Brian knocked on the door and waited patiently for Justin to answer. He knocked again after a couple of minutes - just in case, he was in the shower or something.

Then suddenly he heard something - a muffled scream from the other side of the door.

FUCK!

“Justin, it's me,” Brian called out desperately. “Open the door.”

He could feel his heart pounding in his chest. What the hell was going on?

“JUSTIN!” He was shouting now, and he didn't give a shit if people were looking at him. “Open the Goddamn door!”

Suddenly, the door swung open, and Justin was standing before him. His face scrunched up in pain and his usual porcelain cheeks now pink with embarrassment.

“Brian? Uh, hey...what are you doing here?”

Justin seemed jittery, was someone there with him?

“I thought I heard you scream. Is everything alright?” Brian asked worriedly, as he tried his best to not make it so blatantly obvious that he was looking behind Justin and into his apartment.

“No one's here – if that’s what you’re wondering,” Justin smiled affectionately.

Brian smiled back, a little bashfully. Was he really that easy to read?

“Good.”

Justin looked ridiculous. He was standing there with his right hand shoved deeply into his hoodie pocket, and was hopping up and down on his right leg like some sort of crazed animal.

Scrunching up his face in confusion, Brian couldn't help but laugh. “Do you need to take a piss or something?”

Brian grinned when Justin’s eyes widened and his cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

He’s fucking adorable.

“Come in,” Justin said, as he stepped to the side to allow Brian to pass by.

“So, what’s going on?” Brian asked as soon as the front door was closed. “You really freaked me out.”

Justin let out a breathy laugh. “What, you?”

“Yes, me. You weren't at work this afternoon, so I tried calling you and it just kept rolling to voice mail…”

“Yeah, sorry about that. I forgot to charge it.”

Brian rolled his eyes. “ So I thought I’d come over and see if you were okay.”

“Aww, Bria...”

That fucking smile goes straight to my dick.

Brian ignored him and carried on talking. “Then you don’t answer your fucking door.”

“I was a…”

“And then I heard you scream, and I panicked. I thought you’d hurt yourself.”

“I had,” Justin laughed.

“Are you alright?” Brian asked as he stepped towards Justin. His hands reached out on their own accord and began looking for injuries on the smaller man’s body.

“Brian… Brian, look at me. I'm fine. I was asleep when you knocked at the door, and then when I heard you knocking again, I ran down the stairs and stubbed my toe.”

Brian’s mouth fell open. “You stubbed your...toe…?”

“Yes,” Justin laughed. “And it hurt like a bitch.”

Running his hand through his hair, Brian let out a shaky breath. “Jesus Christ, Justin. I thought - I don’t know what I thought, but it wasn't that.”

“I'm sorry that I worried you,” Justin said softly, as he leaned forward and placed a sweet, closed mouthed kiss on Brian’s lips.

Mmm.

“Can we sit down?” Brian asked. “My leg is killing me.”

Justin nodded and led them over to the sofa, entwining their hands.

“Did you see Jessica this afternoon?”

“Unfortunately yes. She practically broke me,” Brian scoffed. “But we can talk about that later. Why weren't you at work today? Is something wrong?”

“I'm fine,” Justin sighed, “I just slept really awkwardly on my hand last night and I woke up this morning, and it wouldn't co-operate.”

Brian looked at Justin’s hand, still buried in the pocket of his sweater.

“Does that happen a lot?” Brian asked, remembering how Justin’s hand seemed to cramp up while they painted at ‘Colour me Mine,’ the other day.

Justin looked uncomfortable as he squirmed in his seat, “No, it doesn't,” he said as he shook his head.

Bullshit.

It was obvious to Brian that Justin wasn't telling him the truth, but if there was more to this - like Brian believed there was, then Justin would tell him when he was ready.

“Let me see it,” Brian asked, as he gripped Justin’s arm gently and pulled his hand out of his pocket.

Brian held Justin’s hand carefully in his own. The younger man’s fingers curled inwards stiffly as if his hand was almost locked in place.

“Does it hurt?”

Justin exhaled loudly, “a little, yeah.”

“Would it… would it help if I massaged it?” Brian asked almost shyly.

