In His Defense : Chapter 1 - Angels and Demons

It was the early morning hours when Brian returned to his loft. After another night of drinking, drugging, and fucking some no-name tricks, Brian showered and readied himself for bed but sleep was not easy to come by that night. Brian hated nights like this where he couldn’t sleep and his mind would not turn off. Thoughts of life, goals, and time whirled around in his head. Brian had never set a goal he did not work his ass off to reach. He had a great job in advertising, a designer wardrobe, a sleek loft, and a reputation as the best top in town. He was the envy of his circle of friends and never lacked for male company when he wanted it. Even so, the last few months Brian had felt himself growing restless, like life was beginning to become monotonous, one ass much like all the others and ad campaigns that where no challenge. The predator in him missed the thrill of the hunt in both his business and his personal sexual pursuits. It took him forever until he finally drifted to sleep with dreams of new challenges on the horizon.

All too soon the alarm clock buzzed to life waking him to a new day.

“Briiiiaannn! Where have you been for the last few weeks. You don’t answer my calls and you haven’t been at the loft or Babylon?” Michael whined.

Brian winced at his shrill tone. Setting down his finished coffee Brian stood and readied himself to leave the Diner. “I’ve been working, Mikey. I told you I’d need to pull some late nights for a while so I can get better clients. It’s business not playtime. Now, be a good boy and chill the fuck out,” Brian commented with barely concealed aggravation towards his best friend.

“But, Brian, you never spend any time with me. I miss you,” Michael huffed. Michael ‘guilt-trip’ Novotny had struck again.

“Ok, Mikey, we can go to Babylon this weekend. I could use a small break anyway.” Brian sighed but relented.

“Awesome. It will be just like old times,” Michael exclaimed, all excited at the prospect of another Brian and Mikey adventure.

As Brian left he thought to himself, ‘great. Just what the fuck I needed. More of the same old bullshit.’

********

Justin Taylor sat at his desk finishing the homework for his Marketing class. His hands itched to pick up his sketchpad and continue his Life Drawing class assignment instead. In the end though, Justin showed the discipline he had perfected and finished his homework before he allowed himself to return to his drawing. That determination is what had allowed him to start college as a Junior, with a full scholarship that covered his entire tuition, at a good school like Carnegie Mellon. Justin had even graduated high school with enough extra college credits to be able to finish his degree in a mere two years.

As a double major in Business and Fine Arts, with aspirations to be a graphic designer, Justin had worked his ass off since his freshman year of high school. He’d missed his chance at a social life, but knew all the hard work would pay off in the end once he had his degree and no longer had to listen to his father’s dreams of turning him into a businessman. Justin wanted to be an artist and knew he had the talent to back it up. If only the rest of the world would acknowledge that talent. Preferably, sooner rather than later.

In the meantime, his parents paid his living expenses, but only because they didn’t know his secret. You see, Justin had known since he was little that he was different. He was gay and he was not ashamed of it. Growing up, he had heard his father tell fag jokes at those damn country club events he was forced to attend, so he knew if they found out he was gay they would disown him. Even if, at 18 and in his first year of college, he was still a virgin. But he had resolved that, as soon as he graduated, he would live his life on his terms.

Justin had just finished his Marketing paper when he heard a knock on his dorm door. Daphne, his best friend since kindergarten, came in with his favorite pizza and orange soda. That was not a good sign - she always brought his favorites when she wanted something.

“Just tell me, Daph, so we can avoid the twenty-minute talk around what you want. I have more studying to do. Please,” Justin demanded as he shut his school book.

After each taking a slice of pizza, they sat together on his bed. “Jus, it’s time. You need to get out of this room and live a little. You know I love you but you are starting to depress even me. You need to go out, dance with some hot guy and act like a college student for once. We have the rest of our lives to be grownups,” she pleaded.

Justin sighed. He knew she was right, but he was so afraid of getting found out or being distracted from his studies. “Maybe you’re right. What did you have in mind?” he muttered.

Daphne got an evil gleam in her eye as she remarked, “we need to go to that gay club down on Liberty. Babylon. No one from our parents’ social circle will be anywhere near there. We can dance and have a good time. I’ll even go with you and be your wingwoman in case a hetero persona is needed in an emergency. If you meet someone I can back off and leave discreetly. I’ve already got us fake IDs and a great clubbing outfit for you. All you have to do is show up,” she suggested with a hopeful smile.

“You have it all planned out don’t you,” he giggled. Just the thought of dancing with some hot guy made him warm all over. “Fine. We can go this weekend. I have most of my work finished already so I can relax this weekend anyway. But I don’t plan on leaving with anyone. I just want to dance,” he offered seriously.

Daphne looked at Justin with his blond hair and beautiful blue eyes and thought to herself that the men of Babylon were going to be lusting after him in seconds. If his angel face didn’t do it, his bubble butt would. “Sure, Jus. We’re just going dancing,” she laughed as he threw a pillow at her.

********

The next Friday night at Babylon, the music was thumping and the hot, sweaty dancers were moving to the latest beat played by the DJ. The lights were strobed, giving the club a dark but colorful glow. The place was packed, with little room to move on the dance floor.

A dark figure up on the catwalk surveyed the night’s selection as he looked for his evening’s entertainment. It had appeared to be a night of slim pickings until he spotted the blond angel. Brian ignored Michael’s yacking about some comic book shit as he watched the angel move. His Angel was built for sin. He could feel himself get hard just imaging all that creamy, naked skin. His pale angel almost glowed under the lights. Even better, Angel had an ass that was just made to be fucked. It was time for Brian to move in for a closer look.

He was dancing with a small, curly haired girl with mocha skin. Brian moved in behind the Angel and whispered in his ear. “Have you been waiting for me?” Brian purred.

Justin looked straight ahead at Daphne’s face as he noticed her wide eyes and wide open mouth. He didn’t turn around as he objected curtly, “I couldn’t have been waiting for you because I don’t know you.”

Brian chuckled. “I am the devil, Angel, and you have been waiting your whole life for me; you just didn’t know it yet,” Brian replied as he rubbed his lips against the back of Justin’s neck.

Justin whipped around. “Of all the arrogant…” Justin stopped mid sentence as he looked up into the hazel eyes of the hottest man he had ever seen. “Oh, God,” Justin whispered.

“No God, but I can show you sin that would make the Devil blush,” Brian whispered back in a deep, sultry voice that made Justin shiver.

Daphne tried to get Justin’s attention but after calling his name for the third time she gave up. “Will you tell him I went to get a drink at the bar?” she asked Brian before she walked away. The sexual tension between those two could burn the building down.

He nodded his head to the girl as he moved in to put his hands on his Angel.

Justin felt the Devil’s hands slide down his arms and stop at his hips. This man’s touch was electric, leaving tiny shocks across his body. It was like nothing Justin had ever imagined. With shaky hands, he put his arms around the Devil’s neck and moved closer. The Devil’s body heat was so warm, Justin thought he would catch fire.

They started to sway to the beat of the music. Justin blushed as he felt himself get hard, causing the Devil to smirk in reaction, clearly enjoying how he rubbed his own cock against the Angel. Time seemed to stand still as they swayed and rubbed in time to the beat. Finally, Brian leaned in and claimed those delicious cherry lips as he ran his hands down the slighter man’s ass. Justin moaned as a talented tongue worked his mouth. Justin pulled Brian closer with his hand on the back of the taller man’s neck. Lustful eyes around the club watched as the two beautiful men got lost in each other.

After several minutes of a hot, porn-worthy, make out session, the two separated because of lack of air. Both were rock hard, sweating and had heaving chests.

“I think I need some water,” Justin exclaimed as he tried to will his dick back under control.

Brian led the way to the bar where Daphne was waiting and ordered a round of drinks. After he handed the blond a bottled water, Brian downed his shot of Beam.

Justin looked at Daphne who was grinning from ear to ear. “It’s getting late Jus. Are you about ready to go?” she asked, hoping to be told no.

Justin looked at the beautiful man in front of him and said, “you know, Daph, it’s still kind of early. Why don’t you head home and I’ll call you tomorrow?” Justin swallowed nervously. He didn’t know which head he was thinking with but he knew it wasn’t the one on his shoulders.

Brian raised an eyebrow at the blond then responded, “don’t worry, Daph. I’ll make sure he gets home. But you should let us walk you out. I’m Brian, by the way.”

“That would be very nice of you, Brian.” Daphne smiled sweetly. “Justin is my best friend, so please make sure he is safe.”

“I won’t take my eyes off of him,” Brian said huskily as he guided the duo out of the bar.

As they watched Daphne drive away, Brian observed Justin out of the corner of his eye. The boy was all fake bravado but skittish as a new colt. Brian could smell a virgin a mile away and Justin had that shiny ‘new car smell’ all over him. Brian knew he would have to be careful not to scare the young twink. Blond virgins weren’t his normal flavor, but this twink had caught his attention.

“Would you like to go to my place for a drink?” Brain asked carefully. “I could make some coffee, if that’s more to your taste?”

Justin took a deep breath and nodded his head in the affirmative. Before he knew it, they’d reached Brian’s jeep and were headed off to the loft.

Brian opened the door of his home and led the blond inside. For the first time in a long time Brian was not in a hurry to get to the bedroom.

They took their jackets off as Brian asked, “coffee, water, or Beam?”

Justin felt his nerves kick in but answered, “Beam would be fine, but could I have a water too?”

“Water’s in the fridge. I’ll pour us the Beam,” Brian said as he walked across the room to the liquor cart.

Brian brought the drinks over to the couch as he waited for Justin to join him with his water. Justin sat on the couch so stiffly his back looked like it was about to crack.

“Justin, you can relax. I won’t hurt you or make you do anything you don’t want to do,” Brian stated as he tried to reassure the skittish blond.

Justin took a deep breath and replied, “Thank you. It’s just that I’m an... ugh… uhm… I’ve never... I mean, I want to but I don’t know how to, ugh…”

“Justin, it's ok if you’re a virgin. I knew that already,” Brian finished for him.

Justin looked down and blushed. “Am I that obvious?” Justin whispered.

“I have a lot of experience, Justin. I know what to look for. Besides, we all started out virgins. It doesn’t have to be a big deal unless you want it to be,” Brian prompted logically.

“I don’t have illusions of waiting for love or some girly ‘it should be special shit’. I’ve just been too busy,” Justin declared with conviction and looked up at Brian for his reaction, finding the man looking back at him with calm acceptance.

Brian decided to take this really slow. Something about Justin made him feel protective and not want to hurt him. He decided a little more conversation might relax the blond.

“What have you been so busy doing?” Brian questioned with a smile.

“I’m a double major in Business and Fine Arts at Carnegie Mellon. I took all my basic college course work while I was still in high school, so I started college this fall as a Junior. I only have three semesters left till I graduate at the end of next year. I plan to be a graphic designer and a painter - I’m an artist. I’ve worked so hard because I plan to live life on my own terms as soon as I graduate.”

Justin realized he was telling this man his life story and clamped his mouth shut. Brian looked at this young man with newfound respect. This wasn’t some ditzy blond with air between his ears.

“You want to be a self-reliant man. I can respect that. After high school, I went to college on a soccer scholarship and worked my ass off to graduate. I know how hard that is,” Brian exclaimed as he sipped his Beam.

Justin relaxed into the couch and asked, “what do you do?”

“I’m a senior ad executive at Ryder Advertising Agency. Most guys my age are just starting to make a name for themselves. But I’ve been playing with the big boys for years now,’ Brian smirked with self-assurance.

Justin thought this man’s self-confidence might be the sexist thing he had seen in a long time. “If you don’t mind my asking, how old are you?” Justin asked quietly.

“I’m twenty-nine. Same question to you?” Brian replied.

“I’ll be nineteen in two months. I graduated three months late for medical reasons, so even though I just started college I’m older than most of the incoming freshman. Although I am technically a Junior,” Justin answered.

Justin’s fingers on his left hand started to twitch as a phantom pain shot up his arm. Brian saw the twitch and told the blond they didn’t have to talk about it. Justin blushed, but said it was ok.

“I was hit in the head with a bat by a classmate at my senior prom. He didn’t like the fact that I’d gone to prom with Daphne and not him. He was a real messed up kid. Always trying to touch me, leaving me notes, calling my cell and just generally making me miserable. I’m not out to most people, especially my parents, because I would be disowned. I have a full tuition scholarship, but I still need their help for living expenses. I couldn’t take such a heavy course load and work at the same time. Do you think that makes me a bad person, like I’m a liar and just using them?” Justin asked him.

“No, I don’t think you’re a bad person. I think you’re doing what you have to do to survive. It’s not lying when they make you lie - when the only truth they can deal with is their own. I think, after getting to a certain financial position, you’ll fight for the life you want. I just hope the world will be more accepting in the future, so that my son won’t have to hide who he loves. We fight when we can, but we have to live too,” Brian explained with passion.

 

“You have a son? Are you married? Oh my god!” Justin kind of screeched.

 

Brian chuckled. “Calm down, Justin. I have a six-week old son, Gus, with my best friend, Lindsay, and her lesbian husband, Melanie. They’ll be raising him but I’ll be around to give him the positive male influence every young boy needs,” he snarked.

Justin gave Brian a megawatt smile.

“Wow, Justin. That smile could light up a fucking room,” Brian looked at the blond with new found lust.

Justin saw the look in Brian’s eyes and it heated up his blood.

“So, Angel, are you coming or going? Coming and then going? Or coming then staying?” Brian asked his sexy guest.

“I want to stay, if you’ll let me?” Justin answered quietly.

“Remember, we only go as far as you want and we can stop at any time.”

Brian stood and held out his hand to Justin. After taking Brian’s hand they went up the stairs to the bed.

----------------------------

The morning sun shone through the high windows early the next day. Justin blinked owlishly. Not knowing where he was at first, he tensed. The feel of the warm body next to him relaxed his nerves. He never knew sleeping next to someone else could be so calming and comforting. He looked over at the beautiful brunet sleeping beside him and lightly ran his hand over Brian’s chest.

Justin was sore in unmentionable places, but the memories of the previous night were worth the pain. Brian had been so gentle and caring, it melted Justin’s heart. That first time had been beautiful. The next three times were hot as fuck. He hadn’t known he was that flexible or that a chair could hold two grown men. The shower had been damn near better than the bed, chair, and bed again. Justin had a very self-satisfied smile on his face as he reminisced about the prior night’s events. Brian, looking at the blond through his lashes, thought the boy looked damn smug.

“Keep that smug smile on your face, Angel, and I may have to fuck it right off you,” Brian joked from behind closed eyes.

Carefully, Justin rolled towards Brian and looked at his face. “Not until my ass stops throbbing you won’t.”

Justin grimaced as he tried to get comfortable.

“Is the pain that bad? Go take a shower and then I’ll put some salve on that gorgeous bubble butt,” Brian said as he sat up before heading to the kitchen to start a pot of coffee. As he walked away, Brian heard Justin giggle. “What’s so funny?” Brian asked the bubbly blond.

“Nothing… Well, I just thought you looked adorable with morning wood and bed head,” Justin revealed.

“I am devastatingly handsome or sexy or hot as hell, but I have never, nor will I ever, be adorable,” Brian grumbled as he advanced on the blond.

“Yes, oh sexy one,” Justin giggled.

“Shower, now,” Brian instructed adding a light swat to the blond’s ass.

“Ouch!” Justin shouted as he scrambled to the bathroom.

After both men had shaved and showered, Justin was efficiently salved in unmentionably embarrassing ways. Over a cup of coffee while sitting on a pillow at the counter, Justin studied the brunet.

“If you have something to say, Justin, spit it out,” Brian remarked as he sipped his sugary coffee.

“I probably should have asked this last night, but do you have a boyfriend or a lover?” Justin asked pensively.

Brian was quiet for a few minutes before he finally answered. “No, I don’t”.

“Why not? You seem like a really great guy,” Justin asked, inquisitively.

“I’ve lived my life by a certain set of rules, Justin. I don’t do relationships. I don’t do repeats with tricks. I’ve never believed in love because it’s only a lie straight people tell themselves when they need an excuse to fuck. I have never wanted a Stepford Fag life with locks on my doors. I believe in fucking - it’s efficient and honest and requires minimal effort or drama. I fuck who I want, when I want. No excuses. No apologies. No regrets,” Brian stated matter of factly.  

“Have you ever tried a relationship?” Justin inquired.

“I never wanted to put someone in a situation where they had to wonder where I was or who I was with. Even an open relationship where each person fucks who they want has some constraints. So I’ve never tried. I never even thought to try, actually, because hurting someone else is too high a price to pay for an experiment. I watched my parents hate each other every day of my childhood. I would never want to go through that,” Brian revealed with a look of remembered pain in his hazel eyes. “I care about people, even though most of my friends think I’m a heartless bastard. I’ve only just discovered that I actually can love when I realized I loved my son, and I would never want to see my kid hurt like I was,” Brian whispered.

“As an artist, I understand. I wouldn’t want to hurt another person either. I’m dedicated to my studies right now. I also want the freedom to be able to create my art. Not many people would understand my need to be in a studio all night or for days at a time, in order to finish a piece that has me inspired. That’s the primary reason I’m working so hard. I want to have that freedom to create,” Justin confided with an understanding Brian had never found in another person.

“Justin, I’m not offering a relationship, but... would you stay the weekend with me? It’s been a long time since I’ve just had a simple conversation I’ve enjoyed as much as this one.” Brian didn’t really understand why he had asked the blond to stay. He just knew that right then he didn’t want him to leave.

“I couldn’t accept a relationship even if you were offering it, but I would like to stay for the weekend,” Justin responded with a smile.

“We can go get you some things to wear. I suppose we also need to get some food, since I can hear your stomach monster growling from here,” Brian said with a laugh.

Justin blushed but laughed too. “I’m a little worried about being seen around town with you, in case we get caught. I can’t risk being outed, Brian. My whole future is riding on staying hidden for just a little longer. I don’t want you to feel like my dirty little secret, but I have to be very careful,” Justin said sheepishly.

Brian laughed. “Don’t worry Justin. I’m a big boy, my feelings won’t get hurt. Why don’t you call Daphne to bring you some clothes and supplies? I’ll make a run to the store, get some groceries, and you can stay here while you wait for her. You promised to call her anyway,” Brian said as he went to his bedroom to get dressed. “You can wear something of mine while you wait, although that towel does look hot on you.”

Justin laughed as he followed Brian to the bedroom to get dressed.

“If the phone rings, let it go to voicemail. If the door buzzer goes off, don’t answer it. Have Daphne call your cell when she gets here and then buzz her in. You’re not the only one that has to hide sometimes. I don’t particularly want to have to explain you to my nosy-assed family and friends. I’d like to keep our association private, if that is ok with you?” Brian ordered as he was putting his shoes on.

“I agree. I like the sound of a private association. I’ll explain it to Daph just in case she needs to cover for me, if that works for you,” Justin said as he curled up on the sofa with his phone in his hand.

“Sounds like a plan.” Brian replied, giving Justin a toe curling kiss then heading out the door.

Justin called Daphne and got her to agree to bring him some clothes and supplies. While he waited, he decided to clean up a little. He also washed the sheets and used towels. He cleaned the counters and put away the coffee supplies. He re-made the bed with fresh sheets and even swept the floor. As he was putting the broom away, the phone started to ring.

The loud whiney voice on the machine proceeded to demand to know where Brian was, what he was doing and when he would be back. It was like Brian had an annoying babysitter. How did Brian put up with this idiot? The Idiot wanted to know everything about Brian’s life damn near down to his dick size. This guy was supposed to be a friend?

Just then Daphne called his cell letting him know she was downstairs. He buzzed her up then took the bag from her and put on some of his own clothes. After gossiping for a while, they were startled by a loud banging on the door. Fuck! It had to be the Idiot. When they heard a key start to rattle in the lock, they froze. Justin grabbed his bag and Daphne’s hand and they ran into the bathroom, locking the door. They heard the loft’s door open and a loud, “Brian? Are you here?” screeched through the loft.

They were both scared shitless and didn’t really understand why. It wasn’t like they were doing anything wrong. They heard doors opening, cabinets shutting, and things being rattled around. They heard the bathroom door being tried and they held their breath.

