This story contains graphic language, violence, and some adult situations ;)
You have been warned. Enjoy!
Chapter 11:
The Art Show
-A Few Days Later-
_Justin's P.O.V_
The darkness had faded since the last time that I'd been here. I could make out the cinder-block walls and the metal floor of the room clearer than ever before. The walls were etched with long gashes, as was the floor. I turned around and saw the heavy metal door behind me. The metal chair was still in the middle of the room as I ventured toward it. I ran my hand along the cool back of the seat when a movement from the shadows caught my attention. My eyes jerked toward the shadowy figure in the dark. I knew the figure...all too well.
"Brian?" I called out in a hushed whisper as I walked toward the figure.
"Stay where you are." Brian's familiar voice rang out into the nearly empty room. His body moved deeper into the shadow as I stopped walking toward him.
"What's wrong? Are you trapped here with that...that thing?" I asked desperately as I felt the fear overcome me. My hands began to shake and a cold chill ran up my spine.
"No...there's nothing else here except for us." His voice was shaky when I realized that the fear was from him. I watched him step forward a bit, out of the shadow enough that I could see his chest and arms. He was balling his hands in and out of fists, he was shaking.
"What if it comes back?" My voice was whispered and shaky, the fear that I felt was so strong. I took a slow step forward, as not to startle him.
"It won't be back for nearly ten days now...I know that for a fact." His voice was strangely calm as his hands were still shaking. I shook my head as I stood there, watching his movements.
"How can you be so sure Brian? It's a monster." I said a bit above a whisper as I took another step closer to him. As soon as my foot landed on the ground, he retreated into the shadow once more.
"He can't help it...it's a part of him. It wasn't a choice." His voice was a deadly calm as I took another step closer to him.
"Brian...why won't you step out of the shadows? Please...I want to see you." I coaxed him as I felt the fear radiating from him now, hitting me in harsh waves.
"You won't like what you see." His voice was yet again shaking as he stepped forward a bit. I could make out his body a bit more now, but his words weren't making sense. I could see him perfectly, except for his face. Wait...he said something about the monster. Said that 'he' couldn't help what he was. I furrowed my brows as I stepped forward again.
"Who can't help it? Who is he?" I asked, my voice was intrigued but not frightened. I was worried about Brian because of this odd behaviour. I heard him take in a deep breath as his hands wrung together nervously.
"I can't Justin...you won't understand." His voice was shaky and innocent, like a child in trouble. My heart was sinking as his words left his lips. "You won't understand that it isn't a part of who he is...it just happened. An accident that can never be fixed." He turned his back to me as the room felt lighter, the shadows were clearing a bit and I could see him clearer.
"Brian...whatever it is, you can tell me. I'll try to understand, but just...tell me. Please..." My voice was pleading with him as I stepped closer to him. I watched his shoulders drop and his hands run through his hair before falling to his side again.
"Justin..." His voice was shaking and I knew that if I didn't keep him talking, I would never know.
"Yes?" I was desperate and I didn't know why.
"Do you know what you saw the last time you were here?" His voice was barely above a whisper, almost inaudible.
"No...it may have been a wolf. I'm not sure." I tried to remember what I had seen. All that came was a distinct sight of teeth and fur, but it stood on two feet...like a man. It towered over me so it couldn't be a wolf. But what stands on two feet and looks like a... My eyes widened as I realized what he was trying to say.
"You know don't you." His voice was still a hushed whisper as I just stood there, staring at his back. I nodded my head but then realized that he couldn't see me.
"Yes." I said, barely audible. My eyes were fixed on him as he turned around and faced me. Nothing was different about him physically but as soon as our eyes met, I knew everything.
I opened my eyes to the bright sunlight pouring in through the windows of my room. I blinked my eyes and let them adjust to the morning rays as I checked the clock by the bed. It was already nearly 10:30am so I pulled myself from the warmth of my blankets and headed for the bathroom. Stepping into the hot spray of the shower, I writhed under the scorching flow as I ran my hands through my hair. I thought about my dream...the utter madness of the entire thing. Honestly, I didn't know whether to take it seriously or not. I mean, almost every dream that I have has a definite meaning...and this one was no different.