Justin shook his head and tried to pull his hand out of Brian’s gentle grasp, “It won’t help,” he said bitterly. “Nothing does. It's not my hand that’s fucked."

“What do you mean?” Brian asked hastily. He was right, Justin wasn't telling him something. And he had a horrible feeling that whatever it was, he wouldn't like it.

“Nothing,” Justin told him sadly as he cradled his right hand safely in his left. “Just forget I said anything.”

Unlikely.

Brian nodded, “We don’t have to talk about it today,” he said quietly.

Justin sat there looking blankly ahead.

“Give me your hand,” Brian instructed softly.

Justin moved his hand out of Brian’s reach. “It won’t work, Brian. I told you.”

Brian put a pillow on his lap. “Will you stop being a fucking princess and at least let me try?”

Justin huffed as he placed his hand reluctantly on the pillow.

“Now, relax,” Brian smirked, imitating the way Justin spoke to him during yesterday morning’s massage. He started by running his fingers lightly over his wrist and down into his palm, before applying more pressure at the base of his thumb. “Feel okay?”

Justin nodded as he scooted closer.

Brian stilled his movements. “Tell me what to do.”

“Okay,” Justin smiled as he bit his lip nervously, “use this.”

Justin handed Brian the small bottle of massage oil he’d used to massage his shoulder.

“Make sure you rub it between your hands so that you warm it up.”

Brian did as he was told. “Now what?”

“Alright, now with your thumbs you need to make soft circular motions across my palm,” he said.

“Like this?”

Justin sighed softly. “Yeah, exactly like that.”

“Does it feel okay?”

“Mmm, yeah, it actually feels really nice.”

“Good.”

“Now you need to work your way up to my fingers - exactly like you’re doing.”

Using the pads of his thumbs, Brian continued massaging Justin’s hand. He could already feel the muscles starting to relax and the hand itself had begun to uncurl and straighten out.

“Is this helping at all?”

Justin smiled up at him. “Yeah, it is.”

Brian mimicked using Justin’s voice. “It won’t work,” he said, smiling smugly as he continued on with his massage. “Clearly I have healing powers.”

“You must,” Justin laughed. “It doesn't really help when I do it myself.”

“And you say you’re a trained massage therapist?” Brian teased back.

Justin playfully kicked Brian’s good leg with his socked foot. “So what happened with Jessica?” he asked, laughing at the look of utter disdain on Brian’s face when he mentioned her name.

“She practically snapped my leg in half,” Brian said, as he concentrated on massaging each of Justin’s fingers individually, loving the little contented sounds it brought out of him. “We were working on my hamstring holds, and she started messing around with my foot, moving it around or something - I don’t know what she did, but it fucking hurt.”

Justin ran his left hand through his hair. “Shit. Did she not read any of my notes?”

“Oh yeah, she did - just not properly. I'm surprised she even knew how to read.”

Justin ran his socked foot back down Brian’s leg. “Go easy on her, she’s only just graduated.”

“Well, that makes me feel a whole lot better about her working on me,” Brian said sarcastically.

“Do you need me to take a look at it?” Justin offered, as he attempted to pull his hand out of Brian’s grasp. “My hand feels a lot better now.”

Brian doesn't let go. “Nah, it can wait until I come in on Wednesday.”

“You sure?” Justin asked.

“Yep. But back to you; is there anything else I can do to help ease your discomfort?”

Justin thought for a moment before his eyes lit up. “Don’t they say a kiss makes everything better?

“Mmhmm, I think you’re right,” Brian answered seriously.

Justin closed his eyes as Brian moved towards him, his mouth parted slightly in anticipation of what was to come.

Brian wasn't sure what possessed him to do it, Justin was right there, with his eyes closed, waiting for Brian to kiss the hell out of him. But clearly something inside of him had snapped as he leaned forward and instead of making out - like a normal human being, he playfully licked the palm of his hand that he’d been massaging.

Justin’s eyes shot open in surprise.

“You did not just do that.” Justin squealed as he tried to pull his hand away.

Brian laughed as he licked it again, this time, more slowly. “Uh, I think you’ll find I just did.”

“Brian,” he whined, as he tried to wriggle out of the way. “That’s gross.”

