The Taming Chapter 6 Plot bunny Katie (starlight) The music filled the small dining room. Their feet barely touched the dance floor as they moved in and around the other dancers in a perfectly choreographed waltz. Justin felt like he was in some old time movie. He couldn’t stop smiling and truthfully, neither could Brian. They looked so beautiful that the band continued to play two more songs even after it was time for their break. They too didn’t want to see the dance end for the two men. Laughing for the sheer joy of the evening, they headed back to their table only to find that the other guests had left. Brian looked into Justin’s eyes. “Your family and friends do know how to make a good exit.” Justin could only nod. “Do you want any more cake?” Brian asked. “I don’t think so. I think right now I’d just like to go home.” Justin touched one finger to Brian’s lips. “You could come up to my place for an after dinner brandy.” “I’d love to. I haven’t really had time to check out the place.” Justin giggled. “It’s only an apartment. I’d like to have a house someday.” “A white picket fence, a dog and two cats?” Brian teased. “No, something elegant and sleek on the outside, but warm and cozy on the inside and maybe a pool and a hot tub. Of course I’d want a studio and maybe a den as well.” “What no gourmet kitchen?” “I’d expect that to have been a given.” Justin laughed. “It sounds like you have thought this house out in detail.” “I have, I’ve dreamed about it for a long time.” “Who would look after the yard? A house is a lot of work.” “That’s where having a cute yard man would come in handy.” Justin smirked. “Some hot sweaty eye candy to keep me inspired in my studio.” “This is verging on a fantasy here Sunshine.” Brian teased. “But it’s a nice one.” Justin sighed. Brian signed the credit card receipt and added a generous tip. He stood up and held out his hand. “Come on birthday boy, let’s go home.” As soon as he said the words Brian realized that he would love to have a home that he shared with Justin. It would be wonderful to say ‘let’s go home’ and have it be ‘their’ home that they went to. They gathered up Justin’s gifts. Justin took special care of his paperweight. He knew he would treasure it as long as he lived. On the drive home, Justin kept one hand on Brian’s thigh. He needed the grounding that touching the other man brought him, for the evening had been surreal from start to finish. He let his headrest back on the seat and his eyes closed trusting in the sure hand of the man he was with to get him home safely. All too soon Brian had the car stopped in front of Justin’s building. Justin opened his eyes with reluctance, the corvette was small inside so sitting close together was rather nice. “I don’t want to move.” Justin said in small voice. “You remind me of a housecat filled with cream, you look so satisfied.” “I’ll purr if you keep up the compliments.” Brian laughed. “I’ll sit on one of those soft chairs and you can sit on my lap. I’ve always wanted my own cat.” “You have?” “I have.” He looked back in time, his eyes faraway. “My mother wouldn’t hear of an animal of any kind in her house. She’s the plastic slipcover kind of person. And my father wouldn’t spare the money to feed anything that didn’t benefit him. He was the selfish asshole type of person.” “Why don’t you have a cat now?” “I don’t know. I guess I didn’t want to be the stereotype fag with a couple of cats. I figure that the cat should have a friend. After all I’m at work a good part of the day.” “Now this is a fantasy I would never have guessed for the stud of Liberty Avenue.” Justin smiled up at Brian lazily. “I guess we all have our little secret fantasies.” Brian leaned down and kissed Justin’s nose. “Come on up stairs and be my house cat.” He opened the door and got out. He was around the other side of the car opening Justin’s door for him before the blond had his seat belt undone. “Why are you being so nice to me?” Justin asked. “You’re nothing like you were six years ago.” “Nothing at all?” they were walking to the building. “Well, you are kind of like you were only softer, kinder.” “Don’t tell anyone, I don’t want to ruin my image.” Brian pulled Justin close before opening the building door for him. “You bring out the best in me. You always have.” “And the worst.” “That used to be true. But that’s because you scared me to death. You weren’t my type of guy, you were too young, you were too trusting, you loved me, and you made me feel things I had never felt before. It was too much for me to take in. It was like I was living in some kind of alternate universe. You were everything I wanted and yet you were everything I feared. I’m surprised that you only got a small part of that latent Irish bastard gene I have in me. Believe me it could have been worse. I could