Chapter 1

“Wow,” Justin muttered after he had his breath under control again.

That had been one mindblowing orgasm. Brian Kinney really knew how to fuck, that was for sure. This had been the best fuck of his life. Even better than that time so many years ago.

“Not bad,” Brian agreed as he rolled away from his trick of the night and turned towards the nightstand to grab his pack of cigarettes, so he could light one.

As he was puffing on his cigarette, he turned back to the trick. “You've got skills.”

Justin snorted as he slowly sat up. “That's high praise indeed coming from you.”

He then stood up and walked over to the bathroom of the hotel suite they were currently in to get himself cleaned up.

He had met Brian Kinney several hours ago at a night club when he had been out dancing. He had caught Brian's attention and after a blowjob in the backroom of the club, Brian had asked him to come back to his hotel for some more fun. And knowing that it would be an enjoyable night if nothing else, Justin had agreed.

He took a quick shower to clean himself up, then walked back into the bedroom. Brian was half sitting, half lying on the bed, watching in amusement as Justin picked up his clothes and put them back on.

“What are you doing?” the older man asked in mild interest.

“I know you don't like your tricks to hang around afterwards. So I am getting ready to leave,” Justin replied, pulling up his jeans as he spoke.

“And how would you know that?” Brian raised an eyebrow in mild interest.

“In and out with a maximum of pleasure and minimum of bullshit, right?” Justin asked as he put on his shirt, looking directly at Brian and meeting his gaze head on.

Brian frowned, looking at the younger man in slight confusion. Had his reputation preceded him that much? Yes, he was the Stud of Liberty Avenue, but this was New York. In New York he was pretty much a nobody. Who cared about his stud status in Pittsburgh?

“Are you from Pittsburgh?”

Justin couldn't help but laugh. “You don't remember me, do you? I can't say I am surprised, really, but I guess it would have been nice to be remembered...”

“Remember you? From what?”

“How is Gus? He's what... five now?”

“Gus?” Brian frowned even more. “How do you know about Gus?”

Justin shook his head in amusement, then sat down on the sofa in the room to put on his shoes.

“That unexperienced virgin you fucked the night he was born? The annoying brat that couldn't go home because his parents couldn't find out where he had been all night, so you took him to the hospital with you?”

Brian frowned for a second and confusion showed on his face.

Justin nodded. “Yep, that would have been me.”

Brian looked beyond surprised and it was obvious that he was trying to remember any events from that night.

“I know that you were high, but were you really that high that you wouldn't even remember the man that named your son?” Now Justin also sounded slightly hurt.

“You? That was you?”

Justin had by now finished getting dressed. “Yep, me. Only that it has been a couple of years and much like Gus, I have grown up as well.”

“Gus is fine,” Brian finally said after the longest awkward silence between them. “He's with his moms and has a baby sister now.”

“Yours as well?” Justin asked with a raised eyebrow.

“God, no!” Brian exclaimed. “I would never let my sperm get close to that witch's twat. Michael is the father. You remember him? My best...”

At the same time as Brian was about to say 'best friend', Justin finished the sentence saying the same.

“Your best friend. How could I forget?” he rolled his eyes for good measure.

Brian frowned, but didn't say anything.

“Don't worry, he gave me the whole spiel the first time. He's a real good watchdog.”

“What do you mean?” Brian now asked, looking at the younger man with curiousity.

“You don't know?” Justin couldn't help but laugh once more. “Didn't he ever tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“How I came back to Liberty Avenue the night after you took my virginity? I was a teenager, I guess you could call me a lovesick fool. I wanted to see you again, but before I could, he crossed my path and explained to me how you only ever had sex with a guy once, how you didn't believe in love, but fucking, how you were a real asshole and how I would do well to stay away from you.”

Brian raised an eyebrow. “That's what he said?”

“To be honest, he seemed more like a jealous lover than your best friend. If you were such an asshole as he said, why would he be friends with you and insist on telling everyone that he was your best friend? And why would he sound so damn smug and proud about it?”

Brian seemed to contemplate the question. “Yeah, why indeed?”

“Anyway, I got the message and left you alone. I saw you a couple of times on Liberty Avenue, but it was clear that you didn't remember me, so what was the point in saying anything?”

Brian just nodded.

“Well, I better leave you to your wicked ways. I guess I was lucky that you didn't recognise me or I wouldn't have had the pleasure of being fucked by you a second time.”

“The pleasure was all mine,” Brian said quietly, before he took a second cigarette and lit it.

“I am not sure whether I wish that you will forget me again, so we can do this again or whether I wish for you to remember me this time...,” Justin mused as he placed one last long look at Brian, taking in his naked torso. He then turned around and left Brian's hotel room without another word.

Chapter 2

“You!” Justin looked up when he saw the older man lean against the bar right next to where he was standing, waiting to get the bottle of beer he had ordered a few seconds ago.

“Me,” Brian smirked, holding up his bottle, indicating to the bartender that he wanted another bottle of beer as well.

“I guess that means you remember me this time,” Justin mused, nodding his thanks at the bartender when he was handed his beer. He turned around to look back at the dance floor to watch the masses of horny gays that were trying to find the love of their life, the fuck for the night or maybe both at the same time.

“I do,” Brian nodded, turning around as well once he had his new bottle of beer.

“I guess it helps when you're not stoned out of your mind,” Justin said, then started to move away from the bar and towards the dance floor.

“Wait,” Brian called after him, taking his hand and pulling him back.

Justin frowned, not sure what was going on here. Brian was eying him from hungry eyes, clearly horny. “In case you forgot after all... you already had me... twice.”

With that he tried to leave once more only to be held back again.

“Oh, I remember,” Brian said, a hungry expression on his face which turned into a smirk before he continued. “Well, at least the second time... And I have to admit that I like what I remember...”

Justin eyed Brian for a few seconds, clearly recognising the hungry expression on the man's face for what it was. Brian wanted him, wanted to fuck him. It was obvious that the older man wanted Justin to be his trick for the night.

“What about your rule? You already had me twice...”

Brian shrugged. “Rules are meant to be broken.”

“You already did,” Justin breathed out as he was pulled closer by the older man who was now looking at him from dark eyes full of passion.

“So why not do it again? We did it once and guess what, we're still alive and here... So why not do it again? As I remember, we had quite an enjoyable night, didn't we?”

Justin was captivated by those dark eyes and sighed when he felt his body being pressed against Brian's. Brian's arousal was obvious as was Justin's. And Justin would lie if he said he didn't want this. Quite on the contrary. He had thought about his two encounters with Brian Kinney over and over and ever since his second encounter with the Stud of Liberty Avenue, he had hoped against hope that maybe there would be a third time Brian would fuck him. Because being fucked by Brian Kinney was unlike anything else Justin had ever experienced. It was by far the best sex he'd ever had and yes, he would lie if he said he didn't have a crush on Brian Kinney. After all the man had taken his virginity and it had been the most amazing experience of Justin's life. So he wouldn't be stupid enough to say no to a third time. No way!

“We did,” he agreed, leaning in when Brian closed the distance between them and their lips met in a hungry kiss.

A few minutes later they were out of the club and in a taxi to Brian's hotel where they spent another night together.

Brian fucked him and if Justin was asked, he would say that this time had been even better than the two times before. Damn, how did the man do it?

And even better, after they had been done and Justin had moved to take a shower and to get ready to leave, Brian had joined him in the shower, had asked Justin to stay, after all there was still so much they could do before the night was over.

And so he had stayed. And it had been the best night of his life. He had blown Brian, Brian had blown him and had then fucked him again before they had both fallen into an exhausted sleep.

The next morning, when Justin had woken up, Brian had already showered and had been dressed, ready to go.

Justin watched him from the bed, watched as Brian moved to get some papers from the desk in the room and put them in his briefcase. Damn, he didn't only look good naked or in his club clothes, he looked damn sexy in his business attire as well. That suit looked like it was made for him.

“Like what you see?” Brian raised an eyebrow when he noticed that Justin had woken up and was watching him from the bed with hungry eyes.

“Hmmm,” Justin hummed lazily, before he rolled onto his side. “Like you here in bed better though.”

“Sorry to disappoint, but I have a meeting in 30 minutes. It's the reason I am here in New York,” Brian moved over towards the bed and looked at the body of the naked blond in it. “You can stay for as long as you like. The room is paid for until tomorrow morning. I'll most likely be flying back to Pittsburgh tonight though, if we can get this contract signed by the end of day today.”

Justin looked at Brian with a frown and slight disappointment on his face. “You're already heading back?”

“Hopefully, if the idiots here aren't making too much of a mess of this meeting,” Brian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Look, I might be back in town in a couple of weeks...”

When he didn't continue, Justin actually had to laugh. “What was that? Your attempt to set up a date?”

“I don't date,” Brian only scoffed in reply.

“Okay, let me rephrase: your attempt to set up a fuck?”

This time Brian shrugged. “Going to the clubs can be tedious if you're having business meetings early the next day. And I guess we know now that we're compatible when it comes to this,” Brian now pointed to the bed and the twisted sheets on it.

“Sex?” Justin supplied helpfully, still feeling like laughing.

“I had fun and you didn't sound like you had a bad time either,” Brian said, then threw one of his business cards on the bed. “Text me your number, okay? We can set up something for the next time I am in New York. If you want to that is.”

With that he turned around and left the room, leaving Justin on his own.

And of course he had wanted to. Who wouldn't have? Brian Kinney had basically just offered him to have sex with him again. And this had been the best sex Justin had ever had. And he had a crush on him anyway and... why would Justin say no?

So Justin had texted him a couple of days later and hadn't heard back until about three weeks later.

'Coming to NY tomorrow for two days. Wanna hook up?' Was all it had said.

When Justin had replied 'Sure', Brian had sent him the room number of his hotel room the next day and that had been that.

Justin had spent two nights with Brian and had enjoyed himself immensely.

From there a kind of relationship had developed between them. Well, not a relationship per se, but definitely a fuck buddy thing. Every time Brian had to go to New York for business, he texted Justin and Justin was only too happy to meet the older man. He would usually stay with Brian at his hotel for as long as Brian was in town and they would fuck all over the hotel room, as much as they could. The nights Brian was in town were the most satisfying for Justin and he was secretly looking forward to the next trip Brian would have to take to New York every time he had to leave.

When Justin had been brave enough to ask Brian once what this meant in regards to his policy of only fucking tricks once, Brian had just shrugged and said that he had already broken the rule for Justin before, so why shouldn't he do it again? They had fun, Justin was good in bed and as sexually hungry as Brian was and they clicked on a level that the older man didn't mind.

With time they wouldn't only fuck, but would also talk. After all there was only so much fucking you could do before you needed a break. They would talk about their lives and Brian would tell Justin about his job, his friends, his family and about Gus. Justin loved to hear about Gus, feeling a connection to the young boy even though he had only met him the night he had been born. But he had named him, so he guessed that was worth something.

Brian found out that Justin had attended St. James Academy in Pittsburgh, a boarding school for rich kids that only the richest of the richest parents could afford. At first Brian had been quite surprised when he had found out that Justin had been a student at a boarding school and had indeed been scared of his teachers finding out that he had run away to Liberty Avenue to have sex, and had not been worrying about his parents finding out that he had sneaked out of the house after hours. He admitted to Brian that his parents hadn't been anywhere close to Pittsburgh at the time and came from Europe. That was all he had said about them.

He then told Brian about his work as an artist and at first Brian had thought to himself that Justin was just another rich kid without any intention of really making a living for himself, just living off mommy and daddy's money, but he had learned how wrong he had been in that assessment when Justin had asked him to come to his studio to take a look at some of his work.

Justin was a very talented artist and Brian was impressed by the work he had been shown. He wasn't surprised when Justin told him that he had already had a solo show and several shows with other artists at galleries all over town.

Maybe he had been wrong about Justin. The more he got to know the younger man, the more he liked him. He could see that Justin was anything but a rich, spoiled brat and indeed seemed to be a very smart man who knew exactly what he wanted in life.

Justin impressed Brian again and again with his random knowledge of all kinds of different things and much to Brian's horror seemed to love seedy takeaway food way more than a decent five star restaurant. Yes, it seemed like Justin had grown up very rich and had been raised like a true WASP, but deep down he just seemed to be a down to earth boy next door who loved his art and Brian.

At first it had made Brian uncomfortable to know that Justin had feelings for him that went beyond lust and he had tried to pull away from the younger man, not telling him about two business trips to the city he had planned. When he went to New York and stayed at the hotel on his own though, he had to admit the truth to himself, namely that he was missing Justin when he wasn't around. He liked his company, he liked having sex with him and more than anything he liked that Justin didn't seem to care about his image as Stud of Liberty Avenue at all. Brian could just be himself with the young man and as they were in New York and no one from Pittsburgh knew about this fuck buddy he had in New York, what did it matter?

So Brian had texted Justin the details for his next trip again, knowing that he had been an idiot. He had a good time every time he met the young man. Why would he force himself to stop having such a good, enjoyable time every time he was in the city?

No, they weren't in a relationship, not even in a long-distance relationship, but this fuck-buddy thing that they had going worked for them and made them both happy and kept them satisfied.

So satisfied that they kept it going for three years, seeing each other every time Brian had to go to the city for business. It was the closest Brian would ever be to being in a relationship with someone. He knew that much. And for the time being he didn't mind and just went with the flow and enjoyed each time he got to see Justin and got to spend time with him.

Chapter 3

Justin smiled widely when he looked at Brian's panting body on the bed. The brunet was just coming down from a mindblowing orgasm, thanks to one of Justin's trademark blowjobs and Justin enjoyed seeing him that happy and relaxed. He loved the small smile that danced on Brian's lips as he tried to catch his breath and once he had done so, Justin's smile widened when Brian's eyes met his.

“Damn, Sunshine! One day you're going to kill me with that mouth of yours.”

“You wish! Can you imagine a better way to go?” Justin chuckled as he moved up from his place between Brian's legs and slowly laid down on top of his fuck buddy, slowly moving in to lazily kiss him, allowing him to taste himself in Justin's mouth.

When they broke apart, Brian shook his head in amusement. “Sounds pretty perfect. He went as he came... Sounds perfect and fitting.”

Justin laughed once more, then rolled over to Brian's side, resting his head on Brian's shoulder. Brian hated cuddling, made it a point to state that he didn't cuddle, but Justin had yet to hear him complain when they lay like this after a round of invigorating sex or a mindblowing blowjob. Brian Kinney did cuddle. You just shouldn't call it cuddling.

Over the years Justin had learned many things about Brian, one of them how much the older man detested relationships and anything that resembled a relationship, anything that could point to them being more than just two guys that fucked occasionally. Yet, he had also learned that Brian didn't really mind doing a lot of coupley things as long as you didn't point out that they were coupley and as long as you didn't give them a name. Case in point the way they would lie in each others arms after having had sex.

Justin smiled to himself when he felt Brian's arm tighten around his upper body, pulling him that much closer. Yes, Brian Kinney did cuddle! Even if he would never admit it.

Just as Justin was about to reply something to Brian's comment, his phone started ringing. Still feeling too happy in his current position in Brian's arms, he chose to ignore it.

A few seconds after the call had stopped, it started to ring again right away.

“Looks like you're really popular,” Brian muttered, nodding towards the phone on the desk that now started ringing again.

Justin sighed in annoyance, then moved his head from Brian's shoulder, looking at the older man as he slowly sat up. “Whoever it is can just leave a fucking message...”

Just as the phone stopped ringing, it started again right away.

“I think they want to speak to you. Seems urgent,” Brian pointed out.

“This better be good,” Justin muttered as he got up from the bed and nakedly made his way over to the desk to pick up his phone. He didn't even try to hide his annoyance when he took the call, not even checking who was calling him. Whoever it was had ruined a perfectly good cuddle with Brian and would be sorry to have done so. “What?”

As he listened to the voice talking to him, his demeanour changed immediately though. Brian, who was watching him from the bed with open interest in his eyes, noticed the change right away. He saw Justin's shoulders deflate and saw the expression on his face change from annoyed to worried in a split second. Something was wrong, Brian immediately realised so and slowly sat up as he continued to watch Justin.

“Where are you now? … How long has this been going on?... Why didn't you call me before?... Jeez... Okay... No... I will be there right away. Call my mother's secretary if it's needed...About 20 minutes... Fuck!”

With that Justin hung up and Brian eyed him in obvious concern. Something was wrong, he just had no idea what.

Without a word to Brian, Justin moved towards the armchair where his clothes could be found. He had mindlessly thrown them over the armchair a day earlier when Brian had undressed him to get ready for their first round of sex. They hadn't left the bed since.

“Is everything alright?” Brian asked, even though he knew the answer already. But Justin wasn't talking to him and that in itself was scary enough. Justin never shut up and was always talking.

“No,” Justin just muttered after a few seconds, putting on more clothes, then looking around the room. “Where are my fucking socks?”

“I think under the armchair,” Brian said, now walking over to where Justin continued to get dressed. “What happened?”

“A fucking emergency...,” Justin mumbled, angrily pulling the socks from under the armchair and putting them on. His anger and frustration made him so uncoordinated that he nearly fell over.

Thankfully, Brian had by now made it to his side and caught his arm, holding him up in a standing position. “Something serious, I assume?”

“Yes, fucking serious,” Justin just barked back without even thanking Brian for having kept him standing up. “That's why it's called emergency.”

“Hey, calm down... Tell me what happened,” Brian said calmly, looking at Justin from concerned eyes. “You're gonna get yourself hurt if you continue like this.”

“I have to go,” Justin just muttered once he was dressed. He hadn't even bothered to brush his hair and didn't seem to care that it was sticking out in all directions.

Brian held his arm as Justin moved towards the door, pulling him back against his own body instead of letting him leave. “Hey, take a deep breath. Tell me what happened.”

“I have to fucking go, Brian. I should have been home with her instead of here... Fuck!” Justin just muttered, trying to break free of Brian's grasp.

“With who?” Brian asked, not understanding who or what Justin was talking about but clearly seeing how agitated he was.

“Lizzie,” Justin said as if that would explain everything.

When Brian just looked at him in confusion, never having heard the name before, Justin continued muttering.

“Daph told me she was feeling under the weather. I should have stayed home with them instead of coming here... Fuck... what kind of father does that make me?”

Brian's eyes widened as he listened to Justin's rambling. “Father?”

Justin once again tried to break free of Brian's grasp and sighed in annoyance when Brian wouldn't let him go.

“Jeez, Brian. Let me go. I need to head to the hospital.”

“Hospital? What is going on here?” Brian's confusion showed on his features as he looked at Justin, imploring him to explain what was going on. “Five minutes ago you gave me the blowjob of a lifetime and now you're making no sense at all. Who is Daph?”

“My wife,” Justin sighed, meeting Brian's eyes only for the shortest time. When their eyes met, there was confusion and a clear lack of understanding in Brian's eyes and a deep sadness in Justin's.

“Your wife? You have a wife? And a kid?” Brian's eyes widened as he let go of Justin's arm as if he had been burned by the mere touch.

“Brian, I don't have time for this now...Lizzie is in hospital with a temperature of 108°... I have to head over there...”

Brian shook his head, trying to comprehend what Justin was saying. And the more he understood, the angrier he got. “You have a wife and a fucking kid? What was this? Exploring your gay fantasies away from your little happy hetero life? Does your fucking wife know where you are right now?”

Justin could hear the anger in Brian's voice and wanted nothing more than to explain, but he couldn't. Right now he needed to head to the hospital. His daughter needed him.

“It's not like that, Brian... It really isn't...,” Justin said quietly, once more locking eyes with Brian's. When Brian turned away, Justin sighed. “It really is not what you think it is. I will explain it to you... just not now. I need to go and see that Lizzie is alright.”

“Oh, I understand... I understand alright,” Brian scoffed. “You're one of those closeted fags that never had the courage to come out and now you try to have the best of both worlds. Fuck you! Fuck you, Justin! What does that make me? Your dirty little secret? Well fuck that! I am not gonna be anyone's dirty secret. Fuck off! Get out!”

Justin tumbled as if he had been hit physically by Brian's words, his eyes showing a pain Brian hadn't ever seen in them before.

“I will explain it to you, Brian, I promise. But right now I need to go and see that my baby is okay.”

Without another word Justin turned around and left Brian alone in the hotel room where they had had sex for the last 26 hours. Where just ten minutes ago they had been in each other's arms, kissing and joking as they had come down from their orgasms.

It was funny how quickly life could change. Sometimes it needed just a few minutes to completely pull the rug out from under someone.

Brian looked at the spot where Justin had been standing just seconds ago, then looked at the door that had just closed behind the younger man.

How could he have been so wrong and most of all stupid? He had thought that Justin was a brave, smart guy. And now he had to find out that he was nothing but a hypocritical liar who had a hetero family and only used Brian to scratch that gay itch every couple of weeks when Brian was in town. Probably telling his fucking wife that he was attending some art show or other.

Brian felt angry like he hadn't in a long time. He felt furious and more than anything he felt betrayed. He had told Justin things he had never told anyone before and now he had to wonder if Justin had ever been honest with him.

He hadn't ever mentioned his wife and daughter. What else had he forgotten to mention?

As he still stared at the closed door from furious eyes, Brian vowed that he would never let anyone else make a fool out of him like Justin just had. Never again!

Chapter 4

“Jeez, Brian, answer the phone already, will you?” Ted said, slightly annoyed when Brian's phone that was set to silent lit up again with another call. This was already the fourth call in the last five minutes, ever since their meeting had started. And he knew from Cynthia that it had pretty much been like that all morning.

“Who are you to tell me what to do?” Brian angrily shot back, glaring at Ted.

If looks could kill, Ted knew that he would be a dead man now, but it had been a long time since he had last been scared of Brian Kinney. Yes, Brian could be scary, but Ted knew that it was mostly just an image that Brian liked to portray to make him seem more powerful and in control and that really his bark was a lot worse than his bite.

Over the last couple of years that he had worked for Brian, first as an accountant, later as his CFO, they had become close friends and over time Ted had stopped being scared of Brian Kinney. Therefore he felt pretty safe in replying back to his boss and friend.

“I am the one that has to fill in the paperwork when people start quitting their jobs over your latest tantrum,” he said calmly, not surprised when Brian's eyes widened.

“Oh yeah, I know all about the mood you've been in for the last two days. I know about the intern that came running out of your office in tears after you ripped her a new one for getting the wrong boards. I know all about the way you yelled at Cynthia. And what did she do wrong? All she asked was how the trip to New York had gone.”

When Brian didn't say anything and just continued to glare at him, Ted continued. “And I am the one that is noticing that you're having yet another call... Why aren't you answering? Who is calling you?”

Brian sighed, knowing exactly who was calling him over and over again and had been for the last two days. He could see Justin's name on his display and felt new anger rise inside of him.

Ever since the younger man had left Brian's hotel two nights ago, he had tried calling Brian. When Brian hadn't answered, he had texted him, telling him that they needed to talk, that things weren't as they seemed and that he could explain.

Only that Brian was way past listening to explanations. He had already heard all that he needed to hear. He had heard about Lizzie and Daph. The daughter and wife. What more was there to explain?
That he wasn't just a secret affair Justin's wife could never know about, that he wasn't just someone that allowed Justin to live out his gay fantasies every once in a while before he returned home to his hetero family?

Brian knew the story and really didn't need to hear more. He had gotten the message, he knew that Justin was a liar and a pathetic coward and as far as Brian was concerned, they were done. He just hoped that Justin would get the message soon. If not, Brian would just have to block him. After all it wasn't like he ever intended to reach out to Justin again, was it?

With that thought in mind, Brian grabbed his phone, waited for the latest call to go to voicemail, then quickly went into the menu and blocked the number. So much for those neverending calls and messages of 'We need to talk!'. No, they didn't need to talk. Everything had been said.

“There, done!” He said as he angrily threw his phone back onto his desk. “Happy now?”

Ted watched with wide eyes and slowly shook his head. “No,” he said calmly, before he took a deep breath.“I know you're going to tell me that it's none of my business, but something is obviously very wrong here. What happened, Brian?”

“It's none of your business,” Brian just barked, before he picked up the folder that Ted had handed him earlier with the quarterly profits.

“Don't give me that,” Ted said quietly, looking at Brian from concerned eyes.

“It's none of your business. I pay you to make me money, so tell me how much money we made in the last quarter.”

“Brian... what happened in New York?” Ted asked, looking at Brian from really concerned eyes. And he was concerned, because more than ever before Brian didn't look angry, but sad. So incredibly sad. And there was an emotion in his eyes that Ted needed a minute before he recognised it for what it was. Pain. Brian was hurting, Ted just didn't know why.

“Nothing. The numbers?” Brian said, raising an eyebrow in expectation.

“I know that the meeting must have gone well. They sent the paperwork this morning, all signed, confirming the new spring campaign, so it can't be that. And... since you didn't make an appearance at Babylon or Woodies all weekend, I am assuming that you stayed in New York for the weekend. Again...”

Ted was Brian's CFO, so of course he knew that Brian had stayed in New York all weekend. He had seen the bill for the hotel room which had been booked until Sunday. Even though the last meeting had been Friday. And he knew that it wasn't the first time that Brian had stayed in New York longer than he needed to.

Over the last couple of years, Ted had noticed how Brian had scheduled more and more of his New York meetings close to the weekend, preferably on Mondays or Fridays and how he would often spend the whole weekend in New York instead of just flying in for the meetings.

It had intrigued him before, but he had just guessed that Brian liked the New York club scene, liked being able to go out there and fuck some fresh meat. After all there were only so many queers in Pittsburgh you could fuck when you had a policy that allowed you to only fuck everyone once.

Ted had just assumed that Brian had enjoyed the tricks in New York, had enjoyed the new faces, bodies and most of all mouths and assholes, had enjoyed getting a change from the Pittsburgh scenery every so often, but now he wasn't so sure anymore.

Many times when Brian had returned from New York, he had been especially relaxed and almost happy. At the time, Ted had assumed it was because business had gone well, the meetings had been a success, but watching Brian now, he wasn't so sure anymore.

If it had just been about business, Brian wouldn't have been in such a bad mood for the last two days and most of all, he wouldn't be getting so many calls. If it was business related, they would call the office, not his mobile. This had to be private. And then, as Ted continued to watch Brian's face, something clicked.

“You met someone... in New York.”

And the moment he said it, he knew that it was the truth.

Even though Brian denied it. Strongly. “WHAT? Did you get brain damage while I was gone?”

“You met a guy in New York... it all makes sense now. The meetings that would allow you to spend the whole weekend in the city, why you would be so happy and relaxed when you came back... why you've been an ass for the last two days and why you just blocked someone on your phone,” Ted argued calmly.

“How long have you known me, Theodore? You know I don't do relationships. I fuck. End of story!”

“Yeah, here in Pittsburgh. But in New York? Who the hell would know about your reputation in New York?” Ted said, everything making more and more sense the more he thought about it. “And now... you... you broke up or had a fight.”

“I don't do relationships. Not in Pittsburgh, not in New York,” Brian spat angrily. “Now can we please focus on the numbers?”

As Brian picked up the folder with the numbers once more, Ted shook his head as if to mentally tell himself to be strong and to stay the course.

“What happened last weekend, Brian? I am your friend, you know I won't tell anyone... but something happened...something that hurt you. It's all over your face, your whole behaviour screams of how much you've been hurt by whatever happened.”

“What is this now? Psychology 101?” Brian snarked, rolling his eyes. “I am fine.”

“No, you're not. You're in pain and you're lashing out because you're hurt and afraid to show it. What did this guy do?”

“There is no guy... there was no guy... there will never be a guy,” Brian said, the last words almost hissed. He then glared at Ted once more. “If we don't talk about numbers within the next five seconds, I will fire you, Theodore.”

Ted shook his head, then stood up. “Don't worry. I quit. I am tired of this whole bullshit...”

“You quit?” Brian raised an eyebrow, for a second honestly surprised by what Ted had just said.

“Yes, I quit. I am tired of you acting like feelings and emotions are a bad thing, of you punishing the people working for you for whatever happened in New York. Whatever happened, it was not Tina's fault, it was not Cynthia's fault and it is damn well not my fault. And if you think you're too high and mighty to admit that something happened, fuck you! I am out of here.”

With that Ted turned around and stomped to the door of Brian's office, surprised by his own words and actions. He hadn't planned to do this, but now apparently he was. As he was about to open the door, he heard Brian's voice.

“Theodore, wait!”

“What for? I mean it, I am out of here.”

Brian's voice had a certain sense of awe to it the next time he spoke. “You really mean it...”

“Yes,” Ted confirmed, crossing his arms as he looked at Brian from frustrated eyes.

“You would quit about something that has nothing to do with work?” Brian raised his eyebrows in question.

“It has everything to do with work when you bring it into the office and let whatever 'it' is control your behaviour towards your employees...”

Brian sighed, knowing that Ted was right. His outburst at the intern - Tina, was that what Ted had called her?- had been totally out of line as had been his behaviour towards Cynthia and Ted.

He had allowed his bad mood over Justin's betrayal to influence his performance at work and Ted was right, he had allowed it to control his behaviour towards his employees. Which was totally unprofessional. And if Brian hated one thing, it was people that were unprofessional at work. Especially people that worked for him. And now he had been the most unprofessional of all. What kind of example had he set by his own behaviour in recent days?

He ran a hand over his face and took a deep breath. “You're right...That was beyond unprofessional.”

“It was,” Ted affirmed, his arms still crossed in front of his chest as he looked at Brian.

“Don't leave,” Brian said next, his voice now utterly calm. “You're a fucking good accountant and CFO. Kinnetik needs you.”

“You mean, I know all your company's dark secrets and you can't afford to let me go,” Ted said with cheek in his voice, feeling braver than he had two minutes ago. Brian was a lot calmer now, had admitted that Ted had been right – which was something that rarely happened with Brian, so as far as Ted was concerned, the conversation was going his way.

“That too,” Brian agreed, now smiling slightly. “Though if I am reading these numbers correctly, I might just be able to afford whatever I want.”

“It was a very profitable quarter,” Ted confirmed.

“Guess all those trips to New York were good for something after all,” Brian muttered, as he threw the folder onto his desk, looking at it for the longest time, before he looked up at Ted from incredibly sad eyes. Ted had never seen Brian like that before.

“I met someone... in New York.”

Ted wasn't really surprised by the revelation as such, having figured out that much himself, but he was surprised that Brian had admitted it to him. He tried to hide that surprise and nodded before he slowly made his way back to Brian's desk and sat down again, encouraging Brian to tell him more.

“He... we... I fucked him the night Gus was born...,” Brian said, only to be interrupted by Ted at that point.

“Wait? You said you met someone in New York, not Pittsburgh.”

“When Gus was born, he went to school here in Pittsburgh and after that night... I didn't see him again until years later. In New York,” Brian started. “I didn't remember him and fucked him again... he remembered me though and... well... I met him again the next time I was in New York. And he was good in bed. The best I've ever fucked. So, we fucked again. I had already broken my rule for him, no one in Pittsburgh needed to know... he was good in bed... why not? And we fucked again and again... every time I went to NewYork... I guess, some might call us fuck buddies...”

“How long has this been going on?” Ted asked, utterly fascinated by what Brian was saying. Brian Kinney had fucked the same man again and again. Unbelievable!

“More than three years,” Brian said quietly, before he raised his eyes and had a challenging look in them. “Come on, make fun of me!”

Ted frowned. “Why would I? Because you ended up having a relationship like most other human beings on this planet?”

“It wasn't a relationship,” Brian spat immediately, though there hadn't been as much anger in his voice as there had been just minutes ago.

“Well, if you fucked him every time you went to New York for more than three years... some might call that a relationship,” Ted just replied dryly.

“It wasn't,” Brian just said. “We fucked. We had a good time together and that was it.”

Ted shrugged, as if to say 'Alright, if you say so'.

When Brian didn't continue after that, Ted raised an eyebrow. “So what happened this weekend?”

“His wife called him after he had just given me a blowjob to tell him that his daughter was in hospital. He left after that.”

“His wife? A daughter? Did you know he had a wife?”

Brian looked at Ted as if he was stupid. “Noooooooo...He somewhat forgot to mention them.”

“Oh,” Ted now said, slowly understanding what had happened.

“Oh indeed...,” Brian just said, now once more picking up the file. “I have no interest in being anyone's dirty secret while they scratch their gay itch every couple of weeks or months. Asshole can't be brave enough to be his true self? Well, he won't be getting a piece of this then,” Brian muttered, nodding towards his crotch. He then opened the file once more. “Now, numbers?”

Ted was still trying to accept what Brian had just told him, but knew that this was probably as much as he would get from his boss and friend. Deciding that Brian had told him enough for the moment, Ted nodded and turned towards his own copy of last quarter's profits. He then began talking about numbers, feeling way more comfortable having a conversation about profits with Brian than the betrayal of a boyfriend/non-boyfriend guy he had been fucking in New York for three years.

When the meeting was coming to a close and Ted was about to leave Brian's office, he had to smile to himself as he heard Brian's voice for one last parting shot.

“If you tell anyone about this...,” Brian started, only for Ted to finish.

“I'll be dead. I know. And I won't.”

With that he left, hoping that his friend would get over his heartbreak soon. For he was sure that that was what was happening to Brian. He had just gotten his heart broken by that guy's betrayal. Whether he wanted to admit it to himself or not.

Chapter 5

One year later

Brian was just heading over to the booth at the back of the diner where he saw his friends sitting together, obviously talking about something or other.

They had started having these Sunday breakfasts about ten months ago after Michael had complained that they hardly saw each other anymore which really wasn't true as far as Brian was concerned. They still saw each other for Sunday dinners at Debbie's every week. But yeah, each of them had their own lives, their own partners now and they didn't nearly spend as much time together anymore as they used to. So Michael had suggested that they had these Sunday breakfasts, just the four of them, the original gang as he called them, no partners or tricks allowed.

So far Brian was still working on finding a way out of this arrangement, but hadn't been successful yet. The times he had just refused to show up, Michael had shown up at his loft right after and had driven him crazy with his constant whining. So crazy that Brian had in the end decided that showing up for half an hour or hour to have breakfast with him and Emmett and Ted was just easier. As he came closer, lamenting his fate some more, he could hear Ted's voice.

“I would do him...”

“Oh, honey, I would let him do me,” Emmett replied in his typical Emmett fashion, his voice way too high-pitched and excited for a man that had been in a serious relationship with Drew Boyd for more than two years now.

“Does Drewsie know you're thinking about other men fucking you?” Brian drawled as he arrived at the booth and sat down next to Michael, who was smiling way too excitedly at him.

“Oh, you would want to do him as well,” Emmett said, looking at Brian directly. “Hell, I am sure Drewsie would love to do him. He's just soooooo cute and dreamy.”

“I don't get it. What's the big deal? He looks like a high school boy and must be one spoiled rich kid,” Michael added to the conversation, clearly knowing who they were talking about.

Brian couldn't be bothered to show enough interest to ask who they were talking about, instead waved at Debbie. When she came over and left a big kiss on his cheek, he ordered some coffee and an egg white omelette.

“You guys stop. That poor man! Can you imagine what he must be going through right now? Coming out is hard for the best of us... you,” she corrected herself when Brian gave her a look that said 'Really?', but then went right on.

“And a man in his position. God, I don't even want to imagine the media circus that's gonna come down on him now,” she finished.

“And just think about his wife and daughter,” Ted threw in, which only made Michael roll his eyes at him.

“Why did he get married anyway if he's gay? What a coward,” he spat which caused Brian, Ted and Emmett to raise their eyebrows at him in confusion. They could all still remember how Michael had pretended to be straight when he had worked at the Big Q, too scared to come out and admit who he was.

“Tracey,” Emmett therefore coughed out, before he buried his face in the magazine again that was lying in front of him on the table and was obviously the topic of conversation.

When Debbie came back a few minutes later, bringing Brian's breakfast, she picked up the conversation again. “Did you know he went to school in Pittsburgh? That posh boarding school up north.”

“St. James,” Brian muttered without thinking about it.

“Yeah, exactly. That's the one. Thanks, honey!”

“What do you know about boarding schools in Pittsburgh?” Michael asked, giving Brian a confused look.

Brian just rolled his eyes, then snarked. “Some of us do read a local newspaper every once in a while and some of us have businesses that require them to meet with people that actually attended that school and others like it.”

Before Michael could reply anything, Emmett picked up the magazine and waved the cover in front of Brian. “So what's your take on this?”

Brian threw a lazy glance at the magazine, ready to reply something snarky when his breath stopped and the words died in his throat.

It wasn't the headline that said 'European prince caught in gay sex scandal in New York' that caused his reaction, but the picture that went along with it. He immediately recognised the prince in question only that he didn't know him as a prince, but just knew him as Justin. An artist in New York that he had been fucking for more than three years.

“Brian? Would you do him or not?” Emmett asked, confused when Brian didn't reply right away.

“Of course he wouldn't, right, Brian?” Michael immediately replied instead. “He's not even close to Brian's type.”

“I have to go,” was all Brian got out, before he left his breakfast untouched and headed for the door with a final mumbled, “Have to head to work.”

Ted frowned, looking after Brian in confusion.

“Doesn't he know that it's Sunday?” Emmett asked, his voice as confused as Ted felt.

“Uhm, actually, we have this big presentation on Tuesday and there is still a lot to do...,” he lied easily looking after his boss and friend.

The other men finished their breakfast and then headed off to their homes, boyfriends, Sunday plans, whatever, promising to meet later that day at Debbie's weekly Sunday dinner.

Instead of heading home, Ted sent a quick message to Blake, telling him that he would be late as something work related had come up and then headed in the direction of Brian's loft.

Something had been very off about Brian's reaction to seeing that magazine headline and Ted had a feeling that he knew what it was. And even though Brian had seemed fine after their conversation a year ago, he hadn't seemed fine just 20 minutes ago.

Ted frowned when no one answered at the loft and when he tried to call Brian, his call went straight to voicemail.

Remembering how Brian had said that he would have to head to work, Ted wondered if he had really meant it. He decided to check the office, then head home and wait and see if Brian would show up for dinner later that day.

When he entered the office, he was relieved when he saw light on. Apparently, Brian had headed into work just like he had said.

Ted immediately went to his office and entered without knocking.

“What are you doing here?” Ted asked as he found Brian sitting at his desk, looking at something on his computer screen.

It took a couple of seconds for Brian to react which made Ted wonder if the other man had even heard him, but then Brian looked up and met his gaze.

“Working.”

“It's Sunday, Brian.”

“So?” Brian turned his attention back to his screen, not paying any further attention to Ted.

“There isn't anything urgent that needs to be done by tomorrow. Why are you here?” Ted asked, slowly walking closer to the desk.

“To work. It's my company. Can't I come in and work when I want to?” Brian said, clearly getting more and more annoyed by the second by Ted's presence.

“You left the diner in a real hurry,” the other man pointed out, once again wondering if Brian was even paying him any attention at all.

“Forgot something,” Brian muttered, then looked up and met Ted's gaze with an annoyed one of his own. “What are you doing here? Why aren't you on your way home to Blake?”

“You rushed out of the diner in such a hurry... I was worried,” Ted admitted, not surprised when Brian's face closed off in reaction to his admission that he was worried about his friend. “It was that magazine, wasn't it? That story... It's him, right?”

Ted saw how Brian's look changed from one of annoyance to one of surprise and also confirmation that he was right.

On his way to Brian's loft and then the office Ted had wondered what could have caused Brian to rush off like that and the more he had thought about it, the more he knew that he was right. That guy Brian had been fucking in New York was that prince. It all made sense. Debbie had mentioned that he had gone to school in Pittsburgh and Brian had immediately known the name of the school. And he knew that Brian had first fucked the guy in Pittsburgh the night Gus had been born. The article mentioned the guy now living in New York and more importantly the article mentioned that he was married to a woman and had a daughter. It all fit with what Brian had shared with him last year. And more importantly, it would explain Brian's weird reaction.

Not waiting for any further confirmation from Brian, Ted walked over to Brian's side of the desk, not surprised when he saw an online version of the same article that had been in the magazine on Brian's screen.

“Did you know that he is a prince from Europe?”

“He forgot to mention that as well,” Brian just spat, before he closed the website that he had been on.

“Shit...,” Ted just sighed, trying to gauge the enormity of what was going on. “So... he's a European royal...wow...”

“Looks like it,” Brian just muttered. “Not that he ever told me. He told me he was an artist in New York, that his parents were from Europe. Then again, he didn't mention his wife and daughter either, so I guess the joke is on me even more now!”

With that Brian angrily got up from his chair, shutting down his computer.

“Are you okay, Brian?” Ted asked carefully, looking at his friend in obvious concern.

“What's one more lie, right? And what do I care? I haven't cared in a year,” Brian spat, then headed for the door of his office. “Close up behind you, will you?” With that Brian left, leaving Ted to stare after him.

“Shit...,” was all the older man could mutter as he sank down in Brian's chair, trying to make sense of what this all meant.

After a couple of minutes of thinking about the situation, he headed to his own office and turned on his PC there. He googled 'European prince gay scandal' and immediately found the article that he was looking for. And so many more like it. Shit, it looked like now that the story had broken in that magazine it was all anyone could talk about.

Ted couldn't help but feel sorry for the guy. He had never met him, didn't know him, but he could only imagine what media scrutiny like that had to feel like. Especially when it came to a gay sex scandal. And the guy was obviously gay if he had been fucked by Brian for three years.

Ted read the article, finding out that Prince Justinus, commonly known as Justin, was the heir to the throne of the small European country of Darumor. Ted wasn't sure if he had ever heard of that country before, but according to these articles it really existed and Prince Justinus was supposed to become king one day in the future when his mother, the current queen resigned or retired. Or whatever you called it when a monarch stepped down.

Apparently, Justinus' father had passed away the year before and his mother had become queen and with him as their eldest child, he would be the next king in line once his mother stepped down.

He was 27 now, had married a woman from a family close to the royal family three years ago, apparently the wife Brian had mentioned and they had a daughter that was about to turn two years soon.

The article mentioned that he had been educated at private schools in the US and had attended university here and was now living in New York with his family where he presented Darumor's interests at the United Nations as an ambassador.

The article further mentioned that there had been rumours that he frequented gay bars and clubs in New York and that a former lover of his had shopped around a video that showed the prince in a very compromising position, which was him having sex with another man.

Apparently the journalist who had written the article had seen the video and there was no doubt that the prince was the man who did the fucking in the video.

To illustrate that point, they had included some screenshots which showed his face clearly.

Ted wondered if they might get away claiming that the images and video were fake, that they might get away claiming that someone had doctored the prince's face on top of another man's body.

Once he was done reading the whole article, Ted closed the website and turned off his computer.

He wondered how Brian was doing, knowing that the secret of having a wife and a daughter wasn't the only secret the man had kept from him. Ted could very well remember how hurt Brian had been the previous year after he had found out the truth about the wife and daughter and he could also remember how long it had taken Brian to return to some semblance of normalcy.

Brian had acted like he didn't care, had acted like he had never had feelings for the other man and like nothing that had happened in New York had mattered. He had drunk, fucked and sucked like he always had, but every once in a while Ted had seen the truth and had seen the faraway, sad expression in Brian's eyes when he thought nobody was watching him.

Ted hoped that Brian would be alright after the new revelation of the day. As he wondered if he should go and check on Brian, he decided to wait instead. Brian wouldn't appreciate him getting into his business and showing up at the loft now, checking in on Brian would only make the man angry.

Ted vowed to himself that he would keep an eye on Brian at dinner later and at work over the next days and he hoped that one day rather sooner than later Brian would talk to him about what he had found out today. Though he wouldn't get his hopes up too high.

Once he and Blake made it to Debbie's for dinner later that night, Ted wasn't really surprised any longer when Brian didn't show up. He had expected that much. He just hoped that Brian was okay and not going on a bender as he had at times in the past.

***

Same time at the loft

Brian stared out at the Pittsburgh skyline from his seat on his sofa. He had by now drunk half the bottle of Jim Bean, but still didn't feel any better. Whoever had said that you could find relief at the bottom of a bottle had been a liar. So far he didn't feel any better than he had earlier that day.

When his doorbell rang, Brian sighed and got up, making his way over to the door. He hoped that it was his dealer who he had called earlier, asking him to bring him something, anything really. E, coke, weed, poppers. He honestly didn't care. Just something that would make him forget.

And as he thought that thought, he felt anger rise once more. Why was he even feeling this way? Why did he care? Why was he hurt by yet another lie from Justin? He hadn't spoken to him in a year, hadn't talked to him at all since he had found out about his wife and daughter, so why did he care so much now that he knew that there had been more lies? What did it even matter at this point?

Not wanting to dwell on that for too long, Brian angrily pressed the button of his intercom. “Top floor,” he barked, then pressed the buzzer that would open the door. He pulled back the metal door of his loft and headed towards his fridge to check if he had any food there. He doubted it, but still.

Not surprisingly, his fridge was completely empty apart from some bottles of beer and more hard liquor and he slammed the door shut angrily when he heard the elevator arrive on his floor.

He made his way back to the door and stopped dead in his tracks when he saw that it wasn't his dealer who had come up to his loft.

“What are you doing here?”

Chapter 6

Brian stared at the younger man, waiting for a reply. When none came, he snarked. “What are you doing here? Your royal highness!”

The last part had been hissed angrily and Justin visibly flinched in reaction.

“I didn't know where else to go,” he said quietly, looking at Brian from tired eyes and an exhausted face.

“And what gave you the fucking idea that you could just show up here?” Brian almost yelled, glaring at the younger man.

“I... I just needed a place where no one would find me... where I could just lay low for a … night.”

“Those places are called hotel. They have a lot of them. All over town. And guess what? They even have them in New York!” Brian shot back, moving over to pull the metal door to his apartment shut.

“I am sorry, Brian,” Justin said quietly, not looking at the man himself, but at the floor in front of him.

Brian barked a laughter. “Sorry? What exactly for? For showing up here unannounced? For lying to me about your fucking wife and daughter? For lying to me about who the hell you are?”

“For everything,” Justin said, now looking up to meet Brian's angry gaze. “I wanted to tell you so many times, but... I didn't know how.”

“Well, you know? It's actually quite easy. You open your mouth and make noises. Some people call them words. And those words could have said: By the way, Brian, I am a dirty liar. A fucking coward who has a wife and daughter and uses you to scratch an itch every once in a while when I feel like it. And to boot, I am a fucking prince as well!”

Justin lowered his eyes once more, not able to keep looking at Brian. He couldn't bear the anger he saw in those eyes.

“It's not like that... it has never been like that,” he just muttered.

“Oh really? So what has it been like?” Brian challenged, looking at Justin expectantly.

“I... I wanted to explain to you so many times... I... tried calling you, tried texting you... I wish you would have given me a chance to explain.”

“Well, it doesn't seem like you took the hint. Maybe my silence should have told you that I didn't want to talk to you.”

Now it was Justin's turn to laugh hollowly. “Oh, I got it. I got your message loud and clear... “

“Then why are you here? What are you fucking doing here at my loft?”

“I didn't know where else to go,” Justin whispered, now looking up again, his eyes filling with tears as he spoke. “You... this... it was the only place I could think of.”

“Of all the places... of all the people you must know... You couldn't find another place to go?” Brian raised an eyebrow, then shook his head angrily. “Unbelievable.”

“I... I didn't know who else to trust...,” Justin admitted sadly, angrily wiping away a tear. “I didn't know where else to go, what else to do... I just... I needed to find a place where I could think... if only for a couple of hours and... there's no one I can trust right now....”

“And you trust me?” Brian's voice made it clear what he thought of that.

“I do,” Justin said surprisingly fast, his voice absolutely sincere. “I always have.”

“Well, good for you! At least one of us can trust the other then, right?” With that Brian moved to close the door to his apartment once more. He stopped when Justin's voice broke the silence once more.

“You have never betrayed me. You... you have never sold me out to the press...Not even after...,” Justin then stopped, not finishing his sentence and letting it hang in the air.

“Well, until today, I had no idea that there was anything to sell, Prince Justinus!”

Justin's eyes widened slightly as he looked at Brian and gauged the honesty of his words.

“You... you didn't know?”

“Joke's on me, I guess, but until earlier today, I thought I was fucking Justin Taylor, artist from New York. Not a fucking royal from Europe who's about to become king of his fucking country one day,” Brian confirmed.

“I thought... I,” Justin started, then stopped, running a hand over his face. “I always thought you knew and just... hadn't made a big deal out of it.”

“Believe it or not, I actually believed you when you told me about your life as an artist in New York,” Brian spat.

“Shit... Brian, I...,” Justin sighed, then looked at Brian once more. “I am so sorry. So fucking sorry. I always assumed that you knew and just hadn't ever mentioned it to not make it an issue between us and...” Justin then stopped and looked at Brian from wide eyes. “That's why you also didn't know about Daphne and Lizzie, is it?”

Brian met Justin's gaze head on, when he spoke. “Your wife? And daughter?”

Justin just nodded in response.

Shaking his head, Brian replied. “Nope, had no idea until you dropped that bomb on me like that.”

Justin just nodded once more, then took a deep breath. “I wish you would have let me explain...”

“What?” Brian now spat. “That you're fucking married and have a child and whenever you feel like it, you go out and meet with your out of town fuck buddy to live out all the gay fantasies in your head?”

“It's not like that, Brian. It was never like that,” Justin said, his voice full of sincerity. “Daphne has always known about you. About us.”

That actually surprised Brian and made him stop what he was about to say. “What?”

“Daphne has been my best friend for as long as I can think. We met in kindergarten and... she has been my best friend ever since. She knew that I was gay long before I did... Hell, she's the one that drove me to Liberty Avenue that night when Gus was born... she was the one that had to listen to me gush about you for years...”

Brian frowned, obviously confused by what Justin was saying. “Your wife knows you're gay?”

Justin nodded once more. “She has always known.”

“And yet she married you and you had a child?” Brian asked, all snark and anger now gone from his voice, replaced by obvious confusion and also curiosity.

“Brian, can I please come in? I... I want to explain it all to you, but... I'd rather not do it here in the hallway,” Justin said quietly, looking at Brian pleadingly.

Brian only seemed to realise now that they were still standing in his doorway and then took a step back to make space for Justin to enter the loft. Once he had, Brian closed the metal door behind him.

“Thanks,” Justin said quietly, turning around to look at Brian.

“Your wife,” Brian just prompted, urging Justin to explain.

Justin nodded, then started his explanation.

“Daphne has always known that I am gay and... she has always known about you... She is my best friend, but she's not my wife in the conventional sense of the word. Yes, she married me, but... not because we're in love with each other, but... she married me because she knew how conservative my parents were, how they would have reacted if they had known the truth about me being gay. She...she married me because she's my best friend and she didn't want me to suffer any more than I had to due to who I am, due to... who my family are. We've... we've always been honest about our sexual affairs, but as far as my parents are concerned, as far as her parents are concerned, hell, as far as the public was concerned, we were a happy couple, madly in love with each other and our daughter. She married me, so my parents would get the heir they always dreamed of. It was all they ever cared about and Daphne made it possible. She... she gave up her chance of finding love for herself one day to protect me from the scandal my coming out would undoubtedly have been.”

Brian listened to what Justin was saying, not pointing out that that exact scandal was unfolding now. Instead he tried to make sense of what Justin was saying.

“Why didn't you tell me?” He asked after a minute of silence between them.

“I wanted to... I wanted to explain it all to you, but... you wouldn't talk to me. You blocked me,” Justin pointed out, not looking at Brian as he spoke.

“Why didn't you tell me before? There would have been so much time to mention her... your daughter...,” Brian replied.

“I... I honestly thought you knew. Up until that night, I thought you knew. It's not like my private life was ever much of a secret. There were pictures... I thought you knew who I was and also knew about her, but when... when you reacted that strongly that night... I... I wasn't sure what to make of it,” Justin admitted.

“Why did you never tell me that you're a fucking prince?” Brian asked, clearly exasperated now.

“I thought you knew,” Justin just repeated. “I thought you knew. I... I don't think I've ever met anyone who didn't know who I was,” he finished weakly.

“Well, say hello to me, the one person on this planet who apparently thought you were just an artist from New York.”

Justin looked at Brian from sad eyes. “I... I am so sorry. So sorry, Brian.”

“You could have said something. You could have checked if I really didn't know... I could have been someone who just wanted to exploit you and make some money off you. Like whoever sold that video to the fucking press,” Brian said angrily.

Justin hung his head and sighed. “That first night, when Gus was born... It was fucking reckless. I didn't know you, didn't know if you would have recognized me or not and... I didn't care. I was too young and naive to pay any attention to the potential risks of just hooking up with a stranger and... when I met you again years later... I knew that you hadn't sold me out the first time we were together and I guess...I just hoped that you wouldn't then. And when you didn't... I just started trusting that you wouldn't sell me out. And... over time, I just trusted you not to do anything to hurt me.”

“I would have never,” Brian started angrily, then ran a hand through his hair in frustration. “If I had known... I would have never...”

“I know,” Justin said quietly. “I know you wouldn't have. You would have never done anything to hurt me...”

“Who is this guy?” Brian asked next and Justin didn't have to ask who Brian was talking about.

“Just a trick I met at a club... I didn't think he had recognized me, he hadn't given me any indication that he knew who I was and... to be fair, he didn't seem like the smartest guy around, so... I foolishly trusted him...”

“Did you know he was filming you?” Brian asked next, moving over to his sofa, nodding at Justin, urging him to follow him. Brian took a sip from his bottle of Jim Beam, then handed the bottle to Justin.

Justin shook his head, then took a long drink from the bottle as well.

“What will happen now?” Brian asked, flopping down on the sofa.

“I don't know,” Justin admitted, sitting down as well, burying his head in his hands. “I don't fucking know...”

“What about your family?”

Justin sighed, rubbing the heel of his hand over his eyes. “I've been ignoring calls from everyone ever since the story broke... Just trying to figure out what to do... I... I don't fucking know what to do...”

He turned to look at Brian and his eyes looked utterly exhausted. “I don't know what to do... My mother...she will probably disinherit me, not that that would be a bad thing.”

“What?”

Justin sighed, before he explained that statement. “I never wanted this life, Brian. I have never asked for it. The whole pomp, procedure and all the rules and regulations coming with my position... I never wanted that. It's not who I am. It's not who I want to be...But I never had a choice, did I? Maybe this will be a blessing in disguise and I can finally get away from it all and just live the life I have always wanted...Maybe deep down that's why I continued going to clubs even though I knew that I shouldn't. Maybe I was just waiting to be found out. God, I don't know... I just want to live the life I want...”

“What life would that be?” Brian asked, curious despite himself.

Justin shrugged. “I've always just wanted to be Justin Taylor. An ordinary man who worked on his art and was able to be his true self and to love the man he would be happy with for the rest of his life. Prince Justinus... it's not who I am. It's not who I want to be.”

“Doesn't look like you're going to get away from him any time soon,” Brian said darkly, then took the bottle from Justin and took another large drink from it. At that point they were interrupted by the doorbell ringing and Brian got up, marching over to his intercom. He just pressed the button and said curtly. “Fuck off! Not now!” Hoping that whoever was outside – most likely his dealer anyway – would get a hint and disappear. When he turned around, he saw that Justin was watching him from wide eyes.

“I... I shouldn't have come here... I shouldn't have shown up here like this, but... I didn't know where else to go. I don't know who I can trust and... I know I shouldn't have come back into your life like this, but... I trust you, Brian and... I value your opinion,” Justin said seriously.

“My opinion?”

“What should I do?” Justin asked, now looking a lot younger than his 27 years, almost looking like the teenager again that Brian had met so many years ago on the night Gus had been born.

