“You’re right, you know,” Michael said. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking the past couple of days and I shouldn’t treat Gus any differently now than before. He’s grown up knowing how much we all love him and it isn’t fair to him to watch us shower Annie with love and presents while we ignore him. I don’t think I can even imagine what he was thinking when we were all hanging all over Annie during his birthday party, but I can understand why he wanted to leave. I wouldn’t want to hang out where I wasn’t wanted.”

“And?”

“And, I guess we do treat Gus differently than Annie because he’s Brian’s son. I mean, yes I do love Annie more because she’s my daughter, just like I do know that Brian loves Gus more because he’s his son, but we shouldn’t treat them any differently. They’re brother and sister and it’s not the kids faults. As for why the others might be doing it, yeah I guess it does have a lot to do with the fact that Brian is Gus’s dad. Its no secret that most of us think that Brian is a total asshole, even if he is our friend, and we’ve never had a problem telling him what we think about him either, especially Mel. We’ve all heard her bad mouth him, and a lot of times she did it in front of Gus. I think we all have and I’m sure that’s probably affected the way he thinks we feel about him.”

“What are you trying to say, Michael?” Ben asked his lover, surprised to hear what he was saying.

“I guess what I’m trying to say is that, while I might not agree with what Brian is doing, I can’t exactly say that I wouldn’t be doing the same thing if the positions were reversed,” Michael admitted.

“What made you change your mind?” Michael looked embarrassed as his eyes locked upon Ben’s.

“I’ve had a lot of time to think with you and Hunter out of the apartment and I realized that I over-reacted the other night when I packed your things. I didn’t really want you to move out, but I was just so angry and scared that I didn’t want to even think that you were right.”

“Scared? What were you scared of?” Ben asked, confused. He went over to his lover, taking Michael into his arms and leading him to one of the classroom chairs. The two men sat down, holding hands, not wanting to be apart from the other.

“I was afraid that what Brian was saying was true,” Michael explained. “And it got me thinking that if Mel and Linds could do that to Gus, who I know they love, because of who his father is then what might happen if they have a problem with me one day. Could they start treating Annie as if she’s a second class citizen? I don’t want that for my daughter.”

“That’s why you tried to defend the way they’re acting, isn’t it?” Michael nodded his head. Ben leaned over and hugged his lover. “Michael, I understand why you might be worried about what this could mean for Annie, but I’m glad to see you understand why Brian is doing what he’s doing. As hard as it is for any of us to admit, the way things stand now, Melanie and Lindsay aren’t the best parents for Gus. And while Brian may have a lot of faults, he does love his son and I truly think believe he wants what’s best for Gus.”

“Fuck, how did things get so screwed up?” Michael asked. “I mean, we all used to be so close. Nothing could break us apart, no matter what happened? Sure, we would argue and fight but it always blew over. We loved each other too much to truly stay angry with anyone. I just don’t see us surviving this. Not intact.” Ben didn’t have anything to say to that. He had always thought the closeness of their little group of friends was something that was enviable, something that not a lot of people had in their lives, but now it was the very closeness that was driving them apart.

“Michael, people change, move on. In fact, giving the different personalities of our little family, I’m surprised that you guys have remained as close as you have for so long,” Ben told his lover. “But what I find interesting is that, despite what you all say and know, it’s been Brian that’s been like the glue. He brought Lindsay into the group, which included Melanie. And we can’t forget about Justin. You brought in Ted. I’m not sure how Emmett joined in, but I’ll tell you right now, after that whole thing with Ted and the way he treated Em while he was on crystal, the only reason I think Emmett is still hanging with you is because of Brian. Brian and Justin have been the only ones who haven’t fully accepted Ted back into the group and I think a lot of that has to do with the way he treated Emmett. He and I have gotten to know each other a lot the past couple of days and I can tell you, he’s grateful to have those two as his friends because they’ve made sure that he’s still out there, living his life.”

“Is that where you’ve been staying?” Michael asked. “With Emmett?”

“Yes,” Ben answered. “He was with me when Hunter called and told me what was going on. He offered me a place to stay and I accepted. And before you ask, Hunter has been staying at Melissa’s. You know how much her parents love him and they were more than happy to let him use their guest room, although I’m not sure how much time he’s actually spending there.” Michael grinned at the thought of his adopted son and his girlfriend. They had all been surprised when Hunter had told them about Melissa, but when they saw that he was happy dating the young girl, they couldn’t begrudge him that. And surprisingly it was Emmett who got them to understand that what Hunter was going through, explaining that since Hunter had never been truly allowed to explore his sexuality, even though his living as a hustler might belie that assumption, it was only natural that he would so now. Thinking of Emmett had Michael depressed once more.

“I haven’t exactly been a good friend to Emmett either, have I?” Michael said sadly, realizing how much he had truly let down his friends. “I was just so happy to see Ted regain control of his life, even if that meant bringing Blake back into our lives again, that I didn’t even think about what Emmett was going through. Fuck, he must hate me now.”

“I’m pretty sure that Emmett will forgive you, if you make sure that you let him know that you do support him. Don’t throw Ted and Blake in his face. It’s not fair to him and you know that if the positions were reversed, he wouldn’t do the same thing.”

“I know,” Michael promised. “I’ll do whatever it takes. And if that means supporting Brian, than that’s what I’ll do.” Michael sniffed.

“Michael, you don’t have to support Brian to get Emmett back,” Ben said. “You don’t have to support Brian at all, unless you think it’s what’s right for Gus. That’s all any of us ask. Yes, it does appear that Emmett and I are supporting Brian, but that’s just because right now that’s what we believe is best for Gus. For that little boy to be with two people who will make him the number one priority in his life. Gus deserves that. All children do.” Michael leaned into Ben’s body, his lover’s arms wrapping around him easily.

“I love you, you know that right.” Ben just smiled down at Michael, leaning in and giving him a brief kiss.

“I know, baby. I know.”