It’s Only Time-3
Author: Elsarose
Summary: after 513 – Justin has an epiphany on the way to the airport.
Britin was looking better than ever. Justin had developed a love of gardening and whenever he could he joined Klaus in working around the grounds. He found it relaxing and a slow form of developing an art piece.
Klaus didn’t mind, he enjoyed having someone to work with, someone to pass along his knowledge. And frankly having an absentee owner who didn’t seem to care what the place looked like as long as it was still standing, was a pain in the ass.
For Justin the grounds were a place to discover hidden beauty and he spent hours on the internet investigating different ways to make them exiting. Sven’s kids often came over to help, finding Justin less stressful to work with than their father. Consequently his days often ended with Tini and Sven appearing with baskets full of food, to feed the tired workers.
Inside Britin, there had been changes made as well. Wall colors were more intense, carpet had disappeared to be replaced with hardwood, French doors abounded, and the woodwork and ceilings sported accent colors that turned the once beautiful home into something glamorous as would befit the King of Liberty Avenue.
Furniture appeared, once piece at a time, as Justin could afford it. Each piece carefully researched and thought out to make whichever room it landed in, perfection. He liked to think Britin was a canvas of sorts and he was painting a picture.
It had been seventeen months since Brian had all but patted him on the head and sent him off to seek his fortune. Like some kind perverted fairy tale. Justin was proud of what he’d accomplished in the time. He was doing what he wanted with his life, on his terms and was just exactly where he wanted to be. It’s only timebe damned. Of course if Brian had been by his side properly, life would be perfect. But as he’d come to learn, life was seldom perfect.
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Brian had resigned himself to life without Justin. Oh he had phone calls and emails and occasionally a quick trip to New York for a weekend in some hotel. But it wasn’t the same as waking up every day with a blond head on the pillow beside him. He missed Justin’s untidy nature, the smell of paint, the heavy sighs when he wanted Brian’s attention.
Even ordering in from his various menus, had become painful, because he couldn’t make himself only order for one, but nine times out of ten ordered for Justin as well, forgetting the blond was miles away in New York. Leaving Kinnetik, he growled to Cynthia that he needed to get some air. The weather was cold, but not cold enough for snow. Hands in the pockets of his tailored great coat, Brian walked the downtown streets with purpose, until he gradually wore down and began to stroll.
Downtown Pittsburgh was no Liberty Avenue, here stores presented elegant and tasteful fronts, not a rainbow in sight. That is until he came to a new gallery, S & T Gallery. Brian thought it was a strange name, but what did he know. What he did know was that the only painting in the window was by none other than Justin Taylor. He’d recognize his work anywhere.
The heavy glass doors were a work of art in themselves. In fact if he didn’t know better, he’d think Justin had his hand in designing the doors. Inside was typical gallery, neutral walls, those these were strong colors, in shades of taupes and golds. Lighted pedestals displaying sculptures, he recognized a small version of Sven’s Frankel Building sculpture. And then he turned a corner only to be confronted with a life sized painting of himself, though his face wasn’t visible. He knew the scene, for it was one he often woke up too, sprawled on his great bed, naked and alone. The title It’s only time made it clear that it was his Justin, though his mark at the bottom of the painting told him this as well.
“Can I help you?” A man, dressed casually, but clearly in charge asked Brian.
“This painting, it’s by Justin Taylor.” Brian said unnecessarily.
“Yes we have a few of Mr. Taylor’s paintings, though they generally don’t stay long. He sells very well. I have two of his sculptures and one of his glass pieces as well if you’re interested. The other glass sculpture sold earlier to day to a corporate buyer. Mr. Taylor’s works are recognized to be investments, though if I owned one, I wouldn’t sell it just to make money.”
“Isn’t it unusual to have a New York artist showing his work here?” Brian asked as he wandered around looking at pieces done by his partner.
“Not really, Mr. Taylor is local. He sells in New York as much as he sells here. After all when you’re an artist, it doesn’t really matter where you create as long as you reach the market.” The man shrugged. “I’m Sal by the way, Mr. Taylor’s business partner. We own this gallery.”
“You and Justin own this gallery?” Brian was trying to get his head around the words and their meaning.
