Before There Was You, There Was You

Chapter 27

“I’ve got the stuff that you want
I’ve got the thing that you need
I’ve got more than enough
To make you drop to your knees
Cause I’m the queen of the night”

~ Whitney Houston

***


 

“Well those two certainly look happy,” Ben said as he wrapped his arms around Michael from behind.

The loud “thumpa thumpa” of Babylon reverberated through the club. Tonight was the King of Babylon contest. One by one, men took to the stage showing off their “stuff.” The crowd howled their approval for each and every contestant. It was hard to displease this group, Ben thought as he smiled to himself. It’s what he loved most about Babylon. It was a place where gay men and women could go and just be happy. Be themselves. It was still very much a straight world out there, but not in Babylon. Babylon was a whole world unto itself, and they owned it.

Michael turned his head to give his partner a kiss. His eyes were misty.

“What’s the matter?” Ben asked rubbing his cheek against Michael’s.

Ben knew Michael loved Brian, and a part of him always would. He worried that Michael was mourning the fact that he was losing a part of Brian. It had always been just the two of them. Then Justin came along and everything changed. He knew it affected Michael more than he let on. He also knew Michael would never tell Brian how he felt. It was too “lesbianic” of an emotion in Brian’s eyes, and Michael never wanted to look bad in Brian’s eyes. He wanted Brian to always see him as his most devoted, loyal friend. There was so much history between them. More than Ben realized. What they did, keeping Brian’s sister safe for almost a year when they were just kids was a bonding experience that would forever stick with Michael, and with Brian. Still, the one constant in life is change. And things were changing for Michael and Brian. Brian had Justin now, and Justin was his world. Though most would scoff at that notion, Ben could see that clearly, and he knew Michael saw it too. It didn’t need to be a bad thing if Michael didn’t let it be. Their relationship had changed, but their bond was still strong. Brian would always be there for Michael if he needed him and that would never change.

Michael smiled up at Ben. “I’m just so happy for Brian.”

“Are you, really?” Ben asked.

Michael looked surprised. “Of course I am!” he whined. “Brian has had so much misery in his life.” Michael started to tear up. He looked back to where Brian and Justin were dancing on the floor. “Look at him. Have you ever seen him so happy?” Michael sighed.

“No, I haven’t. But I’ve only known Brian a short time,” Ben said.

“Well I’ve known him most my life, and I’ve never seen him look like that. It’s as if he’s breathing easier. He’s letting himself be happy. Justin is the best thing that’s ever happened to him,” Michael admitted. “I can’t believe I was jealous of Justin,” he confessed.

“Don’t be so hard on yourself. He was just a kid, and you were doing what you always do when it comes to Brian; you saw Justin as a threat to him and you were trying to protect him. But now, it’s Justin’s job to watch out for Brian.” Ben paused. “Are you ok, with that?” He asked his lover.

Michael smiled sadly. “I guess I’ll have to be,” he said as he leaned back against Ben letting himself be engulfed in his lover’s embrace. “Though I’ll always be there for him, if he needs me.” Ben kissed the top of his head. “Do you know how much I love you?”

“Hmmm…no, I think you should show me when we get home,” Ben teased.

Michael laughed. “Seriously. It amazes me how understanding you are when it comes to Brian. I don’t know if I would be that understanding if you had a best friend like mine.”

“I love you, Michael. I’ve known from the beginning that you loved Brian and that he would always be a part of your life, and I accept that because he is part of who “you” are. And I love all of you.”

Michael turned into Ben’s embrace so that he faced him. “Oh, are sooo going to get lucky tonight!” Michael smiled impishly at him. Michael had taken Rena’s advice and been practicing “cock worshiping” on Ben.

Ben’s cock stiffed at Michael's words. He’d been the lucky recipient of Michael’s newfound interest in his cock. He was driving Ben crazy with his technique. He got Ben to the point when he got stiff just from Michael looking at his cock in “that” way.

“Keep looking at me like that, and we won’t make it to the car.” Ben pressed up against Michael for emphasis.

“Well there must be something in the air!” Emmett came up behind them.

“Hey, Em,” Michael said and released Ben to greet him.

“How’s it going, Emmett?’ Ben asked.

“Fabulous! This has to be the best King of Babylon contest ever! I think every hot guy in Pittsburgh is here tonight! ” Emmett turned towards the dance floor so quickly Michael had to jump out of the way so the drink in Em’s hand wouldn’t spill on him.

“Everyone’s dripping with excitement! Just look at Brian and Justin tear up the dance floor. They look so hot, there’s not a soft cock within ten feet of them. Then I come here and find my dearest friend in a passionate embrace with his hunky lover.” Emmett sighed.

