Moonlight, Magic and Mystery – 6

“Jack, if what you say is true, we’d know about it.” Joan Kinney was in the kitchen making dinner. While her husband sat at the kitchen table, a bottle of cheap whiskey and a half filled glass on the table in front of him. “There has been no liaison between Brian and any other Wahjee, something like that would be hard to keep quiet.”

“I’m telling you, I felt it.” Jack glared at his wife. “It was the same feeling I had when Claire’s kids were born. Though I have to admit I don’t feel anything now. But for a few hours, maybe two, I knew there was another of the Kinney clan in the world.”

“Do you think you should be drinking?” she asked to change the subject. She wasn’t sure what Brian was up to, but whatever it was, he didn’t need his father’s interference. Jack had done enough damage to the boy when he was growing up. 

“What the fuck does it matter if I drink? I’m dead either way.” Jack shrugged before swallowing the contents of the glass and pouring more. “You’d think with all the Wahjee’s abilities, they’d have come up with a cure for this evil disease.” 

Joan sniffed and turned back to the stove where she stirred the pot of stew she was making. Jack had, as usual, conveniently forgotten the fact that you get back three times as much evil as you put out. His cancer was just retribution, as it was the Wahjee way to make sure evil was repaid. Not that he’d admit anything. He was too stubborn or two stupid to do that.  “Claire and the children will be here for dinner, put that drink away.”

“I’ll drink what I want and when I want in my own house, woman.” He grumbled. “I want you to find out what your son is up to and why I felt the presence of another Kinney. He won’t talk to me.”

“And you think he’s going to suddenly have a change of heart and talk to me?” her voice was filled with scorn at the idea. “Brian is no fool. He lives by his own set of rules. No doubt you were drunk the night you had the feelings of another Kinney being born. Even the high council has no knowledge of such a birth. I know you’ve checked.”

“They wouldn’t tell me shit if their mouths were full of it.” Jack pushed back his chair with a screech of wood on linoleum. “I’m going to the garage.” 

“Fine, go to the garage. Maybe you should stay there while Claire and the children visit. They don’t need to hear your drunken ramblings about our son.” 

“Our son?” Jack spit on the floor. “I fucking wish he was never born. It’s because of him the high council won’t allow me the use of magic.” 

“You did that yourself, Brian had nothing to do with it. You abused the privilege of magic and you know it.”

He looked at her slyly. “I will have my power back sooner than you think, old woman.” His laughter was evil, sending chills to all who heard it, as he stalked to the dark garage, a place where he liked to hang out in and meet with the few friends he still had. Jack chuckled to himself as he thought of the plans he and Zane Hobbes were making. Zane was powerful, he’d restore Jack’s power and together they’d show his good for nothing son just who was the power behind the Kinney clan. The moment Brian had been born, the balance of power had shifted, though it had taken Jack almost ten years to realize this. Goodness had been born of evil, creating a force more powerful than any evil power Jack could summon. It hadn’t sat well with Jack at the time and it still didn’t. He constantly looked for any way he could to reduce Brian’s status in the eyes of high council. So far he’d been able to discover nothing and it pissed him off. 

Joan watched him disappear through the door. She waited for a few minutes to make sure he was genuinely gone before she allowed herself to relax. He needn’t worry about her shedding a tear when he finally succumbed to the cancer that was eating away at his insides. She too had felt it when Brian’s son had been born. That it was a son, a grandson, was something she wasn’t prepared to ever reveal to the man she’d been forced to marry. And how that son had been made to disappear from Wahjee watchers, that in itself had told her someone powerful was watching over him. For she knew her grandson lived, she knew that deep inside of her. She sent a silent prayer to the powers that be, that her son Brian and his son would continue to be under the care of the person who loved them both. Adding as she always did, that she hoped someday to meet her grandson and the person Brian loved. And that her son would forgive her for his childhood and understand that she’d done her best to keep him alive until he’d reached the maturity of his powers and was able to fend for himself. It hadn’t been easy, but she knew it had been worth it. 

