Justin would have liked it if the next few weeks passed quickly. Unfortunately, that was just not the case. He was put on a liquid diet to help maximize his nutrients retained; he was throwing up several times a day, especially the first three days after the radiation treatments. After the third treatment, he began experiencing the diarrhea that the nurses and doctors had warned him about. To be honest, he didn’t know which was worse: the retching or the diarrhea. Either way, he spent most days lying on Brian’s sofa watching the Cartoon Network with a special pail on the floor beside him. He had never felt so demoralized in his life. 

Currently, Emmett was staying with him while Brian was at work making a pitch to a potential client. Emmett looked up as Justin, once again, heaved into the pail. 

“Can I get you anything, sugar?” 

“Yeah, don’t talk about food.” 

“What? Oh, sorry. Can I get you anything, baby? I think you can have some more anti-nauseate in about 10 minutes.” 

“Thank God!” Justin moaned. 

“Let me heat you up some chicken broth.” 

“Emmett?” Justin whispered. 

“Yeah?” 

“What did I say about talking about food?” Justin said as he leaned over and heaved again into the pail. 

“I’m sorry, baby, but you know the rules. You have to keep…putting stuff into your body.” 

“Why? Just let me get it all out and it’ll be ok.” 

“Sadly, baby, that isn’t how it works. Now, I’m going to heat you some…stuff…up, ok?” 

Justin sighed, “Fine.” He lightly flung himself back onto the sofa and held his stomach. “I didn’t know it was going to be this bad.”

Emmett, after pouring some chicken broth into a saucepan, turned to him and nodded. “There was no way you could have.” 

“No, I mean I didn’t believe the medical staff. I listened to them; I heard them; but I didn’t really think they meant me.” Justin paused, “That sounds stupid.” 

“No, it doesn’t. I don’t think anyone can understand until they’ve experienced it first hand. Hell, I’ve watched you be sick for weeks now, and I can’t begin to imagine how you feel. I just hope that me being here has helped in some small way.” 

“More than you will ever know.” Justin said with a small smile for his friend. 

Just as Emmett was putting the soup into a large mug and gathering Justin’s medicines, the metal door of the loft opened. Brian, smirking ear to ear, entered and sat his briefcase down at his desk. 

“I guess things went well, Mr. Kinney,” Emmett surmised from Brian’s smirk as he took Justin his soup and medicines. 

“Extremely,” Brian assured them as he sat down on the chair beside the sofa and rubbed Justin’s foot, “They signed on the spot.” 

“Nice,” Justin said after taking a small sip of the broth. 

“How have you been? Feeling any better at all?” Brian asked Justin. 

Justin shrugged, “It is what it is.” Brian nodded in acknowledgement. 

“Emmett,” Brian asked as he stood up, “Would you mind staying a few more minutes, so that I can have a shower?” 

Emmett nodded and gave Justin a far too readable look. Once Brian was in the bathroom, Justin turned to Emmett, “I know what you are thinking, but it’s ok. We aren’t, nor will we ever be monogamous. Besides, I can hardly blame him; I’m not exactly fuckable in my current condition.” 

“But…” Emmett started, but Justin shook his head. 

“I’d rather he do it elsewhere and shower, than rub my face in it. Besides, he comes home to me.” 

Emmett looked like he wanted to say more, but decided against it. Justin took his medicine with a sip of broth and sat it down on the sofa table. 

“Not to sound like a nagging mom, but you need to finish that,” Emmett said, as he walked over to the dining table to collect the papers that he’d been working on. 

“I know. I will. Hey, maybe tomorrow I can help you with some designs again. You have anything you want me to help you with?” 

“You know, I do have one party coming up that could use your expertise. I’ll bring the file for that one tomorrow.” 

“Cool,” Justin said as he made a show of picking up the mug and drinking the broth. Emmett couldn’t help but laugh at Justin’s antics. Emmett stuck his tongue out at Justin. 

“Well, Mom, I wouldn’t want you to worry or anything.” 

“Stuff it, Taylor,” Emmett haughtily responded. Justin laughed. 

“Uh-oh,” Justin said, “I must be in trouble. You used my last name and everything!” 

“Shush, you!” Emmett scolded as Brian walked back into the room in a black wife beater and half zipped jeans. “Alright, I’m out. I’ll see you tomorrow, baby.” With a kiss to Justin’s cheek, he left the loft. 

“So, has it been bad today?” Brian asked Justin as he sat down by him on the sofa and grabbed his hand, rubbing it in a similar manner as he would if it cramped from Justin using it too much. 

