Endings and Beginnings - Book 3 Chapter 10 All afternoon the sky had been heavy with clouds. Deb had noticed them and hoped that it wasn’t an omen about the dinner. She and Vic had discussed the potential for disaster once they both had learned that Brian and Justin were bringing guests. She sighed as she leaned over the boiling pot of pasta wondering where the boys had gotten off track. She had been so sure only a month ago that they were going to make it this time. As the afternoon progressed the clouds gathered and the wind began to gust. Deb made her way out onto the porch to get a better look at the coming storm. Hearing the screen door squeak open behind her, Deb glanced back over her shoulder and noted the wary look in Vic’s eyes as he too surveyed the weather. “Looks like it’s going to get rough.” He commented moving up along side his sister and placing his arm around her shoulders. Deb smirked with a sad amusement. “Inside or out?” She asked. “With Brian and Justin bringing their boyfriends I would say both.” He announced with certainty. Deb bit her bottom lip and nodded casting her eyes once more up at the sky. ************************** Justin sat nervously flipping through a magazine waiting for Stephen to wake from his nap. Since the baby had gone down for the afternoon Justin had managed to finish the laundry, pay all of his bills that were due, clean out his closet and alphabetize Stephen’s videos. He’d basically done everything he could think of to keep his mind off of what lay ahead of him tonight. Throwing the magazine on the coffee table he laid out flat on the couch staring up at the ceiling. He had debated all day Saturday about calling Deb and canceling, but didn’t feel ready to endure the endless hours of lecture that would follow. He had then contemplated calling Max and uninviting him, but his years in the country club sect had taught him better etiquette than that. He had laid awake most of the previous night wanting to call Brian. He’d picked up the phone no less than ten times but had never dialed the number. It felt too much like stalking. He’d left several messages for the man over the last few weeks. If Brian had wanted to talk to him, he would have returned one of them. Justin continued to lay staring at the ceiling avoiding all thought about the dinner deciding to focus instead on the panic attack he had suffered at work. It had come out of nowhere. Even through all the stressful days after Ethan’s death, when Justin had honestly expected the lingering after effects of the bashing to resurface, he’d been symptom free. Then yesterday, on one of his song days no less, it had hit him like a ton of bricks. It had taken everything that he had to remain at work. He’d wanted to run home and hide under his covers, but he wasn’t 18 anymore. He had a son to support. He had to learn to deal with whatever it was that had triggered it. He thought back to the sound of Max’s voice as he had whirled them around the floor. Justin smiled wondering what they must have looked like. Rolling onto his side he tried to recapture the song in his head but just like the dream that always preceded it, it had now vanished. Justin had a flash of the voice echoing in his head. It had been first one man’s and then another’s. He knew the last one had been Max, closing his eyes he considered the first voice once more. There was another flash and he heard it once more causing him to sit up abruptly, his nostrils filled with the smell of exhaust. He looked around in confusion as he heard the same voice echo “No, no, no, gawd.” He was on his feet unaware of when he had left the couch, but was now standing in the middle of his dining area. His chest was rising and falling rapidly as he fought to sort through the waves of emotion rolling through him. He felt cold and a sharp pain. It seemed to be in his head but he couldn’t really tell. He could still hear the voice and another person crying out in pain. Still the smell of exhaust filled his senses along with a taste of something that he didn’t recognize. It was faintly metallic. His face felt warm like he had just gotten out of the shower but still the pain tore through him. Warm arms were around him but still he seemed to be lying down, the ground beneath him cold and unyielding. Justin reached for the table for support. What was happening to him? Was he losing his mind? He’d had panic attacks before but they’d never included some sort of out of body experience. Justin slowly lowered himself to the floor trying to think about all that had just rushed through his mind. The voice, the smell, the taste, the cold hard ground but mostly the pain, it throbbed mercilessly as he felt himself retreating away from it, falling further and further away from the voice. It was the same voice that had called his name that was now begging him to hold on, reassuring him that help was coming, and always those hands were on him, hands that were now cradling him, trying to hold something on the mysterious point where the pain was burning. Justin opened his eyes and was surprised that he was sitting in his dining room, leaning against the wall. He was holding his head in his hands. His fingers were pressed tight exactly where