Dan's POV

I clambered into the apartment absolutely exhausted. Phil trailed along behind me like a dizzy dog. The door closed behind us and finally there was quiet. A whole day of parading and partying and cheering made quiet atmospheres seem very strange. I pulled out my phone to check the time: 11:34pm. I wanted to stay longer but Phil complained he was tired. It pissed me off a little, but the mans only human.

"Dan did you lock the door properly?" He glanced over at the lock nervously. "Yes of course" I replied. "And the ovens off?" He began to bite his lip intensely. "We haven't even been in the kitchen today! Don't worry it's fine" I could see he was panicked about something. "What's up?" I asked. He shook his head. "Nothing, I'm fine, don't worry..." his voice trailed off as he looked to the floor. Suddenly, his head bolted up again. "Did we turn off the straighteners this morning? Oh god they could have caused a fi-" "Woah, calm down!" I cut him off. "Phil there's nothing to worry about." He reluctantly nodded and loosened his shoulders. "I'm sorry" he mumbled. I gave him a quick kiss on the forehead before making my way upstairs.

Phil's POV
TW: anxiety/panic attack

I felt sick to my stomach. Each step I climbed felt like a mountain. I concentrated on making it up the stairs, but the room was beginning to spin a little. Oh no...I thought to myself. I knew exactly what was happening and all I wanted was for it to stop. Why now? I thought. Why does this one perfect day have to be ruined?

Eventually, I made it up the stairs, gripping onto the railing for dear life. Everything felt so hazy...like I was far away from everyone else in the world. Yet, at the same time, I felt trapped and claustrophobic. It was too much. I tried to hold back the tears but they just kept flooding out. All I could hope was Dan wouldn't see me like this.

My breathing became rapid and tight and I panicked even more because I couldn't control it. I didn't know how to escape. I wanted so bad to break free but it was like I had been glued to the floor of the hallway, unable to move or speak or think. I wanted to shout at the top of my lungs, or cry, or yell but my mouth remained shut. Inside, I was screaming, but I couldn't get it out of me. I cried and cried until suddenly...a scream.

Dan's POV

I heard the scream. It was loud. It sounded desperate. I ran out of my room to see Phil collapsed on the floor, crying and shaking. I was so startled that I didn't know what to say. "Ph-Phil!" I exclaimed, sweating now. "Phil what happened? Oh god..."

I sat down beside him and squeezed his hand. He didn't speak for a minute or so. I just sat with him and told him to breathe in and out slowly - the only advice I could really give him. After a while he began to calm down. I was so relieved.

"I'm sorry Dan" he whispered, still shaking a bit. A tear rolled down my cheek. "Don't say that Phil!" He looked down and bit the nails of his fingers. "You have nothing to be sorry for, ok?" He gave a small nod, still looking down, and I saw a tear splash into his lap. "Oh Phil..."

I wrapped my arms round him and he rested his head on my shoulder. "You really should have told me" I said, looking at him. "I'm so-" "No." I interrupted. "I'm sorry for not noticing. This isn't your fault." He looked up at me with desperate eyes. "Tell you what...first thing tomorrow, we go to a doctor and get this checked out, yeah?" A smile wiped across his face. He looked relieved. He opened his mouth and just managed to form the word "okay".