“Brian? Are you in there? The door is locked. Are you ok? Are you hurt? Do you need me to help you?” the Idiot asked the door.

Daphne mouthed, ‘his boyfriend?’, to Justin, who shook his head no and mouthed back, ‘his friend’. She lifted her eyebrow in question but remained quiet.

The sound of the loft door opening broke through the noise coming through the bathroom door from the Idiot.

“Michael? What the fuck are you doing in my loft?” Brian shouted as he looked around at the mess that had once been his very clean loft, wondering where the fuck Justin was.

“Brian, I couldn’t find you. You didn’t answer the phone or the door. I looked around so I could see if I could find where you went but all your clothes are in the closet and drawers. The bathroom door is locked, though, and I thought you might be hurt. I was so worried.” Michael looked at his best friend with adoring eyes.

“You did this all shit to my loft? It’s a fucking mess, Michael! You know what? Give me your fucking key and get the fuck out. I’m tired of the constant fucking invasion of my life and my home. You’re not my lover, we are not together and fucking never will be. You’re my friend and ONLY a friend. Nothing more. You don’t get to plague my private life with questions or demands. You really need to get a life, Michael. And some help. Now get OUT!” Brian ranted at the Idiot.

Justin and Daphne heard someone sob, then a loud crash, feet running out the door, and finally the door slam and lock.

“Fuck!” Brian shouted “Justin, Help,” Brian cried.

Justin and Daphne rushed into the room to find Brian kneeling on the floor. His hands were on his head, blood dripping down his arms. Glass was shattered on the floor at his feet.

“That fucking prick hit me in the head with a crystal vase,” Brian said as he groaned.

Justin ran to the bathroom to grab some towels in order to stop the bleeding while Daphne got the broom to sweep up the glass.

“Brian, I think I need to get you to the hospital. This cut is pretty deep and probably needs stitches. Do you want to call the cops and an ambulance?” Justin said as he held the towel to his head.

“No. No cops. Just get me to the hospital. I’m sorry about this, Justin. I know you didn’t sign up for crazy,” Brian said as he winced at the pressure on his head. “Justin, here are the keys. You have to drive. I can’t. Daphne, can you put up the groceries really quick? I don’t want the ice cream melting on my floor. We’re going to wait for you. I’m not leaving you here alone in case the nutty fucker comes back. Fuck. I have to change my lock in case he does fucking come back or, worse yet, his fucking mother,” Brian yelled as he sat down on a stool at the counter.

“Brian, we can call a locksmith when we get back from the hospital. Better yet, grab some clothes and you can stay in a hotel for a few days so he can’t find you while you're wounded. We can break a key off in the lock so it can’t be opened then use that as an excuse for the locksmith,” Daphne suggested as she put the last of the groceries away.

“Damn, girl. I like the way you think,” Brian tried to joke.

He went to his closet, grabbed his bag, filled it with a few changes of clothes and set it by his briefcase. Then he pulled out work shoes and suits after getting his toiletry kit packed with extra condoms and lube - just in case. They were very wary leaving the building. Brian was parked close to Daphne’s car so they didn’t have to separate. After putting the bags in the car, Justin helped Brian in and they made their way to the hospital.

“Eighteen staples to my fucking head. He’s lucky my hair line will cover any scar I end up with. Justin, why the hell did he do this? He’s supposed to be my best friend. But he trashed my home. He harasses me all day with phone calls and demands on my time. I’ve told him repeatedly to back off. Now the whole fucked up family is going to blame me, while sweet little Mikey goes around telling everyone how big, bad Brian was mean to him. I just want him to leave me the fuck alone,” Brian complained quietly as he lay in Justin’s arms.

The older man had been much more relaxed since the painkillers kicked in, but Justin rubbed his back anyway. The hospital ordeal over with, they were lying together in the big hotel bed.

“I don’t know why he did this, Brian, but after I heard the message he left on your machine while I was cleaning up, I thought he was an idiot. I also realized that the thought I had then was wrong - he wants to know everything about you INCLUDING your dick size. How long have you known that guy, anyway?” Justin concluded.

“We’ve been best friends since we were fourteen. Back then, I kept the bullies off him and he let me come over when my dad beat my ass. His house was the first place I ever felt safe. His mom was the only real mother figure I’ve ever had. But with that safety feature came a price. I got blamed for a lot of shit he did. His mom always thinks I’m the bad influence. I don’t make him try to keep up with me. Hell, I’ve been trying to slow down that lifestyle for months now,” Brian admitted, exasperatedly.

“Why have you been trying to slow down?” Justin asked curiously.

Brian replied, “a few reasons actually. I want to be a better man for my son. But also because I’ve gotten bored with the game. There’s no challenge in the hunt anymore - one ass is too much like the last.”

“Plus, I want to open my own agency soon and that takes a lot of hard work and money,” Brian continued. “The campaigns I’m being offered at work are boring, and I’d prefer to be able to go after the clients I want instead. I want a more boutique agency were I can offer my clients customized copy, graphics, and media. I want to make campaigns that can go national, not just regional. I just need the funding and a better client list.”

Justin could see the passion in Brian’s eyes as he talked about his goals. “I understand. I want to do graphic design and my own art work so I can do a variety of things not just one little niche,” Justin sympathized.

Brian looked at Justin with sadness. “I’ve been trying to put in more hours at work. Mikey doesn’t understand that. He’s the Assistant Manager of a retail chain. He has limited business understanding and basically flunked out of community college. He thinks life can be solved by reading a fucking comic book or running to his mom or me to fix all his problems. He just refuses to grow the fuck up, so I’ve been trying to distance myself from our friendship for a while now. I was hoping he’d become more self-reliant if I stopped being his enabler,” Brian confessed.

“That may be a lesson he has to teach himself. But you can still control your own choices. I kind of wanted to have my own design firm someday too. I have a hell of a long time before I’m ready for that but being my own boss is a goal of mine as well. If you ask me, you sound like you simply want to move forward with your life.” After a few minutes of silent thought, Justin added, “You know, you should call your agency Kinnetik - like Kinney mixed with kinetic movement,” Justin suggested to the brunet.

“That’s brilliant, Justin. And you should name your firm Taylored Designs. Play off the concept of tailoring a design to each client,” Brian smiled as he pictured the ad for Justin’s firm in his mind.

“Wow, Brian. We just completely named each other’s future company,” Justin said in amazement just as Brian’s breath evened out so that Justin knew he was asleep.

Justin got quietly out of the bed and grabbed his sketch pad. He wanted to capture Brian so he’d have something by which to remember this amazing man. After tomorrow the weekend would be over and they would have to return to their normal lives. Justin knew he would miss the older man terribly. But both men had big dreams and no time for distractions. What was it Shakespeare said? ‘Parting was such sweet sorrow?’ The parting would be painful but the memories would be sweet for a lifetime. Justin finished the sketch and then started designs for both Kinnetik and Taylored Designs. The two logo designs complimented each other as if they were meant to be.

Brian woke late the next morning with an arm wrapped around his waist. He smiled at the memory of Justin making him eat dinner with his medicine. It had been a long time since he’d wanted or let anyone take care of him. He knew the weekend was coming to an end and their private association was almost over. Somehow he’d gotten used to the younger man, though. Justin was beautiful, intelligent, talented and creative. Brian had shared more about himself in three days with Justin than he had with almost anyone. Even Michael didn’t know about his plans for Kinnetik. Brian smirked. The little twink had him referring to his future agency that way even in his mind.

Brian shimmied out of the bed, careful not to disturb Justin. After a morning piss, Brian called room service for coffee and breakfast. Then he proceeded to wake the blond to get his protein shake from a spectacular blow job. After showers and a return favor blow job, breakfast was delivered.

 

“Justin, I know neither one of us is ready for or capable of a relationship right now. But I would like to stay in contact with you, if you will allow me to. If we both get a weekend free again in the future, I wouldn’t mind seeing you again. I’d also like to just be able to talk to you sometimes. Stitches aside, this has been the best weekend I’ve had in a long time.”

They were sitting down to breakfast while Justin thought quietly for a moment. “You want to continue our private association? How would we be able to keep it quiet and discreet?” Justin bit his lip as he contemplated the ramifications of continuing to see Brian.

“I actually thought about this before I asked,” Brian continued. “If you should get caught talking to me or in my presence, we could just say I was a peer tutor for your business classes or an internship program coordinator for my company. In fact, Ryder does have an internship in the art department. You should apply. And don’t worry, I wouldn’t interfere with the selection process. Your own merit would get you the job in a flash,” Brain expressed with a lazy smile. He really didn’t want to let the blond go any more than Justin wanted to leave.

“That just might work. My degree directly relates to your advertising job, so no one should suspect anything. We could try to meet every couple of weeks under the guise of career planning and such. The internship sounds wonderful, but do you think it would be wise for us to work together after we’ve slept together?” Justin inquired.

“We would have to keep it strictly professional in the office, but on our own time it’s nobody’s damn business. We’re both consenting adults, Justin. We do have a right to a private life and, Angel, I just don’t know if I can let you go.” Brian purred.

Just the way Brian said ‘Angel’ made Justin hard.

“Do you think that superb ass of yours can handle another round?” Brian said as he reached for Justin.

“Oh fuck yeah!” Justin said as he climbed on Brian’s lap.

 

Brian and Justin had one more gentle fuck session - some might even call it making love - and then, afterwards, Brian dropped Justin off at school. Once Justin was out of sight, Brian checked his phone calls and e-mails. Twenty-two calls from Mikey, sixteen calls from Deb, and six calls from the Munchers, let Brian know his prediction about being labeled the family asshole had been correct.

‘Well, fuck that’, Brian thought. ‘I don’t owe anybody a fucking explanation about how I live my life or who I spend my time with.’

Brian felt like, for the first time in a long time, his life was moving forward. He may just have a little blond twink to thank for that. Just remembering Justin made him feel good and horny as hell.

Life was good.

---------------------------------

After that day, word had spread quickly up and down Liberty Ave that the reigning stud, Brian Kinney, was in semi-retirement. On the rare occasions that Brian was seen out, he always drew a crowd for his favors. The Avenue was rampant with rumors about what had caused the decline in the stud’s tawdry ways. It was said among some that the stud was visiting greener pastures out of state. It had been gossiped about for a solid month that the stud’s health was declining, but the testimonials of a few lucky tricks bragging of his continued studly prowess squashed those.

It was even whispered, in hushed voices in private company, that the stud had been caught by the love bug, but most Avenue dwellers knew this to be a malicious untruth. Although the very expensive leather bomber jacket a witness saw the stud buying in a size much too small for himself and having gift wrapped, which had started the love bug accusations, was often cited as definitive evidence despite the arguments against such theories. The suggestion was that the gift could have been for the stud’s smaller best friend, but that was eventually proven to be untrue as it was also pointed out the stud’s sidekick appeared to be persona non grata these days. And so the persistent rumors continued to circulate.

At the same time, the fights between the former best friends had become infamous. A few in the know had reported that, on several occasions, the sidekick had approached the stud, only to be told to fuck off. Some said the screechy sidekick was the primary reason for the stud’s absence from his usual haunts. Again, those in the know, knew Brian Fucking Kinney didn’t let anyone or anything get in his way. That being said, the stud was whispered to also be avoiding the red-headed harridan waitress from the Liberty Diner. Some said he was no longer welcome or wished to patronize the greasy spoon.

Months of rare sightings of the stud led to even wilder rumors, some of which were so outlandish they were quickly dismissed as outright lies. Kinney was said to have developed a gentler nature. Kinney was supposedly seen in the park on a few occasions carrying a small baby or pushing a stroller. Kinney was sighted out to dinner with a beautiful young blond man. Everyone knew these rumors were bullshit. Brian Fucking Kinney was an asshole that didn’t do kids and would never, ever, in a million years, go on a date. That was the problem with queens that talk too much.

********

“Hey stud, what are you wearing?” Justin inquired late one night into the phone.

“I’m wearing your favorite suit, Angel” Brian purred in return.

“Armani or birthday?” Justin replied.

Brian laughed. “Birthday, of course. What are you wearing?” Brian inquired as his hand roamed down his own body to touch his most prized possession.

“Sorry, Stud. I’ve got my old t-shirt and paint splattered cargos on. But they’re coming off quick,” Justin giggled.

After a satisfying round of phone sex, the men picked up on their almost daily conversations.

“How was your day? Did you get the Archer account? Did you finish the Splash soda campaign?” Justin asked excitedly.

Brian had been working hard for months to build up his client list. Fall had turned to Winter and with the season had come Justin’s birthday and then Christmas. Brian had gotten him a beautiful leather jacket he hated to take off. He was also given a new cell phone with unlimited texts and calls so his parents couldn’t trace his contact numbers. Justin had given Brian a painting of him and Gus that Brian adored. They had celebrated New Years with dinner at a cozy, ridiculously romantic restaurant.

“My day was long but fine. The Archer contracts are signed and on my desk. The Splash soda campaign is done and ready for media print. You have no idea how much your design suggestions saved my ass. Are you sure you won’t let me give you the freelance designer’s fee. You earned it, Justin. Hell, you deserve it more than the fucking art department does. Please?” Brian pleaded.

This was an old argument by now. Brian knew Justin wouldn’t take the money. What Justin didn’t know was that Brian had set up an account for him and deposited his freelance fees into it. His little blond Angel had almost $30,000 in the account already. He wanted Justin to have a nest egg in case the shit with his parents went south.

Meanwhile, Justin had started on his second semester with only two more to go the following year. Justin had decided to take classes over the summer too so he wouldn’t have to move back home with his parents over the break. They weren’t happy about it, but glad he took his future so seriously. Justin’s father knew his son was going to be just like him. Justin would take over the family business, marry a respectable girl from a good family and have sons to carry on the family name. He just really hoped his son didn’t decide to marry that little biracial girl, Daphne. ‘She was ok for a fuck, just not for marriage’, his father had told Justin in a recent lecture on his life choices and responsibilities.

Brian laughed. Little did Daddy Taylor Dearest know, his son was a big ole queer and he couldn’t do a damn thing about it. Soon enough Justin would have his freedom. Sooner than Justin thought, if Brian could help it. He just needed a few more months.

“Brian, you know I’m not taking any money for helping you. The work experience I’m getting is priceless, anyway. I am applying for the Fall internship, though, so I can get paid then. For now, consider it life skills,” Justin replied softly so as not to upset his brunet Devil.

It had been three weeks since he’d seen Brian last. He missed the man and his touch.

“When are you free again? I need my Devil fix. I’ve been too angelic for too long,” Justin pouted.

Brian smirked. He could just imagine the blond’s pouty lips. Damn, he was getting hard again.

“Don’t worry, Angel. I’ll try to tilt your halo soon. When are you free for an extended weekend? Could you take off in two weeks for a three-day weekend? Why don’t we sneak away for a little trip to New York City? Five Star hotel, room service, and shopping... I’ll even arrange a trip to MOMA. Deal?” Brian offered.

“Deal. So far a deal, I can’t describe the deal” Justin laughed and vibrated with excitement at the idea of spending a weekend away with Brian. “Brian, I think if we’re going to go away together we should fill out temporary Power of Attorney papers and medical proxies, in case one of us gets hurt. You know how bad my allergies are and I find shit I didn’t know I was allergic to a few times a year. It’s just a precaution and only temporary for like four weeks or something. But I don’t want the hospital to call my parents in an emergency. Please?” Justin asked and held his breath hoping his idea didn’t sound too coupley.

“Not a bad idea, Justin. I’ll have my lawyer draw something up and we can file it in New York so no one gets tipped off here.” Brian agreed.

“l love the way your mind works,” Justin said sleepily. “Well, I’ve got to get to bed, Stud. Later.”

“Later, Angel,” Brian said back before ending the call.

---------------------------------------

A hot, sweaty Justin collapsed on top of an equally hot, sweaty Brian.

Justin, panting, rolled to the side and sat up. “That has to be in our top ten fucks,” he said as he wiped himself and Brian up with a wet wash cloth.

Brian laughed. “You keep track of our fucks?”

“Not the quantity, just the quality. I lost track of the quantity after we hit one hundred and three. But I have an excellent memory for the quality. You have made me into a sexual connoisseur. I know quality when I have it,” Justin replied seriously.

“Have you been sampling domestic brands to make a fair comparison?” Brian asked as he ran his hands through Justin’s silky blond hair. He loved Justin’s hair. It was getting longer and he was finally able to grab it at opportune moments.  

“I’ve only consumed the brands you’ve approved. I prefer the vintage label Irish whiskey I started with. When you’ve had the best, why tolerate a poor imitation,” Justin remarked as his bubble butt swayed its way to the shower.

“I think I prefer a new vintage these days, myself. I discovered Chateau de Blond Twink a few months ago. It has a robust earthy flavor I have become addicted to.” Brian smirked as he entered the shower behind his little blond dynamo.

When they were back in bed a little while later, Brian felt Justin relax against him and knew his twink was asleep. Brian himself slept better with Justin beside him and this had led him to the crux of a new problem. The months of their private association had stirred something in the brunet’s soul. Brian knew he was a better man with Justin by his side. They had been able to keep their private association a secret for almost a year at this point. It hadn’t been easy, but had been manageable.

With the help of Daphne and Brian’s personal assistant, Cynthia, they had even been able to have whole weekends of hidden moments. Daphne had covered for Justin with his parents. Trips to museums, galleries, and New York had been hidden under the excuse of school projects, assignments, and career planning research trips. Cynthia had been handling all their travel arrangements, cell phone bills, and the needed dinner reservations from Brian’s personal accounts. Cynthia had even produced the documentation Justin needed for a parental confrontation about a research trip to Chicago when they’d actually gone to Florida for a week during his spring break. Daphne was still talking about that trip.

By that summer, Justin would have finished his third semester. He would be starting his final semester and the internship at Ryder in a few weeks. Brian had spent the summer setting his own plans into motion. The funding for his agency was almost secured - another six months should have that tied down. The location had been purchased when the old bath house had come up for sale at a pauper’s price. Even with the renovations Brian had planned, it was still way below market price. His client list was now full of big names and lucrative accounts. Cynthia had found out about a rival company’s offer to buy Ryder out. The deal was contingent on profit increases of 20% with a one year deadline for the increase. Brian was planning to leave in four months and he’d gotten confirmation from all his clients that they were with him, so he’d be taking both his client list and his accounts with him.

He was ready for the move, but he needed one more piece of the puzzle in order to make his company one of the best in the country. He just didn’t know how he was going to secure this asset acquisition. Brian was one of the best ad men in the business but this particular campaign was not so easily pitched. He’d done a full cost benefit analysis, listed out the pros and cons, and compiled projected profitability spreadsheets like any good businessman. It was the human factor he was still unsure of.

Closing his eyes, Brian knew he needed a good night of sleep. Tomorrow he would be making the pitch of his life and not just his future was riding on the success of this campaign.

The next morning over coffee Brian decided it was now or never. “Justin, we need to talk,” Brian said as the blond looked up at him nervously.

“What about, Brian? Is everything ok?” Justin asked, concern written all over his face.

“I have a proposition to make to you, but first I need to ask you some questions. I want you to be honest, Justin. This is very important. Can you do that?” Brian said.

Justin swallowed but answered, “yes”.

Brian took up the file folder he had hidden on the chair earlier and placed it on the table. “Are you happy with our private association? And, do you know what you plan to do after graduation?” Brian looked Justin in the eye as he said this.

“You don’t start with the easy stuff do you?” Justin laughed. “Well, to answer your first question, I love the time we spend together. Our sex life is wonderful and more than satisfying. The secrecy part gets nerve wracking at times, but I accept it. I know I don’t want to lose what we have. I’d rather have this in secret than not have it at all. Do you want to end our association? You’ve always been honest about your limits and expectations. Have you changed your mind? I hope you don’t think I have been pressuring you for more than you can give.” Justin looked to Brian to confirm his worries.

“I don’t feel pressured and I do not want to end our association, Angel. Quite the opposite, in fact. But I also don’t want you to sacrifice your future plans to continue our association. I want you to be able to have the freedom to live the life you’ve worked so hard to take steps to create. I want you to be the best homosexual you can be, Justin,” Brian said seriously. “Will you clarify your future plans for me?”

