In Another Life (Dan and Phil X Reader)

Chapter 1: Snowy London (Dan)

You opened your eyes to the sound of a familiar British accent saying your name repeatedly. "(Y/N). (Y/N)! God, I'm not one for getting up early, but you've been literally sleeping all day!" Your fuddled mind struggled to register that voice, so comforting to you that you knew it as well as your own- but why was it saying your name?
Your eyes shot open, and you instantly realized your mistake as they were pierced by the too-bright mid-afternoon light. You made a little distressed noise that sounded something like, "Gah," as you hid your face in the blanket.
"(Y/N)-" the voice calling your name laughed slightly. "What are you doing?! You look like a turtle."
Were you still dreaming? You slowly removed the blanket from your face, realizing that it bore a soft plaid pattern, instead of the old, heavy blanket you were used to.
You cautiously looked up and into one of the two most beautiful faces you'd ever seen.
Dan Howell stared into your (e/c) eyes, his brown and full of laughter. A wide and adorable smile was also spread across his face as he began gently trying to tug the blanket away from you. Perfectly in shock, you let the fabric slip from between your fingers easily.
Dan threw it off to the side, and realizing you still hadn't moved, looked at you in slight concern. "Are you okay? Did you have a bad dream or something?" You closed your eyes again, figuring you had to still be dreaming- and it certainly wasn't a bad one. But it all felt so real- that blanket, Dan's laugh. You really hoped that he would say your name again.
"(Y/N)? Are you going back to sleep?"   That voice enveloped you in a warmth that was deeper than sleep. There was no way this was a dream.
You opened your eyes slowly this time, and Dan startled a bit. "Are you ready now? Believe me, I want to go back to sleep too, or even just sit here and stare at Tumblr all day, but we said we'd go meet some friends for breakfast. Remember? Or lunch, really. They might have already gone home. If we decide to just stay here and not move, do you think that makes us hermits?"
Dan's long spiel was finally starting to wake you up and bring you to your senses. You opened your mouth to start speaking, but ended up coughing a little. It felt like you hadn't used your voice for days. "Where am I?" you finally asked. Dan smiled. "What did you have to drink before bed last night? Our flat. London. England. Earth. What do you mean, where are you?"
"Our flat?" your eyes widened. "Y-you're Dan Howell."
"Am I really?" he joked. "I could be his doppelgänger. And you could be (y/f/n) (y/l/n)'s doppelgänger. I guess we never really know..." He waved his hands about, doing a strange jazz hands to signify spookiness.
"But- I was just in my bed. Where's my mom? I don't-"
Dan grabbed for your hand, and you let out a small squeaking noise. "You fell asleep on the couch last night. Relax. What's wrong?"
"But how did you- how did I- OHMYGOD you're Dan Howell."
You threw yourself at one of your two favorite YouTubers in a major hug. Dan froze, a bit surprised, before hugging you back. "We've known each other forever, (Y/N). Just because I'm starting to become more famous on YouTube and because of the book doesn't mean you have to act all weird when you see me, okay?" "Mm-hm," you nodded, barely listening, and lightly ran your fingers through Dan's dark brown hair. He pulled back slightly. "What the heck are you doing?"
"I'm just- I'm sorry, I'm so happy to finally meet you. You and Phil have changed my life so much, and-" Tears began to gather in the corners of your eyes, and you lifted a hand to your face to keep them from spilling.
Dan smiled at you, and slowly removed your other hand from the top of his head. "Is this some kind of prank? 'Dan's all famous now, so let me pretend to be his number one fan?' Good one."
A few tears trickled onto your face- tears of happiness and slight confusion, but Dan interpreted them differently and frowned. "You're being really strange. I'll make fun of you for it later, but that's not what you need right now." He wrapped you in another hug, and when you'd finally managed to relax, he helped you up from the couch.
"I'll make you some food, and we'll stay home today, maybe play some video games. Sound good? I'll tell the others you're feeling sick, and- oh. OH." Dan stared at you as if he'd just had a revelation, and nodded wisely. "This is one of those girl things, right? I bet that's what it is. Did I guess right?"
Unable to think of another good explanation quickly enough, you decided to roll with that one. "Yep. One of those girl things. I'd apologize, but I won't, because I'm a girl. Deal with it."
