Eye of the Beholder Plot bunny by Judy Justin looked in the mirror for the tenth time. He started his first job in less than an hour and there had been no startling change in his appearance overnight. There were times when he wished that there really was such a thing as a fairy godmother. His heavy rimmed glasses slipped down his nose once again. He was going to have to take some time to get the damned thing fixed. But the problem was, when he did have the time, he never remembered them. He stared at the contact lens package on the bathroom counter. The stupid things made his eyes water and Justin figured red watery eyes weren’t the best look for him. So on went the glasses once again. He shrugged into his shirt. He liked the feeling of the soft cotton against his skin. And he loved the color. The fact that it was a size too big really didn’t matter to Justin. It was clean, comfortable and was an amazing shade of deep plum. He liked to think it was the same shade as the distant mountains at sunset. In fact he liked it so much that he’d bought six of them all the same at The Big Q. He did up his trousers, the heavy material bagged out at the knees, but Justin knew that he had a rather plump ass and in order to get something to fit loosely over it, he had to sacrifice the rest of the ‘look’ so as not to put his body on display. He’d certainly had that drummed through his head by his father over the years. As if anyone would be looking at his fat ass anyway. A quick brush of his hair with a worn hairbrush to get the fine blond strands out of his eyes and he was ready for his first day at work. Glancing around his apartment to make sure that he’d turned off the stove and put away the milk, Justin sighed. It was his first apartment. He’d finally broken free of his parents place and none too soon. They had done their best to stifle his creativity and his self worth. Only the fact that he’d been a voracious reader had let him know that there was a whole world out there for him. He grabbed his satchel and headed out the door. He had to hurry if he was going to catch the bus that would take him to Kinnetic and his new job as head of the art department. The bus arrived at the stop just as Justin arrived as well. He grinned at the driver as he scrambled aboard. His day was beginning perfectly. During the half hour bus ride, Justin let his mind wander over the last ten years of his life. He half laughed to himself; it was hardly a walk on the beach. He’d turned thirteen and puberty had hit with a vengeance and with it, the realization that he was different than the other boys in his class. When they gathered in groups to discuss girls and lie about their prowess, Justin could only wonder at the fascination with the opposite sex. Girls were interesting, he liked how they dressed, and he loved their smell, but sexually, they might as well have been any other biped walking around. He really wasn’t interested. Now boys on the other hand, or rather, slightly older ones, like his art history teacher, that was entirely different. It was then he came to fully appreciate his mother’s penchant for purchasing his clothing larger than he required - he was never going to grow into them, but they did cover his almost constant raging hard on whenever he came across Mr. Laherty or Chris Hobbs or any one of the football team. He thanked the powers that be almost daily until he graduated from high school, for his chronic asthma that kept him from participating in gym class. Getting undressed in front of all those boys would have been a killer. But he did get to be in the locker room while they changed, for while he couldn’t participate in the class, he was able to assist the teacher, yet another reason for his swollen cock. Mr. James was enough to make him spontaneously cum. By the time he’d graduated from Saint James and entered PIFA, his reputation as a geeky loner was firmly established. He’d long grown out of the asthma attacks and he was able to control his cock within reason, but his manner of dress, his always-bad haircut, and his thick glasses, managed to keep any of the more interesting guys away. Justin lived vicariously through his art and the books he read. He’d even written a couple of novels himself where the hero was a handsome blond who could get any guy he wanted and frequently did. Thank gawd for the Joy of Gay Sex or he wouldn’t have known how to write the sex scenes. It was his novels that had provided the money to move away from