protect me/protége moi

"That would have to have been the second longest flight in my life,” Justin surmises as he collapses face down onto the hotel bed. Brian chuckles as he hands the man helping them with their luggage a tip. “No shit, Sunshine.” Closing the door, he continues, “Remind me to never fly with three teenagers again.” Rolling onto his back, Justin laughs. “I can’t believe they didn’t sleep! And what shitty movies they insisted on watching…. Jesus Christ. I couldn’t have been that annoying when I was that age.” “No,” Brian agrees as he straddles his lover on the bed, “You were probably worse.” “Hey!” He protests, playfully pushing his husband off of him. “Oomph!” Brian exaggerates the fall back onto the bed. “Abuse!” He teases. “Shut up,” Justin snorts, trying to suppress his grin. Sitting up, Brian smiles and is about to speak, then the door knocks. “Come on in, Moll!” Justin calls, knowing full well it was his sister. Molly opens the door, “The hotel is amaaaaazing, guys!” She announces. “Abigail, Adriaan and I are going to check out the game room.” “Don’t leave the hotel, okay?” Justin reminds her, trying not to sound concerned and instead just overly-protective. Rolling her eyes, she announces, “Duh!” Shaking her head, she continues, “It’s not like we even know what’s out there for us to do.” Checking his watch, Brian suggests, “Why don’t we meet down at the hotel’s restaurant by six for dinner?” “Six D.C. time?” She asks. He nods, “When in Rome…” Shaking her head, she sighs, “That’s lame.” Turning back to the door, she calls out, “Okay, whatever, we’ll see you at six,” and closes the door behind her. Brian gasps, turning to Justin in mocked-horror, “She called me lame!” He laughs, “From her, you should consider that a compliment.” Brian chuckles, glad to see that Justin was no longer a bundle of nerves like he was on the plane. Rolling back onto his stomach, Justin reaches for the hotel’s book and starts skimming the pages, “Hey, maybe I should try out their spa before the show?” Brian lies down beside his lover, wondering if Justin might have drank too much wine in the plane: he was acting too natural, too calm. “It says here that the offer amethyst steam rooms… I wonder what that’s about?” He frowns, continuing to read what else the Spa at Mandarin Oriental offered. Chuckling he looks at his nails, “I’ve never had a spa manicure before… that could be interesting.” Brian gives an amused smile, “’Interesting’ wasn’t what came to mind, but that too.” Turning to Brian, Justin playfully sticks his tongue out before returning to the book. “This is a nice hotel.” “Obviously.” “Molly and her friends are going to have a lot of fun here.” Turning to the window, he realizes it’s actually a balcony. “Holy shit, have you seen this view?” Getting up, he opens the glass French doors and steps outside to look at the Potomac River. “Shit, this whole suite has a panoramic view of the river!” “Well it should, this place isn’t cheap, Justin.” Brian counters, tongue-in-cheek. “Besides, this is the Ambassador suite.” “I can see Jefferson Memorial from here!” Justin exclaims. Undressing, Brian climbs into bed; sighing once his head hits the pillow. Leaving the balcony, Justin closes the French doors, making sure they are locked before turning his attention back to his husband. “Are you going to take a nap?” Brian opens his eyes. He was almost positive he heard panic in his husband’s voice. “You aren’t tired?” “No,” he lies. “You didn’t sleep in the plane.” “Neither did you.” “Which is why I’m going to take a nap: it’s fuckin’ exhausting listening to teenagers for so many hours.” Justin smiles, “Okay, I’m going to look around.” “Why don’t you lie down?” “I’m not tired.” “You’ve never been a good liar.” Brian replies casually. Shrugging, Justin walks over to the bed and kicks off his shoes. “So you’re staying?” Brian asks with a relieved smile. Shrugging again, he stands up and begins to undress, feeling the exhaustion beginning to overtake him. Lifting up the corner of the sheet, Brian waits for Justin to snuggle up beside him. Yawning, Justin climbs under the cover, wrapping his arms around his husband. “I’m just going to lie here for a few minutes… but I’m not going to sleep.” “Okay,” Brian says, though he knows it’s bullshit. Combing Justin’s hair between his fingers, he listens to his lover’s breathing becoming deeper. “Stop,” Justin mumbles. “Stop what?” “You’re putting me to sleep.” “You’re already practically asleep.” Brian replies seriously as he continues to comb Justin’s hair. “I don’t want to go to sleep…” Justin replies softly, his speech becoming slurred. “I’m right here,” Brian whispers, kissing Justin’s head. “And…inmydreamstoo?...” he mumbles, dozing off. “Always,” he whispers, kissing Justin again. He can hear his husband’s deep breathing and knows he has fallen asleep. Kissing his head a third time, he whispers, “I’ll protect you, Sunshine.” And as he says those words, he hopes that they are true. Smiling in his sleep, Justin murmurs, “I’ll protect you too.”