Dan rose his hands up in a surrendering position. "Okay, okay. I didn't complain about it!"
Your adorable nerd began sifting through the refrigerator for food and bent down to look on the bottom shelf, being 6 foot something and much too tall for this fridge.
"We don't have much... I think there's some Mac and Cheese in a box in the back. Want that?" "Kraft?" you said instantly. "Of course?" "Then yes."
While Dan started boiling water, you tried to understand how you'd gotten to Dan and Phil's flat. You'd gone right to sleep last night, and despite what Dan thought, hadn't been drinking or eating anything weird. Maybe your new medication was making you wacky?
But still, how could you have gotten from America to London in a day? You were in London, right?
You walked to a nearby window and peered outside. There was some frost on the glass and you cleared it away with your sleeve, briefly reminiscing when you'd been younger and would write your name backwards on windows so people could read it.
You let out a slight gasp at the city around you. You'd never been to London- saving up for college didn't exactly leave you and your mom with a lot of money for traveling - but you'd always wanted to go.
You knew that people who lived in London complained that it rained too much or was gross when it snowed, but you'd always liked snow in a busy city. It covered everyone's irritation and hustle bustle with a blanket of peacefulness.
Dan noticed your gasp and turned. "I know. It snowed again. I'm kind of glad we're not going out, tbh."
You shook your head. "You're so pessimistic. It's pretty." "I figured you'd say that. Knowing you, you'll go out and make snow angels in it."
You rolled your eyes. "I said it's pretty, not that I want to get all cold and wet."
You realized that you were bantering with Dan as if he'd been your best friend for years. You'd figured that if you ever met him you two would get along. Of course, you never would have thought that you'd end up with him in his apartment. Maybe you'd fantasized about it, but it couldn't be a reality.
Except now, it was.
Oh God, you never wanted to leave. Life here would be so much better than at home. You could live with Dan and Phil, and start your life over, and get to see London.
Working with these two amazing YouTubers, who were practically experts in all things film and video, could give you a head start on your film writing as well. Maybe you could even write for them- a documentary about the lives of Dan and Phil?
You turned and headed into the kitchen, looking around at the table and counters that you'd memorized from the maps in TABINOF and from all of the baking videos.
"Here," Dan gently slid a small bowl to you across the counter. "Help yourself, I'm gonna grab a video game. What do you want to play?"
This was like a dream come true. You'd always wanted to sit and play video games with Dan, preferably cuddled up on his lap...
And yet- you were in London. You didn't want to miss this opportunity.
"Anything," you said, dumping some Mac and Cheese in your bowl. I'll do anything with you, you wanted to add. "And after that, could we maybe-"
Dan let out an exaggerated sigh. "Don't tell me. You want to go walk out in the snow, and look at the city and the leftover Christmas lights. Which requires me to put on a coat, and move, and walk for a long distance. Are you going to make me do all of that?"
You grinned. It was like he'd read your mind. "Yup."
"Fine. But only because you're looking at me like that."
Your face turned slightly pink. "Like what?" "Like I'm the most amazing person in the world."
You averted your eyes. "Am I looking at you like that?"
Dan laughed. "Okay. You inhale food. I'll be back." He headed down the hallway to his room.
"Make sure you turn the lights on in there! Wouldn't want the monsters in the dark to get you!" you shouted sarcastically. "It's the middle of the day!" he yelled back.
You smiled and wondered vaguely where Phil was. Maybe out getting groceries? It was weird of Dan not to mention him- at least in his videos, he could barely go a few minutes without bringing up his best friend's name.
Dan returned with Portal, luckily a game that you'd played before, and waved it at you. "We can do the co-op." You sighed. "You're going to do way better than me. I can barely figure out the controls on there."
Dan gave you a smirk and one of his signature winks. "I know. That's why I picked it." It took you a few moments to remember how to breathe.
Did friends do that? Did they just wink at each other? Well, it appeared that Dan did, and you certainly didn't mind.
You finally managed to come back with a retort. "An easy victory is no fun. C'mon."
"You like Portal."
"Yea... Okay, fine. Maybe if I try really hard, by some miracle, I'll do well." Dan chuckled. "You wish. Don't worry, I'll help you a little."
