wys #f1 x female reader #f1 x female driver #f1 x driver!reader #22!f1 grid x reader #max verstappen x driver!reader #daniel ricciardo x driver!reader #driver!reader #f1 x female!reader #f1 grid x reader #2022! f1 grid #f1 au! #f1 au #f1 x reader #f1 x y/n #f1 fanfic #f1 fic #f1 imagine

[shadowpon-3]

Title: Plague doctor torture 🐦‍⬛

(Picture taken from “zombie apocalypse 3”)

Description: when Stephen, hosuh and PJ are searching for a friend, Daniel, they find him in a rather…odd situation.

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Ler: plague doctors

Lee: daniel

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“I hope we that who ever these plague doctor guys are, won’t hurt Daniel…” Hosuh asked, following PJ through the halls of the base.

PJ nodded. “But if they try anything funny we will jump in to stop them, and we will get out of here”

“And we will celebrate!-“ Stephen started but what cut off by PJ silencing him with her covering his mouth.

“Keep your voice down we don’t want to alert anyone that we’re down here” PJ whispered harshly.

Stephen smiled.

“Oh come on, PJ, why won’t you just admit that we all should spread happiness and friendship-“

“SHHH” hosuh also interrupted, only earn a whine from Stephen in response.

“I heard something…..is that..Daniel?” Hosuh whispered curiously.

PJ listened closely too, so did Stephen, and yet hosuh was right. In the distance, the trio heard a noise they couldn’t make heads or tails of, but they knew it was Daniel.

“NO WAIT!”

“STOP!”

“That’s him!” Hosuh said with a relieved smile, knowing that they still had a chance to save Daniel.

“Well what are we waiting for?” PJ asked to both of them, before taking off down the hall and ending up at a door with a small square shaped window just at eye level for both of them.

PJ and Hosuh looked through and saw Daniel tied down on a table with his arms raised above him, and he was quivering under the gaze of the plague workers, who were preparing objects under the table that Daniel was on. PJ nor Hosuh could not see what they were grabbing from under Dan, but whatever is was, it couldn’t be anything good. PJ and hosuh watched as Stephen tried to pull them back so that he could see, but he failed for every attempt. So Stephen just listened.

PJ and hosuh’s body clenched and cringed, when on the doctors pulled out a long object from underneath and lifted dans shirt, then speaking to no one directly: “let’s test to see how strong this guy is under all these seemingly scared nerves”

The voice sounded muffled but was still just audible enough, but the tone was almost monotoned.

“Oh god it’s a damn knife” PJ whispered, her voice full of fear.

“Then let’s kick down this door and-“

“Wait!” Hosuh cut Stephen off once again.

“Ugh, what is it this time” Stephen was now seemingly hurt by the interruption.

“I don’t think that’s a knife, it not big enough to be a knife”

PJ nodded in agreement, continueing to watch, the three were more confused then scared now, not knowing what to expect.

Before they knew it, they started brushing the object along Daniels stomach. Daniel tensed up and tried hold back any sort of response.

“What are they going?” PJ whispered.

But then a plague doctor with blond fluffy hair spoke up.

“Alright this will make him break”

Then pulled out another long object, this time it had bristles at the end of it and a button on the side. (I Think we all know what’s gonna go down lol) the doctor turned it on and placed the end on the belly of their victim and started slowly moving it around. Daniel started to shake and giggle, trying not to give anything to the plague people, but it was gonna be the end of him soon. Then another plague doctor raised a gloved hand and started to move the ends of their fingers around where Daniel’s sides were. Daniel was starting to lose it.

“Wahahahahait! Nohohohohoho what are yohohohu doing!”

“Not so strong now is he?” The blonde plague doctor pointed out.

The doctor, with their hands still on Daniel’s sides started wiggling them about while the fourth doctor took their gloves off and put on different ones that had dull points at the end of them and moved where Daniel’s ribs were, then the doctors working on Daniel’s stomach moved down where his legs and feet were.

“NOHOHOHO DONT DO IT!” Daniel screamed.

While this is all going on, PJ and hosuh are baffled and frozen not sure how to react, but Stephen seemed to be happy. “It seems like they are having fun! You were right PJ they are doing something funny to him”

“PLEASE STOHOHOHOP!” Daniel cried aloud.

The doctors continued to ignore Dan.

“Seems like our hands are the best choice of weapons that we got, drop the items!” The muffled voice spoke and every plague doctor did so, halting their tickling fest.

Daniel breathed heavily already feeling worn out, but it was gonna get worse.

And all at once, the plague doctors started at work on Daniel’s whole body, two at the legs and feet and two at the torso. Daniel tried to squirm out of their grasp but obviously failed.

“The subject is being stubborn and won’t stay still” one plague said in a muffled tone.

“I know what will get him to cooperate” the blonde one spoke and climbed up on the table and sat on the Daniel’s waist, while scribbling his fingers at his sides and belly.

“Smart move” the first doc replied.

Eventually the blonde doctor had stuck his finger into dans navel and that had finally broke dan.

“AAAHHHHHHHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA!”

Suddenly all four doctors jumped as well as hosuh, PJ and Stephen did aswell.

“Awwww I found a death point! This guy is really not so lucky now is he?” The blonde doctor managed to speak over the screaming laughter of Dan. There was a hint of tease in tone.

“PLEEHEHEHAHAAHAHAHA NOHOHOHOHOAHAHAHAAHT THEHEHEHEEHERE HAHAHAHAHAAHAAHA” dan pleaded.

That was the last straw, immediately Stephen kicked down the door and screamed: “Hello sir! I see you got yourself some visitors who just wants to give hugs! And perhaps something more~”

Stephen teased, wiggling his fingers.

This caused all the plague doctors to stop what they were doing and ran through another door and yelled: “Get the chief!”

“We have to move quick if we want to get out of here safely” Hosuh said, untying Daniel from his straps and carried him in his arms on the way out with PJ and Stephen tailing behind. Daniel passed out at this point.

End.

Author: I know it’s not a lot, but I couldn’t think of a lot to add, but I hope it was still enjoyable.

#sfw tickling community #danplan #danplantickling #leedan lerplaguedoctors #hosuh #PJ

[florenceisfalling]

59) “I can’t give up. They need me so I can never give up.” with Jackie????

i got another jackie prompt in my inbox that’s gonna function basically as the part two for this when i finish it! yeehaw

this is sorta long-ish (1069 words) and i really hope its decent?? i dunno i hope u enjoy, thamk u for requesting

The wind is stinging, rain rushes from the sky, and Jackie is hugging the warmth of an egg sandwich to his chest. 

Ducking beneath a storefront awning to escape the downpour, he digs through the crinkled wrapper and picks absentmindedly at the bread. He’s an impatient one. 

Finally, a notification chimes from the phone in his pocket, so he sighs in relief, wiping the grease off his hands and onto his jeans. With fingers that feel frozen, he opens his phone to read the message: On our way. Sorry for the delay.

He shudders further into his coat and takes another bite of breakfast.

It’s not necessarily unpleasant outside, if he ignores the chill. Faces pass by in a shuffled blur, and colorful shirts, bags and hijabs strike brightly against the grey of the clouds overhead. Warped reflections in the city windows look like headlights in a long-exposure photo. Anticipation mingles with the ozone in the air, but a strange little hiss of doubt seems to reside right at the center of JB’s neck.

The week before, he had hunted down two ex-employees of Daniel Meyer, his current target. Dan was and is a crooked businessman who, like many in his occupation, views humans as nothing more than a source of cash. Though Delia and Blake worked for Mr. Meyer for years, they had never ended up with his bribery weighing on their consciences. Instead, they kept track of his records, his files, his bookkeeping, the deals he shouldn’t have made, his forgotten coworkers and the receptionists he’d quietly paid off. So, they offered to meet the well-known vigilante at 11:45, and share what info they had.

It’s 11:51 now.

Delia’s text, the delay, is JB’s only comfort as he taps his foot against the ground. If they were a little bit later, without explanation or warning…  well, he really, really needs this lead to work out.

At last, a familiar voice pulls him out of his thoughts. “Redbird!” Blake calls, and JB glances up, an appreciative grin plastered across his face.

But the smile soon falls away. Across the street, he sees his leads approaching someone else. Someone else wearing a black hoodie and a head of green hair, who nods calmly and gestures between two buildings. The two shake the doppelganger’s hand, oblivious, and wander beside him into the gap.

Stiff with concern, Jackie jogs forward, shoves the stupid sandwich in his pocket, and crosses the busy road. Then, he picks up the pace, dodging food carts and strollers while he breaks into a sprint. Up ahead, the trio slips out of his vision, before an eerie chill washes over him.

When he rounds the corner, a ringing screech floods his ears, nearly knocking him to the ground. Through suddenly blurry eyes, his acquaintances seem to fade away, and all that is left as JB braces himself against the sleet-painted wall is an all-too familiar monster. 

“Hey, sugar,” Anti giggles from the other side of the alley, hands in his pockets while he rocks back and forth on his feet. “Where’d your little buddies go?”

“What did you do with them?” Jackie cries, increasingly dizzy. “They were just here!”

The impostor tugs replica masks off his own face and tosses them to the ground. “Nothing, yet.”

JB’s swaying body collides with brick again, this time without the merciful protection of his arms. “Where… where are they?”

“Doesn’t matter,” Anti shrugs. He pauses for a moment, inspecting the scratched up paint on his fingernails. “But it’s cute that you care.”

“They aren’t… they have nothing to do with you!” Jackie tries to blink back his swirled vision. What is Anti doing to his head?

“‘Course they do! Forget Daniel, I just love watching you cry over the innocents.”

Jackie makes a weak attempt to charge the monster, the ring in his ears still rising like a tuning fork against his skull. He wearily lifts his fist and summons any strength in an attempt to fight back, but Anti just grabs his wrist and tosses him aside. The dizziness is just getting louder, drowning him. Slowly, though, JB stands to his feet again. “Why are you doing this?”

Anti laughs and darts behind him, before shoving him harshly to the ground. “Why don’t you just give up?”

“I c-can’t give up. They need me, so I can never, ever give up.”

Nodding mockingly, the monster lands a few kicks against the hero’s side, eliciting an echoing cry from his throat as more bruises spread across his ribcage. Desperate lungs wheeze within JB, and the lightheaded world in his gaze still seems to warp and twist like the stripes on a peppermint. Finally, a hateful hand lifts him by his hair and drags him to the wall. It presses over his mouth a moment later, so tight that each of his teeth can feel the force. The last two fingers hook under his jaw, holding it shut as a vice.

“I know, little birdy, that you want to scream, and use your funny little vocal powers to push me away. But I want to chat first.” Why does it sound like Anti’s words are everywhere, surrounding them, dragging him down? “Have you ever heard of entropy? It’s the universe’s decline into disorder. And while I do love control, there’s a few things about me that we could compare to such a thing as entropy.”

Anti sighs happily as Jackie’s dulled eyes dart back and forth, the hero lost and disoriented beneath his grip. “The less work we do, the less we contribute to the world… the less entropy there is. On a cosmic level, the most salvational action you can take is no action at all.”

“You’re a goal-driven person, Jackie. It’s really fun and all, but I want to watch you crumble. I want to watch you become a shell of who you are,” he whispers, meeting his victim’s gaze at last. “So do yourself a favor, do your fellow man - well, man and Delia - a favor, and give up. Give into indifference, to inaction.”

With that, Anti vanishes, leaving JB slumped and woozy on the wet pavement. For a while, he sits in the cold, waiting desperately for a message from Delia. Ten minutes, fifteen, forty. He can’t call Henrik yet, despite the pain and haze racking through his body - he doesn’t want to miss a single sign.

#my ego posts #my ego hcs #my fics #my writing #fic requests #whump #antisepticeye #jackieboyman #food mention #hypnosis tw #? #thats not really what it is but its close enough so Just In Case #violence tw #bruise tw

[doomedhowell]

What Friends Are For

Summary: Dan and Phil work as barista’s at Starbucks. But, after a night out with friends, Dan wakes up with a pounding headache and to make things worse, he realizes that he’s late for work. Luckily, his best friend is there to make the day better for him.

Genre: AU, Fluff

Word Count: 1,574

Trigger Warnings: swearing

Written for the pff bingo 2019: filled for the prompt ‘running late’, ‘starbucks sofa’ & ‘hangover’

[READ ON AO3]

Dan groans as his eyes slowly open up. The pounding headache is he first thing he’s greeted with, and he instantly regrets all of the drinking that he did last night. But, he was hanging out with some school friends, and they were celebrating an engagement. So, he had to drink.

Dan rubs his eyes tiredly, and looks over at the clock. He gasps when he sees that it’s past eleven o’clock in the morning. He was supposed to be at work a half an hour ago. His manager is going to kill him!

Dan instantly jumps out of bed, trying to ignore the horrible headache. He grabs his jeans, a t-shirt, and his apron as well before running out of his bedroom and quickly heading towards the bathroom. Luckily, Dan finds his Tylenol in shelf that should hopefully take care of his headache. There’s no way he’ll be able to go to work with a pounding headache. He’s been there before, and it’s not fun at all.

Dan gets on his new clothes, and then pulls out his phone.

The first thing he sees his worried texts from his co-worker Phil, asking where he’s at.

to phil:

running late, hungover with a headache, but i’ll be there. cover for me if lisa asks?

to dan:

You’re lucky I like you Howell :/

Dan sighs in relief, grateful to have a best friend like Phil who’s willing to cover for him at their work.

Ten minutes later, Dan finally makes it to the Starbucks where he works in London. He sneaks inside and quickly heads into the back, where he clocks in, and then he finds Phil.

“Finally! You’re here!” Phil exclaims the second he sees Dan walk into the room.

“Ow. Fuck, Phil. Did you not read the part where I said I was hungover?” Dan asks, groaning.

“Oh, sorry Dan. Didn’t you take Tylenol before you left?” Phil asks, frowning at the smaller man.

“Of course I took Tylenol, but it obviously hasn’t kicked in,” Dan mumbles, grabbing a hold of his head. “Lisa didn’t say anything about me being late, did she? I’ve been so worried about that, if I’m honest.”

“No, but she definitely knows you were late so I suspect she’ll say something to you later,” Phil tells him.

Dan sighs. “Great,” he mumbles. “Whatever. I’m just ready to get this day over with.”

“Dan, why on Earth would you even think about drinking when you knew you had to work the next day?” Phil asks as he follows Dan out of the back room.

“Listen,” Dan begins, earning a giggle from Phil, which causes Dan to smile. “I honestly only planned on having a couple of drinks, but we were celebrating. Things got a little out of hand. Do I regret my choices? Yes, at the moment I do, but I still had fun last night though, so you could say that it was worth it.”

“Well, I guess that’s all that matters then,” Phil replies with a shrug.

The rest of the day pretty much goes by as normal. Dan deals with his headache, but luckily they have Tylenol on hand for employees in the back so that helps a lot whenever it gets too much.

Dan honestly just wants to go home and sleep his hangover away.

Around two o’clock in the afternoon, Dan takes his lunch. He clocks out, and orders some ice cold water, not really feeling up to having any coffee. That probably wouldn’t go well with the headache he still has.

Dan heads straight over to the usual Starbucks sofa that he sits in every day, usually with Phil.

“How’s the headache?” Phil asks softly when he walks over after Dan takes a seat on the sofa.

“Still lingering,” Dan tells him, curling up on the sofa. “Still got a long way to go until I can leave too.”

“Well, I’m sure the day will pass by quickly,” Phil tries to assure him. “At least we aren’t super busy today.”

“You just fucking jinxed it,” Dan groans, leaning his head back.

Phil laughs. “What time do you get off tonight? Maybe I should go home with you tonight,”

“It’s just a headache, Phil. I’m fine. It’s not the first time I’ve been hungover, unfortunately,” Dan mumbles.

“Shut up, and let me be a good friend for once Daniel. Phil Lester knows the best cure for a hangover,” Phil argues, playfully glaring at Dan. “I’ll even take you home so you don’t have to walk home like usual. I think we get off around the same time anyways.”

Dan looks up at Phil fondly. “You really are the best friend. Have I ever told you that?”

“Of course. That’s what I’m here for,” Phil grins.

“Philip Lester!”

Phil cringes as soon as he hears their manager shouting his name.

“Uh oh. Busted,” Dan whispers, grinning as he looks up at Phil.

“Stop flirting, and get back to work!” Lisa shouts.

Phil groans, while Dan just laughs his head off over Lisa’s comment. “We weren’t flirting, Lisa!”

“I find that hard to believe,” Lisa retorts. “Are you two dating yet?”

“Oh my God, Lisa!” Phil exclaims, his cheeks instantly turning a bright shade of pink. “I’ll be going now.”

Lisa smirks proudly as she watches Phil head back over to the counter as quickly as his feet takes him. “Well then, I guess that’s one way to get your employees doing their job.”

“You’re just cruel, Lisa,” Dan says playfully, shaking his head.

“Yes, but you should be used to that by now,” Lisa says, grinning, before walking away.

to phil:

i’ll take you up on that offer, btw ;)

Phil looks over at Dan when he sees the message on his phone and glares at him, mouthing a simple ‘I hate you’ to him.

to dan:

You’re the worst

Dan can’t help but smile as he stares at the text from Phil, before sighing. He wishes nothing more than to be able to tell the older boy how he truly feels about him. They’ve been friends for a couple of years, since Dan started working at Starbucks, Phil being the one who trained him and taught him everything he knew. They instantly became friends, figuring out that they have more in common with each other.

Dan’s been too afraid to tell the truth to Phil though, purely afraid of rejection. If Phil didn’t like him back, then Dan wouldn’t know what he would do with himself. He’d have to quit and find another job.

Finally, six o’clock hits. Dan is officially done with his shift, but Phil still has a half an hour to go of his shift.

“This is so unfair,” Phil complains as he watches Dan relaxing on their sofa couch.

Dan looks over at Phil and smirks at him. “You’re almost there, buddy-” He looks down at his phone. “Twenty seven minutes left now!” He laughs when Phil chucks a Starbucks sample cup at him.

“We are no longer friends,” Phil pouts, resting his chin in his hands.

“Oh, please. You’re stuck with me for life now, Philly. You can never get rid of me,” Dan smirks.

Phil shakes his head at Dan, and then looks over when a customer walks into the coffee shop. Phil smiles, and stands straight. “Hello. What can I get for you today?”

When Phil finally gets off of work, he decides to join Dan on the Starbucks sofa, both of them exhausted.

“Today felt like it would never end,” Phil complains, sinking down into the chair.

“Be glad that you didn’t have to work with a pounding headache,” Dan grumbles, gently kicking Phil’s leg.

“That’s totally not my fault,” Phil says, rolling his eyes. “You should have just called off.”

“Need the money,” Dan sighs. “I wanna go home, but at the same time, I don’t wanna move, you know?”

Phil laughs. “This couch is quite comfortable. No wonder we’ve claimed it as ours,” he says.

“Ours,” Dan whispers, biting his lip slightly as he looks over at Phil.

Phil looks over at Dan. “I know you don’t wanna, but should we start heading home?”

“Wait a sec… you were being serious about that?” Dan asks, instantly sitting up on the couch. “Honestly, I’m fine Phil. My headache is practically gone now. You really don’t-”

“So, you don’t want my company then? I see how it is,” Phil pouts, earning an eye roll from Dan.

“Oh, come off it, Phil. You know I’m more than happy to have you over,” Dan says, gently nudging him. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to though.”

Phil shakes his head. “Nonsense. It’s not like I have anything better to do at home anyways. Might as well spend the night with my best friend, yeah? Besides, I already know that we both need to catch up on The Walking Dead. I hear the new season is coming out soon and I wanna be caught up before the season premiere!”

Dan lets out a laugh. “That’s true. We have a whole seasons worth to catch up on,”

“Well, what are we waiting for? Let’s go!” Phil jumps up from the couch, and then pulls Dan up after.

Dan sighs fondly as he watches Phil excitedly lead the way out of the coffee shop. “One day I’ll tell him,” he whispers out loud to himself, before following his best friend.

