The Princess Diaries 7 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Day 82 cont’d Brian, always a light sleeper, opened his eyes at the first sound of someone entering the apartment. Gus lay sleeping on what Brian liked to think of as Justin’s pillow even though the blond had never been in this apartment. As Brian’s eyes adjusted to the gloom he noticed that the cat TC was missing from the top of the pillows where he seemed to prefer to sleep. Slipping cautiously out of bed Brian was thankful he had worn an old pair of sweats to bed. Being naked and confronting a thief was not his idea of fun. Moving to the doorway he peeked out, at the same time he saw a streak of grey launch itself off of the top of the refrigerator and land pointy side down on top of a man dressed in black. The screams from both TC and the man reverberated through the apartment. Brian flipped on a light in time to see two burly men burst through the door of the apartment and tackle the still screaming and now dripping blood man, TC still clinging to his face despite the guy’s best efforts to remove him. “A thousand apologies Mr. Kinney, I stepped away from my post for only a minute.” One of the men said. “Please sir, we will dispose of this person for you.” “Just a minute, hold him there while I check on Gus.” Brian said. He turned and headed to the bedroom where he found Gus sitting up in bed and rubbing his eyes, TC sitting on his lap. “Daddy, TC scared the bad man.” Gus said and he lay back down on Justin’s pillow, only now he clutched the small grey furry body close to him. TC began to purr and Gus’ eyes closed. Brian couldn’t believe the calming effect the cat had on his son. He looked startled, because he was sure TC had winked at him. Shaking his head, Brian stepped back into the living room area. “Take off his mask. I want to find out who this scum is and what the fuck he was doing in here.” “Who are you?” he asked the now unmasked man. “See if he has any ID on him.” One of the men reached in and pulled out a wallet. “Says here this piece of scum is Clarence Hill from Cleveland.” “Interesting, you wouldn’t by any chance be the piece of shit that’s been causing so much problems for my partner now would you?” Brian walked over and stared hard at the man’s face. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ princessj@hotmail.com BAKinney@Vanguard.com Subject: weird happenings Hey Brian, I’m at my Uncle Alistair’s in Cleveland – don’t ask how I got here – because I’m not actually sure myself – but Kyra and Jenny G are veeeeerry interesting women to have around – though a tad freaky. We had a couple of scary moments when I arrived. Someone was in the house and attacking Uncle Al. He ran when I came in but unfortunately Uncle Al had already been drugged. His doctor came out to the house and now the old guy is confined to bed for a few days. He really looks a lot older than when I saw him last. I’m afraid for him. He’s gotten so thin and frail and now this. Uncle Al wants to meet with you about something. He says he’ll discuss it with me when you are able to come here. Can you come? You can bring Gus and Mom or maybe Mom will look after him for a few days, but I’d rather see you all of you guys and oh yeah, Molly too. If you can come, Uncle Al will have his secretary arrange your flights. There’s lots of room at the house so you guys can stay here. Kyra and Jenny G are gone now, but Kyra is driving my car to Cleveland. She was going to send a cousin with it, but it seems plans change and she found her self suddenly back at the farm house. Uncle Al will probably call you sometime today about coming here. This is just a heads up from me to you because if you don’t want to come, it will give you some time to think up a good reason why not. Tomorrow is the first of February; I can’t believe that I’ve been away as long as I have from Pittsburgh. I can’t believe I’ve been away from you as long as I have. But I want you to know that there hasn’t been a day since the Rage party that I haven’t thought of you. That I haven’t dreamed of you that I haven’t ached for you. I think that’s why I’m almost afraid to be with you. I know that all my good intentions to be true to myself will be for nothing the moment you touch me. So Brian, think long and hard before you say yes or no to my Uncle. I want to be with you, but I want to be with you for the right reasons. Justin &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& “Mr. Kinney, Alistair Procter here.” The old man’s voice quivered slightly and he hated that old age was showing through in everything he did. “Yes Mr. Procter, Justin told me you’d be calling.” Brian answered. He didn’t want the old man to think Justin hadn’t contacted him. “I thought he might, he’s very protective of you.” Alistair chuckled. “I have a proposition I’d like to put to you Mr. Kinney. It’s something that could be beneficial to both you and Justin and it would make an old man happy.” Brian laughed. “How can I refuse a request like that.” He said. “And please call me Brian, as Justin’s partner you