Dan grabbed himself a bowl of food. "By the way, do you usually eat all of this Mac and Cheese by yourself? Phil hates cheese, so he won't eat it," you remarked. "You can't love it that much."
"No, but you love it, (Y/N). You're the one who buys it all. Who's Phil?"
You choked on a noodle.
Dan looked at you with worry and confusion on his face. "I mean it. Are you making up imaginary friends again, or is this someone you met online?"
"You've forgotten about Phil? Oh no, are you sick?" you said jokingly, thinking that he was kidding. "You must have a fever." You reached up to put a hand on his forehead. "Philip Lester. You know, only your best friend."
Dan ruffled your hair. "As far as I know, you're my only best friend."
You finally began to understand what was happening. "Dan, are you serious? Where's Phil?"
"(Y/N), I honestly don't know anyone named Phil. You were really weird this morning and I thought maybe you were better... Are you having some kind of relapse?"
You whipped out your phone, luckily still in your pocket where you usually kept it. You nearly elbowed Dan in the process. "Hey!" he said in surprise, setting down his bowl of food.
"Sorry-" you paused and looked up into Dan's eyes, trying to see if he was any different from the Dan you knew and loved in your videos. He didn't really- same gorgeous face and eyes, with just a bit more sadness in them.
No way. This could not be happening.
You quickly googled Danisnotonfire, which popped up instantly along with some pictures of your YouTuber- but none of Phil. You scrolled through his page, seeing some of your favorite videos, but also some new and strange ones that you'd never seen. And you'd seen everything Dan had.
The search for DanAndPhilGames produced no results. Your whole world was turning upside-down. You next searched for The Amazing Book Is Not On Fire, and found nothing. Was Phil alive? Had he ever existed? You searched AmazingPhil, and felt instant relief as his channel appeared. "Here- see. Your best friend, Phil Lester." You frantically waved your phone at Dan.
There was no spark of recognition in his eyes. He wasn't joking. He didn't know Phil. "Oh yea, I've seen that guy. He's pretty cool, and likes some of the same video games that we do, I think."
You stood up and shook Dan's shoulders. "You've seen that guy?! What is that supposed to mean?! It's Phil! Oh God. Is this my fault? No! The world needs Dan and Phil!"
Dan looked stressed out. "Relax. (Y/N), I'm right here, I'm not going anywhere."
You googled the Phandom. Nothing appeared. You tried Phangirls. Nothing. Dan and Phil fans. Nope.
What were you going to do?! Some of your only friends were on YouTube, members of the Phandom that you'd bonded with. So many people would be devastated and broken without the Phandom.
But Dan was here, and Phil was clearly still okay. So this could be fixed. Dan thought you were his best friend, so- had you taken Phil's place?
**********************************
You'd been lying face-down on the couch for the past five minutes. It wasn't a very comfortable position, with your face smushed into the cushions, but it blocked out this crazy world and helped you think.
Dan had been pacing over you and worriedly asking questions since the moment you'd put yourself in that position.
"Are you having an existential crisis? I get that all the time. Just try to breathe, and don't think," he said.
"Actually, do think. Think about video games and snow and fun. Don't worry about the future... It'll fall into place. I think. But don't listen to my advice."
"But, Dan," you mumbled, your voice muffled by the cushion, "I think I might've screwed something up. I think there was something that was supposed to happen, two people who were supposed to meet, and I got in the way. And I don't know what to do."
You felt the weight on the couch shift as Dan carefully sat near you. He moved your legs so that they were resting on top of him. You slowly sat up, and stared at him for a minute. That extra sadness in his eyes... It had to be because Phil wasn't around. You cuddled into his side and breathed in deeply.
"It's started snowing again," Dan commented, and you lifted your head to look outside. "Let's go for a walk."
You managed to smirk. "I thought you hated exercise."
"Yep. But this is for you."
Dan was awesome. He didn't even question why you'd started ranting to him about Phil, some guy he'd never even met. Your heart twisted at those words. Never even met.
You had to fix this, but until you figured out how... You were in Dan's life. And you couldn't call yourself a Phangirl if you didn't say that you were going to enjoy it.