This is it guys. The final chapter and it's a whooper (seriously this chapter destroyed me, I couldn't bring myself to end it! It's longer then a few of my one-shots).

I just want to thank everyone for reading and supporting me through this entire journey. For those lovely comments that kept me motivated and encouraged me to continue writing until the forbidden AM's.

Not gonna lie, I've fallen a bit in love with writing this story. It's feels so weird for it to be over. Hope you have enjoyed reading this, just as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

So here, take it! The final official chapter of Ethereal (yes there will be an epilogue!).

Enjoy C:


The morning is a mix of emotions. The day seems to slow down and speed up all at the same time. Dan tries not to over think it. It's Phil's idea; to spend the morning how they usually would. It works, sort of. For a few moments Dan feels like nothing is different. Like he is carefree and happy just being here with Phil. Like nothing is different and he can just be content, next to one of the most important people in the world.

Then there are moments when there are also tears in Dan's eyes. When he says goodbye to his family before they head round to Phil's for the remainder of the morning. Phil gives Dan's hand a light squeeze. Silent encouragement. It's something, but part of Dan feels like it almost isn't enough.

He misses those lighthearted moments. When his life seemed so much more simple and easy. Video games with his friends, pizza nights with lazy sleep ins. Now everything feels different. Everything is tainted by the thoughts that linger in his mind, subconsciously controlling everything he does. There are moments where he feels as though this can't be real. That this strange turn of events can't be happening. Then there are moments –more recently then ever- where he feels like he's trapped. Like he has no choices and the inevitability of what is to come is looming over his head in some sort of sick torment.

It isn't long before the afternoon rolls around. The morning is spent in a haze. Filled with video games and YouTube and kisses, but all with a numb sort of attachment. Finally, after what seems like an eternity, they make their way over to Chris'. Their agreed rendezvous point, the closest to their dreaded destination.

"Anxious?" Phil questions. Dan pulls back, realizing his hand has clamped a little too tightly at some point during his whirlwind of thoughts. He releases his grip a bit, hand still lightly entwined with Phil's own. He gives Phil a small nod and Phil gives him a surprising sympathetic look, running his thumb against the back of Dan's hand.

"Everything will be over soon," Phil mentions, and although the words shouldn't be comforting, they are. It's a reminder of what he needs. That one way or another, they'll all find out exactly what's going on. They'll know exactly who these people are and what they want. In an hour this tension will be gone. In an hour, everything will be over and all of this will hopefully be some hazy forgotten memory.

"So, like, that's it, then?" Chris asks as he opens the door.

"That's what?" Phil asks, as he vaguely glances around in an attempt to understand what the brunette is referring to.

"I was expecting a little bit more, ya know," Chris shrugs. "Suits of armor, hidden weapons. A wand."

Dan stares at him for a moment. "A wand?"

Chris grins. "Yeah, something just to like, amp it up a bit. Dumbledore's army or some shit like that. Let's be honest, some cool ass looking weapon to go with our abilities with be kind of awesome. How about some ninja moves, chuck some shuriken in with a fire bolt. You know. Anything really."

PJ moves into sight, just beyond the doorway, "if you wanted to develop some sort of skill you shouldn't have quit taekwondo seven years ago."

"I think yellow belt two stripes was pretty impressive. I believe that makes me the most valuable team member out of the lot of ya."

"For a twelve year old, maybe." PJ admits and Chris scoffs, fake annoyance littered on his face.

For a moment everything feels normal. Dan laughs, his face in a grin that mimics everyone else's. For a split second everything's back to how it should be. How they all should be.

An alarm chimes on PJ's phone. Dan grimaces, his face quickly changing morphing into the opposite expression it once was. There isn't much time left anymore.

Phil zips up his coat, previously having just gone to take it off. There is a small silence as everyone soaks in exactly what it means.

"You don't actually have a weapon, do you, Chris?" Dan jokes, but he finds himself wondering if maybe some sort of weapon, no matter how absurd it actually sounds, wouldn't actually be a bad idea.

"No need, I can blow shit up remember?" Chris replies, taking his backpack off the rack and shoving it on. "I am the secret weapon."

"I'm pretty sure the definition of a secret requires your abilities to be, well, a secret." PJ retorts.

"Do you think the part where you shot fire towards other people ruined that element at all?" Phil retorts.

Chris shrugs, "only a little bit."

"If anything Phil would have been, could have been," Dan comments. "Before he discovered his abilities anyway. That probably would have come in real handy."

