=Normal POV=

(Monday, April 8, 2019)

[Raseri Home]

As long as Hayden lived; he never wanted to end up with food poisoning again! Single-handedly the worse illness to have because of all the throwing up, exhaustion, fever, no appetite, unable to keep anything down including water, and diarrhea. Hayden began feeling less icky towards the middle of day three, and starting on day four, which was the 6th; he felt tired but wasn't puking anymore and managed to hold bland foods down. Hayden held on to the fatigue and small appetite while staying mainly on the water all through the 6th and 7th. Finally, today, on the 8th; Hayden felt great and had his energy back, and appetite. Troy was glad to see Hayden up and smiling again, but knew Hayden was still suffering his depression from what happened with Spencer and Vivian. Hayden admitted that he wouldn't hide how much it hurt. The most prominent factor for Troy to ponder was if Hayden remembered any of what he said when sick with food poisoning. Troy knew that they had to talk, and Troy needed more time to figure out where his feelings laid. Hayden would always be his friend, and he as Hayden's; that much Troy was confident in. What Troy needed to decide contemplate was if he had the same feelings Hayden did for him. Today might be the best chance to discuss things since Cole was at school, and both of Troy's parents were working. The time now was 10:45 am as both teenagers were relaxing in the central room downstairs and watching TV.

"So, are you glad to be able to sit up and relax without needing to run the bathroom?" Troy decided to ask; a way of breaking the silence and striking up a semi-casual conversation.

"I'm beyond thrilled," Hayden replied with a smile. "I'm happy to be able to eat too,"

Troy chuckled. "Yeah, now you can put on the like five pounds you lost,"

"Oh, shush you!" Hayden shoved him.

"I'm just playing," Troy laughed a bit. "It's good to see you less miserable,"

"Yeah. Dealing with my parents got me kind of depressed, then food poisoning the same night didn't make matters better," Hayden admitted with a sigh.

"Yeah, you were telling me right before you fell asleep on Friday," Troy mentioned; seeing if maybe Hayden would recall anything else he said. "How's the bruise on your arm?"

"It's fading and should be gone by the time we get back to Fort Archian," Hayden informed.

"That's good. I'm sure you don't want anyone asking questions," Troy nodded.

"Absolutely not," Hayden agreed. "I know I can trust the friends we have, but I don't want everyone knowing about all that. Especially the officers; Odin knows what could happen if they knew I lied during the psychological evaluations. I said I've never had any mental problems like depression and attempted or contemplated suicide," he mumbled looking down.

"And all that is only brought on by your folks, or ex-friends who never listened, gave you a chance to explain, or didn't believe you," Troy reminded.

"I know, but that doesn't make it hurt any less in the fact I still know it happened," Hayden informed.

"But it's in the past now, and you can't let it hinder your future. People who are meant to be in your life, will be there and stand by you through anything. You just do what makes you happy, and keep being you; everything else will fall into place. I know what your parents did hurt you; they lied about wanting to make up for what happened, but you can't that get you down because it just further proves that maybe you're better off without them. You will always love them, but that doesn't mean you have to keep them around you. Who knows what could happen later down the line? I'm not a fortune teller or psychic, but just believe things will work out how they should be? Alright?" Troy put his hand on Hayden's shoulder comfortingly.

Hayden smiled some. "Thank you, Troy. For that, and also taking care of me when I was sick. You're a terrific friend to me, and you'll never know how grateful I am that you walked into my life when you did,"

"Technically; I followed you and forcibly inserted myself," Troy corrected.

"Well, thank you for doing it anyway. You saved my life, gave me a reason to keep living, became my best friend, and someone I can always rely on," Hayden said as Troy stared at him. "I hope one day I can return all you've done for me, and be someone you rely on,"

Troy couldn't stay quiet anymore, not after hearing Hayden say all that. "Hayden, do you remember anything else from when you were sick? Like saying anything else to me after you mentioned what happened with your parents?"

"Uh, not really? Didn't I fall asleep?" Hayden arched a brow.

"You did, but were you aware that you ended up talking in your sleep?" Troy informed. Hayden's eyes widened a bit.

"I-I did?" Hayden responded nervously. "What…did I say?"

"You told me you were gay, and you figured that out during Boot Camp," Troy started.

"Oh, well, that's not so bad," Hayden breathed a sigh of relief.

"And you told me that you've been crushing on me since your birthday," Troy finished afterward. This time, Hayden's eyes widened all the way.

"I…Troy, I'm sorry! You…Weren't supposed to-Gods, I'm an idiot!" Hayden began to panic.

"Hayden, calm down, please? It's…Okay. I'm not…upset about it. I mean; I was shocked, but…It's alright," Troy said quickly as Hayden looked positively terrified that he revealed his feelings for Troy while he was sick and asleep. Hayden kind of remembered it now; not being awake, but he had started dreaming about SOI being over, and telling Troy then. Gods, he ended up saying it out loud?! Hayden wanted to run, but it seemed Troy wasn't about to let that happen.

"Y-You're not mad that I've started liking you even though we're best friends?" Hayden asked nervously.

Troy shook his head. "No, Hayden, I'm not. We're friends, and…This kind of thing happens all the time. Not to me; never actually been in this sort of situation before, but that's beside the point! It does happen to other males who are both gay and best friends. So, relax a little; you haven't done anything wrong,"

"What exactly did I say?" Hayden wondered.