the bat had come to rest. “Brian.” Justin cried but if came out as a sob. He hadn’t even realized that he had been crying. So this was what had happened. This was what it had been like waiting for the ambulance. He could still hear the tears of regret in Brian’s voice. He had tried to reassure Justin but the fear had been thick, underlying each word. “Justin.” It had been a plea and a prayer willing him to answer, willing him to keep breathing, willing him to stay until help could arrive. “Brian.” He whispered softly knowing now who had called his name, who had begged him not to die, not to leave him, but he had in the end. He’d walked away from Brian only to return and then leave again. Justin pushed himself up off of the floor. It was only once he had managed to get to his feet that he realized that he was shaking. Using the wall for support he made his way into the kitchen and grabbed the phone. He needed to talk to Brian. He needed to tell him he remembered. Not all of it but some of it. It was coming back. All he remembered now was the bad but surely in time the good would return as well. He hugged his arm around his waist trying to still his quaking body. He had just about decided that no one was home when someone picked up. “Hello?” Justin paused. He wondered if he had the right number. Clearing his throat he asked. “Brian?” His voice was hoarse from crying or had he been screaming, he wasn’t sure. “No. He’s still asleep.” The voice replied casually. Justin felt something twist deep inside as he swallowed hard at the realization that he was talking to a trick. “I’m not going to wake him.” The voice continued. Justin tried to place the accent, images of the man from Hotlanta racing through his mind. “I don’t want you to. Just let him sleep. I’ll talk to him later.” Justin replied hoping he sounded confident but thinking he sounded weak. “Whatever.” The man replied then hung up. Justin continued to hold the phone in his hand long after the phone had begun an incessant beeping. He wasn’t sure how long he had been standing there when he heard Stephen cough. Taking a deep breath he moved into his son’s room. He would see Brian tonight at Deb’s. He would be alone then. It would be better to tell him face to face anyway. He owed it to the man. After all he’d been carrying this terrible memory for the last four years. It has high time that Brian knew he was no longer carrying it alone. *************************** “Brian.” Tyler stated softly reaching over and taking the man’s hand off of the gear shift and placing it somewhere more enjoyable. “Why don’t we skip the family dinner shit and just hit the baths before Babylon.” He suggested seductively as he firmly moved the man’s hand up and down on the hard bulge in his pants. Brian smiled and increased the pace of the strokes. “No.” He replied just as seductively. “You’ll just have to wait until dessert.” He quipped as he continued through the intersection. “One quick one?” Tyler asked. “You know how much I love the baths.” He offered. Brian gave the man a knowing look as he made a turn at the next intersection leading them away from the Novotny house and back towards Liberty. Tyler squirmed in his seat. Brian wasn’t sure if it was from what was to come or what was happening, as he moved his hand once more off of the man’s cock so he could pull up to the curb. “Let’s find some friends.” Tyler moaned as he adjusted himself and exited the car. “Friends don’t fuck friends.” Brian replied automatically. “Then let’s find some enemies.” Tyler smiled back over his shoulder and was rewarded by a hand securely resting on his ass. Brian used his leverage to spin the man around and captured his lips for a long kiss. As Tyler pulled back he kept his eyes closed savoring the taste and touch of the other man. “Fuck dinner let’s stay all night.” He started moving backwards toward the door. He could hear Brian’s soft laughter. “We can’t live on cum alone.” Brian smirked. “We could do an experiment and see how long we last.” Tyler suggested. “I think we set a record that first weekend in the Marriot.” He joked. “I don’t go to Deb’s for the food.” Brian replied. “But it is good.” He added. “Why do you go?” Tyler stated curiously. “Tonight?” Brian asked then replied without hesitation. “I want to see Gus.” Brian voice was firm. Tyler turned and headed for the door picking up his pace a bit. Once they were inside they both took a moment to adjust to the lowered light. “Right.” Tyler grimaced sarcastically. “Gus.” He mumbled. How could he forget? After all there were pictures of the kid all over the loft, they’d had to keep him earlier in the week, and then the bitch who had him had called right before they left the loft. How could he possibly have forgotten Gus? He’d only seen the kid once and yet he had this selfish knack on fucking up Tyler’s plans. Tyler wasn’t really angry. He just had no intention of sitting around listening to stories about the exec’s son when he could be attending an erotic meet and greet. As they moved further down the main corridor they were both very aware of the eyes that were cruising them and the hands that were casually groping. Brian noted Tyler’s sudden change in attitude. Sometimes the