Ubiquitous Mr. Taylor-5
u-biq-ui-tous - existing everywhere - present everywhere at once, or seeming to be.
Thanks to Judy for the bunny
Dedicated to my friend Lois 
“Mr. Taylor, your limo is here to take you to the airport,” Emmett swished into his office. Obviously the young queen was playing some kind of role.

“Cut it out Emmett, I didn’t order a limo,” Justin as he continued to work on his computer. 

“No; seriously Justin, there’s a limo outside. The driver says he’s here to pick you up and Emmett checked his watch; “You have to get a move on. Your plane leaves in a couple of hours. I’d suggest you get your pretty little panties in gear and get into that limo.” 

Justin rolled his eyes, but stood up. He closed the lid on his computer and then slid it into a bag. He had things to do this weekend, so he couldn’t afford the time to completely keep Brian in his New York fantasies, no matter how hot the guy was. 

“Your bag is by the front door, ” Emmett called out. “I made sure it was packed with all the fun things.” 

“Emmett, I hope you’re joking. The bag was just fine when I packed it this morning.” Justin pulled out the handle and prepared to leave. 

“Honey, a girl needs a few fun things on these kind of weekends,”Emmett said as he kissed Justin’s cheek. “Ta Ta for now”

Justin shook his head as he left Clouds. He was no sooner out the door than a uniformed driver took his bags from him and stowed them in the trunk of the limousine. “Let me help you sir,” the driver said. He opened the rear door of the limo for Justin to get in.

“Well, well, Mr. Kinney, what a surprise,” Justin said as he slid into the limo. As the door shut with a heavy thud, he slid into Brian’s arms. “A limo Mr. Kinney?” he laughed.

“Why not? I figured that as soon as I walked out the door it had to count as part of the New York persona,” Brian smiled and kissed Justin tenderly. “You could have stayed last night,” he whispered. 

“It’s bad enough I made you break the more than once rule, how could I live with myself if I made you break the stay over rule,” Justin joked.

“You’re some kind of witch,” Brian pulled Justin closer. “Making me break all my rules.”

“Mr. Kinney, you say the nicest things,” Justin laughed and melted into the warm embrace of his favorite black prince. “And we aren’t even in New York City.” 

“For some damn reason, I can’t be my usual self around you. You make me crazy.” Brian breathed deeply of Justin’s scent. “Fuck, I can barely work and it doesn’t help having you next door every day. I see you all the time. Everywhere I turn you’re there.”

“Like the proverbial bad penny?” Justin asked with a smile. 

“Something like that,” Brian admitted. “You’re loved by my son, tolerated by my friends, absorbed into my pseudo family and I didn’t even know you were so dangerous.” 

“Dangerous?” Justin chuckled. “You are such a drama queen Brian.”

“Yes dangerous, damn dangerous. I have a very nice life here in Pittsburgh. I have a son, I have a great loft, an amazing business and a not bad social life,” he sighed and stared out the window at the passing traffic as the limo sped on its way to the airport. “And then you came into my life.”

“Brian, you picked me up. We fucked. It didn’t have to go beyond that,” Justin’s voice was quiet. He wanted him to understand that it was Brian himself who had changed the rules.

“But it did have to go beyond that. From the moment I touched you I knew that I was lost. I just didn’t want to admit it. I thought later that I could use the excuse you so willingly gave me and only have you in New York. In New York I could love you without reservation and no one would be the wiser.”

“What happened to change that?” Justin had to ask.

“Last night, last night happened.” Brian was finding it hard to breathe. “Last night you came over, you made sure the painting was positioned properly and you were willing to leave, but I couldn’t let you go. It just wasn’t possible no matter what kind of argument I might use. And when I woke up this morning and you were gone,” he sighed. “Justin, I never realized just how lonely I was. I didn’t know that the empty feeling inside of me wasn’t good. I thought I had everything, but I was missing one thing.”

Justin stared hard at Brian. He wasn’t expecting anything like this. “Brian…. his voice hesitant. “Don’t say anything. Let’s fly off to New York and begin our life together with this weekend. Let’s have it be special, just you and I. No words, no promises; just the two of us. He reached up and kissed Brian; his lips soft. “On Sunday night, we’ll talk before we head back to Pittsburgh.”

“Why not talk now?” Brian asked.

