All I Need – Is a Little More Time – 7

Three weeks of Justin spending his evenings with Brian, his days working at Kinnetik and his nights restlessly not sleeping as he worried about Brian being alone, had taken a toll on the blond. 

“Ran, tell me your honest opinion, how long do you think he’s going to be like this?” Justin sat in the chair beside Brian’s bed, his feet on the metal rails. Ran sat on the other side, his feet on the rails on that side. Jacob was spending the night with Gus, so Justin had the whole night to spend with Brian. He rather liked it despite the rumbling and spirting of various bodily functions into bottles and tubes.

“There’s no reason for Brian’s brain to be taking this holiday. Every test we’ve done comes out negative or positive, depending how you want to look at it.”  Ran took a hit of the joint he was smoking and passed it over Brian to Justin who sucked it back gratefully. 
The two had become good friends over the last three weeks. 

“I guess that’s good.” Justin said. “I keep telling him to wake the fuck up, but he never listens to me. I even told him I was fucking up Kinnetik, kind of like reverse therapy or something. But he still won’t wake up.”

“Are you, fucking up Kinnetik I mean?” Ran asked.  

“No, I think we’re going to do better this quarter than the last.” Justin took another toke and passed the joint again. “I mean it’s only been three weeks, but the project is ahead of schedule. We’ve already received one bonus for coming in ahead. In two weeks we’ll get another. Not to mention the designs I did for three of the stores signed off. That’ll be part of Kinnetik’s income. Fucking Brian, I told him I didn’t want to work for Kinnetik and he had to go and do this sleeping beauty shit just to make me.”

“That’s right Sunshine, now pass me that dube.” Brian’s voice was husky. He’d been awake for the last hour listening to someone he figured had to be his doctor, and Justin as they smoked up and bitched about one thing or another. It had taken him that long to figure out what had happened. 

“Brian, if you’re just bad dope talking and I’m hallucinating, I’m sooooo going to kill you.” Justin said leaping onto the bed and straddling Brian to stare into his face. “Open your fucking eyes, you asshole.”

“Justin, I don’t think that’s a prescribed medical technique for someone waking from a coma.” Ran stood up after carefully stubbing out their smoke. “I’ll be right back. I’ve got to open the window and air this place out.”

“Unlock the door too.” Justin reminded him. They had the door blocked with a heavy chair.  “Brian, open your fucking eyes or say something.”

“Get the fuck off of me but kiss me first.” Brian managed to say before his lips were crushed by Justin’s. 

“Uh Justin, let him breathe.” Ran said, “Hey Brian, I’m your doctor.”

“I figured.” Brian said. “Fuck my head feels like shit, not to mention my mouth.”

“You’ve been out of it.”

“I know, you guys have been bitching about it.” Brian opened one eye to look at Justin who flushed. 

“Not bitching, just asking questions. Well, maybe a bit of bitching.” Justin said with a grin. “I’ve had to give up my life of leisure you shit.” 

“How long?” 

“A little more than three weeks.” Justin said, stretching out along side of Brian and snuggling close. “I shaved you every day.”

“How many scars?” Brian asked with a laugh.

“Not many.” Justin laughed, giddy that Brian was talking to him. 

“Let me check him out Justin,” Ran said as he shone a light in Brian’s eyes, took readings for his blood pressure and other vitals.

“I’m tired.” Brian shut his eyes, “We’ll talk later.” He fell asleep, only this time Justin could tell it was sleep and not coma. 

“Is he okay?” Justin asked. He wasn’t going to move. He rather liked being trapped in the bed with the rails up. 

“He’s going to be just fine.” Ran said. “Shit, who would have thought he’d wake up while we were smoking up.” 

“He’s like that, he likes surprises.” Justin giggled, his fingers tracing Brian’s jaw line. 

“I’m going to write this up in his chart, but lay low for a couple of hours. That’s all you’ve got before all hell breaks loose with the great Kinney waking up.”

“Can’t you wait until morning, it’s not like it’s going to hurt anything?” Brian had been transferred to a long-term care section of the hospital. He had a room to himself, which allowed Justin more freedom than when he’d been in the general population. 

