Chapt 5


 Justin’s trip to Seattle ended all too quickly and soon Justin found himself on a plane headed back to good ole Pittsburgh.  Surprisingly nothing sexual had happened at all between the two men.  Justin had expected at least one drunk fuck on his trip but Brian had been a perfect gentleman.  If anything this excursion had solidified their friendship and thrown any physical relationship to the wayside.  Their days were spent exploring the tourist attractions and their nights on bar patios talking for hours on end.  Their banter was constant and filled with every topic imaginable.  Brian had finally found someone who could challenge his opinions and actually have a chance at beating him.  Justin’s presence energized him.  Although Brian had wanted nothing more than to plough Justin’s tight ass, their deepened friendship had left him with a moral dilemma.  So he had chosen to keep his hormones under control for the time being and analyze the situation more once Justin had gone home.  But Brian’s body must have had it’s own ideas because every morning Brian found himself tightly wrapped around the slight body in bed with him.  Luckily Brian was able to extract himself before the bright blue eyes opened.  It might have been hard to justify his “no cuddling” stance if Justin had managed to wake up first.

Justin’s life was hectic from the moment he got home to the day before his first solo art show.  He hardly had time for anything but his work and his weekly conversations with Brian.  Although he missed the club scene, Justin had to focus on his priorities and his art was number one.  Brian was a close second, but that was something he kept all to himself.  The trip out west had been incredible in every way but one.  He couldn’t get out of his head the fact that Brian hadn’t tried once to fuck him.  And it wasn’t like they weren’t constantly in physical contact with one another.  He could have even sworn he felt Brian’s arm around him while he slept.  Justin might have worried that Brian no longer cared for him but if anything Justin felt like their bond had deepened.  Their phone conversations had actually increased and just last week Brian was confirming his flight plans for Justin’s art show, a fact that Justin had somehow managed to keep secret from the Liberty Avenue family he was quickly becoming a member of.

As Brian packed up his toiletries for his trip back to the Pitts, he couldn’t help but wonder what would be in store for him when he got there.  Things with Justin had definitely changed and he was unsure whether that was a good thing or bad.  The blonde was still the hottest piece of ass he had ever seen but now he was also a friend and not just any friend.  Justin was the one person in his life that never had any sort of expectations of him.  And that was probably the best reason for Brian to want to do something for him.  He hadn’t told any of the gang he was coming home for a visit although he assumed they would all be at the opening.  Justin rarely mentioned them but on the few occasions he spoke to Debbie she went on and on about Justin and Emmett this or Justin and Michael that.  It was almost like she wanted Brian to know how well Justin fit into his former life.  Brian wasn’t surprised in the least.  Justin had a way of making anyone feel comfortable.

Brian had hoped to arrive in time for dinner with Justin before the show but luck was not on his side and his flight was delayed because of weather conditions.  He had phoned Justin to let him know and they had agreed to just meet at the show.  Justin still couldn’t believe he was actually coming and had been happy to hear that Brian was delayed.  It was further proof of his soon to be appearance.

Justin was front and center when the doors opened and people started to arrive.  He had chosen a pair of simple black pants and a blue button down to bring out his eyes.  It was formal enough to put off a good impression but casual enough to make him approachable.  Deb, Lindsey, Mel, and the boys were practically the first people to walk through the door.  He could hear Michael complaining about being rushed and Deb explaining how she needed as much time as possible to take everything in.  She didn’t want to miss a single second of Justin’s debut.  She practically barreled a young woman over the moment she caught site of him across the room.

“Sunshine!  There you are Sweetie!  This is some show.  I’m so proud of you,” she exclaimed, dragging him into a bone-crunching embrace.

“Thanks Deb, I’m so glad you could make it.  That everyone could be here,” Justin said allowing his gaze to take in the rest of the group.

“Justin, I need more time to really look at everything but the pieces I saw by the entrance were absolutely breathtaking.  You have really come into your own this year,” Lindsey gushed.

“Thanks Lindz, that’s a wonderful compliment coming from you,” Justin replied.

“I might not know as much as Lindsey about art, but your stuff is fucking fantastic,” Mel said as she leaned over to kiss Justin on the cheek.

Justin smiled in response.

“Well, there’s a lot more to see so go ahead and take a look around.  I’d love to hear all of your thoughts after you’ve really seen everything.”

The group started to scatter, each going in a different direction.  Emmett lightly squeezed Justin’s shoulder as he wandered off.  Soon only Debbie was left at Justin’s side.

“Too bad Brian couldn’t be here,” Debbie said softly.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Justin replied, his eyes having left her face and found the tall brunette striding confidently through the door.  Debbie’s eyes followed his gaze.

“Holy Shit, Brian Fucking Kinney,” she exclaimed.

Brian turned at the sound of his name and smiled with his eyes locked with Justin’s.  Justin returned the greeting and waited patiently for Brian to be within his reach.

