Janiel Oneshots (Discontinued...Again)

64. Stronger With You (Fluff)

⚠️ (Slight) Trigger Warning ⚠️

(Daniel's POV)

I've found myself slipping down the rabbit hole that is depression. I never thought I'd be back here but something happened today that has triggered this slip into darkness. I was at Starbucks ordering my holiday usual, a Venti Peppermint Mocha with whip cream when someone snickered at me. I turned to see a girl looking at me with a smirk "are you sure you need all those calories big belly? You don't want Joey to think you're unattractive do you?" Usually, comments like these don't bother me, but for some reason, this one did. I walked out with my Peppermint Mocha with my head low, I could hear the girl start laughing as I left. Back at home, Joey greeted me with a kiss as always, but this time I didn't kiss back, I just stood there. "Hey, are you okay?" He asks worriedly "mhm" taking my hand, Joey leads me upstairs "where are we going?" He looks at me "we are going to cuddle" I wrap an arm around Joey as he leads me to the bed.

A few days after the last incident, I felt on top of the world again, I thought nothing could bring me down. That was until I ran into him. Who is "him" you might ask? Alx James. I haven't seen him since I ran out of his apartment after telling him to stay away from me and Joey. I kept my head down as I walked past him "Daniel! How have you been my man?" I looked up at him with a glare "I am not your "man"" Alx chuckles "I was joking! So, how are you doing? Has Joey dumped your fat ass?" "No" he chuckles "man! He really must love you! Oh how I feel so bad for him, having to deal with your consistent whining, don't even get me started on your gross ass body!" I felt a stab on my side "I'm not gross" Alx looks me up and down with a gross look on his face "keep telling yourself that hinny." He walks away and I stayed where I was, trying hard to keep the tears at bay. I ran home, forgetting the bouquet of flowers I was going to get for Joey.

I walked into the house, walking straight to Joey on the couch. "Are you okay my boy?" I shake my head, curling up on Joey's lap "do you want to talk about it? It's okay if you don't" again, I shake my head. "Okay little boy, I'm right here, it's okay, it's going to be okay." I smile a little, snuggling my head under Joey's chin.

Joey's not home. He went out with Shane, Gabbie, Liza, Ryland, David, and Anthony Padilla. Usually, this wouldn't bother me or upset me, because I know that he's only hanging out with friends. However, I went on Twitter and saw so much hatred toward me, it all started when the girl from Starbucks a few days ago called me out for being "rude" to her, then everyone started agreeing with her, calling me out. I don't know why they are, but it just keeps getting worse and worse. Since Joey's not home, I don't have the comfort of Joey's arms, keeping the demons away. My arms start itching for the razor, I could feel it. I texted Joey, asking him when he'll be back. He replied 'Shyland are in their own little world so we might split apart in a few. However, I might be going somewhere else with Liza, David, and Gabbie. Do you want anything? Do you need me to come home? Is everything okay?' I know why he was asking, I usually don't ask for how long he's out with his friends.

Running up to the bathroom, I lock the door behind me. Rummaging through the drawers, I couldn't find my razors. "Where are they? Where are they?" Opening the last drawer, I see a note in the empty blade box. I unfold the note, seeing Joey's handwriting immediately. "Hey Daniel, I never thought I'd write this note but here I am. I saw these razor blades while I was looking for my highlight and it killed me to see them. If one day you see this, looking for the thing that you believe would take away all the pain in the world, call me. No matter where I am, no matter what time it is, no matter what the reason. Call me. I love you, Daniel. I really do, and if I were to lose you from suicide, and I couldn't do anything to help...." There were faded teardrops on the paper, right around this sentence and I could see it.

"I would hate myself for not helping you get through this tough time, I cannot lose you, Daniel. I would miss you so much. If this letter means nothing to you, throw it away and I will never know. But before you do, read the next two sentences. Before you throw this away, call me, before you go searching for a razor or some other sharp object, call me, because I am always here for you. Just put this note down and call me, because you are damn sure I will answer you, no matter what. Okay, if you want, you can throw this note away. If my words mean little to nothing to you, throw me away. But if you do, I will miss you. I will miss you, Daniel. I love you so much, I just wish you wouldn't end it this early. And not like this. Once again, will you call me? Or text me. Do something before you end your beautiful life. - Joey."