Justin looked at Brian with watery eyes. No one had ever encouraged him as much as Brian had. “I have my last semester to finish first. I’m hoping to take the experience I get from the Ryder internship and be able to get a job as soon as I can after I graduate. I would also like to get some kind of studio space so I can work on some paintings. I’d like to try and get in some shows at some local galleries. My long term goal of owning my own design firm hasn’t changed, but I figure that will be years off in the future. And I also want to be the best homosexual I can be,” Justin finished and gave Brian a megawatt smile.

Brian returned his own shit eating grin and replied, “as you know, I have been working my ass off to get my own agency opened. I have the building. I have almost all the funding and I have my client list ready. I expect I’ll be ready to open Kinnetik in no more than six months. That allows for building renovations, staffing, and contracts with Ryder to expire. My clients are all willing to come with me,” Brian said with a smirk. “Ryder has been dangling that promotion in front of me for two years. What he doesn’t know is, I know he plans to sell the agency next year. A new owner would most likely come in and fire my ass, regardless of Ryder’s promises. So I’m planning my exit strategy and I’ll be taking his most lucrative clients with me. I’m not a partner, so there’s not a non-competition clause in my employment contract. I’m also planning to go after the new owner’s clients too. But to succeed, I need the best of the best on my team.”

Brian took a breath then went for the asset he wanted the most. “Cynthia is coming with me as my office manager. My friend Ted is a financial wiz; he’ll be the company accountant. That just leaves you,” Brian finished.

“Me? What do I have to do with Kinnetik?” Justin asked, confused.

“That’s the proposition I have for you. I want you to be my Art Director. You’ll have your degree and will have more experience after the internship. We work together on my campaigns all the time and everyone loves the product you turn out. Those campaigns are a big reason my clients have agreed to come with me. I want you to open your design firm in my building. Well, it would be our building. Taylored Designs in partnership with Kinnetik would be the best firm in the country. We’d be equal partners. We could help make each other’s dreams come true, Justin,” Brian explained in his most convincing ad man voice.

“Jesus, Brian. You’re offering me my dream on a silver platter. But for it to be an equal partnership, wouldn’t I need to invest equal startup capital?” the blond asked while the wheels turned in his head.

“Justin, it’s hard to put a dollar amount on your talent. But, in my opinion, your talent should earn you top dollar, the same as my advertising knowledge and creativity does me. I want us to be equal partners, not have you be my employee. Which brings me to the next part of the proposition,” Brian described as he handed a file folder to the blond.

“There’s more?” Justin asked as he took the folder, going quiet as he read the file. When he’d finished, he looked at Brian with wide eyes and his mouth hanging open. “Brian, I can’t take this. What the hell were you thinking! I can’t let you do this,” Justin shouted, then stood to pace the room.

“Justin, calm down and listen to me. Two months ago I was given first refusal on the loft below mine. I got it for a good price. Most of the money I used was from an account I set up for the freelance graphic fees you were entitled to from my campaigns. The rest of the money, well, just consider that a graduation gift. I wanted you to be protected in case your parents pulled any shit. That space will be your studio. It is in both our names because I wanted to connect it to my loft with a set of stairs. I want us to live together.”

“The paperwork for the domestic partnership has two purposes,” Brian continued. “I want to protect both the agency we build and my personal assets from my family in case something happens to me. I trust you to see that my son in provided for if I can’t.” Brian took a deep breath, steeling his nerves, and then plowed on with the rest of his pitch. “Secondly, I want to prove to the man I love, just how much I love him. That I would do anything and be anything he needs me to be. I’m also a selfish bastard, Angel. I want you around for a long time, safe and happy and here in my arms,” Brian said as he rose to kiss his Angel. “I love you Justin. Will you be my partner in life and business?” Brian whispered into the blond’s ear.

“Oh, God, Brian. Yes. I will be your partner. I love you too. So much,” Justin whispered back as he held onto the man he loved and who had just proven how much he loved him in return.

Brian was misty eyed as he placed a platinum pendant around his Angel’s neck before allowing Justin to fasten a matching one on his own. “We aren’t Stepford husbands with rings, but I wanted a little something to mark the occasion,” Brian laughed as he held his Angel’s hand, leading them back to their bedroom.

********

Justin took several deep breaths to calm himself down after a mind numbing orgasm. He couldn’t believe how much Brian was willing to give him while asking so little in return. Justin knew Brian often had a hard time believing he was worthy or capable of love. But just watching the way Brian looked at his son assured Justin that Brian was capable of love. And the future Brian had planned for them cemented that fact.

Over the past few months, they had been able to sneak Justin on a few play dates with Gus so the two of them could get to know each other. Justin was as enamored of Gus as Brian was. The little replica of Brian was a joy to be around. At the same time, Brian had shared a few details of his traumatic childhood with Justin, expressing his determination to give his son a loving, happy childhood. The munchers had eventually settled into a visitation schedule for Gus with his dad that was as fair as they could ask for. Brian still paid generous support, so they couldn’t lecture on his parenting anymore. For a change, the Munchers’ relationship problems had nothing to do with Brian. He wasn’t going to allow either of them to pull him or Gus into their squabbles. So, while Brian was determined to live in heaven with his Angel, others chose to live in hell.

 

 

 

In His Defense: Chapter 2 - Animal Reactions

The mean streets of the Liberty Avenue jungle held a cornucopia of colors, sizes, and shapes of the animals the dwelled there. The variety of species, such as peacocks, bears, cubs, foxes, and a few lone wolves, lived together in a harmonious community for the most part. It was the reintroduction of a particularly nasty little weasel that caused the community strife. It has been noted that the nature of animals to succeed has caused a survival of the fittest mentality. The traits of any one species exhibited by another can cause dissention in the overall group. So the nasty little weasel imitating wolf traits was frowned upon. The wolf exhibiting its true nature struck fear in the heart of the nasty little weasel. The nasty little weasel turned to the fox as its next prey. But, as with all nasty little weasels, they have a small brain, and forget the nature of other animals and underestimate the cunning of foxes.

-------------------------------------------

The Fall semester started as Justin began his internship at Ryder. His full course load left little time for fun but Justin knew he was working his ass off for a reason. Kinnetik and Taylored Designs both hinged on the outcome of the next several months. Justin would be damned if he would let Brian or himself down so close to their dream coming true. The agency had become the dream of both of them. The best part of his day was when he got to see Brian at work.

They had become masters at hiding their private association. No one thought anything of Brian calling Justin into his office for a conference on campaign designs. It was mentioned in passing that the duo worked well together and produced great copy and art for the client campaigns. Justin was given Brian’s accounts to design with no need for discussion. Brian had historically bitched at the art department in the past, so when the young intern came along and was able to handle the ad man’s perfectionist tendencies, he was considered god sent. The duo often worked long hard hours deep into the night.

Cynthia was tickled by their antics. Brain would growl orders and Justin would growl right back. Justin would defend his design decisions with passion. Brian would protest changes to his vision with vigor. The end product was a compromise both could live with. Only Cynthia knew the tricks both men used to get their way. The chocolate sauce stain still on the bottom of a sofa cushion in Brian’s office was a particularly fond memory of one such sticky debate.

The plans for Brian’s exit strategy from Ryder were complete. Kinnetik and Taylored Designs would open in four months. The renovations to the building and bottom loft were underway. The partnership papers had been signed and filed the previous month. The last renovations to be completed would be the stairs to Brian’s upper loft. Brian didn’t want Justin under any added stress before graduation. The employment contracts for Cynthia and Ted would be signed the day after Brian left Ryder. Brian had insisted that Ted sign a nondisclosure agreement. Brian trusted Ted with his money but he didn’t trust anyone with his blond angel. The urge to gossip about Justin and his association might have been too tempting for the accountant to contain himself. So Brian put it in a language Ted could understand - blab and I sue your ass for all you are worth. Ted spoke the language of money fluently.

Justin had been preparing to out himself for years. He wanted to live his life as an out and proud gay man. He had a wonderful partner he was very proud of. He felt blessed to be allowed to watch Gus grow up.  Daphne was the best friend any gay boy would ever be honored to have. He was half of the crucial team opening a brilliant new agency. He was on the verge of having everything he ever wanted, except he knew he would lose his parents. His dad had put all his expectations on Justin’s shoulders for years. His mom would never cross his father or risk losing her standing at that damn country club. Justin knew he deserved a life of his own - it was the American dream after all.

--------------------------------------------

“Brian have you seen my advertising book? I have three chapters to finish before class tomorrow. I don’t have time for this shit,” Justin yelled across the loft as he tore his messenger bag apart looking for the hidden book.

“I have it. I was just reading some. The shit they teach in school is so impractical. You’re lucky you have access to my advertising genius to correct any bullshit they think they know,” Brian snarked as he handed the book back to Justin. “Brian, I have known the benefits of your genius in many areas of my education for a long time,” Justin purred as he wrapped his arms around his older partner. That little stroke to Brian’s ego earned Justin a very satisfying blow job.

Both men were lost in a passionate kiss when a banging on the loft door made them jump. “Briiiaan. Are you in there? Open the door. I need your help. Please!” Michael yelled through the closed door.

Justin looked at Brian with fear in his eyes. “When the hell did the idiot get back in town?” Justin whispered.

“I don’t know. Last I heard from Ted he had moved to Portland, Oregon with some chiropractor and was playing the doctor’s wife in Stepford Fagville,” Brian whispered back. “Maybe the little weasel will just go the fuck away if we are really quiet,” Brian said hopefully.

They both listened as finally they heard the elevator rumbling and Michael’s muttering quiet down.

“You know he is just going to come back until he tells you whatever it is he wants. Brian, please be careful. The Idiot is crazy. He hurt you last time he was here. It took months for him to leave you alone aftewards,” Justin pleaded with his partner.

“It’s going to be ok, Angel. I know better than to trust the little weasel again. I will be careful,” Brian said as he leaned his forehead against Justin’s. Brian was more worried about what Michael would do when he found out about Justin.

Justin left the loft to get back to his dorm before curfew. He would be glad when he could move into the loft with Brian. However, Justin was worried about Michael being back in town. He was so deep in thought about the tricky problem, he didn’t notice anyone watching him from the shadows next to Brian’s building.

Justin got to Brian’s jeep and put his bag in the back. He would pick Brian up in the morning before work and then use the jeep to get to class before going back to work himself. It was a lot of running around, but the jeep made it easier. Brian had leased a Mercedes to use but it was in the shop getting worked on that week, so Justin would just pick him up in the mornings before work for a few days.

Michael stepped out of the shadows right as Justin pulled away in the jeep. Michael was pissed beyond reason. Who was that blond fucker driving Brian’s jeep? Where the hell was Brian? Why was he still not answering his door and why had the phone numbers been changed? He knew once Brian heard his problems he would just fix them all. They were Brian and Mikey. Best friends. They loved each other. Michael just knew Brian missed him. They were destined to be old queens in Palm Springs - that had always been the plan, right? Michael was sure Brian just needed to be reminded of their love and friendship. Now that he was free of David, they could finally be the couple he knew they were meant to be. Michael had heard the rumors about Brian not going out and hardly drinking at all anymore. ‘Brian must be ready to make a commitment since he wasn’t fucking all those tricks anymore’, Michael thought, smiling to himself. He just didn’t know who that blond was.

-------------------------------------------------

Anyone that knows the nature of animals could have seen this situation coming. To give a general explanation, one needs to understand the traits of certain animals in order to predict those animals’ behavior. Weasels can look cute and cuddly but are actually blood thirsty. A weasel in a frenzied state will kill more than it can eat. Weasels have been known to stalk their prey. Foxes are well adapted to their homes; they have secured a niche where they can make the best out of almost any situation. A fox is a small but hardy animal with high intelligence. Foxes are extremely protective and loyal to their mates. Now, wolves have developed the capacity to survive in the most inhospitable of climates. Wolves are intelligent creatures built for stamina. Their chest, powerful backs and legs, assist in their efficient locomotion. The alpha male assumes the top position in the pack but will have a beta ‘second in command’ to help run things. A beta will be content in this position but can assume an alpha role when needed. During mating season, wolves and foxes prefer to spend a lot of time in seclusion.

When a dark male wolf and a white male fox were observed acting as a mated pair in the Pittsburg area by nature watchers, it caused quite a discussion of homosexual nature versus nurture development in animals.

---------------------------------------------

“Relax Justin. Daphne is going to love her presents. We picked a restaurant you said your parents never come too. Everything will be fine,” Brian said as he pulled the car up to the valet stand next to the restaurant where they were meeting Daphne.

“Thanks for coming with me, Brian. Daphne really wanted you to be at her birthday dinner,” Justin said as he kissed Brian’s cheek.

Daphne was already waiting at the table Cynthia had reserved.

“Wow, Daphne, you look hot. I would fuck you,” Brian smirked.

Daphne giggled out a, “thanks. Brian. You too. I mean you look hot too. Is that Armani?” Daphne blushed.

Justin laughed as he kissed his best friend’s cheek. Brian had a way of making comments that would make a sailor blush in shame. “You look beautiful Daph. That dress fits in all the right places,” Justin commented.

Daphne laughed, “Well, when a girl has a date with two beautiful, sexy men, she does her best.”

Justin perused the menu. “Can we order? I am starving. Brian says the sea bass is good. I can’t eat fish but the steak sounds good,” Justin said to Daphne as the waiter took their orders.

The threesome enjoyed a hearty meal and superb conversation. After dessert, Justin and Brian gave Daphne her presents. Justin gave her a diamond necklace and Brian gave her a leather Prada backpack. Daphne was touched at her friends’ thoughtfulness and generosity.

“Daphne, would you mind if I borrow Justin for a dance?” Brian batted his eyes at her playfully.

Daphne laughed. “No, Brian, you can have him”

“Hey,” Justin protested but stood up anyway.

They walked to the middle of the dance floor and held each other close as they swayed to the music. Daphne observed the couple from her seat at the table. She was sure a more beautiful couple had never been seen. The look on Justin’s face made a tear come to her eye. It was obvious to anyone that looked that they were deeply in love. Brian was mouthing the words to that old, ‘Save The Last Dance’ song, in Justin’s ear. Daphne was sure Justin knew who was taking him home and in whose arms he belonged. She didn’t think Justin could ever give his heart to anyone else but Brian. Brian was rubbing Justin’s back and she could see her friend shivering at the touch. Daphne was happy for Justin. She knew he would never let Brian go because he loved him so much. Daphne had no doubts that both of them would be saving their last dance only for each other.

However, Daphne was not the only one observing the couple. Ted and Emmett had been having dinner at the same restaurant to celebrate Em’s return to the queer life. After an HIV scare, Emmett had tried to ‘see the light’ and live the straight life. His messy sexual experience with a wannabe-reformed lesbian had convinced the queen he was indeed gay. But it was his best friend, Teddy, that convinced him that God loved him. Teddy said God made him, and God doesn’t make mistakes, so Emmett must be just the way he was supposed to be. He was a nelly bottom queen and he was happy with that. So he was going to embrace it and be the best homosexual he could be. He would rather his flame burn bright, than be a tiny little pilot light.

“Oh my God, Teddy, do you see what I see? Brian Kinney is wrapped around a little blond fox. Its looks like the big bad wolf found his goldilocks. Brian is looking at that boy like he adores him or could eat him - I’m not sure which. Of course, who wouldn’t look at that cute little bubble butt like that!” Emmett said, gesturing with his hands all over the place so bad that he almost fell out his chair.

Ted was trying hard to hide behind his menu. Now would be a good time for the earth to open up and swallow him. Brian was going to kill him and all that would be left was his calculator.

“I don’t see anything.  Where is that damn waiter with our order?” Ted said, refusing to get out from behind his menu.

“TEDDY, they are right there! What the hell is wrong with you? Stop hiding!” Emmett said loudly as he snatched the menu away from Ted.

Ted looked up just in time to see Brian narrow his eyes in their direction. Ted paled at the death glare he got from Brian.

“Teddy what the fuck is wrong with you?” Emmett again asked his friend, concerned that Ted looked like he was going to be sick.

“I don’t speak, see, or hear anything. I know nothing,” Ted muttered in a low voice, hoping to invoke a little luck from evil repelling monkeys.

Brian took Justin back to their table then excused himself. He quickly made his way to his friends’ table and pulled up a chair.

“Schmidt, I am going to break your fucking knee caps,” Brian hissed in a low voice.

“I didn’t say anything, Bri. I swear!” Ted said as he gulped for air. Ted knew this was bad oh so bad.

“Honeycutt… Emmett, I am going to ask you for a huge fucking favor,” Brian turned his attention to the other queen at the table. “Please don’t tell anyone what you saw here tonight. I am asking as a friend. If you come by the loft tomorrow, I swear I will explain it all. Ted bring him by at about  five pm and I will order dinner or some shit,” Brian said pleadingly.

Emmett was so taken aback at Brian’s request that all he could do was nod his head and say, “I promise Brian”.

“Thank you,” Brian replied as he stood up and went back to his table where Justin was waiting for him.

Emmett watched as Brian, the blond, and a pretty girl left the restaurant. Emmett looked at Ted but Ted held up his hand. “Let Brian explain it, Em. I am begging you,” Ted said quietly.

“Ok, Teddy,” Emmett replied. Emmett thought the next day was going to be the most interesting he had had in a long time, which was saying a lot since he had just fucked a woman not that long before.

The next afternoon, Justin sat quietly on the sofa in the loft. Brian paced the hard wood floors chain smoking.

“Brian, please calm down. It will be ok. We couldn’t hide forever. We made it fourteen months - that has to be some kind of record. Maybe it is time for me to be out anyway?” Justin tried to rationalize.

“Two months. Two fucking months till you graduate and then we launch the agency,” Brian said as he knelt down in front of Justin. “I am so sorry, Angel. I tried so hard to protect you. Now it’s all fucked up.”

Justin rubbed his hand across Brian’s cheek as the older man leaned into his touch. “Brian, we’re fine. We’re not hurt. Only one friend found out. Besides, if he blabs, we will bury him in the park!” Justin said reassuringly.

Brian laughed as they heard the buzzer announce their visitors. Brian kissed his angel then said, “Wait in the bedroom. You can hear everything, but he won’t see you till we are ready.”

Brian waited till Justin had moved off before he hit the buzzer releasing the street door and then moved to open the loft door and let Ted and Emmett enter.

“Good afternoon, ladies. Dinner will be here soon,” Brain snarked while secretly thinking this was fucking torture.

Ted and Emmett looked around the loft warily, waiting for the firing squad they suspected was coming.

“Have a seat. Anyone want a drink?” Brian asked. Drinks were passed out and the guys sat down before Brian started. “You can ask questions but I reserve the right not to answer. But first, Emmett, you need to sign this. It’s a standard non-disclosure form that says if you violate the terms and spill what I tell you, it gives me the right to sue your ass,” Brain said as he handed Emmett the paper and a pen.

“Does Teddy have to sign one too?” Emmett asked after he realized Brian did not give Ted one.

“I already did, Em. It’s is a very common practice in business,” Ted explained.

Always a curious cat, Emmett quickly signed the paper and gave it back to Brian.

“To make it perfectly clear, Honeycutt, you betray us and they will never find your body.” Brian paused and eyed his old friend with a drop-dead seriousness that left no room for interpretation. “Justin, you can come out now,” Brian said as he looked up at his bedroom just in time to see his partner come down the stairs.

Justin came in and sat on Brian’s lap as Brian put a possessive arm around his waist. Emmett thought to himself, ‘so it’s like that, is it?’ and mentally chuckled.

“Emmett Honeycutt, meet Justin Taylor . . . my partner,” Brian announced by way of an introduction.

Emmett shot his wine out his nose as he choked on that bit of news.

“Emmett that is a fucking fifteen-thousand-dollar sofa you just snorted red wine all over,” Brian yelled as Justin ran to grab a washcloth and some club soda.

“It’s nice to meet you, Emmett,” Justin smiled at the man.

Emmett was caught for a moment by that sunny smile.

“Put your eyes back in your head, Em, before Brian pulls them out with a rusty spoon,” Ted warned.

Justin laughed, then turned on the megawatt smile he was known for.

“EM!” Ted hissed at his best friend.

Emmett snapped out of his trance in time to hear Brian growling at him - the man literally growled, making the hair on the back of Em’s neck stand up.

