Title: The Dying of the Light

Author: Greens

Feedback: Please, please, please. I live for feedback, feedback is my friend. But don't be too harsh. Although I do like constructive criticism, please remember, fanfiction writers are people too.

Pairing: Ben/Michael with an infusion of Brian.

Rating: R

Genre: Angst, Drama, H/C (sorta)

Summary: When the illusion of being young and beautiful forever is shattered, where can you turn and who can you trust?

Notes: We are in the third decade of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. More than 60 million people worldwide have become infected, including over 20 million who have already died. The majority of those newly infected today, both in the United States and abroad, are under 25. AIDS could claim up to 100 million lives worldwide by 2020 if nothing changes. At this rate, AIDS will be the worst epidemic in human history. But HIV is preventable. 1-866-344-KNOW is a 24-hour, toll-free hotline where you can get a free guide about HIV/AIDS and sexual health, be connected with the CDC's AIDS hotline for information about HIV testing in the U.S., or connect with a local Planned Parenthood clinic for other sexual health services. (from )

Special Thanks: Thanks to the actors who give us viewers characters we care about and for giving us writers a basis for inspiration. There would be no QAF if it wasn't for the actors who were daring enough to take part in this project. So thanks to all of you!

Spoilers: I really don't think there are any, but just to be safe, I'm gonna say spoilers through 307.

Warnings: Major Angst

Disclaimer: I don't own QAF or any of the QAF characters. All invented characters however are my own. I am not making any money off of this fic and am writing purely for pleasure and my general love for the show.

Chapter One

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight

And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way.

Do not go gentle into that good night....

Rage, rage against the dying of the light

Dylan Thomas

"Mmm, something smells amazing," Michael said, stepping into the apartment. He looked around. "Ben?!"

"Kitchen," Ben called.

Of course," Michael smiled at the obviousness of the response. He made his way through the doors to the kitchen. "What are you making?"

"Dinner," Ben teased, turning from the stove, quickly pulling Michael towards him.

"Oh is that right?" Michael laughed, wrapping his arms around Ben's waist, tilting his head to catch the taller man's eyes. "Well it sure smells like it."

"Packed full of carbs and fat and..."

"All the good stuff." Michael laughed. "What happened to the health kick?"

"Well I thought we'd go back to that tomorrow." Ben said.

"You do know... that we're really going to need to work out after this."

"That was my intention," Ben said, tilting his head down, capturing Michael's lips. "Some... serious cardio." He added as Michael rose onto his toes, casting his arms behind Ben's neck.

"I think maybe we should get started before we eat," Michael said against Ben's lips. "Does that have to simmer or something?"

Ben clicked off the stove, resting his hands back on Michael's waist, walking him backward, lips pressed tightly against his lover's as Michael hastily tugged at the buttons on Ben's shirt.

They made it no further that the sofa in the next room, where Ben pulled the shirt over Michael's head, leaning the smaller man back. Ben let his lips travel down Michael's neck and chest as Michael brought his hands up, fingers tunneling Ben's hair and arching his own head back slightly.

They had only just started when the sound of the telephone filled the air.

"Leave it" Michael pleaded with Ben. "Just... just leave it, they'll hang up."

Ben reluctantly sat, reaching for the phone with a sigh. "It could be important." he cradled the receiver. "Hello?" there was silence for a moment. "Yeah... hold on." Ben looked at Michael. "It's umm, it's Allegheny General... for you."

"For me?" Michael said reaching over and taking the phone from Ben. His heart was suddenly in his mouth. His thoughts went immediately to his mother and Uncle Vic. "Hello, this is Michael Novotny..." Ben sat on the edge of his seat as Michael grew very silent. "Is he OK?... Is he... OK... OK, I'll--be right there." Michael hung up the phone, running his fingers back through his raven hair.

"Michael?" Ben said. "What happened? What is it?"

"It's Brian." Michael said getting to his feet and grabbing for his shirt. "Brian's in the hospital." Ben was silent. "All they said is that I was his contact and.... that it wasn't serious and...." Michael paused. "How 'not serious' can it be if they called me?"

"Michael, if the nurse said it's not serious..."

"I have to get down there..."

"Baby, you need to calm down. It's probably nothing..."

"Then why the hell did they call me?" Michael snapped. He immediately lowered his voice. "Sorry. Ben, I'm sorry I just... I need to get down there."

Ben nodded. "OK," he said "OK, let me drive you." Michael silently nodded. "OK," Ben continued, "OK, come on... come on, let's go."

Michael hated the hospital. He hated the hospital more than he hated anything in the world. He knew it probably wasn't easy for Ben to be there either as they found there way to the nurse's station.

"I'm Michael... Novotny" he said. "I got a call about Brian Kinney? Is he OK? Is he..."

"Mr. Kinney is going to be fine," the doctor told him. "I can bring you down to see him."

"That would be great, that'd be great, thank you." Michael said, allowing the doctor to lead him and Ben down to Brian's room.

"Just don't stay too long," the doctor explained. Michael nodded, waited for a moment before pushing his way into Brian's room.

"They called you," Brian sighed. "I told them not to."

"Bullshit," Michael said gently approaching Brian's bed. "You probably told the doctors to scream it from the roof tops." he paused. "What the hell happened to you?"

"The oysters at the luncheon happened to me." Brian said. "That's what happened to me. They tied me up here with fucking food poisoning."

"You're really lucky that it wasn't more serious." Ben said, still standing in the doorway.

"You know you really... have no idea what it's like to have a guy go down on you just as you're ready to spew."

"You can spare me the details," Michael cringed. "Please." He paused. "Christ, Brian, you scared the shit out of me."

"Can we not talk about shit?" Brian said.

Michael made a disgusted face. "Brian.... that's fucking disgusting."

"You're telling me," Brian said. "There's no need to worry about me, I'm doing just fine."

"How long do they plan on keeping you?" Ben asked.

"Til they finish pumping whatever the hell this shit is into me," Brian said motioning to the IV line. "Another day... two? Beyond that, they'll have to tie me down."

"I bet you'd like that," Michael laughed, teasing him. "Just don't go getting any crazy ideas."

"Don't worry," Brian said. "The orderly... I've already had him."

"You have not!" Michael said.

"Have," Brian confirmed as the doctor entered the room. "Definitely have."

"We're going to need to examine Mr. Kinney" the doctor said.

Michael sighed. "Brian... I'll call you in the morning, OK. I'll come by..."

"Go home, Mikey," Brian smiled. "And if you tell anyone about this..."

"My lips are sealed" Michael laughed. "I can only imagine what would happen if Mel got her hands on this."

"Michael..."

"I promise. Not a word. I swear." Michael looked at the doctor before gazing back at Brian. "I'll see you tomorrow,"

"I'm not going anywhere." Brian watched Michael smile. "Go," Michael nodded slowly. "Night Mikey."

"Night," Michael said. He waited a moment before leaving the room with Ben.

Brian looked up at the doctor. "OK, examine." he said "Let's get the over with."