Collier sat in Alex’s office, staring at the folder sitting in the middle of his desk. He didn’t like seeing Justin’s name next to Brian’s and was even more annoyed at the fact that Justin’s last name included Kinney. He knew they were trying to trip him up by leaving it out where he could see it. Alex acted like he didn’t even notice it was there, but Collier was far from stupid. Yet, he couldn’t focus on what Alex’s was asking because he wanted the folder, hoping it would give him a way to get to Justin. 

“Your mother is concerned Collier, and with your past, I think she has valid reasons to be doubtful about your motives,” Alex told him.

“My mother could care less about me or my past, everything for her is about keeping up appearances,” Collier commented.

“You don’t feel she’s valid in her concerns, given the lengths you’ve gone to in order to insert yourself into Justin’s life?” Alex asked him.

“In what way, because I bought his art? Because I happened to support his ex-boyfriend’s career? How do you get I was inserting myself into his life? I like art, and Justin happens to be one of the artists whose work appealed to me. I also happen to like Ethan’s music and wanted to help him, which didn’t have anything to do with Justin.” Collier answered.

 “You talking to Justin’s son tells me differently,” Alex told him.

“You mean Brian Kinney’s son, not Justin’s.” Collier made sure to point out.

“I doubt Brian or Justin see it that way since they include him in their lives, but what explanation could you have for approaching Gus in a place you have no reason to go to?” Alex asked him.

“I was just curious, nothing more. I happened to see Justin and wondered why he was so far from home. But like I’ve pointed out already, I was just curious about what he was doing in Pittsburgh and I’d also like to point out that I didn’t once approach Justin, just asked a kid a question.” Collier told him.

“Did you like the answer?” Alex prodded.

“I thought we were here to talk about my relationship with… Michael.” Collier said, avoiding answering.

“Sure. Explain to me how you and Michael met and fell in love, but before you do I want to let you know I’ve talked to Ethan Gold, who explained what happened in the hotel the day you and Michael met.” Alex told him.

“Ethan’s a liar and angry at me because I won’t keep supporting his lazy ass when all he does is whine about how he could have been the best. It’s why I wouldn’t go on supporting him; he did nothing to have the career he thinks the world owes him. So if I were you I wouldn’t believe anything he says about me.” Collier told him.

“Then convince me your still not obsessed with Justin Taylor,” Alex requested.

“I’m with Michael,” Collier answered.

“Which doesn’t explain anything other than you think saying it means something. Unlike you, I actually know a lot about Michael Novotny, and what I know and have seen is that you're not likely to hold his interest because you won’t give him what he wants.” Alex replied.

“Like what?” Collier asked.

“To be the center of attention. To be the one everyone wants to be with and be like. Basically, be the reason he became obsessed with Brian Kinney. Being with you wouldn’t give him that, and that leads me to believe he’s here because he wants to believe it will lead him to what he really wants.” Alex told him.

Collier got up and left, not willing to engage Alex. For once willing to concede his mother found someone Collier wasn’t going to be able to fool.

Alex wondered how long it would take before Michael opened his mouth. So far it might be a personal best at ten minutes without a word. Collier wasn’t happy to be left sitting in the waiting room, which meant he figured out that Michael wouldn’t be able to pull off the in-love couple they were spouting to everyone. Alex looked at his watch as they were just about to reach minute eleven and tried not to smirk when Michael gave in and started talking.

“This is pointless. Why do I have to prove anything? I don’t get why everyone is acting like it’s unbelievable that Collier is who I want to be with.” Michael commented.

“You don’t have to prove it to me. That’s not why I agreed to see you.” Alex told him.

“Then what I’m I here for?” Michael asked.

“I want to make sure this relationship is healthy for the two of you. My concern right now is the only thing the two of you have in common are Brian and Justin Taylor-Kinney.” Alex told him, noticing Michael scowl at the last name. “In your case, you’ve spent your life clinging to the idea that Brian would eventually want you when he’s never given you any reason to cling to the belief it would ever happen.” 

“He showed me he wanted me. I didn’t need him to tell me.” Michael told him.

