3 - LEAD TO WINTER STORMS

THANKSGIVING 2013

BEN:

Okay with hindsight I have to admit that it was funny, according to Emmett it took about two hours to get it taken out of the crate and put in place in the store... somewhat less amusing was finding out how much he paid for it and that was purely by accident. Once it was unveiled, Debbie was annoyed that he lied to her about buying it, but he tried to play it off that he bought it afterwards, but nobody believed that. And on top of that, he had to pay another $1,000 for the delivery men to come back and help him again. He's also lost a fair bit of floor space but as he says he knows the value of these things more than I... yeah right!

 Hunter had an excellent time in Canada, he took lots of photos. I am so pleased that he and Gus have become good, well let's be honest, best friends. Michael finally stopped moaning about the phone when I took him to one side and pointed out that now he had money he could easily get Jenny a phone if it meant so much.

Now, as much as being with a teen is exasperating at times and hard work, I am proud that Hunter got himself a part-time job, Michael less so because he refused to work in the store, and is putting some of his wage towards his college fund. It's coming along nicely; Ted's financial acumen is second to none, although I put my foot in it with Debbie after she was asking about it and I let slip that Michael also borrowed for the store. She was gob-smacked I also told her that they only want the store amount paid back, thus gifting the fund to Hunter, she did try and find out how much it was but I didn't tell her and I made her swear on Vic's soul that she wouldn't tell Michael or anyone else that she knew as much as she does.

We have Thanksgiving lunch at Britin and everyone is going to be there. Justin, Alice, and Debbie are doing the cooking, Emmett wanted to help but Justin put his foot down saying he's a guest but I am pretty sure that won't last long. Emmett is a very strong man, you'd not think it the way his flame glows bright but I wouldn't mess with him.

What the hell are those two doing up there, we have got to go soon or we will get snarled up in traffic.

"Michael, Hunter, are you guys ready?" I call up.

There is a herd of elephants running above me, aka Hunter getting ready to come down.

"Are you guys staying overnight?" He yells from his room.

"Of course, we are..." Michael calls back as he comes down the stairs.

"Actually, Michael, I am not sure, I know Hunter is so maybe we should check first, after all, we are there from 11:00 so let's not be presumptuous."

He huffs an annoyed breath.

"Nonsense, I am not being presumptuous, it will be fine."

I could feel the beginnings of a headache start to throb but resisted the temptation to do a Kinney pinch.

"But isn't Jenny going to be with Debbie and Carl tonight..."

 "And what has to do with our arrangements? I am so looking forward to not having to battle through the traffic to get home. We are staying, Ben, after all, he's my best friend..."

I tune out the rest of that mantra. How is it that everyone can see that in the cold light of day Justin is Brian's best friend with Ted coming second and then Emmett... even Lindsay has been relegated down the line as Gus grew older and could make decisions for himself, everyone except Michael of course.

"Hunter come on, we've got to get there on time you know!"

I flinch at his tone but say nothing. Finally, Hunter comes down and after checking for the umpteenth time for his phone, he loves that thing, says he's ready only for Michael to dash upstairs for something.

We end up leaving ten minutes later and of course, get caught in traffic.

BRITIN - LATE MORNING

DEBBIE:

I am dying to say something to Justin about what they have done for my grandson, I still cannot believe he's the same young boy that stole a knife and a roll at the diner, and to this day he thinks I don't know. I blink back tears as I think how he is with Gus, unlike most teens he doesn't care about Gus' age, he just wants to hang out with his, oh what does he call him, oh that's it G-Man when he gets the chance and the way he is with Carl, nice and respectful, Michael could learn a thing or two!

Speaking of Michael, I can't understand why he hasn't done much with the store so far apart from that stupid statue, which I am still pissed about I have to say, he lied to me, you don't lie to me, okay the money is to do with what he wants but that was just silly. Although I am so glad that he wasn't in the diner when we all got there as we were pissing ourselves with laughter especially Carl who admitted that he had made it up about it being a fire hazard... he paid for that later that night... twice!

Everyone is here apart from the Novotny Bruckner's - last I heard it was Michael who had caused them to run late, though why he has insisted on driving, when Brian said there was a service for everyone, is beyond me.

Ah, I see Emmett is getting a little antsy, if he thinks he's fooling anyone with that nonchalant stroll of his, he has another thing coming.

"Hey Baby, um where's that timetable thing you printed out?"

He coos as he strolls into the kitchen trying really hard, and failing, not to look into the pots on the stove, he winces as Alice slaps his hand away.

"For the last time Emmett... no! You are a guest and you're not helping; you are to sit down and be looked after, we've got this!"

"But..."

"Do you want to go to bed without lunch, and by bed, I mean the one at your house?" Justin asks from the fridge where he is pulling out a bottle of champagne and is now reaching for glasses.

Emmett scowls at him before turning his best pleading look at me.

"No support here Em honey!" I chuckle.

He folds his arms and plops petulantly on the nearest chair.

"At least let me open the champagne, that's not catering, that's making sure I get the first glass..."

We all look at each other and decide that he can do that but only to pour his glass. So naturally, within five minutes, he's tasting here, stirring there, has found the timetable and is ticking back and adjusting times.

