Justin's POV
Liberty Diner, Pittsburgh
Friday, February 3, 2006 12:12 pm

"So tell me again why you're staying at the loft and not that gorgeous mansion Brian bought for you." Emmett asked.

We were eating lunch at the diner; for once not surrounded by people.  Brian had a meeting that was going to run through lunch so I called Emmett and asked him to meet me.

"We're maximizing our fucking potential." I answered with a grin before savoring one of the diner's greasy French fries. "Brian thought we should stay at the loft while I was home because we'll be so busy with work.  He didn't want to waste all that time driving." I shrugged.

"Why did he buy a house so far away to begin with?" Emmett asked.

"I don't know, Em, I think maybe he was trying to separate himself from himself." I explained but Emmett looked at me strangely so I elaborated.  "When he bought the house we weren't together, Babylon had been blown to hell and Michael almost died…. I think Brian was under the impression that to prove to me he had changed, he would have to give up a part of himself; like his bachelor pad, the clubbing, his lifestyle and reputation as the stud of Liberty Avenue.  The house was so removed from all of that."  I smiled, thinking of how far Brian and I had come with each other since then.  "I think we've come to a better understanding since then though.  Now, the house seems like a promise. Like a symbol of our future. We may not live there permanently. But it's there when we're ready"   

Emmett smiled at me and waved the mist from his eyes.  "You two… you just seem so…..together.  You have no idea how happy that makes me and your theory makes sense." Emmett smiled.  "But, Honey, I mean it really is almost in West Virginia! You can practically hear the banjos from your back yard!"

"Don't let Brian hear you say that!" I laughed.  "He'll tell you that it’s a prime piece of real-estate that's already increased in value.  And the neighborhood is very swanky. Not a banjo to be heard."  I explained.  In truth it didn't matter to me.  I told Brian that Home was wherever he was.  I loved Britin and all that it symbolized for Brian and for me.  But I loved the loft too for purely nostalgic reasons.  It was enough for me that we were together. 

"So, you haven't told me what's going on with you, Em! How is that sexy ski bunny boyfriend of yours?" I asked.

"Oh! I forgot to tell you, My Sweetie is coming for a visit this weekend!  He was finally able to get away from work so I cleared my schedule.  Will you and Brian be available? I really want him to meet everyone and was hoping we could take him out and show him a good time."

"Of course we'd love to meet Calvin. Well, I would and Brian will be there if I have to threaten not to blow him. We can't work all weekend." I said laughing.  But I knew Brian would want to check out Em's new guy.  He liked to pretend he didn't give a shit but I knew better.

Emmett giggled.  "Well, don't go to such drastic measures. But I sure would like it for all of you to meet him. It's been really difficult having a long distance relationship and I'm really looking forward to having him meet my family."

I smiled at him and squeezed his hand. "We'll be there, Em, just tell us when and where."

We made plans and I headed back to the office, hoping Brian's meeting would be over and I'd get to see him a few minutes before heading back to work.  The art department was in chaos.  Everyone was excited about the competition and when they weren't working on their own assigned projects, the teams were broken up here and there around the office working on their submission.  Brian wanted the mock ups on his desk by Monday at noon.  I laughed to myself all day today.  Linda was in a tizzy.  As art director it was her job to help everyone and not show a preference but of course no one but her merry band of favorites had received an ounce of assistance.  So, one by one the teams were seeking my help and I gave it freely.  Every time a new group of people came to see me, Linda walked by the conference room and glared openly. 

I knew I was on the right track when Emily, a little wisp of a girl, shy and tiny, but with talent coming out of her ears thanked me on her way out the door.

"I just wanted to thank you, Mr. Taylor." she said, barely looking me in the eye.  "Jake told me the competition was your idea…. and well… I just think it's great we'll all get an opportunity to have Mr. Kinney see our work."

I talked with her for a few moments.  She'd been working there for over a year and had yet to have one of her ideas get approved by Linda.  From everything I'd seen she deserved a chance and I felt good about being able to help her and the rest of them out.  I hoped Brian would see the well of talent he really had here at Kinnetik.  I would tell him about Linda soon enough.  He should know.  But I thought it would be more beneficial to show her how things should be done.  I guess the optimist in me always hoped people would see the error of their ways and strive to be better.  Maybe that's why I put up with Brian's shit for so long.

When I walked into Brian's office he was on the phone with a rancid look on his face.  He was silent, obviously listening to whoever was on the other end.  I sat on the couch and waited.  I was surprised when he started talking with a quiet vehemence in his voice that I hadn't heard in a long time.

