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CHAPTER 10 - COMING, GOING, STAYING AND WEAKENING


LINDSAY


I feel like I’m having a panic attack, surely I misheard?!


“So what’s it going to be?” Mel’s sneers. “You see it, you’ve heard it, now all you two have to do is accept it. And if you can't, why not?”


“Ask the three of them. You’ve gotta include the u-hauler that is Dusty.” My stomach churns as Dusty’s unimpressed looking ex, Leda, strides in.


“What the hell are you doing here?!” I gasp. “And who is that?!” I demand of the man with her. “Swapped sides, have you?!”


“No, that's your oh-so-obvious game. You really think nobody can see your desire to be Mrs Brian Kinney, whilst keeping Mel as your sidechick and Madam U-Hauler as your sexual sycophant.”


“Ooh we like this lady! I’m Aunt Lula, you two are?”


“I’m Leda, this is Dijon. He was looking for directions.”


“Was told by Alex I’d be able to find either Brian or Justin here or someone who’ll know where they are.” 


“This is us.” Brian gestures between them. “We didn’t expect you until tomorrow.” They make their way out of the booth. “Follow us okay? We won’t be long.”


DIJON


As we head out, two pairs of eyes stab me in my back - so that’s them, huh? 


“Um, Aunt Lula, can you give us a minute?” Brian smiles. I turn to face her, she folds her arms and shakes her head. “Why not?”


“I’m going to be looking after the four of you, so I need to know what’s happening first hand.” Whilst they look so relieved, she sighs. “I would’ve preferred you to ask. Next time you want something from me, do that, we clear?” 


“Yes, Aunt Lula.” Justin kisses her cheek. “We didn’t want to impose.”


She kisses her teeth whilst taking a compact out of her pocket. After fixing her hair, she snaps it shut. “It’s chilly, let’s get somewhere warm. And private.” Justin scowls before leading us to a car. “He’s going to learn a lesson or two by the time I leave.” She mutters.


“Oh please, make it a hard one.” Brian adds and I can’t help but concur.


DINER 


MICHAEL


I fume as they get in, not just because I can’t hear, but because of the car itself. It has to be rented, surely he can’t own that?! I start to climb down from the counter, closing the window slowly, just in case they come out again.


“Michael!” Ma startles me, and I shut it on my fingers


“Ouch fuck!” I turn to run them under the tap. “I’ve cut myself, get me the kit!”


She switches it off and hauls me down. “You’re not bleeding, yet. Go sit and wait like the rest of us.” She opens the freezer. “You’re not finding anything out until they’re ready.” I wince as she shoves the bag of peas into my chest. “Get going!”


INSIDE JUSTIN’S CAR 


LULA


I chuckle as Debs’ hair glints in the sunshine, we're going to be good friends, she and I. “So, what therapy do you specialise in?”


“Mental health, specifically PTSD, and, of course, physical.” He smirks and flexes an arm, it has the desired effect. “Where are the boys going to be staying?”


“With us.” Justin states, Brian kisses his hand. “They’re going to be in the room next to ours, well not right next to, there’s a bathroom between.”


“That’s good.” I nod. “And I’ll have a room on the other side of them, split the shifts. When are they being discharged?”


“In about ten days.” Justin replies. “They’ve got fresh clothes, games, colouring books, anything a growing teen will need.”


“Good, good.” I put on the AC. “I know you’ve said you're not claiming them, however, I know where they are. When you four are ready, I’ll take you so you can say your peace, because that’s what you need to do, don’t they, Dijon?“ He nods. “No arguing, Justin, you need to say your peace too.”


“Sorry, Justin, what’s this?” Dijon frowns. “When did they hurt you?”


“No, not them. Another person, a long time ago.” He mutters looking at the floor, breathing deeply for a few seconds. “The focus needs to be on the boys and Brian.”


“Are you not going to be in their lives?” I jab his knee.


“Of course I am! I love Brian, I want to be where he is, supporting him! They mean the world to him, to both of us! How could you think otherwise?!” 


“She doesn’t.” Dijon uncurls Justin’s fists. “But if you don’t heal, neither does he.” 


DINER - TEN MINUTES LATER


CARL


Emmett and Mel have gone to help Leda with something. Michael is almost having his boo-boo kissed better by Lindsay, whilst Ben is in the kitchen with Vic, keeping an eye on the food.


“Maybe you should go out there?” Debs is wringing her hands.


“I should go.” Michael stands. “We both should, since we're partly responsible.”


“You’d need to get past me!” Vic snaps. “For years you’ve caused problems for Brian, in the background, and not just with Justin, With everyone that you saw as a threat. Hell, you’re even jealous of how much he and Debs spend together!”


“How absurd, why would he be?”


“The same way you are jealous of Brian and Mel’s relationship!” He retorts.


“They don’t have a relationship!” She snarls. 


“Touched your sore spot, huh?” He goads before looking over his shoulder. He steps back and closes the door. 


“Sit down, Michael.” I fume. “This is my place. Just because I’m dating Debs, doesn’t mean I won’t kick you out.” 


“Dating?! I forbid it!” 


“To paraphrase Brian, accept it’s happening or fuck off!” I declare. 


