Thanks Lois for the beta...you're the greatest! Chapter 13 – Welcome Home Early that Evening…(Day 12) Brian struggled to open the door to the loft, laden with the packages from his many errands. He placed his packages on the kitchen counter while he closed the door. Brian felt a tingling sensation on the back of his neck. The tingling was enough to make him do a visual sweep of the open area of the loft looking for anything out of place, but everything seemed to be neat and in order. Brian tried to shake off the feeling as nothing. He put the Beam in its cabinet and put away the cigarettes and other items he’d bought. Brian then moved in the direction of the bedroom to change his clothes. He carried with him the things he’d picked up from the cleaners, which needed to be hung in his closet, and he also grabbed his cell phone, just in case Justin called while he was changing clothes. As he was about to take the first step up to the bedroom, he felt his heart skip a beat. The reason became apparent as he looked into the bedroom and saw Justin already curled up, asleep on the left side of the bed. At that moment Brian envisioned 20 simultaneous things he wanted to do, yet his body wouldn’t move to cooperate in any of them. Brian just stood there transfixed. At first Brian thought that he might be over reacting; after all he had just been with Justin three weeks ago in New York City. Brian wondered why he was overcome with so much emotion. Then it hit him. He saw the truth. Brian realized THIS MOMENT was different somehow. When he was in New York, he was merely a visitor in Justin’s space. It was almost like a vacation of sorts. Now, with Justin back in Pittsburgh…back in the loft…back in his bed, it felt like this was how life was supposed to be, and the flood of emotions that he was feeling overwhelmed Brian. He knew that this was what was missing. Brian knew his heart ached for something…so simple…as having Justin… back…here. The enormity of the feelings Brian was experiencing from just a glimpse of Justin, made Brian began to wonder if he’d be consumed by these feelings if he actually touched Justin. Brian knew he needed some time to deal with all he was feeling. Finally he mustered his courage to simply retrace his steps and back up into the front area of the loft. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He waited for the calming effects. He steadied himself as he turned off the ringer on the regular phone in the loft. He then turned off his cell phone. Brian made sure the door was locked, and alarm was set. Those tasks being done, he felt assured that his reunion with Justin would not now be interrupted. Brian returned to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of Beam to calm his racing heart. He took another deep breath and finally allowed himself to whisper, “He’s here.” Brian took another swig of the Beam for courage, for Brian realized he was scared to death. Brian wondered for a moment if this was what hell was like, a place where everything you’ve ever wanted was right within reach, but for all eternity you’re too scared to reach out and touch it. He took another swig of Beam. Now he knew was ready. He pulled two bottles of water from the refrigerator. He arranged things in his arms so that he could carry both his clothes from the cleaners and the bottles of water. He returned to be bedroom. Justin was still sound asleep, and Brian was still overwhelmed by Justin’s presence. Brian quickly hung his clothes in the closet and placed the bottles of water on the nightstand. With his hands now free, Brian quickly removed his clothes and slid his nude body under the covers to occupy the right side of the bed. For the first time in a year, everything finally felt right the moment Brian simply got into bed next to a sleeping Justin, and in that moment, Brian could relax. Without waking up, Justin felt Brian’s presence and automatically rolled into Brian’s arms, curling up onto his chest. Brian smiled and kissed the top of Justin’s head and whispered, “I love you,” as Brian too snuggled-in for greater comfort with the man he loved. And in peaceful tranquility, Brian joined Justin in sleep. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Several hours later Brian heard a rumbling, and he slowly opened one eye. It took him a moment to figure out what was happening. Then he felt the rumbling against his own body, and he knew exactly what this was. Brian shook his head and opened the other eye. He was now fully awake. “Justin, wake up, I have to feed you,” Brian said, gently nudging Justin. “Hmmm?” Justin asked, as he slowly awakened and started to snuggle into that certain spot on Brian’s neck. “Justin, don’t start that. You’re just going to get me all excited, and you know we can’t … Justin…we’re just going to have to stop so you can eat,” Brian explained, with some difficulty for Justin was very effective with his nudging. “Brian!” “No. No. We can’t fuck! Your stomach is making too much noise. It’ll just spoil the mood.” “So what do you suggest?” Justin finally asked. “Let’s solve the food problem first, then I can fuck your brains out,” Brian replied. “Ever the romantic!” Justin remarked with a smile, as he propped himself up on one elbow. “Here,” Brian remarked, handing a bottle of water to Justin and taking the other for himself. Justin reached for his bottle of water and took a sip, before resuming his original position, propped up on one arm. He finally said, “Thanks”. “When did you get in?” Brian asked, as he leaned in, gently brushing Justin’s lips. “You forgot to call me.” Leaning into the kiss, Justin responded, “No, I didn’t forget. I called the office, but Cynthia said you were on your way home. So I put my stuff away and took a nap to wait for you. I didn’t get any sleep last night.” “Did you get everything done that you needed to do before you left New York?” Brian asked, propping himself up in bed and taking another sip of water. “Yeah. I even got paintings shipped to that place I can’t mention,” Justin said with a smile. “You mean Santa Barbara?” “Ah huh. Though, I still have a few paintings left to do for there. Then I can start working on the paintings for my show.” “Fuck, Justin. How many paintings did you have to do for Santa Barbara? It seems like you’ve been painting on those commissions for weeks ever since you got back.” “Let’s just say, I don’t have to wait tables for a while. You know, you once told me that there’s a well-known saying in advertising that if you ‘tell the people they can’t have