“Not going out tonight?” Brian asked with a smirk on his face. He looked at Justin, who barely acknowledged him as he concentrated on his drawing. “I thought you weren’t interested.”

Justin was sitting at the computer screen, engrossed. “No, I’m not going out.”

“That’s a shame, all the men will have to find someone else to buy drinks for.”

Justin sighed, then put the electronic pen down. “Alright, Brian, I’m sorry. Okay?”

“Okay.” Brian said nonchalantly. “I’m still going.”

“That’s fine, have fun.” Justin was lost to the screen.

Brian didn’t bother talking to him anymore. He closed the door quietly behind him and took the elevator down. Without a destination in mind, he decided to just head for the diner.

None of the boys were there, so he sat down at the counter. Debbie greeted him with a cup of coffee and a raised eyebrow. “Not often I see you here alone,” she said.

“I needed to get out of there,” he replied, sipping the coffee. It burnt the roof of his mouth. “Fuck,” he muttered.

“Sorry, Sugar. At least it’s fresh,” Debbie offered. Brian lit up a cigarette and debated popping by Babylon to get his mind off things. And to get his mind off the fact that his mind was on things. He shook his head and drank some more scalding coffee. Debbie returned after serving another customer.

“It ain’t easy parenting a teenage boy, is it?” Debbie said, and Brian glared at her. “Oh, you know what I mean. What’s he done now?”

Brian sighed, not particularly wanting to talk. “Nothing, he’s just frustrating.”

“You can say that again. You should’ve heard what the little cocksucker said to me the other day. He’s taking this shit pretty hard."

“I don’t blame him – but I’m the one trying to help. He doesn’t have to give me his bullshit just because he can’t draw as well as he used to.”

“Brian, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you actually cared,” Debbie grinned and left that comment to hang in the air as she flew off to refill coffee mugs. Brian rolled his eyes and butted his smoke out.

“Check please.”

Debbie returned. “Now, don’t give me that. I’m just sayin’ that you bought the kid a million-dollar paint program and your feelings are hurt that he didn’t appreciate it. Stop me when I get to the part that’s wrong.”

“He appreciates it, he barely stops to shower.”

“Now, maybe. But that’s not the point.”

Brian, nearly finished with this line of dialogue, couldn’t help asking. “And what, pray tell, is the point, Deborah?”

Debbie handed him his check. “The point is that you love the kid, and you want to see him happy. That’s why you’re frustrated.”

Brian tossed a bill onto the counter and walked out.

When he came back, Justin was still at the computer. “That was fast,” he said without looking up. Brian grunted. He needed to talk, but he wasn’t quite sure what he wanted to say. He wasn’t even sure what he thought.

“Justin, do you mind shutting that off for a minute?”

“Why?” he said, “I’m on a roll.”

Brian walked over. “You’ve been on a roll for days. I’m sure you need a break.”

Justin sighed and saved his work. “Why, what’s up?”

Brian took a deep breath, not knowing where to start. “Debbie told me about how you acted at the diner the other day.”

It was the wrong thing. His defenses were immediately up. “I already caught it from her and Lindsay. I don’t need you to yell at me too.”

“I’m not going to yell at you. I’m just a little . . . concerned.”

“I’m fine, Brian. You know I am.”

Brian took his hand. “I don’t think you are. You’ve had an attitude ever since you quit art school.”

Justin was angry. “Can you blame me? I worked my ass off to get in, and it was all for nothing. I’m not good enough anymore.”

“According to the dean, yes. Not according to the rest of us. He’s an asshole.”

“Asshole or not, its his decision.”

Brian wished he could start over. “It’s not the end of the world.”

Justin rolled his eyes. “Thanks, but I’ve heard it. If your pep talk is over, I’d like to get back to work.”

Now Brian was angry. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You’re treating everyone, especially me, like what’s happening is our fault. We’re the ones trying to help you.” Justin opened his mouth to retort, but Brian cut him off. “Yeah, no one can, I know. But, fuck, I can’t stand seeing you like this.”

“Why do you care, Brian? You only took me in because you felt guilty. Just call my mother and tell her I’m better and I can be out of your hair tomorrow.”

“I don’t want you out of my hair. I just want you to know –“

Brian stopped, and Justin stared expectantly. He bit back the words he was going to say. “I want you to know that I want you here. The real you. Not the little bastard with a boulder-sized chip on his shoulder that you’ve been acting like.”

The real Justin was finally listening. “I said I was sorry, Brian.”

“I don’t care if you go out drinking with strange men. You can do whatever you want. You just can’t talk to me like I’m your mother. I’m not doing this for her; I’m doing it for you. And I’d like you to meet me halfway.”

Justin didn’t know what to say. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Do we have an understanding?”

Justin, still a little shocked, replied, “Sure.”

“Good, now that that’s settled, you can go back to your pictures.”

Justin grinned, and Brian should’ve seen it coming. They headed for the bedroom.

Brian kissed Justin deeply, savoring his taste. His thoughts ran all over the place as he realized what he’d said to his lover, and what it meant. He did want him to stay, he wanted him there. He could’ve lied to himself and said that it was only to make the kid feel better, but that wouldn’t fly. He couldn’t say love, but he’d said enough. He tried to blank his mind as Justin ran his tongue over his chest and stomach. Trouble was, his feelings for Justin and the sex were starting to become inseparable.

He moaned softly as Justin took his cock into his mouth. He ran his fingers into the soft blonde hair, grasping tightly as Justin worked the tip. He arched his back a little, then pulled Justin up to kiss him again. This is just for you.

He rolled Justin onto his back and settled in comfortably on top. He licked Justin’s neck, nibbled at his earlobe, whispered things into his ear. He moved slowly, and Justin was squirming before Brian had even moved down to his chest. Brian smiled a little, loving the way he could push Justin into total ecstasy with barely any effort. Loving the way Justin gave himself completely to him.

He was already dripping heavily when Brian finally reached his cock. He ran his tongue over it lightly, very slowly, dragging it out as long as he could. Justin bucked his hips, trying to make Brian go faster, but he stayed in control. He moved downward, taking Justin’s balls into his mouth, gently sucking each one. He moved further still, and when he began rimming Justin’s ass, the boy cried out in pleasure. He could barely stand it. Brian’s cock throbbed.

“Fuck me,” Justin breathed desperately, and Brian was no longer in any position to refuse. He fumbled for a condom and the lube as Justin rolled onto his side. He wrapped his arm around him and guided his cock into Justin from behind. He moaned softly as Justin’s muscles gripped onto him tightly. His hands roamed all over Justin’s sensuous skin as he fucked him slowly with deep, long thrusts. Justin’s deep breathing and the quiet moans that caught in his throat were driving Brian nuts. His body pushed to go faster but held himself back. He wanted this to last.

When Brian’s hand brushed against Justin’s cock, he gasped. Brian stroked it a little before moving on. “Don’t . . .” he began. Brian grinned and snaked his hand back. Justin writhed in excitement as Brian stroked him. He couldn’t hold on. He cried out as he came in Brian’s hand. Brian let out a little laugh.

“What?” Justin whispered, looking up at him, smiling.

“Nothing,” he replied, kissing him softly. “I’m just happy.”

Brian picked up the pace, and soon he was coming himself. After he pulled out, he lay back with a big, goofy grin on his face. It was similar to Justin’s. He wondered when the last time was that he laughed with sheer joy.

This time he didn’t wait for Justin to fall asleep before he wrapped his arms around him. Justin grinned. “Aren’t you going to roll over?”

“No, this’ll be fine.”

Justin snuggled into Brian’s chest, keeping quiet before the man changed his mind.

end