Joni woke the next morning and found Misha sleeping on the armchair in a position that couldn't be so comfortable. Joni sighed; it was how he had feared, and the pictures did have some effect. Why else would Misha be sleeping on the chair and not next to him like the two other nights? 

Feeling discouraged and upset Joni struggled to get up. He would have given anything to be able to go back in time to change everything that had gone wrong...

Misha woke to the noise, opened his eyes, and looked at Joni who was up, trying to pull his sweatpants on. Misha rubbed his eyes and moved, feeling the soreness on his neck.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

"Bathroom," the younger man answered simply, before walking towards the door without looking at him.

"Joni?" Misha sighed, leaning forward on his seat.

"I'm about to pee in my pants," Joni huffed and left the room.

Misha ran his hand through his hair and checked the time; 8.30 am. He thought about the pictures, thought about the situation, and stretched his sore muscles, waiting for Joni to get back. He looked up when Joni entered the room. The brunette gave him a hesitant look, approached the bed, and sat down. 

"What's going on in your mind?" Misha asked.

"What's going on in yours?" Joni asked in return, pulling the cover over his lap.

Misha was silent for a moment looking down at his hands trying to sort out his thoughts.

"Those pictures bother you, right?" Joni finally asked when Misha was silent, thoughtful look on his features. "You didn't sleep next to me", he added quietly looking down at his hands.

Misha looked at him, got up, and silently walked closer to the bed before sitting down on the edge next to him. He reached to take Joni's hand in his and the younger man eyed him insecurely. Misha stroked his palm with his thumb, remembering something from earlier that made him smile softly.

"A porn star, huh?" Misha asked, glancing at Joni's face, with the smile still lingering on his lips. Joni blinked, blushed slightly, and looked away. "I don't blame you, Joni... You were and are young and often act foolishly and he took advantage of that."

Often act foolishly? The words repeated in Joni's mind, and made him frown. "I was drunk then, okay? And I know could have made the choice not to drink so much but it was my birthday and I don't need you to..."

"Hey, calm down brat," Misha stopped him. "I said that I don't blame you."

"You also said I often act foolishly." Joni reminded, looking at him and pulling his hand away from the hold.

"Well, you do," Misha said. "Don't start pouting now. There's no reason to. I just don't understand why you didn't talk about it before?"

Joni started to play with the edge of the coverlet looking down. "Because," he started, "It's just not so easy, it's humiliating and..." he sighed tiredly, still playing with the coverlet.

"You thought I would judge you?" Misha asked, still feeling somewhat disappointed that Joni would think that.

"Yes," Joni whispered his answer. "Not just you, I thought and still think that many would after seeing them."

"People who wouldn't know the circumstances perhaps," Misha pointed out. "I wouldn't go judging a victim of a bad relationship. He knew what he was doing to you."

"I don't want to be a victim," Joni groaned and pulled his knees closer to his chest.

Misha was quiet for a moment. He had wondered why Joni had stayed. Had always wondered why someone would stay with an abusive partner, and deep down he could admit thinking that these people were just plain stupid. It was unlikely that the abuser would change his ways; it was more likely in Joni's and Chris' case that things would have gotten worse. Knowing the reason, knowing the blackmail, the senseless situation made a tiny bit more sense to him.

"There's no shame in it," he finally replied. "The shame is in him, not you. People like that often find the one they can control into their own will and..."

"And I was just perfect, right? Weak...and... foolish..." Joni groaned.

"No," Misha sighed. "You don't look that way, it's..." He took a pause trying to think his words carefully as Joni was in this sensitive mood. The truth was that he wasn't good at knowing what the right words were.

He thought back to the seventeen-year-old boy Joni had once been not too long ago and... there had been a certain amount of carelessness that might have worked as bait, a certain amount of naivety and innocence that was sadly gone now. But weak? No, he wouldn't call Joni weak.

Misha sighed before hesitantly speaking. "Okay, well... You were seventeen and he was twenty-five with a lot more experience, knowing what strings to pull..."

"I know what the age difference is! It has come up so many times that I'm sick of hearing it! Sick of hearing about his experience and age!" Joni interrupted him.