something, they’ll do almost anything to get it’. I just found out it works in the art world as well. When I shipped the paintings to the exhibit, I had originally planned to sell them at the exhibit. Then, I don’t know, I just changed my mind. Something told me not to sell the paintings. You wouldn’t believe how much buzz that simple decision created. The press showed up at the gallery. The press said it was a phenomenon, because my paintings were primarily meant to be seen and enjoyed. It seems the idea was practically unheard of, so of course everyone wanted to buy my stuff. I arranged to take on commissions from the disappointed customers and to send them their paintings later. When I got back to New York, I sent them a computerized image of what I was thinking of painting, before I started to put paint to canvas. The customers are thrilled and can hardly wait for their paintings. Everything sold at a premium. The gallery got deposits in advance for each commission. They’ll collect the money and see that I’m paid. Even with expenses and the galleries percentage, I won’t have to wait tables for a while. My work got exposure it wouldn’t have had otherwise. The gallery got a lot of press and a lot of new customers. It was a win-win for everyone.” “I see,” Brian said with a laugh. “By the way, Michael loved his painting of the Superheroes.” “That’s what I’d hope for, I know how he feels about them. You know Brett Keller and Connor James showed up at the gallery. I have commissions from both of them for paintings.” “Really! You know, Theodore insured Michael’s painting for $25,000.” “Brett and Conner are paying almost twice that for their special orders.” “Holy Shit, Sunshine!” Brian exclaimed. At just that moment, Justin’s stomach rumbled again. “Look your stomach is still making noises. What are we going to do about dinner?” “Your housekeeper obviously went shopping. Let’s see what I can whip up. You’re probably as tired of take out as I am. Just let me get a quick shower, and I’ll see what I can do about dinner.” “Are you sure?” Brian asked. “Yeah. Just let me get a shower,” Justin said, as he started moving toward the bathroom. A few minutes later, Justin turned on the water in the shower. Brian listened for a second, and then decided the running water was obviously his cue to join Justin into the shower. “Brian, what are you doing here?” Justin asked, as he felt Brian’s arms slide around his waist. “I’m helping you with your shower. Surely you remember?” Brian responded, as he started to kiss Justin’s neck. “This will never be a quick shower if you’re in here with me,” Justin said, half-heartedly trying to protest. “I think I can be of immeasurable help to you,” Brian suggested as he started kissing Justin’s shoulder. “Oh, you do, do you? How’s that?” “Sunshine, let me make this easier for you,” Brian responded as he started soaping Justin’s back and continued letting his hands slide down below Justin’s waist. “Hmmmmm.” An hour later when the shower actually ran out of hot water, Brian and Justin emerged from the shower both thoroughly fucked. As they had finally dried off, Brian pulled out his phone and made reservations at Popagano’s. He then suggested that Justin get dressed, as he indicated where they were going for dinner. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ At dinner, Brian ordered Champagne and toasted the success of Justin Taylor Artist. Brian was extremely proud of Justin’s accomplishments, and he wanted Justin to know it. But even more, Brian was just glad to have Justin back, even if for only a moment. They continued gently touching each other as they talked during dinner, and they lingered over dinner for several hours. With dinner finally over, they started the drive back to the loft from the restaurant. While riding in the car, Justin turned toward Brian and asked, “So you want to tell me what’s going on? Brian, why am I here?” “Sunshine, you remember what I told you about your mommy and daddy wanting to make a baby…?” Brian started to say in a singsong voice. “Brian, will you cut the bullshit and tell me what’s going on?” “Can’t you be content with the fact that you’re here because I needed you?” Those last three words silenced Justin in his tracks. After a few moments he regained his voice. “You need me?” Justin asked sheepishly. “Yes,” Brian responded in a no nonsense manner. “You’ve never needed me before,” Justin whispered. “I’ve always needed you, Sunshine. I just won’t always admit it.” Brian whispered, as he reached over to take Justin’s hand and entwine their fingers together. “Really?” Justin said, squeezing his hand tighter. “Absolutely!” Brian said, lifting their joined hands to kiss Justin’s wrist. “See this goes to show you how truly desperate I must be?” Brian said with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood. At the last remark, Justin hit Brian on the shoulder. With the last remark, Justin knew they were back to Kinney-speak. “So let’s see…how about I take a look at the project files when we get back to the loft.” “See Sunshine, I knew feeding you would garner your complete cooperation.” “I should have gotten a clue about how hard I was going to have to work when you said that we were going to Popagano’s for dinner. But nooooooooo, I fell for the ‘I’m proud of you Justin speech’. I should have known you planned to work my ass off all along.” Justin continued on his verbal roll. “I had the right idea…I just knew it. We should have stayed home, and I should have prepared dinner just like I planned. Then what were you going to do? Huh?” “Sunshine, I had no idea. That’s why I took you out to dinner to the most expensive place I could find,” Brian smirked. “That way I knew I would never have to answer that question.” They both laughed. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ A few minutes later Brian parked the car in the allotted space. Then he walked around to the other side of the car. As Justin exited the car, Brian took Justin in his arms and kissed him passionately. When Brian finally broke the kiss he said, “Look, I know I don’t tell you often enough, but I just don’t want you to ever doubt it…I love you.” “I love you too.” And with that they kissed each other again. When the need for air caused them to break apart, Brian found his voice once again. “Let’s get inside,” Brian whispered. And with that, they wrapped their arms around each other’s waist and slowly walked from the car to the loft. And as they walked, Brian whispered in Justin’s ear, “I’m glad you came home.”