Date: Tue, 10 Apr 2007 10:37:41 +0000
From: J-dot M <catsfan1@hotmail.com>
Subject: The Clincher

The Clincher
Written by JM

** Disclaimer: Don't own `em, don't know `em, not factual.  No harm, no
foul.  Please be at least the age of 18. **


			Touch
			I'll stand for nothing less
			Or never stand again
			These are the limits when one's buried
			This body's left the soul


	There was something amber sweet about early morning warmth.  The tingling
sensation on the sun peeking through curtains, drenching exposed areas of
skin stirred emotions.  A soft yawn arose and eyes did not have to blink
open to know it was the crisp of the morning.  For once, he didn't want to
bury his head under a pillow and scamper away from the thought of starting
another day.  He wasn't overcome by that suffocating feeling of being alone
and waiting on a phone call to either greet him or explain why there wasn't
a long, mind-settling conversation the night before.

	A hand scratched over his stomach and it wasn't his own.  He moaned softly,
body molding to another.  He pushed back to feel a stomach to his back,
smiling with his eyes still closed as a yawn was heard behind him.  Linen
sheets were barely covering portions of his lower body and he didn't reach
down to remember that he was naked.  He could feel it with every movement
that caused a draft to ripple over his skin.  He sighed with pleasure
because being naked only reminded him of what happened only hours before.

	He felt a nip at his shoulder and thought of where those teeth had nipped
earlier.  The pleasures of having sex on the floor in Justin Timberlake's
bedroom christened his skin with new life.  He didn't know what started it,
but he knew it was around three or four in the morning and it definitely
last an hour.  It was probably his fault and he was willing to accept that.
Justin was the one who started the scenario in the shower sometime before
midnight and he knew Justin had barely recovered from that orgasm when his
hand crept under Justin's boxers later in the night.

	"Mmm," Justin moaned into his ear before kissing it.  "Horny."

	He laughed lowly, eyes barely blinking open as Justin's arms swallowed him
and pulled him further back until he felt a semi-erect cock against the
small of his back.  He nuzzled his head back, stretching an arm and reaching
back to run a hand over Justin's hair.  He thought about turning to catch a
view of those endearing blue eyes but he was sure Justin's eyes were
probably still closed.

	"Brian," Justin whined, a small swivel of his hips starting a grind he
wanted to desperately continue in other ways.

	"Remind me not to have sex with you in the middle of the night anymore,"
Brian snickered, shifting so the sheets tangled around their calves.  "Still
sore."

	"Bet it was worth it," Justin mumbled, lips rubbing softly against the back
of Brian's neck.  He took in a quick whiff of Brian's hair, a lingering
scent of oranges remaining.  He kissed along Brian's neck, licking across
the side as a hand slid leisurely down the muscles of Brian's stomach.  He
sighed pleasantly, fingertips feeling ripples and then a hint of softness
before gracing wiry hairs.

	"It's always worth it," Brian sighed out, arching his back slightly to feel
the hardness pressing there.  He licked his dry lips, eyes closing gradually
as Justin's hand played around his hip.  He felt his body tense some when he
shifted his legs and he knew not to try anything acrobatic with Justin
again.

	"Want more," Justin cooed, rolling his hips to the left then slowly to the
right.  He shivered at the sensation before whispering, "please."

	Brian was doing all that he could to slip away from that entrapment he fell
into with Justin the night before.  That cocoon of sexual desire was
wrapping itself tightly around his skin and he was sure that was the reason
his bottom lip was trembling.  He tried to ease his breathing because
Justin's hands were becoming restless below his navel.

	"I swear you're like a sixteen year old who just started having sex," Brian
snickered, arching his back.  He felt his toes curl when Justin's fingers
wrapped loosely around his erection.  He pressed out a hiss through a
clenched jaw and tried to keep his eyes open as Justin's lips played the
sweetest symphony across the skin of his neck.

	"And you're my boyfriend who didn't mind it so much last night," Justin
whispered with a husky tone, intent of furthering his obvious effect on
Brian's sexual drive.  His tongue slid against soft skin and his lips kissed
heavily at Brian's jaw.  He pressed forward, easing most of his weight
against Brian, finding the strength to kiss the corner of Brian's mouth.  He
eased back when he felt Brian shudder, a Cheshire smile playing across his
red lips.  His nose brushed against the hairs on the back of Brian's head.

	"Are you using the boyfriend card on me?" Brian giggled, a hand reaching
back and finding Justin's hip.  He sighed pleasantly when Justin's hand
danced off of his penis, purring quietly as he rolled onto his stomach,
never moving too far from Justin.  A gasp rippled from his lips when that
hand skated under him and he felt wet fingers grip him and begin to stroke
heatedly up and down his erection.

	"Mmm," Justin mewled, a concurrence as a hand freely running down the
course of Brian's bare back while his other stroked Brian in an unbalanced
tempo.  Fingertips danced against an arching spine and Justin tilted his
head some to get a small glimpse of his hand moving lazily over Brian's
erection when Brian bent his knees and raised from the floor just slightly.

	Brian turned his head to get a glimpse of Justin watching him and it
brought back too many wet, delicious memories of past occurrences.  He
rested his head on his forearm and choked back a moan as Justin's fingers
massaged down to his cheeks, his middle finger swiping between them in a
pressured fashion.  He was finding it too difficult not to give in now.  He
chewed his bottom lip when Justin nipped at his shoulder and stared into his
eyes.

	"Can we fool around just a little," Justin requested, pressing gently at
Brian's entrance with his finger.  He smiled at the thundering reaction it
drew.

	Brian edged his legs apart and let one shift between Justin's legs.  He
pressed close to Justin, Justin's own erection throbbing against his hip.
His arm reached and pulled Justin by the hip until he was half-laying on
Brian and that heat, that reminiscent feeling of Justin's bigger frame
against his made him want to roll Justin on top of him and restart their
nocturnal activities.

	Justin kissed at Brian's cheek when he got close enough.  He sighed against
Brian's chin when he felt delicate fingers run across the underside of his
cock.  He smiled to himself because he knew Brian was trying to ease into
the thought of having sex again.  He didn't know how much convincing he'd
have to do but he'd willingly recite every word and moan they shared last
night if it meant Brian's hand didn't leave his aching cock for another five
minutes.

	"The concept of sex in the morning, when I'm still sore, doesn't sound too
bad," Brian giggled out, half-open eyes watching the way Justin's shut as he
gave the crown of his cock a quick thumbing.

	"It's not," Justin shuddered, "unheard of."

	"Or maybe giving you a blowjob in the morning," Brian whispered, inching
forward until his lips danced against the breath of Justin's.  His tongue
licked out and he tasted Justin's bottom lip.  He felt the shudder this
time, the shiver that caused Justin to grip one of his cheeks rather than
trying to slide his finger inside of Brian.

	"Head is nice," Justin agreed, eyes batting open.  He tried to kiss Brian
but his body was too caught up in rapture and he could only peck
erratically.  "Head from you is wonderful."

	"Yeah," Brian hummed, turning to his side before scooting forward until
they were chest to chest, cock to cock.  He rolled his hips pleasantly while
kissing at Justin's chin.  He felt a wetness between them and wasn't sure if
it was his or Justin's, but he liked the feeling and use the precome for
lubrication.  "Or maybe I can suck you while you sucked me."

