Sparring Partners by paeansong
FeatureSummary:

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REPOST. About a year after episode 513, Brian and Justin are in a long distance relationship. Justin is an artist living in NY.  Brian still owns Kinnetik in Pitts.  Melanie and Lindsay still live in Toronto with Gus and Jenny.    Justin exhibits his art in galleries throughout the country.  Justin did three paintings for an art exhibit in Santa Barbara, CA.  Rather than sell these paintings, Justin had them shipped directly from the art exhibit to various destinations.  One of those paintings was sent to Melanie.


Categories: QAF-U.S. FICTION, BEST FAN FICTION CLASSIC, Alternate Universe, Could be Canon Characters: None
Challenges: None
Series: Talisman Series
Chapters: 5 Completed: Yes Word count: 4271 Read: 44271 Published: April 19, 2008 Updated: April 19, 2008
Story Notes:

Disclaimer:  All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended

1. The Phone Call by paeansong

2. The Next Day In Toronto by paeansong

3. During Lunch The Same Day by paeansong

4. Later That Day In Toronto by paeansong

5. One Week Later, New York by paeansong

The Phone Call by paeansong
Author's Notes:

 

 

 

Thanks Lois for the beta...you're the greatest!

 

 

Chapter 1 – The Phone Call

  

Brian had just left the Kinnetik conference room, where the meeting had gone particularly well. His mood was so upbeat that he considered the prospect of a few days off.  He was about to check his calendar, when his cell phone rang.   Since he recognized that it wasn’t one of the special, programmed ring tones, his first instinct was to let the call rollover into voice mail.  However, when he recognized the area code for Toronto in the caller ID, he decided to answer.

 

 “Kinney,” he said.

 

“Brian, it’s Melanie.”

 

Brian sighed thinking that it had been such a good day.  He knew that was about to change. 

 

“Melanie! What’s wrong?  Are Lindsay and Gus ok?” 

 

Brian settled into his chair as he braced himself for the answer.

 

“Yes, everybody’s fine.  Nothing’s wrong.” 

 

Brian breathed a sigh of relief.

 

“Then why are you calling me, Melanie?” he asked more sharply than he intended.

 

 “How are you doing, Brian?” she asked, ignoring his question.

 

“Cut the bullshit, Melanie! What do you want?  You never call me, and you sure as hell never ask how I’m doing.  So, tell me what’s going on?”

 

“All right Brian!” she sighed in exasperation, knowing she’d at least tried to be civil; it obviously hadn’t worked.  “I need you to come to Toronto?”

 

There it was.  She’d said it. 

 

“Melanie, you’re extending an invitation...to me…to visit you…on the sacred mountain…in Toronto…what’s the occasion?” he asked haltingly.

 

She knew this wasn’t going to be easy.  After all it was Brian Kinney she was talking to.

 

“I have something that I need you to see,” Melanie explained.  “It’s here at my office.  I thought maybe you’d take me to lunch tomorrow, without mentioning anything about it to Lindsay. ”

 

“It’s awfully short notice Melanie.  I take it this must be really important?”

 

“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t,” she answered.   “And…I was thinking…maybe you’d like… to spend a few days… with Gus…while you’re here?” she added haltingly.

 

That’s it; that’s all Brian needed to hear.  He quickly said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

 

As Brian closed the cell phone he realized that Melanie had never before encouraged him to see his son without Lindsay’s insistence or the threat of legal action. 

 

Brian stared at the cell phone wishing it would morph into a crystal ball to reveal what was going on in Toronto.  The answers would have to wait until tomorrow.

The Next Day In Toronto by paeansong
Author's Notes:

 

Thanks Lois for the beta...you're the greatest!  

Chapter 2 – The Next Day…In Toronto.

 

Melanie looked up once again at the recently arrived painting.  In fact every time that she glanced over at it, she smiled.  The painting reminded her of Justin’s wicked sense of humor, and she realized that he probably needed it to put up with Brian Kinney.  She also thought about how much she missed Justin.  

