shards of light filtering through the blinds. Justin smiled his "sunshine" smile and looked up at Brian affectionately.
"Hey." He said, his voice husky from sleep. "How did you sleep?"
"Perfectly." Brian smiled and leaned down to press a kiss to the tip of
Justin's nose. "I am, however, going to die of starvation if we don't get
our asses up and get some food ASAP." Justin smiled.
"There's cotton candy on the floor over there." Justin teased pointing to
the side of the bed. "You could munch on that."
"Very funny, you little smartass. Get up and make me some food." Brian
winked to let Justin know he was kidding.
"You're lucky I like to cook or you'd be out there cooking your own
breakfast." Justin grinned and rolled off the bed, grabbing a pair of sweats
off the side of the chair and pulling them on.
"Nah." Brian chuckled, grabbing his discarded pants off the floor and
sliding them up over his hips. "I'd go out there and sweet talk Ant into making me
something. I'm sure I could charm him into it."
"Yah, right." Justin chuckled. "I'm probably going to have to make him
something too. He couldn't make toast til I showed him."
"Are you kidding?"
"Nope. Poor guy had never had to cook for himself. He's a rich kid. Grew up
with a maid, butler, and full time cook." Justin chuckled. "His parents
weren't too happy with him becoming a music student."
"Anthony is a music student?" Brian asked. He'd had no idea.
"Yup." Justin nodded. "He wants to be a music teacher."
"God, that's weird." Brian shook his head. "I never would have guessed that
about him."
"What did you have him pegged for?"
"Never really thought about it, I guess." Brian shrugged, before grinning.
"I was always too preoccupied with his adorable blond roommate." He grabbed
Justin around the waist and dragged him back over to the bed, kissing him as
they went.
"Thought you wanted breakfast so you won't starve to death." Justin teased between
kisses.
"I'm having my appetizer." Brian teased as he lowered Justin's sweats. "We
can eat breakfast after I get a high protein snack."
***
After their morning interlude, Brian and Justin stepped out of Justin's
bedroom to the sound of Yellow Submarine. "Ant, why the hell are you
watching this?" Justin asked, as he walked to the kitchen. "You fucking hate
this movie."
"Well, Blondie over here saw it sitting on top of the TV and wanted to watch
it." Anthony replied. Justin's head whipped around and he saw Anthony and
Nathan sitting on the couch eating Corn Puffs and looking cozy.
"Well, isn't that nice." Justin snapped, looking at Nathan with venom in his
eyes. He turned and walked into his bedroom, slamming the door.
Anthony and Brian looked at each other, neither were really sure what to
say. Brian shrugged and went to get himself some cereal. He thought
momentarily about following Justin but, he wasn't sure he really wanted to
go there with Justin right at that moment. Anthony kissed Nathan quickly and
stood, making his way to Justin's room.
"Can I come in?" He asked, peeking into the room.
"Aren't you too busy for that?" Justin snapped.
"Never too busy for my best friend." Anthony said, sitting on the bed and
throwing an arm around Justin. "So, what's with the uber-bitch moment out
there?"
"What the fuck is the little waiter still doing here?" Justin demanded.
"I'm feeding him. We had a pretty insane night last night and we never ate.
Poor guy must be starving after having me put him through his paces."
Anthony joked.
"Why is he watching my tape?" Justin asked. He couldn't really explain his
intense reaction to seeing that Ant's trick had spend the night and he
didn't really want to go down that road.
"What's with you?" Anthony asked, shocked at Justin's venomous attitude
towards Nathan. "Why are you acting like some jealous boyfriend?"
Anthony's words brought Justin back to reality and he shook his head to try
and clear his thoughts. "I'm so sorry, Ant." He sighed. "I guess it was just
really weird to see that you let a trick spend the night. You're never
cuddled up on that couch with anyone other than me."
"Come on, babe." Anthony hugged Justin. "You know that no one comes before
you. You're my best friend and my favorite person in the whole world. Just
because I met someone that I think I really like, doesn't mean that you're
any less important. You're still first, okay?"
"Thanks, Ant." Justin felt relieved at hearing that he still came first but,
still hoped that once Nathan left the apartment, he wouldn't come back.
There was something about the cute little waiter that irked the blonde.
"I'd better get back out there or my cereal will get soggy." Anthony
grinned. "And we'd both better make sure that Brian and Nathan haven't decided that they found better and run off together." Justin laughed.