	Justin whimpered at the suggestion, grabbing onto Brian's hips to still
him.  He felt Brian's tongue play along the base of his neck while he did a
natural pull and retract motion with his hips.  His fingers squeezed at
Brian's waist and he didn't know if he'd make it any further than the words
Brian was sprouting out.  He was breathing through his nose because
unclenching his jaw would release loud moans that would echo against the
walls of his bedroom and probably send D or Lorenzo bursting through the
door for fear he was dying.

	"Teasing is good but," Justin trembled while speaking, hands sliding back
to grip Brian's ass.  He pulled Brian firmly against him and tried to duck
his head to look into his lover's eyes.  He smiled when Brian stared up at
him with an open mouth before whispering, "executing is better."

	Brian was wedged in to nodding.  Finding creative or even useful words were
becoming difficult because Justin was daring to toy with his hole again and
his teeth were raking against the skin of Brian's shoulder.  His own hands
were struggling between grabbing Justin's hips and traveling upward across
the muscled expanse of his back.  He treaded fingertips against freckles he
knew existed and a tattoo that he had once spent at least three minutes
tracing with his tongue while they rested lazily in the bathtub.

	"Maybe if I just," Justin let his words trail off as his lips waltzed
happily across Brian's chest, hoisting the smaller man up.  He smiled when
Brian's legs attempted to wrap around his midsection while his kissed at
Brian's stomach.  He let his tongue roll around Brian's navel before dipping
inside, hands trying to hold Brian steady as Brian shuddered on his side.

	Justin was swift in his motions, turning Brian onto his back while his
hands gently pried Brian's legs open.  He took in a deep breath of Brian's
scent while his lips pecked at Brian's abdomen.  His teeth rake softly
against Brian's hipbone while his large hands pressed against inner thighs.
He could feel Brian's feet being firmly planted on the ground on either side
of him.  He was quick in stripping away the linen from the floor and tossing
it backward, uncaring to its landing.  He felt one of Brian's hands on the
back of his head and he knew it was encouraging.  It didn't direct, but
Justin felt fingertips pressing against his scalp and they were persuasive
as he attempted to lick his way further south.

	Knocking.  Kicking.  Hands slapping helplessly against a door.

	"Daddy!  Justin!"

	The voice broke through the sensuality of the morning air and left Justin
to giggle, Brian's erection throbbing against his chin with his face pressed
into Brian's stomach.  He felt the muscles in Brian's stomach ripple as a
sigh was released from Brian's body.  Justin did his best to press
feathery-light kisses against Brian's stomach, easing up as the pounding
became a little more intense.

	"Daddy, I wanna go to the pool!  You said today!"

	"Somebody's awake," Justin snickered, dreamily kissing at Brian's chest
while Brian's hands restlessly gripped his shoulders.  He could feel Brian
casually trying to persuade him lower again but he shrugged Brian off with a
grin, kissing at Brian's neck.

	"Daddy!  Pool!"

	A calmer knock followed the banging and Justin peeked his head up.  He was
thankful Brian remembered to lock the door the night before.  He circled one
of Brian's nipples with his finger while glancing at the door, curious as to
the other person who had now joined Baylee Littrell on the other side.  He
felt Brian rearranging beneath him but didn't bother to look down.

	"One of you two better come out here and get this Teenage Mutant Ninja
Terror.  Uncle Trace didn't get in until four this morning and I'm truly not
in the mood for morning cartoons."

	Justin shook his head at the sound of Trace Ayala.  Trace had never been
great with mornings, especially not after his more recent trips out
clubbing.  Occupying a room so close to the one Baylee slept in while Brian
slept in Justin's room probably did nothing for Trace's obvious hangover but
it didn't bother Justin any.  He warned Trace, even offered to let his best
friend reside on one of the couches downstairs for the night but he was sure
Trace was too drunk when he stumbled in to remember Baylee and Brian were
even present in Justin's house.

	"Justin!  Come on!"

	Justin sighed, turning his attention to Brian who laid quietly with a hand
over his eyes and body still fully exposed.  A grin pulled at Justin's lips
while he traced the edges of Brian's face.  He lowered himself until he laid
atop of Brian, pressing his weight on his elbows so that he didn't smother
Brian.  He toyed with the ends of Brian's blonde bangs, studying the way
Brian's jaw remained stiff and his breathing quiet.  Justin could feel the
irritation emitting from Brian's body and it was uncommon.  Brian was never
one to give into sexual needs or seek privacy amongst the chaos.  Justin
fought with a frown, pressing a gentle kiss to Brian's lips before trying to
roll away.  A hand on his hip, loose in its grip, prevented him.

	"I'll make this up to you later," Brian whispers, slowly drawing away his
hand so that Justin can glance at his soft blue eyes.

	Justin was quick to shoot him a peculiar look, adding, "it's not your
fault."

	Brian nods but his hand is still on Justin's waist and he's refusing to
relinquish control to the thoughts that tell him to move forward.  He
reaches up to steal a brief kiss and laughs when Justin lingers with his
pouty lips so close to his own.  "I promise I'll make it up to you."

	Justin fought against arguing with Brian.  There was too much gentleness in
his face and he wanted to escape to other venues in his mind rather than
explain to Brian why he was not responsible for their interruption or why it
didn't trouble Justin.  He opted to reply to Baylee instead, a hand cupping
Brian's dimpled cheek.  "I'll be out in a second Lil' Bit."

	"The kid hasn't even had sugar yet.  Seriously, Brian, I'm considering
Ritalin," Trace called through the door and Justin stifled a laugh while
Brian attempted to roll to one side beneath Justin.  Justin pressed a kiss
to Brian's shoulder and sighed, rolling off of Brian with a grin.

	"Catch a shower B.  I'll go entertain Baylee for awhile," Justin insisted,
patting the space between Brian's shoulder blades.  He waited for some form
of acknowledgement from Brian and faltered when he didn't receive it.  He
scooted forward, resting his chin on Brian's arm, curious to Brian's
distance.  He stumbled a little when Brian raised his arm but settled into a
pleased state when that arm fell back and around his neck, cuddling him
closer to Brian's smaller body.

	"We're like the complete opposite of the Cosby family," Brian mumbled out,
still staring at the floor rather than Justin.

	Justin shook his head and rolled his eyes.  He pressed his chin into
Brian's ribcage and replied, "the Cosby family B?  Seriously, can we at
least find something in the twenty-first century?"

	Brian chuckled quietly, fingers tingling under the touch of Justin's buzzed
hair.  He heard a few more knocks from Baylee and thought to respond, offer
some kind of warning to his son.  He halted when he heard Justin add, "wait,
you think of us as a family?  I mean, like, a family-family."

	Justin felt uncomfortable when Brian shifted and caught himself before his
chin hit the floor when Brian skated from beneath him.  He watched Brian
roll away and snatch up a pair of boxers from the floor.  Justin wasn't sure
whose they were and thought he probably shouldn't worry about that when his
boyfriend was stumbling away from where he lay without saying anything.  He
considered calling out to Brian as he strolled to the bathroom, maybe
dashing after him because it wasn't that he minded the comparison.  The idea
of he, Brian, and Baylee with the addition of Trace, D and Lorenzo being a
family troubled him none.  But it was unexpected, like Brian's departure,
and it left Justin with nothing to say.


			Could we have known
			Never would I, helped to nail down


	Brian scratched at the skin beneath his orange T-shirt as he walked into
the kitchen.  His bare feet adjusted quickly to the coolness of the hardwood
floor as he hiked up the legs of his jeans so that he did not stumble on
them.  His hand lifted from his chest to the back of his neck, massaging the
tense muscles as he surveyed the occupants of Justin's kitchen.

