by Lucky Charms

Disclaimers: See Part 1.

Feedback is always welcome: luckycharms@e-scribblers.com.

Copyright © 2004 by Lucky Charms. All Rights Reserved.

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Chapter Seven

Date: July 10, 3021
Time: 12:43pm
Location: F.Y. Police Headquarters

Jason and Brent manage to tear Aeryk off of Brian, while Aaron, Jeff, and Joe hold back Brian.

Jackie storms in between the two fighters and glares at them both. "What in the hell is the matter with you two?" She snaps. "I can’t believe what I’m seeing here. What’s going on?"

Alasen slowly enters the room and stands beside Jackie. "I’m sorry, it’s my fault." She says lowly.

"No it’s not, Alasen." Brian says.

Aeryk’s body tenses at Brian’s word and Jason and Brent brace themselves in case Aeryk attempts to escape their hold.

"You two are lucky the Chief didn’t see this." Jackie says.

"Too late." Derryk says, standing just outside the office. "I want you both in the conference room, now." He looks at the men holding Aeryk and Brian. "Tie them up if you have to." He storms walks off ahead of the group into the large conference room.

"Alasen," Jackie begins. "I think it would be best if you just wait in my office."

"But I have..."

"I’ll talk to you later." Jackie says calmly. "I’ll see you in a second." She hurries off.

Derryk opens the doors to the conference room and orders for Brian and Aeryk to be seated on opposite ends. "I don’t want those two tearing at each other again." He mutters.

Aaron and Joe escort Brian to his chair while Brent and Jason escort Aeryk to his chair across from Brian. Jason gives Aeryk a slight, reassuring rub on Aeryk’s shoulder before he steps back with Brent.

"Thank you gentlemen, I’ll handle it from here." Derryk says gruffly.

Aaron, Joe, Jeff, Brent, and Jason slowly shuffle out of the room, muttering amongst themselves.

As soon as the door is shut, Derryk glares at Brian and Aeryk. "I cannot begin to express my disappointment in you two. You’ve made total fools of yourselves and for what, huh?" He paces around the room. "You both are fine examples of the F.Y. and I would hate to suspend you guys. And seeing two friends trying to kill each other?" He lets out a sigh. "I only hope I can trust you both to solve this like grown men. Now, I’m going to leave this room. I want you both to talk to each other calmly and civilly. If I hear any raised voices or any sounds other than two friends talking out their differences, I’ll come in here and send you both on your ways home."

The older man locks his gaze on the two younger ones for a moment before he leaves the room.

Brian and Aeryk look away from each other, refusing to speak. I know I should be sorry for what I did. Aeryk says to himself. I guess I am. But she just wouldn’t give up! Why did I say what I did? Was it to hurt Brian as much as he hurt me? How pathetic, he didn’t even know I was there when it happened. God, it kills me to know that we both love each other so much, but none of us can admit it.

I know I should just forget it and move on. Brian’s obviously happy with the way things are right now, and I should be too. If Brian doesn’t want to live up to who he is, who am I to tell him otherwise? I should just be a friend and support him.

He’s right; I don’t know what it’s like to have a family. I didn’t have anyone to answer to once I admitted to myself who I really am. Should I just let go? I sure as hell don’t want to. I still love him.

Brian heaves out a sigh and begins rocking back and forth in his chair. I can’t believe he did that to me. What was he thinking? What possess a man to do something like that? Aeryk’s never like this. He’s always been so gentle to other people’s feelings. He’s never done a vindictive thing in his life! But what he did... He pauses a moment and casts a quick glance at Aeryk. For what reason? God, I know I should be beyond livid with him. But I can’t help but worry about what he’s feeling right now. He must feel so lost right now.

Serves me right, I guess. I’ve done nothing but cause him stress before now. He warned me that he can’t handle it, but I didn’t care. Was it me who brought him to this? Have I finally gone to far?

Why do I feel like taking him into my arms and begging for forgiveness? I can’t go back now. What I did the other night... He grimaces. It’s too late for me.

"What has happened to us?" Aeryk says lowly.

Brian shrugs and looks at Aeryk with sad eyes. "I don’t know."

There’s another long moment of silence before Aeryk speaks again. "I’m sorry for saying what I did to Alasen. It was stupid of me, and I should’ve kept my temper."

Brian nods. "Thank you. I should apologize to you too. I’ve been insensitive to your feelings. I honestly had no idea you saw what happened between Alasen and I. I was being stupid and drunk."

Aeryk smiles slightly. "It’s okay, I guess. I was shocked more than anything."

Brian smiles, walks over to Aeryk, and sits in the chair next to him. "You don’t know how shocked I was when I woke up the next morning."

Aeryk chuckles. "I bet." He says looking anywhere but at Brian’s soft brown eyes. He then asks a question most people dread. "So what should we do now?"

Brian’s stomach turns slightly. "I don’t know." He mutters.

"What are you going to tell Alasen?"

"I’ve already disproved the truth you told her." Brian says apologetically. "I’ve lied to her so much already. When will it stop?"

