Author's Note: I'll post another chapter for this fic tomorrow...then switch back to Justin's Secret Wednesday. Don't forget to leave feedback! (That's my fuel...keeps me focused).

Justin's POV

Michael plunked down in his chair, so hard in fact, the metal groaned, and looked over at Daphne expectantly. I guess he assumed he'd be the only speaking for Brian. Honestly, I feared he might be the only one, too. So Michael looked mighty confused when Ben stood up.

Actually, pretty much everyone was surprised, most of all Brian. Everyone but me. I thought he might. I knew Ben wasn't just a temporary partner in crime. I knew Brian had been trying to put on a brave face, but he had suffered almost as much as I had over the last months. He had felt nearly as helpless as I had. Every time he'd started to fall apart (which was actually a lot), he'd run out the door, and Ben had always ended up coming back with him. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Ben was the one he'd been leaning on.

Ben folded his hands and brought them to his face for a moment before speaking. "Over the past year, I've come to know Brian in ways and in places I never expected." Ben's eyes widened. "The police station. Kidnappers' lairs. Alleys." He paused for a few very long seconds. "I've always liked Brian. What's not to like? He's creative, intelligent, and funny. But …" He tilted his head. "I can't say I've always respected him. That is, not until very recently. Much to my surprise, I discovered that he's most definitely the best person to have by your side in a fight. He's a brawler." Ben grinned. "Just try giving him a hug. Broken ribs are a bitch."

That got everyone laughing. Everyone except Brian. He nodded slowly, probably remembering …

Ben bit his lip and breathed out. Then he turned to me, and, in his Zennest voice, he said-no, it was closer to a whisper- "Justin, Brian is a fighter. You are, too. You've both had to be."

I swallowed hard. Brian pulled me a little closer, as if just mentioning danger would summon it.

"Brian … Brian will fight for you. Down to his last breath, if need be. If you'd seen him … " Ben stopped abruptly. No one could miss the tears in his voice. He shook his head, almost like he was trying to get an image of Brian out of his head-probably at the deprogrammer's stash house. "He would do anything, anything, to protect you. You've got a good one."

I knew Brian was listening because he was holding my hand more tightly, but his eyes were glued to the floor.

Ben's voice was almost pleading now. "I know, I know, you've had reason to lose faith. Life is unfair. And just cruel. And, people, people, they can be weak." Ben's voice actually broke here. I was close to tears already, but that sent me over the edge. He cleared his throat and then continued, "People can be weak. And selfish. And thoughtless. But you do have people in your life who will always show up for you, Brian first among them. I hope you both keep showing up, keep fighting for, each other. It's a thing of beauty." Ben blinked a few times and drew a hand quickly across his face, to wipe away tears. He smiled. Then he sat down. Michael slid a hand into Ben's and kissed his cheek.

If people were surprised that Ben spoke for Brian, they were jaw-hitting-the-floor shocked when Carl did.

We knew he'd stood up, or was about to, because he'd pushed his chair back a little first, and it made a loud metal scraping sound. This added to our surprise (because the loft was pretty quiet otherwise). This also caused Brian to flinch visibly. I smiled brightly. Even now, Brian was such a materialist.

Carl seemed really, really, uncomfortable. He adjusted his belt and cleared his throat a few times before finally starting to speak. "Deb's known Brian since he was a kid. And she was more a mother to him than anyone. So she, she, should be the one here talking, not me, but … Well. Look." Now he was looking back and forth between Brian and me. "She loves you both. She does. She just … she doesn't understand whatever this is that you're doing. Honestly, neither do I. But …" He cleared his throat. "But I don't give a fuck. I don't. You love each other. No one is getting hurt. In fact, after what happened, I thought. Fuck." Carl cleared his throat. He dropped his head and put his hands over his eyes. When he looked back up, his eyes were shiny. Tears? "Justin …" He shook his head. "... I don't know how you came back from what's happened, everything that's happened. I see this all the time. Most trauma survivors just retreat. They give up. Hide. But if Brian, if this, is the reason or part of the reason you can still fight …" He sighed. "... I'm glad. You deserve to be happy. After everything, everything, you deserve that more than anyone. Deb wants that for you, too. She's just afraid you'll be hurt worse than you already have been. So … I'm here saying for me and for her, until she comes to her senses ..."

"Don't you speak for me!" Debbie shouted.

I actually jumped I was so surprised. I hadn't even heard the loft door open. Everyone turned.

Carl whipped his head around, stunned. Debbie walked down the aisle toward us. When she reached Carl, she took his face in both hands and kissed him on the lips. She purred (ewww), "Oh you!" Then she turned to us. She shook her head. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm sorry. So sorry. I was acting as bad as those fucking homophobes protesting funerals. If you're happy, I'm happy. I love you little assholes. And Brian … I know you love our Sunshine. I know you think you know what you're doing. And maybe you do. But if you don't …" She pointed two fingers at her eyes and then one at Brian. "If you end up hurting him, I will fuck you up."

Brian laughed out loud at that. We all did.

Debbie scurried up to us, kissed me and then Brian on the cheek, and then scurried back to Carl. She sat down next to him. Carl took her hand and whispered in her ear, "I'm so proud of you." But not quietly enough, obviously, because we all heard him.

Daphne smiled. I didn't realize it until she stood up and chirped, "My turn," but she'd been crying. She was sniffly, and her eyes were red. "What do I say? God, there's so much. I … I've been best friends with Justin forever. We've been through everything together. He even popped my cherry."

Brian bit back a laugh, while I rubbed my face with my free hand. Seriously, Daph?

Daphne's boyfriend, Brad, and Carl jumped a little in their seats.

Daphne laughed. "That's a story for another time. Needless to say, I'd trust Justin with my life. He is so strong. I admire him so much. He's my hero."

My chest tightened. I was her hero?

"He knew the night he met Brian that he loved him, and, for two years, against all odds, he pursued what he wanted, who he wanted. He didn't let anyone get in the way. Oh my God, the balls on him!"

Emmett, Ted, Michael, Debbie, Brian, and I all laughed. I actually turned a little red. I was a little embarrassed by all the shit I pulled.

Daphne dropped her head a little. "We may have had to give him a little encouragement at the end, but his determination, his love for Brian, no one could ever doubt either. But this is no surprise. Every time Justin faces an obstacle, he squares himself and tells it to fuck off. Actually nowadays, he flips it on its back or kicks it in the face."

Everyone laughed at this, since I'd practiced my moves on most of them, everyone but me and Brian. I clenched my jaw, and Brian squeezed my hand. I think we were both remembering my botched escape attempt or the results of it anyway.

"Some would probably say that Brian showed Justin how to be brave, but I know that isn't true. Brian supported him, absolutely, just as a partner should, but Justin was tough as nails out of the gate. The reality is that Justin taught Brian how to be brave."

Fuck, I was crying. AGAIN.

"Brave enough to let his vulnerability show. To allow himself to be happy."

Daphne paused to smile and looked right at me, holding my gaze. "Justin told everyone he was gay when he was still in high school and then took all the shit people hurled at him. He also told Brian Fucking Kinney, and everyone else who would listen …"

More laughter.

" ... that they were meant to be and then took all the shit people, especially Brian, hurled at him." Daphne was looking at Brian now. "Brian, Justin will always call you on your shit and help you to be brave. He's brought out the best in you. That's what he does for all of us."

Daphne smiled at me again and half-said, half-whispered, "I love you, Jus."

TBC...The ceremony's taking forever...I'll try to finish it for tomorrow.