have channeled my old man.” “At the time all I could think of was myself and how I was feeling. I’m sorry Brian, I guess I was pretty self centered.” Justin did look sorry. He hadn’t thought of how Brian might have felt. “You were young. What seventeen-year-old thinks with is head? At that age they are emotion driven.” They were now in the elevator. “You know Brian, what I felt for you then, well I still feel it. Only it’s more intense, though less demanding. I’ve learned that I can live with the feeling. I won’t die, I’ll still live and breathe and eat and paint. But without you around everything I do is just slightly colorless, just a bit less vibrant. Does that make sense to you?” “Why do we have these conversations in elevators Sunshine?” “Because I’ve had a bit too much wine and you are a captive audience in an elevator.” He sighed. “I’m feeling mellow and philosophical.” Brian chuckled and took the keys from his pocket that Justin had given him on their way out earlier. He opened the door to the apartment and let them in. “I like you mellow and philosophical.”. Inside they both removed their suit jackets and loosened their shirt collars. Justin kicked off his shoes and Brian did the same. “Take your socks off, I know you want to.” Justin smiled at the man he loved. He knew Brian hated to have anything on his feet when he was inside. “If you don’t mind.” Brian said removing his socks. “I love your feet. You have aristocratic feet, sensual feet, sexy feet.” Justin looked dreamy. “You are a bit drunk” Brian chuckled and settled into the wide leather chair. The down filled leather cushions allowed him to sink into their depths. Justin adjusted the stereo, so the music was light and warm. He turned the lighting down and lit three candles before starting the fireplace. It was a cool night, not really cool enough for the fireplace, but he loved the way it made him feel. Brian watched all of this wondering what was going to happen next. Finally Justin came over to him carrying two snifters of brandy. He handed one to Brian and then sat down on Brian’s lap curling into the larger man’s body, resting his head on Brian’s shoulder. “Puuuurrrrr” he whispered. Brian stroked the long blond hair and smiled, stopping to kiss Justin’s forehead before he took a sip of brandy. “Nice” Brian said as the smooth liquor rolled down his throat. “I picked up this bottle in Italy.” Justin said. “I was at the monastery where it was made. It was kind of cool. I did some awesome sketches there.” “I’d like to go there someday.” Brian said. “I’d like to see Ireland too.” “Find your roots?” Justin asked. “Not particularly, but I would like to see the place.” Brian held Justin close with one arm while he used the other to hold his glass. “Justin, when you first decided to bid on me for the auction, was it for revenge?” “Yes. I wanted you to fall madly in love with me so that I could spurn you.” “Spurn me?” Brian laughed. “Nobody says ‘spurn’.” “I do.” Justin sighed. “The thing is, I forgot one little tiny detail.” “What was that?” “That if I hurt you, then I’d hurt myself.” Justin sighed. “I guess I’m not too good at the revenge thing.” “That’s okay, I suck at the relationship thing.” Brian sighed and tightened his grip on the blond sitting in his lap. “Brian, I know I’ve told you that I love you. How do you feel when you hear me say the words?” Justin sipped his brandy. “I used to feel uncomfortable six years ago. I was sure you didn’t have any idea what you were talking about. But now, when I hear you say you love me., I feel it. I feel what the words mean and I feel humbled that someone as beautiful and as bright and as young as you would actually love me.” “But you aren’t trying to rip my clothes off and fuck me.” “No, I’m not trying to do that.” Brian kissed Justin tenderly. “I do want to make love to you. I don’t have an urgency to possess you. To mark you and make you mine.” “Why not?” Justin asked almost disappointed. “I don’t need to do I Justin. I don’t need to possess you and mark you. You are mine and I’m yours and we always were connected and part of one another.” “You were right six years ago. I did need to grow. I’m sorry I didn’t listen carefully enough to what you were saying. I’m sorry I hurt you with the words I threw back at you and by disappearing like I did.” “Want to know a secret?” Brian said with a smile. “Sure.” “I’ll tell you but you have to promise not to get mad.” “Tell me.” “I’ve always known where you were Sunshine. I’ve always kept track of what you were doing and what you were accomplishing. I named my company with you in mind; TeeKay Advertising - It’s always been you.” “You shit, you let me show you my life and yet you knew already.” Justin tried to sound outraged but he didn’t succeed. He was actually flattered and pleased that