13.

DANIEL.

"Nope," I said, popping the 'p' in the word.

"Come on, let me have it. I NEED it. Like now," he begged. Fuck, his puppy eyes were gonna be the death of me.

I pushed him away because he was too close for my comfort right now. I might just give in.

"Aren't you being a little too aggressive right now?"

He licked his lower lip and smiled. "Always aggressive when I'm with you."

"Pfft," I couldn't help but laugh. "Fuck off, Theo. I said no."

He hooked his arms around my waist and pulled me close. "Why won't you just give it to me?"

"Because you don't need to see it."

"Come on man. I'm even begging like this. Why don't you let me see our pictures?" he whined.

"Because there's no need to take a trip down memory lane. Besides, that box is no longer important."

Theodore presses his lips together and furrowed his eyebrows, clearly irritated by the fact that I was being stubborn.

"I'll get that box back one day, you ass. Those are technically mine you know," he said as he walked towards the kitchen.

I plopped myself down onto the sofa and threw my head back. Ever since Theodore recovered his memories, I have been exhausted from his asking about the things that happened between us and him asking for his things back.

I mean, it's in the past. Why does he want those stuff anyway?

Maybe I should question myself why I even have those things in the first place.

Fuck, if only Trinity kept her mouth shut, I wouldn't be stuck in this situation. That lady tattled on me faster than you could count to three.

Sounds of pots and pans clinking together came traveling from the kitchen and Theo said something about making dinner. I only hummed in response, my brain currently too occupied to process any other external information.

I recalled the past. Just weeks before the incident, all my insecurities kicked in with full force. He went on about having children and a happy family. It was a contributing factor to me overthinking, but that wasn't all.

My parents were about to disown me for being together with someone of the same gender. They were not only very traditional thinking but highly religious. When I first told them who I was dating, their response was anything but jolly.

Initially, they didn't say anything much but they did try to make me go to church more. They believed that it would help me 'rid of my sins' and allow me to be 'clean' again. When that didn't work, they tried sending me to conversion camps. And when they realized that nothing they were doing to make their only son 'normal', all hell broke loose.

"How could you betray the trust we had in you?! God would NEVER create an atrocity like you! Do not call us your parents if you decide to be with that boy!"

That was the last of it. Compared to the amount of disgust and disapproval that I got from the people that gave birth and raised me, the homophobic slurs that I got in the hallways were much easier to handle.

Of course, I didn't tell Theo anything about this. I would dodge the questions that he asked about my family. I have never brought him to see them and thinking back, they may have been for the best.

I sighed a heavy sigh as I closed my eyes. That was more than a decade ago. Since then, I moved out and fended for myself. Not once did they try to contact me. I did send home letters and tried calling on couple occasions but it never got through.

It was like I never existed.

Because I went through that ordeal, I didn't want Theo to go through what I did. Do his parents know that he used to date a man or rather, he still wants to date a man? How would they think of it? The thought of him being chased and shunned away doesn't sit well with me.

"Dan?"

If we didn't get back together, he would have nothing to lose. He would be able to be with a woman who can give him kids and a family. He wouldn't have to worry about losing the people close to him. I need to make sure that doesn't happen.

"Dan?"

Or maybe, I'm just trying to protect myself from the heartache that will come eventually. Because I don't think I can't take it if one day, he leaves me too.

"DANIEL!"

I jolted my head up to see Theo standing in front of me, hands on his waist.

"What's going on? I've been calling you for a while now. Only I can zone out like that. It's my specialty."

A weak smile formed on my face, thoughts were still clouding my head. What was I even doing up in his apartment? I needed to leave.

"I think I should go." I stood up and started to grab my things and it caused Theo to look at me in confusion?

"What? I've already made dinner. Just stay and eat."

I shook my head. "The earlier I'm out of here, the faster it will be to get over you." I turned around and headed for the door, only to be stopped by him pulling on my gym bag.

"Where the fuck is this negativity coming from? Did I do something? Or are you just grumpy that I took too long to make you food to eat?"

"Theodore, I don't think we should do this."

He stared into my eyes and I found myself being locked in his gaze. "Tell me what's going through your head. Are you overthinking again?"

"I probably am, but they are real issues. One day, you will come to realize that we were not meant to be together. We are both men. How can this even work? No one will accept us for who we a-"

My ramblings were cut short by Theo hooking his hand behind my neck to pull me close and pressing his lips against mine.

My eyes widen in shock at first and I tried to push him away. His grip on me only got stronger and he started to nibble on my lower lip. Before I knew it, I was moving along with him, moaning and melting into his advances.

His tongue slipped in and I was too gone to fight back anymore as he explored my mouth. Deep down, I know I missed him. I missed everything about him. Him kissing me like I was important, like I was his, just made me feel like a teenager again with my heart beating out of my chest.

He pulled back and looked at me. "Did that stop your train of unnecessary thoughts?"

I was still dazed and shaken from his sudden attack so all I could do was nod my head.

"Daniel, you need to stop thinking whatever you're thinking. It's the 21st century. Who the fuck cares that we are two men dating? If they care, then let them live in misery while we live in happiness. What's so difficult about that?"

"You don't understand.."

"Yes, I don't because all I can see is you. I am willing to block out the world for you. I finally found the missing piece of my soul and I am not giving up that easily," he stated. "If anything, you need to talk to me. Whatever that is bothering you. Talk to me, Dan."

When I didn't reply, he continued and said, "I want you, with all the strings attached. Baggage and what not. All included. I want you for you."

I slumped my shoulders in defeat. This stubborn brat wasn't going to listen to me.

I guess in some way, I was stubborn too. Maybe I need to stop overthinking and complicating things.

"Over dinner? Let's talk."

He smiled and held my hand. "Good, because pasta isn't nice when it is cold."

-----------------------------

A/N: Dan, honey. You need to stop overthinking.

This chapter was a little difficult to write because it wasn't easy to showcase Dan's internal struggle. Societal norms, family expectations, one's self-confidence. I hope I managed to get it across.

Fuck Daniel's parents who are so closed off. Fuck them all.

What did you think about this chapter? Please leave your comments and share your thoughts!

We are more than halfway through! Hurray! I said it once and I'll say it again, writing while having a full-time job ain't easy. Plus, my job almost makes it so that I am struggling with work-life balance. -cries in alphabet tears-

See you all in the next chapter!

-unedited-