But the dream pointed in every way toward the fact that Brian was something that I thought didn't exist...a werewolf. As I thought about it, I huffed a laugh at myself. Even as I thought about it, it seemed utterly unbelievable. I decided not to think about it now because I was set to meet Brian for lunch today at the diner, our first official day out as...something. I knew that it was difficult for him to call it a relationship or our lunch a 'date' but that's what it was. I had spent the day before yesterday with him, the entire day dedicated to fucking and sucking...it was wonderful.
I turned the water off before stepping out to get ready for the...not-date.
_Brian's P.O.V_
I stepped out of the shower and riffled through my closet before finding a casual Gucci t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Once I was dressed, I decided to kill some time. There were a few files I needed to review for Kinnetik so that's what I set out to do. I sat down in the computer chair and opened the necessary file before my mind drifted. I thought about seeing Justin today, seeing him after spending an entire day in bed a couple of days ago. It had been serene and oh-so-good, I had figured out where every sweet spot on his body was located...using my tongue. He had reciprocated, much to my delight. I hate to call it romantic but...that's what it was. Romantic and passionate.
But I still hadn't told him my secret. Every time I went about telling him, I would get caught up in his body or his brilliantly blue eyes...starting the vicious cycle again. One look led to another intense round of sex, not that I minded but still...it didn't help my situation at all. My secret was burning me, physically and mentally...and the longer I kept it from him, the deeper it burned.
I glanced to the clock and realized that I had been sitting at my desk, thinking, for more than an hour. I was meeting Justin in fifteen minutes for our...god, I really hate to call it a...date. I had never really told Justin that I didn't do boyfriends, but he was different. I didn't do boyfriends because the thought of it was juvenile, like a high school romance. And I didn't call a date what it was because it was like I said...juvenile. I wanted something more than just a boyfriend, of course...everyone that thought they knew me would say otherwise. Most of my so-called friends had not a clue who I really was, they didn't know...me.
It was seeming now that the only person who really knew me was...Justin. He knew when I was upset, angry, and even masking excitement. The only thing that he didn't know was my deepest and darkest secret. I locked up the loft and set out toward the diner. The November air was nipping at the nape of my neck, above my jackets collar, as I climbed into my car. I decided that I wouldn't tell Justin until his art show. I could wait an entire day to tell him...couldn't I?
The diner was nearly empty on a Thursday at noon, as usual, when I slid into the back booth. I saw Debbie running around between the kitchen window and the counter as I sat, waiting for Justin to arrive. My hands were wrung together in anticipation when I heard the bell over the diner door chime. I looked up and saw Michael walking toward my booth, his eyes fixated on me as he neared. I forced myself to give him a small smile as he slid into the seat opposite me. After the incident in which I told him off and told him to forget about me, I had called him and reluctantly apologized. It had mended things between us and especially between Debbie and myself. She was the reason that I had called him in the first place, I wanted things to be alright between us. Honestly, I didn't want to repair my relationship with Michael...I had outgrown him. I had long ago outgrew his lingering obsession with comic books and such, but he never understood why. Michael had always been a child, not a man. He could never take responsibility for anything, hence Debbie always berating me about Michael's life and his problems.
But this was for the greater good I suppose.
As Michael sat in front of me, reading over the menu and talking about comics, I realized just how much we had in fact grown apart. I realized that I didn't care about any of the things that he said, would say, or wouldn't say. I understood why... I had finally figured out why we were friends in the first place. Our friendship was of convenience, I had found a family that loved me unconditionally. Debbie was like a mother to me, Vic had been like a father, and Michael had been the nerdy little brother. But now that Vic was gone and Michael was grown, Debbie was really the only one that mattered to me. The only family that I really needed. And I wanted to extend my family to Justin. I wanted him to be a part of things with me, good or...bad.
"So I bought all-access passes to the ComiCon Convention tomorrow. Wanna go?" I was snapped out of my thoughts by Michael's overzealous, nasally voice. I focused on him before shaking my head.
