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Title: The Offer Still Stands…
Story Type: AU
Word Count: 4909
Rating: R, Porn…
Warnings: Anti-Michael, Passion and Lust…
Beta Queen: bigj52
Summary: Michael misinterprets Brian’s behavior and has a melt down…
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, plot, etc. are property of their respective owners, including, but not limited to Russell T. Davies, Cowlip, and Showtime. The author of this story is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended…
The Offer Still Stands…
Chapter 5 ~ A Change is Gonna Come…
Justin and Brian stayed up late talking about Michael’s situation. Even though it was hard to hear how far he had fallen Brian felt good about his offer to help him. He knows that it’s not what Michael wanted or even expected but it was all Brian could give. He really needs to step back from their relationship and give Michael some room to grow; now all he has to do is face Debbie and hope she understands. Justin didn’t really understand why Brian felt like he needed to help Michael but he also knew to leave it alone, otherwise it would start a fight.
Brian tried to wake Justin when he was leaving for work the next morning but Justin pulled the covers up over his head and mumbled something like, “Don’t, go, leave me alone…”
Brian just chuckled knowing he’d never be a morning person and thought that it was probably a good thing he was an artist and didn’t have to punch a time clock. By the time he got to the diner Ted and Emmett were already there as he slid into the booth next to Em. Michael came over with the coffee pot and filled up their cups; they could tell that he felt a little awkward and it did seem a little strange to them as well. I guess it will just take time for everyone to get used to the new situation.
Brian read the newspaper and made small talk until Ted mentions his trip to Chicago. “Well, how did it go?”
“It was great. Justin and I had a really good time.”
“And…”
“We went to several museums and had a huge shopping spree; of course I had to go to Armani and I ended up buying a couple of new suits.”
“So did we get the account?”
“Of course Ted, there was never any question whether we would get it or not.”
Emmett can’t help but ask, “So everything went all right with the two of you?”
“Of course, Justin had a blast going to the aquarium and riding on the big ferris wheel. He was just like a little kid; we really squeezed a lot into going just for the weekend. I finally feel like I made up for canceling on him when we were supposed to go to Vermont; of course he still wants to go there as well.”
Ted asked, “Did you take him with you when you went to dinner with Leo Brown?”
“Yes, of course. Leo asked us to join him and his wife, Sara at Gibson’s. It’s this place that’s straight out of the thirties; you can just imagine all the gangsters sitting around smoking cigars and drinking whisky. The place has a lot of character not to mention a great menu.”
Michael can’t help hovering around near their table, wishing he was still part of the gang, and not the hired help. He wonders if he’ll ever get used to working at the diner; just then Debbie hollers to him that table six needs to be bused and not to forget to refill everyone’s coffee cups because it’s rush hour right now.
When Michael comes by to fill their coffee cups Brian asks him if he’s given his offer any thought? Then Brian reminds him that the spring semester will soon be open for registration and that he might need to talk with a career counselor.
Ted and Emmett can’t help but question Brain about his remark because Michael hasn’t mentioned anything to them about his offer. But they’re not the only ones; Debbie couldn’t help but overhear Brian’s comment. She scoots in next to Ted and quizzes him. “What do you mean talk to a career counselor?”
“You mean Michael hasn’t mentioned my offer?”
“No, so spill it. Now.”
“I simply offered to pay for his education to be trained in a field of his choosing; no strings attached, so long as he keeps his grades up and graduates.”
“I’m sorry. Did I just hear you correctly? You offered to pay for Michael’s education scott-free?”
“That’s what I said. I won’t bail his ass out of debt. But I will pay for his education. Think of it as Father Kinney’s tuition-free community service.”
“Oh My God, Brian!”
With that all was forgiven in Deb’s book. She can’t help but get up and throw her arms around Brian, kissing him on his right cheek and leaving a big red lipstick imprint staining his cheek for the rest of the day.
“Deb, please… No tears and no more lipstick.”
“I just can’t believe it. Why didn’t he say something?”
“Because he doesn’t want to go back to school.”
“Well that’s just too bad. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
“I know, Deb, but he’s afraid of failing.”
“Failing? Hell, he’s already failed. It can’t get any worse; just wait until I talk with him. He’ll be meeting with a career counselor before the end of the week.”
“I can always count on you, Deb.”
“You’re damn right you can. God, Brian. I just can’t believe you’re doing this for him.”
“Yeah, well, don’t let it get around.”
With that Debbie gets up to serve her order that just came up; she can’t help but smack Michael across the back of his head as she walks by telling him, “I’ll talk to you when your shift is over, you little asshole!”
