#asexual!dan

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five, part six

A discovery (ao3) - destielsuperwholockbandhoorah

Summary: Everything was going great with Phil, so why did Dan suddenly feel like everything was wrong? Turns out there was some discovery for Dan to make about himself.

A Summer Storm (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: A humid night, a summer storm. Five nights when Dan watches from his window as the storm spirits dance past (and one that he doesn't)

Asexual (ao3) - Emmaline_Chayefsky

Summary: Dan tells Phil he's asexual and he loves him but he can never have sex. Dan is shaking and crying and saying sorry and is begging Phil not to leave him, but Phil gives him cuddles and kisses and comforts him, and says he loves him for who he is, not for sex.

Best Friends? (ao3) - whatfandom

Summary: asexual/aromantic!dan/phil living together in a fluffy platonic relationship forever

Fireworks (ao3) - thebestworstthing (orphan_account)

Summary: "He has his first girlfriend when he is 14. It lasts for two weeks and the furthest they go is kissing. Just like before, it’s not magical. Dan realises that maybe the fireworks aren’t for everybody. "

Dan starts to question his orientation at age 13 but it's not until he's 22 that he finally gets an answer.

He's not broken, just... (ao3) - psychicdreamsandangelwings

Summary: People have been telling him for years that he’s not broken, but it isn’t until Dan meets Phil that he starts to truly understand himself. He’s not broken, he’s just Dan.

Or the one where Dan is asexual and has a hard time understanding that until he meets Phil.

i'm so sorry (ao3) - whenyouheldtheknife

Summary: when you turn 18, a tattoo (or tattoos) appear(s) on your body of your soul mate's first word(s) to you. dan howell doesn't understand his, doesn't like it, and isn't too fond of the structure of soul mates anyway. and of course, he never meant to actually meet his soul mate. it just sort of... happened.

It is Enough (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan and Phil have been best friends for 7 years! They are both the happiest they've ever been!

But...can it last forever?

They aren't getting any younger...

It's Really Ace, Everything's Ace (ao3) - illustriousphan (orphan_account)

Summary: A collection of mini stories concerning Dan's aceflux life.

Kiss me (just to kiss me) (ao3) - MorningStarshine

Summary: “I want to have sex with you.”

Phil hadn't been expecting his asexual boyfriend to say that to anyone, him included. But consent is a conversation. Phil just wants Dan to understand that.

kiss me just to kiss me (ao3) - calvinahobbes

Summary: Phil knows it’s serious. He knows he’s serious about Dan in that way he gets about people because he is so painfully afraid of messing things up. Dan came all this way just to see him, but he didn’t come all this way just to see him, and the least Phil can do is show him a good time.

Meet me in the morning sun (ao3) - INeverHadMyInternetPhase (BirbWatcher)

Summary: Dan's moving to Manchester

not the only one (ao3) - farkenshnoffingottom

Summary: It's not until Dan starts editing the latest Internet Support Group video that he notices how much one of his answers points to Phil. Phil has to decide if he's really ready to start letting the world see the real him.

Rose Jumpered Breakup (ao3) - SweetDreamsDarling

Summary: Phil's been struggling with his identity, and when he thinks that he and Dan need to break up he can't stand it. He knows Dan would understand, but what if he took it the wrong way? What if Dan thought he was the problem?

Or

Dan and Phil had started dating, but Phil wasn't sure about his identity. He loved Dan, of course, but every time things got heated he would suddenly close up or go with it just to please Dan. He didn't want to say anything in fear of knocking Dan's newfound confidence, but how can it work when Phil feels the need to hide?

Self-Acceptance (ao3) - Misha_with_wings

Summary: Phil struggles with his anxiety disorder, his asexuality, his issues with contact, and with being comfortable around his boyfriend Dan.