	He spotted D and Trace occupying the table in the corner, conversing while
staring out the patio window toward the California sun.  Trace was tapping
the end of a cigarette against the wooden table while tapping the fingers of
his free hand against the rim of a glass of orange juice.  He watched
Lorenzo weave throughout the kitchen while chatting on his cell phone.
Baylee sat on a tall stool, munching on a bowl of cereal while watching the
others talk casually.  He suspected that Justin was the one who got Baylee
dressed some time within the period that he was in the shower and getting
semi-dressed himself.

	Brian let his blue eyes fall on Justin.  He took in a quick breath, lost in
his own emotions when looking at Justin.  The younger man was leaning
peacefully on the island directly opposite of Baylee, a quiet expression
glazing his face while his finger tapped an unknown melody against the cool
marble countertop.  His head was bowed, his eyes watching his hands rather
than Baylee was Baylee attempted to start a feeble conversation with him.
Brian breathed in the scent of Justin's cologne, the faint fragrance weaving
through the air.  He thought to loop his fingers into the belt loops of
Justin's cargo shorts or run his hands over the soft fabric of Justin's
button down shirt but he abstained.

	"Daddy, are we going to the pool?" Baylee questioned loudly, spooning
another mouthful of cereal into his mouth.  He looked up at Brian with
bright eyes and a tilted head.

	Brian wasn't quick to respond, shaken when Justin peered over his shoulder
at Brian.  He shoved his hands into his pockets and sighed, taking a few
nervous steps toward Justin until he was behind him.  He ducked his head
when Justin shuffled to the side and stared at him with a curious
expression.

	"I'll put you down quicker than you can think of his name if you upset the
kid," Lorenzo warned halfheartedly, nudging Brian as he passed.  He gave
Brian a quick, polite glare before turning to Justin to add, "Timberlake,
Annie and your moms will be here in about half an hour.  Make sure you and
Ayala are good to go because we've got a full day and I want to get out
there before too many of those damn camera freaks find us."

	Justin nodded, still looking at Brian with a half-tilted expression.  He
rubbed the end of his nose and only jumped slightly when Baylee began to tap
the edge of his bowl with his spoon.  He twisted his lips and sighed when
Brian's eyes fell away to his son, letting his own focal point fall on
Baylee.

	"Daddy?"

	"Joey said he's been blowing up your phone B.  Says he's been trying to
reach you about coming over," Trace noted, rising from the table.  He slid
the cigarette behind his ear while playing with his lighter.  He watched the
flame flicker in and out as he strolled through the kitchen, oblivious to
the look he received from the others.

	"I didn't know you guys still had a play date for the kids," Justin
remarked and Brian could help but flounder toward that sparkle that grated
its way through Justin's scratchy voice.  He turned his head, caught off
guard by the strong scent of coffee and he wasn't quite sure when Justin had
poured him a cup but he was well aware of its existence when he glanced down
to the steaming cup in front of him.  He smiled fondly, lifting his eyes
back to Justin who stared openly and with wild curiosity.

	"Kinda.  We've been communicating about it and I told him when Bay and I
would be out here," Brian replied, shrugging before pulling the mug closer
to him.  He lifted it to take in a closer breath of the strong aroma, eyes
squinting as he blew off the steam and glanced at Justin.

	"Dude you might as well call it a play date for you because Joe's place is
fucking killer," Trace chimed, scrubbing his fingers through Baylee's hair
while grinning at Brian.  He snorted when Baylee jerked away with a cry of
displeasure.

	"Language," Justin warned Trace before turning his head back to Brian.
"I'm sure Lil' Bit will have a great time.  Joey's always got kids over
there."

	Brian nodded before taking a slow sip of his coffee, trying to examine the
lines in Justin's forehead or the way his eyebrows sat so calmly.  He
admired the slow twitch of a smile that tried to fondle its way across
Justin's red lips.  He watched way too long lashes bat non-defensively and
just the faintest speckles of blush settle its way against Justin's cheeks
when he realized Brian was marveling at him.

	"You two should probably get a move on before Lynn gets here anyway," Trace
advised, eyeing Brian more than Justin.  He was aware that while Lynn knew
of Brian's existence and purpose in Justin's life, they had never formally
discussed anything concerning the relationship in person.  A few awkward,
uncontested phone calls were shared but nothing that would require Brian
being a victim of questioning and vivid explanations that would leave
Justin's mother speechless rather than distrusting.

	"Yeah, to the pool," Baylee cheered, pushing his empty bowl forward before
slipping down from the stool.  "Daddy, give Justin a kiss."

	Baylee's insistent words surprised Justin, leaving him to glance around the
island to watch Baylee dash by before turning to peek a look at Brian and
Justin.  He threw his hands up dramatically and Justin forced himself to
stifle a laugh.  He turned his eyes on Brian who stared at Baylee curiously,
still sipping his coffee.

	"Oh wow, the kid's serious," Trace deadpanned, leaning next to Justin
against the island.  "You two need to stop mackin' in front of the little
tot."

	Justin was quick to elbow his friend, a blind reaction as he continued to
stare with wonder at Baylee.  He listened to the mild chuckle from Trace and
D, rolling his eyes promptly and avoiding eye contact with Brian.  He didn't
know if Baylee's request was seen as a positive or negative by his father
and Justin wasn't sure he wanted to seek out his own thoughts.

	"Daddy," Baylee whined, stomping through the kitchen until he reached
Brian.  He yanked on his father's pant leg, offering his best effort to pull
him in the direction Baylee was trying to walk to.  "Kiss so we can go to
the pool."

	"For a kid, who is all of the age of four, to recognize that his father
isn't with his mother anymore but instead is in a relationship with someone
else is fascinating.  But for him to also recognize that his father is in a
relationship with another man and not have fault with it, in fact, for him
to find joy in his father's significant other and to want them to openly
display their affection as a sign of parting or period is inspiring and
should not be denied," Lorenzo declared, his voice deep but carrying a
biting touch of honesty.  He turned his focus toward Brian with wide eyes.
"Kiss him."

	"Pussy," Trace snorted out and he was quick to dodge Justin's arm before
his elbow implanted itself into Trace's chest again.  He scooted away from
the island and peeled the cigarette from behind his ear.  He rolled it
between his thumb and index finger while shrugging out, "Do it but I'm not
watching."

	Justin wanted to linger in the words from Lorenzo, find sudden grace in the
encouragement from his best friend, meander away from that desperate look
that was hollowing out Baylee's blue eyes, but the sudden presence of Brian
in front of him hampered all disillusion and left him frolicking with a
absentminded feeling.  He breathed in a trivial but existent smile, tried to
read thoughts through quiet blue eyes.  A cautious hand was on his hip and
there was Baylee right there, patting his leg with never-ending innocence.
Justin thought to push back Brian's bangs, tangle his fingers in thin blonde
hair and forget all of that distance they had created earlier without even
trying.  He resigned to lace his fingers in Baylee's hair instead while
still teetering in the welcome feeling Brian's eyes gave him.

	"You look nice," Brian said with a raised brow, eyes shifting over Justin's
appearance.  He leaned a little closer.

	"I look normal," Justin jested, his lips pouting just slightly before his
tongue rolled over them to wet them.  He didn't know why he did it, but he
liked the way it caught Brian's attention.