his parents. A movie company had purchased one and that one would finance his lifestyle for a long time to come. And now Kinnetic had hired him. Justin was looking forward to his first day. He’d never met his boss, as Cynthia, Mr. Kinney’s assistant, had been the one to do the interview. Getting into the crowded elevator at the Kinnetic office building, Justin tripped and stumbled forward knocking into a tall auburn haired man dressed impeccably in a deep gray suit. Unfortunately he was carrying a coffee from Starbucks and it sloshed over the man’s hand and onto his suit. “Fuck” the word reverberated through the elevator and everyone turned to look. Justin turned red with embarrassment and reached out to brush off the coffee. He only succeeded in stepping forward onto the highly polished shoes of the man. “Sorry,” Justin mumbled and looked down at the scraped toe of one shoe. The man glared at him and stepped back into the crowd in an effort to avoid Justin. Justin shrank into a corner wishing he could disappear. Slowly floor after floor, the elevator emptied leaving only Justin and Mr. Dreamboat as Justin was beginning to think of him. The doors opened and Mr. Dreamboat and Justin stepped off at the same time, once again Justin managed to nudge the other man’s arm. Once again coffee spilled and once again the word “Fuck” was shouted; only this time accompanied by a few more choice words that cut like a thousand knives into Justin’s body. Cynthia rushed out of her office and came face to face with a furious Brian and a wounded Justin. “Brian, Justin.” She looked from one to another. “Brian, I see you’ve met your new Art Director. Justin Taylor this is Brian Kinney, he usually isn’t so grumpy.” “I’m sorry Mr. Kinney.” Justin began. He was cut off before he could continue. “Sorry is fucking bullshit.” Brian handed the offending cup to Cynthia. “Taylor, my office fifteen minutes. Cynthia, my office NOW.” Brian stalked down the hall. Justin could only assume the man was headed for his office. Cynthia looked at Justin and shrugged. “It’ll be okay Justin, he’s not his best in the morning.” “I didn’t mean to knock his coffee all over him.” “I know and he’ll settle down.” Cynthia patted Justin’s arm. “I see you managed to miss the spill” she laughed. “Why don’t you go to your office and get settled in. I’ve put the newest art boards on the desk there. It’s too bad John, our previous director couldn’t stay to show you the ropes, but we’ll just have to deal with it.” “What about Mr. Kinney, he wants me in his office in a few minutes.” “I’ll explain to Brian that you’re busy. I’d suggest you wait at least an hour before meeting with him. I believe he has an opening at ten thirty. Why don’t I pencil you in for that time.” “Thanks Cynthia. I hope everything is okay.” Justin began to walk toward his office. Cynthia watched him leave. She felt bad for the young man. It was his first day and already he’d felt Brian’s wrath. She could tell by the dejected slump of Justin’s shoulders that the rocky beginning of his new career bothered him. “Brian,” Cynthia began as she walked into her friend’s office. “You were pretty hard on Justin.” “Where the fuck did you find him? He looks about fifteen. What kind of qualifications does he have? I told you to wait until I got back.” Brian continued to glare at Cynthia as he booted his laptop up. “Having a Drama Queen moment are we?” Cynthia asked as she sat down. She’d been working with Brian for most of her working career. He stopped frightening her years ago. His name is Justin Taylor; he is twenty-three years old. He grew up in Pittsburgh, attended St. James Academy where he graduated at the top of his class. He was awarded a full scholarship at PIFA, though he turned it down so that someone who needed the money could use it. His parents paid his tuition. He graduated from PIFA, again at the top of his class. His art has won awards for him since he was fourteen years old. He’s a generous donator of his work for the GLC when they need something for their fund raising activities. He’s incredibly shy and while he isn’t particularly ‘out’, he also doesn’t seem shy about his sexual preference as his main theme, most of his work that is sold at shows, and rather explicitly drawn I’d say, depicts gay love at it’s finest. He will be an asset to Kinnetic and comes with the highest recommendation, from not only PIFA but from various companies where he interned during his University years.” “He told you all