The Game's Afoot
October 26, 1999
4:19 a.m.
Three days, five hours and twenty-seven minutes ago.
Two hundred seventy-eight thousand, eight hundred and twenty seconds in the past.
A short time, really, when one thought about it.
Brian didn't want to think about it, didn't want to admit that, for him, the outside world had ceased to exist then. Now, his whole existence consisted of an eight by twelve room, painted a tacky yellow and filled with whirring machinery and a narrow bed, and a long stretch of hallway that was tiled with some ugly-assed linoleum and ended with a grungy window that looked out onto a tarpapered roof below.
But he did. Think, that is. And admit. And remember and wait; want and desire and crave…
And if Brian really thought about it, he realized he was probably going crazy. Because if he were sane, he wouldn't be considering the possibilities that were currently running through his brain.
That he was in love.
Him.
Brian Kinney, the man who didn't believe in love.
In love.
With a seventeen-year-old.
Justin.
Fuck. It was almost beyond belief.
Jeremy and Robert would castrate him. Michael, his protective big brother instincts coming to the forefront, would bristle and lecture him about not hurting Justin. And fuck – he didn't even want to imagine what Debbie would do to him.
4:37 a.m.
Three days, five hours and forty-five minutes ago.
Two hundred seventy-nine thousand, nine hundred seconds in the past.
Brian wanted to scream. Or crawl out of his skin. Anything but this incessant waiting and watching and hoping.
He couldn't do it. He wouldn't do it. There was too much at risk, not the least of which was his friendship with Justin. Brian was nothing if not honest with himself. He had never had a successful romantic relationship with anyone. Not that he'd ever even attempted one before. He just knew he'd be lousy at it, and Justin didn't deserve that.
Justin deserved someone who was romantic, and sweet, and who would always put him first. Brian wasn't sure he could be that for him.
But part of him wanted to try. A large part. A fucking huge part, actually.
Because Brian recalled his reaction, the night he'd found out that Justin was seeing Ian. Or Evan. Or Ethan – whatever the little fucker's name was. He'd been jealous.
And Brian Kinney didn't do jealous.
Or at least, he hadn't before Justin.
God, he was so fucked.
4:51 a.m.
Brian sat in the chair he'd pulled up beside Justin's bed, idly playing with Justin's small, blunt-fingered hand, and studied the pale face.
The hand twitched.
Blue eyes fluttered open and Justin's husky voice said, "Brian?"
Three days, five hours and fifty-nine minutes.
Two hundred eighty thousand, seven hundred forty seconds.
And suddenly, the Earth righted itself and started spinning on its axis again.
Oh yeah, he was so very, very fucked.
October 31, 1999
"God, I'm so happy to be going home today." Justin stretched his arms over his head, arching his back until his spine cracked. His Uncle Jeremy had brought a change of clothes for him; he reached over and grabbed the khakis and tee shirt from off the bed, slipping into them quickly.
"Not nearly as happy as we are that you're even here to be able to come home with us." Jeremy glanced about the hospital room, verifying he'd collected everything, including the many cards and gifts his nephew had received during his stay, as well as ensuring that Justin didn't see the sudden tears that misted his eyes.
Justin, however, hadn't lived with his uncle for nearly a decade without seeing his tender side, as well as the fiercely protective streak he felt toward his family. Walking up behind him, Justin slid his arms around Jeremy's waist. "I'm so sorry, Uncle Jeremy."
Jeremy pivoted, clutching Justin tight against his chest. "You did nothing to deserve this, Justin. Ethan is the one with a problem, not you." Justin felt the slight shiver that ran through his uncle's body as he quietly murmured, "I'm just thankful he didn't kill you, and that there doesn't seem to be any permanent damage."
The two men stood there for a while, each lost in his thoughts. Ethan had been arrested two days after Justin regained consciousness and his trial was set for next month. A detective with the Pittsburgh police department, one Carl Horvath, had visited the hospital to ask about Justin's assailant, and had lingered around afterward long enough to ask Debbie out to dinner that night. Justin was glad something good had come out of the whole ordeal.
