#breakup masterlist

part one, part two

10 Thousand Words Worth Of Memories (ao3) - penformeri

Summary: It was cold, and Dan was bored. The journal rested easily on his palms; he hadn't opened it since Phil went away.

He doesn't have the heart to, but the only thing he fears is losing the memories of the love they once shared before losing everything.

In which, Dan kept a journal that kept every single memory and every single moment that led to their messy breakup, rereading it only to reunite with Phil through the pages again, Phil doesn't bother reaching back.

Coffee by Chappell Roan (ao3) - danswideslit

Summary: someone on tumblr mentioned needing a dnp fic with the narrative from coffee and I felt inspired because I love that song a whole lot

custom concern (ao3) - 1j9w8n8

Summary: Dan and Phil broke up in 2012. In 2019, a panel at VidCon brings them back together for a weekend.

Finish Line (ao3) - dnpangels

Summary: Six Months after Dan and Phil broke up, Phil is already moving out and in a relationship, but Dan feels like his life has been put on pause. Through his pain, Dan tries to move on, but he is constantly reminded of the memories he made with Phil.

i miss you. (ao3) - strawberry_saturn (vanillaxheart)

Summary: after dan and phil break up, dan is left distraught. he decides to write out his feelings, because surely the words would never be read.

I wish that you would stay in my memories (I was barely just surviving) (ao3) - jazzystar13xx

Summary: It's been a couple of months since Dan broke up with Phil. They went no contact. Dan moved out. Phil tried to move on. They knew it needed to be a clean break if they wanted to be able to get over a fifteen year long relationship. But no matter how hard Phil deludes himself into thinking he's doing well without Dan, he just isn't. So he has absolutely no idea what to do on a rainy night when Dan shows up at the door of his new apartment.

i would never pretend not to know you. (ao3) - phouseinnebraska

Summary: Dan left Phil two months ago, swearing Phil deserves better, and leaving Phil a brokenhearted hermit who hasn't left his apartment in weeks. He finally leaves to go grocery shopping, where he runs into a certain somebody at the register.

it’s never just coffee (ao3) - dykephan

Summary: Phil will move on first, because he deserves to, and Dan will move on only when he’s freed of the guilt that weighs so heavily on him — so never, maybe. Or whenever he starts feeling that all-consuming numbness again that had created this whole mess. It had its pros and cons.

He feels everything in sharp clarity now. It has its pros and cons.

Life's Hard Work, Loving You is Easy (ao3) - Boddlecaps

Summary: Dan and Phil broke up when Dan moved away for his second year of university – away from Manchester, and away from Phil. He returns to tell Phil about the improvements in his life, and to try and make amends. Funnily enough, Phil's still pretty upset about the decision (but nevertheless a very forgiving fool for Dan).

Set in 2011 when Dan would have already quit university.

So Long, London (ao3) - solarpower21

Summary: Dan and Phil did the unthinkable and broke up in 2020. They meet again, four years later on Christmas Eve.

To Live Your Truth (ao3) - httphowell

Summary: After a painful breakup, Dan struggles to live his truth while Phil gives him space to grow. Through coming out videos, a bestselling book, and years apart, they each confront their past and feelings. When fate reunites them years later, they find their way back to love and healing.

when i walk in the kitchen, my heart hits the floor (ao3) - aura_sky

Summary: a phivorce fic

Dan walks into the kitchen and he misses Phil.

Where We Hid and Where We Broke (ao3) - julsxx

Summary: In the aftermath of the infamous 2012 Valentine’s video, everything Dan worked to keep hidden is dragged into the light, forcing him to confront his past, his fear, and the limits of love.

wikihow to stop a divorce (ao3) - ivorycastle

Can't help falling in love with you (Ao3) - heartstopperlover22

Summary: Set in an alternative universe where Nick and Charlie break up before Nick goes to university, they haven't seen each other since, they focus on separate lives and meet up with their friends in different places and times. Will they meet up for the first time?

I Will Wipe the Salt Off of My Skin (Ao3) - holy_velesti

Summary: Post-Canon/Canon Divergent AU where Ben and Charlie are still together. After reuniting with Nick, Charlie realizes how horrible Ben and is finally able to breaks it off.

