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Brother's Keeper
by Vamphile
Ten
Justin woke up and stretched… and then remembered that stretching was a bad idea. His shoulder hurt. His back hurt. His stomach hurt. He flexed his fingers… fuck. His hand hurt.
He moved slowly smelling coffee. He grabbed another pill from the bottle on top of his bag and headed towards the kitchen. Brian was already up and dressed.
“You showered without me.”
“I actually thought I might have to call your mother and tell her your status had changed. You were dead to the world.”
“Long night.”
“Lot of beam, and…” Brian stared pointedly at Justin’s hand, which was still holding the pill “heavy medication.”
Justin poured himself a cup of coffee and swallowed the pill with the first sip. “Told you it hurt. I couldn’t sleep.”
“Why do you have them with you?”
“In case my dad went psycho.”
“You still getting headaches?”
“You need to refill your migraine meds you’re almost out.”
Brian said nothing, knowing they’d come to an impasse on this one. “Get moving we’ve got to go get Aaron.”
“We?”
“You’re in no shape to drive and we’re going to the police station to file a report afterwards.”
“I can do this myself.”
“I know.”
“So why are you coming with me?”
“Had the day off.”
“Liar.”
“Had the morning off.”
“Liar.”
“Get in the shower, we have to leave in twenty minutes.”
Justin didn’t say anything else. There was no point in arguing if Brian had made up his mind.
They were silent on the drive to Aaron's. Aaron's face lit up when he saw Brian in the car. “Hi!”
“Christ him too?”
“Justin smiled. It’s a curse. You’ll have to learn to deal.”
“Jesus Justin, dad really nailed you.”
“What?”
“Your face.”
“Oh, yeah, it’ll be gone in a couple of days.”
“Mom was pissed.”
“Well, I’m sure she was, I think I bled on her carpet.”
“I’ve never seen dad like that.”
“I have the ability to bring out the best in people.”
“You were right. He really hates you.”
“Aaron we’ve been through this. And it’s early. Can we not talk? For like…the rest of the drive?”
Aaron smiled. “That’s easy, we’re here.”
Both Brian and Justin slumped in relief when they saw him disappear into the school.
Justin looked over at Brian who had an odd expression. “What?”
“What?”
“You’re thinking about something.”
“I’m thinking about how hot you used to look in your uniform when I dropped you off for school.”
“You were a perv.”
“Yeah. You on the other hand, fresh as the driven snow.”
“You corrupted me.”
“Someone had to.”
“Glad it was you.”
“Me too. Which way’s the police station?”
Justin looked at the sheet of paper they’d handed him. “Down this street a little bit. Not too far.”
Brian nodded and started driving.
When they got there Justin was ushered into a small room with a metal table and some battered chairs. Brian followed. “Is he allowed to be here?” Justin asked.
The woman nodded and told him someone would be there shortly, but he could start on this paperwork first.
Justin took the forms but started looking for a pen in his messenger bag.
“What are you doing?”
“This is a crappy pen.”
“So?”
“I want my good pen.”
Brian didn’t say a word. If Justin needed his security blanket of a pen…fine, so long as he actually went through with it and filed the charges. Justin finally pulled it out of his bag looking triumphant.
Brian laughed. “It’s plastic.”
“So?”
“So you’re good important, best pen ever, is a plastic piece of crap with a big rubber grip. You look like you’re in first grade.”
“Fuck off, it’s easier to write with it and my hand doesn’t cramp as fast.”
“It been cramping a lot lately?”
“Just since some asshole stepped on it.”
Brian nodded and sat silently, while Justin checked boxes and filled in bits and pieces. Almost ten minutes later Lt. Rascovicza joined them. “I just need to get your official statement Mr. Taylor and then you can go.”
Justin nodded. And she smiled at him. “Craig Taylor, he’s your father?”
“Yeah.”
“So tell me what happened.”
Justin recounted the situation while the officer taped their conversation. She explained that it was more accurate than having people write it down themselves. Justin didn’t care; he just wanted to get out. Wanted this to be over. Specifically wanted Brian to stop staring at him with that fucking expressionless expression. He wondered if Brian was gonna chip a molar grinding his teeth.
Lt. Rascovicza finally turned off the tape recorder. “All I need you to do now is sign this and then you’re free to go.”
“What is this?”
“It’s a PFA request. A temporary one has been filed already, but it’s only for twenty-four hours.
“PFA?”
She turned her attention to Brian. “Protection from abuse. Most people call them restraining orders.”