I started to cry halfway through the letter, Joey's words once again soothing me away from the edge. My shaky hands grabbing the phone from my pocket, I speed-dialed Joey, holding the phone up to my ear. "Danny?" "J-Joey" "I'll be home in five minutes baby, wait for me in our room okay?" I love him so much. "O-Okay" "I love you" I smile "I l-love you m-more." When we hang up, I walked over to Joey and I's bedroom, the dogs meeting me at the door. Lark and Storm fought while Wolf curled in a ball on the end of the bed. I waited for Joey with his pillow tucked against me, tears still falling down my cheeks. Suddenly, the front door opened before rapid footsteps coming up the stairs. "Daniel?" A small voice comes from outside the door "J-Joey?" Opening the door, Joey frowns when he sees me curled in a ball "oh my little boy" he sits beside me "what happened?" "Everyone seems to hate me, I've been hated on in and outside of social media. I ran into Alx James, a girl at Starbucks criticized me for my weight, and everyone seemed to come after me."

"Danny! Why didn't you tell me?" "I thought I could handle it by myself" Joey lays down, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me to his chest as I cried. I wasn't expecting Joey to be like this, I was expecting him to call me a baby, in a negative manner. Instead, Joey kissed the top of my head, whispering sweet words until my tears slowed "Danny, look at me." I shook my head, not wanting to face his disappointment "Daniel please" he tips my head up, his eyes meeting mine "did you try to hurt yourself?" I nod ashamed, looking down at my lap "why Danny?" "I thought the people were right, maybe I am fat and unfit to be with someone like you" tapping my nose, Joey sighs "you are so wrong, they are wrong. You're nothing close to fat, you're absolutely skinny! You're literally a skinny legend" he laughs. "And don't think for one millisecond that you and I don't deserve each other, because if there's one thing I know. It's that if not for you, I wouldn't be a quarter as happy as I am with you. And I know you feel the same."

Pulling his note out of my pocket, he smiles "you saw it" I nod "it stopped me from doing anything to myself" his smile grows, which I didn't think was possible. "I'm so proud of you" I wrap my arms around his neck "you're my strength Joey" he looks at me weirdly "what?" Kissing him briefly, I pull him back down against the bed "whenever I was so down on myself, you've been there to bring me back up. I never have to say a word because you know exactly what's going through my mind, you never make me talk if I don't want to. To put it simply, you, Joey Graceffa. You make me strong."

Tears brimmed Joey's eyes as he smiled "I love you so goddamn much Daniel" blushing, I kiss him again, smiles on both of our faces.

I wake up to Joey smiling proudly beside me, his phone resting on his chest "well hello there" he looks over at me, leaning down to kiss me. "What's got you in such a kissy mood?" I ask after pulling away from a five minute make out session, Joey shrugs "I don't know, I guess I feel so lucky to have such a great boyfriend" I blush darkly "you're sweet." Getting up, Joey looks back to me "oh! And make sure to check Twitter in about....two minutes" he winks before skipping off to the bathroom. I sit on the bed confused, check Twitter? In two minutes? Why?

Two minutes later, Joey handed me my phone and said "check Twitter then come meet me downstairs." The second I open the app, I see #weloveDanielPreda trending at number two, confused, I go on Joey's page because I knew he had to have started this. His pinned tweet read

"My boyfriend Daniel is the best man I've ever known, however, there are people out in this world who like to pick him apart. Please tweet with #weloveDanielPreda to share some love!"

A reply to the tweet that he was unable to pin read

"Please guys, I love him so much. He deserves nothing but happiness"

Grabbing Lark, I run down to Joey, who was waiting at the last step. "Did you see the tweets? They all love you Daniel" grabbing my hands, he looks me in the eye "I love you Daniel." Smiling I place my forehead against his "I love you more Joey, I'm stronger with you."