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Brother's Keeper
by Vamphile
Seven
Justin woke up first, and he was already running late. He kissed Brian's temple but could tell from his breathing he was still asleep. Getting dressed quickly he left a note on the bathroom mirror where he was sure Brian would see it and headed out to pick up his half-breed.
Aaron was ready and Alicia thanked him for driving Aaron to school. She had no idea he’d missed the previous day. “I just want to make sure he’s okay. Kids can be cruel.”
A flash of fear clouded Alicia's face and Justin realized that she knew about the bashing. “Alicia, he’ll be fine.”
She smiled a little and Aaron brushed past both of them. “Can we go?”
“Be right there. Get in the car and don’t touch the radio.”
Aaron ignored him and Justin took the moment to put a hand on Alicia's arm. “He’ll be okay. And I’d like it if he could stay with me on Friday.”
“I don’t know. Maybe he should stay home.”
“It’s your decision, but I just found out I have a brother. I’d kind of like to get to know him.” Justin knew he was laying it on thick, but he needed Alicia's consent. Without it god knows where Aaron would be come Friday night.
“Okay, I guess one night won’t hurt him.”
Justin smiled and then turned his head in aggravation as Aaron leaned on the horn. “Well I guess that’s my cue.”
Alicia laughed a little and Justin headed back towards the car. Aaron leaned out. “Mom, I’ve got swim practice after school. I won’t be home 'til five.” He waved as Justin started the car and followed Aaron’s directions towards his school.
“Do you really have swim practice?”
“Yes.”
“Are you lying to me?”
“No. You can fucking check if you don’t believe me.”
“When’s your next meet?”
“A week from Saturday.”
“Maybe I’ll come.”
Aaron shrugged. “If you want.” Justin saw the small smile. Dammit, he wasn’t sure he’d still be in Pittsburgh a week from Saturday. “If I’m in town I’ll be there.”
“Cool.”
“Do you need a note or something?”
“For what?”
“You weren’t in school yesterday.”
“Oh I’ve got one.”
“You told your mom?”
Aaron gave a bright smile. No, but I learned how to do her signature pretty damn well.”
“Forgery, excellent. You have all kinds of non marketable skills don’t you?”
“You’d be surprised how marketable my skills are.”
“No. I wouldn’t. Now be good for like, four days…in a row. Consider it a favor to your big brother.”
“Christ, I don’t need a big brother.”
“No, you need a babysitter, but you’re stuck with me.”
“And Brian.”
“We’re leaving him as far out of this as we can.”
“Yeah, he seems really content to stay out of your life.”
“My life… no, he’d micromanage that if he could. Your life… he’s staying out of it.”
“Whatever.”
He pulled up in front of the school.
“I’ll pick you up at five.”
Aaron rolled his eyes but didn’t argue.
Justin watched him actually enter the building. He couldn’t stand there all day making sure he didn’t leave. He was going to have to trust him a little.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
Justin was back at the loft by quarter to eight. Brian was already in the shower. Justin slid in behind him.
“Morning.”
“My car okay?”
“I totaled it.”
“Well then, you’ll have to be punished.”
“Oh really?”
“Mmmmmm hmmm.” Brian’s eyes were showing his amusement and Justin leaned in to kiss him.
“Why do you always threaten to spank me in the shower?”
“Because when you’re naked and soaking wet you look like you’re eight years old.”
“That’s kind of sick.”
“You’re the one hanging out with a sugardaddyclubfreakchildmolester.”
“I guess we’re both kind of sick.”
Brian’s hands were working the shampoo into a lather, massaging Justin's scalp.
“Have I mentioned that I miss this?”
“Every time you come back and we’re in the shower.”
“We should patent your hands.”
“You should come back more often.”
“I’m here for the week.”
“Good.”
“Mmmmmm that feels good.” Brian's hands had moved lower and he was sliding slippery fingers between Justin's crack. Pulling him closer to his own erection with his fingers.
Justin leaned up to kiss Brian and spluttered as his mouth ended up full of water. Brian laughed. Justin coughed a little and Brian spun him around, pushing his face against the familiar tile. He began kissing down Justin’s back. “You okay?”
“I need to learn to breathe under water.”
Brian was licking the water off of Justin’s wet skin, which was flushed red from passion and the moist heat of the steam. “I don’t know, I like leaving you breathless.”
Justin moaned a little as Brian kissed the spot where his back started to curve into his ass. “God Brian.”