“Because my dark prince. I love you, but I also love myself. This pursuit if you can call it that has been fun, a kind of game. But I’ve been out and proud for a very long time. I don’t do badly financially and I have a great support system of friends who are like family. I love you and have from the moment I first set eyes on you, but I won’t hide out. I won’t be your little secret. I want a long and permanent relationship. I know that I’ll love you unconditionally and that I’ll always be there for you if we decide to join each other in a partnership.”

“You mean like a marriage, like Gus was asking for?” Brian’s voice had turned bitter.

“No, I mean like two grown men, who love each other and aren’t afraid to say so or show it to the world.”

“We aren’t some kind of hetero couple or a couple of dykes, Brian said. 

“No we aren’t. We are two gay men and the odds of us having a long relationship suck. We’re both alpha males and neither one of us likes to compromise. But and here it is, I love you enough to work at it and fight for us. Now the question is, do you love me like that?” he snuggled closer, the limo was pulling into the airport departure area. “It’s not a deal breaker for this weekend Brian. We’ll have a great time in New York. Let yourself feel for a change, and be the Brian Kinney that I know you can be. We’ll talk again Sunday night.” 

Brian got out of the limo along with Justin. He tipped the driver and watched as their luggage was loaded onto a cart. His mind was whirling in confusion though no one would know it if you looked at him. He hadn’t spent most of his life hiding his feelings for nothing. 

“Hey Brian, if we check in now, we have time for a drink in the lounge,” Justin grinned, all thoughts of his serious conversation in the limo put to one side.

“What else could we do if we didn’t check in now?” Brian asked. He pushed the cart wondering how it had become his responsibility to do so if they were supposed to be in such an equal relationship. 

“We could watch the planes, Justin offered. “Or we could get something to eat.” 

“We can do both of those things after we go through the boarding area, Brian got into the Liberty Air line with their luggage. “I hope you brought ID.” 

“I have ID. I’m a big boy remember,” Justin grinned. He stood dutifully beside Brian in the line up for a few minutes before he began chatting to an old lady behind him.

“Justin, Justin,” Brian said and finally had to tap his blond bombshell on the shoulder. “They need to see your ID.” 

“Oh, yeah, sorry.” He grinned at the lady he’d been talking too before turning to Brian at the check in counter. “Here you go, he handed over his driver’s license.
“I look much younger there. It was taken before I met Brian, he has a tendency to add years to my life.”

The Liberty Air clerk grinned at Justin. “But worth it right?” she said.

“Oh, yeah, definitely worth it.” Justin leaned back into Brian confident that his not quite boyfriend would support his weight.

Brian caressed Justin’s arm and then squeezed the back of his neck. “Time to let the lady do her work Justin.” He shook his head at the clerk, “What can I say, he’s young.” He steered Justin out of the line. “You can carry your own computer bag.”

“Sorry, but I have a few things to do this weekend.”

“Besides me?”

“Yes, besides you,” Justin laughed. “This trip was a tad unexpected.” 

“But you said…..” Brian’s voice trailed off.

“Don’t be dense. You know that I decided to go because you were going and kind of half assed asked me to come along. Luckily I can understand a few Kinnyisms.” 

“Yes, it is,” Brian admitted. At first he thought of pretending to take offense, but the truth of what Justin said was so obvious, it would have been ridiculous. 

“I don’t have a lot to do. But I do have an advertising campaign to map out for the opening of Clouds.”

“Coincidentally I know a bit about advertising.” Brian put his arm around Justin’s shoulder and began walking with him to the boarding area. “I’m sure we can work something out.”

“I’m sure we can,” Justin smiled; he put his free arm around Brian’s waist and they walked together to the boarding area. They didn’t care if people stared at them; Both men needed the connection that their touch afforded them.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Gus what are you doing?” Lindsay called up the stairs to her son.

“Nothing,” Gus called back.

“What kind of nothing?” Lindsay had after all been a mother for more than ten years.

“I’m practicing sketching,” Gus’ voice was filled with exasperation. 

“It’s a nice day out, why don’t you go outside and play?” 

“Mom, I’m ten not three. If I wanted to go outside and ‘play’ I would. I want to practice sketching.” 

Lindsay walked up the stairs heading for Gus’ room. Soon she was standing in his doorway, “Gus, it isn’t good for you to be inside holed up in your room all the time. Call some of your friends.”

