Terror trio: back in action

Forbidden Love

Danny doesn't understand why his parents keep showing up. He has made it perfectly clear that he wants nothing to do with them, just like they wanted nothing to do with him. He clenched the bedsheets, nails digging into the palm of his skin until blood was drawn. Fortunately, Ryder was there to help him through it. He gently grasps ahold of his hand before interlocking their fingers, planting a soft kiss on the back of his hand to calm his nerves

"What do you want now?" Danny exasperatedly sighed

"For one thing, fix your tone. We raised you better than that." Brett says

"You can't just show up whenever you want!" Danny says

"We're your parents, it's our right! Besides, it's our job to protect you. Based on what we just saw, we have done a poor job." Caroline shrieked

"Did Luna send you?" Danny asks, expecting a straightforward answer

"Your sister's been busy giving tours, but she sends her love." Caroline smiled

"Yeah, I bet she does." Danny clenched his jaw

Caroline straightened out her skirt before taking a seat next to her child, who immediately turned to Ryder for protection

"How long are you going to hold this against us, sweetheart? We only wanted the best for you, that's why we sent you here." Caroline explains

"You sent me here against my will! You couldn't accept the fact that I was different, so you sent me here to get fixed. All I ever wanted was some moral support from my parents, and you know what? You couldn't even do that." Danny yelled

"We love you. We just don't love the idea of you.." Caroline trailed off

"You don't love the idea of me being trans. Well, I got news for you, mother. This is who I am now, rather you like it or not. I didn't expect you to accept me right away, I knew that much. I figured you'd still care for me, love me unconditionally. Instead, you belittled me, insulted me. You made me feel like I was nothing!" Danny's voice quivered

"What do you want, a written apology?" Brett snorted

"It was a hard time for me, Dad. I just wanted my parents to have my back for once! I spent years being bullied, beaten, bruised. What's even crazier is how little you cared. Even before I transitioned, you barely paid any attention to me. The focus was always on Luna, perfect little Luna. She has her act together, she knows who she is! Just admit it, you love her more than me." Danny says

"Fine! It's true. We do love her more than you. You know why? It's because she's not a screw up like you. You're more trouble than you're worth! Sometimes, I wonder if you're really our child because you damn sure don't act like it!" Brett slammed his hand down on the desk

By then, Danny was on the verge of tears. Ryder wasn't the type to get involved in personal business, but this time, he had to put his foot down. His harsh gaze softened once he realized how devastated Danny was, how hearing his parents' harsh words drove a knife right through his tender heart. Gently wiping away the tears streaming down his face, Ryder gave him a reassuring smile before turning his attention towards Danny's stuck-up parents

"You have no right to speak to him that way." Ryder spoke up

"I'm sorry. Since when does the side piece get a say in how we raise our child?" Caroline intervened

"Wow, I guess the rumors are true. You really are a conceited bitch!" Ryder spat

"How dare you?!" Caroline shrieked

"No! How dare you? Danny might not be perfect, but he has feelings. You'd rather tear him down than lift him up. You have no right to call yourselves parents. A parent would never abandon their child or pick a favorite out of the rut. A parent is supposed to love and protect their child, by any means necessary! Your son is not a failure! If anything, he's brilliant. If anyone's a failure, it's you!" Ryder rambled