"I've had enough of Brian cheating on me, thanks." He chuckled again. "Let's
get back out there."
They made their way back out to the living room and found Nathan still
sitting on the couch, enthralled in the movie, and Brian sitting in the arm
chair with a bowl of Cheerios on his lap. "You started without me." Justin
pouted. Brian looked up and smiled.
"I told you I would die if I didn't eat right away." He winked. "I meant
it."
"Didn't stop you from getting your protein in the bedroom." Justin walked
over and picked up the bowl of cereal, crawling onto Brian's lap. When
Justin started feeding Brian spoonfuls of cereal, Anthony made a wretching
noise.
"You two should make one of those shitty romantic comedies." He made the
wretching noise again. "You're so sticky sweet it makes me want to vomit."
"Oh, how I love hearing the word vomit while my boyfriend is feeding me Cheerios." Brian rolled his eyes. "Nathan, feed him some cereal so he'll
shut up and let me eat in peace."
Nathan gladly complied and started feeding Anthony spoonfuls of cereal.
Anthony made a disgusted face but made no move to stop Nathan from feeding
him. "You two look really good together." Nathan said, looking at Brian and
Justin. "Like day and night."
"Don't tell them that." Anthony grinned. "Their heads will get even bigger
than they already are."
"Fuck off." Justin laughed. "Just because I'm prettier than you..."
"Twinkie McCutie over there thinks he's prettier than me." Anthony looked at
Nathan with a grin on his face. "What do you think?"
"He is." Nathan grinned playfully.
"Justin, you're a bad influence on Nathan over here." Anthony said as he
pinched Nathan's ass. "I don't think I should let you near him anymore. You
might turn him against me."
"He could never." Nathan said with a seductive smile.
As Justin watched the exchange, he felt an intense urge to jump off Brian's
lap and gouge the cute little waiter's eyes out. He stayed silent and
wondered why he felt that way. He wanted Anthony to be happy, didn't he? It
couldn't be jealousy that was making him hate Nathan with the fiery passions
of hell, could it?
"Ant, I think you're falling into the same little trap I fell into." Brian
observed, looking at Anthony and Nathan.
"Trap?" Justin asked, raising an eyebrow. Brian's voice had brought him back
from his thoughts and he was determined not to think about his feeling about
Anthony and Nathan until later, when he was alone.
"Best trap I ever fell into." Brian amended.
***
"She wants me to come away with her to meet her parents this weekend."
Lindsay gushed as she, Anthony, and Justin sat at their favorite booth at
the on campus coffee shop. "This is starting to get really serious."
"So you said you'd go on this little adventure to meet Mel's folks?" Anthony
asked, teasing. "You sure you're ready to be under the microscope?"
"What do you mean?" Lindsay asked biting her lip.
"You've never done this before, right?" She shook her head. "They're gunna
want to know all about you, they're gunna want to get to know you, listen
to you talk about your background, ask you all sorts of questions..."
"Stop scaring her, Ant." Justin said, smacking his friend. "I took Jonny to
meet my mom and it was great."
"What about when you met his folks?"
"Not the same thing." Justin stated, matter-of-factly. "His dad was in the
Army, a real man's man." He explained to Lindsay. "Big and intimidating. He
interrogated me for like an hour, but I think that was because he wanted to
find a reason for Jonny not to be with me. He would have done it to any
guy."
"I don't think Mel's parents are too keen on her being gay." Lindsay's
excitement had faded and now she just looked terrified. "What if they hate
me before they even meet me?"
"Don't think like that." Justin said encouragingly. "Think of it as the next
step in a serious relationship. She must be crazy about you to even think
about taking you to meet them."
"Do you think Brian will introduce you to his parents soon?" Lindsay asked.
"I don't think so." Justin shook his head. "He isn't out to them."
"Mr. I-don't-give-a-fuck-what-anybody-thinks hasn't come out to his parents
yet?" Anthony asked incredulously. "What the hell is he waiting for?"
"His dad's apparently a drunk, a total prick." Justin explained. "Remember
my dad's reaction? Picture that from a drunk, violent guy. I'd probably
still be in the closet too."
"Yah, you're right." Anthony nodded. "You and Brian going to Studs N Suds
tonight?"
"I donno." Justin shrugged. "Maybe."