of this?” Brian asked. He had picked up the folder on his desk that held Justin’s resume and was looking through it. “Because it doesn’t say shit in this.” “Of course he didn’t tell me all of that. I made a few phone calls and found out all of it on my own.” “If he lives in the Pitts, why haven’t I heard of him or seen him around?” “Does he look like the kind of guy who would frequent the baths?” Cynthia smirked. “He’s too smart for that kind of thing.” Brian shot Cynthia look that spoke volumes, though she didn’t back down. “Cynthia,” Brian sighed and started again. “Cynthia, I appreciate that you felt we needed to fill John’s position right away. But this Justin Taylor just doesn’t seem to be the kind of guy that Kinnetic would have on the payroll. He’s worse than Ted for fuck sake.” “Brian, I didn’t hire him to be one of your afternoon delights. I hired Justin because he was the best man for the job. He’s sweet and he’s talented. He will be an asset to the company. You need to look past his general demeanor and see the real Justin Taylor. The one I met last week, who is funny and bright and makes you smile. Not the shy bundle of nerves you met this morning.” “I don’t know Cynthia.” Brian looked at the resume again. “I put his portfolio over in the corner. Take your time and look through it. You’ll see what I mean.” Cynthia got up and found Justin’s black leather portfolio. She handed it to Brian. “I told Justin to come and see you at ten thirty, so take your time.” “Is he working on the Anderson file now?” “Yes, he is and the Lens Cutters one as well.” Cynthia opened the door. “I’ll get you another coffee.” “Thanks” Brian said absently as he began to look through the pictures in the portfolio. Justin Taylor’s talent was very evident. He’d selected a variety of different techniques to show. Each and everyone had been executed perfectly. At the very back of the portfolio was a picture that surprised him. It was one of Gus. Brian was pushing Gus on a swing in the park; Justin had captured the love in Brian’s eyes and the joy on Gus’ face as he reached with his feet for the sky. Gus looked to be about three years old in the picture, so it must have been done almost two or three years ago. Brian couldn’t remember the date because he spent many afternoons pushing Gus on the swings. He removed the picture and placed it on top of the large folio. Then picking up his phone, he dialed the art room extension. “Taylor, my office now.” Brian barked into the phone. He hung up before Justin could say a word. Justin stared at the phone. This was obviously not going to work out. He’d had enough of being barked at when he lived at home and there was no fucking way he was going to put up with being treated like shit, now that he was on his own and working. He could have worked for his father if he’d wanted that. He’d see what this asshole he was supposed to be working for wanted and then he’d call up Vanguard and tell them he’d accept their offer. It was more money anyway. He’d only taken this job because Cynthia had been so nice. She could have warned him that Brian Kinney was a supreme asshole. Brian looked up when he heard the knock at his door. “Come in” “Mr. Kinney?” Justin looked in. “Taylor” Brian answered. “Have a seat. We need to talk.” Justin walked hesitantly into the ogre’s office; he tripped over his feet and landed ungracefully in the chair he’d been aiming for. Brian resisted rolling his eyes heaven ward and began. “I’ve looked over your portfolio. Can you tell me a little bit about a couple of your submissions?” “Which ones?” Brian pulled out a print of a study done in reds and black and gray tones. “To me this looks angry and yet sad at the same time.” “I was feeling exactly like that when I did it. It was done during my first year at PIFA, my father was on my case constantly about what a mistake I’d made by not going to Dartmouth and he’d just found out that I’d turned down the scholarship I’d been offered. I spent a month sleeping rough in the park while he calmed down. That is one of a series of paintings I did at the time. All ten of them were bought by Metro Life and hang in their head office. You can’t tell by that print, but they are rather large paintings, all of them are six feet by six feet.” Brian was impressed, but he didn’t let the fact show on his face, instead he pulled out another. “This looks like an ad that I saw in Vanity Fair magazine a year or so ago.” “It is. It’s a copy of one that I did for