Parallel Universes Collide

“Taylor?”

“Kinney.”

“Well, fuck me, it is you,” Brian laughed.

“Yeah, it’s me. You look … good.”

“You’re not looking so bad yourself.”

The two men stared at each other. They were on Fifth Avenue in New York City almost in front of FAO Schwartz.

“How long has it been?” Brian asked.

“Must be over three years,” Justin estimated.

“You know what they say … time flies.”

“Do I take that to mean that you’ve been having fun?” Justin asked with a quizzical look.

“Enough,” Brian replied with a wry smile.

“I thought you said there was never enough,” Justin threw back at him.

“Times change.”

Justin frowned as he studied the man who stood in front of him. He had thought he would never see Brian Kinney again. Since he had come to New York almost three years ago to follow his career in the art world, Brian had not returned any of his calls or emails. They had not had any contact since. Brian was never home when Justin had tried to pin him down at the loft, on the rare occasions he had returned to Pittsburgh. So, eventually, Justin had given up, deciding that Brian Kinney had exorcised him from his life. They had never seen each other in the three years in between. Justin knew he would like some answers to the question of why Brian never responded to any of his attempts to contact him, but he wasn’t sure how to get into it with Brian now that he was finally face to face with the man.

Brian studied Justin in return. Justin looked as beautiful as always, but a little older, maybe a little wiser. How could you live in New York City for three years without becoming more worldly wise? Brian wondered if his former lover had a new lover. Maybe he was in a long term relationship. That was what Justin had always wanted … until the opportunity to go to New York had come along. Brian couldn’t blame him for taking that opportunity. Brian would have jumped at the chance to go to New York if the occasion had ever arisen, but he had never really gotten that chance.

“Earth to Brian,” Justin chuckled.

“Earth to Taylor,” Brian shot back hating to get caught wallowing in his memories.

“Sorry, zoned out for a moment.”

“Guess I did too.”

“Where were you going?” Justin asked wondering what Brian was doing on Fifth Avenue in New York.

“FAO Schwartz.”

“Really? I don’t think they carry sex toys.” Justin saw Brian wince although he quickly covered it up.

“A present for Gus,” Brian replied. “What are you doing here?”

“I just came from a meeting,” Justin began. He paused for a moment before asking, “Would you like to grab a coffee and catch up?” He hoped he might get some of the answers he wanted.

Brian looked like he was about to refuse. That hurt Justin but he tried not to let it show. Justin was about to turn and walk away, when Brian said, “Okay.”

“There’s a Starbucks down the street,” Justin suggested.

“Isn’t there always,” Brian noted sarcastically. He started heading in that direction, as Justin fell into step with him. Neither said anything as they ordered their lattes and found a seat. Each was studying the other.

Once he had his coffee doctored, Justin decided to open the conversation. “I hear Kinnetik is doing well.”

Brian nodded. “I hear your latest show is a success.”

Justin nodded. “Gus and the girls all well?”

Brian nodded. “Your mother and Molly?”

Justin nodded. “Looks like we’re both doing great.”

“Just peachy.”

Justin remembered that when Brian said “peachy” it was usually a sarcastic response that meant exactly the opposite of the usual meaning of the word. He wondered what was really going on with Brian Kinney. Justin decided to find out. He no longer had any need to pussyfoot around topics that might upset Brian.

“So, why didn’t you return any of my calls or emails?”

“What emails?”

“Don’t fucking bullshit me, Kinney! You know exactly what emails.”

Brian sighed. “I didn’t see any point in answering them. You were in New York and I was in Pittsburgh…” Brian left the rest of that statement hanging.

“And never shall the two universes meet.”

“Something like that.”

“You’re so fucking full of shit. Why do you think I sent you those emails and tried to call so many times? I … I fucking needed you.” Justin gulped as he realized what he had just revealed.

“No you didn’t,” Brian contradicted. “Just look at you. Everything turned out fine.”

“That shows you what the fuck you know!” Justin said pushing back his chair and standing up abruptly. He plastered a fake smile on his face. “Great to see you again, Brian. Have a nice life.” He turned on his heel and marched out of Starbucks. He was halfway down the block when a hand grabbed his arm.

“Wait, you twat!” Brian said, but his voice was gentle.

“Leave me the fuck alone. I wish I had never run into you,” Justin said trying to make his voice sound normal when all he wanted to do was scream and cry and lash out at this infuriating man.

