Phan- You and Me (completed)

Chapter 13: Our promising re-start

Phil's POV

There was loud chatter in the Lester household when Dan and I went downstairs for a late breakfast. I'm still embarrassed that Dan, andnot to forget me! Has to put up with their little betting games. But Dan didn't seem to mind it too much, he was humming happily a quiet melody as he walked down the stairs. I paused walking for a second to look at him. I'm still in the process of understanding everything that happened last night or the past days. The burden that got lifted from my soul thanks to the conversation we had last night was gigantic. But seeing Dan wearing my shirt, smiling silly was enough to make me realize that understatement really wasn't the important thing in life. It had been an insane ride, with a destination still unknown- but my parade had never been more bathed in sunlight. We may ride into uncertainity, but as long as Dan is with me, there issunshine to warm our steps.

The talking stopped immediately as we entered the kitchen. Five pairs of eyes (not in the mood to join our lovely family breakfast, Jace? What a pity) followed our every movement, as we tried to act as casual as possible. Dan fetched me acup of coffee and placed right in front of me forcefully. The soundstartled my relatives to a certain extent. "So, who won?"Dan asked causally smirking into the brim of his cup of tea as allthe faces fell a little. My father cleared his throat, looking more embarrassed than ever before.

"Considering the circumstances.....OUR TEAM."

"It's unfair, Phil didn't sayit first!"

"Jane, we've been at this point six times already" My best friend threw me a secret glance. I could tell he enjoyed this kind of craziness immensely. Oh well, there's nothinglike family. "A certain someone, and I'm not looking at your husband, decided to withheld important information considering the outcome of this bet-"

"I wasn't withholding it, Phil and Ihad an intimidate conversation between brothers so there was no way Icould talk about his feelings, because that's not what good bigbrothers do-" "No, they just bet about the development of my love-life" I offered helpfully. Lucas gave me his 'Why have you betrayed me' look. I proceeded to ignore it by innocently buttering my toast. "We agreed that every piece of informationis to be shared with the bet- judge, being your auntie Lilly, and that didn't happen. So, I'm sorry, Team 'Dan will admit it first' youkicked yourself into time out"

"It just means there is no winner, not that your team won!"

"I'm not willing to accept that this year of finding clues is supposed to be-"

"A YEAR?!" I was so offended I had to put my toast down. "This stupid bet ran for a year?!" I never heard the answer, for Dan spilled his milk all over the table by laughing too hard. My family completely ignored us and went on with their little argument. I shook my head a little. They're unbelievable. But their banter made Dan giggle with milk all over his face, so I couldn't be mad at them. I guess our special bond was quite obvious to anyone but me.

"You know," Dan started while wiping his face. "I know exactly who's the winner here." He gave me the loving look that our fans like to refer to as 'Heart eyed Howell' and laced our fingers together under the table. While looking at our hands (amazing how thespaces between my fingers are right where Dan's fit perfectly) I started to wonder about my ability to see those eyes for years without wasting a thought about the possibility of a deeper meaning behind them. The thought led me immediately to the realization that there was so much more hiding in Dan's mind that I have been unaware of. It was the start of getting to know a new side of my best friend. I mused about the riscs and positivities that came with this outcome. Could there be a side of him that I'm not fond of? Could it be thatwe...change? I don't want us to change.... My thoughts got interrupted by Dan talking baby-language with the giggling Mary while making weird faces to entertain her. Oh heck. To hell with the worries. There can't be a part of Dan that's not unique and lovable. He has layers that are difficult to put it mildly, but they never seem to lack the sense of character that makes Dan authentic. It was the sense of never pretending to be something he is not that made himso charming, so honest, so real. I let out a small pleased sigh, whoknew being in love and not denying it felt so good?