Jonah Clarke Is Not Gay - Chapter 7: Chapter 7

"So I think we need to have a little talk about yesterday," Isaac says as he places his plate down on the table.
"It's not a big deal."
"You went to hospital," Isaac points out, "am I going to have to wait until you're going home in a coffin to class it as a big deal?"
"Stop being dramatic Isaac," Daniel sighs, "and they'd probably take me home in a body bag and then put me in a coffin anyway."
This time it is Isaac that sighs, and he does so loudly. Staring at Daniel with raised eyebrows as if waiting for him to apologise. Daniel just focuses on the food on the plate in front of him.
"Daniel," Isaac says his voice soft, "please can we talk about yesterday."
"I don't want to."
"Daniel please."
"I don't see why you want to know," Daniel snaps, "it's not like it happened to you."
Isaac ignores Daniel's harsh tone and fixes him with a level gaze before speaking in an even tone as if Daniel is a small child having a tantrum.
"I want to know because I care about you," Isaac says simply, "because you're my friend."
Daniel swallows his mouthful and places his fork down.
"Sorry I snapped."
"It's fine. So what did the doctor say?"
Daniel could be pissed about the patronising tone that Isaac is using but Daniel just feels tired and so he figures he might as well just get the conversation over and done with.
"My ribs are bruised, I was lucky it wasn't worse and well, I'm sure you can already see the killer black eye I'm sporting."
Isaac winces as Daniel speaks and is about to reply when another tray is placed down on the table and Jonah joins them.
"What are you guys talking about?"
"Daniel's face."
"Oh are we saying how cute it is?" Jonah asks.
Isaac rolls his eyes and makes a gagging noise. Daniel chooses to ignore him and chooses to ignore Jonah too. He focuses his attention in his food once again.
"I can't wait till he gets punished," Jonah says when he realises that Daniel doesn't feel like talking.
It's then that Daniel realises he doesn't know or he imagines that Jonah might be a little bit angrier.
"He already has been."
"What? Why didn't you say?"
"It's not that important."
"What's the verdict then?" Jonah asks.
"He's in isolation for a week and has been ordered to write a letter or apology."
"That's bullshit," Jonah replies, "he nearly broke your ribs Daniel, fuck, how the hell has he not been excluded, or suspended at least?"
"Apparently his dad is a very influential person and tried to pass it off as if he was just joking around," Daniel replies sarcastically.
"That's fucking stupid," Isaac says, "how the hell is nearly killing someone just joking around?"
"I don't want to talk about it. It's over, it's happened and there's nothing more we can do about it so can we please just not talk about it."
Jonah looks at him with a confused expression on his face but drops the conversation although Daniel notices that Jonah keeps a concerned eye on him whilst he eats his food. Daniel is beginning to think that with Isaac and Jonah looking out for him he might now have four parents. It's not a prospect that excites him.
Apparently upset with the silence Jonah is desperately trying to make conversation.
"So you guys should come see me at work," Jonah suggests, "save me from the boredom and everything."
Daniel perks up at that, to be honest the thought of spending time with Isaac and Jonah always cheers him up even if they are seeming slightly overprotective today.
"Would love to Jonah, but I have a karate lesson to attend."
"You do karate?"
Jonah looks Isaac up and down and Daniel can see him looking at Isaac's gangly figure disbelievingly. Isaac looks unbothered; he's used to people being surprised.
"Black belt," Isaac replies flippantly, "so really don't think about hurting Daniel."
Daniel supposes that Jonah is taking this threat seriously as he watches his Adam's apple bob as Jonah swallows deeply.
"Slightly scared right now," Jonah admits.
"Good," Isaac says, "you should be."
Jonah nods his head slightly before turning to Daniel with a hopeful expression.
"Please say you can come," Jonah tells him, "or are you going to tell me you're busy learning how to detonate bombs or something."
"Of course not," Daniel replies, "I'm already perfectly capable, there's nothing left for me to learn."
Jonah's eyes bulge and he looks at Daniel in surprise.
"Please tell me you're joking."
"Obviously, I'm free tonight luckily for you," Daniel tells him, "where do you work anyway?"