PJ's phone chimes again, ringtone going off just as loudly as before.

"I set another one just in case, well, this happened." PJ admits, and yeah maybe they were all intentionally prolonging the inevitable for a bit longer.

"Better head off, I suppose," Phil says. Dan lets out a deep breath as everyone begins to shuffle out the door. The plan is to get there a bit early. Scope the area out momentarily and make sure everything is okay. Whatever okay actually means, is another thing entirely.

PJ is out the door first, pausing for a moment for everyone else to follow in suit. It feels weirdly natural. Like PJ is leading them into battle. Like it's his place to do so. Dan frowns, it's not exactly a thought any normal teenager should be thinking. Yet here they are, trudging down the familiar set of pathways in an almost eerie silence.

It's not a horrible day. It isn't raining, which is sort of a benefit to Chris, but then again, it's also sort of a disadvantage to Phil.

Dan watches as Chris nudges PJ's shoulder playfully in front on them, and Dan knows it Chris' weird way of showing affection and support. He smiles, glancing at Phil from the corner of his eye, and is sure that he notices it too. The truth is, they've gone through just as many hardships. Everything is a bit different, almost difficult, but at the same time those words are too ambiguous. It's easy to see the strain among everyone. Dan almost wonders how no one else has noticed. It seems so obvious. Chris' slightly less cocky attitude, PJ's worry that almost constantly ghosts his face. In fact, Dan can't even remember the last time PJ got up Chris for snickering after a perverse joke. But maybe that's just because Dan feels as though he has known them his entire life.

It's weird. A sense of solemnity and ease as they walk. And it feels that maybe, with them all together like they are, things might be okay.

The edge of the park arrives almost quicker then Dan expects it too. He expects them to hesitate, take a moment to glance around before stepping inside the entrance to the tree littered fields. However they don't. PJ leads them straight ahead, down the path they and into the begging area of the tree filled area. The trees are somewhat unnerving, and even though Dan knows these people are waiting just a few meters away, he can't help but think of everything else that happened here. Everything that happened to get them to this point.

And most of them, really aren't that bad.

The forest becomes denser, the path getting smaller and pointing in a few different directions. The creek is gradually becoming louder, birds singing in the trees as though they know nothing of the events to come. Somehow, it's a little bit calming. And Dan can't help but think, that if these are going to be the last moments of his life, walking through a forest with three of the people he cares the most about, is not such a bad thing.

Phil's hand bumps against his as they continue. Just the press of each of their knuckles against, occasionally touching. Its reassurance and Dan knows that they all need this right now. And oddly enough, as they enter towards the thicker area of the reserve, a sense of calm washes over him. One that PJ doesn't take any part of.

He bites his lip as PJ stops just short of the clearing. The water is trickling behind them, flowing through. It's not as peaceful as usual. It ripples faster than usual. Dan thinks that, on some small scale, it might be reacting to Phil.

PJ and Chris grind to the halt in front of them. Just before they reach the edge of their –somewhat dreaded- destination.

"What?" Phil whispers, pausing his movements just behind them.

"So much for the element of surprise." Chris announces, his head jerking slightly towards that area before them.

"Stick to the plan, alright?" PJ murmurs.

Dan's mind reels. The plan, is to stick together at all costs. It's not exactly fool proof. He can feel the anxiety settling in, it flashes upon him like a sudden storm one moment, and then is slowly ebbing away and fading the next.

It's PJ's doing.

"Ready?" PJ asks.

Dan counts to three, the words echoing in his mind before he watches everyone take a step into the clearing.

It's not a neat cut circle. Rocks litter the ground, some standing out largely. Patches of green grass are in between lining the outer circle of trees. In the middle are three people and Dan's mind reels as he realizes he's seen these individuals before.

One girl sits down, her legs stretched before her as she glances around somewhat meaninglessly, blonde hair tasseled out behind her. Her blue eye catch his own momentarily, light blue and glassy. The figure to her right moves slightly, brown eyes watching them somewhat narrowly. He smiles at them, as though it should be some greeting, but it looks wrong. Almost cocky and arrogant.

They continue walking, the sun barely giving enough light under a set of clouds. It's been a rather dreary day and Dan's mind can't help but feel as though once again, the weather is representing their situation almost perfectly.

Dan's eyes however are locked with another. The piercing bright green is hard to forget. It's almost implanted in his mind and he doesn't know how or why and his mind reels. Trying to remember where, because it seems like so much more than the obvious. This guy isn't the same as he thinks. The eyes are the same, that's for sure. He's seen them when he was with Phil and had his mini freak out. But it's different.