Sighing as he pulled away, Justin looked sadly up at his uncle. "I know I didn't ask for this, Uncle Jeremy, but I did hurt him. I realized I wasn't in love with him, that I was in lo…" He abruptly stopped talking when the door swung open. Glancing around hopefully, his expression fell a fraction when a grinning Robert appeared in the doorway, followed closely by an orderly pushing a wheelchair.
Robert, apparently not noticing Justin's expression, said brightly as he gestured to the chair, "Your chariot awaits, my dear boy." He waited until Justin's back was turned and mouthed a silent "Brian?" at his partner, who shook his head sadly. Brian hadn't been back to the hospital since the night Justin woke up. They both knew something had happened between the two men that evening, because upon their arrival at the hospital, Brian had rushed past them without saying a word. There had been a panicked look in his eye, and when asked, Justin had merely shrugged, then changed the subject.
Justin glowered at the wheelchair, then reluctantly sat down. He felt ridiculous, having to ride down to the car this way, but both Jeremy and Robert insisted. Setting his duffle bag on his lap, Justin peeked up at his uncle and Robert, then said with a slight grin, "Let's get the hell out of here, okay?"
The walk down to the front entrance was relatively quiet. Robert hurried off to bring the car around when they got outside. "Nice day today. I can't wait to get home and sit out on the porch for a while." Justin nervously played with the handle to his bag as he glanced up at his uncle. "He's afraid of me, and I don't know what to do about it," he quietly stated.
Jeremy snickered under his breath at the non sequitur, then turned serious when he spotted the misery on his nephew's face. Ruffling Justin's hair affectionately, he responded, "Justin, I've never known you to back down from a challenge before. If this is something you really want – and please, make sure that you do – then come up with a plan of attack. Brian won't know what hit him, knowing you."
Justin thought about what his uncle had said, then brightened. "You're right. Can you call the gang over to our house for a meeting tonight?" When Jeremy hesitated, Justin looked up at him beseechingly. "I want this, Uncle Jeremy. I want him – I love him. That's why things got so screwed up with Ethan."
Jeremy just grinned and handed his cell phone over to Justin.
"Now, sweetie, let me get this straight – no pun intended. You love Brian, and you believe that Brian loves you, but is hiding from you?" At Justin's shy nod, Emmett giggled and clapped his hands. "And we get to help you land him! Oh, this should be fun!"
Michael rolled his eyes at his friend's enthusiasm then turned to Justin. "No offense, Justin, but Brian is going to fight this with everything he's got."
"I know, but…" Justin's expression grew dreamy as he remembered the night at the hospital when he'd regained consciousness.
Justin opened his eyes, moving his head slowly due to the pain he felt. He blinked several times at the dim figure sitting next to the bed, holding his hand. "Brian?"
Brian's head snapped up, his hazel eyes damp. "Justin! Thank God, you're awake. Let me go get the nurse." He dropped Justin's hand and went to stand up.
"No, wait!" Justin stretched out his hand, catching Brian by the forearm. "Just sit here with me for a minute, please?"
Slowly sitting back down, Brian studied Justin's wan face as he gently brushed a lock of hair off the bandage, then cupped Justin's cheek with his hand. "You nearly died on me, you little shit. Never do that to me again."
"Well, it wasn't exactly on my list of things to do, you know," Justin joked, leaning into the caress. His eyes met Brian's as he asked, "What do you have against us, Brian? Against what we feel toward each other?"
"You're too young – I'm too old – the gang will kill me. Take your pick."
Justin carefully shook his head. "That's bullshit, Brian. You're scared. Scared of me."
Brain suddenly grew angry, his fingers tightening around Justin's face as he hissed, "I'm not scared of you, little boy…"
Smiling tenderly up into Brian's flushed face, Justin whispered, "Brian, shut up and kiss me."
Not able to resist the quiet command, Brian slid his hand from Justin's cheek until it was wrapped around the back of his head, tugging it up off the pillow. His other arm went underneath Justin's shoulders, pulling until their chests were flush against one other. Only then does he lower his face, stealing Justin's breath with a tender kiss, and replacing it with his own.
