Justin groaned and kept his eyes shut against the glare of the harsh, hospital lights. He couldn’t believe he’d been so stupid. The doctor and Charlie had told him what happened, because he really had no memory of it; that loss was an effect of the drug he’d been given. Brian was soooooo going to kill him if he didn’t die first from the affects of having his stomach pumped and the drug that had partially seeped into his system. 

He’d been kept in the hospital for observation but thought that he would be released in a few of hours. He felt hungry but nothing seemed to appeal to him. All this because he’d wanted to have his fucking picture plastered on a calendar that would show Brian how hot and gown up he was. Right now, he wished he could die, and evidence of that feeling came as a tear crept out of the corner of his left eye. Using all of his energy, he bit his emotions back; he wasn’t going to cry like some little faggot. Fuck he was almost nineteen years old. 

Suddenly he felt warm inside, almost like he did when Brian was near. He squeezed his eyes tighter to continue to hold back his emotions, and realized that he’d never be able to tell Brian about this. He was going to have to lie to the man he loved; the man who hated lies. 

“Don’t Sunshine; I hate it when you cry.” Brian bent down and kissed Justin’s leaking tears away. 

“Brian?” Justin opened one eye.

“That’s me.” The older smiled tongue in cheek. “I heard about what happened, and I think it was a good lesson. You survived and I’m sure that you’ll never do it again.”

Justin’s face crumbled and his tears began in earnest. Brian pulled him to his chest and let him cry. “It’s okay Justin, we’ll deal with it and we’ll deal with the fucking asshole who tried to hurt you.” 

“I really fucked up,” Justin sobbed. “You hate me. I didn’t follow your rules. I know I should have listened, and followed your rules.” 

“Yes, you should have, but you didn’t. Sucks, but that’s the way it is. Now stop crying. The doctor says that I can take you home as long as I watch you for twenty-four hours, and I plan on doing just that from a horizontal position. I’m tired and I’m sure you are too.” 

“You… you aren’t mad at me?” 

“No,” Brian sighed. “A bit disappointed and a lot scared, but not angry.” He helped Justin off of the bed. “Put these on.” He handed him a clean shirt and a pair of pants. “Princess?” he asked fingering the shirt Justin had been wearing. 

“It’s not mine.” Justin pulled on the shirt Brian had given him. If he could have, he would have thrown the t-shirt in the garbage but it wasn’t his to throw away. “I wish I’d never gone. It was stupid, but I thought that I could maybe learn something.”

“And you did.” Brian pulled Justin to him. “Time to go home Sunshine.” He kissed the top of the blond’s head before walking with him out the door. 

“Where are we going?” Justin asked when he noticed that they weren’t heading in the direction of his condo. 

“I thought you might want to celebrate the fact that you lived through your adventure.”

“I’d rather go to bed and let you fuck me into the mattress.” Justin’s voice was sad. “I’m in no mood for <i>fun</i> experiences.”

“I suppose we could arrange a bit of fucking before I have to head back to the Pitts, but  first maybe you should tell me what the girls and LV are up to; I doubt if it’s anything good.”

“Can we go home?” Justin asked. “I feel like shit. I’ll tell you everything I know, but it’s not much; they kind of think of themselves as Zorro in triplicate.”

“And who are you… the side kick?” 

“Kind of, I guess.” Justin shut his eyes and leaned back, letting Brian drive. His mind was busy trying to think of ways to keep Brian from prying into what was happening back in Pittsburgh. He smiled but didn’t open his eyes when he felt Brian’s warm hand clasped his as the older man drove back to the condo.

Back in Pittsburgh, the girls along with Daphne and LV, had spent the night before LV putting up posters all over town.  They had taken special care to make sure that the gay district, as well as the country club hangouts, had their fair share of Justin’s designs and slogans. Their blond friend had taken up the cause when he’d heard that the bathhouse Brian had taken him too had been closed. The final straw had come when he discovered that Babylon’s back room had been locked up. He’d never had a chance to check it out because Brian had kept him under close observation, but he wanted to be able to go there some day. Stockwell had to be stopped. 

They were sitting in the Liberty Diner having a late night snack when a conversation in the next booth caught their attention. 

“I’m not going,” Michael declared, “It’s not for me.”

“I’m going. I need to find my flame,” Emmett’s voice was sad but held some bravado. You’re my friend and I need you now Michael; I really need you.”

“But a faerie retreat?” Michael shook his head. “I said I’d help, and I will; I just don’t think this is going to work. The nights are cold and this retreat is like camping out. I’ve never gone camping before, and I don’t think it’s something that I’ll be good at.”

