Sins of the Father

Chapter 4

"Another day, another four thousand fags," Brian said as Justin kissed him awake.

"Only one fag that you're interested in, right?" Justin asked with a little frown.

"Most of the fags here are eminently unfuckable," Brian declared with a knowing look. And of course, he did know. "I have the best one right here."

Justin's smile rivaled the Florida sun before he started to kiss Brian, getting both of them hard. Some time later they headed down to breakfast, or perhaps it would be called brunch by then. As they walked into the hotel restaurant, they saw Ken and Simon wave at them.

"Do you want to join them?" Justin asked. When Brian merely shrugged, Justin headed for their table.

"You guys look very … relaxed," Simon said tactfully.

"We are," Brian agreed with a smirk.

"Let's get something to eat," Justin said quickly before Brian spilled all their secrets.

Brian stood up. "He needs to keep up his strength."

Justin swatted him as they headed for the buffet. While Brian got coffee and added some things to Justin's already overflowing plate, Simon and Ken watched them.

"They are a very handsome couple," Ken observed.

"Beautiful," Simon agreed.

They chatted together through brunch. Brian nibbled off Justin's plate while Justin packed away a good amount, even going back for seconds.

"We're going to the vendors' room after this," Ken said. "Want to come with us? They usually have some … interesting stuff."

"I don't know," Brian said. "I'm not much of a shopper."

Justin choked on his coffee. "Not unless it's Prada or Gucci."

Brian glared at Justin, but had to smile. What he said was true. "I guess I could tag along," he finally conceded.

They strolled through the lobby and into the ballroom that had been set up for vendors of all things gay or lesbian or at least very high on the tacky scale. Brian snorted as they started to look at the displays.

"I love this T-shirt," Justin said holding up one that said 'Closets are for brooms, not people'.

Brian snorted. "And where would you wear it? To one of your art shows?"

"I could paint in it," Justin said quickly.

"Or you could use it for a rag to wipe your brushes."

"Asshole," Justin said. "How about this one?" He held up 'I heart foreskin'.

"That might be true, but I wouldn't want to wear it."

"You're impossible."

"Now, here's one that you could definitely wear," Brian said showing Justin a black Tee that bore the one word 'Homolicious'.

"You think I am?" Justin asked.

Brian smiled and kissed Justin's cheek. He loved the little boy enthusiasm for things, that Justin had never lost.

"We should get this one for Bree," Justin noted holding up a little pink T-shirt that said 'I love my daddies' in rainbow letters.

"If we must," Brian said but he pulled out his credit card.

Justin got a 'Flaming' T-shirt for Emmett, the closet and brooms one, the Homolicious, the one for Bree, and one that Brian picked out that showed DaVinci's hand of God and the question: 'God made me gay. Who are you to question it?' They were all for Justin, as Brian said he would never be caught dead in any of them. Justin did manage to sneak in one that had a bear paw print on it with the words 'Eats meat'. Justin thought Brian might get a kick out of it in memory of his old steakhouse campaign that proclaimed much the same thing.

They moved on to another booth where they were selling swimsuits. Brian stopped to look, knowing that none of the swimsuits could match the ones he already owned. Justin moved on down the row of booths.

A muscular, albeit short, black man immediately accosted Brian. He was wearing a silver thong that left little to the imagination. He was obviously well endowed in a certain area, if the skimpy swimsuit was to be believed. He started fawning all over Brian. He was wearing a rainbow boa and nothing other than the tiny swimsuit. He flung the boa around Brian's neck and lisped at him about how sexy he was, and how he'd love to be topped by him, and how cool Brian looked in his little shorts outfit.

Brian put up with the unwanted attention for a couple of minutes, not wanting to make a scene. Finally he lifted the boa and placed it back around the man's neck. "Not interested," he said bluntly.

"At least let me sell you a suit," the short man pouted.

"I already have all the thongs I need."

"Please," the man cooed running his finger down the front of Brian's chest.

"Hands off!" Justin said having just realized what was going on with Brian, as he walked back along the aisle. He took the man's hand and forcefully removed it from contact with Brian's body. "He's mine!"

"No shit!" the man said looking Justin up and down with that pouty look only a true queen could muster.

"No fucking shit! Now back off!" Justin grabbed Brian's hand and pulled him along to the next booth. Brian went willingly. Justin glanced back at the disappointed queen, and gave him a smirk that could rival Brian's patented one.

"My hero," Brian chuckled, "saving me from the big, bad fairy."

"You're incorrigible," Justin grumbled. "You could have stopped that before it started."

"I was just being polite," Brian smirked.

"Yeah, right," Justin replied not at all pleased. "Sit, over there, and wait for me. I want to buy something over here."

