Chapter 11
The party wound down over the next hour. All the Kinnetic employees, and their dates, went home knowing that even though Brian was married and would be leaving on a 3 week honeymoon, he would expect the best from them. As changed as he was he was a ruthless task master, as always, regardless of how Justin being home softened the edges a bit. He would expect everything to be absolutely perfect when he returned from wherever they were going. They had wished the happy couple the best, well, they wished Justin the best of luck and whatever compliments and well wishes that Brain would allow. Linds and Mel headed off to bed, they had their own room in Britin, it was right next to Gus and JR's room, and it shared a bathroom. These might have been considered regular guest rooms but Brian insisted that one for Gus be designed specifically with Gus and JR in mind, and Justin knew that if Linds and Mel were there they should all share a bathroom and be in the next room over, and that their bedroom should be designed for them. The munchers had been stunned at the rooms, the kids absolutely loved theirs. It felt like being together, like at home, but the rooms were bigger and were brand new. And anyone who knows kids knows that brand new rooms with brand new toys were always better than home.
Linds and Mel couldn't help but notice that their bedroom looked similar to the room at their old house near Liberty, and Gus and JR had all the latest toys recommended for kids their age. All the furniture in both rooms was top of the line, but very comfortable and homey feeling. And the bathroom, although not huge, had a shower and a bathtub; and it was completely stocked with linens and toiletries (oddly similar to what they normally used). Linds knew that Brian had really wanted to make them feel comfortable and welcome. Mel, well she knew that Brian did it, she still believed that Justin had convinced Brian to do what he did. She knew he loved Gus and would do anything for his son, and for Lindsay, but she still couldn't let go of the fact that he was an asshole.
Jennifer, Tucker and Molly said their good-nights and congratulations before heading to bed. They were also given two separate bedrooms, and while they would also be sharing a bathroom, it was not connected to either bedroom so that Molly wouldn't accidentally walk in when Jennifer or Tucker were using the bathroom, or vice versa.
Michael and Ben left with Hunter and Alice, but Brian made sure he made plans with Mikey and Ben to come back around noon the following day for lunch and to visit with JR. Michael was very thankful that Brian remembered this, but he also sensed something else was going on, but would let it go for now. If he had learned anything it was that Brian would talk when he was damn well ready and not a second before, and you wouldn't know anything until he was ready to tell.
Daphne and Emmett were both staying for a while to clean up after everything was done, but neither was spending the night. They would be back after Brian and Justin left for their honeymoon to officially take down everything in the room that should be stored and/or returned. Daphne would have liked to visit with Justin some more, but they had done more than enough visiting preparing the wedding, for now. Daphne did want to spend some time with Tony for a while. They were doing really well together, but with planning a wedding, even a small one (and including Justin's pre-wedding night), time together was limited. Emmett wanted some time alone Calvin, as well, but knew the after party clean up and take down was almost as important as set-up. He, too, knew that they would be back in a few days to completely finish the room.
Debbie and Carl wanted to get home as well. They had had fun visiting with everyone, and of course, Deb was exceedingly happy for 2 of her boys. One she thought would never find happiness and allow himself to love and be loved, but so deserved it, far more so than he thought. And she knew Sunshine was just the person to do it. She liked him the minute she saw him, even if she wondered what the hell he was doing with Michael. She had been warning him about Brian for as long as she could remember, but even with warning the kid, she saw the way Brian was with him, Brain treated him like an equal. She never saw Brian like that with anyone. And the couple of times that Brian would sneak over drunk in the middle of the night when Justin lived there… well, it happened when Mikey and he were kids, too, but that was different. When Brian was a kid, she would always worry that he would do something with her son that she didn't want to have happen. Clearly she worried needlessly, but you can't blame a mother for wanting to protect her pig-headed, head in the clouds, teenage, gay son from someone like Brian Kinney.
She knew what Brian went through at home, more than once did she take care of him, he learned that he didn't have to sneak in (after a while), and could come right to the front door. But she also saw the way her son acted around him, looked at him, talked about him. She also noticed that Brian didn't reciprocate any of that, but did use it, frequently, to his advantage. So of course she was worried about Sunshine, but there was once that she walked in on Brian and Justin, not fucking, thank god. That never happened between Michael and Brian, goodness knows she wouldn't have been to handle that, but Sunshine, she didn't think she could handle that either. No, what she saw was different. Brian was asleep and Justin was asleep in Brian's arms…Brian was holding Justin. A normal person would call it hugging or snuggling. Brian would probably deny it at the time, but even with Mikey Brian had never done that.