Vanguard Agencies when I interned there two years ago. The head of the art department changed a couple of things and then said it was his work. He almost won an award with it. The ad would have won if he’d left it like you see it now. I was kind of glad he’d made the changes, the jerk.” Brian nodded his agreement. He’d heard that the head of the art department at Vanguard had done this kind of thing before. “What about this one?” Brian asked pulling out the sketch of him and Gus. Justin’s face softened as he looked at the sketch. “It was one of a series I did three years ago. I used to spend a lot of time in the park sketching. It was a way of getting out of the house and getting some fresh air. I’m so pale people are always thinking I’m sick. So I thought I’d try and get a bit of sun. I used to see that man and his little boy there all the time. I began to sketch them. I guess I was kind of dreaming that it was me. That my father loved me and was a good father like the one I drew. I envied that little boy.” His voice trailed off in a whisper as he remembered those days. “Do you still go to that park?” “No, I stopped going after I did the sketches. It was too hard. I was living in a dream world and that wasn’t good for me. My father is the way he is and no amount of dreaming would change that. He’ll never be half the man that that little boy’s father was.” Justin looked wistful and sad. “You think this man was a good father? You couldn’t know that from watching him for an hour or so in the park.” “I watched him for weeks in the park. He was a great father. He’d listen when his little boy would tell him long and involved stories. He’d laugh at the boy’s jokes and the look of love in his eyes was something that everyone could see.” Justin looked up at Brian curious. “You know you kind of remind me of him. You have the same hair and eye color, but you’re not as nice.” He flushed when he realized what he’d said. Brian barked out a barely surpressed laugh. “When I’m with Gus I suppose I am a different person.” He admitted. “It is me in the picture. I’d like to buy it off of you and I wouldn’t mind seeing the others.” “Five hundred dollars and it’s yours.” Justin said. Brian didn’t flinch at the price. He reached into his wallet and pulled out five hundred dollar bills. “Here.” He handed Justin the money. “Thanks, I’m glad you like it. The other’s are at the Rainbow Gallery on Liberty Avenue. Do you know it?” Justin asked. “Yes, Gus’ mother works there, Lindsay Peterson.” “Oh, I know Lindsay.” Justin smiled. “She’s very nice.” “Yes she is.” Brian agreed. He stood up and offered his hand for Justin to shake. “Welcome to Kinnetic, we should get along fine as long as you stay away from me if you or me are holding any liquids.” Justin decision to quit flew out the window when he stared into the green and gold flecked eyes. His heart fluttered and he could feel his stomach clench as his eyes moved down to full lips kissed with the color of raspberry. Holding his breath, Justin shook Brian’s hand. “I have the boards ready for your approval.” He said instead. His blush gave his face a healthy glow. Brian noticed how smooth the younger man’s skin was and he wondered what he looked like under the layers of clothing that Justin wore like armor. Floating out of Brian’s office, Justin headed back for the art studio. Brian studied the picture he’d bought. He’d take it to Rainbow Galleries and have it framed on his lunch hour. At lunchtime, Brian wandered into the gallery, his sketch carefully placed in his briefcase. “Hey Linds” he greeted his friend. “Brian, what a surprise.” Lindsay came over and gave him a quick hug. “What are you doing here?” “I bought a sketch. I want it framed.” He opened the case and took out his sketch handing it to her. “I understand the artist has others along the same vein.” “Yes he does.” She said looking at the sketch. “You know I never noticed this before, but doesn’t the child remind you of Gus?” “It is Gus.” “Then the father is you.” “That’s what you tell me.” Brian had discovered the display of Justin’s work. “I’ll take this one and this one.” He pointed out the sketches. “Frame the one I brought in to match.” He looked over the rest of the sketches. “Maybe I’d better take the whole series. I can put them on that brick wall in the loft.” “Brian they’re two hundred and fifty dollars each.” “It’s a steal. The little shit charged me five hundred for the one I brought in.” he smiled at the audacity of his new