The Gus Diaries

Part 23

The Tux - Part 1

This past weekend was one of the strangest I have ever spent with my dads. I love them both, but it turned out that there really is a lot I don’t know about them. It’s a good thing we’re all living together, otherwise I’d never know all the most unusual and important things about my dads’ past.

Some things are easy to learn and understand, but there are others that just make no sense to me and when I look at the expressions on my dads’ faces the subjects are totally off limits. Last weekend both types of ‘History of Dads 101’ came into play. And to think it all started with a mundane thing like Jeff asking me out on a date…

Well it wasn’t all that mundane and neither is any time spent with Jeff.

It all started right after Sports Night. Jeff and I had a wonderful weekend and on Sunday morning while we were just lolling around in bed he turned toward me and gave me the most loving kiss. “Gus,” (when he uses my name I know he wants to ask something important), “I hope now that we’ve gotten past the Valentine’s Dance and all that bullshit you’ll be willing to go with me to the Junior Prom.”

I’m not sure what I was expecting him to say, but that definitely was a surprise; not so much that he was asking me, but that he was asking me in such a serious way.

“I know how nervous you were about going to the last dance and I’ve read all about your father’s bashing at his prom, so I understand if you don’t want to go. But I just want to let you know that if you say you won’t go, I won’t go either. You’ve really become too special to me to do shit like going to a prom with anyone else but you.”

I must have blushed because Jeff laughed and continued, “We’re lying here in a sticky mess of cum and this makes you blush. You are so fucking incredible.” Then he leaned in and started to kiss me. As I began to return the kiss things began to really start heating up. I could feel us both getting hard.

Before we got too involved, as I knew we would (and couldn’t wait for), I asked, “Well don’t you want my answer?”

“Yeah, but I’m kind of afraid to hear it.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

I laughed, “Yes, I want to go to the prom with you. I can’t imagine being anywhere else but with you, at that dance, on that night.”

Jeff’s smile was lighting up the whole room, “YeeHaw! Now where were we?”

I rolled Jeff on his back and got on top of him. I began moving up and down, rubbing our cocks together. Our kisses became passionate and frantic as our orgasms approached. When we were both getting close, I reached down between us and wrapped my hand around both our cocks and squeezed. Jeff moaned loudly into my mouth as we kissed again more fervently. I began to rub my hand up and down using our combined pre-cum as lube. It didn’t take long for Jeff to start to shoot all over my hand and his chest and I followed immediately behind.

After, we clung tightly to one another. As we shook through our orgasms Jeff continued to hold me tightly. It was as if he needed to hold me tight. He looked at me, “Thank you, Gus, you’ve just made me very happy.”

“I bet,” I smirked.

“You asshole, you know what I mean.”

“Yeah, I know and I’m glad it makes you so happy. I’m really looking forward to being the hottest couple at the prom.”

“Me too.”

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

Later that morning when we finally showered and joined Dad and MJ for brunch we told them the news.

“Hey, you guys, guess what.”

Dad rolled his eyes (totally predictable) and MJ smiled, “What’s up Gus?”

“Besides him when the sports star is around.” Dad just can’t help himself. I wonder if there’s a snark gene.

“Dad,” I think I kind of whined and Jeff had the nerve to smirk as he got his coffee.

“Okay, Sonny Boy, what’s got you so energized and anxious on this Sunday morning…or should I say afternoon?”

“Jeff just asked me to the Junior Prom.”

“And you said…”

My Dad can be so lame. “I said yes, of course.”

Then Dad looked over at Jeff as he took a seat at the kitchen table, “Ah, so Jeff, are you going to be sporting a colored tux and does Gus need to get you a boutonnière to match?”

Jeff laughed, “I don’t like colored tuxes. They really do look tacky. I actually bought a tux last year when some cheerleader asked me to her Junior Prom, and since I figured that I’d have a couple myself it would be cheaper then renting over and over. I just have to bring it to the tailor to get it adjusted. I’ve grown another inch or two over the past year.”