Inevitable (Ao3) - isakyaki

Summary: It's been a year since Charlie and Nick's breakup. Fate decides to throw them back together again, but not without a few obstacles.

lose my mind (Ao3) - atlas53

Summary: what if Charlie went through with breaking up with Nick?

Nick and Charlie. And That is That. (Ao3) - thebigheat

Summary: What If...? Charlie was able to finish to his speech in the cafeteria and things went downhill from there.

Our Caves Collapsing (Ao3) - ahale

Summary: We watched them fall in love, now we have to watch them fall apart.

this is our place, we make the rules (Ao3) - citydreaming

Summary: Nick and Charlie break up during Nick’s first year of university, this is the story of them finding their way back to each other.

too far to whisper (too close to shout) (Ao3) - littlefreakjezabel

Summary: Charlie moves back home for a few months after 10 years of living in London. There, he reconnects with Nick Nelson, the one person who's been on his mind this whole time. It's just that things aren't as easy when you're 28 as they are when you're 15.

Until We Meet Again (Ao3) - nickandcharlie

Summary: Alternate Universe where Nick and Charlie have broken up three years ago.

Charlie has now a new boyfriend, and lives without Nick in his life.

But what happens when they meet again?

Yours (I Want More) (Ao3) - Lexywantssheep

Carnival Rides and 'We're Up High' by myawfod (tw)

Carnival AU in which Baz works at a roller coaster.

Happier by snowkatze (tw)

Sometimes you have to let go of the things you love to save them. That’s why Baz broke up with Simon. But maybe he isn’t as fine as he pretends to be. And maybe Simon isn’t either.

Love's Keen Sting by elsarenard (tw)

Simon has landed himself in the hospital again and is currently unconscious. Agatha and Penelope are both waiting worriedly by his bedside. Baz is there getting a football injury looked at. And that’s when Simon starts talking in his sleep. Loosely based on Ron's breakup in The Half-Blood Prince.

Nightmares Past the Dream by lequeenofmoondoor (tw)

The five year reunion of Watford, with awkwardness and reconcilliations all around.

Stupidly Jealous by snowkatze (tw)

It had been a shock to literally the whole school when they had come out as a couple. But by now everybody was used to them holding hands and kissing. It had been unbelievable to Baz that he and Simon had actually gotten together, but here they were, their last year at Watford and even though the humdrum was still out there and the old families were still pressing, he and Simon were happy together. Well, not so much. He was happy. Whilst Simon…

These Are the Lies by xwandererx (tw)

Simon and Baz break up. As much as he would like to think he is, Simon is not over it.

What Happened To Never Leaving? by fell-in-love-didnt-you (tw)

Links Last Checked: August 21st, 2025

Part One

Always (ao3) - phantastic (marvel_ling)

Summary: Phil and Dan broke up but still live together, which can lead to some awkward situations.

a memory to use (ao3) - queerofcups

Summary: A thousand moments stretch between them, but this is what matters: Phil’s things are packed up, prepared to be moved to a smaller flat, 5 miles away from this flat, the one they’d chosen together.

and if my wishes came true, it would've been you. (ao3) - phangirlingforphan

Summary: Phil can categorise his life in three acts: Before Dan, With Dan and now this new, uncertain one he’s calling After Dan.

After All Those Years, I Never Thought I'd Lose (ao3) - fairylightsandrainydays

Summary: Steven Universe was cruel. Unforgiving. It ripped the plaster off an old wound that Dan had thought he’d recovered from.

Be Alright - paradisobound

Summary: There is a darker side behind the hiatus and the ending of Dan and Phil games…one that Dan and Phil never showed.

bittersweet (ao3) - pinkseason

Summary: phil isn't in love with dan anymore.

‘Cause Right Now Could Last Forever (Just As Long As I’m With You) (ao3) - Band_obsessed

Summary: Dan and Phil break up but are still friends/living together. One night Dan feels really ill and asks if he can sleep in Phil’s bed because even though they arent together, Phil always made him feel better when he was sick. And they cuddle and end up back together and life is good again.

Decisions and Revisions (ao3) - iihappydaysii

Summary: Dan and Phil are just really good friends. Dan wishes they were more, but over the past few years has mostly come to terms with the fact that it's never going to happen. But when accidentally Dan walks in on Phil one night, things start to change.