“Vic told me they have a few cabins, or we can buy the nicest tent at Q Mart; they have some on sale this weekend.”

“Fuck! A tent,” Michael said looking depressed. 

“Did you hear that?” Reggie whispered to Ruby. “How cool – I want to go.”

“No, you aren’t gay for one thing, and for another, I don’t think it’s for lesbians.” Ruby looked uncertain; she’d never actually heard of anything even close to this kind of thing.

“You’re gay, so I could go to support you,” Reggie grinned at her reasoning.

“Thanks, I think, but like I said, it’s not for lesbians.”

“Hell, I’d think the average lesbian would be a better camper than most gay guys.” Reggie looked around at the patrons of the diner. “Look at these guys; they’d faint at the sight of a broken nail. Imagine what reaction they’d have if they ran into a snake or something.”

“I don’t think I’d want to run into a snake myself,” Ruby said uneasily. Her sister had taken her along on many a bumpy ride ever since they were small children, and wasn’t looking good for this weekend.

“We could get some awesome camping equipment.” Reggie pulled a napkin from the dispenser and began to make a list of what they’d need. “Do you think we should bring our own food or will there be a restaurant?” 

Ruby rolled her eyes. She could see that it was going to be a long couple of days. The two girls didn’t notice that Michael and Emmett had been replaced by Lindsay and Melanie who had Gus peacefully sleeping in a stroller next to their table.  

“Excuse me,” Melanie leaned over the booth to speak to the girls. “I’m Melanie Marcus. Did I hear you talking about the Faerie Retreat?” 

“Hi. We know who you are,” Ruby grinned. “You have Brian’s son with you, so we figured you had to be the boy’s moms. Brian told us that you don’t let anyone, other than himself, watch Gus yet ‘cause he’s too young for you to be comfortable with a sitter that isn’t family.” She looked at Lindsay, and said, “We’ve met your partner. Reggie here, wants to go to this Faerie thing, but I’m trying to convince her it’s for guys only.”

“I think it’s high time that women were allowed to go,” Melanie said with a laugh. “Honey wouldn’t you like to go camping?”

“What about Gus?” Lindsay asked. “It’s too cold for him to be outside.”

“Let his father have him for the weekend,” Reggie said. “He’s had him for a few hours at a time; maybe he should experience the joys of a sleepless night, spitup on his Armani, and the other fun-filled baby experiences no one talks about.” 

Melanie snorted as her imagination filled with Brian’s disgust at runny-green, baby shit, puke on his impeccable clothing, and the anguished unstoppable cries that Gus went through every evening an hour before going to bed. It was something their pediatrician said he’d grow out of, but damn it was noisy and hard to listen to. “I’m sure Brian would be delighted to have his son, as he often reminds us, for an entire weekend.” 

“I don’t know Mel,” Lindsay said looking hesitant. “We’ve never been away from him that long and he’s barely weaned. You know he has to be held like he’s nursing or he won’t take the entire bottle.” 

“Linds, I think it’s time we had a bit of fun, and this is a perfect project. We can liberate the Faerie Retreat. It’s really sexist of those queers to leave us ladies out of the loop, and, if I call, I’ll bet Lena and a few others wouldn’t mind showing up as well. It’s time we put the fairer sex in the faerie.” She laughed out loud imagining the melee that was going to result.  She couldn’t fight with Brian in front of Gus and she hadn’t had a decent court case to argue in ages, so  this should let her blow off some steam. 

Ruby giggled and rubbed her hands together. It was one thing to tag along with a sister who was really only going there to snoop, but now she could add <i>lesbian crusader</i> to her resume when this was done. Political activist and lesbian crusader; who knew what life after high school could bring. “Sure would be nice Lindsay if you and your partner would come. My sister and I love to have a bit of fun, and I know that Brian would be glad to get rid of us for a couple of days. I think he finds us rather high maintenance… even for him,” she giggled again. 

The two girls moved from their booth to the one where Lindsay and Mel were sitting, the next hour passed with Gus sleeping and the four of them discussing their needs for the weekend. It was agreed by all  that it would be better to surprise Brian with the fact he’d be watching his son for the weekend than to ask him out right.

Ruby and Reggie didn’t let on that Brian was now in L.A. and, depending on how Justin was feeling, that he would be there for a day or so. They figured that there was no point in agitating Lindsay with Brian’s apparent defection. 

By Friday night the fun was just getting started. Michael had borrowed his mother’s car to drive Emmett and himself to the Faerie Retreat, and an annoying school bus stayed behind them shining its lights in his rear view mirror. Michael wasn’t sure if the spots in front of his eyes were from the lights or from the pain of the headache that had changed from a lurking ache to a full blown, head is going to explode in a zillion pieces, head ache. “I swear I’m going to kick that driver’s ass.” 