“Watch the language Deb, there could be children near by.  Such as this one,” Brian said pointedly at Justin, opening his arms to offer the embrace he knew Justin was waiting for.  Justin rushed into it, wrapping both arms tightly around Brian’s neck.  Brian pulled him in even closer, breathing in his warm clean scent.  Debbie stood by with a smirk on her face taking in the touching scene.  It didn’t look like they would have been moving for quite some time if it wasn’t for her son’s interruption.

“Brian, I didn’t know you were coming to town this weekend!  Why didn’t you tell me?” Michael asked, as he approached the couple.

“Hey Mikey,” Brian greeted, extracting himself from Justin’s body, “I couldn’t miss the solo debut of the soon to be famous artiste.”

“You came to see Justin?”

“Yeah, well Justin and his artwork of course,” Brian said with a smile.

“I didn’t even know Justin invited you,” Michael commented.

“He didn’t but mentioned the show a couple dozen times over the phone.  I couldn’t miss out on all the hoopla, so decided to finally cash in on some of those frequent flier miles,” Brian explained.

	Justin nodded his head, knowing it was more about the artist than the art.  Justin had managed to be there for Brian on his big night in the spotlight and Brian didn’t hesitate to return the favor.  Somehow they had met on even ground and Justin was no longer the little virgin that needed to be watched over.  They were equals, even if no one else knew it.

	“Well, it’s great to know I’m not the only one the Great God Kinney deems worthy of a monthly phone call,” Michael chuckled.

	“Monthly?” Justin asked.

	“Yeah, you know that thing also used to describe a woman’s cycle.  I tend to think it’s a good time to connect with old friends as well,” Brian cut in, silencing Justin with a stare.  No one, not even Debbie, knew how often Justin and Brian spoke.  At this point it was almost every day, sometimes more if they had a particularly interesting story to share.

	Casual conversation resumed amongst the group, each wanting to hear the latest on what Brian had been up to.  Justin had heard all of the stories before so excused himself to mingle more with the other art patrons.  Brian noticed his departure immediately and gradually extracted himself from the gang as well so he could get a good look at all of Justin’s pieces.  It was interesting to see the finished products after hearing how Justin had agonized over certain details or color choices.  He was awed by the talent Justin displayed and the growth he had shown in just a year.  He was also mesmerized by the abstract painting, only he could recognize as their first time together.  The reds and golds screamed of passion with tinges of innocent white.  He wondered how long ago Justin had painted it and what he felt as he remembered their time together.

	“What do you think?” Justin’s soft voice asked from behind.

	“We’re hot,” Brian drawled.

	“Then you know what it is,” Justin stated, rather than asked.

	“Oh yeah, how could I not?  I was there too, you know.”

	“It could have been me and someone else,” Justin contradicted.

	“Nope, there’s no way sex with anyone else would have been so goddamn memorable and worthy of being turned into art,” Brian boasted.

	“Is that right Mr. Kinney?”

	“That and you titled it ‘First Time’” Brian replied with a smirk.

	Both men burst into laughter, loud enough that people nearby began to stare.  Justin jabbed Brian in the stomach, reminding him that they were in public.  Brian stopped laughing, just long enough to glare at the elderly couple who had been eyeing him suspiciously for the last ten minutes.  He would of made a remark but he didn’t want to hurt Justin’s chances of gaining the respect of the art community.  He was still young and didn’t need anything else to detract from his talent.

	“Fine, you play nice with the adoring fans.  I’m going to check out the rest of the merchandise and then head back to the hotel.  I’m staying at the same place as before so come by when you’re done.  We’ll have a few drinks at the hotel bar to celebrate your start on the road to success.”

	“Sounds good, now if you’ll excuse me it’s time for me to play the witty charming artist,” Justin remarked and headed over to a couple that was intently staring at one of his landscapes.  Brian watched him go, glad that he could be there to witness such an important date in Justin’s life.  It was well worth the delayed flight and jet lag.  After making his way around to see everything and say his good-byes, Brian disappeared out the door.  He definitely wanted to take a shower before Justin arrived.

	Justin called the hotel room when things were wrapping up.  It gave Brian enough time to finish getting dressed and down quite a few shots of Beam before Justin even walked into the bar.  There was a spring in his step that Brian had never seen before and a confidence that oozed from every pore.  Brian quickly ordered another shot to dull the warmth he could feel bubbling to the surface of his heart.  This was his best friend, not some trick.

	“I’m a big fat fucking success,” Justin boasted as he took the seat next to Brian, his smile brighter than the sun.

	“I knew you would be,” Brian agreed, tipping his glass in Justin’s direction.

	“Hey Bartender I’ll have what he’s having.  Actually make that two and keep em coming,” Justin requested with a wink.  The bartender lingered for a moment, taking in the young lithe body.  Before he could even respond, Brian was glaring and casually slinging his arm around Justin’s shoulders.  Noticing the movement, the bartender nodded in Brian’s direction and went to get their drinks.

	“Well, that was very barbarian of you,” Justin chuckled, leaning into the embrace,  “Maybe I was interested.”

	“How can you be interested in THAT when you’ve got me sitting right next to you?” Brian questioned.

	“Because THAT could have been a really good fuck and you, my friend, are already drunk and not interested,” Justin replied.