“I told you,” Ted whispered to him.

After a dinner of Chinese food arrived and they had relocated to a table with an easily cleanable surface, Emmett started with the questions he was dying to ask. “I signed that form, so now I want to know everything. The when, why, what, where, and how long of it all.”

Brian and Justin took turns telling their parts of the story of their private association. “That’s why it’s so important to keep our secrets Emmett” Justin concluded.

“What about the rest of the family? This stuff is bound to get out. I won’t say anything, I promise, but the gossips will catch on eventually,” Emmett theorized.

“We only need two more months. Then it can all come out. But with the business about to open, the timing of Brian’s exit has to be perfect,” Justin answered.  

“Justin has finals then graduation to attend. After that he will be free to be as out as you or me. His parents aren’t paying his expenses anymore since he started the internship, but he doesn’t need the added stress of their reaction right now. On top of that, the munchers would be after more money, if they knew what we were planning. I already pay more than fair support for Gus, but I refuse to support them too. Unfortunately, after I refused to sign my parental rights away, they decided I could be strong-armed into being their personal piggy bank. And, since I’ve heard they are having money issues, among their many other problems, I’m reluctant to give them yet another reason to come begging with their hands out. Also, last but definitely not least, Michael would end up being unbearable if he knew what I was trying to do. He is totally off his rocker at this point and I don’t want him coming after Justin. He already attacked me last year and, since he’s been back from Portland, he’s been getting even more meddlesome. We think the little weasel wants something new,” Brian stated.

 

“What do you mean, attacked you?” Ted asked with an air of disbelief.

“Last year, before he left with the chiropractor, he came into the loft when I wasn’t home one day and dug through damn near every cabinet, drawer, and closet in here. The place was trashed. I was pissed when I came home and found the mess. I told him to give back his key. I didn’t want him around here again, so I told him to get a life and some help. I also told him we were not together and never would be. In retaliation, the fucking little weasel hit me in the head with that crystal vase that I used to have. Luckily, Justin and his friend, Daphne happened to be hiding in the bathroom and they heard everything. Justin took me to the hospital and I ended up getting eighteen fucking staples in my head,” Brain finished, parting his hair to show them the scar.

“That’s why you and Michael stopped being friends! I get why you stopped hanging down on the Ave. But why avoid Deb? And me?” Emmett said somewhat sad.

“I didn’t need Debbie’s shit blaming me for poor Mikey and his hurt feelings. I was already working really long hours to get ready for this business move, Emmett, and I wanted to spend any free time I did have with Justin or Gus. I’m sorry, but it wasn’t personal.” Brian explained sincerely. He really was sorry he had neglected his friend.

“In Brain’s defense, he was going to ask you to plan our launch party, Emmett,” Justin said consolingly then hit Emmett with a megawatt smile. “Please do it, Em. It would mean a lot to both of us.”

Emmett laughed. “Of course, I’ll plan your party, Baby. I’d be thrilled. Just let me know the details and I will plan you a launch party like this city has never seen.”

Justin stood up and reached for his messenger bag. “Well, now that that’s all resolved, I have some studying to do before the weekend is over. I hope we can get together again soon, though,” Justin said before kissing his partner and heading home.

“Oh, Brian, he is to die for,” Emmett fake swooned.

“You’re right, Emmett, he is to die for, and I would. He is also to kill for, and I would do that too,” Brian warned with a death glare that left no misunderstanding of his meaning.

“How about we go get a drink at Woody’s and shoot a few games of pool?” Ted offered in an attempt to lighten the mood.

“Sure,” Brian replied as he cleared the table of the dinner dishes.

Emmett watched while he tried to process this new version of Brian. He decided he liked what he saw. This man was someone he could really be friends with.

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Michael had been watching the little blond fucker for a month now. The fucker was never alone where Michael could confront him. Michael couldn’t get into the loft, that college dorm, or Brian’s office building. If the blond went anywhere else, either that girl or Brian had been with him. Michael had even trailed the fucker way out into the suburbs, only to be locked out of a gated community. It was infuriating.

Right then, Michael was hiding behind a tree in front of the fucker’s dorm, still watching him from afar, when he heard raised voices.

“I have told you repeatedly to leave me the hell alone. What part of not ‘no’ but ‘hell, no!’ don’t you get? Come near me again and I will shove that violin up your ass and use you as a fucking music box. You hear me? Don’t make me get a fucking restraining order, Ethan. You will not like the consequences. And remember, harassment and stalking are illegal. That won’t look good to the college peer review board or any fucking music agents,” Justin yelled at the greasy fiddle player then stomped off to his dorm.

The fiddler slunk off down the walk. Michael watched this whole incident transpire and then left his hiding place, headed for Woody’s. The blond fucker was tougher than he’d thought and Michael needed a drink while he thought through what he was going to do next.

------------------------------------------------

As all observers of nature know, animal behavior, while predictable, can change as environmental factors change. Once such factor might be the introduction of an invading species.

A wolf prefers psychological warfare instead of physical confrontation, but will become very territorial when threatened. Wolves howl as a form of communication but also as a rallying cry to the pack. A wolf will fight to the death to protect their mate.

A fox has excellent hearing that allows them to locate the precise location of their prey. A fox will leap into the air and pounce on their hidden prey.

Weasels will perform a hilarious ‘Weasel War Dance’ when they have their prey cornered. The wacky twisting, hopping, and darting is meant to confuse or distract the prey. The weasel can then blast a reeking ‘musk’ scent which it keeps in a pouch underneath its tail.

Animal behaviors used in defense of a mate against an aggressor that invades its territory can be deadly, and  at the very least damn painful.

------------------------------------------

Brian and the boys were laughing and playing a game of pool when the eleventh  trick-wannabe approached Brian. “Fuck off. Not interested,” Brian said not even looking up from the table.

Ted and Emmett looked at each other. Ted wondered if anyone would ever figure out the mystery that was Brian Kinney. Emmett thought, if anyone ever could it would be Justin Taylor.

“Stop that shit and take your shot, Theodore” Brian snarked.

“What shit?” Ted asked in confusion.

Brian raised an eyebrow and said, “the no trick thing. It is no one’s fucking business.”

Ted took his shot and lost. “Another round?” Ted asked, hoping someone would bite because the loser had to buy the next round.

“Briiannn! You’re here. I have been trying to find you for weeks. Your bitch assistant refuses to put my calls through. I can’t get into your building anymore either. Haven’t you missed me? I don’t have your new numbers. Don’t you want to hang out? You never come out anymore. I haven’t seen you at Babylon or here since I got back,” Michael whined in a voice that would peel paint off the walls. “I’m really glad I finally found you, though. I got in some trouble and I need your advice. I just know you’ll be able to help. You always fix everything, just like Batman does in issue 201 when the Riddler steals Gotham City’s treasury. It will only take a few hundred thousand.” Michael rushed through his partial explanation, then looks at Brian with his standard puppy dog eyes.

Brian hated that fucking look. It made him want to stick a fork in Michael’s damn forehead.

“What the hell kind of trouble did you get into Michael?” Ted asked puzzled. A few hundred thousand was more than just a little trouble.

“I got sued for sexual harassment and lost. That’s all,” Michael shrugged.

“That’s all, he says.” Ted echoed in a disgusted tone.

Emmett, in his naturally nosy way, asked the next most pertinent question. “Who did you harass?”

“I didn’t harass anybody. I was working at a department store in Portland. I wanted to get a promotion so I could open my own comic book shop. David said it was a bad investment and wouldn’t give me the money to open it. So I needed the promotion but my boss was a fucking homophobe. Which is why I invited a girl, Tracy, to my boss’s birthday party to try to get him to believe I was straight. Of course, then I had to convince everyone we were a couple, so when David went out of town, I invited Tracy over and fucked her. I wanted her to tell people we slept together. But, unfortunately, David came home early and caught us. He threw me out and burned all my collectables. I couldn’t have Tracy tell anyone, so I got her fired. But she still told that fat bitch, Marley, who told everyone else, and I got fired anyway. Then Tracy sued the store and the store sued me. It was all just a big misunderstanding. But, Brian, now that you know, you can make everything ok. Just pay off the suit and we can just forget about it all.”

Michael looked at Brian again with his sick puppy look. Brian, Ted, and Emmett look at each other and they all started laughing.

“What is so fucking funny?” Michael screeched.

“Michael, you really are a little weasel. You fuck up and then expect me to pay for it? You fuck over some girl, cheat on your gay lover with that girl, misrepresent yourself to your coworkers and boss, then lie to everyone, get fucking sued and lose. Now you want me to give you a few hundred thousand dollars? How damn dumb and delusional are you?” Brian complained as he lined up his next shot.

“I am your best fucking friend, Brian. You’ve whored yourself to half your clients to close a deal and nobody ever called you on it. But, I fuck some dumb girl one time and I lose everything. It’s not fair. You have to fix this. You’re supposed to take care of me - we are Brian and Mikey!” Michael insisted.

“You are not my fucking responsibility, Michael. I told you last year to grow the fuck up. I may have fucked clients, once upon a time, but it wasn’t to close any god damn deals. I closed those deals because I am the fucking best at what I do. I worked my ass off to get that way too. Now, get the fuck away from me and stay the fuck away,” Brian yelled back, pointing towards the exit for the bar.

“This is all that little blond fuckers fault, isn’t it?” Michael accused. “He’s changed you. He’s just some fucking trick that stayed too long, Brian. You can’t choose him over me,” Michael shouted at his former best friend.

Michael wasn’t quick enough to get away, though. Brian took three steps across the bar and grabbed Michael by the throat.

“You go near him and I will fucking kill you. This is your only warning motherfucker. Stay the fuck away from us,” Brain demanded before he threw Michael to the ground.

Ted and Emmett followed Brian out of the bar, leaving the nasty little weasel to looks after them in fear.

‘But we are Brian and Mikey’, he thought. “All this shit is that fucking blond’s fault,” Michael muttered to himself as the tears ran down his face and his rage built even further.

--------------------------------------------

After leaving Woody’s, they all needed a drink so they headed to Babylon. A quick call to Justin calmed the brunet down considerably. Justin decided to meet them at the club to surprise Brian. Entering Babylon, Justin felt the beat of the music in his blood. He made his way to the bar and found Brian already downing his third shot of Beam.

“Hey, Stud. Wanna dance?” Justin purred in his devil’s ear.

“Justin? What the hell are you doing here? I don’t want you hurt. The nutty little weasel is out there on the loose somewhere,” Brian warned as he scanned the crowd.

“I am not afraid of the Idiot. Besides, I have my Big Stud to protect me. Now, forget that loser and come dance with me,” Justin said as he licked the shell of Brian’s ear.

Brian, of course, couldn’t resist and offer like that. They moved to the dance floor and started swaying to the rhythm of the beat. Wrapped around each other with hands roaming body parts things get hot quick.

“Watching them is like watching a live-action porno,” Emmett said as he fanned himself.

“Yeah, and I know porn,” Ted commented.

“Of course you do, Honey,” Emmett said and patted Teddy’s shoulder as they moved to join the porn-image-producing couple on the dance floor.

The need to piss and get some water eventually brought the porn dancers off the floor. Emmett headed to the bathroom with Justin as Brian headed to the bar with Ted. Brian was sipping his water, watching the hallway in the direction of the bathrooms, as Justin and Emmett were approaching from the opposite direction. Which is when Justin saw that cat torturing, fiddle playing, greasy bastard, Ethan, walking up behind Brian with a beer bottle raised in his hand. Brian never saw Ethan coming.

Justin ran up the stairs, yelling for Brian to move and then vaulted the stair railing, launching himself at Ethan’s back. Brian, Ethan, and Justin all hit the floor in a jumbled pile of arms and legs. Justin was the first to recover.

“I told you to stay the fuck away from me and to stop stalking me. Now you try to fucking hit my partner in the head with a beer bottle!” Justin shouted and slammed his Doc Martin-booted foot down on the fiddler’s slimy hand, then added a swift kick to the bastard’s balls for good measure. After making sure the attacker wasn’t going to rally, Justin reached for Brian to reassure himself that his lover was unharmed. Justin was still shaking with fear as he realized just how close Brian came to being hurt.

Brian wrapped his arms protectively around his avenging Angel and questioned, “Who the hell is this guy?”

The guy in question was still rolling around on the ground, wailing and moaning.

“His name is Ethan Gold. He goes to my school,” Justin explained. “He has been trying to get me to go out with him for a while now. He follows me around, calling me his damn muse or some shit all the time. He also plays his screechy violin at me whenever he sees me. I swear, it sounds like two cats fighting in a sack. I have told him repeatedly to fuck off but he won’t leave me alone.” Justin huffed and scowled at the cowering figure on the floor.

“Why didn’t you report the asshole?” Brian asked as he looked down on the wailing bastard with a death glare.

“The last time I reported a guy for harassment, I got a baseball bat to the head,” Justin whispered.

Brian’s temper was about to get the best of him, but luckily the bouncers were hauling Ian -or whatever the fuck his name was - off by that time.

“Hold on!” Brian shouted then got in Ian’s face, staring him down with deathly calm. “You go near Justin again and I will break both your fucking arms. Try playing your fucking fiddle with two crushed hands. You understand me, fuckwit?”

Ian nodded his head vigorously. No way did he want to tangle with this incensed older man.

Justin whispered in Brian’s ear, “See, Stud, I knew you would protect me. It’s because you sooo love me.”

Brian chuckled. “Shut up, Twat . . . But, by the way, I do love you. And thanks for saving me, Angel.”

Just then they looked up to find about three hundred pairs of eyes watching their every interaction.

“Oh shit. I guess I really am outed now. No way can this be kept quiet,” Justin said in defeat.

“These people don’t really run in your parent’s social circles, Justin. And anyway, it’s not like they know your name. We just need to get the fuck out of here before we have to answer any questions. Ted, Emmett,  move your asses. We got to go,” Brian ordered and the pack of friends quickly left the bar and headed for home.

------------------------------

By the next morning, the juicy gossip had reached epic levels. Every queer in the Liberty Ave jungle had heard the tale of the legendary lone wolf and his mysterious blond fox. The mystery deepened when the queenly flamingo and his loyal badger best friend were questioned but refused to share. Those in the know said they’d known all along that the lone wolf had found his mate. The hens cackled that the former sidekick-turned-nasty-little-weasel was caught hopping, darting and spreading a twisted tale about the blond fox stealing his wolf. Those in the know reminded the hens that foxes ate weasels. The blond fox had already shown he was more than ready to fight for his mate and foxes were notorious for having perfect hearing. The mice chattered that the lone wolf was just as protective but he was fiercer a creature so the weasel should take the wolf’s warning to heart. The red headed harridan hippo at the diner defended the weasel but was reprimanded and reminded to beware that the little mocha lioness seen in the blond fox’s presence had a mighty roar and sharper claws. Those in the know had no doubt the little mocha lioness would rip that fake ass wig off the fat hippo’s head, as was the nature of such females. The wolf and his pack were later observed congregating around the local watering hole. The obvious love the wolf and his foxy blond mate shared was the envy of the jungle. But, as with all envy, it often turns to hate, which even in the animal kingdom is a sin.

 

IN HIS DEFENSE: Discovery of the Human Senses

The principle of the five basic senses can be traced back to Aristotle. The nervous system has a specific sensory system or organ, dedicated to each sense. Humans have a multitude of senses. Sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch are the five traditionally recognized senses. The human mind has been considered an extension of the senses as this is where the information the senses has gathered is interpreted.

———————————

Justin sat on the couch in the loft trying to finish a boring ass chapter in the Psychology of Art textbook on his lap. His mind kept wandering off his homework and onto his partner. Brian had been distracted and tense for over a week. Preparations for the agency opening and closing out his contracts with the Ryder agency were wearing heavily on Brian’s mind. Between Michael’s antics and the munchers’ dramas, Brian was all twisted up. Justin was at a loss as to how to help his partner. He hated seeing Brian so stressed out.

Justin was meeting Emmett at a little café downtown for lunch before his afternoon class. The tall queen was aggravated about his latest event and rambled on about a ‘dark’ party.

“The silly old queen wanted to serve a full sit down dinner in the fucking dark. Surf and Turf with knives in a dark event room along with crystal stemware and fine china. It is a damn catastrophe waiting to happen. I finally convinced her to make it finger foods and mini desserts instead,” Emmett huffed as he shook his head in disgust.

“Emmet what the hell is a dark party?” Justin asked in confusion.

“Sorry honey I went off on a tangent didn’t I? A dark party is when the guests wear blindfolds or dine in the dark. The loss of sight is supposed to heighten the other senses during dining. In an intimate situation it can be a sensual and erotic experience,” Emmett explained as he took a bite of his club sandwich. Emmett looked over at his very quiet lunch companion. Justin had a big grin on his face and mischief in his bright blue eyes. “What has those pesky gerbils scurrying around in that pretty head of yours, Sweetie,” Emmett questioned with a smile.

“Emmett, Brian has been really stressed out this last week, what with work and family drama, but you’ve just given me a great idea for a night of stress relief and pampering for him. He does so much for me and I want to return the favor. Do you think you could help me?” Justin asked and then, after getting Em’s agreement, he laid out his plans.

“Wow! If that doesn’t relax our favorite stud, I don’t know what will. Of course I will help. You can count on me,” Emmett said enthusiastically as he clapped his hands. “We don’t have a lot of time to plan, but I AM the best event planner on Liberty Avenue . . . I should be able to call in a few favors . . . It should be no problem.”

“Thanks, Em. I will definitely owe you one for this,” Justin replied, smiling that big smile of his that warmed hearts and heated up groins.

--------------------------------

“Brian, I know you said you didn’t want to be disturbed, but Justin is on line one. Do you want me to take a message?” Cynthia asked her boss over the intercom.

“No put him through,” Brian replied as he picked up his office line. “Angel, to what do I owe this pleasure? I thought you were working on a paper for your Art Psychology class?” Brian asked.

“I am trying but the people down the hall are gearing up for a party. I wanted to know if I could hide out in the loft to finish my research and my rough draft? I’ll pay you back by making dinner if you tell me what time you plan on coming home,” the sneaky blond asked, oh so sweetly.

“You can use the loft anytime, Angel. That's why I gave you the key and security code. It won’t be long before you are there permanently, anyway. I won’t be done here until after 8pm, but dinner sounds great, if you have time, ” Brian answered as he looked over the pitch for the Archer account. “The new graphics for the Archer account are beautiful, Justin. This should be the last campaign we need to do for Ryder to fulfill my contract obligations. The Archer account contract is up for renewal in three months and we’ll be out of here in half of that. But with this level of final campaigns, we can’t be accused of not fulfilling our due diligence clauses. That gives us a month of follow ups, my two-weeks’ notice, and then this shit will be fucking over. I plan on putting in for my last bit of vacation time before you graduate so I can help set up the loft, your studio, and a few other things. I’m afraid our time will be pretty limited to only working our asses off at Kinnetik for a long time to come,” Brian said as he mentally ran through a checklist of all the things he still had to do.

“Dinner it is. Call me when you leave the office and I’ll put dinner in the oven then. Everything else will just have to take care of itself tonight. I better get some shit together. Later,” Justin said as he heard Brian distractedly mutter goodbye into the phone. That man of his was really working too damned hard. But tonight he was going to relax, even if Justin had to drag him kicking and screaming into serenity.

-----------------------------------------

Justin set the phone down on the cradle. Brian would be home in thirty minutes. The food Emmett had catered for him was in the oven warming, the wine was chilling, and dessert was in the refrigerator. The supplies were in the appropriate places and his clothes were ready to go. Justin grabbed a quick shot of Beam to calm his nerves before he set his plan in motion.

Brian was in the elevator, leaning his head back against the wall. He was bone weary; he couldn’t remember ever being this mentally exhausted before. He opened the loft door to the sound of easy jazz and found Justin standing there wearing a bathrobe. Justin handed him a shot of Beam and imperiously ordered him to get into a hot shower. Brian obeyed, letting the hot water loosen his muscles and revive his energy. When he was done, he wrapped himself in the bathrobe that Justin had laid out for him.

“Justin? What's for dinner? I feel suddenly hungry,” Brian called from the bathroom as he hung up his towel.

“Dinner is ready now. Come eat,” Justin answered lightly.