#phanfiction #phanfic #phan #pff bingo 2019 #au #fluff #coffeeshop #work

[dear-arin-hanson]

Day 3: "You know what? Fuck Santa!" // EgoBang

You know what, Fuck Santa!" Mr and Mrs. Hanson were going to be working late on the ranch and little 8 year old Arin couldn't be left alone and would too fussy to stay very long with the horses. His mom left the stables long enough to pick him up from school and take him to the Avidan household. His mom asked where he wanted to go while mommy and daddy worked, she said he could pick any friend from school to ask to go play with, but each time it was Danny. "Are you sure?" She'd ask with an amused smile. "Dan's house! Dan's house! Dan's house!" He'd chant and kick his feet in his booster seat as she looked at him through her rearview mirror with a smile. It was so cute. When they get there he is running to the door as soon as he is told he allowed to get out of the car. He rings the bell a few times then waits, hopping from one foot to the other. Danny's Mom answers the door, smiling down at Arin, giving him a hug as they greeted each other. "Arin, darling, hello!" "Sorry this one is so last minute. Daniel didn't have any plans did he?" Arin's mother asks as she hands off a care bag for Arin to her. "Maurette, you know we love having Arin over, and Danny really gets a kick out of him. Is something wrong though? If you don't mind me asking why the last minute?" Arin impatiently watches them talk, his mom having his hand still as they talked excitedly about the horse due to give birth and the new baby that was going to be on the ranch. They were invited to come see of course. "Danny!" He finally yells out for his friend, hoping if he came out to get him he wouldn't have to sit and listen to adults talk any longer. They stopped for a moment to look down at the shout. Then a moment later, running to the call for help in the form of his name, was Danny. "Arin!" He pushes up his glasses before diving between their mothers to Arin. He picks him up and suddenly the 8 year old has a six foot point of view as Danny held him on his hip. "What's up buddy!? You excited to hang out tonight?" "And actually be sleeping at bed time this time?" Dan's mom reminds him. Danny grins nervously and chuckles a bit. "I wanted him to see the end of the game Debbie, you can't just stop when you're on a roll in the middle of kings quest!" Danny tries to defend himself, blushing a bit as he looks to Mrs. Hanson to make sure she wasn't mad about it. "You really have fun. Don't you two?" She asks letting him know he's off the hook for it. He was too good of a babysitter and influence on her son to be mad about something so small. "Yup!" Arin replied as Danny puts him up on his shoulders, holding both his hands to keep him up and steady. "Sure do Mrs. Hanson, this is my best friend right here." He says and holds a hand out to get a high five from the tike sat on him. "Can we come see the horse tomorrow when she's born?" He asks and Arin smiles ear to ear now listening to them talk. Because now Danny was here and it wasn't listening to adults talk, it was mixed company of adult and kids. The 8 years between them couldn't matter less to him. "... I don't know, I just feel like it's going to be a beautiful little girl, and I'm really hoping you'll let me call her Daphne if it is so I'm being hopeful." "We'll talk about it." She chuckles before saying her partings, kissing her son, and heading back home. Danny takes Arin inside and they say hi to his father and sister and Arin says hi to his dogs while Danny tells his mom what his plan was for the night and why Arin was here instead of Danny staying at the Hanson's house. "I know how to use the buses from here, it's harder from their place. It's out of the way." Which was a good enough answer. She was proud of her son that he didn't just try to get away with doing the least amount of work when he babysat but planned fun things to do. He received the money Mrs. Hanson gave to her for him, then he put on his warm jacket and hat, bundling Arin up too. He made sure he had some snacks and drinks in a backpack before they headed out. Arin had to hold his hand when they walked down the street but he didn't mind. All the walk, wait, and bus ride to the mall Arin told Danny about his day at school. The kid was funny and had solid opinions for a baby so Danny never had a problem being an audience to him. "Hey, you're 16 aren't you?" Arin remembers from when his mom had him read and sign a birthday car he gave Danny a few months ago. "Yeah I am." Danny is interested in where this is going right away because kids have no concept of age. "So why aren't you driving?" "Why would I be driving the bus?" "No!" He laughs at this silly idea and Danny smiles, feeling accomplished that he has the kid laughing. "I mean in your car?" "Oh? Oh! You mean cause I'm 16 I should have my licence, like on TV, right?" He asks and receives a nod. "Well I have my permit, so I'm close, I know how to drive but only when my mom is with me and you wouldn't be able to be in the car. The law says dependents only." "But I'm your best friend." "You sure are,buddy! But the law says not until I've been driving a year unless you were my brother I think… I'm not sure actually." "We could just tell them I'm your brother than." "Oh but that be lying to the cops. Which not only can get you in more trouble but will definitely put you on the naughty list." "No! No no let's not do that then." "You know? That's a good idea Arin. I'm glad I listened to you. Taking the bus? Good call." Arin beams with pride even though he was just doing as Danny said, but he made the kid feel smart and important. They got to the mall and Danny spends a bit of his own money to get Arin one of those things he can ride on for a while. It was shaped like a dinosaur and Danny told Arin all about the mistakes in the anatomy and how this one shouldn't look so mean because they only ate plants. Arin often came home from babysitting knowing something new about dinosaurs. It was important to Danny that Arin recognizes the impossible standards media puts on stegosaurus. They look at video games and toys while he motors around and have to hurry to make it back to the rental drop off or get charged for another half hour, which looked like a gangly teen had stolen a dinosaur with wheels from a child who chased him down. "That was a close one!" Danny says sighing deeply and trying to catch his breath. Arin is panting and he wipes his brow to express his relief. "Pheeww! We sure do-" He tries to go on but he is still trying to catch his breath. Danny cant help but chuckle at how even while probably having a baby heart attack he was trying to entertain him. He carried him on his back for a while as he makes his way to the line to see Santa. He thought it would be cute to be able to give his mom a picture of them with Santa, even if she wanted to take him again some time later in the season. Danny didn't really do the whole Santa thing, but he respected how excited it seemed to make Arin. "So what are you gonna ask him for?" Danny asks to entertain them both while they waited. "I don't know… I can ask him for a better dinosaur for you." He says smiling up him. Danny is melting. "No no! Don't waste your Santa wish on me!" "Okay, I'll keep thinking." "Yeah, you do that Big Cat." Danny chuckled and looked around the area. He looked down seeing he stepped on a crack so when he moved forward again his next foot stepped on the crack too. He watched Ari. Copy this behavior and tried to hold back giggles, pushing up his glasses up as he looked over to the mall Santa. He didn't seem so jolly. Danny was instantly worried, but then he saw the flask and a strange interaction between him and the next kid after he got back from his break. It was kurt, and rude, and when he looked down at Arin it broke his heart to think he would be let down like that. "Hey Arin you know what? Fuck Santa!" He says then covers his mouth. Arin looks at him with shock and a smile. "Ooooh! You said the F!!" "Hey, it's just a word right?" Arjn pondered that one as he took Danny's hand that was offered to him. "Let's go do something better." "But how will Satnta know what what I want?" Arin asks looking over his shoulder as he is lead away. "He'll get your letter won't he?" He asks and picks Arin up so that he can hold eye contact with him and keep him from looking at the nasty Santa. "You should celebrate Hanukkah with me anyways! 8 nights of presents!" "Eight!?" "Yeah!" "I wanna do that!" Arin's hands excitedly drummed on Danny's shoulder. Making him grin and laugh. "Perfect! I'll get you a yamaka and a dreidel." He says and bundles them both up before going back out to the bus to get on and go home.

#YouniversityAdvent #danny

[nebulous-frog]

The Path to Happiness Ch. 4/7

Summary: Phil, Prince of Stratalary, has an arranged marriage with Daniel, Prince of Iridacia. He doesn’t think he’ll have any feelings for the prince, that is, until he meets him.

Chapter 1 Masterlist

Word Count: 30,000 overall

Genre: Fantasy AU, Arranged Marriage, Slow Burn, Fluff

Warnings: Some Swearing, Food Mentions

Link to AO3 Fics Masterlist

After a few days of befriending servants and spending as much time with Dan as his busy schedule would allow, Dan had some news.

They were lying in bed facing each other after a long day. Dan had been called away for future-king duties, and Phil had been stuck in lessons most of the day. They hadn’t seen each other since breakfast, so they were quietly enjoying each others’ company, fingers centimetres apart on the duvet but dancing closer and brushing every now and then. They hadn’t been as intimate as they had been at first, keeping the touching to a minimum, but they were starting to play at the idea again. It made Phil’s stomach flutter with excitement.

“There’s going to be a ball next week,” Dan said casually at a lull in the conversation. “My father says that you have to be formally presented to the Iridacian people and aristocracy.”

Phil’s head snapped up from where it had been peacefully resting on his pillow. The room was only lit by a few candles on either side of the bed, but he could easily make out Dan’s expression in the dim light. His face was neutral, his eyes watching the way his fingers tapped a made-up rhythm on the bed.

"A ball?" Phil asked. "Will I have to do anything in particular?"

Dan looked up to meet Phil's eyes, a reassuring smile on his face. "Not much. We have to dance together and greet people, but it'll be a lot like at the wedding." He frowned. "You might have to dance with other people, too, but I'll see what I can do about that if you don't want to do it."

Phil nodded appreciatively. "That would be good." He paused, considering. "Will I have to learn new dances?"

"I wouldn't think so. It's a fairly standard ball, so traditional dances would be fi-" Dan cut himself off with a sheepish smile. "Sorry. Traditional Iridacian dances. I guess some lessons may be required."

Giggling, Phil agreed. "I'm afraid I'll be a bit rubbish, but I'll give it a shot."

Dan smiled softly. "I'll help you. After all, I'll be the one you dance with the most."

"Good." Phil sighed and flopped back to look at the ceiling. "I'm pretty rubbish at talking to people, too, so it's good that you'll be there to help."

Phil felt something soft and warm touch his hand and glanced down to see Dan's pinky wrap around his own. Butterflies fluttered in his stomach once more as he looked back up to Dan's wide brown eyes already looking into his.

"Of course I'll be there to help," Dan whispered.

Phil's breath caught in his throat. Dan looked at him like he'd put the stars in the sky. Phil didn't really understand that, since certainly it was Dan who put them there, not Phil. All he had to do was look at Dan's soft, freckled face to see that.

"Thanks," he breathed after a long silence. "You're amazing." Phil froze as soon as the words left his mouth, worried he'd broken this peaceful moment with too much of an emotion that neither of them was quite ready for.

His worry didn't last long, however, as Dan's expression lit up in a broad grin, his freckles overshadowed by a blush. A giggle escaped his lips, and Phil swore he heard angels sing.

"You're not so bad yourself," Dan teased.

Phil snorted and rolled his eyes playfully. "Gee, thanks."

Dan's pinky disentangled itself from Phil's, but he didn't give Phil a chance to mourn its absence as soon his whole hand covered Phil's.

"I think you're amazing, too."

The way Phil's heart soared and mind raced was dangerous and he started to worry that he might do something he'd regret. He and Dan still barely knew each other, after all, and the last thing he wanted to do was push Dan to do anything too soon.

"We should get some sleep," he told Dan. He rolled over and blew out the candles on his side of their bed, feeling the bed dip as Dan did the same, hands still linked.

In the dark, Dan whispered, "Good night, Phil."

"Good night, Dan." He gave Dan's hand a gentle squeeze, then closed his eyes to surrender himself to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~

The next few days felt like deja vu to Phil. He was fitted for a suit appropriate for the occasion, learned a few dances with Dan's careful guidance, and was informed who he would have to speak to at the ball. It was very reminiscent of the time leading up to the wedding with the rushed plans, but Phil didn't have time to be worried. Even if he had been, Dan was at his side through the whole process, lovely as ever.

The day of the ball, Phil finally got a chance to sit for a minute. It was ironic, in a way, since today was the day he'd be putting all the preparations to use. But everyone left him to his own devices for the whole morning, a luxury he hadn't known since before the announcement of the ball. He and Dan lounged in bed as long as possible, then took a walk through the gardens. Dan seemed to sense Phil's growing anxiety about the ball, so he provided a perfect distraction of stories and laughter. Phil felt his affection for Dan growing by the day, and today was no exception.

That afternoon, however, the madness returned. Dan and Phil were separated so a team of people could bedazzle them for the ball. A man named Greg made a few last-minute alterations to Phil's classic Iridacian suit, adjusting the hem of the white dress pants and the waistline of the blue royal jacket, while a woman named Hannah fluffed his quiff to perfection. Time passed in a blink with all the people swirling around him, and suddenly he was standing with Dan again in their suite.

Dan wore his own royal jacket, though his was a delicate lavender with a fancy green sash. His pants were also a pristine white and his hair had been left in their natural curls, neatly styled into a controlled pile that fell just over his left eye and topped with a purple flower crown full of what Phil now knew to be gladioli.

"You look wonderful," Dan breathed in awe, his eyes scanning Phil slowly.

Phil's cheeks flushed under Dan's warm gaze. "Thanks, so do you." He probably would've gone for something more along the lines of spectacular, perfect, or gorgeous, but he decided Dan's descriptor would be sufficient.

A servant came to them and told them it was time, which Phil decided was good. He wasn't sure he'd be able to stand there much longer without trying to run a hand through Dan's perfectly arranged hair, which would ruin the hard work everyone had done to it.

Dan held his arm out, and Phil gladly accepted it and let Dan lead him to the ballroom.

Their first dance of the night went surprisingly well. Phil didn't stumble even once, nor did he step on Dan's toes, which he would definitely consider a win, even if the rest of the night didn't go so smoothly.

As it turned out, it was good that Phil had a win to consider. Almost immediately, he and Dan were separated by a few aristocrats vying for Dan's attention, which left Phil alone and defenceless against the hoard of people that wanted to meet the latest addition to their royal family.

At first, people were nice, if a bit pushy. They asked him questions about Stratalary and his cloud manipulation powers, which he answered easily. He liked talking about home. It was later in the conversation that things took a turn for the worse.

"How are you settling into life in our great Perennis, Your Highness?" asked a duchess (or maybe she was a countess... Phil couldn't remember after all the titles people had thrown around).

"Oh, I'm settling in fine," Phil replied with a polite smile. "I've even been making a few friends here and there."

"That's wonderful!" the duchess/countess exclaimed. "Tell me, who might they be? Perhaps I know them."

"They're actually the servants. I've found myself popping down to the kitchens on occasion and made fast friends with the head chef," Phil told her proudly.

The woman gasped and put a hand to her chest, scandalized. "Servants? But you're a prince!"

Phil furrowed his brows in confusion. "I am, indeed. What has that got to do with my friends?"

"Surely you Stratalarians have more taste than to consort with servants!"

Phil didn't know what to say. Did status matter that much to Iridacians, or was it just this woman?

"Maybe it's simply a cultural peculiarity," he tried to salvage the conversation. "My marriage to Prince Daniel is centred around such things, isn't it? The merging of two cultures previously at war."

The man Phil assumed was this woman's husband scoffed. "Sure, the merging of cultures, not a calculated measure to prevent further financial and military conflict. Do you even know why you're here, Prince?"

Phil bristled. He didn't often throw his weight or title around, but he felt he had no choice. He stood up straighter, held his head up high, and said in a commanding tone, "I'm here because I am married to your future king. Now, I am a prince and the husband of your leader, and you will treat me with the respect I am owed."

The aristocrats around him looked taken aback for a moment, and Phil took a moment to bask in the glory of it. He had stuck up for himself, and quite spectacularly, if he may say so himself. At the same time, however, anxiety at telling off a group of wealthy people he didn't know kicked in, a feeling exacerbated by the next person to speak.

To his left was a curmudgeonly old man with a cane, who told him point-blank, "Back in my day, those damn Stratalarians knew to stay the hell away! They wouldn't dare enter the royal court, much less worm their way to the top of civilized society, treaty or otherwise. But I know better." He eyed Phil with suspicion. "I know what you are, boy, and I'm watching you. You'd better watch your back," he growled, punctuating his vague threat by spitting on the ground at Phil's feet before turning and hobbling off.

As a prince, Phil should have expected threats, especially when moving to a foreign land full of enemies, but he couldn't help his shock. No one had ever treated him like this and he didn't know what to do about it. The threat combined with the obvious hostility from the duchess had anxiety rising in his chest, making it difficult to breathe. His control over his powers slipped and he could tell clouds were beginning to form around him. He needed to leave and he had to find Dan. Dan could help. Dan was always so calming.

"Ex- Excuse me, I'm so sorry," Phil stuttered. He stumbled out of the small circle of people he'd been talking to and scanned the crowd for Dan, quickly finding him in his unique purple jacket and flower crown standing tall above the rest of the guests. He made his way towards his husband as fast as he could, feeling his breathing grow more and more laboured.

Dan saw him coming from a few steps away and his face lit up, but the smile soon turned into a frown. He excused himself from the guests he had been talking to and met Phil a few steps away.

"Hey, come on," Dan murmured, gently placing an arm around Phil's shoulders. He guided Phil out of the room, down a hallway, and around a corner, all while Phil shook like a leaf and desperately tried to even out his breathing. When they stopped moving, Dan turned to face Phil, looking into his eyes. "Phil, focus on me, alright? Breathe with me."

Phil nodded, wide eyes fixed on Dan's lips. He took in a shuddering breath when instructed, then let it out slowly, repeating the process a few times. Gradually, the panic subsided and Phil felt like he could breathe again. As soon as the panic was under control, Phil felt tears leak out the corners of his eyes and a sob spilt out of his mouth. A slightly shaky hand reached up to cover it as more sobs came.

Dan's expression was horribly concerned as he pulled Phil forward into a hug, which Phil gratefully accepted. Dan swayed them slowly. "I'm here, Phil, it's alright. It's alright, shhh," he whispered. "I promise, you're alright."

A few minutes later, Phil's sobs turned to hiccups, and the hiccups turned to totally steady breathing. Finally, he lifted his head from where he'd buried it in Dan's neck.

"I'm sorry," he sniffled.

"Oh, Phil, no," Dan replied. He placed a hand at the base of Phil's skull and brushed his fingers through the short hairs there. "Don't be sorry, it's alright."

"But- but I cried all over you," Phil mumbled ashamedly.

Dan shook his head. "I don't care. You can cry on me whenever you need to."

Phil felt tears well up in his eyes again as he nodded. Dan was truly too nice to him.

"Now," Dan said cautiously, looking into Phil's eyes. "Could you tell me what happened? Please?"

Phil shuddered again, and Dan's arms came up to wrap around him in another hug, this time for warmth rather than purely stability and grounding. Phil took the time to gather his thoughts, then told Dan what had happened. As he spoke, Dan kept his face carefully neutral, though Phil could see the facade cracking as he continued. When he finished, Dan's jaw was set and his lips were in a tight line.

"I'm so sorry, Phil," Dan said. He pressed a long kiss to Phil's forehead, then a shorter one to his temple before pulling Phil's head back towards his neck. "I won't let anything happen to you, I promise."

Phil nodded into Dan's neck and tightened his grip around Dan's waist.

"You don't have to stick around at the ball any longer, obviously," Dan continued. "In fact, I think I'd rather you didn't. I hate seeing you like this. You're such a ray of sunshine, you don't deserve to be overshadowed by clouds and sadness."

"Clouds," Phil murmured. He lifted his head off of Dan again and looked around him, noticing for the first time that the whole hallway was filled with fog. "Damn. I hate losing control."

Dan shook his head. "It's alright. You're in control now." He smiled, chagrined. "Sorry if the metaphor was a little too literal."

Phil tried to offer him a small smile in return, though he wasn't sure how successful a smile it was. He focused for a moment and willed away the clouds, relaxing slightly when the hallway cleared.

"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Dan continued. "I lose control sometimes, too, and then flowers start to spring up everywhere."

Phil nodded, smile turning a little cheeky. "I'd noticed."

Dan rolled his eyes and pushed his shoulder lightly. His expression screamed "fond", which Phil found extremely comforting. Anyone who could see him go through a panic attack and still look at him like that was truly someone special.

A moment later, however, Dan's expression sobered. "I don't like what I have to ask you next, but I have to ask. Since you don't remember the names of these people, could you come with me back into the ballroom briefly and point them out to me?"

Phil's eyebrows scrunched up in worry. "But won't that make me look like a tattle-tale?"

One of Dan's hands came up and rubbed at the wrinkles on Phil's forehead as if that would make the worry go away. "That's a possibility, yes, but it'll also send a message to everyone that you are not to be treated this way and that I will personally see to it that there will be consequences to acting similarly in the future. I don't want you to feel unsafe or like an outsider."

Phil felt another surge of warmth at Dan's words, loving the reminder that Dan genuinely cared for him. He hesitated for a little longer, but eventually agreed to do as Dan asked.

When he and Dan reentered the ballroom hand-in-hand, the whole room stopped what they were doing to look. A few people glanced from them to the ceiling and back again, which confused Phil, until he also looked up. Near the tall ceiling was a large group of grey clouds, which Phil knew only could have happened as he left. Shame built inside him as he willed them away, but a quick squeeze of his hand from Dan calmed his thoughts again.

Dan leaned over and whispered in his ear, "Who am I looking for?"

Phil scanned the room and found the culprits scattered around. He pointed them out as fast as he could, then asked Dan if he could return to their suite yet.

"I have to stay here and speak with a few more people, but I'll be there as soon as I can. It won't be more than half an hour. Will you be alright until then?"

It wasn't ideal, but Phil would take it. He'd have Dan's help to stay out of his own head soon, but now the priority was staying away from the ball guests, so he told Dan he'd be fine.

"Good," Dan said with a nod. He faced Phil and took both his hands in his, pressing delicate kisses to each, then leaned in and kissed Phil's cheek. "I'll see you soon."

Phil tried not to show his shock at Dan's sudden kisses, given their audience. Internally, he was fairly certain he had just melted, but he forced himself to turn and leave the room. On the way, he found a servant rushing from the kitchens to lead him back to his suite. Upon arrival, he changed into his pyjamas and climbed into the soft bed to wait for Dan.

He didn't have to wait long; Dan's estimate of half an hour turned into something more like ten minutes.

As soon as Dan entered the room, he was apologizing.

"Phil, I'm so sorry. That was horrible for you to have to deal with, and I shouldn't have let us get separated. And I'm sorry I had to send you back here alone after all that."

Phil was fairly certain the apologies would keep coming unless he did something, so he spoke up. "It's not your fault. Besides, I'm alright now, and that's what matters."

The guilty expression Dan wore relaxed somewhat, but not by much.

"Come here," Phil requested when it became apparent that Dan wouldn't let it go that easily.

Dan reluctantly shuffled toward the bed to stand next to Phil, who took his hands in his.

Phil kissed Dan's hands. "Thank you for helping me," he whispered. "Now get changed and join me." He kissed Dan's hands once more before dropping them and pushing Dan away to change.