"I can’t tell you that Brian." Aeryk says. "I’m not going to interfere with your life again. You have to decide."

Brian nods. "I just feel like I can’t go back, yah know? Look what I’ve done." He cries. "I’ve stepped over that boundary and I’m seeing the consequences for it. It’s time that I live up to my mistakes. I’ve done damage to the only person that I love." He says gazing sorrowfully into Aeryk’s blue eyes. "I love you so much Aeryk." He runs a tender finger down Aeryk’s face. "But I can’t turn back."

Aeryk nods in understanding and a tear falls down his face. Is this what life is all about? Loving and loosing? When will the tears stop? "Then, I’m afraid, we’re going to have to go our separate ways."

Brian gasps. "What do you mean?"

"I can’t live with you, knowing that I still love you and you me. Seeing you with Alasen will only make things worse for me Brian."

Brian grabs Aeryk’s hands and holds them fast. "Aeryk, please." He pleads.

"I’m sorry Brian, but I have to go. I can’t be around you when all this is going on."

"Then I’ll break up with her."

Aeryk shakes his head slowly. "No Brian, you said so yourself. You can’t turn back now. You’ve made your decision. This will be good for us, I think. And when things slow down and we both have had time to think it through, we’ll be able to go back to the way things were."

Brian nods and rises to his feet. "Come here." He gently orders. Aeryk rises to his feet slowly and Brian pulls him into a fierce embrace.

"Things just won’t be the same without you around bud." Brian chokes back a tear. "Who’s gonna take care of me?" He tries to joke.

Aeryk chuckles slightly. "It’s not like I’m moving out of the country Bri." Aeryk says softly, looking up at his friend.

"I know, but I love having you around. I knew, with you, things’ll turn out for the better. You’ve always handled things."

"Stop complaining you big baby." Aeryk teases. "My office is right by yours."

Brian pulls away and cups his hands around Aeryk’s face and rubs his tears away. "I’ll miss you bud."

"I’ll miss you too." Aeryk smiles faintly.

Brian gives Aeryk a quick gentle kiss and both their hearts fail them as they feel the exhilarating electric shock fly through their bodies. Tears stream freely down their faces as they gaze into each other’s eyes, for what seems like the last time.

"God, we’re over reacting." Aeryk chuckles, wiping the tears away with his hands.

"I know. I’ll still see you every day." Brian replies, doing the same. "But why does it hurt so much?"

"I don’t know." Aeryk says tenderly. "But we’ll be fine."

The two friends leave the conference room and meet with Derryk’s concerned gaze. "Everything work out?" He asks.

Brian and Aeryk look at each other and nod. "Yes." Aeryk says simply.

Alasen walks up slowly behind the men and softly clears her throat. "Is everything alright?" She looks fearfully at Aeryk.

"Yeah Alasen." Brian says. "It’s fine."

"Hey Chief," Aeryk begins. "Remember when you said that if I ever needed a place to stay, I’m more than welcome."

Alasen sucks in a breath and Derryk nods to Aeryk, knowingly. "Sure, kid."

"No, wait, you don’t mean..." Alasen begins.

Aeryk turns to Alasen with calm green eyes. "It’s okay Alasen." He says simply and turns on his heels and heads toward his office.

"See yah later bud." Brian says beneath his breath.

Aeryk walks into his office and sees Jackie and Jason there, waiting for him.

"Aeryk, you okay?" Jason asks, worried by the tearstains in Aeryk’s eyes.

Aeryk nods. "Yeah. Jackie, do you still have that truck of yours?" He asks.

"Why?"

"I’m moving in with the Chief for a while." He replies.

Jason lurches to his feet. "What happened?" He snaps. "Did Brian...?"

Aeryk shakes his head and moves himself into Jason’s arms. "No."

Jackie looks up at the perplexed Jason and nods. "I’ll leave you two alone." She leaves the room and shuts the door behind her.

"Are you okay Aeryk?" Jason asks.

Aeryk nods and buries his face in Jason’s chest. "It was the hardest thing for me to do."

Jason holds Aeryk close. "I’m sorry babe." He mutters. "Do you need some time alone?"

Aeryk shakes his head. "No, just tell me I did the right thing and that I’ll be okay."

"That was a bit of drama, eh Jackie?" Aaron says walking into her office. "Wonder what’s up with those two."

Jackie stares out ahead of her. "I don’t know." She says.

"What’s the matter with you?" Aaron leans against the open door and crosses his arms.

"Aeryk is moving out of the condo."

"What?"

"He said he is moving back in with the Chief for a while."

"Dang." Aaron says, mystified. "What does Brian think about it?"

Jackie shrugs. "I don’t know. He disappeared with Alasen shortly after the whole thing."

"Do you think Brian kicked ‘im out?"

"I couldn’t tell yah. Aeryk was upset when he walked in his office."

"You left ‘im alone?"

"No! Jason’s with him." Jackie rolls her eyes. "I’m really worried about them, Aaron. They haven’t been themselves at all recently."

"Yeah, and poor Alasen is in the middle of it. I think Aeryk’s a little jealous."

Jackie snorts. "Let’s not get into that right now, okay?"

