“We’re almost done,” the doctor said as he stitched Justin’s cut.  It was just above his left eye.  “You want to tell me what happened?”

“I already told the nurse,” Justin said.

“Justin,” Doctor Freeman said.  “This wouldn’t be the first time.”

Justin sighed and smiled sadly.  “Is not what you think.  This time is different.”

“I thought you were dead,” Freeman told him.  “It had been quite a while since you’ve been here.”

“Because it’s different now,” Justin said with a smile.

The door to the room opened and Brian came inside with a nurse tailing behind him.  

“Sir, you can’t be here,” she told him.  

“I got my hand checked,” Brian told her angrily as he showed her his bandaged hand.  He had tried to go with Justin but the nurses wanted to see him as well since he was bleeding too.  Now it was all taken care off and no one was keeping him away from the blond.

“He’s with me,” Justin informed the lady. 

The nurse looked at the doctor, which nodded his approval.  She left them shaking her head on her way out, never have she dealt with someone as stubborn as Brian.  The man had been so impatient to come see Justin that he didn’t care about his own wounds.

Brian moved towards Justin.  “Is he going to be okay?”

“Is a few stitches Brian not brain surgery,” Justin pointed out.

Brian sighed. 

“So what happened?” Freeman asked as he looked at Brian’s hand.  He had never seen the guy that Justin was with in the emergency room before.

“Nothing,” Brian spat out angrily.

“I have to report this,” Freeman said as he finished his job and pulled away from Justin. “It’s been way too many times.”

“No, Francis please,” Justin said.  “Don’t.”

“Why not?” Brian asked a bit amazed that Justin knew the doctor and angry that Justin didn’t want to go to the cops.  “We should go to the cops next.”

It was Francis turn to be confused.  He didn’t know why Brian would want to go to the cops so willingly.

“Wait a minute,” Brian said. “You said this wasn’t the first time?  God, that fucker!  How many times has it been, Justin?” He asked the blond.  He thought it would have to be plenty if he was in first name basis with the doctor.

Justin looked at the floor.  “I want to forget about this, Brian.  Please,” he whispered.

Brian was so angry. 

Francis wanted to know what was going on.  He knew how to get the information he wanted.  “What did he do this time?”

“I don’t know,” Brian said.  “When I woke up Justin was on the floor bleeding.”

“We can’t call the cops, Brian,” Justin said.  “You attacked him.”

“I was defending you!” Brian hissed.  “Jesus,” he said rubbing his face.  “That fucking bastard.”

“You’re his roommate,” Francis said.

“I’m his partner,” Brian hissed.

“I left him,” Justin said looking up at Francis.  “When you told me that there would be a day when...when I wouldn’t come here because he was going to manage to kill me and then showed me those pictures...I just...I woke up from that nightmare.”

Francis was grateful to hear that.  “So, you’re new in all of this.”

Brian nodded slowly.  

“Justin,” Francis said licking his lips.  “Maybe you and Brian should talk,” he said and excited the room.

Justin was quiet as he stared at his hands.  He didn’t want to talk about anything.  He just wanted to go home and forget that Cameron ever existed.

“Jus,” Brian said caressing Justin’s face.  “He used to hit you,” he stated.

Justin nodded and still couldn’t look at the brunet.

Brian wasn’t stupid.  He knew what he had seen.  “He was...he was zipping down his pants.”

Justin flinched and got of the bed quickly.  “Let’s go.”

“No,” Brian said in a low voice.  He walked over to Justin and turned him around.  He lifted Justin’s head slowly and his heart beat fast as he looked at the unshed tears in Justin’s eyes.  One of them broke out and slipped down Justin’s face.  The brunet didn’t say anything as he cleaned it away with his thumb.  

“I don’t want to talk about him,” Justin said, his voice completely broken.

And Brian didn’t have to ask what he wanted to know.  He could see it in Justin’s eyes, the pain, the agony, the horror, the hopelessness, the stain that Cameron had left on the blond.  A stain that Brian vowed in that moment he was going to clean and make Justin anew.

“Can we go?” Justin asked as he started to tremble.  He didn’t know what to do as Brian looked at him like that.  He was sure that Brian had figured it out by now.  He felt so ashamed and he was certain that Brian didn’t even looked at him the same way.

“Jus,” Brian said as he wrapped his arms around the lithe body.  “I’m never going to let that bastard harm you again.  I would kill him first.”

Justin buried his face on Brian’s chest and cried.  And he took back everything he ever thought of Brian.  He didn’t hate the man at all.  He didn’t wish he had never met Brian Kinney; in fact he wished he had met him before.  But it was okay because Brian was there and he knew that the brunet’s promise had nothing to do with how things were with them.  He knew the promise would keep standing tall in Brian’s mouth long after their deal was over.  He knew Brian would always be there protecting him.

