I know it seems like I disappeared forever but with a big move cross country and starting my life all over again I've had neither the time nor the creative drive.  I honestly never thought it would be this long before I posted again and promise not to leave you hanging so long again:)


Chapt 6


	When Brian woke up he was disoriented, confused, and on his way to the hangover to end all hangovers.  He glanced to his side and took in Justin’s soft sleeping features.  The boy had no idea the pain he was about to endure when he finally opened his beautiful eyes.  And if the hangover wasn’t bad enough, it got even worse as Brian pieced together what happened last night.  Unfortunately he was too aware of the problem he had helped to create.  How in hell was he supposed to act normal now?

	Carefully easing himself out of bed, Brian slipped from Justin’s grasp and stumbled into the bathroom.  Red blood shot eyes greeted him in the mirror.  After splashing some cold water onto his face, Brian came up with a split second decision to not be there when Justin woke up. With any luck, Justin would be out of his room by the time he got back.   He knew it was the coward’s way out and not a particularly nice thing to do to your best friend but at the moment it was the only appealing option.  He just couldn’t face Justin after what had almost happened the night before.  How could be possibly convince the boy that it meant nothing when every fiber of his being was saying it was the start of something, something he didn’t know if he really wanted.

	Brian hurriedly dressed, not even caring what his appearance was.  It was still early so he didn’t expect to really run into anyone of importance.  He was presentable and that was good enough for him.  Justin moaned softly in his sleep and twisted his body under the covers.  The sheet fell haphazardly to his waist but Brian chose to ignore the sudden tightening in his jeans.  If anything that was just one more sign that he was making the right decision.  Grabbing his wallet from the dresser, Brian was out the door before the tousled blonde could wake up.

	Brian hadn’t been gone long before Justin felt the emptiness in the room.  His eyes fluttered open, taking in his surroundings.  At first he couldn’t figure out where he was but then Brian’s expensive designer luggage came into focus.  Immediately Justin noted his own nudity but that didn’t make sense since he was waking up alone.  Had he gone to bed alone?  So much of the night was a complete blur.  He remembered meeting Brian at the hotel bar and taking shot after shot.  The fact the bartender was hot and hitting on him also jumped out in his jumbled mind.  But actually leaving the bar and where they went from there was totally blank.  And why would Brian be up and gone this early in the morning?  Nothing made sense.  Justin figured a shower would do him a world of good.  Then he would attempt to track down Mr. Kinney and get some answers.

	Brian wasn’t quite sure where he was headed until his cell phone rang.  Lindsey was requesting his presence at her house for brunch.  Brian was already to turn her down when he remembered that he really had nowhere else to go.  So he turned his rental in the opposite direction and a minute later was pulling into the merry muncher’s driveway.  Lindsey was smiling when she answered the door but Mel seemed almost nervous.  He nodded his head in her direction and opened up his arms to catch Lindsey as she flung herself into his arms.  Brian lightly embraced her, gently extracting himself after a few moments.  Mel nodded her hello and disappeared back into the kitchen.

	“Good to see you too Linds but we just saw each other last night.  What’s with the long lost brother routine?”

	“I’m just happy to see you,” Lindsey replied a little too emphatically.

	“Bullshit, but I’m exhausted so I’ll let it slide for now.”

	Lindsey eyed him suspiciously.

	“Really, now what could have caused your fatigue?  You left the show pretty early to go back to your hotel.  Did you have company later on,” Lindsey asked.

	Before Brian had a chance to respond, Lindsey continued, “Oh right, I think I remember Justin mentioning he was going to meet up with you after the show.  What could you two possibly of been doing that would leave you in this condition today?”

	“Drinking, now drop it and let’s go back to why I’m here.”

	“Fine, I’ll let it go for now.  Let’s have brunch and I’ll fill you in when we’re done.  Mel is just setting everything up on the table now.”

	“Can’t wait,” Brian commented sarcastically.

	Brunch was a silent affair as Lindsey and Mel took great care not to give away what either was thinking.  Brian, on the other hand, was in obvious confusion and unsure about the direction of anything in his life.  As much as he wanted to focus on what the girls could possibly want with him, his mind was back in that hotel room wrapped around Justin’s soft body.  He had thought the girls would distract him from his own predicament but their silence had only given him more time to think.  When his wheat bagel had finally disappeared from his plate, Lindsey set her utensils down and took a deep breath.  Brian looked up in curiosity.

