Chapt 1 It had been slim pickings at Babylon and Brian was fed up with listening to the boys piss and moan about the lack of action they were all having. He had snuck out the side door after a lackluster blowjob, hoping to avoid their worthless chatter. At this point all he wanted to do was go home, down a few more shots, and pass out. The crisp air felt good on his sweat soaked skin. He was on his way to the jeep when he noticed a blonde boy leaning casually against a street lamp. His hair seemed to shine in the darkness, creating a halo around his head. All thoughts of an early night flew out the window as he approached the innocent face and slight lithe body. Now this was a trick he wanted to sink himself into. Their eyes locked and he knew the night was just beginning. Justin had been nervous enough when he walked out the door and headed to Liberty Ave, but the closer he got the more he thought maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to head out alone. As much as he loved Daphne, it would be so much easier if he had someone else to talk to that actually understood what he was going through. His heart was beating a mile a minute as he rounded the corner and was immediately surrounded by crowds of men, so different from anyone he had ever seen before. He could hardly focus on a single face he was so taken aback by everything. Needing to get away from the overload, Justin turned down a side street and stood to rest against a nearby street lamp. There were a few people coming in and out of the club across the street but nothing that interested him until a tall brunette exited the building. It wasn’t long before their eyes met and after that, everything changed. The next morning, Justin walked out of the loft on Tremont with his head held high and his virginity a thing of the past. As much as he would have wanted their night to be the beginning of something special, Brian had been honest from the start and Justin had to accept that their time together was short lived. There had been something about Justin that Brian felt protective of and he had strived to make the boy’s first time filled with pleasure. He had even broken one of his cardinal rules by asking him to spend the night. He knew it was out of character but it was already late and not safe on the streets alone. They had surprisingly parted on good terms and he respected Justin’s maturity when it came to understanding the mechanics of a one-night stand. Justin didn’t want to taint the memory of his perfect night by being too clingy and although Brian may think he was done with Justin, that was certainly not the case in his head. But patience was a virtue and he intended on being back when Brian could see him as more of an equal. Brian, on other hand, figured he would never see the teenager again. And that was certainly the case until two months later when circumstances caused their paths to cross once again. Justin had finally found his way to the GLC and was grateful for the chance to spend time with people that were like him. On one of his first days there he had met Lindsey and her support of his art had been monumental. As a result of her encouragement, Justin has selected several pieces to be displayed at their annual art show. Unfortunately by the time the show had come around Justin had been outted to his parents, refused tuition to PIFA, and was currently sleeping on the floor in Daphne’s room. Things were not going as planned and it hurt to think he might have to abandon his dreams just so he could survive. After playing the proper host for almost an hour, Justin slipped out the back door to smoke a cigarette. He had been so excited to show people his work but now it just felt like a memorial service. His career was about to be buried. Brian was constantly getting roped into doing things that he didn’t want to do, especially by Lindsey. He had offered to just write the GLC a check but no, Lindsey insisted that he show up at the Art Show and actually buy something. She had even threatened to show up at his office with Mel and make out in his reception area until he agreed to go. Needless to say, he had his checkbook in hand when he walked in fashionably late. He was hardly there five minutes before a smoke break became necessary. He followed the signs out back and practically ran right into another man as he stepped outside. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to stand so close to…” Justin words died on his tongue when he turned around and discovered whom he was talking to. “Well, if it isn’t my favorite little virgin,” Brian greeted. “Not anymore, thanks to you. It’s Justin by the way,” Justin replied. “I remember.