“Must be something in the air. Love abounds, everywhere!” Emmett said and flared his arms around, gesturing to the crowd.

“More like lust,” Ben chuckled.

“Lust is good, my dear boy. I wish some of that lust would spread itself, or it’s legs, my way,” Emmett complained.

“I didn’t just wake up looking this good you know, I took a lot of time with this outfit. This, my dear boys, is what they call style,” he said dramatically and twirled around flamboyantly for Ben and Michaels’ benefit.

He was wearing orange striped pants and a white pirate blouse that was unbuttoned down to his navel and tied at the waist showing off his belly button.

“You look totally hot, Em,” Michael said, holding back his smile.

Emmett huffed. “You would think some guy would at least offer to buy me a drink!”

“Get a drink for my friend here,” Brian said to the bartender as he leaned his body over the bar, Justin was right behind him, his hand hooked into the back of Brian’s jeans. Both were breathing heavy, and sporting huge smiles.

“Thanks, Bri! At least someone appreciates my sense of style,” Emmett preened.

“I’ve seen hobo’s with more style sense then you. I’m buying you a drink so you don’t fucking twirl around again. I almost threw up watching that nauseating display.”

Justin tugged on his jeans in warning. “Be nice.” He laughed.

Brian paid for the drink and handed it to Emmett. “Honeycutt, I’m about to do you a huge favor.”

Emmett pouted, but took the drink. “I doubt that, and don’t call me Honeycutt.” Brian laughed.

He went to Emmett and placed his hands on his shoulder, and then he slowly turned him around to the catwalk. “Look up.”

Emmett looked up and saw, wait, it couldn’t be…

“Is that who I think it is?” he asked, surprised.

Justin looked up and let out a shocked gasp. Brian looked behind him at Justin and smiled.

“Surprised?”

“I never would have guessed!” Justin said, truly stunned.

Michael and Ben looked up to see who they were talking about.

“No fucking way!” Michael said. “Bri, did you know?”

“Yeah, I knew. It’s his first time out. He’s very old school. He’s been in the closet his whole life. I believe he’s a virgin,” Brian said.

Emmett swallowed hard. “Um, and how is this doing me a favor?”

Brian sighed. “Do I have to spell everything out for you, Honeycutt?”

“Don’t call me Honeycutt,” Emmett repeated, his eyes riveted to the catwalk above them.

“Listen to me, Em, are you listening?” Brian asked, his hands still on Emmett’s shoulders.

Emmett tore his eyes from the catwalk to look at Brian. “Yeah, I’m listening,” he said sharply.

“I’m pretty sure he’s a top. And he needs an experienced considerate bottom to guide him. Who better than you? You need to top from the bottom, Em, can you do that?”

Emmett blinked and pushed away from Brian. “Are you fucking crazy?! He wouldn’t want me! I mean, look at him, he’s so fucking hot. I can’t even believe he’s gay!” Emmett shrieked.

Brian sighed heavily. “Stop being such a fucking drama queen, Em. Just approach the man. He likes you. He told me so. I told him to come here tonight, that you would be here. But you will have to make the first move.” Brian took Emmett by the shoulders again. “I’m trusting you take care of him, do you understand me, Em?” He looked intently at Emmett.

Emmett knew that Brian asking and trusting him to do this was an honor. He would never entrust a “first” timer to just anyone. Especially if that first timer was someone important to Brian, and the man on the catwalk was very important to Brian.

“Brian, are you sure?” Justin asked him. He was having a hard time believing it himself.

“Yeah, I’m sure,” Brian responded.

“Ok, Kinney, but if you’re wrong about this I swear to God…”

“Yeah, yeah, just get your fairy ass up there and take care of the man,” Brian said and pushed Emmett towards the stairs to the catwalk.

Emmett straightened his shoulders and shook his head. “Ok, here goes nothing,” he said and went up the stairs.

He got to the top and stopped. “Okay, Em, you can do this. Like Aunt Lulu used to say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.” He walked down to where the man was standing, leaning against the railing. He stopped next to him and leaned over with him.

“Hey there, handsome, what’s a nice guy like you doing in a place like this?” Emmett said as an icebreaker.

“Looking for you,” James said, turning to Emmett smiling.

 

***

“Tell me how hot I look again,” Justin whispered into Brian’s ear as he ground his body against Brian’s on the dance floor.

“And they call me the attention whore,” Brian laughed as he pulled Justin into him and swayed to the music.

