witchbugs



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  1. Public Bookmark 30

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    This, too, has always been easy, in a way. Too easy. The kind of love that Dan, with his heart sewn on his sleeve, could never keep quiet. A blade—at his throat, his wrists, twisting in his gut—always sharp; refusing to dull, despite his best efforts; his worst fears. A love that pulses in his chest, that lurks behind his eyes, his smile, that curves his spine, that pushes and pulls the air from his lungs. A love that demands to be known.

    Almost. If only Dan could make it there. He swallows, suddenly sick with wanting, terrified at the prospect of never getting to have that life, the one that’s supposed to have started already, that maybe should have started a long time ago. Loving loudly, like he’s always been prone to do, but without the notion of secrecy or consequence. Loving Phil, the way Phil has always deserved.

    ///

    Or: It's October 12th, 2025. Over and over and over again. Tomorrow is supposed to change everything—if Dan can figure out how to get there.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    14,709
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    50
    Kudos:
    206
    Bookmarks:
    30
    Hits:
    1,129

    22 Aug 2026

  2. Public Bookmark 70

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    “I thought I was moving on, but I guess I was just switching off.” Past Life, Tame Impala

    Dan and Phil split up in 2017 instead of making Interactive Introverts. Eight years later, Phil is a slutty gay media personality with a string of unsuccessful relationships and Dan is a successful but closeted comedian on the UK panel show circuit. They promised to stay in touch, but haven’t spoken to one another since the day Dan moved out. When Dan’s manager persuades him to go on Phil’s podcast in order to promote his new tour, the both of them reconnect. Things seem straightforward, at first — but it’s always the memories you want to forget that stay.

    Look, it’s not like he’s never thought about it, right. Everyone’s thought about it. But he’s just a guy. That stuff is for other people, not him.

    Over 100 thousand words of right person, wrong time / right person, right time slow burn mutual pining with an identity twist.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    166,847
    Chapters:
    11/12
    Comments:
    262
    Kudos:
    267
    Bookmarks:
    70
    Hits:
    6,993

    26 Jul 2026

  3. Public Bookmark 52

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    When Phil was unconscious Dan wanted to wrap him in his arms, tell him, I’ll be your blood flow, your diagnosis, I’ll be your hedonism. You are the greatest consequence to ever happen to me. But Phil didn’t happen to people. He didn’t inflict himself. He wouldn’t know how to cause damage if it ground itself into his ribs. Not like the earthquake that was Dan Howell.

    Or: Daniel Howell never really learned how to relax. (Set during their vacation to Turkey)

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    2,466
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    53
    Kudos:
    318
    Bookmarks:
    52
    Hits:
    2,395

    12 Mar 2026

  4. Public Bookmark 46

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    to the mirror dan says, "i am sorry you got stuck with me," to the birds he says, "do you ever feel like your body is not your body?" to phil he says, "could you maybe sit a little further away from me during this video?"

    phil looks at him with equal amounts despair and love. 'this feels right,' dan thinks, 'this is what love should be for me: painful. it’s what i deserve.'

     

    or: a fic juxtaposing 2012's grief with 2024's joy.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    5,033
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    36
    Kudos:
    223
    Bookmarks:
    46
    Hits:
    2,264

    03 Feb 2026

  5. Public Bookmark 32

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    "You’re not my mentor, sweetheart. You don’t have to pretend to care."

    Katniss and Haymitch at the end, told backwards.

    Language:
    English
    Words:
    9,721
    Chapters:
    1/1
    Comments:
    15
    Kudos:
    103
    Bookmarks:
    32
    Hits:
    1,307

    30 Jan 2026