The Unknown. Phan AU

Chapter 4

Phil's stomach flipped as he suddenly realised what Dan could have been doing. It probably wasn't right but he had to make sure he was okay, just in case. He stood up, grabbing his jacket and rushing downstairs. He shouted, "Mum, I'm just going out!" before leaving the house.

It was a miracle that he could remember the way to Dan's house, having only visited it once. Maybe it was the adrenaline, heightening his memory. He walked- it was more of a run- down the streets until he got to Dan's house. He knocked on the door in a frantic way and it took Dan's parents way too long to answer it. Maybe it was his anxiety though, making seconds feel like unbearable hours. "I let Dan borrow one of my books, is it okay if I go get it from him?" Dan's dad was glaring at him, probably quite suspicious of the fact that Phil was really restless, shifting his weight from one foot to the other every few seconds and fiddling with his hands.

"Yeah, sure. Be quick because we're..." Dan's dad went silent for a second, thinking up an excuse. "About to have dinner." Phil nodded before walking past his friend's dad and going upstairs to Dan's room. He knocked gently, deciding against just barging in but then he realised that Dan wouldn't be able to talk and give him permission to enter. He very slowly pushed the door open before he made eye contact with the most hopeless eyes.

"Dan... I knew something was up..." Phil ran over to the boy, reaching out and taking the razor out of Dan's limp hand. Dan did nothing to stop him, just crying because he really didn't want anyone to stop him and now Phil had seen him at his lowest. He probably looked like such a pathetic idiot (disclaimer- Dan isn't a pathetic idiot) and he just wanted Phil to go away and let him die. "You need to clean yourself up and wash those out." Dan shook his head, facing away from Phil so no eye contact was made. "Please? You may not realise it but people do love you..." Another shake of his head but he had stopped sobbing, instead resorting to a more silent cry.

Then the shouting started again. Obviously Phil had been forgotten about because the words that were being yelled were disgusting. "I don't need to go with you if you don't want me to. You just really need clean up." Dan looked down at himself: the red on his hands, the jagged lines on his arm, the wet on his trousers from all the tears... He was really a mess. He deserved to die. Despite that thought, he stood up and allowed himself to take Phil's soft hand (with his clean hand not his bloodied one). Phil guided him to the bathroom, sending him a sad smile as he shut the door behind them. "Do you want me to stay?" Dan just nodded, perching himself on the edge of the bath tub and putting his hand under the tap.

"Why?" Phil asked as he turned on the tap. Dan didn't make any effort to answer or even move, just staring at the water gushing onto his hand without blinking so Phil helped him a little. "Do you have any bandages?" Dan nodded slightly.

He pointed at one of the cupboards and Phil nodded, opening it up. He pulled out a roll of bandages and began to wrap them around Dan's arm. Dan had only injured his right arm so Phil only needed to wrap that one up. He taped it so that it would stay in place before putting his hand on Dan's and meeting his eyes. "Never ever do this again, okay? If you ever need to talk, you have my number. I promise you that you're the most beautiful person I have ever met. Was this because of your parents?" Dan looked down at the floor again and he could suddenly hear the shouting again. "We need to tell social services. They will help you, okay?"

Dan shook his head rapidly.

"Please? For me? I really care about you and I hate seeing you upset like this."

Dan then shakily reached into his back pocket, wincing when he moved his arm. He pulled out his phone and thrust it towards Phil who took it with a little hesitation. "You want me to?"

Dan nodded, his facial expression practically begging him to.

I hope you have an amazing day because you deserve it :)