She was so proud of her boys, Brian had come such a long way and grown up so much. She saw what he was capable of, and though she still regrets bad mouthing him to Justin, she just didn't see any other alternative at the time. It was so hard to see that Brian could change, he fought changing for so long, she was so relieved when they announced they were getting married. Even though it didn't happen at first, and she knew Justin going to New York wasn't the greatest choice, she knew that Brian had changed. Few knew that once Justin left that even though Brian didn't talk to him, he would come over to their place more often, or go over to Michaels, or just stay at home. She knew he was at home, because she went over to make sure he was okay at least once a week. Of course when he was over at her place he always made it sound like he was checking in with Carl about Babylon, but she knew the real reason. He was lonely, he didn't trick and drug like he used to, and she knew from the rumors around Liberty that those last couple of months before Justin came home (and ever since then, actually) if Brian was seen at Babylon, it was only coming or going, alone, from his office. And even less so in Woody's.
Before she and Carl left, though, she made sure she told everyone that she had finally agreed to marry Carl, who was wearing a shit-eating grin the rest of the night. Everyone was very happy for the couple and when Debbie saw how happy she had just made Carl she couldn't believe she had waited 2 years to make that decision. It shocked her even more when he pulled out her ring and asked her to marry him again, on one knee this time, after she said she was ready. She couldn't believe he had the ring with him, much less that he knelt all traditional like, it was something Debbie Novotny had never experienced before and she fucking loved it.
Justin and Brian saw everyone out, locked up, set the alarm and were ready to go upstairs when they noticed an envelope on the entry way table that hadn't been there before. Brian's name was the only thing on the front.
"I thought I told no one to get me anything. It seems weird that only my name is on it though."
"You may as well open it and see what it is. Maybe it's not a gift."
Brian was slightly suspicious, he told everyone that under no circumstances was anyone to get him anything. He was confused because he recognized the writing, it was Cynthia's.
Hi Brian (and Justin if you're next to him, which you probably are), *they both smile because she's right*
I know you said no wedding presents, and this isn't a present, so to speak, more of a gesture or a well deserved reward, if you will.
This comes from all those at Kinnetic who thought a little peace of mind might be helpful while you are away. You always demand the best from your employees, and we always give you 110%, and then some. Ted and I, and the rest of Kinnetic's staff want you to know that we will run your company as efficiently, effectively and successfully as if you were still at your desk ready to ream, yell, scream, holler and rip the balls off of anyone who doesn't perform at the top of their game while you're on your honeymoon.
"It still amazes me how well she knows you."
"And she's almost as ruthless as I am, surprisingly, I taught the woman well."
Some good news that might help that is the fact that we have requests for advertising campaigns coming in locally, statewide and some national companies. Everyone is very dedicated to make sure that this happens to the benefit of you and Kinnetic. Image may be everything in advertising, but it means shit if the company can't back up that image with substantive material and competitive price and guarantees. And while a few years back I would never dreamed of saying this, but I think the fact that you are getting married will actually benefit the company in the long run. It's true that sex sells, and a typical married individual may not be sexy or powerful in business, but you're Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor. I've heard some rumors and have seen what some companies are calling the marriage of the century. Liberties most eligible bachelor and proudly crowned king are taking the advertising and art worlds by storm. There will be no stopping either of you.
Brian, I have already heard from Remsen, apparently they are ready to come back, accept whatever campaigns you come up with, and are willing to pay more to get what you have created. Don't worry, I'll make sure they grovel and beg before I accept. AND Eyeconic wants a new campaign, and are willing pay whatever is asked.
Oh, and I haven't gotten you anything, accept time. I know your trip is already planned and arranged and you'll be back in 3 weeks, but, I know the schedule at Kinnetic and everyone is pitching in to help with this one, take an extra week, enjoy a longer honeymoon, at home, before coming back. It will give you a chance to unpack, unwind and enjoy each other a little longer before returning to the grind of the above average, busy, successful, ad man that you are. Oh, and good luck with your paintings for you upcoming show Justin, and don't worry, I'll handle all calls from your agent while your off gallivanting around, well, the bedroom of several hotels in different cities, if I know Brian.