really should call me by my first name.” “Does Justin know that you think of yourself as his partner?” Alistair asked. “He hasn’t said anything to me about this turn of events.” “Justin knows, he just hasn’t excepted that I’ve changed, I was planning on seeing him soon anyway to tell him face to face – so why not in Cleveland.” Brian caught a glimpse of Gus’ photo on his desk. “Would you mind if Justin’s mother and sister as well as my son come with me?” “The more the merrier, I haven’t seen Jennifer in at least three years.” “Then you can expect us Thursday and we should be able to stay until Sunday evening.” “I’ll see to it that your rooms are ready. I trust you and Justin will share his suite?” “You’d better clear that with Justin sir, he’s a little prickly these days.” “I understand.” The old man wheezed a laugh. “He’s a lot like my Barry was.” &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& “So you and Jenny G got back okay?” Justin asked. He lay on his bed talking on the phone to Kyra. “Yes, I’m going to start for Cleveland first thing tomorrow. I’m tired today, what we did to get you to your uncle takes a lot out of me.” “Kyra, you don’t have to drive the car, can’t you just have a cousin do it and you fly here? Or just leave it and when I’m done with Uncle Alistair, I’ll fly down and get it.” “I don’t mind the drive my Justin, I like seeing the countryside and my fiancé is still being stubborn about a few things. He will have to wait until I’m ready to deal with him. It’s good that he can’t locate me easily.” “Are you playing games with him, because if you are, I know from experience it isn’t the smartest thing to do in the world.” Justin said these words with a heartfelt knowledge. “Never would I do that my Justin, but his is from the old order, and while I respect traditions always, times have changed. His family is very noble and their lineage can be traced for generations. But Justin, my family can trace their roots to the beginning, we have powers that his family can only dream of having and I will not be considered a chattel. I will be his equal or there will be no marriage, much as I love him. I know you understand that it’s important to be your own person as well as that of a partner in a relationship if it is to work.” “I know what you mean Kyra.” Justin thought back to his times with Brian and what he’d done to himself to be with the man he loved. And also how it had almost killed something inside of him. “Now Justin, I have placed a binding spell around the house as well of one of protection. They should hold until I arrive. There a cousins watching as well and for your Brian too. I don’t want to take any chances. I do know who is responsible for these dark forces; I would just like to know why.” “I wouldn’t mind knowing myself Kyra.” Justin laughed. “By the way, would you bring my clothes and my backpack?” “It’s time you bought some new things, something hot, perhaps you can ask the advice of your Uncle Alistair.” Her laugh was tinkling. “Ask him if you can use the studio. It was his partner’s and has been closed since his death; it’s time that it saw life again.” “I’m not going to ask how you knew this Kyra.” Justin smiled. “Did you know that my favorite fairies are here as well? Did they come with us?” Now it was Kyra’s turn to laugh. “You have conquered their hearts and I think they are curious as to how they will look in your paintings. They have their own methods of transportation Justin; they don’t need to rely on mine.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brian stopped in at the diner for an early dinner. He had a lot to do and one of the things he needed to do was to make sure that his friends knew he’d be unavailable for a few days. He’d already cleared taking Gus to see Justin with Mel and Linds, it was the rest of the gang he was concerned about, as their phone calls had been getting more and more insistent the longer he stayed away. “Hey guys.” He said and slipped into the booth with Ted and Emmett and Michael. “What’s good to eat tonight?” he asked as if he hadn’t been missing from the diner for the past couple of weeks. “Where the fuck have you been?” Michael demanded. “I’ve been calling every day and I went to the loft and some big goons wouldn’t even let me up past the fourth floor.” “Maybe you looked suspicious, like a burglar or something.” Emmett volunteered. Michael glared at him. “Oddly enough boys, I do have to work for a living.” Brian drawled, he signaled for a coffee. “I’m not staying at the loft while the renovations are happening. I have a small apartment near work.” “What renovations?” Ted asked before Michael could. “Some much needed renovations.” Brian explained. “It was time to expand and time for a change.” “Expand, how can you expand in a loft?” Michael asked. “Easy, I make two lofts into one loft.” Brian looked smug. “The work should be done in a few weeks and peace will reign once more on Tremont.” “The place was huge before,” Ted began. “I can’t imagine how one person is going to live in the space of two lofts unless you