Moonlight, Magic and Mystery – 5

Brian was barely home twenty-four hours when he was being harassed by Debbie to release Michael from an imaginary bond. Why he had to be responsible for Michael’s fantasies was beyond him. On top of that he had Justin firmly ensconced in the loft and not about to move. 

“Brian, I think having a party for Michael is a good idea. But having a party for Michael and being a bitch to him is a bad idea.” Justin was sitting on the kitchen counter, his legs folded in front of him in the lotus pose. 

“Do you have to sit on the counter?” Brian asked. He was at his desk making phone calls to arrange his friend’s surprise party. 

“Yes.” Justin sighed. “Are you going to invite anyone from Michael’s work? I mean it’s his 30th birthday party, maybe he has some friends there.” 

“Good idea.” Brian smirked. “I’ll invite his little buddy Tracy.” 

“See, that’s being nice.” Justin was pleased. “Are you making up official invitations or just calling people?” 

“Calling them.” Brian said, dialing the phone again. “You should go home to your mommy. You’ve been here long enough.”

“You know you like me here.” Justin said as he moved off of the counter. “I give good head.”

“So you tell me.” Brian smirked. “But you’re still an amateur.” 

“That’s not what the guys on the football team say.” Justin threw himself down on the sofa, still in its comfortable state. Brian hadn’t objected too strenuously to the change.  

“Tell me you didn’t.” Brian sighed. 

“I didn’t. I just wanted to see what you’d say.” Justin grinned and flipped on the television. 

“Don’t you have homework to do?” Brian asked. 

“Did it.” Justin turned the television off. “I’m bored. I want to go dancing.”

“Have at ‘er.” Brian replied, making a notation on his computer. “There, everything is all set for Friday night.” He looked satisfied as he sat back in his chair. 

“I’ll bartend.” Justin offered. “I make a great margarita.” 

“Whatever.” Brian sighed. “I’m having the caterer set up Friday at six. Everyone should arrive starting at eight.” 

“I’ll be here.” Justin stood up and stretched. “Are you going to Babylon tonight?” 

“I don’t know.” Brian looked at Justin. “You do know that we’re not in any kind of relationship, don’t you?” 

“Whatever.” Justin drawled, imitating Brian as he turned and headed for the bedroom. “I’m going out.” He announced, looking in his section of the wardrobe for something to wear to the club. 

“Not on a school night dahling.” Brian laughed. “But good try.” 

“I go out on school nights when I’m at home.”

“Then go home.” Brian huffed, heading for the kitchen. “You’re too young to be in a relationship of any kind. You’re in high school and I’m not. I’m damned if I’m going to ask you to go <i> steady</i>. I’m just not that kind of girl.” He swished for a couple of steps making Justin burst out laughing. 

“You know, when you’re here and not with the <i> gang </i> you’re different.” Justin appeared in the bedroom door way dressed in a spandex sparkle tummy shirt, that was tight and provocative. There was six inches of glowing white skin and then slung low on his hips were worn blue jeans, complete with highly priced, but well placed slits in the material. It was apparent he wasn’t wearing any underwear. 

“Jesus Christ Justin, what the fuck are you wearing?” Brian managed.

“Duh, club clothes.” Justin picked up his jacket off of the stool he’d draped it on and slipped on his shoes. “Don’t wait up.” 

“There’s no fucking way you’re going anywhere dressed like that.” Brian began. 

“Brian, you aren’t my keeper.” Justin tried to reason. But he’d gotten the reaction he’d wanted to get. 

“You are living here in my loft. I think I should have some say over what you wear when you’re going out.” Brian began realizing how ridiculous his words sounded, but unable to take them back. 

“Yes daddy.” Justin giggled. He walked up to Brian and put his arms around him, resting his head on Brian’s chest. 

Brian’s arms pulled the boy even closer and he kissed him twice on the top of his head. “I know that sounded stupid.” He said quietly. “You’re driving me crazy.” 

“Good.” Justin wiggled. “Now do you want to go dancing?” 

“The answer is still no. You have school tomorrow.” 

“Who says we have to go out.” Justin moved out of Brian’s arms and twirled around. “I have it on good authority that someone has a state of the art sound system.”

