Kwan's POV

I blinked once, sliding across the floor on my knees, catching phantom as his upper body falls through the door. I look down at the ghost's chest lying on my lap. I watch the rings of light surround his body and barely pull him through the door before he changed. Unfortunately, during the pulling, I'd rolled him over, coming face to face with...Danny.

I was looking at... Danny...

...Oh my god...

I was looking, at DANNY!

Fenton was Phantom.

FENTON WAS PHANTOM?!

I blink slowly, finally managing to shut my mouth after a bit. My eyes fell to Dash sleeping soundly on the chair, his hand-tossed over his face and his hair a mess. A true testimony to his tiredness, Dash never left his room till he was picture perfect.

"Oh my god..." I tenderly lift Danny's head to my chest, taking in the white bandages over his body. That's what he meant by I'll change back...

Fenton has always been small, but as I picked him up the male felt sickly light. I try and fail to swallow the ball in my throat, the guilt that hit me as I take each step up to Dash's room. I don't bother looking for others, it was Saturday afternoon, Margret wouldn't be back for another hour and a half.

I use my butt to push open Dash's door, moving across the room to place the boy back into bed. Pulling the covers up to his chest. I pause, looking down at Danny and sit on the edge of the bed, placing a hand on his face, the bruises on his flesh were healing nicely. I never had a problem with Fenton, he was just an easy target. Small, helpless, at the bottom of the social pyramid. I wasn't even sure why I went along with it. I hated it at first but it got easier the more it happened and soon that little voice was so small I couldn't hear it anymore... my hands slide across his throat, checking gently for a pulse. I find a strong one and nod, moving to the desk. Pulling the chair over to the bed I lower myself quietly.

He'd be awake soon.

I glance at Danny one last time, shutting the door. I returned to the first floor, trying to wrap my head around everything I'd learned. I was angry that Dash knew Danny's secret, keeping me in the dark for two days. I also understood why. Talking to Danny it was clear the doy was balancing very precariously on the edge of madness. After our long talk and the walk back down an hour had passed, Dash hadn't moved, my best friend still passed out on the pool chair. So being the kind friend I am I swipe the thin blanket off the couch. Making my way down the stairs to the pool, I curl my arm back, tossing the blanket on Dash with more force than needed. Okay, I guess I was a little pissed.

Like I hope Dash lurches forwards, his body at the ready for this attack while his mind struggles to catch up. I stand there, watching him blink like an idiot with his fists in the air.

"You should cover up unless you're giving Santa's red suit a run for its money."

Dash blinks, looking around quickly "Kwan?"

"Looking for someone?"

"No..." God, he was such a bad liar...

I hum, glancing around "Wheres Phantom?" I lay on the chair beside him.

"He left... Yesterday."

My mouth curls into a small smile "He left? He was pretty wounded in the fight. Are you sure he's okay?"

"Yeah, he says he heals quickly..."

I hum, tucking a hand behind my head as I soak up the warm rays of the sun "All in all yesterday was pretty crazy right?"

Dash lies back awkwardly "Yeah."

"A ghost attack."

"Yep"

"Our awesome save on the bus."

"Mhm,"

"Helping phantom." Dash rubs his face tiredly and nods "Learning Fentons really phantom."

This time Dash lets out a painful chuckle "I hardly believed it either. I mean the kids so scrawny." I pause. The slow smile gracing my lips as Dash pauses, his words echoing through his head. "No! Fentons not phantom! I just- I meant-"

My smile only grows, watching my lifetime friend sputter like a child. Finally, he sighs, falling back in his chair to look at me in pain "How do you know?!"

"Fenton knocked his ass out on the top steps, I caught him as he fell through the door."

"Knocked himself- Danny?!" Dash growls angrily. "I told him to wake me up!"

I grab his hand as he stands, pulling him back to the chair "He's back in your bed sleeping. I put in an IV for nutrients and a heart monitor."

I watch him sigh. His shoulders slumping forward. The true tiredness coming through again. I'm not sure he knew I was here... that I wasn't a dream.

"Dash?" I move gently, my knee now tapping his "You should go get some sleep. I'll watch Danny."

"I can't..." he whispers, turning away to stare at the ground.

I felt my heart twinge in pain. Dash had nothing left to give, the once-proud man was just an empty shell. The fire dying some time ago. Smothered by a raging sea of guilt. So he sat here, a broken man. In a slightly bloody shirt and faded sweatpants, trying to stay above water. Trying to keep both of them above water...

"Hey," I whisper, sliding my hand behind his neck. My thumb resting on his cheek, I turn his head towards me, my thumb moving across his cheek comfortingly "Dash... I'm here..." I squeeze his neck comfortingly "I'm here. It's okay... You're not alone anymore."

I gasp as Dash lurches forwards, wrapping his arms around me as we hit the ground.

"Dash?" At first, I thought he was trying to play off the awkwardness or angry. Still, I couldn't ignore the shaking of his chest "Dash..." a deep painful sob rips from his throat bringing tears to my eyes.

"Oh my god man, I can't believe you're here. I've been so lost..." I wrap my arms around him, pulling him to my chest "he tried... he tried to kill himself. He needs my help... and I -I can't help him."

