Justin cracks his eyes open weaning himself off the darkness and sits up slowly in the bed. There's someone in the shower but he's fuzzy on the details.
Did Brian come back early? What day is it?
He looks down and sees he's still wearing his underwear.
Nope.
He slides off the bed and takes something chic and comfy from the closet then descends the steps to get some coffee.
He pours himself a cup and sits at the table flipping through the abandoned scraps of a newspaper. The shower stops and the mystery man emerges with his head covered drying his hair. Justin looks up from the paper watching as he walks to the couch and steps into a pair of boxers pulling them over a familiar ass. And it all comes flooding back...Ethan.
"Ethan?" Justin concentrates on rolling the window down manually on the vintage coupe.
"Haven't seen you since you ditched me in Harrisburg."
"Ditched you?" Justin crumples his brow pensively running a hand through his golden locks "I guess I kinda did...sorry about that."
"He owns up to it… Nice." Ethan is looking at him like he expects more. He quickly changes the subject.
"Earth to Justin...come in, Space Cadet" Emmett stands before him snapping his fingers "Where did you go?"
"When?"
"Thank you for the warm bed and hot shower" Ethan gives him a nod and exits the loft shutting the door gently.
"Not at all" Justin gives a half-hearted wave then turns his attention back to Emmett "Sorry, guess I'm still kinda hung over" he finishes his coffee and pours another for the road.
"Well, get a move on" he starts snapping again "We still have so much to do at the GLC and very little time in which to do it."
Justin finally notices Emmett's attire and decides aspirin will be necessary.
"You don't like my ensemble?" Emmett adds extra emphasis to the word as he does a full spin.
"No, no...it's great, Eminem. When does your next album drop?" Justin throws his head back swallowing the white tablets then washes them down with a bottled water. He stores the rest in the side pocket of his satchel and grabs the warm stainless steel mug off the counter.
"Oh, shut up...I borrowed them from Virgil" Emmett takes Justin by the arm "Let's away and I'll tell you all about it while we walk". He waits patiently for him to set the alarm and lock up then they continue to their destination dishing about their nights after they'd parted company.
Brian slips his long arms into the steel blue jacket of his suit and checks himself once more in the mirror. He runs a hand through his brown hair and gives his reflection a cheesy wink on his way out of the bathroom. Down the hall, they wait for him to dazzle and he is prepared to deliver. A million thoughts race through his head as he pauses outside the door and palms a Granny Smith he purchased on the way from the hotel.
"Evening, gentlemen...and ladies" he greets them as he flings open the door and drops his briefcase at the head of the conference table. As he makes a point to lock eyes with every single one, he lands on a rather infamous pair…
Quinton Charles.
He averts his gaze to Cynthia and the mockups on easels behind him. He tosses the polished green apple into the air as he waxes nostalgic about Brooke Shields and Marky Mark punctuating each thought with that half smile he gets when he's sure he's won them over. He wore his confidence like a mask hoping Quinton Charles hadn't soured the whole bunch on him before giving him a fair shake. As he brought it home, he switched to balancing the apple on the back of his hand slinking around the room speaking in hushed tones, as his presentation draws to a close.
Cynthia packs up their visual aids as Brian goes through the motions of schmoozing.
"Well, should call ahead and have champagne chilling in your room?" Cynthia struggles to keep up with Brian's long strides in brand new shoes she treated herself to from Rodeo Drive.
"That won't be necessary" he keeps walking focused on catching the cab waiting outside the hotel.
"I could have sworn there was a moment between you and Quinton Charles. Did you..."
"Just call the airport and have them gas up the jet. I want to get back to Pittsburgh before dark."
"What's the….? Yes, Mr. Kinney" Cynthia arranges her cargo to operate her phone.
"And Cynthia..." he turns stopping short in her path almost making her drop it all. "Take the rest of the week to enjoy yourself."
"As you wish, Mr. Kinney" a smile lights her entire face as she carries out her boss's first request then pauses "Shall I make dinner reservations back home?"