***

“I’m going to work,” Justin said getting up from the booth. 

“Want me to take you?” Brian asked.

For the last few days Brian had been taking the blond to work.  Justin was glad that Brian didn’t just assume that he had to do so.  The brunet would always ask and Justin would tell him yes, except for today.  He wasn’t feeling jumpy anymore and he knew that he was starting to be his normal self again.

“No,” Justin said and bent down to give Brian a kiss.  When he pulled back a few of the customers hooted, others whistled and others applauded.

Brian wanted more but he knew he had to let the blond go.  Justin was looking around blushing a bit.  

“I better go,” Justin said.  

“I’ll call you,” Brian called after him.

A few minutes later when Brian was about to leave the diner Emmett, Michael and Ted arrived.  They sat down in the booth all talking at once.

“What’s the matter with all of you?” Brian asked.

“We’re talking about the next things you should do,” Ted said.

Brian arched a brow.

“Michael and I are thinking getaway with your favorite blond,” Emmett said.

“No way,” Ted protested.  “I say what goes on here.  I’m the one who started the whole thing,” he told them.  When in reality he didn’t want Brian getting away from his line of sigh.  If Brian left he could trick around and relieved whatever stress the man could have and no one would be the wiser.

“So what do you suggest?” Emmett asked.  “What could be better that being on your back the whole weekend?”

“Being in your back?” Michael asked frowning.

“I bet that’s the only position that Brian will have in mind for our little Justin,” Emmett said happily.  “I bet they wouldn’t even abandon the room.”

Brian smirked.  “I’m a creative person.  I’m sure he could get different views from said room.”

Michael and Emmett laughed.  

“I know,” Ted said. “You are going to have a picnic.”

Brian’s head turned towards Ted.  “A picnic?”

“Yes,” Ted said smiling.  “What?  Can’t you do it?  Want to quit while you’re ahead?  If you want to give me my money now I have no problem.”

Brian glared at the man.  “I can do it.  It will be a breeze.”

“I can help you,” Emmett shrieked.  “I know what Justin likes to eat and...”

“I know my own damn boyfriend,” Brian said a bit angry.

“You said boyfriend,” Michael said trying to hide his smile.  It was killing him to keep a straight face.

“What?” Brian asked.

“Well, it is his boyfriend,” Emmett pointed out as he looked at Michael.  He narrowed his eyes at the man letting him know he should have kept quiet.

“But Brian never calls him his boyfriend when he’s with us,” Ted pointed out.  He frowned not sure what was going on.  “He’s just a bet...do you remember that Brian?”

“Fuck off, Ted,” Brian said.  “You never know who might be listening,” he told them and pushed Michael so he could get out of the booth.  “I’ll do the damn picnic.  Whatever, I have to go.”

Michael sat back down slowly.  He laughed like a little kid as he and Emmett stared at each other.

“What is it with you two?” Ted asked annoyed.

“What else couple’s should do?” Michael asked.  “We have to think of everything and suggest it to Brian.”

“Yeah,” Ted agreed.

“You do know we’re not in your team,” Emmett pointed out as he got up.

“You’re siding with Brian?” Ted asked.

“No,” Michael answered.  “This is for the good of everyone.  And no one is winning that damn bet but us.”

“You’re not making any sense at all,” Ted said as he got up as well to follow them.

None of them knew that the guy that was in the next booth was Cameron.  He was wearing a pair of shades and was dressed in clothes a few sizes bigger with a green, hideous green hat to compliment his costume.  He had even let his beer grow a bit; he didn’t even recognize himself.  He smirked at what he learned and couldn’t wait to take action.  Justin would come back to him when he learned the truth.

***

“Look at these ones,” Donald said grabbing a few photos.  “This guy paints wherever he can.”

Justin smiled as he saw the painting of a little girl on a brick wall next to a window.  “Is that where he lives?”

“Who knows,” Donald said as he reached for more pictures.  “His name is Stan.  Just Stan.”

“You talked to him?” Justin asked as he stared at the new pictures.

“Yeah, he looks more like a psychopath than an artist but what can you do, he’s good,” Donald said.

“Justin,” Cameron said as he entered the office.

“Don’t you know how to knock?” Donald asked irritated.  “What the fuck is he doing here?” the man asked as he turned to look at Justin.

Justin didn’t think he could move or talk.

“Leave us alone,” Cameron said as if he was the owner of the place.

“That’s it, I’m calling Brian,” Donald said reaching for the phone.

