Justin sits in the kitchen sipping a cup of coffee as he tries to collect his thoughts. Brian walks up behind wrapping him in a tight squeeze kissing the back of his neck. He swivels him so that they're facing each other and both inhale the other.
"Good morning, Sunshine" Brian brushes the spray of blonde from Justin's eyes. Justin mumbles something incoherent as he gathers his nerve and slides off the barstool.
"We need to talk" he lowers his gaze taking Brian's hands into his own reminding himself of the inconsequential size difference.
"The most hated words in the English language" Brian sighs releasing their attachment and pours himself a cup of coffee.
"Can you please just let me get this out?" Justin follows Brian around the loft as he tours the living room, bathroom, and bedroom drinking his coffee then getting dressed for work.
"Can we just table the hissy fit until tonight?" Brian buttons a chocolate Prada dress shirt "I'm tripled booked today and I'd rather not add a migraine to it."
Justin considers waiting then decides against it fearing he'll never get it out.
"Well, speak up" Brian steps into his perfectly creased slacks and focuses his attention on Justin hoping to make him uncomfortable.
"I know what you're doing" he blurts refusing to fall victim to the death stare once again.
"Oh?" Brian smirks "What am I doing?" He slips on his shoes and sits on the bed to tie the laces.
"The expensive gifts from my secret admirer...the mysterious buyer at my first few shows" Justin stands over him trying to use his look against him "You're behind all of it."
"What an imagination you have" Brian looks him straight in the eye trying to gauge the depth of his lover's knowledge.
"You used to say you want me to be the best homosexual I can possibly be, right?" The question is rhetorical. "How can I do that when you keep taking care of me?"
"Yes, I am quite proud of the homosexual you've become" Brian stands looking down into Justin's crystal blue eyes grateful to not be found out...not completely.
Fuck...I know you want to be your own man, but I'd do anything for you to spare a moment's pain or worry after all I put you through...and your dad...that fucking homophobe Chris Hobbs. You're not ready for the whole truth yet.
"Okay, you got me..." he plants a kiss on Justin's forehead "I just wanted to send tokens of my affection...but then I kept forgetting to sign my name. It won't happen again." then tilts his chin kissing his lips helping himself to a nibble on that bottom lip quivering with anger.
"I'm going to pay back every cent..." he's cut off by another long kiss claiming all the available oxygen from his body.
With that, Brian gives Justin's bubble butt a slap and departs before his ability to speak returns.
Justin looks around the loft taking in the scenery through the eyes of a stranger. He can trace every pleasurable experience back to these hallowed walls, but it no longer feels like home.
Thank God the breakups happened elsewhere.
It all seems so long ago that he ignored every Stranger Danger talk from his childhood and followed the most beautiful man he'd ever seen home.
I'm lucky to be alive...in spite of all the Chris Hobbs of the world.
How had he been so blessed to have a one-night stand turn into "the greatest modern love story" as Daphne calls it? And then there's all the good friends that came as part of the package-Mel and Linds were the first lesbians he'd ever met, he had Vic to thank for his first visit to Babylon, Michael still serves as a veritable Almanac on Loving Brian Kinney-and Debbie has been as loving a mother as his own. Had it not been for any and all of them, he might have given up a long time ago.
The man who didn't do boyfriends...except someone else's...even proposed marriage AFTER he bought me the house of my dreams.
Justin catches a glimpse of the ornate platinum band on his ring finger and stops his snooping long enough to admire the commitment that went into the act of selecting it alone. Then that uniquely Brian proposal...
"I'm the worst possible candidate for marriage which conversely makes me the best candidate..." That goofy little grin on his face the whole time.
The wedding that was never meant to be. There was too much at stake for them both. They each would have given up too much and would have ended up resenting each other. Now was good though. Justin was the talk of New York allowing him some breathing room to pop into town more often. Like Brian said, "It's only time..." No reason to rush something that isn't ready to take root. When they're ready, it will happen just as naturally as every other aspect of their affair so far.
