Sticky Sap



 

Six weeks had passed since the birthday party and Justin was on cloud nine. He and Ethan were spending all their free time together. His new boyfriend spoiled him with indoor picnics and serenades. They went to student film festivals and art shows and recitals, and made out in the park watching the sunset. And the sex was amazing, sweet and soulful. On their one-month anniversary Ethan told Justin he loved him, and Justin loved him back.
 

In fact, everyone loved Ethan. He had been a great hit at the party, and everyone easily included him in the group when they realized how much Justin cared for him. Jennifer invited the boys to dinner once a week, Melanie and Lindsay had them take Gus to the park regularly, Emmett always invited them to Babylon, and Debbie couldn’t resist smothering him like all her boys. Michael was the only one still ‘loyal’ to Brian.

Having spent almost two years with Brian Kinney, Justin inevitably began to look for the dark clouds ahead. He couldn’t remember the last time he was that happy for so long. Fortunately, the dark cloud he feared most stayed away. After the party Brian was rarely seen, and Justin was relieved. When they did see each other Brian would be coolly civil if he was sober, or obnoxious and inflammatory when he was drunk. Either way Justin preferred to avoid him and his obvious animosity towards Ethan.

The storm finally came in the form of Craig Taylor. Justin was devastated when his mother told him his dad wouldn’t pay his tuition. She promised to make sure his living allowance was unaffected, but she couldn’t help with the tuition. He understood she had Molly to take care of as well and was determined to find a solution himself.

The next few days he was consumed with finding another way to make the payments. He applied all over town for another job but had no luck. He went to the financial aid office and tried to get a loan but his fucking father made too much fucking money. He’d had enough of the stress and started drinking more and more to drown his problems.

Several days later he was trying to hold it together with a hangover and a full diner when everyone descended on him at once. First, it was Brian. Equally hungover, he started in on the slow service. “Hey, Sunshine, can I get a cup of coffee today?”

Justin didn’t even turn around. “Fuck off, Brian. I’m the only one here, so wait your turn.”

Ted and Emmett exchanged worried glances. That was the most Justin had said in days.

Justin finally got the food delivered to the other tables and went over to his friends just as Michael joined them. “Alright, what do you want?” he asked tiredly.

“Another waiter,” Brian sneered.

“Then eat somewhere else,” the teen spat back.

“Hey!” Michael jumped in. “Ma’d kick your ass if she heard you talking to customers like that.”

“He started it!” Justin shouted defensively.

“Very mature for a college student,” Brian smirked.

Justin just stared at him. Not for long, was all he could think. Seeing Brian’s smug face nearly pushed him to the edge. He probably would’ve taken a swing at his former lover if he wasn’t struggling so hard to hold back the angry tears that burned his eyes. Blessedly, he was rescued by the tinkling of the bell over the door and Ethan's entrance.

“Hey.” Ethan slipped up behind him and stroked his arm lightly. Justin sighed and leaned into the contact. “How you doing?”

“Busy,” Justin mumbled, glaring at his friends who hadn’t ordered yet.

“Want me to come back later?”

Justin clutched his arm. “No. Have a seat. I’m taking a break in a minute.”

Emmett nudged Michael to move so he could slide over and let Ethan sit down. “Geez, Em, there’s no room,” Michael whined. Emmett shot him a dark look before turning an apologetic half-smile to Ethan.

“Looks like you’re about to order,” Ethan observed dryly. “I already ate so I’ll just have some coffee at the counter.”

Justin was fuming at Michael’s deliberate snub. “What do you want,” he asked again. It was all he could do to stop himself from dumping coffee on all their heads. The men finally ordered and Justin put it in before joining Ethan.

“You look like hell,” Ethan said sympathetically.

“I feel like it. What am I going to do if this doesn’t work out?” Justin asked ruefully as he collapsed on the stool next to his lover.

Ethan put an arm around him and pulled him closer so Justin was leaning on his shoulder. “It’ll be fine. I told you, you’re going to move in with me to cut expenses,” his voice lowered to a husky timber, “and time spent apart.” Justin felt a delicious shiver run up his spine from his lover’s throaty growl.