"’Ow about I go talk to Brian?" Aaron says.

"You?" Jackie asks, alarmed.

"Why not? ‘E trusts me." Aaron says. "I know where to find ‘im." He walks out of Jackie’s office and down toward the gym.

Sure is bloody nice weather for such a cruddy day. Aaron says to himself. Imagine, two best friends fightin’ like that. Ironic it’s over a girl seeing as Aeryk’s gay and all. He snickers. I wonder if Brian’ll talk to me.

Aaron sees Brian working out in the empty gym and walks up to him. "’Ey, Brian." He says. "’Ow are you feeling?"

"What’s up?" Brian says locking the weights in place and sitting up on the bench. I might as well talk to somebody about it. Seeing as I couldn’t with Alasen. "I’m just bummed about Aeryk moving out, I guess."

"Wanna talk about it?"

"What’s there to talk about? Aeryk is moving out. It’s his decision and I can’t do anything about it."

Aaron frowns. "That’s a bunch of crap, Brian. You never give up on anything without a fight, and it amazes me that you’re giving up on Aeryk so quickly. What’s really going on?"

Brian lowers his head and runs his hands through his hair. "Honestly, it’s killing me that Aeryk wants to move out."

"And why does ‘e want to move out?"

"It’s because of Alasen and me." Brian mutters.

"Jealous?" Aaron asks boldly.

Brian nods. "I guess you can say that. Wait a second, how do you...?"

"I found out on the fourth." Aaron smirks.

"Oh, well anyway, it’s a little more complicated than that."

Aaron shrugs. "I guess this is Aeryk’s only way of coping with is Brian. I mean the boy obviously has feelings for you, you can’t return right?"

Brian grimaces. "Yeah, well..."

Uh-oh, ‘ave I stumbled onto something ‘ere? "What?"

Brian looks up at Aaron. "What, what?"

"That’s what I’m asking you!"

"Asking me what?"

Playing ‘ard to get, eh Brian? Aaron stares at Brian. "I can wait ‘ere all day until you spit it out Brian."

"Then you’re going to be waiting a long time, because there isn’t anything else for me to say." Brian says rising to his feet. "I have to shower." He begins walking toward the locker room.

"You love ‘im don’t you." Aaron says in a matter of fact tone

Brian freezes in his tracks and slowly turns. "What’re you talking about?"

"I can’t believe I didn’t recognize it before. Whenever Jason’s around, during our assignment at Davis and Graves," Aaron begins. "It’s so bloody obvious."

"You don’t know what you’re talking about Aaron. In case you’ve failed to notice, I have a girlfriend."

Aaron crosses his arms, unimpressed. "So?"

"So, how could I be in love with another man when I obviously like women?"

Aaron saunters up to Brian. "Why indeed? Fear, maybe. I’ve seen it before, yah know? My brother was gay, ‘e died in a car accident years ago. I see all the signs in you Brian." He adds. "It’s okay you know, being afraid, everybody is in the beginning. My brother was terrified to tell us that ‘e was gay. We still loved ‘im. Things even became better for us as a family. We became closer and ‘appier. There were no more lies, no more secrets. You would ‘ave something wonderful with Aeryk, Brian, I can tell. A match made in ‘eaven, as it were."

As much as Brian wants to tell Aaron how right he is, his fear about the situation with Alasen and his family prevails. "I’m sorry Aaron," He says shaking his head. "You’re wrong." He turns and walks back toward the locker room.

Date: July 14, 3021
Time: 11:23am
Location: Brian’s Condo

"God, it’s a crappy day." Brian says, looking out the balcony of the condo. "You think the rain’ll stop?"

Aeryk shrugs as he takes a sip of his coffee. "Doesn’t look like it, huh? It’ll be fine though."

The two stare into the distance and listen to the rainfall. The day began much like Aeryk and Brian’s hearts, dark and heavy. The two spent their last night together boxing up Aeryk’s belongings, but leaving the desk and the futon. Little was said between the two except for the occasional, "Can you pass the tape?" or "Where should I put this?".

Neither of them can claim that today will be the hardest day in his life. Who knew what the future would hold, but both know the pain of separating from each other is equally difficult for the other.

"So when’s Jason and Jackie supposed to be here?" Brian asks after a long moment of silence.

"I told them about noon." Aeryk replies, still staring blankly into the distance. I can’t believe this is happening. Why does it feel like I’m moving worlds away from him? It’s only Derryk’s place, for God’s sake! He takes another sip off his drink. This is for the better, though. We both will be able to move on and become stronger people. I’ll learn to accept Brian’s decision and be able to support him like I should, as a friend. He needs that.

Brian sighs and leans on the railing. Why can’t I just tell him to stay here? I don’t want him to leave. What am I saying? He’s only moving to Derryk’s. It’s not like he’s moving out of the country or anything, right? It’s still not fair though; he should be here with me. I don’t want to wake up every morning and know he’s not in the next room screaming at me to hurry my lazy ass up. I didn’t know it before, but I actually like hearing his voice. I like having that time alone with him. God, I’m so in love with him. Why am I letting this happen?

