Wednesday, 7 January 2004

It was just another day for Brian. The night before he had been tricking his way through Babylon. He'd worked all day at his ad agency, Kinnetik. He knew there were plenty of hot guys at Babylon for the taking again tonight. His life was busy, but a little empty of late. Around seven pm he left work and decided to visit his best friend, Michael, at his comic book store. Maybe they could go out to dinner. Ever since Michael starting living with Ben, Brian felt like he didn't get as much time with his old friend as he used to.

Brian breezed into the store with his usual flourish, "Hey, Mikey!" There was no answer, so Brian approached the back of the store and heard voices coming from the alley. "Hello?" The back door to the shop was propped open and the full moon shone its light down on Michael as he walked out of the back of a delivery truck.

"Hey, Brian! How are you?" Michael smiled at his friend.

"Fabulous as always. What's going on here?" Brian asked.

"Justin here is delivering the latest from Moonrider Comics."

Brian looked up as a young man emerged from the truck. The silver moonlight hit Justin's golden hair, giving him an angelic look. Brian was instantly interested in the young man. His fair hair, nice build and handsome face were striking in the soft glow of light.

Michael introduced them. "Justin, this is my best friend, Brian Kinney. Brian, this is Justin Taylor."

Justin handed the last box to Michael and then shook Brian's hand. "Of course, Brian. Nice to meet you."

Brian smiled as he noticed Justin's blue eyes. "You, too. Why such a late delivery?"

Justin shrugged. "It always seems to work out that way. Michael's store is the last stop on my Pittsburgh days."

"Moonrider Comics by the light of the full moon. Right, Justin?"

"Yep, another full moon tonight, Michael!" Justin went up to him and held his hands in a phony display of romantic interest. "These times are so special to me."

Michael laughed and flipped his head in a fake-y flirtatious gesture. "Me, too." Then he whispered as if keeping a secret. "But I told you I'm living with my boyfriend."

"Right. Damn." Justin and Michael chuckled.

Brian perked up. "I'm available." He said, tongue in cheek.

Justin looked at him and quirked a smile. "Of course you are. You're Brian fucking Kinney, the stud of Liberty Avenue."

Brian glared at Michael. "I see my reputation precedes me."

Michael smiled and shrugged. "You might have come up the last time Justin was here. He stayed at the house with Ben and me."

"Please tell me you had a threesome."

"I slept on the couch." Justin rolled his eyes, and then smiled.

Brian looked disappointed. "Mikey, you're so pathetic." Brian turned his attention to Justin. "Where do you live?"

"For the last year, I've lived in this truck. There's a small bed in back, but it's uncomfortable, so I've made friends in just about every city from Chicago to New York and Toronto. I usually bunk with whoever will take me in."

Brian got a wry grin. "So, you're saying you sleep around?"

"Maybe." Justin said slowly with a flirting glance. He closed the back of the truck and locked it. Brian admired the young man's ass in his snug fitting jeans.

"Brian! Leave him alone." He sighed. "Justin, are you coming over for dinner?"

"Ben's home cooking? Sure!"

"Mmm, kale and tofu." Brian made a face.

"Hey, he's a great cook, it just takes some getting used to." Michael turned to Justin. "But you're sleeping at your mom's, right?"

"Yeah, she'll be home after work, around nine."

"You grew up around here?" Brian asked.

"Yeah, just north a ways. I went to . When my dad found out I was gay, he kicked me out and I've been driving the truck ever since. My parents divorced last year." He patted the side of the truck. "Home, sweet home."

Brian watched him talk and was more and more intrigued by the young man. Justin was independent and had figured out a way to make a living, albeit a modest one. He was master of his own little universe and Brian admired that. He asked, "I thought comic books arrived by mail or UPS. Not yours?"

"Nope. Moonrider Comics has been using delivery guys like me since the fifties. We do a little selling and the company likes the personal touch."

Brian moved in closer and leaned on the truck, pinning Justin to it. "I can think of a few ways I personally would like to be touched, Moonrider." The blond smiled and looked at Michael.

"Oh, for chrissake, Brian. Can't you take a night off?" Michael whined.

"No, not possible." As he turned to look at Michael, Justin slipped from Brian's grasp.

"C'mon, Michael. Ben's dinner's is getting cold."