“Yes, I met Justin about a year and half ago, he bought a jeep from me. We had the same goals in life and it wasn’t long before we became friends. I worked at the Funny Farm with him. It’s kind of an art commune in West Virginia.”
“I thought it was in New York.”
“No, we sell in New York all the time. Most of us have agents who flog out work to galleries there. We opened this gallery six months ago with the profits from our last two New York shows. Justin hardly ever works in S & T though, he prefers to create. I like to create, but I like the gallery as well. It works out for the both of us. We have our accounting done by a third party, so there’s no question of expenses and profits going astray.”
“Interesting.” Brian paused. “Your accountant wouldn’t be Theodore Schmidt would it?”
“As a matter of fact it is. Do you know him?” Sal asked.
“Yes, yes I do.” Brian’s mind was reeling. He didn’t know whether to be proud of Justin or betrayed by him. He was going to kill Theodore though. “It was nice meeting you Sal. I’ll be back.” With that said Brian turned on his heel and left.
Back at Kinnetik he sat in his office thinking. What was wrong with him that Justin had to lie? His cell phone rang. It was Justin. “Hey.” He answered, his voice quiet.
“Hey Brian, I just finished an amazing piece. I can’t believe how high I feel. Better than E. I wish you were here so I could show you up close and personal just how high I am.”
Brian laughed. “I wish I was there too.” He paused. “Just where are you?”
“I’m at home, lying on the bed, freshly showered and naked.”
“What’s the weather like in New York?”
“The weather, you want to know about the weather when I’m naked and ready for you?”
“Yes, what’s the weather like in New York?”
“I don’t know, cold, miserable, it always is when you aren’t there.” Justin giggled. “I don’t need to go outside to know that. I fucking hate the weather in New York. It’s too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter and you aren’t there with me. So I fucking hate the weather. I prefer to let my imagination pretend it’s nice and mild and we’re fucking in a garden, or on grass. You remember grass? It’s green and soft and ….”
“Filled with bugs.” Brian finished.
“Not my grass. I prefer to think it’s ideal for fucking on. No bugs, just the sweet smell of crushed grass and sex.”
“You are high, are you sure you didn’t take something?”
“Never take drugs from anyone other than you. Rule number seventy five of the Brian Kinney handbook.” Justin giggled. “I don’t need drugs, I’m high on life.”
“You sound like a lame TV commercial Brian laughed. “Maybe I should get my ass to New York and we can celebrate together.”
“That would be cool.” Justin didn’t hesitate with his answer. He knew he could get there driving faster than Brian could by plane.
“Would your room mate mind if we spent a few days holed up in your bedroom?”
“Jake would hate it, but what the fuck, I would love it.” Justin couldn’t help but smile as he said the words. Daphne’s cousin was a jerk in a lot of ways, but he’d been cool with him using the spare room over the last eighteen months whenever it had been needed.
“Justin, I was thinking.” Brian paused. “Maybe we should sell the house in West Virginia. I mean we’ve never even visited it once since you left.”
“No way Brian. I love that house. It’s the only damn thing that keeps me sane when we aren’t together. I know you seem to think I need to be in New York to be a success in my chosen career. And damn near all of your friends seem to agree, even my mother thinks so. But the house in West Virginia is my Shangri-La. It’s what keeps me from screaming. The hope and dream that you and I will live there together once everyone gets over this whole New York thing.”
Brian could hear the passion in Justin’s voice. And he heard the words “your friends” not our friends. And for the first time he realized that he hadn’t been listening to Justin before this. He’d only heard what he wanted to hear. He’d listened to Lindsay and Michael and Debbie but not to the man he loved. And for the first time in his life he wanted to say he was sorry and to make Justin understand the words weren’t bullshit. It was time to do something for Justin and himself without worrying about the rest of the fucking world.
“Much as I’d like to join you. I have a meeting at ten tomorrow.” Brian sighed, truly regretful. Had he and Justin both been honest with each other. And had he actually listened to Justin and not every other damn person, he’d be going home to his partner tonight. “I won’t sell the West Virginia house.” He all but whispered. “I couldn’t anyway, it’s in your name, always has been. I pay for the upkeep because we’re partners and that’s what partners do.”
“Thank you Brian.” Justin’s smile could be heard over the phone. “I’m glad you told me. I think you did tell me the day you asked me to marry you. But I guess I wasn’t listening.”