thirty-something oilman acted exactly like a spoiled two year old. He realized that this was getting to be a problem. He’d sulked off Monday after Brian had picked up Gus and agreed to keep him for a few hours. As great as Tyler looked in the pale light with only a towel wrapped around his slim waist, Brian couldn’t help but notice how ugly he could be. The corridor opened into a large room. They had heard the moans several doors back, but now they were surrounded by them as naked men writhed in both pleasure and pain. Tyler threw Brian a challenging look then moved toward a group of men in the far corner. Brian watched him go ignoring the hands that were now moving up his stomach and over his chest and the lips that were kissing his back and neck. He watched as Tyler quickly tossed his towel aside and bent over slightly resting his forearms against the wall. It was an open invitation. An invitation that several men lined up to take. An invitation Brian wanted nothing to do with. Pulling his way free he turned and headed back to the entrance. His son was no doubt already at Deb’s. For the first time in his life Brian found himself wondered, “What the fuck am I doing at the baths?” ****************************** Vic, Ben, Ted and Emmett sat on the sofa in the postmodern garage sale motive living room of the Novotny residence struggling to concentrate on watching a documentary about early Rome. Each found it difficult to follow the monotone of the narrator with the high pitched whine ringing in from the kitchen. Ben sighed heavily glancing over at Vic as the man laid his hand on the larger man’s arm. “Let her handle it.” The man stated firmly. Ben gave a small smile and nodded once again struck by the depth of calm he found in Vic’s eyes. He often wanted to ask what life experiences the man had endured to fill his soft blue eyes with such honesty and strength, but realized that his own eyes no doubt shone back with a small measure of the same. Living with HIV had certainly changed the way he looked at life. Vic had been in the battle far longer. He had endured the years when there had been no cocktail. When friends once infected were quick to fade then disappear. A snort from Ted caught his attention. “What is his problem?” Ted hissed. “What did Justin ever do to him?” He threw a glare over his shoulder at the mother and son locked in battle. “Fell in love with Brian and heaven forbid managed to get Brian to fall in love with him.” Emmett replied wistfully turning up the volume on the television set. It was the only way he was going to drown out the comments which were grating on his nerves as well. “He’s NOT a member of this family. He was Brian’s stalker three years ago, who treated him like shit, then came back here only to do it again.” Michael handed his mother the spatula she was pointing to, then crossed his arms once more defiantly over his chest. “Michael darling.” She cooed sweetly. “Shut the fuck up.” She spat angrily. “You moved out, remember? And as such have no say in who I invite into MY home. This house belongs to Vic and me and if we want Sunshine and Stephen here then we’ll invite them. If you don’t like it then you can leave!” She turned back to her cooking her hands shaking slightly as she tried to control her temper. “I can’t believe you just said that?” Michael stated softly tears forming in his eyes. “I’m your son. How could you pick him over me like that?” Deb shook her head and stepped away from the food. “Michael,” She started again softly. “You aren’t vegetables in the produce section. I’m not picking one over the other. Justin and Stephen are members of this family. You need to accept that. He was more than a stalker to Brian and he’s been through hell and back this year. Whatever problems he and Brian have been through it is none of your fucking business so stay out of it.” Her eyes bore through his making it abundantly clear that she had no intention of changing her mind. “How do you think Brian will feel when that little shit shows up with his new boyfriend?” Michael argued. “How do you think Justin will feel when Brian shows up with his latest fuck? That is who this new client is right?” Deb countered then pushed on not waiting for a response. “Stay out of it. I can’t control how anyone feels. All I can do it open my door and let them know that they are both welcome here.” She dismissed him as she turned back to preparing dinner. Michael stood there for a long moment seething. “He’s a spoiled little brat with a spoiled little brat.” Michael announced presuming to get the last word. “Shut up Michael.” Michael spun around stunned to hear Ted’s voice. “Whatever problems you think that you have with Justin aside, Stephen hasn’t done anything to you. Don’t start attacking a toddler as well as his father just because you can.” “I think we all need to take a minute and just breathe.” Ben’s calming voice entered the fray. The tense moment was heightened by the sound of a knock on the door. Vic rose giving Deb a concerned look as he made his way over to open it. Upon pulling it open Vic discovered his arms full of a growing two year old who had just launched himself at his favorite baby sitter. “Vit!” He announced wrapping his arms around