A/C: Okay, this chapter took me a little longer. I thought I would enjoy writing pissy Justin more than I did. Don't get me wrong, it was cathartic in a lot of ways, but I ddin't get the same thrill as I usally do. Anyway, enjoy and let me know what you think. I'm a bit worried that the characters are getting away from themselves a bit. I'm trying to keep them "cannon" as much as possible, but... I am my own beta, so all mistakes are mine, but I would appreciate if you catch anything too glaring. *************************************************************************** Chapter 9 Brian’s POV I’ve been outside for about ten minutes when I hear him approach. I can tell it’s Justin by his footfalls and the way his hands rub together for warmth because he’s forgotten his gloves. Again. And if that doesn’t make me a dickless fag, feeling a bit of my own frustration melt at the sound of his angry breathing would. He doesn’t say anything as he approaches the table and chair I’ve chosen as my brooding place. We, okay mostly I, try not to smoke around the kids so I’ve left one of the tables and a couple of chairs from the pool area out for when I need to indulge. He places his hand on my shoulder squeezing lightly as he kisses my head. He then walks around the table, taking the chair opposite me. He just watches as I continue smoking my cigarette. I return his stare, knowing I will be the first to break the silence. Stubbing the butt into the ashtray, I flick my gaze to his and simply say, “You should have told me.” “I planned to.” He replied, his gaze never wavering from mine. His tone is icy, but there’s underlying amusement too. “Explain to me exactly when I was supposed to have told you. When we had our tongues down each other’s throat at the security gate? When you had your dick shoved up my ass while we were waiting for the luggage, perhaps? Or how about when your…our son called me Daddy Jusin for the first time?” He pauses to catch his breath and wipe the tears from his eyes. My heart clenches at the thought of Gus being ‘our’ son. Doesn’t matter that I’ve though of Justin as Gus’ second daddy for years, to have it publicly stated, to have him acknowledge his place in Gus’ life, sends chills down my spine. It almost makes me want to shed a tear or two myself. If I were prone to that type of thing. “So, Brian, tell me when in the last few hours would have been an appropriate time to share news I knew was going to shake you?” He doesn’t look at me now, but rather plays with my lighter, agitation apparent in every flick of his wrist. “Did you think I wouldn’t be proud of you, Sunshine?” Hurt laces my words, but the gut-wrenching fear of him being gone for so long is bleeding through my pores. What if he meets someone in Europe? What if he decides to never come home? Lindsey’s concerns filter through my head, compounding my own fears of not being worthy of him. As usual his fearless attitude cuts through all my bullshit. “Of course I know you’re proud of me, Bri. I’m becoming the best homosexual I can be. The Philberg Program is any artist’s wet dream. But I also know how you think. You want me to go to Europe and experience all I can, unencumbered by a partner back home. For whatever reason, in that fucked up mind of yours, Europe is different than New York. Maybe it’s the distance or the time. I don’t know and frankly I don’t give a fuck. I’m not letting you push me off Mount Kinney again.” He leaves his own chair and comes to straddle my lap. “Besides, I don’t leave for over a year. By then you will have probably gotten tired of my ass and kicked me to the curb anyway.” He nuzzles my neck, laughing softly to let me know he’s kidding, somewhat. With more seriousness than I care to admit I reply, “Never, baby, never. But…” He cuts me off with a kiss. “No buts, Brian. We’ll figure it out, like we did New York, when the time comes.” He wiggles suggestively causing my cock to stir before he continues, “Why are we talking about something that’s a year away when I seem to remember a payment someone now owes me.” At his eyebrow wiggle, I can’t help but laugh. I am so fucked. Literally. But being Brian Kinney, I have to at least pretend to put up a fight. “You can’t seriously believe I’m going to give up my ass for this.” “As I seem to recall, you made a promise to me that if you ever queened out about our long-distance relationship, and, more importantly, didn’t talk to me first, your as was mine. Literally.” I squirmed in my chair thinking about his thick cock buried deep in my near virgin ass. After a few minutes of silence he said, “If you want to change the payment, that’s fine.” He looked into