=Troy's POV=

(Friday, April 5, 2019)

[Raseri Household]

If Hayden's night out with Gabriel hadn't been bad enough after an encounter with his parents that must have gone wrong, I didn't know because Hayden didn't want to talk about it; Hayden ended up with food poisoning. I had my mother take a look at him the next morning before she left for work. Hayden didn't get much sleep due to being super uncomfortable, and throwing up every thirty to sixty minutes through the night. I woke up around 3:35 am to Hayden scrambling out of the bedroom and through the central downstairs living room that Cole and I shared to get to the bathroom. I got up to check on him and Hayden said he'd been getting up at random between half an hour to an hour. I felt horrible, but what could I do? I didn't even know what was causing all this. I barely got any sleep myself because I was worried about Hayden, so I asked my mother if she'd take a look at Hayden the next morning on the 4th. My mother confirmed from the general timeline of symptoms Hayden was showing; he must have food poisoning from something Hayden had at dinner with Gabriel. This prompted Rachel to phone Gabriel and ask him what Hayden had for supper, which was a Ceaser Salad and then Chicken Parmigiana. Rachel informed that the cause could have been either meal or possibly both.

Most of April 4th was Hayden puking, feverish, headache, abdominal pains, slight dehydration, and what started at the twelve-hour mark, diarrhea around 9 am. Poor Hayden barely kept water down, but it was enough that he wouldn't get worse with severe dehydration which is what my mom warned might happen. I got charged with keeping an eye on Hayden because of the sick thing, and by Gabriel the night before, but I didn't mind one bit. I told Hayden that he would always have me, and I meant that. Here we are on day two, April 5th, 2019, and it's about 4:30 pm. Hayden hasn't eaten at all, but that was to be expected. Gabriel called to check in with Hayden; we informed the uncle that Hayden was still sick, and should be feeling better by tomorrow, or the day after. Hayden remained downstairs on the couch because he insisted on not wanting to wake me up every time he ran to the bathroom. I decided not to argue with him, but during the day, I stayed out there with Hayden in case he needed anything. Currently, my mother was home, and Cole too. My dad should be arriving by 5:45 pm since he worked for the Law Enforcement Headquarters on the main island, so mom would drop dad off at the transportation center every morning for 6 am, then dad would take an hour ride to Archia. After that, a car would pick him up from the station, and dad would work 7:30 am to 4:30 pm. Also, dad got the weekends off; that was a plus.

Cole had school from 7:30 am to 2:30 pm, and mom worked five days a week with two off. Mom always worked Saturdays, though. If either of my parents needed a day off, they could take it with ease. Right now, I'm watching Hayden sleep and messaging a couple of the guys and girls from Inferno Platoon; they all wanted to get together, and meet somewhere on the main island to hang out. I informed them that Hayden and I were going to pass since Hayden has food poisoning, and sleeping a majority of it off. I heard groaning as I put my phone down and looked at Hayden while he was starting to wake up.

"What time is it?" Hayden asked tiredly.

"4:30," I told him. "How do you feel?" I got up to check his forehead. "Still warm,"

"Gods, I hate this; I would have preferred the flu," Hayden mumbled with his eyes closed. Moments later, Hayden was rushing to the bathroom with a hand over his mouth. I sighed, hopefully Hayden would feel better tomorrow, and we might be able to talk about what happened with his parents on the 3rd. Gabriel hadn't said anything because he thought that it was Hayden's decision if he wanted to tell them or not. I knew Hayden would probably let me know when he was ready; that's just how we were. Hayden knows he can tell me anything, and I'll do what I can to help and make him feel better. I heard Hayden vomit twice, but it was spread over the course of five minutes, then he came back out and laid down.

"Going back to sleep?" I asked.

"No, but laying down helps the headache," Hayden enlightened.

"Well, that's good," I smiled as Hayden adjusted on the couch and I saw his upper arm bruised up. It looked like he'd been grabbed pretty hard. "Hayden?"

"What's up?" Hayden glanced at me.

"Where did that mark on your arm come from?" I inquired. Hayden looked at his arm, then he closed his eyes and sighed.

"My dad a couple nights ago," Hayden finally said after a minute. My eyes widened as I got closer and inspected it. "Gabriel convinced me to see them, just so they'd know I was alive and okay. Uncle Gabe said that my parents wanted to make up with me, and had been worried since I disappeared in October, so I figured I'd give it a chance. As soon as my father saw me; it turned into them scolding me. Dad asked me why I had the gun, I told them I wasn't saying anything, and they wouldn't believe me anyway. My old man grabbed my arm when I tried to leave, and refused to let go until my uncle barged in and reminded him that he's a cop and couldn't do something like that. I had Gabriel bring me back here because what my parents did hurt me, and that's…why I was so upset,"

"Hayden, your father grabbed you forcefully and left a bruise. You know you can press charges on him," I reminded.

Hayden shook his head. "No; I just wanted to be away from them. It's not like they know my number, or where I'm staying. It's whatever, Troy. Yeah, it hurts me, but I suppose not everything can be perfect in my life. I've got a great job, friends, a roof over my head, clothes on my back…That's all I need to survive,"

"I'm glad to hear you say that, Hayden. Your uncle was worried you might slip back into a depression, and he asked me to keep an eye on you for a few days until we knew," I admitted. Hayden yawned tiredly as I saw him getting comfortable on the couch, and beginning to drift back to sleep.

