BRIAN’S HOUSE, FRANKLIN PLACE - TUESDAY MORNING
KITCHEN
BEN
I am watching Vic read the pages of the book that we are doing, and he is smiling. In fact, since he came back, this is the first time I have seen him smile properly since Armageddon. “I see what you mean. You can’t have that as a plot point. How is he going to take it?”
“According to Brian, he’s fine with it. They talked about it and as this is aimed at 4-7 year olds they don’t need to know about death yet. Because of that, the bug squish is out. He’s already been separated from his family and he’s not met Tyra yet, so having him kill something, even by accident…”
“Good.” He stands up and stretches. “So, can we talk about it?”
I sigh, I had been avoiding this for as long as I could. “Which what are we talking about?”
“The you and Brian having sex what, and the you and Mel sharing a bed what.”
“The latter one was a mind fuck and…”
“The former a good fuck?”
“Vic!” I exclaim.
“So that’s a yes?” He laughs.
“No…” His jaw drops. “...I was a good lay, which according to those in the know is at least a couple of notches up from a fuck.”
“And those in the know would be?”
“Brian.” I admit sheepishly. “I asked him. And he doesn’t lie.” Now Vic has gone from stunned to shocked. “And while you are still stunned, I kind of let Michael be fucked by Brian.”
“Wha…”
“I repeated what Brian did in bed with me with him.”
“I’ll toss you for it.” He declares rifling in his pockets.
“Toss me for what?”
“The right to tell Michael that.” He finds what he is looking for. “Heads or tails?”
DEBS AND MICHAEL’S NEW HOUSE
LOUNGE
MICHAEL
Thank God I am alone! I think about what happened yesterday, and I am so fucking furious! It’s bad enough that it happened, but that was a new shirt! I have no idea where Ma is, and to be honest I don’t actually care. What I want is to have Brian here grovelling on the floor, begging for my forgiveness...and...and I know he will never do that. The tears burn my eyes. He will never love me like I love him. If only I could make him understand that what I did was so that we could be together as well as teach him a lesson! I bet he and his sexdoll are fucking away right now! He looks like such an idiot! All ass and mouth! I could be all ass and mouth for him too, but with brains! After all, I am so much more intelligent than blondefuck! Brian and I could speak about all different kinds of things when we wouldn't be fucking. I have lots of interests. We could talk about how to get my collectibles back. Oh, it would be so much fun, sitting together at the laptop, on the hunt for the really great stuff. Or we could talk about the comic conventions we would be visiting together. The first class flights, all the fancy hotels and shopping without limits.
I pull out my comic notebook and sigh. This is another source of suckiness! Not only is Ma discouraging about this, but when I went to get my stuff from the store, I heard something about this book they are writing. Gus and Jenny are going to be two of the editors! ‘How sweet’, one of the fags declared when he was gossiping to his friend. How can they be?! They are children! Yes, Jenny is smart. After all, I’m her father, but to do a book, come on! This is going to sink like a brick! If there was anybody do a comic book, it should be me, of course! The epic friendship-turns into love-turns into superhero and sidekick story of Brian and Michael. Well..kind of superhero of course, we wouldn't want him to get an even bigger ego now, would we? And we could use some of the stuff I had written down. Nothing too graphic of course. Just enough to show why he was this little boy lost. How, after he was a broken kid from all the beatings he had to endure, he met me and I built up his self esteem. I would be the one to encourage him to save the world, with me as his mentor and the mastermind in the background. It would be a huge success. We could even make a movie!
Sighing again, I flick on the TV and then flick it straight back off again. It was an advert for one of Brian’s clients, which isn’t so bad, but it’s the blonde model they used that has pissed me right off! I bet his sexdoll is a screamer. I bet he’s screaming a fake orgasm right now…
JUSTIN’S TOWNHOUSE - SAME TIME
MASTER BEDROOM
BRIAN
I peel the blanket off his body and look at him, really look at him. He’s got the perfect combination of hardness and softness. And he is like a me-seeking missile when we share a bed, which I am so glad we are doing now. We’ve not had sex, but we have fooled around - oh yes we have definitely done that! Despite my reputation, I don’t miss the physicality of it, but I want us to be right before we have se...make love again.