my eyes worriedly. “I know you’re not fond of bottoming. You could buy me some ridiculously expensive art supplies or something.” He moved to get off my lap, but my grip on his wrist stopped him. “You know my ass is yours nearly anytime you want it.” His answering smile was enough for me to continue. “Besides, have I taught you nothing? Never give up on payment of a debt. And I never break a promise.” Giving a loud sigh for effect I push him off my lap. Standing I grab his arm and lead him toward the house. “Let’s go. Time to play the piper as it were.” He stops me just before we reach the door. “Payment will have to wait until later. I promised Gus his daddies, both of them, would play games with him before bedtime.” “Christ. As long as it’s not Candyland. I can’t stand that damn game.” He just grins at me and I know I’ll be spending the next couple of hours playing the damn color game. “Fine, but you better make my ‘punishment’ worth it.” “Your ‘punishment’ will be more than appropriate. First I’ll fuck you into the mattress, then I’ll worship every inch of your body. You won’t be able to walk right for days and will love every sore minute of it.” “I always do, baby. But if you tell anyone I’ll have our balls, and not in a positive, life-affirming way.” He helps me finish that statement. I swat his ass as he turns to open the door. “Your nelly bottom ways are safe with me. Besides, no one would believe me even if I showed them pictures.” “Except for Mikey.” I pause and laugh at the fish out of water look on Mikey’s face when he aught Justin fucking me the last time he was home. Laughing again, I ask, “Think that would work on Lindsey? I think that was the moment Mikey finally got it.” I didn’t have to explain what ‘it’ was. Justin was with me two days later when Mikey came over to the loft, remembering to know first, and apologized for every doubting the love I felt for Justin. Mikey had finally let his fantasy of us as a couple go and was truly happy I had found someone who was my equal. “Probably not. She’d probably want to watch or join in.” We both shudder slightly at that thought. “Besides, I’ll deal with her and Mel later. This conversation has been a long time coming.” He’s right. It’s long past time Mel and Lindz stopped treating him like a little boy unable to make his own decisions. I want to warn him against unleashing his anger on the girls, but seeing the look of determination in his gaze and stance, I know it’s pointless. I settle for a semi-joke instead. “Just don’t piss them off so much they decide to leave the country again.” He smacks my ass as we head through the kitchen. “Come on bottom boy. Our son awaits. The sooner we tire him out, the sooner I can take you upstairs and tire you out.” His seductive voice whispering in my ear sends a jolt down my spine and straight to my cock. I jerk him in front of me and try to inconspicuously adjust the raging hard-on in my pants as we enter the kids’ playroom. With a last wicked grin and wink over his shoulder, he walks over to Gus and helps him bead Michael and Melanie at a game of Shute’s & Ladders. Justin’s POV I love playing games with Gus. And when I can get Brian to join in it’s even more fun. But tonight I can’t wait for bedtime. A part of me is worried about my discussion with the girls, true, but an even bigger part of me wants that over with even more. Thinking about Brian’s ‘punishment’ later keeps making me hard. Every so often I shift in my position on the floor trying to will it down. Fortunately, we are gathered around a low table so my movements are mostly hidden. Brian is the only one who seems to notice, but he’s having similar problems. That’s what I’m guessing anyway because he hasn’t made his usual snarky comments. Finally Ben and Lindsey join us at our table, Ben carrying a sleeping JR. Lindsey watches as Gus wins his fifth game of crazy eights then says, “I think it’s time we get these two to bed. She pats Gus’ shoulder and begins to lead him from the room. Brian and I both get up to join everyone at the door. “I want Daddy and Daddy Jusin to tuck me in.” Sleepiness is making Gus whinier than usual. “Gus, sweetie, let mommy put your jammies on and tuck you in like I usually do.” Lindsey avoids my gaze and tries, again, to get Gus headed up the stairs. “NO! I want my daddies.” Trying to avoid a total meltdown I crouch down so I’m eye level with Gus. “Hey, Bubby. Why don’t you let your Daddy get you ready for bed and once you’re all settled, and I’ve had a chance to talk to your mommies, I’ll come up and tell you a story.” “Pomise?” Gus’ lower lip quivers and he swipes at his eyes, trying to stop his tears. “I