Michael storms over to Brian yelling, “You just had to tell her, didn’t you? Now I’m going to have her breathing down my neck.”
Brian just smiles and says, “My work is done here for the day.”
~~~
Justin sits in the loft, eating pizza and brownies with Daphne as he reads through his roster of classes he has to complete to graduate.
“I can’t believe how easy it was; I just went to the Vassar’s office and asked them what I had to do to get reinstated to PIFA. She was really nice about it. She talked to the Dean of Studies and then they went over my transcripts and printed out a list of all the classes I needed to take.”
“I can’t believe they didn’t give you any shit about that whole fiasco with Stockwell?”
“Well, I think it helped that he was indicted, so they basically overlooked that incident.”
“God, you are so lucky.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Now all I have to do is figure out how to squeeze all these classes in so I can graduate at the end of next spring. Granted, I’ll have to go to summer school, and I’ll have to study my ass off.”
“I’m not worried; I know you can do it.”
~~~
Michael was finally working up the strength to work a full shift at the diner without being completely exhausted. He was sitting on his bed when Emmett knocked on his door asking, “So what classes have you considered taking?”
“I’m not going. You know I don’t do well under that kind of pressure.”
“Michael, sweetie, this is a great opportunity. Like a gift from heaven. You’ll never have this chance again. Besides lots of people put off going to college for a few years; some even go back and study something new.”
“I don’t know. Why is everyone pressuring me?”
“We’re just trying to make you see that you could have a really great future, that’s all.”
“I want my future to be with Brian, as his partner. Can’t you see we were made for each other?”
“Michael, you really need to let that dream go…”
“I can’t. I just know were meant to be together. He’s just not ready to settle down yet. But I’ll be there when he’s ready.”
“Michael, you might be waiting a hell of a long time.”
“Maybe that’s why he offered to pay for my education; he wants a partner who’s educated and can keep up the conversation with his clients during business dinners.”
“Michael, I don’t know about that.”
“I do. Now everything makes total sense to me. He’s waiting for me to be ready to be his partner.”
Emmett just stares at Michael, wondering when he’s going to get a clue.
Michael is beaming now as the thinks about being Brian’s partner.
“Do you think I should take advertising classes? You know, so I can help Brian out at Kinnetik?”
Emmett just shakes his head finally saying, “You have to study for a degree in something you’re interested in, not something you think will help you get Brian as your partner. Because you know that’s never going to happen. I don’t mean to hurt your feelings but Brian already has a partner, in case you haven’t noticed.”
“Oh, Justin. That will never last. You know he’ll end up leaving Brian again and when he does I’ll be there to pick up the pieces. Trust me on this one.”
Emmett just looks at him like he’s crazy and then turns to leave, saying, “I have to order the flowers for the Montgomery wedding.”
Debbie couldn’t help but overhear Michael and Emmett talking upstairs. After all the walls are paper-thin. She can’t believe what she heard Michael saying; she was shocked to think that he still really believed that Brian wants him.
When Emmett comes downstairs Debbie corners him, quizzing him on what was going on with Michael. She finally asks what happened between Michael and Ben because she never got the real story about why they broke up. Even if she did have a hard time accepting Ben in the beginning of their relationship, she now considered him her son in-law.
Emmett tried to evade her questions but she wasn’t taking no for an answer and finally he sat her down at the kitchen table and told her what he knew. Apparently Michael has been carrying a huge torch for Brian, as everyone knows. But he seems to have it in his mind that once Ben was gone (after he had passed away) that Brian would be ready to commit to a relationship with him.
Debbie’s just stunned. She can’t believe that Michael would be so stupid to think such a thing, let alone tell Ben that to his face. She had no idea just how delusional Michael was about his future. Then she can’t help but ask if there was more to Michael losing the comic book store than he had said. Emmett just looks away, not wanting to get into it with Debbie, but knowing that there was no way around it.
“Well, it seems that when Michael went to Florida for that comic book convention he funded his trip using his rent money.”
“What! Oh God, that can’t be right?”
“Yeah, it is and that’s not all. He also found an Aqua-man action figure on eBay, and bid on it, putting him even further in debt.”
“I just can’t believe he would do something like that. It makes no sense. How did he think he was going to cover his expenses?”
“I guess he just assumed that Brian would bail him out, because he always has in the past.”
“Oh my God… He needs some serious help.”
“I know, Deb. It seems like he’s gone off the deep end.”
~~~
Jennifer was putting together another set of property listings for Justin and Brian, becoming frustrated because nothing she had shown them seemed to fit their needs. Justin was happy with a few of the homes they had looked at but Brian wanted something specific but he wasn’t able to articulate it to Jennifer. He just kept saying, ‘I’ll know it when I see it.’