plan on your tricks being in shifts.” “Awe, but there will be four of us in the loft, Justin and myself as well as Gus and TC the cat. Believe me the space was needed.” “Justin doesn’t even live in Pittsburgh any more.” Michael began. “No one has seen or heard from him since he broke up with the fiddler, well maybe his friend Daphne has. He sure as fuck hasn’t been around here.” “Justin lives with me on Tremont. He’s traveling right now, but he’ll be back.” Brian said with confidence. The bell rang announcing someone’s entrance and soon a voice could be heard. “Daddy, daddy, can I have a burger?” Gus hurled himself on Brian’s lap. “Hello Brian,” Jennifer said. She bent down and kissed Brian’s cheek to the astonishment of the rest of the booth’s occupants. “I’m sorry, but he saw your car and insisted that you were going to buy him supper. We were on our way back to the apartment to pick up a few things.” “Hey Brian.” Molly leaned over from the booth behind Brian and kissed his ear. “Do you like my new perfume?” she asked and held out her wrist for him to smell. “Nice and flowery Molly, just like you,” Brian kissed her wrist and she giggled, her giggle a lot like Justin’s used to be when Brian first met him. “Mom says we’re going on a plane ride with you and Gus, how cool.” Molly turned around in the booth. Brian got up and joined Molly and Jennifer, bringing Gus with him. “Excuse me boys, but there’s more room for all of us here. Oh and I’ll be out of town until Monday. Cynthia can reach me if there is an emergency.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Day 83 “Uncle Al, you’re looking better.” Justin said with a smile as he entered his Uncle’s bedroom. Justin went over to the window and pulled the draperies open letting in the soft winter sunlight. “It’s a beautiful day. I’m going to indulge myself and try and capture this light if you don’t mind Uncle and do a water color of you.” “Justin, surely you can find a more interesting subject.” The old man said with a laugh. “I’ve been immortalized too many times to count by my Barry.” “Then you can understand why I’d want to immortalize you once again Uncle.” Justin walked over to where his Uncle sat in an oversized wing back chair by a flickering fire. “You remind me of Brian. I could see him at your age sitting in a leather chair like that, making sure his robe matched the décor, his auburn hair stylishly streaked with strands of white.” Justin laughed, “The two of you are such label queens.” “Show some respect for your elders brat.” His uncle admonished. “I spoke to Brian yesterday, he’ll be arriving sometime tomorrow along with your mother and your sister and his son. This old house will be full of life once again. I’m looking forward to that.” “I’m looking forward to seeing everyone too.” Justin said. He sat in the other chair opposite his Uncle, sketchbook in hand he began to sketch the old man, preparing the page for a wash of color. “Use Barry’s studio Justin, replace anything that needs to be replaced. I’m sure the phone number of his supply house is still by the phone down there, just charge it to my account.” “I can pay my own way.” Justin said stubbornly. “I’m here to visit you, not take advantage of you.” “I know that Justin, that’s why I love to treat you to things. It makes an old man happy and really, what else do I have to do with my money. You know Justin, everything will be yours someday, I think I should at least get the pleasure of watching you enjoy some of it now.” Justin’s head snapped up with his Uncle’s words. “You’ve got to be shitting me.” Justin’s words were automatic. “I thought you had what’s his name, your nephew twelve times removed or whatever to leave everything to.” His uncle laughed. “James really is a relative Justin, just not a close one. I was doing his mother a favor by giving him a job and providing training. At no time did I ever mean to give him or anyone else the impression that he was my heir. You’ve been my heir since the day you were born. Your mother knows that and so does your father though I see that they never bothered to tell you. I’m not saying that I won’t leave James some form of a legacy, but it will be money only Justin. For you, for you I leave my life.” His arm swept outward. “My home, my business, my investments, everything I worked for and lived for will be yours.” “Well not for a long time I hope.” Justin said with fervor. “I don’t ever want to collect on that promise.” “That’s exactly why I would like to speak to Brian. I have a few ideas that may sit with the two of you better than waiting around till I kick off.” He chuckled. “Though a few more nights like the last one, and I won’t have to worry about such things any longer.” “Don’t worry about that Uncle Al, I have things under control. My friend Kyra and her cousins are dealing with it and believe me, when they decide to handle something, it’s handled.” “I once knew a young girl of the same name, many years ago Justin, she was my best friend until time and circumstance separated us.” Alistair’s eyes closed as he thought of