Perks Of Being In A Gang

Darling, so it goes, some things are meant to be

Alex
I've always loved autumn. The sunset orange leaves along the pavements, the soft pink sky overhead. I feel a buzzing in my jacket as I try to hop over the lines on the pavement, stretching my legs a bit too far. I take my phone out of my pocket to read the screen.

'Dan💅🏻'

I gasp and answer the phone. "Dan! Dan! Look I need to talk to you I don't think that Phil guy-"
"Could I come over to your place? Please?" He croaks, as if he's been crying.

"Of course! Of course!! Come over now!" We finish talking and I place my phone back into my pocket. Then beginning to run down the side of the streets, bolting as fast as I can.

Joining the track team has clearly helped, I'm able to sprint all the way home. My feet pounding down an alley way and jumping my fence, moving to sits on the steps to wait for him.

I don't have to wait for long until I see the small boy, walking down the street in... black jeans and a red jacket?
"Dan!" I run forward and wrap him up in a big hug, "what's wrong?. Oh god come inside," I lead him in.

We enter my house sit down on the couch cross legged across from each other. I grab his hand and rub his fingers, "Dan what's wrong?"
He chokes up for a second before tears well up in his eyes again. "Alexander, I'm, I'm so scared," I put my hand on his knee and rub that as well. "Alex you can't tell anyone this okay?"

I nod slowly, before sitting back a bit, giving him my complete and fullest attention.
"i suspect Phil- I think he's a hitman," I mutters.

"Oh Dan," I sigh softly, moving over to wrap my arms around him. He cries harder and harder, putting his head on my shoulder, muffling his cries. I haven't seen him cry this much since 9th grade when Mickey Kelly called him a slut.

"I'm pretty sure he won't hurt me but, It seems like he's killing people."
"Dan you need to get out of that," I soothe.
"I know, I know!! But how? I need him!"

I snarl. I know exactly why he thinks he needs him, "Dan stand up," I growl and he stumbles up to his feet. "You do not need anyone, you don't need me, you don't need him, you don't need anyone. If you dare tell me ever again that you are not cable of looking after yourself I- I- I swear to god.

Daniel James Howell, you are a strong, independent, beautiful soul. I've known this since I met you all those years ago, god dammit your best friend and you'll never need anyone."
He looks up from the ground at me, and goes to hug me.

"I wish I could believe that."

3rd Person
Tired, that's what Dan was. Tried of making decisions, tired of dealing with everything. All he wanted was to to feel the sweet release of sleep.

Dan has fallen out of love before, and when he falls out of love he doesn't just fall. No, he's flung off a cliff; left to hurtle right down until it's finally all over, quickly and violently. still left bloodied and scarred at the end. It's always painful, but this is different.

He knows for a fact that he's still in love with Phil. Everything he does still seems perfect. He's still the first person he thinks of when he wakes up, and the last when he cuddles into him at night. He's the everlasting sun of his life, covered in tats and piercings, each with a different meaning to it. Phil is a blinding light that keeps him smiling and strong, his roots to support him, his life.

Phil Lester is the reason Dan is still here, despite how he makes money, despite what he does, he is good. He means well. Dan hasn't fallen out of love. He still loves his smell, instead of finding it sickly, and he wants to tell him everything, all the time.. His views on his glowing beauty stay the same and he's still willing to overlook his flaws.

Phil Lester is safe. Phil is good. Dan needs Phil.