Chapter 28 – Family Part 2

Justin, Lindsay, Brian and Gus rode in the back of the limousine Brian had hired for the evening. Gus appeared to have recovered his spirits, thanks to the game of road hockey with Marc. The three adults listened as he chattered about his new moves.

Brian shook his head in amazement, looking at Lindsay, "When did hockey become his sport?"

"Since he started school in Toronto. Half the kids showed up for the first day of school in hockey jerseys. They play road hockey in the parks and trade hockey cards incessantly," she said with a smile. "I think it's a Canadian thing."

Justin laughed, "It's a good thing we have a friend who's a pro hockey player then."

"Why were you pretending to date him?" Lindsay asked curiously. At Justin's surprised look, she explained, "Debbie told me all about it when we visited last week."

"He needed to make a point to John, his boyfriend." Justin just shook his head, "Things got away from him. I imagine any point he was trying to make got lost in the announcement that Chris Hobbs was arrested for the bombing."

"How are you feeling about that?" Lindsay asked softly.

"Better than I was when I first heard. Once I got over the shock, I decided to go with the simplest explanation. Hobbs is insane and it's not my fault."

"Forget fucking Hobbs. Why didn't you wait to meet these new family members?" Brian demanded.

Lindsay and Justin shared a glance that said worlds about their need to protect Brian from homophobic relatives. Justin simply smiled at Brian, "Em and I were curious and you were in Pittsburgh. We went to check them out. It's no big deal. I think you'll like them."

"We'll see."

Justin grinned at his partner's typical non-committal response as the limo pulled up to the townhouse. Knowing that Brian was still recovering from the shock of seeing him on the floor, Justin worked to give him a few minutes alone. "Why don't you take your suitcase up to my room? I can help Lindsay get Gus a snack to tide him over until dinner."

When the driver opened the trunk of the car, Brian grabbed his suitcase and, following orders, headed upstairs. Lindsay, Gus and Justin headed towards the house when Lindsay paused to say, "Justin, why don't you go talk to Brian? Gus and I want to stretch our legs for a bit. We'll join you in a minute."

Justin nodded, grateful for the time. "See you in a minute, Gus."

"Justin," Lindsay called out to Justin as he moved toward the house. "Don't be too long. Maybe fifteen minutes?" At Justin's laughing nod, Lindsay and Gus headed back to the car to get a small toy bag.

Justin walked into his bedroom just in time to see Brian lean back and rub his neck. "Here, why don't you let me help with that?" Justin led Brian over to sit on the bed and knelt behind him, gently kneading the tension away. "Reliving the prom – just how you wanted to spend the afternoon."

Brian's eyes closed briefly as he leaned back into Justin. "How's your headache?"

"It cleared up when you kissed me."

Brian smiled slightly, "Happy to help. Where are Lindsay and Gus?"

"Playing outside for fifteen minutes."

As Justin felt some of the tension leave Brian's shoulders, he slid around to sit on Brian's lap on the bed facing him. Watching Brian's expression change to one of wariness, Justin chuckled softly. Brian definitely did not want to talk about the prom. He'd have to get this over with as painlessly as possible. Ignoring it wasn't an option.

"It seems surreal. A moment so implausible that I can't tell fact from fiction," Justin said. "I still can't believe you said I love you that night. It was a little out of character."

"A little?" Brian gave a short laugh. "I still can't believe I said it – that the words came out of my mouth. The whole day seemed unreal to me, too. It was so fucking strange."

"How so?"

Brian shifted restlessly. "Let me up." Justin obligingly stood, giving Brian the space he needed to keep talking. Brian got up and looked out of the bedroom window at Gus playing for a moment before continuing. "I wasn't going to go to the prom. Lindsay tried to talk me into going after that little episode where you guys gave me a coffin for my birthday."

"It beat what you gave me for my birthday that year." Brian shot him a sardonic glance, making Justin laugh. "So Lindsay talked you into going?"

"No, Lindsay talked me into trying scarfing. She was so eloquent discussing the wonders of aging I decided to die young."

Justin pulled up in shock. "You're joking, right." At Brian's negative shake of the head, Justin exploded, "Christ, Brian, do you know how dangerous that is?"

"Like I said, it was a strange day."

"Do you still do it?" At Brian's blank look, Justin became angry. "Brian, answer the fucking question – are you still trying scarfing for fun?"

"No. It was a one-shot deal." Brian couldn't meet Justin's eyes. "Mikey saved me, called me pathetic. I decided he was right. Nothing like almost dying to cure you of wanting to die."

"You wanted to die?"

"I don't know what the fuck I wanted. I was thirty, my friends gave me a coffin, I didn't get the New York job, Mikey was leaving, Lindsay was talking about getting old like it was a good thing and then there was you."

"What about me?"