“See Brian, he’s a man after your own heart, fashion forward and practical.” MJ smiled as he tilted his head slightly.

“Well, that clinches it, Jeff really is gay. No other high school kid has that much fashion sense.”

“Oh my God, you two are totally embarrassing me.” All three of them had the nerve to laugh.

“It’s cool, Newbie. I’m getting used to your dads.”

“So, Sonny Boy, what are you planning to wear?”

“Oh shit, I hadn’t given that any thought. I just figured I’d wear the navy suit you bought me when I moved in with you guys.”

It seems that Jeff knows my dads almost as much as I do, maybe even better, because as he took another sip of coffee I saw him trying to hold back a laugh.

“What the fuck are you talking about? Any son of mine, especially one who’s sporting the proud last name of Kinney, needs to dress like a Kinney.”

MJ sat down at the kitchen table and looked at Dad. “Oh, now this I’ve gotta hear.”

“I have no intention of sending Gus to a formal affair looking like he couldn’t afford to dress appropriately. This calls for an emergency trip to Aldo.”

MJ rolled his eyes. “Oh shit, not again. He’s not even 15 yet. Don’t you think he’s a little young for Aldo?”

“Never too young to be fashion forward and look your best, right, Sonny Boy?”

“Uhm, Dad, who’s Aldo?” I think this also got Jeff’s attention as he picked his head up and started watching all of us as if he was following a tennis match.

“Who’s Aldo?” Dad stood up and made his way behind the kitchen island counter. He put his cup down and with his hands on the counter to seemingly support him, he looked directly at me. “Aldo is THE premiere tailor for Armani’s New York City store. He’s tailored all my best suits and tuxes and he’s even done some work for MJ, when MJ lets him.”

“Dad, that sounds like a lot of money for one dance.” That was definitely the wrong thing to say to a label queen. I wished I could take it back the moment it flew out of my mouth.

“You, Gus Taylor Kinney, are worried about the cost. Appearance and first impressions are how people think of you first and foremost. Once they see someone with class then they’ll move forward and learn to appreciate everything about you.”

“But Dad, I’m just a freshman.” Now Dad started pacing back and forth behind the kitchen counter.

“It doesn’t matter how old you are.” Then he looked directly at MJ. “Oh, Sunshine, he really was with his mothers too long. They’ve destroyed his natural fashion sense.”

“Ahh, now I know why it’s so important that he came to live with us. We, or rather you, needed to clean up his misinformed fashion faux pas.” I could tell MJ was trying hard not to laugh out loud.

“Sonny Boy, next weekend we’ll be heading to Manhattan, at which time you will learn the finer points of dressing for success and how to make a splash at important events. Jeff, I hope you’ll be able to get along without Gus for a weekend, but you and your prom will be the beneficiaries of Gus’ newly acquired education.”

“No problem, Mr. Kinney, I’ll just work extra hours at the diner to make some more money so we can get a limo for the prom.”

“Now that sounds like a great idea, no need to worry about driving. I assume that following the prom you two will return here where you can continue to enjoy the evening in the safety of Gus’ home.”

“Sounds like a plan, Mr. Kinney. Oh, and I think white roses make great boutonnières.”

“I love this kid.” Dad smiled and left the kitchen to go upstairs and get dressed and probably to call Aldo and make our appointment for next weekend.

I just rolled my eyes and mouthed, “Thanks a fuckin’ lot,” towards Jeff, who had the nerve to actually laugh out loud.

MJ chimed in, “I’ve been wanting to get back to New York. There are a couple of new exhibits at the MoMA that my agent has strongly suggested would be worth a viewing.” Then he looked at me, “Don’t worry, Gus, it’s just a tux and sometimes it’s not worth battling with Brian over fashion. He really does want to buy you the best, so let him, since you really should wear a tux to a prom anyway.”

I nodded my agreement and then munched on an apple fritter…to get my strength back. Dad can be such a drama queen; I hope that’s not genetic.