“It must be catching, this no listening to each other.” Brian sighed. “You’d think that after all this time we’d learn.”
“You have a slow learning curve.” Justin teased. “It’s your age. I on the other hand was only thinking with my dick that night. It’s my age.”
Brian laughed out loud at Justin’s words. “So you don’t mind that I pay for the upkeep?” But as soon as the words were out of his mouth, he remembered that it had been months since he’d signed any checks for the utilities or even Klaus and Anna’s salaries, something to talk to Ted about.
“Not really. I’ve grown up from when I had to do everything myself. I’ve watched my friends and how they do things. They’re happy, married, and share everything, the good and the bad. And that includes living expenses. I realized that if I truly wanted to be in a relationship with you, a married relationship, not that we’d actually be married, but you know what I mean. Then I would have to accept that there are times I can’t financially do everything and neither can you. A relationship is sharing between the two of us.”
“You have come a long way.”
“I guess we all have to grow up, even devastatingly handsome blond twinks.” Justin giggled, the sound going straight to Brian’s cock.
They talked for a few more minutes. Brian was impressed that no matter how he tried to query Justin on New York, his partner never once lied when he answered the questions, yet he never actually said he was in New York.
Brian stared at his phone after he disconnected, wondering what he could do to get Justin to open up to him. His lover couldn’t keep this up forever. After all it’s only time. He hated being sneaky, well not so much but he arranged with a friend to keep Justin busy at the gallery most of Saturday. Early Saturday morning Brian called. “Hey Justing, what are you doing today?”
“You called to ask what I’m doing? Why?” Justin laughed. “What are you doing?”
“Not much of anything, just the usual Saturday morning things. I wish you were in Pittsburgh this weekend.”
“Oh, I could be if you really want me to be.” Justin was in his car driving to that very city. “I have an appointment though but I could come there later.”
“You’d drop everything and fly to the Pitts?”
“I’d drop everything and drive to the Pitts.” Justin laughed. “I’ve acquired a vehicle, I much prefer it to flying.”
“It’s a long drive.”
“It’s not so bad. I like the goal at the end of the drive.” Justin laughed. “I’m driving now, though sadly not to you.”
“Both hands on the wheel.”
“Of course, I’ve got a ear thingy, I don’t need to hold the phone. Modern technology and all that.” Justin paused. “I have to go, I’ll see you at the loft about nine tonight, maybe a bit later, I’ll keep you posted.”
“I’ll be waiting.” Brian resisted the urge to say something else, he was, now that he knew where Justin was actually living and working, amazed at how the young man could carry on a whole conversation, yet never once lie about his whereabouts. Sure now that Justin was safely away from West Virginia, Brian headed out the door. He was going to see what was happening himself.
The drive to West Virginia was filled with memories of what had been and fantasies of what could be. Brian had felt a kinship with the home from the first moment he’d set eyes on it. It was the home he’d always dreamed of, but never thought he’d own.
The first thing he noticed as he drove through the gates, were the gardens. New trees of various kinds, combined with low shrubs and bushes, some flowering, some filled with berries, were offset by clumps of perennial flowers. Brian counted four different varieties of iris and couldn’t count the different colors of lilies. The grounds were a riot of color, as if painted by a certain artist he knew. He could see Justin’s hand in the designs. Parking his car at the side of the long drive. Brian got out, the grounds begged to be walked, to see the hidden beauty behind each ball of greenery.
Rounding a corner of a especially tall stand of trees, Brian laughed out loud. Surrounded by hundreds of daisies, was a larger than life statue of what only could be Emmett, in full dance mode, hands over his thrown back head, his face filled with happiness as he danced among the flowers.
Near the house was a small garden. A obviously amateur made sculpture had the words “Gus’ Garden” and the date from two months ago, when Brian knew Gus had visited Justin for two weeks. It had been when Brian himself had been in Seattle, working with a photo shoot crew for Adamson Athletics. The shoot had taken longer than he’d planned and he’d missed Gus’ visit. Now he understood when the boy had prattled on the phone to him about working in Justin’s studio and making a ‘statue’ for his garden.
No mention had been made about flying, Justin must have driven to Toronto, picked him up and delivered him back. No one had thought to mention this fact to Brian. Only that Gus had fun on his trip there and back with Justin. Brian had assumed it was too New York.
