Epilogue - Page 4
DeAnna Zankich
Sequel to | Down All the Years, Down All the Days
Summary: This story takes place three months ahead in my "Tenant" time line and after ep. 122 in the US series timeline. Basically, this takes place somewhere around the end of August.
Warnings: None
Author Notes: THIS STORY IS SET IN NEW YORK CITY BUT CONTAINS NO DISASTER CONTENT.
Spoilers: None
Cocktails had continued long after dinner and by the time he and Justin went up to bed, they were both pretty well lit. He'd been feeling the sunburn on his back getting hotter as the night wore on and he turned around in the bathroom mirror to inspect the damage.
"I brought the aloe lotion up," Justin said, leaning in the doorway. He glanced at the reflection of Brian's back. "Yikes," he said. "You are SO gonna peel."
"Oh, well. It was for a good cause." Brian unbuttoned his jeans and stepped out of them, tossing them back into the bedroom. He slid the shower door open and turned on the water.
"Don't make it too hot," the younger man said. "It'll irritate the burn."
Turning back, Brian said "get in with me?"
"Like you have to ask." Justin set the lotion on the toilet tank lid and took off his sweats and t-shirt, pitching them out into the bedroom alongside Brian's jeans.
Brian watched him undress with a reverent smile, reaching for the boy's lean waist as soon as it was bare. He ran his thumbs over the firm V in Justin's lower abs, then pulled him in for a kiss. They were both relaxed from the booze and large servings of Richard's delectable pasta, so the kiss was slow and caressing. Brian pressed their bodies together, sighing into Justin's ever-present warmth.
"I really had fun on the roof today," Justin murmured. "I love the idea of people watching us together."
Brian snickered. "You ARE a little exhibitionist, aren't you?"
"I think I'm just proud of you," Justin said. "I like people seeing me with you, Brian. You're so . . ."
"I know," he said, grinning. "I'm fucking fabulous. I'm a trophy boy."
Justin just gazed at him sweetly. "Well, you are."
Taking the boy's hand, Brian led him into the shower and slid the door closed. He had to adjust the temperature a bit because it was a little too hot for his sunburn, but as soon as Justin started gently bathing his back with his bare hands, Brian forgot about the discomfort. The sunburn was sensitive and every time Justin's smooth, soapy fingers slid over the tender surface Brian shivered from the delicious mixture of pleasure and pain.
"Mmm . . . do that a little harder . . ." he whispered as the water thrummed on his chest.
Justin curled his fingers slightly and used the pressure of his fingertips to softly rake Brian's long back. "That doesn't hurt?"
"It does . . . but . . . in a good way . . ." Brian sighed. "Do it again . . ." He closed his eyes and moaned softly as his young lover alternated between gently scratching his sun burnt back, then stroking it with his soapy hands.
"You've got freckles from the sun," Justin whispered. "They're cute." He kissed Brian's neck just below his hairline. "But you are totally gonna peel. In big, snaky sheets. Your skin is sooo red."
Brian leaned forward and braced himself on the shower wall with both his hands. He spread his legs to lower his height and then pressed his backside into Justin's hips. The shower water ran down over his chest and warmed his genitals and thighs. The combined sensation made him sigh and he felt Justin's thick cock begin to swell against the back of his left leg.
"Do you want me to fuck you?" the boy purred.
Brian hadn't really been thinking of that, but as soon as Justin made the suggestion it became the best idea he'd heard all week. The few times he'd had Justin fuck him had been very enjoyable. The kid had a long, almost lazy stride and he seemed to know just how to tease all the yummy spots inside.
"I . . . would love that, actually," he said, grinning over his shoulder.
Justin gave him a sexy smile. "Stay here, I'll be right back." He leaned forward and rinsed the soap off his hands in the shower stream, then he got out and went to the bedroom.
Brian washed his hair while he waited and let the warm water heat his skin everywhere else. When Justin came back he resumed his position behind Brian and put the lube and condom up on the ledge of the shower.
"Can you tilt the showerhead so it doesn't spray down your back?"
Brian did so, adjusting the direction of the spray to run down his chest but not over his shoulders. He braced himself with his hands on the wall again and lifted his hips back to give Justin easy access. Taking a deep breath, he closed his eyes and waited for the teasing preparation to begin.
Justin's lube-slicked fingers went right to the source, circling Brian's hole for a few delicious, maddening seconds and then sliding up inside. He rubbed gently, stretching the willing orifice with urgent, lustful intent. Brian groaned appreciatively.
He kept his eyes closed and heard the rustle of the condom wrapper over the patter of the shower. Justin was wasting no time. Sometimes for Brian it was more delectable not to be starving for the fuck from a long session of foreplay. If he was a little bit too tight, the stretch was even more erotic.
The head of Justin's hard cock pressed Brian's opening and then the boy's hand stroked his lower back soothingly.
"Relax," he said. "I'm comin' in . . ."
Brian smiled and then took in a deep breath as he was all but impaled on his young lover's ample cock. He groaned and pushed back into the penetration, tingling everywhere from the delightful stretch.
Justin waited until he was all the way in then he reached for the soap and lathered his hands again. Slowly, he got Brian's back sudsy with soft strokes of his bare hands and then he gently scratched the sun burnt parts again.
