Was it really supposed to be like this? He had no idea. Losing somebody close to him was something Brian Kinney had never gone through. That could have been because there were only a handful of people who Brian felt close to and his own family didn't make up an iota of them. Hell, his own family didn't even qualify. But Michael... Michael was the closest, and watching him in so much pain just couldn't be right.

It was raining. Well of course it was, what good would it be to stand outside for hours on end if it wasn't pouring. And Brian in a new Armani. Which of the fates had he pissed off this time? It didn't matter. Even if he did figure it out, he'd still be standing out in the rain, getting soaked to the bone.

Amidst the screen of raindrops was a sea of black. Black tuxes, black dresses, black umbrellas. The complete absence of all color. It seemed almost poetic. Dismal weather and dismal dress for a dismal occasion. But there was one color that caught Brian's eye. Gold.

Michael stood beside him, hands in front of himself, twisting heartwrenchingly at the gold band that adorned his left ring finger. He twisted it back and forth, almost as if he was reminding himself that it was still there, wearing his finger practically raw as he did so.

Brian reached over placing his hand gently over Michael's as the smaller man tilted his head back slightly, looking up at him. Michael's eyes were large, pain evident, but dry. His eyes were completely dry, which surprised Brian.

Debbie of course was crying a river. And Hunter... the boy tried to remain the unmoving rock, but couldn't keep the wall standing, as his own tears spilled over.

Brian just stood there, hands now folded in front of himself and his eyes scanned the crowd. It must have been half of Pittsburgh, or at least the entire enrollment of Carnegie Mellon. Fresh young ones, Brian thought as he eyed up his target.

It was then, suddenly, that a sting came on Brian's left arm. "Will you have a little respect for Christ's sake, Brian," Lindsay whispered, having smacked him. "Save your cruising for another time. We're here for Michael." Brian didn't humor her with a response, but instead went back to what he had been doing for what seemed like forever already. Nothing.

The words being said didn't mean much of anything to him, since organized religion had no place in Brian's life. He picked up the occasional 'Amen' for Michael's sake, but nothing else. He hated this, all of it. But most of all, he hated the look on Michael's face. The look that screamed out in pain and anguish, but allowed no actual emotion to break through. It was like Michael was frozen and that scared Brian.

As the time crawled by, Brian was able to sneak a few quick glances at his watch, which went unnoticed by Lindsay, which was good, because if she had slapped him one more time, he would make sure that this funeral wasn't the only one they attended today.

The people began to move apart, seeming to disperse from the crowd and Brian sighed in relief. He was beginning to get a little creeped out. He began to turn, reaching to put his arm around Michael, but finding that his friend no longer stood at his side. Brian looked back to where Michael had stepped forward.

Michael was silent, standing before the dark wooden casket, his hand rested unmoved atop it. The rain drenched him as he had stepped out from beneath his umbrella, staring blankly at the headstone, BEN BRUCKNER, HUSBAND, FATHER, FRIEND, HIS FIGHT WAS A VALIANT ONE. Still the only moisture on Michael's face was from the rain.

"Mikey?" Brian said, placing his hand on Michael's shoulder. "We gotta go. Come on," Michael went unmoved. "Mikey. It's fucking pouring out here, come on. Michael..." Brian had to practically tear him away from the casket, walking with him backwards, arm around his friend's shoulder, pulling Michael under the umbrella.

They walked back to the limo, but there was no talking. Not a sound from either of them. Brian had lost sight of something that had always been, something that just added to the darkness of the day, It was at that very moment that Brian had noticed that light in Michael's eyes had gone out.