He could see that Gus’ garden had been planted with a combination of flowers and vegetables and he had to smile imagining his son carefully picking out what he wanted in the space.
Continuing to walk toward the house, he noted the pool, brightly colored, but rather elegant poolside furniture was scattered around the deck.
“Mr. Kinney.” Klaus couldn’t help the surprise in his voice. “Justin didn’t tell me you’d be here today. He’s gone into the city but he should be back in a few hours.”
“That’s fine, I’ll wait.” Brian smiled at the old man. “The grounds look wonderful Klaus.”
“They do, don’t they.” Klaus smiled. “Justin is always fussing about, finding new and different ways for us to display the growing things. He says it’s like a huge canvas, only one that is slow to develop. He uses the gardens to display some of his larger art pieces, they don’t stay long, he sells quickly. The only one that stays is “Friend”, it’s a beautiful man dancing.”
“I saw it.” Brian said. “Is Anna here today?”
“Oh yes, she’s here every day. Justin found that with all the comings and goings with friends and business, that he needed her more and more. He built us a nice little cottage near the main gate. It’s hard to see from the drive, but it’s rather nice to be so close to Britin. Anna and I were not sure what we were going to do when the last place we were living in sold out from under us. Justin didn’t even hesitate a second and the next thing you know, we were looking at house plans. You’ll have to come and see what your husband ended up designing. Anna says she feels like she’s in a movie. Justin and I did a lot of the finishing work ourselves and his friends helped us as well. The whole house was built in six weeks. He has some mighty fine friends, they’d do anything he asked without hesitation, as would Anna and myself.”
“I’ll go in then.” Brian walked toward the house, he could see changed made here and there, French doors where windows had been, a solarium that hadn’t been quite so large were just a couple of the differences.
“Justin’s PA is in his office. I’m sure he’ll be able to answer any questions you might have.” Klaus said before he turned to continue on his way doing whatever it was he did.
“Justin’s PA?” Brian said to himself shaking his head, interesting. Inside the house, he noted the changes. No longer surprised, Brian wandered down the hall. He saw Anna bustling about in the kitchen, but he said nothing. He wanted to explore.
“Sorry mister, but visitors aren’t allowed in this part of the house.”
Brian looked down at rather young girl. “I’m not a visitor, I’m Justin’s…” he hesitated. “partner. And you are?”
“Oh, I’m Kyla, I’m part of the house staff. Sorry Mr. Kinney, but I didn’t know you’d be here. I should have recognized you. Justin has zillions of pictures of you.”
“House staff?” Brian asked.
“I do the upstairs and then help Anna. It’s only part time, but Justin said it was okay and a way to gain confidence. I have seizures and no one would hire me, but Justin did. He’s really, really nice.”
“Yes he is.” Brian grinned. “Now show me where Justin’s office is. I understand he has an assistant working there.”
“That’s Jason, he’s kind of grumpy, but don’t let him get too bossy. That’s what Justin says. He’s grumpy because of his accident. We’re supposed to make allowances.” She giggled. “He’s cute. He said he’d take me to the movies when the new Spiderman comes.”
“So he’s not too grumpy then?” Brian said.
“Only if you bother Justin when he’s working.” She giggled. “Or if you want to find him and he’s told Jason he isn’t to be disturbed. Jason is down right mean then. No one gets to Justin if he says he can’t be disturbed.”
“That’s not grumpy Kyla, that’s a good PA.” Brian knew that his Cynthia was exactly like that. Not that she was his PA any longer, she was a partner in Kinnetik as she should be for all the hard work she’d put in over the years. “See you later Princess.” He smiled and headed for what had to be Justin’s office, the second drawing room off the front entrance.
Brian walked through the open door. “You must be Jason.” He said to the red headed young man who sat in a wheel chair behind a rather impressive secretarial desk. It was like the helm of a starship, everything was so modern and technical. “I’m Brian Kinney.”
“Hi Mr. Kinney, I’m sorry but Justin isn’t here right now.” He looked startled, wondering if Justin had any idea his husband would be here today.
“I know, I’m going to wait for him” Brian walked around the desk. “I’ll be in his office doing some work.”