	"Shut up," Brian insisted and refused to let protest border on Justin's
lips.  He swept in and closed his eyes, lips capturing Justin's and holding
fast.  There was a muffled moan in there somewhere, a short gasp of pretense
that was relinquished and Brian tilted his head just enough to get a proper
kiss.  He leveled himself with the angle because Justin was taller and he
was reaching.  He didn't lose color or feeling and that slow roll down his
spine left his fingers tingling when Justin's lips moved against his.

	"Score one for the monster," Trace joked, playfully squeezing Baylee's
shoulder and he winked at Baylee when Baylee took his eyes away from his
father kissing Justin.

	"I have plans to kill you tonight Trace," Brian mumbled, lips still so
close to Justin's that he could taste them with the tip of his tongue.  He
reached up for another kiss, putting aside burning thoughts from the morning
to revel in physical contact with Justin.  He melted under the touch of
Justin's hand on his cheek, trying not to lounge too long in the kiss.

	"I'll have to pencil you in between getting shit-faced and whooping D's ass
in Halo 2 but I'm sure it can be arranged," Trace chuckled, easing away from
Baylee.

	"Language," Brian and Justin noted simultaneously and they found themselves
too caught up in laughter to continue their kiss, backing away in a hesitant
motion with eyes on each other.

	"Freaks," Trace murmured while pulling open the patio doors, his cigarette
already resting between his lips with his lighter raised.

	"Your mother will be here soon," Brian noted quietly, his thumb swiping
across Justin's bottom lip.  He let it rest against Justin's chin as the
younger man nodded.  He inched away from Justin with a grin, Baylee still
firmly clinging to his jeans.

	"Promise me you'll call me at least twenty times while you're at Joey`s
crib," Justin requested with a paler smile, his lower lip finding its way
between his teeth once his words had cleared his throat.

	"Twenty five if you're good," Brian chimed, watching the way a crooked grin
folded across Justin's lips.  He laughed softly, debating leaving Justin's
sight.  Etching the image of that smile into his memory was easy but
enjoying its fullness was much simpler in person.  He fought against
protests from Baylee before finally turning away and walking out of the
kitchen.


			Careful of drifting off
			Now losing taste and touch
			Turning a pale blue, leaning in to say
			This body's left the soul


	Lemonade was painted against his palate.  The sun was more than warming but
far from being overbearing against his skin or swelling to the point he was
sweating profusely.  The faint scent of chlorine filtered through the aroma
of grass and some form of barbeque that he had yet to taste.  The echoing
sound of children nearby, offbeat tempo of whistling behind him, and his own
humming drummed against his ears.  His eyes were closed, if only briefly,
but he could still see images of Justin behind his eyelids.  He smiled at
the thought.  He was cornered between accepting the awkward acknowledgment
of his son finding interest in his relationship with Justin while trying to
define the dynamics of his family life with Baylee and Justin's existence in
it.

	"So Brian... things are rather official, huh?"

	Brian turned his head to the sound of Joey's voice, eyes running over the
way Joey stood behind a barbeque pit with peering eyes that were gentle yet
questioning.  He turned slightly in his chair, resting his upper body weight
o one of the arms while pondering Joey's inquiry.  He thought to nod but
knew it would be impetuous.

	"Official?"

	"Geez, you're his boyfriend now.  It's a real life relationship with the
whole white picket fence and shit," Joey gushed, twirling a fork around for
dramatic emphasis.

	"Oh," Brian replied, mouth barely open and he knew he should've been more
articulate but he was too busy contemplating the proper explanation in his
head.

	"Oh?  Seriously?" Joey pondered, folding his arms with a smile.

	Brian shrugged before releasing a small laugh.  He stood and scratched the
back of his head, still hovering on the right words to say to Joey.  "Yeah,
he's my boyfriend but its not like we're buying a house in Laguna Beach,
getting a dog and raising our kids together."

	"But you're kind of raising one child together," Joey remarked, his head
nodding in the direction of Baylee wadding in the pool with his daughter and
his brother Steve.  He spotted Brian's hesitance toward the subject before
it fully manifested.  "Sore subject I suppose."

	"Not necessarily," Brian interjected quickly, walking toward Joey.  He
found safety in the shaded area and exhaled lowly, preparing himself.  "You
know I care about Justin, sincerely."

	Joey nodded, flipping a burger without looking.  He continued to peer at
Brian with just a slight glint of suspicion.  "Yeah, see we've already
established you're a good guy.  Me and the other guys, well maybe barring
Lance, already discussed your potential in this situation.  So why do I feel
like there's a `but' coming?"

	"Realistically Joey?" Brian pondered aloud and he wasn't ashamed when he
openly looked at Joey with a wrinkled brow and a sullen air in his eyes.

	Joey eyed him for a second before turning his attention back to the
barbeque.  "Dude, there is always going to be bullshit attached to being a
celebrity, especially when it comes to one Justin Timberlake, but come on.
Tell me he's not great with your son or that these feelings you've got for
him aren't starting to border on deeper than just caring for him."

	Brian took a quick glance over to Baylee, watched the way his son splashed
around with Brianna.  He scratched the back of his head once more, unsettled
by his own mental debate.  He wanted to wrestle with Joey's words, find the
one misstep in Joey's statement and run with it.  It became difficult when
Brian sunk into the reality of his own overwhelming emotions pertaining to
Justin.

	"Okay, is there a keg here?  And I can I get my steak medium rare or just
rare.  I'm trying out for the next role in one of Joss Whedon's vampire
shows."

	Brian didn't have to turn to the sound of an unexpected voice.  He knew its
owner, though he contemplated its origin for only a few seconds before Chris
Kirkpatrick skipped into view.  He laughed under his breath when Chris
immediately threw his arms around Joey's neck for a goofy hug.  He stifled
his laugh when observing Joey's displeased expression.  A feign hand slap on
Chris' back from Joey separated them and Brian folded his arms to watch the
friends interact.

	"Chris, not that I don't mind the Anti-Christ making a visit unexpectedly
on a day that I wanted to vie for sainthood, but what are you doing here?"
Joey questioned with an arched eyebrow and the fork in Joey's hand
separating them.

	"Uncle Chris!"

	"Bri-an-na!" Chris shouted back, waving incessantly toward Joey's daughter.
  He turned back to Joey with a sly grin when Joey waved the fork at him.
He swatted at the fork before laughing out, "there was a question somewhere
about my existence and a deity of some sort?"

	"What the fuck are you doing here?" Joey hissed out, a forcibly dry smile
on his lips.

	"Wow, language daddy," Brian snickered, lifting a glass of lemonade from
the table nearby.  He took a small sip before finding Chris eyes on him, a
softer smile buried in his wild expression.  Brian shrugged and offered a
tiny wave for Chris.

	Chris jerked his head in Brian's direction, sliding his hands into the
pockets of his shorts while tapping a flip flop-covered foot on the ground.
"Are you kidding Joe?  My friend B'trell is in town and you didn't even
bother to give me a holler and tell me he would be at your place?  I had to
find out from B'trell's boyfriend?"

	Brian cleared his throat and gave Chris a quick once over.  He had thought
of calling Chris when he arrived back in LA, even considered calling JC.  He
hesitated, only phoned Joey through a need to accomplish a compliment, but
that was all.  He wanted time with Justin.  He needed it because too many
nights and too many weekends had been spent not having time with Justin.  He
sought that more than trying to build bridges with Justin's friends.