Brian spread his cheeks apart, moving his head to let the hot water slide between them. Justin arched towards the sensation and Brian’s tongue followed the water stream, moving deeper into Justin.
Justin's face was pressed against the shower wall, his hands splayed against the tile, his body arching towards Brian. Moaning as Brian's hand encircled his erection and began stroking it slowly. Too slowly. Justin tried to push into the strokes, tried to speed up the rhythm but Brian was insistent on keeping things at his own pace.
Justin gave up. If Brian was going to play this game, the best thing to do was enjoy it. He bucked backwards onto Brian's tongue and felt himself open and ready. He wanted Brian inside him now. He started to say something to that effect but Brian pulled away. “Don’t talk Justin. I’ll get you there. I promise.”
He remained non-verbal. He couldn’t stop the noises he was making, and Brian’s grunts and moans echoing in the shower stall were driving him over the edge.
Finally he felt Brian's fingers inside him. They pushed deep and his involuntary moan was loud. “Brian please.”
“I said don’t talk.”
Justin shuddered at the gravely sound of Brian's voice. He knew Brian was as close as he was. He whimpered a little when Brian pulled his fingers out but spread his legs wider in anticipation of what would replace them.
He heard Brian huff out a laugh but also felt him reach for a condom from the soap tray. “Now Brian!”
“Only because you asked so nicely.” Brian pushed inside him, sucking hard on his neck as he did so.
Justin couldn’t move for a minute. Pressed against the warm wet tile, his body impaled on Brian. The heat of Brian's mouth on his shoulder. The heat of Brian’s body pinning him in place. They were both perfectly still for a few moments. Letting the heat of the water and their need permeate everything.
Finally Brian began to move inside him. Swiveling his hips a bit and snapping his pelvis against Justin's ass, causing him to moan each time Brian moved. He felt the sharp bite of Brian’s fingers digging into his hips and reached back to pull Brian's head down. Turning his own to kiss the corner of his mouth. He felt Brian’s tongue against his ear and shivered. And then Brian angled himself inside just right and there was nothing but electricity shooting through him. White hot, almost too much. And a few strokes later he came. Shuddering and panting.
He would have collapsed if Brian's arms hadn’t moved around him, holding him against his strong lean body while he continued to stroke him from the inside. He gasped and felt Brian’s orgasm. Felt Brian's breathing change. Felt Brian’s heart rate speed up so much he could feel it beating against his back.
Brian held him still then. Like when they’d first started this. It seemed like moments ago, and a lifetime ago. Neither moving. Allowing their bodies to drift back to reality.
Eventually Brian turned him around and kissed him. The water hitting their faces as their tongues explored and tasted.
The hot water ran out and they were both actually clean. Justin collapsed on the bed. Brian started his morning ritual. Shaving, fucking around with his hair and products for twenty minutes, so that it looked like he’d never really thought about it.
Finally he emerged from the bathroom and started to get dressed. Justin was slowly coming back to earth.
“You’re amazing you know that?”
Brian smiled. “I’ve been told.”
“Yeah I forgot. Ego’s fine.”
“You’re pretty fucking good yourself.”
“Yeah. Fuck.”
“No time, we’ve got stuff to do.”
“I know. I need to find studio space. And I need to call the gallery, and I should probably call my mom and let her know I’m gonna be around for the week.”
“Do you have to?”
“I’m a good son.”
“Fuck off…I’d be a good son if I had a mom like yours.”
“Fair enough.”
Brian was dressed now. He looked fucking breathtaking.
“That’s a terrible suit.”
Brian looked down at what he was wearing. Light gray Prada, perfectly tailored. Deep blue shirt and matching tie. “What’s wrong with it?”
“I need to take it off of you now.”
Brian smirked. Later, I have a noon meeting I can’t miss…let’s go.”
“Where are we going?”
“I told you, we’ve got shit to do.”
Justin started rummaging through his duffle bag for something to wear. Brian sighed. He threw a shopping bag at him. “Here.”
“What’s this?”
“Your Christmas present.”
“It’s September.”
“Just fucking put it on.”
Justin opened it to find a pair of Jeans and the most amazing blue t-shirt he’d ever seen. It was soft. “What’s it made out of?”
“Brian shrugged. “I don’t know, I saw it. I bought it.”
“You bought this for me? Brian what am I gonna do with a Prada t-shirt that costs more than I spend on utilities for a month?”
