Brian, a tumbler of scotch in one hand and a cigarette in the other, observed Justin uneasily as he packed for New York. When his glass was empty, his cigarette burnt down to the filter, he walked over to the drink cart and poured himself another scotch. He downed it in one gulp, and, once thusly fortified, he turned to face Justin, the boy he'd watched grow into a man. He cleared his throat, and the blond looked up.

Brian stated, in as even a voice as he could manage, "I think we should end things here."

Justin's eyes widened in shock. He stared at the man, his mouth open slightly, unable to speak.

Brian continued, "I mean, you're starting a whole new chapter of your life in New York City, and you're only 22. You should have every experience New York has to offer without thinking about your boyfriend or whatever back in the Pitts. You should attend crazy parties thrown by this generation's Andy Warhol, whomever that is, and fuck like there's no tomorrow. Eventually, when the nights get cold and lonely and you want someone to hold you, to tell you that he loves you, you should find someone special in New York. After all, I'll be here, and that's not fair to you."

Justin finally spoke, but could only manage, "Brian….I…"

After a minute of silence, Brian nodded. He said, "That's what I thought. You know that this is for the best just as well as I do. Plus…"

Brian turned away. He couldn't even look at Justin while he uttered these words.

"I'm 34 years old. I'm ready to settle down a bit, maybe be monogamous, really commit to someone, but you're just starting your life. Pretty soon, I'll be nothing more than a fading memory, a funny first love story you tell at fashionable parties. 'Can you believe that when I was 17, I thought I was in love with this aging lothario? I mean, he was good to cut my teeth on…an incredible lover, but I needed much more than he could ever give me. Of course, what did I expect? He was little more than an over-the-hill club boy, a relic of the eighties and nineties. He didn't even know that orange was the new blue.'"

Justin interjected, "I would never…"

Brian snapped his head around and fixed Justin with a cold stare. He asked, "You would never what? Tell people the truth?"

Justin hissed, "That is not the truth!"

Brian inquired, "Really? Tell me when I ever gave you what you needed when you needed it. When you wanted me to settle down, I was out at the clubs every night, and, when you decided that what you really wanted was the untameable beast you'd fallen in love with, I'd already been domesticated."

Justin shook his head in frustration and turned around. When Brian got an idea in his head, there was no convincing him otherwise.

Brian asked carefully, "Tell me this, Justin. Do you know anyone who has made a long distance relationship work?"

Justin turned around, his eyes meeting Brian's, but, then, he looked down. He replied softly, "I can't honestly say that I do…"

Brian pressed further, "You and I are in different stages of life. I've had my fun. I've found my career niche already. Can you say the same?"

Justin couldn't even look at Brian. "No."

Brian nodded slowly as his eyes lost focus. "That's what I thought."

He picked up a suitcase that Justin hadn't noticed with all the other suitcases and boxes he'd been packing. Softly, he said, "So I'll go stay with Ted or get a hotel room for a few days. Just leave your keys in the mailbox when you leave."

As Brian walked toward the door, Justin called out desperately, "Brian…"

The brunet turned around. "Yes, Sunshine?"

Justin's chest ached so much he could barely stand it. One more second and he'd break down in tears. But he had no right to ask Brian to wait for him. He didn't know how long it would take to get his career going or how often he'd be able to visit. So in a tiny voice that threatened to shatter, he replied, "Later."

Brian smiled as brightly as he could. He knew that he was doing what was best for Justin. How could he become a fat fucking success with someone holding him back? Justin was too young to feel tied down, to feel the guilt and sadness of leaving someone behind. "Later."

Then he walked out of the loft and into the elevator. Only when he was finally in his car did he allow himself the luxury of tears.

Justin sat down on the couch and looked around the dark loft. With all of his belongings packed and only one of them there, it seemed so lifeless and empty.

He stated softly, "Brian needs to find someone who can be here every day. He deserves a little light in his life, some sunshine."

At that ironic turn of phrase, Justin thrust his head into his hands and wept bitterly.

Two months later…

Brian pinched the bridge of his nose. Things were not going according to plan. Daphne had been keeping Brian apprised of Justin's progress in New York, and she'd told him that, in the two months they'd been apart, Justin had been avoiding not only relationships but also tricking. Time to up the stakes.

Two days later…

Justin frowned. He'd dreamed of Brian again and had woken up thinking the man would be there. Holding him. How many times had that happened over the last two months? The chill of Brian's side of the bed, empty, of course, had remained with him all day, and he was having trouble working. Finally, he stopped trying. Instead, he picked up a copy of Pittsburgh's Out. Daphne had been sending him these every week since he left. It made him feel a little less disconnected. However, once he'd opened it, he wished he hadn't. There on the first page was a headline that rent his heart in two: "Brian Kinney, Liberty Avenue's Former Number One Stud, Engaged." He tossed his coffee cup across the room, shattering it into a thousand pieces. Then, he buried his head in his hands and sobbed. When he thought he'd cried himself out of tears, he lifted his head up, his eyes red and swollen. Unfortunately, the second his eyes lighted on the article, he started sobbing once more. Then, suddenly, he stopped. His eyes were still red and swollen, but, now, they burned with purpose. There was no way Justin was going to let this happen. If Brian married anyone, it would be him.