I Don't Wanna Love You Anymore (ao3) - galaxy_ash

Summary: Dan and Phil meet and start dating as teenagers, but as time goes on, Phil realizes that their relationship isn't working.

lost the map (ao3) - queerofcups

Summary: Dan travels home to finalize their divorce. Phil's the only one who knows it isn't a tragedy. It's not an ending, its a turn of the page.

Old Habits - scifiphan

Summary: dan and phil have broken up but old habits die hard

Once - cafephan

Summary: He once tried to fall out of love, yet that was the one thing he had yet to master.

Picking Up The Pieces (ao3) - rainbowchristy

Summary: During a truth or dare game, Phil is made to break up with his pastel-wearing boyfriend. He was too drunk to fully understand what was happening at the time but now that he's sobered up, will Dan ever trust him again?

Scenes From An Italian Restaurant (ao3) - sierraadeux

Summary: Dinner together, once a year. Seven o’clock, the little Italian place in Manchester.

It hurt too much to stay friends. It hurt worse to lose each other completely.

Retrace, Retry (ao3) - hidden_pastry

Summary: In 2012, Dan left Manchester and Phil didn’t follow. Dan didn’t let him.

Now, it’s 2016 and Dan returns to retrace his steps and maybe, possibly, have a chance at a second try.

Unbreakable (ao3) - YourEyesHoldTheGalaxy

Summary: Dan reflects on his relationship with Phil, in the form of a letter/email.

Until You Were Gone (ao3) - fairylightshowell

Summary: Dan and Phil have been dating for 3 years, but things start to go south towards the end of 2011. In 2012, they start ignoring each other and not talking. Halfway into the year, they break up and split apart, causing Dan to move on, while Phil is still attached. Dan finds a new love when he moves back home. 3 and a half years later, on New Year’s Eve, he proposes to his girlfriend of 3.5 years. He hasn’t fully moved on as Phil is there when he proposes to his girlfriend.

We’re Going To Be Okay - doomedhowell

Summary: Dan and Phil have broken up, and things haven’t been the best. But, things go from bad to worse when Phil brings one of his ‘one night stands’ home with him.

Why Can’t We Be Like That? - georgiabread

Summary: I used to steal his cereal partly to make him laugh, and also because I was hungry during the night. I still am. But he doesn’t laugh anymore, and I don’t want to eat.

You And Me Have Got A Whole Lot Of History - doomedhowell

Links Last Checked: July 30th, 2025

Always (ao3) - phantastic 

Summary: Phil and Dan broke up but still live together, which can lead to some awkward situations.

‘Cause Right Now Could Last Forever (Just As Long As I’m With You) (ao3) - elusive_eventuality

Summary: Dan and Phil break up but are still friends/living together. One night Dan feels really ill and asks if he can sleep in Phil’s bed because even though they arent together, Phil always made him feel better when he was sick. And they cuddle and end up back together and life is good again.

Caught (ao3) - hygge

Summary: Just because they weren’t together anymore didn’t mean that Dan couldn’t read phanfiction while he got off, right? Or at least that’s what he thought before Phil walked into the room.

Equilibrium (ao3) - phan_anon

Summary: It's 2016, and Omega!Dan doesn't need an Alpha to be happy, thank you very much. He's quite content living with best friend, flat mate, business partner, co-author, ex-boyfriend, and occasional lover, Beta!Phil. Quite content, that is, until an unplanned pregnancy disturbs the comfortable equilibrium they've established over the years...

glazed eyes, empty hearts (ao3) - mitchell

Summary: “It’s 6am and you decide that if you drink vodka fast enough it tastes like love. And when you throw it up a few hours later, you decide that’s how love feels like.”

I Followed Fires - embracingpastels

Summary: They’re no less in love than they used to be - but they’re also stubborn, and pissed, and trying their hardest not to touch each other. (When they do, it’s more conversation than they’ve had in months)

Incapable of Letting Things Go (ao3) - Merrydith

Summary: When you live with someone for as long as Dan and Phil had, every object retains sediment that can't be thrown away. Especially if you still feel some sort of way towards the memory or the thought the object represents. It pained Phil to watch Dan chuck things that still held so much sediment to him. Letters in green envelopes and CDs that contained songs like “Interrupted by Fireworks” and “Toxic”. Phil winced when Dan crumbled the drawing he had done for Dan when his Skype microphone broke that one time. He hoped Dan didn't notice his overly eager offer to take the trash out, solely to fish a few of these objects out. Pressing the objects to his chest, he'd sneak them away into a box of his own and call it a good deed. Saving the memories of their relationship because Dan wouldn't do it himself.

