Chapt 8 Justin was home less than 24 hours before he had to leave again, this time for London. With the hardest good-bye to Brian already behind him, Justin found it much easier to get onto the plane with his family and friends watching him. He felt an odd sense of calm as he sat in his seat and thought about the future. He was ready to move on to that next step in his life and maybe become someone that Brian could see himself falling in love with. He knew in some ways he was still a boy in Brian’s eyes but all of that was about to change. Real world, here I come. Brian heard from Debbie all about Justin’s departure and how put together the kid had seemed when he got on the plane. Brian wasn’t surprised. Justin was ready for whatever new challenge came his way. Hell, Europe was cake in comparison to being Brian’s friend. With Justin moving forward in his life, Brian figured it was time for him to do the same. His first priority was to show Lindsey and Mel that he could be a father to Gus. So for the next year, Brian slowly opened himself up to fatherhood and the concept of love. It wasn’t always easy but no one was more surprised then Brian himself when Gus uttered his first word, “Dada”. Justin had devoted the last year toward his career and had already been promoted twice, his second coming on the one-year anniversary of his arrival in London. His social life had been less dramatic but he had made one close female friend, Sydney. She was his complete opposite in almost every way, always wearing the latest designer clothes and making sure she attended the most talked about parties. Without her parent’s money she would have been just another struggling actress, but she was famous in London society for being famous. Justin hated her on the spot when he dropped by the set of the film he was working on and ran into her at the craft service table. She had a small part in the film but talked like she was the star. As he stood listening to her, he noticed there was something genuine about her. Although she came from money, Sydney recognized how privileged she was and gave generously to friends and charities. She also gave of herself whenever Justin needed a friend. Justin was just about to walk out the door and pick Sydney up for some bigwig party when his cell rang. He smiled when the name Brian came up on the display. “Hey Bri, what’s up?” he answered casually. “Not much Sunshine, just came from the munchers and heard Gus speak his first word,” Brian announced proudly. “No shit, what was it? Please don’t tell me it was fuck or dyke. Mel would have a cow.” “Nope, it was ‘Dada’.” “That’s incredible,” Justin exclaimed, “but I get the feeling Mel still isn’t thrilled by this turn of events.” “You got that right but it shows the boy has taste.” “What did Mikey say when you told him?” Justin asked. “Nothing, I haven’t told him yet. I wanted to tell you first. I figured you would appreciate it the most since you were my biggest support on the whole fatherhood idea,” Brian stated. “Well I’m honored. I knew you could do it. I’m just sorry I haven’t been there to see it. I can’t believe it’s been a year already.” “I know, so when are you coming back stateside?” Brian asked cautiously. Justin paused for a moment, trying to figure out the best way to tell Brian his plans. “Actually, I just got another promotion at work. They want me to assist directly with the person heading up our next big film project. I’ll be on it for at least the next year. It’s gonna be an amazing film and big opportunity to mix it up with the big boys. So I don’t know when I’ll be back. It starts in another two weeks and then I’ll be working like crazy.” “That’s great. I’m happy for you,” Brian replied with very little enthusiasm. “Bri, it’s not something I can really turn down. I don’t plan on staying out here forever but for now it seems like the right decision.” Justin was right but that didn’t stop Brian from feeling disappointed by the news. “Of course it is. I’m sorry, I’m not really being the supportive friend here am I?” “No, but if it’s because you actually miss having me around then an apology isn’t necessary. I feel the same way. Maybe you could come out here before we start pre-production. I do have 2 weeks and you have yet to see my crazy British lifestyle.” “Or meet your crazy British friend. I have been curious about Sydney the drama queen.” “Speaking of which, she’s gonna kill me for being late picking her up. She said this is the one party where being fashionably late isn’t fashionable,” Justin said with a laugh. “Then I better let you go. You can’t keep a lady waiting. And I’ll think about your offer. Maybe there’s an account out there worth the Brian Kinney personal touch,” Brian mused. “Now that’s the right attitude. I seriously have to run but let’s talk in the next day or two and work something out. You won’t regret it.” Sydney was ready to murder Justin until she found out the reason behind his lateness. She knew all about the Great Brian Kinney and his importance in her friend’s life. It didn’t surprise her when Justin left early to go home for some quality alone time. She also couldn’t let Justin start to mope around when just the other day he had been so excited about the new film. Knowing she might be making a huge mistake, Sydney