I'm really bad with chapter titles lol, they're so cheesy.

Brian was ready to pull his hair out. Getting Justin and Daphne down stairs to work on their homework was a whole new challenge, but he had managed it. Now he was brainstorming ideas on dinner. Daphne had informed him in a matter of fact manner that she and her family didn’t eat meat, and Justin had suggested ice-cream. Of course they weren’t having ice-cream, but he could hardly deny Daphne’s request. He sighed, why did he agree to this?

He looked over at Justin who was doing what looked like his German exercises, then to Daphne who was doing what looked like Japanese. He had no idea how these kids understood all that crap. He had no idea how their parents expected them to do all of that work. He sat back in his chair. Justin must have sensed his gaze on him and looked up. He gave Brian a funny look before placing his notebook and pencil down.

“Why are you staring at me?” the boy asked and Brian was caught off guard.

When Brian didn’t answer Justin shrugged.

“The counselor at our school say that when an adult looks at us like that, it usually means that want to do bad stuff to us…” Justin said, smirking at the brunette. Daphne rolled her eyes.

“That is not what they said, Justin. They said to be CAUTIOUS.” the brown eyed girl looked at Brian.

“We have no reason to be cautious with you… right Brian?” Daphne asked with a sweet voice. Brian smiled.

“Of course not, Daphne. YOU have nothing to worry about.” he said slyly, looking from the young girl to Justin. Justin rolled his eyes and continued with his homework.

“I’ve been meaning to ask… why you two have to learn all of that language stuff?” inquired Brian.

Justin looked at Daphne then to Brian.

“Our parents make us.” he said simply and Daphne shook her head.

“Well HIS parents make him. I WANTED to learn Japanese.” Daphne said.

“Yeah,” Justin continued, “her dad told my dad, and my dad thought I should be more worldly, like her…” he finished and glared at Daphne.

“Don’t blame me!” she exclaimed.

“It’s not my fault your dad is an asshole!”

Brian blinked. These kids had mouths on them. If Debbie were here she would have a fit.

“Well, if you hadn’t went to your dad and went all ’oh I’m such a good girl, I want to learn!’ on him, I wouldn’t HAVE to do this shit!” Justin shot back at the girl who glared at him.

“Hey!” Brian shouted getting their attention. Their eyes landed on him and for a moment he felt like Debbie, interfering between Mikey and himself.

“Watch your fucking mouth!” he said forcefully. Well, now he SOUNDED like Debbie…

The kids got quiet. Soon they shrugged and got back to work. He fell back against the couch. He would kill for a Beam right about now. He winced as Justin opened his mouth to speak, he was convinced that the boy and Mikey would get along famously.

“I’m hungry.” Justin stated and Daphne giggled.

“You’re always hungry!” she said, beaming.

“Am not!” Justin argued.

“Are too!” Daphne said laughing.

“Am not!”

“Are too!”

“AM NOT!”

“ARE T-”

“Shut-up!” Brian cut the kids off. They fell silent.

“God-damn, you two are so fucking annoying!” he said, frustrated.

Daphne smirked along with Justin.

“You think THAT’S annoying?” Justin asked, laughing.

“That’s not annoying…” Daphne said, “THIS is annoying.” she finished and took a deep breath.

“I know a song that gets on everybody’s nerves, everybody’s nerves, everybody’s nerves. I know a song that gets on everybody’s nerves and this is how it goes….” Daphne started and Brian’s eyes widened. Justin took a breath and…

“I know a song that gets on everybody’s nerves…” he took over for Daphne, who was bouncing to the imaginary beat.

“Eveybody’s nerves, everybody’s nerves. I know a song that gets on everybody’s nerves and this is how it goes….” he finished and Brian sighed. Daphne took a deep breath and, again, picked up where Justin had left off.

“I know a song that gets on everybody’s nerves…” she started.

“Stop.” Brian said, now annoyed. She ignored him.

“Eveybody’s nerves, everybody’s nerves. I know a song that gets on everybody’s nerves, and this is how it goes…!” she sang louder and Brian stood up.