“You're asking me? I am sure your family has a whole PR team at your disposal,” Brian snorted.

“Yes, and they will tell me to deny that it's me in the video and to claim that the video has been doctored.”

“So do that,” Brian said, at the same time rolling his eyes at the stupidity of that idea. He then moved back to the sofa and sat down once more.

“What would your advice be?” Justin asked, now looking at Brian from earnest eyes, eyes that were looking for help.

“My advice? What does it matter?”

“I trust you, Brian and... I haven't had a clear thought all day... I just... I need an honest opinion. From someone that cares about me, not my position, not the throne or the kingdom. Someone that I can trust to put me first.”

“And you think that person is me?” Brian snorted again, shaking his head. “Sunshine, you got the wrong man here...”

Justin smiled, shyly looking up at Brian. “I missed hearing you call me that,” he said quietly, but stopped when he saw Brian's face cloud over. “I... I am sorry... I shouldn't have said that. I just... I trust you and I value your opinion, Brian. I always have!”

Brian stayed quiet for the longest time, but in the end gave his two cents though. “If you claim that it isn't you in the video, that the video has been doctored, you only open yourself up to future revelations. Other men might come out, having recognized your face now that it's plastered all over every magazine in the fucking world. If you deny, this won't be the last story of this kind and you'll have to deny these kind of stories again and again... And you know what they say, where there's smoke, there's fire.”

Justin nodded, deep down knowing that Brian was right. “So...what should I do?”

“Take control of the conversation. Make it your story, not someone else's. Give an interview to someone you trust and tell them the truth. Then ride out the wave... It might be hard in the beginning, but once somebody else does something scandalous, they will all forget about you and you can go back to living your life... Otherwise... you'll never know who you can trust... you'll never know if the next guy you fuck might go and sell his story as well... you will always look over your shoulder every time you go and try to be yourself... or,” Brian stopped, taking a deep breath, looking directly at Justin as he continued. “You stop being yourself and will live a lie for the rest of your life, never living out your true, gay self again, but instead living a lie with your wife and daughter for the rest of your days.”

Justin hung his head and shook it over and over. “Fuck...”

“You asked for my advice,” Brian said as way of apology for what he had said. His voice then took on a softer tone. “Stand up for yourself, Justin! Be who you want to be. Who you are. You don't owe your family anything. This is your life, this is about your happiness.”

“It's not that easy, Brian.”

“Yes, it is. You want to be Justin Taylor, artist extraordinaire and gay man that loves to fuck and be fucked by other men? Fine, fucking be him! You owe that to yourself... don't live a lie for the rest of your life.”

“You make it sound so easy, but it's not,” Justin just whispered. “I've got a responsibility... to my family, our kingdom, the throne...”

“And what about the responsibility to yourself? To be the best gay man that you can be? To be your best true self?” Brian asked, looking at the young man at his side. “Anyway, you asked for my advice, this is my advice.”

With that he got up, making Justin frown in confusion. He went into his bedroom and came back a minute later with a pillow and a blanket.

“You can stay on the couch,” was all he said as he handed Justin the items, then went back to his bedroom.

Justin watched after him as he undressed and then went into his bathroom for a quick shower.

He stayed on the couch for the longest time, looking at the night sky over Pittsburgh, deep in thought, thinking over what Brian had said. If only it was that easy.

After what felt like an eternity, Justin got up and headed for the bathroom as well. He smiled when he saw the extra toothbrush that Brian had put next to the sink and then brushed his teeth and got ready for the night.

When he left the bathroom, he thought that Brian was already sleeping, watching the gentle rise and fall of his chest from the doorway.

God, he loved that man. He had missed him so much over the last year. There hadn't been a day that he hadn't thought about Brian holding him, Brian kissing him and yes, also about Brian fucking him. He loved him, he had missed him and he knew now that he had hurt Brian so much by not being honest about who he really was and who Daphne and Lizzie were.

He had thought Brian had known, but he obviously hadn't and now everything they had ever had between them was destroyed. Destroyed because Justin hadn't been honest about who he was.

Justin angrily wiped away the tears that now ran down his face, knowing that it was all his own fault. And instead of sending him away, Brian had offered him his advice and his couch for the night. Brian was a good man and had deserved better than how Justin had treated him.

Not able to help himself, Justin slowly moved closer to the bed, almost feeling a magnetic pull. He kneeled down at the edge of the bed, gasping in shock when Brian's eyes opened and looked straight at him.

They looked at each other for the longest time, until Brian lifted the cover in clear invitation. Justin quickly slipped under the cover, his back touching Brian's front, allowing Brian to wrap his arms around him and hold him close.

It felt so good, Justin couldn't help crying again. He had missed this so much.

There was nothing sexual about the way Brian was pulling him closer, there was just so much comfort in that gesture.

Justin allowed himself to take some deep breaths and for the first time all day he just felt calm and happy. Happy to be where he was, happy to be with the man he was with.

“I never meant to hurt you, Brian... I love you too much... I am so sorry it all ended the way it did...,” Justin whispered, not expecting a reply. He knew that Brian hated talking about his feelings on the best of days and just the fact that he had allowed Justin into his bed and was now holding him was more than Justin could have ever hoped for. He shouldn't push his luck by saying anything more or by making Brian say anything.

For the longest time there was no response from Brian at all. After a couple of minutes, he pulled Justin that much closer, holding him tight in his arms, as if to protect him from the outside world.

“Go to sleep, Sunshine.”

It was all he said and it was all that Justin needed. Brian wasn't kicking him out of his bed and was allowing him to stay. It was more than Justin could have ever wished for.

Ten minutes later both men had fallen asleep, sleeping way better than they should have under the circumstances.

Chapter 7

Brian slowly woke up, fighting to open his eyes. He blinked a couple of times when he realised that the sun was shining into his loft, trying to get used to how bright it was.

Once Brian's eyes had gotten used to the light and he was fully awake, he frowned. He clearly remembered Justin being in his arms and his bed when he had fallen asleep, but now his bed was empty.

As he looked around the loft and listened for any noise, he realised that the younger man was gone. He was alone in the loft and Justin wasn't there anymore.

Brian frowned, then slowly sat up. Where the hell was Justin? Why was he gone?

While Brian was still trying to understand what was going on, he saw an envelope slide down from the pillow where Justin's head had been lying just hours before.

He reached for the envelope and frowned when he saw his name on it. Brian. Well, who else was going to find it? It was lying in his bed, in his loft.

Brian slowly opened the envelope and pulled out two pieces of paper. He immediately saw that one was a letter, the other was a sketch. A sketch of him as he was sleeping. In this very bed.

He studied the sketch for a few minutes and was once away blown away by Justin's talent. It was obvious that he had done the sketch some time last night or earlier this morning. Brian watched his own face, saw how peaceful and relaxed he looked in the sketch. There wasn't a single care in the world that showed on his face. He really just looked at peace. Almost serene even.

Brian wondered why Justin had sketched him like that, why he had left the sketch afterwards and most of all where the younger man had disappeared to. He figured that the letter might give him some answers, so he unfolded the piece of paper and started reading.

Brian,

I want you to know that more than anything I am sorry. I know that by now it must sound pretty empty to you, but I am. More sorry than you could ever imagine.

What am I sorry for, you ask? A lot of things really, but most of all that we met under these circumstances.

I wish, more than anything, that we could have met under different circumstances and that none of what happened, did.

I never meant to hurt you, you have to believe me. Quite on the contrary: I love you. With all my heart. I loved you from the day I met you so many years ago.

Back then it was nothing more than a teenage crush for the man who took my virginity. I'll admit that even though it felt like so much more back then. But over the years, after we reconnected and when this... thing... I know you don't like the word relationship, but really... I think it might qualify as a relationship of sorts. Anyway, when this thing between us started and I got to know you, the real you, the man behind the image of the Stud of Liberty Avenue... that's when I really fell in love with you. And I have loved you ever since.

I have not done a good job of it, I will admit that. Part of love is trust and I realise now that while I trusted you, it would be presumptous of me to assume that you ever really trusted me. Even if you thought at the time that you had, we both know better now, don't we?

I am sorry we ended the way we did and I know now that I should have been honest with you from the beginning. I wasn't and that's on me and me alone. I am sorry you got pulled into my mess and I am sorry that I showed up like that at your loft yesterday. I shouldn't have, not after what happened between us before, but really, I didn't know what else to do and like so many times before, you were there for me.

I want to thank you, Brian. Thank you for not sending me away last night when you would have been well within your rights to do so. Thank you for giving me your advice and for allowing me to stay. And most of all, thank you for allowing me to stay in your bed. For holding me like that all night. I haven't slept that well in over a year and while I know I didn't deserve it, I will cherish the memory of last night forever.

You have helped me come to a decision. I don't know how things are going to turn out or what is going to happen, but you have reminded me of a few important things last night that I had forgotten for so long. Thank you for that! It means more than I can ever say.

I am sorry (yes, another sorry) for having left without a word, but I couldn't bear to say goodbye to you. I know you only meant for me to stay the night and I respect that. I wish things were different, but they're not. I couldn't face you kicking me out this morning, so I left before you could. I know you would have deserved a goodbye and thank you in person from me, but I couldn't. I just couldn't. It would have been too painful.

You might never believe me and I won't blame you if you don't, but I love you, Brian. I love you with all my heart. I love you more than anything – well, except for Lizzie, but I am sure you understand that – and I meant what I said above: I wish we could have met under different circumstances. Just Brian Kinney and Justin Taylor, two men in love. None of the shit about who I am and what my position in life is. Just Brian and Justin. That would be a perfect life!

Thank you for last night. That and the knowledge of how much I love you will keep me going for what will come next.

I know I haven't been the most trustworthy person before, but you can trust me that I mean this: I will always love you and I will always remember the good times.

Yours forever,

Justin Taylor

P.S: You look so peaceful when you're asleep. Like there's not a care in your world. I loved watching you so many nights when we were sleeping together. This is how I will always remember you. As the peaceful, serene man that loved me and held me in his arms, protecting me from whatever was coming at me.

Once Brian was done reading the letter, he wasn't quite sure how he felt. Angry, disappointed, but also sad. Angry that Justin had left without a word, disappointed that he had just left a letter instead of talking to him, sad that he was gone.

And that last thought surprised him. He had been the one who had ended all contact with Justin after he had found out about his wife and daughter. He was the one who hadn't wanted to hear any explanations or apologies from the man. And when he had found out that he was a fucking royal from Europe, he had been even angrier. Had felt even more betrayed because Justin had lied to him about that as well. So why was he sad that the young man was gone from his life? Shouldn't he be happy instead?

Only that he wasn't. He wasn't happy at all. He had been happy last night when he had fallen asleep with Justin in his arms, but now? Now he just felt empty and more than anything lonely.

He took the sketch once more and watched it for the longest time.

With a heavy sigh, he got up and took the letter and sketch to the kitchen island. He left them there as he started the coffee machine. Just as he was about to pick them up again, his doorbell rang.

He frowned, not expecting anyone that early in the morning and walked over to the intercom.

“Who is it?”

“It's me,” Ted announced and Brian could only frown when he recognised the voice of his friend and CFO.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”

“Checking that you're okay,” Ted replied calmly.

“Why wouldn't I be?” Brian snarked, not bothered at all that they were having this conversation on the intercom.

“You didn't show up to dinner at Debbie's last night for starters,” Ted began, then his tone of voice changed. “Now let me up.”

“Why?”

“I thought you would prefer to have this conversation in private,” Ted said calmly.

“What conversation?” Brian asked, pretending not to know what Ted was referring to.

“Really?” Ted just asked before he continued. “There are some tricks hanging out on the street. They look very interested in listening in to what we're talking about. I doubt you'd want them to know all about your private life and to take it back to the backroom of Babylon tonight, right?”

Brian cursed and muttered to himself, then pushed the button to let Ted in.

When he heard the elevator arrive on his floor, he opened the metal door.

“Why are there tricks hanging outside my door?” Brian asked, looking at Ted strangely.

“Did I say outside your door? I thought I said there were tricks on the street. Which is true... some of them are heading home after a long night at Babylon and an early breakfast at the diner. I didn't see anyone outside your door specifically,” Ted smirked, then walked past Brian into the loft.

“Fuck you!” Brian muttered, looking at the older man angrily as he walked into the loft.

“I have Blake for that. So can we cut the crap and just get to the point? Are you okay?”

For a second Brian was tempted to yell at Ted and kick him out of the loft, but then he tried to tell himself that Ted was only worried. And that he could trust Ted. Ted had known more than one secret about his life and had kept it. Ted had known about his cancer. Ted had known about Justin. In fact Ted was the only person that knew about whatever it was that had been between them and so far Ted had kept his mouth shut and hadn't told anyone. So Brian forced himself to swallow down his first impulse to yell at the man and to actually give a reasonably calm reply.

“I am fine.”

“Brian,” Ted just said, looking at his friend closely. “You weren't okay last night or you would have shown up at Debbie's.”

“I was fine. I was just busy.” Brian was proud of himself because that wasn't even a lie. He had been busy. Only not in the way that Ted might have thought.

“Fucking random tricks doesn't mean that you're fine.”

“I didn't fuck anyone last night,” Brian just muttered, once again not lying but telling the truth. “I am fine. I wasn't yesterday, but I am now.”

And as he said it, Brian realized that it was mostly true. He wasn't exactly happy that Justin had left without another word to him, but he wasn't nearly as angry or disappointed any longer as he had been when he had first woken up and realized that the man was gone.

“Now if you'll excuse me, I have a job to head to. And I think my employees would prefer if I showed up dressed in more than just my briefs,” Brian said as he headed towards the bedroom, effectively leaving Ted on his own in the loft.

Ted smelled the coffee and headed to the coffee maker. He poured a cup for Brian and then poured another one for himself, deciding that he could do with a cup himself.

As he headed over to the counter and sat down on one of the barstools, he couldn't help but notice a letter and sketch lying on the counter.

He knew that he shouldn't, but his curiosity got the best of him and he picked them up as he heard Brian heading into his bathroom.

He looked at the sketch and frowned at the image of a sleeping Brian. He wondered who had done the sketch. It was a damn good image of Brian. It looked almost lifelike. Whoever had done the sketch had caught Brian well.

Putting the sketch back onto the counter, Ted now looked at the letter. He didn't want to read it as it was a letter addressed to Brian, but he frowned when he saw that it was signed Justin Taylor.

That Justin? The prince? The one Brian hadn't spoken to in over a year since their New York relationship had ended?

Ted looked at the envelope and noticed that it was only addressed to Brian and didn't show a stamp or address. So it hadn't been mailed, but delivered in person.

That intrigued Ted and he wondered if it was an old letter and sketch that Brian had just unearthed last night for whatever reason.

Fighting with himself for several seconds, he lost the fight against his better judgement in the end and started reading and what he read surprised him more than he had expected.

The prince had been here? In Pittsburgh? In Brian's loft and had spent the night in Brian's bed?

When Ted heard Brian walking down the steps from his bedroom, he quickly put the letter aside as well and turned around, pretending to be drinking a cup of coffee.

“Ready to head to work?” He asked cheerfully which made Brian frown in confusion.

Something was off, but he wasn't quite sure what it was. Instead of wondering about Ted's weird behavior, was it really weird or was it just Ted being Ted?, he took a large drink from his own coffee, then headed towards the door.

“I was born ready,” he just said, then watched as Ted followed him and closed the metal door shut behind him.

At the office Ted thankfully left him alone, so that he was able to focus on his work.

He wasn't as focused as he usually was, but all things considering, he got more work done than he had expected.

***

Two days later

“Brian?” Ted came into his office, looking at his boss and friend carefully.

“What?” Brian muttered, clearly concentrated on the boards in front of him that he was studying. They had a presentation later that day and he was just checking the final boards for any mistakes that might still need to be corrected at the last minute.

“Have you seen the news?” Ted asked, his voice sounding awfully gentle which made Brian look up and meet his gaze questioningly.

“I am working, Theodore. And I don't pay you either to watch the news while you're here.”

“I know, but...” Ted just opened his laptop, then turned around the screen so Brian could see the website he had opened.

He had debated for a long time if he should show Brian the news or not, knowing that they had a presentation coming up later that day, but he also knew that Brian might have seen it himself or would be angry if Ted didn't say anything.

Ted really wasn't sure how Brian would react. For the last two days he had seemed more okay than Ted had expected and he didn't really know what to make of it.

Brian looked at the website in annoyance, wondering why Ted was interrupting his working day for some news or other, but he stopped any comment from leaving his mouth when he saw the headline:

“European Prince caught in gay scandal comes out as gay and announces divorce from his wife”

“Shit,” Brian just muttered as he read the headline, then took the laptop from Ted's hands to read the whole article.

Prince Justinus had announced that he was gay, had always been gay and would always be gay, that it was really him in that video and had announced the divorce from his wife, Princess Daphne, the mother of his daughter, Elizabeth.

Apparently he had given an exclusive interview to a local journalist from his home country admitting all that, announcing that he and his wife would stay committed to raising their daughter together, would always be best friends, but would no longer stay married.

“Brave, little fucker,” Brian muttered once he had read the whole article, obvious surprise, but also pride in his voice.

“I thought you might want to know, especially in light of... his visit and all,” Ted said quietly, but cursed himself when Brian's head immediately shot up and he looked at him questioningly.

“What visit?”

Ted cursed himself for having given away that he knew about Justin's visit, knowing that Brian would see right through any lie he could come up with.

“I know that he was at the loft Sunday night,” Ted admitted and when Brian frowned at him in confusion, he went on. “I saw the letter and the sketch on your kitchen counter...”

“You read the letter?” Brian raised an eyebrow and Ted wasn't sure if it was anger or disbelief that was the dominant emotion on Brian's face right now.

“I didn't mean to,” Ted defended himself. “I...I just saw it and...I couldn't help it...”

“You had no right,” Brian muttered, anger quickly winning over disbelief. “That was private and my private life is none of your concern.”

“I know,” Ted said quickly, knowing that Brian had every right to be angry. “And I am sorry. I didn't tell anyone and I won't.”

He held up his hands in defence, looking at Brian. “I promise!”

“You had no right to read that... That was private!” Brian had now raised his voice and was glaring at the man on the other side of his desk. “No fucking right!”

“No, I didn't, but... I was worried about you. I knew how affected you had been by Sunday's news and... when you seemed all fine on Monday I wasn't sure what to make of it and... it was just lying on the kitchen counter. It wasn't like you hid it well,” Ted said helplessly.

“Because someone showed up at my place unannounced when I didn't expect him to,” Brian said darkly. “I wasn't aware that I had to hide private correspondence in my own place.”

“I know you're angry and you have every right to be. I shouldn't have read it and I am sorry that I did, but... I thought you might want to know that he took your advice. It was your advice, wasn't it?” Ted asked, now looking less sure of himself than he had been before.

Brian stayed quiet for the longest time, looking at Ted's laptop again and again. In the end he just nodded.

“Good for him,” Ted said. “Now he can finally be who he wants to be.”

“We'll see about that,” Brian just said, then closed Ted's laptop and handed it back to him. “Now get out of my office. I swear I am going to fire your ass if I see you again before next week... Get out of my eyes!”

Ted's eyes widened, but he quickly did as he was told and headed for the door of Brian's office.

Brian turned back to the boards on his desk, shaking his head. He tried to concentrate on them for several minutes, but couldn't. All he could think about was the article that Ted had shown him. He couldn't even think too much about him reading Justin's letter. All that went through his head was that article.

“Brave, little fucker,” he muttered once more, clearly sounding impressed.

Chapter 8

Ted did as he had been told and stayed out of Brian's way for the rest of the week. He pretty much hid away in his office and when he had a meeting that Brian attended as well, he tried to keep it as professional as possible, avoiding any further conversation with Brian beyond what was important for their work.

Brian was angry and Ted knew that he had every right to be. Ted had had no right to read the letter that Justin had written to Brian and he hoped that staying out of Brian's path would make him forget about the worst of his anger.

When Sunday came around, he wondered if he should cancel his appearance at their weekly breakfast, but then decided against it. He couldn't avoid Brian for all eternity and more than likely Brian wouldn't show up anyway. Most weekends he didn't feel like meeting with them anyway and now he had a pretty good reason to stay away: To avoid Ted at all costs.

When Ted arrived at the diner and moved over to the booth in the back, he was honestly surprised to see Brian already there. He was drinking coffee and seemed to be the first one there.

Ted walked over and wordlessly moved into the seat across from Brian.

“If you want, I can leave,” he just offered, not looking at Brian as he spoke.

“And spoil Mikey's Sunday tradition? I don't think so...,” Brian just gave back before he took another drink from his cup of coffee.

Ted just nodded, then wondered what he could say next to cover the uncomfortable silence that had settled between them. Thankfully, he didn't have to worry about that for long as Michael showed up a minute later and immediately sat down next to Brian, leaning into his best friend and immediately starting to talk to him.

It didn't seem as if Michael even noticed that Ted was also there, he was that busy telling Brian some story or other about something Jenny had done at school the previous week.

Brian listened politely, but it was obvious that he didn't really care.

Ted watched their interactions and once again couldn't help but wonder why Brian and Michael were still friends. They didn't seem to have a lot in common, to be honest, they never had had, but now that Michael was married to Ben and they had adopted Hunter, it seemed like they had even less in common.

Yes, Brian had Gus, but Gus lived with Lindsay and Melanie, just like Jenny did and while Ted knew that Brian loved Gus and spent a lot of time with his son, he doubted that the time they spent together was anything like the time Michael spent with Jenny or Hunter.

All of Michael's life seemed to revolve around his store, his comics and his action figures, none of which were topics that really seemed to interest Brian.

Brian had once given Michael business advice, had suggested some things to him about how to get the store to make more money, but Michael had just waved it away at the time saying that Brian knew nothing about comic book stores, so should leave his store to him.

As far as Ted knew, Brian had done just that and hadn't given Michael any further advice afterwards. From what Ted could tell, most times when they met it was Michael talking and Brian looking bored and he wondered if Brian still considered Michael his best friend the same way Michael still saw Brian as his best friend.

Did Michael even know about the prince? Ted seriously doubted it.

Before he could think some more about that, Emmett showed up and sat down next to him. He once again had a magazine with him which he had obviously bought on his way to the diner and was now waving around.

“Can you believe that he's really gay? God, he's so delicious... I wish I could comfort him...Auntie Em would have an idea or two about how to distract him from this current shitstorm he finds himself in,” the tall queen announced without any preamble.

Ted was able to catch a glimpse of the magazine and wasn't really surprised to see the face of the prince on it. His face had pretty much been plastered on the cover of every magazine and ever since he had come out, he had been in the news non-stop.

He was after all the first royal to come out as homosexual and while there had been several royals who had been rumoured to be gay before, he was the first one to openly confirm it which made him a kind of novelty as far as the media was concerned.

“Who are you talking about?” Michael asked, clearly not having seen the magazine or not having recognised the man on the cover.

“Prince Justinus,” Emmett explained as if it was obvious.

“Who?” Michael just looked confused but didn't seem to recognise the name.

“The prince that was caught on that gay sex tape. We talked about him last week. The one that's so cute?” Emmett said, hoping to get Michael to remember.

“Oh,” Michael said, nodding slowly. “What about him?”

“He came out as gay,” Emmett said, holding up the magazine in front of Michael's face. “Jeez Michael, where have you been last week? It was all over the news.”

“I don't really watch the news. Too boring,” Michael shrugged, then turned back to Brian and started another story about some comic or other.

Ted turned to Emmett, trying to tune out Michael's voice and took the magazine cover. He saw an image of Justin and a headline about an upcoming custody battle.

“His wife wants to take away his daughter?” He asked, turning to Emmett.

“I know, right? That statement said they wanted to stay committed to raising their daughter together, but I guess it was just one of those empty media statements... I mean, can you imagine what she must feel like? How can you not know that your husband is gay?”

“Maybe she knew,” Brian threw in at that point, surprising all three men at the table. Emmett and Ted because they hadn't been aware that Brian had been listening to them and Michael because he had thought that Brian had been listening to him and not to Ted and Emmett.

“Why would she marry him if she knew that he was gay?” Emmett asked, looking at Brian.

“Every gay boy needs a fag hag in life. Maybe things aren't what the media tries to make them seem... You know they just want to sell their shitty magazines and the more scandalous the story, the more people buy it,” Brian replied.

“Why are we talking about him? Who cares about some European prince and his fucking wife?” Michael threw in at that point only to have been overheard by Debbie who had just moved to their table to take their orders.

“Michael! That poor man is going through God knows what right now... show some compassion!” She glared at her son as she smacked her gum.

“Why? It's not like I know him,” Michael defended himself, glaring right back at his mother.

“You're gay... you know how hard it is to come out. Now imagine what it must be like for him, in his situation,” Debbie said, sounding sad.

“So what? He's a rich, spoiled brat that went to private schools and has more money than he can probably count. Boo hoo... What a sad life,” Michael said, clearly not impressed.

“Maybe you shouldn't talk about things that you don't know anything about,” Brian just said, without looking at either of them.

“What do you care?” Michael asked, now turning to Brian. “So some spoiled kid is gay and came out. Big story!”

“I am sure it's a big change for him,” Brian just muttered, then turned back to his coffee.

“Too right it is,” Debbie agreed. “Brian is right. Can you imagine what he must be going through right now? And if those articles are right and his wife is really trying to take away his daughter... that poor man!”

“Don't believe everything you read in those magazines,” Brian just said as he looked up and looked at everyone around the table. When his gaze settled on Ted, Ted returned it with a confused frown. “Maybe she has known all along and knew what she was getting into... Maybe those articles are just made up so that some trashy reporter will have a story to post.”

“Hmmmm, so you think his wife could have been his fag hag?” Emmett asked, seemingly contemplating the idea.

Brian just shrugged. “He wouldn't be the first gay man to have a child with his best friend...”

“Only that you and Lindsay never got married,” Michael piped up at that point, making everyone at the table turn to him.

“And only that Brian isn't some kind of prince,” Ted muttered, earning himself a glare from Michael.

“He's the stud of Liberty Avenue, he's got a reputation as well,” Michael said seriously, making Ted's eyes widen.

He was glad that Emmett replied, as he had still been contemplating a suitable reply. “Honey, I don't think we can really compare Brian and his reputation to a prince from Europe.”

Thankfully, Debbie asked them for their orders then, not giving Michael a chance to reply.

Once Debbie left, Ted tried to steer the conversation away from the topic of the prince and his coming out.

“So, did anything exciting happen at Babylon last night?”

Brian threw him a grateful look, then started speaking about a trick who gave lousy blowjobs and entertained the group with that story.

That led to Emmett sharing some stories from his past about lousy blowjobs and all in all breakfast turned out to be quite enjoyable.

The next day Ted dared to speak to Brian again, hoping that he wasn't angry anymore about him reading the letter.

He made his way into Brian's office and got straight to the point.

“Did he tell you that about his wife?”

“What business of yours is this again?” Brian just asked, not even looking up from the folder he was looking at.

“I was just wondering if... if you had spoken to him at all since... last week,” Ted said.

“Theodore, what business of yours is any of this?” Brian asked, now sounding annoyed.

“I just... I can't help but feel sorry for him. It can't be easy going through this and... I guess I just wondered if you had been in contact. It must do him good to have a friendly face on his side. Someone he can talk to...”

“I am not a friend,” Brian muttered, then turned back to the folder on his desk.

“You know what I mean,” Ted said.

“No, I don't. Why are you bothering me with this?”

“I just think he could really do with a friend right now,” Ted said, looking at Brian imploringly.

“I am not his friend.”

“No, you're just the guy that fucked him for three years... The guy he loves, the guy he wants to be with.”

Brian now glared at Ted. “You don't know anything about him... about us...”

“I read his letter,” Ted said, holding Brian's gaze. “I know that he loves you. That much was obvious.”

“Oh and because you read a private letter that was not for your eyes, you now think you have a right to an opinion?”

“Do you love him?” Ted just asked instead, not replying to Brian. He knew that the answer to Brian's question was no. He had no right at all to have an opinion and he was treading on very thin ice; he was very much aware of it.

“What?” Brian now raised an eyebrow and looked at Ted as if he had two heads.

“It's an easy enough question: Do you love him?”

“I don't do love,” Brian gave back without missing a beat.

“Then why did you fuck him for three years? Why did you always stay in New York for a whole weekend when you could have flown back the same day? Why did you let him sleep in your bed last week?”

“That's none of your business and if you don't stop getting involved in my private life, you'll be out of a job pretty soon.”

“So go on and fire me. I don't care... I am your friend and as such I care about your happiness. And you might not want to get your head out of your ass, but I know that you love him. If you didn't, you wouldn't have stayed with him for three years. If you didn't love him, you wouldn't have been so hurt when you found out about his wife... if you didn't love him, you wouldn't have let him stay last week. You love him, Brian! But are you man enough to admit that to yourself?”

“How dare you...?” Brian started, but never got any further because Ted wasn't done yet.

“I know that you loved him and I think you still do. You were so happy and relaxed every time you came back from New York. I saw how hurt you were last year when you found out about his wife. And the way you spoke when he came out last week, the way you spoke about him at the diner yesterday. You still care about him! You still love him; it's why you allowed him to stay at your loft and why you gave him the advice you did. But are you as brave as he is?”

“What are you even talking about?” Brian asked, honestly not sure if he understood what Ted was talking about.

“He was brave enough to come out, to risk everything, so he could be himself and I know that that impressed you. But are you as brave as he is to do the same?”

“To do what?”

“To admit to yourself that you love him? That there is a man out there that loves you, wants to be with you and now is in a position to be with you if only you would get your head out of your ass and admit your true feelings.”

“What do you know about my feelings?”

“I know that you have them... And I know that you have feelings for him,” Ted replied calmly. “Brian, there is a man out there who loves you. And he's in a very shitty situation right now and could really do with some support from the man that he loves. Can you give him that support and be the man that he fell in love with or are you too scared to admit to yourself that even the mighty Brian Kinney can love and loves Prince Justinus?”

“Oh, you think you have all the answers, don't you?”

Ted just shrugged in reply.

“You don't know anything about him...about me...about us...,” Brian pressed out, but then didn't go on.

Ted leaned closer and looked Brian straight in the eye. “I know that there is a 'you' as in you and him... Are you willing to let that slip away because of some mistake he made that he's clearly sorry for? You know the whole situation now...Are you willing to let him get away just because he didn't tell you the truth about his life? A life that is so unfathomable to any of us... A life that is so beyond anything any of us could comprehend. He loves you, Brian! And I think you love him... Isn't that worth fighting for?”

Without another word Ted turned around and left Brian's office.

Brian was about to reply something after him, more like yell after him, but then stopped. What good would that do?

Instead he turned back to the folder he had been looking at and tried to ignore what Ted had said. How dare he make any assumptions about his life? About him and Justin? He didn't know anything.

Chapter 9

Brian lay on his bed and stared at his phone. He had been staring at it for almost an hour now. Several times his finger had hovered over the part of the screen that said 'unblock' but so far, he had always pulled back at the last second.

He stared at the phone some more, taking a deep breath, before he finally touched the screen and unblocked the number in question.

Afterwards he stared at the phone as if he expected it to explode, but nothing happened. Everything stayed quiet, no sudden calls or texts and Brian chastised himself for his ridiculous behaviour. What had he expected? That Justin would still call him every waking minute even though he knew that his number was blocked by Brian and had been for over a year and that he would magically call him right the moment Brian unblocked it?

“Get a grip, Kinney,” Brian muttered, before he threw his phone onto the bed and got up. He moved into his bathroom and took a shower, hoping that it would help him relax.

He had felt tense ever since he had left the office earlier that day and as much as he tried to tell himself that it had nothing to do with Ted's little speech and what he had said about Brian loving Justin, Brian knew that he was only lying to himself.

Ted had looked pretty much right through him and Brian wondered if everyone else had such an easy time looking right through him.

Some of the things Ted had said had hit closer to home than Brian liked to admit and he had been contemplating Ted's little outburst for a while now.

Did he love Justin? He honestly wasn't sure if he even knew what love was, so he wasn't sure if what he felt for Justin could be called love, but the truth was that he felt something for the younger man. And had felt something for him for years. It had been the reason he had returned to New York more times than had been necessary in those three years, it had been the reason why he had looked forward to every trip and to every weekend spent in the city.

He had cared about Justin, had loved being with him. Not only because Justin was a great fuck. If that had been it, Brian wouldn't have spent whole weekends with him, wouldn't have visited his studio and wouldn't have told the younger man so much about his life in Pittsburgh.

Talking to Justin had been easy and Brian had honestly cared about the younger man's opinion, just like he knew that Justin had cared about his.

For all intents and purposes, they had been in a relationship. No matter how much Brian hated that word and no matter how unconventional it had been – after all Brian still had tricks in Pittsburgh and fucked other men there, and he was pretty sure that Justin hadn't been celibate either when he hadn't been in New York, though they had never really talked about it - what they had had could be described as a weird long-distance relationship. Maybe not what everyone else considered a relationship, but Brian knew that as far as he was concerned it was the closest thing he had ever come to one.

And he knew that Ted had also been right about something else. The only reason why Brian had felt so betrayed when he had found out about Justin's wife and daughter was because he had cared about Justin and had thought that they had something special.

“God, you sound like a lesbian,” he muttered to himself as he stared at his reflection in the mirror. “When did you become such a sissy?”

He brushed his teeth, then moved back to the bedroom and climbed back into bed. After pausing for a bit, he picked up his phone again and unlocked the screen. He stared at it for several minutes, feeling absolutely ridiculous.

Maybe Ted had been right, maybe he wasn't as brave as he had always thought. Only, what was he so scared of? Ted had been right, Justin loved him. Still, after everything. His letter had made that clear, hell, his visit to the loft had made that clear. The night he had spent in Brian's arms had made that clear.

So what was Brian so afraid of? Admitting to himself that he also cared about Justin? Maybe even loved him? That he worried about him? Especially now with the shitshow his life had become?

Deciding that Brian Kinney was a lot of things, but not a coward, Brian pressed the call button in the end.

Once he had done it, he took a deep breath and listened to the ringing of the phone. He was behaving ridiculously. It was only Justin that he was calling. And maybe the young man wouldn't even answer the call.

Just as Brian thought that thought, he heard the call connect.

There was slight hesitation and an awkward pause before the call was answered. “Brian?”

His throat suddenly felt dry and Brian wasn't quite sure what to say. So he settled on the obvious. “Hey, I just wanted to check in and see how you're doing.”

There was another pause on the line before he could hear Justin sigh deeply. “I've had better weeks...”

“Yeah, I can imagine,” Brian answered, not quite sure what else to say. He could only imagine what Justin's week had been like. “Are you okay?” He asked next, at the same as Justin was speaking as well.

“I didn't think you'd be calling.”

There was another awkward silence for a couple of seconds before Justin went ahead and answered Brian's question.

“I am trying to be. I will be. I was told to ride out the wave and that it would be alright soon. So, I guess I am waiting for that point to come.”

Brian could hear the exhaustion in Justin's voice and felt for the younger man.

“It will come,” Brian said seriously.

“Doesn't feel like it from where I am standing,” Justin muttered, then sighed deeply. “Why are you calling, Brian?”

“I told you, I wanted to check in and see if you were alright,” Brian said, but it sounded weak even to his own ears.

“You blocked my number. Why unblock it now?” Justin didn't sound angry or even hurt, he mostly sounded curious.

“Someone told me that you could probably do with a friend on your side right now... that you could do with some support in your corner, and I guess he was right.”

“So, I guess I should thank that someone, huh?” Justin said quietly, then chuckled. “I didn't think I'd ever hear from you again after I left your loft.”

“I wasn't sure either, but I guess Ted kicked my ass right and good,” Brian admitted.

“So, he knows?” Justin asked then, his voice quite serious.

“Don't worry, you can trust him. He won't tell anyone,” Brian immediately assured the younger man, wanting him to know that he had nothing to worry about.

“I doubt it would matter now... Just another headline to sell more magazines,” Justin said dejectedly and Brian could now hear the utter exhaustion in the man's voice.

“Ted figured it out when I reacted weirdly to the news about your little gay sex scandal. He knew about me spending time in New York with someone and he just put two and two together when he saw my reaction to seeing you on the cover of a magazine a friend brought to breakfast.”

“It's okay, Brian. You don't have to defend yourself. Daphne has always known about you, so... I shouldn't be surprised that you told someone as well.”

“I didn't tell him as much as him just looking right through me. Apparently, he knows me that well.”

Justin actually had to chuckle then. “The mysterious Brian Kinney uncovered by his CFO... hold the presses!”

Justin had remembered Ted's name and knew that he was a friend and employee and had been with Kinnetik from the start. He even vaguely remembered the man from the night he had met Brian under that streetlight outside Babylon ten years ago. Though to be fair he mostly remembered Michael as far as Brian's friends were concerned.

“It might be the scandalous story you're waiting for...to divert attention away from yourself,” Brian said quietly.

“I doubt it,” Justin sighed again. “Thanks for trying though.”

At that point their call was interrupted by crying. Brian could hear muffled cries of a child in the background as if they were coming through a loudspeaker and he figured that it was probably a baby monitor.

“Everything okay?” He asked when he heard Justin move around and mutter unintelligibly.

“Yeah, sorry. It's just Lizzie. She must have woken up. She hasn't been sleeping well in recent days. It's like she knows that something is going on. She's been very clingy for a couple of days now.”

The crying on the baby monitor got more intense.

“Brian, can I... can I call you back? I have to go and see if she's alright.”

Brian heard the insecurity in Justin's voice as he asked if he could call Brian back and Brian felt bad that he had put that there, that he made Justin feel that insecure about something as simple as calling him, but then again, he knew that it was his own fault. He had blocked the other man for more than a year and not given him any chance to contact him before.

“Yeah, sure. I'll be here. I won't run away,” Brian assured the younger man.

“Thanks,” Justin said quietly, then hung up, leaving Brian to stare at the ceiling and run over their previous conversation in his head.

While he waited, he got up and got himself a bottle of beer from his fridge, then moved over to his sofa and looked out at the Pittsburgh skyline.

It took almost 45 minutes before his phone rang and Justin called him back.

“Sorry about that,” the younger man said once Brian took the call.

“It's alright. Is she okay?” Brian asked and was surprised to realise that he really cared and wasn't just asking out of politeness.

“Yeah, it's just been a tough week for her as well and she's really clingy right now. As if she knows that something is going on,” Justin sighed.

“What about your wife?” Brian asked then, quite relieved when he realised that his question had only sounded curious and that there hadn't been anything else in his voice.

“I told Daphne I would watch her for the night. She has already been up with Lizzie last night,” Justin explained.

“So, those media reports about that custody battle that she's threatening you with…?” Brian asked, then stopped.

“Bullshit. Daph would never do anything like that. She's my best friend and has been a real rock these last two weeks.”

“That's good. I am glad she's not causing any trouble,” Brian said honestly.

“She never would,” Justin said and his voice sounded absolutely sure. “I told you; she has always known about me being gay, she has always known about you... it's just a bunch of lies the media is making up to sell magazines.”

“I figured as much, but still, it's good to hear you don't have to worry about her becoming a problem.”

“No, I honestly don't know what I would have done without her these last two weeks,” Justin said quietly.

“Do you regret it?” Brian then asked and it was obvious that he had confused Justin with that question.

There was a silence for several seconds before Justin responded. “Regret what?”

“Giving the interview, coming out,” Brian then clarified.

Justin took a deep breath and considered his words carefully before he answered. “Right now? Yeah, I do... I am thinking that maybe the story would have just gone away if I hadn't responded to it, but... Daphne agreed with you... she gave me the same advice you did, so... I am hoping that both of you are right and that it will be alright in the end.”

“She sounds like a smart woman,” Brian said appreciatively, happy that he hadn't been the only one pushing Justin in the direction of coming out, but that there had been someone else who had seen things his way as well.

“Oh, you would like her. You would get on very well with her,” Justin laughed and it did Brian good to hear that sound from the younger man.

“Well, maybe there will be a chance someday to test that theory,” Brian replied and wasn't surprised when his statement was met by utter silence from Justin.

“Justin?” He asked when the silence stretched on.

“Why did you call, Brian?” Justin asked and Brian could hear that his voice now sounded tense and insecure and he cursed himself for it.

“I told you, I wanted to see if you were okay... with everything going on...”

“Why? You didn't care for over a year how I was doing...why now?” Justin asked, his voice still sounding strained.

“Well, first of all, your face wasn't plastered on every magazine during that year, so I think the situation has changed quite dramatically since then. And... you came and showed up at my place...which was a first step of getting back into contact,” Brian explained, but was immediately interrupted by Justin.

“I didn't mean to pressure you into doing something you don't want to do. You don't have to check up on me,” Justin said, his voice now sounding utterly void of any emotion.

“I never do anything I don't want to do; you should know that by now,” Brian replied seriously, then took a deep breath before he went on. “And I wanted to speak to you...”

“Why?”

“Because I worried about you...What you're going through right now... I just needed to know that you're okay.”

“Well, you've done that now, so thanks for checking up on me,” Justin said, still sounding weirdly off to Brian.

“Justin, don't be like that,” Brian sighed, running his hand over his face in frustration. “I know I fucked up, okay? I know I overreacted when I found out about Daphne and your daughter... I know I was an ass to you afterwards, but... I mean it: I worry about you. I want to know that you're okay.”

There was a long silence before Justin sighed deeply. “I am sorry. There is just so much going on right now... My emotions are all over the place.”

“Don't worry about it,” Brian said sincerely. “I understand.”

“Thank you for calling, Brian. I really appreciate it,” Justin then said, whispering the last part.

“Can I call you again? To check in on you? To make sure that you're okay? To give you a friendly ear to talk to?” Brian asked and now he was the one that sounded surprisingly insecure all of a sudden.

“I would like that,” Justin said quietly. “I would really like that. There aren't a lot of people I can trust right now.”

“You can trust me,” Brian immediately responded, his voice now full of honesty. “I would never go to the press,” he started to explain, but was interrupted by Justin right away.

“I know. I know, Brian. And it means more than I can say.”

Brian nodded, then realised that Justin couldn't see him nod. “Okay, I just want you to know that.”

“I know,” Justin said once more, hoping that Brian would believe him.

“I should let you go. It's late and I am sure your daughter will be up early,” Brian then said next, not knowing what more there was to say right now.

Justin chuckled, Lizzie would definitely be up at the crack of dawn. “Yeah, she will be. Thanks for calling, Brian. It... it means a lot.”

Brian nodded once more, not caring if Justin could see him or not. “Talk to you later, okay?”

“Okay,” Justin replied, then ended the call.

Once the call had ended, Brian continued to stare out of his windows, watching the skyline of Pittsburgh as his mind ran over their conversation again and again.

Chapter 10

They talked and texted a couple more times over the next couple of days, but never long and the conversations always stayed superficial. Brian didn't know why, but it bothered him that they weren't talking to each other like they had in the past and it took him a few days to accept that things between him and Justin had irrevocably changed.

It made him sad, though he knew that he really shouldn't have been surprised by that. Before, they had pretty much been in a relationship but then things had changed, they hadn't talked in over a year and when they had talked again for the first time it was only to find out that there were so many lies between them.

Brian had thought that Justin had been an artist from a rich family who had gone to private school in Pittsburgh. Now he knew that Justin was a prince from a European country, set to become king of that country one day. He knew that he was married and had a daughter, though he now knew that Justin and Daphne were officially getting divorced and that she was his best friend, not a real wife.

It would be ridiculous to expect things to just return to what they had been before when they and so many things about them and between them had changed. And that thought had made Brian really sad.

He had thought for two days about how much things had changed and what to do about it and in the end had come to the surprising realisation – or maybe not that surprising – that he wanted to get to know this Justin as well.

No, Justin wasn't who he had expected him to be, but the truth of the matter was that Justin was still a man that Brian was interested in. Prince or artist. It didn't matter. He cared about the man he had gotten to know four years ago and he liked that man, maybe even loved him.

And when presented with Ted's choice of letting him go and giving up on him, on them, Brian realised that he didn't want to do that. He was smart enough to know that things would never be the same as they had been before but maybe they could be different. Different but still good. New but good. Maybe they could build some real new trust between them now that all secrets were out in the open. As cliché as it sounded, maybe they could start over again.

The more Brian had thought about that, the more he had wanted them to. The problem was that he didn't know if Justin wanted to as well. He knew from Justin's letter that he still loved him and Brian had no doubt that the letter had been honest, but still Justin felt very distant whenever they talked. As if he was holding himself back somehow.

Brian had thought about that, had thought about how to break through the wall that Justin had now built around himself and then out of the blue a chance had suddenly presented itself.

“Are they still camping outside your apartment?” Brian asked, refering to the paparazzi that Justin had told him two days ago were camped outside his and Daphne's apartment, making it impossible for them to leave the house with their daughter without getting hounded wherever they went.

Everyone was looking for the first picture of the Prince and his Princess after they had announced that they would get a divorce and the more scandalous the picture would be, the better.

Justin and Daphne had basically been forced to hide away in their apartment for days now and Brian knew that it was getting to Justin because it was affecting Lizzie in a bad way. She didn't understand why they couldn't go out to the park, why they couldn't go to the playground and she had become really agitated by all the changes to her young life.

Brian wasn't surprised when he heard a deep sigh before Justin answered.

“Yeah. I don't think they have any intention of ever leaving. Maybe I should just go outside and give them a fucking picture, so they will finally leave us alone.”

“Maybe,” Brian agreed, then continued, knowing that this was his chance. “Have you thought about getting out of New York? Getting away from them?”

“And where to? Back home? It would be just the same there,” Justin's voice sounded resigned to the fact that this wouldn't be any different back in Europe.

“You could come here,” Brian offered, then held his breath.

“To your loft?” Justin's confusion was more than obvious. “I don't think so, Brian. I am not going to leave Daphne and Lizzie to fend for themselves. They're only in this situation because of me. I will not just abandon them to it.”

“I meant Pittsburgh. Not the loft,” Brian clarified, trying to stay calm. “All three of you.”

“And then what? We don't have anywhere to stay in Pittsburgh and I don't think staying in a hotel is a good idea right now. As soon as my name shows up on a guest list, somebody will tip off the media and they will hound us in Pittsburgh just like they are hounding us here.”

“I think I might have a solution for that,” Brian offered, feeling happy that he could finally set his plan in motion. “You just get out of New York and let me know when you can arrive in Pittsburgh and I'll take care of the rest.”

“What? Brian? No... I will not just uproot Daphne and Lizzie, so we can meet.” Justin's voice sounded adamant and Brian sighed when he heard it.

“Don't be so stubborn, Justin. I think I can help you with your current problem, all three of you. Get you out of New York and here to Pittsburgh where you will at least be able to go outside and get some fresh air. No one will expect you to be in Pittsburgh, will they?”

“No, but...,” Justin started, only to be stopped by Brian right away.

“No but. You just organise getting to Pittsburgh and I will take care of the rest,” Brian said, hoping that Justin wouldn't say no.

“Brian, I...”

“Do you trust me?” Brian suddenly asked, not allowing Justin to finish his sentence.

“What?” Justin was totally flabbergasted by that question and obviously hadn't expected it.

“Do you trust me?” Brian repeated, sounding a lot calmer than he felt. “Do you trust me not to do anything that would hurt you, your daughter or Daphne?”

“I...,” Justin stopped, then sighed. “Yeah, I guess.”

It wasn't quite the ringing endorsement Brian had been hoping for, but for now it would have to do.

“Okay, then let me do this, okay? For you and your family. I am just trying to help here, Justin. You can trust me!”

“Brian, I...,” Justin then stopped, not sure what to reply.

“Just trust me, okay? I just want to help.”

There was a long silence between them and for a moment Brian even wondered if Justin might have ended the call, before his quiet voice came back.

“Okay.”

“Thank you! You won't regret it,” Brian promised, hoping that he was right and Justin wouldn't regret coming to Pittsburgh and also hoping that his little plan would work out the way he hoped. “Just let me know when you'll get into Pittsburgh and I'll organise the rest.”

“I'll have to speak to Daphne first, Brian. I can't just make this decision on my own,” Justin argued.

“I understand,” Brian said quietly, knowing that Justin was right. This involved his child and the mother of his child, of course he couldn't just make a decision like this on his own. “Just tell her that she won't regret it. It will give all three of you a break from all the media attention.”

“I'll talk to her and will see what she says,” Justin offered and Brian knew it was as much as he would be getting from the younger man right then.

They ended the call shortly after and Brian waited until the next afternoon to hear back from Justin.

'Daphne says ok. We will leave tomorrow morning and arrive at Pittsburgh Northeast Airport at 9.35am.'

Brian read the text and for a second was confused. He actually had to look up Northeast Airport and wasn't really all that surprised when he saw that it was an airport that was mostly used for private chartered flights. Of course, Justin would have access to a private jet or the money to charter one, considering who he was. It was ridiculous to expect that he would fly commercial to Pittsburgh.

'I have a presentation at 10, but Ted will meet you there. You can trust him.'

Once he had sent the text, he called for Ted to come to his office.

Brian noticed that the man seemed rather confused as to why Brian had called for him. They had just finished a meeting half an hour ago and as far as Ted was concerned, there was nothing else to talk about.

“Yeah, Brian?”

“We still have that corporate suite at the Fairmont?”

Ted frowned, but then nodded. Kinnetik had a suite at the Fairmont that was booked for them all year, so they could use it whenever they had corporate guests coming into town that needed to be hosted before a presentation.

“Is anyone using it right now?”

Ted shook his head. The next presentations they had would be with local businesses and the suite wouldn't be used for at least another two weeks. “I don't think anyone's booked to use it for the next two weeks. Why?”

“Then it's booked now. Make sure Cynthia knows to make other arrangements if needed.”

“Sure,” Ted said slowly, not sure he understood why Brian was asking about the suite all of a sudden. Usually he left it to Cynthia and him to make all the arrangements for business partners. “Who will be using it?”

“It doesn't matter,” Brian muttered. “Just make sure that Cynthia knows it can't be used for the next two weeks, starting from tomorrow morning. Oh, and I need you to head to Northeast Airport tomorrow morning. At 9.30am.”

“Why?” Ted was confused but tried not to show it too much.

“I have a presentation at 10, so can't go myself,” Brian said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Okay,” Ted said slowly, still feeling confused. He knew that Northeast Airport was a private airport for private charter flights, and he wondered who could be coming in on such short notice on a private chartered flight. “Is this work-related?”

“Not exactly. And if you talk to anyone, I'll fire you! Make sure that you don't have to check in at the hotel and can go straight to the suite once you get there. Privacy is of the utmost importance.”

And then something clicked and Ted finally understood. “He's coming to Pittsburgh?”

Brian now looked up and held his gaze. “With his wife and daughter. I'll trust you not to tell anyone.”

“And you want me to pick them up? Me? He's a Prince for god’s sake,” Ted muttered, his eyes widening to comical proportions.

“See? That's how much I trust you. I am trusting you not to fuck this up, Theodore,” then Brian's voice softened. “He's just a man going through a hard time right now. Don't make a bigger deal out of it than it needs to be.”

Ted nodded slowly. “Okay... anything else?”

“I'll let you know if something else comes up,” Brian said, thereby dismissing him.

***

Ted was waiting in the small terminal, waiting for the familiar face to show up.

It was now 9.45am and he knew that a private jet from New York had landed a few minutes ago. It probably wouldn't be long now before he would meet the mysterious man that had stolen Brian's heart. And he would meet a fucking prince. A real prince!

He took a deep breath, looking around the empty terminal. There were two employees in the terminal with him, but no other guests for which Ted was grateful. And from what he had seen of the employees so far, they seemed more interested in their own business than in him. As far as he could tell, neither had even looked at him while he had been waiting.

Just as Ted contemplated that they might be able to leave the small airport without anyone knowing who exactly he was picking up, a door opened and he saw a young woman and a young man with a child in his arms enter the terminal. They were followed by an employee who was pushing a cart with some suitcases.

Seeing how he was the only person in the terminal, they immediately spotted him and made their way over.

Before Ted could say anything, Justin was already speaking, giving him a soft shake of his head. “Ted? I'm Justin and this is Daphne and this small one here is Lizzie, though she's feeling a bit shy right now.”

Ted had gotten from the small shake of Justin's head and his quick introduction that he probably shouldn't greet him formally as Ted had been contemplating doing, so he instead looked at the small girl in her father's arms that hid her head in his shoulder, hardly even looking at him.

“Say hi to Ted,” Daphne urged her daughter, but only smiled sadly when the girl shook her head in her father's arm.

“Hi Ted,” she then turned to the man, greeting him instead. “Thanks for picking us up. We could have just gotten a taxi or a driver.”

“Brian wouldn't have allowed for that,” Ted just said, knowing that it was true. “I am parked right outside. It's the BMW out front,” he directed at the employee, who then left them alone and already headed towards the car parked right outside the terminal with their luggage. Now that they were alone, he took a deep breath. “I... I have to admit that I am not quite sure how to address you. Your Royal Highness? I... I am sorry, but I've never met a royal before.”

Justin actually chuckled at that and a disarming smile appeared on his face, lighting up his features. “Justin, Daphne and Lizzie will be just fine. We don't really care all that much about all the pomp and procedures.”

Ted nodded, then led everyone to his car. “I hope this will do. Brian asked me to keep everything as low-key as possible.”

“This is fine,” Daphne assured with a smile, then tipped the airport employee once all their luggage had been stored in Ted's car.

“I didn't think to bring a car seat,” Ted suddenly announced, looking surprised by his own admission. “Maybe I can get one in there,” he nodded towards the terminal building, though he wasn't really sure where he would get one.

“Don't worry about it. I'll just take this little munchkin here and we'll be fine for the short ride into town. Won't we?” Daphne smiled as she took her daughter from Justin's arms, then got into the back of the car with her, holding her tightly. “I doubt she'd be willing to let go off me or Jus anyway,” she added once they had fastened their seatbelt.

Justin got into the back with them, assuring Ted that they would be fine.

A few minutes later they were headed into town.

“Brian told me you went to school here in Pittsburgh?” Ted asked, trying to keep some polite conversation going.

“God, yeah... That was years ago,” Justin replied. “St. James Academy.”

“I heard it's a good school,” Ted said, not quite sure what else to respond. He had gone to public school and didn't know anyone that had attended such a posh school.

“Not all that glitters is gold,” Justin just replied, his voice now sounding more sombre than before.

“It has a good reputation, but really, it's just a club for rich, spoiled, white kids. And everyone who isn't like them, who doesn't fit in... they'll have a hard time,” Daphne added. “I was so glad to be out of there.”

Ted understood from what wasn't said that neither had had a particularly happy time at the school, so he decided to change the topic instead.

“Have you been back to Pittsburgh much after you finished school?”

“Sadly no,” Justin replied, looking out of the window as they got closer to downtown. “Hopefully, it'll be nice to be back.”

“Brian got our corporate suite at the Fairmont ready for you. I already have the key cards, so we can go right up once we arrive at the hotel. As the suite is booked by Kinnetik, there will be no record of you staying there. Hopefully, that should ensure some privacy for you. I... I know that's one of the reasons you came here.”

“Thanks,” Daphne said, running her hand through her daughter's hair as she spoke. “We really appreciate that.”

Justin nodded in response but didn't say anything as he looked outside the window and watched the passing scenery.

When they got to the Fairmont, Ted went directly into the parking garage to a spot that was booked for their suite. He assured Daphne and Justin that he would get someone to bring their luggage up and just led them right into the elevator to their floor. They didn't even have to enter the lobby.

Once they arrived at the suite, Ted opened the door for them, then handed Justin the two key cards for the suite.