“I suppose it won’t hurt.” Ran sat back down. “I think I’m going to ask Daphne out.” 
“You think?” Justin snorted. He wished Ran would bugger off, he wanted some alone time with sleeping Brian. He’d had enough of coma Brian.

“Yeah.” Ran said. “You know you won’t be able to take him home tomorrow if that’s what you have in mind.”

“Why not?” 

“Well, for one thing he needs to get some strength back. He’s been asleep for a damn long time. For another thing, we need to get all the bells and whistles off of him and out of him and make sure he works.”

“If he can piss and shit, can he go home.” Justin asked crudely.

“If he has home care, yes.” 

“I’m taking him home. You can bring Daphne over to check on him. Hell, you can come too.” 

“Gee thanks.” Ran griped. “I suppose I might as well get someone to disconnect him. I’ll give you another couple of hours and then I swear, I’m letting the world through the door.” 

“If you’re going out to eat, bring me back some pizza and Daphne.” Justin said as he closed his eyes. “And shut the lights out.” 

“Now who’s the asshole?” Ran mumbled, as he did what was asked. 

“Brian, you can open your eyes, he’s gone.” Justin whispered.

“How did you know I was faking it?” 

“I know you?” Justin asked.

“You are such a blond brat.” Brian sighed. “Fuck, I feel like shit. Has it really been that long?”

“Yes, I lived every fucking minute of it a thousand times. If you ever do this again, so help me I’m putting you out of your misery.”

“What misery, I was asleep.” Brian let his one hand rub up and down Justin’s arm. 

“Brian, do you remember anything about the last few weeks?” Justin was curious. “I was here every day. I used to wonder if all my talking was driving you nuts.” 

“Not much, I might later.” He turned his head and found himself face to face with a bear with fairy wings and a pink tutu. It even had on ballet slippers. “What the fuck is this?” he reached up and held the bear out to look at it better.

Justin snickered. “When you were first hurt, Gus and Jacob gave you their bears to watch over you. After about a week they were missing their bears, but didn’t want to leave you alone at night. So Daphne and Emmett took them to Build a Bear to make you one of your own.”

“They made me a fucking ballet fairy?”

“No, they made you a guardian angel. They liked these wings better and the ballet slippers matched what Gus thought of as an Angel dress. They named him Gordon.” 

“Gordon?” Brian looked at the bear again. “Gordon?” 

“Beats the hell out of me. Gus said that’s his name. I suspect Emmett might have had something to do with it, but he says not.”

“Right.” Brian sighed. “I’ll be glad to get out of here.”

“You haven’t even been in here more than an hour as far as you’re concerned. You’ve been asleep.”

“The point is, I’ve been here for weeks. I need to get home.”

“You heard the doctor.”

“Yeah, the two of you are pretty chummy.” Brian grumbled. 

“Maybe you should close your eyes and go back to sleep, you’re easier to deal with.” 

“Fuck you.”

“Not with that catheter in you won’t.” Justin laughed. “Brian, give it up. I promise I’ll take you out of here the earliest possible moment. Believe me, having you at home will be a lot easier on me than spending hours here. I have a business to run and a kid to look after if you’ll recall.”

“For better or worse, in sickness or health.” Brian quoted.

“I’m going to get that tattooed on your ass.” Justin put his fingers on Brian’s lips. “Shhhhh”

A few minutes passed and Brian said. “Did you have to invoke the power of attorney?”

“Yep.”

“Did everyone freak?”

“Yep.”

“Who was worse, Debbie or Mikey?”

“It was a close tie with Melanie the third runner up.” 

Brian snickered. “I think my cock is broken.”

“It’s not broken, just slightly bent.” Justin lifted the blankets and looked down. “Yep, still there, still hooked up.” 

“Gross.”

“Pretty much.” 

“Do you still love me?”

“Who said I loved you?”

“You did. I wasn’t completely out of it all the time.” 

“Yeah, I still love you.” Justin sighed. “Can you shut up, we only have an hour or so before I have to pretend you’re a patient and I’m the concerned husband.”

“Wife.”

“Husband, asshole.” 