“Stop!” he yelled. Justin smiled and took a deep breath.

“I know a song that gets-” he began and Brian cried out in frustration. He turned on his heal and left the living room. The two kids sat silent for a while. Justin looked over at Daphne.

“How rude! He interrupted me!” he said in false disappointment. Daphne laughed.

~~~~~

Brian walked into the kitchen and sat down on one of the bar stools. He wanted to strangle them. Weren’t these WASPy type kids supposed to be polite and courteous and shit like that? Weren’t they supposed to respect there elders? Brian heard the singing stop in the living room, and soon the two brats were laughing. No doubt about him. He kept telling himself that this was the best way to get the money for school. Well, other than selling himself but at this point that didn’t seem like too bad of an idea.

He looked over to the archway that led to the living room. Where he knew the Anti-Christ and his side-kick were sitting. He knew they were only messing with him, hoping that he would quit. They were only kids for fucks sake! Brian shook his head. Here he was, sitting in the kitchen feeling sorry for himself while he should be in there laying down the law. The brunette wasn’t quite sure how he was going to do that but it had to be done.

Brian stood up and walked out of the kitchen and into the living room. He was about to give those two brats a talking to but they were gone. He heard a scream coming from the back yard and stopped. It was Justin. He didn’t waste any time. He ran through the large house and to the sliding glass doors that led to the back yard. What he saw made him sick.

Justin was lying on his back on the grass below a large tree. Daphne was standing over him looking panicked. Brian opened the door and ran to the fallen boy who was crying and repeating ‘ow, ow, ow.’ He looked down at Justin’s leg and could see why. The leg was twisted in a very unnatural position and was obviously broken. His eyes widened.

He looked at Daphne whose eyes were just as wide in horror.

“What the hell happened?” he asked the helpless looking girl and she shook her head, looking lost.

“He… he just fell. Is he going to die?” she asked in a small voice, obviously scared.

“No, he is not going to die. Listen Daphne, I need you to go into the house and get Mrs. Taylor’s emergency numbers off of the fridge. Then I need you to go into the living room and get the car keys out of my jacket. Go outside and open up the car, push the front seats down and make sure that all of the stuff in the backseat goes in the hatch, okay?” Brian said in a rush, and Daphne nodded.

She took off into the house to do the tasks Brian requested of her. Brian looked back down at the crying boy on the ground. His eyes were squeezed shut and he was hyperventilating.

“Justin,” he said softly, “Justin, open your eyes.”

His command went unheeded.

“Justin open your eyes and look at me.” Brian said a little more loudly and Justin’s eyes opened.

“It hurts.” he said softly and Brian’s heart broke.

“I know. I’m going to get you to the ER. You just have to breathe, okay?”

Justin nodded and did his best to breath normally but it didn’t seem to be helping. Brian didn’t know why the boy was having such a hard time breathing but he brushed it off as getting the wind knocked out of him.

“Alright, Justin, I’m going to pick you up now okay. It might hurt a little but I need you to be strong. Can you do that?” Brian asked and Justin nodded closing his eyes again.

Brian readied himself and hoisted the boy up bridal style. Justin whimpered as his leg was shifted. Brian got to his feet and slowly made his way back through the house and out the front door. He saw Daphne out front standing beside his car holding what looked like a teddy bear. The doors were open and front seats pushed forward just like he said. He got to the drivers side and did his best to lay Justin down in the small space. Luckily for him the boy was small as well. Once he was sure the boy was situated he got into the car and looked over at Daphne who was handing the bear to Justin.

“What’s that?” he asked out of breath.

“Its Gus-Bear.” Daphne said as if it explained everything.

He shook his head and held out his hand. She seemed to know what he wanted as she passed him his keys. Brian looked in his rearview mirror at the boy, who was still having a hard time breathing.

“Why is he breathing like that?” He asked the young girl.

“He has asthma. He might be having an attack.” she said worriedly.

“Ill go get his inhaler!” Daphne said quickly hopping out of the car.

“Hurry!” Brian yelled after her.

He tuned around in his seat and looked at the boy lying across his back seat. He was curled up the best he could with his eyes closed tightly and his bear pulled to his chest. Another tear fell from his eye and Brian felt so helpless it hurt. He saw Daphne run back out of the house and close the large door. Brian started the car as the girl hopped in. She turned around and gave the inhaler to Justin. He grabbed it quickly and used it. Brian, feeling better about the way the boy was breathing, backed out of the vast driveway and headed towards the nearest hospital.