 

Her thoughts were interrupted as Brian walked into her office with panther like grace.  Rather than take the seat she motioned to, he preferred instead to assume a standing pose of intimidation with arms folded and one shoulder leaned slightly against the wall. 

 

“What’s so important that I had to drop everything to come here to Toronto?”  Brian asked without even saying hello.

 

One glance at her Armani clad opponent and she began to sharpen her claws.

 

“It’s good to see you too, Brian.” she smiled sweetly. “How’s Justin?”

 

“Let’s leave Justin out of this, shall we? So what do you need me to look at?” he asked gently stroking his chin.

 

Melanie noticed that there was no time for pleasantries.  Well, if he was ready, then so was she.

 

“I’ve made a new addition to the my office.  Everyone else has complimented me on it.  But you have such discriminating tastes that I wanted you to take a look at it and give me your opinion.”

 

“What is it?”

 

“My new painting!” she said calmly and waited for his reaction.

 

“I don’t believe you Melanie.  You had me drop everything. Get on a plane.  Fly from Pittsburgh to Toronto because you wanted me to look at a painting?  I have an ad agency to run!  Have you forgotten you’re married to art critic?  By the way why don’t you want Lindsay to know about this meeting?  Melanie what the fuck is going on?” he barked.

 

Melanie thought that the initial reaction was just about what she’d expected, so she continued.

 

“Will you calm down and just look at the painting?”  She said pointing in its direction. “I haven’t shown it to Lindsay yet because I wanted you and I to share this moment together.  So now will you look at it?”

 

As he looked across the room at the painting, his whole demeanor changed.  He smiled.

 

 “Well Melanie, I see someone’s tastes have definitely improved, a Justin Taylor Original,” he said knowingly.

 

“You can tell that it’s a Justin Taylor Original from across the room?” she asked.

 

“Of course,” Brian said his voice cracking a bit with pride. “He is good isn’t he?” he whispered. 

 

He started to move toward the painting.

 

“Better than good,” Melanie acknowledged. “Maybe you’d better take a closer look.”

 

And she waited patiently while he took it all in.

 

Brian called upon all that Justin had taught him and began his examination of the painting.  This was a Justin Taylor painting after all, which meant your eyes would experience the beauty of the painting, while your soul experienced its raw emotion. This painting did not disappoint.

 

He immediately noticed the title, “Sparring Partners” and of course, the artist, JTaylor.  Brian spent some time carefully examining the elements of the painting:  Two dark haired figures wearing boxing gloves, one male and one female. They’re sitting on the edge of the boxing ring exhausted.  Their legs were dangling over the side of the ring.   In their exhaustion they each had one armed draped over the shoulder of the other. 

 

“He didn’t?”  Brian remarked with a smile as soon as he got the imagery.

 

“Oh yes he did!”  Melanie confirmed with a knowing smile.

 

“Where did you get this?”

 

“Justin sent it me from Santa Barbara.”

 

“I’m going to have to see that he’s severely punished.  You know he can’t be allowed to get away with this.  He’s a real smart ass isn’t he?” 

 

“Brian, he really gets us.  Everybody else seems to thinks we just simply hate each other.  When in truth our relationship is so much more complex than that.  Only Justin figured it out and immortalized it on canvass.  I gather from your reaction you hadn’t seen this painting.  Somehow I thought that was the case, that’s why I called you. I wanted you see it.”

 

“They say you can feel the raw emotion in one of Justin’s paintings.  Here the fighters are so exhausted they have to lean on each other for support,” Brian said with a smile.  “You can just feel the total exhaustion in the fighters.  You and I…we haven’t quite gotten there yet…have we?” 

 

And, at that moment, Melanie realized she had missed him.  She’d never tell anyone, but at least she knew it.  And for a moment she questioned the wisdom of her move to Toronto.

 

Rather than admit the truth Melanie continued, “Justin really does have a wicked sense of humor, doesn’t he?  There’s more.  Take a look at this.  Justin attached this note to the picture frame.” She handed the note to Brian.