“Honey, you go girl, but with your luck the driver will be some big-ass bear,” Emmett chuckled. “Look, look, there’s the way in.” And, sure enough, a wooden fence with a wide entrance, and a crude sign over the top announcing the Faerie Retreat showed up in their headlights. Michael eased his mother’s car through and over the rough drive until he pulled it up and parked beside the others. 

Sighing with relief at not having headlights reflecting back at him through the rear view mirror, Michael rested his forehead on the steering wheel only to throw himself backward when the driver’s side door was pulled open and someone shouted, “LOOK YOU SLOW DRIVING GRANNY BOY… YOU FUCKER… WE COULD HAVE BEEN HERE AN HOUR AGO!” 

“WHAT?” Michael shouted back. He looked up at what had to have been the largest lesbian he’d ever seen. She was not only more than six feet tall, but looked as if she weighed at least three hundred pounds and was pierced and tattooed with enough symbols to make his eyes cross. It didn’t help his headache.

“Mimi, calm down. Let’s get our tents set up and then see what kind of fun we can have,” A tiny woman, who was dressed in what Michael thought had to be cheerleader’s outfit said. He shook his head because he thought she was at least thirty, and especially after he noticed that she had pom-poms, even if they were hanging from a string around her neck. 

“What the fuck?” Michael said exasperated as he climbed out of his mother’s old Buick. He looked over at Emmett who was now hugging Melanie and Lindsay. 

“Isn’t this great? Mel and Linds are spending the weekend with us and they brought some of their friends,” Emmett clapped his hands in glee. “I didn’t know lesbians came to these places to find themselves too.” 

“What can I say? We all lose ourselves every now and then.” It was Ruby; she’d joined the group and placed her hand on the ass of a stranger, who was now looking up at her adoringly.

“The website didn’t say anything about lesbians,” Michael began. Panic was setting in on him as he watched the school bus unloading. The women didn’t seem to stop; it was like  some kind of clown bus and there were a million of them inside.

“I think it’s nice that Mel and Linds have joined us with their friends,” Emmett smiled. At least with the girls here it would take some of the pressure off of him. He wasn’t sure that the Faerie Retreat was a good thing, but he’d been desperate enough to try anything once. 

“Welcome to the Faerie Retreat,” a man oddly dressed in mismatched women’s clothing said before joining them. “I’m Honey Suckle.” He looked at the women who were getting themselves organized into groups. “Harry Hay, our founder, did support gays and lesbians and while we’ve never had women here before, I suppose this is as good a time as any to welcome you.” 

“Honey Suckle, is that Mr. Suckle?” Emmett asked while batting his eyelashes.

The man laughed, deep and full of fun. “No, Honey Suckle is my faerie name. When you’re here you’re supposed to leave your everyday life behind. By assuming a faerie name, that’s much easier to do.”

“Why I think I’ll be Clear Day,” Emmett laughed and looked pointedly at Michael.

“Dumpling. Call me Dumpling.” It was the only thing he could think of; a childhood nickname that his mother had given him. 

While Emmett and Michael were talking, women gathered up their equipment and supplies and were proceeding to a clear spot on the other side of the main campfire. It looked ideal as far as Ruby was concerned, and that’s where they were going to up camp. Michael watched them uneasily as he and Emmett talked to Honey Suckle, to get directions. 

“Why don’t you all follow me. I’ll give you a quick tour and let you get settled in.” Honey Suckle said. “The girls are setting up camp over there, and there’s only one spot left boys, so I’m afraid you’re going to have rough it with the girls. That is unless you want to take the lake side; it gets damp there in the mornings though, I have to warn you.” 

“We’ll take the lake spot.” Michael said.

“Great. Grab your stuff. I’m taking all the newbies on a quick tour,” and he began to lead the girls from the bus as well as Michael and Emmett around the campground. Emmett walked beside the handsome camp guide with Michael trailing behind all of them. This weekend wasn’t turning out the way he’d planned; not even close. 

In Pittsburgh, Brian was walking the floor with Gus. The baby continued to whimper even though he’d been fed and changed. Twenty-four hours before, Justin had been whimpering too, but that was because he had the boy’s cock in his mouth, while fingering his asshole and pulling gently on his balls. It was all relative Brian supposed and willed his hard on to subside. He didn’t think it was right to be hard while walking a crying baby.