Brian had the distinct feeling that someone was walking over his grave and an ambivalent smile crossed his face as Emmett rattled on and on.
"Take a breath, Blanche" he finally interrupts as the waiter pours the drinks.
Emmett takes a sip of his wine and gives the thumbs up before dipping into the jumbo shrimp cocktail sitting before him.
"Be sure to thank Ted for writing up this business plan for you. He's clearly worth every penny of the salary I pay." Brian sips water to cleanse his palate before testing his other drink.
"Just because I'm pretty doesn't mean I'm helpless..." Emmett reigns in his diva rant "Ted did help with showing me what a business plan is, but I wrote it myself."
"Well la di da..." Brian holds up his glass interrupting another attempt to pitch. "Then here's to you and...Events by Emmett?...Happenings by Honeycutt?"
"The name might need some work" Emmett clinks his glass accepting Brian's toast. He fights the urge to hug and kiss his new benefactor and offers only a big Hazelhurst grin.
"Don't let me down...or my high profile clients will be quite unforgiving." Brian picks up his menu "Order whatever you want. It's on Kinnetic."
After he and Emmett say their final goodbyes, Brian dials Justin's cell.
"Hello?"
"Find anything interesting?"
"Brian...I uh..."
"Were snooping for clues about this big secret I have." Sometimes loving someone so much has devilishly fun perks.
"For your information, I was just cleaning up"
"After tearing the place apart looking for reasons to queen out."
Justin doesn't know how to respond so he changes the subject. "How was your meeting with Emmett?"
Brian doesn't conceal his amusement. "Kinnetic is going to endorse Events By Emmett on a trial basis."
"Is that really what he's calling it?"
"The name is a work in process. I was thinking maybe you could take a break from espionage and help with the creative aspects."
"I'd love to...anything for my dear friend Emmett."
"We need to move fast on this. Can you have something tonight?"
"I don't know. What's in it for me?"
"I promise to make it well worth your while"
"We can discuss my fee later. I have to run to grab a few things."
"I have another meeting across town in an hour anyway. Behave yourself." Brian senses sass and launches a preemptive "I love you."
Justin closes his mouth and simply replies "I love you too."
Two meetings and four hours on the phone with clients later, Brian is spent. All he wants to do is go home and crash. Then he remembers that he and Justin have an arrangement. As he's about to step through the doors and lock up, Justin smiles up at him.
"I thought we were having our meeting at home" he leans down kissing his lips sweetly.
"You said we needed to move fast" he returns the kiss with a smile "I thought I'd come to you."
Brian turns his key in the lock with a smile and guides Justin back to the office for a closed door meeting. He remembers another one of these where he got exactly what he wanted.
"They say the tone of the workforce is set by the top...
"And I'm the best top I know" he mumbles as he watches Justin pull his mockups from his portfolio. Justin glances at him over his shoulder before returning to the task at hand.
"It's a huge compliment to you that your underlings are so loyal..."
Brian leans against the front of his desk watching his lover working so hard as if he has any reason to be nervous. He walks up behind him bending slightly to his level as he views the artwork. Justin can feel their bones grind together as Brian kisses the back of his neck then works around to his lips.
"Mmm..." Justin shows all his teeth as his hand lingers on Brian's face. "What was that for?"
"Can't I just..." Brian pulls one of the prints out of Justin's hand and holds it up. "This is exactly what I was thinking. How did you..."
"Know exactly what you were going for?"
Brian frowns at their sudden similarity to Mel and Linds holding the print up in the light scrutinizing details of Justin's work: an image of a woman dressed like Scarlett O'Hara in a grey Civil War era ball gown with subtle detailing resembling a crack.
"Liberty Belle..."
"I thought since Emmett is from Mississippi and now resides here...Is it too puerile?"
"Not at all. It's clean...simple..." Brian walks out to the conference room for better light. "Nice little play on words that will generate conversation and interest. Emmett will love it."
"So...double my fee?" Justin steps into Brian hooking his arms around his neck as they kiss.
"Let me guess...a thousand dollars"
"Oh no, no, no...standard fee has gone up to ten and you owe me twenty."
