Silent Night-3 By Elsa Rose Plot Bunny by Amanda Brian sat on the side of the pool enjoying the winter sun. He pretended he wasn’t looking and his sunglasses hid it well, but he kept Justin in sight at all times. Justin sat in the shade of a bright rainbow hued awning. He and Melinda were playing some kind of game while they sat at a picnic table. He could hear their laughter and teasing banter and it made him feel good. It seemed strange that tomorrow would be Christmas Eve. Somehow in the heat and sunlight, surrounded by sand and cactus, it just didn’t seem very Christmassy. “Hey” Josh jumped into the pool and turned to face Brian. He looked up at his friend. “He’s very talented.” Josh nodded his head in Justin’s direction. “I had him sketching today just to see where his talents lay. He’s going to be an amazing artist someday.” “I think so too.” Brian said, still watching Justin, but seeming to look in Josh’s direction. “I’ve seen his work, not much, but some of it. Now he hardly ever has that sketchpad we bought out of his hands.” “Obsession with art is one of the signs of a true artist.” Josh observed. “You know you aren’t being very sneaky. I can tell you’ve had your eyes on him all morning.” “Bull shit.” Brian snorted and jumped down so that he was in the water with Josh. “He’s just a kid. A talented kid, but a kid that I’m giving a chance to change his life.” “There are lots of kids on the streets of the Pitts if I recall, what’s so special about this one?” Josh asked. “I don’t know, I really don’t know.” Brian shook his head. “To tell you the truth Josh, it’s driving me nuts not knowing. “ “Have you talked to Michael, he always used to be your confidant.” “Michael would hate him on sight. I can guarantee that.” Brian huffed a laugh and looked at his friend. “He’d know that Justin means more to me than he should.” Brian shrugged and tossed his sunglasses carelessly on the edge of the pool before diving under the water and swimming to the other side. That alone told Josh that Brian was in turmoil over the boy. The sunglasses were some kind of designer ones and he knew that they cost at least three hundred dollars. Raj had shown him some like it on the internet. “Justin, did you put sun screen on?” Raj asked. He was carrying the baby outside along with his bottle. “I’ve put it on twice.” Justin laughed, “SP ten thousand or something. Brian bought it.” Raj laughed. “He wants to make sure you’re safe. He cares for you a lot.” “Not the way I’d like him to care for me.” Justin grinned at Raj. “Give him time. If it was meant to be, it will be.” “Yes Confucius.” Justin quipped. “Can I feed the baby?” “That’s why I brought him out here.” Raj handed the small bundle to Justin and placed the bottle on the table. “Have you ever fed a baby before?” “I don’t think so.” Justin admitted. “Well it’s a good time to learn.” Raj replied. “When we got Melinda, neither of us had any experience. We both were sure we were going to do her in before she reached a year old.” “You’re silly daddy.” Melinda commented. She’d been listening while she arranged the pieces of the game she’d been playing. Brian had stopped swimming laps and without his sunglasses on it was obvious that he was watching as Raj instructed Justin how to feed the baby. Josh watched the expression on Brian’s face and knew that he would have to commit that look to one of his sculptures. It said everything and more about feeling love for another. “You’re pretty good with him.” Brian said from the pool. Justin looked down at Brian and grinned and then looked back at the baby. “He’s amazing Brian. He’s so tiny and he has such perfect little fingers. I wonder if he knows how many people love him already.” “He knows, look at how relaxed he is.” Raj replied coming back out of the house with a glass of juice for Melinda. Justin wiped the baby’s lips with a flannel cloth and then put him up to his shoulder and began to rub his back. Soon he was rewarded by a loud burp. “I’m going to like living here.” Justin said. “It feels so comfortable. Nobody ever yells in anger.” “I do Sunshine.” Melinda said matter of fact. “I get mad lots and lots and scream and everything.” “His name is Justin.” Raj said. “And she does have her moments.” “Is not daddy, his name is Sunshine, Uncle Brian said so.” Melinda’s bottom lip went out. “Sometimes I’m Justin and sometime I’m Sunshine.” Justin said. He smiled at the little girl. “Brian can’t make up his mind.” “That’s ‘cause he’s really, really old.” Melinda replied. “I guess some little girl doesn’t want to go shopping with me and Sunshine.” Brian commented. “I’m too old to go shopping.” “You’re not too old.” Melinda said. She walked over to the edge of the pool and to Brian’s surprise jumped into his arms. “I’m all wet.” She giggled. “Yes you are munchkin.” Brian kissed her on the nose and handed her to her father. “I’m planning on taking Justin by the school later so that he can see where it is and then for lunch. Can Melinda come with us?” “We’d love the break,” Raj and Josh said simultaneously. They grinned at each other and Josh leaned over to give Raj a quick kiss. “I’m going to put some dry clothes on Miss Melly and then we’ll have some lunch. She has an hour nap and then she’ll be ready to