"Are you going to need help with the boxes?" Brian asks.

"If you want to help, that would be great." Aeryk says casting a quick glance at Brian. "You don’t have to."

"It’s no problem. I better change into something a little more suited for the weather, though." He slowly makes his way back into the condo and into his room.

A short while later he returns in a faded sweatshirt and a pair of jeans. "So how are you holding up?" Brian asks.

"I think I’m doing alright. I still can’t shake that funny feeling though."

"I know what you mean. It feels like you’re moving far away, huh?"

Aeryk nods in agreement. "We’re such drama queens." He teases.

Brian snorts. "Speak for your damn self." He jokes.

They both share a bit of much needed laughter and turn as they hear a knocking on the door. "It can’t be noon already." Aeryk mutters as he walks toward the door. "Oh hey Jason." He says opening the door and seeing Jason’s smiling face. "You’re early."

"Yeah, sorry." He mutters. "Everything set?"

Aeryk nods. "Just gotta wait for Jackie to get here." He stands aside to let Jason in. "Coffee?"

"Sounds great." He spies Brian in the balcony, looking in on the two. "Uh, should I...?"

"No, you’re fine." Aeryk whispers. "Go talk to him." He playfully orders as he walks into the kitchen.

Jason walks onto the balcony and nods to Brian. "Hey."

Ever since the fight between Jason and Brian, the two have been on shaky grounds. They rarely speak to each other at work, and only if it’s necessary.

"Hey." Brian says lowly. "How’s it goin’?"

"Doing good." Jason replies.

Brian walks over to the balcony door and shuts it. "Look, uh, I’m sorry about being such and ass to you before. Things between Aeryk and I are kinda hard on us. I didn’t mean to take it out on you."

This is new. Jason says to himself. I totally didn’t expect him to apologize to me. "It’s no problem. He’s your buddy and you were only watching out for him, right?"

Brian nods and turns his attention to the world before him. "Listen, there’s something I wanna tell you while he’s away." He pauses until he’s sure he has Jason’s full attention. "Aeryk’s had a pretty tough life, and as his best friend I want to make sure he’s with somebody who’ll make him happy. He’s a great guy Jason, and I don’t want to see him hurt in anyway. He’s very vulnerable right now, and sensitive to his surroundings."

"I gotcha Brian."

"Just make him happy, Jason. God knows I can’t do that for him, with all that’s happened between us. I love him, very much." He adds lowly as Aeryk slides the door open.

"Hey, what’s up?" Aeryk asks handing Jason his coffee.

"Nothing." Jason says, glancing at Brian and nods in mutual understanding.

"I hope you don’t mind a little cream in yours, Jas." Aeryk says. "I don’t know how you like your coffee."

Jason takes a sip and smiles. "It’s perfect." He says putting his free arm around Aeryk.

Brian’s heart wrenches at the sight of Jason and Aeryk showing affection for each other. That should be me. He says to himself.

There’s a loud honking below the three men and they all look down to see Jackie standing out in the rain, flailing her arms in the air. "So are you gonna start packing or what?" She bellows up to the group three stories above her. "No wait, don’t answer!"

The three men laugh. "How about you come inside first!" Aeryk calls back.

Jackie disappears into the building and Jason quickly downs the rest of his coffee. "Guess it’s time, huh?" He walks into the condo to let Jackie in.

Brian and Aeryk look at each other for a minute. "Ready?" Brian asks.

"No." Aeryk replies.

"Good, neither am I."

The two walk into the condo, place their cups on the table, and start walking the boxes out to Jackie’s large pickup truck.

Your heart is not open so I must go
The spell has been broken, I loved you so
Freedom comes when you learn to let go
Creation comes when you learn to say no

Jason and Jackie pick up a large box and slowly move out of the room. "Thank God for elevators." Jackie mutters as she makes her way out.

Brian walks into the condo, his face dark and sad. "Hey buddy." He mutters to Aeryk as he picks up another box and heads out without another word.

"Hey Brian." Aeryk whispers after him.

You were my lesson I had to learn
I was your fortress you had to burn
Pain is a warning that something's wrong
I pray to God that it won't be long
Do yah wanna go higher?

Jackie laughs as Aeryk attempts to carry a box, way to large for his small body, out toward the truck. "You look so stupid!" She says.

"A little help would be nice." Aeryk says, scowling.

"Here, I’ll help." A voice calls.

"Thanks Bri," Aeryk stops as he sees Jason’s smiling face. "I mean, Jason."

Brian walks out beside Jackie and the two watch Jason and Aeryk load up the box.

Jason waits until Aeryk’s back is turned to him before he wraps his arms around him.

"Kinda makes you feel all warm and bubbly inside, doesn’t it Brian?" Jackie turns and finds that Brian has disappeared. "Brian? Huh, where’d he go?"

There's nothing left to try
There's no place left to hide
There's no greater power
Than the power of good-bye

"Well, looks like we got everything." Jackie announces. "Shall we head out?"

"Yeah, I need to grab something from my room and I’ll be right out." Aeryk says running off.

