The League [Phan AU]

Chapter 18

It seemed Dan was getting missions constantly. It was good for Phil, though because the resistance was preparing for Donovan Howell to make a move. Phil could never stop thinking about Dan, and what might happen to him. He was always rambling on about the things he would do to his father, but would he ever go through with any of those horrible acts? And if he did, what would it do to him?
"Hey, Phil," a voice said. Phil looked up to see Sam standing over him. He stood up and was now looking down at her. She was very small compared to most people in the resistance. "We're having a little get together upstairs tonight, for resistance members. If you want to stop by, you can."
"Okay, I'll see you tonight maybe, then," Phil grinned. Sam smiled back and left the storage room. Phil had been working in there for hours now, so he decided to walk out and stretch his muscles. Noon was growing near and he felt his stomach rumble. He checked his phone and decided to text Dan.
Phil: want to meet for lunch?
Dan: i'm just finishing up here, sure thing
Phil: usual spot?
Dan: sounds good
Phil smiled to himself and tucked his phone into his pocket, heading to the elevator to leave the headquarters. He was about to press the button to call the elevator when a hand grabbed his wrist. He turned around to see Anne, who seemed worried and had an all too familiar look of exhaustion on her face. She glanced around, checking to see if anyone was around. She then turned back to Phil.
"There's something important you need to know," she said in a hushed, but urgent voice.
"What is it?" Phil asked.
"My husband... Donovan, he's making a move tonight," Anne told Phil.
"Tonight? We have to let everyone know then so we can stop him!"
"No, Phil, no one can know."
"What? Why?"
"He wants to kill me, and Adrian."
Adrian was Dan's younger brother. Phil hadn't seen him in years, and neither had Dan. Anne had swept him away when Dan's father left to pledge full allegiance to the League, which had been the same day Dan and Phil became official members.
"We have to get you both to safety, then," Phil urged.
"I already have arrangements," Anne answered. "But Phil, there is something I need you to do."
"Of course, anything."
"I need Dan to believe we're dead."
"What? Why? I-"
"Phil, please, it's important."
"He'll be crushed! I can't do that to him!" Phil argued.
"You have to, please," Anne begged. "Donovan needs to believe he has succeeded in killing us, and if Dan knows we're alive he will as well." Phil looked her in the eyes, remembering her reassuring gaze giving him strength when he was young and scared. They were same eyes that took him in when his whole world fell crumbling around his feet so many years ago.
"Okay," Phil sighed.
-
Phil sat in their usual booth by the window, tapping his foot on the tiled floor and glancing around the diner. The small place had been the couple's go-to for food when they had first moved into their apartment. It was cheap and right down the street. The head waitress was a kind old lady who thought the two were one of the cutest couples she had ever seen and often slipped them some extra food to take home with them. Phil saw Dan walk through the door and waved him over. He looked tired, but his walk was energetic and he had a spring in his step. It must have been an exciting day, torturing and murdering people.
"Hey babe," Dan greeted, kissing Phil before taking the seat across from him. The feeling of Dan's lips lingered on Phil's as he watched him take off his coat.
"How was your day?" Phil asked him.
"Busy, but good, you?" Dan replied.
"Boring," Phil lied. "It's lonely in the flat by myself."
"I know," Dan sighed, taking Phil's hand in his own across the table. "But soon I won't be as busy, and we can have as much time to ourselves as we want."
"We can take that vacation, maybe?" Phil suggested.
"Yeah," Dan chuckled.
-
Dan was out on a mission late, which meant Phil was able to go to the bar for the resistance get together. Phil noticed for the first time the sign above the door that read "The Quindecim," which he figured was the name of the bar. He went in and was greeted by a cheery glow and the sound of chatter from every corner of the place.
"Hey Lester!" a voice called. Phil looked to where it came from and saw Sam waving to him from behind the bar. She handed someone a glass of a brown-ish liquid and then walked to the corner of the bar where Phil met her.
"I'm glad you could make it, want a drink?" Sam asked.
"Sure, what do you have?" Phil answered.
"I'll make you my specialty, take a seat."
Phil sat in one of the high chairs at the bar and watched Sam move around and make whatever concoction she had promised him. She handed it to him in a glass with a lemon perched on the brim. Phil took a sip, the familiar burn of liquor igniting in the back of his throat. Sam's "specialty" tasted of strawberries and alcohol.
"It's really good," Phil said, smiling to Sam. She grinned and leaned against the bar, opening a bottle of beer and taking a swig. An arm came from behind and snatched the bottle from her hand. Sam turned around to face Nia, who was laughing with a disapproving look on her face.
"No drinking while serving," Nia said, putting the bottle on a high shelf. Sam pouted and crossed her arms.
"You're no fun," Sam said to her girlfriend, who laughed and kissed her in reply.
"Hey, Sam, how did you name this place?" Phil asked.
"Oh no, don't get her started," Nia groaned.
"It's a reference to an anime I love," Sam answered, ignoring Nia's comment.
"An anime?" Phil asked.
"I'm going back to the other side," Nia called.
"They're Japanese cartoons, but not like kids cartoons because they're way better," Sam answered. "The Quindecim was the name of a bar in this anime called Death Parade that was about what happens after you die and it was so good and so sad and I'm rambling on aren't I?"
Phil chuckled. "It's fine, and it sounds interesting. I might have to check it out."
Phil's phone starting buzzing in his pocket, and he took it out to hit answer without checking to see who was calling him. He got out of his seat and moved close to the window.
"Hello?"
"Phil! I need you!" Dan's voice said through the phone. He sounded distressed, which was something Phil hadn't heard probably ever.
"Dan? Are you alright?" Phil asked, acting clueless even though he was pretty sure he knew what was happening.
"Please, come to my mom's place. Phil I need you."
Phil ended the call and left without saying goodbye, his face meeting the cold air outside and sending a chill up his spine. Phil ran faster than he ever had before, letting his feet guide him to his destination. It was usually Phil who was the one needing the other, which is why Phil knew he had to hurry. He should have stayed home, he should have been there when it happened. Phil had known what was going to happen, and yet he did nothing to help Dan. All he could do now was get to him.
When he got there he saw Dan in front of the house that had belonged to Anne and Adrian. It was up in flames, and Dan was staring at it from the sidewalk. "Dan!" Phil called. Dan's head turned and Phil saw the tears streaming down his face. He ran toward him and Dan collapsed in his arms, sobbing into Phil's chest.
"He killed them!" he shouted through gritted teeth, his voice muffled by Phil's shirt. "He fucking murdered them!"
Phil soothed Dan and help him close. He could hear sirens in the distance.
"Dan, we have to go," Phil whispered. Dan nodded and got to his feet, looking at the house one last time.
"He'll pay for this," Dan said. "He'll feel as much pain as he's made me feel."