Justin tangled his fingers in Brian's soft hair, ignoring the pull of the IV in his hand. He opened his mouth to the kiss, allowing Brian's tongue to dart inside, to taste every inch of the moist heat. This was what he'd wanted for so long now – this man, this moment. Squirming restlessly on the bed, he wormed his other hand up between their bodies to rest on Brian's waist, sneaking his fingers under the hem of his shirt until he reached soft skin.
Brian shuddered when Justin's hand touched his bare flesh. Even with all his sexual experience, he'd never felt this heat, this overwhelming passion for another man before. Allowing Justin's weight to draw him down until they were lying on the mattress, Brian sprawled partially off the bed, one leg between Justin's spread thighs – he deepened the kiss, sucking Justin's tongue into his mouth. One hand inched its way lazily down the other man's side until it reached the indentation of Justin's waist, then curved around to cup one firm buttock.
"God, Brian…" Justin softly moaned, arching his hips up and grinding his erection into Brian's thigh. "This feels… so fucking incredible."
All at once, Brian was standing several feet away from the bed, his chest heaving as he growled, "Fuck, Justin. I can't believe… You just woke up, and here I was, attacking you." He swiped his hands roughly across his face then walked to the door. Putting his hand on the doorknob, his back to the room, he said, "I'm going to get your doctor."
Justin wasn't above pleading. "Brian, please…" He flopped back into his pillows when Brian didn't respond, but merely opened the door and left.
Forcing his thoughts back into the present, Justin flushed when he met Michael's amused, knowing gaze. Swallowing his embarrassment, he grinned weakly and said, "He's worth it, Michael, no matter what." Looking around the living room, Justin tried to gage his friends' reactions. He already knew Jeremy and Robert would assist him, and judging by Emmett's response, he was also willing to help. That left Ted and Michael. Ted looked doubtful, but it was really Michael's opinion that mattered to Justin.
Michael was Brian's oldest and dearest friend. If anyone could help Justin figure out a way to get around Brian's defenses, it would be him. "Michael?" he asked tentatively.
Sitting back in his chair, Michael didn't answer immediately. If Brian ever discovered that they were plotting his romantic future for him, Justin's little plan could backfire horribly. On the other hand, considering some of the pranks Brian had pulled on him while they were kids… Michael grinned wickedly as he said, "Count me in."
Justin suddenly relaxed. "Great! Then this is what I have planned so far…"
Robert came out of the shower, one towel wrapped around his trim waist and drying his hair with another. He glanced at the bed, his eyes narrowing with interest at the sight of his partner.
Jeremy lounged on the bed in his boxers, one knee bent up, the other leg stretched out in front of him. His eyes were closed and a faint smile lit up his face as a hand trailed slowly down his bare chest. "Hmm," he hummed quietly without opening his eyes. "Like what you see?"
Moving over to his side of the bed, Robert laid down, his head lying on Jeremy's warm stomach. Jeremy's hand came up to stroke his hair lightly. "Jeremy, are you okay with the idea of Justin and Brian?"
"Sure, why wouldn't I be?"
Robert shrugged. "I don't know – it's just… worrying, especially when you consider the age difference and Brian's reputation."
Jeremy's hand stilled, resting on his lover's forehead. "Robert, I've been many things in my life, but I've never been a hypocrite."
Rolling over, Robert's grinning face ended up just inches away from Jeremy's. "True. I just understand our families' reactions better now that I'm faced with the same situation."
His eyes opening lazily, Jeremy met Robert's gaze as he said softly, "Honestly, our circumstances were a lot worse, if you remember. Brian's reputation isn't nearly as bad as mine was, and an age difference of nearly twelve years seems much less drastic than one of nineteen."
Robert softly kissed Jeremy's chin as he teased, "True, you were quite the bastard, weren't you? Imagine, seducing your business associate's innocent seventeen-year-old son." He laid his cheek against Jeremy's chest and asked curiously, "What were you thinking when you did that?"