go.” “Justin and I will be ready by two thirty.” Brian promised. “We will?” Justin asked. “Apparently you forgot to include me in your plans Brian.” “Well you disappeared so quickly this morning, I didn’t have a chance. Brian smiled at him. “The car I rented will be delivered any minute. I’d better get out of the pool and dry off myself.” “Can I drive it?” Justin asked. “Do you have a driver’s license?” Brian returned, his one eyebrow raised. “I do, but everything got stolen the first night I was on my own. After that I didn’t need a license anyway.” “We’ll the start the wheels moving to getting you fitted out with ID.” “Can I have my name changed legally?” Justin had given the baby back and was now walking toward the guest house beside Brian. “I don’t see why not.” Brian smiled. “I’m not marrying you though.” Justin giggled. “I’m not a dyke Brian. Fags don’t get married.” His answer wasn’t actually what Brian had wanted to hear. Not that he’d admit it. And he certainly had never thought of getting married to anyone, let alone a kid he’d barely met. But hearing Justin dismiss the idea without any thought hurt, and Brian didn’t know why. “Josh and Raj seem happy enough.” Brian said. “I happen to know they were married a few years ago in Canada.” “But that’s not legal here.” Justin argued. He opened the door to the guest house for Brian. “If it’s not legal, what’s the point?” “The point is Sunshine, for two people to make a statement that says to themselves and their family and friends, that they love each other. It’s like putting a seal of approval on their relationship giving it definition. Oh I admit it isn’t for everyone and it isn’t something that I’d ever thought of doing myself. But if I did commit to another person, I’d be committing for life. I’d want to show that to everyone and whether it was a commitment ceremony or a wedding, I’d do it. “It sounds like you’ve given this some thought.” Justin said with a laugh. He threw himself on the bed so that he could continue to watch Brian. The man was unashamed of his body and stripped out of his bathing suit without noticing Justin’s interested gaze. He walked into the bathroom to have a shower. Justin debated for a moment and then quickly pulled off his clothing. Standing in the door of the bathroom for a few seconds to watch Brian through the already misting glass, the man was amazing. Justin opened the door and stepped inside. “What are you doing?” Brian asked, only mildly surprised. He’d seen the looks Justin had been giving him for the last few days. “It’s in the interest of water conservation. I mean we are in a desert.” Justin said. He took the soap from Brian’s hand and stepped behind him gently washing Brian’s back. Brian relaxed into the soft swirl of the caress, for that’s what it was. Justin’s hand traveled lower, the soap bubbles tracing their way down Brian’s back. He let his fingers move over Brian’s ass, down the crack lightly brushing over the tight pucker until he reached the underside of Brian’s heavy balls. Brian turned and his thick erect cock was soon pressed against Justin’s as they lost themselves in a deep kiss. Justin could feel the warm water raining down on his head. The shower head conserving the water and he was reminded of warm summer rains. He raised his face to Brian’s and stared into hazel eyes that were darkening with passion. “Justin, no, it isn’t right. I’m taking advantage of you.” “No, I’m taking advantage of you.” Justin murmured and his tongue reached out and began to trace its way down Brian’s neck. He sucked deeply on the nipple he encountered. Brian hissed at the assault, his hands cupped Justin’s head as it moved further down until he could feel Justin’s warm breath on the head of his cock. And then, not sure if it was the shower water or Justin’s tongue at first, Brian felt the mushroom head of his cock being tentatively licked. Justin, fell to his knees and like a well practiced dance, managed to engulf Brian’s tumescent cock at the same time. He swallowed, opening up his throat. He could feel the blood throb through the thick member and he swallowed again and again, constricting his throat making Brian moan and clutch Justin’s head close to his body. Continuing in his seduction of Brian, Justin expertly and slowly continued to make love to the cock of the man he loved. His tongue warm and wet mixed with the shower water lapped at Brian’s full balls. He kept the heavy, wet and slippery orbs in his hand as he slipped behind Brian and parting the well muscled cheeks, tongued Brian’s hole gratified with the sharp intake of the older man’s breath. Rather than move away Brian actually bent slightly and spread his legs to allow Justin better access. Brian braced his hands against the shower wall, his breath coming in sharp bursts as if he’d run for miles. His knees shook slightly each time Justin’s tongue entered him, fucking him, taking him. It had been years since Brian had been rimmed and he was pleasantly surprised that Justin seemed to know what he was doing. At the same time he felt a sharp pain in his gut that even he had to admit was a pin prick of jealousy at who ever had taught the boy this skill. Between Justin’s skillful tongue and his fingers that never stopped moving