Chapter 13 – Babylon
Ownership had some privileges.
Brian smiled to himself as he walked his guests past the line-up to the security guard. "Troy, please add Marc Ryan and John Avery here to the VIP list."
The muscular man took their ID's and stood back to let Brian and his party in. "Certainly, sir. If you gentlemen care to check in later, we'll have your passes ready for you. Also, sir, Tricia needs to speak to you about a small matter when you have a moment."
Brian leaned in to Justin, "Why don't you show Marc and John around while I go see what Tricia wants? That way we won't be interrupted later, when it's less convenient."
"Sounds good. Find me on the dance floor," Justin lifted his eyebrows, "or in the back room when you're done."
Brian smiled at the impish look on Justin's face. "Have fun. This shouldn't take too long." Brian pulled Justin in for a demanding kiss.
"Well, that kick-started things." Justin gave Brian a slightly desperate look. "Hurry."
The men walked through to Babylon. Justin looked around and thought, Same men, same lights, same music, and smiled. "Let's dance."
"Why don't you guys get started and I'll get us some drinks?" John offered.
"I'll give you a hand," said Ted with a nod towards the back corner of the club.
Emmett, Michael, Justin and Marc made their way to the dance floor, moving to the thumpa, thumpa beat. Justin watched curiously and concluded that Marc had been out dancing more than once. After a few minutes, Marc stripped off his sweater, revealing a perfect torso wrapped in a tight, shimmering, emerald-green muscle shirt. Justin laughed at the look of pure lust on Emmett's face and pulled Marc's head teasingly down to his, "Looking good, boyfriend."
Ted and John grabbed the drinks and maneuvered to a spot where they could watch the dancing. "Holy shit, John," Ted exclaimed as he caught sight of Marc moving sensually, larger than life and absolutely stunning.
"Tell me about it. Sometimes I wonder what he sees in me," John confessed. "Look at him. When you strip off the layers of civilization, the fancy clothes, he just becomes more - more gorgeous, more real. For most people, those layers hide the imperfections, he doesn't need any of it. For me, especially with my family, it's all about the layers."
"So what? You said you guys have been together a year, so he must want you." Ted smiled understandingly, "Let it go. Self-doubt is not attractive. Trust me, I know."
At that comment, the dancers arrived, ready for their drinks. Justin spoke up to be heard over the music. "I'm just going to take a quick look around, see what's changed. I'll be back soon."
Justin wandered through the club, greeting friends and acquaintances. As he moved into the back room, he caught sight of a familiar back, moving in time with a very fit redhead. "Hey, Todd, how's it going?"
Todd looked up from the wall he was braced on and gave an amiable smile. "Fine."
Justin left the back room and wandered the packed dance floor, looking for Brian, enjoying the Native American theme, turning down multiple offers. He finally spotted Brian off to the side of the dance floor, sharing a drink with their friends. Justin walked up and grabbed Brian from behind, pulling him in close. Brian turned and they started to move in time with the music.
"The place looks great, Brian and the crowds are even better," Justin yelled over the music. "I think every guy you've ever fucked is here."
Brian smirked, "Not a chance, Sunshine. Babylon couldn't hold them all."
Justin looked at his lover and decided to have some fun. "I've got news for you. You've been beat. You are not the guy on Liberty Avenue who has done the most tricks. If you ever were," Justin started teasing. There was a lot of mileage to be had out of this one.
Brian's offended look was priceless. "Who is it then?"
"Guess."
Emmett, overhearing the conversation, joined in. Tormenting Brian was, after all, one of life's great pleasures. "It's got to be Brandon. I hear he's been pretty busy lately."
"He couldn't beat me when he had a plan and a list," Brian retorted, arrogance personified. "I may have slowed down a bit, but no way has he sped up that much and you're counting totals. He's not even in the same fucking league."
John looked baffled at the turn the conversation had taken. "Why does it matter?"
"Exactly," Justin stared into Brian's eyes, going on with a mock serious tone. "That's what I've always wanted to know. Why does winning the fucking race matter?"
"It matters." Michael shook his head, laughing at Brian. "We might have history re-writing itself here."
"So, are you going to tell me who?" demanded Brian.
"Nope," Justin smirked. "You've got to guess, but I'll give you one clue. He's here, right now, in Babylon."