"I realized when I first saw you that I finally found my future, after years of searching for it." Jeremy looked down at Robert's face, his expression tender. "That's why I'm willing to help Justin. If he and Brian can be even half as happy as we are, it's worth it." His smile turned sinful as his hand reached for the towel around Robert's waist. "Now, why are we talking about my nephew's love life when there are so many more interesting things we could be doing?"
Laughing, Robert moved closer to his lover, straddling his thighs. "I have no idea."
Brian handed his jacket to the attendant and headed into the main room. Woody's had been boring – the trolls were out in abundance and his friends had never shown up. Hopefully, he'd have better luck at Babylon.
Wending his way through the crowded floor, he spotted the gang standing near the bar. Brian walked over to the guys and threw a casual arm over Michael and Emmett's shoulders. He looked over at Jeremy and Robert with surprise – they rarely made an appearance at the club. "What's going on, guys?"
"Not much." Michael laughed up at his friend. "Ben will be here soon – you'll finally get to meet him."
"Hmm, can't wait," Brian muttered absently, his attention caught by two handsome hunks out on the dance floor who were currently making a sandwich out of an unseen third man. The trio moved, undulating wildly to the beat of the song that was playing and Brian growled deep in his chest when he spotted a familiar blond head.
Emmett quickly hid his smile. "What's the matter, Brian? You seem upset."
Brian cast an accusing look at Jeremy and Robert. "What the fuck is Justin doing here?"
Robert shrugged as he grinned over at his partner. "We thought a night out would be good for him, considering everything he's been through lately."
"And he's obviously having a good time, too." Jeremy waved when Justin glanced over, smiling at his friends.
Brian glared at Justin's guardians then turned to watch the dance floor. He leaned an elbow on the bar and carefully kept an eye on Justin and his dance partners. One arm wrapped about the neck of the man in front of him, Justin reached back with his other hand, pulling the man's groin up against his ass. Bumping and grinding sensuously, Justin tossed his head back, completely lost in the music.
The trick that was dancing behind Justin slid his hand from Justin's waist forward to his stomach – his very bare stomach, Brian suddenly observed. Where in the hell was Justin's shirt? When the hand edged from Justin's beltline down to his groin, Brian snarled, pushed off the bar and shoved his way through the swaying mass of men until he was standing beside the trio. He forced his arms between Justin and the other two men, pushing them far enough apart that he was able to move in front of Justin and pull him tight against his body.
Justin knew almost the exact minute that Brian had shown up near their friends. He snaked an arm up and around the neck of his dance partner, then grabbed the guy behind him and pulled him closer. Throwing his head back and closing his eyes, he moved as seductively as he could, hoping that Brian noticed.
Suddenly, there was an extra pair of arms pulling at him, separating him from his partners. He opened his eyes, meeting Brian's glittering gaze with a bright smile, and wrapped his arms around Brian's waist.
The two men moved to the music without speaking. Justin looked up at Brian, catching his breath at the look in his eyes. Dancing closer, he allowed his hands to creep up Brian's back, pulling him up against his sweaty chest.
Brian tightened his grip on Justin's hips, hoisting the smaller man up until their mouths met in a passionate kiss. The crowds and music quickly faded for them as Brian licked his way down Justin's face to latch on the tender skin of his neck. He bit down hard as he marked Justin, leaving a vivid red splotch on the pale flesh under his mouth.
Justin pressed himself nearer, gasping at the sensations that flooded his body at the movement. The idea of Brian claiming him caused the blood to rush to his dick, and he ground his hard-on into Brian's obvious erection.
When the beat changed, Justin suddenly remembered his plan and drew back regretfully. He brushed his fingertips lightly down Brian's cheek, then pulled completely out of his embrace as he whispered, "I love you." Grinning mischievously at Brian's frustrated groan, he darted off the floor and headed out of the club, Jeremy and Robert following closely behind him.
Brian stood on the dance floor, staring at Justin's fleeing figure. He never saw the thumbs up sign his friends were giving each other.