Soon after, the two of them were in bed together.

"I'm going to try something, if that's alright," Phil murmured. When Dan nodded, Phil scooted his body closer, tentatively wrapping an arm around Dan's waist and sliding one of his legs between Dan's.

Phil heard Dan's breath hitch at the close contact and was about to back away and tell him to forget the whole thing when an arm snaked around his own waist.

"I think I like this something," Dan whispered. Although Phil couldn't see it, he knew Dan was smiling.

~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 5

#phanfic #phandom reverse bang #fantasy #arranged marriage #fluff #the path to happiness

[dacresslut]

Back off - chapter one

Billy Hargrove x Reader

Summary: imagine how hard it would be with a dad as cop, two older brothers are cops, and twin brother who are a grade above you. Dating is hard. But is everything going to change with the new bad boy in town? Or get even harder?

Warnings: eventually smut, swearing, alcohol, drugs and anything else you can think of.

Word count: 1.3 k

A/N: hellooooooo, first series on tumblr everrr. Billy is my fucking mans.

Dating was hard for you. To simplify it: four older brothers, and a cop as a father. Hoppers best friend at that. Dating felt like it was never an option. Never. Boys have come and gone, mostly being scared away by your family of strong men. But that’s the way they liked it. The little one was protected always.

You were a junior in high school. A loose canon, trouble, sneaking out, partying, smoked, but never put out. You were a badass to a certain point. Your mother always said to save yourself for that special person. You’d always remember the first time. She said that right before she passed. Breast cancer was a bitch.

Jack and Daniel were in the grade above you. They were twins and named after a whiskey brand. Phil and Andrew worked as police officers with your dad. They were always busy with work. But either way, you were all a very close family who would do anything for each other.

Jack and Daniel sat in the front seat while you sat in the back. “Little sister,” they said in unison.

“Big brothers.” You say in a monotone voice, trying to get your homework done before the day began.

“We have to tell you something.” Jack says to you, looking back at you.

“It’s important, so look at us.” Daniel said in a stern voice. “We have a new friend.”

“And I care why?” Sassing back at them. “All your friends are stupid and are nothing but dumbasses with footballs, I’m not interested in your new friend now can I please finish my work?”

“He’s different.” Dan closes your book on you, “his name is Billy,” that sounded familiar to you, “and he’s a very sweet talker and has no idea we have a little sister yet.” Jack butts in,

“He’s off limits.” You roll your eyes, packing up your stuff before the bell rang.

“I don’t want anybody. I’ll be fine.” Opening the door and exiting the back of the car. “I think I can handle myself.” Shutting the door as the bell rang. Hustling inside to your locker, you open it as you get a smell of some nice cologne. Closing your locker you see a certain very attractive male staring you down. He was talking with another girl a few lockers down from yours. You scoff and turned away, walking your cute ass, in some tight jeans, away from him. It only makes him want you even more.

Class was boring, as usual. But you got your test back, and it was an A+, it made you smile. Knowing how your mom would’ve put it on the fridge for everyone to admire. Thats if she was still here. Turning in your homework as the bell rings. Gym class. Which was you playing with the boys. You enjoyed to look at the sweaty, shirtless, great looking boys run around on the court. Steve was the main person you watched going up and down the court, hoping he’d be skins today instead of shirts.

You had no such luck, he was shirts but the new boy was skins, which almost made up for it. He licked his teeth as he played and looked at you. Rolling your eyes, you stretch your arms as you get to ready play with the boys. You were never the one to sit on the sidelines and watch as the other girls paint their nails. You had to be in the with the action.

“I think I want her on skins, coach.” The new one says to the gym teacher, looking at you up and down. Licking his teeth again.

You could throw up, “sick.” Saying to yourself, throwing your hair up in a ponytail.

“Calm down Hargrove.” He says, telling us to get in the middle of the court for the ball toss. Steve hits it over to you, jumping to catch it. Billy comes up and tries to block me, thinking he had to go easy, he was light on his feet. Confident that he can get the ball. But you use your whole shoulder and body to knock him down on his ass, running towards the hoop and shooting a three, making it in with a swish. You look at the boy on the ground, dumbfounded that you successfully got away from him. You just smirk, showing him you weren’t an average girl.

You offer him a hand, helping him up. “Plant your feet next time.” Giving him some good advice. Then jogging down the court, guys patting your back for making a great play.

Billy was right on your ass the whole time, you use your arm to try push him off of you. “Back up, new kid.” You step in hard and push him back to get a clear shot. But he grabs the ball from you.

“Not fast enough princess!” He yells, running down the court, throwing it in the basket. Your ears start to get hot. You block him as he get the ball again, pressed up against his nice ass. Trying to reach around to get the ball. He pushes back up on you, but you stand your ground. Pushing hard on him, “ooo she’s got fire boys!” He teases, “Let’s sees who plants their feet better.” He leans in and pushed, hard, knocking you over. Scoring once again. “WOO! Play with the big dogs, you get treated like a dog!” This makes your blood boil.

“That’s it!” You rush forward to him, placing your hands on his chest and shoved him. You would’ve went after him but Steve grabbed you and threw you over his shoulder.

“That’s enough, tiger.” Steve says as you kick and scream.

The rest of gym period went like you and Billy having a pissing match. Trying to one up each other. You were both sweaty, panting as the bell rang. “Hit the showers!” Coach yells, you grab a towel to wipe off the salty sweat on your chest and forehead. Walking towards the girls locker room, hearing girls giggling and laughing. “Did you see the new guy? The things I would do to that man.” They sigh in the thought of being with him. Rolling your eyes, taking off your clothes. Taking a nice hot shower. Then heading to your next class.

When school ended, you headed towards your brothers car. Your backpack over one shoulder, then hearing your name being called. “(y/n)! (Y/l/n)!” Sounds like the cocky fucker in gym class. You whip your whole body around to see him running after you.

“Do I know you?” You raise an eyebrow at him, grabbing your cigarettes out of your back pocket, with the lighter. As soon as you tried to light it, he pushes your hand down and lights it for you.

“Pretty girls don’t light their own cigarettes.” His husk voice says with a smirk. He thinks he’s hot shit, well he is but you won’t, will not, will never, let him know that. “You do know me, Billy, Billy Hargrove, from gym class.” He lights his own cigarette, smiling as he lets the smoke roll out his mouth. It makes your legs shake with want, you quickly kept your cool.

“Can I help you, Billy?” This is the boy your brothers warned you about. Stay away. “I’m a busy gal, and have plans.”

“Let me take you on a date.” He scans your body, you smile and give him the best bedroom eyes. Opening your plump lips to answer him, makes his whole body shiver.

“No.” Then turning away to walk towards your twin brothers car. Leaving him with a mad face, no one ever turned him down. He just got four girls numbers. But he wanted you, grumbling to himself quietly, made a v-line to his car. Seeing the twins he met at a party last week when he first got here.

“Hey Hargrove.” Dan says to him, smiling.

“You down for a party tonight? Our dad is out of town with our two older brothers.” Jack finished his sentence. Billy smirked, dragging off his cigarette.

“Of course. I’ll be there.” The twins smile the exact same way.

“See you there.”

—————

Tags: @dacremontgomerylover

#billy hargrove smut #billy hargrove x reader #stranger things #fan fiction #billy hargrove #stranger things fanfiction

[glitterrhowell]

Trick or Treat, Sweets for My Sweet

Title: Trick or Treat, Sweets for My Sweet

Series: Spooky week 2018

Pairing:  Daniel Howell & AmazingPhil (Phan

Word count: 3k

Warning/Genre: little space/cute/slight angst/ trick or treating/ daddy kink/sweet/fluff

Summary: Daddy Phil takes little Dan trick or treating and the night doesn't turn out as expected.

Red on A03

Read on Wattpad

This is part of a collection of eight stories I have written over the last few months for Autumn/Halloween. I am titling this series spooky week and will continue to update every day up until Halloween day!

A huge thank you to my other half Christy (Fadingcrystalvoid) for being with me since the start of the series listing to me rant and proofreading for me. Also for last minute betaing all these stories for me!

Phil sighed as he thumbed through the hangers that held all the Halloween costumes in the store. It was extremely hard to shop for costumes for Dan as most of the adult costumes were to revealing and not very appealing to a child. Of course, Dan wasn’t a child he was a very much grown man but half the time he had a child's mind.

Phil had learned about Dan’s need for being little very early on in their relationship. It wasn’t something that bothered him, in fact, they both learned pretty quickly that Phil adjusted to the daddy role very easily. And Phil loved being Dan’s daddy as well as his best friend, business partner, and boyfriend.

He sighed as moved on to the next rack of costumes. He hoped that they could find something because tomorrow was Halloween and Dan had been looking forward to trick or treating for months now. And he would feel like absolute shit if they couldn’t find something. Because he was the one who had kept putting off this shopping trip. It wasn’t that he hadn’t wanted to go they had just been really busy recently. They had just returned home from their second tour and they had been working like crazy to get videos out to make up for when they were gone. So they hadn’t had time to much of anything.

“Daddy!” he was shaken from his thoughts at the call from his little.

Dan was currently in the children's section of the store, Phil not having the heart to explain to him that he would never be able to fit in a child’s costume.

“What is it love?” he asked walking over

“I want this one!” he pointed excitedly at pink princess costume. “Look it comes with a crown!”

Phil closed his eyes for a moment only opening them when he spoke to Dan, “I’m sorry love we can’t get that one.”

Tears welled in Dan’s eyes, “Why? You said I could get anyone I want.”

“I know baby and I’m so sorry but it’s just not possible. I don’t think it will fit you. Remember how we have had the discussion about you still have to wear big people clothes sometimes?”

Tears rolling down his face he shook his head.

“Well, this is one of those times.”

Phil wiped away one of Dan’s tears, “I’m sorry love.” he added again.

But instead of calming him down like Phil thought he yanked away and throw himself on to the floor. He was having a full on tantrum now kicking and screaming. This is not how Phil wanted today to go.

“Daniel you stop that this minute!” he said using his daddy voice.

“No! i-its not f-fair I w-want it!” he continued to wail.

Looking around to make sure no one was watching he bent down, “Daniel James Howell if you don’t stop this instance then you won’t be going trick or treating at all!” of course Phil would never really take that away from him but Dan didn’t have to know that. The threat seemed to work because he stopped kicking and went silent other than the occasional sob.

“Excuse me is he alright?” a concerned looking employee asked.

He sighed, “He will be fine he’s just upset because you don’t have a costume in his size.”

“Oh no, poor dear. What is it he is looking for?”

He didn’t really want to tell this stranger his boyfriend was looking for an adult size version of a princess dress, but the concern in her eyes told him that it was ok.

“He really wanted this princess dress,” he said pointing to it.

Her face lights up instantly “Oh hold on I think I might have something in the back. I will be right back.” she sprinted away.

He turned his attention back to Dan who was now sitting quietly on the floor sucking his thumb.

Phil reached into his pocket and retrieved Dan’s dummy. He pulled his thumb out of his mouth and before Dan could protest he shove the dummy in place of his thumb.

“Come on baby let’s get up off this cold hard floor.” he reached under his armpits and lifted him to his feet. Just at that time, the store employee can running back with a pink dress in tow.

“I knew we had something close to that, look it's almost the same!”

Phil had to admit the dress was very similar to the one Dan had been looking at. The bottom skirt was a light shade of pink while the top half was a darker pink. It had pretty white sleeves that all the way down the arms. And to top it all off it had a sparkly bow tied on the back.

“What do you think love?” he asked hesitantly afraid his question may set off another tantrum.

But Dan’s eyes light up and he popped the dummy out of his mouth, “It’s so pretty! Can I have this one daddy please?”

He looked the dress over one last time making sure that it was the correct size before he shook his head. “Of course love if you are sure this is the one you want.”

“Thak thak you daddy!” he squealed with excitement.

Phil chuckled and turned his attention back to the employee. “I can’t thank you enough for this..” he squinted his eyes and looked at her name tag, “Emily. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.”

She just shook her head, ”Honestly it was no problem I’m just happy I could help you out.” Phil smiled and thanked her one more time before he took the dress.