Tell Me What You Want to Feel (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Asexual!phil going through his life until he meets dan

'The first time someone expected sex from him was with his first girlfriend, Sarah. Her parents were away and she had invited him over and when they were making out her hands started trailing towards his pants and his head was spinning and how did he stop this there is another person's tongue in his mouth he doesn't want it he doesn't want it he doesn't want it.'

The universe did this for a good reason (ao3) - danielshands

Summary: Dan and Phil are forced to get married. This is the process of it.

Tweets and Deals (ao3) - Dustyboialex

Summary: 2009!phan where Phil is in the car in his way home from visiting Dan, and he smells something funny. Everyone has secrets, it's up to you to trust who knows them.

When Do We Get Our Parade? (ao3) - adorkablephil (kimberly_a)

Summary: During his first Pride celebration, Dan is frustrated that even the queer community doesn't seem to understand asexuality and the romantic spectrum

When Opposites Attract (ao3) - confettiwrites

rating: gen warnings: none word count: 2.9k additional tags: spaceboy!Dan, asexual!Dan, asexual!Phil, coming of age, teenagers, stargazing, implied queerplatonic relationship beta: @amethysthollis <3

rating: gen pairing: Dan/Phil warnings: none word count: 2.9k additional tags: spaceboy!Dan, asexuality, asexual!Dan, asexual!Phil, coming of age, teenagers, stargazing, implied queerplatonic relationship beta: @amethysthollis <3

Summary: Asexual!Dan is afraid of telling Phil about his attraction (or lack thereof), because of bad experiences in the past. He just wants a chance of happiness like everybody else, without being reminded of how abnormal he is. 

Genre: Fluff, AU

Word Count: 1.6K

TW: Aphobia 

A/N:  I watched Evan Edinger’s new video the other day, and it made me bawl my eyes out. Here’s a little thing I wrote in order to try and make myself, and everybody else who ever felt broken because of their sexuality, feel a little better.

Disclaimer and all that jazz: This is just one take on asexuality, it’s an entire spectrum, so I had quite a lot of room to play around with. Basically, not every asexual person feels like Dan does in this story. Which doesn’t make them any less asexual (or any less awesome).

I wrote this in a few hours, so apologies for any mistakes.

Read on AO3: X

Links Last Checked: February 14th, 2025

part one, part two, part three, part four, part five

cupid’s aro (ao3) - Anonymous

Summary: Dan’s aro and still figuring himself - and his feelings about Phil - out. Short and sweet exploration of my feelings about being aro.

funhouse mirrors (ao3) - dayevsphil

Summary: Phil hasn't had a crush before.

If You Only Saw (His Eyes Light Up Like I Adore) (ao3) - LAshleigh

Summary: Dan works at the deli counter of Stalter’s Grocery with co-worker PJ, who is inexplicably insistent upon setting Dan up with PJ’s longtime friend, Phil Lester. Dan, who is only just starting to open up about his sexuality and mental health struggles, maintains that now is not the time for a budding romance. Fate – and okay, maybe a few ploys enacted by PJ – keeps bringing Dan and Phil together anyway, and they must learn how to communicate clearly and maintain a level of independence in order to protect this newfound friendship which keeps threatening to grow into something more.

in whatever way (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: It's 2009, and Phil's been talking to Dan online for months. They're ready to meet, but Phil's nervous.

Hide Your Love Away (ao3) - heartsopenminds

Summary: When Phil had first started noticing Dan, it was from his comments on Phil’s YouTube videos. He’d been so complimentary and so enthusiastic even about Phil's most experimental and unusual videos that it had seemed natural to take the conversation onto Twitter and then to start messaging each other.

With all the attention and flattery, Phil had started to think maybe Dan wanted to be more than just friends, but then he’d casually dropped a mention of his girlfriend into the conversation, and Phil’s mind had been put at ease. Dan was in a relationship, and more than likely straight, not to mention totally out of his league, so surely he had nothing to worry about on that front....

However You Want Me (ao3) - heartsopenminds

Summary: Phil is relieved to finally come to terms with his sexuality. The only problem is what it might mean for his relationship with Dan.

