“This is where he lives?” Daphne asked. “Yup,” Justin told her. Daphne had insisted enough about wanting to come see the loft so he just gave in. The sooner he did it the better since his best friend would stop nagging him to dead. “It’s great,” Daphne said. “He has good taste.” Justin laughed. “What?” Daphne asked. “You suddenly like him?” Justin said as he arched a brow. Daphne tried to keep a serious face but the smile broke out eventually. “More like love, Justin. I wish I was there to see him beat the crap out of that fucking thing that calls itself human,” she said and was so happy each time she thought about it. Justin shook his head. “Daphne, you scare me sometimes.” Daphne moved forward and hugged Justin. “I just care about you and get so mad when someone hurts you.” Justin smiled at her. “Yeah,” he whispered. “I wish I could do the same to help him, but beating two lesbians doesn’t seem like a rational thing to do. Plus they could probably take me on, at least Melanie.” “What are you talking about?” Daphne asked. “You can’t say anything but,” Justin said and sighed. “Brian was going to donate his sperm to Lindsay and Melanie so they could have a child.” “Really?” Daphne asked. “But then they wanted him to sign his rights over,” Justin said. “And he didn’t want to?” Daphne asked as they went and sat down. “I think he would have done it for them if...if it wasn’t for me,” Justin said. “What do you mean?” Daphne asked intrigued to no end. “Brian had a rough time growing up,” Justin explained. “The girls kept saying that he wasn’t fit to be a parent. But then all this time I’ve been telling him how wonderful he would be for the job. How this child would love him and he would love his kid back. And I guess he started to see that, hoping that it was really true.” Daphne nodded slowly. “I see.” “And he really wanted it,” Justin smiled. “You could see it in his eyes.” Daphne put a hand on top of Justin’s. “It isn’t your fault in any way.” “Maybe if I had kept my mouth shut,” Justin pointed out. “We would all be expecting to see if Lindsay got pregnant or not,” he said. The blond wondered if things had been different if he wasn’t there. The last thing he wanted to do was screw Brian’s life. His head snapped to the sliding gray, metal door when it opened. He smiled seeing Brian. “What’s going on here?” Brian asked closing the door again. He walked over to them and loosened his tie. “What are you guys doing?” “I’m talking to Daph,” Justin answered. “She wanted to see the loft. She thinks it’s great.” Brian smiled at her. “You have a good taste.” Daphne smiled at the brunet. “Did you guys eat?” Brian asked. “I was going to prepare something,” Justin told him. “Nah,” Brian said. “Let’s go out and have something, on me.” “Cool,” Daphne said. “I’m going to go change,” Brian told them. “Please Daph,” Justin said. “The conversation we had never happened. I don’t want you talking about anything remotely close to the subject.” “Promise,” Daphne said. “You won’t hear it.” “Thank you,” Justin said getting up. “Let me go check if Brian needs anything.” Daphne nodded and waited for them. Brian was the first to come out of the bedroom. He had put on a pair of faded black jeans and a black sleeveless shirt. She got up with a smile; she had judged Brian wrongly and couldn’t be any happier about that. Justin deserved to be happy. “He went to the bathroom,” Brian muttered. He never knew how to act around the woman. “That’s okay,” Daphne said. “And I wanted to say that I’m very happy that Justin met you.” Brian rubbed his chin as he looked at Daphne. He arched a brow and grinned. “You don’t say.” “Yeah,” Daphne replied. “He looks really happy now. You’re good for him.” Brian got serious but nodded nonetheless. He wondered if Justin was so happy because he was there or just because he had beat Cameron to a pulp. “And you know,” Daphne said coming close to the brunet. “I think you two are going to be together forever.” “Really?” Brian asked with a grin in place. “You could be wrong.” “I have a feeling,” Daphne said. “Right,” Brian answered amused. If Justin’s friend only knew the truth she wouldn’t be so sure. “And if you ever want to start a family you could let me know,” Daphne said. Brian arched a brow. “What the fuck are you talking about?” “Justin is my best friend you know,” Daphne informed him with a big smile. “And I wouldn’t mind having a kid for him or even you. I just want the two of you to be happy. You