Brian headed to the dining room table, only to notice it was empty. He heard Justin say, ‘over here’, and turned, halting in his steps as he saw his partner. Justin was wearing only blue silk boy shorts and a blue bowtie. He had a blindfold in one hand and a silver domed tray by his side on the chaise lounge. The lounge was covered with a silk sheet and a sexy body-glitter drenched angel.

“Come here, Brian,” Justin purred at him. The tone of Justin’s voice sent little shivers down his spine. Brian walked over to Justin as the young man stood up. “Lay down, Brian,” Justin directed and Brian promptly complied. He placed the blindfold over Brian’s eyes and gave him a kiss that made his toes curl. “I am going to feed you dinner. You cannot touch and you cannot peek. Understand?” Justin whispered as he straddled Brian’s hips. Brian nodded, waiting to see what his Angel would do next.

“Mr. Kinney, I’d like to welcome you to a demonstration of the sensuality of the senses. I am Justin and I will be your guide for the evening. The first sense we will explore is taste. Taste is categorized into the subgroups of sweet, salty, sour, and bitter. The sense of taste is based on a chemical reaction and what part of the tongue the food touches. Now, please open your mouth when asked and use your tongue when instructed,” Justin instructed as he lifted the dome off the tray.

Justin proceeded to place small bites of lightly buttered lobster, salty Oysters Rockefeller, and spicy shrimp into Brian’s mouth. Justin used a small pipette to give him small sips of white wine to accompany the seafood. Brian moaned at the taste of the filet mignon, roasted asparagus, and kale with garlic, as he chewed the flavorful food. The sips of crisp red wine complimented the beef extremely well. The sweet taste of the chocolate Italian gelato burst on his tongue when Justin slipped small dollops in his mouth. The ice cream kisses Brian received between dollops, soon had him hard as a rock. The Limoncello sips cleansed the sweetness out of his mouth as the sour liqueur hit the back of his throat. Brian relaxed as the explosion of tastes from the well-balanced main course danced in his mouth, raising his expectations for the dessert course.

“The next sense we will explore this evening is sight. Sight uses two types of receptors, color and brightness, to interpret what the eye is seeing,” Justin explained as he placed a warm towel over Brian’s lap. Brian felt the cold liquid on his balls and dick and shivered. The warm liquid was sticky and smelled like chocolate. He felt the small pressure from something Justin had placed on top of all this stuff. “Sight is most often used with the other senses,” Justin said as he removed Brian’s blindfold.

Brian blinked to adjust his eyes to the light. He saw Justin bent over his lap, smiling at the perfect banana split he’d made using Brian’s dick as the banana. “My turn for dessert,” Justin murmured as he proceeded to lick the whipped cream, chocolate sauce, and cherry juice off his partner’s cock. Brian let out a guttural moan as Justin engulfed the head and swirled his tongue along the shaft. Justin licked the sweetened pre-cum from his slit as Brian grabbed his silky hair. The stellar blow job ended with an eruption as Justin swallowed it all down like a dying man in a desert looking for water.

Brian was shaking after the monstrous release. His breathing came in rapid pants, making his chest vibrate. “Now, get on the bed, Brian, facedown,” Justin instructed after he quickly washed Brian off with a warm towel.  Brian looked at him with a raised eyebrow, wondering exactly where this was going. He hauled his shaky self to the bed and laid down in the middle on the large towels Justin had already laid out. Justin placed light kisses up Brian’s body as he moved up the bed. He came to rest, straddling the back of Brian’s thighs, and then leaned over to retrieve the warmed massage oil from the nearby nightstand.

“The next sense we will explore is touch. Touch is the perception of pressure on the skin but also on the tongue and throat. The perception of touch relays feelings of temperature, pain, and pleasure to the brain,” Justin informed him as he began a gentle massage with the warmed oil.

Brian felt his body relax under Justin’s skillful hands. Justin applied a deep tissue massage, penetrating Brian’s back and shoulders with the warmed aromatic oil. He loosened the tense shoulder muscles and then worked the pressure points along his spine. Brian was a big relaxed pile of goo after Justin was done. Justin then moved along to Brian’s superb ass, kneading the tanned globes into submission. Justin moved his hands down the crack of Brian’s ass and separated his cheeks. He rubbed around the rosy pucker and, while Brian was still too relaxed to object, carefully inserted an oiled finger. Justin then spent several minutes working Brian open. By the time Justin was finished, Brian was simply lying there, moaning, whenever Justin hit his prostate.

“Roll over, Brian,” Justin demanded, his voice husky with desire.

Brian obeyed without comment. Justin grabbed two condoms out of the bowl by the bed and an ice cube out of a glass on the tray on the floor. He sucked the ice cube into his mouth as he lowered his body down, dropping into the space between Brian’s spread thighs. Justin then swallowed the melted ice cube and reached for the lube under the pillow by Brian’s head. With his mouth still chilled by the ice, Justin began to suck on Brian’s nipple. Brian’s body jerked, his back arching and his cock filling to rock hard in only seconds. Justin proceeded to work Brian’s nipples while he reached back and opened his own ass so as to ready himself.

Justin put on one of the condoms before he snapped a cock ring on Brian. Brian groaned in reaction to the uncomfortable restriction. Justin entered Brian’s tight heat in one slow steady thrust. He worked the brunet over steadily with long strokes and short jabs at his sweet spot. Combined, they soon turned into a hot, moaning, sweaty mess of erotic passion. But before Brian could come, Justin pulled out, rushed to roll a fresh condom on the Stud’s long, hard length, and then impaled himself on that beautiful cock. He proceeded to ride Brian with a strength the older man didn’t know he had. Brian grabbed the blond’s hips and thrust up, meeting Justin on the down stroke. When the time was right, Justin released the cock ring, shouts filling the loft when they exploded in mutual fulfillment.

“Holy shit! That was fucking hot, Angel!” Brian growled out as he tried to get his breathing under control.

Justin smiled at his partner as he placed gentle kisses all over the man’s face, coming to rest where he could lightly suck on Brian’s still-pounding pulse point.

“The last two senses are smell and sound. Smell combines with taste to produce flavors and the scent of pheromones are what cause physical attraction,”  Justin announced as he breathed in the cologne on the side of Brian’s neck. He captured the brunet’s mouth for a filthy kiss, all tongue and teeth. “Yum. You smell as good as you taste . . . Now, sound is all about vibration and interpretation. So hear me well, Brian; you are the hottest fuck, the gentlest lover, the most creative adman, and the best man I could ever hope to have. I love you, my Devil,” Justin whispered in Brian’s ear as he lay down beside him and wrapped the older man in his arms. A very relaxed, satisfied Brian fell into a deep sleep, listening to his Angel's heartbeat.

 

In His Defense: The Price of a Mother’s Love

Brian had finished the work he brought home from the office a half hour earlier. He continued to sit at his desk watching his partner move around the loft with comfortable grace. Justin had started bringing a few boxes of his stuff over the week before. Brian had convinced him to bring everything he wouldn’t need for the few weeks left till graduation from his dorm room. He wanted the transition to be smooth and quick for his Angel. The launch of their agency and his graduation were only weeks away. The couple knew a big blow up was coming with Justin’s family when his parents found out their son was gay and had an older lover. Justin had been preparing for the confrontation for months but that didn’t make it easier.

Justin was unpacking some boxes and storing others when they heard a loud banging on the loft door. Brian had instituted a ‘call before you come’ policy with the family months earlier in preparation for Justin moving in. Ted and Emmett were fine with the change because they knew about Justin. The Novotny’s weren’t a problem since Brian threatened to have them arrested if they ever darkened his doorstep again. That left the only Munchers.

Brian motioned for Justin to get into the bedroom. As soon as Justin was hidden, Brian opened the door . . . to a horrific sight. He was stunned at the condition of their uninvited guest.

“Lindsay, what the fuck happened to you?” Brian swore as he looked at his son’s mother.

Lindsay was holding Gus in one arm and an overflowing diaper bag in the other. Her shirt was torn and she was barefoot. She had bruises and scratch marks to her face and a split lip. Brian took his son from the trembling woman and told her to sit down on the sofa.

“Mel and I had a fight. She found out I had an affair with a man I met at work. She threatened to take Gus and throw me out. It got really bad, Brian. When I came home from work, she was already half drunk. I have never seen her so mad,” Lindsay declared as she set Gus’s diaper bag on the floor in front of the sofa. “When she started threatening me, I told her she had no rights to Gus and she went nuts. It went to shit from there. She was trying to get up the stairs to Gus’ room. I pushed her away from the stairs and she fell into the dining room table. The glass top shattered. I ran upstairs, threw some stuff in Gus’ bag, grabbed him and my keys as I ran out the house. Mel was laying on the floor moaning when I left,” Lindsay explained with a shaky voice. “I need you to keep Gus for a while, Brian. I called 911 from my car to get her an ambulance. I think I hurt her really bad, Brian. I expect the cops to be here to get me any minute; I know they traced the call. You listen to me, Brian,” Lindsay pleaded, before looking at Brian with a broken look on her face. “I don’t want you getting involved in this any more than I have already dragged you into it. You just keep Gus safe.”

“Don’t worry about Gus, I can handle him,” Brian assured her as he took Gus out of Lindsay’s arms. “It sounds like self-defense to me. But you’ll need a good lawyer, Lindz. I’ll see about getting you one as soon as I can,” Brian offered as he looked up to see a very shocked Justin standing on the steps to the bedroom.

“Justin, come take Gus. I need to make a call,” Brian asked before reaching for the phone.

Lindsay grabbed his hand before he could dial.

“No, Brian. You stay the fuck out of it. My father will get me a lawyer. They might not approve of my lifestyle but my parents won’t abandon me. I need you to promise me you will keep Gus, and tell him his Mother loved him. Promise me, Peter!” Lindsay demanded as they heard sirens in the distance.

She looked at the young blond man holding her son. Gus was clinging to the blond but not upset.

“I knew Brian had fallen in love,” she addressed the young man holding her son.  “I could tell by his eyes. I didn’t say anything because I wanted him to be free to love, with no apologies or regrets. You keep both of them safe and happy.” Lindsay requested quietly and Justin could only nod at her. “Brian, here are the keys to my car. There’s an envelope with certified copies of all Gus’ important papers in it, that I kept there for emergencies. Everything you will need should be in there. The envelope is in the trunk under the spare tire. Get it out before the cops take the car,” Lindsay instructed.

Brian rushed down to the car and grabbed the envelope along with Gus’ car seat before running back inside the loft.

Justin quickly handed Gus back to Brian and hurried up to the bedroom. He grabbed his new hoodie and a pair of his flip-flops from their closet. He  came back to Lindsay and offered her the items. “Please put these on, it’s cold outside,” he persuaded her, as he tried to give her a smile.

They could hear the elevator and loud footsteps. Still, the banging on the door made them jump. Brian handed the baby to Justin and said “bathroom” hoping to avoid Justin being seen.

Lindsay quickly slipped on the shoes and hoodie before standing up. She saw Gus’s happy smile before Justin closed the bathroom door. She stood up and nodded to Brian before he opened the loft door.

Brian whispered, “we will miss you, Wendy”.

Lindsay was arrested and handcuffed. Brian promised to call her parents and told her not to say shit till she had a lawyer. He watched in horror as the bruised and bloody mother of his child was hauled away.

Brian closed the loft door with a heavy heart. He sat heavily on the sofa before calling to Justin to come out of the bathroom. He had known Lindsay since college and never thought this could happen to the once free-spirited girl she had been. The look of anguish in Brian’s eyes hurt Justin’s heart. He had only heard stories of the munchers up till that point; meeting Lindsay in person had been a shock to the system. This was not how Justin had wanted to meet Gus’ mother. He held the baby firmly, as he sat on the sofa and put his head on Brian’s shoulder, hoping to offer some comfort to his usually strong partner. Brian wrapped his arms around the two most important people in his life, hoping to protect them both from the hell that was the world outside their loft.

“I don’t know what I’m supposed to do now! She made me promise to stay out of it. I just don’t know if I can leave her to fend for herself. I really believe it was self-defense and she was also protecting Gus from that drunk bitch, Mel,” Brian said almost as if he was talking to himself.

“The first thing you do is hold your son,” Justin directed. “He needs you now more than ever. Lindsay trusted you to protect her son because she couldn’t right now; give her the peace of mind to know he will be cared for. Just knowing Gus is safe will give her courage. Then, call her parents and give them the opportunity to help their daughter. Respect her enough to have the strength to endure what will come,” Justin exclaimed as he handed Gus to his father.

Brian knew Justin was right. He made the call to the Petersons. He related the tale as he knew it and waited for the confirmation they would help Lindsay before he disconnected the call. He was surprised when they asked about Gus, but was adamant in his decision to care for his son.   

Even so, Brian was worried about how they were going to care for Gus full time with Justin’s exams and the agency launch only weeks away. They would be working so many hours and fulltime fatherhood was not what he’d expected right then. He knew he couldn’t neglect his son. Nor could he demand that his young partner take on a responsibility as big as parenthood. Justin could feel the tension in Brian’s body and watched as the man processed the reality of their new situation.

“Brian, no!” Justin stated firmly as he examined the contents of the diaper bag.

Brian gave him a quizzically raised brow, wondering what his Angel was refusing.

Justin let out a deep sigh. He knew it would be a grueling confrontation if he worded his thoughts wrong. “No, I will not allow you to push me away. No, you will not take all this on by yourself. No, I will not allow this to interfere with my exams. No, raising Gus, for however long is needed, will not stop us from achieving our dreams. Just plain no.” Justin declared as he finished his inventory of the baby paraphernalia.

Justin glanced at the smirk on his partner’s face and added his own smile to the mix.

“You read minds now, Angel?” Brian said sheepishly.

Brian relaxed a small bit as he realized Justin was standing beside him. If he truly wanted Justin to be his equal partner, he knew he had to allow the blond to make his own decisions and then accept the choices the younger man made. Brian was overwhelmed by the courage his young lover possessed under pressure.

“I know you, as I know myself. I love you; every part of you. Gus is one of the best parts of you. I love him, as I love you, so of course I want to help in any way I can. We will work this out, as we have everything else thrown at us. But first thing, we need to get him some supplies. He has a few days of clothes and diapers, but not much else,” Justin quantified as he organized a few things from the diaper bag, setting them out on the coffee table.

Brian fought the tears in his eyes, as he felt the warmth of Justin’s words wrap around his heart and extinguish his lingering doubts about full-time fatherhood.

Justin felt the brush of Brian’s lips against his cheek as he heard a whispered “I love you too.”

             -----------------------

With Lindsay’s house being ruled a crime scene, they wouldn’t be able to get anything for Gus from there anytime soon. So, after fastening Gus’ car seat to the back seat of the Jeep they decided to hit a few department stores for supplies. Even with the severity of Lindsay's situation hanging over their heads, Brian found the opportunity to shop for his son with his partner joyful. He finally had the freedom to dress his son in something besides the cutesy, vomit-worthy muncher gear he was usually dressed in. Justin advised against expensive, over-the-top, designer gear, opting instead for sturdy, stain-repellant garments. Brian agreed after Gus had a rather nasty diaper change that required a complete change of clothes and half a box of wipes to rectify. Justin set Brian loose on Gus’ toys and other baby gear. He knew his label queen partner would only want the best for his Sonny Boy.

Brian was comforted by the ease with which Gus took to being with them. Brian headed to the children’s furniture section, while Justin wheeled a shopping cart with Gus in it down an aisle containing toddler dinnerware. Justin was about halfway down the aisle when, all of a sudden, he was flung backwards as his hair was grabbed from behind.

Justin landed with a hard thud before looking up, just in time to see Michael’s foot about to slam into his face. Justin jerked to the left before Michael made contact, then came up with a swift punch to Michael’s groin. Michael fell to his knees, clutching his battered balls and squealing like a pig. The red-faced idiot tried to land a punch that Justin blocked before connecting his own punch to the idiot’s nose. Justin smiled at the satisfying crunch that echoed down the aisle. The he rushed to the shopping cart, grabbing Gus and his cell phone. He speed dialed Brian, as he moved to put the cart between him and the now-screaming Michael. Justin noticed an older woman staring at him, slack jawed, as he told Brian the aisle number and asked him to hurry. The sound of running footsteps was heard seconds later as Brian roared down the aisle. He grabbed Justin and Gus in his arms as he looked at Michael with a death glare.

The approaching security guards managed to get through the gathering crowd a moment later. Michael had blood pouring out his nose and was yelling for help. The heavy set guard asked, “what the hell is going on?”

Michael tried to say that Justin had attacked him for no reason. Justin countered that Michael attacked him first and he only acted to protect himself and his partner’s baby. A sharp intake of breath from the older lady drew Justin’s attention. She stared at Gus in disbelief.

Brian was distracted by the building rage in his gut. He was shaking with hatred for his former best friend. Justin placed a calming hand on Brian’s arm, then handed Gus to him. Brian deflated immediately, holding his son close to his heart. He pulled Justin close to his side before noticing the older woman still staring at them. Then Brian closed his eyes and hoped he hadn’t actually seen his mother staring at him while he was holding Gus and Justin. He hadn’t wanted to ever expose them to her hateful presence. But when he opened his eyes she was still there.

The female security guard asked if anyone in the crowd had seen the altercation. Joan Kinney raised her hand, still staring at her son holding what was no doubt his son. The security guards informed both Michael and Justin that they would be detained until the police arrived. Brian was about to start shouting when Justin replied it was fine, because he planned to press charges. Brian was on the phone with his lawyer before they were even done explaining the situation to the cops. Brian was no fool. He wanted the store’s video recording as evidence to get a restraining order against Michael. Three Kinney’s, a Taylor, and a bleeding Novotny were then escorted to the back of the store to await the cops and give their statements.

Joan Kinney was asked to give her statement first. Brian was shocked when she actually told the truth, indicating that Michael had in fact attacked Justin, who had only defended himself and the baby. After their statements, and a review of the security footage, Michael was arrested and hauled off to jail. He kept screaming Brian’s name as he was cuffed and stuffed into a police cruiser. The store manager rushed over to apologize for any inconvenience as he offered Brian a copy of the security tape. He said he was a father himself and would be beyond pissed if his wife and child had been attacked. Justin informed the man they just wanted to continue their shopping and go home.

Joan started to walk away, when she heard Brian call her name. Joan was surprised and looked at her son in the eye. “Thank you,” Brian said as he approached his mother. Joan looked from Brian to Justin, who was holding Gus. Justin smiled at the older woman who couldn’t help but give a small smile in return.

“You're welcome Brian. I’m glad I could finally help,” Joan said as she continued to look at Gus as if she was trying to memorize every detail about the boy.

Brian was dumbfounded. That was the closest thing to an apology for the past he would probably ever get. Brian looked at Justin’s inquisitive expression then decided he could offer a small olive branch.

“Justin, this is my mother, Joan Kinney. Mother, this my partner, Justin Taylor, and my son, Gus” Brian said warily, hoping his mother understood the one time offer she had been given.

Justin, in recognition of Brian’s gesture, smiled at his mother and held out his hand for Joan to shake. Joan slowly grasped Justin’s hand and said a simply hello. She knew if she messed this up she would never see her son or grandson again. Father Tom had been counseling her about letting God judge a man for his sins not his fellow man. She didn’t understand her son’s choices but apparently he didn’t understand hers either. So she was going to take this small gesture as the gift it was and keep her opinions to herself.

“You have a beautiful son, Brian. He looks just like you. Thank you for introducing me to your family,” Joan said as she smiled at Gus.

The baby smiled back and Joan felt her heart swell with love. The little charmer was so like her son. She felt her eyes prickle as Gus innocently reached a small hand out to her. She cautiously held out her hand to touch his, then looked to Brian for approval. He nodded his head, unable to form the words. Brian watched as the mother that never showed him an ounce of affection - at least not that he could remember - gently touched his son's hand.

Gus gave Joan a big toothy grin as he bounced in Justin’s arms, not understanding how his very presence had healed two shattered hearts. Brian sighed deeply as the emotions very nearly drowned him. Joan looked into the beautiful blue eyes of her son’s partner and saw the love shining through his tear filled eyes as he looked at Brian.