“Cover me back up or stop moving.” He grumbles as I shift away from him again.
“Since you are…”
“Cold. This is because someone has uncovered me, as a way of asking for coffee, so I shall get up.” I snicker as yet again that worked. “You are lucky…” He reaches for his phone, no doubt to check the time. “...that it is not too early and this is a public holiday or you would be sleeping on the floor tonight.”
“Mmm.” I sigh as he gets up, he then grimaces as I cover myself back up with the blanket.
“You are such a toad, not my frog, a toad!” He yells from his en-suite.
“As long as I am not a cane-toad then that’s fine!” I yell back before joining him in the en-suite and wrapping us both in the blanket. I use the mouthwash and load up my toothbrush before I kiss the side of his neck. “Oh, that’s better. According to Wolverine we have to go and see how they said goodbye.”
“Hmdh?” He frowns around a mouthful of toothbrush.
“Remember I said we had to stay away from the Avenue?” He nods. “Well, we can come back today and see how they said goodbye.”
“Okay. So Blue or Himalayan?” He asks while trying to sort out his mop.
“You do Himalayan and I do biscuits.” He stops playing with his mop and looks at me in surprise. “I stashed some dough in your fridge yesterday, so we…” I just shake my head as he runs to put on pants. “Seriously! You are bottomless!” I holler.
“Only where food is concerned!” He shouts back.
MEL’S HOUSE - FRANKLIN PLACE
HALLWAY
MEL
I know that having money gets stuff done, but this amount of stuff! We’re moving in today! I just can’t believe it. Some of the Liberty Avenue residents are here and helping, but the kids and Tyson are with Carl and Del. Though Gus has phoned four times to make sure that their blankey is absolutely completely safe!
The one thing that is niggling my mind is Lindsay. As in where is she? What is she doing? She’s not been in contact for the last few weeks. I know she’s doing something in Canada, as the joint account has been touched for the airfare. When I first told Ben that I hadn’t closed it, he thought I was nuts, but as I explained, it lets me know what she is doing. She thinks I don’t know about the other account she has but I do, it just never bothered me. Once she had to provide receipts for the support account, I no longer worried about it. She had to use her own money.
“Hey Mel!” Mami shouts out from the kitchen where she and the Gaggle are cooking up a storm. “We’re on meatballs now! How spicy can we go?!”
“For me as spicy as you want! The kids like spicy but not too hot!” I call back, and then frown at the sofa. “I am going to kill him!” I growl and start to reach for my phone but then stop...he needs to do this, so I will let him.
LIBERTY AVENUE - TWO HOURS LATER
BRIAN
Justin and I are just staring at the muck on the street. “I don’t get it.” I turn to Darren who is grinning like a lunatic.
“We had a food fight.” He says as if that explains everything. It doesn’t.
“And?”
“They were the only ones that came unarmed.”
“Are you saying that…” I pause as Justin starts to chuckle. “...that the Avenue pelted them with rotten food?”
“Yes!” He laughs.
“And now you can redecorate with impunity! We started in the diner! And he’s now officially a DeVore because…”
“Redecorate, what do you mean redecorate?” Justin asks. “Surely it’s just a case of washing down the street?”
“Yeah, but the diner is another matter.” Emmett comes up grinning like he’s just blown off the Devil.
“Oh you didn’t?!” I exclaim and head to the diner.
“Oh yes I did! You said that you wanted this place to change but every time you tried she complained. Bitterly. Loudly. Constantly. So now you can because [a] she has been fired and [b] you have to...I mean seriously they went to town...I mean Avenue!”
I open the door to the diner and Justin runs into the back of me. “Oh fuck...Jesus what the hell did you use?!” I step backwards so that we can get some fresh air, and then I pause and look at Emmett. “The photos…”
“Don’t worry. The only stuff that was up was everything that she wanted put up and that is on their way to them.”
