Brian closed the door behind the detectives and thought that Justin was probably crying his eyes out in the bed. After news like that anyone would. Then he heard objects breaking and he ran over to the bedroom to see what the hell was going on. Justin was grabbing things left and right just throwing them on the floor and the walls. He was crying and he looked like he could kill anyone at any minute. “Justin,” Brian said but Justin wasn’t hearing a thing. Justin picked the alarm clock and threw it at Brian. Brian ducked just in time and avoided being hit. Justin walked out of the bedroom and started throwing things in the living room. Brian ran his fingers through his hair, paralyzed. He had never seen the blond so out of control before. “Justin!” Brian ran over to him and grabbed him. Justin turned around and pushed Brian back. The brunet landed on the floor. He groaned and sat up; he watched as Justin grabbed a lamp and threw it against the computer. Brian got up quickly and went towards the blond. “No!!” Justin screamed. Brian knew someone was bound to call the cops. He grabbed Justin and they struggled around until they fell down on the floor. Brian quickly got on top of him. He wasn’t going to risk Justin getting hurt; he knew he had to confine the blond. “Let me go! Let me go!!” Justin hissed. “Calm down!” Brian yelled and held Justin’s wrist on his chest. He was straddling the blond and holding him down using all of his strength. “Let me go, let go of me!!” Justin screamed turning red all over in anger. Brian didn’t know what else he should do. So he just held on to the blond. “Let me go! Stop it, stop it!” Justin was not giving up. He was fighting against Brian. “Look at me!” Brian hissed. “Justin!” Justin was trying with all his might to get away. “Fuck, Justin!” Brian said and pushed Justin’s arms up so he could hold him better. “Please, Justin. Hear me out.” “No!” Justin hissed. “It’s not true!” Brian closed his eyes and kept a tight hold on the blond. Justin tried to squirm away but Brian wasn’t budging. They remained in the same position for almost half an hour until Justin stopped fighting Brian. Unfortunately, Justin kept trembling until he abruptly stopped as his body tired. Throughout the ordeal Brian never let go. No even when Justin suddenly let out the most anguished scream he had ever heard and the blond started crying. “Oh god, Justin,” Brian hugged him. “I’m so sorry.” Justin held on to the brunet tightly. He was so tired. He just wanted to wake up. He believed it all would be fine, it was a mistake, a horrible dream and once he woke up it would be fine. Brian caressed Justin’s hair and when he pulled back to look at the blond, he realized Justin had fallen into an exhausted sleep. He sighed and got on his knees. He felt his muscles protesting. He knew that in the morning he was going to hurt. He got up and went to survey the damage to the bedroom. He looked at the bed and shook his head not believing what had happened. Some of the shattered pieces of the things that Justin had broken landed on the bed so he started pushing them away. “Jus,” Brian whispered once he came back. Justin was out like a light. The brunet picked Justin up and carried him to the bed. Then he just stared at the blond that look so angelic now. He moved away after a few minutes to resume his survey of the damage that Justin had inflicted. He sighed and started searching for his phone hoping that it hadn’t crossed Justin’s path. *** “There,” Michael said. “Like new.” “Hardly,” Brian said as he put his broken computer in a box so they could throw it away. “He’s still sleeping,” Duncan said holding on to a broom. “Yeah,” Brian took a deep breath. “What the fuck am I going to do when he wakes up?” “Tie him to the bed so he doesn’t do this again,” Michael suggested. “Michael,” Duncan chastised. “His best friend just...died. It’s not the time to be making jokes.” “He was serious,” Brian pointed out. “I was,” Michael told Duncan. “I think we might have to medicate him.” “No,” Brian said quickly. “He’ll get through this.” Michael nodded. “It was only an idea.” “Fuck it,” Brian hissed. “Just get out.” “Thank you would be nice,” Duncan said. “Why do I even bother?” “If you need anything call me,” Michael said. “Yeah,” Brian assured him. When they were gone Brian went to check on Justin. He then went and grabbed something to drink. He sat down on the sofa and drank slowly. Throwing his head