=Normal POV=

(Sunday, July 12, 2020-6:10 pm)

[Raseri Household]

"So Hayden's family and former friends don't know that he is gay?" Cole decided to bring up over dinner. Troy blinked a bit, then smiled and shook his head.

"Hayden never even told them he was bisexual and he feels like they wouldn't support it. I guess he's not ready to come out them yet," Troy informed. The meal was peaceful; Rachel had made something easy for dinner and they were just sitting at the table enjoying the family time and loving that Troy was home. The Raseri's were glad Hayden was back too, but for right now, Hayden was playing a part in the lie Gabriel told the Haddock parents; that Gabriel's apartment in Berk was actually Hayden's that Gabriel was looking after while Hayden was on tour. Of course, they were confident the truth would come out eventually, but for the time being; it worked out because Hayden wasn't ready to tell his parents and former friends that he was gay and dating Troy.

"Who else knows you two are together besides Gabriel and us?" Dustin inquired.

"Our entire company does, and they don't mind one bit," Troy smiled.

"Well, that's good," Rachel beamed. Oh, yes; she was thrilled her eldest son was home for two weeks. "Is Hayden coming to stay with us for the duration of your leave?"

"That's up to him; we only did things this way to avoid raising questions and putting Hayden in an uncomfortable position to have to tell them anything," Troy shrugged. "I told him to come back here after his parents and ex-friends left Gabriel's place,"

Suddenly, Dustin's phone rang. "Hello?" he answered. "What? Hang on, slow down, Gabriel," Dustin tried as it got Troy's attention. Dustin looked at Troy, then put the device on speakerphone.

"His parents push-," Gabriel began.

"Don't you pin this on us!" Spencer yelled.

"You are the least of my concerns right now. Dustin, did Hayden show up there?" Gabriel inquired quickly.

"No, he has-," Dustin started.

"What happened?" Troy cut his father off.

"Spencer and Vivian pushed him to talk about why he took the gun in 2018, Hayden told them the reason, then he grabbed his bags and ran out," Gabriel informed. Troy's eyes widened as he fished his phone from his pocket and went to call Hayden, but before he pressed dial; the living room entrance door opened and they saw Hayden standing there. Troy went right to his boyfriend's side and hugged him tightly.

"He just arrived, Troy has him," Dustin told Gabriel.

"Oh, thank Odin. Have him call me when he's up to it; I'm gonna deal with his parents," Gabriel enlightened before hanging up. Hayden buried his face into Troy's chest and cried, holding onto his shirt while Troy tried to soothe him.

"Ssh, it's okay, Hayden. You're alright," Troy whispered. Rachel directed Dustin and Cole's attention away from the couple, and they continued to eat.

. . .

(6:25 pm)

After some time passed, Troy managed to get Hayden to the couch and calm him down by rubbing his back and reminding Hayden that he was okay and safe now. Finally, Hayden palmed away his tears and sniffled a few times.

"I-I didn't…mean to blurt it out," Hayden whimpered.

"Well, it's out now and you can't take it back, Hayden. However, you don't have to explain yourself to them. You know; it's a good thing they know. Now they can understand how much they hurt you," Troy informed.

"I didn't want it to come out like this," Hayden replied.

"But it did, babe," Troy reminded.

"Gods, I wish I had it in me to tell them everything, but I just…can't even bear to be in the same room. I'm so sick and tired of seeing my parents, even after months away, and they want to argue with me," Hayden coughed a few times.

"I'll tell them if you want me to," Troy offered as Hayden looked at his boyfriend quickly.

"No, I couldn't ask you to have to deal with this," Hayden said.

"You don't have to ask, Hayden. I'm your boyfriend, your best friend too; I will gladly go to Gabriel's and say anything you want me to, then I'll tell them off for hurting you, again," Troy stated gently.

"You'd do that for me?" Hayden said in surprise.

"Of course. Don't you remember what I said in Syria on the date in November? If they hurt you again, I will tell them off. I have your back, don't ever forget that," Troy said. "Why don't you grab a shower to calm down a bit more, then have some of my mom's baked macaroni and cheese with chicken and broccoli. I'll deal with you folks,"

"What…are you going to tell them?" Hayden asked.

"Anything you say I can," Troy kissed his lips lightly.

"You can tell them anything; just get them off my back because I literally can't deal with this anymore. Not in a giving up sense either," Hayden informed.

"I know what you mean, don't worry. Go on, take a hot shower and get something to eat. I'll be back before you know it," Troy winked. Hayden nodded as he left his bags by the couch for now, then grabbed a set to change into before entering the bathroom. Troy looked at his parents and little brother. "Keep an eye on him while I'm gone,"

"If you have trouble with Spencer; call me," Dustin enlightened. Troy nodded as he grabbed his keys and left the house.

. . .