his old friend. “She was a gypsy princess of very old lineage and something of a” he paused for a moment, “I suppose you might call her a witch because there were many unusual things she could do. We had a great time the three of us Barry, Kyra and I until business made me grow up and away from everything. Barry of course stuck with me until the day he died, but it couldn’t have been easy for him. Don’t make that mistake Justin. Don’t put business ahead of your partner.” Justin snorted a laugh, “Brian is the workaholic Uncle Al, maybe you should tell him.” “Yes, I suppose he is driven to have gotten as far as he has at such a young age. But Justin, your time will come when you’ll have to make a decision about your own work and where it will lead you. It happens to all of us.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Gregorio, you and your crew have done miracles with this place.” Brian walked around the loft, his footsteps echoing on the hardwood. At first glance it was hard to see what had happened and then slowly, bit by bit the renovations registered. The kitchen had expanded with more counter space, a wine cooler had been installed and sub zero refrigeration drawers were part of the island. The cooking space now held a grill and the wall oven had both a convection oven as well as a regular one. All the lower cabinets were in fact drawers that held the latest in appliances and pots and pans. At the far end of the large living room was a wide staircase descending to the lower level, the wood thick and ornate. The living room remained the same with the exception of the impressive fireplace surrounded with a black marble mantle and posts, though the bedroom was now a guest bedroom complete with ensuite. Descending the staircase, the lower level was clearly the level where a lot of time would be spent. There was a bedroom for Gus with his own bathroom as well as a large bathroom attached to the master suite. That bathroom held a deep tub built with more than enough room for two as well as a shower similar to the one on the upper level. The master bedroom had a large walk in closet and of course the bed was a king sized one. Brian had specified a four poster, the posts added interesting possibilities for his evening activities. And then there was the studio/office combination. A wall of windows, specifically fashioned to fit in with the age of the building let in more than enough natural light for the artist it had been designed for. Two desks faced each other. There was a wall with storage cabinets and a sink. Brian knew that when Justin used the studio, he’d need to be with his blond partner, so he wanted his own office space to easily accessible. This lower level would be where they would spend a great deal of their time. The upper level would be where they ate and entertained; the lower one was for the two of them and Gus, no one else. “The oak paneling and oak stair case were both built and designed by one of my cousins.” Gregorio said. “It adds an ‘old world’ flavor to the loft. The colors you picked out for the bedrooms work well with the furniture. I’m sure that Justin will be pleased with his studio, a cousin who is an artist equipped it with the finest accessories.” Brian’s eyes looked over at the comfortable chaise that sat at one end of the studio. That was one accessory he planned on making frequent use of. “I’m sure he’ll love it Gregorio and Gus’s room is just what we needed. He is getting too old to be sleeping on the sofa when he stays over.” Brian looked around the open space of the studio/office. “What’s the ledge all about just below the ceiling?” There was what looked like a ten inch ledge that topped the crown molding on all of the walls until the stair case, where it for some reason, dipped down to a few feet above the stairs – as a design concept it was unique and added a bit of whimsical flavor to the large space. Gregorio laughed. “It’s for TC. He can be with you while you’re working, but I think you’ll find he’ll prefer his little roadway to your keyboard.” Brian rolled his eyes but said nothing, thankful that the gang would probably never be in the lower loft. “A final touch or two and we will be finished Brian. I understand you will be away until Monday. I will see to it that your things are transferred from the downtown apartment.” “You don’t have to do that.” Brian protested. “Ahhh, but I will have a cousin do it.” Gregorio said with a smile that Brian returned. There appeared to be a never ending supply of ‘cousins’. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ BAKinney@Vanguard.com princessj@hotmail.com Subject: Clarence and cousins Hey Sunshine, don’t worry about Clarence anymore, that is if you were worried about him in the first place. For reasons that I can’t go into right now, just know that Clarence and his wild ideas are no longer a factor in our life. I say ‘our’ life because what affects you affects me as well. I will tell you this; Clarence was under the impression that if something happened to me, you would have no reason to come back to Pittsburgh. I’m betting he would have been surprised at how fast you would be there for me. Of that I have no doubts at all. The renovations at the loft are very close to being completed so when I return from Cleveland, it will be to the loft. Thanks to Gregorio and the ‘cousins’ of which it seems there are hundreds. I think you’ll be pleased with the few little changes that have been made. Your mom ‘outted’ me at the diner yesterday. I was keeping our friendship, well not actually a secret, but just something I didn’t need the gang to know – they have enough to do with random speculation on my life without giving them additional fodder. But not to worry, Jennifer and Gus were oblivious to the overtones of the gang. Lindsay is going to have a hard time getting Gus back to muncherville, he’s having a ball being with his Nanny Jen and me. Though I expect TC is the main attraction, they are inseparable when together. I’m rather looking forward to seeing you Sunshine, it’s been a long damn time, and pictures don’t count. I want to hold you and smell you and touch you. Now I am becoming a lesbian – who would have thought? I’ll sign off now before I convert to sappiness completely – I am saying ‘later’ with a bit of dignity still attached. Later Brian &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& princessj@hotmail.com BAKinney@Vanguard.com Subject: dignity Nope, didn’t work, you are sooooo in love with me Brian Kinney, all your dignity is gone and all that is left is a puddle of love goo. Hehe Loving you. Justin ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Day 84 “Uncle Al - Kyra just arrived. I can’t believe she drove all the way here already.” Justin had popped his head in the old man’s room. He’d seen his car drive up the long driveway. “Well, show her to her room and let her settle in. I’d like to meet her.” “Cool.” Justin bounded down the main staircase and threw open the door. He wrapped his arms around her in a strong hug. “I have really missed you Kyra.” He said and he kissed her forehead. Laughing she pulled away. “Let me get my breath before you strangle me Justin.” Stepping inside the house, Kyra looked around the foyer. “Well it’s a lot more peaceful in here this time. Your stuff is in the car, but I stopped and bought you a few things that were a bit more elegant than fleece and thick jersey.” “Kyra, my clothes are fine.” Justin grinned at her. “You’re as bad as Brian; he was always ragging on me about my clothes too.” “There’s a time and a place for everything Justin and this isn’t the one for fleece. Look around you, you need to dress the part, or at least come close.” “Kyra, you are such a girl. Come on, I’ll show you your room.” Justin took her hand and they walked up the stairs, both trying to talk at the same time to catch up on the couple of days they were apart. Justin didn’t notice when Kyra took the lead, she opened the door to a room across the hall from his, one he’d never seen inside before. It was overflowing with light - a brilliance he’d never seen inside a room before. The ceiling was filled with skylights; the walls were covered in gilded silk. Thousands of what looked like diamonds twinkled on the walls and the furniture, though Justin knew they were fairies. The bed was richly canopied in white silk and the floor covered in a deep white pile. Kyra walked over and dropped her knapsack on a velvet covered bench. “Nothing has changed.” She whispered to herself. “Whoa” Justin said and he spun around in a circle. “This room is awesome.” “It is pretty special isn’t it?” Kyra admitted. “It’s a room filled with power” she turned to Justin. “I had better go see my host now.” “I’ll take you.” Justin began. “No, I believe Brian and your mother and his young son are arriving now.” She smiled. “I can find my way.” Justin ran down the stairs to meet Brian and Kyra turned to Alistair Procter’s room. She knocked lightly before opening the door. “Alistair.” She said and she flew to his side to kiss the old man’s forehead. “Kyra my friend, I thought it must be you.” Alistair said. “Look at you, still beautiful and young and still looking after me. It was you who whisked Justin to me the other night wasn’t it?” “Perhaps.” She said. “You kept my room all these years dear friend.” “I thought you might be back and I was right.” “When I saw Justin I knew our story would continue.” “I’m glad you did. Justin could use a bit of mystery in his life.” He looked at her. “I’ve missed you Kyra.” “I know you have my friend, but it just wouldn’t do to stay around unchanged while the rest of our friends aged.” She looked around. “Now all of our old friends have gone on to new beginnings and yet here I am still. And then there is Justin, he’s very much like you were sixty years ago Alistair. I’ve shown him mysteries and he never gets upset or in a flap, he just accepts what happens.” “Perhaps it will end with Justin, your looking after us.” Alistair said. “He is really the last of my line.” “No, Justin will father two children in time and he is the love father of Gus, so I will have a job