"Seriously, why did we even try?" I mutter at Alice.

Justin chuckles and Alice shakes her head, Emmett smiles goofily at them, who can resist that when he's in his element.

The doorbell goes and I bustle to answer and there, finally are the Novotny Bruckner's.

"Where the hell have you been?" I ask Hunter.

He casts his eyes behind him, where a tense Ben and Michael are following, oh now what is wrong.

"So what kept you? And why in the heck did you drive?"

"Hunter! Where have you been? Hi Uncle Ben, Uncle Michael." Gus comes down the stairs towards us.

"Hey G-Man, we got a bit delayed because Michael had to get something that he couldn't possibly do without for one day. But we're here now where's everyone else, you good?"

Gus nods and points to the kitchen and the lounge, Ben heads towards the lounge.

"Want me to take your bags up?"

He shakes his head, saying to wait a minute as he won't be long and true to his word he's back within minutes with a glass of champagne and a chicken leg...

"Hunter, where did you get that from?"

"Kitchen." He mumbles around a mouth full of food.

Before Michael could say anything, Justin saunters out and hands Hunter another piece of chicken and a napkin.

Brian comes out of the lounge and smiles nodding at Hunter who nods back.

"Don't you feed this child Michael?" He heads to the kitchen bumping Hunter along the way, who pokes his tongue out.

"I'm fine Brian thanks for asking..." Michael calls to his retreating back.

"I know Michael, I would've heard if you weren't."

"What the fuck is his problem, didn't he get any last night?" He snarks at Justin.

"Yeah, four times." He turns and walks away.

"Papa!" Gus yells his face is a picture of indignity and embarrassment.

"He asked!"

"Couldn't you have lied?"

"I don't lie, Gus, you know that." He calls back.

Hunter is chuckling at Gus' embarrassment.

"Dude, it's not as if you didn't know they scr... have sex a lot."

"And you learned to knock real quick!" Brian yells.

"Dad! Jeez! Please, please, please can we go upstairs now?"

Hunter barks a laugh and nods and they head upstairs to do what they are going to do, before they close the door they are stopped by Justin who came back out to say that lunch will now be at two.

"Actually Baby." Emmett calls "Make that two-thirty!"

"Drew, can you please come and take your man out of my kitchen!"

Drew ambles in the hallway.

"Well..."

"If he wants sex tonight, he will go sit back down and leave me to do my thang!" Emmett hollers.

"Sorry Justin sex always wins!" He smirks and goes back into the lounge.

"As it should!" Brian agrees.

We all burst out laughing at the slightly indignant expression on Justin's face before he breaks into a grin nodding in agreement.

"That silence is worrying. You are nodding in agreement right, Sunshine?" Brian yells.

"He is, he definitely is!" I shout back.

We follow Michael into the kitchen and soon afterwards, we are joined by Jenny, she doesn't look happy.

"Hey honeybun, how are you, what's the matter?" Michael asks after giving her a hug.

"Gus and Hunter said I can't be in the room for now..."

"Oh, we will soon see about that." He heads upstairs ready to defend his little girl, we shake our heads in resignation, Jenny sighs, and grimaces.

"But Dad..." She calls out.

At that moment, Ben comes in and she barrels into his arms.

"Hey, Papa!"

"Hey sweetheart, how are you?"

Before she could answer, there was a commotion upstairs with banging and yelling.

"Let me check what's going on."

I bustle upstairs and find Michael outside the boys' room hammering on the door and demanding to be let in.

"Michael, what the hell are you doing?!" I bellow above the din.

"I want them to open the door and let Jenny join in!"

"We can't!" Gus yells from the room

Brian, Justin, and Ben coming up the stairs coincides with Ted and Blake arriving. Ted takes one look at the situation, nods at Brian and heads straight to the lounge shutting the door behind them, now that's odd I didn't hear the doorbell go, but back to the situation in hand.

"What's happening?" Justin asks.

"They've kicked Jenny out of the room. Open up right now!" Michael yells.

We turn to the sound of footsteps as Jenny is running up the stairs.

"Dad! Wait, you didn't let me explain! They said I had to leave... wait let me catch my breath... because, because they were wrapping presents and you know what I am like I have to know who has what, they said they would let me back in when they were done...

All eyes turn to Michael, he shrugs, once more he's not thought something through.

"Boys, can one of you come down when Jenny can come back in?" I shout.

"Yeah, sure grandma!" Hunter calls out; my heart flutters every time he calls me that.

We turn to go back downstairs when Brian clears his throat... this cannot be good.

"Michael, you need to do something before you go, don't you think?"

He shakes his head and carries on downstairs.

"You need to apologize to them for what you almost accused them of..."

"But I didn't do it, the "almost" is the keyword, right? Besides, I was only looking out for Jenny who was..."

"I wasn't anything, so I didn't need to be looked out for, if you had let me explain..." She sighed.

Ben gives her a small smile and ruffles her hair; she grabs his hand and wraps herself around his waist.

"Michael, you need to apologize." Ben asserts. "It's only right."