Before they left the store and when Dan wasn’t paying attention he also grabbed the small costume so he could get the crown from it. It would be a nice surprise for him tomorrow. He paid for everything and they headed home stopping for an ice cream cone on the way.

~~~~~~~~

The next day went by really slow Dan had to be told more than once that it wasn’t time to go trick or treating yet. But finally, by five pm, Phil gave him the go-ahead to start getting ready. And since trick or treating didn't start until six that gave them plenty of time to get ready.

“Daddy, can you help me?” Dan asked as he came dragging his costume out of their bedroom.

“Of course love come here.”

Phil stripped him of his clothes Dan giggling a little when Phil brushed his fingers across his sensitive tummy. He helped him into his costume and if Phil was being honest Dan looked absolutely stunning. His creamy soft skin went really well with the shades of pink and white. And the sparkles really brought out the sparkle in his dark chocolate brown eyes.

“How do I look daddy?” he asked as he spun around giggling.

“You look so adorable. My little princess.”

Dan giggled again as he ran to the lounge.

While Dan was distracted by something in lounge Phil retrieved the crown he had bought yesterday.

He walked into the living room to find Dan on the floor playing with his stuffies.

“Hey love I have a surprise for you.”

Dan looked up from his toy excitedly. The second his eyes landed on the crown Phil was happy he had decided to buy it. His eyes lit up with excitement and pleasure.

“Is that for me daddy!” he asked crawling over to Phil.

He chuckled, ”Of course princess.” he placed the silver crown on top of his head sitting in in the middle of his soft curly waves.

“Aww so pretty. My pretty little princess.”  Phil cooed at him.

Of course, Dan spent the next ten minutes admiring himself in the bathroom mirror adjusting and re adjusting his crown until he was happy. When Phil finally announced it was time to go Dan jumped and squealed with excitement.

So far everything was going well they were about halfway down their street his bag was halfway filled with candy and Dan seemed to be enjoying himself. Several children had stopped to compliment his costume while they earned several glares from the parents but luckily Dan hadn't seemed to notice.

“Daddy I want to go to that one next!” he pointed at a rather scary looking house. It had been defiantly decorated for Halloween it was dark and creepy. In the front yard, the occupants of the house had set up a graveyard and had a fake witch sitting on the porch.

“Ok love. I’ll wait here while you go up.”

Dan stopped and looked at Phil.

“What’s wrong love?”

He looked down at his feet, ”Me scared can you go with me.”

Phil chuckled, “Of course love, let’s go.” he took a hold of Dan’s hand.

That seemed to do it there was once again a smile plastered on his face. Once he reached the door he rang the doorbell.

An older looking woman answered the door with a sweet smile on her face.

“Trick or treat!” Dan yelled holding out his bag.

The women looked at them and a glare quickly replaced the smile that had just been there. “Is this a joke?” she sneered

Phil watches the smile also drop from Dan’s face because she was now glaring at Dan with hatred in her eyes.

Phil stepped in, ”No of course not. Why would this be a joke? He just wants some candy.”

“He's an adult he shouldn’t be trick or treating.” she spat out.

Phil saw Dan’s lips start to quiver. This woman was not going to ruin their night. “Listen can he please just have his candy and then we can be out of here.”

“I’m not giving him anything. Not only his he too old to be trick or treating but he is wearing a dress! A dress!” she screamed pointing her finger in Dan’s face.

Dan was sobbing now tugging at Phil’s sleeve, “Dad-ddy I wan-nna go home.”

Phil glared at the women, “You're a hateful old woman I hope you're happy you just ruined his night.”

The women simply continued to glare as she slammed the door in their faces. Dan now burying his face into Phil was still sobbing.

“Hey love it’s ok, stop crying,” he said trying to soothe him but nothing seemed to help.

Despite Dan being a 6’2 tall man he managed to pick him up and carry him to the end of the sidewalk. He sat him down on the ground and enveloped him in a hug.

“Shh it’s ok, don’t cry.” but he continued to sob and now hiccupping. Phil just held him and let him cry, not really sure what to do.

A few minutes later a small voice behind him asked, “Excuse me sir but are you alright?” he turned around and saw a little girl standing with who he assumed was her mum.

Phil turned to the girl, “He will be alright that lady at that house was really mean to him,” he said pointing his head in the direction of the house.

The girl turned her attention to Dan, “It’s ok she was mean to me too.”

Dan blinked the tears from his eyes, “She was?”

“Yeah, she said I shouldn’t be dressed like this.” She pointed down to her superman costume.

“Why?” Dan asked tears now starting to dry on his face.

“I don’t know, she said this was a boy’s costume and I should be dressed like a girl. But I told her I liked this costume and she yelled at me. She seemed like a very mean and lonely person.”

Phil was impressed this girl seemed knowledgeable beyond her years.

The girls mum who had been quite up until now spoke up, ”She told me I was a bad mother because I allowed her to wear this costume.” she said looking disgusted.

“She told him that he was too old to be trick or treating and that he was a boy and couldn’t wear a dress,” Phil explained to her.

The girl was shocked, “But I love your dress it’s so pretty!”

“Thank you.” Dan murmured to her.

The women shook her head, “It’s horrible how some people act.”

Phil nodded his head in agreement.

“I’m Natalie by the way and this is my daughter Cassie.”

Phil stood up since he had been kneeling on the ground to comfort Dan, “I’m Phil and this is my boyfriend Dan.”

Natalie bent down, “Hi it’s nice to meet you, Dan.”

Dan didn’t take too kindly to strangers so he just gave her a little wave as he buried his head further into Phil.

She stood back up and turned back to Phil, “I know you don’t know us but Cassie and I were just getting ready to go home. We would love if you two would join us for some hot chocolate and cookies?”

Phil thought for a moment he didn’t know them but they did seem like nice people. Before he could answer Dan tugged at his sleeve, “Can we go please daddy?” he whispered.

“Oh yes can he please come over Phil? We can watch Halloween movies with our snacks!” Cassie said with pleading eyes.

He rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled, “Well I guess I have to say yes now don't I?”

Both Dan and Cassie cheered and started excitedly talking about which movies they wanted to watch.

Natalie shook her head and smiled in amusement as she watched the two of them.

“Come on let’s go,” she said smiling as she took a hold of her daughter's hand.

They all chatted on the way to their flat, and the more they chatted the less worried he becomes that they might end up murdered tonight.

“Well here we are,” she said as she opened to door and motioned for them to step inside. Cassie drug Dan straight to the kitchen to get cookies.

Phil followed behind Natalie and when he entered the kitchen he saw Dan and Cassie excitedly talking over a plate of cookies.

“And see this one’s a vampire I decorated him all by myself. “ She proudly exclaimed as she pointed at one of the cookies.

“That is so cool! Daddy look at these cookies!”

Phil chuckled at his excitement as he walked over to take a look.

They got the “kids” settled into the lounge with their cookies and hot chocolate and popped Halloween town into the DVD player since that is the movie they had decided on watching. Natalie turned to Phil, ”Would you like a cup of coffee?” she asked smiling at him.

He graciously accepted.

Once the coffee was done they both sat down at the kitchen table.

“So I don’t want to offend anyone but is Dan special? “

Phil cringed at the word but he appreciated her asking instead of assuming. And she had been nothing nice to them all night so he didn’t see any harm in explaining.

“Dan is just like you and me most of the time other than when he is in his headspace. Dan is what you would call a little. He will retreat into a headspace when he is stressed or even when he is happy and that is when he is a little. He has a mindset of a child not always the same age but usually between four and seven. And I am his caregiver or as you probably heard him call me earlier daddy.”

She nodded her head encouraging him to continue. “I mean that’s pretty much it lots of people think it’s weird which is why I appreciate you and Cassie being so nice to him tonight.”

“Oh, it was no problem, Phil. I teach Cassie to love and accept everyone no matter what. When she saw Dan crying tonight she said to me, Mummy why is that man crying? I don’t want him to be sad let's go make him happy.”

A tear escaped his eye.

“I’m so proud of my little girl it warms my heart to know I have been raising her right.” She reached across the table and took a hold of Phil’s hand. “You and Dan are welcome here anytime you want. You both seem like really nice people and Cassie has seemed to have taken quite a liking to Dan.”

He wiped the tears from his eyes, “Thank you so much, Natalie. It’s hard to find people to hang out with because of this sometimes and it’s nice to know there are people out there like you and your daughter.”

They continued to chat about their life and various things for the next hour until Natalie stood up, “It’s pretty quiet in there and I think I here the credits rolling.”

The walked into the living room and found Cassie curled up on one end of the sofa sleeping and Dan on the other.

Phil smiled, “Well I guys I better wake him up and get home.”

When Dan was little and tired he was a bit of a handful but luckily tonight he wasn’t much trouble. They said goodbye to Natalie who made sure to bend down and give Dan a big hug before they left. Making sure to tell him he was welcome to come back anytime he wanted.

It was a quiet ride home in the cab Dan drifting in and out of sleep on Phil’s shoulder. When they got home Phil helped Dan out of his costume and into his PJ’s. As he was crawling in bed next to him Dan turned around to face him.

“I had a lot of fun tonight daddy,” he whispered.

Phil pulled him closer and kissed his head, “I’m glad baby.”

Dan sighed and snuggled his head into Phil’s chest. They both drifted off to sleep with smiles on their faces. Dan because despite the turn the night had taken he made a new friend and had fun and Phil because Dan was happy.

#dan howell #daniel howell #danisnotonfire #dan howell fanfiction #dan howell fanfic #daniel howell fan fic #daniel howell fanfiction #danisnotonfire fanfic #danisnotonfire fanfiction #amazingphil #phil lester #amazingphil fanfiction #amazingphil fan fic #phil lester fanfic #phil lester fanfiction #phan #phanfiction #slight angsty #little dan #little space #daddy phil #caregiver phil #halloween #trick or treating #sweet #fluff

[danfanciesphil]

L’Histoire Française (New Chapter)

Teacher AU (Part 15)

(Part One)

(Part Two)

(Part Three)

(Part Four)

(Part Five)

(Part Six)

(Part Seven)

(Part Eight)

(Part Nine)

(Part Ten)

(Part Eleven)

(Part Twelve)

(Part Thirteen)

(Part Fourteen)

(Now Available on Ao3!)

It was foolish of Dan, really, to have ever believed that sneaking in to his own house would ever be a viable strategy. In fact, Dan only manages to turn his key in the lock before he hears a shriek from inside, and the sound of feet hurtling down the stairs.

The door is pulled open before he can get his hand around the knob, and he’s pulled inside with considerable force, into the arms of his drama queen of a flatmate. Teddy stands just behind Tyler, watching with a smile as Dan is squeezed within an inch of his life.

“How could you do this to us, Daniel?” Tyler is demanding, shaking Dan in his embrace. “We thought you were dead. You abandoned your dearest friends, your confidantes, all for a half-decent roll in the hay with some French floozie-”

“He’s not French,” Dan says into Tyler’s shoulder. “And-”

“No, I won’t hear it. Come into the lounge at once and tell me every last detail of what you’ve been doing since Sunday morning.”

Tyler releases Dan, only to grab him by the wrist and pull him towards the sitting room.

“Well I’m absolutely not going to tell you everything, so...”

Teddy slings a sympathetic arm around Dan’s shoulders, walking him over to the couch. “Don’t you think It’s best to spill the gory details now, Dan? You know as well as I do that he’ll only drag them out of you bit by bit anyway.”

Dan sighs, but allows Teddy and Tyler to pull him onto the sofa, fitting himself snugly between them.

“So, how many rumbles in the sack have there been thus far?” Tyler asks, diving straight into the deep end. “Twenty? Thirty?”

Dan splutters. “What? Don’t be ridiculous.”

“More?” Teddy asks, eyebrows lifting in genuine surprise.

“Gosh, and he’s a bit older, isn’t he? Kudos, Sexy Teacher,” Tyler says, exchanging an impressed glance with Teddy.

“Oh, for- we have not had sex thirty times!” Dan exclaims, already feeling drained by this conversation. “Why do you even want to know that, you pervs?”

“Because we need to have a deep, in-depth, analytical break down of each one, so that we can properly assess this man’s attributes and decide whether he’s good enough for you.”

Dan stares at Tyler in bewilderment. “You never wanted to analyse my sexual escapades with Stephanie.”

Immediately, both Teddy and Tyler pull a face. “Don’t be vulgar, Daniel.”

“Tyler doesn’t care for all that heterosexual stuff,” Teddy explains, laughing. “But you have to admit this is exciting. Your first gay experience.”

“We feel like proud fathers,” Tyler sighs, leaning his head on Dan’s shoulders. “Now tell your daddies, Dan. Exactly how big-”

“Alright, that’s the end of this conversation,” Dan declares, standing up from his seat. “It’s eleven o’clock and I have,” Dan takes a deep breath in, grimacing. “A potentially horrible, long day at work tomorrow.”

“You have?” Tyler asks.

“What’s the issue?” Teddy asks.

“Oh, nothing really,” Dan says vaguely. “Me and Phil could lose our jobs, that’s all.”

“Phil and I,” Teddy corrects. Then, he seems to realise what Dan just said. “Wait, lose your jobs?!”

“Is that what all this drama and weeping has been about?” Tyler asks, mouth agape. “Dan, what-”

“It’s fine,” Dan says with a morose shrug. He honestly hasn’t the strength to think about this anymore. Apart from a few… minor interruptions, this job stuff has been all that he and Phil have spoken about today. “There’s a school policy against teacher relationships. But we’ve decided that that isn’t a good enough reason to be apart.” Dan shrugs. “So that’s good. But… it does mean one or both of us could lose our jobs, yeah.”

“What kind of ridiculous, dated school policy are you working under?” Tyler scoffs. “Can’t you protest this?”

“We have,” Dan says, shifting from foot to foot. “They said they’d consider our appeal. Well, Phil’s appeal. Tomorrow is the decision date.”

“Oh, darling,” Tyler says, standing to wrap his arms around Dan. “I had no idea. You must be going mad with worry.”

“Can I do anything to help?” Teddy asks, unusually sweet. He stands too, joining in the hug. It’s a little awkward, being on the inside of a Teddy-Tyler sandwich, but Dan is nothing if not used to it by now. “Maybe a cup of tea?”

“Good idea, Teds,” Tyler stage whispers over Dan’s head. “Break out the camomile.”

Dan laughs, a little sadly, but rather enjoying all the attention. “It’s okay guys, I just wanna go to bed.”

“Alright, then.” Tyler and Teddy break apart. Dan doesn’t miss the worried glance they exchange. “Bonne nuit, my love.”

“Try not to think about it too much, I know what you’re like.”

Dan nods at Teddy, managing a grim smile, and then heads towards his room. He can feel the two pairs of eyes following him, but he ignores them, trying to be as convincingly composed as possible, so they don’t worry.

As he gets ready for bed, Dan replays the last few hours he had with Phil before he was dropped home. A perfect, idyllic stretch of time, over far too soon. They’d just been talking, lounging on Phil’s bed, drinking tea and munching on leftover madeleines. In the comedown of the incredible sex they’d had earlier, they’d both fallen into a soppy, sweet mood, so there was a lot of cuddling, and more than a few sickening confessions of adoration.

“I have a crush on your dimples,” Phil had told him, conjuring them out of Dan’s cheeks instantly. 

Dan had laughed and blushed, but Phil had kissed them until it wasn’t funny anymore, it was just true, lovely, and sweet.

Dan gets into bed, his heart heavy. How is he supposed to be able to sleep, knowing that tomorrow holds the possibility of Phil being torn away from him? He supposes it’s not as dramatic as all that, and that no matter what the outcome of the school’s decision, Phil has assured him that they’ll still be together. But the thought of working without Phil in that school, where the teachers treat him like a servant boy, and the kids - barely five years below him in age - seem to giggle as he walks past them in the halls… it’s unpleasant, to say the least.

Phil brings life to that building. Without him it would be a regular, dull and colourless establishment, devoid of any distinguishing features, or palpable enjoyment for learning. Phil’s presence leaks out of that one classroom in which he teaches, and streams through the halls, infecting the students’ minds. He ignites inspiration in their curious young brains, elicits a genuine passion from them for the subjects he feels so strongly about.  

Rolling onto his side, Dan reaches for his phone, charging on his bedside table, and clicks Phil’s name.

Dan I’m very lucky I met you.

He rolls onto his back again, sighing at the ceiling. He means that, no matter what else may happen.

His phone buzzes, making him smile, and he reaches for it in the dark. His pillows still echo with the faint smell of Phil’s cologne, and it’s giddying.

Phil I think it was more like fate.

Dan Sap. <3

Phil You started it <3

Dan laughs, then puts his phone back on the table to his left. He’s just thinking about all the sleep he’s going to lose out on, when his door cracks open, and two familiar faces peer through into the gloom.

“Dan?”

“Are you still awake, darling?”

He tries to be annoyed, but he can’t fight the smile that inches onto his face. He sits up a little, cocking an eyebrow at his two flatmates. “What do you want?”

Having received confirmation of Dan’s consciousness, the door swings open, and Teddy and Tyler bowl through, jogging over and leaping onto Dan’s bed. Teddy at least has the decency to close the door behind himself.

“Hey, woah, what’re you- guys, I need to get some sleep-”

“Shh, love,” Tyler says, snuggling himself against Dan’s side. He wiggles underneath the duvet, as does Teddy, and they sling their arms across Dan’s middle, getting comfy. “We just thought you could use some company.”

“In case you start overthinking,” Teddy explains, yawning into Dan’s ear. “Just forget we’re here. Enjoy the cuddles.”

“I don’t mind if you pretend I’m Phil, but please refrain from grinding on me too much,” Tyler says. “Teddy gets awfully jealous about that kind of thing.”

Teddy aims a kick in Tyler’s direction, but catches Dan in the shin instead. “Ow!” Dan exclaims. “Guys. I’m touched, really, but I can’t actually move-”

“Good, because if you move I will end up on the floor,” Teddy interrupts. “Everyone just stay where they are.”

Dan sighs heavily, surrendering. Again, a traitorous smile creeps onto his face. Sure, these two might be an enormous pain in the backside most of the time, but he wouldn’t trade them, even so.

“Thanks, guys,” Dan mumbles.

Strangely, this bonkers plan of theirs seems to be working. Dan is distracted enough by the lack of movement available in his limbs that he feels sleepier already.

He shuts his eyes, focusing on the warmth of the arms criss-crossed over his stomach, the rise and fall of the chests on either side of him.

“You have washed these sheets since Phil slept over, right?” Tyler says into Dan’s ear.

“I haven’t been here, Ty,” Dan mutters back. “How could I have?”

“So we’re sleeping in all your sin?” Teddy asks.

“How kinky.”

Dan swats Tyler in the side. “Don’t say ‘kinky’ while you’re in my bed. That’s a forbidden word in this scenario.”

“How did Phil react, by the way?” Teddy asks, suspiciously casual.

“To what?”

“To seeing you in your fursuit?”

The next few minutes are packed with Teddy’s indignant shrieks as he finds himself on the floor, followed by his pleas to be let back into the bed. Dan doesn’t relent for a good few minutes. Out of principle. 

*

At break time, they’re scheduled to meet with the Principal of the school. Dan has never been to the Principal’s office. He has, in fact, never even met the man, though he’s heard an array of wild, conflicting stories - mostly from the students - about why he’s never around.

The most popular theory, particularly amongst the older students, is that the Principal is an undercover spy, using his position as head of the school as both a front, and as leverage to infiltrate a corrupt government, particularly in the department of education.

According to Phil, these rumours are perfectly viable. He’s an eccentric character, apparently, and difficult to read. Phil likes him, which says a lot to Dan, as he trusts Phil’s opinion far more than anyone else’s.

“Do you like him more than John?”

Phil frowns, deliberating over this question. “Difficult to say. I don’t know him as well as John.” Phil frowns, deep in thought. “I’ve been round to his house for a board game night before, actually. He’s a quirky character, kind of peculiar, but he’s definitely nice. Just a little bit intimidating, I guess.”

That conversation had taken place before the first bell, in Phil’s classroom. Dan has no lessons with Phil on Tuesdays, so he has to simply wait until break time to see him again.

They meet outside the Principal’s office, both surprised and unsurprised to find Jonah Frank and Matthew waiting on opposite ends of a bench outside it, their arms folded. Matthew has a black eye; Jonah has a bleeding knuckle.

“Jonah, Matthew,” Phil greets them, a smirk on his lips. “Been playfighting again?”

“Nothing playful about it, sir,” Matthew scoffs, scowling at Jonah. “He just suckered me out of nowhere.”

“Out of nowhere?” Dan asks, also fighting a smile. “Well, that’s peculiar behaviour, Jonah.”

Jonah smirks, shaking his head at Dan’s sarcasm. “He was mouthin’ off. He deserved it, and he knows it.”

Matthew rolls his eyes. “Since when am I not allowed to say what I want? It’s a free country.”

“Since what you say is purely stirrin’ up shit that doesn’t concern you,” Jonah says, his tone firm.

“You’re so damn sensitive ‘bout Lester and the new TA,” Matthew growls, his voice quieter, though not so quiet that Dan can’t hear. “How ‘bout you crawl out their asses for a sec and-”

“Alright, alright,” Phil says in his loud, authoritative tone. It makes Dan shudder a little, a reminder of the past few times he’s heard it, but Matthew and Jonah are too busy staring daggers at one another to notice, thank Heavens. “Let’s take a breather. Silence is golden, for now. We can let the Principal deal with your disagreement.”

“Is that why you’re here, sirs?” Jonah asks, forgetting Matthew. “To see the Principal?”

“We have a meeting with him, yes.”

Jonah nods, his brow creasing. “Cool. Let me know…” he casts a wary look at Matthew. “How it goes.”

“See you later on, boys,” Phil says, tactfully avoiding agreeing to Jonah’s request.

With that, Phil walks up to the door of the office and knocks thrice. Dan smooths out his shirt and straightens his tie, already so nervous he could pass out. He let Tyler pick out his outfit this morning; he wanted to look smart, professional.

As it turns out, this probably won’t matter very much, as Phil has chosen to wear a bright blue shirt covered in corgis, and a bowtie. It’s ridiculous, but somehow he pulls it off beautifully.

“Come in,” a voice calls from inside.

Phil glances at Dan, giving him a little smile. Dan sends one back, very glad that he doesn’t have to do this alone, at least.

“Good luck, sirs,” Jonah calls as Phil pushes the door open, and steps back to let Dan inside.

*

The Principal’s office is cream-coloured, and the large windows look out onto the parking lot. It’s on the second floor, so there’s a bird’s-eye view of the area where the school buses idle, along with the main entrance, out of which the students pour every day. Dan imagines it must be rather nice to see them all funnel through the doors after the last bell, safe in the knowledge that they’ve all made it, unscathed, through another school day under your supervision. 

There’s a persistent, barely comprehensible jabbering coming from the backwards-facing chair behind the large desk. The Principal seems to be speaking on the phone. Following Phil’s lead, Dan takes a seat in one of the large beanbags provided, and waits, flicking nervous little glances in Phil’s direction.

He takes the opportunity to look around the room, curious about this mysterious figurehead that he’s been working for all this time. There are a few plants in here - strange, exotic ones that looks as if they shouldn’t be able to survive in England, but that are thriving, somehow, in this office.

The walls hold some bizarre motivational posters, and a few paintings that follow a similar, abstract and colourful style. Dan peers at the name in the corner, but he can’t quite make out the squiggle. It looks something like ‘Linguini’.

Phil clears his throat, clearly getting impatient. Dan hears the Principal say something like, “ah, yes, well - got to run for now, we’ll catch up on the candy cane dilemma a little later.”

Understandably, this makes Dan’s brow crease in confusion.

“Yes, alrighty, TTFN, Nick.”

The chair swivels, rather dramatically, and the receiver is placed back in its holster. A young man sits in the Principal’s chair, a dazzling, white, straight-teeth smile on his face, framed by a shock of dark curls atop his head. His eyes are bright and blue - though a different shade to Phil’s entirely. He also, Dan notices, wears glasses.