employee. Justin Taylor was becoming more and more interesting. “What do you know about him?” he turned as he asked Lindsay the question. “Not a great deal. We’ve been selling his work for almost four years now. It sells well. We keep the price low as he’s only beginning his career. I’ve met him a couple of times. He’s very shy, not your type at all.” “Oh, I have a type do I?” Brian drawled. “Of course you do. You like tall thin beautiful men.” She paused. “Justin is wonderful, he has an amazing sense of humor, he’s smart and he’s kind. But as to his looks, well you have to understand that he’s very shy and he’s been kept in the closet by his father and mother more so than himself. They have never let him become the man he could be. I understand he has his own place now. I’m hoping that he’ll come into his own.” She looked at Brian. “If you know Justin, maybe you could ask him to go to Woody’s with the gang.” “I’m not into rehabilitating sad looking fags.” Brian snorted. “The kid has talent but that’s about it.” “It wouldn’t hurt you to be kind Brian.” “I’ve bought his damn sketches; I’m not going to marry the guy.” Brian leaned over and kissed Lindsay’s cheek. “I’ve got to head back to the office. Give me a call when the picture is framed. I’ll take all of them home then.” The next couple of weeks were hectic at Kinnetic. Brian and Justin found that they worked well together, neither one cared how many hours they put in as long as the job got done to their satisfaction. They shared take out dinners and really got to know one another while they worked. Brian liked Justin; he was turning into a good friend. But Justin, Justin loved Brian. Justin knew that part of the reason they worked so well together was the fact that for some reason he intuitively knew what Brian needed and wanted. He was completely in tune to the other man’s moods and desires as far as work was considered. But Justin wanted more. He wanted Brian to really look at him. To see him for what he was. Brian found himself thinking of Justin more and more as the weeks went on. They didn’t meet socially, but he often spent his free nights at home now rather than go out to Babylon or Woody’s. He had placed the chaise lounge in front of the brick wall that held Justin’s sketches and he would often sit for hours studying them and remembering the day that the scene had taken place. Justin would spend his free time in front of his computer working on book number three. In this one the handsome blond hero fell deeply in love with a tall dashing auburn haired man whose eyes flashed with glints of green and gold. Brian no longer noticed the thick rimmed glasses or the shaggy blond hair. He barely registered Justin’s baggy pants and too big plum shirts. He would tease him about his constant clumsiness, but it was done in fun and they both laughed about it. Brian found himself anxious to get to work each day and he spent more and more time in the art department working with Justin rather than in his office. He found excuses to brush against the younger man, to push the blond silk out of his eyes. He pondered whether the plum shirts brought out the brilliant blue that hid behind the thick glasses or whether that was their natural color. And one day, when the sun streamed into the art studio haloing Justin, Brian realized that he’d well and truly fallen in love with the other man. The realization terrified him and made him happy at the same time. He’d never even had sex with Justin, let alone a date or even lunch or dinner outside of the office. He’d never been to Justin’s home or had Justin to the loft. In fact Justin had no contact with any of Brian’s extended family other than the occasional visit with Lindsay. The day came when Brian knew he was going to have to do something. He was about to ask Justin into his office to put his cards on the table when Cynthia came in with the mail and the announcement that Kinnetic was up for an award for their AIDs awareness spot that Brian and Justin had worked on two months before. “You and Justin have to attend the awards banquet. It’s black tie.” Cynthia said. She grinned at Brian who shook his head no. “Come on boss, you’ll be the best looking man there.” Justin sat at his desk studying the invitation that Cynthia had dropped off. He couldn’t possibly go to something like this. Cynthia saw Justin lost in thought as she passed by the office off and on during the day. Finally she asked what was the matter. Justin nodded at the