pause // dan howell x reader

Chapter 26 - Forbearance

Your POV

"And, we're off. 10 minute break everyone!" Nick announces and Dan immediately exits the room. You quickly look around to others, who seem to not notice, and then decide to run after him.

"Where are you going?" You call out and he turns around surprised.

"Just to the bathroom, why?" He answers with a confused look on his face. You slowly approach him, unsure how to word your next sentence without it sounding weird.

"Do you want to come to my place after this?" You ask politely, secretly desperate because you want to get away from Nick, to reevaluate things.

"I'm not sure Y/N... I don't want to get between you and Nick." He explains and you look down slightly.

"That's fine." You lie with a weak laugh. A big sigh escapes Dan's lips as he pats the sides of his crutches to a fast and made-up tune.

"You need to tell me what's going on." He says impatiently and you gulp nervously.

"With what?" Another gulp. You shift your eyes around, unwilling to talk about the subject but it seems almost unavoidable.

"You said it earlier today, Nick." He clenches his jaw. Speechless, you lower your head and play with your hands. Your cheek begins to sting as the thoughts flash into your head and you try to force them out.

"Y/N, what's going on?" Dan softens his voice and lightly touches your arm, attempting to get you to look up. You shake your head, still staring at the floor - a tear near escape.

"Y/N?" He repeats and you finally look up at him; the movement causing the tear to fall down your cheek even though you didn't want it to. His mouth parts slightly but it soon shuts as he pulls you in for a hug. His heart beats heavily against his chest and the rhythm helps calm you down. He winds his fingers in your hair and curls it at certain ends. You begin to smile and wrap your arms tighter around his body.

"I'll go to your flat." Dan whispers and you happily close your eyes.

-

Another show done, you're starting to get use to it. You don't feel as anxious and you're not getting distracted or annoyed by Polly as much; though she always seems to be moving, fluffing her black hair, fixing her liquid lipstick or tapping her nails.

In the side office, Nick's chatting with Polly and some other people. It doesn't concern you on what it is about, all you need to do is get back to your house with Dan.

You glance over your shoulder to see him on his phone. You lunge towards him and pull his arm. He stumbles and drops one of his crutches.

"Come on, cripple." You rush out the door with a grin and he limps behind.

After going down the elevator and out to the front of the building, you run closer to the curb to catch a taxi.

"Why don't we walk?" Dan suggests and you immediately look down at his cast.

"What about your leg? Your arms are going to hurt." You fret but he chuckles.

"Don't worry, I'll be fine." He smiles and starts crutching off to the right. Reluctantly, you follow him.

"It'll be coming off tomorrow." Dan grins as you walk beside him.

"About time." You snicker and he laughs in return.

"Just blame Phil." He shrugs and a powerful breeze pushes past you both. It flips his fringe up into a quiff and you start laughing because he looks like a cockatoo.