	"The gossip mills must be running rampant," Joey replied sarcastically,
turning his attention back to the grill.

	"Fuck yeah," Chris retorted, shifting on his heels to face Brian.  He
thumped Brian on his forehead and snickered when Brian groaned.  "And why
must I have to call Justin to know you're alive?  You're a rising star in
the Billboard game, why don't you have people who can call my people and
tell me that my youngest best friend now has someone to call `boyfriend'?"

	"I should have people?" Brian questioned, glancing at Chris and then
briefly Joey.  He simulated pondering the thought before taking another
healthy gulp of his lemonade.

	"People who need people," Joey sung, grinning at Brian.

	"Definitely people who could tell me why you both looked so damn serious
when I came tap dancing by," Chris confirmed, taking careful glances between
Chris and Brian.

	"Our young little grasshopper is having a dilemma concerning said
relationship.  He is having trouble voicing concerns about whether or not he
should think of his status with JT as a family affair due to their newness
to this whole thing," Joey explained halfheartedly.  He poked at a few of
the sizzling steaks before tilting his head to give Brian an honest smile.
He wasn't troubled by Brian's glare or disturbed expression.

	"Uh, young?  I think he's older than you," Chris remarked and his words
were followed by a nod from Brian.

	"What about the relationship?" Joey questioned.

	Chris licked the corner of his mouth before adding, "I mean he's older than
JC too.  And you make him sound like Lance with this whole `I'm gay and
don't know its repercussions' spiel."

	"Focus here," Joey insisted, his voice firm.

	"So no white picket fence?" Chris inquired, looking at Brian again.

	Brian raised his brow at Chris, stumped by Chris` seriousness.  "Do you two
share a brain or something?"

	"Part a deal we made with God to get Lance in good with NASA and Justin to
go back to Britney," Chris chimed.  He muted his own laughter with a sigh,
dragging his fingers through his brown hair.  "As you can see it was a
pretty lousy deal but we're banking on Him to make it up to us come
Christmas 2010."

	Joey poked Chris with the blunt end of his fork and shook his head.  He
lifted a beer bottle and took a quick swig, rubbing the perspiration that
slinked down the sides across his forehead.  "No jokes about our higher
power in front of Choir Boy."

	Brian knew Joey's reflexes weren't fast enough.  He quickly hurled an ice
cube from his glass at Joey, giggling when it splattered against Joey's
forehead.  He threw his hands up in mock surrender when Joey howled and
aimed the fork at Brian.  He took in his lower lip when Chris shook his head
at him, a grin substituting his laughter.

	"So you're adjusting to this relationship nicely, I see," Chris beamed.

	Brian shrugged, easing back to his seat from earlier.  He propped his feet
up on a nearby chair, sighing softly.  "Every moment with Justin is worth
it.  It's just weird trying to put Baylee and Justin into this whole
equation without feeling like I'm thrusting a family on Justin or forcing my
son to understand what it's like for daddy to have a boyfriend instead of a
mommy when his father is still adjusting to the whole concept himself."

	"So a shorter definition would be: no white picket fence," Joey maintained,
forking the meat from the grill.  He took another gulp of his Corona while
peering at Chris.  He shrugged when Chris nodded toward him.

	"This could ruin Justin's career if anybody found out," Brian contended,
his voice losing that heavy humor to fall into a concerned one.

	"So could a bad song or another impromptu duet with Janet Jackson," Chris
argued with a smile, leaning on the table hidden behind him.  "From the
communication I do have with Justin or from what I get from the guys, it's
totally worth it when it comes to you because it has settled Justin into a
situation where he feels needed and he feels what he does is worth it on a
personal level rather than a professional one."

	"He's definitely needed," Brian added lowly, taking a glance toward Baylee
as he escaped the pool and waddled toward a towel.  A quiet smile pressed
onto Brian's lips as he watched his son.

	"I don't think Justin feels like he's been forced into any parental role.
Out of the five of us, Justin's probably one of the better ones suited to be
a father outside of Joey.  I'm too spastic, JC is too career-oriented, and
Lance is too anal to handle the role of father.  But Justin has that natural
thing going where he's meant to be with kids and meant to be good with
them," Chris affirmed.  He plucked the half-empty bottle of beer from
between Joey's fingers and took a quick swallow.  "So in pecking order,
Justin's the next to raise a kid since Joey's already doing a good job at
the father thing."

	Joey lightly jabbed Chris' arm, grinning with pride he rarely showed.  He
let his attention return to Brian when Chris stuck his tongue out at him and
offered the bottle back.

	"I guess it's just fear of the unknown," Brian pondered and he was quick to
open his arms to Baylee when his son shyly scampered over to him.  Brian
wrapped the large towel his son carried around him, scrubbing it through
Baylee's damp hair before letting Baylee recline in his arms.

	"Oh please, human nature is a B-I-T-C-H, and since it would seem you've
already been married to one, you'll be just fine," Chris declared, his voice
lacking trepidation.  He gained strength when Joey raised his bottle in a
sign of concurrence.

	"On some frightful level of oddness, you've gotten our approval.  It's
gotta be worth it," Joey noted.

	Chris nodded briskly, shrieking when Brianna wrapped her wet form around
one of his legs.  He patted her head and tried to shake away.  "Yeah
B'trell, you're boning one of the better looking members of the group.
Might as well start putting up that fence cause Justin's so filling that
fatherly role."

	Joey put a little more force behind his punch this time, carting his
daughter away from Chris when his friend jumped back in pain.  He shook his
head at Chris, squinting his eyes while preserving an undaunted grin.  "Not.
  Meant.  To.  Raise.  Kids."

	"Tattooed on my ass, thanks," Chris cheered and he was quick to run when an
ice cube flew past his nose and a fork was already in mid-flight toward him.


			The brain needs oxygen
			Can't sneak around this bait
			His catacomb has got me by the chin
			This body's left the soul


	There was a fondness growing in him for the quiet that surrounded him in
the kitchen.  He enjoyed every moment of being in the presence of Joey and
Chris, taking in their jokes and finding a permanent reason to seek out
their friendship.  He found comfort in the automatic bond that Brianna and
Baylee created.  There was a joy taken in the fact that his cell phone
vibated several times during the day with phone calls from Justin.  He even
smiled when Justin called just to say "hello" even though they had spoken
five minutes prior.

	But there was something about living in the silence that relaxed him.  He
didn't have to run to a room in Justin's house, lock the door, and just
breathe.  The house was still empty with the exception of D, who was too
busy sleeping in the screening room, and Baylee who was upstairs watching a
Jimmy Neutron DVD Justin had purchased a few weeks before.

	He scooped a lump of vanilla ice cream from a carton, dropping it into a
bowl.  He wasn't concentrated on the activity.  The occasional thought of
hurrying crossed his mind so that he could return to sitting with his son in
one of the guest rooms and watching the DVD with him.  He lost those
thoughts when he thought about Justin.  The occasional text message had come
to his phone since their last phone call but nothing lengthy or personal
enough for Brian to feel that warmth he was missing.  After awhile, the
messages and phone calls stopped and Brian was just there.  He was just in
Justin's house wondering when Justin might return and why the communication
that made him feel as if he was apart of Justin's day suddenly didn't exist.

