~10 September~

Dan's POV

I wake up to find her there, still cuddled up against my chest, snoring softly. I'm shocked at first. It's been forever since I've woken up like this, with her pressed up against me, using my arm as a pillow. My heart warms at the tiny smile on her face, but soon sinks as I realise that things aren't going to go back to the way they were, that after Alfie's birthday she's going to go back to LA, back to her fiance, back to her better life.

Holding in tears, I slip out my arm from beneath her head and roll over to get out of the bed, unable to stay with her any longer now that I realise what I want can't happen. She whimpers and I feel her stir. I turn around to see her eyes flutter open.

"You're leaving?" I nod, avoiding eye contact. I sit up and begin to rise when her small, soft hand grabs my wrist. "Please don't go," she whispers, her voice full of need. I feel my whole body turn to jelly as she says that and I want to scoop her up into my arms and hold her forever.

"Y/N, I should go home, I need to record videos-"

"Please, Dan, " she pleads once more, again in that voice which can turn anyone with a stone heart into a fluffy teddy bear. "Your hugs are warm."

I chuckle and give in, crawling back in next to her. Her eyes sparkle as she buries her face into my chest.

"Thank you."

~Time skip~

"Okay, don't get me wrong, I still ship you and Y/N, but what's going on with you two? It... you can't... Y/N's engaged."

I groan at Phil as he paces in front of me in our living room. "Nothing's happening! We fell asleep together, so what. We did that as friends all the time."

"I just don't want one -or both- of you getting hurt. I don't want things to go back to the way before-"

"What do you mean by that?" I cut him off.

"I mean I don't want you guys to stop talking. I don't want to deal with another silence between you two. It was painful. And if you go too far... if you guys start getting closer... someone's going to be hurt."

"Relax. That's not going to happen. Trust me, I won't let it."

My phone buzzes as soon as I finish speaking.

Y/N: Come watch a movie with me. Tess is going out.

"Dan." I look up to see Phil frowning.

"It's a movie. I'm not going to try anything, I promise."

Your POV

"Ya boy Danny is in the house!" I hear a shout from the stairs.

"Hurry up and get your ass in here. I need your assistance."

His head pokes through the door frame, a goofy smile plastered on his face.

"How can I help?"

"Choose a movie while I get some snacks."

His smile drops. "Are you going to be alright? You know..."

"I'll be fine." I smile reassuringly as I get up from the couch and begin to leave the room. As I pass him, he grabs my shoulder and holds me back. I turn around and face him, staring into his concerned eyes.

"Are you sure? "

"Yes, Dan. I just won't look... there. I really will be fine."

I make my way into the kitchen and avoid looking towards the sink. I successfully grab some snacks and walk out as fast as I can. The floorboards creak as I step into the living room, causing Dan's focus to shoot in my direction. He takes a breath, ready to speak, but I cut him off. I already know what he's going to ask. "I'm fine, I promise." I smile reassuringly and he nods, still in slight disbelief. "What did you pick?"

It was about halfway through the movie. I hadn't payed any attention to it, just sat on the couch in a daze. I didn't even know Dan had paused it and turned his attention to me.

"Y/N...? You're not okay, are you?" I sit in silence, not knowing what to say. I wasn't okay, I knew that. But what was bothering me now? Was it last night's events? Was it falling asleep and waking up with Dan? Could it be that, if my life wasn't so fucked up, Dan and I could be watching this movie together as a couple and not just friends? Maybe it could have been us engaged, or maybe married already. "Y/N, talk to me." The tone of his voice, so soft and caring, was the burning match to this explosion building up inside of me. It began with a single tear then quickly escalated into a sob.

"I'm sorry, it's just... it's everything." Dan moves closer and wraps an arm around my shoulder, his head resting against mine. I look down at my ring and I know he sees. I shake my head.

"It was all for the best," he mumbles, his words miserable. I turn to hug him and bury my head in his chest. It was the only thing to stop me from kissing him, something I'll never be able to do again.

"Yeah," I whisper back, but in my head, I'm screaming in disagreement.