BEWITCHED AND BEWILDERED - 8
Author: Elsarose
Plot bunny and collaborator: Judy Uhrich
Post 513 – hey it could happen


“I feel like you should at least give me a baby.” Brian joked. He was watching Justin as his partner pranced around their bedroom after a night at Babylon. “I mean, it’s been nine months since you became <i>magic boy</i>. 

“How about two more bewitched mice? I could probably give you those.” Justin laughed. “Or a bouquet of flowers.” Brian suddenly found his arms full of carnations. “Or better yet, me.” The flowers were replaced with Justin.

“I already have you.” Brian said as he leaned forward to kiss the end of Justin’s nose. “I hope you’re joking about more kids/mice.” 

“I am.” He giggled. “But damn, it would be fun to have a bunch of them. It’s not like we can’t afford it.” 

“Justin, I’m barely holding on here, being a dad to Gus.”

“And to Emmylou.” Justin reminded him.

“Emmylou is still a mouse Sunshine, so she really isn’t a lot of trouble.”

“I talked to Granny M today. She says that if the spell breaker  gets the person who is enchanted to give unconditional forgiveness, and the enchanter has also shown unconditional remorse, that their powers would be unchanged. But I’d still lose mine because I would be interfering with what has happened.”

“That makes no sense. You’d be doing something good, and yet you’d lose everything?”

“Not everything?” he smiled, melting into Brian’s arms. “I’d have you and Gus, a daughter, a friend called Ned, a grandpa figure called Lester.”

“Don’t forget the two handsome black dudes with a penchant for hanging out in Babylon.” 

“That too.” He sighed. “Of course we’re going to have find another house.”

“It’s just a house, we’ll find a home.” Brian laughed. “Your mother can find us a home that is. It’ll give her something to do instead of whining to me about how her little boy had to give up his life for big bad Brian.”

“Hmmmm, Big Bad, now there’s a good name for you.” Justin wiggled against his lover, partner, husband. 

“Not now dear, I have a kid to feed.” Brian laughed. “We need to get some employees. We need more free time to fuck.” 

“You are such a jerk some time,” Justin shook his head. “Gus is in the kitchen with Emmylou eating breakfast. I put the coffee timer on, our coffee will be ready in a few minutes. If you’re a nice Big Bad, I might consider letting you have one of my super duper blow jobs.”

“Knees Justin, now.” Brian had his zipper down.

“Bossy, Big Bad.” Were the last words Justin said before his mouth was full. 

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

Gus and Emmylou had a wonderful summer. The gardens at Shadow Manor had endless hiding places or so they thought. Justin and Brian had always known where they were because Lester would be laying on the grass sunning within a few feet of the two friends. The old dog had appointed himself their guardian, much to Brian’s relief. Even Ned occasionally hung out with the dynamic duo. Joe and Darcy had elected to stay in New York for a few extra weeks after the gallery showing and had taken their time flying back to Pittsburgh.

Now it was September and Gus was back in school. No longer in kindergarten, his classes were more intense, which was good, because he was always thinking ahead of his peers. He became more involved with his studies and less involved with the everyday life of a certain young mouse girl. Emmylou was feeling left out and unloved. Gus forgot to take her to school most days, leaving her behind in her big house in his room. 

The only bright side to her day was when he came home. And now she was worried about that as well. For Gus’ mommies had decided to move back from Toronto and settle once again in Pittsburgh. Lindsay’s depression, while not cured, was being handled and everyone, including her, thought returning to where friends and family lived was a good step in her treatment. 

Brian found Emmylou huddled in the corner of his briefcase when he opened it at Kinnetik. “Hey Emmy girl.” He said, holding his hand out for the mouse to climb on and run up to his shoulder. 

“Daddy, I’m sorry I sneaked into your work box. I just wanted to be with you today. I’m lonely when Gus goes to school.” She sighed. 

“Gus is getting older and is busier at school.” Brian agreed. “But you could stay home with Justin. He’s home painting this week.” 
“I know, but Daddy J is working hard and I think he’s worried about his birthday.”  She rubbed her whiskered face on Brian’s cheek. “I don’t want him to worry. It’s okay if he doesn’t turn me into a little girl again. It’s okay if I can live with you.” She sighed. “Lester looks after me and so does Ned. I don’t mind being a mouse and you know what, I can’t really remember much about being a little girl.”

“Emmy girl, don’t you worry your head about this kind of thing. Justin will do as he thinks best.”

“But if I’m a little girl, I’ll be all alone. I don’t know any of my family. I think they’re all dead.”

“We’re your family now Emmy girl, you’ll be our daughter, just like Gus is our son.” Brian lifted her off of his shoulder. “Now I have to do some work. You make yourself comfortable in the office. But don’t go anywhere else. You know how some people get all excited when they see you.” 

