Moonlight, Magic and Mystery – 4

“Will the meeting of the High Council come to order.” Craig Taylor stood at the front of thirty-five council members. He was on a raised dais made from a solid piece of rose quartz. He waited for the murmur of voices to quiet and all attention was focused on him. 

“It has come to my attention that Zane, black wizard of lower Pittsburgh, has broken his convenient with our council and allowed his son to be trained in the dark arts.” Craig paused for effect. 

“We are meeting here to come to a decision about a suitable method to deal with this event. Chris Hobbes, the son of Zane will soon graduate and be released into the world. We don’t want a repeat of what happened with Zane five years ago.”

“The fact is, Zane Hobbes parents were killed by the previous council.” Someone stood up, shouting this fact into the air. “It stands to reason that Zane Hobbes is within his right to demand retribution.”

“But to defy the council, that cannot be allowed.” Craig began. 

“The council had made decisions based on wrong information.” Someone else shouted. “And the result was the death of two of our talented witches. It is time that this council takes the blame for what its predecessors did.”

“I disagree, as the Grand Wizard of the High Council, I feel that Zane Hobbes and his son should be stripped of their powers.” Craig began. 

“Since you are unable to control your own son, allowing him to seek pleasures with one Brian Kinney, son of Jack and Joan Kinney of the clan Kinney…” the words resonated through the room bringing everyone to silence as they realized that Craig Taylor had no idea what they were talking about.

“EXPLAIN YOURSELF.” Craig roared his displeasure, shaking the walls and bringing an icy chill to the air. 

“Justin Taylor, the child you have raised as your own, is no longer a virgin in any way or manner. He no longer can assume the role as Grand Wizard should he qualify in when the time comes.” The words were spoken in the silence that had followed Craig’s outburst. 

“He is the lover of one Brian Kinney, the son of Jack and Joan. He came to the attention of the council ten years earlier when he refused to assume his position, disclaiming all things magic.”

“Brian Kinney has had many lovers, he never keeps them long.” Someone laughed. “If Kinney has taken young Taylor to his bed and kept him there, then Taylor is one interesting young man.” Everyone laughed.  
“Young Taylor has said that he will challenge the requirements for Grand Wizard when he is ready for the position.”

“You are either virgin or you’re not.” Someone said.

“That’s the point. Who cares? Virginity does not increase one’s powers.”

“That remains to be seen doesn’t it?” The question hung in the air. 

The meeting continued, Craig Taylor’s temper was at the boiling point but he remained outwardly calm. He found it hard to believe that Jennifer was not aware of what her son was up to. That meant not only was Justin deceiving him, but so was his wife. Their marriage might be in name only, but it was still a marriage by the laws of Wahjee.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Emmett, you have to be true to yourself.” Justin was sitting on a high stool in Torso watching Emmett unpack a new shipment of shirts. 

“But I might have been positive. It was so close.” 

“No it wasn’t close. You’re always safe. The fact your check bounced has nothing to do with that fact.” 

“It was a sign and besides Justin, I made an agreement with God.” 

“You made an agreement with a mythical figure.” Justin sighed. “If there is a God, do you think he or she would want you to be anything less than what he made you in the first place?” Justin asked. 

“I don’t know.” Emmett sighed with all the drama he could muster. “What about you, how do you feel about the whole being gay thing?” 

“What’s there to feel about it?” Justin asked. “I’m gay, I’ve always been gay. I’ve liked boys since I first saw Tommy Miller’s peepee when I was eighteen months old. When I was two I saw Brian Kinney, he was fourteen and all gawky and geeky, but damn, I thought he was the most beautiful boy in the world.”

“Oh my sainted aunt, you saw Brian when you were two and set your sight on him.” Emmett fanned himself with a nearby hat. “Tell me everything.” He leaned forward. 

“It was at a kind of school my father was in charge of. I wasn’t really supposed to be there, but for some reason he decided I had to attend even if I was only two.”

“Oh, like a church school. I went to one when I was three.” Emmett said as he clapped his hands. 

“Something like that.” Justin shrugged. “Anyway Brian was there. He was on the carpet for something he’d done or refused to do, I’m not sure what. And he was in my father’s office getting told off in no uncertain terms by the old man and a couple of his henchmen.” Justin giggled. “They were all old farts as far as I was concerned.”

“What did Brian look like?” 

