The Delinquent // Phan AU

Chapter 18: Golden Days

(Golden days - P!ATD)

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Don't you wonder when the light begins to fade..

And the clock just makes the colours turn to grey..

Forever younger, growing older just the same..

All the memories that we make will never change.

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Precious wavy brown hair, big shining hazel eyes that were as wide as saucers. A pint-size holding the hand of Phil's mother. Looking at Dan as if he was an alien; or some sort of strange creature. Everything went silent, as if the two were the only living beings around for miles. Dan felt numb, stood dead still like he was glued to the ground. His heart felt like it had given up. The person was a perfect reflection of him - shocked, almost scared.

'This isn't real...'

It is..

We'll stay drunk, we'll stay tan, let the love remain..

And I swear that I'll always paint you.

"Dan.." The person murmured in the sweetest tone, their voice high-pitched and cute. Dan never thought he'd hear that voice again after it happened, the memories flooding back to him.

'I promise, one day we'll get out of here. We'll get away from this place, I'll take care of you and we won't have to deal with these shit excuses for parents ever again...I promise.'

"Adrian..." Dan breathed, his heart suddenly bursting.

GOLDEN DAYS.

The tot ran up to him, Dan doing the same. He scooped the little one off his feet and gave him the biggest hug he possibly could without squeezing him to death.

"I'm so glad I found you!" His 6-year-old brother wept, Dan feeling tears drip down his back. He didn't mind; he was doing the same.

"Me too, buddy." Dan spun around a little, his brother in his arms, before collapsing to the floor in a heap of tears while they clung onto each other.

It had only been six months - and the worst six months of Dan's life too. May not seem that long, but he had a strong relationship with his little brother. After all, he was all Dan had until he was taken away from him. He refused to let his little brother go, refused to lose him because he knew he wouldn't be able to get far without him. But no - that didn't work.

And now he's here.

They found each other. A broken boy was reunited with his younger brother that no one knew about. Though it would explain a lot - Dan's sudden behaviour change after the summer, why he was so depressed, why he cut, why he drank. It was all because his darling little brother was swept away right in front of him, never to be seen again.

Adrian pulled away from him, putting his hands on his big brother's cheeks. Excitement sparkled in his bloodshot eyes, a gorgeous beam on his face that Dan remembered and loved so dearly. His own rosy cheeks glistened from the tears that had run down them while Dan still had his hands around the little one's waist.

"I missed you!" Adrian sniffled.

"I missed you too.." Dan chuckled lightly, "..where have you been all this time?"

"With Phil and his mummy!" Adrian chirped.

Dan twisted his head to look back at Phil over his shoulder. He forced a smile, his eyes showing extreme confusion.