"Yes, master," Brian laughed planting his ass on the indicated bench. He watched Justin hustle away wondering what obscene or tacky thing he wanted to buy now. As he sat down he remembered something similar that had almost been a big mistake.

New Year's Eve 2014

Brian and Justin had been coerced into a black tie affair at the GLC. It was supposed to be a fundraiser for the center, so they had let Mel and Lindsay talk them into buying the obscenely expensive tickets and then they had decided to attend.

They had danced and actually not had a half bad time. Ted and Allen and Emmett and Drew were also there, so they had a table together. Michael had got sick and Ben had stayed home with him. As the evening progressed, Brian had become aware of a dark haired young man with penetrating blue eyes who always seemed to be staring at him whenever he looked up. Brian had felt his dick twitch when he first spotted the guy. He was young and muscular and just Brian's type … if this had been the bad old days.

They had been aware of each other for over an hour when Justin said he needed to use the restroom. Brian sat at their table alone since the others were dancing. He watched the dark haired beauty finish his dance with a middle aged man that he had been dancing with all evening. They were either a couple, or a boy and his sugar daddy, or maybe the young man was some sort of escort. He had the looks for that kind of thing.

The older man went off to do something, and the young man turned to look into Brian's eyes. He immediately made his way over to Brian's table and slid into a chair next to his target.

"I'm Jerome," he said extending his hand.

Brian raised his hand and shook the one held out to him. "Brian," was all he said.

"I've been watching you all evening."

"I know," Brian smirked.

"And you've been watching me."

"You think?"

"I know."

Brian frowned. He had been more than interested in the young man. He didn't think he had been that obvious though. "I'm here with my partner," Brian said hoping that would put an end to it.

"So am I."

"The older gentleman."

"That's right, but that doesn't mean that both of us can't have a little fun on the side. Let's head for the rest room or the alley outside or … anywhere."

"They'll miss us."

"I bet you have a list of plausible excuses down pat."

"I used to," Brian admitted before he even thought about it.

"Come on. It'll be worth it."

"I…" Brian began, but he couldn't finish the sentence. Something inside him really wanted to go with this man, wanted to prove to himself and everyone else that he still had the old charisma, that he could still reel in the best looking man in the place, next to Justin, of course. He almost started to rise from his chair when he glanced up and saw Justin standing not far away staring at the two of them. "Get lost," he said brusquely.

"What?"

"Get lost," Brian repeated as he stood up and strode away to take Justin's hand and lead him onto the dance floor. The hurt look in Justin's eyes had haunted him for weeks after, although they never talked about it.

Brian glanced up and saw that Justin had returned. Maybe Justin's current insecurity and thinking he was getting fat stemmed from that incident. Brian got up and kissed Justin's temple. He would have to show his husband how wrong he was to feel that way.

"What did you buy, Sunshine?" Brian reached for a bag clutched in Justin's hand.

"Um..." Justin hesitated.

"Let me see."

"Not here. And lower your voice," Justin said softly with a smile.

"Why? What did you get? Another butt plug?" Brian said pretending he was about to shout out Justin's secret bounty.

"Shhh. I got us a new toy but I don't want everyone to know." Justin blushed at the thought of what he had in the bag.

"Justin, we have a whole box of toys and you've never been embarrassed before."

"Yes, but you're the one who buys them. I'm usually on the receiving end, if you get my meaning." Justin's blush deepened.

Brian grabbed the bag to discreetly take a peek. In it was the longest, thickest double headed dildo he had ever seen. He quickly closed the bag and shoved it into the larger one that held the t-shirts that Justin had purchased earlier.

"Sunshine, you are out of your fucking mind if you think..." Brian stopped his rant as he saw the look on Justin's face. It was a mixture of pure lust with a hint of fear. "On second thought, with the right amount of alcohol, anything is possible. We'll discuss it later tonight." Justin's smile returned, then hand in hand they continued to explore the displays and vendors.

As they walked along perusing the tables and displays, they were pleasantly amused by all the couples who were in attendance. Same sex couples were holding hands, freely expressing their love or lust for each other. One lesbian couple was looking over a selection of fine china patterns, another, commitment rings. Brian was examining a small delicate crucifix he was considering for Briana when he overheard the lesbians discuss the rings.

"Honey, how do we know it's a real diamond?"

"Sweetheart, look how shiny it is. A fake one can't be that pretty." Both women were sighing. "I really want to get this for us now. We met here two years ago and now we're about to make this official. I'd like to do it with something we purchase here."

Brian could see how much in love they were with each other and even though lesbians always got on his last nerve, Brian decided to help.

"Ladies, perhaps I may offer some assistance," Brian said politely and without the usual snark he reserved for another lesbian couple with whom he was too well acquainted.

