After so much whiskey and the little pill Emmett insisted I tried, everything was beautiful. Babylon seemed sparklier than usual.

The music tonight was a mix of the best of nineties and two thousands dance songs.

“You have to stay hydrated, baby.” Emmett joined me in the middle of the dance floor, handing me a bottle of water.

I grinned, chugging down the contents, and after I sated my thirst, I dumped what was left in the bottle on my head.

I let the bottle fall from my hand, not really caring about it at the moment, before I wrapped my arms around Emmett’s neck.

“Dance with me!”

Emmett wasn’t one to decline a dance, so he accepted my offer. Two songs later, he was whisked away by some other guy.

I went to the bar for a refill. The bartender already knew what I wanted, pouring me a full shot glass of Beam.

“Cheers!” I saluted him, before downing the drink.

I remembered that we had come with Michael, but I had no idea where he was. Another drink later, I could care less about Michael’s whereabouts.

I returned to the dance floor, moving to the wild beat as I made my way to my favorite place – in the middle of the dancing queers.

A broad chest collided with my back, and I tilted my head to see a tall and lean guy. Urgh. He was the new sensation of the club. Brandon or something. I wasn’t going to become a notch on his bedpost.

“Sorry, buddy. You ain’t find what you’re looking for here,” I shouted over the loud music, dancing away.

I spotted a cute twink I had a while back, and decided to get reintroduced with his ass. He smiled widely when he saw me, following me to the backroom. That was the place where the action was – the best part about Babylon, in my opinion.

I took the guy’s hand, leading him toward the back, before pushing him against the wall.

“I missed you. This is the best present for the new year,” the guy exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes, putting a hand over his mouth, while I worked our pants open. “Quiet,” I said into his ear. After prepping him hastily, I stroked more lubed over my latex covered dick and dove into his ass. He was tight and felt amazing, but it was definitely the combination of alcohol and drugs that had me so horny. And definitely the constant teasing texts from someone I wanted to fuck me ten ways to next month.

This release was going to help me focus, and I deserved a break from everything.

It was New Year’s night, after all.

When I was done with twinkie, I left him to get dressed, heading back to the bar. Emmett and Michael were there, chatting over a cocktail. I cringed, not in the mood to talk.

“Are you all right, Justin? You look a little flushed,” Michael said, concerned.

I accepted my Beam from the bartender, before rolling my eyes at Michael. “Orgasms do that to me.”

Emmett choked on his drink. “I thought…”

“What? That I’ll wait around like a virginal boy until he comes to me? Please, Emmett.”

“What are you two….” Michael frowned, but his words were downed by a loud voice on the microphone, inviting everyone outside to celebrate midnight.

Downing my glass and slamming it to the counter, I made my way outside, away from my inquisitive friends.

A drag queen was sweet enough to offer me a whole bottle of cheap champagne. Unopened. Must be my lucky night.

I stayed toward the back of the alley, away from the crowd on Liberty Avenue. Crowds and loud noises still weren’t my friends. I wished I hadn’t been such an idiot and left my friends. They could be there for me in case I got hit by a panic attack.

As everyone started chanting the countdown, I clutched at my bottle of cheap bubbly wine, preparing myself for the fireworks.

I was so focused on the moment they would boom that I failed to noticed someone else’s presence in my hidden place. I even placed the bottle down, so I wouldn’t break it.

I still jumped when the fireworks started, cursing myself.

But I fell into the person’s arms when they spoke.

“Happy New Year, Justin!”

My heart was beating out of my chest as I stared at Brian, upside down. He helped me back on my feet, smiling.

“Brian!” I threw my arms around him. “Happy New Year!”

He leaned closer, searching my eyes, before devouring my mouth. I had missed him more than I was ready to admit. He pressed me against the wall, getting handsy, his lips latching on to my throat. I fisted his hair through the beanie he was sporting. It was probably part of his cover, but I didn’t care if we were seen, at the moment.

“Justin? Baby, are you okay? Tell me, you’re okay!” Emmett’s panicked voice came closer.

“Shit.” I pulled away from Brian, looking toward the figure approaching. Thankfully, he was alone.

When he noticed Brian, he stopped, looking between the two of us. “Oh. I see everything’s under control. Please do all of us a favor and take him home.”

“Emmett,” I hissed, embarrassed. He just acted like a parent.

“Friend of yours?” Brian asked in a tight voice.

“Don't you remember him from the gallery? Didn’t Drew tell you about Emmett? They sort of hit it off.” I giggled, enjoying the way I made Emmett blush.