I felt the knot deepen in my throat, almost choking me. Dash was never one to open up about anything. I had to fight him, literally. Tackling him to the ground as we knocked over dressers and chairs, pinning him to the floor until he broke down in tears. Yet here he was, a sobbing mess of pain.

"I can't do this on my own..."

I tighten my grip, burrowing my face in his hair, tears of my own spilling out "It's okay dash... I'm here. I'm right here..."

(Dash's POV)

We walked back into the house slowly, just as the front door opens.

"Margret!" Kwan yells before I could stop him. He dashed across the floor going to grab the older woman

"KWAN!" I shout, causing him to jump "don't you dare." I send a pointed look at him "your RIBS are still healing!"

Thankfully Kwan gets the hint, slowly placing a hand to his ribs "sorry Margret." Thankfully no stupidly dramatic sounds of pain come from his mouth, Kwan was terrible at acting.

"It's alright master Kwan."

"Mar, please. I've told you before, it's just Kwan."

"I know, master Kwan." She smiles, picking up the bag.

I'd reached them when he reached down to grab one. I send a swift punch to Kwan's lower back, watching him jolt back up in pain."Easy there buddy, your ribs." I can't ignore the heated glare he sends my way "I'll help with the groceries. Go lay down upstairs."

He secretly flips me off, Margret slaps my hand away when I grab a bag "I've got it master Dash."

I gawk, rubbing my hand slowly "Margret."

"Go help, Master Kwan." She smiles "I'll make him some creamy chicken soup, he's probably starving by now. Not eating for 36 hours, poor boy." My eyes widen, looking up at my room and widen more, seeing Danny's thin legs through the floor. Followed by a loud thump.

I run upstairs, the groceries were forgotten "I'll be right back!"

(Danny's POV)

I woke up slowly, the room around me was spinning. My stomach followed, twisting and knitting painfully. I felt the familiar feeling of vomit working it's way up my throat and I reach over, going to grab the empty garbage can Tucker always put out and find myself clutching air. I have no choice but to roll over, puking on the floor. I blink seeing hardwood not plastic sheets and turn, taking in the fancy room before me. When the memories return so does the sickness and I force myself to move, hobbling over to the bathroom on a gimpy leg. I pull open the lid, half missing the toilet and get the rest in, heaving out the contents of my stomach. Truthfully it wasn't much and I felt myself dry heaving against the smooth porcelain toilet. I whine, feeling my stomach slowly settle.

My body felt so weak.

"Okay... note to self... don't change until I'm healed..."

I blink, looking around the room and wonder where Dash is. What happened? I remember changing and floating, then... falling. I remembered a large body and muscles holding me close. I felt safe... but it wasn't warm or tingly like Dash's body... Oh my god. I changed in front of someone else! I flushed the toilet, crawling over the wall and grab a towel, trying to scoop up the vomit as well as I could and wash it out in the toilet, ringing out the cloth.

"KWAN DON'T YOU DARE!" Dash shout, causing me to jump. I place a hand over my stomach, feeling it spin again.

"Oh god..." I move, going to lean over the toilet and find it slowly growing higher. I look down, seeing my feet sinking through the floor. No! No! Shit! I grab onto the large bath towel on the wall.

My legs keep falling, my body slowly falling through the floor. My hands were unable to get a grip on the smooth tiles. I hear the bedroom door open, hoping to get out of this and feel my stomach turn. The stress of falling, my lack of food and being stuck half phased through the floor put tremendous pressure on my already tender stomach and I felt the vomit come up again.

I lean forwards, puking on the floor as the bathroom door opens. My watery eyes flicker up to see Kwan, hoping for a moment that the male will help me. Only Kwan is frozen, staring at me halfway through the floor, covered in puke as more comes out my mouth. I go to call him when more vomit comes, my grip on the towel slipping.

A heavy thud has my head rising and I look up to see Kwan's feet looking back at me the further I sink into the floor. The male had taken in the horrible scene and passed out, not being as accustomed to this as Dash was.

God Damnit!

I gasp, sucking in some air as my face slowly sinks into the vomit, phasing through the floor. I feel my grip on the towel starting to slip, my head passing through the hardwood.

Shit, no... Please!

DASH!

My fingers slip off the cloth, my body now dangling in the air and I gasp feeling that awful drop as gravity catches up with me.

Clasp! I feel a strong hand grasp around my own, my weak fingers barely holding on.

Suddenly I'm yanked up, back through the vomit once more and gasp, my mouth clearing any danger as Dash pulls me back into the bathroom. Falling onto Dash and the vomit, a gross laugh coming from his lips as he's covered from both sides.

"Damn Fenton, if you want to shower with me all you have to do is ask."

I sigh, finding a small smile on my face despite my pain.

I found myself lying back in bed, Kwan was beside me, an ice pack on his head. Dash had cleaned us up. The floor, the toilet, me. He stood there, simply pulling off his shirt in one fluid motion for the third time this weekend and moves onto me, easily removing my dirty clothes. After I blinked we were in the shower, washing away all the evidence of my illness and my eyes find Kwan, the male still passed out on the floor. I did, however, notice the pillow under his head and the blush from Dash, the latter stating he couldn't be in three places at once and would get to him after we were clean.