Then she lowered her hand from Gus’ and backed up a step. “I will cherish this gift you have given me, Brian. I will not ruin it by asking for more. I want you to know I have been sober for six months now and I’m in counseling. I have a lot to make amends for - more than I can probably accomplish in this life - but your beautiful family will be in my prayers. And I don’t mean because of the way you choose to live your life. I mean, as a mother and grandmother, I will be praying for the happiness and safety of my wonderful son, adorable grandson, and my son’s gracious partner. Justin, it was a pleasure to meet you. Oh, and one more thing before I go - those were impressive combat skills ,Justin.” Joan said as she smiled and turned to leave, her heart lighter than it had been in many, many years.

“Mrs. Kinney,” Justin called out to her while Brian stared at his mother incredulously. “Thank You. It was nice meeting you also,” the well mannered young man said as he smiled a megawatt, high-voltage smile.

Joan could certainly understand what Brian saw in this little blond fireball with the face of an angel.

Brian chuckled at his WASPy partner before looking back to his mother. “Mom, give me time to process some things . . I won’t promise anything, but I will let you know if I can help with those amends,” Brian said quietly before he started to walk away.

Joan gave a nod to acknowledge his words and a sweet smile to the family as they took their leave. Joan thought the lord really must work in mysterious ways. The biggest question plaguing her mind, though, was how could a love so beautiful be a sin. She hoped Father Tom could explain this one to her. She refused to forsake her family anymore in the name of anyone. If her soul be damned for loving her son, she would happily answer for it on judgement day. A bone deep understanding calmed her as she realized that, if the past treatment of her son had already damned her soul, then hopefully this small gesture of acceptance for her son’s family would at least soothe Brian’s battered one.

             -------------------

Brian and Justin decided to go ahead and finish shopping for Gus, who had nodded off on Justin’s shoulder. They had both calmed down after Michael’s attack and the emotional meeting with Joan. The bubbly blond prize fighter laid a sleeping Gus down atop a pile of clothing and bedding in the shopping cart. After ordering the children’s furniture they would need, the small family wandered over to the toy section.

Justin was touching a display of plushy animals while Brian chose some reading books. Justin was reaching for a toddler truck set when a small blond blur attached itself to his legs. Justin, who was still feeling skittish from his earlier prize fight, jumped back before he recognized his little sister. Molly clung to her brother’s legs, feeling like she hadn’t seen him in forever; forever being a week in little girl time. Justin looked around nervously because, if Molly was there, so was his mother.

“Hey Jus, what are you doing in the toy section? I’m looking for a present for my friend Lillian. She’s having a slumber party for her birthday this weekend. We get to have pizza and watch movies. Lillian said she was gonna teach me to wear make-up and walk in high heels. I remember when Daphne stayed at our house for a slumber party with you but Lillian said her mom won’t let boys stay over. I think Mrs. Henry is afraid we might kiss a boy. That is so stupid because boys are gross and smelly and no one would want to kiss one. Like yucky multiplied!” the ten-year-old tween rushed out so fast Brian was afraid her tongue was going to fall off. He chuckled as he wondered if little mini-Taylor was a muncher in training.

Justin was so shell shocked from his sister’s enthusiastic verbal assault his brain shut down and his eyes glazed over. Brian saw the look on Justin’s face and burst out laughing. Customers at the diner had the same look after a run in with Deb in the old days. As Justin’s brain was rebooting, Gus started to fuss in the cart. His brain on reboot autopilot, Justin picked up Gus from the cart and snuggled the baby to his chest. As he was bouncing the tantrum-starting toddler, Justin looked up to see his mother staring at him down the length of the aisle. Brian reached out to steady his partner, watching as the blood drained from his face. Justin’s already pale complexion went a scary ashy-grey color. Brian hurried to grab Gus as Justin started to sway, wrapping his free arm around Justin’s waist just in time.  

“Breathe Justin! Deep Breaths. Deep in, slow. Deep out, slow. Just keep taking deep breaths. That’s it. 1,2,3. 1,2,3. Calm down, Angel. I have you,” Brian murmured in his blond’s ear ignoring the inquisitive yet skeptical look on mini-Taylor’s face as well as Mother Taylor’s gobsmacked expression.

Justin’s color and balance began returning about the same time Jennifer Taylor’s face unfroze.

“Jus, is he a friend of yours?” Molly asked as she began to pick up on the sudden tension among the adults.

Justin looked at his little sister and wondered if this would be the last time he saw her until she turned 18. Because no way was their homophobic father going to let his daughter hang around a disgusting pervert once he found out his son was a fag.

Justin leans down to whisper in his sister’s ear. “Yeah, Mollusk, this is my best friend. Daphne understands because Brian is a different kind of friend than her. And just remember, I will always love you no matter what you hear about me.”

Justin choked up as he saw the confused look on his baby sister’s face. Molly Taylor might only be 10 but she wasn’t dumb. It seemed like her brother was saying goodbye to her and it just felt wrong. She looked at the distressed expression on her mother’s face and finally understood. Mom knew her brother’s secret.

Molly had heard Daphne and Justin saying he was gay when she was only eight. She had also heard Justin say their dad would hate him if dad found out and would kick him out their family. So she had never told anyone Jus’ secret. She loved her brother even if he wanted to kiss smelly boys. With tears in her eyes she looked at Justin’s friend and knew he was the one her brother kissed. He was holding a little boy in his arms like he would fight the world to keep him safe. The man also had his arm around her brother like Justin was his special love. She had seen the look on his face when he looked at her brother like Justin hung the moon. She had seen kissy love movies with that same look on the princess’ face when the prince rescues her from the evil witch.

“Is this your son?” Molly asked trying not to sob.

Brian tried very hard not to shout at Justin’s mother as he watched his lover’s little sister process the impending loss of her brother. “Yes, this is my son, Gus. My name is Brian,” he replied softly to the devastated girl.

Brian watched as Molly narrowed her eyes at her mother then turned back to ask loudly, “would you stop loving him because he was different? Would you hate him because he wasn’t what you meant for him to be? Are you going to kick him out of your life if he likes something you don’t?” Molly yelled as she turned angry eyes on her mother.  

Brian was amazed that a 10-year-old girl understood that you love your kids unconditionally, when it was obvious she hadn’t learned it at home. “I will love Gus no matter what he does, who he loves, or what he becomes. My love for my son is unconditional and everlasting,” Brian told the girl but directed the statement at Justin’s mother.

Brian sure as hell didn’t expect the reaction he got.

Jennifer Taylor had turned down the toy aisle in search of her runaway daughter. She had been shocked as hell when she found not only her daughter but her son and two additions. She watched as Justin started to panic. Before she could unfreeze her mouth, his companion wrapped a protective arm around her son’s shoulders. She watched Brian as he comforted and then calmed her son. The familiarity between the two was unmistakable. Meanwhile, the little boy reached out to touch Justin’s face as his daddy held him, as if to offer his own comfort to her son. Justin whispered something to Molly as Jennifer watched the loss of innocence bloom in her children’s eyes.

This was not how she would have liked her children to learn such harsh truths. The bold questions her stubborn daughter asked Brian were somehow the same questions she had been asking herself for 15 years. The answers were the easiest she had ever given. She did the only thing, as a mother, that she knew how to do. She listened as Brian answered her daughter but looked her in the eye as if to challenge her.

“Justin, I have known since you were five,” Jennifer stated with a big smile on her face as she watched her words shock the three dumbfounded people in front of her. “A mother always knows. I’ve only been waiting for you to tell me. I wasn’t going to push you out of the closet before you were ready. I wanted you to have a childhood for as long as you could, Honey,” she said as she placed a gentle hand on her beautiful son’s face.

Justin rapidly blinked at her while a huge smile bloomed across his face.

“I don’t know what to say, Mom. Or rather, I have so much to say that I can’t find the words. How did you know? What happens now? Does Dad know too?” Justin asked shakily, looking at his mother with so much hope it radiated off his body.

Jennifer chuckled softly before she answered. “Sweetheart, you hated sports, getting dirt on your hands, and playing with bugs. You loved prancing around in my high heels, playing Barbie’s with Daphne, and I heard you ask little Stevie Miller to marry you. That may all be a little stereotypical, but it was a clue I took to heart. So I watched you closely and educated myself to find out what to look for. As for what happens now, nothing changes. You are still my son. I love you very much. Life moves forward. I have a pretty clear picture of how your father will react; he is a homophobe and won’t accept you or this revelation. More likely than not, he will blame me for it. He has planned your future since birth while I have fought to give you your freedom. But I won’t give up my kids for anyone. So we may all be facing some big changes in the near future. For now, though, he can stay in the dark,” Jennifer promised.

Justin and Brian looked at each other and said together, “It’s only lying if they make you lie.”

Jennifer narrowed her eyes at Brian. He was definitely not a college student and looked to be quite older than her baby boy. He was handsome, with a worldly air, but also a vulnerability that made a person want to hug him. This man had clearly seen his fair share of the big bad world and it was written in his hazel eyes. He was what her Grandmother would have called a ‘rascal’ and he did have a certain amount of mischief in those deep depths. Meanwhile, he was holding his son like he did it often and holding her son like he knew his body well.

“First, while I respect the fact that Justin is an adult, he is still my little boy,” Jennifer commented, looking at Brian with an appraising stare. “Second, I expect to hear the story of you two . . . unless I’m mistaken and you two are not together?” Brian and Justin smiled knowingly at each other, belying that question. “Third, I demand to be allowed to hold that sweet baby. He is just too cute,” Jennifer declared as she reached for Gus, who looked up at her with wide eyes.

Gus looked at Brian, then Justin, and back at Jennifer, and then promptly screamed and lunged for Justin. Jennifer was so startled she dropped her purse. She looked at Justin with a baby cradled to his chest and felt all maternal. It was a beautiful sight. Brian rubbed his son’s back as Gus started to calm.

“Gus has had a few too many dramas today. He’ll probably be a little clingy for a few days. He also has a healthy sense of stranger danger; he doesn’t like a lot of people. So, as much as I am loving this visit, we probably need to get Gus home now. I’ll call you in a few days Mom,” Justin explained as he kissed his Mom and sister goodbye.

Jennifer watched as her son and his two additions walked away. She had a feeling this relationship was a lot more serious than she knew. She was worried about her son but, at the same time, she had to acknowledge that he really was a grown man. All she could do was be there for him if he needed her and be happy for him if he didn’t. The biggest worry was what to do about her lying, cheating, scumbag of a husband. It seemed like a good time to call her lawyer. Those pretty colorful pictures her private investigator took were about to pay off. The only reason she had stayed with the bastard this long was so Justin could finish college and she could make sure Molly’s college fund was paid into.

Now that there was no longer any reason to stick around, Jennifer was going to take Craig’s ass to the cleaners. She was still owed the money from the loan he took out against her trust fund to start his business. She wondered how he’d like the prospect of being bankrupt and homeless? As she contemplated that possibility, Jennifer let out a very unladylike cackle, which had her daughter eyeing her curiously.

Molly had a feeling her Dad was about to learn his own hard truths. Molly did love her Dad but she had to wonder, if she did something he didn’t like, would he kick her out the family too? That was not a happy picture for a little girl.

Brian and Justin had finally finished getting all of Gus’s baby crap and were loading it into the back of the Jeep. The furniture and larger things would be delivered later that day. Brian was settling Gus into his car seat when he heard the unmistakable screech of a pissed off Debbie Novotny from across the parking lot. What the hell was with today? Was it some kind of fucked up Mother’s Day reunion?

Brian hit his head on the car door in his haste to make a clean getaway but Debbie’s rotund self was bearing down on them faster than they could load the Jeep. Brian looked at Justin, throwing stuff in the back of the jeep as fast as he could. Justin’s back and arm were throbbing from the fight with Michael and now some crazy woman was screaming profanities at them for no reason. Justin looked at Brian holding his knocked noggin and tried to speed up. He got the last bag in and the trunk shut just as the loud mouthed harridan reached them.

Brian was so not in the mood for this shit. His head was pounding, his nerves were fried, and his son was crying in the car. Debbie needed to fuck off or else. He was not about to let her scream him to death or scare his son. Brian took a fortifying breath and prepared for battle.

“What the fuck did you do to my son, asshole? Michael has never been anything but good to you. You’re always getting him in trouble and leading him on. You couldn’t stand to see him happy with David; you just had to call him and beg him to come home. I have never met a more selfish prick in my life. You used my family and now you want to just fucking throw us away? Well guess what, asshole? You don’t get to fuck us over. You owe us and I am gonna fucking collect. I patched your sorry whoring ass up when your drunk of a father beat you bloody. I held you when you cried because your own frigid mother couldn’t stand the sight of you. I took food out my own kid’s mouth to put in yours when your good Catholic mother was too drunk to feed your ass. Now, after everything we did for you, you want to act like you're too good for us? Fuck that, asshole! You owe me and I want my due!” Debbie yelled in Brian’s face as she backed him into the door of the Jeep, glaring daggers at him and shoving one red dagger-nail in his face.

Brian was so shocked he didn’t know whether to scream, punch, cry, or just remain silent. He had never felt so humiliated in his life. This was a woman that had supposedly loved him. He had given everything he could to her family, except his fucking soul. He had provided protection for Michael from bullies that had threatened when they were growing up. He had given thousands of dollars to help out with Debbie’s fucking mortgage and her dying brother’s medications. He had held Michael’s hand through life for 15 years in the hope he would learn to walk on his own. Now he was being demoted from family to being merely a selfish, ungrateful, whore that owes a Novotny life debt.

“What exactly is it you think I owe you, Deb? What will finally be enough to pay this fucking debt so I can get on with my life? I have heard for 15 years how much I fucking owe you. I have paid blood, sweat, tears, money, and my sanity towards that fucking debt. How much more do you think I owe?” Brian asked as he finally realized the people he thought of as family where just as abusive as his birth parents. What kind of person takes a severely physically and emotionally abused kid and makes him become the pseudo father of another kid the same age? Debbie was worse than Joan; she showed Brian kindness but only if he agreed to pay her price. If he refused, she would throw him back to the wolves.

Brian remembered the time Michael had stolen Deb’s bill money for comic book shit. He had blamed Brian and, as a result, Brian got banned from their house for a month until he paid it back. He’d ended up with a broken wrist, a black eye, and four bruised ribs thanks to Debbie telling Jack Brian was a thief. Michael finally confessed two months later, but it was all swept under the rug, even though Michael had said he did it because Brian was going to college without him. Brian had almost lost his soccer scholarship. He’d played injured just to get the fuck away from them all and left for college before Deb’s month was up. It had been almost two years before he came back home. But every kid needs a place to call home even if it was a shitty home.

“You need to find Michael and beg his forgiveness,” Deb ordered, still ranting at him. “You need to help him fix his life. He always does what you say, so help him. It's time you grow up and settle down; enough with the tricks and clubs. Michael has been waiting for you for 15 years and you know you won’t find a better husband than my Michael. But I won’t let you fuck him over. We deserve to have nice things like you have. So I want his half of the money up front, that way I can be sure, if you fall for some trick, my kid won’t be left penniless when he has to leave you because of your whoring! We helped you survive till you went away to that fancy college and got that high paying job. Now we want our cut of the pie. We fucking earned it, putting up with your shit all these years,” Debbie finished with an ear piercing screech.

Debbie crossed her arms over her chest and waited for the asshole to accept his fate like a good little whipped fag. She was tired of schlepping food for horny queers and skanky hustlers. She planned to move into a new house with Michael and Brian after they married. Brian made plenty of money; he could easily support them in a new lifestyle.

“I think a month should be enough time to plan the wedding. Now, we’ll go find Michael and you can propose,” Debbie finished before attempting to climb in the jeep.

For the first time in years Brian Kinney, advertising genius, could not think of a single word to say. Brian looked over at his partner and was actually terrified. Justin Fucking Taylor was about to introduce himself to Debbie Loud-Mouth Novotny. And Justin had a murderous look in his eyes. If Deb had looked at Justin, her wig would have caught on fire from the pure hot hatred coming out his boy’s eyes. Brian had never seen an actual human version of an avenging angel before.

Justin had his cell phone propped against the roll bar of the Jeep. Brian watched in traffic-wreck rubbernecking-style fascination as Justin rounded the back of the Jeep. He moved like a determined cheetah sneaking up on his prey. Brian blocked Debbie’s attempt to get in the jeep. That crazy bitch wasn’t getting near his Sonny Boy. Debbie let out a frustrated growl when Brian wouldn’t move. At the same time, Brian caught a small movement out of the corner of his eye and recognized a pissed off little fag hag sneaking up behind Debbie. Daphne had one hand behind her back and a very devilish gleam in her eyes.

It looked like Justin had called in reinforcements.

Justin couldn’t believe all the shit this old fat bitch had said to Brian. But It turned out this crazy bitch was Michael’s mother, which sure explained a lot. No wonder Michael was a complete fucking nut. It sounded like the whole bunch was bat shit crazy. The horrible shit just kept coming out her hooker-red lips.

Justin quietly called Daphne and told her to bring the arsenal. Thank God she lived so close to the mall. Justin saw her car park nearby and her curly brown hair bobbing between the parked cars. His little ninja worked her way behind the old bitch. He readied his camera phone and snuck around Debbie’s right side. He listened to her insane plan to marry Brian off to Michael in order to get his money and saw red. He nodded at Daphne to get in position, thinking this could go either way. The main goal was to get Debbie away from Brian and the door of the Jeep, with Brian and Gus inside and the door then closed.

When Justin was ten feet from the delusional, rotund waitress, he started his tirade. “What the fuck are you doing? Get the hell away from him you crazy old bitch. Take your drag queen-looking ass back to the cesspool Diner and shut the fuck up!” Justin yelled as he stared down his enemy.

Debbie was so startled it took her a minute to realize the little blond twink was yelling at her. When she rounded on him, red faced and hissing like a scalded cat, the nervy little shit actually stepped up to her. Brian was staring at his pissed off Angel. Fuck, if that man didn’t look hot? nothing ever would. Justin looked ready to take Debbie’s head off, wig included.

“Fuck off you little shit this is none of your fucking business,” Debbie shouted in an attempt to intimidate the ferocious little blond Chihuahua.

“Listen here, bitch! Everything to do with Brian is my business. He will not be marrying that useless, dickless, whinny asshole of a son you spawned. He will not be giving you or fucktard Jr a damn dime in this lifetime. He will never fuck that emotionally stunted, butt-fuck-ugly moron you squatted out your old dried up hole. And you won’t be seeing your bouncing baby pile of pig shit for quite awhile, either, because I had his ass arrested for assault, among other things, three hours ago. I will also be using every connection my country club parents have to make sure his ass does time bending over for Bubba in the city jail. And just in case you’re wondering, the main reason Brian is never going to deal with your fucking trashy asses again, is because of me. And who am I? I am Justin Fucking Taylor-Kinney. Brian is my best friend, my lover, my partner in all we do, and my fucking husband. Now, get the fuck away from my family you loudmouth, bat shit crazy, fat bitch!” Justin screamed as Debbie roared back, raising her hand to slap that little twink off his smug high horse.

While the roaring rhino was headed after Justin, Daphne was able to finally get Brian’s attention off his pit bull partner and get him in the Jeep. Debbie was too busy stomping around and trying to get a swing at Justin to notice. Justin, meanwhile, continued to taunt Debbie.

“It’s called exercise use it,” Justin mocked her. “Too many donuts, not enough vegetables.” “You have 300 lbs. and 60 years on that tired old ass. Time for a new model.” “I took 6 years of dance and I fuck your son’s never gonna be husband six times a day, I can do this all night.” “My name is on your retirement plan’s bank account and don’t that just tickle you to death.” “Couldn’t you teach your son how to give a decent blow job. Rumor has it he is the worst lay on Liberty Ave. I bet he takes after his mother.” “I bet you haven’t been fucked since Roosevelt was in office.”

Debbie was breathing hard and foaming at the mouth. She was dripping with sweat and her wig was about to fall off. Her mascara was caked to her eyes and running down her face. Justin just needed her to move five more feet his way and - bam - they’d have her. Luckily, he'd saved one final insult to get her to charge him.

Justin yelled at the top of his lungs, “did getting knocked up by a drag queen cause you to give birth to a fucking retarded, needle dick, who’s the most useless cocksucker on the planet, or was it your fag wanna-be fat ass that made your kid a damn drama queen mama’s boy?”

