disclaimer: i don't own dan or phil, nor do i own any social media references, music references, and whatever else you recognize. i do own my oc, abigail elizabeth woods :)

includes: time-skips, explanations, reconnection, realization, and (finally) a reason why i haven't been updating — i have depression! so that's...fun! but i'm okay now! i think! for now, at least!

(also: shoutout to "fyrandthegriffenclaw" — dude thank you so much! it means so so so much that you enjoy the story! i wish i could provide more chapters more often because it's reviews like this that keep me going [and i totally agree with the whole "disguise the villain" thing — i honestly think if i could change anything, i'd tell past-me to calm down and keep a secret for once, lol]. but yeah i love all my reviewers, but today i love you a lil' more. you're gonna get an ending no matter what, and i promise it's gonna be great. anywhoo, that was so freakin' sweet, what the heckity heck. you're awesome, alright? alright *hand heart cuz im a sap*)

i've been talking for too long, so let's get started, shall we?

(also: this is all fictional. i'm not assuming anything about dan or phil and their personal lives, and frankly, i never will. cool cool.)

Chapter 37: Chances.

The screen flickers to life and a bright, celebratory noise echoes in the background.

"Hello, internet!" Dan says, giving the camera his signature salute. Abi giggles beside him, and Phil beams brightly, and says a beat after, "Hey guys!"

The two look at Abi, and a cricket noise-effect plays. She smiles nervously.

"What?" she says. "You guys are looking at me like creeps."

"Are you going to say your intro?" Phil asks. Abi rolls her eyes.

"Did I have one?" she replies.

"Barely," Dan chuckles, "you basically copied ours."

"Hey!" Abi playfully punches Dan in the arm. "Sod off! I'll have you know that if anything, I made both of your intros better."

"Okay, Abi says 'hey internet!'," Phil says an octave higher. Abi glares at him.

"I don't sound like that!" she protests.

"I don't sound like that!" Phil mocks back.

"Oh for fuck's sa—"

A tv glitch effect plays before Dan could finish his sentence. It then cuts to the three of them stifling their laughter as Dan begins to speak once more.

"So I imagine are all like,"—the camera zooms in closer, and the screen is tinted with a faded, yet raging, fire—" 'where have Dan and Phil been?!' "

"You're so dramatic," Abi mutters. The flames die out immediately. Phil looks at her incredulously.

"Have you seen Tumblr?" he retorts. Abi opens her mouth, as if ready to argue, but closes it.

"Touché," she says pensively.

"Anyway, the short answer is…well…"

Dan trails off, and hesitantly looks at Phil and Abi. Phil clears his throat.

"The short answer's not enough," he chuckles halfheartedly, rubbing the back of his neck. "Everything has been really confusing right now, but we just wanted to clear some things up."

"First of all," Abi says, "we are so thankful for everyone's support. I know my small Tumblr fanbase has been really nice, but let's be honest, these internet dweebs have the kindest followers out there."

Dan giggles softly, and proceeds to add, "It's true. Sure the whole 'address leak' was a bit of a stumble, but I know there are so many of you who handled it so well."

"It's been a crazy last few months," Phil continues. "We are so sorry for our inactivity nowadays, but as you are probably all aware, a lot of things happened that eventually led Dan to the hospital."

Dan gives a shy smile. "Yeah, that happened. That was weird, to say the least."

"And it wasn't for his 'wittle baby tummy aches," Abi says, her voice dropping into a sappy voice. Dan laughs, pointing at Abi and mumbling, "Shut up!" through giggles.

"No, it was because, believe it or not, I actually got shot," Dan says, and Phil fakes a gasp. A dramatic sound effect rings in the background, and Abi, looking at Phil, realizes that she has to join in the dramatization as well. She puts a hand to her forehead and lets out a high-pitched moan, and Phil breaks out of character, dissolving in a fit of giggles. Abi's hand falls on her laps and she laughs as well, Dan soon joining in.

"Oh come o—"

A tv glitch effect plays once more. It cuts to Dan, Abi, and Phil all smiling while Dan continues his explanation.

"But yeah, I got shot," Dan says once more. "The details aren't very important — all you need to know is that it was less badass, and my God it hurt like a bitch."

"Dan," Abi whines. "Seriously."

"There's no serious videos on my channel," Dan retorts. Abi smiles, but it's merely a façade for the camera. Dan sighs.

"It was...scary," he says slowly. "In a nutshell, it was kind of a horrible, horrible fan experience."

"Which leads us to this; respect." Phil straightens up, in his seat. "#RespectForThePhanabily has been trending for quite some time, which is absolutely mind-blowing, but it is also a lesson."

"Respect is not only victims," Abi continues, "but is for anyone."

"What happened in the last month or so should never happen to any creator on this platform again, and moreso, should never happen to anyone period," Dan says.

The three sit in a silence that was cut to about two seconds. A jump-cut later, Phil smiles brightly at the camera.