Although Justin appreciated the support, and the offer, he didn’t want to get into another situation like he had before. He swore the next time he lived with someone it would be because he wanted to, not because he needed to. He stroked Ethan’s cheek to take the sting out of his words. “We’ve already been over it, baby, and I just can’t move in. But you have no idea what it means to me that you offered,” he quickly added when Ethan’s lips pursed together in a thin line. “And you’re right. It is going to be fine. I just have to find another job, and with any luck my interview this afternoon will be the one.” He hoped he sounded more optimistic than he felt.

“No fraternizing with the customers, Sunshine,” Brian called. Where’s our food?”

Ethan grimaced. “What an asshole. How did you put up with him?”

Justin glowered at Brian before giving Ethan a sweet kiss. “I didn’t, remember? I gotta get back to work.”

“Will I see you tonight?”

Justin frowned. He was hoping to be working tonight if all went as planned, but he didn’t want to talk about it right now. He knew Ethan would be upset if he started dancing at Babylon. “I don’t know. I’ve got to figure out what I’m going to do.”

“Partying all night isn’t the answer,” Ethan said softly.

Justin couldn’t look him in the eye. “I’m not.”

“I can tell you’re hungover.”

Justin gave him another kiss. “I’ve gotta get back to work before I lose this job. I’ll call you later.”

Ethan tried to smile as he left but failed miserably. Justin was just as unhappy watching him leave. Mentally promising to make it up to him later, he went to the kitchen to get the boys’ orders.

When he dropped the food off Emmett was telling his friends about the trip George had planned for them. “We’re going to Europe for a month, can you believe it?” he gushed.

Justin listened to his plans for a few minutes, willing to forget his own problems for a bit. He was glad Emmett found someone that made him so happy, even if he was a fossil. Despite their first impressions of George, everyone liked him, even Brian. Justin suspected Brian was just grateful someone else’s age difference was more noteworthy than theirs, but over time, they found George to be a very interesting man.

Justin eventually moved on to clear the other tables that were now free, surprised that Michael followed him back to the kitchen. “Jesus, Justin, I told you to stop doing that.”

Justin dropped the load of dirty dishes for the washer and turned around for another earful of Michael’s opinion. He could actually recite it verbatim now since it never changed. ‘What are you doing with Ethan’, ‘stop trying to make Brian jealous’ and his personal favorite, ‘you owe Brian and your just being selfish.’ He knew he owed Brian a lot, but he didn’t think it was selfish if it was self-preservation. He just couldn’t be with Brian, but he hoped over time they would work it out and be close again. He missed having Brian as a confidant in his life.

Justin wiped his hands on his apron and picked up the next order to go out. “What did I do this time?”

“That scene with Ethan. Making out with him in front of Brian!”

Justin rolled his eyes. “We were not making out. Brian’s practically fucked me on the counter in front of half of Pittsburgh so I don’t think a little kiss is a capital offense.” He pushed through the door to deliver his plates before Michael could say anything else.

Debbie came in shortly after to relieve Justin so he could go to class. Justin grabbed his bag and was out the door before anyone else could have a go at him.

“Jesus, that kid’s going to kill himself,” Debbie said no one in particular.

“Who the fuck cares?” Michael mumbled under his breath. Everyone heard, but no one said anything as they saw Debbie’s eyes become angry slits. Before Michael saw her coming, she slapped him upside the head.

“What was that for?” he whined.

“For being such an insensitive shit,” she bellowed as she glared at him with her hands on her hips. “Sunshine has enough to deal with without your petty bullshit. I’m sorry you miss Ben, but taking it out on Justin isn’t going to bring him back.”

Michael was speechless. He didn’t know whether to reopen his complaint about her behavior regarding Ben or to argue it had nothing to do with him.

Everyone else was shocked she finally mentioned Ben’s name as well, but Emmett was more concerned about Justin. “Deb, do you know what’s going on?”

She eyed him with her patented ‘Is the Pope Catholic?’ gaze and snapped her gum petulantly. “ I just talked to Jennifer. She’s worried Sunshine’s going to work himself into the ground to pay for school. His asshole father refuses to pay his tuition next semester.”

“Oh, my God,” Emmett cried. “Poor, baby!”

“What a prick,” Ted grumbled.

Michael just gave Brian a sidelong glance. The man appeared as uninterested as usual as he stirred another packet of sugar into his coffee.

 

***

 

Justin opened the door and found Brian on the other side. “What are you doing here?” he asked, not bothering to hide his surprise.

