The Long Tomorrow (B/J)
"What do we do now, Bri?" Justin Taylor asked as he pulled Brian's arm tighter around his chest.
He felt Brian shrug, and then heard him let out a prolonged sigh.
"I don't know, Sunshine." Brian admitted, biting at his lower lip.
"I think we should call off the wedding." Justin said softly.
Brian looked down at him, eyes widened.
Justin then craned his neck to catch his eyes, smiling gently.
"I can't not go to New York." he explained, rolling over so that he was resting his head on Brian's chest, wrapping his right arm around Brian's waist.
"No, you can't. It's your calling." Brian said, attempting to hold back the sarcasm.
Justin let out a breath, warming Brian's skin.
"You could always come with me." he suggested.
Brian laughed, shaking his head.
"No, I couldn't." he argued.
Justin narrowed his eyes, glancing up towards Brian.
"Why not? Give me one good reason why we couldn't try and make a living in New York." he hissed.
"You know damned well that I can't just up and leave Liberty Avenue for Chelsie." Brian replied.
Justin rolled his eyes.
"Oh, fuck off, Bri. Can't you just for once think of something other than your dick?" he exclaimed.
Brian pulled back, sliding out from underneath Justin's head.
"Why? So you can complain that I'm not the same Brian you came to know and love?" he shot back, pausing before saying the last word.
Justin opened his mouth, but closed it quickly, before saying something he knew he would regret.
Brian shook his head, pushing out his lower lip in a slight pout.
"Justin, that didn't come out right." he spoke.
Justin laughed.
"It came out exactly as you wanted it to." he retorted.
"You know it. I know it, as well." he went on, sliding off the bed and starting to pace, while Brian could only watch.
"The wedding's not going to happen." he whispered, almost doubtfully.
Justin stopped in his steps to look towards him.
"The wedding was never going to happen, Brian." he exclaimed, throwing his hands into the air, letting them fall to rest on his sides.
"Sunshine, don't say that. Please don't say that." Brian said, not caring that he was begging.
He slid out from under the sheets and slid over to sit across from Justin, reaching out and pulling him close, running his hands tenderly along the younger man's back.
"I love you." he emphasized strongly, leaning in and kissing Justin softly on the lips.
"And I love you." Justin replied, bringing his arms around Brian's neck, and looking down at him with sadness in his eyes.
"I also know that you are needed in New York." Brian went on.
Justin scoffed.
Brian placed his index finger on Justin's lips in an attempt to quiet him.
"I also know that if you don't go to New York, it will be the biggest regret of your life." he continued.
"I can't live with knowing that the only reason you and I are still together is because you dropped your life's calling. I love you enough to know when to let you go." he finished.
Justin swallowed, blushing when he felt a tear slip from his eyes.
He shook his head in agreement.
"So, that's it? The wedding's off?" he questioned.
Brian nodded, kindness showing on his face as he put on a smile.
"It may be, but we are not." he insisted, leaning in and kissing Justin passionately.
"Our love story has yet to begin."