Danny wiped his face free of tears as he let out a shaky breath. There was so much swimming in his head; everything from the time he'd been found under Tom's bed, to right now as he contemplated why he was even still here. With doubts on his mind he got up and walked out of the bedroom, downstairs. He quietly made his way over to the living room but stopped when he got just outside the door.
"...You actually think that it's ok Tom is gonna keep him around?" Dougie gasped.
"Yeah, your point?" Harry replied.
"My point! Do I even have to make a point, just look at Tom!" Dougie growled.
"Listen, Dougie, we can work things out..." Tom said.
"No we can't," Dougie spat.
"Why can't we?" Tom asked, his voice thick with hurt.
"Because he is up to know good...I can just tell," Dougie sneered.
"But..." Tom was cut off.
"No buts Tom...It's me or him," Dougie said definitely.
"What? No..." Tom said weakly. He could feel the colouring draining from his face in shock.
"Me or him," Dougie repeated as he stood up. Tom couldn't answer he was unable to believe what he was hearing. Dougie was starting to walk away and Tom, as he winced in pain, pushed himself off of the couch and followed him. He came out of the living room to see Dougie at the door.
"Please don't make me choose between my best friend and my lover," Tom pleaded. Dougie just shook his head and opened the door. Tom gasped when Dougie opened the door. Danny was standing out on the footpath, turning around at the sound of the door opening.
"What are you doing?" Tom yelled out.
"You don't have to choose now!" Danny yelled back and he started to walk away. Tom felt his heart skip several beats. Danny had heard what Dougie had said and now he was leaving. Tom felt anger bubble; he wanted to yell at Dougie for making Danny leave. He didn't have to, Harry had already pulled Dougie back inside and his voice was raised. When Tom looked out for Danny he wasn't in sight. With his mind set he fled from the house and out onto the footpath. He saw Danny walking away and in an instant his legs were carrying him fast towards Danny. Every step made pain shoot through his sides but he didn't care. He'd ran after Danny before, he was doing it again and he knew he would continue to run after him until he came home and stayed for good. Relieved that he was almost near Danny he stopped running. Danny turned to look at Tom who had doubled over while catching his breath.
"I am not..." Tom stopped as he straightened and looked at Danny. "..Choosing between you two,"
"You don't want to...But you'll have to," Danny sighed.
"I'm not choosing Danny..." Tom said. "And you're coming back with me whether you like it or not,"
"I can't..." Danny said.
"Why not?" Tom asked preparing to grab Danny and carry him, or more likely, drag him home.
"Because Dougie is there and it will only cause problems," Danny said, averting his eyes away from Tom, feeling embarrassed that he made such awkward situations.
"I'm sure Harry will have spoken to him and fixed things by the time we walk back," Tom said before taking Danny's hand and started to walk. Danny followed Tom back to his house and when they stepped inside they only heard silence. Tom knew that Harry and Dougie had not left because their car was still parked in the driveway.
"Where are they?" Danny whispered. Tom shrugged his shoulders and, still holding Danny's hand, walked over to the living room door. When he looked in he saw Harry and Dougie. They were sitting on the couch; Harry had his arms wrapped around Dougie. Dougie was holding onto Harry, his face buried in his chest.
"Everything alright?" Tom asked from the doorway.
"Yeah..." Harry replied. Then he pulled Dougie away from his chest, cupped his face and wiped a tear away with his thumb. "Let's go home,"
"Ok," Dougie whispered.
"I'll ring you later," Harry said to Tom as he and Dougie walked to the front door. Then they were gone. Danny took his hand from Tom's and sighed. Tom looked to Danny and saw a nervous look on his face.
"What is it?" Tom asked.
"Nothing...I just..." Danny stopped, looked down at his feet, played with the hem of his shirt.
"You what?" Tom asked, putting his hand on Danny's cheek making him look up.
"Look at all the trouble I've caused...You're hurt, your best friend is mad at you, and now I'm just one another person for you to look after...I'm not worth your worry and kindness," Danny said.
"But you are worth everything I have to give, Danny!" Tom exclaimed. "And all of those other things...Well; they're just bumps along the way,"
"Tom..." Danny whispered. Somehow whenever Tom spoke to Danny he felt so loved, so special. He didn't know how Tom did it, how his words were like magic and made him feel like a different, better person. He moved a step forward and pressed his lips to Tom's. He could feel the tears coming. Everything was becoming just too much and it was overwhelming. Danny wrapped his arms around Tom's waist, holding on as if there was no tomorrow. Tom reached up, wrapped his arms around Danny's neck and deepened the kiss. There was something so loving about the kiss that both of them never wanted it to end. Tom felt Danny take in a shuttered breath and realised that he was crying. He moved his hands to wipe Danny's face, all the while still kissing. Then trailed his hands down to Danny's shoulders, down his arms then back up, and then he was move his hands up and down Danny's sides. Tom stopped with his hands on Danny's hips. He gave Danny one last deep kiss before pulling back.
"I love you, and don't you ever forget that," Tom said.
"I won't," Danny said. A smile was plastered to Tom's face, he wanted to jump up and down and dance and sing with excitement. Danny was actually starting to trust him and believe him.
"Good..." Tom smiled. "Now...How about we make you really feel like you're home,"
