Two

Michael

Justin went to answer the knock. He swung open the loft door, eying Michael with a small smile.

"You could just come right in you know."

Michael gave a little smile back, stepping past Justin into the familiar surroundings. The loft felt so different without Brian. He wasn't sure he'd ever adjust to it, but he'd already been over to comfort Justin several times.

Even though so many of Brian's things were still there it hardly felt like his best friend's place without him.

Michael had learned a lot about Justin in the past weeks. The younger man had opened up to him, and he'd discovered some things they shared in common.

They had both spent a lot of time hankering after the late, great Brian Kinney's affections. They had both loved the man even knowing he would never return that love.

Justin had walked to the ice box while Michael was in his thoughts. The older man accepted the cold beer from him gratefully.

Michael popped the top, letting the alcohol course down his throat as he eyed the younger man. Something had changed between them. Brian was like a kind of glue that held them together now.

Michael realized what it was. Justin was his friend. He'd rarely felt that emotion for the boy in the past.

"Ma worries about you," Michael told him seriously. "You should go see her some time."

"I will," Justin assured him. "I love your mom too Michael, its just not easy. Nothing is."

"I know," Michael said sympathetically, eyes gentle. "I understand exactly how you feel."

Michael realized again how true those words were. He did understand. It was possible only he and Justin really understood one another right now.

"Its funny Mikey," Justin spoke. "I know you do understand me. I haven't really told you that I'm sorry."

"You don't have to Justin."

"I know," Justin nodded. "I want to. You didn't deserve some of the things I've said to you. I can't believe I was actually jealous of your friendship with him."

Michael sighed.

"Justin I know how our friendship appeared to outsiders. I don't blame you for assuming. Truth is I kinda was hoping Brian would wake up one day and see that he loved me."

"I think he did love you," Justin said ernestly. "Brian had a hard time showing love or admitting to it. Doesn't mean it wasn't there."

Michael wasn't sure he agreed with that. Brian had sent out plenty of mixed signals to him over the years regarding any feelings of love. Brian didn't believe in love, or so he'd always claimed.

Maybe Justin had been able to see things about Brian no one else could. Perhaps that was why Brian had asked him to stay.

Michael remembered back to something years earlier. Brian had asked him to stay. He'd said no because he couldn't do one-sided love with Brian's tricking on the side.

Now that Michael thought about it maybe Justin's love for Brian had been stronger than his after all. Justin knew it was one-sided. He knew Brian wouldn't stop tricking. Yet Justin stayed anyway.

"I really miss him sometimes Michael," the younger man cut into his thoughts. "I keep calling you over because I can't stand the silence. This place isn't the same."

Michael pulled the younger man into a supportive hug.

"Its okay Justin," he told him gently. "I want to be here."

Justin pulled back from the hug and grinned at the idea that popped into his head. Brian wouldn't want them to spend all their time together sulking over him.

"You wanna watch a movie? I can order Chinese or something."

"That'd be cool," Michael smiled. "I never thought you'd ask."

Justin paid for the takeout of course. He'd inherited a considerable fortune from Brian.

He and Michael sat on the couch watching Star Wars Episode V. Michael was a big Star Wars fan, and Justin wanted to make him happy.

Michael still looked like an adorable geek, the way his eyes lit up with fascination at the light saber scenes.

Justin felt something unexplainable for the older man. Maybe he was starting to see what Brian had seen in Michael.

Maybe he didn't hate the older man as much as he'd tried to convince himself before.