“Okay daddy, I’ll just stay here.” Emmylou jumped on his desk. “Can I sit on your desk?” 

“If you want to, but I’m going to be busy.” 

Just then the door opened and Ted came in carrying a cup of coffee for Brian and one for himself. “Hey Brian, did you go over the files on your desk?” 

“Not yet Theodore, I’ve been busy.” He covered Emmylou with his cupped hand, scooping her up and putting her in his top desk drawer, but leaving it open. “Coffee delivery, what’s wrong?” he took the offered mug of coffee, drinking deeply. 

“It’s about your real estate portfolio. You need to do something with the building you purchased just off Liberty. The last tenant finally left and it’s been sitting empty for a couple of weeks. I want to know what your plans are for it. Right now it’s an empty shell. Should we be trying to rent the space as commercial space, or maybe see about rezoning it for condos?”

“I forgot about that place.” Brian thought for a few minutes. “It’s three stories isn’t it?”

“Yes and structurally sound so that if you wanted to, say rent it to a gym, you could have a pool installed. The water weight wouldn’t be a problem. I have someone interested in the top floor and maybe the second. It would be a long term lease.”

“Theodore, don’t rush into anything. Justin and I will be moving in three months, maybe we could have the building zoned residential/commercial. He could have a gallery/studio on the first floor. We could have some plans drawn up for the top two floors as living space. A pool would be nice on the roof. Maybe something with a removable covered area so it can be used year round. Have the architects who worked on Kinnetik draw something up.”

“What’s wrong with the house you guys are living in now? I mean, the place is amazing and close to work.” Ted couldn’t believe what Brian was saying.

“It isn’t working out for us. We need something less …. I don’t know …Just less.”

“Fine, but I wouldn’t give it up.” Ted shrugged. “Or is it that you don’t like to live in a house that Justin owns and you don’t.”

“Justin doesn’t own the house. His family owns the house.” Brian stood up. “That’s all Theodore, I’ll expect a report on my desk tomorrow.” 

“But.” Ted began but rushed out of the office when he saw Brian’s eyebrows raised.

“Daddy, are we really moving?” Emmylou had scampered back up on Brian’s desk. 

“Maybe we will.” Brian smiled. There was something about this little bit of a thing that had captured his heart. “I think we could all use a fresh start, don’t you?” 

“I’d like that.” She sat back on her haunches and groomed her whiskers. “Daddy J could have his very own gallery, and maybe Ned could work for him and Lester too. I’m not so sure about Joe and Darcy, but maybe they’d like it.”

“We’d have quite the little family business going.” Brian joked. 

“Me and Gus would be the kids.” She smiled. 

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

Two weeks before Justin’s twenty third birthday, he was finding that he couldn’t get a full nights sleep and it was making him decidedly cranky. Gus had been spending Saturdays with his mothers who had moved back to Pittsburgh. He refused to sleep at their house though and insisted that Brian or Justin bring him home each time he was there. He also insisted that Lester go with him each Saturday, despite both his mothers’ objections. Neither one wanted or liked dogs and Lester, a grizzled old three legged dog, who wasn’t all that beautiful.

“Just close your eyes and think happy thoughts.” Brian murmured against Justin’s neck. He’d already tried to tire his partner with sex. 

“I keep having dreams.” 

“We all have dreams. Do you mean nightmares? You don’t act like you did, you know, before.” His euphemism for the bashing and the years that followed. 

“They aren’t exactly nightmares, and they aren’t exactly dreams. It’s more like I’m being taken somewhere and tested over and over again about changing the guys back to their old selves.” He stroked his fingers through Brian’s hair. “It’s the strangest things that someone or something expects me to do, to prove that I’m somehow worthy of this task. It was made crystal clear that once I do this thing, I’m then responsible for the well being of all I change. Just as the person who changed them has been responsible.”

“They weren’t doing a very good job.” Brian huffed. 

“I know.” Justin sighed. “I have mentioned that little fact. Frequently in fact.”

Brian chuckled, “I can only imagine.” 

“I like what we’ve done to the loft building.” Justin began. “At least when I lose all my powers, we’ll have something to show for them, besides a rather larger and weird family group.”

“Something we already had.” Brian loved feeling Justin’s fingers combing through his hair, it was one of the reasons he kept it long. “But the fact you’ve been able to get the contractors to actually complete the renovations has been a definite bonus.”

“I love spending my days in the gallery, Kinnetik X 2.”

“Still think it’s not the right name.” 

“I like the name.” Justin wiggled so he was actually closer to Brian. “It’s all about the two of us. And it has both Gus and Emmylou’s approval.”