He can't quite place it.

"You rang?" Chris's voice quips, sarcastic and dry. "Or should I say, demanded, kidnapped? How about threatened? They all seem to apply right now. Which one would you prefer I use?"

Dan doesn't know if he wants to hit Chris or kiss him for being so bold.

"I suppose they all work," green-eyes states. "Although I do prefer to use the term invited. After all, we are here to discuss something rather important."

"And that would be?" PJ asks as boldly as Chris had spoken before him. Dan's not sure where this confidence is coming from. But I suppose, as they saying goes; fake it till you make it. He's more than confident that's exactly what's happening.

The guy just smiles, taking a step forward from behind the other two. Dan's not sure if he should be worried. They seem to be rather un-phased, watching with what almost appears to be practiced ease. The girl continues to sit there, picking at the grass as though it is far more interesting than the conversation currently around her.

"Straight to the point then?" The guy looks amused, a smile tugging on the corner of his lips. "Most of the others don't really do that. There is usually a lot of rambling before that happens. All nerves, of course. You don't appear to be that worried, however. I'm unsure as to whether that is because of your personalities or more say, manipulation."

Dan's mouth goes dry. Others?

He notices his friends go stiff. Coming to the same conclusion.

"So I guess that makes this whole experience a regular occurrence then. Some sort of twisted hobby?" Chris practically spits. His words are a force of their own, practically laced with venom. Dan can almost feel the blood starting to pound in his veins. The tingling sensation running through his veins on high alert. His powers are aching to surface, to defend.

The girl, previously situated on the floor presses upwards until she stands. She turns away from the group surrounding her and glances directly at each of the four of them. Eyes lingering over each of them for a few seconds.

"Look, we just want to make you an offer." She says.

There is silence for a second, and Dan speaks before he even realises it. "And that would be?"

"A chance to learn. We offer experience and expertise for individuals with particular abilities and it would appear that the four of you have some interesting things to share."

"Learn about what?" Phil asks, piping up. Dan can hear the slightest bit of curiosity in his voice. In fact, despite the circumstances, there is some within his own mind. After all, the four of them know next to nothing about their abilities. Apart from what they have learned to do. They don't know how they got them, or if there was a reason.

She gives Phil a look, a mix between smug and pleased.

"Did you know that a lot of people have abilities? A vast majority, actually. They just don't realise it. Usually it's passed as a weird thing that infrequently happens, that they feel and can't always explain. Something that doesn't fully develop. Or even something that has and they don't know it. For example, fortune. Those who are 'lucky' more commonly then most actually aren't, in fact, just lucky. It's generally a form of probability manipulation. Most people go through their entire lives without knowing it."

"What's more interesting though, is those whose powers actually develop. Those who have the chance to manifest and change. People, like us. Individuals with stronger powers, those who are able to manipulate and control them with their own will. Now that, those abilities. They are a lot rarer. "

Her hand rises up, palms unclenching. Dan's breathe catches. As she open her palm the blades of grass fall. But before they even reach half way to the ground, a loud crack is heard. A flash of light appears from the girl's hand, aimed right at the blades and incinerating them.

Lightening.

Both Phil and Chris flinch slightly, a small jerk of an arm at the sudden demonstration.

"And of that. Physical powers are more common than those that rely on mental abilities only. Generally, those don't tend to manifest in such, intense levels, you could say."

"Which made you a difficult fucker to invade, that's for sure." His green eyes sparkles, as though he enjoyed the challenge. "My Oneirokinesis didn't stand a chance. You're the first person I've come across who could block out my dream manipulation. What is it, by the way? A mental shield? With an ability to implant it on others too. It's impressive. Takes a lot of my concentration to surpass it, even with the three of them."

Dan glances at PJ. It's the first he's heard of anything like this. PJ has never been able to do anything outside his empathy, at least to all their knowledge. He can see the small look of surprise on PJ's face. Hidden, mostly. But Dan knows him too well. The small twitch of his right hand gives it all away. It's as though PJ had no idea himself. Dan's not sure what that could even mean. How could PJ do something he knew nothing about?

"Plenty of things you don't know about us." Chris comments and it sounds a little bit like a threat. A large part of Dan hopes that the three opposite them find it intimidating.

The blonde lets out a small laugh, smiling at Chris. "Like-wise."