over his cock, his balls, his ass, the inside of his thighs, Brian didn’t stand a chance. All of his skill as a fucksman was brought to the forefront as the older man tried not to cum like some inexperienced boy. But when Justin’s tongue rammed deeper than he thought possible, accompanied by a hot spurt of the boy’s own cum on the back of Brian’s leg was felt, Brian’s good intentions were lost and his balls tightened as wave after wave of orgasm washed over him. He turned and grasped Justin, pulling him to his feet. His lips descended crushing Justin’s swollen pink ones. Justin pulled back first. “That was hot.” He gasped. “It was.” Brian agreed. “I didn’t know you were such an experienced little queer.” “Well actually, I’m not. But Raj gave me this really neat book ‘The Joy of Gay Sex’ It has lots and lots of great things in it. Did you know that what I was doing was called rimming? It’s supposed to be very erotic. It sure made me cum.” Justin looked satisfied. Brian held back a grin and tried to look suitable impressed with Justin’s new found knowledge as he turned off the shower and led the way into the bathroom. “I had heard about it Sunshine.” “Want to do some more stuff that was in the book?” Justin’s voice was hopeful. “You’re a little slut.” Brian laughed and swatted Justin’s ass playfully. “Dry off, we need to talk, again.” “You liked it though didn’t you?” Justin asked. “I mean I did everything the book said.” “How do you know, it’s not like you had the book in the shower.” “Brian, I have a photographic memory. I had a four point zero grade average.” “Fuck and you ended up on the streets?” “Something happened; it was kind of hard to remember what. I had this big lump on the back of my head and there was blood and everything. “ he parted his hair and turned to show Brian. “See, I think there’s a scar. I feel something.” Brian looked and tried not to let the shock of what he saw reflect on his face. There was a jagged scar, badly knit together edges pulled and twisted. The hair that grew around the scar was white, something Justin probably didn’t know or notice. “Fuck Justin, didn’t you get this looked after?” “I had all my stuff stolen the first night. So I didn’t have any ID or any money. So no I didn’t get it looked after. It stopped hurting after awhile.” Justin shrugged and wrapped himself in a towel. “It’s okay Brian; it was a long time ago.” “Who did it?” “I’m not exactly sure. I think I hit my head on the brick walkway surround in the front of my house. It wasn’t my father’s fault Brian, he didn’t know.” The last was said without conviction. Brian could feel his blood heat up. He had a zero tolerance for abuse. He’d seen too much of it when he was growing up. “I talked to Josh’s lawyer today. He’s going to look after your name change.” Brian said changing the subject. Both of them dried off and dressed quickly. Justin figured he’d gotten away with his little seduction scene until Brian grabbed him by his wrist as he walked past and pulled him down beside him on the sofa. “Slow down and sit for a minute. I want to talk to you about what you did.” Brian began. “You liked it.” Justin defended. “I did everything right.” “Yes I liked it and yes you did everything right. But we’d already decided that we weren’t going to have a sexual relationship now.” “But maybe later right?” Justin said. “Justin,” Brian’s voice warned. “You are twelve years younger.. “Eleven years seven months” Justin interrupted. “Whatever” Brian sighed. “The point is, you are considerably younger than I am. You’ve been ill, you’re vulnerable. I don’t want to take advantage of the fact. It isn’t right.” “I’m not vulnerable, well not much and I was taking advantage of having you wet and naked.” Justin snuggled close to Brian who automatically put his arm around the young man’s shoulder. “I really like you Brian.” “I like you too Justin, but for gawd sake will you try to keep your seduction scenes to your dreams please. If I don’t think I can trust you to keep your hands and your mouth off of my dick, you’re going to be sleeping on the sofa until I leave.” “I wish you weren’t going back to Pittsburgh.” Justin began. “Don’t start.” Brian warned. “I’m hungry; do you think there’s anything left of the groceries we bought in the fridge?” “I can make you a sandwich.” Justin offered. “Why don’t I make you one instead? You aren’t my little slave. That’s not why I rescued you.” “Hmmm, slave boy and master could be fun.” Justin teased. “You’d better be good little boy or Santa won’t come.” Brian laughed as he got up from the sofa and headed to the little kitchen that was tucked away in the corner of the guest house. