Ignited: Transpire
Ignited Chapter 3- Transpire
Pairing: Dan Howell/ Phil Lester and PJ Liguori/ Chris Kendall
Rating: M
Warnings: Swearing and eventual fluff/smutt
Word Count: 3,062
Summary: AU superpowers. The lights has been there for as long as Dan can remember. It’s apart of him and he can’t help but love the light. But sometimes the burning and itching under his skin won’t leave until it shines bright and illuminates the sky.
Dan’s life changes forever when he is trust into a world of magic and mystery inside the walls of the Nova Institute for the Exceptionally Gifted and Talented. Dan Howell/Phil Lester, PJ Liguori/ Chris Kendall.
Notes: I hope your all enjoying this as much as I’ve enjoyed writing it!
Link to Chapter 2 Link to Chapter 1
Any possible sentence formation instantly disappears. It takes all of Dan’s willpower to stop his jaw actually opening in shock. He glances from Phil, to the right hand side where Chris has already been let in. He looks back at Phil, nerves filling him because this can not be happening.
Phil smile turns from something enthusiastic to something a little more mellow, assumably because he’s guessing Dan is nervous. Which he definitely is. As well of a whole lot of other emotions swirling around in his head.
“Want to come in?”
Phil moves to the side and Dan takes a few more moments before he follow the que, walking slightly past his roommate.
He’s momentarily distracted. The room is how he expected it, yet not quite. It’s relatively large, more so then he would expect a dorm at a regular school to be. He’s walked into a lounge, an L shaped dark gray couch occupying the space on the right hand side. Directly across from it is a TV, and further down is a small kitchenette, which to Dan’s knowledge appears to have a sink, a microwave, and a mini bar fridge. There’s two doors, one on the opposite wall of the entrance hall and next to a bookshelf, and another on the right hand side a bit past the couch.
He prays to whatever god will hear him that it’s two separate bedrooms. He’ll take a communal bathroom.
“Better than expected?”
Dan glances back at Phil and offers him a small nod. Dread washes over him, because what if this guy’s ability is mind reading? He’s totally fucked.
“Maybe you’d like a tour?” Phil questions again and Dan just shrugs in response. However, his roommate continues as though Dan is not blatantly attempting to ignore him.
Phil takes it in his stride, accepting that as a yes and continuing on. “So obviously this is the lounge room, equipped with netflix. It’s actually my account but I’m happy to share it. Theres the kitchen, we don’t really have cooking facilities because all meals are provided by the cafeteria, but we are encouraged to bring drinks and extra food up for whenever we feel like it. It’s open access except for curfew hours. A lot of nova’s need additional food to compensate for the energy output, so there's always something around.”
The word nova’s being used so casually sort of freaks Dan out. It’s like he’s finally labeled, like he’s actually apart of something. He isn’t the only one. It’s oddly comforting, but at the same, time impossibly scary.
Phil walks towards one of the doors, the one to the right. He looks over his shoulder as though he is inviting Dan to follow. He does, and as Phil opens the door he realises his previous worries were correct.
It’s a bathroom, fully equipped with a decent sized shower and toilet. There are dark blue towels hanging on the towel rack, and an array of scented shower gels inside the shower mantel piece. Phil gives Dan a moment to take it all in before he is walking towards the next door.
Dan doesn’t have to guess. He know’s that him and Phil will be sharing a room together. Dan takes a step inside. The room, although decently sized, is still shared, with one bed pressed horizontally against the corners of the right and front walls. The other one is on the far left, vertically facing towards the door. There are two sets of desks in the room, a large window that they face out to. The have matching bedside tables, and two wardrobes.
Fidgeting with the hem of his shirt, he tries to soak it all in. It isn’t even the fact that for some ungodly reason he got placed with Phil, but for the fact he will also have to share a room, when he has very little control over his abilities.
“I sort of had my stuff everywhere but I've moved it all to one side. If you find some sort of adapter or something that isn't yours by your desk or what not just move it. I’m pretty sure I got everything but I was in a bit of a rush when they told me we would be sharing. So there's a chance I've probably left a few things, actually.”
Phil laughs at the end, smiling widely and friendly. It should be comforting. And maybe it sort of is. But for the most part, it does not extinguish the nerves fluttering in Dan's stomach.
For the upmost time in the past few days, he feels his ability prinkle under his skin, reacting to his emotions as he tries to desperately to keep himself in check. He takes a few calm breaths, willing himself not to lose it just yet.
Phil’s bright blue eyes soften and he looks sympathetic.
“So, I guess this is all kind of overwhelming, and I know you don’t know me or, like- basically, this school is going to help. So don’t worry. There is nothing you could do here that hasn’t been done before.”
It does put Dan’s mind to ease a little, but he still doesn’t look at Phil. Instead, he looks over to his bed. He assumes the one with the green duvet cover is Phil’s and his is the pale gray one in the corner bed.
“I’ll let you get settled.” Phil comments, “All your stuff has already been brought up, just in the closet.”