They were having such a good time tonight. Justin was absolutely beaming. He had this light around him that was blinding. Brian never saw Justin look so beautiful. That was the only way to describe the boy, no matter how lesbianic that sounded. Justin glowed tonight. Brian felt something so foreign to him. Happy. Real happiness. He didn’t want the night to end. Talk about lesbianic thoughts! He laughed to himself. Fuck it. It was Friday night; he was at Babylon with the hottest guy in the place. Why shouldn’t he be happy?

Babylon was on fire tonight. The contest was over. The winner had his admirers lined up hoping for a go with him, the losers where being consoled by their supporters. The mood in the club was seductive and infectious.

He and Justin were both dressed to kill and ready for action. They were like magnets. Every hot guy in the place had their eyes on them. Normally Brian wouldn’t notice. He was use to the attention, but tonight, they weren’t just looking at him, they were drooling over his lover.

“You are the queen of attention whores,” Justin teased. “I could never take that title away from you, now tell me how hot I look.”

Brian leaned down and captured his mouth in an earth-shattering kiss. “How’s that for an answer?” he said when he pulled back.

Justin’s eyes were glassy. “Not bad,” he replied giving Brian his million-dollar smile.

Justin wrapped his arms around Brian’s neck. He scanned the room, taking in all the hot guys.

“How about that one?” He nodded his head in the direction of a dark haired, medium height muscled bodied guy checking them out.

Brian turned his head to see who Justin was referring to. The guy was hot, and definitely Brian’s type. But for some reason, Brian found fault in each guy Justin suggested tonight and in truth, most were his type. He was being difficult, and he couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Something was off. Fuck if he knew what. He wanted this, right? The guy was hot and he got hard just thinking about watching Justin fuck him. So what was the problem?

“He looks too eager and his mouths too small. I can just feel those teeth digging into me.” Brian dismissed the trick and turned his head away.

Justin frowned. Brian had rejected every guy Justin knew was his type. He knew Brian needed this. Maybe that was the problem he thought. Brian needed it, but didn’t want it. And if he didn’t want this, it was because he felt it would hurt Justin in someway.

Brian hated all hetero “rituals”. And monogamy was one of those rituals. He was, and Justin knew would always be, a very highly sexual man. He reveled in the fact that he was queer, and that meant having the freedom to fuck who he wanted, when he wanted. It was who he was. And Justin understood that. But Brian believed Justin was a one-man type of gay man. Like Ted, or Mikey. Emmett was more like Brian in many ways. He could be in love with a man, but still trick now and then. He was highly sexual as well. It didn’t mean they didn’t love, it was just who they were. Brian once told him that the reason why gay men had such a hard time being monogamous was because they were men, not because they were gay. And men in general, given the chance, like to fuck around. If straight men were giving permission by their women to fuck around, 9 out of 10 would.

What Brian didn’t understand was that even though Justin was more like Mikey and Ted when it came to relationships, he was young, and very sexual himself. He didn’t like to trick alone, but he was adventurous and on occasion, loved it when he and Brian brought home a trick. He was 19 for Christ sakes! He guessed because of his “waspish” upbringing, as Brian calls it, Brian thought Justin didn’t enjoy it as much as he did.

When they had their talk, Justin told Brian he didn’t like it when Brian tricked in front of him. And he didn’t. Brian could use his tricking as a weapon. Justin wasn’t going to put up with that. He also told him to stop bringing tricks home for him. Brian never consulted with Justin before when he would bring a trick home. He just assumed Justin would “play”. That was the problem. But he also told Brian that he would tell him when he wanted to trick with him, and assured him that there “would” be times when he wanted to. And tonight was one of those times. Brian, however, didn’t think Justin wanted to do this. Brian thought Justin was doing this for him.

“Stop thinking so hard, Sunshine. You’re going to give yourself wrinkles if you keep furrowing your brows like that.”

Justin cocked an eyebrow at him. “I’m way too young for wrinkles.”

Justin pulled away from Brian and headed towards the bar. Brian reached out and grabbed his arm.

“Where are you going?” he asked, suddenly worried about what had changed Justin’s mood so suddenly.

“I need some water. You want me to get you something?”

Brian gave Justin a worried look. “No. Go get your water. I’ll go check on James,” Brian said then turned and walked in the other direction.

Good Justin thought. Now he’s angry. Justin smiled. When Brian was angry he was brutally honest. Justin would get him to admit why he’s been avoiding finding a trick for them to take home.

Justin made his way through the crowd. He stopped when he heard Brian’s name. Two guys were standing behind the stairwell, just out of view, and Justin heard them talking.

“Brian Kinney?” he heard the first guy say.

“Yes, fucking Brian Kinney! Duh!” the other said.

“Fuck, and I just got here! Fucking Pistols was dead tonight, I should have been here. Where is he anyway?” the first guy asked.