Chris retorts. "Rather confident for someone who spent the majority of their time invading other people's minds before revealing themselves. Rather coward like, actually."

The girl's eyes narrow slightly. Her fake smile faltering for a moment. It whips back into place, her eyes glancing back over to the green-eyed man as her move her right shoulder pointedly in his direction.

"We had to make sure you were the real deal before we extended the offer. After all, this is an all or nothing deal and we don't extend it to just everyone. Luke makes sure of that."

"We want you to join us."

This time the brown-eyed man speaks and for some reason his voice sends shivers down Dan's spine. He could swear that the temperature drops a few degrees. Wind whipping around for a moment.

PJ replies, only skipping a small beat. "Which would involve?"

"Sharing our beliefs," he replies. "We're the same. Different powers but we share the same beliefs, have the same fears."

Dan eyes him suspiciously.

"You've felt it, you can't deny it." The blonde comments, "you've been worried about getting caught out. Worried someone will discover what you can do and something negative will happen because of it. People who don't understand. They think you're a freak, that you're dangerous. And their right. What do you think is going to start happening when people catch onto what you are? Who says they don't already know."

She speaks with venom in her voice, laced within every single word.

"And then what? We let them take us off for experimentation? Kill us off one by one? Let them use us against our will? Contain us one by one? What then?"

Phil questions, one hand slightly pressed into his side. "That's happening? Right now? Are there…do people know?"

The blond flicks her wrist again. Lightening appearing in a flash before vanishing a quickly as it arrived.

"Not that we know of."

Dan gets a dreadful feeling, his gut wrenching as though he knows the exact words that are about to be spoken.

"Which is why we need to get in first."

The words wash over Dan like a splash of cold water. They want to strike first. Their building up a team, an elite specialist force. That's why they want the four of them.

Chris' laugh is the only sound the follows, somehow a mix between genuine and forced. Like he finds this situation the most absurd thing in the universe.

"And what? You want a bunch of high school teens to go on a fucking killing spree based upon your deluded theory? Yeah, that's not going to happen. Pitch the crazy to someone else. We're not interested."

Three pairs of eyes narrow on Chris. Dan can feel his body physically convulse, his abilities practically screaming within his flesh.

"It is Chris, right?" She asks, almost mockingly. "You seem to miss the point here. It's not a question of age, or gender or any type of shit like that, that has nothing to do with anything. In fact it's not even a real question. Because you don't really have a choice. You either agree, flip that little switch of yours, that stupid moral compass. Understand what you'd be fighting for. Or you don't. And then, well. Let's say if your abilities aren't going to be of use to us, then they aren't going to be of use at all."

The four of them freeze, words washing over them like a tidal wave.

"Exterminate them before they exterminate us."

No one speaks, silence filling the air. The creek rapidly moving in the background is the only thing to be heard. There's a brief moment where Dan wonders why the birds aren't chirping. Even they don't appear to want to be anywhere near here.

"Then again, if your own lives aren't enough incentive, how about those of your family?"

Green-eyes speaks again, all heads snapping towards him in attention. Dan inwardly screams. Not his family. Not his mum and dad and not Adrian. Not his family.

"Any volunteers?"

Stick to the plan, stick to the plan.

"I do. I'll join."

Chris takes a step forward, a distinctive gap between him and the rest of the ground.

"Chris!" PJ's voice rings out. His hand reaching out and grasping Chris' upper arm. Chris steps away, taking another step away from the others and towards those he had been completely against only a minute ago.

He doesn't turn around, refusing to look back. "I can't…I- not my family. Not my mum and dad. I won't do that. They're not a part of this. I won't let them get involved. This is our fuck up and I'm not letting them anywhere near this. This isn't something they can clean up. I won't let them, not after everything they've already had to do."

"You can't, Chris," PJ's voice is desperate, urgent and pleading. Dan's never heard him so raw. His heart pounds in his chest. Beating fast then he thought was humanly possible. He can't talk as the events unfold before him.

"Chris," Phil tries, his voice shaking.

Ignoring them, Chris continues forward. Taking slow yet determined steps towards the enemy group.

Dan can hear the smug underdone in her voice as she talks. "Anyone else?"

Chris takes his place standing slightly behind the others, refusing to meet eye contact. Out of the corner of Dan's eye, he can see PJ visibly trembling.

"No," PJ flat-tones. He doesn't spare a glance towards Dan or Phil. "No one-else."

