Summary: Dan works at a small office doing coffee runs. His boss, Mr. Lester, needs Dan to do him a favor while his parents are in town for the next couple of weeks.

Genre/Tags: Fake relationship, getting together, alternate universe

Word Count: 2,867

Warnings: Strong language I guess

A/N: Wooo! This is the second chapter of HTGAWM! I hope you all enjoyed the first part and like this one too :) also I'm American so I'm going to use US currency and things like that, I hope it isn't too bothersome? I'm sorry if it is..

Dan stood there, wide-eyed at what his boss had just said to him. He stared at him for a few seconds before screeching, "Wait. What?!"

Phil only sighed again. "Look. It's not real, obviously. I can forge a fake marriage certificate, ring, everything. In fact, I can have it done right away, I just need you to agree with this."

"Why me though?" Dan questioned.

Phil shrugged and gave Dan a cheeky smile. "I thought you'd be the most fitting."

Dan stared hard at him. "And why is that?"

The other man shrugged once again and continued to smile. Dan rolled his eyes but decided to ignore Phil's strange behavior for now.

"Okay, but why would I agree to do this?" Dan asked.

"I'll pay you."

Dan raised his eyebrows in interest. He does want to move out of his current flat. It wasn't that he didn't like staying with PJ. Peej was one of his best mates after all. It was just that he didn't quite like it when he would bring home Chris and they would do certain things. Dan would often find himself waking up to obscene moaning and he didn't think he could handle it anymore.

He also liked the idea of independence. He wanted to live alone and he thought about it for a while now. He didn't like the thought of depending on others. He just wanted to live in solitude. But he didn't have enough money for it, which was why he was working as an office assistant while he was balancing school work from college. He was barely making it by and being paid to pretend to be someone's spouse for two weeks doesn't sound that bad. Or at least that's what Dan thought.

"How much?" he asked carefully.

"However much you think you deserve," Phil replied almost instantly.

Dan took a deep breath. "So… What do you need me to do?"

Phil smiled at him. "I need you to take the title as my husband for as long as my parents are around. You're also going to have to live in my house the whole time, though. You know, us being 'married' and all." He stopped to think and placed a finger on his chin. "Umm… other than that? I don't know, just do husband-y stuff?"

Phil gave out a small giggle and Dan saw his tongue poking out a bit. For some unknown reason, just that small gesture made Dan want to punch the older man in the face.

"What if I'm not gay?" Dan blurted out. He didn't know why. It was an obvious and stupid question after all.

Phil gave out a loud laugh and said, "Please, Dan. I think everyone in the building knows that you're the most vibrant and flaming homosexual here."

Dan crossed his arms and huffed. "I didn't think it would have been that obvious though." Dan was lying, and he knew it.

Phil rolled his eyes. "Right. So is that a yes?"

Dan thought to himself. Even though he got the chance to be paid however much he wanted, it was still pretty strange. He'd have to pretend to be a stranger's husband for two weeks. Who knows what he has to do in that house. Not only that, he has to convince Phil's parents that they were a loving couple. It sounded like a really tough job. "I'll have to think about it."

Phil smiled. "Of course. Take as much time as you need. I'll just have to know by next week."

Dan nodded. "Thanks. Um. Is that all?" He asked.

"Yeah. You can take the day off, by the way," Phil said.

Dan eyed him strangely but didn't say a word. He left Phil's office and roamed back to where Louise would be.

He approached the room, he opened the door and slammed it loudly behind him as he entered the room. Louise jumped from her chair behind her desk.

"Jesus, Dan. Why did you do that?"

The brunet ignored her and proceeded to point a finger at her accusingly. "You," he said. "You knew, didn't you?"

Louise visibly blanched. She swallowed before speaking. "What are you talking about?" She gave out a nervous laugh.

Dan rolled his eyes at her. "Please. Don't even pretend now. You knew what Phil was up to."

Louise opened her mouth to speak, but Dan cut her off.

"In fact, everyone knows! I bet everyone in that so-called meeting knows, don't they? Well that's brilliant, isn't it? Now, everyone knows that their boss Lester asked little Dan to play husband."

"Look, I didn't want to tell you because Phil didn't want-" Louise stopped. "Wait, what?!" She shrieked.

Dan stared at her confusingly. "Isn't... Isn't that what Phil was telling you guys about?" He said unsurely.

The lady shook her head. "No! He was talking about promoting you! We were told to keep it a secret! What is this I'm hearing about 'Lester asking little Dan to play husband'?" She asked.

Dan's face began to burn as he slowly slumped to the ground. "I thought... Oh my god. Now I feel stupid."

"You're telling me," Louise said with a scoff.

Dan glared at her. Louise laughed and smiled at him. "Come on, now. What is it?" She asked him softly.

"Don't talk like that to me, I'm not a little kid."