"No, but do send flowers. Six golden gardenias...no card". Brian tosses his briefcase into the back then slides in after it. Once he's settled in and the meter is running, his phone buzzes.
"Good morning, Mikey."
"You sick son of a bitch!"
"Let's skip the flattery and move straight to the reason for your call" Brian removes his iPad from his briefcase checking his email while he waits for the pending lecture.
"You mailed Ben pot brownies! What the fuck were you thinking?" Michael tries to maintain his anger while Ben struts around naked full of more life than he's seen him in months.
"Relax, Mikey...it was the finest medical grade and the most expensive Dutch cocoa. What's the problem?" Brian eyeballs a special treat from Justin clearly sent while heavily intoxicated.
"The problem?" Michael gets up from bed and closes the door to insulate the sounds of the boys playing fütbol in the hallway.
"The problem is he had no idea what he was taking...or how about that the boys got into them..."
"First off, I'm certain Gentle Ben felt a lot more Zen after that first bite and made a conscious choice to keep eating them. Second..." Brian punches Send on some release forms Ted emailed him "we both know our dear sweet boys have already tested the waters with drugs long before now. As long as they weren't doing what you and I did the first time we did pot together, I'd say they're fine."
"Do you know how potent medical grade marijuana is?"
"As a matter of fact I do...Justin and I made a test batch" Brian makes haste stowing his tablet as they approach his hotel.
"Hold on...you baked the brownies?" Michael is thrown by this revelation and backs down "How domestic of you."
"Well, I supervised...Justin took over after I burned my hands taking the first batch from the oven. Lucky for me I had the best painkillers imaginable."
"Whatever...just quit sending mysterious parcels to my husband."
"I did it for you." Brian tosses some money at the driver and gets out. "Do you remember when we had Sunday dinner at Deb's and you two were huddled in the corner clucking about him looking skinny?"
"Yeah..."
"I'm willing to bet your Captain Astro collection that not only did Zen Ben get a major case of the munchies last night, but he enjoyed the buzz and subsequent fucking my thoughtful gift brought him."
Michael turns so bright red, he thinks Brian be able to see it through the phone.
"He's going to finish every last brownie and whatever weight loss you think you saw will be gone."
Realizing his friend might have a point, Michael softens as the sounds of Ben joining in on the boys' game build and he apologizes...to dead air.
"Hello...Brian?" he shrugs and joins the game in the hallway just in time to see Gus make a goal by kicking the ball under Hunter's bed.
"Was that my dad?" he pauses from chanting "Olé".
"Yeah" Michael grabs Hunter by the collar of his t-shirt guiding him to the bathroom.
"Did he ask to speak to me?"
"He sounded really pressed for time..."
"Figures..." Gus scowls and drops his head in a way reminiscent of his father at his age.
"I called him" Michael turns the boy by his shoulders so they're facing "If he'd called me he definitely would have asked to speak to you."
Gus lifts his head forcing a smile.
"Your dad loves you very much" Ben steps in pulling him against his chest.
"Hey, hey...what's all this?" Hunter returns from the bathroom "I leave you fruits alone for one minute and you start manhandling each other."
Ben wraps his free arm around him while Michael and Gus grope him.
"What brings you back to broken down old Pittsburgh?" Justin gives Ethan a once over of his own "Wait, are you panhandling?"
"Trying to make enough cash for a meeting in California."
"Doesn't your agent or someone cover those expenses for you?" Justin looks confused noting that Mischa's case has taken a beating since last he saw her.
"I had to let him go..." Ethan looks at the ground pretending to tune his violin.
"Creative differences?"
"He had some notes about my performance...I didn't quite agree"
"What could he possibly have to say...he's not even a musician, is he?"
"More of a request for a private performance..." Ethan clears his throat "not...involving music" Ethan gives a Justin wink and a wry little smile.
"Oh? Oh..." Justin's eyes widen as he takes the key from the ignition and gets out of the car. He locks the door and pockets it as he collects himself enough to walk down the sidewalk toward the loft.
