Summary: Justin Taylor is nearing the end of his first year at PIFA. He met Emmett months ago, and they have become the best of friends. At the start of this story Justin has not either met Brian Kinney or been exposed to Liberty Ave-this is about to change! A confrontation causes Justin to "come out" to his family leading to harsh realities and changes for Justin. Emmett is very protective of his young friend, and has been keeping him from his more jaded circle of friends...most particularly Brian. Once fate intervenes and the lust driven Brian Kinney meets Justin how long can the inexperienced Justin resist the determined pursuit of the Liberty Avenue stud?

Author's Note: Thank you so much to those that are reading & commenting. I appreciate it so much! Again, at this point I plan for this to be a long story. Much will be familiar, but alot I am telling differently...so this makes it a bit AU at times. Please continue to hit that little comment button...it keeps me motivated, and working faster! :)

Chapter 5

The walk back to Emmett's apartment was done in awkward silence. At this point Justin wished they had driven to Woody's...but, Emmett had said that was just plain silly with the closeness of the apartment. Justin would glance up at his friend as they walked looking to break the silence, but would be greeted with an icy glare. Justin couldn't be upset with Emmett. He understood Emmett was just worried about his friend. Justin's life was full of one drama after another right now, and then along comes Brian Kinney to enter the mix. The one man Emmett had been warning him about for months, the reason he had not been introduced into Emmett's circle of friends. But, now that they had met Brian was in full pursuit, just as Emmett had forewarned. And, was Justin spurning his advances? Just the opposite. He was drawn to the overtly sexy beast like a magnet.

What had possessed him to agree to meet Brian alone at his office tomorrow? Justin knew the answer to that only too well. Brian Kinney was damned near irrisistible. If he said he was going because Brian expressed an interest in his art he knew he would be lying. Sure, that was a plus. But, he was honest with himself enough to accept that was not the determining factor. Brian was beautiful...bad part was he knew it only too well. Just remembering how Brian had felt pressed up against his body made Justin hot, and flush anew. If Emmett had not interferred who knows what would have happened. Justin did know what would have happened...he would have left with Brian just as he had asked him to do. It might have felt good at the time...Who was he kidding? It would have been sweet...but the morning after might not have been so.

Emmett looked over at his friend once again as they reached home shaking his head in disbelief having no doubt where Justin's mind had went again.

"This is unbelievable, Justin. You can't get him out of your mind, can you?" Emmett snapped out in anger.

"Sorry. Em. How about we talk about something else?" Justin mumbled not wanting to have this fight with him that was so obviously building inside of him.

Emmett unlocked the door not looking at Justin as they both removed and hung their coats before locking and chaining the door. Justin took a seat on the couch figuring if Emmett was going to scold him some more he would rather get it done.

Emmett stood looking down at Justin before he spoke, "Talk about something else? Let's see...what shall we discuss? The weather-it's freezing. Sports-don't care."

"Don't be like this, Em. I am not a child. I can handle this." Justin tried to convince him, and perhaps himself as well.

"That you could possibly even believe you can handle HIM...you are in far more trouble than I even thought. You have no idea what you are dealing with here. Stay away from Brian Kinney...he will break your heart!" Emmett virtually yelled at him.

"Calm down, Emmett. I doubt you would be friends with him if he was such a dangerous quantity. So, he's a major player...I totally get that. But, you have to trust me...let me make my own choices. Some choices will be mistakes at times. That's a part of life, my friend. I am not saying I am looking to get involved with him...I don't know what I am saying right now. I love that you want to protect me...but you can't, Em. You gotta let me live my life." Justin told him in an impassioned plea for trust and understanding.

Emmett sat down next to him on the couch before he answered, "Okay, Justin. I will try. You have just been through so much."

"And, I will get through that too. How could I not with such a great friend for support?" Justin asked with a warm smile kissing Emmett lightly on the lips.

"I just want you to be happy, baby. Safe, and successful...all the good things that you deserve." Emmett told him hugging him tightly.

"One day at a time, Em. Now, I better get some sleep...got that early class in the morning. Promise me that you will stop worrying about me." Justin demanded.

Emmett ruffled his hair affectionately. "I will do my best, but can't promise that. I will be a good "momma bird" and let you spread your wings to fly...but I will be here to catch you if you fall."

"I know you will. Goodnight, Em...love you." Justin said as he kissed Emmett on the cheek before heading towards his new room. "And, don't feel like you have to hang out here...why don't you go to Babylon...like you would be doing if I wasn't here. Have some fun."

"Love you too, baby. Hmmmmm maybe I will for a little bit, if you are sure." Emmett said thoughtfully.

"I am positive. See you in the morning, roomie." Justin said with a laugh.

"Night, sweetie." Emmett laughed back.

Two Hours Later

Justin looked at the bedside clock grimacing it was nearing two in the morning, and he was still awake. He had been tossing and turning the past hour largely he thought due to being unable to shut his mind down. He supposed it was to be expected. It had been such a tumultous day. However, that rationalization wasn't going to help him when he was in class in the morning barely able to keep his eyes open. Of course, what did it really matter...most likely he would end up searching for a job soon and out of PIFA at the end of the semester. He could accept it better if he was employed where he could use his art...but, what were the chances of that?