	He sighed softly, dropping another, smaller scoop into the bowl.  He
thought to go feed the dogs he could hear barking from afar.  He considered
reaching across the island and grabbing his phone, sending Justin a quick
message to ease his own distress or calling his mother to find some
homebound comfort.  It was late and he contemplated crawling into Justin's
bed, falling asleep while waiting for Baylee to stumble his way inside and
drift off to sleep in the bed with him.

	The echoing sound of laughter, strong voices, and feet clattering on the
marble floors of Justin's home drew his mind away from those soothing
thoughts.  There were jokes about some waitress thrown back and forth and
comments about a song heard on the radio that was sure to be a hit somewhere
in Middle America.  The sound of keys jiggling came closer and while he
tried not to listen to every word spoken, he could make out Justin's voice
in a crowd of hundreds.  He tried to counterpart the remaining voices with
the ones he knew but was too focused on the nervous sensation that rippled
through him when he got a quick glimpse of Justin standing in the foyer to
the kitchen.

	"Man, I'm so ready to crash but there are appearances to be made, chicks to
win over," Trace announced, stepping into the kitchen before Justin could.
He gave Brian a quick glance before smiling knowingly.  "The life of a
famous man.  I swear it's rough B."

	Brian laughed lowly, shaking his head at Trace while stuffing the carton of
ice cream back into the freezer.  He turned back to find Justin standing at
the island, a solemn smile coating his lips with eyes that spoke of another
story.  He arched an eyebrow toward Justin.  It wasn't the welcome he was
anticipating and one that left him closer to the cold rather than the warmth
he wanted with Justin.

	"Dude, I already had some dessert but if that's for me I'm so going to owe
you one when I get the munchies later," Trace chimed, clapping a hand over
Brian's shoulder while reaching for the bowl of ice cream.  Brian was quick
to slide it away.

	"It's for Baylee, Trace.  He's upstairs," Brian retorted, a faint smile
parting for Trace.  He fished a spoon out of a nearby bowl and let it drop
into the bowl.  His eyes fluttered back to Justin.  He was slightly
distracted by the way Justin spun his cell phone on the island, an obvious
nervous reaction to Brian's staring.  He intentionally reached out and
cupped Justin's hand over the phone, stopping the circling and Justin's eyes
went a little wide as if in disbelief and Brian tried to read further into
the reaction.

	"Miss me?" Justin asked quietly, his voice settling somewhere above a
whisper.  He pulled his hand back, Brian's phone along with it, and remained
relatively still under Brian's gaze.

	Brian wanted the opportunity to reply sarcastically, pull Justin away and
out of the kitchen to find out why their conversations had suddenly stopped
but he was halted by the sound of an almost foreign voice.  He arched an
eyebrow and nearly knocked the bowl of ice cream from the island with
surprise when he caught a view of the owner of the voice.  He saw tight
blonde curls cut into a short hairdo with a face so recognizable that Brian
nearly choked on the lump that solidified in his throat.

	"Honey, you and Trace are going to have to stop expecting me to carry all
of these leftovers bags or expecting Lorenzo to do it.  You're just too
grown for that."

	That rolling country accent mixed with a hint of California dialect sounded
a little more familiar when Brian watched her march through the kitchen.  It
was a voice he often heard in the background, usually from a cell phone.  It
wasn't one he had heard directed at him too many times, maybe more so
recently, but not often.  He tried not to stiffen, tried to remain as
ambiguous as he was when Justin first entered the kitchen.

	"Making my way downtown," Trace sung out, hastily trying to exit the
kitchen but not before patting Brian on the back with a smugness that Brian
didn't have to contemplate to interpret.  "I'll take that lecture in written
form tomorrow Lynn.  Thanks!"

	Brian wished Trace hadn't made an obvious gesture toward him when leaving.
Partly because it drew attention to him and then her eyes, a mirror of
Justin's deep blue ones, were on him and Brian swallowed quick.  He fumbled
with a smile that didn't come out quite right and he resided to standing
silently instead of forcing his politeness.

	There she was, a few feet from him, smiling in some fashion that made Brian
question its honesty and he was now wishing for something louder than the
silence he pleasured in earlier.  Something about the way she leaned on the
counter and tilted her head to examine he the way he knew he would left
Brian unbalanced.  He wished Justin would say something, anything to make it
easier on him because he wasn't prepared for this.  He wasn't warned about
Lynn, Justin's mother, accompanying them back to Justin's house and Brian
being purged into the uncomfortable situation of being face to face with his
boyfriend's mother.  But, then again, he didn't know if Justin would be his
boyfriend by the end of the night if Lynn didn't approve.

	"Well you're a quiet one," Lynn said matter-of-factly, smiling with that
unbridled smugness that Brian mostly saw from Trace, occasionally Justin.

	Brian choked back embarrassment, though he could already feel his cheeks
flushing.  He cleared his throat before replying, "hi."

	"Oh, honey, we've got a live one," Lynn boasted, her head cocking in
Justin's direction with that same haughty grin.

	Justin offered a grin, nervous in nature, for his mother.  He walked to the
other side of the island, lifting the bowl from the counter while slipping a
hand in the back pocket of Brian's jeans.  He smiled when Brian jumped a
little, easing until he was close enough that his chin brushed against
Brian's ear.  He felt Brian turning toward him and there was an expression
of fear wrecking Brian's usual glow.  He pressed a kiss to Brian's cheek
before whispering, "I'll take this up to Baylee."

	Brian thought to grab Justin's arm, stop him from moving and leaving him.
He didn't.  He let Justin move away, tried to capture that smile Justin
offered him that was supposed to be reassuring but it left more uncertainty
in Brian rather than security.  And that fear was burning his skin with
every second, his heart finding a faster pace when he turned back to Lynn.

	"See it's not so bad.  He gave you a kiss in front of me and I didn't even
bother to yell," Lynn noted, still smiling.

	"Maybe you forgot?" Brian stuttered out and tried to find consolation in
the laugh from Lynn that followed.

	"I can see he definitely likes you for your sense of humor.  I think that
was one of the main reasons he stayed with Cameron for so long," Lynn
remarked, leaning with both arms on the cold surface of the island.

	Brian nodded and didn't know why because he thought it might've been a
backhanded compliment.  He chewed on his lower lip, thoughtful in the way he
gave her a small smile.

	"And you're a cute one.  Exotic in a way that doesn't require a facade to
see.  I can see why he spent so much of the day trying to reach you rather
than focusing on shopping for clothes or jewelry or taking care of rather
important business matters," Lynn added with a snort.

	"Really?" Brian questioned because it, on some self-righteous level, felt
good to know Justin thought of him that much.

	"He's always been a fan of dating older people, you know, with the
exception of Britney," Lynn said, letting her eyes drift from Brian for a
mere moment.  "I watched that little girl grow up and I watched Justin grow
beyond her.  Though you look nothing like your age.  There's something
youthful about the way you look but still mature about your demeanor, unlike
Cameron."

	Brian laughed lowly, twisting his lips into a small smirk.  "You weren't
much of a fan of hers, were you?"

	"It's a scary thought, you know," Lynn declared, peering at Brian and
avoiding his previous remark.  "The thought that your son might be gay,
especially after twenty-something odd years of him chasing after pretty
girls and working so damn hard to be this worldwide celebrity thing.  The
uncertainty of it all is a little nerve-wracking on so many different
levels."

	Brian didn't nod this time because there was nothing cryptic about Lynn's
words this time.  She was making an obvious statement though Brian tried not
to accept it.  It burned a little too much against his chest and he was
willingly ready for the worse rather than the pleasantness he got from Chris
and Joey.

