Brian dried his hair with the towel. Returning to his cramped couch, he pondered over his current predicament. Brian knew Justin wouldn't object to him sharing the bed, but he didn't trust himself. It wasn't only that Justin was recovering from a serious accident, Brian didn't want to invest his heart again in Justin Taylor. The blond may need him right now, but what would happen once he recovered, and renewed his passion for art. Then where would Brian be? Justin woke up to find Brian gone. He wondered when exactly it was that Brian had extricated himself from his side. He called out for him, but was greeted by Charlie instead. Charlie was the big, burly aide Brian had hired to assist Justin, for when he couldn't be there. He seemed pleasant enough. "Good Morning, Justin." "Oh, hi Charlie. Where's Brian?" "He said he had something to take care of at the office, but he'd be back by 11:00." Justin was disappointed. He felt like he was just starting to connect with Brian. Before, he had been too consumed with self pity and anger to give his relationship (if you could call it that) with Brian any thought. But now, he was prepared to acknowledge to himself that he was still in love with the brunet, and wanted a future with him. Although Charlie was entertaining, he wasn't Brian. Justin had grown accustomed to having the older man around, and he missed him. He glanced up at the clock...10:30. Brian should be home any minute. A short while later, Justin checked the clock again, starting to become anxious. Now it was 10:47. At 11:02, his mood lifted considerably, when he heard the loft door opening. Brian sauntered in, looking stunning in a gray charcoal shirt and black slacks. "And how are you two boys getting along?" "Great Brian. Justin here is a fast learner. He's already beating me at Robber's rummy, and I just taught him how to play." Brian grinned. "Yes, young Justin certainly is a quick study, I can personally attest to that." Justin reproachfully hit Brian on the leg as he passed. The afternoon seemed to whiz by. Justin spoke to his mom when she had called. It was the first time since he had left, or to be more accurate, since Brian had abducted him. She detected the change in Justin's attitude, and was thrilled for him, and the progress he was making. His mother had always been supportive, and he was remorseful over the hell he had put her through these recent months. They arranged a luncheon date before he hung up. Justin's therapies were going extremely well. Brian was now an active participant, assisting him with all his exercises under the watchful eye of the trained therapists. Justin was encouraged by his slow but steady progress, as well as Brian's willingness to do anything to help him. He was sure Brian still loved him. He had, after all read and reread the Kinney Operating Manual. Rule number 1 was, "let your actions speak for you". That night, Justin decided to take a chance. "Brian would you mind lying next to me until I fall asleep." He was relieved, when Brian hesitated, but then peeled back the covers, and sidled over to him. Justin soon felt protective arms envelop him. He leaned back into Brian's embrace, and closed his eyes, relishing the warm, soothing touch. Almost immediately, alarms started going off in Brian's head. Laying here with Justin felt all too comfortable and satisfying. Christ, Brian agonized, Did the kid know what he was doing to him? The realization dawned on him that Justin probably did. Shit, he was so fucked! It was just a matter of time, because if it's one thing he remembered about his Sunshine, it was that he was one determined twink. Brian was still reflecting upon the past, when he felt Justin tentatively place a hand on his thigh. The electric jolt he experienced, captured his full attention. It seemed innocent enough at first, but then he began moving his hand up and down Brian's leg. Tantalizing sensations coursed through him, and Brian buried his face in the crook of Justin's neck. Nuzzling into the blond silky hair, he inhaled his unique scent. "Brian", Justin said in a throaty whisper filled with need. His answer, was to start nibbling on Justin's exposed porcelain white skin. The little moans that escaped from him, made Brian's cock rejoice, awakening repressed feelings. Two and a half years of waiting and wanting propelled him into action. He turned Justin over, and was overwhelmed with the love, lust, and desire emoting from the smoldering blue eyes. Brian combed his fingers through Justin's hair, and leaned down to kiss him. It was a single chaste kiss at first, but then he quickly went back for a second, more demanding one. Brian envied the way Justin responded to him, the way he always did, with complete abandonment. He hungrily sucked on Brian's tongue, as his eager hands reacquainted themselves with his body. Justin glided over the smooth bare chest and broad shoulders, to caress the small of Brian's back. They were both losing themselves in the arousal of their primal urges and past history together, when all of a sudden, Justin felt Brian stiffen. He abruptly grasped Justin's arms, pinning them to his sides. Pulling himself away to regain control, he shook his head and declared in a strained voice, "We can't." "But why?" Justin pleaded. After a moment, he looked utterly devastated when he cast his eyes down and revealed, "It's because of my condition." "What the fuck are you talking about?", Brian questioned, rising from the bed. "I can't blame you. I guess I'm not that appealing right now, and there's not too much I can do like this." "No, that's not it", Brian stated emphatically. "Then what is it?", Justin asked, his voice shaking with emotion. "You've never refused me before." "Justin you don't understand. It's just that it's too..." Brian saw the hurt and confusion in Justin's eyes. He wanted to tell Justin the truth, but the words were stuck in his throat. For a few awkward seconds Brian held his expectant gaze. Then he cleared his throat, and callously rebounded with, "I have some work to finish." Brian knew he was being a total ass, but he couldn't stop his instincts for survival from taking over. He pivoted on his heels, and stalked away from the man he loved. A lone tear escaped Justin's eye, trickling down his cheek, and landing on his pillow. If he couldn't get Brian to talk, then there was no hope for them.