When Justin awoke shortly after the sun had risen the next morning, he marveled at how truly wonderful he felt. He was so conformable and so at ease that for the first time it made him realize how much his body had been longing for such serenity. How long he had been aching for it. For Him. Removing one hand from the smooth skin of Brian's back, Justin moved it into his hair and let the mahogany strands caress him. He had never held Brian like this and was amazed at how phenomenal it felt. That wasn't to say that he didn't worship the times when he fall asleep in his love's protective embrace, but it was glorious to feel as if he could keep Brian from all harm simply by locking his arms him. As he continued to graze his hair with his fingertips, Justin began to gradually feel Brian waking under his touch. As the older man moved against him, Justin gazed downwards in time to see the lids languidly rise revealing warm hazel orbs that slowly worked to focus themselves. As if in a trace, Brain repositioned himself so that he could stare into Justin's face. They said nothing as Justin's fingers continued their ministrations and Brian focused heart and soul on the warmth of their union.

Later in the afternoon, Justin was slowly walking back to the tiny apartment that he had shared with Ethan for such a short time. Brian had offered to come along but Justin had declined, saying that he would be all right on his own. Regardless his slow pace, Justin soon found himself climbing the old steps. Despite their familiarity, at that instant, they seemed far darker than Justin remembered. Reaching into his pocket, he retrieved the key and slowly opened the door. No sooner had he stepped inside than Justin spied Ethan sitting on the floor reading a piece of music that was spread out before him on several sheets. When he heard the door gently click, Ethan looked up and into Justin's eyes.

"Your stuff's there," the musician said indicating the space by Justin's feet with a slight nod of his head. "I think I got everything but you might wanna to check."

Justin was suddenly heartbroken and he had to blink to clear his eyes.

"Ethan," he began, but was unable to continue.

It was then that the young dark-haired man stood and walked slowly to where the blond stood by the door.

"It's all right," he said. "It just . . . wasn't meant to be."

"I'm still sorry," Justin said.

A miniature, melancholy smile played on Ethan's lips.

"So am I," he said. "But I don't want you to be unhappy. I love you, Justin. But it means nothing if you don't feel the same, which I know you don't. You can't."

Ethan came closer and gently continued.

"I'll be all right. You'll be all right But please Justin. . . just don't let him hurt you anymore."

Justin nodded and slowly leaned in, briefly pressing his lips to his before pulling back and wrapped his arms around him. Ethan strongly returned the embrace and then pulled back, squeezing Justin's upper arms before he released him entirely.

"Later," Ethan said softly.

Justin swallowed the lump in his throat.

"Bye."

With some effort, Justin was able to walk back to the loft with his belongings in a backpack, two medium sized boxes and one plastic shopping bag. As the elevator lifted him up into the building, Justin felt as if he were weightless. For the first time in his life everything felt normal. As the elevator halted and he raised the gate, the metal door slid back and Brian watched as he came towards him with his arms full. Moving silently passed him, Justin carefully dropped his belongings onto the wood floor and soon felt Brian come up behind him and wrap one long arm around his chest and the other around his waist. Smiling, Justin covered the back of Brian's hands with his own and turned his head to the side, offering himself. As Brian gently kissed his lips, the young man felt utterly content. Protected. Loved.

The End