"You little shit." Brian started looking around the club, assessing. He mentally ran through the list of names in the VIP lounge. Lots of incredibly hot, very active men, but he couldn't think of one who had about thirty different tricks a month for years. He started looking around the club. "There is no one here who beats me."
Justin smirked. "I'll bet you five that when I say the name you'll agree, another five says you don't figure it out on your own."
Brian looked over at Justin, considering. "You're on."
"You guys only make five dollar bets? Isn't that a little cheap?" Emmett asked.
"Who says we're playing for money?" Brian pulled Justin in for a hard kiss.
Justin was laughing to himself when he spotted an incredibly hot guy standing alone on the side of the dance floor. "Brian, check it out," Justin muttered in his lover's ear, nudging him to look in the right direction.
"I've never seen him before, it can't be him." Brian's response was certain.
"That's not what I meant, but you answered my question." Justin didn't want to break the repeat fucks rule. "He looks hot." Justin tilted his head and gave Brian a challenging stare.
Brian looked at Justin, startled for a moment, then turned to look appraisingly at the newcomer across the floor. Justin had good taste. "You want to get him or should I?"
"I'll get him." Justin fell back easily into their hunt and fuck pattern.
"Wait, check that one out," Brian pointed out another gorgeous man maybe fifteen feet away from the first.
"Shit. Which one do you think?" Justin asked. "They're both hot."
With a wicked little smirk, Brian answered, "I know. Since this is the first time you've been back in the renovated Babylon, why don't we celebrate and get them both? Side-by-side fuck?" he offered brightly.
"Sounds good. I'll take right. Back room, loft or lounge?"
"Back room. I've got somebody I want to talk to when we're done." Brian started to move towards the left target, without another word to their friends.
"Later," Justin threw the word at the guys over his shoulder.
John watched in astonishment as they left. "Do they do this a lot?"
"Yes." Michael dryly stated.
John's amazement grew as both men rapidly acquired their targets and led them off to the back room. "Do they ever get turned down?"
"Not that I've ever seen," Emmett said lightly.
"Nope, don't think so," added Ted.
Michael contented himself with a simple shake of the head.
With a toss of his hair, Emmett turned to the rest, "Shall we keep on dancing?"
A short time later, in the back room of Babylon, Brian and Justin pounded the two men kneeling in front of them, synchronizing their movements with each other and the thumpa, thumpa beat that echoed throughout the club.
Periodically, they smiled at each other or leaned in to kiss.
When they were done, one of the two newcomers asked for a repeat. Brian looked over at Justin, smiled and said, "No thanks, pal, I've got something I've got to check out." With that, Brian continued to surprise by walking further into the back room.
When he found the man he was looking for, Brian leaned up against the wall where he'd be clearly visible. "Hey, Todd, how's it going?"
Todd smiled vaguely and said simply, "Fine."
Brian waited politely while the brown-haired, short man fucking Todd finished up. Then he continued, "Justin and I have a bet. He's telling me there's somebody here at Babylon who gets more tricks than me. I thought you might know who."
Todd leaned against the wall thinking for a moment, and then gave a negative shake of his head.
"It was worth a try. Thanks anyway." Brian, on spotting Justin being approached by several men, started walking toward him, but found his way blocked by a heavy-set man trying to get to Todd. The little dance they did to move past each other gave one of the men near Justin enough time to put his arms up to box Justin in, bracing himself on the wall on either side. Justin was laughing and shaking his head no as Brian came up and ruthlessly moved the other man out of the way. "Fuck off, pal." Brian grabbed Justin and started pulling him out of the back room.
They found their friends half way across the floor, underneath a platform where an Indian Chief danced in a breech cloth and feathered headdress. As Brian and Justin reached the group, Justin was laughing so hard he could hardly walk.
"What's his problem?" Michael wanted to know.
"Damned if I know. First he quotes Swift, 'There are none so blind as those who will not see,'then he comes down with this disease where he can no longer talk or breathe and can barely walk." Brian looked at his giggling lover with a curious cross of affection and intense irritation. "See if you can do something with him, Mikey. I can't."
"Why don't I give it a try?" Marc reached over and held one of Justin's shoulders in place with one hand while manipulating a few spots in his back with the other. Justin's head suddenly flew back as he drew in a huge breath. Then his face went slack, his shoulders dropped and the giggles were cut off. Justin simply stood there, looking like he was in shock.
"What the fuck did you do to him?!" Brian yelled, yanking Marc's hands off Justin and placing himself between the two.
