It’s All Relative

 Chapter 1

A/N: This is written in “The Ends Justify the Means” universe for the neverenough_bj "OC with Angst" challenge.
 

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“Look, Bri, it’s just a matter of a little paperwork and then it’s all finished.”

“Ted’s right.  This’ll take no time and then it will be done, and we can just move forward as we have been.”

“That’s the point, Justin.  If we’re going to move forward as we have been then what’s the big fucking deal?”  Brian entered the diner with Ted and Justin close on his tail, babbling away.  He stopped suddenly and turned around, the two followers nearly bumped into him.  “And for your information, this has nothing to do with the paperwork.  I’ve been filling out fucking paperwork all my life.”

Brian walked to the rear of the diner, heading towards the last booth where he slid all the way in opposite Ben and Michael.  Justin sat down next to Brian, and Ted took the small spot at the end of their bench.

The bell over the diner door chimed again, and in no time Emmett approached the already crowded table, “Hey, boys, what’s for lunch?”  He nudged Michael over and sat next to him.

“Ted and Justin’s balls if they don’t leave me the fuck alone.”

“It’s nice to see you, too, Mr. Sourpuss.” 

Michael wore a look of both amusement and confusion.  Ben finally spoke up, “So what has you all upset, Brian?”

“I’m not upset.  I just don’t like to be forced into doing something that’s a waste of time.”

Justin looked at Brian, appalled.  “How can you say that?”  Then he addressed the three confused men sitting opposite him.  “Jessica is almost nine months old and Brian can become more than a custodial guardian, he can finally become a third party adoptive parent, but for some fucked up reason he’s refusing.”

Ben looked at Brian in what could only be described as shock.  “Brian, from what you told me at the gym last week, the only thing you wanted to make your life complete was...”

“Enough, Professor.”  Brian glared at his muscular friend.  “What’s said at Ript Gym stays at Ript Gym,” he hissed between his clenched jaw.

Michael looked at his long-time friend.  “It’s not Vegas, now what the fuck’s the real problem?  It was the most amazing thing in the world when Ben became JR’s legitimate parent in the eyes of the law.  Don’t you remember the big celebration we had?”

Ben smiled at Michael and kissed him gently on the lips. 

“Would you two fucking lovebirds cut it out.  Some of us are getting ready to have lunch.”   Brian looked around and spotted his next target.  “Hey, Deb, it’s called a lunch hour for a reason.  How about taking our orders before we have to leave.”

Deb hustled to the table after dropping off three plates of food at the neighboring booth.  “What’s got your knickers in a knot?  You sound pissier than Carl after I’ve over-spiced his marinara sauce.”

Justin looked at Deb. “For some reason, Brian doesn’t want to go through with the simple process of formerly adopting our youngest child.”

Brian hated seeing Justin hurt.  “Justin, you know how I feel about Jessica.  She’s every bit as much my child as Gus.  It’s just that...”

“What?  What the fuck is wrong?”  Justin barely choked out the words, his face the picture of confusion and hurt all rolled into one.  “When I finally got legitimate rights to Gus, it was one of the best days of my life.  It just took a little irritating paperwork that Ted walked me through and a few visits from the social worker.”

Debbie’s face immediately softened.  “Honey, that’s it, isn’t it?”

“What the hell are you talking about, Deb?  And are you ever going to take our orders or should I go somewhere else to get my daily dose of grease?”

“You can be as nasty as you want, Mr. Kinney, but I’m onto you.”

Brian smiled at Deb’s choice of phrasing and smirked at Justin who smiled despite his anger.

“You don’t want to be observed and have your precious space invaded by the damn social worker.”  All eyes immediately focused on Brian, awaiting his response.

He lowered his head and nodded in a way that was hardly noticeable to anyone who wasn’t looking directly at him.

Ben looked directly at Brian.  “Michael and I have had to deal with social workers invading our place and our space twice.  The first time Michael nearly went out of his mind.”

“Hey!”

“You know it’s true, baby.  Remember your unsuccessful foray into flower arranging?”

“Shut up.”  Michael grinned as he blushed.

“Anyway, Brian, it wasn’t nearly as horrible as we’d expected.  The woman was respectful and supportive since we were obviously genuine about our desire to have Hunter with us.  It was even easier the second time with JR.”

Justin brushed his hand over Brian’s shoulder and whispered in a soft voice so it was barely audible.  “You’re not the same man you were when I met you.  Fuck, you even took our kids to Disney World. There is no social worker in the world that could find fault with you.”  He then placed his hand behind Brian’s head and pulled him in for a kiss that became quite heated despite the confines of their space.

“Hey, Sunshine, I thought you two were hungry.”

Brian smirked, “We are, Deb.  And we’re satisfying our appetites perfectly.”  He reached over to tap Ted on the shoulder.  “Let’s fill out that fucking paperwork and get it rolling as soon as we get back to the office.”

“Right-oh, Boss.  You won’t be sorry.”

“I’d better not be.”

Then Brian looked up at Debbie.  “Deb, I’ll have a burger, no bun and a side of fries.”

Justin grinned.  “No bun, but French fries?”

“I pick and choose where I get my calories and my carbs... just like I pick and choose when and where I get my protein.”  Brian smirked, knowing that his message was received.

“Okay, Sunshine, what’ll you have?”

“Brian as Jessica’s other legal father.”

Brian leaned in to whisper in Justin’s ear, “You got it, Sunshine.”  The two began to kiss again.

“Oh shit, will you two get a room after you finish giving me your fucking order.”

[TBC]

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