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brian was watching Justin and Melinda who were playing in the center court playground at the mall. He sat on the bench with the rest of the mothers and one or two fathers. His phone rang and he almost didn’t answer it. Brian had meant to keep it turned off, but had forgotten after his last call to the lawyer. “Brian,” Michael began before Brian even said hello. “Hey Mikey.” Brian drawled. He stretched his long legs out in front of him, preparing for a barrage of bitching. “What’s up?” “Ma’s pretty pissed; you’re supposed to be here.” “Here where?” Brian asked puzzled. “At the GLC for the Christmas party. Everyone is here.” “I’m not.” “Well get over here.” “No can do Mikey, I’m out of town.” “Where?” “Somewhere it’s not snowing and where I won’t freeze my balls off.” “Asshole, you went south for Christmas and didn’t tell me. What about Gus, it’s his first Christmas.” “How much do you remember about your first Christmas Mikey?” “Brian I was four months old, what could I possibly remember.” “My point exactly Mikey, Gus won’t know if I’m there or not.” “Did you hear about the fire?” Michael changed the subject. “Ma’s upset because she’s afraid that some of the homeless boys she looks after were in the abandoned warehouse.” “I’m sure they all got out.” Brian sighed. “Mikey, I can’t talk now, I’m in a mall doing some Christmas shopping.” “Sure you are Brian.” Michael laughed. “Who is he and what’s he doing to you?” “Mikey it isn’t always about sex.” Brian responded, though when Justin bent over to help Melinda, the round globes of his ass were outlined in the thin white cargo pants he was wearing. “It is with you.” His friend replied. “I’ll tell Ma you escaped to warm weather, but you’ll have to deal with her when you get back.” “Don’t worry about it Mikey.” Brian disconnected and then turned his phone off, mentally kicking himself for having it on. Mikey would have spread it all over Liberty Avenue before the night was over. Luckily he didn’t know exactly where Brian was or who he was with. “Uncle Brian, I’m hungry.” It was Melinda. She stood with Justin who grinned at him though Brian figured it was verging on a smirk. And he wanted to kiss the smirk off the teen’s face. “It’s almost time for dinner. I don’t think your daddies will want you to eat anything right now.” Brian gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. “But I’m hungry and so is Sunshine.” She put her hands on her hips and glared at Brian. Justin stuck his tongue out at Brian and then licked his lips suggestively. “An ice cream wouldn’t be too much.” “I want sprinkles.” Melinda said as she looked around for an ice cream vendor. “Justin you’re bad.” Brian shook his head but stood up. “I suppose a small ice cream wouldn’t hurt either of you.” “You too Uncle Brian, you too.” Melinda took his hand and began to steer him toward the ice cream stand. Later as the three of them were walking to Brian’s car, Justin leaned over and licked Brian’s lips. “Ice cream kisses Brian, it doesn’t count.” He whispered. The burn of Justin’s lips on his startled Brian and he started to say something and then changed his mind. It would have to wait. They needed to get a very sticky little girl home. Josh and Raj had been using the free time to decorate their home for Christmas. Melinda was going to be surprised when she got there. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Christmas morning dawned bright and sunny. Brian woke up knowing that Justin had once again wrapped himself around him even though he’d made sure the boy had been asleep on his own side of the bed when he had gone to bed himself. Brian lay there, enjoying the soft breathing, the gentle rise and fall of Justin’s chest, the warm smell of a clean sleepy young man. He thought about what Justin was beginning to mean to him. And he wondered if he’d be able to handle everything that the next few years would bring. Never before in his life had Brian ever been so attracted to someone. And never before in his life had he been so terrified. Justin represented things for him that he never thought possible. He was also damn near twelve years younger and had twelve years of living. He couldn’t possibly be prepared to settle down at such a young age. If they became a couple one or the other would end up resenting the other one. And Brian knew that he couldn’t deal with it. He couldn’t deal with the rejection that would be sure to come as Justin met life head on. He needed to give the boy the chance to live. He needed to give him back his life, a life that someone, possibly his own father had taken from him. It would maybe make up for his own life that was fucked up for so many years. “Brian, what are you thinking about?” Justin’s voice was sleepy, he snuggled closer. Justin loved being near Brian. “Merry Christmas Sunshine.” Brian couldn’t tell Justin what he was thinking about but he knew how to change the subject. He reached over and pulled a small box from the night stand. It was wrapped in gold foil paper with a bright red bow. He placed the small box in Justin’s hand. “You bought me a present?” Justin asked his voice filled with wonder. “You’ve done so much for me already Brian.” Justin sat up and blinked back the tears that threatened to fall as he stared at the small box in his hand. “You can open it you know?” Brian said finally. “It’s beautiful. I love how the light reflects off of the paper and the taffeta ribbon is wonderful.” Justin shook the small box close to his ear. “Justin, open the damn box.” Brian shook his head in exasperation. He got out of bed and headed for the bathroom. When he came back, Justin still hadn’t opened the box. “What are you waiting for?” “I’m scared.” Justin whispered. “It isn’t going to explode and it’s not big enough for a snake to jump out.” Brian