* Rated M for language, slight sexual content, and emotions. *

** DISCLAIMER - I don't own Dan & Phil, everything here is simply my creativity. (~: **

The Bus (A Phan fiction)

Author: paleprxncess

"I'm think I'm going to turn in," said Phil, rubbing his sleepy eyes. He and Dan had been living full time on the bus for nearly a month now, and although it appeared large, it was actually quite small with multiple people on it.
"Okay, I think I am too. I just want to get a few more of these emails out of the way, it seems like they've been coming in twice as much as before we left." Dan sighed, staring at the five digit number next to his inbox folder.
"Okay, see you in the morning. Sleep well, bear." Phil muttered softly, immediately realizing the nickname he had just called Dan. Staring at each other for a few seconds, both boys could feel their faces burning red and their stomachs drop. Phil quickly turned and retreated to his room, wondering why the pet name that had gone unused for years slipped out.
Dan blankly stared at his inbox, all interest of answering emails suddenly drained from him. All he could think about was Phil referring to him with the same pet name that was whispered to him on sleepy mornings for years before everything went south.

~Two years ago~

"Dan, it's getting harder and harder for me to keep this relationship a secret," Phil said, staring into Dan's eyes. "I mean, think about it. Really think about it," he said as he took Dan's cold hands in his, squeezing them gently. "Our fans are getting better and better at catching our slip ups and seeing normal things between us as more than they are."
Dan was staring at the floor, his heart in his throat. His worst fear was losing Phil, the person who was everything he had and his entire life. He returned Phil's gaze, feeling himself start to shake as Phil listed all the perfectly valid reasons they shouldn't be together anymore. Dan had to admit that these thoughts filled his head every day, but he never imagined they might become a reality. He always wrote it off as being too worried or scared of getting hurt.
"I still want to be friends. I want to live with you, and I want things to continue as they are, just less… relationship aspects. Your room should be more than a place to shoot videos again." Phil spoke, trying to keep his voice from audibly shaking. He knew that this was hurting Dan as much as it was hurting himself.
"You're right. As much as it hurts me to admit it, you're right Phil." Dan's voice was barely above a whisper as he spoke, his gaze drifting from Phil's eyes to their hands.
"Please, I don't want things to be awkward between us. We have this incredible bond and friendship; I don't want to lose that. It'll just be easier for us like this. Not at first, but eventually. I really am sorry." Phil said, slowly letting go of Dan's hands.
Dan stood, quickly turning away from Phil so that he didn't see the tears slowly slipping out of his eyes. "I think I'm going to go visit my parents for a bit, I've been meaning to and I think it's the best thing for both of us right now."
"I agree," said Phil, watching Dan's tall figure disappear down the hall.
Phil sat with his head in his hands, desperately trying to hold himself together long enough for Dan to leave. He could feel his breaking point creeping closer and closer, then he heard Dan quietly coming down the hall. Quickly sitting up and wiping the tears on his hands off on his pajama pants, Phil turned and looked at Dan.
"I'll keep in touch about when I'm coming back. Obviously, we aren't going to let people know I'm not home right? Dan asked, fiddling with the zipper on his duffle bag. This was nothing more than a distraction to keep from staring into Phil's light blue eyes, the eyes that gave him so much happiness and comfort in even the simplest of moments.
"Of course," Phil said, moving towards Dan. They hugged, their embrace light and simple like one exchanged between family members at holiday meals. They both knew that if they lingered too long, it would end with them both crying messes in each other's arms. "I love you, bear. I truly do."
Dan simply nodded, picking up his bag and walking out the door, gently closing it behind him.