He had heard Emmett go out about an hour ago, and still had not returned. Justin was glad he had taken his advice to go out. He felt bad enough that Emmett worried about him so much without the added guilt of totally altering his lifestyle. He hoped Emmett was having a good time. Lately he had spent far too much time worrying about him. Emmett had such a warm, giving heart...nothing would make him happier than for his friend to find someone to love, and to love him in return.

Justin went into the kitchen pouring himself a glass of juice when he heard a light knock on the door. He took a quick swallow before advancing towards the door. It was now a few minutes after two...who could it be at this hour? He quietly went to the door going up on tip toes to look through the peephole to see the identity of their late night visitor. Justin groaned when he saw Brian Kinney standing on the other side of the door. He jumped backwards as if he had been burnt just from veiwing the gorgeous brunette standing there. He debated on ignoring the knock. Brian had no way of knowing they were home or even awake. Perhaps he would just go away. Letting him inside the apartment so late at night, home alone...Justin thought not in his best interest at all.

He started to back away from the door when the knock came louder this time. "Come on, sweetness...open the door. I can hear you rustling around in there. I promise I won't bite."

Warily Justin moved to the door unlocking it, and opening it just wide enough to block his upper body in between the door and the frame. Justin arched a suspicious brow at him. "Could you really hear me?"

"Not really, but I thought it worth a try." he smirked mischeviously.

"What do you want, Brian? It's very late." Justin asked him innocently unthinking of the implications of his wording.

Brian's eyes swept over him slowly. Eyes fastening on the plain white t-shirt before moving to linger on his snug boxers. Brian lifted his eyes back to meet Justin's...a smoky glaze within them. Then Brian purred in response, "You really should be careful how you phrase your words, Justin. Unless, of course, you are ready to give me what I want." he growled attempting to move closer to Justin. "I might have to take that back about biting...you look absolutely delicious."

Justin stammered nervously provoking a knowing smirk from his admirer. "I...ahhhh will reprhase that, then. Why are you here, Brian?"

"How about you invite me in, Justin. I would be more than happy to tell you." Brian practically purred his eyes continuing to drink in Justin.

Eyes widening perceptively Justin responded, "I am not sure that's such a good idea, Brian. And, I wouldn't want to awaken Emmett." Justin prompted thinking it best if Brian thought that Emmett was home.

Brian laughed before he answered, "Nice try, cupcake. I left Emmett at Babylon dancing, and giving all appearances he would be finding his comfort somewhere else tonight."

"Fine. Come in before you wake the neighbors. You need to make it quick...I need to get to bed." Justin tried to sound stern as he widened the door opening it to allow Brian access uncertain if he was doing the right thing knowing Emmett would say it was most assuredly the WRONG thing to do.

Brian stepped inside, closing the door behind him before he advanced towards a very nervous Justin. "Why don't we go to bed together, then?"

Justin gasped at Brian's continued boldness as he backed away knowing he had to maintain his distance from this man. "That's not happening, Brian. Now...why are you here? I have classes in the morning."

"In your haste to leave Woody's earlier you left something behind...must have fallen out of your pocket." Brian told him as he reached into his pocket, and pulled out Justin's phone out of his pocket...dangling it in front of him like bait.

"Oh, I hadn't missed it. Thanks for dropping it off." Justin said extending his hand for his phone.

"My pleasure, Justin. I took the liberty of placing my number in your contacts...in the event my card came up missing. Of course, I am sure that would NEVER happen." Brian smirked. "In addition, I placed yours in my own memory bank...solely so I know who is calling me."

"How thorough you are, Brian." Justin snapped increasingly unsure of how to best handle this predatory Brian.

"You have no idea." his eyes stroking over him again...slowly, with growing heat. "But, it's my intention that you will."

"Was that all?" Justin asked as he snatched the phone out of his grasp.

"Not even close, sweetness...but it will do for now. Don't forget to call me tomorrow. I really am interested in seeing your work." Brian told him seeming serious for the first time.

Justin nodded in agreement. "I will. Thank you again for returning my phone."

Brian moved towards the door before raising a hand to his chin as if in deep thought. "You know, you could thank me far more properly, Justin."

Justin rolled his eyes more in frustration than annoyance. This man got to him like nobody had ever done. Yet, he wasn't doing much to discourage him either. He was drawn to this dangerously vibrant man whether he wanted to be or not. But, he wasn't looking to be the next notch on Brian Kinney's well used bedpost. "Sorry, Brian...a sincere thank you is all you are getting."

Brian turned to look at Justin just as he reached the door. "For now, Justin. Ask Emmett how determined I am when I see something I want."

"You forget-I have heard all about you. Goodnight, Brian." Justin whispered as he opened the door for Brian to leave knowing he had to get Brian out of here now before he succumbed to the need clearly displayed in the older man's eyes.

Brian reached up stroking the side of Justin's face before sinking his long fingers into his hair angling his face upwards to meet his scorching gaze. "Sweet dreams, Justin. I will see you very soon."

Justin swallowed deeply as Brian left without another word...he pressed his trembling body backwards against the door as he audibly groaned. "What the fuck are you going to do now, Taylor?"