Rain pounded at the house of Dan Avidan.
Barry and Ross helped Dan as they set up blankets and food in the living room. Arin and Jon sat at opposite ends of the couch- as requested of Dan after they sat right next to each other.
They played games like Uno and Karaoke and ate a lot of snacks.
It was early into the next morning when the first piece of thunder shook the house.
Arin tried to keep his breathing at a normal speed, trying to get the thought of that really sounds like a gun shot out of his head.
Arin quickly signed he needed to go the bathroom to Dan and stumbled down the hall, slamming the door a little too hard and quickly locking it. Another thunder hit. Arin was in the library, watching the man with a pointed gun in front of his parents.
Arin was back in the bathroom, crying, although he doesn't know exactly when he started. He went over to the faucet and turned it on, watching the water go down the drain, focus on the water, focus on the water.
He looked at his hands, them suddenly flashing to the ones that were covered with his parents' blood.
Arin tried to focus on the running water but that only reminds him of the rain and that reminds him of the thunder and that makes him relive the moment his parents got shot.
He sat on the floor against the wall, pinching his arm, digging his nails into his arm, trying to use the pain to get him out of his own mind.
Arin's phone announced itself with his ringtone and Arin fished it out of his pocket, fumbling with it for a few seconds with his very shaky hands. He answered and saw the concerned face of his therapist, he propped his phone up and let a sob escape.
"Ah, fuck," if Arin wasn't sobbing he would have been surprised, she isn't one to swear, "I thought this would happen with the thunder and all. Where are you?"
Arin's hands were still very shaky, making it hard for him to sign, in the bathroom at Dan's house.
She didn't question why he was at Dan's house. "Where is Dan? Singing can help."
Arin shook his head. I don't want him to see me like this.
"He's seen you like this though..?"
But that was before- Arin stopped, not wanting to say it and to let out another sob as he was brought back again to the library.
•
"Guys, shut up."
The others quieted as Ross stood up and held out a finger as a motion of be quiet. "I think I can hear something."
Thunder rumbled and they listened, sobs could be heard. Dan stood up and quickly got to the bathroom, he held his ear against it as the others did the same.
"Arin, please go get Dan."
At the mention of Dan's name, Jon grabbed him by his shirt and pushed him against the wall across from the bathroom door, holding a fist up. "Why the fuck would his therapist mention your name?"
Dan just pushed Jon off of him and returned to his position by he door. "Arin! It's Danny." He heard the sobs muffle slightly, thunder came again. "I don't know where your mind is right now, just remember you're here, at my house, with me."
Jon slammed his fists against the door, making Dan jump. "Arin! It's your boyfriend," he glares at Dan, "what can I do for you?"
The door then swung open, both boys immediately walking in, stopped by the still crying and panicking Arin holding up a finger. He shook his head and pointed to Dan, meaning only Dan could come in.