“I’ve heard that too.” Brian smiled, going along with Justin. “And some not bad music as well.” 

Justin nodded toward the sound system and music filled the loft. It was something close to the steady beat of a club mix, but better sounding in the loft space. Another nod and the lights disappeared, to be replaced with Justin’s trademark electric sparks dancing on the ceiling and up and down the walls. He turned the fireplace on low and began to move as only someone with years of dance lessons and a love of music can.

“Shit Justin, you know I don’t use magic in the loft.” Brian began as he started his own version of dancing. 

“But I do.” Justin grinned and leaned in to lick the side of Brian’s neck. As he danced closer, his legs rubbed up and down Brian’s in his own version of dirty dancing. A version that had Brian sweating with the heat the young boy managed to create between the two of them as the music wrapped around the room. “You are some dancer.” Justin whispered against Brian’s neck. He put his one arm around Brian’s neck, so that they were both face to face. Brian laughed and claimed Justin’s lips for his own. 

The music continued, only now they could feel it deep inside them both as they moved to the beat, Brian following Justin’s lead, hands roaming, fingers touching, hardened cocks with a life of their own, rubbing against fabric. They were both lost in each other when the phone began ringing. Brian ignored it. Justin nodded and the phone stopped ringing. Brian slapped his ass, but kept dancing. The dance was now less a dance and more a seduction. 

The phone rang again and this time it gave a puff of smoke and exploded quietly in a hundred pieces. Brian shook his head and laughed. “Witch boy, you’re buying me a new phone.” 

There was a barely audible pop and Frances and his wife Marcie were in the loft. They saw Justin and Brian dancing. Always willing to dance, Frances pulled Marcie into a well rehearsed dance, complete with intricate dance steps. 

Brian was the first to notice the intruders. “Apparently we’re having a party.” He said to Justin and turned the blond so that he could see his cousin and his wife. 
“I didn’t invite them.” Justin said. “I want to fuck you, tell them to go home.” 

“Ahhhh, witch boy. I’m <i> going </i> to fuck you, cousin or no cousin.” Brian began to dance Justin toward the stairs leading to the bedroom. 

Suddenly there was silence, the lights were back on and Frances walked over to the Brian and Justin. “Sorry to drop in on you like this, but I did try and call, twice.” He looked at Justin.  “Hey cousin, you’re looking good. You too Brian.”

“Hi I’m Marcie, it wasn’t my idea to barge in on you guys.” She looked embarrassed. “He’s usually much more polite.” 

“Hi Marcie, goodbye Marcie.” Brian put Justin over his shoulder and headed up the stairs to the bedroom. “Make yourselves at home and then go away, we’re busy.” He shut the bedroom door, only to find himself and Justin back in the living room. “No fucking magic in my home.” He glared at Frances. “It’s bad enough that witch boy doesn’t take no for an answer, but damned if I’m going to let anyone else get away with it.” 

“Brian we didn’t come here to dance or to annoy you.”

“And yet you’ve done both.” 

“I thought you should know that the High Council is on the warpath about Justin’s status. Rumor has it that they have put out a, well hit, for a lack of a better word.”

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Brian asked, his body suddenly cold. He headed to the bar and poured himself a drink. “Justin will get you something to drink. He likes to play hostess.” Brian waved his glass and sat down on the chaise, preferring it to the soft comfy sofa. 

“I told you there was talk. Well, there is a faction of the High Council who frankly don’t like Craig Taylor. Justin was in line for the position his father holds. It’s a hereditary position, though matriarchal. And of course the candidate must have stronger powers and abilities than the rest of the council. You should know all of this, you are Wahjee after all.” 

“I try to forget.” Brian mumbled. “It doesn’t seem to be working.” Justin was walking past him, having given his cousin and his wife each a drink. Brian pulled him down so he was holding him on his lap. 

Justin snuggled close. “Frances, I’ve told you before, I can look after myself. There isn’t anything they can do to me no matter how hard they try.” 

“I’ve heard that Chris Hobbes has taken the contract. You know he’s the son of Zane Hobbes and you know that Zane Hobbes has always been slightly crazed.” 

“Chris can’t do much to me at school. Even he has to live by the rules there. I mean every spell turns back on the spellbinder three fold. I don’t imagine it would be pleasant from some of the stories I’ve heard.” Justin shuddered remembering. 