“I don’t have any friends.” Gus continued to shade the picture he was working on.

“You must have friends from school. You can have someone over.” 

“Mom, I don’t have any ‘friends’ I want to have over. Leave me alone,” he glared at her.

“Gus, I’m going to call your father. Maybe he can talk some sense into you.”

“Well go ahead, he’s in New York with Justin and I doubt they’ll have their phones on,” he snickered. “They’ll be fucking.” 

“GUS” Lindsay’s voice was raised in shock. “Your father barely knows Justin and they certainly aren’t in New York together. I really don’t know what you hope to accomplish making up stories like this.”

“They do so know each other. They love each other. Dad is going to marry Justin. You wait and see,” Gus glared and then went back to his sketch.

“Gus Honey, I know that you want your father to settle down with someone. But he really isn’t that kind of man. He likes being kind of a lone wolf.”

“Justin says he’s a black panther. That he stalks the Liberty Avenue jungle.” Gus held up the sketch he was working on, “Like this.” He’d done an amazing rendition of a black panther like man, with his father’s face. It was done in the popular animé style of drawing.

“Gus this is very good. But not in a style I was expecting. I thought that you would be using your skills more…. “ she looked helpless for a moment, “more realistically.”

“Mom, I like this kind of drawing. It’s fun and I’m getting good at it. Justin says that I have talent and that I could be an animator some day if I wanted to.”

“But Gus…”

“Mom will you just leave me alone please? “ he said before turning his back on her. 

“No, I think you need to spend some time outside. I refuse to think that being stuck up here in your room is healthy.”

”FINE” Gus shouted. He threw his sketchpad and a few pencils in his backpack, shouldered it and stalked past his mother. “I’m going out; are you happy?” 

Lindsay shook her head and watched him stomp down the stairs and out the door in true drama queen dungeon. 

At first Gus wasn’t sure where he’d go. He hadn’t been lying when he said that he had no friends. He’d always been kind of a loner. It wasn’t easy being the only kid in class with two mothers and a gay father. It hadn’t been bad in his early years; no one really knew or cared. But now that he was ten and in a class with kids who were older, they seemed to take delight in ragging him about it. Not that he let on they were bothering him. He was his father’s son after all and had developed a poker face that could rival Brian Kinney’s. His first stop was a pay phone, he hoped that Justin had his cell turned on.

“Justin Taylor,” Justin said curious as to who was calling from a pay phone. He leaned into Brian, it was fast becoming his favorite ways of relaxing.

“Hey Justin, it’s me, Gus. Are you and dad out of bed yet?” he asked with a giggle.

“What makes you think I’m with your dad?”

“Oh pullllleeeeeeezzzzzzeeee,” Gus drawled. “Auntie Em said that he was going to move your stuff in today. I was wondering if I could help set up your studio and if I could draw in it?” 

“Sure you can Gus, do you want me to call Emmett and let him know that’s it’s okay?” Justin smiled into the phone. Brian’s son was always so polite.

“If you could that would be great,” Gus laughed. “Mom said I had to get out and play outside. But your studio is kind of like being outside. She doesn’t understand me.” 

“Gus, you should listen to your mother,” Brian admonished; he’d been listening. “But I understand and so does Justin. We both have mothers and we wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I’ll call Linds and clear it with her.” 

“Thanks Dad. Thanks Justin,” Gus sighed. “I knew you two would be great together,” he said and disconnected.

Justin looked at Brian, “Hey, that made me feel pretty good that Gus wants to be in my studio.”

“I want to be in your studio, why shouldn’t Gus?” Brian teased. “I’ll give Linds a bit more time to cool down before I call her. Now where were we?” he smiled down at Justin.

“We were communing with nature,” Justin laughed. The two of them were in the back of a Hanson cab relaxing together to the clip clop of the horse’s feet as it made its way through the park. “I still can’t believe you hired this cab for the whole morning. I always thought the rides were too short.”

Brian didn’t say a word, he only smiled almost shyly that Justin was so pleased with such a simple thing. They sat in silence once again as the cab continued its way. “Justin, that restaurant over there, across the street looks pretty good, why don’t we get off the next time around and find something to eat.”