hit send on a number Justin had given her for emergencies only. Brian answered on the second ring with an abrupt “What!” “Well, that’s a fine way to answer your phone. What if I was calling to say you had won a million dollars? I might just hang up in irritation,” Sydney replied. “Is that why you’re calling?” Brian asked. “No, but…” Sydney started to say. “Then I guess it doesn’t matter how I answer the phone, does it? Now who is this and what do you want?” Brian asked, cutting to the chase. “My name is Sydney and I’m…” “I know who you are,” Brian interrupted in amusement, “I should have guessed by the accent but I wasn’t really expecting Justin’s little friend to be calling me. Is he all right?” “Yes, he’s fine. If you didn’t interrupt people all the time, they could actually get out what they’re trying to say. I thought you were supposed to be the strong silent type. I don’t know how you and Justin possibly hold a conversation with each of you talking nonstop” “I was thinking the same thing about you,” Brian groused, “Now would you please tell me what’s going on.” Sydney then proceeded to fill Brian in on Justin’s sudden mood change and all of the reasons Brian should be proud of his accomplishments. She hardly took time to breathe, must as less allow Brian to respond or explain until she was finished. “And you’re telling me all of this because…” Brian asked when he was finally allowed to speak. “Because, for some reason Justin considers you one of his best friends and possibly the one person whose opinion means the most to him. It doesn’t matter what Daphne and I say or do, he needs to hear it from you. And it would be nice if he heard it in person before he commits himself to this project. I don’t want him believing that his whole life consists of work and the occasional pointless party I always drag him to. He’s gotta know there’s something on the other side, when he reaches his goals out here.” “And you think that’s me?” Brian asked confused. “I didn’t say that. He claims you’re both just friends. I think there’s something more and you’re too fucking scared to admit it. And that’s fine for now. But at least let him know you’re proud of him and support his decisions. That’s what friends do,” Sydney explained, finally running out of steam. “It’s none of your fucking business but I already booked a flight. I’ll be there the day after tomorrow so I don’t need to hear you tell me anymore what kind of a friend Justin needs. That kid has stuck with me through some of the shittiest and best moments of my life since the day we met. And I’ve tried to do the same for him. I knew he needed me the moment he answered the phone two days ago. I haven’t told him yet since I wanted it to be a surprise. The Little Shit is surprising me all the time so I figured it was my turn. Now, are we done? Can I go back to my work out?” For a moment, Sydney was stunned into silence. She had heard all about Brian’s reputation from Daphne and assumed that Justin’s feelings were mostly one-sided. Apparently she was wrong. Not only did Brian care for Justin but he seemed to go out of his way to reinforce those feelings. “I’m sorry, I was wrong,” she admitted. “Sorry’s bullshit. Just make sure you wrangle an invite to one of those exclusive parties with lots of illegal drugs for when I get there. As much as Sunshine bitches and moans he definitely gets a kick out of rubbing elbows with the elite.” “I’ll remember that. Do me a favor and don’t tell him I called you. He hates it when I meddle.” “Your secret is safe with me Princess. I’ll see in two days.” And then all Sydney could hear was the dial tone. The phone conversation hadn’t really gone the way she expected, but she had learned a great deal about Brian and about Justin as well. Two days later Sydney arranged for a car service to pick Brian up at the airport and bring him to Justin’s office. Justin was helping one of the other teams with their preliminary sketches as he waited for his team to be assembled. Brian entered his office without knocking and waited patiently for Justin to finally look up. He was so engrossed with his sketching that it took a moment for Justin to realize he was no longer alone. When he finally did look up, a huge smile stretched across his face. Moments later, they were wrapped up in each other’s arms. “Bri, I can’t believe you came. You should have told me. I would have arranged for a car to pick you up.” “No need to fret, your crazy drama princess took care of everything,” Brian explained. “So you’ve met Sydney?” Justin asked in curiosity. “Only on the phone but she’s quite a character.” “Wait until you see her in person,” Justin said with a laugh, “Sit down. I was about to take a break anyways. Justin and Brian spent the next few days reminiscing about old times and what was currently happening in each other’s lives. At night they went out to local pubs and goofed around. Brian shared pictures and stories about Gus, while Justin promised to show Brian some of the paintings he had been working on in his small amounts of spare time. On Brian’s last night in town, the two men joined Sydney for another one of her parties. Brian was immediately impressed by her sense of style and how attentive she was with Justin. Their friendship made him feel better about Justin being