Debbie roared like the hounds of hell resided in her vagina.

She lunged at Justin just as he screamed, “now!”

Justin snatched off Debbie’s prized red wig and Daphne let loose on her with a fire extinguisher. Then Daphne ran to her car and took off for the loft. Justin grabbed his phone, jumped in the passenger side door, and told Brian to, “get the fuck out of here”.

Brian was so shocked he just reacted. He pulled out of the parking space and pressed the gas. He looked at his little devil with the angel face and vowed never to piss in his cheerios. Justin looked in the back seat and found Gus sound asleep in his car seat. He loved that kid; Gus was a real trooper. Brian thought of the last sight he’d had of Debbie, wigless, spitting, cursing and covered in a white cloud. He let out a bit of hysterical laughter.  

“How the fuck did you and the sneaky ninja-girl manage that . . . whatever it was back there? I don’t think I have ever heard such descriptively foul language in my life. You sure do have a way with words. And here I thought I was the advertising genius in the family. I will definitely cherish the memory of Debbie finally getting told off and being able to do fuck all about it. But I think my favorite part was when you told her you were my husband. She looked like she was going to swallow her tongue. Taylor-Kinney does have a nice ring to it.” Brian smirked as he watched the blush bloom across his Angel's neck, thinking how, one minute Justin was a blushing angel the next he turned into foul mouthed devil, deciding you had  to love some variety in life.

“We pulled a similar thing on a bully that was harassing Daphne in 7th grade. He left her alone after that. That powder shit is sticky, itchy, and smelly. Debbie will be out of commission for a few days. She had no right to talk to you like she did, Brian. She’s just a demented, bitter old bitch that hates her life and her cretin son. I hope you know how much Gus and I love you. We not only need you but we want you in our lives. Besides, I am your partner you have to listen to me; I have the papers to prove it,” Justin said with a big smile.

“The Novotny's have never seen reality when it comes to me, I’m afraid,” Brian explained. “Debbie sees a rich whore she can use to control her witless son. Michael sees a sexy stud with no life goals but fucking, who he can tame and own like a damn action figure for his collection. Somehow, though, I really never thought Debbie was that hateful and manipulative. I may have used their house as a safe haven from Jack’s beatings, but I never asked for a fucking thing that wasn’t offered first. I wonder if she really thought I was going to bust my ass in college and work like a dog at my career just to settle for a simpleton like Michael and then support them all until I die? Not in a million damn years. The mirror into the fairy tale world is broken. It’s time for us to get on with our lives, and that doesn’t include them,” Brian concluded as he tried to bury the pain of finally losing the man he had thought of as a brother and the woman he had loved like a mother.

Justin closed his hand around Brian’s thigh. Sometimes there are no words to ease the hurts we feel. Justin was grateful to still have his mother and sister and to now be out in their presence. He knew the loss of his father was coming but he couldn’t stop that hurt from coming too.

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Brian and Justin met Daphne back at the loft. The rapidly blinking light on the answering machine drew attention to the many dramas of the day. Brian ordered take out while the pranksters organized all his son’s new crap. The loft wasn’t exactly baby proof, so Gus stayed corralled in his new play pen with a few toys while his dad moved the breakables and covered the outlets. The furniture arrival caused a few changes to Brian’s expensive Italian furniture placement. They made a temporary room for Gus against the back wall until a more permanent solution could be made. Justin threw out a few suggestions while they ate their take out dinner. They decided to move the main living area down to the bottom loft and use the upper loft as a work space. The bottom loft had bedrooms and a new kitchen. Brian didn’t really mind the changes, having a space for Gus was more important than his former fuck pad configuration.

They had all been eyeing the answering machine for the last few hours. Daphne finally hit the play button as Brian snorted his approval. They hadn’t told anyone about Lindsay’s arrest, preferring to keep it private. But, as with all things gay or muncher on Liberty Ave, the news had already spread like a bad case of herpes. There were calls from Emmett, Ted, and Cynthia. Ted informed Brian about Lindsay and Mel hoping he had Gus. He advised that Mel was stable, mostly just cut up, hungover, and pissed. She was, however, calling for Lindsay’s head and Brian’s balls. Emmett gossiped about Michael attacking a man with a baby at a department store and getting locked up. Cynthia had called to inform Brian that a crazy Debbie Novotny was threatening anyone with ears that some little blond twink was on her shit list and had been demanding Brian’s cell number when she was hung up on. After Daphne left, the men readied their little charge for bed and then took a much needed, extended shower. The two tuckered out lovers drifted off to sleep, relaxed and ready for whatever hell the next day would bring.

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Brian awoke to the happy laughter of his son. He smiled when he heard Justin gag in reaction to the state of Sonny Boy’s diaper. He cracked an eyelid open when he felt his little morning monster bouncing on his chest and a giggling blond holding him steady in his endeavors.

“Good morning, Daddy! It's time to get up! Justin has to get to class before he is late. Justin also made coffee so you wouldn’t be cranky. He will be home in a few hours; he has some more boxes he is picking up at the dorm,” Justin spoke, using a falsetto voice from behind Gus’s smiling face.

Brian got up to kiss his blond goodbye and to care for his son. “Be careful out there; we have quite a few people gunning for us these days. Keep your cell handy and your keys on you at all times. Love you,” Brian said before his bouncy blond left.

Justin handed in the final art projects of his college career with a light heart. Only two more written finals and he would finished with school altogether. The Ryder internship was finished as of Friday and then he could concentrate on his finals and his family.

Justin was humming as he loaded his last box from the dorm and was released after a final walk through. He now officially lived in the loft with his partner and their munchkin. He liked being able to claim Gus as his. He and Brian were equal partners, so it made sense that they shared Gus too. He would miss the baby when Gus eventually went back to his mother.  

Mel had been trying to get the DA to charge Lindsay with attempted murder. Lindsay’s claim of self-defense was hindered by the fact she’d had a prior arrest for simple assault in college. Mel’s elevated blood alcohol level did detract from her image as the wronged merry muncher. Mel claimed she had been trying to stop Lindsay from taking their son on an outing where she was having an illicit affair. Lindsay claimed Mel was a violent drunk that tried to separate her from her child by force. She said she had feared for her own and Gus’ safety around a drunken Mel. When asked his opinion, Brian simply stated his only concern was Gus.

Mel had also demanded Gus be returned to her care. Brian reminded her she was not Gus’s legal parent and would never be allowed near his child again. He really believed that Lindsay only pushed Mel to protect Gus, but he was respecting her request to stay out of it. They had all seen Mel drunk and it wasn’t pretty.

In the end, Lindsay pleaded guilty to simple battery and was sentenced to time served. She was afraid to risk a trial and the possibility of up to a year in jail.

Upon her release, Lindsay moved into her parents’ house while the munchers divided up their assets. When Lindsay approached Brian about going on an extended European vacation with a friend, he was dead set against it. No way was his son leaving the country for six months to a year. Lindsay sheepishly corrected that she wasn’t requesting he allow her to bring Gus, but was ask them to keep him for the foreseeable future. She admitted she selfishly wanted some time to process and heal from the ordeal of her breakup. Brian quickly agreed, saying he was ready to care for Gus full time as was Justin.

Lindsay signed over primary custody to Brian and Justin, retaining only visitation rights. Brian reassured a tearful Lindsay that part of being a good mother was knowing when to step back and take time for herself. A stressed out Mom was no good to anyone. Lindsay left for Europe secure in the knowledge that Brian and Justin would care for and love Gus in her absence.

Mel found out Lindsay gave her parental rights to Brian and Justin from a colleague at the county clerk’s office about a week after Lindsay left. She stewed for two days before she broke down and called Brian. She wanted Gus to come home and be with his other mother, not an aging club boy, who she thought was high and drunk all the time, nor his Twinkie houseboy. Brian calmly handed the phone to Justin before telling him to ‘fire extinguisher’ her ass. Justin proceeded to tell Mel that, if she harassed his husband or his son in any way, he would report her to the state Bar. He also informed her that Gus was never legally her son and any moral obligation they had to let her near their son ended the day she got drunk and attempted to harm their child. She was further advised that Gus was happy living in their two parent family home. He closed out the discussion by stating bluntly, if Mel wanted a baby, she should have her own because she wasn’t getting theirs or their sperm to make a new one. He then added, she should fuck off back to her muncher rock, before he hung up, leaving Mel with the dial tone sounding loudly in her ear.

Mel quickly realized her past criticism of Brian as a father had made him completely unwilling to share his son with her. She did love Gus but had to admit she was glad to be free of the Brian Kinney ghost that had hung over her whole relationship with Lindsay. And she scheduled an appointment with her lady doctor for the following week just to see if she had options.

In His Defense:  Father Figure

Justin’s last two finals were graded and posted before he realized he was floating through his day. He was finished with his college life and was ready to move on to his adult future. He was avoiding calls from his father, knowing what the man wanted. Craig felt it was not only his fatherly duty, but his God given right, to lecture his son on his life choices. Craig had planned to mold Justin into his image; businessman with profitable ventures, compliant trophy wife, obedient children, posh house and flash car, all to reflect his status as an enviable man to those lower on the social scale. He’d wanted a fine strapping heterosexual son to carry on the family name. The differences in Craig’s plans and Justin’s reality were his spouse’s gender and he didn’t want an obedient lap dog for a bed mate. Justin should introduce his father to Michael, they were a dickless pair made in hell. He also wanted to encourage Gus’ dreams anyway he could, not steal them.

Graduation was the next week and Kinnetik and Taylored Designs would be opening at the beginning of the year. Brian had decided to push back the launch date for a few reasons. Most of his current clients’ contracts at Ryder expired by the New Year. He’d given Ryder his notice in the middle of November. He would finish up the Christmas season campaigns by December first, but not before copying and then purging his work computer files. Marty Ryder had profited from his talents long enough. Brian wanted to get the staffing and offices set up before Christmas in preparation for opening the new agency. The loft renovations were complete and he wanted them to make decorating decisions together. Brian also just wanted to spend some quality time with his family before they were up to their shapely asses in work. Gus would be attending daycare in the employee facility so his fathers could be close by.

Brian had also planned a small graduation party for Justin at the loft. Brian had quite a few surprises for his angel up his sleeve. Emmett would cater of course and, along with Ted, act as his minions. The guest list was small, only immediate family and a few close friends and colleagues. Brian called his mother and invited her to Justin’s party. He explained the attendees and nature of the party before he allowed her to accept or decline. He even offered an alternative of visiting at Christmas if the party sounded like more than she could handle. She accepted the invitation without reservation and said she would be delighted to participate any way she was allowed. She asked for a gift suggestion and attire requirements. Brian said he would include all relevant information in the official invitation, making sure to include a gift card to a local dress boutique he knew she liked. He was willing to offer his mother a chance to change; his forgiveness was a hard gift to give but he also knew acceptance of his life was even harder for her. He invited her to take baby steps with him towards healing their shattered relationship.

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Brian was surprised at how easily the Novotny’s were removed from his life. Any fond memories of his years with them had been tainted by their recent actions and revelations. Michael was due for trial the following month on charges of aggravated assault, endangering a child, stalking, harassment and trespassing. Justin had wondered how Michael had found him that day at a children’s department store he had never been to or had reason to go to prior to three hours earlier when they got Gus. They realized Michael had been following Justin for some time. Justin was able to get security footage going back three months showing Michael hiding in the bushes outside his dorm. The loft footage showed Michael standing in the shadows across the street. Michael was denied bail at his arraignment after he threatened to remove that ‘no good twink’ from his man’s life.

At the trial, the judge ordered a psych evaluation after the fucktard said he needed to be released to attend his baby boy’s Christmas. Justin asked the judge for a restraining order against both Novotny’s because he felt scared for their son, pointing out that Michael had no children. Brian showed the judge their custody agreement with Lindsay, and if a very adorable picture of Gus was attached to the document it was only coincidental. If Justin showed the video from his camera phone of Debbie raving at Brian like a lunatic, conveniently edited to delete the fire extinguisher taunt-o-rama, who was to care if it kept a lunatic away from their family.

The judge’s final orders barred either Novotny from any physical or electronic contact with any of them for five years. If either Novotny harassed them at home, work, or in public places, they would get busted. Brian gave Michael three days after he served his time before he violated the restrictions. Debbie would rather lick her own asshole than admit she was wrong for coming after them in the parking lot.

Emmett and Ted no longer talked to either of the Novotny's. Ted had been humiliated when he brought a business associate to the Diner for a quick lunch before a meeting when Deb asked his associate if preparation for drilling Ted’s ass was an all-day chore since Ted was so anal his ass was permanently clenched closed. Ted had promptly stood up, asked his friend to wait outside, and dumped a nearby bowl of oatmeal on Debbie’s head, before walking out. Emmett had been pushed one glamorous pink inch too far and taken a revenge that made the rest of the gang shiver. After a well fucked gentleman caller asked Emmylou why his mother was sitting on the bed watching them fuck, Sweet Southern Emmylou threw a flaming queen out so fierce it was later referred to as “The Night the Shit Went Down in Pittsburgh”. That southern boy was heard cursing a blue streak five blocks away. He immediately called Justin for back up and then proceeded to pack every sparkle he owned while Debbie hid in the downstairs broom closet for three hours. Then the little angel with the devilish mind informed Emmett and Michael’s old landlord that unemployed Michael would not be able to pay rent from jail after being convicted of assaulting Brian Kinney’s husband and their eighteen-month old son in a crowded department store. If the little devil-minded angel also let it slip that those useless toys left unattended in the apartment while he and Em searched for furniture were worth real money - not play money - how was he to blame when the shit later came up missing? And after packing up Michael’s remaining property, if they dropped the crap on Deb’s front lawn and left it there expecting his loving mother to retrieve it, how could they have predicted it would storm?  

A sneaky Prada-wearing burglar dressed in black, kidnapped Deb’s entire garden gnome collection and super glued them in sexual positions, before staking them to her front lawn and adding some of her son’s favorite sex toys, which the sneaky burglar’s minions forgot to discard, thus creating the world’s largest gay gnome orgy. If the city fined Mrs. Novotny two hundred bucks for public indecency and causing a traffic jam, that was just a bonus. If Mrs. Novotny was now known in the neighborhood as ‘The Orgy Lady’, well that was Christmas. And, if Mrs. Novotny now found every kind of doll, figurine, and bendable animal toy known to man fucking on her lawn every morning, Brian would just say Happy Fucking New Year. The bitch always loved tacky fucking knickknacks anyway. If his angel drew pictures of gnomes fucking and sneakily stuck them to the Diner doors on days Deb was working, Brian figured tough shit; anyone who had ever met him knew you don’t fuck with what was his.

          ---------------------------------------------------------------------

Justin’s graduation party was scheduled for the Friday night before the Saturday afternoon ceremony. Jennifer and Molly told Craig they were going to a mother-daughter tea dance to explain their absence and fancy clothing. Justin was glowing as he walked around the loft looking over the feast and decorations. Brian was glowing with pride over his angel graduating with honors and was vibrating with excited anticipation over the night’s surprises. Gus was toddle-running around the lower floor trying to catch his ball that had rolled away when he accidentally kicked it before he could grab it. Gus had taken a long, late nap in preparation for the festive night ahead. Justin was a walking wet dream in his fitted, black Zegna suit. Brian was an orgasm on two feet in black monochrome Armani. Gus was adorable in his sweater and slacks set, although he was wearing Prada baby shoes.  

As the Guests started to arrive, Brian confirmed with each minion that their part of the night’s festivities were ready to go. With the latish arrival of Brian’s lawyer, the game pieces were set and it was time to move them around the board. Brian was going with a smaller-to- biggest as hell approach to the surprise line up.  Jennifer was the first player. She told a few heartwarming and embarrassing stories from Justin’s childhood and read him a beautiful poem her father wrote for him the night his grandson was born. Afterwards, the ladies took a quick break to repair makeup, as not many had a dry eye at the poem’s beautiful conclusion. Faces fixed, Jennifer hit play on a montage of Justin’s photos from birth to the present, including some with Brian and Gus. Brian was touched that she’d included him and Gus like they were family. Brian could see them later including another child with blond locks and baby blues in their lives. Gus needed a sibling to grow up with. He would file that thought away for later. Later, he would also  steal that dvd and beg a copy of Justin’s poem for Gus.

Daphne was up next. She gave all the naughty dirt on her bestie. Justin was blushing so fiercely Brian had to hand him a cold water. She told how Justin was a perfect Prom date - a little too perfect, she cackled - fixing Brian’s angel with a downright filthy leer. Once she was done eye fucking Brian’s man, she held out her hand and pulls Justin to the center of the floor. The music started but Daphne yelled to turn it off. Justin was a little shocked at her determined face. She quietly told a silent room that a beautiful boy she once knew never got to dance with an equally beautiful boy at his Prom. Her beautiful boy was hurt that night and he disappeared for a few years, but the beautiful boy grew up to be a soul-deep, beautiful man. Justin smiled his beautiful smile for the first time again after he met an equally beautiful man. Daphne would like to invite the other half of her beautiful boy’s heart to take her place and give Justin a belated Prom dance. She would be forever grateful if Brian would replace her biggest regret with a beautiful new memory. She finished with tears in her lovely eyes. Justin looked like he is on the verge of sobbing too, so Brian was grateful when Emmett moved like he was gonna waltz away with the host’s tiny dancer. Brian growled at Honeycutt and smiled with satisfaction when his protectiveness caused Emmett a full body shudder. After which, the tension was broken and replaced by the jovial mood Brian wanted for this special night.

Brian pulled his angel into his arms and whispered in his ear, “let’s make this ridiculously romantic, my love”.

Daphne announced she’d picked this song for them and that it was now Brian and Justin’s official song. The first notes of the Drifters’, ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’, filled the loft with a mellow feel. Brian didn’t notice the lights dim. The two men started to sway, barely touching, but together. They looked deep in each other’s eyes as they moved around the now mostly clear floor. They knew they were smiling real cheesily at each other, but  couldn’t help it. Brian’s heart belonged to Justin from the day they met.

Brian suddenly spun Justin around with his finger barely enough to hold onto. Justin couldn’t help the laugh that escaped when the larger man pulled him back against his body. They swayed their hips before waltzing into another finger assisted twirl. Justin unbuttoned Brian’s jacket, pulled it off his shoulders, and temporally trapped Brian’s hands. Brian gave his angel a sweet laugh, then Justin threw the jacket to Daphne. Justin smiled at the joy on his best friend’s face. Brian cocked an eyebrow at him, sexy like he know Justin liked. Brian finger spun Justin around the floor, then pulled the boy’s body flush against his. He leaned Justin backwards into a dip as the younger man brought his leg up to wrap around his waist. Then Brian pulled Justin up slowly, swinging his dance partner around, Justin’s feet not touching the floor. As Justin slid down Brian’s body till his feet touched the floor, they grabbed each other in a deep, dirty kiss, that didn’t stop till Gus threw his plastic truck upside Ted’s head.

Ted’s, “ouch, shit, that hurt,” brought the couple’s raging lust to a raging halt.

They both lifted an eyebrow at the dependable accountant’s momentary glare at the tiny terror. Ted fidgeted and actually attempted to pat Gus’ head. Gus wasn’t having his doo mussed up, though, and he grabbed Ted’s hand, clamping those sharp baby teeth down on meaty finger flesh. Ted screamed, jerked his hand back, scared Gus into falling over, after which silence fell over the loft once again. Nobody dared move so as not to spook the baby. Gus’ little lip wobbled, then an ear piercing wail came out of their son that sounded like his heart was breaking. Brian glared at his trusty numbers man, ready to sell off his stock. Ted shrunk from Brian’s pissed off, Daddy-will-kill glare. Most of the crowd rushed forward to assist the wailing boy. Gus freaked the hell out and the wailing became shrieking. Gus spied his hero, reached his arms out, and screeched ‘Dada’ repeatedly until he was picked up and snuggled. And that is how it came to be that Brian’s only child called Justin ‘Dada’ before his own sperm donor. Brian didn’t know if he wanted to explode in a jealous rage or cry at the special bonding moment between his two favorite boys.

