Callie

Chapter 2

Younow was something Dan had come to love yet fear.
His viewers seemed to have lost their filters once him and Phil had come out, asking anything their pubescent hearts desired.
This led to a lot of tear filled conversations once the show was over.
Dan knew they weren't intentionally trying to upset him, how could they know? He was a master at hiding his feelings, it was something he had to learn to survive.
After the divorce, the subscribers had been especially vicious with their invasive queries. All boundaries had been lost, and what once was a fun bonding time with the 'phans', became a never ending game of verbal uncle.
"Hi Jessie, Grace, Sarah, and Jasper," Dan read names off of the chat, doing a quick fringe check before continuing his greetings. "How is everyone doing tonight?"
-
The first 25 minutes had went well. Dan had managed to avoid acknowledging any mentions of Phil. Deciding to, instead, gush about the little trip him and Callie went on to San Francisco, and his new job at some shitty store in a mall near his home.
"Daddy?" Speak of the devil.
Callie was with Dan for the next week and a half, and he felt a smile grow involuntarily on his face. That girl was his pride and joy.
"Yes, Princess? Cmon in, I'm just doing a live show."
The door of the office creaked open, and in skipped little Callie, her black curly hair tamed into braids, green eyes sparkling with childish joy. Her tan skin reminded Dan of how he had looked a few years prior, he smiled again.
"Daddy, Papa called." The smile immediately fell off his face. Dan chewed nervously at his lip.
"Yeah? What'd he say?" The little girl smiled goofily.
"He asked if I was having fun, and to remind you that I have to go to the doctors in a few days." She replied, struggling to speak in full sentences.
Dan had made sure her vocabulary grew quick, even when she was extremely young. She was always ahead of her class.
"Bloody hell, Phil." Dan muttered bitterly. "Like I'd forget."
"I know, Daddy." Callie was still smiling, unaware of the sudden change in her fathers mood.
"Alright Cal, wanna answer some questions from the chat?" Dan asked, shaking his head and ignoring the 4 lettered name that seemed to be everywhere he looked.
"Yes!" Callie cheered, her slightly crooked teeth and single dimple on full display.
Dan managed to keep the 5 year old occupied until the last few minutes of the show, and even relented enough to let her talk about what she did last time she was at Phil's.
After the split, the boys had been very closed off about their personal life.
Not that Dan had checked Phil's accounts to see what he was up to.
(He did.)
Just before Dan began saying his goodbyes, Callie suddenly went very quiet.
"Daddy..." She whispered, eyes shining with sadness. Dan furrowed his brows, concern evident on his face.
"What is it, sweet pea?"
"I-I think-" She sniffed, wiping at her tiny nose. "I think Papa has a new girlfriend."
Dan froze, eyes widening in shock.
He didn't expect Phil to move on so fast. And to be with a girl? He'd told Dan he was gay.
I guess people change.
A vague burning feeling erupted in Dan's chest. It was one of betrayal, jealousy. But most of all, sadness.
"Good on him." His smile felt plastic, his voice coming out shaky, croaky.
He saluted the cam before exiting the live show, slowly shutting his laptop.
"Callie, sweetie, time for bed."
-
A few days later, Dan found himself leant up against the counter next to the phone.
He hadn't called Phil in months, not unless it involved traveling arrangements for Callie.
Dan still remembered the call that broke his heart, the one where they decided where Callie would be living.
Since its where she grew up, Callie would be living with Dan so she could go to school in London, and during the summer she'd stay with Phil.
"D-Daddy." A groan came from the bedroom down the hall. Curious, Dan entered the room.
"Yes sw- oh my god!"
The little girl looked deathly. Her hair was damp against her forehead, and her skin was even paler than her fathers'.
"Daddy, I don't feel good." Callie whimpered, turning onto her side.
"Oh my god, don't worry baby. I'm calling Louise, you probably just have a stomach bug."

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How do you even end chapters idk