 Mel, Sometimes you go on fighting even after you’ve already won… Maybe you’ve been fighting so long because you no longer remember why… Or, maybe you’ve been fighting for something that simply transcends time… And can’t be won.  Justin 

“Well, that’s Justin for you,” he said with a smile after reading the note.  Brian understood what Justin was trying to say. “So?”

 

“I had you come here so you could tell me what this means,” she demanded waving the note at him.

 

“Are you telling me you don’t know?  You’re a lesbian Melanie.  Lesbians and Justin understand these things.  Isn’t the meaning obvious?”

 

“Which is?”

 

“I’m waiting for you to enlighten me, ” he smirked.

 

“What?”

 

“You know Melanie chatting with you like this really works up an appetite.  What do you say we go to lunch?”

 

“Asshole!”

 

“Melanie.”

 

She put aside all thoughts of murder for the moment and looked at the painting once more.   Melanie wondered if she and Brian would even stop sparring; she shook her head and figured, probably not.  Then she smiled and decided that was all right, for Brian was her favorite sparring partner.  And with that thought, she came out swinging again.

 

“So Brian, since I knew you were paying I’ve made a reservations for us at the most expensive restaurant I could find.  I’ll call Lindsay later and tell her you’re here.  I know Gus will be glad to see you.” Melanie rattled on.   “By the way Brian, lunch is probably going to be so expensive I’m not sure you’ll be able to afford that hotel room you reserved.  So you might want to plan on staying in our guest room for the next few days while you visit Gus.”

 

“Oh no!” he protested.

 

“I insist,” she said with a smirk.

 

“I’m looking forward to it,” he finally conceded.

 

“And Brian, be sure tell Justin how much I loved the painting.”

  
During Lunch The Same Day by paeansong
Author's Notes:

 

 

Thank you Lois for the beta. You're the greatest!

 Chapter 3 – During Lunch That Same Day   

“You realize that we’ll have to call some sort of a truce during lunch?”  Brian suggested.

 

“I don’t see why.  We’re just getting started.” Melanie responded.

 

“Melanie, you have to be reasonable.  We have to at least be civil during the meal.”

 

“I’m not sure I like that idea.”

 

“I know that you’re a good attorney, but I’m not sure you want to be the one to explain to Lindsay why we spent the afternoon in a Canadian holding cell.”

 

“Good point.”

 

“Plus, we still have things to discuss.”

 

“Like what?”

 

“Like a plausible explanation for why I’m here in Toronto?”

 

“Oh that.”

 

“That’s pretty big, Melanie.  You’re not ready to show her the painting.  How were you planning to explain me at dinner tonight?”

 

“I figured you’d come up with something.  You’re good at things like that.”

 

“You mean like I’m suppose to tell Lindsay something like I had sudden business in Toronto.  My business took me so close to your office that I couldn’t resist the urge to drop in and see you.  You invited me over for dinner.  And, oh by the way, Melanie suggested that since I was here, I was invited to stay in your guest room for while I visit my son.  Is that what you had in mind?”

 

“You can sell anything.  You’re so good at bullshit.  You’ll be able to pull it off.”

 

“Ah huh”

 

“I was thinking you’d call Lindsay and tell her you’re in town on business.  Since you’re here, you can ask to see Gus.  She’ll suggest it to me, and we’ll argue about it.  Eventually we’ll work out the ‘you’ll see Gus part’.  I’ll know nothing about your visit.  In fact, I’ll even resist a bit, when she suggests that you stay for dinner.   During the evening, you’ll be so preoccupied with Gus and Jenny.   The evening will fade into the night.  Then I’ll nonchalantly invite you to stay overnight in our guest room because of the lateness of the hour.” Melanie gleefully suggested.

 

“And they say that I’m the master of bullshit.”

 

“You’ve rubbed off on me.”

 

“OK that takes care of tonight, and tomorrow, I’ll move back to my hotel. ” 

 

“Oh no!  I want to keep you close.  I don’t trust you.”