Brian smirked. “Gross? You think my tongue is gross?”

“Yes, eww, stop it,” Justin laughed loudly.

“You liked it just fine the other day when it was down your throat,” he teased, as he went in again for another lick.

“But I wanted that,” Justin huffed. “A real kiss...not this."

Brian cut him off as he leaned forward, taking Justin’s face in his hands.

“Brian?”

They kissed softly at first, almost tentatively, until their bodies were pressed together firmly– their lips parted and their tongues met, playing a slow, lazy game of tag. Brian groaned deep in his throat - deepening the kiss, angling his head this way and that in a caress that had spiralled so quickly out of their control. He wound his arms around Justin’s neck and pulled him closer, the need to feel as much of him as possible was suddenly overwhelming. He thrust his tongue into Justin’s warm and welcoming mouth before nipping playfully at his swollen bottom lip.

“Let me touch you,” Brian whispered almost pleadingly, his voice gravelly with need.

Justin nodded his head slowly and Brian slid his hands underneath his t-shirt, the feeling of Justin’s warm and deliciously soft skin seemed to send his dick into overdrive.

FUCK.

Brian knew things couldn't go much further than this, but the need to touch Justin had suddenly proven too difficult to resist.

He ran his hands lightly down Justin’s sides as their tongues continued their sensual dance. His fingertips teased over his ribs, causing the blond to giggle into his mouth.

Brian pulled back breathlessly and smirked. “You’re ticklish.”

“No, no I'm not,” Justin laughed, as he attempted to twist his body away from Brian.

“Oh, no?” Brian asked, as he lightly traced the outline of Justin’s belly button with his finger.

“Okay, okay, I am. But I swear, if you keep tickling me like that, I’m going to piss myself,” Justin laughed, as he managed to pull himself away from Brian and stand up.

“Kinky.”

Justin snorted, “You’re disgusting.”

“I do my best,” Brian smiled, as he watched Justin head to the bathroom. “I hope you got there in time,” he called out, causing Justin to laugh.

Brian was so busy checking his phone that he didn't hear Justin return from the bathroom and him sneak up behind him.

“Where’s your creepy psycho cat?” Brian called out thinking that Justin was still in the other room.

Just as Brian was about to turn around and repeat his question, he felt something warm and wet run down his cheek - which was quickly followed by the sound of Justin laughing hysterically.

Brian wiped at his face and pretended to be pissed off, which only made Justin laugh even more. “I got you back,” he giggled triumphantly.

“You know,” Brian smirked, “There are far more useful things you could be doing with that tongue of yours.”

Justin raised his brows innocently. “Oh yeah, like what?”

Brian slipped a finger into one of Justin’s belt loops and pulled him back around, tugging him into his lap.

“How about this?” Justin asked as he leaned into Brian and ran his tongue lightly over his lips. Brian could feel Justin melting against him as soon as their mouths touched. He deepened the kiss, sweeping his mouth with his tongue. He felt so fucking good in his arms, that he never wanted to let go. However, the moment was instantly ruined by the sound of Justin’s tummy rumbling.

Brian pulled away and laughed when he felt Justin bury his face in his shoulder.

“Can we pretend you didn't hear that?” Justin asked hopefully.

Justin’s stomach growled loudly.

“I don’t think so,” Brian grinned, as he tried to pull Justin’s face out of his neck. “Wanna go out for an early dinner?”

Justin nodded. “Sure.”

*****

Brian watched as Justin looked around the diner. “I've never been here before,” he grinned. “The food smells amazing.”

“Amazing? I wouldn't go that far. But if you’re into greasy diner food, then I think you’ll like it.”

“Do you know what you’re having?” Justin asked over the menu. “I can’t decide.”

“Let’s see, a black coffee with lots and lots of sugar. And to eat, he’ll have a turkey sandwich on whole wheat, lettuce, tomato, no mayo.” Debbie grinned, as she pulled the pen out from behind her ear and began jotting things down on her order pad. “Am I right?”

Brian had to stop himself from laughing at the way Justin had jumped at the sound of Debbie’s boisterous voice. He’d forgotten to warn him about her.

“Deb, this is Justin, Justin, this is Deb - Michael’s mom."