"At 'Sprinkles'," Jonah replies, "and if you come I'll give you free ice cream."
"Damn," Isaac curses, "I want free ice cream."
"Yeah but you're learning to kick people's asses instead," Daniel reminds him.
"And yet you won't let me kick Harry's ass."
"As a friend I'm obligated to help you hide a dead body and I don't think I'm ready for that kind of commitment just yet."
"I'm not gonna kill him," Isaac assures Daniel, "just put him in hospital for a few weeks."
"Isaac!"
"You're no fun," Isaac whines, "god knows why I'm friends with you."
"Because I'm the only person willing to let you force me to watch every single series of Merlin on a regular basis."
"Don't lie, you love it."
"Yeah," Daniel says, "my favourite bit is the part where it ends."
"And yet you still come round to my house to watch it."
"Yeah because the Merlin and Arthur are hot, and totally have something going on don't even deny it. At least the eye candy manages to reduce some of the pain."
"Just admit you like it Dan," Isaac tells him, "because we all know that you're secretly the show's number 2 fan."
"Isn't the expression number 1 fan?" Jonah interjects.
"Yeah but I'm a bigger fan that Dan so I had to adjust it."
"Oh."
"Yeah."
"Right then, I'm gonna head off to lessons," Jonah says.
When he leaves Daniel turns to glare at Isaac.
"Thanks Zach," Daniel says, "now Jonah thinks we're weird."
"Dan, I think it was impossible for him not to already know."
xxx
Jonah is bored, it's unsurprising really, the cafe is never busy in the evenings and looking at the February drizzle outside Jonah isn't surprised that not many people are wanting ice cream. Jonah doesn't know many people who want ice cream at this time of year and so the shop is quiet, not that Jonah is necessarily complaining.
The bell over the door chimes and Jonah looks up expecting to see Via returning from her trip to the store. Instead he sees Daniel wiping his feet on the doormat and Jonah cannot help the smile that graces his face at the sight, he hadn't expected Daniel to come visit him, no matter what the boy said.
"Hey," Daniel's voice is nervous and Jonah wonders why.
"Hi."
"I hope I'm okay to stop by."
"I invited you didn't I," Jonah replies teasingly.
Daniel shrugs rather than replying as he usually would and Jonah resists the urge to sit the boy down and shake him by the shoulders because Daniel seems to have been in a weird mood all day and Jonah wants to know why.
"You okay?"
"Fine."
"You just seem to be in a weird mood. Does it have anything to do with what happened with Harry?"
"No Jonah, believe it or not my mood is not dictated by your dickhead friends."
"Hey!" Jonah says. "I thought we talked about that."
"We did, I'm sorry, it's other stuff but I don't really want to talk about it, can we do that?" Daniel asks.
"I think I can manage it."
"And that's why you're awesome."
"But if you do want to talk about it then I'm always willing to listen."
"Jonah," Daniel groans.
"Sorry. So what can I get you?"
It only seems to be then that Daniel realises that Jonah is currently working and Jonah feels the tips of his ears heat up as Daniel takes in his apron and name tag.
"I'll have a coffee," Daniel says ignoring the way that Jonah's nose turns up slightly, "and an ice cream."
"Daniel it's February and it's raining outside."
"So?"
"It's not really ice cream weather."
"So?" Daniel repeats.
"What flavour do you want?" Jonah asks, sighing in defeat.
"Surprise me."
Jonah quickly sets to work setting the machine working on Daniel's coffee while he turns to work contemplating which ice cream flavour to pick. It's a bigger challenge than Jonah was expecting and so he stares at the freezer for a few moments before finally serving a bowl.
"What is it?" Daniel asks when Jonah places the bowl down in front of him alongside the coffee.
"Ice cream."
"Thanks. I mean what flavour?"
"Guess."
Daniel looks unsure about Jonah's reply but he spoons some of the ice cream into his mouth none the less and furrows his brow in thought for a few moments before turning to Jonah.
"Coffee?"
"Bingo. I thought you'd like it. I mean I hate coffee but this ice cream is to die for."
"I think this might be the best ice cream I've ever tasted," Daniel sighs as he savours another spoonful of the ice cream.
"It is pretty good," Jonah concedes, "although you kind of sound like you're having a foodgasm."