Justin pushed it back. “I don’t need one.”
“Justin.”
“Brian I have to talk to him. And If I do this I can’t do that. Besides, this will just piss him off more.”
“Sign the fucking thing.”
“Mr. Taylor. I understand this is a difficult thing to do. Especially considering your relationship to Craig Taylor but it really is the safest way to go.”
“It’s not actually gonna do anything. A piece of paper can’t keep him away.”
“No but it can make sure he spends more than 6 hours in jail if he does come within a hundred yards of you.”
“Six hours? He’s out.”
She turned her attention back to Brian. “He’s been released. There’s a court date. And of course Mr. Taylor you can file civil charges against him as well. But the criminal court date hasn’t been set yet.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Brian.”
“Because it can’t be set until official charges have been filed. It will be set later this afternoon or tomorrow, probably for a month or so from now.”
“Jesus fucking Christ.”
Brian took Justin's hand. “Sign the damn thing. It doesn’t matter. You’re going back to New York on Monday anyway. So for the time you’re here… you’ll be safer.”
Justin signed. “This is pointless.”
Lt Rascovicza smiled. “You made the right decision.”
Justin was walking as quickly as possible to the car. “Keys.”
Brian handed him the keys. He picked his battles with Justin more wisely these days.
The interview had taken longer than Justin had realized. It was almost noon. He turned the car and headed towards the diner.
“I can’t believe he’s fucking out already.”
“Did you expect him to get life with no parole for hitting his faggot son?”
“Stop it.”
“What?”
“Blaming yourself. Thinking you could have done something else.”
“You told me I incited him. Said something phenomenally stupid to him.”
“I’m an asshole. Why the fuck would you listen to me?”
“No idea.”
“It’s not your fault. But you can’t keep expecting him to be rational.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Then what the fuck happened yesterday?”
“I lost my temper.”
“Do me a favor.”
“Hmm?”
“If you’re gonna lose it on someone… call me.”
“Why?”
“When you and I fight the bruises are the fun kind.”
“So when I’m angry I should just storm off to find you so we can fuck?”
“That a problem?”
“No. Lets consider it plan B.”
“What’s plan A?”
“That I take care of myself and don’t try to solve everything with sex.”
“That’s a pathetic plan.”
“Oh, and yours is brilliant.”
“Mine gets us both laid.”
“Like that’s an issue.”
“Mine keeps you from getting hit by assholes.”
“So does mine nine times out of ten.”
“It’s the tenth time I’m worried about.”
“Stop treating me like a kid.”
“Stop fucking acting like one.”
“Brian.”
“What, you want me to pretend I’m okay with this. That I’m happy that Craig finally got around to kicking the shit out of you. Am I supposed to pretend I don’t care?”
“I didn’t ask you to pretend anything.”
“Then what the fuck was all the bullshit about the restraining order?”
Justin was surprised by his anger. “I was trying NOT to piss him off more. I don’t want him taking it out on Alicia, or Aaron…or you.”
“Fucking hell. Don’t protect me. Don’t protect them. Not if you’re gonna end up looking like a battered wife.”
“I don’t look that bad.”
“Yeah well, you’re wearing a shirt.”
“So I won’t let him near me again. And you’ll calm the fuck down.”
“Fine.” Brian lit a cigarette.
“Gimme one.”
Brian handed it to Justin and lit another cigarette.
Justin exhaled and they drove in silence for another minute. “Think we could skip lunch at the diner?”
“Then they’ll all come individually.”
Justin made a face and Brian laughed. “They’re gonna be relentless, you up for it?”
“They’re gonna make you promise to take care of me like I’m an infant invalid. You up for it?”
“We’ll get out of there fast.”
“Promise?”
“Yeah, I’ve got work to do and you have to um…”
“Get some rest?”
“Perfect.”
They stepped out of the car and Brian carefully put his arm around Justin's shoulder. Justin leaned up to kiss him. “I’m feeling really tired.”
Brian laughed. “And that client is bitching and moaning.”
They stepped into the diner and tried to pretend that it wasn’t the last place in the world either of them wanted to be.
When they finally left it was well over an hour later. “You’d think they’d be nicer to someone who needed his rest after such a harrowing experience.”
“You think they’d be nicer to the guy who didn’t do this to you.”
“I almost stabbed Debbie with a fork.”
“She does like to hold me responsible.”
“But for this.”
“Forget it. We both know it’s your fault.”
