Chapter One

Unforeseen

The Beginning

A/N: This project/story/fiction is complete, with four chapters. I will finish this within the next week with reasonable updating rates.

I own nothing, and Phan is... *sigh*... by no means 'real'.

Happy now? Good, because now I'm sad.

By the way there is a somewhat large part of the story way down the road of this chapter that is a scene from Merlin. I do not mean to steal or use this scene in any way that makes it seem original, in other words I do not look to infringe copyrights, so please don't sue me.

.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.,.

The lanky Britaineer hung up his floppy blue-dotted and green-striped winter hat and wet red and blue striped mittens from falling in a mound of slush on the pavement. The source of the still frosty exhalations was the work of the shallow, ragged breaths of the young man. All his hard work to keep quiet as he entered the flat was wasted as he nearly toppled while he was yanking off his shoe. Fortunately, he balanced himself by quickly placing his hand on the wall. Unfortunately, when he did so the contact of the wall and his hand made a sharp slapping sound that was not kind to the ears. The fact that he had yelped hadn't helped matters.

Another young man appeared, his admittedly handsome features set in an alarmed expression. His tanned features relaxed at the sight of the other, as if the surprise had melted away like the slush on the pavement. His lips tugged up into a bemused, slightly lopsided smile like a child spotting a silly sight.

"Phil, you've really got to work on your balancing skills." Dan teased, offering a hand. Phil grinned sheepishly, taking the hand gratefully. He hated admitting it to himself but the contact sent warm tremors down his spine as the goosebumps rose.

"Well, maybe your mum should work on her balancing skills." Phil mumbled back, his eyebrows knitted together loosely. The laugh Dan made was hearty and genuine, causing a broad smile to creep onto Phil's lips.

"Touché." he replied, his pearly whites showing like a Broadway play. It made Phil's heart do a tap dance, no matter how much he denied it on account of the energy he had exerted walking home.

He started for the kitchen, or at least he was going to, until Dan commented on something he had sorely forgotten due to certain 'distractions'. "Uhm, Phil, you forgot the food." Phil's cheeks burned like a hot stovetop as he smiled sheepishly and turned back around for the forgotten bags.

"I knew that." he said quietly, cursing himself internally. Dan resisted laughing, for the sake of Phil alone. Instead he rubbed the back of his neck with his hand awkwardly.

"So, uhm, yeah we should probably head into the kitchen now." Phil nodded and followed him in.

"They actually had the sauce this time around." he told him as he emptied the bag, smiling to himself. Dan laughed, stirring the contents of the pan expertly as he did so.

Phil watched him, entranced almost, as he leaned against the counter next to the stove.

"About bloody time." Dan joked, grinning broadly. Phil copied Dan almost automatically, allowing himself a nervous laugh. If he didn't control himself, Dan might suddenly receive an unexpected hug.

Focus, Phil. This is Dan. Dan. Think of Dan. his conscience ordered, sounding a bit like Pj.

But... but that just makes it worse now, doesn't it? Phil waited for a response, but none came. Either 'it' was out of advice or Phil was off his nut.

"Phil?" Dan asked, a bit loudly. Phil realized he must have zoned out again, and Dan must have asked him a question.

"Sorry?" the pink tinge was not missed by Dan. His eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion, but he didn't comment.

"I said, did you finish editing that video you recorded last week?"

The tinge became a harsh burn on his alabaster cheeks at his words. He shuffled his feet nervously, his Pj-conscience shaking its head in despair.

"Oh, uh... no, actually."

Dan's eyebrows rose, nearly disappearing into his fringe.

"Why not?"

Phil wasn't usually so flustered, so lost with words like this, but something, he didn't know what, was making his tongue feel like sandpaper and his brain like porridge. He took a deep breath, trying to qualm his shaky nerves. The result was his words coming out rushed and squished together like cars in a traffic jam.

"Oh, well, I might of maybe sort of- y'know... uh... Isortuhkindamaybesortoflosti tsomewhere."

Dan gave him a deeply perplexed look, somewhere between certain confusion and deep concern.

"Come again?"

Phil let out a steady breath before bringing his head above the surface of his nervousness.