“I’m not sure… Jason began. He didn’t know whether he should keep Brian out or let him in. Nothing had prepared him for this.
“Don’t worry, Justin won’t mind.” He headed through the door, “I’m going to make a few phone calls, is there anything I should know about the phone system?”
“No. we have all your numbers programmed in. The list of short cuts is in the top drawer if you’re unfamiliar with it. But it’s pretty simple, Justin made sure of that. Should I tell Anna you’ll join the team for lunch?”
“Yes, please do.” Brian said all the while wondering who the ‘team’ was. This day was becoming more and more interesting. The young boy he’d once taken home, was apparently no longer a boy.”
Justin’s office reflected the man he’d become. It was tidy almost to the point of showing signs of him being OCD. On each wall a painting or sketch had been showcased. Since the artwork was displayed on a picture rail, rather than hung, Brian knew that it must change often. Off to the side of the showcased work, were smaller pieces, sketches of Gus in his garden, of Gus laughing, Gus sleeping. Sven and his wife and family were there and others Brian didn’t recognize. But he did recognize the background. It was all there, Justin’s life at Britin. He laughed at a sketch of Justin and Klaus as they dug in the yard, he couldn’t make out the signature, but knew it had to have been done by one of Justin’s friends. Everyone looked happy and Brian regretted that he’d made it impossible for the man he loved to share this part of his life with him.
Brian flicked on Justin’s computer and was startled to see his desktop background was a photo of the two of them together. It had been taken years before at Pride. He remembered the crowds and the sounds and the love for him that showed in a pair of blue eyes. It was then he noticed the silver frames on the desk and the credenza behind him, all of them photos of the two of him.
Unsteady on his feet, so moved was he about what he and Lindsay and the others had forced Justin to do, he stood up and walked out of the room. “I’m going to our bedroom.” He told Jason.
“I’ll call you for lunch. Justin should be back. He’s heading back to Pittsburgh though about seven.”
“He is?” Brian had already forgotten his trumped up call to Justin. “I doubt he’ll go now.” He smiled to himself. It had been a long time since he’d set foot in Britin. Almost two years. Everywhere he looked he could see Justin, and yet there were touches in the minimalist style of decorating, that he knew was done for him by the man he loved. Their bedroom was no different from the rest of the house. Justin had taken two rooms and made them one, allowing for a large masculine four-post bed and a sitting area. There was even a fireplace. The closet was larger than any he’d seen with built in spaces for everything. Justin’s clothes barely took up a quarter of the available room. He laughed when he saw the hand made signs propped up in the empty spots. ‘Brian’s shoes… Brian’s label queen shirts… Brian’s socks, gawd make sure they’re folded…
He shrugged out of his shirt and hung it on one of the empty hangers, removed his pants folding them carefully and hanging them as well. He could use a shower and the thick terry robe with his initials on it, told him he wouldn’t be cold.
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Justin finished up at the gallery early. He thought about calling Brian, but then changed his mind. He had more than enough time to get home for lunch. The drive was fast, he never minded it, because it gave him time to think about things, like his life and his life with Brian. He wondered if he should maybe admit to Brian what he’d been doing. After all he was now a successful artist, both financially and emotionally.
“Hey Jase.” He called breezing through the front hall. “I’m going up to change.”
Jason tried to tell him that Brian was upstairs, but Justin was taking the stairs two at a time before he could open his mouth.
Admiring the new paint in the main hall, Justin placed his hand on the door to his room. He knew immediately that Brian was inside. He wasn’t sure why he knew, maybe it was the hairs on the back of his neck, or the heat that suddenly rushed to his groin, but he knew. He pushed the door open with caution, not sure what he’d see. But Brian was asleep, stretched out full length of their bed, naked. His face relaxed, his mouth hinting at a smile as he breathed evenly, deep in slumber.
Debating on whether he should turn tale and run, Justin closed and locked the door behind him. He picked up his digital camera that sat on a low table by the door and took a few pictures from various angles. It was too good to resist, a naked and still Brian. Giggling Justin put the camera down, pulled off his own clothes and crawled up the big bed. Halfway to his goal, hazel eyes opened and watched as he came closer.
“Honey I’m home.” Brian whispered.
“It was only time.” Justin sighed, settling into his favorite spot tucked under Brian’s arm.
January 4, 2008