As the rays from the sun slowly reach Justin’s eyes, the front door begins to rattle. Turning towards the sound, Justin watches with heavy lids. He had barely slept all night and in his exhausted stupor, barely registers the fact that the noise and the door were one in the same. The door slowly opens, and Brian stumbles in, letting the door slide shut behind him as he staggers over to the bed. He doesn’t look at his lover, he doesn’t say a word. Brian’s hair is a mess; his eyes brimmed red and his clothing look wrinkled and perhaps even a bit damp. “Brian?” Justin whispers, not sure if this was a dream. He hadn’t expected this: he had imagined their reunion to be more romantic, or at least with more talking… or maybe eye contact… yes, eye contact would be nice. Brian kicks off his shoes and slides under the covers, wrapping his arms around Justin’s waist. “Shit, you’re freezing!” Justin gasps as his body involuntary jumps. Burying his face into Justin’s chest, Brian remains silent. Eyes closed tight, he forces all thoughts to leave his head. He was with Justin… everything should be fine now… right? Everything was fine… he was here, with Justin. Justin was alive, Molly was alive… he was alive… right? Was he alive? He didn’t feel alive. Justin tenderly combs his lover’s hair between his fingers, “Brian?... What happened?” He isn’t too surprised when he is met with silence. Ignoring the tears burning in his eyes, Justin leans down, kissing Brian’s head. “I’m glad you’re okay,” he whispers. Am I? Brian asks himself. “Brian…” Justin asks, his voice as soft as a sigh, “are you… are you alright?” More silence. Only a trembling body in his arms and Justin isn’t sure if the shaking is from the cold or something more serious. Part of him senses it’s more than just the cold, and that scares him. “Brian… Honey?...” Shit, he felt so helpless. “Is everything… okay?” Brian wishes he could speak. To tell his lover that the deal was done and that he and his sister were free from ever having to run again. Brian wishes he could tell Justin that he spoke to Jerry and that the man gave him his word. He wishes he could tell Justin that he believes Jerry, because after all, the guy is a businessman and this was really, simply, purely, a business deal. Opening his mouth, he wants to tell Justin that he would do anything for him. That that was/ is how much he loves him… and that all he needed at this time was something… something that he himself didn’t know, but somewhere, deep inside, he was sure Justin would know. Closing his eyes once again, he nods his head. Justin kisses Brian’s head once again, letting more tears spill down his cheeks. The relief he feels was overwhelming: it felt as if he was flying and crashing down at the same time. But what did Brian have to do? What did he lose for them? More tears spill and Justin chokes back a sob as he pulls Brian up, wrapping his arms around him tightly as he murmurs between gasps of air, “I love you… Brian… I love you… I thought I lost you…. Thank you… thank you for coming back… for saving us… for being here…Brian, thank you….” Forcing himself to pull back, he takes Brian’s face into his hands, “Look at me,” he asks, his voice wavering. Slowly, Brian’s eyes meet his gaze. His red brimmed, hazel eyes are unable to mask the feelings that were reeling through-out his core. Justin bites his lower lip, seeing the pain, fear (and so much more) in his lover’s eyes. He forces a smile, “It’s going to be okay, Brian,” he tells him; knowing, deep in his heart, that it was true. Brian says nothing, but there is something in the way his eyes change ever-so briefly that makes Justin know that he is being heard. “Everything is fine now, Brian.” Brian blinks slowly, trying to look away from the intense blue eyes in front of him, but Justin’s grip is strong. “We are all okay.” He closes his eyes, listening to his lover’s strong voice. “It’s over now, Brian. It’s all over. We can get on with our lives… together.” Opening his eyes again, all he can see is never-ending love, support, and trust in those beautiful blue eyes staring at him: believing in him… and he wants it. He needs this. Opening his mouth, Brian’s voice is hoarse, but firm, “Marry me.”