~ ~ June 2003 ~ ~
~ ~ ~ B/J ~ ~ ~ B/J ~ ~ ~
Starting Something New
Brian made sure Stockwell appeared at speaking engagements where embarrassing questions were asked. Often, Stockwell found himself sputtering to respond to questions about his 'family values' and how it would affect the gay community. He never really tied his problems to Brian, however, but Vance suspected.
Debbie did what she could to get the gay community out to vote. Lindsay and Mel seemed desperate to stop Stockwell, too, campaigning for the opponent. There was a low voter turnout however, and Stockwell hung on to win.
Vance confronted Brian about the suspect Stockwell appearances. Brian defiantly admitted that he'd tried to 'fuck him up'. Vance reluctantly fired Brian. He couldn't have one of his own working against a client.
Brian sat around his apartment for days, getting high. He hit a few bars, but, sure enough, they were all closed by the end of the week.
He hadn't seen Justin in days and found himself actually missing him. He found an excuse to ride the morning train just to see him and talk to him for a few minutes. Brian told him about losing his job and why. Justin was sorry that Brian had lost his job over their plans to work against Stockwell, but felt pride and admiration for Brian to risk so much for something he believed in. His attraction to Brian grew, also.
One day, Justin was on his way to his summer job at the art store, but Brian asked him if he had a few minutes for a cup of coffee. Justin agreed and they stopped at a place a few doors down from the store. They talked for a half an hour. Finally, Justin looked at his watch and thanked Brian before dashing off.
Brian sat and watched as Justin waved at him before turning toward the store. For the first time in days, he found warmth inside, and it wasn't the coffee. A simple conversation with Justin and the reassurance he got from him was enough to give him … what was that … happiness.
For the next few weeks Brian decided to strike out on his own and manage his own advertising company. He'd ride the train in with Justin and then meet with potential clients. Brian found the routine of getting dressed up for work and going into the city energizing. The chats with Justin did a lot for him, too, whether or not he realized it. Justin suggested the name for his new company – Kinnetik.
Soon Brian had Kinnetik off the ground and rented a small space in the city that, initially, he shared with Cynthia, his loyal professional assistant.
12/8/2003
~ ~ ~ Justin ~ ~ ~
Justin looked at the South Hills Junction stop with trepidation. Brian was due to get on at that stop. He'd been in a foul mood for days. It all started when Lindsay and Mel decided to move and take the kids with them to Toronto. Stockwell was making things increasingly difficult for the homosexual community in Pittsburgh. Michael and Ben were very happy in Toronto. They told the girls how much more tolerant people were there. The four of them had talked and thought it'd be best for J.R. to be with her father and all of them to live in Toronto.
They told Brian on a Sunday. Monday was rage. Tuesday was sadness. Wednesday was 'they can't take Gus'. Thursday was resignation that Gus was better off with his moms, with visits from him.
Today was Friday. Brian entered the train with a smile on his face and then Justin saw the boy. That must be Gus.He's adorable.
"Hey, Brian. Who's your young friend here?" Justin asked knowingly while sliding his bag off the seat.
Brian sat down with three year old Gus in his lap. "This is my son, Gus." He smiled proudly. "Gus, this is my good friend Justin. We sit here and talk every morning." He set down what Justin surmised was the boy's overnight bag.
"Nice to meet you Gus." Justin said politely, his heart glad that Brian had referred to him as his good friend. "You're father talks about you a lot." Gus nodded shyly and smiled. Justin gently took his hand and shook it. "So, what's the occasion for your ride together?"
"Sonny Boy here stayed overnight with his old man. This morning we're meeting Lindsay and Mel at my office and they're going to take off from there for Toronto."
"Today, huh?"
Brian's expression showed a flash of pain. "Yeah, today."
Justin brightened artificially. "It's going to be so exciting going to a new city and seeing all of the great things there. Are you excited, Gus?"
"Sorta. But I'm going to miss Daddy." He hugged his father.
Justin's heart warmed at the sight of father and son together. Justin said, reassuringly, "He'll go and visit you all the time."
"That's right." Brian smiled. "Hey, bud, cheer up. Tell Justin where we went yesterday."
"The zoo."
Justin grinned. "I love the zoo. I was just there sketching last week. What's your favorite animal?"
"Giraffes."