“Kind of aloof. I mean he had this face on him that showed no emotion at all. His eyes were focused on something across the room and it was apparent to me, and I was only two, that he wasn’t listening to one word that was being shouted at him.”

“Oh I know that face.” Emmett giggled. “I’ve seen it lots of times.”

“Yeah, I’ve seen it to.” Justin giggled. “Especially when he doesn’t get his own way about something.”  He looked at Emmett, “The point I was trying to make is that you are either gay or you aren’t.”

“But I made a deal.” Emmett said. “I’m negative.”

“You’re weird, that’s for sure.” Justin giggled. “And you’re flaming to put it mildly. But you aren’t straight, not even close, no matter what kind of deal you made.” 

“But I can stop being gay.” Emmett tried looking away for a moment. “I really can try at least. At the meetings they say that all of them have been able to straighten out.”

“What they meant was that they’ve all developed a technique for living a lie and making a mockery out of their lives. No doubt not only ruining their own lives but the lives of everyone even remotely close to them.” Justin shook his head. He got off the stool and walked over to Emmett, putting his arms around the taller man and hugging him close. 

“Emmett, I’m not going to tell you what to do. No one can do that and I mean no one, including your little See the Light groupies. You have to decide for yourself if you want to be Emmett Honeycutt, flaming queen, or some heart broken shadow of your real self.” He kissed Emmett tenderly but with all the skill he’d learned from Brian. “Let me know what happens.” He said before slipping out the door, leaving Emmett breathless from the kiss and envious of Brian Kinney.

Justin walked down the street, aware of the members of the high council who had suddenly taken an interest in the shops on Liberty Avenue. Like he was too dumb or young to realize that they were spying on him. He’d effectively blocked all of their attempts to magic him off the street. He was more talented than any of them and they now had it confirmed. His mother had called him today at school and suggested he stay away from the house for a few days. His father, or rather Craig Taylor, was on the rampage. He’d found out about Brian and he wasn’t a happy wizard.

Unable to concentrate, Justin had skipped school. He’d stopped at Torso to visit with Emmett and hopefully convince his friend that gay was the way to stay. Brian was on a business trip to New York so he was temporarily out of reach by both Justin and the Wahjee freaks. Justin figured he could hide out at Brian’s loft without either Brian or his father finding out. 

Brian, who proclaimed to rarely if ever use magic, had secured his loft with an effective locking spell. Effective to most, but not to Justin, who laughed when he discovered the spells, right before he removed them. He was going to have to bring Brian up to speed with some of the more modern methods of safekeeping spells.

It was rather exciting to be in the loft by himself. Justin moved around making changes as if the loft was his and not Brian’s. He figured he could change it back before Brian came home. First he relocated the television and then not liking that, he used a bit of magic and made the screen larger until he was satisfied that it suited the space better. The sofa was next. It had to be one of the hardest damn sofas Justin had sat on in his life. He had to wonder about the Italian asses who sat on their Italian designs. They must have some kind of padding that American butts didn’t have. But he liked the lines of the sofa so he made it two feet longer and in place of the foam that was inside, he had memory foam appear covered in down. It took a couple of different spells to make it thick enough for his satisfaction. Now he could spread out in comfort. He added three down filled, silk covered throw pillows. 

Justin threw himself on the sofa, head on a plump pillow and surfed the channels on his large screened plasma television. This was much better. There was a chill in the air though. This loft was always chilly. Justin sat back up and looked around. If he put a direct vented chimney up through the ceiling, cleverly disguised to match the support beams in some way, he could have a modern looking fireplace, perhaps one that could be viewed in both the bedroom and main room. Justin jumped up to search the internet for the design he wanted and the specs for installation. Magic was one thing, but stuff as important as a gas fireplace that could burn down the building or worse, needed to be magicked properly. 

Finally satisfied with what he’d chosen. Justin placed a fireplace in the wall of windows that divided the living room from the bedroom. He made sure it was properly installed and even had a gas fitter and inspector in to check it out. Both were fellow Wahjee and didn’t mind the interruption of their day. Anything to please young Justin Taylor and piss off Craig Taylor, the much disliked Grand Wizard. 

“Thanks guys.” Justin said, beaming with pleasure. It would be something that Brian could keep if he wanted to. He hoped the man would understand the advantages to having something as practical and romantic as a fireplace. 

