Page 34 of Bad Daddy

Danny still didn't know what to say.

“I’m sorry they’re not, like, artist grade or anything,” Haru said, actually sounding apologetic. “I could get you those, if you wanted–”

“Haru,” Danny cut him off, trying not to choke at the absurdity. “No–what? These are great. Thank you. I–” Danny didn't have any art supplies at all. It never occurred to him to spare the cash for it. He sketched with regular old pens and pencils and, as Haru knew, improvised with highlighter on occasion.

He swallowed back the feelings. “This is really nice. Thank you.”

“Of course,” Haru said. “I wasn’t sure if they’d be up to standards, because what do I know about art? When I was buying them originally at the store I just asked one of the sale’s associates there what was good and she pointed out these, and in hindsight it might have been an upsell because what did I need seventy-two colored pencils for but I’m glad to give them to you.” His smile was bright and warm and everything about Haru was so charming. Danny didn’t know what to do in the face of it. “I hope you enjoy using them.”

“I’m sure I will,” Danny said, maybe hugging the tin to his chest the way he wanted to hug Haru right now. “I’ve never had anything this nice. I don’t remember the last time I even used colored pencils. Thank you for thinking of me.”

“You’re welcome,” Haru said. And then, quieter, “I like thinking of you. And I like thinking of things that’ll make you happy.”

Danny’s breath caught.

“You deserve nice things,” Haru continued, still quiet as Danny hung on every word. He looked right at Danny, and his expression was soft, but it charged the air between them. “You deserve being happy.”

“I…” Danny wet his lips. “I am,” he said. “I’m—I’m a lot happier. Since meeting you.”

Haru leaned forward. “Danny—”

The too-familiar chime of Danny’s phone was startling, like a dousing of icy water, and he saw Haru’s lips tighten before Danny had to look away.

“Sorry,” Danny said, wishing desperately that he could just ignore it. It was eleven o’clock on Saturday morning. Clint had had Danny over for hours on Friday. What could he possibly want now? “I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine,” Haru said quickly. The smile he gave Danny then was small and hollow. “It’s okay if…something came up. It’s fine.”

Filled with shame, Danny pulled his phone out of his pocket to check Clint’s text.

Chapter 9

Danny winced when he caught sight of himself in the mirror. He gently prodded the darkened splotch on his neck, and even that touch made him wince again. Stupid Clint with his stupid teeth–

There was more than one mark on his neck, and way too many on his shoulders and collarbone, but the neck was most pressing. Danny muttered curses to himself for a few more moments before he heaved a sigh. He was getting worked up over nothing. It didn’t matter.

It didn’t matter.

He had other things to worry about anyway, what with midterms right around the corner.

Those were a completely different beast.

Danny had been trying not to let himself get too worked up about the oncoming tests because he knew that wouldn’t actually help him, but it was hard considering the fact that he had never tested well. Logical-Danny had been trying to remind him that things were different now, but Anxious-Danny couldn't stop whispering what if.

What if his teachers decided to forget about his accommodations?

What if he failed all his tests and wasted all his hard work so far?

What if he disappointed Lily, Manuel, Haru, who had all done so much to help him?

The week leading up to midterms passed in a blur of anxiety, studying, realizing he didn't have anything left to study, and more anxiety. He knew the stuff backwards and forwards, but couldn't shake the internal voice that kept screaming at him how tests are a big deal and you’ve never tested well–

And it was a lot.

Even Clint backed off a bit, giving Danny some actual space to pace circles into his apartment as he worried.

Then it was testing week.

Crystal gave him a tight smile when Danny met her for private office hours–his special accommodation for his astronomy test. Danny tried not to let it get to him as he sat down across from her. He didn't really have a read on Crystal, but he could tell there was something about him that put her off.

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