~ ~ B/J ~ ~ ~ ~ B/J ~ ~ ~ ~ B/J

Justin checked himself in the mirror again. He'd chosen a blue-grey sweater and dark grey dress pants to wear for his date with Brian. He was nervous and happy at the chance to get reacquainted with him.

The doorbell rang and he answered it. "Hello." He appreciated the sight before him. His date was wearing a dark green dress shirt with a black tie and black slacks. He was gorgeous. "You look great."

"You as well." Brian leaned forward for a quick kiss.

"Who's that, Justin?" Molly asked from the kitchen.

Justin rolled his eyes. "It's Brian."

Molly came in to the hallway, wiping her hands on a towel. "Oh, hi, Brian. Nice shirt."

"Thanks."

Justin was anxious to get going. "We're going to take off. Are you in all night?"

"Yeah, I'm doing a LAN party at nine with a bunch of friends."

"OK. I have my cell on me if you need anything."

"I'll be fine. Have fun."

Brian and Justin got in the Jeep and took off for dinner. "I made a reservation at Luigi's steak house, OK?"

"Sounds great."

They chatted during dinner and exchanged pleasantries about their day. At one point, Brian chuckled a little.

"What is it?" Justin asked.

"This. Dating. It's weird."

"Yeah, for you, I guess it is. Will you feel better if you pull a waiter into the back room and have him suck you off?" Justin had to ask and he really didn't care what the answer was. If it was 'yes', it'd just be Brian being his usual self.

Brian scrunched up his face. "Nah, none of the guys here look appealing."

Justin laughed as he looked around. "Nobody, eh?"

"I know. Here's the part where I'm supposed to say that no one looks as good as you."

"Don't strain yourself. It's OK." Justin didn't want him to feel obligated.

Brian smiled and leaned forward to whisper. "You look hot."

Justin blushed. "You didn't have to say that."

"I only speak the truth." Brian smiled. "Do you want anything else to eat, or should we take off for the gallery?"

"No, let's go. We can split the check."

"I'll get the check. You just pay for the gallery."

"It's free, they just ask for a donation."

"Then you handle that however you want to."

Brian paid the check and they returned to his car. As he drove, Brian asked, "Have you been to this gallery before?"

"Yes. I've gotten to know the guys that run it. It's an eclectic little place, but I hope to show some of my stuff there someday. Flash animation is paying the bills, but I still want to occasionally sell a piece that hangs on someone's wall."

They pulled into the parking lot and then entered the gallery. Justin made a donation at the door and they picked up a couple of glasses of wine. For the next hour they milled around and looked at the display, which was a combination of oil paintings and pen and ink sketches. Justin introduced Brian to Reggie and Joseph, the gallery owners.

Justin was very pleased to have Brian with him and have such a handsome date on his arm. But, it wasn't about looks or impressing people like it had always been with Payton. It was about a pleasant exchange of conversation, meeting new people and having someone to put your arm around. It was about the warmth of friendship and the tickle of heat of maybe something more.

Finally, around nine p.m., Brian leaned in to say, "Can we get out of here?"

Justin nodded. "Sure, it's been a long day. Let's go back to my place."

After returning to the townhouse, Justin asked, "Would you like a beer or some more wine?"

"Just a beer's good."

Justin retrieved the beers and motioned toward the patio door at the back of the kitchen. "Want to see the balcony?"

Brian took the beer from him. "Sure."

As they got outside, Justin said, "I'd like to have a patio like this, only bigger. I haven't found anything this nice yet."

"Are you getting your own place?"

"Yes. I'm working with a gal that my mom was close to at the Real Estate office. I have enough set aside for a generous down payment and, with the job at Kinnetik, I've been pre-approved for a sizable mortgage. I'm looking for at least four bedrooms, a big kitchen and a big backyard for entertaining: the whole package."

"What the fuck are you going to do with four bedrooms?"

Justin held up four fingers and counted. "Master suite, guest room, office and studio. That's if I can't find a place that has some kind of sunroom or something that I can use as a studio."

Brian smirked a little. "No pool or stables?"

Justin turned and smiled at Brian. "That was another dream for another time." He shook his head. "Too much maintenance keeping up a pool and I don't know what the hell I'd do with stables."

"You must have made out all right in that divorce."

"Let's just say I'm comfortable."

"And where will this mini-mansion be located?"

"I have a bunch of listings to look at this weekend all around Pittsburgh. I'd like to be near Molly because she'll be keeping this place. She likes it here. I'd like to be close to Liberty Avenue, the Diner, Kinnetik … and you." He sauntered over to Brian and stood so that their bodies were touching. "Right now, though, I'd like to be really close to you."

"Yeah?"

"Why don't you come upstairs with me? Molly's got her headphones on, she won't hear a thing. Won't hear all of your moans of pleasure." He pulled Brian's head toward him and they kissed. Justin's tongue danced at Brian's lips and he was thrilled to gain entrance to his mouth. This was their first mutually decided upon kiss in a long, long time and all of the old feelings and longings returned. Justin put his hands behind Brian's neck and pulled him closer. Brian's hands were around his waist.

Finally, Brian pulled back. They were both breathing a little heavier with the heat of the moment. "So, that's your plan? Lure me into your bedroom and let me fuck you so that I fall madly, deeply …?"

Justin shook his head. "I just really want you tonight. I want this." He stroked the front of Brian's pants.

Brian stepped back. "Not tonight."

"Why not?"

"We're taking it slow, remember?" He patted Justin's cheek. "If and when I know I can trust you – that you're really staying, then we'll talk."

"Yeah, but I thought…"

"You thought wrong, Sunshine." Brian took a final swig of his beer. "I should go."

Justin sighed and wished that they could have done something more, but he consoled himself with the knowledge that at least he was making some progress. "OK, I … I'm glad we could go out tonight. Thanks for dinner."

They walked toward the front door. Brian said, "Maybe we can shoot pool or go bowling next week. Let me know how the house hunting goes."

"You can come with me to see the houses, if you'd like."

Brian smiled and held his hand on Justin's shoulder. "Another fine gay couple looking to make a home." He shook his head. "I don't think so. You're a big enough boy to make these decisions on your own."

A smile crossed Justin's lips. "You really don't buy into that whole domestic thing, do you? I remember when you bought a home years ago."

Brian opened the door and turned. "Yeah, well, that didn't work out."

Justin felt a pang in his chest, remembering how he felt after they gave up Britin, and the promises that the home once held for them. He looked up at Brian wistfully. "Sorry."

Brian shook his head as if to dismiss the past. "I'm just not ready to play house games with you. But, who knows what the fates have in store?" He pulled Justin to him and kissed him softly. "Good night."

"Good night." Justin watched Brian walk away and waved as his car pulled away.

Next chapter : Is it possible to have a casual date? Will someone get jealous?