A fire lit, clad only in one of Brian’s silk wraps, a bit on the large size, but one he’d worn recently so there was the advantage of scent, Justin lay on the soft sofa and watched the fire flicker behind the glass protector. He was nodding off when a knock on the door followed by a key turning and the door sliding open, had him jumping to his feet, clutching the robe to his chest. 

“Oh Justin, I’m sorry, I wasn’t expecting you.” Lindsay stepped inside, Gus in her arms. “Gus has a bit of a fever and I wanted to ask Brian some family medical history before I start to worry.” She laughed nervously and looked around. “There’s something different about the place.”

“Yeah, I’m here.” Justin grinned. He held out his arms for Gus and kissed the boy’s forehead. “I suspect he’s teething. He’s the right age. Did you check his gums to see if they’re red or swollen?” 

“No, I never thought…” she looked embarrassed. “You think that’s all it is?” she asked. 

“I don’t know. Hey Gus, do your gums hurt?” he asked the baby. 

Gus smiled a lopsided grin and gurgled a response. He took one of Justin’s fingers and pulled it into his mouth biting down hard. 

“Ouch.” Justin laughed. “I guess that’s his answer. He’s teething. I bet some baby Tylenol will help. Your mommy will make things all better L’ll Guy.” 
“Can you stay with him while I run to the drugstore. He’s been crying non-stop for hours, but for some reason as soon as we got on the elevator, he stopped. It was almost like he knew we were coming here.”   

“Sure, I’ll watch him.” Justin smiled down at Gus. He watched Lindsay walk out the door and slide it shut. “Okay Gus, I need to get some pants on if your mommy is going to be hanging around here.“ Justin carried the baby up to the bedroom placing him on the center of the large bed. Gus laughed out loud when Justin made a light show on the ceiling for him to watch as he found a pair of Brian’s sweats and slipped them on. He was going to use the bottoms of the silk robe, but he’d tried them earlier and they were too long and looked ridiculous. The sweats at least were meant to be baggy. 

“Okay, that’s done. Now what?” he looked at the baby. “I know, we’ll rock in the rocking chair in front of the fire.” He laughed. “Oh, we need a rocking chair, something that your daddy will accept, nothing too granny like.” Justin picked up Gus and carried him back to the living room. Gus watched him intently. 

“Now let’s see.” Justin was at Brian’s desk, searching for rocking chairs on the internet. “We need something Italian in design, ridiculously expensive and uncomfortable. Your daddy will like that best. I can fix the comfort part, don’t worry.” 

When Lindsay returned, she found Justin rocking gently in a white leather designer chair in front of a fireplace. Gus was sleeping soundly, his small hand clutching one of Justin’s fingers. 

“You two look so comfortable.” Lindsay said, taking her coat off. “I never knew Brian had a fireplace and a rocking chair.” She sounded surprised. 

“It’s been here awhile.” Justin shrugged. A couple of hours must count as <i> awhile </i>. Gus seems to like it. I think his fever is down a few degrees.”

“Melanie is out of town. I just didn’t know what to do.” Lindsay looked away, she wasn’t quite telling the truth. She thought she and Brian could have a mother/father bonding moment over Gus who wasn’t feeling well. 

Justin looked hard at her and she knew that he knew what she’d planned. “Brian is out of town for a couple of days on business. You should have called him, I’m sure he has his cell phone with him.” 

“Oh, I never thought….” Her voice trailed off. “What are you doing here if Brian is out of town?” her voice accused as she tried to turn the tables on Justin. 

“I’m staying here for a week or so.” Justin said. “Brian knows.” Well he didn’t know, but he was sure to find out once Lindsay had a minute to herself. 

“You’re only seventeen, you should be at home, not staying with a man twelve years your senior.” She began her rant. 

“Just a minute. I’m eighteen on Saturday and frankly it’s none of your business if I’m staying with Brian.” He smiled to take the sting out of his words. “Brian needs someone in his life who cares about him. And he needs to have someone to care for. It works out for both of us. And don’t worry, I know all about his hang ups and his stupid rules that he thinks he lives by.” He snickered. “I think he’s broken every one of them in the few months since we met, at least once.” 

“Please don’t hurt him Justin.” Lindsay pleaded. “Brian, Brian doesn’t love easily. He’s never loved anyone before. If he does fall for you, he’ll do it with everything he has.”