"If you should take anything away from this," he says, "just please remember how human everyone is. It doesn't matter if they stand high on a platform seemingly above you, or if they're just your everyday Tumblr user — they're human."

"Once again, thank you for everyone being so chill," Abi says. "Things should start getting back to normal soon — a few things have to be settled beforehand, but if all goes to plan, me and these dorks will be back on the internet were we apparently belong.

"That's right," Dan says with a smile. "Abi will be back in black making my dumb music reviews and me and Ph— Phil and I will...I dunno, continue to yell at each other on the gaming channel."

"And…," Phil trails off momentarily, before finishing, "Tell people you care about that you love them."

He looks at the camera and says with a tired smile, "You never know when it could be your last chance."

The screen cuts to black.

…

l Processing 100% l

Respect. (6:02)
Daniel Howell (youtube danisnotonfire).

Publish?

Dan mouse hovers over the blue button for a few seconds, before tentatively clicking it. Seconds later, he opens a new tab to his channel, and smiles at the new thumbnail on the homepage. His phone buzzes twice on his bed, and the notifications show Abi's Tumblr URL and Phil's Twitter. He smiles to himself as he hears footsteps going up the stairs.

His bedroom door flies open, and Striker trots in and hops onto his bed. He chuckles, patting his head gently and looking up to see Phil and Abi walk in, going to his bed and enveloping him in a hug.

"This is the beginning," Abi says in their embrace. "This is where everything changes."

"Here's to second chances," Phil murmurs with a sleepy smile.

Dan is about to speak when he hears his phone buzz once more. He sneaks a glance at his bedside table where his phone was, and his smile fades.

mum
can you call me, love? xx | seconds ago.

"What do you mean you don't want to call her?" Abi asks as she places Dan's plate in front of him, and hers across from his. Phil wordlessly pokes at his food with his fork, and Striker is wandering under the table.

When Abi takes a seat in front of him, Dan sighs, "It's not a big deal, Abi."

"Dan, it's been almost two months since you've been in the hospital," Abi points out, "and your parents didn't even come here to check on you after all of this."

"My parents have always been like that," Dan says nonchalantly with a mouth-full of food. He swallows, and adds, "They have bigger issues to worry about. Like their jobs. Or my grandma. Or Adrian."

"You're their son," Abi grits out, almost angrily. "You were shot for fuck's sake. And you don't even care that they...don't?"

"Abi…," Dan trails off. Abi feels her stomach twisting in knots. She curls her hand into a fist under the table. Phil glances at Dan.

"You seemed much more angry about their absence in the hospital," he points out quietly. Dan glares at him sharply, and Abi's eyes widen.

"They didn't even visit you?!" she exclaims, standing up. Dan closes his eyes, rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"That's not what he said," Dan argues half-heartedly. Abi looks at him accusingly.

"Alright," she says, "did they visit you?"

Dan stares her down for a few more seconds, before slumping in his chair with crossed arms. Abi's head falls back.

"Unbelievable," she growls. "Dan, if you aren't going to talk to your mum, I will."

"Why does this not bother you?" Phil asks softly. Dan looks at him with a sigh.

"You know why," Dan mumbles.

"But that was years ago," Phil protests gently. "I thought you and your parents were okay now."

"What happened with your parents?" Dan shrugs, avoiding eye-contact with everyone.

"My parents and I haven't always been on best terms," he admits. "Even when I was in the hospital after the whole bullying-incident, they visited me once to say that I should 'be more careful.' I think that's when I started to...resent them."

"I'm going to fucking kill them," Abi murmurs. "How did I not know about this before?"

"It wasn't a big deal," Dan mutters. "They gave me shelter, food, clothes — all the works. That's all they really had to do, and that's fine. I live on my own now, and I can take care of myself without them worrying about me. It's just how it is."

Abi glares at Phil, who is staring at his plate wordlessly.

"And you're okay with this?!" She points to Dan, who digs his fork in his food. Phil sighs.

"Of course I'm not," Phil replies. "I have known about Dan's family forever and he's unfortunately right — that's how it has always been."

He looks at Dan and adds, "But that doesn't make it right."

"Thank you," Abi huffs, flopping back into her chair. Striker walks around to Dan and stands up, his two front paws on he side of the chair. He stares at Dan, his head tilting to the side, and Dan groans.

"Fine," he huffs. "I'll call her."

"You have to clear things up with her," Abi says. "Please tell me that you'll say whatever you feel, alright?"

Dan stares at his food and can almost imagine the coming conversation. He closes his eyes and nods wordlessly.

Dan excuses himself to his room after lunch and stares at his phone. He knows that he'll have to call eventually—it was only a matter of minutes before his mum decides to call instead—so he saves himself the potential argument and dials his mum.

She picks up on the first ring, and the first thing Dan hears is her sobbing, "Oh, Daniel."

Dan falls back-first onto his bed. He puts a hand under his head and sighs.

"Mum," he greets quietly, hoping that Abi or Phil were far enough to not be able to hear what was about to happen.