Crying. Justin cried when he was sad or angry, happy, or just fucked. The blond had more water in him than anyone Brian had ever known, and it wasn’t a turn off. He’d always thought that seeing a guy cry would do that, but with Justin it just made him want to kiss away the tears and to make him smile; even if it was watery. Brian leaned his head down and kissed his son’s tear stained cheek and, low and behold, the boy looked at his father, his eyes filled with unshed tears and grinned a watery smile. It was then that Brian saw the line of white in Gus’ gum. “Hey Sonny Boy, you’re getting a tooth; no wonder you’re sad. I bet it hurts like a motherfucker.” 

He picked up his cell phone and dialed Debbie’s familiar number. “Hey Deb. I have Gus for a couple of days and I think he’s cutting a tooth. Is there anything I can give him?” 

“Hello, to you too Brian,” Debbie laughed. “I’m on my way out, so why don’t I pick up what you need at the drug store and drop it off.” She listened carefully, but when she heard nothing said, “He doesn’t seem to be crying.”

“He was, but I’m learning a little bit of love goes a long way with babies.” Brian smiled and made a face at Gus who cooed.

“I’ll be there within the hour,” Debbie promised before hanging up. This was something she had to see; Brian Kinney alone with his son. She wiped a quick tear that threatened to fall. One of her boys was growing up.

In L.A., Justin had put up the largest canvas he could buy on a bare wall of the living room. It was the only wall large enough. He hoped he could finish what he wanted to do by the time everyone got back from Pittsburgh. He was an artist; one who used computers to generate what he wanted to create. He sketched occasionally, and he’d even done some sculpture, but he’d never worked in acrylics. His life had turned out differently than he’d imagined all those months ago when he had first met Brian and dreamed of becoming the next Michelangelo. 

The past few days after waking up in the hospital to Brian’s love and advice, Justin had felt the beginning of a burning deep inside. One that demanded he record his feelings surrounding what had happened and for the man who continued to amaze him with his goodness. He hoped he could accomplish what he needed by creating a painting that would expose everything to the world; or at least his private world inside the condo.
It wasn’t much, but it was his, and that was something that Brian didn’t know; not because it was a secret per say, but because the subject had never come up. The girls, LV and himself had bought the condo, which had seemed like a good idea at the time. No one had to worry about who owned what or who needed to pay rent. It was one mortgage payment combined with the other expenses that were all shared equally. It worked for them so far. Justin’s income from building websites and designing special software for particular clients was considerable, so he was easily able to keep up his end. 

He lost himself in an artistic haze of color and feelings as he worked feverishly on the canvas. His brush became an extension of himself as he recreated the hard smooth skin that covered arms filled with strength and comfort. He curved his brush to show a jaw that hid a hint of a tongue in cheek smirk. Justin’s belly burned with lust as he remembered hot kisses, whiskery burns, and peppermint and whisky breath. He melted as he painted tender touches and a heart filled with love. 

In Pittsburgh, Brian sat on the chaise with Gus on his chest wrapped in Justin’s favorite hoodie that he had liberated before he’d left L.A on his chest. He rubbed his son’s back and whispered nonsense filled with love to a boy grateful for the medicine Deb had brought for his reddened gums. He wasn’t sure if Gus was quieter because of the decreased pain or whether it was the smell of Justin that calmed him as it did his father. 

“That’s right, Sonny Boy. Justin loves this hoodie; he likes all things soft and comfortable. He’s a lot like a cat.” 

Gus gooed and cooed at his father’s words. 

“I agree. He’s much better than a cat; after all he doesn’t shed, even if he does leave a lot of stuff lying around. You’re going to love him as much as I do. He’s loyal to a fault and he’ll never let anything hurt you. He tries his best to protect me even though he’s thousands of miles away. Did I tell you he has to grow up? Sadly he’s only eighteen; well almost nineteen. I suppose I should get him something for his birthday, even if it’s not really a family custom.”

Gus’ bottom lip shivered as he thought about what his father had said. 

“Don’t worry Sonny Boy, we’ll make our own family traditions. I imagine Justin will make sure of that; he refuses to let me stay in the funk I grew up in.” 

Gus smiled and nuzzled his father’s neck. His eyes closed and he sighed with content. His tummy was full and his mouth was numb; what more could a little boy want other than his father’s heartbeat to sing him to sleep? 

Debbie had been shamelessly listening to Brian’s mumbled words to the baby. Her excuse for staying was to tidy the kitchen and to cook him something for dinner. She brushed a tear that threatened to fall as she listened and learned that her surrogate son was most definitely in love with a certain blond who was living on the other side of the country. She knew, he would only fall in love once and like other animals that were raised in wildness and pain, he would mate for life. She hoped and prayed that Justin would never hurt him, and if he did, that he would also help to heal him.