Justin smiled at Donald’s reaction.  His friend really liked the fact that he had met Brian and he would do anything to keep it that way.  

“Don’t,” Justin said stopping Donald’s hand before he could dial Brian’s number.

Cameron smiled at the gesture sure that he had won.

“Could you please leave my office?” Justin asked as he got up and stared at his ex.  “Don, is okay.  I can handle this.  Brian has more important things than to deal with trash like him.”

Donald frowned as he put the phone back on its cradle.  “Well, I’m not leaving.”

“You don’t have to,” Justin assured him.  “Now, you can leave,” he said speaking to Cameron.

Cameron smiled. “Justin, you’re feeling powerful?”

Justin licked his lips and stood still.  Suddenly he was feeling very calm.  It was the first time since he had seen his ex again that he didn’t feel weak. He knew that it probably had to do with the fact that Brian had been able to beat the crap out of Cameron.  It made Cameron less powerful and more human; not a scary monster that no one could destroy.  

“Brian is not here to protect you,” Cameron informed him.

“What, you’re afraid of him,” Justin said smiling as he leaned forward putting his hands on his desk.  

“Fuck you,” Cameron spat out.  “I’m not afraid of anyone.  He caught me by surprise.”

“I bet,” Justin said moving away from his desk. “I’m not going to ask you again.  Leave my office now.”

“Brian doesn’t want you, Justin,” Cameron spat out. “I heard him talking to his friends.  You’re nothing but a bet to him.”

Justin stood there a bit surprised that Cameron knew that.  He wondered how close he had come to the brunet to hear that bit of information.  

“That’s right,” Cameron said smiling.  “He’s planning to give you a picnic to awe you.  But it’s all planned.”

Justin took a deep breath.  “Leave.”

“It’s true,” Cameron told him and moved closer to Justin.  “No one is going to love you like I do, baby.”

“Then I guess I won’t get loved,” Justin spat out.  “Fuck off.  I’m tired of your bullshit.  You don’t love me.  You have done nothing but to make me suffer,” he said angrily.  He could feel his eyes stinging.  “Now get the fuck out of my office and my life.”

“But...” Cameron started.

“I don’t care!” Justin hissed.  “Leave!”

Cameron glared at Justin and turned around to go.  He was going to have to find proof to show the blond.  Then Justin would be his again and things would go back to how they were.

“I can’t believe that asshole,” Donald said moving towards the door and closing it.  

Justin sighed and walked over to his desk.  

“He would say anything,” Donald assured Justin.  “I know Brian is not my friend or anything but I can see that he really loves you.”

Justin snorted and then smiled as he threw his head back.  He was blinking fast so the tears would dry out and not spill.  

“Justin,” Donald said walking closer.  He was very concerned with what Justin might be thinking.  “You don’t believe him.”

“Of course not,” Justin said.  “I just wished he would leave me the fuck alone, you know.”

Donald nodded. 

“Could you give me a few seconds alone?” Justin asked.

“Yeah,” Donald answered.  “No problem.  I’m going to lock the door on my way out.  If you need anything tell me, okay?”

Justin nodded.  He wrapped his arms around himself once he was alone and started crying.  He wanted everything to be over.  He wanted Cameron to disappear from his life and never come back.  He wanted the bet to be over so he could run away and try to forget Brian.  What he wanted the most was Brian to love him for real.

***

Brian heard when Justin was at the door and quickly went to open it before the blond could.  He smiled and pulled the blond into the loft.  He kissed him hard as he closed the door at the same time.  Then he pushed Justin against said door.

“Someone is happy to see me,” Justin whispered when Brian pulled away.

“Come on,” Brian said smiling like a fool.  “Look at this.”

Justin walked with the brunet until the middle of the living room where there was a black square sheet on the floor.  There was a basket and some wine as well; a few of the big pillows thrown around.  There were candles all around them and the lights were dimmed.

“What’s this?” Justin asked with a small chuckled.

Brian moved behind Justin and hugged him.  He kissed the blond on the back of the neck and answered.  “It’s a picnic.”

“A picnic,” Justin repeated as he turned his head to look at the brunet.  Then back at the setting.  “Jesus.”

“Come on,” Brian said pulling the blond with him.  “Let’s sit down and see what the fuss is all about.”

Justin laughed.  “You’ve never done this before?”

“Nope,” Brian replied.

“It’s supposed to be outdoors,” Justin whispered as if he was revealing a big secret.

“I know that, twat,” Brian told him.

“So, the guys told you to have a picnic,” Justin stated as he grabbed the bottled of wine from the ice bucket.  It was already open and he drank directly from it.