“On their...how do you know where they are?” I ask.
“The Gaggle. They have moved near Mami.” He grins and tucks his arm into mine. “Now come, the Avenue is going to clean and gut. Every single piece of them will be gone by the end of the week.” He turns my face to his. “You get a clean slate. The Avenue gets a clean slate. So you now have to pick furniture and stuff like that.”
“Thank you.” I whisper.
“You’re welcome.” He replies, bumping my hip and then dragging us to his store.
DEBS AND MICHAEL’S HOUSE - AN HOUR LATER
KITCHEN
MICHAEL
“Where have you been?” I demand as Ma comes into the kitchen looking pissed.
“Trying to find Joan.”
“As in his mother? Why?”
“His dad used his fists, but she used her words, and words hurt more!”
Yeah I know that!
“So?” I prompt.
“She rattles him. I mean, even more than me. If anyone can pull that asshole piece of shit into line, after all I did raising that son for her, it’s her. She owes me too!”
“So where is she, if not at church I mean?”
“A pilgrimage. In Boston. Not back for two weeks.”
“More time for us to come up with a master plan. The rattling must be severe enough for him to jump back in line immediately. Let’s think about how to start operation Come back home little dumb tin soldier!”
MEL AND THE KIDS HOUSE, FRANKLIN PLACE - THURSDAY AFTERNOON
KITCHEN
GUS
I can’t believe it! I have another Grandpa! I mean we have another Grandpa! Grandpa Vic is so nice, and right now we are making rainbow cupcakes.
“No, Jenny, you can’t have all of it!” I try to take the spoon off of my greedy little sister but it falls on the floor, and before I can get to it Tyson has taken it outside. “Awwwww!”
“Don’t worry, Gus. There’s much more in the bowl.” Grandpa Vic tells me.
“You are a diabetic’s nightmare!” Grampy Carl says, but I guess it’s a good thing because they are both smiling.
“Yep, but at least they go happy!”
“Grampy Carl, have you knowed...known....Grandpa Vic for a long time? I mean, why haven’t I seen him before?”
“I have, and he used to live in New York, which is far away, so that’s why.”
“Are you going to go back to New York?”
“No. I am going to stay at your Daddy’s house.”
“Daddy’s house? Just up the road Daddy’s house?!” I gasp, and I hug him so tight when he nods and smiles. “Now Grampies. You needs to listen…” I look over my shoulder to make sure that Mommy isn’t coming. “...are you listening?”
“Yes.” Grandpa Vic says, but his voice sounds funny.
“You okay?” I turn his face to me like I do with Daddy sometimes. “You okay?”
“Yes. You just reminded me so much of your Daddy just then.”
“Good. I like being like my Daddy. Now then, we have to hide them when they are done.”
“Hide what?” Grampy Carl asks as he helps Jenny clean up, she is a messy cook!
“The cupcakes. If we leave them out where everyone can see them, then they go missing. I have seen crumbs on Mommy so she’s one muncher. That’s what Daddy calls her. She needs to stop munching doesn’t she?” I look at my two Grampies. “What’s so funny?”
BRIAN’S HOUSE - FRIDAY AFTERNOON
KITCHEN
JUSTIN
“If you don’t breathe, you are going to faint!” I point out and take the spoon out of his hand.
“I need to keep stirring this!”
“You don’t.” I tell him firmly and turn off the stove at the mains. “Brian, calm down. Please calm down. This is Mel and the kids, Ben, your friend, your fathers, Tyson and me. You don’t need to be perfect. No you don’t...you just need to be our Brian.”
“I know but…”
“Our Brian.” I repeat and he just nods. “So what are we having?”
“Koftas with honey and chickpeas, lemony chicken with couscous and two lots of desserts. Gus likes his desserts, panna cotta and chocolate ta...what?”