Across town, Brian and Justin were sitting on the sofa in the loft staring at Gus who was sitting precariously on the floor surrounded by pillows. “He looks like he’s going to fall over any minute.” Brian whispered, as if somehow speaking out loud would knock the boy backwards. 

“He just needs to get his sense of balance.” Justin assured him. “It says in the book that he should be able to sit on his own at five months. That doesn’t mean the moment he turns five months old he can immediately do it.” Justin wiggled his fingers at Gus who smiled at him and gurgled. 

“But he’s my kid, I’m sure I could sit up by myself at his age.” Brian leaned forward, prepared to catch Gus should he fall.

“How would you know?” Justin giggled. “No one can remember what they were up to at that age.” 

“No one wants to. I mean all Gus does is eat, sleep and poop.” He stuck his tongue out at Gus who blew bubbles back at him. 

“He does more than that.” Justin laughed. “Don’t you Gus?”

“Da.” Gus answered. 

“Did you hear that? He said Da.” Brian crowed. 

“I heard.” Justin smiled at Brian, lightly punching Brian on the arm. “I wish I could have let him keep his powers. It would have been great to see how he’d develop them at this age.” 

“It would have been too dangerous for him.” Brian’s face was unreadable. “When I think of what could happen to him, I’m sorry I agreed to Lindsay’s demands. But when he’s here, in this loft, I can’t imagine my life without him. How fucked is that?”

“Fuck” Gus looked at Brian; the green in his eyes clearly showing the fact that he was a Wahjee child and one with considerable inborn power.

“The kid has a round ass and can’t sit up without pillows, but he can repeat words?”  Brian snorted. “It figures my kid would have to be different.” 

“Gus, you have to listen to me.” Justin was on his knees in front of the baby. “You can’t say things or do things like that anywhere else but at your daddy’s house. It has to be a rule.” 

“K” Gus grinned, pushed himself forward until he lay on his belly. “Da.” He reached for Brian’s foot. 

Brian looked up at Justin as he picked up his son. “This can’t be a good thing can it?” he asked Justin. “Why is the kid talking?” 

“Probably because he can.” Justin shrugged. “I know I could at his age. I just didn’t do it around people. He probably trusts us. Don’t worry; the penetration spell around the loft building is pretty strong. Anything he does here won’t be monitored by anyone. I’ve made sure of it.”

Brian didn’t say anything. He knew Justin had done his best, just as he had reinforced the spell so that Gus was always protected no matter where he was, the loft or at home. It was one thing to not to actively practice his craft, yet another to put his son in danger just for a principle that really meant nothing to anyone other than himself. “Hey there Gus.” He kissed the boy on his nose. “He’s one smart kid.” He said to Justin. “Takes after his daddy.” 

“That he does.” Justin stood up. “I should go. I have homework to do and I was going to Daphne’s to work with her.”

“It’s leather night at Babylon, I was hoping you could watch Gus for an hour or so.” 

“Like you’d be only gone an hour.” Justin snorted. “Isn’t leather night kind of not your thing?”

“Everything is my <i> thing”</i> Brian laughed. “I really won’t be long. I thought I’d stay for a couple of drinks. It’s always fun to watch Ted parade around bare ass in leather.” 

“Ewww, a visual I didn’t need.” Justin pretended to shudder. “No problem. Gus and I’ll get along just fine.” He went up on his toes to reach Brian’s cheek and kissed him. “We’ll order in pizza and beer. Isn’t that right Gus?” 

The baby laughed out loud and waved his hands. He reached for Justin who took him from Brian’s arms. “Jus.” The baby gurgled. “Da, Jus” 

“Come on big boy, we’re going to give you a bath and get you ready for bed while your daddy gets all beautiful for the men at Babylon.” 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Brian had been gone an hour. Justin and Gus had both eaten and were now sitting on the sofa together, the baby nestled in Justin’s arms, but sitting up, both of them watching television. The room became darker than usual, a green mist swirled around behind Justin, but he didn’t notice, as he was caught up in the movie on television. 