	“So, you ready to find out why you’re really here?” she asked.

	“You mean it’s not for the frozen bagels and bad coffee?” Brian said with a smirk.

	“Real funny Asshole,” Mel replied.

	“Guys, stop it.  This is serious and you’re both only making it more difficult.”

	Brian and Lindsey exchanged looks, before Lindsey began to speak again.

	“OK, so Mel and I have been talking about the future and what we want out of this relationship,” Lindsey explained, reaching over to grab Mel’s hand.

	“Please no muff speak this early in the morning,” Brian griped.

	“Fine, we’ll keep the emotional part of this conversation to a minimum and just give you the highlights.  Mel and I want to be a real family.  We’ve got so much love between us that we want to share it with a baby.  But since we’re both lacking the necessary equipment, we need to find a father to donate sperm.  We want that father to be you.”

	“Bullshit, Lindsey insists that for some crazy fucking reason you would make the perfect donor.  I don’t agree but if this is what Linds really wants than I support her decision,” Mel added.

	Brian didn’t say anything at first, too shocked to actually articulate what he was feeling.

	“So what do you think?” Lindsey asked after what she deemed to be enough time.

	“I think for once that your husband is right and I’d make a shitty choice for a father.  Go ask Mikey, he’d make the perfect little daddy.”

	“I don’t want Michael, I want it to be you.  Just don’t say no yet and take a little time to think it over,” Lindsey persisted.

	The look of determination on Lindsey’s face was enough for Brian to nod his head in agreement.  Waiting a few days and then saying no wouldn’t make much of a difference.

	“Well, if that’s it then I’m heading out.  I have plenty to do before my flight leaves in a few days.”

	“I’ll see you out,” Lindsey offered and walked Brian to the door.  When she opened the door, they were both surprised to see Justin standing there about to knock.

	“Justin, what a pleasant surprise!” Lindsey exclaimed before enveloping him in a hug.  Brian stood back awkwardly, not really sure what he should say.  After what had almost happened between them last night and his abrupt departure this morning, he wouldn’t be surprised if Justin refused to speak to him.  Just when his mind had envisioned the worst-case scenario, Justin’s clear blue eyes focused in on him and he couldn’t quite figure out what they were saying until the blonde spoke.

	“Brian, where the hell did you go this morning?  You did at least spend the night in your hotel room didn’t you?  I’d feel horrible if my drunkenness kept you from coming back to your own room.”

	Brian couldn’t believe what he had just heard.  If Justin was questioning him on where he slept then he obviously didn’t remember anything that had happened between them the night before.  Brian tried to keep his smile in check as he locked eyes with Justin.  Brian might not have to distance himself from his best friend after all.

	“Sorry Jus, I didn’t mean to disappear on you this morning.  Lindsey called and I didn’t want to wake the fair princess after his night of celebratory boozing.”

	“Very funny Brian,” Justin said with a laugh.  Lindsey watched the two men banter and noticed for the first time the easy way they had with one another.  She had never seen Brian look at someone with such warmth.  It convinced her even more that Brian was the only choice for the father to her child.

	The three talked at the door a little longer before Justin’s stomach made its presence known with a rumble.

	“Sounds like the little boy needs some nourishment.  Let’s go to the diner and feed the endless pit,” Brian joked.

	Justin nodded his head enthusiastically and followed Brian away from the house, waving good-bye to Lindsey as he walked.  Both men were in light spirits as they drove, Justin oblivious to Brian’s inner turmoil.  They were still laughing and joking around when they entered the diner.  Their voices were so boisterous that most of the customers turned to watch them come in, including Michael and Ben.  It seemed that Michael had finally noticed the same thing as Lindsey.  The closeness between the two men was obvious to anyone who bothered to look.  Michael could see the same friendship he used to have with Brian but there was something else there too and he couldn’t help but stare.

	“Do I have something on my face?” Brian asked Michael, as he noticed him and his far off stare.

	“No, I’m sorry.  I guess I just wasn’t expecting to see you guys so early,” Michael stuttered.

	“Early?  Did you smoke a little too much last night?  It’s after noon,” Justin replied.

	“I know, but I figured you’d be up late celebrating and too hung over to make it out of bed today.”