“Oh, so you’re the one to blame for my suddenly air-headed security.”

Emmett shrugged, not regretting it. “I’ll let you two….” He walked backwards, showing me thumbs up.

“God, I’m sorry about him.”

“Are you okay, though? He sounded really concerned. And you were sort of hiding here when I saw you.”

“It’s a long story.” I looked around. “Where’s your car?”

Brian looked like a guilty child. “I’m incognito. I had Greg fly me here, then took a cab to your place. Of course, you weren’t there….then…” He gave me shy, small smile.

“The tracing device. I should hate you.”

“But you don’t.” He winked, kissing me softly.

It took me a full minute for his words to sink in. “Wait! Wait! Wait!” I pulled away from his insistent mouth. “You mean no one knows you’re in Pittsburgh?”

“Aside from the pilot and a marine sworn to silence who drove me to the airport…no.”

“Do you have a tracking device, too?”

“Obviously. By the time they figure out I’m missing…”

“The whole country will think someone abducted the President. I don’t want to go to jail, Brain! I don’t look good in orange.” I stared at him, scared. His plan was flawed. I admired his rebellious side, but not when he put me in danger too.

“Don’t be a twat! I’m with you. You’re safe.” He hugged me tightly.

I could see people returning inside Babylon, but I was rooted in our hidden spot, behind a dumpster.

“People won’t know you came to me….everyone will think I kidnapped you,” I moaned, hanging my head. “And all this now…when I started getting along with Big and Bulky.” I protested, making Brian laugh.

“So wanna head to your place and fuck? Or maybe you want to go back inside?”

“Are you completely insane, Brian? Everyone will recognize you! It will be like walking inside with a nuclear bomb in my arms and lying that it's not what it looks like.”

“You’re being melodramatic.” He took my hand, leading the way inside Babylon.

“Brian!” I tried to stop him, but he was restless.

He flashed the security man a blinding smile, making the poor guy take a double look at who walked into the club. I fished a fifty from my pocket, pushing it into his hand.

I was supposed to be the drunk and high one, not Brian. I caught up with him easily. He stood amazed, just outside the metal curtain.

“Wow! This place is fantastic!”

“Yup.” I hooked my arm around his, tugging him back. “But please…let’s go. People will notice. Chaos will ensure. I don’t want to be arrested.”

“Calm down, Painter Boy. The worse that can happen is me being shipped back home and being grounded. I can see Ben doing it.”

“Ben is scary,” I admitted.

“Let me enjoy my freedom before they come after me with the straight jacket.”

I sighed in defeat, allowing Brian to walk inside. We went to the bar, and no one had spared him a look so far. It was dark enough to not see faces well, the flashy lights made it hard to focus on features. Maybe we could be lucky enough to enjoy a drink and a dance without being discovered.

I waved to the bartender, showing him I wanted two of my favorite drink, before I looked around.

My eyes locked on Emmett’s, a few feet away.

He stopped mid-sentence, arms suspended in the air, making Michael look back at what had grabbed our friend’s attention.

“Your friends?” Brian whispered, accepting the drink.

“No….Don’t.”

He interlaced our fingers together, walking to Emmett and Michael. “Hello.”

Emmett choked on his spit, before starting to gasp for breath. Michael stared at Brian with his jaw unhinged.

“Justin…” he said dumbly, not taking his eyes off Brian. “This is the freaking President!”

“Shhhh!” I clamped a hand over his mouth. I glared at Brian, who was amused by the situation. “I told you this was a terrible idea.”

“What’s going on here?” Michael insisted. “You are the President, right?”

“Yes, I am. I thought I’d pay your friend here, a visit. He’s not a very nice host at the moment,” Brian joked, catching my eye.

“Sorry guys. We’re kinda rushed. I said one drink and one dance. Drink that so we can move on to dancing, before we’re outta here,” I demanded. “And Michael, please don’t run your big mouth. Emmett, it’s okay. Breathe deep.” I patted his arm, before leading Brian between the dancing queers.

I did my best to keep his face hidden between my hands as we kissed while we danced. It was everything I ever wanted, and never thought I would have. Dancing and making out with the President in the middle of Babylon. A story to tell my grandkids.

Three songs later, we left. We stopped for another drink, and I was well and truly drunk.

If it wasn’t for Brian’s quick reflexes, I would have spilled myself down the stairs. He pulled me into his arms, kissing me deeply. I moaned, dry-humping his leg.

“I live nearby.”