“I agree, he won’t try anything at the school. But Justin you aren’t always at school. For instance you’re here with Brian right now and could be vulnerable.” 

“Frances, thanks for the warning. Marcie, it was nice to meet you.” Justin stood up and walked over to where the other two sat. “It’s time for you to pop back to wherever you came from. And Frances, a warning here from me. After you leave I’m putting an enclosure spell on the loft. It wouldn’t be a good thing to try and pop back in. Unless you like being reduced to muck and floating in another dimension until someone cleans you up.”

“Justin, don’t do spells you aren’t ready for.” Frances cautioned. “You don’t know what harm you can do.”

“I know just what I’m doing cousin. I think you and the rest of the Wahjee have underestimated me.” Justin smiled. “Call and use the elevator the next time you come.” He blinked three times and muttered something Brian couldn’t quite catch. The smell of ozone was in the air and Frances and Marcie were gone. 

“Well wasn’t that special?” Brian drawled. “It’s always nice to have the relatives over.” 

“Now where were we?” Justin asked, returning the room to its former darkness. He made his clothing disappear as well as Brian’s before launching himself into Brian’s arms with a triumphant yell. 

Brian laughed, catching his naked blond witch just in time. “We need to talk.” He muttered.

“Later.” Justin suggested.

Brian must have agreed because he began to carry Justin to the bedroom. There would be time later for a discussion on how to protect the man in his arms. For now all he wanted to do was to make love to him. 

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

Things were touchy between Brian and Doctor Dave as Brian referred to Michael’s boyfriend. But knowing he was doing what had to be done, Brian made the effort to personally invite the Doctor to Michael’s surprise party. It was the least he could do. 

Justin contented himself with running interference between the caterer and Brian, making sure that there were no major arguments. While at the same time, attending school and doing his best to avoid Chris Hobbes. It wasn’t easy on all counts. 
Brian was bitchier than usual. Justin hoped it was just work, but he suspected that Brian was worried about him despite his assurances otherwise. It hadn’t helped when Jennifer Taylor had appeared at Brian’s office the day before to confirm that Chris Hobbes indeed was out to get Justin and insisting that Brian keep him close. Not that he wasn’t going to, but somehow having Justin’s mother order him around, made the idea less desirable. 

To make the week more tense than usual, the preparations for Michael’s surprise party were causing problems. Brian had invited some of Michael’s coworkers and Justin had discovered through Debbie, Michael wasn’t out at work. He tried to get Brian to cancel the invitations, but the older man refused. 

“Just make the drinks and keep out of it.” Brian said. He was pacing around the loft adjusting the decorations and generally annoying Justin. “I know what I’m doing.” 

“Sure you do.” Justin snorted. “Hey did I tell that fuckin’ Hobbes set fire to my locker?” 

“WHAT THE FUCK?” Brian turned and faced Justin, his anxiety over the party forgotten for a moment. 

“Don’t have a hissy, I lost a bunch of stuff that’s all.” Justin shrugged. “Daphne got them all on video though, so she turned in her camera to the principal and they’re all suspended. They might even be kicked out. I mean the school could have burned down. Chris could lose his year.” 

“It’s going to make things worse.” Brian paused. “Fuck, he’s going to make this all your fault. Assholes like that always do.” He ran his hand through his hair making it stand on end. Justin reached over and smoothed it back in place. 

“I’ll deal with him.” Justin stood on tiptoe and kissed Brian on the nose. Your first guests are arriving.”

The party was well advanced. Music played loudly and Brian was feeling the affects of too much beer and not enough oxygen. Justin was busy behind the bar, but not too busy to keep watch over Brian as he made his way through the crowd of dancing and talking people, playing the ever attentive host. Michael had arrived earlier, pretending surprise. It was apparent that Ted and Emmett had let him in on the surprise. 

Justin knew things were going too good. He wasn’t sure of Brian’s plan, but no doubt it was going to be a big and bad one. The downstairs buzzer sounded over the music. Justin was about to answer when Brian appeared from nowhere and spoke into the intercom. 

