“Don’t deny it, Sunshine. It’s written all over that twink-y face of yours,” Brian said in an annoyingly omniscient manner. Justin briefly considered smacking the smug look off his face, but somehow found the willpower to quell the urge. “Ummm, it wasn’t jealousy. It was…” Justin found himself interrupted. “Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiight,” Brian snorted, “That’s why you didn’t respond to me that day outside the diner. You were jealous. Period. But never fear, it was all for naught. Now, you know that you have nothing to worry about. My cousin, Matt, was in for an unexpected business trip and I asked his advice on some things.” Justin couldn’t stop himself, “Was?” Brian outright laughed at that. “Yes, was. He has to be back in Los Angeles first thing tomorrow morning. So, again, what colors for the master bedroom?” Rubbing his hand over his face, Justin shook his head. He felt a hand run through the hair at the top of his and down the back of his head to his neck. Justin pulled his hand away from his face just in time to be pulled into a chaste kiss. Brian ended it quickly and glanced into his eyes, all the while gently kneading the skin at the back of his neck. After some time, Justin, once again, found himself being pulled in for a kiss. This one was also Rather chaste until Brian ran his tongue along Justin’s lower lip. Before he gave it a second thought, Justin was opening his mouth for Brian’s hungry invasion. Brian tasted the same. He kissed the same. It was intense and it made Justin feel whole. It was Brian that ended it. He gently pulled back and placed his forehead on Justin’s. “Is this over?” Justin could only nod his response; his ability to talk had not quite returned. “Good,” Brian said, and then kissed Justin’s temple. “Now, again, I ask you: what color in the master bedroom?” “Dark blues,” was Justin’s overly breathy response. “Dark blues it is,” Brian responded. Justin closed his eyes as Brian kissed his face: both of his cheeks, his nose, his chin, and his closed eyes. Justin slightly turned and began kissing Brian’s neck. He moved slowly up and then slowly down. Soon, Brian and Justin’s lips found each other again. Pulling back, Brian pushed back onto the futon and began taking off his jacket. Tossing his jacket onto Justin’s makeshift dining table, he then deftly unbuttoned his shirt and got rid of it in a similar fashion. Justin felt his breath hitch slightly, as it usually did, when Brian began removing his pants and underwear. Becoming more involved in the act, Justin began removing his own clothes and felt himself flush when he recognized the hunger in Brian’s face. As soon as Justin was nude, Brian was on top of him. Justin, at one point during their lovemaking, couldn’t fathom why he ever would have wanted to give this up. He was soon, however, pulled from his musings by an incredibly well placed suck on the end of his cock. It was awhile later when Brian was lighting up a cigarette that Justin was sure that he didn’t want to give it up. Turning to Brian, he said as such. Brian gave him a half smile and assured him, physically, that he was already aware of that fact. Justin watched as Brian got dressed. Apparently, Brian was supposed to meet the boys at the diner and then head over to Woody’s. Giving him an odd look, Brian asked why he wasn’t getting dressed. “Why would I?” Justin asked, genuinely confused. “Aren’t you coming with me?” Brian asked. “I was planning on painting awhile longer tonight.” Justin responded, “I can meet you later at Babylon, if you want. But I really need to finish this painting. It’s a commissioned piece and my contract stipulates that I must be able to produce it by the end of the week or I lose half my earnings.” Brian shrugged understandingly. “Later,” he said as he bent over for a brief, chaste kiss. “Later,” Justin responded as he watched Brian head out. Six hours later, Justin had finally finished his painting. It was a dynamic piece that had caused him considerable trouble. On top of the fact that he was trying a new technique with a comb and harsh metallic paints, he also couldn’t seem to get the proper shading to create the look needed for the intense emotions the painting already caused. After hours of small attempts of subtle color changes, he was finally pleased with the results. Looking at his watch, he decided it was far too late to head to Babylon and decided to just head to bed. He would, he thought, give Brian a call tomorrow afternoon. Walking to the small, shared bathroom, he took a heat intensive shower and washed away all the splashes of paint. Enjoying the warmth, he didn’t leave until he felt himself almost nodding off in the shower. A few minutes later, he was tucked into his futon and was lightly snoring. He registered at some point that Brian was in bed with him. Recalling strong arms pulling him into a safe, warm embrace, he snuggled closer and went back to sleep. That is why he was surprised when he woke to an empty bed. “Brian?” he sleepily called from his pillow. There was no answer. Justin rolled over into a half sitting position and looked across the room. Brian was sitting at his makeshift table in one of his plastic chairs. “Brian?” he repeated. Again, there was no answer. Brian just sat there looking at some paper in his hand. Getting out of bed with a sheet wrapped around him, Justin hurried over to Brian. “Brian? What’s wrong?” he said as he placed a hand on Brian’s shoulder and tried to look at the piece of paper in Brian’s hand. His hand was quickly brushed off and he was harshly pushed back as Brian stood. “Did you two have a good laugh?” Brian asked. Not stopping for an answer from Justin, “No, you know what- I don’t care. Fuck it! Fuck you! And fuck him!” Brian threw the paper at him and walked out of the room. Before Justin could grab onto the paper, the door slammed shut with enough force to rattle the walls. Justin, having finally grabbed the piece of paper, turned it over and was horrified to see the letter Ted had written to him a few nights before. Shit! He thought. He knew he needed to find Brian fast. He hastily put his clothes on from the day before, grabbed his wallet and cell phone, and headed out the door. Pulling his cell phone from his pocket, he dialed the diner. Debbie answered. “Debbie, if Brian comes there, call me immediately.” “Sunshine?” she asked, “Is everything okay?” “Not really. I don’t have time to talk. Just call me, okay?” “Yeah, sure, baby.” Justin pushed the ‘end’ button. He then called the loft. The answering machine picked up after four rings. “This better be good,” Brian’s gruffly recorded message said. “Brian, it’s not what you think! Shit! It’s not what you think. Fuck! Just…Shit! Just…Just call me back as soon as possible, okay? We need to talk. I need to explain. It’s not what you think. Fuck! Fuck! It’s not….” The machine beeped to signal that no more message could be left. The phone went silent. After putting the cell phone into his jacket pocket, Justin found himself walking faster and faster until he was practically running down the street. He just needed to get to Brian and explain. He just needed to explain. When he was almost to the loft’s main entrance, his cell phone started vibrating in his pocket. He frantically pulled it out and pushed ‘talk.’ “Yeah?” he said just slightly winded and a lot scared. “He’s here. And you best get your ass here fast, Sunshine. I think he’s lost his damn mind!” Debbie screeched into the phone. “I’m on my way!” Justin frantically said as he tried to hail a cab.