We are the ghouls of London // PHAN

•CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE•

This chapter is dedicated to MCRFans since Emily will not stop bothering and telling me to update - hate you x

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Leading his younger sibling upstairs by his hand, Dan felt Adrian slow down the closer he got to the guest room he had spent the last couple of nights sleeping in.

"You ok Adrian?" Dan asked, looking at his brother.

"I don't want to go back home. I like it here. Lee is nice. Phil is nice. You're happy here... plus Lee cooks nice food."

Listen, Adrian," Dan spoke after chuckling about Adrian's final comment. He crouched down to Adrian's level and took both of his younger brothers hands in his own, "I am happy here, and I know you are too. But as much as you may not want to go back, mom needs us. Even if it's just a hug you give her everyday, those small things will make mom happy, ok? And I promise I'll do my best to cook some decent meals for you. It won't be anything Gordon Ramsey or Jamie Oliver... but it'll be better than nothing."

Adrian giggled and hugged moved forward to hug Dan tightly, "Thank you Danny. You're the best."

Dan hugged him back, "No problem," he let go and stood up at his full height yet again, "Now, do you need me to help you with packing?"

"I'll help him," Lee came up the stairs and put his hands on Adrian's shoulders, "You just go pack your stuff."

After thanking Lee immensely, Dan made his way into his room... well, Phil's room. The colours of the room were so bright now it was time for Dan to leave. He was going to miss the fact he won't have Phil cuddling him every night now he will be put back into his usual reality where Phil was in this luxury place and Dan was in a shabby home the other side of town. It would be so different, and such a confusing concept to deal with. Instead of watching Adrian indulge in eating a Sunday lunch every Sunday without fail (obviously) which Lee had cooked, Dan would be back in the kitchen mashing potatoes and microwaving baked beans almost every night for his brother because, despite telling his brother he would cook better food, deep down, Dan knew what he said was a utter lie and he really was breaking his promise to his brother.

"You really are leaving?" Phil's voice startled Dan as he was packing the few t-shirts he had into a suitcase which had been pushed into the corner of Phil's room during his stay.

"Yeah..." Dan spoke sadly, avoiding all eye contact with Phil, not wanting to see Phil's disappointed face, "Yeah I am... I have to."

"You don't have to... you and Adrian can stay here. With us. With me. And not just for one night..."

"I know... but its for the best that we leave. You and your dad probably need space from us for a bit—"

"Honestly? Ever since moms death, which was a long time ago, I can't recall my dad ever being this happy. Ever. Your brother... just look at his and my dads relationship. He's doing all the things he use to do with me to make me happy after mom died. Buying me popcorn and movies, making me laugh, feeding me amazing food which be has made himself. But now i've grown up, its hard to do things like that. Sure, he can make me laugh, but never squeal as he ticked me and we have regular takeouts because he is always busy at work. Dad is happy Dan, I've never seen him like this."

"Our mom needs us too Phil. On the end of the phone earlier? I could hear the chime of multiple glass bottles, the rustling of tissues. She was crying, the radio was on quietly... your dad may be happy, but my mom is a complete mess."