A/N: YURI ON ICE IS GREAT

I'm introducing a new character next chapter, any guesses on the role they will play?

Dan's POV

The rest of the week went by swiftly without Anthony. His friends were too cowardly to do anything without him, so for the first time in quite a while Phil seemed to have a happy week at school. At least, I thought that at first. I began doubting myself as I watched his smile slowly becoming more and more forced. I had tried asking him about how he was feeling, but I never got a straight answer. The conversation was usually brushed off with a light excuse followed quickly by a change in subject. I was worried for him. I didn't know how sensitive he was to these things, what would it take to push Phil over the edge again? This uncertainty was part of the reason I couldn't bear to ask him. What if it was me who gave him the final shove before he relapsed? I couldn't risk that happening.

"Dan, pass the salt please," My mother's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Oh, yeah," I handed her the salt shaker.

It was just my mum, Phil and I for the next few days. My dad had to go to a conference in New York for a while, something about a new program his company wanted to start up.

My gaze flickered over to Phil, who was tiredly poking at his food with his fork.

"Not hungry?"

Phil sighed, glancing up at me. "Not particularly."

"I'll save it for you, dear." Mum got out of her seat and began to search for a plastic container.

"Thanks…" Phil was unusually quiet, even for him.

I cast a worried glance at him and began picking up the dishes.

…

Phil had gone up to his room as soon as he handed me his plate, and I hadn't seen him since.

I stood outside his bedroom door, rehearsing what I'd say. Finally, I knocked.

"Yeah?" Phil's muffled voice answered through the door.

"It's Dan, can I come in?"

"Sure."

All the lights were off, and Phil was lying on top of the neatly-made bed.

I stood silently in the doorway, suddenly very apprehensive about having to talk to him.

"Did you need something?" Exhaustion laced Phil's voice as he sat up slightly.

"Are you okay?"

Phil sighed tiredly. "Dan, we've been over this."

"No, we haven't. I try to talk to you and you never give me a straight answer," I stepped further into the room, closing the door behind me.

The boy swung is legs over the side of the bed, now fully sitting up. "Okay, I'm fine. Is that what you wanted?"

"No Phil, you're not fine!" I sat next to Phil, finding his hand in the darkness. "You haven't been eating, you look like you haven't slept in days, and every time you smile it looks like it takes half your energy!"

Phil didn't respond.

"Please, just tell me wh-"

"I don't know," Phil interrupted me.

"Sorry?"

"I don't know what's wrong Dan," Phil's grip on my hand had tightened.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "Well you have to have some idea."

"Well I don't."

I had no idea what to say, Phil wasn't following the script I had made for him in my head and I was left with no idea what my next line was.

"It—it will be okay, Phil. I promise."

"You don't know that," Phil muttered.

"Yes I do, things always get—"

"Shut the hell up, Dan."

I stopped talking, shocked by Phil's tone.

Phil pulled his hand away from mine. "You have no damn idea about what will happen next, don't pretend that everything will be all sunshine and rainbows."

Phil's voice was cold and harsh, I was sure he didn't mean it, but it still hurt.

"I know, I know… I'm sorry, I just didn't know what else to say…"

Phil sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Just, get out."

"What?"

"Get out of my room, Dan."

Okay, that stung. "Phil, please… can't we just talk?"

"There's nothing to talk about."

"But—"

"I said get the hell out, Phil spoke through clenched teeth.

I stood up slowly, shuffling over towards the door. A thin strip of light spread across my boyfriend as I pulled the door open.

"I—I love you…" I said softly.

Phil didn't respond.

I held back a sob as I closed the door and hurried to my room.

Phil's POV

I felt like such a jerk.

Why did I have to react like that? Dan didn't do anything wrong, he just wasn't sure how to handle the situation. I groaned, tugging at my hair.

'You idiot, you couldn't even tell him you love him back? No wonder everyone hates you…'

I rolled onto my side, burying my face into the covers. Dan was right, I hadn't slept well in quite a while. I had gotten less than four hours of sleep almost every night for the past week or so. I just couldn't fall asleep, and when I did I spent the entire time restless because of reoccurring nightmares.

Maybe I would get lucky tonight and sleep well…

Who was I kidding?

I sighed, my thoughts drifting back to Dan. I wanted so badly to apologize to him, but he probably didn't want to talk to me right now. I know I wouldn't.

As much as I tried, I couldn't get the idea out of my head. I found myself walking out of my room and standing in front of Dan's door.

I didn't feel anxious as I pushed open his door and closed it quietly behind me. I just felt numb.

"Phil?" Dan sniffed, sitting up in bed.

I didn't respond, but instead walked over to the bed and crawled under the covers with him.

"What are you doing?" Dan asked uncertainly.

"I love you too." I whispered, wrapping my arms around his back and pulling him into a hug. "I don't know why I lashed out like that…"

"It's okay," Dan reassured me, still acting a bit surprised. "Do you want to sleep in here tonight?"

I hesitated. "Is that okay?"

"Of course it is." Dan pressed a kiss to my cheek.

"Thank you." I smiled. A warm feeling surging through me.

For the first time in who knows how long, I fell asleep within minutes.

Mrs. Howell's POV (ooh, this is new)

Saturday had always been laundry in the Howell household, and Daniel always forgot. Every bloody Saturday I would have empty open his half filled hamper then go demand he find the dirty clothes strewn about his room.

I trudged up the stairs towards my sons room, barging in without knocking. (it was my house, after all)

"Daniel Howell, for the last time—" I stopped short, nearly dropping my basket of clothes.

There was not one person in Dan's bed, but two.

Phil had his arms wrapped tightly around Dan, who had his head resting against the older boy's shoulder.

They were very cute, and quite obviously in love.

It didn't come as much of a surprise to me, but I still felt a sense of protectiveness. Dan was my only child. For a moment I considered waking them up, but changed my mind when Dan stirred in his sleep, scooting closer to Phil and sighing contently.

I smiled, there were a lot worse things I could have walked in on them doing, so I decided to let something as innocent as this slide.

I turned around, walking out of the room and closing the door quietly behind me.

The laundry could wait a few hours.

Dan's POV

"Morning," Phil murmured, shaking me gently awake.

I grunted.

"Come on Dan, I can smell food."

"I don't want to get up…" I whined, burying my face in Phil's shirt.

I felt Phil sigh deeply. "You're lucky you're cute…"

"I know."

Phil gently combed his fingers through my hair, pressing a kiss to my forehead. "I'm sorry about last night."

"You already apologized," I muttered.

"I know, but I wanted to say it again to make sure you knew I meant it," Phil replied.

"I forgive you." I promised the older boy.

Phil pulled me closer to him. "Thank you."

I nodded, intertwining our free hands. "Now just five more minutes"

…

"We should go get lunch and Christmas gifts later, the town has all of its decorations up." I suggested. Christmas was in five days and I still didn't have anything for Phil or my parents.

"Are you asking me on a date?" Phil smirked, taking a bite out of a waffle.

I shrugged, fighting back a smile. "Depends, do you want it to be one?"

"Well, I guess…" Phil said unethusiastically.

I rolled my eyes. "Don't get too excited," I muttered, poking Phil in the chest.

He laughed, brushing the hair out of my eyes. "Come on, lets go get dressed."

A/N: I feel like if you add up all the time in this story so far, it would more likely be January than December, but I really want to write about Christmas.

I hate when I write a relatively long chapter but I just feel like nothing happened. NEXT CHAPTER WILL BE IMPORTANT, I SWEAR.