Disclaimer: 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.


Chapter Two

Brian cursed quietly, turning away from the account that was spread out across his desk. It wasn't very important, just a small business that wanted to make it big – he had to review the mocks that had been made by the art department and make a decision before the final ad campaign was completely and sent to the company for approval – but it was no use anyway. He couldn't concentrate at all. To be honest, he doubted he would have been able to focus if this account was important for the company and, by extension, his career. At the moment, he had a one track mind, leading to the enviable truth that in about eight month's time he was going to be a father – again.

He'd had sex a countless number of times and never had he ever managed to break a condom in the process. He had the fleeting thought of suing the condom company but he knew that was just fucking useless. Male pregnancies were unexplainable and unpredictable – sometimes it happened, sometimes it didn't. And condoms were well known for being only 98% effective. God, what was he going to do? Justin was only seventeen – hadn't even come out to his parents as far as he could tell, he was still in school for fuck sake – and now he was going to be a parent. He could only imagine how terrified he was at this moment.

Brian sighed and ran his hand over his face. Using his free hand, he pulled the crumpled test results from his pocket to stare at it once more. He'd been staring at it when he re-entered the diner and had quickly hid it when Michael and Lindsey began asking questions about what Justin wanted to talk to him about. He had simply muttered "nothing" and lifted a now wide-awake Gus out of his carrier. He wasn't ready to admit he'd single-handedly managed to ruin not one, but two, lives in one simple and pleasurable act. Plus, since it was Justin that would have to carry the child around, Brian felt it should be on his call that they tell people and when.

Now, in the safe confines of his office, he felt he could finally process the information on the piece of paper. Although he believed Justin – 'I mean who would lie about something like that?' – He still found himself searching for some mistake, a major screw-up, but no, of course not. The page was practically identical to the one Lindsey had shown him ten months previous with an excited squeal to confirm she was pregnant with Gus. The only differences were the printed doctor's name at the top of the page and 'PETERSON, LINDSEY' was replaced by TAYLOR, JUSTIN'.

Fuck, this is really happening. Although he was already a father, this situation was completely different. With Gus, Brian had been asked to help one of his oldest friends have a baby to share with her partner of six years, Melanie. He had a choice to father his son, it was all planned out. This wasn't planned. This child wasn't for another couple – Justin would actually have to look after a child, their child. He couldn't leave him to look after a baby himself. He was too young, too inexperienced in the ways of the world. Plus, Brian was well aware what it was like to be unwanted by your parents. He had vowed, long ago, that if he had children, they would never feel unloved. With Gus, he didn't need to be a full time parent to ensure the boy was surrounded by the love he deserved – he had Lindsey and Mel, had Debbie and the rest of the gang. With this new baby, he didn't know what to expect. He would need to be prepared to step up as the babe's second father, something he was sure Justin would want (and need) him to do.

But the question was: could he handle it?


Justin walked slowly through the halls of St. James', his head down and his hands raised to rest on his stomach. It felt no different than before, and it completely threw him that, at this very moment, there was life growing inside of him. It seemed impossible. He was carrying Brian Kinney's baby. He was going to be a parent, a father.

When he came to the realisation that he preferred men, he had pretty much scrapped the idea of having children. As far as he knew, it wasn't exactly a common thing, even with all the advances in science and surrogate mothers and adoption agencies. Even when he found out about the rare occurrence of male pregnancy (it was barely mentioned in one of his biology lessons) that was increasing in popularity, it hadn't given him much hope towards the idea. Yet here he was, pregnant at seventeen. And to think he used to laugh at the teenage girls on 'Teen Mom' and '16 and Pregnant'. Suddenly, he knew exactly what it was like.

A shiver of fear ran through him. How was he supposed to tell his parents? It was a double bombshell: queer and pregnant. He didn't want to imagine how they would react. His mother's reaction, he was almost certain, would be much calmer than his father's. She would more likely try to help him through his decisions, unlike his father who would merely push his opinion like it was law. Then enviably, as if always seemed to do, his mother would end up agreeing with his father. What if they made him get rid of his baby? He held his stomach. No, he wouldn't let anyone terminate this baby. It was his son or daughter, his baby, his body; his choice.