"I can't...I've got plans, somewhere to be." I explained to him as I heard the bell over the door chime again. My head shot to the figure coming in, Justin. His bright blue eyes held mine as a true Sunshine smile crept across his lips, flashing beautiful teeth. I unconsciously smiled back, causing Michael to turn and look. I heard Michael's whiney huff before Justin reached the table.
"Hey you." He said, soft and sweet as he slid into the seat next to me. "Hey Mikey." His voice was irritated but not enough for anyone to notice...except me.
"Justin." Michael's response was that of a childish jealousy as he looked at me with pleading eyes. I rose my eyebrows at his response as I signaled Debbie over to take our orders and hopefully get rid of Michael. I made eye contact with her and she hurried over.
"Hiya boys. What'll it be?" Debbie's voice was chipper as she popped her gum and gave us a grin. Justin just gave her a brilliant smile as he looked over his menu, but Michael just sat there scowling. His frown was as apparent as Deb's hair and it was beginning to bug me. I caught his attention and let my annoyance show on my face, showing him that his childish bullshit was wearing thin. He huffed and gathered his coat.
"Nothing for me Ma. I've got to meet someone anyway." Michael's whiney voice rang out as he pushed past Deb on his way out. As soon as Michael slid out of the booth, I snaked my hand under the table and onto Justin's thigh. I felt his muscles tense and then relax under the warmth of my hand.
_Justin's P.O.V_
I had the sneaking suspicion that Brian knew how I disliked Michael, I could tell by his actions. However, I was nowhere near complaining when Michael decided to leave...I was rather glad of it in fact. Besides, I was on a mission this morning. The last time Brian and I were together, I wanted to ask him to come to my show but it had slipped my mind...obviously. But with the show being tomorrow, I wanted Brian to come. With Michael gone and Debbie placing our orders in the kitchen, I decided to jump at the chance. I glanced over to Brian, who was taking a sip from his coffee cup, and smiled. He smiled back as I thoughtlessly pulled my thumbnail up to my lips and chewed a bit. It had always been a nervous habit and one of my many tells. I saw Brian's eyebrow raise and a tongue in cheek expression grace his face.
"What?" His deep voice caressed me as I dropped my hand from my face. I didn't think I would be this nervous about asking, but I was.
"Um...I've got this thing tomorrow night...and..."
"You mean your show?" His voice was soft as he chuckled lowly in his throat at my nervousness. I furrowed my brows at him before huffing a laugh.
"How did you know about it?" I frowned as Debbie whizzed over with our orders. She sat the plates on the table but I didn't take my eyes off of Brian. I watched as he cut his sandwich in half and rustled some of his food around, obviously deflecting the question. "Brian..."
"You do know that Theodore can't keep anything to himself right?" He chuckled as he put a fry into his mouth and chewed. I rolled my eyes, I should've known.
"Well dammit. I really wanted to tell you about it myself...and now I can't." I huffed as I picked at the food on my plate. When Brian's hand snaked around the back of my neck, I turned to look into his gorgeous hazel eyes.
"It doesn't matter how I found out...you still asked me to go. Right?" His words rained over me with a lovely drawl, making me shiver at the sensuality in his voice. I gave him a Sunshine smile and blushed under his intense gaze.
"Yeah...I guess so." I said shyly, his gaze making me feel like an innocent child in that moment. But before I could turn away from him, I felt his warm lips press against mine. His hand was firmly on the nape of my neck and my hand was draped over his thigh. The heated kiss was broken when I heard the familiar drawl of one Emmett Honeycutt.
"Ehem...looks like you two made up." He said with a hint of mockery as he slid into the booth. He looked rather cheery while he read over the menu.
"Yeah...you could call it that." Brian spoke from his place beside me, his hand firmly on my thigh. I couldn't help but smile at the little actions that he would make toward me. Emmett just sat there, smiling broadly...a little too cheery, even for Emmett. I furrowed my brows at him before I spoke.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I picked up a fry and ate it. He huffed out a laugh and tried to wave my question off as he signaled Debbie. I've known Emmett for a while now and his aversion techniques could use some work. He was never very good at brushing off a question, sooner or later I would have my answer. So I just sat there, staring at him until he finally caved.
