“You’re back.” Justin nods slowly, closing the door behind him. He could hear Ethan playing as soon as the elevator reached their floor. The song sounded so sad, it made him feel like crying. Ethan carefully put his violin down, “You okay?” Justin nods, not sure of his own voice. He tries not to flinch when Ethan kisses him. It must have worked because Ethan didn’t seem to notice. Ethan smiles, beginning to go towards the kitchen, “Do you want some cocoa? I can’t believe it’s still snowing!” Justin only nods, How can he act like nothing is wrong? Is it me? Am I in the wrong? Does he not know? Ethan stops by the counter, “So what’s bothering you?” No use lying about it. “Brian wants a picture.” Ethan turns to face him, “A what?” “A picture… one that I made.” He frowns, “Which one?” “I don’t know. He told me to choose.” “Why does he want a picture?” Justin shrugs, honestly having no idea. Ethan continues to frown, stating, “I don’t like it.” Justin only nods. Ethan, “You don’t owe him anything, much less some picture. What is this really about?” Justin looks away, I owe Brian a lot… more than you’ll ever realize. Ethan shakes his head, “He’s not worth it, Justin. The guy treated you like shit and is now trying to mind-fuck you.” “What?” The word fuck clearly got his attention. Ethan walks over to him, “Brian is a sick-fuck. He sees you as the same dumb kid he met on the street almost three years ago. You were nothing but a toy to him, and he still sees you as one. And worst of all, you let him!” Justin’s mouth drops, trying to take in all that was being said to him, “But… it wasn’t like that…” Ethan holds up his hand in silence, “Yes it was. And everybody knew it. They probably thought the whole thing was funny. You were a joke! Do you like that? Do you like being a joke?” Justin could already feel the tears starting to form once again, No one laughed…did they? No one did…. except for maybe Michael, when he hated me… but that was because he was in love in Brian… but Brian doesn’t do love… shit, Michael probably IS laughing at me… he told me… he told me time and time again… he’s right… Michael is probably laughing at me… Deb, Lindsay and Mel probably feel sorry for me… I don’t need their pity! My God, why didn’t I see that?… None of them were really my friends, were they? But is Brian laughing at me? “Now don’t start crying on their account, Justin. They aren’t worth your tears.” His tone is like acid. Justin finds himself sitting on the couch, his legs feeling like lead. He wanted to run or scream… but he didn’t have the energy. Ethan slowly made his way to the couch, kneeling on the floor in front of him, “Hey…” he called out softly, touching Justin’s knee, “But I’m still here. I’m not going anywhere.” Justin wipes away a tear, nodding. Ethan smiles, leaning up for a light kiss, “Justin, you know I love you… and I would never laugh at you.” He kisses him again, this time sliding his hands under Justin’s shirt as he continues, “And I’ll always be here, loving you.” By now he has managed to remove Justin’s shirt and is now making his way to remove his jeans. “I know what you’re thinking, Justin…” Justin wonders, Do you? His brain felt like mush. He could feel Ethan undressing him, and he could hear the words that were being said, but it was as if the world was going around him in slow motion. Ethan smiles softly, kissing away another tear before nuzzling Justin’s neck, “You think you don’t deserve this. But you do, Justin. You deserve this. You deserve to be with me; for me to love you like you should be loved. You’ll see… soon you’ll understand.” Justin closes his eyes, allowing himself to be pushed back on the couch. But if it’s suppose to be right, then why does it feel so wrong?