Welcome Home (Phan)

Eight

Dan's POV

I'm...I'm swimming. I'm in crystal clear water, it's up to my shoulders. I'm cold but it's the sort of cold you don't mind being, you're refreshed.

I've rammed my head into something. It gives in a little, bending to accomodate for the impact. The thing jumps and spins around. Phil.

I'd recognise those oceanic eyes anywhere, the colour of the deep stretch of water meeting bright yellow flowers and the sun. His ginger roots are growing through again, he'll probably smother them in black hair dye as per usual. His frail limbs extend from his thin torso. He's pale but he always has been. He's still as gorgeous as he was when I left him.

Phil shifts his gaze and his eyes lock with mine. His lips curve upwards into that goofy grin and he throws his arms around me, not caring where they land, "Dan!"

I laugh loudly, returning my little dork's embrace, "Hey there, Philly." He pulls his head out of the crook of my neck and brings my forehead to his. The boy's so warm despite being surrounded my a cool liquid. I let his warmth melt through my skin.

We stay like that for a while. Not wanting to move or speak, just being. My legs were beginning to cramp. I stand up slowly, bringing Phil up with me. I still have my right arm around his waist, his left hanging loosely off my shoulder. I turn to face the blue eyed boy who I've come to love with every ounce of my being.

I outstretch my left arm and lace my fingers together behind his back. Pulling him closer, craving his warmth and the sense of home he gives me so easily, I wish it could always be like this. So...so easy and lighthearted.

Phil closes the gap with one swift movement. He's kissing me with as much want and love as the first time we had pressed our lips against each other's. The awkward head bumps and giggles come flooding back and I feel a tear run down the left side of my face and into the water beneath us.

It's all coming back. He's bringing in waves of memories and regrets. I'm being pushed under. I'm drowning. I can't breathe, the air fleeing from my lungs when I'm needing it most. There's nothing to reach out and grasp. There's no lifeline, nothing to bring me back up.

Sweat's covering my body, leaving me to shiver whenever the slightest gust of wind hits my back. I frantically twist and turn. Looking.

Phil...he's not here. It wasn't real.