[Gabriel's Apartment]

(6:32 pm)

Troy reached Gabriel's place and knocked on the door. "Hayden?" came Gabriel's hopeful voice. Troy opened the door and walked in. "Oh, Troy; it's you. Where's my Godson?"

"Relaxing and eating dinner with my family," Troy responded as he saw the ex-friends and Hayden's parents still there.

"Is he okay? He didn't…hurt himself between here and your house, right?" Gabriel inquired.

"No. Hayden knows where to come if he starts feeling depressed again; that's why he left here and came right to me," Troy enlightened.

"Thank Odin," Gabriel sighed in relief.

"What are you doing here, Troy?" Spencer stated.

"I came to deal with you since Hayden is tired of the times he does see all of you; it turns into a damn argument. For Thor's sake; Hayden JUST got a two-week leave after being at war for eleven months! Why would want to fight with him and make him feel like he never came home at all?!" Troy yelled.

"This has nothing to do with you," Vivian remarked.

"I don't like when people who hurt Hayden so much that he felt like he needed to kill himself to escape the pain of utter betrayal decide to KEEP HURTING HIM! This has EVERYTHING to do with me because Hayden would not still be alive today if not for me!" Troy glared as their eyes widened. Gabriel sighed some.

"I tried to warn you that if you hurt Hayden again you weren't going to like the outcome," Gabriel reached for his beer. "Meet Private First Class Troy Raseri; the man responsible for saving Hayden's life in October 2018," he added casually.

"You knew about Hayden wanting to kill himself? Avery asked in surprise.

"Of course; the lad doesn't keep secrets from me," Gabriel shrugged.

"And it wasn't a want; Hayden tried and he would have if I hadn't shown up when I did," Troy mentioned.

"Don't go saying anything, Troy," Gabriel informed.

"Don't worry, Gabriel; I'm only here because I'm sick of people hurting Hayden and he gave me his permission to tell them anything. Hayden just doesn't want to deal with it anymore, and that is fine with me because I'm going to enjoy this way more than I should," Troy clenched his fist at his side. Gabriel closed his eyes with another shrug as if to tell Troy to have at it.

"If Hayden was depressed and suicidal; we didn't know, and it certainly not our fault," Spencer retorted.

"It's ENTIRELY your fault! All of your had a hand in it. Hayden wasn't depressed or suicidal until you all fucking abandoned him! You blamed him for the car accident. You blamed him for fighting when he was protecting a pregnant woman. You assumed he was in a gang after he was wrongfully arrested! You seven didn't give him a chance to explain, nor did you believe him when Hayden said his profile had been hacked. And you two demanded he pay rent after just losing his job, also not his fault, or you would throw him out of the house!" Troy raged as he saw them flinch a bit and look down.

"You passed blame. You didn't listen. You didn't believe him when he tried to tell you the truth. And you all basically threw him out of your lives. Hayden felt like you hated him, and that nobody cared, and in a matter of three months; you efficiently caused him to become depressed and want to commit suicide as Hayden felt like he had lost everything," Troy informed.

"We didn't know we had hurt him so much," Hailey frowned.

"You should have. You saw Hayden in the park on the 7th of October; you pointed out that he had been crying, and he told you a bunch more things too. I wasn't standing that far away when I saw what transpired. Don't worry; I know everything else too. Hayden left money behind to cover all the rent since he turned eighteen, then his phone and took the gun to Raven Point Park's The Cove. I followed him and saw Hayden on his knees, crying, with the weapon to his head. Just as he was about to pull the trigger, I stopped him. I talked him down, and then he told me about what had been going on since High School ended in June," Troy enlightened.

"You wanna know everything because Odin knows you've been trying to put it all together? Hayden came home with me after we left the park; he met my family, had dinner with us," Troy continued.

"And then he got this apartment, right?" Vivian asked.

"Wrong. This isn't Hayden's apartment; it's Gabriel's because he moved here to be closer to Hayden once Hayden came to live with me," Troy crossed his arms over his chest. "Hayden has been staying with me since October 8, 2018. We went to the Haddock house, he packed up what he didn't want to leave behind, and has been rooming with me in the basement of my parent's home. I planned on joining the Marines, and convinced Hayden to do the same, so in November, we started at the recruiter office. December, we were sworn in. January 2019, we left for Boot Camp. Came home from that in April where you, Spencer, decided to grab Hayden's arm to make him tell you about things. Hayden and I returned to Fort Archian for Infantry Training for another two months, and then not much else happened until the end of July when we got told we were getting deployed to Syria for eighteen months,"

"So it's your fault my baby is in the Marines and ended up hurt!" Vivian screeched.