“It’s nice to meet you,” Justin said sweetly as he gave her a little wave.

He’s so fucking cute…Wait, did I really just think of him as cute?

“Well well well, aren't you just delicious?” Debbie cooed, slapping his cheek gently. “I wanna put that perky little bubble butt of yours between two slices of bread and have myself a sandwich.”

It was obvious from the look on Justin’s face that he didn't know what to say, so he just laughed quietly, which only made Deb slap his cheek a little harder.

Brian couldn't help but roll his eyes, he should have known this was a bad idea. There were literally hundreds of places they could have gone for dinner, what was he thinking when he picked the diner?

“What about you, hun?” She asked, snapping her gum loudly. You want a drier than dry turkey sandwich too, or can I interest you in something a little more appetising?”

Justin smiled at her as he put in his order. “I’ll have the double cheeseburger, waffle fries, a side of coleslaw and a Coke, please.”

“That’s what I like to see,” she grinned, “a boy that eats.”

“I should apologize for her, but if I did that every time she acted that way, I would be doing it all the time,” Brian laughed, as he watched Deb hand their orders into the kitchen.

“She seems great.”

Brian smiled - he noticed he seemed to be doing a lot of that lately. “Yeah, she is.

“Have you and Michael been friends long?”

“Since we were fourteen.”

Deb winked as she placed their drinks down onto the table.

“Did you guys meet in high school?” Justin asked, as he hunched over his drink and took a large sip of Coke through the thick straw.

Don’t look at his lips, don’t look at his lips.

“Yeah,” Brian said, as he leaned over and stole a sip of Justin’s Coke. “I joined half way through freshman year. I remember he was the only person without a partner in chemistry, so we were paired together. Which was lucky for him, because he was shit,” he laughed fondly.

“Where did you move from?”

“Johnstown.”

Justin scrunched up his nose. “Where’s that”?

“About seventy miles east of here.”

Brian looked up as Deb approached their table, and plonked their plates down in front of them.

“Here you go, boys. “Eat up.”

Justin looked down at his plate. “Hey, Deb… I, um. I didn't order onion rings.”

“Oh, I know you didn't, sweetheart. But, this one,” she said as she pointed to Brian, “loves them, and won't order them for himself.”

“Oh, okay,” Justin laughed as he looked between Brian and Debbie, the affection between them obvious.

Deb rolled her eyes. “But he seems to have no problem eating them off of someone else’s plate.”

“Hey, I'm still here, you know,” Brian said, as he reached across and helped himself to an onion ring.

“I know,” she said, petting his hair gently before she walked off to take someone else’s order.

“We’re never coming here again,” Brian grumbled before taking a bite out of his onion ring. “Ah fuck, that’s hot.”

“Serves you right,” Justin chuckled. “Here, have a sip of this,” he said, as he held his drink out to Brian.

Brian took a gulp and handed the glass back to Justin. “Thanks.”

“Yor elcum,” mumbled Justin around a mouthful of cheeseburger. “Oh, my God, this is amazing. Do you want a bite?” he offered, holding the burger out to Brian, as he shovelled waffle fries into his mouth.

Brian waved his turkey sandwich at Justin. “No, I'm good”

“Your loss,” Justin shrugged his shoulders and continued eating his dinner.

Sneaking glances at each other as they ate in silence for the next few minutes, they both grinned as Justin nudged a couple onion rings toward Brian.

“I won’t be able to eat them all anyway."

Brian scoffed, “You seem to be doing just fine.”

"What is that supposed to mean?” Justin asked, playfully offended.

Brian just shrugged, sucking in his bottom lip, as he picked an onion ring off the plate and brought it to the younger man’s lips.

“Bon appetit, Sunshine.”

Justin stared down at the onion ring and huffed out a laugh.

“Out of all the foods you could have fed me, onion rings have to be the least sexy.”

Brian rolled his eyes but nudged the onion ring past Justin’s lips, getting him to accept the offer. And he absolutely doesn't even laugh once when the onion slides out of the coating, making it hard for Justin to keep the bite in his mouth.

“Real graceful,” Brian commented, watching his Physiotherapist cover his mouth to retain the manners his WASP upbringing taught him.