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if you didn’t. You were pretty wasted that night.” “Agreed, but I was sober the next morning when your ass finally vacated the premises.” “Thanks again for letting me stay,” Justin said shyly with a smile. “I’m not a complete shit. Can’t let you wander the streets alone at such a tender young age.” “Yes, your concern for others is inspiring.” “Well, let’s not get carried away,” Brian smirked. Justin shook his head and laughed softly. It had been way too long since he had heard the sound come out of his own mouth. He had thought a lot about Brian Kinney since their night together but hadn’t expected to actually see the man so soon. He could tell already that Brian still wasn’t ready for anything beyond their one night. They continued to talk for the next hour about anything and everything. As much as Brian was enjoying their conversation, he could tell there was something else on the young man’s mind. “So, you going to tell me what’s bothering you tonight?” Brian interrupted, wanting to get the boy to finally open up. “Absolutely nothing,” Justin replied a little too quickly. “Bullshit, isn’t tonight your big art debut? And instead of lapping up all the praise, you’re out here with me in the fucking freezing cold smoking enough to send both of us into an early grave. Which actually isn’t a bad idea if you ask me. But since we’re talking about you, why don’t you just fess up?” Brian demanded. Justin was quiet for a moment, shuffling his feet on the pavement and refusing to look into Brian’s eyes. “It’s not only my first showing. It’s my last as well,” Justin said just above a whisper. “Were the reviews that bad? I wouldn’t take anything a bunch of queens say seriously.” “That’s not it. I haven’t even been in there long enough to know if anyone likes my stuff or not. It’s my lack of an academic future that I’m worried about.” “Didn’t get into the right school?” Brian asked casually. Justin was surprised by his blatancy, but it was also refreshing. Brian Kinney was obviously not one for sugar coating. “No, actually I got into one of the best, the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Art. I just can’t afford to go to it. I got kicked out of my house for being a fairy and my dad has refused to spend a dime on some school where pansies learn to finger paint. Basically it’s Dartmouth or nothing. I have no choice,” Justin said with resignation. “That’s crap, we all have choices. We just don’t always like what are options are. So, you any good?” “Yeah, I am,” Justin admitted. “Fine, then let’s go inside and see what you got,” Brian suggested, as he took Justin by the arm and dragged him back inside. “Where’s your stuff?” “Over there,” Justin said and pointed to the left hand corner of the room. Together they walked across the wooden floor, stopping only when they had reached the first piece. Justin clenched and unclenched his hands as he waited for Brian’s opinion. His wait was extended while Brian averted his eyes to the next painting and continued along down the wall. Justin didn’t know why this one man’s opinion mattered so much to him, but it did. Lindsey was just finished up with a potential buyer when she noticed Brian staring intently at Justin’s paintings. The artist stood nearby, obviously waiting for some sort of a response. She had no idea the two even knew one another but there had to be some sort of a connection to explain their behavior. Brian only came to these things when she threatened him and never stayed longer than the amount of time it takes to write a check. She doubted he had ever even glanced at any of the artwork, much as less absorbed it the way he was doing with Justin’s. She had to admit that if you were going to admire an artist here tonight than Justin was a fine choice. His technique was far beyond anyone of his age, especially when it came to the human form. Lindsey had finally decided to approach them when she was distracted by another sale. Brian had been standing there for what seemed like forever before he finally turned to look the artist in the eye. “Not bad,” he said with a smile and took his cell out of his pocket. Quickly dialing a number he knew by heart, Brian put the phone up to his ear and waited. Justin was completely confused and trying his best to figure out if “not bad” meant “good” or not. “Henry, hey how’s it going?” Brian said into the phone, “ Things are going pretty well over here….actually I had a really hot piece of ass last night but that’s not what I was calling about. Are you still looking for candidates for your Art Scholarship?” Justin’s ears perked up. “Well, I found someone who would be perfect. I’m looking at his stuff right now and it definitely surpasses any of that crap you emailed me a couple of weeks ago for potential interns. He’s a senior at…” Brian looked pointedly at Justin. “St James Academy,” Justin whispered. “St James Academy and has been accepted to the Pittsburgh Institute of Fine Art, but due to financial constraints beyond his control he is in desperate need of some assistance. I figured since you get such a kick out of helping young Picassos reach their full potential, you’d be the perfect man to ask,” Brian explained, pausing to hear Henry’s response. “Sure thing, you’ll have a portfolio