pulled on a pair of shorts. He kept looking at Justin. “If I open it, it’ll mean that this is all real. It’ll mean that I’m not dreaming.” Justin’s words were spoken so low that Brian wasn’t sure if he’d heard the boy properly. “Justin, it’s only a Christmas present. It isn’t the answer to world peace or a cure for AID’s.” Justin looked at Brian for reassurance and then slowly and painstakingly began to remove the wrapping. “What is it?” he whispered. “Open it and find out.” Brian was beginning to regret the gift and if he could, he would have snatched it out of Justin’s hand. His Sunshine was making entirely too much of this. He sat down on the bed behind Justin, his legs on either side of the boy. Justin leaned back, letting Brian support him as he took the top off of the box. Inside lay a bracelet, a thick solid band of beaten gold. Justin took it out of the box. “Here let me.” Brian said. He found the hidden clasp and opened up the band. Justin put his hand over Brian’s, he’d seen some engraving. He turned it so that he could read the words. Their hands still together, Brian read. “Justin Taylor Kinney, the Sunshine of my life, Brian.” He took Justin’s left arm and slipped the bracelet on, sealing it shut. Then he turned Justin’s arm and kissing the inside of his wrist. “Sealed with a kiss Brian?” Justin said his smile blinding. “It’s the most amazing Christmas present I’ve ever received.” He grinned up at Brian, “Of course I don’t actually remember any other Christmas, at least not the present’s part.” “Just wear it and remember what’s inside while you complete your studies.” “As if I’d ever forget.” Justin held out his arm and admired the thick gold band. “I have something for you too.” He jumped up and ran to the sofa where he pulled out a flat package that he’d stored there. “I don’t have any money, but I did this for you. I hope you like it.” Brian opened the brown paper decorated with Christmas scenes. He carefully smoothed it out; it was a work of art in itself. Inside was an intricate sketch of him lying by the side of the pool. His one leg was up and bent at the knee, his eyes were shut, even though it was) done in swift sure strokes of a charcoal pencil. You could see the sunlight beating down on him and feel the coolness of the water where his hand trailed. Brian remembered the day; it was the second day they’d been with Raj and Josh. “It’s wonderful Justin. You’ve captured the day perfectly.” Brian admired the picture. He carefully placed the picture back in its protective packaging. He’d get it framed as soon as the framers opened. Justin twirled around the room, his arm extended. “This is the best Christmas.” He looked at Brian. “Do you think they’ll have turkey today?” “I don’t know. I suppose.” “It’s just that there’s no snow and I don’t know if places with no snow know about turkeys.” “And you got what, four point zero on your grades?” Brian joked. “Of course they know about turkeys.” “That’s a relief.” Justin said and before Brian knew it, Justin was sitting on his lap. “I love my bracelet.” “No shit. I’d hate to see what you’d do if it had been a ring.” “Probably have died on the spot.” “You wouldn’t need to. I’d be struck by lightning.” Brian teased. “Now let’s get dressed, separate showers Sunshine. We have an hour before we have to be over at the main house to watch Melinda open her gifts from Santa.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From:JTKinney@kinnetic.com To: BKinney@kinnetic.com Subject: Halls of Hell Brian I still can’t believe you enrolled me in this school. These kids are like the absolute biggest nerds in the world. The Chess Club is considered an athletic club. Kids sit in the lunch room and talk quantum physics as if they really know what they’re saying. And the gay thing, well shit I could wear a dress to class and as long as my home work was done, nobody would give a shit. Not doing your homework - which by the way is like a zillion hours a night - is considered a mortal sin. And don’t worry, I’m still sketching, one of my classes is an advanced life study class. It’ll actually give me a credit for University. I couldn’t believe it when I found out. And Brian, you were wrong, I miss you just as much today as I did the first days after you left. I don’t care what you say, it isn’t getting any easier. The only thing that gets me through is being able to touch my bracelet. Gotta go before I say something sentimental and gross you out. Justin (who loves being a Kinney) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From: BKinney@kinnetic.com To: JTKinney@kinnetic.com Subject: your first week Hey Sunshine, that is terrific news about your first week. I knew that school would be perfect for you. You need a challenge in your life and this is it. As your ‘official’ guardian, I’ve heard that you not only are keeping up with your class, but have caught up on the first semester that you missed in most subjects. Apparently you aren’t just a cute little bubble butt, but have a brain as well. You weren’t kidding about that four point zero. As for the nerds, well, it could be worse; it could be a school full of brainless jocks. I found a shirt that I think you’ll like; it matches your eyes perfectly. I’m sending it Fed