“Shut the fuck up,” Justin mumbled, a flush in his cheeks but his eyes lit up with amusement.

And then it becomes just about them. Despite the dinner crowd that comes in, they are the only two in the diner. The food disappears slowly and, once it is gone, they sit there for an hour more.

Brian’s knowledge on dating was pretty limited but he was pretty sure it wasn’t normal to feel this comfortable with someone, especially this early on. It was normal but anything but. It was relaxing but his pulse was quick and he almost felt euphoric.

It was fucking fantastic.

****

“Thanks for dinner,” Justin said as they walked back to his car. “It was really nice. I haven’t had a burger that good in so long."

Brian grinned. “Really? I would never have guessed you enjoyed it.”

“Shut up,” laughed Justin as he punched Brian’s shoulder playfully. “I hadn't eaten all day.”

Brian gasped as he cradled his arm protectively. “Hey, ow… you know that’s still healing, you little twat.”

Justin’s hands shot up to his mouth. “Shit, Brian. I'm so sorry. I can’t believe I did that.”

Brian couldn't stop himself from laughing at the look of utter horror on Justin’s face. “Relax, it was my other shoulder.”

“Oh my, God, you’re such a fucking asshole. I really thought I’d hurt you.”

“No, you’re fine,” Brian assured him, as he backed Justin up against the door of the car. “This is you, right?” He probably should have remembered where they parked, but with Justin’s body pressed firmly against him, who could blame him for forgetting?

Justin grabbed onto the front of Brian’s shirt as he looked behind him. “Yeah, this is me."

“Good” Brian grinned, as he balanced his crutches beside him.

“Why?”

“Because I really don’t want to make out with you up against some stranger’s car.”

“Oh,” was all Justin could say before Brian leaned into him, bringing their bodies into perfect alignment as he pressed Justin firmly against the door.

Justin’s eyes closed as his lips desperately sought out Brian’s. And when their mouths finally met, it was with such ferocity that Brian’s legs almost gave way.

“Stop,” Justin swallowed loudly as he tried to catch his breath.

“I don’t want to,” Brian breathed into his neck.

“We’re not stopping, I promise. We’re just switching places.”

Brian looked up, his lips red and swollen. “huh?”

“Here, you lean against the car, it’ll be easier on your leg,” Justin explained, as he manoeuvred Brian into position. “See, that’s better.”

Brian hummed happily as he leaned back and pulled Justin’s firm body towards him, his hands were instantly in his hair, tugging it softly as their lips crashed together hungrily. He couldn't stop touching him, Justin’s hair wasn’t enough – he needed to feel his warm skin beneath his fingers. Brian gave his hair one last pull before he moved onto the back of his neck - loving the sounds that poured out of Justin’s mouth and into his own as began tracing soft circles against his soft skin.

It wasn't long before Brian’s hands migrated further down Justin’s body, cupping his ass in his hands as he pulled their lower bodies tightly together with a satisfying moan.

His ass fits perfectly in my hands…

Brian thrust his hips towards Justin’s, causing their erections to rub against each other through their pants, making them both groan loudly.

FUCK.

“We shouldn't be doing this…” Justin protested weakly.

Brian’s hand reached down and began palming Justin through his jeans. “I know,” he panted. “Do you want me to stop?”

“No,” Justin panted heavily, as he ground his crotch into Brian’s hand.

Justin pressed their foreheads together as he continued rubbing himself against Brian’s hand.

Fuck fuck fuck.

“Feel good?” Brian asked hotly as he massaged Justin’s denim covered dick in his hand. The feel of it growing thicker and heavier in his palm was almost enough to make him come in his pants.

“Wh…what do…y…you think?” Justin moaned throatily as Brian pulled and squeezed at his erection.

Brian laughed thickly, was this really happening? They were supposed to be taking things slowly…But neither of them seemed to be able to keep their hands off of each other.

“I'm getting close,” Justin moaned as he shivered in Brian’s arms.

“Fuck, yeah. Work it, blondie. Fuck his hand.”

They both jumped at the sound of the loud voice behind them.

Brian immediately tensed up, stilling his hand.

“Don’t stop on my account,” the man laughed vociferously. “You looked like you were just getting to the good part.”

