~*~ “C’mon, baby. You can’t avoid him forever.” “I’m not avoiding him, Em. I just don’t want to see him. There’s a difference.” “Well you can’t stop having fun just because you might run into him. We’re still your friends too you know! We haven’t seen you at Woody’s or Babylon in months! You haven’t even been to Deb’s!” “Brandon likes us to spend time alone. He doesn’t need the clubs, or the other guys… or the backroom to be happy.” He wouldn’t tell Emmett that he was the one making excuses every time Brandon suggested they go out. He just wasn’t ready for that. Especially when he knew Brian would be there, and the thought of seeing him, even after several months was too unnerving. Emmet’s brow rose. “You can’t stop it from happening. They’re going to meet each other eventually. Besides that, it’s time you stop hiding away in this apartment. You’re too young for that.” Justin sighed and turned up the volume on the TV. He wasn’t sure which he was more afraid of. Brian meeting Brandon, or Brandom meeting Brian. Neither prospect seemed appealing. Finally, Emmett yelled over the sound. “You’re coming to Babylon tonight!” Justin rolled his eyes and ignored him, knowing he’d be dragged there whether he wanted to go or not. At least if he did show up, it would be with a hot guy in tow. A boyfriend who really cared about him. All it took was time away from Brian and he actually found someone interesting enough to fall for. Was it love? No. Far from it. But maybe someday. There was potential. Justin remembered back to not so long ago when he couldn’t picture wanting anyone but Brian. Now, the last thing he wanted was for Brian to see him sulking in alone. He was determined to pretend he was over everything that’d happened. Brian wasn’t the main focus of his life anymore and maybe Emmett was right. Maybe it was time to get back to his normal routine, which included spending time with his friends. ~*~ They walked in early, Justin figuring they’d have at least an hour before the rest of the gang would show up. He assumed they were probably finishing up the last couple of rounds at Woody’s. All he knew was that he didn’t want to come in last, where there were sure to be head turns and whispers about who the new boyfriend was. Brandon would have loved it, would have thrived on it, but Justin wanted to avoid the attention. This was going to be hard enough as it was. He hadn’t seen Brian in four months. Not since the letter. Not since he’d gone back for his things. He’d left a message telling Brian exactly when he would be there, suggesting he not be home to avoid an awkward situation. Instead, Brian was there with a trick, adding salt to the open wound, re-affirming Justin’s decision to leave. “Want a drink?” Justin nodded, shaking his thoughts of Brian. “Vodka Tonic.” Brandon smiled and headed off to the bar, kissing him quickly before he went. Justin stood, leaning against the stairs to the catwalk, enjoying the pulse of the crowd and the familiar shine of lights all around the club. He had missed this. As much as he didn’t want to admit it, Emmett was right. This was where he belonged, with or without Brian. Dancing, swaying, rubbing up against hot, sweaty bodies… There was a connection whether you ended up with someone or not. A feeling of belonging. “Hey.” Pulled from the nostalgic daydream, Justin cast a glance sideways toward Brandon, still at the bar and then back to the guy in front of him. “Hey.” “I’m Rob. And you are?” Rob’s eyes were darting up and down slowly, taking him in and Justin couldn’t help the slight flush as it crept up his neck. That brief feeling of desire caused by the attraction of someone unknown. When Rob stepped closer after Justin didn’t answer, sliding his finger down Justin’s arm, Justin shivered and offered, “Sorry. I’m here with someone.” Rob looked around and smiled, letting his tongue slip out to lick his lips. “So are half the guys here.” His hand trailed down, resting on Justin’s hip, his thumb circling toward his groin. “Doesn’t usually mean anything.” Justin frowned. “My boyfriend would disagree.” Rob raised an eyebrow. “Hmmm… that’s a shame.” Right on cue, Brandon was behind him, gripping his waist. “Is there a problem?” Rob’s hand dropped and Justin caught the look that passed between them. “No, just making conversation.” With slight hesitation, he said, “Sorry,” and backed off heading off into the crowd. Justin ignored the strange feeling in his gut and took his drink. “Just in time. I was about to tell him to fuck off.” He smiled. “Your way was much smoother.” Brandon’s eyes shifted to the dance floor. “He was hot,” he purred. “I guess.” “You guess?” He chuckled and leaned into Justin’s ear. “He wanted you.” “So? I’m with you.” Brandon smiled and kissed his temple. “You know, we haven’t actually discussed this.” “Discussed what?” “Other guys.” Justin spun, facing Brandon, his eyes narrowed. “Other guys?” “I mean, it’s okay, if you need to go elsewhere.” “What the fuck? Why would you think I’d want that?!” “I saw the way you were looking at him. It just… it made me realize that some people do want that freedom to come and go and since we’ve never talked about it…” “Jesus, Brandon. We’ve been together for two months. Have I given you any reason to think I’d want to fuck around?” “No. But I figured since you wanted to come here…” He shook his head. “Look, Justin. I’ve been in that type of relationship before. It can be good, as long as you’re honest and both people want the same thing. ” “That’s not what I want,” he said harshly. “I thought we came here to have a good time, dance… Not pick up other guys.” Brandon nodded and smiled. “Good. Me too.” “You sure?” He leaned in and kissed him. “Yeah. I’m sure.” Justin smiled back. “Don’t worry. I’m not into sharing.” Brandon sighed in relief. “I’m glad. I don’t think I could handle knowing you were fucking someone else.” “Then why didn’t you just say that?” “Just testing the waters.” “Well, don’t. I’m happy being with one person. I don’t need anyone else.” That’s when Justin turned and saw Brian walking through the crowd toward the bar. “Fuck! Who’s that?” His heart dropped, watching Brandon’s interested stare. Everyone always had that reaction to seeing Brian for the first time. Emmett and Ted, followed by Michael and someone Justin had never seen before followed the path Brian made a few seconds later. “That’s Brian,” he answered, gauging the reaction. Immediately, Brandon’s tone changed. “Your Brian?” Justin nodded, waiting. “What the fuck did you ever see in someone like that? Even from here I can tell he’s a conceited asshole.” Justin didn’t try to hide his smile. It was time to go and make the introductions. ~*~ Justin had just come from taking a piss when he found Brian alone at the bar, the rest of the gang, including Brandon, having migrated to the dance floor. “I didn’t fuck Michael.” He raised his head, looking at Brian with confusion. They’d been there twenty minutes already and besides the awkward hello when Justin was introducing Brandon to everyone, they hadn’t spoken. In fact, Brian had shrugged it off, completely uninterested. “What?” Brian downed a shot and answered, “That day. After we fucked.” Justin was annoyed that it sounded so casual. And that Brian was bringing it up at all. Until now, all he’d wanted to do was forget ‘that day’. But he asked anyway, “What the fuck are you talking about?” Brian casually turned and looked at him. Really looked at him, long enough that Justin could tell he was drunk and probably more than a little high. It was probably the only reason he was talking about it at all. “When I went to Mikey’s, I didn’t fuck him.” Justin feigned disinterest and tried to hide any expression his eyes might have given away. “So?” “I wanted you to know I’m not that much of a shit.” Brian shrugged and motioned the bartender for another drink. “I just, wanted to tell you that.” Justin blinked. “Okay.” “Okay.” Brian grabbed the bottle in front of him and turned around, scanning the dance floor and just like that, Justin realized the conversation was over. He finished his own beer quickly and threw a tip in the bartender’s jar, moving away to disappear into the swarm of bodies. He found Brandon and slid close, wrapping his arms around him. He felt just a hint of guilt that he was happy, if only because he knew Brian was watching them.