	“Who says I’m not interested?” Brian leered at Justin. 

	“Now I know you’ve had too much too drink.  Maybe I should cancel your part of the order and try to catch up a bit before you have another.”

	“I’m perfectly capable of monitoring my own alcohol intake,” Brian assured him.

	Justin nodded his head, happy to have distracted Brian from whatever sexual innuendo he was planning to throw out.  Justin knew that Brian wasn’t planning to fuck him again and it hurt every time he thought about it.  The last thing he needed on his big night was feelings of disappointment after Brian sobered up and remembered that he only wanted Justin as a friend.  It was a path he preferred not to go down.

	It took a surprisingly short period of time for Justin to near the same state of drunkenness as Brian.  And although Justin had planned on monitoring Brian’s drinking, that had only lasted a few drinks in.  Then in Justin’s drunken giddiness, he was back to ordering two of everything.  They traded stories until the bar closed and the cute bartender had to escort them to the door.  Justin stumbled out after Brian and turned back to face the bartender, still laughing at whatever story Brian had told last.

	“How can you just kick us out?  I thought you and I had some sort of vibe between us.  Don’t you think I’m hot?” Justin slurred, practically falling over his own feet.

	The bartender shook his head at the adorable display before responding.

	“Sorry Kid, but even with your boyfriend completely sloshed he still scares the crap out of me.  Stop by again if you guys ever call it quits.”

	“But he’s not my boyfriend!” Justin insisted.

	The bartender looked over at Brian suspiciously.

	“He may not be your boyfriend now but he will be,” the bartender stated, glancing between both men.

	“I don’t believe in love or relationships,” Brian assured him.

	Shaking his head at the brunette’s crazy theories, the bartender replied, “Maybe not, but you do believe in the blonde.  Trust me, it’ll work out.”

	And the bartender disappeared without another word, shutting the door behind him.  Brian and Justin stared at each other for a moment, neither one knowing what to say.  The silence might have gone on longer if one of the busboys hadn’t approached them at that very moment.

	“Can I help you gentlemen to your rooms?” he asked politely.

	“No thanks, I don’t even have one.  I should probably go home,” Justin replied distractedly.

	“Oh no you’re not Sunshine!  It’s way too late and you’re way too drunk.  You might as well just crash in my room tonight.  Come on.  We can make it on our own,” he directed the last bit to the busboy.

	Justin’s mind was a little too cloudy to think clearly so he agreed and followed Brian to the elevator.  As they waited for their floor, Brian found himself leaning slightly into Justin’s smaller frame.  His body seemed to crave the contact.  Both of their movements were slow as they approached the hotel room, Brian almost dropping his keys in an attempt to open the door.  Finally the key turned and Brian staggered into the room, not even bothering to turn on the light he practically threw himself onto the bed.  Justin was almost moving in slow motion as he shut the door behind him and walked cautiously to the bed, reaching out with both arms to feel his way over.  Unfortunately he hadn’t thought to feel directly in front of him and tripped on the edge of the bed.  His body fell gracelessly forward on top of Brian.

	When the room finally stopped spinning Justin realized his lips were mere inches from Brian’s.  His heartbeat sped up as he contemplated what to do next.  Brian’s cock had already awakened, pushing insistently up in Justin’s direction.  An involuntary gasp escaped Justin’s lips.  Brian could feel his breathe above him and knew all he had to do was lean up a little to capture Justin’s sweet lips.  The decision was taken away from him when Justin brushed his lips gently against Brian’s, creating sparks of electricity between them.  It was enough pressure to drive Brian completely insane.  In a well-practiced move, Brian was able to roll Justin over so he was in his most comfortable position, on top.  Although startled at first, Justin quickly got back into the moment and opened his mouth to tangle his tongue with Brian’s.  Their bodies ground uncontrollably against each other, each seeking the sweet release they both desired.  Their shirts seemed to almost disappear as things got more heated.  

	Justin’s moans of approval echoed throughout the room just as Brian decided to slow things down and taste every inch of Justin’s body.  It had been way too long.  His lips caressed the skin where Justin’s neck and collarbone met.  Then he worshipped each nipple, bringing them to rose-colored peeks.  His lips paid homage to Justin’s perfect abs, sliding across his soft skin.  When he finally reached Justin’s belt buckle, Brian looked up to see why Justin had stopped making his soft mewling noises.  He was shocked and more than just a little disappointed to see Justin out cold.

	Putting a drunken Justin to bed was becoming a bit of a habit.  The kid was obviously more of a lightweight than the man who had been drinking since the start of puberty.  The moonlight shown beautifully on his pale skin and Brian found himself wishing he could devour the boy again.  A part of him knew things should have never gotten this far but how could he possibly convince himself of that when confronted with the vision in front of him.  With a loud sigh, Brian finished stripping down to his underwear and lay down beside the sleepy blonde.  This time he didn’t hesitate to cradle the boy against him.  If Justin ever asked, he could always blame the alcohol.  Although that excuse wasn’t going to last too much longer the way things were going.  Sooner or later they both have to confront what was brewing between them.  But not yet, Brian wasn’t ready yet.