Michael said to Brian, "You're welcome to come, too. He's made enough."

"No thanks, I'll pass."

"Suit yourself." Michael shrugged.

Justin said, "OK, Michael. I'll follow you."

"Sure, just let me lock up. I'll pull around back with my car. Goodnight, Brian."

"Yeah. See you, Mikey."

Michael went inside and closed the back door. Justin turned to get back in his truck's driver's seat. Brian stopped him. "Are you sure you want to eat tofu, or maybe I could interest you in something more interesting to eat?"

Justin patted Brian's chest, pushing slightly. "Ben and Michael are willing to cook for me and occasionally let me crash there. I can't be rude and turn them down. In my life, it's important to know who you can count on and make friends."

"How long are you in town for?"

"I leave early tomorrow for my next stop, Akron."

"Maybe some other time, then?"

"I'd like that. It was nice meeting you. Good night."

"How about we just say … later?"

Justin smiled as he got into the driver's seat. "Later."

Brian lit a cigarette as he watched Michael pull ahead of the truck. Soon, the car and the truck were going down the alley and out of sight. He thought of the vision of his soft blond hair aglow in the moonlight. He was hopeful that he'd be able to encounter the young man again.

"Later, Justin. Definitely later."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ BJ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Friday, 6 February 2004

As Brian left Kinnetik one evening, he looked up at the sky and noticed the full moon. He spoke to himself. "I wonder if that comic book guy is delivering again tonight." He flipped open his phone and dialed it. "Mikey, what's happening?" He couldn't ask directly about Justin, so he threw out another question. "How about going to Babylon with me tonight?"

"I can't Brian. I'm waiting for another delivery at the store and then Ted is going to meet us for dinner. Would you like to come to dinner?"

"I don't know. You, Ted and Ben?"

"And Justin. You remember Justin Taylor." Michael knew that he'd remember.

Brian tried to sound like he wasn't interested. "Oh, yeah. Lives in a truck."

"That's the one. Anyway, we're all going to Stone Hearth pizza."

"What the hell. I'll drop by the store and then we can get some pizza."

"Great! It'll be good to see you."

~ ~ ~ BJ ~ ~ ~

Justin and Michael were locking the back of the truck as Brian pulled up in his Corvette. He pulled up alongside and rolled down his window. "Hey guys."

"Hey, Brian. You remember Justin."

Brian smiled. "Moonrider."

"Michael says you're going to dinner with us?" Justin asked.

"Yeah, what the hell. Do you need a ride? Or are you driving the camper?"

Justin smirked and then Michael said, "The truck will be safe here. You go with Brian. Ben will pick me up any minute. Get a table for five at Stone Hearth. Ted will meet you there."

"OK. Sounds good." Justin slid into the passenger seat.

Brian was pleased to have him sitting with him. Now he'd get some time alone with Justin. "Ready?"

"Yep. Thanks for the ride. Nice car."

"It was an acquisition through some charity work I did. Long story."

Justin grinned. "I'm sure that you have a lot of interesting stories."

Brian smiled. "What's your story, Justin?"

"What's to tell? You know most of it. I'm twenty-one. I drive around in a truck delivering comics. I'm all over Eastern and Midwestern US and even into Canada. I left home almost a year ago. I had to get out of there."

"Is this your dream, to deliver comics?"

The blond chuckled. "Hardly. No, the dream is to draw comics and/or get into illustration. I'm an artist, or at least I hope to be. I applied for a job with Moonrider and they weren't hiring artists, but they needed a truck driver. So, I got my class 'C' and here I am. Maybe someday they'll hire me to draw. I probably need an art degree before they will, though."

"You'd have to stay put to get a degree. And, of course, have the money or get a loan."

"I'm saving all of my money from this job in order to pay for my first semester at Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Arts. Maybe by this time next year. After that, I don't know."

"What about your mom?"

Justin shook his head. "She's struggling with selling real estate and providing for herself and my little sister, Molly. They're doing OK, but there's not a lot of cash around."

Brian nodded. He admired anyone who was doing what he could to follow his dream. He tried to imagine what life was like for Justin; twenty years old, driving all over creation, hauling boxes, sleeping … wherever. Then again, you could have a guy at 'every port' and have a constant array of choices. "What about fucking?"