back he pinched the bridge of his nose. He closed his eyes and tried to rest. His eyes snapped open when his cell started ringing. He answered quickly not wanting Justin to wake up. “Hello?” “It’s me,” Lindsay said. “What do you want?” Brian asked her. “I heard about what happen,” Lindsay said, curious to know how Justin was doing. “Michael has a big fucking mouth,” Brian hissed. “I’m family, Brian,” Lindsay said. “We have a right to know.” “Is there something you want?” Brian asked her, trying to change the subject. “Can we help with anything?” Lindsay wanted to be there for them. “Can you turn back time?” Brian mumbled getting up from the sofa. “Brian,” Lindsay groaned. “I’m serious here.” “Look,” Brian firmly said, as he put his glass on his desk. “I have to go.” “Can I talk to him?” Lindsay asked quickly before Brian could hang up on her. “He’s still sleeping,” Brian looked in the direction of the bed and saw the blond stirring. “How is he?” Lindsay asked again. “He hasn’t talked much,” Brian told her. “Tell Gus I love him. I have to go,” he hung up and walked over to the bedroom. When he got there Justin was sitting up. “Brian?” Justin asked. “How are you feeling?” Brian asked him. Justin put his palm against his head. “My head hurts.” Brian scratched his cheek and watched the blond. Justin looked around and frowned. His lower lip started trembling and he hugged himself. Brian walked slowly until he reached the bed. He got inside and then pulled the blond into his arms. “She’s really gone?” Justin asked his voice barely making it. “I’m sorry,” Brian told him. Justin’s hold on Brian intensified. He felt as if the pain was a physical entity that had started crushing him. He wanted to die. He would gladly trade his own life if it could bring Daphne back. He pulled back and shook his head. “I have to go.” Brian pulled him into his arms again. “You are not going anywhere, Jus. There is nothing you can do.” “I have to...” Justin didn’t know what he had to do but he had to do something. “I want to see her.” Brian who was in the advertising world and thrived at it by always knowing the right words to say was now at a lost for them. He didn’t know if to let the blond go or make him stay. “I would have to call the detectives.” “What happened?” Justin asked. “I mean, what did they say?” Brian shook his head. “They didn’t say much, Jus. Only that they had...found her,” he said not wanting to say the rest of the things that the detectives had told him. Justin had left his side as soon as Clay had informed them that they had found Daphne’s body. Justin put his head on Brian’s shoulder. “Brian...” “What?” Brian asked. “I don’t want to keep losing people,” Justin told him and started crying again. “You won’t,” Brian kissed him on the right temple and held him. That’s all he could offer right then and hoped that it was enough. *** Brian was in his office when Michael came to see him. “I need to talk to you,” Michael said after Cynthia had left. “What’s wrong?” Brian asked. “I...I’m leaving,” Michael told him. “Leaving where?” Brian asked as he looked at his friend. “Leaving Pittsburgh,” Michael told him. “Where the fuck are you going?” Brian leaned back in his chair. He stared at Michael not sure what the fuck his friend was planning now. “Duncan and I are going to buy a house,” Michael told him as he got up. “You already bought a house,” Brian replied getting up as well. “Yeah, but that didn’t work out. I’m going to sell that one,” Michael told him. “I want to do this for my family.” Brian arched a brow. “Hunter is okay with all of this?” “He’s getting along with Duncan,” Michael said. Brian nodded. “Why are you leaving?” he didn’t want his best friend leaving but he refused to admit it. Michael snorted. “What kind of question is that?” “I thought you were fine here,” Brian told him. “I like Duncan a lot,” Michael said. “You know what I mean it’s just as much as you like Justin.” Brian nodded understanding. “I don’t want anything happening to him,” Michael said. “Or to Hunter,” he added. Brian sighed. “Nothing is going to happen to him.” Michael looked at Brian and shook his head. “This thing with Ben and then Daphne, fuck, Brian,” he took a deep breath. “It’s not in our hands is it? We can’t protect ourselves from this psycho killer. How the fuck can we protect the people close to us?” Brian sat down again and shook his head. “We can’t protect the people we care about all of the time.” “I