“I know it's not much, but... I hope you'll all be able to find some peace and quiet here. Room service is included and everything will be billed straight to Kinnetik.”

“No, we can...,” Justin started, but Ted held up his hand to interrupt him.

“I am sure you can, but this is how Brian wanted it.”

“And we all know how stubborn he can be,” Justin just said, rolling his eyes, before he smiled slightly.

“He really wants to help in whatever way he can,” Ted said sincerely, then lowered his eyes, knowing that it was not his place to say anything.

“And I appreciate it,” Justin replied just as sincerely. He then turned to Ted with a smile on his face. “Thank you so much for driving us, Ted. We really appreciate it. Brian has told me so much about you in recent years and I am happy that we finally got to meet. More than just looking at each other for two seconds that is.”

Justin chuckled then and for a moment Ted felt confused, not quite sure what he was refering to. Then he realised what Justin must have meant. “I have to admit that all I remember from that night is having to drive Emmett and Michael home. Brian was supposed to be their ride and had just ditched them.”

“Sorry for that,” Justin said, now smiling disarmingly again.

“It wasn't your fault that he ditched them like that,” Ted now smiled as well. “And really... it's not like we weren't used to that treatment from him.”

“God, that seems like such a long time ago. Another lifetime...,” Justin then said, looking up when Daphne joined them at the door to the suite again.

“What are you talking about?” She asked, looking at both of them with interest.

“That night you drove me to Liberty Avenue? When I met Brian?”

Daphne just rolled her eyes, then leaned into Ted conspiratorially. “And that's how Brian Kinney entered our life and never left it again.”

Ted just chuckled. “Yeah, he has that effect on people.”

Justin rolled his eyes when he looked at Daphne, then turned to Ted once more. “Like I said, it was really nice to meet you and thank you for picking us up. We really appreciate it.”

“Of course,” Ted just nodded, then turned to leave. “It was nice to meet you as well and I hope that you'll be able to get some peace and quiet here.”

They all said their goodbyes and Ted then left the young family on their own. 

Chapter 11

“You must be the famous Brian Kinney,” a young woman with curly dark hair greeted him enthusiastically when she opened the door to the Kinnetik suite after Brian had knocked a few seconds ago.

“Daphne, I assume?” Brian raised an eyebrow as he took in her appearance. She was wearing jeans and a t-shirt and her hair was tied in a messy bun. Not at all what he had expected when he thought of a young princess.

“That would be me,” Daphne smiled, then took a step back, welcoming Brian into the suite. “Come in. Justin is just giving Lizzie her bath. They should be out in a few minutes.”

Brian nodded, then followed her towards the sofa in the room. When she sat down, he did so as well.

“Can I offer you anything? A beer, something else?” She offered once they were seated and nodded when Brian just shook his head.

“I am good. I just wanted to come by and see if everything was okay here. With the suite and all...”

“We really can't thank you enough for letting us stay here. It was such a good idea to get out of New York. I was so happy when Jus suggested it,” Daphne said and Brian could see by the expression on her face that she really meant it.

“I thought there might be less media attention here than in New York,” Brian shrugged.

“Oh, definitely. And especially since no one knows that we're staying here. We were even able to take Lizzie to Point State Park earlier, which was really the first time in days that she was able to go outside. She was so happy to be able to just run around.”

Brian saw how Daphne's eyes lit up when she talked about her daughter.

“Yeah, Justin mentioned that it was really hard on her in New York,” Brian said, not quite sure what else to say. He didn't want to make it sound like Justin had shared too much private information with him.

“Yeah, poor munchkin. She doesn't understand why we can't just go to the playground or the park like we used to. How do you explain something like this to a 2-year-old?”

Brian nodded, then couldn't help but say. “You don't seem angry though.”

“Angry?” Daphne looked confused. “I am not sure I understand.”

“Some people might be angry with Justin for bringing this situation on them. Or with the press for hounding them like they did with your family.”

Daphne shrugged, her face and voice taking on a serious note. “None of this is Justin's fault. He never asked for any of this. And there is no one angrier with himself than he is. He doesn't need me to be angry with him as well. And really? What for? I've known him since we were in kindergarten together. I knew that he was gay before he did. He didn't have a choice in this... I am just glad he finally got this weight off his shoulders and once things calm down, which I am sure they will, he can finally live his life the way he wants to. As for the media...,” she now took a deep breath, “they're really just trying to do their job, trying to make a living.”

“At your expense,” Brian threw in at that point and Daphne nodded.

“Yeah, true, but... getting angry about it won't change how the system works. We'll ride this out and then hopefully in a couple of days or weeks things will calm down.”

“I am glad that you're not making this harder for Justin than it needs to be,” Brian said honestly, meeting her gaze head on.

“He is my best friend. I am here to support him. It's what I have always done,” she said and her voice sounded absolutely sincere.

“You're a good friend.”

“I am his best friend. If he wasn't gay, we might have gotten married for real, but I always knew and still loved him. Platonically, as my friend. Just like I know that he loves me with all his heart. And most importantly, we both love Lizzie. That's all that matters right now,” she said, once again smiling widely.

Brian nodded. A silence then settled over the room, but it wasn't an uncomfortable silence. It lasted for about a minute, before Daphne turned to Brian again and looked at him inquiringly.

“As his best friend, it's also my duty to make sure that no one takes advantage of him or that he doesn't get hurt. So, you know that I have to ask this: What are your intentions here?”

Brian's eyes widened and he took a deep breath before he asked. “My intentions?”

“Yes, what are you hoping to achieve by letting us stay in your suite?” Daphne clarified.

“I am just trying to help,” Brian said, though it sounded wrong even to his own ears. “I know that he's... that you're all going through a hard time right now, so I just wanted to help in whatever way I can.”

Daphne then stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the skyline of Pittsburgh. Her voice was deadly serious when she spoke next. “And now for the honest answer? We both know that's not really it... what are you hoping to achieve by inviting us here?”

She then turned around and looked at Brian, holding his gaze.

Brian took a deep breath, realizing that he had just met another person who had looked right through him. Damn, he really needed to work on his poker face.

“I hope that I can show Justin that I am sorry for what happened last year... for how I reacted and... that maybe we can start over again.”

“Start over again?” Daphne still looked right at Brian, as if trying to read his mind to get the answers that she was waiting for.

“I care about him,” Brian admitted, not sure why he was admitting this to a woman he had only met a few minutes ago when he hadn't even admitted it to his family and friends. “Maybe more than care about him... I... I want to know that he's doing okay and I want to see him smile again. I want to be the one that makes him smile and... I hope that maybe... one day... we can pick things up where we left.”

“A relationship?” Daphne asked, raising an eyebrow. “You don't do relationships.”

She said it with absolute surety and Brian wondered how much Justin had told her about their previous relationship.

“I was told that I do with Justin... and I would like to try again,” he admitted, holding her gaze, hoping that she would see the sincerity in his eyes.

“You hurt him,” she then said, her voice not bitter or angry, just stating a fact. “You ending things like that hurt him... And I can tell you now, that I won't let you hurt him again. You broke his heart when you didn't even allow him to explain... I won't let you do that to him again.”

Brian watched her and knew that she meant it. She would protect Justin if it was the last thing she did. She really was a good friend to him.

“I don't intend to hurt him,” he therefore replied truthfully. “I know that I overreacted and I am sorry. I never meant to hurt him and... I never want to again. I want to be the one that makes him smile, not cry.”

At that point they were interrupted by the bedroom door being opened and Justin walking into the room with a small girl in his arms that was dressed in her pajamas and laughing about something he had just said to her.

He stopped in his tracks when he saw Brian in the room. “Brian...,” he breathed out, then turned to the girl in his arms who had stared at the strange man as well and was now hiding her head in his shoulder. “Hey, that's my friend Brian. He's the man that invited us to come here, so we could go to the park here. Why don't you say hi to Brian?”

For a second Lizzie seemed to contemplate what her father had said, then turned to Brian with a shy expression on her face. “Hi B'ian,” she said quietly, clearly struggling with the r in his name.

“Hi Lizzie,” Brian replied, smiling warmly at the girl in Justin's arms. “Your mommy and daddy have told me so much about you. It's nice to meet you.”

Justin further walked into the room with Lizzie, glad when Daphne came over and took her daughter from his arms.

Lizzie immediately snuggled into her arms and Daphne held her close. She watched the way Brian and Justin were staring at each other, not saying anything.

“Why don't I get this little one into bed? It's already past her bedtime and she's clearly tired,” she suggested and Justin nodded, turning towards his daughter to give her a goodnight kiss and to tell her that he loved her.

Before Daphne left the room with Lizzie, she turned back to Justin and said in a voice loud enough for Brian to hear as well. “I like him. And you're right, he's damn sexy.”

With that she disappeared into the bedroom, leaving Justin to look after her open-mouthed.

“She's quite the character,” Brian said after a while, when it was clear that Justin wasn't going to say anything.

“She is,” he just said slowly, before he walked further into the room and stopped at the other end of the couch that Brian was sitting on. “I wasn't expecting you to come here,” he admitted honestly as he sat down on the armrest.

“I wanted to see if you were okay... if everything was okay here... with the suite and all,” Brian shrugged nonchalantly.

“The suite is great. We can't thank you enough for organizing this for us. We were able to take Lizzie to the park earlier. It did her the world of good,” Justin said, now sounding honestly happy.

“Yeah, Daphne said so. I am glad it helped,” Brian replied honestly.

“It really did,” Justin nodded. “We were so worried about her. It will be good for her to be able to go out again, to have some sense of normality.”

Brian nodded. “Hopefully things will start to quiet down in a couple of days.”

Justin snorted. “I've been hoping that for a week now...Doesn't look like it.”

“You're the first royal to come out as gay. That makes you special... The novelty hasn't worn off yet,” Brian said quietly, knowing that it was true.

“I never asked for any of this,” Justin sighed in response. “I never wanted to be special... hell, I never wanted to be the first royal to come out... I never even wanted to be a royal...”

Brian watched the younger man and could see how tense he was. “Are you okay?”

“Do I look okay to you?” Justin scoffed in response.

“No, you don't,” Brian said honestly, getting up and walking over to where Justin was sitting on the armrest. “I wish there was something else I could do to make this any easier on you,” he said as he sat down on the edge of the table, looking into Justin's troubled eyes.

“You already did more than enough,” the younger man responded quietly. “More than I could have ever asked of you...”

Brian stared at Justin for the longest time and he wondered if this was the right time to tell Justin what he had just told Daphne, but looking at the dejected man across from him, Brian knew that now was not the right time to lay his feelings and intentions on Justin as well. He was clearly struggling with what was going on in his life right now, it was obvious what an enormous toll the last few weeks had taken on Justin and Brian couldn't bring himself to add to that by declaring his true intentions now. So he thought better of it and said the following instead. “I am here, Justin. I am here to help. To help you, to help Daphne and Lizzie. Whatever you need, just let me know, okay?”

Justin's eyes met Brian's and Brian could see that the younger man was close to crying. He didn't say anything and just nodded in reply.

“I am here, Justin,” Brian repeated, before he took the younger man into a tight embrace. “I just want to help in whatever way I can.”

“Thank you, Brian,” Justin now responded, hugging Brian back.

They stayed in that embrace for what felt like an eternity but was probably only minutes.

Justin was the first to pull back and he ran a hand over his face before he met Brian's concerned eyes. “I am a mess right now... I am sorry.”

“Don't apologize!” Brian said sternly. “Everyone would be in your situation. You will be fine, Justin... I know you will be.”

“I wish I was as optimistic,” Justin sighed.

“If you can't be, I'll just have to be optimistic enough for both of us,” Brian then announced, never breaking eye contact with the younger man. “You'll be fine. Trust me, okay?”

For the longest time there was no reaction from Justin, but then he finally nodded. For now it would have to do. Brian knew that Rome wasn't built in a day and he knew that he would have to be patient if he wanted to win Justin back. And he would be.

Chapter 12

Over the next couple of days, Brian went and visited Justin twice more. He still hadn't told Justin about his feelings and he wasn't sure if he should.

It had been clear that Justin was grateful for Brian's help and appreciated his support, but that had been it. Every time Brian had tried to get him to go out with him, even just to leave the hotel and go to the loft, Justin had refused, claiming that he needed to stay with Daphne and Lizzie and couldn't leave them alone.

Brian knew that that wasn't the real reason though and that Justin had pulled back from him on purpose. Justin had put up walls around himself and so far, Brian hadn't found a way to break through them.

He cursed everyone who had ever said that patience was a virtue as he was trying once again to break through the walls that Justin had put up to protect himself from any further pain.

“Come on, just for a drink or two. I am sure it will do you good to get out of here for a while and to see something else than these rooms,” he tried, not for the first time, to convince Justin to join him on a trip away from this suite.

“I can't, Brian,” Justin sighed, clearly tired of having the same argument over and over again.

“Because of Daphne and Lizzie... yeah... so you've said,” Brian nodded.

“I can't leave them alone, not right now,” Justin said exasperatedly.

“Justin, you and I are here and they are in the other room. What difference will it make whether you're in this room or at the bar downstairs?”

“I can't, Brian,” was all Justin replied once more and Brian could feel the distance between them. He couldn't help but wonder if he would ever be able to bridge that distance.

“You can do with a change of scenery... we both know it. Just for an hour, not long,” Brian tried once more, sighing when he could see on Justin's face that the younger man was no closer to changing his mind.

Before Justin could say anything though, they were both interrupted by Daphne's voice. “Brian is right, you know? You should go. Get out of here for a while. We'll be fine.”

Brian was surprised by her sudden appearance and it was apparent that Justin hadn't heard her come into the room either. He looked just as surprised.

“Daph,” Justin started, looking at her sternly, as if they had also had this argument before.

Brian noticed the look and wondered what that was about but decided to just be happy for now that he seemed to have an ally in Daphne.

“Go! If not for your own sake, do it for mine. I can't keep staring at that sad face of yours for much longer... You know that we can both do with a break from each other. Go and have a drink with Brian and give me an hour to myself. Please!”

Justin eyed his friend from wide eyes and for a moment Brian wasn't sure if Daphne hadn't gone too far with what she had said, but then he saw the beginning of a smile on her face and saw the same smile break out on Justin's face as well. Slowly, but it was definitely a small smile.

“Fine,” the younger man finally gave in, eyeing his best friend from serious eyes. “But just for an hour.”

“Thank God,” Daphne exclaimed, throwing up her arms, then turned to Brian. “Get him out of here before he changes his mind.”

Brian didn't need to be told twice and was already on his way to the door, Justin following behind him, albeit a bit reluctant.

When they left the suite and waited for the elevator to arrive on their floor, Justin frowned. “I don't think I should go to the bar downstairs. People might recognize me and...,” he started, but then stopped.

So far, they had been lucky and he, Daphne and Lizzie hadn't been recognized as far as they knew. At least there hadn't been any press reports about them being in Pittsburgh and no paparazzi had found them here so far. The last week had been a relief after the previous weeks and for the first time Daphne and Justin had been able to enjoy some kind of normalcy, though Justin had still insisted on being careful when they left the hotel and not to draw too much attention to themselves.

“Don't worry about that. I have an idea,” was all Brian said before he stepped into the elevator as the door opened before them. When he pressed the button for the car park in the basement, Justin frowned.

“Brian,” he started, but Brian just held up his hand to stop him.

“Just relax, okay? I am not going to drag you to Babylon or anything.”

Justin rolled his eyes but stayed quiet. A few seconds later they arrived in the car park and headed for Brian's car.

“Where are we going?” Justin asked as they headed out of the car park and onto the still busy street.

“Somewhere quiet where it will just be you and me. Don't worry.”

It was clear by Justin's expression that he still didn't seem really happy about this turn of events, but he didn't complain or comment and stayed quiet until they arrived at Brian's address.

Justin looked up, then turned to Brian. “I don't think this is a good idea...”

“We're just going to have a drink. Relax! Giving you a chance to get out of that hotel suite for an hour or two and to see something else. And giving Daphne a break from having to look at your sad face. You heard her,” Brian winked before he got out of the car.

Justin followed reluctantly. “I don't have a sad face.”

“Well, happy clearly looks different,” Brian pointed out, then opened the door to the building and led the way to the elevator.

“I am sorry I haven't been little miss sunshine lately,” Justin grumbled as the elevator made its way up to the top floor. “In case you haven't noticed, my life is a mess.”

“I am well aware,” Brian said quietly, then opened the gate of the elevator and then the heavy metal door of his loft. He walked inside but frowned when Justin stayed outside the door. “You're not coming in? I promise I have booze.”

Justin's voice was quiet when he replied. “I didn't expect to ever come back here...”

“Yeah, well... life works in mysterious ways,” Brian shrugged, then walked over to his fridge and got two bottles of beer. He handed one to Justin after the young man had finally made his way inside and had pulled the metal door shut. He then walked over to the sofa and sat down. “Sit down.”

“What is this, Brian?”

Brian frowned and looked up at Justin who was now standing a couple of feet away from him. “I think it's called having a drink.”

“No... this,” Justin said once more, waving his hand around to indicate him and Brian. “What is this? Why are you doing all this? Why are we here?”

“So you would get a break from the hotel for a while and would have a chance to see something else.”

“Don't play stupid, Brian. It doesn't suit you,” Justin said, now clearly angry. “You wanted to help us, fine. I appreciate that and am very grateful for it, but why do you keep showing up at the hotel? Why did you keep asking me to go out with you? What is this?”

Brian now sighed, looking from Justin towards the window and out at the Pittsburgh skyline. He was quiet for a minute, before he spoke. “I am just trying to be a friend.”

“We are not friends, Brian.”

“Maybe we can be,” Brian said quietly, though it sounded weird to his own ears as he said it. He didn't want to be friends. That was not his intention and from the looks of it, Justin knew so as well.

“You know that's not possible,” Justin whispered before he turned away and looked outside the window as well. “I can't do this, Brian... I can't keep doing this... it's too painful...”

Brian watched the younger man for a minute, wondering what he should do. In the end, he allowed his instincts to take over and got up and walked over to where Justin stood. He stopped right behind him, their bodies almost touching, but not quite.

“Fine,” he started, making sure not to touch Justin and to give him his space. “I don't want to be your friend...”

Justin slowly turned around and looked at Brian from confused eyes. “What does that mean?”

“I care about you... I think I might love you, but... I don't really know much about love and... I don't know what this is, but... I care about you. I want to know that you're okay, that you're happy and I want to be the one to make you happy. What... we had... was good, Sunshine. It wasn't the most conventional relationship in the world, but I know it was a relationship and I think I want us to try again.”

Brian heard Justin gasp, saw his eyes widen, but the younger man didn't say anything which honestly confused Brian and also scared him quite a bit. As far as he was concerned, he had just said more about his feelings than he ever had to anyone before and now he wasn't getting a reaction. It scared him. Not sure what else to do, he just continued.

“I know I overreacted when I found out about Daphne and Lizzie. I know I was an ass and that I hurt you. I should have given you the chance to explain, but... I was hurt as well. I felt betrayed and... that hurt... it hurt because I cared so much about you and all of a sudden it felt like I didn't know you at all...”

At that point Justin interjected. “You don't.”

“Justin...”

“No, Brian. You don't. You have no idea what my life is like. You just know what I wanted you to know all those years, but... who you know? That's Justin Taylor, the artist. You don't know me.”

Brian eyed Justin and saw the sadness on that beautiful face. “I think I do... I think I know you. The real you. You are Justin Taylor. You are an artist. That's who I think you really are deep down and that's who I got to know. That's the man I care about.”

“That's not me. I am a prince, Brian. I am the heir to a kingdom, expected to become king of my country one day. You don't know anything about me, my life...”

“But I know you... I know Daphne, I know your daughter. Maybe I didn't know you when we first met and maybe I didn't know you all those years when we met in New York, but Sunshine... I think deep down I know who you are. Maybe I don't know everything about your life, but the things I don't know, I want to learn. I want to understand your life. I want to be by your side and want to see you smile again.”

“You only know what I wanted you to know, Brian,” Justin said quietly, holding Brian's gaze. “But my real life, you have no idea...”

“Well, I think I got quite a good idea in recent weeks,” Brian replied equally quiet. “I know that you're a royal, I know about the media circus your coming out has turned into... I saw all of that... And I want to be by your side and make sure that you're okay in this crazy storm that your life has become. I want to see you happy again, Justin.”

Justin shook his head, then turned around once more to look outside at the city lights. “You have no idea what that would involve. I... appreciate you saying this, Brian, but you have no idea what you would be getting into.”

“Then tell me... tell me what is so bad about your life that apparently I won't be able to deal with it?” Brian asked, looking at the back of Justin's head in exasperation.

For the longest time Justin stayed quiet and Brian thought he wouldn't reply.

“Explain it to me, please,” Brian was now almost begging and he didn't care. He wanted to know what was so bad about Justin's life that apparently, he couldn't be a part of it anymore like he had been before.

“My family... it's not like most families, Brian. My mother and father weren't the most loving parents in the world. I am sure they loved me and Molly in their own way, but it's not what you would expect from a conventional family. I was raised by nannies, went to boarding school as soon as I could be sent away. I only saw them for holidays and photo shoots when we had to appear together as a family. In my family, all that ever mattered was the duty to our country, to our people and public appearances. When I told my parents that I wanted to be an artist, they laughed at me. No future king could be an artist. It was unheard of. My whole life was about me being the future king and learning how to be a good leader to our people. My own interests... what I wanted from my life... it never mattered because all that mattered was my duty to the crown, the people and our country. The fact that I am gay... that I came out... I haven't heard from my mother ever since. I know that she's disappointed and maybe even angry. I besmirched the family name... our history and everything... if it was up to her, the truth would have never come out and I would have stayed with Daphne for the rest of my life, pretending to be straight. You don't understand, Brian, but my personal happiness has never mattered. And it won't ever... We can't be together. No matter how much I might want us to be, no matter how much you might want us to be... I can't be that person for you, Brian. I am a future king. That's my duty in life.”

Justin's voice had gotten colder and colder while he had spoken and Brian just stared at him from wide eyes.

“But what about your happiness? You have a right to your happiness,” he said, looking at the younger man sadly.

“My happiness?” Justin chuckled, but it was not a happy sound. “It doesn't matter what I want, Brian. My life has been predestined from the moment my mother got pregnant with me. I am going to be king one day and... a gay king at that. That's enough scandal for our family. I can't keep adding to that by having a relationship with another man.”

“Why not? You came out. Everyone knows you're gay.”

“It's one thing to know that I am gay, it's a completely different thing to become a gay king with a male partner,” Justin said quietly. He then turned around and met Brian's gaze. “As much as I might want this... I can't ever have this. I was a fool to ever believe so and... I am sorry I made you believe so as well.”

“Sunshine,” Brian said, his voice taking on a tone of urgency. “You have a right to your happiness. Like everyone else. It's your life. Not your parents' life, not your country's life, not your peoples' life. It's your life. You have a right to make the decisions in your life. And if you want to be with me, then that's what you'll fucking do. You did so before!”

Justin shook his head sadly. “That was before everyone knew. My family has no idea that I am Justin Taylor! My family has no idea what my life in New York is like... They allowed Daphne and me to move to New York, to raise Lizzie there, because I agreed to be our country's ambassador to the United Nations and my parents agreed at the time that that would be good training for me in my role as future king. You have no idea about the shame I have brought upon my family by coming out... I can't keep adding to that by living with a man.”

“Then don't tell them!” Brian was nearly yelling now, feeling utterly frustrated. “They didn't know about us before... They don't have to know now,” he argued, looking at the younger man.

“What happened to you not being anyone's dirty little secret?” Justin asked, repeating Brian's words from that night when he had found out about Daphne and Lizzie.

Brian ran a hand over his face, taking a deep breath. “I want to be with you, Justin. I want to see you happy and I want to be the one that makes you happy. We were happy before and I want that back for us. For you. I have seen in recent weeks how unhappy you are and I want to see you smile again, Sunshine. I don't care what I'll have to do to achieve that.”

“You don't know what you're saying,” Justin shook his head slowly. “My life... it has changed completely from what it has been like when you and I were first together... You said so yourself: I am a novelty. The first gay royal. The press will haunt me for the rest of my life because of that... It's time I start making my peace with that.”

“And give up any chance of happiness for yourself?” Brian asked, totally bewildered by what Justin was saying. “I know that we can be happy, Justin. If you just give me a chance. I can be the one to make you happy again.”

Justin smiled sadly. “I know you could, but... it wouldn't make you happy. It would destroy you. My life, my station in life, it destroys everything. It sucks the happiness out of everything.”

“Then turn away from it,” Brian said, by now sounding quite angry. “It's obviously not a life you want. We can build a life here.”

“Brian... I appreciate you saying all this, but really... you have no idea what that would mean for you and your own life. How much it would change everything you love about your life. I can't do that to you.”

“That's not your choice to make, Sunshine,” Brian said quietly, looking at Justin imploringly. “It's my choice to make. And I am willing to see if it's really as bad as you're saying. And if it is... well, I think it's about time you start having someone by your side to support you through this shitshow.”

Justin took a step closer and Brian was more than surprised when the young man leaned in and kissed him. It wasn't a passionate kiss, it was a soft, gentle kiss. Brian kissed him back and mourned the loss of contact when Justin pulled back and smiled at him sadly.

“I love you, Brian. I always will and because of that love, I can't pull you into this life. It would destroy you and I could never do that to you. You have a life here in Pittsburgh. You have Gus to consider... My life... it's not meant to be spent with you.”

“Don't I get a say in this? Don't I get a choice? Don't I at least get a chance to see if your life is really that horrible?” Brian asked, his heart sinking when he saw the sad expression on Justin's face.

“Brian... you have no idea what you're asking... one day you'll thank me. You'll be grateful that I protected you from yourself,” Justin said, then turned around and headed for the door.

Brian looked after him and was ready to say something, but before he could, Justin turned around once more and looked at him from the saddest eyes he had ever seen on the younger man. “I think it's best if you don't come to the hotel anymore. I am more than grateful for everything you've done for me, Daphne and Lizzie, but...this is where our... relationship needs to end. For your own good.”

And then Justin turned around, opened the metal door and pulled it shut behind himself a second later, leaving Brian to stare at the empty space he had occupied just seconds before.

This conversation had not gone at all like Brian had hoped.

Chapter 13

Brian sighed as he heard Cynthia's voice on the intercom. It had been a hell of a day so far, not the least because he had hardly gotten any sleep the night before. After Justin had left, he had been left with his emotions all over the place, his heart and mind in turmoil and it probably hadn't been the smartest idea to change from beer to whiskey shortly after the younger man had left in a futile attempt to make him forget about how the night had played out.

“What is it?” he barked at her, not feeling like having anything else go wrong that day.

“There's a woman named Daphne here to see you. She says you know her. She doesn't have an appointment,” Cynthia went on, but Brian interrupted her at that point.

“It's fine. Send her in.”

He ran a hand over his face and wondered what Daphne could want here. Why was she showing up at Kinnetik all of a sudden?

A few seconds later the door to his office opened and Cynthia led Daphne into the room and pointed towards the desk where Brian was seated. He nodded towards the empty chairs across from the desk and watched as she sat down.

“Interesting office you have here,” she said as she looked around and took in the room. She frowned when she recognized shower knobs on the walls. “Are those shower knobs?”

“This used to be a bathhouse way back,” he replied. “I had it converted into office space when I first opened Kinnetik.”

“Oh...ok,” she said, nodding to herself. “Interesting.”

“Why are you here, Daphne? Not that I don't appreciate your visit, but it's been a hell of a day already,” he got straight to the point, not feeling like exchanging pleasantries with Justin's bestie.

“Justin told me about last night,” she said quietly, looking at Brian from sad eyes.

“And why does that end with you sitting in my office? He's your best friend, shouldn't you be by his side instead of here?”

“I thought we could both do with some time apart,” Daphne said diplomatically, but Brian had been able to hear what she hadn't said. They had fought. Most likely about him. Great.

Brian sighed. “He made his choice.”

“He made a mistake. That's what he did,” Daphne replied hotly, her voice rising.

“Well, mistake or not, he sounded pretty damn sure about it,” Brian shrugged.

“Did he tell you that we're leaving?” Daphne asked all of a sudden and Brian's eyes widened, telling her what she had already suspected. “Yeah, I thought so.”

“When?” Brian asked, not liking how small his voice sounded when he asked that question.

“We're leaving tomorrow. His mother summoned him to come home.”

“How long have you known?” Brian asked, not able to meet her eyes. He hated what he saw in them. Was that pity?

“Her secretary got in contact with his secretary yesterday.”

“Her secretary?” Brian frowned, not quite sure if he understood.

“That's how things are done in Justin's family. She is the queen. She hasn't spoken to him since any of this started and... she has her whole team of advisers that organize her whole life for her. Looks like they finally found some time to schedule in an audience with her son.”

Daphne's voice had been cold when she had spoken and Brian frowned at that.

“You don't like her,” Brian stated, rather than asked.

“That family is so messed up...you have no idea. How can a mother not speak to her son personally when he's been going through what Jus has been going through in recent weeks? How can she not check in with him and ask if he's okay? If her granddaughter is okay? All she cares about is her precious throne and legacy and how any of this will reflect on her. She has never cared about Jus. He is the heir to the throne and that's it in her eyes. It's his duty to become king one day, that's all that matters.”

“That's all very interesting, but Justin has made his choice and he was very clear. He doesn't want me in his life,” Brian said, not quite sure why Daphne was telling him any of this.

“You don't really believe that, do you?” Daphne raised an eyebrow and looked right at him. When he didn't reply, she just went on. “Of course, he does. He loves you! You're the best thing that has ever happened to him. I've never seen him happier than when he was with you. You're good for him!”

“Well, apparently it doesn't matter as he's set on following in his mother's shoes and becoming the next king... which doesn't allow for anyone to share his life with him...”

“He thinks he has to protect you from that life,” Daphne said quietly. “That it will destroy you if he allows you in.”

Brian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I've heard all his reasons last night. Can we please not do this again?”

“He loves you, Brian. And I know that you love him. Don't let him make this mistake! It will destroy him...,” Daphne's voice had now taken on a tone of desperation and Brian frowned when he heard how emotional the young woman was.

“He made his choice,” was all Brian said. “What do you want me to do about it?”

“Convince him that you really mean it. That you love him and want a life with him,” Daphne almost pleaded, looking at him from serious eyes. “Don't let him throw away his happiness for his horrible family and a wrong sense of duty.”

“It doesn't matter what I want... I told him that I didn't care about who he really is, about his family, about his position... It didn't change anything. He's hellbent on going down that road.”

“He's making a mistake,” was all Daphne said, now sounding incredibly sad. “He will never be happy in that life. He never was... he has hated being a prince all his life. He has hated his position all his life, but now... these last few weeks... they've taken away all his will to fight for his right to live the life he wants, not the life they have planned for him. I hardly recognize him anymore.”

Brian could see the emotions on her face, could see how strongly she was feeling for her best friend, how much this bothered her and once again he realized how much Daphne really loved Justin.

“He didn't care when I told him last night that I wanted a life with him...”

“Convince him that he has an alternative, Brian. Convince him that there's more to life than pleasing his mother and taking the throne one day.”

“How do you want me to do that? He asked me not to contact him anymore...”

There was an uncomfortable silence between them for the longest time before Daphne replied with tears in her voice. “I don't know... I just don't want him to throw away his life for something he has always hated.”

Daphne hadn't stayed much longer after that, thanking Brian once more for all he had done for them, for letting them stay at the Kinnetik suite and for having brought happiness and love into her friend's life.

After she had left, Brian had been left with many uncomfortable thoughts, wondering if there was anything that he could do.

“Theodore? Come to my office, now!”

***

Over the next two weeks Brian hadn't heard from either Justin or Daphne. He had read some things in the press, none of which had sounded particularly good.

There had been an official press release from the palace of Darumor, announcing that in light of recent events, Prince Justinus would step down from his royal duties for the next two years, giving him and his wife the time to focus on their divorce and the upbringing of their daughter under their new, changed status as divorcees.

Normally Brian didn't follow royal news and gossip and couldn't have cared less, but now he had started to read every article he could find.

Royal experts had pretty much commented that the two-year break from royal duties was the last resort to keep any further harm from the brand of the royal family of Darumor. According to them, Justin had harmed the family’s legacy with this scandal and his coming out and removing him from any royal duties would be damage control. Out of sight, out of mind.

The announcement from the palace had said that his break from royal duties would be re-examined once the two years were over, but many royal experts were sure that this was pretty much a permanent dismissal from the royal family.

According to royal experts, this two-year time frame had only been included, so the royal family wouldn't come off as homophobic and wouldn't lose the approval of younger, more open-minded citizens of Darumor, but at the same time having Justin stay away from any royal duties for the next two years would appease the more conservative, catholic citizens of the country.

In two years time, people would hopefully have forgotten about this scandal and whatever decision would be made then, wouldn't cause too much press attention. Or so the palace thought.

The fact remained though that Justin had more or less been kicked out of his family for the major offense of being gay. And while Brian wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing, he knew that it wouldn't be anything that would make the younger man feel better about himself. He had heard Justin's talk about besmirching the family name, about how he couldn't bring any more shame to the crown and if that was any indication, Justin was probably feeling like shit right now.

Personally, he thought this might be a blessing in disguise. After everything Justin and Daphne had told him, he couldn't see any harm in being away from that family. As far as he was concerned, this was the best that could have happened to Justin. The heavy burden of kingship was off his shoulders now and he could finally focus on his own life, his own happiness. Maybe, with a bit of time and distance, Justin would even see that he now had a chance at the life he had always wanted.

Brian sure hoped so. His whole plan was built on that assumption.

***

Brian looked up in relief when he saw Justin walk towards his car in the hotel parking garage. It had taken a lot of texts and much help from Daphne to get Justin to agree to come to Pittsburgh once more, but in the end, he had and now he was here.

He was staying at the Kinnetik suite once more, having arrived from New York earlier that day, though Brian hoped that he wouldn't be staying at the hotel any longer. Not after he had seen what Brian had done in recent weeks.

It had been four weeks since they had last seen each other, three weeks since the announcement from the royal family in Darumor had been made and Brian could immediately see how stressed the younger man still looked as he slowly opened the door to Brian's car.

He got in wordlessly and turned to Brian with an annoyed expression. “Brian,” he started, but Brian just shook his head.

“Shut up, Sunshine, okay? Just don't say anything until you've seen what I need to show you.”

“Brian, I don't appreciate you and Daphne ganging up on me like that...,” Justin said anyway, making it clear that he wasn't happy.

“Just wait, okay? There's something I need to show you and I want you to look at it. If you still feel the same way afterwards, you'll never hear from me again,” Brian said seriously, before he started the car.

“What do you need to show me?” Justin looked confused and frowned when Brian led the car out of the parking garage.

“You'll see. Just lean back and relax.”

Brian then headed towards the interstate and drove them about 20 minutes out of the city before he left the interstate and turned in the direction of West Virginia.

“Where are we?” Justin asked, looking at the unfamiliar area from confused and slightly annoyed eyes. “What is this?”

“Just trust me, okay? It's only a few more minutes and then you'll see.”

“See what, Brian?”

Much to Justin's annoyance Brian didn't reply though and just drove them into a small town, then took a turn and drove towards the edge of the town, into a residential area that was filled with big mansions, some looking to be at least 100 years old. Soon after they left that residential area as well and drove into a more remote area of town.

“When you said there was something you had to show me, I didn't think it would be in West Virginia.”

“It's less than half an hour out of Pittsburgh,” Brian said seriously, then drove through a gate and headed up a lane that ended in front of a big Tudor-style mansion and stopped the car. He got out and Justin reluctantly followed him and exclaimed a quiet. “Wow” as he looked at the mansion in front of him.

“Wait till you see the tennis court. And the pool. And the stables,” Brian said as he headed for the door.

“Stables?” Justin asked and continued in obvious confusion. “Who lives here?”

“We do,” Brian said, leaving it at that.

Obviously, that didn't help Justin's confusion at all. “What?”

“I bought it,” Brian went on, then turned towards the main door of the house.

“You bought this house?” Justin asked as he followed Brian inside.

They took a tour of the ground floor and looked at some of the rooms, before they ended in a big study that had a fire going in the fireplace.

Justin was still looking around the room as Brian began to speak again.

“I know you said that I didn't understand anything about your life, that I didn't really know you and your life.”

Justin stopped walking around and turned to look at Brian.

“I understand though that you want a life away from all the press attention, away from prying eyes. I understand that you want a quiet life, a quiet place where you can focus on your art and live the life that you have always dreamed of for yourself. I'd hoped that this place could be it.”

“Brian,” Justin started, but the older man just went on as if he had never interrupted him. “I told you...”

“You can't be with me. Yeah, I know. And who could blame you? I am, without a doubt, the worst candidate for any type of relationship alive. I have never been in one, have no idea what I am getting into, but, conversely, I think that's also the reason why I'm the best candidate to start this relationship with.”

When Brian stopped, Justin started walking around the room once more and looked at him questioningly. “And how's that? You don’t do relationships. And you definitely don’t want to get into one with me…you don’t understand what that would entail, Brian.”

“Because, as strongly as I was opposed to the idea of being in a relationship for years, now that I'm behind it, I am as fervently and passionately committed.”

“Uh-huh. And what changed your mind?” Justin asked, not sounding at all convinced by what Brian was saying.

“I finally thought of one good reason to be in one,” Brian said seriously.

“And what is that one good reason?”

“To prove to the person that I love how much I love him. That I would give him anything, I would do anything, I'd be anything to make him happy,” Brian said seriously.

“You're fucking unbelievable,” Justin shook his head in disbelief.

“It's true. I am.”

“You bought this? You bought this palace?” Justin asked, clearly still struggling to understand what was happening.

“It's for my prince,” Brian said seriously, before he went on. “I'm also selling the loft and the club. I realize that I might not know what your life is like, but even I know that owning a gay night club might not be smart for someone who wants to be in a relationship with a royal.”

“Without even knowing what my answer would be?” Justin now sounded utterly amazed.

“I'm taking a chance on love.”

“Then you really mean it?” Justin asked, looking at Brian from shining eyes. “You really want to be with me? Despite who I am?”

“I've never meant anything more. I want to be with you, Justin! I get that your life is complicated, but I hope that maybe... here, away from prying eyes, we can figure it out together. I want to see you happy again. I want to see you smile again. And I think you could be really happy here if you only allowed yourself to be,” Brian said quietly, looking at Justin from sincere eyes.

Justin stayed quiet for the longest time and just looked into Brian's eyes. What he saw there was total honesty and above all love. So much love. Brian really loved him and wanted to be with him, no matter who he was and he had gone as far as to buy him this palace in the middle of nowhere that would allow them to live in privacy away from prying eyes.

He considered everything that Brian had been saying, forced his mind to stop questioning if this was wise or not and finally gave in to his heart, a heart that had been guiding him in this direction for weeks, if not months.

“Okay,” he finally said.

“Okay?” Brian asked, not sure what Justin was saying, not daring to hope that Justin was saying what he was hoping he was saying.

And then the biggest sunshine smile broke out on Justin's face. “Let's do it. Let's try and build a life here. Together.”

“Say it,” Brian urged, still not ready to give in to the feeling of happiness that was slowly spreading through his whole body. He needed to hear Justin say it once more.

“Yes,” Justin said, the biggest smile on his face.

“Yes, what?” Brian asked, now smiling as well.

 “Yes!” Justin repeated, then took a step closer to Brian. He pulled the older man closer, running his hand through Brian's hair as he continued speaking. “Yes, I will move into this mansion with you. Yes, I will have a relationship with you again. Yes, I will live here with you and will be the happiest man alive knowing that you're by my side, no matter what.”

He then closed the distance between them and kissed Brian softly. They kissed for a few seconds, then broke apart, never letting go off each other's embrace. Justin saw the look on Brian's face and frowned.

“What? Don't tell me you're already having second thoughts,” he said and Brian could easily hear the insecurity in Justin's voice.

He looked at the younger man, drank him in and then smiled slightly.

“Not one.”

And as he said it, he knew that it was the truth. Whatever life had in store for them, they would master it. As long as they would be together, as long as Justin believed in them, believed in him, allowed himself his own personal happiness, they would be fine. Brian just knew it. He then closed the distance between them again and started kissing Justin once more.

At first gently, then the kiss slowly turned more passionate.

Within minutes they had both gotten rid of their clothes and were making love in front of the fireplace.

Chapter 14

“I missed this,” Justin sighed happily as his head rested on Brian's chest.

They had just made love for the first time in over a year and it had been so good. It had been everything he had dreamed it would be and so much more. Brian had been so gentle, so caring when he had prepared him for their lovemaking and the moment he had entered him, had started making love to him in front of the fireplace had just been phenomenal.

Brian ran his fingers over Justin's arm and hummed happily in response.

They stayed like that for almost half an hour, just enjoying being together again like this before Justin slowly moved up and looked down at Brian's face from his position higher up.

“Brian,” he started, his voice sounding serious but also sad.

Brian frowned. “Now who is having second thoughts?” He tried to joke but was feeling too scared that Justin might have changed his mind again. Might tell him now that as nice as this had been, he couldn't move in here with Brian. Brian braced himself as he waited for Justin's reply.

Justin shook his head slowly, but still looked incredibly sad. “I am not having second thoughts,” he said quietly.

“Before you start again, I am not naive. I know what I am getting into. I've spoken to Daphne, hell, I've heard everything you told me before you left. I've read every fucking article on your fucking life in the last month... I am not running into this blindly. I know what your life is like and I can honestly tell you, I don't give a shit! I want to be with you. And I know that we can figure this out together if you just give this a chance,” Brian said heatedly, leaning up on his elbows to be closer to Justin's serious face.

Justin smiled slightly as he ran a hand through Brian's hair. “I wasn't going to say any of that.”

When Brian looked at him doubtfully, Justin repeated what he had said. “I really wasn't.”

“Then what were you going to say?” Brian asked, now fully sitting up and bracing himself for whatever Justin had to say. Whatever it was, it couldn't be good or Justin wouldn't have turned so serious so quickly.

“I love you, Brian. And I want this...,” Justin waved his arm around, indicating the house. “I really do... It seems like a dream come true...”

When Justin didn't continue, Brian took his hand and squeezed it. “But?” he asked quietly, looking at the younger man from worried eyes.

“I can't just move to Pittsburgh. I can't just leave New York like that. My whole life is in New York. Daphne and Lizzie are in New York. I can't... I won't just leave my daughter, Brian. I can't.”

Brian stayed quiet for the longest time, then slowly got up. He wrapped one of the sheets they had put on the floor before they had made love around his body and urged Justin to do the same. The younger man did, clearly confused by what was happening and then followed Brian through the house as he led the way up to the second floor.

Much to Justin's confusion, they didn't stay on the second floor though, but moved up a small staircase at the end of the hallway that led to what looked like an old attic. When they arrived up in the attic, Justin frowned though because this space looked nothing like an attic.

The large room had a glass roof and was illuminated by the last rays of sunshine from the setting sun.

“I have no idea what the previous owners did with this attic and why it has a fucking glass roof, but I thought this might work nicely for a studio,” Brian said, now clearly insecure, not knowing how Justin would react to what he was seeing.

“I remember you telling me that you needed a lot of natural light in your studio when you showed me your place in New York,” he continued, walking further into the attic. “You can't get more natural light than this, can you?”

Justin looked around the room wide-eyed and was amazed. This was at least twice the size of his studio space in New York and Brian was right, you couldn't get more natural light than through this glass roof.

“This is amazing,” he said, clearly shocked by the surprise this attic had been. He had expected an old, dusty storage space under the roof of the house, but this was completely different, so much better.

“I know your agent is in New York, that your art shows are in New York, but I thought that maybe... maybe you could also paint from here? Turn this into a studio...”

Justin looked at Brian and Brian could see a happiness on the younger man's face that he hadn't seen there often before. This was real happiness and it made him happy to see Justin so happy. “I love this, Brian,” he breathed out, then walked closer to the older man. “But,” he started, only to be stopped by Brian who placed a gentle kiss on his lips in order to shut him up.

When their kiss ended, Brian pulled Justin with him once more. “You haven't seen everything yet,” Brian said mysteriously, then led Justin back down to the ground floor.

They walked into the kitchen and then Brian led Justin through a door that led into the garage which was connected to the house through this door in the kitchen.

Justin wasn't quite sure why Brian had led him to the garage and he felt even more confused when Brian pulled him all the way through the garage which would easily have space to park three cars, if not even more.

Once they reached the other end of the garage, Brian opened a door and led Justin into another kitchen. This time smaller than the one they had previously been in, but still equipped with everything you could ask for. 

He led Justin through the kitchen and they stopped in what could only be described as another living-room. Justin frowned, not quite sure what he was looking at.

“This used to be the old servants’ quarters. The previous owners made it into a separate apartment for their adult daughter. It's a two-bedroom place with separate entrance but connected to the main house via the garage. I offered it to Daphne,” Brian ended, waiting for Justin's reaction.

He eyed the younger man for the longest time, watching the surprise on his face as he processed what Brian had just told him.

“You what?”

“I asked Daphne if she'd like to make this her place,” Brian said again, watching the disbelief on Justin's face.

“I can't believe you did that,” Justin breathed out, looking at Brian from wide eyes.

“I knew that you wouldn't want to be away from Lizzie and Daphne... so when the realtor showed me this place, I immediately thought of her.”

“Brian, I can't ask you to do this,” Justin started, shaking his head in disbelief. “It's one thing to want to move in with me, but... Daphne and Lizzie? I can't ask you to take on my whole family.”

“You're not asking me to do anything. I am offering,” Brian said quietly, taking Justin's hands and holding them tightly. “I know how much you love your daughter and how much you want to be a part of her life. I knew there wouldn't be a chance in hell that you would move to Pittsburgh with her and Daphne staying in New York, so... I spoke to Daphne and... she thinks that getting away from New York would be great for you and Lizzie. She thinks it would be a great way for your lives to calm down again, for you all to move on from the media circus of the last few weeks.”

“You have been planning this whole thing with her?” Justin sounded amazed more than anything.

“I love you, Justin! And I want to be with you. I want this to be our home and I think we can be really happy here, but... I am not a complete idiot. I wouldn't have bought this house if there hadn't been any chance of you ever moving here. So yeah, I've talked to Daphne, told her about my idea and she liked it. She really loves you, Justin and she wants this for you. She wants you to be happy more than anything.”

Justin chuckled, then hid his head in his hands. “I can't believe that you've planned all this with her.”

“It will always be your decision, but I want to see you happy more than anything because you deserve that happiness more than anyone I know. And she wants to see you and Lizzie happy as well. Speak to her, but don't just assume that you can't try to build a life here because of her. She loved the house.”

“She's already seen it?” Justin's eyes widened in surprise. “Before me?”

“I sent her some images. If she had told me that you would hate it, I would have continued looking for something else,” Brian admitted quietly.

“This house is amazing,” Justin whispered. “It's everything I could have asked for and so much more, but... it sounds like this is all about me. What about you?”

“Me?” Now it was Brian's turn to frown.

“You bought this house for me because you knew I'd like my privacy, because you know about the media attention that comes with who I am. You bought a house with perfect studio space for my art and which even has a space for my best friend and daughter. It's the perfect place for me, but what about you? This is the complete opposite of your loft. This is what I want, but what about what you want?” Justin asked, looking at Brian seriously.

“I have everything that I want right here,” Brian replied seriously, pulling Justin closer and holding him tight. “I want to be with you, Justin. I want us to try and build a life together. As long as I have you, I don't care where we live or who lives with us.”

“Are you sure?” Justin asked, looking at Brian from insecure eyes. “I don't want you to regret this one day.”

Brian sighed, resting his forehead against Justin's. “I might come to regret this one day, but so might you. We don't know what's going to happen. We don't know if this will work out or not. I know you're worried about me getting into something I have no idea about, but what if you're the one who'll be fed up with me? What if you're the one who wants to leave? We don't know what is going to happen, we don't know how any of this is going to end, but if we don't give it a try, we'll never know. And who knows? It might all work out and we might be really happy here.”

Justin rubbed his nose against Brian's, smiling at him. “I think we could be really happy here.”

“I know we can be,” Brian replied, before he leaned in for another kiss.

They kissed for several minutes before they broke apart breathlessly.

Brian was the first one to speak again. “I know there are things we need to talk about. About your life, your family. My family. What this will mean for us and everything, but I want us to give this a try. I really do!”

Justin nodded, looking at Brian from shining eyes. Eyes that were shining with happiness and unshed tears. “So do I!”

Brian nodded, then leaned in once more and kissed Justin once more. Within seconds hands were roaming all over each other's bodies and it didn't even take a minute for the sheets to fall onto the floor and for the two naked men to fall onto them in a heap of tangled limbs.

They kissed and made out for several minutes before Justin breathlessly pulled apart. “I want you to make love to me.”

Brian nodded, leaned down for another kiss, but then pulled back with a frown on his face.

“What?” Justin asked, seeing the frown on Brian's face.

“We need to return to the study,” Brian said as he pulled Justin up, who was confused by what Brian was doing.

“What? Why?”

“Well, I doubt that Daphne would appreciate if we had sex on her living-room floor, but even more than that... the condoms are in the study,” Brian explained, already pulling Justin with him as he made his way back through the kitchen to the garage.

Justin snorted. “For real?”

Brian stopped for a second and just looked down his naked body. “Unless you have condoms with you right now...”

Justin shook his head, still laughing and followed Brian back through the garage into the main house.

A minute later they were back in the study and in front of the fireplace once more.

Brian grabbed the lube and condoms as soon as they hit the floor and immediately started kissing Justin again who was still giggling like a schoolgirl.

He stopped soon enough though, when Brian's tongue slid down his upper body and followed his treasure trail down to Justin's hard cock. When Brian took the erect member into his mouth, Justin's giggling died immediately and was replaced by moaning.

Brian gave Justin a blowjob and swallowed every last drop of cum when the younger man finally came.

Once Justin had regained control over his breathing and was coming down to earth again, Brian gently moved him over onto his stomach and started preparing him.

Justin was still opened up from their first round of lovemaking, so it didn't take Brian long before he slid into the warm opening with his erect cock and buried himself deep inside the man he loved.

Justin's hips met Brian's in every thrust and soon after Brian came into the condom. They both groaned, then sank down on the floor into a big heap of sweaty, tangled limbs.

It took a few minutes before they could speak again and it was Brian who spoke first. “We still have it...”

Justin grinned and nodded. “We sure do...that was amazing.”

“I was a fool to ever think that I could live without this,” Brian whispered, slowly rolling down from Justin's body and lying next to him.

The younger man immediately moved into Brian's arms and settled in his embrace with a happy sigh. “So was I.”

“I am glad you finally realized that,” Brian teased, running a hand through Justin's sweaty hair.

When Justin hid his head in Brian's shoulder and didn't respond, Brian frowned. “You okay? I was joking.”

Justin nodded but didn't say anything.

“Hey... Sunshine?” Brian frowned even more and pulled back to look at the younger man. “We're fine.”

Justin nodded, raising his eyes to meet Brian's concerned gaze. “I am sorry that I put you through this, Brian. I... my life is a mess and... I am a mess...”

“Shhhh,” Brian said quietly, running a hand over Justin's cheek in a tender caress. “And I have no idea about how to be in a relationship. I'd say we make a fine couple.”

Justin smiled. “Couple. I never thought I'd hear you say that word and not break out in a sweat.”

“Well, I couldn't always stay an over the hill club boy. It was time that I finally grew up as well,” Brian admitted. “Maybe it's time to see what this whole relationship deal is all about. Enough people seem to like it.”

Justin chuckled in response. “I think I could get used to it.”

Brian nodded. “To be fair, we didn't do too bad the first time around.”

Justin mock gasped. “Did you just say we were in a relationship before?”

“I told you it might have been fucked up, but I think many people would have in fact considered it a relationship,” Brian replied seriously.

“I did,” Justin admitted, then hid his face in Brian's shoulder after he had made that admission.

Brian tightened his hold around Justin's body and pulled the younger man closer. “I promise I'll do better this time around.”

Justin looked into Brian's eyes for the longest time, then nodded. “So will I.”

They kissed once more to seal their promises.

After the kiss had ended, Justin rested his head on Brian's shoulder. He gently ran a hand over Brian's chest and just enjoyed them being together like this.

They were quiet for the longest time before Justin's voice broke the comfortable silence. “I don't want you to sell Babylon and the loft.”

“Justin, I...,” Brian started, but Justin raised his head to look at Brian and shook his head.

“No, I don't want you to. Babylon is your business. A successful business and you shouldn't sell it because of me. It's a gay night club, so what? You are gay. I am gay. And owning a night club is not illegal.”

“Justin, I know that a gay night club owner isn't really what people are expecting when they look at the partner of a royal,” Brian said quietly.

“I don't care,” Justin said, his voice now sounding slightly more agitated. “All my life I cared about other people's expectations, but I am not doing it any longer. You were right. Daphne was right. This is my life and I have a right to be happy. And I am happy with you: Brian Kinney, owner of Kinnetik and Babylon. I am not going to apologize for loving you or even hide loving you. You have always been who you are and maybe...maybe one day I can be, too.”

Brian eyed Justin for the longest time and could see how serious he was about what he had just said. He held him close as he spoke.

“I know you can, Sunshine.”

“And they can only kick me out of the family once, right? So, who gives a fuck what my mother and her fucking advisers think? I might as well make it worth their while.”

Brian could hear how agitated Justin's voice had become and he looked at the man in his arms in concern.

“Hey, you okay?”

Justin nodded but didn't say anything and Brian could see how troubled he looked.

“Tell me about it,” Brian said quietly, running a hand over Justin's naked back.

“Not much to tell,” Justin sighed. “I am a disgrace to the legacy of our family...,” Justin shrugged at that point and even though he tried to act like it didn't matter, Brian could hear how hurt he was. “I have besmirched the family name and now they have kicked me out.”

“It might not seem that way now but from everything I have heard that sounds like a good thing rather than a bad thing,” Brian said seriously.

Justin was about to open his mouth and respond, but Brian held his index finger to Justin's lips.

“No, listen. You told me yourself that you never wanted this life. Daphne told me how much you have hated this life all your life... I've heard about the way your mother has treated you and your sister... and... I know right now it doesn't look that way, but maybe one day, this will be a blessing in disguise. At least now you have a chance to move forward and to finally have the life you always wanted. You have a best friend that cares so much about you and your happiness, you have a beautiful daughter that will grow up without the pressures that you grew up with. You have your art and can concentrate on creating your masterpieces, not having to worry about anything else. And you have me. I know everything is a mess right now, but maybe... in a few weeks, you'll start to realize that things aren't so bad after all.”

Justin was quiet for the longest time, then lowered his head. His voice was quiet when he spoke. “I know that you're right... I fucking know... It just...”

“Hurts,” Brian finished for him and still held him close. “I know.”

And he did. He knew how much it hurt to want nothing more than for your mother to love you and to not get that love in return, no matter what you tried to do to make her happy. He knew only too well.

Justin met Brian's gaze and nodded. They stayed quiet for the longest time before Justin spoke again.

“I am sorry. You did all of this... thought of everything and here I am pulling you down with my problems...”

“Don't apologize,” Brian said, leaning in for a gentle kiss. “I want you to be honest with me about how you feel. I want to make you feel better if I can...”

“I could think of a way or two that you could,” Justin said seductively and Brian realized that the time for serious conversation was over. Justin apparently didn't want to talk about it anymore and wanted to move on and for the moment Brian would be only too happy to do as his young partner wanted. He wanted to make Justin feel better and if he could make him forget about the shit show that was his family, if only for a short time, he would.

