a book of parent!phan

8. your very own official parents.

Dan stood at the front hallway, kneeling as he buttoned up the last of his son's sweater. My son, he thought in awe. Dan's heart swelled everytime he realized he could finally call Elliot his own little boy.

Him and Phil had worked hard to adopt, and to recieve full guardianship as parents for Elliot, at the time three but now four years old. He had gone through many foster homes, and Dan and Phil were so happy they could give him a stable home.

"Kay, ready bud?" Dan pulled at Elliot's collar and tucked a lock of his long, golden brown hair behind his ear. Elliot's own hazel eyes smiled into Dan's.

"Ready!" he sang sweetly. They strolled out the door, the wind sweeping Dan's wavy hair and he smiled down at Elliot. His eyes sparkled, and Dan was so incredibly overjoyed he could bring happiness to him. Elliot had been with Dan and Phil for only a couple of months, but Elliot had grown very comfortable with them, and had grown strong bonds with them.

Elliot grew close to Dan in a sense that he truly confided in him. Dan saw that Elliot really trusted him, and he wasn't afraid to tell him what was on his mind or how he was feeling. Dan tried his best to show that he really did care for him and very much wanted him in his life. He was so glad Elliot believed him, and Dan was surprised at how quickly Elliot grew attached to him. This made Dan so proud and happy, and he'd never felt so content with himself.

And Phil to Elliot- well, they were best friends. When he first met Phil, there was a clear expression of pure happiness and excitement and they connected immediately. Elliot was so intrigued in the way Phil was so much like him, and how Phil always cared and was interested in what he asked or talked about. Dan guessed his other foster care families didn't engage with him at all, and he was new to someone actually caring about him. This broke Dan's heart- but sometimes tears pricked his eyed and his grin was beyond wide when Elliot was sat on Phil's lap, and Elliot was talking excitedly and Phil's eyes were wide and his smile showed nothing but love.

Dan and Elliot paused outside the door, and Dan reached out his hand for Elliot to take. Elliot stared up at him for a moment. Dan smiled warmly at him, but his heart jumped, he would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous around Elliot. Dan was scared he would do something wrong, or he would show affection to him too quickly. All he wanted was for Elliot to feel comfortable, safe, and hopefully loved.

But Elliot grinned at him, and took Dan's hand, his tiny fingers intertwining into Dan's very large ones. Dan grinned back as Elliot began to swing their arms back and forth, humming lightly.

Dan had to be honest- he was in love with this sweet little boy and couldn't be happier. His dream of having kids was just beginning, and so far it was paradise. He loved it.

They stopped at a light, and Dan turned to Elliot. "Can I ask you a question, sweetheart?"

Elliot smiled at Dan, taking his large hand in both of his small ones. He swung Dan's arm around, listening attentively.

"How would you feel if you couldn't stay with me and Phil anymore?"

Dan saw Elliot's face drop in a second. He opened his mouth to say something, but hesitated. "I understand," he mumbled. Dan could see tears filling Elliot's eyes, and his heart broke.

Dan kneeled down to Elliot's height, and took his hands. He looked up into his face, and could see his bottom lip jutted out.

"Do you like living with us?"

Elliot kept his head down, but nodded profusely. Elliot gripped Dan's hands tightly.

Dan stroked Elliot's cheek. "Hey, you're okay, babe. It's alright. You can stay with us. I promise."

Elliot looked up into Dan's eyes hopefully, but he frowned again. "I don't want to be a disturbance..." he murmured.

"Elliot, sweetheart, no. We want you. We want you to stay with us, please. We just want to know if you want us." Dan stroked his arm. "You'll have us, and you can call us your own parents. We love you very much, you know."

Elliot smiled so sweetly and warmly, so humbly, it nearly melted Dan's heart. His eyes filled with tears again and they spilled.

"Yes, please, daddy," he whispered, and sunk into Dan's arms. Dan hugged him tightly, rubbing Elliot's back. His heart was about to burst, and Dan's eyes went glassy.

Elliot pulled away, his eyes full of tears. "Thank you. No one's ever wanted me. Or loved me." Tears ran down his cheek, and Dan engulfed him in a hug again, and never wanted to let go.

"I love you," he whispered to Elliot.

"I love you too," smiled Elliot, and Dan couldn't wait to hear that from him every day from then.

a/n: if you liked it, feedback would be wonderful. ♡♡ your guys' comments push me to write and honestly it just makes me so happy