Endless || Dan Howell x reader (sequel to Unbroken)

Thirteen~

~Dan's POV~

The sudden vibration in my pocket startled me. I reached my hand into my jeans and pulled out my phone, not bothering to look at the number. I pressed the green answer button and brought the phone up to my ear.

"Hello?" I asked while running a hand through my matted and greasy hair. I heard the sound of shuffling and quiet talking before someone answered me.
"Hey Dan, how'd it go telling Hazel?" I heard Phil's familiar voice on the other end of the line. He asked the question cautiously, as if I would break as soon as I heard it.

"Yeah.. uhm, it went fine. I'm gonna be here for her, Hazel, and we'll help each other..." I stated, trying to sound confident but ultimately failing when my voice cracked.
"Okay, good. Be sure to call or text us if you need anything, alright?" Phil said reassuringly. His words hung in the air unanswered as I zoned out for a second, staring at the wooded floor between my feet.

"Dan? You there?" Phil's voice dragged me out of my thoughts.
"Huh?" I shook my head, bringing myself back into reality. "Y-yeah yeah, I will. Thank you."

Phil and I exchanged goodbyes and hung up. I set my phone down on the cushion beside me and leaned back on the sofa, heaving a big sigh as I did so. Pushing my already unkempt hair out of my face, I shut my eyes and just sat there, thinking.

'What. . . what if she never comes back? What if Winnie and (y/n) are. . . gone? I-I can't. . I can't do this by myself . . . I need them! I need her!'

I bit my bottom lip hard as I tried to stop myself from crying any more. Leaning forward, I rubbed my eyes so hard I started to see an array of strange shapes and colours in the darkness shading my sight.
I stayed that way for a few minutes, my elbows leaning on my knees as I got lost in my thoughts.

I picked up my phone to check the time, but as soon as I unlocked it I heard something shatter against the floor in the other room.

"Hazel?!" I immediately panicked, my mind racing to the worst case scenario as I threw my phone against the sofa and sprinted into the kitchen. When I got to the source of the noise, I found Hazel standing in the kitchen with a glass plate broken into pieces at her feet.

"I-I'm sorry daddy! I didn't mean to drop it. ." Hazel apologized, going to lean down and pick up the shards.
"No! Hazel, don't touch it, they're sharp and you'll hurt yourself, okay?" I raised my voice a little, and she nodded timidly while taking a few steps back.

I grabbed a broom and carefully swept all of the glass into the bin before turning back to Hazel.

"Don't ever do anything like that again, okay Hazel?" I crouched down in my knees and placed my hands on her shoulders.
"You could have really hurt yourself, you understand me?" I snapped at her, my grip on her shoulders tightening slightly. She looked scared from my tone as she looked down at her feet and nodded.

I sighed and dropped my head, hating myself for making my daughter sad. I quickly pulled her into a hug, and she wrapped her arms around my neck in return.

"It's okay, El, it was an accident. Just be more careful next time, okay?" I said quietly, rubbing her back with my hands. She nodded her head quickly before I picked her up and sat her on the counter.

I started making grilled cheese for lunch as Hazel played on (y/n)'s iPad. The smell of melted cheese soon filled the air as I finished cooking. Hazel and I ate together while we, or rather she, watched television. I couldn't be bothered to pay attention.