"Excuse me?" Justin shot a glance.

Brian smirked. "I mean, do you get to meet many guys?"

Realization came over the blond's face. "Oh … right. I don't trick around much and I don't want to try dating anyone. I'm too busy for love."

"I don't believe in love, I believe in fucking. It's honest, it's efficient. You get in and out with the maximum pleasure and the minimum of bullshit."

Justin grinned. "That's like, your mantra, isn't it?"

"Is that what Mikey told you?"

"Something like that."

"Well, it's kept me going this long. That and the booze and the drugs."

The passenger smiled. "Michael obviously believes in love. He and Ben are great together. I love watching the two of them." He looked out the window. "Maybe I'll have that someday."

"If that's your thing."

"For now, though, I'm more like you. Get some satisfaction from sleeping with a guy and move on." He chuckled. "Of course, I have no choice but move on."

They'd arrived at the pizza place. Brian parked the car. He walked next to Justin and held him back before they entered the restaurant. "So, how about tonight you sleep with me?"

Justin gave a half-grin. "I kinda promised someone else that I'd keep him company tonight."

Brian was disappointed, but did his best not to show it. He shrugged one shoulder as he opened the door. "You don't know what you're missing."

As they entered the restaurant, Ted greeted them. "Hi, Brian. Hey, Justin. Good to see you."

"Ted. Good to see you, too. Michael's been telling me about your efforts in rehab. That's great!" They hugged.

"It's a process, but I'm getting through it."

Brian was surprised that the two of them knew each other so well. He was a little jealous that Ted got a hug from Justin, where his own advances had fallen short. Brian's way of dealing with the situation was another glib comment. "It seems we're all enduring Ted getting through it."

Ted gave Brian a look. "As always with the undying support. Thanks, Brian." Justin snickered.

They got a table for five and ordered drinks while waiting for Michael and Ben, who showed up minutes later. Dinner was ordered and conversation flowed, as did the wine. It was apparent to Brian that Ted knew Justin from previous visits to that model of domesticity, the Novotny-Bruckner household.

Brian kept looking at Justin and admiring his features. His eyes sparkled with blue intensity when he laughed. He had a nice body and lifting boxes all day certainly seemed to be good for his upper body definition. It was all a package that Brian was interested in 'diving into' … clearly at a future date, but, hopefully, not too distant future.

When Justin went to the washroom, Brian inquired with Ted, "So, how long have you known Justin?"

"Two or three months now. He's just a great guy. We hit it off right away. He's better educated than your average truck driver."

"Uh, huh."

"So, I asked him to stay with me tonight."

Brian coughed. "Excuse me? You and him …?"

Ted waved his hand. "Not like that. Just as friends. He's happy with a good firm couch."

"I could give him something good and firm, too."

"Now, Brian. Isn't he a little young for you?"

"I'm younger than you, old man."

"Yeah, but I don't want him for sex, unlike some people."

Justin returned to the table. "Ready to go, Ted?"

"Yes, my friend. I got that CD that you told me about. I thought we could listen to it."

"Great."

Brian was still a little sore that his prize was getting away. "Why aren't you staying with Mommy tonight, Justin?"

"She's out of town at a real estate thing and Molly is with our dad."

"Oh."

Justin said his goodbyes to everyone and then turned to Brian. "Later."

"Later."

Brian watched Ted leave with Justin, their arms behind each other's backs. He poured himself another glass of wine and zoned out while Michael and Ben talked about paint colors or rose bushes or something. He feigned interest, all the while thinking about what he'd like to be doing to the prize that had just slipped away again.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ BJ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sunday, 7 March 2004

Justin was feeling pretty good. He'd made all of the deliveries in Pittsburgh except for his favorite store, Michael Novotny's Red Cape Comics. He'd talked to Michael earlier and they were going to go from his store to Woody's for dinner and drinks. Ted was going to be there and Justin had a feeling that Brian would be there, too. He was flattered that Brian was interested. Thoughts of the tall dark-haired man traipsed across Justin's mind on some of the lonelier nights on the road. The hazel eyes, the sultry lips, the slender frame … all intrigued him.

He pulled into the alley behind Michael's store. After a warm greeting and few minutes of work, they were off to Woody's.