Brian had cared enough to watch out for him. “I had to know Sunshine. You were part of me. I couldn’t let you go out into the big wild world without knowing that you were okay.” He paused to nuzzled Justin’s hair. “I’m proud of you. I’m proud of the man you’ve become and I was proud of the boy you were.” “Thank you Brian. Your words mean a lot to me.” “Are you ready to forgive me for being so cruel?” “I forgave you a long time ago Brian.” “I love you Justin Taylor, we’ve had a long hard road to travel to get to this point.” Justin nodded his head thinking of the past six years. Brian was right. He’d needed to grow and find out the man he was. “I’d like to take you to Melanie and Lindsay’s tonight to visit with Gus and to get to know the girls again. Is that alright with you?” “I’d like that. So does this mean we’re a couple?” “A couple of queers?” “You know what I mean.” “Yes I’d like you to go steady with me.” Brian said tongue in cheek. “Where is your class ring?” Justin picked up Brian’s hand to examine it for the missing ring. “I never did buy a class ring.” Brian admitted. Justin jumped off of Brian’s lap and hurried into his bedroom. He came out a few minutes later and got back onto Brian’s lap. “I have a class ring. So you get to be the girl.” He snickered as he put it on Brian’s finger. “You are still a brat.” Brian said as he held out his hand to admire the heavy gold PIFA ring. “Come here and kiss me brat.” “I guess necking on the fourth date is okay.” Justin teased. “Well you did blow me on the third date.” “What can I say, I’m a slut.” “I like that in a guy.” Brian said before he covered Justin’s lips with his own. They kissed until their lips were swollen with passion, their cocks hard as rocks. Both men were beginning to wiggle uncomfortably. “Justin, let’s go to bed.” “Brian, I don’t want you to think that I’m easy.” “But I already know that you’re easy.” Brian teased. Justin giggled. “That’s right, you do. Okay, let’s go to bed.” He jumped off of Brian’s lap and dragged the older man to his feet. “I don’t want any comments about girly bedrooms.” He warned. “Gawd, it isn’t pink is it?” “No” “Lots of lace and ruffles?” “No” Justin stopped at the doorway, “It’s just comfortable and kind of romantic.” Brian stepped into the room, his face almost split into a grin. The bed was a king-sized canopy bed filled with deep blue velvet covered down filled duvet and a dozens of jewel toned pillows. Brian gave a whoop and dove into the soft center and then turned to lay on his back spread eagled. “I sooooo couldn’t resist doing that.” He said. He looked at Justin, his eyes mischievous and twinkling. Justin was reminded of a little kid, he smiled indulgently at him. “You big goof, take your clothes off.” “Make me” Brian stuck out his tongue and threw a pillow at Justin. Justin caught the pillow before it hit his head and dove onto the bed with Brian. He ended up straddling his chest trying to grab his hands to hold them over his head, succeeding finally because Brian underestimated Justin’s strength. “I have you just where I want you now.” Justin said as he lowered his lips to Brian’s. Brian only gave a token resistance before he submitted willingly to the assault of the blond he loved. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Where’s Brian this morning boys?” Debbie asked. It was seven thirty and Brian never missed breakfast on Thursday mornings. “I don’t know. I called his place but there was no answer. He’s probably on his way here.” Michael said while he stirred his coffee. “Well I know where Justin is, he’s at home in bed and he said he wasn’t coming in to work this morning.” Emmett looked satisfied with himself. “Yesterday was his birthday and he had quite a day.” “Yesterday was Sunshine’s birthday?” Debbie crowed. “You should have said something. I would have sent over a lemon bar or something.” “Ma, it’s just a birthday. You don’t even know the kid anymore.” Michael made a grab for his toast before Emmett took the last piece. “Well, I’m going in to work.” Ted stood up. “I have some financials to prepare for Justin for when he does come in.” “Okay Teddy, I’ll see you there.” Emmett smiled at his friend. It was nice to see him back in accounting mode these days. He’d missed the old Ted. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Hey Linds, Justin and I are coming over tonight for dinner and to see Gus.” Brian announced. He stretched lazily and rubbed Justin’s head as he talked on the phone. “Brian, you don’t announce you’re coming to dinner. We might have plans.” Lindsay chastised. “It’s Thursday, you guys are munchers with a kid, what kind of plans would you have? We’ll bring dessert.” Brian said with a laugh. “My you’re in a good mood so early in the morning. Does your mood have to do with a certain blond?” “Could be.” Brian answered. “He gave me his class ring. I’m his girlfriend now.” He giggled. Lindsay looked at the telephone puzzled. “Brian, it’s a little early to be on something at this time of day, you sound very strange.” “I’m not ‘on’ anything.” Brian said. He hung up the phone abruptly, Justin had sleepily descended under the covers seeking and finding his favorite plaything. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “I’m sorry Michael, Brian isn’t in yet. He called and he’ll be in later. I’ll leave him a message to phone you when he gets in.” “No I’m sorry, I can’t give out that information.” “I know who you are and if Brian had wanted you to know where he was, I’m sure he would have called you.” Cynthia hung up the phone. The first thing Monday she was getting call display. This was the sixth time Michael had called and the sixth time they’d had the same conversation. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Hey Mom, what’s up?” Justin said when he answered the phone. “I called to see if you and Brian had a good time. You seemed to both be enjoying yourselves on the dance floor that we thought we should leave you both to finish the night alone.” “I had an amazing time with Brian.” Justin said. He looked over at his lover who smiled a sleepy smile at him. “I called you at work but Emmett said you wouldn’t be in until later. You aren’t sick from all that rich food you ate last night are you?” “I’m just having a lazy start to the day mom. Mom, could you put together a few listings for Brian and I. We are thinking of buy a house together. Nothing too horribly expensive” Brian shook his head. “Okay, sort of horribly expensive. It has to have a studio and room for a den for Brian and an office for me. At least two guest rooms and a great master bedroom and decent bathrooms.” “Hmmmm it’s kind of early to be committing yourselves to something like a house isn’t it?” “Mom, we’ve waited six years, Brian isn’t getting any younger.” He stuck out his tongue at Brian who playfully bit it. “We’d sell both of our apartments. And yes you could have the listings.” “If you think it’s a good idea, I’ll see what I can find for the two of you. Have you talked to Brian about it?” she asked. Justin handed Brian the phone. “Tell her it’s okay about the house.” “Hi Jennifer, yes, Justin has his heart set on a house, so we’re going to buy a house. It’ll save arguing over whose apartment we’d live in.” “I’ll have some listings for you later today.” “Great Jennifer and Jennifer, thank you.” “For what Brian” “For being there for Justin and now for the both of us.” Brian said with feeling. “He needs you and so do I.” “Why thank you Brian, that was a lovely thing to say.” Jennifer flushed with pleasure. Justin was going to have to watch this man he loved, for he had a very smooth tongue. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “We have to do it.” Justin said though he didn’t move. “Why?” Brian was being stubborn. “Have you regressed to your childhood?” “Maybe” he tickled Justin for a few minutes, making the other man squeal. “It’s almost noon and I do have to get some work done.” Justin was attempting to be serious. “The nice part about us staying here today is that Mikey and the gang have no idea where you live. As long as I don’t turn my phone on, then they can’t find me.” Brian lay back satisfied with his game plan. “Very mature, this is the man I want to spend the rest of my life with?” Justin shook his head but still didn’t leave the bed. Brian rested his head on Justin’s chest, his one hand idly began to play with the blond fur that was now slightly sweaty and cum drenched. “I suppose it wouldn’t hurt if we showered.” He ventured. Justin’s hand was combing through Brian’s hair. Damn he loved Brian’s hair. He held it up so the light coming in the window filtered through the strands making some red and some gold among the brown. “You’re doing it again.” Brian said. “You’re analyzing colors.” “You are a whole pride rainbow. You have all the colors, I love to make them shimmer and shine.” “You are on glue.” “A fine way to talk about your future partner.” “You are my now partner. I have the ring to prove it.” Brian wiggled the fingers on his ring hand. “I meant future business partner.” “Business partner?” “Come on Brian, you have TeeKay Advertising. I have Kinnetek Graphics; I think we were trying to tell each other something. So let’s put them together.” “What, you mean work with you every day?” Brian pretended to shudder. “Asshole.” “I thought we’d already established that.” Brian smiled into Justin’s belly. Justin could feel his lips and it made him smile in turn. A pounding at Justin’s door made both of their heads turn. “Who could that be?” Brian asked. “I don’t know, go answer it.” “It’s your door.” “You’re my partner