"I sort of, to say, misplaced the flash drive I kept it on. It was late when I finished it, and I must have mixed up copy and move, because it's not on my laptop." Like any clever YouTuber, recently Phil started backing up his videos on a flash drive after he finished them. But being as exhausted as he had been, he must have clicked 'Move' instead of 'Copy' and then lost his flash drive. Thus, losing the video.

"So, you finished the video...?"

"Around four days ago." he finished promptly, glancing towards the stir fry and realizing they'd almost completely forgotten about it. He started taking out bowls, which redirected some of Dan's attention to the stir fry as well.

"Uh hmm..."

It sounded as if they were discussing the disappearance of a person rather than a flash drive, they were talking so seriously. To any onlooker, had there been one, it would have appeared comical.

"It'll turn up eventually." Phil mused, tapping his fingers on the table as Dan finished up the stir fry. He nodded, his brows knitted together and his lip pouted in thought. Phil steered his thoughts away from the darkly inviting thoughts whispering dirty ideas from the back of his mind.

Dan filled the two bowls almost to the brim with delicious-looking noodles and vegetables. It made Phil's mouth salivate just looking at it. He took the bowl Dan handed him and headed for the living room.

He turned the TV on to Merlin, which was the only mildly interesting thing on. Dan plopped down into the other sofa and took out his laptop. Phil rolled his eyes, smiling, thinking how Dan was either heading straight to Tumblr or researching that rumoured date of the series three of Sherlock. Phil turned his attention back to the television just in time to catch the start of his favorite part.

"Do I know you?" the golden-haired, armoured young man asked. He came off as a snarky person to Phil, and he must have to Merlin as well because he changed tactics.

"Uh, I'm Merlin, so I don't— no."

"Yet, you called me 'friend'." Merlin frowned slightly, as if regretting this.

"That was my mistake." he replied ruefully, but a dry smile crept onto Merlin's lips as well as Phil's. He loved this part for some undying, unplaceable reason. He suspected it was of its context that applied to Dan.

"Yes, I think so." the young man looked smug, but it was only to be all but at Merlin's next words.

"Yeah... I'd never have a friend who could be such an ass." he commented smugly, the zing like a whiplash to the other young man.

Phil snorted suddenly, or so it seemed like to Dan as he started somewhat violently. He seemed to notice why after a second or so, as he closed his mouth and focused on the television.

"Or I, to have one that could be so stupid," he retorted, having regained his smug demeanor. Dan smiled to himself, glancing at Phil for a moment. "Tell me, Merlin, do you know how to walk on your knees?"

"No." his answer was quick but not rushed, more suspicious.

"Well allow me to help you."

"I wouldn't if I were you." he stated, voice low but clear.

"Why? What are you going to do to me?" his tone was incredulous, certain the tall, scrawny young man was no threat.

"You have no idea." he stated confidently, each word curt, a disbelieving smile on his lips.

"Be my guest. Come on." he baited him, completely unconvinced. Merlin debated before accepting his offer, a determined spark in his navy-blue eyes. He took a swing, only to be intercepted by the other, who then twisted his arm behind him. A collective sympathetic "Ooh..." was shared in the surrounding crowd.

"You're going to jail for that." he muttered.

"Who do you think you are? The king?" he mumbled back, wincing slightly from the position he was in.

"No, I'm his son." he shot back, almost a snap. "Arthur." he emphasized. Merlin's eyes widened in disbelief, as well as shock. The shame didn't get a chance to register before Arthur pushed him down onto his knees by the arm.

Phil's concentration was snapped like a wonky twig as Dan's clear, precise voice interrupted him.

"You know, I never actually watched this before. It's actually pretty decent." he shrugged, an impressed smirk upon his lips. Phil bit his lip before replying, the sly remark having resisted all attempts to keep it at bay.

"Well maybe if you actually listened to my advice, you'd have realised it sooner."

Dan's wicked smirk was reward enough.

"Maybe I'd have."

~~~END~~~

I'm evil, I know. Decent enough, wasn't it? I think so.

Until next time, my friends.

Stay amazing, and don't… light yourself on fire?