But what happens when Dan comes across this box and Phil feels like he's about to throw up?

It's Better To Burn Than To Fade Away (It's Better To Leave Than To Be Replaced) (ao3) - your_starless_eyes

Summary: 2012 isn't going so great, to say the least.

Of Mistakes and Fuck-ups - dark-days-dark-nights-xx

Summary: Dan knew he fucked up as soon as the words left his mouth, as soon as Phil’s eyes had turned from hurt to stone cold, as soon as he had walked out of the room, leaving his own words bouncing around in the depths of his mind.

Old Habits - scifiphan

Summary: dan and phil have broken up but old habits die hard

Salt in Your Wounds (ao3) - timelordangel

Summary: They broke up years ago, but apparently they can still sneak into each other's rooms at midnight. This doesn't tear Dan apart, or anything. Not at all.

Until You Were Gone (ao3) - fairylightshowell

Summary: Dan and Phil have been dating for 3 years, but things start to go south towards the end of 2011. In 2012, they start ignoring each other and not talking. Halfway into the year, they break up and split apart, causing Dan to move on, while Phil is still attached. Dan finds a new love when he moves back home. 3 and a half years later, on New Year’s Eve, he proposes to his girlfriend of 3.5 years. He hasn’t fully moved on as Phil is there when he proposes to his girlfriend.

way too soft a touch for you (ao3) - wrongbed

Summary: Dan and Phil come together and fall apart over and over again, and just can't figure out the right way to love each other.

aka what happens when two kids start dating without technically labeling it "dating," and then are still living together 6 years later somehow.

We’re Going To Be Okay - doomedhowell

Summary: Dan and Phil have broken up, and things haven’t been the best. But, things go from bad to worse when Phil brings one of his ‘one night stands’ home with him.

Why Can’t We Be Like That? - georgiabread

broken glass by velvetnoodle (tw)

baz comes back months after he and simon have broken up

Dalliance by feverfooted (tw)

It happened in May.It happened in May and it happened quickly, fleetingly.

I’m not sure how it happened.

But one day Snow was kissing me

Help I can’t be his friend, Aleister Crowley, I love him by snowkatze (tw)

There is finally an answer to the question whether Simon is gay or not. Baz doesn’t like the answer.

Memory Boy by come_on_eileen (tw)

The story takes place after Simon and Baz break up. 5 years past and now Simon is coming back to London. Only to find out that Baz is living in his old apartment.

Over You by GayAsDumbledore (tw)

One year after their break-up, Simon and Baz meet again, only to find that they never really let go of each other.

The night Simon stayed over and the day after by ladyhazellyn (tw)

It´s a cold night at the Pitche´s house, and there is a knock on Baz´s window.

trails by macroglossus (tw)

Always gonna want you back (ao3) - bewareofcamels calum/ashton G, 4k

Summary: They called it a "mental-health" - break over social media, even though it was more of a "Ashton broke up with Calum and now we kind of have a problem band wise" - break!

caught up in distractions (ao3) - bellawritess luke/calum T, 2k

Summary: “Come on, Calum. Clearly something’s wrong, you’re harassing Matt. Is this about Luke?”

Calum sighs. What a dumb question, he thinks. Everything is about Luke.

“He’s not here,” he says quietly.

Chrysalis (ao3) - jbhmalum michael/calum T, 49k

Summary: When Michael breaks up with him without an explanation, Calum is left confused as he tries to pick up the pieces. He just doesn’t realise they’re not meant to be put back together the same way.

dancing through our house (ao3) - sunshineash luke/ashton, calum/ashton T, 3k

Summary: Calum Hood shows Ashton Irwin that he could fill the hole Luke Hemmings left in his life

or —

luke dumps ash and calum makes him feel better

if we make it through december (ao3) - allsassnoclass (brightblackholes) luke/ashton T, 28k

Summary: “I didn’t tell them,” he blurts. Ashton falls silent on the other end of the line. “My family. I didn’t tell them about the breakup. And I know that I should’ve and I swear I will, but Gram asked about you today and it’s probably her last Christmas with us and you know how much she loves you. I couldn’t do it. It’d break her heart, and I can’t do that to her. Not right now. So if you– I mean. What I’m trying to say is that you’re still invited to Christmas, if you want. You don’t have to, I can make an excuse for you, and I swear I’ll tell them after the holidays, but I thought maybe… maybe you’d want to see them one last time.”