Gus could feel something wrong. He wiggled to catch Justin’s attention. But Justin only kissed him on the forehead and continued to watch the television. He hated that Justin and his daddy had put restrictions on what he could do. Didn’t they know he had to protect the two of them? They thought they were in charge, but they weren’t. So many things were happening in the world that he knew about but they didn’t. He didn’t like being so young. He couldn’t speak properly and had no control over much of anything he wanted to do. 

Green mist began to climb the walls. Gus knew it was something sent by someone who meant his daddy harm. He was sure of it. He turned in Justin’s arms, moving so that he was facing the back of the sofa. Justin pulled him up on his feet and let him hang on as if standing on his own. That’s all he needed to mutter a few words in the ancient tongue that effectively banished the evil green mist. 

“Gus, were you talking old Wahjee?” Justin asked, turning the baby to face him. “I’m pretty sure you aren’t supposed to do that.” 

Grinning at Justin and using all the charm inherited from his father, Gus tried his best to look cute and make Justin forget what he’d heard. It helped that the buzzer sounded on the intercom. 

Justin jumped, not expecting anyone. He stood up taking Gus with him. “Kinney residence.” He said into the speaker. 

“Where’s my Sonny Boy?” a drunken man slurred into the speaker. “Let me in.” 

“Sorry, Brian isn’t home.” Justin answered. There was something about Jack Kinney’s voice that told him not to let him in even if the man managed to get up to the loft.

“Who are you?” Jack asked.

“No one.” Justin said into the intercom before walking away, ignoring the buzzer that bleated over and over again. 

He turned the television up loud, but still the buzzer could be heard. Justin sighed; he hated using magic in Brian’s loft. The man always knew when he did it. Just as he was about to zap the buzzer and silence it, the damn thing exploded into dozens of pieces. Gus laughed with glee, his one hand out pointing to the intercom unit that used to sit on the wall by the door. “Bang.” He giggled. “Gone.” 

“Shit Gus, I can’t believe you did that.”  Justin’s eyes were big. “I thought I had all this magic stuff covered as far as you were concerned. 

“Bad man.” Gus said, laying his head on Justin’s shoulder. “Da?”

“Your daddy is out playing. He’ll be back soon.” Justin assured the baby. He was unnerved by the combination of Brian’s father demanding to see his son and Gus’ abilities that forced themselves out despite his strongest spell to keep them under wraps. It was as if he’d done nothing, but he knew he had. 

“Gus you are an interesting baby. You have to stop doing these things though. It’ll freak your mommies out. They’re human you know and you are Wahjee through and through.” He carried Gus up to the bathroom to wash him and change him for the night. Brian’s bathroom sink didn’t make a great bathtub for Gus, but it worked out not too bad. Soon the baby was clean and dressed in midnight blue footed sleepers. The Calvin Klein logo was on the chest. Justin couldn’t help but grin at Brian’s need to dress his son in designer clothing. He carried Gus back to the kitchen while he heated up a bottle. Turning the lights on low, as well as the fireplace., Justin settled on the rocking chair to give Gus his last bottle of the night. He set a few of his twinkling electric sparks to dance for the baby to the lullaby he hummed. It was quiet and peaceful, too nice to think of anything mean or evil that might be outside the loft wanting to get in and do either of them harm.

The baby had finished his bottle and Justin had him with his head resting on his shoulder as he rubbed his back to make sure any air bubbles cleared. When the loft doors slid open, and Brian walked through, his father stumbled in after. “Ten minutes old man, that’s all you’re getting out of me.” Brian said. 

Justin could tell Brian was tense and so could Gus. The baby had been close to sleep when the door opened. Justin felt him tense up when Jack Kinney’s presence was felt by both of them.

