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Daniel didn’t go to the common room to say goodbye to all the people that were leaving that morning. He only talked to 3 people his whole time there, so he felt no need to go and see who was leaving. He’d know soon enough. He had said his goodbyes to Rick and Phoenix, and given them his contact information so they could still talk when Daniel got out.
However, Daniel had never said any goodbyes to CJ. He hoped he wouldn’t have to, that CJ would be staying a while longer. It was selfish, but Daniel didn’t care. He didn’t want to be completely alone in here.
Daniel found out soon enough who was leaving and who wasn’t. Rick and Phoenix were gone, and Daniel’s room felt far more empty than before. Sitting at his usual breakfast table he felt lonely and bored. Finally, CJ came to join him, grinning widely.
“Hey, Daniel,” he greeted cheerfully.
“Hi, CJ,” Daniel answered slowly. “They didn’t let you out?”
“Nah, but that’s fine.”
Daniel looked at him for a second, failing to understand how CJ could remain happy even though he was still stuck in there for however long they decided to keep him. CJ was usually happy, but he was really looking forward to leaving. Daniel suddenly remembered hoping he stayed, and then instantly blaming himself. Some greater force must have heard him and granted him his stupid wish. Of course that was ridiculous, but in Daniel’s mind that was exactly what happened.
CJ’s smile never faltered as Daniel slowly quit worrying about his release and began to admire the smile that was always there. He loved the way his eyes lit up, and how the corners of them crinkled. He really did appreciate it when people smiled around him, but when he saw CJ smile, it was especially beautiful. He of course didn’t just like CJ for his exterior beauty, but Daniel could get lost in those deep brown eyes for hours.
“You okay?” CJ asked, a bit concerned. Daniel realized he wasn’t talking and had just been staring at CJ.
“Yeah, I’m fine, sorry,” Daniel apologized quickly, his face turning a bit red.
“Don’t worry about it,” CJ shrugged.
Daniel smiled and asked, “So what are you doing this summer?”
“I had concert tickets but y’know,” CJ answered, clearly a bit annoyed with being stuck in the hospital and missing out.
“I’m sorry about that,” Daniel muttered, thinking about how he had his own concert in about a week and a half.
“Don’t worry about it,” CJ said, suddenly back to bring bright and happy. Daniel wondered if he was okay, but he didn’t say anything about it.
Daniel thought about confessing to CJ that he had feelings for him. The thought popped up in Daniel’s mind, and he was quick to shut it out. He’d do it later. Perhaps at lunch. Daniel decided that would be as good a time as any to come clean.
Daniel shuffled to his room after breakfast, wanting to lie down for a bit before seeing Dr. Joseph. He met his new roommate who was to replace Rick as he was settling in. His name was Sebastian, and Daniel learned he was here on a suicide attempt. Aside from that, Daniel paid no mind to him. They sorted roommates by age, but there were a couple years between Daniel and Sebastian, who was likely about 18.
Eventually, Daniel did move to Dr. Joseph’s office, the two greeting each other with smiles.
“Hi, Daniel,” Dr. Joseph beamed, happy looking as usual.
“Hi,” Daniel answered weakly.
Dr. Joseph ran through the standard questions, noting Daniel’s answers.
“You know, you’ve shown a lot of attitude improvement since you got here. You were pretty negative, but I can tell you’ve changed quite a bit. I don’t reckon we’ll be keeping you much longer once we’re sure about your current medication.”
“Really?” Daniel asked, a bit excited.
Dr. Joseph nodded. “Have you been experiencing any trouble since your most recent switch?”
“No. I think this is the right one.” Daniel smiled, thinking about going home. It had been a little over a week, and that wasn’t long, but Daniel couldn’t wait to get back to his family.
“Excellent. We’ll keep you here a couple more days for observation, then chances are you’ll be good to go!”
Daniel smiled even wider, a feeling of excitement in the pit of his stomach. He stayed a bit longer with Dr. Joseph to finish up his session before heading back to his room. He couldn’t wait to tell CJ the news. He could only hope they wouldn’t keep CJ any longer than him. He didn’t need to stay here anyways.
Daniel sat impatiently through his therapy sessions in between his meeting with Dr. Joseph and lunch. He was just as excited all throughout, eager to tell CJ the big news. At the same time, he was extremely nervous. He had decided he was going to tell CJ he liked him as well, and he didn’t want to back out of that.
Finally, Daniel got the opportunity to talk to CJ alone as they sat down at their usual table with their food.
“Hey, Dani,” CJ greeted cheerily.
“Hi, CJ. Guess what Dr. Joseph told me,” Daniel said, grinning widely.
“What?” CJ asked, never one for guessing games.