I like this, I like this side of Ben, not letting him get away with shit. Okay, I hold my hands up and admit I have let him slide, coast and always be rescued. But judging by the way he's been bellyaching to me lately; it seems he's not letting him do that anymore either and good for him I say.

"Michael Charles Novotny Bruckner will you hop the fuck to it so we can get back to more important things like Thanksgiving!" Emmett snaps from the foot of the stairs.

"Auntie Em!" Jenny snorts between giggles "Language!"

"Sorry, sweetie! This food is not going to cook itself; I need my kitchen back!"

We all look at Michael, who reluctantly turns back and knocks on the door again, this time Gus opens it but not enough so we can see in.

"Yes, Uncle Michael?"

"I have been told to apologize for earlier. Consider it done." He says ungraciously and hurries downstairs.

Gus just blinks at us, not quite sure what he's supposed to do with that, personally, I wouldn't wipe my ass on it.

"Um... okay then. Dad, papa can we get back to doing what we were doing?"

They both nod and the door quickly closes. I spot the angry tick in Brian's jaw and pat his arm.

"Let's just get Thanksgiving back on track, shall we?"

He nods curtly and stalks downstairs heading straight for his study, the door is sharply shut.

Justin sighs and we link arms with Emmett who grins happily.

"Just so we are clear, I am not a cook in my own fucking kitchen." He chides.

Emmett kisses us both on the cheek and leads us back into the kitchen saying he has opened another bottle of champagne and Alice is pouring.

Happily, there is no Michael, to be honest, I don't trust myself, let alone Justin, with those sharp knives.

I give Justin a quick squeeze as he looks longingly at the closed study door, but he knows his man and now is not the time.

BRIAN:

I have been told to apologize, consider it done! I pour myself a glass of beam and take a breath before knocking it back. There is a knock at the door and steeling myself I open it; I heave a sigh of relief to find Ben outside.

"Mind if I join you in one of those?" He nods at my glass.

I open the door wider and he comes in and heads straight to the cart.

"You know, I am a practicing Buddhist and abhor violence. But I am sure that Mahatma would've forgiven my urge to slap him just then, right?"

We raise our glasses to each other and knock the beam back. Sitting in silence we are startled when the door knocks.

"Do you think if we're really quiet they will think nobody's here?" I whisper.

"We can try..."

We wait with bated breath before the door knocks again, we both sigh deeply we know that determined ratatat tat.

"Brian are you in there?" Michael calls out.

He tries the handle, luckily, I had locked the door after Ben came in, on seeing that he lets out a sigh of relief then breaks into a grin, which I can't help returning.

I wave him to the door and we stand on either side to see if we can hear him leave, he knocks again, we shake our heads at each other, and he keeps trying the handle.

"Michael, what are you doing?" It's Emmett.

"Looking for Brian." He answers. "Oh, by the way, have you seen Ben at all?"

I see the flicker of hurt cross Ben's face... seriously Michael, get a fucking grip!

"No, for Ben and it looks like the study is locked so clearly Brian's not in there, maybe they are walking the grounds... oh, how ‘Lord of the Manor' does that sound?" He chuckles.

"I wonder where they are."

"Clearly not here and since you have time on your hands you can come and help us in the kitchen."

We hear him pull a protesting Michael away. Once we think the coast is clear we slide to the floor trying to stifle the laughter, we both freeze when the door knocks again, there is a pause and a piece of paper is shoved firmly inside.

I wait for a couple of minutes before I take it up and read it warily.

"You owe me and Ben you owe Emmett, yours unhappily, Sunshine!"

We look at each other and clink glasses before bursting out laughing again.

THANKSGIVING LUNCH

The smell from the kitchen is heavenly and the table looks great, everyone is seated and despite their best efforts Emmett has completely taken charge and is flitting about making sure everything is perfect and it almost is apart from Brian's refusal to have Justin at the other end of the table. He needs to be in touching distance he argued when Emmett tried to point out this is a family lunch, Brian shrugged and said he would keep one hand on the table.

Once everyone was seated Carl was put in charge of carving the turkey and all in all it was an excellent repast. Though Hunter had to admit defeat after the third helping, his appetite was somewhat dampened by Brian glowering at him in ill-concealed jealousy much to Justin's amusement.

They decided that brandies would be in the lounge so we decamped there, the crackling fire and full bellies making it a nice comfortable silence until...

TED:

"So Gus, how did you think you did in your school report?" Mel asked.

She casts a quick look at Brian, who remained impassive but shook Justin who was curled up in his lap.

"Huh?" Justin jolts awake and blinks slowly.

"I don't know, I promised not to open it and I didn't." He replied looking nervous.

By now everyone is looking at Mel, who nods at Brian, who like Justin, has the beginnings of a smile playing around his lips.

"What's going on?" Carl asked before Debbie could say a word.

"Well, we promised Gus that if he did well on his report card he could invite a friend for Christmas and well here we go..."

She read the card and then handed it to Linds, who handed it to Brian and Justin who took their time.

"Well!" Deb exclaimed.

"Sonnyboy, what was the criteria for you to get a pass?" Brian asked, not looking up from the card.

"Um, no lower than a B+ in all subjects." He replied, twisting his fingers and looking at Hunter for support.

"Dude, you've got this."