invitation on his desk. To him it had taken on the proportions of a giant white elephant. “I don’t know what to wear.” He mumbled. “I’ve never been to anything like this.” “Do you own a tux?” she asked. “No” “Can you afford to buy one?” “Sure, I’ve got money.” Justin looked at her. “Why?” “Let’s do my favorite thing. Let’s go shopping.” She grinned at him. “Tomorrow I’ll pick you up and we’ll shop.” She hesitated, “I’d like to do a complete makeover. Would you mind?” Justin shrugged and looked down at his clothes. “What’s wrong with what I’m wearing? I’m comfortable.” “But you’d be more comfortable if you dressed better. Honey, you’re such a sweetheart. You have flawless skin, beautiful eyes and I bet under those baggy clothes your body isn’t that bad.” “You do know I bat for the other team don’t you?” he asked. “I know you have the hots for our illustrious leader.” She replied and laughed when Justin blushed. “I’m betting that he feels the same way. I actually heard him whistling the other day after you left his office.” “I don’t think he feels the same. But I would like to go with you on Saturday.” “It’s a date.” Cynthia said. “What’s a date?” Brian asked coming into the room. “Cynthia and I are going shopping on Saturday.” Justin admitted. “She’s tired of my plum shirts.” “Now that you mention it, why do you always wear the same shirt?” Brian asked as he sat on the corner of Justin’s desk. “It isn’t the same shirt. I have a lot of them. I liked the color so I bought a bunch at The Big Q.” Brian shuddered. “Cynthia I’ll fire your ass if you take him shopping at The Big Q.” She giggled. “Don’t worry Brian, no Big Q.” “What’s wrong with The Big Q? It’s got everything you need in one spot and you don’t waste a lot of time.” Justin looked bewildered. “The color suits you Sunshine” Brian had taken to calling Justin that when he’d first seen his smile. The word always caused Justin’s cock to twitch. “But I think after the last six months, we could retire it and go for another color.” Justin shrugged. “Whatever” he said. He really wasn’t all that interested in clothes. “Did you want something Brian?” he asked. “Right, I did come in here. I thought that maybe you would like to go to the awards banquet with me.” “Like a date?” Justin was astonished. “Like two guys working together and who are up for an award.” Brian corrected with a smile. “If I was taking you on a date, it would be better than a rubber chicken dinner.” Justin flushed. Once again his mouth had spit out words he’d rather have kept to himself. “If you want to, then we could go together. Do you want me to pick you up?” Justin asked. “Aren’t you still taking the bus?” “I am, but I do own a car.” “Then why take the bus?” “Why not?” Justin shrugged. “It’s not that far and it seems a shame to drive to work and look for a parking space when I can walk out my front door, catch a bus and be here in less time.” Brian intrigued said. “Pick me up at six thirty. It’ll give us time to get downtown and find a parking space.” He headed out of the studio. “I’d like an orchid for my corsage” he teased. “It’s not a date asshole” Justin said back with a laugh. Cynthia stood there amused, listening to Brian’s laughter as he walked to his office. Cynthia and Justin spent Saturday shopping. She even took Justin to Brian’s hair stylist who trimmed the soft blond locks, saying that it would be a shame to cut them off. By the time Justin was finished he was a combination of exhausted and excited. Cynthia had spared nothing in remaking him. From the stylish frames on his glasses, to his hair cut, Justin looked amazing. And his clothes, well she’d made him bundle up all of his old stuff and donate it to Good Will. Wearing only a track suit, they had set out for the downtown stores. Brian was going to be surprised when he was picked up next Saturday evening. He almost wished the other man would be in the office the next week so that he could see the transformation, but Brian had to go to Chicago on business and wouldn’t be back until late Friday evening. When Justin walked into the art department on Monday morning, a buzz of approval for his new look traveled around the room. By mid afternoon his walk was more confident and he spoke with assurance. Something he only did when he was with Brian. The phone on Justin’s desk rang after six. He was alone in the office working. He may have a whole new look, but he had the same job and it required long hard hours to work to the perfection demanded by