At the Faerie Retreat, things were not going well. Even though the girls were fewer in numbers than the men, they overwhelmed a place that had formerly been women free, and that wasn’t good.

Michael and Emmett, dressed in their faerie garb, walked along a pathway through the scrub. The flying insects were driving one crazy, but the other didn’t appear to even notice.

“I can’t believe you don’t care if you have mosquitoes up your nose,” Michael griped. 

“I don’t,” Emmett returned looking at his friend. “You know Michael, if you’d just ignore them, they wouldn’t bother you.” 

“It’s your hat. That’s what is keeping them off of your face,” Michael said as they turned a corner. He stopped, unable to move another step forward. “Holy fucking shit,” he whispered. 

“Oh my sainted aunt,” Emmett said as he put his hands over his eyes, and opened his fingers so he could watch the volleyball game. It was a team of gay boys against a team of lesbians; both of them naked. Things were bouncing all over as they jumped and hit the ball, it was too much for Michael who felt faint and sick to his stomach.  

“Wow that one has more folds than a Sharpei puppy,”  Emmett commented.

“I don’t want to look.” 

“Goodness, Melanie is certainly compact,.” Emmett paused. “I wonder if she works out regularly? I must ask her.”

“Please tell me Lindsay isn’t playing,” Michael moaned. 

“No, she isn’t but the delectable Ruby or is that Reggie, is playing, and that’s quite the interesting tattoo the lady has.” Emmett started to move closer; he’d never really had a chance to view naked women before. This was rather fun. “You know they’re rather interesting. I can’t totally see what makes them sexy to some men or other women, but they are interesting with all their bits hidden away.” 

“Emmett,shut the fuck up,” Michael growled. “I’m calling Ben.”

“You didn’t bring your phone. Remember, no cell phones.  It was in the list of rules.”

“You didn’t think they were serious?” Michael glared at Emmett, as he dragged him away from the volleyball game.  

Reggie had been watching both Michael and Emmett from her place on the sidelines, and pulled her cell phone out of her pocket to snap a couple of pictures of them. Michael looked especially silly in the skirt he wore, and thought Justin would get a chuckle out of it. He might even include him as one of the characters in the comic book he was developing. 

Justin was taking a break from his masterpiece. He was enjoying the peace and quiet of having the condo to himself, but knew that the girls would have hated the mess he’d made of their living room, and that LV would never have shut up about the smell of the paint interfering with his food creations. 

Ever since LV had begun taking night classes to work towards getting his chef’s papers, they had been treated with weird and wonderful treats. Justin was thinking of what was in the freezer when his phone rang. He opened it up and saw the pictures Reggie had taken, and scrolled through them laughing out loud as he did.

“Hey Jus, what do you think?” Reggie asked. “We’re at the Faerie Retreat. It’s kind of strange, but fun; surreal even, especially the volleyball game.” Reggie began to fill Justin in on all the excitement of the day.  

Almost fifteen minutes later, he was still giggling to himself as Reggie’s suggested story line for his comic ran through his head accompanied by pictures taken from his cell phone. He flexed his left hand and then his right one. With the painting technique he was using, even the shaky and weak right hand could be used when his left hand became tired. 
He wondered what Brian was doing on his first long term time alone with Gus. Something that Brian had to understand was than anyone, man or woman, needed time to get used to having a baby in the house and caring for it 24/7. He was sure that Brian had been unsure of his ability to handle it; something that he’d never tell Mel or Linds. 

He checked the time, because he didn’t want to call too late. They had agreed earlier that Brian would have his phone on vibrate rather than ring so as not to disturb Gus. He’d no sooner opened it to dial Brian when it rang. “Hey,” he laughed. “I was just thinking about calling you.” 

“Great minds think alike,” Brian laughed. “Gus is down for the night, or at least I think he is.” 

“Did you take a picture of him sleeping?” 

“Yes, and I sent them to you already,” Brian laughed. “I thought you must be sick. You’re always on the net, but not today.’

“I’ve been doing something else,” Justin laughed. “Having employees does have its advantages. Have you ever thought of going into business for yourself?”

“I’ve thought about it, but damn, I don’t know,” Brian hesitated. “It’s a big step and… well frankly, I have a lot of people counting on my income. I don’t know if I could handle my personal obligations while starting up company.” 

“Do you owe any money?” Justin asked.

“No, I’ve even paid off the mortgage on the loft.” 

