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Chapter Seven: Homecoming
Thursday June 24 1999
Jenn watched Brian and Justin in the rear view mirror, smiling when she saw the top of her son's blond head resting on Brian's good shoulder. Both of them wore slings – Brian a normal supportive sling, Justin in the brace totally immobilizing the one arm - but both looked good. Tired, but otherwise good.
She pulled into the loft's parking garage and cut the engine. Brian shook Justin back into full conciousness and they helped each other climb out of the car. "Are you too tired?" Jenn asked. "I can go up and tell the others to rescedule."
"No, they're a-already here." Justin said slowly around a yawn. "Might as w-well get it over w-with." Brian nodded in agreement. The 'welcome home party' had originally been a surprise but Mark, bless his heart, had warned Debbie – the instigator - against it.
They took the elevator to the top floor and Jenn watched Brian unlock the door and slide it open. She let the two go in front of her and Brian punched the security code when the door was closed. "Welcome home!" Debbie was the first to descend on them, hugging both gently but firmly.
"Air Deb, air." Brian teased as she released Justin. "We all need it." He wheezed as she threw her arms around him. They moved further into the loft, Justin pausing only slightly as the mob encircled them with not-so-quiet greetings.
It wasn't long before Justin retreated to the closed off bedroom, shaking slightly and face tight with pain. Brian watched him go with a small frown, then tilted his head when Melanie carried Gus off after him. He turned to Lindsay with a look.
"Gus'll cheer him up." She said with a smile. "There's also something she's going to talk to him about – now don't get your thong in a twist, it shouldn't upset him."
"Oh, are we telling him about that now?" Emmett asked from behind the kitchen counter. Everybody went silent. Sort of. Brian tilted his head. Lindsay sighed.
"Does Justin remember anything about what happened?" She asked gently. Brian shook his head.
"And I was out of it for the most of it – I barely remember anything but the blood." Brian admitted. What a wonderful homecoming. "Why?"
"When word got out about what had happened, and when everyone heard what the witnesses said – how you fought to get to Justin before you were knocked out…" Brian tilted his head. "The GLC got wind of it and even though they despise you,"
"The feelings mutual I assure you." Brian muttered.
"They want to give you and Justin a joint award. For surviving, for bravery. Basically to bring attention to what happened." Brian frowned. "It's an honorable award."
"Why us?" Brian asked in confusion. "We didn't do much but try to fight back and lose."
"So you won't accept it? But Brian, it's a big deal." Lindsay said, a hint of pleading in her voice. The others all nodded in unison. "You and Justin get to accept it together, maybe say a few words, then move on."
"Not to mention everyone will see you in a new light." Emmett pointed out. "You can put your past behind you – show those suckers that you can care about someone enough to fight for them."
"We know you haven't been tricking." Michael added. "Not as much as you used to."
"Justin means a lot to you." Ted had to put his two cents in. Brian sighed.
"I think you two should accept it. The rest of the committee agree." The look on her face said otherwise. "Talk it over with Justin at least?" Melanie re-emerged with Gus. They herded him into the bedroom and he smirked at the drapes hanging in the doorway.
"T-they hook you t-too?" Justin asked from the bed. Brian nodded. "I p-personally don't see w-why we're up f-for the award." Justin muttered as Brian sprawled out beside him. "We g-got hit, b-beaten… nothing h-heroic."
"I know. But they have a point – it wouldn't look too good if we're chosen and we aren't there to receive it." Brian pointed out. "I don't really want it but there are plenty of others up for it so.."
"Y-you're saying we should g-go?" Referring to the obligatory dinner-slash-party before the awards were handed out. Brian shrugged, then an evil glint appeared in his eyes. Justin tilted his head curiously.
"I think we should make them beg us to go." Brian whispered as if the others would be able to hear through the panes of glass. "Make them sweat a bit – if I know them they probably had to re-convince the head honchos to consider us."
"Why?"
"They don't like me." Brian shrugged. "And that news article in the paper about your age and my perversion… let's say it didn't help. I honestly thought after that article we wouldn't have to think about this award thing. Linds and Mel must have done something to convince them otherwise."
"I c-could've h-hit the fucker." Justin scowled, recalling the paper that Deb and the group had brought in during one of their visits to the hospital.
((Flashback))
Ted cleared his throat, holding up the paper as if it would scorch him. He looked like he couldn't decide whether to be amused or scared. "Get it over with." Brian snarked as Justin fingered the bed sheets. "Like a band aid – like you guys did when you first told me about the award."