"A what?"
"A foodgasm, basically when you moan while eating food and it sounds dirty."
"Do you have a problem with me having a foodgasm, does it turn you on or something Jonah?"
Jonah just snorts and doesn't bother replying.
"I feel bad," Daniel says after a short time of silence, "here I am stuffing my face whilst you just stand there."
"I'm working Danny-Boy," Jonah reminds him, "therefore I can't sit there and just eat."
"You sound annoyed though, are you jealous that you can't experience the heaven that is this ice cream."
"Jokes on you, I get given free ice cream."
"Yeah but you can't eat it right now cause you're working."
Jonah is about to reply that he's not hungry anyway when the bell over the door chimes once again and this time it is Via walking through it.
"I swear to god that they purposefully try to serve me as slow as possible there," Via grumbles, placing the bags on the counter top.
"They probably want to spend as much time ogling at your boobs; you always say they stare at you in there."
"Just cause you spend lots of time ogling at my boobs Clarke, doesn't mean that other people do."
Daniel coughs as he nearly chokes on his ice cream.
"Hi," Via says, turning to him with a smile, "I haven't seen you before."
She extends a hand which Daniel shakes with some apprehension.
"Daniel."
"He's a friend of mine," Jonah quickly explains.
"Nobody cares Jonah. I'm Via."
Daniel lets out a laugh at that and Jonah has a feeling that unless he intervenes then he may soon be being ganged up on.
"Can I go on break?" Jonah asks.
"Sure thing, it's not like we're expecting a sudden influx of customers."
"Thanks Via."
Jonah is quick to drag Daniel over to a booth in the corner and quickly takes a seat before Via can change her mind. He has a theory - although it is utterly flawed - that once he's sat down she can't make him stand up again till his break is over.
"Is it bad that I want more ice cream?" Daniel asks as he pushes his now empty bowl away from him.
Jonah contemplates the question for a few moments before an expression of excitement crosses his face.
"Wait here, close your eyes," Jonah orders Daniel.
"What the hell?"
"Please Danny-Boy, do it for me."
Jonah refuses to leave until he is certain that Daniel's eyes are closed and that they are going to stay that way. Then he stands up and heads towards the freezer section again, grabbing three clean bowls and filling them with a small amount of ice cream before heading back to the booth where Daniel is set.
"Open your mouth," Jonah tells Daniel.
Jonah chooses to ignore Daniel raising his eyebrow and instead repeats his request. When Daniel complies Jonah spoons some of the ice cream into Daniel's mouth.
"Why the fuck are you spoon feeding me?" Daniel asks.
"It's a game," Jonah replies simply, "you need to guess what flavour of ice cream it is."
"This is a stupid game," Daniel says but Jonah can tell that he is thinking none the less, "lemon?"
"Damn you're good at this."
"Give me more."
"I thought you said this was a stupid game."
"Yeah but you're feeding me free ice cream so I'm not complaining."
xxx
Daniel is not entirely sure what is happening. All he knows is that Jonah is currently feeding him as if he is a two year old child but that there is ice cream involved and so there's no way that Daniel is stopping him.
Out of the corner of his eye Daniel can see Jonah's colleague looking at them with a confused expression on her face. Daniel has to admit that he's not surprised; it's not every day that you see two teenage boys feeding each other ice cream after all.
"You two are weird," Via calls from across the room.
"Just cause you want ice cream too," Jonah replies.
"It's February."
"So?" Jonah says echoing Daniel's words from earlier.
"It's cold outside."
"You know I read this thing once that says eating cold foods actually makes your body heat up because it thinks you're cold, so you should eat ice cream in winter and drink hot chocolate in summer," Daniel interjects, "it's something to do with the receptors in your brain being confused as the food changes your internal temperature. I don't know if it's true but it means it's a good idea that we're eating ice cream right now."
"I love it when you speak all scientific to me," Jonah says teasingly, "although I'm pretty sure none of what you just said was true."
"It gives me an excuse to eat ice cream," Daniel replies shrugging.
"I think you like ice cream a bit too much."
"I think you're just annoyed cause you know I love ice cream more than I like you."