Brian bit his lip and shivered, his cock seeming to double in size all at once. He sighed and moaned as Justin began fucking him, the smooth movements agonizingly slow. He was careful not to slip out because his hands were soapy so he kept his strokes short and deep. Brian could feel the blonde's pulse in his cock and he squeezed him once to make him yelp. They both giggled and then Brian let his eager lover lead again.
The combination of the painfully delicious scratching on his sunburn and the deep, penetrating fuck had him ravenous in no time. He felt like he was having every possible itch scratched at once. Brian grabbed Justin's right hand and brought it around to his cock, silently demanding to be stroked. Justin's soapy fingers encircled Brian's erection and began a soft, rhythmic tugging while his left hand continued to lovingly graze Brian's sun burnt back.
He heard himself murmuring as his body heated up from the gathering orgasm. He had a thousand dirty little thoughts all at once and he trembled from Justin's relentless grip. His skin seemed to shimmer with pleasure as the soothing water ran over it, his nipples felt flushed and swollen and he wanted to be kissed badly, even though he knew he didn't have time. He would come before he could turn around and draw Justin's lips to his.
With a moaning sigh Brian looked back at his young lover through lust-slitted eyes. Justin's lips were parted and his eyes were closed, cheeks flushed from exertion. He pumped his hips in deep, even strokes panting softly as his own orgasm gained momentum.
"God, Brian . . . you feel sooo . . . good . . . ." he breathed, lost in his own pleasure. "You're so hot in there."
Holding his breath, Brian's eyes drifted closed and he came--hard. He felt his body shuddering and heard himself whimper and moan. Justin froze inside of him, his hips shaking as his orgasm tore through him. He was letting Brian do all the moving as they both rode out their own intense contractions.
The soothing shower water washed away Brian's seed as quickly as it spilled over Justin's fingers and he watched this process with slightly dazed interest, the alcohol and the orgasm slowing him down like a blissful tranquilizer.
Justin pressed against him, his chest heaving with his ragged breath. He slipped his still hard cock out gently and Brian saw the condom get tossed out the shower door and into the wastebasket by the sink.
"Nice shot," he said and they both laughed breathlessly.
Justin reached up and adjusted the showerhead again so the stream ran down Brian's back. With his soapy hands, he washed the light sweat away and carefully cleaned off all the lube. Brian sighed as the water slid between his cheeks, heating the tender, pleasantly raw skin there as Justin washed him. Finally he was able to stand without leaning against the wall and he turned to cradle Justin's face in his hands. They kissed softly, lingeringly, both still catching their breath.
Brian rested his forehead and part of his weight against his lover and sighed contentedly.
"Did you like that?" Justin whispered.
"Did I come?"
The blonde chuckled. "You came really hard. That was so cool. I think you really like it when I fuck you, Brian. You should let me do it more often."
He gave Justin another kiss then turned to get out of the shower. "I have to sleep. I think I have to get up in three hours." Brian grabbed a towel and stepped out into the bathroom to dry off.
Justin finished washing and turned the water off, reaching for a towel while Brian brushed his teeth. "Did you see?" he said petulantly. "I behaved myself with Stuart."
"Yes," Brian said around a mouthful of Aquafresh foam. "You were a model of maturity." He rinsed his mouth and wiped his face, throwing his damp towel over the top of the shower. Walking naked to the bed, he fell down face first into the covers and gathered the pillows under his head. He felt wonderful and relaxed and ready for a restful, albeit short, sleep.
He heard Justin brush his teeth then turn off the light in the bathroom. Next thing he felt the mattress move as the blonde got in bed with him, gently pulling the covers over both their bodies. He wiggled up to Brian's side and lay just close enough to transfer his body heat, but not close enough to touch.
"He's okay, I guess," Justin went on. "He's got a lot of opinions."
"Mm hm," Brian murmured sleepily.
"I still think he's rude."
Grinning to himself, Brian said "he's cheeky."
"Whatever." Justin shifted behind him and sighed as he got comfortable.
Brian was almost asleep but he heard his young lover say one more thing before he drifted off.
"Being around him, listening to him talk about Vince and stuff . . . made me want us to be real boyfriends."
Brian exhaled slowly and let unconsciousness take him before he had to reply. Their timing was terrible with that topic. When he was ready to tackle it, Justin wasn't. And now that Justin wanted to talk about it, he was dead tired. He knew it would inevitably come up again and as he began to dream, he promised himself he'd be ready for it next time.
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Kate:
I knock on their bedroom door just after 7:00 because it's damned quiet in there and we have to get going. I'm afraid Brian isn't even awake yet. Thankfully he opens the door fully clothed and I can smell his faint expensive cologne. I like that suit on him, the gray brings out his eyes. He holds up his finger telling me he'll just be a minute and then he rushes back in to grab his wallet and sunglasses.
While I'm standing there I can see Justin sleeping on the bed. He's buried under a pile of blankets and out like a light. Such a cutie. He looks about ten when he sleeps. Brian quietly pulls the door closed after him and we go downstairs to the kitchen where I have a pot of fresh coffee and some toast and jam waiting. We lean on the counter and munch, both of us too dazed by the hour to really talk. Neither of us are morning people.
"Is Stuey meeting us?" he says, he voice even scratchier than usual.