“Can you? Hmmm.... I wonder what those ways might be,” Brian smirked, following Justin's lead and smiling as the younger man slid down his body and started licking down his chest and stomach and down his treasure trail to his penis that was already hardening again.

Chapter 15

Brian slowly opened his eyes and looked around the room in confusion. It took him a minute to remember what had happened and where he was. He didn't immediately recognize the room he was in, but soon enough memories of the previous events came back to him.

Justin had given him a blow job and Brian had returned the favor by giving Justin a rim job. Afterwards they had lain in front of the fireplace and Brian must have fallen asleep.

Now that he was awake again, he realized that darkness had settled over the room and that the fire in the fireplace was the only thing illuminating the study. And he realized that he was alone. Justin wasn't by his side anymore.

He looked around the room, but it was clear that Justin was not in the room. Brian figured that the younger man might have walked off to explore the house, so he forced himself to get up and go in search of his partner.

Partner. Brian smiled to himself as he thought about what this meant. Justin was now his partner. He had admitted that he loved him and wanted to be in a relationship with him and Justin had agreed. Had told him that he loved him as well and wanted to give this relationship in their new home a chance.

Brian hadn't expected to feel so elated. He was happy, truly happy and excited. Excited for what their future would hold, for what their life would be like, but most of all, excited to know that Justin would be by his side for it all.

The last year had been hard and Brian could be honest enough with himself to know that he was partly to blame for how things had ended as well. If he had only given Justin a chance to explain, if he had listened to him when he had wanted to tell him about Daphne and his daughter. Maybe all of this could have been avoided.

Brian shook his head as if to clear his mind as he slowly pulled on his briefs and his jeans. If he had only given Justin a chance to explain a year ago, they might have never ended the way they did. And who knew? If they had never ended, Justin might have never ended up with the guy who had videotaped him and sold the tape to the press. All of this could have been avoided if Brian had only listened to Justin after Lizzie had been rushed to the hospital. Or maybe not... Nobody knew what would have happened if things had been different that day or the days after.

Maybe Brian would have found out about Justin's true identity and would have been scared off by the true knowledge of who the younger man was. He honestly couldn't say.

He didn't like to think about it but maybe being apart from Justin for so long, maybe seeing the shitshow that his life had turned into, was really what had pushed Brian to face his true feelings and to admit what the younger man meant to him. Maybe all of this needed to happen for them to end up here at this point in time.

He honestly couldn't say, all he knew was that he was happy. Happier than he had been in a long time and he knew that it was the same for Justin. Hopefully, with a bit of time, a bit of peace and quiet they would be able to move on from this mess and would be able to build something new, something better. Something true that wasn't built on lies and secrets.

Brian took a deep breath, then forced himself to stop thinking and to actually go searching for his lost partner.

He didn't have to go far and found Justin in the living-room, looking out at the garden with the pool, the forest at the edge of their grounds and everything in between. By now it was pretty dark and you couldn't really see much, but for some reason Brian had a feeling that Justin had been standing there for quite some time already.

Slowly wrapping his arms around his younger partner, he stepped up to him and held him close. “You okay?”

Justin sighed happily and leaned into Brian's embrace. “This is so beautiful, Brian. The house, the garden, everything.”

“You can't really see much right now,” Brian pointed out, resting his chin on Justin's shoulder.

“I saw the pool, the garden, the forest. It's beautiful.”

“It's all part of the grounds,” Brian said quietly. “You saw the gate we went through earlier?” He asked and continued after Justin had nodded. “The whole grounds are walled. All of this is ours. Up to the forest.”

“Really?” Justin's voice sounded amazed. “I didn't know it was this big.”

“It's a real country manor,” Brian said quietly, never letting go of Justin.

“You said there were stables and a tennis court?” Justin remembered what Brian had said earlier.

Brian nodded, slowly turning Justin around in his arms, so the younger man was facing him. “The tennis court is over at Daphne's side of the house. There's a small garden outside her living-room and then there's a path that leads to the tennis court. That way,” he indicated the other end of the garden, “is where the stable is at. It's too dark now, but maybe we can go out and I can show you everything tomorrow or in the next days.”

Justin nodded, his eyes shining with happiness. “I would love that.”

Brian leaned in and kissed Justin, but stepped back a few seconds later when their kiss was interrupted by Justin's stomach loudly complaining about the lack of food he had gotten that day.

“I better get you back to town though, get something to feed you,” Brian joked, watching as Justin blushed crimson in embarrassment.

“It's been a long day,” Justin said as way of defense, but followed Brian back to the study where they both got dressed.

“This is ours now,” Brian said as he put on his shirt and picked up his suit jacket. “We can come back whenever we like.”

Justin nodded, finished getting dressed as well and then followed Brian out of the house and back to his car. A few minutes later, they were back on their way to Pittsburgh, after Brian had pointed out some more features of the property, none of which they could really see in the darkness that now engulfed everything.

Without talking about it, Brian headed straight for the loft. Once they had arrived at the loft, Brian immediately called in an order for Thai, then pulled Justin into his bathroom for a quick shower. They had had sex several times all afternoon and both reeked.

Once out of the shower, Brian watched as Justin took a sheet of paper from his printer and a pencil from his desk, then moved over to his kitchen bar and sat down and started sketching something.

Brian watched him for a couple of minutes, watching how utterly content Justin looked. He got two bottles of beer from the fridge, opened them and then handed one to Justin who thanked him for the beer.

He nodded towards the sketch that Justin was doing. “What's that?”

Justin turned the paper around and pushed it over to where Brian was standing and as Brian looked at it, he recognized that Justin had drawn the living-room of their new house. Only that it was now completely furnished.

“That's amazing,” he exclaimed in obvious wonder, clearly impressed by how accurate Justin's drawing was.

“Do you like it?”

Brian nodded, then took a sip of his beer. “Yeah.”

“I have a couple of ideas... for some of the rooms,” Justin said quietly.

“If they all look like that,” Brian said, nodding towards the sketch Justin had done of the living-room, “buying furniture will be your job.”

Justin chuckled, but it was obvious how much Brian's praise meant to him. They were interrupted by their food being delivered at that point and Justin watched as Brian paid the driver and unpacked their dinner.

They settled at the dining table and started eating. Justin really felt famished and was hungry. Within minutes his plate was empty and he refilled it.

“Did you mean what you said earlier?” He suddenly asked, looking up at Brian.

“What exactly? I said a lot,” Brian frowned, then nodded. “Whatever it was, I meant it though, yes.”

“That you want to sell the loft?”

“Oh that,” Brian said, was quiet for a few seconds, then nodded. “Yeah, I meant it.”

“Why?”

Brian shrugged, before he took another bite of his Thai. “If we move out to the house, there's really no need to keep the loft, is there? It's a bachelor pad... a fuckpad... that part of my life is over.”

“You’re not selling your loft. It’s your home,” Justin said seriously, now putting down his chopsticks.

“It’s just four walls and a floor. And top of the line appliances and stainless-steel countertops and imported Italian fixtures and,” Brian stopped, now focusing on his bottle of beer.

Justin eyed him closely. “It’s more than that. It’s where we made love for the first time.”

Brian chuckled humorlessly. “That wasn’t love. I just gave you a rim job and fucked your brains out.”

Justin held Brian's gaze for the longest time, his voice absolutely earnest when he spoke next. “It was love to me.”

“You've always been too romantic for your own good,” Brian shook his head, trying to focus back on their dinner.

Justin wasn't having any of it though. He still looked at Brian from serious eyes. “If this is about money... I know the house can't have been cheap...”

“It has nothing to do with money.”

“I mean, I have money, Brian. I don't want you to sell the loft because you think you must give it up, so you can buy that huge ass mansion for me,” Justin tried once more.

“It's not about money,” Brian only repeated, then looked up and met Justin's eyes. “It really isn't.”

Justin saw the honesty in Brian's gaze and nodded. “Then keep the loft. At least for now.”

Brian smiled ruefully. “You really don't have a lot of trust in this working out if you're already urging me to keep a bachelor pad that I can move back into.”

“It's not that,” Justin said quickly, taking Brian's hand and squeezing it. “I meant what I said earlier. This is where we first made love. I... That means something to me, Brian. We might move into the house, but... I don't want to give up the place where we first spent a night together if we don't have to. And really? A place in the city might come in handy every once in a while. There might be late nights at the office, early morning flights, bad weather conditions in winter... Is it really a bad idea to keep a place in town for emergencies?”

“When you put it like that, it seems like the smart thing to do,” Brian said.

“Just don't sell it yet, okay? Let's hold on to the loft for a while longer... maybe we'll never use it and we'll still decide to sell it, but for now... I can't bring myself to say goodbye to this place.”

Brian had heard the emotions in Justin's voice, had heard how earnest his statement had been and in the end he nodded. He would do anything for that man by his side and maybe Justin was right, maybe keeping the loft would be a good idea in the end. “Okay. We'll keep the loft.”

A sunshine smile spread on Justin's face. “Thank you!”

***

After they had finished dinner, they had ended up in bed once again, both intend on making up for all the missed opportunities to make love over the last 12 months.

“Brian?” Justin said quietly, running his hand over Brian's stomach in gentle movements.

“Hmm?” the older man hummed, too lazy to actually say something.

“Can we go out to the house again tomorrow? I think I have some ideas for the master bedroom and the studio,” Justin said, allowing Brian to hold him close.

“I have to go into the office tomorrow. I have a presentation at 2pm.”

“Oh,” Justin just said, not quite sure what else to say.

“Why don't you go? You can take my car. I've seen the house before. Take your time, explore, take a look around the grounds.”

“Are you sure?” Justin asked, slowly looking up.

Brian nodded. “Yeah. You go ahead. And on the weekend, we can go together and take Gus.”

“Gus?”

Brian nodded once more. “Yeah, I want him to meet you. It's long overdue. And I want him to see the house. I thought he could get his own room there for when he comes to stay with us on the weekends and during his summer holidays.”

“Sounds nice,” Justin said, before he lowered his head and rested it again on Brian's shoulder.

Brian frowned. He wasn't quite sure what reaction he had expected from Justin, but it hadn't been this.

“He'll love you. And he'll love the house. All that space to run around and be wild. It will be like a dream come true for him.”

“Yeah, I am sure it will be,” Justin replied, but his voice sounded slightly off.

Brian slowly sat up and pulled Justin up with him. “What?”

“Nothing. You're right. It sounds like a great idea.”

“You don't have to be nervous. He'll love you. Gus is the most laid-back kid you'll ever meet.”

“I am not nervous,” Justin exclaimed, but his eyes betrayed his true feelings.

“You've got nothing to be worried about, Sunshine. Gus will love you; he'll love the house.”

“And if he doesn't?” Justin asked, in a quiet voice, looking at Brian from insecure eyes.

“We'll deal with it. Why are you so nervous? Were you this worried about me meeting Daphne and Lizzie?”

“That's different,” Justin replied, not looking at Brian as he spoke.

“How? I met your daughter and now I want you to meet my son. It seems only fair that you'll get to meet my kid as well.”

Justin sighed and nodded slowly. “You're right. It's just that... he's ten, not a toddler like Lizzie. She likes everyone who pays her enough attention and gives her toys.”

And it was true. When they had stayed at the Kinnetik suite a few weeks ago, Brian had come by a couple of times bringing some toys for her and she had fallen in love with Brian. She loved him almost as much as Santa Claus because of all the toys he had gotten her.

“Why do you think it'll be any different with Gus?” Brian laughed but stopped when he saw how serious Justin was. He ran a hand over the younger man's shoulders. “Hey, don't worry about it. Gus will love you. And he'll love the house. Trust me, I know him!”

“Those are a lot of changes for a boy his age,” Justin said. “What if he thinks I am like the evil stepmom trying to steal his dad from him? You will move away from Pittsburgh; you'll move in with me and my daughter. What if he'll be jealous and will hate me for it?”

“Oh Sunshine, you worry too much,” Brian said, his face showing how amused he was by the image Justin had just painted. “The house isn't even 30 minutes outside of town. Gus can still come and see me whenever he wants. And he'll get his own room for when he comes and spends the weekends with us. You know that he lives with his moms and his sister. Things won't change much for him. He'll be fine. He won't hate you. He'll like you once he gets to know you.”

“I hope you're right,” Justin muttered, looking at Brian from unsure eyes.

“It will be fine. Don't worry about it now,” Brian said reassuringly, then placed a kiss on Justin's forehead. “And in any case, you'll be the best-looking evil stepmom the world has ever seen.”

Justin rolled his eyes at Brian's comment. “You know what I mean.”

“I do,” Brian said quietly, pulling Justin down with him onto the bed. “And it will be fine. Trust me, okay?”

After the longest pause, Justin finally nodded, allowing Brian to pull him closer. “I just don't want him to get overwhelmed by any of this.”

 “He'll be fine,” Brian said once more, knowing that it was true. Gus would love the house, would love the idea of horses, a pool and all that open space to run around in. He loved the outdoors and would love the remote location of the house. He was sure of it.

Chapter 16

“Michael!” Cynthia's frustrated voice could be heard just as the door to Brian's office was opened and Michael made his way in.

“You can't...,” she then sighed and looked at Brian helplessly. “I am sorry, Brian. I told him you have a meeting coming up in five.”

Brian looked at her and just nodded. “Get me when Wilson gets here.”

She nodded, then turned around to leave Brian's office, not missing the triumphant look on Michael's face as he looked after her.

“I told her you wouldn't mind. I am your best friend. You'll always be happy to see me,” he said as he turned back to look at Brian, who was not looking at him but was focused on something on his screen.

“What are you doing here, Michael? I have a very important presentation in five. Just like Cynthia said.”

“I was at the loft, but you weren't there,” Michael said as if that would explain everything when in fact it only confused Brian more.

“Why would I be at the loft? It's Thursday, 2pm. Where else would I be than at my place of work?”

“Your car wasn't outside, so I thought you might be home for the day and figured we could spend the day together. Like we did in old times,” Michael said happily, walking closer to Brian's desk.

Brian sighed and felt rather annoyed by his friend. “Michael, I am running a business here. A very successful business. Of course, I would be here on a weekday.”

“But your car wasn't outside,” Michael just said again as if that explained anything.

“Because I walked,” Brian said after counting to ten. Which was true. He had walked the couple of blocks from his loft earlier that morning even though Justin had offered to drop him off on his way to their new house in West Virginia.

As they had agreed the previous evening, Justin had headed out to the house again that morning and he had taken Brian's car. Noticing how excited he had seemed to get back to the house and to explore the grounds and building some more, Brian had waved away his offer to take him to the office and had decided to walk instead, allowing Justin to get to the house two minutes earlier than he would have if he had dropped Brian off at the office first.

Not that Brian had minded walking. It had only been about 10 minutes, so wasn't all too bad.

“But your car isn't at the loft either,” Michael pointed out. “I checked. The loft was empty though.”

“You went into my loft?” Brian now raised an eyebrow and looked at Michael angrily. “Why?”

“To see if you were there. After all your car wasn't here, wasn't there,” Michael said, not noticing how angry the other man had gotten in the last few seconds.

“It's at the garage for some small repairs,” Brian lied, not feeling too bad about lying to Michael. It was only a small lie and he didn't feel ready yet to announce the truth about Justin to his friend. He knew that he would have to tell Michael the truth about Justin and the house in West Virginia soon, but he really didn't want to have this conversation two minutes before an important presentation. In light of that presentation, he had no qualms about this small lie to his friend. Instead, he focused again on the fact that Michael had gone into his home uninvited. “You could have called me. There was no need to go into the loft.”

“That's why you gave me a key, isn't it? So I could check on you,” Michael said rather smugly, crossing his arms.

Brian sighed, shaking his head. “That key is for emergencies, Michael. Me being at work at 2pm on a Thursday is not an emergency.”

“Something could have been wrong. How was I to know?”

“Again, you could have called or texted me,” Brian muttered, angrily grabbing some files from his desk as he stood up.

“I just decided to come back here and check with Ted to see where you were.”

“Well, guess what. You found me. And now I have to head off to that meeting,” Brian said as he walked past Michael towards the door of his office.

“Brian,” Michael whined, following his friend. “You never have time for me anymore.”

“It's fucking 2pm on a Thursday, Michael! I am running a company,” Brian said once again, this time more forcefully. “Why aren't you at your shop anyway?”

“Oh, Hunter is taking care of things. I thought it would be nice if we could spend some time together this afternoon. We never get to hang out anymore,” Michael explained, his voice still having that whiny tone that annoyed the hell out of Brian.

“Because I am busy, Michael. Running my company.”

“You hang out with Ted all the time,” Michael now whined, stepping in front of Brian and effectively blocking the door from being opened.

“He works for me in my company. Of course, I see him all the time. His office is just down the hall,” Brian shook his head, now looking even angrier than a minute ago.

“Can't he do this meeting for you? That's what you pay him for, right? And then we can get out of here and spend some time together,” Michael suggested, looking at Brian from what the brunet assumed were supposed to be puppy dog eyes.

“No can do, Mikey. Ted is my CFO, not an ad exec.”

True, Ted had done presentations in the past, for example when Brian had been sick with his testicular cancer and had suffered from the side effects of his radiation, and he had actually been surprisingly good at it, but that had been years ago when Kinnetik had just started and had been a lot smaller. Now they had way more clients, way more ad execs and way more accountants on their payroll and Ted was busy enough keeping control of all financial operations.

“Brian, please!” Michael whined, his voice taking on an even higher pitch than before. “We never spend time together anymore.”

“Because we both have lives. I am running one of the most successful ad agencies in the East and you have a family. So why don't you go home to your husband and spend some time with him?” Brian suggested, glaring at Michael for good measure.

“I see Ben all the time, but I never see you.”

“Well, you won't be seeing me now. My meeting is starting,” Brian said when he saw Cynthia heading his way. Those were the advantages of a glass door. “My client is here.”

Michael pouted, but finally moved aside. “Can we spend time together on the weekend? It's been an eternity since we've been to Babylon together.”

“Can't. I have Gus this weekend,” Brian just said, then nodded at Cynthia who had just opened the door to his office, pushing Michael aside unceremoniously, and had announced that his client was waiting in the conference room.

“But I'll see you for breakfast on Sunday, right?” Michael asked next as Brian made his way past him and down the hall.

“You'll see me at dinner at your mom's,” Brian sighed, turning around to Michael once more, sounding more than annoyed. “I just told you I have Gus for the weekend.”

“Can't the girls watch him? Or can't he stay alone for an hour or two?” Michael whined, apparently not noticing Brian's annoyance with him.

“The point of me having Gus is that I am spending time with my son and not with you!” Brian said as he started walking away from Michael's side.

Also, he wanted to spend the weekend with Gus and Justin, wanted Gus to meet Justin, wanted him to see the new house and all of that. Meeting Michael really was the last thing he wanted to do this weekend.

As Brian walked further down the hall, he threw one last parting shot at his friend. “Go and spend some time with your child. I am sure she'll be happy to see you.”

He didn't hear Michael's reply as he now turned the corner and went into the conference room where his client was waiting.

***

Brian picked up his mobile phone when he saw that his loft was calling him. He assumed that it was Justin calling him, but it was still weird to see his own number calling his mobile phone.

“Sunshine?”

“Brian? Do you have a minute?”

Brian frowned, realizing that Justin sounded rather agitated and not nearly as happy as he had earlier that morning before he had headed towards the house in West Virginia.

“Yeah, sure.” His meeting had ended half an hour ago and he was now just finishing up some paperwork, hoping that he could head back to the loft within the hour. “What is going on? You sound off.”

“Did you come home?”

Brian frowned, not sure he understood. “Home?”

“To the loft? Sometime today?” Justin asked, still sounding rather upset.

“No, I was at the office all day. Why?”

“Shit...” Justin muttered and Brian could almost see him walking around in distress.

“Why, what is it?”

“I think someone broke into the loft then,” Justin said next, saying something that Brian hadn't expected at all.

“What? Why? Is something missing? Did you call the police?”

“No... I mean, I don't know. It doesn't look like anything has been stolen, really, but someone must have been here.”

“What? You're not making sense, Sunshine,” Brian said quietly, trying to stay calm and not to get as upset as Justin was.

“I know that I turned on the alarm when I left. I know I did. I double-checked it actually. But when I just came back... the alarm was off. And there's a glass on the kitchen counter that wasn't there when I left,” Justin explained.

Brian stayed quiet for a second before something clicked in his mind. “That fucking asshole!” He angrily exclaimed.

“Brian?” Justin asked carefully, clearly not sure what to make of Brian's statement.

“Michael,” Brian sighed, running a hand over his face. “He went by the loft earlier looking for me. He must have turned the alarm off and must have forgotten to turn it back on.”

“Michael?” Now it was Justin's turn to sound confused. “Why would he go into your loft?”

“He has a key for emergencies,” Brian explained. “And he thought I was at home because he didn't see my car at the office.”

When Justin stayed quiet and didn't say anything, Brian went on.

“He said he checked the loft to see if I was home.”

“He couldn't just ring the bell or call you?” Justin asked now, sounding slightly confused.

“Don't get me started,” Brian just muttered. “He doesn't understand the meaning of emergency.”

“Or privacy, it seems,” Justin replied, now sounding calmer than he had two minutes ago. Now that he knew that no one had broken into the loft, he didn't feel as upset anymore as he had earlier when he had come home.

“Don't worry about it, Sunshine. I'll deal with him,” Brian promised, making a mental note to get back to Michael about not turning the alarm back on.

“Okay,” Justin just said, not quite sure what else to say.

Brian heard how off Justin still sounded and therefore decided to change the subject away from his idiotic friend.

“How did you like the house and grounds? Now that you could see everything in daylight?”

Justin's voice immediately turned more excited and happier and Brian was glad for it. “God, it's even more beautiful than I expected. The grounds are so beautiful. And it's all so big. That house has so many rooms. Geez, I don't think we'll need half of them. I did some sketches for the master bedroom and some of the guestrooms. I'll show you when you get home, okay?”

“Sounds good. I can't wait,” Brian said, now sounding considerably happier as well.

“Are you coming home soon?” Justin asked next.

“I'll try to leave the office within the hour. Just finishing up some paperwork.”

“Okay, sounds good. I am going to cook tonight, so you better be hungry,” Justin said happily.

“Sunshine, you don't have to,” Brian started, but was stopped by Justin right away.

“I want to,” the younger man said, leaving no doubt that he meant it. “I love cooking. It calms me down. And I want to spoil you. You got this nice, beautiful house for us. Cooking dinner is the least I can do in return.”

“You don't have to do anything in return,” Brian said seriously.

“I want to spoil you, just like you're spoiling me,” Justin replied, his voice sounding happy and relaxed. “So, stop complaining.”

Brian actually had to laugh at that. “Okay. You won. I'll be home in an hour, okay?”

“Sounds good,” Justin agreed and Brian could hear the smile in his voice. “Love you.”

“Love you, too,” Brian responded, surprised by how easily those words had left his mouth.

Chapter 17

“Daddy!” Gus exclaimed happily as he made his way past his mother and gave his father a hug.

“Hey, sonny boy. How are you?”

“Good!” Gus said happily, then headed to Brian's car as he spoke. “Can we get going? I don't want to be late.”

Brian actually had to chuckle. Gus had a soccer game that morning and Brian had promised to pick him up and take him to the game before Gus would go home with him and spend the weekend with him. They had done this many weekends before and just as usual, Gus was excited about his game and couldn't wait to get there.

“You can already get in the car. I'll be there in a minute,” he said, before he turned to Lindsay with a smile. “I'll see you at Debbie's tomorrow.”

“Wait, Brian,” she interrupted, looking at him in confusion. “I thought you were bringing him back tomorrow morning before breakfast.”

“What? Why?” Now it was Brian's turn to look confused. “I have Gus for the whole weekend.”

Lindsay nodded before she replied. “Yes, but Michael called and said you couldn't keep Gus all weekend as you had some kind of thing going on with him tomorrow morning. He said you would take Gus back home before breakfast.”

Brian felt his anger rise, not able to believe what Michael had done. And that Lindsay had apparently believed him.

“And you didn't think about asking me first before you just believed him?”

“Brian,” Lindsay started in that tone that was almost as annoying as Michael's high-pitched whine. “Michael is your best friend and he said you had something planned. Why wouldn't I believe him?”

“Look, I don't know what Michael thinks we have planned, but I have no plans to see him. I told him I have Gus this weekend and that's what I plan on doing: spending the weekend with my son.”

Lindsay nodded. “But if you'd rather spend some time with Michael...”

“No, I don't want to spend time with Michael. I am spending this weekend with Gus and you'll see us at dinner tomorrow.” Without another word Brian turned around and went to his car where Gus was already waiting for him rather impatiently.

“Everything okay, Daddy? You look angry,” Gus said as Brian got into the car, slamming the door shut and turning the key in the ignition with more force than was necessary.

Brian took a deep breath, remembering that Gus was in the car and that none of this was Gus' fault before he turned around and looked at his son with a smile. “No, don't worry. Just a misunderstanding with Uncle Mikey. All good.”

“Okay,” Gus nodded, though he looked rather unconvinced.

Brian started the car, then made eye contact with Gus through the rearview mirror. “You excited for your game?”

Forgetting about their earlier conversation, Gus immediately started into a whole monologue about the upcoming game, their opponent and how excited he was for the game and for a minute Brian was even able to forget about his anger at Michael. He just loved his sonny boy's enthusiasm for soccer and he was happy that Gus loved the sport as much as Brian always had.

Gus kept talking all the way to the soccer pitch and Brian was glad for it.

During the game, Brian texted Michael, asking him what his fucking problem was and reminded him that he would be spending the weekend, the WHOLE weekend, with his son.

When Michael texted him back, he ignored his replies and his attempts to call, putting his phone away for the time being and focusing back on the game.

Gus' team won 2:1 and Gus was very happy once the game was over.

He quickly got changed and cleaned up and then met his dad who was waiting for him outside the locker rooms.

They made their way to the car and Brian promised to get Gus some lunch at his favorite fast-food restaurant. Personally, Brian hated that place, but he knew that Gus loved the food there and would be really excited about going.

When they settled down inside the restaurant - Brian shuddered at the thought of this place being called a restaurant - he watched as Gus happily started eating his burger and fries.

“Dad, aren't you hungry?” Gus frowned, noticing that his dad hadn't gotten any food for himself. Not that his dad ever did when they came here.

“I'll have something when we get back home to the loft,” Brian just replied, then smiled at Gus. “You deserved something nice though. You played really well today.”

“Thanks, Dad! The coach said the same.”

Brian nodded and smiled, then turned more serious. There had been a reason why he had wanted to come here with Gus, hoping it would give them a chance to talk, so he could prepare Gus for meeting Justin.

“Gus, I also wanted to talk to you about something,” Brian started, looking at his son seriously.

“Okay,” Gus said slowly, noticing that his dad wasn't smiling any longer. “Am I in trouble?”

Brian actually had to laugh at that. “Are you?”

“Not that I know of,” Gus gave back, eying his father.

“I am not aware of any trouble either. No, it's nothing bad, sonny boy,” Brian said, hoping that it would calm his son.

“Then why are you not smiling anymore?” Gus asked, a frown on his face.

“I guess I am a bit nervous about what I want to tell you,” Brian admitted, not feeling bad about admitting this to Gus. He and Gus had been close ever since the boy had started school and Brian had started taking a bigger interest in his life and had started to become a real parental figure to him. After his testicular cancer, he had vowed to himself that he wanted to be a real father to Gus, not just someone who showed up every once in a while and for a couple of years now that had been what he was: Gus' Dad. Gus spent time with him, they went on trips together, Brian helped him with school projects, etc. He had become much more involved in his son's life in recent years than he had been in his first years of life and due to that he and Gus had become really close. He loved Gus and Gus loved him.

“Why?”

“Because I am not sure how you will react to what I have to tell you, but... I hope that you'll be happy enough.”

“About what?”

“When we get back to the loft, there will be someone there who I want you to meet,” Brian said.

“Who?” Gus asked, now taking a sip from his milkshake.

“His name is Justin,” Brian started. “He's my partner. We have been seeing each other for a while and I want you to meet him.”

Gus' eyes widened and he put down his milkshake. “You have a boyfriend?”

Brian winced a bit, not really liking the term, but he knew that Gus was only ten, so he nodded.

 “Yeah, I do.”

“You never mentioned him before,” Gus pointed out.

“It's been complicated. We have been seeing each other for a long time, but then...,” Brian wasn't quite sure how much to tell Gus, but he had always prided himself on being honest with his son, so he tried to stay as honest as he could, talking to a 10-year-old about his relationship with Justin. “We stopped for a while. We only recently started seeing each other again, but now it's serious. Which is why I want you to meet him.”

Brian watched Gus and waited for a few seconds for a reaction from his sonny boy. When it came, even he was surprised by it.

“That's so cool, Daddy! I am so happy for you. I always felt so sad because everyone had a boyfriend and Mommy had Mama and you were all alone. I am so happy you're not alone anymore,” Gus said happily, smiling widely.

Brian eyed his son and felt amazed by the happiness on his face. He hadn't known Gus had felt that way about him being alone, though the boy was right. His mothers were married, Michael had Ben, Ted had Blake, Emmett had Drew. Hell, even Debbie had Carl. He had been the only single in their group, he had just never known how it had made Gus feel.

“Oh Gus, I wasn't alone. And like I said, Justin and I have been seeing each other for a long time already.”

“How long?” Gus asked, now all curious.

“Well, I guess for the better part of three years before we stopped for a while last year.”

“Three years and you never told me?” Gus now looked at his father with slight accusation in his eyes that made Brian laugh. His son was only ten, but he already had the Kinney glare down pat.

“He has been living in New York, so we mostly met when I went to New York for business,” Brian explained. “But now he'll be moving to Pittsburgh and we'll be moving in together.”

“Wow,” Gus just exclaimed, before he continued eating the last of his fries. “You must really love him if you want to move in together.”

Brian was quiet for a few seconds, then smiled at his son. “I do. I really love him and I hope that you will like him to.”

“Is he nice?” Gus asked and Brian had to laugh once more.

“Yeah, he is. Very nice. I am sure you will like him.”

“Okay,” Gus nodded, now finishing the last of his milkshake.

“Sonny boy,” Brian started, looking at Gus once more. “There's one more thing.”

“What?”

“When Justin and I move together, it won't be at the loft.”

Brian waited for Gus to take in what he had said.

“Not the loft? But where will you live?”

“We have a house, it's just outside of Pittsburgh. It's really nice and big and I was hoping you could have your own room there for when you come to spend the weekends and maybe some of your summer holidays with us.”

“My own room? At your house?” Gus' eyes had widened. For now, when he had stayed with his father, he had always slept on the sofa, so the prospect of his own room sounded very tempting.

“If you want, yeah. I was thinking, maybe we could all go to the house after you've met Justin and we could then take a look around,” Brian said, still looking at his son's reaction.

“Okay,” Gus agreed, nodding eagerly.

Brian smiled at his son, happy that so far, he didn't seem to be too overwhelmed by all that Brian had announced.

A few minutes later they headed towards the loft where Brian knew Justin would be waiting for them.

They had agreed the day before that it would be best if Brian talked to Gus on his own first and explained things before he got to meet Justin. But Brian knew how nervous Justin had been about meeting his son and he just hoped that things would be fine. So far Gus' reaction seemed better than what he had expected.

***

Brian opened the metal door to the loft and pulled it open. “Sunshine? We're here.”

“Sunshine?” Gus asked with a frown.

Brian blushed slightly. “It's what I call Justin. He's got a really nice smile.”

Gus now giggled, then bumped his shoulder against his father's side. “You're so in love, Dad.”

“I guess I am,” Brian admitted as they made their way into the loft.

Just as Brian was about to close the metal door behind him, Justin came over to them from where he had been sketching on the sofa.

“Hey,” the younger man said as he slowly walked over. “You must be Gus.”

Gus nodded and held out his hand to shake Justin's in greeting. Apparently, Lindsay had succeeded in raising a proper WASP after all. “I am.”

“I am Justin. It's nice to meet you again. The last time I saw you, you were a lot smaller than you are now.”

Gus looked confused now and looked from Justin to his dad and back. “We have met before?”

“Oh sorry,” Justin said, looking at Brian. “You didn't tell him?”

“Tell me what?” Gus asked, looking at his father again.

“I guess I forgot,” Brian said sheepishly, then turned to Gus. “Justin was at the hospital the night you were born. That's when he and I first met.”

“The night I was born?” Gus' eyes widened and he looked from his dad to Justin and back. “You've known each other that long?”

“More or less,” Brian said, deciding that everything else would be too complicated for his ten-year-old son.

“Wow...,” Gus exclaimed, turning back to Justin now.

“You can thank Justin for not being named Abraham,” Brian winked, pulling his son close. “He decided that Gus was a better name for a boy like you.”

Gus frowned for a second, then his eyes widened once more. “You're the trick that Dad brought along to my birth?” he asked.

Brian immediately tensed as did Justin. They looked at each other, before Brian turned to Gus.

“Where did you hear that word, sonny boy?”

“What? Trick?” Gus asked, not sure why both his dad and Justin looked that embarrassed.

“Yeah, trick,” Brian nodded.

“Is it a bad word? What does it mean?” Gus asked, looking at his dad for more information. “I am sorry if I just said a bad word, Daddy. It's just that Mama always says that only you would bring a trick to your son's birth... Is it a bad word?”

Brian seethed, not surprised that it would have been Melanie who would have said something like that in front of their son. Counting to ten in his head, he leaned down to be on eye-level with his son.

“Don't worry about it, sonny boy. You didn't know what it means. I guess it's not a bad word per se, but... it's something adults say. It's not a word a ten-year-old boy should be using.”

Gus nodded, now looking at his father sadly. “Sorry, Daddy!” He then turned to Justin and apologized to him as well.

“Don't worry about it, Gus. You didn't do anything wrong,” Justin said sincerely, before he smiled at the boy. “And I guess you're right, that would have been me.”

Gus nodded, glad that he wasn't in trouble because of what he had said. “Wow... so you've known me all my life?”

“In a way, I guess yeah,” Justin chuckled.

“Why don't you put your stuff away, sonny boy while Justin and I get some quick lunch? And then we can go and head out to the new house if you want,” Brian suggested and was happy when Gus nodded and went off to the bathroom to unpack some of his things.

“Hey, calm down,” Justin said, sensing how agitated Brian was. “That went okay, didn't it?”

“Where does she get off saying shit like that in front of Gus?” Brian muttered angrily, leaning into Justin's embrace.

“Well... she's not wrong, is she? I was the trick you brought along to your son's birth.”

“He's ten... he shouldn't know a word like that.”

“No, he shouldn't,” Justin agreed. “You're right, he shouldn't, but he didn't even know what it meant. He just repeated what his mother had said.”

“Still, she shouldn't say stuff like that in front of him,” Brian muttered.

“No, but don't let it spoil our weekend, okay?” Justin leaned in and kissed Brian gently. “Gus seems really great and I think he will really enjoy the house.”

Brian returned the kiss, then nodded. “Yeah...”

They then moved to the fridge and Justin got out some salad he had prepared earlier. They settled at the dining table for a quick lunch and were joined by Gus a few minutes later.

“You can go and watch some TV if you want, sonny boy,” Brian offered, but Gus shook his head and sat down with them.

“No, I am good,” he said, then turned to Justin. “I am sorry if I said something bad about you earlier,” he apologized once more and Justin felt really bad for the boy.

“Don't worry about it, Gus. You didn't say anything bad. You did nothing wrong.”

Gus looked to his father and was glad when Brian agreed with Justin.

They talked about Gus' soccer match for a few minutes, though it became obvious very quickly that Justin didn't know much about soccer.

“I am a lost cause when it comes to sports,” Justin admitted with laughter after he had said something that apparently had made no sense at all to Brian and Gus and had made them shake their heads at him.

“What do you like to do?” Gus asked, sounding really curious.

“I like to paint. I was actually just working on a sketch when you and your dad came in.”

“Justin is an artist,” Brian added.

“Wow, really?” Gus' eyes widened. “My mommy works for an art gallery and she paints as well. She even has her own studio. Do you have a studio as well?”

Justin smiled and nodded. “Yes, I do. I have a studio in New York and our new house will have a studio as well.”

“That's so cool, maybe you can have a show at mommy's gallery one day,” Gus suggested, feeling proud for having come up with that idea.

“Yeah, maybe,” Justin agreed.

“Lindsay works at the Sidney Bloom Gallery,” Brian explained.

“Oh, I've heard of that one. It's a pretty renowned gallery.”

Half an hour later the three of them were in Brian's car and made their way out of Pittsburgh towards the new house.

Gus excitedly took everything in on the drive, not able to remember the last time he had gone to West Virginia. He wasn't sure if he had ever been in West Virginia before, even though it was so close.

When they entered through a gate and made their way up the long drive to the house, he gasped.

“Did you see that gate?”

“Yeah,” Brian said.

“Is that just for your house, Daddy?”

While Gus had asked the question, they pulled up in front of the house and Brian stopped the car. Gus' eyes widened.

“That's not a house, Daddy! That's a mansion or a palace!”

Justin chuckled as he got out of the car. “It is big, isn't it?”

Gus nodded and left the car as well. “It's huge...”

“How about we take a walk on the grounds first while we still have some daylight and look at the interior later?” Brian suggested, happy that his son seemed so impressed by the house.

“Sounds good,” Justin agreed. “Maybe we can start with the stables and work our way around the house to the tennis court.”

“Stables?” Gus looked from Justin to his father and back. “For horses?”

“Yeah, this house comes with stables and we were thinking of maybe getting some horses,” Brian said, looking at his son, not surprised when Gus looked at him in utter disbelief.

“You wouldn't even allow me to get a dog, Daddy!”

“Well, the horses will be in their stables and they won't get their hairs all over my suits,” Brian shrugged. “Also, Justin likes horses.”

“I had horses growing up,” Justin explained. “I love going out for a ride and I talked your dad into agreeing to get horses.”

Brian wasn't sure if talking him into agreeing to the horses was the best way to describe what had taken place the day before when they had come out to the house together once more, but Gus was too young to know all the details of how Justin had rimmed Brian until he had been totally will-less and would have agreed to selling his soul if only Justin wouldn't stop and continue.

When Brian gave Justin a look that said, really?, Justin just smirked.

“That's so cool!” Gus exclaimed.

They then made their way to the stables and started exploring the grounds together.

Chapter 18

Once they had explored the grounds, including the pool, the tennis court and the second apartment on the other side of the garage, they moved into the main house.

Gus had clearly been impressed by the sheer size of the house and the grounds and sounded more than impressed as they moved inside.

“That's like you have your own park, Daddy! That's not a garden. There's even a forest.”

“Yeah, it's quite big, isn't it?” Brian agreed, smiling at his son. “Which will be great once we have the horses and can take them out on rides.”

“That sounds so cool! I can't wait,” Gus enthused, his face the image of pure excitement.

They toured the ground floor of the house and Gus was impressed by the size of the kitchen and living room. “Wow, everything is so big here. This is like ten times as big as my moms’ house.”

“Your dad went a bit overboard when he chose this place,” Justin chuckled, before he leaned in and gave Brian a kiss. “I'll head to Daphne's place to take some measurements for her. Why don't you go upstairs and choose a room for Gus?”

Brian nodded and pecked Justin's lips once more, before the younger man headed off, leaving Brian and Gus on their own to tour the upstairs rooms of the house.

“Who is Daphne?” Gus asked in confusion as they made their way up the stairs.

“That's a long story, but I guess one you should hear,” Brian sighed, resting a hand on Gus' shoulder and giving it a squeeze.

He told Gus about Daphne being Justin's best friend and also said that they had a daughter together. Gus didn't seem too impressed by the thought of another young girl, being annoyed more often than not by his younger sister JR, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

“So, they're like you and mom? Best friends who had a child together?” Gus asked once Brian had finished talking and led Gus to the master bedroom to show him around.

“It's a bit more complicated than that. They're actually married, but they only married because Justin's parents weren't supposed to know that he's gay.”

“Don't they like gay people?” Gus asked with a frown. He knew that his mom's parents didn't like that she was married to his mama and he also knew that his dad's mother didn't like that he loved men.

“No, they don't. And for a long time Justin wanted to make them happy, so he agreed to marry his best friend. It's all out in the open now, though, so it doesn't matter anymore.”

Gus nodded, trying to understand what his father had said. “And they will move here as well? Into the other apartment?”

Brian nodded. “Yeah. Justin would like his daughter to be close and Daphne didn't mind coming to Pittsburgh. They both went to school here, so know the city and area.”

Gus nodded once more, then looked around the room.

Brian noticed that he hadn't said anything to that and he wondered if it bothered Gus that Justin's friend and daughter would be moving in here with them. “Gus, does it bother you that Justin's daughter will live here with us when you won't?”

Gus turned around and looked at his dad from wide eyes. “No, why would it?”

Brian shrugged. “I am not sure, I just thought that maybe you thought it was unfair or... I don't know.”

“But I live with my moms, Dad. I have never lived with you. I come and visit you and we go on trips together, but I also like going home to mommy and mama.”

Brian watched Gus and could see the honesty of that statement on his son's face. It was open, earnest and sincere. As only a child could be.

Brian smiled and opened his arms for a hug. He was glad when Gus walked over and into the hug, hugging him back.

“Okay,” Brian said quietly, holding Gus close. “I just want you to know that we will love having you here as well and you're always welcome to come and visit and stay with us as well, okay?”

Gus nodded into the embrace, holding his father tight. “I know, Dad.”

They stayed in their hug for a few seconds longer before Brian pulled back. “How about we check out the other rooms, so you can choose which one you like best?”

They toured all the other bedrooms and Gus would go back and forth between two that he seemed to like best. One had an ensuite bathroom and looked out over the front of the property, looking at the driveway that led up to the house and the other one came without an ensuite bathroom, but looked out at the back of the property, looking over the pool, the grounds and towards the forest. There was a bathroom just across the hall that could be used for this room.

“I like the view better here,” Gus said, as they were in the room that looked out over the back of the property. “But the other one has its own bathroom, which is nice, I guess.”

Brian had to chuckle as he listened to Gus' arguments. They were valid arguments and knowing that Lindsay's and Melanie's house only had one bathroom that four people shared, he couldn't blame his son for being torn and liking the thought of having an ensuite bathroom.

“Have you decided already?” Justin asked as he joined them, just as Brian was about to say something back to Gus.

“I can't decide,” Gus announced. “I like the view in this room because it looks out over everything, but the other one has its own bathroom.”

Justin nodded, catching the look that Brian was giving him. “And you like the idea of having your own bathroom?”

Gus shrugged. “I guess... at home I always have to wait until Mommy and Mama are done. And they take forever.”

Justin nodded, contemplating what Gus had said. “Well, there is a bathroom right across the hall,” he pointed towards the bathroom Brian and Gus had looked at earlier. “And your dad and I will have our own ensuite in the master bedroom. And for now, it will just be you and the two of us. And two of the guestrooms come with their own bathrooms, so if we have guests staying over, they wouldn't have to use that bathroom,” Justin said as he nodded to the one across the hall. “We could make it your bathroom. You would then have the nice view and your own bathroom. It just wouldn't be an ensuite.”

Gus' eyes widened as he looked from Justin to his father and back. “Can we, Dad? Please? I don't mind if it's not in my room. I have to cross the hall at home as well.”

Brian saw the excitement on Gus' face and couldn't help but smile. “I think that sounds like a very good plan, sonny boy. Justin is right. For now, we won't need that bathroom and if we have guests staying over, we can give them one of the rooms with their own ensuite.”

“Oh please, Dad! I love this room. It's so big and nice.”

“Well, then it's decided. This will be your room,” Brian announced and Justin nodded.

Gus looked around happily as if he couldn't believe his luck.

After a few minutes they started talking about ideas for furniture and how to furnish the room and Justin asked Gus if there was anything he liked. Anything he would like to have on the walls.

“You mean like a poster?” Gus frowned, not quite sure that he understood what Justin was asking.

“Yeah, like that.”

Gus thought about the question for a few seconds and then nodded. “I really like Iron Man and can't wait for Iron Man 2 to come out. Dad promised to take me to see it when it comes out.”

“Iron Man? That's cool,” Justin agreed. “Would you like to have a mural of Iron Man instead of a poster?”

Gus looked at Justin in confusion. “You mean like painted on the walls?”

Justin nodded. “Yeah, if that's something you like, I can come up with some ideas. Maybe we can think of some designs later.”

“And then you would paint it?”

“If you like the way it looks, yeah.”

“You would really do that for me?” Gus asked wide-eyed.

“Sure, why not? I love to paint and we want you to feel at home here, so this room should look exactly the way you want it to.”

“Thank you, Justin!” Gus exclaimed before he lunged at Justin and threw his arms around the younger man. “Thank you, thank you, thank you! That would be so cool!”

Justin seemed a bit overwhelmed by Gus' enthusiastic reaction, but quickly got over it and hugged the boy back. “I'd love to do that.”

Gus smiled brightly, then moved over to his dad. “Did you hear that, Dad? I will get an Iron Man painting in my room.”

“Yeah, I did, sonny boy. That's really nice.”

Gus excitedly ran towards the windows and looked out at the garden once more as Brian moved over to Justin and pulled him close. “I think you have officially won sonny boy's approval.”

Justin leaned into Brian's arms and smiled. “I didn't expect it to make him this happy.”

“I think sonny boy is now officially in love with you as well,” Brian chuckled as they watched Gus who was still looking out the windows at the garden which was by now covered in darkness.

They stayed a few minutes longer and checked out what would be Justin's studio, before they decided that it was time to head back to Pittsburgh and get started on some dinner.

***

“We're not going to order it?” Gus frowned as he looked at Justin who was getting several things from the fridge. He then turned towards his dad. “Since when do you have food in your fridge?”

“Since I went shopping,” Justin announced with a laugh. “If it was up to your dad, we would starve.”

“Not true. We would survive on deliveries. I just don't like cooking,” Brian defended himself.

Justin nodded at Gus and handed him a bag of grated cheese to add to the other things that were already piling up on the kitchen counter.

“I do. I love cooking and I thought it would be nice if we could make our own pizza. I promise, it will taste just as good, if not even better than one we would have ordered.”

“As long as I don't have to help,” Brian shrugged, watching as Justin closed the fridge.

“Can I help? I don't mind,” Gus asked, looking at Justin.

“If you want to. But you don't have to, Gus. I can just prepare this on my own if you'd rather watch some TV or play a video game with your dad.”

“No, this is cool. I want to help. I don't think Dad's oven has ever been used before. I want to help when it will be used for the first time,” Gus said, looking at his dad with a smirk.

“For the record, the oven has been used before. Debbie has brought over enough casserole dishes that needed to be kept warm or needed to be warmed up again,” Brian said, once more sounding rather defensive.

“If you say so,” Justin snorted which made Gus laugh as well.

“Are you two ganging up on me?” Brian asked in mock outrage as he watched his sonny boy and his sunshine who were both laughing at him.

“Us? No way! We're just making pizza,” Justin said, then started rolling out the dough, asking Gus what toppings he would like and asking him to cut the things they wanted to use.

Brian watched as they both worked, keeping up a happy chatter about Justin's ideas that he had for the mural in Gus' bedroom and he felt happy that his son and Justin seemed to get on that well. They were laughing, they both looked happy and Gus seemed to really like Justin for which Brian was glad. It would make things so much easier.

Once the pizza was in the oven, Brian offered to clean up and Justin and Gus settled on the sofa to work on some ideas for the mural.

After an enjoyable dinner, they all agreed to watch a movie together during which Gus fell asleep.

It had been a long day for him and there had been many exciting news and things to explore and see. No wonder that he was tired.

“He's a great boy, Brian,” Justin said quietly as he watched Gus who was leaning against his father's side as he slept.

Brian nodded, looking down at his son. “I never thought I would love him as much as I do. He means the world to me. His happiness means everything.”

Justin nodded, knowing how Brian felt. He felt the same about his daughter. “I knew from the moment you held him that you loved him. You looked so in awe and so happy.”

Brian actually snorted and rolled his eyes. “I was high and shit-scared.”

“Still, when you held him, you had this gentle look on your face. It was obvious that you loved him,” Justin said, a smile on his face as he thought back to that night more than ten years ago. God, had it really been that long since he had met Brian?

They were quiet until the movie was over, both enjoying the peace of this quiet evening together.

Once the movie was over, Brian gently woke Gus up and helped him get ready for bed.

Gus barely spoke ten words to them, before he plopped down on the sofa again and was back asleep.

“He didn't get that from me,” Brian chuckled as he watched his son who was sleeping again, not even bothering that all the lights were still on around him. “He sleeps like a rock.”

Brian gently pulled the blanket up and covered his son with it before he pushed some of his auburn hair out of his face.

Justin smiled as he watched the tender gesture, then headed to turn off the lights and made his way up the steps to the bedroom and bathroom. He undressed and when he was just in his underwear, headed for the bathroom.

He smiled when Brian joined him a few minutes later, closing the bathroom door behind himself and turning on the shower.

“I can't wait to move into the house,” he said as he pulled down his boxer briefs and turned to Justin, pulling him into a passionate kiss. “This loft is really not made for two adults and a child.”

Justin chuckled, kissing Brian back. When he felt his cock come to life, he regretfully pulled back. “We shouldn't... not with Gus in the other room.”

“He's sleeping like a rock,” Brian said quietly, pulling Justin closer and pulling down his underwear. “We'll just have to be quiet.”

Justin hesitated for a second, but then gave in. He was powerless when it came to Brian. And with the shower going and Gus sleeping, he guessed that Brian was right. They would just have to be quiet.

A few minutes later they were both panting and moaning as Brian pushed into him over and over again and Justin met each of his thrusts. He was biting into his hand, hoping that it would keep him from being too loud and he couldn't help but smile as he felt Brian gently biting all over his back, clearly attempting to keep himself from making any sound as well.

Ten minutes later, they were both wearing underwear again and headed to bed.

***

The next morning, they all had breakfast together, before Brian and Gus headed off to the furniture store to look for some furniture for his new room.

Justin decided to stay back at the loft and to work on some ideas for Gus' mural which the young boy readily accepted. Brian knew though that Justin had stayed at the loft because he didn't want to be recognized while out with Gus.

They knew that they would have to tell Gus the truth about Justin's royal descent, knew that they would have to tell him before they headed to dinner at Debbie's as the adults there would most likely recognize him, but for the moment they just wanted Gus to enjoy his excitement about his new room, so Justin had happily stayed back, allowing father and son some time alone.

It also gave him some time to call Daphne and facetime with Lizzie, which was always a plus as well.

He would fly back to New York the next day and he couldn't wait to see his daughter again. He had only been in Pittsburgh for five days and had facetimed with her every day, but he really missed her.

Daphne had already started getting their move to Pittsburgh organized and they had decided to keep their apartment in New York, knowing that it would come in handy when they had to go to New York for whatever reason, so Justin hoped that it would be a short visit only and that he would be back in Pittsburgh in a couple of days.

He and Brian had visited some furniture stores on Friday, had chosen some furniture for the master bedroom, the living-room and the kitchen that would be delivered next week and they had decided to move to the new house and continue furnishing the other rooms while they were already there.

Justin had also sent measurements and pictures of Daphne's new apartment to her and knew that she had already ordered some furniture as well, so hopefully Daphne and Lizzie would be able to move in pretty quickly as well.

Hopefully, their lives would quiet down then and they could start a new chapter of their lives. Justin really hoped so.

When Brian and Gus returned home two hours later, the young boy was really excited and couldn't wait for Justin to see the furniture he had chosen.

He seemed really excited about the dark grey cabin bed he had chosen, loving that it was higher than a normal bed and came with a ladder. To Gus that almost made it a bunk bed and the coolest thing ever.

Brian seemed less impressed, which Justin noticed immediately, but in the end Gus loved it and he was supposed to feel comfortable in his room, so Justin wasn't all too surprised that Brian had agreed to get that particular bed even though it was obvious that he didn't really like it.

“And I want the desk in front of the window, so I can look out into the garden when I have to do some work for school,” Gus announced happily as he showed Justin images of the desk that came with the bed.

“That sounds like a good idea. I love looking outside as well when I am working,” Justin said, listening to the boy's enthusiasm about his new bed and furniture.

“Daddy said I shouldn't have gone for a bed with a ladder and should have looked at bigger beds, but I liked this one,” Gus explained as he showed another image to Justin.

“I just pointed out that in one- or two-years time you might want a bigger bed than this small one,” Brian said, secretly enjoying his son's happiness.

“No, I love this one. This is the one I wanted,” Gus smiled.

“And it's the one you're going to get. You heard the store. They will deliver it sometime next week.”

“That's so great! I am so excited to sleep in my new room for the first time.” Gus was smiling from ear to ear and both adults enjoyed his happiness.

“Here, why don't you take a look at these?” Justin said as he handed Gus a couple of sketches, he had been working on earlier with ideas for his Iron Man mural. “Let me know what you think about them.”

Gus took the sketches and looked at them and both Brian and Justin could see how his eyes widened in astonishment when he looked at what Justin had sketched. “You did these? They look soooooo cool. Look, Daddy! They look like they're coming straight out of the comic,” Gus exclaimed happily as he held up two sketches for his dad to look at.

“Yeah, Justin is a great artist. I told you so,” Brian smiled, impressed by the quality of the sketches. They looked amazing.

“They all look so great. I can't decide,” Gus announced a few seconds later, going back and forth between the three sketches Justin had handed him.

“You don't have to decide now, Gus. Why don't you take a couple of days and see if there's one that you like best then? I won't get to it right away anyway. It's going to take a couple of weeks before I can get started on it,” Justin said.

Gus nodded, knowing that Justin was returning to New York the next day and would be busy with the move to the new house in the next few days and weeks. His father and Justin had explained to him at breakfast that it would take a few weeks before Justin would get around to the mural, but he had promised that he would and that was good enough for Gus.

“That's fine. I am just so excited. They all look so cool. Thank you, Justin!” Gus went and threw his arms around his father's partner in happiness.

“He loves you,” Brian mouthed silently as he smiled at Justin and Gus and met Justin's happy gaze.

Justin nodded quietly, then hugged Gus. “You are more than welcome, Gus!”

Chapter 19

“So, Brian is bringing a trick to family dinner?” Melanie exclaimed angrily after Debbie had told them that Brian would be bringing someone to dinner.

He had called her the day before and had told her that there was someone he wanted her to meet and if it was okay to bring a guest to dinner the next day. Which was what Debbie now told everyone already sitting at the table, waiting for Brian, Gus and his mysterious guest to arrive, him being fashionably late as usual.

“He had a trick around Gus?” Lindsay's eyebrows shot up and she looked far from happy.

“He's not a trick,” Ted said before he could help himself. “You know he wouldn't have a trick around Gus.”

Once Debbie had started talking about Brian bringing a guest, Ted had figured that she had to be talking about Justin and he had sworn to himself that he wouldn't get involved in the discussion he was sure would start seconds later and as was obvious now, he had been right.

It had just annoyed him how both Melanie and Lindsay had immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion. As if Brian would bring a trick around Gus. They should both know better than that and should know that Brian was a really responsible father.

“He brought a fucking trick to his son's birth,” Melanie just shot back and Ted couldn't help but wonder what she would say once Justin showed up at Brian's side. Would she recognize him?

“That was more than ten years ago. You know Brian wouldn't do something like that now,” Ted just said, glad for Blake's hand that was running up and down his thigh in a calming motion.