"Can't you just listen to what I have to say?" Misha sighed, interrupting him in return. Joni glanced at him, silent, and finally, he nodded. "It doesn't make you weak if I point out that he, compared to you, has a lot more physical strength. I fought with him, remember? If you hadn't done what you did, chances are I wouldn't be here talking with you." Joni glanced at him carefully. "I was amazed then, when I first walked in I didn't think you could move, and then you defended my life. It sure isn't something that a weak person does."

Joni smiled a little now and Misha reached to ruffle his hair, his hand lingering on his cheek before pulling away. "So how about some breakfast now? I can call the cops about that issue; I don't think it's necessary to drag you there when you're still recovering."

"Thank you, Misha," he whispered.

"No problem," The blond man got up and walked towards the door. "So the pictures are on his computer, right?"

"Yes, he has some password, I couldn't log on when I tried."

Misha nodded and smiled slightly. "Well, the cops can," he said before he left the room.

Joni sighed; everything was going a lot easier than he thought. Misha didn't blame him, Ivo didn't either and the cops would soon be working on discovering the pictures and Chris would be sentenced, but for how long? And what if they would let him out with only parole? The thought made Joni slightly nauseous. He had seen the sentences given in this country and there was a good chance that Chris would be out in only a couple of years or less and it scared him.

**^^**^^**

Asko opened the door and stepped into his son's room, looking around and thinking to himself. He would have preferred that Joni was home with them. He was his child and Asko wanted to be there for him at this moment to make up for the past.

"Daddy?" He turned at the small voice of his daughter.

"Yes, sweetie?" He smiled gently at her and she walked closer.

"Where is Joni?" she asked. "He promised he would come and play with me."

Asko sighed and sat down on Joni's bed. "Your brother is sick; he won't be able to see you for a couple of weeks."

Sini sat down next to him hugging a stuffed kitty toy in her arms that Joni had given her the previous Christmas. "Is he terribly sick?" She asked worriedly and Asko reached to touch her hair gently.

"He will be fine, just needs to rest."

"Is Clis with him?" She had never learned to say the man's name properly; Asko gritted his teeth angered by the mere thought of Chris but tried his best to calm down in front of her.

"No," he replied as calmly as he could manage. "We won't see Chris again, Joni is with his friends."

"Why?"

"Sometimes it's just better for a couple to part ways, this time it was better for Joni."

Sini was quiet for a moment seeming thoughtful before she nodded. "I don't like Clis, he made Joni sad."

Asko gave her a surprised look; had she noticed something the rest of them hadn't? The girl looked up and smiled. "I will make Joni a card!" She decided then. "A get-well card!" She added before jumping up from the bed and running out of the room, calling for the twins to help her.

Asko felt another pinch of guilt, and leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, running his hands over each side of his face. Why hadn't he noticed? He had asked this question many times during the last couple of days yet no answer came to him. Joni had been depressed and stressed; a clear change in him, a change that Chris had pointed out to him. A grim unhappy smile rose to his lips and his fingers curled into fists. As a father he felt like he should have known, should have squeezed the truth from his son. He couldn't help but wonder if Marianna would have been disappointed in him now; for failing the last promise to take good care of their son.

"Hey," Katja's soft voice made him look up. She smiled gently and approached him. Feeling embarrassed Asko turned his face to hide the fact that his eyes were watering. "I won't think less of you being a man if you cry," Katja said and sat down next to him reaching to touch his hair.

"It's fine, I just..."

"It's fine to be scared," Katja continued. "Joni will be fine, just wait and see."

He nodded and got up."I was thinking I could renovate his room, you know, paint the walls." He turned and looked at the bed frowning, "Get him a new bed, a better bed," he turned his eyes to the window. "New curtains perhaps, you know make it... nice. If I get it started it should be ready in a week. Then he can come back home."

She looked at him thoughtfully while getting up. "Are you sure he wants to come back?"

"What do you mean? Of course, he does, he is just staying there for the worst bruises to heal. Home is the best place for him. I'm sure if we explain it the children will understand. That man is too old for him."

Katja couldn't help but smile at this. "But he's younger than... hm... it's just four years." He turned and frowned.