“I hate you so much right now!” I growl and he grins. “You said! Ooh I...just oh!”
“Will it make you feel better…” He asks pulling me into his arms. “...if I tell you that your folks are coming too?”
“Frog-given!” I laugh and plant a nice smacker on before turning the stove back on. “Okay, so what do you want me to do?”
“Try not to kill me when I tell you that there's also baked sweet potatoes with steak fajita filling. Remembered you drooling at the picture you saw in that magazine?”
I march over to the fridge and yank it open. “Where is it?!”
“Move out of the way! I have a carefully ordered fridge!”
“Of course you do!” I grumble as I step aside and after making sure nobody can see me, I swat his ass.
“Ooh kinky!” He laughs.
“Am I interrupting?” My dad chuckles and I go and give him a hug hello. “You two carry on. I have been sent in for white wine for your mother.”
“Why can’t she come in?” I ask.
“Jenny is painting her toes.” He grins. “Such an adorable little thing.”
“Uh, Dad.” I smile as I look at his clumsily painted feet. “I see you were done first.”
“Oh yes, I was told…”
“Uncle Craig!” I hear Gus yell and then he comes running in.
“Yes Gus!”
“Aunt Jennifer asked if you can put extra ice in her drink please, it’s gotten hotter!”
“I will do, Gus. But I think…”
“I got it, Dad. Gus, can you get Jenny and then meet me in your bedroom? I need to put some more cream on.”
“Yes, Jussin!” He replies before running out again.
“You two are just great fathers. Just great.” He grins and grabs some more ice before heading back outside.
“Nobody else has ever said that.” Brian says quietly. “I mean outside of my new family. Nobody.”
“Why should they say something that is so obvious?” I ask him. “About you I mean. I am learning from you.”
“Jussin! We’re here!” Gus declares and I frown as he also has Tyson.
“Gus, why is Tyson with you?”
“He has pink bits too. Should we do his tongue and feet?”
“No, Sonny Boy. Tyson wouldn’t like it. Now go with Jussin and then go back outside with the others, okay? And make sure that Jenny keeps her hat on.”
BRIAN
I watch my Sonny Boy and Jenny follow Tigger to the room and let Tyson back outside after he’s inhaled the water in his bowl. I can hear chattering and laughter, something I never heard in my folks’ place unless it was forced or at me. I try not to laugh as Tyson takes out Riley’s knees. I am going to get out of Daph what that second date was like. She has been remarkably quiet on that, they had it on the night of the party because she couldn’t trust herself.
“Anything I can help with, Triple B?” Ems asks as he comes in and hips me away from the stove.
“What is the point of asking if you are just going to take over?”
“I am not taking over. I am doing final inspection. And I don’t know why I bothered. Perfect.”
Twenty minutes later we are sitting in the garden. I am feeling a little choked up, and I am happy to be, because I am happy, Gus is being helped by Jennifer and Jenny is being helped by Uncle Vic. Justin is eating little portions while keeping an eye on the desserts.
“Will you just eat, Justin?” Jennifer orders as she and Gus share some koftas. “I know your stomach, and it is going to make its...there! Now eat!”
I watch my Tigger go bright red and finally load his plate!
GROCERY STORE, SHADYSIDE - SATURDAY MORNING
DEBS
I have been following them for the last ten minutes. I heard Brian’s name mentioned and how mad Mel was about the sofa in her new house! They, those fucking bitches, have been to her house! Unacceptable! I will find a fucking way to find out where the fuck they live!
BRIAN’S HOUSE, FRANKLIN PLACE - EARLY EVENING
BALCONY
JUSTIN
I know I should be concentrating on the fact that I am kissing the love of my life...but...I can smell something so good.
“If I tell you what it is can we get back to kissing?” He demands.
“Yes.” I reply embarrassed.
“Oxtail with gremo...Justin!” He bellows as I run to the kitchen to check out the crock pot.
“For the love of fuck, use the gloves! You have artist hands!”
“And a bottomless stomach! Open!” I demand.