His eyes bore directly onto the others, specifically at Chris, who glances up momentarily and makes contact. He bites his lip, looking off to the side to avoid PJ's glare.

"It's a shame, to see such abilities go to waste like this."

Dan glances towards the girl, her eye glistening with something he has never seen before. The familiar crack appears, her right hand glowing in a mix of blues, purples and bright white light.

Stick to the plan.

Chris looks up, looking directly at Phil and gives a small nod, almost impossible to notice if you weren't looking for it in the first place.

Flames alight on Chris' palms, a strong flicking ember flame. He hurls them forward, palms rising directly at bodies beside him as he punches the air. He's aiming directly to at the blonde, with immense accuracy. It ebbs outwards, perfectly on target, fire aimed perfectly, spiraling outward in a strong, long continuous flame.

Dan's eyes widen as he watches.

Suddenly there is a strong burst of wind, directly pointed in the opposite direction. Its faint blue creates an orb of its own, dispersing from alongside them. It flickers with the flames, knocking them backwards and dispersing them in the air. Chris jolts back, another gust forming out of his palm quicker than before. It hits Chris head on, knocking him backwards ad skidding along the ground.

Dan whips his head around.

"You little bitch," the blonde sneers, the lightening flashing in her palm as though it directly reacts to her anger.

She doesn't have time to say anything else. The area breaks into chaos. Phil moves his hands, water appearing and floating around him. It flows up from the lake, curling around his body before it pushes forward. Gliding through the air at tremendous speed, it hits her head on, knocking her to the side in a similar fashion to Chris.

"Elisha," the brunette growls towards the blonde.

Dan watches her pull herself up. Electricity convolses off her, surrounding her body. From the corner of his eye he can see Chris block an attack from the brunette. Chris move his hands, blocking it with a wall of fire in front of him, that disperses each attach as they come.

The lightening pushes forward, aimed at Phil. Dan's abilities swirl inside him and screaming at him to do something. He focuses; wills himself to attack. To help. That's all it takes, the ground becomes one, rocks that litter the ground on front of him hurl forward. Phil's water pushes forward in a heavy stream. It pauses in front of him like a wave, freezing right before the bolt of energy hits it.

Another volt pushes forward, this time towards Dan as Elisha sees the incoming attack. She pushes herself back up, crawling backwards. Dan can see the anger in her eyes. It practically pours out of her, as she seethes. The bolts convulse one by one, blocking each of Dan's moves, shattering the rocks into small pieces before they manage to hit her.

Dan casts a glance at Phil out of the corner of his eye. The water on front of him disperses, transforming from ice into water. It circles him once, wrapping around his body like a second layer. Dan's eyes widen in response. They have a plan.

Douse her.

Focusing again, Dan's eye scatter around. His telekinesis aches inside him, surging with each use. He locks on, willing the larger rock dug into the ground behind Elisha to move. It lifts, springing free from the ground and into the air with ease. It moves forward, directly towards the target. A gust of wind picks up around them, pushing against Dan. His feet dig into the ground, trying to anchor him.

Elisha's eyes whip around, seeing the boulder at the last moment. Her electricity surges forward, knocking the boulder back with a huge bolt. The distraction is all Phil needs, his water springs towards her. Wrapping around her in large bolts. It douses her in water, smothering her body in the absence of her electrical shield. The water freezes in a split second, her body trapped between the layers of water.

"PJ," Phil speaks and Dan finally looks over into his direction. He's still, glancing directly into the eyes of the other man. Neither of them blink and Dan feels dread wash over him for a second as PJ is unable to respond.

Heat ruses over Dan, a large burst of orange filling his peripheral vision. Fire spirals outwards, splitting into two as a gust of winder pushes through it. The beam moves, crashing into Chris' counter attack. It continues through, dispersing it completing. The flames lose control, char marks scorching the ground.

In a split second the wind picks up, whipping at tremendous speed towards Chris in a strong blue glow. It crashes into him, knocking him backwards. Chris falls through the air, slightly upwards.

Dan's eyes widen. It happens in slow motion. Chris hits the tree. His back directly hitting the bottom of the tree trunk. His head whips back on the impact, crashing into the bark. He falls onto the ground, collapsing onto his side.

"CHRIS!" Dan's voice screams out. Phil freezes up beside him. The wind is pulled out from his lungs. A large body of water moves towards Chris' opponent. Dan doesn't think, a large pointed broken branch on the ground floats on its own accord in a similar fashion towards Phil's. It hits his opponent, head on, the pointed end sticking his hand at tremendous speed. It breaks through the skin, piercing the flesh on his upper right arm a second before he is swept up by water. The water washes over him, strong streams pushing him into the ground. They continue relentlessly, pushing him along the ground.