Ex. It’s a gift, so don’t be pissy about it. Raj tells me that you seem to be able to multi task and that Melinda does her ‘home work’ while you do yours. A zillion hours eh? LOL Brian (who oddly enough likes you being a Kinney) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Justin, Justin Kinney, wait up.” Justin turned at the voice. It was Dorian. “I’m waiting, what do you want?” Dorian was running to catch up with him. “You never hang around after school. I was just wondering if you wanted to go with us to the coffee shop.” “I have to go home. I have homework and I have work to do.” Justin smiled at the boy when he saw how disappointed he was. “I’m really not trying to avoid you guys. I know you have homework too, but I missed the first semester of school and a bit of the last year. I want to make sure that I’m caught up to the rest of you.” “But you are caught up on everything. You’ve only been here a month and you were caught up. Everyone’s been talking about it. You’re some kind of genius.” Justin burst out laughing. “Hell Dorian, everyone at the school is a genius. It’s like that’s part of the requirements to get in.” “No it isn’t. It’s just a school for ‘gifted kids’. Fuck I hate that word, ‘gifted’. It’s fucking haunted me all my life.” Dorian looked down at his feet. “I just always wanted to be a normal kid.” “Well it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.” Justin smiled. “No one ever called me gifted. Well Brian did, he said I was gifted at blow jobs.” Justin giggled at the look of shock on Dorian’s face. “Brian’s my boyfriend in an unconventional way.” “Oh, I didn’t know you had a boyfriend. I was kind of hoping that you’d maybe go out with me.” Dorian shrugged. “The coffee thing was a ruse.” “It was a good ruse, but I’m in love with Brian.” Justin grinned and Dorian grinned back. “That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. I don’t mean fuck buddies, I mean friends.” “Wow, have you had real sex, I mean besides giving blow jobs?” “Actually it was one blow job and no I haven’t had real sex.” Justin sighed. “Brian says he won’t take advantage of me while I’m ‘vulnerable.” He made quotation marks with his fingers when he said the word. “You could kind of seduce him.” Dorian offered. “Been there done that, it was semi successful, hence the blow job compliment.” Justin had been walking to the student parking lot. He really liked Dorian. They seemed to be in tune with each other. “This is my car. I really do have to go. I help out one of the guys where I live after school and on weekends, he’s an artist.” “Cool car.” Dorian admired the new Mustang convertible. “Yeah, Brian bought it for me to use. For some reason he thought a convertible would be great here. But he forgot I need to practically wear a space suit in the sun or I’ll be burned to a crisp. He bought me sunblock SPF two thousand or something and a really lame hat, not mention some kind of designer sunglasses that I’m afraid to wear in case I break them.” He shrugged. “I humor him and tell him about all the guys I pick up in the hot car. But I actually never have the top down.” Dorian laughed out loud and soon the two of them were dissolved in giggles. “The next time it rains, want to go for a ride with the top down. We could cruise up and down the main drag.” Justin giggled. “That would be great.” He ripped a piece of paper out of his note book. “Here’s my phone number if you want to call. Do you have a car?” “No, my father thinks that I need to learn to appreciate public transportation.” Dorian looked disgusted. “You have no idea how much I appreciate it.” “I can give you a ride home if you want, but then I really have to get back to my place.” Justin unlocked the car. “Get in.” “Geeze, he bought you leather interior.” Dorian rubbed his hands over the white leather. “I don’t think Brian even knows that cars have other kinds of interiors.” Justin laughed. “He’s kind of like the ultimate consumer.” “That’s like my mom.” Dorian laughed. “I’m starved, the lunch today was disgusting.” “It wasn’t too bad. I’ve had worst.” Justin didn’t elaborate. He rarely turned his nose up at anything served in the cafeteria. It beat garbage cans hands down any day. They drove for a few minutes, both of them chatting and exchanging information about their classmates and at the same time Dorian gave directions. “This is it.” He said finally. “Thanks a lot for the ride.” “No problem, I can pick you up tomorrow if you want.” Justin offered. “Cool, but tomorrow my sister goes back to school, I kind of promised her that I’d go with her. It’s her first day back since before Christmas.” “Your sister can come too. I don’t mind.” “She’s,” Dorian hesitated. “Justin, she’s in a wheelchair. Usually we take the ‘handicap’ bus.” “That must suck for her. Does she have one of those stripped down chairs?” “Yeah, it’s pretty cool. She’s like some kind of dare devil driver. Actually she scares me to death sometimes. She’s my twin.” “If it’s stripped down it should fit in the back seat with you. She can ride up front.” “Are you sure you don’t mind?” “Why should I mind?” Justin was puzzled. “No reason, by the way her name is Max.” he laughed at Justin’s look. “Well it’s actually Deborah, but she hated the