=Normal POV=
[Saturday, 9/22/2018; 6:35 pm]
[Berk; Forger/Haddock House]

It had started as a promising night hanging at Hayden's house for a sleepover, and now, two hours later, Hayden was scared and upset, crying in Trayden's arms on the couch. No one was sure if Hayden would want to continue the sleepover, but it hardly mattered; they had stayed thus far to offer any kind of support or comfort. It seemed Trayden had this under control while the rest sat around and whispered questions to Trayden about what they could do. Trayden's only response was a silent; let him get it out. The friends understood; it was best to let Hayden release his emotions instead of holding them in and letting the pain consume him. Mindy had been watching the food that Hayden started before Brad showed up; she only had to set the pans in the 350-degree oven to bake, there was about five minute left on it.

Hayden's cries became softer like whimpers, sniffling still, but remaining in Trayden's arms. "Ssh…The bad man is gone, and you're safe…I've got you…" Trayden soothed. Hayden sat up a few moments later, coughing a few time and wiping his eyes as Gabriel seemed to return after speaking with Vincent.

"Are ya alright, lad?" Gabriel asked, sitting down next to Hayden and putting a hand on his back. Surprisingly, Hayden nodded.

"I-Is he g-gone?" Hayden croaked out.

"Yes, Chief Grimborn is taking him to the Berk Police Department and placing Bradley in lock up for the night. By tomorrow he'll be taken to Archian City, but all of ya can go to Berk PD to give your statements," Gabriel informed.

"We'll go in the morning together," Katie stated.

"And with the video, plus being witnesses; I don't think he's stupid enough to try and plead not guilty," Syrus added. "Don't worry, cuz," he added.

"We'll put him away like we put Olivia away," Bryan mentioned.

"Technically, Hayden put her away being the victim," Alicia rolled her eyes. Hayden hated that word; victim. "He had to tell the judge and jury everything Olivia did in the two months he was living there; this would be no different,"

"Can we just stop talking about it, please?" Hayden desperately asked. Trayden shook his head to the others, a way of telling them to stop before Hayden broke down again. Hayden got up and moved into the kitchen as the oven beeped and he pulled out the two large glass pans and set them on the stove top to cook a bit while powering off the oven and flipping on the overhead fans to cool off the basement.

Hayden set his elbows on the counter as he leaned over the sink and with his face in his hands, raking his hands back a bit into his auburn hair and grabbing it. Hayden's forehead was still on the edge of his palms, though. Hayden was breathing heavy, trying to calm down and keep himself from either falling into a flashback or panic attack. Hayden jerked a bit as if he were going to throw up, but held it back and swallowed.

"He's too upset; it's making him sick," Gabriel frowned. "This is my fault; I shouldn't have let Brad in. Something didn't feel right when I saw him,"

"Why did you let him in?" Trayden asked.

"I didn't know it was him. He showed with blonde hair and green eyes, saying he was a friend of Hayden's. I guess it was a wig and contacts that he took off on the stairs coming down after I walked away…" Gabriel sighed.

"And now Hayden has to deal with court again," Mindy said softly.

"Maybe not," Trayden mentioned. "Unlike with Olivia; we have the video, which was obtained legally this time with Hayden telling me what Bradley has done. We have witnesses who all saw the same thing. And Bradley attacked Hayden after being cornered. Also, and it could happen; Hayden said Olivia knew Bradley did these things, and she might testify against him," Trayden explained.

"Yeah, you're right; this could go a lot faster with all that. Or if Brad pleads guilty," Alyssa nodded.

"Why…Why won't it stop?..." Hayden asked quietly to himself out loud. "No matter what I do…I can't get away from it," he sighed sadly. "It's supposed to be my life, and my past won't let me live it my way…Why do I keep trying…Why do I keep believing things are ever going to be okay?..."

"Hayden, don't talk like that!" Gabriel said firmly. Hayden never answered him because his head was still down. Trayden knew Hayden was upset, but it seemed like he was retreating from all the progress he'd made in the last year since coming to Berk High School. Trayden knew that Hayden didn't want to die; he was just frustrated with everything and wanted it to stop. These thoughts didn't make sense; they were suicidal and came on within forty-five minutes. Hayden was smiling, happy, having a blast up until about 5:45 pm when Brad showed up.

However, that whole situation only lasted ten minutes before Brad was arrested and removed. Hayden broke down in Trayden's arms from about 6 pm to 6:30 pm. Trayden's eyes widened, checking his watch and realizing what time it was.

"Gabriel, it's not his fault. Hayden's past due for his second pill!" Trayden told the worried Godfather instantly.