Sincerity Is Scary (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Dan and Phil have been dating for almost six months now. Despite his doubts, Dan decides that he's finally ready to have sex with Phil for the first time. But what happens when Dan realizes that maybe sex just isn't for him?

Twice as proud (ao3) - glowingatmosphere

Summary: Dan was nervous and scared on his way there, but now that he’s actually here, in Phil's presence, and his thoughts and the words he has to say to him are closer to being actualised, Dan is terrified and wants nothing more than to take it all back.

Two Peas in a Pod (ao3) - Masterread

Summary: In a fiasco involving Dan accidentally putting on Phil's jeans, and Louise making some choice jokes, Dan is thrown back into an existential identity crisis at the discovery of "asexuality". If love doesn't need to include sex, what could that mean for Dan and Phil? Read on to find out how this question haunts our poor Dan.

Wishgiver (wattpad) - lester-s

Links Last Checked: February 14th, 2025

part one, part two, part three, part four, part six

A Day in the QPR of Dan and Phil (ao3) - INeverHadMyInternetPhase

Summary: A day in the life of Dan and Phil, but as if they were in a QPR. So basically lots of fluff and cuddles, and a little bit of discussion about difficulties with coming out and why they're still in the closet.

All You Did Will Be Undone (ao3) - INeverHadMyInternetPhase

Summary: What 2009 phan would have looked like if they were ace and wanted to be in a QPR

Anffafriol (ao3) - PhilTrashNo164

Summary: I know everyone in this village, you say. Never seen you around here before.

Asexual (ao3) - Misha_with_wings

Summary: Phil struggles with his anxiety disorder, his asexuality, his issues with contact, and with being comfortable around his boyfriend Dan.

Bad at Being Straight (ao3) - Masterread

Summary: Ace!Phil and very gay Dan slowly realizing they may be more than friends, but Phil's not entirely sure how that's going to work out...

Distant Roads (ao3) - phantasy_legacy

Summary: Phil is about to enter is last year at university and he can almost taste the freedom. First, however, he has to survive living with his best friend who seems to be vanishing (painfully) from his life, the ever-growing pile of schoolwork dogging his every step, and a certain brown haired boy who's presence in his life might be the only thing keeping Phil sane.

Double Date (ao3) - dangirlphillie

Summary: When Dan accidentally asks out a lesbian couple on a double date, he and Phil are forced to pretend they've been dating for years on a night out a town.

Kiss-Me-Not Kinks (ao3) - FairytaleTalia

Summary: Dan and Phil are in a relationship, and although Dan is asexual and Phil is really into bdsm and stuff like that, they are happy, because they have a special arrangement. (or: The one were Phil whips strangers and then goes home to his lovely asexual boyfriend for cuddles and love.)

I Dare You To Stay (ao3) - realityfallsapart

Summary: Dan Howell is a barista working a shitty job, frequenting his shitty apartment, and living a shitty existence, hiding his asexuality and going for a PHD in self-depreciation and depression. Phil Lester is a part-time intern, part-time employee at a local weather station, trying to get experience in his field and make a name for himself, while juggling a second job at the nearby Tesco’s to give him some financial breathing room. Their paths were never supposed to meet, but what happens when they do anyways, one rainy day in Manchester?

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - adorkablephil

Summary: Dan knows he’s a freak of nature.

Not in the Mood - philsdrill

Summary: Phil is graysexual (gray asexual) and wants to give Dan the perfect Valentine’s day. Things don’t quite go as he planned, but Dan is the understanding and supportive partner he needs.

Pride - ineverhadmyinternetphase

Summary: It’s Manchester Pride, and Dan is feeling a little insecure.

The Courage Of Stars (ao3) - outphan

Summary: At Pride, Dan feels out of place.

