Note: I have no ownership of Cartoon Network and its shows, QaF, or anything else you recognize in this story! 

Justin hummed his current favorite song to himself as he painted; the music player in his ears helped him keep tune. This was the third time today he'd heard the song. While shaking his hips to the beat, he stood back to survey the recent strokes he'd added to the painting. Quickly deciding that it was a bit too bold for the calm feeling of the painting, he deftly dipped a brush into some white paint and smoothed the harshness out with color. Liking how that looked, he placed his dirty brushes in a pan of liquid cleaner and checked the time. 

He was shocked to see that it was mid-afternoon. Brian, on the weekends that he took Gus out alone, was usually back in time to take them out to the diner for a late lunch. So, Justin was surprised to see how late in the day it was. He pulled out his earphones and gently tossed his music player onto the kitchen counter. 

Hoping that everything was all right, he retrieved his cell phone from the stand in their bedroom and checked for missed messages or calls. Not seeing any, he quickly selected Brian's number on speed dial and waited. After the fourth ring and voicemail picking up, Justin was very worried. Brian was not the kind of person to just let a phone ring. Leaving a message that asked Brian to call as soon as possible, Justin resigned himself to worrying until they got back; as he wasn't privy to all of their plans, he had no choice but to continue to try Brian's cellphone and wait for a call or their return. 

Knowing that he wouldn't be able to properly concentrate on his art, he returned to his painting area and deftly cleaned the brushes and set them to dry. After setting the painting aside, pulling up a couple of dropcloths, and righting several other things, he sat down in front of the plasma TV and turned it on. Flipping lethargically through the hundreds of channels, he eventually put it on the newest episode of Ed, Edd, n Eddy on the Cartoon Network. 

Justin decided that it was a fairly funny episode, but not funny enough to stymie his worry. So ten minutes later, he was trying Brian's cellphone again- with the same results. 

It was two episodes later, Cartoon Network was apparently running an Ed, Edd, n Eddy marathon, when the phone rang, making Justin startle. Running to the phone, he grabbed it just as the answering service was about to pick up and said, "Brian..." 

With a loud smack of gum, Justin heard Deb. "Sorry to disappoint you, Sunshine. It's just Deb. But I guess that explains why you, Brian, and Gus didn't come by the diner today. Don't tell me that that asshole didn't take Gus today. That boy was talking about going out with his father all week." 

Justin inhaled deeply to calm himself. He was so tired of this from everyone. Brian had never done anything  like that to Gus. He was a good father. Besides, if anyone knew the crap that Brian Kinney could pull, it was him. But he also knew that Brian hadn't done any of that in years, to any of them. So, it was a bit frustrating to still hear this stuff, especially when so underserved. 

"No, Deb, the asshole is out with Gus as we speak. In fact, the asshole and Gus should be home any minute." Justin sarcastically replied, although he was sure the sarcasm would not be recognized. 

"Good," she replied, missing Justin's sarcasm, and hung up. 

Justin shook his head as he replaced the wireless phone back in its charger. Typical, he thought, not even an apology. 

It was as he sat down to watch TV again that he realized a third episode was starting. Watching the show to keep his mind off things, he eventually dozed off. 

Justin woke to the sound of someone beating on a door. 

"Open up, asshole!" 

"Mel, please," he heard the soft retort. 

Justin jumped up and tried to shake off the grogginess of his nap. Looking to the clock, his heart began to palpitate rapidly as he saw the time. It was after dinner and Mel and Lindsay were here to pick up Gus. 

Grabbing his cellphone as he walked to the door, he was sickened to see that there weren't any new messages or missed calls. With some trepidation, he opened the door. 

"Hi," he offered, as he motioned for them to come inside. 

"Where's Brian and Gus?" Lindsay asked as she looked around the TV area. 

"Not sure," Justin calmly answered, "This was their father and son day. I stayed home to paint." 

Mel snorted, "Figures. He knew we had plans tonight and figured he'd fuck with us because of last week." 

"Mel," Lindsay softly warned. 

"And why," Justin asked, "Would Brian need to fuck with you, Melanie? Was it possibly because you took a night with Gus that you had promised him? Maybe, beyond maybe, he just wanted to be with his son. Besides, you have no idea what's going on. Why is it that if someone else is late, you assume they had car trouble or something else that would be logical, but if Brian is late...well, he's fucking Gus over? Or he's fucking you over? Or he's just getting his dick sucked? Hmmmm? Why is that? When's the last time he fucked Gus over? Or you over? Or Lindsay? Or, for that matter, any of you? Is it when he pays for Gus' school? Is it when he gives you extra money to help ends meet? Hmmm? Or maybe it's when he gave you enough money for you and Lindsay to take a vacation alone last summer? Was it then?" 

"Justin, I know you love him, but that man loves no one but himself. Hell, he can't even give you what you want- the man that he supposedly loves. Besides, he should help pay for Gus, as he so often likes to remind us, he is Gus' dad." 

"Wow, Melanie, Gus is Brian's son when you need money, but he's an asshole when he doesn't do things exactly as you want them. I think that, Melanie, is the definition of a hypocritical bitch. And the way you talk about Brian in front of Gus? I'm surprised Gus didn't think Brian's name was asshole when he was younger." 

"Now, you wait just a damn minute..." 

"No, you wait a damn minute," Justin interjected and cut Melanie's tirade off, "I'm sick to fucking death of this." 

"And what is this?" Melanie nastily asked. 

"The way you both treat him like shit. The way you crucify him for things that you both have done. Let's be honest, you are hardly innocent here. I think there have been several affairs or one night stands between the two of you, yes?"

"Well, the master has taught you, Justin, to go right for the jugular," Lindsay softly said. 

"No, that's the sad thing, Lindsay. You are supposed to be his friend, Wendy to his Peter Pan. I thought you understood him, but all you can see is his checkbook and what you want to see. You manipulate him and judge him more than anybody. And what's worse, you allow Brian to be annihilated in front of Gus. You've been Brian's friend for a long time. You know some of the things he went through as a child. How important it is to him to not allow Gus to be mistreated in anyway; yet, you allow this character assasination of Gus' father to occur. A father that has always loved his son, your son. That, to me, is more disgusting than the vile words that come out of her mouth, " Justin spat as he nodded to Melanie. 

Lindsay and Melanie were both looking at him with looks of disbelief on their faces. 

"Brian will never say anything to you, but I will. This stops now. I will no longer sit idly by and let it happen. Do you understand? Every time it happens, there'll be another scene like this- sometime and somewhere. And you'll find that I can be a real asshole. Are we clear?" 

There were two nods. 

Outside in the hallway, Brian and Gus, exhausted and filthy, were standing there listening to the loud conversation after a long day of dealing with car trouble. 

"Whoa," Gus said to his father, "Remind me to never piss Justin off." 

~Fin~