Brian smiled. The fact that Justin still loved him enough to joke with him was all he needed to relax. Having his husband close, his head resting on his chest so that the smell of his shampoo filled his senses was all he required at the moment. 

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

TWO DAYS LATER

“Look Brian, I’m losing my patience.” Justin said when he joined Brian in his hospital room. “Your choice is to stay here or go home with me. Make up your mind. What you aren’t going to do is go to your place on your own. I don’t care how much you bitch and moan, it just isn’t going to happen. I’m invoking my husbandly rights here.”

“Justin be reasonable, your place is too small.” Brian began. He was dressed in black silk pajamas, his long legs crossed at the ankle as he relaxed on his bed. “And don’t get me started on husband’s rights.” 

“You were the one who insisted on marriage, suck it up.” Justin smirked. “I’m not riding up to the top of the mountain in your fucking elevator. I’m not running up and down the Tara staircase to heaven once we get there doing your bidding all day. I have your business to run and my own projects, not to mention a dozen other things on the go. You are being a serious pain in the ass.” He paused for breath. “It’s only until you can walk without falling over on your face and Ran gives you a clean bill of health. You can’t expect to sleep for a month and go dancing out of here.” 

“We’ll get a divorce.” Brian muttered, though he didn’t mean it and Justin knew it. 

“Fine, put it on the schedule for next Tuesday, meanwhile the transport ambulance is taking you home, to my home, your former home, so stop bitching.”

“But it’s all colorful and girly and messy and crowded with shit.” 

“You must be channeling Mikey.” Justin snorted. 

“Fuck you.” Brian mumbled but allowed himself to be helped into the wheelchair that was waiting. Justin tucked a rainbow hued travel blanket around his legs ignoring Brian’s protests before handing him his bear which Brian stuffed under the blanket. He could have brought a more sedate one, but he wanted the cheer of color. He was hoping it would brighten Brian’s mood. 

Justin let the nurse take Brian down in the elevator while he ran down the stairs to meet them. “They’re letting me ride in the transport ambulance with you. I think they’re scared you bite or something.” Justin joked as Brian was loaded. 

“Justin, can we at least swing by Kinnetik for a few minutes?” Brian asked. 

“Brian, no we can’t. But I promise you we’ll go there on Monday. That gives you six days to get your land legs. And meanwhile if you’re a good boy, I’ll show you what I’ve been doing. You can even answer your own emails and everything.”

“I’m not a kid.” Brian grumbled.

“Then stop acting like one.” Justin sat back; it was kind of interesting, riding in this vehicle. He reached forward and took Brian’s hand in his. “You’re a big baby sometimes.” He said, his voice soft. “I don’t want you to worry or be stressed. I promise you that everything is the way you left it, only better. The project is doing well, you know that. You’ve seen the reports. Gus is doing well in the new school. It was nice of Lindsay and Melanie to finally give in on that one. Jacob is thrilled that you are going to stay with us for a few days. He can’t understand why you don’t stay all the time.

Emmett has agreed to cook for us at least once a day, so you won’t starve or have to endure endless omelets or peanut butter sandwiches. And the best part is that I get to sleep next to you every night for six days.”

“I’m sorry Justin. It’s hard for me not to have control over my life.” Brian sighed and brought Justin’s hand to his lips where he kissed the palm. “I’m lucky to have found you. I couldn’t have picked a better husband. Daphne told me all about how you kept the gang away except for short visits. She tells me that you’re damn tough when you have to be.” 

“Daphne has a big mouth.” Justin smiled. “I was protecting my interests.” He winked at Brian. They were pulling in front of the loft. “I’ll show you just what I can do with a silk clad Brian in that nice big bed of ours.” 

“And I’ll show you that a cracked skull didn’t break other more pliable parts.” Brian laughed when Justin flushed. “You are just too easy.” He lifted the bear out from under the travel blanket. “He’s too easy, isn’t he bear?” his voice in falsetto. 

Justin grinned with and leaned forward and hugged Brian. “You know how bears turn me on, put it back under the blanket.” He whispered. 

“Ahhhhh, kinky I should have known.” Justin got out of the van and then watched them lower Brian in his chair.