alliteration, you know Deborah and Dorian. So she changed it to Max when she was five.” “I don’t blame her.” Justin laughed. “I’ll pick you guys up at seven thirty. That gives us time to stop at Starbucks before school.” “Cool” Dorian got out of the car. He waved at Justin before heading up the sloped sidewalk to his front door. Justin continued on home. He threw his books down on his table and quickly changed into the work clothes he wore in Josh’s studio. “Sorry I’m late Josh, but I drove a friend from school home.” “Justin, you don’t have to punch a time clock you know. You’re the one who insists on coming to work straight from school.” Josh laughed. “I think we’re ready to make the cast for this.” He indicated the small sculpture he’d done of Brian with a clear look of love on his face. It wasn’t one of his commissions, but as he told Justin, commissions paid the bills, but the other work he did was for his heart. Josh never showed his ‘personal’ sculptures to any of his clients. Justin thought that they were amazing and wished he had the same kind of talent for sculpture. “Are you going to stash this one with the rest? “ Justin asked. “You have enough to do a show.” “I don’t want to do a show. I make a darn good living with my corporate clients.” Josh replied. “I’m glad you’re making friends at the school. Who is this fellow you drove home, anyone interesting?” Justin snorted a laugh. “If you mean is he hot and gay, yes to both. If you are wondering if I’m interested, no I’m not. I have a boyfriend.” “Brian doesn’t want you think of him as a boyfriend.” Josh warned. “I know, but he can’t control my thoughts.” Justin said his voice serious. “I know that he likes to be in control of everything. I haven’t known him long, but I figured that out pretty quick. I also know that he has feelings for me that he doesn’t want to admit to. They’re too new to him, hell they’re new to me too, but I’m not afraid of them like he is.” “Brian is going to have an interesting life with you around Justin.” Josh said. “I’m glad that Raj and I will be there to watch. He’s a stubborn son of a bitch. But I have to admit, I’ve always wanted him to find someone to love and who’ll love him back. But Justin, Brian may look strong and fierce, but truthfully, he is a kind and gentle man, whose heart is easily bruised. I’ve known him for a long time.” “I know that Josh. I also know that there is not a chance in hell that he’ll even consider having any kind of relationship with me until I’m finished with school. I figured out the stubborn part when he managed to find me and rescue me. He thinks I love him out of gratitude, but that’s not it at all. For some damn reason he doesn’t thing he’s loveable. Shit he’s the most loveable person in the world.” Justin flushed with embarrassment at revealing so much. Josh burst out laughing. His laugh was deep and hearty as befitted the large man he was. “Good luck to you young Justin, this will be an interesting game to watch. I don’t doubt that you’ll win in the end.” “Brian and I both will win. I just have to teach him that part.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ “Hey Justin.” Dorian opened the car door. “Max will be here in a sec. She’s a tad pissed that I said we were going with you. She’s kind of a bitch. I mean I love her, she’s my twin, but she’s a bitch.” Justin laughed, “That’s okay, my boyfriend is pretty much a bitch a lot of the time, I’m kind of used to it.” Justin snickered to himself. Brian would kill him if he knew that Justin was referring to him as his boyfriend. “Get the fuck out of my way asshole.” Dorian and Justin both jumped at the words. A young girl who looked remarkably like Dorian glared at both of them from a bright blue wheel chair. “Good morning to you too Max.” Justin grinned. “I’m Justin Kinney, hop in.” “Aren’t you going to help me get in the pretty little car pretty boy?” she snarked. “Nope, get in, anyone driving a chair like that can get in on her own.” She hid a grin, but both Justin and her brother saw it. Expertly Max swung herself out of the chair and into the seat. Reaching over she quickly folded the chair. “You can put it in the back Dori” she said as if granting him some great gift. “Thanks bunches Max.” Dorian said. “I’ll pop the trunk, there’s more room there and you can get into the back on my side.” Justin offered. “Cool” Dorian had the chair in the trunk and was in the rear seat in seconds. “I want a latté, let’s get moving.” “Seat belt Max.” Justin reminded. “What the fuck does it matter. I had a seat belt on when I had my accident and now look at me.” “It matters because I won’t drive until you do it up.” Justin smiled at her sweetly. “It sucks about your not being able to walk though.” “I can walk, just not far and I have no sense of balance when I do. It’s an inner ear thing.” She admitted. “It’s easier to use the chair then to try and use crutches and keep falling all the time. It only took a broken arm and a sprained wrist for me to figure that out.” “Could have been worse, you could have no use of your legs.” Justin replied. “Fuck you too.” Her voice was bitter. Justin grinned at her and then reached over and did up her seat belt. He gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Not a