"Yeah, at the convention center." I spread some blackberry jam on my toast and take a bite. "So, is everything cool with you and Blondie?"
He just nods and sips his coffee.
I give him a little nudge in the side and say "sounded like a couple of butch alley cats in that shower last night."
This gets a chuckle out of him as he takes a bite of toast. "Sorry `bout that. I tend to squeal when I've got dick in my ass."
I raise my eyebrows. "Ooohhh . . . so THAT's it. Wow. You're letting him top you. Interesting."
Brian gives me that look that says I'd best not continue down that road and then our driver honks out front. Richard ordered us a car so we wouldn't run the risk of being late for the seminar if we couldn't get a cab.
"That's us," I say, walking to the kitchen window and waving down to the uniformed driver. When I turn back, Brian is draining his cup of coffee in big gulps. "I'm sure they'll have coffee at this thing," I say.
"I'll fall asleep in the car if I don't have some now," he says, the he slips on his sunglasses and offers me his arm.
We walk out into the bright morning and I scramble in my bag for my own shades. The air is still crisp and cool since the day's heat hasn't yet had a chance to take over. We pile into the back of the car and the driver gets in the front.
"Good morning, Mrs. Stephani, Mr. Kinney. I'm Tom."
"Good morning, Tom," we both say and then we smile at each other, feeling like bratty rich kids for a second.
"I'll have you at the Javitz in plenty of time. Traffic is good at this hour on a Saturday." He pulls out and for a second I can see the Twin Towers before he turns the corner. They loom so large over the other buildings. I always thought they were ostentatious myself, but I'd never say that out loud in civilized Gotham company. They are such huge structures dominating the skyline--two glaring monuments to our nave sense of superiority.
I turn to Brian in the car and see him looking through his billfold. "I have cash if you need it," I tell him.
"Okay. I want to get Justin something while we're out today." He pockets his wallet again and rolls his window down a little so he can smoke.
"A prezzie?" I tease. "How romantic."
He lights a Marlboro and closes his Zippo against his thigh, but he has no comment.
I just smile. I think this love thing is growing on him.
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Justin:
By 9:30 that morning, Justin was wandering the vast rooms of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He got lost for hours among the paintings and sculptures, not wanting to miss one single detail of any of the works. In the Greek and Roman rooms he brought out his sketchpad and sat down several times to scratch out quick representations of the amazing statuary. Skylights illuminated the room and showered the breathtaking sculptures with glowing sunshine. Justin couldn't stop smiling. He could have stayed in there for a year and never got bored.
Near lunchtime he was sitting on a bench in a narrow room full of European art, sketching part of an enormous painting of Joan of Arc. Patrons had been milling in and out of that room for the whole time he'd been sitting there, staring at the huge painting and looking around curiously, trying to figure out why such a large piece was hanging in such a long, skinny room. It wasn't easy to see it well in there because you couldn't step back far enough to gain the right perspective. Justin had smiled silently as people muttered about the odd choice the museum made of putting that painting in there. He had already discovered why and he knew they would too, as soon as they walked out of the room and looked back.
As he continued to sketch, he became aware of another patron coming into the room and stopping in front of the huge Bastien-Lapage painting. Justin glanced up and held his breath for a moment.
The man standing there was about Brian's age, medium height and build and really well proportioned. His hair was chestnut blond and cut into a long, floppy style that framed his face nicely. He wore a brown leather jacket, black turtleneck and perfectly battered Levi's. From where Justin sat, he could see the man had long pale eyelashes and creamy, unblemished skin. He had ruddy, flushed cheeks--like he'd been running on a cold morning. By themselves his features were unremarkable, but combined they added up to a beautiful young man.
Justin knew he was staring and should look away, but he didn't do it in time. The man looking at the painting felt his gaze and turned to him, offering a warm, flirty smile. It had a sheepish quality like he shouldn't be doing it. Justin figured his own smile looked much the same.
Laughing shyly, Justin made up an excuse and said "sorry. I thought I recognized you from school."
"Oh," the man said, smiling in a charming, self-deprecating way. "I right doubt it. I haven't been in school for ages."
His accent sounded like a mixture of Scottish and English and the tone of his voice was wonderfully deep and resonant. While he was turned fully, Justin got a look at his face. Very handsome, indeed. And totally sexy. He looked amazing in brown.
"Well," Justin said. "Anyway, sorry to be staring." He looked down at his sketch but didn't really see it. He could feel the man's focus still intent on him.
"Are you an ar'ist?" he asked, his accent pulling out the middle consonant.
Looking up, Justin smiled encouragingly. Flirting wasn't against the rules, after all. He and Brian weren't yet exclusive. "Yeah. I'm going to PIFA next year."
"Is that an art school?" the man said congenially.
"Yeah, sorry. Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Art."
"Pittsburgh," he said and a little smile crossed his great face. "I know someone who lives there."
"Yeah?"
"Mm. Lovely bloke. He knows my husband through work."
Justin tried to keep the sound of his crest falling down to a dull roar. Married. Bummer. But he was still a guy and might be open to a little playtime in the museum bathroom. And he was being very engaging. Justin decided to forge ahead.
"That painting's been causing a lot of confusion while I've been sitting here," he offered.
