Brian woke up slightly disoriented, not only because he wasn't in the loft but also because there was a strange unpleasant smell in the air.

"Good morning," Ben said from the small kitchen area of the apartment.

"Yeah. What is that smell?" Brian answered trying not to be too rude. Justin was starting to wear off on him after all.

"Wheat grass. Would you like some?"

"Uh, no thanks. Please tell me you have coffee."

"Michael started a pot for you," Ben said pointing to the coffeemaker on the counter.

"Thank God!" Brian made his way into the kitchen and went to get a mug out of the cupboard but found a collection of herbs and spices.

"Here." Ben handed Brian a mug.

"Thanks," Brian poured himself a cup and looked around the apartment. He noticed many changes that he hadn't noticed before. Even some of the furniture had been moved around. I guess I'm not the only one that's growing up, he thought.

"What time is it?" he asked Ben.

"A little after eight."

"Hey, you're up," Michael said, as he came through the door.

"Where the hell were you this early?" Brian wondered.

"Laundry room. How did you sleep? I heard you up around four."

"Sorry, I didn't want to bother you. I slept okay after I finally fell asleep. The couch isn't as comfortable as I remembered it though. I must be getting old."

"Yeah, either you or the couch," agreed Michael.

"I think I am going to call home. I wanted to check on them last night but if Daphne did get to sleep, I didn't want to wake her."

Brian retrieved his cell phone from his jacket pocket and hit speed dial #2. After three rings Justin picked up.

"I missed you."

Brian smiled. "How is it going over there?"

"I'm okay healthwise, but Daph had a rough night. She was sick a few more times. The doctor mentioned last night that she might be having a reaction to whatever was put in her drink. She's taking another shower now. I made her some toast when I made my breakfast but she didn't feel like eating. And before you ask, yes, I did take my meds."

"Good. It sounds like things are under control over there. Do you want me to come home now or stay away longer? I could go to the gym like I usually do on Saturdays to give her some more time."

"Whatever you think because I haven't a clue what to say or do to help her. I miss you."

"I missed you too," Brian replied. Ben and Michael smiled at each other when they heard that.

"It's times like these that I feel guilty that I monopolized Daphne when we were younger. I think a female best friend would be more useful right now."

"Maybe, but you can relate to her better than most people," Brian offered.

"It doesn't feel like it."

"When I couldn't sleep last night I used Mikey's computer to look up some things that might help Daphne or help us help Daphne deal with the rape."

"And what did you find? I thought about doing that but fell asleep before I got the chance. I did skim through some of the literature the hospital sent home with her."

"One of the things that was mentioned on several of the sites was the psychological aspect of being attacked and violated. That the victims feel like something has been taken from them. That's kind of what happened to you with the bashing and its effect on your art."

"I don't really think it's the same, but I do want to be strong for her. She's been a much better friend to me than I have been to her. This is my chance to be just as supportive."

"You will. I've always been jealous of the friendship that you guys have built together. You have found a way to keep your friendship strong and to keep each other moving forward instead of holding each other back or stagnating. I have no doubt that this situation, as awful as it is, will be the same."

Michael lifted his head from the comic book he was reading when he heard those words. He looked guiltily at Ben. Ben smiled and mouthed the words, 'not anymore.'

A few moments later Brian closed his phone and stood up. When he turned around, Michael looked at him and smiled.

"I guess you heard that ,huh?" Brian asked.

"Yes. It's nice to hear you communicating with your partner. And for the record, I have always known that you could do anything you put your mind to. Even a relationship," Michael said.

"Yeah, right."

"I just didn't believe you would ever truly want to do it right."

"Right, as in living the hetero-wannabe gay dream?"

"No, right, as in compromising and communicating with your partner."

"I never thought I would either."

"Until Justin," Michael added.

"Yes, until Justin. Okay enough of this emotional bullshit. I swear everyday I get more and more like the munchers. UGH!!!"

Michael and Ben laughed.

"I'm going to go to the gym for an hour or so before I go home. Thanks for letting me crash here last night and for the help at the frat house."

"We're just sorry any of it was necessary." Ben replied.

==================================================================================

"Cynthia?"

"Yes."

"Did you get everything I asked for?"

"I'm not sure since you didn't ask for anything specific. All you said was 'Justin needs scrapbooking supplies.'"

"Well,… he does," Brian answered.

"Do you have any idea how many scrapbooking supplies there are on the market?" Cynthia asked exasperated.

"No. I don't. Luckily, I have you to protect me from that kind of horror. Thank God!!"

"Since I didn't know what he wanted I got a variety of themes and accessories. I wasn't sure what tools he already has so I got some of those as well. Anything he already has can be exchanged for something else."