chance sweetness, you aren’t my type.” Dorian chuckled in the back seat, but quietly. His sister wasn’t one he wanted to make angry any more than he had to. Justin drove to the Starbuck’s closest to the school. He ran in and got everyone’s order using the Starbuck’s card that Brian sent him. He sent a silent prayer of thanks to his non boyfriend for his generosity. “Here you go.” Justin handed out the lattés. “Dorian tells me that you’re in my home room.” “Lucky me.” Max replied. “No, lucky me. My books are heavy, I figured with the chair and all, you could carry them.” “Geeze Kinney, give me a break. It’s bad enough that Dori is always wanting to load shit on the chair. I don’t need the two of you doing it.” “Think of it as a favor to a friend.” Justin joked. He started the car and soon they were all at the school. “We’re early, hardly anyone is here yet.” “Ahhh, Kinney, that’s where you’re wrong. Most of the Chess Club is here. They don’t drive. They’ll all be in the library studying moves.” Max looked satisfied. “Oh, I didn’t know. I don’t play much chess.” Justin said. “What do you do then?” she asked. “Justin is an artist. He draws.” Dorian piped up. “Oh.” Max looked at Justin. “You draw?” “Yeah, and I do other stuff. I’m in the graphics arts program. I’m making a video game right now. It’s for little kids.” “I hope it isn’t violent. I think that little kids get enough of that shit.” Max glared at him. “No it isn’t violent, well not much, just a little bit. It’s mostly a teaching video and involves problem solving in a non violent way. You actually lose if you use too much violence to find your way. “ “That sounds really cool.” Dorian said. “I’m pretty good at programming I could help.” “I’m better at programming than Dori,” Max said. “We both could help.” “That would be great. I wasn’t here when partners were assigned. So I’ve been doing it on my own. We can ask Mr. Struthers if it’s okay for you guys to be my partners.” “He’ll let me” Max replied. “I’ve been away and haven’t started a project in his class.” “I’m doing one already with two other guys. I guess it’s going to be just the two of you.” Dorian looked downcast. “That’s okay Dori, I still love you.” Max grinned. She opened the door. “Now get your ass out of the back seat and get me my wheels.” ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ From:JTKinney@kinnetik.com To: BKinney@kinnetik,com Subject: New Friends Hey Brian, this has been a great week. I made two new friends, his name is Dorian and his twin sister is Max. They both have some of the same interests as I do and what’s cool is Dorian is gay. His parents don’t even mind. This weekend Josh and Raj are taking the kids to Raj’s parent’s place for a visit. I’m going to have Max and Dorian over on Saturday. Max and I are doing a project together at school and Dorian is just going to hang out at the pool and look cool. That’s what he said anyway. He’s pretty hot. Dark curly hair, swarthy tanned skin, sultry brown eyes, and pouty lips. Max looks just like him only she has longer hair and she’s a lot bitchier. But I guess that’s a girl thing. I’m now officially caught up with everyone. And I suppose you already know that I graded with straight ‘A’s. Josh made me a cake to celebrate. It was chocolate which is my favorite and had raspberry filling. Melinda and I licked the icing bowl together, she even got chocolate icing in her ears. I of course was much neater. LOL. I have to go, sorry this was such a short email - but I have a paper to write tonight and I want to phone Dorian about the weekend. JTK (who still thinks his name is cool) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Brian read the email over twice, forcing the jealousy to the back of his mind as he read about Dorian. He couldn’t be jealous. He didn’t do jealousy and besides Justin was young, he was finishing high school, it was only natural that he’d make friends and that some of his friends would be hot young guys. He sighed and began to type. From: BKinney@kinnetik.com To: JTKinney@kinnetik.com Subject: the weekend Have fun Sunshine and behave yourself. I’m glad you’ve finally got some friends your own age. It’ll take your mind of us older folks. Gus is cutting teeth these days and when Lindsay drops him off, it’s a barrel of fun. I think the next time I get the urge to reproduce; I’ll consider a dog instead. LOL. I have a meeting in Phoenix next week and thought I might drop in and stay there. I’ll let you know my schedule. We won’t see much of each other between my meeting and your school, but if you don’t mind I’ll stay with you at the guest house rather than a hotel. We can have dinner together and you can show me your latest sketches. Thanks for the pictures you emailed with you wearing your blue shirt. I was right about the color. It does match your eyes. And Sunshine, you and Melinda both had icing on your nose in the one that Josh sent me. Congratulations on your grades. I knew you could do it Brian (who is missing his Sunshine) Brian hit send just as he realized he’d put ‘his Sunshine’ and not ‘the sunshine’ He wondered if it had been his subconscious, because he did miss Justin, more than he’d imagined. The occasional phone call and the weekly emails weren’t enough.