The handsome Englishman turned back to the Bastien-Lapage. "It's quite something," he said, his eyes narrowing and focusing on the faint image of the angels speaking to the attentive Joan in the background. "Why is it confusing? Don't people know the story?"
"I think people don't understand why such a large piece is hanging in this narrow room."
The man looked down the hallway, back at the painting and down the hallway again. "Well, I haven't seen it from out there, but I reckon the reason is that none of these rooms would be large enough to give proper perspective on a work this large. What they've done is used the depth of all these rooms on the corridor and you have to see it from down there." He pointed out the archway toward the gift shop.
Justin could only smile. "You'd be amazed how few people thought of that. I've been sitting here for twenty minutes and every single person that came in here went off muttering about the curator making a mistake with his placement of this piece."
"Ah," the man said. "Well, it's no mistake. Clearly." He looked at the painting one more time and then he turned his attention back to Justin. "Are you sketching it?"
"I'm trying. I like the overturned furniture here. The shadows are interesting." He flattened out his sketch pad as the man walked around to look over his shoulder. He knew his sketch was accurate and good and that this amiable stranger would compliment him on it.
"Blimey," he said. "You're quite talented, aren't you?"
Justin smiled. "Thanks. It's . . . just a sketch."
The man looked at the crinkled pages of Justin's pad. "Did you fill up that whole book this morning?"
"No," he said. "I've just been doing little things whenever I see something that interests me. I love this museum. I could stay in here for days."
"Yeah," the Englishman agreed. "It's amazing. Good thing I've got the whole day to spend. I heard someone say there was a gallery talk after lunchtime about some of the Greek sculpture. At least I think it was after lunch. I'll have to find a programme."
"Oh," Justin said. "I have one here. Hang on, I stuck it in my book." He flipped the pages a little nervously because he could smell the handsome Brit's cologne. It made his mouth water. As he fumbled through the pages of his sketchbook, a loose drawing fell out and fluttered face down onto the polished floor. The Englishman picked it up, turning it over in the process. It was a drawing of Brian drinking coffee in bed on the morning they left for New York.
The man stopped and went a little pale as he stared at the drawing. "Oh my God," he said under his breath. Then he looked at Justin again, his face slightly slack with what appeared to be wonder.
"That's . . . my boyfriend," Justin explained, the word feeling weird coming out. "I did that the other day." Thinking the man's surprised expression was due to his incredible talent, Justin smiled modestly. "It's just a sketch."
"Yeah," he said, handing the drawing back. "But . . . it's a perfect likeness."
Justin blinked, his heartbeat picking up speed. "Excuse me? Do you . . . know Brian?"
Sighing, the Englishman smiled a little sadly. "I do, yeah," he said. "And I'm assuming you're Justin, right?"
His heart really racing then, he squinted suspiciously. "Uh huh. You are?"
Extending his hand, the Englishman said "well, this is a coincidence. I'm Vince. Vincent Tyler. Stuart's husband."
Justin's jaw dropped and then he laughed because he didn't really know what else to do or say. He shook Vince's outstretched hand. "Um, hi. It's nice to meet you. Weird, but nice."
Vince nodded and laughed. "Yeah, all that." He stood for a moment just watching Justin's face, his pale blue eyes moving up and down the younger man's body. "You're . . . not what I expected."
Justin raised his eyebrows. "What did you expect?"
With a charming, flirty smile Vince said "I expected you to be younger."
"Younger?" Justin said incredulously.
"Yeah. I reckon I was projecting, but yes. I expected you to be ounger."
"Projecting from what?"
Vince took a deep breath and glanced back up at the Bastien-Lapage again. "Stuart had an affair with a young man once. I reckon I was expecting you to be as young as he was."
"And how young was that?" Justin asked, not sure he wanted to know.
Vince looked down and his cheeks colored with a pretty blush. "Nathan was fifteen at the time."
"Wow. That IS young."
They looked at each other for a tense moment and then they both laughed nervously.
"Blimey, I shouldn't be telling you that," Vince said. "Sorry."
Justin shrugged. "I'm sure Stuart told you we had a little difficulty getting along at first. Him and me, I mean."
Vince looked down at the drawing of Brian again and a shadow of sadness crossed his expression. "He just didn't know what to do with you," he said. "He didn't expect to find Brian in love. He was a bit shaken by it."
Justin was speechless for a moment and he had to look away. His mouth was suddenly dry and his palms felt clammy.
"I'm sorry," Vince said, his tone genuinely concerned. "I shouldn't have said something so personal."
"He said that?" Justin heard himself ask. He looked back up at Vince. "Brian said he was in love with me?"
Looking in Justin's eyes closely, Vince's handsome face revealed a volley of different emotions. Justin saw sympathy, empathy and sadness all flash by and then Vince smiled with sweet compassion.
"I don't think it was as plain as that, really. I think Stuart just knows Brian well. He could see it."
Justin had to look away again because he was painfully embarrassed. Of course Brian hadn't said that outloud. What was he thinking? If Brian would never say it to him, why on earth would he admit it to Stuart?
Vince sat down on the bench in front of Justin and picked up the drawing of Brian again, holding it in his lap to look at. "I think you're quite brave," he said softly.
Justin looked at him but didn't say anything.