"Shit, you're right…" Gabriel quickly hurried upstairs while Trayden moved next to Hayden.

"Hayden…Hey…It's alright. Come on," Trayden made Hayden look at him now. "Everything is okay. I promise that it is, and you know you can trust me. I'm your best friend, and I've kept you safe as I said I would. I've been by your side as I said I would be," Hayden had tears falling from his eyes again. "You can't give in or give up…You're here for a reason, and maybe I don't know what that is…But I do know that you'll never figure it out if you end things now,"

Gabriel returned with a water bottom and Hayden's pill in his hand, watching how Trayden was keeping Hayden focused on him. "I don't want to give up…I just want this stuff to stop. I start at a new school, and Olivia comes back. Finally feeling better, and now him…" Hayden sighed.

"I know. I know that sucks and it hurts you, but Hayden…Try to see things differently. Yes, they came back into your life, but you didn't just sit there and take it. You refused Olivia and Bradley. You wouldn't take their abuse; despite their threats of what they'd do if you didn't. And the most significant thing you did was speak up instead of staying quiet and letting them get away with it," Trayden told him.

"You made me…" Hayden mumbled.

"No…No, I advised that you tell me, but I did not make you. You could have said no, or refused to tell when asked. You CHOSE to talk, Hayden. You chose to trust me, and my words that I would not let harm befall you. I asked you to tell me the truth so that I could help you, protect you. The decision to speak was yours. All I did was show up, assure you things would be alright, and called the cops. You did the rest," Trayden informed.

"Most all, tonight; you didn't give in and let fear control you against Brad. You might have been scared, but you didn't let it take over. You told Brad precisely why you wouldn't take him back, and he showed his true colors in front of everyone. He only attacked you to try to regain control over you when you refused to do as he said willingly," Trayden added.

"You still had to save me…" Hayden muttered.

"Is that such a bad thing? Nobody saved you a year ago, and I promised last January that I would. The minute he tried; I stepped in," Trayden smiled a little. "But Hayden, it was all you before I stopped his hand. You didn't freeze in fear; you didn't do as he said; you told him to screw off. You didn't let fear win,"

"He still kissed me…" Hayden looked down.

"And Marcus kissed me in the locker room," Trayden said, forgetting everyone else was there.

"WHAT?!" The others yelled.

"And I forgot it wasn't just us…" Trayden sighed. "Oh, whatever…Anyway…Hayden, who cares if he kissed you? You shoved him off instantly and didn't let him near you again. Same as I did with Marcus, and hey…This too; when Marcus got physical with me, you stepped in and made him stop. Besides, those kisses are just them trying to reel us back in, reignite something that used to be there. I pushed away Marcus because I'm over him, and same with you for Brad. Consider it…Moving on," Trayden smiled.

"I…Guess I never really thought of it that way before," Hayden admitted.

"I never expected you to stand against a bully and fight for me…I guess we protect each other because we're best friends," Trayden offered. "So it's okay. Everything is fine. We're both stuck dealing with people from our past, and I think as long as we stick together with the rest of our friends; we're gonna be alright," Trayden wiped Hayden's cheeks with his thumbs, kissing his nose; then his forehead, which made Hayden blush a little. "Come on…Gimme a smile? You're much cuter with one of those," Trayden tried. Hayden sniffled a little bit, but he couldn't stay upset. Hayden cracked a smile to Trayden; then hugged him tightly.

"Thank you…" Hayden said softly. Trayden hugged Hayden back.

"You're welcome," Trayden replied. "So, we still doing this sleepover? We can go right back to having fun…I promise and do I ever not keep mine?"

"No…" Hayden replied. "Okay…B-But I don't want to talk about what happened tonight…" he said quickly.

"Talk about what?" Alicia smiled.

"Yeah, what happened?" Ford shrugged.

"We're just playing a game," Tyler said.

"And waiting for that delicious dinner you promised," Hailey added.

"It smells and looks great!" Katie beamed.

"What is it?" Trayden inquired.

"Um…Shepard's Pie? Ground beef, corn, and mashed potatoes with a layer of cheese on top?" Hayden replied. He knew what they were doing, but did they not know what he made for dinner?

"Here, lad," Gabriel handed Hayden the pill, which he took without the water. "Made your father's recipe, didn't you?" the man asked now. Hayden nodded slowly, still sadly, though.

"Well, go on; eat," Hayden invited as he headed for the stairs.

"Hey, where are you going?" Alyssa wondered.