"I don't really give a shit if it's good for you or not, Lindsay.  We've been on the phone for fifteen minutes and nothing seems good for you.  I want to see my son."  I raised my eyebrow at him and listened.  I hadn't realized Brian was having trouble seeing Gus.  He was silent for a moment and I watched the emotions flicker across his face.  Hurt, anger, sadness and guilt; it pained me to see him so upset.

"Yes, I told you, Justin will be there if he is available.  No, Lindsay, I have to ask him first. He has a huge project coming up…. look, we'll stay at a God Damned hotel if it's a problem.  You and Mel can go do what ever the fuck you Lesbians do when you're alone and Justin and I will take him sight seeing.  I just want to see Gus." he explained, trying to sound rational.  I moved to sit beside him, perching on his desk.  I took his hand and he allowed it, wounded eyes touching mine for a moment before focusing on the pen lying on his desk.

"Lindsay….. Lindsay!" Brian yelled into the phone and his grip on my hand grew tighter.  He closed his eyes and took a breath before he continued in a calmer tone.  "Lindsay, what the fuck is going on?"  He nodded and shook his head and smiled sarcastically.  "Fine…. I'll come and see for myself….February 25th, by 11:30; have Gus ready." he said calmly and hung up the phone.

Brian leaned his head back on the headrest of his chair, obviously trying to calm himself from a full scale panic.  Brian didn't "do" panic, but where his son was concerned… maybe he might indulge a bit.

"There's something afoot in Lesbian Land, Justin." he said, eyes closed.

"What makes you think that?" I asked quietly.

"I feel it. Lindsay is hiding something form me. Usually she's up my ass trying to get me to visit, putting me on the world's biggest guilt trips.  But recently she stopped asking, stopped calling and has a million excuses why it's not a good time to visit." Brian opened his eyes and I saw them dart to the mini bar before returning to mine.  He resisted, I was impressed but made no comment. 

"Maybe it really is a bad time. I'm sure they're having a hell of a time up there, putting down roots, getting established." I suggested.

"He was crying the last time we spoke. Lindsay called to… talk…. and I heard him crying in the background.  She was fucking trying to hide it from me until he came right up to her. When he found out I was on the phone he stopped immediately and when we spoke he asked to see me… and you. When I had to tell him I couldn't come right away he was upset."  Brian paused and ran his hands through his hair.  "Then today, when I called Lindsay to set a date for a visit he was fucking crying again.  Mel was yelling something when Lindsay picked up the phone.  She went into another room very quickly but I'd heard enough.  She's been crying too, I could hear it in her voice.  She's hiding something from me, Justin. I know it."

"Then we'll find out what it is and take appropriate action. I can't imagine they'd do anything that would harm Gus." I said running my thumb along the soft web of flesh that connected his index finder to his thumb.  It was true that Melanie and Lindsay could argue like the best of us but the thought of them actually allowing Gus to come to harm was not one I would have ever entertained.

Brian rubbed his hands over his face and looked up to me.  "You're right. I know. They love Gus.  I just….miss him." he pulled me down to sit in his lap, holding me close.  I put my arms around him, offering the comfort he needed.

"Will you come with me, Justin?" he asked, face pressed to my chest, over my heart.  "I know you have the mural and…"

"Of course I will come, Brian. This is Gus. He may not be my biological son, but I feel like I've had a hand in raising him too. You weren't the only Kinney man I fell in love with that night you know." I said softly and he chuckled.

"No, I suppose not. You should feel like his father too, Justin. You've been there for him in ways I maybe couldn't be at the time. But, I hope to change that." 

"And you will." I said; my lips in his hair.

He was silent for a long moment; absorbing and organizing his thoughts and emotions.

"I'm angry with Lindsay." he admitted. It wasn't exactly what I expected him to say but it was an emotion that I could relate to.  I harbored my own anger…my own resentment.  Ultimately I know it was Brian and I who made the decision that I should go to New York even if Lindsay had done some major manipulating.  I don't know why she did it.  I can only assume it was some kind of warped jealousy.  I was just grateful that for once Brian and I were on the same page.  Gus unfortunately was out of our control and being apart from him was killing Brian.  Now it seemed like there was something wrong. 

"I'll talk to Megan and we'll make plans. She'll understand, Brian, she knows all about Gus." I said.  He nodded and gave me a weary smile.

"I hope you're right about Lindsay, Justin. Because I swear if she's hurt him or allowed him to be hurt, in any way, I will take him right out of there, I will get custody and he will live with me.  With us when you're ready. I don't care who I have to fight or battle in the courts. I don't care how much it costs." Brian's voice was quiet and sure, as if he'd already made the decision.

"It will be fine, Brian. You'll see." he whispered but couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had settled in my gut.