“Everything you own is covered in paint. I thought I might take you out to dinner one of these visits…if we ever got out of the bed.”
“Thanks.”
Justin put them on. They fit perfectly but he wasn’t surprised. Brian may be clueless, or pretend not to care about a lot of things. He knew every inch of Justin's body.
“You look hot.”
Justin checked himself in the mirror. “Yeah I do. These will come in handy when I’m picking up guys in New York.”
“The clothes stay in Pittsburgh.” Brian growled. Justin laughed
“Don’t worry, I haven’t picked up a trick in months.”
“Months?”
“Well, weeks.”
“Weeks?”
“Well what day is it.”
Brian pulled him forward by his waistband. “No picking up tricks hotter than I am.”
“There’s no one hotter than you.”
“Good. remember that…now let’s go.”
Justin followed him out deciding not to ask too many questions.
First Brian drove them to the office. Cynthia handed him a box and he took it and walked out.
“Brian.”
“What? Here.”
“What is this?
He rolled his eyes. “It’s a phone.”
“Brian.”
“You fucking need a phone.”
But this is… a really nice phone.
“Don’t step on this one.”
“Thank you.”
“Yeah, and here.”
“What’s this?”
Brian pinched the bridge of his nose. “Did you wake up retarded?”
“What’s it a key to?”
“That.”
“That?”
“Justin. Please take a moment, get your brain working and then we’ll talk.”
Brian lit a cigarette and went to lean against the SUV he’d pointed to.
“You bought a bigger car.”
“Good. You’re catching up. No room for the car seats for Gus and JR in the ‘vette.”
“They’re in Toronto.”
“But Gus is coming for Thanksgiving.”
“With Mel and Lindz?”
“Lindsay’s coming. Mel’s not sure.”
“So you bought a bigger car.”
“And I’m keeping the ‘vette.”
“And you want me to drive this for the week.”
“Oh thank god. Your brain is working again.”
“Okay this’ll do. Now you said you had an idea for studio space?”
“Yeah, lets go. You drive, but don’t fuck up the new car.”
“Promise. Where are we going?”
“Babylon.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s empty, it’s well lit, and upstairs offices have huge industrial windows.”
“Hey, that would be a perfect place to…”
A look from Brian made Justin shut up…but it couldn’t get him to stop smiling.
“Might as well use it for something 'til I figure out what I’m gonna do with the place.”
“You should reopen.” Justin had parked and Brian was opening the door.
They both stepped inside, neither saying another word.
The quiet was eerie. The space was empty. No bar. No dance floor. Just the iron steps that led to the catwalk, and a spiral staircase that led to the offices.
They held hands as they walked through a place that used to be as familiar to both of them as the loft. Now it was… blank. But the memories still lingered.
They walked up the steps slowly, surveying the area from above they way they used to when picking out tricks together. Or just fucking around with Ted Emmett and Michael. “Christ. It’s so…. clean”
Brian laughed. “Almost a shame to let it get dirty.”
“I don’t know. I think you’d have fun reopening.”
“Have to market heavily, most of the traffic’s moved on.”
“I have faith you could do it. You did it before.”
“I know I could. I don’t know if I want to.”
“Why wouldn’t you?”
“Don’t want to become another version of the Sap.”
“Well, make sure Ted doesn’t cook the books and that you pay your taxes.”
Brian shot Justin a look. “Not really sure I want to be the aging club boy.”
“You’ll always be my sugardaddyclubfreakchildmolester, even if you never reopen the place.”
“You say the sweetest things.”
They stepped away and headed to the office space. The huge industrial windows let in an astounding amount of light from two walls. The room, like the rest of the place was bare.
Justin was walking around entranced by the space. “Just tell me what you need, I’ll get it here.”
“Fuck, Brian it’s gonna cost a fortune to do that and it’s only for a week. Don’t we have a folding table? I can get some canvas and paint and…”
Brian put his arms around him and held him close. “This isn’t temporary. Even if I turn the place back into Babylon… or rent it out as flex space. You should have a studio here. And not in the fucking loft.”
“So this is about keeping paint off your hardwood floors?’
“And not hearing you curse at a canvas at four in the morning.”
“Brian, I have studio space in New York, I mean, I live there, but the whole place, you know, it’s mostly studio…”
“Justin, I’ve been to your place in New York remember?”
“Oh yeah.”
“So why the fuck are you telling me this?”
“Because…”
Brian quirked an eyebrow.
“Don’t get mad.”