promise. Why don’t you read to your daddy until I come up? It’ll keep him out of trouble.” I give the little boy a final hug and raise up. “Ben and I will put Jenny Rebecca down, then we have to head back into the Pitts.” Michael takes his sleeping daughter from Ben and leads the way up the stairs. Brian gives me a pointed look then turns to follow Gus. “Ladies, why don’t we move to the media room.” It’s not a question and I don’t wait to see if they follow. I love the media room. Each wall is a different shade of brown varying from a light mocha to a deep chocolate on the wall behind the plasma TV. Leather sofas in burnt orange and burgundy complement the walls. It should look like a dark, dank cave, but strategic placement of tract lighting with dimmer switches keeps it from feeling closed in. It’s the soundproofing, however, that has me wanting this discussion taking place here. It’s not that I think anyone is going to et so upset that they start screaming, but I don’t want to take that chance with the kids in the house. Mel and Lindz soon join me, Mel closing the door behind them. Surprisingly it’s Lindsey who starts the conversation. “Justin, I’m sorry for reacting the way I did about Gus calling you daddy. It just took me by surprise. And I was worried that with you being gone Gus was going to be hurt.” “Bullshit Lindz. You were afraid your little hetero life here would be threatened if Justin became a bigger presence in our son’s life.” Melanie shocks me by lashing out. “You’re afraid this will bind Justin and Brian even more, taking his love away from you.” Not wanting to lose focus I bring the conversation back to me. “Evidently there are a lot of issues floating around this house. However, there are only two I’m concerned about.” I watch as Lindz and Mel share a glance and move to sit on the couch. I choose to pace, much like Brian when he’s in Ad Man mode. “The first issue has to do with Gus calling me Daddy.” I stop Lindsey from speaking with a death glare before I continue. “I know your concerns at least partially stem from wanting to protect Gus from being hurt. You should already know this, but in case you’ve forgotten, I love Gus with all my heart. My love for him began the night he was born and has only strengthened with each passing year.” I stop Lindsey from interrupting me by placing my hand on her shoulder as I move past the couch. “My love for that little boy has nothing to do with my relationship with his biological father. If Brian and I split tomorrow I would still want to be a part of Gus’ life.” “I have no problem with that Justin.” Melanie waited until I stopped and sat in a chair across from them before continuing. “To be honest you’ve been more like a father to him a lot longer than Brian has.” Lindsey glares at Melanie before she yells, “Why must you always put Brian down? He’s been a good father to Gus and has helped us every time we’ve needed him to, not only with Gus. He’s letting us live in his house for god’s sake.” Melanie looks at Lindsey like she’s grown a third head or something. “Only after you practically begged him. On both counts. Tell me, Lindz, why didn’t you just let him rent us a house in the city? I know he offered. Why did you insist we move in HERE?” The shocked look on Lindsey’s face lets me know she wasn’t aware anyone knew about Brian’s offer. I sit back, content for the moment just to see what her response will be. Will she have the balls to admit what everyone is all to painfully aware of? Finally, she seems to find her voice, “I didn’t see any point in having him pay out for rent when he just has this house out here sitting empty. Why wouldn’t we want to live out here?” Mel looks as if she is about to explode. “Maybe because it is setting a standard for our children. What’s going to happen to them when we move out into our own house and they suddenly don’t have a pool and separate play room?” “Why do we have to move at all? Brian said we could stay here as long as we needed to. It’s not as if he was getting any use out of it.” Lindsey’s calm assurance that this house, my house, is hers for as long as she wants it is more than a little disturbing. Mel sighs in exasperation. “The key word is need, Lindsey. It assumes that we will be moving sooner rather than later. Besides, it’s Justin’s house too.” Lindsey looks shocked, like she had forgotten that I existed for a moment. “Well, it’s not like he’s using it either. And he won’t be for a long time to come.” Finally, I’ve had enough. I can’t take any more of the bickering and fighting between Mel and Lindz. “Just because I’m not here all that often doesn’t mean I have no say. Brian may own