"It's a risk we all take, Mrs. Haddock, and Hayden loves this job. For Thor's sake; Hayden isn't even a Private or Private First Class. Hayden made Staff Sergeant in August 2019 for saving my life during a field training exercise in June. Hayden shows excellent leadership skills, he's a fast thinker and responder to all situations, and he's our Lieutenant's second in command on missions. Hayden got hurt saving the entire platoon from certain death with Hunters got shot and went unconscious. Hayden made expert shooter in the weapons qualifier, a skilled fighter in all types of martial arts and swordplay. Hayden is one hell of a Marine, and he's Special Ops Force too. You don't get to know details of that, but that's his title. Staff Sergeant Hayden Haddock; Infantry Marine and Special Ops Warrior, which is what we Marine's preferred to be called," Troy scoffed.

"All we've done is try to make up for what we did," Fisher put a finger up.

"I'm aware, but you need to understand how much it hurt him that you walked away so quickly. Throwing those years of friendship aside and believing that Hayden would talk shit about you on social media, and then you didn't believe him when he said he didn't do it, nor had you given him the chance to explain," Troy reminded. "And tonight, being here with them; he's associating you all as people who will cause him pain,"

"No, we came because we haven't seen him in months, and wanted to welcome him home. We had nothing to do with this! Please, believe us, o-or let him know?" Avery pleaded.

"I will do what I can, but it is his decision. Hayden knows I will always have his back; supporting what he wants to do," Troy said.

"Why is it you stated before that Hayden knows to go straight to you when he's upset?" Drew inquired.

"I became the only friend he had after the attempted suicide, and I carry the label of Best Friend because of that," Troy explained.

"Yeah, but you're like…really protective over him," Tyler pointed out. A ding was heard as everyone checked their's but it ended up being on Troy's phone as he pulled it out and checked the message; it was from Hayden.

Have u told them bout us? Or me being gay? {Recieved/Read; 1840}

Did u want me 2? {Sent/Delivered/Read; 1841}

Go 4 it. Idc who knows :heart: {Received/Read; 1841}

B home soon :heart: {Sent/Delivered/Read; 1842}

After that, Troy slipped his phone into his pocket. "I'm sorry, what did you say? That was Hayden asking when I'm coming home so we can watch a movie and actually enjoy our leave," Troy questioned.

"My brother mentioned you're overly protective of Hayden for being a friend," Rylee reminded.

"I believe I have the right to be when I stopped him from killing himself over what you all had done, and every time he sees his parents; they upset him, again. I'm making sure he doesn't fall back into depression because when pushed far enough; he absolutely could," Troy huffed. "Aside from being Hayden's best friend…I'm also his boyfriend,"

Silence.

"Did you just say you're his boyfriend?" Shane blinked.

"Well, he is a boy and a friend of Hayden's," Vivian said now.

"That would be correct, but you misinterpret the meaning behind what I told you. I am Hayden's best friend, but I am his lover too," Troy shrugged casually.

More silence and wide eyes with mouths dropping open.

"WHAT!?" the group exclaimed.

"I severely dislike repeating myself when I was clear the first time. Hayden and I are dating! Geeze, is it that hard to comprehend?" Troy rolled his eyes.

"This is madness. My son isn't into men," Spencer stood quickly, ending up in Troy's face.

"You better back up before I call my father to make you," Troy warned as Spencer backed down. "Show's how little you know about son's sexuality. I don't care how much you may or may not like it, but Hayden is gay. I am as well. We got together right after Infantry Training ended. We're lovers and have been for a year on Thursday the 16th of this month as a matter of fact. So I would kindly appreciate you not upsetting him because it took a shit ton of convincing, begging, and hoping for us to be granted the same two-week leave so we could celebrate it. I have told you everything you wanted to know since October 2018. You no longer have a reason to keep harassing Hayden about it. If you want to make up for the things you've done; you have a lot of work to do. It will take time; Hayden is not someone who doesn't forgive, but he'll never forget, and there will always be some hesitation and fear of abandonment. Hayden will come around eventually when he's ready, but you inflicted a lot of hurt on him and pushed him to a shallow state where he didn't want to live. People don't recover from that easily. Now, if you don't mind, I have my boyfriend to get back to. I bid you a good evening,"

Without another word, Troy turned heel and walked out the apartment door leaving all of them in a bit of shock to learn the information they now had. Hayden took the gun to kill himself, Troy talked him down, then Hayden went to live with Troy where the two joined the Marines together, and at some point around July 2019, they fell in love and started dating. Now, the two lovers have been together for a year in four days. The group looked to Gabriel who was sitting calmly and enjoying a beer.

"Before you ask; yes, I knew everything," Gabriel remarked. "Also, I'd be mighty grateful that Troy is in Hayden's life because that man counteracts Hayden's depression, and that's why Hayden went to Troy after leaving here when you upset him, again. As you've done quite enough for one night that was supposed to be spent celebrating Hayden being home; you can all get out of my apartment and think about what you've done and how you might go about fixing things with Hayden," unable to argue, the Haddock parents and seven friends ended up leaving. The group was shocked about everything, but what else could they do? Hayden wouldn't want to see them right now, so it was best to walk away and give Hayden a little time to calm down, then maybe try again.