Expecting to hear a drum roll, the blond watched the loft door. And then things began to unfold in slow motion. It was weird, Justin watched Tracy appear, Michael greet her, Brian wrap his arms around Mikey and kiss him, Tracy’s shocked face, Doctor Dave punching Brian. It all happened too fast and too slow. Justin debated whether he should interfere but then decided it was <i> the Brian Show </i> he’d stick around and pick up the pieces. What had taken hours and days to prepare, was over in minutes. The room cleared quickly, each person willing to jump on Brian and give him a verbal kick. Justin watched and made himself a margarita. He was going to need one or maybe more than one. 

Brian stood silently watching them all troop past him. He barely moved. It was just so surreal. Michael was a human, not Wahjee, but still he’d been his best friend for more than half of his life. And now it was over, all to make him give up the idea that they would ever be together. He should have done something about Michael’s fixation years ago, but he hadn’t bothered. He was a selfish son of a bitch for caring so little about the feelings of the human who had been so close to him.  And now he’d virtually destroyed him. 

When the last person left, Justin closed and locked the loft door. He made a motion and muttered a few words making the loft presentable again. Brian stood in the same place he’d been standing when everyone left. 

Satisfied that the loft was returned to normal, Justin put his arm around Brian and led him to the sofa, sitting him down, but saying nothing. There really wasn’t anything much to say. Justin had to agree that Brian’s methods worked. Michael no doubt, would turn to his doctor friend, too stupid to realize just what Brian had done for him.  Debbie would conveniently forget she’d been begging Brian to do what he’d done and the rest of the gang would forget all of the good things Brian had done. 

There was a knock on the loft door. Brian didn’t move or acknowledge the sound. Justin sighed but went over to the door to answer it. “Hey” he said to Emmett, who stood in the hallway. 

“I couldn’t leave you two with all the mess.” Emmett began. He looked around at the immaculate loft. “Oh, it’s been cleaned.” 

“I work fast.” Justin said and shrugged. “Why are you really here?” 

“I want to talk to Brian.” Emmett looked sad. “Do you mind if I come in?” 

“Come on in.” Justin stood back. “Brian’s on the sofa, but he’s not saying much.”

Emmett walked over and sat down on a chair he’d pulled close to Brian. “Brian, honey, I know I’m the last person you’d expect to do this. But I consider you a friend. I may be flaming and seem like I don’t have a care in the world, but I see what you do for all of us. I don’t say anything. I figure you have your own reasons for keeping things quiet. But I see. I see how much you care and how good you are.” He reached out and put his hand over Brian’s. “I know what you did tonight, you did for your friend. It was probably the only way he’d wake up and smell the coffee and get himself a life. I know it and you know it. Hell, probably anyone who really knows Michael will figure it out eventually. I just wanted to tell you that you did good. Sometimes a little pain is needed.” He got up and kissed Brian’s cheek while he gave him a quick hug. “I’ll leave now.” 

Justin walked Emmett to the door. He could see that Emmett’s eyes were wet and he gave the man a hug. “Thanks Emmett. Brian isn’t himself right now, but I know he’ll appreciate what you said.” 

Justin waited for Emmett to get into the elevator before he shut the door to the loft and securing it once again. He turned to where Brian had been sitting but he wasn’t there any longer. 

“Brian?” Justin questioned, looking around. 

“I’m in here.” Brian lay on the bed, the comic book he’d given Michael open on his chest.

“Here, give me that. You don’t want it getting all sweaty.” Justin laughed and put the comic back in its plastic sleeve. 

“It doesn’t matter.” Brian sighed. “If I was doing something good for him, why do I feel like a shit?” 

Justin resisted rolling his eyes, instead he crawled up from the bottom of the bed and pushed into Brian’s under arm, wrapping his body partially over the taller man’s. 

“What are you doing?” Brian asked. 

“Cuddling you.” Justin said. “Making you feel better.” 

“I don’t cuddle, but it does make me feel marginally better.”  Brian admitted. 

“Michael will come around soon. You guys have a lot of history.” 

“I don’t want him to come around. I want him to get a fucking life. If he wants Doctor Dave, then let him have the bastard. It won’t last, but then what the fuck does?” Brian pushed away from Justin and sat up, his feet on the floor. 

“Brian, come to bed.” Justin knelt on the bed, wrapping his arms around his lover.