****

I was on my way back to my make shift office when I heard Linda's hostile voice coming from her office. A small group of people had gathered close by to listen to the conversation.  Linda's door was open and she made no effort to keep her conversation private.

"I'm surprised you went to that little tart to ask him for help, Emily.  You do know the only reason he's here, don't you?" Linda's voice carried and the group's eyes shifted nervously to me. I indicated they should not make a sound and they visibly relaxed and continued to listen.  I knew Linda was a viper.  But I hadn't realized just how low she would stoop.

"I'm… I'm sorry Ms. Stone but Mr. Taylor really helped out my team this morning. He's really very talented." Emily said in a small, shy voice.  I smiled, knowing how difficult is was for Emily to assert herself like that.

"Pffft. Mr. Taylor is a hack. The only reason he's even here is because of his "relationship" with our high and mighty potentate who wouldn't know quality work if it stared him in the face.  And Mr. Taylor isn't any better. You'd do well to remember who makes the decisions around here, Emily."

My eyes narrowed at her blatant disrespect of Brian.  I could give a shit what she thought of me.  But I wouldn't have her undermining Brian's authority.  Brian sacrificed everything to start Kinnetik.  The group of people were shifting nervously, obviously irritated at Linda's comments.  It was heartening to see that they supported him, and I thought maybe even me.  I smiled warmly at the assembled group then moved to stand at the entrance to Linda's office, rearranging my face into a cool mask of indifference.

"I'm sorry, Ms. Stone; I was walking by when I heard my name and couldn't help but overhear your conversation.  I was under the assumption that Mr. Kinney made the decisions in his company.  You know…the one at which you are employed? And as for my relationship with Mr. Kinney, I don't believe that's any of your business.  I am here as a freelance artist, hired by a client that asked for me specifically; not because Mr. Kinney hired me.  I'd appreciate it if you kept your slanderous comments to yourself, Ms. Stone; they do not make a productive work environment.  Which I believe, is why you are here; to work.  Not to threaten and manipulate the talented artists employed here."  I looked at Emily and smiled.  She smiled back; cheeks pink.

Linda's face on the other hand was burning.  She was trying unsuccessfully to hide her outrage and she almost lost it when she noticed the group of people that that had gathered behind me.

"Mr. Taylor… I… I think you must have misunderstood… I…" she stammered.

I smiled coldly "No, Ms. Stone, I don't believe I did.  Now," I motioned for Emily to come forward. "We must get back to work. There's a deadline on Monday. It will certainly be interesting to see how Mr. Kinney likes all of the diversified artwork they'll be submitting."  With my hand on her back I ushered Emily out of Linda's office.  "Have a lovely day, Ms. Stone." I called over my shoulder and shut her office door.

The group broke out in smiles and giggles and I couldn't help but smile back.  I was one of these people and was so glad to be able to help them.  I was surprised when Emily hugged me.

"Thank You, Mr. Taylor." she whispered.

Brian's POV
Kinnetik, Pittsburgh
Friday, February 3, 2006 4:15 pm

"Thank you, Mr. Kinney. We look forward to… working with you." Mr. Osbourne, CEO of Wonder Toys and Games shook my hand.  All through the meeting his eyes had followed me and I knew what was coming.  And there it was; the look.  The knowing glint in his eye, a smirk of confidence that said he was used to getting what he wanted.  But I didn't want to give it to him.  The thought should have shaken me and shoved me right into the bathroom stall waiting down the hall.  But instead, I shook his hand and smiled.

"It'll be my pleasure, Mr. Osbourne.  We'll have the paperwork faxed to your office by the time you return."  I said and looked to the man at my right.  A young ambitious new executive I'd hired.  He was gorgeous, intelligent and had lots of promise.  He reminded me…well...of me.  

"Ryan, would you please see Mr. Osbourne out and make sure he's….well…taken care of." I smiled and Ryan smiled back. 

"Certainly, Mr. Kinney." he said and turned to the client.  "This way, Mr. Osbourne." he drawled and with a plucky look over his shoulder, Mr. Osbourne was gone.

I turned around to find Ted and Cynthia staring at me, open mouthed.  Ted started to say something.

"Shut it, Theodore." I said.  Leaving no room for discussion I headed to my office.  Much to my dismay, Ted followed me.

"So, did Emmett call you?" he asked.

"No, but Justin saw him at lunch; looks like we'll be meeting the new beau tomorrow night."  I opened my door and Ted followed me in and made himself at home, sitting in one of the chairs in front of my desk.

"Speaking of Justin; it sounds like he's making quite an impression on the artists.  They can't stop talking about him." he said smiling.