"Hey, I like them too. I have a sketch in here, I think." Justin started to dig though his notes and found what he was looking for. He pulled the page out of his book. "Here, Gus. This is the picture I drew."
Gus's face brightened. "Look, Daddy. Cool giraffe picture."
"Would you like to keep it?" Justin asked.
"Sure! Can I Daddy?"
Brian nodded. "Sure. Make sure you have him sign it so that when he's famous someday it'll be worth a lot of money."
Justin smiled as he got his pen out. "To Gus, a fellow animal lover. I hope we can meet again someday. Justin." He admired his work. "OK, there you go, young man."
"What do you say?" Brian prompted.
Gus looked blankly at his father, so Brian suggested what to say. "Thank you, Justin."
"Thank you, Jussin." The boy smiled to show his pleasure.
"You're very welcome. Well, this is my stop." Justin stood to leave. "It was so nice to meet you." He stroked and patted the boy's head.
Brian put Gus in Justin's seat by the window, and then turned to look at Justin.
There was pain evident in Brian's face for a second, before his usual mask returned. Justin said, "Everything's going to be all right. You'll see each other all of the time in very special daddy/son visits."
There was a pause. Brian nodded, and then stood up to put the drawing in Gus' bag. Justin patted his friend on the back to console a man who obviously had to suffer a painful goodbye to his son. Brian turned to Justin, leaned down and kissed him on the cheek. "Thanks." His hand reached for Justin's and he squeezed it in a move of gratitude.
"He'll be happy to have visits from you that are your own special times. I know I enjoy our visits."
Brian's lips curled into a smile. "Well, our relationship isn't exactly father/son."
"No, I suppose not. But, I have more honest conversations and get more advice and encouragement from you than I ever got from my father." Justin smiled at Brian, waved at Gus and then left. He had a tear in his eye as he thought of the pain that his friend must be feeling. He truly cared for Brian and it warmed his heart to see him as the great father he knew he'd be.
3/6/2004
~ ~ ~ Brian ~ ~ ~
As Brian entered the train he expected to see his friend Justin, with his shaggy blond hair, sitting in their usual spot. That image in his head was much different than what he saw, however. The long mane was now a trim buzz cut! He couldn't believe how much different he looked and couldn't resist a comment. "Excuse me, have you seen the guy I usually sit with? He's got messy blond hair, about …" He indicated a collar length by pointing to his neck.
"It's still me, asshole." He smiled and moved his bag off of the seat.
"Oh, Justin! Hello. Didn't recognize you." They both snickered as Brian sat. "Why the new look?"
"Everyone in the Pink Posse got buzz cuts. We want to look tough." He looked tentatively at Brian. "What do you think?"
Brian couldn't resist and ran his hand over the top of Justin's head. "It's hot." The silky feel of the soft hairs tickled his fingertips.
A smile crawled onto Justin's face. "Thanks."
"Wait a minute, did you say Pink Posse?"
"Remember I told you about this guy Cody and his fight against gay bashing?"
"Cody is calling his little vigilante group the Pink Posse?" Brian raised an eyebrow.
Justin opened his jacket to reveal a pink sleeveless t-shirt. "Yes. And we all wear these, too."
"I thought you wanted to look tough." Brian said with a chuckle. "That's not going to do it."
"We are tough." Justin said defiantly, zipping up his jacket. "We have been working out in the boxing ring, learning to fight."
"And patrol the streets to watch over defenseless fags everywhere." Brian was worried for his friend. "I don't think that's too smart. You're asking for trouble."
"We always travel in pairs. I'm always with Cody." Justin looked around and then whispered to Brian. "He carries a gun this big." He indicated the size of the Magnum that Cody had shown him. "Unloaded, of course. Just scares people off."
"You're still asking for it. What if someone….?" He trailed off, his voice showing signs of concern. "He's putting you in danger."
"He wouldn't do that. He really likes me. I think he's tough and what the gay community needs."
"Is he your new boyfriend?"
"Maybe. We … yeah, we're pretty tight."
They rode in silence for a few minutes while Brian thought of Justin with Cody. Thoughts of another man touching him and running his hand over that velvet hair. "How big is his dick?"
"I'm not telling you."
"Is it as big as his gun?"
Justin gave in with a sigh. "Unfortunately, no."