 

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
 

So five days later Dad, MJ and I took a late afternoon flight into Newark Airport and then Dad sprung for a private car (not quite as fancy as a limo) to drive us into the city and to our hotel. We ended up at a hotel in midtown Manhattan, near the theater district. This way if we decided to go to a show we’d be within walking distance of theaters and restaurants. I just thought everything was so cool. I didn’t care where we stayed, I knew this was going to be an adventure.

Friday night after dinner, and after all the shows started (so the streets weren’t too mobbed with people) we decided to take a long walk. We made a couple of stops along the way as we headed in an uptown direction.

I insisted we go into the Hershey store. I bought a gigantic chocolate kiss for Jeff and a five pound Hershey bar for Jenny. That girl is skinnier than Mem, she could use a few added calories. Dad and MJ bought a few other things for everyone in the family and arranged for everything to be sent to our hotel so we wouldn’t have to haul it around as we walked.

We took our time and just kept walking. There were so many stores to go in and out of and Dad figured if we got tired we could always take a cab to the hotel if we didn’t want to walk all the way back.

By about 10:15 PM we arrived at the Lincoln Center complex. It was such a beautiful series of buildings with a huge patio and fountain in the middle. It happened to be a particularly warm night for early March so lots of people were milling about.

We heard mumblings from others who had just left the performance by the New York Philharmonic that a new artist was going to make an appearance outside to sign autographs for people who purchased his newly released cd.

I was curious so I walked ahead to see if I could get a glimpse of the artist. This would be such a cool story to share with my friends, especially if the person was famous.

By the time Dad and MJ caught up to me, the guy had come out and was seated at a table in front of the fountain.

“Oh my God, Brian.” I saw MJ’s face and I thought he was going to puke. I wondered if he’d eaten something that disagreed with him at dinner. Or even worse, was this all too much for him. He’d only had the brain surgery a couple of months ago. Was he pushing himself too hard because of me and Dad?”

“Holy shit, Sunshine. When was the last time you saw him?”

“One month before I promised never to listen to violin music again.”

Dad held MJ in his arms. It almost looked like he was holding him up. “Did you two ever hash it out and get everything out in the open?” MJ shook his head.

I went over to them because I was getting really nervous. “Are you sick, MJ? You don’t look so good.”

“I’m fine, Gus, but I’d rather not stay here. Maybe it’s time to go back to the hotel.”

Then Dad turned MJ to face him, “Justin, don’t ever run away. You’re not a kid anymore. That behavior doesn’t work. By your reaction, I’d say that there are definitely some issues that should be resolved even if it is old news.”

“Brian, are you fucking nuts? Why would I want to talk to him? He’s a cheating, lying asshole.”

I may not be a genius, but I realized that the famous Ethan Gold, signing autographs and selling his cd’s, was someone that MJ knew years ago. Then I started remembering bits and pieces of MJ’s rant when I said I didn’t want to go to the Valentine’s Dance because I was afraid of being out in public. Was this the guy he’d been all irate about?

“Dad, MJ, I’m okay with going back to the hotel. I was just curious about seeing someone famous, but it’s no big deal. It’s not like he’s a famous actor or something. Bragging won’t be any fun.”

By then it was too late. For a moment MJ had this deer-in-the-headlights look. I turned around and saw that Ethan Gold had left the signing table and was walking right towards us.

Dad whispered in MJ’s ear, “You are the most amazing man I’ve ever known. You can handle this. Just know I’m right here behind you.” MJ stood up straight and tall (well as tall as he can) and composed himself.

“Well, if it isn’t the famous up and coming artist, Justin Taylor. Long time no see.” I wasn’t sure if Mr. Gold was being friendly or just polite. “Did you see the concert?”

“Afraid not. We were just strolling uptown and happened to arrive as your signing table was being set.”

“Ah, so are you planning on seeing it? I could set aside house seats for you and…”

“Brian and our son, Gus, are with me. That won’t be necessary. We have quite a full schedule on our plate and none of us are particularly partial towards violin music.”

“I remember a time that you were.”

