Tim was slumped against the wall with his head in his hands, shoulders shaking with the effort of repressing tears. Jay shifted uncomfortably. He wasn't used to dealing with other people's emotions. Hell, he wasn't even used to dealing with his own. But here was his best friend - and he did consider Tim his best friend at this point despite all their troubles - who had just laid himself out in the open, belly up for all to see. Perhaps it was time for him to go belly up too.

"What if this is my fault? What if that thing is here because of me?"

"It's not your fault." Jay said firmly, setting the camera down and facing it away from Tim.

"How can you be sure?" Tim's voice cracked as he spoke. Jay sat down awkwardly beside him. He wasn't sure if he should do it. He wasn't sure if now was the time.

"I just know. I know you didn't decide to have these problems. I know you can't control the whole mask-thing. I know that everything is going to be okay."

"Why do you even bother, Jay?" Tim's head snapped up and he fixed him with an angry stare. Jay flinched. "Why do you stick around me? Why do you still trust me?"

"Because I need you."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" He mumbled, turning his head away. A chunk of plaster seemed to be suddenly fascinating to him. Jay sighed. Tentatively he draped his arm over Tim's shoulder. The man tensed up, but he made no move to stop him. Slowly, Jay pulled him into a clumsy one-sided hug. Tim hadn't even turned to look at him. He just let Jay embrace him. Jay took a deep breath. He might as well get it out of the way.

"I don't want to be alone. And you just...I don't know, it feels safer with you here."

"Safer?"

"Yes, safer. Because I know you wouldn't do anything to hurt me on purpose. And I just want to get this all over with so that you can go home and you can feel safe again and you can be happy."

"Why?"

Jay let out an aggravated sigh. Obviously he wasn't getting his point across like this. He leaned over and pressed his lips lightly to Tim's cheek. Tim turned his head slowly to look at Jay. Something about the tired relief in Tim's eyes made him feel calm.

"Can I do it again?" He asked with a sheepish half-smile. Tim leaned his forehead against Jay's, finally returning the hug. This was permission, he supposed. He placed another soft kiss on Tim's head, nuzzling his face into his hair.

Jay pulled back a little and so did Tim, their faces level. He leaned in again, his lips brushing against the other man's. Tim was tense, but he seemed willing to try. And it took them a couple of tries, a few awkward nose bumps and a couple of tiny laughing fits, but finally they succeeded. Jay sighed contentedly into the kiss. It wasn't a deep kiss, just a pleasant lingering kiss that broke apart before moving their mouths against each other turned into something...more. It almost did, too. But they weren't ready for that quite yet. Jay smiled and closed his eyes. They sat there leaning on each other in silence for a while. It was Tim who broke the silence.

"So that's it. No more secrets."

"No more secrets."