"Let's switch" Emmett's melodic twang derails his jaunt down Memory Lane. Instinctively, he hands over the length of elderberry tulle and steps down off the ladder. Emmett climbs up and hangs the decorations with much more ease. Justin stands below holding the ladder steady.
"So...Ethan spent the night?"
"Yeah...but I'm pretty sure nothing happened."
"Pretty sure doesn't sound very certain" Emmett climbs down and they move the ladder "How did you even end up together?"
"We bumped into each other on the street...we started talking..."
"And you decided to have one last roll for old time's sake."
"There was no rolling" Justin passes off another length of the richly-colored fabric "I don't think he even slept in the bed with me."
"Kinky… Wasn't young Ethan once your true love?" Emmett asks rhetorically as he climbs the ladder "You don't think that's something you would know...if you got your rocks off?"
"That's exactly why I need to know for sure because the last time I found myself in bed with him, Brian was really pissed...or, you know, as pissed as Brian will allow you to see."
"Remind me to get that story later" Emmett waves to Ted and Blake as they approach. Justin turns and greets them both with a kiss.
"Be still my beating heart...if it isn't the happy couple. We haven't seen you two in a month of Sundays" Emmett comes down and pulls Ted into a tight embrace kissing the top of his head. He release his bestie only to have Blake take his place.
"You know how it is when you're in that honeymoon phase?"
"Is everyone in the world in love, but me?" Emmett cries out to no one in particular.
"What about Virgil?" Justin gives a pat on the back.
"That is clearly just a rebound fling...everyone knows I'm still trying to get over Teddy" he wipes nonexistent tears from his eyes. Blake chuckles at the spectacle and joins in consoling Emmet. "This place is really coming together" Ted observes ignoring them. His eyes make a sweep of the hall as he removes his jacket.
"What's left to do?"
"You could hand these up to Emmett while he's on the ladder" Justin suggests filling Ted's arms with the vibrant sprays of the tulle he'd been prepping "Blake, you can help me finish painting the trellis for the photo backdrop."
Ted waits for Justin and Blake to get out of earshot then pulls the trigger on his line of questioning.
"So..." he hands Emmett a stream of aqua and royal "How was your meeting with the loan officer this morning?"
"It was great" Emmett affects a cheery tone "They loved the business plan we put together...I'm a good risk but not a great one. Then he asked if I had any collateral." He stretches to attach the far end of the garland then steps back down the ladder then moves it for the next setup.
"I thought that might happen. What did you have to offer up?"
"I'm afraid neither my aunt Lula's string of genuine pearls, which between you and me, were the only blacks she ever welcomed into her home..." Ted grimaces at the aside as Emmett continues "...nor my Grammy's 20-piece silver service handed down from her great Grammy will quite cover the amount I need." He climbs back up the ladder and reaches down for another tuft of twisted tulle.
"What, um, what if I..." Ted coughs and stumbles over the words keeping an eye on his friend as he exerts more effort keeping the ladder steady.
"I know what you're going to say, Teddy, and the answer is no"
"Come on, Em" Ted keeps an eye on Blake and Justin "I told you I'd be glad to co-sign if need be. I believe you have a strong business plan and you'll make the payments easily."
"I will not risk our friendship over some silly dream" Emmett slaps his arm and climbs back up "I will find another way". Ted watches for him to make it all the way to the top before handing up more fabric."Don't worry so much..."
"Do you have somewhere you have to be?" Ethan falls in behind him juggling his armload.
"Just on my way home...Do you need somewhere to crash for the night?"
"Oh no, I couldn't impose on..."
"Relax...Brian is out of town" Justin turns relieving some of the burden "Kinnetic is trying to land Calvin Klein." They pass the diner and wave to Debbie who motions for them to come inside. Justin holds the door for Ethan allowing him the pleasure of getting the first hug. When she finally does release Ethan, she pinches his cheeks holding his face for awhile with a big smile.