would make wonderful parents and I could drop by from time to time.” Brian took a deep breath. He didn’t know what to think of the conversation. “I know I’m getting ahead of myself. I’m just letting you know. Justin wants to have a family someday and any way I can help him makes me happy. But don’t say anything to him,” Daphne quickly added. “If he knew about it he would want to have the family yesterday. It could be our secret for some day.” “Okay,” Justin said as he excited the bathroom and walked to where Daphne and Brian were. “Hey, I’m ready.” “Yeah,” Brian said as he looked at Daphne. He walked over to her and kissed her on the cheek. “You’re amazing.” Daphne blushed and smiled widely. Justin had only but a brief moment to wonder what her friend and Brian had talked about before they left the loft. *** Justin sat down on the booth and Brian was across from him. He knew that the person that Brian was on the phone with was Lindsay. He didn’t know what he was going to say when the phone call was over; by the looks of it the discussion wasn’t going too good. “Look I have to go,” Brian said. “Justin’s here.” Justin smiled shyly and waited. “I don’t fucking care what you have to say,” Brian growled and hung up. He put the cell phone down and stared at the table. He was brooding over the conversation that he’d have with Lindsay. “Uh, is everything okay?” Justin asked very slowly. “Fine,” Brian snapped. “Right,” Justin replied and shook his head. “I didn’t do anything to you.” “I’m sorry,” Brian told him. “I didn’t mean to be so...is just that...everything is so fucked.” “Hello guys,” the waiter said. “I’m Dean. I’m new here.” “And I care why?” Brian asked angrily. Justin rolled his eyes. “Let me have the pink plate special, thank you.” “Coming right over,” the man said. “And you want?” he asked the brunet. “Fuck off,” Brian answered. “Could I have that?” “Certainly,” Dean informed him as he moved away quickly. “Wouldn’t it be ironic if they had a plate like that?” Justin asked and laughed. Brian narrowed his eyes at the blond. “Shut up. That’s not funny.” “Someone is in a mood,” Justin whispered as he rolled his eyes. Brian sighed and threw his head back. He didn’t know what he was thinking when he accepted to have a kid with Lindsay. He must have been high. He looked to the side and stared at the blond. It was because Justin had told him to do what he wanted. Now he wondered what had made him thought he wanted a child. “Stop brooding, Brian,” Justin said. He leaned close and caressed Brian’s face. “Do you want me to suck you off?” he asked in a husky voice. Brian used his tongue in cheek expression and gave the blond a look that spoke volumes. Justin laughed and got up to go to the bathroom with Brian right on his tail. He didn’t even know why he asked Brian such a question when the answer was obvious. “In here,” Justin said as he got into one of the stalls. Brian followed and closed the door. He pushed Justin against it and kissed him hard. When the younger man tried to get on his knees Brian didn’t let him. He turned Justin around slowly and started sucking on his lover’s neck. “Ah,” Justin sighed with pleasure. He smiled and his eyes closed when Brian pushed his hard on against him. He just pushed back wanting nothing else to have the brunet inside of him. Brian kept quiet as he did everything he had to do to get inside his blond. Then they were both moaning as they fuck. At one point there was a guy that had come into the restroom and they had stopped. Brian just kept kissing Justin’s shoulders and caressing the alabaster skin wherever he could. Justin was trying not to lose his mind and hoping that the guy left already. Then they were back to business and Brian was plunging into the blond. He even took it slow to torture Justin and the blond ended up burying his nails on his thighs to make him move. When the brunet couldn’t hold on his own urges he hammered into the blond like there was no tomorrow. The two of them exploded and tried to be as quiet as possible about it. “God,” Brian growled and pulled out of Justin. He quickly pulled his pants up before he attacked Justin’s mouth. Justin was the first to pull away. “I think we should go,” Justin said when Brian seemed like he wanted them to stay there forever. “I think our food might be ready.” “Yeah,” Brian agreed with a smile. He was definitely feeling much better. He and Justin got cleaned up as fast as they could before they left