"You dazzled, Justin." Brian turned from the window, looking into Justin's eyes across the room. "You were so willing to take chances, to stand up for what you believed. At eighteen, I could already see the man you were becoming - the man you are now. I could tell you were going to be fucking amazing." He sighed deeply, turning back to the window. "I decided to make one goddamned thing on my birthday go right, so I went to your prom."

Justin walked to where Brian stood, clearing his throat softly to shake away the tears that had gathered. "You did make it go right. It was amazing."

Brian looked out the window, eyes glistening with unshed tears, "It got away from me. I wanted to be romantic – just once, and I got carried away. I said the words." Brian's eyes closed to shield him from the emotions. "It was perfect and then, suddenly, it wasn't… and there as blood and sirens and…"

Justin simply walked up and hugged Brian to reassure him, letting his touch remind the older man that they had survived. Brian's arms pulled Justin in tightly, his head buried in the blond hair. "I'm here. We're here," Justin murmured.

Justin knew Brian couldn't take much more, so he smiled softly and pulled back to tackle the last topic needed to finish the conversation. "So are we over the whole saying I love you will get Justin killed phobia?"

Brian's face shut down as he attempted to avoid the subject, "What the fuck are you talking about?"

"The first time you said it, I got bashed in the head. It took a bomb going off to get you to say it again. At least I finally understand why it's so hard for you to say." Justin started laughing, "I guess the fact that you've said it twice since without tragedy means that we're over that, right?"

Brian stared for a moment then gave a slight nod, not admitting anything out loud about irrational fears. "It still isn't easy to say."

"That's okay, I hear it even when you don't say it out loud." At Brian's snort of laughter, Justin grinned. Brian leaned over and started to kiss Justin when Justin suddenly pulled back with a smile. "Can we let go of all the worries about the prom now?"

"Now what are you talking about?" Brian's exasperated glare widened Justin's grin.

"Can we start ballroom dancing again?" Justin asked. "We were so good at it, and I miss dancing around the loft with you."

"If you want," Brian gave a light shrug, pretending indifference before smirking slightly. "We were good, weren't we?"

"We were amazing." Justin started laughing, "I can't wait until all the guys see that video. Michael is going to want to know how we learned to dance like that."

"Mikey can just wonder," Brian smirked and pulled Justin into a dance, spinning Justin around before falling back on the bed and pulling Justin with him.

"We've only got ten minutes," Justin warned, laughing, feeling Brian's hard-on as he lay on top of him.

Brian rolled over, pinning Justin to the bed. "Plenty of time for what I have in mind." Brian leaned in, devouring Justin's mouth before suddenly yanking Justin's pants down. Opening his own quickly, he reached into the pocket.

Justin looked up to see Brian pull out lube and condom. "Just like a boy scout, always prepared."

Brian looked down, saluted him with three lube covered fingers. "It's a good motto. Prepare yourself to be prepared," he smiled at the look of pleasure on Justin's face as he went to work with the lube, his other hand stroking Justin.

"Brian," Justin gasped, "fuck me now."

"Whatever you want." Brian went in fast and hard, pumping rhythmically to the sound of Justin's gasps of delight, losing the pain of the day in pleasure. Within minutes, Brian threw back his head, giving a small scream of pleasure as he felt Justin clench around him, coming within moments of each other.

"Jesus, Brian," Justin gasped as Brian collapsed on top of him. "I think we just set a speed record."

"Told you we had plenty of time," Brian breathed heavily as he recovered. "I missed you."

"I noticed," came the laughing response from below him.

After fifteen minutes spent throwing a ball around, Gus pleaded exhaustion and held up his arms. Lindsay smiled slightly, threw the bag over her shoulder, picked up the growing boy and headed into the house, following the voices to the living room. As she entered, she saw Brian speaking to a red-haired woman, most likely Ari – Justin's roommate. Emmett came dancing out of the kitchen, "Emmett, it's good to see you." Emmett immediately rushed over for a hug. Lindsay held up a hand to stop him. "Wait, Em. Where's the bathroom?"

Emmett gestured dramatically with his hands as he moved back to the kitchen, "Just follow me, Linds."

"Here, Brian, take Gus." Lindsay handed Gus over. Gus promptly snuggled into his usual spot, burying his face in the neck of the adult holding him.

"Wait, I'm not –"

"Can't wait. I'll be right back." She hurried into the kitchen. "Emmett, could you fix Gus a snack?" she asked as she moved past him.

"No problem, sweetie. I love feeding the little guy."

Gus suddenly noticed that something didn't feel right. He raised his head to look into vibrant green eyes. "Who are you? You're not my dad."

"No, I'm not, lad. My name's Aiden, I'm your Da's cousin. Your cousin, too. You'd be Gus, right?"

At Gus' nod, Aiden gave an easy laugh that sounded nothing Brian's.

"You look like Dad."

"So do you."

Gus thought about that for a moment before giving a wiggle. Aiden set him down and grinned when Gus held out a hand to shake. "Pleased to meet you, sir."