“Justin, what did you mean you needed me?” Brian asked staring into the cloudy, blue eyes.

“I meant exactly what I said,” Justin retorted. “Now let me go.” Brian’s grip on his arm grew tighter instead of releasing him.

“No, you’re coming with me,” Brian said as he hailed a cab. He shoved Justin inside as soon as one drew up. Justin didn’t resist. He merely sighed with resignation and sat as far away from Brian as he could.

When they arrived at the hotel, Brian half pulled Justin out of the cab. They walked through the lobby, Justin firmly held by the upper arm, as Brian propelled him along.

“Brian, this is a stupid idea. Just let me go.”

“Shut up. We’re going to talk about this in private.”

The elevator brought them to the fourteenth floor. The doors opened and Brian walked down the hall, his hand still firmly holding onto Justin.

“I’m not going to bolt,” Justin said. “You can let go of me.”

“I think I’ll just hold onto you until we’re in the room.”

“Why couldn’t you have held onto me before?”

Brian stared at Justin when he heard that comment, the accusation clear in Justin’s words and tone. Brian almost walked past his room as he was trying to figure out what Justin meant. Stopping abruptly, he unlocked the door to his room and held it open for Justin to enter.

“I guess you’re doing okay for yourself,” Justin surmised out loud. “Nice room.”

“Almost as nice as the one you had that time you stole my credit card and ran away to this same city.”

Justin laughed out loud. “I’d almost forgotten about that.”

“I haven’t.”

“Brian, obviously you don’t want to spend time with me, so just let me go.”

“I didn’t bring you here to turn you loose now.”

“What do you want?”

“An explanation.”

Justin gave a snort worthy of Brian Kinney. “You won’t give me a straight answer when I ask a question so why should I do that for you?”

“All right,” Brian said considering his options, “I’ll answer your questions if you answer mine.”

“Okay, I’ll go first.” Brian raised an eyebrow but didn’t contradict what Justin had said. “Why didn’t you answer my calls and emails? And I don’t want any of that shit about us being in different cities. That was the reason I was fucking calling you.”

Brian drew in a breath and steeled himself for the truth. “I thought it was best if we cut the ties … clean and neat.”

“Clean and neat,” Justin repeated. “That’s what you thought?” Brian nodded. Justin shook his head. “Which one of your fucked up friends told you to do that?” Brian looked surprised. “I’m right, aren’t I? And I bet it was Lindsay?” Justin guessed. Brian truly was shocked that Justin had figured that out. “What did she tell you – that it would be better for my career if you left me alone and let me concentrate on my art? Wouldn’t want you to be a distraction to my creative process.”

“Something like that,” Brian said in almost a whisper. He was amazed that Justin had pieced that all together.

“Wish I had realized that was what she was doing back then,” Justin sighed. “Here I was thinking that you had decided to move on and didn’t want to talk to me anymore.”

“Justin…”

“Don’t bother trying to defend your actions. I know about your grand gestures, and there’s only one problem with them.”

“What’s that?”

“You never take into consideration what the person for whom you’re making the gesture might want. Sometimes you are so far off the mark, it’s unbelievable.”

Brian shrugged. “I thought it was best.”

“You let Lindsay convince you that it was for the best. I don’t believe that you thought it was best. I loved you and I thought you loved me, or was I wrong about that too?”

Brian sucked in his lips for a moment before saying, “I loved you.”

“Then you should have known better than to listen to Lindsay.”

Brian shook his head. “It’s too late.”

“It’s never too late, but I guess it’s over, has been for three years. I don’t see any point in dragging this out further. I’ll get out of your way.”

“Hold on! You owe me an answer.”

“To what?” Justin demanded.

“You said you needed me. What did you mean by that?”

“What does it usually mean when you say you need someone?” Brian shrugged, as Justin shook his head. He had said he would answer, so he supposed he should be honest. It didn’t matter now anyway. “I was miserable here. I was lonely and … alone. I did nothing but paint and sleep. I … I missed you so much,” Justin whispered trying to keep his voice from cracking. He was only mildly successful in trying to do that.

“You did?” Brian asked with a hopeful look on his face.

“Of course I did, you idiot. I just said that I loved you.”

“But… I … I saw your mother a few times in passing and she always said you were doing very well.”

“That’s what I told her. I didn’t want to worry her.”

“Fuck! I thought you were doing great and … didn’t need me or … want me anymore.”

“You told me to go,” Justin accused.

“Yes, I did.”

“So, don’t blame this all on me.”