"Well you haven't asked ice cream out yet," Jonah tells Daniel teasingly.
"Are you ever going to let me forget that?"
"Not while you're putting inanimate objects above me, and probably not even then. You gotta let me have something Daniel."
"Whatever," Daniel replies, "it's a decision I regret anyway."
"You're so mean!"
"You'll get used to it," Daniel tells Jonah causally, "at least if you continue to want to be my friend then you will."
"I'll always want to be your friend," Jonah says with a teasing smile, "now do you want to guess some more flavours or what?"
"Wait a minute," Daniel replies, "close your eyes, it's your turn to have a go."
Daniel doesn't think that he imagines the look of fear that crosses Jonah's face and he can't disguise the giggle that the expression causes. He quickly hurries over to where he remembers Jonah heading and smiles at Via.
"Can I get some ice cream?" Daniel asks.
"Sure thing, although don't tell the boss else Clarke and I are in deep shit."
"Noted."
"Good, what are you thinking? Can I suggest the banana flavour, Jonah hates that," Via says.
"Sounds good," Daniel replies, "and how does he feel about pecan?"
"I wouldn't know but go for it."
Daniel nods in thanks and carries the bowls of ice cream back to the table, placing them gently down before dipping his spoon in and gently placing it in Jonah's mouth.
The look on Jonah's face makes Daniel double over with laughter as disgust crosses the other boy's features.
"Banana," Jonah says without hesitation, "god did Via put you up to this? It's potentially the most disgusting flavour of ice cream ever invented."
Daniel shakes his head and reminds Jonah to keep his eyes closed as he prepares his second sample.
"Strawberry."
Jonah doesn't pause once again and Daniel is reminded that he is at a disadvantage. Jonah does work at an ice cream shop after all.
The third time Daniel feeds Jonah a sample is uneventful until Jonah tastes it.
"Pecan," he says gasping, "did you just feed me pecan ice cream Daniel!"
Jonah's voice is panicked and Daniel isn't sure why. It's just a flavour of ice cream after all.
"Yeah?"
"Shit, Daniel, grab my epipen."
Straight away Daniel can see why Jonah is panicked and Daniel curses himself for being such an idiot. He should have known, should have thought to ask, now Jonah is struggling to breathe and it's all Daniel's fault.
The commotion has obviously attracted Via's attention and when she sees that Jonah is struggling to breathe she quickly grabs her phone, Daniel seriously hopes she's calling an ambulance.
"Where is it?" Daniel asks.
And he feels even more helpless than he already did because he shouldn't have to ask, he should know. And now if something happens to Jonah because Daniel wasn't quick enough to react he'll never forgive himself. Never.
"In my jacket pocket."
Daniel sprints over to the where the jackets are hooked on the back of the door leading to the staff area and roots through several pockets before stumbling upon what he assumes is Jonah's epipen.
He can feel tears threatening to spill out of the corners of his eyes but he blinks them away. He needs to stay strong for Jonah. He can't afford to be weak, not again.
"What do I do?" Daniel asks breathlessly when he reaches Jonah once again.
"Just stab me with it."
Even though he is evidently struggling to breathe there is a smirk on Jonah's face when he says that and Daniel has to resist the urge to slap him silly. Now is not the time to be making jokes.
"Blue to the sky, orange to the thigh, ten seconds" Jonah mumbles.
Daniel places the epipen into Jonah's thigh, holds it there and tries to stay calm. Daniel only lets the air start to flow freely to his lungs again when he can hear the sirens in the distance.
xxx
Jonah looks up from his hospital bed when he's certain he hears a knock to see Daniel stood outside the room looking uncertain as to whether he should come in. Jonah beckons him in.
"Who'd have thought that we'd both end up here in the space of two days hey," Jonah says.
There's no reply from Daniel and Jonah is surprised to find that Daniel is biting his lip and looking as if he is trying not to cry.
"I didn't realise you were that pissed about me turning you down."
Still no reply.
"Danny-Boy?"
A brief flicker of Daniel's eyes towards Jonah is the only sign that Daniel is paying any attention to what Jonah says.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm really sorry," Daniel replies, avoiding the question.
"It's okay, you didn't know. You can sit down you know."