“There is this thing called a glass,” Brian said.  “Yeah, Ted came with the idea.”

“A brilliant man,” Justin replied as he leaned back his head resting in one of the pillows.  “So now what?”

“Justin,” Brian said frowning.  He could see that there was something off.  “What’s wrong?”

Justin sighed and sat up again passing the bottle to Brian.  “That fucking asshole went to the gallery.”

Brian gripped the bottle by the neck before he drank from it.  “What the fuck did he want?”

“To tell me that you didn’t love me,” Justin said. 

“We know that,” Brian said in a low voice.  

“He wanted to inform me that I was nothing but a bet to you,” Justin said calmly.  “I told him to leave.”

“He didn’t try anything?” Brian asked worried.

“No,” Justin said.  “Don was there.  He actually wanted to call you.  How the fuck do you manage to warm up to him.”

“You should have let him call me,” Brian hissed.  “Fuck.”

“It was no big deal,” Justin said.  “I stood up to him for the firs time...ever.”

Brian moved closer to the blond and caressed his face.  “I’m proud of you, but I want you to be careful Justin and no matter what call me if he shows up.  I promised that I was going to be there for you.”

“I know,” Justin said and smiled.  “It felt good standing up to him,” the blond said.  He leaned closer and kissed Brian lightly.

Brian grabbed Justin by the back of the neck to crush their lips.  He moved them back so he landed on top of the blond.  He put the bottle of wine away not sure if he managed to put it in an upright position or if he just spilled wine all over his wooden floors; it didn’t matter to him at that moment.  

Justin moaned as he wrapped his legs around the taller man.  He wanted to forget everything even Brian and he knew he couldn’t.  He grabbed the edge of Brian’s sweater to take it off. Brian pulled back from the kiss and helped Justin.  They got naked in silence and resumed kissing when they were done.  

Brian pulled away and kneeled in between Justin’s legs, which were bent.  The older man didn’t waste any time and went straight for Justin’s cock.  He kissed the tip of Justin’s leaking dick and then opened his mouth around it.  

Justin grunted and pushed his hips up.  His hands grabbed Brian’s hair and pulled at it.  He wanted to cum so badly and maybe some of his stress will disappear.  When Brian was sure that Justin was about to climax he pulled back.  

“Brian,” Justin barked.  “Come here.”

“No,” Brian replied and reached for a condom.  He leaned back with a wicked smile.  “You cum here.”

Justin narrowed his eyes at the man but crawled on top of him anyway.  He took the man’s cock in his hand and positioned it at his entrance.  Justin slid down slowly on the hard shaft.  He closed his eyes and threw his head back.  He put his hands on Brian’s chest and felt the man’s heartbeat.  He could feel his own heart beating as fast.

“You belong to me,” Brian whispered as he pulled Justin closer to kiss him.  

The blond’s lips came down on Brian’s.  He moved his hands to Brian’s shoulders and started to move.  They grunted, moaned, yelled, and screamed as they gave each other pleasure.  Brian could feel something was wrong; different but he assumed it was because Justin was tense due to Cameron’s visit.

Justin was using their fuck to forget, something he had never done before.  He opened his eyes to look at the brunet.  He wanted to be Brian’s for real; no deal hanging over their heads.  He wanted Brian to want him not because there wasn’t anyone else available to quench his thirst.  

“Fuck,” Brian growled and gripped Justin’s thighs.

“Oh god,” Justin yelled as he reached the end.  He collapsed on top of the brunet who was now gripping him for dear life.

“Fuck,” Brian said once he spilled his cum inside of Justin.  He opened his eyes and stared at Justin who looked like he didn’t want to be there.  “Jus?”

“It’s going to be okay,” Justin answered suddenly.

Brian nodded knowing that Justin was talking about Cameron.  “Want to eat something?” Brian asked and turned to look at the basket.  

“Is there really food in there?” Justin asked.

“Of course,” Brian said frowning.  “Why wouldn’t there be?  It’s a picnic after all.”

“Why?” Justin asked as he slowly pulled up and Brian’s dick slipped out of him.

“Why what?” Brian asked.

“Why did you do this?  You didn’t really have to,” Justin said when he got up.

Brian looked up at the blond not sure what was wrong with Justin.

“You could have told me to pretend we had the most fantastic time and I would have played my part.  That’s what you pay me for,” Justin said as he walked away slowly.  “I’m going to take a shower.”

Brian watched him go and looked at the basket.  He sat up and frowned not sure what he was feeling.  He looked towards the bedroom and then back at the sheets where he was lying.  “I knew I didn’t have to,” he said to himself.