ADOPTED BY PHAN

CHAPTER ONE

It's just another Saturday, about mid-day; of course Phil is sat in front of the camera. His pale fingers glide across the fold of a small envelope, opening yet another fan letter. He doesn't normally open the letters until after filming the packages fans have sent. However, curiosity has gotten the better of him, and the return address reads Canada.

He reads the letter quietly to himself, admiring the use of such poetic words. The story is a shame, though he refuses to pity the writer. He will not look down on her for being weak; he will look up to her for being strong.

The girl keeps things quite subtle in her letter, though from what she shares, he can tell she's been suffering. He can't say he knows from what exactly, - loneliness, anxiety, depression, trauma, self-injury - but he does know that he wants to help.

It's strange, considering Phil has never felt so obligated to help a fan this way, before. And even though he has no idea how he's going to do so, he believes the least he can do is try.

"Dan!" Phil shouts from their bedroom, turning his camera off. "Could you come here?"

Dan's clumsy footsteps patter against the floor, coming towards the room. Seconds later, he's leaning against the doorway.

"What?" Dan asks curiously.

"Come take a look at this," Phil says, holding the letter out to Dan. The younger man gently grabs the paper from Phil's hands, taking a seat next to him on the floor.

Phil watches as he reads the letter through, taking his time to really understand each sentence and metaphor. His eyes begin to water as he takes her words in, and a silent tear slips out just as he finishes reading.

"Phil . . . " Dan says quietly, his voice broken. Phil should've known this would affect him more than himself. He pulls him into a hug, his arms wrapping around Dan's torso while his chin rests on his shoulder. Dan puts his arms around Phil's neck, letting his head fall onto his shoulder as more tears spill out.

He understands her pain. He's been in that lightless, never-ending tunnel before. As was Phil. However, Phil was not lost in there; he was helping Dan find his way out.

The two men stay in their embrace for nearly an hour - or so it seems - until finally, Dan has calmed down.

"We have to help her," Dan exclaims, his voice still a little weak.

"I know," Phil says, cupping Dan's face and wiping away at the last of the tears with his thumbs.

"It's not that easy, though!" Dan erupts unexpectedly. "We can't just say we're going to help; then do nothing! This girl is in fucking Canada, for God's sake!"

"Shhh, Bear." Phil says quietly, trying to calm his boyfriend. He leans his forehead against Dan's, still cupping his face with both hands. Phil whispers, "Our relationship has stayed solid for nearly five years, Dan. Do you think we could make room for another member?"

Dan contemplates this for awhile, until finally letting out a soft laugh as he says, "As long as you don't end up loving her more than me."

Phil cracks a smile, too, before leaning in to connect his lips with Dan's. The kiss is full of passion and love, never failing to make Phil's heart do that flippy-over thing. They soon gently break away for air, resting their foreheads on the other's again.

Phil's mouth curves into a toothy smile as he quietly states; "I guess we're going to Vancouver."

* * *

Three days later, Dan and Phil are exiting the plane that has brought them to the city of Vancouver. Hand-in-hand, they make their way through the crowd and eventually find their luggage.