Justin smacked Brian’s arm good-naturedly. “At least my mom stopped crying.”
“She was more upset when you cut your hair.”
“That wasn’t about my hair though.”
“No shit.”
“Do you have to go back to work?”
“No. Do you really need to rest?”
“No”
“Good.”
They were in the elevator and Brian leaned back against the wall letting Justin’s body meld to his. He moved his hands slowly, tugging at Justin's shirt.
“Leave it on.”
“Why?”
“Cause you’re gonna be way too gentle if I take it off.”
Brian kissed him. “Not looking for gentle?”
“Not particularly.”
The elevator stopped and Brian lifted the gate and unlocked the loft door. When it was shut again he picked Justin up, flung him over his shoulder and flopped him back down on the bed.
Brian smiled. Justin was hard underneath his jeans. His eyes already glazed with want. He pulled off his own shirt and dropped his pants. Then he lay his naked body over Justin’s still completely clothed one.
Justin leaned his head back and Brian had better access to his neck. He sucked hard. “Gonna leave a mark that means something else entirely.”
Justin moaned his hands sliding down Brian's back, pulling him closer. Arching his own body into Brian’s he moved his hands between them to get rid of his jeans.
Brian stopped his hands. “Leave them on.”
“Brian, I’m…”
“I know. You’re hard, and wet.”
“Brian I’ve…”
“You’ve gotta shut up now.” His voice was deep and smooth and Justin didn’t have much choice when his mouth was full of Brian's tongue and his senses were full of Brian.
He didn’t remove Justin’s shirt. The kid was probably right. Those bruises would haunt him in his sleep but he couldn’t treat him roughly, not even when he knew he wanted it. Not when he looked so damaged.
He shut his mind to the thought as he focused on Justin's body writhing under his. He showed some mercy and unbuttoned the top button of his jeans. Slowly lowering the zipper halfway. Justin was bucking towards his hand and he could feel how hard and wet he really was.
He moved his hand around Justin's waist and slid it slowly under the waistband of his jeans. When his fingers were teasing his crack, and his hands kneading his ass cheeks he heard Justin moan again.
He slid his jeans lower. Letting Justin’s cock spring free and he heard the kid sigh with pleasure.
He moved his mouth lower then. Until he was licking at the head. Justin tried to spread his legs but his jeans were still at his thighs and holding them together. Brian felt him try to slither out of them but he moved his hands up to Justin’s shoulder to stop him.
His torso was pressed against Justin's still denim covered legs, his head buried in his groin, his mouth enveloping his cock and sucking. He hollowed out his cheeks and took Justin into his throat. He was rewarded with a sound he wasn’t sure was human.
He didn’t stop. His hands moving up and down Justin's body. He reached up to stroke his face and found his finger inside Justin's mouth. Justin was working his tongue on the digit like it was his cock. Flicking and sucking. He nibbled on the pad of Brian’s index finger. Brian continued to work his mouth on Justin's shaft, pushing another finger past Justin's lips.
When he removed his fingers from Justin's mouth and pushed them deep inside his ass Justin's entire body arched up. Brian, expecting the reaction pulled his own head back to keep from choking and then continued to tease just the head of Justin's cock while he pumped two, then three fingers inside him.
Justin's body was no longer under his own control and Brian watched as he tried to spread his legs. To bend his knees, to fuck himself harder on Brian's fingers but with Brian’s body holding him down, and his jeans still binding his thighs together he couldn’t do anything but let out a mewl of frustration and a whimper of desire as Brian mercilessly fucked him with his hand while his mouth moved lower to suck on his balls and tease him a bit more.
Justin's hands were flat against the mattress as he used them for leverage to buck his body and fuck Brian’s mouth. Brian let him. Never stopping the assault on his prostate until he came loud and hard. And while his body was still spasming, his every nerve ending still humming Brian flipped him over, still not removing his jeans but pushing his knees forward. He pushed into him then. And Justin was almost crying. His head buried in the pillow, his body still shaking from the force of the orgasm. Brian rode him hard. Pulling out almost completely, re angling and pushing in again. His hand stroking Justin back to full hardness until he was begging again.
Brian couldn’t hold himself back any longer. Watching Justin's ass swallow his shaft. Feeling him push back against his hips. He came then, stroking Justin quickly. They shot at the same time.