~~~~~

Jennifer was sitting next to her husband, listening to one of Harry’s numerous stories of his childhood. Craig seemed bored but Jennifer had always loved his stories. They gave her hope that maybe life outside of the country club was a lot less boring than inside. She felt a presence behind her and looked up at the young waitress standing there.

“Excuse me, Mrs. Taylor, but you have a phone call from a Mister Kinney…” the young girl informed her. She felt panic flow through her as she stood up. She did her best to keep her composer as she nodded her to husband and friends and followed the waitress to the bar. She picked up the phone.

“Brian?” she asked, “Is everything alright?”

She heard Brian sigh on the other end.

“Everything’s okay, Mrs. Taylor, but Justin broke his leg. We’re at the hospital now. Other than his leg he’s fine and he told me to tell you not to panic.” he said calmly.

She felt her gut tighten at the thought of her baby boy hurt.

“What hospital?” she asked quickly.

He told her the name of the hospital. She told him that they would be right there and hung up.

~~~~~

Brian sighed deeply and hung up the payphone. He looked down at the young girl who was clenching his hand tightly. She looked up at him.

“Can we go see Justin now?” she asked and yawned.

He nodded, walking with her to find the doctor that worked with Justin to get the room number. It was approaching nine o’clock and he knew Daphne was tired. He couldn’t blame her.

After getting the room number they went searching. Once they actually found it Daphne let go of his hand and rushed to the side of his bed. Justin was sitting up with his ’Gus-Bear’ still clutched in his arms. His leg was propped up on a few pillows and wrapped in a hard white cast. Justin looked up at him.

“I wanted pink… but they gave me white.” he stated and Brian raised and eyebrow at him.

“Why did you want pink?” Brian asked.

Justin laughed, “’Cause it would piss my dad off so much.” he said, and Daphne giggled. Brian shook his head.

“Even lying in the hospital your completely evil.” he said affectionately and Justin smiled.

“Yeah, I know… But you can’t tell me that it wouldn’t be funny.” Justin said.

Brian smiled at the boy, happy to see a more human side of him.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” Brian said and Justin looked a little disappointed.

“You’re just glad ‘cause if I weren’t okay, you would be canned by my dad.” the boy said sadly.

Silence filled the small room. Daphne seemed to be falling asleep on the small chair and Justin was looking sadly down at his bear.

“Justin… I wasn’t worried about you because of my job. Sure there’s a chance I could get fired because I was supposed to be watching you, but I was still worried about you.” Brain said while sitting in the plastic chair in the room. Justin looked up at him a little surprised.

“Listen Justin. I know what it feels like to crave attention from your parents. At your age my mother didn’t even want to LOOK at me let alone talk or play with me, and my dad… well the type of attention my dad gave me wasn’t good.” Brian finished now having the full attention of the boy on the bed.

“Did he hit you?” Justin asked softly and once again Brian was surprised at how in tune Justin was.

“He did.” the brunette said calmly.

“For a long time I had nobody to talk to, nobody to understand. Sure I had a close friend of mine but he had no idea what kind of stuff I was feeling and I would have done anything to have someone to talk to.”

Justin sat silent. He wasn’t used to anyone being so upfront about this sort of situation. In the country club world everything is hush, hush. Everything was covered up and Justin had always had a hard time dealing with that. Now here was this guy who was telling him about his childhood and encouraging him to tell him about his. It was weird to say the least.

“Now I know you have Daphne to talk to and I’m sure you have other friends as well…”

Justin snorted.

“but I want to you know that you can talk to me if you need to. Well, that is if I don’t get fired first.” Brian finished.