Ted greeted Justin first. Ben shook his hand. Justin was disappointed, though, that Brian wasn't there. But, a few minutes later, he breezed in and plopped down next to Justin. "Hey there, Moonrider."

"Hi, Brian. Good to see you." Everyone chatted and Justin heard most of what they were saying, but was distracted by Brian's appreciative glances.

They got on the subject of crimes in the area. There had been reports of some random gay bashings. Michael's mother's boyfriend was a police detective and had been pursuing a couple of cases, but no leads had turned up.

Brian had been talking to a guy at the bar for a while and then disappeared, so Justin assumed that he'd left with him. Oh, well. He realized the time and remembered that he'd told his mother that he'd be home by ten pm. He said goodnight to everyone.

As he entered the alley and walked around to the driver's side of his truck, two men jumped out from behind the dumpster.

The first said, "Hey, fag! What do you have in the truck? Anything good?"

The second one said, "Gimme the keys!"

Justin didn't want any trouble, but his truck was his life … his livelihood. "C'mon, guys. Leave me alone. I'll give you my wallet."

He noticed that one of them was holding a baseball bat. As the guy swung it at him, Justin ducked, but the bat grazed his head.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" A voice came from the back door of Woody's.

"Oh, look. Another faggot. Get him, Jimmy."

Justin saw Jimmy try to hit Brian, who quickly gave him a roundhouse punch that put him on the ground. Brian stormed over to the fellow with the baseball bat. The guy swung at him and missed him entirely. As he spun after missing his mark, Brian pushed him down to the ground. He grabbed the bat from him and wielded it over him.

"Brian, no!" Justin shouted.

"What do you think now, asshole?" Brian started to make motions like he was going to hit the attacker, but held back. He reached into his pocket and tossed his phone to Justin.

"Call 911."

~ ~ ~ BJ ~ ~ ~

Minutes later the police were there, taking statements from Brian and Justin as the attackers were hauled away. Detective Carl Horvath seemed pleased that they were caught and said he'd do what he could to make an example of them. The paramedics examined Justin. He just had a scrape, so they bandaged it and told him to take it easy the rest of the night. Michael spoke to Justin's mother and said that he and Ben would take him home as they lived the closest. They told him they'd take him home right away so he could lie down.

As the police cars pulled away Justin watched Brian. He sensed that he didn't want any accolades for his actions. Other guys would be looking to get their pictures in the paper or something, but not him. The way he handled himself with the attackers was expertly done. There had obviously been some 'hard knocks' in Brian's past where he learned how to defend himself and others. The combination of physical prowess, humility and loyalty were very attractive to Justin. "Thank you. You probably saved my life."

Michael nodded, "You're a superhero, Brian."

Brian shrugged off the gratitude. "So, buy me a drink and we'll call it even."

Ted smiled, "I'll buy. C'mon guys."

Ben said, "We've got to get Justin back to our place to rest."

Justin held his head. "Yeah, that's probably a good idea." He turned quickly, got a little dizzy and started to fall.

Brian caught him. "Steady there, Moonrider."

In his light-headed state Justin couldn't resist Brian. He held on to the taller man's neck and steadied himself. He pulled him down for a kiss, which was returned.

A little jealousy tinged at Michael. "Come on, Justin. Before you fall over or something."

Ben said, "I'll get the car."

Brian got a slow grin on his face. Justin could feel his face flush. He was slightly embarrassed that he'd kissed Brian, but it obviously didn't bother him. The lips that had just kissed his, whispered into his ear. "Later."

"Later."

Michael and Ben took Justin home and got him settled in on the couch. They'd arranged with Ted and Brian that they'd get Justin's truck safely parked behind the comic book store.

Justin was still reeling from all of the events of the evening. "Michael, do you still want to make your own comic someday?"

"Yeah, that'd be awesome. You can draw it and I'll write it."

"What'd the main character be like? I have this idea … after Brian defended me tonight …"

Michael brightened. "He'd be tall and sexy and a defender of all of the people that get attacked because they're gay!"

"Yeah. He's gay and he is an ad exec by day."

"And protects by night."

"When he's not fucking."

They laughed and started to take notes on their ideas. Rage was born, along with his trusted sidekick Zephyr and love interest J.T..

~ ~ ~ Closing comment: How bad is Justin's injury? Will he and Brian ever exchange more than a kiss?