"Uh..." the smaller one who adored all things shiny, began to sputter. Brian snapped his fingers and requested a jeweler's loop.

"Which ones tickle your fancy?" Brian asked as he began his own examination of the tray of sparklies.

"That one!" The young woman pointed at a ring that sported a big bright stone.

"Hmmm..." Brian held the ring up. "It's nice, for a Cubic Zirconia." Brian shot a death glare at the vendor. This was one fag who knew his jewelry. "Next!" Brian put the rejected ring aside.

"That one," the young lady said with disappointment in her voice.

"Let's take a look. About a carat and a quarter, good color, nice cut...oh, there's a minute flaw. A little dark spot. How much is he asking?" Brian flipped over the tiny tag. "Over my dead body! Ladies, if you two live anywhere in the northeast, please allow me to recommend my jeweler..."

"Wait!" The vendor shouted. "Look, most people who come here aren't serious shoppers or all they want is a mood ring or a cowry shell bracelet. I can see you know your stuff and if you two are really serious about a commitment ring then I think I may have what you want." Putting away that tray, the salesman brought out another one. This one had smaller but more dignified stones. Some set in rose gold, others in platinum and several sets of titanium rings.

"Now, we're talking." Brian again picked up a ring and started his inspection. He smiled his genuinely pleased smile. "Victorian?" Brian raised an eyebrow at the vendor who nodded with a smile. Brian knew quality and it was a pleasure dealing with someone who appreciated it. "Ladies, this is an antique, 18k gold and if I'm not mistaken with rose cut diamonds. It's not as flashy as these modern rings but a true artisan created this. It's small but it could be resized without damaging the setting."

Justin, Ken and Simon were watching Brian with just a touch of awe. In fact, he had gathered quite a crowd. Someone had produced several chairs in which Brian and the lesbians now sat. He continued to hold court and make his pitch for the ring.

"He's good," Ken leaned into Justin and whispered. Justin nodded.

"Does he really know all that stuff?" Simon asked.

"Oh yeah. When it comes to jewelry and designer clothes, no one can top Brian." The three men chuckled as Brian continued to wow the crowd.

Brian picked up a delicately etched band that was also in 18k. It made the perfect companion to the bejeweled ring.

"Ladies, I think these two would make a lovely pair. Now who wears what?" The taller woman chose the band while the younger went for the sparkle. "Okay, let's talk turkey." Brian addressed the vendor and haggled the man down to a very reasonable price. At the end, all parties were satisfied. Brian was about to get up when another couple sat down demanding to look at rings and refused to let Brian leave. Brian politely smiled and stuck the loop back in his eye.

"Justin, I think your partner is going to be busy for a very long time. Why don't we stow our purchases back in our rooms and then meet at the pool. And we'll let you actually sit in the sun," Simon suggested with a laugh.

Justin grinned, let Brian know his plans then followed Simon and Ken out. Brian sat haplessly in the chair. There was a long line of couples willing to wait for his expertise.

*****

Valentine's Day 2015

"Molly! What brings you here?" Craig was at his jeweler's searching for a Valentine's gift for his wife.

"We were looking for a gift for Mom," Molly answered.

"We?" Craig looked around expecting to see Owen. Justin and Katerina walked up to the counter. "Son of a bitch!" was all Craig said as he slammed his way out of the shop.

Everywhere Craig turned he ran into another Taylor. Somewhere in his head, his brain did register that his paranoia was unwarranted but his anger clouded all reasoning. The genealogist he hired was uncovering all that he feared and loathed. The Taylor/Kinney connection went back well over one hundred years, all the way back to rural Pennsylvania. He learned that JABKinney gave up most of his worldly possessions to chase Patrick Taylor across the continent.

Somehow Craig was determined to turn what he learned to his advantage. He just wasn't sure how or if he could get away with it. All his failures started the day Justin met Brian Kinney. Maybe his life would turn around if Brian up and disappeared.

*****

"Brian! You got a reprieve," Ken noted as Brian made his way poolside to where Justin, Simon and Ken were sitting. Justin handed his spouse a large bottle of water which Brian downed in practically one gulp as he sat on a chaise. He took Justin's bottle and held it against the front of his head.

"Bri, are you okay?" Justin became a little concerned as he noted that Brian's eyes were a little bloodshot.

"Headache," was all that Brian said as he wiped the cool bottle across his face. "I have never been kissed and manhandled by so many fucking lesbians in my whole life! They wouldn't let me leave. If it wasn't jewelry then it was the china. I thought I was going to make an escape when one uber dyke and her little dykette cornered me by the cut crystal glassware. Justin, I think I need to lie down," Brian groaned. Justin got up to adjust the back of Brian's chair.

"Thank you, Sunshine." Brian closed his exhausted eyes and went to sleep.