“I don’t need this chair.” Brian said. “I can walk perfectly fine, I’m just slow.”

“I know, but I kind of like you this way.” Justin smiled. “You can walk around the loft once I get you upstairs.”

“If we got rid of the chair, I could walk up the stairs and you wouldn’t have to take the elevator.” Brian tried.

“I’m not taking the elevator anyway, you are.” Justin let the attendants wheel Brian up the stairs and into the lobby. He signed off that his husband had been delivered and tipped them, though he didn’t have to. Waving them goodbye, Justin leaned down and whispered in Brian’s ear. “Race you upstairs.” Before walking up the stairs and out of sight.

“Hey, injured man here.” Brian shouted after him. But he was wheeling himself to the elevator, a grin on his face. One thing about Justin, he knew when to back off and let him do things for himself. 

Brian didn’t have to wait long before Justin reached the top. “You didn’t open the door.” Justin said. “I thought maybe you could wheel me across the threshold. After all, now everyone knows we’re married.” 

“I can do that.” Brian grinned. “Take your pants off.” 

Justin thought for a moment, the kids were in school, Emmett and Daphne were where ever they usually were. Saying nothing, Justin did a silent strip tease, draping his jeans and tee shirt around Brian and tucking his loafers into Brian’s overnight bag. He did a bump and grind naked before sitting on the tented black silk that was Brian’s lap. Laughing together, Brian clumsily unlocked the door. “Fuck we should have opened it first.” He gasped as they worked to slide the heavy door open. 

Finally open enough to push his chair through, Brian’s lips descended on Justin’s. Justin wrapped his arms and naked body around Brian and like one person on wheels, and they entered the loft. 

“SURPRISE.”  

“WHAT THE FUCK?” Brian and Justin said at once. 

“You scream like a girl.” Brian laughed. “What the fuck are you guys doing here?

“I’m sooooo getting the locks changed.” Justin mumbled.

“Uncle Jus, you’re naked.” Jacob observed giggling. “Look Gus, Uncle Jus is naked.” 

“We can all see.” Lindsay said, her voice dry. 

“Geeze Brian, you were in a coma.” Michael began.

“That’s why I didn’t want to lose any more time.” Brian said, wheeling his chair near the stairs to the bedroom. “I guess you’d better put your pants on.” He slapped Justin’s bare ass. 

“No shit.” Justin grumbled, pulling his jeans and tee shirt off of Brian before climbing the stairs to get dressed. “What part of Brian needs to get settled didn’t you guys understand?” he asked from the bedroom.

“Brian needs some decent food to regain his strength. I’ve brought you both plenty for the next few days.” Debbie began. 

Justin looked over at the kitchen counters. They were filled to overflowing with dishes and containers. 

“Miss Debbie brought us lots of food.” Jacob said. “She makes stuff way better than you Uncle Jus.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” Justin mumbled. 

Brian was looking tired. He was surprised at how much just the trip from the hospital and then the resulting ride with Justin on his lap, had taken out of him. 

Justin noticed how pale Brian had become. “Brian, you’re going to bed.” He looked at Debbie. “If you have some kind of soup there, I’ll take a bowl for Brian. He can’t have heavy to digest food right now.”

“I think I know what Brian can and can’t have. I’ve been looking after him since he was a boy.” Debbie began.

“Miss Debbie, Uncle Justin gets very, very crabby if you don’t let him look after Daddy B.” Jacob looked up at Debbie. “Daddy B says Uncle Justin is his pit bull guard dog.”

“Look Jake, daddy brought Angel bear.” Gus had found the bear where it had been hidden under the travel blanket. He waved in the air. “Let’s put Angel bear in bed for daddy.” 

“Ahhh, you boys gave Brian a teddy bear.” Debbie grinned, forgetting her animosity toward Justin. Looking at the rest of them., “Brian used to have an old bear. I remember Michael telling me about it. That’s so f.. sweet that he has another one.”

“Yes and his name is Justin.” Brian said pulling Justin back on his lap, much to the delight of the two children. “Gus and Jacob, I’m glad you were here when I came home. If the two of you will help me to bed, I’d be grateful. I’m a little bit tired.” 