"Did I hear that Brian is trying to land Calvin Klein as a client?" Blake makes an attempt to chip away at the blank expression on Justin's face.
"Uh, yeah...took an early flight on the brand new Kinnetic jet" Justin makes long even strokes on the lattice work of the fence while admiring the Pollack-like splatters on the drop cloth underneath.
"Will he be back in time for the big event?"
"Part of me hopes he will, but I'm managing my expectations just in case" he dips the brush and applies a final coat to the side he's working "Best to plan on attending alone and be pleasantly surprised than spend the entire night being disappointed".
"Sounds like you have some experience with this" Blake grabs the opposite end of a large fan and helps Justin point it at the trellis to dry the paint.
"Just one of the hidden costs of loving a man who resists convention with a vengeance" Justin wipes his hand on a rag hanging from his back pocket then passes it to Blake. He checks that things are flowing smoothly and walks toward the door stopping along the way to grab half an American Spirit from the box in his satchel. Blake follows without hesitation sensing he needs to talk.
"I'm sure Ted's told you about my Senior prom" Justin pauses to flick his Bic "How I asked him to be my date and he said no."
"Yeah, he showed up anyway and you guys had this sappy romantic dance..."
"Then Chris Hobbs bashed me in the head with a baseball bat." He takes another shallow drag offering it to Blake, who declines "It's safe to say I have some anxiety around these functions...but I've come a long way from nightmares and not wanting to be touched by anyone."
"You have. I obviously don't know the difference first hand, but I can only imagine based on the shame I felt when I first left rehab. It's hard to be back in the world after you've spent time in a sheltered environment where everyone else is broken too."
"Exactly!" Justin's entire face illuminates "I think you're the only one who can empathize."
"All the heavy lifting is done" Emmett approaches having seen Justin go out the back to the loading area, but neither hear him.
"I love all my friends, but one of the reasons I avoided them was they looked at me like they pitied me." Justin takes one last drag and drops the butt stamping it out on the concrete. "It made me feel small. I'm sure Ted gets it now, but he didn't then." Emmett feels horrible that he never knew and turns to discover Ted behind him with a look that says he feels the same way. They both sneak away and assess what's left before Blake and Justin return.
Blake walks up behind Ted wrapping his arms around his waist. They exchange a kiss that lasts longer than Blake expects.
"What was that for?" Blake smiles up at him.
"Just feeling a little amorous...and proud of us for making it so far."
"Me, too. I'm glad we made it back to each other without becoming co-dependent like so many other couples in recovery." They kiss again, this time face to face and the heckling starts.
"Get a room!"
"If it isn't the demon spawn and their delightful uncles." Ted hugs Hunter and Gus together then moves on to their chaperones.
"Surprised you two could tear yourselves away" Michael teases before Emmett grabs him around the neck. He makes the expected introductions and excuses himself to find Justin who is now sitting outside alone.
"Sunshine, you didn't tell me the maestro was back in town." She makes her way to Justin squeezing him tight in her arms and smearing each cheek with a juicy kiss.
"I'm as surprised as you" Justin leans as she drapes an arm over his shoulder and continues her interrogation.
"Are you having some big concert at the Pittsburgh Symphony? Could you get tickets for Carl and me? Sunshine says you got a standing ovation the first time he saw you play."
"The first time he saw me play was at a showcase and no one...Sunshine?" He pulls at the moniker like taffy with a silly grin on his face.
Even now, Justin can't suppress an embarrassed smile feeling the heat in his face as it surely reddens.
"I don't recall saying anything of the sort" Justin stows Ethan's things in a booth and takes a seat by himself.
"I love teasing him" Debbie doubles over laughing "Michael never turned quite that shade of red, but then he's not as fair."
"It's not just his face that turns that color, you know..." Ethan adds to Justin's humiliation.
Justin gives them the finger and covers his face as all eyes are on him.
"We're just teasing" Debbie calls to him "Don't be such a drama queen."