Finally they both collapsed on the bed. Brian’s body almost completely covering Justin's. Shielding him from everything. From the cool air against his sweaty skin that would bring him out of this moment. From the asshole that couldn’t accept what an amazing man he was, and couldn’t see what a brilliant son he was so willing to hurt and destroy. From the prying, nurturing, caring people who thought they were helping. From all the people who thought he could help when all he should be doing is going to clubs and having fun and not worrying about anyone but himself.
He wanted to stay like that forever. If Justin just stayed here, completely covered in his body, nothing could ever hurt him again.
“Brian you’re hurting me.”
Brian huffed out a laugh and rolled off of him. No one but him, and hell, he’d probably done more damage than all the other motherfuckers combined.
He ran a hand through Justin’s sweaty hair. “You okay?”
“Yeah, just needed to breathe there for a second. I’m good. You can smother me some more if you want.”
“Fuck you.”
“I thought you just did.”
Brian lit a cigarette and Justin finally rolled over and kicked his jeans to the floor. He took the cigarette from Brian’s hand. “You’re really good at that.”
Brian smiled and took the cigarette back. “Years of practice.”
“Yeah, I guess I’ll have to keep practicing to get that good.”
“Naaah, you’re a natural.”
“You weren’t?”
“Okay, maybe we’re both naturals.”
Justin looked at his watch. “I have to leave in half an hour to get Aaron.”
“You know I hate working on a deadline.” Brian stubbed out his cigarette.
“No you don’t.”
“Right.”
He pulled Justin on top of him then and they spent the next 25 minutes thinking about nothing but each other.
“I can get him myself.”
“I know but I’m bored.”
Justin glared, not believing him for a second. “You think my dad’s gonna be waiting for us at the house or something?”
“I said I’m bored.”
“Whatever.” Justin handed Brian the keys.
Aaron was in rare form when they picked him up. First he kissed Brian… who laughed. Justin resisted the urge to physically push him away. Then he wouldn’t stop talking for the entire blessedly short ride back to his house.
Justin was getting out of the car to follow him when Brian stopped him. “What are you doing?”
“Um, going inside?”
“Why?”
“To keep him company.”
“Why?”
Justin shrugged. “Seems polite. Besides, his friends used to come over all the time. Not so much anymore.”
Brian nodded and got out of the car and locking it.
“It’s not that bad a neighborhood.”
“It’s not that good either.”
Justin ended up watching Brian take a frightening amount of pleasure in killing hookers and running over pedestrians and mocking Aaron for his lack of driving skills.
“I can drive.”
“I’m sure.”
“I can.”
“Okay.”
“I can prove it.”
“Not on my car.”
Aaron slunk back onto the sofa and Justin smirked. “Three thousand two hundred and seventy.”
They both looked at him.
“That’s how many blowjobs you have to give him before he lets you drive his car.”
“You counted?”
“No, I estimated, but I’m pretty close.”
“Well, I can start now.”
“No.” Both Brian and Justin said in unison.
“You guys are worse than parents.”
“Because I’m sure your mother would approve of your giving blowjobs for car privileges.”
Aaron rolled his eyes and ran over someone on the street. “Hah, now I’m winning.”
Brian put his full attention back on the game.
When Alicia came home several hours later she couldn’t hide her surprise to find the both of them there.
“Justin, I didn’t think you’d be back.”
“He’s still my brother.”
“How are you?” She reached up to touch his face but Justin pulled away.
“Fine. He’s out.”
“I know.”
Brian put his controller down. “Did you talk to him?”
“No, well… he called me at work but we couldn’t talk long.”
“What did he want?” Justin asked while keeping a hand on Brian’s arm to prevent him from launching into a fit over the whole thing again.
“Probably to apologize and explain. It’s all so ridiculous. Aaron is fine. You’re hurt and he’s still acting as though I’m supposed to listen to him about how to fix all this.”
“Well, he probably thinks that gods holy…”
“Brian stop it.” Justin’s tone was harsh. Brian stepped outside for a cigarette.
“I’m sorry. He’s… not happy with Craig.”
“He seems to care about you.”
“Yeah he does. Which is one of the main reasons he’s not happy with Craig. I just came to keep Aaron company, and make sure you’re okay.”
“You two should stay for dinner.”
“I think we might…”
“No, we’ll stay.” Brian interrupted. “Thanks.”
Justin sighed and sat down next to Aaron picking up the controller. “You think he’s gonna show up here. You’re fucking hoping he shows up.”
Brian smiled. “She invited, it would have been rude to refuse.”
Justin turned his attention back to the game not believing him for a second.
“You guys know I have ears right?”
