Joe was grateful that they were heading out to China first of all, and so soon. He couldn't stand the thought of being in the same country that had raped him and his brother. All the same, he was worried about Adam.
Adam had been even more quiet than usual. Just when he needed Adam most, Joe felt as though he could not approach the man. He understood that Adam was hurting, but to hold inside wasn't going to do Adam any good either. They needed each other, now more than ever. Yet until they were on the boat to China, Joe didn't even have a chance to speak with his brother.
The first night in their room, Joe cornered Adam the instant the door closed, and insisted that they spend some time alone together.
"Are you alright?" He asked tentatively as Adam took a seat. Adam gave Joe a measured look before releasing a half smile.
"I should be asking you that," Adam replied. "You've become your brother's lover, gotten kicked out of your home, dragged to Japan, believed your lover to have cheated on you, made up with said lover, been drugged and raped by an geezer, and dragged off to China in less than a year."
"You haven't had it any easier," Joe countered. Adam's smile, though it remained, seemed to flicker for only a few moments. He grabbed Joe by the wrist and pulled his brother into his lap.
"You're too good to be true," Adam murmured, kissing Joe on the neck. "I only wish I could undo it all somehow."
"You mean you'd rather be home hiding our relationship?" Joe teased. Adam pinched him on the arm, and Joe let out a yelp, jumping lightly.
"I'd rather be here with you," Adam insisted, "But all the pain that you've been caused--"
"Was worth it. Adam, I love you," Joe murmured, leaning over to kiss Adam. "Once we get settled in China, I'll prove it to you."
Adam nodded, understanding and whole-heartedly agreeing the underlying message of Joe's statement. It was far to soon after the events with Fuuya to spend the night enjoying one another's pleasures. He also knew that Joe was the only one who understood his pain, having experianced it first hand. It was through this understanding of one another that they would eventually find healing for all the pain that the past had caused.
So the next morning, when the fog hung heavy about the ship, the two brothers remained in their room, holding one another as they comforted each other and fought the demons of anger, pain, depression and disgust. Freedom would come in China; for now, they sought solice in one another's arms.
THE END
Yes, it's over. It's really over.
I had actually only intended to make it a one shot, but as I kept writing, I felt it had more potential than that. So here it is at the end, six chapters and an epilouge.