Troy took a deep breath and told Hayden everything that he'd said while asleep. It didn't take long to go through the conversation, then Troy was done. "That was it," he said.

"I had been dreaming I was telling you; I-I didn't know-," Hayden paused.

"It's okay. Like I said; I'm not mad or upset. Perhaps a little shocked still, and confused, but that doesn't matter. I wanted to ask what you mean just now that I wasn't supposed to something. What was that about?" Troy inquired.

"I didn't realize I'd been crushing on you since my birthday until the day we graduated Boot Camp. I had been thinking about everything, and just came to the conclusion that I am gay, and like you. I understood that the confusing feelings I had for you were a crush at that point, but I'd been feeling them since my birthday when you threw me that little get-together in the barrack," Hayden explained.

"But what did you mean just now with the not supposed to or whatever it was since you never finished the sentence before calling yourself an idiot, which you aren't," Troy rolled his eyes.

"You weren't supposed to know that I like you. I mean; you were, or…are, but I was going to wait until Infantry School was over to tell you in case you didn't feel the same, or didn't know how you felt. I didn't want to make things difficult or awkward for training," Hayden looked down.

"Well, it doesn't make things harder or awkward for training," Troy admitted.

"It…Doesn't?" Hayden glanced at Troy now.

"No, because we're still friends, Hayden. We've been able to work together fine even with your feelings for me before, and that doesn't change now just 'cause I know about them," Troy informed. "But-,"

"Why is there always a but?" Hayden winced a little, nervous for the remainder of what Troy was going to say.

Troy chuckled a little. "Because it makes things more interesting, now listen," he said as Hayden looked at him entirely. "I am gay, and I know these kinds of things can happen between friends who are of the same sexual orientation. I've actually seen it happen to a few old friends on Eyja Nott. In fact, one of them messaged me on friendslink right before I met you, and I was told that my friend and the guy he was best friends with since Middle School who got together in Junior Year, got engaged. It didn't come easy for them either; they were in the same situation as us. One of them started liking the other, and he didn't know what to do,"

"So you…Don't know how to deal with me liking you?" Hayden said quietly.

"Because it's never happened to me before, Hayden. Yes, I've seen it plenty of times, read about it too. You think you understand something until it happens to you. I know how to deal with this; I just haven't figured everything out yet. Okay? I know we're best friends, and I know you've been crushing on me since the end of February. Also, all the things you like about me, and the feelings you get around me when certain things occur; I got all that squared away and…Accepted. Yeah, we'll go with that. And…Here's that but, I don't know how I feel for you,"

"I was afraid you were going to say that, and at the same time; I kind of expected it too," Hayden revealed.

"Like I said, it's new for me. I know we're friends, and I like you like that, but I don't know if I like you more than that. Alright, you're…A fantastic guy, Hayden. I mean that wholeheartedly. You're loyal, kind, caring, compassionate, driven, incredibly sarcastic, funny, smart; I could go on and on. I'm glad I followed you that day because I felt like you would be an excellent friend, and I was right; you entirely are. But all this, well, it's sudden and I just need a little time to figure things out. Unfortunately, with SOI coming up in three days, it might be a little hard for me to work on sorting out my feelings when you and I both know how much focus has to go into training for the next two months," Troy explained.

"Troy, it's okay. I understand; this is why I didn't want you to know until after SOI passed. At least then I could…have gone to stay with Gabriel while you thought about things," Hayden said.

"Hayden, you don't have to go live with your uncle over all this. I don't mind you being here; I love it actually. Having someone to talk to and hang out with who isn't my parents or fifteen-year-old little brother," Troy laughed a little, which made Hayden smile too. "It's your choice, of course, but I don't mind if you stay while I think things through. We're still friends, and for me, this doesn't change anything about that,"

"I'm…Glad for that; I was afraid you'd get scared and not want to be around me anymore," Hayden admitted.

"Hey, you don't have to worry about that, okay? I will always be the one best friend you can rely on through anything. I promise you that, Hayden. No matter what happens with this liking thing, you will not lose me as a friend. And one more thing too; this works out for both of us that I don't know right now. You're dealing with some personal stuff regarding your parents, and we've got training too. Why…Don't we put this aside, for the time being, to focus on the next two months? And when that is over; we'll both be less busy. Sound alright? I can still give thought to this situation during the nights. So, how about we revisit this in two months, and I'll have my answer for you, okay?" Troy vowed.

"You…Don't have to give yourself a time limit," Hayden informed.

"If two months isn't long enough to sort out feelings, then I'll likely die an old virgin," Troy joked. "I'll be able to handle it, and it gives you time to recover from what your parents did too because I know that's still bothering you,"

"Yeah; it is," Hayden admitted to him.

"See, this is good for both of us then. Time for you to get past that, and I can figure things out. We'll go through SOI as friends just as we have thus far, and then we'll sit down afterward; I can give you my answer and we'll go from there. Just remember that no matter what-," Troy began.

"We'll still be friends," Hayden finished.

"And don't ever forget it, Hayden," Troy brought his hand up. Hayden nodded affirmatively as he connected his to Troy's, then they hugged. Hayden wasn't worried anymore because Troy said the same thing Gabriel had; that the two of them would stay friends regardless if they turned into lovers as well or not. That was all Hayden needed; to know that he had one friend who would never abandon him. Troy was that friend, and he always would be. And Hayden would be the same for Troy, someone he could rely on.