"Okay...itsy bitsy problem with the decorations for your show. Yeah, some of the stuff that came in wasn't the right color. We've got red and black instead of grey and black. But...I guess I can make it work. It just won't look how I had originally pictured it." He breathed out the answer hurriedly before placing his order with Debbie.
"I like red, it's much better than grey. Plus, it's the color of passion." I said as I felt Brian's hand snake further up my thigh, stopping just short of my hardening member. As I turned to look at him, he gave me a devious smirk that made me blush yet again. Shit, I was reverting into a bashful virgin with this. I smiled as he leaned in and brushed his lips with mine, eliciting an awe from Emmett and a throat-clearing from Debbie. All I could do was smile, after all...I was the not-boyfriend of one Brian Kinney.
-Friday Night-
_Brian's P.O.V_
As I leaned down to grab my briefcase that sat next to my desk, I received a text from Justin. I was just about to head out from Kinnetik when I read the message.
'How about a little good luck for the show?
Yours in 20?
-J'
I couldn't help but smile as I replied with a steady 'Sure.' I knew that it only took 10 minutes for me to get home, so I figured that I'd go ahead and grab a shower before he got there. Leaving Kinnetik, I glanced up toward the sky. The moon would be full within the next week, so it was a now or never situation to finally tell Justin about myself. Hell, he would understand...I could feel it in my gut. I climbed into my car and sped home, not wanting to waste any time.
I slipped into the loft and didn't worry about locking the door behind me as I dropped my briefcase onto the counter. On my way to the bathroom, I started shedding clothes. When I reached my bedroom, I was stark naked and headed for the glass shower. I reached in and turned the water to near scalding and climbed in. The water rained down on me in fiery little droplets that burned and seared my flesh...it was wonderful. That's what I loved about cold weather, the steaming hot showers. I let the water run over my body like a river as my eyes drifted shut. I breathed in the steam as I placed my hands on the shower wall, letting the heat of the water relax my tense muscles.
I had only been in the shower a little while when I felt two cooler hands snake up my back. My first reaction was that someone had broken in, but when I caught the scent of the intruder...I knew that there was no harm. Turning around, I was greeted with a now wet blond head and searing blue eyes. I smirked at him.
"How'd you get in here?" I asked as I ran my hands through his silky hair and tilted his head back, looking straight into his eyes. He smiled at me before he spoke.
"Well someone doesn't do a very good job of locking their doors." He chided as his hands ran down my back and over my ass. I rose my eyebrow as his hand found my erection and wrapped around it.
"Is that so?" I retorted as I smothered his lips with my own, drowning his response with my tongue. My hands found his jawline as I supported his head while plundering his plump lips. The hardened flesh between his legs drew my attention as I broke the kiss. I leaned back to set sight on his lust-hooded eyes and swollen lips...fucking beautiful. He didn't answer my question, but I immediately forgave him when I saw his devious smile as he slid onto his knees in front of me. His tongue swirled delicately over the head of my leaking cock as I braced myself on the shower wall. The talent in that tongue was staggering. He then ran the flat of his tongue over the underside of my alert member, causing a deep moan to flow from my parted lips. I was caught of guard when he took my entire length in one fluid motion, ushering me deep into his throat. His head bobbed up and down under the spray of the shower, a true master at the craft of deepthroating. I felt the familiar tingling in my body as he drew me deep into his throat once more before coming up for air. I was so close to the edge that I was teetering between utter bliss and madness. The tightening in my balls gave way to a mind-blowing orgasm that shot down his eager throat.
My nearly limp body clung to the shower wall as Justin stood in front of me, his mouth full of my essence. Our lips met again and I could taste myself lingering on his tongue as our mouths fought. I cupped the back of his head in my hand as I deepened the kiss, bringing his body flush with mine under the now cooling water. I could've kissed those lips until I died, but I felt Justin pull away until our kiss broke with a small pop.
"We've got to go or we'll miss my show. And...with me being the artist, that would be quite rude...don't you think." His voice rang out in the shower stall before I shut off the water.
"Right you are, Mister Artiste." I replied with a mockingly snide tone while giving him a smirk.