 

“If I stay more than one night, things will look suspicious.”

 

“You’re just looking for a way to escape me.”

 

“Melanie, how can you say that?  We’re such warm personal friends.   Notice how I rushed here to be by your side.  I dropped everything the moment you called.  You forget to take note of the things I do for you.”  He teased.

 

“Asshole, so are we ready?”

 

“Let’s do it!”

   
Later That Day In Toronto by paeansong
Author's Notes:

 

 Thanks to Lois for the beta.  You’re the greatest!  

 Chapter 4 – Later That Day In Toronto

  

After lunch, Brian called Lindsay and arranged to meet her later in the day.  He held to the script about being in town on business.  Lindsay’s call to Melanie went as predicted. 

 

Although it had been almost a year since Gus and Brian had spent any time together, it was evident that they’d both missed each other.  Brian spent the evening playing with Gus and Jenny until their bedtime. 

 

The sparring between Melanie and Brian during the evening did not require a script, in fact that turned out to be as easy as breathing for both of them.  The wine consumed during the evening became the perfect excuse.  As planned, Melanie suggested that Brian stay overnight in the guest room.  Lindsay was surprised but pleased with Melanie for the suggestion that Brian stay overnight.

 

 Brian noticed how good Melanie was at getting at improvising.

 

The next morning Gus heard that Brian had stayed overnight.  Gus put his spoon in his bowl of cereal, looked over to his mothers with a grin and asked, “Can I wake him up?”  Since neither mother minded, Gus took off to the guest room and hurled himself onto Brian’s chest.  Once Brian could breath again, he retaliated by tickling Gus.  Leaving the bedroom a few minutes later, Brian and Gus both were still laughing.

 

Gus and Brian spent the day together at the park and the zoo.  Brian coached Gus on the basics of soccer, using the newly purchased soccer ball.  After a phone call to Lindsay, Gus got to have dinner and sleep over at the hotel with Brian.

 

The next day they visited Castle Loma, where Gus pretended he was a little prince and his daddy was the king.  Brian wondered what Lindsay had been reading to Gus as a bedtime story.  After returning Gus to his house, Brian kissed him goodbye and left to go to the airport.

 

 “A most excellent adventure!” Brian said to himself with a smile, as the plane finally landed in Pittsburgh.  “Now, how do I deal with Justin?”

 
One Week Later, New York by paeansong
Author's Notes:

 

 Thanks Lois for the beta...you're the greatest.

 

Chapter 5 – One Week Later, New York

  

Justin returned to his loft in New York City to find that he was not alone.  Waiting in one of the more uncomfortable chairs was Brian, already dressed in jeans and a tank top, with his bare feet comfortably propped up on the edge the coffee table.

 

“Brian!”  Justin remarked with a smile as he opened the door.

 

“It’s a good thing I have a key, or I would have been stranded outside indefinitely.”  Brian commented as he held Justin’s cell phone in his outstretched hand. “Why do you even have a cell phone if you’re not going to carry it with you or turn it on?  How do you expect people to reach you?”

 

“I don’t.  You know I hate cell phones.  I only have it so I can call you.”

 

“Well that does seem like a good purpose, I suppose.”  Brian conceded after reflecting on the stated cell phone purpose.

 

Justin took the cell phone and placed it on the table.  Then Justin quickly placed himself in Brian’s lap.  They kissed each other gently, and then the kiss deepened.  When they finally came up for air, Justin snuggled into Brian’s arms.

 

“I’m surprised to see you,” Justin commented.  How come you didn’t let me know you were coming?”

 

“I wanted to surprise you, Sunshine.”

 

“I’m definitely surprised,” Justin said as he let out a laugh and then leaned up to give Brian another kiss.  “What’s the occasion?”

 

“I wanted to tell you about my latest adventure,” Brian said innocently.

 

“It must have been some adventure for you to fly all the way here to tell me about it in person.  You usually tell me about those sort of things by phone.”

