Justin had a hard time sleeping that night as his mind was desperate to find a solution to "The Nathan Problem". He was having no luck and was slowly trying to accept the fact that he was going to loose his new friend tomorrow. Lying on his back he turned his neck to the left and saw the kitten sleeping in a makeshift bed that Justin had made him out of one of his old art shirts. Sighing, he looked to the right at his lover who was sleeping peacefully beside him despite knowing that he would be the one to break up their new family unit.
Justin was suddenly angry but soon after forced that emotion into submission. It really wasn't fair for him to be upset with Brian. After all, he'd been the one who'd brought a stray, dirty animal in from the street without any warning to the almightily loft which Brian was struggling to maintain these days.
Still . . .
Justin closed his eyes again and tried to concentrate on getting some rest and not the gentle sound of Nathan snoring from his place on the floor.
What seemed like 15 minutes later, Justin was awakened by the intrusive beeping of the alarm clock resting above his head on the bureau. As he reached to turn it off, he felt Brian do the same, resulting in the older man's hand coming down on the back of his own. Justin groggily smiled as his partner entwined their fingers, pulling both their hands away from the cold metal object and back to the warm mattress. Leaning back against him, Justin soon thought the better of it and decided to get up before he got too comfortable. He felt Brian's grip on him tighten as the older man attempted to hold him still.
"Brian," Justin began. "I have to shower. Deb wants me in early this morning."
Brian grumbled but released his hold and Justin padded barefoot into the bathroom. The youth was quick to wash his hair and self and when he stepped out of the shower he found that Brian was standing in the kitchen in his blue robe making coffee. Justin could feel Brain's eyes on him as he dressed but managed to get his jeans and sweater on without too much effort. As he came towards him and quickly drank down a cup, the two men remained silent with their eyes connected.
"I don't suppose it would do me any good to beg and pled for a continuance?" Justin questioned, breaking the silence.
Brian narrowed his eyes a little and leaned in to place a lingering kiss on his forehead.
"You'd better go," he breathed against his skin. "You don't want to be late."
Justin swallowed as Brian moved away from him and towards the bathroom. Blinking once to clear his eyes, Justin filled Nathan's bowel with the hard, brown pieces of food and watched the kitten come running. With the black and white ball of fun eating contently, Justin walked out the door and headed to the diner.
Understandingly, Justin had not been in the best of sprits that day. So much so, that Debbie offered to let him go home early – but that only meant that he would have to take Nathan to the Humane Society. He'd decided to make his 8-hour shift last as long as possible. Eventually, the time did come however and under Debbie's concerned eyes he sulked out the door and headed home. In the elevator he felt his legs grow weak and he forced himself to remain levelheaded. Who would have thought that such a tiny creature would have had such an impact on him?
Sliding the door open, he first spotted Brian to his right working on his computer who did not look up from the monitor as his partner returned. Deciding not to prolong it any further, Justin called out to Nathan with a whisper and was caught off guard at the speck of gold that accompanied his four-legged companion. Picking him up, Justin almost fell over when he saw the tiny gold circle with the name "Nathan" engraved on it attached to a black collar around the kitten's neck.
"Brian?" Justin questioned as he turned to look at the man who was now facing him.
Brian smiled a little and rolled his eyes as Justin lowered Nathan back onto the hardwood and skipped to him with his arms outstretched.
"Oh, God, Brian thank you!" he said, kissing the side of his face. "Thank you, thank you, God, I love you!"
"I know," Brian mumbled. "It's pathetic."
Grinning from ear to ear Justin kissed him full on the mouth for a long moment before they were interrupted by the phone ringing. Brian pulled back and picked up the cordless which was sitting on his desk.
"Yeah?"
Justin watched with sudden concern as Brian's face became tight with anger.
"Nothing!" he yelled. "What the fuck are you talking about? . . No . . . yes, I'm sure . . Christ, Deb, I'm hanging up now."
The older man was quick to make good on his word.
"What's wrong?"
"Debbie's convinced I've 'fucked up' again and threatened to castrate me if I don't apologize for 'whatever the fuck I did wrong'." Brian explained.
Justin bit his lower lip.
"Would you happen to know what she's talking about?"
Kissing him again, Justin responded.
"No clue."
The End