The Novotny-Bruckner House...

Michael sat at the table, resting his chin on his hands and feeling dejected. A few days had passed, and he hadn't heard a word from anyone.

When Ben had stormed out of the house with a bag in tow, Michael thought his world had come to an end.

Looking around the house, it seemed so huge, and sounds he didn't know it could ever make reverberated throughout the inside, making him turn his head and wonder what had made them.

Sighing, he pushed the chair back, bringing his cup and plate to the sink so he could wash them and put them away.

Turning to lean on the sink, Michael ran his fingers through his hair in frustration; at the moment, not even Hunter would talk to him.

Closing his eyes, he remembered the look of horror on the young man's face after he had heard what had happened. Hunter had just shaken his head in disgust before stuffing a bag with some of his things just like Ben had done, and had stormed out of the house, yelling that he was going to stay with a friend.

He never thought his family home would feel so lifeless and lonely.

Glancing at the clock, Michael thought it was best he head to the shop, since the construction crew was due to start today; there would be a lot of work commencing, and some decisions that had to be made.

The workers were waiting for him when he arrived. Sliding out from the driver's seat and opening the door, he told them apologetically, "Sorry for keeping you waiting; the traffic coming in was a nightmare."

The head worker shook his hand, "No problem; the name's Jim. We just pulled up ourselves. So are you ready for us to get to work?"

Walking over to unlock the door for the workers, Michael nodded, "I sure am; I've already got everything stored in boxes, so the place is all cleared out for you. How long do you think it will take?"

Standing in the middle of the shop, Jim scrutinized the space before deciding, "I'd say a few days; the shelving is built, so we just have to fit it all together after we remove the old ones. Do you still want those chopped up for firewood?"

Nodding, Michael smiled. "Yeah, because it will be perfect for our fireplace back at the house, and we can use some of it out in our back garden, too."

Slapping Michael on the back with a burly hand, Jim nodded. "Sounds like a plan! We'll get to work, then. What will you do while we are working?"

Clutching his car keys in his hand, Michael answered, "I have to collect some new plastic protectors for the comics and grab some of the new posters to frame them upstairs. Don't worry, though; I'll use the other entrance, so I won't get in the way."

Rubbing his chin, Jim smiled again, "Good thing you have two ways to get in and out," he told him with a nod. We'll let you know if we run into anything we have questions about."

Michael nodded. "Thanks," he told them, as he scooped up the boxes he needed and headed upstairs.

Their conversation ended and instructions given, Jim went to work with the others, tearing down the shelving before breaking the boards down so they could be slid into bags that made the work a lot easier to clean up.

A short time later, Michael headed back downstairs, getting into the car to set off to a nearby supply store to get the supplies he needed and to pick up some paint, along with the new Rage poster and some other comic posters that he had ordered.

Normally this would be a very enjoyable experience for Michael, but everything just felt hollow, and he realized it would remain that way until Ben and Hunter came home. Plus, he knew he needed to go visit his mother and apologize. He could only hope that he could get Brian to forgive him.

Kinnetik Offices...

An unexpected knock on the door startled Justin, causing him to reluctantly remove himself from Brian's lap and move to a nearby chair.

Cynthia poked her head around the door, giving them a knowing look and smiling as she observed papers scattered everywhere, and the flushed look on their faces. "Brian, your one o'clock is here; should I delay him for you for a few moments...until you can wrap up some unfinished business?"

Clearing his throat and fixing his tie, Brian grinned with a smirk. "Do you have to ask?"

Shaking her head in amusement, she turned around and left, firmly closing the door behind her.

Pulling Justin back into his lap, the two kissed deeply before Justin remarked dryly, "I think that's my cue to leave. So I'll see you at home tonight; you want anything special for dinner? "Besides me," he added with a grin before Brian could utter exactly that sentiment.

Leaning back in his chair and wiggling his eyebrows, Brian gave him a cheeky smile. "Well, if you're off the menu until later, I guess I wouldn't mind some Thai food."

Laughing, Justin gave him a smouldering stare before whispering in his ear, "I can arrange all of that."

Grinning, Brian gave him one, final peck on the lips before he reluctantly let him go, his cock paying special attention to the swishing ass departing, and causing him to groan, thankful that he was sitting behind his desk.

Michael's phone rang precisely at 6:00 p.m., startling him before he quickly picked it up and answering it, not even bothering to check the caller ID. "Ben, is that you?"

Brian frowned. "No, guess again." Although he suspected what the answer might be, he asked anyway. "Where has Ben gone, Michael?"

Michael sat down heavily before admitting, "He walked out a few days ago after hearing about what I did...and so did Hunter."

Blowing out a breath, Brian replied, "Are you really surprised, Mikey?"

Closing his eyes as anguish washed through him, Michael sighed. "I guess not. I just hope we can save our marriage. I'm lost without him."

Loosening his tie, Brian was still disappointed in his best friend for what he did, but he still couldn't help being sympathetic; Michael never had been one to like being alone. "I hope you can as well," he told him. "Listen. Can you go visit your mother on Friday? I know you have the remodelers working in your shop; I saw them when I passed by there today. But she would like to see you."

Feeling a little disheartened that Brian hadn't actually come into the shop to see him, nonetheless Michael couldn't help being encouraged by what Brian was saying. "Yeah! That would be great! I won't let you down," he promised him. "What time, and where does she want to meet? At the house?"

Looking at the clock, Brian told him, "No. Not the house. Let's say seven o'clock here at the loft. We can all have dinner and talk. But you'd better not whine, and you'd better be on your best behavior, Michael; your mother doesn't need any more bullshit. You got it?"

Michael squeezed his eyes shut in relief. "I won't. I've learned my lesson."

Brian rolled his eyes, not quite convinced, but still hopeful. Surely after everything that had happened, Michael realized he was skating on thin ice now. "I'm going to hold you to that, Michael," he told him curtly. "See you then." He cut off the call, not waiting for an answering reply and leaving Michael to respond with an "okay" to dead air.

Sighing, Michael laid his phone down, for once at least feeling just a little hopeful that things would now improve. He knew that would all rest on him now.