“So your first obligation, as far as I see it, is to yourself. No matter what, you know Gus is going to be okay. He’s young, he really doesn’t need much, and his mothers have good jobs. You don’t have to worry about anyone else. Maybe it’s time they all grew up and smelled the coffee.” 

“Think you’re pretty smart do you?” Brian chuckled. 

“I just don’t want you to ever believe you’re stuck in a job that you resent when you can truly shine doing for yourself those things that you truly love.” 

“I’ll remember that Sunshine, but it’s not something I need to think about right now,” he paused. “I’ve enjoyed having Gus today. He’s teething and Deb got us both fixed up. You were right about calling her.” 

“Thank you,” Justin said as he leaned back on the sofa. He watched the painting on the wall and tried hard to see it through Brian’s eyes as he talked to the man on the phone. “I’ve had a productive day myself. I even have a few ideas for my comic book thanks to Reggie.”

“Ahhhh, the amazing R’s. What are they up to this weekend?”

“They went to the Faerie Retreat with Mel and Lindsay and a bunch of other lesbians,” Justin laughed. “They sent me some pictures. Did you know that Michael and Emmett were there this weekend too?” 

“You’re kidding.” Brian huffed a laugh. “To a Faerie Retreat? I can’t believe Vic talked them into going. I know he used to go all the time. I wonder what Michael’s faerie name is.”

“Dumpling,” Justin giggled. “Reggie told me.”

“Justin, you aren’t going to put Mikey in your comic book are you?” 

“He’d make a good comic book character.” 

“Behave yourself,” Brian chided as he stretched to his full length on his bed. “So Sunshine, what are you wearing?” 

“A smile… only a smile,” Justin laughed settling back for some great phone sex. After all, he did need to do more research for his first large canvas.

Grinning to himself Brian began to speak, with his mind filled with a vision of alabaster skin that had been gently kissed by the sun. He’d told Justin on their first night together that he’d always remember him whenever he was with another man. What he hadn’t counted on was the boomerang effect; each and every time he had been, it was only Justin he saw, Justin he touched, and Justin he held. Brian wondered what it all meant. 

At the Faerie Retreat everyone was tucked into their sleeping bags and camp cot beds. The night air filled with the singing of bull frogs from a nearby pond, oh and the orgasmic screams of women who all seemed to achieve multiple orgasms; much to the dismay to the gay boys. Fingers were pushed in their ears and the men writhed in their own sleeping bags, dicks soft, completely traumatized, and wondering where things had all gone wrong.

Brian returned to work at Vanguard refreshed both physically and mentally. His weekend with Gus had healed a part of his mind and heart that he’d never realized needed it. The boy had wakened on Saturday morning sporting his first tooth, well almost. It had broken through the gum and he took great pleasure in grinning as if he was showing off what he’d accomplished through the night. Brian had a couple of amazing pictures that he’d quickly emailed off to Justin. Not to mention the one he had in his briefcase that would join the others he kept at the office. When he walked off the elevator, he knew immediately that something was wrong as everyone he met seemed to be under some kind of cloud. “What’s up?” Brian asked Cynthia as he reached over her desk to pick up his phone messages. 

“Vance is on the warpath. Someone put up posters all over town that makes his favorite boy, Stockwell, look like an idiot.” 

“That wouldn’t be very hard,” Brian snorted. “Evidently he has a dick that’s small and soft and he’s going to be damned if he’ll let anyone who does have one that works, use it,” Brian pointed to the front page of the newspaper on the corner of Cynthia’s desk that showed the headlines and pictures of the various closures in and around Liberty Avenue. 

The weekday ended badly, and the rest of the week was not much better. Brian was being forced to come to a conclusion regarding his work ethics that he didn’t want to make. But a certain blond twink, had spoken out loud and clear about what was right and wrong. It shouldn’t have needed him to do it and Brian felt almost ashamed that it had. 

Reggie and Ruby, along with LV and Daphne had stirred up a lot of interest in Stockwell by making his policies well known. His agenda was for Jim Stockwell first and everyone else second; gays and lesbians weren’t even on the radar. He planned on eliminating them from Pittsburgh as best he could, and Brian in all good conscious, couldn’t continue to promote the man. Vance didn’t understand and issued an ultimatum. “Either do your job or you’re fired.” 

Brian, who had been sitting across from Vance stood up. “You can suck my hairy balls,” he said before walking to the door. “After you’re done kissing my ass.” 

Later that night when he was talking to Justin, he had to laugh. “I think I was having some kind of drug flash back.” 

“Or you grew up,” Justin laughed with him. “Whatever it is, it’s about time. The Brian Kinney I know has too much integrity to continue working for Vance Gardner.” 