“The last thing I want to do is hurt Brian in any way.” Justin continued to rock Gus, kissing the baby’s head every now and then. And then looking at Lindsay with eyes that were wiser than his years, Justin said. “I’ve wanted Brian for almost as long as I can remember. It’s kind of a family thing. I’ve needed him for my own safety and sanity. I desire him for my emotional well being. I love him for that which is truly Brian Kinney, the part of him that no one sees and few know. We may hurt each other emotionally every now and then, but it is our destiny to be together. I will always love him as he will always love me.” Justin let the words he spoke sink into Lindsay’s subconscious self, before muttering a few words of a forgetting spell that would make her forget he’d spoken them, but would allow her to know the meaning of the words in his relationship with Brian and perhaps knowing this, she would cut them some slack.

“I think it’s time to take Gus home.” Lindsay said, taking the baby from Justin’s arms. “When you talk to Brian tell him we’re sorry we missed him.” She smiled, placing a small cap on Gus’ head. “Would you and Brian like to come over on Saturday, we could have dinner.”

“I’ll talk to him. I don’t know his plans for the weekend.” Justin stood up, his arms felt empty without Gus in them. The buzzer rang and Justin went to answer. “Hey.” 

“It’s Daphne and I have food.” His friend called up. 

“Come on up.” Justin beamed at Lindsay. “I guess I get to eat tonight. I think I need to go grocery shopping, Brian doesn’t know what that big steel box in the kitchen is for. He thinks it’s a water cooler.”

“Lindsay laughed. “I think it has to do with his childhood. From what I gather, his mother wasn’t exactly motherly and they never had much in the way of food around. She’d buy what they needed on a day-to-day basis, if she remembered. His father thought that the three basic food groups were rum, rye and beer.”

Justin laughed. “I guess it’s up to me to show him that we can keep actual food in there.”

“You know Justin; I think you may be good for Brian. He needs to have someone around who really cares for him and not just in a sexual way, but his physical and emotional needs as well.” 

“Thank you Lindsay.” Justin flushed with pleasure. “I’m going to do my best. I may be young, but I know what I want and better yet, how to get it and value it when I do.” 

He locked the door after Lindsay and Gus left and then put a spell on it so that no one could get in despite having a key. He wanted to relax in front of the fireplace without interruption. 

Kicking off Brian’s sweat pants. Justin grabbed a bottle of beer from the fridge and headed back to his comfy sofa. He lay down and then made sure all the lights were turned off and down. It was a little thing but he liked to use his magic when he could. At home it was impossible to use any. He was always being watched for signs of how powerful he was becoming. To confuse the issue, Justin rarely if ever used magic anywhere near any of his family. 

To amuse himself and to add to the atmosphere, he sent some dancing sparks to play near the shadowed ceiling. Head back, he relaxed allowing himself finally to think of Brian who was busy in New York, no doubt misbehaving at some club by this time of night. Justin grinned to himself. Brian could fuck or be sucked by anyone he could find, but he’d never be able to get Justin out of his mind. It hadn’t been a magicked glimmer that bound them together. But rather a binding spell someone close to both of them had put in place before either one was born. 

The phone rang and Justin contemplated not answering it. After all he wasn’t supposed to be there. And then he thought why not. “Kinney residence.” He said trying to sound official. 

“Well if it isn’t my witch boy in his new persona as my personal house boy.” Brian drawled. 

“Ahh, Lindsay must have called you when she hit the street.” Justin sighed and lay back on his silk pillow.

“Yes dear, she did.” Brian mimicked Jennifer Taylor. “And to my surprise, I find not only do I have a house guest, but a fireplace now. Any more surprises, or is that it?” 

“Maybe a couple more. I’m just trying to make it more comfy in here. You have to admit it was early hotel room décor. Very impersonal.” 

“Justin, don’t you dare mess around with my loft. It is just the way I want it to be.” Brian enunciated clearly. 

“What are you doing in New York?” Justin asked, changing the subject. 

“Working, what are you doing in my loft?” 

“Relaxing, you should try it some time.” Justin laughed. “When are you coming home?” 

“Why?” 

“I was going to cook something for you. I think you eat too much take out.”

“Just what I always wanted, a little wife with a big dick, barefoot in the kitchen.” Sarcasm dripped from Brian’s voice. 

“At least I’m not pregnant.” Justin snickered. “And thanks for the big dick part. I expect it’ll get bigger the older I get. I mean your dick never actually stops growing, same as your nose, it continues to grow too.”

“Strange conversation we’re having witch boy.” 

“Come home, I can have a much stranger conversation with you.” Justin’s cock was hard and he began to stroke it. 