the restroom. They sat back down and everyone was looking at them. Justin was aware that they knew what he and Brian had been doing. He couldn’t help but smile a bit about it. If Debbie had been working that day she would have chew them a new one. A few seconds after sitting down the waiter was there with Justin’s food. “Here you go,” the guy said smiling at Justin. Justin smiled back. “Thanks,” he said. “You can go back to do your job,” Brian spat out. Justin narrowed his eyes at the brunet. “You don’t have to be mean,” he told the man after the waiter had left. But he was smiling nonetheless at Brian’s odd behavior. It was like the man was jealous. “He’s gawking at you,” Brian pointed out and with the arm that was already draped over Justin’s shoulder he pulled the blond closer. “You really know how to act,” Justin whispered with a smile. Brian grunted. “Whatever.” “Were you jealous?” Justin asked moving closer to the brunet. He kissed Brian’s cheek a few times showing his affection. “Stop that,” Brian said. “I don’t do jealousy.” “So, you were just pretending,” Justin pointed out with a smile. “Right,” Brian replied. “Now eat your food.” “In a minute,” Justin said as his right hand landed on Brian’s chest and started caressing him through the fabric. He was now kissing Brian’s jaw line and sometimes his neck. “What are you doing?” Brian asked irritated. “Pretending to show you how much in love I am with you,” Justin said in a really low voice. Brian nodded slowly as his lips rolled into his mouth and one eyebrow arched up. He laughed a bit when he heard Justin laughing, it was clear that the blond had been joking. But he looked at the blond thinking that if it was all a pretense why it felt so real. *** Brian looked himself in the mirror yet again. He liked what he saw there. He was ready to go to Babylon now. He turned to look at Justin who was sitting Indian style on the bed drawing something. “Why aren’t you getting ready?” “For what?” Justin asked frowning but didn’t look away from his sketchpad. “We told the guys we were going to Babylon,” Brian pointed out. “I’m not going,” Justin replied. “Why not?” Brian asked frowning as he moved to get some cologne. “I don’t want to go,” Justin told him. “I’m tired.” “Come on,” Brian said. “It’s going to be fun.” Justin shook his head. “Come on,” Brian insisted. “Brian,” Justin hissed and got up turning around to look at the brunet. “I said I didn’t want to go. I’m sorry, okay? But I won’t die if I’m not in a freaking club all of the time!” Brian shrugged. “I’ll go then.” “Then you go,” Justin said. “Fine,” Brian said one last time. “Fine,” Justin replied. He didn’t even know why he was arguing with the man. The brunet took his keys and walked to the door. He looked at the bedroom and part of him wanted to stay. But since he was already dressed he thought; he might as well go. He didn’t think about it any longer and left. When he arrived at the club he felt like something was wrong but didn’t pay mind to it; it wasn’t because he was missing the blond. That would be crazy, Brian rationalized. At the bar he found Emmett talking to some guy that wasn’t half bad. He got close to them and put his arm around Emmett. “Who are you trying to pervert now?” Emmett laughed. “Brian, this is my friend Mark. We just met and we have so much in common.” “Like half a brain that makes one?” Brian asked jokingly. “Don’t listen to him,” Emmett said and turned around before he looked at Brian. “Where is Justin?” “He stayed home,” Brian informed him. “You better behave, Brian,” Emmett warned him and then grabbed Mark’s hand. “Let’s go dance.” “Whatever,” Brian whispered to himself. He asked for a drink and enjoyed it while he watched the throbbing mass in front of him. Ted was watching the brunet from afar but didn’t go near him. He wanted to see if Brian was going to go after anyone. He had been expecting for Justin to be with him but apparently that wasn’t the case. “Hey,” a guy about Justin’s height approached Brian. “Want to dance?” “Sure,” the brunet said to the dark haired twink in front of him. It looked like he was about to have a good time. Brian let the guy do what he wanted. The young man was showing every move he had and the brunet thought he wasn’t half bad. The twink had a great butt but it couldn’t compare to Justin’s, now that was a great ass, Brian thought. “I’ve been watching you,” the trick said. “Is that so?” Brian asked pulling the guy closer