*~Shame of Pride*~

Justin rose from where he had been sitting on the bed the moment he heard Brian's drunken voice accompanied by Michael's harping one. Brian was rambling on about his new client, the homophobe with the shitty drinks, and through the fogged dividers he could see that Michael was having to assist him in walking. Moving slowly towards the steps he saw Brian close to his right.

"I saw him."

Brian and Michael turned to look at him questioningly.

"Chris Hobbes."

Instantly Brian's face fell.

"Another dream?"

"He was at the hospice."

"What the fuck was he doing there?"

It was almost frightening how quickly Brian's tone changed to something so furious.

"It's where they assigned him his community service," Justin answered in the voice of a child.

"Is that some sort of sick joke?" Michael asked angrily.

"Did he do anything?" Brian gently pushed, rubbing his forehead.

"He said he hopes I get AIDS and die."

Brian met his watery eyes.

"Piece of shit!" Michael exclaimed as he walked around to help calm himself.

Looking up at Justin nearly broke his heart. How much longer was that asshole going to torture him?

"Forget it," Brian said walking up the steps to warmly embrace him. Fighting back his tears, Justin wrapped his arms tight around him.

"Get some sleep," Brian whispered before he pulled away to look into his face. "You've got a big day tomorrow."

"I'm not going," Justin said as if it took every ounce of strength he had.

Brian watched him slowly walk back into the dark bedroom.

"And miss your first PRIDE?"

Justin turned back to him sharply.

"What am I supposed to be proud of? That I got bashed and didn't die?"

Brian said nothing as his wounded lover moved further into the shadows. Justin listened as Michael tried to defend him but Bran was having none of it since his friend had refused to march with Debbie once again. He heard Michael loudly curse Brian before the metal door roughly slid open and closed again. Sighing, Brian turned to see Justin sitting on the edge of the bed but his eyes appeared to be looking somewhere entirely different. Putting the bottle of the disgusting drink on the bedside table Brian moved to sit beside him. As soon as he wrapped his arm around Justin's small shoulders the boy leaned into him and relaxed.

"It'll be all right," he said softly.

Justin didn't respond but leaned in more to the comfort that Brian's body provided.

"He already took almost two weeks of your life," Brian continued. "Don't let him have anymore."

Justin sighed but fully understood the message his partner was trying to send him.

"It's hard," he confessed simply.

"I know," Brian agreed. "I know it is, but you have to overcome it, and I know you can."

All Justin wanted to say was "easier said than done". After all, it happened to him. How would Brian feel about losing so much time to such an intolerant act? Waking up screaming in terror because it was happening all over again? Feeling like you couldn't breathe when too many people came around? How could he know? It was the older man's sincerity that told him that it was possible. The fact that Brian had faith in him was all the assurance he seemed to need.

"So you'll go," Brian stated and then leaned in close to kiss his cheek. "And you'll have a fucking fabulous time."

Justin laughed a little under his breath and turned his head towards Brian who slowly leaned in again and kissed him softly on the mouth. When they pulled back Brian playfully nuzzled the side of his face with his nose before he moved to take a shower.