Justin eyed Brian warily as his face softened into his ‘I’m an emotional basket case but try to hide I have a heart’ expression. Gus was nuzzled into the side of Justin’s neck, so it was not like Brian could blame him; that was one of his favorite places too. Justin whispered to Brian that Gus loved Brian first and will always love him more. Brian always liked to hear that his son loved him. Brian whispered to Justin that he better get the first full ‘Daddy’ or he was going to make another kid with Justin’s dna just to hear ‘Daddy’ first. Justin was a little blown away by that rocket fuel packed statement.

So Justin lite the fuse. “So, are you saying you would want to raise another child - my biological child to share - and that we would raise together? I don’t want other parents only us,” Justin asked.  

Brian grined at the gerbils scurrying in his blond’s head. “Yes. I want another child, but not for at least another year or two. And I want you to donate. We will be the only parents, Gus will have a sibling, and we will raise our kids in a house full of love,” Brian answered.

Justin surged up to Brian’s lips and gave him a kiss that threatened to start a forest fire in the newly renovated loft.

Brian pulled back from his hot attack blond with a chuckle. “Whoa! Down boy. We’re not alone and both of our mothers are in the room.” Brian looks at his blond angel and noted the love reflected in those bright blue eyes. “Is it too sappy to say out loud that I can see my future in your eyes?” Brian murmured as he claimed those luscious cherry lips.

Justin’s emotions were all over the place. How could this man say things like that and expect him to hold it together? Justin hiccupped a few times trying to calm himself and his twitterpated heart.

Justin and Brian heard a multi-voiced, “Aww,” and a few deep sighs. They looked beside them to the starry eyed voyeurs, Daphne, Emmett, and Molly. Brian hoped to leave nosy gossips for another time so he sternly nodded to Emmett. The party planning minion clinked a glass to grab the attention of the collective. Emmett announced it was time to gather in the living room for presents, then coffee and dessert.

Brian pulled Justin down to sit next to him. Brian was about ready to jump out of his skin. He really wanted this but what if Justin didn’t? He hoped he was making the right decision. He nodded to Ted to start off the ass kissing so he can get to kissing some real ass.

“Justin, when I graduated college my Uncle, the only man in my family that ever accepted me, gave me a new calculator. He said people may fail you but numbers never will. Life may not always give you the right answers but math, while infinite, always has an answer. So I am giving you a new calculator with the hope you will find the answers when you need them,” Ted explained as he handed Justin a simple calculator with his name engraved on it. Justin smiled at Ted and whispered thank you. Ted nodded then nudged Emmett.

Emmett, already emotional, handed Justin a plain notebook. “My great Aunt Lula gave me a notebook like this when I left Hazlehurst. She had written five of her favorite recipes in it and told me to add more as I learned, grew, and loved in my new life. I have many notebooks now but the one she gave me is still my favorite. So I wrote her five, my five and left room for you to learn, grow, and love as you add your own.” Emmett sniffled into his lace hanky. Justin hugged the noisy queen in thanks.

Daphne took a deep breath as she handed Justin a small photo album. “I made two of these. Pictures of our past with room for future additions. They won’t always be identical but we will always be a part of each other. No matter where we go or where we end up, we will always find each other. So, while you have your life in front of you, I will leave soon to find mine. But we will always have these little albums of memories to remind us to remember the start,” Daphne said through quiet tears.

Justin stood and wrapped his arms around his very first best friend. “I hope you find your future but don’t forget to enjoy the journey,” Justin whispered as he let her go and damned if it didn’t feel like he was letting her go in a deeper sense. Justin was trying so hard to control his emotions. He felt Brian squeeze his leg and he calmed some.

Jennifer sat carefully on the table in front of her son and looked into the eyes of her baby. She was holding something in her hands but kept them folded in her lap for a moment. “My father was the greatest man I have ever known. He worked himself to an early death, sacrificing his very life to give me my heart’s desire. I can never repay that debt and he would never have allowed me to. He worked overtime for two years straight to save the money I needed for four operations to fix my body after a horrible car accident when I was fifteen so that I could have children when I grew up. Our insurance didn’t cover any of the procedures I needed back then. I didn’t know the extent of the damage when I was younger. I only found out after I married Craig that, without those operations, you and Molly would not exist. That overtime weakened my father’s heart when he worked while he had pneumonia. The result was that he died of a heart attack when you were only six months old. He lived just long enough to hold the future in his arms and see what his sacrifice was worth. He wasn’t a wealthy man, but he left you this before he died. He wore this watch everyday for forty years. I have held onto this for you for almost twenty years. The inscription was added a week before he died.” Jennifer paused to hand her son the only thing her father had to give to his only grandson.

Justin held the watch in his hands, feeling the warmth from his mother’s hold. He turned the watch over and the honest words inscribed there read, “Justin, live every moment because time waits for no man, but remember to follow you heart as well. Grandpa.” Justin clutched the battered old watch given to him from the greatest man he never met but he owed his very life to. He buried his face in Brian’s chest and sobbed till he was red eyed and snotty. Emmett hurriedly handed Brian tissues to avoid snot on his Armani.

Jennifer smiled at her son wrapped in Brian’s arms. He was where he was supposed to be. Brian had come to her to beg her permission and acceptance for his plans for their future. She only had to look in both men’s eyes to know her choice was correct. Jennifer moved to a nearby chair but took the time to whisper to Molly she would get her story when the girl was older. Molly nodded at her mother in understanding. She knew something big was about to happen.

Joan Kinney had observed her son and this young man for many hours now. She didn’t know what had made her son a homosexual - biology, environment, or maybe it was just God’s plan for him. She fully believed he was exactly who he was supposed to be and with a person made just for him. Justin was the reward her son had earned for enduring the hell that was his childhood. She was ready to move heaven and earth to help Brian keep him. She caught Brian’s eye and received a nod in return. Taking a deep breath Joan stepped forward.

“Justin, I have three things to give to you,” Joan announced as the young man looked at her with complete trust; she hoped to one day be the kind of person that earned it.

She picked up a box from beside the couch and handed it to Justin. Brian only knew of one gift but Joan still had a mind of her own. Justin opened the box to find a high school letterman jacket. He ran his fingers over one of his favorite names and smiled at Joan.

“Brian earned this jacket for soccer. Soccer allowed him to get a scholarship to college and become the success he is today. He paid for it himself by working hard and saving his money. He was so proud of this jacket and his achievements. His father couldn’t stand the idea that his own son would outshine him. The last day my son lived in my home, Brian’s father ripped it off him and shredded it. I stood by and watched a brute of a man try to take my son’s future away from him. On my day of judgement, I will answer for my life. When I am sitting next to Jack Kinney on that train to hell, I plan to beat the shit out of him every day for eternity. I spent three months sewing this symbol of my son’s future back together with the hope God was watching and that each stitch would hold my broken boy together long enough for God to heal his soul. I knew God answered my prayers the day I met you and Gus. I am an old woman with old ways. So I want you to wear my son’s future like any pretty friend would have back in my day. It is vanity, I know, but every pretty friend needs a hot jock.” Joan said with a wicked wink to the speechless couple. Then Joan pulled a rosary from her pocket and placed it in Justin’s palm. “This is my great grandmother’s rosary. Every child born in my family was confirmed with those, including Brian. These come from a long line of strong women. I barely have that strength but I see it in you. I don’t give these to you as a religious symbol but as a family heirloom from the O'Reilly side of Brian’s ancestry. Pass them on to Gus if you choose, or any future children you have.”

That seemed to be Brian’s cue. He pulled Justin’s hand into his and looked deep into his eyes but remained quiet while Joan continued.

“This is an Irish handfasting cord brought from Ireland in the 1780’s by the Kinney family. Every couple married with this cord has had a long and happy marriage and a life full of love and peace. I refused to use the ceremony because I thought it went against God. I have since changed that belief. If a rosary used in prayer or a statute of the Virgin Mary can to bring peace and heal, then God’s love can infuse a cord to bind two lives with no other motive than a family’s future happiness. I actually was convinced when I saw on the news an image of the Virgin Mary which appeared on a piece of toast and started performing miracles. And if toast can do miracles, God’s love can be found in a cord. So, pretty friend, would you like to be given the choice of handfasting or a traditional Catholic ceremony? You can have either or both.” Joan looked at Justin with an expectant look.

Justin wasn’t quite sure what she was asking. He squeaked when he noticed all the people in the room were giving him the same expectant look, even Gus. “Gay marriage isn’t really legal, but if I had the choice I would actually like both. The more married I get, the more hope I have that it will happen,” Justin said with a grin directed at Brian. Brian gave him an emotion-filled stare and Justin gulped. He suddenly felt like everyone one was in on the joke but him. He searched Brian’s face questioningly.

Joan smiled at him. “God’s law and man’s law are not always on the same page. But even if it wasn’t legal, and only a symbol of your love for my son and his for you, would you want it? Would you pledge all you have, all you are, and all you will become to Brian, to bind your heart and soul to his?” Joan asked this other half of her son’s soul. Please say yes she prayed silently.

Joan saw the blue fire light up the man’s eyes as he looked at Brian. “I would take Brian every day of my life. I would choose him with no guaranties, without reservation. Brian is the best man I know. I will love him the rest of my days. Whether I call him my husband or my partner, he will always be my other half and own my heart.” Justin was looking so deeply into Brian’s eyes he didn’t even feel Joan wrapping their hands in the cord.

When she was done, she nodded to Brian and he began to speak from his heart. “Justin, I love you more than anything. I love Gus as much, but that’s different, as you know. There is nothing I wouldn’t do to keep you safe. Nothing I wouldn’t give to make you happy. I would throw it all away, wear polyester, shop at Kmart, and sell rocks on the interstate if you wanted. As long as you are with me I am ready to jump into the future. But I won’t go without you. I want to share our lives until the end of my days,” Brian finished before reaching into his pocket to grab their rings.

They each had two rings; one traditional platinum band and one with Celtic knots. Brian wanted to cover all his bases. He had even checked to make sure they all fit together. He liked Justin’s ‘more married the better’ theory.

Brian cupped Justin’s chin softly. “Justin, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband in the eyes of our friends and family and wear my ring as a symbol of our love?” Brian spoke slowly.

He watched as Justin looked down at their bound hands, then to the ring in Brian’s other hand. Justin blinked owlishly, looking around the room at his sobbing mother and giggling sister. Brian watched the light dawn in Justin’s face as he once again looked at the ring in Brian’s hand.

“Every day and twice on Sunday,” Justin said as his huge, ultra-mega-watt smile lit up Pittsburgh.

Joan stood and moved away to allow the next ceremony to begin. After placing the first set of rings on, Brian pulled Justin off the couch to stand in front of Father Tom. The ceremony that followed was straight forward, yet meaningful. Cherish replaced obey, another set of rings, sealed with a kiss, and it was done. Brian looked at his new husband, awed all over again that Justin really was so beautiful. Emmett was ready with the coffee and dessert as the guests congratulated the pair.

Brian looked at his mother as she quietly stood off to the side of the room. He was grateful for her wonderful words. He watched as Justin walked around their home in his old letterman jacket. Joan smiled a soft smile at her son while he looked at his husband. She knew her last gift would be the hardest to give. She motioned to Brian to join her and couldn’t help the pride she felt in her son. He had grown into a handsome, strong man.

“I wanted to give you this,” she said as she held a picture out to him. It was a picture of a smiling Jack and a baby Brian. “This was taken before it all went to hell. You were loved Brian. He turned into a monster and I into a weak horrible excuse of a mother, but there, in that moment, however small before Jack and I ruined it, you were loved,” Joan continued softly after shuddering. “I give you that picture not to hurt you or heal you. I give it to you as a reminder of how wrong life can go. Hold on to your family and don’t let the past cloud your future. That last day, before you left when that Novotney woman told your father her lies, I begged her to leave before Jack came home. She wouldn’t go and you paid the price. For that, God forgive me, I will always hate her and myself. Jack is dead, let him go. You are a father to a son; don’t let your father’s actions hold you back from loving Gus or Justin,” Joan finished as she watched her son process his emotions.

Brian held the picture of his past in his hand before he looked over at his son. Brian let the wisdom of his mother’s words heal that last piece of his soul. He could only nod before he gave her a small smile, then walked towards his future, holding his son in his arms. Joan accepted the last amends she could make to her now unbroken son. Jack Kinney’s ghost had been laid to rest and held no further power over her family.

               --------------------------------------------------

Justin sat nervously in his chair, waiting for his name to be called. He was about to get his diploma and have the last piece to his future in his hands. The rings on his finger and the watch on his wrist reminded him of the love of his family. His father was somewhere in the room watching him with pride but would soon look at him with hate. He was ready to end the false hopes his father held. Brian was also out there watching him with pride. He was ready to embrace their future and live by their own rules. He stepped across the stage, accepted his degree, and let the past leave him.

Brian, Emmett, and Ted were waiting to meet Justin and take him to dinner to celebrate. They all knew this confrontation was going to get ugly but none were willing to let Justin handle it alone. Daphne volunteered to watch Gus and Molly and would bring them to the restaurant later. Justin quickly made his way over to Brian. The crowd was thinning out as families were leaving with their graduates. Justin grabbed Brian’s hand for strength when he saw his parents heading his way.

Craig Taylor had watched his son receive his degree. His plans for his son would finally come to fruition. He was pleased his son’s little black friend had not attended. It was time Justin learned to make the right impressions and contacts. Justin would now take his place at Craig’s side and help run the family business. He watched as his son approached a group of men standing to the side. He found it disrespectful of Justin not to present himself to his father first. Craig approached his son, ready to instruct him on his place, when Justin looked directly at him before grabbing the hand of one of the men.

“Justin, what the hell are you doing? Get over here right now,” Craig hissed at his son, looking around and hoping no one saw his son holding another man’s hand. Craig was trying very hard to hold his temper but the look of defiance on Justin’s face was not to be tolerated. His anger flared white hot when the older man placed his arm around Justin’s waist. “Get your hands off my son!” Craig shouted, but the man only looked at him with a lifted eyebrow and a smirk.

“Craig, stop yelling like a fool. You are embarrassing yourself,” his wife said as she walked over to Justin and Brian and gave each a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations, Honey. I am so proud of you,” Jennifer gushed as she hugged Justin tightly. “Brian, as always it’s a pleasure. Ted, Emmett, thanks for sharing this with us. Are we ready to go to dinner?” Jennifer asked, ignoring the giant elephant in the room. She took Ted’s arm and made as if to walk away, then stopped and looked back over her shoulder at Craig like she just remembered he was there. “Oh, Craig, you're still here? I have something for you,” she said sweetly as she handed him a picture from her purse.

Craig took the picture, quickly realizing it was of him fucking his mistress.

Jennifer stepped closer to him and smiled evilly. “You have screwed around on me for the last time. I’ve filed for divorce. I will have your crap taken to your whore and the locks changed on the house by the end of the day. I packed a bag for you; it’s in the trunk of your car. I also had my share of our accounts transferred to my name, including Molly’s college fund, and filed a lien against your company until the loan from my trust is repaid. That trust was opened by my mother and never meant to be considered a marital asset, as the loan agreement stated, so you will repay it. You have thirty days to repay the money in full before I seize all your assets,” Jennifer warned before nodding to Justin.

Justin faced his father before stating, “Dad, I’m gay. I have been gay since the day I was born. I know you will never accept that or me. I will never live the life you planned for me, never asking if I even wanted it. I cannot allow a hate filled homophobe to be a part of my life. I will also never forgive the way you’ve cheated on my mother. Before you start screaming about my sins, look at your own. Good bye, Craig,” Justin finished as he backed away from his ex-father. He could not allow such hate around his family.

Craig looked at the angry faces of his wife and son. This was not to be tolerated. He was the head of his house. He would be respected. “You will not speak to me like that. I will be obeyed! I will not tolerate a filthy disgusting lifestyle, Justin. You will apologize immediately or I will cut off all financial support. And know this, Jennifer, I will not allow my daughter around fags. I don’t know where you got the impression I would agree to a divorce but you are not getting one. We will discuss this at home. We are leaving NOW!” Craig yelled as he reached to grab Jennifer’s arm.

Jennifer yelped as her arm was wrenched back in a vice like grip. “Let go of me you asshole. You don’t have to give me shit. I have all the proof I need to expose you as the cheating bastard you are. You can take your country club life and shove it up your ass. Don’t come near me or my children again. I will see your ass in court,” Jennifer said as she pulled her arm out of Craig’s grip.

She didn’t move fast enough, though, and was knocked back when Craig slapped her in the face. Brian managed to catch her before she hit the ground. Ted grabbed Justin before he could get to his father. So they were all surprised when it was Emmett that got to Craig first; no one expected Emmett to punch Craig with such force, but they watched in fascination as Craig fell, knocked out cold, to the ground.

“Didn’t your mother teach you manners? You don’t hit a lady,” the southern man yelled at the slumped form of Craig Taylor.

“Uh, Em, he’s out cold. He can’t answer you,” Ted stammered in shock at his normally mild-mannered friend.

Emmett flounced over to Jennifer, looked at her face, before recommending they get her some ice to stop any swelling. Justin looked at his mother and he wanted to kick his ex-father in the ass. No way would he ever forgive this.

“Come on, Mom. Let's get you out of here,” Justin suggested softly as he started to move his mother away from her unconscious husband.

Brian moved to Jennifer's other side to help steer the shocked woman towards the exit.

“He hit me. That son of a bitch hit me! Justin, call 911. I want his ass arrested. He just dug his own grave,” Jennifer said through gritted teeth. She was gonna press charges. She looked down at her arm and noted the fingerprint bruises already forming on her skin. Craig Taylor could add physical abuse to his growing number to sins. It would be a cold day in Hell before Craig Taylor was allowed near her or her children ever again.

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6 months later

Brian walked into the offices of  Kinnetik and Taylored Designs, amazed at the pulse of activity throbbing around him. His exit plan from Ryder’s agency had gone smoother than he’d anticipated. Ryder was feeling the effects of losing his best adman and Gardner Vance was no longer interested in buying his agency as Ryder’s best clients were leaving him for Brian. The buzz about their new, innovative ad campaigns was energizing a failing regional market and garnering national attention after only a few short months.

Brian and Justin had enjoyed some alone time after Justin's graduation. Christmas had been an especially memorable event. Most of the family had gathered at the loft to celebrate the holidays. Gus had been adorable pulling his new wagon around with his stuffed animals inside; although Brian had worried about his hardwood floors. Emmett and Justin had made a wonderful meal to celebrate the season. Brian had even consented to attending midnight mass with his mother. Their relationship had improved so much, she was now a regular babysitter for Gus. Gus had settled into the Kinnetik child care facility brilliantly and was a favorite among the other kids.

Jennifer was well on her way to finalizing her divorce. Craig Taylor had been arrested for the assault and battery on his wife and Jennifer had been awarded a restraining order to keep him away from her and her children. With Craig being unable to repay the loan, he’d had to sell his stores. He was now living in his mistress's apartment in a much less nice neighborhood then he was used to. He had also been kicked out of the country club for having a criminal history of violence against women. But nobody felt much sympathy for Craig.

With the new agency being so busy, neither man had much time for personal pursuits, although both Brian and Justin made a conscious effort to set aside time for each other and their son. A simple day in the park or or a night out at Babylon helped to ensure the strength of the relationship. For example, on Valentine's Day, a romantic dinner at home while Gus was with Grandma had led to a hot night of fucking till dawn. Brian did his best to make sure Justin had time to paint. Justin did his best to make sure Brian spent as much time with Gus as possible.

Meanwhile, Brian had started to research the logistics for making Justin a daddy. Lindsey had agreed to allow Gus to be adopted by Justin. She was loving her life in Paris and had no intention of returning to the United States anytime soon. She was content with the knowledge that her son was being looked after by two loving parents. The addition of another child in the future, with Justin's DNA, was also looked into. Brian hoped for a little girl with beautiful blond locks and bright blue eyes. Justin was content, for the moment, to just raise Gus, but was looking forward to the day when they added to their family. Brian and Justin had taken the name Taylor-Kinney with the intention of changing Gus' name as needed in the future.

All the while, the denizens of Liberty Avenue were inspired by the love shown by the couple. Those in the know, knew that this was a love to last forever. And in the end, the demon stud had found his angel.