“Fuck.”
“I said don’t get mad.”
“That sentence never precedes something I want to hear.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m ready yet. I’m not. It’s not time for me to come back.”
“I know that.”
“You understand. I’m saying never. I’m saying not now… not yet.”
“But you’re gonna have to come back sometimes. I get busy at the office and can’t get away for weeks. You’ll need to stop by so I can fuck you.”
“There is that.”
“And this way while I’m busy with clients you can work.”
“You’re sure?”
“Justin. Would you let me do one goddamned thing for you today without playing twenty questions first.”
“One?”
“One.”
“Fine. I’ll get what I need to start working.”
“Not in those clothes.”
“No shit. I get paint on these I won’t be able to sit for a week.”
“Two weeks.”
“You know, while it’s still clean and paint free, we should probably christen my new space.”
Brian looked at his watch. “I’ve got a couple hours.”
“Hours huh? You’re feeling pretty ambitious old man.”
Brian pulled Justin forward, allowing his body to cushion Justin's fall when they both crashed to the floor.
Brian was late for his noon meeting. Justin dropped him off quickly and headed towards the art supply store with Brian’s credit card and a promise he would repay him for the expense. He had a feeling Brian ignored the last part.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
Justin spent the rest of the afternoon dragging easels and paints and canvas and stretchers and a shit load of other stuff up the steps and considered making Brian give him the first floor for studio space. But he really did think Babylon should rise from the dead.
He thought it would be good for Brian. He also agreed with Michael that keeping it closed let those fuckers win.
When he glanced back at his watch it was almost five. He rushed out realizing he’d be late to pick up Aaron.
“Fucker better still be there.”
He was. Aaron was leaning against pole of the soccer goal, smoking a cigarette and talking to some guy. Justin honked his horn and Aaron looked up confused. Then Justin remembered he’d never seen the car. He leaned out the window and waved Aaron towards him.
Aaron dropped his cigarette and headed towards the vehicle. “Where’s the ‘vette?”
“Brian’s got it. I’m using this for the week.”
“The ‘vette is cooler.”
“I’m very concerned about how cool you look getting into my car. Who was that?”
“Joey.”
“You two crazy kids.”
“He’s in deep shit too. His mother and father are sending him to a different school.”
“Where?”
Aaron shrugged. “Just some other public school on the other side of the city. But he’s fucking lucky. They’re buying him a car just so he can get there and back.”
“They must not be too upset.”
“No his parents are cool, they just think he’d be… safer or something.”
Justin nodded. It probably was safer to stay in the closet in high school. He hated the thought but wasn’t all that happy about the thought of Aaron going through the bullshit he’d had to. “Anything interesting happen today?”
“I was at school.”
“So no.”
Justin pulled up to Aaron's house.
“You wanna come in or something?”
Justin pulled his keys out of the ignition and followed Aaron. I’ll be right there. Gotta make a call.
“You in a meeting?”
“No.”
“I’m at Aaron's. The studio’s pretty much done, they’re delivering a couple of things tomorrow. And I need a mini fridge or something.”
“You want me to order one?”
“I’ll pick one up on the way back to the loft.”
“I should be finished by seven tonight.”
“Dinner?”
“Out or…”
“I’ll order something. I feel like staying in.”
“You’re gonna rush off to the studio the minute you finish eating aren’t you?”
“Maybe.”
“Lets make this easier. Meet you at the studio at seven thirty. I’ll bring dinner, you bring the fridge and beer.”
“Deal.”
“Later.”
“Later.”
Justin closed the phone and stepped inside the house. It was small, but had a comfortable lived in feel to it.
“So just you and your mom here?”
“Well, dad lived her for a while, but that was when I was little.”
“How little.”
“Like ten”
Justin did the math in his head. Craig moved here right after the divorce. He was staying here after the bashing too. This is where he was all the times he never came to visit him. He pushed the thought away. It wasn’t Aaron's fault.
Aaron had turned on the TV and his PS2. “Nice setup.”
“Christmas present from dad a few years ago.”
“Yeah, he gets all that shit wholesale.”
Aaron shrugged. “So? I still have the best gaming system of all my friends.”
“So he’s good for something.”
“You ever play this one?”
“Do I get to beat up hookers?”
“Yeah, and shoot guys.”
“Cool.”
They sat and played, not really talking about anything. Only speaking to yell at the game or mock each other. Alicia came in and found them like that at quarter after six.