"Damn inflation" Brian picks up Justin and sets him on the table removing imaginary lint from his clothes. "I don't have that much on me. Will you take a check?"
"Cash only..." Justin pulls Brian closer by his lapels putting his hands in his jacket pockets "...though I would consider taking it out in trade..."
"Well, in that case, we should triple your fee" Brian pushes the adorable blonde back on the table kissing him. He makes quick work of his jeans rubbing him through his boxer briefs delighting at the moisture developing outside the green cotton. Their intimacy is short-lived as someone starts banging on the door. Both men try to ignore it, but the unknown visitor's persistence wins out and Justin struggles to redress himself before Brian throws the door open for the world to see.
"WHAT?!" Brian smiles as he slams the door open to find Ted and Blake on the other side "What the fuck do you two want?"
"Michael sent us to fetch you both" Ted grimaces fully aware that he'll probably catch Hell tomorrow, but set to task all the same. "We can give you 15 minutes if you like, but..."
"Very funny, Theodore" Brian slams the door.
"I'm under strict orders not to leave without you" Ted speaks through the door as he resumes knocking. "Unless you'd like to call Michael and tell him you're not attending his anniversary party".
"Fuck" Brian opens the door letting it hit the wall "I totally forgot".
"That seems to be happening a lot lately" Justin arches his brow with concern "I guess that's normal for men your age though."
Brian grabs Justin in a headlock mussing his perfect bangs as he squeezes.
Justin frees and straightens himself directing his attention at Ted and Blake.
"I suppose we'll need to change" Brian drapes an arm over Justin and Ted.
"You can wear what you have on" Blake advises without really looking at him.
"I think you should change your pants" Brian smiles sweeping Justin into his grasp and dragging him into the closet where there is a change of clothes for each of them. He closes the doors behind them.
"Now where were we?" Brian pushes Justin against the doors kissing his lips then down his neck. Justin unbuttons Brian's shirt and with that they agree to be more than fashionably late.
Everyone was still having cocktails when Brian and Justin arrived looking quite dapper as they had already told each other repeatedly the whole ride over. Michael rushes them wearing a pout reserved specifically for Level 2 Brian Kinney fails. Ben hung back offering only a toast with a look that said "You've done it now."
"Where the fuck have you been?" Michael focused his anger on Brian, his pity on Justin.
"Totally my fault, Michael" Justin takes the bullet kissing Michael "I had a hard time deciding what to wear."
"Happy anniversary, Mikey." Brian clutches his best friend by the shoulders and kisses him heartily releasing him only after he's taken a breath through his cute little turned-up nose. "This is from both of us."
"Is it too much to ask that my best friend show up on time to support me?" Michael accepts the gift glaring at them both. "You forgot, didn't you?"
Before either of them can answer, Debbie approaches.
"As I live and breathe...How you been, Sunshine?" Debbie grabs Justin spinning him into a snug squeeze and kisses his cheek immediately followed by a quick slap to the other.
"Fine" Justin rubs his cheek as if she actually hurt him.
"And you..." she turns on Brian "What do you mean keeping this gorgeous boy locked away for an entire week?"
"Don't blame him. I've been busy taking care of some business matters."
"I'll bet...it's much easier being a lady of leisure when you have that kind of money?" Debbie smiles at them both and clasps hands with Horvath as he approaches. Brian gives her a distasteful look she's never seen and she struggles to change the subject.
"What do you mean by that?" Justin's eyes narrow as the crease in his forehead deepens.
"Careful, Sunshine, you keep that up and not even Botox will reverse it." Brian warns trying to derail this line of questioning before it starts.
"Oh look...it's Hunter home from college" Debbie seizes the opportunity and drags Horvath across the room.
"VERY SUBTLE" Justin calls after them his face turning red as he shrugs off Brian's attentions.
"Let's get you a drink and..." Brian takes hold of him
"No, Brian..." Justin pulls away and walks toward the door "...tell me what she's talking about."