Brian was very quiet, with him and Justin whispering together and nodding.

"So you thought it was a good idea to ace all your classes, not a single B+."

"What!" Gus hollered and ran to snatch the card from his father.

"Let us see, let us see!" Jenny was yelling, jumping up and down.

"Oh sweetheart, I am so pleased for you!" Deb cried with tears streaming down her cheeks.

The only sound to be heard was people congratulating him before Brian whistled the group into silence.

"Theodore, the floor is yours I believe."

I clear my throat and look at Gus whose eyes were shiny with tears.

"First, do you know who you are inviting for Christmas?"

"Oh that's easy, Hunter, and yes, I know what that means."

Hunter blinks rapidly as does Ben.

"Ah right, so Hunter do you have a passport?"

Hunter and Gus both look confused.

"Why the hell would he need a passport? It's not as if he's going anywhere," Michael grouses.

Hunter looks shocked and a little hurt.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean, Michael?" Carl growls

Michael crosses his arms mutinously over his chest and remains silent.

"As I was saying, do you have a passport?"

Hunter shakes his head. I took out an envelope from my briefcase and handed it to him.

"You do now."

He rips open the envelope and stares in wonderment at it.

"Why... why do I need this?" His voice is barely above a whisper.

"Dad, Papa, where are we going?" Gus looks at the smiling faces of his parents.

"You know I am part Irish, right?" Brian asks.

Gus nods, Jenny is grinning like a Cheshire cat bouncing in her seat.

"Well, I have decided to research my family tree and apparently there is a branch in Dublin..."

"Dublin?" Gus repeats dumbly looking at Hunter who shrugs.

Justin sighs and gets out of Brian's lap getting down to Gus' eye level.

"I cannot believe I have to explain this to an A-student and his best friend... listen carefully... we are spending Christmas in Dublin, Ireland - as in Europe."

There is silence, then the smiles start, first Gus and then Hunter before they both leap up and down hugging each other shouting they are going to Dublin.

"Wait, wait a minute, who agreed with this and what about Jenny?!" Michael shouts.

The fun is officially sucked out of the room.

"Michael, Jenny will be with us, it's our time to have her since she's here for Thanksgiving." Mel says, shifting slightly on her feet.

"With you, where are you going?"

"Um..." Linds replied.

"Where?" Deb demands.

"Um actually, we have something to say too..." Drew starts.

Deb stands up with her hands on hips and looks around the room.

"Okay, how many people in this room are going to be in the Pitts for Christmas?"

Six hands go up, mine, Blake's, Deb's, Carl's, Michael, and Ben's.

"Hunter, put your hand up because you are not going to Dublin!"

"Oh hell the fuck no, there is no fucking way you are pulling this bullshit!" Ben snaps.

"You appear to have forgotten something very important, Michael..."

"What?" He snaps at me.

"Hunter will be eighteen soon and definitely before they travel..."

He opens his mouth and then closes it again, scowling.

I am so jealous that you get to go to Dublin but so pleased too, I told you, didn't I Uncle Justin? I told you I could keep a secret!"

Justin smiles at her and nods before settling back down in Brian's lap.

"Oh, your Uncle Justin is good at keeping secrets." Michael snarks.

"Shush Michael! So Drew, where are you and Emmett going to be?" Debbie demands.

"I have a commentary gig in LA and I want to take Em with me."

Deb nods in understanding.

"So you two, where are you going?" She turns to Mel and Linds.

"Florida."

"Florida!" Michael shouts.

Justin is startled awake again.

"What, what is it?" He looks around blinking rapidly.

"Go back to sleep." Brian kisses the top of his head.

He curls back into his lap like a contented cat, how he can sleep so quickly is truly astounding.

"Wait! Wait just a minute; I'm going to Florida, as in Florida, Florida, Florida?" Jenny shrieks.

"Yep," Linds replies, hugging her.

"You're not the only one that can keep secrets." Gus laughs.

Then he frowns and cocks his head to one side.

"So what did you mean Uncle Michael, about Uncle Justin being good at keeping secrets?"

Oh dear, Gus looks pissed off. The room goes silent.

"Well let's just say that he's not as ragingly honest as he makes out."

"Is this about Ian? I mean Ethan, papa stop smiling!"

Michael looks stunned.

"You mean you know about that?" Emmett gasps.

Gus looks surprised.

 "Of course, I do! I know mostly everything about their lives before me and when they split up, how they got back together and all that. They promised to tell me other stuff when I get older and I believe they will. They said that they want me to hear things about them from them and nobody else."

"Do you know about the..."

"Deb!" Carl warns.

"Yes, I know about the bashing."

Everyone turns to look at Justin, who is given a reassuring squeeze by Brian.

"Justin, he's far too young to know about that..." Linds starts.

"Mom, stop! They told me last year, well most of what happened. Papa said he would tell me more when I am ready to hear it, I kinda got..."

"Why do you call him that?" Michael asks.

"Huh?"

"Why do you call him ‘Papa'?"

 "Because he is, and he always will be. Like dad is my dad and he always will be. And Hunter's my best friend, because he is, before you ask."

"Burn!" Jenny snickers.

