Chapter Text
2026
January
Dan rubbed sleep out of his eyes.
He sat up, stretching till he heard a pop in his shoulders and neck.
As he poured himself breakfast, he turned off Do Not Disturb to check his notifications.
Streams of banner flags flowed in. He scrolled through them half-heartedly, ignoring the messages from his mother.
A notification from PopCrave on Twitter caught his eye.
“Phil Lester to join Geese as Guest Vocalist for Reading Festival, Geese’s social media manager confirms.”
Dan stilled. His breath hitched and his stomach did an uncomfortable flip.
He was going to attend Reading Festival with his old stage crew.
What in the fucked up coincidence.
For the first time in months (fine, maybe weeks), he searched up ‘Phil Lester’.
An updated official picture caught his eye.
He always knew Phil would look good blond.
He was at a movie premiere, looking confident. Poised.
But upon closer inspection, Phil was still doing that awkward claw-hand-thing he often did when getting photographed. Dan chuckled slightly.
Eight years. Eight years since they last toured as a musical duo. Dan on the piano, otamatone, keyboard, and other various instruments, and Phil with his angelic voice and guitar accompanying him; the perfect blend.
Until they broke up.
Dan sighed, scratched his head, then phoned his manager.
“Are we still on for Reading Festival?”
.
2018
As quietly as he could, Dan pushed his suitcase toward the door, balancing a loaded duffel bag on top of it. He picked up his keyboard case and slung it over his shoulder.
“Are you sure you have everything?” Phil suddenly appeared to ask, nearly causing Dan to fall over.
Of course he heard Dan leaving. He always had a sixth sense for Dan.
Dan straightened and looked Phil in the eye. “Yup,” he replied, popping the ‘p’ and feigning confidence.
Phil looked down and nodded. “Okay then.”
Dan’s heart lurched. “It’s-it’s not going to be forever. Just…once I get things sorted out,” he found himself saying.
Phil just nodded again. “Stay safe, Dan,” he said, an almost whisper.
Dan looked back at him one last time before heading out the door and closing it behind him with a soft thud.
.
2026
March
“And you’re going to be fine,” Dodie repeated, their skepticism apparent even over call. “You’re going to see your first and only boyfriend for the first time since you broke up and you’re going to be fine.”
“Yes.”
Dan was packing again, stuffing clothes and toiletries into a familiar duffel bag. He stood up to take stock of what he had packed. Rubbing his temples, he tried to calm his nerves and not keel over from the déjà-vu.
He picked up his phone and told Dodie, “I… think I need some time alone. I’ll call you back?”
They hummed in acknowledgment. “Alright. Text or call me, okay? Bye!”
Dan checked the timing for the train for the upteenth time.
Soon. In just a few days, he was going to see Phil.
He didn’t know which emotion was the strongest, anticipation or trepidation.
Did Phil know he was coming?
Would they even have a chance to meet face to face?
It’s not like they were strangers in the public eye. They literally went on two highly successful world tours; surely someone could pull some strings and…
No. He wouldn’t try to orchestrate a meeting. Not one without Phil’s knowledge or consent.
He took a deep breath and decided to reply his mother’s texts.
“Yes, I’m going to be in Reading in a few days. I’ll come visit xx”