the house, but he does consult me on what’s to be done with it. Once our renovations were completed we were going to rent it out. When, and I do mean when not if, I move back Brian and I will decide if we want to live out here fulltime or whatever.” I pause and begin to pace once again. “Your little display here tonight gave me some insight I have been missing. Melanie, I think I finally understand a little better why you have such animosity towards Brian. I always assumed it was because you both were so much alike.” At the look of shocked outrage on Mel’s face, I can’t help but smile. Patting her shoulder affectionately I continue, “What I mean is, how you both are so driven and wont’ accept bullshit when it’s tossed your way. You’re both loyal to a fault and want only the best for those you love.” I pause to take my seat again. “However, this little back and forth tonight shows me that there’s more to it. Lindsey’s unresolved feelings towards Brian. That’s something you two will have to work out on your own.” “Brian is a strong, loving, generous man and there’s nothing he wouldn’t’ do for his son. As long as he’s okay with Gus calling me daddy, I’m okay with it. They’re both happy and that’s all I’m concerned with right now.” I lean forward in my chair and let my voice drop a bit, hoping to convey how serious I am about this next part. “Now about my relationship with Brian. Frankly it’s none of your damn business what goes on between us and what we find acceptable and not. We’re doing what works for us right now and I would appreciate everyone butting out unless we ask for your advice specifically.” I lean back in my chair and glare at them both. Mel looks back at me straight on, but Lindz squirms a bit. “Secondly, I won’t allow anyone, especially you Lindsey, to use my career as a way to play on Brian’s insecurities and force him to push me away again.” “Justin, that’s not fair. You know I just wanted you not to squander your opportunities. You have so much talent. I just didn’t want to see you pass it up.” “That may be partially true, but New York isn’t my dream. I suspect it was/is yours and you’re projecting that onto me. I love to paint, draw, create. I create what moves me, speaks to me, regardless of whether or not it’s going to sell. I don’t even care if anyone sees it. It’s the process I get off on.” I snicker when I see her doubtful look. “Listen to me. Showing my art is fun, but I don’t want to have to create ‘marketable’ pieces. I had already started the process of getting accepted to Carnegie Mellon’s graphic arts program when Babylon exploded. I was going to double major like I am now in business and graphic arts. I was hoping once I got my degree Brian would ask me to work for him and we would develop a true partnership. When he asked me to marry him I knew my dreams were going to finally come true.” “Then why call off the wedding? Why move to New York?” Lindsey asks perplexed. “Because YOU felt like I was giving up something by not pandering to that damn art critic. Instead of trusting me when I told you Brian was my choice, you treated me like a kid and went off to tell ‘daddy’ I was sacrificing my career for him.” I pin Lindsey with a stare, letting my anger wash over me. Getting control of my emotions once again I continue, “You know as well as I do once Brian gets something into his head there’s nothing that will change his mind. He would sacrifice his happiness, his life even, if he thought someone he loved would benefit from it. I shifted to looking at school in New York and let him ‘convince’ me it was for the best, but I did it on my terms. As much as I could anyway.” I smile a little thinking about that little conversation after deciding to call off the wedding. It wasn’t always a fun conversation, but the fact that Brian was willing to talk at all was more than I though would happen. “The Philberg program is a bonus I wasn’t expecting, but make no mistake, once I graduate I am coming home and marrying Brian and fuck anyone who tries to get in my way.” I stand up and begin to walk toward the door. “The days of little Justin Sunshine letting everyone tell him what’s best for him are over. I know what I want, and more important, Brian and I know what’s best for us. Peter has finally grown up Wendy and it’s time you accepted that. Michael finally has.” “Justin…” Mel and Lindz start at the same time. I put up my hand to stop any platitudes which might be forthcoming. “I don’t want to hear it. You know where I stand. I will listen to your thoughts about things, but I expect you to respect my decisions. Now, if you will excuse me, I have a little boy who needs a story.