I catch the wink that Deb flicks at Jenny, who is being glowered at by her father.

Now I am not an emotional man but when I see how much they love each other it is wonderful, almost like the greatest aria ever written.

And then you have Hunter, now he is just a mass of contradictions, he clearly adores the bones of Ben and is so respectful to everyone else, especially Brian and Justin. I like that everyone else was surprised when he took Gus under his far-too-young-to-have-experienced-this-shit-life wing. Why Michael can't see what everyone else can, is anyone's guess.

"Excuse me, we've gotten sidetracked! Back to Christmas!" Deb glowers at Michael

"How about to end this clusterfu... I mean conversation, we agree to have a New Year's Party at Britin and everyone can come?" Brian asks.

He quirks an eyebrow at me meaning this is going to be expensive, crunch the numbers, I nod.

"Okay but to be clear it has to be in January, right? And no excuses!"

Deb demands, pointing a finger at everyone, who nods solemnly; nobody argues with the finger.

MICHAEL:

What the fuck just happened? So Hunter gets to go to Dublin and Jenny goes to Florida and we are stuck in the Pitts! And of course, Justin comes out of this smelling of fucking roses, well I am going to make the most of my Thanksgiving time here then. This brandy is good, it looks like Ben is driving home tomorrow, and we will be having a chat about his part in this.

"So where are we staying?" I ask Brian, putting a stop to his make-out session.

I smile behind my glass as he lifts his head and I hear Justin's whimper of protest.

"When?"

"Tonight?"

Hmmm, why is he frowning and looking at Justin who also looks confused?

"Ben will follow the service back to mine, you guys can crash there..." Ma starts.

"No, we are here tonight."

Justin has the nerve to roll his eyes. Brian clears his throat and looks at me.

"Uh no, you are not. The whole point of having it early was so that there were no overnight guests apart from Gus and Hunter, Jenny is going to her grandparents, Mel and Linds to the loft, Drew and Emmett back to theirs and..."

"I said we should've checked..."

"Thank you, Mysterious Ben, you are so enlightened." I snap.

I stand up and head to the cart and pour myself another large brandy and turn to Gus.

"But you know legally he's not your papa or your dad..."

"Michael..." Justin growled, sitting up straight.

"Dad, why are you doing this, why are you ruining everyone's day! Does this mean I can't call Ben papa anymore just because the law says I can't? Okay, I know you are papa to Hunter and papa is dad to him, but just because..."

She bursts into tears and rushes to Ben's side; he wraps his arms around her pulling her into his lap and whispering whatever the fuck to her.

"Why is everyone looking at me like that? It's true what I have said, I guess some people can't handle the truth. And one more thing, I'm not Papa to Hunter, he never calls me that, and he never calls Ben dad."

This is too much for Jenny and she runs out followed by Gus and Hunter.

"He calls Ben dad all the time, and if you behaved like a papa, then he would call you that!"

With that Carl storms out of the room calling Jenny's name; a few seconds later, he bellows down for ma, who gives me a black look, I shrug and sway slightly.

"I cannot fucking believe you said that to a child!"

BLAKE:

Everyone turns to look at me in surprise, yes, I am quiet and I observe a lot, it's part of my job, but enough is fucking enough, I take the glass out of his hand and slam it back on the cart, going back to be closer to Ted, Michael and I need distance.

"Uh Blake..." Linds begins.

"No, not this time, they are children - one who had a horrible start in life and..."

"Ted, contain your twink!" Michael snaps.

I have never felt so much anger in my life. I take a step towards Michael but am stopped by Ted, grabbing my arm.

"Why don't you get the presents from the car, honey? Please?" Ted asks.

I sigh and take the key from him.

"Do you need some help?" Ben asks and I nod.

Outside, it is a bit chilly and I glance warily at him, he gives me a resigned smile.

"It's okay Blake, you just got there first."

"How do you put up with it all the time, he knows no boundaries..."

"I wish I still smoked."

This surprises me not that he smoked before but the relevance, I frown.

"Then I would have an excuse to be outside and occupy my hands."

We head back into a tense silence in the lounge; Michael has another brandy in his hands and looks up at us.

"I didn't hear the bell go. How did you get in?" He asks then he looks at Ted.

He picks this moment to be astute and observant.

"Key."

"How does Blake have a key?" Linds demands looking hard at Brian.

"I don't have a key, Lindsay, Ted does," I answer. "Where shall I put these?"

"If you put them over there, we will deal with them later," Justin replies.

"If you get up from being a limpet on Brian then you can deal with them now. And why does Ted have a key?"

"I'm thinking of your safety Michael, if either of us leave this chair, you will get an ass-kicking, you remember the last time Brian hit you, this would be worse. And Ted has a key, because we want him to have one."

Michael puts his glass down, but before he could speak, Linds stands up.

"But why? Why don't I have a key? I'm Gus' mother after all."

"Who lives in Toronto and..." Mel growls.

"Yes but..." She begins.

"No, you are not getting a key," Justin states firmly.

Linds whirls round to face him in full WASP mode.

"Before you start, remember that this is my house Linds and this day is going to shit already, let's not make it worse."

She sits down unhappily; she and Michael exchange a look and I know that this is going to get worse.