and bigger than me and whoever it is sounds scary.” “Did you pay your mortgage payment?” Brian teased, but he got out of the bed and grabbed his pants off of the floor. There was some problem turning the leg right side out and the pounding didn’t stop. Just as he was about to go out of the bedroom, the door to Justin’s apartment opened. The superintendent of the building stood there looking stunned at Brian, Michael peered around the burly man. Justin, dressed only in Brian’s shirt from the night before, was peering around Brian. “Is there a reason why you unlocked my door Mr. Paterson?” Justin asked calmly. “This guy said it was an emergency and you didn’t answer when we knocked. I tried phoning but your phone isn’t working.” The man all but stammered. “Sorry, Mr. Taylor.” “That’s okay; I’ll deal with this rude guy.” Justin glared at Michael. They all waited until Mr. Paterson had left the apartment. Justin padded across the floor, Brian watched him, appreciating how the larger shirt looked hanging as it did just below Justin’s bare ass. “Hey Sunshine, looks good on you.” he said as Justin passed him. He made an attempt to grab the enticing ass. “Well I can’t say the same for my pants on you.” Justin snickered. Brian looked down; the pants did look ridiculous on his long legs. “What can I say, I’m a fashion trend maker.” He smirked and then looked at his friend. “I trust Mikey that whoever it is that’s died is sufficiently important to me to justify you tracking down where Justin lives and then breaking into his apartment.” Michael had been watching the interplay between Brian and Justin. He felt foolish, more so than when he’d come into Brian’s place the other day and found Justin wearing Brian’s sweat pants. “You weren’t answering your phone. You weren’t at the diner or at work. I was worried.” “What did you think Justin was going to do with me? Brick me into his bedroom wall?” Brian asked. He began to search for a cigarette. “Where’s my cigarettes?” he called to Justin. “Who cares, you aren’t smoking in here.” Justin answered back. The fresh scent of coffee began to drift toward Brian. “You’ve got to be joking.” Brian whined. “Nope, I don’t want the furniture all stinky.” “But.” “Okay, this once, but we’re having a smoking room in the house.” Justin handed Brian a coffee and kissed him sweetly. “It could be worse, I could make you smoke outside.” “What are you talking about?” Michael asked. “Brian, he can’t make you smoke outside.” “Justin isn’t ‘making’ me do a damn thing. But if he doesn’t want me smoking inside, then I probably won’t smoke inside.” Brian took a sip of his coffee. “Perfect Sunshine, you remembered the sugar.” “Well I know you need as much sugar as you can get to sweeten your disposition.” Justin sat on a bar stool and stared at Brian and then Michael. “Good bye Michael, now that we’re out of bed we have a zillion things to do before we go for dinner tonight.” “What time is Jennifer coming over?” Brian asked. “She didn’t say, but she’ll phone first.” Brian had put his hand on the back of Justin’s neck and Justin leaned into the strong hand, all but purring at the gentle kneading Brian was doing. “Brian, aren’t you going to Lindsay and Melanie’s tonight?” Michael asked. “You usually do.” “As a matter of fact that’s where we’re going. Justin and I are having dinner there and we’ll be playing with Gus.” “Do you think he’ll remember me?” Justin asked. “Probably not, but he won’t be long in falling in love with you. Us Kinney men are suckers for blonds.” Brian rested his head on Justin’s and stared at Michael. “Brian, what’s going on?” Michael asked. “Nothing, I’m having a coffee with my boyfriend” “Partner” “Partner and steady” he waved his ring hand at Michael.” “Brian’s the girl.” Justin smirked. “He’s got my class ring.” “You two are nuts.” Michael looked disgusted. “I can’t believe this. You don’t see each other for like six years and then in a couple of days you’re ‘teenagers in love’. He shook his head. “Nobody is going to believe this.” “That’s okay Mikey; nobody has to believe a damn thing. It’s what Justin and I believe that matters.” He kissed Justin’s ear, it was the handiest part of him. “I’m going to shower, lock the door after Mikey leaves and come and join me.” Brian put his empty coffee cup down and stalked off in the direction of the bedroom. Michael watched Brian retreat behind the bedroom door. He looked at Justin. “So I guess you got what you wanted after all?” he said, his voice resigned. “If you mean that Brian and I are a couple. Yes, I’ve always wanted that. But Michael, I didn’t force him. Brian only does what Brian wants to do. So if he’s with me, then that’s exactly where he wants to be. I can make him happy. In fact I plan to make that my main priority in life. To make Brian Kinney happy.” Justin smiled. “I hope that we can be friends, because you’re important to Brian. He needs all the family he can get and you’re part of his family.” Michael didn’t say anything. Instead he walked to the door, just before he left the apartment he turned to Justin and said. “I really hope that you do make him happy. He deserves it. He’s the best friend any one could ever have and I’ve been lucky to have him in my life.” He paused. “You and Brian might as well reserve tomorrow night for Ma, she’ll want to have everyone over for dinner. Bring something for dessert; I could use a change from Ma’s usual.” Michael smiled and shut the door behind him. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Instead of the shower, Justin found Brian in the large bathtub up to his chest in water and bubbles. Justin grinned at him. “You couldn’t resist could you?” “I’d forgotten how much fun it could be and you’re right, your cock does float.” He tilted his head to one side and smiled that half smile of his. “Come into the water little boy and play with my sail boat.” “You are sooooo bad.” Justin said as he climbed in with Brian. " By the way it seems we have to go to Deb’s for dinner tomorrow night.” “Welcome to my world Sunshine.” Brian said and sighed with pleasure as Justin began to make his way up Brian’s body until he was laying on him full length. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Brian and Justin, come on in.” Lindsay smiled at the two men who were standing on her doorstep. “Gus your daddy is here.” She called back into the house. “Daddy,” Gus ran out, Brian leaned down and met him, swinging him up in the air. “Hey Gus, I want you to meet a very special person in my life. He used to know you when you were a baby. Gus this is Justin.” Brian held Gus out toward Justin. Justin solemnly shook the small boy’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you Gus.” Justin said. “How do you know my daddy?” Gus asked. “We work together and we play together.” Brian answered for Justin. “And soon we’re going to live together like your mommies do.” “You are?” both Lindsay and Gus said. “Yes we are.” Brian waved his ring finger; Justin shook his head and rolled his eyes." Justin and I are going steady; he gave me his class ring.” Lindsay giggled. “How very teeny bopperish” she said. “Is Brian having a teeny tiny mid life crisis?” she asked. “He had that when he bought the vette.” Justin offered. “No I think it’s just the years of doing too many drugs” he sighed. “The poor man’s brain has been severely affected.” Justin dodged out of the way when Brian tried to swat him. “No hitting daddy or you have to have a ‘time out’” Gus admonished. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Hmmmm, that went well don’t you think?” Justin asked from his place on Brian’s chaise lounge. Brian was making him a hot chocolate. It was cool and late and Justin had a craving. “Very well” Brian handed Justin the cup and sat down astride the chaise and therefore astride Justin, looking toward him. “It’s been a great day. You persuaded me to take you back.” Justin grinned. “I agreed after being suitably mollified. You mom has come up with a few great places for us to look at this weekend. She already has buyers for both the loft and the apartment. Lindsay, Melanie and Gus have accepted us as a couple and even Mikey hasn’t been spiking any Voodoo dolls.” He watched his partner sip the hot chocolate and then bent down to lick off the whipped cream mustache. “Hmmm, not bad.” “You know you still owe me a couple of dates.” “You’re going to hold me to that?” “I did pay twenty thousand dollars for your Irish ass. So yes, I’m going to hold you to it.” Justin granted a chocolaty kiss to Brian. “Okay, a deal is a deal. Tomorrow’s date is at Debbie’s house.” Brian smiled when Justin shook his head. “That still leaves two more dates and I have the perfect place that will take up both of those.” “Where?” “How do you feel about going to Toronto?” “Okay I guess, but why?” “I think it’s time you made an honest man out of me. I mean all of these dates, plus you had your way with me. I feel used.” He teased. “And Toronto will make you feel better?” Justin still wasn’t getting it. “When we stand up before a Justice of the Peace and get married.” Brian grinned. “But it isn’t legal in the states.” “Fuck the states. I want that piece of paper.” Brian stuck his lip out and Justin leaned over and bit it gently. “You know Brian, I kind of like the kid in you. It’s been a long time appearing.” Brian put his head on Justin’s shoulder. Justin carefully put his mug of hot chocolate on the table and then wrapped his arms around the man he loved. “I think it’s time that someone made an honest man out of you. It might as well be me.” “Cause you love me?” “Cause I love you.” the end