"Brian is . . ." he breathed a laugh. "Well, he's a right challenge, isn't he? Keeps himself quite locked up inside."
With a wan smile, Justin nodded. "You can say that again."
"Well, I think it's fantastic that you're willing to wade through all that, mate. I wish you luck." He gave the drawing back and laid a friendly hand on Justin's knee.
A group of museum patrons walked through the room, stopping in front of the Joan of Arc painting. Justin lowered his voice and leaned forward a bit.
"Were they really in love?" he said. "Brian and Stuart?"
Looking down, Vince shrugged. "Brian tipped up at a time when Stuart and I were at the most dangerous part of our relationship. We'd just got engaged and . . . well. Has Brian told you anything about it?"
"Nothing really deep," Justin said. "When he came back from London three months ago, he was really depressed and he wouldn't talk about it. He just . . . moped. Whenever I'd ask him about it he wouldn't really tell me much of anything. He just sort of . . . said he would get over it and not to worry about it. But he kept smelling all these weird things."
Vince's brow wrinkled. "Wha'?"
Laughing, Justin said "like . . . roses and jet fuel and all this stuff that made no sense. I thought he was channeling Stuart, but I never told him that."
Nodding thoughtfully, Vince glanced back at the other people in the room. "I don't think Brian expected to feel what he did for Stuart," he said. "Knocked him for a loop, it did."
"Yeah," Justin agreed. "But . . . I think it was good for him. It made him realize he could feel something as intense as that. I guess, ultimately that will be good for me. If he ever comes around, that is."
"Ah," Vince said. "According to Stuart, he's quite smitten with you. You've been seeing each other a long time, right?"
"I guess," he said. "Off and on for about six months. More off than on at first and lately . . . more on than off."
"Lately?" Vince said. "Since . . ." His expressive face grew concerned again. "I'm sorry, I'm doing it again. Being too personal."
"Since the attack?" Justin finished. "It's okay. I figured he told Stuart about it. Either him or Kate."
Vince nodded. "Right. You've seen him more since then?"
Justin looked down at his sketchpad again. "He's been pretty attentive. Like he doesn't want to let me out of his sight or something."
The other people began chatting about the painting again and Vince glanced back at them, then down at his watch.
"Look, it's lunch time. Do you . . . fancy getting a bite? We could chat a bit."
Justin smiled. "Sure. Yeah, there's a nice caf downstairs."
"Brilliant." Vince stood up and helped Justin gather his drawing supplies.
They walked out into the hallway toward the gift shop and before they turned to go down the stairs, Justin stopped and looked back toward the room they had just left.
"Look," he said and Vince turned around.
The Bastien-Lapage painting rested right in the center of the archway and could be seen in perfect perspective from where they stood. It looked as though the archway was the painting's own huge frame.
"Oh my God," he said with quiet awe. "That's fantastic, isn't it?"
Justin smiled, pleased that he was able to share that with someone who clearly appreciated it. They turned and went down the stairs, heading for the museum caf.
Brian:
The marketing forum took a break for lunch at 12:30 and Kate, Stuart and Brian all but bolted for the convention center doors. They were bored out of their minds and couldn't wait to get off the premises for a little while.
Deciding they would rather walk than sit somewhere for lunch, they grabbed hot dogs from a street cart and strolled around some of the little stores near the convention center. Stuart stopped in front of a man who had pallets of jewelry arranged out in front of a watch shop and he knelt over a display of bracelets and necklaces.
"Brian, look at this," he said.
Walking over, Brian and Kate both peered over Stuart's shoulder at the pendant he pointed to. It was a silver cameo of a male saint. Brian looked at the sexy Irishman curiously.
"It's St. Luke," Stuart explained. "The patron saint of artists. Kate said you wanted to get your lad a gift. I reckon he'll quite fancy that."
Brian squinted at him and smirked. "That's terribly supportive of you, Stuey. Are you feeling all right?"
Stuart giggled. "Fuck off. You don't honestly think I'm still pining for you, do you?" He took a bite of his hot dog and gave Brian a wink. "Don't be a twat."
Kate snickered and shook her head. "You two are incorrigible," she muttered, walking off to look at a pallet full of silver rings.
Brian picked up the St. Luke pendant and looked at it in the bright sunlight. It was really nice, actually. Delicate but still heavy enough to be masculine. He looked at the length of the chain and guessed it would hit right between Justin's pects. Perfect. He could show it if he wanted to, but tuck it down out of sight in his shirt if he didn't. He handed the pendant to the vendor to put in a little cloth pouch and Brian took out his wallet.
Kate walked over and put a kiss on his cheek. "He'll love it," she whispered. "I'll bet you he never takes it off."
Brian kissed her smooth forehead and paid the man for the necklace.
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Vince:
Sitting in the museum caf at a table in the corner, he stirred some milk into his coffee and tried to think of what to say to this boy. On the one hand he wanted to tell him everything about how he and Stuart fell in love and how difficult it was to go from that first day in school to where they were then--married and keeping house together. Seventeen years that took. Only a year longer than this child had been alive. He didn't know if Brian Kinney had such monogamous inclinations in him, but he could see that this boy was undone by the handsome American.
And from what Stuart said, the feeling was right mutual.
"What was it like before the . . ." he began, but faltered.