Not sure what he should do, Justin mumbled a quick invisibility spell. He knew that Brian’s father shouldn’t see Gus, he’d know as Justin had known, that Gus was of mixed parentage. 

Jack Kinney stepped into the loft. “Not a bad place you have here Sonny Boy.” He said gazing around. “You live here alone?”

“No, I have someone living with me.” Brian found two bottles of water in the fridge and handed one to his father. 

“Don’t you have something better than that to give to your old man?” Jack asked looked at the water as if it were poison. 

“No.” Brian opened his bottle and took a drink. “Now what the fuck did you want to say to me that you had to come here in the middle of the night?” 

“Where’s your room mate, he answered the intercom?” Jack was walking around peering into corners.

“No doubt he’s asleep.” Brian said pleased that Justin had hidden himself and Gus. He saw the rocking chair move slightly and he knew where they were. It was time to get his father away from the fireplace.  “You’ve got five minutes left before I throw your ass out the door.” 

“I’ve got cancer.” Jack blurted out. “I’m dying.”

“What do you want from me, applause?” Brian turned away. He turned back having made a decision, “I’m gay and we’re all dying sooner or later.”

“You’re a fucking faggot and I’m the one dying?” his father spat out. “You’re the one who should be dying.” 

Brian could see the spot where Justin and Gus were beginning to glow red. He knew his young lover was pissed and might even reveal that he was there. “That’s it dad, you had your chance. Get out of my fucking home.” He took Jack by the arm and pushed him through the door. “I’m sure my mother will let me know when you’re gone.”  He said as he slammed the door and locked it. He put a protection spell on the lock just in case. Brian leaned his forehead on the cold metal of the door while he tried to gather himself together. 

Justin and Gus watched from their place by the fire. He wanted to run over to Brian, but he knew that he had give Brian a few minutes. He dimmed the lights again that Brian had turned on and began to sing the lullaby he’d been singing to Gus earlier. His voice clear, the notes true, with just a hint of calming magic in them, barely perceptible but still there. He projected his voice so that Brian was included in the lullaby, making up the words as he sang. His eyes trained on Brian, his arms full of baby, Justin watched as he sang. First Gus relaxed under the combination of music and love, and then Brian too began to relax, he could tell by the set of his shoulders. 

Gus, lulled into sleep, his belly full, his daddy close, was content for now and he nestled into Justin’s arms. Justin stood up and placed the baby in a crib that had appeared earlier in the night. Brian’s bed was large, but Justin knew the man wouldn’t sleep properly with Gus between them. When he was sure Gus was safely settled, Justin walked over to Brian. 

“Hey.” He said quietly, knowing Brian had watched him with the baby. Without waiting for Brian to answer, Justin took his hand and led him to the bedroom. 

“Thanks for keeping Gus from him.” Brian shuddered. “He did his damndest to ruin my life, I don’t want him touching my son in any way.” Slowly he removed his clothing. He felt that he was in some kind of slow motion dream, but he couldn’t make himself move any faster. 

“Was the leather ball fun?” Justin asked, his clothes gone quickly. He stood naked in front of Brian. 

“Not really.” Brian shrugged. “It was interesting, but I wouldn’t say it was fun. Something was missing.” 

“Oh?” Justin asked, batting his thick blond lashes and making sure Brian could see into his blue eyes that twinkled with mischief. “Me?” he wiggled his ass suggestively as he wrapped himself around the taller man. 

Brian laughed, his previous dark mood gone when his arms filled with a warm and naked blond boy. “Perhaps.” He answered. “I couldn’t put a name to what was missing, perhaps it was you.” He quickly lifted Justin off his feet and swung him around so that when he stopped, Justin’s legs were pressed against the bed. Another lift and the boy found himself in the center of it, the midnight blue velvet duvet a frame for his luminescent body. “Fuck, you look beautiful.” The words a prayer whispered in the night.

