Justin arrived home before Ethan woke up. He was almost disappointed. He placed Ethan's keys on the counter and walked over to his computer. He pressed the on button and went into the bathroom. He stopped as he caught his reflection in the mirror. He stood there transfixed, staring at the huge hickey Brian had left on his neck. Justin couldn't help but smile. Brian. For the first time in two years, he was experiencing pure unadulterated joy. But did he deserve it?

His smile disappeared when he thought about his new situation. He'd lied to both Brian and Ethan (by omission). He'd had sex with someone other than Ethan, his boyfriend of three years. His first and (before last night) only lover. Justin looked at the corner. He could almost see himself sitting there crying. How many times had he done that after sex with Ethan? Then, he remembered what he was doing after Brian and he had had sex, no, made love (he was sure of it). Brian had held him, and he'd loved every second of it. No rushing away, no crying. No self-loathing, even though he probably should have felt guilty. He should have immediately regretted it. If it had been just sex, he would have. But it had been so much more. For the first time in his life, he'd felt truly beautiful, treasured. Brian had…had…fuck. He couldn't even say (or think) the words. Just picturing it had him blushing. Brian seemed so eager to experience all of him. That caused him to blush more deeply, but he was smiling, too.

Suddenly, Justin heard a ping. Someone was IMing him.

Enigma69 (6:01:00): Sunshine?

Buttercup1983 (6:02:10): Hi!

Enigma69 (6:02:30): Do you miss me yet?

Buttercup1983 (6:02:50): Do you miss me?

Enigma69 (6:03:20): I'll be the bigger person and refrain from saying, "I asked you first." Yes. I miss you like crazy, and it's only been, what, 20 minutes?

Buttercup1983 (6:03:35): I miss you, too.

Enigma69 (6:04:10): I can still smell you...taste you...(sigh) I really wanted to suck your cock before you left, but I didn't want to rush. I wanted to take it slow because it would've been your first time.

Buttercup1983 (6:04:20): (blushing and grinning like a fool)

Buttercup1983 (6:04:30): Brian...

Enigma69 (6:04:35): Yes, Sunshine?

Enigma69 (6:04:55): Is something wrong?

Buttercup1983 (6:05:30): I...

Enigma69 (6:05:40): Do you want me to come over?

Buttercup1983 (6:05:50): You don't know where I live.

Enigma69 (6:06:10): Actually, I do. I followed you.

Buttercup1983 (6:06:20): You did? Why?

Enigma69 (6:06:35): You seemed really upset. I was worried.

Buttercup1983 (6:06:50): Where are you now?

Enigma69 (6:07:10): The 24-hr cybercafe around the corner.

Buttercup1983 (6:07:20): Really?

Enigma69 (6:07:45): Yes. Ethan's not out of the picture yet, is he?

Buttercup1983 (6:08:10): How did you know?

Enigma69 (6:08:25): I told you. I'm perceptive when I want to be.

Buttercup1983 (6:09:00): I...Do you hate me?

Enigma69 (6:09:15): (chuckling) No. Not an option for me. Just tell me the apartment number, and I'll be there in a flash.

Buttercup1983 (6:09:30): I wanted to do this on my own, but I...

Enigma69 (6:10:01): You aren't alone. Why not use whatever resources you have available?

Buttercup1983 (6:11:00): Won't you...

Enigma69 (6:11:01): No

Buttercup1983 (6:11:15): You don't even know what I was going to ask...

Enigma69 (6:12:10): Of course I do. I won't like you less or lose respect for you. I knew...I just knew, okay? I knew when I asked you to be mine that you weren't in a great place...and when you were staring out the window, I guessed about Ethan. But I also knew that you don't love him anymore, if you ever did. So...everything is okay.

Buttercup1983 (6:12:20): 4D

Enigma69 (6:12:30): I'll be there in 5 minutes. Oh..do you want some coffee? A latte?

Buttercup1983 (6:12:40): You're incredible. So fucking incredible...I don't deserve you.

Enigma69 (6:12:59): You deserve a hell of a lot better than me, but I want you, and I always get what I want.

Buttercup1983 (6:13:15): That's not true.

Enigma69 (6:13:30): So...coffee...latte...espresso?

Buttercup1983 (6:13:55): coffee. Something dark.

Enigma69 (6:14:25): Later...

Buttercup1983 (6:14:35): Later...