"Who's cryin'? I'm not cryin'," Danny insists defensively, his words undermined by a thick gasp of air that jolts his shoulders.

He peeps at Hedwig out the corner of his eye, not brave enough to look him head on yet, and suddenly feels the urge to cry for an altogether different reason. Not one to usually show much emotion beyond anger, frustration and pride, Danny wipes his eyes quickly with the hem of his t-shirt.