 

“Not this time, Sunshine.  I just had to tell you about this one in person.”

 

“Wow!  It must have been exciting.  I’m listening.  Tell me!”

 

 “You know Melanie’s really loved this new painting she received.”  Brian whispered in his ear. “She couldn’t wait to show it to me.  I had to drop everything and fly to Toronto…by the way, Gus says hi.”

 

“Fuck!”  Justin responded.  He’d secretly planned that with Melanie in Toronto, Brian would never see that painting.  Now that Brian had seen it, Justin knew that his punishment would be swift.  Justin also knew that Brian was about to enjoy every minute of his impending torment.

 

“It was a fascinating concept.  I’d just love to hear the back-story to that painting, Mr. Taylor.  Why don’t you enlighten me?  MMmmmm?”  Brian teased. “Or maybe you would like to explain that note?  Now where would you like to start?”

 

“Brian!”

 

“No, No. I want to hear this.”

 

“Brian!”

 

“Please put your 1500 SATs to work.  I’m listening.”   Brian continued to torture Justin, as he held him tightly so he couldn’t escape. “I’m waiting, Sunshine.”

 

“Brian, it was just a painting.”

 

“Justin, you never do ‘it’s just a painting’ paintings,” Brian pointed out, using his fingers to make the quotation marks in the air. “I’m waiting.”

 

“Well, did you like the painting?”

 

“Justin!”

 

“Ok, first let me say that you and Melanie have a complex relationship.  You guys always fight, but whenever one of you needs the other, you’re there.  Look at how she defended you during the Kip Thomas lawsuit, and look how hard you worked to get Melanie and Lindsay back together.  So I know you don’t actually hate each other.  But, you’ll never really be pals either.  She has Ted to fulfill that role.  You tolerate each other because of Lindsay and now because of Gus.”  Justin began.

 

“Maybe.”

 

“I think Melanie spars with you because you two are a lot alike, you’re both smart, you’re both driven, you’re both caring, and you’re both successful.  Both of you don’t believe in a lot of bullshit.   Both of you have childhood memories you’re trying to escape. But even though the two of you are a lot alike, she can’t compete with your success, and that must bug the hell out of her.  You are now and always will be the more successful one because of Kinnetik, and she can’t compete with that.”

 

“Ah huh.”

 

“She also can’t compete with your relationship with Lindsay nor your relationship with Gus.  Sometimes I think this makes her bitter and jealous.  But at some point she has to realize that trying to keep Gus and Lindsay away from you won’t make either of them love her more.   Neither of Gus nor Lindsay is going to ever forget about you.  Neither Gus nor Lindsay is going to suddenly transfer to Melanie all the love and affection they feel for you, just because they don’t see you.  Out of sight…out of mind definitely does not apply here.  Neither Melanie nor Time can change how Lindsay and Gus feel about you.  That’s all there is to it!”

 

“You’re sure about this?”

 

“Absolutely!  Justin continued. “You know I have a theory that once upon a time when Lindsay realized that you and she weren’t going to ride off into the sunset, she then went out and found the closest female version of you that she could find and that would be Melanie.  I think originally the reason that you and Melanie sparred was because you’re so much alike.  It became the way you two dealt with each other.  But now you and Melanie seem to be locked in some ancient struggle where no one wins.”  

 

“That’s an interesting theory Mr. Taylor.  Is this your artist’s eye looking at the canvas of life?” Brian asked.

 

“No, just the random musing of a long time observer.”  Justin said with a shrug of his shoulders and a smile.  Then he snuggled closer into Brian’s chest and mumbled,  “But, don’t any pay attention to me, I’ve been inhaling paint fumes too long.”

 

Brian started to run his fingers through Justin’s hair and kissed the top of his head and said with a laugh, “Yes, the paint fumes may be causing you to hallucinate.  We’re definitely going to have to limit your studio time.”

 

“You’re kidding? Right?”

 

“No.  I’ve never been more serious.  We’re just going to have to find some other creative outlet for your inscrutable talent.”  Brian said, nudging Justin from his lap and starting to stand up.