"Attack," Justin said, smiling. "It's okay. I don't mind you talking about it."
"All right. Was your relationship with Brian moving toward something permanent before?"
The blonde boy sighed and leaned on his elbows on the table. "Who the hell knows with Brian? He's not exactly the biggest `sharer' I've ever met."
"Were you seeing him often before?"
"Yeah, I guess. We probably saw each other a few times a week." Justin picked up his BLT and took a bite.
"And did you shag every time?"
He covered his mouth to keep from spitting food as he laughed. "Mm--I'm sorry," he said, wiping his face with his napkin. He waited until he swallowed and finished laughing before he continued. "I just wasn't expecting you to use that word seriously."
"What, shag?" Vince said. "Oh, right. It's not widely used in the States, is it?"
"Only by Austin Powers, I'm afraid."
Vince laughed. "Sorry."
"No, it was totally funny. I didn't mean to be rude. I couldn't help it."
"It's fine, really. Anyway, the question remains. Did you and Brian have sex every time you saw him before the attack?"
Justin nodded. "At least once every time." He took another bite of his sandwich and looked at Vince, waiting for what he would say next.
"Did you ever just spend time together? You know, just knock about?"
"Sure," he said. "We hung out with his friends a lot. But he'd always take me home with him after."
Vince nodded, sipping his coffee thoughtfully. The caf was crowded and all around them were the sounds of clattering dishes and lively conversation.
"You're saying Brian was just using me?" Justin asked.
Setting his cup down, Vince picked up his fork and took a bite of his pasta salad. "Is that what you think?"
Shaking his blonde head, Justin said "I don't know. The way I always saw it was that if he didn't want to be fucking me, he wouldn't. Brian can have anyone he wants. He kept coming back to me and wanting ME. I just learned to count my blessings and go with it."
"Did he ever tell you he cared for you?"
"Not in words," Justin said. "But with the stuff he did. He was always doing things for me--big things and little things. I just figured that was his way of showing his feelings."
Vince smiled to himself, quietly impressed by how well adjusted the young man before him seemed to be. How sure of himself. Vince had always envied people with the sort of personal confidence Justin exhibited.
"Well, I reckon you were right," he said. "If he kept seeing you, he must have wan'ed to."
Justin shrugged then smiled a bit sheepishly as he picked up the other half of his sandwich. "Or, I could have just been deluding myself into thinking that. I always . . . made myself REALLY available for him. There were probably lots of times when he just fucked me cuz it was easier than going out and picking up a stranger. Plus, I was a sure thing. He could be as big a jerk as he wanted to me, and I'll still fuck him."
Vince smiled. "And what about now? How do you think he feels?"
"Well, someone just told me he was in love with me," Justin said. "I'm kinda stuck on that."
Laughing, Vince took another bite of his food. "I think it's a safe bet that he is. But as far as how or IF he'll ever actually tell you that--God only knows."
The blonde sighed. "I'm used to that by now. He never wants to talk. Well, he wanted to yesterday but . . ."
Vince looked up curiously. "But wha'?"
Shrugging, Justin took a sip of his soda. "But I wasn't in the mood. He was being all serious and it was making him sad. I told him we should talk some other time."
"Do you think that was wise?" Vince asked, knowing he was overstepping and not really caring. For a reason that was a mystery to him, he felt a sort of responsibility to this boy and he wanted very much to help him. It felt right to offer his help--as though doing so would balance his own karmic account with Brian.
"I don't know," Justin replied. "Truth is, I wasn't really ready to get into the stuff he wanted to talk about."
Vince set his fork down and folded his hands. "And what was that? Your relationship?"
"I guess."
"And you didn't want to talk about it?"
The blonde shook his head with a puckish smile. "Not then, at least. We were . . . you know, in the middle of something I wanted to do more than talk."
Vince grinned. "Shag."
They both laughed that time and Justin seemed to relax a bit more. Vince had been afraid he was coming on too strong and the boy might be pulling back his trust.
"Yeah," Justin said. "That. Brian is . . . really hot in bed." He looked up with his blue eyes wide for a second and then he blushed prettily. "But . . . you already know that, don't you?"
Vince only nodded, trying not to let all his lovely memories of shagging Brian Kinney come flooding into his mind. That was not the time for a fantasy flash back.
"Was that . . . weird?" Justin asked hesitantly. "I mean, Brian sleeping with your boyfriend."
"I was there, too, luv. It was a very busy time for us." He laughed amiably and shook his head. "I'm sorry. I guess it's just a bit awkward for me because of my own experiences with your lover."
Justin shrugged. "You don't have to feel weird. I mean . . . me and Brian weren't exclusive then. I don't even know if we are now, but when he knew you guys . . . in THAT way . . . we were just sexual friends. Nothing relationshippy going on at all. But he really cared about Stuart. That must have been hard for you."
"Well," Vince said. "Yeah, that whole thing was quite intense. But it was also something we needed to go through. Ultimately it brought Stuart and me together to the point where we could get married and know we were going STAY married. Brian was the Last Temptation." Hesmiled and picked up his coffee again. "I suppose my question to you is do you really want a relationship with Brian or are you just . . . ?"
"Using him for experiences?" Justin said and then licked a bit of mayonnaise off his thumb. "I have always wanted a relationship with Brian. Since the first moment I saw him. He was my first--did you know that?"