'And Brian's' a small voice reminded him.

Justin tried to squish the hopefulness that sparked when he remembered the invitation over to the loft for that very evening. He honestly didn't want to expect too much from the older man, not because he didn't trust him or thought he would make a bad father. It was obvious when you see the man with Gus that, that wasn't true. More he was afraid; afraid to put too much pressure and support onto him, only to have everything come crashing down around him. Brian was a good father – but that didn't mean he was ready for 100% parental responsibility. Hell, he wasn't even sure if he could do it. While Gus had three parents, this child would have only two – Brian and Justin – and it would only be their choices that would impact their child's life. They couldn't afford to make stupid and petty mistakes, not with their child's life.

With or without Brian, Justin promised himself that he would work something out for the sake of the child he was carrying. He had to.

With some struggle, he managed to lower his hands, as to not draw attention, and knock politely on the classroom door. He waited until he heard "come in" before entering the room.

"Ah, Mr. Taylor, a pleasure for you to finally join us," his English teacher – a lanky man called Mr. Hackney – greeted him.

"Sorry sir. I had a doctor's appointment," he mumbled, handing over the note his mother had written for him that morning when he had told her about the doctor's appointment.

Mr. Hackney read the note carefully before nodding in acceptance. "Thank you Mr. Taylor. Please take your seat."

Justin complied with the request, his eyes instantly navigating to the wall clock that was just above Mr. Hackney's head. 'Just past one o'clock, just another five hours to go'.

Sometime during the lesson, his hand had drifted back towards his stomach.


"And where are you going?"

Justin tensed as he reached the last step on the flight of stairs and his mother's voice broke through the peaceful silence of the house. He wasn't expecting her to be home. As far as he was aware, tonight she was meant to be meeting with some of their neighbours for dinner. He guessed it was cancelled at the last minute. Hesitantly, he turned to face her. Jennifer Taylor sat up straight on one of the armchairs, staring imploringly at her son.

"…I'm going to Daphne's," he lied easily.

"You're always going to Daphne's…"

His eyes narrowed. "She's my best friend."

"You haven't told me about your doctor's appointment?" Jennifer tried again, "Did he tell you what was wrong?"

"Ah, um, y-yeah, he did…" Justin nodded awkwardly, a strange smile on his face, "He said, um, it was just something I ate. It was…off, is all, nothing serious. He told me it should just pass through on its own, and to go back if it takes more than a few weeks, so…" he shifted nervously.

Jennifer watched him for a moment and sighed. She knew when her son was lying. She gazed at him with a somewhat reluctant look on her face. "Justin…you know you can tell me anything, right? That I wouldn't judge you or anything…"

'Define anything' he thought wirily as he shifted from foot to foot. "Of course," he assured, "why?"

"It's just…yesterday morning; I found something…in your room…"

Justin straightened out of indignation, his movements stilling and his eyes flashing out of annoyance. "You went through my things?"

"I did not, it was under your duvet covers when I went to chance to sheets," Jennifer defended herself, "And I'm worried about you. You're acting differently – have been for the four months or so – and then I find a…a jock strap, what am I supposed to think?"

"You're supposed to trust me," he retorted.

"I do trust you."

"You have a funny way of showing it," Justin scoffed, shaking his head. He turned on his heel and left the room, ignoring the weak protests. "I don't know when I'll be back. See you later…"


Brian didn't know why he was pacing the length of the loft, but he couldn't seem to stop himself. Justin was late. Not by that much, about 15 minutes or so, but that was unlike him, especially if it was important. He'd began thinking the blond had changed his mind about meeting him when he heard the buzzer.

He did not rush over to the intercom. "Justin?"

"Hey," the twink answered breathlessly, "Sorry I'm late – my mom wouldn't let me go."

"No problem. Come on up," he pressed the button to open the downstairs door and waited until he heard the elevator move before releasing the button. After a moment, he reached to yank the loft door open and gesture the boy inside when he stepped out of the elevator shaft.

An awkward silence filled the room as neither man knew what to say to each other. How do you start a conversation as serious as this one? Brian sat down on the sofa and patted the cushion beside him. Justin followed a moment after with the strange idea that this was going to be a long night.