"Fourteen!" He corrected.

"Honey," Katja smiled and got up. "You still haven't realized it?" His expression answered; pure confusion. "Who was it that came to tell you about the improper relationship between Joni and his brother? This concerned and responsible young man as you called him?" She took a small pause. "The same who was looking for Joni, who knew something, was wrong. The man, who saved Joni's life, took him to the hospital and then offered his home for Joni's recovery. He's the one who was close to Joni's side when we visited."

Asko looked at her, his lips parting but no words coming out for a moment. He brought his fingers to his hair and ran through it. "Really?" He finally asked and Katja couldn't help but laugh softly.

"Yes."

"Then... Why... Why didn't he just tell me?"

"By he you mean who?" Katja asked.

"Joni."

"Well did you really give an opportunity to him? You were so set on sending him away that..." These words made him groan and look away to the window.

"I'm a terrible father. If I hadn't sent him there..."

Katja sighed, walked closer, and hugged him from behind. "You are not a terrible father," she told him, brushing his neck with her lips. "At the time you acted that way you thought was best for him... and it's pointless to wonder what if. We should focus on today, and make it right now. If Joni cares for this man, if this man cares for Joni as I strongly feel he does, then please do not intervene with it. Listen to Joni, but do not push him."

Asko sighed and finally nodded, some small part of him still wanted to argue, didn't think it was wise for Joni to start a new relationship with all of this still going on but he also knew that this time he should stay quiet about it, at least to Joni.

**^^**^^**

"We brought you more clothes," Asko said, lowering the bag to the floor and watching his son carefully, with concern.

"Thank you."

"How are you feeling?" The father asked, walking closer and pulling a chair beside Joni's bed.

"I'm better." Joni smiled carefully and then glanced at Katja, who finally stepped in further at the doorway.

"Your voice sounds better and you look more..." Katja started.

"Alive?" Joni joked, making her smile softly.

"That too."

"Where are the kids?" Joni asked, shifting slightly to make his posture more comfortable.

"They are with my parents," Katja replied. "They were asking about you." She added and took a seat down on the bed edge.

"We told them that you are ill and that's why they can't come over to see you." His father continued and Joni nodded.

"Tell them I miss them," he said, feeling slightly awkward.

"Of course," Katja smiled. "They made you a get-well card." She said then, took her purse, and searched for it. "Here."

"Oh? Thank you," Joni took the handmade light green card with funny drawings from his brothers and his sister, get well soon! written on it. He felt touched and smiled slightly. "This is really sweet."

"You are dear to them," Katja told him with a gentle smile.

Joni set the card on the near table and took a deep breath. "I have to tell you something... I'd rather you hear it now than in the trial." He didn't look at them, felt uncomfortable. "This is really difficult... He was blackmailing me... and that's why I let it continue," he whispered hesitantly, glancing at them briefly and seeing the anger forming on his father's face.

"What?" Asko's voice was hoarse and upset, slightly disbelieving.

Joni took a deep breath and felt his stepmother reaching for his hand and squeezing it comfortingly. "Go on," she encouraged.

"Chris has naked pictures of me. I was eighteen and ...very drunk when he took them," Joni sighed before continuing. "I'm sorry Dad, I didn't want to..." His voice trembled slightly; his skin felt hot, and he couldn't look at either of them and withdrew his hand. "He threatened to send them to you and grandparents, to everyone, publish them online, and..." Joni shook his head. "I'm sorry."

Asko felt his hand clenching into fists. If he could have gotten his hands on Chris was quite sure he could have been able to commit murder. His breathing was harsh, his body trembled as the upsetting anger spread through his veins.

"Oh Joni, you don't have to say you're sorry... it's okay..." Katja said and leaned closer to hug him, feeling his rapid heartbeat and trembling. "Shh... It's ok, we don't blame you... It's good that you talked about it now, don't worry."

Joni wasn't sure why he couldn't stop trembling or why he felt so utterly terrified. His father hadn't said anything.

Katja glanced at her husband wanting to kick him into speaking; the upset he felt was clear on his features.

"Has he published them?" Asko was finally able to ask, trying to sound as calm as he could manage.