“I know.” He laughed, wrapping his arms around me.

We retrieved my forgotten bottle of faux champagne, opening it.

I felt safe in his embrace. Despite it being New Year’s night, there weren’t many people on the streets. As we walked to my building, it started snowing, and it was the most romantic thing ever. And we shared the bottle.

“Thank you,” Brian whispered, kissing my cheek, as we reached my building.

“Uh?” I frowned, noticing the Caddy parked half on the sidewalk. Shit. We had visitors.

“Tonight I felt normal for a few hours. Let’s face the music.”

We took the stairs.

“I wonder why they didn’t come after you in Babylon and chose to wait here.”

“I left my phone at your door. I feel like a child about to face the parents after doing a bad deed.” His tone indicated giddiness and wariness.

We stepped into my apartment. The door was broken, which made me angry.

Ben and Drew were pacing in the living room, talking on their phones.

Ben spotted us first. He hung up, approaching us like an angry lion, ready to strike. He kept his narrowed eyes on Brian, before turning to me when he reached us. He pushed me up into the nearest wall, hands on my throat.

“BEN,” Brian thundered, pushing him away. When I was released from the vice grip, Brian stroked my hair. His body was tense. “If you want to be angry at someone, be at me. I’d even let you punch me if it makes you feel better, but don’t you dare turn on Justin.”

Drew came closer, huffing. “What the hell was in your head, Kinney?”

“Exactly the same as it was in your head the other day when you were distracted by talking to Justin’s friend. You nearly ran that red light with me and Gus in the backseat. So don’t start pointing fingers.”

Drew looked down, but it seemed Ben wasn’t moved by any of it.

I wondered if he had a heart somewhere in there.

“So he calls you and you come to him without letting either of us know? How did you get here?”

“Greg flew me. And Justin didn’t call me. I wanted to be with him tonight. I missed him. It was a surprise,” Brian explained.

“I still don’t see why you didn’t tell me or Drew. We’d have come with you,” Ben yelled.

“That’s the problem, Ben. I didn’t want anyone with me. I wanted it to be just us. And I had the most incredible time I had in a long while, without worrying about anything, without you two breathing down my neck.”

“It’s our job to protect you, sir!”

“Ben’s right. We have a job—to protect you. Sadly, you can no longer be one of the people, Brian. You are the President,” Drew said quietly.

“We never had such sort of issues with you acting up until this man appeared in your life.” Ben glared at me.

I got some of my courage back, and took a step closer to Ben. “Listen up, Big and Bulky. Brian needs some time off. I bet you do, too. Everyone needs a break from whatever they do. I guess he discovered he can be himself and relax with me. So don’t you dare try to take it away from him!”

It was quiet for a long time. Ben blinked, staring at me down his nose, before he barked a loud laugh.

“Did you just call me Big and Bulky?”

I groaned, defeated. “That’s all you got from my speech?”

He glanced at Brian, sighing. “I’ll lay off your back, but we always have to know when you come to visit Justin. One of us can come with you.”

“I’d be glad to be the one you chose, sir,” Drew offered. “I promise to visit Emmett while you stay with Justin. Win-win.”

“Thanks, Drew.” I smiled, grateful.

“Okay, now get out of here. And don’t let the door hit you on your way out,” Brain muttered.

“What door?” I snorted. “They made sure to rip it off hinges.”

Ben went to put it back. It stayed shut, but it was clear I needed a new door.

“We’ll buy you a new door, Justin. Come on, Bruckner.” Drew pushed Ben out of my apartment.

I stomped to the kitchen, pulling the fridge’s door open, and snatching two bottles of water.

“I fucking hate Ben, did I mention that?”

Brian stepped behind me, rubbing my shoulders. “I’m so sorry. Did he hurt you?”

I gingerly touched my neck. “I’ll be fine.” I spun into his arms, resting my forehead against his shoulder. “It was too good to be true…our wonderful time at Babylon.”

Brian ran his hands over my back, kissing my head. “I’d rather remember that time, instead of what waited for us here.” He swallowed audibly. “I get it. I’m the most important person in the country. I can’t go missing without telling someone, but I missed you so fucking much. I thought I’d go crazy if I didn’t see you.”

I melted at his words. “I missed you too, Brian. Let me run ahead and cover your painting. I don’t want you to see it before it’s done.”

He nodded, opening a bottle of water.

A few minutes later, Brian joined me upstairs, smiling when his eyes fell on the bed. I blushed, taking my clothes off with shaky fingers.