Chapt 9 Justin didn’t stop running until he had exited Babylon and was standing, taking deep breaths, just outside the door. His heart was racing and tears that he thought were no longer a part of his life, slid down both cheeks. In his haste to get out of a bad situation he hadn’t really thought very clearly about what he would do now. He didn’t have a key to Michael’s place and Hunter would probably call in the coast guard if he went off on his own. How had his life gotten so fucked up that a teenager was his guardian and spending time alone was worthy of a manhunt? The need for familiarity led Justin in the direction of the hustler hang out. The boys knew went to leave him alone and that way Hunter could still find him later on. He walked quickly, not used to being on the streets alone. It didn’t take long to find the other boys. They never seemed to stray very far from the same streets. Billy was the first to notice him. “Holy shit JT, what are doing down here alone? Hunter was supposed to be watching your ass.” Billy reached out to slap his hand in greeting. As their hands connected, Justin was reminded of how kind all of the hustlers had been to him. They didn’t even know his real name, yet there had been an immediate attachment from all sides. Soon the other boys began to notice his presence as well. It wasn’t long before he was completely surrounded by the boys’ joyous laughter and comforting smiles. Of course that was almost immediately followed by an outbreak of mothering. Justin felt the need to nip that in the bud before it went any further. “Guys, guys, guys, listen to me. I know you’re worried and I appreciate that, but I’m not that scared little waif that you found in an alley anymore. Actually I’m not JT at all. My name’s Justin and I’m nineteen years old. When Hunter found me, I was at my lowest point and after hiding from the world for two months; I’m ready to join the land of the living. I wouldn’t even be functional if it wasn’t for you guys so I wanted to say thank you. Thank you for being my friends and watching over me at a time I was incapable of doing it myself. Hopefully one day I’ll be able to give something back to each of you.” “Well I’ve always wanted to fuck you,” Billy offered affectionately. Everyone laughed, including Justin. It was like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. “JT, sorry, I mean Justin. I can’t believe you know how to string that many words together. I figured you were some kind of a mute. Talking, it really suits you,” Reggie commented. “Thanks, maybe I’ll never stop.” All the boys erupted in laughter again, talking at once with a million questions. Meanwhile, Brian had been frantically searching everywhere for Justin. First he tried the blocks immediately surrounding Babylon, then the other bars, and finally back over at Mikey’s apartment. If it had been one of the boys he would have suspected the Liberty Diner, but Justin was only starting to get comfortable there. Brian was trying to get into Justin’s head but it was proving more difficult than he could imagine. Where else would he go if he wanted something safe and familiar? Brian headed toward the poor side of town, driving his corvette slowly through the alleyways. He pulled to a stop in front of a group of hustlers that were drawn close together and rolled down his window. “Hey, have any of you boys seen a young blonde, slight build, he goes by either the name Justin or JT? “Why do you want to know?” Billy asked as he approached the vehicle. “I just need to talk to him, do you know where he is?” “You gotta tell me why.” “I don’t have to tell you shit,” Brian said emphatically and got out of the car. “Then I don’t have to tell you shit either,” Billy responded, backing up toward the other boys. “No wait, he’s my friend and I…..I care about him. I just really need to fuckin talk to him. Now if you know where he is, please just tell me.” “Now why should I believe you? JT’s been through enough shit and I don’t want to see him hurt anymore.” “Neither do I so just….” “Bri, I’m right here,” Justin cut in and emerged from the crowd. “Can we talk Justin?” Brian asked as he took a step forward. Justin looked a little unsure but nodded his head in ascent. He had a feeling Brian wasn’t the type to give up to easily and the last thing he wanted was for the other boys to know about their little melodrama. As he started to walk toward the car, Billy’s hand stopped him. “Justin, you positive this is what you want? You don’t have to go with him.” “I know I don’t but I want to. He’s been good to me, well mostly. I’m just not ready yet to let him go,” Justin responded. “Then you hold on and you’ll get everything you want. Cause you deserve it and you’re better then all of this.” Justin lightly cupped his cheek, caressing the roughness beneath his fingertips. “So do you and thanks again. I’ll see you soon.” Brian was already in the car when he reached him. He got in the passenger side, allowing Brian to buckle him in. As the car started, Justin waved to the boys and turned to look in Brian’s direction. “Where are we going?” “Back to the loft. I told you; we need to talk.” The drive back to the loft was quiet, Justin staring out the window in deep thought. Once they were safely inside, Brian whipped around to confront the boy. “First thing, don’t you ever fuckin do that again.” “Do what?” Justin yelled back. “Run off like that. I looked everywhere for you. I was afraid you had been mugged and lying in some ditch. I need to be able to find you when you’re upset. Tomorrow, first thing, we are getting you a goddamn cell phone and I want it kept on at all hours. I mean it. I hated feeling like I lost you.” “Then you know exactly how I felt tonight,” Justin whispered and sat down heavily on the couch. Brian joined him, taking his hand in his. “Sunshine, I never meant to hurt you tonight. You also gotta know that what I did wasn’t wrong. I don’t owe you any explanations, but I’ll give you one anyways. I don’t do relationships and I certainly don’t believe in monogamy. It’s just the way I am. That doesn’t mean that I don’t care about you and understand your pain. I do and I don’t want to be the cause of it. Maybe Hunter was right and I should just leave you alone.” Brian attempted to stand up, but Justin stopped him. “No, I want you in my life. I just need to figure out where I fit in yours, that’s if you want me to,” Justin said quickly. “We’re gonna have to figure that one out together. This whole ‘caring about someone else’ thing is new to me and I’m not quite sure of the rules either. I want you in my life and in my bed, if you’re ready.” “I’m ready.” Justin smiled and leaned into Brian for a kiss. The moment their lips met was pure magic. Brian gently lifted Justin into his arms and walked up to the bedroom. He laid him down in the middle of the bed. “You know we still need to talk some more,” Brian stated. “I know but not tonight.” “No, not tonight,” Brian agreed. Justin felt safe with Brian and allowed him to undress him piece by piece. When they were finally both naked, Justin’s soft hands pulled Brian’s lips back to his own. Their kissing quickly became more passionate and it wasn’t long before Justin was on his back with Brian placing his condom-covered dick at Justin’s entrance. With eyes locked on one another, Brian carefully eased his way in. His hands continued to roam every part of Justin’s body as he kept a slow and steady pace. He knew it had been a while for Justin and wanted to give him as much pleasure as possible. If he were honest, he would admit how good it felt to be so connected to another person. He loved the feel of the body beneath him and all of the beautiful breathy moans that filled the loft. Once Justin had time to adjust, he met Brian thrust for thrust, arching his back into every push. Their lips hardly parted the entire time, whispering words of encouragement and desire against one another. Neither of them could last long, Brian jacking Justin off quickly, while panting their orgasms together. Brian pulled out slowly, disposed of the condom, and pulled Justin’s sweat soaked body back up against him. He held him tightly, allowing both heartbeats to return to normal. Brian lovingly pushed the blond locks back from Justin’s forehead, gently kissing the newly revealed flesh. “Good night Sunshine, thank you for staying.” “Good night Bri, thank you for holding on.”