Equal Footing
CHAPTER 1
Brian and Steve strolled through MOMA, catching the last few days of the Dali exhibit. They'd meant to catch it sooner, but business and life got in the way. After 12 years together, lazy Saturday's were still a favorite for the pair. They had a good life together, slowed down quite a bit from their first few almost giddy years together. They'd settled into their own skin, lived at their own pace.
They weren't overtly affectionate in public, but touched frequently and you knew they were a couple as soon as you saw them. They seemed genuinely happy and at peace with one another.
They both turned their heads as they heard a startled laugh way at the other end of the hall. The two men were embracing, kissing and laughing into one another's mouths. You could see that the taller man had snuck up and surprised the shorter one, but they were truly delighted to see one another. Steve elbowed Brian and they both smiled to each other. Young love they thought. Really openly affectionate and excited about new love probably.
As they strolled closer, making their way through the gallery, both thought they recognized the blond head, though his back was to them. The shorter man was excitedly explaining something to the taller, motioning to the wall. The taller man then snuggled behind the shorter, arms wrapped around his waist as he listened intently at whatever the other man was explaining, blocking their view. Once the embrace was broken, it was clear, that bubble butt was unmistakably Justin. They hadn't seen Justin in 8 years.
"Justin?"
Spinning around, recognition coming to his face he flashed that Sunshine smile, "Brian! Steve! What are you two doing here?" They exchanged half hugs and awkward handshakes.
"We were just catching the exhibit before it leaves. What are you doing here?"
"Oh, I'm going to have a few pieces displayed here as part of a young artists exhibit and was just checking out the space."
"That's great Justin. Brian and I have kind of followed your career over the years. Your work just gets better and better. Congratulations on the show. That's pretty big, huh?"
"Thanks. Oh where are my manners. Babe, this is an old friend Brian Kinney and his partner Steve Brenner. Steve and Brian, this is my partner Jay Archer." Justin beamed up at Jay, who gave him an affectionate squeeze and quick kiss.
Handshakes and smiles were exchanged. It didn't seem as if Brian's name immediately rang familiar for Jay. Taking in the younger man, Brian noticed that Jay was quite handsome, in an unassuming way. He dressed very casually and comfortably as someone in Justin's age range would, but he still had an air of success about him. Even through his jacket, you could tell that he had a great body. Lean and toned, probably the type that could eat anything and never gain an ounce. He was an inch or two taller than Brian, with a full chestnut head of hair sporting an expensive haircut. He had friendly light green eyes, framed by long lashes and a really nice smile of his own. Justin as always looked great.
Yes, Justin looked great, Steve thought. Probably better than he had when Steve first met him. His blond hair was a little longer than Steve remembered, and the blue cashmere sweater he wore made his impossibly blue eyes look even bluer. His tight fitted designer fit hugged his perfect bubble butt. His smile, genuinely beaming made him look much younger than his now 32 years.
Even though Steve knew he had absolutely nothing to worry about, his old insecurities about his age crept back in. Sensing this Brian pulled him closer. Thank God Justin and Jay seemed to be really in love.
Steve was now 56, and though he looked good for his age and tried to stay in shape, he was still 56. Brian still looked great at 44, but the Stud of Liberty Avenue was gone.
"So, what are you guy's doing tonight. We'd love to take you two to dinner and catch up on the last what is it now 8 years," said Brian?
Justin and Jay looked at each other, then Justin said disappointedly, "Oh that would be nice Brian, but we're meeting friends tonight, sort of a business slash strategy meeting."
Sensing Justin's disappointment Jay said, "Nonsense babe. Why don't you go to dinner with Brian and Steve, and I'll try to meet you guys there after I meet Stan and KG.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, I know these meetings bore you anyway."
"OK . So where and what time were you guys thinking."
Smiling, Brian said, "How about Le Bernardin at 7:00. It's one of our favorite restaurants. Do you know where it is?"
"Fancy," Justin laughed. "Yeah I know where it is. I'll see you two at 7:00."
"Baby, I'm gonna get out of here. I just thought I'd bring you lunch since I know you'll forget when you're all wrapped up in your art. I left it in Julie's office."
"Awww, aren't you sweet?"
"Yeah, that's why you love me?" Jay wrapped Justin in a sweet kiss goodbye, shook hand with Brian and Steve and left.
In the cab on the way home, Brian said, "Imagine running in to Justin after all these years. Do you think I should pick somewhere else to eat? More casual. They don't really seem like the Le Bernardin crowd."
"Le Bernardin will be fine. You always told me Justin was raised with country club manners and Jay doesn't seem like a Neanderthal. Justin looked good huh? He seems happy."
Laughing, "Yeah, I'm happy for him. It seems like he's really gotten it together." Steve possessively snuggled closer to Brian in the taxi.
Finally, thought Steve. It wasn't that he didn't like Justin, it was just that for a long time Brian felt so guilty about how they'd cheated behind Justin's back and hurt the boy that he thought he always had to come to Justin's rescue. For a while afterwards Justin was a mess, truly heartbroken and Brian had a crazy fantasy that he and Steve could start their life together while he and Justin remained close friends. For years Steve thought Brian would go back to Justin out of shear guilt, even though Brian did also love Justin. He just loved Steve more and Steve was and easier fit for Brian to start his new life and become the Brian Kinney that no-one else seemed to want him to become.
Honestly, Steve didn't like what they'd done to Justin either, but people fall in and out of love all the time. It's life; you hurt, then you move on. Finally Steve got fed up and forced Brian to make a choice. They couldn't fully be Steve and Brian when there was also some duty bound link to the Brian and Justin show. Brian made his choice and slowly peeled himself away. To his surprise and Brian's hurt, Justin pulled back too and left them alone and got on with his life. He knew Brian had kept occasional tabs on the younger man through his Pittsburgh family, but they really seemed reluctant to speak on him too much, no more than just general information that he was doing well. Good. It seemed that even though it was wrong the way he and Brian came together, it turned out great all around.
TBC