Story Notes:
This story is inspired from, and based upon the Indian film 'Hum Tum', itself based on the unsurpassable 'When Harry Met Sally'. My story more closely relates to 'Hum Tum', with a few changes and detours. There is no need to be familiar with either film to follow this story.
The story starts when Justin is 17 going on 18, and Brian is 29.
This story would not exist without my incredible beta, Xrifree, who agreed to watch a 2 hour plus movie with me, relying on subtitles, to help figure this story out. A beta who spent endless hours helping sort out scenes, dialogue, characterisations and coming up with some of the best ideas in this story. Anyone who enjoys this story really have her to thank for it. As do I.
Disclaimer:
Based on the show 'Queer as Folk' by Showtime, and the films 'Hum Tum' and 'When Harry Met Sally'. All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended and no profit is made from this work.
"Between hello and goodbye is I love you."
- Jarod Kintz, 99 Cents For Some Nonsense
There was the right thing to do, the wrong thing to do, and the easy thing to do.
Brian wasn't sure he wanted to choose any of those options.
"I just want to talk." Justin said.
Brian wanted to do a lot more than talk. But Mr. Goodfuck was going to be here any second now, and moreover, he knew that he shouldn't. This couldn't become a 'thing' with Justin. "There's nothing to talk about."
"Please? I won't stay long. I ... I'll just - can I..."Justin tried to enter the loft, and Brian stopped him.
"No." Then he heard footsteps, and before he could blink, Mr. Goodfuck arrived. "Oh, shit."
Brian wished that he was better able to deal with Justin, and deal with him in a timely manner. He gave Mr. Goodfuck a long look, making his intentions clear, so the man wouldn't get the wrong idea.
Justin was beginning to look physically ill, Brian noted.
"The door was about to shut so I ... slipped in. Penthouse. Not bad. Who's this?"
Brian rolled his eyes. All of this was way more conversation than he wanted to handle. "No one."
"I have to see you."
"I'm busy."
"I don't mind a threesome. Although he's kind of young." Goodfuck interjected.
"He's also kind of leaving."
"Who's he?" Justin asked, almost pouting.
"Forgive me for not introducing you. Justin, this is Mr. Goodfuk. Mr. Goodfuk, may I present Justin."
"Name is George."
Jesus. "Sorry. George ... Goodfuck."
Justin looked awful, and Brian was beginning to feel uncomfortable, even if he didn't show it. "You don't even know him."
"Well, I was hoping to get to. Now why don't you just scamper on home?"
Finally, his message got through. Looking hurt, Justin slowly turned, shoulders sagging, and left.
Brian sighed in relief, closing the door. He tried to ignore the nagging feeling inside him. "He's my stalker."
George frowned at him. "That wasn't very kind…sending him off, a kid that age, by himself at this time of night."
Brian laughed, hoping it was a joke. Or something. "Who are you, Father Goodfuck?"
George just stood there, waiting, with disapproval written across his face.
Fucking hell.
"Oh, all right. Make yourself comfortable. And don't ... steal anything."
As he practically ran downstairs, Brian could not believe that he was doing this. He felt bad as it was, which was completely against his nature and beliefs to begin with, he didn't need Goodfuck to guilt trip him.
Justin was jailbait. He was illegal. And it would be utterly detrimental to Brian's health if he entertained Justin for another night. That was disaster, waiting to happen. This was for the best, for everyone.
He saw Justin leaning against a lamppost, but the blonde started walking towards a car as soon as he saw Brian. Brian followed him.
"Hey. Hey! I just left a complete stranger alone in my apartment to come talk to you. So don't run away from me."
Incredibly, Justin merely opened the car door, completely ignoring him.
Exasperated, Brian pushed the door shut. "We need to get something straight."
"You don't do boyfriends." Justin stated flatly.
"Oh, Mikey's been talking to you."
"You'll fuck anyone! He's ugly. You don't even know him. And I - I really love – "
"Justin ... I've had you. What happened last night ... it was for fun. You wanted me and I wanted you. That's all it was."
"A fuck?" Justin was incredulous and hurt, and Brian felt a twinge of…something.
"Well, what did you think it was? Look, I don't believe in love. I believe in fucking. It's honest. It's efficient. You get in and out with a maximum of pleasure and a minimum of bullshit. Love is something that straight people tell themselves they're in so that they can get laid. And then they end up hurting each other because it was all based on lies to begin with. If that's what you want, then go and find yourself a pretty little girl ... and get married."
"That's not what I want. I want you!" Justin was crying, Brian was certain of it.
"You can't have me. I'm too old ... you're too young for me. You're seventeen. I'm twenty-eight." And therein lay one of the biggest problems here. That and the fact that he didn't do repeats. Though, looking at Justin, he was sorely tempted.
Justin smiled between his tears. "Twenty-nine."
"All right. Twenty-nine. All the more reason. Now go do your homework."
Brian backed away slowly, watching Justin as he got inside the car. Tears were still falling, but Justin shut the door, gunning the engine.
Brian watched the car disappear into the night.
It took him some time to walk away.