“I understand you were wearing my black silk robe.”

“Yeah, I like it, that’s why we needed a fireplace. Silk isn’t exactly warm and cozy.” 

“<i>We</I> didn’t need a fireplace, you did.” Brian huffed. 

“What can I say, I like heat.” 

“Yes, we’ve already established you’re a delicate flower. Now get your ass home and out of my loft and make sure you set the locks again. “ 

“I’ll get right on that.” Justin grinned and hung up the phone. He stretched and shut his eyes, imagining Brian in New York. He knew that the man was there to look over the job situation. Not that Brian had told him this, but he wasn’t stupid and he’d heard the phone calls between Brian and various New York agencies. 

In New York, Brian held the phone out and stared at it. The little shit had hung up on him. He would have liked to have done something impulsive that involved using magic, but damned if he was going to let Justin get to him any more than he already had. 

Instead he walked to the closet and pulled out the club clothes he’d brought with him. Maybe throbbing music, hot sex and recreation drugs were the order of the night. It would relax him and maybe let him work his way through the dilemma he had found himself in.

The cab ride to the club was fast and uneventful. Brian got out, paid the driver and walked to the front of the line with the confidence of a true stud. He didn’t need to use any more magic than his own personal charisma to jump the line and walk into the club without paying a cover charge.

He stepped inside expecting to see a club much like Babylon, instead he found himself in a space that just being inside was an experience in itself. The walls were floor to ceiling fish tanks, some round cylinders, some oblong, it depended where they were. The fish, all larger than anything Brian had seen before in a tank, were brightly colored tropical varieties they seemed to dance to the beat of the music as they swam in and around intricate columns of crystal and floating plants. 

The dance floor was crowded and so was the area in front of the bar. A flash of pink hued naked flesh drew Brian’s eyes to the center tank that was based in the middle of the dance floor and just slightly out of reach of the dancers. Inside the cylinder of heavy glass, dancing provocatively were two dancers, one so black he was almost the color of coal and one so white his skin luminessed when the light hit it a certain way. Both were very well endowed if the thong swimwear was any indication. 

They continued to the beat of the music, and Brian did his best to figure out how they were able to breathe beneath the water, until he caught sight of a breathing tube, just out of eyesight from most of the dancers. 

He ordered a beer and leaned against a support pole to watch the display in the water. None of the other patrons seemed to notice or care, having seen it all before.  Both water dancers were well muscled. The flash of red and yellow fish dancing with them, almost laughing with them, was one of those one of a kind type experiences.

And then, just as Brian was about to turn away, the white boy moved into a position that gave Brian a better view. He looked like Justin. In fact he looked so much like Justin that Brian spit out a mouthful of beer, earning himself a dirty look from the guys dancing closest to him. “Sorry.” He mumbled an apology as he slipped through the dancers on the dance floor hoping to get close enough to the cylinder to confirm that the blond was Justin. But the closer he got, the more immense the structure became. Standing close allowed no view of the tank. Reluctantly he moved backwards, stumbling into dancers, but refusing to take his eyes off of the blond in the tank. 

It couldn’t be Justin, he’d spoken too him only an hour before. Brian pulled out his cell phone and dialed his home number again. “You’re still there.” He said when Justin answered. 

“Apparently.” Justin yawned. “Why?” 

“Just taking a survey.” Brian said. It was hard to hear over the noise of the club. The blond tank dancer was still doing his thing. “Do you have any relatives in New York?” 

“Probably.” Justin shrugged. “Why?”

“Just asking.” Brian thought for a moment. “Goodnight Justin.” 

“Goodnight Brian.” Justin giggled. “Hey do you like to swim?” he hung up the phone.

“Fucker.” Brian said as the blond in the water wiggled suggestively and gave Brian a very deliberate wink. It was then Brian noticed the dancer’s eyes, they were so violet they were almost neon. It wasn’t Justin. 

Justin couldn’t read minds, but he could read Brian. And he wasn’t deaf, he could hear the sound of club music. Brian had to be at Waters, a club in New York that featured boys dancing in tanks. His cousin was one of them. Not that Justin had ever been there, but he did talk to his cousin all the time on MSN. He’d have to ask if the guy had seen Brian. 

Two more beers later, Brian was on the dance floor when a pair of pale arms snaked around his body and someone kissed his ear. “Hey, are you Brian Kinney?” the boy asked.