Ethan takes Debbie by the hand escorting her to the counter and helps her onto a stool.
"How about an impromptu performance in your honor?" He takes his violin from the case and inhales deep before caressing the strings with his bow. Justin watches in wonder along with the other patrons as his ears are once again acquainted with the captivating sounds of soulful improvisation.
"Hey, baby...you alright out here?" Emmett's syrupy drawl brings him back. It's only then he realizes he's holding another lit cigarette though he has no idea from whence it came.
"Just needed a smoke break" he takes a drag and exhales smoke rings-a trick Brian taught him the fun way.
"We're just about done inside..." Emmett takes a seat on the pavement mimicking Justin in Lotus position "Do you want to head over to the diner and grab some lunch with the guys?"
"I think I'll just stay here for awhile and work on signage or something."
"Sweetie..." Emmett puts a hand on Justin grabbing him by the wrist "I never thought to ask...Are you okay with all of this?"
"What do you mean?"
"The last prom you attended didn't end so well and it never occurred to me this might dredge up all those old feelings."
Justin feels the sting of a tear forming in his eye and tries to reclaim it before it breaks free. He takes another drag of the cigarette in his hand and drops his chin to his chest. Emmett reaches over and wipes away the fugitive and his two accomplices before pulling his friend's head to his chest and stroking his blonde hair. It's too much for him and everything he's ever felt about that night floods out of him.
"I'm sorry I'm such a whiny fag" he sobs uncontrollably into Emmett's oversized RocaWear t-shirt.
"I know...I know" he continues stroking Justin's hair "Just let it out..."
After a good ten to fifteen minutes of crying his eyes out, Justin wipes his eyes and discards the burned out butt between his fingers. He and Emmett go inside and say hello. It doesn't escape their attention that Justin's eyes are red and puffy, but most don't say anything. Michael takes him aside and gives him his best concerned dad look, but Justin interrupts.
"You got the brownies, right?"
"We did. I didn't realize you and Brian had become so domesticated."
"No big deal...just a recipe from the Betty Crocker website."
"I'm pretty sure Betty never imagined the updates you made to her brownies."
"What...you have something against Dutch cocoa?"
"You know fucking well what I'm talking about" his face looks serious as he twists Justin's nipple through his shirt. He's relieved to see Justin's face smiling again.
"Ben is looking better."
"Yeah...he is" Michael takes a moment to admire Ben's beauty "I guess I should thank you and your conniving partner for dosing my husband with illegal substances" he nudges Justin's shoulder "Thanks, Sunshine."
"Any time, Mikey" Justin smiles wider and they rejoin the rest of the guys.
Brian plays over the scene of his return in his head as he sets his garment bag and briefcase on the conveyor belt. After stepping through the metal detector, he gets directed over to the pat down area, which he tells himself has more to do with his beauty than the fact that he's been talking himself for the past 20 minutes. Once he's put his shoes back on, he heads for the jet waiting for him at Gate 4. His phone rings and he's certain it's Michael calling to apologize for reaming him earlier.
"Mr. Kinney...Quinton Charles, here..." his smile fades quickly as the man gives him the status of his bid for their account. "It seems we have almost made a decision, but we really need to speak to you and another firm one more time. Are you familiar with Vanguard Advertising?"
"I'm sure if you've done your research like I suspect you have, you know that I used to be partner at that firm."
"Agreed" he asserts "You were fired, correct? Something about sabotage..."
"A hasty decision that Gardner Vance came to regret..." Brian motions to the flight attendant to have the captain begin taxiing the runway "He even offered me my job back."
"I see… Well, it appears that the team was impressed by both of your presentations and would like to see more."
"Done. When and where?" Brian takes out his iPad and pulls up his calendar.
"How's bright and early tomorrow morning? We need a video campaign showcasing your idea."
"Fuck..." Brian sighs then pulls the phone away thinking "Okay. I'll have to move some things, but I can definitely do it."