the man’s neck. Vic accepted the embrace and returned in with mutual affection. All the tension bled out of the man as he allowed the boy’s pure affection wash over him. It was good to be loved so unconditionally. “Easy Stephen.” Justin reached for his son worried that he was too much for the other man. Vic moved the boy out of his father’s reach. “He’s fine.” Vic laughed as he stepped aside allowing Max and Justin to enter. Everyone had given Max a warm greeting except for Michael who had been distant to say the least and bordered on openly hostile toward Justin. Max had been surprised by Justin’s muted reaction. Either he honestly didn’t care about the other man or he hadn’t noticed the artic reception. Max watched as Justin stared absently at the coffee table, the conversation whirling around him. Stephen was in heaven as he struggled to keep up with Kinney’s son. They were both busy with some gadget the older boy had brought. Looking over he met Lindsay’s gaze. She looked to Justin then back to him obviously aware of the other man’s uncharacteristic silence. Max shook his head and shrugged. Lindsay’s brow furrowed with concern as she continued to study the other blonde. Max followed her gaze noticing for the fist time how pale Justin looked. He was also absently massaging his right hand. Max knew that it had been the right hand that had been injured. He wondered now if perhaps the coursework along with his directorial work was putting too much stress on it. Before he had the chance to ask Justin leaned over and whispered something to Emmett who was sitting next to him on the sofa. Emmett nodded as he patted Justin’s knee. Justin rose and headed out of the living room and up the stairs. Max started to follow but Melanie’s hand on his arm held him in place. “Let him go.” She whispered. “He probably just needs a few minutes out from under Michael’s icy glare.” Max glanced over at the man for a moment. He was a small man in every sense of the word. Michael’s gaze followed the blonde as he headed up the stairs. If looks could kill Justin would never have made it to the landing. Max had never witnessed the depth of the man’s hatred of the blond until that moment. He suddenly regretted ever entering into this devious liaison. He’d only wanted what was best for Justin, but now seeing the pleasure Michael was taking in Justin’s discomfort he was certain that Michael had never considered Justin in his scheme. It had all been about Kinney or perhaps even more reprehensible only about himself. Max found himself wondering how to extradite himself from any attachment to Novotny. Max wanted Justin but not like this. ************************** Justin leaned against the hall and sighed with relief. It was easier to breathe up here away from all the bodies. He knew it was merely the lingering effects of whatever had happened that afternoon. Looking up he found himself staring at the door to the room which at one time had been his. Pushing off of the wall he slowly walked over and turned the handle. The door still creaked when he opened it. The sound that he had found annoying at 17 now filled him with nostalgic warmth. Stepping into the room he smirked as he took in the wallpaper. How could he ever have forgotten it? He moved past the bed running his fingers over the spread still exactly as he had left it. He wondered if anyone had slept there since he had moved out. Surely they had, but then again why would they? He walked to his old desk and stared up at the bulletin board grateful for the hall light casting a small bright sliver on the picture of Brian and Michael. He reached for it as he had so many times before. He had spent long hours in bed staring at the picture of Brian wondering what he had been like then. Wondering what it would have been like to have grown up with the man and share all the memories like Michael did. “What are you doing up here?” Brian’s voice caused Justin to pause as he closed his eyes trying to decide if he was lost in memory or if the man was truly standing behind him. He replaced the picture repeating the words he had years before. “Waiting for you.” He whispered. Turning he was surprised to find that Brian was actually there. He blushed but in the darkened room Brian was unable to see it. “Here I am.” Brian offered taking a step closer. He was also aware of the memory they were reliving. The sexual tension was thicker now than it had been years before. Brian found that fact curious, but dismissed it under the guise that he hadn’t seen Justin in weeks. He felt his fingers itch to grab Justin’s blond hair and pull the man’s lips to his own. “Sorry.” Justin apologized. “I thought I was imagining things.” He felt ridiculous. Brian smirked. “Been having delusions have you?” Brian teased hoping to take away Justin’s obvious embarrassment. “Yes.” Justin looked up his blue eyes pleading with Brian, asking for something that only the man could discern. Brian realized that Justin wasn’t kidding around anymore. He stepped closer and this time did run his fingers through the blond locks that had been crying out to him. “What happened?” He asked softly. Justin felt an overwhelming urge to fall into Brian’s arms. Somehow he knew he would be safe