Brian takes Justin by the arm and guides him outside where he lights a cigarette handing it to his mate. He braces himself against the wall barricading the smaller man forcing him to listen.
"Well?" Justin takes a drag and places it against Brian's lips "I get the feeling there is something you still haven't told me."
Brian obliges leaning closer taking the filtered tip between his lips. He gives a cocky little smile and Justin knows he's not going to part with it easily.
"Shall I assume this is more anonymous tokens of your affection?"
Again, Brian doesn't confirm or deny anything. He just stubs out the remainder of the cigarette on the wall and walks back inside holding Justin's hand. They join their friends in the room reserved for Michael and Ben's special night. Brian walks away briefly to whisper something to the DJ then leads Justin to the small mobile dance floor set up in the far end of the room. As Michael Bublé sings "Sway Me More", they begin to dance staring into each other's eyes with their friends surrounding them.
"I trust you" Justin whispers into Brian's ear as he wraps his arms around his neck. "Whatever it is you're doing...I don't need to know everything."
"I had Ted invest the loan payments you sent into a few stocks...they did really well and so did you."
Before Justin has a chance to respond, everyone starts clinking their glasses. They join Michael and Ben at the table as Emmett announces it's time for toasts. As best friend and best man, Brian volunteers to go first.
"When the two of you got together, there were a lot of people who said it wouldn't, it shouldn't last. I wasn't one of them, but I was witness to many stern lectures about it." Brian looks at Debbie then Ted."Now, when you decided to get married in Toronto, that's when I had something to say...about the wedding and the marriage that followed. The things I had to say nearly ruined the longest relationship I've ever had in my miserable life." Justin touches his arm with a smile as does everyone else in the room. "It turns out that for the first time ever in my life I was wrong...and it eventually inspired me to reevaluate my priorities." Brian plasters his trademark smirk "To Mikey and Ben...you've had sickness and death nearly did you part, but you're indestructible."
The crowd toasts them and clinks their glasses before sipping. Brian and Michael make eye contact as he wipes a tear. Justin kisses his cheek followed by Lindsay.
Next, Debbie stands to speak lamenting her lack of support in the beginning and how thankful she is that they found each other.
"I know now that God had a plan for my baby boy and it was the love of an amazing man named Benjamin Bruckner" she starts to tear up looking at Ben "I know I'm a lot to take and you put up with a lot to be with Michael" she looks at Brian suggestively drawing laughs from the crowd "but you weren't deterred and that's exactly the kind of love we all need in our lives. I couldn't ask for a better son-in-law. To Michael and Ben..." Debbie lifts her glass.
"To Michael and Ben" everyone repeats again drinking to the happy couple.
As they sit through a seemingly endless stream of heartfelt toasts, Brian and Justin touch hands very gently and inconspicuously. When it's his turn the words just spill out without any forethought.
"As a young boy, I believed that love only manifested itself in one way...the way we're all told by our parents, fairy tales, and romantic comedies. Then I fell in love with an older man who didn't believe in love and my life changed forever. There were ups and downs...but there was also an extreme passion that I never found with anyone else" he puts his hand on Brian's shoulder smiling down at him. "I was naïve enough to think that hearing the words was the way I knew he loved me... I learned very quickly that it was the things he did for me that spoke volumes about his feelings." Justin lifts his glass to the happy couple with a smile worthy of his nickname. "To Michael and Ben for opening doors I thought were locked forever."
As the evening draws to a close, Michael and Ben move slowly on the dance floor their bodies intertwined as they make out. Debbie and Horvath have their heads thrown back laughing as they practice their Fox Trot. Brian and Lindsay are standing off to the side chatting about nothing in particular while Melanie tries to lure Gus away from Hunter for a dance. Justin watches out of the corner of his eye while he lets JR dance on his feet.
These people are his family and he has missed them immensely.
As the small girl with reddish-brown pigtails drags him to the open bar for yet another Shirley Temple with extra cherries, Justin notices Brian and Lindsay have now taken the floor.
If he doesn't ask again, I'll ask him...
