and then there were…

Carefully closing the door behind him, Brian quietly walks inside. He is surprised to find Justin still sleeping, but figures he probably needed his rest. Kicking off his shoes, he sits down on the chair, watching his lover sleep. Justin’s brows are furrowed and there is a definite frown on his face, yet he doesn’t stir nor make a sound beneath the covers. Sighing, Brian gingerly runs his fingers through Justin’s blonde hair. He had been meaning to comment on the longer locks. He liked them. Justin turns his head away from Brian’s touch, rolling over onto his back. Undeterred, Brian lies down beside him. He knew Justin was about to wake up, and he didn’t want his partner to awaken alone. Blue eyes quickly open, staring up at the ceiling. “Hey,” Brian whispers. Justin says nothing. Swallowing hard, he closes his eyes once again. “You okay?” Slowly nodding, Justin keeps his eyes closed. Music can be heard in the other room. Brian smiles, “I guess Molly is up to. We should think about what we want to do for lunch.” “I’m not hungry,” Justin replies, wishing above all to just go back to sleep. “Can you check on Molly and see if she’s okay?” Brian is pensive for a moment before answering, “Sure.” He knew Justin was trying to push him away. It didn’t take a genius to figure that one out. What he didn’t know was what created this sudden change in his behavior. Sitting up, he heads over to Molly’s room, knocking the door a few times before finally just walking in without a formal invitation. He tries to hold back from laughing out loud to find her dancing around the hotel room, singing along to whatever pop princess of the month was singing. Brian has a flashback to walking into Justin singing along to Moby years earlier… of course Justin had turned his loft into a giant mess and to make matters worse, was wearing one of his favorite and incredibly expensive shirts. Molly catches Brian’s amused expression in the mirror and stops with a gasp, “Shit!” Chuckling, he shrugs, “Not bad.” She smiles back, “Justin draws to make him feel better. I sing and dance…” she sits down, catching her breath, “It’s a good release.” Brian nods, noticing that though Justin had some art supplies in his hotel room, he hadn’t drawn or painted anything since their arrival. “Did Justin draw in France?” Leaning back, she shrugs a little, “Well, he painted my then-room. And I think I saw him sketch once after dinner. He’s been preoccupied I guess.” Brian is quiet, thinking about what Molly has just said, when his thoughts are interrupted. “What did Carl found out?” she asks, her thumbnail immediately finding refuge in her mouth. Opening his mouth, he quickly shuts it again when he sees her anxious expression. Remembering she’s twelve and only acts like she’s older, he tries to find the right words. “Just say it, Brian. I’m not a baby,” she places her hands on her lap. He has to smile at that. “You’re right, you’re not.” “So just tell me,” she states, biting her lower lip. “What do you want to know?” Brian asks, thinking this was the best approach. “Are the guys that want us dead in London?” “No. They aren’t in London.” She begins to exhale, when she notices the expression on Brian’s face. “So where are they?” “Birmingham.” “How far away is that from us?” she asks, her thumbnail back in her mouth. “About an hour and half by train or air-shuttle.” She is silent for a moment. Then asks, “Does Justin know?” “He’s still sleeping.” She nods slowly. “Do they know we’re here?” “I don’t think so,” Brian answers honestly. “We should leave,” Molly whispers. It’s now Brian’s turn to be silent. Standing up, she walks over to the other room to wake up her brother.