know that,” Michael sighed. “But it’s not the same. Someone is out there and hurting our family in purpose and god know why or who is going to be next.” Brian knew that Michael was right. He wished he could take Justin and leave as well but he had his son to think about. Michael frowned and sat down as well. “I’m sorry.” “Nah,” Brian shrugged. “You are still going to be my best friend wherever you are.” Michael nodded. “I am not leaving for another month. There are a lot of things that need to be done.” Brian nodded and rested back in his chair. “I’m going to miss you.” Michael nodded with a sad smile in place. “Same.” *** Clay got out of his car and looked at the house. He closed the door and stared at a guy that was outside cutting the grass. “Excuse me,” he said when he was close enough. The guy looked up and raised a brow. “Are you Jason Branson?” Clay asked as he showed him his badge. “Uh, how can I help you?” Jason asked frowning. “That’s me.” “I have a couple of questions,” Clay looked around. “Whom do you live with?” “My parents,” Jason said. “That’s all you wanted to know?” “Nah,” Clay said. “It’s a nice house.” “I guess,” Jason looked at the house with a frown on his face. Then he looked back at the man in front of him. “So, I don’t think you came here to talk about my parent’s house.” “No, no,” Clay smiled. “I was wondering. Were you good friends with Chris Hobbs?” Jason nodded very slowly. “Yeah.” “So what happened?” Clay asked. “He’s dead,” Jason said, his voice showing how uncomfortable he was. “I see,” Clay thought for a minute. “How did it happen?” “It was...” it was still hard for Jason to talk about it. “It was fucking horrible. He fell down the stairs and twisted his neck. It...” “It what?” Clay asked. “It looked like a fake body...lying there unmoving and his eyes were open. It didn’t look like Chris at all,” Jason cleared his throat. “The report says that there wasn’t anyone around when Chris died. His accident happened before the bell rang,” Clay told him. “Yeah,” Jason’s eyes went up. It looked like he was thinking about something. “I think it was a girl that saw him first. She started screaming and then everyone went over to her.” “I see,” Clay took out some gum and offered some to Jason but the man declined. “Was Justin around? How did he look?” “Yeah, he was there,” Jason confirmed. “He looked freaked out. Everyone did.” “Didn’t he look in any way happy or relived?” Clay asked. “No way,” Jason sighed. “Look, they did fight a lot but...the truth was that,” Jason shook his head and kept quiet. “Yeah,” Clay continued pressing for information. “Never mind,” Jason told him. “Is there anything else you want? Why do you want to know this?” “It might not have been an accident after all,” Clay said. “You are fucking kidding,” Jason told him surprised. “It could have been someone you guys knew,” Clay informed him gauging Jason’s reaction. “Who the fuck?” Jason asked not believing the detective. “Justin Taylor maybe,” Clay bit his lower lip trying to decipher Jason’s response to the information he was giving him. “That is not true,” Jason said. “He wouldn’t have done that.” “Didn’t they used to fight all the time?” Clay asked. “Yeah but that was because...” Jason stopped talking again. “Tell me,” Clay sighed. “I can’t,” Jason told him. “Don’t you want to know who killed your friend?” Clay asked him. “He died in an accident,” Jason hissed. “Justin wouldn’t have killed him. They...” “Fuck me,” Clay said realizing what Jason was trying to hide. “They were together.” Jason looked away. “I always vowed not to let anyone know. They didn’t want anybody to know they were gay.” “I see,” Clay frowned. “Were they fighting that day?” “I don’t know,” Jason shrugged and looked at his watch. “I’m going to go now.” “Hold on a minute,” Clay grabbed Jason by the arm. “Didn’t Chris tell you how things were with Justin?” “Are you crazy?” Jason asked. “He didn’t want anyone knowing and that included me.” “How did you know then?” Clay crossed his arms. Jason shook his head and went up the steps of the house. He opened the door and leaned over. “Mom! I’m leaving,” Jason closed the door and went back down the steps. “So?” Clay asked. “Jesus,” Jason said. “Haven’t you ever had a best friend?” Clay wasn’t sure what Jason meant and then he nodded as it dawned on him. “You just knew didn’t you?” “Yeah, he was my best friend. I knew him very well weather he liked it or not,” Jason said. “I