Brian could feel Justin running his hands calmingly down his sides as he stopped rubbing himself against Brian’s hand.

Taking a deep breath, Justin turned around.

“Brian?” The man asked, laughing once more. “Are you fucking shitting me?”

"Do… do you two know each other?” Justin asked nervously as he looked towards Brian.

“You could say that,” the man snickered. “Couldn't you, Brian?”

Brian could feel himself starting to shake. “Adam.”

Justin looked between the two men, the awkwardness clearly evident. “Do you want to go?” he asked quietly.

Brian nodded his head. He wasn't sure what the fuck was going on, but he knew he couldn't stand there looking at him when he was acting as though nothing had happened. Like he hadn't just walked out of his life for no apparent reason - at what was probably the worst fucking time of his life.

“How are you, anyway?” Adam asked suddenly like he’d only just remembered what had happened.

Brian swallowed loudly. “Fine.”

Justin picked up Brian’s crutches and threw them onto the back seat before taking Brian’s arm and walking him around to the passenger door.

“Maybe we could meet up for a drink or something?”

Brian laughed bitterly. “I don’t think so.”

Justin opened Brian’s door and helped him sit down, then quickly walked back around to the driver’s side.

“Excuse me,” Justin muttered as he pushed past Adam and climbed into the car, slamming the door behind him.

Brian watched as Adam staggered away. He was high as a fucking kite and come morning he probably wouldn't even remember bumping into him anyway.

Prick.

Sighing heavily, Brian closed his eyes and rested his head against the back of the seat. He startled slightly when he felt Justin reach across him for his seatbelt.

“I can do it,” he snapped. He hadn't meant to and he hated himself for it. He wasn't pissed at Justin; he was just so fucking angry at Adam.

“I know you can,” Justin said softly as clicked the buckle into place. “I just wanted to do it.”

Brian turned his head to look out of his window as Justin started the car. He could tell Justin wanted to ask him what the fuck had just happened, but that he wasn't going to – and he was fucking grateful for that. He wasn't in the mood to talk.

“Can you drop me off at home?”

They’d mentioned watching a DVD together after dinner, but he wasn’t in the mood for it now. All he wanted to do was go home, have a drink and go to bed - alone.

“Sure,” Justin replied quietly.

The rest of the ride was silent. Justin focused mostly on the road in front of him, but Brian could feel when Justin’s eyes were on him, watching him closely. He wasn't able to do the same, though, all he felt he could do was press his forehead against the window and wait for the loft to come into view.

As Justin came to a stop, Brian sat up and stared blankly at the dark, brick building in front of him. The silence in the car was deafening and for the first time, things felt truly awkward between them.

Brian leaned back and pulled his crutches through the small space between their seats. “Thanks for the ride,” he said, trying his best to avoid any sort of eye contact.

“Are you going to be okay getting in?” Justin asked.

Brian nodded and busied himself with getting out of the car. “Yeah.”

For some reason, the security light outside of the loft wasn't working and Brian misjudged the distance between the car and side walk. His foot rolled slightly on the curb and he had to quickly reach out to steady himself on the car.

“Shit,” he muttered as he pulled his crutches up to support himself.

If Brian was in the mood to laugh, he would have, just from watching how fast Justin unbuckled his seatbelt and was by his side.

“Did you hurt yourself?” he asked worriedly.

Brian kept his head down as he answered. “No, I'm fine,” he lied.

Justin reached out a hand, placing it on Brian’s arm. “Are you sure?”

“I told you,” he snapped, “I'm fine.”

Justin took a step back, keeping his eyes on Brian as he nodded his head. Brian let out a guilty breath but couldn't muster up even a half-ass apology. So, with not another word, he made his way to the front door.

“Brian?"

Brian stopped and closed his eyes.

“Yeah?”

“...Send me a text tomorrow to let me know you are alright?”

Brian snorted, “Sure.”

“And…,” Justin cleared his throat, “If you need to talk...you can call me. If you want.”

Brian turned a little to meet Justin’s eyes, albeit briefly, “I’ll keep it in mind."

Brian only let the eye contact last for a few seconds before he went into the building, headed up the stairs, and collapsed into his bed, alone.

TBC.