to do for another generation or so.” Her laugh was a tinkle like that of silver bells. “And Brian, the man Justin loves, definitely can use a helping hand every now and then. You know Alistair, Gregorio took quite a liking to him. That says a lot for Brian Kinney, for Gregorio only looks after those who are honest and kind.” “So Gregorio is still around. I suppose like you he remains unchanged and that poor fiancé of yours, Jon, is he still trying to get you to the alter?” Kyra laughed again. “You would think after the first two or three hundred years he would give up, but no, I have to give him credit for being stubborn.” &&&&&&&&&&& Justin reached the foyer as the housekeeper opened the door to the outside. He did his best to resist, but when Brian held out his arms, nothing could hold Justin back from throwing himself into them. “Brian,” Justin managed to gasp before their lips were locked in a passionate kiss only to be interrupted by Gus. “Nanny Jen, how come Justin didn’t say hello to us?” he asked. “Oh, Gus, Mom, Molly, I’m sorry.” Justin said. He squatted down and gave Gus a hug. “I didn’t mean to make you feel left out. I was just excited to see your daddy. We haven’t had a hug together in a long, long time.” “I understand dear.” His mother said. “Brian, don’t leave TC out in the car. He’s going to be getting lonely.” Brian rolled his eyes and looked at Justin. “We have a few things to discuss about your cat Justin.” He moved back out the door soon returning with a carry cage and a pissed off cat. “Here’s your cat.” He handed Justin the cage. “Let TC out Jus, he’s been very sad. Daddy wouldn’t let me take him out of his cage on the airplane and TC wanted to walk around.” Gus peered inside the small viewing screen. “Why don’t I show you guys where your rooms are and we’ll let TC out upstairs.” Justin began to walk up the stairs, Brian following and then his mother and Gus. “Your luggage will be brought up to rooms soon, if it isn’t there already. They probably took it up the back way.” The first room they came to was a large suite. “Mom I thought you and Gus would like this suite. There is a separate room for Gus, one not quite so big and intimidating, but it’s attached to yours. And Molly, you’re right next door.” “This will be fine Justin.” Jennifer looked around. “In fact I think it’s the very room I had the last time I was here with your father and you children. I think I’ll freshen up. Gus do you want to come with me or stay with your daddy and Justin? “I want to stay with TC.” Gus said “And daddy and Justin.” “I want to see my room.” Molly said. “Justin is there a swimming pool here?” “This isn’t a hotel Molly, but yes there’s a swimming pool.” Justin smiled at his sister. “I’ll see if my friend Kyra will go down with you. She’s talking to Uncle Al right now.” “Cool” Molly said as she bounced inside her room. “Wow Justin, look at my bed, it’s like a princess bed.” “Oh, that must be Justin’s bed.” Brian drawled. He flinched when Justin swatted his ass. “Jus spanked daddy.” Gus said with a grin. “Did you see that TC?” he asked the cat in the carrier. “Yeow.” Said TC. “Brian, I’ll show you to your room.” Justin said as they continued down the hallway. “I’d better be sharing with you.” Brian said. “I thought you wanted to share with TC” Justin teased. “I want to share with you Sunshine, TC can stay in his cage.” Brian leaned down and kissed Justin’s forehead. “Ow” Brian said, TC had reached a paw out and snagged his finger with one claw. “I was only kidding you stupid cat.” Justin laughed. “You should know better than to tease a cat.” “Most cats don’t listen to what people say.” Brian griped as he sucked on his injured finger. “Cats do so listen daddy, they just don’t care so much about what people say.” Gus pushed through the door that Justin held open. “This is a very big room Jus, even daddy won’t fill it up. It’s a good thing we brought TC.” “Yes it is a good thing you brought TC. It was a big surprise. I’ve missed his cute little furry face.” Justin cooed the last at TC as he let him out of his cage. TC stretched first by standing on his toes and arching his back and then he moved his front legs out and his back legs back until he was as long as he could be before bounding out then up and onto the thick canopy of the bed where he tucked his ends in and stared down at all of them. “What’s with that cat and high places?” Brian asked Justin. “He’s a cat, all cats like high places.” “Me too, I want up there with TC.” Gus looked longingly up at his cat friend. “When you grow fur and a tail, I’ll consider it.” Brian said. “Until then, you’ll just have to play with TC on the ground.” “But the fairies are up there with TC and they don’t have fur and a tail.” “He’s got you there Brian.” Justin smirked, because there were fairies up on the canopy with TC, in fact two of them were on the plush grey fur of the cat’s back. “Don’t you start with the fairies Justin; Gus has been plaguing us about them for days.” “Just teasing Brian,” Justin said with a smile and wink to the group on the canopy. “TC, come