Disclaimer – None of the characters in the following story belong to me. They are the property of Cowlip and Showtime. I'm only borrowing them and promise to return Brian and Justin in good condition. Well . . .maybe not Brian.

Title - Idiosyncratic Routine

Rating – PG-13

Summary – Slices of life in the world of Brian and Justin.

Authors note – This will be a series of vignettes centered around Brian and Justin.

Idiosyncratic Routine

Bed Sheets

"Brian?"

Justin's voice rang out in the unusual silence of the loft. He dropped his bag down by the door and was heading into the shower to cleanse himself from the familiar smell of the diner when he spotted a large mass in the middle of the bed.

"Brian?" he called out again with his eyes locked on it.

Upon hearing a barely audible mummer from the lump underneath the sheets, Justin made his way up the steps.

"What are you doing?"

As the sheets moved Justin could only make out one word: sleeping.

"Sleeping?" he questioned. "It's only 9:30."

Groaning, Brian rustled gently under the bedclothes as Justin crawled on his hands and knees over towards him.

"Are you OK?" Justin asked as he placed a hand on his arm. Brian hadn't turned to look at him yet but he could see him shake his head.

"What's wrong?"

Brian's body shook gently with a cough as he responded.

"Shit," he whispered weakly. "I feel like shit."

Justin reached out with the back of his hand and found Brian's forehead "Fuck!" he exclaimed. "You're hot."

"Hmm, thanks."

The younger man smiled slightly but quickly became concerned again.

"When did this happen? You seemed fine yesterday."

"I don't fucking know. This never happens," Brian answered as he finally rolled over in the bed to face him. "I don't get sick."

Justin smiled and stroked the side of his face with his hand. Brian's eyes were drawn and he looked completely exhausted.

"Does your throat hurt? Are your ears clogged? Do you feel sore?"

Brian buried his head deeper into his pillow in mock agitation but took Justin's hand down from his face and entwined their fingers.

"I'm fine Mother," he said softly. "I just need sleep."

"You sure?" Justin asked. "Do you want anything to eat?"

The weakened man smiled up at him.

"I'm fine."

Justin edged towards him again and kissed his cheek and ear.

"Are you sure? I'll make you anything you want," he said smiling.

Brian shook his head and released Justin's hand as he coughed again.

"Maybe we should call a doctor," he said feeling his forehead again.

"I'll be fine," Brian insisted as firmly as he could. "I just . . . need to sleep."

Knowing that things would only get worse if Justin kept questioning him, the blonde decided to just let him be. He leaned in and softly kissed his mouth. When he pulled back Brian's eyes were barely open and his head had fallen deeper into the pillow.

Justin fought his instinct to force a thermometer under his tongue, make him a bowl of chicken soup and a mouthful of Advil and decided to indeed just let him sleep.

For now.

Moving off the bed and went into the kitchen and checked the content of the refrigerator and was happy to see a new half gallon of orange juice. If nothing else, he could at least get him to drink some of it when he finally woke up.

Picking up the phone he dialed Debbie's number and asked her if it was OK if he took the day off tomorrow. When Justin answered her inquiry as to why he wanted to stay home, he swore he could feel her smile through the phone. Before he could give her the opportunity to crack a joke at his expense Justin wished her a good night and hung up.

Taking a quick shower he quickly changed into a pair of Brian's old sweatpants and crawled into the bed next to his lover. Only when he felt Justin's arm snake around his chest did the older man respond.

"Hmm, no," he barely managed. "You'll get sick."

"I don't care," he murmured against his shoulder.

Brian halfheartedly tried to move away but after a moment leaned back into him. Justin remained above the covers and curled himself around Brian's heated body that was securely wrapped within the bed sheets.

More to come.