Jackie leaves the condo and Brian grabs Jason’s shoulder before he can leave. "One more thing." He says lowly, taking his hand off Jason’s shoulder. "If you ever hurt him, I’m coming after you." He states, his eyes cold and sharp.

Jason nods. "Don’t worry Brian, I’ll take good care of him."

Aeryk walks back out. "Must’ve already packed it." He shrugs. "Oh well," Aeryk turns to Jason. "Ready?"

Jason nods. "I’ll go start my car." He leans down and kisses Aeryk gently on his cheek.

As Jason leaves Aeryk turns to Brian with sad, deep blue eyes. "Well, I guess this is it."

Brian nods. "Yeah. So, uh, I’ll see you at work?"

"Of course, it’s not like I can avoid you or anything." Aeryk teases.

Brian smiles faintly and pulls Aeryk into an embrace. "I’m gonna miss havin’ you around bud."

Aeryk smiles and pulls away from Brian. "I’ll miss being here.

Brian and Aeryk gaze at each other for a moment. "Why does it still feel like I’m moving light years away?" Aeryk whispers.

"I don’t know bud." Brian replies, his body screaming for him to take Aeryk into his arms again and keep him where he belongs.

Jason walks in. "Car’s ready, and Jackie’s getting impatient." There’s a loud honk outside. "See?"

Learn to say good-bye
I yearn to say good-bye

Aeryk looks back at Brian once more. "See yah." He says and walks out the condo with Jason.

Brian slowly shuts the door and finds himself on the balcony, watching Aeryk and Jason drive off with Jackie. "Bye, bud."

Date: July 22, 3021
Time: 12:32pm
Location: Derryk’s Mansion

"Mister Green," Jeeves begins. "Mister Lawson is here to see you." He bows out.

Aeryk stops his Tae Kwon Do maneuvers in time to see Jason walk around the corner, smiling. "Did I ever tell you how hot you look when you’re all sweaty and masculine?"

"News to me." Aeryk smiles and kisses Jason. "What brings you here?"

"Well, we’ve hardly had any quality time together since we’ve started that "Music Man" case. I was hoping I could steal you for a bit."

"And what do you plan on doing with me?" Aeryk wraps his bare arms around Jason’s shoulders.

"Maybe, take you out to a nice dinner, a little romantic walk along the beach?" Jason grins.

"Sounds wonderful, but I’d have to ask my boyfriend if it’ll be okay. He’s kinda jealous." Aeryk teases.

"I’d be too, with such a fine thing like you."

"Flattery will get you everywhere." Aeryk kisses Jason again.

Aeryk and Jason’s relationship has bloomed rapidly since Aeryk moved out. Since he moved in with Derryk, Aeryk told him of Jason and their relationship. Of course, Derryk had no problem with it. Sylvia burst into tears of a million emotions when Aeryk told her. She insisted on meeting Jason first thing and gave him the ever popular, third degree. The house seems to be brighter since Aeryk moved back in. Before then, things were rather quiet and boring. But with the young love around, the mansion livened up.

"I’ll go shower up." Aeryk says as the two reach the foyer. "Will you let Nana know I won’t be staying for dinner?"

Jason agrees and walks toward the kitchen in hopes of finding Sylvia. "Hey Jacques, do you know where Sylvia is?"

"Sylvia?" Jacques repeats. "Last I ‘ave ‘eard of Sylvia, she was een ze gardens with monsieur Smith."

Jason nods. "Thanks." He rushes through the back door of the kitchen and enters the vast gardens.

"So what do you think about Jason?" Derryk asks Sylvia as they walk around, admiring the array of colors around them.

"He’s a sweet boy." She says. "I do hope he makes Aeryk happy."

"I’m a little worried though." Derryk continues. "Aeryk and Brian have been acting really strange around each other recently."

"Any ideas why?"

"No, it just strikes me as odd. He seemed so torn about asking me to move back here, like it nearly killed him to think it."

"Do you think it’s because of Alasen?"

Derryk looks down at the old woman in shock. "What do you mean?"

"Remember that night, when those people took your book? I’ve seen the looks Aeryk gave to Alasen. He did not like her at all."

"There’s been a rumor about Aeryk being jealous, yes. But Aeryk’s not like that."

"I don’t know, remember the time when my grandchildren would come over to visit? Aeryk was so utterly jealous of the attention they were getting he nearly spat nails!" She chuckles.

Derryk laughs. "I remember that." He sighs. "Let’s just hope it’s a phase. I think Jason will be of great help to Aeryk. I’ve noticed a lot of changes in him."

Jason runs up and greets the two walkers. "Aeryk wanted me to let you know he won’t be in for dinner tonight."

Sylvia frowns. "That boy." She shakes her head. "He’s so damn skinny."

Jason laughs. "It’s okay, I’m taking him out to dinner tonight."

Sylvia gives Jason a keen smile. "Really? Where to?"

Derryk chuckles. "Don’t pay her any attention. Have fun tonight." Jason runs off. "You are horrible Sylvia. I should fire you."

"Bah, you’re nothing without me." She jokes.