	"But you're a parent, right?" Lynn questioned, already aware of the answer
but she still waited for a small nod from Brian.  "I'm sure you could
imagine the fear of knowing that something your son never showed any kind of
interest in before suddenly became part of his world and he thinks its for
the best.  I'm sure you can imagine the dangers you'd fear for him."

	"So you're saying it's dangerous for Justin to date me?" Brian asked too
quickly and he wanted to regret it but he was speaking from an honest place
that refused to let him take any steps backwards.

	"It's dangerous for Justin to date anyone in the world of entertainment,
period," Lynn rebutted, leaning off the counter to lower her purse onto it.
She drug her fingers through her hair, unfurling it before adding,
"especially trying to date another male."

	Brian nodded because it felt familiar.  Somewhere, on some television, this
scenario had already been played out and he was certain he was supposed to
lose this battle or just walk away from it before it reached anything
resembling a climax.  He scratched the back of his head, his hand sliding
down to hold the back of his neck in some comforting fashion.  He twitched
his nose but kept his eyes focused on Lynn.

	"So I should've been wiser about my actions concerning all of this?" Brian
pondered, refusing to be sheepish.

	"He's not gay," Lynn stated, shaking her head while maintaining that
somewhat stern gaze.  "He's into you, yes, but not gay."

	"Meaning?" Brian inquired, squinting his own eyes.  He was never defensive,
not even as a child, but matters of the heart seemed to win that war too
often.  Matters concerning Justin seemed to draw that out of him.

	"Being gay is a lifestyle and something that requires commitment.  Being
into someone can be a fickle matter, a little less permanent," Lynn
explained, her voice frank.

	Brian eased back some, his brow wrinkling.  He spread his fingers against
the cool countertop, licking his lips to stifle objective words from
becoming unwarranted.  "This isn't about being gay or not.  This is not a
fling."

	Lynn nodded, toying with the strap of her purse.  She cleared her throat
while her fingernails tapped against the marble.  "Justin carries that same
torch.  It's endearing, really, and I'm all for his happiness.  You have
that aspect covered but you, like Cameron, seem to be caught in the moment
rather than the grand scheme.  He's about his career, his music, his
passion.  You have that added fixture of not only drawing him into the world
of being with another man, but being a parental figure in your son's life as
well."

	Brian let his hand move from his neck to his chin, rubbing it thoughtfully.
  She had captured every point in Brian's head, every reason he shouldn't
have pursued his interest in Justin.  She was that ache against his will,
his conscience that knew better than to fall for the thought of being with
someone who chased away his fears and understood his missteps.

	"I'm not Cameron.  I'm definitely not Britney," Brian declared, trying to
bring his voice to a believable volume.  "And Baylee and Justin's connection
is on their own accord.  Whether Justin plays the role of a friend, an uncle
or, if he chooses, a father, I can't dictate.  I'm thrilled to have someone
who my son clings to so naturally like he did with his mother."

	"I applaud the connection that my son must have with your son.  I question
whether your wife is so thrilled with it," Lynn muttered, her words leaving
Brian to question whether she was patronizing him.

	"Ex-wife," Brian mumbled out, looking away.

	"No, you're not Cameron or Brit.  Not at all.  There is definitely a
different chemistry; a positive one.  You seem to be a little more grounded
and a little more accepting of the roads Justin chooses to travel, but
things can change," Lynn affirmed.

	"I'm not drawing Justin into anything.  Trust me, I've thought and fought
with thoughts about what I should and shouldn't do with Justin.  But would
you be comfortable knowing that Justin had his career, his music, but lacked
true passion because he didn't take a risk with love," Brian argued
politely, trying to disguise the plea that was in his eyes.

	Lynn smirked, scooping up her purse.  She eased back from the island.  "Oh,
he's taken risks with love.  Plenty.  I can see how he feels about your son,
how much he cares for you.  But I don't know if its love."

	Brian watched her step away, move toward the to foyer rather than the other
exit toward the stairs.  He furrowed his brow before replying, "he doesn't
look at me as a charity case."

	"Not at all, Brian.  Trust me, I'm not against you and I'm not against the
fact that my son is fixated on this newly found happiness.  If he wants a
boyfriend, is willing to take that risk, then I'm supportive," Lynn
insisted, turning to face Brian again.  "But are you the certain one?
You're just getting out of a marriage.  Are you truly taking the risk?  Are
you falling in love with him?"

	Brian remained silent.  His heart and mind wrestled with common yet
dissimilar answers.  He began to chew the inside of his lip while Lynn
smirked and then nodded.  He knew she wanted him to lash out, make some
uniformed declaration that would leave him on the end of a thunderous
lecture if things did not go happily.  He'd have to swallow pride later and
he'd have to regret admitting something to Justin's mother before he had the
courage to admit it to Justin or himself.  He let her wave a farewell before
escaping the kitchen and he was only left with thoughts rather than words he
should've said and points he could've made.


			Could we have known
			Never would I, helped to nail down
			With nothing to gain
			Here is the clincher, this should be you


	Brian tilted his head up, trying to fend off his thoughts.  The pale
moonlight lit the room with just enough light for Brian to recognize the
shadows and a few objects.  He laid, unsettled, in Justin's bed with a
pillow clutched to his chest and his legs drawn up.  He let his legs feel
the softness of the linen beneath him, his lower body clad in boxer-briefs
while he wore one of Justin's smaller T-shirts.  He hadn't bothered to find
Justin or Baylee when Lynn left.  He needed time to those thoughts he was
trying to rid himself of now.  He twisted his lips and shivered a little
when the coolness of the night began to caress his skin.

	The door didn't creak when it opened but Brian was still aware of the sound
of the wind shifting in the room.  He felt the hint of light from the
hallway creep into his peripheral and his head turned a little to glance at
the door.  He smiled softly when Baylee walked in slowly, a small blanket
being drug in one hand while his other scratched the top of his head.  He
patted to a spot next to him on the bed and waited for Baylee to crawl up on
the bed before tugging his son close.

	Brian sniffed at Baylee.  He could still smell hints of vanilla on him.  He
was thrilled the scent of chlorine had long been washed away and only dabs
of a cinnamon fragrance from Justin's shampoo remained.  He let Baylee curl
into him, his own arm hugging around Baylee's back and hoisting his son onto
his chest.  He could sense Baylee's sleepiness.  He let his fingers drag
through Baylee's blonde curls and listened to Baylee sigh.

	"My tummy was hurting.  I ate too much," Baylee whined quietly, snuggling
to his blanket.  "Justin gave me soda."

	"Did he?" Brian questioned lowly, tucking his chin to glance down at his
son.  Baylee's eyes were barely open but there was just enough light in the
room for Brian to gaze into their blueness and smile.

	"I missed Justin today," Baylee yawned out, head drooping like his eyes.
He breathed into his father's chest and let his eyes settle shut.

	"I did too cricket," Brian replied, grinning when he heard the soft lull of
his son's breathing.  He rubbed Baylee's back and glanced to the door, the
sudden increase of shadows cascading in the room alerting him to another's
presence.  He spotted Justin lingering in the doorway for a moment before
entering, the dim light capturing the curves of muscles and contours of skin
as Justin strolled in wearing just a pair of pink and green stripped boxers.