Two Peas in a Pod (ao3) - Masterread

Summary: In a fiasco involving Dan accidentally putting on Phil's jeans, and Louise making some choice jokes, Dan is thrown back into an existential identity crisis at the discovery of "asexuality". If love doesn't need to include sex, what could that mean for Dan and Phil? Read on to find out how this question haunts our poor Dan.

You Knew Every Shape Of The Moon (ao3) - outphan

I Dare You To Stay (ao3) - realityfallsapart

Summary: Dan Howell is a barista working a shitty job, frequenting his shitty apartment, and living a shitty existence, hiding his asexuality and going for a PHD in self-depreciation and depression. Phil Lester is a part-time intern, part-time employee at a local weather station, trying to get experience in his field and make a name for himself, while juggling a second job at the nearby Tesco’s to give him some financial breathing room. Their paths were never supposed to meet, but what happens when they do anyways, one rainy day in Manchester?

Links Last Checked: February 14th, 2025

part one, part two, part three, part five, part six

Aces High - xinyanhowell

Summary: Dan brings a boy home. Phil is… surprisingly okay with this. Or, the one where Phil is asexual and they have an agreement.

Apple of His Eye (ao3) - sundaechii

Summary: "It shouldn't have turned this way." Tears streamed down his cheeks, his voice trembling. "I thought it was only a rumor." He continued, staring in horror at the blood splattered on the floor.

Floor 6 is a restricted floor with one security personnel that changes every few days. Everyone says that it is haunted and Dan and his friends made a mistake of going there.

As Simple as A Change of Heart - sleeplessnightwithphan

Summary: Asexual!Dan is afraid of telling Phil about his attraction (or lack thereof), because of bad experiences in the past. He just wants a chance of happiness like everybody else, without being reminded of how abnormal he is.

best friends forever? that’s the plan. (ao3) - toffeelemon

Summary: the dan and phil platonic love story that was told, from 2009 to infinity and beyond, after their leaked wedding photos went viral.

Blue (ao3) - deathclassic

Summary: He needs to leave the table for a bit and calm himself down, this often happens on dates or crowded places. He excuses himself and goes to find the bathroom. He walks into the male toilets and is met with a sight that he hasn't seen before.

Someone bending over in purple lace panties.

Broken (ao3) - analester

Summary: Phil’s ace and can’t help but feel like he’s broken.

Everything He Wants - undressrehearsal

Summary: Dan invites Phil over while his parents are out and Phil has some explaining to do.

Everything's Ace (ao3) - Amanda_z_5

Summary: It’s October 19th, 2009, and Phil is an absolute wreck about coming out as ace to Dan.

Falling Flat (ao3) - thesquirrelqueer

Summary: Dan is a pianist. A recent graduate from Juliard, he finds himself at a job playing music for school children. Phil is a music teacher at said school. They have a rather interesting relationship in class. A rather flirtatious relationship. The children see the interactions between the two and begin to wonder if they are in a relationship. Soon, a work relationship blooms into a romantic one through a love of music and each other.

first things first (ao3) - yoongioss

Summary: Dan knows that sex doesn’t need to happen for a relationship to be real, to be alive, and to be wholesome. But, he wants to settle his urges and his ideas and they’re only for Phil.

He is all for Phil.

Flowers And Galaxies - flower-phan

Summary: The boys flats were very close, two separate apartment buildings with just enough space inbetween them to touch the others with parallel windowed faced to each other. The buildings were old and torn apart, and this, made the perfect niche for the two broken boys. Phil, was a wallflower who never bloomed, and Dan, he was an astronaut who never would dare leave the atmosphere.

How It Should Be - theshyauthor

Summary: Dan is asexual and Phil is okay with that, which is exactly how it should be.

Not Broken (ao3) - orphan_account

Summary: Phil is asexual, and he finds someone who understands.

Private Fears in Public Places - botanistlester

Summary: Dan doesn’t feel sexual attraction very often and that’s okay.

Revolution (ao3) - centroid

Summary: For Dan, his feelings are a mess, but he's trying to figure it out.

The universe did this for a good reason (ao3) - danielshands