“I don’t want to.” Brian stood up and walked into the bathroom. He stood for a moment looking into the mirror, not liking what he saw there. And then he was gone. Breaking one of his hard and fast rules, Brian Kinney had used a spell to disappear from the loft. 

“Fuck.” Justin said. He had no idea where in hell Brian could have gone. The man never used magic. He hadn’t used it in years. How did he even know a transport spell? How did he know one well enough to be sure that he’d actually appear somewhere and not be partially in some fucking wall?

Justin looked around the bathroom, looking for something that would give him a clue as to where Brian might have disappeared. There was nothing, not even hint of Brian in the air. Only the very strongest of wizards could transport without leaving a tell tale sign of some kind in their wake. He was impressed. There was more to the man than he’d realized. 

“BRIAN, WHERE THE FUCK DID YOU GO?” Justin shouted in the air as he turned around and around in the marble walled room. 

“Justin, is there a problem?” Frances was standing beside him.

“Fuck, I thought I put a spell on so you couldn’t do that.” Justin griped. 

“You did, but I cancelled it.” Frances shrugged. He looked around. “Where’s hubby?” 

“Brian is gone, vanished, vaporized, disappeared, transported.” Justin kicked at the vanity and stalked out of the room. 

“Oh is that all.” Frances followed his cousin. “How did the big party go?” 

“It sucked. Everyone is pissed at Brian and he thinks he’s lost his best friend.” 

“Well, he’s probably gone somewhere that would make him feel better. Any ideas?” 

“Duh, if I had any ideas, I’d be there.” Justin paced like a caged lion. “Go back to New York, I’m not in any danger, I’m just choked with Brian.” 

“I know you are.” Frances put his arm around Justin. “Why don’t you go to bed? Brian will turn up sooner or later.”

“I just don’t think he should be alone right now.” Justin threw himself on the sofa, putting a pillow over his face. He sighed with all the drama a teenager could muster.

Frances smothered a snicker. It was apparent that Justin wasn’t in any danger, he was going to head back to his wife. “Cousin, let it be. Brian needs some time to come to terms with what he set in motion.” 

“Why do I hurt inside? It was Brian who did it.” Justin moaned. 

“Because you love him. It comes with the territory.” Frances put his hand on Justin’s shoulder and squeezed. “I’m heading back to Marcie.” 

“Yeah, thanks for stopping by and if you don’t mind, put that spell back and double it. I don’t need any other Wahjee dropping in.” 

“What about Brian?” 

“He can let himself in. It’s his place. You know spells won’t work against him.” 

“Just checking.” Frances grinned before he too, disappeared with an audible pop.

Justin stared at the spot his cousin had been. He was good, but still there had been the usual sound of him leaving. Brian hadn’t even made a small sound. Justin wasn’t sure even he could transport himself somewhere in complete silence. “Stupid man.” He mumbled looking around the room. And then he had an idea. Taking a chance, Justin transported himself to Gus’ bedroom. The room was in darkness, with only the smallest of night-lights glowing low on the wall. Justin saw a baby monitor on a dresser near Gus’ crib. It had a silence aura placed on it. Sitting in a corner on a rocker too small for his large frame, was Brian. He was holding Gus wrapped in a blanket, rocking silently in the room. Their eyes met. “I was worried.” Justin whispered, his voice barely audible. 

“You needn’t.” Brian replied, just as quietly. He continued to rock his son, his hands larger than life as they held the bundle of warm sleepy baby. “It’s funny, the feelings that I have for this small bit of Wahjee. I didn’t think it was possible to feel like this.” He looked at the baby and then back at Justin. “Do you think my parents felt even half of what I feel when they held me? And if they did, when did they change and begin hating me?” 

Justin had no answer for that question. He couldn’t conceive of any parent hating their child. “We should go, Mel or Linds could come in here any minute.”

“I know, I just needed to be with him for a few minutes.” Brian stood up and laid the baby back in his crib. “I didn’t mean to run off like that.” 

“You did what you had to do.” Justin shrugged. “It wouldn’t have hurt though to let me know where you were going?” 

“But you found me.” Brian smiled. “I knew you would.” He bent down and kissed Gus on the forehead. “Come here.” 

