I Will Remember You

Chapter 10

~ The Cruise, Day Seven ~

At Sea

Brian sat on the bed, watching the sunrise through the porthole, listening to the even breathing of the room's only other occupant. Tee had shown up around four this morning explaining that since Brian's cabin mate was now sleeping in his bed (with his uncle), he thought it only fair that he appropriate Michael's bunk. The twink had promptly fallen asleep and didn't appear to have moved since.

The sky was turning pinkish, the water lightly frosted where the sunlight touched it. Brian's thoughts turned back to the bombshell he'd received last night. Justin…Justin was here…on this ship. The thought kept rolling around in his head, 'Justin is here…Justin is here'. But what was he to do with that knowledge?

Should he confront his former lover? What would he say? 'You may not remember me, but I'm that asshole that showed up at your prom and got you bashed.' Yeah, that seemed like a winner.

Or maybe, 'I'm the guy that you fell in love with, but who was too fucked up to return it." That was sure to be a hit.

The fact remained; the man he loved didn't remember him. What good is a love that isn't returned? Brian winced at that thought. How had Justin done it? How could Justin have loved him all that time when he received absolutely nothing in return?

'I'm not that strong' Brian thought. 'I can't love someone like that.' Then he laughed at himself and thought bitterly. 'I can barely admit to loving someone at all.'

Brian started as two arms encircled his waist and a chin came to rest on his shoulder. "Such deep thoughts for so early in the morning." Tee commented.

Brian sighed and leaned back into the embrace. "I thought this was against the rules. Are you ready to concede our wager?"

Tee laughed softly, "No, but I promise to behave."

Whatever the reason, Brian let himself be comforted by Tee's closeness. Something he would never admit he needed but could accept if freely offered.

After just standing like that for a while, Tee finally commented. "You have the appearance of a man in a quandary."

Brian smiled slightly. He liked the fact that Tee didn't push or ask question after question the way Michael usually did. He was sure that if he didn't respond, that would be the end of it. The strange thing was though, he did want to talk to someone.

"I saw an old love last night. Someone I didn't think I'd ever see again." Brian gave the bare minimum of detail.

"Um, he must have been someone very special to have you so engrossed in your thoughts."

"He was. Still is. I'm not sure what to do about it." Brian was surprised at his own admission.

"What do you want to happen?" Tee asked.

Brian swallowed. What did he want to happen? Did he want to go back to what they had before? Did he want to see Justin love him, only to cause him pain again? Did he want his love to forsake the life he'd built for himself since the bashing, just to be with him?

"I want him to be happy." Brian said simply.

Tee pulled away and moved around until they were face to face. "Then maybe you need to find out if he is."

Taking a deep breath, Brian nodded. Maybe it was that simple.

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Brian wondered around the ship, searching for Justin. He still wasn't sure what he would do when he found him, but he had to know. Was Justin happy with his new life? If he was, would Brian be able to just walk away, content with that knowledge?

Beginning to lose hope of finding the blond again, Brain stopped at the poolside bar for a drink. Standing to one side, looking around the deck, he saw him. Justin. Looking like an angel. His blond hair was sun-bleached, his pale skin was no longer marked by the 'votes', his eyes were as blue as the sky.

With a start, Brian realized that those blue eyes were looking straight at him with a slightly puzzled look. His heart began to beat double time as the blond walked toward him. What was he doing? Why was he coming over here?

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Justin couldn't believe his eyes. His dream dancer, sitting at the bar on this very ship. It had to be him. Almost in a daze, he walked toward the man he'd dreamed about for almost a year now.

Stopping beside the tall brunette, Justin tried to find his voice. "Are you… do I …. Do we know each other?" He finally managed to get out.

Brian shifted slightly in his seat, not sure what to make of this. Justin didn't remember him. That much was apparent. But there was something there. Something that had made his former lover walk across the deck to speak to him.

Just as Brian was about to speak, a dark haired twink bounced across the deck to grab Justin in hug and spin him around. "Jus, I've got it. I know how we can put this thing to rest and keep everyone off our backs." Tris exclaimed.

Justin laughed, realizing Tris still hadn't figured out that the joke had been turned on him. Before he could comment though, Tris noticed Brian watching them from his place at the bar. "Oh, ho! And what have you been up to?" Tris looked Brian over approvingly. "Not that I could blame you for trying, but haven't you forgotten a certain jealous boyfriend who wouldn't want you turning tricks?" Tris smirked at Justin, knowing he couldn't retaliate since he had been doing the same thing to him.

Justin shook his head, smiling. "We were just talking, twat."

Tris laughed, "I'll go get us some drinks. Finish your talk, then I'll tell you all about my splendid idea." As Tris started to walk off, he threw back over his shoulder, "And it doesn't involve any couple's counciling, either."

Justin laughed at his friend's antics, then sobered as he turned to face Brian again. "What were you saying?" He asked softly, suddenly not so sure of himself.

Brian smiled gently, "You asked if we knew each other."

"Oh…and you said?" Justin found that he was holding his breath.

"I didn't." He replied. Taking a deep breath, he made his decision. "Perhaps, in another life. I'm sure I'd never be able to forget a face like yours."

Justin was disappointed. He'd been so sure. "Well, sorry to have bothered you." He replied, lamely.

"No bother at all." Brian said softly.

Brian watched as Justin turned and walked over to his waiting friend. He observed as the friend launched into an animated dialog that soon had Justin laughing again. His boy was happy. That's what he needed to know.

Brian headed back to his cabin where he found Tee sound asleep on the bed. As he watched the dark-haired boy sleeping peacefully, he thought to himself, 'It's time to let the past go.'

Reaching out, he smoothed the hair back from the boy's face. 'It's time to face the future.'

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Author's note: I know I've been taking you all on a ride so far, but that's half the fun. And I promise, promise, promise that Brian and Justin will end up together in the end. I think that Brian needs to grow up a little bit first, so he'll be ready when it happens.

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