"Whatever that look was for, don't. Don't say it - in fact, we are going now!"

Ben snaps and snatches the glass out of Michael's reach.

"Wait Ben, either let me drive or promise you will share the service car with Deb." I plead.

"We are not leaving Ben, until we have had this conversation, so sit down!"

Ben's mouth drops open, I don't think I have ever seen him so angry in my life.

"Now back to the matter of the key, as your best friends, Linds and I..." He begins.

"Get the fuck out of my house!" Justin is standing with his fists clenched.

Carl took that moment to come back in, with the others trailing behind him, he took one look at Justin, and got between him and Michael.

"Please son, sit down and let me handle this."

Brian's gentle tugging on his wrist got his attention, so he slowly sat down, but kept his eyes on Michael.

CARL:

I grab Michael's arm and drag him out of the room and shove him towards his mother.

"Right people, this has been whatever the fuck it is, I think it's time for us to all go home and hope that this all gets better in the morning."

Brian snorts and shakes his head.

"Son, we can but hope."

I wave the girls, Emmett and Drew out of the room, Brian and Justin don't move.

"Honey, we will call you tomorrow, okay?" Debbie calls out.

Brian nods and wipes a tear from Justin's cheek.

"What about their car?" I ask.

"Can I drive it back tomorrow?" Hunter suggests and Ben nods.

He hugs Hunter.

"Try not to be too hard on him." I hear him whisper to Ben.

"Could you teach him to be an adult, you are so good at it?" He whispers back.

He smiles ruefully and then he and Gus hug everyone else goodbye. Michael is swaying on his feet, Deb holds him to stop him falling on his ass, I don't buy that drunk ass routine but we need to get out of here.

GUS:

Damn Uncle Michael! He's upset papa and even though Hunter doesn't say much but I know what he said hurt and poor Jenny was distraught too, it took a lot of comforting and one of her favorite lollies to get her calm. She has, unfortunately, inherited her dramatics from her dick of a father.

Papa looks really upset, he's doing the biting the lip thing and dad is massaging his hand and whispering to him.

"Um, we're going to go upstairs now, if that's okay?" I ask them.

"No. I mean, you can join us, we can watch a movie or something..." Justin asks quietly.

He looks so hopeful, Hunter and I exchange looks there is no way we can leave him like that.

"I get to pick the movie. I am not watching One-Eyed Jacks again!"

DEB & CARL'S HOUSE NEXT DAY

MICHAEL:

I wake up alone with a thumping head and my mouth feels like the inside of a dead beaver with the taste to match. I remember everything I said yesterday. Let's see how much trouble I am in.

Ben, Carl and Ma are drinking coffee. Jenny, I assume is still sleeping, as I should be, I feel the kind of bad that only puking can solve, let's just get this over with.

"You're up then?" Ma snarks.

I nod my head gingerly and sit down next to Ben, who moves away wrinkling his nose.

"That bad, uh?" I ask, smiling at him, he doesn't smile back.

Ma looks incredulously at me and ignores Carl's attempt to mollify her.

"That's all you have to say? After what you said and did yesterday?!" She bellows.

"But after the amount I drank, I can't remember what happened yesterday, honestly..."

Carl cocks an eyebrow at me.

"Okay Michael, let's leave it, though I knew we should've taken the presents with us, like Ted and Blake, it just goes to show how much Brian and Justin trust Ted to give him a key like that?"

Ben nods and Carl levels a gaze at me, daring me to say anything.

Instantly I am annoyed, I still cannot believe that Ted of all people has a key and not me, and it takes everything for me to get a confused look on my face.

"Huh?" It's the best I can come up with.

Ben sighs and heads upstairs and I try to follow, but Carl blocks my path.

"Not buying it Michael, didn't buy it yesterday, not buying it now."

He steps aside and scoffs when I don't meet his unwavering gaze, as I head upstairs, I notice that the couch is made up... shit!

Silence, silence greets me when I get into the bedroom. I can ignore the sighs of disappointment, questioning my judgment and behavior and the snarking he has taken to doing on occasion but the silence is unnerving.

"Could you at least tell me what I said or did? Was it really that bad?"

He looks around the room to make sure that there is nothing he missed; I notice he hasn't packed anything of mine.

"Ben please!" I plead and then groan as the pain shoots through my head at the sound of my voice.

He pauses briefly before taking out his phone and heading downstairs, within seconds my phone pings.

"Ask someone who wants to talk to you." It reads.

I hear the door open and Carl shouts to Ma that they are going to pick up Jenny so I head back downstairs but am met by more silence.

"Where did Jenny stay? I thought she was upstairs. Also, where's the Advil? My head hurts like hell."

"With her moms, and you will need to go to the store for it."

Busying herself finishing off her coffee, she heads upstairs without a second look.

BRITIN

BRIAN:

We both had a shit night's sleep and we didn't speak at first because of that. After a quiet breakfast, thankfully the boys were still in bed, we slowly made our way back to each other, first his fingers brushed my arm, then I wound my fingers in his hair and brought our foreheads together and then we just breathed each other in.

The boys came in with Hunter pausing mid-stride, they both tried and failed to keep worried expressions off of their faces.