Jason reaches Aeryk’s room in time to see him walking out of the adjoined bathroom, naked.

Aeryk sees Jason out of the corner of his eyes and cries out. "Jason! What’re you doing?"

"Just enjoying the view." He says nonchalantly and enters the room. "Damn, if I knew what I was getting myself into when I met you..." He admires Aeryk’s body.

Aeryk frowns and finds a pillow to throw at his lecherous boyfriend. "Pervert." He accuses fondly.

Jason closes the door behind him and saunters up to Aeryk and wraps his arms around the slight, warm body. "You know, we do have a little time to kill." He grins mischievously.

Aeryk gasps. "Jason!"

"I’m only kidding." He says quickly. "I know you’re not ready for that yet." He pouts.

Aeryk smirks when he sees Jason’s self-pitying look. "Oh, my poor deprived boyfriend." He says dramatically, and gives him a kiss. "I’m sorry, though."

"I know babe. I was just giving you a hard time."

Aeryk gives him a long passionate kiss. "Very soon, though." He mutters.

Jason kisses him back. "Really?" He asks.

"If you show me a good time, yeah." He winks and pulls Jason into another passionate kiss.

Jason lets out a slight moan and very reluctantly pulls away from Aeryk. "You are gonna make me nuts if you don’t stop doing this to me."

"It’s all part of my master plan." Aeryk says. "Now let me go so I can dress myself."

"Why not just go like that?" Jason says sitting on Aeryk’s bed.

Aeryk enters his walk-in closet and looks around for an outfit. "I can’t believe I actually left this place." He says.

"Why’s that? Were all those people spoiling you getting a little rough?"

"You shut up." Aeryk says. "You have no idea how difficult it really is." He finds his favorite red, tight fitting, t-shirt and khaki pants. "How does this look?"

"You look better without the clothes." Jason says bluntly, though smiling.

Aeryk rolls his eyes and finds the appropriate under garments and dresses himself. "As soon as I find my damn Docs we can leave."

Date: July 22, 3021
Time: 1:00pm
Location: Newland Beach

Brian lets out a contented sigh as he lays back on his beach towel. The sky is blue and cloudless, and the sun is warm and ready to give anyone willing skin cancer. It has been a little over a week since Brian has actually talked to Aeryk. He has seen him around, given the occasional wave and smile, but that’s about it.

He and Joe have been more than busy trying to locate the missing Vincent Graves. So far, nothing has shown up. The man simply disappeared.

I wonder what Aeryk’s doing right now? Probably with Jason, I guess. He shrugs. I wonder how those two are doing, though. They seem to be happy, from what I hear. He sits up and sees Alasen walking toward him. Wish I could say the same for Alasen and I. I hope she doesn’t realize what’s really the matter. She’s so sweet and good to me, even with the way I’ve been acting. Damn, this just isn’t working out the way I thought it would. I find myself missing Aeryk more and more each day, and it’s driving me insane!

"Hey," Alasen says cheerfully as she sits down on the towel next to Brian’s. "What’s up?"

"Nothin’, just enjoying the sun." Brian says leaning back. "It’s so nice out here. Thank God for the weekend."

"This is the first weekend I have since I’ve started school!" Alasen exclaims. "And you think you’ve got it bad?"

"Wait a second, is that whining I hear?" Brian teases.

Alasen playfully shoves Brian. "You’re mean!" She says as she begins fumbling through her bag. "Roll over, I’m gonna put some lotion on yah."

"Trying to seduce me?" Brian says arching a brow.

Alasen snorts. "Don’t flatter yourself. Now get on your stomach."

Brian obeys and Alasen pulls out the suntan lotion and straddles over Brian’s waist. "You’re already getting a little red you idiot." She sighs as she applies the cool lotion on Brian’s back.

Brian shivers with the sudden chill. "I want to be tan, Alasen. It’s impossible for me to get tan if you keep on putting that half billion SPF stuff on me."

"Quit your whining. You can get skin cancer you know, and it’s only SPF 15. Don’t exaggerate."

Brian lets out a slight moan as Alasen massages the lotion on his broad shoulders. "How about you just massage me instead."

"You’re such a lazy slob!" Alasen giggles as she begins to massage Brian’s shoulders.

Brian lets out another, exaggerated; moan as Alasen works out the kinks in his shoulders. "I can get used to this."

"Well don’t. You still need to put some lotion on my back mister."

"But I’m comfortable." Brian protests.

"Quick, find somebody who cares!" Alasen gets off Brian and places the lotion bottle in front of his face. "My turn." She announces cheerfully.

Alasen sits on her towel and pats on the space behind her. Brian grumbles as he rises from his towel, grabs the lotion, and positions himself on his knees behind Alasen.

"Take your time." Alasen says.

"Yes, your majesty." Brian taunts as he begins to work in the lotion on Alasen’s small back.

A gentle, cool breeze runs up from the waters and blows across the two beach dwellers.

"Mm, this is so nice." Alasen says lowly as she closes her eyes.