	Justin stood at the edge of the bed, looking down at Brian with a lowered
brow and his bottom lip between his teeth.  He scratched the side of his
head, nose twitching with eyes that spoke volumes but nothing escaping his
lips.  His hand slithered down his stomach, scratching at the side before
fingers trailed over wisps of hair that led from his navel to beneath his
boxers.  Justin stretched and yawned quietly, still taking in the sight of
Brian with lidded eyes.

	"I gave him Ginger Ale for his stomachache.  Mom used to always give me
that as a child," Justin commented quietly, watching the way Baylee snuggled
closer to Brian, still sleeping peacefully.  He smiled at Baylee.  "I had to
steal it from Trace's personal collection, but it definitely calmed him
down."

	Brian nodded, finding it impossible to hide his smile toward Justin.  He
wrapped an arm around Baylee and scooted back on the bed a little, offering
space for Justin to join them.  He spotted the hesitance in Justin's face,
questioned its origin, but exhaled softly when Justin finally crawled onto
the bed and shifted until he was close to them.

	"He had fun at Joey's house today, I heard," Justin commented, slinking a
leg between Brian's.  He let Brian tangle his legs around his before lifting
a hand to push back Brian's bangs.

	"Yeah," Brian concurred, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.  He
melted into the caress of Justin's hand in his hair, eyes closing briefly.
Something about the way the tips of Justin's fingers running lightly against
Brian's scalp left him seeking that state of bliss he wanted earlier.

	"Did you have fun?" Justin questioned, his hand slipping to the back of
Brian's head, just holding it.

	Brian snickered, turning his head in Justin's direction.  He admired him
freely, watching the way Justin studying him with eyes that were one-part
friendly, two-parts serious.  He watched the way Justin's chest rose and
fell, the way he was propped up on one arm to watch Brian and Baylee.  He
unfurled his arm from Baylee and lifted his hand to trace over the hairs
that lined Justin's cheeks.

	"It was very educational.  Chris stopped by and we sat around having
important life discussions," Brian replied with a grin, his index finger
tracing over Justin's bottom lip.

	"About what?" Justin inquired, his brow lowering.

	Brian shook his head, swallowing a giggle as he thumbed Justin's chin.
There were spots of concern hidden beneath Justin's curiosity.  He was sure
his statement alone was going to elicit a phone call to both Chris and Joey
tomorrow from Justin.  "Nothing bad Ju.  Just a few things that made me
think, but nothing you should worry about."

	"You do know that your words aren't comforting me right now," Justin
retorted, tilting his head.  He rolled his eyes when Brian laughed again but
welcome the way Brian's hand tipped his chin upward and he didn't resist
smiling when Brian offered him a Jim Carrey-like smirk.

	"You mom was... interesting," Brian shifting the position Baylee laid on
him when Justin scooted closer.  He was comforted by Justin's hand resting
on his hip, a light squeeze drawing his attention to Justin's face and the
offbeat look Justin gave him.

	"She called me the second she got out of the house," Justin replied,
smirking when Brian's eyes went wide.  "I think she's testing you, but from
what I can tell, she's rather high on you.  Of course she's not
pro-Justin-gets-in-a-relationship-with-a-guy, but she's waning.  She's
looking forward to seeing us around each other and meeting Baylee."

	Brian took it all in.  He wanted to fiddle with it, compare his experience
to what Justin might've heard.  He wanted to ask questions, seek out advice.
  He wanted to call his own mother, but she was still yet unaware of what
was truly transpiring between Brian and Justin though he was sure Baylee was
dropping one too many hits anytime he visited with his grandparents.  He
knew Nick would have some form of negativity to rant to Brian about and he
didn't want to overlook the momentum he was almost certain he was gaining
with Justin in his life.  He knew he had thought too hard when Justin laid
his head down, heavy eyes looking at him with concern while red lips pouted.

	Brian was quick to slide Baylee between Justin and himself before leaning
up and over Baylee to press a kiss to Justin's lips.  He lingered there,
watching the way Justin's eyes shot back open and he stared at Brian with
confusion.  Brian smiled softly, edging forward to mouth another kiss
against Justin's lips.  He gasped quietly when Justin returned the kiss.  He
let his lips fumble with Justin's as he tried to maintain his balance,
giggling against Justin's lips when Justin faltered.

	"If she was trying, I don't think she could've gotten me to break up with
you or leave you alone," Brian whispered, pulling back and lying down again.
  He blindly searched for Justin's hand and found it, interlocking their
fingers.

	Justin laughed lowly, satisfied when he saw the dimples in Brian's cheeks.
He released a quiet sigh before snickering, "I don't think she was trying.
But maybe it should've been me taking the brunt of that conversation rather
than you."

	Brian nodded.  It was trapping.  He felt enclosed by his own thoughts,
elevated into a smaller space by the words and challenges of Justin's
mother.  He was still left to contemplate her final question.  He was buried
beneath the suggestions from Chris and Joey while mingling with his own
thoughts on what to pursue and what to leave alone when it came to Justin.

	"I still owe you for this morning," Brian whispered, his free hand skating
over the skin of Justin's stomach.  He was tempted, encouraged by the way
Justin winked at him.  He wanted to let his hand slip, drag down the front
of Justin's boxers.  Part of him wished that Baylee had slept in the
guesthouse with Trace, permitted him to seek out the refuge of hot kisses,
rolling on top of the covers and dragging his heel against Justin's back
when Justin entered him.

	"Don't worry, I'm sure I'll feel an urge around three o'clock in the
morning," Justin snorted, raising his brow.  He sucked in his bottom lip and
permitted Brian to play with the top of his boxers, praying his hand didn't
drift and cause him to drag Brian out of the bed and leave Baylee sleeping
by himself.

	Baylee yawned and stretched, rolling unconsciously before snuggling to
Justin, drawing a smile from both Brian and Justin.  Justin happily drew the
small boy closer, letting Baylee press his face into Justin's bare chest.
Justin held onto Brian's hand while ducking his head to admire Baylee.
Something about those rosy cheeks, small nose, and red lips was reminiscent
of Brian on another level.

	"We're not as bad as the Bunkers but definitely more normal than the
Cleavers," Brian remarked, and his voice was enough for Justin to raise his
head at glance at Brian with an arched eyebrow.  "Not quite the Cosby's but
we're definitely a family."

	Justin smiled and nodded.  He knew Brian was holding his breath after he
spoke.  There was a tinge of fear in his eyes when he spoke and Justin
sensed it, wanted it to run away quicker than it appeared.  He wanted Brian
to say it, admit to it.  He wished Brian had said it earlier when he
questioned him.  He didn't mind the thought, the idea.  He raised their
hands and kissed the back of Brian's, still smiling and relived when Brian
joined him.

	"That wasn't so hard," Justin muttered before yawning.  He batted his
drowsy eyes before gazing at Brian again.

	"A little scary," Brian whispered back, twisting his mouth.

	"Glad you said it," Justin noted, eyes drifting shut.  He grinned when he
felt a kiss touch his lips again.

	"Me too," Brian said against Justin's ear.  He slipped down into his former
spot and snuggled closer until Baylee was wedged comfortably between the
two, eyes shutting to relinquish his body to the ever-growing exhaustion.
He sighed softly and drained his mind of suffocating thoughts.  He only
thought of Justin and Baylee and it was enough to escort him to sleep and to
further thoughts of what the morning would bring.


			This happened to be never changing
			Holding inside
			The phobia view, made cold and crippled
			Ending it all

			-- "The Clincher" by Chevelle



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