Here comes Trouble

13th part of Home. Nothing to do with prompt.

Daniel yawns, and sits up. He reaches for his phone, then remembers it’s broken, and his hand drops. He wants to call TJ, so he goes to Angel’s room to see if she’s up.

Music is playing from behind the door, so he assumes she is. He knocks on the door, and after a second, she opens it, and smiles.

“Morning, Daniel.” She says. “What’s up?”

“Um, I was wondering if I can use your phone to call TJ?”

She thinks about it for a second. “First tell me what happened yesterday. Why’d you get so quiet?”

“My dad called Catherine.” He says.

She frowns. “What’d he say?”

 “He asked if I was here.”

Her eyes widen. “What’d she tell him?”

“I think she just avoided answering it.”

She holds up a finger then goes into her room. She comes back, and hands him the phone. “Mom and Riley went to go meet Zuri for Marus’ birthday.”

“Who’s Marcus?” He asked.

“Their younger brother.” She tells him. 

Daniel goes back to his room, and types in TJ’s numbers. 

“Hey,” He says. He sounds tired.

“Did I wake you?”

“Yeah, but I need to get up anyway. What’s up?”

Daniel sat on his bed, crossing his legs. “Dad called Catherine.”

“He did? What’d he say?”

“He asked if I was here.”

“What’d she tell him?”

“You sound like Angel.”

“Daniel.”

“She said she didn’t tell him I’m here, but she doesn’t know whether or not that’s legal.”

“What’re you gonna do?”

“I don’t know. She said I don’t have to leave, but I might if my dad gets authorities involved.”

There’s silence. 

“TJ?”

“Sorry. Do you want me to come over? I don’t have work today.”

“If you want to.”

“Give me an hour.”

“See you soon.”

“Daniel, TJ’s here!” Angel calls from downstairs.

He looks up from his sketchbook. “I’m coming!” 

He goes downstairs, and smiles when he sees TJ standing by the door, sliding his jacket off.

“Hey,” He says, pulling TJ’s face down for a kiss. 

TJ smiles, and wraps his arm around Daniel’s waist to pull him closer. 

“Gross, guys,” Angel calls from where she’s laying on the couch. “I’m still here.”

Daniel makes a face at her, but pulls away to sit on the other couch. TJ sits beside him.

“So what are you going to do about your dad?” Angel asks. 

He sighs, and leans against TJ. “I don't know. I don’t think he’ll do anything, but if he does, I don’t really want to go back there.”

“I don’t think he even knows where we live.” She points out. “There’s no way he could find you.”

“Still.” He sighs. “What happens if he does?”

“If he does, I’ll protect you.” TJ says, wrapping his arms around Daniel, and kissing his forehead.

He can’t help but laugh. “You couldn’t fight my dad, TJ. You could try, but he’s way stronger than you.”

“Of course I could beat him.” TJ says. “Don’t argue with me about this.”

Daniel smiles. “Sure.”

“Angel, do you know how to cook?” TJ asks her.

She nods. “Yeah, mom teaches me all the time.”

“Great. Daniel can’t cook at all, so we’ve got to teach him how to make something.”

Daniel sighs. “You don’t have to-”

“Yes, we do.” Angel interrupts. “Come on.”

The doorbell rings, and Angel goes up to get it. “I’ll be back.”

They’ve been working on making pancakes, but Daniel’s burned all of his, no matter how much they tried to help.

TJ and Daniel follow her, looking into the living room from the wide hallway.

Angel opens the door. “Hi, how can I help you?”

The door covers whoever it is, and they lean closer to get a better look. 

“I’m here for my son.” A voice says. Angel lets the door swing open, and Daniel’s eyes widen. 

His father found him.