to him by the hips. The younger man rubbed against Brian. He was happy to see that Brian was enjoying it. “I want you to fuck me so hard.” The brunet didn’t need to be told twice. “Backroom now,” Brian growled in the boy’s ear. The trick was more than happy to do as Brian said. They passed Todd in their way in and then Brian found a place where to fuck the kid. He put his back to the wall so the kid could suck him first. “I’ve been dreaming about this,” the guy told Brian as he got on his knees. “I’m Joshua.” “I’m not here to talk,” Brian said as he unzipped his pants and pulled his hard cock out. He put his hand behind the trick’s neck pulling him closer. He felt the wet mouth enveloped him but it didn’t felt right. It wasn’t anything like when Justin sucked him. He sighed with frustration but didn’t move away. He wished he didn’t think of Justin at that precise moment but somehow that’s all that was in his mind. “Do you like it?” the trick stopped to ask Brian. “Jesus,” Brian muttered and made the guy stand up. Maybe he would have better luck fucking the guy. He quickly reached for a condom and opened it. He put it on and positioned himself at the guy’s entrance. “Aren’t you going to prepare me?” the guy asked. “The condom has lube,” Brian said as he started to push in. He closed his eyes and he swore he heard Justin moaning. “God,” he groaned in frustration. “Yes,” the trick moaned. “Shut up,” Brian ordered. Then he proceeded to fuck the man. It was like he wasn’t even there. He pictured himself fucking Justin instead and that’s what helped him reach nirvana. When he was done he pulled out of the guy not sure if the kid had come or not and left the place quickly. After Brian left the backroom he decided to go home. He was not having any kind of fun there. Justin was going to be happy to see him. As he got on his car he looked at the club and swallowed hard. He was thinking that something was definitely wrong because he and Justin were pretending to be together but for some reason he felt guilty that he just cheated on his non-real-boyfriend. *** Emmett arrived at the diner and rushed to meet with the guys. He sat down next to Michael. “Guys! Isn’t it a beautiful morning?” “What the fuck is up with you?” Brian asked. “You got laid. That Marco guy.” “One thing does not have to do with the other,” Emmett pointed out and laughed. “But it sure helps when he’s just gorgeous. And his name is Mark.” Ben laughed as he listened to Emmett. Brian shrugged not caring about the guy’s name. “It was magical and...hey, where is Justin?” Emmett asked. “I thought he would be here.” Brian cleared his throat. “He couldn’t make it,” he left out the part that when he got to the loft, Justin was gone. Then on top of it was the fact that when he tried to call the younger man he would get no answer. “Why? Is he okay?” Emmett asked. “Drop it,” Michael said. “We already tried asking about him and Brian almost took my head off.” “I did not,” Brian said angrily. “I just don’t want to talk about it.” “Six months is over,” Ted said smiling. “This is where the tough shit starts, huh?” “Teddy,” Emmett said and shook his head. “Leave Brian alone, if he’s having problems with Justin is not our business.” “I’m not having problems with Justin,” Brian snapped at them. “Jesus fuck!” “Right,” Ted said and grinned. “We’ll try to believe you, okay?” Brian took a deep breath and tried not to think about Justin. He didn’t know why they were fighting. Things seemed to be going so well and then he had argued with the blond and gone to Babylon where he had fucked up big time. And now Justin was avoiding him and it was killing him for some reason. “Let’s talk about what’s coming next,” Ted said. “What’s that?” Brian asked grabbing his cup of coffee. “Living arrangements,” Ted pointed out. “Hold on a moment,” Michael protested and stabbed his hash brown with his fork. He was not letting such thing happen no matter how much he wanted Justin and Brian to be closer. If it didn’t work Justin would be fucked up. “I don’t remember that being part of the plan.” “This is what the etc. part was referring to,” Ted said smiling. “You don’t expect me to ask Justin to move in with me?” Brian asked. “What happens when we’re done? He would leave everything behind to move with me and then he will have nothing. Where is he going to go? Are you going to take him in?” “I wouldn’t mind,” Ted said. Brian narrowed his eyes at the man. “Don’t make me fire