The water pools around him, draining onto the floor; red seeping into it from the injury.

The guy momentarily clenches his forearm, blood covering his Tee-shirt. The water wraps around his hands, freezing in a tight restraint, locking his arms and legs security in place. He collapses flat onto the floor, breath wheezing out in heavy rasps.

"Chris."

PJ's voice calls out.

Dan glances at Chris, who lays motionless on the ground. Phil is running towards him and Dan can hear his own heartbeat within his ears.

"It's over for him."

Freezing, Dan's eyes widen. A black aura surrounds the man, covering his entire body. It pulsates around him, as though it is moving on its own, an individual entity. The aura appears around Chris, consuming his body in the same way. Phil jolts backwards, his hands hovering just above the ominous black colour surrounding his friend.

Stomach twisting, the bile rises in Dan's throat.

"He's not breathing."

Phil almost screams the words.

"Die in a dream, die in real life."

His words are twisted, laced with a kind of sickness Dan has never heard before. He can't move, the fear and panic causing through his veins freezing him completely.

"Chris."

PJ's voice booms. Dan feels the power course through his own body, washing over him in a sensation he has never felt before. His eyes lock onto PJs. Breath catching in Dan's throat as he watches. His eyes are glowing, bright green. Shining in an inhuman way. A green glow flashes into his vision, blinding him for a moment as it surrounds PJ. It pulsates, engulfing him entirely.

It pulsates once more, before spreading. The glow surrounds Chris, lacing onto his skin. It beats out, over-taking the darkness that had moments ago consumed him and illuminating him in the bright green glow.

A piercing scream fills the air, jolting Dan back into reality. It lasts for a single second, before silence consuming the area again.

Dan watches as he falls to the ground, eye flashing the same green as PJ's before turning to black. It lasts about as long as the scream, before it fades away.

A thud echoes, the man laying unmoving on the floor.

PJ's eyes close for a split second, blinking. The glow fades, ebbing away almost as quickly as it came. Flashing away before their very sight. His chest heave, panting in slightly ragged breaths. The surge of foreign power disappears, leaving Dan's body completely.

Phil speaks, the tone of his voice mixed. "PJ?"

His eyes are locked onto Chris, whose chest is moving again.

Relief floods through Dan's veins.

"He's okay," Phil practically whispers. "He's breathing again. Unconscious but- PJ how did you?"

PJ's voice is tight as he answers. "I don't really know. I just, it's as though my powers took control. It coursed through me in a way I've never felt before. He was inside Chris' head. Almost Physically. It's hard to describe but I could see it- see them. He was suffocating Chris in his dream."

All eyes follow PJ's. Landing on the body.

"Is he…?"

PJ's shakes his head.

"I blocked him out, but in the process, it trapped him in his own dream. He's stuck. He's not going to wake up."

The words echo inside Dan's head.

PJ's voice changes, threatening in a way Dan has never heard it before.

"That could have been you."

Elisha and the green-eyed man freeze, PJ's words washing over them. The water unfreezes, the restraints Phil formally placed on them reverting back to their original form.

Elisha nods once, her chest rising and falling rapidly.

He doesn't need to say anymore. Dan knows exactly what it means, and so do they.

"Dan?" Phil asks. "Do you think you could help carry Chris?"

The adrenalin kicks in again, a reminder to Dan's system. Chris is still unconscious and they need to get him out. He nods once, heading over behind PJ who is already making long strides towards his boyfriend's body.

PJ carefully places an arm under his body, pulling Chris up onto his side. He drapes an arm over his shoulder supporting it with his right hand. The other wraps around his waist. Dan follows in suit, copying PJ's movements on the other side of Chris' body.

He anchors his power, using his telekinesis to help lift the dead weight of his friend.

Two pairs of eye follow them, unmoving from their spot on the ground. Phil falls into step beside Dan, letting out a small sign as they make it back onto the path, surrounded by trees.

Chris groans, his head rolling forwards slightly.

"He's going to have a killer head ache," Phil murmurs.

Dan lets out a laugh, and Phil looks at him strangely. Suddenly, all the tension drains from his shoulders. All Dan wants to do is lean across and kiss him.

Which is harder than it sounds given Chris' close proximity.

Smile on his lips, Dan does it anyway.