Chapt 8 Brian dropped Justin off around noon, before taking off for the gym. He didn’t wait for Mikey, knowing that there would be some sort of lecture tacked on. The last thing he needed was to explain his sudden disappearance the night before and why Justin had spent the entire night. It was tricky enough for him to explain to himself, much as less anyone else. Usually he didn’t give a damn about other people’s feelings but something inside of him ached when he saw Justin crouched under the bar. The feeling was foreign to him and not particularly welcome. In this instance he was hoping absence would not make the heart grow fonder and maybe it would be best to keep Justin at arm’s length. Justin practically floated into the apartment, hardly noticing the three men seated at the kitchen table. He was humming a catchy tune, oblivious to their stares in his direction. “Hey Justin, did you have a good night?” Ben asked cheerfully. “MMmm, yes I did. Babylon wasn’t quite what I expected but I think it will be easier the next time.” “You’re going back?” Hunter questioned him. “Yeah, maybe I’ll even go tonight. Are you up for it?” “Sure, but that’s only if you want to. I missed hanging out with you last night. I was hoping we could do something together tonight.” “Well, then it’s settled. Do you have any plans today? We could all go see a movie or something.” “No, you guys go ahead but thanks for including us. Michael and I already promised Debbie we’d help her out with some stuff today,” Ben answered for both him and Michael. Hunter smiled brightly, pleased that they had gotten out of chores over at Deb’s. The woman was real friendly but god did she collect a lot of shit and have nowhere to put it all. Justin took a seat across from Hunter and grabbed a bagel off the table. Without hesitation, he had it sliced, covered in cream cheese, and devoured within minutes. Hunter almost fell off his chair when Justin grabbed another, talking in between bites about the movies that were currently playing. He was animated and energized as he breezed through different titles. Hunter wanted to hug him on the spot but didn’t want to look like a fuckin lesbian and kept himself on his side of the table. After a pretty mediocre film, Hunter and Justin sat down at a nearby café to have some coffee. Justin was getting sick of everyone always paying for him and mentioned looking for a job soon. “Yeah? What is it you’re interested in doing? Any ideas what would fit your skills best?” “In other words, what you’re really asking me is what type of job someone with my limited skills and fucked up psychoses could handle? That about it?” “Jus, you know that’s not what I mean but if you still can’t deal with eating in public or walking into a crowded room, how are you gonna be able to work?” Justin covered Hunter’s hand with his own. “I can do it and you’ll help me. It’s time I got back into the real world and stopped hiding behind you and the other guys. Hell, I’m three years older than you. You shouldn’t be the one looking after me.” “I never minded doing it before. Wait, you’re nineteen?” “Almost twenty, are you shocked?” Justin couldn’t help but laugh. In some ways nobody had ever known him as well as Hunter, although Brian seemed to be heading that direction in a hurry, but in others they were complete strangers. They didn’t know much about each other’s past home lives and what had led them to the street, only that going back was never an option. Then when Justin was starting to believe that he would never have a real life again Hunter invited him into his sweet new deal, complete with a soft bed, real food, and the opportunity to meet Brian. Just thinking of Brian’s smooth hard body made Justin’s cock jump to attention. He wished he could have stayed with him all day. At least he would be able to find him at Babylon tonight. “Justin, you still there? You went away for a minute. Were you thinking about Brian?” Justin was startled out of his thoughts. “What made you ask that?” Hunter gave him the “duh you’re a little obvious” look. Justin ducked his head sheepishly, slightly embarrassed of his schoolboy fascination with the older man. “You’re not acting all silly so don’t worry. It’s only cause I know you and we’ve spent the entire day together without you saying one word about last night. Come on, the man is legendary and if you guys fucked it is your obligation as my best friend to tell me. You gotta give back to the little people.” Justin laughed as he responded, “The little people, huh? I’ll remind you, you said that.” “Hey, I wasn’t talking about cock size.” “I didn’t think so. I don’t feel right telling you about what happened between Brian and me. It’s private but I will say that he lives up to his reputation. He’s also the most gentle and passionate man I’ve ever met.” “Brian, gentle? Are you certain it was Brian Kinney you went home with last night? You better check his ID next time to make sure it’s the right person. Oh wait, with the King Stud of Liberty Avenue there won’t be a next time.” Justin’s face dropped suddenly and Hunter was