Brian was looking through some listings online when he came across an older, bigger, Tudor-style home on the outskirts of Pittsburgh just across the West Virginia state line. Yeah, it was more house than they needed but he really liked the prestige the house seemed to represent. It had a big swimming pool and pool house as well as stables. It also had several acres of land and he knew Justin would love the swimming pool.
He printed out the listing and tucked it into his briefcase. Then he emailed Jennifer the listing information and asked her to set up an appointment for him and Justin. He was getting ready to leave work for the day when Cynthia buzzed him to tell him Michael is there to see him. Brian takes a deep breath and tells her to have him come on in.
“Mikey, to what do I owe this pleasure?”
“I just want you to know that I understand, and that I now know what you were trying to say to me the other day. I just want you to know that I won’t disappoint you. I couldn’t be happier about our future together and I understand that you’ll want someone who can help you run your business.”
Brian wasn’t really paying attention because; just as Michael entered his office he received an email from Ted going over the projections for the new women’s wear collection for Brown Athletics. Having only heard part of what Michael said he just grins and says, “Great. Good to know we’re on the same page.”
Michael’s so happy that Brian has finally acknowledged that they could have a future together he can’t help but throw himself at Brian, trying to kiss him. Brian puts his hand on Michael’s chest, saying, “Hold on there… slow down.”
Michael apologizes, thinking that Brian doesn’t want to show affection at the office, that it would be unprofessional. So he steps back and says, “Why don’t we go out tonight and celebrate. Maybe we can meet at Woody’s?”
Brian smiles at him and says, “Yeah, that sounds good. I’ll see you about nine.”
“Sounds perfect.”
Michael’s floating on Cloud Nine as we walks out of Kinnetik and catches the bus back home to his mother’s house. When he enters the house Debbie mentions that he looks happier than she’s seen him in a long time. He says, “Yeah, everything is looking up.”
Debbie was going to question him about all this nonsense about being Brian’s partner and helping him run his business. But she decides that she doesn’t want to ruin his good mood. So she asks him if he’s picked up the school catalog of classes and scheduled an appointment with a career counselor. He says he has an appointment next Monday and he can’t wait to hear what they have to say. Debbie can’t help but question Michael’s change of heart concerning college, but she’s glad he now has a positive attitude and maybe even a future.
~~~
It’s eight thirty and Michael’s been in the bathroom for the last hour. Debbie yells through the closed door, “Michael, how much longer are you going to be? I can’t hold it any longer. I’m going to pee my pants.”
The door slowly opens and she asks, “What’s going on? You’ve been in here for the last hour.”
“I’m just getting ready to go out, that’s all.”
“You have a date?”
“Yes, Ma, but please don’t make a big deal out of it.”
“Okay, but with who?”
“I’d rather not say until we’re ready to tell all our friends about it. Let’s just give it some time first.”
“God, Michael, you’re being so mysterious. Is it anyone I know?”
“Ma! Please, you’ll just have to wait and see.”
~~~
It’s quarter after nine and Michael is sitting alone at Woody’s, a little nervous. After all this will be Brian and his first date. Emmett and Ted come in and sit with Michael. He’s a little put off and tells them that he’s meeting someone. Emmett can’t help gushing, “So that’s why you’re all dressed up and took forever in the bathroom tonight.”
Michael just rolls his eyes, not giving anything away. Suddenly he looks up as Brian and Justin join them at the table. Michael’s heart sinks as he wonders what Justin is doing with Brian. Emmett can’t help his big mouth and tells them that Michael has a date. Justin smiles and says, “Really? Who with? Someone you met at the diner?”
Michael just glares back at Justin and then looks at Brian sympathetically, thinking Brian just doesn’t know how to tell Justin that it’s over. Brian smiles back at Michael saying, “So, who is it?”
“As if you didn’t know.”
Brian looks puzzled, but lets the comment go, figuring that they’ll all find out soon enough. Justin’s grinning from ear to ear as he flashes his phone at Em. “You just have to see the photos of our new house. Brian found the listing online and we went out and looked at it and then had dinner with my mom. She’s putting our bid on it tonight but we probably won’t find out if we got it for a couple of days.”
Em takes Justin’s phone and flicks through the pictures, his jaw dropping as he looks at all the rooms the mansion has. “You two didn’t tell me you were buying a mansion?”
Michael’s startled as he grabs the phone and looks through the pictures, becoming more and more pissed as he sees how fantastic the mansion is.
“What the hell is this all about, Brian?”
“I’m sorry. I thought that I mentioned that Justin and I were getting something bigger. We really need more space. At first we thought that Justin would use the loft as his studio. But then we decided that the house is big enough to use one of the eight bedrooms instead.”
