**********

“What the fuck?” greeted Justin as he flopped down on the couch moaning miserably at the pain cursing through his body. Brian strode towards him an angry look on his face. He stood in front of Justin and Justin looked up at him with a pitiful expression.

“Who did this to you?” Brian demanded.

“A fight started in the diner and I was hit by mistake” Justin explained.

“This is unacceptable!” Brian exclaimed as he headed to the kitchen. Minutes later he brought a packet of frozen peas. Justin moaned his thanks when the cold alleviated some of the pain.

*****

Brian headed out muttering ‘later’ in Justin direction.

Justin thought about how strange it is that Brian had frozen peas in his fridge, and then he thought about the shade of green in Brian’s eyes and last his thoughts turned to the fact that Brian had abandoned him in his time of need. He knew he was queening out but damn it he was in pain. Half an hour later Brian came back. He sat on the coffee table in front of Justin and carefully applied the ointment on the bruise.

“Thanks” Justin said sheepishly, feeling grateful and somewhat guilty.

"I've got a fever, haven't I?"

His forehead is burning up.

"That's what you get for making me walk around the block with you for two fucking hours at fucking one in the morning."

I don't mention it was his nightmares that made him restless.

A sigh.

He smells of sweat, of damp cotton and the mind boiling between his temples.

"Thanks for the soup," he mutters and slurps dutifully. A true wreck, but it's my wreck, therefore above criticism.

"Just so I can get back to fucking your brains out soon."

"I never thanked you for -"

"Eat up."