“I guess we have to keep it.” Brian smiled and even though Justin couldn’t see the smile, he could feel it in the way Brian relaxed just that little bit more. “You do know I’m proud of you, don’t you?” It was rare for Brian to get quite so eloquent. 

“I…” Justin wasn’t sure what to say, so unexpected was the question “I guess.” 

“No one other than you would give up everything to make things right.” Brian kissed him on whatever parts he could easily reach. He refused to say the word cuddle, because Justin didn’t seem to be able to handle it. But that’s what they were doing and frankly Brian Kinney loved to cuddle with Justin.

“If I recall, I know a certain man who did the same thing once upon a time.” Justin smiled remembering.

“That was different, I knew I could get what I gave up back and then some. You, on the other hand, won’t ever be able to wiggle your nose and have a cup of coffee appear.”

“I don’t wiggle my nose.” 

“Whatever.” Brian grinned. “That was a hint by the way.”

“I know, your coffee is on the table beside the bed.” Justin laughed. “You are such a brat. You just like to be waited on.”

“As I should be.” Brian joked.

“Hey, are you guys done yet, cause I need to go out.” Lester’s head appeared beside Justin’s, his nose inches away. “All this canoodling is making my head spin and that’s not a good thing when you have three legs.” 

“Canoodling?” Brian asked. 

“The door is open, go.” Justin sighed. “You could have just waited.”

“I could have pissed on the floor too, but this was easier.” Lester grumbled as he made his way out of their room. 

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

“I can’t believe how nervous I am.” Justin was pulling on a clean tee shirt. “Tonight is the last of my being 22 years old.”

“What’s to be nervous about?” Brian teased. “I promise no hustlers for your birthday.”

“Ha, ha, double ha.” Justin raised one eyebrow. “This whole year has been more than strange. I never have really accepted the fact that I can do things that most people can’t. I can’t help but feel that maybe I should have done more with my power than what I’ve done. Yet I know that really the whole point of the power isn’t to have personal gain, but maybe I could have done more for people we know.”

“Where do you draw the line Sunshine?” Brian said and not for the first time. “You’ve done a lot for our friends. But there’s really only so much you can do. People in general only appreciate what they work for, not what lands in their laps. The paid up life insurance policy on Vic was a boon for Debbie.”

“But all I did was find it.” Justin sighed. “I didn’t make it pay more or anything.” 

“If you hadn’t found it, she never would have. And I know you paid off her mortgage.” 

“That’s because the painting I did of Vic sold so well. I couldn’t profit from it.” 

“You are you, Justin Taylor-Kinney. You don’t take no for an answer. You’re good and strong and true to your principals. What ever happens tonight and tomorrow, I’m with you every step of the way.” 

“It starts at midnight.” He looked around. “Gus didn’t want to spend the night with his mothers. I really hated to send him.”

“I know, but your relatives aren’t stable enough to leave him here tonight. It’s bad enough we have to keep Emmylou, Lester, Ned and the crows.”

“Ravens.” 

“Whatever.” 

“I’m going downstairs and make us a drink.” Justin let himself be held for a few minutes in Brian’s arms. “I feel so safe like this.” He whispered. 

“It’s how I want you to always feel.” Brian kissed Justin with all his love for the younger man intensifying the kiss. He put his arm around the blond. “We’ll go down together, I’m not having you disappear, even for a minute, like you did last year.”

When midnight struck, Brian was holding Justin tight in his arms. He wasn’t taking any chances. The living room they were in was suddenly filled with people, all of them dressed for a party, with the exception of three black robed women and one man who sat as if on thrones at one end of the room.

“JUSTIN TAYLOR-KINNEY, please stand and face the High Council” the words filled the air and both Brian and Justin were impressed that Justin had been called by his married name. Considering that few people knew they were married other than Cam and Daphne, it wasn’t expected. 

“You have stated that you wish to forsake your heritage in order to remove the spell upon Emmylou Johns, Lester Peters, Ned Smythe, Joseph Wexler, and Darcy Jones. Are you aware that under the laws of this council, you will then be responsible for the wellbeing of these humans? And that you will no longer have access to Shadow Manor and all that it represents?”

“I understand.” Justin said, his voice firm. Brian squeezed his fingers, offering his support. 

“Will those responsible for the original enchanting please step forward.” 

One by one, three of Justin’s relatives stepped forward. “You three have previously been found guilty of transforming and you have all received your punishment. If Justin Taylor-Kinney continues with his request, you all will be charged with making sure the well being and happiness of your former sufferers, is maintained for the balance of their human life.”

“We know this, but since Justin Taylor-Kinney has taken upon himself to interfere with these transgressions of ours, shouldn’t he be solely responsible for their welfare?” It was Justin’s Auntie, he wasn’t surprised.

“The law stands.” The words filled the room, repeated over and over by the various guests. 