Brian nods his agreement and allows his thoughts to trail for a moment. Brian has always loved the sound of water, especially the sound of waves crashing into the beach, which is why he always insisted that he visit the beach, every chance he got. When he dragged Aeryk with him, he would always pick up the smaller man and toss him mercilessly into the water, resulting in gurgled roars of outrage and horror. Aeryk isn’t too fond of the open water, in fact, he’s terrified of it.

Another thought crosses Brian’s mind, he realizes that whenever Aeryk would tear at Brian’s body for support in the strong currents, he loved the feeling of him being there to protect Aeryk. He grimaces as he adds another tally on his list of things he misses about Aeryk.

Brian looks down at Alasen’s small body and is oddly reminded of Aeryk’s body. His mind exchanges Alasen’s frame with Aeryk’s and Brian grimaces slightly. He misses Aeryk, deeply. Though the two see each other at work, it just wasn’t the same as having the time alone with him at home. He misses the drives home when the two would listen to random music from the twenty-first century, their favorite. He misses when Aeryk would tease him about how messy his room was. He misses when Aeryk would talk to him, during his days of mourning over his family. He misses being with Aeryk period.

Brian knows it’s his fault for the way things are. It’s my fault this is all happening to us now. I pushed Aeryk away from me, and who knows how far back he’ll go? All he did was try to love me, and I was stupid enough to think I could just put it aside to appease my family.

A feeling of guilt and total disgust with himself swarms over his body. Why am I so afraid of what my family would think if I told them how I feel about Aeryk, and who I really am? They’re my family and they should love me regardless, right? But, man, to see the looks of disappointment on their faces again. I don’t think I could deal with that.

Brian lets out a low sigh and continues to mindlessly work in the lotion on Alasen. Aeryk should be the one here right now. As much as I love Alasen as a person, I just don’t love her any more than that. I love Aeryk, but does he still love me?

Brian’s body reacts to the thoughts about Aeryk being there instead of Alasen, and Brian finds himself taking a keen interest in the illusionary body before him.

His hands take a more firm, sensual push on Alasen’s slight frame and he works his way down her body, thinking it is Aeryk’s. He takes in the sensation of the soft, supple flesh in his grasp and moves in closer to the body before him. He turns Alasen over and presses himself into her then begins to run his hands over her stomach and lower chest, ignoring the erection he is rapidly acquiring due to the thoughts of Aeryk.

Alasen lets out a deep sigh and lolls her head back. All Brian sees is Aeryk’s face and Aeryk’s body below him. Brian takes the small neck into the embrace of his lustful kisses. He trails his tongue lightly down the space where the neck meets the shoulders. Alasen shivers with pleasure at the sensation and lightly calls out Brian’s name.

Reality hits Brian’s mind like a ton of bricks and he falls back suddenly. His eyes see Alasen, and not Aeryk. But where...?

"Brian?" Alasen asks. "You okay?"

Brian’s heart begins to pound furiously and he stares beyond Alasen, with wide eyes. I almost did it again. I saw Aeryk instead of her, just like the last time.

The memory of the time when Brian made love to Alasen, all the while thinking of Aeryk and feeling him instead of Alasen. Hearing Aeryk’s voice, instead of Alasen's. He was sober enough to know not to call out Aeryk’s name when it came time for him. The shock of what he did that night only made itself painfully known when he woke the next day and saw Alasen in the bed next to him, and not Aeryk.

Can I be so stupid as to allow myself to do that again? "I, uh, think I’ll take a quick swim. You gonna be okay here?" Alasen nods slightly. "Cool, see you in a bit." He quickly rises to his feet and rushes toward the water.

I can’t let this beat me now. I’ve got to find a way to stop this before things go too far. Brian reaches the water and dives into it. The salty water burns Brian’s eyes as he flies gracefully through the clear blue water around him. Please, somebody, tell me what I should do.

Aeryk makes a face of utter disgust. "The water, from where my most heinous of enemies are spawned. The fish."

Jason bursts into a fit of laughter. "What are you talking about?"

Aeryk smiles up at Jason. "You didn’t know I hate fish?"

"Well, I thought that was a given."

Aeryk laughs. "Not that kind of fish! The kind you eat." Jason arches a brow at him, smirking. "Okay, since I’m obviously not going to get anywhere with you, I’ll shut up."

Jason snickers. "Forgive me if my mind is in the gutter right now. You just look so cute in those shorts of yours."

Aeryk frowns. "Monkeys are cute, Jason, and I refuse to be seen on the same level as them."

"Well, aren’t we all high and mighty?" Jason teases. "I’m sorry, you look very handsome in those shorts." He concedes.

"Thank you." Aeryk smiles slyly. "You look cute too."

"Hey, monkeys are cute." Jason states.

"Which is why I said that." Aeryk chuckles as Jason gives Aeryk his best look of shock and hurt feelings.

"You sure are feisty today." Jason says, leaning into his car to pull out the cooler and a couple beach towels.

"Well, I’m in a good mood." Aeryk says, taking the towels from Jason and leading him down the beach until they find a spot to plant themselves.

"Lay down so I can put some lotion on yah, boy." Jason orders playfully. As Aeryk lays down, he straddles Aeryk’s waist and squeezes a line of lotion down his back.

