Not Just Skin Deep (A Dan And Phil Fanfiction )

Chapter 5

Phil's POV:

Dan started to run (a rare occurrence). I too, began to pick up my pace, not wanting to lose Dan in the vast swarm of people. We had been running for about five minutes, my chest was burning, heart throbbing and my legs aching but I trusted Dan; I had complete trust in him that he knew what he was doing.
"Dan!", I called out, a few meters behind him. "Why did you say we were going to Adrian?", I panted, gasping for air.
"I didn't.", he replied, not even turning to face me.
"He's at your parent's house isn't he?"
"Yeh. We're nearly there - only a couple more streets."

Dan didn't talk for then rest of the journey. As soon as the house was in sight, Dan pulled the keys from his pocket, ready to unlock the door. I waited while Dan put the key in lock and twisted it until the sharp click was heard. Before he stepped inside, Dan turned to me with a face that looked troubled but deathly serious and said:
"Phil, you have to understand that no matter what happens, I want you to stay downstairs. Whatever you do, I do not want you to come upstairs, okay?"
"Airtight.", I replied. "I trust you, Dan."

Dan looked into my eyes and a small smile escaped from the very right hand corner of his mouth. He leaned in and kissed me on the cheek then suddenly hugged me tight. It felt as though he never wanted to let go so I hugged him back and to be honest, I didn't want to let him to let go either. Dan withdrew without saying a word then walked inside. I followed him, still none the wiser as to what this was all about. All I knew is that it clearly mattered to Dan.

The chestnut one dropped his bag by the bottom step then rushed upstairs, calling Adrian's name in desperation. I heard the floor boards cheek slightly above me and I figured out that, from the location of the sound, he must have entered Adrian's room.

Dan's parents weren't at home as he had said that they had gone to visit his grandparents. The smell was somewhat familiar for I had been to this house many times before Dan and I got the flat in Manchester together. Some of my favourite memories were made in this house: the first ever Phil is not on fire and many more videos. The first time I'd been to the Howell household, Dan's Mum had said I'd always be welcome there again. Thinking about it, I kind of see them as family too. Well...apart from Adrian. I never really saw much of him; the first time I met Dan, Adrian hadn't even hit double digits. Compared to me and Martyn, the age gap is quite big. But, hey, what does it matter?

My thoughts were suddenly cut short when I heard an excruciating scream from upstairs.
"Dan!", I shouted. Acting on impulse, I ran up the the stairs as fast as I could (without tripping over my own legs). I reached the top, turned the corner and...
No.
No...
NO!
For a moment, I think I tried to deny that what I saw in front of me was just a vivid hallucination, a horrid nightmare that I would wake up from at any moment. But I knew that it was true. All of it. Every last bit of it and that I couldn't change what had happened.

"Phil...?", Dan, whispered. "Phil, I can explain."

Dan was sat in the middle of the room with a blade in his left hand and one deep, red line calved across his right wrist. Thick, crimson blood was flowing out of his wound and dripping onto the carpet along with a waterfall of tears. Adrian was sat cross-legged directly opposite his brother with another blade in his right hand and what seemed to be countless lines etched all over his left arm. They too, were dripping blood onto this communal pool the two brother shared. Adrian's complexion was almost vampiric and Dan's wasn't much better and it looked as though the younger one could pass out at any moment. The sight before me made me feel sick.

Suddenly, a metallic taste filled my mouth. I vomited. The acidic fluid burned my throat as it spilled out of my mouth. I began to gag and gasp for air but it felt as though I was chocking while the reflexes and contractions of my throat continued. Then I stood up straight, resting against the door frame and looked back at Dan, who had been starting at me the whole time through misty eyes.
"I knew it.", I said. "Did you really think that I wouldn't notice? Dan, of course I did. I knew it all along, but what I also knew is that you were stopping; I could see the scars beginning to fade. Some nights I'd come into your room once you'd fallen asleep and I'd check your wrists. Each night, the scars would disappear a little more and each night I would smile in the thought that you were getting better. Oh, Dan come here."

I walked across the room to Dan and Adrian then sat down by their side. Thinking quickly, I pulled off my jumper and tentatively wrapped the sleeves around Adrian's arms to stem the blood flow. Next, I turned to Dan, who's cut was still bleeding and decided I could cover it with my T-shirt. So I took off that as well and gently placed it on Dan's right wrist. Once more, I found that I could not take my eyes off Dan, I just simply stared into his eyes and he started back. Through this look, we were able to show our love for each other in the most fundamental way possible.

Dan brought a shaking hand up to my face and held his hand in mine, pressing it to my cheek. I closed my eyes as Dan closed his then I lifted my hand up to his face and I could feel his warm breath on mine...
"What the hell are you doing?!"
I suddenly snapped out of my trance and I could tell my skin had just turned bright pink.

Adrian was starting at us both with a look of great shock and disbelief. I looked back at Dan for reassurance and he nodded his head in understanding. Then Dan looked at Adrian and began to speak.
"Adrian, Phil and I love each other...as more than just friends. It's not been for long but I love Phil with-"
"Okay...I don't mind.", responded Adrian.
"What? You're completely fine with it?", Dan said, clutching both my hands in his.
"Yeah, it's fine. Just keep the soppy kissing to yourselves from now on.", Adrian said, smiling a little.

"Now,", I said, rising from the floor. "Let's get you two cleaned up."