“Sounds great.” Justin had never felt so happy. Brian held his hand, stoking it gently with his other hand, almost unconsciously massaging it, yet Justin was sure that Brian had no idea of the problems he’d had or why he occasionally favored it. 

“You know, what you said a few weeks ago, about my being different here in New York. I had a lot of time to think about it and I realized that you were right.” 

Justin didn’t answer, because there really was no answer and because Brian needed the time to say what ever it was he wanted to say without interruption; Justin understood this. 

“I think I’ve worked out why. And now I’m trying to work out the reasons I’m willing to change my Pittsburgh persona to that of my New York one,” he sighed. “And the reason is you. You and only you.”

“Brian, I….. Justin began.

“Shhhhh, don’t talk.” Brian held Justin’s hand up to his lips and kissed it. First, kissing the back and then turning it over and kissing the palm. “Justin, I know we weren’t going to discuss anything serious until Sunday, but I’m going to give you something to think about. I want you in my life and I’ll take what I can get. If you only want me as a friend, then fine, I’ll be your friend. But if you want me as your partner, your lover, your friend, your husband, I wouldn’t mind that either.” He kissed the palm of Justin’s hand again. And it was then that Justin noticed Brian had slipped a ring on his finger. “I come with a hell of a lot of baggage. And gawd knows I can be a bitch to live with, but Gus is right, keep your apartment over Clouds for when you want to escape or if you’d rather, we could live there and you could boot me back to the loft if you need some ‘Brian’ free time.”

“You’d move in with me?” Justin said with a misty eyed smile.

“In a heart beat,.” Brian answered.

“And this ring?” Justin wiggled his fingers. 

“That’s so that you’ll remember New York and you’ll be mine.”

“Just you and I, no more dark prince of Liberty Avenue?” 

“I won’t have the time or the inclination,” Brian said honestly. “I’m not saying I won’t stray, I don’t know what life will bring. But I do know that I don’t want to.”

“I feel the same way,” Justin let himself relax back into Brian. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Wow Auntie Em, you’ve done a great job with Justin’s stuff.” Gus stood in the large apartment and looked around. “But isn’t that dad’s chair over there and I think that’s the same table that dad has in his living room.” 

“Hey little man,” Emmett grinned at Gus. “I wasn’t expecting to see you today. You could have knocked me over with a feather when Justin called.” 

“Why?” Gus asked and watched with huge eyes as his father’s wardrobe was being unpacked by movers and placed carefully in Justin’s walk in closet beside what had to be Justin’s clothing.

“Well, your dad asked me to move a few of his things into Justin’s apartment. It seems the black prince is now a white prince.” 

“No shit,” Gus grinned. “Mom is going to have a cat fit.” 

“Speaking of cats,” Emmett smiled. “Daphne and Adam sent over a housewarming gift for your dad and Justin. You should go and check it out. It’s in the studio, I needed to keep it confined while I finish up here.”

Gus looking at his Auntie Em with curiosity, headed for the studio doors. Inside was what looked like a small highway that rose up and down around the entire room. It was high up on the walls and every now and then there was a platform. At one end the highway descended to the floor in a series of long slopping stairs. 
Considering that width of this highway was barely ten inches wide, Gus couldn’t imagine what the reason was. He looked around and then galloping out from behind a stack of canvases was a white kitten with piercing blue eyes, followed closely by a jet black one, his green eyes flashing. They raced around the room and then up onto the platform where they chased each other, stopping to wrestle. on the platforms.

“What do you think?” Emmett came up behind Gus. “Won’t your dad and Justin be surprised?” he asked. “Daphne and Adam couldn’t stop laughing as they supervised the installation of the cat highway.”

“I’ll say they’ll be surprised. Hey Justin didn’t tell me that dad was moving in.” 

“That’s because he probably doesn’t know,” Emmett grinned. “It’s a surprise.”

“Boy there are sure a lot of surprises around here.” 

“Yes and want to see another one?” Emmett asked. “Come with me.” He led Gus over to a set of stairs he hadn’t noticed before. “This leads down to the second level. It was going to be Adam’s apartment before he fell head over heels for Daphne. So Justin decided it would be perfect for a couple of guest bedrooms and a library. I wouldn’t be surprised if one of those guest bedrooms becomes yours. You should go down and pick the one you like the best.”