kicking himself for being so insensitive. This was exactly the reason he didn’t want Brian getting involved with Justin. “That’s not true. He promised. I may even see him tonight.” Justin’s voice was calm and reassuring. Hunter just wasn’t sure whether he was trying to convince him or himself. The conversation then wandered over to lighter topics and stayed that way for the rest of the afternoon. Brian entered Babylon around 11pm, looking forward to getting completely smashed and forgetting all about a certain blonde. At least the boy’s fears would keep him out of Babylon and hopefully out of his brain. He had been craving those soft supple lips all day. Not even the two blow jobs he had gotten in the locker room at the gym had done anything to erase their feel from his skin. It just didn’t make any sense and the more he thought about it, the more he wanted to forget. Two more shots and Brian stepped on the dance floor, allowing a trick to pull him into a loose embrace. Hunter couldn’t believe that Justin had actually followed through with his plan to go back to Babylon. This time they all walked in together. Emmett had stopped by the apartment and joined in their little expedition. Sensing Justin’s nervousness, Emmett took it upon himself to ease the stress with a little dancing. Hunter preferred to watch at first and have a few beers. There was a remarkable difference in Justin’s comfort level tonight. Hunter couldn’t tell whether it was for real or to prove to Brian, wherever he may be, that Justin wasn’t damaged goods and worthy of another go. The two danced fluidly together, Justin’s obvious rhythm starting to shine through and he wasn’t the only one to notice. In a short period of time, he had already accumulated quite the little fan club. Michael’s voice in Hunter’s ear interrupted his thoughts. “Well, that didn’t take long. Justin seems to fit right in. Given a little more time, he could become quite the popular prize for the alpha males to fight over. It’s amazing how far he’s come in the last few days.” “I know. He finally realizes that there is a life out there worth living.” “A life that seems to revolve around a certain guy we both know isn’t into relationships or settling down.” “Maybe that’s not what he’s looking for either.” “You can say it until you’re blue in the face, but Justin has more than just a little crush on Brian. He wants something that Brian’s not willing to give.” Hunter started to get angry. “That’s not set in stone. Justin’s got a way of getting under people’s defenses so I have to believe he can do it. Since I’ve known him he’s never really wanted anything, it’s time he did. Brian won’t know what hit him.” “Let’s both hope so. Just don’t expect too much over night. Speak of the devil.” Michael motioned over in the direction of a couple on the dance floor. Hunter could clearly see Brian’s lean form. His eyes were glazed over against his sweat soaked face. Hunter watched as he looped his hand into the trick’s belt buckle and pulled him toward the backroom. Hunter’s eyes darted around the dance floor, looking for Justin and hoping to catch him before he found Brian. Justin was nowhere to be found. His stress level increased when Emmett rejoined them at the bar, lacking his blonde dance partner. Hunter sprinted toward the backroom, knowing deep inside that he was too late. Justin had been having the best time just moving to the music and trying to keep up with Emmett’s crazy ways, when he was sure he saw the back of Brian’s head. He excused himself quickly and headed in the same direction. His nerves started to come back little by little as he walked down the dark hallway. Sounds began to fill his ears, moans and screams of pleasure. As he rounded the corner, his eyes took in the various naked men in any number of sexual positions. Some were on their knees, others up against the wall, and even men dangling from slings suspended from the ceiling. For a moment he felt hot all over, until he discovered the man of his dreams plowing into some faceless trick in a corner of the room. Suddenly, he felt cold. It was like he was frozen in time and the moment would drag on forever, just staring at the two men. Until finally the hazel eyes locked with his own and in that split second a thousand emotions coursed through them, starting with surprise, then pain, and finally fear. “Shit,” Justin finally uttered and whirled around, tearing out of the room and knocking right into Hunter. But he was blind to everyone in his way and was out the door before you could blink. “Justin, Wait!” Brian called after him and quickly pulled out of the trick, stumbling with his jeans as he attempted to follow the blonde. Hunter grabbed him by the arm, before he could get by. “Leave him alone. Don’t you think he’s seen enough? Just let him go and maybe he can get over this thing he has for you.” “I don’t want him to just get over it, don’t you get it?” Brian yanked his arm out of Hunter’s grip and took off out the door. Hunter just stood there for a second, contemplating what had just happened. And honestly, he didn’t get it.