Monday, early evening

     Daniel wanted to hold Frey's hand, squeeze it to comfort him with the knowledge he was right by his side.

He wanted to put his arms around the boy, hug him tightly, and protect him for whatever painful things his mother could tell him—if she would still stubbornly try to deny the fact Frey had a Bipolar Disorder.

He wanted to kiss his cheek, or his soft lips, to let him know how much he liked him, even though he had a troubled mind. That he was perfect just the way he was. Even the parts that Daniel previously claimed to dislike. The big mouthed, loud and wordy Frey that acted as if he was king of the world and they all should bend for him and kiss the floor he walked on.

But now that he knew what exactly caused Frey's troubled mind, he knew Frey couldn't control that side to him. He couldn't fight it, because he really felt it at times. Frey believed he was king of the world, because he was hypomanic at times, and his mind would simply play tricks on Frey himself.

Daniel wanted to help him so badly, knowing he couldn't do anything besides support him.

Which was one of the reasons he went home with Frey, even if his mother had no knowledge of their relationship, or probably even the fact Frey was into guys.

It would've made way more sense if Frey would've taken Arun with him, but it was too late to back out.

It was no surprise at all when his mother had finished suffocating Frey in hugs and covering him in kisses, that she turned to face him with a confused frown.

"And who is this?" She asked—obviously addressing Frey—while sending him a bit of a displeased look.

"This is Daniel Quinn... he's eh... one of my best friends."

"What about Arun? I like Arun, he knows how to keep you calm and on the right path." His mother clearly wanted him out, but Daniel ignored her.

Frey wanted him here, and that was all he needed to know. As long as Frey wouldn't send him away, he was there to stay right by his side.

"Yeah. Arun is still my best friend." Frey shrugged, and his mother ushered him to walk into the kitchen, Daniel following suit in silence. "But we're not here to talk about my friends."

"What do you want to talk about?"

"My Bipolar Disorder."

"Oh... well... I sort of promised your father not to talk about it with you."

"Wha—why?"

"Because your father and I disagree, and he thinks I upset you by stating my opinion. Apparently, I'm not allowed to have an opinion."

Frey's mother acted hurt—as if she was the one who was being belittled. But Daniel instantly recognised the woman Frey had described so many times before, in the woman in front of them.

They hadn't even taken a seat or Frey was already shaking, and Daniel saw he was confused, and actually hurt.

"What do you mean, opinion?" Frey eventually spat out, and Daniel quickly slid in a chair next to him to grab his hand comfortingly; trying to calm him down.

"In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with you. And you most certainly don't need medication that'll ruin your body..."

"You can't just say that you think nothing his wrong, and than expect everyone to blindly follow you and your plans." Frey grumbled, rolling his eyes. Daniel knew, if his mother wouldn't tone down quickly, Frey would leave without making amends with her. And Daniel really wanted the two of them to realise how valuable their relationship is, and the fact neither of them is terminally ill.

"I'm not saying you don't have a disorder. I'm just saying it doesn't mean there's anything wrong."

Daniel started to feel confused, since Frey's mother didn't seem to understand what a Bipolar Disorder meant. What it did to Frey, and how medication could help him.

Not that he knew everything about it, but he knew enough to know Frey couldn't just continue his life the way he previously had.

"Mom..." Frey sighed, and he seemed to feel defeated. As if in that exact moment, he gave up on trying to convince his mother that she was wrong. "I need things to change. Not just... me. But you too. I'm... I have changed. I'm still changing..." Frey seemed to struggle with his words, and he sounded insecure.

Big worthy, loud Frey was nowhere to be found.

"What Frey is trying to say, is that he's changing, becoming an even better version of himself. And he wants you to support him, not... belittle him."

"Excuse me?" Frey's mother frowned, sending him a look he knew all to well; she thought he wasn't worth anything.

He saw the way she took him in, his old worn-off clothes, his messy hair.

"I do not belittle my son. I protect him... you..." She turned back to Frey. "What do you think people will say when you're mentally ill? Do you think they'll give you job? Want to be your friend? Want to marry you?"

"I do." Daniel snapped, and Frey's face flushed, causing Daniel to realise his mistake. "I'd be his friend, no matter what." He hurriedly said to his mother. "He has a job. He has plenty of girls who want to be with him."

"It doesn't even matter what other's think." Frey whispered, his head dipped low. "It matters what my parents think. And it... I can't deal with you any longer. Not like this." He looked up, with new lights in his eyes. "If you won't accept me the way I am, and the fact I need help, then we're done. I don't care you're my mother. I don't need you any longer." He stood up, and he grabbed Daniel's arm to pull him up with him. "We're leaving."

"Frey, for once act like an adult, sit down and talk." His mother had gotten up too, but Frey was still pulling Daniel along towards the front door.

"Frey?" Daniel hesitantly asked. "Are you sure...?"

"We're leaving." Frey simply stated, pulling the front door open. "I can't do this right now." Frey turned and that's when Daniel noticed the watery eyes.

He couldn't try to talk Frey into staying, not when he was that affected by his mother's words. So, he nodded, and followed him outside, his mother appearing behind them in the door opening.

"Frey!"

"No, mom." Frey swirled around. "You really hurt my feelings, you know? Your words are like venom, because you are my mother, and I just for once would like you to help me, instead of help yourself and your false perfect image." Frey took a deep breath, and Daniel felt his hand slide in his own. "By the way, Daniel is my boyfriend. Not just a friend." And with those words, Frey turned—further ignoring his mother.

Not that she had said another word after the shocking truth Frey so casually revealed.

But Daniel couldn't fight a smirk on his face; a proud one. For Frey had called him his boyfriend, and it felt good.

     Daniel had gone home with Frey and waited for him to fall asleep after taking his medication, before he went out to pick up Hannah, and wait for Jenna to come over and talk.

He wasn't really in the mood to talk to Jenna after she had been so jealous, she had hurt his feelings, but they had been best friends for so long that he simply couldn't turn her down.

"Can I stay up to see Jenna?" Hannah asked with sleepy eyes, rubbing them while supressing a yawn.

"Says she who can't fight her sleep." Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. "Not on a school night sweety. And remember, tomorrow we're visiting mom."

"Is she coming home soon again?"

"I hope so." Daniel sighed and pushed her towards the stairs. "Now, up you go, brush your teeth."

"I want to shower first..."

"There's no hot water until tomorrow, I paid the bill late, I'm sorry."

"Oh, but..." She grabbed a lost stray of hair with a disgusted face. "My hair is all dirty and I smell. What if my friends notice?"

"Okay, I'll warm up some water, but no playing around, okay? You need to go to bed."

Hannah nodded eagerly, and ran upstairs to brush her teeth, while Daniel grabbed the water boiler and went after her.

He had simply forgotten about the bills after he got the letter about their father's death. He still hadn't told anyone but Mitchel, and since he threw out Mitchel last week he had only received whiny messages that he wanted to see him again.

It was a bit of a mess, and Hannah was the victim; not having hot—or even remotely warm—water to shower.

He warmed up enough water to get it to a temperature Hannah didn't think was too cold, and helped her to wash her hair, before he left her alone to clean herself up in the privacy of the bathroom.

By then, the doorbell rang, and Daniel hurried down to let Jenna in.

"I'm putting Hannah to bed. You can wait in the living room."

"I could help put her to bed." Jenna offered, stepping inside. Much to Daniel's pleasing she wasn't annoyed that he hadn't really greeted her.

"Just... no. Wait in the living room." Daniel sent her off, before hurrying upstairs again and tell Hannah to wrap things up.

He tucked her into bed, read her a quick bedtime story, and pecked a kiss on her head, wanting to go downstairs, talk to Jenna, send her out and go to bed. He felt exhausted.

"good night little sweety pie." He teased Hannah, who giggled and stuck out her tongue. "Sweet dreams. Fly safe."

She giggled again, rolled over and closed her eyes.

Daniel smiled and waited for a short while, before he eventually went down to face Jenna, who was nervously fiddling with her coat. She had taken it off before he went upstairs, but it was freezing cold in their house, and she had put her coat on again.

"Are you struggling to pay bills again?" She asked with a small voice.

"I forgot. They're paid now." Daniel shrugged, sitting down after grabbing a blanket. "What did you want to tell?"

"Well... ehm..." Jenna cleared her throat, shuffling in her seat a bit. "I did something... shitty... Because I... I didn't want you and Frey to date."

"What did you do?" Daniel frowned. He knew she was jealous. He just didn't know she wanted to prevent them from actual dating.

"Well... at first I figured if you slept with him, I should do too..."

"Wait, what? You slept with Frey?"

"No." Jenna groaned, lolling her head forwards. "I wanted to, but he didn't... Why didn't he want me, Danny? Am I that ugly?"

"You're not ugly, Jenna. You're just... not what Frey wants." Daniel sighed, annoyed because Jenna's insecurity made him feel bad. He knew how traumatized she was because of Robby, and this wasn't helping her either. "What did you do?" He asked again, wanting to distract her from Frey apparently turning her down—which made him feel warm and giddy because Frey actually turned someone down for him.

"I paid Mitchel to try and win you back. I told him what you hated about him and told him to change those things."

"I knew something was up." Daniel grumbled, bawling his fists. "Mitchel couldn't be that nice out of the blue. But to know you fucking paid him..." Daniel snapped his head up to look at Jenna. "Why, Jenna?"

"Because I figured if he would keep you occupied, Frey would have more time for me and..."

"You're a selfish bitch, Jenna." Daniel hissed, anger taking control of him. "You already had Frey's full attention. I couldn't even once spend time alone with him..."

"You did! You had sex with him..."

"So I was alone with him oncein all that time, Jenna. Because I only spoke to him with Hannah present, or you, or really anybody. Because whenever he had time to spare, you were there demanding his attention."

"I know!" Jenna cried out loudly. "I'm so fucking sorry for everything. I get it now. Frey wants you, Danny. He's in love with you..."

"I know. We're... well, not together... but yeah, he confessed his feelings and I did too. And it would be great if you, for once, could be happy for me."

"I am, I really am. Which is why I told Mitchel to stop bothering you. I know I shouldn't even have paid him to begin with but... I am sorry, Danny. And nothing matters more to me than our friendship."

"I know you wouldn't lie, and I'm glad you confessed what you did. But that doesn't mean everything is back to okay again."

"But you do forgive me?"

"Jen, you are my best friend, and that won't just change. But I will need time to forgive you. I... I want you to leave... and—and... I want to focus on Frey for now."

"But..."

"No, Jen. You did this yourself. Don't try to guilt trip me into forgiving you. I just need time."

"Okay..." Jenna sighed and got up from the couch. "Just... let me know if you need help with anything. I don't want you to struggle while I could do anything to help."

"I will." Daniel nodded. "I promise."

Words: +/- 2269

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