“No worse than any other day after a radiation treatment. Brian bit his lip and nodded. 

“Well, at least you’re over half way there. Only two more treatments, then you can get back to being the best homosexual you can be.” Justin nodded, half smiled, and snuggled into Brian’s chest. Justin drifted to sleep a few minutes later with Brian rubbing his nape. 

When Justin woke a few hours later, he was lying flat on the couch and was covered by the duvet. He lifted his head and saw Brian working at his computer. Apparently hearing Justin, Brian looked up and gave him a half smile. 

“Hungry?” Brian asked.

“A little,” Justin surmised. 

“So, what’s the entrée of choice tonight? Chicken broth, beef broth, or tomato soup.” 

“Ugh, Brian, you know I hate tomato soup.” 

Brian chuckled, “So, chicken or beef?” 

“Beef, I had chicken for lunch.” 

“Chicken it is!” Brian joked. He got up and moved to the kitchen. He pulled out a small saucepan and a can of beef soup. Opening it with the electric can opener, he tossed the metal top and poured the contents into the saucepan. 

“What are you having?” Justin asked. 

“I ordered some Thai while you were sleeping.”

“I slept for that long?” 

“Yep, it’s after nine.” 

“Wow. I guess Emmett wore me out today.” 

“Must have,” Brian agreed. He pulled the saucepan from the stove and poured its contents into a mug. 

Before he started walking over, Justin asked, “Can I have some crackers, too?” 

“Wow, someone must be feeling better,” Brian joked as he pulled a few crackers from the pantry and placed them on a small plate. 

“Actually, I do,” Justin said as he took the mug, while Brian placed the plate of crackers on the sofa table. 

Brian cupped his face as he was about to drink the broth and said, “Good.” 

Justin gave him a smile and took a sip. “How much longer do you need to work?” 

“I should be able to wrap it up in about an hour. Why don’t you watch some TV and then we can head to bed.” 

“Ok,” Justin agreed as he turned the TV on and began flipping through the channels, finally settling on a Jack Black movie. 

It was about an hour later when the nausea hit. Justin began heaving and he heard Brian quickly close his laptop. 

Justin heaved some more as Brian rubbed circles on his back. Finally emptying his stomach, he settled back onto the couch. 

“Ok?” Brian asked with obvious concern. 

“Peachy,” Justin responded. 

“Let me get you some more broth,” Brian said as he started to stand.

“I don’t want any fucking broth, Brian. Please, let’s go to bed. What I really want is for you to just hold me. Please,” Justin implored. 

Brian nodded and helped him to his feet. He helped Justin get into bed and said that he’d be right back. When he returned, Brian had Justin’s anti-nauseate medicine and a glass of water. He silently handed them to Justin. Justin sat up, took the pill and glass, swallowed the pill with the water, and handed the glass back to Brian. 

The next morning, Justin woke to Brian and Emmett’s voices trying to talk quietly. He tossed the covers back and walked into the bathroom. Brian opened the door and checked on him.

“Ok?” he asked. 

‘Yep, just taking a leak,” Justin assured him. 

“Ok. I’m heading out. I should be back around noon.” 

“All right, I’ll see you later. Have a good one.” Justin flushed the toilet and began to wash his hands. 

“You, too,” Brian said as he embraced Justin from behind and looked at him in the mirror. “Later.” 

Justin smiled, “Later.” 

With a squeeze, Brian was out the door. 

When Justin walked out of the bathroom, Emmett was setting some files on the dining table. 

Good morning, baby,” Emmett said. 

“Morning,” Justin responded. 

“Feel like helping me with a project?” 

Justin smiled. He did feel like doing something today. “Sure, Emmett, what can I do to help?” 

“Well, let’s get you some breakfast and I’ll tell you all about it. What are you up for?” 

“You know, Emmett, I think I want to try some dry toast.” Justin said with a smile. 

“Wow! You must be feeling better,” Emmett exclaimed. 

“Yeah, I am.” Justin confirmed. 

A half eaten slice of dry toast later, Justin was intently listening about Emmett’s latest client and thinking of designs for the theme the company wanted. 

“So, what do you think?” Emmett asked as he closed the folder.

“Well, I think…” Justin was interrupted by a knock on the metal door. Justin looked oddly at Emmett, “I wonder who that could be?” 

Emmett stood up to answer the door. “No idea,” he said as he slid the door open to reveal Lindsay and Gus. 