He lifts the lid and we both go quiet. “Want to ta…for crying out loud nobody is this food fixated!” He declares as I have already got a fork in the pot. “A small bit!!” He orders and then feigns nonchalance as I eat it and then use a spoon for a bigger bit and more sauce and sigh. “So?”
“Three days?”
“What are you talking about?” He asks tasting the sauce.
“You said that this would last you for three days. I take it during those three days I would not be with you.” He grins at me and then shakes his head. “Did you do the dumplings?”
“Of course. Those would be the pillowy things in here.” He lifts the lid on a pot and puts a skewer through one. “Which are done. Could you get the gremolata out of the fridge?”
“Oh God.” I sigh thirty minutes later. “This is so good.” I spear a piece of succulent meat. “I think I am going to be in a lot of trouble.”
“Why?” He looks confused.
“Because my artist hands are going to be stripping every bit of meat off the bones and making a Reuben type sandwich out of it. And you will bitch if you get the one with pickles in it. I can’t understand why you don’t like pickles.”
“They are sour. Why would anyone put something that tastes like crunchy day old cum in their mouths.”
“Eating here!” I rebuke him.
“Asked the question!” He returns smugly.
“Made a statement!”
“Which was a hidden question. So I answered.”
I raise my fork to make a point but find myself stymied. “Oh don’t be so smug!” I watch him smile and then concentrate on his food so take my chance and move my foot to the vee of his thighs. At first he ignores it but then I start to move my foot.
“You need to feed the beast.” He says quietly, but it’s there that little catch he gets in his voice when I do something good.
“I am. You have two beasts, I am trying to feed the other one.”
He puts his bowl down and gets up. “Come on.” He reaches down for the bowl and takes it out of my hands. “Now. Please.”
MASTER BEDROOM - 2 MINUTES LATER
BRIAN
I have him against the door and we are kissing deeply and hungrily. Although there is lust and passion there, there is also tenderness. He’s...I press closer to him and he groans in delight...he is allowing me to set the pace, and I want slow. I want gentle. I want...I pick him up and carry him to the bed. I put him down like he is, because he is, the most precious thing to me right now, and slowly strip him of his clothes. I don’t touch any part of him I just strip and, once again, look.
“Brian?”
“I won’t last because, like you, it’s been so long. But you are just the most beautiful man.”
“As are you.” He whispers, sitting up to take my clothes off, when we are both naked, I reach for the lube. “I don’t need it.” He sighs as he reaches behind him and slides out the butt plug. He takes out a couple of condoms and puts them on the bed.
“How long have you had that in?” I kiss him gently and then start to turn him onto his stomach. “Or would you prefer…”
“Face to face please. I need to see the look on your face when you…”
“Fuck!” I exclaim as I cum without a single touch.
“Okay. So maybe we kiss a bit...oh Christ, Brian, what are you doing?!” He squeals as I reach down and begin to jack us in tandem.
“Hang on!” I groan out, and then lift his leg over my shoulder. “Open one and put it on me!” I demand, he scrambles to open it while writhing at the marvellous things I am doing to his cock. After a few minutes, he finally gets it on me. “You ready?”
“Yes. Love me and love me now!”
As I bottom out the world goes quiet and we are just staring at each other. Staring and breathing. “We’re back?” I ask.
“Yes. And let's never go back to that place again. It was dark and full of hurt. Here, together with you is where I want to be, where I need to be. The place where I can finally breathe again.” He looks at me with so much love that I have to blink back one or two tears.
“Will you make love to me now?” He asks, running his fingers through my hair. “Till we both pass out?”
I hungrily kiss him again, and then start to move, because finally, I too, am able to breathe again.
Rainbow cupcakes:
Spiced koftas with honey and chickpeas:
Baked sweet potatoe with steak fajita filling:
Lemony chicken stew with giant couscous:
Elderflower panna cotta with strawberries and brown butter crumble:
Dark and white chocolate cardamom tart:
Oxtail with gremolata: