Just Us - Part 2

“Hey, Justin,” Andrew called his name. 

“Hey,” Justin replied as he walked up to him. 

“I thought we were meeting at 9.” 

“We were,” Andrew said, “I thought I’d grab something to eat before we have to go.” 

“Going somewhere?” Justin turned around to see Debbie standing behind him.  The boy next to Justin was a little bit taller than Justin, a bit skinnier, very good looking. 

“Deb, this is Andrew, Andrew this is Debbie,” Justin introduced them.

 “Nice to meet you,” Andrew smiled at her. 

“Yeah, you too,” Debbie said. 

She looked him over one more time, then turned to Justin.  “So where are you going?” she asked again.  

“Oh…we have this huge research paper to write for one of our art history classes,” Justin said. 

“Uh-hu,” Debbie said trying to figure out what was going on between those two. 

“Yeah, our teacher is a complete nutcase,” Andrew said. 

“I personally think he just needs to get laid,” Justin said as both of them laughed.  It was an ongoing joke between a few students in their class.

 “So, do you mind if I split a little earlier?  It’s pretty empty,” Justin asked Debbie. 

“School comes first,” she said as she walked away, sure that there was more to the story than just homework.    

It’s been over 3 weeks since the day Brian came to see Justin.  Justin was working different shifts this year because of his school schedule, so they rarely saw each other in the diner.  And even when they did their friends were always around.  Brian figured that since the diner was usually pretty empty around this time they’d at least be able to say more than just ‘hi’ and ‘bye’.  He wasn’t sure what they’d talk about, but he missed Justin.  And so, he parked across the street from the diner.  He was just coming around his jeep, getting ready to cross the street when he saw them…Justin and some other guy leaving the diner.  The other guy said something and they both laughed.  He watched them as they both got into a car and drove off.  Brian felt like the wind was knocked out of him.  He turned around and got back in the jeep.

~~~

They were sitting on the living room floor, books and notes all around them.  They’ve been studying non-stop for almost four hours now. 

“My brain can’t process any more information,” he added. 

“Mine either,” Andrew said, “

But at least we’re almost done with it.  We are gonna have the best paper in the class.”  Justin smiled.  Andrew got up as well. 

“Well, I guess I’m gonna go…let you get some beauty sleep,” he said.  “Nah, I’m not tired,” Justin said. 

“Actually I was thinking of going to Babylon,” he added, “Wanna come?”

 “I’d love to, but I’m exhausted,” Andrew replied as he stuffed the last of his books into the backpack, “I honestly don’t know how you do it.” 

“Life is too short to sleep,” Justin said. 

~~~

He made his way to the bar.  Even though it was a weeknight the club was packed. 

“Justin!” he heard Emmett’s voice. 

“Hey, guys,” he said as he walked up to them.  Emmett kissed him on the check,

“Hi, baby.” 

“Isn’t it a school night?” he heard Brian say. 

He turned around and looked at him.  As always Brian looked incredible. 

“I just needed to unwind a little,” Justin replied. 

Brian looked at him for a moment then looked up at someone behind Justin.  Justin saw a slight smile on Brian’s face and followed his gaze, reality hitting him with full force.  He watched Brian make his way over to the trick of the night, say something to him, kiss him…KISS him…take him by the hand and pull him towards the backroom. 

Justin kept telling himself to start breathing again, but it felt like there was a hundred pounds rock lying on his chest.  He understood what Brian was trying to tell him.  He got the message loud and clear.  “Fine,” he thought to himself, “this is how you want to play this?”  He looked at the guy standing right next to him.  He didn’t even care what the guy looked like. 

“Hey,” he said to him. 

“Hey,” the guy replied. 

“Wanna fuck?” Justin asked.  T

he guy looked him over and smiled, “Lead the way,” he said. 

Justin put down his drink and walked towards the backroom.  Ted, Emmett, and Michael didn’t even know what to say.  They just looked at each other and shook their heads in disapproval. 