"I figured," Vince said, deciding against disclosing that Brian dished the whole story of his conquest of Justin back in Manchester. Brian and Stuart had compared notes on the seduction of school boys while Vince rolled his eyes.
"Well," Justin went on. "I don't know where he's at with the whole relationship plan--or if he even has one. But, to answer your question, yes. I want one with him."
"To hear Stuart tell it, you've already got one," Vince said gently.
The boy set his jaw and sighed. "I'm not expecting him to marry me or anything," he said. "But I would really really like it if he would just SAY those three little words. I don't know why it's so hard for him."
Vince sighed, thinking of the conversations he'd had with Brian during their tumultuous association. Brian always struck him as a generous, affectionate person who worried very deeply over the welfare of those he loved. But he was also a person who didn't mince words or suffer fools. In many ways he was a lot like Stuart, but even if Vince had to say so himself, Brian was kinder.
"Justin, I think that if you really want him, you'll just have to be patient. Let him come to it at his own pace. And let him talk about it when he wants to. No matter what else is going on," he winked. "If he brings the subject up again, let him talk."
The blonde watched his face closely for a moment, then he offered a sympathetic smile. "How long did you wait for Stuart?"
Vince laughed. "Oh, me lad! You don't want to know--it's too bloody pathetic! But it was worth it, that much I will pass on to you. So if you've really made your decision, be prepared to follow through. It won't be easy."
Justin pushed his plate away and reached for his soda. "I don't know if I want it to," he said. "If it was easy, I'd be bored."
Raising his cup to the boy's glass, Vince tapped them together. "Then my guess is you've found the right man. Good luck to you. Cheers."
Justin smiled uncertainly and then drank to the toast.
Vince's mobile phone rang in the pocket of his brown leather jacket and he reached for it, excusing the interruption. "Hel-loh?"
"Hey," Stuart said. "Where are you, luv?"
"Having lunch at the Met museum. How's the seminar?"
"Fucking useless," he groaned. "At least it's over soon. We'll be out by half five and we were planning to go straight out to dinner. Are you all right to meet us?"
"Yeah, I'll just get a cab. What's the restaurant called?"
"Kate wants to meet for drinks first at this bar she took me to before. It's near Radio City Music Hall. It's called Palio."
"Right, okay. At six?"
"Perfect. Vince, I'm looking forward to you meeting Brian's young man. I think you'll get on."
He looked across the table at Justin and smiled. "Actually," he said. "I already have met him. We stumbled on each other among some European art."
"You're joking!" Stuart said and he heard his husband turn away to share the news with Brian and Kate. "You ran into Justin at that huge museum?"
"Yeah," he said. "It was quite a coincidence."
Next thing, Brian was on the phone.
"Hey."
"Hiya. Your friend's quite lovely, Brian. I was thinking of taking him back to the hotel for a quick toss."
Justin laughed and Vince winked at him playfully.
"I recommend him," Brian said. "He gives great head. Will you put him on for a second?"
"'Course. Hang on." He handed the phone over to Justin then picked up his cup to finish his coffee.
"Hello?" the boy lowered his voice and tried to be as intimate as possible on the cellular phone. "Yeah, isn't that weird? He's totally cool. You were right. We've been hanging out all day. He bought me lunch. Asked me out on a date." Justin looked up at Vince and smirked devilishly. "Yes, I'm kidding. Asshole. I have that with me, yeah. Okay. See you guys at six. Uh huh. Bye." He handed the phone back. "He hung up."
Vince closed the phone and dropped it back into his pocket. "Are you coming to the bar with us?"
"Yeah, he asked me if I had my fake ID. I've heard of Palio, actually. It's supposed to be nice. Maybe I should change clothes." He looked down at his jeans and gray turtle neck doubtfully.
"You look fine," Vince told him, downplaying the distracting fact that Justin looked scrumptious in what he was wearing. He glanced at his watch to see how much time they had left in the afternoon. "Well, it's only half two. We've got a couple hours before we need to leave. Do you fancy sticking together or do you want to meet up later at the bar?"
The blonde offered a flirty smile. "Well, if you want to . . . let's just hang out."
"Fine, yeah," Vince said, flattered by the attention. "Right, stay here or move on to another location?"
"How about the Guggenheim?" Justin said. "Have you been there yet?"
"Not yet, no. Sounds lovely."
"Great."
Vince smiled at the boy sweetly, hoping he hadn't just got himself into trouble. He was married, but Justin wasn't. And Justin was simply lovely.
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Brian:
He frowned as he handed Stuart back his phone. Brian didn't like this turn of events. He realized he was almost overcome with jealousy and the sudden onset of the emotion bothered him more than the emotion itself.
"What?" Kate said, her brow furrowing. "Is something wrong?"
"No. I'm sure everything's fine. That's just . . . fucking weird that they ran into each other." He took out his phone without really thinking about it and called Justin's cell. Walking away from his friends for a moment, he stood near a lamp post and held the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" Justin answered.
"I just want to make sure you were joking."
"I told you I was," the boy said. "You're being a freak."
Brian sighed, irritated with himself. "Look, I know Vince is a hottie, but he's married. Behave yourself."