I pulled the spoon from my mouth, setting it back in the empty bowl.

"Here," Kwan says, reaching over to take it from me.

I pause, watching him place the bowl on the cart and lean back on the bed, wincing in pain. Adjusting the ice pack.

"Are you okay?"

"I'll be fine, it's just a bump. No concussion." he chuckles softly "Sorry I passed out on you."

"It's fine, Dash almost did as well." Well, not really but I wasn't going to admit that.

Flash back three hours ago.

I blinked, slowly coming back to reality. I thought I would be on the stairs... or the bottom of them and find myself in a familiar bed. Dash...

I blink looking to my right and find a different Jock staring at me "Oh fucking hell!"

I growl, tossing my hands up and jump, a ball of energy shoots out of my hand, blasting a trophy on the wall to pieces. I glare at my hand, clenching it tightly and resist the urge to punch myself in the face a thousand times. Just when I thought this weekend couldn't get any worse. Now, Kwan's here!

"Okay, note to self, don't piss off Fenton..." Kwan chuckles awkwardly.

I slowly turn back to the male, an annoyed expression on my face. The large jock swallows roughly, shifting in his chair "What are you doing here? Did Dash call you?" I snap, glaring at the roof.

"No, Dash is still downstairs sleeping. He has no idea I'm here." He moves, shuffling around in his bag "I actually came here to give you this -or well, Phantom this." he places the Fenton thermos on the dresser "I had it in my room but it's been freaking me out. The last thing I want to do is let him out accidentally..."

I blink, looking at the thermos and move my hand, my fingers scraping along the edge as I turn it, running my fingers down the bar on the side. It blinks once, three squares lighting up "It's fine. We have at least three days before it loses power."

We fall back into an awkward silence, reminding me too much of my encounter with Dash yesterday. Thinking of that reminds me of Tucker and Sam. I turn away from Kwan, feeling the tears rimming my eyes once more.

"Danny-"

"Oh save it, Kwan. I don't want your apology now! Finding out I'm Phantom shouldn't be the reason your guilty. It's insulting!"

He blinks, sitting back slightly. Though he says nothing, I can't help but turn. Watching him watch me with intense eyes like the jock was trying to peer into my soul. I blink, trying to turn away and find I can't, my weak body was held hostage under his eyes.

"I wasn't going to apologize, though I should, it's long overdue. I was going to say you can't give up."

"Kwan, you have no idea what I've-"

"You have three months Danny. Nighty days. Then you're done. You don't have to see any of us again." I turn away from him, feeling that familiar pain blooming in my chest "I know we don't deserve it, so don't give us assholes the satisfaction of winning Danny. You can't give up."

"How do you know I've given up?" I mumble, picking at the bedsheets

"Cuz I've been through this before... I know what someone looks like when they want to die." I blink staring at him slowly. Did Kwan try to kill himself? I feel the tears rim my eyes again, my voice broke as I think about that time in the tub.

"I didn't mean it..."

"I know." He leans forwards "I know it might not mean much but you can take my hand Danny, I can help you through this."

"I can't..."

"Well, I'm not going to leave you here. I'm not going to do that, okay? Because I've been there. I've felt the darkness creeping in. I filled the tub, I got the razor -and I want to tell you something. It gets better."

I turn my head, my mind screaming at me to block out his words

"Not this, it can't!" I sob

"It does Danny. That pain in your stomach, that pain in your heart, it goes away. That voice in your head that says there's no way out, its wrong Danny. Would you please, please just believe me, it gets better." Kwan's eyes rimmed with tears, his old pain coming through.

"It won't, not after this. I can't forget this. I can't erase this." the tears spill down my face "They left me, Kwan, they abandoned me."

"People make mistakes Danny, but that doesn't mean they don't come back."

"I just, wanted it all to stop. I wanted her to love me." I lean my head back, the tear flowing down my face freely.

"I understand that. That's all any of us want, that all anyone wants." he takes my hand gently "Danny please, it's going to be okay."

"It hurts," I rip my hands away, hitting my chest "It hurts. IT ALWAYS HURTS!"

Kwan grabs my hands, stopping me from hurting myself and when I struggle he pulls me to his chest like Dash had, holding my head as his tears hit my shoulder. Despite my anger, I clutch his shirt with my good hand, sobbing.

"I know." Kwan whispers softly, his fingers knitting in my hair "I know..."

Does this darkness have a name? This cruelty. This hatred. How did it find us? Did it steal into our lives or did we seek it out and embrace it? What happened to us? That we now send our children into the world like we send young men into war. Hoping for their safe return but knowing some will be lost along the way. When did we lose our way, consumed by the shadows, swallowed whole by the darkness?

I move my hand, feeling that pain bloom in my chest once more and grasp Kwan's hand. He turns to look at me, sliding his fingers in mine, a sad look on his face. Yet, I can't look at him, simply shutting my eyes, waiting in the darkness and take comfort in his warm grasp.

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