Brian Kinney. “Art department” Justin answered absentmindedly. “Hey Sunshine, I thought I’d find you there.” Brian said. He was lying on the bed in his hotel room and oddly enough he was missing Justin. He never missed anyone when he was on business trips. In fact he looked forward to them so that he could be away from the gang and relax. But somehow not having Justin to discuss the day’s projects with or just smile at him as he walked by, well, somehow Brian was missing the younger man. “Brian, hi, why did you call?” Justin asked. He was thrilled of course that Brian had called. He desperately had needed the sound of Brian’s voice. He wanted to tell him all about his shopping trip with Cynthia. “I don’t know. I was sitting here and you came to mind. How was your shopping trip?” “Pretty good, though Cynthia made me give away all of my old stuff.” Brian laughed. “So what did you buy?” “Everything, even socks, she said no one wears tube socks anymore unless they’re in school.” “She’s right.” Brian ginned at the thought of Justin and Cynthia shopping. “Did you get something to wear for Saturday?” “Yes, but it’s being altered. We went to the tailor you use. Cynthia said you really liked him and he did seem kind of nice.” “What are you wearing now?” Brian asked. “Is this a dirty phone call?” Justin joked, amazed at his audacity. Brian laughed. “It could be if you wanted it to be.” “I’ve never had one so I don’t know.” Justin admitted. “But I’m wearing a pair of trousers that are kind of blue and a white Egyptian cotton shirt.” “Kind of blue, I thought you were an artist and color was your ‘thing’.” “It is and they are kind of blue.” Justin laughed. “You’d have to see them to understand.” “I like the idea of the shirt.” “It’s a nice shirt. I got a couple of them.” “You can’t have too many white shirts.” “You didn’t say that about my plum shirts.” “No you CAN have too many plum shirts.” Brian laughed. “I think I might even miss them. Did you hide one from Cynthia’s eyes by any chance?” “How did you know?” Justin asked his face split wide in a grin. “I’m beginning to know Justin Taylor the man as well as Justin Taylor the artist. I’d like to think we’ve become friends.” “I would too. I kind of think of you as my friend as well as my boss.” Justin added. “That’s not a bad thing is it?” “It’s probably not recommended, but I think of you as my friend as well as an employee. Maybe we should talk about you becoming a partner in the firm. That way we’d be on an equal footing.” “Are you serious?” Justin asked. “Very serious.” Brian realized he was. He not only wanted Justin as his business partner but as his life partner. He’d have to see what he could do to make the other man love him as much as he was loved. “I’d like that Brian.” Justin’s voice was quiet as the implications of what Brian had said sunk in. “Hey, my book was accepted.” “That’s great. I’ll have to read it when it’s published. Maybe even get the author to autograph it.” “The author would consider doing it.” Justin sat back in his chair and smiled to himself. What started that night as a phone call between friends, began a tradition. When Brian and Justin hung up they both knew that Justin would be waiting for the telephone to ring the next evening. By Thursday, Brian had taken to calling on his lunch break as well. Friday he called first thing in the morning, at lunch and just before he got on his plane to return. “I wish I could see you tonight” Brian said for the third time. “I wish we could see each other too. But I have a family thing I can’t get out of. I’ll be staying there overnight. But don’t forget our non date. I’ll pick you up at six thirty like we agreed.” “You’re sure you have a car?” “I have a Lexus. It’s silver with black leather interior.” “You do? I didn’t know I paid you that much.” Brian laughed. “You don’t, I bought it with my last book sale.” Justin chuckled. “I’ll let you drive if you’d like.” “I think I’d rather my ‘date’ drive me.” Brian snickered. They had been teasing each other back and forth all week about their ‘date’ that wasn’t. “If I buy my date dinner, will he put out?” Justin had to slip that in. Not that he would have a clue how to begin the seduction and consequential love making. It was one thing to write about it in his books and quite another to actually be doing it. “You wound me Sunshine to think I’d do such a thing on our first non date.” Brian had every intention of seducing his young partner to be. In fact he was going to see