It had been enough of a shock for Dan to accept the existence of Phil Lester, a rare beauty amongst the rather beaten-down teachers he’s known in his life, but for there to be two members of this school’s faculty that look like they could be modelling their own range of designer spectacles is a bit much to comprehend.

“Ah, hello, hello!” The man declares brightly, standing briefly from his chair. “Phil! So good to see you!” Phil rises from his beanbag, a little awkwardly, and grips the hand outstretched over the desk. It takes Dan a moment, but then he struggles up to do the same. “And Dan, is it? Mr Howell, sorry, I’m being awfully rude.”

“Dan’s fine,” Dan mutters, his stomach still churning.

“Excellent! I’m Principal Ligouri, but most of the staff call me PJ.”

Dan nods, managing a grim smile. He flops back down onto his beanbag, as does Phil, and Principal Ligouri takes his seat, straightening his thin, black tie.

“I’m ashamed of the fact it’s taken so long for us to meet, Dan!” PJ says, his voice loud and ringing with exuberance. If Dan had thought Phil was a large personality, he has nothing on PJ; this guy could fill twenty rooms with his sunny smile alone. Honestly, it’s a little much. “I usually make it a point to get to know my staff members.” He pretends to slap his own hand. “Shame on me!”

“Oh, it’s fine,” Dan assures him, the beanbag rustling as he fidgets. “I know you’re very busy.”

“No excuses!” PJ exclaims, ruffling his mop of hair in both hands. “Any-who, any-why, what brings you two here today? Ooh! And would you like a slurp of tea?”

PJ produces three mugs out of a seemingly invisible drawer in the desk, and deposits them on the table. Then, he spins around on the chair, wheeling over to a little tea-station behind him, which holds a kettle, a teapot, and a very tiny fridge.

All three of the mugs have the word ‘slurp’ written on them, alongside a colourful array of peculiar drawings. They look very similar to the framed paintings on the walls, Dan notes.

“Um,” Dan says, glancing at Phil, unsure. “I- I guess tea would be nice-”

“Peej, I think Dan and I would prefer just to get this over with,” Phil interrupts. 

PJ swivels on the chair to face him again, eyes wide. The kettle starts to roar.

“Get it over with?”

“Yeah,” Phil says, frowning. “This is a disciplinary meeting, after all.”

PJ slumps in his chair, frowning back at Phil. “I’m afraid you’ve lost me, Phil.”

“This meeting… you’re supposed to be telling me and Dan whether we’re allowed to stay on here.” Phil looks across at Dan, as if checking to see this is correct. Dan shrugs very slightly, just as bewildered as he is. “Because we don’t plan on breaking up, so…”

A second or two passes, and then PJ’s face melts into a relieved smile. “Oh, that? I thought I told John to clear all that nonsense up.”

Dan and Phil gawk at him in surprise, able only to watch in perplexed silence as PJ, humming away, turns back to his tea station to pour the water into the pot.

“Sorry,” Dan says, shaking his head. “I don’t think we understand. We thought we were here to receive the board’s decision about whether Phil will be having to quit or not.”

PJ barks a laugh, swivelling back towards them, teapot in hand. He looks practically maniacal, Dan thinks, holding the teapot in the air as he uses his long, spidery legs to scoot back over to the desk. Like the Mad Hatter, somehow having risen through the ranks until he’s in charge of an entire school.

Dan looks over at Phil, mildly fearful of this thought. Perhaps PJ is a lunatic? Could it be that his lack of presence in this job has caused his staff to overlook his mental instability? Could this man have simply forgotten what this meeting is all about?

“Principal Ligouri,” Dan says, heart hammering. “This isn’t very funny to us - it’s actually caused us quite a lot of anxiety, so if you could just explain-”

“Right, Dan, of course.” PJ’s face drops into one of total sincerity so fast that Dan actually leans back into his beanbag, blown away. The teapot is placed carefully on the desk, the mugs pushed to the side. PJ leans towards them, fingers laced, a grim, apologetic smile on his handsome face. “And that is, of course, something that I am deeply apologetic about.”

PJ clears his throat, and pours the tea into the mugs, still the picture of seriousness.

“We will, of course, be providing appropriate compensation for the both of you in regards to all this-”

“Wait, wait, slow down.” Phil is sitting upright as much as he can in the beanbag, looking irritated. Dan watches him in silent awe, knowing that whatever is about to come out of his mouth is undoubtedly going to be deliciously firm and righteous. “PJ,” Phil sighs in frustration. “Am I correct in understanding that neither Dan nor I are about to be forced to leave our jobs?”

“Good grief, I wouldn’t hear of it!”

Phil’s mouth sets into a line. Dan can feel the bubble of something begin to inflate in his chest. It feels like it could blossom into relief, or possibly euphoria, but it’s too early to tell.

“And why, exactly,” Phil asks; his teeth sound like they’re gritted. “Have we been under the opposite impression for the last twenty-four hours?”

“So John didn’t catch you up to speed?” PJ asks; Dan and Phil both shake their heads. “I see,” PJ says. 

He turns to get the milk from the fridge and pours some into the mugs before speaking again. 

“Well, I’ll have a word with him about that. But let’s just suffice to say that the matter has been put to rest. There’s no need to concern yourselves with it anymore. You’re free to see one another romantically - though I would remind you to keep things professional during school hours, of course.” PJ grins, reaching for his mug of tea. “Well, as far as possible. Young love, and all that. I’m not a monster.”

“…I don’t understand,” Dan says quietly. “How can this all just be over? John said-”

“Yes, I am aware that John miscommunicated to you both,” PJ says, slurping down some tea. Mostly because Dan is very aware that his hands are empty and twitching with nerves, he reaches for one of the mugs PJ made him, hands it to Phil, and then reaches for the other. “I do wish to offer my sincere apologies for that. The thing is… John’s always been a bit of a stickler for the rules. I myself haven’t glanced at that ancient handbook for years. I’ve no idea why he wouldn’t think to ask me about the validity of those old guidelines before speaking to you.”

“So, the no teacher-relationships rule is just… being thrown out?” Phil asks, his big hands wrapped around the mug.

Dan slurps some tea of his own, eyes wide. This whole meeting has been so far from what he expected that he’s starting to wonder if he’s actually dreaming. The tea burns on his tongue as he sips it, and he winces in pain.

Probably not a dream, then.

“I’ll have to call a meeting and file some paperwork before I can officially abolish it,” PJ says, rolling his eyes as if the very idea is deathly boring. “But I already appealed to the board of education and they have no objections. Apparently most schools got rid of those no-teacher-relationship rules yonks ago.”

“It does seem… kind of old-fashioned,” Dan says, his voice small. 

The bubble in his chest is expanding, pushing up into his throat. He’s worried that it might pop, bursting out of him in a bout of hysterical laughter.

“Oh, it’s practically Edwardian,” PJ agrees. “What kind of evil troll-Principal would I be if I allowed my best teacher - and my best Teaching Assistant,” PJ winks at Dan, slurping some more tea. “To be forced out of here simply because they fell in love?”

Dan immediately flushes bright red, and he determinedly avoids Phil’s eye. Love is not something they’ve discussed yet. PJ, caught up in his own tale, seems not to notice.

“It’s actually all very romantic. Like a modern day fairytale. Dan’s the damoiseau in distress, Phil’s the brave Knight… who’s the evil dragon? Me, perhaps? John?” PJ stares out of the window, lost in his own musings. “Anyway, enough of that. Time for the happily ever after, I say!”

As PJ rambles on a little more, Dan just stares into his tea, unable to believe this is actually happening. He and Phil seem to be off the hook, completely. No more crying in the secret bathroom, no more sneaking around, guiltily hiding things from John and the kids. They get to be together, every day, without restrictions. Dan gets to walk past Phil’s classroom and see him, bright and vivacious, inspiring the students, whenever he wants.

And then later, after he’s finished work, Dan gets to wind their hands together, he gets to watch Phil pack away his desk and kiss him before he turns out the lights. He gets to listen to the kids tease them for being so sappy, climb into Phil’s little car, and be driven home.  

Belatedly, Dan feels a hand place itself into his, and he glances down at it, realising it’s Phil’s. He squeezes tightly, dumbstruck that he’s allowed.

“...so of course the compensation you’ll receive for this will be enough to satisfactorily put this absurd matter to rest once and for-”

“Compensation?” Dan looks up in surprise.

PJ nods slowly. “Yes… as I mentioned, you’ll both be offered a sum of money to compensate for the inconvenience.”

“How much?”

Phil lets out a small laugh at Dan’s question, making him blush. PJ’s mouth also twitches in amusement. Dan shrinks away from their responses; he’s never been offered so much as a tax reimbursement, let alone money for something he now finds out he hasn’t even done wrong. He can’t help but be a little eager to know the details - particularly as he’s currently scraping by on his meagre Teaching Assistant salary.

“The details will need to be finalised, but I will personally see to it that you are not disappointed,” PJ tells the two of them. He drains the last of his tea from the mug, letting out an ‘ahhh’ of satisfaction.

“PJ…” Phil says, looking almost as shocked by all of this as Dan is. “This is… I want to thank you for being so understanding. You could have- well, let’s just say if you were a different sort of person, this might not have gone as smoothly for us.”

“Oh, now, don’t be silly,” PJ says, batting his gratitude straight out of the air. “All I ask for is a wedding invitation, and a dedicated plaque in your forever home, attributing the success of your relationship to me, and me alone.”

Dan gawps at him, mouth falling open a little. Then PJ splutters, sending a hideous flush over Dan’s neck and face. Phil titters beside him, squeezing Dan’s hand.

“Oh, and one other thing,” PJ announces, glancing at the clock on the wall. Break time is almost over. “I received a rather lengthy email this morning from a Mr Jonah Frank. I presume he is a student of yours, Mr Lester?”

“Oh, God,” Dan says under his breath.

They’re so close now. Dan prays silently that whatever Jonah said - or more likely threatened - won’t ruin it for them at the last minute.

“He’s in mine and Dan’s Year Nine History class, yes,” Phil says, glancing at Dan, wary.

“I see,” PJ mutters, clicking on something on his computer. “Ah yes, here it is.”

“Peej, whatever he said, he’s just a… kind of troubled kid who has a favouritism for me, he’s honestly harmless-”

PJ glances up, eyebrows nestled near the mass of curls atop his forehead. “I think you’re misunderstanding me. Jonah sent through a very polite and honestly rather well-put together request for a - and I’m using his words - ‘reconsideration of my decision to suspend two members of the faculty’.”

Dan blinks in quiet shock, unable to summon a response.

“He did?” Phil asks, sounding just as baffled.

PJ nods, then turns his monitor for the two of them to see. On the screen is an email, professionally structured, with separate, indented paragraphs, and a ‘Dear’ at the beginning, along with a ‘yours sincerely’ at the end.

It could be any business email Dan’s ever seen, except for the telltale name at the bottom - Jonah Frank.

“A ‘petition’,” Phil reads, adjusting his glasses and squinting at the words. “What’s that about a petition?”

“Ah, yes,” PJ says with a wry smile. “Apparently this delightful young man took it upon himself to create a petition for the two of you to remain on the staff. He gathered over two hundred signatures, actually, it’s rather impressive. He seems to have emailed it to the whole school, though I’m not sure how he managed to find the email addresses of all the teachers.”

Probably not through legitimate means, Dan thinks to himself. “Two hundred people signed it?”

PJ nods brightly at them both. “It seems the two of you are rather popular. Of course, the petition turned out to be unnecessary, but had I been the sort of tyrant that would have sacked you both over this triviality, I do believe this petition of Jonah’s might have made me reconsider.”

“I feel like… I should mention that Jonah is waiting outside right now,” Phil says, smirking slightly. “He was sent to you for giving another student a black eye.”

PJ’s eyebrows lift, and he disguises what looks very much like a small chuckle as a cough into his fist. “I see. Well, in light of all this… perhaps you could mention to him on your way out that I’m… very busy. Too busy, in fact, to see him, and that he is free to go.”

“Got it,” Phil replies, smiling at PJ. “On that note, we should probably get out of your hair.”

Phil stands up then, and Dan follows suit, still in a daze. They’re really going to walk out of here scot free.

Phil reaches over to shake PJ’s hand, smiling warmly. When PJ reaches for Dan’s hand, he limply gives it up, still unsure of protocol.

“Lovely to see you Phil, as ever,” PJ says with a grin. “When’s our next board game night? We should set a date for it.” A light blush peppers his cheeks, and he glances at Dan. “With Dan too, of course. How rude of me.”

“Oh, um, thanks.”

“I mean it! I take Tokaido very seriously, Dan.”

Phil nods gravely. “It’s true.”

“Don’t worry, I’m a bit of a Mario Kart menace… so I know the feeling.”

Phil eyes him curiously, his smile practically screaming at Dan how much he wants to see this in action.

On their way out of the door, Dan hesitates, his eye catching once more on those paintings. He steps over to read the scribbled name at the bottom. Up close, it’s just about readable: Ligouri.

“Oh, so you did paint these,” Dan comments, smiling as he takes in the bright, beautiful shapes and colours. “They’re wonderful.”

“Well, thank you very much,” PJ tells him, walking over to where the paintings hang. “I’m only an amateur, mind. But I do love to experiment with acrylics in my spare time.”

“I prefer charcoal,” Dan says, not really thinking about it. He’s too caught up in the vivid monster-scape in front of him. “Or pencil.”

“Oh, you draw?” PJ turns to him in surprise. “Funny you should mention, I’ve been looking for someone to teach an after school art class once or twice a week. Would that interest you? Extra pay, obviously.”

Dan’s eyes widen in astonishment. “Really? I mean- wow, that sounds-”

PJ’s telephone trills into life then, cutting Dan off mid-sentence. PJ rolls his eyes and heads towards it. “Do excuse me, I need to take this, I imagine. People do get awfully worked up if they can’t get hold of the Principal. Send me an email to remind me about the art class, though. Lord knows I’ll only forget otherwise.”

Dan nods, and PJ gives a small wave, picking up the receiver. 

“Ah, Nick! Calling back about the candy canes? Red and white. No, no, black would not be a good substitute-” 

His head spinning with ideas of striding after-hours through a classroom full of easels, ten or more eager faces turned to him, hanging on his word, Dan strolls out of the office through the door Phil is holding for him, and smiles.

*

There’s barely a second for Dan to catch his breath once the door shuts behind him before he’s being swept into Phil’s arms, and kissed, so hard it’s rather dizzying. He feels the bubble in his chest burst at last, sending tumbles of relieved, ecstatic laughter into Phil’s mouth. He hugs Phil fiercely, clinging to him tight.

Phil doesn’t stop, doesn’t let him breathe, he just kisses and kisses, lifting Dan a little off the floor as he holds tight around his middle.

“Uhhh, I’m guessin’ that went well then, sirs,” a voice sounds from nearby; Phil springs backwards, releasing Dan in a second, his cheeks an unusual shade of peony.

Jonah, still sat on the bench outside the office, is staring at determinedly at the floor, his eyes wide and horrified. Dan lifts a hand to his mouth; it’s been less than a minute into their new, public relationship and he and Phil have already traumatised a student.

“Jonah!” Phil exclaims, hurriedly wiping his mouth and smoothing his shirt down. “Um, sorry, I- we didn’t see you. Um, yes, it went… better than expected.”

Jonah looks up cautiously, as though he’s expecting a pornagraphic display. He sighs, relieved, when he finds this is not the case, and grins at his teacher.

“Awesome, so you’re stayin’ on, an’ that?”

“It would appear so, yes.”

Dan smiles at Phil, giddy with happiness as this is confirmed aloud for the first time. “Apparently a particularly determined student helped us out in that department.”

Phil laughs, nodding. “Yes, we… wanted to tell you how much we appreciate your effort to help, Jonah. It’s very sweet of you to get so involved, and to do what you did.”

The fourteen-year-old shrugs dismissively, but there’s a little smile gracing the corners of his mouth. “S’nothin’. Couldn’t be arsed with the idea of comin’ to this shitshow school every day without messin’ with you two dorks.”

“I’m not sure I should allow you to speak to us like that,” Phil says. lifting one eyebrow. “But... I think, on balance, I can probably let it slide this time.”

Jonah grins, winking at Phil. “Thanks, sir.”

“Oh, and Principal Ligouri wanted us to pass on a message to you,” Dan adds, glancing at Phil; his eyes widen, remembering. “He says that he’s sorry, but he’s awfully busy and can’t squeeze you in, so if you promise not to hit anyone else, you’re free to-”

“Hey, speaking of, where is Matthew?” Phil asks, looking around the vicinity.

“I finished ‘im off,” Jonah says casually, standing from the bench. “Stuffed him in those lockers over there.”

Jonah inclines his head to a nearby row of lockers; Dan’s eyes widen in alarm. “You… are you serious?”

There’s a moment of strained silence, wherein Dan wonders if he’s about to become world-famous as the Teaching Assistant that allowed a raging psychopath of a student to murder a classmate in cold blood and stuff his corpse into a locker. Then, Jonah laughs.

“Course I’m not serious, sir, fuckin’ hell.”

“Language, Jonah,” Phil warns, but he’s laughing too. Dan glares at them both, and rolls his eyes.

“I told ‘im I’d take the rap for the punch and sent him off,” Jonah says, grabbing his backpack, still laughing. “But looks like I don’t need to now, thanks to you, Mr Lester.” Jonah winks, already backing down the corridor. “See you losers next Monday!”

At that second, the bell rings, and Dan looks exasperatedly at Phil. They exchange a look of frustration, knowing that they’re now going to have to wait until lunchtime to talk about this.

“See you later,” Dan says, sighing. He darts forward to steal one last kiss from Phil’s mouth just before the corridor fills with students, on their way to class.

“Come find me in Classroom Nine at lunch!” Phil calls as Dan hurries away with the mob of teenagers.

He rolls his eyes at this instruction; as if he’d go anywhere else.

*

Fifteen minutes after the lunch bell, Dan is sitting on Phil’s desk, Phil on the chair in front of it, his chin on Dan’s knee. Dan is gazing down at him fondly, his heart bursting at the seams. He gets to stare at this face every day. It feels too good to be true.

“My mind is still reeling,” Phil admits. “This morning I practiced my ‘I quit’ speech to Buffy.”

Dan smirks. “And what did she think?”

“She gave some helpful comments.” Phil laughs. “Maintain eye contact, square my shoulders, pee on the desk to mark my territory…”

Dan nods seriously. “Well, she is a highly trained professional.”

“Oh, of course. That’s why I went to her for advice, obviously,” Phil says, smiling. 

His eyes are crinkling in the corners - Dan has come to recognise that this happens when he’s feeling particularly fond. 

Dan is just about to ask Phil to feed him more of the cookie he’d bought from the canteen a little while ago, but at that moment there’s a knock on the closed classroom door. It opens in the next moment, before either of them have a chance to respond.

It’s John, surprisingly, that pokes his head around the door. There’s no mistaking the bashful expression smeared all over his face. “Is this a bad time?”

Phil lifts his head from Dan’s lap, sitting back in his chair. “No, you’re fine.”

Instinctually, Dan feels his hands curling into fists at the sight of John. It’s not fair, Dan knows, to be angry with the man, as he was only doing his job - but still, he is the reason Dan and Phil have been having such a difficult time recently. And to top it off, it was all totally unneccessary.

“I thought I should stop by to apologise to the two of you,” John says at once, stepping just inside the door. Dan’s fists unfurl at once. “If I’m not mistaken, I’ve made a rather large error in regards to how I dealt with the discovery of your romantic relationship, and that must have caused both of you a great deal of stress.”

Dan frowns, studying the whorls in the wood of Phil’s desk.

“Thank you,” Phil says, making Dan glance up. “We appreciate you saying that, John.”

“Y-yes, we do,” Dan agrees, nodding.

John’s shoulders sag in relief. “Good, because it really was never my intention to… disrupt this, um, blossoming relationship. In truth, I find you both very good company, and I’m happy you found each other this way.”

“I understand, John,” Phil tells him with a kind smile. Dan marvels at his ability to be so forgiving; he’s not sure he can do it so quickly. “You thought it was part of your job. It’s okay.”

John nods sadly, looking guilty, still. “I understand that this might affect our friendship from here on out, but I hope that perhaps with time you might come to forgive me-”

“Don’t be silly,” Phil interrupts, waving a hand through the air. “Let’s just put it all behind us. Peej said something about organising another board game night soon. You remember last time, don’t you? Should be fun to see PJ hurling Monopoly hotels into our drinks again.”

John laughs at this, apparently remembering. Dan’s eyes widen a little, not sure how to react to the information that PJ apparently gets violently competitive on these occasions.

“Sounds good,” John agrees, smiling gratefully at Phil. “If we can ever pin the mystery-man down, I’m in. And I suppose we have one more player to add?” John eyes Dan questioningly.

Dan nods, giving him a somewhat thin smile. Sue him, he’s not as much of an angel as Phil Lester. He can be salty about John’s actions for a little bit longer.

“Excellent,” John mumbles, turning to go. “Well, I apologise again. I hope you’ll be very happy together. And I know you’ll be professional about this, of course.”

The last bit is said as a mild warning, but Phil just chuckles, nodding. “Thanks, John. See you around.”

*

The next few days are a blissful, barely believable dream. Dan swans into school each morning and has a coffee made for him by his perfect boyfriend. They spend their break times laughing at stupid memes on their phones and planning fun activities for the classes they run together. 

Of course, the kids tease them mercilessly. They make kissing noises when their backs are turned and ask them inappropriate questions at every opportunity. They make Dan blush so hard that by the end of the lesson he often feels light-headed.

But it doesn’t matter in the slightest, because Phil is incredible at laughing it off, or swatting the jibes back at the kids with his effortlessly sharp wit.

“I’ve lost the board eraser,” Phil says one time to the Year Eight class. “Has anyone seen it?”

“Did you check Mr Howell’s pants, sir? Perhaps you dropped the eraser when you were in there earlier,” Shaima says, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Dan immediately splutters into his hand, scandalised - she’s only thirteen!

“Thank you, Shaima,” Phil answers, one eyebrow raised in warning. “I’m not sure it would be entirely appropriate to reach into my TA’s pants right now, but perhaps I’ll check later.”

Shaima pulls a face at this, which seems to have been Phil’s desired effect, if his responding smirk is anything to go by. 

“In the meantime, perhaps you could spend a little less time trying to embarrass your teachers, and a instead focus on the relationships of the Tudor family.” Phil says with a harder tone. Shaima nods, a little guilty. “Don’t worry, their lives were far more sordid and gossip-worthy back then than mine and Mr Howell’s boring plans to cuddle on my sofa later and watch Adventure Time.”

Dan is incredibly happy. Despite wanting much the opposite, Dan resists the urge to go round Phil’s house after school for the remainder of the week. He feels a little like he might be straining Phil’s hospitality, and that he’s just too polite to say.

Besides, Teddy and Tyler have been insufferable in their complaints about him not spending any time with them anymore. To rectify this, he reluctantly agrees to a house night out to the pub on Friday, just the three of them.

Unfortunately, they run into their friends down at The Cat & Bear, including Stephanie, who is her usual glowery self. This time however, it doesn’t bother Dan in the same way. He spends much of the evening texting Phil as he nurses his single pint of beer. Teddy and Tyler drink more than enough for him, anyway.

Before she leaves, Stephanie snaps her fingers in front of Dan’s face, looking annoyed. “Hey, rude much? You’ve been staring at your phone all evening, Dan. What, are we not entertaining enough for you tonight?”

“Oh, we have to let him off, Steph,” Teddy says, thankfully, before Dan can scrounge up a response. Teddy slings an arm around Dan’s shoulder. “He’s found a new squeeze.”

“Ooh, let me tell Phil we say hi!” Tyler exclaims, making grabby hands for Dan’s phone; luckily, being more or less sober, Dan manages to whip it out of his reach.

“I got it,” Dan assures him, tapping out a quick text to this effect.

“Um, Phil?” Stephanie repeats, her voice shrill and high. “As in… Philip? A boy?”

“Oh, gosh honey no,” Tyler says, placing a condescending hand on her forearm. “Phil Lester is a man.”

Dan can’t help the splutter that comes out of his mouth; Stephanie just purses her lips, stands up and excuses herself from the table. Dan doesn’t see her again for the rest of the night.