there. He stared up at the man willing him to hold him and tell him that everything would be okay. He needed to be reassured that if he explained what had happened that they both wouldn’t break apart, hopelessly shattered, like some egg from an ancient nursery rhyme. Justin reached out and laid his hand on Brian’s chest. His eyes followed the movement, now mesmerized by the sight of his fingers moving over the thin soft shirt feeling the hard muscles beneath. Brian moved his hand up to cover Justin’s. He knew the touch had not meant to be erotic but somehow anytime Justin’s hands were on his body they produced the same effect. “Tell me.” Brian’s voice was soft but demanding. Justin looked back up knowing that as soon as he opened his mouth everything would change. In a moment they would both be plunged back into a nightmare that perhaps neither had ever truly escaped from. He remembered the anguish in Brian’s voice now begging him to live, to hold on, not to give up. He reached up and cupped the man’s jaw. He felt it tighten under his touch and knew that Brian was growing impatient, but trying to hide that fact. He smiled and Brian returned it lifting his eyebrows in expectation of the revelation. Justin swallowed steeling himself for whatever reaction he would received. “I remember the parking garage.” He stated softly and watched as Brian’s eyes quickly filled first with understanding and then with sorrow and pain. “It’s okay.” Justin reassured him. “I’m okay.” He wasn’t sure why he needed to remind Brian of that fact but suddenly he just knew that he did. Brian felt his heart race as he tried to retain his grip on his world that was now spinning out of control. It was the same feeling he had felt in the hospital the night of the bashing. Chaos whirling in storms around him as he silently wept searching for something to hold on to until he knew whether Justin would live or die. Justin noticed the change in the man and moved him to the bed. Brian’s eyes were searching his looking for more and yet not certain of what answer he sought. “It’s weird.” Justin replied. “I remember you calling my name, but I’ve remembered that almost from the start. Then I have this flash of some pain and feeling cold. I could hear someone else crying out in pain-“ “Hobbs.” Brian replied his voice hoarse with shock and grief. “I took out his knee.” Justin nodded. He’d forgotten that part. Someone had told him that but he couldn’t remember who or when or even why. “Then what?” Brian asked. “The smell of exhaust.” Justin replied trying to piece it all together again. “Fuck.” Brian stood the thought of Justin dying on the cold concrete floor of a smelly parking garage bearing down on him like a speeding training. He felt Justin reach for him and he allowed the blond to pull him back down on the bed. Justin intertwined their fingers and they both sat in silence for a long moment both watching the way one person’s hand disappeared into the other’s until it was hard to distinguish which was which. “I heard you.” Justin finally broke the comforting silence. Brian glanced up meeting the piercing blue eyes now full of unshed tears. “You did?” He asked softly. Justin nodded. “You told me to hang on that help was coming.” He replied. “You laid down next to me and cradled me on your arms.” “I was afraid to move you.” Brian explained. He swallowed against the rising nausea as he remembered his own helplessness and frantic terror watching the blood pour out of the small twisted body. It had puddled around the blood’s head. He taken his silk scarf and tried to use it as a pressure bandage fearing that if he didn’t slow down the bleeding that Justin would be dead long before anyone arrived on the scene. He took a shaky breath. “It must have been awful.” Justin rubbed his hand up and down the man’s arm trying to give the comfort he hadn’t been able to years ago. “I’m so sorry Brian.” He whispered. Brian turned to fully face him. “Why are you sorry? You didn’t do anything.” Brian asked. “I know. It’s just that I wish I’d been there to comfort you to say all the things that you were saying to me. It helped me Brian. Those words helped me. I think they did make me hold on.” A single tear won the war and trailed down the blonde’s cheek. Brian reached over and wiped it away. “What are you doing here?” He asked surprising Justin as he changed the subject. “I wanted to see you. I called but-“ “You called me?” Brian asked moving closer to Justin so that their bodies were almost touching. He needed for their bodies to be touching. He needed to feel Justin well and alive moving beneath him. “I’ve called you several times.” Justin furrowed his brow now seeing that Brian hadn’t received any of his messages. “I call this afternoon after-“ “This afternoon.” Brian looked away. He clenched his jaw wondering why Tyler had thought to mention Lindsay’s call but not Justin’s. “A guy answered.” Justin fumbled for a moment feeling unsure of how to continue. He didn’t want to fight with Brian at the moment about tricks. He wasn’t up to it. “I didn’t leave my name.” Brian pushed his concern over Tyler away for the moment and refocused on Justin. “Are you okay?” Brian asked. Justin nodded. “It scared the shit out me. It