"Please don't worry, we're just tired, we are fine." Justin reassures them.

"He called," Gus admitted.

"What did you say to him?" I ask.

"Nothing, I let the machine pick up."

We all exchange looks; the silence is thick and uncomfortable.

"Well let's get it out of the way." Justin sighs.

He's rubbing his hand; fuck, I could kill Michael I think as he heads to the lounge with his shoulders slumped.

"Wait, what time is it?" I call out to him.

"Don't know but I need a fucking drink to get through this!" He calls back.

"Works for me."

I grab a bottle of champagne and glasses and shake my head as Hunter heads for the fridge and rifles around before locating the fried chicken... I look at him and he shrugs... I can't begrudge him. Once we are situated I hand the boys a glass each and wink, Justin snickers, it's a start, and shakes his head.

"What?" I ask innocently.

Gus takes a healthy sip and coughs, I raise an eyebrow at his enthusiasm, it seems that the Kinney is strong in this one. Taking a breath, I hit play and sit next to Justin, taking his hand, and gently he squeezes mine.

"Um, hi guys, it's me Michael, sounding a bit rough I know. I have such a headache and I woke up with my mouth tasting and feeling like the inside of a dead beaver... not that beaver, the animal kind ha-ha! So the reason for calling, it would seem, judging by the silence and dirty looks from the Horvath's and Ben, is that I may have said or done something unfortunate yesterday. As to what it was, I don't remember. I am blaming the booze; you know what I am like when I get too much under my belt. Anyway, if you can call me back so we can move on from this that would be great. Got more people to call, I swear I am never drinking again, well until next time right ha-ha! Okay, speak to you soon, bye."

We sat there in stunned silence, looking at the machine and each other.

"Well, that's a novel approach isn't it?" Hunter grumbles.

Without saying a word, Justin gets up and deletes the message.

"I need to paint and I don't want to be disturbed."

He turns and leaves, the next sound is of the studio door slamming.

"Has he called you?" I ask Hunter.

His face falls and he shakes his head. I was about to say something when the phone rang, thinking it would be Michael doing his usual thing I snatch it up quickly.

"What!"

"So Michael called, did he?" Emmett drawls.

As I let out a sigh of relief, I could picture him inspecting his nails as he said it.

"Indeed. What bullshit did he come up with for you?"

"Nothing, he's not that dumb, no hear me out, there is no way he would attack me or Drewsie as he wouldn't hesitate to knock his ass out, though the prospect of a lawsuit might slow him down a bit..."

I chortle and nod even though he can't see me.

"Reason I called was that I was wondering if I could help you two out by taking two teenage boys off your hands for the day? Drewsie has some buddies coming over and they are bringing their kids and they are Hunter and Gus' ages so..."

I mentally kiss him.

"Let me check. Hey, guys, you want to go to Emmett and Drew's?"

They nod enthusiastically in relief and I don't blame them.

"You are a lifesaver Em, I owe you..."

"I know... so I am owed by two gorgeous men, fabulous!" He trills "We will send the car over for them, it will take about an hour, shall we bring them back home or get Hunter dropped off at Deb, I think that's where they are all spending the day, oh wait their car is still there isn't it..."

"And if it wasn't Ben's I would have it towed."

He snorts indelicately.

"Towed, how restrained, I would've had it burned and the ashes delivered to his house."

We both laugh at that scenario and then there is silence.

"How is he?" He asks quietly.

"Hurting. He's painting and doesn't want to be disturbed."

"Sweetie, I know what he said but bring him back to you. Oh! I have the perfect thang, wait one second, now what the heck is it called? DeShawn told me about it... aha... download Our First Time by Bruno Mars, put it on repeat and do what he needs you to do... now go to it, King Kinney and give him our love..."

"What none for me, I am hurt..." I mutter sarcastically.

"Hah!" He hangs up.

An hour later the boys are on their way and the house is quiet. I have found the song and uploaded it to the house system and headed to his studio, what greets me is devastating...

Justin is curled up in a ball sobbing his heart out, rocking back and forth and the sounds he is making turn my stomach and twist my heart.

"Lea-leave me alone!"

I sit down by the door, now is not the time to touch him.

"I ha-hate that he can do this to Gus and Hunter, and how he can-can make me feel like this, why does he ha-hate me so much? What ha-have I done to him!"

"You made me fall in love with you..." I whisper.

He sniffs and wipes his eyes, they are so red and his face is streaked with tears but to me, he's never looked more beautiful, he's this way because he loves them and has taken on their pain, like he always does.

"Where are they? I wa-wasn't very nice ear-earlier." He hiccups.

"They've gone to Emmett's," I reply softly, moving towards him.

I am encouraged when he doesn't move away from my touch, I nod towards the futon he gives a small nod, he curls up in my lap and I don't mind that he wipes his snotty nose on my Gucci shirt, though I did grimace a little, he hiccups a small giggle.

I put the song on and slowly rock him, since I have never heard of Bruno Mars let alone the song, but I was taken by the melody and by the third, I am humming along.

"Come on back to me..." I whisper to him kissing the top of his head.

"I like this song..." He murmurs into my chest and starts to unbutton my now snotty shirt.