He gives one final smile before he turns away, closing the bedroom door behind him.
Dan take a few steps, collapsing onto the bed.
Instead of unpacking, he just falls asleep.
--
He naps for probably a bit too long. It’s several hours after his fallen asleep. His things are still unpacked, and he should probably clean them, or at least hang his clothes up. Dan doesn’t though. He rubs the remaining sleep from his eyes, taking in a deep breath.
He trudges out of the room, opening the door slowly.
Phil’s nowhere in sight.
It puts his mind to rest a bit. He tells himself that it shouldn’t, that this is a school designed to handle people like him. But at the same time, they don’t know what he’s capable of. Phil surely doesn't either. They might be the same age, but he’s willing to bet that Phil doesn’t randomly explode when his emotions are too high, or that there is a constant ache under his skin.
He pushes those thoughts to the side.
It’s half past seven, on the later side and he’s practically starving. He doesn’t know what time dinner is - he should probably get around to reading that manual - but Phil mentioned that the kitchens were always open before curfew, so he’s going to take his word for it and head over there to find something to eat.
It’s only a few more moments before he is out in the unfamiliar halls, trekking back through what he thinks is the correct way towards the dining wing.
It feels less weird as he enters the courtyard. There are others here now. Not too many, but enough, socialising. There's a girl blowing bubbles, literally flying out of her mouth and up into the air in different shapes. The two other girls around her laugh. The blonde one points her finger at them, a small bolt of electricity shooting out of it and hitting it dead in the center.
Dan almost stops in his tracks. He has to remind himself that this is normal.
That he can do that too.
Just like those girls, he’s a Nova.
He doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
--
It’s long gone dark when Dan finally returns to his room. He unlocks the door, taking a few steps in before closing it behind him.
“Welcome back.”
Dan jumps a little at the voice, because even if he was expecting someone, it would have been Phil.
“Chris?” Dan asks. He walks a few more steps to find Chris lounging about on the couch, TV moved to his side, and a packet of half empty chips on his lap.
Chris just grins at him before shoving a few more chips into his mouth.
“How did you...get in?”
Glancing back at the TV, Chris replies. “It’s amazing what you can do when you can break the sound barrier.”
Dan raises his eyebrow, because that doesn’t make any sense. At all.
“I’m kidding,” Chris jokes. “Your roomie let me in.”
He can’t help it, he visibly frowns. Not so much at anything in particular, just the constant reminder that he needs to get himself under control, because his family’s not around to cover for him if he actually fucks up. “Where is he?”
“I think he went somewhere with Peej. They invited me but I said I’d wait for you here. Phil offered free Netflix. And junk food. No mortal soul could resist that.”
Dan laughs, shaking his head. “Who is Peej?”
“My overly attractive roommate. It’s like the universe loves me. Or hates me, I haven't really decided yet.”
Dan physically has to stop himself from letting out a groan. Because he kind of feels exactly the same. He’s not going to tell Chris that, however.
He shrugs, “Probably a bit of both.”
Chris just shoves a few more chips in his mouth, looking like he is contemplating something, no doubt to do with his roommate. It’s then Dan realises that he doesn’t exactly know why Chris has come round to see him. Or, what he is even doing in his room in the first place.
“Is there a reason you came round?” Dan asks, and to his surprise, Chris just shakes his head. He shrugs and pats a spot next to him on the couch.
“Fate Dan. We both started at the institution at the same time, and got put in parallel rooms. Romeo and Juliet. With less making out. That’s reserved for others, unfortunately,” Chris replies with something Dan would describe as a shit eating grin. He says it in a perfectly posh british accent as well, which he has no doubtedly picked up from someone he has heard before. His usual voice is much too northern for him to have picked it up naturally.
“Right,” Dan agrees, but there's a smile on his face, because Chris is definitely crazy, and despite everything, for the first time in his life, having someone to talk to is really refreshing. Even if it is sort of unwillingly, and even if it is making him a tad uncomfortable. He has no idea what to do with himself, and though part of him wants to bolt, he doesn’t. He just stands there, stock still and unsure of himself.
Chris looks at him questionably, and it occurs to Dan that he is waiting for him to quit awkwardly lingering in the doorway and actually take the seat that was offered to him. He does, somewhat hesitantly.
“Have you read the introduction book yet?” Chris asks, offering the chip packet to Dan. Dan shakes his head. He probably should have, but this is all a little overwhelming and he’s hoping that Chris is feeling the same way. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like it.
Chris laughs, his next words putting Dan to ease. “Me neither, actually. PJ gave me a tour of the school, which is fucking ginormous, by the way. You could actually hide dead bodies on the campus and it would probably take months to find.”
“Is this the part where you reveal that you lure people in with your impeccable accents and kill them while they sleep? Because I’m pretty sure someone on campus might notice if a student suddenly goes missing, just saying.”
Chris laughs, his next sentence the perfect imitation of Hannibal Lector. “Wouldn't you like to know.”
Dan’s tempted to chuck one of the decorative pillows at him.
