no easy pieces to the puzzle

"What in the hell are you trying to prove?" Eric couldn't help himself but to corner Ian. At least they were alone back at his parent's apartment. They were still out looking at houses these days. They hoped by spring to move, somewhere close to where Ian went to school.

Of course, Ian glared at him and said nothing. Eric knew that look. It was as if he were looking at himself. Eric kept waiting to hear him say anything. Perhaps, what ever Ian said, Eric wouldn't be listening.

"I think-" he hesitated. "You're making a big mistake. Especially, at your age." Eric's face festered just of the thought of Derrick and Ian together.

"What? College? Is that a good time?" Ian winced. "Or when I'm 42. Is that a good time?" He hugged himself then. "I feel much better about myself than I have in a very long time." He bit back tears. "I'm sorry I'm not perfect. Like you."

Eric let out a sigh. "I'm worried about you, can't you see that?" Eric stared at him. "Aren't you worried about your reputation? Didn't you have it bad for - " He hated to bring up Kayla. "Isn't there someone -" He winced then, thinking of Amanda's little brother, Derrick, of all people.

"You don't even know him." Ian informed him. "And you don't have to  think of me at all. All right? I've got Oliver to talk to."

"Oh, that's just great! He's the better brother now, because he hasn't given you a hard time about this. Well, maybe he doesn't care. Not like I do. I - I know this guy, who happens to be my brother, who could note every hot girl who came into the room. What about that guy? Where did he go? And what will you do, if he shows up again? Have you thought about that?" Eric looked about his old room. It hadn't changed that much.

"Don't go acting like I've got a split personality now." Ian winced hard with disgust. He turned from Eric.

"Well, how else to explain it? Really, you moved here because of a girl. Remember? You would have never been here if it hadn't been for that Christmas when you met Cami. What about her? Do you even think of her?" Eric's voice was growing louder. He hadn't meant to pressure him.

He saw that look on Ian's face. It was if he'd beaten him up on the inside. Not the outside, and now Eric regretted it terribly for what he'd said.