“I came for the tour,” Brian replied with a sardonic grin. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”

Justin acquiesced and stood aside to let Brian enter.

Brian looked around at the sparse apartment but didn’t comment. Instead, he focused on the drawing illuminating the computer screen. “This is really good,” he finally said.

“Uh, thanks.” Justin sat down on the bench and looked up at Brian. “You still haven’t told me what you’re doing here.”

“I was thinking about getting some new art for the loft, so I came to my favorite artist. I’ll give you five thousand dollars for that picture.”

Justin’s eyes narrowed. “Who told you?”

“What?” Brian hedged as he looked at several other drawings on the table.

“About my tuition. Who told you about the fucking tuition? Never mind, it doesn’t matter. I don’t want your money, Brian, so just leave.” Justin stood again and snatched the drawings from Brian’s hand.

Brian ignored him and pulled out his checkbook. “If you won’t sell me the drawing, consider it a late birthday present. How much do you need?”

Justin was silent.

Brian sighed. “How else are you going to pay for it? Huh? You can’t get another job, Justin. You’ll be working so much you won’t be able to go to school. Besides, another minimum wage job isn’t going to be enough.”

“I’ll get one that pays more.”

“Doing what?”

Justin didn’t answer. He wasn’t going to tell him about his plan to dance at Babylon. Or Sapherstein’s offer to let him dance on the bar if he went to a private party tonight.

He couldn’t believe his luck. At first, the dick tried to blow him off, telling him he had to start at the bottom like everyone else. But when he explained his problem, the guy seemed to understand. Sap told him he would give him one chance to prove he could attract the guys at the club. All he had to do was show up at the party and let them see the King of Babylon. That seemed easy enough, and then he would be making five hundred dollars a night and he wouldn’t have to worry about money anymore. “I don’t want your money,” he said again.

“Why the fuck not?” Brian was starting to lose his patience. He couldn’t believe he was even here, but he couldn’t let the kid drop out of school because his father was a bastard. He’d fought too hard to get there in the first place.

Justin got up and walked towards the door. He really needed Brian to leave before he lost his resolve. Jesus, why was he saying no to the answer to all his problems? When he turned back around Brian hadn’t moved. “Why not?” he repeated.

Justin’s grip tightened on the doorknob. “Because I already owe you too much. I can’t take anything else. I’ll never be able to pay it back.”

“You don’t owe me anything,” the man said, honestly meaning it.

“I owe you my life, Brian! You saved me from Hobbs, and you took me in when no one else wanted to deal with me. You bought me that computer when I thought I'd never draw again! I’ll never be able to repay you for any of it, as long as I live, so I can’t take anything else from you.” The teen’s shoulders slumped with the weight of his admission.

Brian was silent for a moment, carefully contemplating what Justin had said. “You’re right,” he agreed. “You do owe me your life.”

His face was hard as stone and Justin felt like he’d been kicked in the gut.

“Which means,” Brian continued, “you owe it to me to take the fucking money and keep your ass in school. That’s what I want, and you have no right to refuse me.”

Justin shook his head vehemently. “I will stay in school, I want to be in school more than anything. But I have to do this myself. You can’t take care of me anymore, Bri. I need to be my own man. Isn’t that what you were trying to teach me? How to be the best homosexual I can be?”

Brian stalked across the room and looked him in the eye. He hated when the kid used his own words against him. “Sometimes being a man means knowing when to ask for help. Promise me you will ask for help if you need it.” He held the teen’s gaze and waited.

Justin saw the hazel eyes flash at him and his breath caught in his chest. He loved when Brian looked at him like that. It was the only emotion visible on the man’s expressionless face, but it spoke volumes of Brian’s unwavering determination to protect him. The teen didn’t trust himself to speak, so he simply nodded.

Satisfied for the moment, Brian left.

 

***
 

He didn’t know what was in the drinks they gave him but he knew they had to have been laced with something. Justin’s head was spinning and he gripped the arm of the chair a little tighter. He needed to get up and find a bathroom before he got sick.