He knelt on the bed for a moment, before straddling Justin, making sure the weight of his body didn’t rest on Justin’s body that looked almost fragile, as it lay surrounded by down filled velvet. 

Green, with gold-flecked eyes, darkened with lust and something more, stared down into twinkling blue eyes reflecting back everything that Brian was feeling. Brian leaned forward and kissed Justin’s eyebrows and then each eye, his lips tender as he slowly made his way, pausing between each kiss, to claim every part of Justin’s body. There was no urgency in his ministrations though he knew Justin wanted things to move more quickly. The blond’s body was hot with pent up emotions, flushed with desire, moist in all the right places as he succumbed to Brian, giving himself up to the man he loved with all the love an eighteen year old boy could possible have in him and the promise of more. 

He gasped when Brian’s tongue, warm and moist licked thick precum from the end of his cock. Making his breath otherwise warm was now cool on Justin’s engorged cock. No words were spoken in the darkness. But sounds of quickened breathing, gasps of pleasure, moans, torn from deep inside, when the pleasure became more intense than their bodies, their minds could handle. 

And in the darkness, a few feet away on the other side of the wall, a small baby lay in his crib, more aware than a five-month-old human child would be. The baby smiled to himself in the darkness. His daddy was happy and so was his Justin. The baby waved his small hands in the air in an imitation of the blond boy who watched over him; letting sparkling, twinkling, dancing electric sparks make a multi colored light show over his crib. He had the lights dance to the rhythm of the men in the other room while he giggled softly to himself. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

A month later Justin got off the bus down the street from the loft and noticed a police car parked at an angle to the curb, lights flashing. Interesting, he thought as he made his way home, for the loft was his home now for all intents and purposes. As he approached the elevator, two policemen got off. Justin’s curiosity was definitely piqued. 

He took the elevator instead of the stairs for once, but one look on Brian’s face as he stood in the doorway made him want to turn around and head back down the stairs. “Hey what’s up?” He asked looking from Brian to Michael, who stood there looking smug. 

“WHAT’S UP IS SOMEONE DIDN’T SET THE ALARM. WHAT’S UP IS THAT ALL MY STUFF IS GONE. WHAT’S UP IS I’VE BEEN ROBBED.” Brian shouted in his face, furious that his precious loft had been desecrated. 

“But” Justin began as he looked around. “It can’t be.” He’d set the spells himself. And no one could break them, no Wahjee that was. It didn’t feel like Wahjee, the damage was too random and what was stolen really wouldn’t interest any of the Wahjee. After all, they could pretty much have what they wanted if they were inclined that way. No, it had to be human and he hadn’t set any spells against humans. But he had set the alarm. It was the one thing he made sure of before he left for school each day.

“Get your shit together and get the fuck out of my loft and my life.” Brian’s words were so deadly; they might as well have been bullets. “Nothing of yours was stolen.” His voice was bitter. 

It was as if everything they’d been through had been only a figment of Justin’s imagination. Tears sprang to his eyes, but he refused to let Brian see them. Instead he walked with dignity into the bedroom. It was there he saw the ravages of Brian’s closet. “Fucking asshole.” He muttered. “It was just a few fucking suits. Get your fucking priorities straight.” 

He magicked a piece of paper and wrote down neatly:

5 designer suits + 10 pairs of designer boots or shoes + sundry electronic shit = one man who loves you for yourself and not for what you have.

He pinned it to the closet door with the gum he had in his mouth, knowing Brian would hate that. In less than three minutes he managed to gather together things he’d need to survive out of the loft. He contemplated taking a clean school uniform and then realized it was unlikely he’d go back there right now. But he did take Brian’s favorite sweat shirt out of the laundry basket. He’d worn it the day before at the gym and it smelled of Brian in a good, if funky, way. 

Brian refused to look at him when he walked past. Instead, the man pretended interest in the phone call he was making to his insurance company. Michael on the other hand, gloated. Justin couldn’t resist, he muttered a quick spell of impotence on the other man. It would only last for a couple of weeks and wear off gradually, but it would give him something else to think about. 