"You should come. I'm taking Nathan." Anthony grinned.
"Nathan? Two nights in a row?" Lindsay asked with a little smile. "You must
really like him." Justin gritted his teeth.
"Yah, I guess." Anthony shrugged. "He's someone I could definitely spend
some time with." He smiled. "Maybe I'm just jealous that the two of you are
all happy in your relationships and want to see if it's for me."
"Well, good for you." Lindsay said with a big smile. "One of these days
we'll have to go on a triple date."
"Four fags and two dykes?" Anthony raised an eyebrow. "Sounds like something
I could never enjoy." He noticed that Justin wasn't smiling, he was just
staring at him blankly.
***
"Hey, baby." Brian said with a big smile on his face when Justin opened the
door to his apartment. "You ready for Babylon?"
"Studs N Suds?" Justin asked with a smile.
"Uh huh. Have you ever been to it? It's a blast!" Brian seemed excited so
Justin put on a happy face and decided to stop thinking about Anthony and
Nathan.
"No, I've never been. But, I'm sure it'll be great. I'll be with you." Justin
pulled on his zip front hoodie and they headed out.
"Aren't you all cute tonight..." Brian teased, kissing Justin softly.
"Where's Ant?"
"He went over to Nathan's." Justin grumbled. "I think they're going to be at
Babylon tonight."
"Cool." Brian grabbed Justin's hand. "Let's get going. I want to have you
back here in bed at a decent hour." He grinned and raised an eyebrow
suggestively. Justin laughed and locked the door.
"Well, then let's go." Justin smiled. "I want you back here early too."
***
"I just don't get it." Justin said as he and Brian stood at the edge of the
dancefloor at Babylon. "He's never let a guy stay over and I don't even know what he sees in that guy."
"What difference does it make?" Brian asked beginning to get annoyed.
"I just don't want to see him get screwed over." Justin said, almost
whining.
"You're starting to remind me of Michael, Justin." Brian said exasperated.
"Listen, I'm gunna go get myself a drink. I'll be right back."
"Ok." Justin said absently. He was too busy watched as Anthony and Nathan
walked towards him. Brian walked away, trying very hard not be to angry. He
had chalked Justin's outburst that morning up to surprise but, he was
starting to wonder if it was more than that.
"Hey, J." Anthony said with a smile as he and Nathan arrived next to Justin,
arms around each other. "Where's Mr. Kinney?"
"He went to get a drink." Justin said. He didn't feel much like being around
his roommate and his new boyfriend, but figured that he might as well suck
it up. "Are you two having fun?"
"Hell yes, we got soaked out there." Anthony laughed. "It's a good thing
it's not cold outside, we'd freeze our fucking nuts off on the way home." He
leaned over and kissed Nathan quickly. "And we wouldn't want that, now would
we?"
"No, we definitely wouldn't want that." Nathan said with a small smile on
his face. "Will you miss me if I run over there and talk to my friend
Jason?"
"I think I'll live." Anthony said with a grin. "I've got J here to keep me
company."
"Good thing he has a boyfriend already." Nathan said with a wink before
slipping into the crowd in search of his friend. Anthony wrapped an arm
around Justin and looked out into the crowd.
"Crazy party tonight, huh?" He observed.
"Yah, it's insane." Justin chuckled.
"I notice you're still dry. Why doesn't Kinney have you out there getting
covered in bubbles?"
"I don't know." Justin shrugged. Truth be told, he wasn't really in the mood
for dancing once he saw his friend out there on the floor with the blonde
waiter.
"I'm having a great time. I think I'm going to keep Nathan around for a
while. He's great." Anthony said honestly. "In a lot of ways, he reminds me
of you."
"Yah?" Justin tried to keep the annoyance at hearing that out of his voice.
"How so?"
"Well, he's an artist too, first of all." Anthony said with a smile. "He
got accepted to the same program you're in, but he had to defer it for a
year because he couldn't afford it."
"Oh, yeah." Justin couldn't think of anything else to say.
"And his personality is a lot like yours too."
"Really..."
***
Brian grabbed his drink and quickly downed it, signaling the bartender that
he wanted another. He wasn't thrilled about how the evening with Justin was
progressing and figured that he needed a few more drinks in him before he
could handle listening to Justin complain about Anthony all night.
