The end of the world as we know it- B/J one shot

[guavejuice]

Author:guavejuice
Pairing:Brian/Justin
Timeline:216-ish
Other characters:Daphne
A/N:Unbeta'd
Disclaimer:I own nothing
Comments are love

"You know something is wrong between you and him, so you just pull the trigger, kill this relationship dead and move on?" Daphne asked, licking the rest of her peach yogurt off the spoon.

"No! I don't want to go there" Justin sighed.

"Okay… let's take a moment here." Daphne said putting her bowl down. "We've been through this before, right? Look at what you used to have between the two of you and what you've got now."

"Here…" she said, throwing his sketch pad and a pan in his lap. "Make a list of where you two have gone off the rails. Seeing your problems in black and white helps you put things in perspective".

"I appreciate your efforts to try and cheer me up, Daph , but it won't work. No stupid fucking list is going to change that. My life is fucked." He let out a sigh and covered his face with one of Daphne's many decorative pillows.

"I can't believe you give up so easily, Justin. Where's your fighting spirit? And besides, it's not the end of the world. See?" she handed him a small booklet.

"Break-up advice: five essential tips about the right way to end a relationship with your boyfriend?" Justin read the title and rolled his eyes.

"Don't sound so negative. My friend Mindy brought me this before I broke up with what's his face. It might as well help you."

"Now for the tough stuff… " Daphne continued.

"You mean that was the easy part?" Justin's voice sounded tired and flat.

"Talk to him about the way you feel and the changes for the worse you've noticed." Daphne said.

"Oh, that would be a piece of cake" Justin said, " Considering he's been neglecting me ever since I came back from Vermont. Fuck! the guy even refused to celebrate my nineteenth birthday with me. Not so much as a fucking chocolate cup cake…"

"Even if he's neglecting you, there may be a relationship worth saving." Daphne said putting her hand on Justin's.

"Guys get wrapped up in their own lives and that makes them dense to everyone around them" she continued.

"God… talk about dense!" Justin let out another sigh.

"They may not even know they're doing you harm. Also guys are not talkers." She said, as she noticed Justin is reaching for another cigarette.

"His turning away from you could be indicative of his fears. He may be worried things are moving too fast and this is his way of slowing things down or it could be something outside of your relationship that's sucking up his energy." She almost whispered and got off the sofa and into the kitchen.

"I think some herbal tea might do you good" she said.

"Hopefully, he'll respond to you pointing out that you two are in trouble" Daphne continued placing the tea mug in front of him on the small coffee table. Justin looked at her, carefully sipping the hot beverage. "There's also a chance he's not interested and he doesn't care." He said quietly.

"Oh but he does… I know it. And I think you do to" Daphne whispered back, wrapping her arm around her friend's shoulder.

"Here… listen to this" she smiled and picked up the booklet Justin set aside earlier. "Check your happiness barometer. If the needle is pointing to storm clouds all the time instead of the smiley sunshine face and you can't see a way of swinging it back, then you've got a problem."

"Happiness barometer? What the fuck… " Justin seemed annoyed. "I know I can do well without him."

"But will it bring that smiley Sunshine face back?" Daphne looked him in the eyes.

"I guess… In fact I'm already moving on. Lindsay and Mel are taking me out tomorrow night to a concert. They said there's a hot young violinist there I might be happy to meet." Daphne noticed there's no excitement in his voice and no familiar sparkle in those blue eyes.

"OK, you've decided it's over. You want to start fresh and meet someone compatible. This is the real tough bit." Daphne said.

"Why should it be though? It can't be tougher than trying to pull the weight of this relationship on my shoulders for the past two and a half years. It might even be easier. I'm not going to marry the guy. We'll probably just fuck and that would be it." Justin wrapped his hands around his knees and tried to smile.

"Maybe so, but you see… you have to actually say the words It's over. There can't be any confusion. There's no good way, but some ways are better than others. Are you sure you can do that?" Daphne got up to turn the heat on and bring them a blanket.

"If you want to end the relationship, tell him face to face. No post-it notes on the refrigerator for him to find when he comes home to an empty house" Daphne wrapped the blanket around them as they were still sitting on the sofa.

" Brian would never come home to an empty house, Daph, that's part of the problem" Justin curled his lips inward. "And we never leave post- it notes for each other on his uber expensive imported steinless steel refrigerator".

"Brian would probably be pissed at me if he knew I was telling you that but I know for a fact there were times when he got back to an empty house trying to find comfort in his drink and a few joints." Daphne lowered her eyes.

"Don't be ambiguous. I can't stress this enough. Don't let him walk away thinking he's still got a chance when there isn't one or wondering whether the relationship is really over." She said.

"Damn allergies" Justin said after a long pause, sniffing his nose.

"Call him" she said silently, kissing him on his cheek.

Comments

[pam81.livejournal.com]

This was really great, V! I ♥ Daphne. Such a wonderful friend....
*hugs*

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you sooo much for your kind supportive feedback, sweetie. It really means a lot.
*hugs back*

[sunshine-kinney.livejournal.com]

I've finally had time to read ;)

Loved it...I adore the friendship between Justin and Daphne!

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you finally had time to read that, Mich!
I'm really pleased to know you enjoyed it. In fact I could 'hear' Daph and Justin's convo in my mind as I was writing it :)
*hugs*

[later2nite.livejournal.com]

Touching little fic, V. Very sweet and thought provoking. I love Justin and Daphne's friendship so much!

Hugs ♥
Linda

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

Thank you so very much for your thoughtful supportive feedback, Linda. I really appreciate it.
*hugs back*

[spike7451.livejournal.com]

This is wonderful. Daphne is such a fabulous friend to Jistin.

[guavejuice.livejournal.com]

aww... Thank you so much for your lovely feedback, Lyn. I'm so thrilled to know you enjoyed it. It means a lot to me.