Justin can’t help but beam. ”Isn’t it just perfect?”
Then Brian pulls him into his chest and kisses him passionately saying, “Anything he wants is fine with me.”
Justin swats him across the chest knowing that it was Brian who picked out the house and insisted they buy it. The two of them have never looked so in love. Michael can’t help but look heartbroken, not understanding why Brian would do this. Especially now that he told him that they were going to be a couple. He’s getting pissed, thinking there’s no way he was going to be his bit on the side. He wanted it all and he wasn’t settling for second best.
Michael stands with his hands on his hips. “Brian, can I talk with you… in private?”
Brian looks at Michael and just shrugs his shoulders then kisses Justin on the top of his head and says, “I’ll be right back.”
“Just what the fuck is going on here? First you’re late and now this bullshit with buying a new house.”
Again Brian looks puzzled and shrugs his shoulders.
“Don’t play coy with me, mister. I want to know when you’re going to tell Justin about us.”
“Us?”
“You know damn well what I’m talking about; we discussed it at your office this afternoon.”
“Really, Michael, I have no idea what you’re talking about. As I recall you said you decided to go back to school. Was there something else? Because I really don’t remember if there was.”
Michael is so upset that he slaps Brian across his face and storms out of Woody’s. Brian rubs his hand across his face where Michael hit him and shakes his head, wondering what the fuck just happened. Michael is acting like a jealous housewife.
Justin comes over to him, asking if he’s okay. Brian puts his arm across Justin’s shoulder and says, “Let’s drink champagne and celebrate our new house.”
Emmett starts clapping and bouncing saying, “I just love champagne!”
Brian orders a bottle of the best champagne they have and they all toast to Brian and Justin’s future. Emmett can’t help looking around, trying to see if anyone was looking for Michael, because he couldn’t believe that he would just leave, knowing that his new date would be there anytime. The boys hung out drinking more champagne and then they finally went to Babylon and danced the night away.
~~~
Debbie’s sitting on the couch eating popcorn, watching reruns of Dynasty when Michael storms into the house, runs up to his bedroom and slams the door. Debbie gives him a few minutes and then she wanders up to see what’s caused her little boy so much pain.
“What’s wrong, Michael? Did you get stood up after all that time you spent primping for your date?”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Debbie sits down on the bed and starts rubbing Michael’s back as he cries into his pillow. “It’s just not fair, Ma… I just don’t understand why he doesn’t love me the way I love him. Especially after what we talked about at his office today, I was sure he was ready to give us a shot.”
“What? Who are you talking about, Michael?”
“Brian, Brian. That’s who. How can he be so heartless?”
“Brian? You’ve got to be kidding me? I don’t know what happened at his office, but I sure as hell know that he’s in love with Sunshine. It’s so obvious to everyone. What in the world would make you think he wanted to date you?”
“Because, because he asked me to go back to school. Don’t you see he wants me to get an education so that we’ll be partners in every way at work as well as at home? He’s just waiting for me to become more educated so I can converse well with his clients. I could become his business manager and partner.”
“Michael, Brian already has a business manager. What do you think Ted does? And I know you know that Justin is his life partner. After all they’ve been together on and off for the last five or six years.”
“But Justin’s all wrong for him. He’s too young and eventually he’s going to leave him for good. And then Brian will see that it’s me he’s wanted all along. I just thought that he already figured it out. That he finally wanted me.”
“Michael, sweetheart. Even if things don’t work out with Brian and Justin and I think they will. But if they don’t, can’t you see you still wouldn’t be right for Brian? He needs someone who’s better suited for him, and that’s just not you.”
“But why not? I want him. I really want him, Ma.”
“You need to put an end to all those dreams Michael, and face the fact that Brian will never love you the way you want him to.”
“But why? Why not?”
Debbie just pats him on the back knowing that there’s nothing more to say. That he just needs time to let it all sink in. She finally stands up and walks downstairs cursing the day that Michael ever met Brian, wishing that her son would finally grow up.
~~~
The boys have all been dancing for a while, even Ted. The DJ seems to have really got his groove tonight. They finally take a break and Brian orders a round of drinks for everyone. Emmett finally asks, “What happened between you and Michael earlier?”
“I’m not really sure. I guess some kind of misunderstanding.”
Justin asks Emmett, “I thought you said he had a date?”
“He did. That’s why I couldn’t figure out why he left.”
Brian thinks about it a little and then shakes his head, thinking to himself, there’s no way he could have thought that we had a date. That just wouldn’t make any sense, but he did seem upset about seeing the pictures of the new house. He can’t imagine what’s gotten into him.