The second guy laughed. “Forget it, sweetie. He’s with his twink tonight.”

“So? Since when did that stop Kinney from tricking?”

Justin felt his stomach knot.

“Oh man, you’ve been away too long! Haven’t you heard? It’s an unspoken rule, sweetie. When Kinney has his twink with him, no one is to approach him. If you do, you can kiss his cock goodbye forever, literally. He doesn’t fuck around when he’s with his twink.”

I don’t believe it. Last I heard they broke up.”

“Yeah, well they’re back together now. He was in here a few nights ago tricking without his twink.”

“See, so he still does trick!” the first guy said.

“Well, the stud is still the stud. Got to get his feed.” The second guy chuckled at his own joke. Justin didn’t find it amusing. “You know Jerry Q?”

“Who doesn’t? Another hot piece of ass.”

“Yeah, well he had the nerve to ask Kinney to take him home. Fucking Kinney queened out on him. Told him NO one goes home with him. Jerry hasn’t been in Babylon since, and won’t come back until Kinney cools down.”

The first guy whistled low. “Wow. Since when doesn’t he bring tricks home?”

“I told you, Kinney don’t fuck around near his twink. Unspoken rule, sweetie. You can look, but don’t touch. He’s got it bad for that little twat.”

“Lucky little twat.” They both laughed.

Justin heard enough. He continued on to the bar, a big smile spread across his face. Brian was making progress.

He walked to the bar where Mikey and Ben were standing.

“Hey, you two, why haven’t I seen you on the dance floor?” Justin asked and ordered bottled water from the bartender.

“We were out there, you just didn’t see us. You and Brian are pretty much in your own world out there,” Michael said.

Justin smiled. “Yeah, well it’s been a stressful month for us. It’s good to just let loose.” He paid the bartender for the water. He opened the top and drank half of it down in one swallow.

“Justin, I’ve been meaning to ask you,” Michael leaned into him. “How would you feel about doing another issue of Rage with me?”

When Justin left Brian for Ethan, Michael and he stopped working together. There was just too much tension there. Rage had suffered. Michael had been getting a lot of requests for a second issue.

“Sure, that sounds great. You got a story plot in mind?”

“I’m working on one. When do you think we can get together to talk about it?”

“How about Monday night?” Perfect Justin thought. He didn’t tell Brian about the dinner he was planning. They weren’t exactly talking since Rena’s welcome home party, and Justin didn’t want to spoil this evening. Brian would hate it of course, and probably wouldn’t show up. Another “hetero” ritual in his opinion. The “lovely couple” having a dinner party.

Brian just might stay though if he thought part of the reason for this dinner was so Michael and he could immortalize him once again in the Rage character. Justin silently laughed to himself. Brian was truly vain. He loved that they created a superhero based on him.

“I’m having a dinner party Monday night. I was going to call you tomorrow and ask you and Ben to come. It would be a perfect time to talk about Rage.”

Michael looked to Ben. “Monday night ok for you?”

“Sure, I don’t have any plans after class on Monday.”

“We’ll be there then. Who else is coming?”

“Coming where?” Brian asked as he joined the little group. Justin jumped; Brian had snuck up behind him.

“How are James and Emmett doing?” Justin asked.

“Emmett is so nervous he’s talking James’ ear off. I told him to just take James home and fuck him and shut the fuck up. James looked like he was ready to slit his wrist if he had to listen to another minute of Emmett’s inane prattling,” Brian snapped.

“Brian! Jesus, I hope you didn’t say it like that. Never mind, you did.” Justin sighed disapprovingly.

Brian gave him a face. He ordered a shot of Beam.

“Mikey and I are going to do another issue of Rage.”

Brian put his tongue in his cheek and looked at them oddly.

“Really? So I’m to be resurrected?” he drawled.

“If your ego can stand it,” Justin quipped.

“Brat.” Brian drank down the shot of Beam and ordered another one.

“I’ve asked Ben and Michael to come over Monday night to discuss it. I’m having a few people over for dinner,” Justin said holding his breath.

“What people?” Brian asked dangerously.

“Just family and friends,” Justin reassured him.

“Who?” Brian asked, staring at Justin.

Justin knew he wasn’t getting around this one. “I was thinking of asking Rena and James and Shane, of course.”

Brian snorted. He paid the bartender and drank down his second shot of Beam.

“You really don’t expect me to endure a dinner with Shane, do you?”

“You know you like her; so stop.”

“Well, I don’t,” Michael said. Justin sighed.

“She’s really not that bad, Mikey. And she’s very close to Rena. You wouldn’t want to hurt Rena’s feelings, would you?”