"Your father and I have been worried sick!" she exclaims. "Honey, what happened? All we know is that there was an accident with Abi…"

Dan rubs the bridge of his nose. "That was last year, mum."

Silence.

"...oh that's right." She clears her throat. "Apologies, dear, but I'm afraid you'll have to fill me in."

"That isn't my job, mum," he grits out, letting bits of his frustration slip out. "Are you seriously tell me that everything that has happened this year just...doesn't exist to you?"

"Now Daniel, that's not true."

"Stop calling me Daniel, mum," Dan snaps. "Has it occurred to you that I was in the hospital? That I got shot by a stalker who leaked our address and almost killed Phil and Abi and me?!"

"Danie—"

"Oh, that's right," Dan mocks, "I haven't gotten a single call from you in years. Every attempt I put forth is pretty much directed to your voicemail."

Dan is panting now from the sudden rush of anger, and he desperately tries to fight off tears.

"Daniel...I'm sorry," his mum says quietly, "but are you mad?"

Dan's breath hitches, and Phil's comment earlier echoes in his mind.

"You seemed much more angry about their absence in the hospital."

"I was furious," Dan admits softly. "You, dad; hell, even Adrain — none of you were there. I get that you have your own lives and everything, and we have never been a tight-knit family but...but I expected that we're at least family, no?"

His mum remains silent. He sighs.

"Remember when those bullies back in high school?" Dan asks. "The first thing you said on your only visit to the hospital was that I should take care of myself. So I am, alright? I have been doing so for years now. Why do you care now?"

"Because we almost lost you, Daniel," his mum whispers, her voice thick with sobs. "I was talking to your father last night and then it hit me...that we already lost you."

Dan says nothing. His mum continues.

"I couldn't believe that it took an explanation video and, for God's sake, a hashtag for me to know that I still had you here. Alive.

"I know that it's long overdue, but we're sorry, Dani— Dan. I know that we wrong to think you could survive off basic necessities alone, because no one deserves to be alone for as long as you did."

Dan remains speechless. He could hear his mum sigh on the other side.

"We can make things better, okay?" his mum asks. "We'll try harder to understand, or to at least be there. Is that...is that okay with you?"

"Of course it is." Dan moves to sit at the edge of his bed. "Mum...all I needed to know is that you were here. I...I miss everyone. I miss dad, you, Adrian, home…"

"You're already home, Dan," his mum says. "You know what they say about home."

"Yeah, I know," Dan chuckles nervously, rubbing the back of his neck. "Look, mum, I would love to stay and chat, but I have to get some stuff ready for the trial."

"Could we attend?" his mum asks, the nerves echoing right back at him. Dan looks down and sighs.

"If you'd like," Dan answers hesitantly.

"We'll be there then," his mum says, almost relieved. "And Daniel?"

"Mum, it's Da— oh, it doesn't matter." He smiles tiredly. "Yes?"

"You've been given a second chance," she says after seconds of silence. "You've been given something that not many people have been able to get. Hold it close and never let it go. While you still can. Alright?"

Dan blinks, before staring at his door and imagining the one chance he'd want. Flashes of memories surround him; Harry, the car accident, nearly moving out, her dad, her.

"I will," he says, a new sense of confidence blossoming in him. "Thank you, mum."

Later that night, Dan quietly opens the door and goes back into the quiet house. He leaves his keys on the table near the entrance, and after closing the door behind him, he turns around to see Abi standing right in front of him.

"Where the hell have you been?!" she nearly yells. Dan jumps.

"Jesus Christ, Abi," he says, his back against the door. "Give a man a warning, won't you?"

"I'm the one who has to give a warning?" Abi asks incredulously. "Dan, it's nearly nine o'clock! It's dark out and you went out without your phone. It's been hours since you left — Phil was going to call the cops, you know!"

"Relax," Dan says, digging his hands in the pockets of his sweater. "I'm fine, alright? I'll bring my phone next time, geez."

Before he could go past Abi and to his room, she grabs his wrist. Dan visibly tenses, letting go of what was in his hand before Abi could pull it out and take it into her own.

"Dan, I don't want to lose you again, alright?" Abi says softly. "What were you doing out so late anyway? Phil said you went shopping or something?"

Dan places his other hand on top of hers.

"I'm taking a chance," he says. Abi looks at him, confused, and he flashes her a small smile.

"Let's have dinner together, alright?" he proposes. "After the trial and everything, just the two of us."

"Sure," Abi giggles quietly, her worries dying out. "Get some rest, alright?"

"Of course," Dan says, and after kicking off his shoes, quickly goes up to his room. He calls out behind him, "Goodnight!"

"Goodnight." Abi's soft reply is the last thing he hears before closing his bedroom door. He leans against it with an almost dreamy look on his face, and takes out the small, black box from his jacket pocket.

He holds it up to his eye and smiles, knowing that what sparkled inside was his chance.

reviews = cool, dude :)