“You aren’t going to fall asleep forever are you?” Gus asked. “Cause that was very scary.”

“Yeah Daddy B. Me and Gus were scared.” Jacob added. 

“No more long sleeps. After all, I have the two of you and Justin to keep me awake.” Brian smiled. He gave Justin a push to get him off his lap and then he allowed the boys to help him out of the chair and up the stairs. “Christ Justin, couldn’t you have at least changed the sheets to something that won’t make my eyes bleed?” he asked. 

“Daddy, Uncle Jus likes happy sheets.” Gus giggled. 

“I like happy sheets too.” Brian said. “Ones that are dark colors with Justin wrapped up in them.” 

“Brian.” Justin cautioned. 

“Daddy B is funny.” Jacob laughed. He climbed on the bed and pulled back the duvet. “Get lots of pillows so he can sit up.” He instructed Gus who was putting Angel bear safely under the covers. 

Justin knew Brian was in good hands. He turned to the gang who lingered in his living room and kitchen. “I know you all meant well, but Brian really does need to rest. He’s only here and not in the hospital because I convinced Ran I could look after him. Why don’t you give him a few days and then come over for Saturday. We’ll have a welcome back party or something. He’s planning on going to Kinnetik on Monday.”

“Gus would like to spend a couple of nights.” Lindsay began. “He missed his father.”

“I don’t mind Gus staying. He and Jacob can bunk together.”

“I have his school books and uniform with us.” Lindsay said. “Melanie will pick up both boys and take them to school if you could see that they’re picked up at three.” 

“No problem.” Justin smiled and looked at Melanie who nodded her agreement. She was still mesmerized by the change in Brian’s old loft. 

It took another ten minutes to get them all out of the loft. Justin waited for the final one to leave before closing and locking the door while he dialed a locksmith. He was finally getting the locks changed. 

Justin could hear voices talking in hushed tones coming from the bedroom. He looked in to see Gus and Jacob on either side of a sleeping Brian, discussing who knows what. Three bears were lined up on the pillows above them all as if watching.

He turned to head back to the living room, standing on the hardwood and looking around. He loved his loft space. Oh, it no doubt was more messy and crowded than when Brian lived in it. The walls made him smile each time he walked through the doors. It was a combination of the deep hues of color and the painting that hung there. His art work was an eclectic mix of things he’d done and works done by friends that he’d collected over the years. Each one carefully chosen for how it made him feel. To Justin that’s what art was all about, feelings and not investment. If he wanted to invest, he’d by stocks and bonds.

Justin kept himself busy cleaning and putting away the debris from the impromptu gathering while he waited for the locksmith. It was more than enough time to have the locks changed and something he should have done sooner. Brian’s friends and so called family were more an annoyance before today. But now they’d reached the level of vermin and he wasn’t about to have them in his loft if he could avoid it.

The locksmith finally arrived and Justin sat on a bar stool and watched him. He was barely fifteen minutes when he stood up. “I made you six keys, if you want more let me know.” He handed Justin a handful of keys all of them were cut from rainbow keys colored with rainbow colors. “I was lucky we had these blanks still, not many people ask for them.” 

“I love them. This way I always know which one is for home.” Justin grinned. 
“I’ll send you the bill.” The locksmith stretched. “Damn, I think I’m getting too old for this.” 

Justin laughed. “You’ll never be too old Petey, Say hi to Derek for me and tell him thanks for the bag of cookies.” He nodded at the bag. 

“Any you eat means I don’t have to.” His friend laughed. “I’ll see you on the job tomorrow won’t I?” 

“Depends on Brian, but probably.” Justin shrugged. “I’m almost finished the Fashion Shoppe.”

“Cool, what about Boomers, gotta love what you’re doing with that bar. Though Derek and I are taking bets on what in hell you’re putting in those big ass tanks. It can’t be fish.” 

“Let’s just say it’s going to guarantee lots of money for the bar owner. I’ll make sure you guys get an invite for the pre opening night.” 

“Can’t wait.” Pete gathered up his tools and looked around. “I like what you’ve done to the place. When we helped you move in it was kind of plain.” 

