Doodler: @shardsketch (they did a seriously amazing job with their art it’s so cute! you should totally check out other works of art they do, it’s really awesome :D)
Beta: @littlelionsloves (i am so grateful for all the helped she gave me; without her my fic wouldn’t be the same. she’s writing some fics herself, you should go check them out as well!)
Warnings: None!
Summary: In which Dan switches suitcases with a man who loves bright colors
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Dan hated flying.
The flights themselves weren't so bad, as long as he refrained from imagining scenarios where the plane fell from the sky. More often than not he would plug in his headphones, close his eyes and try to ignore everyone around him. Especially the little kid who had been kicking his seat the entire flight. It had taken all his self control to stop himself from turning around and giving the parents a piece of his mind.
No, it was the stress of getting to the airport on time, the worry of making sure everything was packed and ready, the overall rush of airport security that fueled Dan’s hatred of flying. And with Dan’s die-hard habits of pushing things off until the last minute, everything seemed twice as difficult as he had waited until literally an hour before he left to pack.
But thankfully the flight had at last come to an end and Dan was finally free from the cursed metal craft.
All that was left was to grab his suitcase and get out of there.
Pushing his way through the crowd that had gathered around the baggage claim, Dan scanned the stacks of baggage looking for his suitcase. Thankfully, it didn't take as long as he had thought it would; he almost instantly spotted his suitcase where had been stacked precariously on top of the others.
Wrapping his hand around the handle, Dan pushed back through the crowd and headed in the direction of the exit. He couldn't wait to collapse on his couch, away from the noise and other people.
---
He should have realized something was wrong when he’d picked up the suitcase, but Dan had never been one to pick up on subtle clues. Besides, the rush of the airport had not given Dan many opportunities to be observant.
But staring at the open suitcase on his bed, Dan knew he had made a mistake.
Because this was not his suitcase.
Dan's normal, everyday look consisted of grey and black and the occasional color - not much variety, but to Dan it was perfect.
The clothes in the suitcase, however, were the exact opposite of what Dan would usually wear. Plaid button ups, bright sweatshirts and several graphic tees were thrown haphazardly into the suitcase. Dan wrinkled his nose at a particularly bright yellow sweatshirt with a character from Adventure Time proudly displayed on it.
Who in their right mind would ever wear something like this?
Dan grabbed the name tag that was hanging from the suitcase’s handle - something he wished he had looked at earlier, but it was no use crying over spilled milk - and squinted at the scrawled handwriting. It wasn’t the neatest, but his own handwriting was almost illegible at times, so he couldn’t complain.
Phil Lester, the name tag read, followed by a phone number.
The possibility that while Dan had this Phil’s suitcase, Phil might not have his suitcase crossed Dan’s mind. That would present a problem, but right now Dan was focused on getting these clothes out of his flat. He could always buy new clothes.
---
Sitting on a bench with the suitcase nestled between his feet, Dan waited for the appearance of Phil. He had arranged this meeting for as soon as possible, which ended up being a week after the initial discovery of the switched suitcases.
The good news was that Phil had ended up with Dan’s suitcase after all, which made things a whole lot easier.
The bad news was that Dan hadn’t had enough clothes to last him a week - he had shoved all of his clothes in his suitcase - so he’d been stuck wearing the clothes he had found in Phil’s suitcase.
Currently, Dan was wearing the very same Adventure Time sweatshirt that he had scoffed at upon first glance. Dan was pretty sure that the shade of yellow that was used in the design of it could, in fact, be seen from space. It definitely hadn’t been Dan’s first choice in clothing, but he had been cold and he’d had literally nothing else to wear.
He just hoped he didn’t look as ridiculous as he felt.
Looking up from the sleeves of the sweatshirt, he spotted a figure walking towards him with a suitcase clutched tightly in their hands. That had to be Phil. Who else would be walking around with a suitcase?
As the man got closer, Dan spotted him wearing his button-up moth shirt. It was definitely Phil.
Dan stood and picked up the suitcase, placing it on the bench next to him. He watched nervously as Phil stopped in front of him.
Phil was, in fact, more attractive than Dan had originally imagined - although, to be fair, Dan hadn’t exactly had much to go off of before. His dark hair was styled similarly to Dan’s, in a fringe sweeping across his forehead, and he had bright blue eyes.
“Are you Dan Howell?” Phil asked, setting the suitcase in his hand on the ground in front of him.
“Yeah. And I assume you're Phil Lester?” Dan replied.
“Yeah.”
The next few minutes that followed could only be described as uncomfortable. Dan wasn't the best with strangers, especially strangers wearing his clothes - although he'd never exactly been in a situation like this before.
Phil cleared his throat. “So what's with the leather shirt?”
It took Dan a few moments to process the question. The leather shirt in question was something Dan had only worn once, because no matter how ironic it might be, it sucked as a shirt.
“I bought it ironically.” Dan said simply. “Why? Don't tell me you wore it.”
Phil's wrinkled his nose. “I was curious. It was horrible. I looked like a bag.”
Dan scoffed and spread his arms. “Please. There is nothing worse than this sweater. It's a miracle I haven't been blinded yet.”
Phil snorted, gesturing down at himself. “These months could give the sweater a run for your money.”
Dan felt the corners of his mouth tug up, and he saw Phil struggling to keep his face straight. He didn't know how, but suddenly he and Phil burst into laughter.
Dan, bent over and struggling to catch his breath, glanced up at Phil, whose laughter was echoing around the park, and gasped out, “Nice to meet you Phil Lester.”