 

“Well, now that you’ve mentioned it, I do have a few ideas.” Justin responded with a smile, as he leaned in to give Brian a kiss. “Of course we should probably move this discussion to a more comfortable venue,” he continued as he led Brian toward the bedroom.

 

Brian gently pushed Justin onto the bed and allowed himself to be pulled down beside him.  Brian’s tank top disappeared and Justin began to kiss a path down his chest.

 

Brian reached out and held Justin for a moment, just long enough to speak in a whisper, “And Justin, thank you.”

 

“For what?” Justin asked.

 

“They’ve agreed to let me visit Gus more often.”  Brian said, as he shifted his position rolling Justin onto his back.

 

They managed to rid themselves of their clothes while kissing each other deeply; their clothes ended up strewn beside the bed. 

 

And, after several hours of lovemaking plus fucking in the shower, they were both thoroughly exhausted.  So they wrapped in towels and again resumed resting on the bed. 

 

Justin turned toward Brian, propping himself on one arm, and finally said, “You know I love the way you show your gratitude, but of course you realize I had nothing whatsoever to do with them letting you visit Gus more often.” 

 

Brian simply turned his face toward Justin and said, “Now, you tell me!  You realize that means that I just spent hours fucking you unnecessarily?”

 

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.”  Justin remarked with a smile as he snuggled onto Brian’s chest.

 

“You know Justin, we all could have argued a lifetime with Melanie.  We could have all told her about the importance of family.  We could have told her how important it was that I spend time with Gus.  We could have told her that running away to fucking Canada was not the solution to whatever problems there were in Pittsburgh.  But she wouldn’t have listened to anyone; she would have only become more entrenched in her position.”

 

“And now?”

 

“Let’s just say, your painting was worth a thousand words.”  Brian remarked kissing the top of Justin’s head.  “At least now she’s starting to question some of the decisions she made.”

 

“Well, it seems the press was right.  Remember they said during the Stockwell campaign, that they thought I had a promising career making political statements with propaganda posters?  MMmmmm!”

 

“So it would seem”

 

“Does this mean you liked the painting?” Justin asked still fishing for that ever, illusive compliment.

 

“Yes, I liked the painting.”

 

“Gee, I wonder what will happen when the others are delivered.”

 

“Others? Delivered?  Justin?  How many?  Justin, what’s going on?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“How many, Justin?”

 

“What?”

 

“Justin, how many paintings did you ship from Santa Barbara?”

 

‘Three.”

 

“Melanie got one, where are the other two?”

 

“Don’t worry,” Justin leaned up to kiss Brian.  “I’m sure they’ll turn up eventually.” 

 

“Justin, I thought we were partners.   Don’t you think you should tell me, as your partner, about the paintings you do?   Do you know what it’s like to be called at your office and invited over to see a painting that your partner has done for someone, a painting that you’ve never seen, a painting you didn’t even know existed.  Were you ever going to tell me about any of them?”  Brian asked trying to concentrate on the situation at hand, instead of focusing on his developing hard cock.

 

“No.  Not really,” Justin responded nipping his way down Brian’s chest.

 

“Well now…that you know… I’m interested… shouldn’t we …talk about them?” Brian tried to utter in between groans as Justin’s tongue moved below Brian’s waist.

 

“I don’t think so,” Justin whispered as he kneaded Brian’s cock with his hand, while he continued to explore Brian’s balls with his tongue. 

 

Justin’s talented mouth covered Brian’s cock completely, and Brian began to writhe beneath him.  As Brian arched his back and entwined his fingers in Justin’s hair, the only sounds that were heard with the gasping for breaths and the groans of pleasure, while Brian received one of his guilty pleasures.  And, as Brian came down the back of Justin’s throat,  “Justin” was all that Brian was able to whisper. 

 

Discussion for the moment had proved impossible, so any questions about the remaining two paintings would have to wait for another time.  After all, Justin did say that the other two paintings would turn up eventually. 

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