“They’re probably going to let me go home in a couple of days!” Daniel sort of felt bad, because he knew CJ was really disappointed he couldn’t leave earlier. He couldn’t contain himself however, and he knew CJ would be happy for him anyway.
“That’s great, Daniel,” CJ exclaimed, smiling just as much as Daniel was.
“Yeah, it really is. So how’ve you been?” Daniel asked, not really wanting to talk about leaving to CJ anymore.
“Pretty great, you?”
“Same. Uh, can I tell you something?” Daniel tensed up a bit, clearly nervous about telling CJ he had feelings for him.
“Yeah, are you okay?” CJ asked, concerned for his friend.
“I’m fine, but uh…” Daniel went silent for a few seconds before blurting out, “I like you.”
This time, CJ was silent. After about ten seconds, he finally just muttered, “Oh?”
“Yeah,” Daniel mumbled shyly.
“I like you too,” CJ said quietly, somehow even more awkward than Daniel.
Daniel perked up, his eyes wide. “Really? Like, you’re not just fucking with me, are you? If you’re fucking with me I-“
“Yes, really, Daniel,” CJ laughed.
Daniel didn’t say anything, but had a grin on his face nothing could wipe off.
CJ opened his mouth to say something, but got cut off by Sebastian.
“Hey, sorry to bother you, but um, I don’t really have anywhere to sit… I was just gonna ask if you minded if I sat here?” Sebastian asked shyly, stuttering a bit.
“Of course not, have a seat,” CJ said, just as friendly as ever. Daniel smiled and nodded.
Daniel really wanted to know what CJ was going to say, but didn’t really want to ask with Sebastian around. It wasn’t that Daniel disliked Sebastian or anything. He was quiet and reserved, but from anything he had said, he seemed like a nice enough person. It was just Daniel was never one to like talking in front of people, especially people he hardly knew. It was an odd trait, but he’d always been like that.
The meal ended before too long, and Daniel attended his therapy sessions, getting far more impatient with not knowing what CJ was going to say. It could have been an insignificant change of subject, but he could have also been asking him to be his boyfriend or something. Daniel was driving himself mad unnecessarily with not knowing.
Finally, visiting hour arrived. Daniel’s mother came to visit, always happy to see him at the hospital.
“Hi, Mom,” he greeted her cheerily.
“Someone’s in a good mood,” she teased. “What’s up?”
“Dr. Joseph told me I might be able to come home in a couple of days. I’m getting a lot better and he thinks I’ve got my medication sorted out now,” Daniel informed her excitedly.
“Oh, Daniel, that’s great!” his mother beamed, just as excited as he was.
The thought of telling her about CJ crossed his mind, but he decided against it after remembering he wasn’t out to her yet.
“Two of my friends left this morning, but one of them is still here,” he told her instead.
“Oh, I’m sorry. Do you think you’ll still talk to them when you’re out?”
“Yeah. I got a new roommate, too. His name is Sebastian, he’s okay.”
“Do you know what he’s here for?” His mother was always quite interested in other people’s lives to be honest.
“OCD,” he said bluntly.
“Oh, that poor boy. Anyways, I assume you’ve been doing alright?”
“Mmhm. I’ve been doing great,” Daniel smiled, happy to see his mom happy about his improving mental health.
“That’s wonderful, Daniel.”
Daniel and his mother carried on the conversation until the visitors were moved out, and the patients taken back to wherever they’d been before.
Daniel hardly paid any mind to any of his therapy sessions (except for recreational therapy- they were watching Edward Scissorhands). His mind was far too occupied by CJ. It was just such a shock to him that his feelings towards him were mutual. They were still friends at that point and frankly, Daniel just wasn’t satisfied with that anymore. He thought about asking CJ to be his boyfriend, but allowed his nerves to get the best of him and convince him not to.
He couldn’t get that moment before Sebastian walked over at lunch that day out of his head for anything. He of course wasn’t mad at Sebastian, but it would have been convenient if he’d come over ten seconds later. Chances were, CJ was asking Daniel to be his boyfriend. Now he didn’t know and it was bugging him more than it should have.
Really, Daniel was being a bit dramatic, but he was just a dramatic person at times. He felt he deserved the right to be dramatic about this though, although it was really hardly a big deal. After arguing with himself thoroughly, Daniel decided he’d ask CJ to be his boyfriend himself. He was really a bit terrified even though he knew CJ liked him as well, but he was determined at that point and nothing could change his mind.
The end of the day rolled around, and Daniel found he’d drained himself with all the unnecessary stress about CJ. He took his meds and went through his nightly routine, still stressing. It didn’t take long at all for him to drift off, finally taking the scene from earlier off his mind.
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