so far away. It wasn’t long before the two warmed to one another and found the other to be not only a good friend to Justin but also an enjoyable person to be around. At the end of the night Sydney dropped the boys off at Justin’s apartment, wondering when the two men would finally acknowledge the spark between them. Justin laughed giddily as the walked up the steps to his apartment, a light buzz running through his body. Neither of them had desired to drink that much so they were both just happy and a little horny. “Jesus Justin, why do we have to walk all the way up these stairs to your apartment?” “I told you earlier, the elevator is down. Someone is coming to fix it tomorrow,” Justin explained for the umpteenth time. “Well next time, warn me before I fly across an ocean to see you,” Brian complained. “How about next time you actually tell me you’re coming to visit and I’ll be sure to fill you in on all of the maintenance problems in my building,” Justin replied. “Fine. Deal,” Brian agreed with a huff. They both entered the apartment tired but still smiling. Justin headed straight for his room, unaware that he was being followed. When he turned around to yell something to Brian, he bumped right into him. “Fuck, I didn’t even hear you,” Justin exclaimed. “I wanted to surprise you.” “You’ve been doing that a lot the past few days,” Justin said softly as their eyes met. “I wanted you to know that even though I want you home, I understand why you need to do this and I’m proud of your accomplishments. You’re important to me,” Brian said sincerely. “I am?” Justin whispered. “Of course, you’re my best friend. Come here,” Brian commanded, opening his arms to Justin. He knew he should turn around and ignore the invitation, but Justin was never one to turn down Brian Kinney. Leaning into Brian’s body, Justin could feel the warmth from his toes all the way up to the tip of his head. The gentle embrace quickly turned sexual as Brian’s hands began to roam over Justin’s back. He arched into the touch, hungry for affection. Brian could feel his dick harden with Justin pressing up against him. A low moan escaped lips, just before he leaned down to devour Justin’s mouth. The kiss was frantic, tongues dueling for control. Justin’s hands began to explore Brian’s well-defined chest underneath his shirt. Brian couldn’t believe he had gone this long without experiencing the unique pleasure of Justin’s sweet kisses. All coherent thought went out the window as he maneuvered Justin toward the bedroom, removing both their shirts before they even reached the doorway. Without knowing the layout too well, Brian accidentally bumped them into the dresser just inside the bedroom. The intrusion was enough to bring Justin back to his senses. He pulled back from the embrace suddenly, his whole body screaming from the loss of Brian’s. Their eyes took each other in, both heaving with wanton breathes. “Brian, what the fuck are we doing?” Justin asked in confusion. “I think that’s slightly obvious, don’t you?” “Yeah, but why now? Are you really ready for this? If we end up in bed together it’s gonna mean something,” Justin stated quietly. Brian leaned up against the doorway, unhappy about where this conversation was going. “Does it have to mean something? Can’t it just be two men who are insanely attracted to each other having one night of extreme pleasure?” Brian asked, a hint of lust in his voice. “It can’t when it’s two men who have a close friendship that means the world to both of them. And not when one of these men is in love with the other and waiting for him to get a clue. Making love to you and then having you reject me is not something I can just move on from. So do you still want to do this? Are you ready to grow up and have a real relationship with me?” Brian was completely taken aback by Justin’s honesty and frankness. A part of him, maybe even a large part, wanted to say yes. The idea of being more than just friends with Justin was so tempting. But how could it possibly happen with Justin just starting a new job and Brian all the way in Seattle trying to be a real father to his son? It just wouldn’t work, not to mention Brian being a newbie is this whole relationship concept. He’d undoubtedly fuck it up and lose his best friend. No, he wasn’t ready for this. “Justin, I just can’t…” Brian said with a sigh. Justin nodded his head solemnly, grabbing his shirt off the floor and quickly pulling it over his head. “Then that’s that. I’m going to bed. You obviously know where the guest room is. I’ll see you in the morning,” Justin said calmly. He was really in no mood to get into a big emotional talk. Brian backed out of the room, his eyes still on Justin’s as the blonde shut the door quietly behind him. Brian wasn’t sure what to make of what had just happened. A part of him knew that something had changed. He should have never kissed his best friend, especially when they were both sober enough to know what they were doing. Not wanting to prolong an awkward situation, Brian quickly packed his bags and left before sunrise. He had an early flight anyways and could use some time to think about what to do next. Brian hoped that Justin would give him another chance when the time was right. It was all he could think about as he waited for his plane.