“Oh, I didn’t realize you’d be here.”
“I’m sorry, I guess we got carried away with the game.”
“Only cause you wouldn’t stop while I was winning.”
Justin shot him a glance Alicia laughed. They did act a lot like brothers.
“Would you like to stay for dinner?”
“I’d love to, but I can’t. Maybe another night?”
Alicia nodded and Justin grabbed his keys and phone. He handed a slip of paper to Alicia. “This is my cell, and the number at the loft. I’ll be in town for the week if you need to get in touch with me.”
“Thank you.”
“Aaron, I’ll see you tomorrow at seven.”
Aaron rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to the game.
Justin stopped at the local Big Q and bought a dorm-sized refrigerator. Then he stopped at a pizza place nearby where they sold six packs. He picked up a couple and tried to be amused that they asked for ID.
He had the fridge plugged in, the beer put away, and his own bottle half empty by the time Brian showed up with his favorite, Muscles Fra Diablo from Mama Lucia’s and lots of garlic bread.
~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**
Craig was on his third martini. The room was dark, and he didn’t feel like getting up to turn the lights on. He kept mulling the whole situation over in his head. And he still couldn’t figure out where he’d gone wrong.
He popped the olive in his mouth and poured himself another from the pitcher he’d made earlier. He was going to figure this out. He chewed thoughtfully.
He knew he’d blown it with Justin. That was a ship that had sailed and well, good riddance to bad rubbish. He had tried. Jennifer had never given him credit for that. Neither had Justin, but those two had always been a single unit. Maybe that’s what went wrong.
Maybe he’d let Jennifer smother the boy. Maybe… he stopped. This wasn’t about Justin anymore. Aaron was still not lost. He still had a chance to keep this thing with Aaron from becoming the train wreck Justin had created.
He hadn’t been there enough for Aaron. He knew that. And growing up with just his mother…Aaron and Alicia were pretty close. Maybe he’d made the very same mistake. But that didn’t work. Millions of kids were raised by their mothers. Not every single-family household produced a gay kid. So what the fuck was this thing with Aaron.
He knew Alicia knew about Justin and Jennifer but she wouldn’t fill Aaron's head with stories of what a wonderful half brother he had…would she? He shook his head. Alicia was as confused and disgusted by this as he was. It wasn’t her. And it wasn’t him, that’s for damn sure. He was straight.
And Aaron had so much potential. None of that art crap. The kid wrestled, and was on the swim team. He’d played JV soccer, and was constantly riding his bike or on his skateboard, or just playing the violent video games that Alicia hated, but Craig had sworn would do no permanent damage.
So what the fuck went wrong?
He still couldn’t figure it out. It had to be stopped. That’s what he knew. And it wasn’t just about Aaron suddenly finding a comfortable spot in Justin’s life. In that fucking asshole Kinney’s loft. IN FUCKING KINNEY’S BED!
He threw the glass against the wall and it thunked unbroken to the carpet. Disappointed Craig got up and poured himself a straight double gin.
Aaron was a good kid. Smart, funny, friendly, always had other friends at the house. Not like Justin at all. Justin had hung out with that girl, but he couldn’t remember any other kids coming over. Justin had always been different. Aaron was just a kid. A good kid. What the hell happened?
More importantly, what the hell was going to happen? He could picture it now. Aaron, with some guy. Someone who objected taking out his anger on him. Justin had almost died. What if whoever got to Aaron was more accurate, more violent, more determined?
Fuck. He had to stop this.
He picked up the brochures he’d collected. He’d had them for a while. Jennifer had adamantly refused. Threatened to take away any rights he had towards Molly if he tried to take Justin to one of these places. Alicia thought they might be a good idea.
And the guy who ran the place he thought would work best said they could take the kid as early as next Monday.
It would only be a month, he’d said. Six weeks at the outside and Aaron would come back better. He’d come back understanding more. He’d come back safe. Craig knew he was going to hear holy hell from Aaron about it. But Aaron was a kid… he didn’t get to make this choice.
And Justin, and Brian, well, they might pay him a call, but he wasn’t scared anymore. Not of Brian. Not of Justin’s anger. He was scared for Aaron. He really loved the kid. Aaron didn’t know how much danger he was putting himself in.
He’d talk to Alicia tomorrow. He needed her approval or he admit the him. She had sole custody. She could sign him out. But he had to do something. He’d lost Justin. he wouldn’t lose Aaron, and he knew someday Aaron would thank him.
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