Brian laughed. Justin had a way of getting people to do exactly what he wanted them to.

“No, of course not. We’ll be there, and I’ll behave. I doubt she will though.” Michael whined.

“She won’t,” Brian said and walked over to Mikey and threw his arm around his shoulders. “But look at it this way Mikey, she’ll be on our turf and outnumbered.”

He bent over and whispered to his friend, “I think we can take her.”

Michael laughed. “I doubt that, too,” he said his voice filled with mirth.

“Well if we can’t, your boyfriend here can defend us.” Brian looked at Ben.

“Hey, you two leave me out of this!” Ben said. They all laughed.

“Thank you for inviting us, Justin. Can we bring anything?” Ben asked.

“No, I’m cooking rack of lamb.”

“I just might come home for that,” Brian said. Justin gave him a reproachful look.

Ben nudged Michael. “Time to go home.”

“Night’s young, Mikey, dance one dance with me,” Brian said.

Michael smiled and looked at Ben. “Go ahead,” Ben said. Michael mouthed “thank you” to Ben and turned to walk with Brian to the dance floor.

Justin turned to Ben. “How’s Mikey doing?” he asked.

Justin knew Michael’s final acceptance of him in Brian’s life must be hard on him.

“He’s adjusting,” Ben said. Neither said another word. There was a quiet understanding between them. Their partners were connected in a way that was very special. But their lives were moving in different directions. Both were coming to terms with how that redefined their friendship.

After two songs, a very winded Michael, and very wired Brian came back to the bar.

Brian reached for Justin and pulled him in for a kiss. “You going to dance with me or hold up this bar all night?”

“This bar is holding me up after a kiss like that,” Justin said breathless from the kiss.

“Ok you two, we’re off. We’ll see you guys Monday night,” Ben said.

Brian went over to Michael and kissed him on the mouth. “You better write me a fucking fantastic storyline. I am, after all, a superhero.”

Michael smiled up at him. “As if I would write you any other way?” he said and hugged Brian.

They said their goodbyes and left. Brian watched Mikey walk away. He smiled. Little Mikey was growing up. It was good that their friendship was evolving. Brian worried Mikey wouldn’t let go. But he has, and Brian was happy for them both.

“So, are we going to talk about this?” Justin said.

Brian sighed loudly and dramatically. “What the FUCK is it with you and talking? Do you have some affliction or something I should know about?” Brian complained.

“My “affliction” is you! Tell me why you’re punishing me!” Justin yelled

Brian gave him a stunned look. “I swear to God, Justin, you are going to drive me fucking crazy! How the fuck am I punishing you?!” he said clearly exasperated.

“All night I’ve been trying to find a trick for us to take home but you’re being difficult! Why won’t you let me have some fucking fun!” Justin’s eyes blazed.

Brian was taken aback. “You’re kidding me, right? You never really wanted to take a trick home. Who are you bullshitting? You’re trying to please me. I get it. But don’t’ EVER sacrifice yourself for me. Understand! Don’t ever do something you don’t want to because of me. That’s not love, Sunshine,” Brian said angrily.

Bingo. Justin knew all he had to do was piss Brian off and he’d get the truth out of him.

“Jesus Christ, Brian, I thought we were beyond this!” Justin said, frustration heavy in his voice.

“Do you honestly think at this point, I would trick just to fucking please you? You KNOW how I feel about it. But I also told you that there would be times when I would WANT to trick with you. Well I got some news for you. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES!” Justin shouted. Anyone near them would have heard his rant.

Brian looked into Justin’s eyes and saw them dark with anger. And behind that anger, Brian saw lust. His boy WAS horny! He laughed out loud. Justin really wanted them to take a trick home. Brian’s cock grew instantly hard. He grabbed Justin and crushed him to him, kissing him hard.

“You really are going to drive me crazy, you know that?” Brian said into Justin’s ear and growled.

Justin groaned. He really was horny and wanted them to have some good old fashioned down and dirty sex. “I get to pick then?”

“Anyone you want, sonny boy.”

Justin smiled brilliantly. He scanned the room and found the perfect guy. “That one.” He pointed to the dance floor.

Brian looked and knew immediately who Justin was pointing at. The guy was tall, like Brian, auburn hair, like Brian, and pretty hot from what he could see.

“Hmmm…” he said. “Double your pleasure then?” Brian teased.

Justin playfully slapped his shoulder and Brian laughed.

“Well, go get him, tiger!” Brian said and turned Justin towards the dance floor.

Brian watched Justin approach the man in question. He almost felt sorry for the guy. Justin was going to tear him up tonight. Brian smiled.

This relationship thing wasn’t half as bad he thought.

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