Justin meandered into the dojang with renewed excitement.  He had anticipated his next lesson with "the master", since digesting the newly acquired knowledge about Brian's chosen lifestyle.  Justin recalled how he had sensed a special connection with Brian from their initial introduction.  At least now he understood where those feelings were coming from.  Their shared secret bounded them together, allowing Justin to experience a greater acceptance of who he was, through Brian's wisdom.  
 
From the moment Justin came in through the front door, the blonde radiated happiness.  The older man greeted him with a wry grin and a wink.  They followed their usual routine of a half hour of exercises, and a half hour of practicing the basics, as well as self defense moves.  Justin was amazed at how size wasn't a factor in defending yourself.  Speed, and the execution of the appropriate technique, were highly effective on anyone, regardless of their physical stature.
 
After class, Justin lingered around to talk with Brian.  The brunet's honesty the night before had served to make Justin feel completely at ease discussing any topic with him.  Justin shared how he couldn't <i>wait</i> for Chris Hobbs to molest him again.  Brian shook his head and diligently imparted the moralistic views of those studying martial arts.  Honor, integrity and respect were all an integral part of that belief system.  
 
"Therefore", Brian informed him, "you should never use your honed skills on anyone without trying other methods to reason with them first."  Justin looked at him perplexed.
 
"You're only to fight as a last resort", Brian offered as an example.   "Meaning that you should try everything in your power to avoid a physical confrontation.  That's the honorable thing to do", he counseled the young man.
 
"In other words, when Chris and his friends are harassing me, or roughing me up, I have to turn the other cheek?", Justin questioned in disbelief.

"Yes.  As much as you'd like to kick his ass, you have to prove that you are better than that."
 
"But he'll think that I'm a wuss, that I'm afraid to stand up to him", Justin complained.
 
Brian took a deep breath, and ran his fingers through the damp strands of his chestnut hair.   How should he respond to the kid, who he knew was justifiably tired of being bullied.  Brian had been in his shoes when he was his age, and at that time reacted in anger, using his fists.  But that was before he had enrolled in the local Tae Kwon Do school, and found inner peace and spiritual guidance. 
 
"He may think that.  But at least you'll know that <i>you</i> did the right thing", Brian reasoned.
 
Justin carefully regarded all of Brian's advice.  He trusted him implicitly, and would try his best to resist the urge to trounce Chris Hobbs.  
 
When Daphne found out that Brian was gay, she was disappointed, but happy for her best friend.  Justin had confided in her, making her swear not to tell another living soul.  "I promise", she declared sweetly, with her a hand over her heart to display her sincerity.  After she accepted that fact that Brian didn't like pussy, she wholeheartedly encouraged her buddy in his pursuit of the amazing hottie with the captivating hazel eyes.
 
Justin was glad that he decided to entrust Daphne with his latest quest.  She was always supportive, and he needed some prodding to initiate his plan.  Daphne was the perfect person to give him that push.  Brian Kinney may not know it yet, but he was going to be Justin's first.
 
Over the next week, Justin would stay late and help Brian close up as they talked.  The two had developed an easy friendship.  So much so, that Justin one day hinted at his desire to hook up with Brian.  Brian just handled it by saying, "Your seventeen, I'm twenty-nine.  You'd be far better off with a kid your own age."
 
Justin scoffed, and corrected him, "I'll be eighteen in a few days.  And besides, what would I want with a kid who doesn't know shit?"
 
Brian disregarded his last statement and suggested, "You better get going, it's late."  
 
Justin huffed in frustration, and walked away.   Although he had forged a relationship with Brian, it was a far cry from the one he had envisioned.  He turned to his best friend for help.
 
"What should I do Daph?"  Justin asked, totally disheartened.  
 
"Well you're not going to give up.  As long as I've known you, if it's one thing I've always admired about you, it's your determination."
 
Justin nodded in agreement.  Yes, he was very stubborn at times, and once he latched on to something, he didn't let go.  His mother told him that he had always been that way, even as a baby.
 
Daphne and Justin decided that he needed to increase his efforts if he wanted to snare Brian.  They giggled as they thought of things for Justin to do.
 
Over the next couple of days, Justin showed up to the dojang wearing skin tight outfits, that flaunted his considerable assets.  When Brian noticed, all Justin would say was that a "friend" was going to meet him later, and they were going to hang out together.  Brian didn't like the unfamiliar feelings that were being evoked by the thought of Justin spending time with someone else.
 
During their sessions, Justin would purposely bump into Brian, or get a little too close as they were exercising.  He received confirmation that these subtle actions were working, when he volunteered to help Brian stretch.  Standing on Brian's crossed legs to apply pressure and insure proper stretching,  his crotch was suspiciously at Brian's eye level.  Justin could observe the man's discomfort, and he felt a delicious twinge of satisfaction.  
 
Justin's eighteenth birthday rolled around, and he put the rest of his plan into motion.  When class ended, he invited Brian to a small celebration for the occasion.  It was only going to be himself and his best friend, Daphne.  They were going to go to Babylon to dance and party the night away.
 
Brian frowned.  "You need to stay close to your friend.  Babylon can be overwhelming to young impressionable minds."  He added,  "I might show up later for a little while, you never know." 
 
"Be good birthday boy, and if you can't be good, be careful", Brian advised with a smirk, as he grabbed and squeezed Justin's face between his fingers.  Justin smiled at his words, and watched Brian stalk away, knowing that he would most likely see the man later on that night.