"You sure are acting like one. Now, spit it out. What happened?" She asked eagerly.

Dan covered his face with his hands out of embarrassment. "He asked me to pretend to be his husband," he said, muffled by his hands.

"What?! But why?"

He threw his hands up in the air. "I don't know! His parents are going to stay at his house or something and I think he told them he was seeing someone, even though he wasn't and now he wants me to pretend to be his beloved spouse!" Dan exclaimed.

Louise raised a hand to her mouth as she tried to stifle her laughter. Dan looked at her again. "Don't laugh! I don't know what to do, Louise. If I say no, he might fire me. And you know how much I need this job right now."

"Oh, please. You now he could never fire you. You're too sweet and everyone needs you here. And I do think that if you take on this 'task' that he's given you, you'll be promoted for real!"

"He said he'd pay me if I did this, actually," Dan said.

Louise gasped. "Are you serious? How much? You can finally move out if you do this, Dan! And hey, also a little reminder that you owe me over $200 because you wanted those shoes." Louise glared at him.

Dan laughed nervously. "Right. I'll get that back to you somehow. Those shoes were really nice, okay! It wasn't my fault. You know how I am about-"

"Don't change the subject, Dan! Do you know how much you're getting paid? What else are you getting out of this? Pretending to be someone's lover requires a lot of work, but I'm sure you'll get some bonuses if you pull this off though," Louise reasoned.

Dan raised his hands up in defense. "Woah, I never said I was even going to do this. And I don't know; he said he was going to pay me as much as I wanted, but I don't want to seem greedy and ask for too much. And yes, it is a lot of work! Which is why I'm probably going to say no."

Louise glared at him. "Don't say no! If you do this, you can finally get all the things you've wanted: a new flat, new clothes, maybe that promotion you've been wanting, better meals." Louise sighed. "Heck, I know you'll get that promotion for sure. And don't forget, your college tuitions will be easier to handle."

Dan frowned. "I hate it when you're right. It'd probably be so frustrating. I mean, I have to live in my boss's house for however long his parents are going to be here for and pretend I've known him for years in front of said parents. I'm terrible at lying." The brunet made flailing hand gestures. "And you know I'm terrible at lying! I'm even worse at acting. Why did Lester think this would be a good idea?"

"Because you're a little twink who would be perfect to play the role for Mr. Lester's man wife." Louise smiled at him.

Dam glared at her. "You are terrible." He turned around and began packing his items.

Louise immediately frowned. "Hey, where are you going? I didn't mean it, Dan."

Dan looked back at her. "Yeah, I know. Lester said I could have the rest of the day off. I was given some time to think about it."

"Oh."

He finished packing and said, "Alright. I'll see you Monday. I'll text you later, okay?"

"Oh, yeah. Today's Saturday." Louise pouted. "Lucky you. You get to go home early on a Saturday and you have your day off tomorrow."

"Yeah? Well, maybe if Lester asked you to be his wife, you'd be the lucky one instead."

Louise laughed as Dan walked towards the exit of her room.

Just as Dan was about to leave, Louise called out to him. "Bye, twink!"

He didn't say anything but gave her the finger before finally exiting the room.

Dan didn't really feel like calling a cab at that moment, so he decided to walk to the nearest train station, which really wasn't that far. But what was really a 5 minute walk, felt like an hour. Dan didn't care though. In fact, he barely even noticed.

He was lost in his own mind, thinking about the events that happened today. He kept debating to himself. Was it worth it? He didn't really have enough information about what would happen if he agreed. Maybe if he knew a bit more of what Phil wanted him to do, then he wouldn't mind so much.

Dan got on his train and luckily, found himself a seat. He gave out a quiet sigh as he sat down. He decided that he had done enough thinking for the day. So, he pulled out his phone and proceeded to play all of his mobile phone games for the rest of the ride home.

The tall brunet man got off the train and was on his way back home. Once again, he didn't bother for a cab, and he liked the change for once. He laughed to himself when he realized that he never really did exercise enough and perhaps this would be better for him.

Dan unlocked the door to his flat and pushed it open. No one was there and that wasn't something he was used to. It was only because PJ usually returned to their flat before Dan did and it wasn't like PJ often went out on Saturdays. He only worked Monday through Fridays, as he was a grade school art teacher.

Dan pulled out his phone from his pocket to check the time. "Though it only is like 3 right now," he mused out loud.

PJ was probably out getting groceries or hanging out with Chris. Or maybe both. Dan decided to text his friend anyway.

To Peej

hey where are you?

Sent 3:06PM

While waiting for PJ to reply, he went up to his room to change into a comfier set of clothing. It wasn't until a couple minutes later before PJ replied messaged him back.

From Peej

I'm just out with Chris picking up a few things. Why?

Received 3:11PM

From Peej

Are you home already?