Brian orders another shot of Jack Daniel’s and downs it, then he turns to Justin and starts pulling him into the backroom. He leans into him and whispers, “Let’s give the boys a little show. What do you say?”
They mill through the crowd until they find an open spot against the wall. Justin pushes Brian back and runs kisses around his neck, and down his chest as he lifts up Brian’s shirt. He fumbles with the top button on his 501s and then pulls the zipper down with his teeth, finally nuzzling his face into Brian’s bush. First Brian has his head thrown back, but then feeling Justin’s nose tickle his crotch he can’t help look down and watch him take his cock into his sweet mouth.
Their eyes lock as they watch each other; Justin licks down Brian’s length and then back up again, circling his plump head. Then he wraps his lips around the crown and slides down Brian’s cock, taking all of him down his throat. He swishes his tongue across his slit and then repeats the same motion. Brian’s in heaven as he watches Justin through hooded eyes. After a couple more times Justin decides to get on with the show as he starts sucking his dick, while running his fingers up and down the slick path.
Brian’s totally turned on and it isn’t long before he’s shooting down Justin’s beautiful throat. Justin laps up all his spunk, licking his lips and tasting every drop. Brian pulls him back up and kisses him deeply and then turns him around. Justin leans his head back, resting it on Brian’s shoulder and Brian turns his head and continues the kiss, while unzipping his cargo pants. He breaks the kiss, and pushes Justin up against the wall, and then he coats his fingers with lube and sinks them into his sweet boy.
Justin moans deeply as Brian feathers his fingers against his prostate and then replaces them with his dick until he’s totally engulfed. Justin braces himself with his palms flat against the wall, sticking his ass out so he can take more of Brian’s length. Brian starts with slow shallow movements and then he increases the speed and depth until he’s found a steady rhythm. They’re both enjoying themselves and don’t really notice that they’ve become the center of attention in the backroom, as their moans echo off the walls around them.
Justin is totally lost in the fuck while little whimpers of pleasure escape his throat. Brian loves to hear all those delicious squeals Justin makes as his climax builds until he’s almost out of breath. Justin releases one of his hands to start jacking himself off. But Brian’s hand swats it away as he takes hold of Justin’s cock, working the same rhythm that he’s pounding in his ass. They’ve been together long enough to know that Justin is about to shoot as Brian increases his thrusts, tipping them both over the edge.
It takes Justin several minutes to catch his breath as Brian holds him up against himself, watching his breathing return to normal. Then he reaches down and pulls Justin’s pants back up, fastening Justin’s and then his own pants. When they turn around they notice that everyone is still watching them, and Brian can’t help grinning back at everyone with his tongue-in-cheek stare he’s so famous for.
They say goodbye to Ted and Emmett on the way out as they get a couple of bottles of water from the bar. They walk hand in hand back to the car, both so grateful that they came to their senses and got back together, remembering just how hard it was to see the other with someone else.
~~~
Michael had gotten home pretty early, and once he had finally cried himself out he lay in bed feeling sorry for himself. Finally formulating a plan of action he sneaked down the stairs, careful not to wake Debbie, closing the door silently behind himself.
~~~
Brian and Justin aren’t feeling any pain by the time the elevator stops at their floor as they get the loft door open. They step inside and they’re immediately sober as they look around the loft. Everything is smashed or slashed.
Brian says, “What the fuck happened here?”
All the dishes in the kitchen are broken all over the floor. Justin’s few pieces of artwork have huge gouges out of them. Brian’s pristine leather furniture has been slashed to pieces; even the curtains on all the windows are shredded. All the drawers in the bedrooms have been overturned and the bottoms pushed out; Justin’s clothes have been cut to shreds as well as Brian’s suits.
The next thing they notice is that the mattress on the bed is slashed and the lights over the bed are smashed to bits with glass everywhere. Justin’s totally freaked out with visions of Chris Hobbs as he runs into the bathroom to puke, and it’s even worse in there, if it’s possible. The shower doors are all smashed and the imported Italian tile has cracks all through it. The sink is broken to pieces and the mirror is shattered. A hammer has even been taken to the toilet and now there’s water running everywhere.
Justin’s shaking with fear as Brian comes up behind him and takes him out of the loft and down to the Corvette. He tries to calm him down as he tells him that they’ll stay in a hotel tonight. Justin’s so paranoid he can’t stop his eyes from darting back and forth, looking everywhere in the parking lot. Brian starts the car and pulls out on to the street. Then he takes his phone out, and calls Carl, telling him that his loft has been vandalized and he thinks maybe it was a hate crime.
TBC…
