(a/n: this is based off a tumblr post)

dedicated to @unluckyxcharms bc I completely forgot about this book until they reminded me lmao

summary: in a world where you can be in the same dream as another person, dan and phil escape the reality of homophobia to a better place.

"You'll dream with me tonight, right?"

"Of course. Wouldn't miss it for anything."

Dan smiled as he left Phil's company, walking away from the building called school. The two had been dating for nearly two years, but not everything was as perfect as they'd like it to be. In fact, most of it revolves around their tragic sob-story- a Romeo and Juliet-Esque novelty. But they managed, even with Phil's parents being horrifically homophobic.

They managed because Dan loved him. And they had the world of a different reality to cope. Every second they had spare time, they'd slip on their headset and fall into bed. After they'd fallen asleep, the headset signals to whoever wants to pair, and Dan could be with Phil- even if it meant in a different universe. They always went to bed early just so they could see each other more.

There, asleep and in a dream-state, this was the happiest the boys were. Together and only together, alone and safe. They were alone together, and that was when they were the most in love. It wasn't like at school, where sure they had freedom and a supportive school, but it wasn't the same. In their dreams, they could do and be whatever they wanted.

Dan's parents were homophobic as well, but they at least minded their business and Daniel happened to be a great liar. Maybe that wasn't a compliment to his staggering traits, but it was necessary.

Dan finally reached his home, and after completing all his homework and other daily things, he found himself in bed. He opened his nightstand dresser and pulled out the wired headset, placing it around his forehead. He felt the sensors set in, and soon enough he was asleep. And he heard Phil's voice, and instantly smiled.

-

When Phil woke up, it was to the sound of his mom yelling through his bedroom door. She shouted at him, saying he was late and to hurry up. He groaned, taking the headset off and setting it on his dresser. He groaned, making his way to school. After the whole day was finished, it was the typical routine. School, homework, chores, dinner then bed.

When he walked in however, the atmosphere was tense. It was just his mom that was home, calling him over once he came through the front door.

"Who are you always talking to?"

"Hmm?" Phil asked, setting his bags down. She stopped washing dishes to look at him.

"Your headset. You wear it to bed every night- even your father and I dont co-dream that often. Who is it?"

"Nothing, I just- I just walk around and stuff."

She laughed coldheartedly, looking away from him to shake her head. "Is it that Daniel boy? Didn't we tell you he's not good for you?"

Phil scoffed, not wanting to hear her condescending tone any longer. He just wanted to see Dan, in their safe little universe. He tuned her out, let her finish, then walked up to his room.

But once he got there he noticed his headset wasn't on his dresser.

His heart skipped a beat as he furiously began to search around for it, having no luck. He called down to his mother,

"Did you take my headset?"

"No," she responded nonchalantly, and Phil wasn't buying it. Maybe he himself was a shit liar, but he got it from somewhere, didn't he? He furrowed his eyebrows, deciding he'd look for it once his family was asleep tonight.

So when the time came, he pushed open his parents' bedroom door, being greeted by darkness and loud snoring. He turned on his flashlight and looked around quietly, seeing the alarm clock in the corner of his eye.

It was past midnight, and Dan was surely worried and anxious. It definitely wasn't usual for him to not be with him, and Dan knew everything about his crazy ass family. Phil chewed at his nails nervously as he searched, finding it later and hurrying up to his room. Immediately he slipped the headset on after locking his bedroom door, ensuring he'd get all the time he needed with Dan for the night.

Once he fell asleep, he looked around for Dan, finding his curly-haired boyfriend in their makeshift home. Dan peered from the doorway, hurrying over and hugging Phil.

"I was worried."

"My mom knows it's you. She's not stupid- she knows. I cant keep the headset, they'll just keep taking it away from me."

"Phil-"

"I fucking hate the real world. The real universe, I hate it- I dont want to wake up!" Phil hissed, tears pricking his eyes as he held on tightly to his lover. "I just wanna be alone with you, safe and it just be us, but everything always feels like it's against us."

"Maybe it is, baby," Dan started, pulling back to kiss Phil's forehead. "But we still have tonight, and I can still love you as much in the real world too. Even if it hurts a little bit more. We'll manage, just like we always do."

"I'm so tired of just managing." Phil whined, following Dan into their home. They sat on the couch together and instantly cuddled up to one another.

"Me too, Phil."

And they just held onto each other, wishing they never had to wake up. But reality is always around the corner.