Justin walked over and let Brian wrap him in his arms. He saw Gus smile up at the two of them and the spell vanish from the monitor before he found himself washed over with the familiar tingle when he transported. 

“Hey, you transported me at the same time?” Justin laughed and looked around. “Where are we?” 

Brian hated to remove his arms from around Justin, but he did. “We’re in a favorite place of mine. Somewhere I used to like to go to when I was a kid. It hasn’t changed a lot. It’s one of those places that seem to be in some kind of time warp.”

“With a little help from a certain Wahjee.” Justin added and snickered. “I can feel you all around me.”

“Perhaps.” Brian shrugged. They were in a grotto of sorts, formed by the twining of thick and thorny blackberry vines. So thick that even in the winter months, Justin knew that they’d be invisible when inside. It was rather comfortable considering where they were. A fallen tree provided a perfect backrest when sitting. Brian pulled Justin down so the blond was sitting beside him. “I found it when I was six. It was smaller of course then, but it was the perfect hiding place. There is an entrance just small enough for a kid to crawl through over there. Believe it or not, we’re only a few hundred feet from the house I grew up in. The house backs on a ravine. This is part of it.”

“How often did you come here?” Justin asked. He leaned against Brian, shivering in the night air. 

Brian magicked a thick fleece comforter and wrapped it around the two of them. “I was here a lot. Day or night, it didn’t matter to me. No one could find me no matter how hard they tried. And believe me, both my parents tried. Neither one of them had any idea that I could transport. In fact, I doubt they even know now.” He grinned to himself. “When they were at the end of their rope, I’d make sure I was found in my bed sleeping. It drove them crazy, each one blaming the other one for not checking my room. That was before I learned to defend myself against them. I suppose some Wahjee or another had a good reason to make sure Wahjee children couldn’t use their abilities against their parents. But there are parents that should never be parents.” 

“You figured a way around it didn’t you?” Justin asked. Impressed with the amount of natural ability Brian had in him at such an early age. No wonder Gus showed it to him a few hours after he was born. He was his father’s son after all. 

“Yeah, I did.” Brian chuckled. “I wasn’t very old. I think it was a self protection instinct that broke me away from Wahjee inborn tradition.” He looked down at Justin. “Are you still cold?” 

“No, it’s nice here. Weird but nice.” Justin looked around. “It’s kind of like a closet or something. Lots of kids hide in closets.” 

“Not at my place they didn’t.” Brian shuddered. “Closets weren’t what I’d call friendly places.” 

“I used to hide in the closet at the bottom of the stairs.” Justin said. “I could move right into the back where all the old coats were, you know the ones that no one ever wears any more. I made a little nest out of them.”
“Other than the obvious reason, why were you hiding in a closet.” Brian asked. 

“Let’s just say Craig Taylor is a bit of a freak. It was better to hide than to submit or worse, turn him into the roach that he is.”  Justin yawned, doing his best to smother it. “This place is so cozy it makes me feel like sleeping.” 

Brian laughed. “It relaxes me to that point too.” 

Justin waved his hand and the grotto was lit with dozens of tiny electric sparks. “It’s prettier this way.” 

“You know, I’m beginning to like these flying bugs you throw around.” Brian loved to tease Justin, he knew what buttons to push each and every time. 

“I don’t use bugs.” Justin laughed; he knew what Brian was up to. “Take us home. I’m going fuck you silly tonight.” 

“Poor little witch boy is delusional.” Brian huffed. He turned Justin’s face up to his. “Thanks for being there for me tonight. Don’t think I don’t know how you kept things from combusting.” He sighed. “I probably shouldn’t have done it the way I did, but shit Justin, Mikey needs a safe to fall on his head before he wakes up and smells the coffee.”

“I’m not going to tell you that you shouldn’t have. You’re a big boy, you have to make your own decisions. But I will tell you this. I’ll always be there to pick your ass back up. It’s my destiny.” He sighed with drama to take away some of the seriousness of what he said.

“Some how Justin Taylor, I kind of like that idea.” Brian leaned down and kissed Justin with tenderness. As he kissed him, he transported the two of them back to the loft, landing with a thump outside the loft door. “Shit Justin, you put back the protection spell.” He rubbed his ass.