"Not that I know of," Joni answered, "I don't think he had the time, but... I can't be certain. The cops know about the blackmail."

Asko nodded and looked at him; at that moment Joni looked so terrified and lost, like a small child and it nearly broke his heart. "Hey," he started much softer now. "You know that I am not angry at you, don't you?" He asked, "If I sound and look tense or angry it's all directed to Chris and myself, but not to you, Joni... I'm sorry that my actions in the past made you too nervous to tell me. Had I been a better parent..."

"Dad, stop. You've been a great parent! And I don't want you to take any blame. If we go that way I could also say that I haven't been a very good son, stubborn and difficult to deal with."

"Just a normal teenager," Asko smiled. "Who is very important to us! Don't worry now and in the future Joni, I hope you tell us whatever it might be that bothers you, even if it might feel like something embarrassing. We are your parents, it's our job to help you and we want to."

Joni felt relieved; it had gone a lot smoother than he would have thought. It couldn't be this easy, could it? "Thank you," he said looking at them both with a small smile which was returned and his father touched his knee, gently tapping it.

There was a knock on the door then and Misha looked in and cleared his throat when Joni's parents turned to look at him. "I was just wondering if you'd like some coffee or tea or perhaps juice?"

"Coffee would be wonderful, thank you," Katja answered.

"Yes, coffee, thank you," Asko nodded soon after.

"Joni?" Misha asked

"Hm... yeah thanks."

"I'll bring it here to you. I won't take long," Misha smiled.

"Hm, why don't I come down and help you," Asko decided and got up. Misha raised his brow but smiled; glancing at Joni he thought he saw a hint of worry pass through his features.

"Sure, thanks."

Asko followed the young man downstairs, observing him when they got to the kitchen. The youth was tall and strong-looking, taller than he was and in physique close to what Chris was. Asko felt slightly nervous and awkward suddenly.

Misha walked to the coffee machine starting to prepare coffee, slightly nervous in Joni's father's presence. He wanted to say something smart, but what?

"It looks like it's going to be a warm weekend," he started. "Though warm weather and Midsummer's Eve equals more drowning cases and that's not good." Okay, what the hell was he blabbering? This was not the way to impress someone, weather? Drowning?! "Because people drink more alcohol and ..." This was not saving it.

"Yes, well, the people should know better by now...no drinking and swimming," Asko frowned.

"Yeah... So you are staying home or... going somewhere later? A cabin?" As soon as the word had left his mouth Misha wished he could take it back. The man smiled somewhat grimly.

"We'll stay at home, with the situation being what it is there's nothing to celebrate."

"Yes of course," Misha nodded.

"The children are disappointed, they were looking forward to spending the holiday at the cabin... But now... Well, we're going to sell the place."

"That is understandable," Misha agreed, feeling somewhat uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Anyway, I wanted to thank you for what you did, for helping Joni, for saving him... I don't know what I would have done if..." Asko took a pause and shook his head, not wanting to finish what he had been about to say. "I'm sorry I didn't thank you before, it's just been so difficult to understand this all."

Misha looked at the man carefully. "There's no reason to thank me. I mean... Joni is..." He sighed hesitating. "I wouldn't know what to do either if... if he wasn't around." A Moment of silence settled that was soon broken by the sound of the coffee machine. Misha cleared his throat and turned to look for some cups.

"Joni must be quite confused now... He needs time," Asko started. "Time to recover and who knows how long it takes for the actual trial to be held."

Misha glanced at him; 'so don't try to push my son into a new relationship.' - He was sure that was what Joni's father wanted to say.

"Yes, I understand."

"It's not that I object," Asko corrected quickly. "That is if... well... I am going to ask honestly; is there something going on between Joni and you?"

Talking with parents about such matters was new to Misha. His parents were dead and he had managed to avoid talking to the parents of his ex-boyfriends. Not that Joni was his boyfriend... yet? But could he be? Later? - Anyway, it made him nervous.

"It's... complicated," He started awkwardly. "But... I like him," he admitted. "And I wouldn't push him into anything he's not ready for and I understand that it will take time."

"Good, I am