I Will Remember You

Epilogue

Artist: Sarah McLachlan

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Christmas Eve

Entering the condo, Justin felt Brian's arms wrap around him from behind, pulling him close. Those magical lips were raining soft kisses along the side of his neck, turning his knees into Jell-O, while his lover's hands roamed across the front of his body almost leisurely.

With a moan, Justin managed to turn in the taller man's arms until they were face to face, mouth to mouth, groin to groin. God, how he loved the way Brian felt pressed against him this way.

Music began to play in the background as Brian pulled Justin close and they began dancing across the floor.

I will remember you

Will you remember me?

The music was slow and soft. Justin smiled as he felt his lover's body move in time with his. This was what he remembered. This is what he'd sworn he'd never forget.

Don't let your life pass you by

Weep not for the memories

Brian knew he couldn't give Justin back all his memories. Nor could he change things that had already happened. But he promised himself that he would do his best to show his young lover how he felt. And hopefully, one day soon, he'd be able to put that into words.

Remember the good times that we had?

I let them slip away from us when things got bad

Justin knew he'd almost missed this second chance. He'd almost let memories of the bad times overshadow the good. He'd almost given the past more credence than the present.

How clearly I first saw you smilin' in the sun

Wanna feel your warmth upon me, I wanna be the one

Looking down at his lover, Brian could see the sun shining again. He could feel the warmth from that smile warming his very soul. He would do his best to keep that smile on his love's face forever.

I will remember you

Will you remember me?

As Brian slowly swayed with his lover in time to the music, his eyes fell on the two paintings propped against the wall. Two people from another place and time that were being given a second chance. The paintings would forever remind him of the person he could become. The one that loved back without fear.

Don't let your life pass you by

Weep not for the memories

Looking into Brian's eyes, Justin could see what he had been looking for all this time. The man who had loved him. The man who still did.

I'm so tired but I can't sleep

Standin' on the edge of something much too deep

Looking into Justin's eyes, Brian wondered what he'd been so afraid of. He had barely been able to sleep the night before, concerned that Justin wouldn't understand his gifts. Afraid of being rejected, Brian had said as much as he dared with those few small presents. Then he'd waited nervously outside to see what the results would be.

It's funny how we feel so much but we cannot say a word

We are screaming inside, but we can't be heard

Brian had nearly gone insane, waiting for some sign from Justin that he'd been heard. When Justin had walked out of the apartment and stopped in front of him, Brian had been unable to articulate a single thought. There was so much he'd wanted to say, but not a word came out.

But I will remember you

Will you remember me?

Justin knew he might spend the rest of his life and never hear the words from his lover that others took for granted. But even if Brian never actually put voice to them, Justin had finally 'heard' him loud and clear.

Don't let your life pass you by

Weep not for the memories

Knowing that life with Brian would never be easy, Justin knew it would be worth it. As long he remembered how to listen, they'd be fine.

I'm so afraid to love you, but more afraid to lose

Clinging to a past that doesn't let me choose

Brian had been afraid, was still afraid. His biggest battle would be with himself as he fought against a past that said he wasn't worth being loved.

Once there was a darkness, deep and endless night

You gave me everything you had, oh you gave me light

Brian had never known a love like Justin before. A love that didn't ask for anything in return. A love that believed in him even when he didn't believe in himself.

And I will remember you

Will you remember me?

Brian held his lover close and softly kissed those inviting lips, drowning in the feel, the taste, the smell of his love. He would never get enough of this. No trick in the world had ever, would ever, feel this good.

Don't let your life pass you by

Weep not for the memories

Justin moaned softly into the kiss as Brian's lips found his. He could never get enough of this.

And I will remember you

Will you remember me?

The two men walked up the stairs slowly, hand in hand. There was no mad rush for the bedroom tonight. Tonight they would make love gently, building the fire slowly so that when it finally burned brightest, it would consume them both utterly.

Don't let your life pass you by

Weep not for the memories

As they reached the top of the stairs, they stopped for another long, drawn out kiss. Standing one step above his lover, Justin couldn't help but grin as they were nearly the same height for once.

Turning to enter the bedroom, Justin's glance fell on the set of paintings propped against the wall downstairs. With a questioning look back at his lover, the only response he received was, "This is where they belong."

Weep not for the memories

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