“That’s fucking creepy.”
Smiling, the brunette beside him looks smug, and far too pleased with himself.
They settle together after that, Dan allowing Chris to hoard Phil’s Netflix account. He mostly plays hour long comedian shows, but Dan doesn’t mind. Despite everything, he’s enjoying Chris’ company. When was the last time he hung out with anybody that wasn’t his parents?
Dan doesn’t want to think about that, and he’s trying to convince himself that he’s safe, that this isn’t as terrible an idea as it seems.
But it still isn't a good idea. Not yet, not this soon. Not after everything that's happened. No, he isn’t going to be making any friends, no matter how funny Chris is and no matter how much it seems that they might get along. They can be acquaintances though, and if Chris wants to waste his time entertaining the silent Dan, then that will be fine, so long as Chris doesn’t push for anything Dan can’t give.
It’s safer if they reserve their time together to watching stupid Netflix shows anyway, maybe doing homework together in the library if Chris turns out to be that kind of guy. Yeah, that could be good, and it is a better friend-acquaintance-ship for Dan than if Phil tried to hang out with him anyway.
From Dan’s experiences, being around the people he finds attractive never turns out well for him.
“Hey, so, Peej was telling me about this cool party they throw on the last Saturday of every month. You maybe wanna go tomorrow?” Chris suddenly suggests. Dan glances over, and bites his lip.
“Nah. I’m cool.”
Chris eyes him for a minute, and then he shrugs. “Suit yourself, then.”
--
The only real bonus about having the ability to control light, is not having to worry about a lamp. Dan's hands skim the leather bound book, hands glowing against the page and illuminating the words he wants to read.
IV- students are prohibited from using their abilities upon other students, teachers or non-novas.*
He scoffs a bit. He would of thought this was basic knowledge. It makes him wonder though, what the students did who made this rule need to be written in the first place.
V- students are not allowed to speak or demonstrate their abilities to non-novas outside of their immediate family and/or guardians.
That point almost makes him laugh. Like he's had a choice. His life has been a constant battle to keep his abilities at bay, and unfortunately, some of the time he hasn't won, if the most recent events at his other school are anything to go buy, not to mention everything else that's happened.
It makes Dan wonder though, what would happen if the school didn't find out about him, if he hadn't accepted, if he’d chosen not to come here, and continued on like he had been for the past 17 years of his life. Part of him wants to know, another part of him doesn't.
VI- students are permitted to use their abilities within the designated school zones only.
At least that explains the girls using their abilities in the courtyard outside of class.
IX- students are expected to adhere to the school schedule. No student should be out of bed after 10pm between sunday-thursday (with the exception of public holidays). A curfew of no later than 12am on weekends is permitted. Students are not allowed out of there rooms post curfew.
It's not like Dan plans on being out and about past then, but to be honest, he doesn't have the best sleep schedule. He supposes that at least if he can stay up on tumblr to 3am even if he can't go get his usual 2am snack.
The asterisk at the bottom of the page states apart from within class training. But that's not what gets his attention. It's the final remark at the end of guide.
Students who disobey the rules will be punished accordingly.
Dan reads it a few times, because what does that even mean? How does someone with abilities punish someone? Let alone accordingly. It sends a small shiver down his spine. He has doubts that detention is the only method of use when it comes to breaking some of the major rules. He hopes that's not true, but then again, how do you deter a student from using their abilities on others without some sort of serious consequence?
He places the book on top of his bedside table. The words seeping in as the glow disappears. He wraps himself up in his duvet, curling against himself and tossing until he faces the wall.
Maybe, if he feels up to it, he will ask tomorrow. Maybe.
--
It’s dark when he wakes up. He’s a bit disorientated, and it takes Dan a few moments to register what’s going on. He can feel himself burning up, feel the heat under his skin sting in a way that he swears should seer. Pushing the covers up, he struggles to breathe, and wills himself to get a grip.
Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Phil sleeping, moonlight falling onto his face from the open window.
It’s the first night this has happened in a while, when his uncontrollable urge has woken him up in the middle of the night. Beads of sweat rolls down his face. His fists clench together, press against his chest. Words chant in his head. Not here, not now.
He can feel the tears prickle in his eyes. It’s his first night and his worst fear is already coming true. His abilities restlessly prickle under his skin, warmth flowing through his body relentlessly. He tries to take deep breaths, closing his eyes and concentrating. Pleading with himself. Forcing the heat away. His right palm lights up momentarily, and Dan practically chokes. He clenches his fist tighter, the light fading away almost as quickly as it shot through.
It’s several agonizing minutes before Dan can feel his control pushing through. He settles down, jagged breaths becoming more even as the heat dissipates. His head flops back against the bedframe, exhaustion rushing over his body. He can feel his energy slipping away, the internal struggle zapping all the fight from him.
He slinks down, sheets engulfing him once again. Darkness surrounds him, guiding him back to sleep. So quickly, that he doesn’t process the pair of blue eyes looking straight at him.
Link to chapter 4: Glow