Hayden didn't answer; he walked up the stairs and went to sit in the backyard. Hayden pulled up one of the chairs, got a few pieces of paper and thin sticks. Hayden got things set up in the fire pit and grabbed the grill lighter to spark things and get a small fire going. Hayden added a few bigger logs and sat on the edge of the chair with his arms on his legs and hands connected in the middle while staring into the slightly growing flames. Hayden sighed, closing his eyes and lowering his head.

. . .

[7:15 pm]

After some time, Hayden came back inside, but he was soaking wet. "Uh? Swim much?" Tyler wondered.

"Haha, very funny…No, it started downpouring," Hayden rolled his eyes as he moved in front of the TV and knelt down to open the bottom drawer of the flat-top entertainment center. Hayden pulled out a pair of sweatpants and a shirt; then he closed the drawer and moved into the half bathroom to change. Five minutes later, Hayden came out wearing black shorts and a green long-sleeve; this was probably the first time Hayden had worn shorts around them.

"That needs replacing, kiddo," Gabriel stated, motioning to the prosthetic. "You'd had that one since you were 16,"

"Yeah…I know," Hayden sighed. "I'm honestly surprised it hasn't broken yet," he shrugged, walking towards the kitchen. After only five steps, as if luck wasn't on Hayden's side tonight; the prosthetic gave away; snapping and Hayden falling forward.

"Hayden!" Trayden got in front of Hayden and stepped the fall.

"And the hits just keep coming," Hayden muttered. "Can you help me to the couch?" Trayden helped Hayden to the edge of the U-shaped couch. Once Hayden was sitting down he took the prosthetic off and inspected it. "Yeah…There's no fixing that one…It's toast," Hayden sighed.

"I told you to make an appointment to get a replacement," Gabriel reminded.

"You know I hate that office. It's the same stuff…Do this, do that…They can never just take the measurements and build the leg. It's why I put it off for so long, well, aside from the foster care nonsense…I just wanna go in, and leave…Not do more physical therapy…It's irritating. I did most of the work on my own anyway," Hayden grumbled.

"The sad part is I knew you were gonna say that…" Gabriel stated as he headed upstairs; then returned a few minutes later holding a wrapped box. "Your prosthetic would have lasted a little longer had you been easier on it. Now, this was supposed to be a Christmas present, but since you need it now…" he handed it over to Hayden, who blinked but tore off the paper and opened the top of the box, pulling something out. As it came out more; the reveal was a brand new prosthetic leg.

"Alright…Who's leg did you take for me to get this?" Hayden asked.

Gabriel bonked Hayden on the head. "Listen, I don't go around cutting random legs off. That's a prosthetic for you to use. Same general build as your old one, but stronger, and lifelike. It's water-resistant, and it matches your skin tone too. It slips right on and padded for comfort. Also, it will bend at the knee, and ankle with a full range of motion; as if it were a real leg," Gabriel explained.

"But…How?" Hayden asked. "These…Only get built after an in-office visit, and they take months…"

"I called in a favor to a friend from the military, someone who works at the veteran's hospital in the city and does this kind of thing for a living; creating lifelike prosthetics for amputee service members. She told me she was bored and I gave her a project to make my Godson a lifelike left leg prosthetic; it came in last week, but I commissioned it after you told me you were having phantom pains and the leg was starting to give out at random. I think that was June…" Gabriel stated gently.

Hayden slipped the leg on and made sure it was secure before setting it down, flat on the floor. "How's it feel?" Ford asked. Hayden didn't reply right away, after bending his leg a few times; he stood up and found his balance before taking a cautious step. Finding no problem or discomfort; Hayden continued to walk around and smile.

"It's like I never lost my leg…" Hayden said before hugging Gabriel tightly. "Thank you!"

Gabriel laughed a little and hugged him back. "You're welcome, laddie. But promise me you'll be careful with it?"

"Promise!" Hayden nodded.

"Good, lad. Now, go on and have fun with your friends. I'm heading upstairs. Oh, and by the way…That Shepard's Pie you made," Gabriel paused as Hayden looked at him. "Just like your old man's," he smiled.

"Re-Really?" Hayden asked. "I-I did it right?"

"Inherited his ability to cook, unlike your mother. Good Odin…She couldn't cook to save her life," Gabriel nodded.

Hayden laughed. "I'm surprised I'm still alive with some of her meals," Suddenly, there was a crack of lightning, followed by the loud boom of thunder as the lights started flickering.

"I think we just invoked the wrath of your mother, laddie," Gabriel warned.