Aeryk’s body tenses with the sudden cold. "Hey!" He cries.

Jason laughs. "Deal with it." He begins to runs his hands along Aeryk’s body.

"Just don’t stop, alright?" Aeryk says. "I can do this all day."

Jason snorts. "Yeah, poor you. What about me?"

"You mean touching my soft, virgin flesh isn’t enough for you?" Aeryk teases.

Jason arches a brow. "You’re a virgin, at twenty-one?"

"Shut it!" Aeryk grumbles. "There’s nothing wrong with that, right?"

"Oh no, all the better for me." Jason teases.

"You are such a pervert." Aeryk accuses. "I don’t know about you. Though I do like your optimism."

Jason chuckles. "Optimism nothing, boy. I own you."

"Yeah, yeah shut up and keep rubbin’." Aeryk says his face buried in his towel.

After a short while, Jason finishes with Aeryk. "Okay, you’re turn." Jason says getting off of Aeryk and laying face down on his towel.

"So demanding." Aeryk says as he gives Jason the same treatment he so cheerfully done to him. "Payback." Aeryk jokes as Jason cries out.

"So what do you want to do for dinner tonight?" Jason asks.

"Jason, it’s barely two o’clock and you’re already thinking about dinner?"

"Well, I’m hungry."

"We just ate a half hour ago!" Aeryk gasps.

"I’m a growing boy." Jason says in a childish voice.

"A bottomless pit is what you are."

Aeryk finishes with Jason and pats him on the back affectionately and kisses Jason’s cheek. Jason smiles and turns on his back as Aeryk finds a place on his towel.

"How about we go take a swim?" Jason asks.

Aeryk’s eyes widen in fright. "Um, how about you go alone?"

Jason rises to his feet. "Whatever, you’re coming with me." He smiles as he grabs Aeryk’s hands and lifts him to his feet.

"Jason, I really don’t feel like swimming." Aeryk pleads.

"Come on, it’s not like the fishies will attack you." He lifts Aeryk off his feet and carries him toward the water.

"No Jason, you don’t understand..." Aeryk calls just before Jason playfully tosses him into the water.

Total panic consumes Aeryk’s mind as the warm water surrounds his body. Though he has learned to swim as a child, he mindlessly thrashes about him as he tires to find the surface of the water.

When Aeryk was much younger, at about eleven, he and his family were at the beach to enjoy the last vestiges of the warm weather before the fall began. Aeryk and his brother, Ryan, decided to go out and see who could swim the furthest.

Ryan, being the more athletic of the two, had no problems swimming distances, but Aeryk wasn’t fit for it.

Aeryk soon became tired and attempted to swim back to the beach. He called out to his brother for help, but was already falling deeper into the water.

Luckily his father was watching Aeryk and was instantly in the water and swimming furiously to get to his son. From that moment, Aeryk has been deathly afraid of being within open water.

A strong under current grabs Aeryk and pulls him away. Jason cries out in terror and swims as fast as he could to catch up with Aeryk.

"Hey Brian, isn’t that Jason?" Alasen says as she rushes up to him at the water’s edge.

"Yeah, but where’s Aeryk?" Brian says looking in the small distance between them.

They hear the panic in Jason’s voice and fear wells up in Brian. "Oh my God, Aeryk!" Brian calls as he and Alasen rush over. That asshole, didn’t he know that Aeryk’s afraid of open water? Brian dives into the water and swims after Jason.

Aeryk finds himself becoming weak with struggling, and out of breath. So this is it, huh? He closes his eyes and allows the darkness to consume him.

Aeryk gets the strange sensation of flying and he tentatively opens his eyes and sees himself soaring through the air above the ocean. He sees both Brian and Jason swimming out to sea.

He then finds himself flying at tremendous speeds through the air, over the shattered American lands, along the Atlantic Ocean, and into what Aeryk assumes to be the northern pole.

Despite the flurry of snow around him, Aeryk does not feel the bite of cold he’s expecting. "Am I dead?" He asks.

Aeryk reaches a vast mountain range, created by the quake, and lands in front of a large forbidding temple with two statues of a turtle standing on either side. "That turtle from before!" Aeryk calls out.

Aeryk turns as he hears several dogs barking behind him. "What the?" He sees eight teams of huskies rushing through the treacherous terrain toward him. He instantly recognizes one of the people leading the huskies, Vincent Graves.

The team rushes by him, not noticing Aeryk in the slightest, and head toward the strange temple. "Genbu." A voice booms around him, and Aeryk suddenly finds himself hurling through the air, back toward Newland Beach.

Two sets of strong hands grab Aeryk’s limp body and tug him toward the shore.

As soon as Brian and Jason bring Aeryk onto shore, Alasen takes over and performs CPR.

Jason falls to his knees. "Aeryk."

Brian glares at Jason; fury seething in his eyes and he clenches his fists. There is no force within heaven and earth that can stop Brian from beating the life out of Jason. "I’ll kill you!" Brian roars as he descends upon Jason like a fury from the heavens.

Continued in Part 8

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