you, Theodore.” Emmett sighed. “Moving together was never discussed. So it’s not going to happen.” “Yeah,” Michael agreed. “Justin’s coming this way,” Emmett said. “Hey honey!” “Hi,” Justin said dryly and looked at Brian. “Can we talk?” Brian frowned and got up slowly. Justin walked a few steps away from the booth and then turned around. He crossed his arms as Brian stared at him like he just had lost his mind. “What’s going on?” Brian asked. “I receive a note,” Justin said and looked around. He moved closer to Brian and started whispering. “It said that you were with a trick.” Brian frowned. “We’re not together, remember?” he asked in the same hush tone. “I fucking know that,” Justin spat out. He was angry for so many reasons, actually no, he was angry that Brian had gone fucking someone else but that wasn’t the problem at the moment. He had even hoped for it to be a lie, but apparently by Brian’s reaction it wasn’t. “I’m just telling you because it could have been one of your friends.” Brian arched a brow. “What if they are doing this to make us fight? Should I start ranting like a mad man now?” Justin asked. Brian grabbed Justin by the arm and pulled him to the side so two guys could go by. “If we fight I am not getting on my knees and begging you to take me back. And I’m definitely not buying flowers to say sorry.” “Should I slap you?” Justin asked and grinned a bit. Brian’s eyebrows shot up. “It would make it more believable,” Justin said. “Then I’ll go away for a few days and suddenly make a grand appearance again.” “Okay,” Brian answered. Justin slapped Brian on the face, not to hard, it was only for show. “Justin!” Brian yelled as he touched his face. When he said okay it was for the plan not the slap. “Fuck you!” “You’re an asshole!” Justin hissed. “I don’t want to ever see you again! How could you do this?!” Brian stared at Justin but didn’t say anything. “You could say something,” Justin whispered. “No, I’m okay,” Brian muttered and looked back at his friends that were staring at them; everyone was. He sighed and looked back at the blond. He pinched the bridge of his nose and moved closer to Justin. “Justin...” “I don’t want to hear it!” Justin yelled as he pulled away from the brunet when Brian tried to grab his arm. “We’re through!” Brian raised his eyebrows up waiting for Justin to leave. “Uh!” Justin shouted. “I hate you!” he yelled and turned around leaving the diner finally. Brian rubbed his cheek and slowly turned around and walked towards his friends. “Did that just happen?” Michael asked. “What did you do?” “I fucked up,” Brian explained. “I fucked someone and he found out about it.” “No shit,” Ted said smiling. “That means you should start writing me that check.” “What?” Brian asked. “Don’t I get a chance to ask him for forgiveness?” “You would do that?” Ted asked and laughed. “Well,” Brian said as he rubbed the cheek yet again. “You said I could grovel.” “He looked pretty mad to me,” Ted pointed out. “You would grovel?” Emmett started laughing out of the blue like a total maniac. The guys were surprised to see him. As much as the taller man tried to control his laughter he just couldn’t do it. “What the fuck are you laughing about?” Michael asked. “Six months are over,” Emmett pointed out. “So the tough shit really starts.” Ben shook his head. He had truly been surprised to see the blond slapping Brian. “You hurt him.” “He hurt me,” Brian said as he glared at Ted. “I’ll fix this.” “Good luck,” Ted called as Brian grabbed his cell phone and got out of there. “It’s a good day today.” “I’m ashamed to call you my friend,” Emmett said as he got up from the booth. “I’m leaving.” “What?” Ted asked. Michael shook his head and kept on eating his breakfast. He had to help Brian somehow. He knew Brian wasn’t big with apologies and the brunet would need a miracle to get Justin back. “I’ll help him get back Justin,” he said to Ben. “You can’t,” Ted protested. “I can do whatever the fuck I want,” Michael hissed. “He’s my best friend and I care for him and also for Justin.” “Then the faster Justin goes away the sooner this will be over,” Ted pointed out. “Justin would have time to heal.” Michael glared at Ted. “Fuck you,” he said. He got up and left the dinner. “I don’t think is such a good day for you after all,” Ben pointed out as he got up as well. Ted looked around the dinner and wondered if winning the bet was worth it. It looked like the better things got for him, they really didn’t.