Aiden solemnly shook Gus' hand. "Just call me Aiden, Gus." He nodded off to the side, "That's your cousin, Aileen. She has a couple of kids your age for you to play with." Gus looked into the woman's kind eyes as she smiled hello.

Gus started to hold his hand out when she interjected, "I prefer hugs." Gus stared at her for moment, considering. He suddenly nodded, walked over and gave her the requested hug before moving over the couch to stare at Aiden.

"Why do you talk funny?" Gus asked.

"Well, we're originally from -", Aiden broke off as a couple entered the front of the house, arguing.

"Eric, why are you doing this?" Ari's voice carried through to the living room. "Brian is Justin's."

"I haven't been able to focus on my thesis since Justin told me about the deal they made."

"I know about that. I was there, remember. It doesn't mean you have to-"

"Yes, it does," Eric cut her off. "Until that kiss is over with, I won't be able to concentrate. They're only here one night. I can't wait until Brian's back again. I have to finish my thesis, so I can start my new job. I need to redesign that engine."

As they rounded the corner into the living room, Eric caught sight of Aiden, "Good. You're here." Eric strode across the room to stand immediately before Aiden. "Let's get this over with."

Aiden stared in shock at the beautiful young man in front of him, looking into the determined amber eyes. "I'd be happy to help you with anything you want."

"Excellent." Eric reached out and pulled Aiden in for a light kiss. Aiden immediately wrapped his arms around Eric, pulling him in and deepening the kiss.

"Sweet Jesus," Aileen muttered. "Here we go again."

"Okay, that's enough," Ari reached over, pulled Eric out of Aiden's embrace, putting herself between them. She reached out and put a hand on Aiden's chest to hold him back as he started to follow Eric, who was standing, stunned, staring at Aiden. Ari's breath caught as she felt the rippled muscles under Aiden's shirt.

"Well, now. Jealous, are you?" Aiden teased with a smile, sensing her interest. "Did you want to keep me yourself?"

Ari shook her head to clear it, holding one hand on each man's chest. "You egotistical jerk. Why would you think this was about you?"

"Good for you," Aileen cheered softly.

"It usually is. Besides, he kissed me," Aiden responded, tongue in cheek, as Aileen rolled her eyes at his response.

"Only because of that stupid deal!" Ari announced, frustrated. "Listen. You may be drop-dead gorgeous, but that doesn't mean you get to go around kissing any guy you want. No matter what deal you and Justin made. Hands off Eric!"

"You Eric?" At Eric's nod, Aiden smirked, "Pleased to meet you, Eric."

"Huh?"

Aiden flashed a sympathetic grin before he glanced back at Ari. "Whether we keep kissing will up to Eric, not you." He quirked a brow upwards, "Drop-dead gorgeous, huh?"

Ari let out a small scream of frustration.

Aiden stared into the hauntingly beautiful face in front of him, considering his options. "What about kissing any girl I want?"

"What?" Ari demanded, flabbergasted.

"You know, love. It seems I'm damned if I do and damned if I don't here," Aiden started to grin. "So I might as well be damned for doing." Staring into Ari's eyes, Aiden slowly lowered his head and began kissing her.

"Hey!" yelled Eric, coming out of the trance caused by Aiden's kiss. "What the hell? You're gay! Hands off Ari!"

Lindsay came around corner of the kitchen, stopping in shock at the sight of Aiden kissing Ari. "Brian! What are you doing?"

Justin and Brian turned into the living room. "What the fuck?" Brian asked.

As Aiden lifted his head, Ari stared in wonder, reaching her hand up to her lips. "Did you like that, love?" Aiden asked smugly. Ari's face immediately hardened, her hand pulling back into a small fist as she punched Aiden in the stomach. Aiden doubled over, gasping for breath, laughing. Eric reached out, grabbed Ari and pulled her back before she could swing again.

Emmett cheered Ari on from where he stood behind a stunned Lindsay, "You go girl."

Aileen groaned out load, "Tomcat Kinney's. Can't live with 'em and it's just too bloody interesting to live without 'em."

"Hey, Daddy," Gus jumped up and ran through the room to his father, excited at his news. As Brian picked him up, he made his announcement, "That's our new cousins." The little boy smiled brightly at the stunned adults as he continued, "Aileen likes to hug. Aiden likes to kiss."

Brian stared in shock at his cousins. He looked over at Justin who was fighting off laughter, eyes tearing. "I don't know how, but somehow I know this farce is all your fault."

Justin lost it, howling with laughter as he collapsed against the wall, sliding down it helplessly.

Aiden managed to straighten up slightly, offering Brian a quirky grin, "Hello, Brian. It's good to meet you."

Brian looked into a face enough like his own it felt like gazing in a mirror. "Fuck."

Ari and Eric froze, staring in silence from Brian to Aiden. Eric gently set Ari down before speaking. "There's two of you." Eric spent a long minute looking from Justin to Ari to Brian to Aiden before moaning, "God help me. I'm never going to redesign that engine."