"I did slip into one; still am. I can't deny it hurts, and I won't hide it either. But I won't give up my life because you gave me a reason to keep living. To find my purpose, and who I'm meant to be, right?" Hayden managed to smile. "And hey, I always have you even if I don't have anyone else. So don't worry; I'm not going anywhere,"

"I'm happy to hear you say that, Hayden, and proud too. Get some rest; I won't be far," I pulled the blanket up and over him. Hayden yawned again; it was quiet a moment or two and I thought he'd fallen asleep.

"I'm gay, Troy," Hayden said as my eyes widened a little. However, Hayden's eyes were closed.

"You said you were bisexual," I replied.

"Joining the Marines showed me that I feel nothing towards women after being in a barrack with thirteen other males," Hayden giggled a bit.

"Oh, well…That's good you're learning more about yourself," I remarked, unsure what else to say. There was silence now as I saw Hayden knocked out; I chuckled a bit and sat back down in my chair. So Hayden was gay? Good for him discovering that, and being accepting of his sexual orientation. I had a feeling his parents didn't know, maybe not even his former friends, but I was glad Hayden trusted me enough to tell me.

"I like you," Hayden murmured. I nearly choked on my water and coughed a few times before looking at Hayden's sleeping figure on the couch. What the hell did he just say?! I saw Hayden smiling a little now, but he was still out. Did he know he talked in his sleep? "I've been…crushing on you, Troy, since my birthday,"

"M-Me?" I stammered, shocked at the information. Hayden was gay and had a crush on me?

"You're…Well, I guess I don't have the words to describe you, Troy. You saved my life, and became my best friend, and the only one I had. You took me into your home with your family without hesitation, and you convinced me to join the Marines. You're funny, sarcastic, loyal, kind, caring, and by the Gods, you are sexy. You're always here for me when I need someone to talk to, or cheering up. Every time I look at you; I get butterflies. When you say certain things; I blush. Every time we touch, my heart pounds and races in my chest. I know we're friends, but I can't…hide or help how I feel," Hayden informed as my eyes widened. "I like you a lot,"

There was silence after that as Hayden rolled over, still asleep. I sat there in surprise, having no idea how to take the information. For starters, Hayden said it all while he was sleeping and I wish I could pass that off as nothing, but it mean he must have been dreaming about telling me he liked me, or Hayden's so feverish and tired that he doesn't realize he said anything. Hayden's had a crush on me since February?! Gods, what was I supposed to do here? Yes, I'm gay too, but can I say I like Hayden back? I-I don't know. Sure, he's my best friend, but wanting him as more than that? I guess it was possible, and I figured Hayden wouldn't be attracted to me since I thought he was one, bisexual, and two; we've said we're friends. Maybe I needed to talk to my parents about what to do? Yeah, I think I'd do that since Hayden was going to be out for a while.

. . .

(7 pm)

Hayden remained asleep after another bout of diarrhea, then puking three times ten minutes later. As expected, Hayden didn't eat dinner, but mom said Hayden should be feeling better by tomorrow, and it would be best to keep him on water and bland foods for the day. Also, Hayden would likely continue to feel tired and washed out for a few days following. That was good; it meant Hayden would be perfectly fine by the time we returned to Archia Isle for Infantry Training. I asked Cole if he'd listen for Hayden while I talked to mom and dad. Thankfully, Cole didn't mind. Right now, my folks were in the living room as I entered it.

"Hayden still sleeping?" Dustin asked.

"Yeah. Um, can I talk to you guys about something?" I questioned.

"Of course, son. Come sit down," Rachel smiled as she patted the place beside her on the couch. "So, what's going on that your father and I can try to help with?"

"Hayden's gay, and he likes me," I admitted.

"And he told you this earlier? Is that why you've been so quiet through dinner?" Dustin inquired.

"Hayden said it…Unintentionally. I don't think he meant to, or maybe Hayden doesn't even know he did," I sighed.

"What do you mean?" Dustin pushed.

"Happened after Hayden woke up at 4:30. Hayden told me what happened a few days ago with his parents, then he began falling asleep again, or I thought he did. Hayden just…blurted out that he was gay, moments later, admitted that he thought he was bi until joining the Marines and being in a barrack with all males. I guess it made him realize he feels nothing towards women. And I was cool with that, but then about four minutes later, he just said; I like you. I thought he was dreaming, and maybe he was about telling me, but he straight out said that he was crushing on me, and has been since his birthday. Hayden went on about everything he liked; he said he knows we're friends but can't help or hide how he feels. I just…don't know what to do," I flopped back on the couch.

"Do you like him?" Rachel wondered.

"As a person, and my best friend, yes. More than that…I don't know," I shrugged.

"That's something you need to determine, son," Dustin stated as I looked at him. "You are gay, and the possibility of any bisexual or gay man is probable, even being that person happens to be your friend,"

"Your father is right, sweetheart. If Hayden thought he was bi initially, but now he knows he's gay and likes you; he likely gave quite a bit of thought to this whole thing himself to make sure of it all. Crushing on or liking your friends is entirely reasonable, Troy, but you're not obligated to return the feelings. You're saying you don't know how you feel, so maybe you need to take some time to consider everything, and then talk to Hayden because I doubt he realized what he said," Rachel informed gently with a hand on my shoulder.

"If it helps any; you've gone out of your way for Hayden many times in the last six months, Troy. As an outsider looking into to the situation; it does seem that you like Hayden, but subconsciously hide your feelings away because perhaps you didn't think Hayden would ever return them. Now that you unintentionally do know; you can think about everything without fear if Hayden felt the same or not," Dustin offered.

"Well, I suppose I can do that while he's still sick, and talk to him afterward before we go back to the main island. Thanks guys," I hugged my mom and dad, then returned downstairs to see Hayden sleeping still. 'I'll figure it out in the next few days, then bring it up with Hayden,' I decided.