on your desk by the end of the week. I’ll let him know you’ll be scheduling an interview for Monday morning. Thanks Henry, you won’t be sorry,” Brian replied, before hanging up the phone. Justin was completely dumbstruck and didn’t know the first thing to say to the man in front of him. His mouth was dry and his palms suddenly sweaty. “You can get that stuff together by the end of the week, right?” Brian waited for a response. “Hello, anyone there?”, he asked, waving his hand in front of Justin’s face. A few blinks of an eye and Justin could finally snap out of his haze. “God yes! Thank you so much. You don’t know what this means to me. I was sure I wouldn’t be able to continue with my art. This is such an incredible opportunity and I won’t let you down. I promise.” “I suspect not. Let me give you Henry’s office address and phone number. He’s an old friend and would never take a recommendation of mine lightly, mostly because I rarely give them. He’s got deep pockets so it shouldn’t be too difficult for him to come up with a suitable amount to help with your education. You’ve got talent and it would be a shame to waste it on bookkeeping. That’s for boring people like Ted.” “You hardly know me. Why do you have such faith in me?” Justin asked timidly. “Because you just had a whole lot of nasty shit happen to you and you’re still here. You’re still creating beautiful art. I know what it’s like to come out the other end and I think you will too. Now that my good deed is done for today, I’m going to get out of here. Good luck with everything.” Brian handed Justin a business card with all of Henry’s contact information and headed for the door. He had almost reached it when Justin called out to him. “Later Brian.” “Later,” Brian replied, as Justin turned to talk to a couple about one of his pieces. Brian glanced back one more time before leaving the building. Once he had reached the jeep, Brian took his phone out again and pushed three on his speed dial. “Hey Brian, you could said good-bye before heading out to get your dick sucked,” Lindsey drawled. “Can it Linds, I did my duty. Plus you were too busy wheeling and dealing with the masses to truly appreciate my presence or even take my money, which brings me back to the point of this call. I want to buy #33. Wrap it up for me and I’ll write you a check tomorrow.” Brian could hear the crinkle of paper in the background. “Hmmm, that’s one of Justin Taylor’s isn’t it?” Lindsey asked casually. “Your point being?” Brian asked annoyed. “Don’t have one really. I just noticed you taking special note of his work earlier.” “No shit and that’s why I want it. He’s got talent and not a single vagina sculpture among his work. I’d love to stay on the phone with you all night but there are many more pleasurable ways to spend a an evening. I’ll see you tomorrow.” “Sure thing Bri, good night.” Lindsey couldn’t help but smile as she disconnected the call. Her eyes scanned the room and fell on the beautiful blonde that had somehow gotten under Brian Kinney’s skin. He was currently charming the pants off of one of the more wealthy gentlemen in the room. He definitely had a way with people. One month later a blurb in the business section of the newspaper announced the expansion of the Ryder Agency into the city of Seattle. Two topnotch executives, Brian Kinney and Robert Henderson, were being sent out to head the new branch. A week later a large abstract painting was delivered to Brian Kinney’s office with a sealed envelope. Brian, Congratulations on your promotion! I hope you’ll find someplace in your new office to hang this painting. I haven’t stopped creating since the GLC show and I know I have you to thank for that. I’m sure you probably already know that I received a scholarship that will cover almost all of my tuition for the upcoming year at PIFA. I got a job the other day at the Liberty Diner to cover the rest. I finally feel like something good is on the horizon. I guess you could say that about both of us. I know we don’t really know each other but I hope that we can somehow keep in touch, even when we’re on opposite sides of the country. That must sound silly to you. You’re just the first person to ever believe in my artistic abilities and I want to be able to share my progress with you. If you’re not interested then feel free to tear up this note but I hope you’ll keep the painting. It’s my way of saying thank you. Sincerely, Justin Taylor Brian had already known about the scholarship. He had checked in with Henry to see how the interview went and was not surprised to hear how impressed the other man had been. Then last week Lindsey had let it slip that Debbie had a new rather adorable blonde boy bussing tables at the diner. Brian had walked by plenty of times to peak in on the young artist but chose not to enter. As he stared at the vibrant colors and focused in on two distinct bodies amongst the chaos of his new painting, Brian figured now might be a good time to get something to eat.