“You don’t think it’s over crowded?” Justin looked around again. “I mean I can still see some floor space.”

“It won’t take long, I’m sure you’ll fill it in.” Pete laughed. “By the way, I saw a realtor notice posted downstairs. The loft beside you is for sale. You could knock out a wall or something and expand. Derek and I can come over and help.”

“I’llI check into it. You never know.” Justin was interested. He’d have to get the flyer and call the real estate agent. “I appreciate you coming over and doing this for me on such short notice.”

“It’s no biggie.” He looked around. “Derek’s going to be pleased to know you have his painting up front and center.” 

“I love that painting.” Justin grinned. “Of course the fact that I posed for it is nice.” 

“What does your hubby think of it?” Pete asked.

“You know about that?” Justin laughed. “I’ll bet word was out thirty two seconds after I spilled the beans in the hospital.” 

“How long does it take for a cell phone to be dialed?” Pete asked with a laugh. 

Justin giggled. “He hasn’t even noticed. I think there’s too much color in here for him. He kind of goes into sensory overload and keeps his eyes shut. But Jacob and Gus love the fact it’s me.” 

“Your husband knows it’s you. He just chose to ignore it.” Brian stood behind Justin and wrapped his arms around him. “Hi.” He said to Pete.

Justin leaned back into him. “I thought you were sleeping. Brian this is Petey, I’m working with him on Kinnetik’s latest. He changed the locks.” Justin held up his handful of brightly colored keys. “I even have one for you.”

“Fuck Justin, I can’t have that on my key ring.” Brian looked at the rainbow colored key in horror.

“It’s just a key.” Justin grinned and winked at his friend who laughed and slid out the door. 

“I’ll let the two of you discuss the merits of colored keys while I go home to my own hubby. By the way, he appreciates colored keys.” Pete laughed and slid the door to the loft shut. The lock snicked shut automatically. 

“Did you hear that?” Justin sighed in pleasure. “It locks when the door shuts.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good thing, but for now I like it.” Brian kissed him behind the ear. “I have a bed full of boys and bears but no twink.” He looked around. “Thank god you got rid of all that shit Deb brought over.”

“I just hid it in the fridge, it’s still here.” Justin led Brian to the sofa and then with a twinkle in his eye, he pulled him behind the screen and over to the bunk bed. “Want to join the six feet club?” he whispered as he climbed the ladder.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll fall off on my head?” Brian laughed, climbing up behind him.

“Nope, I’m planning on pinning you to the mattress with my handy always ready ‘stick it in Brian’ pin.” Justin wiggled, making room for Brian. 

“This is kind of kinky.” Brian whispered, not wanting to wake up the boys who slept not that far away. 

“Shhhhhhh,” Justin grinned. “Want a high protein snack?” 

“Don’t mind if I do.” Brian was tired, but he wasn’t that tired. Justin’s cock was always welcome any way he could have it. Not to mention this bed might be high in the air, but it wasn’t so fucking brightly dressed. He didn’t have to worry about going blind from dazzle. 

He rolled Justin on top of him first though and wrapped the duvet around the two of them. “I missed this the most when I was in that damn hospital.” Brian confessed. “I missed holding you and having you hold me.”

“I missed that part too.” Justin said, his nose taking in the scent of Brian’s skin and wiggling so he was as close as he possibly could get. 

“Hey, Uncle Jus and Daddy B are in my bed.” Jacob said to Gus. “Wanna see?” 

“Sure.” Gus giggled. 

“Uh, I think we missed the opportunity.” Brian whispered. They listened to the boys as they climbed out of the big bed and ran down the stairs. A flying bear landed on top of Justin followed by two more bears. Soon the top bunk held Brian, Justin, two boys and three bears. 

“Hey boys.” Brian drawled. “What’s up?” 

“WE ARE.” They yelled, collapsing in giggles. 

Brian shut his eyes for a second, still holding onto Justin with one arm, he found two boys vying for the other, finally settling in together, small enough that Brian was able to give them a fairly decent hug. “Honey, I’m home.” He said in a falsetto voice. “And I have all that I need.” 

March 14, 2007