“I always got the sense she might’ve been a bit homophobic,” Tyler says, wrinkling his nose. “Not overtly, but I could tell what she thought about us. Living in sin, as we are.”

“Yeah she told me bisexuality wasn’t real when I came out to her,” Dan shrugs, making the others blink in surprise. “I don’t actually think she’s a very nice person, come to think of it.”

His phone buzzes, and Tyler grabs hold of it at once.

“Ty, no! Give it back,” Dan cries, leaning over Teddy’s lap in an attempt to grab it.

Tyler just laughs, holding it out of reach. He clicks the text message that came through.

“From Phil - tell Tweedledum and Tweedledee I say hi back,” Tyler reads, then sucks in a scandalised gasp. “Wow, Phil. That is just uncalled for.”

Dan sniggers behind his hand, privately appreciating that joke.

“If we are any characters from Alice in Wonderland we are the Queen of Hearts and the... big dragon-y thing,” Teddy says, sounding indignant.

“Oh, yes, Helena Bonham Carter slays,” Tyler agrees. “I could totally see myself as her.”

Teddy places a hand on Tyler’s arm. “Oh, honey no, I meant you’d be the Jabberwocky.”

“As if I’d-”

The phone buzzes a second time, and Dan lunges for it, but misses. Tyler’s reflexes are surprisingly fast considering his level of inebriation.

“Phil again,” Tyler announces, gleeful. “He says, ‘glad you’re having fun, chaton, but i miss you and…’” Tyler’s eyes bulge, and he lets out a shocked little laugh. “Oh my. Well, that’s a little more risqué than I’d expect from a secondary school teacher.”

“Oh my God, give me my phone back,” Dan says, mortified. “I hate you so much.”

“What does it say?” Teddy asks eagerly, his eyes shining. Tyler tilts the phone for him to see, and Teddy descends into a fit of laughter. “Oh wow, you are one lucky boy, Daniel.”

“And he’s indulging your furry kink I see, chaton,” Tyler adds, laughing.

This time, when Dan snatches for the phone, he manages to get ahold of it. He reads the message Phil sent him, flushing deeply, and pockets his phone again. He tries to ignore the laughter from the others, but ultimately can’t stand it.

“That’s it, I’m getting pissed,” Dan declares, standing to head for the bar.

*

Phil r u ok? u havent texted back for a while

Dan yesh

Dan am drunk tho

Dan fdl;’’;f,;

Dan sory spelling is hard

Phil lol i thought you were only gonna have one beer?

Dan me too

Dan cant b sober around T & T

Phil i understand

Phil are u alright? are you still at the pub?

Dan no im in bed now

Dan wish u were here

Dan bed is waaaaay better with u

Phil haha i completely agree

Dan stpehanie was at the pub >:(

Dan she was mean and rude

Dan Teddy told her bout u and she was rly jel

Dan cos ur so awesome and hot

Phil hahahahaha. oh god. i hope Teddy described me a bit better than that.

Dan she stormed off it was gr8

Dan Tyler read out tht dirty message u sent me

Phil omg hahahaha

Phil i would say im sorry but its just hilarious

Dan h8 u

Dan miss u tho

Dan come here i want to be cuddled

Dan … or we could do those things u said in ur text

Dan not fussed

Phil wish i was there tbh

Phil get some sleep cheri xxx

Phil i’ll see you very soon <3

Dan sighhhh. kk. night night <3

Phil xxx

*

When Dan wakes up on Saturday morning, his head is pounding and he can taste nothing but an ashy, bitter residue coating his dry tongue. He groans into his pillow, trying to will himself back into the comforting embrace of unconsciousness.

He’s there, face buried in the pillow, for around ten minutes, when all of a sudden his door creaks open.

“Ugh, Tyler, Teddy, get out, it is entirely your fault that I currently feel like death,” Dan groans at the general room. “I do not feel like a chinwag right now.”

“Shame,” a voice decidedly not belonging to either of his flatmates, says from afar. “Guess I’ll just leave then.”

Dan turns around so fast that the room lurches, and he swallows a wash of bile threatening to spill out of his mouth. Phil lurks by the door, a large pizza box under one arm, smiling at him.

“Are you a mirage?” Dan asks him, uncomprehending. “How- who let you in?”

“A very grumpy looking Teddy,” Phil replies, sauntering over to the bed. “I tried to ask him how he was feeling but he just sort of grunted at me and shooed me towards your room.”

Phil places the pizza box down on Dan’s bedside table, shucks off his shoes and jacket, and crawls under the covers beside him. He scoops Dan into his arms, pulling him against his chest, making him sigh. This could be Heaven, Dan thinks. He smells vaguely of pizza, and he’s warm and soft.

“How’re you feeling?”

Phil presses a gentle kiss to the top of his head. Dan just groans in response, shaking his head to and fro.

Phil chuckles. “Too hungover for pizza and cuddles?”

“Never,” Dan replies immediately, tilting his face up to be kissed. Shockingly, Phil does kiss him, despite the fact Dan is sure he looks absolutely dreadful - not to mention the taste of his sour breath. “You’re too good to be true.”

Phil smiles warmly, and kisses him again. “True. I’m an amazing boyfriend. Now sit up and eat your pizza.”

The next few hours are spent in a wonderful, indulgent cocoon of bed, Netflix, pizza and lazy, sloppy making out. They get crumbs in Dan’s sheets, and their eyes begin to hurt from how many episodes of Buffy they get through, but it’s perfect in every way. Dan can’t remember a Saturday he’s enjoyed more than this for a long time.

“Have you thought about what you might do with your compensation payout yet?” Phil asks, nibbling on a leftover piece of pizza crust.

Dan sighs, remembering it. They were paid yesterday, a reasonable sum just as PJ promised, but Dan has a whole mountain-load of debts trailing after him, so he can’t enjoy it for long. It will be nice to take some of the pressure off his financial status, though.

“Oh, rent, student loan repayments, bills… the choice is simply overwhelming.”

Phil laughs sympathetically, snaking an arm around his shoulders. “Sorry, gorgeous.”

“What about you?” Dan asks, genuinely curious. He hadn’t really considered until now what Phil might want to invest in.

“Oh, I’ve spent mine,” Phil tells him.

Dan blinks. “Already?”

“Yep,” Phil replies with a smile. “I bought some tickets.”

“Wow,” Dan says. “Expensive tickets. What for?”

“Yeah, well. The Eurostar is expensive. Especially if you travel first class.”

Hungover and throbbing as it is, Dan’s brain takes a little while to catch up. “The Eurostar? Where are you going?”

“Paris,” Phil says, smirking. There’s a knowing glisten in his eye; Dan watches it with suspicion. “And not just me. You too.”

“What?”

“I booked us a weekend in Paris,” Phil says, grinning. “Not yet. For Valentine’s Day. I know it’s a couple of months away, but I thought it’s best to think ahead because I know I’ll want to spoil you, and-”

Dan leaps on him, their mouths connecting with such force that he thinks it’ll probably bruise them both, but he doesn’t care. He peppers Phil’s face with kisses, his face creasing with embarrassed laughter. Dan whispers his exclamations of utter, ecstatic joy, telling Phil he’s amazing and perfect and that Dan is, quite literally, the luckiest person in the entire universe.

“Dan, Dan, it’s okay, I mean it’s not that big of a- oh, shit, o-kay-”

He stops his protestation in favour of gasping out a few more curse words then, mostly because Dan’s hand is currently inserting itself into the front of his pants.

Things accelerate rather quickly after that. Their clothes can’t be removed fast enough, and Phil seems particularly handsy today, which doesn’t help. To his credit, he works swiftly with the lube, locating it without being prompted in Dan’s bedside drawer, and working Dan open on his fingers with the practiced efficiency of a skilled artist.

Dan, for his part, just moans and gasps, clinging onto Phil in numerous ways, hands twisting into his hair, or skimming over his bare back, down to his hip so he can trace the faint bump of his tattoo.

As Phil pushes into him, Dan feels his body splitting apart, exploding into the billions of stars that scatter across the galaxy. He feels the rough, hot drag of Phil against his internal muscles, pressed in so deeply, so tightly, that it feels almost impossible to believe.

He hears his name on Phil’s lips as he comes, followed by the warm, pleasant rush of liquid shooting into his body, making his heart stutter. Phil’s hand gets him the rest of the way, along with the never-ending kisses pressed to his lips and neck.

When it’s over, and they’re laying, breathless and spent, on the mattress, Dan shuts his eyes, and sends a silent prayer. He’s not a religious person, but he feels he needs to cement this moment.

“What’re you muttering?” Phil asks.

“Just praying to Jesus, or Allah, or Buddha, or whoever else is up there that you never, ever leave me, and that I can stay this happy, with you, forever.”

“Dan,” Phil says, sounding a little choked. “That’s… Of course I won’t leave you. I…” he pauses, chewing his lip, conflicted. “I won’t leave you.”

As he decides what he wants to say, Dan’s heart speeds into overdrive. Butterflies, moths, dragonflies... they all burst into sudden, vivacious life in his pizza-filled stomach. He rolls onto his side to face Phil.

“I’ve been learning some more French,” Dan tells him slowly.

His heart is practically humming. He reaches for Phil’s hand and laces their fingers together.

“You have?” Phil asks, clearly unsure. “What have you learnt?”

Dan quirks a smile, then broadens it, knowing of Phil’s penchance for his dimple. Sure enough, Phil’s gaze falls to the place on his cheek that Dan knows it to be, a look of fondness passing over his expression.

Dan leans forwards, so their mouths brush, just slightly. “Je t’aime.”

The reaction is instant. Phil stops breathing, Dan is sure of it. His chest stops inflating beneath Dan’s hands, and Dan can no longer feel the soft puffs of air against his mouth. Phil leans away just a little, enough that he can focus on Dan without going cross-eyed.

“Dan, do you… do you know what you just-”

“Oui,” Dan says. “Je t’aime, Phil.”

There’s a tremor in Phil’s lower lip, and his eyes glisten. Alarmed, Dan wonders if perhaps it’s too much, too soon, and he should never have-

Then Phil kisses him, hard and full of emotion, hands bracing his head. Dan falls into it happily, not surprised to feel the slight damp of Phil’s cheek, but a little more so to discover the ripple of goosebumps up and down the warm skin of his arms.

“I love you too, Dan,” Phil says against his mouth, smiling. “I love you very much. It feels a bit like I always have.”

A relieved, exalted grin pushes the dimples back into Dan’s cheeks, and he wraps himself in Phil once again, bathing in the sunlight of those glossy, shimmering words.

Paris, Dan muses as the tangy, sweet, familiar flavour of Phil’s essence floods his tastebuds, isn’t necessarily a place. Paris can be found in the tunnelling, azure eyes of your favourite person. It can be discovered lurking, vivacious and dazzling, beneath the wide, strong caress of a lover in the dead of night. It is, for Dan, a feeling, an emotion, a state of mind. It’s the glow of his heart when Phil smiles across the classroom. It’s the vibration of his soft hum as he bakes in his pretty kitchen. 

Paris, in Dan’s mind, is a low, rumbling surety of Phil’s love and adoration. It’s a reminder, every passing second, every breath Dan takes, that true love is a best friend, a partner, a home.

Fin.

#l'histoire française #phan #phan teacher au #teacher au #the end! #thank you all so much for reading!!!!!

[iluvu3k]

Morning Cuddles

This can also be found on my AO3 account!

Your education as something you had always prided yourself on. You were valedictorian in high school, hate some of the highest marks in your graduating class in college, and you landed yourself a pretty great job as an accountant for a large YouTube company. So, you were a pretty educated woman.

So why you thought it would be a smart idea to sleep with one of your clients was a mystery to you. Of course around the seventh or eight time you stopped wondering.

Right as the sun peeked through Dan’s grey curtains you began gathering your clothes, pushing away piles of his ripped jeans and band shirts to get to your crumpled up piece of fabric. You silently cursed yourself for wearing an excessive amount of clothes last night. You didn’t need two undershirts AND a sweater.

You smiled remembering Dan saying the same thing last night while trying to get you naked, his stubble scraping against your skin, his lips trailing down your neck, his hands caressing your hips…

You blinked a few times trying to refocus. You careful sat at the end of the bed slipping on your shoes before checking yourself in his closet mirror and slipping out of his room.

You shut his door as quietly as possible listening for Barry, another one of your clients. Dan told you about looking at places of his own but until then he lived with Barry which made sneaking out more complicated. It was crucial that no one saw you. You really didn’t need word getting out that you were sleeping with a client, it could ruin your career.

As you found your way to your car you worked on untangling your sex hair, hating yourself for not leaving earlier. You had to be at the Grump Space in less than an hour to meet with Arin and you really didn’t have time to go home and shower. The long walk to your car didn’t make the situation any better. You insisted that you parked a couple blocks away to no one recognized your car, Dan found that silly but enjoyed walking with you.

He was too nice of a one night stand, well, multiple night stand.

Arin never enjoyed going over long complicated numbers and graphs with you, he found you much more interesting when he convinced you to play a round of Mario Kart, which turned into a few rounds of Mario Kart and a match on Overwatch. Which summed up your sex life with his best friend pretty well.

“Well, now that I have completely obliterated you, I should probably get going.” You smiled, putting the controller down. You took a long stretch as you stood up, first upward and then bending downward, really trying to unstiffen your back. You had no idea how the boys did this all day.

“Now that’s a sight I never get tired of seeing.” Dan laughed, entering the room. You quickly straighted up, your face getting hot. “Arin losing, it’s my favorite.” He winked at you as Arin walked over to shut the TV down. You glared back.

You both had talked about keeping it one hundred percent professional everywhere outside of the bedroom. That meant no jokes, but Dan didn’t like to follow that rule. He constantly snuck in tiny innuendos anywhere he could just to get under your skin.

“Well, as much as I would love to keep kicking my client’s ass, I really must get going. “ You slipped passed him, his shit eating grin following you.

“I’ll walk you out.” He held the door open for you.

“It’s fine. I’m a big girl.”

“I insist.”

It was a quiet walk to the elevator, he grabbed your bag for you on the way out of the office while you said goodbye to everyone and you clutched a couple folders to your chest. It wasn’t until the elevators door closed on the two of you that you decided to speak up.

“Why do you always have to do that, Dan? You’re going to get me-“ He gently pushed you against the elevator wall, his hips pinning you. His hand ran behind your neck pulling you into his lips, his tongue slipping into your mouth, slowly at first but growing hungrier with every floor you descended. You let your folders fall to the floor as your fingers laced through his hair, pulling it gently, just the way you knew he liked it. You loved the way he moaned softly against your lips, only loud enough for you to hear.

*Ding*

You both pulled apart quickly, wiping your mouths and slowing your heavy breaths before the doors opened. You bent down, pulling papers together, shoving them in folders quickly. Dan joined you as a few people you recognized from other floors piled in. You both slipped out right as the door was closing, muttering small apologize.

“God dammit, Daniel.” You huffed, leaving the building.

“I’m sorry.” He laughed, following closely behind you. “I just can’t help myself around you.”

“You’re going to get me in trouble.” You unlocked your car, throwing the files in your backseat and snatching your back away from the tall, giggling man.

“My place again tonight?” He rested against your car door casually while you started your engine. You looked up at him unamused by his question.

“Your place is too dangerous for me to be going there every night. One of these nights Barry is going to want to meet the mysterious girl you keep bringing home.” Your place wasn’t an option because both your roommates were Game Grumps fans and could not keep their mouths shut for the life of them.

“Just one more night, please?” He looked at you with his big puppy dog eyes and curled his lip. You roomed your eyes and grabbed for your door, pulling it closed.

“Fine. Just this last night.” You called through your open window while rolling away.

It took Barry about half a decade to finally go to sleep but Dan snuck you in around midnight, giving you that high school feeling again, afraid to get caught by Mom and Dad. You hushed his giggles the whole way into his room before you could really quiet them with shoving your lips against his.

It was always passionate. You’d tear at each other’s clothes, leave little marks all over their body, and whisper the dirtiest things you could think of into each other’s ears. It just came natural with Dan. It was just two over worked adults having way too much fun. It was what you both needed.

You just wished you hadn’t worked for him or maybe this could turn into something more. Of course you had never brought it up and you were pretty sure Dan had no intention of being in a relationship right now. Which was fine, you weren’t sure you were ready for one either. This was perfect just the way it was.

The night ended with you passing out quickly after he jumped in the shower to wash himself off from another night of sweat inducing sex. This quickly became a tradition since you usually woke up at dawn and could no longer function after Danny actually rocked your world, usually more than once.

What was not tradition was you waking up with Dan’s arm draped over you and his hot, lean body pressed up against you. You were never one for sleeping in someone’s arms, you found in cliché and unappealing. Of course waking up in someone’s arms turned out not to be half bad. The problem now was getting out without waking Dan.

You moved slowly and carefully, trying not to lose too much time so you could get out before the world woke up. He snored quietly, his face more peaceful than you had ever seen it. It was cute, maybe not the worst thing to wake up next to everyday.

But that wasn’t going to happen.

You gathered up your clothes like usual, knocking his clothes out of the way, again. Slipping on your jeans and your tank top, tying your sex hair up, it was all becoming so routine. Of course this time you couldn’t find your shoes. Damn you both being in such a hurry to fuck.

You groaned, tumbling around his room in the dark, the sun rising quickly outside of his window.

“I hid them.” He mumbled from the bed, his face still half in his pillow. You stood up, your hands on your hips and furrowed your brows.

“Excuse me?” You asked, watching him roll over, his sheet covering him waist down. He propped himself up on his elbows and watched you, smiling.

“Why don’t you ever stay and cuddle? That’s what most women do, you know.” There was that shit eating grin again, god did you hate him when he wasn’t pleasing you.

“I’m not most women, I suppose. Where are my shoes, Daniel?” You crossed your arms now, glancing at his alarm clock next to him, it was almost seven, and people would see you leave if you didn’t leave soon.

“I like how I know when I’m annoying you, you call me Daniel. It’s one of your little quirks that make me smile.” He hummed lazily.

“I have to go. Please tell me where my shoes are.” There was a hit of begging in your voice, but you didn’t care anymore. You just wanted to leave.

“Fine, they’re under the bed on my side.” He sighed and watched you as you found your shoes right where he said they’d be.

“Thank you.” You smiled, dropping them on the floor so you could slip your feet into them. But as soon as you let your guard down next to him, he pulled you back into the bed, right on top of him. You let out a small scream, quickly stopping yourself, trying not to wake his sleeping roommate. He wrapped you in his arms again, this time chest to chest. His head resting on top of yours as you tried to wiggle loose but this string bean was stronger than he looked.

“See, this is nice.” He laughed. You gave up on your struggling and expected your fate. You could heart his heart beat this close, it was comforting along with how warm he was. It was almost as nice as he was trying to make it out to be. “You know if you stick around long enough, I’ve been told I make a mean omelet.”

“Told by who? The other girls you bring home and then cuddle against their will?” You ran your finger down his bare side, feeling little goose bumps pop up on his soft skin.

“Uh, no, Barry, mostly. And I haven’t brought another girl home since we started whatever this is, thank you very much.” You smiled into his chest and rolled your eyes.

“Boyfriend of the year award.” You joked.

“Oh? Boyfriend? You should have told me sooner, I could have gotten you a gift for Valentine’s Day.” You could hear the enjoyment Dan was getting out of your little comment in his voice.

“It was a joke.” You muttered.

“No, no. I think (Y/N) has a crush on me. What will I tell all the other women I force into cuddling? They’ll be heart broken.” He looked down at you, laughing.

“Oh no.” You mocked using a silly voice. You both just stared at each other for a while. Maybe you were both unsure of what to say after that. Was the other person joking or were they serious? You found it hard to tell with Dan.

“Well,” You sighed, breaking the moment. “I really should be-“ He kissed you, but this time it was different. It was slower, deeper, more behind it than ever before. This time it wasn’t just to get your pants off or tease you in an elevator. This time it was real.

“Really, you should have told me sooner, I’ve wanted to be your boyfriend for a really long time.” You both smiled against each other’s lips, occasionally sprinkling small kisses in between laughs.

“Hey, Dan-“ Barry opened the door, causing you to throw the blanket over your head in attempt to hid yourself even though it was too late. “Oh, sorry. Hi, (Y/N).”

You groaned a ‘Hi’ back, watching your career slip away right before your very eyes.

“Yes, Barry, you needed something?” Dan asked, a healthy dose of annoyance and kindness in his voice.

“Oh, yeah, Arin called, said he was trying to get a hold of you, something about Kevin and footage, he just needs you to call him ASAP. And we all knew about, uh, that, whatever is going on. We’re not going to tell anyone. So you can stop hiding.” Barry smiled at you as you sat up next to Dan sheepishly. “See you at the Grump Space.”

#danny avidan x reader #danny sexbang #dan avidan #dan avidan imagine #game grumps imagines

[spaghettiintherain]

Youth

Summary : After deserting what they deem as a worthless party, Dan meets Phil, and through an overly sweet bottle of peach schnapps and a push into the pool, they discover something special.

Words : 1,883

Warning : cursing, underage drinking, mentions of sex

Someone once told Phil that parties were the highlight of any college experience. That the smells, the sounds, the sights and taste of these gatherings would give him a high nothing, or no one else could. And yet here he was, one months and two days away from the end of his senior year, and he still hadn’t found a party he had enjoyed. Parties, in his own description, were useless, sweaty, booze-filled attempts at forgetting classes and tests and people. But Phil also believed that they could have their moments; like the time he slow danced with Jack Brooks in a questionably built gazebo, or skinny dipped in the neighboring lake, accompanied by a rather large bottle of vodka. But in his overall and very personal opinion, parties sucked.

Dan had somehow managed to go through most of his entire freshmen career without going to a party. It’s not that he enjoyed school, he just had found better things to do than sit in a dimly lit house with kids drowning themselves in alcohol. But here he was. Sipping on a lukewarm beer and sitting awkwardly on a couch. The couple next to him had started by making out, and slowly yet surely they ended up laying down, grinding, touching, making out, all to close to Dan for a sane state of mind. He stood up much too quickly, causing said couples heads to slam onto the couch, but they didn’t give it much of a thought. Dan shook his head, on the edge of tipsy after several bad beers. He stumbled over empty cups and forgotten shoes and made his way into a deserted back porch. Deserted, all but one person.

Phil glanced over at the boy as he came out, eyes entranced by the glimmer of the pool. While he was distracted, Phil was able to take in the stranger. He was wearing a large army green sweater and black jeans despite the end of spring heat. His hair was slightly curly, doing graceful loops at the ends. The stranger finally glanced over at him, locking eyes.

“Hi. I’m Daniel.”

He didn’t move from his spot in front of the pool, only turned towards Phil.

“I’m Phil.”

Dan not so subtly looked at the bottle of peach schnapps at Phil’s side, walked over to Phil, all long legs and pretty eyes.

“Care to share? I’m sure this would be much better than the shitty beer inside.”

Dan laughed much to excitedly as he sat down, throwing his head back and smiling wide. Phil noticed the dimple in the side of his cheek, and then smiled himself due to Dans behavior.

“Knock yourself out.”

Dan picked it up and took a swig, twisting his face into a grimace as he swallowed.

“Thats really sweet.”

“Peppermint is better, but this is what they had.”

Dan smiled as he took another sip, and looked at Phil.

“So, Phil. Why are you here?”

“Well, someone told me college parties were going to be the highlight of my life. But here I am, so close from graduating, and if I’m being honest, they’re not all that great.”

Dan realized that Phil was a senior, but kept his own age to himself. Maybe a couple more drinks would change that. Dan nodded his head to Phil’s response, although he only half understood it.