Of course, Blake knew the truth about Brian's mysterious guest as well. Ted had told him about Brian and Justin and had told him about meeting Justin. He knew that Blake wouldn't tell anyone and he trusted his partner one hundred percent with this information.

“So, who is this guy? Is he a business partner?” Michael frowned, not liking that there was something about his best friend that he didn't know.

“He is a partner alright,” Ted muttered to Blake, but quiet enough that only Blake could hear it.

“I guess we'll find out soon enough,” Debbie shrugged in response to her son. “He better show up soon or dinner will be cold.”

As if planned like that, the door to the house opened right then and Gus rushed into the room. He ran over to his mothers and hugged them both.

“Hi Mommy, hi Mama,” he said happily before he walked back to the hallway and got out of his jacket.

Everyone watched him, but their eyes quickly turned to the two men that had now entered the house behind him.

Brian looked at everyone, daring anyone to say something and Justin just looked a bit shy as he raised a hand and waved it in greeting with a quiet 'hi'.

“Oh my God!” Emmett was the first one to say something when he realized who had come into the house with Brian.

Gus didn't seem to notice the awkward silence that had settled in the room and went over to Justin's side.

“Will you sit with me, Justin? Please?”

Justin smiled at the boy, glad for his question. “Yeah, sure. I'd love to.”

He followed Gus to the table and sat down next to the boy while everyone watched him from wide eyes and with open mouths.

“Hi Ted,” Justin greeted as he recognized the man who had driven him and Daphne from the airport to the hotel a few weeks ago.

“Hi Justin,” Ted greeted back with a nod.

All eyes immediately shot to Ted then and Emmett's tone was slightly disappointed when he spoke.

“You knew who Brian would be bringing to dinner and didn't say anything?”

“Leave Ted alone, Honeycutt!” Brian said as he made his way over as well, leaving a kiss on Debbie's cheek and then sitting down on Justin's other side. “He didn't know I would be bringing Justin tonight.”

“But he knew... about... whatever this is,” Emmett said slowly, looking from Brian to Ted and back.

“What is this?” Debbie had now found her voice again and was looking at Brian and Justin.

Brian sighed, knowing that he would have to say something. “Justin is my partner. For a lack of a better word, we've been dating for quite some time and now he has agreed to move to Pittsburgh.”

Before anyone else spoke, Gus' voice piped up. “Dad's and Justin's house is amazing. It's so big. And I have my own room.”

Justin smiled at Gus, glad for his apparently never-ending supply of enthusiasm. Either the boy didn't notice the weird atmosphere in the room or just didn't care.

“House?” Michael asked, his face showing the confusion he felt.

“Justin and I will be moving in together. Into a new house that we bought,” Brian explained. “We took Gus to see it yesterday.”

At that moment several voices erupted at once. “House?” “Moving in together?” “You took Gus to a new house without telling us?”

But the loudest had been Michael's. “You don't do relationships. So, what is this? Some bad joke?”

“I do them with Justin,” Brian just shrugged, pulling the younger man close and kissing him in front of everyone.

“Okay, can we just address the elephant in the room here?” Emmett said, having looked at Justin intently for a couple of minutes now. “You are who I think you are, aren't you?”

“What do you mean?” Michael asked, showing that he obviously didn't know what Emmett was talking about.

“Yes, I am,” Justin nodded as he replied.

A gasp went around the table and Debbie clutched her hand to her chest in shock. “Oh Jesus, Mary and Joseph. You bring a royal to my house and don't tell me in advance? The house is a mess and... oh my... we don't have any food that will suit this... oh Jesus...”

It was obvious that Debbie was very flustered by the thought of having a prince in her house.

“A royal?” Michael now asked, still not catching on.

“He's Prince Justinus of Darumor,” Ben said to his partner as if he couldn't believe that Michael hadn't recognized him himself.

“Prince...,” Michael started, but was then stopped by Emmett.

“Michael, honey, you really need to read more. His face has been plastered on every magazine and newspaper in recent weeks. Where have you been?”

“Yeah, that was rather... unfortunate,” Justin said quietly, not looking at anyone, but at the hands in his lap.

“And doesn't matter. We're here for family dinner, not to talk about the shit written in gossip rags, most of which were lies anyway,” Brian angrily muttered, before he turned to Debbie. “So, what's on the menu tonight? Lasagna? Baked Ziti? Gus got Justin all excited about the food, so don't make him wait.”

“I can't,” Debbie said, looking from Brian to Justin and back. “I can't serve my food to a prince of all people...”

“Gus has told me so many good things about your cooking, I am really excited,” Justin said with a smile.

“You have no idea what shitholes he has taken me to in New York. He will love your food. Trust me,” Brian added. “The unhealthier, the better for him.”

“And he likes to eat,” Gus added at that point. “Not like Daddy, who only takes a bite and then complains about the calories. Justin loves pizza and ice-cream.”

“True, I do,” Justin smiled at Gus.

“You're a bottomless pit,” Brian chuckled, then turned to Debbie once more. “Their stomachs have been growling all the way here, don't make them wait any longer. I am scared of what will happen if you do.”

Debbie finally got up and got some casserole dish or other from the oven and put it on the table.

Carl went and got the second one.

Soon after she started serving the lasagna to everyone around the table, but nobody ate. Everyone sat and watched Justin.

“Why is everyone watching you?” Gus asked with a frown, then looked at everyone around the table. “Why is everyone behaving so weird tonight?”

“Lambskin,” Lindsay started, clearly wondering how to answer her son's question.

“Remember what we told you earlier, sonny boy? How everyone would be weird once they recognized Justin?”

Gus nodded slowly, thinking back to the conversation his dad and Justin had had with him before they had left the loft and headed to dinner.

They had told Gus that Justin was famous and that some of the adults would probably react a bit weird when they saw him.

When Gus had asked if Justin was such a famous artist that everyone would know him, Brian and Justin had explained to Gus that Justin was a prince and that there had recently been a scandal and he had been in the media a lot in recent weeks.

Gus had mostly been fascinated by the fact that Justin was a prince and had asked him many questions about what it was like to be a prince. He had asked him if he had a crown, if he had grown up in a palace, if he had a sword and all kinds of questions that interested him, but other than that hadn't been all too intimidated by the news of Justin's royal descent. Unlike the rest of their family seemed to be.

“But that's just stupid,” Gus muttered, before he started eating. “He's just Justin.”

“I know, sonny boy,” Brian agreed.

“Maybe we should...,” Justin started, feeling bad for having caused such an uproar by showing up at family dinner like this.

“Okay, everyone. Here's the deal: Justin and I are moving in together. He's my partner. So, you better get over whatever it is you have to get over. He's a part of the family now,” Brian announced to everyone. He then took a bite of his lasagna. “This is very good, Debbie.”

Everyone watched Brian as if he had grown a second head.

“I think it's just a lot of information to take in,” Ted said reasonably. “This is really the first time you have been with someone and it's this serious. You need to give them a couple of moments to process that you're now in a relationship.”

“Yeah,” Ben agreed slowly. “And moving in with someone is a big step. Obviously, you two must have known each other for quite a while already. It's just such a surprise.”

“Daddy and Justin have known each other for a long time already,” Gus said at that point, then turned to his mothers. “Did you know Justin named me?”

“Named you?” Lindsay frowned, then ran a hand through Gus' hair. “I think you must have misheard, lambskin.”

“No, I actually did. You liked the name Gus and your partner, Melanie, right?” Justin looked at the two women and went on when they nodded. “You preferred the name Abraham. I told you he wouldn't survive a day in school named Abraham.”

“That... that was you?” Lindsay sputtered, her eyes widening.

“Wait, so you two have been together all this time?” Debbie asked, now looking at Brian accusingly. “And you never told me?”

“But,” Michael started, now finally putting two and two together. “If you're that trick... I told you to stay away.”

“Which no one ever asked you to do,” Brian interjected angrily at that point. He smiled when Justin ran a hand over his thigh and shook his head slowly.

“Don't,” the younger man said quietly and Brian nodded.

“We lost contact for a couple of years and met again in New York. It was pure chance really,” Brian then told the others. “We then met every time I went to New York for business.”

“We went our separate ways for a while but have recently reconnected,” Justin added quietly. “And now we're ready to take the next step.”

“Ooooh, this is so exciting,” Emmett now clapped his hands together, obviously having gotten over his earlier shock. “A real prince. Brian Kinney of all people bagged himself a real prince.”

“Don't make too big a deal out of it,” Brian muttered darkly in Emmett's direction. “You're the one dating the NFL superstar.”

“So, I take it you like the house?” Blake then asked in Justin's direction, trying to get some small talk going.

Justin nodded and a sunshine smile broke out on his face. “It's beautiful. Have you seen it? Blake, right?”

Blake nodded in affirmation that Justin had gotten his name right. “Yeah, right. And no, I haven't. Ted just mentioned some things about it and it sounds really nice.”

“You knew?” Melanie then asked Ted.

Ted shrugged. “I am his accountant. How can I not know if he goes and buys a house?”

“The house is amazing,” Gus threw in at that point. “It has stables and Daddy and Justin will get horses. They also have a pool and their own forest. Their garden is almost like a park, it's so big!”

“Well, that house sure sounds like something,” Lindsay smiled at her son, her voice sounding nothing like the smile that was on her face.

“Once we have moved in and it's presentable, we should have a small house-warming party,” Justin suggested with a smile. “So, you can all see the new house.”

“And my room,” Gus added. “Dad and I already went and bought the furniture for it earlier. And Justin will paint a mural for me.”

“You paint?” Lindsay asked, now sounding way more interested than before.

“He is an artist,” Gus nodded at his mother. “And he's really good. He did some sketches for me and now I can choose which one I like best.”

“That's very nice,” Lindsay smiled at her son, then turned back to Justin. “An artist? I have never heard of you painting...”

“Lindsay,” Brian said warningly, but Justin just smiled at her.

“It's a long story, but yeah, painting is my passion and I had a couple of shows already. Obviously not under my real name, but an alias.”

Justin then took a bite and smiled happily. “God, this is really good.”

Brian looked at Debbie. “I told you he would like it.”

“I just... thank you,” Debbie finally said, happy that her surprise guest seemed to enjoy the food she had made.

After that, everyone started eating and some normal conversation finally started around the table.

Justin had to promise Emmett that he would ask for his help when planning the house-warming party, after all he was the professional party planner and Justin agreed.

Gus talked some more about his new room and then proudly showed Michael the sketch Justin had done of Iron Man. Michael grudgingly had to admit that it was a really good sketch and looked great. He didn't like this new development of Brian moving into a house with a prince of all people, but the sketch of Iron Man was great. As a comic fan he had to admit that.

Justin politely answered questions the group asked him but was glad for Brian's interference when the questions got too personal.

It seemed that especially Michael seemed to be interested in the kind of relationship he and Brian had had and wanted to know details about why they had gone their separate ways and then reunited.

Brian made it clear that certain topics were off limit and Justin was glad for it. He was not used to people asking intimate questions like that. Well, other than Daphne, but she was his best friend.

“So, how are Daphne and Lizzie?” Ted asked once dinner was over and the table had been cleared. The adults were enjoying beers and wine while Gus and JR were watching some cartoons.

“Good. They are in New York right now. I'll fly out to see them tomorrow. We'll then organize the move into the new house. It will be nice for Lizzie to have that much space to run around.”

Ted nodded, remembering the little girl well. “I am sure you must be looking forward to the privacy the new house will offer you all.”

“You have no idea,” Justin smiled.

“So, your daughter will move into the house with you?” Michael frowned, not sure if he had understood correctly.

Justin nodded. “Yeah, Daphne and Lizzie will have their own private apartment in another section of the house, but that way I can see her every day and can be an active part of her life.”

“Wow, that must be some house if it even offers enough space for them,” Lindsay said, clearly sounding impressed.

“It's quite big, yeah,” Justin said, not sure he liked the tone of voice she had used. Something about the way she had said it, just seemed off to Justin, but she was Brian's friend and Gus' mother, so he kept smiling politely as he answered her. “It'll allow us privacy and peace and quiet. Which is really just what Lizzie and I need after the last couple of months.”

“I am just so glad your wife isn't trying to take your daughter away,” Debbie said sincerely. “When I read that in the news, I felt so bad for you.”

“Daphne would never,” Justin said quietly. “She's my best friend and always has been. There was... a lot of false information in the news...”

“Don't believe everything you read, Deb,” Brian said seriously, squeezing Justin's shoulder as he spoke. “The more dramatic they can make something sound, the more magazines they'll sell. It's all about money, not the truth.”

“Still, I am just so relieved. You shouldn't be punished for something you have no control over. It's not like any of you asked to be gay...”

Brian leaned in and whispered into Justin's ear. “She really had your back, even without knowing you... She was fighting your case and defending you with every new headline that came out.”

Justin smiled at her warmly. “Thanks, Debbie. That means a lot.”

Before Debbie could respond to that, Brian got up and pulled Justin up with him. “I think we should head off now. You have an early flight tomorrow.”

Justin didn't complain and just nodded, knowing that Brian was right. And they still wanted to spend some quality time together before they would be separated again, if only for a couple of days.

“It was really nice to meet everyone,” Justin said to the group gathered around the table. “And thanks for the lovely dinner, Debbie.”

“Oh, this was nothing...,” Debbie waved away his thanks.

Brian and Justin went over to the TV and both said goodbye to Gus. Brian promised him to take him out to the house once the furniture for his room had been delivered and Justin promised that Gus could come and stay with them as soon as they had moved into the new house.

They then went over to the door and grabbed their jackets. Brian frowned when he saw Debbie coming over.

“You!” She said, pointing a colored nail at his chest. “I should be angry with you for not warning me that you would bring a fucking royal into my house. How dare you?”

Brian was about to reply something, but Debbie just went on.

“But I am not! I am just so happy that you have found someone. And such a nice and polite someone. Maybe you can teach him some manners, Justin,” she said directed at the younger man. “God knows, he can do with some.”

Justin chuckled. “I'll try my best.”

Debbie nodded. “And you... I know I've only just met you tonight, but you seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders. Don't let any bigots get you down, okay?”

Now it was Justin's turn to nod and to feel quite touched by what Debbie had said. “I won't.”

“Good,” Debbie nodded once more. “Now go home and have some hot sex all over the loft.”

“Jeez, Deb! Subtle much?” Brian said as he made a face.

“Brian Kinney, I've known you longer and better than I care to admit. We all know that's what's going to happen once you get to the loft.”

“Well, Sunshine. You heard the nice lady. Better do as she says.”

“Sunshine?” Debbie raised an eyebrow and raised it that much more when Brian started blushing.

“Did you see that smile?” Brian just said as way of explanation and Debbie looked at Justin once more.

“Now, if that isn't a fitting name, I don't know. Now get out of here, you two.”

Brian hugged her once and Justin was quite surprised when Debbie engulfed him in a bone-crushing hug seconds later.

“I am so happy for you two,” she said as they headed out the door and left.

“Well, that was that,” Brian muttered as he opened the car and got in. “Now you've met the whole sorry bunch.”

“They seem very nice,” Justin said as he got into the car as well.

“You're just saying that because you don't know them,” Brian snorted, then started to head for the loft. “They will be gossiping about us for the rest of the night.”

Chapter 20

“What is it, Theodore? Why are you lurking like that next to my office door?” Brian asked in exasperation when he saw Ted standing next to the door but not move any closer to his desk.

“That was quite some drama you and Justin caused last night,” Ted said as he slowly made his way over.

Brian rolled his eyes as he replied. “Well, you know me. Better get it over with quickly and then be done with it.”

“I don't think that's going to happen here... at least not anytime soon. You have quite surprised certain people.”

Brian sighed. “So what? Michael doesn't like that I am moving in with a man that he knew nothing about and thinks is just a trick, Lindsay isn't happy that I didn't mention the house and the fact that I was planning for Gus to have a room there, Melanie hates that I introduced Gus to a trick without checking it with them first and Emmett is most likely already planning a royal wedding in his head and hoping to meet Prince William soon. They'll get over it and will hopefully move on once they realize that Justin isn't a trick.”

“Prince Harry. Other than that you were pretty spot on,” Ted said impressed.

“What?” Brian frowned, now slightly confused.

“Em wants to meet Prince Harry, not Prince William. Other than that, you were pretty spot on.”

Brian shrugged, then held up his phone and showed the information on the display to Ted. 27 missed calls.

“Well, he's the only one that hasn't been leaving messages ever since we left last night, so that was a wild guess.”

Ted nodded, not surprised to see all those calls on Brian's phone. “Will you talk to them?”

“What about? They have all the facts. Now it's on them to accept them and move on.”

“You surprised them quite a bit, Brian. You've never been in a relationship and now you're moving in with a man they've only heard about last night. And a prince to boot. That's a lot of unexpected information.”

“Well, they better accept it and get used to it. It's my life and I don't owe them any explanations. And I don't plan to kick Justin out of my life just because they can't get over the fact that he's a prince, something he has hated being all his life anyway...”

“I am just saying that maybe... you should give them a bit of time... maybe explain a bit more about the circumstances,” Ted said carefully.

“Theodore,” Brian started slowly. “The circumstances are private and between Justin and me. Half his private life has been exposed in gossip rags over the last month. I am not sure that anyone is owed any more information about his life at this point. He is my partner and he will move to Pittsburgh. We will move into the new house together and will try to build a life together. For now, that's all anyone needs to know.”

“I am just saying that maybe you should at least talk to Lindsay and maybe Michael... they're your best friends.”

Brian sighed and ran a hand over his face. “They'll get over it. Once they'll see that Justin is here to stay, they'll hopefully get over whatever has bitten them in the ass.”

“Are you sure? You know them...both of them.”

“They won't have any other choice. Justin comes first. He always will from now on. Either they accept it, or they don't.”

Ted watched Brian intently and nodded. He had been surprised by that last statement, but actually felt rather impressed that Brian had made his point that clear. As far as Ted was concerned, Lindsay and Michael had had way too much influence over Brian at times and for him to clearly state that Justin would come first from now on was just how it should be now that Brian was in a relationship. Ted just hoped that they would accept it and wouldn't destroy this new relationship for Brian. He really wanted things to work out between Brian and Justin, he had hardly ever seen Brian as happy as he had been when he had been with Justin.

“Gus seems to really like Justin,” Ted said next, trying to change the topic away from Brian's best friends. “As does Debbie. I think she has already adopted him and made him a member of the family.”

“Justin ate her food and complimented her on it. That was all it took,” Brian shrugged. “And Gus adored Justin ever since he promised to paint that Iron Man mural for him in his new room.”

“Justin just has a way of making people feel at ease around him. It's almost like he makes them forget about who he really is,” Ted said, knowing that it had been like that for him when he had met Justin for the first time.

Brian took a deep breath and carefully considered his words before he spoke next. “That is who he really is. He's the most down to earth person you'll ever meet. Being a prince... it's something he has hated all his life. It's almost like a job for him that he had to do because it was expected of him, not because it's who he really is or wanted to be. He just wants to be treated like everyone else, wants to live his life like everyone else. That's who he is: Justin. And that's who he wants to be seen as.”

Ted nodded, watching Brian carefully. “If there's anything Blake and I can do to help,” he offered, but his offer was waved away by Brian immediately.

“Just treat him like you treat everyone else as well. That's all we're asking for.”

“We can do that,” Ted said, nodding once more. “Do you already know when he's coming back from New York?”

“He only left this morning,” Brian said with a shake of his head. “Most likely a week or two. Daphne has already started to prepare moving to Pittsburgh, so it shouldn't be too long.”

“And you're really okay with her moving into the house with you?” Ted asked, still not sure he really believed that. He was trying to imagine if Michael were to move in with Brian and Justin and just couldn't see that working at all.

“They have a small daughter together. Justin loves her and she's his best friend. And he would never leave Lizzie. He loves her more than anything... I don't know how this is going to work out exactly, but Daphne doesn't hate me and I don't her, so that's a good start. Other than that... we'll see when we're at the new house. She'll have her own apartment away from us, but still close enough so that they can raise their daughter together. We'll figure it out.”

“So, you're not just getting a partner but a stepchild as well,” Ted pointed out.

“They come as a package,” was all Brian said. “And it's not like he's expecting me to raise her.”

“Those are just a lot of changes...,” Ted said. “Good changes, but still... changes. And some of them rather unexpected.”

“Well, I have been told for years that it's time to grow up and move on from my wild days. So here I am doing just that.”

“I am happy for you, Brian. I really hope that things will work out for all of you. You all deserve it,” Ted said sincerely, then headed over to the door. “And not just Justin after everything he has been through recently. You as well.”

With that he left the office and left Brian alone.

***

“So, how did it go?” Justin asked, curious to hear how family dinner had been this week. He knew that Brian had mostly focused on work over the last week and had pretty much ignored Lindsay and Michael.

Brian shrugged, even though Justin couldn't see him over the phone. “Okay.”

“Come on, Brian. What did they say?” Justin went on, knowing that they would have said something now that he hadn't been present for this dinner.

“Nothing that I didn't expect,” Brian just muttered in response.

“So, Lindsay and Michael are still pissed?”

“They feel like I should have told them about you earlier and feel left out,” Brian said, not really wanting to talk about his two best friends. “Apparently, I should have told them about you from the moment we started seeing each other in New York.”

“Well... they are your best friends... I told Daphne about you,” Justin pointed out reasonably.

“I don't owe them any explanations about my private life. It's my life,” Brian said and Justin could clearly hear the anger in his voice.

“I am just saying that I can kind of understand where they are coming from. We've been seeing each other for years and you never even mentioned me.”

“Because it didn't concern them. That concerned you and me.”

Justin sighed. “I just don't want you to lose any friends because of me.”

“Stop it, Sunshine!” Brian said, his voice now rising slightly. “Don't even go there.”

“Brian, they are angry with you because of me, because of who I am.”

“That has nothing to do with it. They would have been just as angry if I had planned to move in with Joe from Legal,” Brian immediately pointed out. “Don't make this about something it isn't.”

“I am sure it's not helping though,” Justin said quietly.

“Sunshine,” Brian sighed. “They're angry because they feel like I owe them an explanation for whatever I do with my life. And I don't agree. That's what this is about. The fact that you're a fucking prince doesn't matter. Michael doesn't really understand what that means anyway and Lindsay is probably creaming her pants that Gus will get to know a real royal. You can't get any waspier than her.”

“I just don't want this to cause any problems with your friends.”

“They'll get over it,” Brian said, sounding absolutely sure. “And if not, Debbie will slap some sense into them. She loves you and considers you one of her lost boys now,” Brian chuckled, happy to hear when Justin chuckled in response as well. “You should see the amount of food she made me take home for you. After you ate her food last week and complimented her on it, you'll be forever in her heart.”

“It was good food,” Justin said honestly.

“Well, it will all be here for you when you come back to Pittsburgh,” Brian pointed out.

“Only two more days,” Justin muttered, his voice sounding more excited now. “I am just waiting to get the studio packed up tomorrow and then the movers will pick everything up on Tuesday.”

“I can't wait for you to be back here. You'll love the changes at the house,” Brian said seriously.

Brian had kept him updated on deliveries of furniture and he knew that most stuff had arrived by now and the house was pretty much ready to move into. And he was really excited to come back and move into their new home with Brian. He couldn't wait to start this new chapter of his life. A chapter that would hopefully be calm, peaceful and most of all happy.

“I hope that's not the only reason you want me to come back,” Justin said with a smile in his voice.

“Don't worry... I have plans for you the moment you get out of the car,” Brian whispered, his voice now lustful.

“I am counting on it. I miss you, Brian,” Justin whispered back, his voice full of longing.

“I miss you, too,” Brian admitted. “Only two more days and then you'll be back. And I swear, before the week is over, you'll probably be annoyed by my ass and will curse me to hell and back.”

“Never,” Justin said, his voice full of amusement.

***

And it turned out that Justin had been right. Once he had returned to Pittsburgh, he had helped Daphne and Lizzie settle into their new home and had then allowed Brian to whisk him away to their part of the house for the better part of the next 24 hours. According to Brian there was a lot of new furniture that they had to christen and after they had started with the bed in the master bedroom, they had quickly moved through the rooms where furniture had already been delivered.

Justin had indeed loved the changes to the house, now that furniture had been delivered and once their stuff from New York had arrived, he had busied himself unpacking boxes and decorating their new home.

He and Daphne had decided to keep their apartment in New York, knowing that it might come in handy when they had to go to New York for business, an art show or whatever, so the move hadn't been too big and stressful. They had only taken their personal things and some items they couldn't do without with them to Pittsburgh but had mostly left furniture in New York and had bought new one for their new home.

Over the next two weeks delivery after delivery arrived at the new house and with each day it became more and more of a home.

Brian and Justin, as well as Daphne and Lizzie settled into a rhythm quickly which mostly consisted of Brian leaving the house in the morning to head to the office, Justin spending some time with his daughter while Daphne worked on her applications to university.

Now that she wasn't officially a princess anymore and she and Justin would be divorced in a couple of months, she was pretty much free to do what she wanted with her life and she was no longer forced to follow the rules of a royal. Much like Justin who had pretty much been kicked out of his family anyway.

Daphne had always dreamed of becoming a doctor and now she finally had the chance to go for it and was starting to take the first steps in that direction. She would be a lot older than most other students, but that didn't stop her. It was never too late to follow your dreams and this was something she was really excited about. Justin supported her as well as he could, knowing that it was the least he could do after everything Daphne had done for him.

In the afternoon they would spend some time with Lizzie together before either Justin or Daphne started preparing dinner. Brian would usually be home in time for dinner and after Justin had helped getting Lizzie into bed, they would settle in their part of the house and work some more on making the house a home before they went to bed for some adult fun.

So far, this rhythm worked for them and Brian loved to see how happy Justin was. He was smiling, was carefree and seemed really happy which in return made Brian happy.

It didn't seem like anyone had noticed that Justin and Daphne had moved to West Virginia and on their property, they had a lot of freedom to move and do what they wanted which the whole family enjoyed.

Daphne had started looking into getting some horses and Justin had started painting again. Everyone was happy and life was good.

***

Brian and Justin just came down from another orgasm after a round of wild, frenzied sex in their living-room.

“Wow,” Brian exhaled, looking at Justin with a bright smile. “That must be in our top 10.”

Justin blushed slightly but nodded.

“I have one question,” Brian said next, his voice now turning quite serious. “After we've settled down and things have calmed down, will we still fuck like this?”

“Ever the romantic,” Justin chuckled, shaking his head. “That depends. If you still fuck me in every room of...uhm... What are we gonna call it? Mandalay? Xanadu? Wuthering Heights?” He frowned.

“I'll leave the christening up to you,” Brian smirked. After all Justin had done pretty well with Gus' name.

“Britin,” Justin announced then, his face now showing a big smile.

“Britin?” Brian mulled it over for a few seconds, then nodded appreciatively.

“It's amazing, isn't it?” Justin now said, moving closer to Brian and resting his head on his chest.

“I wouldn't go that far...,” Brian said, still smiling though.

“I mean that it's really happening,” Justin said, burying his head in Brian's chest. “You... me... us, here. In our house.”

Brian nodded, pulling Justin closer and holding him tight. “I love seeing you this happy.”

Justin moved to sit up and looked down at Brian's face from his sitting position. “I am happy. You make me happy. This,” he said, waving his arm around the house, “makes me happy.”

“That's good,” Brian said seriously, now sitting up as well. “That's all that matters.”

He then pulled Justin closer until their lips met and they kissed. “I love you, Sunshine. You deserve all the happiness you can get.”

“I love you, too,” Justin responded, before he closed the distance and kissed Brian once more. And he did. He loved Brian more than anything and would do anything for this man who had given him so much. Who had pretty much given him the chance at a new life, a life he had always dreamed of, but had never thought he could have. And now here he was and Brian had made it all possible. He would always love him for that.

Chapter 21

“Emmett, can I speak to you for a moment?” Justin asked as he moved over to the empty chair next to Emmett.

Drew had just gotten up and moved to the living-room with Carl to watch some football on TV and Emmett was now on his own, watching the other members of their family as they all enjoyed some after dinner drinks.

This had been Justin's second family dinner since he had moved to Pittsburgh and while it was still clear that Michael and Lindsay had some reservations about him and his position in Brian's life, most other members of their family had welcomed him with open arms.

Debbie loved him and had officially adopted him as a part of her family. She would hug him to death every time she saw him, telling him how happy she was that he and Brian were now living together and trying to build a life together. She told him how good he was for Brian and how much she loved seeing the changes in Brian she could already see, how much she loved seeing Brian in love and how happy she also was that Justin seemed happy. She told him how she had felt for him in recent months and how happy she was that his life finally seemed to quiet down and that he had found some peace and happiness with Brian and his family in their new home.

Justin had appreciated her support and he and Brian had invited Debbie and Carl to Britin last week, making them their official first guests. Debbie had loved the house, had fallen immediately in love with Lizzie and it was obvious that she had by now gotten over the shock of Justin being a royal and that she considered him to be one of her lost boys just like the other men in their group.

Brian and Justin had also gone and visited Ted and Blake for dinner, something that had given Brian the creeps for two days prior. Brian had nearly gagged at the thought of having a double date with Ted and Blake but in the end it had been a surprisingly nice evening.

Ted had been amazed when Justin had shown an interest in his opera CDs and had been able to talk about certain operas with him, having attended several performances over the years in his role as a crown prince.

Justin and Blake had immediately gotten on well. They were both close in age, a lot younger than their respective partners and Justin had been really interested in the work Blake did at the rehab clinic he worked at.

Brian had told him a bit about Ted's and Blake's eventful past and their history with drugs and Justin had been impressed by how far these two men had come and by the life they had built for themselves.

Justin hadn't really been surprised when Blake told him that his start in the family had been rather hard and that it had taken a long time for most members of their family to see that he had really changed and loved Ted and that they had both moved on from their past. He had mentioned how Brian and Emmett had been one of the first to give him a chance and to see him for the person he had been when he and Ted had gotten back together and that Debbie had quickly followed and had accepted him as Ted's partner and a part of their family when she had seen how happy he made Ted.

And he had been even less surprised when Blake had mentioned that Michael and Lindsay hadn't been as welcoming. Michael still made comments about his past as a drug user and Lindsay thought she was so subtle when she acted all concerned every time Gus or JR wanted to play with him, acting like she only had her children's best interest at heart when really, she just wanted to make a comment about his past as well.

It was no big secret that Michael's and Lindsay's reaction to Justin had been a rather cold one as well, so it kind of comforted him that he wasn't the only one. Maybe Brian was right and it wasn't about the fact that he was a prince but it was just something about them. In any case, it had helped him to hear from Blake about his experiences about being the “new guy” in the family and they had quickly bonded over that.

“Oh honey, of course you can,” Emmett immediately replied, showing a big toothy smile, before his hand flew to his mouth and covered it. “Oh shit, I probably shouldn't have called you honey, should I? I mean... shit... I am sorry.”

Justin smiled, a real, open, friendly smile that immediately put Emmett at ease with how honest it was.

“You can call me whatever you want, as long as it's not Prince Justinus, your Royal Highness or anything like that...”

Emmett eyed him for a moment, then nodded slowly. “You're really not a big fan of that life, are you?”

Justin shrugged. “It's all just pretentious and meaningless as far as I am concerned. Do I deserve a different treatment just because of who my parents are? Respect needs to be earned, not given because of a title, so...”

Emmett now smiled. He liked what he had seen and heard of this man so far and from what he could see, Brian had been right: Justin really was very down to earth and demanded no special treatment at all. He just wanted to be treated like everyone else. Which was something Emmett could do.

“Sweetie, that was very well said.”

Justin smiled even wider when Emmett called him sweetie, immediately feeling at ease with the tall man.

“I was wondering if your offer still stood to help with our housewarming party. The house finally looks presentable and I think it's time that we invited everyone over.”

“What does Big Bad think about that?” Emmett asked with a nod at Brian, who was speaking to Gus at the moment.

“He'll go along with it because he knows that it'll make me happy,” Justin shrugged, knowing that it was the truth. Brian wasn't really looking forward to hosting a big housewarming party for their friends and family, but he knew that this was something Justin wanted to do, that this was something Justin felt he had to do to become a part of the family, so he would go along with whatever Justin wanted to do as long as it made him happy.

“Awwwwww, he's sooooo in love with you. I have never seen him like that before. You must be really special,” Emmett said, clasping his hands together tightly.

Justin blushed and lowered his eyes. “He's... he's really special,” he finally said, looking back up at Emmett. “I really love him.”

“Awwww, young love... how could I not get involved in that and help? I am so happy you two have found each other. I don't think I've ever seen Brian as happy as he has been in recent weeks. Teddy said the same... apparently, he has known about Brian having someone in his life for way longer than I did and he says you are really good for Brian. I think I can see what he means,” Emmett said seriously.

Justin smiled gently at the older man. “We're good for each other,” he said after a few seconds, looking over to where Brian and Gus were still talking. As if on cue, Brian looked up and their eyes met and they both smiled at each other.

“I have no doubt,” Emmett said happily, having watched that little scene. “So, what did you have in mind?”

Justin forced himself to look away from Brian and to turn back to the man at his side. “Nothing big or too fancy, just a small gathering for family and friends. The people that usually come to family dinner, my friend Daphne, my daughter Lizzie. Just the usual people, you know?”

“Do you already have a date in mind?”

Justin shook his head. “Not really. Maybe next weekend. Or the weekend after? And like I said, nothing too fancy. I just thought since you know most people, you would have an idea what kind of food would be best suited, that kind of thing...”

“Well, you can never go wrong with a buffet, or some finger food options. You can then decide how fancy you want to go. If you want to go the chicken wings and onion rings route or the caviar and champagne route.”

Justin made a face when Emmett presented the second option. “Yeah, I think we should keep it a bit more low-key. Does anyone really enjoy caviar? Personally, I never saw the appeal...”

“Why don't you come by my office sometime next week and I can show you some options that you can choose from?” Emmett offered with another toothy smile.

“That would be great, yeah,” Justin agreed with a smile of his own. “I really appreciate you helping on such short notice and of course I'll pay you extra for that.”

Emmett immediately waved Justin's comment away. “Honey, you don't pay me. We're family now and you don't pay family to help.” He then opened his phone and looked at his calendar. “How about Wednesday afternoon? I am pretty free then and can squeeze you in.”

“That would be great. I really appreciate it,” Justin nodded, making a note in his own phone.

Justin brought Lizzie to his meeting with Emmett a couple of days later and his daughter had immediately fallen in love with the tall man when she had seen his colorful clothes and his wide smile. Of course, all the baked goods and sweets he had given her had also helped.

He and Justin had made some decisions concerning food and had settled on a date for the housewarming party.

Emmett had promised to come by the house the next day to see what he was working with and over their various meetings that week, Justin and Emmett had become quite close as well.

Justin liked Emmett, liked his eternal optimism, how friendly and open he was and that he always seemed happy, no matter how stressed he seemed.

Emmett had been mightily impressed when he had first seen Britin and he had absolutely fallen in love with the name when Justin had told him about it.

Justin and Emmett had spent the afternoon touring the grounds and had mostly shared their experiences with the press. Emmett had shared his own experiences of dating a famous person, had shared what his and Drew's life had been like after Drew's coming out and the warm, supportive way in which he had offered any support he could to Brian and Justin had really endeared the man to Justin.

They had clicked just like Justin and Blake had and he was really grateful for how Emmett had accepted him as part of their family without any prejudice whatsoever.

***

“I think he likes it,” Brian muttered as he watched Gus, whose eyes had widened to comical proportions and whose mouth had fallen open in a very unattractive gasp.

Justin chuckled, watching the young boy's reaction to the mural he had painted for him. “You think so?”

“I think he might have suffered a stroke in all his excitement,” Brian said next, walking over to his son's side and waving a hand in his sonny boy's face. “Hey, anything working up there?”

Gus closed his mouth, then turned to his dad with a glare before he turned to Justin and threw himself into the younger man's arms. “That is soooooo amazing. So cool! It's so much better than I thought it would be. Thank you so much, Justin! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!”

Justin hugged the small boy in return and smiled. “You are more than welcome, Gus. I just hope that you like it.”

“I love it! I love it so much!” Gus exclaimed, then let go of the younger man and turned to his father. “It's so great, isn't it, Dad?”

“Yeah, it is,” Brian agreed, smiling at his son's happiness. “Justin did really well.”

“I love it,” Gus said once more before he plopped down on his bed and stared at the wall with the huge Iron Man mural on it. “Everyone at school will be so jealous.”

Brian walked over to Justin's side and wrapped his arms around his partner. “You made him really happy with this,” he whispered before he left a kiss on Justin's cheek.

Justin leaned into Brian's touch and smiled. “It was nothing, Brian. I promised him I would do this... I am just glad he likes it.”

“Likes it? He loves it... you'll forever be his favorite person on the planet now.”

Justin actually laughed at that, his smile widening. “It's just a painting of a superhero.”

“I know what your paintings usually sell for,” Brian muttered, pulling Justin closer. “This is a big deal. A real Justin Taylor.”

Justin shook his head in amusement, then rested it on Brian's shoulder. “So, you did your homework, huh?”

They had never really talked about Justin's art career before. Brian knew that he worked as an artist under an alias and he had seen Justin's studio in New York. By the size of the studio, he had guessed that Justin was a pretty successful artist, but that had pretty much been his whole interest in Justin's art career. Until he had found out about Justin's real identity.

He had then dug a bit deeper and had found out that Justin Taylor lived a very reclusive life and that no one had ever seen the artist or even knew where he lived. Which of course only added to the value of his artworks. The art world loved nothing more than an eccentric artist and a recluse that had never been seen by any art critic or had never done any interviews in person had created quite some mystery that had helped raise the price of his paintings.

Brian knew that Justin's paintings often sold for more than 20.000 – 30.000 dollars each and that most of his shows were sold out in minutes.

Now it was Brian's turn to shrug. “Just a bit... I just wanted to see how much value we're adding to the house by adding the mural,” Brian ended in soft laughter.

“You're unbelievable,” Justin laughed as well, turning around and facing Brian. He leaned in for a quick kiss.

“Not as unbelievable as you.”

They kissed for a minute, before they broke apart and focused back on Gus. The boy was still so happy with his mural and was still looking at all the details Justin had included.

Reluctantly, Justin pulled away from Brian. “I think I should check with Emmett and see that he doesn't need any help. I feel bad about him doing everything on his own when he should be a guest as well.”

“You've been spending an awful lot of time with Honeycutt this week,” Brian said, his voice sounding amused. “If I were that kind of man, I might get jealous.”

Justin laughed in response. “Nothing to be jealous about. I just really like him. I think he could be a good friend. He seems really nice. And because of what he and Drew went through, he really understands our situation... He's just really easy to talk to.”

“I am glad you two are getting on. I told you there were nice people in the family,” Brian said half-jokingly.

He knew that Justin was getting on pretty well with Debbie and Carl, Ted and Blake and now Emmett, but he also knew that it bothered the younger man that Michael and Lindsay were still pretty much giving him the cold shoulder. Well, not really bothering him. As far as Brian could see Justin wasn't too keen on either of the two anyway and didn't seem to like them all too much himself, something which Justin had already made obvious in regards to Michael at least during their meetings in New York, but he knew that Justin wanted to get on well with them for Brian's sake because he knew that they were Brian's friends and he didn't want to cause any trouble between Brian and his friends.

Justin smiled widely in reply to Brian's statement, then headed for the door and down to the kitchen, leaving Brian and Gus on their own.

Brian watched Gus' happy face for another minute, then left the room as well, joining his partner and Honeycutt in their kitchen, getting ready for their housewarming party later that evening.

***

“Wow, this house really is something,” Blake said, clearly impressed after he had been given the grand tour by Brian and Justin.

“It's definitely big,” Ben agreed, just as impressed as Blake seemed to be.

“And it even has its own name now,” Gus threw in, looking around the group of adults. “Like a real mansion.”

When everyone looked at him expectantly, he finally revealed the name. “Daddy and Justin call it Britin.”

There were some murmurings and slowly but surely person after person seemed to get the meaning of the name. “Ah... that's actually quite clever,” Ben said when he had gotten the meaning behind the name.

“Who came up with that?” Ted asked, looking from Brian to Justin and back.

“That was all Justin,” Brian nodded towards his partner at his side. “He's the one who names things in this relationship. Gus, Britin,...”

Justin hid his face behind his hands and groaned playfully. “Stop, you're embarrassing me.”

Brian kissed the side of Justin's head and pulled him closer.

“I don't get it,” Michael announced at that point, still looking confused. “What does it mean? Is that French?”

“Michael,” Debbie sighed, looking at her son in slight disappointment. “It's their names. Bri-an and Jus-tin... Britin...”

“Oh, okay,” he then muttered, looking as if he still wasn't sure what was so clever about it.

“Isn't it a bit pretentious to name your home? Then again, I am assuming that you would be used to living in palaces and mansions that are named, so... this must be quite a step down, right?” Lindsay said sweetly, though the sweet tone of her voice didn't match what had just been said at all.

“I don't know... you tell me?” Daphne said at that point, immediately growing to dislike the woman that she knew was Gus' mother. “Our last home in New York didn't have a name.”

“Ooooh, I like her,” Emmett said with a wide toothy grin, clapping his hands together happily. “Can I keep her and make her my bestie?”

She threw Emmett a wide smile, liking him a lot better than Lindsay.

“It was just some fun we had...coming up with a name,” Justin shrugged. “It's not something either of us insisted upon.”

“I think it's great, honey,” Debbie added at that point. “You should get a plaque or something and put it on that huge ass gate at the end of the driveway.”

After a few more minutes of polite conversation, the group broke up and people headed over to the buffet to get some food. New, smaller groups now popped up and Brian and Justin went from group to group to make small talk with everyone and to thank everyone for coming.

Brian was just talking to Lindsay, trying to tune out her constant harping about how she still hadn't heard anything about Prince Justinus being an artist and she was asking him again and again about the alias Justin had mentioned previously, when his eyes settled on Justin and Ben talking to each other.

He had no idea what they were talking about, but he could see that it was a friendly conversation. Both were smiling and seemed at ease with each other. Justin's eyes were shining and he looked happy and positively excited as he was saying something to Ben who was nodding eagerly in response.

As Brian watched their conversation, he finally understood what Ted had meant when he had said that there was something about Justin that put people at ease. No matter who, no matter what the topic of conversation was, Justin had been talking to pretty much every one of their guests over the course of that evening and everyone had been smiling, had been at ease and had seemed very relaxed talking to him.

Justin really had a way to make people forget about who he was and to just show interest in their life, what they had to say and to make them completely at ease when they were talking to him.

“Brian, are you even listening?” Lindsay whined when she noticed that Brian hadn't responded in a long time to anything she had said.

“Huh? No, not really...”

“But Brian,” Lindsay started, only to be ignored by Brian who left her where she was and walked towards Justin and Ben.

“I know, right? You'd think they would have thought of that in advance,” Justin nodded in response to something Ben had said, then stopped when he saw Brian coming over. “Hey,” he smiled, chuckling when Brian closed the distance between them and pulled Justin into a tight hug, then kissed him in front of everyone.

“I love you,” Brian said, not caring who heard. He really loved this man, who was so special on so many levels. He didn't care if the whole world knew.

Justin smiled happily, his eyes shining as they met Brian's. “I love you, too.”

“You are really amazing, you know that?” Brian whispered before he kissed Justin once more, effectively not giving him a chance to respond.

“Awwww, look at them. Aren't they cute?” Emmett said as he theatrically fanned himself.

“I am so happy for them,” Debbie could be heard saying at the same time.

“I don't think this is really appropriate in front of the children,” Lindsay pointed out, only to be interrupted by Michael.

“Really, you'd think that as a prince he'd know about the kind of behavior that is accepted in public.”

“How about you just keep your mouth shut and be happy that your best friend is obviously very much in love?” Ted muttered at that point, glad that neither Justin nor Brian had seemingly heard what had been said about them, both of them too caught up in their kiss.

Chapter 22

“So, when are we going to head to New York?” Brian asked as he flopped down on the sofa, putting the file he wanted to look through by his side as he looked at Justin who was curled up watching a movie on TV.

“We?” Justin just asked, slowly sitting up and looking at Brian.

“For your show. Have you already forgotten about it? The one that opens next week?” Brian said teasingly, still looking at his partner.

They had now been living at Britin for four months and had settled into their own rhythm. Now that things in Justin's life had calmed down and the media had lost their interest in his life, or rather had lost track of him since he had left New York and hadn't really been seen in public much after that, he had started painting again and his agent had scheduled a new show.

The paintings for the show had been picked up earlier that day after Justin had frantically painted in recent weeks to get everything done in time for the show.

After many conversations with Brian, Daphne and also his agent, he had finally agreed to attend the show, as usual pretending to be a fan of Justin Taylor's artwork, no one but the aforementioned people knowing that Prince Justinus was really the painter behind the art attributed to Justin Taylor.

It would be his first public appearance in months and even though he tried to hide it well, the people that knew Justin closely knew how nervous he was at the prospect.

Justin shook his head slowly in reply to Brian's question and frowned. “No, but... what do you mean we?”

“Well, obviously, I am going to join you,” Brian said as if it really was the most obvious thing in the world.

“Wh-what?” Justin's eyes now widened and he looked clearly shocked by what Brian had just said.

“It's going to be your first major appearance in months and your first show after everything... I am not going to let you go through that on your own,” Brian said seriously, moving a bit closer to where Justin was sitting, still looking utterly shocked.

“Brian, I...,” Justin started, but then stopped, not really sure how to continue.

“I'll be by your side to support you. Wait,” Brian stopped, taking in Justin's shock. “You didn't think I would come with you?”

“I am not sure what I was thinking,” Justin said weakly after the longest pause.

“Sunshine, I want to be by your side and support you. I know it might be tough to show your face at a public event again. We all know how nervous you are. You've been trying to hide it, but geez... everyone can see it. I am not going to let you go through that on your own,” Brian stated seriously.

“Brian,” Justin started once more, now taking a deep breath before he continued. “I don't think you should come...”

“Why not?” Brian looked utterly surprised and confused by what Justin had just said.

“I don't think it would be a good idea.”

That was all Justin said before he hung his head.

“Okay, what am I missing here?” Brian then asked, lifting up Justin's face with his fingertip, forcing the younger man to meet his gaze. “Why wouldn't it be a good idea?”

“I just don't think I am ready for that kind of media attention,” Justin said weakly, pulling away from Brian's touch and moving further away towards the other end of their couch.

“Sunshine,” Brian sighed, then forced himself to stay calm and get to the bottom of this. “It will be your first appearance since you came out. They all know that you're gay. Wouldn't you prefer to have me by your side to support you instead of having to face that on your own?”

“Of course, I would,” Justin said quietly, not looking at Brian as he spoke. “It's just not a good idea.”

“Why not? They know that you're gay. They know that you have sex with men. So, what difference will it make if I show up by your side? We're just going to prove that you're really gay which everyone knows already.”

Justin shook his head. “It's not about that...”

“Then what is this about?”

“These last few months... Things have finally quieted down again... we've finally been able to settle into a rhythm and have a private life here. Brian, nobody knows that we're living here... If you show up at my side, they'll figure out that we have moved to Pittsburgh or surroundings and... they'll start hounding us all over again. I am not sure I am ready for that...”

Brian's heart broke for the younger man and he slowly moved over to his side of the sofa, taking him in his arms and holding him close.

“Sunshine... You can't hide for the rest of your life. People will find out. You have met the family, we go to family dinner, they come here. Don't you want us to be able to meet in public places with everyone? Go to restaurants? Hell, the movies? Maybe go dancing at Babylon?”

They hadn't done any of those things yet and so far, Brian had accepted that Justin had craved privacy and had needed things to calm down in his life and hadn't complained, but he meant what he had said: Justin couldn't hide at Britin and behind its walls for the rest of his life. It wouldn't be healthy.

“Of course, I do,” Justin said, resting his head against Brian's chest. “I just don't think I am ready yet...”

For the moment Brian accepted that and only held Justin close. Maybe he would try again in a couple of days. For now, he would just accept that his sunshine wasn't ready yet to face the world with a partner by his side.

***

“Baby, I get what you're saying, but Brian is right,” Emmett said as he took a large sip of his coffee.

Justin had shown up at his office about twenty minutes ago and had told him about the conversation he and Brian had had the night before.

Over the last couple of months Justin and Emmett had become close friends and they would often get together and talk about their relationships.

“You can't hide forever. And really... it might be better to just rip off the band-aid and get it over with, you know? Drewsie and I went to such lengths to hide our relationship, but once people knew... we had so much more freedom. It made our lives so much easier. I am sure Brian knows that and it's all he wants for you: for your lives to become that much easier.”

“I know,” Justin said, hanging his head and looking at the table instead of his friend. “I fucking know.”

“Then what is the problem?” Emmett asked. “I know you're scared and nervous, but in the long run, it will make your lives so much easier.”

“My life, yes. But what about Brian?” Justin finally asked, looking at Emmett from sad eyes.

“I am not sure I am following. What do you mean, baby?”

“I know that Brian is right. That you're right. That Daphne is right. I fucking know that... And I wish I could just listen to all of you and do what you say I should do, but I can't. Not when I know what it's going to cost Brian...”

“You're losing me here,” Emmett said, looking honestly confused by what Justin had just said.

“Once they see Brian at my side... they'll start to dig into Brian's past,” Justin said slowly, only to be interrupted by Emmett right away.

“So that's what you're afraid of? Of people finding out about his past as the Stud of Liberty Avenue? Honey, Brian has never lied about his past or has never been ashamed of it. He has always stood up for himself and who he is or rather was... he's not ashamed of that past and neither should you be.”

“I am not ashamed of his past,” Justin said sincerely and Emmett could hear that the younger man meant that. “I have never been. I've always known about his reputation and who he was and I couldn't care less. If he doesn't mind, then I won't. I love him, all of him.”

“Then what is the problem?”

Justin sighed. “There will be other things they will find once they start digging...”

“Other things?” Emmett frowned.

“His family,” Justin said slowly, waiting to see if he needed to explain more or if Emmett would understand what he was talking about.

“So, he has told you about them,” Emmett said with a nod to himself. “Good for him.”

“Not exactly,” Justin squirmed.

Emmett eyed his friend, not sure what to make of that statement. “But you know about them anyway. Has Debbie told you?”

Justin just shook his head. He also shook his head when Emmett asked if Michael, Lindsay or Ted might have mentioned something.

It took him about another minute before something clicked and he looked at Justin from wide eyes. “Oh my God! You had him investigated?”

Justin hung his head. “That was years ago... when things first started to get serious between us in New York... I had to make sure he wouldn't be in need of money and wouldn't use our relationship to exploit me.”

“Brian would never,” Emmett immediately started to defend his friend, only to be interrupted by Justin right away.

“I know... I know he wouldn't, but back then... I didn't know him like I know him now and...if I hadn't agreed to it, the palace's security team would have investigated him anyway. With or without my consent.”

“Does he know?” Emmett asked after another minute of silence between them.

Justin just shook his head in reply.

“Oh baby... he won't like that.”

“I know,” Justin muttered, hiding his face in his hands. “I fucking know, but there's nothing I can do about it now. It was years ago...”

“Are you bothered by what you found out about his family?” Emmett asked next, eying Justin closely.

“Of course, it bothers me to know what he went through as a child... And it bothers me that he never told me himself.”

“Baby, it's not something Brian really talks about. If it weren't for Debbie and Michael, I don't think I'd know about his family either.”

“I just know that... if he shows up at my side... the press will find out his name and will start digging. All of this will be dragged into the public. I can't do that to him,” Justin said in a voice full of emotion. “He didn't even tell me; can you imagine what he would feel like if it was all over every fucking tabloid in the world?”

Emmett could see how agitated his friend was getting and reached out and gave his shoulder a supportive squeeze.

“Honey, that's not your call to make.”

“If I can protect him from that, of course that's my call to make.”

Emmett shook his head.

“No, it's not.”

Justin looked up and frowned at Emmett. After a deep breath the tall queen spoke again.

“I know you only want to protect him, but just like he can't protect you from the world, neither can you protect him. And baby, just think about this for a second: Brian has worked with media outlets for years. He knows all there is to know about marketing, PR and how the media works. Do you really think he's not aware of this being a possibility? Do you really?”

Justin thought about what Emmett had said and finally shook his head. No, he couldn't believe that Brian wouldn't be aware of what implications his appearance at Justin's side would have for him and his business.

“But what about Kinnetik?”

“Oh, I am sure Kinnetik will be fine. People come to Kinnetik for their daring and edgy campaigns, not for stories about Brian's childhood and what side of the tracks he grew up on.”

“This could be really bad, Emmett... I can't do that to Brian,” Justin said quietly, his voice still sounding pained.

“You're not doing anything to him. You haven't asked him to join you. Quite on the contrary. He has offered because he wants to support you. I am sure he's aware of all the implications and he doesn't care because he loves you and wants to support you and wants to be there for you. So... if you're not ashamed of what might come out, then let him be by your side. It's obviously what he wants to do. At least give him the chance to make his own choice. Talk to him. Tell him about your fears and talk to him about the implications. Let it be his choice.”

Justin nodded, knowing that Emmett was right.

“I just don't want him or his business to suffer because of who I am... he didn't ask for any of this.”

“Neither did you, baby,” Emmett said, his voice full of understanding. “Neither did I when Drew and I became public knowledge, but... as much as Drew wanted to protect me back then... I wanted to shout from every rooftop in Pittsburgh how much I loved him. I didn't care what the press or the fans would think of flamboyant, gay Emmett Honeycutt from Hazlehurst, Mississippi. Drew was worried about me, but I wasn't. I just wanted to be by his side and wanted to support him and really... coming out was the best thing that ever happened to us. Yes, it was tough for a while. I won't lie, but after a couple of days, maybe weeks... the attention died down. People became used to seeing me at his side and by now, I don't think anyone still bats an eye when we go out and have a date or go somewhere in public. They just became so used to seeing us together, it's normal to them now. And I think that's what Brian wants for you guys as well. But really? You'll have to talk to him. Speak to him about this. Give him a chance to make his own choice.”

Justin nodded once more, knowing that Emmett was absolutely right. As much as he wanted to protect Brian from any kind of media attention that might be headed their way, they couldn't hide behind Britin's walls forever and at some point, they would have to start acting like any other normal couple as well. Nothing else would be healthy.

***

Brian was sitting at his desk in his study and was looking at some designs on his laptop. He had left the office early that day, promising to attend Gus' parent-teacher night at school and was now finishing the last of his work that needed to be done in time for tomorrow.

“Can I talk to you for a minute?” Justin asked quietly as he made his way into the study.

Brian looked up from his laptop and smiled at his partner. “Of course. You can always save me from boring designs. I want you to.”

Justin smiled and made his way over to Brian's chair, sitting down in his lap. He looked at the laptop in interest and looked at the designs Brian had been looking at.

“Have you thought about changing the color of the text to orange? The blue looks kind of cold and orange would give it a much warmer image,” Justin said after he had taken the designs in.

“You think?” Brian asked back, raising an eyebrow.

This wasn't the first time that Justin had looked at some of the designs his art department had created and would give his input. Usually, it was very good input and more than once he had already saved some campaign that Brian had become desperate about.

Justin nodded. “Yeah, I think that would make it more appealing.”

“I'll have the art department change it tomorrow,” Brian said, then closed the program on his laptop and turned to Justin. “What did you want to talk about?”

“About New York,” Justin said, leaning closer against Brian's body.

“What about it?” Brian asked, his voice slightly tense. They hadn't talked about New York since that night when Justin had said that he wasn't ready to have Brian come along. Brian hadn't been happy but had accepted Justin's reasons and hadn't mentioned it since. He didn't look forward to Justin leaving and being gone for a week or even longer, but there was nothing he could do about it.