"Is there anyone less deserving of this year's Gay and Lesbian Center's Outstanding Hero Award for heroism than Brian Kinney?..." Brian scowled – no mention of the other half that would also get the award.
Michael continued. "Mr. Kinney is a miserable example of a modern gay stereotype."
Deb took over, Lindsay and Mel looked on. "Totally promiscuous, completely vain" -- well, he's not wrong on that count." The group snickered at Brian's nod.
"He can be found nightly in the back rooms of sex clubs." Ted continued.
"As for the young man he almost rescued from a violent assault, he is, in fact his eighteen year-old teenage lover." Vic waggled his eyebrows.
"Is that you?" He asked Justin. "And wait, ALMOST rescued?" He fumed silently – he's done his best, from what he could remember, to get to Justin but it was hard when you had three other teenage boys on your back…
"So if you let believe he is a hero, the truth is..."
"H-he is a p-pedophile!" Justin had grabbed the paper.
"...deserving not our honor..."
"...but our contempt? Who the fuck is this Howard Bedwetter?" Debbie was furious, but Justin was actually trembling.
"Howard Bellwether happens to the gay social conscience of Pittsburgh. I always listen to his radio show, I've read every word he always written. Mmmh. Congratulations." Ted commented.
"The Center's giving him the outstanding Gay Award." Vic read.
"Well, they're should him giving the outstanding Asshole Award." Debbie hummed angrily.
"I'm sue him, the motherfucker." He swore, laying a calming hand on Justin's better shoulder.
"Take it easy, Brian." Michael cautioned.
Brian tilted his head and attempted to add some humor to the situation. "He said I'm twenty-seven. I'm twenty-six.
"I-is that all you c-care about?" Justin asked shakily. "H-he practically c-called you a child m-m-molester."
"Who should better know than you?" Brian smirked. Justin gave him a look. "I don't care what some snotty upscale fag says about us – we know the truth." Brian assured him.
((End flashback))
Justin followed Brian back into the main room, where all eyes turned to them. Lindsay and Melanie looked hopeful over the tops of their donuts, but that look turned into a burning anger when Brian shrugged as if he didn't care either way. Justin winced as she stomped over.
"You're going and that's final." She declared as if making their decision for them.
"The fuck I am." Brian shot back. Only Justin could see the amused glint in his eyes as he and Lindsay traded barbs while Lindsay alternately munched on a donut.
"And don't think you can make me chance my mind get out of it by inducing a sugar high with a cheap bag of donuts." She motioned to the donut she was holding. Justin blinked – he and Brian hadn't brought the things and now they were bait? "Even though...these sprinkles are really good."
"We went to a lot of trouble to get you that award." Melanie spoke up.
"Well, then get them to give it to someone who needs their approval." Justin nodded, playing along.
"There's not about approval. It's honoring you're bravery, you're courage. Letting people know that even after what happened, you and Justin are all right and happy to be."
"It's about the three hundred dollars a plate they're charging." Brian mumbled – the only thing he was truly pissy about.
"It's to raise money from you're day care program which, please, God, Gus will benefit from." Melanie shot back.
"Did you hear that? Daycare." Brian looked to Gus.
"Hey, it's maybe a joke to you but this is important. Not just to the community but to Mel and me."
"It's our first year on the committee." Justin was ready to give in at that point, not liking the pitiful looks both women were shooting them – and the stares from the rest of the group.
"I'm sorry to fuck with you're social climbing." Brian said contritely.
"You little shit!"
"Look, honey? That's enough sugar. C'mon Brian, you can't even dedicate an evening to you're honor?" Brian shrugged and Lindsay strode the last few steps. Before Justin could do anything she had her hand in his crotch and was twisting.
"Listen to me, mister!" Justin gaped in shock as Brian's eyes bulged. "You will show up at the ceremony. You will check your pissy attitude at the door." She flicked her wrist and Brian let out a very unmanly squeak. "And you will behave in a manner befitting a hero, or at least like you appreciate all the love, and support and hard work your fucking friends have gone to on your fucking behalf! Got it?"
"I got it." As Justin prepared to step in, Lindsay let go and Brian crumpled to the floor. Justin plopped down next to him as he curled around his abused balls, curling his better arm around his shoulders.
"Y-you didn't h-have to do t-that." Justin said to Lindsay. "W-we were going to a-accept." Lindsay blinked. "H-he wanted you t-to sweat."
"Oh." Lindsay bit her lip. "Oops?"
TBC