“Jus! Jus,” Gus squealed as he broke from his mother’s grasp and barreled into Justin. Justin leaned over and scooped him into a hug. 

“Hi, Gus,” Justin said with a huge beaming smile. 

“Hi, Justin! Hi, Emmett,” Lindsay said, “I hope this is a good time. Gus and I wanted to visit with you for a bit.” 

“Yeah, it’s a perfect time,” Justin assured her as Emmett pulled out the tea kettle to make some tea for everyone. 

With the tea made, they settled onto the sofa and chairs and started catching up. That’s how Brian found them an hour later when he arrived just after noon. He was excitedly greeted by his son, Gus. 

“Daddy! Daddy!” Gus exclaimed as he jumped into his father’s arms. Brian quickly dropped his case and grabbed onto Gus.  

“Hi, Sonny boy, what are you doing here?” 

“Visit Jus!” Gus assured him. 

“Well, that was very nice of you. Have you had fun with Justin?” Gus nodded his head emphatically. 

“Good!” Brian said as he put Gus back on the floor. “Lindsay, good to see you,” Brian said as he picked up the dropped case and then dropped it at his desk. 
	
“Hi, Brian, we thought we’d come keep Justin and Emmett company for awhile.” 

“Good. Let me go change clothes and I’ll join you.” He said as he walked by Justin and rubbed the top of his head. 

When Brian returned, Justin and Lindsay were discussing Justin’s treatments. Brian sat down beside Justin and gave him a half hug. 

“And, Brian, it’s so wonderful that you’re taking care of him. See,” Lindsay said pointedly to Justin, “This just proves that he loves you.” She patted Justin on the hand and nodded excitedly. “Wait until I tell Mel. She’ll never believe the Brian Kinney I see before me. Loving and taking care of his partner; I’m proud of you, Brian.” 

And so the conversation continued, with Lindsay going on and on about what a loving person and partner Brian could be when he wanted to be. Justin knew that this was not going to end well. 

When Lindsay left twenty minutes later, Justin could see the anxiety in Brian’s eyes. Brian stood abruptly and said to Emmett, “Do you mind staying awhile longer?” 

“No,” Emmett said, “But I need to meet Teddy at Woody’s around seven. Is that late enough?” 

“Sure,” Brian said as he picked up his leather coat, keys, and walked out of the loft. 

Seven came and went. Emmett called Ted and said that he wasn’t going to be able to make it after all because Emmett refused to leave Justin alone. They continued to design potential party themes for the company they had discussed earlier in the day. 

Midnight came and went. Justin was beyond tired and Emmett was practically nodding off, too. Justin insisted that Emmett go home. Emmett finally agreed after Justin ate a bit of toast and broth, took his meds, and got ready for bed. 

“I’ll be by in the morning, ok?” Emmett said as he walked out the door. 

“Ok, thanks, Em,” Justin said a lot happier than he felt. 

Justin did go to bed, but he couldn’t sleep. He thought about calling Brian on his cell, but knew that Brian would ignore him, if he even heard it. 

It was six minutes after three when Justin heard the metal door slide open and voices.

Brian shushed the man, “You’ll wake my ball and chain.” The man giggled. They were obviously high, drunk, or both.  Justin heard them stumble into the kitchen and the refrigerator door open. 

“Want something?” Brian loudly whispered to the man.

“Sure,” the man said without trying to lower his voice.

“I’ve got water, guava juice, or Beam,” Brian said as he closed the refrigerator door. “And Beam it is.” Justin heard the glasses clink on the counter and Brian sloshing something into the glasses. 

“Cheers!” Brian said as he clinked his glass to the man’s glass. “Now,” Brian said a minute later, “You ready to fuck?” 

The man snickered, “Hell, yeah.” 

Justin knew that he should just stay still, feign sleep, but he couldn’t. He got up and peeked through the frosted glass from the bedroom. There was Brian in all his glory fucking a trick for all he was worth. And, to make sure Justin was clear on Brian’s intent, Brian looked right at Justin as he came. 

Justin received the message loud and clear. He stepped away from the glass and walked back into the room. He grabbed his satchel and began placing his stuff in the bag. Ten minutes later, he had all his stuff ready to go. He sat it by his side of the bed and climbed back in the bed. He pulled the duvet over his head and pretended to sleep. 

Ten minutes after that, Justin heard the metal door slam shut and Brian walk up the few wooden stairs to the bedroom. Justin could tell he paused by the bed before heading into the bathroom. When he heard the shower begin, Justin took his bag and left the loft.