“I’m not blaming anything on you. What the fuck’s the point of blame? I … I missed you too,” Brian admitted.

“You did?” Justin asked with his own hopeful little smile.

“Of course, I did. We were going to get married.”

“I seem to remember that,” Justin smiled. “If only you’d taken my calls.”

“I thought it was best not too.”

“If you fucking say that one more time, I’m going to rip your balls off, excuse me, make that ball.”

Brian snorted. “I see you haven’t forgotten that little factoid.”

“It isn’t a factoid, Brian. I was scared shitless about what might happen to you when you had cancer. That’s another time when you decided all by yourself that you should keep the whole family out of the loop, me included.”

“I guess I made some rather inconsiderate decisions back then,” Brian said tongue in cheek, but sincerity in his tone.

“You can say that again.”

“I don’t think I will, but I guess I’m sorry.”

“What happened to no apologies, no regrets?”

“Gone the way of the dodo bird.”

“Speaking of which, how are Emmett and Ted and Ben and Michael?”

“All dodos doing fine.”

“That’s good,” Justin laughed.

“Justin…”

“I should be going now that we’ve got this all out in the open,” Justin said quickly.

“Are you seeing someone?” Brian asked softly as Justin turned towards the door.

Justin turned back to look at Brian. “No. You?”

Brian shook his head. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too.”

“Justin…”

“Oh, for fuck sake, Brian. Let’s stop talking.”

“But of course,” Brian replied as he advanced towards Justin. His lips found Justin’s and the heat generated from the lengthy and passionate kiss had its effects on both their bodies. “Wanna fuck?” Brian whispered breathlessly when he broke the kiss. His hands were tangled in Justin’s long hair and he held them there so he could look deep into the blue eyes he knew so well.

“Ever the romantic,” Justin laughed as he nodded his head yes.

“You know I’m ridiculously romantic,” Brian whispered in Justin’s ear.

Justin felt his heart soar at those words. He knew their significance to Brian, even if Justin still didn’t remember everything from that night of his high school prom. It had been another of Brian’s grand gestures to appear at the prom. Another one that had gone very awry, but this wasn’t the time to think about that, as Brian was peeling away his clothes.

“Brian,” Justin whispered as he felt Brian’s fingers slide into his underwear. “God, Brian, it’s been so long.”

“Too fucking long.”

The fingers wrapped around Justin’s hard cock and gave it a little tug. The sensation took Justin’s breath away.

“I’m going to come,” Justin gasped.

“Still can’t control yourself any better than when you were that horny teenager that I first brought home,” Brian smirked.

“Asshole,” Justin said willing his cock to control itself. His fingers unzipped Brian’s pants and found their target. His hand wrapped around Brian’s dick and slid up and down a few times. Brian groaned mightily and reached down to stop Justin’s hand from moving. “Now who can’t control himself any better than that horny teenager you brought home so long ago?” Justin smirked.

Brian raised an eyebrow and looked into Justin’s eyes. “Didn’t you used to be Justin Taylor?” he cracked.

“Still am, only I’m new and improved.”

“Just like one of my ads.”

“You going to do something or are we going to stand here holding onto each other’s dicks?”

“I’m trying to remember what I should do next, but I’m afraid the Oldtimers is kicking in.”

“You’ll never be old,” Justin whispered. “You’ll always be young and beautiful.”

That earned Justin another blistering kiss. Brian walked Justin towards the bed peeling off more clothes as they went. When he shoved Justin back onto the bed, they were both naked except for their pants which were jammed around their ankles. Brian kicked off his and yanked Justin’s off, throwing them aside. He placed a knee on each side of Justin and leaned down for a kiss.

“I think my memory is returning,” Brian grinned.

“Good thing it is or I might have to take matters into my own hands,” Justin replied.

“Think you can do that?”

“I know I can,” Justin bragged.

“You’ll have to show me later,” Brian said as he ripped open the condom he had retrieved from his pants pocket when they first entered his room. He handed the condom to Justin and whispered, “Put it on me.”

Justin chuckled. “Still trying to relive your past?”

“Some things from my past are worth a second chance.”

Justin stared into Brian’s eyes unsure what that statement meant. Was Brian offering him, them, a second chance? Justin looked away from Brian’s eyes and down to Brian’s beautiful cock. He slid the condom along Brian’s length trying to keep his hand from trembling. “Go easy,” he whispered, “it’s been a while.”