	“You got the hung over part right but for some reason I couldn’t sleep in.  My body was wired for some reason.  I actually intend on celebrating more tonight, if you guys are free,” Justin suggested.

	“Yeah, let’s go to Babylon.  I haven’t been in forever.  What do you think Brian?  Up for revisiting an old haunt?” Michael asked.

	Brian was ready to say no when he saw the hopeful look in Justin’s eyes.  It was his last night in town anyways so Brian figured it couldn’t hurt too much to spend a little more time together.  After tonight, he could fly back to Seattle and forget about what could have happened between them.  Things could go back to normal with phone calls, letters, and the occasional email.  Their friendship would stay the same and Brian wouldn’t lose another best friend.  The plan was perfect and one night out dancing wouldn’t change a thing.

	“Sure, Babylon sounds good to me.  We’ll meet you there tonight.  Now if you gentlemen will excuse us, it’s time to feed the beast.”

	Justin smiled and sat at one of the end booths.  Lunch flew by and the two men parted company so Justin could check in with the gallery.  Brian spent the day thinking about all of the potential changes in his life.  

	Later that night, Brian couldn’t help but notice how good Justin looked when he picked him up for Babylon.  His jeans were tight and let almost nothing to the imagination.  Memories of their night together were playing on repeat in his mind.  Justin, on the other hand, had never stopped imagining a romantic future with Brian and wondered how long he would have to wait for them to finally be together.  He was a little confused by Brian’s strange behavior since he found him at Lindsey and Mel’s and wondered if he had done something stupid last night in his drunken haze.  All he needed was an unrequited drunken love confession to taint their friendship.

	Michael and Ben were already outside when they arrived at the club.  The four men greeted each other warmly and headed into the club.  Michael could tell that something was bothering Brian but every time he tried to make eye contact Brian would look away.  He finally gave up and headed out onto the dance floor with Ben.  Brian was about to offer Justin a drink but found himself pulled in the same direction instead.  Justin began to dance immediately, tugging Brian’s body flush to his.  His smile was bright under the multi-colored lights and Brian found himself getting lost in their depths.  He moved to the beat slowly, allowing Justin to take the lead.  As their bodies rubbed together, Brian was finding it harder and harder to ignore the heat between them.  Justin could feel the hardness against his thigh and reveled in the reactions he was producing.  It had been a long time since they had danced together and he couldn’t remember it ever being so sexually charged.

	Brian unconsciously pulled Justin closer, causing their cocks to come into contact with one another again and again.  Justin couldn’t stop the moan from escaping his lips and felt a little light-headed from the closeness.  Michael and Ben had noticed the intimate dance and couldn’t help but stare.  It was almost like pieces coming together in a puzzle as Michael began to understand better what might be happening between his friends.  There was a chemistry there that he had never seen before with any of Justin’s short-term boyfriends or a single one of Brian’s one-night tricks.  The two men were so lost in one another that their growing audience went unnoticed.

	Justin nuzzled his head underneath Brian’s chin, inhaling his cologne.  Brian gently kissed the blonde locks.  It was then that he finally took in his surroundings and locked eyes with Michael.  The eye contact startled him out of his dazed state.  He quickly let go of Justin and took a step backwards.  Justin looked up in confusion and somehow succeeded in hiding the disappointment he felt from the loss.  Brian tried to smile and reassure Justin that everything was OK.  He knew he was acting strangely and desperately tried to come up with something to say that would make sense without giving up his feelings.  Luckily a solution came to him when an attractive brunette leered suggestively in his direction.  There’s no way Justin wouldn’t understand his sudden need to trick.  Brian leaned forward to speak into Justin’s ear.

	“Sorry Sunshine but duty calls.  I’ll be back in a minute.”

	Justin nodded his head and turned to watch Brian lead the attractive man into the backroom.  He was used to it by now but really thought this time he had gotten to Brian enough that he would choose him instead.  Justin felt like the silly twink he was so sure he had grown out of.  He was in the midst of berating himself when he felt a strong hand grip his shoulder.

	“He’s not immune to you.  It’s a losing battle and eventually he will cave and admit how feels about you,” Ben yelled above the music.

	“Maybe he will, maybe he won’t.  I just hope I’m still alive to see it,” Justin replied, almost more to himself then Ben.