Brian opened his eyes.  The trick was pretty lousy.  He just wanted to get this over with and go home.  That’s when he saw him.  Them.  Justin was against a wall getting his dick sucked.  Justin opened his eyes and stared looked straight at him.  They just stared at each other, neither one willing to be the first one to look away, to be the weaker one.  Justin was definitely up for a challenge.  “How do you like it now, Mr. Kinney?” Justin thought. 

~~~

“Well, what do you know?” Ted said. 

“It’s week five of the Brian and Justin competition,” Emmett said. 

“Brian and Justin what?” Ben asked.   

The four of them were standing on the catwalk watching what was happening bellow them. 

“Brian and Justin competition…who can get the most tricks,” Emmett explained.  They’ve been watching their two friends every night since that night taking a trick after trick to the backroom or their beds or both. 

“Oh,” Ben finally said, “So, who’s winning?” he asked. 

“Noone,” Michael replied as he turned away.  Ben looked at him questioningly. 

“There are only losers in this competition,” Emmett said sadly.  Ben nodded.

~~~

“Uh…hello,” Brian said as Michael walked through the door. 

Something was up.  He could tell Michael was upset.  Michael turned around and looked at him. 

“Could you explain to me exactly whatta fuck you’re doing?” Michael asked.  Brian just looked at him confused. 

“What am I doing?” he asked his best friend.  

“Justin,” Michael explained. 

“I’m not doing Justin,” Brian said, trying to turn this into a joke and failing miserably. 

“You know what I mean…the backroom, the countless tricks…the whole contest you two got going.  I mean, I know you just wanna get laid, but this is a bit too much even for you.” 

“I don’t know whatta hell you’re talking about,” Brian said. 

“You know exactly what I’m talking about,” Michael was pissed. 

He didn’t even know why he was so pissed.  “

Why the fuck do you care?” Brian asked.  “

Because you’re being an idiot.  You both are.  You’re hurting each other on purpose.” 

“Stay out of it, Mickey,” Brian said annoyed. 

“Stay out of it?  Fine, I’ll stay out of it,” Michael walked up closer to him, “But let me say just one more thing.  You brought him into our lives, you made us care about him, care what happens to him, and now you expect us to just watch while you’re fucking him up?” When Brian didn’t respond, he continued, “ Justin didn’t leave because he couldn’t handle your tricking or the fucking rules you had set up, did he?  He left because he couldn’t deal with you being YOU anymore.” 

“Shut up, Michael!  You don’t know shit!” Brian yelled. 

“I know you,” Michael said as he turned around and made his way out of the loft. 

~~~

“What are you doing?” Daphne asked opening the door into his bedroom. 

He looked up at her, “Nothing.” 

“Ok, enough of the mopey Justin,” she said as she sat on his bed. 

“Mopey Justin?” he asked. 

“Yeah, you know…the one that only gives one word answers and doesn’t come out of his room,” she explained. 

“I’m fine,” he said. 

“Right.  So, what’s wrong?”  Before he could answer, she added, “Oh, wait, let me guess…Brian?” 

He looked away. 

“You still love him, don’t you?” Like she even had to ask.  He just nodded. 

“So, then why did you leave him?” 

He looked at her and shrugged his shoulders. 

“There were so many reasons at the time.  Right now I can’t remember any of them,” he said quietly. 

“Why don’t you talk to him about it?”  Justin chuckled.  She sounded so naïve right now. 

“No, Brian is back to being Brian again.” 

“So?  It didn’t stop you before.  You went after him and it didn’t matter to you how much he pushed you away.  What happened to that guy?” she asked. 

“He grew up,” Justin said as he got off the chair. 

“No, he became a coward.  Afraid to get his little feelings hurt.” 

“I don’t need this right now,” Justin said as he grabbed his jacket from the chair. 

“No, of course not.” 

“Fuck you, Daphne,” he shouted. 

“Yeah, very original, Justin,” she yelled out as he slammed the door. 

~~~

He walked into Woody’s.  He was glad that the place was almost empty.  He didn’t feel like being in a crowd right now.  As he made his way to the bar he saw him.  Justin took a deep breath and sat next to him.  Brian looked at him and laughed. 

“Stalking me again?” he asked. 