"Alright, alright! You win; I'm sorry! I love you…" Hayden said quickly. The lights stabilized as he breathed a sigh of relief. Gabriel ruffled Hayden's hair; then he went upstairs. Hayden moved into the kitchen, getting himself a plate of dinner, heating it in the microwave; then sitting down on the couch to enjoy it.

"It was good," Hailey smiled.

"Thanks…" Hayden replied while taking a few bites. "So, what now?" he wondered.

"Oh! I have an idea…" Alyssa started. "Maybe we can talk about Marcus Knight kissing you in the locker room, Trayden?"

Trayden's eyes widened a little, looking off to the side. "Alyssa, back off him; it's none of your business," Hayden mentioned.

"No…No, Hayden; it's okay. I…Shouldn't have hidden it in the first place," Trayden admitted.

"What…Did you hide from us?" Rylee inquired.

Trayden sighed. "Marcus and I used to date…"

"WHAT?!" the friends gasped.

"He's not even gay or bisexual!" Bryan said now.

"That's what he wants you to believe, but he's gay because we were together for about a year and a half…" Trayden confessed. "It started in Freshman Year; he asked me out, and I said yes, so we started a relationship. We kept things quiet in the beginning to enjoy us,"

"And…After a while; you decided not to say anything?" Mindy questioned.

"It was more for Marcus than me; I don't think he wanted anyone knowing he sexual orientation. Anyway…We dated from the beginning of Freshman Year to the end of Sophomore…" Trayden continued.

"You dated him for almost two years?!" a few gasped.

"Would you all stop yelling and let him talk? Geeze…" Hayden grumbled. The friends were quiet as Hayden put his hand on Trayden's shoulder. "First of all; you didn't even know Trayden was gay around this point; he didn't tell you until he was 16, so back off him. You wanted to know, so let him speak. Go ahead, Tray" he urged gently.

"At…The end of Sophomore…We had sex…" Trayden paused. "It was only the one time…And then a couple of weeks into Summer; he said things weren't working out between us, and broke up with me. Since then, he parades around the school pretending to be straight, and always giving me a hard time…After we broke up, and I took the Summer to get over it; I told you guys at the start of Junior Year about being gay. I…Never mentioned Marcus because it was over with, and I wanted to put it behind me,"

"We're…Sorry we harped on you. I can't believe Marcus did that; it's like he used you," Alyssa said, feeling guilty.

"He…Did use me. All of it, the entire relationship for almost two years was so that he could work his way into sleeping with me. And after that; things ended. He had no use for me once he got what he wanted," Trayden shrugged.

"But what's all this about the locker room?" Devon asked.

"It happened on Alicia's birthday, the 10th…After we won the baseball game and had gotten into the locker rooms to change. Marcus inserted himself in my stall to be a pain in my ass; he kissed me, taunted me. I shoved him out, and his last remark is that he'd always have something I can't give to someone else; my virginity," Trayden looked down. "Can we…Maybe stop talking about this?"

"Of course," Hayden said, eyeing the others to leave it be and pick another topic to talk about. However, the friends stalled on an idea. Hayden rolled his eyes as he lifted Trayden's cheek. "Come on, don't be down? Maybe I can take your mind off him?"

"Pray tell how you'll manage that?" Trayden asked. Hayden giggled as he leaned in and kissed Trayden on the lips. The friends' eyes widened because this wasn't just a peck or anything light. Hayden's lips were full on Trayden's, and seconds after it started; Trayden kissed him back. The two stayed like that for almost a minute, and there was tongue involved, which meant the kiss was much deeper. The kiss ended as Hayden blushed a little.

"Still thinking about him?" Hayden asked.

Trayden blinked a few times. "Thinking about who?" he inquired. Hayden sat back, relaxing now.

"Told you I could take your mind off it," Hayden shrugged. Trayden chuckled, and he couldn't believe that Hayden kissed him, and let it go a bit deeper. The friends didn't know what to make of it. Were Hayden and Trayden dating? Had Hayden figured out his feelings? Nothing made sense.

"Can we do it again?" Trayden grinned.

"Don't push it," Hayden said seriously, then smiled. "But maybe if you're good," he teased.

"Oh, I'll be on my best behavior then," Trayden stated. Hayden shook his head, chucking as Trayden sat back and Hayden sort of leaned over and laid on his shoulder. Trayden adjusted and brought his arm up and around Hayden's shoulder, "Better?" Hayden nodded. "What are you all staring at? Go play a game or watch TV," he said. Deciding to invoke anyone's anger; they left it alone and would likely just watch for the rest of the night to hopefully get an idea of what was happening between their two gay friends.