“I thought you hated me.”

Brian sighed, “I don’t hate you Justin. You annoy the hell out of me, yes, and I’m still a little pissed about the whole shrimp thing.” he said and Justin couldn’t help himself, he laughed.

Brian shook his head at the boy but smiled anyway.

“Listen, you don’t have to like me, but why don’t we call it a truce?” Brian asked with a small amount of hope in his voice.

Justin took a deep breath. “Are you just saying that so Ill stop messing with you? Or do you really want me to talk to you?” Justin asked with mistrust. “’Cause I don’t want to talk to you if you really don’t care.” he said sternly and Brian, although annoyed by Justin’s reluctance, knew where was coming from.

He sighed. “I know why you would be suspicious, but for some psychotic reason I care about you.” Brian said and was surprised at how easily the words left his mouth. He was even more surprised at how much he meant them.

Justin sat silent for a while before nodding.

“Okay, truce. I still don’t trust you, but Ill stop trying to get you fired.”

“That’s alright. I’m probably going to get fired anyway.” Brian said and smiled at Justin who blushed.

They heard a small snore and looked over to the chair on the other side of the bed. Daphne was now curled up and asleep, snoring softly.

“Well, so much for your sleepover.” the older man stated and Justin giggled.

“Hey Brian…” Justin started with a soft voice.

“Hmm?” he responded looked at Justin.

“Now that we’re all buddy-buddy and stuff… can I ask you a question? I would ask my dad but I think he would freak out.”

Brian was shocked. ‘Well that was fast.” he thought.

“Yeah, Justin, go ahead.”

“Is it alright for a guy to like another guy… like he should like a girl?” he asked in a small voice and Brian paused. He wasn’t sure if he had heard the boy correctly.

“What do you mean?” he asked.

Justin’s blush deepened.

“Well my dad says that when I grow up that I’m going to meet a girl and get married and have kids…” he trailed on.

“Yeah?”

“I don’t know if I want to marry a girl… or have kids. Girls are gross, and I’m not saying that cause ‘girls have cooties’ and stuff like that. I say that cause… well anytime I think of kissing a girl or anything I feel kind of sick.” Justin said a little shy.

“Is that weird?” the boy asked him.

Brian had no idea how to answer that question. He didn’t want to say anything that would make Craig think he was gay because he would lose his job. On the other hand if he said that it was wrong he’d be lying to the boy after he told him that he could trust him… Brian sighed. He didn’t want to answer the question.

“Oh Justin!” Brian heard Jennifer’s voice call out as she and Craig walked into the room.

“Hi mom.” Justin said softly. He was disappointed that Brian didn’t answer his question.

“What the hell is wrong with you?!” Craig yelled at Justin who flinched.

“What did you do to yourself? How could you be so stupid as to let this happen?!” he yelled again and Jennifer tried to calm him down. He ignored her.

“You realize that you are probably going to have to miss some school for this, don’t you? We are trying to keep your record clean with St. James and you don’t seem to care!”

Brian was shocked at how Mr. Taylor was taking this. He figured that the man would be angry at him but it seemed he was taking it out on Justin instead, who had done nothing wrong.

“Mr. Taylor!” Brian got the man’s attention.

“I wasn’t his fault, it was mine. I should have been watching him.” he said but Craig didn’t seem to care.

“Yes, well my son shouldn’t have been stupid enough to fall out of a fucking tree!”

“Craig!” Jennifer scorned.

“We are in a hospital, could you try not to make a scene?” she hissed.

Craig huffed and looked back at Brian.

“You know you’re right. Where the fuck were you?” he asked and Brian sighed.

“I was inside.” he answered quietly.

“Yeah, well, that’s not good enough-”

“Craig…” Jennifer put her hand on his shoulder which he shrugged off.

“You’re fired.”