Brian turned around. It was water boy. He did look a lot like Justin, but he was taller, almost as tall as Brian himself. “Yes.” Brian said. 

“I’m Frances Taylor, Justin’s cousin. I was sure surprised to see you out there. I mean, Justin never said you were coming to New York.” 

“It wasn’t generally known.” Brian drawled, studying Frances carefully. It was disconcerting have someone look so much like Justin, but be so much older. “I’m here on business.” 

“Oh, you’re probably looking for work. I mean that’s what I figure. Justin probably does too. I mean, who wants to stay in the Pitts with a talent for advertising like you have.”

“How do you know what I do or don’t have?” Brian asked.

“Justin talks about you all the time. Hell, I probably know you better than you know you.” Frances laughed. He drained a bottle of water and then held it up. “I know, I like water and I’m sure as fuck not going to drink the stuff I swim in.” he danced a bit with Brian. “I’m off in an hour, do you want to go somewhere after?” 

“I’m not going to fuck you.” Brian said. Somehow the idea of fucking a relative of Justin’s, who looked so much like the boy, was slightly off putting.

“Great, because unless you have a pussy in those jeans, I’m not fucking you either. I’m straight. I just dance here ‘cause the money is good and I like it. I’m a law student. This is a great way to unwind after a week of torts and I don’t have to put out. It’s a win, win situation. Not to mention my wife would have my balls if I played around. It’s kind of a thing with us Taylors. We mate for life and we’re true to that mate. You did know that, didn’t you?” 

“I never thought about it.” Brian said, inwardly wincing about Justin. He’d mentioned something, but Brian hadn’t been paying attention. “I’ll be here if you want to go for coffee or something after your shift.” 

“Great, I have one more set to do and then I’ll shower and meet you back here. I know a great coffee place that serves awesome desserts. I need a sugar boost after this gig.” 

Brian nodded his agreement. This was becoming a more interesting evening than he’d planned. 

In Pittsburgh, Justin fell asleep on the sofa, thoughts of Brian in his head. While he slept, his cousin Frances popped into the loft, found a quilted silk throw and covered up his cousin. He looked around, pleased that Justin had fallen for a man with such great taste. He’d been surprised to see Brian at Waters, but pleased by the fact that the man had turned him down in a way, and that he so far, hadn’t headed for the back room with anyone. Satisfied that Justin was going to be okay, Frances popped back to the club where he undressed, ready for his last set. He was glad to have this chance to get to know Justin’s Brian. It might help his cousin when the shit finally hit the fan about his status as a non-virgin. He’d already heard rumblings that the council knew, which was no doubt the reason why Justin was at Brian’s place. 

Brian watched Frances’ last performance. He couldn’t believe how long the man could hold his breath, let alone gyrate to the music that pulsated through the room and the water. 

His groin stirred with desire, not so much for Frances, but for the blond who lay sleeping in his loft. He almost wished he could use the magic he’d been born with to pop in and visit Justin for an hour or so. But he wasn’t going to compromise his principles even for Justin’s blond boy ass. It just wasn’t worth it. 

“Glad you waited around.” Frances said as he approached Brian. 

“I’m heading back to the Pitts tomorrow, no work, don’t need to get up early.” Brian’s words were clipped. He was tired and he wanted to get back to his loft and his life. New York wasn’t what he expected. He wasn’t sure he was prepared to give up his life to be part of an advertising team in one of the large firms. There were some advantages to being in a smaller firm.

“Great. I have a late class tomorrow.“ Frances walked out of the club with Brian, many of the regulars wondering how the tall dark stranger had scored when no one else had been able to. “The place I’m thinking of, isn’t far from your hotel. We can take a cab or walk, it doesn’t matter.” 

“How do you know where I’m staying?” Brian asked as he stepped out in the street to hail a cab. 

“Duh, wizard boy here.” Frances laughed. “You really had to ask?” 

“I don’t use that shit.” Brian mumbled. 

“You might want to reconsider that decision.” Frances paused. “It’s hard to recover your full abilities, even the ones you were born with, if you don’t use them. It’s like any part of your body. If you don’t use it, it atrophies.”

“Precisely why I fuck a lot.” Brian smirked, holding the cab door open for Frances to get in first. “It’s the only part of my body I truly would miss.” 

“Justin said you were focused on your dick. He never said just how much.” Frances laughed, before he gave the driver directions to the coffee house. 

