* Lost Boys ~ Dan/Howell • Phil/Lester *

catch up

Dan spent the whole day with his companion. They talked about nothing in particular from the moment the birds woke and the sun crept from its den below the horizon till the moon came out of hibernation with the wolves and lightning bugs. The talked all through the night too. Dan gave a dramatic regaling of the events occurring on his trip getting up and theatrically re-enacting the moments he was most frightened in. He substituted his trip to mortem domum for a battle with a bear, so as not to raise suspicions of Chris. He didn't want to deal with Chris. He just wanted to make himself believe it was a dream and try to forget it. He only wanted to be with Phil and pretend the world didn't exist. So he left everything involving death house or Chris out of his stories. He knew phil would be anxious around the others then. Dan didn't know who he could trust at this point. Did anyone else even know? Did Pj know? Who else was involved here? This secret had become the heaviest burden

As his thoughts got heavier, his stories came to an end and they sat there together in a comfortable silence

then a thought crossed Dan's mind

Wait

Oh my god

LEO

Dan had falsely accused the poor boy.
He remembered the way Leo had screamed of his innocence.
He had to fix this
Dan made a lame excuse and left the room
He headed in the general direction that he saw them drag the small boy
He padded down the stairs, and into the dark cellar corridor, which was lined with cells. All were empty but the last. Dan stood looking at the figure in front of him

Leo was small, battered and bruised. The poor boy was sleeping on the cold hard ground with a swollen eyes and blood and puss covered lips that were once soft pink and perfectly symmetrical. Dan didn't realise how rough he had been. His heart strings were tugged at.

Leo suddenly realised who it was
He screamed and jumped backwards, crying

"Shshshhshsh"
Dan cooed

"W-WHY ARE YOU HERE?!"
Leo cried

Dan got the keys off the hook that were across the room

"I realised my mistake"

He unlocked the door and entered the cell

Leo pushed himself back frantically sliding on his butt and pushing himself back with his feet until he was cowered in the corner

Dan walked over to the small by and held out his hand

"Please. Just trust me, Leo"

"WH-HY SHOULD I" he replied

"Because I'm your only shot at getting out of here"

Leo looked down and sobbed for a moment and looked back up and grabbed dans hand reluctantly

Dan pulled the boy up with ease and looked him dead in the eyes

"I am so sorry Leo"

The small boy sobbed and Dan pulled him into a tight hug
The embrace went on for a while before Leo broke his own sobs
"I f-f-org-i-ive y-y-ou-u" he managed to choke out
Dan pulled away from the hug and looked Leo in the eyes
"Everything will be okay"
"How-w c-can I kno-w-w?"
"Well I was the one who accused you, so I was the one who put you in here. I am taking you out of here... so what are the other problems?"
"Well everyone thinks I'm a snitch"
Dans face softened
"Alright, I can fix this"