Justin snickered. "Right. You called me back because you're worried about VINCE's relationship. I'll see you later, Brian."
"Wait--"
"What?"
Brian took a deep breath and glanced up at Stuart and Kate. His friends were talking to each other, but Kate was looking at him with curious concern.
"I got you something," he told his young lover.
"You did? A present?"
"Yeah."
"What is it?"
He smiled at Justin's boyish enthusiasm. "You'll see. I'll give it to you tonight. But . . .I want you to know that I heard you . . . last night right before I fell asleep."
"I know," he said.
Again, Brian smiled. Justin never missed a thing. "We'll continue that discussion later, okay?"
The boy paused and then he said "we don't have to. I mean, I don't want to bug you out about that stuff, Brian. I'm really okay with the way things are."
"It's not bugging me. We'll talk about it later. What are you guys gonna do for the rest of the day?"
"We're going to the Guggenheim and then we'll meet you guys at Palio."
"Okay. Well . . .have fun. And don't fuck Vince."
Justin giggled. "You're hilarious, Brian. See you later." He hung up and Brian pocketed his phone as he walked back to Kate and Stuart.
The handsome Irishman was smirking, as usual. "Did Vince make you jealous, luv?" he teased.
"Fuck you." Brian couldn't help laughing at himself. He winked at Kate and put his arms over both their shoulders as they continued off down the street toward the convention center.
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Justin:
After talking to Brian the second time, any thoughts of mischief he might have had were replaced with anxiety. He and Vince talked a lot about Justin's feelings and about how he would handle whatever Brian might have to say. Justin believed the conversation could go either way and he tried to prepare himself accordingly.
They spent a nice afternoon exploring the sloping halls of the Guggenheim and then wandering in Central Park for a while before they got a cab to Palio. Justin stuck his head out the window when they turned on 6th Avenue and smiled up at the Radio City Music Hall sign. The cab let them out in front of Palio and Vince paid for the ride. It was a little after six when they walked into the dim, elegant bar.
Brian, Kate and Stuart were seated at the sparkling bar laughing together. Each of them had a half finished martini in front of them. Justin and Vince walked over to meet them, both giving Kate kisses on the cheek before they turned to their respective partners.
Justin stepped in front of Brian, fitting his hips between those strong, lean thighs and pressing their bodies together. As was always the case, whenever he saw Brian he was overwhelmed with the desire to touch him and kiss him and be as near to him as possible. Justin gave him a soft, lingering kiss on the lips.
"Hi," he said.
Brian's hands slipped around his waist and he kissed Justin again. "Hey. Nice day?"
"Mm, really nice. Vince is great."
"I told you."
Justin grinned and batted his eyes coyly. "So, can I have my present?"
Brian smiled. "Be patient, little boy. Want a drink?"
The neatly attired bartender was currently taking Vince's cocktail order. When he turned to Justin, he gave the boy a suspicious once-over. Justin ordered a Stoli on the rocks with a twist of lemon and the bartender inevitably asked for his ID.
Reaching into his wallet, he took out the fake ID he'd been using ever since he first started going to bars in Pittsburgh. He'd paid one of his more nefarious classmates $200 for it and it had never failed to work. The bartender examined the laminated card with great scrutiny and finally handed it back. Reluctantly, he made Justin's drink.
Turning back to Brian, the boy kissed him again. "May I pleeeeeeaaaasse have my present? I've been a really good boy."
"Why do I find that hard to believe?" Brian said with a smile. "Oh, all right. But you have to find it yourself."
Justin grinned, happy he'd won. "Is it in a box?"
"No."
He ran his hands up Brian's long legs sliding his fingers over the contents of his pockets. He discerned each object as he touched it--cell phone, wallet, keys, loose change--nothing at all that felt like a fun gift. Moving up Brian's hard belly, Justin took his time stroking his lover's body through his crisp linen shirt. He tugged Brian's tie playfully then kissed him again.
Holding back the side panel of Brian's suit, he reached into the pocket there and felt the contents. Palm Pilot, pen, Zippo, smokes, sunglasses--and a little cloth bag of some sort.
"Ah ha," he said gleefully, grasping the little pouch in his fingers. He pulled it out and examined it, rolling it between his fingers. By the feel of it, he could tell it was a chain and pendant. He glanced up at Brian curiously as he opened the pouch and let the necklace fall into his hand. "What is this?" Holding it up by the chain, Justin turned the pendant toward the light behind the bar and squinted at it.
"It's St. Luke," Brian told him. "Stuey said he's the patron saint of artists."
Justin looked over his shoulder at the Irishman and gave him a little smile. Turning back to Brian, he lowered his chin shyly. "This is totally sweet, Brian. I think I'm gonna cry."
Reaching for the necklace, Brian spread the chain out between his hands and lifted it over Justin's head. The pendant hung right in the center of his chest and he touched it lovingly.
"It's great . . ." Justin whispered.
Brian touched their foreheads together and Justin could feel those long, wheat-colored eyelashes brush his own. He didn't say anything, he just held Justin's waist and smiled into his eyes.
"You never gave me jewelry before," Justin said. "It's very boyfriendy."
Again, Brian said nothing. He just kept smiling and looking in Justin's eyes, as though no one else existed in the entire world.
The End
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