"Great. Thanks."

"Is all of this stuff a second month anniversary present?"

"I buy him stuff all the time. Why is it that every time I get within a week of our anniversary you assume it's for that reason?"

"Maybe I am trying to indirectly influence you because Justin deserves some effort and celebration," Cynthia said looking at her boss seriously.

"I am well aware that he deserves some effort. I just don't understand why you think me sending you out for all that shit," Brian said, pointing at the bags on the credenza, " is the effort I would make. If you must know Justin and Daphne have decided to keep themselves busy by making scrapbooks. It is helping Justin be creative even while he can't draw or paint."

"How are they doing?"

"Justin is finding it hard to focus on classes because of his new medication. It's making him very high-strung. He has changed his classes to independent study projects. Daphne is okay but she spends most of her free time with Justin. She was doing better before that fucking asshole went to her dorm to try and stop her from pressing charges. I should have cracked that guy's head while I had the chance."

"That poor girl. That bastard should be in jail. I thought she did press charges."

"She did. The preliminary hearing is next week. She has a restraining order now too."

"I guess that's something. It took a whole month for the preliminary hearing, that's awful. So this guy is just walking around free. Shit! I don't blame her for feeling safer at the loft. I find it hard to believe that Brian Kinney enjoys having a teenage girl around."

"She's a good kid going through a tough time. Besides, I think it would be harder dealing with Justin's mood swings if she wasn't there. My only complaint is that it can be a little inhibiting having a rape victim just outside your bedroom while you are trying to have sex."

"So she sleeps on the couch?"

"Several nights a weeks at least."

"What you need are some walls, or a place that has walls. I know you don't want to think about it," Cynthia suggested as she left his office.

I'm starting to realize that, Brian thought to himself. It might be about time. I think I might have finally outgrown the fuckpad. Justin is the one that would be hard to convince. While he would love for me to let him redecorate, he would hate the idea of moving. I should start leaving hints so I can try and gauge his reaction.

==================================================================================

Even before Brian opened the door to the loft, he could smell something delicious. When he slid the door open he saw Daphne standing at the kitchen counter basting something in a large dish.

"Something smells great. But Daph, you know you don't have to cook for us all the time," Brian said, setting the bags down and walking closer to look in the pan. "Oh, ribs. They look fabulous."

"It's the least I could do. I called my grandpa and got his famous rib recipe. I've never made it before so you might want to save the compliments until we find out if I pulled it off or not."

"I'm sure you did. Where's the brat?"

"If you are referring to your lovely husband. He's in the bathroom. His hand was cramping up on him earlier so he's been a little down this afternoon. I think he's still upset about what the doctor told you guys yesterday. I tried to massage his hand but it's pretty knotted up."

"That was just some temporary possibilities. We can't let him dwell on it. God, I wish we could just fast-forward through the next four months," sighed Brian as he slumped into a stool at the island to watch Daphne cook.

Justin entered the room with a warm towel wrapped around his right hand. He smiled when he saw Brian. "Hey!"

"Hey. Come here. Let me try," Brian said, pulling his husband closer. He unwrapped the towel and started to rub circles with his thumbs on the back of Justin's hand in an attempt to loosen the muscles.

As the muscles in his hand loosened, so did the tension in his shoulders. Justin stretched his neck and saw the bags behind Brian. "What's all that?"

"The scrapbooking stuff you wanted."

"What did you buy? I don't even know what's available, let alone what I want."

"Now you sound like Cynthia."

"You sent her to get all this stuff, didn't you," laughed Daphne.

"Of course. You don't actually think I would have the patience for a craft supply store, do you? Art supply stores are bad enough and at least their clientele is snooty artists. The last thing I want to encounter are large groups of middle-aged women and young children looking through aisles of plastic flowers and gaudy ribbons." Brian shuddered at the thought.

"Poor baby," chuckled Justin and then he leaned over and kissed his husband.

"So what did she get?"

"I haven't a clue. I am guessing quite a bit by the bill and the weight of the bags."

Daphne picked up two of the bags and headed for the couch. "It looks like she got a little bit of everything."

Justin joined her. The first thing he pulled out of a bag was a book that he started to look through. "Look at all these great ideas," he said, holding the book so Daphne could look too. "What else is in there?"

"Stickers, stamps, lots of papers, templates, scissors, and cutters."

"This kit has wedding, baby, birthday, school, and travel themes," she added.

"We could do some pages with Gus pictures," Justin replied.

"This box has food, pets, more wedding and baby stuff, and vacation themes."

"There's a food theme. Hmmm. Cynthia knows you better than I realized," Brian said nudging Justin. "I'm going to go change."