I shrugged. "He's a genius."

Ted nodded.  "We've known that since we first saw his work, Brian.  That's not all they're talking about though."

I raised an eyebrow. If those good for nothing, no talent sons of bitches in the art department were causing him grief because of our…whatever the fuck…heads would roll.

"Is that so?" I asked.

"Mmm hmm." he said.  "To hear them tell it, Justin is leading some sort of revolution down there.  But, Gladys, Linda's secretary filled me in on the details.  Apparently, Justin stood up to Linda for one of the artists.  They had…words. Gladys wasn't there to hear them but it seems Linda was overheard saying some really not nice things about the artist in question, Justin….and you.

"I see." I said.  I'd known something was up and it seemed Justin was trying to deal with it.  "Ted, I don't want you to tell Justin that you know all of this. And I don't want you to get involved.  Let's let Justin handle it. I want to see what he does." I said.

"Understood." Ted said with a smile.  He was quiet a moment and I got the impression he was about to ask me another one of his annoying God damned questions.  When I looked at him he looked thoughtful and I thought rather smug. 

"Can I do anything else for you, Theodore, or would you prefer to gloat silently some more while I work? I asked.  He laughed and stood.

"Nope, that was a sufficient amount of silent gloating I think." he started to walk out of the office.

"Oh, Theodore!" I called to him.

"Yeah boss?"

"Thank you." I said and looked him in the eye.  He nodded.

"Anytime, Brian."

****

Justin and Ted came back later to drag me away from my desk.  We had plans.  The entire "family" had been ordered to Deb's to celebrate Justin's visit.  And Justin and I had been threatened with our lives that we couldn't be late.  I assumed it was Ted's job to make sure we didn't die.

"Brian, hurry up.  Deb will kill us if we're late!" Justin rushed in and started gathering my things.  I groaned and started shutting down my computer. 

 "Since when did you give a fuck if Deb got angry at us?" I asked, coming around my desk and reaching for the coat he was shoving in my direction.

He smiled his bright Sunshine smile and I couldn't help but pull him into my arms.  "Since I've been away from her lasagna for a month and I don't want to run the risk of not getting any." he laughed and I kissed his smiling mouth.

"Ah, yes; the irresistible call of carbohydrates and artery clogging fat." I said, rolling my eyes.

Ted snorted.  "Yeah, tell me about it. I have to chain myself to the treadmill after leaving Chez Novotney.  Now, come on you two. You can fuck after the lasagna. Blake is waiting outside." Ted rolled his eyes, smug smile still in place.

I found myself wondering if I could legally fire him for being too smug. 

****

Justin was quiet on the drive home from Deb's.  The evening had been pleasant and it felt good to see Justin enjoying his family.  But Jennifer and Molly were there and every now and then, when he thought no one was looking, Justin's mask slipped.  Justin hadn't decided if he would share his recent discovery about Craig.  He wasn't sure if Jennifer knew anything and he didn't really want to be the one to break the news.  Daphne and Emmett thought that Justin had an altercation with Craig, but didn't know the reason.  I'm sure they assumed it was the same old argument.  But hiding something from his Mom wasn't sitting well with Justin and I could tell he was ready burst when Jennifer told us that she and Craig had spoken a few times recently and it seems he was dating someone new.  It wasn't long after that Justin announced it was time to go.

I knew that Justin would talk when he was ready, so I listened to the radio and tried to relax.  When Justin was pensive, it always made me nervous.  I guess because I always relied on him to be the reasonable one.  Sometimes, when he let his mind wander too far, he became unreasonable and that job had already been taken.

I tried to hide a smile when I felt his hand on my thigh.  It seemed it wasn't going to be a bad evening after all.  I glanced sideways at him, catching the little smile he was wearing.  His fingers burned a little trail up my thigh, caressing and teasing.  My cock stirred and I tried to focus on the road.  When his warm palm covered my bulging crotch I parted my legs, allowing him access.  He smiled widely and turned in his seat. 

I wanted to watch him.  That was the best part about his blow jobs; watching him work.  But I kept my eyes on the road as he unbuttoned my fly and worked my pants far enough down my hips to free my now throbbing dick.

The air in the car was still cold and the contrast of the heavenly warmth of his mouth had me moaning before he'd even taken me into him.  Dropping wet kisses down the length of me and around the head, he hummed with pleasure.  I stripped the glove from my right hand with my teeth and tangled my fingers in his hair which he'd let grow a little longer since he left.

I felt the warm wet of his mouth as he took me inside him.  I struggled to drive, wanting to let my head drop back, giving myself over to him.  His warm palm cupped my balls, gently tugging and rolling them as his mouth worked up and down my shaft; tongue darting expertly around my head and dipping sinfully into my slit.