The drive was a short one but long enough for the two men to become acquainted.  Brian paid for the cab and they got out in front of run down looking coffee shop. “This is it?” Brian asked. “It doesn’t look like much.” 

“You know it really is true that all fags are label queens.” Frances giggled. 

Brian shrugged and laughed. “You know you’re the first straight boy I’ve known who actually has a sense of humor.”  He held the door for Frances.

“And you’re the first gay man I’ve met with a sense of chivalry, a true gentleman.” Frances smiled, walking through the door. 

“Hey Frankie.” The barrista behind the counter called. “Your order will be right up.”

“Double that, I’ve brought a friend.” Frances walked to a booth in the back and slid in. Brian sat across from him. 

“Welcome to my decompression chamber.” Frances smiled. “After work I like to regroup here before heading home. My wife will be sleeping and she has to be at work at eight. It somehow doesn’t seem fair to wake her up.” 

“How often do you perform at Waters?” Brian asked. 

“Only three times a week. It’s enough to pay the rent on our place and buy groceries. I have a full scholarship for school. We do okay.”

“Justin says you two haven’t met in person, but only on the net.” 

“Well that’s not entirely true. I’ve seen Justin a lot of times. I’m kind of his watcher. He just hasn’t seen me. He was assigned to me when he was two.” Frances paused. “I’m ten years older than him.”

“But you’re in school now?”

“It’s just the way things worked out.” Frances shrugged. “I took a long time to grow up. It happens.” 

“Why were you assigned to be Justin’s watcher and does he know you are?” Brian asked, his curiosity piqued. He smiled his thanks to the server who had placed a large cup of coffee in front of him as well as a piece of freshly baked apple pie with a scoop of ice cream. 

“I know you don’t eat this kind of thing in the middle of the night.” Frances grinned. “But it won’t hurt you this once. To answer your question, Justin is kind of like royalty in a Wahjee way. It’s traditional he be assigned a watcher. Usually that watcher lives nearby and the two of them become friends. But Justin isn’t someone to take kindly to that type of thing. I’m sure you know how he is. He’s unpredictable. So no, he doesn’t know that I’m his watcher. Or at least I don’t think he does. We’ve been close internet friends as well as cousins. It works for us.”

“Do you have to report to anyone about his activities?” 

“No, of course not. I suppose I could be asked, but no one has and besides, I wouldn’t tell them a damn thing. I’m afraid I’m one of those Wahjee who think it’s about time they remembered what century we’re in.” he looked away and then back at Brian. “I do pop in and check on him though. I like to know he’s safe.”

“I like to know he’s safe myself.” Brian said, his fork playing with the pie and ice cream.

“I know you do. I can tell you have feelings for him.” Frances leaned forward. “Brian, you don’t have to be afraid to have these feelings. Justin loves you.”

“But I don’t want him to love me.” Brian began. “I want him to like me. I know we can have a great time together. But love, no, not love. Love is for other people, not for fags. I don’t actually think there is such a thing as love. Not the way it’s described in books and poetry. It’s a four letter word, like all the rest of the four letter words. It has no meaning other than in the moment the word is spoken.” 

“You don’t believe that. So why are you saying it?” Frances asked

“You don’t know what I do or don’t believe.” Brian glared. “I know what works for me. What helps me survive.”

“Like I said Brian, times change. What got you through the day a year ago, isn’t going to work now.” Frances sipped his coffee and ate some of his dessert. 

“Why does life have to be so damn complicated?” Brian asked not expecting an answer. “I was happy with my life. I had friends, some of whom were like family. I had a good job, better than good and along comes this underage twink with blond hair and eyes that can see into your soul and my world has never been the same since. It makes no sense, no sense at all.”

Frances put his head back and roared with laughter. “If I could answer that, I’d be the Grand Wizard of the High Council instead of that pompous ass Craig Taylor. And by the way, you and Justin have been on the council’s agenda, so keep an eye on our young friend.”

“I always do.” Brian sighed and ate a forkful of messy apples dripping with melted ice cream. 

“I know, when Justin first told me about you, I looked you up. Your family is one of the oldest Wahjee clans.”

“So I’ve been told.” Brian drawled, back to his old self. 

“They have often been in close alliance with the Taylors’ over the centuries. I was surprised to find that there appears to be a rift in the relationship, going back thirty years or so.” 