"Splendid. I shall see you tomorrow morning, Mr. Kinney."
Brian hangs up and immediately calls Cynthia and rattles off a lengthy to-do list for her then calls Justin...no answer.
"Justin, I'm starting to take this personally. You sext me then ignore my calls...whenever you can pull yourself away, I'd truly appreciate it."
Emmett and Justin meet the guys at Liberty Diner after they both go home and change.
They take the remaining seats opposite one another and try to catch up.
"Oh, no..." Ben reaches across Michael to block the seat with a concerned look.
"What is it? Is it wet?" Emmett's painted eyes grow three times their normal size.
"The real Slim Shady has to stand up."
The table and most of the diner erupt in laughter. Emmett forces his way into the seat just as his phone buzzes.
"Fuck you all very much...especially you, Ben. Aren't stoners supposed to be nice?" he answers the call "Liberty Belle Occasions. This is Emmett speaking."
"Blanche, tell me you've seen Justin."
"Brian...so great to hear from you" Emmett motions for Kiki to come over and points to the menu "Comment allez vous?"
"I'm fine. Could you please put him on the phone?"
"Oui, ça va...Bien, merci."
"C'est tous! Have you seen him or not? I really need to speak to him."
"Yeah...right here" Emmett holds out his phone to Justin "Sounds urgent..."
Justin takes the phone and walks out back to the dumpsters.
"Brian…everything ok?" he turns his back to the wind and lights a cigarette "How was your presentation?"
"It went well...so well, in fact, that I have to stay and tape a commercial which was why I've been trying to call you all afternoon."
"Sorry" Justin removes his phone from his pocket. Five missed calls? "I was buried in work getting ready for the prom". He opts to omit details of the mini meltdown.
"Did you get the flowers?"
"I did...golden gardenias. You remembered" Justin puts his phone away "Such a ridiculously romantic gesture from a man who hates anything that stinks of the heteronormative."
"Can't one man buy flowers for another man without it meaning something?" Brian hands over his credit card to the desk agent.
"I suppose..." Justin traces the grooves on the lid "I just assumed they were a token of your appreciation of my gift."
"Good point. That was fine camera work, by the way" he checks the other call coming in "It's Cynthia. I'll call you tonight and read you a bedtime story."
"You better. Brian, I-"
"I love you, too. Bye." Brian hangs up. No matter how much Brian said it, Justin still hadn't gotten used to hearing those words from his mouth...but he's never sent flowers. Is he toying with me? Did I send other pictures I shouldn't have? He takes a final drag of his cigarette and rubs it out on the bottom of his boot then walks back inside. Emmett is at the counter combing through Gus's shoulder-length chestnut hair with his fingers. It strikes him how much he looks like Brian. Our beautiful boy.
"What are we talking about?" Justin sits down with them stealing some fries from Hunter's plate.
"What do you say we do a nuit de beauté to prep?"
"Great idea, Em...but wouldn't it make more sense to do it tomorrow before the prom?"
"Every little gay boy knows you have to exfoliate and moisturize before having your makeup and hair done for the big event."
"Count me in, Auntie Em" Gus speaks up with his best Christmas morning smile.
"Sounds like fun, but I have a ton of work to do for school" Hunter sips from his newly refilled glass.
"That's one yes and one no" Emmett turns on his stool "Justin?"
"I'm in" Justin stands dropping the strap of his satchel over one shoulder "I will be at your place around 8. I have something I need to do for the gallery and grab spa clothes."
"See you then, sweetie" they kiss each other on the cheek like Europeans.
"Bye, Em" Gus hugs him tight and follows Justin "Mind if I tag along?"
"Not at all if you don't mind being seen with an old man."
"It's not like you're thirty" Gus holds the door for a couple entering as he leaves "And you'll always be younger than Pop."
"A fact of which I am constantly reminding your father" Justin waits at the corner for him to catch up. In the distance, he hears what sounds like violin music. Great. The perfect chance to find out what happened after we left the diner. As Justin and Gus get closer to the sound of the music, he notices that it's not the same thing he's used to hearing Ethan play.