“No kidding?” Gus looked up at Em, his eyes sparkling. “That’s so cool, no more sleeping on the sofa when I stay with dad.”

“I’m sure that your dad and Justin will have you over a lot.” Emmett started down the stairway, Gus and the two kittens followed.

“What are their names?” Gus asked nodding at the romping kittens.

“That’ll be up to Justin I suppose,” Emmett grinned at Gus. “Or your dad.”

“So Justin doesn’t know that dad is moving in?” 

“Oh I expect your dad will let him know before they get back,” he shrugged. “I’ve been sworn to secrecy so don’t you dare breathe a word of this if you talk to Justin and for heaven sake don’t tell your moms.” 

“You’ve got to be kidding, there is no way I’m going to tell my moms anything. That’ll be for dad and Justin. I don’t want to get killed,” Gus stated dramatically and then he looked at Emmett. “I sure hope dad remembers to tell mom that I’m here.” 

“You could call her.”

“No thanks. I’ll let dad do it.” Gus was looking into the rooms below. “Is that the door that leads to Clouds?” he asked. Peering at a set of large double doors, he walked closer. They were metal disguised as oak. 

“Yes, that’s the entrance to Clouds. When the doors are open, this will be one big library filled with art books and displayed works. The built in book shelves will be installed tonight. Justin is determined everything will be ready by the time he gets back. The movers will be bringing the boxes of books tomorrow. Justin has quite the collection from his couple of years traveling and your father has a lot of books as well. I’m sure he’ll want them out of storage once he sees this room. 

There will be a library desk over there; it was bought in France and lots of nice cozy leather reading chairs. The two extra bedrooms are on either side of this rather super bathroom,” Emmett threw open the bathroom door for Gus to admire the marble and tile. “I think if I were you, I’d pick the one on the right. It’s got the same kind of windows as upstairs. You’d get great light and it’s big enough for a small studio alcove of your own.”

Gus walked over and pulled open the door. “Oh man, I think I died and went to heaven. Did Justin do all this?” He pointed to one wall that was filled with floor to ceiling copies of one of Gus’ favorite Yaoi animés that he’d downloaded off the internet and wasn’t actually supposed to see let alone know about. The larger than life characters were amazing and Gus stood before it mesmerized. 

“Oh my, my,” Emmett stood back. “These pictures don’t leave a lot to the imagination do they. Sailor Moon has come a long way and isn’t she supposed to be a girl?” Emmett asked.

“It isn’t Sailor Moon,” Gus giggled. “Mom will shit if she sees this.” 

“I think you’re a tad too young to see it myself.” 

“Gimme a break. I draw this stuff. Kids my age in Japan have been watching it for years. It’s no biggie. This one is called Only the Ring Finger Knows shonen-ai (no sex)” Gus all but had his nose pressed against the wall checking out the painting. “It’s really a good manga, that means a kind of comic book.,” Gus explained. He reached into the back pack he carried and pulled out his sketchbook. “See, I use dad and Justin as models,” he showed Emmett some of his drawings. 

“Wow, those are really hot. I think I’ll look into some of this stuff.” Emmett turned the pages, “Damn Gus, I bet your mom doesn’t know you draw this stuff. This is kind of well, hot.” 

“It’s called Yaoi. That means gay, male/male, stories.” Gus took his sketchbook and put it back. He looked at the wall, “See Justin shows the two main characters in a few scenes from the manga. You did notice they were both guys didn’t you?” 

“Oh I noticed,” Emmett laughed. “Well, well, the things I learned today.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Justin turned around and around his arms outstretched his laugh was infectious and Brian began to laugh with him. “Will you stop it Justin. You’d think you’d never been to the zoo before.” 

“I’ve never been to the zoo with you,” Justin said and threw his arms around Brian. “I’ve never eaten hot dogs from a street vendor with you before or shared a hot pretzel.” 

“Well I’ve never eaten a hot dog from a street vendor before, so it’s a day of firsts for both of us.” Brian bent down and kissed Justin’s nose. Both men were so handsome and so obviously in love that even the most prudish of the onlookers had to smile at them. 

“Let’s get ice cream,” Justin dragged Brian toward the ice cream man. “I want chocolate.”

“Now I could have guessed that one,” Brian said with a laugh. He snapped a photo of Justin as he placed his order. Taking the cone Justin ran back to Brian.