“I don’t know anything about that.” Brian said. He looked at his plate, astonished to find he’d finished the dessert. Shaking his head as if to clear it of such an anomaly, he reached into his pocket for his wallet, taking out a business card. “Here’s my card. You might as well keep in touch with me the regular way. If you’ve heard about me, you know I don’t use magic. I prefer telephones and the net.”

“Yeah, what’s up with that?” Frances asked, looking at the card before putting it in his wallet. “I mean I know we have to keep things secret from the humans, but hell man, magic is cool and convenient.” 

“And it’s mind controlling, and makes things too easy. Why learn anything if you can just wiggle a finger and have what ever it is you want appear.”

“It doesn’t quite work like that and you know it.” Frances laughed. “I wish that it did or I used to wish that when I was a kid in school. Hell, why bother to attend NYU if I could just wiggle my finger as you say and pop, I’m a lawyer.”

“My point exactly. What’s the point?” Brian shrugged and stood up. “I have to go. I’ll walk to the hotel. It was nice to meet you. Great act you have. Say hello to Marcie for me.” He grinned at Frances who knew very well he’d never told Brian his wife’s name. But Brian had a natural gift for looking into another’s mind. He rarely used it, but did occasionally. It wasn’t magic, it was just him, Brian Kinney.

Frances sat for another hour in the coffee shop, sharing his night with his friend who owned the place. He didn’t mention Brian other than to say he’d gone back to his hotel and his friend knew better than to ask any questions.  While they talked, Frances couldn’t get the fact that Brian had known Marcie was his wife’s name out of the back of his mind. He was going to have to ask Justin about this part of Brian that no one knew about. No one, including the high council.

Frances hailed a cab for his ride home. It was almost time for Marcie to wake up. He liked to have an hour to cuddle before she had to go to work and he had to sleep for a few hours. It was not the ideal way to live, but it worked for the both of them for now. 

Back in Pittsburgh, Justin stirred on the sofa. He could almost feel Brian’s lips on his. It wouldn’t be long until his lover arrived back in Pittsburgh. He’d call him later and ask which flight he was taking. 

He sat up, the silk quilted throw puddling on the floor. He looked down at it, not sure where it had come from, but glad he’d had it. He’d kept the fireplace on low and the loft was comfortable, but Justin had been all but naked. He looked at the phone, hoping Brian would call again before padding in the direction of the shower. He had school today. There was no point in antagonizing his parents by skipping school. 

While Justin was showering, Brian lay in his hotel bed, eyes shut, but not sleeping. He thought about some of the things he’d talked to Frances about earlier. Almost getting up and calling either Frances or Justin to clarify a few things. 

His days in New York had been productive, but not what he’d expected. That in itself was unsettling in its own way. Mikey had left twenty or so phone messages on his cell phone, all about the infamous Doctor Dave. Brian couldn’t stand the man, and didn’t want to get involved. But apparently he was going to have to, if for no other reason than to get his friend to stop calling him every time he has some kind of imagined crises as Mrs. Doctor Dave. 

Justin was for some reason, staying at the loft. Cynthia was barely speaking to him because he’d taken the week to go to New York. And Justin informed him that Ted had taken up with some crystal queen. There were moments like this when he’d like to hide under the duvet and never get out of bed. Brian sighed dramatically in the empty room. And there was Lindsay and her petty ruse with Gus to get him more involved with the boy’s life. Much like some kind of happy hetero family. He wondered if she was suffering from some kind of post partum delusion. 

And then there was the problem simmering on the back of the stove with the fucking High Council, as if he didn’t have enough to worry about. Brian rolled over and screamed into the pillow over and over, letting out his pent up frustration. 

“Brian, are you okay?” He felt Justin’s cold wet hand on his back and rolled his head over to look at a wet Justin, who was dripping water on his bed. 

“What the fuck?” Brian blinked.

“Sorry, I was in the shower when I heard you screaming. I didn’t wait to dry off.” He looked down. “Or dress.” He shivered and Brian lifted the covers. Justin slipped inside.

“I’m okay.” Brian said, his voice quiet. He pulled Justin into his arms. “You came to me?” he couldn’t believe it. 

“Of course.” Justin snuggled close. “You needed me.”

“Witch boy, I don’t know what to do about you.” Brian sighed and kissed Justin’s forehead. 

“You could love me.” Justin said, one hand cupping Brian’s head. “That would work.” He kissed him with every ounce of passion and love he had, fading back to Pittsburgh, leaving Brian’s arms empty, but his heart full.

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