He wasn't teasing, wasn't holding back.  He sucked my cock like he needed my come down his throat and it wasn't long before my hips were straining up, trying to fuck his mouth and I was trying to shift, watch the road and not crash.  Finally, blessedly…a red light!

"Justin!" I cried in a hoarse whisper, begging him to let me come.  The flat of his tongue slid up and down the sensitive tip of my dick and I lost all thought as I emptied my lust into him.  He swallowed every drop, humming and sucking.

The streets were empty, so I took a moment; my breath slowing, heart rate calming.  I looked over at Justin who was wiping his plump lips with the back of his hand, smiling smugly.  I laughed and brought him to me for a kiss so I could taste myself on his tongue.  With a final tug on his bottom lip with my teeth I pulled my pants up and tucked myself back into them and continued on our way.

Justin turned up the radio and sang along until we got home.  His mood seemed to have improved and I was looking forward to getting his ass into our bed and paying him back for his generosity.  I smiled and shook my head: he smiled back. 

"What can I say; sometimes I do my best thinking with your dick in my mouth." he shrugged.

"What's on your mind, Sunshine?" I asked.

"More of the same; but I made a decision."

"Oh?" I asked.

"I think I need to tell Mom." he said as we pulled up to the loft. "She has a right to know, and I can't lie to her."

"But it's not your outing, Justin. It's his." I said softly, not wanting to upset him. But he needed to hear it.  "Yeah, it fucking sucks. He lied to you, to his family, fuck even to himself. But that doesn’t give you the right to out him."

Justin nodded and I was grateful he was being reasonable. 

"I'm surprised to hear you of all people defending him." He said dryly and got out of the car, slamming the door behind him.

I sighed; maybe not so reasonable.

We rode the elevator in silence.  I didn't know what else to say.  When we entered the loft he shed his coat and went to make a drink.  I was heartened by the fact that he made me one too.  I sat on the couch and he paced in silence until he looked at me again and shrugged sheepishly.

"I guess I'll need to blow you again. It must have been over too fast for me to get the maximum thinking opportunity." he said.  I looked at his serious expression and couldn't help but laugh.  He joined me on the couch with a thump, his leg touching mine.

"I guess you're right." he admitted with a sigh after a long moment of watching emotions flicker across his face.  I'd angered him. But he knew the truth when he heard it.

"What do I do, Brian? I can't lie to my Mom." he sighed in frustration.

"There's nothing you can do, Justin. He's an adult. And despite how fucked up it is, you have to let him handle his own coming out the only way he can."

Justin quirked an eyebrow at me and smiled sarcastically. "This coming from the man that outed his best friend to his work mate who just happened to have a crush on him and threw him off of Mount Kinney all at a fabulously huge birthday celebration that he planned?"

I smirked.  "That was different."

"How so?" Justin's face was priceless; a mixture or disbelief and sarcasm.
"Mikey was in the closet at work and he had a starry eyed teenaged crush on me.  He was holding himself back in his professional and personal life." Brian shrugged.  "I did what I did for his own good, despite what everyone may have thought. Your father on the other hand is a self righteous prick who disowned his only son for being gay, rather than admitting that he himself was gay." I stood and took his glass over to the bar, fixing us both another drink.  "Something tells me he might be a little resistant to a heart felt, one on one, after school special chat." I was angry now.  Craig infuriated me and Justin's capacity for hope that he would one day change his ways was beyond my understanding.

I felt Justin at my back; his warm body pressed to mine and tried to calm myself.

"I can't lie to my Mom, Brian." he whispered and I knew he was right about that.  Jennifer did deserve to know but, is that really why he wanted to tell her?

I turned and handed him his drink.  He took a swallow and pulled me close, head lying on my chest.

"Then tell her, Justin. But don't expect anything to change. Don't expect him to come out with a big ole rainbow pride parade." I said coldly.  He was stiff and angry in my arms but still holding on.  I knew my words had hurt him and I hated that.  I sighed.  "I just can't bear to see you disappointed by that asshole again, Justin. We've had enough of hurt and disappointment." I admitted in a whisper into his soft hair.

I breathed deeply of his scent, allowing it to fill my senses and replace the anger and resentment I had for Craig.  Wanting to stop the words and show him with my body the love and pride I had for him that was so strong sometimes I still couldn't find the words to express it.  I felt him relax in my arms and breathed a sigh of relief when he swallowed the rest of his drink and put mine down on the bar.  He took my hand, led me the bedroom and let me speak to him; let me love him the best way I knew.