“You have a lot of faith in me,” Brian sighed. “I don’t know Justin. I spent the afternoon looking for a place to use for my own company. I’ve found a couple of likely spots. I’ll email them to you for your feedback.”

“I’ve thought of a name for your company. Kinnetik, K.I.N.N.E.T.I.K, with two n’s.” 

“Not bad. It’s catchy, and I like it.” 

“Really?” Justin asked. “I can do your website if you want. I have a couple of ideas.” 

“I’m not sure I can afford your prices,” Brian joked.

“We can do a trade,” Justin laughed. “I may need some free advertising advice in a year or so.” 

“Fine, it’s a deal. We’ll trade services,.” Brian paused. “I know how we can seal the deal.”

“I bet you do, but neither you nor I can afford the time to travel,.” Justin sighed. “It won’t be long and I’ll be finished at the university. Doing four years in three moves things along to almost light speed, because you’re so fucking tired all the time you don’t know what day it is, let alone the month and year.” 

“Not to change the subject, but that comic book you and Reggie are doing is amazing. I really do think it’ll sell. Where did you come up with the idea for this issue? I mean Rage as a gay superhero with his mentally challenged sidekick that looks suspiciously like someone I know.” 

“I thought it would appeal to the teens.” Justin shrugged even though over the phone Brian couldn’t see him. “I have a publisher for it.”

“I heard,” Brian smiled. It was the least he could do for the boy who was becoming a man. He’d asked a friend to review the comic and base his decision on its merits. But at least he’d managed to get Justin’s work seen. “Daphne keeps me posted on what you’re up to.” 

“Daphne has a big mouth.” 

“She told me that you model Rage after me.”

“Get over yourself; it could be anyone.”

“His cock looks familiar.”

“You’ve seen too many; it could be anyone’s,” Justin snickered. “But if I was going to model Rage after you he’d have to have green eyes and a strong chin. He’d have to have a slim but muscular build and a decent package. And oh yes, he’d have to have a heart as big as the sun,” Justin paused. “Hey, that could be you after all. It must have been some kind of subliminal thing that turned Rage into you.” 

“Very funny blond boy,” Brian laughed but he was pleased with his ‘comic book’ self. 

A week later Brian sent Justin the schematics for the bathhouse he’d decided to change into Kinnetik’s headquarters. Justin had an artist’s ability to see and transform things into something wonderful. Considering the difference in their ages, they were remarkably in tune with one another as far as business was concerned. 

He had no sooner hit send on his computer when his cell phone rang. He normally checked his call display, but this time he didn’t and was dismayed when he realized who was on the phone. “Mikey, it’s been awhile,” he drawled.

“What in the hell is going on?” Michael demanded. “I called you at Vanguard and they said you didn’t work there anymore. That you quit.”

“I guess that’s why I’m not going in there every day.” Brian rubbed his hand through his hair. He’d been hoping that this conversation wasn’t going to happen. Justin had told him that it was inevitable. He should have listened. 

“I can’t believe how selfish you are. You have a son to look after. Melanie told me you refused to give her custody.”

“Actually Mikey, not that it’s any of your business, but Melanie, Lindsay and I have joint custody of Gus. And until you are privy to my private financial affairs, and that will be never, don’t worry about how I spend my money; it doesn’t concern you.”

“It’s that guy isn’t it?” Michael hissed.

“What guy?” Brian asked, not sure what in hell his friend was talking about. 

“That guy you keep seeing.  I know there’s one and that you’re hiding him.”

“That’s right Mikey, I keep him under the bed,” Brian drawled. “You might consider getting a life. I thought that now you had the professor you’d stay out of mine.” 

“Brian, you don’t do boyfriends. It’s your rule, but those twins talked about some guy you see all the time.”

“Somehow I can’t see the R’s having this conversation with you.”

“Well, it was at the Faerie Retreat and they were talking in their tent.”

“And little Mikey was eavesdropping,” Brian sighed. “I don’t have time for this Mikey. I have other things to do today.”  Brian didn’t wait for his friend to reply. Instead, he disconnected and turned off the ringer on his phone. He had a lot of work to do to have his new company open by the end of the month.

“Cynthia,” Brian called out. 

“Brian I’m only across the room for Christ’s sake,” Cynthia barked back. “Your loft doesn’t have walls remember.”

“Sorry,” he mumbled uncharacteristically, “but I have a meeting with Brown in a few minutes. I’ll try and keep it short, but we are expecting that conference call from Jefferson‘s Furniture.”