“Do you really want to come to the show with me?”

Brian eyed Justin for a few seconds then nodded. “Yeah.”

“Why?”

“I told you; I know how stressful this whole public appearance is for you. I want to be by your side and support you.”

“Have you really thought this through?” Justin asked quietly, looking at Brian intently.

“What is there to think through?” Brian asked. “Once they've seen me at your side, they'll get interested for a bit, will want some pictures, but then after a couple of days or weeks their interest will die down as it has before and we can go on and live our lives the way we want to.”

“I know, but that's not what I meant,” Justin sighed.

When Justin didn't continue, Brian frowned. “Okay, so what do you mean?”

“They'll start looking into who you are...your life...your past...”

“I am aware of that,” Brian said quietly.

“Are you also aware of what that will mean for you? For Kinnetik?” Justin asked carefully, leaning back to look at Brian from questioning eyes.

“Sunshine, what are you trying to say here?” Brian's voice had gotten an edge that was hard not to hear. “Are you ashamed of what they are going to write?”

“No,” Justin said honestly, still looking at Brian. “I don't give a fuck about what they'll write. I love you and I know what kind of person you've been in the past. I don't care.”

“Then what's with all this concern for me all of a sudden?”

“I just want to know that you're really sure about this. What about Gus?” Justin asked next.

“What about him? That boy grew up on Liberty Avenue. He knows more about my past than is good for him, but well... it can't be helped. I'll talk to him, explain things to him. He'll be fine.”

Justin looked doubtful. “Are you sure? This is going to be way different than a couple of guys gossiping about a one-night stand with you at the diner the morning after.”

Brian made a face and sounded serious when he replied. “Sunshine... I know that there are things in my past that... aren't something I should be proud of, but it is what it is. I am not going to hide for the rest of my life because of some bad headlines that will be forgotten in a few months. Gus will be fine. He'll have all of us to make sure that he is.”

“I just don't want him to suffer because of who I am,” Justin said quietly, but very seriously.

“Sunshine, Gus loves you. Don't you think that there will be a point where he'll want you to join him at his soccer games or where he wants you to go and watch a movie with him or something? I don't want us to hide for the rest of our lives. Yes, I am aware that if I join you, the next couple of weeks are going to be... tough... but I also know that things will get better afterwards. Just look at Emmett and Drew. They were on the cover of every newspaper in the beginning, but now nobody gives a shit. I want that to be us. I want to take you out to nice restaurants; I want to take you dancing. I want us to do normal shit.”

“I'd like that,” Justin agreed, resting his head on Brian's shoulder. “I really would...”

“Then let me come and join you and let us get this over with. Think of it like ripping off a band-aid. Once it's done, it will get better afterwards.”

Justin was quiet for the longest time before he pulled back again. “What about your family and the things they will find out about them?”

“My family? What do you mean?” Brian frowned in confusion.

Justin sighed, but never backed down, knowing that he owed Brian the truth. “I know what they're going to find out there...”

“I never told you,” Brian started, then stopped and looked at Justin from wide eyes. “Who told you?”

“No one,” Justin said, still not backing away from Brian's gaze.

“Then how the fuck do you...,” Brian started asking but then stopped as something clicked in his mind and suddenly made sense. “You had me investigated?”

“Brian, I,” Justin started, but never got any further. Before he could finish his sentence, Brian had already pushed him from his lap and was getting up from his chair as well.

“You fucking had me investigated?”

“Brian, that was years ago...,” Justin tried to defend. “When we first got together and I needed to know if I could trust you or not.”

“And you never told me?”

“I am telling you now,” Justin said weakly, knowing that it really wasn't a good point to make right now.

“Only because you're ashamed of what you found out and don't want it to become public knowledge. Doesn't look good for a prince to be seen with a kid from the wrong side of the tracks, right?”

“That's not true,” Justin said immediately.

“Well, newsflash, Sunshine. Not everyone grew up as pampered and spoiled as you,” Brian directed at the younger man whose eyes widened in shock at what Brian had just said.

“Brian... I...,” Justin tried to gather his thoughts and tried to respond but couldn't because Brian was on a real roll now.

“Maybe you should have had that guy investigated that actually went and blackmailed you and outed you to the world.”

Justin stumbled as if he had physically been hit by Brian's words. When he caught himself, he looked at Brian from eyes that looked more hurt than Brian had ever seen.

The younger man looked like a puppy that had just been kicked and when he saw the reaction his words had caused in the younger man, Brian immediately knew that he had gone too far.

“Sunshine, I...,” he started to apologize, but Justin just turned around and wordlessly left the room, slamming the door shut behind himself.

Brian watched the closed door and muttered to himself. “Fuck!”

***

Brian knew that he had gone too far, but he was also pissed with Justin for having him investigated. He didn't care if it had been years ago. He hated that Justin had never told him.

He had gotten a bottle of Jim Beam from his cabinet and had two glasses, before he slowly calmed down. Looking at it all calmly now, he knew that everything else would probably have been very careless on Justin's part. Seeing who he was, Brian could understand why Justin had felt the need to investigate him, especially seeing how things between them had gotten more serious years ago.

It bothered him and made him angry, but deep down he could understand why it had happened. He just wondered why Justin had never mentioned it to him.

At the same time, he also knew that he had probably gone too far with his comment about that guy who had blackmailed Justin and he knew that he should apologize for what he had said.

So, after 30 minutes and two whiskeys he went in search of his boyfriend. He checked the studio, thinking that Justin might be there, angrily lashing out at some poor canvas, but he was surprised when the studio was empty.

In the end he found the younger man in their bedroom, curled up under the covers of their bed. When Brian entered the room, Justin pretended to be asleep, but Brian knew that he wasn't.

He slowly made his way over to Justin's side of the bed and sat down next to him. Justin immediately turned around to literally show Brian his cold shoulder and Brian knew that he probably deserved it.

“Sunshine,” he said quietly, running a hand over his partner's tense shoulders and arms. “I am sorry. That was totally out of line from me. I shouldn't have said that.”

When he got no reply from his partner, he slowly lay down behind him, wrapping his arms around the smaller body. He could feel how tense Justin was and knew that it was his fault. He felt even worse than he had before.

“I am sorry. I really am,” he whispered over and over again. “I shouldn't have said that. I know it was totally out of line... I was just so angry...”

“You weren't wrong,” Justin said quietly, his voice hardly above a whisper. “I should have had him investigated... But he was just a one-night stand... I didn't think he recognized me... it's my own fault.”

“Don't say that,” Brian said quietly, running his hands over Justin's arms.

“It is... It's my own fault that I became a laughingstock. If I had been more careful, none of this would have happened.”

“And then we wouldn't be here,” Brian said seriously. “That's not something I want to think about.”

When Justin stayed quiet and didn't say anything to that, Brian tightened his embrace. “I know how hard these last few months have been for you. I know how much you have suffered and it's probably not the right thing to say, but... I can't be sad that it happened. If it hadn't, we might have never reconnected. You might have never shown up at the loft, we might have never talked and we definitely wouldn't be here now...”

“You mean you wouldn't have felt sorry for me and taken me back because of the shitshow my life had become,” Justin muttered darkly.

“No, I wouldn't have,” Brian agreed, though his voice sounded amused more than anything. He leaned over and gently kissed Justin behind his ear. “I love you, Sunshine.”

“Even though I had you investigated and never told you?” Justin asked very quietly.

Brian never loosened the embrace and still held Justin tightly as he spoke. “I wish you would have told me, but I get why you had me investigated.... I understand...”

“It was years ago, Brian. At the time you didn't even know who I was and then... afterwards... it just never really mattered. I didn't even think about it until you started talking about coming to New York with me.”

“Are you embarrassed about what you found out?” Brian asked, his voice equally quiet.

Justin turned around in his arms and looked at him from sad eyes. He shook his head before he spoke. “No. I never was and I never will be.”

“Then why don't you want me to come to New York with you?”

Justin sighed, closing his eyes for a few seconds before he opened them again. “I want you to come to New York with me...I am just not sure you really understand the implications of what that will mean for you, for Gus, for Kinnetik. I don't want my position to cause problems for you.”

“I don't care,” Brian replied hotly, resting his forehead against Justin's.

“But I do,” the younger man gave back right way. “I know how ruthless the media can be. I know how they can twist statements to further their own agenda and... I don't want that to happen to you.”

“I know you think I don't understand what being with you means,” Brian said seriously, looking at Justin from sad eyes. “And maybe I don't, but... I don't want us to hide for the rest of our lives. Everyone knows that you're gay. And now you'll also have a gay partner. Well, let them deal with that. I don't care what kind of shit they'll dig up from my past. I just want us to be able to have as normal a life as we can.”

“Our life will never be normal,” Justin said sadly.

“Maybe not...but maybe it will be,” Brian said, pulling the younger man close. “We won't know until we try living our lives the way we want.”

“I just don't want you to regret this in a couple of weeks. I don't want you to start hating me because of what the press might unearth and publish.”

“I could never hate you,” Brian whispered, leaving a soft kiss on Justin's forehead. “I love you too much.”

Justin buried his head in Brian's neck and inhaled the scent that was so uniquely Brian. He sighed happily. This was what made him happy. Being with this man, this man who had done so much for him and had tried so much to give him a new life away from his former life and role.

“If you really want to come to New York, I would love to have you by my side,” he said seriously after a minute of not saying anything.

Brian nodded. “I want to, but... I don't want you to come to regret it. I don't care about what the media might find and publish about me. I've lived my life and have no regrets and I won't apologize for how I've lived my life. It's my life and no one else's business, but... I don't want it to negatively affect you. You've been through enough already. If you think it's better, I'll stay here in Pittsburgh.”

“No,” Justin whispered. “I want you to come. I just... wish it wouldn't be like that... I wish we wouldn't even need to have this conversation.”

Brian smiled gently as he looked at Justin. “Well, you are a high maintenance boyfriend. I have to give you that. You're lucky that you have a cute ass, or I might think twice about keeping you around.”

Justin snorted at that comment and rolled his eyes. “You couldn't survive without my ass.”

“You know me too well,” Brian chuckled before he softly kissed Justin.

When their kiss ended, Brian turned to lie on his back and looked at the ceiling. “Are you sure you're not ashamed of what they'll write about me? I know that a slut from a working-class family that was beaten by his good for nothing, drunk dad and condemned to hell by his alcoholic, freakishly religious mother isn't really a suitable companion for a prince.”

Justin ran a hand over Brian's abdomen, then raised his head to look the older man right in the eye. “You're talking to a prince that has been kicked out of his family by his religious mother, the queen, for being gay and has been publicly humiliated in front of the whole world in the process. I think as far as parents go, I am not the gold standard you might think I am...”

Brian shook his head in amusement at what Justin had said and pulled him closer. “We make quite the pair, don't we?”

A sunshine smile spread on Justin's face and he nodded. He then leaned in and kissed Brian once more.

“I love you. I don't care what anyone else says or thinks. I love you and I know that you love me. It's all that matters to me,” Justin whispered once the kiss ended.

“I love you, too,” Brian replied, smiling up at the younger man.

Whatever would happen, they would be fine because they had each other. And that was all that mattered.

Chapter 23

Three days later Brian and Justin arrived in New York. They were planning to stay in the city for four days and Brian had scheduled a couple of business meetings on the first two days they would be in town.

On the third day Justin's show would open and after that, nobody knew what would happen.

Brian had talked to Cynthia and Ted and had prepared them for the kind of media attention that would most likely be coming Kinnetik's way. Ted had already known about Brian's relationship with Justin and hadn't nearly been as shocked as Cynthia had been. Once she had gotten over the shock of finding out that Brian was actually in a relationship and in a relationship with a prince from Europe to boot, she was all aboard and came up with a crisis plan for Kinnetik.

They all expected that the company would be fine, that most of their clients wouldn't care about Brian's life as long as their campaigns were still as edgy and successful as ever, but you never knew.

Cynthia would have a staff meeting at the end of day on the day Justin's show would take place and would hand out guidelines to all employees on how to handle media inquiries in case they were contacted by the media about this news.

From there they would just wait and see and go with the flow.

Brian had met with Lindsay and Melanie before he and Justin had left for New York and had informed them of what would happen as well. Neither woman had been really happy about the upcoming turn of events but both knew that this was a private affair in Brian's life and there wasn't anything they could do about it.

They agreed that it would be best for Brian to talk to Gus and to prepare him for what was coming his way and Brian did.

It had been one of the hardest conversations he'd ever had with his son, but Gus had been a real trooper. He loved Justin and he knew about Justin being a prince and he was more angry at the news for not leaving his daddy's partner alone than anything. He promised both Brian and his mothers that he wouldn't talk to anyone about Justin and if anyone came up to him and asked him questions, Gus would just say that they should talk to one of his parents.

Much like with Kinnetik they tried to prepare things as well as they could but in the end they would just have to wait and see how things played out.

Once they arrived in New York, Brian could immediately sense a change in Justin. He got more nervous and short-tempered from the moment they had arrived in the city and Brian tried his best to support Justin and calm him down as best as he could.

He was secretly glad when the day of Justin's opening finally arrived and they could finally get it over with.

On the way to the gallery, they had been picked up in a car that Justin's agent had organized for them, Justin was very quiet and looked out of the windows at the city lights passing by.

“It's going to be okay, Sunshine,” Brian said quietly, taking Justin's hand and squeezing it in his own.

Justin turned to him and looked at him from sad eyes. Brian was glad when he saw a small smile spread on his face as he nodded and gave a very quiet. “I know.” in reply.

“Come here,” Brian whispered, pulling Justin closer and giving him a gentle kiss. “We're going to be fine.”

“I know,” Justin repeated. “I am just overthinking things. I always do...Don't mind me.”

Brian ran a hand over Justin's arm and watched the younger man in his black suit. “You look beautiful, you know?”

And Justin did. He was a vision in black. Which went perfectly with his light complexion, his blond hair and blue eyes. He looked amazing and Brian once again felt lucky to have Justin by his side as his partner.

“You're not too shabby yourself,” Justin returned the compliment. And it was true. Brian had gotten a new Armani suit the day before, insisting that there was no reason not to go shopping when he was in New York and it fit him like a glove, highlighting his best features.

“We'll dazzle them all with our good looks, we'll be the highlight of the opening,” Brian joked, glad when it had the desired effect and Justin actually laughed in response.

“I have no doubt,” the younger man just said as the car pulled up outside the gallery.

***

The show had been a success and Justin's paintings had sold out in minutes after it had opened, but no one had really cared about that.

In hindsight it made Brian sad that there had been so little focus on the artwork and everything everyone had talked about had been his appearance at Justin's side. It wasn't like they had expected anything else, but Brian had only realized after the show was over and when the first reviews and articles came in how much it bothered him on Justin's behalf. Justin had put so much heart and blood into these paintings, so much hard work and all everyone had talked about had been Justin's appearance with a date.

The first day had been pretty eventful. Pictures of them both walking the red carpet hand in hand and images of them from the show, showing them in conversation, laughing and smiling were plastered on every internet website in the world.

At first the headlines had been about Prince Justinus and his mysterious partner by his side before the media had been able to identify Brian and the reports had started to name “prominent, gay businessman Brian Kinney from Pittsburgh” as the prince's companion.

It had only taken until the end of that first day before first reports about Brian's questionable past, in this case his time as the stud of Liberty Avenue appeared and even though neither Justin nor Brian were really surprised by those articles, they were still surprised by the intensity with which the media tried hounding them for more images and information.

The phone in Justin's New York apartment was ringing non-stop with media inquiries and in the end they left it off the hook.

Brian was glad when they were ready to leave New York the next day and were about to return to Pittsburgh. At least at Britin they would have their privacy behind its closed gate and walls.

Pictures were taken of them as they headed to the airport and were immediately published all over the internet.

Prince Justinus and his partner were the only topic anyone seemed to care about.

Things got a bit better once they arrived in Pittsburgh, mostly because Pittsburgh didn't have such an active community of paparazzi as New York had, but once Brian checked in with Ted and Cynthia, he wasn't surprised to hear that Kinnetik was drowning in media inquiries and requests for a statement.

They had also had a couple of calls and emails from business clients who were worried about the kind of impact this news coverage of Brian and Kinnetik might have on their accounts and in the end Brian decided to head to Kinnetik. He was needed at his company and Justin more than understood.

While Justin headed home to Britin, Brian headed to Kinnetik.

Some reporters waited outside its doors and immediately started firing questions his way, mostly of a very personal and sexual nature, not at all related to his business and Brian ignored them all as he headed inside.

Inside phones were ringing non-stop and his employees looked more than stressed.

“It's been a madhouse all day,” Ted said when Brian had summoned him to his office.

Cynthia joined them a minute later and together they came up with a statement that Kinnetik would release officially on their website, hoping that it would at least end some of the media inquiries.

Once they had debated the wording and approved it, Brian called Justin to get his approval as well. After all it would be a statement about their relationship, so he wanted Justin to be onboard as well.

Shortly before end of business that day, they uploaded the statement to their website, a short message saying that yes, Brian was in a relationship with Prince Justinus and had been for a while, yes, they lived together and were trying to build a life together and no, they would not comment any further and would not comment on any of the media coverage out there that was concerned with Brian's private life and his past.

They made it clear that there would be no further comment from either Kinnetik, Brian or Justin and hoped that after the weekend was over things would quiet down a bit and the company could return to focusing on their work.

Brian called a couple of their biggest clients, trying to personally calm them down and comment on the current media coverage and thankfully most of them seemed pretty understanding once Brian assured them that this would have no effect whatsoever on their accounts.

He then headed home and hoped for a quiet weekend.

By Sunday the media had found his mother and sister and both had seemed only too happy to give exclusive interviews about the kind of arrogant bastard that Brian was. They loved telling the world how he was most likely a millionaire but couldn't be bothered to support them while they were struggling financially.

Neither Brian nor Justin had really been surprised by this turn of events, but Justin knew how much it hurt Brian anyway.

In light of the media still hounding the gate outside Britin, Brian and Justin decided not to attend Sunday dinner at Debbie's house.

They knew that the journalists would only follow them in their car and would then start hounding Debbie and their friends and family as well.

Debbie was sad but understood and promised to send some food home their way. She also made them promise that she would see them for next week's dinner and that they wouldn't let the press win.

Monday morning Brian decided to head into the office as normal and he was glad to notice that there were only a handful of journalists left at the gate when he left Britin. That was only half of the number that had been gathered there on Friday and Saturday.

At the office Ted informed Brian that things slowly – very slowly – seemed to quiet down a bit but that they were still receiving interview requests, especially in light of what Brian's sister and mother had said to the press.

Kinnetik once again repeated their earlier stance that there would be no further statements and they would not comment on any of the news coverage in the media right now.

Brian even got some work done that day.

When he returned home that evening, he was glad to hear that Emmett had been over to visit Justin and had spent some time with him.

Emmett had been able to cheer up Justin and Justin seemed a lot less stressed than he had earlier that morning when Brian had left. Brian made a note to thank the big queen in person the next time he saw him.

The next day, Brian was surprised when Daphne showed up at Kinnetik unannounced. Cynthia sent her to Brian's office and Brian couldn't hide his surprise when he saw her.

“Is everything okay at the house?”

Daphne nodded as she sat down across from Brian's desk. “Yeah, things are pretty quiet there. Justin is spending some time with Lizzie and when I left there were only 2 reporters outside the gate.”

“What are you doing here? Not that I am not happy to see you, but I thought you would be hiding away at the house,” Brian said next, watching the young woman who had also become a good friend to him in recent months. The more he had gotten to know Daphne, the more he had realized how smart she was and most importantly what a good friend she was to Justin and how important she was to him.

“I think we should go out to lunch,” Daphne said as if that would explain everything.

“Uhm okay... I am sure I can get Cynthia to order something for us. What do you like?”

“No, I mean... I think we should go out to lunch in a place where we will be seen. You and I,” she explained, looking at Brian intently.

“I thought we had agreed to lie low,” Brian said, confusion showing on his face. Lying low had been their battle plan. They had all agreed before he and Justin had left for New York. If they just lay low and didn't comment, the media would soon enough lose interest in a European prince from a country that half the Americans had never heard of anyway.

“And we will. We're not going to say anything, we're not going to release any statements or comment on anything. We'll just go out for lunch.”

“Why?”

“I think it's important for us to be seen together. For people to see that there is no animosity between you and I. I am officially still Justin's wife, you are his current partner. If the media sees us out together getting on well, it will shift media coverage to our advantage, I am sure.”

Brian pondered Daphne's words and knew that she had a point. There had been much speculation about the state of affairs between Justin and Daphne, what with their divorce proceedings and everything and no one had seen Daphne in as long as they hadn't seen Justin and now suddenly Justin appeared with a new partner by his side, of course the media was asking how Daphne as his former wife would feel about that. A straight wife that now had to find out that her husband was gay and had a gay lover.

“Justin won't like it,” Brian pointed out, knowing that it was true. Justin wanted to ignore the media as much as was possible and he wouldn't like Daphne and Brian going out and actually posing for pictures.

Daphne sighed and nodded. “I know, but I think right now this is what's needed. They make you look like the evil monster that came in and destroyed our marriage. They need to see that it's not like that. If they see that we get on well, they will have to stop writing stories that way. It won't sell, not if the images tell a completely different story. Justin doesn't have to know that it was all planned. As far as he's concerned, I was at a meeting with the dean of admissions today and now I am checking in with you to see how you're doing and we decided to have lunch together as two friends sometimes do when they meet.”

“I will not lie to him,” Brian said, making it clear that was not an option.

“Fine, we can tell him it was all an elaborate plan then. As long as we don't get Lizzie involved, there's not much Justin can complain about, right? I really think it will help in the long run, don't you?” She looked up at Brian and met his gaze.

Brian thought some more about the plan and knew that Daphne was right. It would help them in the long run. It would completely destroy a whole avenue of incorrect media reports in one go. Something that would make their lives easier in the long run and maybe even in the short one.

In the end Brian nodded. “Okay, let's go out for lunch then.”

Brian informed Ted and Cynthia that he would be out for lunch and left with Daphne. They made sure to use the front entrance of Kinnetik and to be seen together as they got into Brian's car.

They then headed to Papagano's and had made sure to drive slowly enough for the reporters to get into their own cars and follow them.

Once they parked and got out at their destination, they were happy to see some of the reporters coming their way and taking images and they were both smiling as they entered the restaurant.

The food was good, conversation flowed easily and after an hour, Brian and Daphne left. The reporters were still waiting for them and took more pictures of them heading to Brian's car and Brian being a gentleman and opening the door for Daphne and helping her inside.

They then headed back to Kinnetik where they were once again photographed as they hugged and kissed goodbye before Daphne headed to her own car and headed home to Britin.

Before Brian left the office at the end of the day, the images of his lunch with Princess Daphne had already been all over the internet. And as neither of them looked angry, quite on the contrary, they both looked relaxed and happy, both smiling as they went about their day, the media had to ask if maybe Princess Daphne and Prince Justinus' new partner weren't as at odds as had been reported previously.

When Brian arrived home, he wasn't really surprised to find Daphne and Justin in a heated discussion.

“Don't even try to defend yourself,” Justin said angrily as he glared at Brian when he came into the kitchen.

“Defend myself for what?” Brian asked, though he knew very well what Justin and Daphne were talking about.

“You and Daphne going out for lunch,” Justin said as if Brian was stupid. “Why would you do that?”

“Well, you know, Sunshine, people have to eat. They need to take in food to supply their bodies with energy and vitamins and all that kind of stuff. And today I did it in the lovely company of Daphne.”

Justin rolled his eyes in annoyance. “Don't try to be smart, Brian.”

“Then what do you want me to say?”

“I thought we agreed to lay low,” Justin said, now sounding confused more than anything.

“It was just a lunch, Jus. No harm done,” Daphne tried to convince Justin that it was no big deal.

“Daphne is right. We thought it might be a good idea to steer some of the conversation away from the land of myths it has recently moved to and we thought it might help in the long run.”

“Help, how?” Justin asked, shaking his head. “You gave them exactly what they wanted.”

“No, we gave them the truth which is not what they want. These images will make it impossible for them to write any shit about any kind of animosity between Brian and me. Between you and me. What better proof is there that things are okay and not as they have been writing for days?” Daphne asked, looking at Justin.

“You gave them the little finger with these images and now they'll come back wanting the whole hand,” Justin said, sounding utterly exhausted and as if he had already made the same point over and over.

“Daphne is right, Sunshine,” Brian said quietly, walking over and resting a hand on Justin's shoulder. He could feel the tension in the younger man. “We just had lunch together and that way shut down a whole avenue of incorrect reporting about our private lives.”

“You played into their hands by giving them more images. How are they ever going to leave us alone if you two go out and stage these pictures?” Justin said accusingly as he looked from Brian to Daphne and back.

“Jus, I think in the end it will do more good than harm,” Daphne said seriously. “It's a give and take and we just gave them something very innocent that will help us in a big way. We didn't invite them into our house or anything. We just went out for one lunch together.”

“You should have told me about your plan before you put it into motion,” Justin said accusingly. “I hate it when you two gang up on me like that.” With that he turned around and left the kitchen, leaving Brian and Daphne on their own.

“I am sorry, Brian. I tried to explain it to him, but he won't see our point,” Daphne said sadly.

Brian just nodded at her. “Don't worry. I'll speak to him.” And then Brian left the kitchen as well and followed his sunshine.

He found him in his studio, looking at a blank canvas.

“Sunshine...,” he started, slowly walking over and wrapping his arms around the younger man.

“I mean it, I hate it when you two gang up on me like that,” Justin repeated, not leaning into Brian's embrace.

“I know, I am sorry,” Brian said sincerely, turning the younger man around and looking at him. “We didn't mean to hurt you. We both thought it was the right thing to do. A small thing to do to get some room to breathe...”

“Brian, they will only come back for more,” Justin said once more, looking at the older man imploringly. “Now they know that you're willing to play their sick game.”

Brian sighed, running a hand through Justin's hair. “I spoke to Drew earlier, asked him for his advice.”

That seemed to surprise Justin and his eyes widened slightly in response.

“He agreed with Daphne. Dealing with the media, dealing with paparazzi... it's a give and take. If we start playing their game, we can play it to our advantage.”

“How can it be to our advantage if we have paparazzi following us wherever we go?” Justin asked incredulously.

“They would follow us anyway, let's be honest about that. I know you hate the truth of the statement, but they will,” Brian said seriously.

“They never did in New York. We were able to live a very quiet life. No one cared about the prince of a small European country. No one even knew me.”

“I know, but that was... before... now everyone knows you and they'll always know you because you're the first gay royal in the world,” Brian explained calmly.

“I didn't ask for any of that. I just want our life to go back to what it was,” Justin muttered hanging his head.

“I know, but... let's be real here. It won't. At least not for a while. So the better we learn to play their game to our advantage, the easier things will be.”

“I don't see how.”

“Things like today... the images today didn't hurt anyone. But they will have a big effect and will help us in the long run. People will now know that Daphne and I get on well, that there is no animosity between her and me, between you and her and will move on from all those stories about custody fights and god knows what... And having them take those images today, it wasn't exactly an invasion of our privacy either. We gave them what they wanted and no one got hurt,” Brian continued to explain.

“And now they will want more,” Justin repeated.

“And we can decide what we are willing to give them. We can decide what parts of our life we are willing to show and share. And as long as we share some parts, even if it's just at public events like your show or whatever... it will make them back off at other times because they'll know that we're out there and available. If we would hide away, every time we leave here, they'll come and hound us because you as the gay royal from Europe will still be a novelty. But if we give them some appearances every once in a while, if we give them something... people will get used to seeing you that way and in a while it won't be big news anymore. If you don't believe me, speak to Drew. I know you hate being the first gay royal that's openly out, but... he was the first gay football player to come out and even though it's not the same, he knows what we're going through, Sunshine. And look at him and Emmett now. They can live their lives the way they want to because everybody is used to him being the gay football player with the gay boyfriend by his side. Isn't it worth giving this a shot, just to see if it might work out for us as well the way it did for them?”

Justin hung his head and leaned his forehead against Brian's chin. “I hate when you make so much sense,” he mumbled.

“It's one of the reasons why you love me,” Brian teased, making Justin look at him. “My incomparable intelligence.”

“Incomparable, huh?”

“Admit it, you love when I am right,” Brian smirked, happy when a small smile broke out on Justin's face.

“I hate it, but I love you, so I guess I'll have to find a way to cope.”

Brian leaned in and softly kissed Justin. “Are you really pissed because we went to lunch together?”

Justin shrugged. “I guess I just would have liked to be included in your little scheming.”

“I am sorry, Sunshine. Daphne and I didn't mean any harm by it. It was just an idea she had, it sounded sensible and we wanted to see if it worked out. She's pretty smart,” Brian ended, clearly impressed by Justin's friend.

“My SAT score was still higher than hers,” Justin immediately gave back making Brian laugh out loud.

“Okay, thanks for that information.”

“Just saying,” Justin smirked, before he leaned into Brian's embrace again. “I know I overreacted. I just... I hate this... I never wanted this to be my life.”

“I know, Sunshine. And believe me, I wish I could change things, but for now, we can just try to make the best of it, okay?”

Justin nodded, knowing that Brian was right. And really, it wasn't Brian's fault or Daphne's fault they were even in this situation. It was because of him and who he was, so really, he was the last person who had any right to complain. Brian didn't and his life had been turned upside down in recent days, Daphne didn't and her life had been turned upside down in the last six months as well, but they never complained. They just stuck by his side and tried to think of ways to make things easier for him. Maybe it was time he did the same. Maybe it was time he stopped moping and actually started doing something. Maybe Brian was right. Maybe Daphne and Drew were right. Maybe they could find a way to make the best of their situation without the media becoming too big a part of their lives.

Chapter 24

Over the next week things calmed down even more and Brian had finally been able to get some real work done at Kinnetik.

The next Sunday they also returned to Debbie's for their usual family dinner and it was really nice to see everyone again.

Hopefully they would finally be able to return to a semblance of a normal life.

During dinner it had been hard to miss that there was definitely some tension between Melanie and Lindsay. It was obvious that there had been a fight or disagreement but both women tried to act as if everything was alright.

Since Gus didn't mention anything, Brian assumed that it was just a normal tiff between partners in a relationship and didn't give it much more thought.

That was until Melanie showed up at Kinnetik the next day, demanding to see him.

As she usually tried to stay out of his way on the best of days, Brian assumed that this was really serious and agreed to meet with her.

“I didn't expect to see you again so soon,” Brian said as he sat down in his chair behind his desk.

“Shut it, Kinney. We need to talk.”

“Charming as always,” Brian muttered as he rolled his eyes. “What about?”

“Lindsay's parents.”

“What about them?” Brian frowned. He hadn't heard anything about the Petersons in years so was quite surprised to hear that whatever Melanie needed to speak to him about concerned them.

“They want to see Gus.”

“I am surprised they even remember that he exists,” Brian said and meant it. The Petersons had never cared much about Lindsay's relationship with Melanie or about Gus. Ever since Lindsay had moved out of her parents' house with Gus all those years ago after the Auerbach affair and their attempt to set Lindsay up with one of their country club friends' son, he didn't think he had heard anything about them still being in contact at all.

“Of course they do... now that your name has been plastered all over the news. How could they not remember that you are actually his father?”

Brian frowned. “You think this is about me?”

“Why else would they contact Linds now and would want to see Gus now? They haven't cared in at least seven years. Why now if not because of you and your connection to Justin?”

Brian had to admit that she had a point even though he didn't like it. “You think they would stoop that low?”

Melanie shrugged. “I am sure they're trying to score points with their country club friends and what better to help than a connection to an actual royal?”

“Only that there is no connection. They haven't been in touch with Lindsay or Gus in years,” Brian pointed out.

“Well, they are now and they want to meet Lindsay and Gus.”

“And what does this have to do with me?” Brian asked, understanding why the Petersons might want to become a part of Gus' life all of a sudden but not understanding why Melanie was coming to him.

“Lindsay doesn't want to see what they're doing... she believes her parents wouldn't just use Gus like that and that they are really interested in building a relationship with her and Gus.”

And now he knew what the tension at dinner had been about the night before. Melanie had probably told Lindsay the same she had told him only that Lindsay had disagreed and had gotten offended. Though Brian didn't really know why. Her parents were homophobes, conservative and had never accepted Lindsay's lifestyle. Why that should change all of a sudden, especially at a time when Gus suddenly was connected to a royal, didn't make sense to him. It was more than obvious to him what the Petersons were trying to do and he wondered if Lindsay really couldn't see it or didn't want to see it.

“And now you need me on your side to convince her?” Brian guessed.

“I need you to stop her from going ahead with that dinner. You are Gus' father. Tell her you don't want him to meet her parents,” Melanie said.

“I am not sure I can. I mean, they are Lindsay's parents and Gus' grandparents,” Brian pointed out.

“And you don't care that they just want to use Gus to get a better standing in their country club crowd?” Melanie's temper was rising and Brian could see it.

“Of course, I do. I just don't think there is anything I can do to stop her,” Brian muttered, then looked at Melanie. “Look, I will talk to her, okay? See if I can make her see sense.”

“Thanks, that's all I am asking,” Melanie nodded. “I just don't want Gus to be used like that.”

“And neither do I,” Brian agreed.

They talked a couple more minutes and then Melanie left as she had a meeting with a client at her law firm.

Brian ran a hand through his hair and sighed. He wondered if his life would ever calm down again.

***

“Linds, I know you want to believe that they're really interested in you and Gus, but aren't you the least bit suspicious about their timing?” Brian asked again, looking at his friend from pleading eyes.

“You and Melanie need to calm down. Not everything is about you... or Justin,” she added as an afterthought. “This is about my parents wanting to meet with me and my son.”

“And why didn't they want to meet before? Why don't they want to meet JR, but just Gus?”

“Brian,” Lindsay sighed. “This is a start. I can't expect them to immediately accept JR and Melanie as well. They know that Gus is my biological child. It's a start.”

“Lindsay, your parents are not interested in you or Gus! They just want to boost their standing with the country club crowd and you know it. I won't allow them to use our son like that,” Brian said, his voice deathly calm.

“Brian, you have no right to stop me from taking my son to meet my parents,” Lindsay said equally calm. “You took him to meet Justin without my or Melanie's consent. So don't come here now and act like this when you introduced Gus to people without letting us know before either.”

Brian's eyes widened. “Are you for real? Justin is my partner. Of course Gus would meet him. That's hardly the same.”

“And they are my parents, Gus' grandparents. So I definitely won't need your permission to take Gus to see them.”

“You really don't wonder why they are reaching out now? After all this time?”

“I am just glad they are finally ready to become a part of Gus' life,” Lindsay said and Brian felt like slapping or throttling her.

“Lindsay, they never accepted your life. They never even acknowledged Gus as their grandson. Don't let them lull you in with their lies. They are reaching out now because they heard about my relationship with Justin and now think that they can boost their standing in their country club crowd by announcing to be the grandparents of a prince's stepson.”

“Gus is hardly Justin's stepson,” Lindsay said next, running a hand through her hair. “By the way, does Justin think he's very secretive when he attends his own art shows like that?”

“What?” Brian was slightly taken aback by Lindsay's change of topic.

“Oh please, I know that he's Justin Taylor. We all know that you went to New York to attend his next show and then you appear at the opening for Justin Taylor's New York show, the most secretive artist in years, an artist who nobody has ever seen and knows what he looks like.”

“What does that have to do with anything?” Brian asked, shaking his head in bewilderment.

“I've asked him before and he always gave me evasive answers when it comes to his art, but since you told everyone that you would be attending his show, it's really quite obvious, isn't it? I have to say, it's interesting that he's not ashamed to use his own royal status to boost the sales at his shows,” Lindsay simpered.

“Justin's art has nothing to do with what we're talking about here, Linds. His art is his business and his alone. Not yours, not mine, not anyone else's,” Brian said calmly, too calmly.

“Hmm, I have a feeling the art world would feel quite differently. Everyone has been dying to find out more about Justin Taylor.”

“What are you saying, Lindsay? Are you threatening Justin?” Brian's voice was still deathly calm, but his eyes glared at her.

“Oh Brian, please. Don't be ridiculous. I wouldn't.”

“Then why bring it up?” Brian asked her, still glaring at her.

“I was just trying to make small talk,” Lindsay said innocently but Brian knew that she wasn't. This had been an indirect threat to expose Justin Taylor's real identity and Brian had understood it as such.

“Gus will not meet your parents. That's my last word,” Brian only replied, then turned around and left.

***

“Brian, calm down,” Justin said, running his hand over Brian's arm as he got more and more agitated.

“Are you not worried?” Brian asked, looking at Justin.

“She's right, we are the ones that told everyone that we would be heading to my show. This was bound to get out,” he just shrugged. “I mean it's not really rocket science to figure out.”

“I don't trust her with that information,” Brian said imploringly, wanting Justin to understand why what Lindsay had said bothered him so much.

“Neither do I, but there's not much we can do about it now,” Justin sighed. “If it comes out, it does. We'll deal with it. We've dealt with worse and the world finding out that I have exhibited artwork under an alias will be less of a scandal than other things they found out about me this year,” Justin said reasonably.

“How can you be so calm about this?” Brian asked in slight amazement.

“I am honestly more concerned about Gus,” Justin admitted, looking at Brian from worried eyes. “I agree with you and Melanie. Something is off here. Why would they reach out now after all this time when they haven't cared about him or her in years? This can't be a coincidence.”

“It's not,” Brian grumbled. “They want to use Gus to show that they have a connection to you. They want to use that to boost their cred with the country club crowd.”

“I doubt that being connected to me would improve anyone's standing in a country club. It's not like I am particularly well respected right now, Brian.”

Brian looked at Justin and ran a hand through his blond locks. “You're still a royal though. You're still a prince.”

“Not as far as my family is concerned,” Justin pointed out, looking at Brian sadly.

“But you still have the title,” Brian argued. “And that's all that matters to these people.”

“I don't know,” Justin mused. “I have publicly been kicked out of my family. Not much good knowing me will do them.”

“But you're still a prince and right now you're one of the most famous people in Pittsburgh. Why else would they reach out now?”

Justin stayed quiet for a few minutes. When he spoke again his voice was quiet. “I know, the timing looks really suspicious, but what if we're doing them wrong and they really want to build a relationship with Gus?”

“Sunshine, you don't know them. They are conservative as fuck, fucking homophobes that have always looked down on Lindsay's and Melanie's relationship. They paid for three weddings for Lindsay's sister, but couldn't be arsed to even show up to Lindsay's wedding, saying it wasn't a real wedding as they were lesbian.”

“Do you think they might have changed?” Justin asked.

“I doubt it. And why now? Days after my name was all over the news. This is not a coincidence, Sunshine. I just wish we could prove it to Lindsay, so she would see once and for all what assholes her parents are,” Brian muttered darkly.

“Maybe we can,” Justin said after silence had settled between them and he had been deep in thought for several minutes. “I think I have an idea.”

***

“Lindsay, honey, you look beautiful. Brian, good to see you again,” Mrs Peterson simpered as she watched Brian and Lindsay sit down at their table.

Brian had spoken to Lindsay again and had insisted that he wanted to meet her parents first before he would agree to let Gus see them.

He and Justin had told Melanie about their plan and she had been all for it, so had supported Brian when he had insisted on this meeting.

Knowing that Brian also had parental rights and that Melanie was also Gus' mother, Lindsay finally gave in and agreed to this lunch, if only to get Melanie and Brian off her back. She still thought that both of them were ridiculous to doubt her parents like that and she would just enjoy hearing their apologies once they would have to admit that they had been wrong and her parents had really been interested in getting to know Gus.

“Mommy, Daddy! It's so good to see you again,” Lindsay said happily, smiling at her parents.

“Mrs Peterson, Mr Peterson,” Brian nodded at each of them before he sat down as well.

Mr Peterson nodded in return, then spoke once everyone was seated. “Why so formal? Call us Ron and Nancy, please.”

“Sure, Ron. Nancy,” Brian nodded again at each of them and wanted to strangle them when he saw their fake smiles. “It's so nice of you to agree to this lunch. I have to admit that I was quite surprised when Lindsay told me that you wanted to meet Gus.”

“Brian,” Lindsay hissed at him, throwing him an angry glare.

“Oh Lindsay, please,” Nancy said, still smiling that fake smile of hers. “You can't blame Brian for being honest.”

“It's just that the timing seems a tad bit suspicious,” Brian shrugged, giving her the same fake smile she had been giving him for a few minutes now.

“Suspicious? I am not sure I understand,” Ron now said, looking at Brian intently.

“Well, you haven't really cared about Gus in years, haven't reached out or anything. At least I can't remember Gus ever mentioning Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Ron to me. When's the last time you saw him?”

Nancy looked a bit uncomfortable, but was still smiling when she replied. “Well, to be honest, you're right. It's been a while. Too long, for sure. We're trying to make up for that now.”

“Brian, please. Stop right now,” Lindsay said, obviously quite angry.

“Well, call me naive, but it just seems like too big a coincidence that you suddenly want to be a part of Gus' life now that you know who he is connected to.”

Brian was glad when he saw a glint of acknowledgment in Ron's eyes which was quickly gone again and hidden behind a polite smile.

“I am not sure I can follow,” Ron said innocently.

“Brian,” Lindsay now hissed again. “Not everything has to do with you and Justin.”

“Oh, but Lindsay, this has. Wouldn't you agree? Ron? Nancy?”

“Who is Justin?” Nancy asked, pretending to be confused but she wasn't nearly as good an actress as she thought herself to be and Brian knew that she knew exactly what and who he was talking about.

He still smiled sweetly at the Petersons as he pulled an envelope from his suit pocket and opened it. He pulled out some papers and studied them intently.

“Really? You don't know? I am surprised. Just last week you told the Hobbs that your grandson would now have access to the most elite private schools in the country because of his connection to my partner. Prince Justinus,” Brian added as an afterthought. “Though you seemed to know him quite well last week when you had lunch with the Hobbs at the country club. After all you were so sure that he would ensure that Gus would get into whatever school we wanted.”

Lindsay's eyes widened and she looked at Brian as if he was joking. “Brian?”

Brian chose to ignore her and kept his gaze fixed on the Petersons as he moved on to the next page. “Or what about the McCluskies? When you told them that the prince was a really good influence on your grandson and would give him access to royal families all over Europe.”

Lindsay looked from her parents to Brian and back. Ron and Nancy were now squirming in their seats.

“Or when you spoke to the Richters and told them that you couldn't wait to be invited to the palace and to meet the queen,” Brian went on, reading from another page. He then put the papers down and turned to the Petersons. “You know what's funny? Neither my partner nor I can remember speaking about schools for Gus. And even less planning a visit to his family in Europe. And you know what my partner told me as well? That he is very sure that he has never even met you and has definitely never discussed our private life with you of all people.”

“Brian,” Nancy started, looking at him intently. “I am not sure where you think those statements are coming from, but I can assure you that Ron and I would never...”

Brian interrupted her at that point. He picked up the papers and waved them around. “These are signed affidavits and at this moment our lawyer is considering whether or not to use them in a lawsuit against you.”

“A lawsuit?” Ron raised an eyebrow and eyed Brian as if he was crazy. “Don't be ridiculous.”

“Ron, we have several more signed affidavits. It seems like you really loved speaking about my partner and Gus' connection to him to your country club friends. Certain claims that have been made by you about my partner are blatant lies and we will not accept you spreading lies about him,” Brian said calmly.

“I don't know who you think you spoke to, but those people are lying,” Ron replied, looking at the papers in disdain.

“You know, Ron? You don't have to worry that your friends ratted you out. They haven't... But it was hard for other people not to overhear what you had to say.” Brian pushed back his chair and stood up. “I think we can all agree that you only meant to use Gus and aren't really interested in him at all. If you ever try to use him in this way again, the lawsuit will be filed and we will be certain to let the media know that you have never even met my partner and never ever will. Try explaining that to your friends at the country club. I think we can all agree that you will never meet Gus. Don't even think about it!”

With that Brian turned around and left a stunned Lindsay and equally stunned Petersons.

“Mommy? Daddy? Is what he said true?” Lindsay asked after she had been able to calm herself down enough. “You only wanted to show off because Gus is connected to Justin?”

“Lindsay,” Mrs Peterson said, her smile now gone. “Don't act so surprised. Due to your newfound connection to Prince Justinus, everything has changed.”

“Just think what a connection to a European royal family could mean for our business,” Ron added, not seeing how his daughter was getting angrier with every word they said.

“I hate you! Both of you! Mel and Brian tried to warn me about your sudden interest in Gus but I told them they were being ridiculous...How could you?”

Nancy eyed her daughter coldly. “How could we? Do you know what this could do to our family's standing at the country club?”

“That's all you care about? Your fucking country club?”

“Language, Lindsay,” her father admonished. “There's no need for language like that.”

“Don't ever contact me again! If I ever hear from you again, I will personally tell all your friends that you're dirty liars.”

With that Lindsay got up as well and followed Brian out of the restaurant. She had never in her life felt that humiliated before. As she headed towards the door, tears ran down her face. Tears of shame and embarrassment. Embarrassment that she had fallen for her parents' crap once again.

***

“Your plan worked, Sunshine,” Brian said, a huge smile on his face.

“Of course it did. You're not the only smart one in this relationship,” Justin chuckled, happy that everything had worked out as they had planned.

It had been his idea to start looking at the Petersons' conversations at the country club and it had been his idea not to try with their friends but with the waiting staff at the club. If they were really like Melanie and Brian said they were, there was no way they wouldn't have shown off with their new connection to Justin at the country club and while their friends might have stayed quiet and not sold them out, the staff surely would.

Justin knew from experience that most rich people hardly paid attention to the waiting staff around them and had noticed more than once how haughtily some rich people treated staff. He also knew that waiting staff heard a lot more of what was going on in other peoples' lives than they let on and once you offered them enough money, they quickly forgot their allegiance to people that most likely treated them like shit anyway and would talk.

And they had.

It had taken Melanie two days to find two waiters who had been willing to talk for a small payment and while they hadn't exactly signed affidavits, they sure as hell had talked and had told Melanie what they had heard the Petersons say.

Brian had exaggerated a bit about the affidavits and the lawsuit, but it had gotten him to where they needed to get: For Lindsay to see her parents for who they really were. For her to see that they hadn't miraculously changed and weren't interested in her all of a sudden.

He knew that Lindsay would be hurt, but he believed that in the end it would be better for her to realize the truth now than to only find out after rebuilding a relationship with her parents.

“She's coming out now. I'll call you back later, okay?”

“Okay,” Justin agreed, now sounding sad. “Don't be too angry with her. She just wanted to believe that her parents had changed.”

“I know,” Brian sighed, then muttered a quiet 'later' before he hung up.

He watched as Melanie got out of the car and made her way over to Lindsay, taking her in a hug and holding her wife close.

Justin had insisted that Melanie should be there to comfort Lindsay once she knew the truth and Brian had agreed. He was bad at comforting someone on the best of days and really, he wasn't sure if Lindsay would want to be comforted by him of all people after he had exposed her parents like that.

Melanie had waited in Brian's car, had waited for him to come out and now that Lindsay had come out as well, it was for her to comfort her wife, who Brian could see was crying and hanging on to Melanie as if she was a lifeline.

Chapter 25

Brian had stayed a few more minutes until he was sure that Melanie had everything under control. He had then left the two women on their own, allowing them to work through this mess on their own.

As it was his weekend with Gus anyway, he went to Gus' school and picked up his son, then headed home to Britin.

When they showed up for Sunday dinner at Debbie's two days later, Brian wasn't really surprised to see that Lindsay wasn't there. Melanie had excused her by saying that she was suffering from a migraine, but had later told Brian that Lindsay had felt too embarrassed to face him and Justin.

Brian had sighed and knew that he needed to talk to Lindsay to fix things with her. She was his friend and she was Gus' mother. He didn't want her to avoid him and Justin for the rest of her days.

Yes, he thought that she had been stupid to fall for her parents' crap, but he couldn't really blame her. She was just another member of the LGBTQI+ community that was looking for her parents' love and acceptance. She wasn't the only one and she wouldn't be the last one to hope and believe that her parents had finally accepted her.

Before Brian managed to find some time to talk to her though, Justin had found the time. Not that Brian had known.

Justin had decided to talk to Lindsay, knowing that a talk was needed and that sometimes Brian could come off as rather unsympathetic to someone's feelings. Not because he was, but just because he didn't really care much about feelings and emotions and could act at times as though people who succumbed to them were weak. He thought he was stronger than that and usually just went about ignoring his feelings and emotions which Justin knew was mostly an act anyway. At the end of the day Brian was just like any other human being and had feelings as well.

Justin felt like he needed to explain his part in all that had happened and needed to make sure that Lindsay knew that he didn't think any less of her because of this.

He was walking around the Sydney Bloom Gallery and took in the impressive artwork on the walls. He studied several paintings and was so engrossed in a big canvas by a young expressionist that he didn't notice Lindsay making her way over.

“Justin? Is that you?”

He turned around and smiled at her. “Hi, Lindsay.”

“What are you doing here?” Lindsay asked and her voice was maybe a bit more hostile than it should have been.

“Both Brian and Gus have told me so much about this gallery and I have heard so many good things about the Bloom Gallery that I wanted to come by and see for myself,” he shrugged.

Lindsay looked at him and it was clear that she didn't believe what he had just said. “I am sure...”

“No, really. I've wanted to come here for a long time but the last few weeks have been really hectic. First getting everything ready for the show, then what happened afterwards... it just didn't feel like a good time,” he said with a small shrug.

Lindsay just nodded then turned to the painting. “You like this? It's from an up and coming new artist that Sydney discovered last year. He has an amazing eye for colors.”

“It's impressive,” Justin nodded. He had been looking at it for several minutes already and still felt like he noticed something new every time he turned back to it. “I wish I could make the colors pop like that.”

Lindsay's eyes widened and she turned to Justin. “You're kidding, right? Your art is some of the most impressive art on the market in recent years. And it's amazing how you cover both impressionism and expressionism.”

Justin smiled shyly at the compliment. “That's kind of you to say... but I know where my limitations are as an artist.”

“I saw your latest pieces and read the reviews for your show. Those were breathtaking,” Lindsay said, honestly impressed.

Justin chuckled. “I am surprised you found a proper review what with all that gossip that was published after the show.”

“Art Forum isn't too big on gossip,” she just shrugged. “They did a nice story covering the show.”

Justin nodded, having been sent that review by his agent. “I think Simon Caswell just likes my ass to be honest.”

Lindsay's eyes widened. “Oh, does he know that... you know... that you're Justin Taylor?”

Justin shook his head. “No, he doesn't. Only a handful of people know, but he likes me attending those shows and he likes to oggle my ass. Especially at this show. Not sure if he thinks he will have a chance with me now, seeing how I am gay.” The younger man shrugged. “I think some of his reviews have been more favorable though than they should have objectively been because he thinks I might be the artist's muse.”

“He certainly has a reputation,” Lindsay said, turning back to the painting. She took a deep breath, then turned back to Justin. “Justin, I... I need to apologize to you.”

Justin frowned as he met her gaze. “What for?”

“Last week... I was really angry with Brian and I think I might have said some things... about you and your art career that... I probably shouldn't have,” she hung her head after she had finished.

“Yeah, Brian told me,” Justin sighed.

“Oh, he did?” Lindsay frowned, then hung her head even more.

“He was worried what you might do and wanted me to be aware in case... you did something with that information...”

Lindsay nodded slowly, then ran a hand through her hair. “I am not proud to admit it but I was thinking about it for maybe a second... but... I would never do that to you or... anyone.”

“Thanks, Lindsay. I appreciate that honesty,” Justin said sincerely.

She sighed once more. “I was angry at Brian and wanted to lash out and... I knew that lashing out at you would hurt him. I shouldn't have and I wish I could take it back.”

“You really need to apologize to Brian, not me, Lindsay,” Justin said quietly. “You told him and he was the one affected by your words.”

“I know,” Lindsay said slowly, shaking her head as if to clear her thoughts. “I am just so ashamed... so embarrassed. I know that he thinks I am stupid for falling for my parents' bullshit. I know that he thinks I should have seen right away what their plan was...”

Justin turned to Lindsay and looked at her intently. “He doesn't think you're stupid. He knows why you wanted to believe them and he understands. We all do, Lindsay.”

She shook her head once more. “No, I should have seen this. Everyone warned me. Mel, Brian... They both tried to warn me, but I was too stubborn to take a step back and really look at what they were saying.”

“You just wanted your parents to love and accept you. I think all of us can understand that, Lindsay. We've all been there one way or another...,” Justin said sadly.

Lindsay nodded, knowing that he was right. Everyone had read about his family pretty much kicking him out of the family for being gay, she knew about Brian's parents and how his father and mother had reacted once they had found out that he was gay on top of everything else. She knew about their friends, about Emmett's experiences in Mississippi and thanks to her work on the board of the GLC she had heard more than one heartbreaking story about someone being kicked out of their family for being homosexual.

“I just wish...,” she took a deep breath before she went on, “I just wish that you, Mel and Brian wouldn't have needed to go to such extremes. I feel so embarrassed.”

Justin smiled at her, an open and kind smile. “You have nothing to be embarrassed for. You wanted your parents' approval and they turned out to be assholes. I am sorry that you got put into that position because of me. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't have acted like that and wouldn't have lied to you.”

“Oh, I am not blaming you,” Lindsay immediately said. “If it hadn't been you, it might have been someone else or for some other reason. It was long overdue that I closed that door for good and I think... I think I finally have.”

Justin watched Lindsay and saw that she seemed calm and at peace about her decision. Not happy and he knew that there was still hurt and pain, but she seemed genuinely at peace which was good.

“I know you don't particularly like me, Lindsay. And I can't blame you. I have pretty much turned Brian's life upside down and by extension that also goes for Gus. I wish... I wish it hadn't been like that.”

Lindsay sighed once more. “I will admit that I had problems in the beginning accepting that Brian might have started a relationship with you, but... that was not about you. I would have had the same doubts about anyone else... He just never seemed like the type and I think,” Lindsay smiled ruefully, “I had this image of him in my head and when he told us about you and moving in with you, that didn't go with the image I had in my head. But now... after months of seeing you two together, after seeing you two make it through the last few weeks and all the attention that came your way... I can see how happy he is. How much he loves you. How much Gus loves you. You are good for both Brian and Gus, Justin. I am sorry I wasn't able to accept that earlier, but... let's just say I have had a couple of enlightening days.”

Justin nodded, then smiled. “Thanks, Lindsay.”

They talked a couple more minutes before Justin left.

When he told Brian about his meeting with Lindsay, the older man had been surprised, but had also seemed relieved.

A couple of days later he went and visited Lindsay at home and talked to her about what had happened with her parents. By the time the next Sunday dinner came around at Debbie's, Lindsay joined the rest of her family again and for the first time Justin and Brian felt like she really accepted them and was open to the idea that there was a them. There were no more snide remarks from her and she started to treat both Justin and Daphne with more respect.

Brian only hoped that this Lindsay would stick around. He liked her a lot better than the bitchy, jealous version of his friend that they had had to deal with before.

***

12 months later

Brian smiled as he saw Justin dancing happily with Emmett. His sunshine was smiling from ear to ear and looked happy and relaxed. He was shaking his hips with Emmett as his dancing partner and really seemed to enjoy himself.

“Hands off, Honeycutt,” Brian yelled over the loud music and he knew that Emmett had heard him but had pretended not to. He had seen the smirk on his face and had also seen the look Justin had given Emmett before they had moved closer together.