The room filled with an eerie green mist. Brian pulled Justin closer, wrapping him protectively in his arms. Music of unknown origin played and suddenly, everything was quiet, the lights dimmed. 

“Daddy?” Emmylou’s voice sounded close. Brian felt a tug on his jeans, looking down he smiled at the five year old girl standing before him, her hair a mass of soft brown curls, as she stood in a rather tattered old fashioned dress. 

“We’re not in Kansas anymore.” Justin giggled. “Seems we’re standing outside the gate of Shadow Manor.” 

“Yes and it’s damn cold.” Lester, wirey and tall, leaned on a cane. He had two good legs, but only one arm. “Where’s that Ned Smythe?” 

“Over here.” Ned shook himself. He was small of stature and dressed a lot like the garden gnome he’d been. “You might want to help Joe and Darcy down from that tree over there. Fools, they should have known better than to sit in a damn tree.”

“How were we to know Justin was really going to do it? I mean, no one else has ever given a shit.” Joe grumbled as he climbed down from the tree. “Get your ass down here Darcy.”

“I hate heights.” 

“Never bothered you when you were a raven.” Ned laughed. 

“Yes it did, I just hid it better.”

“Justin, can you at least give us something decent to wear? I mean we are two rather handsome gay men, I’m thinking something in leather.” Darcy had reached the ground.

“I don’t have any powers.” Justin laughed. “You guys are going to have to get a job.”

“Yes, you do. It’s part of you. No matter what the old bats say, once the power comes to you, it’s there until you die.” Ned nodded his agreement. “The whole bunch of hoopla inside was to make sure you knew what you were doing and weren’t taking things lightly. Of course you’re expected to find this out in your own time. I know they didn’t expect us to tell you. But we all rather like you.”

“You’re shitting me?” Justin said. He made a few movements with his hand and Joe and Darcy were dressed in the finest of club clothes.

He looked at Brian who was grinning widely, Emmylou in his arms. “The miserable sons of b….” he looked at Emmylou. 

“Oh daddy, no swearing.” She laughed. “I’m a real little girl again. I’m going to marry Gus when I grow up.” 

Brian and Justin both laughed. “You never know.”

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

It was three months later. Brian and Justin were sitting in their living room surrounded by family and friends. It was Christmas Eve and a combination house warming and family celebration. 

Emmylou and Gus were sitting by the Christmas tree, intent on playing with a set of small grey plush mice that Emmy had been given for Christmas. Gus didn’t mind playing the daddy while he and Emmylou dressed the mouse family and drove them around in cars. Cam, in his cat form, was sitting with his ends tucked in close by watching. Daphne was at her parents and couldn’t get away until tomorrow.

Lester sat in a rocking chair, designer Italian leather of course, near the fireplace enjoying the warmth and though his eyes were shut, listening to those around him. Ned sat on the arm of Lindsay’s chair discussing art in and around Pittsburgh. Melanie was fussing with JR’s hair which seemed to have gotten full of silly string, though Gus denied aiming directly at his sister.

Joe and Darcy were dancing with Emmett in the kitchen, all of them took turns in making sure everyone had lots to eat when they weren’t discussing the catering company they were forming.

“It’s hard to believe what we went through last year?” Justin sighed. He nodded toward the Christmas tree that had been about to fall after an especially boisterous car crash. The tree righted itself and no one was the wiser.  

Brian laughed, his laugh low and seductive, knowing just how his laugh would affect his husband. “I know some blond twink a long time ago promised me the ride of my life. I think he’s come through with that promise.”

Now it was Justin’s turn to laugh. “I am rather enjoying this life of ours.”

“I’m enjoying Deb’s laryngitis.” Brian snickered. 

(“)Michael looks like he’s having fun.” Justin observed. Justin had managed to find twelve, almost impossible to locate, issues of Captain Astro. It was their gift to the man and he’d been huddled on a chair at the kitchen table ever since, going over each issue with almost prayerful reverence.

“You know the way to a man’s heart, even Mikey’s.”

“Daddy, daddy.” Emmylou and Gus ran over to Brian. Emmylou climbed up on Brian’s knee. “Gus is my boyfriend now.” She held out her hand, she was wearing a plastic ring. “See, we’re engaged.”

Gus looked embarrassed. “We’re playing daddy. I told her I might like boys better when I’m older, but she doesn’t listen to me.” 

“Women never do, Sonny Boy.” Brian laughed. “And that goes for blond twinks too” he ruffled Justin’s hair.

“Hardly a twink, Brian.” Justin snorted. He sat back to watch the man he loved talk to his daughter and son, explaining why they had to wait until they were older. He couldn’t imagine any other life for either of them. Brian Kinney, stud of Liberty Avenue, had grown up and become the man Justin had known he was that night they met.

November 22, 2007