Taking the stairs down to ground level because he wanted to delay leaving as long as he could, Justin’s mind was reeling with what had happened a few minutes before. He couldn’t believe how quickly his life could change. It had always been like this. He shouldn’t be surprised. If it wasn’t one thing, it was another. 

At the street, Justin looked one way and then the next. He couldn’t decide where he should go. Daphne was always an option, but his old home was definitely not an option. He made a quick decision and headed in the direction of Lindsay’s place. He needed to say goodbye to Gus before he left town. It was really the only thing he could do. Maybe Brian needed some space to find out just what in hell he wanted. Justin knew what he wanted, he wanted Brian. But he also knew that Brian was going to have to fight for him in order to appreciate him. It wasn’t going to be an easy battle and the blond hoped they both managed to survive it. 

“Hi.” Justin said when Lindsay answered the door. “I’m going to be away for awhile, and I was wondering if I could see Gus before I leave.”

“Of course you can Justin.” Lindsay held the door open. “He’s in his room. It’s almost time for him to wake up from his nap.” She looked at the boy curious and had to ask. “I thought you were staying at Brian’s.”

“I was, but he kicked me out.” Justin shrugged. “His loft was broken into. He blamed me for not setting the alarm. I did set it, but he wasn’t about to listen, or to believe me for that matter.” He sighed. “It doesn’t matter. I love him, but we do have twelve years difference in our ages. I think it bugs Brian more than it bothers me. I mean right now it seems like a lot. I’m eighteen. But when I’m twenty eight, it won’t be as bad.” 

“Interesting theory.” Lindsay laughed. “You are rather young Justin. You have so much ahead of you before you should even think about settling down with one man.” 

“I know, I hear that a lot.” Justin’s voice was bitter. “I’ll just go up to Gus, I think I hear him talking.” 

“He does that a lot.” She smiled. “I don’t understand him, but he seems to spend a lot of time in conversation with his toys.”

“He’s smart like his dad.” Justin said. “I bet Brian talked a lot when he was Gus’ age. He must have gotten it out of his system. Now he only talks when he’s at work doing a presentation. He hardly says anything at home.” 

“Brian has always been somewhat taciturn.” Lindsay agreed. “If you don’t mind, change Gus’ diaper. I’ll get his bottle ready.”

“I’ll change him.” Justin agreed as he took the stairs two at a time. “Hey Gus.” He said, walking in the door. 

Gus was sitting up in the middle of his crib. “Jus.” He laughed and held out his arms to be picked up. 

Justin picked him up out of the crib. “Boy, you do need a change of pants.” He laughed. “Gus is all stinky.” He put the boy on his change table and began the process of changing and cleaning him up, talking to him all the while. “It’s like this buddy, I have to go away for a bit. I’m thinking maybe New York. I mean it isn’t far and it’s a big city, kind of easy to get lost in.” he wiped Gus up with the baby wipes, powdered him and slipped him into a clean diaper. “I thought maybe I’d check out the art scene. I’ve always liked the museums there. It’s not like I won’t graduate or anything. My grades are in the top five of the school.”

“Da.” 

“I know, I hate to leave him, but he’s being kind of a bitch right now. You’ll understand when you’re older. Don’t worry, I’ll still keep an eye on you and your dad. I mean I might be gone for awhile, but I won’t completely desert you. I am your watcher of the first order. We’re bonded for life Gus.” He kissed the boy on the cheek and picked him up holding him close. “Your mommy is making you a bottle of something. Let’s go down and see what she has.” 

“Ba” Gus said and grinned. “No Jus” he looked sad, reaching out to touch Justin’s face. 

“I’m probably going to stay with my cousin or at least somewhere near him. It’s not like I’ll be all alone.” They’d reached the bottom of the stairs just as Lindsay was coming from the kitchen. “Here he is, all sweet smelling and clean.” He handed Gus to his mother. “Later Lindsay. I love you Gus.” He kissed Gus again and then wiped a tear from the corner of the baby’s eye. “Don’t cry little man. I’ll always be there for you.” 

