#the howells

➤ dan lying on his bed after having dinner with his family, the rational part of his brain happy and satisfied after a good night, but his heart tugging softly, a gentle reminder that something is missing.

➤ phil playing truth bombs with his family, laughing as martyn says something very dark and suddenly a warm feeling fills his chest as he remembers of something dan said a couple days ago. he keeps playing.

➤ a familiar ringtone echoes throught the room, dan’s parents give him a knowing look, his mother has a small smile, his father a small grimace. dan excuses himself, his heart beating a little bit faster as he goes outside of his parent house. he presses his phone against his ear, feeling like he can finally breath fine again.

➤ phil thinking how they aren’t unhappy, they aren’t completely codependent, they just rather be together, cuddling and saying things no one but each other understands. dan’d breathing on the other side of the line, his voice warm and full of feelings. they’d be fine.

Imagine visiting your eccentric grandparents, the Howells, one last time before their fateful trip.

You peeked out from behind your father’s legs to peer shyly at your grandparents. Your grandfather especially had always seemed intimidating to you. He was tall and strong-looking compared to you. Your grandmother, on the other hand, seemed nice enough.

“Go on,” your father encouraged, nudging you forwards. You stared up at him with wide, uncertain eyes. Grandma Lovey smiled and held out her arms to you. Cautiously, you approached, giving her a quick hug. She smelled like perfume and her thin arms embraced you with surprising strength.

“Oh, aren’t they just the most precious thing you’ve ever seen, Thurston?” she cooed as you darted back to your father, blinking at them bashfully.

Your grandpa flashed a smile before his expression turned mock serious, “Well? Don’t I get a hug from my grandchild too?”

You blushed and shuffled forwards, embarrassed. He smiled again and crouched down to pull you into his arms, lifting you off the ground with a grunt. You squeaked in surprise, looking to your father for reassurance. He grinned encouragingly.

“They grow up so fast, don’t they, Lovey?” your grandfather hummed, examining your face critically.

“I swear, the last time we saw them, they were this big,” your grandma tittered, holding up two fingers close to each other. “Oh, can’t we take them with us on the trip tomorrow? They’d so love to see the ocean, I’m sure.”

Your father shook his head, flashing a smile to humour them, “[f/n]’s going shopping with mama tomorrow for a new pair of shoes, but I’m sure they’d love to go out for ice cream sometime.”

“Well, then we’ll have to make an appointment, won’t we?” Thurston chuckled as he passed you back off to your father. You hid your face in your father’s shirt, peeking out at your grandparent’s shyly. Lovey gave a little wave and you giggled.

“We’ll have to do just that.”

The Howells!