Daniel looks around the room where there are no seats to be seen and looks confused before Jonah pets the space on the bed next to him.
"I should have known."
"How?"
"I should have at least asked."
"That kind of would have defeated the point of the game Daniel," Jonah reminds him, "this is more my fault than yours, I should have mentioned it."
"I've ruined this haven't."
"What do you mean?"
"We were having a good time and now I've ruined it," Daniel tells Jonah.
"It's only ruined if you want it to be," Jonah murmurs, shuffling closer to Daniel so that only Daniel can hear him, "now are you okay?"
Daniel shrugs and Jonah just wants to wrap his arms around the boy and hold him tight. But he isn't sure if Daniel would be okay with that, and maybe it would be weird and why does Jonah even want to do that in the first place?
He takes Daniel in as the boy sits hunched over beside him. His hair is dishevelled from where he has been running his hands through it and it appears to Jonah as if Daniel's hands might be shaking. But underneath all the panic and the worry, Jonah is relieved to see that it's still the same old Daniel, and in the curve of his jaw and the lines of his face, Jonah can memorise the friend that he never thought he needed.
Jonah makes a split second decision that he isn't sure if he's going to regret and wraps his arms tightly around Daniel.
"What's this for?" Daniel asks, his voice muffled as his face is now pressed against Jonah's chest.
"Just go with it," Jonah replies.
The two stay like that for a few moments and the awkward silence quickly transforms into a friendly one and it's only when Jonah hears a cough from behind him that he decides to let go.
"You're mum's here," a nurse tells him, "she's desperate to see you."
"I can imagine," Jonah replies, "are you gonna be okay?"
The last question is directed at Daniel and is answered with a tight smile.
"I'll be fine," Daniel says eventually, "I'll leave you be."
Daniel offers Jonah a small smile and hands over a bar of chocolate that he must have bought from the hospital shop whilst he was waiting.
"Hey Daniel," Jonah says before the other boy leaves, "thanks for saving me life."
The boy doesn't reply but Jonah sees that his smile grows wider, and Jonah watches as Daniel steps out into the cold white corridor and looks through the window until he can't see him anymore.
"You two are cute together," the nurse comments.
Jonah's mouth drops open at her assumption but he does not correct her, he's too busy thinking about Daniel. Daniel has quickly become one of Jonah's closest friends and Jonah has to admit that if he thinks about that fact for too long then it kind of freaks him out. Because Jonah's not sure at which point Daniel stopped being some guy he vaguely recognised when he passed him on the corridor and became someone that Jonah actually cared about, wanted to talk to. It scares Jonah, because nobody should have the power to get under his skin like that.
Shaking his head, Jonah tries to drag his thoughts away from Daniel and focus on counting stopping his mother from forbidding him from leaving the house ever again, but instead his thoughts keep on drifting towards Daniel. About the way that Daniel was so worried about Jonah, about the fact that Daniel thought he ruined their time together. Jonah hates the way that Daniel automatically assumes everything is his fault, hates how Daniel doesn't realise just how amazing he is.
Jonah hates it to the point where he thinks it might be the thing he detests most in the entire universe.
When his mother leaves to speak to the doctor about whether Jonah is free to go, Jonah takes the opportunity to speak to Daniel.
To: Danosaurus Rex
I had a great time tonight, we'll have to do it again some time
From: Dannosaurus Rex
You want me to nearly kill you again, cause I know you're into some kinky shit Jonah but really?
To: Dannosaurus Rex
You know you act a lot more innocent than you actually are
From: Dannosaurus Rex
Don't you know it ;)
To: Dannosaurus Rex
Stop it. My virgin mind can't take it.
From: Dannosaurus Rex
Virgin mind! Please, is there anything you haven't done?
To: Dannosaurus Rex
Well there are a few things, but there more your area of expertise so I guess you'll have to show me the ropes ;)
From: Dannosaurus Rex
Jonah are you coming on to me?
To: Dannosaurus Rex
Noooo!
From: Dannosaurus Rex
Jonah?!
To: Dannosaurus Rex
G2g, bye
Jonah buries his head in his hands and tries to hide a smile. And then the panic takes over. What the hell did he just say?