“I’ll keep them occupied until you get back, but don’t be too long. You’re the one with the silver tongue.” Cynthia had risked everything by throwing in with Brian. She made sure that she’d emailed a complete contact list of all Brian’s clients to him as well as contract renewal dates for all clients of Vanguard before handing in her resignation. Now she was not only Brian’s assistant, but one of the sales and presentation people for the man’s new company. “And Brian, we need an accountant/bookkeeper as soon as possible. Should I advertise?” 

“No, I’ll look after it. I have someone in mind.” He was going to give Ted call.  The man was out of rehab and needed something positive in his life. Brian figured that he could keep a close eye on Ted until he proved himself. He saw something of himself in Ted, and wondered if he hadn’t found Justin when he did, if he would have fallen into some of the same traps the older man had . It wasn’t a pleasant thought. He knew now that no matter what dark hole he fell into, Justin would always pull him out.  He was a true friend, putting Brian first in everything he did, supporting him emotionally and financially. It had been him who had pulled together the down payment on the bathhouse, insisting that Brian’s money could be better used elsewhere until the company was paying for its self. 

Brian still had a problem wrapping his head around the fact that Justin, who had just turned nineteen, was as financially sound as he was. His marketing courses were definitely paying off. He knew that he now had eleven employees working for him and that with his minimal overhead, each employee worked from home, his expenses were few and profits high. And he’d been surprised to hear that Ted Schmidt was his accountant. He had been the first to offer him a job when he’d come out of rehab, and he recommended the man to Brian, singing his praises and insisting he was the right man for the job. 

There was more to the blond boy than people realized.

Almost six weeks later, Justin found himself looking deep into a pair of hazel eyes. He’d flown to Pittsburgh for the launch of Kinnetik’s new home. “Yes, I might have had something to do with those clients,” he said with a smile. 

“I thought you might have,” Brian tilted Justin’s chin up with the tip of his finger. He’d signed four different L.A. firms adding considerable prestige to his client list as well as much needed dollars into the Kinnetik coffers. 

“I figured if you had to fly to L.A. and service your clients, you could maybe service your business partner as well,” Justin wiggled his hips and pushed hard against the man he loved.

“I could arrange that,” Brian laughed, throwing his arm around lover’s shoulder, picking up the blond’s bag in the other hand and leading him to the car. Both of them oblivious to any stares they received in the airport. It had been too long since they’d had physical contact. 

“I can only stay for a couple of days. I have exams next week,” Justin sighed. “I’m making good money, tell me why I need a degree again?” 

“So that I’ll let you work at Kinnetik some day,” Brian kissed him on the side of the head. “I like my art director to have a degree.”

“Who says I want to work for Kinnetik,” Justin laughed. “You have it all under control.” 

“Of course you want to work there. You’re a partner for fuck sake; you can’t leave things to me, I might abscond with your share of the profits.” 

“Oh, in that case, I suppose a degree might come in handy,” he snickered. “Did you get your birthday present?” 

“Yes, and why would I want a slightly tacky calendar?” 

“Cause the guys in it are hot.” 

“I’m not the hot guy calendar kind of guy,” Brian said. “I have no idea where I’d put it.” He was still mystified about his birthday gift.

“Did you check out July?” 

“No.”

“Well if I were you, I’d check out July.” Justin leaned into Brian for a quick kiss before getting into the Jeep. He had posed for July and while his face didn’t show, he was wondering if Brian would recognize him dressed as he was in tight unzipped blue jeans showing a blond bush of pubes unfettered by underwear. His chest muscles were more defined now thanks to the insistence of the R’s that he join them in the gym. They showed off deliciously as they peeked out from his tattered blue jean vest.  But most of all he wanted Brian to see the henna tattoo that he’d designed and had drawn on his bicep. A stylized BAK with Celtic swirls. If he had the guts to do it, he’d get a real one. The tattoo showed especially well as he held a white cowboy hat over his face as if he was a bashful cowboy. 

He’d kept all the photo proofs, some of them were more x rated than others, because he was sure that Brian might like them.

“July?” Brian asked climbing in behind the wheel. “If I can find the calendar, I’ll check it out.” He smirked at the look of disappointment on Justin’s face. “I saw July Brat. In fact I have it framed beside my bed. It’s amazing how a single month can perk something up after a long day at the office.” He pulled Justin’s face closer until their foreheads touched. “If that’s a real tattoo, your ass is going to be very, very sorry. I don’t want you hurt and tattoos fucking hurt.” 

“I know, that’s why I’m still thinking about it.” Justin grinned and kissed the end of Brian’s nose. “How fast can we get home?” his hand caressed the hardness under Brian’s jeans.” Because this cowboy wants a ride.”