“There’s a bench,” he pointed. “Let’s sit.”

Brian laughed and put his arm around Justin’s shoulder, leading him to the empty bench. Justin sat down and soon he and Brian were sharing the ice cream cone, both of them laughing and tasting first the cone and then each other. Brian held out his long arm and snapped a couple of pictures of the two of them. He’d taken more than thirty pictures since they’d arrived in New York.

“Another picture?” Justin laughed and bit the end off of the cone, sucking the melting ice cream through the bottom.

“It’ll be for our scrapbook. Once in a life time trip to New York,” Brian joked.

“Oh I think we’ll go again,” he giggled and leaned on Brian. “This has been an amazing afternoon. I’ve never laughed so much in my life.”

“Even when the chimp was flirting with you?” 

“He was NOT flirting with me you idiot,” Justin laughed. “I got the best picture of you when you lost your balloon. It’s going to be a classic.” 

“Maybe I deleted it.” 

“No you didn’t, you promised and you never break your promise.”

“Speaking of promises, I’d better call Linds,” Brian pulled out his cell phone. “She’ll be wondering where Gus is by now.”

“Hey Linds,” he said when his friend answered. “I just wanted you to know that Gus is with Emmett. He’s helping him move a friend’s stuff into his new apartment.”

“Why couldn’t he call me himself? I was getting worried.” Lindsay’s voice didn’t sound worried, but it did sound pissed.

“Probably because you were being a bitch to him,” Brian laughed. “Look Linds, even you can’t put me in a bad mood today. Give the kid a break. Em will look after him and think of it this way; he’s out of the house and getting some exercise. What more can you ask?” 

“Brian I really don’t like your attitude. And I don’t like Gus’ attitude these days.”

“Sorry Linds, can’t talk now. I have to see a monkey house,” Brian disconnected the phone.

“Hmmmm, so Lindsay is a little whiny,” Justin said.

“Too bad, this weekend is our weekend.” He looked off into the distance reviewing his life, “Let’s make a promise to one another. If either of us starts to forget how we felt this weekend – we’ll head to New York to capture our lost youth.”

“That’s a promise.” Justin looked at his ring admiring it, “I can’t believe you had this already.”

“I’m not saying I was overconfident, but I thought that if I’m going to commit my life, then it had better be with everything I have.” He looked kind of sheepish, “I might have asked Emmett to move some of my stuff into your apartment too.” 

“Our apartment and might have?” Justin laughed. “How did you know that I would want to stay living over Clouds?” 

“Because it was perfect for you, for us. I saw that when I had the grand tour. Even Gus knew that it was perfect.” 

“It’s pretty close to Kinnetik, I hope you don’t feel like you’re never going home from work.”

“It’s even closer to Clouds,” Brian reminded him.

“But I know how to leave work behind.” Justin snuggled closer, “Don’t say a word about the computer back in our hotel room.”

“I wasn’t,” Brian laughed. “Do you want to see any more of the zoo or should we go back and have a nap?” 

“Oh a nap definitely has its possibilities. “ Justin jumped off of the bench and pulled Brian up. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Emmett and Ted were sitting in the diner having a late breakfast Sunday morning. Emmett had a more work to do at Clouds and Ted had promised to help him at least supervise the unpacking and furniture placement in the library. Justin had left a floor plan for the furniture so it wasn’t hard, just time consuming. And Emmett wanted everything to be perfect, including having something great to eat for his friends when they arrived home. 

“Thank God, you two are here. You’ve got to help me. I’m in so much trouble. We have to call the police and then maybe call Brian.” It was Michael looking panicky and flushed. 

“Calm down Michael,” Ted said as he forked in a piece of pancake. “

“What’s got your panties in twist hon?” Emmett reached over and patted Michael’s hand.

“I was over at Brian’s. I wanted to borrow his green sweater and all of his clothes are gone. And that’s not all that expensive big chair he has is missing and so are a couple of his tables.” He looked embarrassed, “When I was there Friday night, I must have forgotten to set the alarm. It’s all my fault. 

“Why were you there Friday night sweetie?” Emmett asked. “You knew Brian was going out of town.”

“I was just checking, maybe he didn’t go.” Michael looked embarrassed at being found out.