Congratulations, again, and have fun in… thought I was going to put it in here didn't you? HA!
Cynthia
"Wow, Brian… Remsen, and Eyeconics… and national companies. It's amazing how well Kinnetic is doing, but not surprising, I always knew you would be a big, fat, fucking success. It's unbelievable how fast you've gotten there though."
"It's not that surprising to me, although I'm glad Remsen came to their senses finally. I worked my ass off to get what my company has become so quickly. It's still kind of weird to say my company, but I think it's what I've always wanted. To be my own boss, knowing exactly what every client wants and I know exactly what to expect from my employees and how to be as successful as I am. Although I must admit, I don't think I would have gotten as far as I have without you by my side. And an extra week, I was thinking of cutting our trip a little short to be able to unwind from all the activities we'll be doing, but this way I don't have to. We can stay the full time, and still have a week all to ourselves, here."
"The extra week will certainly be nice, and I'm glad she'll be handling the calls from my agent. With my first show just recently ended I know that she'll be busy with calls and offers, well hopefully, she will be… I know, I know, I'm good, but so are a lot of other artists out there. I'm just happy to be able to create what I want, when I want, and have others enjoy that and actually want to buy it."
"I've always said your work is amazing, I know you'll be successful, if you're last showing is any indication. You sold out."
"It took the whole time to sell out though. I mean I didn't expect it to happen… anyway, not to change the subject too much, but I have an idea for our fourth week, or at least a part of it, if you wanted to go somewhere after coming back here to repack and regroup for a day or two."
"And what's that Sunshine?"
"How about a visit to Toronto? I know you see Gus at least once a month, and we'll spend tomorrow with him, but after our honeymoon, I think you'll both be ready to see each other, and I haven't spent time with him since right after I got back, since I had to prepare for my show and be there for the opening."
"Not bad, Sunshine, not bad at all. I like your thinking. I do look forward to spending tomorrow with Gus, although I would enjoy spending it with you, we'll get more than enough time to do that over the next few weeks. I'm sure by the end of our honeymoon, Gus will look forward to hear from us."
"I'm sure I can be convinced to let you use the phone once in a while to call Gus from wherever we are, if you wanted to talk to him."
"You'd let me use the phone, huh?"
"With the proper persuasion, of course."
"Of course."
And with that Brian tosses the envelope and letter back on the table and tackles Justin. At first to tickle him, but soon the tickles and pinches become rubbing and squeezing and instead of rolling and laughing, both men are panting and groaning.
Brian grabs Justin's crotch and squeezes gently.
"And how do you propose I convince you to let me use the phone?"
"Brian… I think I'll need…mmmmore convincing than that."
Brian leans in to trace Justin's ear with his tongue, down his neck and back up the other side to nibble his earlobe.
"Is this better Sunshine?" he whispers. He unbuttons and unzips Justin's pants, slowly; Brian reaches in and pulls out Justin's cock and starts stroking it slowly, just barely touching, while rubbing his thumb over the tip.
"Or is this how I should convince you?"
"Brian… god, I … bed… don't want… to wake… Gus."
Justin's trying desperately not to moan or talk to loud; he doesn't want Gus or JR, or his mother… "Brian!" Justin jumps off the floor, painfully erect, pulling out of Brian's grasp.
"We need… to take this upstairs… my mother…"
Brian's really trying not to laugh at this. As fucking turned on and horny as he is, seeing Justin flushed and wanton, and erect and his perfect cock sticking out of his pants, not quite realizing that even if his mother wasn't quite interrupting anything at the moment, anyone coming downstairs right now would see exactly what was happening.
"Justin…I'd be happy to take this upstairs, but I think…"
Brian walks over to Justin and tucks him back in and zips up and buttons Justin's pants. Even though Justin stops moving and turns a brighter, more embarrassed, red at having realized that he was still hanging out, having Brian touch his cock again stills all thoughts and makes him gasp, not caring if they are interrupted, that feels too good.
"So should I carry you upstairs, or can you walk?"
"Shit Brian, I'm so hard it hurts… but I think I can walk."
"Are you sure, because I could carry you up the stairs, I could give you a piggy back ride… of course then your cock would be bouncing on my ass all the way up… hmmm, not a bad idea."
"Brian" Justin half whispers, half moans "You're not… helping."
Brian takes Justin's hand and pulls him upstairs toward their bedroom. A room which has been christened many times already, and that's just the past two days.
