The Things We Hear and See (YT/Highschool AU)

Don't Ask pt.2 (Dan)

     Dodie was right about one thing: School doesn't help people like me.

     The halls were too crowded. The students too loud. The classrooms too hectic. I couldn't focus enough to remember where my locker was. My mind spun at the thought of even finding my homeroom, much less surviving the day. I could feel eyes on me. Whether it was one set or dozens didn't matter, because it wasn't like the owners were able to help me.

     Knowing there wasn't much I could do without Dodie or Emma, I headed to the nearest bathroom.

...

     I didn't make it to a bathroom.

     I ended up in a maintenance closet, and I wasn't the only one using it to hide in.

     "Hej..." He whispered with an awkward wave. He was sitting in the corner, underneath the 'Staff Stairwell' as the sign hanging between the handrails said it was called.

     "Hi...You're Felix, right?" I asked unsurely.

     The guy was about to respond when he stopped himself, standing and looking at something behind me. I turned slowly to see Mark, who stood flat against the closet door as he shut it carefully.

     He was looking straight at me, his expression solemn. "Dan...you okay?" He asked softly, taking a step forward.

     I let out a shaky sigh and nodded a couple times before answering. "Yeah...j-just overwhelmed apparently..."

     "Wait, you guys are...bros?" Felix inquired hesitantly, walking over quietly, pulling on his backpack straps nervously. What could he, of all people, be afraid of all of a sudden?

     "Uh, yeah, I guess you could say that..." Mark confirmed, standing at my side now so that we both were facing Felix. "Pewds, this is Dan Howell. Dan, this is Felix..." He looked back at me and whispered, "Do you need help with something, man? What's up?"

     I glanced at Felix, realizing Mark had just put me before one of his best friends. I'd seen how they were together. They were basically brothers. I didn't want to be between them. Felix was here for a reason too

     "I just got overwhelmed is all, really. I'm fine now so I'll just go-" I had started for the door when Mark grabbed my arm and looked me in the eyes.

     "Dan. What do you need help with?" He repeated firmly.

     I looked from Mark, to Felix, to Mark again. "I was having a hard time remembering where my things are. Locker, and homeroom? Silly to forget, but of course I'm really stu-" Felix was the one to cut me off this time.

     "I swear if I hear one more person call themself stupid with complete confidence that their statement is true? Imma smack somebody! Not them, but somebody! Probably Mark!" Felix was laughing, but I could tell he was serious. "Mark's talked about you before, bro-you play piano by ear right?"

     "Uh, yeah-"

     "Then that makes you a genius!" Felix declared. "Not everyone can do that, just like not everyone can be good at math, or at finding places, or at even remembering to speak English while in America! You are just fine, bro, so don't count yourself out of the race just yet!"

     " 'The race'? Race for what?" I asked out of confusion.

     "The race for life, of course!" Felix chuckled, sliding his hands into his pockets.

     Mark sent Felix a somewhat annoyed look. "Shut the ffff-frick up...I swear to god, if I start singing, it's your fault." He looked back at me. "Dan, we get it, and it's chill. Anxiety makes people do strange things, and can't really be controled. I'll help you find your locker, okay? And if we're late we can just skip since it's only day two. Sound alright dude?"

     I hesitated for a moment. He shouldn't feel responsible for me! I wasn't worth his time. I knew enough about Mark to know that he'd wasted quite a bit of his life trying to please people whom had either betrayed him, or left him too soon. I didn't want to add to his disappointment.

     Then I saw the look on Felix's face. He was looking at Mark, smiling sweetly. I had a feeling this was the look I would give Adrian when we were younger, when he would do nice things for people. The "proud brother" gaze. This only further proved to me how good a guy Mark is. He helps people every chance he gets, but I shouldn't be one of those people. I guess you could say I didn't consider myself "worthy" of his help.

     But it was when I saw the look on Mark's face that the hesitation left. There was no explanation that could be given that would do that look he gave justice.

     I pressed my lips together and gave a nod.

     He grinned and nodded back happily, then turned to Felix. "And why were you in the corner?"

     Felix gave a weak smile that faded into a frown. "Uh...Hide and Seek with the guys?" He very obviously lied.

     "Pewds..." Mark affirmed.

     "Something happened to my dad back in Sweden. He's gonna be fine, but...It got me thinkn' about my sister and I. If somethin' really bad happen...we wouldn't be able to go home, even with a month's worth of tips and wage from us both! What would we do if-"

     "We'd help pay for your flights, Felix, you know that!" Mark chuckled. "Just like you would help us! It's okay, man, just don't worry about things like that until they happen."

     Felix looked at Mark for a long moment before they were suddenly hugging.

     "Later Mark!"

     "Later Pewds!"

     "What just happened?" I asked the second Felix snuck out the door. That had happened so fast what the heck?

     "Nothing don't worry about it, now let's get you to class." Mark replied quickly as we snuck back into the hallway.

     "Sure, but just this once." I muttered to him.

     "Uh, sure yeah, deal." He agreed. "Have your schedule on you, dude?

     He proceeded to wait for me to arrive every day for over a month at the main entrance just  to walk me to homeroom.

     Jerk.

     But I loved him so much.

Here's that second chapter I promised! Sorry I couldn't get it out immediately, and that it's kinda short, but I did at least keep to my promise! I will also attempt to get another chapter out on Sunday, but if I'm not happy with it I will probably save it for the Sunday after-which will be completely my fault! If that's what happens you all need to yell at me in the comments and tell me how disappointed you all are!!!

Now lemme ask you some things about the story, and tell you some things about my thoughts/plans.

1.) Do you dudes like how I'm portraying these "characters"? I try to really show their good qualities, (like how Mark's the kind of guy who wears his heart on his sleeve) and their faults/weaknesses/etc. (like Ethan's ADHD and Dan's existential crisis) But I wanna make sure they're right. I want them to resemble the them in real life y'know? I want Amy to be enough like the real Amy, but not an exact copy...you know what I mean? (*cough* probably not sorry *cough*)

2.) Is Emma Blackery actually Bisexual? I'm pretty sure she is....isn't she? Correct me if you know please! (I know for sure Dodie's Bi, but I wanna make sure shipping her with Dodie is semi-realistic.)

3.) To be clear-Dan does not have a crush on Mark! It's brotherly love!

4.) For those that may be wondering/worrying: all the ships in this story will be Asexual. Not only am I Asexual, but having them in Ace relationships (in my opinion) is more respectful to them as real people.

That's all for now! Sorry for the long "author's note!" As always-if you have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, or characters you would like added: LET ME KNOW!!!

See you dudes on Sunday! (Hopefully...)

-Zastrow Out