Justin was too tired for anything resembling an argument right now.  Besides it was very obvious that Brian was very drunk. 

“I just want a fucking drink, ok?” 

Brian shrugged his shoulders as if to say, “whatever.” 

“A beer,” Justin said to the bartender.  He looked around.  “Where is everybody?  Where’s Michael?” 

“How the fuck should I know?  I’m not his keeper?” Brian said bitterly.

“Who’s gonna drive you home then?” Justin asked concerned. 

“I’m very capable of driving myself home, thank you very much,” Brian said as he tried to get off the stool and almost fell.  He grabbed the counter to steady himself. 

“Yeah, I can see that,” Justin said. 

“Fuck you.  I’ve been doing this long before you came along,” Brian said.

 Justin tried not to let his words get to him telling himself that it was the alcohol talking.  Instead he took the keys Brian left on the bar counter.  “I’ll drive you,” he said as he got up. 

“The fuck you will.  Give me my god-damned keys.” 

“No,” Justin simply said. 

“Justin.” 

“Either I’m driving you home or you’re walking home,” Justin said. 

Brian seemed to think about this for a second then turned around and shakily made his way to the exit.  Justin watched him from the bar.  Brian stopped in the doorway and turned,

“Well?” he said, pointing to the exit. 

Justin put down his drink, put some money on the counter and followed Brian.

~~~

Justin finally got Brian to the loft.  It was a very difficult task, considering how much taller and bigger than him Brian was.  Justin walked Brian over to the couch, leaned him against it.  As he was unzipping Brian’s jacket he looked up.  Their eyes locked on each other’s.  They stood like that for a moment, just staring at each other.  Justin finally looked down, trying to focus on the task at hand.  He was finally done with the zipper and leaned in to take one of his sleeves off.  His face only inches from Brian’s.  Brian could smell the shampoo and the aftershave on Justin.  It was driving him crazy.  He finally couldn’t take it any longer.  He leaned in and kissed him. 

It felt so good to have Brian’s lips on his again.  The taste of Brian that he missed so much all these months.  It took all of his strength to finally pull away.  He took a step back.  When he looked at Brian, he wished he hadn’t.  He saw so much pain in Brian’s eyes, it broke his heart all over again. 

Brian felt like somebody punched him in the stomach.  He gave out a nervous laugh.  He wasn’t even sure where it was coming from.  The pain of rejection, of losing Justin, of watching Justin fucking everything and everyone in sight mixed with lots and lots of alcohol just took over.

“What?  You don’t even fucking want me anymore?” the words were out before he could think what exactly he was saying. 

Justin looked at him confused.  “Don’t want you?”  Justin couldn’t believe what he was hearing.  “Brian, all I EVER wanted was YOU,” Justin exclaimed. 

“You had me,” Brian said quietly. 

Justin knew it was probably killing Brian to say all these things, but they were finally talking about it and he wasn’t going to sugarcoat it. 

“As much as anybody can have Brian Kinney?” he said. 

“But it wasn’t enough, was it?” it was more of a statement rather than a question. 

Justin lowered his gaze, trying to figure how to say what he needed to say. 

“I wanted something from you that you couldn’t give me,” he finally said.

“You’ve never asked,” Brian replied. 

Justin smiled slightly as he took a step closer.  Softly, almost whispering, he asked, “And if I have?”  He looked straight at Brian.  Brian held his gaze for a moment, then looked away.  Justin smiled again, not at all surprised by the answer. 

He took another step so that he was standing right next to Brian.  With his left hand he touched Brian’s face and turned him so that he could see his eyes. 

“I know you Brian,” he said.  Brian tried to look away, but he turned his face again.  “I know you better than anybody.”  Brian finally stopped trying to turn away and looked at him.  “Everybody told me that you’d never change,” Justin continued.  “But you HAVE changed,” he said with a small smile.  “And you WILL change,” he was sure of it.  “And when you’re ready,” he paused, making sure that Brian was registering what he was saying, “I will be there,” he finished.  He leaned in and kissed him, then pulled away and quickly left the loft, leaving Brian to process what he just told him. 

Go to Part 3

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