have to go. I’m picking up my girl.” Clay nodded and watched him get him in his car. Walking to his own car, Clay knew he finally had Justin, he had a motive. The motive was clear; the blond had killed Daphne because she knew too much. He had killed a few people and couldn’t hide it away from his best friend. After all, a best friend always knew. *** Justin gasped and opened his eyes. He looked around a little lost and then he sat up. He had been having a nightmare where he kept chasing after Daphne pleading with her not to leave him but she never stopped. He stayed quiet trying to know if he was all alone but he could feel Brian. “Brian, are you busy?” Brian got up from his desk and walked over to the blond. “Hey, is everything okay?” “Not really,” Justin told him. “Can you just lie with me, please?” Brian nodded and got in the bed. He lay on his back and Justin quickly got on top of him. Brian started caressing the blond’s back. Justin pulled back and stared at Brian. “What?” Brian arched a brow. Justin leaned forward and kissed him. Then he pulled back and started to undo Brian’s button. “Are you sure?” Brian asked. Justin nodded and both of them slowly got rid of their clothes. When they were both naked Brian turned them around. Justin extended his hand to the bowl of condoms and picked one. He opened it and put it on Brian. Brian grabbed the lube and put some on his fingers. He then rubbed it on his condom-clad cock. He moved closer and Justin wrapped his legs around Brian’s waist. Brian leaned in and kissed Justin. His fingers found the blond’s hole and he pushed inside. Justin moaned as they kissed. The vibrations struck Brian’s mouth and rippled throughout his body. He pulled back and smiled briefly. He rubbed his nose against Justin’s. “Ready?” Brian asked. Justin nodded and lifted his legs up to Brian’s shoulders. “Bri,” he moaned as the brunet started to push inside. Brian pushed inside of the blond slowly. He caressed Justin’s face and didn’t bother to clean Justin’s tears away. He knew that Justin needed to release his pain. “I got you.” Justin wrapped one arm around Brian. The other one he lifted it up and he held on to the edge of the bed. Justin’s body arched as Brian rubbed his prostate over and over again. “Brian.” Brian licked Justin’s neck all the way from the base to the top. Then he started nipping at it. He felt Justin shaking under him and he could die right then. Justin was his world and he wanted the blond to stop suffering. He would do anything for him. “Jus,” Brian groaned. Justin opened his eyes. His mouth opened as he tried to say something but nothing came out. And then Brian started sucking behind his ear and he became a total mess. A ticklish sensation assaulted him all over and he felt free of everything right then. “I love you,” Brian whispered over Justin’s ear. Then he stuck his tongue inside the orifice. His hand grabbed the blond’s dick and started jerking him off. Justin groaned and then his body shook with reckless force as his orgasm took over. He held on to Brian as the world around him just melted. “Fuck,” Brian said in a husky voice. He kept moving, his pace getting faster until he was hammering inside the blond. Justin opened his eyes yet one again and looked at Brian. He reached for the back of on Brian’s neck and he pulled him close. He was still shaking and then Brian was spilling his juices inside of him. Justin watched Brian’s face as it flushed with ecstasy. Brian put his head against Justin’s trying to catch his breath. “You are so fucking amazing.” Justin felt hollow as Brian pulled away. He watched as Brian got rid of the condom and then reached for a cigarette. He was sitting at the edge of the bed about to light it up when Justin’s voice stopped him. “Can you not smoke now?” Justin asked. “Just stay here.” Brian put his lighter and cigarette back on the night table. He moved next to the blond and held him close. Justin started running his hand back and forth on Brian’s chest. “Brian,” Justin muttered. “What?” Brian asked as he put his hand on the side of Justin’s face and made the blond look at him. “Do you really?” Justin asked. Brian stayed quiet for a few seconds. “Yeah,” he quietly admitted. Justin closed his eyes and moved to hug the brunet. “Me too,” he sighed content with Brian’s words pounding in his head over and over again. They stayed embracing each other throughout the night, in love and safe for the moment.