“I was young and have grown up considerably since then.”

“I see. Well have you seen the new exhibit at the MoMA?”

“No, we’ll be going tomorrow. My agent made me promise not to miss it.”

“I should hope not. Your work is incredible.”

I could see the shock on MJ and Dad’s faces. Obviously that was the reason that MJ’s agent was pushing him to see the new exhibit, he had a piece IN THE MoMA! My father is fucking famous! Now I’ll really have something to brag about when I get back to school. This will make a great article for the paper. St. James Alum’s work hanging in world renowned museum.

“Oh fuck, you didn’t know, did you?” Mr. Gold seemed surprised.

“I do now.”

“Well, it’s an incredible piece. Its title is, “Passion in Olive and Cream”. It didn’t take me long, when I saw that it was painted just last year, to realize what it truly meant. So have you two been together all this time.”

At this time Dad chimed in, “Yes. In fact, when William Penn’s state finally wised up, so did we; and last summer we finally got legally married. How about you, Ethan?”

“Brian, you must really be happy together, you remembered my name…correctly.” Mr. Gold laughed and actually so did Dad. MJ smiled and rolled his lips slightly inward.

“Well, Ethan, did you ever get married?” MJ reiterated Dad’s question and seemed to be progressively relaxing.

“Twice.” Dad raised his eyebrows to that answer. “My wife and I were married for about two years before we knew that it would never work.”

“Beards rarely do.” MJ added. That got my attention. So the guy was playing it straight and actually got married to seal the deal.

“I guess not, but by then my career as a symphony performer had taken off and spoke for itself.” Clearly being humble wasn’t an issue for this guy. I rolled my eyes but turned away so as not to be rude. “Then I met and married Mark. We’ve been together for four years.”

“Any kids?” MJ asked.

“No. My career has us constantly moving from place to place. And besides, I’d make a shitty parent. But you look like you have a great son. Is this the kid I met when he was like two years old?” This guy met me.

“Yeah, this is Gus Taylor Kinney. Brian and I are in New York City to get him a very special tux for his first prom.”

“Taylor Kinney? But I thought he lived with your lesbian friends.”

“His mothers agreed that as he was getting older he would benefit from living with us.” Then MJ came over and put his arm around my back. “And he made us incredibly proud by changing his name to one he felt more suited to. He’s the light of our lives.” It was kind of cool to see MJ all father-proud of me.

Then Mr. Gold turned to me. I wasn’t particularly comfortable with him after everything I’d put together about his behavior when he was with MJ and for a while after. “So, Gus, you must have a great girlfriend to warrant coming all the way to New York for a special tux.”

“No sir,” at least I could be polite, “I have an amazing boyfriend, who I’m very proud of. Obviously he’s proud of me as well, since he asked me to his prom.”

Mr. Gold’s eyes widened. He looked from me to my dads and then made a slight laughing sound, “Well, I guess you have two great influences with your fathers. I better get back to my signing.” Then he looked at MJ and Dad. “I’d like to suggest that we all get together this weekend, but…”

Dad chimed in, “I don’t think we’ll have the time, and I’m not convinced I’d want to make the time either.”

MJ smiled at Dad. “Ethan, thank you for coming over here. I know you’re busy, but it was definitely an eye-opening experience.”

“And a book-closing one as well I’d imagine,” Mr. Gold added, although I could tell he didn’t seem as happy as my dads. He touched MJ’s face for a split second, “Good-bye, Justin, I just want you to know that you did add depth to my music even after you left.” With that he turned around and returned to his awaiting fans.

Dad and MJ were facing each other. I could tell that they were in a place where they were the only two people on the planet.

“Justin, are you okay?”

“Holy fuck, Brian, I have a painting hanging at the MoMA!” The two of them laughed, hugged and kissed.

My dads can be so weird sometimes, but I definitely knew where we’d be going right after my appointment with Aldo the next morning.

It’s getting kind of late and I still have homework to finish, so I’ll continue this in a couple of days.

[TBC]

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