happened so fast. I was thinking about this panic attack I had Friday-“ “You had a panic attack?” Brian’s concerned continued to grow. “Where?” “It was at work. It wasn’t too bad really.” Justin tried to reassure Brian, his eyes seeking out the warm hazel orbs he’d spent so many night lost in. “I’m taking you home.” Brian stood and pulled the man to his feet. “No Brian. I don’t need to go home.” “Bullshit. Look at you.” Brian took a better look himself. “You’re pale as a ghost.” “I’m always pale as a ghost.” Justin teased and was relieved when Brian smirked. He then relented dropping Justin’s hand. Justin winced slightly as he did so. “Is your hand hurting?” Brian offered reaching for it again. “A little. I think it’s just psychosomatic.” Justin replied watching intently as Brian began working the stiff muscles. How many times had the man done that their first few months together after the bashing? It had always felt so good but never as good as it felt at that moment. “Brian.” Justin spoke his name softly. So much like the voice Justin remembered from the parking garage. It was a plea and a prayer. Brian felt Justin’s left hand reach up and clasp the back of his neck as their lips found one another. He was alive. Sometimes Brian had to remind himself that Justin was alive. He’d survived the bashing. He’d survived the car accident. He’d survived it all. He was alive. “Brian?” Brian was startled by the sound of Tyler’s voice in the door and pulled away quickly. Justin looked over and recognized the face of the tall dark man staring at them. “Dinner’s ready.” The man continued, an unreadable expression on his face. Tyler took in the scene before him. This had to be the blond that Novotny had told him about. The blond who had hurt Brian in the past time and time again. He looked vaguely familiar. “I know you.” Tyler continued stepping into the room shattering the atmosphere surrounding Brian and Justin’s own little world. The world they had created years before. It was a world far away from the prying eyes and good intentions of their well meaning friends. “I’m Justin.” He replied softly feeling exposed and vulnerable. Glancing at Brian he realized that the man was feeling the same. “Justin, right. I met you at Woody’s.” Tyler dismissed him. “He joining us tonight?” He asked Brian an evil leer in his voice. “No.” Brian stated firmly. “Pity.” Tyler gave Justin another appraising look then decided to leave the men to finish whatever it was they had been doing. Brian glanced over at Justin and watched as the man tried to piece together who Tyler was and what his being at Deb’s meant. Finally he turned two accusing eyes on him. “You’re fucking him?” He demanded. Brian laughed at the man’s gall but there was no humor in the sound of it. “I fuck lots of men Justin, but yes Tyler is a regular on my “To do” list.” He replied tongue in cheek. “So I’m up here pouring my heart out to you while your trick is waiting to suck you off in the living room.” Justin couldn’t believe that Brian had brought another man to Deb’s. He wasn’t sure what this meant and he honestly didn’t want to know. He had been the only man Brian had ever brought here and somehow the thought that he had been replaced was unbearable. “I doubt I’ll let him suck me off there. We’re headed to Babylon later.” Brian quipped amazed by how quickly the mood had shifted. Justin sighed then moved past Brian towards the door. “Doesn’t it change anything?” Justin asked as he reached the hall. “What?” Brian asked confused. “Doesn’t the fact that I remembered something, the fact that I now know that you were pleading for me not to leave you, that you were obviously desperate not to lose me, doesn’t my knowing that change anything for you?” Justin asked his tone indignant and angry. “I always knew all those things Justin. I’m the one that said them. I knew that I didn’t want you to leave Sunshine. It’s you that’s always been a little foggy in that area.” Brian replied wearily refusing to be baited into another argument. He was so tired of trudging down the same well worn paths. Justin stood considering Brian’s words. Words. Justin had begged for them three years ago unaware that Brian had already given them to him as he lay bleeding on a cold concrete floor. “Justin I don’t want to do this anymore.” Brian walked past the younger man as he headed for the stairs. “Brian what do you want me to say?” Justin asked feeling lost and found all in that moment. Brian paused at the top of the stairs considering the blonde’s question. “I don’t need words Justin. You know that better than anyone. You’ve always seen me for who I am. You just don’t like what you see.” With that Brian started down the stairs. Justin watched as the man disappeared from his sight. He rubbed the fading scar along his hairline, feeling the tell-tale signs of a migraine coming on. It was just another lingering effect of the bashing that Justin had learned to live with. He thought he’d accepted the consequences of that night. As his fingers massaged the raised skin where the pain was taking hold, Justin understood for the first time that he would never completely know all that Hobbs and his bat had cost both he and Brian. ***************************