“He also married someone else, which should have told you where you stood with Brian,” Alex told him.

“Brian made a mistake, and when he realizes it, he’ll do what he should have done,” Michael told him.

“Which is?” Alex asked.

“Do what he owes me for sticking by him. I’m the reason he’s fucking famous, yet what did I get when I’m the one who started the band? I got stuck cleaning up after Brian and Emmett and treated like I wasn’t the most important person in Brian’s life. He doesn’t get to run off with someone else and act like I don’t matter to him.” Michael ranted, before realizing he was supposed to be here convincing Alex he wanted Collier. “Brian just needs to remember I’m a part of his life, that’s all.”

“Michael, it’s time for you to make a life of your own. Brian has one that he sounds very excited about and doesn’t see you as being a part of. He knows you won’t be happy unless you were the one he planned to spend his life with or lives up to the life you think kept him from being with you. Brian has moved on to someone he can love and that loves him.” Alex told him.

“Don’t believe everything you read. If he was so in love with Justin why was he hiding it like he made a mistake?” Michael asked, not giving a shit about proving his relationship with Collier.

“I don’t. I heard it from him when he called me. It’s time you let it go and start helping yourself, the path you're headed on will lose you more than you have already lost.” Alex told him.

“I think it will get me everything I deserve,” Michael told him, walking out.

Alex thought Michael was right, but doubted Michael understood what he deserved. Collier made a big show of kissing Michael in front of Alex and his mother, but it really didn’t work when neither looked thrilled at the kiss.

***********************************************

Brian smiled as Daphne danced with Justin, so far the families took it well. In the end, their children got married, so they let go of the wedding they wanted for their children. Jen came over to stand with Brian, smiling along with him when Justin dipped Daphne.

“I think you owe me a dance,” Jen told him.

Brian held out his arm and led his mother-in-law out on the dance floor. Like the rest of the Taylors, he was a slave to Jen, who loved him even when she worried about her son marrying the wild rockstar.

“What are you and Justin up to after this?” Jen asked.

“Until Emmett and I wait out the terms of Vanguard, nothing much. Why?” Brian asked, wanting to wait to tell her about his and Justin’s decision on having another child.

“I wanted to ask you and Emmett to appear at a benefit I’m hosting. If Blake and Ben want to help that would be great too. I’m sure Justin will donate a painting to our cause too since I plan to make sure all the proceeds go to helping out the LGBTQ community in Pittsburgh.” Jen told him.

“When would this event be?” Brian asked, suspicious.

“Would you believe it’s the same day as the wedding Nancy is trying to get you and Justin to show up to? You wouldn’t believe the people who’ve already agreed to come and throw in their support too. It’s too bad they’ve had to send Nancy their regrets. Nancy really shouldn’t have introduced those assholes around people who are offended that they were duped by her into believing they were friends of yours.” Jen told him, looking anything but sad about it.

“I’ll make sure they all agree, thanks, Mom,” Brian told her, going off to find Emmett.

Justin handed Daphne off to Travis, before going to look for Brian. He wandered around until he found Brian sitting on the beach outside. As he walked closer he heard Brian singing to Gus. It was one of Justin’s favorite things when they spent time with Gus. All over the world people loved the heavy rock Brian and Emmett played, but for Justin, it was the soft lullabies that his husband sang to Gus that got to him. Justin might love the life they had together but to deny another child the privilege of having Brian Kinney sing them to sleep outweighed it for him.

“We need to get Gus to bed,” Justin whispered, picking up Gus while Brian got up.

“I was just waiting until you were ready,” Brian told him.

“I’m ready. I think we should let Molly know since she’s willing to help us.” Justin told him, as they walked towards their beach house.

“What?” Brian asked.

“With our next child. That way it would be part of both of us. She doesn’t want any children of her own, but she loves being an aunt.” Justin told him.

“When did you think of that?” Brian asked.

“She offered when I told her today that we were planning on having a child. What do you think?” Justin asked.

“I think we should find a surrogate and get your sister a present to thank her for doing this for us,” Brian told him.

“I love you,” Justin said.

“Show me after we get Gus to bed,” Brian replied.