Loves Twist

Disclaimer: Frasier is property of someone else and it is not mine. I write to entertain and do not intend to make profit off this work.

Pairings: Niles/Fraiser friendship, Niles/Daphne. Frasier/Roz friendship

Warnings: gay character, gay frasier, Bi frasier, bi character, gay outting, homophobia, homophobic Martin, depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, distress, redefining of self

AN: Set after Fraiser gets outted on the radio. Fraiser wonders if he may actually be gay. This changes his life forever.

Roz had been busy all afternoon. She gathered up the hate mail and made a copy of the tapes where Fraiser had been outted and abused. Evidence. For what she didn't know but it seemed important.

She took a photo of his car before organising that to be cleaned.

She had been fielding personal calls for Fraiser in the meantime. More support and more hate. As expected. Though she did get a lawyer calling to offer their services free. Even if the lawyer was just after the fame, she kept that number.

She was just so outraged. Getting the radio station to resolve their part in the situation was only one part. What else could she do with this burning anger? Was looking for targets even the best solution here?

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Meanwhile Niles was looking after his brother. Frasier had calmed down but seemed abnormally quiet...even for his thinking mood. Niles could only guess at what had disturbed his brother.

Finally he could stand it no longer. He decided to just ask.

Frasier was sitting in bed, in deep thought, looking throughly dejected and unhappy. His thoughts must be less than amusing. Niles knew he had to get Frasier talking. "Frasier, I understand the circumstances are unsettling but I am having a hard time understanding why you are so upset. Can I ask you something?" he started carefully.

His brother frowned at him but didn't object.

"Are you gay?" Niles just asked.

Frasier didn't out right reject the idea...though he looked uncomfortable. "I wish I knew. I'm not even sure I want to explore the idea. Is it so really such a bad thing?" he answered contemplatively.

Niles hadn't expected it but he supposed they had ample evidence to suggest so. "I don't think exploring your identity is a bad idea. I understand how it may be hard to rethink who you are, to redefine yourself after all your marriages and girl friends. And I don't believe loving a man makes you a bad person. Some do but is someones disapproval worth holding up your life?" he answered after some thought.

Frasier nodded. His brother was right of course. "Its just so frightening." he replied.

Niles felt empathy for his brother. He had found redefining himself difficult after Maris. No longer married, no longer part of high society and no longer attached. It had taken him time to adjust and start dating again. The process had been painful. Though the relief at the end had been worth it.

"Will you help me if I try to do this?" Frasier asked, looking vulnerable.

Niles answered without pause. "After you helped me get over Maris, its the least I can do." he assured.

Frasier looked far more relaxed, though he had gone silent again.

Niles didn't know where to start. What exercises would help? Would it help to explore childhood? Or maybe see if any relatives were gay? These things were genetic. "Shall we get lunch at our favourite cafe?" he asked.

Frasier smiled at that idea. "I'll get dressed." he said.

It seemed to be going well. Both brothers relaxed in the familiar environment.

Niles figured this was as good a time as any to suggest it. "I think we should ask Dad if anyone else in the family was the same way?" he said casually.

Frasier froze but seemed to think it over. "It seems logical but you know how he feels about these things. Are you sure he won't find out what your really asking?" he replied.

"Maybe. Its not exactly a secret. But he wouldn't hurt his son. It will be a different case entirely." he assured his brother. Though he did fear what would happen if he was incorrect. Though surely his father wouldn't reject his son?

Frasier nodded in agreement. "Your right.".