Howdy Phancakes! Thank you for clicking on this lil book :D I hope you enjoy the first installment of "Phan One-Shots," "Protect."
AU
Age gap between Dan and Phil: However far apart their birthdays are (approx 4 1/2 months)
Age gap between Dan and Adrian: 8 years
Dan and Phil are sixteen, Adrian is eight.
Warning: Abuse and Self-Harm
________________________________
"Phil! We need to hurry!"
I turn slightly to see Dan beside me. His chocolate-colored eyes are wide and sharp with panic. He's gasping for breath and looks as though he's going to cry.
I slam the door of my locker, as Dan grabs my wrist and starts running. He doesn't stop until we're at the bus station, where a bus has just pulled up. It's the bus before the one we usually ride to our homes.
Dan whips out his bus card and shows it to the driver, who nods. I quickly flash him my own card before speed walking to where my best friend has sat down, near the back of the bus. I notice how his knee is bouncing up and down at a rapid pace. He's terrified.
He looks at me as I take my seat beside him.
"Dan..." I start cautiously. "What's wrong?" I think I already have an idea.
"I failed my maths test," he says. Ah, I see where this is going...and I hate it. Dan turns toward me again. "When my mum sees my grades online...she'll be so angry. I have to get home before she does."
I hear his voice rising and place a hand on his shoulder to calm him down.
"I'm not home yet, but Adrian is. If she sees, and I'm not there..." his voice breaks in a quiet sob. I wrap my arm around his shoulder, making him cringe. Had he been beaten last night? Had his mother bruised his shoulders?
"I can't let Adrian get hurt...I won't!" He says with a new determination. I sigh. I know Dan just wants to protect his brother, but it ends up with him getting hurt.
I hear a buzz and realize that Dan has pushed the stop button. We were already at our stop?
I stand and take a step backward, letting Dan go in front of me. He is rushing off of the bus, hurrying down the aisle. I follow suit.
As soon as we step off, Dan takes off in a sprint to his house. I let out another sigh, and give chase. It doesn't take long to make it to his house. Dan slows, gasping for breath. Through his heavy pants, I can hear his moan of relief and see that his mother's car is not in the driveway.
Dan walks to the door, and I'm not far behind. He grabs his key from the front pocket of his skinny jeans. I'm still trying to regain control of my breathing as he opens his front door.
We both step in, immediately placing out shoes beside the small ones next to the door.
"Adrian!" Dan calls. "Adri, are you here? Are you okay?"
"Danny!" Adrian cries as he appears from around the corner, bolting toward Dan.
The grin that takes over Dan's features melts my heart. He leans over to give Adrian a hug. I wish I'd had that sort of relationship with my older brother.