“Well hun, Brian doesn’t live in the loft anymore. That’s why his clothes are gone and some of his furniture. He’s moved in with his boyfriend. Though I suppose you’d call them partners now as Brian has always insisted he doesn’t ‘do’ boyfriends.

“They’re on their honeymoon,” Ted snickered still amused that Brian Kinney had been caught by someone.

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Michael asked obviously distressed. “I’m his best friend, there’s no way he is moving out of his loft. I was at Lindsay’s this morning and she never said anything.”

“That’s because she doesn’t know,” Emmett began to eat Ted’s pancakes.

“This isn’t making any sense.” 

“Hey Auntie Em, Uncle Mikey, Uncle Ted. Are all of you guys helping with the library this morning?” Gus asked, he’d come into the diner knowing that’s where they would all be on a Sunday morning.

“Hey Gus,” Em scooted over and made some room for the boy. “Are you hungry?”

“No, mom made waffles this morning,” Gus grinned at them all. “And dad called and that is my room; Justin said so. He said that there is furniture being delivered for it today and I get my own computer and television and everything for when I stay there.” 

“Wow, that’s a cool room,” Emmett grinned at the boy.

“And the best part is I’m on a different floor so I don’t have to hear dad and Justin having sex every minute of the day.” Gus was more than satisfied with how things were turning out.

“Justin?” Michael asked. “Who is Justin?” 

“You know Uncle Mikey, Justin, he owns Clouds the gallery beside Kinnetik. Dad and Justin are partners and dad is going to live with him. Boy where have you been. Dad has been completely in love with him for like ages,” Gus’s voice was that of a typical kid’s condescending tone. 

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Justin, you know I never and I do mean never thought I would say this, but being a bottom boy has its advantages.” Brian lay spread-eagled on the king size bed that was now bare of any bedding. Their activities had thrown it all to the floor.

“Hey, I’ve known that for years,” Justin grinned from his position tucked under Brian’s arm, his legs thrown over Brian’s. “It’s the bottom who’s in total control and it’s the bottom that benefits from the most intense orgasm. It’s a well kept bottom boy secret. After all if all the confirmed tops knew about it, there’d be nobody to top.” 

“I see you’ve given this some thought,” Brian smiled and let his hand rub Justin’s arm. “You know, touching your skin after sex is more refreshing than a cigarette.”

“Another secret I’ve been keeping to myself,” Justin teased. 

“Any more secrets?” Brian asked lazily. “Any children I don’t know about or old boyfriends that will pop out of the woodwork?” 

“No kids that I know of and as for boyfriends, they never really lasted all that long.”

“How did you get this?” Brian’s fingers had found the small scar on his forehead.

Justin sighed; he hated talking about the time he was bashed. It had taken a lot of counseling and time to get over it, but Brian had to know. “One of the football players in my school took offense to the fact that I’m gay and hit me in the head with a baseball bat. It was in all the papers.”

“That was you?” Brian asked. “Weren’t you in a coma for awhile, I remember reading about it.”

“Yeah, I was and I still have motor skill problems with this hand,” he held up the offending hand. “The bastard barely got a slap on the wrist but I’ll never be able to forget it.”

“Yet you’re still out and proud,” Brian pulled Justin close to him. 

“He wasn’t going to win that battle,” Justin smiled. “I’m doing the best I can do under the circumstances. I keep track of him and you can be damn sure that I make sure I’m the best I can be just to show him that he didn’t win and he never will.” 

“Justin, I love you.” 

“I know you do Brian. I love you too.” Justin shut his eyes and fell asleep despite the fact that it was almost noon. Brian held him close and listened to his breathing before shutting his own eyes and letting sleep wash over him.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

“Brian there are too many lights on upstairs,” Justin looked up at the building that housed Clouds.

“I’m not surprised.” Brian paid the limo driver and looked up with Justin. “That’s the reason I asked Emmett to move my things. I knew he’d never keep it quiet. I’m sure the whole gang knows now. It’s probably saved us a few dozen hours of explanation.”

“You’re evil,” Justin laughed. 

Brian laughed, “I hope Emmett thought to tell Debbie, I bet you’re hungry and Deb always brings food.”

“This is it then.” They placed their luggage inside the door to Clouds and then hand in hand walked to the elevator. Their new life was really beginning. 

April 23, 2005