Received 3:11PM

I knew it. Dan thought to himself. He decided what to text his friend back. He didn't want to tell him yet about what Phil asked him today. It's not like he didn't trust him. It was more so of Peej downright teasing him about it and he wasn't sure if he was prepared for that. Even worse, he'd probably tell Chris and then he would never hear the end of that. So for now, he decided to lay low about the whole situation.

To Peej

yeah got sent home early

Sent 3:12PM

Dan realized that that might've sounded a bit bad if PJ didn't know the context. He sent him another message.

To Peej

don't worry i didn't get fired

Sent 3:12PM

Dan's stomach growled. He groaned to himself. He forgot to eat breakfast this morning since he was such in a rush to get to work on time. He didn't stop to grab himself any lunch either. He figured he could make himself a quick sandwich to tame his hunger for now.

From Peej

Oh, thank god.

Received 3:16PM

He walked into the kitchen and got out his sandwich making supplies and hummed to himself. In the middle of making his sandwich, he heard another ding from his phone.

From Peej

I'm about to grab some lunch, want anything?

Received 3:17PM

Dan typed his reply with a slice of bread in between his teeth.

To Peej

nah that's fine i'm making food for me rn

Sent 3:17PM

He went back to his sandwich making before receiving another text.

From Peej

Don't burn the house down

Received 3:18PM

Dan took a bite from his sandwich and quickly replied.

To Peej

thanks m8

Sent 3:19PM

Dan didn't feel like texting his friend any longer and just wanted to relax for the rest of the day until PJ got home, so he sent him another final message.

To Peej

it's just a sandwich anyway i'll see you when you get back don't die on your way here

Sent 3:19PM

Dan heard another ding.

From Peej

See you.

Received 3:20PM

For the next 30 minutes, Dan lazily sat on his couch and scrolled mindlessly through tumblr. He didn't try to think anymore of Phil's offer. But he kept wondering what would happen to Phil if Dan refused. What could he do? His parents would still come over and they'll wonder where his beloved other is. Dan suddenly felt bad. He had to say yes, but then again, it wasn't exactly Dan's problem. And a boss couldn't just fire their employee just because they refused to do some insane personal task that they wanted them to do. It was a personal problem anyway, and they shouldn't bring that into the work area. Right? Dan sure hoped so.

PJ didn't arrive home until a little after 4 with, of course, his boyfriend, Chris. Dan sighed to himself. It wasn't like he didn't like Chris, no, not at all. Along with PJ, Chris was also one of his best friends. Just at this moment, Dan didn't feel like dealing with Chris's antics. He would always tease Dan on how tense he was, and how he was always worrying about his life, when he should instead just get himself laid.

Dan always told him to fuck off, but he never really listened. Peej often scolded his boyfriend, but Chris would always casually brush it off. It irritated Dan. It wasn't like Dan couldn't get himself laid, he just chose not to. At this point in his life right now, he really didn't care, and he sometimes wished that Chris would get that through his thick head.

Pushing that thought aside, Dan decided that he had spent enough time slumping on his couch. He got up to greet his two best friends at the door.

"Hey!" Dan called out to the two of them.

They both turned their heads to the man.

"Hey Dan," PJ said as he walked into the kitchen.

"It's been awhile, hasn't it? Why don't you ever come and visit me?" Chris asked.

"I think I see you enough when Peej brings you over here, Chris," Dan said, only halfly joking.

"Well I don't see you enough! So I think I should start living here from now on," Chris said.

"It's not like you don't already," Dan muttered under his breath. Unfortunately, Chris heard him.

"Aw, loosen up Dan! What's gotten into you?" Chris asked.

"I'm fine," Dan replied.

"You're so tense! Tough day at work?"

"It was literally nothing."

"Chris!" PJ called from the kitchen. Chris lifted his head towards the direction of the voice. "You want to help me with dinner?"

Chris groaned while Dan quietly sighed to himself in relief.

"Yeah, Chris. Why don't you cook dinner? If you're going to live here, you might as well," Dan said in a sarcastic encouraging tone.

Chris flipped him off and walked away into the kitchen. Dan smiled to himself and went back into his room.

After eating dinner that his friends had cooked him, Dan had safely hidden away from Chris and PJ for the rest of the night. He didn't want to explain to them what happened to him at work today. He honestly felt like he didn't have enough energy to tell them how crazy it was. So he went to his room and stayed on tumblr for the rest of the night until he eventually fell asleep.

A/N: Okay I hope you guys liked this part. Not sure when the next part will be out? I'll probably post it when I'm done writing chapter vi. Might be next week or the next? Who knows? Thanks for reading though! 3 Please leave me comments and stuff because that's what gets me going in life. Also, please check out my tumblr (humhowellelujah) and send me stuff yeah? Thank you!