on down from there and play with Gus will you.” he asked the cat. “Meorow” said TC but he obligingly jumped down to the carpet and rubbed up against his small friend. Gus laughed and the two of them retreated to the window seat where they both climbed up to gaze out on the snow. Brian put his arms around Justin and rested his forehead on the blond’s. “Hey” he said quietly, at a loss for words but needing the connection. Justin understood completely. Feeling the weight of Brian’s arms around him, that solid feeling of strength and protectiveness, made Justin sigh with contentment, “hey” he said back letting himself melt into the taller man’s body. They stood in silence for a few minutes, though Gus’s chatter and TC’s answers filled the room. “I’m sorry Brian.” Justin began. “What happened was the result of both of us not communicating our needs and when we did, neither one of us listening.” Brian gave him a gentle kiss. “It won’t happen again.” “No, it won’t.” Justin said. He looked over at Gus. “I always thought that when we got back together, we’d fall into bed.” “I guess we had to grow up sometime.” Brian laughed. “But it won’t be long until I have you in that bed. I hope we can persuade TC to sleep with Gus tonight. That cat unnerves me; I don’t want him watching and taking notes.” “Oh Mr. Kinney, are you planning on doing something besides sleeping?” Justin asked with a laugh. “I have plans Sunshine, the first one being a long talk with you and no interruptions so it’s going to have to be when everyone is in bed.” “Should I be worried?” “No, I don’t think so.” Brian kissed him gently again. There was a knock on their door and when Justin called “Come in.” Kyra stepped into the room. “Kyra, this is Brian, Brian this is Kyra.” Justin said. Kyra beamed at Brian. “So this is the man who has my Justin’s heart. Pure Irishman and descended from kings I see.” She turned to Justin. “You are a very lucky man Justin, for Brian is a loyal and true partner that you can be proud of.” “I’ve always felt that way about him.” Justin said and laughed when Brian flushed under their stares. “Kyra, with all that blarney, I’d think you had a touch of the Irish yourself.” Brian said. “Oh, but I have a touch of this and that from way back when.” She laughed. “It’s been too long to remember if I ever knew.” She looked at Justin and he knew better than to correct her. For Justin knew that Kyra could trace her ancestry back to the beginning of the first gypsy Tribe. He could tell that she was giving Brian an answer she’d given before to those who weren’t ‘family’. Kyra spotted Gus. “And you must be TC’s little friend.” She said. Gus laughed; he liked to be known as TC’s friend. “Don’t you let TC chase any fairies, it isn’t nice to tease them.” She said with a laugh. “TC is a good cat; he lets them ride on his back and sometimes on the very end of his tail.” Gus declared. “Why he is a good cat to be so generous. He must know that you are a good friend to him that he can be kind to the fairies, for cats do love to chase them.” She looked at Brian. Alistair would like to speak with you Brian. Alone please Justin, for a moment though he will send for you when he’s done talking to your man. Gus, why don’t you and I find Molly and go down to the swimming pool. It’s such fun to swim when the snow is falling outside on the glass.” Kyra disappeared from the room with a swirl of skirts, Gus holding her hand and TC running beside them both leaving Brian and Justin alone for a moment. “One kiss, one taste of your lips Sunshine and I won’t be responsible for what happens next.” Brian bent and let his lips graze Justin’s forehead. “Later” he whispered before leaving the room. Never before had a room felt so empty as it did when Brian left it. Justin sat down on the edge of the large bed and wondered what the night would bring. He wondered what Brian wanted to talk about and if it would be what he wanted to hear. He looked out the window at the snow that had started to blow again as if keeping them captive inside the large mansion and he thought about Brian and his Uncle Alistair and wondered what the old man wanted to discuss. A quiet knock on the door and the housekeeper came into the room with Alistair’s valet. They both smiled and nodded to Justin as the valet began to unpack the two large bags Brian had brought with him. Brian would never change, he had enough clothes for two weeks and yet he was only staying two days. “There is a litter pan and food dishes for your young cat down in the back hallway Mr. Taylor.” The housekeeper said. “Don’t worry about him; he has discovered it already, such a smart little kitty.” “Thank you,” Justin said and he went back to staring out the window before remembering that Kyra had brought some new clothes for him. Sighing, knowing that Brian and his Uncle could be a long time, Justin decided to investigate what Kyra had brought for him. Maybe it was time he did dress the part of the young heir apparent. Maybe Brian would see him for the adult he’d become and not the teenage boy he once was. Tbc.