“So you’re looking for something to be your party experience. Something to make all of this worth it.”

Phil looked at him with wide eyes at nodded, furrowing his eyebrows.

“What about you Daniel?”

“I had nothing better to do?”

And as Dan thought about it, it wasn’t a truly truthful answer. He could’ve found something to do; like studying for the test next week, or getting a normal amount of sleep for a change. Maybe he could have just stayed home and looked at the internet like he did most nights. He came because he felt drawn, because something in him knew that he had to go to this party. Maybe Phil was it.

Phil was studying Dan carefully as he chewed on red lips and half closed his eyes under fluttering eyelashes. Phil snatched the bottle and took a drink himself, relishing in the sweet burn as it made it’s way down his chest. They continued to talk, and Phil learned that Dan was going to school for law, even though he wasnt that interested in it. He eventually learned that Dan was years younger than him. Dan learned that Phil was studying english. He learned that he was set to graduate much too soon. As Phil looked, Dans eyes were preoccupied by the stars above him, and he looked up there too, pinpricks of white dotting the otherwise midnight blue sky.

Time passed like that, staring up at the vast abyss above them, leaving small talk behind. They continued sharing the bottle of schnapps, and after forgetting the sweetness, they drank it thankfully. Dan couldn’t seem to tear his eyes away from Phil’s face. His face was flushed and his eyes were the color of the pool in front of them. His lips were pretty and pink and much too kissable. Dans brain, though intoxicated, realized that he was attracted to Phil and his eyes widened. He stood up swiftly, and as Phil looked up at him with those big, oceanic eyes, Dans breath was taken away. He beckoned him flirtily, and moments later they were standing in front of the pool, the green yellow water reflecting on their faces.

“Phiiillllll,”

Dan whined, looking back at the pavement where they had been previously sitting. Phil looked back at him, eyes questioning.

“You left the peaches.”

Phil giggled, and as Dan went to fetch the almost empty bottle, he looked back out at the water. He noticed that sometime through the night he had lost his shoes, and navy blue fox socks were all that were shown. He closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of chlorine and sweet alcohol, and a sense of calm washed over him. He heard the bottle clink next to him, and then Dans fingers were dancing over his back. His breath caught as they twirled across his spine and shoulders. A graceful ballet played as Dans hands slid down his sides and Phil’s breath regained once again, choppy and shallow. Phil didn’t know how his body was standing here; closed eyed and a small sense of calm, while a beautifully confusing boy was oh so close. Dans hands wrapped around Phil’s hipbones and swayed him slightly. They wrapped around to his front and drew lines up his chest, and dangerously close down his thighs.

And then, with one swift jab, Phil was pushed and was flying towards the water. Instantly, things were switched into slow motion and he fell in. He heard Dans drunk cackle behind him, and felt different from his own splash. He was soon submerged, and as he rose out of the water, he was all too aware of his own wetness. He felt his socks squish against the floor, soggy and uncomfortable. Everything clung to him, but as he squatted back down into the water they flowed around him gracefully. The water was cool, and the shock of it pushed him into a slight sobriety. Much so enough that when his eyes looked back up at a now shirtless Dan, his breath was taken away. His skin was lightly tanned, and in the turquoise glow of the pool it glistened. His jeans rode low on his hips, and Phil’s eyes traveled down too far. A fiery blush ignited his cheeks, and his breathing quickened.

“What? I got much too hot in that sweater.”

Dan struck a pose, and Phil’s heart leapt.

He watched as Dan jumped in, splashing him once again. He resurfaced and shivered,

“Damn that’s kinda cold.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

Phil legs kicked in the water despite the fact that he could touch. He watched, more like stared, as Dan flipped onto his back, showcasing his bare chest to the universe. Despite the chilly combination of pool water and night air, Phil’s face felt warm. He began floating next to Dan, and

they were both quickly trapped by the silence.

“The moon is beautiful.”

“So are you.”

Dan smiled as he heard this, and glanced over at Phil. He looked heavenly as he stared at the stars, with big blue eyes and chewed red lips. Lips. Red lips to be specific. Phil’s lips were too distracting, they were teasing and taunting him.

Before Dan knew it, he was back on his feet, facing Phil. Soon enough, they were facing eachother, and as Phil smiled Dan lost his breath. The water was chilling as it sloshed against his bare back, and somewhere beneath himself he shivered. Their were entranced in eachother, the yellow-green glow of the pool light reflecting onto their faces. Dan hadn’t remembered stepping closer to Phil, but here they were; too close and too far. Dan’s lips ghosted over Phil’s, but all the alcohol in the world wouldn’t give him the confidence to kiss him. Phil closed the distance with a gasp, and then they were kissing. Phil felt euphoric as he kissed Dan, arms wrapped around his bare hips and electric skin. Dan’s hands were exploring the places that he had wanted so desperately to; his hips, his shoulders, his chest, the small of his back. They were lost in eachother, surrounded by a field of delicately flowing water and sweet touches.

“Yeah Phil get it on!”

They broke apart with a start, and Phil laughed at his friends antics but couldn’t tear his eyes away from Dan. He was gracefully breathless and his face was flushed. Dan’s eyes were trained on Phil’s perfect lips, but wandered down to his revealed collarbones. Somewhere in the mix a few buttons had come undone, and his bare chest gleamed in the light of the pool. Though neither of them realized it, they were relishing in each others perfection, and neither wanted to let go.

Someone once told Phil that college parties were the highlight of any life, and he had to agree. At one fateful party he had met the light of his life, and that had started it all. Memories of Dan had replaced his past, and he couldn’t be happier. Slow dancing with Jack Brooks was replaced with their first dance as a married couple. Skinny dipping in the lake was replaced by baths full of bubbles; Dan making beards and full of larger than life laughter. Failed games of beer pong were taken over by game nights wrapped in blankets and eachother. Drunken one night stands were replaced with the ethereal image of Dan, crumpled and breathless beneath Phil with kisses like moonlight. Dan filled Phil with memories of sunflowers and baby clothes and laughter. Though now it seemed so long ago, the night in the water began their life together.

#phan #phanfiction #daniel howell #amazingphil #phan au

[awesomesockes]

Common Ground

Summary: As the dirt walls of his half-dug foxhole collapse in front of him, Officer Cadet Daniel Howell finds himself face-to-face with another soldier. To make matters worse, this one is wearing a German uniform.

Or:

In which Dan and Phil have a rather unorthodox meeting when their foxholes collide.

A/N: this fic (code name: craig) is an idea i’ve had for quite a while, maybe years, and here it is! finally… always good with some historical aus amiright?? i really really like it and i hope you will too (please i need love) also thanks to bethany for writing in the boob-hand-motion. i guess you’ll have to read it to laugh with us lmao

Genre: Historical (WWI), fluff, humour-ish. Warnings: Mentions of blood, war themes. Words: 2371

Common Ground

After stretching his body and throwing his head back for what felt like the millionth time that night, the sun was finally starting to rise. The sky slowly began changing colour to a beautiful mix between blue and orange, and he was once again able to see his breath in the frosty air. Hard to believe he’d ever be grateful to see that again.

In those early dawn hours, the world seemed awfully quiet. Only the sound of his own shovel hitting the ground echoed in the silence. Every strike of the tool burned his palms as he continued to move the heavy, half-frozen dirt from one side of the foxhole to the other in a never ending motion.

In another hour, they’d start shooting again, and all memories of the morning stillness would quickly be forgotten.

So there he was—Officer Cadet Daniel James Howell, serial number 0945065, only eighteen years old—standing knee-deep in muddy water, contemplating the irony of how the hole he was currently digging for protection from the enemy also had the distinct possibility of becoming his own grave. He couldn’t help but smile at how ridiculous it all was.

Just as that thought crossed his mind, the dirt walls came crashing down around him. They landed in the water surrounding his feet, causing mud to splash up and cover the few remaining clean spaces he had left on his uniform. The dirt found its way into his mouth and nose, and he had to cough a few times before registering what had just happened.

At first, he figured he’d just hit an unstable part in the soil to cause the collapse, but then he saw the tip of a boot sticking out from under the mud, and his heart began pounding in his ears.

Dan stared down at the man who had just appeared before him and was now scrambling to free himself from under the pile of dirt. “Looking for something?” Dan asked hoarsely, brushing off his sleeves.

In a moment, the other man was free of the mud and had leapt to his feet. His hands were now fumbling around near his hip. Dan, who was still squinting from the dirt in his eyes, suddenly found himself with a gun pointed at him. His hands flew up into the air.

“Wow, hey. If you shoot that thing, it won’t be just the two of us. People will be swarming here in seconds. You understand what I’m saying?” Dan tried desperately, backing away from the broken wall that stood between them.

The stranger was covered in dirt from head to toe. Like looking in a mirror, Dan took in the sight before him. The same mud, the same freezing water, the same miserable expression. Even their breaths were synchronized.

“Leutnant Philip Michael Lester, 52067,” the soldier spat out, loud and clear. “Stehe bleiben.”

“I wasn’t tryi-”

“Ruhe! Und legen Sie die Schaufel auf den Boden!” Philip said in a commanding tone, nodding towards the shovel Dan was holding above his head in surrender.

“Oh, sorry.” He dropped the shovel, which quickly sank to the bottom of the knee-deep water and disappeared. “Do you speak English? Er… Englisch?”

“A little,” came a shaky reply.

“Great…�� Dan mumbled, mostly to himself, and maintained eye contact with his new “friend”.

Silence fell upon them as the sun continued to rise, finally high enough to shine into their, now shared, foxhole.

“You’re bleeding,” Dan pointed out nervously, breaking eye contact to look at the dirty wound along the other’s hairline. Blood was slowly trickling down his forehead and mixing with the mud on his cheek.

The soldier blinked in confusion and slowly moved his left hand from the pistol to the side of his head. An expression of surprise was clearly painted on his face. Dan gradually lowered his arms back to his sides.

“Hände hoch!” the German suddenly yelled, sending Dan jumping backwards, almost tripping over his own feet, with the feeling of his heart leaving his chest.

“I don’t know what that means!” he pleaded.

“Äh… hands up!”

Dan instantly complied. Once again they were standing face to face in silence, breathing heavily.

“We can’t stand here all day. I’m unarmed, I swear.” Glancing over his shoulder Dan caught a glimpse of his rifle, which was standing at least fifteen feet behind him in the foxhole.

Unarmed. That seemed to be the key word. Before Dan got the chance to say anything else, the German collapsed backwards onto a pile of dirt with his head leaning against the side of the trench. All colour had left his face, though he still held the gun in one hand.

Dan exhaled heavily and started running his fingers through his already messy hair, only now realising how much he was shaking as the adrenalin was leaving his body. He glanced over at his neighbour, who seemed to be in the same state.

“I can help you with that. The bleeding. Hilfe?” Dan moved carefully towards the collapsed part of the foxhole. Stepping over the pile of dirt meant stepping into hostile territory. Even though the situation seemed to have calmed, that simple act was enough to set him on edge again.

“Philip, right?”

“Phil, Bitte.” Some colour seemed to have returned to his cheeks since he’d sat down.

“I guess I’m Dan.” Dan pulled out a partly clean handkerchief from his chest pocket and tossed it over to Phil.

“Danke,” he slurred in response, accepting the piece of cloth with shaky fingers.

Dan leaned his head back and took a few deep breaths, finally regaining some control over his own body after the shock of having a loaded gun pointed at his head by the presumed enemy.

“Beautiful morning, huh?” He rubbed his hands together briskly, trying to get some feeling back in them. The black gloves he wore stopped short of covering his fingertips—perfect for gripping the shovel, but lousy for keeping warm. He cupped his hands over his mouth and exhaled hot air into them.

“I do not know about that,” Phil snorted. “Cold.”

“I guess you’re right. I haven’t been able to feel my feet since September.”

“Me neither.” A small smile became visible across Phil’s lips.

The cloth was more red than brown by now, as Phil’s injury continued to bleed. Head wounds always bled an alarming amount; even before the horrors Dan had seen in his past nine months fighting on the frontlines, he’d known that.

Dan watched as the other soldier retrieved a small first aid kit from his chest pocket. It mainly contained gauze, but that would do.

“What do you suggest we do?” Dan asked quietly, still processing what had just occurred. The odds of two foxholes meeting were miniscule, and yet here they were. Two sides of the war, standing in the same pit.

“Cover it up and not speak of it again,” Phil mumbled from his side.

Dan nodded in agreement and started searching for his shovel in the icy mud.

This soldier wasn’t much like Dan had expected. Then again, he didn’t really know what he had expected his first face to face meeting with the enemy would be like. But it sure wasn’t this. Phil seemed much more human than the rumours would have him believe. At least more so than anyone Dan had encountered in no man’s land. Although, everyone was.

“If we start from that side…” Phil suggested, and pointed to Dan’s right with the hand that wasn’t trying to contain the bleeding. “Normally I would have a work plan…”

“We have to move that side first, or it’ll continue to collapse.” Dan pointed at the opposite wall. “See that hole there?”

“Nein,” Phil sighed heavily. “The heavy frozen dirt must be at the bottom. You start over there.”

“Why are Germans always so commanding?” Dan mumbled under his breath, but he began moving the dirt Phil had indicated.

“Why are the English always so messy?” came a quick reply.

Surprised that Phil had even heard Dan muffled words, the Englishman looked up, only to meet two determined eyes. “Even your cars give up half way.”

Dan stopped digging and tightened his grip around the shovel’s handle. “At least you can stand to look at our cars,” he spat back.

“Maybe I should just declare you prisoner of war. This would be much easier.”

“I’d like to see you try.”

“I have the gun, yes?” Phil reminded.

“And I have this shovel.” Dan kicked the end with his boot. “You don’t look much like you’d use that gun anyway.”

A fresh wave of anger seemed to come over the German and once again, Dan was staring down the barrel of a gun. Phil’s hands shook even more than the first time as he fumbled with the pistol.

In one quick motion, Phil raised the gun straight up toward the sky and pulled the trigger.

Dan shut his eyes and covered his ears, yet nothing but a wet sounding click echoed in the trench.

“Well, that was bloody terrifying,” Dan giggled, allowing himself to smile while waving his hands in the air. “England surrenders.”

At this point, he swore he could see smoke coming out of Phil’s ears. Before Dan got the chance to wipe the grin of his face, Phil hurled his gun directly at Dan’s head. Dan just managed to duck out of the way, and the gun landed with a splash in the water a few feet behind him.

Phil was left looking furious. Even given as familiar with grenades as Dan was, he was sure this soldier could be mistaken for one.

“Now we’ve got that out the way, can we move on?” Dan asked.

Without another word, they both resumed moving the dirt in short, aggressive movements. A few angry glares were exchanged. With every deep sigh that Phil let out, Dan had to keep himself from hitting the man over his already injured head with the shovel.

Finally, Dan had had enough of the awkward tension. “You speak good English, you know,” he ventured.

“Danke.” Phil’s shovel made a clang as it hit a rock. “You speak horrible German.”

“I took French.”

Phil stopped digging for a second to glance towards Dan. “Voulez-vous parler français?”

“Show off…” Dan muttered.

Dan caught a quick smile forming on Phil’s lips. As soon as their eyes met, both men quickly turned away again, back to task at hand.

xx

Dan paused working and rested his chin on the end of the shovel, looking thoughtfully at his companion. “One thing I have to ask…”

Phil grunted in response, so Dan went on, “Is it true that the German daily rations are six sausages and one potato?”

Without stopping, Phil glanced up just long enough to reply, “No, we get mustard too.”

“Really?”

Now the German paused and cast Dan a look of exasperation. “What do you think? Is all you drink tea?”

“How would I know?”

Shaking his head, Phil went back to the task of rebuilding the wall. Dan was still leaning on his shovel, looking at Phil with interest.

“What about girls?”

“What about them?” Phil wheezed. “Are you asking if they also eat six sausages and one potato a day?”

“No, I’m just asking…” Dan continued. “Do you have any?”

Phil glanced back over at Dan with one eyebrow raised. “Well, not here.” At this point Phil had already moved about two feet of dirt back into the space between them. As much as Dan hated to admit it, the Germans definitely were efficient. And Phil had been right about the work process after all.

“Is it true German girls have… you know.” He swooped his hands in front of his chest in an exaggerated fashion.

Phil sighed. “When you dig foxfoles all night and shoot people all day, everything becomes meaningless.”

“Even girls?”

“Even girls.”

Dan let out a small huh and looked back down at his boots. The sun was finally high enough to shine into his eyes, forcing him to squint when he looked up again.

“What about the lads?”

Dirt suddenly started raining down Dan’s neck.

xx

The wall was almost at chest height, and lifting the dirt that high was becoming increasingly difficult. Dan’s shoulders were burning again—every muscle in his body was aching. He couldn’t wait for this to be over so he could head back to camp and snag a few hours of sleep.

A single gunshot sounded in the distance and both men stopped moving—only their heavy breathing remained in the air. It was beginning again. The war had awoken once more; the calm stillness of the night was forgotten.

“Düsseldorf.”

“What?” Dan turned his head to meet Phil’s eyes. They were back to looking lifeless, yet somehow full of concern.

“Düsseldorf. That’s where I live, should you ever find yourself lost in Germany.” He was only visible from the neck and up, indicating that their job was almost complete.

“Wokingham. If you ever find yourself lost in England,” Dan responded nervously. Another gunshot echoed above their heads.

Phil gave a quick nod and swallowed the lump in his throat.

At this point, it was only possible for Dan to see glimpses of the other soldier’s head over the remaining gap in the nearly intact wall.

“Oh… Dein Taschentuch!” Phil said hurriedly, holding out the formerly white piece of cloth as far as the wall would allow him. Dan could just spot the initials his mum had embroidered in the corner of the handkerchief—D.H.

“Keep it,” Dan replied. He was standing on tiptoe now to peer over dirt.

Phil smiled back—a true, genuine smile that made his eyes light up for the first time that morning. “Thank you.” He grasped the fabric tighter in his fingers and lowered his hand back down.

Dan grinned in return. Then he lifted up one final shovelful of dirt to fill the gap, and Phil was gone.

The fighting was picking up pace now, and Dan could hear cannons in the distance, followed by shouts.

“Hey Phil?” he breathed, his voice mixing with the sounds of the war.

“Ja, Dan?” floated back a voice.

“Merry Christmas.”

thend

- read my last phanfic: Wonderful Wonderful - read my next phanfic: Paper Airplanes - read my new chaptered phanfic: Renegade - on mobile and want all my fics? no problem!

#phanfiction #phanfic #phan #phanfluff #phanfic au #war #fluff #20003000 #read it #au #historical #oneshot #aunew #fluffnew #2k3k #humournew #oneshotnew

[lightsburnbrite]

Young & Wild: Part 12

Georgina stood in her robe in the middle of her closet, hair and makeup done, but no idea on what to wear. She spun herself around and stopped, chasing to focus only on that section when her eyes fell on her favorite “little black dress”. It was simple, just a satin sheath dress but the lace overlay added an elegance to it and the open back showed just enough skin.

Stripping off her robe, she stepped into the dress and adjusted the three quarter length sleeves before zipping it up to the small of her back. She reached behind her neck in an attempt to fasten the single hook and eye closure that rested at the nape of her neck but soon frowned when she wasn’t able to hook it.

“Hey, Dan?” She called as she walked out of the closet. “Can you come fasten me please?”

His response came in more of an agreeable grunt instead of a verbal answer but Georgina soon felt one hand resting on her shoulder as he figured out what he needed to do. She could feel the lace against her neck and knew he had finished but soon, she also felt his lips against her skin.

“Danny,” Georgina’s voice was playful but had a cautious undertone. “We’re going to be late. and I’ve already done my hair.”

Resting his hands on her hips, Daniel placed a few more kisses along her spine. “I know, it’s just your back in this dress, I can’t resist.”

“Well,” She giggled as she took Daniel’s hand and pulled him in front of her. “You’re going to have to wait until we get back home.”

Daniel rolled his eyes in mock frustration. “Yeah, yeah. I know.”

Considering how many times she’d been to events like this, it surprised Daniel that Georgina clung tightly to his arm as they walked in. They grabbed a few hors d’oeuvres and a flute of champagne as he introduced her to some teammates. They were shown to their table and to Georgina’s relief, they were seated with Daniel’s friend Martin and his fiancé.

They spent a few minutes catching up but Georgina soon exused herself to get more champagne. Over at the area that was being used as the bar, she stood in line and waited while she thought to herself it would have been easier if they had a few glasses of wine and champagne pre poured. Georgina found herself folding her arms across her chest, more of a nervous habit, but it gave her a defensive air. Feeling a hand on her shoulder and expecting it to be Daniel, Georgina halfway turned only to be met by the broad grin of a man she’d never seen before.

“Yer the boss’s daughter, yeah?” His over grown, patchy beard and hair pulled back into little bob at the crown of his head only added to his wolfish appearance.

Recoiling, Georgina had to make an effort not to sneer. “Yes, now if you’ll excuse me-”

As she turned to walk away, he smoothly blocked her path. “What’s yer hurry, love? Lemme get a drink for ya.”

“No, that’s alright.” She moved to the side only to be blocked again.

“C’mon.” He grasped her wrist and winked. “I know y’like champagne. I seen it in the pictures.”

Finished with niceties, Georgina glared back at him. “Let go of me.”

As she tried to pull away, it seemed like his grip tightened. Even though they were surrounded by people, Georgina started to panic when she realized he had no intention of letting her go.

“Carroll,” Hearing Daniel’s voice behind her, Georgina could have cried from relief. Freeing herself, she immediately ducked behind Daniel. “Mate, you need to back off.”

“Aw,” Carroll laughed it off. “I was just havin a bit of fun with her, right love?”

As Carroll took a step closer, Daniel put his hand against his chest. “Really. Go back to your table and leave her alone.”

“Why d’you have a say?” He was starting to get belligerent and Georgina was thankful Daniel had put himself in-between the two of them.

Daniel glared at him. “She said to leave her alone.”

“And what? Think you’ll take her for yer own? Why’d she go with you?” Carroll scoffed as Daniel continued to serve as a human shield.

“Because I married him!” Georgina suddenly moved next to him but still held on to his bicep.

For a brief moment, it was as though you could see the thought processing through Carroll’s mind. Suddenly he held up his hands and took a step back. “Sorry, mate. Didn’ know she was your’s.”

Daniel watched him walk out of view before turning back to Georgina.

“How’s that for keeping a low profile?” Georgina laughed but soon realized Daniel was more subdued.

He frowned. “I don’t think of you as mine like mine. I mean, you’re my wife but you can do what you like-”

“I know, Danny.” With a smile, Georgina rested her hand on his cheek. “You don’t need to explain. Now let’s get back to dinner, I’m starving.”

With a smile, he leaned in and kissed Georgina before they walked back to the table. Daniel hadn’t realized it until now, but that was the first time he had shown any sort of affection towards her in public while in England. He was relieved to finally be able to do so.

Over the evening, he introduced Georgina to a few other teammates but generally, they stuck with Martin. Neither Georgina nor Daniel saw any reason to flaunt their relationship despite the fact that they were no longer attempting to hide it.