"I'm just going to say hello to an old friend then we'll get back to our errands" he assures Gus as they approach the street performer.
"Isn't she amazing?" Justin zooms in on a pair of heavily-shadowed green eyes smiling as he sidesteps the flawless drag queen and follows the enchanted sound. Quickly, he rushes up the street where his eyes land on a milky complexion sprinkled in freckles seated behind a cello, the case of which is laid open begging for loose change and singles. Long strawberry blonde hair streaked in blue falls gently over the shoulders and Justin surprises even himself when he calls out to her.
"Molly?" She doesn't hear and continues playing with her eyes closed.
"As in your sister?" Gus looks from Justin to Molly and back "How'd you know it was her from so far away?"
"I didn't..." Justin is lost on his own head as he watches his little sister take a bow for the crowd and collect her earnings. She steps over the case carefully to avoid tripping over her ankle-length skirt. Justin steps forward and drops a couple of bills on her finally getting her attention. "Big bro?" Molly's eyes light up in a way that Gus has seen Justin's do quite often "What are you doing here?" The flared sleeves of her crushed velvet top enveloping them both as they share a very warm hug.
"I live here" Justin sets her back on the ground waiting for her to step clear of her garment before releasing her hand. Molly makes short work of packing up her cello and stuffs her bra with bills.
"What happened to New York?" she eyes him with a smile that is more grimace than glee.
"I could ask you the same thing… Still happening...needed a change of scenery to find my muse." Justin watches her drop the change from her case into the hat of a fellow performer.
"And how is Brian these days?" Justin blushes realizing his kid sister would always play the brat where he was concerned.
"You remember Gus?" Justin steps aside to allow them a proper intro.
"How could I forget?" Molly steps into him her smile widening "You were the bane of my awkward teen years."
"How's that?" Gus leans in to give the standard Liberty Ave greeting.
Molly returns his affections formulating an answer when she's interrupted by a petite black teenager.
"We gotta get outta here" she passes between them grabbing Molly's arm and drags her behind without breaking stride. Hot on their hills is a young, obvious type who pops fresh with color when he traces her footsteps past Justin.
"O...M-G...FAUNA! FAUNA, IT'S JUSTIN TAYLOR!" Traces of the city barely noticeable at his intense volume. Justin allows the boy to shake his hand vigorously, but wrestles it away with the kissing attempt. Undeterred, the young man continues charting away taking the hint about the tone of his voice. "I'm such a fan of your work...right up there with Mapplethorpe and Warhol."
"I appreciate the compliment, but my work is nothing like theirs."
"I was speaking more in terms of appreciate sex appeal" The boisterous sycophant continues chattering until "Fauna" circles back to retrieve him.
"Come now, Floyd. You're doing that thing where you make a spectacle of yourself when I'm trying not to draw attention to us." Molly frees herself of the other girl's grip and takes refuge between her brother and Floyd.
"Quite being such a bitch, dear sister, and say hello to Pittsburgh royalty" he takes Molly by the arm patting her hand with his. A gesture Emmett often made with him. Strange how this boy reminded him of his friend...and that they were late. There went his phone.
"Molls, my dear...how do you know the most fabulous fag in Pittsburgh...other than yours truly?"
I'll be sure to tell Brian he's been dethroned, twice.
"Hey, Em… Definitely still coming. Just running a little late. I'll tell you about it when we get there."
"He's...he's, um...my brother" Molly stutters bracing for the inevitable squeals to follow.
"Can we do this later?" the one called Fauna tries to head him off before he sets off car alarms "We have to get moving if we want to catch that sale you've been going on about all day."
"Right you are as always" Floyd hooks the other girl by the arm as well "Perhaps our paths will cross once more and I can find out your secret." Floyd gives Gus a wink. Before he can obtain clarification, they start again down the sidewalk leaving Gus to watch after them while Justin leads him into the drugstore for supplies.
