Dan's POV*

Phil and I were walking through the bitter night, collars tugged high around our necks. My mind couldn't settle on the one thought. 

Oh my god we're alone! Shut up we were always alone before Phillip came! How is Phillip? Damn it's freezing! I could probably turn into an ice cube right here and now! Oh god, should I say something?

I kept my mouth clamped shut because I couldn't trust myself to speak. I'd probably say something stupid and confess my undying love to him then watch as he freaks out and runs away. The thought of ever telling him is terrifying. He's saved me in so many ways and I wouldn't give our friendship up for anything ... even love.

I always ... ALWAYS keep my feeling in the dark if it meant I got to keep Phil as my own ... for as long as possible anyway ...

One day he's going to find someone ... most likely a girl but I'm not paying attention to detail. He will find them, fall in love and then will want to start a family ... he'll leave me, leave me with my feelings. Sure, I might be his best man at his wedding or something, not that that makes me feel any better ...

One day he will leave me.

So ... maybe-

NO! I can't tell him! I won't risk it. I won-

"Dan? You're being unusually quiet." Phil spoke up. I tensed and breathed out a breath which clouded in front of me due to the cold.

"Oh, sorry about that. I just spaced out." I gulped, slowly getting my confidence back. He gave me a small smile. 

I only just heard the 'typical dan' under his breath and smiled to myself ... he knows me well enough ... and for now, I am content with being his best friend. 

Maybe, just maybe. One day I will tell him ... no promises.

"We're here." Phil cheered and we both went inside for an evening drink.

Phillip's POV*

I sobbed hard into my pillow, letting it all go. My whales sounded through the apartment like a lost echo. The tears continued to run freely down my face, it's been going on for at least three hours now. I needed to calm down for when Dan and Phil got back.

I gritted my teeth and ran to the bathroom, desperately trying to stop crying and washed my face. I sniffed as I washed my salty stained cheeks before drying off on a towel. My chest ached with wanting to cry more and a thick lump stayed in my throat.

Why?

Why did he have to ...

Flash Back

 "Slow poke!" Dan called behind his shoulder.

"Hey! You got a head start you cheater!" I laughed and ran harder before pouncing on his back. We both fell to the ground with a laugh, giggling in a heap. We rearranged ourselves so Dan was snuggled into my stomach and we both looked up at the blue sky.

"This is so cliche!" Dan's nose wrinkled. He did that when he was irritated, usually when something was too cheesy. 

"Trust you to say something like that at a moment like this!" I chuckled and gently combed my fingers through his hair. He sighed in contentment.

"Yeah well, that's just me. You're going to have to love all of me if you want to be my partner." He smirked.

"I already love everything about you, flaws and all. Although you hardly have any flaws whatsoever!" I smiled and pecked his forehead.

"Thanks Phillip ... can you stick around forever?" He asked, looking me fully in the eyes.

"I'm not sure about forever but does until the day I die sound good enough?" I offered, sitting up to face him.

"No Phil, I mean forever. I mean after death too. I mean when we're buried beneath the ground, when we become ash and that ash turns to dust. I mean forever when we're the dust floating in the wind like a forgotten echo. Promise ... please promise." He begged quietly and I saw his eyes shine with what looked like held back tears.

"Dan ..." I breathed, a little shell shocked. I was honestly surprised and in awe at how poetic his words sounded considering he's the person who cringes at cheesy moments.

"Of course I promise. I promise ... I promise ... I promise ... I promise." I said between each peck that I gave his lips. "I'll love you to we're old and wrinkly and married, I love you when we are under the ground, and I'll love you when we're the dust in the air." I chuckled and gave him a proper passionate kiss.

I felt his grip tighten around my neck and I smiled.

"I've liked you for so long ... but even before I started to have feelings for you ... I knew we were soul mates. You saved me and I saved you- OH GOD STOP! I am not surrendering to the cheese!" He suddenly groaned and I laughed out loud.

"You better promise me too right?" I asked.

"Of course I promise, I swear on my life." Dan grinned.

He chuckled too but then tensed, "Did you say we were going to get married one day?" He asked, a look of shock on his face but still managed to be bright pink. I felt my own cheeks blush scarlet but I wasn't going to let that be my proposal. No ... if I'm going to propose I'll do it right!

"Who knows, maybe one day ... but that's in our future and right now lets focus on the present right here and now." I grinned.

"Ugh you're killing me with the cheese!"

"Then shut up and enjoy the silence."

"I love you."

"I love you too."

End of flashback

My hand gripped the towel tight, I shook at the memory.

"You broke you're promise ... and you paid with you're life." I whispered, feeling the sadness consume me once again. 

Before I could start breaking down I snapped myself out of it and slapped myself across the cheek. "ENOUGH! STOP THINKING ABOUT IT AND FOCUS ON NOW! GET THE MACHINE BUILT, MAKE SURE DAN AND PHIL GET TOGETHER AND GET THE FUCK HOME TO MAKE SURE THE MACHINE GETS DESTROYED!" I shouted at my reflection in the mirror.

I had let all the rage out and was suddenly feeling exhausted and weak. I let the anger, hurt and sadness slowly drain out of me, although it didn't completely vanish and got ready for bed. Dan and Phil would be home soon and it was getting late. 

I sighed and went down to the kitchen where I fixed myself a hot cup of tea before retreating to the living room to drink it in peace. I sat down and relaxed into the sofa, feeling completely defeated.

I sat like this and drank my tea for a good five minutes when I suddenly heard the front door click open. My eyes widened and I looked at the clock which said half twelve. They were out pretty late ...

I watched as Dan's figure stumbled into the room, holding his body weight up against the wall.

"DAN! Are you okay?" I asked, jumping up and running over to help. I held his wait in place to steady him and looked at his face. I was shocked when I saw a lazy smirk spread across his lips and glazed over eyes. "Dan? Are you okay? Where's Phil?" I asked.

"Ohhhh heeeeeey Piiillup." He dragged out in a drunken slur.

"Dan, you're really drunk. Let's get you to bed." I sigh and help him to his room.

"Buht am nut sleepeh." He giggled to prove that he was hyper, although I saw his eyelids droop.

"Oh Dan. Come on." I sigh and lay him down on his bed. "I'll get you a glass of water and some paracetamol okay?" I suggested and turned to leave.

I felt his hand reach out and grab my wrist tight, making me tense. "Don't go Phiillup!" He whined and in one quick motion he managed to get me on the bed with him straddling my hips.

"DAN!" I shouted but it squeaked at the end. I was honestly quite scared. Daniel and I were never alcoholic people so it was never this serious.

"Don't leave so soon ..." Dan smirked seductively and hovered above my lips. I cowered slightly but couldn't help feel the small tingle of excitement and lust which I knew reflected in his own eyes.

Dan ...