I'll Admit I Feel Alone (ao3) - 5seconds_of_jessica luke/ashton E, 4k

Summary: Ashton wanted Luke to learn to live without him so he did. Ashton got a girlfriend and Luke was okay, the two even started to become friends again. Until Luke performs a song he wrote and it brings up tons of old emotions

i'm caught up in distractions (fatal attractions) (ao3) - mukelftv T, 1k

Summary: a ydgtp fic.

Love me like you did (ao3) - screamtobeheard michael/luke E, 9k

Summary: “You idiot! Where did you go?” Calum shouts immediately. “You know the way you always suspect the worst of me? This time you’re right,” he says. “Oh my god. You’re taking him to warped tour? What did he do?” “He agreed actually,”

After Luke and Michael break up, Michael is miserable. He decides a roadtrip to warped tour could fix things.

maybe there's no point in holding onto something closely (ao3) - hideforalifetime michael/luke G, 2k

Summary: He’s run this moment over and over in his head. Every day for four years, Luke’s imagined every possible scenario which would result in a face-to-face with Michael Clifford. His ex-boyfriend, ex-best friend Michael Clifford with the huge square-framed black glasses sliding down onto his round little nose, blonde fringe falling over his green eyes, and the dark bands tattooed on his forearms that Luke liked to trace as Michael glared at a textbook with smoldering intensity. Now here he is, shitting his pants at the prospect of seeing the man again, all while in a restaurant’s clammy, damp, tiny bathroom.

paper valentines (ao3) - dafeedil michael/ashton M, 31k

Summary: It’s Valentine’s Day, and Michael and Ashton have erased each other from their respective memories, along with the entirety of the last two years they’ve spent together.

However, sometimes erasing past mistakes only means you’re ultimately doomed to make the same ones all over again.

rebuild it like a vase, or a shattered crown (ao3) - hideforalifetime michael/luke G, 2k

Summary: ‘Happy Birthday, @mikeclifford. You’ve been a constant pillar of support and a source of comedy through some of the most confusing years in my life. We had some great times together, and here’s hoping you’re out there somewhere, thinking of me as you read this. Have a good one, mate.

Cheers.’

Michael and Luke broke up in college, then went their separate ways. Luke went on to become an insanely successful musician, and Michael's still where Luke left him, barely scraping his rent together.

A birthday fic for our lovely lovely Michael.

The Peace in Your Eyes (ao3) - FalseDevotion calum/ashton T, 37k

Summary: “Calum, we can’t do this again.” Ashton didn't turn around, but he could still imagine the hurt in Calum's eyes burning in his eyelids. And the way Calum's voice sounded when he finally spoke up, small and broken, only confirmed it. “...please?” Ashton squeezed his eyes closed harder, hand clenching too on the folders. “Just… I saw you this morning. Couldn’t… I didn’t get to say hello.” Ashton took a deep breath in, deep breath out, his heart squeezing inside his chest. “Cal.” “Please.”

Or,

A young musician comes back home for his sister’s engagement party on New Year’s Eve, and falls straight back into the best relationship he’s ever had, but only for a weekend.

the tragedy of leaking ships and uneven docks (ao3) - The_Lady luke/ashton T, 1k

Summary: “Can I ask you a question?” Luke bites his lip, hands fidgeting on the edge of the passenger seat.

Ashton doesn’t take his eyes off the raindrop-covered windshield. Even in the dark, Luke can see how his knuckles turn white around the steering wheel. He nods. His set jaw becomes visible in the rotating street lights, clear one second and gone in the next. Maybe that’s them, too, a flash of brilliance swallowed by the vacancy of the world.

we were just two kids thrown into the flames (ao3) - haveufoundwhaturlookingfor michael/ashton T, 8k

Summary: Ashton Irwin's name is picked during the reaping for the 75th Hunger Games. Unfortunately, so is his little brother Luke. But then, Michael Clifford is volunteering for his brother. Ashton has to figure out how to make sure he stays alive, but the love of his life also stays alive.

You Don’t Get Me High Anymore (ao3) - orphan_account ot4 T, 1k