Before he can respond, everyone returns. Emmett is grinning, as is Leda, who has linked arms with Mel. 


“What’s happening?” Lindsay demands, looking between the two groups. 


“We’re going home.” Justin replies. “Aunt Lula and Debs are coming too.” He breaks into a smile. “You’re back, aren’t you, Leda, I mean for good?”


“Yep.” Mel grins. “She’s going to be bunking in with Ems, since you’re moving in with Brian. I’m going to help, then we're going for a drink. I was wondering if we can borrow the muscle that is Ben, and maybe Brandon?”


“Absolutely not!” Lindsay screeches.


“What not?” Ben frowns as he hands Brian and Justin their jackets.


“Brandon can help, but you can’t.” Michael stalks past him. “You and I need to talk for a minute.” He holds open the door. “Ben.” 


PARKING LOT


BEN


“Are you trying to get cancer?” I sigh as he lights up.


“I need something to do with my hands!” He blows smoke in my direction. “Why do you hate Lindsay so much?” 


“I dislike her, she’s the one hating.”


“Lindsay doesn’t hate you. She finds you disrespectful to both of us.”


“And what’s her reason for Brandon? Jealous that he got to taste the Brian seed?”

“Taste the Brian seed?” He looks both disgusted and jealous. “Who came up with that?! Oh, let me guess, Justin! He’s always bragging on Brian.”


“He isn’t, you do that, and you’re always blaming Justin for things you do that upset Brian, you’re forever shifting things to suit your narrative.” I head back to the door. “I’m going to help Leda and Mel.”


“You think helping them is more important than discussing our problems?”


“So when you want to talk, we have problems. When I wanted to, we were fine, there’s nothing to worry about. Babe.” I mimic, he grinds out the cigarette.


“Put that in the trash!” Vic bellows through the window. “And don’t smoke out there again!”


MICHAEL


By the time I get back, Lindsay is alone in the booth. Carl and Uncle Vic are by the counter, smiling and whispering.


“The sulker returns!” Uncle Vic snipes. “We want to close up, get your bestie, and go console each other. And do some hard thinking, he’s very serious about Justin.” 


“And we accept that position. Right, Lindsay?”


She jerks on her jacket. “Let’s go back to yours.”


“Sure. Wait, what’s happened?” I demand as she wipes her cheeks. “Why have you been crying? Is it something that Ben said? Are you worried about Leda causing problems for Dusty?”.


“Ben’s not foolish enough to give her actual ammunition to use.” Uncle Vic scoffs. “As for Leda, she won’t give Dusty a thought unless she upsets Mel. No, the tears are because you’re not allowed there anymore.”


“Allowed where? The loft? We have no reason to go there!”  


“Ah you’ve finally accepted that Justin, Blake and Ted are the people behind Rage have you?” I scowl whilst rolling my eyes. “Thought not. No, I mean Brian and Justin’s house. You’re banned.” Carl opens the door. “One more word and that goes for here too.”


MICHAEL AND BEN’S HOME - TWO HOURS LATER


MICHAEL


We ended up in Woody’s, still reeling from the big fucking announcement, and we have to contend with this ludicrous banishment. As we make our way up the path, I sigh and curse.


“What’s wrong?” Lindsay hiccups slightly.


“Ben’s back. Hoped he would stay out.” 


“He never does things you want these days, I’ve noticed that more and more.”


“That’s because he does what’s right for all, not just what’s right for Michael!” Brandon drawls from behind us. “Open up then, I’ll make coffee.”


TWENTY MINUTES LATER


LINDSAY


The way he, as Michael says, lords it around here is maddening. As we sit at the counter in silence, he whistles while he works like an oversexed, over-tall dwarf. 


Suddenly a thought occurs. “Why was the light on, were you in the house without Michael?”


“I was parked, waiting for either you two or Ben to come back. The security light came on.”


“What security light?” Michael frowns. 


“The one I installed two weeks ago.” He replies while adding brandy to his mug, but not offering us any. “You were with us at the time.” 


“Stop helping yourself to our things, Brandon.” Michael growls, his scowl deepening as he pours more into his mug. “Give that to me!” He pours the remains down the sink. “What the fuck, Brandon?!”


“I bought it.” He replies coolly before heading to the lounge.


When TV comes on, I’ve had enough. “Michael, that is too much, put your foot down!” I hiss, he nods. “This is what I think you should say.”


BRANDON


I stretch out, flicking through the channels, waiting for their approach, united in jealousy, fury and brattiness. 


“Want to share the sofa?” I kick off my shoes, he flinches with each thud.


“No, I want you to be more respectful of me in my own home.”


“You want it, you give it. You and Ben finally have something in common, Michael, both having people around who the other person doesn’t want.” I give Lindsay a scathing look. She stands taller. “Whatever she’s dripped in your ear, I wouldn't say it. Mel won’t have you living with them. You two might be able to bunk in with Dusty, but that won’t last.”


“Stop your drunken blathering and leave!” Michael shrieks.


“I’m staying so Ben can get back in. I wouldn't put it past you to lock him out, just to flex that puny muscle of yours. Don't you two get it? Your control and influence over Brian is over. Now he’s declared his love, he’ll never dump Justin again.”

 

Chapter End Notes:

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