guavejuice | Sticks and Stones AU series Part 7/10

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Author:

guavejuice
Pairing:Brian/Justin
Other Characters:The rest of QaF characters.
Summary:
An intention to help at the LGBT Youth Center has life-altering ramifications for Justin and Daphne when tragedy strikes and new relationships are forged. Based on an actual, RL event.
Beta:The amazing Kim

predec2. thank you so much for everything!!
Click here to read previous episodes.
This is NOT a WIP. I'll be updating regularly.
Disclaimer:I own nothing but this story.
Comments are love.

Part 7

"Where are we going?" Justin asks as they get into Detective's Kinney's jeep.

"Someplace safe, you'll see. Try to get some sleep," Brian tells him.

It's almost dawn as they park outside a two-story house on the other side of town. A redheaded lady steps outside wearing a colorful nightgown and slippers.

"Hurry up; get inside." She urges them and shuts the screen door behind them.

"You're the diner lady," Justin points out in a tired voice.

"Indeed I am, Sunshine. You can call me Debbie. Drink this," she urges him, handing him a hot mug of coffee.

"Listen, Justin. You're going to stay here for as long as it takes until it's safe enough for you to go back to your apartment and resume your life." Detective Kinney advises him; the use of Justin's first name not lost on him as he turns to face him.

"I can't." Justin contends.

"You have no choice, Justin," Detective Peterson explains gently. "You're now a key witness in this case."

"Come on; let me show you to your room," Debbie says in a kind voice.

"Let me know if you need anything," Detective Kinney tells him before he steps outside with his partner, trying to avoid Debbie's piercing eyes.

_ _ _ _ _

"This used to be my son's Michael's room when he was a teenager." Debbie explains as they walk up to the second floor and enter the room.

"He's now married to Ben Bruckner, you see," she continues, spreading new sheets on the bed.

"Ben? The owner of Hope House?" Justin's heart skips a beat.

"The same," Debbie says proudly. "Michael could not have found a better partner. Ben is kind, gentle, and caring. He's HIV positive, did you know that? He and Michael adopted their foster child Hunter almost ten years ago. And he's a professor at Carnegie Mellon…" She frowns as she notices Justin's ashen face. "What's wrong, Sweetie? You're pale as a ghost," she informs him.

"I think I'd better get some sleep now if you don't mind," he replies with a faint smile.

"Sure." She smiles back at him.

TBC...