They both looked at Aaron. “I mean, I can…kill…this…guy…” he finished a particularly intricate move on the game “and still hear you. You talk like I’m not in the room.”
“Don’t care if you’re in the room or not.”
“So are you gonna beat up my dad for Justin?”
Brian snorted. “I don’t beat people up for anyone. And Justin can take care of himself.”
“Yeah, you should have seen him. One right hook and dad was down.”
“Well, he used to train with a street gang.”
“Brian.”
“I’m sorry, a group of concerned men acting for the common good.”
“You were in a gang?’
“No, Brian’s a liar. Don’t believe anything he says.”
“You told me to listen to him he was right.”
“When did you say that?”
Justin glared at the both of them. “I must have been stoned. You.” He pointed to Brian. “Shut up. And you.” He indicated Aaron, “Go help your mother set the table or something.”
Aaron stomped off and Brian and Justin picked up the controllers and changed to a two player fighting game. “If he shows up you still can’t touch him.”
“Bullshit.”
“He’ll have you arrested.”
“I’ll be out in six hours.”
“Brian I’m asking you as a favor.”
“Why the fuck do you care?”
“Because I’m trying to handle this myself. Because I don’t want you getting hurt by Craig. Because I don’t want any more bullshit in Alicia's house. Because…”
Brian looked over at him and Justin took the opportunity in the game to sucker punch him. His character was dancing around celebrating his K.O.
“Because?”
“Because he’s still my dad.”
“Fuck. Justin.” Brian said it quietly.
“Brian I can’t help it. He was kind of nice to me sometimes.”
Brian shook his head. “I won’t hit him if he leaves with no issues.”
“Thank you.”
“Not doing it for you. It’s for Alicia and Aaron.”
Justin leaned over and kissed him. “Thank you anyway.”
Alicia chose that moment to inform them that dinner was ready. She blushed a little and so did Justin. They all headed towards the table.
Aaron reminded Brian of Justin at a similar age…he shoveled food in his mouth and ate more than one human should be able to hold down.
“That kid has no table manners.”
“At least he knows how to hold a fork, more than you can say for Mikey.”
“Hey, it’s not Mikey’s fault.”
“Does he have some sort of tendon issues I’m unaware of?”
Aaron looked up from his spaghetti. “He does hold his silverware weird.”
Justin laughed. “Even he noticed.”
“Everyone notices. Michael just never cared.”
“Why not?”
“How the f… how the…how should I know. I asked him about it once; he said he liked it better that way. Who am I to tell someone something’s right or wrong.”
“But…”
“Justin, we’ve done this one to death.”
“He looks like an idiot though.” Aaron said through a mouth full of garlic bread.
Brian chuckled. “Says the kid with sauce all over his face.”
“I do not.”
“Right there.” Brian put his finger on Aaron's chin and then moved it quickly flicking him in the nose.
“Hey, owww.”
“Don’t talk about my best friend like that.”
Justin and Alicia looked at each other. Justin spoke first. “I’m sorry, emotionally, he’s younger than Aaron.”
“Well, the two of you make more sense that way.”
“Only because he was born forty.”
Justin looked at Brian. “Having basic common sense and some courtesy does not make me forty.”
Brian smirked. “He hates to be called young. He hates to be called old.”
Alicia laughed.
“But you ARE old.” Aaron said to Brian. “You’re like older than my mom.”
Justin was silent. There was nothing he could say to get Aaron out of this one.
Brian turned his attention to Alicia “I probably am. How old are you Alicia?”
“Brian!”
“What, everyone thinks my age is up for discussion, and I’m curious.”
“I’m 37”
“I’m younger than your mom Aaron.”
Justin snorted.
“I am”
“By months.”
“Still younger.”
“And still older than I am.”
“I couldn’t be your sugardaddyclubfreak… whatever if I weren’t”
Alicia laughed. “You can say child molester in front of me. I’ve heard Craig say it before. And I know it’s not true.”
Brian pulled Justin in for a relatively chaste kiss. “It’s a little true.”
“Ewww” Justin pushed him away. “Besides, you didn’t molest me, I stalked you.”
“Only after I’d taken horrible advantage of your youth and innocence.”
“Yeah, well, that part was fun too.”
“Um, guys, kid eating here.”
Brian and Justin laughed. Aaron smiled and so did Alicia. They were all sitting in comfortable silence, Brian and Justin and Alicia drinking cheap red wine and watching Aaron continue to eat. It was nice. 'Til Craig came barging in.
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