The party was a lot wilder than he imagined. At first he just hung out, had a few beers, and danced a little with some of the other guys his own age. But then Sap’s friends started hitting on him, offering him a joint, poppers, more drinks; trying to kiss him or grope under his shirt. He could tell Sap was getting annoyed that he kept deflecting his friends so he tried to appear more receptive. He accepted a few drinks and danced some more, but still denied any advances or attempts to lead him downstairs. The last time he went to the bathroom he had seen what was going on downstairs. It was an all out orgy and Sap had quite the playroom. He should’ve realized then he was in over his head, and left while he still had the chance.

This time Justin decided to look for another bathroom upstairs where there seemed to be less traffic.

When he stood, he was suddenly hit hard as the drug surged through his blood and practically knocked him off his feet. He struggled to get himself upright and clung to the banister as he slowly ascended the stairs. His limbs felt heavy and he could barely keep his eyes focused on the ground beneath him.

He saw another man come out of the door on the left and stumbled towards it. Tripping over his own feet, he almost lost his balance. The man caught him, leaning his body against the wall for support.

“Easy there, you alright?”

Justin’s nod was almost imperceptible. “B-room,” he mumbled.

The man chuckled and Justin felt hot breath on his neck as the stranger slipped an arm around his waist. “Good idea. You just need to lay down, and you’ll be fine. I'm gonna take real good care of you,” he whispered as he led Justin to one of the bedrooms.

“Noo…” Justin struggled against him but the man held on.

“Come on, baby, we're just gonna have a little fun.” He pushed Justin against the wall and pinned his arms to his sides while his hips held the smaller body in place. “You wanna party some more, don’t you?” he asked as he licked Justin’s lips.

Justin couldn’t move and his heart sped up. He was trapped and the man was pushing his tongue into Justin’s mouth. Justin twisted his face away and felt the man lick his ear and leave a trail of warm saliva down his neck.

“Let…go…” Justin whimpered as his arms were yanked above his head. Justin tried to focus on someone to help him, but he couldn’t make out anything but a blur of bodies.

The man held his wrists tightly in a meaty fist as his other hand slid under the teen’s shirt and pinched his nipples. The man whispered something Justin couldn’t understand as he pulled roughly on the nipple ring. Justin bucked harder as the sharp pain cut through the haze.

The more Justin struggled, the more the stranger was excited. The blonde didn’t have much fight because of his obvious intoxication, but he had enough wiggle in him to be a good fuck. He snaked his hand down the back of the boy’s pants and squeezed the firm mounds, delving his fingers into the warm crack. “Oh, yeah…you like that?” he teased as Justin squirmed away from the fingers probing his anus. “Mmm, so hot, I’m gonna enjoy fucking that tight little ass,” he growled as his other hand tugged on Justin’s zipper.

Justin’s mind raced but his body wouldn’t respond any more. Unable to fight, fear ripped through the teen and spilled out of him.

“Ugh!” The stranger pushed Justin away as he was covered in vomit. “Jesus fucking Christ!” he sputtered wiping at his face.

Justin fell to the floor still retching. He crawled through the doorway a few feet away and struggled with the door until it shut. Chest heaving from the exertion, he collapsed against the hard wood and tried to will himself some clarity.

 

***
 

Brian, Ted, and Michael were on their way home from Woody’s. Michael was still ranting about Debbie dating the homophobic pig, and Ted was threatening to throw Brian out of his own jeep. Fucking pricks. They were just jealous everyone was getting laid but them.

His phone rang and he was fucking delighted the trick he was trying to hook up with finally called back. Tall and muscular, he was the most beautiful black man Brian had ever seen. Lush lips, huge cock, and the tightest ass. Jesus, what more could a fag ask for? “It’s about fucking time,” he purred.

“Bri…Brian…” a voice rasped softly over the line.

Who the--? “Justin?”

“Um…sick…unh…” was the muddled reply.

Shit. The kid was totally wasted. “Justin, where are you?”

“Help…” Anything else was cut off by choking coughs as more bile burned his throat and nose.

Brian’s blood turned cold. “Justin? Justin, answer me!”

“What’s wrong?” Michael asked fearfully.

Ted turned in his seat and saw Brian was wild-eyed, shouting into the phone, but Justin wasn’t answering.

Brian stared blankly at the phone as if it would come to life. Then the soft green glow of the display flashed at him. “Fuck!” He searched the road around them and grabbed Michael’s shoulder. “Pullover there!” he ordered, pointing to the gas station just ahead. “Fucking pullover, now!!”