As the night began to wind down, it was clear that Georgina was ready to go home. As soon as they walked in the door, she kicked off her heels and took the dogs out in the garden. She was still buzzed from the champagne and the cool, plush grass against her bare feet reminded her of  how she and Daniel had left things before going out.

“C’mon boys.” Georgina inhaled deeply as she opened her eyes and turned towards the house. “Time to go inside.”

Daniel was pouring himself a glass of water in the kitchen when he saw Georgina walk by. She caught his eye but said nothing as she walked towards the staircase. He stood and frowned, looking at his glass of water. He wanted one more gulp but he knew that look of Georgina’s well.   He wondered how long he had to make a decision before he could hear Georgina call out to him.

“Danny?” She didn’t wait for a response. “Danny, I need you to help me undo my dress.”

Pouring the rest of his water in the sink, Daniel took long strides to the stairs, skipping two steps at a time. In the bedroom, she had already let her hair down and had it pulled to the side. Making his way over to her, Daniel unfastened his belt and slid it off before untucking his shirt and starting on the buttons. Gently working at the intricate fastening, Daniel unhooked the top closure on Georgina’s dress before he moved to the zipper that started at the small of her back.

Moving his hands back up to her shoulders, Daniel carefully slipped the lace overlay off her shoulders and pushed the dress down once it fell to her hips. As Georgina stepped out of it the rest of the way and turned to face him, Daniel placed his hand on the small of her beck and pulled her body against his. With a smirk, Georgina wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him deeply.

Georgina had come to appreciate this part of their foreplay as no words needed to be involved. Occasionally, she might guide his hands in a different direction or he might back off and initial something different but in general, they knew just what each other wanted or needed and that was an entirely new experience for her.

Once both were down to just their underwear, Daniel picked Georgina up and carried her to the bed. As she lifted her hips so he could slide hers off, Daniel leaned in and kissed her again. “I love you, Georgie.”

“Love you too, Danny.” Georgina closed her eyes as she felt him enter her. Reaching over her, head, she held on to the headboard to steady herself as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Daniel kept his lips on her skin until he had to cry out, eventually resting his head on her shoulder. They fell asleep tangled together and completely exhausted.

Daniel was awoken by Georgina letting out a strangled cry. She shot up, gasping, and seemed completely disoriented.

“Hey, hey,” Sitting up, Daniel attempted to calm her but she was in tears and seemed to be panic stricken. “George, Georgie! It’s ok. You’re ok.”

Georgina practically crawled into his lap and buried her face in his shoulder as she got her bearings. The dogs were now awake and trying to figure out what the commotion was and if they needed to be alarmed at all. Sitting up straighter, Daniel held her tightly against himself, only loosening his grip when her breathing returned to something closer to her normal rate. After he adjusted into a more comfortable position, he rested his hand against the back of Georgina’s neck before running his fingers through her hair. “Wanna tell me what’s wrong?”

“Sorry,” She yawned and turned her head to the side. “It was just…a dream.”

He moved away just long enough to kiss her forehead before holding her back against his shoulder and resting his head atop hers. “Must have been pretty bad.”

“No, it wasn’t.” Letting out another yawn, she rested his hand against his side. “It was actually very nice, but it was very real.”

Waiting to see if she was willing to elaborate, Daniel closed his eyes. When he felt himself nodding off, he opened his eyes again. “George, what was it?”

“I was back in Boston, in Beacon Hill where I grew up. There was a park, the Public Garden, that my mom would take me to and a bench that we would always sit on to eat lunch. I was there and so was my mom. She was just like I remembered her but I was the same age I am now.” Georgina sighed heavily as she closed her eyes and tried to recall the more intricate details. “We were talking about things, I was telling her everything that had happened but it was like she already knew and she said she was proud of me and that I was going to be a very good mother.”

“You’re going to be a very good mother?” Daniel questioned her last statement. “You’re not pregnant, are you?”

Had Georgina been fully awake, she would have tried to read more in to that but instead, she just shook her head. “No. But I had always wondered if I would be warm and loving or cold and distant.”

It took Daniel a moment to realize that she seemed so shaken because it probably seemed more like reality than a dream. He wasn’t sure if he needed to respond so he just rubbed the back of her neck until it seemed like she was ready to go back to sleep. They laid back down and Georgina immediately curled up next to Daniel, tucking herself underneath his arm, falling asleep almost instantly. Daniel was not so lucky, though. Now it was his turn to overthink things.

As he lay there, his wife sleeping soundly next to him, Daniel realized that for most of his adult life, his mind had been focused on his career. He wanted to be recognized for his talent as well as his work ethic and so far, that had been the case. While that was still important, it wasn’t paramount to his happiness. Now, it was his family that took priority.

#daniel agger #young & wild

[jesslxox-blog]

Confession •Zach Herron

Description • when Zach is at home song writing while all his friends are out partying. He gets a straing phone call form Y/n who he thought hated him . When she sees him she’s confesses something she never thought he would

Warnings • mention of alcohol and drugs

A single word somehow holding a million unspoken admissions. Everyone has something they want to confess, no matter if it be small and insignificant, or whether it be something so monumental and with such a great impact is shakes the world as you know it. No one is free of secrets, some they will never tell, and some they don't want to keep. Depending on who you were, it was either fortunate or dangerously unfortunate that in , secrets weren't secrets for long.

It was 2:13am, moments were passing by in seconds as he became absorbed in the latest song. It was rendered all the more important now he had been called boring , and subsequently been lied for. It wasn't just his neck on the line if this idea slipped by, Corbyn and Daniel we're in trouble too, and that was unacceptable to him. So he sat in the dark, having commandeered his couch,typing out the words running through his mind at a speed almost faster than light, with laser focus.

Focus that was apparently dependant on lack of distraction, it shattered the moment his phone started buzzing against the bedside table, vibrating closer to the edge. He ignored it, let it ring out... The first time.

And the second.

And the third.

On the first called, when the vibration started he stared at the three words he'd forced out since the first call had broken his concentration and growled. He reached over and snatched his mobile from the table top, pushing his laptop to the side.

4 missed calls

12 text messages

2 voicemails

All from Daniel.

Zach sighed in frustration, an evening spent crafting a song wasn't what his friends considered thrilling on a Saturday and so they'd all attended a party at Y/n's house.

Not that his concrete decision had deterred his friends from attempting to convince him into attend , a plight that had continue even tonight, on the night of the party. They'd even pestered him a few hours into the parties commencement, but that had all stopped well before 11 and had only now re-emerged, with all 12 messages being some misspelled variation of "come to the party". He assumed some high level of alcohol consumption had contributed to the sudden eagerness of his friend to force him out of the house. Still, with his concentration all but non-existent now, he played the first voice mail.

"ZACHYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!" The deafening volume of the voice made him flinch, but what struck him most was that it wasn't the voice of his childhood playmate Daniel,so much as it was the drunken shrieking of someone he had never expected, "IT'S, UH, Y/N. YOU KNOW Y/N! I STOLE DANNYS PHONE BECAUSE HE WAS TRYING TO TEXT ANGI AND I SAID 'NO, NO, NO' BECAUSE I KNOW THAT'S A BAD IDEA BECAUSE I KNOW SHE USED TO BE IN LOOOOOVE WITH HIM!" she sung loudly into the receiver, her voice bubbling with intoxication. "SO HERE I AM, ON HIS PHONE, TALKING TO YOU MISTER HERON BECAUSE I WANTED TO AND YOUR NUMBER WAS FIRST! BUT ANYWAY I WANTED TO TELL YOU THA-" The line went silent as the message timed out. Zach sat in complete and unadulterated confusion as he tried to figure it out. Y/N hated him, as far as he could tell, and even a person as unobservant as Jonah had pointed it out before. As far as the boy could remember, he'd done nothing to deserve her distaste but every interaction he'd had with her, however short, had ended in her rudeness and him walking away dumbfounded. So, why on earth had she called him, and what could she possibly have to tell him? And most importantly, when did she start calling him 'zachy'?

Both questions had him immediately playing the second messages for answers, "zach, can you please answer the phone." Her voice had changed, the calls were two minutes apart and the tone of her voice had jumped from an elevated carelessness to something quiet and almost fearful. What prompted even further questioning was the fact that the message ended there, simple and enigmatic as this girl was mounting to be, when an hour ago he would believe that she simply hated him.

One thing was sure, no matter how she felt about him or how he felt about her, after the final message, he needed to make sure she was at least okay. He redialled the number, standing to pace the small room as he waited for an answer, and soon enough he received one. "Zach !" Daniels voice was slurred and abrupt, again causing the raven haired boy to flinch away from his phone, "What's up?!"

"Y/N called me from your phone." He explained, slowing his words ever so slightly to be clear enough for his friend to understand through his inebriation, "She sounded upset, is she okay?"

"Y/N called you?" Dani snickered slightly, "That's so weird because I was sure that she just hated you, like really really loathed you, like absolutely-"

"Yeah, I get it, Dan." Zach cut him off, sounding slightly frustrated by the musical prodigy .

"Right, well, she's shitfaced, basically and now she's dancing on a table singing Beyoncé, oh... Oh she took her shirt off." He replied, slurring every word over a single syllable, "Can you come get her? I think she's ready to go home." He giggled quietly, he didn't wait for a response from Zach , and the line went dead as soon as he'd finished the question.

"I guess so." Zach sighed heavily, staring at himself in the darkened screen of his phone, he was in his pyjamas, his hair was a mess from his fingers combing through it every five seconds to keep it from falling into his face, and he decided that he wouldn't change however, she'd probably be too drunk to care anyway.

So at 2:45am Zach Herron staggered downstairs and grabbed the keys to His moms car from the counter, rolling his shoulders in an attempt to relieve some of the tension in his back. It was freezing, it had been bleak weather at best for weeks and this night was no different, the cold mist that fell before rain stuck to his skin as soon as he walked outside and in the few steps it took to get to the truck he was already chilled to his bones. He started the engine and sat in the car for a while, breathing deeply as the heater kicked in and started to warm him, by the time he pulled out of the driveway he'd warmed up again but the tiredness that had been creeping up on him for hours was setting in with the warmth.

The drive between His house and Daniels was surprisingly lengthy, or perhaps it was the late hour and the sleepy haze that was setting in on the writer, either way he arrived eventually and stopped outside. He could hear the music shaking the floor boards of the house, the sound flowing from what seemed to be an over excessive amount of speakers. There were a few drunken teenagers milling around on the front lawn, smoking, or talking, or emptying their stomachs after one to many shots.

Did he want to walk into the house right now? Definitely not.

Was he going to? Unfortunately yes.

And why? All for the sake of a girl he didn't know and who didn't like him.

As he approached, the music only get louder and louder, the smell of alcohol became near overpowering, and the heat of too many bodies crammed into one space washed over him as he opened the door to the crowded living room. Almost every person from the school that he could remember seeing was jammed into that space, dancing against each other, it might have looked fun if it didn't look so depraved. He tried to locate Y/N before entering the crowd and when he did he couldn't decide whether it was a good or bad thing, on one had she was easy to spot and she wasn't dancing against anyone he'd have to pull her away from, on the other hand, she was dancing on a table in a shirt jersey that wasn't hers. Great.

Weaving through the familiar bodies, he got halfway to her and got blocked by a couple who couldn't seem to breathe without their lips attached, he stood idle in the sea of people, his eyes glued to her swaying figure under a cloud of marijuana so he didn't lose her in the crowd. Or at least that was part of the reason. If he were to be entirely truthful (which he would admit he never really was), he would admit that he'd be observing her for a while now, if you asked him why he'd give the same reason he gave for observing anyone, but that wouldn't explain the way he'd always gravitated towards her. How unfortunate that the girl that had interested him for so long, also happened to be someone who despised him. Her treatment of him didn't enter his mind now, however, as he watched her swing her hips to the beat of an unknown song that was playing too loud, her hair was wild and so were her eyes as she swayed and sang to the ceiling like the gods were listening. For anyone else he'd be certain they weren't listening, but for her, they might.

He was removed from his little trance when someone pushed passed him, almost knocking him into several other people who honestly wouldn't have cared, but it distracted him enough to allow him to keep pushing through people to get the edge of the table where she was dancing, "Y/N!" He was sure his voice was being drowned out by the music, he reached out and grabbed her hand gently as it moved by him, and she looked down and smiled so bright the room must have gotten three times brighter.

"Zachy !" She called over the music, getting down off the table rather ungracefully, stumbling as soon as her feet his the ground, her only stability coming from the boy in front of her, his arms around her waist to keep her upright, "You're stronger than you look." She complimented, tapping the end of his nose softly with one finger as he'd already started heading towards the door, his hand finding hers to pull her towards the exit.

There wasn't a response from him, all his focus was on getting himself and her out of there uninjured and moderately unscathed, she seemed to be walking okay behind him but as soon as they were outside he turned to her, concerned eyes tracing every feature of her to make sure she was okay. "Are you alright?" He asked, lifting her arms to check she was okay.

"I'm fine." Her voice was quiet and gentle now, away from the music and the people, he smiled involuntarily. Zach had never heard her voice quite like that, he liked it on her.

"Come on, let's go." He mumbled, taking her hand again and leading her away towards Moms car.

"Car theft," she said simply, smirking a little as she climbed into the vehicle and snuggled comfortably into the seat, Zach jumped in the other side, looking over at her drunk and tired eyes, "and all for me? What a gentleman you are." She whispered, his breath caught slightly in his throat and his heart did something odd in his chest as he tried to respond. He didn't. He simply started the car and pulled out on to the empty road.

"Where do you live?" He asked, shifting nervously in his seat.

"The next street over from Daniels ," She responded, distant, in her own world, or, in other words, completely drunk, "all the way at the end of the street, in the white house with the big dark roof and the little red door." She sung to herself, her attention focused out the window.

"Are you feeling alrig-" He began, but she cut him off, speaking again in her distant gentle voice that he was beginning to really like.

"Everything goes so fast," She hummed, tracing her name in the fog on the window, "nothing ever slows down to let you catch up, and you end up running so fast breathing feels like sandpaper in your lungs because you just want to catch up and you cant. So, you stop, and you try to breathe and you get swept away into something you never wanted, but the currents so strong you can't fight it, even if it means letting go of something important."

After her voice trailed off, silence settled in around them quickly, she kept staring at the road disappearing behind them quicker every moment, and he tried to adjust to her words. It was becoming increasingly difficult to see her as the girl who hated him, and easier to fall into how he'd always seen her; beautiful, hopeless, and endlessly fascinating. "I don't hate you." Her voice broke the silence and he looked over at her momentarily, this time she was looking back, a gentle smile on her face.

"You sure?" He chuckled, looking back at the road, "You really seem to, and I don't think we've ever had a conversation before this where you weren't rude to me."

"It's because I like you." She responded, genuinely.

"You have a weird way of showing it." He pointed out, scoffing slightly. She only nodded in response, because it was true.

"That's because I also hate you." She mumbled, shuffling down in her seat.

"So we're being confusing tonight, I see."

"It's the alcohol," she argued, "I'm usually very concise, and generally secretive. If it weren't for that last drink, I doubt I'd even have called you."

"So, you like me but you hate me?" He inquired, glancing again to her with a raised eyebrow and a gentle smile, they spoke in hushed voices, as though being too loud would split the very earth in front of them.

"I do," She confirmed, hiccupping softly, "I've had a crush on you since the second grade and it never went away, but you intimidate me."

"Well, I'm an songwriter ," he sighed again, his shoulders falling as he exhaled, "intimidating is in bold print at the top of the job description."

"You mean your little blue and gold thing?" She giggled, "No, not that, I think that's kinda sexy, you're so demanding." Zach almost choked on the air he was breathing right there, but he managed to at least appear unaffected, "No, I meant just you, actually you, like your novel and all the things you are. I'm a bitch to you because if you think I hate you then you'll leave me to wallow in my self-pity because I'm not good enough for you."

You intimidate me because you're smart, and you're strong, and you're so fucking gorgeous and I just- I forget how to function around you unless I'm off my face drunk apparently. I can promise I wouldn't be saying any of this if I'd remember it in the morning. I won't though, so it's okay."

He couldn't speak, the words weren't forming in his head the way they we're meant to, the right sentence would appear and then vanish the moment he opened his mouth to utter it. "God, is this how you feel all the time." He finally gushed, the words weren't at all what he wanted to say but they we're something, "Like stringing words into sentences is basically impossible? I'm a writer and I can't find the words, I do this to you?"

"Worse." She stated, simple and absolutely shattering, he couldn't imagine being rendered this way by a person at all ten minutes ago but he sat bewildered and incompetent right now, wondering how she suffered this every single day. "I'm a photographer, and the best way I can describe it is that I'm pressing the button but the shutter won't click and when it finally does the pictures blurry. I can hear the words in my head, but I can't say them, something rude or defensive falls out instead. It sucks."

It astounded him to find out that this woman beside him, spoke so eloquently and somehow only alcohol could calm her nerves enough for him to see that. Even now he could see the anxious lines forming on her face as the silence stretched between them, the doubt crept up on her even now and he was grasping for something to say yet again. It was a feeling he hated, words came so simply and lyrically to him that fighting for what to say just felt unnatural, and he was teetering the edge of saying what he wanted to, and saying what was appropriate. "I write about you sometimes." He blurted out on an exhale, almost flinching at the sound of his own voice.

"You write about everyone," she hummed, "enigmatic bitch is basically a stock character in love songs. I'm just filling the character profile."

"No, completely separate from that." He admitted, gripping the steering wheel so tightly his knuckles drained of colour, this is one confession he'd never planned to come to light, but at least she wouldn't remember it in the morning, "Early last year, before I started singing properly.I looked at you and I realised I had seen you almost every single day of my life since I was five years old and somehow I knew nothing about you. So I tried to talk to you, but you weren't exactly welcoming that idea." He chuckled a little and she smiled at him.

"So?" She prompted him to continue, and he did.

"So, I started writing about you, I started digging, investigating. I wanted to know who you we're and I dug deeper and deeper."

"And what did you find?"

"Nothing," he sounded defeated even now, "everything down to your school records are clean. You were the first thing I couldn't figure out, but the weird part was I didn't mind, because it meant I could keep looking." He paused, the blushing girl beside him was unable to still her heart that was almost pounding out of her chest, "Then everything happened with the guys and I got interested and it fell to the side, but I go back to you whenever I get stuck."

"What will you do now?" She asked softly, "Now that I've told you, I'm not a mystery anymore. Where will you go when you get stuck?"

By the time she'd finished speaking they'd pulled up outside her house, the one with the red door exactly as she'd described and the conversation ended, ended without answer, not necessarily because either of them wanted it to end but simply because she was home, and he had no idea how to answer that question. Zach pulled himself out of the car and walked around to her door, opening it for her and helping her out, they wandered up the path slowly, his arm around her waist to steady her as she staggered slightly. "Are your parents' home?" he asked quietly, brushing her hair back out of her face as she nodded.

"Yup, right upstairs, probably dreaming of a less dysfunctional marriage." She shrugged and he chuckled a little.

"You good to get to your room? Seems like you've sobered up a bit." He added and she giggled.

"I am good to get to my room and I'm talking to you right now so, no, I'm not sober at all." She deducted quickly, nodding once.

"Maybe you're just getting comfortable around me." He suggested and she shook her head.

"No, I'm not gonna remember this at all in the morning, I am drunk as a skunk and I can promise you that, Mister Heron." She ran her hands through her dishevelled hair in an attempt to tame it.

"Do you promise?" his voice got low for a moment and he stepped forward, she didn't move, let him get closer to her.

"I swear." She nodded once.

"Good." He whispered, leaning in and joining their lips softly. Her reaction was instant, her hands moved to the side of his neck, thumbs running softly along his jawline as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her into him. It felt like the world stopped existing, just for a second, his entire world became her and hers became him and it was perfect. It felt perfect and it ended too quickly, she pulled away from him and smiled as she stepped back, leaning against her door.

"I wish I didn't have to forget this." She hummed, smiling pleasantly. His brow furrowed in a slight frustration and something close to concern. She unlocked the door after fumbling with the key for a moment and opened it slowly and as quietly as possible.

"I could always remind you." He mumbled, rubbing the back of his neck as she sighed and wandered into the house a few steps, leaning against the door she was still holding.

"As much as I would love that, I would never believe you." She mumbled, a humourless smirk crossing her face, "Thank you for coming to get me, and for the talk, and the kiss. I'll miss you." She hummed, blowing him a kiss and shutting the door so she could stagger up the stairs. He walked away from her house speechless again and smiling to himself.

Somehow this night had answered so many of his questions and yet it had raised a million new ones, his heart wouldn't beat normally even if he tried to force it and all over a girl who wouldn't even remember in the morning. As he got back into the truck, he sighed heavily and relaxed into the seat and just sat for a moment, thinking.

Secrets can be a dangerous thing, and confessions even more so. There are somethings that need to be said but can't be, and there are other things that shouldn't be revealed that are forced into the light. Now, Zach Herron was plagued by another secret he'd never intended to have; if there was one thing in the world that he wanted, he wanted her to remember.

The next morning Y/N would awake to a new secret of her own; she did.

#whydontwe #daniel seavey #zach herron #corbyn besson #jonah marais #jack avery #why don’t we #why dont we music #celebrities #atlantic records