too long 'till i drown in your hands | dan/phil

chapter one

dan howell and phil lester has been best friends since they were still trying to walk.

they had done everything together; eat, bathe, play. they like to eat beside each other and watch telly as if it was the only thing they could understand. both of their mums would coo and say, ' aren't they the cutest?' and dan would blush and hide under phil and they would gush even more. after that, they'll go outside by the beach and build and throw sands each other. and when it's time for phil to go home, dan would cry and phil would say, 'i t's okay, bear. i will come back.' d an would stop crying and nod. and phil would come back tomorrow with a smile, like dan believed he would.

dan and phil both like exploring. and finding things. and going to places they shouldn't. they often get lost but others are not so worried- they always got lost but still find their way around. people often call them the ' troublemakers' and the 'dynamic duo' - and they grin whenever someone calls them that. "young and naughty, you lot," dan's mum always say with obvious fondness.

they liked looking at stars, too. when it's late at night, phil would sneak out and help dan get out by the window. since they live close, it was not a problem. phil would hold dan's hands and they'd go to their special place: the beach. specifically the spot near the trees. they'd lie down and look at the stars. then, they'd talk about their dreams, and hopes. they always had a lovely time. when they're both sleepy, they'd run to the house, like the little mischievous wanderers they are, and sleep a good night sleep with the largest smile on their faces.

dan howell and phil lester were still best friends even when the world (or just the girls in school) is against them.

phil was year four while dan was in year one. despite the different schedules, they still did everything together. just not inside the school. they went and go home together at school, they do their homeworks together- they were inseparable.

there was a one time when a girl from dan's class invited him to her birthday party. dan bit his lip and asked if his friend, phil, could come. the girl, cat, huffed in annoyance. 'f ine. but make sure you're there, okay dan?' dan just nodded quietly, feeling shy.

dan told phil about it and was visibly excited. their mums had been excited, too, and dressed them up real nice and fancy. they were in tears when they arrived at the party. both dan and phil went up to cat, who was dressed as a princess.

'she could've dressed as a cat,'phil whispered to dan. dan giggled.

'or a princess cat.' they both stifled their giggles.

the party was kind of blast. dan spent his time eating the scones (which were delicious.) while phil just drew cat whiskers on his face with the chocolate fondue. dan laughed at him. phil just grinned and tried to lick them from his cheek, with no avail.

cat went to her stage and tried to shush. 'today, i am getting married,' she announced proudly. the girls giggled loudly. dan is still laughing at phil. '--to dan!'

the girls cheered and giggled some more. dan looked at cat questioningly, obviously confused and bewildered as to why his name is suddenly called. he turned to phil, who looks just as lost as he is. 'phil...?'

dan didn't get to finish what he's going to say when cat tugged him and dragged him to the stage. dan also noticed that she's not dressed as a princess anymore, rather she's wearing a stuffy wedding dress.

'cat..' dan's eyes darted wildly. 'what's-what's happening? what are we doing?' dan asked nervously.

phil widens his eyes, he knew what was going to happen. cat just grinned and leaned to him, her eyes closed and lips puckered. dan froze.

he dashed to the stage and snatched dan's hands from cat's firm hold. 'hey!' she complained, her lips pouting.

'uh, sorry!' phil waved his hand. 'uhm, my hamster, susan, is pregnant and dan is the father so she needs him! he can't get married!' phil blurted. dan ducked his head and blushed profusely. 'we need to go!'

dan took a quick look on cat's enraged and red face and giggled quietly, while phil is hastily dashing to the door. they ran away, phil still grabbing dan's arm. dan recognized the place as their favourite spot.

they sat down at the sand, breathing heavily. they were both quiet, not uttering a single word when phil starts to talk. 'dan, she can't marry you!'

dan looks at him, confused. 'huh?'

"you can't marry cat!' phil seems to struggle with his words, his pale face flushing. 'she-she she's- you just can't!'

'i won't marry cat.'

'pinky swear on it.' phil demanded.

dan laid out his small pinkie, smiling at phil. phil quickly interlaced his pinkie around his, visibly relaxing. 'good.' phil paused. 'she can't kiss you, either.'

'iwon't kiss her,' dan nodded solemnly.

'okay,' phil sighed, relieved. 'good.'

dan howell and phil lester were still best friends even when they reached grade school.

they both loved school, yes, but this was different. they were way more more kids, much older and meaner. now that dan was in year three while phil was in year six, they went on different classes. of course they are still together entering and going home from school.

they held hands when they entered the building. dan gulping, his eyes wide and round while phil held his hand tightly, bravely walking inside with bright determination plastered on his face. after school, they refused to be apart. they'd study and read children's books and sing nursery rhymes (poorly) phil would help dan with his homework, or whatever it is he's having a hard time with, and dan would always tell him about his day- whether it's bad or not.

they still held hands going to school when one day, an older kid saw them and teased them about it. ('you can't hold hands with a boy! it's gross!') dan burst out sobbing and left early; phil, of course, went with him. when they went home, phil insists on staying on dan's side until he stops crying. phil asked what's wrong. dan answered with a series of sniffs and wet sobs.

after that very day, when they went to school dan didn't want to hold on phil's hand. phil understood.

he still didn't hold phil's hand the next day. phil just kept quiet.

and the other day... then the other day. phil was understandably upset.

they went home together (the school was only few blocks away) with phil trying so hard not cry. dan asked what's wrong. phil replied with a squeaky 'nothing' and tried to run. dan quickly grabbed his arm, his eyes full of wet tears. 'phil, what's wrong please?'

phil felt his mouth quiver, 'you hate me.'

dan widens his eyes, deep frown etched on his face.'what? of course, i don't.'

'you won't hold hands with me anymore.'

"but, i thought you were embarrassed with me...'dan looks down.

'i will never, bear.' phil smiled. dan gingerly held his hands and looks at the ground.

dan howell and phil lester had been best friends since, well forever, and time itself is a witness.