pause // dan howell x reader

Chapter 17 - Not Alone

Dan's POV

"I've done everything to make you mine. And guess what? Now you are." F/N's grip tightens around my knee and I quickly shove her away.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I say fiercely and clench my jaw.

"I'm not yours! Why would I be?! I did this for Y/N." I stand up and reach for my crutches.

"No, you don't understand Dan!" She yells and pulls my good leg, I flop back onto the couch. I try to get up again but F/N yanks my shoulder towards her.

"I've always been the one. I've loved you for so long, much longer than Y/N ever could." She states, a flash of sadness goes across her face. A small teardrop falls from the corner of her eye, only then did I feel guilty.

"Why can't you love me instead?" She begs and slides her hand along my cheek. I furrow my eyebrows and pull it off my face.

"So, you weren't even helping me to begin with? It was just all a setup?"

"I had no other way. You were too focused on Y/N!" She complains defensively and I get up from the couch one last time.

"No, that's just manipulative. You hurt Y/N." I place the crutches under my arms.

"You hurt her too! You were in on the plan!" She jumps up to face me.

"Stop trying to blame me! You did that for your own selfish wants! I don't want to do it anymore. I want it to stop, I want you to stop." I point at her.

"But-"

"Actually, I want you to leave. Don't cause a fucking mess like this ever again!"

-

I kick F/N out. I hope she doesn't show her face and screw everything up like she just did. I thought she was helping me but, I was wrong. A few minutes after she's gone, I walk out of the apartment too. I don't even tell Phil.

I head into the city with my hands on my crutches and nothing on my mind. The buildings grow closer and their height intimidates me so I stare down at the footpath.

A bright fluorescent light reflecting on the ground creeps up and I glance to the side to see the arcade. Why not? I have nothing else to do.

I push the heavy glass door and enter the forest of arcade games. In the distance, I spot space invaders and shuffle my way towards it. I lay my crutches on the side and read the screen. It has one big word spread across it and a few subheadings.

"Pause?" I question out loud. The entire arcade environment goes mute. I can't even hear the single push of a button or a quiet breath. Did I go deaf?

"What the hell?" I turn around and look at everyone. They're all busy, their eyes stuck to the screens. I face the word again and move the joystick down to click resume, but nothing happens.

"Unpause game. Come on." I hit my palm against the machine as I rapidly press resume. Still nothing happens.

I don't want to cause a scene so I disappointingly waddle back out the door and open it to the city.

There's bundles of people here and there but they're all statues. They aren't moving an inch. I feel scared, I don't know what's going on.

I start walking stiffly through the crowd. Looking people up and down as I scuff past; I see their hands frozen in mid air and their eyes unblinking.

I break off from the city and reach the nearby park. The lights throughout the trees are the only illuminating source in the darkness. As I crutch further into the park, I finally begin to hear noises so I make my way to them.

They take me to the bridge above the river and on top of it is a beautiful girl pacing back and forth. The beautiful girl I tried to make jealous.

I attempt to leave but her gaze catches me.

"Dan?" She questions sharply. I look over to see Alfie next to her who is as stiff as those other people I saw.

"How can y- What are you doing here?" Y/N stumbles and looks back at Alfie for a second.

"I don't know, I'm so confused." I breathe and shake my head.

"Do you have any idea what's happening right now?" She asks whilst walking over to me.

"No clue." I press my lips together and look over the side of the bridge. The turquoise water not rushing or collapsing like it usually does.

"Time is paused." She explains blankly. I flick my head to hers and falter backwards.

"Actually?" I widen my eyes and Y/N smiles smugly.

"Why else would the whole world be silent?" She cocks her head to the side and crosses her arms.

"Why wouldn't people be weaving through each other like they usually do?" She huffs. She's scaring me with her smile. Half of it is cheeky but the other is creepy and mysterious.

"Then why am I- still here?" I gesture and look up at her, the corners of her lips drop.

"I guess, you're special." She grins more weakly and starts to walk down the bridge. I slowly nod, trying to comprehend it all.

"I've been able to do this all my life, and during that time I thought I was alone." Y/N adds as I walk beside her, Alfie vanishing in the distance.

"So what am I supposed to do now?" I ask softly, turning my head to hers.

"Learn." She shrugs.

"Learn what? How to control it?" I question and she stops walking. Then she smiles, tucking some hair behind her ear.

"Of course and I can be your teacher."   

Some people have gotten confused about the whole 'playing with time' concept so I'd like to let you know that's going to be explained as this book goes along :)

Please vote and comment and you'll get your own, very special... craft set! Complete with 8 sharpies for 8 PINOFs (when the next one comes out *cough*) of whiskering!

Haha... I'll escort myself out.