that his loft was all ready for Justin after the awards banquet. “I’m sorry for thinking you were ‘easy’. It must have been your green eyes that swayed me in that direction. Or maybe the fact that you are known as the stud of Liberty Avenue.” “Geeze where did you hear that?” Brian was almost embarrassed, something he never thought would happen when it came to his prowess in the back rooms of Liberty Avenue. “Brian, I might not go to the clubs, but I haven’t lived under a rock for the last few years. You have quite the reputation.” “I’ve changed, but my reputation hasn’t.” Brian admitted. “Reputations do have a way of following you around alright.” Justin said with a smile in his voice. “But I know you Brian. You are nothing like your reputation. Well the hot part is right, but the heartless son of a bitch isn’t. You are anything but heartless.” “Well, keep my secret.” Brian joked. “Your secret is safe with me.” Justin said. “I have to go now. I’ll pick you up at six thirty tomorrow.” “Do you know my address?” “Actually I do, you live two buildings away from me. I see you drive past every day on my way to the bus stop.” “You live that close to me and you never said anything?” “You never asked.” “I could have driven you to work.” “Or we could have taken the same bus.” “I don’t take buses” “Maybe you should, there are some interesting people on the bus.” “Oh, like who?” “Like me.” Justin laughed. “Later Brian.” He hung up the phone, visions of Brian dancing through his head. Tomorrow night was going to be interesting. Brian stared at the phone in his hand before hanging it up. He could feel his heart fluttering and he laughed out loud. None of the gang would ever believe that the heartless Brian Kinney not only had a heart, but that he was quite willing to give it away to a young blond with no sense of style when it came to dressing. But what Justin looked like on the outside really didn’t matter. He was the most wonderful young man on the inside. He was kind and funny, intelligent and truly beautiful inside. Brian doodled on the paper beside him making hearts with their initials. He realized what he was doing and laughed out loud again. He really was turning into a dyke. Justin was a bundle of nerves by the time he dressed Saturday night. He checked himself once again in the mirror. It was almost as if a stranger was in his apartment. He’d had all week to get used to this stylish looking young man who stared out of the mirror at him. But tonight, dressed in his tuxedo with his white shirt gleaming and his hair slicked back, he was truly a different looking man than the one who had stared back a few months before. Picking up the pot of orchids that he’d selected for Brian, Justin left his apartment. He would walk over to Brian’s building; they could come back here for his car. Brian paced the length of his loft. He’d been pacing for almost fifteen minutes and checking the time at each pass of the kitchen. He looked at his nails. He used to bite them when he was in high school. He almost wished he hadn’t forced himself to stop. His buzzer rang and he jumped, startled by an everyday sound. “I’m here” Justin breathed into the intercom. He held his breath until he heard the sound of the lock releasing. Brian opened the loft door. He couldn’t wait to see Justin. It had been a whole week. He wanted to see those thick black frames and that shaggy hair. It was so endearing. As the elevator rose, Brian’s eyes widened. Only the grin was the same. Standing in front of him was the handsomest blond man he’d ever seen. Right out of the pages of GQ. Justin stepped off the elevator, a pot of orchids in his hand. “Hey Brian, geeze you look great.” Brian could barely speak. “What happened to your glasses?” was all he could get out when his voice returned. “They’re on my face.” “No the other ones.” “They’re at home.” “You got your hair cut.” “Apparently” Brian held out his arms. And Justin walked into them. They had never done anything even remotely like this. But somehow, tonight it just seemed right. “I can’t believe I’ve never had you in my arms before.” Brian murmured. “It’s the tux” “No” “The haircut?” “No” “Tell me it isn’t the glasses.” “No you idiot, it’s you. I missed you.” “I missed you too. I bought you orchids. I thought an orchid corsage was a bit over the top. I wasn’t sure if you’d like the pink ribbons so I went with a potted one.” “I’m glad, I don’t like pink ribbons.” “What do you like?” “You, I like you Sunshine.” The end.