He sighed, but knew that it was all in good fun. Justin and Emmett loved dancing together, they were both enthusiastic on the dance floor and could still dance hours after Brian and Drew had lost interest. They were perfect dance partners and Brian knew that Justin enjoyed these nights at Babylon with their friends.

Brian couldn't help but be amazed at how far they had come over the last year. He could still remember how scared Justin had been about public appearances after he had first come out and after they had first made their relationship public, how scared he had been especially about being seen in a gay nightclub, but over the last twelve months much of that had changed. And most of it because Justin had truly become a part of Liberty Avenue. He was part of the community now and the community embraced him fully as one of them.

It had taken time, but the longer Brian and Justin had been together, the more Brian had been able to coax Justin out of his shell and to get him to open up in public.

The first steps had been visits to Kinnetik. Brian could still remember how nervous Cynthia had been the first time Justin had shown up at the office, asking if it was possible to see Brian. Calm, collected, professional Cynthia had been totally out of her comfort zone, but Justin had quickly been able to charm her and by the second time he came to see Brian at the office, she already treated him like a family member that had always been part of Brian's life.

Then there had been the first visits to the diner with the gang. Justin had been nervous about being seen out and about on Liberty Avenue, but Brian had promised him that it would be okay. They would just be going out to a diner for food and the food at that diner was so bad that Justin would love it.

And he had. He had enjoyed the colorful clientele, the quips and banter and also the food. He had complained to Brian about him acting like the food was gross when it was really great food. He loved the burgers and shakes and had that much in common with Gus. His two boys loved going to the diner, so Brian soon started to regret ever having talked Justin into going to begin with. Neither Justin nor Gus would ever understand good food.

The first time Justin had been to the diner, Brian had noticed how conversation had pretty much stopped all around them and how it had become eerily quiet after Justin had shown up, but it had only needed one comment from Debbie and that had been it. Brian would never forget how she had glared at everyone.

“What? You aren't bothered by a bunch of queens putting God knows what into your mouths, but one real prince and your mouths are suddenly glued shut?”

After that, conversation had slowly picked up again and that had been that.

Brian would never forget the sixth or seventh time they had been at the diner. It had been a really busy day and Kiki had called in sick, so Debbie was all alone. When they had come into the diner she had already apologized that it would take her a while to get around to their table, but she promised she would try to come and take their orders as quickly as she could.

They had sat down and had both heard the various complaints from various tables. People asking where their orders were, other people complaining that they hadn't been able to order yet, others complaining that there were still dirty plates and glasses on their tables. It was utter chaos and Brian didn't envy Debbie.

She told them that Danny, the guy filling in for Kiki was stuck in traffic and would probably only get there in about another hour.

And then the most amazing thing had happened. Justin had gotten up, had grabbed an apron from the counter and had started clearing some of the tables, picking up dirty plates and glasses. He had asked Debbie where to take the dirty dishes and she had just looked at him wide-eyed.

“Sunshine... no. You can't.”

He had just smiled at her with his sunshine smile and had said. “You need help, so stop complaining. Where should I take these?”

She had nodded towards the kitchen at the back of the diner and had watched utterly perplexed as Justin had made his way over there and had dropped everything there to be cleaned.

Brian had been just as amazed as Debbie as he had watched Justin come back, clear another table and then pick up a cloth, a bucket with water and some detergent before he had started cleaning the tables.

Justin had helped Debbie until Danny had shown up and had then taken off his apron without another word and had sat down across from Brian again.

“You are amazing, do you know that?” Brian had shaken his head in disbelief that Justin had really done the job of a busboy for the last hour.

“Why? She needed help,” was all Justin had said as if it had been the most normal thing in the world for a prince to get up and help cleaning tables in a diner.

The story had spread like a wildfire on Liberty Avenue, but funnily enough had never made it into the news.

It had been one of those moments that had shown the Avenue that Justin was one of them, a part of their community and not some stuck-up, rich royal.

Brian could also remember the time Justin had heard Lindsay and Ben talk about the GLC fundraiser at family dinner and how he had asked them what the GLC was and what fundraiser they were talking about.

So Ben and Lindsay had told Justin all about the work the GLC was doing, how they were trying to get enough funds to start a pre-school and school for children in LGBTQI+ families that might otherwise be bullied in public schools and still able to remember how he had been bullied at private school, Justin had immediately gotten invested in the idea.

He had offered to donate a painting for the fundraiser and had offered to show up, to raise some media attention if Lindsay and Ben wanted him to.

And that was how Justin had become involved with the GLC. He had donated some artwork under his Justin Taylor alias, had given some interviews to local media to raise awareness for the fundraiser and due to his work with the GLC – something that still made Brian shudder, thinking about all the other desperate fags at the GLC – Justin had also become more involved in LGBTQI+ issues and campaigning in general.

He had soon started raising public awareness against certain Props on the Pennsylvania ballots and had helped Ben and Melanie in their campaigning for or against certain candidates.

Justin had gotten really invested and had started handing out flyers all over Liberty Avenue, he had joined protests against anti-LGBTQI+ legislation and had used his public image to raise awareness for issues in the LGBTQI+ community.

All of that had only helped increase Justin's standing in their community and Liberty Avenue now officially considered him to be one of theirs.

People appreciated how down to earth Justin was, how he was really invested in causes and got his hands dirty fighting for equality and representation. He didn't just donate money, but he really went down to the ground and talked to people, handed out flyers, attended protests and fundraisers.

Of course he also donated, probably only Brian knew how much Justin had donated in recent months to causes that meant a lot to him. He had donated to the GLC, had donated to several political campaigns as well as donating to Blake's rehab clinic because he was really impressed by the work Blake and his colleagues were doing every day.

And unlike other celebrities, Justin had never advertised his campaigning or used it to improve his image. He didn't have any social media channels where he posted PR-friendly images of himself handing out flyers or the likes. He just did the work without expecting anything in return.

Liberty Avenue had appreciated all his hard work and in return had made Justin one of theirs. By now he knew more people on the Avenue on a first name basis than Brian did and they both knew that their interactions on the Avenue were safe and would never make it into the news.

The Avenue considered Justin as one of theirs and protected him.

Brian would never forget the second time they had been at Babylon and had been dancing. He had only found out from Ted a day later that there had been an incident with an out of town guest who had recognized Justin and had been so amazed to see him in a gay dance club that he had gotten his phone out and had started snapping pictures of Brian and Justin as they were dancing.

Even before security had made it to the guy to ask him to delete the images, he had been surrounded by five angry queers that had taken his phone and had deleted the images themselves, telling the guy to get lost.

No one would exploit Justin – not on Liberty Avenue.

Once Brian had heard about that, it had warmed his heart. He was glad that people were appreciative of everything Justin was doing for them and that they were paying him back in their own way.

Justin had opened up so much in the last year, had become so much happier and Brian knew that part of that was because he was able to finally live the life he wanted. As a normal man who loved his daughter, his partner and was able to work for the causes he cared about. Liberty Avenue had given Justin that freedom and Brian would always be grateful for that. He had never seen Justin that happy and relaxed before and tonight was just another reminder of how much their life had changed ever since Justin had moved to Pittsburgh.

Brian picked up the two bottles of beer, then made his way through the crowd towards his Sunshine. Justin immediately turned to him with a big smile and took the offered bottle of beer. He leaned into Brian's embrace and gave him a quick kiss.

“Thanks.”

“You're welcome, Sunshine,” Brian whispered, before he kissed Justin once more, grinding their bodies against each other.

“Missed you,” Justin said, leaning some more into Brian's embrace.

“I was only gone for five minutes,” Brian said, then nodded at Emmett. “And you had company.”

“He just doesn't compare to you,” Justin said seriously, before he closed the distance between them once more and kissed Brian again.

Oh yeah, he really loved this man. And he wouldn't change a thing about him.

Chapter 26

“Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee-I-Ee-I-O,

And on that farm he had a Cow, Ee-I-Ee I-O,

With a MOO MOO here, and a MOO MOO there,

Here a MOO, there a MOO, everywhere a MOO MOO!

Old MacDonald had a farm, Ee-I-Ee-I-O!”

Brian watched the little girl in his rearview mirror and couldn't help but shake his head in amusement when he saw how she was happily clapping her hands together and making the moo noises.

When the song moved on to the next animal and she continued singing along, he wondered how this had ever become his life.

Taking a four year old to kindergarten on his way to the office. Not that he minded. He loved Lizzie and he knew that she loved him.

Ever since Justin and Daphne had moved to Britin almost two years ago, Brian had become a part of her life and she had come as a package deal with Justin when they had decided to give their relationship a try.

Brian hadn't really been that involved in Gus' life when he had been that age and growing up. Yes, he had been by to see his son and had spent time with him, but that had mostly been visits every couple of days. He had never been involved in his son's life on a daily basis seeing how he had been raised by his mothers and Brian had only become more involved in his life a couple of years later when Gus had been older.

Watching Lizzie grow up, enjoying her enthusiasm, her happiness and her laughter, he sometimes felt bad about that and wished that he had been as big a part of his son's life back then as he was of her life now.

Of course there was no point in regretting anything as what had been done had been done and he was close to Gus now and the boy often spent time with him and Justin at Britin as well, and Brian knew that if it hadn't been for Justin's insistence to be a part of his daughter's life when she grew up, to be a hands on dad and not just a part time dad that left most of the work to Daphne, he would have never become step dad to a four year old.

But now that he was, he enjoyed it more than he had ever thought he would. He loved Lizzie and he loved when she stayed with him and Justin in their part of the house.

When Lizzie had been younger and Daphne had just started her studies at Carnegie Mellon, she had mostly stayed with Daphne in her apartment and Justin had gone over to spend time with her, take her to bed and all the other things he used to do, but the older she got, the more busy Daphne got with her studies, the more Lizzie had stayed with them in their part of the house.

Eventually she had gotten her own room in their part of the house as well and now she stayed with them as much as she did with Daphne. Not that it really made a lot of difference as both her parents lived in the same mansion and she saw them both every day.

Brian knew that in the beginning Justin had felt wary about Lizzie spending too much time at their part of the house, not sure how Brian would feel about having a two year old around all the time, but the more he had seen Brian and Lizzie bond and build a relationship, the more he had seen the loving way in which Brian treated his daughter, the more he knew that he had been ridiculous.

Justin loved watching Brian and Lizzie together, loved how much his daughter adored the man in his life. She loved Brian, thought he was the funniest person on the planet and he also loved seeing Brian when he spent time with Lizzie. Just as he did when he spent time with Gus, Brian got this carefree expression when he played with her, pretended to speak in funny voices, had huge pillow fights with her and Justin just loved seeing his partner that way.

Over time they had really become a family, Lizzie had also grown to love Gus and was looking forward to every time the boy would stay with them for a weekend and for longer periods during his school holidays.

The boy, as any boy that was so much older, was sometimes annoyed by the little girl and all the attention she demanded from him, but most of the time Gus really loved her and treated her as if she was another little sister. He would read to her, take her to bed in the evenings and play with her on the grounds. He was really good with her, really patient and both Brian and Justin had been impressed by how close their kids had become as well.

“Oink oink,” Brian interjected, not surprised when Lizzie looked at him in outrage a second later.

“BRIAN! No! The pigs say oink oink, not the chickens.”

Brian met the girl's eyes in the rearview mirror and smiled at her.

“I was just checking if you're paying attention.”

“Of course, I am!” She said, then crossed her arms. “The chickens say cluck cluck.”

Brian nodded, then joined the song again on the next verse. “Cluck cluck.”

Lizzie nodded in approval, then started singing along to the song once more herself.

Brian chuckled, then pulled into the parking lot outside the GLC's kindergarten. “How about we finish the song at home tonight?” He said, then turned to the girl in the backseat before he turned off the music.

“But it was almost over anyway. I want to listen to the whole song,” Lizzie whined.

“We're here now. And you know I have to go to work. I promise we'll sing the whole song tonight, princess.”

He then unbuckled his seat belt and moved out of the car. He walked around to the back door and opened it. Lizzie seemed to still think about what Brian had said as he helped her get out of her car seat.

“The whole song?”

“The whole song,” Brian nodded as he took her bag and then her hand and led her towards the entrance of the kindergarten.

“Okay,” she finally nodded, apparently happy with that promise.

Once the GLC had secured enough donations to start their kindergarten and school for children of LGBTQI+ parents, Justin had insisted that he wanted Lizzie to go to that kindergarten once she was old enough.

He had campaigned and fundraised for it and he considered it his duty to send his daughter to the kindergarten he had worked so hard for.

And really, he had been to private schools and boarding schools all his life and he didn't want a life like that for Lizzie. He wanted her in a normal kindergarten with other kids from normal families where she could make friends like everyone else.

At first it had been a bit hard to organize everything as they lived in West Virginia and 30 minutes away from the kindergarten, but between Brian, Justin and Daphne they had figured out a schedule.

Sometimes Daphne would drop her off on her way to classes or pick her up after her classes, sometimes Justin would take her and sometimes Brian would just take her on his way to the office. The GLC kindergarten was only a couple of blocks away from Kinnetik, so most days Brian at least did the morning run and dropped her off as he was headed in that direction anyway.

When they reached the door, he leaned down and gave the girl a hug. “You have fun today, okay, princess? And remember? Daddy will come and pick you up later.”

Lizzie nodded, remembering what her mommy and daddy had said earlier that day. Today Daddy would come by and pick her up. “Okay,” she said happily, then bounced off to hug a little friend of hers that had also arrived a minute ago.

Brian watched her for another few seconds, then went back to his car when he was sure that Lizzie was happy enough playing with her friend.

She loved going to kindergarten, had made some friends and loved her teachers. Every afternoon when they picked her up, she was nearly bursting with stories about all the exciting things she had done that day and Brian had to agree with Justin and Daphne that it had been a good idea to sign her up for the GLC kindergarten once it had opened.

***

“Brian? Have you heard anything from Justin?” Daphne got right to the point when Brian picked up her call on his cell at 3pm. He had just come out of a meeting and was surprised that Daphne would call him. She was supposed to be in a study group preparing for an important exam.

“Not since earlier this morning. Why?” He frowned, not sure why Daphne would be asking. Justin had wanted to paint that day, so he wasn't really surprised when he hadn't heard from him. When Justin got into the zone he forgot about everything else around him and would even forget to eat if Brian didn't make sure that he at least had dinner.

“The GLC just called. He didn't pick up Lizzie.”

Brian shook his head in slight amusement and rolled his eyes. “Oh Sunshine... he probably forgot the time while he was painting. You know how he can get.”

He heard Daphne sigh. “Yeah, I just wish he would have remembered today. He knew I had study group.”

“If you want, I can pick her up. I just had my last meeting for the day and can do the rest of my work from home.”

“Oh no, don't worry. I'll leave now and get her,” Daphne said, but stopped when Brian interrupted her.

“Don't be ridiculous, Daphne. It's not a problem. And I promised her a song anyway. It's okay. I'll leave now.”

“Are you sure?” Brian could hear that Daphne sounded unsure.

“Yeah, don't worry. It'll be fine. Sunshine will just have to live with the fact that I'll have to finish some work at home later. But since he's the one who forgot to pick her up, I think that's fair punishment.”

“Thanks, Brian! You're a lifesaver.”

“Don't worry about it. I'll be there in ten to pick her up.”

They ended their call and Brian picked up some files to take home with him. He let Cynthia and Ted know that he would leave early, then headed to pick up Lizzie.

When he arrived at the kindergarten, he sent a quick text to Justin to let him know that he was picking her up, just to make sure he wouldn't rush into town once he realized that he had forgotten to pick up Lizzie.

Lizzie was surprised to see him, but in the end she was happy enough about Brian picking her up and she was delighted when they sang Old MacDonald all the way home to Britin.

Once they arrived, they headed into the house and Brian called out for Justin. “Sunshine? We're home.”

Lizzie giggled, as she usually did when he called Justin sunshine. She loved that he called her daddy sunshine and it amused her every time.

Brian rolled his eyes at her, then frowned when Justin was nowhere to be found. “I think your Daddy might be hiding from us in his studio.”

“Daddy!” Lizzie called out for him as she headed up the stairs in the direction of his studio. Brian followed her, wondering what masterpiece his partner was working on that would have made him forget everything around him.

They were both surprised when Justin wasn't in his studio. “Where is Daddy, Brian?” Lizzie asked, as she turned to look at him from big eyes.

“Maybe he's outside enjoying the good weather. Let's go and look for him, princess,” Brian said, now feeling confused as well.

At least he had seen Justin's car in the garage, so knew that he hadn't left with the car and hadn't gotten himself into an accident. But where was he? And why had he forgotten about Lizzie? That wasn't like Justin at all. And while he wasn't concerned that Justin might have had an accident, Brian still felt concerned enough because Justin loved Lizzie above all else and this wasn't like him at all. At least not when painting wasn't involved.

They checked the pool, the garden, even headed in the direction of the forest, before they finally headed to the stables to look for Justin there.

In the end they found him grooming his horse, Thor. He was deep in thought and it took Brian and Lizzie three times before he reacted to them calling his name and turned around.

When he did and looked at them, his eyes widened in surprise. “What are you doing here?” The younger man asked as he looked at his daughter and partner.

“I could ask you the same,” Brian said, looking at Justin in concern, taking in his pale complexion and the tense set of his jaw. Something was wrong. Very wrong. He knew it from just looking at Justin for a second.

“I am grooming Thor,” the younger man said quietly, then took his daughter in his arms when she ran towards him in greeting.

“Daddy! You forgot to pick me up,” she said accusingly as she looked at her father angrily, the happy greeting of a few seconds ago now all but forgotten. “Brian had to come and get me. We thought you would be painting.”

“What time is it?” Justin asked in obvious confusion as he looked at Brian for an answer.

“Almost 4pm,” the older man said, still trying to see if he could find out what was wrong from just looking at his partner.

“Shit,” Justin exclaimed, then looked chastised when his daughter immediately reprimanded him.

“Daddy! That's a bad word. You can't say that.”

Justin nodded, then turned towards her. “You're right. I am sorry, Lizzie. I shouldn't have said that. I just didn't realize it was already this late. I thought I still had some time before I had to leave to pick you up. I am sorry. I guess I didn't notice how time has passed.”

He ran his hands through her hair and gave her a little kiss. “I am sorry. I didn't mean to forget about the time. I should have checked my watch more often.”

Lizzie seemed happy enough with that apology and now snuggled into her father's chest. “It's okay, Daddy. Brian picked me up and we sang the whole Old Mac Donald song on the way home.”

“Did you?” Justin now smiled, then turned to Brian with obvious amusement in his eyes.

“We did. We did all the animals, Daddy! All of them.”

“Wow, that must have taken you quite some time.”

“It did, but it was good, wasn't it, Brian?”

“It was,” Brian agreed, smiling at the little girl. He then turned to meet Justin's gaze. “Are you done here?”

Justin put away the brush he had used, then nodded. “Yeah. Let's head back to the house and get a snack for you,” he said towards his daughter before he let her down to the floor again.

They walked back to the house and Justin smiled when he felt Brian's arm go around his waist, feeling the older man pulling him closer.

“You okay, Sunshine?” Brian asked quietly, so Lizzie wouldn't hear him. She was walking a couple of steps ahead, happily bouncing back to the house.

“No,” was all Justin said, before he rested his head on Brian's shoulder as they followed her.

“What happened?”

“I'll tell you later. I promise,” was all Justin said before he pulled back. He left a quick kiss on Brian's cheek, then followed Lizzie into the house.

Brian watched Justin closely for the rest of the day and while Lizzie didn't seem to notice anything wrong with her father, Brian saw the small things that showed him that something was seriously wrong. Justin spaced out every once in a while, not listening to what he or Lizzie were saying, his gaze getting unfocused, him obviously being lost in his own thoughts.

Justin went through all the motions, prepared dinner, laughed and smiled when Lizzie told him about her day, he gave her a bath and took her to bed as he usually would, but the whole time Brian could see that he was just putting on a show for his daughter's sake. Justin's thoughts were clearly somewhere else and the smiles never reached his eyes.

Before Lizzie went to bed, Brian told her a bedtime story, then headed to his office, allowing Justin and Daphne (who had come home by now) to take her to bed. Brian also assumed that Justin might talk to Daphne about whatever was going on. She was his best friend and while Brian also wanted to know what was eating at his sunshine, he knew that maybe his best friend was who Justin needed right now.

He tried not to feel jealous about their deep connection and instead tried to focus on the work he hadn't been able to finish at the office.

It was barely 8pm when the door to his study was opened and Justin peeked in.

“I didn't expect to see you for another hour or so,” Brian said, regretting the words the moment they had left his mouth and he saw Justin's reaction.

The younger man lowered his eyes and retreated back to the door. “Sorry, I should let you finish your work.”

Just as he was about to open the door, Brian got up from his chair and walked over, turning Justin around so the younger man would look at him.

“That's not what I meant, Sunshine. I just thought you would be talking to Daphne about whatever might be bothering you.”

Justin shook his head, then sighed. “I know I need to apologize to you first. I am sorry, Brian... I didn't mean to forget about Lizzie. I mean... fuck! I shouldn't have forgotten about the time. I know how busy you are and now you were stuck picking her up...”

Brian took Justin in his arms and pulled him close. “Hey... hey, calm down. I don't care about that. You know I don't mind picking her up. I worry about you. What happened?”

When Justin didn't say anything and just hid his face in Brian's shoulder, the older man rubbed his back gently.

“I know that something happened. You're shit at hiding it. Just let me know what it is. I am worried here.”

And when Justin spoke a few seconds later, his voice sounded weaker than Brian had ever heard it.

“My mother's secretary contacted me this morning. She is coming on a state visit to Washington soon and demands that I come to meet with her.”

Chapter 27

Brian pulled back and looked at Justin.

“Your mother?”

They hadn't heard from her at all since Justin had pretty much been kicked out of the royal family and had moved to Britin. They hadn't heard from her at all when they had announced their relationship, they hadn't heard from her at all when Justin had started his campaigning for causes that meant a lot to him, they hadn't even heard from her at Christmas or on her granddaughter's birthdays. So why now?

“Why now?”

Justin shrugged. “I don't really know. Her secretary mentioned the state visit to Washington, but I don't think that's really the reason.”

“What do you think?” Brian asked, looking at Justin and watching him closely for any indication on how he was feeling about any of this.

“The two years are up soon,” Justin just muttered, then moved away from Brian's hug and towards the couch in the room. He flopped down and ran a hand over his face.

Brian followed him and sat down next to him. “You think that's the reason?”

“Why else? She left us alone for nearly two years. Nobody contacted us, not a single call or message. It's the only reason that makes sense.”

“Did she mention anything about that when you spoke to her?”

Justin met Brian's gaze and shook his head. “I didn't speak to her. Her secretary called this morning.”

Right, Brian thought to himself. Justin had said that earlier. “So nothing from her?”

Justin sighed and shook his head. “I am not surprised though. This is how our family works. My mother would never just pick up a phone and call unless an adviser told her to do so or called the number for her. The only times I saw her growing up was when they needed pictures to release to the press on certain special dates, like birthdays or for Christmas. She couldn't be bothered with me or Molly other than that.”

Brian ran a hand over Justin's back. “I am sorry, Sunshine.”

Justin shrugged. “It's not like I am not used to it. We were never the loving family you see on TV. She was never the mother that took us to bed and told us bedtime stories or hugged us when we fell down and our knees were bleeding. We had nannies for that.”

“Still,” Brian said quietly, pulling Justin close. “She's your mother.”

“A mother that thinks I am a disgrace to the family, that I have brought nothing but shame to our family name.”

Justin's voice had sounded bitter when he had spoken and Brian felt for his partner. “She's still your mother though. And I know that you're hurt by her behavior.”

“I had one duty and I failed at that. I was the crown prince, the heir and I failed at that. I have no importance to her any longer,” Justin said resignedly, resting his head on Brian's shoulder.

“That's not true,” Brian said, instinctively pulling Justin closer. “You are her son.”

Justin pulled back slightly and met Brian's concerned gaze. “You know as well as I do that that doesn't mean anything to certain mothers.”

And Brian couldn't reply anything to that because Justin was right. How could he go on about how there must have been some love between Justin and his mother when he himself had a mother that could never be bothered to love and accept him either? Justin was right, Brian knew exactly that her being Justin's mother didn't mean anything at all. Certain people just were like that.

“Don't go,” Brian said after the longest pause, looking at Justin, not surprised when the younger man immediately shook his head.

“I have to,” he just said, then hung his head. “She's still the queen and I am a subject and she demanded my presence.”

“That's bullshit,” Brian muttered. “She didn't care for two years how you were doing, how Lizzie was doing. Who gives a fuck if she's a queen? This is your life and if you don't want to go and see her, fucking don't! You're in the US, there's nothing she can do about it.”

Justin looked at Brian and couldn't help but smile. “My knight in shining armor.” He leaned in and kissed Brian gently. “I have to, Brian. Whether I want to or not.”

Brian had heard the resignation in Justin's voice and knew that Justin meant it. Even if it was out of a wrong sense of duty. Knowing that there wasn't anything he could do to convince Justin otherwise, Brian nodded.

“Alright, but then I'll come with you.”

Justin sighed. “Brian...”

“No, I won't let you do this on your own. Whatever she has to say to you, she can say to both of us.”

Shaking his head slowly, Justin ran his hand up and down Brian's arm. “I appreciate the offer, Brian, but I think this is something I have to do on my own.”

Brian eyed Justin for the longest time and once again knew that it would be damn hard to convince him otherwise.

“Fine,” he finally accepted, pulling the younger man close. “But I will come to Washington with you. You won't stop me from being there for you afterwards.”

To clean up the mess Justin's mother would undoubtedly cause. To pick up the pieces once she had hurt Justin once more.

Brian never said any of that, but both Brian and Justin knew that this was what he really meant.

Knowing that there was no way he would get Brian to change his mind and secretly quite glad for his support, Justin nodded in agreement. “Okay.”

***

A week later they had made their way to Washington to meet Justin's mother. Just like Brian had insisted to come to Washington with Justin, Daphne had insisted to join her best friend as well. She had insisted that she knew Justin's mother and the court and procedures around it better than anyone and there was no way she would let her friend walk into this without her support.

At first Justin had been against Daphne joining him, but in the end he had had to realize that just like Brian, she had already made up her mind and that nothing would change it. She would come along whether he wanted her to or not.

Brian had secretly been glad for her support, knowing that she was a lot more familiar with Justin's family and his reactions to his mother than he himself was and he hoped that between the two of them Justin would be fine at the end of the meeting with his mother.

They had left Lizzie in Pittsburgh with Debbie and Carl, not wanting to subject her to whatever would happen on this visit. The little girl had been sad about her parents going somewhere without her, but had been cheered up by the prospect of staying with Debbie and Carl. She loved Debbie, her colorful outfits and language and loved how there was always something exciting going on at Debbie's house.

They would only be gone for two days and had promised Lizzie to call her every day they were gone.

Justin had an appointment with his mother at 3pm and he had been nervous all morning when the day came. Brian tried to be as supportive as he could, but the closer the meeting got, the more Justin pulled back into his own mind.

When it was time to leave, he gave Brian a quick kiss, a sad smile and then left. Brian was worried, but quickly forgot about his worry when Daphne announced a minute later that she would be heading out as well.

Brian looked at her as if she had grown a second head. How could she leave now? When Justin had his meeting with his mother and would need her afterwards?

She assured him that she would only be gone for an hour or two and that what she was doing was in Justin's best interest. Other than that she didn't give Brian any hints on where she was heading and just left him on his own to wait at the hotel for Justin to return.

***

“Mother,” Justin said politely and bowed to his mother as he was led into the room where she was meeting with him on this visit.

It was a big office style room in a suite in a five star hotel and Justin had expected nothing less. His mother liked to travel in style and demanded certain luxuries in and outside of the palace.

She barely nodded at him in greeting and pointed to a chair across the desk from her. “Sit down, Justinus!”

Somebody else might have been surprised by the lack of greeting after not seeing him for almost two years, but not Justin. His mother had never been what other people considered loving and nurturing and her whole life had always consisted of the crown and her duty to the royal family. As queen there just was no time for things like love and feelings. Or so she claimed.

Justin sat down and looked at her expectantly.

She looked at some papers in front of her, it seemed like pictures to Justin, but he couldn't really see from his side of the desk and it took her a minute or two to direct her attention to him.

“I have no words for how disappointed I am in you,” she started, her voice cold and businesslike.

“Excuse me?” Justin frowned, not sure if he had heard correctly.

“You have heard me, Justinus!”

“Yeah, but I can't believe that those are your first words to me after not seeing me for nearly two years,” Justin replied back before he could think better of it.

His mother's eyes became small slits and it was apparent that she was not happy with his comment.

“You know very well how disappointed I have been by your choices and looking at things, you haven't done anything to change your life in a better direction,” she said seriously.

“I have moved in with a man that loves me and we have built a home for us and our family,” Justin said, looking at her as if she was crazy. “I have been happy, Mother!”

His mother wrinkled her nose. “That man,” she started, only to be interrupted by Justin right away.

“Brian. His name is Brian.”

“That man... you know about his past, I assume?”

“Of course, I do. I have known him for years.”

“So, you know that he has been sleeping with hundreds of men... that his father was a drunk and abusive and that his mother is an alcoholic as well.”

Justin sighed impatiently. “Of course I do. Why are you asking me this?”

“And you think a man like that is a suitable companion for a royal?”

“I don't care about his past... or his parents. He's not responsible for decisions that his parents have made. He loves me, he loves Lizzie and we are very happy.”

“And you allow him to live in a house with you and your wife?” His mother asked, raising an eyebrow.

“My ex-wife. You know very well that Daphne and I got divorced,” Justin said, feeling himself getting angry. “And she is living with us. Brian bought this house for us. Not the other way round.”

“Do you know what kind of image you are portraying to the outside world?”

Justin eyed his mother as if she was crazy. Of course he knew. How could he not? He was aware of the press articles written about him. He knew about pictures taken of him and Brian, of him and Daphne, of Brian and Daphne. He knew what the press had been writing about them after they had realized that any stories about a war between Brian and Daphne were bullshit.

“That we are a modern blended family that is making it work for the sake of our daughter,” he said quietly.

“It is not appropriate, Justinus! As if it's not already bad enough that you have decided to live with a man, you have to pull your wife and daughter into this mess as well?”

“My ex-wife,” Justin pressed out once more. “And I have not decided anything, mother. I told you before and I am telling you again: I didn't choose to be gay. I just am. It's not a choice. I was born this way!”

His mother shook her head, obviously not happy with what he had said.

“Please, Justinus! We both know that you have been happy with Daphne. You had a daughter together after all. And then one day you just threw all of that away for … sex... with a man.”

She made a face that showed what she thought about that.

“Daphne has always been my best friend and as such I have loved her, but nothing more. And she has always known that I am gay. She knew that I was gay before I knew it. She agreed to marry me because we both knew that you and Dad would never accept that I was gay. Yes, we had a daughter, because we knew it was expected of us, but we have never been in love or happily married. It was a sham from the day she offered to marry me,” Justin said quietly.

“And you couldn't have pretended longer? To save us all the embarrassment of that scandal of yours?” His mother asked, eyeing him over the desk.

“My only regret is that I ever agreed to this sham in the first place and didn't stop it from happening altogether,” Justin gave back right away. “It would have saved Daphne, Brian and me so much pain.”

“What about your family? Have you ever thought about the embarrassment you have caused us? You have caused the crown?”

Justin eyed his mother and shook his head. “How could I ever forget when you remind me every time I see you?”

“You realize that there is no way I can allow you to ever take the crown once I pass it on?” His mother asked next, not replying to what he had said previously.

Justin's eyes widened in surprise. Not because of what she had said, but had his mother really thought that he still wanted to be king? After everything?

“I wouldn't want it anyway,” he said full of conviction. “I have never wanted it. This was never a life I have wanted.”

“It's your duty, Justinus.”

“My only duty is to myself and my happiness,” Justin gave back, saying what Brian had told him so long ago when they had been trying to figure out where to go with their relationship. And he realized more now than ever how right Brian had been. “The crown... this family... all the rules and pomp... that has never been my life.”

“Is that what this man has been putting in your head these last two years?” His mother raised her eyebrow again, looking down her nose at Justin.

“Brian,” Justin repeated, though he doubted that it would make any difference. “Brian has shown me that there is more to my life than duty and unhappiness. Brian has shown me that I can be happy as well. That I deserve happiness as well. Does it even matter to you at all that I am happy? Or do you really not care?”

“I care about the cost your egoism has on this family. On the crown and its reputation,” his mother responded coldly. “Do you realize how much damage you have done to the institution of monarchy in our country?”

Justin shook his head. “You really don't care at all whether I am happy or not, do you? You would rather have me unhappy and depressed, doing my duty as crown prince than live a happy life.”

“We don't have the pleasure of choosing, Justinus. Our life consists of duty and service to the crown. I thought we had taught you that, but apparently not.”

“You taught me nothing. You and Dad barely talked to me. As soon as you could, you shipped me and Molly off to boarding schools. Before that you had nannies take care of us. You never taught me anything,” Justin muttered, shaking his head in anger. “You didn't care how unhappy I was. You didn't care that I got bullied at school. You didn't care what I wanted from life. To you I have always been just a big disappointment, haven't I?”

Justin raised his eyes and looked right at his mother, challenging her for a reply.

“Yes,” his mother just said, her voice cold and uncaring. “You had one duty and you failed, Justinus.”

Justin shook his head. “Then why did you summon me here? Why did you want to see me? To tell me again that I am a disappointment? I got the message two years ago.”

His mother eyed him for a few seconds. “The palace will release an announcement soon that you will not return to your duties as crown prince and will no longer be a part of the royal family. It was our joint decision that you are focusing on a different life and that Molly will become crown princess and queen one day.”

“Did she get a choice in this or are you forcing her like you forced me?” Justin asked, not surprised by anything his mother had said.

“Molly knows her duty. She will do her part.”

“I am glad to hear it,” Justin said. “At least you have one child that took your messages about duty and service to heart.”

His mother ignored his comment and held up the images she had been looking at earlier. Justin could now see that these were images of private gatherings with the Liberty Avenue family. A barbecue in Debbie's garden, a pool party at Emmett's house, a breakfast at the diner.

“I want you to stop associating with these people,” she said, nodding towards the pictures. “You might not be a part of the royal family any longer, but associating with riff-raff will only reflect poorly on the crown.”

“You are fucking kidding me..., right?” Justin exclaimed, rising from his chair. He pointed an angry finger at the images. “That is my family! Those are my friends. People that love me and accept me for who I am. Who have welcomed me into their lives and have made me a part of their family. I will do no such thing!”

His mother made a face at his use of the word fucking. “Is that the kind of language they use?”

“I will not give up my family. Forget it!”

“We are your family,” his mother said harshly. “Not these people...”

“These people, as you so deprecatingly call them, were the people that were by my side during the hardest time of my life. When all you could do was tell me what an embarrassment and failure I am, these people supported me, welcomed me into their midst and loved me. If anything, you could learn from them what family is!” Justin's anger had now taken over. He ripped the images from his mother's hands. “I will do no such thing and if you don't stop having me followed, I will make it public that you are spying on me and what you said today. I am sure the gay people of Darumor would love to hear how their queen thinks about them. Because you know? There are gay people everywhere. Even in your precious kingdom!”

“You will regret choosing these people over your own family and your duty!” His mother announced darkly, glaring at him over the desk.

“You know what? I don't think I will,” Justin said, then turned around. He headed towards the door, ignoring his mother when she spoke next.

“Our meeting is not over, Justinus. I have not dismissed you yet.”

Justin stopped at the door and turned back for one final reply. “The name is Justin. I have always hated Justinus and people that care about me call me Justin. And not that it matters, but I will do none of the things you asked of me today. I love my partner, I love my family and I love the life I have now. I have never been as happy as I have been in the last year and a half. I don't care what you think about that and whether you like what my life is now or not. I love it, I love the people in it and you have no say whatsoever. I don't think we have anything else to say to each other, so don't reach out the next time you come to the US, okay?”

With that Justin left her office, slamming the door shut behind himself, making the servants in the next room look after him in confusion.

Chapter 28

Brian immediately looked up when he heard the door to their suite open. He quickly closed his laptop, then walked towards Justin who was just getting out of his jacket.

He wrapped his arms around the younger man's midsection and pulled him close.

“How did it go?”

Justin didn't say anything and just turned around in Brian's arms, looking at the older man for the longest time. He then closed his eyes and rested his head against Brian's chest.

“Can you just hold me, please?”

Brian was a bit confused by the request, but in the end just nodded. “Of course.”

He held Justin close and hugged him tight and they stayed like that for several minutes without saying anything.

It was Justin who pulled back his head and looked at Brian with questioning eyes. “Can we lie down for a bit?”

Brian nodded once more, then took Justin's hand and led him to the bed in the next room of their suite. He lay down on the bed and watched as Justin kicked off his shoes, then lay down on the bed as well, immediately moving back into Brian's arms and resting his head on Brian's chest, his hand on Brian's stomach.

“Are you okay?” Brian asked after several minutes of silence, not quite sure what to make of Justin's silence.

Justin looked okay, he actually looked rather peaceful and content, not upset or angry like Brian had expected and he didn't quite know what to make of that. What did that say about the meeting with his mother?

“I don't want to talk about it right now,” Justin muttered, moving closer to Brian's body. “Just hold me, please.”

Brian frowned, but in the end did what Justin had asked of him. He would do whatever Justin wanted him to do. He would do anything for this man.

He was sure that Justin would tell him sooner or later how the meeting with his mother had gone, but if he still needed a bit of time to gather his thoughts, then Brian would give him that time.

Ten minutes later, Brian couldn't help but notice that Justin's breathing had slowed down and he had seemingly fallen asleep in Brian's arms.

Brian wasn't really surprised by that. He knew how nervous Justin had been before the meeting with his mother and he knew that the younger man had hardly slept the night before. He had noticed the empty bed when he had woken up and had seen how tired Justin had looked all day when they had traveled to Washington. Poor guy probably hadn't slept at all the previous night, so Brian was rather glad he was getting some sleep now.

They lay like that in their bed, Brian just holding on to a sleeping Justin, holding him close, protecting him from whatever might come at him, watching the peaceful face of his partner. Brian gently ran a hand through Justin's hair every once in a while, gently caressed his face, careful not to wake up the younger man and marveled again and again how lucky he was to have him in his life.

He really loved this man with all his heart. There was no other way to put it.

After about three hours of not moving at all, Brian felt the need to visit the bathroom and carefully tried to get out of bed without waking Justin up. He noticed how the younger man started stirring when Brian got out of bed and gently whispered into his ear. “Go back to sleep. I'll be right back.”

As if reassured by Brian's words, Justin snuggled into the pillow and stopped stirring, apparently going back to sleep.

Brian went to the bathroom, checked his messages on his phone and sent a quick text with an update to Daphne, then headed back to the bed.

Just as carefully as he had tried to get out of bed, he tried to get back into it.

He wrapped his arms around Justin's body once more and pulled the younger man close.

“How long was I out?” A sleepy voice murmured and Brian was surprised that Justin was obviously not sleeping any longer.

“I didn't mean to wake you. Go back to sleep,” he said quietly, running his hand up and down Justin's back in a soothing motion.

Justin yawned, then opened one eye slowly. “I should probably get up or I won't get any sleep tonight.”

“You've only been sleeping for a couple of hours. I know you were up all night. You'll be fine,” Brian said gently, leaving a soft kiss on Justin's forehead.

Justin smiled, then stretched carefully and opened his second eye as well to fully look at Brian.

“Thanks for staying here with me.”

“You're lucky that I didn't have any other plans anyway this afternoon,” Brian joked.

“Hmmmm,” Justin smiled lazily, resting his hand on Brian's chest. “Lucky me, indeed.”

“How are you feeling now?” Brian asked after another minute when he noticed that Justin didn't seem willing to start the conversation on his own.

“Strangely okay,” Justin said quietly, then turned onto his back to look at the ceiling.

“I expected you to be more upset,” Brian admitted, watching his partner carefully. “I am not sure why, but I thought you would be more upset. So the meeting went okay?”

“It was a total disaster,” Justin said, then sighed. “It was basically the whole spiel from two years ago once more. I am an embarrassment to the crown, the family name, to royals everywhere. There is no way she can ever accept me back into the royal family. Why didn't I stay with Daphne when we pretended for so long? Why not just continue pretending? She doesn't care at all that this is the life I want, that this is the life that makes me happy...”

Brian frowned, not quite having expected that. He wasn't sure what he had expected, but with Justin so calm and content, he had definitely expected something else. “I thought you'd be more upset about that.”

Justin nodded, then turned to meet Brian's gaze. “Yeah, so did I. But I think deep down I've made my peace with what my mother is like a long time ago. When she never contacted me again, never asked how Lizzie or I were doing, when she left me all alone to deal with the fallout from that video... I think I knew then that she would never be the mother I wanted her to be and... today... it just confirmed that once and for all and I was finally able to close that door. For good!”

Brian nodded. “Still, it must hurt anyway...”

“Not as much as I thought it would,” Justin admitted sadly. “I think I accepted this a long time ago and today just confirmed it and I finally made my peace with it.” He turned over again and smiled at Brian gently. “I am okay. Really, I am. Stop worrying!”

Brian smiled wryly. “I'll always worry.”

“And I love you for it,” Justin leaned in and kissed Brian.

Their kiss intensified quickly and it only took them minutes to get rid of their clothing and before five minutes were over, Brian was already making love to Justin on the big bed, gently caressing his body and showering it with gentle kisses all over.

After they had both climaxed, they ended up in one big heap of sweaty limbs and kissed some more.

In the end they took a shower, put on the hotel's bathrobes and sat down on the couch in the main room of their suite.

“I really am okay, Brian,” Justin reassured his partner once more, seeing the concerned glances he threw him every once in a while.

“I know,” Brian said quietly, handing Justin a glass of whiskey, before he sat down next to him with his own. And he knew that Justin wasn't lying. He looked okay, he seemed content and peaceful and not upset at all and to a certain degree Brian could understand what Justin had meant about closing the door to his relationship with his mother for good. Their relationship had been strained, literally non-existent for years and maybe Justin was right, maybe he had already accepted this outcome a long time ago and today was just a final confirmation of something he had already known deep down for months, maybe even years.

Once Brian sat next to him, Justin took a sip from his glass, then crossed his legs and looked at the older man.

“The palace will release a statement soon, announcing that I won't return to the royal family after my two year hiatus and won't be doing any official royal duties again.”

“Okay,” Brian nodded, not really surprised by that. He hadn't really expected anything else after almost two years of silence. And really, they had made their point two years ago when they had pretty much kicked Justin out of the family then, so this was really just a confirmation of what they had known for a long time already. “Are they expecting any statements from you?”

Justin shrugged. “I doubt it, though the media will most likely reach out for comments from me... from us. The palace statement will say it was a joint decision, so I think we might get away with not saying anything, really.”

“Is it though?” Brian asked, raising an eyebrow.

Justin shrugged once more. “Who cares? It's not like I wanted to go back to that life... I have always hated it and to know that that part of my life will be over for good... I don't care if she made that decision for me or if we decided it together. I never wanted to return anyway, so I honestly don't care how they want to spin this.”

Brian nodded, then ran a hand over Justin's thighs. He knew Justin's feelings on his royal background, knew how much Justin had hated his life as crown prince, how much he had hated the prospect of being the next king when all he had wanted to be had been an artist, father and lover to his male partner. Brian knew that Justin had been happier than he had ever been since they had moved to Britin and had built their lives there, so he couldn't really blame him for seeing it this way. Justin had the life he had always dreamed of. Who cared if it was his decision or if his mother wanted to sell it to the press as a joint decision? It didn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

“What will this mean for Lizzie?” Brian asked, looking at Justin with curious eyes.

“We didn't really get that far, but with me officially leaving the royal family, she won't be considered a member of the royal family any longer either. Her claim to the throne dies with my claim. That will all move to Molly now and her children she might have one day. Lizzie can just grow up to be whatever she wants to be.”

Brian heard the relief in Justin's voice and knew how worried Justin had been about his daughter getting swept up in the circus that was life as a royal. He already felt bad enough about the attention Lizzie was getting due to him being a prince... or rather a former prince now, but hopefully that interest would die down in the coming years. Now that Justin was no longer a part of the royal family, the press might start to really lose interest in them for good. One could hope.

“And your sister is okay with all of that?” Brian asked, raising an eyebrow in question. He knew that Justin and his sister had never been particularly close. She had been more than eight years younger than him and by the time she had been born, Justin had already been shipped off to boarding school. They had never really spent much time together unless it was for photoshoots or special events and they had never been close as other siblings might be. Brian knew that it was something that had made Justin sad on occasion, but it had just been how things had been in his family. She had attended mostly the same boarding schools he had and while they had been at St. James' Academy for a year or two at the same time, they had never really hung out in the same circles. And then Justin had moved to New York after his wedding, had stayed there with his family while she had finished school in Pittsburgh.

Now that she had finished high school and was attending university in New York, he had left New York and had moved back to Pittsburgh. It was quite tragic actually, how they had seemed to miss each other so many times in their lives.

“I don't think she has much of a choice,” Justin sighed, drinking some more of his whiskey. “With me out of the picture, she's the only one left to take over after my mother resigns or dies.”

Justin had told Brian before how every royal family had at least two children to ensure their legacy. The heir and the spare. And while it had sounded absolutely horrifying to Brian to hear those descriptions, Justin had very matter-of-factly explained the deal behind them.

The first child of any royal was considered the heir and was trained their whole life to become the next king or queen. And then there would be a second child, the spare. The spare was only there in case the heir died, or as in this case, something happened and they couldn't continue the royal legacy for whatever reason. In that case, the spare who was mostly considered dispensable, suddenly became important and would have to take over as the heir. They would then receive the same training, the same education and would be forced to follow in their parents' legacy.

“And it didn't sound like she wouldn't do it. Who knows? She might even be excited about it,” Justin shrugged.

Brian nodded, but didn't say anything else to that. He just continued running his hand over Justin's thigh as he had done before.

“I guess I should reach out to her and see how she feels about this, but...she probably hates me just like my mother does,” Justin said, now sounding sad.

“Don't say that, Sunshine,” Brian replied quietly, meeting Justin's gaze. “Maybe she's horrified by your mother's behavior.”

“Or maybe she agrees with her,” Justin shrugged. “It doesn't really matter, does it?”

“She's your sister,” Brian just said, but knew that that didn't really have to mean a lot either. His sister was as good an example of that as any.

“Maybe I'll reach out to her one of these days,” Justin said in a non-committal answer.

They finished their whiskey and then decided to order some room service, neither of them feeling like leaving the room that evening, neither of them feeling like being around other people.

Once their dinner was delivered, they sat down to eat, still only wearing bathrobes, both too lazy to get dressed properly.

“My mother had us followed,” Justin said suddenly as if he had only just remembered that piece of information.

Brian stopped eating and looked at him with a frown. “She what?”

“She had images... of a barbecue at Debbie's, that pool party we had at Emmett's and Drew's place last summer... images of private get-togethers that never appeared in the press.”

“Why?” Was all Brian could ask, not quite sure why she would have them followed. It wasn't like they were hiding their relationship and nobody knew that they were together and she could use these images against Justin. They had made their relationship public a year and a half ago, they had been photographed at so many events, fundraisers and god knows what. What was the point?

“I don't know,” Justin admitted honestly. “She asked me to stop associating with the riff-raff as she called them...you,” he added quietly after a few seconds.

Brian ran a hand over his face, but didn't say anything. He didn't really know what to say and for once felt rather speechless.

“She brought up your past... your parents...,” Justin continued after a few seconds of silence. “Said you weren't a suitable companion for a royal... that kind of bullshit...”

“Well, I guess I should consider myself lucky then that you're no longer a royal, right?” Brian said, his voice void of any emotions.

Justin eyed Brian and could see the anger boiling under the surface. He reached out his hand and took Brian's and squeezed it.

“I told her that she couldn't be fucking serious,” Justin continued, looking at Brian intently. “That you... Debbie... everyone else... that you were my family. That you had shown me that my own happiness mattered, that there was more to my life than duty and unhappiness, that I deserved to be happy as well and that you... the family... that you accepted me for who I am, loved me as the man that I am and that you have been more of a family to me than my real one ever was. I told her if I ever found out that she had us followed again, I would release that information to the press, would release some of her homophobic remarks that she has made to me and then she could see how the gay people of Darumor would like that.”

Brian's eyes had widened as he had listened to Justin and he couldn't help but smile in amusement when Justin finished. “Sunshine... You threatened her?”

“She insulted you...my family... the people I love. I couldn't just let her get away with that,” Justin said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

Brian still smiled, then shook his head in amusement once more. He then got up, walked over to Justin's chair and pulled him up into a standing position as well.

Justin seemed a bit surprised, but allowed Brian to pull him closer and allowed him to kiss him deeply. When the kiss broke, Brian's whole face was shining with happiness and pride.

“I love you, Sunshine! And I am so fucking proud of you. You have no idea!”

Justin smiled, allowing Brian to kiss him once more. “I love you, too.”

Soon after they were naked again in the bedroom of their suite and by the time their next round of lovemaking was over, their food was cold and forgotten.

Chapter 29

The next morning Brian, Justin and Daphne had breakfast in their suite. They would stay in Washington until early afternoon and would then fly back to Pittsburgh.

Daphne was glad to see that Justin seemed okay and didn't seem too bothered by how the meeting with his mother had gone. She had never thought too highly of Justin's parents and had always thought that they were ridiculously conservative and stuck in a life that might have been okay 200 years ago, but not in the new millennium.

She was just pouring herself a second cup of coffee, when Brian asked her a question that she knew she should have been expecting.

“So where did you head off to yesterday? You were gone all afternoon and most of the evening.”

Daphne eyed him for a few seconds, then turned to look at Justin who looked equally curious.

“I met with a friend,” she said, then drank some of her coffee.

“So that's why she really wanted to come to Washington with us,” Justin joked, winking at Brian. “She didn't care about me, she just wanted to meet a friend.”

“Daphne, Daphne,” Brian mock-sighed. “I really thought better of you.”

“Fuck off, you two,” Daphne rolled her eyes, then gave them both the finger. “If you must know, I met with that friend because of you,” she said, as she directed her gaze towards Justin.

“Because of me?” Justin now frowned, clearly confused.

“Yes, to help you.”

“Help me? Help me with what?” Justin still seemed confused as he tried to make sense of what Daphne was saying.

“When did you last speak to Molly?” She asked next, not even answering Justin's questions.

“You know that it was before that video was released. Why?” Justin said, not quite sure why Daphne was asking something she knew the answer to.

“Why didn't you reach out to her afterwards?”

“Because...,” Justin started, then stopped. “Does it matter? It's not like we were ever close.”

“Well, it matters to her,” Daphne said, watching Justin closely for his reaction.

“What do you mean it matters to her?”

“Just what I said. She cares about why you haven't contacted her in almost two years.”

Before Justin could respond, Brian interjected. “It's not like she reached out to him either.”

“And she feels bad about that. She knows that she should have.”

“And how do you know so much about how Molly feels?” Justin asked, raising an eyebrow as he looked at her.

“Because I met with her yesterday,” Daphne replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.

“You met with Molly? Why?” His eyes had widened and he looked at her as if she had just grown a second head.

“Why not? She asked me if I would be in Washington as well and when I said yes, she asked if we could meet,” Daphne shrugged.

“So wait, she reached out to you, but not to Sunshine?” Brian frowned.

“She's here in Washington?” Justin asked at the same time.

“Yes she is,” Daphne replied to Justin, then turned to Brian. “Yes, she did.”

“Why?” Both men asked then.

Daphne shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Because your mother asked to see her as well and mentioned that she would also request to see you, so she took a chance and assumed that I might be there as well and reached out and asked if we could meet.”

“But... she knows that you're not married anymore, doesn't she?” Brian wondered.

“Of course she does. She's not stupid. She has access to the internet, so she knows that we're still friends and live together even after the divorce.”

“Why did she want to meet with you?” Justin asked once more, still not understanding why Molly would have reached out to Daphne and not to him.

“To see how you were feeling about her. She was worried that you would hang up if she reached out to you directly,” Daphne explained calmly.

“Hang up? Why?” Justin still sounded more than confused.

Daphne shrugged. “Because you were angry with her for not reaching out earlier, because you were angry with her for taking your place in the royal succession and becoming crown princess and being next in line for the throne instead of you being the next king, because you thought she might feel the same about you as your mother does.”

“Does she?” Justin asked next, not able to help himself.

“You would know if you spoke to her,” Daphne pointed out, but stopped when Brian gave her a warning look and shook his head. She then sighed. “No, she doesn't. She feels horrible about the way your mother is treating you.”

Justin looked down at his plate, not looking at either Brian or Daphne. His voice was very quiet when he spoke next. “Is she angry with me because the throne has now passed to her?”

“No,” Daphne replied. “She isn't exactly happy about it either, but she doesn't blame you.”

Silence settled over the room and all three of them hung on to their own thoughts. It was Daphne who was the first to break the silence. “You should talk to her. Get all of these feelings and issues out in the open and resolve them between the two of you. You might be surprised.”

“We were never really close. You know that,” Justin said quietly, still not looking up.

“Because you didn't really have a choice, Jus. Your parents shipped both of you off to boarding schools and then you hardly saw each other. You're both adults now, having your own lives and can make your own decisions now. You might not have been close before, but I have a feeling you can be now... if you want, that is. Molly seemed nice enough. Not at all like the little brat I remember from the annual Christmas photo shoot.”

Justin looked up and met Daphne's gaze. “You only met her like five times, if at all.”

“And I had a completely wrong impression of her. The woman I met yesterday is a smart, friendly woman, who now finds herself in a situation that is not of her choosing. Jus,” Daphne eyed him closely and her voice now sounded more gentle than before, “I think she can really do with a big brother on her side now.”

“My mother wouldn't approve,” was all Justin said, before he got up from the table and headed towards his and Brian's bedroom. He closed the door behind himself and left Brian and Daphne on their own.

“Molly really wants them to try and have a relationship,” Daphne said, now looking at Brian. “She isn't like her mother at all and I think she really wants to try and have a relationship with Justin. She sounds like she wants to change things once she becomes queen and... I think she can do with some support on her side. Her mother won't make it easy for her.”

“Justin is not part of the royal family any longer,” Brian said seriously. “His mother made that very clear. That's not his life any longer.”

“But he is still Molly's big brother, no matter what his mother thinks about him. And Molly can really do with someone on her side. She will have her mother against her, she will have those so called advisors against her... She didn't ask for any of this, but she has now made her peace with it and wants to become a modern queen. She wants to make Darumor a more open and modern country. And I think she can really do with some moral support from Justin. Just knowing that he will be on her side will help her.”

Brian eyed Daphne, then shook his head. “Justin has closed that door. That's not his life anymore.”

Daphne eyed Brian closely. “No, it's not. But she's still his sister. And she wants a relationship with him.”

“Why now?”

“Because the royal duty of becoming queen has now been passed to her and she's up against a whole army of people that will not like what she wants to do and she hopes that she can at least count on her brother to support her.”

“I don't know... I don't like this,” Brian said. “It seems like an attempt to pull him back into a life that he doesn't want to go back to. It sounds like a lot of potential for more problems with his mother and I know he has closed that door for good.”

Daphne nodded. “I know and I understand. Believe me, I do. I just feel like Molly was sincere and really wants to have a relationship with him. He should at least meet with her and talk to her, see if he gets the same feeling from her.”

