Chapter One

Michael Novotny stepped outside Babylon as Brain Kinney, completely strung out, made his way into the backroom just like every other night, to find another random guy to give him a blow. Michael stood there with an inquisitory look on his face, wondering if there was anyone in Pittsburgh Brian hadn't had on their knees. Wondered if he had ever hit the same guy twice without knowing. But they probably remembered. There was just something about Brian Kinney that seared their brain.

Michael checked his watch. "Ten minutes my ass," he said looking back at the door, preparing to step back inside as Brian stumbled out of the club. "Jesus, how the hell do you tell time?" Michael said grasping the keys to Brian's car.

"He managed to... hold onto my interest." Brian walked down the street with him.

"I bet that's not all he managed to hold onto."

Brian laughed, clasping his hand on the back of Michael's neck, leaning a majority of his weight on the smaller man. "You have..." Brian rested his forehead against Michael's. "... no idea."

Michael got behind the wheel as Brian reclined in the passenger's seat. "What the hell did you take?"

Brian shut his eyes, a blissful smile on his face. "Oh a whoooole alphabet of shit," he said "You should have joined me."

"Yeah, well... somebody's got to keep their mind clear to drive you home." Michael kept his eyes on the road.

"Oh... you're going soft on me," Brian rubbed his eyes.

"I am not!"

"You are Mikey, you little pussy."

"Jesus, Brian," Michael stopped the car at a traffic light. "Can't you think of a better analogy?"

Brian tapped his index finger against his temple, pretending thought. "Uh..." he looked directly into Michael's eyes. "No."

Michael turned his eyes back to the road, driving again as Brian let out a contented sigh followed by a soft laugh. Michael pulled up in front of the building and both men stepped out of the car.

"You coming up?" Brian asked.

"To make sure that you make it into bed and the I gotta go."

They stepped onto the elevator, riding it to the sixth floor. "What's the matter Mikey?" Brian asked. "Too much partying for one night? Oh wait... what am I saying? You didn't party at all did you?"

"I did too," Michael watched Brian make his way over to the bedroom, tearing the shirt over his head and then returning, bare chested, to where Michael stood. "I just... It's just that I have to finish stocking tomorrow before the store opens and I would like to get at least three hours of sleep before the alarm clock goes off." Michael watched Brian take a seat, slouched back on the couch. "You gonna be OK?"

"Always," Brian said. "Don't you worry that... pretty little head of yours."

"OK..." Michael laughed.

"Good night, Mikey."

"But if you need anything..."

"Goodnight... Mikey." Brian stood from the couch and approached the door, sliding it open. Michael hesitated a moment, stepping out of the loft, watching as Brian slid the door closed.

Brian paused a moment, looking around his uncharacteristically vacant loft. He couldn't recall the last time he had come home from Babylon alone. He wasn't about to make this the night. He headed to his computer, sitting down, reclining in his chair as he surfed the web.

A crooked smile appeared on Brian's face as he let his chair swivel, picking up the phone and dialing. "So, number 651," he said. "That picture accurate?.." He bit his bottom lip. "Corner of Tremont, sixth floor. Just come on up... You're coming..." Brian grinned, hanging up the phone. "I'll have you cumming."

Michael was quiet to enter the apartment. He didn't want to wake Emmett... or interrupt him, either way. He shut the door gently behind him, taking Brian's keys and laying them down without so much as a jingle. Tiptoeing further into the apartment, he saw a light coming from the kitchen.

"Well hello hello." Emmett popped his head out. "Aren't we home late tonight? Tell me all about it."

Michael raised his eyebrows. "All about... what?"

"No hot date?" Emmett asked, chewing on his Oreos.

"No." Michael continued further into the apartment. "No hot date. No date at all." Emmett looked at him with raised eyebrows. "I drove Brian home."

Emmett's shoulders fell. "Whenever you go out you have to drive him home. He has all the fun and you get..."

"The key's to his jeep for the night?" Michael said. "It's no big deal, Emmett. He's my friend. I'd do the same thing for you... or Ted..."

"And we love love love you for it." Emmett said. "We love you no matter what. All I'm saying... is that Brian..."

"I know what you think." Michael said. "That Brian takes advantage."

"You put it a lot gentler than I was gonna." Emmett offered out a cookie to Michael, who slowly shook his head. "You need to have some fun too."

"I do... have fun" Michael said. "I hang out with you guys. You guys are fun."

"I mean a man, sweetie." Emmett said. "We need to find you a good man."

Michael laughed. "I appreciate the idea, Em," he said "But right now, other than the fact that it's hopeless..."

"Not hopeless." Emmett said. "Not for you."

"Jesus, you're starting to sound like my mom." Michael removed his coat. Emmett... I appreciate the thought, really but... I don't have half the mind to entertain it right now. I'm beat. I've got to work early tomorrow. So we'll... we'll... talk over lunch or something."

Emmett cocked his head to the side, lips pursed, nodding slowly. "... Sure..." he said.

"OK." Michael managed a smile. "Well... goodnight."

"Night," Emmett said as Michael made his way to the bedroom. He paused a moment, not even finishing his cookies and milk, heading off to sleep himself.