“Sorry, but you do have a key.” Justin giggled. 

“Not with me.” Brian glared. 

“Well open it with magic.” 

“No, you know my rules.” 

“It didn’t stop you a couple of hours ago.” 

“That was different.” 

“Oh for crap sake, you’re such a big baby.” Justin stood up, mumbled a cancellation spell. “Come on, we have like forty five seconds to get through before we vaporize.” He dragged Brian inside and shut the door.

“Are you out of your mind? Vaporize?” Brian looked at him with horror and then back at his door. 

“It was just figure of speech.” Justin tried to look convincing as he walked to the kitchen. “Do you want a water?”

“No, I don’t fucking want a water.” Brian was pissed again. 

Justin knew it wasn’t him the other man was mad about. It was the whole Mikey birthday thing that had raced back into Brian’s mind the moment he walked through the door. “Take him his comic tomorrow. He’ll forgive you.”

“No, I don’t think he will.” Brian looked sad. “Come on, let’s get some sleep.” 

Following Brian, Justin entered the bathroom. “Are you going to shower tonight?” he asked. 

“Yes.” Brian stripped off his clothing while he waited for the shower to warm up. “I need to think.” He’d once told Justin that he did his best thinking while standing under warm water. 

Justin brushed his teeth while watching Brian in the shower. Seeing the look of quiet despair on the older man’s face as he stood with his eyes shut under the spray, Justin knew he had to do something to make Brian feel better. He couldn’t really change things that had already happened. But he could do his best to make sure Brian and Michael found their way back to the friendship they’d shared. 

He took off his clothing, not caring where they dropped and then stepped into the shower with Brian. “I’ll wash your hair.” Justin said, knowing that his lover enjoyed the attention.

Not saying anything, Brian tipped his head back to allow Justin easier access. He sighed deep inside when Justin’s fingers began to massage the shampoo into his scalp. His cock stirred as it always did when Justin touched him. Brian smiled, he couldn’t help it. Tension in his body seemed to melt with each second. “You have talented fingers.” He murmured. “You aren’t using magic are you?”

“No, it’s all me.” Justin kissed Brian’s shoulder. “Move back, I’m going to rinse the shampoo out.”

Justin was well aware of Brian’s arousal, he was aroused himself. But he didn’t want to do anything in the shower. He preferred to make Brian cum when they were in bed. He knew that with what Brian had drank tonight, as well as all the other emotional upheaval, the man would be asleep as soon as he came.  He rinsed off the shampoo and then took the soap and lathered up Brian’s back washing him all over. “I love this.” Justin said “I love doing this for you.” He giggled. “It makes me want to purr.” 

“You’re a freak.” Brian chuckled, but he leaned into Justin’s touch. “I’m exhausted.” Brian admitted. “You should find yourself someone younger to pamper.”

“I don’t want to.” Justin trailed kisses across Brian’s chest. “I love you.”

“Let’s not go there.” Brian huffed,, turning and rinsing himself off. But he picked up the soap and began to soap Justin down. “This won’t take long, there isn’t much of you, just your butt.” 

“Fuck off.” Justin said, but he grinned up at Brian. “I’m only eighteen. I happen to know that when you were eighteen, you were tall, skinny and decidedly geeky looking.” 

“I’ve never been geeky looking.” Brian laughed. “How do you know what I looked like when I was eighteen?” 

“I saw you. I saw you at the Summer Solstice celebration. You were smoking dope and got kicked out of the temple.” 

“Ahhhhhh, the good old days.” Brian snickered as he turned off the water and stepped out of the steamy stall. “I’ll dry you off.” 

“I can do it.” Justin laughed. “You’re the one who needs help. You are much, much older after all.” 

“You know witch boy, you should count yourself lucky that I don’t do magic in the loft.” Brian dried Justin’s hair and then moved lower. “I could find myself with a nice little blond dog.”

“You’d miss my kisses.” Justin laughed, turning to Brian and wrapping his arms around him. 

“Perhaps.” Brian laughed. “But my puppy would kiss me.” 

“But would I do this when I’m all furry?” Justin sank to his knees taking Brian’s engorged cock in his mouth. 

Brian sucked his breath in. “I hope the fuck not.” He managed to gasp.