Brian stayed quiet for the longest time. “I won't pressure him either way. Even though he acts like he's fine, we both know he's not... It will have to be his decision.”

Daphne nodded in agreement. “I know.”

She then watched as Brian stood up as well and followed Justin into their bedroom.

***

“Sunshine, you okay?”

“Huh? Yeah...”

Brian saw Justin sitting on the edge of the bed, looking out the window of their room and onto the busy streets of Washington.

“You don't seem okay to me,” Brian pointed out and sat down next to Justin. He wrapped his arms around the younger man and was glad when Justin leaned into the embrace.

“No, I am fine, really. Just a bit surprised, is all.”

Brian nodded, but chose not to comment.

“I didn't expect to ever hear from my family again and now... not even 24 hours later, Daphne wants me to meet with my sister. A sister I have never been close with... I hardly know her...”

“According to Daphne, she seems to be nice,” Brian said, not sure what else to add.

“What if she hates me?” Justin asked quietly, burying his head in Brian's shoulder.

“Doesn't sound like it from what Daphne has said.”

“It's my fault the crown will now come to her. It's my fault that she will now have to become queen one day. It was never supposed to be her. It was always supposed to be me and now I am getting out of it and the whole responsibility is pushed into her lap. This was never supposed to be her life,” Justin said, sounding more and more agitated. “You heard Daphne... she's not happy about it...”

“Hey, calm down,” Brian said, then turned slightly, so he could look at Justin. “Remember what we talked about a long time ago? You are responsible for your own happiness. You can choose what you want your life to be like. It's your life, your choices. And the same goes for Molly. It's her life and if she's not happy about this, she can make the appropriate decisions for her life.”

Justin sighed. “Brian, it's not that easy... I dumped the burden of the crown into her lap and she has no choice but to take it. If she doesn't accept the crown... there will be no one...”

“I don't believe that,” Brian said, looking at Justin intently. “I am sure there must be some uncle, cousin or whatever who would be next in line to the throne.”

Justin rolled his eyes. “Yeah, but it wouldn't be from our family... not the direct line that my parents, my grandparents, my great-grandparents are part of...”

“Still, there would be someone else to take the crown if Molly didn't want it. She has a choice as well, Justin. Maybe she just needs to hear from you to realize it.”

“I don't know,” Justin shook his head slowly. “We were never close... I don't think she would just want to hear my opinion now, all of a sudden.”

“According to Daphne, she's smart. Maybe she realized how much your mother sucks and is now looking for a way out as well. You did it. You found your way out. Maybe she just needs some help.”

Justin shook his head and smiled at Brian. “You would love that, wouldn't you? To see the whole legacy of my family break down like that?”

“You know that Americans have never had a good relationship with royalty. We have a very troubled history with people that wear crowns.”

Justin saw that Brian was mostly joking, saw the smirk when he had spoken and couldn't help but laugh.

“I know of one American that has a very good relationship with a royal,” he said, leaning in and kissing Brian.

“Former royal,” Brian corrected, then pulled Justin closer. They kissed for a few minutes, then broke apart. Once they were both breathing normally again, Brian spoke again. “Sunshine, you know that Daphne loves you. She wouldn't have brought this up if she wasn't sure that it would be good for you. If she had any doubts about Molly's reasons for reaching out now, she would have been the first to kick your sister's ass and send her back to wherever she came from. Daphne would never risk you getting hurt. You know that.”

Justin nodded, knowing that Brian was right. “I will think about it.”

Now Brian nodded, then pulled Justin close once more and kissed him.

***

 After they had returned to Pittsburgh, Justin hadn't really spoken about his sister anymore. The first two days had been spent with Lizzie, spending time with her and making it up to her that they had gone on a trip without her and then the palace had released the statement about Justin not returning to his royal duties and no longer being a member of the royal family.

Once again their lives had become public property and the press had contacted them for statements. It had been an endless amount of calls and emails from the press and even though Justin had announced that he would not comment on  anything beyond the statement that had been released, it had taken almost a week before the press had finally gotten the hint that there would be no statement from him, Brian or Daphne.

It took a couple more days before things quieted down again and their lives slowly went back to what had become their normal.

Justin got back into his work for the GLC, got back into his campaigning and slowly, but surely Brian got his sunshine back.

It did him good to see Justin happy and relaxed again and to once more see him invested in the causes that mattered to him.

He had almost forgotten about the conversation they had had about Molly in Washington and was more than surprised when Justin mentioned her again weeks later.

“I have reached out to her earlier today.”

“You did?” Brian clearly hadn't expected to hear that.

Justin nodded. “I asked Daphne for her number and sent her a message.”

“And?”

“She replied. She sounded nice enough, asked if I was okay after the last few weeks, asked if there was anything she could do to help.”

“Okay,” Brian said, watching Justin closely.

“I have told her that we can meet, if she wants to,” Justin said next. “She said she would love to.”

“That sounds good, right?”

Justin nodded. “Her semester is almost over. She is having her finals right now, but things will be quieter in a couple of weeks. We decided to meet then.”

“That sounds good,” Brian said, pulling Justin close. “Maybe Daphne was right and she really just wants a relationship with her big brother.”

“Will you come along when I meet with her?” Justin asked next and that question really surprised Brian, if he was honest.

“Shouldn't you meet with her in private? Just the two of you? To talk things over?”

Justin sighed. “I guess yeah... but... I want to see how she reacts to you. I want to see if she means it or not, you know?”

Brian could hear the insecurity in Justin's voice and hated it being there. He wrapped his arms around Justin's midsection and held him close.

“If that's what you want, then I'll be there.”

“Thank you,” Justin whispered, then didn't speak about his sister anymore that day.

Chapter 30

Three weeks later, Brian and Justin found themselves back in New York once more to meet with Molly. Everyone had agreed that a meeting in a restaurant was out of the question. Having this first meeting in more than two years in public wouldn't help anyone and would only create new media attention for everyone involved.

Instead, Molly had accepted an invitation to dinner at Justin's and Brian's place and had said that she was looking forward to seeing Justin again and to get to know Brian.

As far as their text messages had been concerned, everything had sounded good and sincere and Justin hoped that this dinner would end well and not in a disaster.

Justin had insisted on preparing dinner himself, telling Brian that it would keep him occupied and would keep him from thinking too much ahead of this meeting. Knowing that Justin was most likely right and that he would drive himself and Brian crazy if he had nothing to do, Brian decided to let Justin go ahead and help him as far as his help was needed.

All afternoon it had been obvious that Justin had been nervous about this dinner and nothing Brian tried to calm him down had really done the trick.

He walked over and gave Justin a kiss on his temple. “It's going to be fine, Sunshine.”

Justin nodded absentmindedly as he ran a hand through his hair, obviously not happy with the way it looked.

“Stop it,” Brian said gently, taking Justin's hand and giving it a squeeze. “She's just your sister.”

Justin rolled his eyes. “You know how fucked up my family is. That doesn't mean much...”

“I am sure it will be fine.” Brian then leaned in and kissed Justin, only stopping when the kiss was interrupted by their intercom announcing that they had a visitor.

Justin broke the kiss and picked up the receiver. He listened to the receptionist of the building and told him to let Molly up. He then walked over to the door of their apartment and opened it, knowing that it would only take Molly a couple of seconds on the elevator to arrive on the correct floor.

And then he waited.

When the elevator door opened, he was surprised to see a grown up, beautiful woman. The last time he had seen Molly, she had been this awkward teenager, who hadn't been quite sure if she was still a girl or already a young woman. Now she had obviously grown up to be a beautiful and judging by the way she was carrying herself, also a confident, young woman. She smiled carefully as she made her way over to the open door where Justin was waiting for her.

“Oh Justinus, it's so good to see you again,” she said as she stopped in front of him.

“Everyone only calls me Justin now,” Justin couldn't help but say, still hating his original name that made him sound like he was seventy. “And yeah, it's been too long.”

Before he knew what was happening, he found himself with an armful of his sister who was now giving him a hug.

“Justin, I missed you so much! And I am sooooooo sorry!”

Justin allowed Molly to hug him and hugged her back, realizing that he had really missed her as well. More than he had thought. “I missed you, too,” he then took a step back and nodded for her to come into the apartment. “Why don't you come inside? Dinner is almost ready.”

Molly followed him inside and took a look around. “It hasn't really changed, has it?” She had been at his apartment before, only once or twice when Lizzie had just been born and she had come to see her little niece, the newest member of the royal family. That now felt like another life to Justin.

“Daphne and I decided to keep it. In case we are needed in New York. For my shows, for Brian's work, whatever. It's just a good idea to have a base here as well,” he said as he led her into the dining room where Brian was just opening the wine bottle.

She watched the older man with interest, watching how he elegantly opened the wine bottle. When he was done, Justin went over and immediately rested a hand on Brian's arm. She could immediately see the familiarity in that gesture. How Brian's gaze immediately moved to Justin's, met his and how they had a quiet conversation that needed no words. When Justin nodded almost imperceptibly, Brian nodded as well and broke the moment, looking at Molly now.

Justin then introduced them to each other. “Brian, this is my sister, Molly. Molly, this is Brian, my partner.”

Molly came over and was quite surprised when Brian bowed slightly.

“It's nice to meet you, Princess,” he said politely.

“It's nice to meet you, too. I've heard so much about you,” she said with a smile, then shook her head in amusement. “And please, none of that Princess stuff. It's only us and we're family.”

“You and Justin are,” Brian said politely, but then nodded. “But if that's what you want, sure.”

“Oh please, you've been dating my brother for how long? That makes us family as well. And really? I mostly find all that fuss very annoying,” she said with an honest, open smile.

“Well, looks like you two have that in common, then,” Brian said with a smirk, before he held up the bottle of wine. “Would you like a glass?”

“Oh yes, please,” she said, then looked back at her brother. “Daphne told me that he was hot, but I had no idea he was this hot. The images don't do him justice.”

Justin just rolled his eyes, not able to believe that his sister had really just said that. “Really? You know that will go right to his head, don't you?”

“Sunshine, it just shows your sister has great taste,” Brian smirked, then poured each of them a glass of wine as well.

“I want to hear all about how you two met... I mean, I read what the newspapers said, but I doubt that's the real story,” Molly said next, smiling disarmingly at both men.

“Why don't we sit down and I get the starters?” Justin said, then moved towards the kitchen, leaving Brian and Molly on their own.

They both watched after him, before Brian nodded towards the table and they sat down.

“Is he okay with this?” Molly asked, looking at Brian with worried eyes. “I mean... with this meeting? He seems so... nervous.”

Brian eyed her for the longest time, not sure how much he should say. But he liked her, she had made a good first impression on him, so he decided to be honest with the young woman. “He's just not sure what the evening will bring. Interactions with your family haven't really ended well for him in recent years.”

Molly hung her head and sighed. “I know and I am sorry. I... I wish I would have said something sooner.”

“I am not the person who needs to hear that,” Brian just said, then looked at Justin when he came in with a bowl of Greek salad that he had prepared for their starter.

Molly nodded, then looked at Justin when he had sat the bowl down and had sat down next to Brian.

“This looks really good, Justin. Did you make it?”

Justin nodded, before he handed the bowl to her, so she could take some salad. “I've always loved cooking. It calms me down.”

They all took some salad and bread that Justin had made earlier and started eating. Molly asked questions about Daphne, about Lizzie and soon they had some polite conversation going. Justin asked her about her studies, she was studying International Relations at New York University and would soon be starting her final year, but they stayed clear of their family, the throne or the last two years.

They made their way through the main course, chicken breast cooked in a sauce of mushrooms, peppers and a light white wine sauce, served with rice and ended their dinner with fresh brownies and ice-cream. It hadn't been a grand dinner, but one that Justin and Brian had always liked and often had at home, too. It was almost like their comfort food, which was why Justin had wanted to make it that night.

When dinner was over, it became more and more apparent that everyone was trying to avoid the elephant in the room. In the end it was Brian, who had enough and decided to give the two siblings the nudge in the right direction that they so obviously needed.

He took their empty plates, then leaned down and gave Justin a kiss. “Why don't I go and leave you two on your own, so you can catch up in private?”

Justin's eyes widened a bit and he was about to say something when Molly spoke up.

“You don't have to leave, Brian.”

Brian smiled at her and shook his head. “Don't worry. I'll just be next door in the kitchen and will get a headstart cleaning up after dinner.” And then he left, leaving Justin and Molly on their own.

There was a silence for a few seconds as Justin looked after Brian.

“He is really nice. It's obvious how much he loves you,” Molly said, bringing Justin back to the here and now.

“I love him, too,” Justin said without thinking.

“I am glad you met him, Justin... he seems really good for you.”

Justin nodded, then took another sip from his wine glass. “He is. I don't know where I would be without him.”

Molly eyed her brother, knowing that he had more to say, but was trying to put his thoughts in order.

“Brian was the one who showed me that I deserved happiness as well. That there was more to my life than just duty and the crown. That the life I had always dreamed of didn't just have to be a dream, but was within reach.”

Molly nodded, understanding what Justin was saying.

“It looks like you two are really happy. That you have a good life in Pittsburgh,” she said quietly.

Justin met her gaze and nodded. “We do,” he agreed, then sighed, knowing that they couldn't avoid the real reason for their meeting for much longer. “Molly... I am sorry that... that the crown and everything that goes with it has now been dumped in your lap... because of me and... everything.”

“It's not your fault,” Molly replied quietly, holding Justin's gaze.

“Yes, it is. If I had just continued the life I had with Daphne and Lizzie... if I had just continued playing the part, this would have never become your life.”

“But it wouldn't have been you. You wouldn't have been happy. It would have been a lie,” Molly pointed out.

Justin shrugged. “It would have been better for you. I am sure you must hate me for passing all this down to you.”

“I don't hate you,” Molly said seriously. “And maybe it would have been better for me, but at what cost? You living a lie for the rest of your life? You being unhappy?”

“I just wish my mess wouldn't have affected you like this,” Justin said sadly. “That there could have been a different outcome for you.”

Molly shook her head, then reached over the table and took Justin's hand. “Maybe this is exactly what was supposed to happen. You now have the life that you have always wanted, that you have always dreamed of. You can be yourself, you can be happy with Brian and Lizzie.”

“And at what cost?” Justin repeated Molly's earlier question. “That you are now caught in a life that wasn't supposed to be yours, but mine?”

Molly's voice was serious when she spoke. “I won't lie. At first... I didn't look forward to becoming queen one day. I... that had never been my intention and I have to admit that I quite liked being the child in the background, the one that no one really paid attention to, but... when I saw how you were treated because of something as insignificant as who you love... it made me angry on your behalf. The way you were treated... that was not okay, Justin. And... the more I have thought about it in recent months, the more I have realized that I don't want to be part of a system like that. So... when I become queen one day, I will insist that things change. It's time that Darumor arrives in the 21st century as well.”

“Mother won't like that,” Justin pointed out, knowing that it was the truth.

“I don't care. Once I am queen, there isn't much she can do about it... Her and Dad... they have always acted like they are special people just because of who their parents were, but really? They didn't do anything to deserve these titles. The monarchy is caught in traditions that are hundreds of years old and have no place in our society any longer. Look at Sweden, look at the Netherlands, look at Denmark and Norway: They have all moved into the 21st century: Their kids go to public schools, they marry who they want, not caring if the person is a royal or not... hell, not even caring if the person has been married before or not. They have arrived in modern times and I want that for us as well. It's long overdue.”

“You didn't learn that at St. James',” Justin chuckled, knowing how conservative all the private schools their parents had sent them to had been. Their whole education had been to let them know that they were white and privileged and that it was up to them to keep it that way. To keep the Status Quo.

“God, no!” Molly shuddered, thinking back to her years at that school. She had hated every day. “Maybe mother and father shouldn't have sent us to the US for our education. They have this thing called internet and TV where you can read up on things like equality, tolerance and acceptance and watch movies and shows about it.”

“Molly, have you thought this through? You will have mother against you, all the advisors, everyone at court really,” Justin said, looking at his sister with eyes full of worry. “You know that none of them like change and that they all love their traditions that make them feel like they are so much better than everyone else.”

Molly sighed, then nodded. “I know it won't be easy, but... if I have a child one day and they end up being gay or lesbian or bi or whatever... I don't want them to go through what you went through. That was not acceptable.”

“Thank you for saying that,” Justin said quietly, not looking at her, but at the wine glass in his hands.

“I am just sorry that I wasn't there for you when it mattered. I... I know I should have supported you when all that shit went down, but... at the time... I didn't know what to do and how you would react and then... there was mother...”

“It's okay, Molly,” Justin said, looking at his sister. “It's all in the past.”

“No, it's not okay. I should have stood up to mother and supported you, but... “

“I know what she's like,” Justin muttered. “You really don't have to explain.”

“Are you angry with me because I didn't speak up for you?” Molly asked next, eying him with sad eyes.

Justin thought about his reply for several seconds, then shook his head. “No,” he said, knowing that he wasn't. Maybe he had been angry in the beginning, but really, now, two years later, it was all water under the bridge. Molly was here now, she seemed to really want to change things, she seemed to really want to make things better for him and everyone else who would be coming after him and that was all that mattered to Justin at this point. “I am not. I understand that it was an impossible situation for you... a situation caused by me.”

“You didn't ask for it,” Molly pointed out. “None of what happened was really your fault.”

Justin smiled gratefully. “Let's just agree to disagree on that one. I know we've never been close and... when that video came out... I know that mother, the palace, everyone went into damage control mode. I had embarrassed the family name, besmirched the legacy of our family. I don't blame you for not reaching out when everyone most likely told you that I was now persona non grata.”

“I know we can't change the past, but... I would really love if we could stay in each other's lives now,” Molly said quietly. “You're right, we've never been close before, mostly because we have never been in the same place for a long time and because I am so much younger, but... I would like to see if we could become closer now. You are my brother and I don't want to act like you don't exist. I want us to be part of each other's lives.”

“I would like that,” Justin smiled at his sister. “I really would.” He then raised his glass and clinked it against hers. “To a better future.”

“To a better future,” Molly said as well, smiling widely.

“Will you be going back to Darumor? Now that your semester is over?”

Molly nodded. “For a couple of weeks. Mother wants me to attend some meetings, learn some things, she said. I am not looking forward to it, but well... what can you do?”

“Why don't you come and visit us in Pittsburgh before you return to New York? See where we live, meet our family there,” Justin suggested and Molly smiled widely.

“I would love that. I have read so much about your mansion and the estate around it.”

Justin rolled his eyes. “Don't believe everything you read in the press. It's a big house, but not nearly the palace some press outlets would make you believe.”

“You love it though?”

Justin nodded, sighing happily. “It's home. It's the home Brian and I have built.”

“Then I am sure I will love it as well,” Molly said. “I can't wait to come and visit you both there.”

They smiled at each other and were still smiling happily when Brian returned to join them twenty minutes later. He had only wanted to see what the atmosphere was like, if both siblings were okay, but when he had returned from the kitchen, he had found the siblings together on the sofa, both having their glasses of wine and laughing about stories from the schools they had gone to.

He had a feeling that things would be okay between them, which made him really happy for Justin, but also for Molly as well. He knew that if Daphne was right and she wanted to change a lot of things at the palace, her future wouldn't be an easy one and she would need her brother's support.

Hopefully, they would be able to stay in contact and support each other, going forward.

Brian joined the siblings on the sofa and smiled when Justin immediately settled in his embrace, leaning his head on Brian's shoulder.

Molly watched them and was happy that her brother had found a man who loved him like that, loved him despite everything, despite who he was, despite his family, despite the media attention his identity brought. She could only hope that she would find the same one day as well.

Chapter 31

Justin and Molly indeed managed to stay in contact. They would text and talk regularly and whenever they could organize it, Molly would come to Pittsburgh to visit her brother and his family and friends there.

The first time she had come to Pittsburgh, she had immediately fallen in love with Britin, especially the peace and quiet there and had enjoyed meeting Justin's new family and friends.

Everyone had been so nice to her and had just treated her like Justin's little sister, not like a princess that would one day become queen.

For the first time in her life she had really felt normal and it hadn't been hard at all for her to understand why Justin loved his new life so much.

Of course, they would also meet when Justin had to go to New York, but whenever Molly could, she tried to make it to Pittsburgh. Trips to Britin felt like a break from her new life of crown princess and allowed her to just relax and recharge her batteries for a bit.

Daphne had loved having another woman at Britin, Lizzie had loved her aunt and loved having another adult around her that spoiled her and spent time with her and Justin and Molly had just loved exploring and building their new relationship, a relationship they had never really had like that before.

After Molly had finished her studies at NYU, her mother and the advisors at court had agreed that it would be a good experience for her to represent Darumor at the UN and to take over Justin's previous duties. Everyone was convinced that it would help Molly to prepare for her role as queen, while Molly had just been glad to be able to stay in New York, away from the court, her mother and all those traditions she didn't really care about. Also staying in New York made it easier for her to continue to stay in touch with Justin which was a plus as well.

Her mother had agreed to let her get experience at the UN for the next five years, before she was expected to return to court and to take over more duties there. Molly was already required to attend events at the embassy or the UN, but for the most part was able to continue living her New York life the way she had before.

Unlike with Justin, there wasn't really anything special about her and she was just a princess of a tiny European country that most people in the US didn't even know anyway, so the media mostly left her alone and she had a decent amount of privacy which she liked.

It was before her fourth visit to Britin that she asked Justin if it was okay if she brought a friend with her.

“A friend?” Brian asked, raising an eyebrow.

“I think he's more than a friend, but she wasn't really admitting to anything,” Justin shrugged. “Though she said they would be fine sharing a room.”

“Oooooh, Molly found herself a nice little boyfriend?”

“You're talking about my sister here,” Justin said, raising an eyebrow in warning.

“Ah, come on, Sunshine. You must admit that she deserves to have someone in her life as well,” Brian said reasonably.

“Yeah, she does,” Justin agreed, then sighed. “I just can't help but feel like something is off...”

“Off?” Brian now frowned, looking at Justin closely. “In what way?”

“I don't know...,” Justin shrugged. “Just off.”

Brian nodded, none the wiser. “Well, we can ask her once she gets here tomorrow.”

When she arrived a day later, they didn't really have to ask her though as it quickly became obvious why Molly might have been nervous about her friend. When she arrived, she was holding hands with a young, good-looking Asian man.

Not that it mattered to Brian or Justin that he was Asian or what part of the world he came from, but Justin's thoughts immediately jumped to his mother and he knew how she would insist that Molly marry someone of royal descent, but at least someone with connections to Europe's royalty.

She introduced the man at her side as her boyfriend, Li Wei Wang.

Brian and Justin greeted the young man, who was clearly nervous about meeting someone from Molly's family, then watched as the young couple went inside the house to store the luggage in their room.

“Stop grinning like that,” Justin said, hitting Brian's arm playfully.

“Come on, you have to admit that it's great,” Brian chuckled, grinning from ear to ear.

“My mother will have a stroke when she finds out about this...,” Justin sighed.

“So I was right? She isn't only a homophobe, but also racist?” Brian couldn't help but say, biting his lower lip as Justin looked at him in exasperation.

“Well, she's not really racist per se, but she won't like this. With Molly becoming queen one day, she will be expecting her to marry someone of royal descent, maybe even someone from the other European royal families.”

“You didn't marry someone royal,” Brian pointed out.

“And my parents weren't all too happy about it,” Justin muttered darkly. “But they finally accepted because Daphne's family had connections to our royal family and... I guess that made her acceptable.”

“You never told me that,” Brian said quietly, then pulled Justin closer. “I didn't know.”

Justin shrugged while Brian held him close. “It doesn't really matter, does it? They complained for a while, but when they realized I wasn't budging... they didn't really have much choice but to accept her.”

“Maybe your mother will do the same with Molly... if this is serious. I mean we don't know anything about him yet. Maybe it's just a fling?”

“Maybe... I guess we'll find out, but... I know that after the disappointment I turned out to be, my mother will only have higher expectations of Molly.”

“Hey, don't say that. You're not a disappointment,” Brian said sternly, kissing Justin's forehead.

“Try telling that to my mother,” Justin gave back, then pulled back and smiled at Brian. “Okay, let's try to find out more about this guy and how serious things are between them.”

As it turned out, things between Molly and Li Wei were very serious. Justin and Brian were told that they had been together for more than a year and a half already, that they had met at NYU where they had both been in some of the same classes and that they intended to stay together. They loved each other and wanted to start a family together.

Li Wei knew all about Molly's family, her role and loved her despite all that. He was even willing to give up his life in China, his current life in the US and to move to Darumor with her when the time came.

They had apparently talked a lot about what Molly's future would mean for them and Li Wei loved her so much, he had assured her that he loved her, wanted to be with her and would be by her side, no matter what.

Now they only had to break the news to the queen. Which they hadn't done yet. They had decided to start with Brian and Justin, assuming that they would find less resistance to their relationship there.

And they had been right. Of course Justin had gone into full big brother mode and had given Li Wei the talk, threatening bodily harm to him should he ever hurt Molly, but they had quickly seen how happy and in love he and Molly were and what a good couple they made.

Over time he became a part of their extended family and every time Molly came by to visit Brian and Justin, so would Li Wei.

Time went by like that and Justin focused on his art, his campaigning and his charity work while Brian focused on making Kinnetik the best advertising company in the east.

Molly continued her work for the UN and stayed in her relationship with Li Wei, not telling their mother about him yet.

After two years, she couldn't avoid it any longer though. Li Wei had asked her to marry him and she had accepted.

Justin and Brian had been overjoyed for the young couple and Justin had promised Molly to support her in whatever way he could.

“If she doesn't like it, she can give the crown to Uncle Bernard... not that I care,” Molly had said full of defiance when Justin had asked her what she would do if her mother opposed her marriage with Li Wei. “If she wants me to take over as queen, she will have to accept that things will change. Yes, I will marry someone that's not a royal, that's not from Darumor, that's not even European. Yes, I will be a more open and tolerant queen than she has been and will bring Darumor into the 21st century. If she can't accept that, she can give the crown to Uncle Bertrand and I will stay in New York.”

Justin eyed her and knew that Molly was dead serious. She loved Li Wei and she would not allow her mother to come between her and her fiance. She wouldn't make the same mistake Justin had made and wouldn't give in to her mother's whims just for the sake of the crown.

He couldn't help but be proud of his little sister when she had been full of determination, before she had left for Darumor to inform her mother of her choice in a future husband.

Justin couldn't help but feel bad for Li Wei, for having to meet his mother for the first time under such circumstances. He knew it wouldn't be a happy meeting.

And he had been right.

There had been a huge fight between Molly and their mother and their mother had insisted for Molly to break off things with Li Wei, so she could start looking for a “proper” husband that would be “suited to her role and station in life”.

Molly had refused and had returned to New York with Li Wei, informing her mother that she would not accept the crown if her mother didn't accept her boyfriend.

For about six months there had been silence between the two women and Justin had heard from Molly that she had been contacted by her mother's secretary, asking her to reconsider her choice in a husband. Molly had stayed her course though and had announced during the last call to him that she would marry Li Wei, whether her mother approved or not and if she didn't, they would get married in New York surrounded by her friends and the family that supported them.

The palace had realized the danger of the situation, had realized how badly it would make the royal family look if both children ended up being cast out by their mother, so the advisors had started to change their tune and had urged the queen to give in to Molly's demands.

After Justin had been kicked out of the royal family, they couldn't afford to lose the second child as well. It just wouldn't look good and there would be no way to spin this to make the queen look good in this.

So in the end, the queen gave in and said that Molly and Li Wei could go ahead and get married, but she insisted that they would get married in Darumor, in a ceremony that would be fitting for a future queen.

Molly and Li Wei agreed, knowing that this was pretty much the best outcome they could have hoped for.

***

“Justin, please!” Molly looked at him with pleading eyes. “You can't say no to a bride-to-be.”

“Molly,” Justin sighed, looking at his sister with exasperated eyes. “Mother will never allow that. You know that.”

“I don't care. It's my wedding and I want you to walk me down the aisle,” Molly said seriously. “You're my big brother and with Dad no longer around... It's your job to walk me down the aisle.”

“Mother won't even want me at the wedding, much less take an active part in it,” Justin said reasonably, knowing that it was most likely true. “She will expect Uncle Bernard to walk you down the aisle.”

“Yeah, that's so not going to happen!” Molly shook her head immediately. “You will walk me down the aisle.”

Justin shook his head. “Molly, I would love to... I am honored that you're even thinking of me, but... it will only antagonize mother further. She agreed to you marrying Li Wei. Maybe we shouldn't push her any further. I will be here and will be watching on TV and will be with you in spirit,” he said sadly.

He would love to be at his sister's wedding, but he was a realist and knew that his mother would never allow him to be present at the wedding. Not even talking about him having a part in the wedding, a part that would show him on TV, in press pictures, etc. He was not a part of the royal family anymore and his mother wouldn't allow for him to come back. Not with how pissed she already was about the wedding anyway.

“Jus, this is my wedding. My big day! I will marry the man of my dreams and I want my big brother there to walk me down the aisle. You can't say no to that.”

In the end Justin had said that he would think about it, but that was all he had promised.

“Sunshine, why not? It seems really important to Molly. Hell, she even called me and asked me to and I quote 'use your power over him to change his mind'.”

“My mother will never allow it,” Justin just said, then turned off the light on his side of the bed. “And I don't want to talk about it any longer. It won't happen.”

“But you would like to walk her down the aisle, wouldn't you?” Brian asked, looking at Justin with sad and concerned eyes. He hated how Justin's mother was once again about to hurt his partner, even though she didn't know that she was doing it.

“Of course, I would. She's my sister. Who wouldn't love to walk their sister down the aisle and be a part of her taking on this new chapter of her life?” Justin sighed.

“Then why not agree to it and not disappoint her?”

“Because it won't happen. No matter how much she or I might want it to. My mother won't allow it. It's best she realizes it right away and accepts that I won't be at her wedding.”

“She managed to get your mother to agree to this wedding, don't underestimate her powers of persuasion,” Brian said seriously. “If she wants this, I doubt that your mother will be able to stop her.”

“It won't happen, there's no point hanging on to this pipe dream,” Justin said once more, then pulled up his blanket and closed his eyes.

It was obvious to Brian that their conversation was over.

Over the next couple of days both Daphne and Molly tried again and again to get Justin to agree to walk her down the aisle, but Justin insisted that no matter how much they all might want him to do it, his mother would never agree.

So in the end, Molly talked to her mother directly, only to find out that Justin had been right. Her mother was adamant that Justin would not be at the wedding. He was no longer a part of the royal family and his presence would only cause the media to focus on his former scandal and his gay lifestyle which wasn't anything she wanted to be talked about on this important day for Darumor.

Her opinion led to Molly once again threatening to get married in New York in a small, private ceremony which led to another impasse between the two headstrong women.

The queen didn't think that Molly would dare to go through with this when the wedding had already been publicly announced, but when Molly didn't respond to any of her attempts to get in contact concerning the wedding celebrations, she slowly learned better. Molly would go through with this and wouldn't care about the damage this would do to the reputation of the royal family of Darumor. Much like Justin, her daughter had no understanding of the importance of good PR and how important it was to a royal family.

Finally, three weeks before the scheduled wedding date, the queen gave in, knowing that it was the only way to avoid a much bigger PR disaster than having Justin show up at Molly's wedding. Yes, the media would most likely focus on his presence at the royal wedding, but at least it wouldn't be the PR disaster a canceled wedding would be.

All in all, the relationship between the two women couldn't have been more strained, but they both pretended that everything was fine and went ahead with the wedding preparations as planned.

Justin would attend the wedding and would walk Molly down the aisle, whether their mother liked it or not. He wasn't really all too happy about how it had all come to happen, but in the end knew that all that mattered was that Molly would have a great day, the day she had always dreamed of.

His relationship with his mother was non-existent anyway, so it wasn't like it could get any worse because of this. He just felt bad for Molly and how much fight she had to put up to get the wedding she wanted and deserved.

At the same time, he also couldn't help but feel awfully proud of her. She had stood up for what she had wanted, had fought for it and had not allowed their mother and her bigotry to ruin the most important day of her life.

Chapter 32

“What is he doing here?”

Justin looked up and sighed when he saw his mother walking over to where he and Brian were standing. Brian looked up as well and Justin immediately noticed how his shoulders tensed up and he stood up that much straighter, looking at his mother defiantly.

“Mother,” Justin just said, then turned back to the cufflinks he had been fidgeting with.

Brian took his arm and quietly said. “Let me.”

Justin just nodded, then allowed Brian to get them in place, so they would look alright.

“I asked you a question, Justinus,” his mother repeated, staying at the door and looking inside the room where Justin was getting ready for Molly's wedding.

Brian had come by a minute or two ago for a quick kiss and some last encouraging words and had been about to leave to find his place in the church, but Justin knew that there was no way he would leave now. Brian had never met his mother and Justin knew that this was long overdue, but he wished it wouldn't have happened just minutes before Molly's wedding.

He and Brian had arrived in Darumor two days ago with Daphne and Lizzie and had stayed in a hotel. Molly had urged them to stay at the palace, but Justin had refused.

This trip back to his former life was already stressing him enough, he knew how displeased his mother was about his presence and he just wanted to get it over and done with, so he could return back to Pittsburgh quickly, back to the people he loved and that loved him and that he considered family now.

He had hoped against hope that maybe his mother was as disinclined to see him as he was to see her, but apparently he had been wrong.

“If you are referring to Brian, he is here to attend Molly's wedding to which he was invited by Molly,” Justin just replied, then leaned in and gave Brian a quick kiss to thank him for helping him with his cufflinks, but mostly for being there and silently supporting him.

He didn't care if his mother could see them or if she would have an aneurysm because of their kiss, he just needed to feel that Brian was there by his side.

“I will not allow this,” the queen announced, looking at both men sternly. “I will not allow you to once again pull this family into the headlines with your immoral behavior. It's bad enough that Molly insisted that you be here on this day... when the whole world is watching, but I expect you not to make a spectacle of yourself.”

“You will not allow it?” Justin raised his eyes and glared at his mother. “My partner and I have been invited to my sister's wedding because she wants us here. I doubt very much that it matters what you want.”

“I am still the queen and I will not allow this... this man to ruin our good name.”

“If that's your last word, then you can explain to Molly why she will have to find a new flower girl and someone to walk her down the aisle ten minutes before her wedding is supposed to start,” Justin just retorted, then took Brian's hand. “Let's go. I've had enough of this.”

“Sunshine,” Brian said quietly, looking at Justin with concerned eyes. He could feel how tense Justin was, but he also knew that Justin was deadly serious. And as much as he admired Justin for standing up to his mother on his behalf, this was Molly's wedding, her big day and Brian didn't want it to get ruined because of him. “Think about this.”

Justin turned to Brian and looked at him intently. “I have. I have thought about nothing else for weeks. I knew this would happen. I have told you, Daph and Molly from the very beginning. I will not allow her to treat me like a lesser human being just because she's a bigot. I will not allow her to treat you like that when you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I will explain it to Molly afterwards, but I will not let her treat us like this. Not any longer.”

He then turned back to his mother and threw her an icy glare. “We are leaving.”

“Justinus,” his mother said, her voice icy cold. “If you go ahead and ruin this day like you have ruined our family's reputation, you will pay for it.”

“Oh really? What will you do? Kick me out of the family? Cut me off and stop me from receiving any money? Break off all contact with me and your own granddaughter? Tell me, what do you want to do to me that you haven't already done before?” Justin spat, his glare as icy as his mother's.

Brian watched Justin and laid a hand on his arm, trying to calm him down somehow. “Sunshine...”

“Remember where you are and who you're talking to, Justinus! I will not stand for disrespect like that.”

“Respect needs to be earned. You have done nothing to earn my respect,” Justin gave back coldly.

“I am the queen! I am your queen! And you will respect me in my own palace,” his mother said darkly.

Justin just snorted, then frowned when Brian pulled him around and pulled him close, moving their foreheads together. His voice was very quiet when he spoke.

“Don't do this to Molly. I know you're angry... I know you have every right to be... but think about Molly. Your sister is getting married today. This is her big day. She loves you. She wants you here. She wants you to walk her down the aisle, no matter what that old crow over there says or does. Think about that! Think about how much you would hurt her if you left now. I know you don't want to hurt her... You love her and that is why you will make her happy on this day. Just think about Molly and tomorrow we'll be out of here and will return to our life in Pittsburgh.”

Justin was quiet for the longest time and both he and Brian ignored his mother's anger over Brian calling her an old crow. Justin raised his gaze and met Brian's. In the end he nodded slowly.

“For Molly,” he whispered.

“For Molly,” Brian agreed, pulling Justin close and hugging him. “Just think about how happy she will be when you walk her down the aisle. That's all that matters.”

Justin nodded once more, then turned back to his mother. “My sister is waiting for me. I have an important job to do for her,” he announced, then took Brian's hand and led him out of the room, not giving his mother another glance or anything else in reply.

Brian noticed that the queen looked at them open-mouthed and he couldn't help but smirk at her as they left her alone in the room. He doubted that she had ever been treated like that.

Once they walked down the hallway, Justin turned to Brian with a wide grin on his face. “Did you really call her an old crow?”

Brian couldn't help but smile sheepishly. “I think I did, yeah...”

Justin stopped, then leaned in to kiss Brian deeply. When the kiss broke, he looked at his man with shining eyes. “I love you! You have no idea how much...”

“Hmmm, I think I have an idea,” Brian smirked, then ran a hand through Justin's hair. “So... that's your mother, huh? Can't say I am impressed.”

Justin actually had to laugh at that and once he had calmed down, they made their way to the chapel where the wedding would take place.

When they arrived, Daphne and Lizzie were already there, both dressed in beautiful dresses that made them look like real princesses.

“Wow... you look beautiful,” Justin said as he looked at his daughter and leaned down to give her a hug. “And your hair. Did Mommy do that?”

Lizzie nodded happily, her eyes shining with happiness and excitement.

She had been excited ever since she had been told that Molly wanted her to be the flower girl at her wedding and when she had seen some of the dresses that Molly and Daphne had thought of for her to wear, she had squealed in delight. “I am gonna look like a real Disney princess!”

They had practiced at home and she had done really well during the two rehearsals the day before and she was more than excited to do her part at her aunt's wedding.

She happily took Brian's compliments on her dress and hair as well and was smiling widely when Molly arrived.

Her dress was magnificent and opulent, there were no other words for it. She looked like a real princess and this dress was worthy of a future queen's wedding.

“Wow,” Justin whispered as he saw his sister in her dress for the first time. Before he had seen images of the dress, but now seeing her wear it, she looked absolutely stunning. “You look breathtaking, Molly!”

Molly smiled excitedly. “Do you like it?”

“Yeah, I do,” Justin agreed, then pulled his sister close for a hug. His voice was serious when he spoke next. “I just want you to know how proud I am of you. I know... I know that things aren't easy for you because of me and... my choices and... I just want you to know that I love you and am so proud of you, okay?”

“Jus? Is everything okay?” Molly asked, looking at her brother with concerned eyes. Something in his voice had sounded off.

“Yeah, yeah, everything is fine,” he said, now smiling widely at her as well. “I guess... seeing you like this... it just made me a bit sentimental. You're my baby sister and now... look at you. All grown up and getting ready to marry.”

Molly smiled in return, holding her brother close. “I am so happy you're here. It wouldn't be the same without you. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Justin said, giving her one more hug, then stepping back so that Brian and Daphne could hug her as well.

After everyone had said their piece about how great Molly looked, Brian and Daphne left the group and went to take their places inside the chapel.

They would be sitting with Li Wei's family on one side of the chapel, not with Molly's family, the royal family on the other side of the chapel.

As Justin was no longer considered part of the royal family, neither were Brian nor Daphne. Not that either of them really cared. They had gotten to know Li Wei's family quite a bit in recent weeks and as far as Brian was concerned, he liked sitting with the riff-raff a lot better than sitting on the other side.

When they entered the chapel, all eyes turned to them and Brian couldn't help but notice the glare the queen threw his way from her seat in the first row. Daphne noticed and quietly asked him what that was about.

“She's not happy that I am here,” was all he said and Daphne just nodded, knowing that for the moment she wouldn't get more information. The wedding was about to start any minute now and this was neither the time nor the place for details. She was sure to find out more later.

“Well, too bad for her that she's not the one calling the shots today,” was all Daphne muttered as they made their way to the row where Li Wei's family sat and sat down next to them, greeting all of them with friendly handshakes.

They had just sat down when the orchestra started playing the wedding march, announcing that the ceremony was about to start.

The muttering in the chapel quieted down and Li Wei got up from his place by his family's side and walked up to the front of the chapel.

Brian gave him an encouraging smile, knowing that the young man would need it. He had a feeling that the queen hadn't been much more welcoming to Li Wei than she had been to him. He felt a bit sorry for him, as he was a great guy and really loved Molly.

Li Wei smiled back, grateful for the silent gesture of support, then looked down the aisle where Lizzie had started walking down, doing her job as flower girl.

She looked absolutely beautiful and when she made it to the end of the aisle, Li Wei leaned down and gave her a hug, thanking her for the great job she had done.

Lizzie smiled from ear to ear as she sat down between Brian and Daphne, listening as both of them praised her as well for how well she had done.

They then turned quiet once more and looked back down the aisle where Justin was now leading Molly down to where her future husband was waiting for her.

They looked breathtaking. Both pale, blond, with stunning blue eyes and similar happy smiles on their faces. Molly in her magnificent wedding dress and Justin in a breathtaking tuxedo.

Brother and sister looked absolutely stunning as they went down the aisle, everyone's eyes on them.

When they made it to the front of the chapel, Justin leaned in and gave Molly a kiss, then gave Li Wei a hug as well, wishing them both all the best.

Both thanked him for what he had done and smiled as he sat down next to Brian and his family, immediately allowing Brian to take his hand and squeeze it.

Justin nodded almost imperceptibly to let Brian know that he was okay and so did Brian to let Justin know that he had understood the message.

If either of them noticed the queen scowling at them, neither acknowledged it.

***

“Daddy, will you dance with me?” Lizzie asked her dad, looking at him with wide, pleading eyes.

“Of course. I wouldn't miss the chance,” Justin announced happily, then followed his daughter to the dance floor.

Brian and Daphne smiled after them as they made their way to the other people that were dancing and watched them.

They had made it through a way too long wedding ceremony which had been beautiful and romantic, but had included way too many solos from singers, musicians, poets and god knows what.

Afterwards they had made it through an equally tedious five course meal and now they had finally arrived at the part of the night where things had gotten a bit more casual.

The queen had left the celebrations after the five course meal at which she had given a speech, telling everyone how happy she was that Molly had found Li Wei, as if anyone believed her. Most people, including Justin and his family, as well as Li Wei's family knew better than to believe those words and if anything, the scowl on her face as she had said those words had clearly contradicted the meaning behind them.

Not that anyone cared all too much about her. Molly and Li Wei were obviously happy and now that the official part of the wedding was over and they could finally enjoy the celebrations like any other newly-wed couple, they looked happier than Brian had ever seen them.

Justin also looked happy as he danced with his daughter, smiling widely as he twirled her all over the dance floor.

It was obvious that Lizzie was enjoying herself and so were Brian and Daphne when they joined Justin and Lizzie a minute later.

The family danced together, Brian dancing with Lizzie for a bit as well, before she danced with her mother so that her daddy and Brian could also dance together. Everyone was smiling and happy and having a good time.

“I will be so happy to get back home,” Justin said quietly as he rested his head on Brian's shoulder as a slow song started playing. “I hate this place...”

Brian nodded, pulling Justin that much closer. “You made Molly really happy today...”

Justin nodded. “Thanks for not letting me do anything stupid earlier.”

“It wouldn't have been stupid,” Brian said quietly. “She was treating you absolutely horribly.”

Justin sighed deeply. “Yeah, but you were right. Today was about Molly... this was her big day. I couldn't have lived with myself come tomorrow if I had ruined that for her...and for what? It's not like I didn't know what my mother thinks about me...about us...”

“It's her loss. She's missing out on so much,” Brian whispered as he nodded towards Lizzie who was happily waving her arms around and dancing with Daphne as if it was a disco beat they were dancing to and not a slow song. “She doesn't know how amazing her children are. How amazing her granddaughter is. And it's her fault she's missing out on being a part of that family.”

Justin leaned closer to Brian, his voice very quiet. “I just wish her behavior wouldn't affect me so much. I... just wish that I was stronger.”

Brian tightened his grip around Justin. “You are strong! The strongest person I know. All the shit she has put you through... I've only met her for two minutes, but I don't even want to imagine what growing up with her as a mother must have been like. And yet, here you are: My loving Sunshine. The man that loves me and my son with all his heart, enjoys life and is raising the most amazing daughter anyone could hope for.”

“When you put it like that, our life is pretty great, isn't it?” Justin said with a smile, pulling back and looking at Brian with happy eyes. “Pretty fucking amazing, really.”

“I'd say it is,” Brian agreed, leaning in and kissing his Sunshine. Who cared about the old crow that was his mother? She wasn't a part of their life and while Brian knew that it would always bother Justin to a certain extent that his mother was not like other loving mothers, he also knew that Justin would be fine. Once they were back in Pittsburgh, surrounded by their friends and family, his Sunshine would be fine. Sometimes it wasn't about your biological family, but the family you chose and if he said so himself, they had chosen a pretty fantastic family for themselves. “It will be good to go back home.”

“Mmmmmhhhhhmmmm,” Justin agreed happily. “I miss them. All of them.”

“Don't tell them or we will never hear the end of it,” Brian joked, happy when it had the effect he had hoped for and made Justin laugh.

“I know you love them, too,” Justin said, looking at Brian with amused eyes. “You might hide it well, Mr. Kinney, but we all know that you love them, too.”

“Who is spreading that nasty rumor?” Brian asked, wide-eyed. “I'll have to kick their asses.”

Justin shook his head in amusement, running a hand through Brian's hair. “You're not fooling me.”

“Well, you were always able to see right through me, Sunshine...,” Brian acknowledged, then led Justin back to their table where they enjoyed another glass of wine, watching as Daphne and Lizzie were still dancing.

All in all, it had been a good day after all, Brian thought as he watched the happy smiles of his Sunshine, Lizzie and Daphne.

Who would have thought earlier that morning?

Epilogue

“Dad? JR, Lizzie and I will head to the stables for a few minutes, okay? We just want to check on the new foal and see how it's doing,” Gus said, walking up to his father who was standing behind the grill, barbecuing sausages, burgers and steaks for the whole family.

“Okay,” Brian nodded, only half listening, focusing on the meat in front of him. “Don't stay too long though. This is almost ready.”

Gus nodded, then took his little sisters and led them away from the garden and towards the stables.

A new foal had been born a couple of weeks ago and Lizzie and Gus had been beyond impressed by the cuteness of the foal and now they wanted JR to see it as well. She had heard so many stories about the foal from her brother in recent weeks, she couldn't wait.

Brian watched after them as they headed off towards the stables and couldn't help but smile how close they were. Gus had become a real big brother to Lizzie over the years and they were very close. By extension, JR was also part of the group every time all three of them hung out together and everyone was happy that the kids got on so well.

“Where are they heading off to just when the food is about to be ready?” Debbie asked as she arrived by his side with empty plates, ready to take the meat that was already barbecued enough to be eaten.

“Gus and Lizzie are taking JR to see the new foal,” he said, then turned over a couple of burger patties.

“Oh, Lizzie has been talking about that non-stop for weeks. Almost as much as she has talked about the wedding,” Debbie said, then raised an eye at the man by her side. “You and Sunshine have been awfully quiet about the wedding though.”

“It was a nice wedding,” Brian said, then shrugged. “What more is there to say?”

“Don't bullshit me, Brian. I've read the articles and have seen the images. Is it true that his mother wanted him kicked out of the wedding?”

Of course there had been a lot of media coverage of the wedding and hundreds of pictures had been taken that day and it had been hard not to see the scowl on the queen's face all throughout the day and for some reason the press had assumed that Justin had to be the reason for her scowl and that his presence at the wedding had not amused his mother. Not that they were far off from the truth.

Afterwards the palace had just released a statement saying that it had been a lovely ceremony and the queen and her family had much enjoyed the day.

As Justin was no longer officially part of the royal family, the statement had really led to more questions than it had given answers.

Justin and Brian had stayed quiet as usual and had returned to their life in Pittsburgh. Once they had returned from Europe, Brian had returned to work at Kinnetik, Justin had worked on his art and had spent time with Lizzie who was on her summer holidays now and when they had been out and about on Liberty Avenue, they had acted as always, so nobody was any wiser, not even their friends and family.

“She wasn't happy that Molly wanted him there, but it wasn't exactly like that,” was all Brian said diplomatically, then started to remove the meat from the grill.

“So, what happened?” Debbie asked, crossing her arms and looking at him sternly.

“Does it matter?” Brian asked, as he handed her the plate that was now full of meat.

“If that woman hurt Sunshine... I will...,” Debbie started, then stopped as if she had to think about what she would do.

“Do what exactly? She is sitting in Europe, behind her palace walls, enjoying her life of bigotry and hatred, complaining about the two ungrateful children that have no idea about the sacrifices that are required for the crown and the reputation of the family,” Brian said, his voice making it clear what he thought of her.

“I just don't like that she hurt Sunshine,” Debbie said, looking over to the pool where Justin was sitting next to Emmett, both of them dangling their feet in the water as they were drinking a cocktail and talking with smiles on their faces.

“He is fine,” Brian said, trying to reassure Debbie. “It was hard for him going back to that place and even though I was only there for two days, I can't blame him. That place sucks the life and all the joy out of you when you're there... but he's fine. Really! He walked Molly down the aisle, he made her really happy by doing that and that's all that matters.”

Debbie eyed Brian for a few seconds, then returned her gaze to the pool where Justin was now laughing heartily about something that Emmett had said. He looked fine enough, that was true.

“I just don't get how a mother can treat her own son like that,” Debbie said sadly, then bumped her shoulder against Brian's. “I am glad he's got a family here.”

Brian smiled at her, then wrapped his arm around her. “I know, Ma. So am I, so is he. This is where he wants to be. You, everyone else, this is family. This is his life. It's all that matters.”

Debbie nodded, then took the meat and carried it back to the table. Brian put some new meat on the grill, then handed over control of the grill to Carl and made his way over to the pool. He grabbed a cold beer along the way, then sat down behind Justin, wrapping his arms around his midsection as his feet dangled in the water of their pool.

Justin smiled when he felt Brian behind him and looked up at him. “Hey...”

“Hey,” Brian said back, kissing Justin's temple. He then turned his attention to Emmett and listened to the story that he was telling about one of the latest weddings he had organized. Apparently the bride-to-be had been a real bridezilla. By the end of the story, they were all laughing.

“So, how is our newly-wed couple? Are they enjoying their honeymoon?” Emmett asked once his story was finished and they had all calmed down again.

“The hotel looks nice and they seem to be enjoying the resort and all it has to offer,” Justin said. “Molly sent some images earlier this week.”

“Sunshine, I don't think that's what Emmett was asking,” Brian teased, nibbling on Justin's earlobe.

“Yeah, I am more interested to know if we will have little Mollies or little Li Weis joining us next year,” Emmett confirmed what he had wanted to know.

Justin made a face. “She's my sister. I don't want to know about any of that.”

“They are newly-weds on their honeymoon. They will be banging all the time,” Brian said tongue-in-cheek, earning himself an outraged expression from his partner.

“Brian! I don't want to hear any of that,” Justin said, looking from Brian to Emmett to underline what he had said with his stern expression.

Brian leaned over towards Emmett and mock-whispered. “You should ask Daphne. I am sure she will have all the dirty details that Sunshine didn't ask about...”

“I think you're right,” Emmett smiled, then got up. “Daphne! Daphne, darling! Do you have a minute?”

“Brian, you really shouldn't encourage him,” Justin shook his head good-naturedly.

“You know that Drew will be gone for another week. He lives vicariously through other people's sex lives right now. Would you rather I tell him about ours?” Brian asked, once again nibbling Justin's earlobe by the end of his question. “I am sure he would be very interested in our latest adventures here in the pool,” Brian winked.

Justin leaned into Brian's chest and allowed him further access to his neck and shoulder. “Hmmmm, that was a good one, wasn't it?”

“It was a great one,” Brian agreed. “I wish everyone would leave now, so we could repeat it.”

Justin actually laughed at that. “Yeah, I am sorry to disappoint you, but that won't happen for another few hours at best.”

“Well, I don't mind giving them something to talk about,” Brian whispered, leading his hand down Justin's stomach and towards the waistband of his shorts. “They might learn a thing or two.”

“As exciting as that sounds, I'd rather not have my six year old daughter ask us what we're doing,” Justin replied, allowing Brian a squeeze or two of his balls and dick, before he gently removed his hands from the dangerous territory.

“She's at the stables with Gus and JR. There are only adults here,” Brian muttered, now kissing Justin's neck and shoulder.

“Later, I promise. I'll make it worth the wait,” Justin promised, turning his head to look at Brian. His eyes were dancing with mischief as he spoke.

“You're no fun, Sunshine.”

“That's not what you said last night,” Justin replied, closing the distance between them and kissing Brian. “I seem to remember that you had a lot of fun then.”

“True,” Brian agreed, kissing Justin back. “I guess every once in a while you can be fun.”

Justin shook his head after their kiss had ended and looked at Brian. “I guess there must be a reason why you keep me around after all...”

“Plenty of reasons,” Brian said, his voice now serious. He moved a bit back and pulled Justin with him, so that their feet weren't dangling in the pool anymore. He then helped Justin to move around, so that his legs were now closed around Brian's mid-section and he was pretty much sitting in Brian's lap. “So many reasons to keep you around,” he whispered before he kissed Justin once more.

Their kiss was interrupted by Debbie yelling at them. “Hey! If you don't stop with the snogging, there won't be any food left for you.”

“I've got everything I need here,” Brian yelled back, then pulled Justin in for another kiss.

Knowing that Justin was right though and that they shouldn't really take this further in front of the family, they broke apart a few minutes later and walked over to the table where everyone was gathered and eating.

They took some of the food and joined in the various conversations around the table.

Justin was smiling widely, talking to everyone with interest and when Brian watched him an hour later, he could see nothing but a big smile on his Sunshine's face.

This was the life he had always wanted. With his family, his friends, people that loved him and accepted him and didn't care about a crown, throne or royal lineage and just cared about who Justin was as a person. People that liked him for his sense of humor, his honesty, his integrity and his intelligence, that liked him for his activism, his hard work and for how down to earth he was. This was who Justin really was and wanted to be. This was the life that made him happy.

And while Brian eyed his happy partner, once again amazed that Justin was really his and a part of his life, a part of a life he would never have imagined for himself just ten years ago, he was glad that things had worked out this way.

He was happy as well with this life they had. Seeing Justin this happy and relaxed made him happy. It was as easy as that.

And while Brian enjoyed watching his happy Sunshine, he couldn't help but wonder how the old crow in Europe was doing. He wondered if she had anyone around or if she was all alone. Justin was here with the family he loved and that loved him, Molly was on her honeymoon with her husband and would return to New York with him afterwards. He wondered if the old crow even knew how to be happy at all.

As he pondered that question, he realized that he didn't really care. She was not a part of their life. This was their life. These people here, they were all that mattered. All they needed to be happy.

Brian wrapped an arm around Justin, pulled him close, placed a kiss on his neck, then stood up and walked over to where Ben was talking to Gus, JR and Lizzie, listening to their excited talk about the foal.

Yeah, Brian thought, this was the life. His sunshine, his friends, his sonny boy and Lizzie. It was all he needed to be happy.

The End