With those words, he disappeared out Lindsay’s front door and managed to pop himself to New York and to land in front of his cousin’s condo. No one noticed, not Lindsay and not anyone in the big apple.

It didn’t take long for Brian to hear about it. He’d been sitting at his bar attempting to make a list for the insurance company, Justin’s note engraved on his memory and folded up in his wallet, when Lindsay and Gus walked in the door. “Not closing the door anymore?” she asked sweetly, handing Gus to his father. 

“Da.” Gus beamed. “Jus ba”

“What?” Brian looked around. 

“He keeps saying that. I think he’s saying that Justin is gone. Which, no thanks to you, I suppose you are well aware of. He’s gone to New York to do gawd knows what. Brian, he’s only a boy.”

“He’s an adult, he’s eighteen. He can look after himself.” Brian was taking off the layers of clothing Lindsay seemed to always have Gus wrapped in. 

“You threw him out on the street Brian. I thought you were better than that.” She took the baby from him. “It’s cold in here.” 

“So shut the door.” Brian stood up to find some coffee, Lindsay was giving him a headache. 

“Brian, you have to do something. You have to bring him back. Gus misses him, I miss him.”

“I’m not his fucking keeper.” Brian muttered. “He let someone steal all my stuff.”

“That’s a lot of bullshit and you know it. Justin is very responsible. I really don’t believe he left the loft unprotected and I think you know it. You’re just using this as an excuse to push him away. He was good for you Brian and believe me, I wouldn’t say that about just anyone.” 

Brian’s next encounter with demands that he find Justin happened later that night. He and Michael, Ted and Emmett were at Woody’s before heading to Babylon, when an irate Daphne walked through the door and up to him, punching him soundly in the arm. 

“You shit, you made him leave. He’s gone to New York to be a go go dancer. You have to bring him back.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Brian demanded as he rubbed his arm, though he knew full well what she meant. 

“Justin, you have to bring him back.” She said before bursting into tears and wrapping herself around Brian. 

“Would you stop it? You’re getting snot and tears on my new silk shirt.” Brian clumsily patted her back as he looked into his friend’s eyes, helpless for once.  

“Serves the little shit right. He left the loft unlocked, Brian lost all of his stuff.” Michael began, only to find Daphne in his face, her fist clenched. 

“You, you, dickless weasel, you know darn well Justin didn’t leave the loft unlocked. I bet it was you. He said you were always over there snooping in Brian’s stuff. I bet it was you who left the loft that way.” She kicked him in the shins and stomped out of Woody’s, leaving all of them staring after her.

“Is that true Mikey, do you go over to the loft when I’m not there?” Brian asked, his voice so low that Michael barely heard him. 

“I go there sometimes. But it’s not like you think. I mean I have a key, I know it’s for emergencies, but sometimes things come up and I need a place to rest.”

“My place isn’t that far from yours Mikey, why don’t you just go home?” It was obvious to them all that Brian was pissed. 

Emmett and Ted looked at each other. “Well, I do believe I hear the call of Babylon.” Emmett waved his hands. “Tally ho Teddy.” He grabbed his friend by the arm and pulled him toward the exit. 

“Michael it was you, wasn’t it? It was you that left the door unlocked and you let Justin take the blame.” Brian had never been quite so angry in his life and that was saying a great deal. “You were my best friend. I trusted you Michael. I trusted you with a key to my loft, my home. I trusted you not to lie to me and I trusted you not to hurt someone I care about.”  Brian turned on his heel, ignoring Michael’s pleas to wait. In seconds he was out the door, striding down the crowded street. He needed to think about what he could do to make things right. To make things right between him and Justin. Brian Kinney didn’t do apologies and he didn’t do regrets. He guessed it was time he learned how.