"Aw, look at the cat and dog stuff. You know the best part of living with Ethan had nothing to do with Ethan, it was Wolfram," laughed Justin. "It was nice to have a pet around after wanting one my whole life."

"Yeah, I remember how you used to beg and whine for a dog when we were kids."

"I should have known what an ass my father was when he made me take the class fish back. It's not like fish can hurt anything in the house."

"Yeah, he was a jerk about that too."

"Why don't you get a dog? Then I could be like a co-owner and get to play with it and take it for walks and stuff. I would even help pay for its food and care."

"Because I live in an apartment. Why don't you get your own?"

"I doubt Brian would want one," Justin sighed.

"I wouldn't want what?"

"Nothing."

Brian sat next to Justin and put his hand on the bracelet Justin was wearing. "Tell me."

Justin looked up and smiled at Brian practicing one of his wedding vows.

"Justin wants a dog," Daphne answered for him.

"Aren't you allergic to dogs? You're allergic to everything else."

"Not at all. My allergist couldn't figure it out either. I have no allergies to any animals."

"So you want a dog?"

"I always have. I know you don't want one but it would be nice to think we could get a dog in the future. Just don't say no now. Wait until I actually ask. Please."

"I don't think a dog would work here in the loft. But maybe if we ever move into a different place."

"I keep telling you that I am not moving. Ever. I love this loft and all our memories are here."

"The memories would go with us wherever we go," Brian said, kissing Justin's temple.

"That remains to be seen. I might not have them after the surgery."

The timer on the oven sounded and Daphne went back to check her ribs while Brian and Justin held each other on the couch.

"They're ready."

"Let's eat. They smell great," Brian said. "What about you? I know the ulcer is better but this might not be a good idea."

"I already thought of that. I used the basic sauce on all of them so Justin can have some too. You and I can have the spicy sauce on the side."

Brian walked over and placed a very gentle kiss on Daphne's forehead. She smiled and led her guys to the table. The three of them spent an enjoyable evening eating, talking, and laughing.

==================================================================================

"Jennifer, your son-in-law is here," Debbie yelled as Brian came through the door. Vic laughed.

"Deb, you know how I feel about labels," sighed Brian.

"Good morning, how's Justin? Why didn't we just meet at the loft?" Jennifer asked as she walked out of Debbie's kitchen.

"He's okay. He and Daphne have spent the last three weeks scrapbooking. The loft is a disaster area. I think they are trying to bury themselves in a mountain of paper with fancy cut edges. We are meeting here because I'm not sure I know where the couch is."

"I have a feeling you're exaggerating," Vic laughed.

"Not by much. I am starting to realize how incredibly frustrating I have been all these years. Watching someone, or in this case two people do everything they can to avoid facing what is right in front of them. Oh, shit! Now I am sounding like a lesbian again." Brian slumped into a chair.

"You think Daphne is not dealing with the rape?" Jennifer asked.

"She went to the counselor twice. I heard her tell Justin that she sleeps better when she sleeps at the loft. I know she has nightmares when she's with us so I'm guessing they are worse when she's at the dorm."

"So she's still staying at the loft quite a bit?" Debbie asked.

"Yes, and that along with the reality that Justin faces after the procedure is why I need to talk to you, Jennifer."

"About?"

"Finding a new place."

"WHAT? You'd give up the loft?"

"I think it might be time. Although, I seem to be the only one that feels that way."

"What are you looking for?" Jennifer asked trying to put on her professional hat.

"I'm not really sure. I guess three bedrooms would be a good idea. One for Daphne and one for Gus."

"Do you want a house or an apartment?"

"I can see the benefits of both. I guess the main thing is that the master bedroom has to be on the main floor."

"So this is about what the doctor said," Jennifer replied.

"Stairs are the problem. He needs to be able to get from the bedroom to the bathroom to the kitchen as easily as possible."

"What did the doctor say?" Vic asked.

"There's a strong possibility that Justin will lose most of his gross motor functions at least temporarily."

"You mean he will be in a wheelchair?" Debbie gasped.

"Maybe, or he might need canes or crutches. I just think it's best to start getting prepared for all possibilities."

"That's probably a good idea. Brian, I don't want you to take this the wrong way, but I know my son and he will be more than a little mad if you buy a new house or apartment without his say so."

"I wouldn't do that. He'd be pissed. He really doesn't want to leave the loft. He cares far more than I do about it at this point. I have a feeling there will come a time in the recovery process that anger like that will have to be provoked to keep him moving forward. I just thank God that it's not today." Brian stated.

Jennifer smiled. "I'll start gathering some listings. Are there any parts of the city that would interest you or one you would exclude?"

"Not really. Nothing too hetero though."

"Understood," Jennifer laughed.

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