Marc held his hands open in front of him and backed a few steps away.
"Brian, calm down." Michael put his hands on Brian's chest, holding him back.
"No." Brian's intense response caused Marc to back up another step. "What did you do?"
"Brian, I'm okay." Justin's voice came from behind him. He stepped out from behind Brian to stare incredulously at Marc. "That was amazing. What did you do?"
"Just a little trick I picked up from an Indian healer. It instantly releases all tension in the upper body."
"Why would a hockey player be hanging out with a healer?" Emmett asked in astonishment.
Marc tilted his head to one side with a half-smile. "Seventh son of a seventh son, remember? I'm supposed to have either mystical healing powers or be a warrior in the fight against evil. My mom keeps introducing me to all sorts of interesting people."
Brian pulled Justin in protectively, glaring at Marc.
Michael was watching the scene, ready to jump back in if needed. It was definitely time for a change of subject. "Okay, Justin, give." Michael demanded. "Who's had more guys than Brian?
Justin looked up at Brian, "Are you ready for me to talk? You could still win half the bet if you figure it out."
Although he kept staring at Marc, Brian relaxed. "It's a bet I can't lose, so go ahead."
"The man who does more tricks than you is," Justin paused melodramatically for effect. "Todd."
Michael, Emmett, Ted and Brian all looked as stunned as they would have if Debbie had turned conservative in front of them.
"Who's Todd?" Marc asked, confused.
"A bottom who hangs out in the back room of Babylon," Emmett supplied, his face pensive as he pondered the possibility. "I think Justin might be right. Todd does an amazing number of guys back there."
"I've seen him with three different men tonight," Justin stated, "and it's early."
Michael looked at Brian thoughtfully. "You know, Brian, he might have something."
Brian looked arrogantly at his friends. "There is no comparison here. Skill and finesse have to count more than just leaning against the wall and letting all available cocks in."
Justin put his hand on Brian's chest consolingly. "The bet was for quantity, not quality. I agree there's no comparison there. But for sheer numbers, he's got you beat."
"Does he live here?" wondered Emmett. "I've never seen him anywhere else. He's like, I don't know, always there."
Brian started to laugh, "No, but he's usually first here, last to leave and we never make him wait in line. He also gets platinum VIP, no door fees and all the drinks he wants on the house. A totally willing bottom is very good for the bottom line." Brian took on a look of mock horror. "Damn, I've aided and abetted his stealing of my title." Brian's amused face, combined with his arrogant poise showed all how little the comparison bothered him. "All right, Sunshine, you win. When do you want to collect?"
"How about right now, back at the loft?" Justin pulled him down and started to kiss him.
"Justin," Michael interrupted before they could leave. "Do you want to come over tomorrow and work on Rage?"
"Sure," replied Justin, clearly distracted by Brian. "Oh, shit, I can't. Lindsay asked if Brian and I could join her and take Gus out tomorrow for a treat. I guess the little guy's depressed because Mel and JR aren't around."
"What? Why didn't you tell me?" asked Brian.
"I meant to," Justin continued apologetically, "it's not a big deal. She's coming to get us at ten and said to bring our bathing suits. I guess we're taking Gus swimming." Justin then moved his lower body enticingly against Brian's, "In the meantime, I just won a bet." Brian felt himself begin to harden and started to pull Justin off the floor.
"Wait!" Ted's curiosity could no longer be contained. "We all want to know. What's a five if it isn't five bucks?"
Brian looked at Justin questioningly; Justin shrugged to indicate he didn't care if Brian told. "Four on demand blow jobs and one anything you want fuck."
John immediately leaned in to make suggestions for similar bets into Marc's ear.
Michael, Ted, and Emmett looked stunned at the thought of Justin completely in control of what was going to happen back at the loft and at the possibility of Brian being topped by the blond.
"Brian," yelled Ted, "you don't mean anything, do you?" His voice carried to the couple as they moved away.
"It's a bet, Theodore," Brian's response reached Ted over the noise.
Justin looked back at the surprised men with a huge smile as Brian continued.
"Of course it's for anything."
*A/N - If anybody wants to write how Justin collects on his bets, feel free. If you could start the title QAF NY and drop me a line when you publish - I'll enjoy reading it!
The same goes for writing any fillers or POV's on the story. All I ask is don't go ahead of me in time, I've got plans. Other than that, I'll do my best to integrate anything you write into my storyline.