"Hey, stranger." A voice that Brian hadn't heard in a long time, but still
recognized easily, said from behind him. He paused, afraid to turn around.
"Jamie." He said almost silently before turning around. When he turned, he
was blown away. His first love looked even more amazing than he had three
years earlier. "What are you doing in Pittsburgh?"
"What? I don't even get a hello? I was hoping for at least a little kiss to
show me that you missed me." Jamie said with a cocky smile.
"I didn't." Brian replied firmly. "What the hell are you doing back? What
happened to the great job you had?"
"I decided that I wanted to be closer to home." Jamie reached out and
touched Brian's cheek. Brian flinched and pulled away. "One would think you
weren't happy to see me..."
"Why should I be?" Brian countered. "I haven't spent the last few years
pining for you, you know."
"Well, I would hope not. I taught you better than that." Jamie chuckled.
"I've heard stories about you. From what I've heard, you've been making your
rounds on Liberty Avenue like I always taught you to."
"Yeah? Well, not anymore." Brian said firmly. "If you'll excuse me, I have to
go find my boyfriend." He didn't want to be around Jamie another second.
"Boyfriend?" Jamie asked, eyebrow raised. "Don't tell me you're in a
monogamous relationship!"
"As a matter of fact, I am." Brian raised his chin, challenging Jamie to say
something about it.
"Don't tell me it's with little Mikey." Jamie laughed. "That little shit
always hated that you were with me and not him."
"No, it's not with Mikey." Brian rolled his eyes. "His name is Justin."
"Aww, Justin. How sweet!" Jamie moved up closer and pressed himself against
Brian. "Does he turn you on the way I do?"
"No. You revolt me." Brian spat. "He actually makes me want him."
"What, you hate me now? Because I left you?" Brian stayed silent. "Oh, come
on, Brian, grow up. Fags don't do everlasting love. We do what makes us feel
good in the moment. We believe in fucking, not in love."
"Yeah? Well, not all of us." With that, Brian stepped around Jamie and
started to walk away. He didn't get two feet before Jamie grabbed his arm.
"Listen, I want to hook up with you while I'm here. I've never met anyone
with an ass as amazing as yours." Jamie winked.
"I don't bottom." Brian said, feeling vulnerable.
"You loved it when you were with me. Maybe you just don't bottom anymore
because no one can fill you like I can." Jamie slid his arm up to Brian's
shoulder. "Maybe no one can make you feel as good as I do."
"All you make me feel is sick." Brian said firmly before shrugging Jamie's
hand off his shoulder and stalking away.
***
"Did you miss me?" Nathan asked as he slipped his arms around Anthony's
waist and kissing his neck.
"You were gone?" Anthony teased. "Me and Justin were too busy checking out
all the hot guys on the dance floor. Didn't even notice you were gone."
"You're gunna pay for that." Nathan said, pinching Anthony's side. "Can we
go dance some more?"
"Let's wait til Brian comes back so we don't leave Justin here all by his
lonesome." Anthony said, hugging Nathan close.
"No. You guys go ahead." Justin couldn't take much more of their mushiness.
"I'm sure Brian will be back any second."
"If you're sure..." Anthony said skeptically.
"I'm sure." Justin forced a smile. "Go. Have fun!" He wanted more than
anything just to get rid of them. It bothered him to no end how mushy the
two of them were.
"Thanks, J." Anthony smiled, leaning over to kiss Justin on the forehead.
"See you later!" With that, Anthony and Nathan scurried off towards the
dancefloor to get covered in even more bubbles.
"Can we get out of here?" Brian asked when he came back. He looked upset,
but Justin was too preoccupied to really be concerned about the troubled
look on Brian's face.
"Yeah. I was just thinking the same thing." Justin said. The two of them
walked towards the exit, both looking sullen. They climbed into Brian's car
and drove towards Justin's apartment in silence. "Do you want to come up?"
Justin asked when they pulled up in front.
"No. I think I'm just going to go home and get some sleep. You exhausted me
last night." Brian said forcing a smile. "I'll call you tomorrow though."
"Ok." Justin tried to be upset, but he truthfully just wanted to be alone.
"Maybe we could go out for lunch between classes tomorrow?"
"Sounds good." Brian leaned over and kissed Justin softly on the lips. "Have
a good sleep, baby."
"You, too." Justin said smiling gently.
To Be Continued...
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