Brian raised a brow, but didn’t say anything. He hoisted Justin’s legs onto his shoulders. He positioned his cock and started to ease his way in. Justin grimaced and gasped. Christ, he was so tight. Maybe he hadn’t been fucking anybody, Brian surmised. He continued to press in, stopping to allow Justin to adjust when the man seemed in too much pain. Finally he was fully imbedded and he leaned in to kiss Justin’s swollen lips.

“Feels like old times,” Brian said softly.

“Yeah.”

“I … missed you … a lot.”

“Me too.”

Brian started to thrust and Justin let the sensations that Brian always created ripple through his body. Soon he was panting and thrusting himself, as he met Brian’s forceful movements with equal ones of his one. His legs slid off Brian’s shoulders and he wrapped them around Brian’s back. He held on as this ride they had both needed and wanted for so many months spiraled its way towards a shattering climax.

Brian felt every cell in his body come alive. His synapses crackled and snapped, his heart pounded, his nerves vibrated. His whole body burned and radiated. He hadn’t felt like this since … the last time he had fucked Justin Taylor. It had been the last time they had been together … until today. His orgasm built, breath becoming more labored, muscles tensing, neurons firing. He gave a final thrust feeling Justin gasp and shoot, and then the world exploded around him and he was falling, falling into a darkness so full of heat and light and warmth and beauty and love. He slid down onto Justin feeling the familiar arms close around him and hold on. This was where he wanted to be … always and forever.

“Brian.” He felt Justin tap his arm.

“Yeah,” he responded coming back to some semblance of himself.

“You okay?”

“Yeah. You?”

“Fine, good, great. That was beyond what I expected.”

Brian pushed himself up on his elbows. “What were you expecting?” he asked looking into Justin’s eyes.

“I … I don’t know … exactly. I thought maybe I wouldn’t feel anything. I was … mad at you.”

“No shit!”

“No shit,” Justin averred. “But it didn’t turn out to be nothing,” he added.

“For me either,” Brian admitted.

“What are we going to do about it?”

“Let’s fuck again and see what happens,” Brian suggested.

“Okay.”

So they did, and it was better than the first time if that was possible. When they were done and somewhat recovered, Brian scooted them up the bed so he could pull the covers down. He propped up the pillows and leaned back covering their lower bodies with the sheet.

“What are we going to do?” Brian asked turning his head to study Justin.

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to be apart from you,” Justin whispered, hating to admit that, especially if Brian didn’t agree. However, he knew he had to say it before they were separated once again. He knew that was not what he wanted.

“I want to do this every day all day.”

“I don’t think that’s physically possible,” Justin chuckled.

“We could try.”

“Yes, we could.”

“Is … is there any way that you could come back to Pittsburgh?” Brian asked, holding his breath till he got a reply.

“Actually that’s where I was coming from when I ran into you. I was meeting with my agent. I have decided not to stay in New York. My agent can book shows and look after my interests here, but I don’t have to live in New York.”

“So, where were you going to go?”

“I hadn’t decided. I planned to go to Pittsburgh and stay with Mom for a while until I made those decisions. I told you I was lonely here.”

“Yeah, you did.”

“So, that’s my plan as far as it goes.”

“How would you like to come to Britin? There’s plenty of room there … and you could have a studio.”

“You still have Britin?” Justin asked with a smile.

“I held onto it … for some reason,” Brian smirked. “You never know…”

“When I might come back,” Justin grinned.

“I guess I couldn’t stop hoping that you might.”

“You are so sweet.”

Brian made a face. “I’m a fucking sap.”

“A lovable sap,” Justin replied wrapping his arms around Brian’s chest and snuggling against him. “I want to come home, Brian … to Britin.”

“Good, because I want you there.”

“I want to be with you.”

“Then it’s a done deal,” Brian said kissing the top of Justin’s head.

Justin smiled so wide and bold that he thought his face might split open. “Let’s fuck,” he said. “We still have a lot of the day left to fill.”

“Yeah,” Brian smiled. He kissed Justin’s lips softly, caressing them with his own lips and tongue. “I love you.”

“I love you too, and don’t you ever push me away again.”

“I’ll try not to.”

“Don’t try! Just don’t do it!”

“Certainly, your majesty.”

“Oh, and I want food after we fuck three or four more times,” Justin declared.

“Goes without saying,” Brian smirked nipping along Justin’s jaw.

“Good.”

“Very good,” Brian grinned as he rolled over onto his once and only love.
 

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