_Justin's P.O.V_
Brian and I dried off in relative silence before getting dressed. But I couldn't help myself when I was brought back to thoughts of my dream. I had been trying to disprove everything about it all day, but whenever I looked into Brian's eyes...I couldn't help but feel that it was all true. Every time I saw those hazel orbs connect with mine I felt the same thing that I had in my dream. In a way, I felt like there was something unsaid that he was trying to communicate to me. Maybe it wasn't a...werewolf...thing. Maybe it was just some feeling that he had for me or something. That's the main problem that I'm facing...not knowing. I was snapped out of my thoughts when I heard Brian calling out to me.
"You ready?" His voice echoed through the loft as I pulled on my jacket. I turned toward him and gave a half smile as I nodded. He gave me a small smile and grabbed his keys. We rode the elevator down to the bottom floor and got out near a door that I had never noticed before. I stepped out of the elevator and was greeted with another heavy metal door. As soon as my eyes hit the greyish colored door, the an eerie familiarity crept up my spine. I couldn't shake the feeling that I had seen this door before. But as I stood there, staring at the door, I was transfixed.
"It's just a door." His voice spoke softly from just behind my ear as I was brought back to reality. As soon as the words left his lips, I felt a chill run up my spine. His voice sounded so much like it had in my dream that it was almost haunting. I shook the eerie feeling and turned toward the door, Brian firmly in tow.
We arrived at the Utrecht Gallery around 7:59...quite punctual actually, for both of us. The building was already abuzz with people from every background, some were wealthy gallery owners that I knew and some were just townspeople from the Pitts. As I walked through the doors, I was stunned by Emmett's decorations. The dark burgundy and crimson was such a beautiful companion to the black. Brian's hand found my lower back as we entered the growing mass of people. There was music playing in the gallery but it was easily drown out by the chatter of perspective buyers and people complimenting the work...my work. I had still been taken back by the fact that people actually liked my paintings. It always humbled me.
I heard the distinct squeal of one Debbie Novotny, Brian and I found her immediately. Her red wig was in matching with the decor, as were her fake jewels and attire. Ted and Emmett followed closely behind her from their place near the buffet table. Emmett wore a smile that could rival Deb's and Ted...well, Ted was here and fairly happy.
"Hey baby! Your show's a hit and I'm so proud of you." Deb nearly shouted at me as she wrapped me in a hug. She was acting like this was my first show, but I loved her enthusiasm. Emmett gave me two kisses on my cheeks before he gave me a little hug. I smiled at all of them as Ted shook my hand, he was always the gentleman. With all the pleasantry going on, I glanced at an uncomfortable yet stoic Brian. I wrapped my arm around his waist and brought him back into the scene of the goings on. His eyes met mine and I knew that he wanted to be fairly far away from sentiment.
"I think I'll go look at the art. Considering that this is...an art show." His voice was mocking but I could see through his indifference of the situation. I knew that he would've stayed and gushed over me if it weren't for his masked image, so I took no offense to his snide temperament.
_Brian's P.O.V_
With everyone making a fuss over Justin, I decided to slip off and actually see the product of my talented Sunshine. I took my time and looked over a few of his abstract pieces, the colors intriguing me. I had a feeling that Justin used his emotions when he painted because they were so raw and pure in each stroke. I glanced back toward Justin, seeing that he was done talking with Debbie and had moved on to a perspective buyer. I smiled when I saw the man walk off having made a purchase on what I assumed was the one to the left of me, some other abstract piece.
As I walked around the room, I came across a painting that had red ribbons surrounding it...making a frame of sorts around it. I was intrigued by the difference in the decor, all the others had black ribbons around them. But when I approached it, I was struck with a very distinct feeling of fear. I couldn't move nor could I look away from the canvas in front of me. My eyes grew when I saw the very apparent teeth, fur, and eyes staring back at me. I felt my palms begin to sweat and my breath sharpen as a lump grew in my throat. I didn't know what to do, what to say...I just stood there and stared at the monster sprawled across the canvas in an array of blacks, reds, and golds. That's when I felt my stomach twist into knots and my mind swirl with thoughts that scared the hell out of me. Justin had painted a monster...and that monster was me.
Now one thing was for sure...he could never know that it was me.