"Dance with me... and here since you started you might as well wipe that beautiful face on my beautiful shirt..."

He gives me a half-sunshine-smile and stands up tugging me with him.

"What's it called?" He asks.

"Gucci."

"Smartass, the song."

"Our First Time by Bruno Mars."

For the next few minutes, we sway to the music before the need to reconnect overwhelms me, I lift his head and lower mine then seal his mouth in a hot, searing kiss, I tongue fuck him to try to take the pain away.

Somehow, we end up back on the futon in a tangle of limbs, I am pulling at his clothes and he's pulling at mine until we are naked, I attack his neck and he whimpers clutching at my hair.

"Mmmm!"

He pushes me flat on my back and kisses a trail down my neck nibbling at my lobes and biting, tonguing and kissing at the pulse point.

"Oh! Uh-huh, do that again!" As he takes a particularly good swipe.

He obliges and I squirm underneath him, grinding my hips into his.

"Hold on stud, I got this." He whispers into my ear, his breath making my back arch and my cock ache.

He moves down to my nipples and takes one in his mouth, flicking his tongue back and forth until it stands proud and I am panting and wriggling, my breath catches as he lavishes the same treatment on the other one... he kisses a trail down my stomach stopping to swirl into my belly button before he nuzzles my bush and I almost throw him to the floor bucking upwards with a cry.

He chuckles and plants hot moist kisses over my hips and down my inner thighs and behind my knee, I almost bite through my lip when he flicks his tongue there.

"Come up here, please come up here."

He looks at me in confusion but crawls into my open arms, his eyes are clearer and lust blown, he's coming back to me but there is just one thing I need to do. I turn us over and kiss him deeply, he winds his fingers into my hair and pushes his hips up trying to get some kind of friction against us but I keep moving away, he whimpers in protest.

"Hold on, little boy, I got this." I murmur before engulfing him in one fell swoop.

"Hooo! Oh, mmm, yeah..."

I reach for my cock and jerk a bit, getting a generous amount of pre-cum and smear it between my cheeks, his eyes are closed, his head thrown back, he's gasping in ecstasy, I stop sucking, sit up, and start jerking him off.

"Ah, yes, yes please... yes please, so g-g-good!"

 His hips are thrusting towards my hand, his arm is flung across his face, he's chanting my name, I take him in but not all the way, his eyes snap open in shock.

"Br-Bri-Brian!"

"Problem?" I ask taking him in completely.

His hips arch and he jabbers something though I do catch the word God at least once.

"Unh, need to need to!"

I smile and lean down to kiss him, this helps him to calm down and using my weight to my advantage I take it nice and slow - thanking the squat God for my stamina - holding his wrists on either side of his head, I plunge repeatedly up and down until I get the angle right.

"Yes! Justin, oh Justin right there! Right there, yes, right there!"

I let go of his wrists to bury my hands in his hair and latch onto his mouth, raising my hips a bit I let him take control, holding my hips firmly he thrusts quickly up into me, my hips quiver in his grasp but he doesn't let go, he pulls my cheeks further apart and thrusts up harder.

I see stars and our grunts and cries of pleasure bounce off the studio walls. Sweat pours into my eyes and I feel pre-cum splashing against me as my cock bounces with each thrust, I kiss him again before I rip my mouth away and throw my head back.

"Ooh, oh Christ, oh Christ, fuck, Jus-Justin, so cl-close!"

"Fuck! Yes, stud, yes!"

Those words were all it took, I explode all over his stomach and hips and sink down onto him, and he pumps sharply into me three times more as his orgasm takes him, I cry out in surprise as my second orgasm hits me.

"Ah! Ah! Ah! Oh, God!"

My spasming walls cause another orgasm to ripple through him.

"Unh! Brian! Brian! Yes!"

I lay on top of him as the aftershocks ripple through us both. He strokes my back and I feel cum run down my crack, sighing, I roll onto my back and pull him onto my chest. We lay there for a few minutes getting our breath back and looking at each other in delight.

"We are not going to share that one with anybody. Where did you learn that?"

I shrug and smile, Bruno is still playing.

"I just decided to go with it... go with it, slow with it, slow with it, it's our first time..."

He chuckles and runs his fingers through my sweaty hair. He wrinkles his nose cutely and sighs.

"We need to get another futon." He shifts out of the considerable wet spot.

My chuckle rumbles in my chest and I nod and he kisses my chin.

"I love you so much you know..." He murmurs.

"And I love you more and nobody but nobody will ever change my mind."

"We have to do something about him. It cannot go on like this."

"I know, and we will, but right now I have to do two things..."

"What?

I pause Bruno and find my phone.

"Call Em and see if he can keep the boys till the morning and then show you what that feels like."

And that's exactly what he did. Emmett happily kept the boys and felt smug about his assist in getting Baby and his Stud back on track and the rest of the time at Britin was happier for all - and the boys didn't mention anything about them walking funny.

Michael almost got away with it again... being believed about the boozy black hole in his memory - by some more than others, with the kids forgiving him first. But Brian and Justin continue to keep their distance, until fate intervenes to bring them back together and not in a positive life-affirming way...

TBC